Month 2019 | Vol. 5 Iss. 08
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discarded keyboards to make mesmerizing mosaics By Amy Green | a.green@mycityjournals.com
M
any have experienced a toddler or clumsy adult in the house ruin an expensive computer by picking keys off the laptop or spilling liquid down sensitive circuitry. One accidental mishap and electronics are quickly annihilated. (Blame the kids even if it was you who put the coffee mug too close to the keyboard). Is this valuable home electronic now a worthless piece of de-cybernated junk? In this generation of reuse, recycle and rethink, Erik Jensen, a West Valley artist, does not see a fried, sticky or retired keyboard as garbage. Jensen’s computer key art has been described as “pixelations,” “typo pointillism” or “modern mosaics.” However described, his art is a quality representation of the old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In June, Jensen brought his work to the 2019 Utah Arts Festival in downtown Salt Lake City, where many got to view his murals. It’s hard to pass by his exhibit without taking a second look and stepping closer. He has been a previous People’s Choice Award winner at this show. Jensen graduated from UVU in 2017 with a bachelor’s in art education. “In college, I was given an assignment to take something people don’t want and turn it into something people want. I created a sculpture using computer keys. My professor was very intrigued by it and encouraged me to do more. I had a few ideas over the next couple years that I researched and attempted. Doing the computer key murals is what I chose to stick with and perfect,” he explained. Jensen accomplished his education with a disability that can be significant in trying to pursue schooling and a career. Being deaf, language was always difficult for him. “Art was really my first language. It’s allowed me to express myself. Pursuing art also helped me (when I got a cochlear implant) to dive into high school, because of a phenomenal and inspiring teacher who encouraged me every day. I was a finalist in art for Sterling Scholar, which landed me a full-ride scholarship to UVU, allowing me to continue my dream of doing art. Now, while I work in my studio, I do not wear my implant so that I can let creativity flow in silence and focus on the beauty of my art.” In his quietude, Jensen accumulates and sorts the square pieces, rearranges and treats them with an artist’s magic. “I am more about the process than the outcome of my artwork. I first collect keyboards from e-waste companies (they can’t recycle the key caps anyways). I pop them off and clean them. Then I use a dye process. That took a couple years to figure out how exactly to do, without ruining the keys and keeping
Local Postal Customer ECRWSS Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.
Erik Jensen brought his artwork to the 2019 Utah Arts Festival in June, where many got to view his computer key murals. (Amy Green/City Journals)
the characters on them. Next I put them into the designs that I have chosen or been commissioned to do. I also build my own frames and install the artwork in them. To me, the process is the art,” he described. The cast-off numbers, letters and symbols—those simple half-inch tiles—he mixes up to form views of galaxies,
animals and famous landmarks. The outcome is mesmerizing. “I’m just a friendly guy in the neighborhood that’s taking garbage and transforming it into something beautiful,” he said. “I’m always telling people that life’s too short to be normal and boring. So do something different and embrace it.” Visit erikjensenart.com to see more. l
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State and county governmental entities remain pro-refugee with programs, funds and fun By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
I
t is a charged time for refugees in America. In July, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning President Trump’s statements to four new Congressional representatives, telling them to “go back” to other countries, even though three of the women were born in America, the other coming from Somalia. However, only one in four Republican Congressional representatives voted with the majority, and only 37% of Republicans across the country found Trump’s tweets offensive, according to a USA Today poll. The state of refugees in Utah But here in Utah, while Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has not explicitly condemned the president’s tweet, he has, historically, enabled sophisticated refugee-support networks—some initiated in former Gov. Jon Huntsman’s administration—and continues to curry the welcoming theme for refugees. Refugees and refugee-support organizations alike credit the Republican governor, in true Utah spirit, for maintaining a sense of independence to do what is right for the state. Thousands of refugees have fled wartorn countries, the atrocities of war and repression, and other dire circumstances and have successfully migrated to Utah. These refugees include people from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bosnia, Burma, Chad, the Congo, Cuba, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, the former Soviet Union, Sudan, Togo, and Vietnam. Herbert’s right-hand, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, also sidestepped speaking out on the president’s tweets, instead literally putting others money where his mouth would otherwise go. Last month, Cox held a physical and virtual birthday party for his 44th, raising $10,000 for Utah’s refugees.
ournals
World Refugee Day in Utah A much broader celebration for Utah’s refugees was the month prior in June. The state’s partnership with Workforce Services (dating back to the Huntsman era) was a joyous one, with Utah refugees celebrating—and being celebrated through— Utah’s expression of World Refugee Day. The United Nations has claimed June 20 to be World Refugee Day. The World Refugee Day is an annual commemoration to celebrate the strength and resilience of the world’s various refugee communities, recognizing their unique and intense struggles, and, in so doing, raising awareness about refugee issues. Alexx Goeller, refugee program specialist for Workforce Services, has worked with the state’s refugees for six years now, and this year marks the second year she has headed up Utah’s World Refugee Day events. Although it seems a bold move—to square off the same weekend as the Utah Arts Festival, the largest multidisciplinary art festival in the state—that is exactly what Goeller’s team did for this year, the 15th annual Utah World Refugee celebration. Goeller also turned the celebration into a two-day event, with activities both Friday and Saturday at Cottonwood Regional Park. The free activities made the event a viable option for those on budgets or not wanting to spend money at the Arts Festival. The welcoming accolades get richer–‘I am thrilled to see Salt Lake County being recognized on a national level’ In 2018, Salt Lake County received national recognition passing a rigorous certification program to become an official welcoming area for refugees. The achievement was so important to incoming mayor Jenny Wilson that she touted it as a crowning achievement of the county in her State of the
Utah Governor Gary Herbert has been solid in supporting the rights of Utah’s refugees. (Governor Gary Herbert)
County address, shortly upon entering office last spring. From the county perspective, Salt Lake County recently received national recognition for its Refugee Assistance Program for Older Adults. The National Association of Counties honored the county’s offering “innovative, effective” programs that “strengthen services for residents.” The Refugee Assistance Program for Older Adults gives hope to participants by providing access to advocacy, resources and social engagement. Older refugees are exposed to programs through Aging and Adult Services that connect them with Medicare
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specialists and help them navigate the benefits process. Gardens for older adult refugees are being developed in Salt Lake County to provide places of refuge and social connection. Salt Lake County senior centers are also expanding to provide activities for refugees that target their unique interests including English classes and social activities designed to help participants make friends. Of the county’s receiving the award, Wilson noted, “I am thrilled to see Salt Lake County being recognized on a national level.” l
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‘Monarch Maven’s’ journey to save monarch butterflies, helping Decker Lake inmates along the way By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
“
Providing habitat to help them succeed.” The phrase is uttered by a University of Utah biologist, informing a group of young men about how their efforts may help tiny monarch butterfly eggs grow 2,000 times their current size and metamorphose from barely noticeable into, ultimately, majestic butterflies. The phrase, however, could just as easily apply to the scientist’s efforts—to not only educate, but to enliven and inspire this group of young men, aged 16-21, who are wards of the state, juveniles at the Decker Lake Correctional Facility in West Valley City. But all this gets ahead of where the story began.
The lovely Butterfly Lady and her own migration
“Monarch Maven” or “Butterfly Lady” Rachel Taylor lives by the U of U, proximate to Hogle Zoo. She and her spouse repeat-vacation to Mexico to observe monarch migrations. She and her spouse regularly journey to Mexico to observe monarch migrations. She talks the talk, walks the walk, and if she could, would likely fly the 6,000-mile round-trip migration monarch butterflies make to-and-from Canada and Mexico. Five years ago, she started to notice the lack of monarch butterflies. This was a stark contrast to her youth, in what was once “rural Utah” (now Lehi), where butterflies were a delightful given, a sure sign of summertime. Taylor began studying monarchs, learning of their potential for extinction. She was named an official research associate for the 501c3 Southwest Monarch Study, “a volunteer position I’m proud of,” she says. She began to cultivate milkweed, a plant that monarchs are particularly drawn to, for laying their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, milkweed provides ideal nutrition for the larvae. The young feast on the milkweed, a plant which nature’s protective hand designed to be unpalatable, even poisonous, to would-be predators. Obsessed, Taylor let her house become as consumed as she was. Two 6-foot tables, a window seat, and all the chairs possible crowded to sunlit spots, becoming milkweed-growing areas. A pollinator garden became the priority in her well-manicured lawn. Solo Cups were no longer for drinking, but for growing. Her passion was getting in the way of her day job, as partner and executive search consultant for the Salt Lake office of top-25 global headhunting firm Global Recruiters. The world-class executive recruiter needed to recruit help—for herself.
Programs to the Incarcerated proved to be an excellent ally. The apt acronym—INSPIRE—brings science to prisons through lectures, workshops, and community-based conservation projects at correctional facilities in Utah. The monarch initiative was awarded a $1,000 grant to purchase the materials to grow the milkweed to foster monarchs. INSPIRE’s creativity and connections then delivered what was still missing—the site to host the project. The Utah Department of Corrections turned out to be what some may consider the surprising answer. They had a greenhouse at one of their facilities and space in the inmate outdoor courtyards that sounded like just the ticket for Taylor’s monarch-enhancing crusade. To make sure the planting was done correctly horticulturist James Young of the Fruit Heights-based Grand Prismatic Seed Company oversaw the planting project at the Decker Lake Correctional Facility.
of signs of monarch egg activity. Of working in the garden, 18-year-old “Lord” (not his real name) describes the experience as “euphoric” and “a good way to break the monotony of your cell.” These few minutes—less than an hour spent indoors and outdoors, combined—represent “a little taste of freedom.” He says working in the garden and monitoring the monarchs-in-the-making is a “good way to earn restitution.” Lord seems genuine when he indicates interest in future pursuit of a wildlife-restoration career. Lord has remembered, almost word for word, Anholt’s description of the opportunity and is able to articulately discuss its impact and possibilities.
