Herriman Journal | December 2022

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

The Mountain Ridge volleyball team made it to the 6A state championship last month, where they ulti mately took second place af ter losing to Lone Peak three sets to one.

The Sentinels compiled an impressive regular season record of 25-4, including a 9-1 record in region play. That was good enough to earn a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.

In the second round of the playoffs, held at the UCCU Center at Utah Val ley University, the Sentinels defeated American Fork 3-0. Later that afternoon, they de feated Pleasant Grove 3-1.

In the semifinals, held on Nov. 5, Mountain Ridge faced Skyridge, who had de feated the Sentinels 3-2 in their very first game of the season. This time around, the Sentinels came out on top, winning 3-1.

“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.” —Steve

Olympic silver medal-winning swimmer Rhyan White makes a triumphant return

By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

Arguably Cottonwood High School’s most acclaimed athlete ever, is not a CHS graduate. Oh, Rhyan White certain ly earned her diploma; but it was from the public charter high school located inside Cottonwood.

Students of the Academy for Math, Engineering & Science—or AMES High School—are allowed to compete for Cot tonwood teams, since they are located in the same spacious Murray building. And that eligibility rule allowed the CHS girls swim team to produce Utah’s first-ever Olympic swimmer—and a silver medalist to boot.

Earlier this fall, White made a trium phant return to her alma mater, where stu dent-athletes of both Cottonwood and AMES treated her to a hero’s return, at a school as sembly in their gymnasium.

“It was super fun (returning to Cotton wood High School), because I don’t get a lot of opportunities to get back to Utah these days,” White said. “I was very excited. It was not what I was expecting. (The students) were super-attentive. It was really cool to talk with them. And they wanted lots of pictures.”

It had actually not been that long since White visited Cottonwood High. Just two months earlier she was there to hand out awards at a summer swim meet. But this was White’s first time to be with a large group of students who compete on all the school’s teams—and a group that wanted to show her just how proud they are of her accomplish ments.

“This assembly with Rhyan was nearly a year-and-a-half in the making,” said White’s former Cottonwood High swim coach Ron Lockwood. “Our Athletic Director Greg Southwick has been talking with me about putting it together since Rhyan made the Olympic team—even before she earned her silver medal. Everyone came to cheer and

congratulate her. We had a big banner made up, honoring her. It was a nice, well-deserved tribute.”

For those not familiar with White’s exploits in a swimming cap, the first ques tion really is: where to begin? Her “career” actually began years before high school, when she participated on coach Lockwood’s Wasatch Front Fish Market year-round com petitive swim team at age 12. But, honestly, successes way back then are too numerous to mention.

Starting in ninth grade, White competed four straight years on the Cottonwood girls swim team. In all four of those years, she was named “Utah High School Female Swimmer of the Year.” In her senior season, White led the Colts to their first girls swimming state team title in 37 years. She closed her high school swimming career in that two-day meet nearly five years ago, with dominant individual state titles in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. She was also a member of two state champion relay teams, in the 200 medley and the 400 freestyle.

By the fall of 2018, White was calling Tuscaloosa home where her successes con tinued on the University of Alabama swim team. In 2019, she was named to the South eastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team. In 2020 and 2021 White was First Team All-SEC and also in 2021 she was crowned the conference’s Swimmer of the Year.

All of those successes preceded the meet that qualified White to become our state’s first United States Olympic swimmer.

“The U.S. Olympic trials were held in June 2021 and there were about 100 swim mers competing for each event,” White ex plained. “It took several races to go from the top 16, to the top eight, to the top two. It had been my goal to make the Olympic team for

so many years. I was so excited to qualify in multiple events.”

After qualifying, White was soon trav eling to Tokyo. It was not the first time her swimming prowess has taken her overseas.

“I have competed or been involved in

swim clinics in Japan, Abu Dhabi (Unit ed Arab Emirates), Argentina, Croatia and Budapest (Hungary). I’m also very excited about my next competition out of the country. I’m going to Australia in December.”

If any disappointment has befallen

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This banner now proudly hangs at Cottonwood High, after Rhyan White returned to the school to offer words of encouragement to current Colt athletes. (cottonwoodcolts.org)

White during her swimming career, it was undoubtedly the two fourth-place finishes at the Tokyo games, in the 100- and 200-me ter backstrokes. Each left her barely off the medal podium. In one of the races, the bronze medal winner bested White by less than a quarter of a second.

White’s silver medal came in the wom en’s 4x100-meter relay. White did not partic ipate in the actual final relay, but earned her medal (along with three other teammates not in that medal-winning race) for her contribu tion in the prelims of the event.

A half a world away, her former high school coach watched every race live, here in Utah—no small feat since Japan is 15 hours ahead of us.

“I got up early…stayed up late…what ever I had to do,” coach Lockwood said. “I made sure I saw all of Rhyan’s races live.”

Ironically, White was not the only ath lete Lockwood was following at the Tokyo games. About the same time he was working with White, Lockwood also coached Jarod Arroyo, who competed for the Puerto Rican Olympic team.

