October 2019 | Vol. 6 Iss. 10
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By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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week after the new South Jordan middle school opened, most everything was seeming to go like clockwork. Sure, there was a hiccup or two, as furniture had yet to arrive for the media center, touch-ups of paint still needed to be done, custodians were using the box office as their office until it was completed, and the indoor track wasn’t quite ready for students in the gym. But the students were in the classrooms learning — or at least in the instrumental music classroom, students were teaching their instructor how to open the new lockers. Mountain Creek Middle School, built near Golden Fields Elementary on Kestrel Rise Road and Bingham Rim Road, opened days before the school year on Aug. 15 with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Mayor Dawn Ramsey welcomed seventh, eighth and ninth grade students to their new school. “We are thrilled for the completion of our new Mountain Creek Middle School,” she said. “With an opening day enrollment of nearly 1,100, this school is very needed.” Ramsey, who has worked with Principal Mike Glenn and his team in various capacities in the past years, said she appreciates them as well as the community for the new school. “This beautiful new building was impressively built on time and under budget and will serve our community well for decades to come,” she said. “Thank you to the Jordan District Board of Education and administration and to the taxpayers, who approved funding for this new school. It is a wonderful addition to the rich educational opportunities available in South Jordan.”
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South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey welcomes the community to the new middle school, which she said is “the heart of the community.” (Photo courtesy of Tim Brooks/Mountain Creek Middle)
District Director of Facility Services Dave Rostrom said last winter the school would cost about $29.5 million and could accommodate up to 1,800 students. Assistant Principal Tim Brooks credits the welcoming of students to the student leaders, who gave tours and was a part of the ceremony that also invited the Jordan Board of Educa-
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tion, VCBO architecture firm, DWA general contractor, Herriman High drumline and other community members. Ninth grader Clare Mortmer said welcoming students was important to her. “I moved to South Jordan in sixth grade, and I had to adjust and gain my confidence,” Continued page 5
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Have you spotted a Little Free Library in South Jordan? Libby Allnatt | l.allnatt@mycityjournals.com Few things in life are truly free, but thanks to some South Jordan residents, reading materials can be. Little Free Library is the nonprofit organization behind those little wooden boxes stocked with books you may have seen around town. Several have popped up in South Jordan thanks to “stewards,” the term for residents who start a Little Free Library in their neighborhood. According to the organization’s online map, there are currently 17 registered Little Free Libraries in South Jordan. One of the newer ones was started by Cassidy Olsen, who got a Little Free Library up and running in Holt Farmstead Park in July. “We had a little kickoff party when we started it,” Olsen said. “We made some bookmarks, had some ice cream, we had a book drive at that time. That helped me get a reserve of books to keep it stocked.” Olsen said that she learned about Little Free Library several years ago and got the idea to start one this past spring. She bought hers on Amazon, but she notes that you can also buy them on Etsy or the Little Free Library website, as well as build one yourself. Olsen said there were some challenges to getting the Little Free Library set up because it was going on city property, but after navigating a few hurdles and dead ends, she was able to get the idea rolling. “After I got permission, I moved quick and had it up and running by July 15,” she said. Olsen said that she’s already noticed a lot of usage in the time the Little Free Library has been operational. She said she drives by it often and checks on it daily or every two days to trade out books and make sure it is well-stocked. “I have a little guestbook where people can sign in or write a note, mostly little
ournals
This telephone box in South Jordan is more than a cultural relic: It’s a Little Free Library that houses five shelves of books. (Libby Allnatt/City Journals)
kids,” she said. “They love to have this be an experience for them and say, thanks for the books.” Having a way for visitors to leave their mark is also important for Brent Jensen, a steward behind another Little Free Library in South Jordan that even has a nickname: Sir Owen. Sir Owen is a London telephone box, standing tall and red with five shelves inside for books.
Jensen said he and his wife got Sir Owen from an antique store in Las Vegas after years Any given Little Free Library, like this one in South Jordan’s Holt Farmstead Park, contains a variety of books. (Libby Allnatt/City Journals)
of wanting a telephone box. They eventually realized that Sir Owen could take on new life as a Little Free Library. “I had seen the whole Little Free Library thing, and one side of our brains, we had always wanted a telephone box, and then like, the Little Free Library, what a cool thing,”
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Jensen said. “We eventually put those two halves together and said, wouldn’t that be cool?” Jensen said he and his family like to put fun items in there in addition to books, such as a jar of dog treats. On a recent weekend while checking on Sir Owen, he noticed a visitor had left their own addition: another jar of treats for smaller dogs. “We try to take care of it and make sure there’s a good selection. It’s becoming one of those neighborhood things,” Jensen said. “We try to go out every day and see if there’s wrappers or donations or other sorts of things, to keep it tidy. Once every week to two weeks, I’ll go put more books out, take them out if books have been there for a while.” Jensen said in addition to promoting a love of reading and encouraging people to read books they wouldn’t otherwise pick up—a major effect of the Little Free Library is promoting a sense of community. “I’ve met more of my neighbors doing the Little Free Library,” he said. “We’ve lived here for nine years; we’ve had the Little Free Library for four years, and I’ve met so many more of my neighbors in that time.” Olsen, who set up the Little Free Library in Holt Farmstead Park, also emphasizes the community aspect. “Early literacy is important because it can really affect all areas of a child’s life, so if we get them reading and to love reading, we know that they’ll be successful in their future,” Olsen said. “So, it’s important in the literary aspect. I also think it’s just great community bonding and an opportunity for us to get to know other people around us where we may not know other people. It’s just a bonding experience.” Find a Little Free Library near you at littlefreelibrary.org. l
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Continued from front page she said. “I wanted to welcome students to this new school because I knew there might be some who were like me, needing a smile, needing someone to get to know and say hi.” Clare and her classmates learned in January last year that they likely would be transferring schools in their last year of middle school. “I was nervous because I didn’t want to lose my friends, but about 95% came here, so it’s OK,” she said. “Plus, it’s closer to my house.” At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Kate Brown was given the privilege of leading the first pledge of allegiance at the new middle school. “There were a lot of people there; I couldn’t see them all,” she said. “I just wanted to show people around, to help them.” Student leader Noble Suman said he photographed not only the ceremony but as people came to tour the school. “I caught how excited, how proud they were to be Moose,” he said about the school mascot the students voted for over the other choices before the school opened. “We have a lot of school spirit already.” During the seventh grade orientation, student leaders, who had toured the school during the final stages of construction in July, showed the incoming students around the school, which included several students’ favorite room — the auditorium, which seats
about 800 students and has bright-colored LED lights. The 178,000-square-foot school design is the same as Sunset Ridge Middle in West Jordan, with modifications, Glenn said. Some alterations include installing a secure vestibule at the main entrance, adjustments in the stairways and learning communities, adding bullet-proof film on classroom windows and incorporating the colors — navy blue, ivory and copper — students voted on before the construction was completed. The school has 54 teaching areas, all with voice enhancement systems; a maker room; pottery room with a kiln; a career and technical education room where a 3D printer could be used among six science rooms; four art rooms; family and consumer science rooms with nine cooking stations and 36 Bernina sewing machines; a dance room; a fitness room; a band room; and a choir room. All rooms have flat-panel television sets instead of monitors or overhead projectors. The cafeteria, which seats about 630 students, has multiple serving lines and a commons area for students to eat meals. The media center includes a computer lab as well as an adjacent instructional room. The gym has multiple basketball courts as well as an indoor track. There is a multi-use sports field to the south of the school. “It was cool to see how the school has changed from a month ago to now,” said their classmate, Jonah Schneider.
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After a week at the school, students say it feels more like home — their home. “The teachers are great and really care about us, wanting us to succeed,” Clare said. “It’s super exciting to be here at a new school, where we’re making it become ours.” The student leaders also helped to determine how to embrace the school spirit through a time capsule planned to be put in this fall as well as a variety of recognitions and assemblies. Students will be recognized for TRACKS (teachable, resilient, ambitious, creative, kind and safe) tender and have quarterly drawings. There will be a Moose of the Day, Month and Quarter awards as well as those for honor roll, perfect attendance and citizenship amongst others, Brooks said. “We’ve already have done the Moose Stomp, which is really a kick, at an assembly,” he said. “We have a Moose handshake, and the music instructor is developing a school song. We’re planning a spirit week, a dance, morning YouTube announcements on a private channel and more activities to welcome our students.” Mountain Creek Middle, which had its name approved in the spring, has an enrollment of 1,080 as of late August. That was higher than what administrators had planned. Last spring, they had projected to welcome 1,000 students. “We’re almost daily adding kids and hiring more teachers,” Brooks said, adding
that they house about 90 Chinese dual-immersion students and currently aren’t taking any students outside the school boundaries. He is pleased students are taking ownership and pride in their new school. “We want to make this a better place, with people being kind,” said Noble, who is a ninth grader. “It’s a great school, and we’re going to become the best students and people we can be.” l
Students and families check out the new middle school after the Aug. 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Tim Brooks/Mountain Creek Middle)
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South Jordan Chorale invited to Perform at Lincoln Center in New York City By Jennifer Gardiner | j.gardiner@mycityjournals.com
U
tah’s South Jordan Chorale is headed to the Big Apple after receiving a special invitation from the Distinguished Concerts International New York City to perform at the Lincoln Center next May. The performance is planned to take place on Monday, May 25 in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ David Geffen Hall and will feature The American Spirit as well as a World Premiere piece for choir and orchestra. “The South Jordan Chorale received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers as well as their stellar previous appearance on the DCINY Concert Series,” said Dr. Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for DCINY. “It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in New York. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.” The singers will spend five days and four nights in New York City in preparation for their concert. “The singers will spend approximately nine to 10 hours in rehearsals over the fiveday residency,” says Griffith. “Not all of the
time is spent in rehearsals, since there is so much history and culture to see in New York City. However, the performance is the primary purpose for their visit to the city.” Composer/conductor Mark Hayes is an award-winning concert pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. His 1,000 published works include work for solo voice, solo piano, multiple pianos, orchestra, jazz combo, small instrumental ensembles and choruses of all kinds. Hayes arranged and orchestrated the music for Civil War Voices, which won six awards including “Best Musical” in the 2010 Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York. He conducted the world premiere of his work for chorus, orchestra and narrator, The American Spirit, at Lincoln Center in May 2011 and the world premiere of his Requiem at Lincoln Center in May 2013. In addition to his involvement in the sacred and secular choral music fields, Hayes is an accomplished orchestrator and record producer. South Jordan Chorale is a part of the nonprofit organization SoJo Choral Arts, founded by Executive Director 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 themselves
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on being a music community that gives back. They have raised money for Make-A-Wish, 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.” The choir is accompanied by professional pianists Lori Hicks, Jamee Talbot and Debbie Robbins and a 30-member volunteer
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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.” For more information, you can visit www.SoJoChoralArts.org. Members of the community wanting to give financial support in sending these singers to New York can contact McKell Scanlan at mckellscanlan@gmail.com. l
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Local businesses sell goods at South Jordan Farmers Market By Libby Allnatt | l.allnatt@mycityjournals.com
E
very Saturday morning in South Jordan, trucks and vans unload produce as vendors set up colorful stands of corn, melons, peppers and other fresh fruits and vegetables. Now in its 11th year of operation, the South Jordan Farmers Market is one of many weekly markets throughout the valley, but it has made an impact among vendors and cus-
tomers alike. Roberts Family Farms is one vendor that is a mainstay at the market, setting up shop every week. Dix Roberts said the farm started in 1850, with the family now on its seventh generation on the same farm. The Layton-based family farm’s connection to the market goes back even further
than selling their wares there each week. “Our son was on the board, he’s a farmer, and he was on the board to have it get set up, the Farm Bureau,” said Ruth Roberts. The Utah Farm Bureau hosts both the South Jordan and Murray farmers markets. Ruth said while the South Jordan market may be smaller in size than its Murray counterpart, they get to know customers on a deep level, interacting with regulars every week. “We know their whole life story,” said Dix Roberts of the familiar faces who visit their stand each week. Dix and Ruth Roberts said the top sellers for Roberts Family Farms are sweet corn, potatoes and onions. Some customers have even gotten creative with the produce they pick up. Ruth said one customer has made baby food from Roberts Family Farms vegetables. Salsitas Mendoza is another vendor at the market that puts the “family” in “family business.” Iliana Mendoza, who helps her parents with the salsa business, said Salsitas Mendoza has been coming to the South Jordan Farmers Market for years. Using local, fresh products in their salsas, Mendoza said one of her favorite parts is “knowing you’re giving back.” She also emphasizes the work ethic she has developed from seeing the work that goes into a local business, all of which are reasons she said it’s important to support local business and the values behind it. Kimi Rasmussen, a family friend helping at the Salsitas Mendoza stand, agreed that it is important for the community to support the kind of businesses that make up the South Jordan’s Farmers Market. “When it’s a family-owned business, so Salsitas Mendoza products, pictured here at the South Jordan Farmers Market on Sept. 7, are made with local much heart goes into it,” Rasmussen said. While many visitors to the market live ingredients. (Libby Allnatt/City Journals) in South Jordan, others come from nearby towns to check out the wares and get some fresh produce each week. Bluffdale resident Marcia Hanson visits the South Jordan Farmers Market every Saturday. On a recent weekend trip to the market, she had picked up peaches, green beans and peppers and sampled some “delicious” mango salsa. Hanson said that while she sees familiar faces at the stands each week, she enjoys trying a little bit of everything and supporting the local vendors. “I have a garden and mine’s just been destroyed by grasshoppers this year,” Hanson said. “So, it’s actually cheaper to come to a farmer’s market and support these guys than to grow my own.” Vendors will line Towne Center Drive (off Redwood Road) just outside South JorSweet corn is a top seller for Roberts Family Farms and represents their biggest crop when it comes to acres, dan City Hall every Saturday until Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering fresh, local Dix Roberts said. (Libby Allnatt/City Journals) produce. l
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New ‘Welby Wildcats’ sign boosts school spirit, makes school easier to identify By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
T
his year, when Welby students came to school for the first day of school, they were in for a surprise. Parents crowded around the chain-link fence, waiting to take their students’ photos next to the new sign that reads “Welby Wildcats.” “I think it looks awesome, and so many people complimented it as they lined up to take their kids’ photos on the first day of school,” said PTA volunteer Polly Uffens. “It does a lot for our school spirit, and it is really an exciting and welcoming way to start the school year.” At a PTA meeting, Uffens had suggested the idea of the sign made with “putincups” after seeing similar signs at nearby Jordan Ridge and Fox Hills Elementary in Taylorsville. At Jordan Ridge, Principal Melissa Beck said the PTA sponsored the sign to enhance school spirit and put it up in May. Fox Hills put it up not only to boost school spirit but also to give it recognition as the back of the property faces 6200 South. Uffens said it was also a fun way “to spruce up the school since it is an older school.” Welby is 40 years old. While Uffens wasn’t available to help install the cups in the chain-link fence, she
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Students and their families smile after putting up the new “Welby Wildcats” sign that greeted the studentbody on their first day of school in August 2019. (Julie Slama / City Journals)
said the PTA Board chose a friendly paw design versus a fierce wildcat and outlined letters so students could help. PTA President Allisun Cartier said about five families put the “Welby Wildcats” sign
in about an hour. “We had adults put up the black outline and then the kids filled in the red in the middle of it,” she said about the Aug. 8 installation. “It was much easier than we thought.”
