August 2022 | Vol. 08 Iss. 08
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HUNTER HIGH STUDENT NAMED ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE KID By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com
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unter High School senior Maeghan Mason was announced the 2022 Absolutely Incredible Kid by Granite School District and Granite Education Foundation during Hunter High School’s end-of-year celebration assembly in May. Maeghan was diagnosed with intracranial high blood pressure, a condition requiring several surgeries to help alleviate severe headaches, body aches, lack of focus, memory difficulty and other side effects. Despite the challenges, she maintains a positive attitude and always looks for ways to lift others, including a close friend who battled cancer. “The award is basically for kids who have gone through massive trials and who are able to persevere, get their work done, and be a hard worker,” LeeAnn Mason, Maeghan’s mother, said. Maeghan was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension several years ago. “Basically, my body produces too much spinal fluid because it thinks I have a brain
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tumor...but there is no brain tumor,” Maeghan said. “So, my body is releasing the fluid to combat a tumor that isn’t there.” Maeghan’s mother explained that Maeghan started losing motor function and experiencing speech regression when she was 11. Maeghan has had over nine surgeries, sees multiple specialists, has had multiple surgeries and has experienced several hospital stays. Besides the hypertension, Maeghan’s eye muscles do not work together so she has had three different surgeries to tighten the muscles her mother said. Maeghan has a shunt to drain the fluid from her head. She must lay down three times a day for 15-30 minutes each time until she can feel the pressure in her head normalize. In 10th grade, she did school at home because her medical needs were so severe. Meaghan also has liver tests that come back with incorrect levels, has had blood clots in her jugular vein, Hunter High School senior Maeghan Mason was announced the 2022 Absolutely Incredible Kid by Granite School District and Continued page 11 Granite Education Foundation during Hunter High School’s end-of-year celebration assembly in May. (Photo courtesy GSD)
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Granger Medical Clinic fue fundada en 1954 con la filosofía de que las personas no deberían tener que viajar fuera de su comunidad para poder encontrar servicios de atención médica de calidad. ¡Es por eso que estamos orgullosos de ofrecer medicina familiar y atención especializada para la zona de West Valley City!
Granger offers exceptional healthcare for you and your family, with a lifetime commitment to quality, compassion, and respect. Our highly trained providers have the skills and expertise needed to provide you with a superior level of care. We are ready to partner with you to help you achieve optimal health!
Granger ofrece una atención médica excepcional para usted y su familia, con un compromiso de por vida hacia la calidad, la compasión y el respeto. Nuestros proveedores altamente capacitados tienen las habilidades y la experiencia necesarias para brindarle un nivel superior de atención. ¡Estamos listos para asociarnos con usted para ayudarle a que tenga una salud óptima!
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August 2022 | Page 3
Yearlong improvements to get underway on Redwood Road By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
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ne of the busier thoroughfares in Taylorsville is undergoing a makeover lasting more than a year. Redwood Road from 4100 South on the West Valley City-Taylorsville border to 5400 South will get a number of structural and aesthetic improvements starting in late July and running through fall 2023. The project, named Redwood Road Mobility, is a combined effort of the Utah Department of Transportation (Redwood Road is State Route 68), the city of Taylorsville, and Utah Transit Authority. It will include: • Resurfacing of the road • Installation of right turn pockets • Consolidation of commercial and public accesses • Removal and reconstruction of curbs, gutters, driveways, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, and roadway signage • Installation of pavement markings • Drainage modifications • Relocation of overhead power lines and poles to underground • Installation of bus pullouts, pedestrian benches, and shelters at UTA bus stops • Wider parking strips • Improved aesthetics with landscaping Officials say the heavily traveled road experiences accidents and congestion due to its many commercial and public accesses and other deficiencies. Construction will improve traffic flow and safety, remove obstructions near the road, and generally make it better for motorists and pedestrians. Work will take place during the day Monday through Friday for the duration of the project. Expect noise, dust, vibrations, sidewalks closures, lane shifts and closures, restrictions to business access points, and some minimal traffic delays in the work zone. Nearly all of the more than $12 million price tag for the project comes from federal funds by way of UDOT. Taylorsville contributed an initial $835,000 in 2019, with the city’s total expenditure expected to be about $2 million. “With buried power lines, upgraded sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and benches, new lighting and landscapes, this will positively impact all who travel Redwood Road. We appreciate partnering with UDOT to make this happen,”
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Redwood Road, pictured here just south of 4800 South, will have construction work done to improve the roadway, sidewalks, utility infrastructure, business access and appearance. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
said Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson. “This is a big win for Taylorsville.” Project updates are available by emailing redwoodroadmobility@utah.gov with the subject line “Subscribe” or call 855-663-6800. In addition to the stretch between 4100 South and 5400 South, other nearby roadwork the remainder of this summer will include improvements to the intersection of 5400 South and 1900 West to improve traffic flow and drainage. Information is available by email at 5400S1900Wimprovements@utah.gov or 855-740-8750. Redwood Road from 6200 South to Interstate 215 will be reconfigured later this year and into 2023 with the addition of a northbound lane and construction of a partial continuous flow intersection to the south leg of the 6200 South intersection for northbound traffic, and dual on-ramps and ramp metering to both eastbound and westbound I-215.
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First state unified basketball tournament provides inclusion, medals for Skyline team By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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t the first unified coed basketball state tournament, one of Skyline High’s teams brought home second-place medals and the other, seventh-place ribbons in their divisions. Hunter High wore second-place medals home as well. But it meant more than that. It was an opportunity for inclusion, partnership and belonging, said First Lady Abby Cox, who supports unified sports through her Show Up initiative. “Every student has a chance to be included and every student gets the chance to compete,” she said at the opening ceremony of the state unified basketball tournament where 32 teams played against—and sometimes, played together—for a chance to represent their team and school for a ribbon or medal. “Everyone shares the ball in unified sports,” Hunter coach Ashley Ellis said. “Teams rebounded and gave the ball back to the opposing teams because they wanted them to make a basket, it’s just fun to watch.” That was the camaraderie and spirit of the tournament, which included athletes from 25 high schools running through a gauntlet of Utah Jazz and Weber State cheer squads and professional teams’ mascots, all there to support unified sports. It is the first high school state tournament, said Unified Champion Schools manager Courtnie Worthen, since during preCOVID-19 years, the tournament was held for community teams vying for the state title. The 2020 tournament, which was planned to be a statewide event, was canceled because of the pandemic, and last year, regional competitions were held to reduce the numbers and possible spread of the pandemic. Worthen said after the statewide soccer tournament last fall, which was held at Rio Tinto stadium and had the support of Real Salt Lake, interest in unified sports grew. “A lot of it was thanks to the First Lady’s initiative, Show Up,” she said. “More schools started to see what unified sports could be and wanted to be a part of it, so we saw a lot of growth. This was an incredible event.” That included eight of the nine high schools in Davis School District competing as well as Jordan Education Foundation pledging to support 10 new teams. Wasatch High’s team will even represent Utah at the national Special Olympics games. Since Worthen began overseeing unified sports four years ago, the competition has doubled from 22 to 50 teams involved in soccer, basketball and track. “A coach told me that this whole week they have seen inclusion, that their students have made friends with unified partners and even students who weren’t participating. They talk to each other and the students on the unified team feel like they’re a part of the school for the first time,” she said.
