UTAH TRAILS ARE BEING MODIFIED; ALLOWING MORE ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVENESS
By Jolene Croasmun | j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
Trails
Utah along with National Ability Center (NAC), Wasatch Adaptive Sports, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and board member, Wally Lee, who is also an adaptive bike rider, worked together to modify the Big Water Trail to Dog Lake in Millcreek Canyon for adaptive bikes.
The first part of the Big Water trail to Dog Lake project is completed and a grand opening event will happen in the next few months after the USFS officially designates the trail to be an accessible trail.
Additional modifications are scheduled to begin in 2025 which will modify the Great Western Trail from Big Water Trail to the Park City overlook.
“To improve the Big Water trail to Dog Lake and make it more accessible we removed roots, rocks, stumps and small trees that were obstacles for access. We widened the trail to about a four foot construction,” said John Knoblock, board chair of Trails Utah.
“There is an increasing demand by the forest service encouraging ranger districts around the nation for trails to be more inclusive and accessible for adaptive bike users,” Knoblock said.
“In our area, there are organizations that teach people how to use adaptive bikes like NAC and Wasatch Adaptive Sports,” added Knoblock.
“Many of the adaptive bikes are e-bikes which have vastly opened the terrain that adaptive bikes are accessible on. It was hard to ride an adaptive bike pedaling with your hands and steering at the same time plus going up a steep trail with
corners took a lot more skill.”
“Now with the e-bike revolution, these bikes are e-assist and you can pedal with one hand and steer with the other hand. This has really opened up the potential to improve those accessible trails and the possibility of other trails in our canyons to be modified for adaptive bikes in the future,” Knoblock said.
Trails Utah has a strong relationship with the USFS in Millcreek Canyon and this is where the ongoing effort to expand trail access and create more diverse and inclusive trails has begun in our community.
Trails Utah recently completed preserving and restoring the Silver Lake Loop at Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
“The Silver Lake Loop trail has been modified to meet the forest service accessibility standards. It is not classified as ADA but it still will allow this trail to be accessible by people with varied abilities. Wheelchairs will be able to utilize the Silver Lake Loop but bikes will not be permitted,” Knoblock said.
Silver Lake Loop trail is just under a mile with a minimal elevation gain of 55 feet and follows around the lake. There are picnic tables and fishing access points along the route. This trail is a pedestrian only trail.
A grand opening for the Silver Lake Loop trail is being held at the end of October. For more information on these projects and other trail projects visit www.trailsutah.org. l
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Adaptive bike riders enjoying riding on a modified trail. (Trails Utah website)
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Weight Loss Options: What You Need To Know About Diet, Prescription Medications & Surgery
By Catherine Beck, MD
verywhere you turn lately, it seems the topic of weight loss is front and centerfrom billboards to TV to social media and more. And everyone seems to have an opinion on how to lose weight, with some offering weight loss services at a hefty price. So what is the best way to lose weight? How do you start? Is it worth the cost?
At CommonSpirit Holy Cross HospitalJordan Valley, the Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Weight loss program can answer your questions from a reliable, accredited, board certified provider.
Let’s tackle the first question - why you may want to lose weight or why it may be important for you to lose weight. Ultimately, it’s not just about appearances. There are multiple medical problems that improve or resolve with weight loss, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and sleep apnea, amongst others.
Weight loss also decreases your risk of multiple types of cancer, specifically breast and colon cancer. In addition, most patients just want to feel better, have more energy, and be able to spend quality time with their family, without the limitations their weight may place on them.
In general, there are typically three ways people lose weight: diet and exercise, medically supervised weight loss, and surgical weight loss.
1. Diet and exercise include any program someone does on their own, including Keto, Weight Watchers, Mediterranean diets, Jenny Craig or meal plans and programs. No specific diet has ever been proven to be more effective than another. In general, any diet and exercise plan will lead to about 5% excess body weight loss on average.
2. Medically supervised weight loss includes using prescription medications to lose weight. Most people immediately think of Wegovy and Zepbound, but there are a lot of medications that help people lose weight and work in different ways. It is incredibly important to know that only a well-trained provider can help patients use the optimal combination of medications to see maximum results with minimal side effects. Medically supervised weight loss should include not only a provider trained in weight loss, but also a dietitian, along with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. These medications can help people lose up to 20% of their excess body weight if used correctly. Unfortunately, stopping the medication usually leads to weight regain and some patients have side effects that force them to stop the medication.
3. Surgical weight loss, or bariatric surgery, can help people lose 60-80%of their excess body weight and keep it off. Bariatric surgery
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typically refers to a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass. All surgical weight loss should include working with a dietitian, a medical weight loss provider and a surgeon, along with lifestyle changes.
Choosing an accredited, comprehensive, bariatric and medical weight loss program, such as the one at Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley, gives patients access to a variety of approaches designed to help them meet their weight loss goals in a safe environment. Only at a comprehensive center, can patients learn what will work best for them and get treated by providers with a history of safe and successful weight loss. Most insurances cover bariatric surgery and the costs of seeing a provider and dietitian, even if they don’t cover the costs of the newer injectable medications. With us, patients don’t have to pay program fees and we bill everything possible through a patient’s insurance. We work with patients to find the most affordable solutions!
Thinking about weight loss options? Please give Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley a call to see if you have coverage and to make an appointment with one of our surgeons or medical weight loss providers at (801) 601-4423. We are here to compassionately care for you.
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Wilkinson, Titans remaining positive despite challenging season on the volleyball court
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Thingshaven’t gone the Titans’ way in many matches this season, but the Olympus girls volleyball team continues to fight for each other.
Olympus prides itself on having a close-knit group of hard-working players. Even if the results haven’t shown up on the scoreboard every night or in the region standings, Titan players such as Scarlett Wilkinson maintain a positive outlook. Even when times are tough, Wilkinson and her teammates have each other’s backs. She is also grateful for a supportive, dedicated coaching staff.
“I enjoy the competition and dedication you put into the sport and also the friendships I made that I will forever have,” Wilkinson said. “The Olympus girls volleyball team is so special. It has amazing girls on it; we all work really well together and get along, which I will always remember. We also have great coaches that are so fun and motivating.”
The Titans were 4-14 through Sept. 19, with a big match on Sept. 26 at rival Highland. Olympus won one of first four Region 6 matches but had several more opportunities at that juncture to move up the standings and improve its playoff positioning. Olympus played a challenging nonregion schedule, facing talented foes, including three teams from Class 6A.
Head coach Mike Guthrie’s team has worked hard to be competitive. The Titans scored a 3-1 victory at home over Murray in the region opener Sept. 7. The team came up short against West, Brighton and Skyline following that victory. Olympus faces each region opponent twice, concluding with a match at Alta Oct. 29. Skyline, Brighton, East and Alta also pose formidable tests for Olympus, as each team had at least seven victories through the first half of the season.
As a team leader and top performer, Wilkinson has tried to set the pace for her teammates. She set out this season to lead the squad in kills and simply wants to improve from practice to practice and game to game. Once the high schools season ends, she hopes to take what she has learned into club ball and excel there.
“My individual goal is to get the most kills on the team,” she said. “Overall, I really just hope to get better, so going into club season I can show what I’ve learned. To achieve this, I will go to practice and try my hardest every day.”
Guthrie said Wilkinson, a senior outside hitter and cap-
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tain, brings leadership, production and energy to the court.
“[Wilkinson] is having an outstanding season,” he said. “So far, she has 66 Kills, 13 Service Aces (95% serves in), 77 Digs and 205 Serve Receives. She is one of our most consistent players on our team and leads the way in all she does.”
Though the Titans have suffered some losses, Wilkinson is holding her head high. She said one of her strengths is to stay upbeat even when things aren’t going the team’s way. She tries to help others feed off that mindset.
“I think that I do my job well, and I also like to have a good attitude and uplift everyone and have fun, no matter losing or winning on the court,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson hasn’t been playing volleyball that long, so it’s obvious that she is a fast learner and has natural talent. She began playing competitively as a freshman, though she didn’t go into her ninth-grade year with much inclination to play.
“I decided that I wanted to have a sport through high school, and I saw a flier for girls volleyball, so I decided to try out,” she said.
Guthrie is grateful that Wilkinson saw that flier and has developed into a consistent, all-around player. Last season, the Titans were 7-22 overall and 5-7 in Region 6. During Wilkinson’s sophomore year, Olympus sported a record of 9-15 (5-6 in league play), and the team was 7-8 overall in 2021 when she was a freshman. Wilkinson is striving to help her team finish with a winning region record for the first time in her career.
The Titans are 23rd out of 28 Class 5A teams in the RPI rankings. They would need to climb to the eighth spot to secure a first-round bye or get to No. 16 to have a first-round home match. The 5A state tournament begins Nov. 5 at higher-seeded teams’ home sites. The second round and quarterfinals are Nov. 7 at Utah Valley University, while the semifinals and finals are also at UVU, Nov. 8.
Wilkinson has big plans once she graduates next spring. She doesn’t intend to stop playing competitive volleyball anytime soon either. The standout player wants to attend college either at home in Utah or in California.
“It would be so fun to play volleyball during college, so I’m going to start applying to see if anybody has openings for an outside position,” she said.
The Titans have a young team, so Wilkinson and Guthrie
think the future could be bright for the program. As for this season, Wilkinson is looking forward to finishing strong and surprising a few teams in the postseason. Last year, the Titans were seeded 24th and lost in the first round to Viewmont 3-1 (25-16, 26-28, 25-13, 25-15). In the Class 5A state tournament, teams that lose in the first round are done for the year. However, teams that get past the first round are not eliminated until they have lost two matches. l
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Olympus’ Scarlett Wilkinson, a senior on the Titans’ girls volleyball team, has been a leader and top performer this season. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Wilkinson)
Utah International Charter School empowers global citizens
Abdiweli Abdow walks down the hall, giving students high-fives and talking with some of the young boys. Abdow came to America as a Kenyan refugee 18 years ago and now works as the dean of students at the Utah International Charter School.
The kids relate to him because he’s been where they are; in a new country, trying to learn a new language, understand social and cultural norms, and get an education.