While some schools may put up the cups for Red Ribbon Week or other school activities, Welby plans to leave the signage up year-round. “The kids thought it was fun and exciting since it was new,” Cartier said. “My daughter gets so excited to see it every day knowing she helped put it up. And it’s helpful to our community with our school tucked in the neighborhood, you can see the school name, in school colors, a lot farther away.” Principal Aaron Ichimura supported the signage for his school that has a student body of about 875, including more than 60 new students. “I thought it would be a good thing to have ready for when our students came back to school for them and our parents to enjoy,” he said. “I was pleased to see parents taking pictures with the wall art and their students. [It] makes our school more visually welcoming and fun. Especially because we, like most schools, have a collection of new students as a result of the boundary permit change last year. Many students were a tad wary of coming to a new school, but I feel that seeing that welcoming sign and our smiling staff helped them feel more at ease. The fence art contributed to us having a great first day of school.” l
15 SAFETY TIPS FOR
TRICK-OR-TREATERS
You’re never too old to trick-or-treat (unless you are 35 and going by yourself, then yes, you are too old to trick-or-treat). But being safe knows no age limits, especially on a night when most people are wearing disguises. While it’s time to get your costume and candy bag ready, preparation of another kind is required for kid and adult alike. Here are some tips to stay safe this Halloween. 1. Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. 2. Costume accessories such as swords and knives should be short, soft and flexible. 3. Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. And as difficult as it may be, limit the amount of treats you eat. 4. Walk from house to house, don’t run. Doing so with a flashlight will help you see and others to see you. 5. Test makeup in a small area before applying. Then remove it before sleeping to prevent possible skin or eye irritation. 6. Only visit well-lit houses. 7. Do not enter a home without a trusted adult.
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8. By not wearing decorative contact lenses, you lower the risk for serious eye injury. 9. Wear well-fitted costumes, masks and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, falls and relentless mockery from your peers. 10. Drive extra safely on Halloween. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert during those hours. Slow down in residential neighborhoods. We all know how excited kids can be. Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully. 11. Remind children to watch for cars turning or backing up and to not dart into the street or between parked cars. 12. Put your electronic devices down as you walk around. 13. Keep costumes bright, or add reflective tape, to ensure kids are easier to spot. 14. Brush your teeth. Candy is sticky and cavities will scare you. 15. You can maximize your candy intake by planning your route. Stick to places you are familiar with so you can also circle back around to Halloween headquarters.
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Learn more at - www.siegfriedandjensen.com October 2019 | Page 9
‘Amazing Opportunity’ — Mayor recounts personally meeting U.S. Vice President Pence
I
By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
t isn’t every day that the U.S. vice president comes to South Jordan. As the mayor points out, it’s not a capitol city, nor is there a disaster or tragedy. “You just don’t get a visit like this; it’s extremely rare,” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey said about the Aug. 22 visit. Vice President Mike Pence toured Merit Medical, shook hands with workers and gave a speech in front of Utah dignitaries about the strength of the U.S. economy and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, which is intended to superseded the North American Free Trade Agreement, and has not been ratified by Congress. Pence’s visit wasn’t planned out months ahead with city officials, but rather less than one week. “I received a call from Fred Lampropoulos, the chairman, CEO and founder of Merit Medical, and he told me he had just gotten off the phone with the White House, and he was extending the White House’s invitation to have me be there when the vice president came,” she said. “It was just five or six days With former Sen. Orrin Hatch and others looking on, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey welcomes U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to South Jordan before he talked ahead of his visit. At the time Fred invited at Merit Medical. (Photo courtesy of Dawn Ramsey via the White House) me, I was very honored and excited that the vice president would see our excellent comThis was the second time Ramsey has munity, but at the same time, it was a little surreal, as I couldn’t say anything about it. It’s not the phone call you expect to get.” While Ramsey keeps a non-partisan of- listened to Pence speak in person. Last Sepfice, she was aware that not everyone may be tember, she and five other Utah female maysupportive of Pence’s visit. ors attended the Women Mayors of America “I respect the office of vice president of White House Conference and personally the United States and would welcome any heard him talk. vice president, regardless of political party, After his speech here, he shook hands to our city,” she said. “It’s an honor for our with some people in the front row, including city as it’s the first-time a vice president has Ramsey. every visited South Jordan.” “He said, ‘Mayor, how’d we do?’” she Ramsey was joined by Gov. Gary Her- said. “It was such an unexpected honor to bert, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, U.S. Reps. Rob have him here, meet him and then, have him Bishop and Ben McAdams, former U.S. Sen. personally acknowledge me. Then, he conOrrin Hatch, Utah Speaker of the House Brad tinued his tour of the facility, shaking hands Wilson, South Jordan City Council and other with those who work here and talking to dignitaries, but was surprised when only she them. What a privilege.” and Hatch and his wife were invited backRamsey credits the governor’s office in stage before Pence’s presentation. recommending South Jordan and Merit Med“I didn’t know I’d get to meet him until ical as the host city and facility for the vice shortly before he arrived,” she said. “It was president. such an unexpected honor to meet him, shake While there was much preparation at his hand and welcome him to the city.” hand for the vice president’s visit, Ramsey Security was strict so she wasn’t allowed said it was coordinated by the White House, to hand him anything or even pull out a cell so they arranged security, visitor clearance phone to snap a photo. However, a White and other matters, leaving local government House photographer caught the moment. to run as usual and provide for its citizens. “He was very easy to talk to, down to “They worked with other local agencies, earth and has an impressive presence,” she so we never compromised the safety of our said. “I felt very comfortable around him.” residents,” she said. “There were no headAnd when asked, she laughed and said, aches; we worked together with the Secret “No, he didn’t have sweaty palms.” Service in charge. The Secret Service meaRamsey said he said he was happy to be sures the exactness of his moves, down to visiting South Jordan. how many steps he takes and who is allowed “He talked about the beautiful com- to be anywhere so being able to meet him munity and the contributions we and Merit was one of the most amazing opportunities Medical bring to the community, state and of my life.” l nation,” she said.
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S outh Jordan City Journal
‘Freshman’ Mayor Dawn Ramsey— ensuring South Jordan always has a seat at the table
“
My biggest accomplishment has been having South Jordan have a seat at the table— at a lot of different levels.” Such is South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey’s seemingly rightful summation of a freshman term as mayor of South Jordan that has included everything from sharing stories on a dais with some of the most powerful women in politics and business at the National Governors Association meeting, to receiving honors from the governor at the state level and representing the city on nearly 20 boards, to playfully “outing” a resident crush from a young teen who has an image of her emblazoned on his skateboard. The mayor has it right—the job involves communication on a lot of different levels.
Honing communication skills—yes, the college experience, but real-world experience
Communication comes naturally to this mayor, a woman who studied public relations at the collegiate level at Brigham Young University and who has spent much of her adult life in volunteer roles as well as, surely, what all are beginning to understand is the most challenging role requiring the best communication skills of all—as a parent. In July, Ramsey was invited by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to represent Utah women as part of a high-profile panel. The panel paid tribute to the upcoming 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The 19th Amendment is what constitutionally provided American women the right to vote. Ramsey shared how she had carved her unique way into leadership with the audience of governors across the country, their chiefs of staff and other high-profile, high security-clearance officials at the kickoff panel of the conference. For the SoJo mayor, leadership in the home as first a parent and then as a highly engaged volunteer for the PTA gave her not just the connections but the problem-solving and communications skills that are serving her well as mayor of the 12-fastest-growing city in the county. It is also the fourth-best small city for business, and the city this year repeating as one of USA Today’s 50 best cities to live in. Members of Herbert’s staff depicted the governor as saying Ramsey had “hit it out of the ballpark” and had done a more-than-honorable job representing not just South Jordan but the whole state.
More VIP connections
In September, Ramsey was again honored by Herbert—this time for SoJo’s receiving the inaugural Water Efficiency Award A month early, in August, saw Ramsey and other members of the SoJo City Council attending Vice President Mike Pence’s fly-by
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com tour through Utah at the Merit Medical facility. Ramsey, members of the city council and city administration all received clearance to attend the vice president’s speech at Merit, one of a few stops on Pence’s two-day stop to Utah. “Mr. Lampropoulos and his Merit Medical team were the perfect hosts,” Ramsey told the South Jordan Journal. “As a city council, we are grateful for all those who work with and represent our community so well. It was an honor to welcome the vice president, the governor, members of congress and other elected and appointed officials to South Jordan. It is a rare opportunity for a community that isn’t the capital city and who has not had a disaster or tragedy, to receive such a visit.” It is not rare at all, though, for SoJo’s first woman mayor to meet with VIPs on the national and statewide level. One month after hosting the vice president and the cadre of state officials, Ramsey was a right-hand woman to Rep. Ben McAdams, University of Utah President Ruth Watkins and other officials as well as Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox. All in one day, Ramsey was on a panel with McAdams, Watkins and other officials to address the Hinckley Institute about affordable housing and participated with the lieutenant governor as a core component of the “Declaration on Idle-Free Cities” event, encouraging the state’s newfound commitment to clean air with an anti-idling press conference on the Capitol lawn. “These are complex challenges, but I’m grateful to represent South Jordan in these important conversations as we seek to improve quality of life for all Utahns,” Ramsey posted on Facebook.
the city,” Diehl said. “In the case of Mayor Ramsey reveals to ULCT and YouTube viewRamsey, she took office and hit the ground ers that a neighborhood youth seems to have a crush on her, having an image of her adornrunning.” Less on the VIP side—more on the flip side ing the belly of his skateboard. Perhaps that time of exposure to GenerWhat came to light through the ULCT ation Z voters will come to play in 2020, if video is that Ramsey is often unintentionally Ramsey elects to rerun to continue as SoJo hitting the ground—but more like grinding or mayor. l gliding instead of running. Showing her candor and playful side,
Literally inline with Utah’s power brokers: SoJo Mayor Dawn Ramsey (far right) with Rep. Ben McAdams (center), University of Utah President Ruth Watkins (right), and other leaders at the storied Hinckley Center panel on affordable housing. (Hinckley Center)
The freshman at the head of the class
Cameron Diehl, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, knows a lot of mayors. In fact, Diehl works with elected leadership from 245 incorporated municipalities in Utah. The ULCT has a created a video series, featuring a select few mayors, with SoJo’s Ramsey being among those “freshman” mayors profiled. According to Diehl, 2017 represented “a historic turnover” in municipal leadership in Utah, with 75% of mayors and council members being “new faces.” In recognition of this turnover, he ULCT “Meet the Mayors” video series features Ramsey, as well as freshman mayoral colleagues from Park City, West Jordan, Kaysville, Provo and Payson. Diehl playfully refers to Ramsey as a “rockstar mayor.” “She stepped into a city that was in transition and immediately put her mark on
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S outh Jordan City Journal
Bingham rehearsals already underway for Shakespeare competition, fall musical By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
A
fter Bingham students and alumni fit in tourist sites while catching six Broadway productions during their summer non-schoolsponsored trip to New York City, the enthusiasm of learning about the stage may carry them into this school year’s productions. “It’s a fun trip where kids discover New York, see Broadway shows and learn about theater, but it’s also combined with seeing the sites and visiting important places in our country,” said Michelle Robbins, Bingham High theater teacher, who takes about 15 students, alumni and parents on the trip every other year. This year, students may use it as a springboard as rehearsals already are underway for their fall musical, “Children of Eden” and to create their devised piece to perform Oct. 3–5 at the annual high school Shakespeare competition, hosted by the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University, in Cedar City. The 18-member Shakespeare ensemble will be made up of students in the Theatre IV class. Together they use the words written by William Shakespeare in conjunction to a theme that appeals to them today to devise their own piece. This year, students came up with the theme, “To thine own self, we true,” said Liz Smith, who is directing the ensemble. “We discuss characters who identify with this or who have gone through an identification crisis or who may be trying to be what everyone else wants him to be, and from there, we’ll create our piece,” she said. Robbins will coach the students, mostly juniors in Theatre III, with their scenes and monologues for the competition. In addition, the dance company and tech crew will compete as will members of the 15-member improv team. While last year Bingham earned first place for its devised ensemble piece, Smith said winning isn’t necessarily the goal. “The purpose in creating a piece is to send a message, and we ask, ‘What do we want to learn as artists and connect and have our audience learn?’” she said.
