Holladay Journal | October 2023

Joining the movement for water-wise policy across the drought beset West, the city of Holladay in September amended key aspects of its land use code to impose landscaping standards on new construction along with some renovation projects, which is meant to improve water efficiency.

Though the amendments technically target new construction and large remodels, which are likely to have minor influence in a built-out place like Holladay, the city council’s driving motivation is to make its residents eligible for rebates offered by Utah Central Valley Water Conservancy District (CVWCD), which offers generous residential reimbursements for water-wise landscape projects—but only in cities that meet certain water-efficiency standards.

The decision came at the prodding of residents who’ve petitioned the council in recent years to take action on drought resiliency.

“We feel like it’d be a good thing to adopt the guidelines for landscaping. This would give individuals like us, as well as organizations like our church in Holladay, a chance to modify our landscape to be more water-wise. It’s a significant amount of money and it could help us quite a bit,” said Holladay resident Becky Bruridge, speaking at a public hearing in September.

“We live in a desert and we really need to be responsible citizens. We need to conserve our resources

Continued page 9

By Zak Sonntag |

COREY J. MILLER, MD

Shelley brothers help each other on and off the golf course

Whenbrothers Tyson, Jackson and Austin Shelley tried various sports as kids, they stumbled by accident into the sport of golf that has become a big part of their lives.

“I was a big basketball and baseball player,” BYU and former Skyline High School golfer Tyson Shelley said. “In the summer we didn’t play as many sports so my mom decided to sign us up for golf camp. We ended up really enjoying it. I fell in love after playing in my first tournament. After I shot 88 and saw progress continue to happen is what helped me stick with it.”

While he has been a great mentor to his brothers, Tyson Shelley has mentors up to the professional level that have helped him with his game.

“Tony Finau has been an awesome mentor to me,” Tyson Shelley said. “We share the same coach. He’s given me good advice. If I ask a question he is always happy to answer it. It’s especially helpful because he’s local and competes with the best players in the world.”

That advice seems to have paid off as Tyson Shelley recently won the 56th Pacific Coast Amateur over the summer. His goal is to advance from the amateur to the pro ranks in the future.

“Tony really hasn’t talked to me much about the pros,” Tyson Shelley said. “There is a slight difference between the college and professional ranks. They make a couple more putts. They drive the ball the exact same. From 80 yards in, the pro game is significantly better. He is an excellent wedge player and putter.”

Tyson Shelley and his brothers have all learned different preparation techniques to help them get to this point.

“When I play with BYU, I will see what the course is going to be like,” Tyson Shelley said. “If it’s a wedging course, I practice hitting wedges. If it’s a driving course then I practice with my drivers. Mental preparedness

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is also important. I practice positive self-talk. You never want to be negative. All of this helps you to be prepared for the next tournament or round.”

“I also prepare for what I need that day,” Austin Shelley said. “I practice tee shots if it’s a tight course. I always practice putting it inside 10 feet.”

Younger brothers Jackson and Austin Shelley both play for rival schools. Jackson Shelley is at Skyline and Austin Shelley is at Olympus.

Skyline has always been better than Olympus, both Jackson and Austin Shelley agreed. The brothers haven’t been rivals in golf until the last couple years when Olympus has competed with Skyline. The brothers said their parents “just root for us to do well individually.”

Tyson Shelley is taking a year off from golfing at BYU to focus on other goals he has.

“I’m just trying to take a lot of credits and get good grades,” Tyson Shelley said. “I’m trying to get better and practice every day. I’m trying to be the best player I can be. I play in tournaments on the side, but I am not competing with the team. I will go out of state for some tournaments. I will practice through the winter and spring to get ready for summer events next year.”

While they all are different in age, the three brothers have equal experience since they started playing golf around the same time so they push each other.

“We can still push each other,” Austin Shelley said. “I beat Jackson a couple times. Jackson can hang with Tyson sometimes. I can’t hang with Tyson. We all push each other and play short wedge games since we are all decently similar in the short game area. I drive it 50 yards shorter than my brothers, so it’s harder to compete when we play a full game.”

Jackson Shelley is preparing for the next

level as he is in the process of being recruited by several college teams.

“I’m just trying to find the right fit,” Jackson Shelley said. “I will pick whatever feels like the best place to go to. I’m excited to move forward with that.”

Both Jackson and Austin Shelley have big goals for the remainder of this high school season.

“A big goal I have in October is to do well at the state championships,” Jackson Shelley said. “State is the biggest tournament of the year. I want to do well in it. We are trying to go back to back.”

“I am hoping to finish top five individually in the state,” Austin Shelley said. “I want to be all-state. We can beat Skyline because they lost their players. It’s down to us and East.”

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The sport of golf has also taught the three brothers about life skills.

“I learned the importance of organizing things,” Tyson Shelley said. “We can’t just do things inconsistently. You have to be organized in everything you do. The biggest lesson I learned is to be organized in practice and disciplined in everything I do.”

When putting it in perspective, Tyson Shelley is grateful for what golf has done for his relationship with his younger brothers.

“We are out there trying to get better and get to the highest level,” Tyson Shelley said. “We like spending time as brothers on the course. We form special bonds that you can’t get often. We are competing as brothers which has formed a great relationship between us.”l

Brothers Tyson, Jackson and Austin Shelley at a younger age. (Photo by Solhee Shelley)

Brothers Tyson, Jackson and Austin Shelley. (Photo by Solhee Shelley)

Olympus girls tennis team captures Region 6 title

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

At a school where region championships and success at state are common, the Olympus girls tennis team is not a team to overlook. The Titans have put together another strong season, winning the Region 6 championship.

“We have been very pleased with the season so far,” head coach Josh Carter said. “The girls worked incredibly hard in the offseason and have seen their work pay off with great results so far. Most importantly, they have continued to work hard together, support each other and improve as a team during the season.”

At the Region 6 tournament, Olympus beat out the competition, taking first at both the varsity and junior varsity levels. At individual positions, first singles took second place, while every other position was first. First doubles on the JV team was second, while all other positions were first.

Heading into the state tournament, which took place after press deadline Oct. 5, 7 at Liberty Park, Carter was optimistic about his team’s chances. He also knew the competition would be stiff.

“We are excited for state but definitely not complacent,” he said. “There are very strong teams and players in our division, and we know we need to play our best to accomplish our goals at every position and as a team.”

Carter said everyone on the team has “been tremendous” this season, and all have nearly undefeated records. He pointed out the leadership and on-the-court efforts of senior captains Lucy Findlay and Elisabeth Carter, who have been instrumental in the team’s success.

“They have shown great poise, humility and kindness as they have led by example on and off the courts,” he said.

Enroute to its region title, the Olympus girls have had some memorable moments this season. For example, senior Alexandra Rawlings had a clutch win earlier this season in the Skyridge Invitational Championship against defending 6A champion Skyridge. She was down 5-1 in the thirdset tiebreaker but came back to earn the victory. In the region tournament, the first doubles tandem of senior Linda Findlay and sophomore Sophie Dowdell were facing Skyline in the championship match. The lost the first set and were behind in the second. Carter said a supportive group of teammates helped the duo come back and pull off a big victory.

“Their teammates rallied together to support them, cheering for every point and giving them a huge emotional boost that allowed them to come back and win the second set after being down 2-5 and overcoming over four match points,” he said. “The third set was another emotional victory, as they came back from being down 1-3 to win

6-3. It was a huge team effort and victory with the players, teammates and coaches all working hard to help them to win.”

In fact, playing as a team and supporting one another is one of the hallmarks of the Olympus team.

“I enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork of the girls and coaches,” Carter said. “We all love tennis and love each other. It has been an absolute joy to be a part of this team. We are super proud with the way the girls work together, play with class and represent the school and their families so well.”

The 2023 Titans have been one of the top teams the girls tennis program has produced in recent memory. Carter is pleased with the girls’ accomplishments and with

how they have conducted themselves off the court.

“These girls are some of the most accomplished tennis players to have played at Olympus in years,” he said. “They work relentlessly, are exceptionally talented and yet are kind and gracious always. They are truly wonderful young women with such bright futures.”

Carter also expressed appreciation to the “incredible” parents, coaches and supporters at the school. He is grateful for the support of Principal Jennifer Christensen and the school’s Athletic Director Kael Ashton.

“They have made the season a huge success so far,” he said. l

Players on the Olympus girls tennis team won the majority of their matches this season. (Photo courtesy of Josh Carter)

Both the varsity and JV Olympus girls tennis teams took first at the region tournament in late September. (Photo courtesy of Josh Carter)

Blue Moon Festival brings community together for a night of art and entertainment

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

Intermittent

rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending the annual Blue Moon Festival in Holladay. Thousands gathered at Holladay City Hall Park Aug. 26 for a night filled with art, live band performances and local food vendors. Sponsored by the Holladay Arts Council and Holladay Bank and Trust, the annual festival provided enjoyment and entertainment for those attending.

