Draper Journal | February 2021

February 2021 | Vol. 15 Iss. 02

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FOOTBALL’S ALL IN THE FAMILY FOR THE KJARS Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

A

s a third grader playing flag football in Kemmerer, Wyoming, Eric Kjar had no idea the journey this sport would take him on. The 41-year-old Corner Canyon High football coach has been developing young players the last 16 years and is also shaping his own children in the game they all love.

The process has truly become a family affair.

“It’s been quite a ride,” coach Kjar said.

“All of my players are such good kids and they work so hard. It’s so satisfying to see the success they deserve.”

“It’s pretty awesome that he gets to get up everyday and go to a job that he has such a passion for,” his wife Andrea Kjar said.

Kjar’s current coaching stint at CCHS has been nothing short of dominant with a squad that finished this season ranked among the top 10 teams nationally. Over the past four seasons, the Chargers have gone 40-1 with three consecutive state championships—one in the 5A ranks and the past two in 6A—in creating a football powerhouse near the Point of the Mountain.

“Even amidst COVID this year, Eric did everything he could to make the season

go,” Andrea Kjar said. “We couldn’t have dreamed though that it would be what it would be and end as amazing as it did.”

Kjar has been nominated for national awards and the college pipeline the program has created continues to churn out top prospects, including offensive lineman Jackson Light to Oregon, quarterback Jaxson Dart to USC and Noah Kjar to Weber State from among this year’s class. Most notably, recently, is the emergence of former Charger QB Zach Wilson who went on to star at BYU the past three seasons and is projected to be a top-10 NFL draft pick in April. Kjar additionally coached Jordan High quarterbacks Drew Lisk and Austin Kafentzis before their collegiate journey. “It’s been awesome to watch all the different players that I had the privilege of coaching go on and play in college,” coach Kjar said. “Getting to watch these guys play and have success has been fun.”

Coach Casey Sutera, who has coached with Kjar for the past seven years, said, Corner Canyon football coach Eric Kjar gathers his family around after the Chargers won their third “Coach Kjar leads by example. He doesn’t Continued page 10

straight state title in November. (Photo courtesy AStrong Photography)

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Corner Canyon students raise $60,000 so children’s wishes can be granted

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t hasn’t just been three cute kiddos battling different kinds of cancer that motivated Corner Canyon High School’s studentbody to raise more than $60,000 to grant their wishes.

It has hit close to home.

Last year’s studentbody president Tyler Easton led the school into fundraising for Make-A-Wish Utah, a year after he was granted his own wish—to travel to South Africa.

Easton battled with pheochromocytoma—a rare tumor that raises blood pressure—since he was a fifth-grader and traveled across the country for medical treatment.

Knowing other Chargers, including Jacie Remund, who have fought cancer and have been supported by Make-A-Wish, Easton said two years ago that educating others about cancer is part of coping with it.

“If you look at Jacie and me, you don’t know that we have cancer and that we’re dealing with it,” he said. “We want people to know.

I hear how some people say what they’re going through is so hard. I don’t make a judgment.

For them, it probably is, and I try to support them. For me, cancer sucks and it’s hard as well. I just try to keep a positive attitude.”

This year’s studentbody officers decided in the summer to keep educating its community and supporting others to have their wish granted, said studentbody officer Megan Petty.

“It has a lot of meaning for us,” she said.

“Everyone knows Ty and we want to help others who are facing cancer.”

While last year Corner Canyon raised more than $100,000 for the organization through various in-person activities, this year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was more challenging, Petty said.

“We had to rethink and modify what we wanted to do and get everything approved,” she said. “We did the best we could do during the pandemic.”

This meant not visiting Make-A-Wish

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foundation in person, not personally meeting the kids they were raising funds for, not performing odd jobs for the community in trade for donations to their campaign and not holding some usual events, said studentbody officer Emma Searle.

“We ended up distributing fliers and asking people to just Venmo a donation and that worked,” she said.

With permission, they were able to hold some in-school fundraising activities, such as a ping pong and swamp ball (a variation of prison dodge ball) tournaments, a Mario Kart and rock paper scissors competitions, and even playing corn hole—throwing bean bags into holes on a wooden plank.

Student leaders got the community involved, with six local restaurants donating a portion of proceeds to the fundraiser. They challenged Alta High one night at a restaurant night to see which school could bring in the most customers, and against the collaboration of Hillcrest, Jordan and Brighton high schools who were raising funds for the International Rescue Committee on another night.

“It was fun to do it as a competition between schools, but kind of funny when we challenged Alta since we’re both doing it for the same charity—Make-A-Wish,” Perry said.

Corner Canyon also held a silent auction, which netted some donations, such as orthodontic braces, ski passes, an autographed football, and locals bid on them. They also could purchase a cookbook from the theatre department, stickers from the graphic design department, cookies from the foods department or hot chocolate when they came to the school to listen to the choir during a “Cocoa and Carols” night.

Before students went on winter break, their campaign ended.

“We asked and got special permission to hold an in-person closing assembly and al-

Corner Canyon High School students announce the amount they had raised at their December assembly, but since then, it topped more than $60,000 to help children with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Emma Searle/Corner Canyon High)

though it was restricted to 25% of our studentbody, students donated $10 each to attend, and that helped raise money. The rest of the students were able to see it livestreamed in class.

At the assembly, the students beat the teachers at swamp ball, fair and square and we all celebrated,” Searle said.

Although their total was less than last year’s fundraising efforts, it was considered extremely generous of the community during this pandemic year, said Jared Perry, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Utah.

“During these unprecedented times, hope is essential to our community,” Perry said.

“Wishes bring hope to families when they need it most and the power of a wish extends beyond only the families we serve; it impacts our volunteers, donors, and our entire community.

We are deeply grateful for the students, faculty and individuals at Corner Canyon High School for helping us bring hope to so many with their generosity and determination to give.”

On the Make-A-Wish Utah Facebook page, it acknowledged the students’ hard work: “The student government fought hard to make this donation possible—even though sports and dances were canceled, they worked

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alongside their administration to create virtual assemblies, livestreams, and partnerships with local businesses to generate funds for multiple life-changing wishes for Utah families!”

SBO Petty agreed: “Even though this year was different with coronavirus, everyone gave it their all and put everything into it to help our kids get their wishes granted.”

Although the month-long campaign filled the student leaders’ days—often from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Petty and Searle both said students were motivated to grant the wishes of three children living in the Draper community: 4-year-old Vi who had a brain tumor the size of a baseball; 4-year-old Taggart, who underwent a heart transplant; and 3-year-old Brooklyn, who had a tumor removed on her lung.

Vi wants a princess playhouse; Taggart wants to have a treehouse and Brooklyn wants a hot tub after using one at Bear Lake.

“We hope that we can be there when they get their wishes,” Searle said. “Last year, the kids we helped wrote thank-you notes and sent videos of them ringing the bell when they were cancer-free. We definitely want to stay in touch and see our kids with their wishes, even if it’s virtual this year.” l

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Draper Elementary students to celebrate Chinese New Year in a COVID-19 safe manner

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

A

t Draper Elementary, a long-standing tradition has been gathering in the multipurpose room celebrating Chinese language and culture for Chinese New Year.

