Bountiful/West Bountiful | February 2023

MUSICIANS BLOW THE ROOF OFF AT ROCK BAND COMPETITION

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

BOUNTIFUL–An auditorium full of high school students is anything but quiet but last month’s assembly at Bountiful High blew the roof off. Battle of the Bands has become a tradition at the school and for organizers David and Alexandra Sandberg it’s in their blood.

“We’ve been doing it for six years,” said Alexandra. “Our oldest son entered the Battle of the Bands eight years ago and a whole world was introduced to us. This displayed all that he loved and gave him a chance to perform in front of the school. It gave him a place to do that. We took over and never looked back. We just couldn’t let it go.”

It’s run through the PTA, said David. “They started the program 20 years ago.”

When the Sandbergs got involved they decided to bring it to the next level. “It’s been life changing,” said Alexandra. “We’ve seen so many little miracles. Most of these kids don’t do other things.This gives them a chance to shine. Many are going through really hard things. This is how they speak.”

They hold auditions in September, she said. “We had seven bands try out and only four can go through. Every single band was cheering on the others. Those four bands go onto region.”

Continued page 5

Wowing His Peers: Ahshat Dhiman (playing guitar) with the band Times Abominable plays the crowd and gets love from his friends and fellow competitors. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle

Byline

Outgoing school board members leave lasting impression

FARMINGTON—There have been some changes in the Davis School District Board of Education as four members finished out their terms in December. Julie Tanner, Marie Stevenson, Cheryl Phipps and Gordon Eckersley chose not to run again. However they have all made an impact in the district during their time serving.

“I came on in 2015,” said Tanner, who has served for eight years. “My dad had served in southern California so there was a bit of a family legacy.”

Tanner said she decided to run because she’d seen a need for improvement involving parents and teachers on the ground. “Decisions were being made at the district level but they needed to add teacher and parent voices and make them a part of the decision making.”

Politics are kind of messy, she said. “I ran again though because I kind of wanted to show myself if people liked what I was doing. When I won that was the feedback that they did like what I was doing.”

Tanner said her goal was to listen respectfully to anyone. “I’d think deeply about their concerns.”

Parents would sometimes speak negatively about the district, she said. “I’d say I know someone is working hard. Then I’d set up a meeting and go with them so they would feel confident to talk to them.”

It’s important to bring people together, Tanner said. “We need consistent public comment. At times it got a little rough and some said untrue things but it gave us good feedback to improve and clear up misunderstandings.”

COVID was very challenging, she said. “People had different needs and dif -

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By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

ferent thoughts on how to handle it. It was difficult to find an answer for what everybody needed. The positive was it got more parents involved so overall it was good.”

“It was peer pressure that made me decide to run,” said Stevenson, who has served for four years. “I’d retired after 40 years as a teacher so I had the background to be involved in the district so friends encouraged me to. I decided I needed to step up and do what I could for good or bad.”

A big part of her term was taken up by COVID issues, she said. “I think we did a great job getting kids back (to school) safely. We were pioneers.”

Even with that Stevenson said she had a good time being on the board. “I feel like it was a positive experience. I know there are so many good people, teachers and students. The highlight was watching people work tirelessly for our district.”

Stevenson figured out she’s been involved in education for 60 plus years. “I was a student in K-12, then a teacher, a board member and as a parent. My whole life has been that and I still have a lot of grandkids in the district.”

Stevenson’s assignment on the board was serving with the Davis Education Foundation. “It was wonderful watching the teen centers come to fruition,” she said. “Being part of that at the start and seeing the generosity of the community who reached deep into their pockets to make it happen was a joy and delight.”

Cheryl Phipps has served for four years but had previously served starting in 1994 for eight years. “I ran originally because I didn’t feel like the north end of the county was getting much attention,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that any child

in school would have an equal opportunity no matter where they lived in the county.”

Phipps said after leaving the board the last time about four years ago she became concerned about the negative environment where public education was not being put in a great light. “I love public education. That negative talk about our public schools four years ago made me decide to get involved again to be a positive voice for public schools.”

Parents were feeling like they weren’t being heard, she said. “I wanted to be an

advocate to listen to their concerns and work through the problems and find a way to bring all people together.”

“It’s about the students,” said Stevenson. “We (board) always tried to remember it was about our students and make our choices based on what was good for them. I hope I changed lives and have done something good.” l

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(Back row left to right) Board members Marie Stevenson, Brigit Gerrard, Liz Mumford and Cheryl Phipps, Board President John Robison and Assistant Superintendent Craig Carter. (Front row left to right) Board members Gordon Eckersley and Julie Tanner, Superintendent Dr. Dan Linford. Stevenson, Phipps, Eckersley and Tanner left in January. Photo by Becky Ginos

There’s also an open mike where students perform original songs. “One of the girls sang her song and everyone was crying,” said Alexandra. “Our hearts were breaking. It was a song to her sister telling her how much they would miss her if she committed suicide. Some of them are going through a lot of hard stuff. It's through music they can express themselves.”

Bands have to play an original song and a cover song, said David. “The cover song has to be family friendly. It can’t talk about drugs or have foul language and nothing sexual. They learn to live by the rules. It’s a beautiful thing having rules, structure. It

teaches them life skills.”

The Sandbergs have brought in some talented judges for the event. “We had Chance Thomas who is kind of the father of music for modern video games,” said David. “He did the music for the Avatar and Lord of the Rings games. He has an Oscar and several Grammys.”

“We’ve been trying to get him for the last six years,” said Alexandra. “This was the magical year that he said he could do it. We also had Madeline Page who was a contestant on the Voice. We’re excited that such professional judges could come. The kids were beside themselves.”

“Two of the other judges were past stu-

dents,” said David. “After high school they got together and started a band called Acacia Ridge. They have 4 million followers. The kids all know them because the band is popular. They know how the kids feel because they were in their shoes 10 years ago.”

It gives the kids a chance to get out there and live their dream, said Alexandra. “They feel like a rock star for that day and they are.”

Life can be tough and sadly one student took his own life, she said. "At the funeral his mom said the greatest thing he ever experienced was Battle of the Bands.”

The bottom line is to make sure these kids know they are loved, said Alexandra.

“That they know that they have self worth. We’re in the business of providing a safe place, a program where the kids can be lifted up and feel loved.”

They follow the kids’ lives after high school, she said. “We love these kids. They’re our kids. We’re two people who have a bunch of sons and daughters. It’s well worth the time we put into it.”

Region for the Battle of the Bands will be held March 4 at Bountiful High and Rock’n the Arts will be the night before featuring all of the bands that tried out but didn’t make it. Look for more information on the BHS website. l

Continued from front page

Leading off the Battle of the Bands to a “packed house” is Honey Mud. Though they didn’t win, one student commented on their “sweet sound.”

The band Plumb Tuckered won First Place in Bountiful High School’s Battle of the Bands. Photos by Roger V. Tuttle

Esteemed judges Madilyn Paige, Flip Twogood, Christian Mayfield and Chance Thomas watch the act Scarred Hearts perform.

Free classes invite photographers to fall in love with bird photography

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Brigham City (2155 W. Forest St.) is a vital habitat for more than 250 species of birds. Millions of migratory birds use the refuge to rest and find food, and nearly 70 species make nests at the site.

Jeff Strong started photographing the birds more than 30 years ago and created a website, BearRiverBlogger. com, to help people become aware of the refuge and the opportunities there are to get fantastic wildlife photos.

“A lot of people aren’t even aware this place exists. Some people in Brigham City don’t even know it’s here and it’s in their own backyard,” Strong said.