Holladay City Arts Council Executive Director Sheryl Gillilan and her committee copartnered the event with Excellence in the Community, a nonprofit organization whose vision is to harness the talent of Utah’s best musicians and music, bringing unity to the community through art and music.

“The Blue Moon Festival is a great community celebration,” Gillilan said. “Each year the arts council looks forward to working with Excellence in the Community to provide quality entertainment and a venue for talented artists to display and promote their work. This year we have 34 art vendors and 10 food trucks participating in conjunction with two live band performances. It’s definitely a night of fun for everyone involved.”

Discographers Classic Rock Daredevils’ six-piece band started the night off in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” with a performance of the entire album. Discographers was followed by Strawberry Fields playing the songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Even though wind and rain threatened, crowd members came to their feet to both sing and dance to the familiar 1960’s hit songs.

A celebration of the arts, the Blue Moon Festival offers the community an opportunity

to connect with exhibiting artists and to buy one-of-a-kind art. Matthew Deane, originally from New Hampshire and now a Holladay resident, founded the company Smash Glass Lighting during the pandemic. Deane is a craft glass artist who tumbles shards of broken glass then displays the glass in recycled vases complete with LED lighting.

“We used to collect sea glass with our kids during trips we would make to the ocean. Ocean sea glass contributed in part to the inspiration for my creating the glass lighting,” Deane said. “The Blue Moon Festival is my first vendor event, and I really have enjoyed meeting and talking to everyone who has stopped by to enjoy the glass lighting. The vases can be used as a night light, a vibe light or even a bedroom light. I love creating good energy that others can enjoy.”

Wendy Green of Wendy Green Illustrations creates matte vinyl sticker art and has also designed and illustrated a Chow Pow card memory match battling game that provides fun for ages 8 to adult.

“I use to work for an animation company,” Green said. “This is the first year I’ve been working as a full-time artist. I’ve participated in four vendor events so far this year and am having a lot of fun. I love creating art. Also, I’ve illustrated a children’s book that’s on Amazon, ‘Billy the Bandage.’ It’s a great story about a little Band-Aid that fixes all hurts and learns the power of friendship along the way.”

At the children’s activity tent, various crafts, face painting and balloon tying were offered for young participants.

“I love seeing everyone out here together as a community,” Holladay Arts Councilmem-

ber Natalie Bradley said. “The entire arts council is here tonight working in different areas of the festival. I’m providing the support for the children’s craft tent and it has been well attended. We are grateful for the generous support of Holladay Bank and Trust and Rocky Mountain Power who have made the Blue Moon Festival possible.”

Holladay City Councilmember Drew Quinn and several family members attended the event. Her granddaughter Olive enjoyed shopping for gummy bear earrings, listening to the band music and visiting the children’s activity tent. She hopes to attend the Blue Moon Festival once again next year. l

A celebration of the arts, the Blue Moon Festival offers the community an opportunity to connect with exhibiting artists and to buy one-of-a-kind art. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Intermittent rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending the annual Blue Moon Festival in Holladay. Thousands gathered at Holladay City Hall Park Aug. 26 for a night filled with art, live band performances and local food vendors. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Wendy Green of Wendy Green Illustrations, creates matte vinyl sticker art and has also designed and illustrated a Chow Pow card memory match battling game that provides fun for ages 8 to adult. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Chalk our Walk festival draws artists of all ages

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

Sidewalk squares adjacent to Holladay Village Plaza provided the perfect canvas for numerous chalk artists during the fourth annual Chalk our Walk festival held Sept. 9. Artists arrived Saturday morning to prepare for the daylong event. They snapped open and popped up their shade umbrellas and spread out boxes filled with vibrantly colored chalks.

Sponsored by the Holladay Arts Council, the Chalk our Walk festival welcomed local street painters of all ages and ability levels to participate.

“This is egalitarian art,” said the Executive Director of the Holladay Arts Council Sheryl Gillilan. “If kids or adults walk by the official art and want to draw, we give them some chalk and tell them to have at it in an empty sidewalk square. I love the temporary nature of chalk art—like Buddhist mandalas that blow away in the wind. You enjoy it while you have it, and then you freely let it go.”

Holladay City Councilmember Ty Brewer and Holladay resident Kara Douville Sargent judged the 19 sidewalk entries created by the 34 participants. Ranging from professional to student participation categories, cash awards were presented to all first-place winning entries.

Chapman Griffiths took the cash prize for the student 5-11 category depicting an underwater ocean scene complete with a jellyfish and octopus.

Sydney Cundick, currently a student at Olympus High School, takes painting and drawing classes and won the student 1218 category illustrating Disney’s Minnie

Mouse.

Erin Grimshaw, a student at Bingham High School, earned a first place in the adult amateur category. This is Grimshaw’s first year participating in the Chalk our Walk festival. She plans to study art at Utah State University. Her favorite art medium is colored pencil.

Camille Grimshaw, a ceramics teacher at American Academy Charter School, won in the professional art category. She has been chalking for over 18 years and said sidewalk chalking is a better workout than the half marathons she has completed.

The Christina Stanley family received a first-place award for the family/group category.

Adri Sandburg and Nicole Mitchell took the honors in the duo category for their “Child with a Lantern” portrait.

The Fire family was awarded the best Holladay scene.

Deanna Griffiths, a first-grade student and a participant in the Chalk our Walk festival, currently is learning about the elements of light and shadow in her drawings.

“I did one side of my sunflower petals in colors and the other side in yellow,” Deanna said. “My grandma taught me about light and shadows. When I grow up, I want to be a dance teacher or a chalk artist. Being an artist makes me have joy. I want people to look at my art and have joy, too.” l

Sydney Cundick, currently a student at Olympus High School, takes painting and drawing classes and won the student 12-18 category illustrating Disney’s Minnie Mouse. (Photo credit Holladay Arts Council)

Adri Sandburg and Nicole Mitchell took the honors in the duo category for their “Child with a Lantern” portrait. (Photo credit Holladay Arts Council)

The Fire family received first-place recognition for the best Holladay scene. (Photo credit Holladay Arts Council)W

Deanna Griffiths, a first-grade student and a participant in the Chalk our Walk festival, is learning about the artistic elements of light and shadow from her grandmother. (Collette Hayes/ City Journals)

Camille Grimshaw, a ceramics teacher at American Academy Charter School, won in the professional art category. (Photo credit Holladay Arts Council)

Erin Grimshaw earned a first place in the adult amateur category. (Photo credit Holladay Arts Council)

Chapman Griffiths took the cash prize for the student 5-11 category depicting an underwater ocean scene complete with a jellyfish and octopus. (Photo credit Holladay Arts Council)

City reluctantly buys residential property after flooding

In August 2021, a violent rainstorm hurled down across the Salt Lake Valley and left many homeowners suddenly coping with an unaccustomed threat.

“Who gets flood insurance in Utah? That’s the last thing we ever expected,” Holladay resident William Garret Kidd, whose home was badly damaged in the storm, told ABC News shortly after the event.

Storms like these have added to the growing list of weather-related anxieties for families in the Beehive State. And in the city of Holladay they’ve also called attention to the way planning decisions at the local level can sometimes put homeowners at risk.

Such was the case in the dramatic demise of the home belonging to Holladay resident Kathryn Oyler, whose property at the north end of Holladay Boulevard was damaged beyond repair in the 2021 downpour.

Though Oyler could not be reached for comment, her next-door neighbor, Mark Thomas, depicted the scene during a city council hearing in August 2023.

“I remember seeing the flood two years ago, it was a lake….A few minutes

By Zak Sonntag | z.sonntag@mycityjournals.com

later I heard a scream from a lady,” he said, describing the reaction by the property owner, Oyler. “Irreplaceable objects were lost. It was heartbreaking.”

After analyzing the aftermath, engineers and city officials say the home— which was built in a gully encased by a canal embankment—was destined for flood damage and should never have been permitted by the Salt Lake County zoning authorities who gave it the OK in the 1990s before Holladay had been incorporated.

“I don't think the county did enough due diligence on the property. Had they done more due diligence they may have figured out…that the canal across the gully built by Salt Lake City impounded the water and stopped it from flowing out,” explained Jared Bunch, city engineer.

Although the outcome stems from decisions made decades ago by the county, it is now Holladay’s legal obligation to provide a solution, leaving city leaders vexed.

“The county permitted this property in what was basically a flood area. It should never have been permitted to begin with,” said Mayor Robert Dahle.

After months of discussions, drawing on advice from legal experts and engineer-

ing consultants, officials have determined they are left with one of two choices, neither of them cheap.

Rather than underwrite a multimillion dollar renovation, the council in September reluctantly voted to purchase the property outright at the cost $980,000, money that was hard to part with but nonetheless presented a more affordable solution than a major infrastructure overhaul.