“Jarod also attended AMES and swam for me his freshman year,” Lockwood said. “I had coached him for a couple of years. But after that one year on the high school team his family moved to Arizona. He never lived in Puerto Rico himself; but Jarod was eligi ble to compete for their national team be cause his family was originally from there.”

Arroyo was one of only two swimmers representing Puerto Rico at the games. He qualified in the men’s 200 and 400 IM, but did not medal.

“I’ve been very lucky to coach many outstanding swimmers over the years,” Lockwood said. “About 30 of my swimmers have earned major college scholarships. It’s been about 50/50, boys and girls. My swim mers have gone to four Ivy League schools, Kansas, Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Tulane, the Air Force Academy. In our state, they’ve gone on to Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State University), BYU and Utah.”

So, bottom line coach, is White the best swimmer you’ve ever coached?

“Absolutely. I don’t mind saying that,” Lockwood said. “Even her college coach has said, ‘This is the best athlete I have ever coached.’ Rhyan is an exceptional athlete. She has all the tools, motivation and dispo sition to succeed. But she didn’t do it alone. It does take a village. It takes parents tak ing time off, skipping vacations. It takes a knowledgeable coaching staff. Things like (White’s success) don’t happen by accident. I try to pawn off as much of the credit as I can.”

That “college coach” Lockwood men tioned is Alabama Senior Associate Head Swim Coach Ozzie Quevedo. The day after White’s assembly at Cottonwood, Quevedo joined White as a guest instructor at a swim ming clinic in Provo. In years past, White had attended that annual event to receive in struction from other Olympic swimmers.

“It was super cool to be a guest Olym pian at the clinic,” White said. “Two of my 2020 Olympic teammates, Hunter Arm strong and Bobby Finke, were there too, along with coach Quevedo. We started the day signing autographs. Then I got in and swam with them. We got to tell them about our Olympic experience. It felt like coming full circle, after I had been on the other side of it in the past.”

White has already completed her degree at Alabama and is now taking just enough classes to be eligible for the “bonus season” she’s getting this winter. Because of corona virus, all collegiate athletes received an addi tional year of athletic eligibility.

“I’m taking communication courses now; but I’m really not sure what I want to do for a career, after swimming,” White said. “I want to swim as long as I can. I will definitely tryout for the 2024 Olympic team. I also hope to go pro (as a swimmer) next year.”

White’s family continues to call Her riman home. And she promises to return to Utah for visits as frequently as possible, when not in Croatia, Australia or elsewhere. l

Cottonwood’s Rhyan White was the four-time Utah prep swimmer of the year, before her career took her to the University of Alabama and then to the Olympics. (tide1009.com)

Mountain Ridge volleyball

Continued from front page

Clockwise: Senior middle Kiera Cook gets a block against Skyridge. Cook will be continuing her volleyball career at Salt Lake Community College. (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

The Sentinels had a strong contingent of student supporters backing them during their run in the state playoffs. (Justin Adams/City Journals)

Sophomore setter Sadie White led the team in assists this year with 1,028. No other player had more than 50. (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

Senior outside hitter Ireland McNees is headed to Loyola-Marymount to continue her volley ball career. (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

Above: Head coach Bryan Nicholson talks with his players during a timeout in the semifinal match against Skyridge High. (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

Left: The Sentinels celebrate a kill by senior outside hitter Rylee Parkinson, who will be continuing her volleyball career at Weber State. (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

Nature’s Virus Killer

Copper can stop a virus before it starts

By Priscilla Schnarr www.copperzap.com

Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast.

Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.

“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.

Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys it in seconds.

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Daybreak club seeks to bridge gaps through conversation

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

The Daybreak for Diversity and Inclu sion Club held its first Human Con versations event on Nov. 12 at the Daybreak Community Center. Patterned after the Human Libraries that began in the year 2000 in Den mark, the event brought people from all differ ent backgrounds to have open dialogue with their neighbors and to satisfy curiosities in a safe space.

The club, run by Daybreak residents, selected 16 “humans,” individuals of differ ent beliefs, ethnicities and affiliations, to talk with interested participants in an effort to help bridge gaps of understanding and bring aware ness. The event followed a speed-dating for mat, giving each participant 15 minutes to have a conversation with one of the 16 humans. At the end of the 15 minutes, the participant could then switch to another table with another hu man.

Daybreak resident Sue Martin was one of the participants that day, going from table to ta ble to talk with individuals who might appear different on the outside, but are nonetheless human, and therefore the same on the inside.

“The more events we have like these, the less we have to overcome in our perceptions of each other,” Martin said.

One of the humans was Dr. Russell Gaede, a therapist, author, runner and someone who lives with Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurode velopmental disorder that causes physical tics, or twitches of movement. Dr. Gaede admitted that he could remember some of his condition beginning at age eight, and that often times the physical manifestations of the condition are merely “the tip of the iceberg” in terms of what people can see happening. Although a high school dropout, Dr. Gaede went on to receive a doctorate in Psychology and taught courses at Utah Valley University. He is an author and long-distance runner.

