Grieving residents find comfort in new Herriman Cemetery statue inspired by bestselling author
By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com
Thededication of the city’s new Angel of Hope statue, an international symbol of peace and healing, was a tearful yet joyful event. On Aug. 19, city residents and nonresidents alike gathered at the Herriman Cemetery under the slanting sun to acknowledge lost loved ones and find hope and solace through commiserating with others.
The first official Angel of Hope statue was not cast in bronze but in ink and was created by a writer rather than a sculptor. In his 1993 novel, “The Christmas Box,” author Richard Paul Evans describes a woman mourning the death of her child while standing at the base of an angel monument in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Originally, the novel did not include the angel statue. “The book was mostly done, but something was missing,” Evans said.
A friend recalled seeing a woman grieve in front of an angel statue at the Salt Lake Cemetery when she was a girl. The snow had quietly drifted down to blanket the bereft woman and the angel. “She told me the story, and I realized this was the missing piece,” Evans said. A story comes to life
After the novel gained popularity, grieving parents from around the country began searching for the monument in Salt Lake City. When Evans himself went
to find the statue, it was no longer there. “I asked the sexton, who said there had been some flooding in that area, but no one knows for sure what happened to it,”
he said.
To bring the angel to life again, the author commissioned another statue from Salt Lake City-based father-and-son sculp-
tors Ortho and Jared Fairbanks. “It was just a natural course of events. The book was about healing people,” Evans said. “It started as just something for my kids, but once I realized how it was healing people, there needed to be a statue.”
“We had two weeks to make the angel—something that would normally take months,” Jared Fairbanks said. “We used my 5-year-old daughter as a model and put the likeness of Richard’s daughter in her face.”
The sculptors first made the angel using clay and then cast it in bronze at a Utah County foundry. Matching the description in the novel, the half-inch thick statue is mostly hollow and stands 4 feet, 3 inches tall with a wingspan of 5 feet, 2 inches. The word “HOPE” is subtly etched onto her right wing. “It was an honor to work with my father and daughter,” Jared Fairbanks said.
The first Angel of Hope was dedicated on Dec. 6, 1994, to coincide with the date of the death of the child in the story. It would become the first of over 120 Angel statues to dot the nation, with one in Canada and one in Japan.
In 1996, Evans created an emergency children’s shelter called The Christmas Box House, which grew into The Christmas Box International, a charity that serves minor and young adult victims of abuse, trafficking and neglect.
A mother’s journey
When Herriman’s Christa Benward read The Christmas Box over 20 years ago, Continued on Page 4
The Angel has the word, “HOPE,” inscribed on her right wing and stands 4 feet, 3 inches tall. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)
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the story resonated deeply with her. Benward has tragically lost multiple babies. Some were miscarried and some lived only a few days, but each has a name and place in her heart.
“I didn’t know at the time that the Angel had been made available for grieving families,” she said. “I soon learned that you could bring them to your communities. Which became my plan, but because of all my losses and trials, it took me a while.”
Three years ago, Benward was finally ready to pursue her dream. To place an order for an Angel, interested parties must raise at least $9,000 and pay another $9,000 before shipment. The $18,000 does not include the monument’s base, which can cost an additional $3,000 to $6,000.
“Be assured that all fees have been carefully negotiated to ensure the highest quality and lowest price and that Richard Paul Evans, Inc. and The Christmas Box House International receive no profit from these monuments,” the author’s website says.
“The fundraising was hard,” Benward said. “I started a GoFundMe, and I got a little community support through that. I had neighbors and family donate, and my daughter and I paid for the majority of the angel. It’s hard work, and there are ups and downs during the process, but once Hope has arrived, it is all worth it.”
The dedication of Herriman’s Angel was the culmination of her tireless efforts to raise the money and bring the statue to the resting place of her children. The event included a welcome from Herriman Mayor Lorin Palmer and tender remarks from Salt Lake’s Angel of Hope Coordinator Lisa Johnson, Jared Fairbanks, Benward, Benward’s daughter, and resident Kathy White, whose son, Danny, was interred in the Herriman Cemetery after he succumbed to a sudden aneurysm when he was only 18.
During a musical number performed by the White family, Benward’s daughter, Cheyenne, moved through the crowd dressed as an angel, gently touching onlookers with a wand.
Evans offered the dedicatory prayer, after which attendees were invited to lay a white carnation at the base of the Angel in honor of deceased loved ones. A community of healing
The Angel has brought together countless people from different backgrounds. For many, she offers relief and the strength that comes from standing with others. She helps to rekindle trust that despite heartbreak and darkness, the future holds peace, cheer and light.
“I love how her arms are stretched out like she’s embracing you. The Angel
(Hope) has helped me heal. We visit different Hopes around Utah, and she just radiates hope and healing when you look at her,” Benward said. “The Angel of Hope community has become my angel family.”
“Doing what I do and being a father— it’s been an honor to be a part of something that has helped so many in the grieving process,” Jared Fairbanks said.
“It’s inspiring to see our community come together in such a meaningful way to create the Angel of Hope memorial,” Palmer said. “The generosity and dedication of those who made this possible will provide a place of comfort and reflection for families for years to come.”
“I love the purpose of the Angel and to see how people respond, and to see the
peace it brings them,” Evans said. “One woman asked if I had lost a child, and I said no, and she said ‘I don’t think you understand what you’ve done, how important this is.’”
“Many of us have lost a loved one, and some have no place to go to grieve. Even if you have a gravesite to go to, Hope just heals you. There is always peace around her, and you feel that,” Benward said. “My [daughter says], ‘If people just look at her, they can’t help but see how beautiful she is, and it’s like she has come from Heaven.’”
For more information about the Angel of Hope, visit richardpaulevans.com/angel-statues/. l
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The family of Danny White performs a song to celebrate his life. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)
Author Richard Paul Evans and Christa Benward share an embrace after the dedication. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)
Local educators try a variety of strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism rates.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Thisis part of a series on school attendance.
Last month, the Utah State Board of Education launched the attendance initiative Every Day Counts to address chronic absenteeism rates, which rose from 12.5% to 23.8% in the past seven years. Their research shows chronic absenteeism (defined as 10% of school days missed or two absences per month) has academic, social and emotional impacts on students and results in lower grades, test scores, graduation rates and confidence.
“Each school day is an opportunity for students to learn, build relationships and grow in meaningful ways,” Utah State Superintendent Molly Hart said.
USBE provided an online toolkit and resources for families and educators to address factors which impact student attendance. They also enlisted the help of Attendance Ambassadors in every school district.
West Hills Middle School teacher Evan Feinberg jumped at the chance to be Jordan School District’s Attendance Ambassador. Feinberg is full of ideas to proactively improve attendance rates; he has implemented many already at West Hills Middle. Two years ago, he formed an attendance committee and got several staff members onboard to address and improve student attendance.
Feinberg collaborated with WHMS
The attendance connection
Clinical Support Specialist Andrew “Link” Simpson and Head School Counselor Brian Behrmann to hold weekly attendance groups targeting students with poor attendance, and last year, the number of chronically absent students decreased by 7%.
In the groups, students learn about their brain development and how to connect their actions to future consequences.
“We focus more on just life skills that will benefit them later on, to try to connect attendance to more success later on, with learning to show up on time and working with different personalities—those skills that you need for any job,” Behrmann said.
They also help students see the benefits of good attendance habits on their mental health.
“The more absences they have, the farther they get behind and then I think they just start to give up because they don’t have a clue what’s going on in class, and it’s easier for them to not be in class than have the anxiety of being called on and not knowing the answer,” Simpson said.
The students track their academic progress in correlation to their attendance and when there is improvement, their progress is celebrated.
WHMS staff members take a positive and encouraging approach to attendance problems to prevent the problem from becoming worse.
“If the family doesn’t have a connection to school, and its punitive talks back and forth between the school and the family, that decreases that home-school connection, and it continues to get worse and worse and so it’s pushed the families away from the school so the parents don’t push their kids to attend as much as they normally would,” Simpson said.
West Jordan Middle School has also
had immense success improving student attendance by building positive connections with students and families. Their 0.6% chronic absenteeism rate is the lowest in Jordan School District (district average is 23%) and one of the lowest in the state. Principal Raimee Jensen credits the low rate to the team effort by teachers, administrators, counselors, office staff and SROs to make connections with students and families.
Most JSD school policies stipulate a student’s parents are contacted by letter or email after a certain number of consecutive absences. When WJMS students don’t show up at school, school staff members don’t wait the prescribed number of days before they start calling, emailing and visiting the student’s home to work with the family to resolve the root causes.
“It’s really about creating a culture where students know that they matter and that their presence makes a difference,” Jensen said. “We’re intentional about fostering a sense of belonging, because we know students are more likely to show up when they feel seen, supported and valued.”
Rae Garrison (WJMS principal 20132023) said the school’s robust teacher-led after-school program, the biggest in the state, offers ‘every club you can think of.’ She said it gives students a reason to come to school and an opportunity to develop relationships with their teachers through shared interests.
“Students are able to connect with their teachers in a little different way,” Garrison said. “It could be playing Dungeons & Dragons or e-sports or volleyball—and that kind of connection really helps because it’s not about ‘Did you get your homework done?’ it’s more about ‘Hey, how’re you doing?’”
While WHMS and WJMS take a
positive approach to attendance, many schools effectively discourage poor attendance with punitive policies. Most schools deny students with excessive school absences from participating in extracurricular activities, attending school dances and activities or obtaining a school parking pass. Granite School District goes so far as to fine truant students.
This year, Bingham High School announced a new policy in which 10% of a student’s overall academic grade is correlated to their class attendance. At Herriman High School, students lose points with each unexcused absence or tardy, reflected in the participation portion of their grade, which can be 10-20% of the final grade. Both schools also incentivize students with free school merch and treats for good attendance each quarter.
Utah’s 45th district representative Tracy Miller, previous president of the Jordan School District Board of Education, said the removal of state truancy laws several years ago, coupled with the increased flexibility of virtual education options in recent years, have contributed to the current attendance problems.
“There’s just a different attitude about schools and about the importance of attendance in schools,” Miller said. “But any teacher will tell you it’s really difficult to teach the student that doesn’t show up.”
She said state legislators are discussing solutions for school attendance problems.
“We don’t want to really come down hard on kids, because a lot of them are dealing with a lot of issues,” Miller said. “We want to really help kids as best we can, so, there’s got to be a balance between helping them and holding them accountable at the same time, and so figuring out that balance is the key.” l
Teachers can’t teach students who aren’t in class. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
Show Up | Stay On Track | Graduate Together Join the State-Wide Attendance Challenge!