“You get some kids that got here a week ago with no knowledge, and I try to help them out in many ways,” he said. “Their biggest challenge is the language. They do have some peers who speak the same language and they build those friendships. They want to be able to learn English.”
Utah International Charter School recently moved into a new location, leasing the former Millcreek Elementary School at 3761 S. 1100 East. This is the school’s 11th year of providing immigrant, refugee and American-born students a rigorous secondary education while honoring each person’s culture, identity and heritage.
The school has roughly 250 students in grades six-12, representing 30 countries and speaking dozens of languages. Many teens are considered Students with Interrupted Formal Education which means they might never have attended school because of war or their education was suspended for other reasons.
Usha Narra is the school’s principal but has also taught math and physics. She said students at UICS have a high success rate due to the education model emphasizing inclusion while teaching every subject in English.
“If I’m the math teacher, I’m also supporting them with their English acquisition, so all teachers are trained in integrating the English language into their classes,” Narra
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
said. “For example, if the math teacher is teaching how to solve equations, they also integrate an explanation piece into it, or the teaching of vocabulary explicitly.”
Narra said when refugee or immigrant students attend large public schools, they often get lost in the shuffle and their education suffers because they don’t speak English. Then they are put into ESL classes, which don’t count toward high school graduation. At UICS, they learn English in every class and graduate with language, leadership and critical thinking skills.
The school has a robust after-school program that allows students to be involved in clubs and sports. One teacher is starting a volleyball league to provide refugee girls an opportunity to play team sports.
Kabali Kangeta, 17, has attended the school since seventh grade and plays on the Cottonwood High School soccer team. Immigrating from Tanzania in 2016, Kabali’s native language is Swahili but he is proficient in English. He will graduate this spring and hopes to play soccer for Utah Valley University.
“It was really hard learning English especially when I’d go to 7-Eleven and I don’t even know what to say, I’m just pointing at what I want,” Kabali said. “But when I came to this school, people were speaking the same language as me. This school just offers peace, to be honest.”
Wanda Gayle is one of the school’s founding members and serves on the board of trustees. She said students come from all over the Salt Lake Valley, often traveling long distances. Gayle said the education model gives students four factors to increase the likelihood of success: a small school setting, strong relationships between teachers and students, mixed-ability classes and
teacher collaboration.
“Every year we have students that get full scholarships to the University of Utah or Westminster University,” Gayle said. “We have a high success rate. Part of our educational model is our proficient English learners get matched up with a kid just coming in.”
All seniors work with the school counselor to apply for scholarships and college admission and fill out federal student aid forms. Narra ensures the support system is in place to help each student reach their academic, personal and career goals.
“Just because making content accessible
doesn’t mean we’re dumbing it down,” she said. “We still need to meet state requirements. So they’re learning all the same content they would in a regular school, but it’s very structured…Our seniors always come back. I’m aware of a student who got her nursing degree, she’s just brilliant, and decided she was going to be on our governing board…Every year we have a senior panel where at least 10 of them come back and share their experiences. We love them.”
For information about UICS, visit UtahInternational.org. l
High school senior Kabali Kangeta attends Utah International Charter School in Millcreek but plays soccer with Cottonwood High School. (City Journals)
The Utah International Charter School recently moved to a new building in Millcreek. It serves 250 students from 30 different countries, helping them learn English and graduate from high school. (City Journals)
Cottonwood senior Parker Evans is getting a kick out of his first football season
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
For Parker Evans, good things come to those who wait.
A soccer player for many years, the Cottonwood High senior was offered an opportunity to try a new sport this season on the football field after Ryan Nielson graduated. It’s one that Evans has accepted, said Jaxon Clark, his new kicking coach.
“He came [to our camp in] late spring. I would say in May,” recalled Clark, himself a former college punter at Southern Oregon University.
Since that point, both Clark and Cottonwood head boys soccer coach BryLee Harvest have stood by Evans to help him transition from soccer to American football.
“Parker has been playing varsity [soccer] since his sophomore season and has consistently become better and better each season,” said coach Harvest, who noted that Evans led the Colts in assists last season. “In addition, I’ve been lucky enough to coach Parker for two club seasons with my La Roca 2007 Premier team, where we experienced multiple tournament championships, and a deep Utah State Cup run where we made the quarterfinals in 2022. Whether it was at Cottonwood or La Roca, I have been able to lean on him to put us in positions to make plays and win games.”
But, Evans might arguably be having as
5-foot-7-inch senior is playing his first American football, ever, according to Harvest.
“It is his first season playing football and it is to no surprise that he has become a significant contributor for another coach and program here at our school,” said Harvest, who’s coached Evans for school and club. “Every coach and program needs a player like Parker Evans.
“He’s a great kid that is selfless and hates losing more than he loves winning. As the pressure rises, so does he,” Harvest continued. “One of my favorite memories of him was in our first-round playoff match at Sky View [this past May]. He played an instrumental part in that upset, contributing to each game-altering play. He scored the first goal, sent in the game-tying assist to force overtime. And, after the deadlock persisted after double OT, calmly slotted his penalty kick in the upper right corner during the shootout to help clinch the massive upset.”
is a big deal when you consider that kickers only get three total points for each field goal made, and one for each extra point in comparison to field players who receive six for each touchdown scored.
That’s an impressive tally for someone who’s only playing on special teams. In five games played, Evans has connected on three field goals and is letter-perfect in his extra points.
The reason for that may also have to do with the tutelage and mentoring Evans has been getting from Jaxon Clark, who has humbly founded Rogue Kicking in Utah to help local punters and kickers fine-tune their skills for college.
Clark offers in-season group lessons for kickers and punters on Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. as well as private one-on-one lessons at Cottonwood High School, where he also serves as the Colts special teams coordinator.
much of an impact for his new team on the football field.
In two of Cottonwood’s first five games of the 2024-25 football season, Evans’ field goals were the only points his 0-5 Colts have been able to put on the scoreboard: a 38-3 loss to Ogden Aug. 16 at home and a 41-3 home defeat to Mountain View Aug. 30.
What’s also just as impressive is that the
Despite having played no American football before, Evans is also leading Cottonwood’s football team in scoring, according to Greg Southwick, Cottonwood athletic director.
“He’s doing a good job for them as our leading scorer and he’s got a good foot,” Southwick said.
Having scored 13 points this fall, this
During the offseason, Rogue Kicking also offers classes and camps teaching punting, kicking and snapping Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
At present, Rogue Kicking has more than 30 Utah specialists on its roster of alumni, of which a half dozen are currently on college football rosters. More information can be seen at: www.roguekicking.com. l
Parker Evans races down the left wing with the ball in a Cottonwood’s boys’ soccer game. (Photo BryLee Harvest)
New faces and key races to watch in Salt Lake County 2024 election
By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
As the 2024 election season heats up, Salt Lake County finds itself on the brink of significant political change. With the retirement of long-serving officials like Jim Bradley, David Alvord, Ann Granato, Wayne Cushing and Reid Demman, the upcoming races will usher in a new era of leadership. In the spotlight is the high-stakes mayoral race, where incumbent Democrat Jenny Wilson faces a challenge from Republican Erin Rider. Alongside this, several key County Council districts and other county offices will see competitive battles as newcomers vie to shape the future of the county. Here's an overview of the pivotal races and the candidates aiming to steer Salt Lake County forward.
County Mayor Race
Jenny Wilson, the current mayor of Salt Lake County, is running for re-election. Wilson has been in office since 2019 and previously made history as the first woman elected to the County Council. According to her campaign page, she is a fifth-generation Utahn with experience in both the private sector and nonprofit organizations. Before becoming mayor, Wilson served on the council for 10 years.
Her opponent, Erin Rider, a Republican, comes from a background in law and business. Raised in Millcreek, Rider graduated from Brigham Young University with a business degree and later earned her JD/MBA from Georgetown University. She worked as a law clerk on the Senate Finance Committee under Sen. Orrin Hatch in Washington, D.C., and has been active in various community organizations, including Utah Women Run and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.
County Council District Races
District 2 includes the towns of West Valley City, Kearns, West Jordan, South Jordan and Herriman. Both candidates in this race are new, as they seek to replace the retiring incumbent David Alvord.
Katie Olson, the Democratic candidate, indicates on her campaign webpage she holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a master’s degree in public administration. She currently works as an internal consultant for the city of South Jordan, where she collaborates with various city departments to evaluate their effectiveness.
Carlos Moreno, the Republican candidate, is a recent U.S. citizen and political asylee from Venezuela. He achieved U.S. citizenship in 2022 and works as a community outreach representative for a national energy management consulting company. Moreno also runs a small business with his wife in West Jordan.
District 4 encompasses Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, Murray and Cottonwood Heights. Current incumbent Ann Granto retires after this term.
This race features Democrat Ross Romero, a former Utah State Senator and House
Member. Romero graduated from the University of Utah and earned a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. His career includes serving on the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and being elected as a Democratic National Committee Committeeman in 2020. Romero has held numerous board positions, including with the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials and the Utah Hospital Association, and has been involved in initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
Running against Romero is former Third Circuit Court Judge Roger Livingston, a Republican. Livingston previously served as a Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney and was a candidate for the Republican attorney general nomination in the 1980s. He also served in the Utah House of Representatives in the late 1970s.
Nolan Kruse is also running in District 4 under the Utah Forward Party. Kruse is a small business owner and the Co-Founder and CEO of Lunar Services, a company that provides building service solutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Utah.
District 6 includes the areas of Sandy, Midvale, Draper and Cottonwood Heights. Incumbent Republican Dea Theodore is seeking re-election. Theodore, who has represented District 6 since 2020, has a background in biology and experience in education administration and civic engagement. As noted on her website, she has been active on several boards, including the Unified Fire Authority (UFA) and SYLVESA, and has worked on legislative initiatives during her time in office; she is a Sandy resident.
Conder has a degree in mathematics with a minor in physics from the University of Utah. Conder has been the Chief Deputy Treasurer under Wayne Cushing.