“It disgusts me to spend this money on this. But I’m convinced that this is the least expensive option…and that we do have responsibility for this water,” said Councilmember Ty Brewer.

Councilmember Paul Fotheringham said, “In the end this is an obligation of the city that we assumed when we incorporated. And we make the best decision that was available to us.”

What will the property become?

The move has sparked excitement amongst residents who are slowly congealing around a series of concepts for how they’d like the property to be used. Many residents hope the parcel will become a community green space.

“I know the community garden is looking for a new space. There are a lot of apartments on the other side of Highland (Drive) and they don’t have access to fresh homegrown food,” suggested Eric White, who lives in District 2 near the property.

Claire Evans, a nearby resident, says she’s heard the neighborhood express interest in a small public park space on the property.

“There is a whole lot of interest…in green space, and there are people mentioning a park,” she said, explaining that residents of the nearby Holladay Villa Apartments would benefit from an open space. “There are a lot of children in the neighborhood but there are not many green space resources.”

The calls for greenspace echo a broader sentiment along the Wasatch

Front, whose residents want local officials to prioritize open spaces in city planning, according to a 2022 Inclusivity in Planning survey from research group Envision Utah. It comes as research accumulates on the benefits of open space in urban and suburban landscapes, including reduced heat island effects, and correlations to lower stress levels and higher life expectancy.

The city’s new property, albeit, is not large, which limits its viability as a communal space; leaders say there is little appetite for a “pocket park” due to the lack of parking in the area, and its vulnerability to weather-related flood events will constrain the parcel’s potential indefinitely.

Hidden issues remain

Even if the city’s purchase provides a solution for the former Oyler property, questions are being raised about liability the city may face in the future when weather events become both more frequent and intense, which scientists predict will happen.

Indeed, experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say storms like the August 2021 downpour in Utah are likely to become more regular, and as a result drive up the costs of infrastructure repair and insurance, a worry close to mind for Oyler’s next-door neighbor, Thomas.

“I don’t think this is over first of all because of climate change,” said Thomas during the public hearing. “Roughly 2 inches fell in a two-hour period. If four inches were to fall, our basement would be underwater. So the issue is not entirely solved because of the potential for greater damage in the area.”

“I think it was generous and responsible [to buy the Oyler property], but there [remain] hidden issues,” Thomas said. l

whenever we can,” she said.

By adopting the ordinance, new single family residential properties must approve a landscape design that limits front and side yard landscaping to 35% turf grass, with zero grass allowed on patches of less than 8 feet or slopes with a gradient above 25%.

Commercial properties are limited to 20% turf grass, with exemptions for properties that accommodate turf-centric activity, like community centers. Officials with CVWCD explained these standards are designed to reduce water-heavy landscaping in areas where it is not traditionally utilized.

“This ordinance is focused on the front side yards because that's the least used landscaped area generally. We're not anti-turf, but we want to limit it to spaces that are actually going to be used and not there just as the default ground cover,” said Savannah Peterson, conservation program manager with Central Valley Water Conservancy District.

Holladay councilmembers expressed ambivalence with some components of the new standards, including property rights, concern for tree canopies, as well as whether or not the approach was too “one-sizefits-all.”

“Where I struggle on this is that value is subjective, and some people place more

value on having a lawn in their front yard than others,” said Ty Brewer, of District 1, who was the sole dissenting vote in the amendment’s 4-1 passage.

Brewer also raised concerns about the possibility of aesthetic degradation, as well as the added cost for builders, who are now required to submit landscape architecture plans as part of the permit process. “I have concerns about the affordability of homes, because it's one other cost in building,” he said.

John Teerlink, planning director for the city, said the standards, which are currently the same for municipalities statewide, may need to be adjusted in the future to accommodate region-specific needs.

“Because they standardized all the requirements across the state, places like Tooele and Holladay now have the exact same requirements, but they're two completely different areas. We have different water tables, different water providers with different tree canopy situations. Even different ecosystems,” he said.

Teerlink added that planners around the state have called attention to the fact that the program offers no solution or help with enforcement, raising questions about how to address violations if they occur as properties change hands over time.

“There's no oversight in the long run as to what the next owner does. Do they just put all the grass back in? Landscaping can

change over the weekend. And there’s not much the city can do as far as forcing the homeowner to go back to what was previously approved,” he said.

One way CVWCD hopes to sustain resiliency gains is through its education program, which the rebate program began requiring participation in this year.

As an example, the courses explain how to make trees more drought resilient through drip irrigation systems, which encourages deeper root systems while reducing water use. However, Peterson admits that established trees can experience drought stress when converting from overhead to drip irrigation, which must be mitigated by other irrigation measures.

So far this year, Peterson says the residential rebate program has saved 51 acre feet of water, or 16.6 million gallons.

“For homeowners, that’s thousands and thousands and thousands of gallons of water, and that’s going to be saved repetitively year after year,” she said.

The landscaping standards are amongst an array of rebates and policies that state leaders are pushing in response to the ongoing drought conditions across the region. Other programs include rebates for smart water irrigation systems, which perform tasks like automatically turning off sprinklers on rainy days; as well as rebates for water-wasting toilets built before the 1990s; along with programs for agricultural enti-

ties to improve crop-watering efficiency.

Taken together, leaders believe the policies will help shore up water reserves and ensure healthy storage levels in rivers, reservoirs, aquifers and lakes.

Ultimately, the majority council felt confident the decision would provide for the continuation of neighborhood character and healthy tree canopies, help smartly manage water resources, and give residents the opportunity to participate in desired rebate programs.

“I think we’ve really minimized the burden on the cost side to our residents, while opening up the bag of carrots that our constituents seek,” said Councilmember Paul Fotheringham. “I think we’ve found a good balance.” l

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Churchill Jr. High starts the school year with a rocking outdoor community celebration

By Jolene Croasmun | j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com

In September, Churchill Jr. High welcomed back students with a rocking community celebration that included live music, games, food, fun and friends.

With a backdrop of Mt. Olympus, the Churchill Jr. High’s campus and the community were celebrating the beginning of a new school year with administrators, faculty, parents, students and neighbors. Live music was provided by the band Superintendents of Rock.

Tammy Miller, a math teacher and parent of students who attend Churchill, said, “We usually do a back to school night but have this beautiful facility and love our neighborhood and this year we decided to put on this event as a thank you to the community.”

“This is an opportunity to show off our teachers to parents and bring younger kids out to learn about the school,” Miller said.

Miller added, “We also want to celebrate that Churchill Jr. High’s test scores came back really high.”

The Churchill choir sang while teachers and staff members joined in on the fun by greeting the students and families.

The attending faculty and administrators posed for photos on the field as the rock band began to warm up.

“This is awesome,” said Assistant Principal Matt Schelble. He has been at Churchill for two years. “The band we have here today is called the Superintendents of Rock and all but one of the band members are superintendents.”

Mia, a sixth grader, said, “I am very excit-

ed to be here and this event is very cool and it just shows how awesome this school is.” This is Mia’s first year at Churchill.

“I am very excited about my STEM class this year and really like Mr. Tate,” Mia said. This event was held after school on the

campus and was free for all.

Churchill Jr. High serves grades sixth through eighth and is located off Oakridge Drive in Holladay. It is part of the Granite School District and has been open since 1965.l

Churchill choir performs at the community celebration in September at Churchill Jr. High. (Jolene Croasmun/City Journals)

Some of Churchill Junior High’s faculty and staff pose for a photo at the back to school outdoor event for the community. (Jolene Croasmun/City Journals)

Holladay History Night returns after two-year absence

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

Aftera two-year absence due to the pandemic, the sixth annual History Night, sponsored by the Holladay Historical Commission, will return Monday, Oct. 9 to Holladay City Hall.

The Holladay Historical Commission was created to preserve, document and develop the historical and archeological resources that inform the communities collective history. The commission has three emphases: community outreach and education; preserving historical records and artifacts; and supporting preservation of historically significant buildings and structures. History Night is an informative community outreach event which introduces the history of Holladay to the local community. Each year, the event has drawn hundreds to the Big Cottonwood room with standing room only to listen and to learn about the historical narrative of Holladay.

Tom Nelson, a retired professor, and past chair of the Holladay Historical Commission, has been instrumental in creating and produc-

Fall Savings Event

ing an ongoing documentation history film series of the Holladay-Cottonwood area. The sixth chapter in the series, on DVD, will be shown during the event.

“All of the history we have shown on DVD during History Night the last five years has been provided by Tom Nelson with the help of Lyle Mumford,” Executive Director of the Holladay Historical Commission Sandy Meadows said. “Tom is very knowledgeable about the history of the Holladay/Cottonwood area and the history of the state of Utah.”

According to Meadows, a gallery of historical artifacts, including photos of early businesses and schools will be displayed in the Little Cottonwood room to further tell the stories and depict the everyday life of early Holladay.