“Having Tourette’s doesn’t mean swear ing all the time,” Gaede said. “Just ask my wife.”

Another human was Josie Jesse, who in 2018 became the first patient at the University

of Utah to have gender confirmation surgery. A “proud Airforce veteran,” Jesse also lives proudly as a transgendered woman. She said that the Daybreak community was very sup portive of her and helped to take care of her when many others, family included, would not. That support is not something she was ac customed to. She said that events like Human Conversations are so needed because society still has a long way to go. She has a website called Real Talk with Josie.

Some of the humans brought artifacts with them, tangible things that represent their background, interests or beliefs. Nahe Foley had plenty of items on her table. A Native Hawaiian who was born on the Big Island of Hawaii, Foley has spent most of her childhood years and adulthood years in Utah. As a ticket ing agent for Delta Airlines, Foley displayed a model Delta airplane on one end of her table, and Hawaiian implements on the other end. She wanted to participate to share not only about her culture, but also how she has been able to keep her culture despite being so far from the islands.

A member of the Daybreak for Diversi ty and Inclusion club, Nycole Rosen helped to plan and organize the event, along with her fellow club members. Rosen said she observed tears shed, hugs given and heartfelt conversa tions happening, and looks forward to the next time the event is held.

“I would love nothing more than to see this type of event hosted in every city and every community,” Rosen said. “I think it’s important for all of us.”

Rosen said she was pleased with the turn out, noting that there were 51 people who came and participated. The free event was advertised on the Daybreak Community Facebook page but was open to all adults who wished to con verse. Those 12 and older were encouraged to have a parent attend.

To learn more about events and activities in Daybreak by the various clubs visit www. mydaybreak.com/get_involved/community_ clubs/index.php l

New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.

The “humans” that shared their stories at the Human Conversation event at the Daybreak Community Center on Nov. 12, from left to right (back): Thom Reed, Tim Young, Mayor Lorrin Palmer, Josie Jesse, Dr. Russell Gaede, Dawn Riddle, Lexie Adams, Josh Fullmer, Jared Foley, Nahe Foley. Left to right (front): Abish Adams, Zeynep Kariparduc, Carolyn Morris-Williams, Anadine Burrell. (Photo courtesy of Robert Stroud)

Herriman residents can now look forward to a new recreation area located on the east side of Mountain View Corridor, starting at Sentinel Blvd, and up into the clear spaces west of Juniper Crest Road. This new recreation area will feature 72 acres of open area in the Her riman city limits. This recreation area is designed to encompass commercial, res idential, and educational areas in Herri man to the Herriman hills trails system, making the trails more easily accessible to residents of the city. The Juniper Can yon recreation area has several phases to its ultimate completion, and each phase will be added to the recreation area upon the availability of funds over the next few years. Some of these phases include pic nic tables, park benches throughout the 72-acre area, and a bike playground that will consist of a snake ladder, a moun tain-top trail and a custom tunnel to bike through. The ground for this project was broken on March 1, and the official rib bon cutting for this area was completed Nov. 2. Residents can look forward to new developments in the Juniper Canyon recreation area over the next few years and enjoy the nature and beauty of Herri man in a more accessible way. l

Juniper Canyon recreation area opening

By Annabelle Larsen | a.larsen@mycityjournals.com

Herriman opens 72 acres of land to the public. (Courtesy of Herriman City)

Local life coach encourages others to ‘put on new words’

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

Around the holiday season we hear words like gratitude, thankfulness and apprecia tion. South Jordan resident and business own er Becky Jane Kemp has been intentionally trying to “put on” those words all year long. Kemp, who is a wife, mom and life coach, believes that words have a transformative ef fect on each of us. Her formula is called The Word Effect, which according to her website, Becoming with Becky, is “a simple frame work for creating the life you secretly desire one word at a time.”

The journey for Kemp began in a very per sonal way. Approximately 10 years ago, Kemp admitted she wasn’t living her true passion and dealt with anxiety and depression.

“I was the mother of five amazing boys, I had been married to my high school sweetheart, I lived in a comfortable home and had all my needs met, and enjoyed many of my wants,” Kemp said. “Life was good…so why wasn’t it?”

She recalled feeling a distinct impression to “change your words and you can change your life.” It was that impression that initially led her to start a positive t-shirt and apparel business in 2015 called Becoming Threads. But selling t-shirts wasn’t the ultimate goal. After sever al years of selling t-shirts at local boutiques, Kemp decided to invest more time into where her dreams lie.

In 2019 she began working on an outline

for her first book and became certified as a life coach through the National Speaker’s Associ ation. The focus of the book is patterned after Kemp’s belief that if we change the words we use to describe ourselves and our circumstanc es, we can live our most beautiful lives. Kemp said that the book project was the first time she invested in herself, paying money for a local writing coach and editor. The book is set to be released in January 2023.

Kemp admits that she is not a licensed psy chologist, however, as a life coach she has been able to help her clients with the simple, weekly reminders that help set them on a path towards positivity and productivity. Kemp believes that individuals have the power within them, she just helps people find the starting point. She compared her role as a life coach to a physical trainer.