Bingham drama club officers are preparing for a season that kicked off with a devised Shakespeare ensemble piece and its fall musical, “Children of Eden.” (Photo courtesy of Michelle Robbins/Bingham High)
Bingham’s recently upgraded Copper Pit will be the stage for several of the upcoming theater season productions. (Photo courtesy of Christen Richards-Khong/Bingham High)
Smith also is directing and choreographing the musical with rehearsals after school for about 75 students. “This is one of my favorite musicals,” she said. “I was introduced to it in the early 2000s, and I fell in love with the music and story, and it’s one of those musicals that you can grow from each time you see it, with its messages in different themes. The students
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about it this summer.” While it’s loosely based on the Biblical stories of Adam and Eve and Noah’s Ark, Smith said it’s more than that. “It’s a show about relationships—families and parents letting go of their children,” she said. “It’s about social responsibility and taking care of the world and asking, ‘Are we doing the best we can?’”
23 and again Nov. 25–26 as well as 2 p.m., Nov. 23 in the school auditorium, 2160 West 10400 South. Tickets are $10 for premium seating and $8 for general admission and are available through showtix4u.com in mid-October. Students also will present the musical as part of the Utah Theatre’s Association Jan. 16–18. In February, Bingham will put on “Is He Dead?” The show is a comedy originally written by Mark Twain, but it was never published. It was later found and then adopted by American playwright David Ives in 2003. “The last three plays I’ve directed have been classical comedies, but this one is both classical and contemporary,” said Robbins, who will direct the play. It will be the first play on stage in the school’s newly updated Copper Pit, which now has a tech booth allowing for more options for the production, she said. The show will run at 7 p.m., Feb. 21–22 and again, Feb. 24–25. Tickets are $8 online or $10 at the door. The spring season will include students competing at the regional contest in March as well as state in April. Bingham will host the state individual competitions. Sandwiched among all the productions are the monthly improvisation team’s performances on Friday nights in the Copper Pit. The team is coached by Bruce Hess. Performances will be posted online on the school’s calendar and performed in the Copper Pit. Tickets are $2. Throughout the season, students also have a chance to meet monthly with the school’s drama club. Not only do they attend shows at Pioneer Memorial Theatre and hold socials, but the students also perform service for their community. The theater season will include the musical theatre revue at 7 p.m., May 6–8 in the Copper Pit, and conclude with student-directed one-act plays at the end-of-the-year showcase, at 7 p.m., May 21–22 in the Copper Pit. Tickets for both productions are $5. l
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By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
he news sounds shocking: According to the Utah Taxpayers Association’s “2019 Cost of City Governments” report, South Jordan has the seventh-highest cost of government of the largest cities in the state. The link to an article is posted on a SoJo Facebook group. As tends to happen with social media, buzz gets buzzing. The question is: What does that mean? And is that a bad thing for South Jordan?
The facts from Utah Taxpayers Association
The Utah Taxpayers Association, now calling itself “Your Taxpayers Association” or “Your Tax Watchdog” is a venerable institution. The organization has been in existence since 1922, and is an oft-cited source for media. The annual Cost of City Governments report is always based on the previous fiscal year’s data. So, this year’s report comprises facts from 2018 data. UTA’s simple description for the report is “A snapshot of on average how much of each thousand dollars earned by a citizen is consumed by the city government in Utah.” For its report, UTA then proceeds to compare the “highest-cost” versus the “lowest-cost” governments. The point of view expressed is that cities should avoid providing services for residents, abdicating the responsibility for private-sector solutions. “It is a general snapshot so that people can understand the fees and taxes they are paying,” UTA Research Analyst Spencer Nitz told the South Jordan Journal in a telephone interview. Nitz pointed out that, of the 50 largest cities in the state, SoJo government receives the fifth-highest revenue for government expenditures and fees. “They have an extraordinarily high budget,” Nitz said, reminding once again, however, that the report itself only looks at revenues being levied in terms of taxes and fees. UTA leverages population and tax/fee data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Government Revenue Data from the Utah State Auditor’s Office.
a community want to wait before getting a response to a call about a fire? Or, how long does a community want wait for a police officer or other first-responder to arrive at a location about a safety issue? The level of service – whether grass is tended once a week or once a month, or whether first responders arrive in 60 seconds or 10 minutes—has an impact on residents’ level of satisfaction but also has an impact on the corollary—how much taxes residents pay to receive that level of service. “Spending,” said SoJo City Manager Gary Whatcott, “is not ‘right’ or ‘wrong’—it is what a community decides.”
It’s all about the data
For the past 11 years, SoJo officials have surveyed residents to find out what they want from local government. For the past five years, as reported by the South Jordan Journal in April, the city has worked with public-opinion polling organization Y2 Analytics and has broadly publicized strong, mostly positive public opinion about the level of service the city is providing. “What our residents comment about means more to me [than the UTA comparison report],” Whatcott said. Whatcott says the city uses priority-based budgeting concepts. Such a strategy leverages the data from the surveys to inform a prioritization technology program, which guides how budget dollars are spent. While Whatcott indicates SoJo initiated the program during recessionary times, the conservatively managed city has found the strategy to be useful in both lean and plentiful times. The SoJo values octagon—the eight strategic priorities for the city—help guide spending, he said. The eight categories comprise: balanced regulation, civic development, community engagement, economic development, fiscal responsibility, open-space and “desirable” amenities, safety, sustainable growth. Whatcott says these values help frame spending decisions. “If programs don’t fit The SoJo POV—Local governments make in these categories—or accomplish these decisions to suit their local constituents goals,” he said, “we should ask ‘why are we South Jordan administrative and finan- paying for it?’” cial management executives do not quibble It’s really all about the local community With regards to the Utah Taxpayers Aswith any of the data from the report. Taxes, they assert, are quite logically, sociation’s recent report finding SoJo being often higher in providing a level of service the seventh-highest-taxing city, UTA’s Nitz reminds: “What we try to do is look at this as desired by a community. SoJo City Manager Gary Whatcott uses a snapshot,” Nitz said. “It is virtually imposthe example of park strip maintenance. “It’s sible to compare city by city.” Impossible, and even desirable or overly a question we ask the (city) council every time—how often do you want the grass to be useful? SoJo Chief Financial Officer Sunil mown?” Another common issue is how long does Naidu notes that taxation is “not a one-size-
fits-all kind of thing.” Colleague Don Tingey, the strategic services director for the city, agrees. “It goes back to why cities are formed, to begin with—unique city values that the residents want to preserve,” he said. Without the concept of localized values, Tingey argues, “[we would be] just one big city.” South Jordan, according to Whatcott and these other staff members, prioritizes running the government with well-informed elected officials. Providing them with the best information possible then allows them to make the best decisions possible to represent constituents. “Most officials are sensitive to their constituents,” Whatcott said. Whatcott shares some of the city’s most controversial budgetary decisions—matters such as the development proposal to “trade one amenity for another” by axing the Mulligan’s family fun center and developing land for an entertainment complex that could have housed what is now Sandy City’s Hale Center Theatre. “The public came out and said ‘No’— In fact, they said ‘Hell, no,’” Whatcott said. “We don’t want you to get rid of Mulligan’s. We like the look of green space.” As a result of this profound constituent outpouring, Whatcott said, the city scrapped the lure of development and is now reinvesting in Mulligans and continues to tout its commitment to open space. In a somewhat similar situation, the city also had appreciable resident input on the fate of the Glenmoor Golf Course, which now is being preserved in perpetuity, without the possibility of development encroaching on the decades-old green-space. Today, the course is privately owned and operated and is a thriving national model of success, a winwin for residents to enjoy the amenities without carrying the ownership burden. While SoJo city council meetings are frequently jam-packed when it comes to public comment on development issues, the chamber is notably, famously, annually quiet when it comes time to approve the city’s annual budget. At the meeting to pass this year’s budget, the elected and city officials on the dais outnumbered the audience in the chambers by more than two times. The budget’s “sailing through” and, according to Whatcott, the low turnover of officials during election cycles indicate that—regardless of perceived alarmist reports about a high level of taxation in a city where the median income hovers around $100,000—“There are not lightning bolts going off. Most people feel OK.” l
S outh Jordan City Journal
SoJo honored by governor for water efficiency practices for local, perhaps state water security By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
N
ews flash: The 12th-fastest growing city in the county and the city recently named one of the top-50 cities to live in by USA Today is no longer just “South Jordan.” As praised by Gov. Gary Herbert, South Jordan is also “Water-Smart SoJo.”
South Jordan not just earns—but inspires—creation of Water Efficiency Award for state of Utah
In early September, Herbert decorated SoJo Mayor Dawn Ramsey and SoJo City Manager Gary Whatcott with a unique, statewide honor—the “Water Efficiency Award”— and also declared the city as Water-Smart SoJo. Decades-long work the city has done not only earned the reception of the award but actually inspired the creation of the award itself.
sentation of the award to SoJo represents the SoJo envisions the possibility of the wafirst time the OMB has ever honored munici- ter becoming a permanent secondary or even pal leadership for diligent, strategic consider- primary supply for not just the city but for ation of water security, water preservation and many cities throughout Salt Lake County. other issues. The project is slated to begin, cautiously, as a multi-year demonstration experiment, Water-Smart SoJo’s seeking water security: housed in a structure to be constructed proxiWhy Herbert praised South Jordan leadermate to the Jordan River. Once wastewater is ship treated through the rigorous process, it will be Herbert and OMB Executive Director released into the Jordan River. As noted above, Kristen Cox indicated being impressed with future implementation of the technology may SoJo’s leadership for Utah water security with yield irrigation or even drinking water. its first-of-its kind “innovative water re-use Pure SoJo is modeled after an award-windemonstration project”—The Pure SoJo projning potable water reuse project conducted by ect written about in South Jordan Journal in Altamonte Springs, Florida, a suburb with a June. population approximately half that of South “As Utah’s population continues to grow, Jordan’s current 85,000. the way we view and use water matters,” Cox SoJo officials and guests from various said. “I commend South Jordan City for emstakeholder groups have visited Altamonte
elected leadership, began researching and strategizing SoJo’s water security more than 15 years ago. Whatcott indicated the award is a credit to “a culmination” of efforts. “It represents a culmination of all of our hard work over many years to pursue conservation efforts,” he told the South Jordan Journal. The project, he said, is “a culmination of many efforts by the city to try to reduce water usage.” Whatcott indicates city ordinances— such as those directing water-wise landscaping—teamed with other strategies such as water-conservation education and grants for low-flow plumbing fixtures to squarely position SoJo as a sustainable, water-smart city. Whatcott even hired a full-time water-conservation officer, Jason Rasmussen, who is captaining the Pure SoJo project, which, Whatcott says, is currently “under RFP” or request-for-proposal status in terms of engineering and project management. Ramsey indicates wanting to bring SoJo’s knowledge assets to the statewide stage, helping Utah, the second-driest state in the country, become more sustainable and water-secure.
Beyond Pure SoJo: Other city practices to ensure water security
In addition to the Pure SoJo test project, the city was praised for these water-smart practices: • Citywide smart meter installation for culinary water • The WaterSmartSoJo website and customer data portal (including ability for residents and business customers to inspect water use down to the day and hour, make comparisons with neighboring water users and set their own water- conservation targets) • Leak-detection analytics, coordinated with customer notifications • Water conservation rebates and customer workshops • Landscape-ordinance rewrites to better encourage water-wise use • Improved municipal water stewardship SoJo City Manager Gary Whatcott and SoJo Mayor Dawn Ramsey accepted the first-ever Water Efficiency Award for the state of Utah. (Governor’s Office of Manage- through a state-of-the-art central control sysment and Budget) tem Every year the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget honors best practices in government throughout the state at its Operational Excellence Conference. Such programs and technologies are credited as being “breakthrough” and models for others throughout the state to learn from. The Sept. 10 awards ceremony was a climax to the OMB’s “Building on Success 2019: Unleash Your Full Potential” conference at the Davis Conference Center in Layton. The pre-
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
powering residents to make wise water decisions and taking actionable steps as a city to conserve.” The Pure SoJo pilot project seeks to explore secondary water resources—beyond the city’s current only source for water, the Jordan Valley Water District. Through funds from the state, Pure SoJo will leverage a four-step process for wastewater reuse as irrigation water or even, down the road, as potable drinking water.