This year, the school’s Chinese New Year celebration will look different. Each dual immersion classroom will still perform, but it will be recorded. Then, all the recordings will be edited together and shared on Feb. 16 in the classrooms. It also will be made available to online students and parents, said Cyndi Lin, fourth-grade teacher who is coordinating the production.

“Because of COVID, we needed to change the platform,” she said. “And with social distancing, we will keep it simple and have students sing a song or perform in their own seats.”

As of press deadline, the program was still being finalized, but Lin anticipated first-graders singing “Jasmine Flower,” third-graders stacking cups, fourth-graders performing the lion dance and fifth-graders reciting Chinese poetry. She said second-grade, which usually performs with fans, is brainstorming what will work since they need to social distance.

In addition to the assembly, classrooms usually have a celebration as well.

“This year, instead of having the traditional dumpling tasting, we may buy traditional Chinese rice crackers, which are individually wrapped,” she said.

They also will distribute red envelopes to all the students. In it, will be a piece of Chinese candy. This year, Lin said they may also include pretend money.

“It is a big holiday for Chinese culture—as big as Christmas. We don’t exchange gifts, but the kids get red envelopes with money in them. It’s how we express love to offspring and teach them how to manage money so we may do it with fake money this year to teach that lesson,” she said.

Students also will learn more about the holiday and the Year of the Ox. “Those who are born this year, the Year of the Ox, will learn its importance to people shown in characteristics like hard work, patience and kindness. We’ll also talk about the importance of the holiday,” Lin said.

Crafts are also another part of the celebration. Students will be learning the practice of paper cutting and be able to decorate the school and their homes. Fifth-graders also will practice Chinese calligraphy writing the words “spring” and “happiness.”

She added that students also may be able to make an ox mask to celebrate the Year of the Ox.

In 2018, then Draper Elementary first-graders performed “Jasmine Flower” with traditional fans, but this year’s annual Chinese New Year’s celebration will likely have them sharing their singing the song in their classroom seats on video. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

“It’s important that students celebrate since they are learning the Chinee language to get to know the culture,” Lin said. “It will help them get to know more about the language and understand it better. It will make everyone happy to see the holiday spirit.”

Draper Elementary has held a new year celebration since the introduction of the dual immersion program in 2009-10. l

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Canyons School District announces top awards—virtually

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

L

earning that she was named the 2020 APEX Award-winner of School Administrator of the Year, Kelly Tauteoli said it renewed her spirit in an otherwise “stressful, discouraging year” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was very surprised,” she said. “It has been a rough year for everyone; this is a happy, shining moment.”

The Union Middle School principal was tipped off to the award shortly before she received an official letter from Canyons Board of Education. Then, APEX winners were given a basket of gifts and recognized at the Nov. 10 board meeting instead of at a dinner since Canyons School District is following health and safety guidelines for COVID-19.

Other awards were given included district administrator of the year, teacher of the year, business/community partner of the year, volunteers of the year, elected official of the year, student support services professional of the year, education support professional of the year and the legacy award.

“I go to work, do my best, and hope to make a difference in students’ lives. I try to meet the needs of my staff and community,” she said.

That has been a challenge that Tauteoli has met in her tenure in Canyons School District. Coming to the District after teaching at Salt Lake Valley Detention Center and at a private psychiatric hospital and after serving as an assistant vice principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle School in West Jordan, Tauteoli served three years at Midvale Middle as an assistant principal, two years at Park Lane Elementary as principal and now is in her sixth year at Union Middle in Sandy.

Described as “the calm in the eye of the storm,” she has navigated students and staff through a water main break at Midvale Middle to a shooting four years ago on the Union campus. Tauteoli also has helped students, families and her staff through Union’s fire last year where she said for about six weeks, she “worked around the clock” trying to respond to parents’ concerns and emails, up to 100 per day. She also worked with the district and state for the return of students on a split schedule to ensure their education continued.

While restoring the building, Tauteoli also has been part of the discussion of the rebuild of the school. Those meetings will continue through the construction process as a groundbreaking ceremony is expected this spring.

“It’s been a lot, but we’ve created a very resilient and caring staff who have learned to collaborate, adapt and, as a result, become tight-knit and have worked hard to provide students with great learning experiences,” she said. “This means a lot, but I still plan to go into work each day and keep doing

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Former Canyons School District superintendent Jim Briscoe, seen here supporting student robotics a week before soft closure of schools last spring, recently received the school district’s APEX Legacy Award.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

my best for the kids, staff and community of Union.”

Joining Tauteoli as an award-winner is Bob Dowdle, who as an assistant superintendent and educator of 31 years, is responsible for keeping 6,000 employees working to support the growth and achievement of 34,000 students.

“Dowdle is more like a stealth leader of leaders, quietly planting in others the seeds of progress and change,” said Canyons spokesman Jeff Haney. “Whether teaching high school history lessons or serving as assistant superintendent, Dowdle's approach has been to build trust with people and give them the freedom to do their best work.”

With every inherited responsibility has come more work, but Dowdle says his colleagues make his job easy. Even as the pandemic has brought unforeseen challenges, Dowdle credits his team for finding solutions, though he's missed nary a day of work since the onset of the health crisis, Haney said.

Dowdle shares the District Administrator of the Year with Susan Edwards, Canyons public engagement coordinator.

Twelve years ago when the District was created and a clear directive from the voters that the district should be innovative, responsive and proactive, Edwards has made it become her personal mission, Haney said.

“Whether the call comes at midnight on a Saturday or 6 a.m. on a Sunday—or both— Edwards is known to put all other matters aside and respond,” he said.

Edwards works with local legislators, city leaders, parents and volunteers to ensure the District creates and maintains valuable relationships, advocates for school funding

at the Legislature, and remains focused on the success of Canyons' students.

Though her job is demanding, Edwards always finds a way to say “yes,” and backs it up with the energy and commitment that makes everything seem possible, said Charlie Evans, Canyons’ director of external relations.

“In Susan Edwards’ mind, there is no insurmountable problem,” Evans said. “I have never worked with anybody who is willing to work harder and longer hours and do whatever it takes to get the job done like Susan.”

Canyons teacher of the year and the state’s runner-up for the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year, Emma Moss also is the APEX teacher of the year, who says, “I just do whatever I can do to help.”

During her three years teaching, doing “whatever” has meant changing classes and grades every year she’s taught, learning new curriculum, earning her endorsements and preparing challenging, yet engaging lessons.

She also has volunteered to help write curriculum for a new digital literacy course for the district and is guiding others statewide on the standards—that is, when she isn’t advising the 35 members of student council.

During last spring’s soft closure of schools, Moss lead the transformation to digital learning on the Canvas learning platform and Google Meet video meetings alongside the school’s education technology coach.

“She is always the first to reach out and support the other teachers and staff members,” said her principal, Stacy Kurtzhals.

“She already had infused technology into her classrooms and was ready to implement it online.”

If implementing it isn’t enough, she also dons a lab coat and safety goggles and leads students to dissecting computers so they can understand technology better.