“Life coaching is the exercise for the mind,” Kemp said. “I’m just giving the blueprint of how to move your story forward.”

Small business owner Christy Smith has been doing one-on-one coaching sessions with Kemp for a year and a half. Smith made the de cision to branch out on her own two years ago with Paramount Tax and Accounting Herriman. There were obstacles relating to small business, as there usually are.

“When I met her, I just knew that that was what my next step needed to be to help me with

my business,” Smith said.

Working together to put on words like acknowledgement and acceptance, words that Kemp highlights in her book, Kemp has helped Smith to refocus her thoughts every week and to recognize that thoughts drive feelings. By fo cusing on words such as, “I’m able to succeed in my business,” Smith said although she is a female in a male dominated industry, she has doubled her business in a year.

In November 2020, as a birthday present to herself, Kemp began recording a weekly pod cast, The Word Effect. Episodes are no longer than 20 minutes and are filled with positive and uplifting content. Within the year 2022, she held two “Gathering” retreats for women in St. George and Heber, where participants were able to celebrate, connect and create.

At this year’s Utah Pinner’s Conference held in early November, Kemp taught a class en titled “How to awaken your positive potential.”

“I want to help people see the power to change their story and create more of what they want is within them,” Kemp said.

For more information about the book re lease, to sign up for the newsletter, to download her free e-book or for public speaking inquiries, visit her website at www.becomingwithbecky. com l

MONICA HINZ, DO, JD

Pediatrics

Monica Hinz joins Granger Medical Clinic as a recent graduate of University of Florida, Jacksonville’s pediatric residency. Following residency she served as a chief resident for one year. As a native Floridian, she and her family have loved moving to Utah this past summer and are enjoying all the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Salt Lake City area has to offer. Dr. Hinz is of Columbian descent and is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Hinz is passionate about not only helping her patients grow, but also ensuring the entire family unit is thriving.

Becky Jane Kemp is a certified life coach who resides in South Jordan and offers one-on-one sessions as well as public speaking opportuni ties. (Photo courtesy of Beck Jane Kemp)

Navigating Grief and the Holidays

By Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW

The holiday season is nearly upon us. This is the time of year when grieving people often feel dread and sorrow about the very events and traditions that formerly brought happiness.

As every grieving person handles loss in their own way, each one of us observes holidays in our own way in time of bereavement. There simply is no one right way to experience the holidays. Some find meaning in following cherished traditions, and others benefit from avoiding traditions because their associations are now tinged with loss. Some people find great comfort in being with other people, others prefer solitude to camaraderie. For all of us, how we gather is as important as gathering at all.

Plan ahead for the holidays: The first step in planning is to listen to yourself….what will help you most at this time? You may have strong memories and powerful feelings. Accept this as normal, but prepare for it. Anticipate the pleasures and the stresses of events, and select those you want to participate in. If you expect to be lonely, arrange supportive companionship. If you can’t bear the thought of connecting with the entire extended family, let the family know of your needs. Be creative and accept support by using distance technology.

Accommodate your plans to your new limits: Most grieving people have significantly lowered physical stamina and emotional reserve. Perhaps you can’t get every decoration out this year. Accept these limits as temporary, and good enough for this year. Choose to put your energy into the things that matter most to you.

Accept that the holidays will be different this year: The holidays are often filled with unrealistic expectations that may overwhelm you. You may need to revisit your goals and find a balance between continuity and change. Many people find a special comfort in establishing a new holiday tradition that honors the memory of the person who died.

Recognize that other family members or friends may have struggles, too: Look for opportunities to discuss your feelings and wishes with others who may also be grieving for your family member. Try to respect their choices, if they are different from yours. You all may need to make compromises.

If the holidays have always been hard for you: Use this transition in your life to try something completely new…an untraditional-tradition. Perhaps you have never taken the occasion create a new experience on your own. As challenging as loss can be, it can bring momentum to grow and to try something new.

For all of us, whether the holidays are a time of personal significance or not, it can be a season in which we reflect on what we do cherish as we journey through grief.

Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing and the Director of Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program. Caring Connections is a not-for-profit program that offers clinician-facili tated grief support groups in Utah. 801-585-9522 healthcare.utah.edu/caring-connections

www.LarkinCares.com

Connectivity, including connection to nature, is paramount in plans for The Point

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

Progress is happening at The Point, the former prison site in its infancy of becoming an ultra-modern development. Officials announced that the Utah Division of Facilities and Construction is running ahead of schedule on site abatement, the first step toward demolition. In December, the Phase 1 development partner will present re fined plans to The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority.

“This is getting more and more real. Rath er than a place where people are constrained, it’s going to be a place of new opportunity… and change life for the better for the people of the state,” said Alan Matheson, The Point’s ex ecutive director.

Innovation Point Partners (IPP), the Phase 1 development partner, is a team of three firms: the Lincoln Property Company headquartered in Dallas, Texas and local partners Colmena Group and Wadsworth Development Group. According to The Point officials, the IPP team has experience building large-scale, sustain able communities and innovative, mixed-use projects.