The Davis High School grad combines his appreciation for birds with his love of photography by offering free classes at the refuge. Although he's taught classes there for many years, COVID shut everything down. But now he’s back with two free classes that coincide with special events at the bird refuge. Each one-hour class starts at 11:30 a.m.

The class on Saturday, Feb. 11 is Eagle Day, with a celebration of the majestic creatures. The final class, Saturday, March 11, features the migrating tundra swans that visit the refuge every spring and fall. For more information about the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, visit Fws.gov/refuge/bear-river-migratory-bird.

“We encourage people to stay after class to put the lessons into practice and go out on the bird refuge to get pictures,” he said. “Especially in March, because that’s when the tundra swans are migrating and there are thousands of them out there. It’s pretty spectacular to see that.”

The free photography classes are geared toward beginning photographers but anyone is invited to attend. No equipment is needed and class members are invited to spend the day at the refuge, enjoying the wide variety of feathered friends. The classes are free, but attendees must register online at BearRiverBlogger.com.

The February class will focus on how to take better wildlife and bird photos. The March class will be about capturing beautiful landscapes including sunset and waterfall photography. Participants can register for individual classes, or take both.

“It’s fun,” Strong said. “It’s just a way to get away

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com

from civilization for a few minutes, you know, the crazy world we live in, and connect to nature. I think sometimes we have to get away from our phones and bosses and bills and traffic, and get out and enjoy the peace and quiet. I think it rejuvenates us.

“It’s just one of those things you have to feel. It’s hard to explain. You get to watch birds be birds. I’d have everyone birdwatching if I could explain it, because there’s something about bird watching that just has to be experienced.” l

Photographer Jeff Strong will teach a series of free photography classes at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Brigham City on Feb. 11 and March 11. Photo courtesy of Strong

It’s fun, it’s just a way to get away from civilization for a few minutes, you know, the crazy world we live in, and connect to nature.

Jeff Strong

New school board members make students number one priority

FARMINGTON—As 2023 began, four new Davis Education School Board members took their seats at the Jan. 17 meeting. Emily Price, Julie Powell, Kristen Hogan and Derek Lamb will fill the positions left by Julie Tanner, Marie Stevenson, Cheryl Phipps and Gordon Eckersley. The new board members were sworn in on Jan. 4.

Lamb is from Layton and will be representing District 5 that covers Layton, Clearfield, Sunset and a small part of Kaysville. “There’s a lot of diversity there,” he said. “I want to have more town hall meetings to find out what the issues are in the community and with parents. I want to hear everybody out and not just make decisions. I want to give back if I can.”

Lamb grew up in a small Utah town. “I had 15 kids in my graduating class,” he said. “My father was killed when I was six and school teachers made a big impact in my life. That perspective allows you to process things and keep your eye on the ball to make sure the students can be the best they can be in the school system.”

The ability to communicate, listen and be patient are the skills Lamb believes he brings to the table. “I like to look at the third side,” he said. “We (the board) might be disagreed with or not liked sometimes but they’ll know we did the best we could and worked through the challenges. I’m not the sharpest tool but I know where the sharpener is. We need to collaborate and mold everyone together to make decisions.”

“I’ve lived in Syracuse for 18 years,” said Hogan, who represents District 6 that encompasses Syracuse, west Layton and a little bit of Clearfield. “I was heavily involved in the PTA and a couple of times I was president. It was through that service I got to the point of running for school board.”

Last January and February it kept coming up in conversation with people that Marie wasn’t going to run, she said.

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

“I started the process of running because I had an interest in Davis schools because my kids are there. I’ve always had an interest in education and government. This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up in this way.”

Hogan said there’s always a few things as a parent that she is concerned about. “Screen time and learning platforms that aren’t working for kids that we should be looking at closer. We should be making things easier for teachers and simplifying, really focusing on the education aspect of school so that things run smoothly.”

There needs to be a parental voice on the board as well, she said. “There should not be such a divide of parents versus teachers. Sometimes ideas between two groups are in opposition but we have the same goals.”

Hogan said she’s willing to listen to anybody. “I’ll hear all different sides. I want people to know that I’m accessible and they’re heard even if they don’t like the decision we make.”

Powell has been following the school board for many years. She will represent District 3 that covers Farmington, Kaysville and Fruit Heights. “I’ve been on community councils and served as a volunteer in schools. I’ve been super involved. I’m interested in the academic success of schools overall.”

Powell said she never planned to run for school board. “There was just something in me that made me decide to run. I’m an attorney and I think board legal issues intersect with the district and I hope my legal background will be helpful.”

Ironically, Powell wanted to be a teacher. “I wanted to teach math,” she said. “It was just a fluke that I ended up being an attorney. I love learning – period. I want students to achieve success and have the highest quality of education.”

The Davis School District is a large district, said Powell. “I want to improve the decision making process and make it more

balanced, thorough and objective. We need to look at what’s being proposed and do outreach to get a perspective on how the community feels and take that into account in the decision making.”

“My Davis County roots run deep,” said Price, who will represent District 7. “I was raised in Davis County and went to Davis County schools. My children have all gone to school here. I’ve been a parent volunteer since my oldest was in kindergarten.”

Public education is important, she said. “We have to keep it. It’s good for our children so they can learn, grow and succeed. It’s wonderful that everybody gets a chance to participate.”

Price said she knew Cheryl’s (Phipps) spot was up. “I thought ‘we need to find somebody good.’ I didn’t even think about

running. I talked to people in the community and the Syracuse High principal suggested it. I want what’s best for students and I want them to succeed and I’ve had a good experience with Davis School District.”

The board’s biggest responsibility is to make informed decisions, she said. “We need the information to find what’s best and most beneficial to students and understand teacher and parent perspectives. I want to work together to find what’s best for the district and make sure everybody has a seat at the table and their voices are heard.”

Price is very optimistic about the district. “I recognize things aren’t perfect but it’s important as board members to work together with unity and respect,” she said. “What’s best for the students is the bottom line. They’re the number one priority.” l

Davis School District Business Administrator Craig Carter gives the Oath of Office to the four new board members at a special meeting on Jan. 4. Photo by Becky Ginos

Derek Lamb Kristen Hogan

Julie Powell Emily Price

What’s your legacy?

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All roads lead to golf for this couple’s private facility

By Alisha Copfer | alisha.c@davisjournal.com

WOODS CROSS—Tall 20-foot ceilings, a huge hitting screen with 4K projection, a large open space and plenty of privacy make for the perfect indoor golfing opportunity. “We always get comments about how big the space is,” said Amy Parker, owner of Private Indoor Golf. Amy and her husband, Ben, own the indoor golf facility and are excited to see it grow.

“Indoor golf has really exploded over the past couple of years, largely due to COVID,” said Ben. “You could still play while social distancing.” Ben explained that the sport has had a huge boom, especially for women and juniors, over the past couple of years.

The technology used at Private Indoor Golf, affectionately nicknamed The P.I.G., is the gold-standard Trackman. Several cameras record a golfer’s swing and then give instant feedback about the club’s use. Members of the exclusive club enjoy unlimited access and use of this technology for training, games and over 200 virtual courses.

The Trackman system is one of the things that makes The P.I.G. so unique. With its 29 data points that track every movement, this technology can help any golfer with their game. The system uses duo-doppler radar to measure everything about a golfer’s swing, angle and ball curve. “Yes, it’s a game,” said Ben. “But it’s also giving you the feedback you want for making your game better.”