For County Recorder, incumbent Democrat Rashelle Hobbs is seeking re-election. Hobbs has been involved in county operations for over a decade, starting her career in the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office. Hobbs has a bachelor's degree at the University of Utah and a master's degree in professional communication from Westminster College.
Challenging Theodore is Zach Robinson, the Democratic candidate who currently serves on the Sandy City Council. Robinson has a decade of experience as a firefighter and paramedic, and he works as an Operations Manager for virtual care at University of Utah Health.
At-Large and Other County Positions
In the at-large race for County Council, incumbent Republican Rachelle Morris and Democrat Natalie Pinkney are competing to replace longtime councilman Jim Bradley.
Natalie Pinkney currently serves on the South Salt Lake City Council and has an educational background in psychology and educational leadership from Marquette University and the University of Utah. Pinkney is also a small business owner and helped establish a Financial Empowerment Center in South Salt Lake.
Rachelle Morris, is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Information Systems. She has a career in private wealth management, having worked at both Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. Morris is also a co-founder and partner at a Utah venture fund.
Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor and Surveyor Races
For the position of County Treasurer, the current officeholder, Wayne Cushing, is not seeking re-election.
Democrat Sheila Srivastava, seeks to replace Cushing. As indicated on her website, Srivastava has over 30 years of experience as a CPA.
The Republican candidate aiming to replace him is Phil Conder, who has been working in the Salt Lake County Treasurer’s office.
Challenging Hobbs is Republican Richard Snelgrove, who was defeated in 2022 for re-election to the Salt Lake County Council. Snelgrove has also served as district director for U.S. Congressman Merrill Cook and has been involved in international election observation for the U.S. State Department. He currently serves on the United Fire Authority board.
The Assessor race features Chris Stavros, the Republican incumbent. Stavros previously held several leadership roles in the Assessor’s office, including Chief Deputy Assessor.
Democrat Joel Frost is a residential appraiser in Salt Lake County since 2006. Frost has served in various capacities, including as President of the Utah Coalition of Appraisers and a board member of the Utah Association of Appraisers.
After 18 years, Reid Demman is stepping away from the position of County Surveyor. Two members from his office will compete to take his spot.
Democrat Kent Setterberg is running with a career spanning over 30 years in the Salt Lake County Surveyor’s office. Setterberg, a licensed Professional Land Surveyor, has a Geomatics degree in Land Surveying from Salt Lake Community College. His opponent, Republican Bradley Park, is the current Chief Deputy Surveyor and has been in the Surveyor’s office since 2021. Park has 17 years of experience in surveying, including a leadership role at Dominion Energy, where he managed the company’s survey office.
Salt Lake County voters can get registration, candidate and ballot information at www. saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/elections/2024-general-election/. l
The Salt Lake County Council will see new faces as Jim Bradley, David Alvord and Ann Granato chose to retire from their offices. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
Incumbent Democrat Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson will face a challenge from Republican Erin Rider. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
Retiring Salt Lake County elected officers Jim Bradley, David Alvord, Ann Granato, Wayne Cushing and Reid Demman. (Photos courtesy of Salt Lake County)
Salt Lake City real estate agents respond to industry changes
By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com
On Aug. 17, changes to the real estate industry took effect that will require more conversation upfront regarding agent’s commissions, or the fees paid for the services provided to homebuyers and sellers. These changes come as the result of a settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice from 2023.
The settlement, and the changes to commissions, have been as reported in the media as, “aiming to increase transparency and empower consumers.”
Traditionally, the average real estate commission rates were between 4% to 6% of the total purchase price of the home. That commission amount was split in half between the listing broker and the buyer's broker. Those expected commissions were listed on the multiple listing service, or the MLS.
Current president of the Utah Realtors Association Adam Kirkham explained the rule changes as follows:
“The first rule is we [the agents] must have a signed agreement in place before we show a buyer a home,” Kirkham said. “The second main change is a buyer's agent commission can no longer be advertised anywhere in the country on a multiple listing service.”
No longer able to list commissions on the MLS means that going forward, the party selling the home will need to negotiate with the party buying the home on the commission to be paid to the agents upfront. Those negotiations can be communicated via text, email, social media, a sign in the yard or by some other less formal means.
Kirkham has been in the industry since 1999 and said the changes will bring greater clarity to the home buying process.
“Both sides are going to benefit and we're raising the bar of professionalism,” Kirkham said.
Utah agents have long been accustomed to the practice of having an agreement signed by both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent before an offer to buy a house was written, as it was part of Utah law. Kirkham said these changes are procedural for Utah agents.
Representation matters
FOX 13 reported in March of this year that these changes could impact first-time homebuyers, as hefty price tags for homes are placed on top of closing costs and agents’ commission. Buyers and sellers may begin to question the value of having representation.
“[Per the new law] if the seller isn't offering a commission, they (agents) have to basically convince the buyer why they're of value,” said Realtypath agent Brittney Cornia.
In the Utah real estate scene since 2016, Cornia has had to prove her value to clients,
noting that there is an abundance of agents to choose from. In her career, Cornia has had to deal with problems that have come up during a transaction ranging from a house testing positive for methamphetamine (meth), testing positive for mold, and even a property flooding.
“It’s better to have an agent on your side because we have all the resources,” Cornia said.
Cornia admitted that while the changes are still new territory for a lot of agents, they will be positive overall.
Salt Lake City resident Angela Wood has known her realtor for more than 15 years, as they worked together toward the purchase of her current home located close to the University of Utah. A recent empty nester, Wood’s home has been for sale since May. However, prior to listing her home, Wood and her realtor worked through a checklist of items needing repair, as well as when the best time to list would be.
“My perspective is that for complicated transactions, you hire an expert,” Wood said. “I would never consider selling my home without an expert to help me list, promote, prepare, show, navigate inspections, negotiate with buyers and close.”
Wood said that she trusts her realtor and will employ her services to buy her next home and anticipates signing representation agreements prior.
Communication is key
Lynn Buckway of The Buckway Group has been in real estate since 2007 and said beyond just being detail oriented, being able to negotiate, and having good communica-
the best possible experience.
“It makes a huge difference when someone can sit down and actually listen,” Buckway said. “I feel like setting the right expectations is probably about 80% of what I do.”
When expectations are set right, Buckway said clients end up happy, and that to him, is worth it. While he finds joy in his work, Buckway said being in real estate is not a hobbyist career choice, especially with the new changes. An agent will work long hours and spend a lot of time away from loved ones.
The detail orientation, the negotiation, the communication, and the listening have led Buckway toward being able to recognize the joy that a homebuyer, or seller, feels when the transaction is complete.
“I had a first-time homebuyer ask me if she could hug me like three times at the end [of a transaction],” Buckway said. “I feel like making money is a byproduct of just helping people and doing a good job.”
tion skills, a successful agent listens intently to their clients and is prepared to give them
GRIEF HAS NO TIMELINE
Since Aug. 17, Buckway sent representation agreements to a new set of buyers looking to work with him who had little knowledge of the rule change. They were eager to sign those agreements upfront and get started in finding their new home. l
Homeowner Angela Wood has had her SLC house listed for sale since May and would never consider not using a real estate agent even with the new nationwide rule changes that took effect Aug. 17. (Photo courtesy of Angela Wood)
Best Seat in the House creates activities for disadvantaged youth
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Growing up in Pennsylvania, Ivan Gonzalez was raised in poverty and didn’t have a lot of opportunities other kids enjoyed. He thought only wealthy people could afford to attend Broadway shows or theater performances. When he moved to Utah in his 20s, he fell in love with the state’s theater scene that he found incredibly fun and accessible.
He started working at the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake more than seven years ago. Gonzalez’s 30th birthday was coming up and he decided to throw a party for himself, inviting all the kids at the center.
“I wanted to do a carnival and get kids out of their beds,” he said. “Primary Children’s [Hospital] and other hospitals are great, but most kids that are going through treatment, it’s like six months, nine months or a year. Video games and movies get old pretty quick.”
So he and his friends threw a party with princess and superheroes, games and a fire dancer. He even handed out presents to the kids. “It’s still the best birthday ever,” Gonzalez said.
He had so much fun planning the birthday party that he began holding other events, providing opportunities for kids to enjoy, even when they’re going through a rough
Karl Jurek
“Provide life-changing experiences for children during difficult times.”
Best Seat in the House focuses its attention on kids with medical conditions, refugees, children in the foster care system, kids in low-income or disadvantaged families and those with special needs. Gonzalez said it’s important for children to have fun, no matter their circumstances, and his program provides several free events each month to those who might not otherwise be able to attend.
Headquartered in Sandy (1570 E. 8600 South), Best Seat in the House partners with several community organizations including the Granite Education Foundation, Sorenson Legacy Foundation, and Nomi Health and the RSL Foundation that provides free tickets to hockey and soccer games.
“We want these kids to experience things they normally couldn’t because of their money situation or whatever their situation is,” Gonzalez said.
fall in love with the kids and the activities which range from carnivals, theater productions, sporting events, outings and parties.
“We need volunteers to run the games and hand out prizes, so we’re really trying to get more volunteers to join us,” he said. “I’ve also been trying to get more [donated] event tickets, because that’s another thing that a lot of families are asking for.”
In 2023, Gonzalez was presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Utah Philanthropy Day. He’s still in disbelief that his organization has grown so quickly and he’s grateful for the help he’s received.
He loves to explain the origin for the nonprofit’s name, Best Seat in the House. It was during a party when he watched a 4-yearold boy, who was undergoing a serious medical treatment, play the Whac-A-Mole game. The boy’s mom told Gonzalez that it was the first day in a month she’d seen her son smile.
time. In 2018, he created the nonprofit Best Seat in the House where his mission is to
The program grew fast, serving 600 kids during the first year to working with 9,000 in 2023. Gonzalez invites volunteers to take part in the events. Unlike other nonprofits, Best Seat in the House allows children to volunteer, although anyone under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
He said volunteers come to serve and
“She was getting emotional, kind of crying, but happy seeing her son,” he said. “And my friend had a blast helping him with the game. And I was just like, ‘Man, this is the best seat in the house.’ It was the best view.”