Though they couldn’t share specifics pri or to the December Land Authority meeting, Matheson and IPP spokesperson Abbey Eh man spoke in general terms about refinements to the plan. Ehman is based in Los Angeles,

but she previously lived in Utah.

Phase 1 development focuses on Main Street, the central park, and creating a 15-minute city that supports all forms of mobility including pedestrians, vehicles, cyclists and transit. Ehman was highly complimentary of the framework plan al ready created for The Point with public input from Utahns. “Never before have we seen such an effort…it’s a credit to Utah,” she said. The IPP team is working with that

existing framework plan to further refine and enhance it.

“The adaptations are enhancing connec tivity, vibrancy and a strong sense of place. This is our opportunity to build a new down town in Utah…we’re very thoughtful on build ing types, the pedestrian experience…econom ic investment driving jobs, and thinking about how that all exists together. The signature ele ment is the recreation space, the commitment to the outdoors and nature that makes it a Utah

project. We’re making sure we have places of respite, places we tie into the trail network… we heard the desire to be connected to nature. Market conditions have informed our process, but connectivity to outdoors is the big shift we’ve seen through the pandemic. People want readily accessible outdoor space,” Ehman said.

Matheson indicated these revisions better tie the central park to the River to Range trail and offer new connectivity elements to help people get around the site without ever getting on the road.

Ehman called the Main Street “the heart of our first phase” and said there will be “a keen focus on local businesses.” It will be pe destrian-focused with a mix of local and na tional shops and restaurants that spill out onto a promenade.

“We as a firm are so excited about Utah, specifically the demographic, the economic growth, the quality of life, this amazing canvas, and all the work that came before us to make this a preeminent development. There really is no better infill opportunity in the western U.S. be cause of the location between two popula tion centers. And with the good work that’s come before us on transit and infrastruc ture, we’re excited to focus our efforts here,” Ehman said. l

ANGELO PULGIANO, MD Internal Medicine

Dr. Pulgiano joins Granger Internal Medicine – Riverton from the University of Utah. He graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine in the Caribbean Netherlands in 2002. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in 2005.

Dr. Pulgiano is passionate about being a strong patient advocate and gives his best efforts to educate, support, and encourage each patient throughout all aspects of their care. He is a strong believer in preventative medicine, utilizing annual routine exams and age-appropriate screenings, combined with a healthy lifestyle. He is dedicated to applying his knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide accurate diagnoses with the most advanced medical treatments in order to provide superior care to his patients. In addition to internal medicine, Dr. Pulgiano also offers facial rejuvenation treatments that include dermal fillers for the cheeks and lips in addition to Botox for the face.

A conceptual rendering of the River to Range plans for The Point. Phase 1 development plans are being refined with a focus on connection to nature. (Courtesy The Point)

Herriman City, developers look at alternatives for former ‘Game Pointe’ property

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

In July of 2019, the South Valley Jour nal published an article titled, “New Family Entertainment Center Coming to Herriman.” Brothers Aaron and Jared Os mond (of the Osmond family) planned to build a 40,000 square foot building with a 16-lane bowling alley, laser tag, escape rooms, and more. Of course, that was about six months before the world turned upside down.

Like many projects, the Game Pointe development got derailed by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Now with that ordeal mostly in the rear-view mirror, is the project back on the burner? Not quite.

Unfortunately for Herriman residents who were looking forward to having a near by entertainment center with all those ame nities, a similar destination recently opened in West Jordan. With a direct competitor that close by, the Osmonds as well as Herriman City recognized that a pivot may be neces sary.

“Honestly I’ve gone back and forth with the idea of a 40,000 square foot en tertainment destination building - I still think it would be awesome. I’d love to see something like that, but it is what it is,” said Councilmember Steven Shields.

Instead, the Osmonds have pitched

the city on the idea of developing the same plot of land with a few different uses. Their proposal includes two restaurant buildings, three retail buildings and one mixed-use of fice building.

Still wanting to bring some kind of en tertainment attraction to the city, the council

requested that the developers try to reserve one of the buildings for such a use. As for what that might be, the Osmonds floated a couple different ideas for chains that make a good fit. One of those, Social Axe Throw ing, has five locations in Utah and Arizona. Another, Puttshack is a tech-infused indoor

mini-golfing company with 14 locations across the United States but none in Utah.

For the council, getting something like that in Herriman is crucial to the project’s success.

“As a council, we keep using the word ‘destination.’ And I think what we mean by that is something that’s unique, that can’t be found in another area,” said Mayor Lorin Palmer.

That same principle also applies to the potential restaurants.

“There’s just a lack of services and amenities. Anyone who wants to go to a sitdown restaurant, with the exception of a few small restaurants we have here, they have to go to another city for that,” said Shields.

There is one other option available to the city. With the developers no longer pur suing the original plan, the contract between the two allows the city to exercise an option to repurchase the property back. Perhaps if they felt like they could pursue a deal with another developer to come in and build something similar to the original vision. But that doesn’t seem likely to happen.

