Holladay Journal | February 2024

February 2024| Vol. 21 Iss. 2

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OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY OFFICIALLY WELCOMES HOLLADAY COUNCILMEMBERS

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

H

olladay welcomed new and incumbent councilmembers during the Oath of Office ceremony on Jan. 4.

Three Holladay councilmembers were sworn into office in the Holladay City Council Chambers by Holladay Justice Court Judge Augustus G. Chin.

New Councilmember Emily Gray ran uncontested in District 5 and will replace departing Dan Gibbons. Gray sees her primary focus in her new position as an opportunity to represent the views of neighbors, friends and the community.

“We are a government by the people,” Gray said. “That works best when we know what the people want. Not just a few vocal voices on the fringes but everyone. When people become informed, reach out to their elected officials, and vote, we are truly functioning the way we should.”

One of Gray’s upcoming priorities while in office is to preserve the character of Holladay by managing some of the expected growth coming to Salt Lake County without losing what makes Holladay a special place to be and to live.

“Specifically, I am excited to work on

Receiving 72% of the vote, incumbent Councilmember Drew Quinn will serve a second term in District 4. (Photo credit Holladay City)

New Councilmember Emily Gray ran uncontested in District 5 and will replace departing Dan Gibbons. (Photo credit Holladay City)

Incumbent Councilmember Matt Durham’s council seat was uncontested, and he will serve a second term in District 2. (Photo credit Holladay City)

plans for the old Spring Lane Elementary property to keep it an open space that can benefit the community,” Gray said. “I’m truly looking forward to serving the people of Holladay.”

Incumbent Councilmember Matt Durham’s council seat was uncontested, and he will serve a second term in District 2. Durham grew up in Holladay and feels fortunate to be a Holladay resident. Having

the opportunity to serve on the council, he began to see impressive things about the city Continued page 8

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February 2024 | Page 3

Local philanthropist transforms lives one book at a time

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

C

indy Dumas was not a reader. In fact, she struggled in school. It wasn’t until fifth grade that her teacher, Dr. Franklin, introduced her to the Nancy Drew series and she began to find value in books. Although she only knew Franklin for a few months before his death, Dumas said his guidance changed her life.

To this day, she still pays homage to Franklin at Marissa’s Books, a community bookstore Dumas founded in 2013. Located at 3302 S. 900 East, Marissa’s Books is a refuge for book lovers.

Dumas goes out of her way to donate books to schools to help foster a love for reading, but when she was asked to donate books to Roosevelt Continuation School (3225 S. 800 East), she was shocked to learn the school had no library.

“I think that a school without books, well, I’m not sure what that is,” Dumas said. “I think with this particular school, these kids are kind of on their last chance. I know they’ve had problems in traditional schools. It’s important for a student to be able to go into a library and find something, whether they’re homeless or whether they’re having struggles at home.”

So Dumas created a library for the school.

“I could build a bookstore in a week, but this was a long process,” she said. “It took all of our brains at my warehouse and my staff who was working with me,

Cindy Dumas sits in her Millcreek shop, Marissa’s Books. She was recently awarded the Utah Hearts & Hands Award for creating a library at Roosevelt Continuation School. (City Journals)

From right, Marissa’s Books owner Cindy Dumas and community relations manager Grace Nielson, were presented with the Utah Hearts & Hands Award for their work in creating a library at Roosevelt Continuation School in Millcreek. (Photo courtesy of United Way)

and we worked through each individual issue and did a lot of research about creating libraries.”

Her team worked with school officials to compile a list of books to best address the needs of students from grades six-12.

Along with fiction and nonfiction options, educators wanted to

Journals T H E

include career-oriented books to help students move into a trade or career.

The biggest challenges for the team included creating the cataloging system for the library, learning how to use the Dewey Decimal System to shelve books, how to label all the books and

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how to create a borrowing system so students could take books home.

In the end, Dumas donated 10,000 books to the school, a value of approximately $80,000.

When the books were delivered, one of the school counselors began to cry. She didn’t realize the books would be new, she was expecting used books.

Roosevelt building administrator Jason Kemble said, “What once was an empty space at our school, came to life because of this gift we received. Some of our students come from extremely challenging life circumstances and many have found a love of

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reading as an outlet, guiding their imaginations while also helping them academically.”

Late last year, Dumas was presented with the Utah Heart & Hands Awards by Utah Philanthropy Day for her work with the school. United Way had nominated her for the award and Dumas and her community relations manager, Grace Nielson, attended the event that recognized organizations and volunteers throughout the state making significant contributions in the community.

“I was interested to see what other people had done. I was interested in their stories. It was just really fun to see that there’s a lot of people doing things that make a difference,” Dumas said.

“We like our store to be wellknown as trying to help the community.”

Dumas extends an invitation to any school in the county to reach out to her for book donations. She works with new teachers trying to set up a classroom, or with organizations that work with children. She hopes her mission to help students love reading will change their lives, just like Franklin changed hers.

“When I was in fifth grade, just so thrilled to be reading, I was like, wow, this is taking me to another universe,” Dumas said. “To me, a library or a bookstore is opportunity,” For more information, visit marissasbooks.com.l

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Holladay City Journal

Longtime city volunteer Kathy Murphy passes away

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

K

athy F. Murphy, a longtime Holladay Arts Council and Historical Commission member, passed away on Jan. 4 having dedicated numerous years of service to Holladay City.

According to Martin Luther King Jr. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Murphy answered King’s question daily by living a life that exemplified the attributes of a selfless volunteer and quiet hero of Holladay.

As a Holladay Arts Council member, in 2016, Murphy helped organize the first summer concerts held in the Holladay community. In the first few years of the concerts, attendance was low, averaging between 100 to 500 people. Through her countless hours of researching bands, attending community concerts, and working with Excellence in the Community, a local talent agency, Murphy was instrumental in helping that number grow to a current 5,500 people attending the summer concerts.

“I admired Kathy’s tenacity when she came up with an idea,” former Holladay Arts Council Executive Director Sheryl Gillilan said. “Many times, she approached me with a plan that I wasn’t sure was possible, but Kathy would dive right in and make it

happen. I particularly remember the year COVID started. We were both desperate to keep the concerts going in the summer of 2020, and we came up with the idea of having drive-in concerts in a parking lot- which was a lot harder to pull off than it sounds. I remember visiting parking lots with Kathy, looking for one that was suitable. We found that parking lot and held drive-in concerts that summer.”

Murphy was a tireless volunteer serving other local organizations in addition to the Arts Council.

“Kathy spent years on the city’s Historical Commission and also with Red Butte Gardens, Gillilan said. “She was a painter, potter, cook and baker. She was a true Renaissance woman.”

Murphy’s dedication to her family was impressive. She carefully reserved her time with family, whether for a birthday dinner or other activity.

“She was crazy about her grandkids,” Historical Commission member Kim Duffy said. “She and her granddaughter used to cook together, and she would send me images of the things they cooked.”

Murphy wrote the OnStage in Utah grants, available from the Utah Division of

Kathy Murphy, a longtime Holladay Arts Council and Historical Commission member, passed away on Jan. 4 having dedicated numerous years of service to Holladay City. (Photo credit Holladay City)

Arts and Museums. A requirement for grant recipients is that a musical presentation has to be arranged at a community facility. Murphy was instrumental in coordinating the

musical presentations at local senior centers to fulfill the grant requirement.