“We are appreciative of all those who have shared artifacts with stories to be displayed,” Meadows said. “We also want to acknowledge the generosity of Great Harvest Bread Company and Harmons in Holladay for providing light refreshments.” l

Photos of early businesses and schools will be displayed to further tell the stories and depict the everyday life of early Holladay. Oakwood Elementary School 1913. (Photo credit Holladay Historical Commission)

History Night is an informative community outreach event which introduces the history of Holladay to the local community. (Photo credit Holladay Historical Commission)

A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.

Many of you may share this sentiment, but I’ve long felt that we need politicians who don’t want to be politicians. A little over 2 years ago, I found myself being asked to run for city council and, as one who had no desire to be a politician, was thus faced with a dilemma. My sense of civic duty won out. I ran, was voted in and began my 4-year term in 2021. I’ve learned a great deal and giving my time in this way has been a great blessing in my life. I’ve seen first-hand the seriousness with which my colleagues on the city council carry out their stewardship. I’ve also been witness to an administrative staff that is lean, deeply committed and desirous of having Holladay be a city in which we should all be grateful to live. All of this was uncharacteristic of my perception of government, generally. I’ve been pleasantly surprised, to say the least.

A significant part of our stewardship on the city council involves the budgeting of tax revenue. Tax revenue that, by nature, is paid or taken by force. A sobering responsibility. As such, it troubles me spending this type of funding on non-essential community amenities and services. The far better way, I believe, is that non-essential community projects be funded voluntarily.

Legal Plunder or Community Duty?

There’s a perspective that taxation for such non-essentials is a form of “legal plunder”. A mandatory levy, which might cause those who pay to feel resentment. After all, they may see their hard-earned money channeled towards projects they might not agree with nor personally benefit from. On the receiving end, when amenities are funded this way, a sense of entitlement can develop. The ‘gift’ isn’t appreciated in the same way because the public good feels impersonal and ‘owed’ rather than resulting from a gesture of goodwill.

The Beauty of Voluntary Contributions

On the other hand, consider a community playground funded entirely by voluntary contributions. Every swing, slide, and seesaw stands as a testament to someone’s generosity. Those who give, do so out of genuine desire to uplift the community. In this act of giving, they experience a humbling gratitude, knowing they’ve made a tangible difference. On the other side, those who enjoy the playground do so with a heightened sense of appreciation, recognizing every playtime as a gift from their neighbors. Rather than entitlement, gratitude should more generally prevail. To me, the virtue in this approach couldn’t be more plain.

A Call to Embrace True Charity

Although more difficult than using tax revenue, our city council has undertaken an effort, to the extent that we’re able, to fund several initiatives through tax deductible voluntary donations: A stage that can be setup for performances during our summer concerts at the Gazebo; Lighting for Holladay’s skate park; and a walkable outdoor museum to showcase Holladay’s history, for which we’ve already been approved for a substantial grant that depends on matching funds.

If there is a Utah city that could exemplify this better way of funding community amenities, it is Holladay. Ideally, these projects will be fully funded through private donations, but in the event they’re not, the City is prepared to blend public funds with private donations to maximize their impact to our community. We have so many residents that not only have means, but who also generously seek out ways to bless others’ lives, that we hope as many as are willing and able via donations small and large, will voluntarily contribute to bring these amenities to light. That every amenity enjoyed can become a constant reminder of our neighbors’ kindness and generosity, this is community!

Please see cityofholladay.com/community/friends for more information, to donate and to learn how you can get involved!

—Council Member Ty Brewer, District 1

Healthy Utah Community

The City of Holladay is now designated a Healthy Utah Community! To qualify for the designation, Holladay established the Happy Healthy Holladay Coalition and implemented several other strategies within our community to promote health. Some of the City’s and its partners’ efforts include securing Safe Routes to School grants to encourage walking and biking for children; sponsoring community-wide food drives to support the Olympus High School and Cottonwood High School food pantries; promoting the Unified Police Department’s public medication disposal box; and offering a variety of free, public classes - like QPR suicide prevention at the Holladay Library, CPR and first aid basics by the Unified Fire Authority and a jump rope clinic at the Holladay Lions Rec Center.

The designation was presented to Holladay at the Utah League of Cities and Towns Conference on September 6, 2023, and accepted by Mayor Rob Dahle, Council Member Matt Durham, and Council Member Drew Quinn. This designation is an excellent opportunity to showcase the work our community is doing to support healthy living for all residents. The Happy Healthy Holladay Coalition will also soon kick off its first strategic planning process to identify evidence-based programming to more fully address the mental, physical, and emotional needs of Holladay residents.

onədē | Noun

Pedestrian Safety: Know the Different Crosswalks

By Chief Justin Hoyal, Unified Police Dept.

Thank you

From the Blue Moon Festival to the Fine Arts Show and the summer concert series to the children’s theater performances, the Holladay Arts Council’s dedicated stewardship and passion for the arts enriches our community We thank all the Arts Council members, volunteers, sponsors, and partners for your efforts

Holladay Arts Council

MEMBERS

Natalie Bradley, Chair

Ginger Gunn Vice Chair

Ilene Stowe, Secretary

Sheri Sohm, At-Large

JC Conrad

Liz Deane

Jon Jensen

Lauren Posey

Beth Wolfer

Fred Kraut

Thomas Kolonusz-Partee

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Paul Fotheringham, City Council Liaison

Beckie Rock Webmaster

Kathy Murphy, Concert Chair

Sandra Fullmer Williams

Bonnie Nell

Megan Attermann

Sheryl Gillilan, Executive Director

Recently there have been stories in the media of law enforcement conducting enforcement at pedestrian crosswalks all across Utah. In Holladay we have also done enforcement and education at crosswalks across the city. One of the common questions we have answered is what is the difference between a regular pedestrian crosswalk and a school crosswalk? These are the two types of crosswalks in Utah law and have different requirements. I think it is important that all motorists know how to recognize the difference between the two different types of crosswalks and what a motorist must do when there is a pedestrian in the different crosswalks.

The first crosswalk I would like to explain is a regular pedestrian crosswalk. This can be identified by a yellow caution sign with the drawing of a single person inside the sign. These crosswalks can also be identified by two parallel lines that stretch from curb to curb. Utah law says that when a motorist approaches this kind of crosswalk they must slow down or stop for a “pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling.”

What does this mean? It means that a motorist must stop and wait for the pedestrian to get to the opposite half of the roadway from where the motorist is at. Once the pedestrian is on the other half of the roadway, the motorist can proceed if it is safe to do so.

A school crosswalk can be identified by a yellow sign with the drawing of two people inside the sign. In addition, the painting on the road is identified by many wide stripped lines that go from curb to curb. These lines may look like a ladder that runs across the road. Utah law says that when a motorist approaches a school crosswalk they must “come to a complete stop at the school crosswalk if the crosswalk is occupied by a person.” This means that a motorist must wait for a pedestrian to completely exit the crosswalk before proceeding, even if they are on the opposite half of the roadway.

We want everyone to be aware of the two different styles of crosswalks so that no one gets hurt. We want nothing more than for those who are out walking to be able to cross the streets safely. We will continue to do enforcement at our crosswalks for the safety of everyone.

If we understand the different types of crosswalks and yield to pedestrians, we can avoid a tragedy. Working together we can keep Holladay a safe place to walk, ride and drive.

OCTOBER

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Rob Dahle, Mayor rdahle@cityofholladay.com

801-580-3056

Ty Brewer, District 1 tbrewer@cityofholladay.com

801-550-8747

Matt Durham, District 2 mdurham@cityofholladay.com

801-999-0781

Paul Fotheringham, District 3 pfotheringham@cityofholladay.com

801-424-3058

Drew Quinn, District 4 dquinn@cityofholladay.com

801-272-6526

Dan Gibbons, District 5 dgibbons@cityofholladay.com

385-215-0622

Gina Chamness, City Manager gchamness@cityofholladay.com

PUBLIC MEETINGS:

City Council – rst and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Planning Commission – rst and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

CITY OFFICES: Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • 801-272-9450 4580 South 2300 East • Holladay, UT 84117 Community Development 801-527-3890

NUMBERS TO KNOW: Emergency 911 UPD Dispatch (Police) 801-840-4000 UFA Dispatch (Fire) 801-840-4000 Animal Control 385-468-7387

Garbage/Sanitation 385-468-6325

Holladay Library 801-944-7627

Holladay Lions Club 385-468-1700

Mt. Olympus Sr. Center 385-468-3130

Holladay Post O ce 801-278-9942

Cottonwood Post O ce 801-453-1991

Holliday Water 801-277-2893

FOSTER A DOG; Save a Life

Salt Lake County Animal Services is experiencing a dog overpopulation crisis. In the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, Salt Lake County Animal Services took in an average of 192 dogs a month. In the first eight months of 2023, we have taken in an average of 238 dogs a month. With this staggering influx of dogs, we are desperate to find more fosters who can temporarily welcome a needy pup into their home.