While P.I.G. is the acronym for Private Indoor Golf, the company’s social media also explains the nickname: “P – practice with purpose, I – information is power, G – grit separates us.” The club’s social media also states, “The P.I.G. is more than just indoor golf. Want to really get better? Stop banging balls without proper feedback. Do pros hit range balls? Do they hit without a Trackman? Why would you do anything less than get the most out of your practice sessions?”

they can bring in their clubs and work on their game. “If you get a little serious about your golf, when you come here, you get a lot of value and feedback,” said Amy.

The P.I.G. offers memberships starting at $250 for a month, with other options available on their website at www.privateindoorgolf. com. With the private facility open 24/7, members have easy access to working on their skills when it is convenient for them. One of the best parts of having a membership at The P.I.G. is having private access. Each member can bring up to three guests each time they visit the facility, and everything is easily tracked with a simple key card that lets them into the building. “I wanted to make something I would want for myself, and then we made it a little exclusive,” said Ben.

Ben has been involved with golf for most of his life. From working on a podcast based on the game to helping create a fundraiser with some of golf’s greatest players, Ben has been passionate about golf for a long time. “He likes to say all roads lead to golf,” said Amy.

While The P.I.G. has limited membership availability, the benefits of belonging to this exclusive club are endless. “The system is so accurate that you’re actually learning and making your game better,” Amy said. Ben also explained that someone could come in, practice on a specific course and then go play that course feeling like they’ve been practicing there the whole time. “You really walk away feeling like you have played a round of golf,” he said.

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Once a golfer purchases a membership,

Private Indoor Golf, established in 2021, is located at 1901 W. 2425 South, Ste. F, Woods Cross. They currently have space for about 10 more members. “We’re fascinated about where virtual golf can go, but it really is all about holding an actual club,” said Ben. “It’s going to become more and more popular for its accessibility.” l

Ben Parker, owner of Private Indoor Golf (The P.I.G.), takes a swing at a golf ball to show how the club’s technology works. Photo by Alisha Copfer

BOUNTIFUL–It’s not unusual to watch a newscast with journalists in front of the camera interviewing and earnestly reporting on the latest news. It’s not so common to see fifth and sixth graders doing it. At Adelaide Elementary kids are interviewing classmates and teachers for the Tiger News, a broadcast written and produced by the students.

“Mr. Westergard came to me and asked if he could do a broadcast,” said Principal Patty Arbon. “I thought it was a great way to include kids. It’s so fun.”

They’re good at it, she said. “It gives them confidence. Some kids stay behind the scenes but they really know what they’re doing. It’s nice seeing them work together as a team.”

“I have a friend that works at Woods Cross Elementary and I heard about it there,” said school counselor Christian Westergard. “I graduated in broadcast journalism so I thought ‘can we do it here?’ I went over one day to see what they do.”

From a grant and other donations, Westergard was able to purchase some equipment. “We did a survey to see if there was interest,” he said. “We had 51 students show interest in it. At other schools they had 18 to 20 and they could only have 20 at a time. I wanted to get more kids involved so we have 25 total in it.”

Kids create their own broadcast Tiger News

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

There’s a mix of fifth and sixth graders, said Westergard. “It’s been fantastic. The teachers recommend students who are in good standing and the principal and vice principal choose a few more. We rotate so it’s a revolving door. The kids do it all by choice.”

They work on the broadcast Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during lunch, he said. “We try to squeeze in as much as we can.”

It’s run like a class in college, Westergard said. “I’ve left a lot to them. I help them a little with producing, then I tell them to go out and get to work. They’ve worked really well together.”

Everyone came up with the rules they all had to follow, he said. “I teach each group things like how to frame a shot, be a camera operator and reporter. If they’re the anchor I remind them to smile, relax and about the inflection in their voice because the camera drains it.”

One of the kids is really good at editing, said Westergard. “I want them to teach each other if someone knows how.”

The kids come up with the questions to ask, he said. “They want to know the teachers’ hobbies, etc. and to think outside the box. Things they want to know about teachers and

students. We try to keep it uplifting and positive.”

Westergard said the opportunity to grow is what drew him to it. “I don’t want the kids to just interview people but to get to know each other better. The school didn’t feel unified with empathy toward each other. Now on the playground first and second graders are coming up to the kids and saying ‘I saw you on the news.’ They’re talking to each other and the faculty has been really good.”

The students compile and edit the newscast, he said. “Then I put it together in a special program I have. I cut, edit and piece it together and stream it. I send it to the teachers and when they have a minute to show it, they show it in their classes.”

Westergard said he doesn’t push the kids too much. “I just want them to grow so that they come out of it with some knowledge.” l

Adelaide Elementary fifth and sixth graders interview, write, edit and produce the newscast. Photo courtesy of DSD video still

Enhance retirement by serving the community

For older adults looking for a way to serve in the community, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) might be the answer. The program is offered through the Davis County Health Department and has a variety of ways people can help. The first step is to call RSVP at 801-525-5094 or go to the Health Department website to express interest and a staff person will contact you. RSVP gives volunteers the opportunity to use the skills they’ve developed in their work life or simply try something completely new. Travel to volunteer work can also be reimbursed to keep personal costs down.

Each volunteer is invited to an orientation where they can begin making social connections and learn about volunteer options that might interest them. New volunteer positions can also be discussed and created. A recognition dinner is held each year celebrating the impact of the RSVP’s 238 volunteers serving in Davis County. It was estimated last year that volunteer hours were worth nearly a million dollars.

Before becoming overwhelmed with the huge scope of the project, recognize that even small efforts performed at home can be part of this impact. Friendly Callers, for example, make weekly phone calls to homebound or isolated seniors in the area to increase so-

By Kerry Angelbuer | k.angelbuer@mycityjournals.com

cial interaction, reassurance, and monitor any health concerns. Making cards, scarves or baby bundles for deployed military troops and their families is another at-home option. Last year 14 Reading tutors at local elementary schools were able to help children falling behind in reading to make significant (87%) increase in reading scores. RSVP estimates that 28 volunteer will be needed next year.

Some volunteer opportunities can be beneficial to both parties. The “Stepping on Fall Prevention Program” needs volunteers to co-facilitate the evidence-based, confidence building program aimed at fall prevention. Two and a half hours once a week for seven weeks including set-up and take down can help both the volunteer and participants to recognize risks and take steps to prevent a fall. Co-facilitators are also needed for classes covering chronic health conditions including diabetes.

Outdoor volunteer positions are available at the Antelope State Park, Eccles Wildlife Education Center and as a dog walker for Davis County Animal Care. Walking dogs helps them stay calm and content around humans making them more appealing, and more likely to be adopted.

Much needed volunteers teach seniors about Medicare fraud and abuse and how to enroll in Medicare or the State Health Insur-

ance Information Program. Other volunteers are trained to work at hospitals providing information, wheel-chair support or even light office duties. Hospice volunteers provide companionship for patients and respite for families in homes. Hospice can include reading books

Getting to Know Dr. Heaton

Jared Heaton is an attentive and thorough dermatologist, serving his patients in Davis County. Dr. Heaton is Board-certified in dermatology, and he is currently a member of the American Society of MOHS Surgeons.

Dr. Heaton prides himself in serving all patient populations and treating all areas of dermatology from children through retirement age. He places a strong empahsis on catering to the retirement population in his community as skin cancer is more prevalent in this age group.

Dr. Heaton earned an undergraduate degree in International Relations with a minor in Asian Studies from Brigham Young University (BYU). His medical degree is from Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM). He completed both his internship and medical residency in Tampa, Florida.