Utah State Board of Education poster emphasizes the importance of regular school attendance. (USBE)
Students get an early start on career planning and a headstart on their education through proactive CTE programs.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Inmiddle school classrooms around the state, students are unlocking the answer to one of the most common questions they get asked—‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’
Throughout middle school, Career and Technology Education and counseling departments work together to encourage students to think about their future. They provide opportunities for them to explore their interests, expose them to a variety of career options and connect them with classes and experiences that will take them where they want to go.
“We start at a young age to get them thinking all throughout their middle school and high school career, ‘What are your plans for high school and beyond?’” Fort Herriman Middle School Counselor Chris Montague said. “We are starting with our seventh graders and right now it’s more of, ‘Do you like science? Do you like math? Do you like art?’ And that way we can start using that to plant those seeds to figure out what’s the next step.”
Each October, seventh graders complete YouScience, a state aptitude and interest assessment, to provide insight into their abilities and interests. Eighth graders are invited to CTE field trips based on their YouScience results. In ninth grade, students take another assessment which yields a detailed 15-page report to help them register for high school classes that support their interests, skills and career and education goals.
“The goal is that we don’t have a bunch of graduates who don’t know what they want to do, thinking ‘I should have taken this class,’ or ‘I should’ve taken that class,’” Jordan School District CTE Consultant Julie Scherzinger said.
The CTE pathway programs take a proactive approach in helping students identify a career in which they excel and enjoy.
“A student might show an aptitude in computer science and not even know it unless they take a class where they’re exposed to something that’s computer science, then all of a sudden they realize it is really easy for them,” Scherzinger said. “We’re trying to manufacture those experiences much earlier in life for them now.”
Through CTE department career-connected events and CTE field trips, students are introduced to careers they may never have considered and to jobs they never knew existed.
Last spring, 400 students who scored high in financial aptitude were invited to a
Pathway to the future
finance career event. According to their assessments, only 117 of them were actually interested in finance.
Representatives from an auto dealership, sports stadium construction company, professional theater and the hospitality and tourism industry gave presentations on the finance-related jobs in their industries, which appealed to students with interests in performing arts, sports, construction, cars, tourism and travel.
“If I’m a kid who is only interested in auto shop, and they’ve got somebody there from the Lamborghini place, and he’s talking about how you can work in the auto industry doing all the financing for the cars—all of a sudden, you’re marrying their two worlds— their interests along with their aptitude,” Scherzinger said.
Throughout this year, students will be identified based on their YouScience results and invited to events exploring careers in education, computer science, agriculture, STEM and construction.
Scherzinger said CTE programs that line up with students’ interests and abilities are the solution to common high school problems such as poor attendance, low engagement and opting out of full schedules during senior year.
“When you put the right kids in the right experience, they are fully engaged,” she said. “It’s kind of a Jedi trick. We know they’re going to love it before they know they’re going to love it because YouScience has already told us they’re going to love it.”
A CTE career connected event scheduled in November will highlight teaching jobs other than a traditional school teacher. Eighth and ninth grade students will learn what it’s like to be a school superintendent, school board member, education lawyer, speech pathologist, school counselor and sports team coach.
“What we’re doing is just trying to really
offers the only Principles of Education Instruction class in the district, the final step in the teaching pathway, which creates a complete and seamless K12 Teaching As a Profession pathway in the Mountain Ridge High School cone (or feeder system.)
“That’s the whole goal, is that we can create these pathways and be very intentional in our activities that really connect the dots for the students,” Scherzinger said.
The seamless progression from middle school student to a teaching career doesn’t stop at high school graduation. This year, JSD hired a University of Utah student as a teacher apprentice through a USBE-sponsored apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor. The teacher-in-training works alongside a licensed special educator at a Jordan District school while earning their degree.
Scherzinger said the successful outcomes of students who follow a career pathway is something everyone can celebrate.
build out this exciting pathway of teacher education and let students know that it can lead to multiple careers,” Scherzinger said.
For students wanting to jumpstart their career-related education, JSD offers several career pathways which begin in middle school with basic classes and advance to college-level courses in high school.
This year, Mountain Ridge High School
“If they’re getting in the pathway earlier through these course selections in ninth, tenth and eleventh grade, and that leaves their senior year to do internships and apprenticeships and connect to industry partners, and really give them that bridge to post secondary—whether that’s going to be higher education, an apprenticeship or a certification of some sort—that’s really going to help build Utah’s economy,” she said. l
A panel of industry representatives answer students’ questions about their jobs. (Photo courtesy Julie Scherzinger)
Humans of Herriman project needs your voice
Personal stories may be the solution to strengthening the Herriman community.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Herriman’s population has more than tripled in the last 13 years, with more than 65,000 people of all ages and backgrounds calling Herriman home. Mayor Lorin Palmer is thrilled with the development and values the diversity, but said it has come with a downside.
“We’ve been so busy growing, things have happened so fast, we’re losing that community feel a little bit,” Palmer said. “So anything we can do to bring this community together to listen to other people’s voices.”
University of Utah student Alexander Hill has an idea to restore some of that small town connection, enhance community engagement and reduce divisive contention. His research project, called Humans of Herriman, is a youth-led storytelling initiative to collect stories of Herriman residents of all ages and backgrounds.
“The hypothesis of the project is high schoolers and community members will be more engaged civically and with the community if they know each other’s stories,” Hill said.
Hill has enlisted the help of Mountain Ridge High School’s DECA business club officers to help execute the project. Hill, who was a student in Mountain Ridge High School’s first DECA club six years ago, was confident in the students’ abilities.
Kennedy Haymond, Sadie Miles and Angeles Acosta, all experienced business students, recruited student volunteers to conduct the interviews, which they will then transcribe, translate and publish.
The stories they collect will be shared on the project’s Instagram page @humansofherriman, shown in a public display at City Hall, preserved in the Utah Historical Society’s archive and published in a book—in both digital and hardcopy formats, and in both English and Spanish— by the Friends of Herriman nonprofit organization.
Volunteer interviewers and interviewees of all ages and backgrounds are needed to help collect as many community voices as possible by Oct. 31. Project details and participation permission forms can be found on Instagram @humansofherriman. Send questions, or suggestions of people whose story you think would make a great addition to the collection, to Alexander@ hillfamily.net. l
Monique Davilia, community engagement coordinator for the Utah Historical Society, trains Mountain Ridge High School students to be oral history interviewers. (Jet Burnham/City Journals))
Life Time Fitness plans a Herriman location
The new facility will offer a complete menu of amenities, while the developer will enjoy lower impact fees as UDOT takes ownership of 12600 South.
By Elisa Eames e.eames@mycityjournals.com
Rejoice, Herriman exercise enthusiasts!
City approval was secured for the development of a Life Time Fitness center at the Aug. 27 Herriman City Council meeting. “The City Council has approved a master development agreement for a new Life Time Fitness, clearing the way for the athletic country club-style facility,” the city’s website says.
The new gym is set to be located at 4684 West and 12600 South. “We’re excited for their willingness to come into the community,” Herriman Mayor Lorin Palmer said. “[It] will be… sandwiched between Maverik on 126th and Mountain View… just across from Garage Grill… on that east side of Mountain View corridor.”
Before the council made the agreement official, the Planning Commission approved the subdivision and conditional use earlier in August.
As of early September, Life Time Fitness hadn’t yet announced the new Herriman location, but as far as the city is concerned, the developers have a green light. “The council did approve this MDA with them,” Herriman Communications Manager Jonathan LaFollette said.
Planned as the second Life Time location in Utah, the Herriman center is slated to offer a 102,000-square-foot building housing a selection of equipment, pickleball courts, group classes, an outdoor pool and training and recovery areaas.
The development agreement combines multiple types of building materials with a prominent sign, an iron fence and a bank of landscaping outside the fence. The buffer between the facility and the nearest neighborhood has also been widened.
“They asked for some exceptions, and it made sense to us,” Palmer said. “They’re going to [move] it… further away from that back property and build a berm with some landscaping, which I think will be a better fit.”
“The agreement allows for modifications to fencing, signage and building materials, and includes a reduction in transportation impact fees tied to improvements along 12600 South,” the city’s website says.
Impact fees are collected from developers by local governments to offset the cost of the increased strain on public
infrastructure that comes with new development. The lower impact fees to be paid by Life Time Fitness are largely due to the Utah Department of Transportation’s upcoming plans to take over ownership of 12600 South.
“The state legislature passed a bill a few years ago to plan a jurisdictional transfer from Herriman City (and Riverton City for parts east of Herriman) to UDOT,” LaFollette said. “This applies to 12600 South from Bangerter Highway westward. East of Bangerter, it is already UDOT’s road.”
Life Time will not be required to pay the full impact fees to Herriman because the city will no longer be responsible for projects that those impact fees would have funded. After the transfer, Herriman will not need to allocate funds for improvement and maintenance of 12600 South.
“The city cannot collect fees for projects it does not complete,” LaFollette said. “Because UDOT is taking over the road relatively soon, we’re not going to charge impact fees for potential road improvements that UDOT could come in and do or redo.”
The ownership transfer won’t take place until UDOT has completed its realignment of U-111, which involves another road heading south from Bacchus Highway that will eventually connect with Herriman Blvd. Construction on the new U-111 is expected to begin next year and continue through 2027.
“The [road ownership] transfer will take place shortly after that,” LaFollette said. “Life Time has not yet provided a timeline to the city for the development of the property.”
“We’re thrilled to have Life Time coming. [This is a] big investment in our community,” Palmer said. “[A] perfect fit for that location… It’ll be a nice gym.” l
An artist’s rendering shows the building facade of a new Life Time Fitness facility in Herriman. (Image courtesy Herriman City)
From costumes to candy: A safety checklist every family needs
Halloween Safety 101: The Essential Guide for Parents and Homeowners.
By Holly Curby hello@hollycurby.com
With Halloween right around the corner, families are busy planning costumes, buying candy and decorating their homes. But amidst the excitement, safety should be a top priority. This festive night—meant for costumes and candy—can quickly take a dangerous turn if precautions aren’t taken. According to safety experts Judy Chavez from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Amy Bryant, Crime Prevention Specialist with Sandy City Police, Halloween is one of the riskiest nights of the year for children and families.
Here’s how you can enjoy the frightful fun without real scares.
Costume Safety: Keep it Fun and Flame-Free
“Costumes should fit properly—not too long, loose or baggy,” Chavez said. “Long, flowing fabric can lead to trips and falls or even become a fire hazard if it brushes up against open flames like in Jack-o’-lanterns.”