“That ship has sailed,” Palmer said. “If we were to have a blank slate, I don’t think any of us here would say this isn’t a great project.” l

After plans for a 40,000 square foot family entertainment center fell through due to COVID-19, Herriman City and their development partner are looking at smaller options for the same area, like axe throwing or indoor mini golf. (Photo via Creative Commons)

Newest member of Herriman City Council: Santa Claus?

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

You may have been a little confused to see a man with a long white beard during Herriman City Council meet ings recently. No, that’s not an old man who was just added to the council. It’s just Councilmember Teddy Hodges, who has been growing out (and dyeing) his beard in preparation for an other season as a Santa impersonator.

“Santa runs his business just like any other business. He’s the CEO, and he has lots of other managers, area managers, district managers, employees, etc. That’s how he’s able to get all the information together so then on Christmas Eve he can deliver,” explained Hodges, who has been one of those employ ees for the past 15 years.

It all started when he was on a service trip to Ensenada, Mexico with a group from BYU. They were visiting an orphan age and had scheduled a Santa impersonator to come help out. That person didn’t show and so they improvised.

“We had a wig and a hat. I had a red sweater on and I had the stature, so I did it,” Hodges said. Being able to hand out bags of both essential items and toys to those kids was such an “amazing experience,” Hodges continued to assume the role in subsequent visits for four years.

Of course, word got around that he was pretty good at the job, and he was soon donning the red coat and beard back home for family events. Which then led to being asked to do other events, everything from corporate parties to nonprofit events. And thus, a Santa impersonator was born.

“I just love it,” he said. “When you put that suit on, you’re the epitome of the awesomeness and magic of Christmas.”

It’s a role that Hodges takes very seriously. He grows out and dyes his own natural beard, a process that costs several hun

dred dollars and requires hours of weekly upkeep.

“It’s pretty intense,” he said. “I have to tone it every week, or week and a half. I’ve got all this tin foil and plastic on my face…”

But being Santa is more than just donning his appearance.

“Just because you have a red suit and a beard on, doesn’t mean you can be Santa. It’s kind of like the Grinch, your heart needs to be three sizes too big,” he said.

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Herriman City Councilmember Teddy Hodges has been a Santa impersonator for 15 years. (Photo courtesy of Teddy Hodges)

To help himself “become” Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, Hodges adopts some of the strategies of the famous method actors of Hollywood.

“I’ll go straight from work to a Santa gig and I have to make that switch. You eat Pepper mint candy. You listen to Christmas music and sing along. You look kind of crazy to people if they see you,” he said.

It becomes a lot easier to maintain the im personation once he’s in front of a crowd.

“They’ve got Christmas music going, they’ve got warm cookies, they have all the embodiments of Christmas. Then the crowd is all amped up and there’s lots of interaction, it’s amazing,” he said.

Of course, it isn’t always a fun and easy job. Last year, he admittedly got a little burnt out after booking 74 gigs.

“You’re out, sometimes late hours. The roads and weather aren’t always great, so my wife worries when I go out to gigs that are fur ther away. It’s stressful on everybody,” he said.

Luckily, Hodges’ family is very support ive of his Santa-moonlighting. His 10-year-old daughter often accompanies him and his wife helps him think of ways to be a “better” Santa.

For example, a few years Being very pas sionate about mental health and suicide pre vention, they realized that it might not be the best idea to instill in kids’ minds that they fall in either a “good” or “bad” category.

“All kids are good, they just don’t act good all the time. So when parents use that as a discipline thing… I just don’t love that,” he

said.

Instead of “Naughty or Nice,” Hodges instead focuses on kindness. “If you’re a kind person, you can have a bad day,” he said.

To help promote that idea, he’s kept $2 bills in his pocket so when he’s at a gig or somewhere in between and witnesses a kind act, he can pull one out and give it to the kind do-gooder. This year he’s also introducing Kindness Coins - custom coins engraved with the words, “Caught Being Kind.” His hope is to continue handing them out in the coming years and also gather stories of kindness from the community and make a little book out of them.

While most of his gigs are for private events, Hodges’ Santa will be making an ap pearance at a few public events this Christmas season:

Photos in the Park

Sunday Dec. 4 from 1-3 p.m. at Herriman Village Park (13236 S Woods Park Dr) Donations accepted for local families

Photos at ‘The Up House’

Saturday, Dec. 17 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at ‘The Up House’ (13218 S Herriman Rose Blvd)

$10 fee for photos, all proceeds go to the Road Home

For folks interested in booking Hodges’ services for next year, they can do so through his website, www.bookutahsanta.com.

Every year, Fort Herriman Middle School chooses a charity the student body will spend the month of December rais ing funds for. Last year they raised over $7,000 for Kauri Sue Hamilton School and Christmas for Kids. This year, in partnership with Moun tain Ridge High School, they will be collecting donations for Hearts Knit Together, an organi zation which supports people escaping domes tic violence, sexual abuse or war.