In his spare time, Dr. Heaton enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, parafoil kite flying, and spending time with his wife and three children.

aloud, playing games or just having a conversation with an older adult nearing the end of their lives.

RSVP can assist older adults in finding meaningful, fulfilling work to enrich the best years of their lives. l

Dr. Jared R. Heaton Board Certified Dermatologist

Shalise Owens DNP, FNP-C

At Antelope Island, Retired Senior Volunteers (RSVP) maintain trails, do repairs at the Fielding-Garr ranch and work in the information center/gift shop. Courtesy photo

CENTERVILLE—Looking for some fun with a romantic twist? Then “She Loves Me” is the ticket. CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s production of the 1960s Broadway musical is a sweet story of misunderstanding between two people who find out the other isn’t the person they thought they were.

“She Loves Me” first appeared on Broadway in 1963 but originally got its start as Hungarian playwright Midlos Loszlo’s “Parfumerie.” In 1940 it was made into the movie “The Shop Around the Corner” starring Jimmy Stewart followed by “In the Good Old Summertime” the 1949 musical film with Judy Garland. Probably more familiar is the 1998 version “You’ve Got Mail,” starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.

The story is set in 1930’s Europe at the perfume shop Maraczecks that is all about pleasing the women who come in to find just the right lipstick, creams and perfumes. Amalia Balash (Claire Glaittli, MWF) and Georg Nowack (Ben Lowell, MWF) both work at the shop and have been at odds with each from the time Amalia came into the shop looking for a job. If he says one thing, she says another.

In the meantime, they have both been writing secret letters to someone they met through a lonely hearts ad. Unbeknownst to

‘She Loves Me’ a romantic comedy treat

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

them they’re writing to each other! Finally, they set a date to meet in person and start worrying about what the other will think because they’ve both been embellishing the truth a little.

The scene at the restaurant where they are supposed to meet is hilarious. Head waiter Matt Ford (MWF) and busboy Ky Hartley (MWF) are especially funny and the dance number is delightful. The set was also impressive with the restaurant coming up out of the stage.

The cast of characters in the shop all had their own quirks that just added to the fun. Ryan Bruckman (MWF) plays clerk Steven Kodaly, a smooth lady’s man who has been wooing clerk IIona Ritter (Jordyn Tracy, MWF) but proves to be very fickle. Ladoslov Sipos (Chad Wilkinson, MWF) is the steady employee who is always trying to please his boss and supports Georg when things aren’t going well. Owner Mr. Maraczeck (Darin Stite, MWF) does a charming jig as he recalls his youth when he went to dance halls. He encourages Georg to do the same and try to find a date.

In the end love wins out and Amalia and Georg realize not everyone is as they seem. “She Loves Me” is full of surprises and great music that is sure to win your heart.

“She Loves Me” runs now through Feb. 18 Monday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $19-$37. Call the box office at

801-298-1302 or visit CPTUtah.org. CenterPoint Legacy Theatre is located at 525 N. 400 West, Centerville. l

Claire Glaittli (Amalia Balash), Ben Lowell (Georg Nowack) play feuding co-workers in CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s production of “She Loves Me.” Photo courtesy of CPT

OUR donates cyber-sniffing dogs to hunt down child predators

WOODS CROSS—Flash (for flash drive) is a specialized Woods Cross Police K9 that can sniff out electronic devices such as SD cards, USBs and hard drives during child sexual abuse investigations. The anti-trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) donated the dog to the department. OUR recently placed the 100th specially trained dog and Flash is one them.

“OUR is a nonprofit that empowers law enforcement all over the world to eradicate human trafficking and child exploitation,” said JC Holt, OUR Director of Domestic operations. “We provide funding to police departments to get the dogs and go through a training program to implement the dogs into the department. We sponsored Woods Cross fully for him and his handler to go to Indiana to be trained.”

Holt said OUR supported Flash when he got home too. “We pay for all of his food, vet bills, etc. Our role is as a funding mechanism. We funded the first dog in 2019. Police Departments have said to us that if not for our donation they couldn’t afford to get a dog.”

It’s all private donors, he said. “We have a variety of supporters who want to further the work in this way. Everybody loves dogs. One donor paid for a dog in its entirety.”

The dogs sniff out a chemical compound called triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) found in electronic devices, said Holt. “They help find hidden devices. It’s monumental because a lot of offenders are storing illicit material but they don’t store it in the Cloud, they’ve gotten great at reporting and they don’t store it on the computer they’re sitting at because they know law enforcement will seize that.”

Offenders use cellphones, SD cards, thumb drives and hide them, he said. “Investigators are looking for a tiny SD card. To have a dog that can find it is pretty awesome.”

The specialized dogs are trained by Jordan Detection K9 in Indiana. Owner Todd Jordan had been training dogs since 1997 when he heard about TPPO in 2014. “I didn't know dogs could actually do that,” he said. “An ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) task force asked me if I could do it (train). I said, ‘I’ll try.’ The next day I had my first K9 dog.”

Jordan said he got dogs that were too energetic to train for a disability or as a regular police dog but should still be working. “They were jumping on tables, etc. and I would work with them.”

The dogs started going on search warrants with the Indiana ICAC, he said. “One of the search warrants was for Jared Fogle. That got a lot of media attention so agencies wanted to know about them. Police Departments called and wanted a dog.”

In 2017, OUR bought a dog from him for a Seattle task force, said Holt. “OUR spon-

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

sored the first couple of dogs then.”

Jordan said they have a facility with a room that’s set up to look like what it would be in a search warrant. “We give the dogs a real world experience. We get them prepared so they’re already ready to go for the two week handler course. We get a personality bio of the handler and look for dogs that are like minded and pair the dog with the right handler. We get that done beforehand so they don’t need to spend eight weeks.”

They get a call or text from law enforcement agencies every day or a photo of a dog at a search warrant, said Jordan. “In one case initially investigators didn’t find a device but the dog did. It was only a micro SD but had 200,000 video images of the victim – the dog saved them. I want to keep pumping out dogs so more kids are being rescued.”

For more information about OUR visit ourrescure.org. l

Woods Cross Police K9 Flash finds a cellphone for his handler Det. Kimberly Burton. Photo by Becky Ginos

A suspect is arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material. Electronic sniffing dogs assisted investigators in finding the suspect’s hidden devices. Photo courtesy of Jordan Detection K9

Kids tell tall tales at the Davis School District Storytelling Festival

By Megan Gleason | m.gleason@mycityjournals.com

Theart of storytelling is alive and thriving in Davis School District. On Jan. 19, Davis County schools held their annual Storytelling Festival at Shoreline Junior High School. This year nine different elementary schools participated in the event, each school holding its competition prior, before sending the winners on to the district festival. A total of 22 students presented and performed their stories for the audience.

“The Davis Storytelling Festival provides opportunities for student creativity and connection to the value of stories,” K-12 Library Supervisor, Selena Campbell said. The stories performed were each three – five minutes long and could be either an original creation, a true story, or a favorite book. Each student was encouraged to tell their story in the way they felt most comfortable with an emphasis on performance and vocal clarity. Preparations for the festival began in November 2022 and students had a little over two months to choose their story and begin practicing for it.

Students didn’t have to prepare for this alone. Across the school district was a team of volunteer coaches to guide students in the art of storytelling consisting of teachers, librarians, parents, and staff members.

“The Storytelling Festival is made possi-

ble by our coaches,” Campbell said. Before every reading, each student was asked to mention who their coach was and most added a special thanks to their introductions for their mentors.