She was the recipient of the Helping Hands of Holladay Award.

“There are many things I admire about Kathy,” Gillilan said. “For one, she was extraordinarily reliable. Not once in the many years I worked with her did she ever fail to do something she said she would do. I relied entirely on volunteers, and no leader can get anywhere without the passion and dedication of the people doing the work. Kathy exemplified these traits beautifully, and I could not have gotten by without her.”

Murphy leaves behind a legacy that will be missed by family, friends and the Holladay community.

“Kathy exemplified the essence of our community, dedicating years of service to both the Holladay Arts Council and the Holladay Historical Commission,” Arts and Culture Manager Megan Attermann said.

“Her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts were instrumental in giving life to the cherished summer concert series. This loss is undeniably profound for our entire community.” l

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February 2024 | Page 5

Holladay student’s quick instincts helped put out a fire to save school

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t was Thursday, Dec. 7, about two weeks before winter break, and 30 minutes before the bell would ring to mark the end of the school day.

Cottonwood High senior Elliot Payne and a group of his stage crew classmates were working in the Black Box Theatre on the set for the melodrama, which was to open in mid-January.

“It was a normal day like any other,” he said. “I was walking to get a drill from the auditorium and heard someone yell, ‘fire,’ so I ran over. I saw the stage lights had started to burn the curtain. I told someone to lower the stage curtain and raise the lights away from the curtain. Then another dude helped me pull the curtain away. I ran to find my teacher and get the fire extinguisher to put it out. I thought it was weird that it started from the stage lights; we use them all the time, and it never happens.”

Payne returned with the fire extinguisher and theater director Adam Wilkins.

“Adam slid me a chair. I got on it and pulled the pin on the fire extinguisher, then put the fire out,” said the 5-foot 11-inch student who said the retardant shot about 6 feet onto the curtain. “I’m good in crisis situations. I probably learned that from being in Boy Scouts. I saw the fire, I put it out. It’s a

simple duty.”

Wilkins alerted the school assistant principals, Ashley Snarr and Jeremy Brooks, the latter who was on the phone with the principal.

They came, along with the substitute school resource officer, who called the fire department. Payne and Wilkins returned to the Black Box, but minutes later, they were later evacuated along with the student body.

That’s because Snarr saw the curtain back on fire in the smoky auditorium.

“It was circling smoke, and that’s when I noticed it was smoldering, and then, the curtain was on fire again,” she said. “So, the substitute officer quickly grabbed a ladder and put it out. About 30 seconds later, the fire department arrived along with our district maintenance crew. The stage lights are very strong, very hot. The damage was just to the curtain and a little bit of the metal rod.

Our auditorium was not damaged at all, not even smoke damage.”

Outside, students thought at first it might have been a fire drill, but once the fire truck arrived, reality set in, Snarr said.

Payne realized he still had the drill in his hand yet and tried to lighten the mood.

“I was saying puns like, ‘This isn’t a drill,’” said the recent Eagle Scout, who not

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Cottonwood High senior Elliot Payne was recently honored at a Granite School District Board of Education for his quick assistance with a fire on the auditorium stage in December. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District.)

only was the stage crew shop foreman for “The Little Mermaid” production but also is on the football and track teams and sings in the choir.

Within minutes, the student body returned to their classrooms. Students in classes near the auditorium were moved to the opposite side of the school to prevent any smoke inhalation, Snarr said.

That night, the Granite (School District) Youth Symphony was set to perform on stage, but the concert was rescheduled. It was the only postponement on the auditorium schedule, she said.

“It was under control quickly,” Snarr said. “We have wonderful teachers and staff, and our drills have prepared us for these situations, but Elliot deserves a lot of credit. He was very calm. He saved our school.”

Payne recently was honored at the Granite Board of Education with a plaque

from the school board and a pendant from the fire department.

“I was told by the [Murray City] fire marshal that if we didn’t stop the fire, then it would have been millions in property damage, and the whole school would have been gone because it would have reached another higher curtain, and it would have kept burning since our auditorium is so high,” he said.

“I gave a shout out to my family who was there and my Scout leaders who trained me for emergency preparedness.”

Payne, who is looking to pursue musical theater and emergency management in-state next fall, wants to both perform on stage and go into fire safety.

“My first words as a kid were ‘firefighters help people,’” said the Holladay teenager. “Now, I have a cool story about saving the school.” l

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Holladay City Journal

Insects and bugs are ornamental additions to artist’s flora and fauna paintings

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

S

elected by the Holladay Arts Council as Holladay Artist of the Month, Illa Johnson attributes her artistic success to being surrounded by a family of artists and inspirational art teachers at Cottonwood High School.

Johnson comes from a long line of artistic family members recognized by the community as exemplary artists. As a skilled and highly respected graphic designer, Illa’s mother drew all illustrations by hand without the convenience of modern graphic design software. Johnson’s aunt, Rosie Mitchell, a former school art specialist, also influenced Johnson’s artistic career path. Johnson worked as a paraeducator at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School under the direction of Mitchell. She was instrumental in helping Mitchell integrate art into the kindergarten through sixth-grade core curriculum. However, it was the inspiration of her grandmother’s watercolor art that led Johnson to become a watercolor artist.

“My grandma was a watercolor artist,” Johnson said. “She is the primary reason I chose the medium of watercolor as my main artistic focus. More importantly, she is why I’m a watercolor artist today.”

Although Johnson studied art at Salt Lake Community College and then moved to California to study fine art at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, her art teachers at Cottonwood High School, John Fackrell and Bill Laurson, are the two educators she looks to for contributing the most to her success as an artist.

“In high school, I was fortunate to have teachers who were passionate about art,” Johnson said. “John Fackrell and Bill Laurson were two teachers at Cottonwood who broadened my awareness of art and what could be done with art as a teacher or simply as a hobby. Our art class at Cottonwood traveled to New York and Washington, D.C. We saw amazing original artwork. The experience definitely had a huge influence on my becoming a lifelong artist.”

After caring for her mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer, Johnson turned her artistic focus to clay and flower arranging.

“I took care of my mom for 10 months after she was diagnosed with cancer,” Johnson said. “After my mom passed, I really started diving into art therapy, getting my hands dirty with ceramic clay. Also, I became a florist. Flower arranging is such a great art form. I worked at the Petal Coop as a volunteer and then as an employee. Using the discarded petals from the Flower Coop, I dried them and then used a mortar and pedestal to crush the flowers to make my own paint. I enjoy making paint from the elements of the earth.”

Johnson's art is centered around nature.

She enjoys using insects and bugs as orna-

HolladayJournal .com

Holladay Artist of the Month Illa Johnson attributes her artistic success to being surrounded by a family of artists and inspirational art teachers at Cottonwood High School. (Photo credit Illa Johnson)

Illa Johnson’s crafted earrings and ceramics are available at the Art Cottage at Gardner Village.

(Photo credit Illa Johnson)

mental additions to her flora and fauna art.

Also, she completes several pet commissions each year.

“I love incorporating insects and bugs into my art,” Johnson said. “But I must admit, dog and cat portraits are the most precious commissions I’m asked to paint.”