“The joy and sense of purpose that our students gain from participating in these types of activities and in helping others in need is a worthwhile learning experience for all in volved,” FHMS Assistant Principal Lisa Jack son said.

Student body officers have planned activ ities to encourage students to donate supplies Hearts Knit Together has requested. These items, such as clothing and hygiene items, will be used by people their own age. Throughout the first week of December, they will have spirit days and activities. Students will bring in donations and can also purchase candy and soda, with proceeds going to the charity.

Community members are invited to par ticipate in a DiamondBack Giveback fund raiser activity Dec. 8 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the school. They are asked to bring donations of books, games, clothing, hygiene items and

Students will spread joy, service this month

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

blankets. Activities include a craft and food market, a visit from Santa and the Herriman police department’s K-9 unit. There will be performances by Herriman HarmonX, the Herriman Children’s Choir, MRHS Madrigals, FHMS students and local elementary school students. Punch cards for activities can be pur chased online, at the school or at the door.

Community members are also invited to donate toys to Butterfield Canyon Elementa

ry’s Toys for Tots toy drive. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 2. This is BCE’s sixth year participating in the toy drive.

“The students realize that there are kids just like them out there that are in need, and they really want to help bring joy to others,” BCE teacher Keri Cedor said.

Cedor said they fill 10 to 14 donation box es each year.

“I believe we have been so successful

because our students and community love spreading joy and happiness to others,” she said.

Copper Mountain Middle School is hold ing a food drive for the Utah Food Bank. Stu dent body officers are organizing this year’s food drive and activities to encourage student and community participation.

Instead of collecting items for their chari ty drive, students who attend the Jordan Virtu

B R E N T G O R D O N

P E R S O N A L I N J U RY AT TO R N E Y

Butterfield Canyon Elementary fourth grade students and student council members prepare nine large collection boxes for their annual Toys for Tots toy drive. (Photo courtesy of Keri Cedor.)

al Academy at Rocky Peak Elementary, Kelsey Peak Middle and King’s Peak High will be col lecting service hours.

Last year, students performed a total of 1,203 hours of service. This year’s goal is 1,500 hours.

JVLA provides community service op portunities throughout the year—students and staff collected 536 pairs of socks for The Road Home in October.

“Service helps kids look outside them selves and takes them away from their own problems,” KPHS instructional coach Ami Anderson said.

To achieve this year’s higher goal, a Day of Service was held Nov. 11 to kick-off the service season. Students and their families were invited to participate in four service projects at two locations.

Lily Reutze, an eighth grader at Kelsey Peak Middle School, and her mother Lisa, who works as an aid at Rocky Peak Elemen tary, spent time helping with each of the proj ects. They were two of many students and staff members who helped make 300 yarn

snowballs to donate to Kauri Sue Hamilton school as an indoor snowball fight kit, col ored 40 food boxes for the Food Bank, tied 12 quilts for Primary Children’s Hospital and craft over 200 cards for care center residents.

“It’s good to help out your community and to help other people,” said Lily.

KPHS ninth grader Blue Hegstrom spent a few hours at the Day of Service. He said he loves helping others and that he often helps out at home. The time he spends providing service for his family will count toward the service hours he contributes to the school to tal.

KPHS sophomore Haedyn Cleveland said, as a virtual student, it was great to get out of the house and meet with her peers at the Day of Service activity. She said she appreci ates that her school values community service and provides opportunities to get involved.

“It’s important to help people and the school wants to set us on the path so we know how to start helping people and then we can continue to do that when we’re adults and in different environments,” Haedyn said l

K-12 students from Jordan Virtual Learning Academy helped tie quilts for Primary Children’s Hospital as part of the school’s Day of Service. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Peak High students Blue Hegstrom and Haedyn Cleveland take a break from virtual class

rate cards for residents at a local care center. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Video resource library for parents, students

What is a citizenship grade? What were the results from the school survey? Why is my teenager acting like this? Middle school students and their parents have a lot of questions. Fort Herriman Middle School staff members have a lot of answers, and they are sharing them through a series of videos.

Principal Eric Price invites school staff members to talk about a variety of topics on camera to create videos which are posted on the school’s social media pages.

The videos are part of a growing library of resources for parents and students. Some videos share tips: understanding the science behind mindfulness, suicide prevention and deal ing with stress and anxiety. Other videos address topics that are often misunderstood, or highlight school resources and school policies: skills students need to be employable, graduation re quirements, results of the school survey, etc. Price interviews school counselors, teachers, administrators and district leaders who are knowledgeable in these areas.

Price said they make a video whenever they have an idea, and the ideas just keep coming.

The videos also provide a way for students and parents to get to know staff members. One video introduced the school’s new SRO Marisha Manzano and gave her the opportunity to explain what a school resource officer’s role is.

“My main focus is to build relationships,” Manzano said. “I’m really in the school for the purpose of helping the students and to build relationships in law enforcement.”

She said to do her job well, she needs to get to know the students so it was helpful to have a forum to introduce herself to the school community to start building those relationships.