For more information about volunteering or donations, visit Bestseatslc.org. l
Ivan Gonzalez, founder of Best Seat in the House, attends an RSL soccer game with one of the youth in his program that provides parties and activities for sick or disadvantaged children. (Photo courtesy of Ivan Gonzalez)
Holladay artist Jack Khachatryan recognized for abstract urban scene photography
Jack Khachatryan, a senior at the Waterford School, most recent photography portfolio delves into the intriguing fusion of abstraction and urban spaces encapsulated within urban scenes. When he trips the camera shutter, he skillfully captures the content with an abstract approach, evoking various emotions, from nostalgia to introspection.
“I feel like my freshmen and sophomore years at Waterford were simply doing photography to complete assignments that would happen in class,” Khachatryan said. “But for the last year, I’ve been able to focus on one body of work, which has become my abstract photography project for my senior year.”
Recognized for his thought-provoking abstract urban scene photography, The Holladay Arts Council has selected Khachatryan as the Holladay Artist of the Month for October 2024, an acknowledgment of his talent and artistic creativity.
Abstract photography is a unique style of artistic expression that employs photographic equipment and processes to create images that are not immediately associated with the tangible world. Abstract photographers push the boundaries of traditional photography by skillfully manipulating artistic elements such as line, form, light, and color transforming ordi-
By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com
nary scenes into unexpected and often unrecognizable images.
According to Khachatryan he utilizes three ways to produce an abstract image. When shooting photos, he skillfully frames the content using abstract shooting techniques keeping in mind how different kinds of framing can engender different emotions. Through edit processing in the lightroom, he uses Adobe software to push abstraction possibilities and, in the darkroom, he uses chemical alternative processing. Additionally, he further explores abstraction through printing methods, such as using transfer film to print images on sheets of metal, wood or paper.
Combining a passion for chemistry, science, and artistic creativity, Khachatryan’s academic career has led him toward biomedical engineering. He interned for one summer at the University of Utah College of Engineering, with an overlap in the College of Health, where he worked on a study involving Division 1 athletes at the university who had experienced a concussion. In addition, he has devoted his time to volunteering at Shriners Hospital for the last two summers, where he has volunteered as a wheelchair technician.
“One of the projects I worked on at Shriners was the Baby Bug,” Khachatryan said. “It is an electronically powered mobility device equipped
with a joystick for control. It’s designed to provide children ages 3 months to 12 months with mobility support. The Baby Bug enhances opportunities for children who have diseases which have caused mobility impairment, but cognitively are fine, to reach key aspects of their social, intellectual, and physical development. It has been an incredible experience.”
Recently, Khachatryan has been touring colleges across the nation. Competing on the Waterford row team and the lacrosse team, sports has been one consideration when deciding where to attend college.
“After graduation, I plan to attend college,” Khachatryan said. “I particularly enjoyed visiting Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. As a student at Duke, I could study biomedical engineering and photography. I’m into sports, which is a consideration when deciding. Also, my twin sister is interested in attending Duke, which would be awesome if we could attend the same university.”
For now, Khachatryan is in the process of brainstorming different photography styles and his next artistic body of work for the coming year. 3D installations, composed of photographs, which invite the viewer to step into a world within a world, has captured his interest.
“I think I’ve been successful in
overlapping the things I really enjoy, like the science and chemistry side, and being able to combine it with the art and photography side, Khachatryan said. “I’m in the process of brainstorming what body of work I want to work on this coming year, whether it be continuing abstract or experimenting with 3D sculpture made from photographs. Maybe I will end up exploring a different style of photography altogether. I’m really excited to see what the next body of work will be.”
When asked how he defines success as an artist Khachatryan says, “If I can capture someone’s interest with an abstract photo and they are then willing to take an extra 30 seconds out of their lives to actually internalize it and process the meaning, I have met with success.”
Khachatryan’s photography exhibit will be on display at Holladay City Hall through October.
If you would like more information about Khachatryan’s art work, he can be reached by email at jackkhachatryan07@icloud.com
To view Khachatryan’s art work visit: https://jackkhachatryan.my.canva.site/ or Instagram: @jck_khchtryn
To nominate a Holladay resident for Artist of the Month, visit www.holladayarts.org/suggest-an-artist. l
Abstract Chicago/ “This last year, I’ve been able to focus on one body of work, which has become my abstract photography project for my senior year at Waterford.” (Photo courtesy Jack Khachatryan)
Abstract Urban Decay/ Jack Khachatryan, a senior at Waterford High School, most recent photography portfolio delves into the intriguing fusion of abstraction and urban spaces encapsulated within urban scenes. (Photo courtesy Jack Khachatryan)
Abstract City Scripts/ Abstract photography is a unique style of artistic expression that employs photographic equipment and processes to create images that are not immediately associated with the tangible world. (Photo courtesy Jack Khachatryan)
COUNCIL MESSAGE
Planting a Greener Future: Holladay’s Tree Voucher Program
Holladay is renowned for its leafy canopy, making it one of the most forested cities in the state. To preserve and enhance this natural beauty, the City and the Tree Committee began an initiative aimed at nurturing our urban forest: the Tree Voucher Program. This program provides residents with limited financial assistance to plant new trees in their residential landscapes, fostering a greener and healthier community.
UNDERSTANDING THE TREE VOUCHER OPTIONS
The Tree Voucher Program offers two distinct options tailored to meet the varied needs of Holladay residents:
1. Street Tree Voucher: This option is designated for planting trees in “right of way” areas, typically within fifteen feet from the road. These trees not only beautify our streets but also play a vital role in improving air quality and providing shade.
2. Open Voucher: Homeowners can use this voucher to plant trees anywhere on their property, except within the designated fifteen feet reserved for street trees. This flexibility allows residents to enhance their yards and contribute to the overall greenery of the community.
Both voucher types require tree species to be selected from the City of Holladay’s approved Tree List, ensuring that the trees planted are suitable for our environment and promote ecological health.
HOW TO APPLY
Applying for the Tree Voucher Program is simple and accessible. Residents can choose between two methods:
• Online Application: Download and fill out application form from the city’s website.
• In-Person Application: Visit City Hall to pick up a physical application form.
Once completed, applications can be submitted in person at the City Hall reception desk or emailed as a PDF to trees@HolladayUT.gov. The Tree Committee
Fall Leaf Pickup
As the temperatures cool down and we head into fall, WFWRD will begin our seasonal fall leaf pickup service. Starting October 16, residents can pick up leaf bags at designated locations. We do not collect leaf bags from your curb.
• Full leaf bags can be taken to area parks and placed in the District’s trailers.
• Other yard or waste bags can be used for your leaves. Please do not dump garbage, yard waste, or other items at the leaf bag collection sites.
• Reminder: Leaves are not accepted in blue recycling cans.
• You are welcome to take leaf bags from any site for your own compost.
will review the application, and a member of the committee will meet with the applicant to discuss planting location and species choices. Successful applicants will receive a voucher by mail, detailing the approved dollar amount and tree species. It is important to note that this program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so timely application is crucial. Once the allocated budget is exhausted, the program will conclude until further funding becomes available.
IMPORTANT GUIDELINES TO KEEP IN MIND
Before applying, here are some key rules and restrictions to be aware of:
• Residency Requirement: Only residents of the City of Holladay are eligible for the program.
• Location for Street Trees: Trees planted with the Street Tree Voucher must be placed within the city’s “Right of Way” area. The voucher will specify which trees and sizes are appropriate for this location.
• Voucher Redemption: The program is not a reimbursement scheme. Residents should not submit receipts for trees purchased independently. Instead, they must redeem their vouchers at participating nurseries for the specified tree species.
CONCLUSION
Holladay’s Tree Voucher Program is a great opportunity for residents to actively participate in enhancing the city’s urban forest. By planting trees, you are not just beautifying your home; you are contributing to a healthier environment for everyone. Whether you opt for the Street Tree Voucher or the Open Voucher, your efforts will play a significant role in maintaining Holladay’s status as one of Utah’s greenest cities. Do not miss out on this chance to make a lasting impact—apply today and help continue Holladay’s tree tradition!
If you are interested in attending meetings of the Holladay Tree Committee or helping as a volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/HolladayGetInvolved.
Matt Durham, District 2
October is National Fire Prevention Month LIBRARY HAPPENINGS OCTOBER
Star Party (In Partnership with Salt Lake Astronomical Society)
Friday, October 11
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Come and enjoy views of the moon, planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies through some of Utah’s largest telescopes.
This is an after-hours event and will be held outside - the library will be closed. The Star Party will begin at dusk (approximately 7:00 pm) and run until 10:00 pm.
Star parties are weather permitting.
Thrills & Chills Book Club - Frankenstein
Tuesday, October 22
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
A book club for readers who want to be on the edge of their seats. Join us each month for a fast-paced book with a chill discussion. Join us for our final Thrills & Chills book club where we’ll be discussing the classic Frankenstein. Bring your favorite book or movie adaptation to discuss!
With colder months and holiday events approaching, it is a perfect month to take a little extra time to focus on residential fire safety. In the U.S. a fire department responds to a fire every 23 seconds (NFPA), nearly 3 out of 5 home fire deaths are a result of no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that are not working (NFPA), and Carbon Monoxide is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning (CDC). There are many easy ways to help prevent home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning and keep your family safe.
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while the food is cooking, and use a timer.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional. Clean dryer vents regularly.
• Cooking appliances should not be used to heat a home.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
• The Red Cross Fire Preparedness Campaign will provide free smoke alarms as well as additional home fire safety education.
• Additional safety tips can be found at Be Ready Utah and through the Utah State Fire Marshals Office.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Rob Dahle, Mayor rdahle@holladayut.gov 801-580-3056
Ty Brewer, District 1 tbrewer@holladayut.gov 801-550-8747
Matt Durham, District 2 mdurham@holladayut.gov 801-999-0781
Paul Fotheringham, District 3 pfotheringham@holladayut.gov 801-424-3058
Drew Quinn, District 4 dquinn@holladayut.gov 801-860-6130
Emily Gray, District 5 egray@holladayut.gov 801-755-3477
Gina Chamness, City Manager gchamness@holladayut.gov
PUBLIC MEETINGS:
by Allison Jester, Emergency Management Coordinator
HOWL-O-WEEN Pet Safety Tips
Salt Lake County Animal Services
Halloween can be a lot of fun for humans, but pets may not appreciate the costumes and candy. Protect your pets from Halloween dangers with these tips!
1. Keep candy out of reach: All forms of chocolate and the artificial sweetener can be poisonous to dogs & cats. Call your emergency vet if your pet has eaten anything poisonous.
2. Keep pets confined and away from the door: Dogs may be likely to dart out the door or become anxious with trick-or-treaters in costumes and yelling for candy. Put them in a crate or a backroom and keep everyone safe.
3. Close the blinds or drapes, disconnect doorbells: If your dog reacts every time someone walks by or rings the doorbell close the drapes and disconnect the doorbell.
4. Keep outdoor pets inside before and after Halloween: Keep dogs and cats indoors to prevent them from being injured, stolen, or poisoned as part of a Halloween prank.
5. Don’t approach dogs while in costume: Even if you know the dog, a strange costume or mask can frighten them. They may not recognize you in costume. If a dog escapes a house or yard and runs up to you, tell your child to stand like a tree, and wait for the owner to grab the dog.
6. Test out pet costumes before: Make sure the costume isn’t causing them distress or giving them an allergic reaction. It shouldn’t restrict their movement, ability to breath, bark or meow.
7. Leave them at home: It may be best with all the distractions to leave your pet at home while trick-or-treating. Take them for a walk earlier in the day before the ghosts and goblins come out for the night to spook them.
Find a lost pet? Call Dispatch 801-840-4000. Need to get your pet microchipped? Don’t forget all pets in Salt Lake County can receive a free microchip at our location. Email animal@slco.org for more info or visit AdoptUtahPets.org.
Holla-ween is just around the corner and we want you to join us for this year’s Holla-ween event! SATURDAY OCTOBER 26th 2:30 pm-4:30 pm located at the back of Holladay City Hall 4580 S 2300 E. The festivities will include pumpkin bowling, face painting, and many more activities. Costumes are HIGHLY encouraged! Does your pet have an awesome costume? Bring your pet & join us for our Furrocious Pet Costume. A Prize will be given to the best-dressed pet! Come enjoy a Spooktacular evening! If you are a business that would like to participate in the Trail of Treats during this event, please contact Ann Frances Garcia at annfgarcia@HolladayUT.gov or call (385) 425-0853. Dress in costume, decorate your table in a Halloween theme and join the fun. Registration Required to participate. No Fee. Register by: October 11th
Towers, Favero standing tall on Olympus cross country team
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Last season’s Olympus cross country team was a strong one with some stellar performers. Some of those top runners graduated, leaving some holes on the team that head coach Christ Humbert had to fill.
Humbert found some athletes to step up as leaders this season. One was already on the team but had battled injuries, and one came from hundreds of miles away.
On the girls squad, Adria Favero, just a sophomore, has been a pleasant surprise. After sitting out the track season with an injury this past spring as a freshman, Favero has come back with a vengeance, battling through pain and recovery to make an important contribution to the cross country team this season. It wasn’t easy for Favero to sit on the sidelines and watch her teammates compete last spring, but now she’s a force in cross country meets.
“[Favero is] a rockstar,” Humbert said. “[Missing the track season] was incredibly hard for her, as she couldn’t run at all for about two months. She worked through it, though, and looks to be stronger than ever.”
Nothing has come easy to Favero, however. She said coming back and competing at a high level has required a tremendous amount of hard work and determination. She said she has learned a lot by persevering and is grateful to be a part of the Titans’ team.
“Coming back from my injury has been really hard for me,” she said. “It’s hard to come back and realize that maybe you don’t have the same fitness as before. Those first few runs had me wondering if I would ever get back to my old fitness. There were a lot of tears, and it was hard to believe that I could come back and succeed again. Little by little, I was able to increase my training, and those first few races were nerve-racking. But I am really happy with how I have come back so far.”
Favero has been running since she was young but didn’t take the sport seriously until the seventh grade when she joined a club team called the Wolfpack. A friend, who would eventually become her teammate, also urged her to keep running.
“Whenever I would watch cross country races when I was little, it looked so fun,” she said. “My friend Sofia Jourdon on the team invited me to do some races where I really fell in love with running.”
Not only does she enjoy the thrill of running and competing, but Favero is grateful to have met good friends and developed strong unity with her teammates. She loves her experiences as a Titan too.
“I love being able to push myself in the races,” she said. “I love running through my neighborhood and exploring. And I love the girls I meet while running and getting to know them. They are the sweetest girls you will ever meet. The Olympus team is so much fun! It is so different from my old team Wolfpack where we all lived far apart and went to different schools because you make so many amazing friends that you see at school and spend so much time with these amazing teammates.”
Just as her injury taught her how to persist through challenges and opposition, the sport of cross country itself requires Favero to push on when things are difficult. She said that positive attitude and grit are strengths. She also makes it a point to be friends with everyone on the team and to be inclusive.
“I think a strength that I have is perseverance,” she said. “When things get hard I push through and do my best. Something I contribute to the team is trying to make us bond, I like to try and talk to different people, so everyone has a friend and everyone on the team is so amazing at making sure everyone feels included.”
Favero said she wants to “have fun” and push herself.
She wants to stay healthy the rest of her career too.
“To achieve my goals, I need to listen to my body and take care of any pains coming on to avoid injury and work hard in my workouts and get good training in and also to make sure I am keeping it fun and enjoying it,” Favero said. “It’s also really important for me to trust that God has a plan for me and whatever happens in my race happens for a reason. I know that I can trust in him, and praying before my races helps to calm my nerves.”
On the boys team, a newcomer from the Lone Star State has made a big impact.
Will Towers is a transplant from Texas. He moved here with his family after his father retired from the military. Towers has enjoyed the change of venue and has nothing but good things to say about Utah and Olympus.
“The best part of being on the Olympus team is the people there,” he said. “They never hesitated to include me with all of their activities, even when I had just barely joined them. I really like the environment both the teammates and the coaches create; it is very positive and motivating as I go throughout the season. I received a lot of help in many ways during my transition to running at Olympus, with many friendly and helpful teammates, as well as a plan to help me adjust to running in the challenges presented in Utah: altitude, dryness, temperatures.”
Towers started running as a seventh grader after a friend encouraged him to give it a try. He said he finds it satisfying to see his improvement as his race times decrease. He also finds it gratifying to exert himself to the limit and see the fruits of those efforts.
“I find one of my main strengths as a runner is my ability to push myself as much as I can, both in training and in races,” Towers said. “Even on days where I am not feeling the best, I put forth all of my effort towards success.”
In Texas, Towers ran for a small school in what he called “very localized races.” The competition has been more difficult at Olympus, but it’s a challenge he has embraced.
As the season winds down, Towers is hoping to keep getting better and to stay healthy. He wants the team to stay unified and close.
“My main goal is to stay consistent with my training throughout the season and to see improvement through all of it,” he said. “I would also like to avoid being injured. As for the team, I hope that we can all continue to grow closer to each other as the season goes on, I run harder because of it.”
Towers is considering whether to run cross country in college or pursue an opportunity to play in the band at a university. He intends to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first. l
Olympus’ Adria Favero, a sophomore, has been one of the top runners on the cross country team this season. She has battled through an injury that kept her out of track season as a freshman.
(Photo courtesy of Eddy Wall)
Will Towers, a transplant from Texas who is making a big impact on the team, said the best part of being on the Olympus cross country team are the people.
(Photo courtesy of Eddy Wall)
Drone operator training is revolutionizing road safety
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Aspart of their investigations, Utah Highway Patrol troopers and other law enforcement officers may use drones as one of their tools to have measurable data to determine what exactly happened in an accident. They maintain it’s a cost-effective and safer way to resume the traffic flow.
“When we’re doing a scene, these drones are more accurate,” UHP trooper Devan Biggs said. “They’re able to communicate marks to the satellites to measure skid marks, for example, and we know it is within however many centimeters. That’s more accurate than me taking my yard stick or tape measure.”
The drones are not only more accurate, but they’re also more cost-effective to get traffic resumed sooner, said Douglas Spotted Eagle, director of client experiences with the Las Vegas-based The LiDAR Pros, a team that instructs trainers on drones and is part of the Sundance Media Group, a training and education organization for 30 years.
“It’s been determined that every time there’s a road closure in the heart of Las Vegas, it costs about $150,000 per minute per mile,” he said. “When there’s a crash on the freeway, people can’t get to work. People can’t make deliveries. Tours can’t make their destinations. A typical fatal crash in Salt Lake, can take three to four hours to investigate, sometimes more. Drones can save us hours with crash sites. Sometimes, it almost takes longer to change the drone battery than it does to set up the specific mission. I can fly it in five minutes from the time I get it out of the box to being able to help traffic get moving again.”
Drone use isn’t new to the world, but the technology is being used more commonly. They’re used for hospital deliveries; surveying; inspecting bridge, dam and cell towers; mapping; construction; aerial photography; preventing possible mudslides and more. Drone education is being taught in public schools and professionals have a FAA Part 107 pilot license.
“Utah is probably one of the top states in the country pushing drone programs,” Spotted Eagle said.
His colleague, Ben Goddard, agrees: “If you can imagine a way to use a drone, we can find a way to make it work. We’ve done about everything. Drones are a flexible and versatile tool in anybody’s tool bag.”
Recently, both drone pilots were part of a three-person team that was instructing Utah Department of Transportation trainers how to teach fellow troopers to operate drone programs during a five-day intensive course.
“It takes a lot of dedication to go through this course; there is both a practical and a written test that has to be passed to qualify and certify as a trainer,” Goddard said. “Everything we do is done under ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. Everything is done safely, and if we see any anything that stands out to any of our instructor
examiners, we will stop the operation, as will the instructors.”
As part of their evaluation, the instructors taught volunteers ranging from high school students to retirees.
“We train new trainers so the state agencies, such as UDOT and the Utah Highway Patrol, and some of the municipalities, can be self-sufficient, so that they don’t have to hire outside pilots to come in. We are teaching them how to run and develop their training programs for drones,” he said, adding the trainings are offered quarterly.
In addition to course work, the seven trainers used Autel EVO II drones, a foldable pocket drone, to teach the volunteer students. Only one of their students had any experience with drones, years ago.
That volunteer student was retiree John Leonard, who started the drone program with UDOT’s incident management team. Now, there are about 28 certified pilots within the team and 55 overall with UDOT.
That’s where Goddard, who has his professional pilot’s license, started teaching in 2000.
“We’ve been able to use drones so much more with the new age of them about 10 or 12 years ago,” he said. “Right now, there’s a great need for pilots, so we are seeing an uptick in number of training classes. That uptick comes with development of new roadways and the growth Utah is seeing. The more we see the growth in Utah, the more need there is for qualified pilots to be able to help assist and save taxpayers money by flying drones to collect data ahead of events or during events.”
Utah Highway Patrol trooper Steve Crowe was under review to become a certified trainer and was giving feedback to a volunteer student.
“You listen well, and you move the con-
the highway that the drone will fly,” he said. Goddard, who estimated the drones being used cost $1,800 to $2,100, said the drone can connect with 10 to 30 satellites at a time, which helps increase its accuracy.
Leonard said accuracy is important with Utah traffic as there are more vehicles on fewer interstates than other states.
“Literally taking an hour off of a crash investigation could be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to the economy, or even millions if we’re doing a full freeway shutdown,” he said. “For example, if I-80 was closed in Parleys Canyon, trucks and the main traffic would be diverted either to Provo Canyon or to Ogden Canyon so you’re talking an hour out of direction for 50-60 miles. When that’s multiplied by tens of thousands of vehicles. It can be very substantive.”
Leonard said that was the mission behind starting the program, which several year ago, saw 18,000 reportable incidents that impacted traffic.
trols smoothly; it’s just a matter of repetition to remember what the sticks do,” he told her.
She had just flown the drone for the first time, from making sure the space outside of UDOT’s traffic operations center was clear to take off to maneuvering it forward, backward, side to side, higher and lower, and landing.
Crowe is part of the major crash investigation team. He will help oversee training for the other 40 drone operators within his department. There also are drones within the dive and SWAT teams.
“I got into the drones with crash investigation; it was something I’ve always been interested in,” he said. “I practice flying drones twice a month, just to keep up on things. I enjoy the teaching aspect of it. Teaching drones is a natural progression.”
Biggs also enjoys flying drones. As a pilot of five years, he appreciates the bigger picture it provides when they stitch together photos they have taken of a crash scene.
“I really like the end product, it helps to wrap your mind around the scene,” he said. “When we fly drones, we take pictures, and then a program interlays them all together into one big picture with a top-down view. It’s easier for me to process the scene and get the perspective from one big view than individual pictures.”
Biggs said the program can 3D print a crash scene to help troopers better illustrate a scene.
“It just gives us a lot more data and resources; it’s another process we can use to determine what happened,” he said.
Leonard said when drone are used, it’s on a defined mission.
“The operators plot their missions, and then the drone automatically flies it so that it gets the correct overlaps and everything. They will pull up the satellite and outline the area on
“The goal of the incident management team is to reduce the impacts of incidents that happen on Utah’s highways and by assisting and supplementing the investigating agency. With the foresight of the drone program, we realized we could expedite the clearance of the incident and restore traffic much earlier, which is a significant benefit to the traveling public and to Utah’s economy,” he said.
With colleague Boyd Frank, Leonard introduced the incident management team in Utah in 1994, laying the groundwork several years earlier. Originally funded with a Wasatch Front Regional Council grant under the Clean Air Act, it was a way to clear traffic effectively and reduce idling and emissions.
“We proved that reducing the duration of an incident improved air quality because there’s less idling, people can go through the incident area quicker and more efficiently. When IMT determined it was worthwhile to keep, it became funded through UDOT,” he said.
As a licensed professional traffic operations engineer, Leonard oversaw the incident management team twice before recently retiring. He was awarded the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s National Safety Award after helping write a section of the national manual on traffic control and management.
“Drones are one of the tools in the toolbox that the incident management team can use to reduce the duration of incidents that are happening,” Leonard said. “Because of that, it’s making Utah roads safer. By reducing the duration of the incident, there’s less exposure to the people responding to the crash or incidents, as well as the public that has to go through an incident zone — and hopefully, prevent a secondary crash, which oftentimes can be worse than the first crash.” l
Utah Highway Patrol troopers, overseen by The LiDAR Pros, teach volunteers how to fly a drone as part of their course to be flight instructors. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
HALLOWEEN SECTION
A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for everyone around the Salt Lake Valley
6 terrifying haunted locations in Salt Lake County to visit this Halloween
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When the air grows chilly and the veil between worlds thins during Halloween, Salt Lake County becomes a playground for the paranormal. This region, steeped in history and folklore, is home to some of Utah’s most spine-chilling locations where ghost sightings and eerie encounters are the norm. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a believer in the supernatural, these terrifying places will give you goosebumps long after you’ve left. If you're looking for a truly terrifying Halloween experience, here are the scariest haunted spots in Salt Lake County.
Fear Factory
Located just outside downtown Salt Lake City, Fear Factory isn’t just a haunted attraction for thrill seekers—it’s a real-life haunted site. Once the Portland Cement Factory, this massive industrial facility was the scene of numerous gruesome deaths, including factory accidents where workers were crushed by machinery or fell into vats of cement. Today, the factory stands abandoned, except for the reported spirits of the workers who died there.
Visitors and staff at Fear Factory have reported hearing eerie whispers, seeing shadowy figures dart across the dilapidated buildings, and feeling an oppressive energy that seems to follow them. One of the most harrowing sightings is that of a disembodied hand, believed to belong to a worker who lost his life in a terrible accident. On Halloween, the site transforms into a commercial haunted house, but many say the real terror is the spirits that never left.
The Old Mill
Arguably the most infamous haunted location in Salt Lake County, the Old Mill sits abandoned in Cottonwood Heights, shrouded in mystery and fear. Built in the late 1800s, the mill was used to process
grain before a fire destroyed much of the building. While the mill has stood vacant for decades, it has gained a reputation as one of Utah’s most terrifying places.
Local legends claim that the Old Mill is haunted by the ghosts of workers who died in the fire, as well as by more sinister forces. Paranormal investigators have reported intense cold spots, phantom footsteps, and feelings of dread upon entering the property. The most terrifying accounts tell of shadowy figures watching from the upper floors, and some visitors claim to have been physically touched or shoved by unseen hands. Trespassing is illegal, but that hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting—many of whom leave in a hurry, spooked by the unsettling atmosphere.
The Shilo Inn
The Shilo Inn, now a Holiday Inn Express, is one of Salt Lake City's most tragic and haunted locations. In 1978, the hotel became the site of a horrific mass murder-suicide when a mother, who had become obsessed with religious doomsday beliefs, threw her seven children from the hotel’s balcony before leaping to her death. The tragedy shocked the community, and ever since, the hotel has been plagued by paranormal activity.
Guests have reported hearing the sound of children crying or laughing in the hallways, even when no children are staying there. Some have woken up to see ghostly children standing at the foot of their bed, only for the figures to disappear moments later. The hotel's staff also report eerie occurrences, such as flickering lights, doors opening and closing on their own, and sudden cold drafts. This real-life horror makes the former Shilo Inn one of the most unsettling locations in Salt Lake County and a place few would dare stay on Halloween night.
The Old Deseret Hospital
Located near the historic Avenues District in Salt Lake City, the Old Deseret Hospital opened its doors in 1882, catering mainly to women and children. While the hospital is long gone, many locals believe that the spirits of patients who died there still linger. Those who visit the area report hearing phantom cries, especially at night, and some have even seen the apparition of a nurse walking down where the hospital once stood.
Today, the location is a hotspot for ghost hunters who claim that the residual energy from the building still haunts the area. As the sun sets, the once-bustling neighborhood can take on a much more somber and eerie tone, making it the perfect place for a Halloween exploration.
The Rio Grande Depot
A hub of history, The Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City was once a bustling train station. Now home to offices and a museum, it’s better known for the ghostly “Purple Lady,” a spectral figure seen wan-
dering the building. According to legend, the Purple Lady died on the train platform in the 1920s after a lover’s quarrel. Distraught, she either fell or was pushed in front of a train, her body mangled in the accident.
Since then, her ghost has been spotted by countless people, often appearing in her elegant purple dress, wandering the halls or standing at the end of the platform. Lights flicker mysteriously, and security guards working after hours have reported objects moving on their own and the feeling of being watched. The depot’s cavernous halls amplify every sound, making even the slightest noise unsettling. On Halloween night, the energy in the depot becomes even more intense, and many believe it’s the best time to catch a glimpse of the Purple Lady herself.
Asylum 49
Technically located just outside Salt Lake County in Tooele, Asylum 49 deContinued on page 23
Which haunted house is the best in Utah?
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When does “spooky season” really start? For most of the haunted attractions in Utah, the answer appears to be September.
But when the attractions open, how do you know where to go? Well, reviews have a lot to say when it comes to that. Here are the most highly rated haunted attractions in Utah.
Some attractions may not be included on this list if certain information—such as Google reviews, websites, or a 2024 schedule—was not available.
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms, Midvale
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms is a year-round attraction that has earned a 4.6-star rating from more than 2,600 Google reviews. The attraction has a 3.7-star rating from 110 reviews on Yelp.
The haunted house attraction is open Sept. 6 and will run most weekends for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open for most days except for the first three Wednesdays.
The haunted escape rooms have many different themes: Paranormal, “Nightmare Realm,” serial killer, asylum
By Bailey Chism
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, a curious transformation takes place. Porches are adorned with jack-o'-lanterns, cobwebs, and eerie decorations, and people willingly seek out haunted houses, scary movies and tales of the macabre. The question arises: why do we love to be scared, especially around Halloween?
At the heart of this fascination is the adrenaline rush that accompanies fear. When faced with a frightening situation— whether it’s the jump-scare in a horror film or the ominous creak of a floorboard in a haunted house—our bodies react instinctively. The "fight or flight" response kicks in, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones that heighten our senses and quicken our pulse. This surge of energy can be thrilling, especially when we know we are in no real danger. It’s the same reason people enjoy extreme sports or roller coasters; the controlled risk makes the experience exhilarating rather than terrifying.
Beyond the physical thrill, there’s a deeper psychological process at play: catharsis. Halloween, with its focus on the eerie and the supernatural, provides a socially acceptable outlet for exploring our
and lockdown. Tickets for the escape rooms range from $27 to $30.
The haunted house starts at $20 for groups of one to six people.
Nightmare on 13th, Salt Lake City
Nightmare on 13th is a haunted house located in Salt Lake City and its website declares its “Utah’s No. 1 scariest haunted house,” and the attraction boasts a 4.5star rating from more than 2,000 Google reviews. On Yelp, the haunted house has a 4-star average from about 80 reviews.
Nightmare on 13th is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 13 and will run on Fridays and Saturdays for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open most days except Sunday. The haunted house will also run the first two days of November.
Tickets can range from $25 to $76 depending on the days and times you choose to attend.
Fear Factory, Salt Lake City
Fear Factory in Salt Lake City is located at 666 W. 800 South, and says on its website that it's “one of the top Halloween attractions in the world.”
Based on more than 2,600 Google
reviews, it averages a 4.4-star rating from visitors. On Yelp, it averages a 3.3-star rating from just over 110 reviews.
Fear Factory is set to open Friday, Sept. 6 and will be open on weekends in September before opening Wednesday through Sunday for most of October. The haunted house will be open for “Lights Out Night” on the first two days of November.
Tickets for Fear Factory can range from about $30 to about $250 depending on which experiences and souvenirs you’re interested in.
Haunted Forest, American Fork
The Haunted Forest in American Fork averages about 4.2 stars from almost 1,300 Google reviews, and 2.8 stars from 33 Yelp reviews.
The attraction doesn’t have a set schedule available online for 2024, but has advertised its featured attractions for 2024: Leech Lagoon at Bone Creek and Alien Attack.
Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus, American Fork
The Strangling Bros. Haunted Circus in American Fork has earned a 4-star rating from more than 660 reviews on Google. On Yelp, it’s garnered a 2.8-star rating
from about 40 reviewers.
The haunted circus’s website said it was “voted the No. 1 scariest haunted house in Utah” but it also offers visitors the chance to walk through the forest without the scare actors.
The circus is expected to begin Friday, Sept. 13 and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the month. Starting Oct. 1, the attraction will be open most days except Sunday.
Tickets for the haunted attraction can range from $30 to $80 depending on whether you purchase general admission, fast pass or VIP tickets.
Other Haunted Options
While there are far more haunted attractions than those listed, the attractions listed about are what the public deems to be the best of the best. A few other attractions in Utah are listed below:
• Asylum 49, Tooele
• Field of Fear, West Haven
• Frightmares, (Lagoon Theme Park) Farmington
• Hidden Lake Haunts, Bountiful
• Night Stalkers Haunted Trail, West Jordan
fears. In everyday life, we often suppress feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Engaging with scary stories or participating in Halloween rituals allows us to confront these emotions head-on, in a safe and controlled environment. This confrontation can lead to a sense of release or relief, a psychological cleansing that leaves us feeling lighter and more at ease.
Another key aspect of why we enjoy being scared around Halloween is the social element. Fear, much like laughter, can be contagious. When we experience something frightening with others— whether it’s huddling together during a horror movie or navigating a haunted maze as a group—we create shared memories and bond over the mutual experience. The laughter and camaraderie that often follow a good scare are part of what makes these experiences enjoyable. They bring people closer, fostering a sense of connection and community.
The tradition of celebrating fear during Halloween has deep cultural roots. Originating from ancient Celtic festivals like Samhain, where people believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, Halloween has long been asso-
ciated with the supernatural. Over time, these traditions evolved, blending with other cultural practices to create the Halloween we know today—a holiday where the scary, the strange, and the spooky are celebrated. Participating in these rituals, whether by donning a scary costume or telling ghost stories, is a way of connecting with these ancient traditions and honoring the past.
There’s also an element of curiosity
and exploration in our love of Halloween scares. The unknown, the mysterious, and the macabre have always fascinated humanity. Halloween provides a socially acceptable opportunity to delve into these darker aspects of life, to question what lies beyond the veil of our everyday existence. It’s a time to explore themes that are often taboo, such as death, the supernatural, and the afterlife, in a way that is both playful and profound.
Halloween offers a form of escapism. In a world filled with daily routines and responsibilities, the chance to immerse ourselves in a night of fantasy and fear is a welcome diversion. It allows us to step out of our ordinary lives and into a world where anything can happen—a world of ghosts, goblins and ghouls.
So, as you carve your pumpkin, don your costume, or settle in for a scary movie this Halloween, remember that the thrill of fear is not just a seasonal pastime. It’s a complex, multifaceted experience that taps into deep-seated psychological needs and cultural traditions, making it a beloved part of the Halloween season.
10 family-friendly Halloween activities this month
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Halloween is a spooky time for families to create lasting memories. From eerie displays to costume contests, many activities in Salt Lake County cater to all ages, ensuring everyone gets in on the festive spirit. These family-friendly, spine-tingling adventures will bring excitement to your Halloween celebrations while keeping the scares at a comfortable level.
BooLights, Hogle Zoo (2600 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
Specific nights from Oct. 2-30, 6:309:30 p.m., $12.95-$18.95
This after-hours light display transforms Hogle Zoo into a bewitching destination. With entertainment and attractions like Dr. Frankenstein's Lab Show at the Wildlife Theatre, the event is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Costumes are allowed, but face-covering masks and any resemblance of weapons are prohibited. Check HogleZoo.org for dates.
Little Haunts, This is the Place Heritage Park (2601 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $14.95-$18.95
Don your costumes and visit This is the Place for storytelling, trick-or-treating and take-home crafts. Learn about creepy bugs at the Creature Encounters and enjoy the petting corral, pony and train rides and more. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. Tickets at ThisIsThePlace.org.
Riverton Halloween Bash, Riverton City Park (12600 S. 1452 West)
Monday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., FREE
This annual Halloween tradition features age-appropriate games and activities for every family member. Snap holiday
pictures at the photo booth and enjoy the Scare Rodeo spook alley. Families are encouraged to wear costumes.
BOOtanical, Red Butte Garden (300 Wakara Way, SLC)
Oct. 17-30, Members $13, Public $16
BOOtanical Nights, 6-9 p.m. and BOOtanical Days, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit the magical world of Wonderland, where you can find hidden seeds and stop the Jabberwocky from transforming Wonderland forever. Join the adventure at RedButteGarden.org.
The Haunted Woods, Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.)
Oct. 21-25, 5:30-9 p.m., $5
A family-friendly haunted attraction, the Haunted Woods offers a “Silly Trail” and a scarier “Spooky Trail” so everyone can have fun. All proceeds fund child abuse prevention programs. Tickets at MurrayHauntedWoods.com.
Monster Mash dance party, West Valley City Family Fitness Center (5415 W. 3100 South)
Friday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m., $5 per person, 50% off for members
The West Valley Halloween Dance Party is a fun time for the family with dancing, balloons and a costume contest. Pre-register by Wednesday, Oct. 23 at WVC-Ut.gov.
Halloween Fun Fest & Disability Resource Fair, Miller Conference Center (9750 S. 300 West, Sandy)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., FREE
This event features trick-or-treating, sensory activities and DJ Rebecca to
keep the music hopping. Caregivers can chat with experts and find resources. Costumes welcome!
Samhain Festival, Gallivan Center (239 S. Main Street, SLC)
Sunday, Oct. 27, Noon-7 p.m., $13$15
Experience Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Learn pagan traditions, enjoy live entertainment and food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Halloween Spooktacular, Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple, SLC)
Tuesday, Oct. 29, $8-$45 Wear a costume to this night of
hair-raising melodies featuring music from Halloween favorites. Watch and listen as members of the Utah Symphony bring monsters to life. Find tickets at UtahSymphony.org.
Día de los Muertos celebration (Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2, FREE
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Millcreek Common. Bring photos of loved ones for the community Ofrenda and enjoy the Halloween Party on Oct. 31 from 7-10 p.m. The big celebration is on Nov. 2, from 6-9 p.m., with the La Catrina parade, mariachi music, face painting, traditional treats and the movie “Coco.”
Continued from page 21
serves a mention for its terrifying proximity and haunted history. Once a hospital, this site is now a full-fledged haunted attraction. But while actors and special effects create a terrifying show, the real horror lies in the ghosts that are said to haunt the building.
Former patients of the hospital are believed to roam the halls, and many visitors have claimed to see shadow figures, hear ghostly voices, and feel sudden cold spots. Paranormal investigators have documented disembodied voices and even poltergeist activity in certain rooms. Unlike most haunted houses, Asylum 49 encourages interaction with both the living and
the dead, making it one of the most immersive and frightening haunted locations in Utah. If you're looking for an experience that blurs the line between entertainment and real paranormal encounters, this is the place to go.
Salt Lake County is filled with ghostly tales and terrifying haunted sites, each with its own dark history and eerie energy. From the real-life tragedy at the Shilo Inn to the haunted corridors of the Old Mill, these locations offer a chilling experience that will make for a Halloween night you won’t forget. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these haunted places are sure to give you a scare, leaving you wondering what might be lurking just out of sight.
Families have a variety of choices when choosing fun holiday activities in October. (Stock photo)
The Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights. (File photo City Journals)
Draper’s Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park open for the season
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park opened for the season on Sept. 20, giving thrill seekers more than a month to enjoy the park. Alex Kuwahara, the park’s owner, started the pumpkin patch when he was 12 years old at the original location now called Kuwahara Wholesale. It’s since grown into a pumpkin patch paradise with 25 to 30 different varieties of locally-grown pumpkins and pumpkin archways. He now runs the park along with his wife Sarah Kuwahara.
“That was a big expansion when we started to decorate our tunnels and do it all,” she said. “I mean, we always decorated them but when we made the switch to making it a real wow factor, that's definitely what puts us on the map in pumpkin patches.”
In 2016, the thriller part of the park was added and has been growing ever since.
“I would like the community to know just how much goes into this,” Sarah Kuwahara said. “We have lots of immersive attractions…[and] lots of employees here to make it awesome, so it really is a bang for your buck when you think about what
you're getting.”
Overall, the park employs about 120 people to make the experience as smooth and as fun for the crowds as possible.
More than 30 attractions draw crowds yearly, including the pumpkin patch, haunted house, Halloween Main Street, Once Upon a Time land, corn maze, Grand Bizarre, a magician and more. A crowning feature of the park is the shows and dance parties on the center stage, keeping the Halloween atmosphere alive with live entertainment ranging from fire dancers to musical performances.
Kuwahara said that park visitors can expect a reimagined pirate show to make a reappearance and the popular fire show to be back this season.
During the 2023 season, Kuwahara said more than 40,000 people visited the park and she expects even more this year.
Her advice for those experiencing the park for the first time or the 100th time is to come at night.
“At night, you really get to experience the lights and all the fun,” she said, with a big smile.
More information on park hours, pricing and events can be found online at www.kuwaharawholesale.com.
A mom takes a picture of her kids in Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch on opening night of the park, Sept. 20.
Known as a go-to fall picture destination, these teens came dressed for the occasion with crocheted pumpkin hats.
In the Grand Bizarre, vendors like Angie Broadbent (left) from Gemini Twins Art Studio and Photography, dress in their best ghoulish costumes to sell their wares.
Dracula was the first performance to don the stage during opening night of the park on Sept. 20. (Photos by Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Face painting artist, Terri Williams, shows her customer the first glimpse at her handiwork in the Grand Bizarre. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
The Once Upon a Time addition to the park gives kids (and parents) a chance to immerse themselves in the magic of the season. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Kuwahara’s is full of magical decorations to set the scene in each part of the park. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Parkgoers enter the park’s corn maze. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
To the left of the park entrance is an archway that leads to the big stage. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
This is a local family’s second year going to the park where carts allow for easy pumpkin towing when you’ve found the best pumpkin in the patch.
A brave little girl is held up by her mom while she rings the bell to the cheers of a park employee before she enters the haunted house. The entrance to the pumpkin patch where more than 25 varieties of pumpkins await.
Mayor Weichers talks Town Center plan for Cottonwood Heights
By Megan McKellar | m.mckellar@mycityjournals.com
In early 2022, shortly after taking office, Mayor Mike Weichers of Cottonwood Heights was informed of a developer's plan to rezone a 10-acre hillside property for high-density housing along 2300 East and Fort Union Boulevard, proposing 350 apartments with some retail. This sparked significant concern among residents. Following resistance from the community, the developer withdrew, but another quickly proposed a similar plan.
After a community meeting at the Cottonwood Heights City Hall organized by resident Randy Whitehead with over 300 attendees where residents voiced their concerns about a large apartment complex in that space, Weichers was prompted to explore alternative possibilities for the site.
The city’s General Plan had previously designated the site as a potential Town Center, inspiring a vision for a mixed-use development that would better serve the community. The city then purchased the property with a $13 million bond and a $1 million state grant, outbidding the $18 million tax assessment.
A citizen advisory committee made up of members from each city district was soon formed. They began to hold public meetings where the feedback from community members showed strong support for a development that would foster community identity. Residents expressed a strong desire for spaces that could host events like farmers markets, food truck gatherings, art fairs, green spaces and local businesses, helping to create a vibrant community hub for Cottonwood Heights.
The proposed plan for the “Heights” Town Center features housing, local restaurants, and retail spaces centered around public areas designed for regular community events. The vision emphasizes walkable, accessible spaces that show-
credit Cottonwood Heights Town Center website)
case the area's mountain and sunset views.
To fund the project, Weichers chose to pursue a general obligation bond rather than a sales tax bond.
“It goes on the ballot and lets our community decide if they want it,” he explained.
The bond would increase taxes by about $11.42 per month (based on an average home value of $770,100) for the average term of the 30-year bond, but this approach lets the community decide rather than imposing a tax increase without their input.
Another of the city's key decisions was to retain ownership of the land and lease it to private developers. This would allow the city to generate long-term revenue through land leases, helping to fund future projects and offset future tax
increases.
A common concern raised has been if the city can find the right private partner. According to Weichers, there has been significant interest from many major developers within the state who are eager to participate in the project. Additionally, if the bond measure passes in November, but the city is unable to find a development partner who aligns with the vision for the project, the bond will not be issued. In that case, the property could potentially be sold to a private developer for a completely private project.
“We want our residents to know that we want them to be involved in this decision,” Weichers said. “And if it passes, to then feel like they can take ownership in what ends up happening — hopefully creating a place that creates a sense of identity to Cottonwood Heights and draws people from all over.”
Looking ahead, Weichers hopes to see the project break ground in 2025, with construction expected to take 18 to 24 months. He envisions a vibrant community space with features like an outdoor stage for performances and a winter ice skating rink.
“All of the things that would just help people come together and feel a sense of community as they do so, those really excite me,” Weichers said.
He encourages residents to learn about the project and actively engage in the decision-making process.
A town hall meeting with the mayor will be held Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall community room where community members can ask questions and learn more about the town center. l
Mark Miller Subaru to host a pet adoption and costume party
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
B ring a furry friend to Mark Miller Subaru South Towne (10920 S. State St.) on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for a celebration of pets.
As part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, Mark Miller Subaru will partner with Salt Lake County Animal Services to host a Make A Dog’s Day pet adoption and party that includes a pet costume contest
(with a $500 grand prize), free microchipping, a pet photographer and vendors, food trucks and fun pet activities.
“All of the vendors are pet-focused,” said Teylor Crenshaw, Mark Miller Subaru community partnership and events manager. “There are local pet-treat companies, companies that make pet clothes or things that drive home the idea of making a dog’s
day and prioritizing and giving love to our furry friends.”
Mark Miller Subaru will also donate up to $8,000 to Salt Lake County Animal Services to help further its goal of furthering the adoption, health and welfare of pets.
The organization will also donate 300 dog toys and 20 new pet parent kits that include leashes, bags, travel bowls and more. For
more information, visit Markmillersubaru. com/make-a-dogs-day.
“It’s awesome to be a part of something that big, to give back to the community, especially with animals, where they can’t advocate for themselves,” Crenshaw said. “We want to make it an experience for the animals as well. It will be a good community day.” l
A rendering of concept A for the “Heights” Town Center, a mixeduse project on 10 acres located on the corner of 2300 East and Fort Union Boulevard. (Photo
Bring your pet or adopt a new one at the Mark Miller Subaru South Towne pet adoption party on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10920 S. State St. (Photos courtesy of Mark Miller Subaru)
America's Choice in Home Care®
As a sugar fiend, Halloween was a High Holy day in my childhood. Like a squirrel, I used the holiday to gather and hoard candy that would last me through the autumn months until Santa could fill my stocking with tooth-breaking peppermint discs.
On Halloween, my siblings and I would take pillowcases and trick-or-treat through the neighborhood. When the bags were full, we’d bring home our haul so Mom could scrutinize each piece. She’d look for razor blades poking out of apples, unwrapped candy laced with angel dust and Butterfinger bars that she confiscated as Halloween tax.
In sixth grade, I went trick-or-treating with a boy and we dressed as square dancers because Mr. Madson had taught us how to dance and it was an easy costume. The boy was more interested in trying to kiss me than in securing candy. So I told him we had no future and do-si-doed to the next house to see if they were handing out full-size candy bars.
The gathering of candy was just the beginning. After mom crime-proofed my loot, I’d sort it into categories: chocolate bars, Charms Blow-Pops, fruity Wacky Wafers, Pixy Stix, flavorless Smarties, wax bottles filled with questionable liquid, hard-as-rock orange taffy, Bazooka bubble gum and boring Tootsie Rolls. Then, I’d count each piece so I’d know if one of my bratty siblings took anything.
Once my bag-o-cavities was categorized and counted, I’d hide it under my pillow and sleep on it like Smaug protecting his treasure from the grubby hands of mortals. I sometimes woke up with a lollipop stuck to my face.
The real benefit of Halloween candy was having access to sweet treats at school. Sneaking candy to school was the tricky part. On Nov. 1, teachers knew we’d all have pockets full of candy and we wouldn’t be able to pay attention un-
Give Me Some Sugar
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
til after Thanksgiving. But they attempted to confiscate any sugary substance, so I had to be strategic.
I’d pretend to look for something in my desk and shove a handful of Milk Duds in my mouth. Invariably, the teacher would call on me as soon as I had the candy stuffed in my cheeks like a chipmunk. Do you know how hard it is to talk with a mouthful of Milk Duds?
After school, I’d dash home to my pile of candy to recategorize and recount, and to punish anyone within screeching distance if one piece of Laffy Taffy was missing. Yes, I was a bit obsessive. I understand that now.
Halloween candy was also perfect for smuggling into Sunday school. If I could get it past my mom, I could snack all through the long Sunday services. At the time, dresses didn’t have pockets (those were hard times) so I had to resort to creative options.
My socks became repositories for candy contraband. I was too young to realize mothers notice when their child’s legs are suddenly shaped like Baby Ruth bars. Plus, the plastic candy wrappers strapped around my ankles made a crinkling and crackling noise as subtle as a bull in a china shop.
A week after Halloween, my candy stash had dwindled
significantly. I needed to cut back if it was going to last until Christmas but the Bottle Caps, the Sugar Babies, the Bit-oHoney and the Boston Baked Beans called to me like a siren on a rock.
Whether I battled the world’s loudest candy wrappers or faced the principal for participating in black market candy sales, Halloween remained my favorite holiday. I still squirrel away my favorite candies and I warn everyone to touch my cache at their peril.