Transformation on all levels
The monarch-propagating team worked amongst the inmates, who got the hands-on experience of helping transform poor-quality dirt patches in the prison yard, into butterfly incubators, which will, hopefully, yield the flying poetry. At least six times a year, Taylor and INSPIRE Program Manager Allison Anholt journey to work with the inmates of Decker Lake and tend to the plants and the butterflies-in-the-making—their symbolic project a way to teach youth about not just how to help the monarchs, but to also, in doing so, help themselves. The educational portion of the session takes place in the chapel, then migrates outdoors to where the inmates have planted the milkweed and are now learning how to recognize the monarchs’ growth. Anholt, herself just a stone’s throw in age from the Decker inmates, spent a year of her life working as a conservation biologist. She shares stories of traveling the world and getting paid for it. The message of opportunity through science is one that resonates. She talks about loftier careers, everything from becoming a Ph.D. in the science of butterflies—a lepidopterist—to becoming a specialist who helps remediate land. She asks to field questions about the potential careers available in the field. An arm shoots up immediately—“Which one pays the most?”
“Monarch Maven” Rachel Taylor shows an inmate at the Decker Correctional Facility how to detect tiny monarch butterfly eggs, which will grow 2,000 times their initial size to become butterflies. (Jennifer J. Johnson/ City Journals)
Another inmate, 16-year-old “JR” (also not his real name) says he appreciates the time Taylor and Anholt spend with them, returning visit after visit, to Decker Lake, and considers being chosen to spend more time working with the milkweed outdoors and the greenhouse “an honor.”
On the plants, the horizon, and up in the air—on solid scientific ground
Taylor and Anholt have committed to spending five years with the Utah Corrections program. With that well underway, Taylor is foYoung men in hopeful chrysalis phase cused on preaching the gospel of milkweed. A few minutes later, the men adjourn “I want to ensure we can continue growMonarch 911 to the garden. Taylor and Anholt explore the The U of U’s Initiative to Bring Science milkweed plants with them, reminding them ing milkweed and providing it to city/county/ state organizations and provide seedlings to
Page 6 | August 2019
them for free, to help sustain the monarch population,” she says. Recent success along these lines is the monarch ecosystem Taylor helped cultivate at Salt Lake City’s Fairmont Park in Sugar House. “They really embraced it,” she says of SLC employees who are now caretakers of what she calls a “monarch way station” where long-toothed monarchs lay eggs, then new ones hatch. It is, says Taylor, “a stunning example of what you can do.” Taylor’s commitment to “doing” is clear. She has lugged a box full of Solo Cup-bearing individual milkweed stalks to Decker Lake, to be planted and nurtured for hopeful monarch propagation by a committed,
non-inmate citizen-scientist she is coordinating with at the site. Taylor is in search of an army of citizen scientists. Through Sept. 30, Citizen Scientists I and II can inform the Southwest Monarch Study in its tracking of monarchs in Utah. CS I participants need an iPhone and the downloaded Monarch SOS app and access to the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper website - www.monarchmilkweedmapper. org. CS IIs are detectives of sorts, helping the state of Utah fill in missing data and also report monarch sightings. Get engaged at bit. ly/monarchsinutah. l
West Valley City Journal
LoveLoud Festival celebrates love and acceptance for LGBTQ+ community By Jennifer Gardiner | j.gardiner@mycityjournals.com
LoveLoud Festival saw performers on the USANA stage all day long. (Photo courtesy LoveLoud Foundation)
LoveLoud Festival saw performers on the USANA stage all day long. (Photo courtesy LoveLoud Foundation)
T
he LoveLoud Festival seems to get bigger every year, and this year’s event lived up to everyone’s expectations and left nothing up to the imagination. Kesha was the headline of this year’s festival with other performers such as AJR, Tegan and Sara, Daya, K. Flay, Pvris, Laura Jane Grace and more. The all-day event was held at the Usana Amphitheatre in West Valley City on June 29. The concert, sponsored by AT&T, helped to raise money for LGBTQ+ charities around the nation. It also focused on the high suicide rates of LGBTQ+ youth. Dan Reynolds told the crowd that the ideology that you are broken because you are LGBTQ+ is false, that we should not live in a society where you think you can tell your neighbor how they should live and who you should love. Matt Easton, Brigham Young University’s 2019 valedictorian who declared he was gay during the school’s graduation commencement, spoke to the crowd and said he wasn’t willing to accept being gay was the end to his future. He said he nearly lost sever-
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al friends to suicide because they were afraid to admit they were gay. Gnash, an American singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ and record producer who was already in town to perform, said this concert means “all of the beautiful people can come together and we are all humans who deserve to be treated equally because we are all one in the same.” Charlie Bird, the man behind the mask of Cosmo the cougar, the mascot for Brigham Young University, also joined in on the festival. “I was behind a mask, but I was also masking my sexuality,” Bird said. “Now I am dancing in front of the same community and with the same dancers, only without the mask.” Bird said it was liberating to come out, and since he has, he has received a great amount of support from all over Utah. “For the longest time I thought I was the only one like me, that’s a heavy burden to carry,” Bird said. “I hope by being visible, I can show others they are not alone, and there is hope.”
Steve Young and his wife Barbara Graham stopped by the concert to show their support for not just the LGBTQ+ community but to show others that love is the ultimate way to live. “This started with the idea that Dan had to bring the LDS community and the LGBTQ+ community together,” Young said. “The first festival in Orem was a culmination of that idea, and once you bring them together, you can walk with each other and the fundamentals of understanding each other and to me LoveLoud was born out of that idea.” The LoveLoud Festival has been entertaining Utah for the past three summers. From performances by Imagine Dragons, Tyler Glenn, Mary Lambert, Parson James, Vagabon, along with dance numbers from Julianne Hough, “World of Dance” star Jaxon Willard, Alex Boyé, Troy Williams, Grace VanderWaal and Neon Trees. The first LoveLoud Festival was held in 2017 at the Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem and drew over 16,000 people. The 2018 event, which was held at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, doubled that with
over 35,000 attendees and raised over $1 million dollars for LGBTQ+ youth. The 2018 festival, however, was met with controversy from several transgender attendees who said they felt harassed over which bathrooms they could use causing several people representing LGBTQ+ nonprofits in Utah County to leave the concert. LoveLoud indicated they wanted to work with the organizations to make sure the 2019 festival included the use of nongender definitive portable toilets as a solution to ensure no one felt excluded. The LoveLoud Foundation was founded in 2017 by Dan Reynolds, the lead singer and only remaining original member of the band Imagine Dragons as a way to bring communities and families together and help ignite the conversation about what it means to unconditionally love LGBTQ+ youth. LoveLoud offers hope to young people, letting them know they’re not alone and encouraging acceptance in the home and community. l
August 2019 | Page 7
The show goes on at former Hale Centre Theatre building
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Harman Theatre hosted “Forever Plaid” in June. Previous runs of the musical were held at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center amphitheater. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
A
s Andrew Wallentine led a visitor on a brief tour of what used to be the home of Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City during a recent weekday afternoon, the building stood eerily quiet. For the moment, there was none of the buzz of the countless patrons who flocked to the thousands of live plays produced by Hale Centre Theatre during the 19 years it occupied the facility, known officially today as Harman Theatre. Hale departed for its new state-of-the-art performing arts center in Sandy in 2017. Wallentine, director of West Valley City’s Division of Arts and Culture and manager of the 42,000-square-foot cityowned theater at 3333 S. Decker Lake Dr., said the silence is gradually being replaced by a new wave of activity and theatergoers as the venue transitions to its role as a true “community” theater. “A lot of people are excited to see theater back in this building,” he said, noting that its return has left some visitors with “tears in their eyes” as they remembered their experiences during the Hale years. When Hale Centre Theatre left, West Valley City sought Requests For Proposals (RFP) for the 612-seat theater, whether it was a sale or some other option. “None of those RFPs worked out for the city,” Wallentine said. The new script for Harman Theatre began to be written when Jeff Olsen, assistant director of the Division of Arts and Culture, researched similar munic-
ipally owned theaters around the country. He asked, “Hey, what if we came up with our own plan?” to partner with professional and community performing arts groups to bring shows to the theater, Wallentine recalled. Thus, a strategy was born. Wallentine and colleagues began figuratively knocking on doors and seeking partnerships. One of the more notable groups Harman Theatre connected with is the renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival. The Cedar City-based organization held its annual gala and stage production of “The Front Page” at Harman Theatre in February after conducting the event in Salt Lake City in previous years. The Utah Shakespeare Festival plans to return to the theater in March for the 2020 gala. Frank Mack, executive producer of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, praised the new relationship with West Valley City. “We are eager to continue to work with the city to possibly expand our programming there in the future,” he said. “The developing partnership presents a great opportunity for the festival to perform in a beautiful, wonderfully theatrical facility on the Wasatch Front, where many of our audience that come to Cedar City live.” Harman Theatre also hosted “Forever Plaid” in June. Previous runs of the musical were held at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center amphitheater. Wallentine said Harman provided an intimate, close-up experience for the audience.