The final consideration: The economic hammer
Springs and are not only borrowing its marNick Schou, conservation director for keting (their project name is PureALTA), but, more importantly, gleaning best practices from the Utah Rivers Council Conservation Directheir test site. In 2018 PureALTA won a global tor, previously doused skepticism on the Pure aware as WateReuse [sic] Project of the Year. SoJo project. Schou indicated conservation being a less expensive strategy than re-use Water security core to SoJo’s city values technology. and long-term strategic planning SoJo apparently has an answer to that SoJo officially articulates the values of concern, with new statewide nods for the safe, sustainable growth and fiscal responsi- city’s tiered water rates that encourage water bility in its list of city values. Under the lead- efficiency. l ership of Whatcott, in tandem of municipal
October 2019 | Page 15
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O
ur furry friends are more than just pets, they’re part of our families. However, even though they’re the part of family that can’t easily come along on family vacations. If you’re a Utahn with a pet, you’re probably all too familiar with the predicament of having to be away for a time, but you don’t want to kennel your fur baby or leave them home alone. Not to worry! Veronica Zolotoochin and Mark Barton have you covered. Co-owners of dog ‘n butterfly, the duo is dedicated to being there for your animals when you can’t be. (And they mean animals as they take care of dogs, cats, llamas and even chickens.) dog ‘n butterfly provides a variety of services for pets including overnight house sitting, midday visits, drop-in visits, boarding, leashed walks, off-leash walks, day care, pet taxi, grooming, vet care and any other form of customized pet care. dog ‘n butterfly began four years ago, after Zolotoochin decided she needed a big change in her life. When she realized there was a big need for vacation care, especially here in Utah, she knew she was on the right track. What began as a small dog-care boutique in Sugar House, quickly grew into full-
time dog services expanding into West Jordan and South Jordan. Now they cover the entire Salt Lake Valley. Zolotoochin came from a family that had a pack of labs. The youngest, a black lab named Jasmine, had a unique quirk. “She’s my butterfly chaser,” Zolotoochin said. The company was named after Jasmine and the song by Heart. Zolotoochin’s sister illustrated Jasmine and the butterfly for the company’s logo. dog ‘n butterfly has over 15 employees. Each of those humans has their own personal story for why they want to continually work with animals. In addition to sharing that story, Zolotoochin and Barton require a background check and a trial run for those applying to work for dog ‘n butterfly. For three weeks, new employees shadow a seasoned employee as they do their routine house visits and walks. At the end of three weeks, the new employee tries out what they’ve learned, as they watch Zolotoochin and Barton’s pets for a few days. “They all have huge hearts and love animals,” Zolotoochin said. “We believe in relationships,” Zolotoochin said. With that statement, she didn’t just mean human relationships. For each ser-
vice dog ‘n butterfly provides, the pet gets to choose the human whom they want to spend time with. With their employees ranging from ages 18 to 71, dog ‘n butterfly usually can find a human for every pet. “Some of the animals recognize the people and get excited by the sound of their cars,” Zolotoochin added. In addition, dog ‘n butterfly ensures that the animals get along. Depending on the service, there may be two to three additional animals around. If those animals don’t get along, Zolotoochin and Barton work to either remove or improve that relationship. House sitting and boarding are their most popular services offered. When an owner leaves town, they can choose to either have a sitter come to their home, or they can drop off their furry (or feathered) family member with a sitter. For house sitting, with or without midday visits, sitters can completely take care of your animal and home. “They don’t just care for the animals, but they can care for the house. If there’s a problem with plumbing, or anything else, they can take care of that. And they know we are just a phone call away if they need assistance,” Barton said.
Zolotoochin and many other sitters are animal specific CPR certified. While they aren’t vet techs, caregivers can do the things an owner does, such as administer medication. In addition, Barton is working toward a professional dog training certification. For boarding, the animal is dropped off at a home with two to three other animals. “They become part of the family,” said Zolotoochin. “They aren’t kenneled or left alone. They are supervised, and they get to go on walks or hikes. They get that one-on-one attention and personal care.” Because the animals get that personal care, dog ‘n butterfly has the capacity to take on difficult animals. “We’re not just going to not take on an animal,” Zolotoochin said. For walks, both on-leash and off-leash, dog ‘n butterfly limits each group to only three or four dogs. “We aren’t in it for the volume,” Barton said. dog ‘n butterfly will be at Strut Your Mutt on Oct. 12, at 10:30 a.m., at Liberty Park. For more information, visit www.dognbutterflyslc.com. Or visit their social media at @dognbutterflyslc on Facebook and Instagram.
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City Journals presents:
HALLOWEEN JOURNAL A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for men, women, and children in the Salt Lake Valley
The tragic Murray tale of Charles Thiedee By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com It was a first for the State of Utah and, to date, the first and only one for Murray—an execution. In 1896, in true Wild West fashion, saloonkeeper Charles Thiede was hung in a genuinely gruesome manner for the murder of his wife. While the territory of Utah had executed a few outlaws before Thiede, this was the first as a state, and it made national headlines. Thiede’s life of crime can be traced in newspaper headlines years before the
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slaying of his wife. Thiede left his native Germany to serve in the navies of England and Chile, but after fighting against the Peruvians, Thiede hoped to find solace in his native land. Upon returning to Germany, he was immediately conscripted into the army, where he served as a cook, a profession he kept for the rest of his life. After military service, he married Mary Frank in 1884, and together they set off for a better life in America, settling in Sandy and having a child. The ne’er-do-well Thiede, who had a fearsome temper, opened his first tavern, the Social Hall Saloon, in the fall of 1886 in downtown Salt Lake City. That same year, he was fined for punching a woman who had accidentally dropped a piece of paper into his lap. After being shut down for selling liquor without a license, or for selling it on a Sunday, Thiede opened, and was forced to close, numerous establishments. By the early 1890s, Thiede was a regular before the court, usually losing his liquor license or being punished for assaulting someone. As a result, Salt Lake City was no longer a welcoming spot for Thiede, and the saloonkeeper saw prime opportunity to jump into the thriving bar scene along State Street in Murray. Finding a small patch of ground behind the Germania smelter on 4800 South, Thiede opened the West Side Saloon. A notorious womanizer who welcomed prostitutes into his bar, Thiede was also known to frequently abuse his wife, Mary; even for rough-and-tumble Murray, that was not acceptable. The night before May 1, 1894, Mary had fled to a neighbor’s home after a violent fight. As she always had done before, she returned. But this time, she returned home to find a very drunken Charles, who was waiting for her with a butcher’s knife. He sliced her throat from ear to ear. Blood-splattered Thiede then went to Harry Hayne’s saloon, where he reportedly told the sheriff, “Well, I killed
Murderer Charles Thiede, convicted of killing his wife, Mary. (Photo courtesy of U of U Marriott Library)
my wife last night.” The next morning, a crowd swarmed the sheriff’s office, trying to carry out its own version of justice by lynching Thiede. The sheriff relocated his prisoner to the Salt Lake County jail, which was also in Murray. There, Thiede changed his story and claimed he was innocent. He told the judge he found her body in his house, and that her dying words were, “Oh, Charlie.” The prosecutors, long familiar with the defendant, presented a forensically tight case, first pointing out that the victim could in no way talk, as her head was nearly cut off. They also argued that because Charles was covered in blood—meaning the heart would still need to be pumping in order for the blood to splatter on him—then he had to be with Mary, in their home, at the time of the murder. Found guilty, Thiede was sentenced to be hanged. In 1896, Thiede’s time was up, but the sheriff wanted to try a new-and-improved way of hanging. Instead of the condemned being dropped through a trap door, Thiede was going to be hanged by an ingenious system of pulleys; he would stand on the ground, and a metal weight would yank him upward, snapping his neck. Lawmen from around the West convened at the Salt Lake County jail to watch
Charles Thiede was the first, and last, person to be hanged with a noose that yanked the condemned off the ground. (Illustration courtesy of U of U Marriott Library.)
the new method in action. At the appointed time, Thiede, who still professed his innocence, was yanked up by the noose, but it failed to snap his neck. Instead, he hung on the gallows for 14 minutes, strangled to death. That hanging method was never used again. Even in death, Thiede gained no sympathy. An arsonist burned his saloon down. The Salt Lake Herald-Republican reported that residents in Murray and Cottonwood Heights guarded their cemeteries to prevent his body from being interred there. Eventually, he was buried in Sandy City’s cemetery—but only for a day. He was disinterred at the request of Sandy residents and buried in a field adjacent to the graveyard. l
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Only enthusiastic spooks need apply at Castle of Chaos By Jenniffer Wardell | j.wardell@mycityjournals.com Becoming a ghost, ghoul or monstrous fiend isn’t as complicated as some people think.
At least, it isn’t at the Castle of Chaos. The haunted house, which is open now through Nov. 2, held auditions for their cast of scarers this past August. Interviews required applicants to groan, scream, shuffle menacingly and try their best to startle someone enough to make them jump. According to the Castle of Chaos directing team, however, a willingness to try is far more important than acting experience or the ability to deliver convincing scares. “I look for people who are free and open with their body and voice,” said Castle of Chaos Director Nick Justice. “If you’re coming in here and you’re going crazy, even if it makes no sense, you’re better than half the people who come in here.” He also said it’s important that people be able to take direction and follow guidance offered by one of the directing team. Justice and Castle of Chaos Casting Director Kelly Drabik spend most of the audition asking applicants to show off their ability to do things like zombie walks or predatory stalking at low heights. They’ll also ask if the applicants have any special talents, such as a particularly good creepy laugh
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Though roles such as Freddy Krueger require actors with a specific body type, there are plenty of other roles designed to fit a variety of ages and body types. (Photo provided by Castle of Chaos)
or the ability to twist your arm in a disturbing-looking way. “It’s really laid back,” said Castle of Chaos General Manager Dalton Brown. “You don’t have to have anything prepared.” Another part of the audition process involves the directing team figuring out how each applicant would best fit into the haunted house. That includes several factors, from a map of the planned rooms for the upcoming season to asking the applicant whether they have a particular role they want to do. Though he’d turned most of the interviews over to Justice and Drabik, Castle of Chaos Owner James Bernard offered some guidance on this part of the process. “After 19 years of running a haunted house, it’s second nature to see someone, get to know their personality, and see where they’d have the most fun and be the most effective,” he said. Though he said having fun is the major factor in where an actor gets placed, elements such as the actors age will determine whether they can take on certain roles. “When you’re in an authority role, for example, it’s tough to scare someone older,” he said, explaining why he tends not to cast younger actors in roles such as murderous doctors. Sometimes, how you look can also be a factor in where you end up. “For our Hollywood roles, we do look at physical appearance,” said Drabik. “Jason (Voorhees) needs to look like Jason. But we also like 4-foot-tall little girls, because they’re scary as heck.” No matter where the actor ends up, however, it’s important that they know how to scare responsibly. Midvale’s Castle of Chaos (7980 S. State Street) offers several different levels of scares, with higher levels including more physical contact. Level three involves touching, level four includes pushing and dragging, and higher levels in-
The Castle of Chaos hires a large cast every season to work in their haunted house, such as the above group who performed in 2018. (Photo provided by Castle of Chaos)
volve even more intense experiences. Given that level of interaction, the directing team looks for actors who keep the safety of both the guests and their fellow performers in mind. “We look for people who can be safe with it,” said Mike Harmon, a Castle of Chaos acting coach who runs classes on doing hands-on scares. “A lot of the stuff we do at level four can get dangerous unless you do it carefully.” For Justice, making sure no one gets hurt is far more important than being frightening. “In my mind, it doesn’t matter how scary it is,” he said. “If you get hurt, that’s all you’re going to remember.” Besides, the people who are selected to become scarers for the year will get a chance to hone their scaring ability. In addition to the hands-on classes, the haunted house offers other classes, dress rehearsals and an orientation meeting that allows them to get more in-depth with their roles. Some years, they even give them a chance to help each other master their roles. “We send other actors through the haunted house to give them a chance to practice,” said Drabik. In the end, the willingness to put in
that work is the biggest thing the directing team looks for during the auditions. “We look for enthusiasm,” she said. “If you come in with a passion for haunted houses, we’ll find a place for you.” l
The rooms in the haunted house are divided into different things, with killer hospitals (above) and murderous clowns both being a common theme. (Photo provided by Castle of Chaos)
S outh Jordan City Journal
A spooky mix of plays, parties and races to put you in the Halloween spirit By Christy Jepson | christy@mycityjournals.com Halloween is just around the corner and there are plenty of activities for just about everybody. Besides the traditional fall events like corn mazes and pumpkin patches, here are some different Halloween activities going on in the Salt Lake Valley for “ghouls” and boys of all ages.
Halloween plays/performances
“Phantom” at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy
Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s “Phantom” will be performed on the Young Living Centre Stage Sept. 23-Nov. 9. Even though it has some similarities of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera,” expect to see new characters and songs in this production. Audience members need to watch out for the massive chandelier that comes crashing to the floor. Ticket prices start at $48 for adults and $22 for youth 5-17. No children under 5 are permitted in the theater. For ticket information call 801-984-9000 or visit hct.org.
“Thriller” at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City
This year’s smash Halloween dance production will include favorite numbers such as “Dem Bones,” “Frankenstein,” and “Jason Jam,” plus other new surprises. “Thriller” is full of frights, laughs and scares that make you scream. This production will be performed at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City Oct. 14-26. Ticket prices are $35-$55. Visit https://odysseydance. com/shows/thriller/ for more information and discounts. This show is not for children under 8 or for the faint of heart.
“Adams Family Reunion: A series of FUNfortunate Events!” at the Desert Star in Murray
hidden in the audience in regular clothes which makes a fun, social and interactive evening for all adults. Ticket prices start at $59.95 (check for holiday pricing). Tickets include: a four-course dinner, the murder mystery entertainment, and a prize package for the top sleuth. Some mild content, loud noises, a brief blackout and adult humor will be present. For more information visit thedinnerdetective.com/salt-lake-city.
“The Addams Family” at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy
Come watch all the creepy, kooky and loveable family members from the 1960’s TV show, “The Addams Family” on stage from now until Nov. 16. This Broadway show’s message is all about what defines a “normal” family and that we need to love all people despite our differences. Be on the lookout for some fun quirks and tricks throughout the show. Ticket prices are $36-$48 for adults and $18-$24 for youth The cast of Desert Star’s “Adams Family Reunion: A series of FUNfortunate Events!” (Photo courtesy Desert 5-17. Visit hct.org for more information or Star) call 801-984-9000. with prizes, free arts and crafts, a pumpkin Parties Races Monster Block Party at the Gallivan drop, live music and dance, and about 30 The Haunted Half Sugar House vendors. The Gallivan Center is located at Center in Salt Lake City Dress up in your costumes and get The 2019 Monster Block party will 239 S. Main Street. The event runs from 11 ready to run for your life at the Haunted be held at the Gallivan Center on Oct. 26. a.m. to 3 p.m. l Half on Oct. 19 at Sugar House Park. All This is a free daytime Halloween festival ages and abilities can either run the half with trick-or-treating, costume contests marathon, 5k or the Halloween half-mile. The Fear Factory Finish is there to give you that end-of-the-race push which then rewards you with a festival full of food, contests, music, games and spooky fun things. Registration fees from now until Oct. 17 are $84.95 for the half, $36.95 for the 5k and $12.95 for the kids’ run. For registration and information visit thehauntedhalf.com/ races/salt-lake-city.