FHMS morning announcements are delivered through

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

video, as well.

“The reason we went to video versus just the overhead announcements is because it’s different when you can see peo ple,” Price said. “We tell the kids we love them every day. And so it’s different when you can see them say that versus just hear ing it over the loudspeaker.”

Price first began making regular video announcements when the school was closed due to the pandemic during the spring of 2020. Price used them to stay connected with students and parents. He discovered it was a great way to address rumors and misunderstandings.

“I felt like there was a lot of miscommunication on what we were trying to accomplish,” he said. “We’re trying to help them understand what education looks like now, because the pandemic caused a lot of things to change—why we’re using more Chromebooks and what that’s replaced and all the things that can come up in the education system now that are different than the way that we were educated.”

Price hopes the videos are a helpful resource for parents, who often struggle to understand their teenagers’ behaviors. He and his staff members often share the latest research on adoles cent development.

“We try to keep up to date on some of the newest research and evidence of what’s going on in these kids and in their brains,” Price said. “The brain science is showing us what’s happening with these kids and how we can help them to calm their emotions. And with the tragedy that happened here in Her riman a few years ago, we want to do everything we can to prevent that from happening,” said Price, referencing the rash of teen suicides which occurred in 2018.

The school continues to send communications to parents

Principal Eric Price introduces Fort Herriman Middle School’s SRO, Marisha Manzano, in a short video. (FHMS Facebook)

through email and skylerts; the videos are just another way to reach more parents.

“I think a lot of social media is where people are heading these days to get their information and so we try to hit them there as well,” Price said.

All the videos are available to watch any time, so even if the topic isn’t relevant to someone at the time, they can find it later under videos on FHMS’s social media page when they need it.

“We’re hoping that people will come back,” Price said. “They’re always going to be there so they can always go back and look at them.” l

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That Ol’ Christmas Spirit

ven though 2022 seemed to last as long as a 5-year-old reading “Green Eggs and Ham,” the holidays rushed in like a wicked case of intestinal flu. But high grocery prices? Rising inflation? Those things have never stopped Americans from over-celebrating the holidays.

If you’re finding it hard to capture the spirit of Christmas this year, just remem ber the real meaning of the holidays: get ting presents. All those brightly-wrapped packages will bring you hours of tempo rary joy and fulfillment.

I wonder if we have lost our senses, in a very literal way. Maybe if we come back to our senses for the holidays, we’ll stop eating when we’re not hungry, partying when we’re tired and buying a doghouse full of gifts for the family puppy when we’re already overbudget.

Let’s start with the sights of the sea son, like the piles of enticing Amazon box es shoved into hiding places and spilling out of closets. The twinkling lights of po lice cars at the neighbor’s house. The deadeyed stare of a Target cashier and colored globes hanging on the Christmas tree that drops needles when someone walks by.

How about the sounds of the season, like your favorite holiday tunes played by an accordion, or the infinite Mariah Carey

song remix/mash-ups/covers. You’ll hear “Carol of the Bells” so often it becomes part of that nightmare where you’re run ning to get the last LEGO set but you’re wearing furry slippers and keep tripping over elves. And there’s so much jingling!

What does Christmas feel like? A tod dler’s fingers, sticky from a candy cane, leaving pink fingerprints down the hall. Paper cuts from wrapping gifts. Cold, wet toes as you trudge through snowy parking lots and discover a hole in the sole of your boot. Frozen fingertips, runny noses and being bustled by bustling crowds.

The tastes of Christmas include nasti ness like eggnog and fruitcake, but also the sugary sweetness of gumdrops that suction to your molars and must be surgically re moved. Then there’s scalding hot choco late with toasted marshmallows. (Hint: don’t toast marshmallows in the actual toaster. I know that now.)

December smells like cinnamon, cloves, Seussian roast beast and smoke from your overused credit card. I’ve never smelled roasted chestnuts, but I imagine they have an aroma like a wet dog lying by the fire. Real evergreen trees emit the scent of fresh forests while making it hard to breathe for people with pine allergies.

Obviously, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong with the holidays, without paying attention to the feeling

behind the scenes. When I sit with that emotion, it’s one of peace, generosity, kindness, forgiveness and love. Things Hallmark Christmas movies are always going on about.

What if Hallmark is right? And I’ve never said that before.

Maybe the miracle of Christmas is noticing the small pleasures like when your friend sends you a funny card or your husband brings you a soft, fluffy blanket as you binge holiday movies. Maybe it’s reading stories to your grandkids or listen ing to grandparents share favorite Christ mas morning memories.

More than the senses, Christmas is about time. A time to pause. A time to be still. A time to remember. A time to breathe. A time to be grateful. A time to be with family. A time to reflect with wonder and awe at the beauty of this world.

Coming back to our senses, in a real way, slows time. It reminds us we’re not alone as we move together through these dark nights with bright stars, just doing the best we can.

Peri Kinder is an award-winning hu mor writer, hosts the Life & Laughter pod cast and was voted Best of State for 2022. She’s also a yoga/meditation instructor and life coach.

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter