What is a pretzel bat?
Bees games offer a different type of treat
Page 7
Food empire
How one cafe turned into 10 restaurants
Page 11
Draper baker blends Greek tradition with Southern sweetness
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Rita Magalde’s Sheer Ambrosia bakery is built on family memories and connection.
In Greek mythology, ambrosia is the food of the gods. For Rita Magalde, owner of Sheer Ambrosia bakery, the name was the perfect choice for her Greek-inspired baklava.
While the pastry traces its roots to the Mediterranean, her recipes are infused with the flavors of her Southern upbringing, blending tradition with memories of her mother’s blackberry pie and peach cobbler.
“Baklava is an amazingly elaborate dessert,” Magalde said. “Mine is Greek and Southern-inspired, but it is a world dessert. It is not just Greek; it is Eastern European, it is Middle Eastern, it is Northern African. There’s baklava in Egypt, in Lebanon, in Morocco, in Bosnia, in Armenia, in Turkey, in Iraq and Iran; in all of those countries.”
Born in New York City, but raised in a small town in North Carolina, Magalde attended Appalachian State University near the Blue Ridge Mountains, studying history and Spanish. She moved to Spain to immerse
herself in the language and culture and married a man from Santander, a city on the country’s northern coast. They moved to Utah for the skiing.
Following a divorce, Magalde wanted to offer the world something no one else could. She thought back to her first job in North Carolina, where she did babysitting for a Greek family who owned a seafood restaurant.
“I was in their house a lot and I learned how to make lots of Greek foods. Baklava was just one of them, but it was the one that really stood out to me because, for me, baklava is art,” she said. “It was really beautiful, and so over the years I just played around with recipes.”
The Draper resident has refined her process, creating 15 varieties of baklava, from traditional honey walnut to more exotic flavors like pistachio orange cardamom, butterscotch rum walnut and caramel cashew crunch.
With 45 layers of phyllo dough in every batch, Magalde’s baklava is a rich, dense, luxurious dessert that customers order from around the world. It was recently named Salt
Lake City’s Best Dessert by Best of Salt Lake. Magalde has built a strong following over the years. Following the George Floyd riots in 2020, she learned Sheer Ambrosia had been added to a list of Black-owned businesses that people could support. Orders started rolling in from all over the Salt Lake Valley. She began filling orders but didn’t want to ship them, feeling it was too impersonal. She wanted to see the people who supported her and tell them thank you.
“I just couldn’t believe that all of those people wanted to support me in Utah,” she said. “So after I made all those orders, I hand-delivered every single one of them. I drove up and down the Wasatch Front and
COMMON GROUND
Utah’s future belongs to the brave
Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together.
Bravery is a Utah value. It’s right up there with toxic positivity and passive aggression. Many of us have brave ancestors who left their homes and walked hundreds of miles to the Salt Lake Valley, pulling a handcart full of kids who kept asking, “Are we there yet?” That takes courage.
In the face of religious persecution, the pioneers built communities, orchards, temples, schools and arts programs because they were not afraid to do hard things.
It’s time for that type of bravery again. We need to speak our hearts and our truths, and not be led by political partisanship. We need to vote for the people who stand for us, not profit from us.
It’s not just Democrats who believe federal leadership has been catastrophic. It’s not just Democrats who are disappointed in our state’s leadership. Look at the primary election where Republicans voted out three prominent legislators: that took courage. It took people voting their conscience, not just swallowing the party line.
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Peri Kinder Common Ground
Bravery means standing for what’s right, even in the face of opposition. It means we choose communities over conflicts and the future over fear. Courage puts people first. It shows we care about people who want healthcare, food, housing, education and inclusion. Those aren’t elite desires. Those are human needs.
The people of Utah want to take back their power. We’re tired of seeing state leaders making shady deals, getting backroom payoffs and pushing legislation that benefits their personal bottom line. How many property developers do we need on Capitol Hill? Good grief!
Bravery means leading differently. Instead of voting along straight party lines (even if your family has been a one-party family for decades), what if we voted for the people we believe have the power to change the status quo?
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Real leaders are courageous; they lead with compassion and understand that empathy isn’t a dirty word. They don’t represent one party; they represent their constituents.
The people who showed up to protest ICE detention facilities or resource-draining data centers weren’t just Democrats. They were Republicans and independent voters who don’t want what these politicians are selling. We have Topaz in our backyard. What bigger reminder do we need that history cannot repeat itself here?
Bravery means we believe in each other. We’re not Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Reformists or Constitutionalists. We are Utahns. Our brand is kindness and optimism. We build communities, we serve the disadvantaged, we teach the uneducated and we offer open hearts to the stranger.
That’s who we are. That’s who we’ve always been.
Common Ground: No matter our political affiliation, we
need to become bridge builders. We need to reach out to neighbors and family members, even those who don’t agree with our political views.
Lawmakers need to build, not destroy. Create laws and messaging that resonate with people from every political background. This is a red state economically, but a blue state at heart. Just look at our programs built to help people, to assist someone’s journey as they get back on their feet. Utah has a worldwide reputation for service and volunteerism.
We should promote conversations that bring people together with respect and understanding. We should ensure people have the opportunity to express their views without censure or disdain. If our current leaders can’t do that, it’s time to make an abrupt change.
If the primary election taught us anything, it’s that Utahns want a voice. It takes courage to change course. It takes all of us to lead the way.
Lindsay Andreasen | lindsay.a@thecityjournals.com Rack locations are also available on our website.
EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN
Stacey LaMont Lynne Burns Ty Gorton
DRAPER CITY JOURNAL
9500 S Sandy Parkway, Suite 205 Sandy, UT 84070
PHONE: 801-254-5974
The Point, 600 acres of state-owned land within Draper City limits and “bullseye” between Utah’s most populous counties, will begin vertical construction this year.
By Mimi Darley Dutton m.dutton@mycityjournals.com
“Reclaiming The Point as valuable real estate started the whole process,” Draper Mayor Troy Walker said.
Sixteen years ago, Walker caught the excitement of what could be at The Point of the Mountain if the prison moved out of Draper and the 600 acres of state-owned land straddling Utah’s two most populous counties developed into something forward-thinking. “When I got elected to city council, I looked out there and thought this is probably some of the most valuable real estate in Utah, occupied by a prison that was in the wrong spot by then. It was old and needed to be redone anyway,” he said.
In 2014, when Walker became mayor, he asked city staff for a rendering he could use to show his vision for The Point. During an interview, a television reporter interpreted that rendering as a downtown rivaling Salt Lake City and asked Walker if he was serious. “I said I was. A new downtown is what it should be. My rendering featured 30-story buildings,” Walker said.
Currently, The Point is still a construction site with dirt as far as the eye can see, but underneath, infrastructure has been installed for vertical construction to begin this year. State officials held a groundbreaking ceremony June 25 for “flagship development” of Phase One. The Point’s Executive Director Mike Ambre called the development, “A world-class innovation community.”
He predicts portions of Phase One will be built by the time Utah hosts the 2034 Olympics.
Unlike other construction projects, The Point is being built from the middle
out, not from the outside in. The first things to be constructed are a 5,000-seat Mountain America Event Center, a 363-unit multifamily apartment complex with ground-floor retail, and a 2,000-foot walkable street known as “The Promenade.” “It’s important to note the apartment complex sits on top of large retail on the bottom floor,” Walker said. Draper will benefit from sales tax generated at The Point since it falls within city limits.
The state owns the land and plans to pay for the new prison in the short-term using revenue generated from development of The Point. State officials project the entire development will bring steady income to the state for decades to come as well as jobs for future generations. “It was always envisioned the state would retain ownership and get rent,” Walker said.