“I didn’t like stories in third grade,” Titan Moser, a fourth grader said, “but I do now.”

Moser performed an original story titled “The Family Secret” which was about suddenly discovering that he and his family had superpowers. Moser said his favorite part about participating in the Storytelling Festival was “unlocking imagination.”

“This also provides students to be a part of a unique extracurricular program,” said Campbell. “Youth storytellers are taught that true storytelling does not equate to recitation, but that engaging the audience in the story is a vital part of the experience.”

“Fat and Thin,” performed by Jackson Dibb, a third grader, was a retelling of a story his grandfather told him and had many in the audience laughing along to the antics of the two main characters Fat and Thin.

The two-hour event was not only a celebration of stories and the students who told them but also the final step before the chance to move on to perform at the Weber State University Storytelling Festival held Feb. 27 – March

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with local school districts and provides a platform for youth storytellers to perform at the same level as professional tellers. Eight students from the Davis School District Storytelling Festival will be chosen based on their performance to move on to the university stage.

Titan Moser said he had mixed emotions about

the possibility of performing at the university festival.

Whether participants move on to the university festival or not, the Davis School District Storytelling Festival was a celebration of stories and the art of storytelling. l

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Students hold up their certificates after performing in the Storytelling Festival held at Davis High in January. Winners will move on to the Weber State University Storytelling Festival held Feb. 27 – March 1. Photo by Selena Campbell.

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The real reason behind blinding headlights

By Alisha Copfer | alisha.c@davisjournal.com

Complaints

keep circulating about the lights coming on at night. No, it isn’t about just any lights; it’s about headlights. It seems that vehicle headlights, year after year, get brighter and brighter. And many people are asking what can be done to dim these lights.

There are three types of headlights: standard halogen (which are most common), high-intensity discharge or HID (which came in around the 90s) and LED (light emitting diode) highlights (which are found in a lot of newer vehicles). Each lighting type is measured by candlepower and lumens. They each measure different light qualities, and one candlepower equals 12.57 lumens. When measuring lumens, it refers to the light illuminated in a one-square-foot area one foot away from a single candle.

Utah Code states, “A lighted lamp or illuminating device on a vehicle, which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, shall be directed so that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.”

A technical report from 2004 titled “Drivers’ Perceptions of Headlight Glare from Oncoming and Following Vehicles” gives some perspective. The report reads as follows:

“Recently, U.S. drivers have been expressing concern over the discomfort and reduced visibility that they experience from headlight glare from other vehicles. Drivers have focused their concern on the relatively new high intensity discharge lights, high mounted lights and various auxiliary lights. In order to better understand this glare problem, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration collected data on drivers’ percep-

tion of glare from a representative sample of U.S. drivers. The survey was conducted through Omnibus Survey of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The present study is based on the information (data) collected on two types of glare: glare from oncoming and following vehicles.

“The survey data were analyzed to find out how U.S. drivers perceive the two types of glare and if glare perception is associated with respondents’ age and gender. Contingency analysis was conducted to establish these associations. The statistics showed that a sizable number of respondents feel that glare was ‘disturbing.’ It was found that the age group 35 to 44 had the highest percentage of night drivers as well as among those who felt glare ‘disturbing.’”

Basically, the survey found that 88% of drivers noticed headlight glare, with 31% saying the glare is “disturbing.” While headlight intensity may extend the visibility of objects ahead of drivers, the glare also seems to increase the discomfort of other drivers and pedestrians. This glare can also reduce visibility by reducing contrast or causing drivers to turn away from the roadway to avoid any eye discomfort.

Science explains why LED lights seem so much brighter than halogen. This phenomenon is called color temperature. While many may think lights are clear, each light has a spectrum ranging from orange-yellow to blue-white. The brighter the light, the bluer the light. LEDs and HIDs hit on the blue-white spectrum where the halogen is closer to the orange-yellow.

Studies have found that these blue-white lights tend to hit people’s eyes harder, especially in the dark. Those cooler color temperatures can be blinding but are also helpful when behind the wheel as they illuminate farther distances. And, when it

comes right down to the science, these bluer lights are not actually brighter than the yellow spectrum.

Some auto repair shops say factory lights are typically brighter than after-market. These after-market lights have simply been changed from the original factory model. The most common cause of visually brighter lights is that they have not been appropriately adjusted for that vehicle. They are also difficult to calibrate due to not having an environment in which to adjust (not dark enough or long enough spaces to test them). The worst part? Enforcement is difficult as there are no reliable ways to measure these lumens. l

Bright headlights can be distracting and “disturbing” to drivers and pedestrians at night. Courtesy photo

The Invention of the Year

Once in a lifetime, a product comes along that truly moves people. Introducing the future of battery-powered personal transportation . . . The Zinge r.

Throughout the ages, there have been many important advances in mobility. Canes, walkers, rollators, and scooters were created to help people with mobility issues get around and retain their independence. Lately, however, there haven’t been any new improvements to these existing products or developments in this field Until now. Recently, an innovative design engineer who’s developed one of the world’s most popular products created a completely new breakthrough . . . a personal electric vehicle. It’s called the Zinger, and there is nothing out there quite like it.

“What my wife especially loves is it gives her back feelings of safety and independence which has given a real boost to her confidence and happiness! Thank You!”

–Kent C., California

The first thing you’ll notice about the Zinger is its unique look. It doesn’t look like a scooter. Its sleek, lightweight yet durable frame is made with aircraft grade aluminum so it weighs only 47.2 lbs. It features onetouch folding and unfolding – when folded it can be wheeled around like a suitcase and fits easily into a

backseat or trunk. Then, there are the steering levers. They enable the Zinger to move forward, backward, turn on a dime and even pull right up to a table or desk. With its compact yet powerful motor it can go up to 6 miles an hour and its rechargeable battery can go up to 8 miles on a single charge. With its low center of gravity and inflatable tires it can handle rugged terrain and is virtually tip-proof. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life.

Why take our word for it? Call now, and find out how you can get a Zinger of your very own.

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The Movie Guru: Streaming TV options offer sweet, spooky fun

Abbott Elementary (ABC, Hulu)

If you’ve wondered why the cast “Abbott Elementary” have been cleaning up this awards season, here’s your chance to find out.

The show, now in its second season, is one of the most charming, heartwarming shows currently airing right now. The jokes are delightfully silly, but there are moments of genuine tenderness and insight among them. It’s like a sweeter, less awkward version of “The Office,” complete with a ridiculous boss and a gently burgeoning romance a la Jim and Pam.

Since “Abbott Elementary” is a network television show, the episodes are essentially independent rather than pieces of a season-long story. Watching an entire chunk of episodes will give you a sense of some subtle season-long development, but you can also enjoy it an episode or two at a time and not feel left hanging. (Also, stay through the credits. They always save a funny scene for while they’re playing.)

Wednesday (Netflix)

You can always tell when an actor loves the character they’re playing.

That’s definitely the case with “Wednesday,” which follows the Addams teen as she goes away to school, untangles dark mys-

By Jenniffer Wardell

teries, and finds friends against her will. Though the show’s grasp of Addams characterization is flawed at times – Gomez and Morticia think way too traditionally on several occasions – Wednesday herself is nearly perfect. That’s due to Jenna Ortega, who is deadly, delightfully serious about making sure her character marches to the beat of her own funeral dirge.