To incentivize fostering, anyone who signs up to be a foster in October of 2023 will be automatically entered into an opportunity drawing to win a customizable pet basket full of exciting prizes. If you don’t win, you’ll still be rewarded with the limitless love of an underprivileged pup who would be forever grateful for a few ear scratches and a warm bed.

Fostering helps unsheltered dogs, our shelter, and you. Foster homes provide a calming environment that helps dogs thrive until their

FUREVER family adopts them. We also learn a lot about our foster dogs from their foster parents which makes them more adoptable. At our facility, we only have 82 kennels where we can shelter dogs. Fostering allows us to help more animals by providing them with food, shelter, and medical care outside of our facility.

Additionally, fostering is an excellent way to experience the joys of having a dog without the commitment of adoption. If you would like to apply to become a foster, please email our foster team at Fosters@ slco.org to get the process started. We’ll provide the food, crate, and medical care.

All you have to do is provide a safe and loving home. Fostering makes a difference. Fostering saves life. So help us celebrate ten years as a no-kill shelter, and foster a dog today.

Halloween Window Display Contest

The Halloween season is upon us, and we are getting into the spirit with a window display contest that could range from ghoulish to very Boo-ti-ful! Let’s make our city Spook-ta-cular!

To take part, please fill out the registration form located on our city website and send it back to Ann Frances Garcia at annfgarcia@cityofholladay.com. We will create a map of the participating businesses. The business with the most votes will win bragging rights as the most spirited business in Holladay

Halloween Safety Tips

by Capt. Dan Brown, Unified Fire Authority

I work on Halloween this year. This makes me uneasy for two reasons: one, I don’t get to trick or treat with my kids (I’m not complaining, I have the best job in the world, but it does have it’s drawbacks), and two, I will probably be in for a busy night. I don’t mind being busy, but the types of calls Halloween brings are a different animal. Here’s a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents. Keep these tips in mind on Halloween night:

• A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds

• If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route

• Agree on time children should return home

• Only cross street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).

and a First Prize (TBD), and every individual that votes will be entered into a random prize drawing with one lucky winner receiving a $100 Holladay gift card from one of our participating businesses. Voting will take place starting October 13th to October 31st. A QR code will be created to vote for your favorite Halloween window display. The deadline to register for participation in this contest will be October 9th. Please contact Ann Frances Garcia at (801) 527-3890 with any questions.

Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.

• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!

• Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car

• Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends

• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies

Safety isn’t just on people trick or treating. If you are driving, you must be extra vigilant. Watch for children on the roads, medians, and curbs. Many costumes are dark and hard to see at night. Glow sticks are a great option to give to kids as it doesn’t take away from their costumes like reflective tape. All of these things make it a night where we can all drive a little slower and more careful.

Thanks for reading and have a Safe Halloween!!

New Holladay Landscaping Ordinance

Waterwise Landscaping required in lieu of grass on future residential, commercial properties

In Utah, 60% of residential water use goes towards outdoor irrigation. To encourage the use of waterwise plants and landscape principles, the state, through the Utah Valley Water Conservancy District, is incentivizing the replacement of lawn with waterwise landscaping.

Holladay residents are now eligible for this statewide incentive program to replace their lawns with waterwise landscaping after the City Council voted in favor of a new state-approved ordinance. All residents and business owners can apply for the program. The new landscaping requirement applies to new construction and does not impact existing homes or commercial properties.

Some of the changes for landscaping of new single-family and two-family residential development include:

• Turf coverage is limited to 35% of the front and side yards.

• No turf on slopes over 25% grade.

• No turf area may be less than eight feet wide.

• No turf in parks trips

• Drip irrigation is required for all landscaped areas that do not have turf

Utah Valley Water Conservancy District suggests that residents use Localscapes principles to design a

waterwise yard when removing any lawn. Localscapes is a five-step design method created specifically for Utah’s unique climate. Those interested in learning more about Localscapes can find classes online, join the conservancy each spring for an in-person class, or visit the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan.

Monetary incentives for converting lawn areas to water-efficient landscaping start at $0.75/sq. ft and increase to $3.00/sq. ft for a full-yard lawn conversion. The Conservancy cautions against removing or killing your grass immediately as eligibility for the rebate requires a site visit by Conservancy representatives and the submission of an approved landscape plan prior to any removal. Removal of grass prior to the required site visit and plan approval may disqualify you from the rebate.

Property owners who are interested in the rebate program must create an account at the Utah Water Savers website and submit an application to confirm eligibility.

Central Utah Valley Water Conservancy District Utahwatersavers.com | 801-226-7100

FALL LEAF PICKUP

As the temperatures cool down and we head into fall, Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District will begin our seasonal fall leaf pickup service. Starting Monday, October 16, residents can pick up leaf bags at:

• Holladay City Hall - 4580 S. 2300 E.

• Holladay Library - 2150 E. Murray Holladay Rd.

• Holladay Lions Fitness Center - 1661 E. Murray Holladay Rd.

Full leaf bags can be taken and placed in the District’s trailers at:

• Canyon Rim Park - 3100 E. 3100 S.

• Cottonwood Ball Complex - 4400 S. 1300 E. - Northside Only

PLEASE do not dump garbage, yard waste, or other items at the leaf bag collection sites.

Reminder: leaves and yard waste are not accepted in blue recycling cans.

CONGRAT U LATIONS! 2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS

https://live-wasatch.pantheonsite.io/servicesrequests/basic-services/landfill-voucher

Help light the skatepark! Since it was built in 2021, the Holladay Skatepark has become one of Holladay’s most beloved

to professional. Now, the Holladay Skatepark Committee is working to put the last piece of the park in place: above-ground lighting. This lighting will extend the park’s usability in the cooler summer evenings and when the fall days grow short in daylight.

Additionally, having well-lit amenities will decrease the potential for injury and help keep the park safe. The committee needs to raise $80,000 to complete this project and has already received a generous lead donation of $20,000 and $8,000 from other project supporters. Please watch for details on the upcoming kick-off party as the committee takes this final step in lighting the park. To learn more, visit the Friends of Holladay webpage at: cityofholladay.com/community/friends

Photo from Sept 21, 2023 Holladay City Council awards presentation, L to R: Ginger Gunn, Sheryl Gillilan, Lyman Losee, Barbara Thornton, Megyn Vilchinsky (accepting award for Kate Kaufman), Carolyn Giffin (accepting award for Wendy Frank), Kade Moncur and Bob Thompson of Salt Lake County Flood Control Not pictured: Natalie Bradley and Lauren Anderson.

HALLOWEEN SECTION

A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for men, women, and children in the Salt Lake Valley

The scariest way to know what’s most popular this Halloween—with numbers!

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Hit the trifecta this Halloween by giving out M&M’S (or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) to the trickor-treaters while wearing a scary (but unique) costume in between catching glimpses of one of the Halloween franchise movies on your television screen. (“Halloween Ends” is the most recently released movie in the franchise, but “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002) and “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Meyers” (1995) (filmed in Utah!) seem to be most adored by fans.)

If you’re wondering what type of candy variety pack to pick up from the store for the Trick-or-Treaters this year, go with the chocolate. Specifically, M&M’S, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Kit Kats tend to be the most sought-after candy choice.

Some 1,188 participants (based in the United States) were surveyed during an online study conducted in October 2021. Participants were asked which candy they liked better during head-tohead match-ups of 76 different sugary items.

M&M’S topped out by being the favorite of the online voting base with 76.1%. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups came in at 74.4%. Kit Kats received 72.8% of the vote, with Peanut M&M’S not trailing too far behind with a 72.4%. Butterfinger was the last of the 70 with 70.9% of the vote.

The remaining candies to make up the top 10 favorite Halloween treats (scoring between 67.1% and 68.8%) included Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey’s and Reese’s Pieces.

In case you were curious about the top 20: coming in at being the favorite between 57.5% and 65.5% of the online surveyed population were Hershey’s

Kisses, Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, 3 Musketeers, Dove Milk Chocolate Bar, Krackel, Crunch, Almond Joy, Baby Ruth, Starbursts, and Andes Chocolate Mints.

Another study conducted in 2020 broadly backs up the claim to fame for chocolate. Some 13,852 participants were surveyed about their various Halloween preferences in September 2020.

Out of those 13,852 (United States) adults, 88% reported that they would be buying chocolate candy. Forty-two percent reported that they would be buying candy that was either chewy or fruity, with 40% reporting they’d be buying caramel candy, and 37% reporting lollipop purchases. Further, 36% of respondents reported they’d be buying sour gummies, 28% would be looking specifically for candy corn, 25% would by buying taffy, 20% would be buying nut-filled candy and 12% would be buying either gum or mints.