Upcoming shows include the comedy/impressionist/musical duo Marcus & Guy on Aug. 23 and “Prometheus Bound,” a Greek tragedy presented by Westminster College and the Division of Arts and Culture on Sept. 20. Information and tickets are available at www.harmantheatre.org and (801) 965-5140. Wallentine wants to make sure Harman Theatre productions are cost-friendly to the public. “Our hope is to be able to offer a quality production to the community at a price that is affordable,” especially for couples and families. He said the goal is to keep ticket prices in the $10 to $20 range whenever possible, significantly less than similar performances at other venues. The Division of Arts and Culture is seeking input from performing arts groups on what they would like to see regarding future renovations, upgrades, and improvements to Harman Theatre. They are encouraged to complete a survey at www.harmantheatre.org. Wallentine said the city has not completely ruled out listening to offers for the theater, but as its future becomes more solidified, the possibility of selling the building becomes less likely. “There is a lot of wonderful community support and excitement about this theater being up and going again,” he said and added, “If you don’t have an eye to the future, I think it is a great disservice to the community.” l
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August 2019 | Page 9
Add pump track to Centennial Park’s sporting features By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
A
dding to the growing arsenal of amenities at Centennial Park, West Valley City introduced the park’s newest attraction on July 16, a pump track. Designed with a continuous loop of banks and turns, a pump track allows riders to maneuver around the track without pedaling requiring control, balance and coordination. The track, open dawn until dusk, is located just north of the skate park (3189 S. 5600 West) and will have two sections, a shorter one for beginners and larger for more advanced riders. With bike tracks a growing trend nationwide, Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Day said they wanted to maximize that space, but it wasn’t big enough for a full bike park. “We felt like a pump track would fit perfectly there and really continue to feed the need of those that also use the skate park,” she said, adding most communities in Utah don’t have this type of track. “We were really happy to bring that to our community.” Harrison Read was one of the honorary first riders on the track. Read, a dual slalom mountain bike racer who competes internationally, said the track is similar to what he started on. “It’s solid, it’s long, it flows really well,” Read, 20, said. “The geometry is really good, they did a good job on it.” He compared it to a track in Spain made of the same material. The West Valley surface is a 1/4 fiberglass composite with no slip riding surface. “It’s honestly the best public pump track I’ve ever ridden,” he said. Having the track should also alleviate the congestion on the ever populated skate park. “It’s one person at a time so it’s hard to get a lot of people on (the pump track) at the same time,” Read said. “So it’ll kind of teach
Page 10 | August 2019
kids a little more etiquette, just not getting in the way of each other…it’ll kind of split the crowd.” Final costs for the track will rise slightly above the $156,000 the West Valley City Council approved last fall for the purchase and installation, with the little extra going to finish the concrete walking paths. Day said maintenance on the track should be minor, mainly checking the connection points and regular landscaping already done. The manufacturer, American Ramp Company, expects the ramp to last 10-15 years pending usage and weather, according to Day. While there were discussions about installing a dirt track north of the pump track, due to the retention pond located there and increased maintenance involved, officials decided against it. Though Day said there may be other areas in the city for a dirt track. Just as the skate park holds clinics and competitions each year, Day expects to do similar events on the pump track, but not until 2020 at the earliest. But the pump track wasn’t the only grand opening of the day. Twelve pickleball courts were also unveiled on the east side of the park having been converted from four tennis courts. The pickleball courts are one more amenity to add to West Valley City’s largest park. “It’s definitely a sports park,” Day said of Centennial Park’s role in the city’s landscape. “It fills that niche, but because it’s the largest, we can hold events like WestFest. But pickleball, pump track, skate park, have more of a sports aspect you could say, we’ve really kind of earmarked it for that.” While the pump track is a welcome addition to the city, “it’s part of the bigger picture and part of the services we want to take to the next level,” Day said. “I’m really proud
The pump track features various loops and turns for skateboarders and bikers alike. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
of it, but it’s one of many projects I’m working on that I’m really excited about.” She highlighted a fully inclusive playground coming soon to Peachwood Park, the oldest playground in the city as one of them. That’s in addition to focus groups and an online survey planned in the next few months. Day said her department wants feedback from residents to ensure they are on track, meeting resident needs moving forward.
Twelve-person focus groups, done in conjunction with Utah State University, will have translators and various demographics. Check West Valley City social media and website for announcements. As for the pump track, it’s already fueling community interest. “Super stoked that West Valley decided to put this in,” Read said. “It’ll improve the skill of a lot of people.” l
West Valley City Journal
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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and everything in between,” Stechschulte said. Misty Kelm works as a recruiter for All Trades Staffing. Kelm said that Stechschulte has worked hard to create an accommodating, caring and friendly atmosphere. “Working here is like working with family. All employees are treated like family and that includes the temps. Tom [Stechschulte] is known for giving out his phone number to make sure everyone is satisfied,” Kelm said. Stechschulte backs that up by giving a fair chance to anyone who is hard working and reliable. “We provide many great opportunities. We carefully screen applicants and employees, yet we remain felon friendly. We believe that once people have paid for their crimes it is imperative we provide life-changing opportunities for employment,” Stechschulte said. All Trades Staffing accepts applications in person Monday through Friday, 8 a.m-1 p.m. Visit their Salt Lake office at 182 W. Haven Ave. in South Salt Lake. Haven Avenue is accessible via either West Temple or 300 West and about 2300 South. For directions or questions call 801-313-1234.
“We’ve always been locally owned and operated, so when you’re working with us, you’re really putting Utah first.” Workers in the Ogden area can apply at All Trades Staffing’s Ogden location at 205 E. 26th St. #14, 801-399-1234. Get hired on even faster by printing the application from their website at www.alltradestemp.com and taking it into the office with you. On the website, you’ll also find a list of frequently asked questions which includes information about getting paid overtime, finding a permanent position and the equipment needed for specific jobs. If you’re a good worker and you’d like to join a company where they are small enough to know their customers and employers, but big enough to serve you and find you a position, call All Trades Staffing.
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We’ve all met someone who says (more like “claims”) they have never experienced a car accident before. While we might doubt the veracity of such a statement, there are countless ways to avoid those nauseatingly time consuming situations — the ones where you wait for law enforcement on the side of the road (or middle of the intersection), deal with insurance companies and figure out finances for fixing the fender. There are countless ways to avoid an accident, here are the top four. 1| Attitude. You probably weren’t expecting this one first. As a driver, you control over 3,000 pounds (or more) of metal that can cause incalculable damage. Driving with maturity and the right mindset makes a world of difference. Speeding to beat another car to the exit or to get back at the person who cut you off a minute ago may give you a moment of satisfaction, but is it worth the risk and ramifications? If all drivers commit to having a responsible attitude, imagine how much less we’d find ourselves in bumper to bumper traffic waiting to pass the accident. 2| Speed. From 2012-2016, 40 percent of motor vehicle traffic crash deaths in Utah
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the Salt Lake Valley. We provide tradesmen and support laborers for construction, manufacturing and industrial work sites along the Wasatch Front,” Stechschulte said. For the past 25 years, All Trades Staffing has worked to provide competitive, merit-based pay to temporary workers. “Our motto is you don’t work for us, we work with you,” Stechschulte said. With services for the Salt Lake, Utah County and Ogden areas, All Trades is in high demand and works with many of Utah’s premier contractors, manufacturers and businesses. “We’ve always been locally owned and operated, so when you’re working with us, you’re really putting Utah first. We utilize local products and businesses first, which is something we can all feel good about,” Stechschulte said. Working with All Trades is a great way to obtain exposure to a wide variety of trades and jobs. “Here you can make valuable contacts, explore options and basically get paid while you job hunt. It’s a great way to acquire valuable experience, and we have openings for inexperienced laborers to journeymen,
were because of speeding, according to Utah Department of Public Safety’s crash data. Slowing down isn’t going to kill you, but flying past others just might. 3| Distraction. Stay focused. Keep your guard up. Though you may be a phenomenal driver, others aren’t. Be aware of your surroundings by paying attention to what’s in front of you and checking your mirrors. Knowing where everyone else is helps avoid collisions. If you’re distracted by your phone, music, or billboards with cows writing on them, it limits your response time to what another driver may being doing in front of you. 4| Defense. This was one of the first concepts taught in driver education and one of the first we forget: drive defensively. Failing to yield caused 12% of deaths from 2012-2016 in the same data mentioned before. That comes to 154 people who died because they didn’t let someone else go first. This also applies when driving in poor weather conditions. Heavy rainfall and snowstorms blot windshields and make roads slick, adverse circumstances to traveling safely. Basics become even more vital like keeping your distance from the vehicle in front of you.
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What Mount Olympus means to Holladay residents By Sona Schmidt-Harris | s.schmidtharris@mycityjournals.com Curved snuggly around the base and slowly ascending the majestic slopes, Holladay claims Mount Olympus as her own.
Mount Olympus completes the Holladay skyline. (Sona Schmidt-Harris/City Journals)
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Holladayites go about their daily business sometimes not cognizant of this regal giant that stands at 9,030 feet. Still, one can barely look up without seeing the mountain. Several former and current Holladay residents reflect on what Mount Olympus means to them. City Councilman Brett Graham said, “Mount Olympus has meaning to me on several levels. First and foremost, it is a dominant landmark which I look for each time I fly into the Salt Lake Valley. When it comes into view, I feel home. From the valley, my city, neighborhood and home lay below and the mountains I love on either side.” Graham said that while Mount Olympus is a constant, it also changes. He loves seeing it capped with snow or watching the leaves change in the fall. “It is impressive in all seasons,” he said. It also brings back memories, specifically when he was in high school. “A few buddies and I thought it would be fun to climb it with a generator and string a big ‘O’ in the trees to light up during the Olympus versus Skyline game. Needless to say, it didn’t happen…generators from the 1980s were heavy.” He added, “We are lucky to live below a beautiful creation.” Ninety-one-year-old David Taylor has been a hiker since he was 4 years old. A long-time Holladay resident, Taylor recalled his times on Mount Olympus fondly. “At night, you could hold the moonlight in your hands,” he said. There are parts of the Mount Olympus trail that are very steep. Taylor said, “When somebody says, ‘Oh yeah, we climbed Mount Olympus,’ I ask, ‘Did you go all the way up?’” Instead of answering, he said,
Shanna McGrath stands at the peak of Mount Olympus, McGrath’s first hike when she moved here a year ago. (Photo courtesy Shanna McGrath)
they change the subject. He said that through the years the Mount Olympus trail has been made a little bit easier. “You can look around and see the valley. It’s wonderful to be able to see that,” Taylor said. In his long life, his enthusiasm for the mountain has not dimmed. He said he believes that everyone in his family has gone up Mount Olympus. “For us, and I would say for most of my children and their children, we have interest in Mount Olympus.” Former Olympus High School student Andrea Wilkinson said, “From the time I can remember, Mount Olympus has always been there providing the eastern backdrop to my view. Her beauty and majesty are unsurpassed, no matter the season. However, she is especially beautiful in winter—after a snowstorm—when the sparkling white snow contrasts sharply against the blue sky. She is also beautiful in the spring and summer after a rainfall when her greenery is bright and looks full of promise. Mount Olympus is a protector who looks over the vast valley onto those of us lucky enough to live beneath her magnificent peak— basking in her shadow and glory.” Some Holladay residents climb the mountain and some wax poetic about its grandeur. In either case, Holladay and Mount Olympus are intimately bound. l
August 2019 | Page 13
It’s electric! How to hit the trails with integrated propulsion By Amy Green | a.green@mycityjournals.com
Bike experts like Mike Buckley, shop manager at 2nd Tracks Sports/Level 9 (Millcreek) are excited to talk about electric options. For any rider, beginning or advanced, motor propelled mountain bikes are a great emerging option for commuters and outdoor adventure seekers. (Amy Green/City Journals)
More mountain bikes with integrated electric motors are popping up around Utah-- in bike shops of course, on city streets and the diverse trails across the Wasatch. (Amy Green/City Journals)
You can’t see it… (it’s electric!). You gotta feel it… (it’s electric!). Ooh, it’s shakin’... (it’s electric!). Actually, you can see it. It’s a bike. It’s an electric bike. Boogie woogie, woogie!