Desert Star is known for mixing parody with a little romance and adventure with Utah culture and political jokes, and this show is no exception. This story focuses on the Adams clan who are trying to save their home for the greedy oil baroness, Mrs. Measley who knows they have oil underneath their home. Ticket prices are $26.95 for adults (holidays, special events may be different) and children under 11 are $15.95. Call 801-266-2600 for tickets or visit their box office at Desert Star, 4861 S. State St. This production runs until Nov. 9.
The Dinner Detective interactive murder mystery dinner show at the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City
Be an active participate in America’s largest interactive comedy murder-mystery dinner show. Throughout the evening, audience members will eat a four-course meal while watching a crime unfold and then everyone is in it to figure out the clues of who Guests at The Dinner Detective interactive murder did it. Don’t be deceived, the person next mystery show read clues while they try to solve the to you might be the culprit! The actors are mystery. (Photo courtesy The Dinner Detective)
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GPS maze tracking, pumpkin light show are new innovations at Crazy Corn Maze By Jordan Hafford | j.hafford@mycityjournals.com
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A view of the main corn field maze at Crazy Corn Maze in West Jordan. (Jordan Hafford/City Journals) Inset: The 2019 corn maze design at Crazy Corn Maze in West Jordan. (thecrazycornmaze.com)
After 21 years of fall festivities, West Jordan’s Crazy Corn Maze has decided to give the business a complete makeover for the 2019 season.
Launching themselves into the modern age of technology, the business is now utilizing smart technology this Halloween to add even more fun to their attraction. “This year we will have a new GPS smart phone map so you can track yourself as you find your way through the maze,” said Crazy Corn Maze owner Julianna Maynard. “We are also adding a smart phone trivia game.” The Crazy Corn Maze first opened in 1998, 21 years ago, as a simple corn maze near Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville. Two years later, it moved to their current location, 8800 S. 4000 West in West Jordan. Crazy Corn Maze has grown into a unique Halloween venue throughout this time, in that their multiple, custom-made attractions appeal to a wide demographic — this year more than ever. While there is still the option to walk through the classic, family friendly 8-acre maze with no “haunts” or spooks, the adrenaline junkies will be roaming what is called the Night Stalkers Haunted Trail. In 2016, the business began renovating the haunted trail, and the Night Stalkers Haunted Trail was officially born as a separate attraction within Crazy Corn Maze. “Each year we have put tremendous effort into making this one of the top haunt-
ed attractions,” Maynard said. “In 2017 and 2018 we were voted the No. 1 haunted attraction in Utah by utahhauntedhouses. com.” The Night Stalkers Haunted Trail stands out as an interactive entertaining experience for thrill seekers and more adult attendees. There are four terrifying sections of the trail: Creatures of the Corn; Phobia: What are you afraid of?; 3D Slumber: Pleasant screams; and Horror Show. Among the multiple attractions at Crazy Corn Maze, there is also a playground for small children that includes a corn pit, a straw mountain with slides and games, as well as Mayble’s 3D Funhouse which is a not-so-scary junior attendee interactive haunted house. Also debuting this year, Crazy Corn Maze is set to dazzle their audience with a Fright Lights attraction, a magical pumpkin patch light show. Patrons will walk through the lighted pumpkin patch and be given a pumpkin of their own to take home. “We hope patrons come away wondering how on earth we do what we do, as well as being scared in a fun and sometimes humorous way,” Maynard said. “Whether you like a fun family fall tradition, or want to be scared out of your mind, we aim to provide an exceptional seasonal entertainment experience.” The maze opens Sept. 27 and runs through Nov. 2. It is open Monday-Thursday 6-10 p.m, Friday 6-11:30 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 11:30 p.m. l
S outh Jordan City Journal
Monthlong festival encouraged residents to enjoy newly improved Jordan River By Stephanie Yrungaray | s.yrungaray@mycityjournals.com
D
uring September, residents in the 16 cities and three counties that line the Jordan River were encouraged to “Get to the River.” The Get to the River festival included a monthlong calendar of events to increase awareness and encourage the use of the Jordan River and Jordan River Parkway. “[The festival] is a great opportunity for every city the river goes through to showcase and highlight the value of the river in their city,” said Tish Buroker, member of Riverton City Council and incoming chair of the Jordan River Commission. This year, 18 events were planned in six cities: Bluffdale, Millcreek, Riverton, Sandy, South Salt Lake and West Valley City. “Last year we got our [Riverton] arts council involved,” Buroker said. “This year we are having a concert right on the lawn [by the river]. It’s got a perfectly natural amphitheater and we get to listen to a live band, Sean’s Garage, and a children’s choir that performs Beatles songs. How fun is that?” Bluffdale joined in the festival this year with “Jordan River ROCKS.” Twice a week a sticker reading “Bluffdale’s Jordan River Rocks” was hidden somewhere along the Jordan River in Bluffdale. The city posted clues on their Facebook page to help people find the rock. Once the
A kayak rests on the bank of the Jordan River at the Get to the River festival kickoff. (Stephanie Yrungaray/ City Journals)
rock was found it could be taken to Bluffdale City Hall to trade for a prize. Other events for the festival planned by cities included a bike ride, nature walks, restoration and clean-up projects, art projects, canoe and kayak flotillas, paddling excursions and fishing events. Buroker said one of the goals of the Get to the River festival is to address and overcome some of the old beliefs about the Jordan River. “It used to be a place where you dumped trash and sewage,” Buroker said. “But the
Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Water Quality, the Division of Wildlife all of those folks have gotten very actively involved and have helped improve the Jordan River.” At the festival kickoff, Soren Simonsen, the executive director of the Jordan River Commission spoke about what has been improved along the river since the Jordan River Blueprint was created in 2008 and announced an upcoming blueprint revision. “This month we are launching an update,” Simonsen said. “We will have outreach
at most of the Get to the River events to give residents an opportunity to share what they like that has been accomplished over the last decade and what they would like to see us focus on as our priorities over the next decade.” A new fundraising opportunity called Jordan River Friends was also announced. “We want to expand the opportunity for others to be involved with the Jordan River,” said Scott Peters, a member of the Jordan River Foundation. “This is an opportunity for the general public, residents as well as corporate sponsors, to get involved with the Jordan River corridor by donating time and money to improve this great resource.” Through the Jordan River Foundation website at www.jrf-utah.org, residents or companies can donate money and participate in special events and activities planned especially for Jordan River Friends. The overall goal of the Get to the River festival was to encourage residents to utilize this natural resource that sometimes goes unnoticed. “There’s something for everyone at the Jordan River, from walking dogs and children to canoeing to flying model airplanes to picnicking, and the temperature is generally 5 degrees cooler along the river,” Buroker said. “The Get to the River festival celebrates this beautiful ribbon of precious water.” l
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Greenspace and free-speech advocate’s blood, sweat, tears all over new East Riverfront Park By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
SoJo Mayor Dawn Ramsey (middle) is the main “cutter” of the ribbon for South Jordan’s new all-abilities park. Members of the city council, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, and a member of the Playworld park equipment aid the ribbon-cutting. (South Jordan City)
Y
ou won’t find her name in any of the recent write-ups, but South Jordan resident Janalee Tobias is, unofficially, one of the visionaries, stewards and—through unparalleled volunteerism of time and energy, and ultimately, legal-defense dollars—true “donors” of South Jordan City’s new all-inclusive, all-abilities East Riverfront Park playground. Mayor Dawn Ramsey recently posted video and photos of the mid-July ribbon-cutting for the park on her personal Facebook page. The images feature her and the SoJo city council as well as Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. The mayor’s write-up credits park funders, including SoJo and Salt Lake County (through its ZAP fund), as well as the SoJo Rotary Club and a trio of foundations: the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation and the Michel Foundation. An interesting post, prompting imagination and the thirst for backstory, followed the mayor’s missive. Vice chair of the South Jordan Planning Commission Julie Holbrook, posting as a Facebook friend of the mayor’s and as a private resident, suggested that a more appropriate name for the park would be “Tobias Park.” It is a comment that, as of press time, still stands on the mayor’s Facebook page.
July 2019 ribbon cutting with certified-inclusive design
For years, SoJo has been touting a new $400,000 all-inclusive, all-abilities playground at East Riverfront Park (10991 South Riverfront Parkway). SoJo officials announced the park would be open a year before it actually was. The playground—said to be the first-of-
Page 24 | October 2019
SoJo resident Janalee Tobias’s 2-year-old grandson Boston, who had broken his leg while playing on a slide at another park, was happy to enjoy the park, traveling in Radio A Flyer style. (Jennifer J. Johnson/City Journals)
the third chapter of the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes which is the basis of the song) seems to really apply to the development journey of this park. Where the all-abilities park lies right now was intended to have been part of the office-park development that Anderson Development did in South Jordan. Learning of the development plans, greenspace activist from 1996 to the present, Tobias waged a notorious anti-development campaign of the Jordan River Bottoms area. Due to the ceaseless efforts of Tobias and others she recruited from her neighborhood, hundreds of residents started coming to public hearings to protest what was seen as a massive, inappropriate co-opted development of the Jordan River riparian river bottoms that were gifted to SoJo from the state or Utah and earmarked as a park for the city. The grassroots-greenspace recruiting efforts of Tobias and colleague Judy Feld galvanized anti-river bottoms development and were so successful that the SoJo public hearings needed to be re-routed to the South Jordan Middle School to accommodate the hundreds showing up. Anderson Development retaliated with the hammer of threat, sending warning letters to Tobias and Feld. Multi-million-dollar lawsuits against the two ensued. Ultimately, the matter went to the Utah Supreme Court. The court ruled that the lawsuit against Tobias and Feld and 20 unnamed “Jane and John Does” from their neighborhood who had joined them in supporting their greenspace defense, unconstitutionally chilled freedom of speech and public participation. Even though “right” by the court and protecting free-speech for others in Utah With ev’ry development—turn, turn turn challenging developers in public hearings, Pete Seeger’s song from the 1950s (and its-kind in Salt Lake County—meets or exceeds all qualifications composed of modern “inclusive” design. The design facilitates a variety of movements—spinning, sliding, rocking, swinging and climbing. These each may stimulate different parts of the brain, muscles and sensory systems to help children (and, arguably, adults) grow and develop—no matter what age they are or abilities they have. Lewisburg, Pennsylvania-based vendor Playworld, the company providing the equipment for the playground, is an organization that boasts the constitutional right to play as an all-inclusive right for all ages and all abilities. Playworld officials note that one in five people in communities live with a visible or invisible disability and charges that “the time has come to go way beyond ADA and ‘accessible’ standards.” The company is doing just that by providing equipment for all of us—those with physical and cognitive disabilities, autism, visual and auditory impairments, and even “the Silver Tsunami” that is our booming aging population, outpacing growth of any other age group. The company also touts the new SoJo park as one of its most unique installations in the country. “It’s hard to top the majesty of the mountain ranges in the distance, but this orange and majestic purple play space provides a striking contrast,” the vendor boasts on its website. While comparing majestic mountains to majestic play hills may not be a thing, the park is receiving rave reviews, from young and old alike.
their actions came at a high cost. Tobias and Feld reported having exhausted personal funds and even having second-mortgaged their homes to defend themselves to what the court ultimately determined was an unrighteous violation of the Citizen Participation in Government Act.
Teary-eyed ribbon cutting and a legacy already enjoying the park
At the July ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new park, a teary-eyed, painfully victorious Tobias, who stood, anonymous, a spectator to the ceremony, told city council members how much she appreciates the park. “It was a big effort,” she acknowledged. The irony is huge in that also in attendance at the July ribbon cutting for Tobias Park—oops, East Riverfront Park—was Tobias’s 2-year-old grandson, Boston, who had actually broken his leg while playing on a slide at another, non-inclusive, non-all-abilities park. “Boston and all of us had been sad about his leg—that he broke on a slide at a regular park—so we were all in heaven!” Tobias said. Boston’s full enjoyment of the park pays off comments that Don Tingey, strategic services director with South Jordan City, made to the South Jordan Journal two years ago, when the city first released the design for the park—“It’s the kind of park where a 2-yearold will be able to play on it with his 5-, 6- or 7-year-old sibling.” That 2-year-old can indeed now play with siblings and friends, yes, and—thanks to the new all-ages, all-inclusive, freedomof-speech defined park—a broken-legged 2-year-old can play on all elements of the park with his greenspace- and free-speech activist grandma. l
S outh Jordan City Journal
Mr. Hansen replaces Mr. Hansen as Golden Fields Elementary principal By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
O
ne thing that Golden Harvest students won’t need to learn with their new principal is his name. Nick Hansen welcomed students back to Golden Fields Elementary replacing his retired predecessor, Kyle Hansen. “I just follow him around from school to school, so they don’t even need to change the nameplate,” Nick Hansen said with a laugh. “One student said it was good to see me again, although I didn’t quite look the same.” Like Kyle Hansen, who was Golden Field’s first principal, Nick Hansen also was an administrator at Foothills Elementary in Herriman. Nick Hansen also was Butterfield Canyon’s principal for five years, worked as a culture and climate specialist at Heartland Elementary, and taught at Sprucewood (Sandy), Oak Hollow (Draper) and Butterfield Canyon elementary school. The last two years, he worked hiring principals and ensuring teacher licenses as a Jordan School District human resources administrator. “I love teaching; I love administration; I love the kids,” he said. “I’m excited to be in the South Jordan community. I’m already sharing cheesy jokes on the weekly announcements and getting letters and cards from the students.” Current Principal Hansen said his vi-
Principal Nick Hansen holds a shield proudly as he becomes head gladiator at Golden Fields Elementary. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
sion for the school is simple: “Take the great things already happening and keep them growing.” Through the regular rotations of art, music and library, he supports the STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — education with both computers and introducing the Rozzy Learning Center curriculum that includes lesson plans, science journals, vocabulary cards, activity books and more STEM-based learning.