Overall, most (United States) adults purchased candy for their trick-or-treaters (71%). But! Twenty-nine percent of adults still purchased healthy alternatives like carrot snack bags, trail mix, or toothbrushes to throw in amongst the candy. But! You can’t just give out the most desirable candy and be the favorite Halloween house around. You have to dress the part!

A study conducted in 2017 by aytm, a market research company, encourages people to dress as scary imposters. A thousand (American) adults were surveyed during September 2017. Survey results were compared with secondary research of search trends from Pinterest and Lyst as well as predictions from USA Today.

Some 24.4% of Halloween costumes were described as being scary, with 20.3% described as sexy. Other

descriptions of costumers that didn’t score as high were cute, funny, weird/ creative, classy/sophisticated, and other. The most frequent costumers of 2017 including Pennywise the Clown, a witch, Wonder Woman, a “Game of Thrones” character and a zombie.

Echoing the sentiment, a 2021 study surveying 2,312 (United States) adults encourages people to pick classic Halloween costumes like ghosts and witches, as that’s what 20.81% of respondents chose to do.

Even if you’re still unsure what to dress up as this year, absolutely don’t go as an athlete, clown, pumpkin, ghost or cat. Survey results show that we’re all too tired of those costumes.

And be yourself! The 2021 study reported that only 10.57% of people coordinated their costume with another person.

While you’re waiting for trick-ortreaters with your M&M’S and scary costume, you may as well spend you time watching the most preferable scary/Halloween movie.

According to an online survey conducted in October 2022, 56% of 2,210 (United States) adults reported “Halloween” as their favorite horror movie franchise. “Friday the 13th” just about tied with a rounded 56% as well. “Nightmare

on Elm Street” came in closely after those two with 54%.

“Halloween Ends” ranked as the fifth top grossing horror movie in the U.S. and Canada in 2022 at $81 million, according to data collected and published in January 2023.

Plus! Halloween 2023 is anticipated to see the most participation and attendance in the last decade. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, 73% of (United States) adults will participate in Halloween activities this year. The last time over 70% of the population participated in Halloween actives was in 2017 when 71.7% of adults participated in spooky fun.

What will we be doing? About 67% of us will be handing out candy (hopefully those chocolate bites!). Fifty-one percent of us will be decorating our homes and yards (this reporter’s decorations have been up for two weeks now). Forty-seven percent of us will dress in costume. Forty-four percent of us will carve a pumpkin (you got this one). Twenty-eight percent of us will throw or attend a Halloween party. And 20% of us will dress up a pet (this reporter’s fur baby rocks her pumpkin costume). l

Responses to the question “What Halloween costume(s) are you sick of seeing every year?” (Photo courtesy of Wyatt Edwards and Katelyn Shaaf/HalloweenCostumes)

Draper families transform their yards into Halloween destinations

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

No other state gets into the spirit of Halloween like Utah. A recent three-year study of Google search terms and homeowner survey by Lombardo Homes revealed that Utahns lead the nation in decorating for Halloween. Across the state, people transform their yards and gardens into supernatural realms filled with animated creepy characters, spooky lighting, fog machines and all manner of things that go bump in the night.

The most elaborate of these homemade “spook alleys” attract visitors from all over and become neighborhood gathering places on Halloween. For years, three families in Draper in particular have shared their passion for the spine-chilling and spooktacular with the community through their immersive yard displays.

Larsen Manor

“We build stuff all year long,” LaDawn Larsen said. “It’s a construction project when it starts. It takes over everything.” LaDawn and her husband, Steve, transform the grounds of their home at 1871 Flat Bear Circle into “Larsen Manor” for the month of October. Visitors to Larsen Manor can walk around the yard where a giant pumpkin-head creature with burning eyes watches over a graveyard and skeletons appear to march out of a mausoleum.

“Steve and I got married 11 years ago. He got drawn into the Halloween craziness and it got bigger,” LaDawn said with a smile.

Halloween is a special holiday for the couple. As a firefighter in Magna, Steve used to dress up as a cyclops and ride the fire truck handing out candy on Halloween. LaDawn has cherished memories of trick or treating in Sandy as a child and enjoyed decorating and throwing Halloween parties as an adult. The pair got engaged at TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis.

“We really like to mix things up,” Steve said. “This year we’ll have armies of the dead. A mad scientist scene will be the feature.” The Larsens also plan to transform their 12-foot skeleton into the mummy of King Tut.

“A little girl who likes to come every year said that we needed more jump scares,” LaDawn said. “So we did. We have a pumpkin that opens up and comes alive. We’re trying to do more of those things.” She added that their display is not gory. “We don’t have our own children that are here so we do this for other peoples’ kids.”

The appreciation they receive from visitors to Larsen Manor is a major inspiration for LaDawn and Steve. They plan to open their yard display on Oct. 6 but will have to close it before Halloween this year on Oct. 28, for work-related reasons.

The Haunted Haven

Tifini Folkersen’s love for Halloween is a longstanding family tradition. Her mother, Jodi Tebbs, decorated her childhood home at a time when Halloween decorations weren’t quite as popular as they are today. Tebbs’ parents loved the holiday as well. “My mom’s dad would dress up like a werewolf, in full theatrical makeup. He’d run around the neighborhood and scare people,” she said.

A trellis over the front walk leading to the Folkersen’s house at 1338 Hana Court is entwined with skulls and grimacing skeletons. “Our decorations are never the same,” Folkersen said. “It changes from year to year as the kids grow.”

Tebbs and Folkersen explained that their décor came out of a desire to make Halloween an interactive experience for the children in the family. The yard display features little vignettes that relate to members of the family. When Folkersen’s son, Kolsyn, went to his senior prom, they put up dancing skeletons in the display. “Last year, Kolsyn went to the U so we had a University of Utah-themed skeleton area,” Tebbs said.

“We make it family friendly,” Folkersen said. “It’s fun and spooky, not too scary.” On Halloween night, she and her husband, Lynn, give out candy and run the technical aspects of things. Tebbs enjoys mingling with the visitors.

This year the family is planning a ghosts in the graveyard theme. “Once I come up with a theme, we figure out what we want to add and build,” Folkersen said. “We’ve been collecting for 30 years and building. There are memories attached to each decoration.”

Building the displays is a labor of love for the family and they enjoy watching visitors react to their handiwork. “It’s cute seeing all the people having fun,” Folkersen said. “People stay and have a good time.” She said that her neighbors having been getting into the Halloween spirit with their own decorations as well.

Folkersen plans to have her display ready for the first weekend in October. It is open to visitors every night from when darkness falls to 10:30 p.m. She said, “We tell people, when they hear the witches cackle, it’s time to go home.”

The Farr family’s “Southfork Sanitarium” is located at 927 E. Southfork Drive in Draper. The decorations are up throughout October. (Photo by Farris Gerard)

A pumpkin-headed monster towers over “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by Steve Larsen)

Southfork Sanitarium

Dan and Stephanie Farr explained that "love for the neighborhood" was the inspiration behind their yard display. "I loved it in our old neighborhood when our neighbor would have a Halloween potluck," Stephanie said. The Farrs started out serving chili and hot dogs to their neighbors on Halloween night and set up a "spook alley" in their yard. The spook alley got more elaborate every year and evolved into "Southfork Sanitarium."

"Dan got started with the life-sized monsters," Stephanie said. He became

hooked on Halloween after a trip to a friend's Halloween store. About 15 years ago he joined the Rocky Mountain Haunters group.

“I geek out on Halloween,” Dan said. "I love entertainment and doing stuff that makes people happy.” That same passion inspired Farr to become the founder and producer of FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention. Soon after the convention ends in late September, the Farrs start putting out the monsters.

The family has built up a collection of props that would fit in at any commercial haunted house. Some have been

created by professional monster makers. Dan has acquired a few creatures, including a giant animated demon, from his friend, Dick Van Dyke. The actor enjoys putting up an elaborate Halloween display for trick or treaters at his home in Malibu, California.

Other supernatural scares are homemade. Dan constructed Stephanie's favorite, a glowing ghost on a pulley that appears to hover in the window over the front door. "I don't like gore, I like spooky fun and jump scares," she said. The Farrs' display has attracted attention beyond their neighborhood.

"There have been years that we've been in the news," Dan said. "A lot of people will come in from other areas."

Stephanie explained that this year's haunt might not be quite as over-thetop. "We used to have our sons and their friends help set everything up, but they're grown up now," she said. "We've had to simplify."

Still, monsters will appear once again at 927 E. Southfork Drive this month. "The neighborhood kids love it!" Stephanie said. Dan added, "We just can't stop!" l

Steve and LaDawn Larsen put personal touches on their Halloween display. “Larsen Manor” will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

When their youngest son went to college, the Folkersen family put up a “U” themed vignette with skeletons as part of their Halloween display. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

The cackling of the witch tells visitors that it’s time to go home at the Folkersen family’s Halloween display in Draper. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

In this photo from 2021, a skeletal procession was on display at “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

Double, double, toil and trouble: Haunted Woods spells fun and funds for families

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

For over 50 years, Murray Haunted Woods has been a tradition in the local community, but it's more than just a seasonal attraction. It serves a dual purpose, both as a family-oriented entertainment venue and as a fundraiser for noble causes, primarily focused on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence.