More mountain bikes with integrated electric motors are popping up around Utah-- in bike shops of course, on city streets and the diverse trails across the Wasatch. Utah and its mountains are abundant with off road recreation opportunities. Those uphill places are even more accessible to ride now, thanks to electric mountain bikes or eMTB. For those who love getting to the further outskirts, dusty dirt avenues, rocky trails and Utah’s infamous desert washboard roads, longer distance rides are now more doable. Broadly speaking, there are two types of e-bikes: full-power or pedal-assist. The difference is in how they are powered by the motor. A full-power bike is meant for short distances with little to no pedaling over relatively short distances. Pedal-assist bikes are designed to be pedaled most of the time. But when you are tired and need a boost, these bikes can provide a bit of electric help. An eMTB falls into the category of pedal-assist. To read more about how they work check out www.explainthatstuff.com/electricbikes.
Page 14 | August 2019
Eddy Steele of SLC, is an avid rider. He has a Focus Jam Squared eMTB. “I love my particular bike. It affords me the ability to ride the trails that are by my house, or on my way home from work. I can ride quicker, whereas on a normal bike, I wouldn’t have the time to ride before it gets dark. A trail that would normally take two to three hours to ride, takes only about an hour on my eMTB with pedal assist,” Steele explained. Mountain bike hobbyists might wonder if one can get the same kind of challenging workout on an e-bike. “It’s not the same kind of workout, but you’re still getting a workout. I’m still breaking a sweat and I’ve still got an increased heart rate. But anytime you are working out two-three hours vs. one hour, you’re going to burn more calories,” Steele said. On an eMTB, one can ride longer. Steele explained the pedal assist advantage saying, “It helps out a lot on the hills and you can make it give you a little more assist on uphill’s. So if you’re using it aggressively, you can really cut down drastically on the amount of pedaling work. So it’s less of a workout to conquer hills than it would be if you had a normal bike. But it’s still a workout.” Steele recently met a guy in St George who has the same bike. After confirming
that the other guy didn’t steal his bike, the men got to talking. “The southern Utah guy was in his 50’s or 60’s, retired, a little overweight, and had bought his bike a few months ago. The guy hadn’t mountain biked before. He wanted something that would help him out a bit. In the short time that he had been mountain biking he lost around 30 pounds. I think without an electric mountain bike he probably wouldn’t have been out being so active,” Steele said. The fun thing about mountain biking is going outside and being on the varied terrain. An electric mountain bike can help one enjoy the sport more fully when one might not otherwise be physically capable. “The other nice thing I like about my bike is it’s a little heavier, so I feel a lot more stable. I feel like I can be a little bit more aggressive in my downhill mountain biking without getting so bounced around. I feel more secure. But it’s not too heavy. I still feel like I can control it really well,” Steele added. e-bikes are pretty amazing. One might wonder if anyone can just go out and take it anywhere? Mike Buckley, manager at 2nd Tracks/Level 9 Sports (Millcreek) where eMTB bikes are sold said, “Currently the people who maintain the trails make the decision (whether to allow e-bikes).” So check the rules before hitting the offroad trails. Where one is allowed to ride an eMTB can vary greatly on federal, state and local trails. As a general rule, any trail open to motorized and non-motorized use, is also available to eMTB riders. Because land rules can change frequently, don’t ride where rules aren’t clear.
For information regarding Utah e-bike laws, consider the following:
• LOCAL: Consult your local land management agency. • STATE: Utah State Parks do not have an eMTB policy. Contact the department for the most up to date information. • FEDERAL: On federal lands, e-bikes are considered motorized vehicles and have access to motorized trails. Contact the U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Regional Office or the BLM Utah State Office Bend National Park for more information.
A great place for more information on where to ride an eMTB is:
• A map of great eMTB rides at peopleforbikes.org/emtb • eMTB “Adventures” at peopleforbikes.org/e-bikes
There is little doubt that electric bikes are better for the environment than traditional gasoline engines. But they aren’t perfect. The development and disposal of batteries causes pollution. The electricity to power an eMTB might be coming from a source of significant pollution. However, e-bikes are a good start at improving air quality. As some say, “Perfect is the enemy of the good.” It’s a neat time to be in the market for a bike, to start thinking about a first one, or upgrading that vintage Schwinn. It’s also a great option for folks who need their bike to do some of the pedaling. See if you can spot these e-bikes wheeling around the Salt Lake scenery. l
West Valley City Journal
New Draper trail conditions app improves outdoor experience By Stephanie Yrungaray | s.yrungaray@mycityjournals.com
Cell phone with trail app and trail in background. (Stephanie Yrungaray/City Journals)
Residents and visitors hoping to enjoy Draper’s 90+ miles of trails now have a way to check trail conditions before they head out the door. Draper City recently released a trail conditions app with the goal of keeping hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders informed as well as keeping trails in good condition.
beautiful outdoors,” said Draper City Councilwoman Tasha Lowery. “We have the most preserved and protected wild lands of any city in the state, over 5,000 acres. It really makes a difference to our residents and their ability to get outside and appreciate all Utah has to offer.” The app, which can be found online at Draper City’s map portal draper.maps.arc“Our hope is that the app will make gis.com/ shows all of the city’s trails with it easier for residents to engage with our each trail colored according to its current condition. Green for open, yellow for tread
lightly, red for closed and blue to indicate which trails are groomed during snowy weather. Clicking on the colored lines pulls up the name of the trail, its condition and the last date of inspection. Greg Hilbig, Draper’s Trails and Open Space Manager said either himself, his assistant or a park ranger are responsible for making sure the app conditions are accurate. “We are often out on the trails checking them,” Hilbig said. “Depending on the time of year and the recent weather it is pretty obvious to those of us familiar with the trails what their condition will be.” Hilbig said the app is an important tool for keeping trails healthy. “A lot of our soil is clay which holds the water longer. The problem with using [trails] when they get really wet and muddy is that it displaces soil off of the trail. On a muddy trail, hikers and horses cause potholes and bikers cause ruts. When the mud hardens it makes the trail lumpy and causes erosion.” Draper resident Chad Smith said his family uses the community trails for mountain biking, running and family hikes. He thinks the new app will make a real difference to trail users. “As Draper’s trail system becomes increasingly crowded and complex to ac-
commodate those on foot, bike and horse I see this app as a way to get in front of some problems that have been on the rise for awhile now,” Smith said. Smith said the number of mountain bikers can make it difficult for hikers, walkers and runners to use the trails, but recent improvements made by Draper City are helping. “They’ve added more foot traffic only trails, and they’ve minimized areas where foot traffic and bike trails intersect and overlap,” Smith said. “At this point, with so many recent changes and such a need for crowd management, I think education is the biggest issue remaining.” Hilbig said he hopes that word will spread about the trail conditions app. “The last time I checked we had 5,000 visits to [the app]. We are hoping to spread education because a lot of new users won’t understand why they shouldn’t be on muddy trails.” Overall, Hilbig said he hopes the app will improve everyone’s experience on trails in Draper. “People from all over use these trails,” Hilbig said. “We just want everyone to have a good time and be courteous to other users.” l
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August 2019 | Page 15
Keep your bike tuned for the trails with Salt Lake’s Bicycle Collective By Jenniffer Wardell | j.wardell@mycityjournals.com
The Bicycle Collective restores, maintains and sells used bikes. (Jenniffer Wardell/City Journals)
You can’t conquer a mountain trail if your bike isn’t in good shape.