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It’s not just high schools. Worthen said that by the end of the school year, unified sports activities will have quadrupled in the past year, bringing participation up to 160 elementary and secondary schools. In May, unified golf will be introduced at the middle school level. Unified sports also gained the community’s support. The basketball tournament, which was supported by the Utah Jazz, had four sections: two developmental and two competitive divisions. The winners of each division were recognized at the Utah Jazz game April 6, where a highlight reel of the tournament was shown. However, the focus at the tournament was on basketball. A maximum of two partners or peer students could be on the floor with its athletes, or special needs players; the rest of the team regularly rotating in and cheering for both teams on the sidelines. Several schools had banners and families and friends cheering. And in Hunter’s case, they made friends with their opponents, Bingham High. “We beat Bingham and then the next game, Bingham cheered for Hunter and so then, Hunter cheered for them,” Ellis said. “It was really cool to see how quickly that bond took place and those friendships that can be made.” Hunter’s journey to a second-place finish in its division for its four athletes and five partners was a challenge. In the school’s second game of the tournament against Mountain Crest High, the score was still tied after double overtime, so it went to sudden death; the first team that scored won. “It was scary, but we got it. We pulled through. Then we went onto the championship game,” she said. Next year, Ellis hopes to have two teams competing and to build up unified basketball at Hunter by having an exhibition game during halftime of one of the high school games. “There were a lot more fans there, which made it fun,” she said. “My favorite part is just the celebrations that take place after a basket is scored. Everyone is just so excited for each other; they take the time to give each other a high-five or double high-five.” Skyline coach Kelsee Kellogg said that after unified soccer, her team was excited for its first season of unified basketball. “We’d hang out at lunch, then on Fridays play knockout or lightning types of basketball games” until practices began and they’d teach their 25 team members how to dribble, shoot and pass, she said. Kellogg split the team in half. One team finished second at both region and state and other team took fourth at region and seventh at state in its division. “They loved the crowd, having people watching them. They realized everybody wants to play and have a chance to make a basket. So, when we’re on the opponents’ basket,
Skyline High unified basketball team gets cheered during the parade of athletes at the first state high school unified basketball tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
they’ll rebound and give it back to the shooters and say, ‘Here, try again.’ They’ll do it until they make it. I didn’t teach them that; it was all them. That’s who they are,” Kellogg said, adding that parents who came to support Skyline also cheered for the opposing team when they made a basket. It was those little moments that stuck in Kellogg’s memory. Like when a girl on the opposing team needed encouragement to shoot,
they cheered for her, and she made the basket. “In the end, she came up and hugged me. That was awesome,” she said. “It was just fun to sit down and eat lunch with my team at the state tournament. They’re like, ‘Do you want to trade me this for your fruit snack?’ They were just there having fun and that’s what it’s all about.” l
August 2022 | Page 5
Football teams take the field for the start of the season By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
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ootball in West Valley is back. Hunter, Granger and Cyprus are ready to make the fall season exciting again. “I think we are a young and talented team and the success we see this season will be based on the buy-in during the offseason,” new Hunter head coach Harold Moleni said after he was hired. “I think the players have been a little nervous.” Hunter finished fourth in Region 2 with a 3-7 record, Granger was fifth (2-9) and Cyprus sixth (1-10). In 2022 they all hope to improve. “This season was a learning curve,” Granger head coach Pala Vaitu’u said at the end of last year. “We are a young team that is learning to compete.” Cyprus was also a young team that gained experience last year. Junior Skyler Armenta played significant time at quarterback for the Pirates. He completed 50% of his passes for 915 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the team in total yards but is not the only player to watch. Pirate junior Isiah Garcia has been identified by ESPN as a top 2024 collegiate prospect in the state of Utah. He currently has scholarship offers from nine different
schools, including BYU, Utah and Utah State. He plays offensive tackle. ESPN wrote, “He possesses good quickness and has good natural skills.” Granger split time at quarterback last season between Ricky Mamone and current senior Garret Cousins. “Yea, both quarterbacks were incredible at leading this team,” Vaitu’u said. Cousins threw six touchdowns in six games. His experience last season could help the Granger offense improve. They averaged 22 points per game, scoring more than 30 in three of their final five games. Last year as a freshman Hunter’s Uaki Taukieavea played in four games and threw three touchdowns. Junior Kenyon Paea carried the ball 103 times. Moleni said the type of offense the team runs will depend on how the players react this season. “We want to bring back the Hunter grit,” Moleni said indicating they could rely heavily on the running game. Cyprus and Hunter are scheduled to begin their seasons Aug. 12. Cyprus will travel to Tooele and Hunter will play at Westlake. Granger starts its season Aug. 19 by hosting Mountain Ridge.
Granger’s offensive line led the way for a strong passing and running game last season. (Greg James/City Journals)
Some interesting facts about each school: Cyprus won their first-ever game 3213 over Park City in 1950, at the close of this season they will have competed in 698 games (269 wins). The Pirates have played Murray the most times (53 with a 19-34 record) and, in 2018, they scored a school record 335 points. Hunter has played in the state playoffs every year but in the school’s first year. In 2003, they went undefeated and won
its only state championship. In the playoffs, they have a 24-30 record. Hunter has played Granger 30 times (25-5 record) and 2019 was the last time they advanced past the first round. The Granger Lancers have played in 51 state playoff games, they have recorded 272 victories, they have played Kearns 52 times, Cyprus 51 and Hunter 30 times and starting in 1976 they made the playoffs 14 out 15 years including 10 straight years. l
Roundtable Talk with Representative Weight POLITICS VS. PROBLEM SOLVING No wonder people are frustrated about voting choices these days. We expect to learn about different solutions to issues faced by our family or neighborhood or school. Instead, we’re bombarded with declarations about the evils or ideals of a political group or person. We’re given diatribes instead of discussions and pertinent ideas. Even talking about our Constitution often gets diverted from the framework for problem-solving leadership it provides. We are left with the same issues and interests in quality education; safe homes and neighborhoods; affordability of food, housing, healthcare; jobs that provide opportunity and security; good quality air and water in our kids’ futures. I propose some questions in candidate meetings to focus on topics that directly affect us: “What do we know?” “What more do we need to understand?” “What steps can we each take to improve the situation?” Instead
Liz4Utah.com
Page 6 | August 2022
ElizabethWeight@le.utah.gov
of looking to one person to define and direct everything, each person is valuable for contributing and deciding. We all benefit from the outcome, and we all grow during the process. These are questions and concepts I hold as your state representative and why I want to continue working together. I’m excited about conversations I am having with people as this year’s election cycle revs up. I’m learning more of your concerns but also your ideas. I’m hearing thoughtful possibilities as well as valid complaints. I’m listening to neighbors express strong points for finding solutions. I am the candidate for representing you at the State Capitol, and together, we make a smart, community-oriented, and issue-focused force. A good political platform creates opportunities and invites responsible contributions for problem solving. Thanks to all who contact me about your observations and ideas!