Originally managed by Murray City until 2010, the Haunted Woods faced potential discontinuation due to budget cuts. However, the Murray Exchange Club and Youth Council stepped in to take over the event. "During the economic turn, the city needed to cut back. When they cut this event, the citizens responded with an adamant ‘No, we need to keep this. It’s tradition and family-oriented,'" Sheri Van Bibber of the Murray Exchange Club said.

The event has always had a charitable edge. "Our Exchange Clubs across the valley all participate. We contribute funds to different groups, past examples include YWCA, Taylorsville Family Center, Midvale Family Center, Boys & Girls Clubs, Victims’ Advocates of SLC and several more," Van Bibber said.

The Murray Haunted Woods has adapted to the changing times, especially in the era of COVID-19. "We almost shut down, but public input encouraged us to continue," Van Bibber said. "We met all health requirements and have since added double the availability. People can buy tickets online or at the gate." The event also complies with all city and county standards to ensure safety and enjoyment for all attendees.

Interactive elements have become an integral part of the event. "We want the wait in line to be just as much fun as the actual tour through the Woods," Van Bibber said. Performances from the West High Drill Team, appearances by the Ghost Busters Team and their iconic car, and multiple interactive activities are designed to keep visitors entertained throughout.

However, creating such an event does not come without challenges. "We spend months preparing, so logistics are always a challenge," Van Bibber said. In addition to dealing with increasing amounts of props that now require rented storage space, the event must adapt to changes in the city's infrastructure. "Last year, the challenge was the pavilion being rebuilt; this year, it was a new addition to the city's warehouse," she said. Despite these hurdles, Van Bibber assured that "everyone has been working together to make it possible."

Being an outdoor event, weather is a significant concern, but the organizers are undeterred. "We have run the woods in wind, rain, snow, hail, 11 degrees; it just adds to the ambiance," Van Bibber said.

She also mentioned the valuable assistance from local police and fire departments in ensuring that the event setup remains secure overnight.

As for the experience itself, the Haunted Woods offers something for every age group. "We start in the daylight with the 'Silly Trails'—the music and characters are fun and entertaining. As the sun goes down, the energy in the woods shifts, and so do the characters," Van Bibber said. A safety feature, a "Safe Code" called “Ghouls Be Gone,” is in place if anyone finds the experience too intense.

Although there have been discussions about extending the traditional three-day schedule, limitations arise. "People have asked us to run all month, at least a week, or even move to the weekend," Van Bibber said. However, due to logistical issues related to volunteer availability, "we have found it best to leave things as they are."

This year's event includes several noted attractions. "The football team playing ball in the woods as scarecrows is always entertaining," Van Bibber said, "and the polo team playing on land along with Madame Leota is new this year."

Regarding the trail designs, Van Bibber said, "We always look at it with fresh eyes every year. There's a 'Light Show' crafted by Jeff Evans and music and design by Andy and Jeleigh Evans from Murray High."

Over the years, there have been many memorable moments in running the event. "One of our first years we had three fog machines, and it was so humid that the whole park filled up with fog. The Fire Department kept getting calls that the park was on fire," Van Bibber said. In another instance, "One year, it was thundering and snowing, and we were all covered with snow. The kids had a riot, and no one wanted to leave."

Volunteers from the Murray Youth Council and the Exchange Clubs are vital. "There’s a lot of leadership involved, and we have amazing kiddos," Van Bibber said. Local businesses like K Real Estate and AAA Restoration play significant roles behind the scenes. "Our Murray businesses are the reason we are still here. We are always open to our business family and look forward to more partnerships in the future.”

The event runs Oct. 23-25 at Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.) on the south side of the outdoor swimming pool in pavilion 5. Visitors can choose the Silly Trail for younger guests from 5:30-7 p.m. or the Scary Trail from 7-9 p.m. for the more adventurous. Tickets are $5. Visit MurrayHauntedWoods.com for tickets and more information. l

Two ghosts dance in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A zombie startles visitors in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A witch greets small visitors on the Silly Trail of the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

Untangling the Madness: Why Trimlight is the Ultimate Holiday Hack

The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it the timeless tradition of adorning our homes with festive lights. You’re likely familiar with the routine – unearthing boxes of tangled lights, grappling with a ladder that seems determined to defy you, and attempting to transform your residence into a shimmering winter wonderland. It’s all fun and games until you’re knee-deep in a web of extension cords, pondering the choices that brought you here. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a better way – outdoor permanent holiday lights from Trimlight.

they’ve staged a revolt, protesting against your decorating skills. You become a detective, tracking down the rogue bulb that’s sabotaging your holiday dreams. Just when you think you’ve triumphed, a gust of wind turns your carefully placed lights into a chaotic display of brilliance.

And let’s not forget the extension cords. You weave and wind them through your yard like a mad scientist setting up an experiment. And guess what? They have a mind of their own. They tangle, twist, and trip you up in a game of holiday-themed Twister.

The Drama of Hanging Holiday Lights

Picture this: You’re in your front yard, armed with a string of lights that may have been plotting against you in the attic for the past year. You attempt to untangle them, or at least you try. Suddenly, you nd yourself locked in a wrestling match with a stubborn knot that refuses to let go. This is where the adventure begins.

But that’s not all! You embark on a ladder-climbing odyssey, channeling your inner acrobat as you teeter on the edge of catastrophe. The ground seems to disappear into the distance, and you ponder the cosmic signi cance of your holiday decorating decisions. In that moment, the ladder is not just a ladder; it’s a perilous gateway to a realm of festive uncertainty.

Now, the real challenge begins. You plug in your lights, and behold – a quarter of them refuse to illuminate. It’s as if

By now, your ngers are either frozen or numb, and you’re seriously reconsidering the merits of holiday cheer. You might even have a breakdown amidst the holiday lights, swearing to never repeat this ordeal—until next year, of course.

The Brilliant Solution: Trimlight’s Permanent Holiday Lights

Now, imagine this instead: You’re sipping hot cocoa, snug inside your warm home. With the touch of a button or automated schedule, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame. No battles with knots, no precarious ladder ascents, no detective work, and no expeditions in sub-zero temperatures.

Outdoor permanent holiday lights are your comedic relief in this festive chaos. It’s akin to having a team of holiday magic-makers who turn your home into a dazzling masterpiece with a simple press. You can change colors, craft patterns, set schedules, and adjust brightness—all from your cozy couch.

Meanwhile, your neighbors are outside, grappling with their lights and cursing their extension cords. You, on the other hand, get to relax and savor the spectacle. You’ve outwitted the holiday lighting madness, and you’re relishing every moment.

In summary, the holidays should be a time of joy, not a test of your patience and ladder-climbing skills. Trimlight’s outdoor permanent holiday lights are the ultimate holiday hack, sparing you from the chaos and transforming your home into a yearround holiday haven. Embrace the brilliance of permanent holiday lights and leave the comedy to the experts – and maybe even enjoy a chuckle or two as you witness the chaos unfold elsewhere! Happy Almost Holidays!

Trimlight is the industry leader in outdoor permanent holiday & accent lighting and nobody helps more Utah homeowners than Trimlight. To learn more about Trimlight, or to schedule a free estimate visit trimlight.com/saltlake, or call 801-382-8746.

With the touch of a button, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame.

With star power, Olympus cross country achieving big success

As a first-year coach of the Olympus cross country team, Christophe Humbert knew this season could pose some challenges. It’s a good thing he has some outstanding runners on the squad.

The Titans boast whom Humbert calls “two of the best athletes in the entire country” in senior JoJo Jourdon and freshman Adria Favero. The pair has helped the Titans score some big wins and become a force in every race.

“The learning curve has been steep, but I am super excited and happy with our season,” he said. “We have athletes of all speeds, getting faster week by week, and everyone is having a great time. My goals were to grow the team, which we accomplished, and we hope to grow again next year. I wanted to be able to improve all our athletes, which I feel we've accomplished. I wanted to be sure our very best athletes also had the support they needed to excel at their very elite level, which I feel they are doing.”

Jourdon is a blazing-fast runner who broke the 14-minute mark in the 3-mile race. His time of 13:587 came at the Woodbridge Invitational in California against some of the best runners in the nation. Meanwhile, Favero has shown what a bright future she has. The

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

ninth grader has won four of the five races she has raced this season, including the prestigious Timpanogos Invite, which is the biggest meet in the state. For her efforts, she was named Larry H. Miller Athlete of the Week. She also won the Bob Firman XC Invitational in Boise, Idaho, which is one of the largest meets in the country.