For those wanting an inexpensive way to keep their mountain bike in optimum condition, the Bicycle Collective is here to help. With locations in Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo and St. George, the Collective offers open benches, tools and expert help for anyone looking to maintain and repair all kinds of bicycles. They also offer classes for both kids and adults. “We have pretty much everything required to fix most bikes, even old ones,” said Amy Nguyen Wiscombe, the volunteer and program coordinator for the Collective. Just inside the front door of the Salt Lake location is the bike repair room, with rows of tools and equipment and racks to hang bikes while they’re being worked on. Rows of rims hang overhead, and a stack of tires rests along one wall. A separate room has even more tires and tubes. “We only have six benches, and
they’re usually full from beginning to end,” Wiscombe said. “There are also usually three people on the wait list.” If you’re on the wait list, it’s best not to go anywhere. “You have to hang out,” she added. “You don’t know when a bench is going to be done.” The benches are mostly open during what the shop refers to as DIY (Do It Yourself) hours. During that time, volunteers and paid experts are also on hand to help answer the questions of anyone working on their bikes. “The nice thing about repair here is that you’re repairing your bike, but they have guides here who are pros,” said Joe Zia, who was working on the trail bike he’d recently purchased from the Collective. “If you’re in over your head, they can guide you.” Zia’s son, Jeff, was there learning how to take care of the bike he would be using frequently. “I’m actually a great bike rider, and my dad is, too,” Jeff said. “We go on trails three times a day.” When questioned if they really did that much riding, Zia smiled. “We go quite a bit.” The only two things the Collective
won’t do is bleed hydraulic brakes and repair mountain bike forks (the part that holds the front wheel). “(Our experts) might not have that type of knowledge,” Wiscombe said. “It’s pretty specialized.” The Collective also has a Youth Open Shop, where children and teens get exclusive use of the benches. They also have a weekly WTF night (Women, Trans and Femme), designed exclusively for those female, transgender, genderqueer, transmasculine, transfeminine or femme. The nights, which are part of a national movement, are meant to give those individuals a safe space to work on bikes. “Cycling is typically pretty dominated by men, and a bike shop can typically be a pretty intimidating space,” Wiscombe said. “We try to be really welcoming and inclusive.” DIY time, Youth Open Shop, and WTF night are all $5 an hour for bench time. The complete schedule for all three sessions are available at the Collective’s web site, www.bicyclecollective.org “It’s a lot cheaper than getting it serviced at the bike shop, and you know the work that’s getting done on your bike,” Zia said. Lucas Ruiz was also in the shop,
working on his mountain bike. “I do at least 40 miles a day on my bike, so I have extra wear,” he said. Even if you don’t ride that far every day, you still have plenty of reason to tune up your bike. “All bikes require regular maintenance of some kind,” Wiscombe said. “Right before you ride, you should always check your air, brakes and chain. Once a month, you should give your bike a detailed cleaning, lube your chain and check to see if things are worn out.” The Collective’s next round of mountain bike classes for kids should be announced next April, with word going out on their social media accounts. Other classes will cover everything from flat repair to suspension systems to derailleurs. Just like the people who use the benches, the students come from all walks of life. “They range from college kids all the way to retired folks,” Wiscombe said. “All different socioeconomic levels.” It’s that variety, and the opportunity to help them, that help keep the Collective going. “There’s incredible diversity in Salt Lake,” she said. “We get to meet these people and experience their stories.” l
Hiking opportunities abound in the area By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com The Salt Lake Valley and surround- like that sometimes,” Roberts said. “We ing mountains is considered a hiking have seen deer and all kinds of stuff in our own backyard hikes.” mecca. There are 171 registered hiking trails right here in this valley and surrounding foothills. According to alltrails.com they can all be accessed within a 20-minute drive from any point along the Wasatch Front. These hikes range in difficulty and skill levels. “I try to hike with my son once a week,” Herriman resident Travis Roberts said. “We like to get out and enjoy the time together. He loves the wildlife and all the things he can see while we are hiking. I want him to have a thorough fitness experience.” Hiking has great rewards, but care should be taken to ensure your simple day trip does not turn into a disaster. Be prepared for your adventure. According to alltrails.com here are some tips: Research the trail you are venturing on and notify someone of your plans; prepare yourself physically by stretching, having enough water and supplies; hike with a buddy; bring clothing for changing weather conditions, watch your step, and most importantly, know when to turn around. “Watch for wildlife, snakes and stuff
Page 16 | August 2019
Here are a few nearby hikes best suited for families.
Yellow Fork Canyon Trail, Herriman
A moderate hike consisting of a 6.8mile loop. It gains approximately 1,300 feet in elevation and ends on a ridgeline with great views of the valley. Many residents like its proximity. Parts of the trail are steep and rocky and there are many spurs off the main trail to explore. Bentley Roberts and his father Travis have explored several hikes close to their home. They have learned to
Temple Quarry and Little Cottonwood Creek Trail, Little Cottonwood Canyon
enjoy spending time together. (Photo courtesy of Travis Roberts)
A 7-mile out and back trail that fea- recreational users including bikes, runners tures a river and lots of shade. It gains and families. 1,350 feet in elevation to the top and ends Herriman Fire Memorial Flag, Herriman at an old mill. This hike contains history of A relatively short 1.7-mile steep and the Utah Pioneers and building of the Salt rocky hike. It ends with spectacular views Lake Temple. of the valley. It is considered a moderate to Mountain View Corridor difficult hike by alltrails.com users. This hike travels the entire length of Orson Smith Park to the Draper Suspension the corridor and can be accessed at severBridge Loop al points along its route. The trail is mostly A 2.3-mile loop rated as easy, alpaved and includes several benches along though there is a long uphill section. The the way. It is frequented by several types of trail is well maintained and has frequent
bicycles. A short hike past the suspension bridge is the old pine bridge and worth the extra effort.
Jungle Trail Hike, Corner Canyon
A new trail in the Corner Canyon trail system has been built for kids. In fact, the sign at the trailhead says it is for the young and adventurous. The hike begins at the Carolina Hills trailhead. The trail is shaded and has logs to climb over and forts to hide in; it is only .1 miles in length. l
West Valley City Journal
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Photo: Don Polo Photography
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August 2019 | Page 17
Granger High students succeed with help of credit recovery program By Jess Nielsen Beach | j.beach@mycityjournals.com
W
ith graduation approaching, some students at Granger High were dangerously close to losing the opportunity to finish school on time—that is, until faculty stepped in to help. “Granger High School struggles with, for one reason or another, students who do not complete all of their credits to complete high school,” Ben Anderson, assistant principal, said. FuelEd, a credit recovery program, features a curriculum that helps at-risk seniors to not only catch up, but to learn trades and skills for work after graduation. “FuelEd offers options for those students who are behind to graduate,” Anderson said. “Family issues, education struggles, whatever it might be, students find themselves in unique predicaments that lead to having as little as 10 credits by the time senior year comes around.” Granger is also proud of how they received the FuelEd services: they paid for it themselves. As a Title 1 high school, they were able to secure funds to close the gap to benefit their students, while still budgeting for in-class aid assistance, para education, lower class sizes, parent outreach nights and much more. Once the program was secured, the 30 students had to get to work—and fast. Starting in January, students who had attended but
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still failed to garner credits had to commit to the program by being on time and working diligently to graduate from Granger. “One caveat is doing the work,” Anderson said. “The students participated in a construction program, where they had to do two classes of online work every day. They also had to do two credits of home building.” The home building courses required travel to Granite Technical Institute, where the teens learned framing, roofing, basic construction skills and more in order to give them the skills they need to get jobs after graduation. Students also went to electrical and plumbing classes as well, with five of them going straight from high school to apprenticeships or internships from J.B. Hunt Electrical. In addition to using the program to assist the students, Granger received FuelEd’s 2019 Transformation Award—the only school in Utah to do so. In order to qualify for this award, it took two individuals to campaign for their students: teacher Mike Bernard, academic mentor, and Anthony Van Horn, construction mentor. Bernard championed for Granger’s cause, telling their story and ultimately bringing the school to the spotlight. There were seven winners total for FuelEd, with Granger
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FuelEd, a credit recovery program, features a curriculum that helps at-risk students to not only catch up, but to learn trades and skills for work after graduation. (Wikimedia Commons)
winning for their success with the Construction Youth Mentorship Program . The school was notified at the end of the year. “We were very honored to receive the award,” Anderson said. “It’s been a very nice thing, because it compliments the efforts of the students and the teachers.” The Granger Lancers know they couldn’t do all of this without the support of their families, the community and the district. “I hope the city knows we’re very proud of our students,” Anderson added. “With our faculty and the beautiful building we have, it’s a wonderful place to learn.”
The school is on track to beat 80% graduation, which is something the students—especially those in the FuelEd program—can be proud of. Of the 30 students who participated, 27 graduated, while the three who didn’t graduate on time are currently finishing credits online. Anderson wants the community to know that Granger has their back. “We’re proud of our students and who they are,” he said. “You can come to us with your children and we’re happy and willing to look for solutions for them to succeed. The students deserve it.” l
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West Valley City Journal
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f you’re looking to charge that Tesla or Nissan LEAF in West Valley City, drivers will now have four more options to choose from. City officials applied for and were granted up to $140,564 for the installation of four level two electric vehicle charging stations— two located at City Hall and two at the Family Fitness Center. The money allows flexibility due to changing regulations regarding charging stations, the installation bid is not expected to exceed just over $83,000. Stations will be free to the public. The West Valley City Council unanimously approved the purchases on June 25. Prior to the vote, David Madsen, a West Valley resident, told the council of his excitement for the stations having been concerned about its lack of availability in the city. “My behavior has changed since I’ve owned my electric vehicle,” said Madsen, who works at the University of Utah. Madsen also said he often shops at the Smiths in downtown Salt Lake City because of its free charging station. “I would like to propose…that we remind businesses and entities that come into our city that this is an attractive thing that they can add to their business,” Madsen said, adding that doing so would attract customers
and vehicles who “promote a greener environment.” City Management Analyst John Rock has worked on bringing this project to fruition since 2017 going through various levels and entities. Funding for the stations will come from Rocky Mountain Power subsidies and Volkswagen Environment Mitigation Trust Funding Assistance Grant (Volkswagen was caught cheating the emissions system and were forced to payout millions of dollars, Utah was part of that settlement). Rock said they considered two vendors for installation, but chose Electric Highway Company because its annual maintenance fees would be half of its competitors after five years (the length of the warranty). Councilman Steve Buhler said even if the stations ran 24 hours a day, it would cost the city $30 a month. Mayor Ron Bigelow said during the council meeting he believed the stations will “add a lot to our city.” Madsen said he feels incentivizing incoming businesses, especially those located at Valley Fair or along 3500 South or 5600 West, to install them is a win-win-win for the city, residents and the business. “I hope there is more of that coming.” l
August 2019 | Page 19
Stephen Buhler
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3540 S. 4000 West, West Valley City, Ut
Business Spotlights are a service offered to our advertisers to help them inform our readers about their businesses. For information on scheduling a Spotlight, please call us at 801-254-5974 or email us at ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com
But I want to be helpful whether you hire me or not. One thing I will never do is make your case sound better than it is just so I can get your money. I will tell you the truth about how I see your case, the good and the bad, and help you make the best decisions possible going forward,” Buhler said.
Experience matters
Stephen Buhler’s office is conveniently located in West Valley City at the Harmon Building, 3540 S. 4000 West. (Photo courtesy Stephen Buhler)
I
n 1998, attorney Steve Buhler left the Salt Lake City law firm where he had worked as an associate attorney to open his own office. “I live on the westside,” he said, “and I know people don’t always want to drive downtown.” Buhler also realized that the westside communities were underserved with respect to quality legal advice and representation. “Many lawyers offer a free consultation.