When choosing costumes:
• Opt for flame-resistant materials like polyester or nylon.
• Avoid sheer cotton or rayon, which are more flammable.
• Add reflective tape or glow sticks to ensure visibility at night.
• Use hypoallergenic makeup and remem-
ber to remove it before bedtime—especially for kids with sensitive skin.
Chavez added, “Costume safety isn’t just about fire. It’s about preventing falls, rashes and other injuries we see every Halloween.”
Home Security: Don’t Let the Wrong Goblin In
Bryant reminds homeowners that Halloween isn’t just busy for trick-or-treaters— criminals may be lurking, too. “Keep all doors and windows locked, whether you’re home or not,” Bryant said. “Don’t assume because it’s a family night that everyone has good intentions.”
Other tips:
• Don’t open the door to strangers if you’re not expecting them.
• Teach kids not to answer the door without an adult’s permission.
• Install deadbolt locks with a 1.5-inch throw for added security.
• Use long screws in strike plates for stronger resistance to forced entry. And don’t forget the garage. “Garage doors left open are an open invitation,” Bryant said. “Close and lock them—and if you’re going out of town, unplug the garage opener entirely.”
Porch Pirates Beware: Protect Your Packages
Halloween kicks off the holiday season, which often includes more online shopping and deliveries. “Track your packages and get them off the porch as soon as they arrive,” Bryant said. “Porch pirates are waiting for a
chance to snatch them.”
Consider having packages delivered:
• To your workplace
• To a trusted neighbor
• To a secure community locker
Also, let trusted neighbors know if you’ll be out of town. “They can keep an eye on things, collect packages, and even roll out your trash bins to make it look like you’re home,” she added.
Trick-or-Treating: Safety on the Streets Trick-or-treating is a highlight of Halloween—but it also poses risks, especially after dark.
Bryant emphasized: “An adult should always accompany children. Even if they think they’re old enough, parents need to be nearby.” According to Chavez, the CPSC estimates 3,600 Halloween-related injuries occurred in recent years, many due to falls, allergic reactions and decoration-related accidents.
To stay safe:
• Use sidewalks and crosswalks—never jaywalk.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Equip costumes with flashlights, glow sticks or reflective gear.
• Choose well-lit neighborhoods and avoid poorly lit areas.
“Motorists, too, need to do their part,” Bryant said. “Drive slowly, keep headlights on, and be extra cautious in residential areas.”
Don’t Let Decorations Become a Disaster
That adorable Jack-o’-lantern on your
porch? It might be a fire risk.
“If you use candles, never leave them unattended,” Chavez said. “Better yet, opt for battery-operated LED candles.”
Also:
• Bring in pumpkins and outdoor décor at the end of the night.
• Avoid leaving anything out that can be vandalized or used dangerously.
• Monitor any electrical decorations for exposed wires or overloading outlets.
Have Fun, Stay Safe
Halloween is meant to be fun—not hazardous. With the right precautions, families can enjoy the thrills of the season without becoming part of the injury statistics. As Chavez puts it, “It’s about making smart choices. We want Halloween to be memorable for the right reasons.” l
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Together, we can build a better Herriman focused on responsible growth,
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Pirate costumes prepped for a safe night of trickor-treating (photo credits: Jim Harding)
2025 GENERAL ELECTION VOTER GUIDE
HERRIMAN VOTING INFORMATION SALT LAKE COUNTY VOTING INFORMATION
In Herriman, six candidates are campaigning for a seat on the city council. You’ll learn more about the races with two candidates as you continue to flip through this Voter Guide.
• Lorin Palmer and Ty Brady are running for Mayor.
• Teddy Hodges is running for District 2
• Matt Basham and Heather Garcia are running for District 3.
• Terrah Anderson is running for District 4.
Throughout the greater Salt Lake County area, voters are encouraged to pay attention to important calendar dates (like mail-in deadlines) and locate the most convenient ballot drop box.
Residents have a few different options to submit their ballots, after receiving their ballot and prepaid envelope in the mail close to two weeks before the election date.
For voters planning to vote-by-mail, ballots must be received by 8 p.m.. on election day (postmarks don’t count). In other words -- mail early.
In previous election cycles when residents were able to postmark their ballots on the day of the general election. Per the recently passed H.B. 300, voters do need to make sure their ballots are physically ‘in-hand’ at the Salt Lake County office on election day.
While registered voters do have the option to send in their vote-by-mail ballot before Nov. 4, they also have the option to vote in person. Check the accompanying list of Vote Box locations to find the ballot box nearest you. Similar to mail-in voting, ballots must be dropped off before 8 p.m. on election day.
Hey Voters! Please review the following voting information directly from Salt Lake County before submitting your ballot.
Nov. 4 is the General Election - Vote Centers and drop boxes will close promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Important Dates
Oct. 10 - Salt Lake County will host Logic & Accuracy Tests where the public is invited to attend live demonstrations of voting equipment.
Oct. 14 - Ballots being to be mailed (21 days before the election as per Utah’s legislation).
Nov. 18 - Board of Canvassers Meeting where each city will certify results after presented to the City Recorders.
Vote Box locations:
Residents can vote by mail or in-person at various drop box locations throughout Salt Lake County:
County - Salt Lake County Government Center (2001 State St.)
Cottonwood Heights - City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.)
Draper - City Hall (1020 Pioneer Rd.)
Holladay - City Hall (4280 S. 2300 E.)
Herriman - City Hall (5355 Main St.)
Midvale - City Hall (7505 Holden St.)
Millcreek - Common (1354 E. Chambers Ave.)
Murray - Post Office (5025 State St.)
Sandy - City Hall (1000 Centennial Pkwy.)
Sandy - Senior Center (9310 S 1300 E)
South Jordan - City Hall (1600 W Towne Center Dr.)
South Salt Lake - Granite Library (331 S. 500 E.)
Riverton - City Hall (12830 S Redwood Rd.)
Taylorsville - City Hall (2600 W Taylorsville Blvd.)
Wet Jordan - City Hall (8000 S Redwood Rd.)
West Jordan - Ron Wood Park (6000 W New Bingham Hwy.)
West Valley - City Hall (3600 S Constitution Blvd.)
Register to Vote:
Voter Registration website
Residents can register to vote online up to 11 calendar days before the election (before 5pm). Registration must be submitted and received before Tuesday, Oct. 28 to receive a ballot in the mail. A valid form of ID, accurate address information, and date of birth is required to register. Residents can register either: online by visiting the State of Utah’s website (see adjacent QR code); through mail by filling out the Formulario de Inscripcion por Correspondencia Para Votantes (Voter Mail-In Registration Form) found on the County’s website; or in-person at the 2001 S. State St. office. Same-Day registration options will also be available at vote centers. Learn more about voting information through Salt Lake County’s website at: saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/elections. Or by directly emailing: vote@saltlakecounty.gov.
HERRIMAN MAYOR
QUESTIONS
Sourced directly from our readers
One main reason/goal for why you are running for this election:
Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so?
Thinking about fiscal responsibility - what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values?
To keep Herriman safe, strong, and affordable for families.
Yes—when spent responsibly, property tax revenue directly supports the services that make communities work: safe streets, reliable infrastructure, parks and emergency response. In Herriman, I’ve worked to ensure that new growth pays its fair share by requiring developers to complete infrastructure before new housing moves forward. This approach helps stretch property tax dollars further while still maintaining the quality services residents expect.
Budgets are moral documents. They should reflect the values of stewardship, accountability and fairness. For me, that means protecting public safety, maintaining strong infrastructure, and investing in amenities that build community—without overburdening taxpayers. The way to balance these values is through conservative, disciplined budgeting: funding essentials first, requiring new development to contribute, and seeking efficiencies before raising taxes.
City Journals Note - As of our press date, Ty Brady had not responded to our editorial staff’s inquiries. The following information can be found on his website:
“Ty Brady’s leadership is built on three core pillars: Integrity, Transparency, and Legacy, guiding a stronger, safer, and more connected Herriman.
Ty Brady believes that leadership must be rooted in honesty and strong moral principles. With a background in construction management—covering light commercial, residential, and project management—Ty understands the importance of doing things the right way. His career in business, coupled with his dedication to community service, reflects a commitment to leading with integrity in every decision he makes. As Mayor, Ty will prioritize ethical governance, ensuring that our city’s resources are used responsibly and that every action benefits the people we serve.
What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren’t met?
What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE?
How will you address public transportation?
Transparency should be the default. I support open meetings, clear public records, and financial disclosures that are easy to understand. In Herriman, we’ve increased public access to council meetings and worked to simplify how financial data is shared. When standards aren’t met, there must be clear consequences: independent audits, public reporting, and citizen oversight through advisory boards. Accountability means nothing without action.
Our police department follows all federal laws and works with many federal agencies as needed. That being said, immigration is a federal issue and I believe our focus should continue to be on using our resources to maintaining our safe community.
Traffic and transportation are Herriman’s top concerns. I’ve worked closely with UTA and state leaders to bring new bus service, and I strongly support advancing TRAX and other mass transit connections into southwest Salt Lake County. At the same time, we’re building east-west road connections and fast-tracking the Mountain View Corridor into a freeway beginning in 2027. A balanced approach—transit plus roads—is the only way to keep Herriman moving.
Open communication and accountability are at the core of Ty’s leadership philosophy. Having founded Brady Insurance Marketing and expanded it nationwide, he has built his success on clear, honest relationships—whether with clients, team members, or community members. Ty is committed to fostering a government that listens to residents, shares information openly, and involves the community in decision-making processes. His dedication to transparency will ensure that residents are informed, engaged, and confident in their local government.
Ty Brady is motivated by a desire to leave a lasting positive impact on our city for future generations. With a deep appreciation for faith, family, and community, he envisions a city where everyone has opportunities to succeed—safer neighborhoods, better schools, and sustainable growth. His diverse leadership experience, from construction to entrepreneurship, has prepared him to build a legacy of progress, opportunity, and community pride. Ty is committed to creating a city that residents can be proud of today and for generations to come.
How do you plan to keep Herriman safe, beautiful, and affordable?