“They take it apart, treat it as organs of a body, asking what it is, how it works, why it works. She lets them take it apart, but they also have to be able to put it back in working order,” Kurtzhals said, who added that while online, Moss held lunchtime trivia games to challenge any Eastmont student. “She wants to keep connected with the kids, to be a friend to them, to make them feel appreciated and loved, to show how she cares about each and every one of them.”

The District’s APEX Legacy Award was given to former Superintendent Jim Briscoe, who served students from 2014 through the pandemic this past spring.

“He had a vision of creating a school district where students and employees thrived and community relationships were strengthened,” Haney said. “In his words, Briscoe sought to build an environment where ‘every single person knows they are valued.’”

In fact, Briscoe would guide the District by that belief of serving students.

“I think they’re all my kids,” he said prior to his retirement. “I think every time I have a discussion with the administrators and board members, I always remember that every kid in this district is my responsibility.

Every student here is important to me.”

During Briscoe's six-year tenure, Canyons' students regularly outperformed their Utah peers on year-end tests, and the district’s graduation rate rose to an all-time high. He also oversaw the completion of several schools’ construction projects, and he led the successful passage of a $283 million bond in 2017 for more schools to be rebuilt or renovated.

Briscoe also oversaw innovative programs that were created to meet the needs of students while advocating for employee compensation increases and working with the Board of Education to increase teacher salaries to among the highest in Utah.

Other APEX award-winners include Kevin Kelson, custodial coordinator for the education support professional of the year; Sally Goodger, school nurse specialist, and the instructional supports department’s education technology team specialists for the student support services professionals of the year. Volunteers of the year are Araceli Rivera, East Midvale Elementary volunteer; and Stacey Kratz, who has volunteered in Sandy and Midvale area schools. The elected official of the year is Rep. Steve Eliason and the business/community partner of the year is the Utah Food Bank. l

February 2021 | Page 7

New Summit leaders name academic success, supportive culture as goals

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

S

tudents and faculty at Summit Academy’s Draper campus not only had to face the uncertainty that has come along with COVID-19, but also who would take the helm of the charter school as the former principal departed early in the school year.

Many probably breathed a sigh of relief when Lindy Hatch was named principal in early winter after former principal Gary Tucker took on a superintendent position in Idaho. Hatch has been an elementary teacher, literacy director and instructional coach at Summit Academy for 11 years.

“This is just the next step,” she said.

“I love Summit students, parents and the school. During this crazy time of lots of anxiety during COVID, I want to provide them a familiar face in a place I call home.”

Hatch has her family science and psychology degree and a reading endorsement, and is working to complete her master’s degree in administration and leadership from Western Governor’s University—the same school the new executive director, Michael Clark, was enrolled to earn his master’s in education with a focus of learning and technology.

Clark, who has his administrative license from Utah State University, took the role after former director and former principal Tyler Whittle left. Clark comes from a strong charter school background, having taught chemistry at Success Academy in Iron County, being an assistant principal for Merritt Academy and principal at Ascent Academy. Most recently, he served on the state charter school board.

Together the new leaders have come up with ideas for growth in the school the next few years.

“We still have opportunities to grow and show our school spirit that’s in line with our school motto, Together We Soar,” Hatch said. “We are cheering each other on in announcements as a way to unify our school.”

Recently, with the return from winter break, Hatch greeted students by a balloon arch, welcoming them to the first day of school in 2021.

“We’re finding ways to show how we soar, how we lift each other up, and are resilient,” she said. “I want to have a lot more presence in the school, wish kids good

New Summit Academy Draper Campus Principal Lindy Hatch and new Summit Academy Executive Director Michael Clark have goals to creative a positive, supportive school culture and offer a strong academic program. (Photo courtesy of Lindy Hatch/Summit Academy)

morning, give teachers breaks, and help them know what good teaching looks like so they can be the best teachers they can.”

Academic rigor and success are goals of both leaders.

“I want to be able to support all students in their learning so students who come in and struggle, I want them to feel supported and get the help that they need to be successful, and then, push them to greater heights,” Clark said. “I really believe that

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all students can perform and it’s really the expectation that you set for them and the support that you provide.”

He said that many of the high school students take advantage of Salt Lake Community College concurrent enrollment classes so when they graduate high school, they also have earned courses toward their associate’s degrees. Students also are enrolled in the rigorous and prestigious Advanced Placement Capstone program,

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Draper City Journal

which also prepares them for college and earns them college credits.

At the elementary campuses, the classes are offered a plus-one, so students who are proficient at their grade can learn at an accelerated level, studying the curriculum of the next grade to challenge themselves.

And at Bluffdale campus, Spanish dual immersion will begin in fall 2021.

However, he said without students taking year-end exams in reading and mathematics last spring, it was hard to judge what material they learned and where to start this year.

“As I transitioned to this position in July, I realized that not having that data season where we collect that student data, really impacted schools across the state, not being able to see where the students are and the plan for next year,” Clark said. “It’s been tough, for sure.”

Hatch wants to increase literacy at the school, using reading interventions to continue to improve students’ success.

“We’re looking at our Acadience (reading scores gathered in the fall, winter and spring of every year), and it shows that first graders are struggling the most after being in remote learning last March through May. We see the largest growth in kindergarten as they are working on blending (their sounds),” she said. “We want to meet the needs of every student this year and see growth.”

We’re finding ways to show how we soar, how we lift each other up, and are resilient.

Lindy Hatch

In early 2021, the school’s parent organization plans to hold a literacy contest and it will be coupled with a time they will drop everything to read. A STEM night is planned for March. The events support the school’s focus on academic growth.

“With COVID-19, this year we might not have all the traditional events or they may look different, but we’ll still be making connections and having this be a place where students feel welcome, cared for and supportive,” Hatch said.

That supportive culture is something Clark hopes for all Summit students at all the campuses— Draper, Bluffdale, Independence, the high school and preschools as well as about 200 online K-12 students.

Without having visitors and parents on campus or being able to hold carnivals or large assemblies to celebrate achievements that the school has made has been tough,

he said.

“We (normally) would gather our community together and have fun together and laugh and really build relationships and (without) those types of things, it’s been really, really hard on us,” he said. “You need to make sure that experience is special for each student and when you don’t have a way to help build that culture, it’s really difficult.”

He said at each campus, principals are finding a way to communicate positive ways to make every student and faculty member feel special. For example, he said that Hatch and others recently served pancakes to seventh- and eighth-grade honor roll students, while at the Independence campus, they were still able to hold a school fundraiser just reorganizing and rebranding their fun run to a “coRUNavirus” fundraiser.

Clark also is planning to have a fun engaging experience for students. As a “huge Volkswagen Beetle guy,” he has a light blue 1968 Bug that he has fixed up and drives.

However, this Beetle, he has yet to name.

So, he’s looking to hold a naming contest for the students and hopes to have a personalized license plate with its name.

In addition, Summit leaders are planning to hold open houses this spring, so parents and future students can come in and see the “loving, supportive, caring culture we have,” Clark said. l

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February 2021 | Page 9

Continued from front page ask anything of the kids that he isn’t willing to do himself, and that includes lifting right along with the kids during our 6 a.m. workouts that we start every winter.”

The last four seasons have been particularly special as coach Kjar’s own son has been playing wide receiver for his teams.

“Before high school, I sat down with Noah and told him that he was going to have to outwork everybody and attack every practice if I was going to be the coach,” Eric Kjar said.

The results for the future Weber State receiver speak for themselves as he eclipsed the Utah high school state career reception mark this year and finished with 285 while also earning multiple all-state recognitions.

“No one does the process better than Noah,” Sutera said. “He’s a great kid.”

Andrea Kjar said watching her husband and son together on the field the past few years have been so enjoyable and this season—Noah’s senior year—was particularly emotional. “Getting to see Noah play for Eric has taken this to a new special level and made it that much more special,” she said.

“It’s sure meant a lot to me as a dad and has just brought us closer over the past four years,” Eric Kjar said.

“I’ve had a front row seat as Noah has just put in the work and gotten better.”

Noah Kjar said ever since he started playing flag football and then catch with his dad he has wanted to “play and win with him,” especially as he watched him coach at Jordan High. “I have loved every second of playing for him. It’s like nothing else,” Noah Kjar said.

THE DECISION, PART 1 It was as a quarterback at Kemmerer High School where coach John Scott made an impression on Eric Kjar as well as his own father, who was an assistant track coach at the school. Kjar began to have the inklings of wanting to help kids as he saw those mentors thoroughly enjoy coaching.

He attended Snow College and met his future wife Andrea, who was a Badgers cheerleader, and they followed Eric’s collegiate playing aspirations to Wayne State College in Nebraska, where he was a quarterback and receiver over the next four seasons for the Wildcats.

“At first, his teammates were wondering why Eric’s girlfriend was always around until they realized we were married,” Andrea Kjar said.

“It was a special time in bonding with my teammates during the time on the field and on the bus to all the away games,” Eric Kjar said, noting that his two-time selection as a team captain at Wayne State was a “special honor.”

Coach Kjar toyed with the ideas of accounting and law as possible professions until he admitted to his wife that he just couldn’t wear a suit and tie to work each day. “He realized that teaching and coach-

Page 10 | February 2021

Coach Eric Kjar and his son Noah Kjar embrace after winning their third state championship together. (Photo courtesy AStrong Photography)

ing were what he was really passionate about,” Andrea Kjar said.

“I was always intrigued by the scheme of football. Then I really started to enjoy the development side of strength and conditioning,” coach Kjar said. “I always loved the game of football.”

So, the Kjars coaching journey began in 2004, when they moved to Sandy, Utah where Eric got his start on the sidelines from Alex Jacobsen in helping the wing backs and junior varsity offense at Jordan High School, Andrea’s alma mater. He became the varsity offensive coordinator for the Beetdiggers’ squad by the next season while also assisting with the team’s strength and conditioning. Within four years, he was heading up the program and was there through 2016, including the 2012 state championship season. Every Friday night, Andrea Kjar would load up four young children and cheer on the Jordan High team that became family to them. “I had a friend ask me, ‘Isn’t it easier to just stay home?’ and I just told her that the games were where Eric was so we wanted to be there,” Andrea Kjar said.

THE DECISION, PART II Just after the fall 2016 football season, the Corner Canyon High position opened up so the Kjars discussed this new possibility, understanding the ramifications on their own family with Noah being an eighth-grader at the time.

Andrea Kjar said that after about a month, the move five miles south was set and the rest is history—truly, history—as the Corner Canyon program rose to a different level and set a higher standard in Utah football the past four years.

Noah’s contributions to those three championship teams have been significant, but his own journey has not come without adversity. Last winter, he lost nearly

Corner Canyon’s Noah Kjar broke the state record for total receptions this season after a stellar four-year career. The senior signed to play for Weber State following a two-year LDS mission. (Photo courtesy AStrong Photography)

25 pounds in a couple of months, battling Hashimoto’s disease. “It came out of nowhere and I had no idea what was wrong with me,” Noah Kjar said. “I just had to deal with it as it went and gain all the weight back to get back to a high level of play. It was a super humbling, hard experience, but it made me stronger, for sure.”

He has also dealt with a knee sprain and separated shoulder this season, but toughed it out “to not leave my brothers on the field without me.”

Noah Kjar plans to serve a two-year LDS mission before heading to also play for a college program with the Wildcats mascot, just like his dad. “Weber State is the only school to really believe in me from the start and I value that a lot,” Noah Kjar said, crediting his parents for their constant encouragement and his dad for “pushing me to places I didn’t think possible and having an end goal in sight.”

MORE KJAR PLAYERS Twins Tate and Addie Kjar, who are freshmen at Corner Canyon, both played flag football during their younger years.

Tate continued on in the sport and just finished his freshman season as a wide receiver and defensive back.

An especially poignant moment this season for the Kjar family happened during the varsity game against Herriman Aug. 21 when Noah and Tate were on the field together for one play.

“That was pretty cool,” Tate Kjar said.

“We always dreamed of playing on the same team,” Noah Kjar said. “It was so awesome. I’m gonna miss that kid.”

Coach Kjar said that Tate is a little smaller, but he has plenty of ability and good work ethic. “We need to get some weight on him and he’ll be fine,” Eric Kjar said. “I learned some things with Noah so I’ve tried to be better with Tate and give him more space.”

Tate Kjar has been thrilled to have his dad more involved with his football development and helping him improve this past season. “I’ve been working hard since nothing comes easy, especially as the coach’s son, as sometimes people just assume you’re going to start,” he said.

Addie struggled the most with her dad changing alliances from Jordan High to CCHS five years ago, according to her mother Andrea Kjar. “I actually called him a traitor and said, ‘Why would you leave?’” she said. “Then, we started winning games at Corner Canyon and I felt like it would be OK.” The 15-year-old said she loves supporting the team and even attends their summer conditioning at times. She doesn’t even mind being referred to at school as “coach’s daughter,” “Noah’s sister” or “Tate’s sister.”

The twins are also coached by their dad on the CCHS track team as he is an as-

Draper City Journal

sistant coach working with the sprinters.

Twelve-year-old Carter has been playing football the past four years. “I play because my family plays, but it’s really fun and I want to be good at it,” he said.

He is receiving the benefit of his dad and older brothers’ football knowledge as he also plays wide receiver, but he said he plays corner on defense a little more. “My dad helps me with form in running and catching the ball and Noah and Tate help me and critique me when I’m not doing something right,” Carter Kjar said.

Andrea Kjar said they are all enjoying the experience right alongside coach Kjar.

“I’ve been cheering at football games for a long time, so it feels pretty natural to be there,” she said, adding that the wonderful Draper community has embraced their family from the initial Blue and White scrimmage when the stands were “completely packed even if fans didn’t have any kids playing.”

She’s also well aware of what her husband gives to the CCHS football program.

“Eric’s gone a lot, especially during the football season when he sees his players more than he sees us, but we realize how much this means to him and what he puts into all of this. He’s had a lot of great success, but he’s worked hard for it,” Andrea Kjar said. “He values all of his guys as football players and even more as people and men as well. With now coaching some of

Corner Canyon football coach Eric Kjar poses with sons Tate and Noah and his father-in-law Marc (Hutch) Hunter back at the school following the Chargers’ 6A victory over Lone Peak in mid-November.

(Photo courtesy AStrong Photography)

his own sons, it’s the same amount of effort as before, but it’s sure fun to watch.”

Noah Kjar has also had a front row seat to his dad’s position the past few years. “I knew my dad was a super hard worker, but I learned how much he truly cares about the team,” Noah Kjar said. “I had no idea that he loved his players that much and had so much invested in wanting everyone to be

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successful.”

Coach Kjar said football has taught him plenty of lessons including working through adversity. “I learned a lot of lessons through injuries and losses,” he said.

“Also losing position battles and working through that to earn a starting spot through high school and college was always a challenge that tested your resolve as a person.”

He also said the game has taught him how to work hard toward improvement and development and has shown him the rewards that result from those efforts.

Coach Kjar credits his assistant coaches along the way who have been crucial to his career and success. “I’ve been privileged to work with all of them,” he said.

“They have done so much to help me improve as a coach and they have worked so hard.”

He particularly noted Robert Pickering, the CCHS receivers coach, and the Chargers’ defensive coordinator Casey Sutera. “Robert has been with me a long time and has always encouraged and found ways for us to improve in our program and is a great friend,” Kjar said. “Casey’s support and efforts to helping our program to grow and improve has been a great example to me and I’m also grateful for our friendship.”

“My wife Andrea and children have also always given me support as well as my mother Kandis Kjar, siblings Norman, Kirby, Michael and Laura and my father- and mother-in-law Marc and Debra Hunter,” coach Kjar said.

“If it wasn’t a family affair, it wouldn’t work,” Andrea Kjar said.

So, the Kjars really do put it all on the field and then leave it all on the field…together. And you definitely know where to find this family of six on Friday nights. l

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A new year conversation with Draper’s mayor

By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com

T

Former Salt Lake County Mayor and congressman Ben McAdams invited Draper Mayor Troy Walker to attend last year’s State of the Union address given by President Trump at the Capitol. Walker reflected on what happened in the Capitol building Jan. 6 in a recent telephone interview. (Photo courtesy Draper City)

roy Walker became mayor in 2014 with the theme of moving the city “forward.” After seven years in the position, 2020 brought entirely different challenges for the city. The following is a telephone interview the Draper Journal had with Walker mid-January regarding his thoughts on the year behind us and the year to come.

Q: Any update on vaccinating city employees, specifically first responders such as fire department and police personnel?

A: They’ve already had access to vaccinations, the first responders. We don’t have any control over the vaccination, it’s not anything we’re in charge of. It’s at a state and county level.

Q: Do you have plans to be vaccinated when it’s offered to you?

A: Yes, I’m going to be (soon) because I’m on the Lone Peak Hospital Board of Trustees. I’ll get the Moderna vaccination.

Q: You made a statement in November that you personally knew of more than 200 people who’ve had the virus to varying degrees. Can you give me an update on that number and your thoughts as we’re this close to the vaccine but with cases skyrocketing?

A: It’s obviously increased. I kind of stopped counting because it was getting hard to keep track in my mind.

Almost everyone in my law office has gotten it. I somehow managed not to get it. I don’t know how I’ve been so fortunate. I’ve been around it a ton.

Q: City Hall reopened this week with limited hours of 10 a.m. to noon daily. Any idea when regular business hours

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

might resume or plans different than the two hours each day?

A: We’ll keep it like this until the county says we’re in the situation where case counts start to kick down. I keep thinking they will, but they seem to hover around high or going up. I know (Salt Lake County) Mayor (Jenny) Wilson is concerned about the new strain, it’s more contagious.

It seems like the stress level is not going down. I will say that most of the people I know who’ve had it recently, it’s been pretty mild, a couple days of symptoms. I haven’t had a friend or relative or colleague that’s gotten super ill from it.

Q: Will you be doing your annual State of the City speech, and if so, would you give a preview of your talking points?

A: I hope so. I’m looking forward to it. I’m probably going to talk primarily about the alternatives analysis for transit going forward, heading to the south. UTA has made some presentations and the city council will vote on a recommended alternative. It’s a big departure from what we’ve normally done. The normal concept has been light rail. We’re now looking to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which is markedly less expensive and more doable, but it’s a change from what everyone has thought was going to happen from the current end of the line down to Adobe and south. The preferred alternative skips that. It goes from Front Runner through the prison site, hits Pluralsight and UTA’s corridor, so it really skips the residential part of Draper. It’s a fundamental shift in what we’ve been doing and thinking. It’s BRT, not light rail.

Q: Shifting to a national scale, it was one year ago (last February) that you were a guest of Ben McAdams at the State of the Union address held in the Capitol. When you saw

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But he does not like watching his friends delay their retirement. And he does not love it when the government gets a portion of someone’s legacy that could have gone to loved ones or a favorite charity.

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“I wondered what on earth was going on. How can you lose money and have to pay more in taxes?” Beck said.

So he did something very simple – he asked his friends, who were financial planners and estate planning attorneys, what advice they were giving.

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I saw that many people often need all-encompassing financial advice, that includes

Page 12 | February 2021

not only financial planning, but a comprehensive tax strategy as well. So, I started Wealth Management CPAs, to bridge that gap” Beck said.

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Beck enjoys talking to clients without watching the clock run. “We always offer two complimentary consultations to answer

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A powerful video on Beck’s website www.WealthCPAs.com demonstrates how they helped a woman dramatically improve her plan. It is under the “Why Choose Us” tab and well worth four minutes of your time.

“A woman came to us after her husband passed away. She had an IRA, money in the bank and a life insurance policy.

“Her attorney created a family trust and told her to move the three assets into it. But her financial advisor told her to just name her family as beneficiaries. She was confused,” Beck said.

Beck knew both experts were only looking at their pieces of the puzzle. The woman needed someone who would look at the whole picture.

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Draper City Journal

what happened there (on Jan. 6), having visited that building and members of Congress one year ago, what were your thoughts?

A: My, how everything has changed in a year. It’s terrible. There’s nothing much you can say. They trespassed, committed battery and assault, there’s no excuse for it. It’s against the law and they should be prosecuted, everyone involved. I don’t condone it. I understand people are frustrated and scared, but that doesn’t excuse people from common law-abiding decency.

Q: Regarding The Point, you’re continuing to serve on both the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority and The Point of the Mountain Development Commission. Were you part of the process to select the master planning firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill?

A: No, but I participated in accepting the contract. It was a great presentation. It looked to me like they know what they’re doing and they have a lot of experience with large projects. I was very impressed with their presentation to the board.

Q: Can you give an update on pursuing Ranked Choice Voting for our city’s elections?

A: I support that. I hope the council adopts that. I think it’s a good thing.

Q: Anything else happening in the city that you’d like residents to know?

A: We’re doing the Draper Deals again with CARES Act funding, launching a sec-

ond round. I don’t have a sense of when COVID will subside. I think vaccines are moving forward. I think our outlook is good.

Our economy is doing better than I thought it would. I thought we’d be in an economic collapse, but residents have done a good job supporting local businesses. I do think preferred alternative for transit going forward is a big deal. It gets a plan in place we can well afford and that is feasible. The housing market is as tight as it’s ever been. The scarcity of homes to buy is unprecedented. We just don’t have enough housing for people.