Over his 25 years practicing law Buhler has helped thousands of people understand their legal rights, the legal process, and how to obtain the best legal solutions available to them. Buhler sums up his business philosophy, “If you have a legal question, a legal problem to solve, or are wanting to do some advance legal planning, call me. I will do my best to help you. I understand that every question, every case and every plan is important. I will listen to you, do my best to understand your issue, and give you valuable legal advice and representation,” he said. Buhler strives to educate and help. “I want everyone who comes and meets with me to leave a little happier and more confident, with a better understanding of the law than they had when they first came in,”
Buhler said. Buhler focuses on estate planning (wills and trusts), probate (inheritance), and family law including divorce, paternity, adoption, name change, premarital agreements and guardianship. Since relocating his law practice to West Valley City, Buhler has immersed himself in community service including serving on the board of directors of the chamber of commerce (chamberwest.com), chairing the nonprofit after-school program provider Community Education Partnership of West Valley City (cep4kids.org), and serving in local government. His office is conveniently located one block west of Bangerter Highway in the Harmon Building, 3540 S. 4000 West, Suite 245. It is from that office that Buhler has proudly provided quality legal services for 21 years. More information about the practice and Steve Buhler’s awards and recognitions can be found on his website, www.4utahlaw. com. To schedule an appointment or to talk to Steve Buhler over the phone, call his office at (801) 964-6901. l
“Many lawyers offer a free consultation. But I want to be helpful whether you hire me or not.”
Stephen J. Buhler, attorney at law, helps westside clients with a better understanding of the law, specifically in estate planning and family law. (Don Polo Photography)
Planning for the future of the West Bench is like a puzzle Salt Lake County is estimated to add 600,000 new residents by 2065. Many of those people (our kids and our grandkids) will settle in what is now undeveloped and unincorporated Salt Lake County. To ensure quality of life for those residents (and ourselves) – we need to plan.
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Page 20 | August 2019
West Valley City Journal
City Council indicates support for possible Veterans Hall next to Cultural Center
You are invited & dinner is on us! 5.8 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Over 33,000 people in Utah alone. This disease kills more people each year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, and is the 4th leading cause of death in Utah. More than 155,000 people in Utah provide unpaid care for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease. The impact is widespread and can be devastating to families. For more information, to learn about support groups or other resources, or to get help immediately contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at: 800-272-3900 or visit our website at: www.alz.org/utah Together we can work to find a cure and ultimately have our first survivor! Join the fight and lend your voice to this critical cause by attending the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this fall. There are eight Walks throughout the state of Utah: August 24 Park City (Basin Recreation Center) September 14 Weber/Davis (Layton Community Park) St. George (Dixie State Stadium) September 21 Daybreak (SoDa Row) Logan (Merlin Olsen Park) September 28 Utah County (University Mall) Salt Lake City (Utah State Capitol) October 14 Cedar City (SUU Campus)
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An early rendering from EDA architects on what the Veterans Hall property could look like. (EDA architects)
B
y unanimous vote July 9, the West Valley City Council expressed its support for the construction of a Veterans Hall on city owned property just south of the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (3224 S. Cultural Center Dr.). The Veterans Hall Foundation, chaired by West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow, is raising funds to establish a Veterans Hall to commemorate the service of veterans of the armed forces and highlight their experiences. Fundraising has been ongoing for a few years. Passing a resolution stating the council’s support for the facility to be located in the city as well as a commitment to administer the facility was a necessary step to obtain certain grant money from Salt Lake County. The site in question is 5.25 acres. Tentative plans for the memorial were presented to the council by Jake Arslanian, director of facilities and construction management for West Valley City. Among the plans included in the proposal are a pond, outdoor monument, building fenced with panel walls, World War II memorial exhibit plaza, recording studio for veterans to share stories, honor wall, multipurpose room, sufficient parking, memorabilia hall and main exhibit hall. Arslanian pointed out there is a 25-foot
elevation difference on the property. The hall itself would be built on the edge of the hill giving it more visibility. “We want to make sure this is a place where the public can come to show respect and love for our veterans,” Arslanian told the council. He added he wants the atmosphere to feel like the Vietnam War or Korean War memorials in Washington, D.C. where attendees feel it’s a place for quiet and serenity. Arslanian said they won’t know the price for the building until bids go out, but they estimate a $9.8 million price tag, which doesn’t include what the memorial would cost. He also said the estimate to run the Veterans Hall annually would be $280,000. Arslanian said that price is similar to what they run other buildings in the city. Bigelow said the foundation has raised approximately $1 million so far taking into account both money donated and money not yet given, but committed to the project. Construction would tentatively start in March 2020 and last about 18 months. The council’s vote was not an approval of plans or funds, but to show support for the Veterans Hall being built on this property, which is owned by the city and its redevelopment agency. l
August 2019 | Page 21
Ratings index will now deterimine high school playoff seeding By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
T
he Utah High School Activities eral teams that were left out of postseason ly different than what we have done before. Association will determine seeds differ- tournaments will now have the opportunity Teams knew that if they won their region, ently this year for its team sports. The impact to win a state title. they would compete here in the first round. of the change and its perception is still to be The official RPI rankings will be avail- A Region 1 school could be matched up with determined. able on uhsaa.org. The MaxPreps power Region 4. It was all predetermined and now “It will begin with team sports this fall,” ranking and Deseret News rankings are dif- it is not the case anymore.” UHSAA Assistant Director Jeff Cluff said. ferent than the RPI used by the UHSAA. One example was the 6A football cham“The RPI will be revealed after the season “Those are more of a power ranking pionship last season. The four and five seeds begins and be open until one week prior to rather than a rating percentage index,” Cluff (Pleasant Grove and East) matched up in the the postseason. As the tournament approach- said. “It is completely different; our RPI is first round. That should not have occurred in es, we will reveal the final RPI and tourna- based on this particular year only, whereas theory until later in the tournament. Region ment bracket together.” the max preps takes into account the history games will more geographical. The RPI is a performance-based rating of the team.” “The new RPI system did give us readependent upon the teams’ winning percentIn theory, a weak schedule could affect son to change a couple preseason games,” age, the opponents’ winning percentage and a team’s placement in the state tournament Riverton head basketball coach Skyler Wilthe opponents'-opponents’ winning percent- bracket. Also, region championships and son said. “We ended up changing four games age. A mathematical equation will be used to standings will have no bearing on the state against opponents that I think will be ranked determine the teams’ seeds for its upcoming tournament pairings. higher. I’m excited for this change because state tournament. “You will definitely need to look at the our path to the tournament will depend on The RPI will be used in team sports such big picture,” Cyprus head boys basketball how we play our whole schedule.” as football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, bas- coach Tre Smith said. “You will need to Another aspect of the rating is the clasketball, lacrosse, softball and drill. It is a sys- climb up the rankings throughout the year. I sification adjustment. A large school schedultem successfully used in several neighboring am interested to see how much respect our ing all small schools will be penalized slightstates like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. region gets and if wining region games will ly. A schedule overloaded with small school “Each sport will have its own reveal date matter as far as rankings go.” powerhouses is discouraged by the UHSAA, and bracket release,” Cluff said. “We have a lot of inquiries,” Cluff said. but teams are still encouraged to schedule riEvery classification team will be part “I think people are anxious to see how it is vals. of the postseason tournament. Teams will going to work and how it will affect schedul“I think the classification adjustment is milkman not being.delivering afteranxious 50 years... but Insurance is. “A lot of people do be seeded into The the bracket, with might lower seeds I think theystill are most because of Kellogg important,” Cluff said. Do you have your Medicare? Let us you. not understand that a bigger school playing playing higher seeds in the earlyquestions rounds. Sev-about the disruption from the norm. It isserve complete-
State high school playoffs will have a revamped seeding system this season. The change will give every team the opportunity to be part of its state tournament. (Greg James/City Journals)
a smaller school— it became necessary for us to throw in a classification adjustment. We do not think scheduling will be done any differently. There is a misconception that if you only play the good teams your rating will be higher.”
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West Valley City Journal
West Valley City home values continue to rise while other areas slow By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
urgent anD PriMary care:
Only $10 Left: Figures from real estate website Zillow show that the median home value in West Valley City jumped 11.3% between May 2018 and May 2019, placing the city 17th among the top 25 cities in the nation for home price increases. Above: Image from rawpixel.com
T
he rapid increase in home values has tapered in some cities across the U.S. in recent months, but West Valley City continues to see housing prices rise at a moderate rate. Figures from real estate website Zillow show that the median home value in West Valley City jumped 11.3% between May 2018 and May 2019, placing the city 17th among the top 25 cities in the nation for home price increases. The median home price in West Valley in May of this year was $272,100. “Surging job growth and population
increases have created tremendous demand for all types of housing,” said Scott Robbins, president of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. “In fact, last year was the fourth highest housing sales year ever in Salt Lake County.” Despite the boost in prices, the average cost of a home in West Valley City continues to be a bit lower than surrounding cities, drawing more people to look at the available inventory in the city and pushing sales higher. The median home price in West Valley in May of this year was $272,100. The median
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Business Spotlights are a service offered to our advertisers to help them informMD our readers about their businesses. For information on scheduling a Spotlight, please call us at 801-254-5974 or email us at ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com n L. Sybrowsky, MD James R. Meadows, J. Steele McIntyre, MD
tioners’ cuff values No providers longer the small, single clinic ts Medicine specialize in inrotator West Valley City, Granger Medical Clinic first and foreement, isfracture care and minimally invasive most, including now a “physician-owned, physician-led” ck in the game. medical network, with 28 locations located standards of pa-
across four counties in Utah. In the short space of five years, Granger Medical Clinic rapidly expanded its range of services, andSte. added 230, 20 newDraper locations. Kimballs Lane, Granger Medical Clinic attributes this ewsportsmedicine.com growth and success to its organizational model, which maximizes its physicians’ decision-making capacity. When practitioners receive the greatest possible support and autonomy, they are best able to serve their patients. This “physician-owned, physician-led” philosophy begins with the leadership of Granger Medical Clinic: each affiliated practitioner owns stock in the company. The physicians themselves elect the clinic’s board of directors, itself completely composed of physicians. This structure allows the clinic’s doctors to influence the organization’s direction directly, rather than reacting to the decisions of administrators who may lack medical expertise entirely. Granger Medical Clinic’s structure ensures the organization reflects its practi-
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tient care. “Because every member of our board is a physician, we always approach problems asking, ‘What’s best for our patients?’ not, ‘What’s best for our business?’” said a spokesperson for the clinic. For example, Granger Medical Clinic’s practitioners do not need to meet monthly patient quotas, unlike many physicians employed by larger, traditionally-structured medical institutions. Since the practitioners in Granger Medical Clinic’s network are free to meet their patients’ needs as they see fit, they can avoid ancillary costs, red tape, and corporate influences faced by employees of larger, traditional organizations. The results are lower costs for the clinic’s patients and better-adapted care. Additionally, Granger Medical Clinic’s 170-plus, largely-independent practitioners benefit from participation in a larger network; its website lists 30 specialties, from family medicine to endocrinology.