But state leaders have pivoted on retaining ownership of the land in its entirety. In the last year, they’ve chosen to sell some portions. Fifty acres will be sold for ownership housing in response to the housing crisis, and the University of Utah will purchase property (see story in same issue) for a future health campus at The Point.
“I was born and raised in Draper. It’s one of the best communities, I think, in the nation, and with The Point, I think it will be the best community in the nation,” said Kip Wadsworth, CEO of Wadsworth Development Group based in Draper. In 2023, Wadsworth’s company was chosen along with Utah’s Colmena Group and international Lincoln Property Group as Phase One development partners.
“What you see today has far exceeded anything I thought. I feared we’d think too small. The right people are still leading and they aren’t dreaming too small. This is so much bigger than just building retail stores and places for people to live. This place is real and incredible and a metaphor for our state. It’s the future. In Utah, we save today so we can build for our kids,” said Gov.
later
Spencer Cox. He has worked on the project since he was Lt. Governor under Gary Herbert who long advocated for The Point’s development.
“I used to think (moving) the prison was controversial, then data centers came. Leaders found ways to address people’s concerns, find areas where the new prison should be built…and set the foundation for the prison to be paid off in the next couple years,” said Mike Schultz, speaker of Utah’s House of Representatives.
Walker was quick to credit Envision Utah for thoroughly studying the area between Draper and Lehi years ago to consider future transportation and development needs, and seek public input. “They set up the initial public outreach which involved the public extensively. This has not snuck up on anybody. All of our stuff has been vetted extensively as anything I’ve ever seen with thousands of opportunities for public input,” Walker said. After Envision Utah, the
Prison Redevelopment Authority took over leadership of the project followed by the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (POMSLA) which Walker still serves on to represent Draper City in development of The Point.
“My vision (for The Point) got a little less intense. Right now, there aren’t any 30-story buildings planned, but I’m still hopeful we’ll get big development and lucrative jobs so you don’t have to get in your car…you can do everything right there,” Walker said.
Today, Walker is the only remaining elected official still in office from when The Point was just a concept promoted by a few state leaders, but he’s still just as excited as he was when he asked for that initial rendering that included a “new downtown” concept and 30-story buildings.
“I’m pleased with its evolution,” he said. “I still want an NFL stadium. I haven’t given up on that.” l
An aerial rendering of The Point. In the last 18 months, 17,000 feet of sewer has been installed along with 36,000 feet of water/irrigation lines and 54,000 feet of power conduit for vertical construction to begin
this year for Phase One. (Courtesy The Point)
Get to know us before you need us.
When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site.
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake has been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria for evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
Find emergency care close to you at mountain.commonspirit.org
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Back to School Tips
Back-to-School Health Boost: A Parent’s Guide to a Thriving School Year
AS SUMMER ENDS, the return of backpacks, homework, and early mornings signals a critical time for parents. Prioritizing health now can lay a strong foundation for a child’s successful, healthy, and happy school year.
“The back-to-school transition can be a shock to a child’s system,” explains Dr. Jared Lambert, a CommonSpirit family medicine physician in West Jordan. “They face new schedules, germs, and academic pressures. Proactive health measures are crucial to ease this adjustment and prevent illness or burnout.”
Here are key areas parents should focus on:
1. Reclaim Sleep Schedules, One Bedtime at a Time
Summer often brings later bedtimes. However, adequate sleep is vital for a child’s health and academic performance. “Lack of sleep affects concentration, mood, and immunity,” warns Dr. Natividad Rodriguez, a CommonSpirit family physician in Layton. “Start gradually adjusting bedtimes now, even by 15 minutes each night.” Aim for 9-12 hours of sleep for elementary students, fostering a calming routine with baths or reading.
2. Power Up with Nutritious Fuel
A well-balanced diet fuels both body and mind. “Focus on lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables,” advises Dr. Trystan Blake, a CommonSpirit family physician in Salt Lake City. “A protein- and fiber-rich breakfast sustains them through morning lessons.” Involve children in packing healthy lunches and encourage consistent hydration with a reusable water bottle.
3. Build a Strong Immune Shield
Schools are germ hotbeds. Beyond regular handwashing, ensure your child’s vaccinations are current. “A pre-school physical is ideal for reviewing vaccination schedules and addressing health concerns,” notes Dr. Lambert. “Also, remind them about covering coughs and sneezes, and not sharing water bottles or food.” Sleep and nutrition also boost immunity.
4. Tend to Their Emotional Well-being
The start of school can bring excitement and anxiety. New teachers, classmates, and routines can be overwhelming. “It’s vi-
tal to check in about how they’re feeling,” emphasizes Dr. Rodriguez. “Create a safe space to discuss worries about friends or schoolwork. Reassure them that these feelings are normal and you’re there to support them.” Encourage open communication, validate emotions, and teach coping strategies like deep breathing.
5. Move Their Bodies, Boost Their Minds
Ensure children get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. “Physical activity impacts cognitive function and stress reduction,” Dr. Blake observes. “Active children are often more focused and resilient.” The back-to-school season doesn’t have to be a scramble. By addressing these health aspects proactively, you can equip your child for a year of learning, growth, and vibrant health. A little planning now leads to great success.
For more information or to find a provider visit mountain.commonspirit.org
Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www. holycrossutah.org.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence
The Salt Lake Bees offer one of the widest and most creative food options in all of baseball, with Chef Leonard Love overseeing the creations.
By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
As the Salt Lake Bees settled into their new home at The Ballpark at America First Square last season, team ownership wanted fans to have visits they’d remember. And that involved more than just the play of the Pacific Coast League team that’s been delighting baseball fans in Utah for decades.
It involved ballpark cuisine.
So the call went out to Chef Leonard Love and Dominic Darboghossian, who now serves as vice president of food and beverage. And the creativity began.
“It came about with a vision, a longer term vision in play with Major League Baseball and the state of Utah,” Darboghossian said, fully aware of the efforts being made by the Larry H. Miller Companies to attract an MLB expansion team to the state in the next four or five years. “We wanted to showcase what we are able to do here on a smaller scale, putting more focus on the premium experience for fans coming to baseball games. We coined the phrase, ‘Minor League in a Major Way.’ We’re providing an elevated experience to the fan base and giving MLB a little taste of what’s to come.”
“The literal question was, ‘what is something that you normally can’t find in a ballpark,’” Chef Love said. “Then we started to develop different things, making sure they were the highest level of quality — the food is hot, always fresh, looks good and tastes and smells great. Those are our main focuses.”
Consider some of these dining options: On the top level of the stadium concourse for premium priced tickets, fans can
enjoy a carving station on weekends with meats and proteins, hand-breaded fried chicken, and fanfare bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Downstairs on the first level, an elevated grab and go type format for season ticket holders includes hot dogs, chili, cheese and chips, chicken tenders and fries, plus cookies. The menus started with visions set by LHM and refined by Chef Love.
That’s just part of the story. On game days, all fans can also find a Hibachi Cart — with fried rice, vegetables, beef and chicken options, teriyaki sauce and yum yum sauce. The Loaded Mac cart offers macaroni and cheese with different flavors, and the Mac Pack, a huge serving of Mac and Cheese with three different toppings and different flavors.
The Grand Slam Smashburger offers carmelized onions and American Cheese on a flat topping of a 1.5 pound burger (four patties) and Chef Love’s special secret sauce. It comes with fries if you have room.
Speaking of fries, you can get the “Loaded Fries” that come in a box — literally three feet long — with five pounds of fries and three flavors on top: Philly cheese, a steak taco and a buffalo chicken. It’s clearly meant to be split with friends and family at the ballpark.