I’d watch Ortega’s Wednesday do nearly anything – her deadpan one-liners are a consistent treat – but the show does provide enough mystery to keep her occupied. It’s best when she is forced to accept the help of her roommate Enid (Emma Myers), a pastel goth sweetheart with a wild side of her own. The two are a delightful odd couple, and I’m excited to see their chemistry grow when the show returns for season 2. National Treasure: Edge of History (Disney+)

Imagine the “National Treasure” movies as young adult novels.

That’s the feel of the new series, which takes away Nicholas Cage and replaces it with a young woman discovering the secrets in her family’s past. It also moves the history from America down to Mexico, though it keeps the same structure of secret societies and key clues found in major tourist sites. It

The VITA program opens for public use this month

By Alisha Copfer | alisha.c@davisjournal.com

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The individuals who qualify for these services typically make less than $60,000 per year or have disabilities. While the IRS manages this program, it is staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities.

In order to volunteer, people must be IRS-certified, which is a training offered through the IRS. Eight to 10 hours of online training are required, and a few open-book certification tests. Volunteers will help provide tax counseling and filing instructions to those in their community.

The VITA program begins its service in February with assistance sites located all over Davis County.

Bountiful City Hall, located at 795 S. Main St., Bountiful, is open Thursdays from 4:30 pm. to 7:30 p.m.

Davis Technical College, located at 550 E. 300 South, Kaysville, is open

Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Francis Peak View Community Center, located at 600 W. Mutton Hollow Rd., Kaysville, is open Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For other available locations, see their website at earnitkeepitsaveitutah. org. l

also keeps the same classic sense of adventure, capable of being both silly and achingly serious depending on the moment.

There’s also a definite YA element, well beyond just having a young woman as a protagonist. The lead girl’s best friends are the main supporting characters, and throughout the series she’s romantically torn between a friend and a mysterious new boy. It doesn't take away from the adventure, and for some

viewers it may be a fun bonus.

After all, even a classic series needs a new perspective every now and then.

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Utah Film Critics Association. Find her on Twitter at @ wardellwriter or drop her a line at themovieguruslc@gmail.com. l

Contact

Credit for photo ©Warner Bros.

385-341-2799

Intermountain Layton breaks ground on new Ambulatory Surgery Center

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

LAYTON—The Intermountain Layton Hospital campus is growing and the newest addition is an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) that will enhance efficient and affordable outpatient surgical care in the county. Hospital administration, physicians and other dignitaries participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new facility last month.

“Continual growth and success is key to what we do,” said Administrator/ CEO Scott Mortensen. “The ASC is part of the growth in the community and will provide services close to home at a lower cost. From the hospital’s perspective it just makes sense.”

“We’re excited,” said Layton Mayor Joy Petro. “Before this whole development there were hayfields here. We’re fortunate that the hospital decided to come here and purchase the property. At first they said it would be a full service hospital but then they decided to take a step back and see what the community needed. We were devastated because we thought there would be no hospital but they reevaluated and decided it would go here. The project started in 2015.”

Petro said the city let the neighbors know what was going on. “They love the hospital and what they’ve done here. Intermountain has done an excellent job analyzing what is best for the client and not necessarily the bottom line – that speaks volumes.”

The new center will be nearly 18,000 square feet with four operating rooms and is projected to be completed by 2024.

Chief Medical Officer Glen Morrell, M.D. remembers visiting his grandma where his aunt was convalescing af -

ter having cataracts removed. “She had sandbags on each side of her head so she couldn’t move,” he said. “Today that can be done in a same day surgery. What a difference. If you had to have your appendix out it took three days before you could go home. If you came in now in a few hours you’d be home in your own bed.”

The ASC will maximize the recovery of patients, he said. “It also increases the value of care for patients. Healthcare is expensive especially for the middle class. This will decrease cost. It will be a wonderful thing for patients.”

“Without the overhead of a hospital, we can provide the same great care and charge about half as much,” said Mortensen. “We’ll have 23 hour stays where patients are not admitted to the hospital. We can do total joints and other surgeries because of that.”

Sixty to 70 percent of the operating volume will be done in the surgical center, he said. “That opens up more capacity for surgeries that do need to be done in the hospital.”

“Top of mind for doctors and surgeons is where patients can get the very best care possible,” said Morrell. “The number of hospital cases keeps going up. Joints, hips, knees had to be done in the hospital now that can be done as an outpatient. Infection rates are lower because you don’t have to be with sick patients like in a hospital. It’s so much easier to recover in your own bed.” l

Administration, physicians and other dignitaries turn dirt in a ceremonial groundbreaking held inside the hospital. The boxes were filled with dirt from the actual site where the new facility will be built. Photo courtesy of IHC

Program sets high school students on path to health care professions

LAYTON—How often does a high school student get the chance to practice suturing on a pig’s foot, put in an IV or do intubation on a lifelike manikin while receiving college credit? HTHA 2910 Health Information Literacy, Healthcare System & Career Exploration does just that. It is a four credit hour college course taught at the Weber State University Davis Campus and delivered through the Northern Utah Area Health Education Center (NUAHEC) Medical Scholars program. It is an experiential program that prepares students to take their place in the future healthcare workforce. It also satisfies the Information Literacy and research skills, a general education requirement.

“These are great young folks,” Instructor Frederick Henderson, MHA Northern Utah Area Health Education Center Director Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions Weber State University said of his last class. “They’ve worked so hard. We want to make the high school transition to college as smooth as possible. Kids can have a 4.0 and still struggle in college.”

Students learn about a career in health care, he said. “It gives them a step ahead of the competition and gives them a leg up. It’s very competitive in healthcare programs. They only take the best applicants. It’s only for seniors and they have to maintain a GPA consistent with program track acceptance of 3.7 and above.”

The course consists of lectures and hands-on practice, said Henderson. “They love using their suturing kit and doing IVs

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

and putting a tube inside a patient’s throat so they can breathe. At the end of the course we hold an open house where everything is set up so the students can show their parents what they’ve learned.”

Henderson said they have Wildcat Card day where they give the kids a student ID and take them to the bowling alley and get pizza. “It’s a way to motivate them and get them pumped up for the next four years of education.”

It’s a grant sponsored program through the federal Health and Human Services, he said. “We’ve also received generous funding from the legislature. It’s been a collaborative partnership. We couldn’t do it any other way.”

They built the program with the Davis School District, Henderson said. “The state board, CTE director, teachers and superintendents all jumped on board to make the program what it is.”

Henderson started at Weber in 2002 when he went to get a degree. “I was a firefighter then became a paramedic,” he said. “I went into Health Administration and was offered a job at Weber to teach.

I got a master’s in Health Administration because I wanted to be the best teacher I could offer.”

The students in his class are incredibly dedicated, he said. “They know what they want to do. This sets the standard of young people. I’m blessed to have landed in this perfect situation.” l

High school students in the HTHA 2910 course at Weber State University Davis Campus handle a heart. The class offers hands-on experience in the health care field.

Students practice suturing on a pig’s foot. Courtesy photos

Clearfield City recognized for championing women

Clearfield City is the only city government to be selected as one of Utah’s 100 Companies Championing Women. Governor Spencer Cox, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the Utah Women & Leadership Project presents the award to companies that create an equitable and inclusive workplace for women in the state.

“I’m thrilled Clearfield City has been recognized with this award,” said Summer Palmer, Clearfield City assistant city manager. “We do our very best to create a place where women can be successful; professionally and personally. We still have a long way to go, but with incredible leaders who set the tone for equality, and family-friendly work policies and practices, Clearfield City has created a culture that elevates women. And elevating women not only lifts our company, but the community as a whole.”

Clearfield City was selected for the award for its approach to pay equality, women-specific professional development offerings, family-friendly schedules, flexible leave benefits and tuition reimbursement.

Of the 350 city employees, more than 170 are women, with 16 in supervisory positions and eight in management. Five women are currently enrolled in the city’s leadership academy and the tuition reimbursement program helped two women with education costs during the last fiscal year.

Clearfield City Mayor Mark Shepherd said it all started with a compensation study to ensure equitable pay based on the position, not gender. From there, policies evolved that allowed women to create flexibility in their

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com

schedules to make things more family-friendly.

“We wanted to make sure women in the workplace were taken care of and earning what they should,” Shepherd said. “Our council’s goal is to have a highly-trained and motivated workforce, and that means all of them. It means doing what we can do to ensure that happens.”

City employees are encouraged to attend trainings, which includes the city’s leadership academy. When applications went out for this year’s leadership training, only one woman applied. Shepherd said that was unacceptable. He asked supervisors to reach out to women in their departments and encourage them to apply.

“We learned that women had responsibilities outside of work, family obligations. They didn’t think they could fit the leadership program into their schedule,” Shepherd said. “We had to make sure they could be available to attend. Now the class is half men and half women. A huge chunk of our leadership is women. To me, that’s awesome. Our assistant city manager is a woman and a total rockstar.

“If women don’t participate, they miss their potential and how qualified they really are to lead. This really is just a huge opportunity to say to those women, you’re equally qualified for any of these roles.”

With 32,000 residents, Clearfield City celebrated its centennial in 2022 and was recently listed 6th in Fortune Magazine’s 25 Best Places to Live for Families. For more information about Clearfield City, visit www.clearfield. city.

“The coolest part of this is that the government can be

a cool place to work,” Shepherd said. “We don’t get, as a city, that recognition very often. To us, it was so cool. We want to give women every opportunity to move forward in leadership.” l

The Davis Collective: Bringing small businesses together

By Megan Gleason | m.gleason@mycityjournals.com

In recent years Utah has bloomed with innovation and new exciting attractions. It’s a time where just about anything is accessible at the push of a button. However, in this age of convenience, it is often challenging for small businesses to keep up with the market. Utah has long been a place full of wonderful craftsmen and artisans, small business owners striving to maintain the charm and character of their hometowns.

One such business owner, Tayler Swensen, has created an opportunity and space for small businesses to shine. The Davis Collective is a pop-up community that hosts events throughout Davis County. Created at the end of 2020, the Davis Collective held its first official pop-up event Jan. 4, 2021 and has been bringing together unique and interesting small business owners ever since.

“Being an independent business owner can be really lonely at times,” Swensen said about why she decided to create the Davis Collective. “So, I wanted to create a space where small businesses can not only find a great customer base, but also make friends with like-minded small business owners.”

Pop-up events are usually one day, a few hours long, and hosted within a temporary retail or community space. Each pop-up event hosts 15 independent vendors for customers to browse through. These vendors typically include artists, craftsmen, jewelry makers, home goods, and children’s items. For each event, Swensen carefully selects vendors so that there will be a wide variety of categories for shoppers to browse through. The ever-changing list of vendors and

limited roster makes not only every event special but also allows individual businesses the chance to shine without heavy competition.

“The goal of Davis County Collective is to help small businesses get that face-to-face interaction with their customers and with other small business owners,” Swenson said. “In this time of online shops, you miss out on that in-person interaction with your customers and this gives us all an opportunity to join together and help each other grow!”

It is important to feature local business owners, she said. “When people buy from these small businesses, they’re supporting actual people and their dreams and passions, rather than throwing money at a huge corporation that’s already successful.”

In 2023, the Davis Collective plans to continue bringing together small businesses with their first pop-up of the year being a Valentine’s Day themed event on Feb. 4 at the Vibe Dance studio in Layton. The pop-up will feature vendors with handmade treats, a soda bar, and a selection of gifts perfect for the upcoming holiday. l

(From left) Jackie Wardle, Clearfield City recreation manager; Kristine Conley, Clearfield City recreation supervisor and Michaela Maughan, Clearfield City recreation supervisor are just a few of the women in leadership positions in the city. Clearfield City was selected as one of Utah’s 100 Companies Championing Women. Photo courtesy of Clearfield City

Shoppers stop at one of the booths at a Davis Collective pop-up event. The Davis Collective hosts the events throughout the county. Courtesy photo

Woods Cross mom makes it her mission to feed kids in need

By Kaiimilani Crockett | Davis Journal intern

Michelle Benedict went to West High School where she saw lots of classmates who were homeless and hungry. After she graduated from West a few years later her and her husband moved to Rose Park where she saw a greater need for serving the people around her. Her small family loved the area and loved their neighbors and friends, when they had outgrown their house and moved to Woods Cross, she missed constantly serving her peers.

“Living in Rose Park, we saw tons of need and it was easy to jump in and serve,” said Benedict. “When we moved here, there was still a need, but it was more hidden.” Benedict missed serving her peers and sought for a way her kids could learn how to be service minded and serve their community.

After careful consideration, Benedict called the school district to see where her small family could help. She came up with the idea to provide bags of non-perishable food for students over the holiday breaks. They received donations from local businesses to buy the food and her and her family packed the bags. The first year this was done they were able to get enough bags and food to give bags to the whole elementary school. The next year, friends and neighbors of the Benedicts wanted in on the fun, they had more volunteers and were able to cover even more schools. The program grew bigger and bigger reaching a wide range of students and an ample number of volunteers from the community.

A few years passed and Benedict decided to create her own non-profit called “The Kids Next Door” in 2009. She received sponsorships from companies that allowed her to get bags of food to children in need not only for winter break, but spring

and fall break as well. When students received the bags, some were curious to know where the food had come from, Benedict always answered “just from the kids next door.” Her goal was to teach her own children how to serve their peers and Benedict wanted the focus of the program to be kids serving kids.

The Kids Next Door program lasted for 10 years, and their service reached thousands of kids along the Wasatch Front. The USANA Foundation recognized Benedict for her outstanding program and brought her on to direct their local program, USANA Kids Eat.

Since 2019 USANA Kids Eat, a local program is working to eliminate hunger in Utah. More than 56,000 children along the Wasatch Front do not have stable meals at home and USANA Kids Eat works to ensure safe and healthy meals to those children in need.

USANA Kids Eat provides weekend bags full of non-perishable, child-friendly, and healthy food to over 65 local schools and organizations along the Wasatch Front. Since 2019 over 150,623 backpacks have been delivered to over 79 schools and organizations to children in need. With over 1,345,051 meals provided by USANA Kids Eat they are still working to reach even more struggling families to provide them with their needs. Not only does the USANA foundation serve locally, but they also send food to countries and communities around the world who do not have a sustainable food supply.

To donate money or volunteer to pack bags and get involved with the USANA Kids Eat program visit their website USANAkidseat.org. l

Layton-based nonprofit helps find missing persons

Thousands of people in the U.S. go missing every year. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database states nearly 600,000 people are declared missing each year.

Most of those cases are resolved quickly, with people found alive and well, but for many families, the mystery behind their loved one’s disappearance can extend to days, months or even decades.

Layton resident Marki Davis founded We Help the Missing in 2014 as a resource for families to help find missing persons. As a private investigator with a background in criminal justice, Davis has dedicated her time and resources to getting answers for families.

“I felt like we could come together and do advocacy and investigation and put it all together in a package. I felt family support was lacking so I got some volunteers and just started,” Davis said. “Some missing persons were found, unfortunately, deceased, some came home on their own and some were found. A large number are still missing.”