Elizabeth Weight, Utah Representative
@RepEWeight
West Valley City Journal
Homes sales hit the floor in West Valley City, Salt Lake County By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
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he frenetic pace of home sales in West Valley City and Salt Lake County, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is slowing. But it may not be of huge benefit to buyers—or sellers—for that matter. Skyrocketing home prices and rising mortgage rates have forced a growing number of prospective buyers to the sidelines. The result was that 1,344 single- and multi-family homes were sold in June of this year, the lowest number of homes sold in Salt Lake County during that month since June 2012. It’s also a 27% decrease from June 2021, when 1,829 dwellings changed hands. Year-over-year home sales in the county have also dropped 13 consecutive months through June of this year. With fewer people shopping for homes, inventory is climbing as homes sit on the market longer, a big change from the past couple of years when sellers were receiving multiple offers within a few days, sometimes just hours, after listing their properties. “The reason listings are climbing is that buyers are backing out so homes are on the market longer,” said Dave Anderton, spokesman for the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. That hasn’t stopped the median selling price in the county from going up. The midpoint value for all
housing types (single-family, townhomes, condominiums) sold in June was $545,000, up $75,000, or nearly 16%, from a year earlier. In this year’s first quarter, single-family homes sales declined 29% in West Valley City’s 84119 ZIP code and 17% in the 84120 zip code from the same period in 2021. Anderton expected further drops when second quarter figures were released in late July. The best year on record for sales in Salt Lake County was 2020 when more than 19,125 homes were sold. “We’re selling 600 or 700 fewer homes a month than at the height when everyone was clamoring for homes back in 2020,” Anderton said. The prospects for a quick return to the torrid days of two years ago are dim. “I don’t think inflation is under control,” Anderton said, predicting more interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve to try to tame surging prices on food, gas, and other life expenses. Real estate broker Anil Singh of Singh Real Estate Inc. in West Valley City said he’s also seeing a turn in the market. “It has slowed down because of the interest rate hike. It has put some buyers out of the market.” Singh said homes priced between $350,000 and $500,000 in West Valley City
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Signs like this one are appearing more often and staying up longer in West Valley City and Salt Lake County as rising prices and interest rates combined with more homes for sale have slowed what was an overheated residential real estate market. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
have been the biggest sellers. “Anything above is not selling.” A 28-year veteran of real estate sales, Singh said a few homes now are sitting on the market for 60 days or longer and owners are reducing their prices, a mighty change from when home seekers were submitting
offers well above the listing price to grab anything in a tight market. There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, notes Singh. “Maybe down the road prices will come down and then it will be a good time to buy.” l
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August 2022 | Page 7
Ninja challenge course coming to West View Park
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he newest attraction in West Valley City will be an obstacle course. With property acquired two years ago by the city next to West View Park, officials plan on building a challenge course that will include a two-lane 40-yard dash and full ninja/challenge course with timing systems for both. “It’s kind of a neat amenity to add to our city,” Jaime Young told the West Valley City Council. In July, the council unanimously approved the parks department to accept a $192K grant from the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The park, located at 4050 S. 6000 West, has undeveloped land directly adjacent to the Salt Lake Canal trail system and officials felt this would complement further development of the area. It will be the first of its kind in the valley and second in the state, the other being in Washington City in southern Utah. The amenity will feature two lanes where 40-yard dash times can be recorded. Runners will start after three beeps and the finish line will be marked by a laser for accurate timing. The clock will run on its own. Timing for the challenge course will be started by those using the park with the participant able to stop the clock themselves when finishing the course. It is basically a scaled down version of something you’d see on “American Ninja Warrior.” Officials are in the process of procuring services to construct the course. l
Page 8 | August 2022
By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
A rendering from Great Western Recreation of what the challenge course will look like at West View Park. (West Valley City documents)
West Valley City Journal
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Sage Veterinary Imaging brings its hightech screening to Sandy
A
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
n outpatient imaging center for pets is a rarity in veterinary medicine, with most advanced imaging done in specialty hospitals. But Sage Veterinary Imaging in Sandy (8590 S. 1300 East) brings high-quality CT and MRI to pets in the Salt Lake Valley. James Collins is cofounder and president of SVI. He started his first pet imaging clinic in Texas and just opened the clinic in Sandy, offering 3T MRI, 128 slice CT, biopsies, ultrasound, digital cytology, radiographs, and more. “We’re creating a place for pets to go and get an answer quickly using human-quality imaging, CT, MRI, imaging and ultrasound, and provide those images and the diagnosis to the animal’s owner and their primary care veterinarian,” Collins said. “They can decide the best course of treatment to repair the problem.” The 3 Tesla magnet is the strongest clinically-used MRI in human medicine. The stronger the magnet, the better it works for the small structures, brains, joints and ligaments of pets, and can analyze those parts better than a weaker magnet. This imaging allows vets to get answers on cases that might have previously been too difficult to diagnose, especially in small-breed dogs. Patients do not need to be referred by a vet. Owners can schedule a screening if they’re worried about their pet’s limping, odd walking or sitting habits, or unexplained injuries. Because pets can’t talk, diagnosing ailments can be problematic, but CT imaging
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at SVI can help identify some cancers, abnormal blood vessels in the liver, disorders of the abdomen and elbow dysplasia. MRI referral indications include back pain, seizures, a persistent head tilt, depression or foot dragging. Along with top-notch imaging, SVI’s neurosurgeon Dr. Liv Shoup works with all types of neurological cases. Some of her experience includes a training internship with the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. “We’re convinced that this was the way to go and we’ve rolled this technology out to different locations,” Collins said. “The number of diagnostic and surgical options have really increased across the board. The owner usually comes to us directly because they’re aware something isn’t quite right with their pet.” Imaging at SVI is about twice as fast as what is available for pets. This is important because animals need to be anesthetized during the procedure, in order for them to be still. Faster imaging means less time under anesthesia while still getting precise results. For more info, visit SageVeterinary.com. At a satellite clinic in Midvale (8407 S. 900 East), SVI provides hyperthyroid therapy for cats. As one of only two licensed locations in Utah to provide this treatment, cats are provided an opportunity to get off thyroid medication and extend their lives. “Salt Lake is such a great town for pets and one of our favorite places to be,” Collins said. “It’s definitely a place for dog lovers.” l
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August 2022 | Page 9
As West Valley City matures, land to develop dwindles By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