The Grand Slam Smashburger will fill you up before three innings have been played. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Then there’s the Dinger–something exclusive to the Bees, and the largest hotdog in Minor League Baseball. It’s an 18-inch-long dog served in a 20-inch long bun topped with sauerkraut or sauteed peppers and onions. In all, The Bees introduced 22 different food items this season.
One other fan favorite is the Pretzel Bat — which is exactly what it sounds like — an 18-inch pretzel shaped like a bat and especially created for the Bees.
Of course you can also find traditional favorites like regular hotdogs and burgers, pizza, Mexican food items and lots to drink options, including a Swig dirty soda stand. The team plays as the Utah Dirty Sodas for Wednesday night home games this season.
Chef Love said there are family meal deals as well, and his staff of between 100-120 cooks and concession workers, many of whom start preparation work on gamedays at 10 a.m., share a common motto: “Go big or go home.”
The Bees’ home schedule runs through Sept. 11, and the Ballpark hosts a number of other events throughout the year, many of them offering the wide variety of food options Chef Love and his crew put together.
“We just want to take the quality of our food to the next level,” he said.
Mission accomplished. l
The pretzel bat, one of the crowd favorites at the Salt Lake Bees games. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Larkin Mortuary’s dedication to the Utah community is deeply rooted in its history and family values. For over 140 years, spanning seven generations, the Larkin family has proudly served Utah families in their time of need. This commitment extends beyond providing funeral services; Larkin Mortuary actively engages with the community by hosting events and giving back through various service initiatives such as the annual Memorial Day Program, golf tournament, Trunk or Treat and Live Nativity.
LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
Taking Care of your Family’s Needs every step of the way
Finish off your hike to Lake Blanche with breakfast, brunch or lunch at local eateries along the Wasatch Range. (Adobe Stock)
Best post-hike food spots in Salt Lake and Davis County
Enjoy a great hike, then stop by one of these places for fantastic bites.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
What pairs with mountain views and waterfalls? A hearty breakfast or scrumptious lunch. There’s nothing like a good meal after hiking trails in the Wasatch Range or Oquirrh Mountains and local restaurants offer everything from juicy ribs to savory crepes. Here are a few options to try after your next hiking adventure.
Eggs In the City, 2795 S. 2300 East, Millcreek
With its outdoor seating and diverse menu, Eggs in the City is the perfect spot to enjoy brunch after exploring Millcreek Canyon. The restaurant offers several versions of eggs Benedict and breakfast burritos, and a fried chicken-n-waffle dish topped with a hot honey sauce. See the full menu at eggsinthecityslc.square.site.
Porcupine Pub & Grille, 3698 Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights
For nearly 30 years, Porcupine Pub & Grille has been a favorite place to eat for hikers visiting the Cottonwood Canyons. This local eatery has an extensive breakfast, brunch and lunch menu that includes huge portions of everything from pancakes to pizza. Visit porcupinepub.com for more info.
Smokin’ Bones BBQ, 364 S. 200 West, Bountiful
A morning spent on the Mueller Park Trail in Bountiful can leave you with a big appetite. Luckily, Smokin’ Bones BBQ will whet your whistle with some of the best slowsmoked meats in the county. Brisket burgers, meat platters or the BBQ Navajo taco are local favorites at this family-owned restaurant. Learn more at smokinbonesbbqut.com.
The Cotton Bottom, 2820 E. 6200 South, Holladay
Come hungry to this post-hiking staple, located near Big Cottonwood Canyon. With its dive-bar vibes and hearty servings,
The Cotton Bottom is a local’s choice for garlic burgers, fresh-cut fries, Greek salads and loaded hot dogs. Go to thecottonbottom.com to see the menu.
Garage Grill, 12547 Herriman
Autorow, Herriman and 1122 Draper Parkway, Draper
Whether you’re hiking Ghost Falls in Draper or exploring Butterfield Canyon in the Oquirrhs, Garage Grill’s two locations have you covered. Along with its famous Sunday brunch and delicious lunch specials, the auto-themed restaurant features a rotating display of fast cars and a full selection of Salt Flats beer and spirits. Check out thegaragegrill.com.
Weller’s Bistro, 197 N. Main Street, Layton
Hike the Adams Canyon Trail, then find this Layton favorite where homemade German cuisine and beer top the menu. Its bratwurst plate, warm German potato salad, goulash and schnitzel are delicious tributes to the restaurant’s heritage. It’s also the place to go for German pilsner, Hefeweizen and the German-imported beer of the month. Learn more at wellersbistro.com.
Lone Star Taqueria, 2265 Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights
A hike to Donut Falls isn’t complete until you’ve stopped by Lone Star Taqueria for fresh fish tacos. Open for lunch and dinner, the Mexican food hotspot uses homemade tortillas and chips, hosts a spicy salsa bar and offers fresh guacamole. Parking can be a bit tight, but the wait is worth it.
Annie’s Cafe, 74 W. 500 South, Bountiful
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail offers iconic views of Davis County and Annie’s Cafe provides meals that feel iconic in their own way. With a variety of crepes, from Philly cheese steak to peaches and cream, every member of your hiking party will find a favorite. It also provides gluten-free options. If burgers or sandwiches are more your thing, Annie’s has those, too. View the menu at anniescafeut.com. l
A pub with kids? ‘Bout Time’s family space gets its start
‘Bout Time’s location in Bluffdale has expanded its downstairs to include families, while keeping the sports bar theme alive.
By Tyler McFadden t.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
‘Bout
Time is widely known as a sports bar where adults can come have a drink, cheer for their favorite team and have a good time. Bluffdale’s location has kept the sports bar, but has also expanded it to something more that the whole family can enjoy. The upstairs is 21+, while the downstairs is open for all.
“A lot of people don’t believe it,” Manager Jerri Robertson said. Even though the downstairs is meant for families, the vibe is still very much the same. There are TVs playing games and sports teams’ flags hanging above the bar, which makes the place feel very alive.
This location has worked hard to fuse their themes. They have root beer on tap, which is a perfect example of how they have combined a sports bar and a family restaurant. With this, kids can sort of cosplay as an adult for the day.
Kids are also allowed to sit at the bar in the family area because the alcohol isn’t nearby. A child can sit at the bar beside their parents, making an atmosphere that welcomes everyone. There’s a sign at the front door clarifying that they’ll only ID people if they go upstairs, and that families are encouraged to dine downstairs.
The general atmosphere is the same
throughout the whole restaurant, but there isn’t a lot that shows that kids are allowed downstairs. “We want to put in a claw machine so people can see that this place is family friendly,” Robertson said. The idea is still new and the location has just gotten the ball rolling, so the restaurant is still adapting to this whole thing and more additions can be expected.
The upstairs is still a classic adults only area for those who want to enjoy a typical sports bar. This way, the bar can fully use the space that they have. “Now we use our patio upstairs, and we have the downstairs for more variety,” Robertson said.
The new family area also has the same menu, which helps hammer home the idea that this is still ‘Bout Time. Same old bar food, same old drink menu. “I have favorites from each category,” Robertson said. Each page of the menu has what you expect from a bar: pizza, wings and burgers.
Parents can now cheer for their favorite team alongside their kids and share some good food with them, too. This location’s brand new ideas make it so that parents can give their kids an experience that not many other places offer; they can share an environment that they like with their whole family. If a parent is in the mood to get away from their kids for the night, there’s still the upstairs.
If this location wasn’t unique enough, Bluffdale’s ‘Bout Time is on the location of Utah’s first brewery. “I didn’t know that!” Robertson said. A simple sports bar in Bluffdale is apparently full of surprises. It had a lot of history before, and it continues to do so with its new family space. l
The kid-friendly bar. (Tyler McFadden/City Journals)
I knocked on doors and said, ‘I have your order. I’m here to look you in the eye and tell you, thank you. Thank you for supporting my business.’”
That extra effort created devoted customers and coverage from news sources, including National Public Radio.
Magalde believes people are missing that human connection. She recently started The Hearth Letter, where subscribers receive a package in the mail with a letter, a recipe, a bookmark and inspirational thoughts.
“I learned that there is a resurgence of
people who like snail mail,” she said. “We grew up receiving real letters in the mail. There’s a whole connection there, with people who want to go back to that.”
Magalde continues to provide exquisite baklava for weddings, corporate gifts and community events, while selling her products online and in her cozy Sheer Ambrosia storefront located at 1749 S. State Street. For more information, visit sheerambrosiabakery.com.
“Baklava is connection,” she said. “I have so many amazing friendships that I have built through my business, and I’ve learned so many lessons from my customers and through running this business.” l
The new development named “The Point” in Draper, Utah is being touted as the next great community in the Salt Lake Valley, but a great community isn’t measured by its plethora of shops, restaurants, office space and businesses generating tax revenue. A truly GREAT community is measured by whether the people who keep it running by working in it can afford to live in it.
The number one issue facing Utahns today is affordable housing, according to Utah Foundation’s 2024 Utah Priorities Project. It is estimated that the median home price is $535,000 in the Salt Lake Valley. The median household needs to make $140,000 annually to be able to afford an average home! This is not affordable housing! Housing prices are drastically outpacing working families’ incomes.
The Point development has a unique opportunity to be a GREAT community by doing better for working class families. This community will bring incredible energy and jobs to the south end of the valley. It is designed to have restaurants, retail space, office buildings, community gathering areas, and thousands of housing units (thepointutah.org). This beautiful new
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development has the ability to become something special.
True community happens when those individuals who work there can also afford to live there, calling it home.
This means the people who teach our children within the schools, the nurses who work at the hospitals and clinics, the fire and police officers who protect and keep us safe as well as those who staff the restaurants and retail spaces should all have the ability to afford to live there as well. This should include college students and the elderly as well. Tax revenue should not be the only measurement for a great community. Providing the opportunity for a young family, college students and hard working Utahns to live within the community that they contribute to functioning is what will make The Point truly great.
We have an opportunity that occurs once in a generation to build a place where opportunity is given to hard working majority, not just the wealthy elite. We need to take this opportunity seriously and fight to keep affordability with The Point community.
Thanks,
Kelli Tilby, Draper resident
or OC D ?
With more than a dozen varieties, Rita Magalde’s baklava is a nod to tradition and her roots. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
From one breakfast cafe to a Utah restaurant empire
What started as an East Coast-style cafe has become a 10-restaurant operation serving thousands.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Paul Willey has become something of a restaurant magnate in Utah. He and his siblings are celebrating the 15th anniversary of Penny Ann’s Cafe, but he owns 10 restaurants across three brands in Salt Lake and Davis County, employing more than 300 people.
The original Penny Ann’s opened its downtown Salt Lake City cafe in 2011 and the family has added four additional locations since then. Willey is CEO; his brother Warren Willey serves as head chef; his sister Cindy Pulley is the service manager and Penny Ann (the restaurant’s namesake) is in charge of customer relations, which includes greeting guests and chatting with regulars.
Penny Ann’s started after the family migrated from Upstate New York. They wanted to bring an East Coast diner to Utah, complete with burrito-style omelets, a breakfast counter and a welcoming atmosphere.
“You just come in, have a seat whether it’s at the counter, in a booth, or at a table, and enjoy some homemade comfort food,” Willey said. “People in Utah appreciate the value.”
Best Breakfast in Utah for 11 years in a row.
“We’re a Utah chain. We’re proud to be this Utah story, coming in as transplants and being embraced by the Utah community,” he said. “It’s kind of amazing.”
In the summer of 2019, Willey participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. As part of the curriculum, he developed a growth plan for Penny Ann’s, but it got him thinking about other opportunities to branch out.
He soon became a partner in Mr. Charlie’s Chicken restaurants and in October 2022, he learned the owners of Moochie’s Cheesesteaks, Don MacDonald and Joanna Rendi, were looking to retire. They wanted to sell their business to another East Coast family. Willey was all in, calling it “a natural fit.”
“The regional manager with Moochie’s stayed on with us. He’s been with the company now for almost 15 years. That’s a testament to the culture that Joanna and Don built at Moochie’s. We wanted to keep that same culture,” Willey said.
restaurant locations: Five Penny Anne Cafes, three Moochie’s Cheesesteaks and two Mr. Charlie’s Chicken restaurants. Willey will add to those numbers when Moochie’s and Mr. Charlie’s open at the Salt Lake International Airport this fall.
“We’re always a work in progress. We’re always striving to improve. I always take reviews personally,” he said. “I always scour our Google reviews, but I always appreciate it when guests reach out directly to give us feedback.”
Willey said although the business has grown to include new restaurants, the company’s values are the same across all brands. Service, teamwork, respect, integrity and passion are what keep him and his family serving thousands of customers each year, working to create the best service and food options for people in Utah.
Along with their flagship hot cakes, Penny Ann’s menu includes items like banana bread French toast and strawberry chocolate Dubai hot cakes. The diner has earned Best of Utah and Best of State awards, including
He’s kept most things the same, but updated some menu items, including the addition of fresh mozzarella to the roast beef or Italian deli sandwiches. He also added the Utah Philly, a local take on a classic burger that stays true to the Moochie’s brand.
The family created a management company called PAC Foods to oversee the 10
“My philosophy with managing restaurants is that it’s about the people,” Willey said. “If you take care of your core management team, they will take care of your guests. We want to make sure that we’re listening to our team and getting feedback from them on how we can improve and how we can be better. We are never resting on our laurels.”
For location and menu information, visit pennyannscafe.com, mrcharlies.com and moochiescheesesteak.com. l
Cindy Pulley, holding the strawberry chocolate Dubai hot cakes, is Penny Ann’s service manager and the face of the restaurant on social media. (Photo courtesy of Paul Willey)
Sparks will fly when ‘Taylorville’ takes the stage at Draper
Take a musical journey through Taylor Swift’s many songs Aug. 15.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
The St. Louis, Missouri-based Taylor Swift tribute band, “Taylorville,” brings its high-energy show and positive vibes to Draper Amphitheater on Aug. 15. The concert promises to take the audience on a journey through Swift’s iconic career.
“We’re here to have fun!” singer Sinead Angeles said. “It’s about togetherness. We want the show to feel like a communal event for Swifties where everyone can sing with each other, dress up, exchange bracelets and make friends.”
Angeles is the lead singer portraying Swift in the band which also includes Tom Butler on lead guitar, Jeff Hall on drums and Chuck Williams on bass. Brian Porter plays keyboards and is also the band’s musical director.
The group was a classic rock cover band for nearly 15 years before becoming a Taylor Swift tribute act in 2023. The fact that most of the members have daughters who are fans of Swift inspired the transformation.
“Jeff, our drummer, called me up one day out of the blue and asked what I thought about doing a Taylor tribute,” Butler explained. The
other band members embraced the idea and they started looking for a singer. Angeles was the third to audition. “Thirty seconds into her audition I was like, ‘That’s it! She rules!’”
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Angeles said. An accomplished singer-songwriter in her own right, she has an Associate’s degree in classical voice, a Bachelor’s in jazz and a Master’s degree in music business. Angeles grew up singing in school choirs and performing at her dad’s Irish pub in Baltimore, Maryland. “He encouraged me to sing between the musical acts,” she said.
“I am definitely a fan of Taylor Swift,” Angeles said. “My sister showed me her debut album when I was 14. I was obsessed with her from the beginning. My lyricism is inspired by her, at least in part.”
She said that “folklore” is her favorite Swift album. “It came out during a memorable time, the pandemic. It got me through some lonely, locked-in days.”
Angeles’ favorite song to perform live is “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me” from “The Tortured Poets Department” album.
“The one that the band enjoys playing the most is ‘Don’t Blame Me,’” Butler said. “It’s from the ‘Reputation’ era.”
“In the show we try to hit as many eras as we can,” Angeles said. Her costume changes as well as a video wall production complement the music and take the audience through
South Mountain Pet Care
When it comes to your pet’s health, you deserve a team that treats them like family.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN PET CARE, led by Dr. Carl Pew, combines the warmth of a neighborhood clinic with the expertise of a full-service veterinary practice, offering the latest treatments and technology right here in Draper.
From routine wellness exams and vaccines to dental care, heart worm protection, and acupuncture, South Mountain is equipped to care for your pet at every stage of life. Hospital Manager Melissa Lerdahl says their ideal client is simply someone looking for compassionate veterinary care, and that’s exactly what they deliver. Tell us about your veterinarians.
Dr. Pew graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977. A lifelong animal lover, he has spent nearly 60 years breeding and exhibiting Doberman Pinschers and Bull Terriers, a passion that ultimately led him to build one of the area’s premier canine reproductive centers. At home, he and his wife share their lives with their two kids, cat Leo, and miniature bull terrier Diver.
Dr. Ingraham is a Utah native who re-
ceived her BS in Bio-Veterinary Science from Utah State University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University.
With over twenty years of clinic management experience and a certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture earned in 2007, Dr. Ingraham is the driving force behind South Mountain’s expanded general practice services. Her passion is improving the human-animal bond through client education and dedicated patient care.
What sets your company apart from your competitors?
South Mountain is a true full-service clinic, offering wellness exams, vaccines, dental care, acupuncture, and much more. Their knowledgeable, friendly staff brings exceptional experience to everything from routine checkups to specialized reproductive services, including insemination, ovulation timing, semen storage, fetal monitoring, and cesarean delivery. Whatever your pet needs, they have it covered, at highly competitive prices.
Why should potential clients come to South Mountain Pet Care?
Because your pet deserves doctors who take the time to educate, listen, and
idea—let’s do that!’” Angeles said.
Butler commented on the incredible energy and excitement from the audiences at Taylorville shows and how much the band enjoys seeing the happy faces of young audience members. “All of us have kids,” he said. “When your kid is excited, that’s the best. It’s fun!”
“After each show, I do a free meet and greet,” Angeles said. “That’s my chance to meet the audience and take photos. I love that part!”
For Angeles, the most rewarding aspect of performing in Taylorville is seeing young audience members connect with each other at the concerts. “It’s really awesome when we see little girls, who just met that day, leave as friends. They’re making new friends, trading bracelets, it’s the sweetest thing!” she said.
Butler said that the band members have become closer to each other in the course of touring as Taylorville. “I feel like we have learned so much,” he said. “We’ve gotten to travel all across the country and made new friendships along the way.”
Swift’s various albums. The two-hour concert features chart-topping hits as well as deep cuts. Taylorville has performed all over the US. Originally using the name, “Swift,” the band happened to see a sign for Taylorville, Illinois on the way to their first out-of-town show. “We thought, ‘that sounds like a good
Taylorville will perform at Draper Amphitheater, located at 944 E. Vestry Road, on Aug. 15. The gate opens at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for grass tier seats and $36 for the front chair section. To purchase tickets visit www.draperutah.gov/events-programs/draper-amphitheater/taylorville/. l
truly care. The South Mountain team is known for being incredibly kind and patient, with both pets and their people.
Tell us more about your reproductive services.
For pets with reproductive needs, South Mountain offers a complete suite of services. We use digital X-rays to determine the number of fetuses and measure the mother’s pelvis to evaluate the likelihood of a safe delivery. We can also use a fetal ultrasound to verify pregnancy. If your pet has reproductive needs, we’re the ones to see.
Singer Sinead Angeles of Taylorville, a Taylor Swift tribute band, said that she enjoys connecting with concert audiences. (Photo courtesy of Taylorville)
Homegrown Mindy Robison takes on assistant superintendent role as Canyons unveils administrative changes.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
WhenMindy Robison entered the education field, her mother, a former teacher, offered words of wisdom she has never forgotten: “Do not forget the people who make it so you can do your job every day.”
Nearly three decades later, that lesson still guides Robison as she becomes Canyons School District’s assistant superintendent.
“I still remember my mom’s advice,” she said, recalling contributions made from custodians to nutrition workers. “I appreciate their hard work and dedication to our students.”
Canyons Board of Education appointed Robison on April 21. She succeeds McKay Robinson, who earlier was named superintendent of Canyons’ 47 schools and programs.
Her post is among several leadership changes. Those administrators will greet students and families when classes resume this fall.
Robison’s appointment marks the latest chapter in a career rooted in Canyons District. She attended Oakdale Elementary, Albion Middle and Brighton High before starting her 27-year career in public education. After
earning her degrees from University of Utah and Brigham Young University and her administrative certification from Utah State University, she worked as a middle school math teacher, district math specialist, principal of Crescent Elementary and Midvale Middle, and most recently, as the District’s middle school performance director.
She earned recognition as the Utah Secondary Administrator of the Year in 2022 and Utah Career and Technical Education Principal of the Year in 2021.
“This community has shaped who I am as a student, an educator and a leader. I genuinely love this District and I’m here to support our students, our staff and our families,” Robison said. “Kids always come first to me and I support the staff who make a difference. I’m a go-getter; I like to get things done, so I focus on people. I get to know them and what they need so I can find solutions.”
Other district-level promotions include Union Middle School Principal Angi Holden succeeding Robison as middle school performance director; Patti Larkin appointed as the District’s new Career and Technical Education director; Bryan Rudes serving as Canyons Technical Education Center principal; and Brooke Carn as Canyons Education Foundation development officer.
Principal appointments include Chip Watts, Butler Middle; Amanda Parker,
New Sunrise Elementary Principal Barbra Winder, Canyons Middle School Performance Director Angi Holden and Canyons School District Assistant Superintendent Mindy
are seen
tured with Albion Middle Principal Eric Gardner this past May.
Union Middle; Angela Wilkinson, Draper Park Middle; Barbra Winder, Sunrise Elementary; Corrie Barrett, Alta View Elementary; Scott Jameson, Draper Elementary; Ronnie Mulqueen, Park Lane Elementary; Justin Jeffrey, Silver Mesa Elementary; Aimee Wagner, Willow Springs Elementary; and Anne Hansen, Crescent Elementary. A Brookwood principal has yet to be named.
High school assistant principal positions include Dave Barrett, Alta High; Kalisi
Uluave, Hillcrest High; Andrew Yawn, Corner Canyon High; Misty Jolley, Hillcrest High; Ari Tavo, Jordan High; Sara Little, Diamond Ridge High; Melissa Baker, Hillcrest High; and Matt Barila, Jordan High School.
Middle and elementary school assistant principal positions include Jared Tucker, Mount Jordan Middle; Sydney Stringham, Eastmont Middle; Taylor Hansen, Midvale Middle; and Amber Tuckett, East Sandy Elementary. l
Robison
pic-
(Julie Slama/City Journals)
Dutch motorcyclists visit Draper on a cross-country journey to raise awareness, funding for non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Two Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts from the Netherlands came through Draper last month during their cross-country road trip to raise funds and awareness for non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment.
Hans Delwel and Jan de Blaaij, who are non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, stopped to visit with their friends Dee and Barry Andrus for a couple of days. Draper was just one stop on Delwel and de Blaaij’s road trip which began in New York City on April 29 and concludes there on July 1.
Dee Andrus explained that she and her husband met Delwel and de Blaaij during the summer of 2025 when the two men and their families were vacationing in Idaho. “We have a cabin in Island Park,” she said. “They knocked on our door looking for their Airbnb that was on our road.”
The Andruses invited them to their campfire that evening and a friendship was born. When Dee and Barry learned about Delwel and de Blaaij’s cross-country road trip they invited them to stay at their home in Draper.
“They are really nice people,” Delwel said.
The trip has taken Delwel and de Blaaij through iconic American metropolises like Chicago, New Orleans and Las Vegas as well as towns off the beaten path. Before heading to Draper, for example, the pair visited Oatman, Arizona, an old
arose after Delwel and de Blaaij learned that their doctors had used their own salaries to fund research for their treatment. “We wanted to raise money for them, that was the most important thing,” Delwel explained.
At first they considered riding their motorcycles throughout the Netherlands but de Blaaij had a different idea. “We’re riding our Harleys, man. Let’s ride through the U.S.,” Delwel recalled de Blaaij saying.
In addition to raising funds for the hospital, Delwel and de Blaaij seek to establish support communities for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients during their treatments inspired by the camaraderie they have found in H.O.G. chapters.
Delwel explained that his love for Harleys began when he was a teenager. “I bought my first bike in ‘86 or ‘87,” he said. “I met my wife on a motorcycle. She also likes to ride, most of the time we’re riding together.” His wife encouraged him to go on the road trip across the U.S. Delwel explained, “‘This is something for you,’ she said.”
gold-mining ghost town off an unpaved stretch of the original Route 66.
“We arranged for our bikes to be shipped to New York City and decided to ride from east to west then ride back,” Delwel explained. “We plan a route with one day of riding then one or two days of rest.”
On their journey, Delwel and de Blaaij have had many positive experiences and connected with others in the H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) community across the country. “People are so friendly and so good,” Delwel said. “They ask us about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”
They created a GoFundMe page and
have been sharing their adventures on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Their Instagram is @rideforamphia in reference to the hematology department of Amphia Hospital in Breda, the Netherlands, where both were treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Delwel explained that he was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma while de Blaaij suffers from follicular lymphoma. Both forms of the disease are rare and highly aggressive which makes researching and developing treatments extremely difficult. “I’m in remission. Jan is still in wait and see mode,” he said. “It is what it is.”
The idea to do a fundraising road trip
Delwel and de Blaaij created a printed flyer to share with people they meet on the road which states that one purpose of their ride is “showing that you can still enjoy things with incurable cancer.”
“Another reason why we’re riding through the U.S. is for other people in our situation who are going through this. You have to live life to the max,” Delwel said.
To see photos and videos from Delwel and de Blaaij’s road trip, follow them on Instagram @rideforamphia or on their Facebook page, “Ride for Amphia. Fight Cancer. Never give up.”
Donations may be made at www. gofundme.com/f/Fightcancer-never-give-up. l
Dutch cancer survivors Jan de Blaaij and Hans Delwel stopped to visit their friends Barry and Dee Andrus in Draper last month on their cross-country road trip to raise awareness for non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. (Katherine Weinstein/City Journals)
The Skaggs Catholic Center: A Place to Belong
For more than three decades, the Skaggs Catholic Center has been a familiar part of the Draper and Sandy communities, educating generations of students while fostering a culture centered on faith, service, leadership, and academic excellence.
Home to Saint John the Baptist Elementary School (PreK-5), Saint John the Baptist Middle School (6-8), and Juan Diego Catholic High School (9-12), the 54-acre campus offers a unique PreK-12 experience where students grow together from childhood through graduation.
While many students begin their educational journey in kindergarten and remain on campus through graduation, new students join every year from public and private schools, from families relocating to Utah, or from those simply seeking a fresh start and a supportive environment. Regardless of when they arrive, students quickly become part of a close-knit community where they are encouraged to get involved and supported by classmates, teachers, and staff. The friendships and connections formed at Juan Diego often extend well beyond graduation,
with many alumni returning as parents, volunteers, and supporters.
Beyond academics, the campus places equal emphasis on character development through retreats, service projects, athletics, fine arts, and student leadership. More than half of the student body participates in Campus Life programs that encourage confidence, teamwork, and service to others.
As the Skaggs Catholic Center continues to grow alongside the Draper and Sandy communities, its mission remains constant: helping young people become thoughtful leaders, compassionate neighbors, and responsible citizens who are prepared to serve wherever life takes them. For more information on how to enroll or schedule a tour, visit skaggscatholiccenter. org or call 801-984-7682.
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Art in the Barn brings together local artists and families
The show and sale will be bigger than ever this year with a special art activity for children.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Draper Visual Arts Foundation’s annual Art in the Barn event promises to be bigger than ever.
The show and art sale, which is free to the public, will take place at the Day Barn in Draper Park Aug. 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This year, approximately 25 artists will display their work in the historic barn with another 30 in tents just outside. Food trucks, live music and a children’s art activity will also be part of the event.
Garrett Loveless is a Draper-based sculptor and board member for Draper Visual Arts Foundation. “We’ve had more people applying than ever before,” he said.
He explained that Art in the Barn provides a unique opportunity for Utah artists to display their work and mingle with prospective buyers. “It’s comfortable and artist-friendly,” he said. “It’s high quality for a small art festival.”
Art in the Barn is a celebration of the visual arts community in Utah. A wide variety of paintings, drawings, photography, prints and sculptures created by local artists will be on display and for sale. “I do high-end, fine art bronze statues,” Loveless explained. “It’s not an impulse buy. But I did sell one last year.”
Draper resident Mike Bodily, who is a painter of landscapes and also a member of the board, is showing his oil paintings at Art in the Barn for the first time. “It’s fun to just go up and down the aisles and see all of the styles of the art,” he said. “If you’re looking for something to do, you can wander around at your leisure and check out the cool art work.”
Bodily explained that he was motivated to take up oil painting after seeing another artist’s work. “My wife and I took a trip to Hawaii and I saw an artist who inspired me,” he said. “I had never painted landscapes before.” He
started painted ocean scenes while living in California, then turned to depicting Utah’s mountains and lakes.
He hopes that perhaps another budding artist might be inspired by taking a look at the art works displayed at Art in the Barn.
Art in the Barn is just one way in which Draper Visual Arts Foundation helps to increase the visibility of artists in the community.
The story of the foundation actually began 100 years ago when Reid Beck, principal of Draper’s Park School, started a school art collection. In the early 1990s, when some pieces of that collection were discovered neglected and in need of preservation, three retired Draper school teachers, Hulda Crossgrove, Jean Hendricksen and Mary Sjoblom stepped up to preserve Beck’s legacy. They co-founded Draper Visual Arts Foundation in 1993.
Today, the nonprofit cares for the Reid & Willda Beck Art Collection and sponsors the annual Art Scholar Competition for high school seniors. Draper Visual Arts Foundation has also commissioned works of art for public display such as the painting, “Draper Vista” which hangs in City Hall.
This will be the first Art in the Barn without Jean Hendricksen who passed away at the age of 96 last September. Her daughter, Jenny Haase, said, “She will be there in spirit.”
The free children’s art activity planned for Art in the Barn will be a reflection of Hendricksen’s legacy. Haase explained that during the last weeks of her life, her mother often spoke about the importance of spreading kindness. She suggested that children could be encouraged to save up their money to buy a gift for someone else on their birthday. Such acts of generosity bring good feelings to both the giver and recipient.
Children who attend Art in the Barn this year will have the opportunity to paint their own small wooden banks so that they can save up for their own acts of generosity. “Mom never stopped teaching,” Haase said. “She never stopped wanting to lift and teach and inspire children.”
For more information about Draper Visual Arts Foundation and Art in the Barn, visit www.drapervisualartsfoundation.org. l
Painter and Draper Visual Arts Foundation board member Kamette Harmer posed with her works of art at the Art in the Barn show and sale last year. (Photo by Jenny Haase/Draper Visual Arts Foundation)
Utah artist Jen Gilson was photographed with her paintings at the Art in the Barn show and sale last year. (Photo by Jenny Haase/Draper Visual Arts Foundation)
Utah artist Beki Tobiasson and Draper Visual Arts Foundation co-founder Jean Hendricksen were photographed together at Art in the Barn in 2025. (Photo by Jenny Haase/Draper Visual Arts Foundation)
Visitors peruse the art work on display in the Day Barn at Draper Visual Arts Foundation’s Art in the Barn show and sale last August. (Photo by Jenny Haase/Draper Visual Arts Foundation)
Harpists performed at Draper Visual Arts Foundation’s Art in the Barn show and sale in 2025. (Photo by Jenny Haase/Draper Visual Arts Foundation)
Newsrooms across Utah, including the City Journals, will use the survey results to bolster
Story by Heather May | Great Salt
Utah leaders have set a goal to raise the Great Salt Lake by seven feet to 4,198 feet above sea level by the time Utah hosts the 2034 Winter Olympics.
It will be a monumental task to save and dedicate the additional 800,000 acre feet of water needed
each year — that’s twice the amount of water used in homes and on yards in the Great Salt Lake Basin — especially with this year’s record-low snowpack and extreme drought.
Utah newsrooms who have banded together to cover the lake as the Great Salt Lake Collaborative will
cover all of the developments by politicians, philanthropists, residents, businesses, farmers and industries.
Take this quick eight-question survey so we can report on what matters to you. We want to know what questions you have, your hopes and fears and how the lake affects you.
Questions? Contact me at info@ greatsaltlakenews.org.
This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative with funding from Love the Lake, an initiative of the nonprofit Great Salt Lake Alliance. Editorial decisions are made independently by the Collaborative and partner newsrooms.
Canyons schools to welcome students back to upgraded campuses
Renovated learning spaces and athletic improvements will enhance students’ experiences, district leaders say.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Several construction projects across Canyons School District are expected to be ready for the 2026-27 school year, with major work progressing at Eastmont Middle and Jordan High schools.
At Eastmont, renovations are nearing completion with tile installation and interior work expected to be done this summer. The last major project is the library, said Leon Wilcox, Canyons School District business administrator and chief financial officer.
“We’re in the final phase and the library and media center should be done this summer with the open window and tile areas,” he said.
While the library books have been displaced and stored in different rooms or behind the stage, students have benefited from the experience by learning how to use the District’s Destiny database to reserve materials, said teacher librarian Sonya Miles, who delivers requested materials to students.
“I’ve had more reservations this year than in the last 13 years combined — by double,” she said. “I did a video and put it in the announcements, and then I also taught the seventh- and eighth-grade ELA (English Language Arts) classes how to use it so they know our Destiny database better than any students in the years before them.”
Miles said students’ knowledge of the database will benefit them in high school because all secondary schools
use the same platform.
Principal Stacy Kurtzhals said the library services and activities have continued throughout construction.
“We’ve been operating as normal as we can; we have systems in place,” she said.
Eastmont’s hallways also are expected to be tiled and completed before school begins.
Eastmont has been under construction since 2024, beginning with the installation of a new roof and a retention pond designed to prevent future flooding on the campus. The project has included updated restrooms; refreshed classrooms with new carpet, paint and lighting; and new flooring in the hallways, cafeteria, locker rooms and gym.
Complications with the installation of an elevator led the school to begin last school year with remote learning.
The $13-million renovation was funded through a lease-revenue bond authorized by Canyons Board of Education.
About $24 million from the bond package was earmarked for Jordan High, Wilcox said.
By the time school opens, Jordan’s new fieldhouse and black box theater should be complete, along with auditorium upgrades, including lighting and a sound system.
Canyons also is investing $1.8 million in baseball field improvements, including artificial turf on the infield, renovated batting cages and bullpens as well as new stadium lighting that will allow Jordan High to host evening games and tournaments.
Construction continues with the Canyons Innovation Center, which is expected to open fall 2027. Crews will reconfigure the former eBay regional headquarters into specialized learning spaces for healthcare, engineering, media production, trades and technology programs.
This fall, a ribbon-cutting is expected for Corner Canyon’s
new fieldhouse. It features an indoor practice field and a weight room. The fieldhouse was built as part of a $23-million investment, which also included upgrades to baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse fields and a secure school entry vestibule. l
Eastmont Middle’s library, with large windows and tile work, should be completed this summer and ready for students in the fall. (Stacy Kurtzhals/Eastmont Middle)
BERNIE
The Most Important Meeting of the Week Happens at Your Kitchen Table
Not long ago, I sat near a family at a local restaurant and noticed something that has stuck with me. Four people shared one table, but nobody shared a word. Every face was lit by a phone. I don’t share this to judge them — I suspect every one of us has been that family at some point. Between work, school, practices, and the constant hum of notifications, it’s entirely possible to spend a whole evening in the same room with the people we love and never actually connect with them.
As a member of the Salt Lake County Council, I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes our communities strong — safe neighborhoods, good parks, responsible budgets. But the truth is that the strength of Salt Lake County doesn’t begin in a council chamber. It begins in living rooms, around dinner tables, and in the front seats of cars driving home from school.
And right now, our kids need that strength more than ever. Young people across our county and state are reporting
Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County
Councilmember District 3
rising levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Parents feel the weight of it, too. Many are working hard just to keep up, quietly wondering whether they’re doing enough for their children.
Here’s the encouraging part: what children need most isn’t complicated, and it isn’t expensive. It doesn’t require a perfect home or a perfect parent. It requires presence.
Strong families aren’t built in grand gestures. They’re built in small, ordinary moments — a real conversation on the drive home, a teenager flopping onto the
couch to unload about their day, a dinner where the phones stay in another room long enough for everyone to laugh or vent or tell a story. Individually, these moments seem almost too small to matter. Stacked together over years, they become the foundation a child stands on.
The research backs this up in striking ways. Utah youth who share at least one meal a week with their family are 45% less likely to feel depressed, 70% less likely to vape, and 54% less likely to consider suicide. Read those numbers again. No county program, however well designed, can compete with the protective power of a family that regularly sits down and eats together. And the effect compounds — the more meals shared each week, the more protection our kids carry with them. Data shows kids do better in school and they engage in less risky behaviors. Family dinners, with phones put away, have so much power.
If there’s one practical step I’d encourage every household in Salt Lake County to try, it’s carving out screen-free time
together. Technology brings real benefits, but it also competes for our attention in ways we don’t always notice. When every meal, car ride, and quiet evening is interrupted by a device, the openings for conversation slowly close.
Connection rarely arrives on schedule. When my own kids were teenagers, their moment to open up was almost always late at night, just as I was ready to collapse into bed. They’d knock on the door and settle at the foot of the bed to talk. I was exhausted — but I learned that those unplanned moments were the ones that mattered most. Our job as parents and grandparents is simply to be available when they come.