0I’m excited, I think we have a great outlook as far as our city goes. As long as our country can stay together and continue to function, I think we’re in good shape. I hope we can get to a level where we can start working together on the national political level. At the local level, we do really well. I didn’t vote for Joe Biden but I wish him the best. I think he has the best interest of the country in mind. I’m excited for Gov. Cox— he’s young…smart and energetic. I think we have a lot of good things going for us in Utah. Also, I was appointed by (former) Gov. Herbert to the Peace Officers Standard and Training Council that oversees discipline.

We’re talking about police reform and I’m interested in seeing how they’re currently doing it. It might give some ideas of things we could do better. And I was just named chairman of the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission that regulates combat sports. l

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Draper City Journal

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) was hired to create a master plan for The Point. SOM used this rendering in their presentation to The Point’s selection committee. (Courtesy The Point, For Illustrative Purposes Only © SOM)

World-renowned firm hired to create master plan for The Point

By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com

A

landscape currently dominated by a 70-year-old prison and barbed wire will transform into an economic and education hub with open space, housing, restaurants and retail accessed by multimodal transportation. As the next step in bringing that vision for The Point to fruition, world-renowned consulting firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) was hired to create a master plan for the 600 acres of state-owned land.

The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority initially considered the proposals of 12 firms and narrowed that to three finalists. Each finalist was provided with results from a state-wide survey titled “Make the Point,” conducted in fall 2020. The finalists were also provided with a report written by The Point’s five working groups. Those working groups include Stakeholders, Education and Innovation, Environment and Air Quality, Infrastructure and Land Use, and Economic Development. In mid-December, The Point announced that SOM was chosen for the job.

“SOM and its subconsultants possess the expertise to support The Point’s delivery of an iconic community intended to stimulate economic development, preserve the natural environment, improve air quality and enhance Utahns’ quality of life. The depth and breadth of their planning portfolio is a testament to their capabilities. Their global experience coupled with their strong Utah connections makes them the perfect fit for the job,” said Alan Matheson, executive director of The Point.

The firm’s recent portfolio includes the Treasure Island project in the San Francisco area and work with the University of California, Merced, with a fo-

DraperJournal .com

cus on sustainable growth. Sustainability was identified by The Point’s working groups as a top focus and one of the key vision elements for that area as it is developed for the future. In Utah, SOM worked on the University of Utah’s master plan, and the 111 Main office tower and the 222 S. Main buildings in Salt Lake City. According to The Point, SOM has an extensive team of Utah subconsultants including WSP, Hales Engineering, Somers-Jaramillo + Associates, and Great Basin Engineering.

Christina Oliver, Draper City’s Community Development director, served on The Point’s selection committee for a master planner. “Draper City consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country. We recognize the unprecedented potential The Point has to improve our quality of life by providing opportunities for regional trail connections, recreational amenities, high-paying jobs, shopping and entertainment. As a selection committee, we carefully reviewed all proposals through a rigorous, competitive and transparent process managed by the state. I was impressed by the caliber of proposals we received from internationally recognized firms,” she said.

SOM will begin the process immediately with the following stages happening in 2021: 1. Initial scoping (January & February) – includes a site evaluation, assessment of prior public input, assemble existing plans and studies of the site, and performing transportation, land use and economic development modeling.

2. Scenario Development (March & April) – create conceptual scenarios to identify different possible approaches

to development. Use analytical tools to reveal how the scenarios will perform relative to key economic and quality of life measures.

3. Preferred Alternative (May & June) – after scenarios have been vetted and the public has an opportunity for input, the planning team will refine several scenarios to create a preferred alternative for public consideration.

4. Final Plan (Summer) –The Point Master Plan will be created to provide a framework for development, with builtin flexibility to accommodate changes in market conditions, future public input, etc.

“We think this is a remarkable opportunity, and as we went through the process, SOM confirmed this is a rare and special opportunity anywhere in the country. We need to have the imagination and will to take advantage of that opportunity. We’ll give it our best thinking, take the long view and try to set a standard for sustainable development others can follow,” Matheson said.

A new Utah Correctional Facility is under construction. It is anticipated that inmates will be relocated to the new facility in mid-2022 and the master plan will begin to take shape after that.

According to the contract, SOM is not to exceed $561,000 for creation of the master plan. The Point plans to solicit ongoing public input during the master planning process through their website, social media platforms, another survey, and virtual public open houses on the draft preferred framework plan prior to its finalization. l

11052 So Grapevine Cove Sandy Utah 801-790-2400

February 2021 | Page 15

Summit Academy boys basketball take second at state

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

T

he defending state champion Summit Academy boys basketball returned to the final game this season again undefeated and placed second, losing to Ascent Academy 74-69 Dec. 15, 2020. The Eagles came back from being 19 points down to being within one in the last minute of the game.

“This season was a huge success,” head coach Kenny Druce said. “We only had one returning player and I thought that it might be a rebuilding year. But, they more than exceeded expectations.”

The Falcons were led this season by their returning player Peterson Lunt, along with Kai Halverson, Krew Eckman and Dylan Hatton who all averaged more than 15 points a game while Halverson and Teegan Rawson led on the boards.

“This year’s team was fast, athletic and explosive,” Druce said. “It was full of good shooters, rebounders and excellent defenders.”

Some highlights of the season were a 37-point outburst

by Hatton in a win over Maeser Preparatory Academy while the team also dominated Wasatch Waldorf 92-14 in its season opener.

Also on the 11-1 team this season were Tyler Jordan, Zeyad Mohammad, Wilson Numbers, Teegan Rawson, Cash Vigos, Nash Williams and Jackson Young.

“These players learned how to work together and play as a team,” Druce said. “They would move the ball around and share it very well. They truly had a good time when they played and they shared many laughs.”

Druce was assisted on the coaching staff by Jeremy De-

The defending state champion Summit Academy boys basketball team reached the state title game again before narrowly losing to Ascent Academy 74-69 Dec. 15, 2020. (Photos courtesy Lindy Hatch)

forest while Audrey Druce was the team’s manager.

“I’m extremely grateful that we even got to have a basketball season,” Druce said. “I was worried that with

COVID, it would be canceled. Sports are such a big part of their lives, and they were extremely happy just to be able to play.” l

SelectHealth to Grant Nonprofits Supporting Healthy Communities Submission window opens to submit for an award for community health improvement worth over $20,000.

SALT LAKE CITY—Are you working to improve health in the community or build a strong community? If so, SelectHealth wants to help by recognizing twenty organizations with $3,000 and a marketing package worth $20,000 to further their cause.

SelectHealth asks anyone who may qualify to apply. Submissions for the award are being accepted February 2, 2021 through February 28, 2021 or until 500 submissions is reached at selecthealthawards.org.

A wide range of organizations have received the SelectHealth Awards since it was first introduced in 2008. Last year’s recipients represented a wide variety of causes including physical activity programs, crisis centers, recovery centers, and free medical services.

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Page 16 | February 2021

Draper City Journal

The city helping businesses leads to people helping people

By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com

T

he first round of Draper Deals served as a boost to the local economy and led to at least one act of kindness. Because it was a success, Draper Deals round two is happening now.

Frank and Jana Lavery own CBD American Shaman in Draper Crossing. They opened in December 2019 and their daughters, Lauren and Evee, help run the store. “What a joy that is for us,” Frank said of working with their girls.

Starting a business is often tough, and the pandemic didn’t help matters. “We’ve been hit hard. Owning a business, you have ebb and flow and everything in between,” Frank said.

The Laverys chose to be a participating business in the first round of the city’s Draper Deals, a program that mailed three $10 gift cards to each home in Draper to be used at any of approximately 70 participating business during the month of November. The businesses collected gift cards redeemed by patrons of their stores, turned them in to Draper City with receipts, and were reimbursed with Federal CARES Act funding given to the city by Salt Lake County. Mayor Troy Walker deemed it a “win-win” for residents and local businesses.

“As a business owner and a Draper resident, it was such a helpful thing, encouraging being a participant in both of those ways. We have found there are many residents wanting to support local businesses. So that, hand in hand with the ‘deals,’ was more incentive for them to do that in our community,” Jana said.

Jana estimates the program brought 1520 new customers into their store. “For many of them, it was their first visit. Many people wonder about CBD, so in their curiosity, they thought they could get a deal and try it. It was a great introduction for a lot of people to CBD,” Frank said.

It’s what the Laverys did with their own $30 in gift cards that stands out. Jana explained that it was the last day to use the gift cards they’d received as Draper residents, and she was headed out to do just that. But a young man named Michael came into their store asking if he could so some small jobs because he needed to eat. “He was from Louisiana, traveling to California on the bus for a job, but his belongings were stolen (suitcase, laptop, wallet). He was very polite,” Frank said.

Jana recalls that it was really cold that night. “We found out he’d stayed at the bus terminal in Salt Lake City trying for three days to get his belongings back, to no avail, and to figure out how to get money to continue on his trip or head back home. He found out about a temp job in Lehi…so he walked all the way from the terminal in Salt Lake,” she said.

He’d made it to the cul-de-sac at the end of Minuteman Drive in Draper, but he had to turn around for directions to Lehi and that’s how he ended up in the Draper Crossing shopping center. “We decided to give him our gift cards.

He went to Smith’s next door and got bags of

DraperJournal .com

L-R Lauren and Evee Lavery help at the family’s store which has struggled as a small business but managed to stay open through the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Frank and Jana Lavery)

groceries. He was so grateful,” Jana said.

It didn’t end there. “When Michael went to Smith’s, Jana and I talked and decided we’d give him $200 for a bus ticket to Louisiana.

After we closed the store, I drove him to the bus station and dropped him off. I don’t have any contact information, so from that point, he’s in God’s hands and we wish him well. It really was an honor for us to be able to help someone who was so appreciative and so in need. What a sweet soul,” Frank said. “I think God intended for us to meet and we’re grateful to be part of his life,” Jana added.

Frank and Jana want the focus of being a small business and part of a community to be people helping people. “We want to do that through our business, help people for better health,” Frank said.

Jana explained how important small businesses are to both the economy and the community. “It’s up to each community to help keep businesses alive. Big businesses are taking over, and if we just turn to them, it will change the tide of our way of life. Our goal with the store is to have a place for people to find connection with their physical and mental health, their soul, their whole being. We would like to educate people. It’s all connected to the health of our soul and our mind,” she said. “It all ties together,” Frank added.

Draper residents received the second round of Draper Deals in their mailboxes mid-January. This round’s gift cards are red.

More than 100 businesses are participating in the program this time and the deadline to use them is Feb. 7. l

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February 2021 | Page 17

Silliness reigns under the sea in The Off Broadway Theatre’s ‘The Littlest Mermaid’ at Draper Historic Theatre

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

“I

f there has ever been a time for more laughter, this is it,” exclaimed actor Jessica Duncan.

Duncan, who plays the sister of the title character in The Off Broadway Theatre’s “The Littlest Mermaid,” is thrilled to be a part of the cast. “I am so blessed to be doing this during COVID,” she said. “It is really awesome to give people a fun night out.”

The Off Broadway Theatre will present this original musical comedy throughout February on the stage of Draper Historic Theatre. “The Littlest Mermaid” is a family-friendly takeoff on the classic fairy tale and Disney movie with lots of slapstick physical comedy, puns and topical jokes.

The musical numbers parody classic Disney tunes as well as current pop

Sebastian Smith, Katie Whitely and Jessica Andrews rehearse as the sea witch Usana and her shark henchmen in The Off Broadway Theatre’s musical comedy “The Littlest Mermaid.” (Photo by Eric Jensen/The Off Broadway Theatre)

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songs.

“We’re more like a SNL skit,” said director and playwright Eric Jensen. “The writers are in the show and write parts for themselves as they go.

It’s a different way of doing theater.”

“We just get together and make each other laugh,” said actor Boston Smith. Smith, who plays the no-nonsense crustacean Crabsworth, explained, “We’re up on stage having fun and we want the audience to share in that.”

While Jensen wrote the script for “The Littlest Mermaid,” much of what audiences see on stage is based on the actors improvising and inserting their own jokes and ideas into the show. Actors are encouraged to invent more comedic bits and make the show mirror society to a greater extent. “It is hard to remember what was scripted and what was improvised,” said Jessica Andrews who plays a shark named Finny.

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Draper City Journal

company seeks to instill confidence and self-esteem in the actors when their ideas are incorporated into the production. “It’s amazing to see the lives you can change through theater,” Jensen said.

“The whole environment is really nice, really positive,” Andrews said.

“They pushed me to come out of my shell.

Now it’s a little easier for me.”

Finny the shark is one of the sea witch’s henchmen, played with a Brooklyn “tough guy” accent. In this show, the sea witch herself is not named Ursula as in the Disney movie, but Usana. The Off Broadway Theatre shows often find silly ways to gently send up Utah culture.

The Off Broadway Theatre has been staging original comedies, parodies and improvisational comedy for over 25 years. The name refers to the proximity of the theater’s original performance space to 300 East in downtown Salt Lake City, also known as Broadway. When the building that housed The Off Broadway Theatre was sold in 2019, Jensen and his wife, Founder and Executive Director Sandy Hubble Jensen, began looking for other performance venues. They formed a partnership with Draper Historic Theatre last summer.

Moving to a different performance space has required The Off Broadway Theatre to try new approaches to set de-

sign and staging. Projected images will be used to transform the back wall of the Draper Historic Theatre stage into the underwater world of “The Littlest Mermaid.” “It’s a little different from what we’ve normally done,” Jensen said. “Our aim is to create as high a quality production as we can.”

The cast, crew and management of both The Off Broadway Theatre and Draper Historic Theatre are taking extra precautions to keep their shows running as safely as possible during the pandemic. The actors are wearing masks and temperatures are routinely checked. In the audience, patrons are being seated in alternate rows with three empty seats between parties. The seats are cleaned and sanitized after every rehearsal and performance.

“We try to take all the precautions we can,” Andrews said. “I think it’s good to get away, come laugh and get your spirits up a little.”

“If you’re looking for a night of fun, to let loose and have a good laugh, this is the show to see,” Smith said.

The Off Broadway Theatre will present “The Littlest Mermaid” during February at Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 S. 900 East. For performance dates, times and tickets, visit www.theobt.org. l

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February 2021 | Page 19

Draper restaurants weather the pandemic and prepare for Valentine’s Day

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

A

ccording to the National Restaurant Association, Valentine’s Day is the second-most popular day for dining out. This year, some things may look a little different due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but many people will still go out to enjoy a romantic meal in a local restaurant.

Draper’s eateries have been kept in business thanks to the support of loyal customers in the community. With precautionary measures in place to keep diners safe, several of Draper’s restaurants are offering special menus for the upcoming holiday.

"We've been very grateful for Draper, the community has been very supportive. They've kept us in business," said Executive Chef Ryan Nelson at OAK Wood Fire Kitchen.

OAK Wood Fire Kitchen is a casual restaurant with a wood fire oven specializing in pizzas, breads, house-made pastas and fresh meats. Nelson explained that the restaurant has taken many steps to provide diners with a safer experience.

"We have 'no touch' menus," he explained. "There's a QR code you scan with your phone to see the menu." In addition to all staff and guests being required to wear masks, tables are set at least 6 feet apart. Tables and chairs are sanitized between guests and the restaurant’s capacity has been reduced to 30 seats.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Valentine’s Day weekend, OAK Wood Fire Kitchen will offer a special threecourse meal. Reservations are required.

Diners can expect an elegant evening out at The Charleston where Executive Chef and owner Marco Silva is planning a Valentine’s Day menu which may include offerings such as scallops, foie gras and black Russian caviar. The restaurant, housed in a brick home from the 19th century, offers continental cuisine under sparkling chandeliers. Silva and his team have been working hard to ensure that guests have a refined dining experience that is also safe.

In addition to staff and guests being required to wear masks, tables and other surfaces in the restaurant are continually sanitized. Seating has been reduced and the tables are set 10 to 12 feet apart. “I take my job very seriously,” Silva said. “This is my house, and I have to take care of my employees and my guests.”

His loyal clientele appreciate the effort. “We had the most beautiful summer because everyone felt safe here,” he added. Although a couple of guests balked at the mask requirements, “ninety-nine percent of our regulars were super happy because we take so much care,” he said.

“I am so grateful for the Draper and Sandy communities,” Silva said. “During the time we were closed, families

were buying take-out. We were closed for 45 days. The day we reopened, 72 families came.”

Anthony Crossley, food and beverage director and general manager of Ridge Café also expressed gratitude to the community for their support. “We actually did a lot better than I thought we would,” he said. The Suncrest community enjoyed take-out family meals from Ridge Café during the early months of the pandemic.

During the shut-down, “we took advantage of the time to totally revamp our menu,” explained Crossley. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a large brick wood fire pizza oven imported from Italy. The current menu is focused on Mediterranean dishes.

“We follow health department guidelines,” said Crossley of the café’s response to the pandemic. The restaurant operates at half-capacity and has a reservation system in place. “The winter used to be our party season,” he said.

“We don’t book those anymore.”

Ridge Café will offer a Valentine’s Day special on Feb. 12 and 13. “We’re going to one of our wonderful local bakeries to get special desserts as well,” Crossley said. He recommends that diners call for reservations.

“Anyone going out to any restaurant should be thinking about making a reservation as soon as possible,” advised Catesby Carman, assistant general manager at The Cliff Dining Pub. She admits that while the pandemic has been hard, she said, “The key to our success, what’s been getting us through, are the fantastic regulars who live in Draper.”

Carman also praised the staff with ensuring the pub’s ongoing success. “After being shut down for two months, we asked everyone if they wanted to come back and almost everybody did,” she said. “Our staff is great!”

The Cliff Dining Pub is taking the same safety precautions as other restaurants regarding mask-wearing, hand-washing, sanitizing tables and chairs and social distancing. In addition, “the patio is beautiful all year round,” Carman said. Even in the winter months, some hardy souls enjoy sunsets by the fire pits on the patio.

The menu at The Cliff Dining Pub borrows from cuisines from around the world and includes sushi. The regular menu will be available over Valentine’s Day weekend with a few added specials.

Carman suggested that people be flexible when it comes to making reservations for Feb. 14. After all, it’s not about the particular date but who you’re spending it with. “You can celebrate Valentine’s Day on any day with your significant other,” she said. “It can be just as good or even better on a

Ridge Café welcomes guests. (Photo courtesy Michelle Crossley, Ridge Café)

The centerpiece of the kitchen at Ridge Café is a wood fire oven imported from Italy. (Photo courtesy Michelle Crossley, Ridge Café)

Page 20 | February 2021

The patio at The Cliff Dining Pub offer views of the sunset that can be enjoyed year round. (Photo courtesy The Cliff Dining Pub)

An elegant, socially-distanced dining experience awaits at The Charleston. (Photo courtesy Chef Marco Silva, The Charleston)

The Charleston is open and ready for business thanks to support from loyal diners. (Photo courtesy Chef Marco Silva, The Charleston)

Draper City Journal

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Experts tell us food is plentiful and cheaper than ever before. Just the food left over from Las Vegas buffets could feed several Third World countries for generations.

They’d all develop diabetes and heart disease, but they’d have plenty of food.

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February 2021 | Vol. 15 Iss. 02

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FOOTBALL’S ALL IN THE FAMILY FOR THE KJARS Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

A

s a third grader playing flag football in Kemmerer, Wyoming, Eric Kjar had no idea the journey this sport would take him on. The 41-year-old Corner Canyon High football coach has been developing young players the last 16 years and is also shaping his own children in the game they all love.

The process has truly become a family affair.

“It’s been quite a ride,” coach Kjar said.

“All of my players are such good kids and they work so hard. It’s so satisfying to see the success they deserve.”

“It’s pretty awesome that he gets to get up everyday and go to a job that he has such a passion for,” his wife Andrea Kjar said.

Kjar’s current coaching stint at CCHS has been nothing short of dominant with a squad that finished this season ranked among the top 10 teams nationally. Over the past four seasons, the Chargers have gone 40-1 with three consecutive state championships—one in the 5A ranks and the past two in 6A—in creating a football powerhouse near the Point of the Mountain.

“Even amidst COVID this year, Eric did everything he could to make the season

go,” Andrea Kjar said. “We couldn’t have dreamed though that it would be what it would be and end as amazing as it did.”

Kjar has been nominated for national awards and the college pipeline the program has created continues to churn out top prospects, including offensive lineman Jackson Light to Oregon, quarterback Jaxson Dart to USC and Noah Kjar to Weber State from among this year’s class. Most notably, recently, is the emergence of former Charger QB Zach Wilson who went on to star at BYU the past three seasons and is projected to be a top-10 NFL draft pick in April. Kjar additionally coached Jordan High quarterbacks Drew Lisk and Austin Kafentzis before their collegiate journey. “It’s been awesome to watch all the different players that I had the privilege of coaching go on and play in college,” coach Kjar said. “Getting to watch these guys play and have success has been fun.”

Coach Casey Sutera, who has coached with Kjar for the past seven years, said, Corner Canyon football coach Eric Kjar gathers his family around after the Chargers won their third “Coach Kjar leads by example. He doesn’t Continued page 10

straight state title in November. (Photo courtesy AStrong Photography)

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