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hen it was incorporated in 1980, West Valley City had plenty of open space among its 72,000 residents. Today, Utah’s second-most populous city has nearly double the people and quickly disappearing land for housing and other future development. What used to be farmland and vacant acreage within West Valley City’s 35 square miles has been or is being acquired for the construction of homes, commercial and industrial buildings That has city officials looking at economic development prospects and strategies for when remaining sizable plots of land are gone. “We’re running out of land,” said Mark Nord, West Valley City’s economic optimization and Redevelopment Agency director. “All the growth has been going so much to the west, everything is getting gobbled up. There’s really no big tracts of land available in the city anymore.” The few large properties that are left are in West Valley City’s last frontier—the northwest quadrant along State Route 20. What was largely brush-filled land there is rapidly being covered by distribution and transportation facilities and warehouses, some spanning hundreds of thousands of square feet. That was by design. “Pretty early on, the (city) council said ‘let’s get in and start to attack the industrial market,’” Nord said. One notable victim of the industrial expansion in the area was Rocky Mountain
Raceways, whose lease on its property was not renewed in 2018. The track was then razed to make way for a large distribution center. A tip of the corridor also falls within the boundaries of the Utah Inland Port, a planned multimodal transportation hub that will help move goods into and out of the area to other parts of the West and beyond. Therefore, more development in the area could occur once construction of the controversial port gets underway. With not a lot of vacant ground left, what can West Valley City do to attract new and expanding businesses to keep its economy growing? Nord said one strategy is to renovate and repurpose existing properties. “We’re not in a race to just fill them with anything. We want to make sure we do something that’s going to be longstanding and be of real value to the community,” he said. That’s a wise strategy, according to Alan Rindlisbacher, director of community strategy at the nonprofit Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “It’s a concept of what is the best purpose of a particular property, because once you use it, it’s gone,” he said. He praised West Valley City’s economic development team as being one of the best at making those determinations. “Economic development and real estate development is almost like a sport,” Rindlisbacher said. “It’s a lot of people working together to see what the final score is at the end of the game.” l
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There are few large properties left in West Valley City for commercial and industrial development. This parcel is on the city’s rapidly growing northern industrial corridor. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
West Valley City Journal
You are invited & dinner is on us!
Janet Vorwaller is presented with two awards: Outstanding Education Support Professional and USEA Outstanding Support Professional of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)
Jessica McClintic is presented with an Outstanding Education Support Professional award. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)
Stephanie Mcomie receives Outstanding Education Support Professional award. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)
Granite staff honored by Utah School Employees Association By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com
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hree Granite School District staff were recently honored by the Utah School Employees Association. They are Jessica McClintic, Stephanie Mcomie, and Janet Vorwaller. McClintic, who has worked at the school system police department as a dispatcher for the past 15 years, received an Outstanding Education Support Professional award. She dispatches district officers as needed, and “we are there 24/7, 365 days a year,” she said. “I started in the district in janitorial at 15 years old. Then tried some other work, but then I returned to serve on the lunch staff and as an attendance clerk,” she said. McClintic added, “I didn’t feel like I deserved the award. There’s a lot of other people who do a lot more than I ever could, but I do my best to help when I can.” She said that she enjoys working with the district officers and her role in keeping the schools and students safe. “We have an important part in the district. We know our schools in and out and are familiar with their locations to respond quickly and efficiently. I can’t imagine doing anything
else,” she said. Janet Vorwaller, who works in Nutrition Services, was awarded Outstanding Education Support Professional and USEA Outstanding Support Professional of the Year. Vorwaller has worked for the Granite School system for 30 years, first at Academy Park Elementary School as the lunch manager and now at the district office café. When she was informed about the awards, she thought the phone call was a scam. “I was in total shock! I didn’t even know I was up for the awards,” she said. “I was honored and surprised.” Through the years, Vorwaller has supported the Granite Education Foundation by collecting hats and gloves for students in need. She shared that one year she was buying a whole bin of gloves, and the cashier asked what they were for. When Vorwaller explained, the cashier shared that she had been a recipient of that program, and she thanked Vorwaller. Vorwaller also coordinates Santa baskets for employees and their families. During the pandemic she even sewed masks for coworkers and other who need-
Continued from front page and has a small sinus cavity due to sinus disease mastoiditis. Her mother said that they have been in the emergency room due to severe headaches. “We worried about the shunt failing, and after multiple MRIs and tests she ended up needing another eye surgery,” she said. While managing Maeghan’s health needs, LeeAnn said she has even had to fight their insurance company to try to get coverage for genetic and other testing to determine the root cause of Maeghan’s health problems. She explained that idiopathic intracranial hypertension is most common among women in childbearing years, who are overweight and who are on birth control. Maeghan was diagnosed at the age of 12 and does not fit the typical category of those who commonly suffer from this disease. “Several times along her journey we weren’t sure she would even graduate at all,” LeeAnn said. “We would go through periods of time when we go back to the drawing board to figure out what
Wvc Journal .com
ed them. “I try to do good and help when I can. I feel like I make a difference. I am surrounded by wonderful people. Everyone at the district who has been there awhile is there for the right reasons. They are there for the kids,” she said. Stephanie Mcomie, who works in the Transportation Department, also received the Outstanding Education Support Professional award. The Utah School Employee Association is the largest public employee association representing Education Support Professional employees in the state of Utah. The association advocates for programs that benefit classified employees. Among these are maintaining state retirement funding, wages, hours, and improved working conditions for Utah’s classified employees. The association was founded in 1929. The association’s mission is to empower, support and elevate school support professional careers to positively impact student success. l
is going on with her body.” When Meaghan became ill on a family camping trip, it took 14 months to get a diagnosis. “I don’t know where I get the strength. I do the terrible thing of saying ‘I’m fine’ and only those closest to me know how I am really feeling,” Maeghan said. “Most people have no idea what it’s like for her. Most people don’t deal with daily chronic pain. Because of her eyes she can be at a computer no more than four hours a day. Online learning was a real struggle,” LeeAnn said. “She’s one tough kiddo. Her attitude is what has made a big difference.” Maeghan was well enough this year to get a front desk job at Acord Ice Center. Hundreds of students are nominated for the Absolutely Incredible Kid award each year. Maeghan received gifts from partnering organizations including Granite Credit Union and the Utah Grizzlies. l
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What’s your legacy?
A map of the property in question, featuring a shared driveway on the south side for two flag lots in the back. (Courtesy West Valley City)
1931 home saved in rezone
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By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
ypically when land is redeveloped, existing buildings on the property are often demolished to make way for the new plans. But for property at 5200 West and 3789 South, that will not be the case. The West Valley City Council approved a rezone in early July that will see a home, originally built in 1931, preserved as part of a new subdivision. “The bones on this home are really good,” said Ken Milne, the applicant and developer who worked to keep the home intact as part of the proposed project. Seven lots, including the existing home, will make up the 1.93-acre land along 5200 West across from Farm Station Way. Four lots will front 5200 West while three flag lots will be built behind them. The land is owned by the Rueckert family, whose forefather bought in the mid-1880’s, including the surrounding property adding up to 40 acres according to Becky Rueckert, one of the family members in charge of the property. “He (her great-great-grandfather) bought that property to bless the lives of his family and for over five generations it has,” she told the council. While she’s not excited to sell the property off, she told the council “it would be a travesty to have the home destroyed.” She noted contractors were impressed with the quality of the home several years ago as they looked to make it more comfortable for their father. “Please keep the home, it’s in perfect shape, it would stand as a testament to our family for many years,” she said. That was part of Milne’s purpose, he said, as they tried to find the best configuration of the property that fit the neighborhood. “If this home was a piece of garbage, I wouldn’t bother keeping it,” he told the council. “But this one is worth keeping.”
Milne added with the Newton Farms subdivision, another neighborhood in the city, they preserved an older home and this 1931 home is in better condition. He also noted they weren’t trying to squeeze a bunch of lots on the property either as part of their plan, so the three flag lot homes are on larger parcels of land (the smallest is 13,423 square feet). “We’re trying to keep the lots as big as we can,” he said. “We have put a lot of thought into this and think this will be a good location for the types of homes that we build.” Other community members who spoke on the rezone application were concerned about the flag lots and the shared driveway for two of those lots. Patty Martin, who lives behind the property and even held her wedding on the land, was worried about how close the flag lot homes would be to her property line. Councilman Tom Huynh, the only dissenting vote, was appreciative of the developer building bigger lots higher than the city’s minimum standard, but was concerned with homes having neighbors front yards directly behind them and the tendencies of those who live behind where they have more privacy. Several councilmembers also said they didn’t favor flag lots, but felt it was an appropriate use for the land. “I’m not a fan of flag lots, especially with two lanes on either side, but given the unique dimensions of the property I’ll be in favor,” Councilman William Whetstone said. Councilman Lars Nordfelt shared those concerns but was encouraged by Milne having “been a great partner with the city.” “This is a strange shaped and sized lot and I think this is a good compromise even though it might not be ideal,” he said. “It’s great to preserve this historic home.” l
West Valley City Journal
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Cages are the targets for disc golf players. These contraptions can be found stationed around parks in the valley, including Taylorsville’s Gary C. Swensen Valley Regional Park. (Greg James/City Journals)
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By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
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isc golf is played much like golf, but instead of clubs and a ball, the equipment is a flying disc. Frisbee is not the correct name, it’s disc golf. “It is cheap, free in most cases, and in most cases easier, but still challenging,” West Jordan resident Jon Kehl said as he began playing with his sons. “I played in the South where this is really popular.” Kehl leveled up the first tee at Gary C. Swensen Valley Regional Park in Taylorsville and let go with what he called “his best shot,” his driver disc sailed straight down the center approximately 40 yards toward the dog-leg hole No. 1. “I must like the extra pressure,” he said as he began his disc golf outing. Gary C. Swensen Valley Regional Park is the home of one of the better disc golf courses in the Salt Lake Valley. Its 18 holes play relatively flat, but several trees serve as semi-difficult obstacles for more experienced players. The course was built in 2002. In the game, the golf disc is thrown from a marked tee box. The target or “hole” is usually an elevated metal basket. Usually, disc golf is free. Courses are generally found at local parks, but the emergence of pay-toplay courses is increasing around the country. In Salt Lake, Valley Regional, Creekside and Midvale City Park are the most popular. There are more than 10,000 courses worldwide. “Valley Regional is a little more challenging. This is a sport I have been trying to get back into,” Kehl said. The Professional Disc Golf Association
Wvc Journal .com
(PDGA) is the governing organization of the sport. Disc golf discs are generally smaller than their counterpart in flying Frisbees. They usually measure about 20 inches across and weigh about 5 ounces. There is a wide variety of discs used in the game but are usually divided into three categories: drivers, mid-range and putting discs. “Each disc is a little different for what it does. The driver is heavier and the putter is more rounded, giving you more control,” Kehl said. Udisc is the preferred app to help control the game. It features course descriptions and scoring charts to keep track of the games. There are several grips and styles for throwing the discs. Backhand and forehand are the most common throwing techniques. The rotation and style of throw will vary from player to player and situation. Each type of throw can achieve the results the player may need to get closer to the basket. Stroke play is the most common type of scoring. Just like golf each player counts his throws, and the lowest score wins. Like in golf, match play and scramble events are available. On Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3-5) the local club SLC Tunnel Runners will host a tournament at Valley Regional Park. The registration fees will benefit the club. The Tunnell Runners club (a locally based group of players) member Charlotte Christensen recently won the 2022 FA40 (female amateur) world championship. l
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Miller family grandchildren gift $62,500 for Salt Lake Community College student child care scholarships By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com
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he grandchildren of philanthropists Larry H. and Gail Miller gifted $62,500 to Salt Lake Community College for scholarships through the Miller Legacy Project as part of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. The gift will also provide child care vouchers to make pursuing education more accessible for student parents. The Miller Legacy Project provides an educational giving experience to future generations of the Miller family and is specifically designed to perpetuate the philanthropic legacy of both Gail and Larry. The scholarship money will be used to help students who have financial obligation to pay for child care so they can attend classes, Nancy Michalko, executive director of the Salt Lake Community College Development and Foundation, said. Michalko said that SLCC offers day care on three of their campuses: South City, Jordan and Taylorsville. “Overall, the donation will help about 200 students. They can use the funds at SLCC’s daycare centers or at their own selected sites,” she added.
Michalko explained that the Miller family approached SLCC and asked what their biggest student need is, and they learned that the ability or inability to pay for child care plays a big role in students being able to attend classes. “The Miller grandchildren understand that childcare can keep someone from attending school,” she said. Michalko added that the Miller family was originally going to donate $50,000, but when they recognized the need they contributed their own funds to increase the donation to $62,500. “I was very excited to learn of the donation and really touched for the families that need it,” Michalko said. “We hope these scholarships and childcare vouchers help students overcome barriers often found when continuing their education,” said Bryce Miller, co-chair of the Miller Legacy Project and Gail and Larry Miller’s grandson. “Our family is passionate about increasing access to education to create the next generation of leaders. This is the first time the third generation of the Miller family has given to Salt Lake Com-
The Miller Foundation award $62,500 to SLCC. (Photo of courtesy of Salt Lake Community College).
munity College. “For many years, the Miller family’s conviction in the transformative power of education has been indisputable. Now this legacy of generosity continues as Gail and Larry’s grandchildren provide scholarships for our students, many of whom would otherwise not have access to education beyond high school. Their gift is deeply appreciated,” Deneece G. Huftalin, SLCC president, said. Salt Lake Community College is Utah’s largest two-year college with eight areas of study at 10 locations and online. The majority of SLCC graduates transfer to four-year institutions, and many others are trained in direct-to-workforce programs. In 2023, SLCC will celebrate 75 years of providing Utahns with education and training.
The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation was established in 2007 to continue the philanthropic spirit exemplified by Larry and Gail Miller for future generations. The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation supports programs that enrich lives and communities in the areas of health and medicine, shelter and food security, education and training, jobs and economic self-reliance, and cultural and spiritual enrichment. “Gail Miller is teaching her grandchildren to be philanthropic and generous,” Michalko said. “There is no one like Gail Miller. She is a special human being. She is very intentional in her giving.” l
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Comcast introduces new service offering to support the ACP, where Utahns can apply for free internet By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
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n today’s world, access to high-speed internet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Unfortunately, many Utah families can’t afford to pay for internet access without cutting back on other essentials. The Affordable Connectivity Program, created as part of a bipartisan infrastructure law, helps millions of American families reduce internet service costs. As the only internet provider in Utah participating in ACP, Comcast has increased its efforts to bring awareness to the program while helping families receive $30 each month toward connectivity costs. “It's never been more important to make sure that every Utahn has access to in-home broadband,” said Bill Crim, CEO of United Way of Salt Lake. “We are grateful for Comcast's contribution to closing the digital divide and will continue to work with Comcast and our other partners to remove barriers and address the needs of those without access in every zip code in our community.” To access the savings, people can sign up for Internet Essentials Plus, a service that is free after the ACP Benefit, at local Xfinity stores. Internet Essentials Plus includes 100 Mbps speed, a cable modem, access to WiFi hotspots and unlimited data for $29.95 per
month. Any Xfinity customer across all Comcast markets who qualifies for ACP can apply their $30 credit toward their monthly internet bill. As an added bonus, Internet Essentials customers can get one Xfinity Mobile Unlimited line with 5G for $24.95 a month plus tax when they qualify for ACP. In addition, through its Project UP program, Comcast commits $1B to advance digital equity and build a future of unlimited possibilities. “Our state is making great strides toward digital equity, thanks to engaged community members and dedicated partners like Comcast,” said Liz Gabbitas, digital access and education program manager with the Utah State Library Division. “These collaborations are how we'll get every Utahn connected.” ACP is available for homes with an income of less than twice the federal poverty level, $55,000 a year for a family of four or $27,000 a year for an individual. Also, those who receive SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, or free and reduced-price school lunch would also qualify. ACP is a game-changer that makes highspeed internet available to families across the state. United Way of Salt Lake operates a 2-1-1
With Comcast and Xfinity, families can get free internet access through the Affordable Connectivity Program. (Photo courtesy of Comcast)
help center in Utah, where 6% of calls are related to bill payment assistance. The center will refer inbound callers to Internet Essentials and ACP when calls refer to internet bills. “Working toward all Utahns having access to high-speed, in-home broadband is the
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August 2022 | Page 15
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West Valley City Journal
Family engagement centers build a bridge between schools and communities
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arents involved in a child’s education create an environment for scholastic success. But when parents feel disconnected from the school system due to language barriers, cultural differences or their own lack of education, a student’s chance for success drops. Granite Family Engagement Centers help families engage with the education system in ways that empower them to get involved in schoolwork and the classroom. “We know the value of the role of parents in education and all the data says very clearly that when families are involved in children’s learning and partnering with the school, the kids have so much more ability to reach their potential,” said Jadee Talbot, Granite School District family and community engagement director. Granite Family Engagement Centers foster communication between families and teachers through programs and classes that engage parents. Centers offer ESL courses and computer skills, like using email and Zoom, and learning how to use the district’s parent portal to monitor a child’s progress in the classroom. Parents who understand the system can help their children more effectively. Those who use the centers’ programs develop confidence to assist in the classrooms and even become leaders in the school. One mother worked with the center at Olene Walker Elementary in South Salt Lake. When she realized her 5-year-old was struggling, the mom felt empowered to create a kindergarten club. Working with kindergarten teachers and the center coordinator, she planned activities for students to help take them to the next
Wvc Journal .com
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com level. It was a proactive approach from someone in the community who understood the area’s demographics and needs, and stepped up to create a vibrant program. “We want the parents to own the space. If there are programs they’d like that aren’t being offered, we’d love to hear that type of feedback,” Talbot said. “It’s such an intrinsic motivator to see your kid thriving because you’re doing that extra work with them.” There are more than two dozen Family Engagement Centers operating in Granite School District. Some centers are located in a school classroom, others have a separate building on school grounds. With ninth graders now moving into high schools, the district has purchased seminary buildings from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that sit on junior high sites to convert to engagement centers. Some of the bigger centers, like the ones at Olene Walker and South Kearns Elementary, can serve parents from neighboring schools. Kyndal Kruse, a family engagement center specialist, said she has seen parents become involved with the schools in a more substantial way. Parents voices are important to communicate the needs of their kids, as well as let school officials know about concerns in their neighborhoods. “[The parents] feel more comfortable in the school and more comfortable in leadership roles in the school,” Kruse said. “We’re really starting to thrive when parents are stepping into community council or coming to speak in front of faculty meetings. We’ve even had a couple of families in our centers become family center coordinators.”
Granite Family Engagement Centers create a bridge between the schools and families to help parents learn skills to support their students. (Stock photo)
The centers are seeing a return on investment as children move through the school system, graduate from high school and come back to be involved in their hometown community through service or donations. For more information about the Family Engagement Centers, visit GraniteSchools.org/ FamilyCenters. “With parent and community support, these kids do so much better,” Kruse said. “There is absolutely no doubt.” l
August 2022 | Page 17
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Individuals with Down syndrome, and their families, participate in popular classes at Gigi’s Playhouse, like the Language Music N' Our Peeps class and Gigi’s Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Gigi’s Playhouse)
Individuals with Down syndrome have the chance to shine at Gigi’s Playhouse By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com
G
igi’s Playhouse has a mission: to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to create an environment of acceptance and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome, of all ages. While there are 55 locations of Gigi’s Playhouse around the country, the Layton location (1916 N. 700 West) is the only one in Utah. Angela Horn just started as the site’s manager and is excited to bring free educational and developmental programs to people with Down syndrome and their families. “I think a misconception is that everyone who has Down syndrome is alike,” Horn said. “We know that’s not true. Everyone is different. Everyone has their own personality and their own abilities. We like to celebrate all of their abilities and all of their accomplishments as they go along.” Programs at Gigi’s Playhouse include the popular Language Music N' Our Peeps class, recommended for children up to 3 or 4 years old. LMNOP teaches communication through music, fun activities and basic sign language. Gigi’s Kitchen is a program where teens and adults learn how to prepare nutritious meals. The class reviews a recipe, prepares it and shares the meal together. Participants set measurable goals and work on those a little bit each day, with everyone celebrating accomplishments. Women who discover they’re expecting a child with Down syndrome often reach out to the center for guidance. With programs for expectant moms, all the way through end-of-life, Gigi’s Playhouse is a safe community. In 1980 the average life expectancy of a person with Down syn-
drome was 26 years old, now it’s more than 60. The center shut down during COVID but has seen a resurgence over the last few months. “This is one thing that they get to do and everyone looks forward to coming out,” Horn said. “As things are reopening, we want our families to have a place they can come to.” Because the programs at Gigi’s Playhouse are free, the locations are 99% volunteer run. The center usually offers more classes but a lack of volunteers makes it difficult. “We have over 20 signature programs but are only offering four because we need volunteers,” Horn said. “We really would love to have volunteers so we can build our programs back up. It’s my goal to continue adding new programs throughout the year and to offer more for our families. I’d love to be able to get our programming numbers back to where they were before COVID.” Volunteers are needed to run programs, greet families, find funding and donations, clean the facility and provide marketing. Volunteers familiar with event planning are also needed to assist with the center’s fundraising gala in October. For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Horn at ahorn@gigisplayhouse. org. “I love watching everyone become the best versions of themselves and it’s really special working in a location that fosters community, not only with individuals who have Down syndrome but with our families as well.” l
West Valley City Journal
National recognition for Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
W
hen COVID closed senior centers around the state, Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services created virtual senior centers that allowed patrons to stay connected from the safety of their homes. Started in August 2020, the virtual centers were an innovative concept that earned Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services the 2022 USAging Aging Innovations and Achievement Award, presented at USAging’s annual conference in July. “Through the Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards, we salute our members’ outstanding accomplishments and hold up their programs in the hopes that doing so will seed replication and additional innovation by their peers around the country,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging. Senior centers have been proven to help older adults stay active and engaged in life. The psychological boost of regular interaction with other seniors helps alleviate feelings of loneliness. When the centers closed to the public, aging services employees created the virtual platform to offer crafts, exercise programs, educational courses and ways to socialize. “I want to thank the dedicated em-
ployees and volunteers whose work resulted in this recognition. This award highlights the innovation and thoughtfulness of our senior center staff,” said Paul Leggett, division director for Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services. “I’m proud of the way that our team utilized technology to continue engaging with older adults during the worst days of the pandemic, and so it’s fitting that we are receiving this achievement award in the technology category.” Criteria for the award included the ease with which other agencies could replicate the program in their communities. The 2022 USAging Aging Innovations Awards honored traditional and new strategies in a range of categories, including advocacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, elder abuse prevention, healthy aging, home and community-based services, nutrition, social engagement and workforce development. “We applaud our members for their tireless efforts to creatively develop vital services and support for older adults,” Markwood said, “as well as their caregivers and people with disabilities in communities nationwide.” l
Suzy Butler (top left corner), program coordinator with the Millcreek Senior Center, has students share images during the virtual senior center’s acrylic painting class, one of the centers most popular courses. (Photo courtesy of SLCounty Aging & Adult Services)
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West Valley City Journal
Bracing for impact: How roller derby builds confidence and community By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
I
t might look like an aggressive collision, with no rhyme or reason, but Oo Barracuda, Ginny Wheelsley and Sacajawheela know exactly what they’re doing. Roller derby might be the most misunderstood sport in the country. It’s part football, part marathon and part wrestling match, but beneath all the noise and excitement is a game with intense strategy and athleticism—and cool derby names. By day, Jess Hill works at Primary Children’s Hospital, but at night, she rules the derby track as Sacajawheela (Wheela for short). Hill and her daughter have played since 2013 when they fell in love with the derby community. As a nurse, Hill deals with trauma-level incidents on a regular basis. The mental and emotional release of roller derby has had a big impact on her life. “Sometimes it’s all I can do to get myself to practice but then I feel so much better, not just physically but mentally. It kind of clears my space and gets that stress and energy out.” Hill coached the junior league and watched youth learning valuable skills, and not just about derby. “We have a lot of juniors coming in with self-esteem issues and getting bullied,”
she said. “There are a lot of kids struggling with school. I have seen kids come out of their shells and do a complete 180 with confidence and having something to be proud of by joining roller derby and having that community.” Amy Royer (aka Ginny Wheelsley) took up the sport nine years ago, after her first child was born. She was looking for a way to get out of the house and find a fun way to be active. “Now it’s my social outlet, it’s my physical outlet and it’s like anxiety therapy,” she said. “It really has been an incredible outlet in my life.” An inclusive sport that welcomes all genders and identities, there are teams for women, men, LGBTQ, coed and juniors. With The Derby Depot in Salt Lake (1415 S. 700 West #17), Utah boasts one of only six permanent roller derby tracks in the country. Royer plays with Beehive Skate Revolution, the only recreational derby league in the state. It’s not the aggressive, competitive game portrayed in movies, but make no mistake, players take the sport seriously. “People think, myself included, that all these women are going to be tough, mean and competitive and take out their anger on everything, but it’s not like that at all,”
Although roller derby is a full-contact sport, rules are in place to protect players and ensure a fun game. (Photo courtesy of Amy Royer)
Royer said. “I’m not going to lie. There are some injuries. We’re not going to make you do anything you’re uncomfortable with, but accidents do happen.” Since COVID, derby numbers have dropped but Hill hopes to get more people involved in the sport. She said it’s not just about skating, although skating has a physical benefit, but it’s about feeling like you belong in a community that cares about each person. People often assume a player has to be tough and aggressive to succeed at the sport,
but Hill said that’s not true. One of her best friends was very timid but Hill said she now conducts a lot of the league training sessions. For more information about joining a derby league, visit SaltLakeRollerDerby.org “It’s not just a bunch of chaos out on the track. It might look like it, but there’s a lot of coaching and training that goes into it,” Hill said. “You get knocked down but you get back up again. You leave it out on the track and reset. There are just so many things that cross over to actual life skills.”l
City Journals recognized multiple times at the 2022 SPJ awards (Society of Professional Journalists) HERE ARE THE WINNERS FROM DAVIS:
Front page design First place – Anna Pro and Roger Tuttle • Honorable mention – Anna Pro Best single page design • Honorable mention – Anna Pro Best photographer • Honorable mention– Roger Tuttle Humor/lifestyle • Third place: – Peri Kinder • Honorable mention – Peri Kinder Best newspaper reporter • First place – Becky Ginos Medical/Science • First place – Becky Ginos General news • Third place – Becky Ginos
Wvc Journal .com
and Roger Tuttle Military • Third place – Becky Ginos Sports • Third place – Tom Haraldsen Military • Honorable mention– Tom Haraldsen
HERE ARE THE WINNERS FROM SALT LAKE:
Sports • First place – Julie Slama • Second place – Carl Fauver Personality profile • First place – Julie Slama • Second place -- Sarah Morton Taggart • Third place – Sona Schmidt Harris Religion/values • Third place – Sarah Morton Taggart
Medical/science • Second place – Julie Slama • Third place – Shaun Delliskave Military • First place – Julie Slama Education • Second place – Jet Burnham • Third place – Jet Burnham • Honorable mention – Jet Burnham Environment • Second place – Deb Hafner Diversity and equity • First place – Julie Slama COVID-19 investigative • First place – Cassie Goff Continuing coverage • First place – Cassie Goff
Business/consumer
• Second place – Sarah Morton Taggart
Arts and entertainment
• First place – Julie Slama
Best newspaper reporter
• Second place – Carl Fauver • Third place – Cassie Goff
August 2022 | Page 21
Pickleball courts full across the city as more people enjoy the game By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
P
ickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in the mid-1960s as a children’s backyard game. Fast forward to 2022 when it was adopted as the official state sport of Washington. “I played the game in elementary school growing up,” West Valley resident and Washington native JP Tarbutton said. “When I was in law school in Philadelphia we played in organized leagues. It is easy to pick up, competitive and good exercise.” Joel Pritchard, who served in the U.S. Congress and as Washington’s lieutenant governor, and two of his friends are credited with inventing the game and its rules. The game was named after his family dog, Pickles. Equipment for this simple game includes paddles similar to table tennis, a Wiffle Ball, and a court similar to, but smaller than, a tennis court. The game’s rules are a hodgepodge of the like. “It is fun and easy to learn,” Tarbutton said. “When Jesse (her son) came home from his mission he had played it and introduced it to our family,” Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center pickleball league and tournament coordinator Jana Helsten said. “We found out the fitness center was having open play, we went and tried it out. I kept playing and about a year
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later they asked me if I would help run the leagues.” The spread of the sport is attributed to its popularity within community centers, public parks and private health clubs. “I think anybody can play it. It is a Goldilocks family game. It is as easy or as hard as you want it to be,” Helsten said. KOPFC holds open play on summer mornings and, during the summer, a league plays once a week. They are not alone—West Valley’s Centennial Park has 12 courts next to its swimming pool, Lodestone Park has two courts, and West Jordan’s Ron Wood Park has six courts near the splash pad. They are always full of families and experienced players alike. “I had a student that is 17 years old and plays professionally with sponsors,” Helsten said. “I think the rules can be the most challenging thing about the game. Learning them can be hard.” Announcing the score and the two bounce rule can be the most difficult parts of the game. From there, serving, ball spin, control and game management become its biggest draws. “It is almost like a chess game. It can be very strategic learning to place your ball,” Helsten said. The U.S. Pickleball National Championships have been held near Palm Springs, Cali-
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Courts across the valley are full to the brim with families and players who love the game. (City Journals)
fornia since 2018 and the Professional Pickleball Association finds its home in Draper. The sport grew as an outdoor alternative to indoor sports during the Covid-19 pandemic. It experienced a 21% growth in 2020. It was named the country’s fastest-growing sport with over 4.8 million players. “Come learn a fun game that is relatively easy. Throw up the net, grab some paddles and balls and have some fun. During the fall we can have up to 40 players per night, three different leagues,” Helsten said.
KOPFC offers beginner and advanced leagues and tournaments. They have coordinated with centers to offer better learning of the game. In Florida, many recreation sites are removing shuffleboard courts and replacing them with pickleball. It has been adopted by bars and clubs and even a clothing-optional league in a private camping facility has emerged. “Not to that extent, but this game is growing here for sure,” Helsten said. l
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Page 22 | August 2022
West Valley City Journal
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
To infinity and beyond
N
early one million miles away from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope is gazing into space with the intensity of a teenager watching TikTok. The most powerful observatory ever launched (Hubble orbits a measly 340 miles away from Earth), the JWST navigated to its location and deployed its mirrors, telescopes, solar panels and antennas, unfolding like a Transformer in the middle of space. NASA (Nerding About Space Again) was unsurprisingly geeked about the first images from the JWST and organized a live event to reveal the pictures to the world. I’m an astronomy fangirl, so it made my nerdy
heart happy to see the images unveiled on July 12 during the NASA production. I couldn’t help but appreciate that Hollywood hadn’t produced the reveal show. It would have been completely different, with movie stars turning it into a literal song-anddance. It would have included a Gorgeous Galaxy red carpet event before the Beautiful People, dressed in sequins and velvet, highlighted the space pictures “right after these messages.” Instead of talking to actual astrophysicists, the Beautiful People would have interviewed actors like Matthew McConaughey and Tom Hanks, asking them what it was
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like portraying an astronaut in the movies. There would have been glitzy graphics, a soundtrack by Lizzo and brief glimpses of the space images before the cameras returned to the Beautiful People so they could talk about how much they liked planets. Thankfully, NASA did the whole program themselves. It was like someone handed the high school astronomy club an iPhone and told them to prepare a science project about the Webb telescope. They didn’t use professional spokespeople. They weren’t dressed in formal wear. It was just astrophysicists literally (yes, literally) bouncing with excitement as the world saw the photos for the first time. There was even a technical glitch when NASA tried to connect to scientists in Canada but couldn’t get through. NASA can relay images from billions of light years away, but can’t connect with colleagues in Montreal. Stupid Zoom calls. Astronomers explained the images sent from the JWST that included dying stars
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