Families looking for practical ideas can find free resources at strongfamilies. utah.gov. But honestly, you don’t need a website to start. Tonight, put the phones in a drawer, sit down together, and ask a real question. Then listen. Kids don’t need us to be perfect. They need us to be present. In Salt Lake County, that may be the best investment any of us can make.
WasteLess Solutions works to reduce food waste and expand access
Nonprofit rescues surplus food and reduces waste through community partnerships.
By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
Asconcerns about food waste and food insecurity continue to grow nationwide, this nonprofit is working to address both issues at once. WasteLess Solutions, led by CEO Alexx Goeller, operates at the intersection of surplus recovery, community partnerships and public education, with a mission focused on reducing waste while improving access to usable food.
“At our core, WasteLess Solutions is tackling a culture of overproduction and overconsumption which leads to an enormous amount of food waste,” Goeller said. “Roughly 30-40% of the U.S. food supply is thrown away each year.”
The organization works directly with food donors—such as restaurants, grocers and event providers—to recover surplus food that would otherwise be discarded. That food is then redistributed, often within hours, to nonprofit partners and community organizations serving populations experiencing food insecurity.
“We are focusing on both ends of the issue, preventing food waste at the source through education, and redirecting surplus edible food to communities experiencing food insecurity,” Goeller said.
While the concept of food rescue may appear simple, Goeller emphasized that the day-to-day operations are complex and time-sensitive. “The biggest challenge that we face with food rescue is logistically moving large quantities of highly perishable food quickly and safely,” she said. “Timing is crucial and it requires consistent and frequent coordination between donors, volunteers and receiving agencies.”
WasteLess Solutions relies on a network of volunteers— many based in and around Murray—to carry out these rescues. Volunteers pick up food donations and transport them directly to partner organizations, often during narrow time windows to ensure freshness and safety.
“Reliance on volunteers does come with some
unpredictability,” Goeller said. “To manage that, we maintain a large volunteer base and are working on building stronger backup systems for last-minute changes.”
Despite those challenges, she said engagement has remained strong. “Many volunteers feel a passionate connection to our mission and stick with specific routes long-term,” she said.
A key part of the organization’s approach is its partnership model. Rather than distributing food independently in all cases, WasteLess Solutions works with established nonprofits that already serve specific populations, allowing for more targeted and appropriate distribution.
“A lot of that balance comes down to effective partnerships and relationship management,” Goeller said. “We work closely with other nonprofit organizations that already serve specific communities and understand their needs.”
She pointed to one example where a juice donation was directed to a partner serving individuals without teeth, illustrating how coordination can align food supply with specific needs.
In addition to these partnerships, the organization has begun operating its own mobile markets in the area. These markets allow individuals to select food items directly, rather than receiving pre-packaged distributions.
“When they arrive, there is a large selection of food which allows people to select exactly what they need,” Goeller said. “That program is new for us and has been extremely successful.”
WasteLess Solutions measures its impact through a combination of data and community feedback. While pounds of food rescued and people served remain important benchmarks, Goeller said the organization also evaluates partnership strength, volunteer engagement and program quality.
“Quality of programming is just as important as quantity,” she said, noting that ensuring the food is both usable and valuable to recipients is a central focus.
The organization also works to address misconceptions about rescued food. “A common misconception is that rescued food comes from the garbage or is unsafe in some way,” Goeller said. “In reality, the food is high-quality and perfectly edible.”
Beyond redistribution, WasteLess Solutions incorporates education into its mission, working with businesses and
community members to reduce waste before it occurs. This includes guidance on event planning, waste reduction strategies and reporting tools that help organizations track their impact.
“We don’t just redistribute food, we are actively helping businesses and consumers reduce surplus in the first place,” Goeller said.
Looking ahead, Goeller said broader systemic changes could further support efforts like those underway in Murray.
“Standardizing date labeling and strengthening food donation policies would make a significant difference,” she said, pointing to confusion around “best by” and “use by” labels as a major contributor to unnecessary waste.
While systemic change may take time, WasteLess Solutions continues to operate at the intersection of environmental sustainability and community need—working to ensure that food that might otherwise be discarded finds its way to those who can use it. l
WasteLess Solutions volunteers prepare meals from surplus recovered food. (Photo courtesy of Alexx Goeller)
The Magic Starts When the Kids Stay Home
Every couple should take a child-free Disneyland vacation. Without kids, you can focus on what really matters: blaming each other for choosing the wrong line. You can also notice how many adults willingly wear matching T-shirts and mouse ears.
When my husband and I celebrated his birthday at the Happiest Place on Earth, it was chaotic, exhilarating and crowded, but at least it was expensive.
Our plan was to hit both Disney parks in one day. We had a detailed itinerary, a portable phone charger and high expectations that lasted until we got to the parking lot. It was our first hour-long wait, but not the last. Luckily, we didn’t have kids whining in the backseat. That was my department.
Once we got into Disneyland, we used the park’s app to jump into the first line with a less-than-45-minute wait. It was the Jungle Cruise, where the jokes are as old as Disney itself.
Tom talks to anyone, so as we snaked through the line, he’d connect with people based on their ballcaps.
“Hey, you’re a Dodgers fan!” he’d say.
“Yep.”
“That’s great. We’re Giants fans, but we love Ohtani.”
The Dodgers fan would nod and we’d wind through the maze until we met up with
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
him again for another short, baseball-themed conversation. By the fifth pass, Tom had exhausted every baseball topic he knew and the stranger pretended he didn’t see us.
Avoiding eye contact is my starting point, so it didn’t affect me, but my extroverted husband spent an inordinate amount of time trying to understand why his new best friend was ghosting him.
“We met him 40 minutes ago,” I reminded him.
“Was it something I said?” he asked.
“Probably.”
Being without kids, we didn’t have to set foot in Fantasyland, which is basically a 10-acre stroller park filled with exhausted parents and overstimulated toddlers begging for $45 Cinderella bubble wands.
Instead, we got drenched on Tiana’s Bayou (which will always be Splash Mountain) and endured a 75-minute wait at Guardians of the Galaxy, along with 15,000 high school graduates. Apparently,
teenagers like to celebrate graduation by standing in long lines.
After paying an extra $30 for the Star Wars Experience, we headed to the Incredicoaster at California Adventure. Looking around, we realized we were the oldest people in line, right before we were shot into the sky and bounced around like a tennis shoe in the washing machine.
We couldn’t ride Space Mountain, which closed every 20 minutes (I’m assuming to hose down the seats), but we survived other high-speed rides without severe whiplash or needing EMS assistance.
We agreed there were too many kids roaming the area. Maybe Disneyland could create an adults-only park featuring Mickey’s Pub Crawl where you can pay $20 to get into a bar fight with Pluto.
Donald Duck’s Anger Management Arena or Minnie’s Marriage Counseling could hit the spot after spending the day with your significant other arguing about whether the Disneyland Railroad is worth the time. It’s not.
Disneyland is built on storytelling, which I love, but after hours in line, no one cares why the mansion is haunted, no one cares who stole the treasure. No one is paying attention to the elaborate backstory. We just want to ride, scream for 90 seconds and move on.
I suggest you never take your kids to Disneyland. For one thing, it’s cheaper. For another, you don’t have to negotiate with the child who wants a smoked turkey leg while everyone else wants pizza.
Child-free Disneyland allows you to hold hands with your partner as you zip, tumble and catapult through the air. That’s the real magic.
Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She also hosts the Life & Laughter podcast. Peri can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com.
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