Safety, beauty, and affordability are what make Herriman special. We’ve invested in police and fire, strengthened community policing programs, and required responsible development so that growth pays its own way. We’ve expanded parks, trails, and recreation programs that keep Herriman beautiful and family-friendly. And by growing commercial revenue— through projects like Anthem (restaurants and a hotel), The Commons (Target, multiple restaurants, and retail), Copper View Plaza (multiple restaurants and services), and Academy Village (restaurants, retail, and services)—we’ve helped keep property taxes lower while still funding services. It’s about balance: protecting what we love while planning smart for the future. For more candidate responses check out our website at valleyjournals.com
“I’m running for Mayor of Herriman - not to sit in a seat, but to serve this city with transparency, grit, and accountability. And now, I could use your help. This race will come down to one thing: people. People who care about their neighborhood, their future, and the kind of leadership they want shaping this city… This isn’t just an election. It’s about building a Herriman we can all be proud of. For our families, for our future, and for the legacy we leave behind. Let’s lead it forward together.”
HERRIMAN DISTRICT 3
QUESTIONS MATT BASHAM
Sourced directly from our readers
Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so?
matt@MattForHerriman.com
I feel the City Council are good stewards of our property tax dollars and I will champion ensuring that tax dollars are used effectively. Herriman City collects property tax through three taxing entities: Herriman City, Herriman City Safety Enforcement Area (HCSEA), and Herriman City Fire Service Area (HCFSA). In 2024, the average home value in Herriman was $613,000. On this average home, a total amount of $3,741 in property taxes were paid. Of this total, Herriman City collected $63 for the general fund (2%), HCFSA collected $428 for fire and emergency medical services (11%), and HCSEA collected $480 for police services (13%). The remaining 74% of the collected taxes is split between the school district, Salt Lake County and water services. Examples of effective uses of our property tax dollars are 1) HCSEA is structured so that additional tax dollars that are collected due to growth pay for the additional officers needed. 2) HCFSA has conservatively managed tax dollars enabling construction of a new fire station using cash instead of having to issue a bond. 3) Herriman City’s property tax collected represents about 1.7% of the revenue generated by the City. This tax has never increased in Herriman’s 25-year history.
Instagram: @Heather4Herriman
City Journals Note - As of our press date, Heather Garcia had not responded to our editorial staff’s inquiries. The following information can be found on her social media pages:
“I’m Heather Garcia and I’m absolutely thrilled to announce my candidacy for Herriman City Council, representing District 3!
Thinking about fiscal responsibility—what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values?
Many residents reported concern for government oversight and transparency. What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren’t met?
The values our City budget should reflect are first and foremost, complete transparency and accountability in how and what Herriman spends its money on. The Council needs to be fiscally responsible, avoiding unnecessary debt, concentrating on long-term sustainability over short-term fixes while getting maximum value for taxpayer dollars.
One of the most important decisions the City Council makes is how to spend the City’s revenue on the needs and wants of its residents. I support the strategic priorities guiding our 2025 and 2026 budgets. The guiding principles for the budget are: Develop and maintain a strong foundation of essential services; create and sustain a high quality of life for residents; and foster a sense of community through public engagement and interaction.
First, the City needs to maintain and improve the services that support residents. These items include public safety, utility service, and the transportation system. Next, amenities that improve quality of life such as parks, trails and recreational areas need to be provided. Then come activities that promote the Heartbeat of Herriman, our sense of community.
My commitment to you is to represent and be accountable to you for the priorities on how your dollars are spent.
…I support Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act that provides access to records at the state and local level; the Open and Public Meeting Act that requires all meetings to be open to the public, unless exempted under executive sessions; and the Transparent Utah Reporting Requirements for local governments to submit transparency reports that are evaluated by the State Auditor for assessment of financial operation, statutory compliance, and performance management….
I commit to you that I will always be completely transparent and accountable to you in my actions as your City Councilmember.
Herriman is more than just a city to me—it’s home. With a background in public policy and an MBA, along with six years of dedicated service on the Herriman City Planning Commission, I’m ready to bring fresh energy, smart solutions, and a whole lot of heart to our City Council.
I’m passionate about keeping Herriman safe, building strong, connected neighborhoods, and protecting the high quality of life that makes our city so special. I believe in open communication, fiscal responsibility, and making sure every resident’s voice is heard and valued.”
“Let’s build Herriman’s future together!”
What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE?
Currently, the Herriman City Council has a strict policy on not taking positions on matters that do not fall under the Council’s purview. This would include federal immigration policy and its enforcement.
I support this policy because these matters potentially reallocate limited resources. Recently, ICE received a large infusion of funding to conduct its operations. Herriman Police officers are not immigration officers, and do not have the authority to arrest a person for their immigration status alone. I support the Herriman City Police Department in enforcing the laws of the State of Utah and Herriman City code no matter the person to maintain our historic low crime rates.
Senior show demonstrates the art of aging brilliantly
The exhibit honored the beauty of experience and lifelong expression.
By Peri Kinder
peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Abrokenswing hangs from a tree branch, next to an empty house depicted in colors of brown and gray. The picture is titled “Where Have All the Children Gone?” and was painted in watercolor by Millcreek resident Ralph Morelli to depict the loneliness he felt when he didn’t visit with his children and grandchildren.
Morelli’s painting was one of more than 200 entries in the third annual Senior Art Show, sponsored by Salt Lake County Aging Services. Held at the Salt Lake County Government Center (2001 S. State St.), the display featured art in every medium, created by seniors aged 60 and up from around the county.
“Art allows us to express feelings that we might otherwise not be able to give verbally and that’s why I believe it’s so important,” Morelli said. “My art is called emotionalism, because I’m not going for realism. I can express myself with just a few brush strokes. That’s why I think art is important. It allows us to tap into that inner self.”
The show included displays of pottery, watercolor paintings, sculpture, needlework, quilts, oils and acrylic paintings, photogra-
phy and carvings. Many of the works were done at county senior center locations.
Afton January works with the county’s aging services program. She said the pop-up gallery is a fun way to bring exposure to artwork created by the state’s seniors and give them a chance to show off their talents. Last year’s event had fewer than 90 entries, but the 2025 show had more than double that number.
“It’s frankly a smashing success this year. The skill level is off the charts,” January said. “It’s one of those events that’s been gaining momentum, because it’s a fun opportunity for folks, especially our senior center participants, who represent most of the artists here, to take what they do at those centers and bring it into the community in a way that really feels intergenerational and community spirited. And it’s a fun opportunity for our older adults.”
Millcreek resident Eve Cole entered several artworks at the show, including a drop-pour painted vase and picture, and a framed arrangement of dried flowers. Cole said her sister-in-law got her interested in art during COVID, so they FaceTimed together while creating fun art pieces.
Her painting, “Black Bird in Flight,” was made with a drop-pour background, accented with black and white.
“I showed it to my husband and he said, ‘It’s birds flying.’ I never even would have
thought of that,” Cole said. “It’s just so rewarding. It just makes me happy.”
More than 300 visitors at the art show voted on their top three favorite entries. The Director’s Choice winner was Dewey Hansen (River’s Bend Senior Center) and the top three vote recipients were Deborah Chiquito (Riverton Senior Center), Shu Yamamoto (Taylorsville Senior Center) and Margi G Owens (Kearns Senior Center).
“Our older adults, many of whom are retired, get to showcase their work and feel like they’re a part of something big and public,” January said. “It gives them some recognition.” l
The Director’s Choice winner of the Salt Lake County Senior Art Show was Dewey Hansen, a regular attendee at the River’s Bend Senior Center in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy of SLCounty)
Eve Cole holds her art show entry, “Black Bird in Flight.” The Millcreek resident started painting during COVID. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
Preparedness conference readies community members for emergencies
The free event provides tools for safety, resources and resilience.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Noone wants to face an emergency, but being prepared can mean the difference between safety and chaos. At the first Fall Preparedness Conference on Saturday, Oct. 25, Utah residents can learn how to prepare for earthquakes, wildfires, floods, power outages and medical emergencies at the South Salt Lake Community Center (2531 S. 400 East).
The free event is open to all community members, bringing together resources, agencies, experts and demonstrations to help families, groups or individuals build skills, acquire confidence and learn how to prepare for the unexpected. Emergency preparedness experts have stated that a communication plan, basic skills and an adequate supply of food and water can save lives during dangerous situations.
Held in conjunction with SSL, Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, Murray and Cottonwood Heights, the Fall Preparedness Conference is about building resilience and knowledge.
“We want to make sure people are hearing about this and feel welcome to join us,” said SSL Emergency Management Coordinator Yasmin Abbyad. “If people have any questions, whether it’s about how they can be better prepared, how they can prepare their homes and what they should do in terms of insurance, we will be able to answer those questions.”
The morning event will feature breakout sessions that include Hands-on Stop the Bleed training; a CERT skills station to practice triage, cribbing, carrying and fire extinguisher use; a moulage demonstration to learn how to apply re-
alistic, mock injuries; and the HAM It Up radio essentials course for understanding ham radio operations.
“We have a lot of people in our community who have gotten a ham radio license, but they don’t necessarily know how to use their radio, or don’t know how to get connected to the community,” Abbyad said. “We have five or six different groups that will be present at the conference, where people can ask questions to experts in the field.”
The afternoon is dedicated to a full disaster simulation where community members can practice skills they learned in the CERT course. People who haven’t earned a CERT certification can shadow the members or watch from the sidelines to learn necessary disaster actions.
For decades, Utah officials have encouraged residents to prepare for disaster. Abbyad mentioned the recent fire in Millcreek, caused by a lawn mower, that left 80 people without a home. She also pointed out the predicted earthquake in Utah, which could cause major damage and injuries.
“If the big earthquake hits us, it could take up to four days for outside resources to get to us. Highways might be down, electrical lines and trees are likely going to be in the streets and all of that has to be cleared before they can make their way to hospitals or extremely damaged areas,” Abbyad said. “We want to make sure people are prepared with water and the ability to survive for four or five days without the amenities we’re used to having.”
Although the event is free, pre-registration is appreciated so organizers have an estimated number of attendees. Visit SSLC.gov or email yabbyad@sslc.gov for registration information. l
The Fall Preparedness Conference on Saturday, Oct. 25, will help groups, businesses, families and individuals get ready for an emergency. (Adobe stock)
Superintendent Hart’s first test: Navigating uncertainty in week one
State’s top educator remains agile during shifts in education reform.
By Julie Slama J.Slama@mycityjournals.com
Weekone didn’t go as expected. Utah’s new State Superintendent of Public Instruction Molly Hart faced an unexpected challenge when President Donald Trump’s administration froze education funds that were set to be dispersed.
“It was surprising he froze funds that had already been approved through Congress,” she said. “I was anticipating changes, but I was anticipating them moving forward. So, when those changes happened a week into my tenure, it threw a wrench in the kickoff.”