Students also are able to jump online at school or home to improve their reading through Lexia, he said about the digital reading company that provides core elementary instruction and power-up coaching for struggling sixth graders. “There are learning activities that target the areas students may need help in which will help them to advance in their skills,” he said. “We will focus on quality instruction and providing good academic intervention.” Nick Hansen has been a teacher of the year as well as the rookie administrator of the year. He earned his bachelor’s in elementary education from Brigham Young University and his master’s in administrative leadership from the University of Utah. “I’m not a die-hard fan of either team, but I have always been a Cougar fan growing up,” he said, admitting his new puppy’s middle name is Jimmer, after former BYU basketball star Jimmer Fredette. Nick Hansen, who is a former high school football, basketball and track athlete and has run marathons in both St. George and Ogden, doesn’t plan to take a backseat as a principal. He is wanting to “be out with the kids” whether it’s catching the football, playing basketball, hopscotch or foursquare. He also has been known to participate in the American Heart Association’s Jump-for-
Heart fundraiser. “I’m here to do whatever it takes to help kids learn and achieve,” he said. True to his word, Nick Hansen has worn a ninja costume to celebrate students’ success in math and has been duct taped to a school wall when they met their goal with a food drive. He also has been knighted — in a knighting ceremony of the multiplication tables. “Teachers come up some creative ideas to help students learn and make it fun; it’s all part of getting students excited about what they’re learning,” he said. Nick Hansen, or Sir Hansen, said he is a “Disney junkie” as he often visited Disneyland growing up, riding on Peter Pan’s Flight, his favorite ride. He has been known to dress up as Woody of “Toy Story” and his favorite Disney movie is “Hercules.” However, he also liked to read. Among his favorite is the Michael Vey series, “False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen and “Once Upon a Marigold,” by Jean Ferris. He also read books that his previous school used in “Battle of the Books.” “I was reading the books alongside the students,” he said. “It’s exciting to see them embrace reading and be motivated about it. I love when kids get excited about learning.” l
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Accomplishments of Bingham High community preserved in alumni display By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
E
ach year, graduating seniors decide on a class gift to present to the school — a miner statue near the main office, the shield on the hill with the letter “B” or even signage in the gym. Bingham High graduating class of 2019 was no different, but instead of buying a gift for the school, they raised and put about $10,000 into upgrading and creating the alumni honor walls in the foyer of the 44-year-old school building. “It’s a contribution to Bingham, a display with historic photos planned and designed by the alumni board, paid for by the class of 2019 through dances and fundraisers,” Bingham High Principal Christen Richards-Khong said. “They found out what was needed and said, ‘Let us do that.’” The alumni honor wall actually spans four walls near, adjoining and across from the school’s main office. It features displays of both the Pick & Shovel award and the Candlelight service award. “The Pick & Shovel award recognizes great achievements done by our alumni,” Richards-Khong said. “At this year’s homecoming, the alumni association will be recognizing two alumni, Deanne and Gary Curtis.” The wall with those awards features plaques of alumni photographs and engraved
When the graduating class of 2019 learned about the alumni display honoring those who have had great accomplishments tied to Bingham High, they said, “Let us do that” and now, plaques are proudly displayed on four school walls. (Photo courtesy of Christen Richards-Khong/Bingham High)
descriptions of their achievements. Most are current photographs when they won the award rather than when they were students, she said. The Candlelight service awards are presented for great service to Bingham by
alumni, teachers or former teachers and the community. These awards are presented in December and plaques with photographs are mounted on the wall by the miner in the foyer. “The alumni display will proudly show-
case the success and contributions of our Miners through the years,” she said. Bingham High was established in 1908, making it one of the oldest schools in the state. l
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Riverton Transitional Rehabilitation Center 801.693.3900 3419 West 12600 South, Riverton, UT 84065 | www.rmcare.com
Page 26 | October 2019
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October 2019 | Page 27
Bingham girls soccer thriving in realigned region By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
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ast year was a rough season for the Bingham girls soccer team. The Miners came in last in Region 4 and went 5-10-2 overall. What a difference a year makes. Playing against some new faces in a new region, Region 3, the Miners doubled last year’s win total by Sept. 19 with three games left to play. Heading into its Sept. 24 game at Riverton, Bingham was in first place in the league with a 5-1-1 record (10-2-1 overall). The Riverton contest was a huge one, as the Silverwolves were right behind Bingham at 5-2 in league action. The Miners have been tough in all phases of the game, but the defense has been particularly strong. During the first seven region games, Bingham allowed just three goals. It surrendered just seven all season at this point. Goalkeeper Hope Ramirez had 6.5 shutouts, while teammate Becca Siddoway had 1.5. Of course, the offense is hardly a pushover. The Miners scored 18 goals in its first seven region games. In non-region action, Bingham tallied an impressive 27 goals in 6 contests. The team scored nine goals against West Jordan to open the season and had six against Juan Diego, South
Summit and West (all shutouts). Jessica Thomas has led the way for the offense, scoring 12 goals in the first 13 games. Megan Beckman and Camryn Crump had five goals apiece, while Kassy Leonce had four. Heading into its clash with Riverton on Sept. 24, Bingham’s only blemishes in league games were a 2-1 loss to the Silverwolves on Sept. 5 in the teams’ first matchup as well as a 1-1 tie with Jordan on Sept. 12. On Sept. 19 at home against Herriman, Bingham topped the Mustangs 3-0 to stay ahead of Riverton in the standings. Beckman, Crump and Berkley Payne each scored for Bingham, while Ramirez and Siddoway shared the shutout at their goalie positions. The Miners appear to be in good shape for a Class 6A playoff berth, baring a sudden collapse to close out the year. Bingham closes the regular season with home games against West and Jordan, Sept. 26 and Oct. 1, respectively. The Miners will be looking for a postseason return after missing out on the state tournament a year ago. In 2017, the team tied for third in league play but made it to the state semifinals. l
The Bingham girls soccer team was on top of the Region 3 standings as of Sept. 23 (Photo by Pat McDonald)
Desert Star’s latest parody takes on the famous, freaky Addams Family, with a Utah cultural twist. This zany parody opens August 29th and it’s a hilarious musical melodrama for the whole family you don’t want to miss! This show, written by Ben Millet, with a 2019 adaptation and direction by Scott Holman, follows the story of the monstrous Adams Clan, as they attempt to outwit a greedy oil baroness, Mrs. Measley, who is intent on destroying their home to get at the oil underneath. The colorful characters include the wacky inventor, Groucho, his adoringly morbid wife, Cruella, and a wisecracking, disembodied head named, Bob. When the evil Mrs. Measley sends her son, Horace, undercover to spy on the Adams, he falls head over heels in love with their Frankstein-esque daughter, Dementia. Things get even more complicated when Horace’s overbearing fiancé, Heather, learns of their love and, vowing revenge, teams up with Mrs. Measley. Will Horace and Dementia find reanimated romance together? Will the Adams be able to keep their happy, haunted home? Comedy, romance, and adventure are all on the docket for this delightful send up of the beloved franchise, as well as topical humor, torn from today’s headlines.
“Adams Family Reunion: A Series of FUNfortunate Events!”
“Adams Family Reunion: A Series of FUNfortunate Events!” runs Aug 29th through Nov 9th, 2019. The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s side-splitting musical olios, following the show. The “Spooktacular Olio” features hit songs and musical steps that are catchy enough to raise the dead, mixed with more of Desert Star’s signature comedy.
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Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served right at your table. There is also a full service bar. The menu includes gourmet pizza, fresh wraps, appetizers, and scrumptious desserts.
Plays Aug 29th - Nov 9th, 2019 Check website for show times: www.DesertStarPlayhouse.com Tickets: Adults: $26.95, Children: $15.95 (Children 11 and under)
Page 28 | October 2019
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October 2019 | Page 29
Bingham football in unfamiliar territory By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
O
ver the past 13 years, the Bingham Miners have been the gold standard in Utah high school football. Since 2006, the Miners have won six state championships and have not lost more than two regular season games. Things have been different this season. On Sept. 19, the Miners suffered their second loss of the season, falling to Herriman for the first time ever, 24-14, in the Region 3 opener. Bigham fell behind 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and played catch-up the rest of the way. Troy Mehn and Mason Christensen scored on 1-yard TD plunges for Bingham. The Miners allowed just 82 yards on the ground and picked off Herriman twice, but the team also gave up a pair of Herriman TD passes and was sacked four times. Bingham also suffered a rare blowout loss three weeks earlier on Aug. 30. Emerging state power Corner Canyon entertained its home crowd with a 56-28 rout of the Miners. Bingham surrendered almost 500 yards of offense on the evening and trailed 34-14 at the break. The Miners made things interesting early in the third quarter on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Mehn to Isaiah Glask-
er. That made it 41-28 with 11:46 left to play. However, Corner Canyon scored 15 straight points to end the contest. It was the most points Bingham has given up in 20 years. The have plenty of highlights to the season. In Bingham’s 3-2 start, it blew out Weber, 41-24; Taylorsville, 38-0; and Westlake, 47-14. Mehn tossed nine touchdown passes during this stretch, six of them to Glasker, who also racked up nearly 300 yards receiving. Preston Larson has been a reliable running back. The senior had more than 400 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the first five contests. Though the defense hasn’t put up the stout numbers of years past, the team picked off three passes and in the first five games. The Miners gave up 38 points in its three victories compared to 80 points in the two defeats. Bingham has plenty of opportunities left to climb up the region standings in the sixteam Region 3. Bingham hosts East on Sept. 26 and plays at Riverton Oct. 4. The Miners then play at home against Jordan Oct. 11, followed by the regular season finale Oct. 18 at Copper Hills. l Bingham quarterback Troy Mehn (No. 7) drops back to pass in a game earlier this season. (Photo by Pat McDonald.)
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Page 30 | October 2019
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S outh Jordan City Journal
Driverless shuttle, nicknamed Tom, now on Utah roads By Cassie Goff | cassie@mycityjournals.com
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e live in the future. Utah’s first autonomous shuttle will be visiting a variety of different communities from now until spring 2020. The shuttle is driverless, which means there’s no need for either a steering wheel or pedals. However, there currently is a human monitor on board helping to navigate and provide information to riders. The autonomous shuttle will be transporting students and faculty on the University of Utah campus until October. Specifically, the route has been from the Student Life Center, past Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and the Language and Communication building, to the Union building. During October (specific dates have yet to be announced), you can find the autonomous shuttle at the Mountain America Expo Center at 9575 E. State St., in Sandy. The autonomous shuttle (nicknamed Tom) has been brought to Utah as part of a partnership between the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). Tom was manufactured by a company called Easy Mile, a French startup and is the EZ10 model. The estimated cost of the autonomous shuttle project was around $800,000. Tom and other EZ10 models can hold six to 12 passengers. Over the past three months, as the autonomous shuttle has been transported to various locations, more than 3,000 Utahns have experienced being a passenger. Some of those passengers have reported that the shuttle moves too slow, as Tom’s top speed is 15 mph. One of the more endearing traits of
Tom’s is that he rings a bell that sounds like it should be on a trolley car. The shuttle has a predetermined route, just like many of UTA’s public transportation options throughout the valley. The intention behind Tom is to help funnel people to existing public transportation routes, not replace them. Since April, there has only been one reported incident. On July 16, the shuttle detected an obstacle and stopped abruptly. This caused CBS affiliate Gene Petrie to slip off his seat. He suffered bruising and lacerations on his face. After the incident, UDOT immediately pulled the shuttle out of service to perform some diagnostics. This project began in early March, when the Utah State Legislature unanimously approved House Bill 101, allowing autonomous cars to be on Utah roads. According to UDOT and UTA, the benefits of autonomous shuttles are safety, economic and societal benefits, efficiency and convenience, and mobility and access. Ideally, the autonomous shuttle can eliminate most of the human error associated with driving. UDOT and UTA are asking for feedback on the autonomous shuttle. They want to know what people think of autonomous vehicles, how it could be applied in Utah, and what the experience was like riding the shuttle. To provide feedback, visit avshuttleutah. com/feedback. For more information, check out UDOT’s or UTA’s social media by using the hashtag #avshuttleutah on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through @UtahDOT l
Glenmoor Fall Junior Golf Tournament Series
Ages: Juniors 6-17
October 5th: Junior Club Championship October 12th: Parent Junior Scrable with optional Halloween costume contest *parents can play with multiple Juniors at a time
Cost $30 per person for each event Tournament times to be determined
Please contact Glenmoor Golf Club to Register
801-280-1742 9800 S 4800 W, South Jordan
knock out some Halloween Fun and Get 3 Free Classes!
968 West South Jordan Parkway The University of Utah campus has been the most recent workplace for the state’s new autonomous shuttle nicknamed Tom. (University of Utah)
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
801-415-9191
titleboxingclub.com/southjordan
October 2019 | Page 31
Grab a tin foil hat, for some other-worldly accounts By Cassie Goff | cassie@mycityjournals.com
We are excited to announce that our second clinic has opened in South Jordan. Treating All Aspects of Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology ·Skin Cancer ·Mohs Surgery ·Acne ·Moles ·Belotero ·Eczema ·Chemical Peels
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Brothers sharing thoughts on UFOs. (Photo courtesy/April Parry)
R
aise your hand if you’ve seen a UFO. For those few people who’ve been living in a cave for the last 100 years, a UFO is an unidentified flying object. It can be anything unusual in the sky. A UFO doesn’t automatically mean it’s an alien driving a spacecraft, but it could be that. The possibilities of what UFOs might be, are endless. UFO’s are things not on society’s modern list of commonly known air vehicles and atmospheric conditions. We usually recognize a helicopter, a falling star or a drone. Those don’t count as a UFO (although a sneaky drone can fool one at first glance). Asking others if they’ve seen a UFO can offer unexpected answers. It can be a go-to icebreaker topic at parties. UFO memories can make for that special mood-setting bonfire chat. Or it can be the subject that’s too Breton Yates Elena Douglas M Woseth Angela Brimhall D.O. FAOCD M.D. FAAD Hadjicharalambous M.D. creepy for some. M.D. FAAD Melissa Rose of Sandy has had a few UFO encounters. “During the time when all of the animal mutilation was going on during the late 70’s and early 80’s I would spend my summers with my dad in Montana. I was about 13 at the time. I was already creeped out just being in the mountains and staying in that old cabin. It happened while we were sitting around the campfire. The sky that night was so clear. We saw six to eight UFOs chasing each other way up high in the sky, almost Shane Farr Michael R Swinyer Alisa Seeberger like a game,” Rose described. P.A. -C P.A. -C F.N.P. -C She had another experience in her Sandy neighborhood. “My husband and I were so freaked out. The UFO was silent, black, Main Office: 1548 East 4500 South, Suite 202, Salt Lake City and in the shape of a stealth. It took over the night sky. We were lying on our trampoline South Jordan Office: 4040 West Daybreak Pkwy, Suite 200, South Jordan just waiting for a meteor shower. Everything went silent, no wind, no birds... nothing. The Phone: 801-266-8841 sky went blacker than it already was. The UFO that hovered over our house was so low and close to us. It scared us so bad,” she remembered.
www.dwoseth.com
Page 32 | October 2019
Aaron Smith had a unique sighting. “I was probably about 15 years old in my backyard in Orem. It was in the middle of the afternoon and I saw a large stony, craggy grey object floating through the air in daylight. You could tell it was really high up in the air, but from where I was standing it was the size of a basketball. It must have been huge. It moved unnaturally slow, much the same way you wouldn’t expect to see a brick slowly floating through the air. To this day, I wonder what it was I saw,” Smith added. Another Sandy resident who requested to be anonymous said, “I’ve seen three UFOs, and one ghost. I’m hoping to see Bigfoot someday. People think I’m weird because I tell them aliens are trying to talk to me through my truck. I know it might just be a broken speaker making that noise, but I really have seen UFOs.” Then he scratched his long beard before continuing on. “I was headed west on Timpanogos Highway one late summer night. I saw a bunch of lights above Camp Williams in Bluffdale, UT. The lights were zipping around, going in all kinds of crazy directions really fast. I was in the military for eight years and I’d seen lots of stuff-- but I’d never seen anything like that. I guess it could have been 50 to 100 drone enthusiasts flying toys above an army base. I know the US Army is super cool with stuff like that.” His story ended with sarcasm over the last comment. For those who took flight with the City Journals to levitate over these accounts, good job brave reader. UFO sightings happen all the time. And maybe aliens are involved? Who knows. They could be studying why humans get goosebumps, have tiny eyes, and luxuriously long arm hair. There’s so many things for aliens to be totally fascinated with- like essential oils, and fry sauce. l
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Utah Foundation provides balanced, relevant information to policy makers, the press and the public By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
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ndependent. Nonprofit. Nonpartisan. In these times of divisive tumult— across the country and across the county— those seem to be music to the ears. Utah Foundation has been providing this policy-research music to Utah for nearly 75 years. The organization, goaled with producing objective, thorough, well-reasoned research, celebrates its 75th birthday this next year. The birthday comes one year after another milestone for the organization: Contributing to helping the Utah Legislature’s 2019 session, wherein the most bills were passed than any other session—and far surpassed, to the tune of 10% increase above any previous year’s legislative session.
The history behind Utah Foundation
Utah Foundation was founded in 1945 by business and civic leaders. According to UF Executive Director Peter Reichard, Utah’s establishing the organization mirrors what was established by other organizations across the county. The key to the organization’s unique offering, said Reichard, is its “solutions-oriented perspective” and being “focused on the problems facing communities, but doing it in a completely nonpartisan manner, with no underlying ideology or political perspective.”
Nonpartisan, but driven by the political cycle
2020 is not only the organization’s 75th birthday, but the year it conducts its “Utah Priorities Survey.” UF conducts this survey every four years, in conjunction with the gubernatorial race. What Reichard calls the “in-between years” are spent crafting a research agenda. For example, in 2016 the policy-research organization focused on the cost of healthcare as its defining scope of research. “The public said this was the thing that we cared about most,” he said. Reichard explained that UF’s research lead to a variety of reports that ran from 2017 through 2018. “Such an emotional and polarizing issue,” he said. UF’s research took a look at healthcare through the lens of delivery costs, insurance aspects, comparisons with other states, and the political hot button—the Medicaid issue.
Poor air quality, suicide in the current research crosshairs
While UF is still driving the health care focus, Reichard indicated that air quality is a close second, in terms of priorities. The “what-if” kind of outlook reminds one a bit of Envision Utah, as Reichard indicated the group is taking a scenarios-based look at issues such as alternate-energy vehicles and the impact of incentives. The scenarios, ultimately, ask the question: “What would that environment look like?”
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News of the preponderance of teen suicides in Herriman rocked not just local but national news in 2017-2018. UF has had the issue in its priorities, having released, in October, a report looking at mental health as a rural problem facing the state. Reichard’s team took a look at the state’s comparatively low number of mental-health professionals and the lack of those professionals in rural communities. Possible policy solutions to consider include expanding “the pipeline of mental health professionals,” he noted, as well as tapping the idea of “tele-health” options for rural communities. “K-12 suicide has a more captivated audience,” explained Reichard, noting the state’s need to more significantly fund mental health needs in schools, but also the less publicized, very real concerns with adult suicide. Utah Foundation’s policy focus in this area is supported by the recent news that Utah has the fifth-highest suicide rate in the country. Further evidence of this concern is City Journals’ recent interview with Salt Lake County Public Health, where the executive director indicated reducing adult suicide as a key initiative for the nationally decorated public health agency. “A lot more research needs to be done,” Reichard said. “Suicide is not well understood.” Nor is the effectiveness of intervention methods, he observed. Reichard said UF will prioritize an investment in research to help policy makers understand how to best allocate budget dollars “to make sure dollars are going to effective programs.”
Research, but not advocacy—when it rains, it pours
Here, Reichard underscored that Utah Foundation neither advocates nor lobbies policy direction, but rather, is firmly focused on being an unbiased, but loud oracle—foreseeing the future and informing relevant audiences who are in the position to not just advocate and lobby, but actually formulate and then enforce policy. The 2019 Utah Legislative session was like its spring rainfall—stunningly record-breaking. The Utah Legislature passed a record number of bills, surpassing its next-closest bill-passing year by what Reichard estimated to be 10%. “Cranking them out” is how he describes the legislators’ efforts. “It was something else.” While Reichard does not say so, the preponderance of informed legislation is a success marker for UF. “We meet throughout the year with legislators and local officials as well,” he said, with the goal being to “make sure [legislative pursuits] stay relevant.” For legislators, this is a welcome thing. “Since we’re not lobbyists. We’re not up there, trying to tell legislators what to do,” Reichard said. However, the presence
A policy-research organization, Utah Foundation seeks to inform politicians throughout the state of Utah. (Utah Foundations)
is extremely influential, as Utah Foundation makes presentations to committee meetings and is a strong source of information to not just policy makers, but to the press and the public.
Dangers of legislating alone—on state and municipal levels
Utah Foundation is seeking to not just influence policy on the state level, but to also help aid Utah communities. This direction is evident by UF’s inclusion of numerous municipalities on its board. (Here in Salt Lake County, Sandy, South Jordan and West Valley City all have representation on the Utah Foundation Board of Trustees, as does the Granite School District.) Utah Foundation has a podcast. (Utah Foundation) UF has been focused on the value of and the impact of Utah’s “social capital” on a statewide level. However, this past spring, Reichard invited Harvard policy-theorist and author Robert Putnam as the keynote for its spring conference. Putnam’s classic, “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community” probes this issue of social capital—or the networks of relationships among people, enabling society to function effectively. “To the extent that you have weak community structure, you have people who become more dependent on government to fill the void. Things are incredibly interconnected,” Reichard said, likely thinking of more projects to come, hopefully benefitting Utah The issue of health care has been an important one— municipalities as well as the whole state. l for residents and the policy makers who are elected to represent their perspectives with legislation and policy. (Utah Foundation)
October 2019 | Page 33
New device stops a cold before it starts
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By Doug Cornell
www.copperzap.com
ew research shows you can stop a cold in its tracks if you take one simple step with a new device when you first feel a cold coming on. Colds start when cold viruses get in your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you don’t stop them early, they spread in your airways and cause misery. But scientists have found a quick way to kill a virus. Touch it New research: Copper stops colds if used early. with copper. Researchers at labs and universities agree, copper is “antimi- on travel days for 2 months. “Sixteen crobial.” It kills microbes, such as viruses flights and not a sniffle!” she exclaimed. and bacteria, just by touch. Businesswoman Rosaleen says when That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyp- people are sick around her she uses Coptians used copper to purify water and heal perZap morning and night. “It saved me wounds. They didn’t know about viruses last holidays,” she said. “The kids had and bacteria, but now we do. colds going round and round, but not Scientists say the high conductance of me.” copper disrupts the electrical balance in a Some users say it also helps with microbe cell destroying it in seconds. sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a Tests by the Environmental Protection 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperAgency show germs die fast on copper. Zap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” Some hospitals tried copper for touch she said. “My head cleared, no more surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops nightcut the spread of MRSA and other illnesstime stuffiness if used just before bed. es by over half, and saved lives. The strong scientific evidence gave One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had in inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When years.” Copper may even stop flu if used earhe felt a cold coming on he fashioned a smooth copper probe and rubbed it gently ly and for several days. Lab technicians placed 25 million live flu viruses on a in his nose for 60 seconds. “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap. No viruses were found alive went away completely.” It worked again soon after. People have used it on cold sores and every time he felt a cold coming on and say it can completely prevent outbreaks. he hasn’t had a cold since. The handle is curved and finely texHe asked relatives and friends to try it. They said it worked so he patented Cop- tured to improve contact. It kills germs picked up on fingers and hands to protect perZap™ and put it on the market. Soon hundreds of people had tried it you and your family. Copper even kills deadly germs that and given feedback. Nearly 100% said the copper stops colds if used within 3 have become resistant to antibiotics. If hours after the first sign. Even up to 2 you are near sick people, a moment of days, if they still get the cold it is milder handling it may keep serious infection away. It may even save a life. than usual and they feel better. The EPA says copper still works even Users wrote things like, “It stopped my cold right away,” and “Is it supposed when tarnished. It kills hundreds of different disease germs so it can prevent seto work that fast?” Pat McAllister, age 70, received one rious or even fatal illness. CopperZap is made in the U.S. of pure as a gift and called it “one of the best presents ever. This little jewel really copper. It has a 90-day full money back works.” Now thousands of users have guarantee when used as directed to stop a cold. It is $69.95. Get $10 off each Copsimply stopped getting colds. People often use CopperZap preven- perZap with code UTCJ6 . Go to www.CopperZap.com or call tively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci used to get colds after crowded flights. Though toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. skeptical, she tried it several times a day Advertorial
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Page 34 | October 2019
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Jump into the future with wearable fitness technology By Amber Allen | a.allen@mycityjournals.com
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he excitement about wearable fitness technology just keeps growing, especially with new devices becoming available almost every time you blink. Fitness’s future looks like it’s going to be driven by devices that track your activity levels and heart rates. So, what’s best? Here are a few to check out.
Wrist activity trackers
Wrist activity trackers are one of the most popular wearable fitness tech options, one that’s affordable and user-friendly. Most of these units track how many steps you walk each day, how many calories you burned, how well you’re sleeping and your heart rate. The nice thing about wrist activity trackers is that they’ll tell you when you’ve been sitting too long. You can also set daily activity goals for yourself that the tracker will help you reach.
Tech apparel
One of the newest wearable tech options is tech apparel. This type of clothing includes semiconductor technology that reads your heart rate, muscle activity and even your breathing rate. Today, there are yoga leggings with technology that helps you perfect the many different yoga poses. The pants gently pulse at your ankles, hips and knees, telling you to move or hold a pose. The apparel item connects to an app through your phone, providing you with feedback.
Pixabay
vice. Formed into a tiny, sleek pin that you attach to your shirt, a posture aid tells you how you’re holding yourself and your activity levels. Whenever you slouch forward while walking, sitting or standing the posture enhancer will vibrate gently, reminding you to adjust your posture. It may seem simple,
is something that you barely notice even as it helps you make major improvements to the way that you hold yourself and work out. Take advantage of wrist activity trackers, smart clothing and posture enhancers to exTaking advantage of today’s technology Modern technology is easy to add to ercise in ways that are easier and healthier for your everyday life. Today, wearable fitness your body. l but over time, you will do it automatically, and this will help you in all areas of your life ranging from everyday workouts to work presentations.
Eyewear
If you’ve ever been in the situation of riding along on your bike and glancing down at your smartwatch to check your heartrate and almost hitting a car, then you may be interested in eyewear that displays this information. That way, you don’t have to take your eyes off the road. Advanced eyewear includes features like different color-coded lights that notify you whether you’re overdoing it, not working hard enough or are working the right amount. You can even purchase a pair that includes audio alerts.
Smart watches
While smart watches do more than help you with fitness, they also do things like track your heart rate and record your data. If you run or bike, then you might want to spring for one with GPS. That way, you’ll be able to map your path. Use a smart watch to customize your workouts by inputting different heart rate zones that you want to reach. These devices connect to most fitness apps, making it even easier to track your workouts.
Posture enhancing tech
Poor posture is a problem for many of us, resulting in injuries such as “tech neck,” back problems and carpal tunnel syndrome. Today’s modern technology offers you a way to correct your posture using a small de-
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Salt Lake County, Riverton at forefront in finding solutions to opioid epidemic By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
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ust a few years ago, opioid addiction was dubbed Utah’s “hidden plague.” Utah was the 10th worst state for opioid addiction. Opioid addiction is now still a plague, but seems to be anything but hidden, with billboards, town halls and press conferences about the impact of opioids on Utahns of big concern to leaders at the state, county and local levels, as well as within private industry and federal oversight.
What are opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. They are either prescription-based—to treat moderate-to-severe pain or for other symptoms such as coughs or even diarrhea—or non-prescription-based. Non-prescription opioids are illegal substances. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, popular slang terms for opioids include oxy, percs and vikes. Prescription opioids can be made from the plant directly, and others are made by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure. Opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals to relieve pain. These same relaxation properties can make people feel high, which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive, making overdoses and deaths common. While people tend to be more aware of the danger of illegal opioids like heroin, many still do not recognize the danger lurking, quite legally, within their own homes in the form of prescription opioids.
Utah on the national map in opioid attack
In early September President Donald Trump announced a nearly $2 billion allocation to stem the nation’s problem with opioid addiction. Utah will receive $24 million in grant funding as part of the federal government’s multiyear strategy. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes continues to refer to the opioid crisis as a “clear and present danger.” The AG has stood as the only state voice in White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs conferences in spotlighting Utah’s unique, multi-pronged strategies to combat the problem, with its “network of professionals” ranging from policy makers to pastors, civic groups to concerned citizens. “It takes everyone,” Reyes said and noted the issue is above partisan politics. Reyes is currently representing Utah in administrative challenges via the Utah Division of Consumer Protection to Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma. The company’s signature opioid, OxyContin, is considered especially virulent, or dangerous, as an opiate, because of its long-lasting effects and strong tendency to addiction. Short-acting opioids like Vicodin and Percocet lessen pain for a few hours, whereas OxyContin was marketed as longer lasting.
Page 36 | October 2019
Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs is being praised for stepping up with a local solution to help residents get rid of expired and unneeded opioids—one way to lessen dangerous stockpiling of the drugs. (Photo courtesy Attorney General Sean Reyes)
The opioid crisis is the largest public health crisis of our time concur state, county and local leaders. (Jennifer J. Johnson/City Journals)
Back in January, Reyes raised eyebrows at the state legislature for dropping the state’s legal case against Purdue and exploring alternate relief. National media outlets reported last month, states are now clamoring for a reported $12 billion mass settlement in flux.
Salt Lake County at the fore
In September, Salt Lake County became one of six communities in the country to receive a two-year, $600,000 grant to combat opioid addiction. The funds from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance are slated to prevent and reduce overdose deaths. Leadership for the county presence has been credited to Salt Lake County Councilman and South Jordan resident Steve DeBry, who cofounded the Salt Lake County Opioid Task Force. The prevention efforts will rely on coordinated, cross-sector responses between behavioral health and public safety representatives. The real key? A reliance on the disciplines’ sharing and analyzing real time data. Such data will help better prioritize outreach efforts to high-risk populations and communities. It is the same sort of data-driven health strategy that propelled Salt Lake County’s Public Health Department to receive a national award in August for its strategy in compactly and effectively containing and combatting a hepatitis A outbreak among homeless and indigent populations and having the disease further spread via public facilities. Days after announcing the grant, Salt Lake County presented an Opioid Town Hall at downtown’s Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. The event was led by Salt Lake
County Mayor Jenny Wilson, a member of the Reyes’ Utah Opioid Task Force.
Riverton rises to the occasion
In the southwestern end of the valley, a newly appointed member of that statewide task force is Riverton’s Mayor Trent Staggs. Operating as an entrepreneurial municipality, Staggs said he studied the issue of Utah’s opioid problems. It became apparent to him that local action is not only important, but necessary. “I am no longer willing to make this someone else’s problem,” he said. “To truly tackle this issue, every community must take action to eliminate stockpiling and addiction.” Staggs engaged Vineyard, Utah-based company NarcX in strategizing a local solution. Headed by a 30-year veteran of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, NarcX has a patent-pending technology that caught Staggs’ attention: What NarcX says is the only DEA-compliant liquid solution for onsite neutralization and destruction of unused, unwanted or expired drugs. From there, a full solutions infrastructure involving Intermountain Healthcare, the state’s attorney general, the DEA, and local public safety providers was brainstormed. In mid-September, Staggs held a press conference in Riverton with all of the private sector and municipal, state and federal collaborators to announce a 24/7 solution for safely disposing out-of-date prescriptions. At press time, Riverton officials indicated five “NarcX-inside” medical disposal kiosks would be available for residents by late September to dispose opioids. Kiosks
will be available at Riverton City Hall, the Riverton Public Works Department, and 24/7 at the Riverton Police Department, Riverton Fire Station #124, and another location to be determined. City officials indicated the intention to list all relevant information on the city’s website by late September. Nearly 20 police vehicles will also have one-gallon NarcX depositories available. Community partner Intermountain Riverton Hospital will additionally offer single-use kits. Residents can go to the Southridge Pharmacy (3723 W. 12600 South) and pick up a NarcX kit (which will fit in a purse, backpack, briefcase, bag, etc.) where they can deposit unwanted pills. NarcX indicates the product is environmentally friendly and can be pitched in any garbage can. Drop-off at kiosks and the individual-use kits are free of charge to residents. Costs for the project are being covered by Riverton City ($4,563.61) and by IHC (at a cost of about $5 per bottle, according to Riverton officials). Residents can additionally do what they have always done—and present their out-ofdate meds to public safety officials for disposal. The DEA also conducts twice-yearly drug drop-off events, resulting in 90,000 pounds of out-of-date meds. However, the new Riverton solution avoids problems associated with stockpiling medications, prior to their disposal, closing a potential problem loop right from the start. “Thinking outside the box” is how DEA District Agent in Charge of the State of Utah Brian S. Besser described the new program. Besser not only complimented Riverton’s efforts, but those of the whole state, when it comes to battling the opioid crisis. “Out of all the states? Utah is the ‘solution state,’” Besser commended. l
S outh Jordan City Journal
Because no one wants to spend eternity in a shoebox.
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S outh JordanJ ournal.com
October 2019 | Page 37
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by
CASSIE GOFF
Prepare to be pumpkin’d out this fall
t’s pumpkin spice season, witches! First and foremost, let’s talk about the coffee. Of course, Starbucks has their pumpkin spice drinks, but they’re mixing it up this year with the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. 7-11 has provided pumpkin flavors for their coffees. Dunkin’ Donuts rolls out their new Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Latte (complete with apple cider doughnuts). But, of course, if you’re looking to save money and not spend $5 on a specialty coffee, there’s the good ol’ trusty Coffee Mate with their seasonal pumpkin spice flavor. We like shopping local here though, so here’s the neighborhood options: Alpha Coffee has a Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Pumpkin Nice Latte; Java Jo’s has their Pumpkin Dirty Chai, Pumpkin Pie Latte, Caramel Apple Cider, and vegan pumpkin spice lattes; Clever Bean has a Pumpkin Spice tea, along with a White Ambrosia tea; and Beans & Brews has their Pumpkin Pie Fritalia and Cinnamon Bun Latte. Other food companies hopping aboard the pumpkin spice train include: Auntie Anne’s with their spice pretzel nuggets; Corner Bakery with their maple pecan pumpkin baby bundt cakes; Culver’s with a pumpkin pecan frozen custard; Baskin-Robbins with a pumpkin cheesecake ice cream; Cracker Barrel with their pumpkin pie coffee and whipped cream; Dairy Queen with a pumpkin pie blizzard; Denny’s with their pumpkin
pancakes; Einstein Bros. with their pumpkin bagels and shmear; Krispy Kreme with their pumpkin spice filled doughnut; Panera with their apple pie thumbprint cookies; and Mimi’s Café with their pumpkin harvest griddlecakes. Grocery stories usually make pumpkin spice shopping easy. When I walked into Target the other day, there was an entire section devoted to pumpkin spice products. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, you might try pumpkin spice biscotti ($2), Kit-Kats ($4), Complete cookies ($3), Milano cookies ($3), hot chocolate (Stephen’s is $10 for 13 servings), or pumpkin spice rolls from Pillsbury ($2-$8). If your coffee needs a pumpkin spice sidekick, you can choose from pumpkin spice Cheerios ($6) Quaker Instant Oatmeal ($10), Special K ($3), Frosted MiniWheats ($3), Pop Tarts ($4), English muffins ($5), and cinnamon rolls ($10-$25). Finally, if you’re feeling a little spicy, there’s always almonds (Blue Diamond Almonds are $6), pumpkin salsa ($8-$32), and pumpkin ale ($12 on average). What would pumpkin spice season be without the question, “Have we gone too far?” These products might be pushing the boundary. There’s ginger pumpkin seed gouda cheese ($30-ish), mochi ice cream ($10), pumpkin spice blondie brownie brittle ($5), Smashmallows ($10), creamed honey ($11), Blackberry Patch pumpkin spice syrup ($8),
SoJo
peanut butter ($12-$34), cocktail mix ($19), and Spam ($3). Yes, Spam is new this year. For just the pumpkin aroma, there’s non-edibles like candles, aerosols, lotions, body moisturizer, shampoo, lip balm, aftershave, deodorant and soaps. And yes, there’s even dog treats ($9$15). If you’re a pumpkin spice lover, but don’t want to spend money on all the seasonal products listed above, just grab some cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger. Mix 3-4 teaspoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cloves and 1-2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg together (with 1.5 teaspoons of allspice if desired). You’ll have some pumpkin spice to sprinkle on any edible item. This option might even taste better than some of the assemblages that can pass for pumpkin spice. Pro-tip for making pumpkin spice: If you want a more subtle flavor for treats, go for a Ceylon cinnamon. If you want a spicier pumpkin spice, go for the cassia cinnamon. Now, how’s all that for your autumn pumpkin spice pleasure? l
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W
e all know Halloween is funded by Big Dental to create more cavities but it’s also true that Halloween traditions started long before lobbyists destroyed the planet. Black cats, pumpkins and ghosts existed at least 50 years ago, and probably longer. So how did Halloween customs get started? Lucky for you, I researched this topic on the Internet contraption. Did you know Bobbing for Apples was actually a dating game in ancient Rome? Kind of like Tinder, only with more drowning. My elementary school did a dry version called Bobbing for Marbles. Teachers filled a plastic pool with flour and mixed in a few dozen marbles. We had to use our mouths to find the marbles. The two most likely outcomes were a) Inhale flour and die or b) Inhale a marble and die. Not even joking here. Jack-o’-lanterns have a weird backstory that involves a guy named Stingy Jack, the devil and wandering spirits. I guess ghosts are afraid of gourds and root vegetables. Who knew? Originally they used turnips, not pumpkins, but who’s ever heard of a turnip spice latte? So they had to start using pumpkins. Black cats became associated with Halloween because witches have black cats. Duh. Costumes date back to Biblical times when Jacob dressed up as his brother to trick his blind father into giving him keys to the donkey. It was also the first trick-or-treat on record.
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When I was a kid, costumes included plastic masks, made from asbestos and glue, that would slowly asphyxiate you if you didn’t walk into a ditch first because you couldn’t see s*** through the pinpoint eyeholes. Bats get a bad reputation. They’re not inherently evil, except for vampire bats that turn into the bloodsucking undead to hunt humans for food and eternal life. But originally, people would sit around bonfires (the 1780’s bug zapper), wishing for things like penicillin and electricity. The fires would attract insects and the insects attracted bats and people freaked out. As we are wont to do. Handing out candy has several origin stories, including buying off zombies with snacks, bribing the dead, and kids going from house to house asking families for dinner because they didn’t want to eat what their mom had spent hours making for them because they’re ungrateful little . . . Anyhoo. Treats handed out to children have also evolved. It’s gone from apples and boiled carrots (boo) to king-size Butterfinger bars (hooray!). Here’s what my Halloween bag contained when I was a kid: 8 dozen rolls of Smarties, 17 types of rock-hard bubble gum, 38 Bit-O-Honeys, 422 Pixie sticks, 25 pounds of salt water taffy, 14 spider rings and one mini Snickers bars. It was the ‘70s. Don’t judge.
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One element of Halloween remained a mystery to me. When did we think dressing dogs in tutus was a good idea? I assumed the whole pet costume fiasco was started by rich, white girls with too much time and money. Turns out, in the 19th century, dog costumery was a thing - with the animal fashion industry churning out traveling cloaks, silk jackets, tea gowns and . . . wait for it . . . dog bikinis. What Halloween traditions do you observe? Knife throwing? Handing out real goldfish to trick-or-treaters? You never know what your customs will become centuries from now. Whatever you do, don’t sell your candy to a dentist. Big Dental just sells it back to grocery stores to reuse for the next Halloween. l
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