Therefore, patients’ healthcare experience combines the benefits of many local, private clinics (lower costs, responsiveness to patient needs) and the benefits of a larger infrastructure of many affiliated specialists, usually only found in hospitals. For example, many patients receive highly individualized care packages built on the diverse skills, experience, and service of Granger Medical Clinic’s wide network of specialists. According to a representative of Granger Medical Clinic, these advantages often attract highly-skilled and idealistic specialists, eager to join Granger Medical Clinic’s network of practitioners. Granger Medical Clinic has also attracted recent critical attention, receiving outside acknowledgement of its community responsiveness. Four locations won prestigious “HealthInsight Quality Awards” in 2018 for patient care. In 2019, the clinic’s influenza program won the Utah Silver Syringe Award in its category, an award for “exceptional dedica-
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tion to ensuring access to influenza vaccine or provided education to their community members.” Now, the clinic looks to the future, continually innovating, and improving its individualized patient care. The board of directors recently approved a significant proposal for a new “population health department,” widening the clinic’s coordinated community outreach efforts. Further demonstrating their commitment to serving the community in deeper ways, Granger Medical Clinic recently hired a licensed clinical social worker. Thanks to this change, the clinic now offers mental health support across its network and helps coordinate resources for patients who cannot afford treatment without support. Granger Medical Clinic, with its adaptive, physician-focused structure, is poised to serve Utah with excellence in today’s rapidly-changing medical care field. You can find more information, schedule an appointment, or find Granger Medical Clinic’s list of specialties at: https://www.grangermedical.com/
West Valley City Journal
West Valley City a hotspot to start a career By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
How does the county fund parks, recreation and culture?
Salt Lake County Council | Aimee Winder Newton | District 3
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West Valley City was named the 49th best city in America to start a career. (Image by SnapwireSnaps from Pixabay)
I
t is not entirely surprising that Salt Lake City is rated the top city in America in which to start a career, according to recently released rankings by WalletHub.com. Utah’s capital is increasingly finding its way high onto lists that focus on jobs, careers and places to live. But West Valley City? Yes, the state’s second most populous city has jumped into the top one-third of cities on the personal finance website’s rankings of best places to launch a career, placing 49th among 182 cities. WalletHub stacked the cities based on “29 key metrics that range from the availability of entry-level jobs to monthly average starting salary to workforce diversity,” annual job growth rate, and unemployment rate, according to its website. Cities received a score for each catego-
ry, with 100 points representing the most favorable conditions for job market entrants. A number of sources were used to compile the metrics, including data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. West Valley City compiled an average score of 53.53 when all the metrics were tallied. It ranked first for fasted job growth, a category that adjusted for population growth. The city ranked 73rd in Quality of Life, another category that was used to compute the overall average score. Salt Lake City was second. Immediately before and after West Valley City on the WalletHub list are Bismarck, North Dakota (48) and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (50). l
s many of you know, I’m a budget hawk who takes very seriously the charge to go through the budget and make sure every penny of your tax dollars is being spent wisely. When I was first elected to the County Council, I wondered how we funded the numerous recreational and cultural amenities our residents enjoy. From parks and trails, to museums and concert halls, there are many things we love to use, but where does the funding come from? Long before my time on the council, a tax was instituted on car rentals, hotels, and restaurants. This tax revenue makes up the TRCC fund (Tourism, Recreation, Culture, and Convention) where the funds are used to enhance the quality of life in Salt Lake County. So make sure to thank a tourist and a restaurant-goer next time you see them parading around Salt Lake! Forty percent of this tax revenue in the TRCC program goes to fund parks and recreation. If you or your family has enjoyed one of the programs run by our county parks department, visited a recreation center, or you’ve gone jogging on one of our many trails, you’ve seen the positive impact of the TRCC program firsthand. These funds help to run programs and pay for ongoing operations and upkeep of our county parks and recreation amenities. The rest of the money from the TRCC program helps to pay for fine arts and other cultural event programming throughout our community, including funds related to tourism. In order to ensure these funds are thoroughly vetted and properly prioritized, we have the TRCC board that advises the County Council on where to spend these funds. This nine member board is made up of mayors and community members throughout our county, and they thoroughly review potential projects
that are eligible for TRCC funds. They then make recommendations to the County Council that we review as part of our fall budget process each year, and we then put the final funding for these various projects into our county budget. Having a board comprised of truly local representation is an important step to ensure that tax dollars go to a wide variety of projects that benefit residents throughout our county. It’s also worth highlighting that the tax dollars funding the TRCC program don’t come from the county general fund. When we look at our county responsibilities and available funds, there are always many demands competing for general fund dollars. Chief among them is often a slew of criminal justice needs, including our county jail. We spend over 70% of our general fund budget on criminal justice. This fits well with the role of the county, as we recognize that public safety should always be a top priority. The benefit of having revenues for TRCC that are largely distinct from general fund dollars, is that we don’t see recreational and cultural needs competing directly with public safety needs. In fact, state law gives clear direction on what TRCC funds can be spent on. This is a valuable tool that we as policy makers use to ensure that the various needs of our community are funded in a responsible way, and through a thorough decision-making process with local buy-in and support. Now that we’re enjoying the summer months, I hope you’ll get out and enjoy the many recreational and cultural amenities our wonderful county has to offer. I’m looking forward to 2020 when the Midvalley Performing Arts Center opens its doors… funded by TRCC!
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Salt Lake, national designers yield ideas to resuscitate Salt Lake County’s heart—The Jordan River By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
S
ome of Utah’s own—either in competition with or in partnership with, much-larger design firms from both coasts of the United States—ended up with top nods in a competition to make the Jordan River more developed, with a stated promise to maintain conservation. “On the River’s Edge” was a creative way of generating urban, architecture and landscape design ideas and, hopefully, generating as much community interest in Salt Lake County’s efforts to reimagine a 3.5-mile stretch of the Jordan River Parkway and then revitalize the Jordan River through development of these ideas. The compact contest—spanning a three-month window from announcement to judging—culminated in having winners announced in a very apt location: South Salt Lake’s General Holm Park (proximate to the Jordan River Parkway Trail). The event took place June 27 with an audience of approximately 60 design competitors, municipal and county officials, and other interested parties. Winners were announced and design boards from all competitors were displayed. Competition categories included activation, connectivity, conservation, economic development and other areas of innovation for reimagining the river.
Resuscitating the heart of the county
The Jordan River Parkway spans 45 miles and covers three counties. Long neglected, the river became the recipient of formalized caretaking with the 1979 establishment of the Jordan River Foundation. With Salt Lake’s burgeoning population and challenges with the closure of The Road Home shelter, the river, particularly in South Salt Lake, has become a magnet for homeless camps, compromising perceived safety and recreation amid the bigger issue of humane management of the area’s homeless. The river is, nonetheless, “the heart of the County,” according to Salt Lake County May-
or Jenny Wilson and is in need of serious resuscitation, particularly along the area running from State Route 201 (21st South Freeway) to just south of 3900 South. Urban design theory holds that river-facing design encourages residents to frequently visit and, in so doing, “take ownership” of the river. This then builds resident-stewards of the river, not only discouraging abuse, but allowing the river to thrive as an amenity, versus an eyesore or problem. Salt Lake County, the Jordan River Foundation and municipal mayors from Millcreek, South Salt Lake, Taylorsville and West Valley City wanted to spur creative idea generation to help inform a master plan for the area, and, in turn, serve as an inspired source to lobby the Utah Legislature to fund the river’s conservation, economic development, recreation and connectivity potential. Wilson indicated wanting to deliver a master plan in 2020 and hit the legislature up for funding in next year’s session.
Jordan River reimagination draws national competition
To yield best-in-class creative and technical assets for the Jordan River development future, the call for aid went both far and near. Nationally advertised, the competition drew a healthy blend of competitors from both coasts. Teams were often comprised of collaborative firms, with often one of them based in Salt Lake, and others—most often, environmental consultants—based elsewhere. “There are not many competitions like this in Utah,” said landscape architect and planner Tyler Smithson of Park City-based Bockholt. “So, when you see one? You jump on it.” Sixteen teams competed for more than $35,000 in prizes, which were donated by the Sorenson Impact Foundation, Mark Miller Subaru, Central Valley Water Reclamation and the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands. A jury of a dozen individuals with vary-
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Salt Lake’s own Blalock Partners and Loci teamed up to not just present their creative ideas, but come away the clear “winner” in the Salt Lake County- and Jordan River Foundation-sponsored “On the River’s Edge” design competition to reimagine a 3.5-mile stretch.
ing degrees of design expertise judged the only, since designers charged nothing for their competition. Residents’ choice awards yielded ideas, and underwriting sponsors covered all what Salt Lake County says were nearly 1,400 of the prize money.) Businesses that win projects use that votes. those credentials to earn additional business, Why design competitions? Design competitions are common in the and possibly be awarded the vendor of choice architecture, urban planning and landscape ar- for work on projects associated with the Jordan River. chitecture space. On the Rivers Edge competition was the Participating designers enjoy flexing their creative and technical skillsets for prob- brainchild of new Salt Lake County Deputy Mayor Dina Blaise. Blaise, who became aclem solving. Sponsoring entities receive a lot of cre- customed to running such competitions while ative concepts at minimal cost. (In this cir- working on the “Downtown Rising” campaign cumstance, Salt Lake County and the Jordan for Salt Lake City, wanted to bring the design River Foundation received numerous concepts contest idea to the county and leveraged a across five categories for administration costs unique blend of partners to sponsor and judge the competition. l
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Their eye on the prize—and the Jordan River
The combined team of Salt Lake Citybased Blalock Partners and Loci were broadly considered the big winner of the competition for its combined “Weave” entry, wining $25,000 in prize money and, likely, the much more important honor, the prestige of winning. The entry won the Top-Jury Award, the Connectivity Innovation Award, and the Economic Prosperity Innovation Award. Seattle-based MIG won the Peoples’ Choice Award and the Conservation Innovation Award for its “Jordan Rising” concept. The combined team of Salt Lake Citybased Landform Design Group and Amherst, Massachusetts-based Place Alliance won the Recreation Innovation Award for the duo’s “Reimagine the River’s Edge” concept. Three Salt Lake City-based teams—AJC Architects, ArcSitio Design and Bonneville Research—won the Activation Innovation Award for its three-worded “Live + Work + Recreate” entry.