Hart, who previously served as executive director of Summit Academy Schools for two and one-half years, hadn’t planned to follow in the footsteps of former superintendent Sydnee Dickson, who served for nine years. At Summit and as vice chair of the Utah State Board of Education, she felt she had found her place—working directly with students and leading through change.
“When opportunity comes, you got to answer the door,” said the veteran educator from Sandy. “I didn’t ever really see myself leaving a school setting where there were kids and I could be involved in an actual school day. I thought I hit the sweet spot, but opportunity knocks and to make a difference at this level, and to make things happen, how do you turn that down? It’s an exciting opportunity.”
It’s now been two months since Hart, a former teacher who served as principal at Mt. Jordan and Albion middle schools, was sworn in as state superintendent. She and Dickson collaborated to ensure a smooth transition in June into the K–12 summer break.
“I stay moving from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. I haven’t even unpacked all my boxes. It’s back to school for USBE, just as it’s back to school for schools,” Hart said.
City Journals posed questions to Hart about key initiatives and pressing issues in education.
What was it like when the government froze funds?
The president was clear about his priorities all the way along. We did eventually get those funds, so districts are able to pay their summer programs’ and afterschool programs’ people.
A central tenet of Trump’s plan is to eliminate the federal department of education. Is it going to impact some of the programs, such as Title I schools and others?
There are three big federal education programs: the free and reduced lunch program, the Title I program and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) or special education. USDA already co-manages the lunch program along with department of education. The plan for the others, at one point, was to move them to other agencies, and the funding was to continue in some form. But other Title programs, like Title II (supporting effective instruction), Title III (language instruction for English learners and immigrant students) were the ones that were frozen. We’re now looking at the budget process moving forward for when we get federal funds. There are a lot of different timelines that intersect, and the U.S. Senate pushed back against some of the president’s proposals, so it’s just an evolving story with a shifting landscape. We have to stay agile, consider the information we have at any given time and be ready to improvise.
If the federal department of education fades away, is Utah OK to run our education system?
Many people don’t think it will completely fade away. The department of education may still exist, but it could be much smaller in size and scope. It would take congressional action for the department to “disappear.” Saying that, it was nowhere on my bingo card that funds would be frozen. And, there was nowhere on my bingo card that those funds would be unfrozen. What’s extraordinary about these times is the different paths and the uncertainty of the next action. The best thing I can do is help others prepare for contingencies. Utah is well positioned to manage and keep consistent educational opportunities for kids. The problem is always where the money comes from, when the money comes, and how the money comes, so whether it comes from the state or from local, or from federal,
Molly Hart, now the state superintendent, received directions how to drive the excavator into the former Mt. Jordan school building to make way for a new school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
and how it comes, what kinds of strings are attached, what kinds of choices we get to make, and how it’s administered. It’s a new game — and all those spaces are changing at the same time. At the end of the day, our teachers and principals are going to open schools this fall, and they are going to give students the best education out there.
Share your top priorities.
It’s important to me that we get the various constituents together. There’s been a fracturing of communication in education, and we’ve become very polarized needlessly. As state superintendent, I can bring disparate groups of people together and create synergy. It’s important the USBE is responsive, efficient and meeting the needs of the various stakeholders and also, communicating accurate data and information to the legislature, to the field and throughout the agency. It’s important we find ways to increase student achievement and knowledge and students come away knowing how to solve problems and knowing how to meet the needs of communities in the future. That is our goal and it’s important to me that stakeholders come together and keep that in our sights. We’re an agency of the government. We serve the people. We are servant leaders. We need to do that efficiently and without wasting resources, and we need to do it transparently.
Utah has 70,000 students. Many teachers and principals are concerned about low attendance. How can USBE help?
Attendance is one of those things that can’t be solved with any one single approach. We’ve got to engage families and parents and understand why students aren’t coming to school and figure out where that disconnect is, and work on the experiences in school so that it’s a place students understand the need and what they get out of being there. It’s got to come from not just
the education community, but communities at large and at the individual level. It is individual students and their parents making a choice each day whether or not they’re going to attend. We’ve got a toolbox to support districts as they identify barriers and work to remove them. As a former principal, I do know there’s a lot a school can do, but I also understand the limitations of what a school can do and where a district or a state agency or the legislature or a community agency can have considerable impact on student rights and attendance rates. One thing we can do is look at schools at higher attendance rates and figure out what’s different between those and schools where attendance is an issue. There’s just a lot packed into attendance. It’s not simply missing a resource like a textbook. We need to look at everything. Does it have to do with transportation? Does it have to do with illness? Does it have to do with online learning? Is it a family priority or is there a barrier? Could it also be a data issue? There are a lot of questions to be answered.
What are some challenges facing our students in schools?
The changing workforce and what the workforce is going to need and what students are going to need to be prepared for the workforce is a challenge. Education spends a lot of time working with workforce, higher ed and workforce services industry partners to understand their needs, what they’d like to see our graduates be equipped with. A couple years ago, students were studying computer programming or data science and there were 1 million jobs. Well, here comes AI, and maybe some of those pieces can be outsourced, and the data scientist needs to have a whole different set of skills. That rate of change is accelerating, so it’s always a moving target. There’s a lot of movement of students geographically and making sure students information get from point A to point B safely, so there’s continuity in services and
Seen here as principal of Albion Middle in 2023, Molly Hart plans to make it a point to listen to families, teachers and others as state superintendent of instruction. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Days for Girls provides the gift of opportunity
Volunteers craft menstrual care kits to help girls stay in school and live with dignity.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
For more than 500 million women and girls around the world, access to menstrual products is nonexistent. The term “period poverty” describes the struggle faced by people who don’t have adequate menstrual supplies and education.
Days for Girls is a global nonprofit offering dignity and health to women and girls by providing sustainable menstrual kits. Volunteers around the world sew, assemble and distribute the kits, allowing girls to stay in school, attend work and alleviate health concerns that arise when menstrual products are unavailable.
Suzanne Walker runs the Midvale chapter of Days for Girls, along with her friend Jennifer Woods and lots of volunteers. The chapter has created and distributed nearly 2,000 kits to Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, Fiji, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Peru, Cambodia and Nepal.
“We not only sew components, we are also a source of outreach for our community,” Walker said. “We advocate on behalf of Days for Girls International, teaching about its mission and the reasons why there is a need for such an organization to exist. We also conduct
work events with local churches and business groups, in which they help create the kits that will then be distributed throughout the world.”
Days for Girls was started in 2008 by Celeste Mergens. She was working at a Kenyan orphanage and found that menstruating girls would sit on pieces of cardboard, often going without food. With cultural taboos around menstruation, some women and girls can’t attend school or work, or even go into a kitchen while on their period.
Mergens created washable, long-lasting pads and underwear, designed to last several years, giving the girls the freedom to leave their rooms, reclaim their dignity and potentially end the cycle of poverty.
“The evolution of this pattern for these kits has changed many times,” Woods said. “They keep making it better and better. They listen to the girls and the moms, and the feedback that people give, and they fix any issues.”
The kits contain two pairs of underwear, two reusable shields, eight absorbent liners, a washcloth and soap for cleaning, and a waterproof bag to hold everything. Colorful fabrics help normalize menstruation and the components dry quickly to allow the women and girls to manage their hygiene. The waterproof bags are also used as a washing device in places where water is scarce.
“Some girls and women walk miles and miles for water,” Woods said. “They have this very small amount of water to use for their
cooking and their cleaning, so these bags become little washing machines.”
Walker said it’s a lot of work to create the kits and they have specific instructions to follow to ensure the pieces work together. But she calls it a “labor of love” for the thousands of women and girls their kits have helped over the years. The group holds service projects several times a year, where volunteers sew kit components.
“Even in the United States, there are women who don’t have access to period prod-
ucts,” Walker said. “There are hundreds of stories of lives being changed through Days for Girls. I love going into my community and talking about it, because we don’t talk about it. I talk to a lot of young women’s groups and they are super embarrassed, but they have no idea how lucky they are.”
To learn about volunteering or donating to the Days for Girls Midvale chapter, visit the Facebook page @dfgmidvale. For information about the international organization, visit DaysForGirls.org. l
Millions of women and girls have received menstrual kits from Days for Girls. The Midvale chapter has created and distributed thousands of kits to girls all over the world. (Photo courtesy of Suzanne Walker)
Elementary school: then and now
Grandparents reminisce about the good, the bad and the shocking memories of their elementary school experience.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Grandparents Day is a beloved Herriman Elementary School tradition in which grandparents enjoy a special lunch date with each of their grandchildren.
“Any chance to spend time with them, especially one on one,” Donna Angel, grandmother of three students, said. “We get to spoil them and hear about all their battle wounds.”
Angel said being at the elementary school sort of made her feel old.
“It’s hard to believe we were ever this age, when life was simpler and a lot more fun,” Angel said. “I was just saying, ‘I can’t remember the last time I put my feet in the grass,’ and my granddaughter is like, ‘I put my feet in the grass every day.’”
Many of the grandparents who attended the picnic reminisced about their elementary school experiences, noting some major differences between then and now.
Those who were kids in the ‘70s and ‘80s have fond memories of playing kickball, tetherball, red rover and imaginative games at recess. They also have vivid memories of playgrounds of peril—flying off merry-go-rounds and teeter totters, slipping off metal monkey bars and landing on hard cement or sharp gravel.
“You got the burns on the metal slides and there was cat poop in the sandbox,” Leland Bresock remembers.
Another aspect of early childhood that came to mind for many of the visiting grandparents was school discipline practices.
“I’m old enough to where they used to have a ruler. Rulers were not uncommonly used as punishments,” Joe, who began school in the ‘70s, said.
Angel and Bresock, who attended elementary school out of state during the ‘80s, were spanked with a paddle and had their wrists slapped by a ruler—usually in front of the whole class.
“I got caught with gum one time and I had to put it on my nose and leave it there for the rest of the day,” Angel said. “There was a lot more shame. We know a little bit more about child psychology and development now.”
Chris Rogers said her granddaughter’s school has “more of that calmer, gentler and understanding” discipline style than her school had in the ‘80s.
Many grandparents remember a
stricter school dress code which required girls wear dresses and boys wear long pants.
“We had to wear dresses, and shorts were never allowed, not ever—only in summertime,” Rose Sweet Holladay said of her ‘60s and ‘70s school experience.
While dress standards were more strict when they were young, grandparents recognize they had more freedom and independence than their grandchildren currently do.
Ann said, in the ‘70s, parents never walked their kids to school as many do today.
“It was embarrassing if the parent came with the kid,” she said. “Nobody had a parent walk with them.” Even as a kindergartener, Ann walked almost a mile to school all by herself.
“I walked down to 3900 South, and I crossed it and walked down to 500 East,” she said. “I’d just walk alone and nobody thought anything of it. Then we moved to Sandy and I had to walk to first grade alone and I had to cross 700 East.”
One of the biggest differences several grandparents mentioned when comparing their experiences with that of their grandchildren was the types of technology their schools had.
Holladay said there were no computers or calculators used in her elementary school in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s.
“We had nothing to help us but our own minds,” she said. “There were no computers or games to entertain us and we entertained ourselves.”
Bresock and Angel remember their teachers using reel-to-reel films, slide projectors, overhead projectors and mimeograph machines.
Gonzalo San Miguel said there weren’t any computers in his school in the early ‘80s.
“I think the biggest thing I had like that was maybe like a Speak-N-Spell,” he said.
“The one difference I could tell is a lot more of the teacher talking,” Ann said. “The teachers were up at the front of the class to do a lot of straight teaching— they’re talking, they’re teaching. Now they do more tablet teaching, or read the books, watch the computer.”
The greatest contrast in educational experiences between students and grandparents was that of Alice Woodcock, great-grandmother of two Herriman Elementary students. She attended elementary school in the early 1940s in rural New York.
Woodcock remembers that in her small town, there was no kindergarten class. There was a “little red school house” for first and second grades and a school for third through eighth grades. High school students were bussed to a school
in the city.
In her day, students always brought their own lunch to school, or walked home to eat lunch if they lived nearby. She recalls that sometimes in winter, there was hot soup for students at the rural schools, but usually school-made lunch was only provided at the city high school which was “much bigger and more sophisticated.”
Woodcock said as far as technology, she thinks they might have had mimeograph machines in her high school in the ‘50s, but in her rural elementary school, they only used simple tools.
“We had chalk and blackboards,” she said. “It was a rural school, so pencil and paper—big, fat, lined paper. We practiced our cursive writing and we practiced our letters.”
“If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the almanac or to an encyclopedia, which was more tedious,” she said. “Now you can go to the internet and just find out anything, which is, I think, an excellent tool.”
Despite the differences in the school experiences the various generations of students had, Bresock suggested that they all, no matter when or where they attended school, had a very similar experience of just being a kid.
“Is there really any difference?” Bresock said. “You’re young and free.” l
Grandmother of five, Rose Sweet Holladay plays hopscotch at Herriman Elementary School’s Grandparents Day, just as she did decades ago when she was a child. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
Halloween comes to class—with rules
Spooky season is approaching and for elementary schools that means combining costumes, classwork and community with safety.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
As about 600 Glacier Hills elementary students parade through a White City neighborhood in costume on Halloween morning, safety remains top of mind for Principal Julie Winfree.
“We will have police officers lead, follow and patrol intersections and we’ll have teachers, aides and extra staff with walkie-talkies walking with the students,” she said, urging parents to ensure kids wear appropriate shoes and coats. “It’s a fun opportunity for the parents and community to sit out on their driveways and see the students parade by; they line the streets.”
Still, she notes, “It’s also a day of learning so we want students to wear costumes they can learn in.”
That means no masks, weapons or facsimiles of weapons—guidelines shared across most Salt Lake Valley schools.
Luke Allen, Granite School District’s associate director of communications, said costumes must follow regular dress code rules.
Those guidelines include students must be fully dressed, with clothing that covers the body appropriately and includes safe footwear. Students also may not cover their face unless it is for religious, health or medical reasons. Costumes or clothing may not display images, symbols or language that depict obscenity, lewdness, hate, violence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco or gang-related activity, and they may not include items that could be used as a weapon. Student attire and expression also must not cause significant disruption to learning.
“Halloween can be a fun opportunity for students to celebrate together, but we remind families that costumes at school
must follow the same rules as everyday attire,” he said. “Our focus is always on ensuring a safe, respectful and positive environment for all students.”
Many of Granite District’s 26,000 elementary students participate in Halloween parades, typically held outdoors, weather permitting.
Canyons School District Risk Manager Ryan Jakeman advises parents to consider different costumes for school and trickor-treating.
“Masks, which block visibility, and facsimiles of weapons are a ‘no-go’ at school,” he said, recommending face paint instead. “While costumes are encouraged, safety is also a priority for students.”
Canyons spokesperson Kirsten Stewart adds: “We’ve found outdoor parades, provided you can identify a safe route, are a great way to involve the community.”
Jordan School District also has shifted most parades outdoors post-COVID.
Jordan District’s Director of Communications Sandy Riesgraf said schools typically remind families: “no masks, weapons or excessive face paint. The school staff needs to be able to identify students.”
Riesgraf added costumes should be wearable all day and follow district dress codes.
At Falcon Ridge Elementary in West Jordan, Principal Aaron Ichimura said dressing up helps build connections between students and administration.
“They get to learn we’re human and enjoy doing the same things they enjoy,” he said. “Halloween traditions are deeply rooted in Utah.”
The school holds a PTA-run festival with students rotating every 30 minutes with seasonal grade-level activities.
“We’ll send out a Parent Square message reminding students not to wear masks, because we want to be able to identify students, no weapons or facsimile of weapons, no blood or vio-
Rio Tinto Kennecott
lent costumes,” Ichimura said. “We want Halloween to be a fun time for everyone.”
Like other principals, Ichimura emphasized classroom learning.
“We encourage staff to plan learning activities, and they can be ideas linked to Halloween like stories or math so it can be a creative, fun approach to learning,” he said.
In Murray School District, individual schools set safety guidelines.
“Halloween is a fun and exciting time for our students, and we support school administrators in creating a positive and safe environment by developing traditions and practices unique to their school,” said Doug Perry, Murray District’s communication officer. “We also encourage families and the community to prioritize safety when choosing how to celebrate, both at school and beyond.” l
Halloween parades, like this one at Sandy Elementary in 2023, are fun for students and the community, but safety is an important factor, principals say. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Spooky geology: A look at the mysterious ideas about stone and the paranormal
The Rio Grande Depot has been the subject of numerous haunting stories, most famously the legend of the “Purple Lady.” The Stone Tape theory attempts to explain why some locations seem to be more haunted than others.
By Collette Hayes c.hayes@mycityjournals.com
Whatif a building could remember every moment, every story and every experience that’s happened within its walls?
The Denver and Rio Grande Western Depot, constructed in 1910 in Salt Lake City, is known as one of the most beautiful and haunted buildings in Utah. Its exterior features a 5-foot-high base made of rare Colorado Yule marble complemented by brick and terra cotta above the marble base as well as a red tile roof. The interior of the depot is adorned with elegant marble finishes sourced from Kansas City. The combination of brick and stone construction provides the perfect medium for residual hauntings, which are often explained by the Stone Tape Theory. This theory suggests certain materials can “record” events that occur around them, serving as a common explanation for ghost sightings and apparitions.
The pseudoscientific Stone Tape Theory suggests that traumatic events can leave an imprint in stone, rock and brick. These materials are believed to be particularly effective at recording past events, which then can be “played back” like a recording. Limestone is considered the most effective of these materials. Marble, being a metamorphic rock derived from limestone, shares similar chemical properties, making it also highly effective in capturing past events. Sensitive individuals may be more attuned to the energy emanating from the stone in buildings, which could explain why only some people have experienced paranormal activity in the Rio Grande Depot.
The Stone Tape theory attempts to explain why certain locations seem to be more haunted than others, as well as why similar events tend to repeat in specific hauntings. It also provides insight into a common type of paranormal ex-
perience. Witnesses at the depot have reported seeing figures engaged in their daily activities, hearing disembodied sounds such as footsteps running down the hall, doors slamming, an emergency telephone ringing at 3 a.m., and lights turning on and off. Additionally, there have been sightings of a distressed woman dressed in purple in the second-floor ladies’ restroom, who has also been seen frequently near the café.
“While working in the Rio Grande offices, I never personally experienced anything out of the ordinary,” Deputy Director of the Utah Historical Society Kevin Fayles said in a recent conversation. “However, others have reported hearing the sound of running footsteps in the basement hallway. Also, I have an image of purple mist on the mirror in the ladies’ restroom, taken by a former employee. Another photo I have is looking down a hallway, where you see three faint figures. The building’s age could contribute to the feeling that it is haunted. I definitely wouldn’t want to be alone in the building at night.”
The Stone Tape Theory is compelling, but is backed by little scientific evidence. However, it does offer some explanation as to why individuals who have worked at the Rio Grande Depot have experienced similar events in the exact same locations.
An employee told Fayles that the Purple Lady was the creation of a former historical society colleague who had worked there long before Fayles took a position with the society. Apparently, the woman who invented the story believed that every train station should have a legendary ghost story. So, she fabricated a tale about a raven-haired beauty dressed in a purple pillbox hat, dress and matching heels. The story goes that the woman died under a train while trying to retrieve her engagement ring, that had been thrown on the tracks by her angry lover.
As reported in local media, the building has been the subject of numerous investigations including ghost hunters, psychic mediums and a séance performed by a Wiccan. The investigative findings fell a bit short of explaining the strange occurrences experienced by several employees at the Rio Grande Café.
Cafe staff have reported unusual incidents, such as hearing a woman singing in the
bathroom when the building was closed, experiencing flickering and turning off of lights, and receiving a 3 a.m. call from an emergency phone located in an empty elevator.
Also, Utah Department of Heritage & Arts Communication Director of Communications Josh Loftin noted that people have reported hearing footsteps on the upstairs balcony, sounds of talking or music playing, ghostly sightings upstairs and even alarms going off unexpectedly.
Paranormal historian Troy Taylor, author of more than 150 books on history, hauntings, true crime and host of the popular podcast “American Hauntings,” suggests that the vast majority of the paranormal cases he has been involved in have perfectly natural explanations. He says, “It is easy to feed off one another’s fears and literally ‘invent’ a haunted house.”
Although he admits, “I have been involved in some cases that did puzzle me and left me feeling that the location really was haunted.” He says to keep in mind, “When investigating a paranormal event, activity rarely occurs during an investigation.”
Residual hauntings can attempt to explain most of the haunting activities that have been reported at the depot. Digging a little deeper, though, what about the water taps that turn on and refuse to turn off, reported by an employee or the Rio Grande Depot Café employee who said she was repeatedly locked out of the building late at night with no explanation, or cold spots in the building with no apparent cause for the low temperature? And the most pressing question: Will the new renovation of the depot stir up even more haunting activity?
Jeff Hymas, Utah Department of Government Operations executive communications director said, “For more than five years, extensive efforts have been undertaken at the Rio Grande Depot to assess the damage caused by a March 2020 earthquake, and to make the necessary repairs. As part of this process, the Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management is working to ensure the restoration of the building’s structural integrity and to protect against future seismic activity. The building remains closed to the public while construction activities continue.”
According to paranormal belief, renova-
tions in a haunted building can sometimes disturb spirits and lead to a significant increase in paranormal activity. While there is no scientific evidence to support this idea, many homeowners have shared ghost stories that describe this phenomenon. One common theory is that renovations can unsettle spirits that are attached to the building. The changes may feel like an invasion to an entity that considers the building its home, leading to the spirit becoming restless or agitated.
On January 7, 2021, Adrienne White, owner of House Genealogy, began renovating her newly purchased historic home in Sugar House. While working in the basement, White and her sister encountered an inexplicable, almost paranormal, occurrence: an unidentifiable noise resonated through the house. Quickly returning upstairs, they found nothing out of place nor evidence of an intruder. The experience prompted her sister to search for information about White’s home, which led to the discovery of an obituary for a woman who had passed in the house on January 7, 1976— exactly 45 years from the day the renovation had begun.
“I’m not a nonbeliever in paranormal activity, but I don’t believe 100% either. However, my sister sending me the obituary changed my life,” White said. “It sparked my curiosity about the people and events that came before us, prompting me to explore the history of my home and other homes throughout the city. Amazed and fulfilled by what I uncovered about my home, I launched House Genealogy in February 2022.”
According to Jerod Johnson, a principal for the structural engineering firm Reavley Engineers, the Rio Grande Depot suffered severe damage from the 5.7 magnitude earthquake in 2020. Those involved in the renovation project have stated it could require “several years” to complete.
It may be quite some time before it is known whether the Rio Grande Depot experiences a significant increase in paranormal activity as a result of the current renovation. When the doors reopen to the Rio Grande Depot, the suspense surrounding this possibility will welcome both the curious and the brave to explore its intriguing hauntings further. l
An image of purple mist on the mirror in the ladies’ restroom, taken by a former Utah Historical Society employee. (Photo courtesy Kevin Fayles)
Looking down a basement hallway, where three faint figures are visible. (Photo courtesy Kevin Fayles)
Two top Mexican baseball teams will play at new Bees ballpark
Beisbol en Salt Lake returns for a two-day event Oct. 11-12 at The Ballpark at America First Square.
By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
The second annual Beisbol en Salt Lake event returns to Utah for two nights, Oct. 11-12, at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan. Miller Sports + Entertainment is hosting the event at the new Salt Lake Bees stadium.
In conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month, two of Mexico’s top professional baseball teams will face each other twice. Los Venados de Mazatlán and Los Charros de Jalisco, members of the La Ligo ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico, will play on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m., then again on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1:05 p.m.
“We are excited to welcome back Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico to Utah,” Michelle Smith said, president of Miller Sports + Entertainment. “It will be an exciting weekend celebrating Hispanic culture in Utah and watching two extremely talented professional baseball teams.”
There’s much more to this than just baseball. A free youth clinic will be held
at the Ballpark on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. Following the evening game there will be a drone show. On Oct. 12, a postgame mariachi concert will be held on the field. Gates will open two hours prior to the first pitch both days, and the America First Square surrounding the ballpark will have Hispanic dance and musical groups performing along with other activities.
In a release, Utah Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla said, “We’re proud to celebrate the second year of Beisbol en Salt Lake, bringing our community together through the joy of sports and continuing to strengthen the relationship between the state of Utah and Mexico. After the energy and enthusiasm of last year’s game, the excitement for this year is even greater. I’m especially excited to welcome fans to the new ballpark for a fun, inclusive event that truly brings everyone together.”
The Liga winter league features 10 teams that compete throughout Northwestern Mexico. The league champion then competes in the Caribbean Series each year. Mazatlan is one of the league’s founding franchises and has won two Caribbean League titles.
Eduardo Baca, Utah’s Consul of Mexico, said in a release that “the presence of Mexican baseball teams in Salt Lake City is a powerful example of how sports strengthen bonds between our communities
and countries. Baseball is part of Mexico’s soul, and seeing our talented athletes shine on international fields fills us with pride.”
Tickets start at $15 and include oppor-
Top Mexican baseball players will take on one another for Beisbol en Salt Lake, returning for a second year. (Photo courtesy Miller Sports + Entertainment)
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium becomes
This month, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium transforms into “The Haunted Aquarium,” with Halloween-themed activities, décor and treats.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium cele-
brates Halloween all month long as “The Haunted Aquarium.” There will be special activities for visitors, spooky décor and themed enrichment for the animals.
“We love celebrating along with the animals,” Social Media and Communications Specialist Heidi Byington said. “Last year we gave the Pacific octopus a carved Jack-o’-lantern with treats in it,” she added. The otters and some of the other mammals received black and orange-colored frozen snacks in the spirit of the holiday.
Many treats are in store for human guests as well. The Aquarium will offer trick or treating for members on Oct. 25 and for nonmembers on Oct. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. Trick or treating is included with the price of admission.
All month long, visitors can enjoy the Aquarium’s unique Halloween décor. “It has more of a haunted feel with ghosts and bats for decoration,” Byington said.
Activities include a cryptid scavenger hunt and special education stations throughout the Aquarium. Last year, the education team put together a station about bioluminescence, but Byington hesitated to give more details about plans for this month. “The education stations inspire surprise and delight,” she said.
Children may wear their Hallow-
een costumes to the Aquarium all month.
On Oct. 31, everyone is encouraged to dress up although costumes that are offensive, provocative, gory or too scary are not permitted. Masks and weapons are also not
allowed.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is located at 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy. in Draper. For more information visit livingplanetaquarium.org. l
Fish swim among Jack-o’-lanterns when Loveland Living Planet Aquarium becomes “The Haunted Aquarium” for the month of October. (Photo courtesy Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)
Jack-o’-lanterns adorn some of the fish habitats when Loveland Living Planet Aquarium becomes “The Haunted Aquarium” for the month of October. (Photo courtesy Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)
Local pet shelters address myths about black cats
Ruff Patch Rescue and Draper City Animal Services are just two examples of local animal welfare organizations that help find homes for pets and dispel negative myths about black cats.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Black cats experience lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia rates compared to other colored cats in animal shelters across the U.S. On a local level, however, things look a bit brighter for this symbol of Halloween. Ruff Patch Rescue and Draper City Animal Services are just two examples of area animal welfare organizations who work to find homes for all kinds of pets and help dispel negative myths about black cats.
“We actually get a lot of people who love black cats,” Jocelyn Callahan, a volunteer with Ruff Patch Rescue, said. “Kitties with more unique coloring, like Siamese and calicos, capture peoples’ eyes and often get adopted first. But black kitties aren’t always last. I think that once someone has a black cat and realizes how great they are, they want to adopt another.”
Anyone who has had the spooky experi-
ence of encountering a black cat in the dark, its eyes shining in the shadows, can appreciate how the animals became objects of superstition centuries ago. The notion that black cats bring bad luck is fading but is still one of the reasons why they have a harder time being adopted. Their dark fur also makes it more difficult for people to discern their features in shelters and it can be challenging to photograph black cats for adoption websites.
Officer A. Hurst at Draper City Animal Services acknowledged that black cats are often the last to be adopted. “But then there are people who are specifically looking for black cats,” she said, adding that all of her own pets are black.
A popular misconception about black cats is that animal welfare organizations usually suspend adoptions of the animals during the month of October out of concern that they will be harmed or discarded after Halloween. “That is a myth,” Hurst stated.
The ASPCA, the Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends Animal Society have issued statements in recent years declaring that there is no evidence that adopting black cats at Halloween poses a greater risk to the cats than adopting them at any other time of the year. Many shelters actually use Halloween to promote the adoption of black cats.
Hurst, who has worked in the field of an-
imal welfare in Utah and Colorado for over 20 years, said, “At the shelters I’ve worked for, we promoted the adoption of black cats at Halloween.” She added that some shelters give black cats Halloween-themed names to help get them adopted.
Callahan explained that Ruff Patch Rescue has a thorough vetting process for prospective adopters to help ensure that all pets go to homes where they will be safe and well taken care of. “We do have a contract in place,” she said. “We make sure that people are adopting for a reason. The whole family has to be involved.”
On a global scale, increased awareness of the plight of black cats in shelters is making a difference in how many find their forever homes. National Black Cat Appreciation Day, on Aug. 17 in the U.S. and National Black Cat Day, on Oct. 27 in the U.K., were founded to honor the value of black cats and dispel superstitions.
Last spring, NPR reported that adoptions of black cats increased thanks to the 2024 Academy Award-winning animated
film, “Flow,” about a black cat who bonds with other animals to survive in a flooded world. “Anytime there’s a movie with a specific breed, there’s an uptick in adoptions,” Hurst said.
There are many pet rescue organizations and animal shelters in the Salt Lake Valley filled with cats and dogs of all colors and breeds who are seeking homes. Ruff Patch Rescue, founded in Riverton, consists of a network of volunteers who foster all kinds of animals for adoption. They hold regular adoption events on Saturdays at the Riverton PetSmart. Visit ruffpatchrescue.com to see pictures of available pets.
Draper City Animal Services oversees a no-kill shelter. Lost pets without identifying tags or microchips are put up for adoption after a standard holding period of five business days. They are kept until they are adopted or eventually given to a pet rescue group. For more information, visit www. draperutah.gov/living-in-draper-city/animal-services/. l
Jenny, a black cat adopted from a foster caregiver affiliated with Best Friends Animal Society, poses with a jack-o’-lantern. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)
Chalk the Walk brings color to the community
Dozens of entries covered the plaza at the Viridian Event Center.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Chalk the Walk transformed the Viridian Event Center’s outdoor plaza into a vibrant gallery with nearly 60 chalk art entries. On Aug. 30, artists of all ages and abilities gathered at the center, spending hours creating their displays.
“It’s a chance for the community to come together and see some art and we have a bunch of different age categories, from youth all the way up to adult,” Sarin Wesel said, Viridian’s event coordinator. “It’s an opportunity for people to try chalk art in a low-stakes environment and have fun with it.”
In partnership with West Jordan City, the Viridian Event Center created the free Chalk the Walk event and provided materials for all entrants. Displays made by artists under 12 were not judged; instead, the youth were given the chance to try out the medium, stretch their abilities and learn from more experienced artists.
Everleigh Curran, 15, is a Millcreek chalk artist. She participated in last year’s Chalk the Walk event and found she had
a real skill for it. She said her tribute to “The Cat in the Hat” was simpler than other designs she’d created, but she loved the characters.
“I also am an artist, so I like drawing and I like using stuff that I can blend. So, that’s what got me interested in this,” Everleigh said.
Quinnley Starr is a regular at Chalk the Walk, winning last year’s adult team category with Patrick Wilkerson and her sister, Winter Starr. This year was the first time she entered as an individual artist.
Starr said she enjoys the chalk art challenge because it allows her to focus on one thing, almost like meditation, making the eight hours of design time fly by. Her piece, “The Wild Robot,” was an acknowledgment of emotion, human and otherwise.
“I love ‘The Wild Robot,’” Starr said. “It makes me cry whenever I watch it. It’s so sweet. It’s so good. I have discovered, through doing lots of chalk art competitions, that people like colorful chalk art that brings out emotion or makes them think about something they love, like a good movie. I like the color on the duck and on the robot space, where it’s lighting up with love and joy. It brings your attention there.”
Community members were invited to add their own chalk design to the wall around the plaza while enjoying the dozens of chalk art entries.
After all the votes were counted, Trisha Bhatia won the People’s Choice award; Nichole Kleinman took first in the Adult Solo category; Lexie Daley and Tee Jorgensen won the Adult Team division; Drako Woodland finished first in Teen Solo; Sophie Brewer and Sarah Hooper took the top prize for Teen Team; and Carl Brewer, Tesla Brewer and Atlas Brewer finished first in the All Ages category.
“We have some regulars that come every year and are part of the chalk community, so everyone gets a chance to meet new people,” Wesel said. “It draws people into that community and we were able to draw in some of the library patrons. They came to the library and they saw something going on, and they came and got to participate in the community activity.” l
REAL HOT YOGA - NOW OPEN IN HERRIMAN!
Caryn Ziegler has been a yoga instructor for 13 years and recently opened Real Hot Yoga in Herriman. The studio provides fitness-based yoga with a variety of challenging classes to help you meet your fitness goals. It employs a state-of-the-art heating system that provides the optimal environment for a fun and energetic class.
The room temperature (ranging from 95-105 degrees) helps warm muscles, allowing practitioners a deeper stretch with less chance of injury. Heat also aids in detoxifying the body to make you feel energized and invigorated. Real Hot Yoga also adds a cardiovascular element that other yoga classes don’t offer, making any hot yoga class at Real Hot Yoga a great option for overall fitness.
What services do you offer?
At Real Hot Yoga, we offer hot yoga and yoga-related classes, as well as yoga-related retail products including slipresistant yoga mats, yoga bags and moisture-wicking mat towels. Class temperatures range from 95 degrees (base level) to 105 degrees (really hot)!
Who is your ideal client/customer?
Ideal clients include any person who enjoys movement and fitness, and who loves to sweat! There’s a misconception that yoga is only for thin, young, flexible people. Yoga is for every body size, shape, age and level of flexibility. All of our instructors offer modifications for poses to accommodate injuries or limitations. We encourage all of our students to take each practice at their own pace, resting when necessary, and not overdoing it.
How do clients choose between you and a competitor?
We offer a variety of classes with excellent instructors. We encourage the feeling of community among our clientele and keep our studio clean and upbeat. We have seven different styles of classes and we are located in a small retail center in northern Herriman. Our Hot Power classes are my favorite.
Are you currently running any specials?
We always have the 30 Days of Unlimited Yoga for $45, where you can come to as many classes as you’d like for one month. It gives our clients a chance to try different classes and instructors. We also have regular sales on class packs and retail items.
What is your service area?
We are a fitness facility in the southwest quadrant of Salt Lake County. We are an easy drive from anywhere in Herriman, the western parts of Riverton, South Jordan and West Jordan, as well as northern Bluffdale. But people from all over the county are welcome to attend!
What is your best advice for someone hesitant to try yoga?
Give yourself the full 30 days on the Intro Offer to try a variety of classes and instructors while getting acclimated to the heat and humidity. We have so many yoga styles and teachers to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect class for your needs.
Anything else you would like our readers to know about your business?
We offer classes all day long, sometimes as early as 6 a.m. There’s a full schedule on our website with class descriptions and the instructors listed. We are a fun yoga studio, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously!
Real Hot Yoga
12488 S. Rosecrest Rd., Ste. B2, Herriman 423-943-3050
Facebook and Instagram @RealHotYogaHerriman
“The Cat in the Hat” took center stage in Everleigh Curran’s chalk art entry. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
The Power of Human Connection in Salt Lake County
Utah is in a paradox. We are known as one of the most social states in the nation, yet our residents also report some of the highest feelings of loneliness. State health surveys show that nearly one in four Utah teens in 2023 and about 6% of adults in 2021 said they often or always felt, “People are around me but not with me.” That’s a sobering reminder that being surrounded by people is not the same as feeling connected to them.
The U.S. Surgeon General defines loneliness as the distress of not having adequate meaningful connections, while social isolation is the objective lack of social roles, relationships or interaction. Both are harmful. Loneliness raises the risk of premature death by 26%, and social isolation by 29%. Utah data show youth are particularly vulnerable, with loneliness peaking around 10th grade. At the other end of life, older adults may report less loneliness, but many live alone or are less socially active, leaving them isolated—and at increased health risk— even if they say they feel fine.
It’s not all bad news. Among adults, reported loneliness has risen from 5% in
Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County Councilmember| District 3
2019 to 16% in 2024. While that increase seems alarming, some experts believe it reflects growing awareness. More people are recognizing that connection matters, which may encourage them to seek help or create new relationships. Meanwhile, Utah’s highest years for suicides (2017) and overdose deaths (2022) are behind us, with rates trending slightly down. We should not ignore loneliness, but perhaps our awareness is a hopeful step toward stronger, healthier communities.
Addressing loneliness requires all of us. Parents can set the stage at home by turning off screens, setting aside phones, listening closely, and modeling the conversations they hope their children will have with others. Simple family meals
and one-on-one time give youth safe spaces to share what they’re really experiencing.
Schools and businesses also play a role. Policies that encourage real connection—team projects, buddy systems, carpools, phone-free zones or mentoring programs—help students and employees build relationships that strengthen both well-being and performance. Identifying at-risk youth early and linking them with mentors can make a world of difference.
Local governments can create environments where connection naturally happens. Parks, libraries, recreation centers and public transportation all serve as “third spaces” where neighbors can meet. Programs like Salt Lake County’s Free Youth Rec Passes, summer events, farmers markets and free-fare zones lower barriers and invite people to gather. These aren’t just amenities; they are investments in the health and strength of our community.
Faith groups, sports teams and even traditions around food and gathering offer additional pathways. Whether it’s cheering together in the stands, sharing
a meal or volunteering at church, these experiences weave the fabric of community life. With creativity, we can support system-level changes that expand these opportunities in healthy ways.
In the end, the responsibility rests with each of us. Teens can choose to include someone sitting alone. Adults can prioritize friendships, check in on a neighbor or carve out time for family. Older adults can accept invitations or invite others into their routines. Each of these choices is small, but collectively they build the kind of community Salt Lake County is known for—caring, connected and resilient.
So I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: Am I truly connecting or just surrounded? Whether you are a student, a parent, a business leader or a retiree, you have the power to strengthen the web of relationships that hold us all together. In Salt Lake County, our greatest strength doesn’t come from policies or programs alone—it comes from people. When we choose connection, we choose health, hope and a brighter future for our community.
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Life and Laughter - Magic is a Superpower
Back in the day, it didn’t take much to be labeled a witch. Did you own a cat? Witch. Did you have a birthmark? Witch. Did you use herbs, wear a cape, know how to read or lure children into your gingerbread-flavored home so you could eat them for dinner? Witch.
I’m just saying, the bar was low. Starting in the 1450s, witch hysteria swept across Europe, lasting for centuries. Intense warfare, hardship, famine and disease meant only one thing: it was time to burn the witches, because obviously.
Nearly 60,000 people were tried and killed as witches. More than 80% were women and 60% were over the age of 40. It was a gendercide that wiped out generations of women. Many were healers, midwives, widows and property owners.
They’d reached a time in their lives where they were fine being alone, with maybe a cat or two. They just wanted a nice broom, a boiling cauldron of soup and a Pinterest board of “Witchy Reads.”
Many women step into their power once they hit 40, but give women power and there’s going to be trouble. Killing the older generations meant wisdom was lost forever, which is probably why we have mini golf sets for the toilet.
Like Labubu and Meta (and just as
diabolical), witch trials were big business. Women were arrested, property was seized and people flocked to churches because no one wants to accidentally sell their soul to Beelzebub.
The witch trials also created a disconnection between women; a fear of gathering, the angst of being seen as a “coven” when all you wanted to do was watch the “Real Housewives of Salem.” Women stopped socializing because having a friend for tea could end in a hanging. (And you thought your book club was stressful.)
I’m a lover of all things witchy, a devotee of strong women using their magic for good. A witch is a woman who speaks truth to power, without shame. Imagine a combination of Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a woman so powerful even the Puritans would have been like, “Nope, not today.”
You see, a witch hunt creates a cul-
ture that undervalues women. When you describe women as shrill, chatty, feisty, mousey, sassy, emotional, slutty, hysterical, irrational or hormonal, those words strip away power.
How many of these words are used to describe men? Almost zero. At the worst, men get labeled as “grumpy,” and somehow that becomes “distinguished.”
There’s still a witch hunt going on today. Saying “women’s rights” to certain groups triggers frothing at the mouth and a call for the ducking stool.
Women want to be believed, heard and have the ability to live without violence or discrimination. We want affordable physical and mental health care, an equal wage and respect. Is that insane, deranged, unhinged or any other word used to lock women up in asylums, as recently as 1967?
A witch stands on her own. She embraces her age, her knowledge and her intuition, without fear. It’s not surprising that interest in witchy practices is rising. You can learn spells on TikTok, craft a voodoo doll on YouTube and banish your ex to the depths of Detroit using a candle, cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Science, obviously.
For women who have felt disenfranchised in their communities, religions and
workplaces, witchy practices are a way to find their power. It isn’t an excuse to turn women into barbecue.
I associate magic with creation, and women are the ultimate creators. Women are magic, able to run empires, sing lullabies and look fabulous in a cape. Do you need someone to change the world for the better? Find a witch.