Johnson teaches art at the Art Cottage in Gardner’s Village in West Jordan. She teaches a four-week course that walks a beginning artist through the basic principles and elements of drawing, acrylic, watercolor and oil painting.

“It’s great to share a passion and see someone's eyes light up when they receive the same joy or energy you as an artist experience,” Johnson said. “I think teaching is something I’ve always been passionate

Illa Johnson enjoys using insects and bugs as ornamental additions to her flora and fauna art. (Photo credit Illa Johnson)

about. I have all ages in my classes, but my favorite class to teach is teen watercolor.

Connecting teaching and art has been so fulfilling.”

Johnson’s artwork will be on display at Holladay City Hall, 4580 S. 2300 East, through February.

If you would like more information about Johnson’s art, visit Instagram@Illacreates To nominate a Holladay resident for Artist of the Month, visit www.holladayarts. org/suggest-an-artist.l

My grandma was a watercolor artist. She is the primary reason I chose the medium of watercolor as my main artistic focus. More importantly, she is why I’m a watercolor artist today.

Illa Johnson February 2024 | Page 7

Continued from front page of Holladay.

“I’ve worked with the tree committee, which is a passionate group of people committed to maintaining the livability of our community by protecting our tree canopy,” Durham said. “We recently started up a Health Coalition of people in the community who have no other interest other than helping the community to be healthier in terms of mental health, physical health and substance abuse. I want to thank my neighbors and friends who have put trust in me, and I look forward to serving in the next four years.”

Receiving 72% of the vote, incumbent Councilmember Drew Quinn will serve a second term in District 4. Public engagement is vital to Quinn’s decision-making.

Whether it’s a requested change of zoning or where to place flashing speed limit signs, hearing what the affected residents think definitely factors into her final decisions.

“My biggest priority is on the city budget and spending our available funds in the best ways while addressing the citizens’ concerns,” Quinn said. “Right now, we are facing infrastructure needs like roads, stormwater upgrades, and making City Hall safer in the event of an earthquake.

I like to balance those needs with what gives Holladay a sense of community, like maintaining our parks and green spaces and the summer concerts. One issue I have

Page 8 | February 2024

continued to be involved with is trying to reduce the short-term rentals in our neighborhoods. I’m grateful for the trust given to me by the citizens of District 4, and I pledge to work hard for them and everyone in Holladay.”

Mayor Rob Dahle introduced guest speaker Lynn Pace, a lifelong Holladay resident who served as Holladay City Council District 2 representative for 14 years. Pace is the longest-tenured elected official who has served in Holladay. He is an attorney by trade and has a long, distinguished political career. Currently, he serves in Sandy as City Attorney.

One of the local leaders’ challenges is building with a vision for the future.

During his remarks, Pace mentioned lessons he had learned while serving in office.

“We are building the Holladay we want for our children,” Pace said. “Let’s make sure it’s what we want for them.

When you serve as a councilmember, it’s not about you. It’s a team effort. Your neighbors and friends trust you to make decisions for them. In order to get anything done in Holladay, you have to have four votes, which is a supermajority. Holladay runs on a supermajority because a threethree tie is not good enough. In Holladay, we want broad consensus.” l Guest speaker Lynn Pace, a lifelong Holladay resident who served as Holladay City Council District 2 representative for 14 years, is the longest-tenured elected official who has served in Holladay. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Holladay City Journal

3 reasons to celebrate your birthday

B

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

irthdays.

The ancient Egyptians initiated them, the Greeks added their flare to them with the radiance of the candle along with its wish, the ancient Romans brought them to the commoner, the Germans added the cake, and even a song was written in the 1800s for the occasion. In America we celebrate them—for ourselves, for celebrities, for our nation—we even designate national holidays for them.

There are many cultural differences in how birthdays are celebrated too. From the piñata and high-end quinceanera celebrations in Mexico, the custom of throwing yourself a party in Norway and the Netherlands, celebrating certain years according to the Chinese calendar in China (1st, 10th, 60th, 70th, and 80th birthdays), designating the first slice of cake in honor of the person in the room who is most important in the birthday person’s life as in Brazil, to even measuring one’s life by their kindness vs. years in Bhutan, Birthdays are a celebration of life and love.

However, not everyone is into feeling the observation, warmth, and power of celebrating their birthday. To those, might we unwrap a few reminders as to the reasons why birthdays are to be celebrated: 1) Celebrating our day of birth allows us to reflect on life.

The good, the bad, the ugly. To see where we've been, and how far we've come. Our trials and our triumphs. Our hills and our valleys. To think of the blessings from within the past year. The accomplishments that have taken place and even some goal setting for the year ahead. Yes to reflect on a life given, a life living, a life still to be lived.

2) Celebrating our day of birth allows us to gather with

others such as our friends, and our family—those who matter to us. This could be a party like often done for kids, or even an opportunity to serve.

When my mom turned forty our church congregation came over to our new house to help us lay sod. The pandemic created some unique ways Listen to the full episode on Holly’s of gathering with others Highlights podcast (photo courtesy of for celebrations such as Holly Curby) car parades in front of the birthday person’s home or social distancing BBQs. Oh, the gift of others in our lives. The gift to gather together.

3) Celebrating your day of birth allows you to be reminded that you matter. Not everyone is good about accepting compliments, gifts, or even attention. This one day allows others to do such things for the birthday person who often is a little more receptive to such acts. Whether we realize it or not, we need the encouragement.

A perspective shared in the Stanford Daily stated that a birthday is "A celebration of the sacrifices the parents had to work through, up to and including the immense loss of time, energy, and perhaps a career’s forward trajectory." Celebrating our birthday helps us take a moment to reflect on our lives, the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf to get us to where

Birthday celebration (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby)

we are at, and perhaps think of what we may want to accomplish in the year ahead. So, this next birthday, instead of pulling a bah-humbug attitude, might we blow out the candles on our cake, surrounded by loved ones, and press into the unique sense of joy, laughter, and love as your friends and family choose to celebrate you?

Want to learn more about intentionally living a life full of purpose? Visit www.HollyCurby.com or check out Holly’s Highlights podcast. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and even “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast.”l

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HolladayJournal .com

February 2024 | Page 9

County to provide youth with free rec passes and no library fines

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

S

alt Lake County's 2024 budget, unanimously approved by the council, marks a notable shift toward enriching the lives of its younger residents. Amidst a challenging fiscal environment, the county's leadership has strategically allocated resources to ensure that youth empowerment and education remain a priority. Central to this year's budget are two key initiatives: the My County Rec Pass and the elimination of library late fees for children and young adults.

The My County Rec Pass Initiative A flagship initiative of the 2024 budget is the My County Rec Pass, an ambitious program set to launch in the summer of 2024. This pass will provide all school-age children and teenagers (ages 5-18) residing in Salt Lake County with free, unlimited access to county-operated recreation centers, ice centers, and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The program is a direct response to the growing need for accessible recreational spaces for the youth, promoting physical health, social interaction and community engagement. These passes will be available starting this summer.

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, in her address, highlighted the significance of this program, stating that it represents a major investment in the county's youth. The program's funding comes from the Tourism, Recreation, Culture & Convention Support Program (TRCC), which is primarily financed through tourism revenue. This strategic funding choice ensures the program's feasibility without adding to the county's fiscal strain.

“I want all kids, regardless of their parents' paychecks, to have the opportunity to access rec centers for free. To that end, I am proposing free rec center passes for all kids ages 5-18,” Mayor Wilson said.

Elimination of Library Late Fees In a parallel effort to enhance educational opportunities, the 2024 budget introduces a one-year pilot program to eliminate late fees on all children's and young adult materials at the Salt Lake County Libraries, starting this summer. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers that often prevent young residents from accessing the library's vast resources. By removing late fees, the county intends to encourage more frequent use of libraries, fostering a culture of reading and learning among its younger residents.

Wilson emphasized the importance of this change, noting that it will make the library's resources more accessible to those who stand to benefit the most. While the waiver of late fees is set for a trial period, it reflects a broader commitment to making education and learning resources more inclusive and accessible to all segments of

Page 10 | February 2024

the community.

Balancing the Budget Amid Fiscal Challenges The introduction of these youth-centric programs comes against a backdrop of considerable fiscal challenges. The county faced a slowdown in tax revenues, inflationary pressures and rising healthcare costs. To accommodate these new initiatives, the budget includes significant cuts in other areas, such as travel expenses and operational budgets of various county departments.

Despite these financial constraints, the council's decision to prioritize programs like the My County Rec Pass and the elimination of library late fees demonstrates a commitment to investing in the county's future—its children and young adults.

Community Impact and Expectations According to the Salt Lake County Mayor’s office, the My County Rec Pass is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the community. By providing free access to recreational facilities, the county aims to offer a constructive outlet for the youth, promoting physical activity and deterring negative behaviors. Additionally, the program is seen as a stepping stone to discovering new interests and talents among the young population.

Similarly, the elimination of library late fees is expected to bolster educational engagement. With easier access to books and learning materials, children and young adults can explore a world of knowledge without the deterrent of financial penalties.

This change is particularly significant in light of the digital age, where promoting traditional reading habits is becoming increasingly challenging.

Salt Lake County Council’s approval did not come without any scrutinization.

The council had to balance other priorities in addition to these requests.

“The top priority of the Salt Lake County Council is public safety,” said Salt Lake County Council Chair Aimee Winder Newton. “While we found cuts in travel and other areas, we made sure there was adequate funding for the jail, prosecution, behavioral health and areas that keep our community safe and healthy.”

Looking Forward As Salt Lake County embarks on this journey of enhancing youth services, the success of these programs will be closely monitored. The efficacy of the My County Rec Pass in increasing physical and social activity among the youth, along with the impact of removing library late fees on literacy and education rates, will be critical indicators of the programs' success.

“At a time when our kids are too often consumed by their cell phones and iPads, our rec centers are places where these

Salt Lake County youth will have free access to county recreational passes. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Parks & Rec)

Salt Lake County libraries will not assess late fees on children’s and young adult books in a one year pilot program. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Library)

young people can explore new hobbies, discover new passions, and build community,” Wilson said. “This is important, especially at a time when we read report

after report of record numbers of children struggling with their mental health.” l

Holladay City Journal

FEBRUARY 2024

COUNCIL CORNER As members of Holladay’s City Council, one of our key roles includes serving as board members or city liaisons to various community groups. With Councilmember Emily Gray’s recent swearing-in, we reevaluated our assignments so that we can best serve our community.

I thought it might be beneficial to bring these to your attention. If you have any ideas or questions related to any of these organizations, never hesitate to reach out to its assigned Council Member: Mayor Dahle Unified Police Department, Council of Governments; Utah League of Cities & Towns Legislative Policy Committee; Rotary Club Liaison; Internal Audit Committee; Interfaith Council District 1 - Councilmember Brewer RDA Chair; Mosquito Abatement Board; Holladay Historical Commission; Cottonwood Elementary & Olympus High Community Councils District 2 - Councilmember Durham Tree Committee Liaison; Happy Healthy Holladay Liaison, Crestview & Skyline Community Councils District 3 - Councilmember Fotheringham United Fire Authority (UFA); Arts Council Liaison; Utah League of Cities & Towns Legislative Policy Committee; Rotary Club Liaison District 4 - Councilmember Quinn RDA Vice Chair; Youth City Council; Community Renewable Energy Board, Morningside, Howard R. Driggs, & Churchill Community Councils

Holladay 2023 Accomplishments

Elected officials and staff worked hard in 2023 to better serve Holladay residents in various aspects. The City appreciates your continued support; below are some of the meaningful efforts we’re proud to share with you.

To see the full list, please visit the city website. We look forward to another year committed to our community.

Public Works & Facilities

Improved infrastructure in Holladay with various projects: • Repaved various streets including Holladay Blvd. from the Village to 6200 S; Murray Holladay Rd from 1950 E to 2225 E; and numerous residential roads.

• Constructed new crosswalk and overhead pedestrian flashing signal on Murray Holladay Rd and 1500 E • Completed three storm drain extension projects to mitigate flooding risks.

• Installed several new catch basins to manage stormwater and mitigate excessive ponding.

• Rehabilitated Holladay Blvd bridge, the Murray Holladay Blvd and the Bramble Way bridge

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness • Night Out Against Crime returned for the first time since the pandemic.

• Successfully navigated a potential spring flooding risk after a banner year of snowpack.

District 5 - Councilmember Gray Association of Municipal Councils; Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling, Oakwood, Bonneville & Cottonwood High Community Councils Although we have great participation already, the following include opportunities for involvement from you as community members. A true community, after all, is people coming together voluntarily to better the welfare and development of our society.

• Holladay Arts Council • Business Advisory Board • Design Review Board • Happy Healthy Holladay

• Historical Commission • Planning Commission • Tree Committee • Youth Council

We deeply value Holladay’s rich spirit of volunteerism. Together, our efforts create a vibrant and caring community. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Thank you for so many examples of goodness and all you contribute to our great community and City of Holladay!

—Ty Brewer, District 1

by Lina Costa, Communications & Engagement Manager

image used by permission from the Utah Historical Society

• Honored the officers, firefighters, and EMS through a public safety appreciation week.

Community Building & Economic Development • Hosted visits with Senator Mitt Romney and Representative John Curtis.

• Established Friends of Holladay to build community partnerships and fundraise for projects such as the skatepark lighting, the concert stage, and the historical exhibits project.

• Organized a Community Comfort Drive to support patients of the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

• Established online mapping resources on City website.

• Improved building permit process and issued new permits (751 Building, 182 Public Works).

Grant-Funded Projects • COMPLETED ◦ Murray-Holladay Rd at 4705 S. Full-Stop Pedestrian Crossing and Road Alignment Improvement. ◦ I-215 Active Transportation Trail Study, aka Knudsen Connection. ◦ Public Art Sculpture in Holladay Village Plaza.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

FEBRUARY 2024

CITY INFORMATION CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED • New Grant Awards ($8,663,755; grant amount noted, not full project cost) ◦ Phase I, 2700 E Sidewalk Fill-In ($300,000). ◦ Highland Drive Bridge over Big Cottonwood Creek ($7,100,000). ◦ City Park Skatepark Sports Lighting and Trellis Columns Refurbishments ($125,000). ◦ 4500 South at Highland Drive Right-of-Way Acquisition ($64,000).

• Active Grant-Funded Projects ◦ 4500 S at Highland Dr Intersection Improvement. ◦ Wasatch Blvd Enhanced Bike Lake Construction from 4500 S to 6200 S (SLCo-Transportation Choice). ◦ 5600 S Bridge over Jordan & Salt Lake Canal. ◦ Historical Exhibits Experiences.

Sustainability

• City Council approved the Utah Renewable Communities Utility Agreement with Rocky Mountain Power

Arts Council

Served a total of 18,645 people with multiple events: • Tiny Art in February featured a record amount of art, followed by the annual Fine Art Show in March. We also saw an Arbor Day exhibit, and hosted the Utah Watercolor Society.

• Arts Council also hosted nine summer concerts at Holladay City Park (with over 15,000 attendees), which included a community favorite, the Blue Moon Festival.

• The year wrapped up in the fourth annual Chalk Our Walk in September, the Plaza Fest and Plein Air exhibit in October, and a wreath-making class in December.

• The installation of Susan Zoccola’s Gathering—a public art piece in Holladay Village—is an exciting addition.

Committees • We hosted a “Dog-tail” event with Salt Lake County Animal Services to celebrate their 10-year anniversary as a no-kill shelter. Animal Services also provided new pet scanners to Holladay, UPD and UFA. • Holladay earned a Utah Healthy Communities designation for its work to improve the public health of its residents.

• The Holladay Historical Commission sponsored five speakers’ series presentations, held their first annual preservation month highlighting the historic homes and other buildings, and saw the return of their beloved History Night in October.

• The Tree Committee led community celebrations with local schools to mark Arbor Day and Earth Day. They also kicked off a popular Tree Talk series at the library.

• This year we also saw the transition from the Holladay Chamber of Commerce to the new Holladay Business Advisory Board.

Kathy in Memorium Kathy Murphy

Long-time Arts Council Board, Summer Concerts Chair, and Tree Committee Member

Thank you for your contributions to the City.

You will be missed.

Rob Dahle, Mayor rdahle@cityofholladay.com 801-580-3056 Ty Brewer, District 1 tbrewer@cityofholladay.com 801-550-8747 Matt Durham, District 2 mdurham@cityofholladay.com 801-999-0781 Paul Fotheringham, District 3 pfotheringham@cityofholladay.com 801-424-3058 Drew Quinn, District 4 dquinn@cityofholladay.com 801-272-6526 Emily Gray, District 5 egray@cityofholladay.com 801-755-3477 Gina Chamness, City Manager gchamness@cityofholladay.com

PUBLIC MEETINGS: City Council – first and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.

Planning Commission – first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

CITY OFFICES: Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • 801-272-9450 4580 South 2300 East • Holladay, UT 84117 Community Development Finance Justice Court Code Enforcement

801-527-3890 801-527-2455 801-273-9731 801-527-3890

NUMBERS TO KNOW: Emergency UPD Dispatch (Police) UFA Dispatch (Fire) Animal Control Garbage/Sanitation Holladay Library Holladay Lions Club Mt. Olympus Sr. Center Holladay Post Office Cottonwood Post Office Holliday Water

911 801-840-4000 801-840-4000 385-468-7387 385-468-6325 801-944-7627 385-468-1700 385-468-3130 801-278-9942 801-453-1991 801-277-2893

LIBRARY HAPPENINGS Maker Monday

Slumber Storytime

Visit the CreateSpace on the 1st Monday of each month for a drop-in craft using CreateSpace equipment. Staff will walk you through the make!

All materials provided. This month make a Valentine’s Card for a loved one using the vinyl cutter. No crafting experience is required.

Children are encouraged to wear pajamas to this family story time featuring stories, songs, rhymes, and other early literacy fun.

Mon. Feb 5th from 3 pm to 6 pm

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

Wed. Feb 14th @ 7pm

On January 4, 2022, our newly City of Holladay elected officials took their oath of office in the Council Chambers filled with family, friends, and community members.

We’d like to officially welcome Emily Gray – District 5 as our newest Council Member.

Congratulation also to our re-elected Council Members: Matt Durham- District 2 and Drew Quinn- District 4.

Salt Lake County Animal Services Owning a pet comes with a few yearly responsibilities that deserve a quick check at the beginning of the year before you get busy, and it slips your mind. Salt Lake County Animal Services recommends the following three tasks: 1. VACCINATE: Pet illnesses and diseases are preventable, make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines and rabies. Call to schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian.

2. MICROCHIP: Any pet living in Salt Lake County can receive a FREE microchip!

Microchipping is a crucial step in reuniting lost pets with their owners quickly.

Ensure that your pet’s microchip has accurate contact information. This simple act can make a significant difference in the event that your pet goes missing.

3. LICENSE: Utah state law requires all dog owners to license their pup by the time they are five months of age or within 30 days of moving into an area (or acquiring the pet.) Find out more about licensing at AdoptUtahPets.org.

Questions? Email animal@slco.org. Or come in, no appointment needed, 511 W 3900 S, SLC, Tue-Sat from 10 AM – 6 PM.

Everyone has a favorite TREE STORY. The Holladay Tree Committee is collecting them and we hope you will share yours with us. Currently, our story tree is at the City of Holladay. Please stop by and attach your tree story to one of the branches. It can be anonymous.

The tree will be in the entry of Holladay City Hall thru February, and then it will move to another Holladay location.

Zions Bank economist pegs 2024 recession chances at 50-50

By Brice Wallace | Salt Lake Business Journal

T

he economic forecasting season has begun, and Robert Spendlove has thrown out the first pitch.

At the recent Zions Bank 2024 economic outlook event, the bank’s senior economist pegged the chances of a national recession this year at 50-50 but added that Utah likely would get through it OK. “I’ll tell you that that has been the thing that has gotten a lot of economists scratching their heads, because we all thought it was going to happen in 2023 and it didn’t happen,” Spendlove said at the event, held at the Zions Technology Center in Midvale.

“I still think there’s about a 50% chance. A few months ago, six months ago, it was at closer to 65, 70%, so I do think that probability of recession has gone down, but there still are some of those factors that could tip the U.S. into a recession nationally. I think locally we are part of the national economy so we are exposed to that risk, but I think we’re well-positioned and if we do go into a recession, I think we’re in a good position.”

Utah has been in a “good position” for several years now. Spendlove cited some U.S. News & World Report rankings showing Utah as the best state overall, topics in fiscal stability and the economy. Its population continues to grow, fueled by in-migration. It’s second among states with positive job growth since before the COVID pandemic, and its unemployment rate of 2.8% remains low.

Utah also has seen its labor participation rate increase.

However, housing affordability remains a bugaboo.

Utah home prices relative to household income sits at 6.2 but should be about 3, he said.

“What this is saying is, housing is too unaffordable in Utah,” Spendlove said. “Housing is very difficult, especially for low-income, especially for young families, people trying to get in. And how do you fix that? You essentially need to dramatically drop house prices, you need to dramatically increase income or you need to start thinking outside the box of what housing looks like. What we’re going to see is more multigenerational households, more multifamily households, and we’re going to have to start talking very seriously about thinking of different ways of what housing looks like in our communities.”

Prefacing Spendlove’s presentation, Scott Anderson, Zions Bank’s president and CEO, likewise had an overall positive outlook for Utah’s economy this year.

“As we head into 2024, our Utah economy remains strong and resilient,” Anderson said. “We continue to benefit from strong population growth and net in-migration, low unemployment and solid job growth. I’m confident that what we’ll see here in Utah will be a strong economy this year and that we’ll continue to thrive, even though other parts of the world and other parts of the U.S. economy may suffer a bit.”

Most of Spendlove’s remarks focused on the national economy, which he said is still being distorted by the effects of the COVID pandemic. That is leading to a lot of economic uncertainty for 2024, just as it affected 2023.

Last year, experts expected the economy to slow or contract, with a drop in GDP and employment demand.

“We saw a little bit of that, but the economy ended up being very resilient and very strong,” he said. “We saw inflation has been coming down, employment has been improving, but people are still grumpy. That is one of the things that I hear all the time, is people say, ‘Well, you know, yes, things may be a little bit better, but they’re not the way they should be and they’re not the way they were

Page 14 | February 2024

As we head into 2024, our Utah economy remains strong and resilient. We continue to benefit from strong population growth and net in-migration, low unemployment and solid job growth.

I’m confident that what we’ll see here in Utah will be a strong economy this year and that we’ll continue to thrive, even though other parts of the world and other parts of the U.S. economy may suffer a bit.

Scott Anderson Zions Bank’s president and CEO before.’”

GDP in the third quarter actually jumped, with 4.9% growth, but Spendlove told the audience that that is not an accurate reflection of what is happening in the economy.

“I don’t think any of you think that the economy dramatically accelerated in the third quarter, but it’s some of those distortions from the pandemic that we have to be really careful about,” he said. “However, it’s very clear that we didn’t contract. In the third quarter, we didn’t contract in 2023, and this is a sign that the economy is much more resilient than we had expected in 2023.”

Still, the economy could enter a recession in the second or third quarters this year, but he believes it would be relatively mild “and we’ll move through pretty quickly.”

The big question is whether any “black swan” events— huge, upsetting surprises—would shock the system and amplify volatility.

Nonetheless, consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the economy, remains strong. Consumers “are all grumpy but you’re still spending,” he said.

“That has been another one of the big surprises, is even with consumers being grumpy— you all went out and bought your Black Friday gifts and you all went out and got holiday presents for everyone and it kept the economy going—but you still are grouchy.”

Spendlove foresees Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year, inflation continuing to slow but remaining “sticky,” the labor market growing, unemployment increasing, the economy slowing but remaining broadly resilient, and international uncertainty and elections pos-

Zions Bank senior economist Robert Spendlove speaks in West Valley City at a recent ChamberWest event. (John Rogers/Salt Lake Business Journal)

sibly adding to volatility.

Anderson likened the past three years to a roller coaster ride but added that the national economy in 2023 transitioned toward pre-pandemic norms. The Fed raised interest rates and tightened monetary policy, but the economy avoided a recession and remained resilient, he said.

The Fed now figures to lower rates, with the first reduction as early as the second quarter.

“And why would they do this? I believe that they looked at inflation and they saw that it had dropped dramatically from mid-2022 and where it fell from a 40-year high of more than 9% in June of 2022 to about 3% in November of 2023. But with food and energy prices coming down, getting to the Fed’s target of a 2% annual inflation rate could take some time. We’re not there yet.”

Higher interest rates and housing inflation colored consumer opinions about the economy in 2023, but recent consumer surveys have found that people are feeling more optimistic about 2024, he said.

“And this is important,” Anderson said, “as consumer sentiments can drive behaviors like spending and investments, often acting as a self-fulfilling prophecy.” l

Holladay City Journal

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Holladay City Journal

Winter Extravaganza provides Cottonwood students with needed items, gifts

Compare and Save!

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t was mid-December when Cottonwood High junior Tabarak Aalibrahim was looking through lunchroom tables filled with books, coats, games, quilts, candles, hats, sports balls, puzzles, holiday decorations, crafts and toys— hoping to find Barbies for her 4-year-old sister.

She already had gotten some hair accessories for her 9-year-old sister.

“I’ve been looking forward to this; I want to get them some presents,” said the student, who was born in Iraq.

Student Rose Babala also was looking for her younger sisters, ages 1, 2 and 3. She had picked up socks and shoes as well as some books and toys.

“All this reminds me of being together with my family; there are six of us and my mom,” said the high school junior who moved from Congo five years ago.

They were just two of the hundreds of Cottonwood students who stood in line to for the items that were donated by neighbors, local church congregations and others.

It was the third year of the extravaganza that has provided items for Cottonwood students and often for their families, said Robyn Ivins, who founded the food pantry seven years ago and continues to organize it with other volunteers. She also has been instrumental in establishing Cottonwood’s teen center, which opened this fall to provide resources to students.

“It came about when a few people in the community who donated to our food pantry reached out to us and asked if these kids had enough for Christmas,” Ivins said. “So, we started collecting and giving a few items to kids through the pantry.”

That distribution grew in 2021, the 20th anniversary of 9-11, when students performed a day of service.

“We did a big day of service with some surrounding congregations and community

members and a big interfaith project to collect items. It just caught on and somebody started calling it the Christmas Extravaganza—and it has just grown from there,” she said, saying it’s now known as the Winter Extravaganza.

Donors come days before the extravaganza to drop off items for the students’ free “shopping spree.”

“We had 18,000 fliers that went out to the community this year, and hundreds of people dropped off items,” Ivins said. “Then, we had people donate their time to help organize and set out all the donations.”

In 2022, 755 Cottonwood High students, about half the student body, took advantage of the extravaganza. This year, Ivins purchased oversized IKEA shopping bags for 1,000 students. Some of the popular items, such as balls and games, are limited to one per student to stretch them out to as many students as possible.

Ivins has seen some students “shopping” who take advantage of the food pantry every week.

“We basically serve 300 kids per week,” she said. “Very few of these students take much for themselves. We do give students a Cottonwood-branded sweatshirt so that’s usually the one thing they get for themselves. The toys are usually the first thing that goes because they’re choosing things for their siblings. So far this year, we’re doing OK on the hats and candy, and some books; we had a lady donated 300 copies.”

Ivins was answering questions between ensuring the tables were stocked on what she calls, “the funnest day of the year.”

“It’s great to see kids happy for the holidays,” she said. “My main motivation is to get even more donations and more people to help so we can provide Christmas for even more students’ families that otherwise wouldn’t have much.” l

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At the Winter Extravaganza, Cottonwood High students fill their bags with needed items and gifts for the family. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

HolladayJournal .com

February 2024 | Page 17

CELEBRATING 10 Years in Riverton!

Vocal Tapestry Utah, an LGBTQ-friendly choir, will hold auditions for singers and musicians in South Jordan in February. (Photo courtesy Deb Veater)

Vocal Tapestry Utah seeking LGBTQ-friendly singers and musicians

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Page 18 | February 2024

eborah Veater thought 2024 would be the year she could finally relax and retire.

Veater taught music for decades and stepped down as assistant director at the Seasons Chorale (part of SoJo Choral Arts) in 2023.

But after attending the Gather Conference in Provo, she realized a new career was just beginning.

The Gather Conference is an event for LGBTQ+ members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the people who love them. Its mission is to create an environment of hope and support in a Christbased community.

“I went to the conference, walked in the door and felt a spirit like I’ve never felt before,” Veater said. “It was so strong. It was a spirit of acceptance. We were all there together, whether we were LGBTQ family or friends or church leaders or whatever. And we were all there to talk about how we can nurture each other.”

On her way home from the conference, the idea hit her like a brick: she needed to create an LGBTQ-friendly auditioned choir and call it Vocal Tapestry. It would bring people together with the desire to uplift and create harmony.

She wanted the choir to be a sanctuary where everyone felt included and individuals are celebrated. The concept is dear to her heart as her son is gay. She remembers the heartbreaking conversation with him that started with, “If I am gay, will you still love me?”

His question shattered her. She thought about the Madrigal students she’d worked with at Bingham High School who told her they were LGBTQ+ and afraid to come out to their families. She thought of the young people who died from suicide because of the fear involved with their sexual or gender identity.

She knew she had to be a voice of love and Vocal Tapestry was a way to begin.

“I feel like the purpose in my doing music all these years has been to love the individ-

ual,” Veater said. “My goal is to love them and take care of them and make sure they don’t turn suicidal. I want to make sure that they know that someone is going to be there for them and that there is light in this world.”

Veater has scheduled auditions and rehearsals to be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 1244 W. Chavez Drive in South Jordan. She’s looking for singers who can read music and perform a cappella. She’s also auditioning musicians, including guitarists and drummers, to accompany the choir. Introduction meetings will be held on Feb. 8, 15 and 22 at 7 p.m. Rehearsals will be held at the same location on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m.

She understands members of the LGBTQ+ community might have a difficult time auditioning and rehearsing at an LDS church, but she asks them to put their reservations aside in order to give the group a chance to flourish.

“I am a strong member of the church and yet I have a view of the LGBTQ community that is inclusive,” Veater said. “I want them to see that they can come and know that they’re cared about. It will be a safe place.”

For more information, visit Vocal Tapestry Utah on Facebook. l

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Lady Titans inching up league standings in girls basketball

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

I

Keily Trabanino, a senior guard, scores 14.7 points an outing and leads the team with two assists and three steals per game. (Bryan Byerly-BB Sports Pics)

n a competitive Region 6, the Olympus girls basketball team is in a good sort a little more than halfway through the league portion of the season.

Heading into their final game in January, the Titans were 5-2 in Region 6 games and 9-8 overall. Last season, Olympus shared the league championship with Highland. The Titans have some work to do to repeat as champions, as they were two games out of first place with five more contests to go.

Olympus is 13th in the RPI rankings.

The Titans have been in just about every kind of game you can have so far in region play.

Olympus blew out Highland at home, 66-39, on Jan. 3 and also trounced East in a Jan. 19 home game, 80-44. The Titans also had a close victory at home against Brighton on Jan. 12, prevailing 61-57. The team’s two league defeats came at West on Jan. 5, 84-74, and against Alta at home, 60-48 on Jan. 16. Olympus also beat Skyline on Jan. 23, 48-41 on the road. And at Highland 4435 on Jan. 26.

Olympus has mostly been strong on defense, allowing under 50 points five teams in region play and nine times overall this season.

Offensively, the Titans have eclipsed the 60-point mark four times, each in region play.

The duo of Joss Baker and Keily Trabanino has been tough for opposing teams to handle.

Baker, a junior forward/guard, averages 15 points and 9.7 rebounds a game, leading the team in both categories. Her season-high in points is 22, which she achieved in the win over East on Jan. 12. She pulled down a season-best 13 rebounds on three different occasions. Through 17 games, she had recorded 10 double-doubles. Trabanino, a senior guard, scores 14.7 points an outing and leads the team with two assists and three steals per game. Trabanino scored at least 12 points in all but two of the team’s first 17 games.

Her season-high in points was 23 against East.

Though Baker and Trabanino has paced the Titans and been leaders on the court, others have contributed to the team’s success. Junior guard Tessa Cromar has been solid this season, averaging 6.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Senior forward Chole Bontempo scores 4.3 points and collects 3.4 rebounds an outing.

Lily Sith, Adee Shimoda and Tatum Harrison have also given the Titans and head coach Whitney Jenkins valuable minutes on the floor.

Though still in contention for another region title, Olympus is working to improve its RPI for a good playoff seed. The Class 5A state tournament will begin Feb. 20. Olympus’ last regular-season game is Feb. 16 at home against Skyline. l

As usual, Olympus boys basketball causing opponents trouble

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

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s one of the state’s most consistent, successful boys basketball programs, the Olympus Titans are having another solid season.

Olympus won five of its first seven games in Region 6 and were 15-3 overall at that point.

The Titans are used to winning region titles but are looking up in the standings to defending Class 5A champion Alta, which beat Olympus 56-45 on Jan. 16.

The season’s most important games—the state tournament—are coming up.

To prepare for state, the Titans will look to maintain their RPI, which currently sits at No. 2. A win over Alta in the teams’ next meeting, at Olympus on Feb. 9, could lift the Titans to No. 1.

Olympus also suffered a setback at Highland in the Jan. 3 region opener. The surprising 69-68 loss came in overtime. However, Olympus got revenge in a big way when the two teams met again on Jan. 26. This time playing on the Titans’ home court, Olympus prevailed easily 71-44. On Jan. 12, Olympus defeated Brighton 92-85 in an offensive showdown.

The Titans’ others wins all came by at least 24 points. Olympus defeated West at home on Jan. 5 by the count of 81-55 on Jan. 5. It also ran by East on the road, 69-45 on Jan. 19 and clobbered Skyline at home, 76-49 on Jan. 23.

Olympus averages 75.1 points per game, best in Region 6 and all of Class 5A.

Three Titans score in double figures, with senior guard Dutch DowDell leading the way averaging of 23.6 points per game. In fact, DowDell is fifth in the entire state in scoring and second in 5A. He tallied double digits in points in 17 of Olympus’ first 18 games and reached at least 20 points 13 times. DowDell score 30 or more points eight times during this stretch with a season high of 34 in the win at Brighton.

DowDell is also the most prolific three-point shooter in 5A with 64 conversions (3.6 a game) through the team’s first 18 contests. He is fourth in the state in three-pointers per game. He also averages 4.9 rebounds a game.

DowDell gets lots of help from his teammates.

Jordan Barnes, son of longtime head coach Matt Barnes, averages 16.6 points per game and drills 2.1 three-pointers a contest. He’s not all that far off averaging a triple-double, as the senior guard averages 7.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists an outing. He’s also tops on the team in steals at 3.7 a game. His assists and steals averages are both No. 1 in 5A and No. 2 statewide.

Senior Reef Smylie is the third in the dynamic Titan trio. The forward scores 16.4 points per game to along with 4.7 rebounds.

Another solid contributor is sophomore guard Gavin Lowe. The talented youngster should be a focal point of the offense next season and is scoring 8.4 points a game this year. l

Holladay City Journal

Former Olympus Titan leads only woman-owned canyoneering and rock climbing guide service in Zion National Park

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

T

he only woman-owned canyoneering and rock climbing guide service in the Zion National Park area is a former Olympus High School Titan. With a passion for rock climbing and exploring the outdoors, Gabby Olsen was hired in 2016 as a certified instructor and guide for Rock Odysseys, a guided service specializing in canyoneering and rock climbing adventure trips. Five years later, Olsen stepped in as owner and has grown the company to one of the premier canyoneering and rock climbing guide services in Southern Utah.

Olsen grew up hiking, snow skiing, and wakeboarding in Utah with her twin sister Sammy. She began her rock climbing career at Rockreation, a climbing gym previously located in Holladay. After graduating from Olympus High School, she continued her studies at the University of Utah.

“I graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism with an emphasis on sustainable tourism,” Olsen said. “Additionally, I received a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology. I feel that my experiences at the U of U helped set me on my current path.”

Zion National Park is a popular vacation spot for families from the Salt Lake City area.

Rock Odesseys arranges guided canyoneering and rock climbing trips outside the park for ages four to seventy-five.

“Rock Odysseys operates in the greater Zion National Park area,” Olsen said. “The park doesn’t allow technical guiding inside its boundaries, but there are so many great locations just outside the park. We operate on public lands for our canyoneering and rock climbing.

Locations range from St. George to Dammeron Valley to La Verkin across Zion National Park to Orderville, and south through Hilldale.”

Zion National Park is considered one of the most well-known areas worldwide for canyoneering. According to the Rock Odysseys’ website, canyoneering involves exploring slot canyons while hiking, rappelling and down-climbing into areas that otherwise would be inaccessible.

“The half-day canyoneering trip is our most popular trip for all ages,” Olsen said. “If you are fit to hike 1 to 2 miles on uneven terrain, then you can make this trip. It involves hiking, scrambling, rappelling and downclimbing through gorgeous water-carved slot canyons. It’s a great trip for families.”

Olsen has traveled internationally to pursue rock climbing. Her trips are usually one to two months long and include countries such as Spain, Greece, Thailand and Turkey.

Most experienced climbers select a very challenging rock climbing route to master. Although they may fall many times initially, they keep practicing until they memorize the route and can execute it skillfully. Olsen enjoys sports climbing.

HolladayJournal .com

Gabby Olsen is a former Olympus High School Titan and owns Rock Odysseys, a premier canyoneering and rock-climbing guide service located in Southern Utah. (Photo credit Gabby Olsen) Gabby Olsen’s personal goal of climbing at such a challenging level is to push herself while taking care of her body. Another climbing goal is to continue her education through the American Mountain Guides Association. She hopes to obtain her Multipitch Instructor certification within the next five years.

(Photo credit Gabby Olsen)

“My most challenging route is a route in a cave in Southern Utah called the Hurricave, a play on the (nearby) town name of Hurricane,” Olsen said. “The route is a steep rock climb in a cave called Joe’s World, graded 5.13b.”

A 5.13-grade climb is technical and vertical and considered very difficult. It requires significant natural ability. Olsen’s personal goal of climbing at such a challenging level is to push herself while taking care of her body. Another climbing goal is to continue her education through the American Mountain Guides Association. She hopes to obtain her Multipitch Instructor certification within the next five years.

This is an intensive course that requires several weeklong courses and exams. She has completed the first part of the trajectory with her Single Pitch Instructor certification.

According to Olsen, climbing has three parts to it. The sport is one-third technical, onethird physical and one-third mental. Climbers need to understand the technical aspect of how to safely tie into and utilize the ropes, including how to safely belay other climbers. A guide is a must to ensure that this is done correctly. The basis of a fun canyoneering or rock-climbing trip is safety. The physical attributes and skill of climbing are primarily in the legs. Balance, stamina, coordination and strength in the lower body play a huge role in climbing success.

“When participants climb well, they are driving most of their weight through their legs as well as using their arms and fingers to hold

Zion National Park is a popular vacation spot for families from the Salt Lake City area. Rock Odysseys arranges guided canyoneering and rock climbing trips outside the park for ages 4 to 75.

(Photo credit Gabby Olsen)

onto the holds,” Olsen said. “Like with hiking, there are beginner routes through advanced routes. So, if this is your first time climbing, we can put you on a beginner route and work up from there.”

Olsen said the most significant challenge of canyoneering and rock climbing is probably the mental aspect of it. Participants need help with trusting the equipment. Once the mental barrier is past, most will do well. Understanding how a backup system works usually alleviates most fears. A second rope is always attached to a person that a guide controls when rappelling, making this sport safer than sports like snow skiing and river rafting. The backup system prevents a person from falling, making

it safer than the perceived danger.

Although trips are offered year-round, the best weather for canyoneering and rock climbing in the Zion National Park area is generally from March through November.

According to Olsen, the half-day trip to the Kolob Terrace portion of Zion features stunning panoramic views, three parallel slot canyons to explore and multiple rappels. The location has many options for more or less adventurous routes.

“Our passion at Rock Odysseys is in the technical world,” Olsen said. “Our half-day canyoneering trip is accessible for anyone, even if they are hesitant. Our certified guides are excellent at tailoring the trip to people’s comfort levels and ensuring they push themselves and also enjoy themselves during their trip.”

For more information about canyoneering and rock-climbing guided tours, visit www. rockodysseys.rocks/ or contact Gabby Olsen via email at gabbyjaneolsen@gmail.com. l

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Holladay City Journal

Coming up for air

F

or a state run by legislators who sneer at tobacco products, I find it confusing they don’t give a flying cigar about our state’s dangerous air quality. GOP legislators balk at green energy initiatives like a vampire facing the sunrise and a head of garlic.

A 2023 American Lung Association report said Salt Lake ranks among the nation’s most polluted cities for ozone and short-term particle pollution. I don’t know what those words mean, but it doesn’t sound good.

Lawmakers say Salt Lake has always dealt with inversions, we just have to work around a valley filled with pollution. That’s like saying the kitchen’s always been filled with rotting banana peels, crushed egg shells, open yogurt containers veiled in mold, and a greasy chicken carcass. We just have to work around it.

Studies show polluted air is a bigger threat to our health than alcohol or tobacco. Maybe not breathing polluted air should be included in the Word of Wisdom next to wine (the devil’s fancy beverage) and tea (the witch’s drink). Then, perhaps, our lawmakers will pay attention.

It’s true the valley’s design creates Utah’s crappy air quality. Temperature inversions trap cold air under a layer of warm air, like putting a lid on a pot of soup. Only this soup is filled with vehicle pollution, smoke from wood burning stoves, industrial emis-

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sions, and glitter from gender reveal parties.

Reducing the number of cars using fossil fuels is a good way to cut down on emissions but “leaders” like illustrious Sen. Mike Lee often fight against renewable fuel programs. And don’t talk about closing coalfired power plants. Republican lawmakers embrace coal energy like it was brought down from Mount Sinai.

While other states are running away from coal as fast as humanly possible, Utah lawmakers delay closing coal power plants that leave behind tons of coal ash, a lovely bouquet of radioactive waste, arsenic and old lace.

Utah has around a dozen coal ash dump sites and you can bet your sooty lungs each site contributes to our bad air quality. Oh, don’t our legislators wish it was still the 1970s, when coal was king, and you could use your wood stove all day (even in the summer) and no one was trying to take your gas-operated vehicle?

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