There are many reasons a person

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com

goes missing. It could be a fight with a family member, financial trouble, trauma, trafficking or abuse, or it could be an accident that left a person unable to reach out to family members.

Davis’s organization partners with Road Warriors for the Missing as a rapid response team that gets volunteers to the area where the person went missing. The volunteers canvas the area, put up posters, post on social media and report back to investigators.

“We stay with the family and let them know we care,” Davis said. “We let them know we’re getting the name out there and investigating and keeping the case active. A lot of times, sadly, law enforcement is not engaged.”

We Help the Missing has worked on cases where people have been missing for days or decades and Davis said every case is unique and traumatic for family members. Missing persons are often found through the implementation of social media campaigns and through a network of investigators across the state.

Davis also admits that some missing people don’t want to be found.

“If they’re of age, we have to respect their privacy. We report back to the family and tell them they’re alive but they just don’t want to communicate right now.”

We Help the Missing is a nonprofit corporation that takes no fee for its services. It operates through donations,

volunteer work and private investigators who often work pro bono. Davis understands that having a loved one missing for any amount of time is overwhelming and terrifying. Part of her services includes support for the family and continual updates as volunteers search for the missing.

For those who have information about a missing person, We Help the Missing has an anonymous tip line at 1-866-660-4025. Call 435-671-8100 or visit WeHelpTheMissing.org for information about the organization. Investigators who would like to donate services can also reach out to Davis.

To enlist assistance from We Help the Missing, visit the website to fill out an intake form and upload a photo of the missing person. The organization will create a poster, reach out to an investigator and spread the info across its social media channels.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Davis said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to get them home and get them safe.” l

(Left to right) Kaiimilani Crockett, Abby Preas and Emerald Haycock shop for food to donate to the USANA Kids Eat holiday bag project. Photo by Rhett Benedict

Utah must be nimble to adapt to an evolving landscape

Irecently toured Lone Peak Hospital in southern Salt Lake County. This facility, in the heart of one of the fastest growing areas of Utah, must adapt to the constantly changing economic and demographic landscape. Although the hospital opened its doors only 10 years ago, it just completed a major expansion, including nearly doubling its bed count and expanding its women’s services, surgical services, and interventional radiology services. It is also expanding into other communities, including Herriman, Riverton, and South Jordan.

To survive and thrive in our changing environment, all businesses must remain nimble and responsive to the needs of a growing population.

Our state continues to grow. Utah’s population topped 3.4 million last year, and grew by more than 61,000 people, according to the recently released 2023 Economic Report to the Governor. This is like adding a new city the size of Herriman every year. And Utah remains one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

Our birth rate is slowing. One of the traditional unique characteristics of Utah’s population growth is that because of our high fertility rate, most of the population growth has come from “natural increase” — the number of births minus deaths in the year. However, in recent years Utah’s fertility rate dropped and is now lower than South Dakota, Nebraska,

By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist

and North Dakota. But Utah recently saw a resurgence in births. For the first time since 2008, Utah births increased, topping 46,000 in 2022.

Migration is driving our growth. On the other hand, Utah has seen a migration surge in recent years. The Utah Population Committee estimates that net migration (in-migration minus out-migration) brought more than 38,000 new residents to our state in 2022. This represents 62% of the total population growth in Utah and it is the highest number of people moving into the Beehive State in a single year.

Growth is a struggle and a blessing. There is no doubt that our state has struggled under the weight of high population growth and high migration. Population growth puts greater strains on roads, schools, housing, public utilities, natural resources, and social services. It is vital for civic leaders across the state to appropriately plan for population growth and build the infrastructure necessary to support these new residents. And we must all adjust to higher demand for our limited resources as the population grows.

However, while population growth produces challenges, it is much better than the alternative. Many states in our country are currently experiencing the struggles of population loss. In these states, governments struggle to fix roads, bridges, and infrastructure; businesses struggle with decreasing demand as customers move away; and housing price growth slows or drops as people leave. On the other side of the world, China just announced that for the first time since 1961 the country’s population shrank. A shrinking population will cause the supply of workers to shrink, which may cause productivity and overall economic growth to languish.

Supporting the needs of China’s aging population will place a greater strain on workers and taxpayers as the dependency ratio increases.

Utah is blessed to have unmatched natural beauty, a high quality of life, and a strong and vibrant economy. Businesses are attracted to our state because of our strong and growing workforce, which is driven by strong population growth. And nimble companies and communities will be able to thrive in our growing state. l

To learn more about Paws With A Cause and to find out how you can help, just download this simple app and watch this story come to life:

If you’d told me 20 years ago that I’d be a yoga instructor, I’d have laughed hard enough to tear a hamstring because I was very inflexible.

I took my first yoga class as a dare. My tennis instructor laughed at how tight I was and challenged me to try yoga. I hated every minute of that stupid class. I hated the words and I hated the poses and I hated the teacher and I loathed downward facing dog with a fiery passion.

But I realized my tennis instructor was right. My muscles were as tight as two-byfours, but less bendy. So I kept going back to yoga. Hated it every single time.

After about two months of practicing yoga, I noticed, little by little, my flexibility was improving. I could almost touch my toes without the usual amount of grunting and tears. My hips didn’t scream out loud while doing pigeon pose. My shoulders dropped away from my ears, where I’d held them at strict attention for decades. Even my back stopped hurting each time I rolled out of bed.

I grudgingly had to admit yoga wasn’t the hippy-dippy dumpster fire I thought it was. But learning the poses was just the beginning. As I explored yoga’s history, philosophy and favorite recipes, I came to realize yoga was a lifestyle that encouraged, nay demanded, self-love and com-

A bit of a stretch

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

passion.

Yikes. As a lifelong subscriber to self-loathing, I wasn’t sure how to handle that type of ideology. Just like when I started the physical practice, I took lots of tiny, baby steps toward accepting myself as a worthy human.

Fast forward 20 years and not only do I teach yoga but I LOVE yoga with a fiery passion. Yoga has changed me in so many ways. I used to be sarcastic, cynical and snarky but after studying yoga for so many years, I’m a sarcastic, cynical and snarky yoga instructor.

See. People change.

I’m also much less judgmental. I’m not so hard on myself and I give most people the benefit of the doubt. Most people. Maybe someone can propose a bill that would require our legislators to take a yoga class each morning before discussing the divisive and harmful bills proposed

this year. OK, when it comes to our lawmakers, I’m still pretty judgmental.

Being a yoga instructor is super silly. As an instructor, I get to say things in class that don’t make a whole lot of sense, and my students listen to me!

I’ll say, “Breathe in through your collarbones, breathe out through your kneecaps. Inhale to fill up your armpits, exhale to release tension in the ear lobes.”

Or I’ll instruct students to “Melt into the mat, send energy out of your fingertips, ground through your sitz bones, wring out your body and lengthen the crown of your head.” And I’m totally serious. (Laugh emoji)

My yoga practice has evolved from trying to do the most difficult poses and making my students sweat and swear, to focusing on deep stretches and stress-reducing breathing exercises.

It isn’t about who can be the bendy-est or the one who can hold crow pose for five minutes. It’s about appreciating what my body can do today. Not what I think it should do or what I want it to do tomorrow, but what it can accomplish right now.

I appreciate all the yoga teachers who took this rigid block of a body and mind and transformed it into a pliable, warm and accepting human being. My hamstrings thank you. l

IT’S A WRAP 2022