Dignitaries and residents seek to weigh in
On hand at the awards ceremony were Wilson and Blaise from the county, Jordan River Foundation’s Lynn Larsen, Jordan River Commission Executive Director Soren Simonsen, Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini, Taylorsville Mayor Kristi Overson, and West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow. “Energized, excited, with wheels turn-
ing” is how Wilson described the impact of the entries, which were submitted as digital renderings, accompanied by in-depth technical descriptions. Resident participation on the front end and voting process seemed severely thwarted by technical execution limiting how they could see, then evaluate entries, as presented via social media. There was also no ahead-of-judging public exhibit of the projects. Julie Holbrook, a member of the South Jordan Planning Commission, a former mayor and a woman educated in chemical oceanography, expressed frustration with the execution of the project. Holbrook says she took the time to register, only to see virtually illegible, thumbnail-sized images, without the ability to be informed by backup data. “Too hard to read,” she surmised.
Move from being on the edge to being involved
Blaise indicates the project is an evergreen one, and that she and other members of the county plan to exhibit the project boards— which some firms estimate they spent two weeks’ time researching and creating—in multiple venues over the next several months. Competition information, including project narratives and design boards from winning entries, is available online courtesy of the county, at slco.org/on-the-rivers-edge. l
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August 2019 | Page 27
Water rescues to take center stage at Lifeguard Games By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
A
swimmer steps to the edge of the pool and jumps in. Seconds later, he realizes the water is deeper than he anticipated, and he cannot reach the bottom. Panic sets in, and a lifeguard jumps into action. “We have an incident a few times a day,” Kearns Oquirrh Park Aquatics Manager Brad Peercy said. “We are proud of those rescues. They can happen, and obviously we never want anything bad to happen, but our employees become better lifeguards after they have their first rescue. This stuff is totally precautionary, but it is good they are there doing their job.” Lifeguards will converge on Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 a.m. to practice and demonstrate their skills at the Utah Aquatics Lifeguard Games. The competition will be judged by the American Red Cross and is open to spectators. The event is run by the Utah Recreation and Parks Association and has been hosted by the fitness center for several years. Approximately 25 teams from all over the state and from Wyoming and Idaho are scheduled to participate, including a team from the West Valley Fitness Center and several teams representing Salt Lake Parks and Recreation pools. Each team consists of six lifeguards
(four participants and two alternates). They will participate in several types of rescue events. Rescue races, relay swimming events and backboard rescues are all part of the competition. They will use CPR skills and other equipment to show their abilities. The winning team takes home a traveling trophy that has been shared for about 25 years. “The competition is great experience, and winning it doesn’t mean you have good guards or bad guards,” Peercy said. “It is a good opportunity for them to become better guards and not just at the event. They practice on their own to get ready, and that makes them better. They have people watching them, and they want to do well. It is also a chance to showcase what lifeguards do. This shows how hard they work, and even though the majority of them are 17 to 19 years old, they have a lot of responsibility.” Lifeguards supervise the safety of swimmers and other water sport participants. Each facility has different types of rescue skills necessary to be efficient at the job. Many pools offer diving platforms and slides, whereas others only have small pools. The guards must be proficient in the skills to best meet the needs of the facility they are employed at. Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center,
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JL Sorenson and West Valley Fitness Center offer indoor recreation pools, a water slide and 50-meter pools. The pools serve multiple purposes throughout the year, including yearround access to lap swimming, open plunges, water polo leagues and swim meets. “We employ about 125 lifeguards in the summer months,” Peercy said. “They range in age from 15 years old to about 22. They are all certified through the American Red Cross. We also have additional training for our employees from our facility.” Lifeguard certification involves a 30hour class. It includes water skills, a written test, rescue breathing, CPR and general first aid. Ongoing training is also recommended by the state. The Kearns center holds fourhour in-service trainings and individual audits on each lifeguard. “We use a silhouette to simulate a body on the bottom of the pool called a drop drill,” Peercy said. “We have someone sneak it in to the bottom of the pool. That can be part of our audit. We have them rescue the silhouette just as if it was a real rescue. Then we can sit down a discuss how each lifeguard is doing.” Several lifeguard teams will converge on Kearns “Regardless of what pool you swim at, Oquirrh Park Fitness Center (KOPFC) to compete in everyone wants you to be safe,” Peercy said. the lifeguard games Aug. 3. (Pixabay) l
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West Valley City Journal
West Valley nationally honored for supporting National Guard and Reserve employees By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
T
he Department of Defense announced in June that West Valley City was one of 15 recipients of the 2019 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the highest U.S. government honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees, according to a Department of Defense press release. “It is a very high honor,” said Nancy Day, West Valley City’s parks and recreation director. Day is active in veterans programs with the city, coordinating the annual Veterans Day program as well as orchestrating the Veterans Memorial Wall exhibit in 2016. Her father was a chief medical administrator for Veteran Affairs hospitals. After making the top 30 the last two years as a finalist, West Valley City made the leap to the top 15 this year out of approximately 2,500-3,000 nominations, Day said. Receiving the award means the city will be honored Aug. 23 in a ceremony at the Pentagon. West Valley City was the only municipality to receive the award.
“This is something the city should be very proud of for the support it gives to its employees in the National Guard and Reserve, as well as the different events we do for the veterans in our community,” Day told the City Council in June. Other employers who received the award include Barclays, Chevron, Eversource Energy and the Houston Police Department. “It is an honor to recognize these 15 exemplary civilian employers,” said Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan in the press release. “The strength of our military and the success of our defense strategy depends on the readiness of our National Guard and Reserve members. These dedicated citizen warriors could not accomplish their missions without employers who understand and support their military service. We are grateful to these organizations for their role in keeping our nation safe and for setting the standard for all employers of Guard and Reserve members.” l
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Goblin Valley State Park. While I usually opt for a beautiful hike, my father is definitely a fisherman. For locations to cast away, check out www.UtahFishingInfo.com or www.UtahFishFinder. com. Some of the favorite fishing holes around the state include: Flaming Gorge near the Utah/Wyoming border (particularly the Mustang Ridge campground), Tibble Fork Reservoir in the American Fork Canyon (try the Granite Flats campground), Fish Lake in the Wasatch mountains (it’s in the name), Duck Creek Pond in Dixie National Forest, Mirror Lake in the Uintas and Sunset Pond in Draper. When you’re exploring the great outdoors, make sure to bring a book with you! (Am I required to say that as a writer?) Forty percent of friends from an unofficial Facebook poll report that their favorite thing to do is read a book under a tree or on the beach. The other suggested hobby to do under a tree is woodworking. Whittling can be very cathartic. Lastly, if you don’t want to go too far away from home, many local municipalities offer movies in the park throughout the summer. Check out your local city or county’s website for dates and further information.
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ingo the Dog came to live with us 10 years ago and I’ve mentioned his crazy antics often over the years, including, but not limited to: The night he ate our couch. The day he chewed the leg off the coffee table. His fear of vacuums. His love of snow. The times he’d snuggle in my lap, even as a 90-pound dog. How the word “walk” sent him into spasms of joy. The way he’d act like I was returning from a 90-day world cruise, although I’d just gone downstairs to get towels out of the dryer. When he couldn’t corral the grandkids, and it drove him bonkers. Five months ago, Ringo the Dog passed away. It was unexpected and heartbreaking. There was a sudden emptiness in our home that had been filled with Ringo begging for treats or running in and out of the doggie door. We were all dazed, unsure how to move through our dogless days. There was no furry distraction keeping us from sliding down the death spiral of today’s political chaos. I had to start talking to my husband. I had no good reason to go for walks every day. No one jumped on me when I got home from work. Well, my husband did, but it just wasn’t the same. Few things are as satisfying as a warm, happy dog snuggled next to you. So. For my birthday in July, we decided it was time to get a puppy. I yelped and jumped
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on the Google machine like an 8-week-old Pomeranian to search for dogs. I was quickly overwhelmed with the sheer number of puppies and the high-level of cuteness available. Then I saw a German Shepherd/Lab puppy on the Community Animal Welfare Society website. I contacted the CAWS foster mom and was told he’d already been adopted – but his sister was available. I couldn’t drive fast enough to meet this little ball of furry energy. Even before I’d held her, I knew she was mine. When we discovered her birthday was Star Wars Day (May the Fourth), that clinched it. #StarWarsGeek We named her Jedi. After filling out the application, where I had to list everything from how often she’d go for walks (daily) to what Netflix shows I binged (all of them), CAWS finally approved her adoption and we brought Jedi home. I forgot what it’s like to have a puppy sleep between your feet as you get ready for work. I get overwhelmed with happiness every time she pounces on her squeaky toy. I find reasons to stop at PetSmart every day for treats and toys and accessories. My husband suspended my credit card. My two-year-old granddaughter can finally boss something smaller than her. My seven-year-old grandson spends time training her to sit and lie down. (The puppy, not his sister.) My husband’s adjusting to having Jedi knock the lamp over every single day. I’m floating on a puppy-shaped cloud.
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I tried to invoke the Family Medical Leave Act so I could spend all day with Jedi watching her explore and grow. My boss wasn’t buying it, so I dash home during lunch for some quick puppy love. I know we’re in the puppy honeymoon stage and soon our sweet little girl will turn into a velociraptor, only with more teeth. But I also know time with our pets is so short. That makes it all the sweeter. Jedi didn’t replace Ringo, she’s just a rambunctious extension of his joy. I’m sure every dog owner thinks they have the most wonderful dog in the world. The best thing is, they’re right.
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