“[Jourdon] and [Favero] are truly exceptional, great talents,” Humbert said.

Another freshman girl, Sophie Wrona, won her first-ever meet this season on the JV team. Other top athletes on the team include Sofi Jourdon, Audrey Edwards, Eleanor Delaney, Kyle Berkson, Dillon Elliot and Brenen Elliot. There is also a long list of runners that Humbert said have improved the most throughout the season. He mentioned Hannah Snow, Crew Ashton, Ali Hansen, Logan Robbins, Whitney Fisher, Mark Marriott, Grant Marriott, Isaac Lofgren, Lilee Ferguson, Jainee Ferguson, Leila Lopez, Laia Barrat, Kaily Truon, Reilly Truong, Lydia Hall and Summer Hansen as those who have made big progress.

“Olympus High School’s team strengths have been our depth—considering the overall size of our team—our team unity and our consistent work ethic,” Humbert said.

Indeed, the Titans don’t have the size

of team that other school have. A total of 58 runners are on the squad. The Titans have also dealt with some injuries, including one to Brenen Elliot, who should be back for state competition. There were also some unforeseen transportation issues, including one where the team’s charter bus canceled hours before the Titans were supposed to travel to Boise for a big meet. Luckily, Skyline High School’s cross country team came to the rescue, helping Olympus to get to the race. Humbert’s wife also rented three minivans to assist with the travel.

Overall, Humbert said his first season has been a memorable one so far.

“Our ridiculous success at the Bob Firman XC Invitational in Boise will never be forgotten,” he said. “Being blessed with two of the very best cross country athletes in the nation at the same time is once-in-lifetime stuff. Seeing athletes smile and have a great time, whether it's cheering on their teammates or singing wildly to Taylor Swift and Disney songs, was so much fun. These are great kids, talented athletes and inspirational students. I’m very fortunate.”

Humbert also said he is eager to take the team to the next level and see the program become even stronger.

“Anyone and everyone is invited to join our team,” he said. “We have a lot of fun, race hard and want to grow the team. Please join us next year at Olympus High School.” l

Olympus cross country starts JoJo Jourdon and Adria Favero after an unprecedented sweep of the Bob Forman XC Elite Races. (Photo courtesy of Christophe Humbert)

Holladay Artist Aidan Davis focuses on carving decorative fishing lures

Aquick smile and a kind heart are evident when first meeting October’s Holladay Artist of the Month Aidan Davis. A closer look reveals a tenacious young man who sets and achieves goals with laser focus and persistence as a student, marathon runner and fishing lure artist.

When Davis walked across the auditorium stage at Olympus High School in 2023 to receive his diploma, he had already received an associate’s degree from Snow College. His future scholastic goal is to attend BYU-Idaho in two years to complete a degree in construction management.

“At the end of September, I’m leaving for Indiana to serve an LDS mission,” Davis said. “When I return to Utah in September of 2025, I plan to attend BYU-Idaho. I only have three years left to complete my bachelor’s degree in construction management. I want to become a general contractor and to build residential houses.”

Davis’s talent for building and crafting with wood is evident in his handcarved decorative fishing lures. Fishing with his mother and grandfather at an early age, he learned to enjoy the sport and

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

eventually had the desire to craft his own fishing lures.

“I’ve been a fisherman my entire life,” Davis said. “My mom and my grandpa planted that seed. My favorite place to fish is in the Uinta’s. Recently, I returned from a fishing trip to Henry’s Lake in Idaho outside of Yellowstone. Usually, I lake fish from a float tube which allows me to fish areas that hold the most fish. When I first saw a hand-carved fishing lure, I knew I wanted to learn to make them. Also, I’m a fly fisherman. One of my best friend’s dads taught me how to fly fish when I was 14. The Provo River and Mill Creek Canyon are both great places to fly fish.”

Carving fishing lures is a unique art form. The lures Davis carves are pieces of art and not used for fishing. His lures are usually carved from basswood which is a soft wood and easy to carve. Hand-carved lures that are used for fishing are usually made from a hard wood such as oak. Oak is more resilient to repeated f`ish strikes. When crafting a lure, Davis draws out the lure design on paper and then transfers it to the basswood. He saws, sands and whittles the block into the desired shape. He then uses an air brush to paint the lure before giving it a coat of epoxy clear coat. Matching paint color is a delicate and difficult process. The painting and epoxy clear coat process is repeated twice.

Davis won a first-place award in the Holladay Fine Art show for his fishing lure artistic craftmanship. Celebrate Utah Wild Life traveling exhibit will be displaying his award-winning lures throughout Utah for the next three years.

A marathon runner, Davis completed the Deseret News Marathon in three hours and 16 minutes. Recently, he competed in the Deer Creek half marathon where he was awarded third place. Two weeks later he laced up his running shoes and ran in the Swiss Days 10K. His short-term and long-term running goals are to train to run in the Wasatch 50-mile ultra marathon while working toward the Moab 240-mile ultra marathon.

“I’m a very goal-oriented person,” Davis said. “Most of my time is spent working toward a goal I’ve set for myself. I’ve learned that if you want to be successful at something you have to stick with it for a significant period of time whether it’s competing in a marathon or carving lures. I have bags of fishing lures that didn’t work out, but I kept trying to learn to carve until I became successful. When I return from my mission, I hope to display my lures in more art shows and festivals.”

Davis’s

If you would like to nominate a Holladay resident for Artist of the Month visit www.holladayarts.org/suggest-an-artist.

For more information about Davis and his decorative fishing lures visit Instagram @Canyon-Custom-Baits. l

fishing lures will be on display through October at Holladay City Hall.

A quick smile and a kind heart are evident when first meeting October’s Holladay Artist of the Month Aidan Davis. A closer look reveals a tenacious young man who sets and achieves goals with laser focus and persistence as a student, marathon runner and fishing lure artist. (Photo credit Aidan Davis)

“I’m a very goal-oriented person,” artist Aidan Davis said. “Most of my time is spent working toward a goal that I’ve set for myself. I’ve learned that if you want to be successful at something you have to stick with it for a significant period of time whether it’s competing in a marathon or carving lures.”

(Photo credit Aidan Davis)

Curbside Theater production ‘Tarotville’ offers unique performance

TheSB Dance Curbside Theater pulled up at Holladay City Hall Park Sept. 16 for an innovative, multi-dimensional evening performance under the stars. “Tarotville,” a one-ofa-kind pop-up theater production, provided an interactive opportunity for the audience to select tarot cards to determine the direction of the contemporary dance and live music performance.

Stephen Brown, artistic and executive director of the SB Dance troupe, opened the curbside theater performance with acknowledgement and appreciation to the Holladay Arts Council for sponsoring the event and to Utah Arts and Museums, National Endowment for the Arts, and Zoo, Arts & Parks for their funding of the performance.

Curbside theater’s mobile traveling performance troupe pulls a small trailer up to the location of the viewer and within minutes assembles a portable, outdoor stage to offer high- quality, short-piece dance performance to be experienced from the convenience of a lawn chair.

“There are many qualities that make curbside theater good, professional art,” Brown said. “But what makes Curbside Theater a singular product is how it miniaturizes spectacle into a mobile, affordable package. In terms of the number of artists, duration, and technical

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

complexity, Curbside is roughly equivalent to what audiences see at the Rose Wagner or Capitol Theatre. But we pack all that into something that can pop up in a park, on a rooftop, or under sandstone cliffs.”

Ischa Bee and Raffi Shahinian, an electro-pop duo, wrote three original songs for the “Tarotville” production. Bee’s vocal performance included songs in French, Armenian, German and Portuguese accompanied by Shahinian, guitarist extraordinaire.

“We’ve been working with Stephen Brown since 2015,” Bee said. “In 2020, we were getting ready to perform at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, and due to the pandemic, they shut down the theater. Stephen came up with the idea of doing pop-up performances since we could no longer perform at Rose Wagner. The plan was for people to sign up for a performance, and then we would go and perform in front of their house. That first summer, we went to over 100 locations and performed for over 1,000 people. All of us enjoy the experience of performing outside.”

Holladay Arts Council Executive Director Sheryl Gillilan said she enjoys bringing art events to Holladay that are unique and out of the box—it provides opportunity to broaden a person’s perception by influencing critical thinking.

“It was a perfect night to ‘hear our cards read,’” Gillilan said. “‘Tarotville’ is predicting we will have many hopeful and loving experiences ahead in our lives, as well as some challenging times—and I’m sure they’re right.”

For more information about SB Dance Curbside Theater performance and suggested audience guidelines visit: curbsidetheater.sbdance.com/.l

“Tarotville”

is a one-of-a-kind pop-up theater experience. The interactive production allows the audience to select tarot cards to determine the direction of the contemporary dance and live music performance.

(Photo credit SB Dance Curbside Theater)

Q & A Business Spotlight

Megan Sewell owns Wild Sage Acupuncture in Cottonwood Heights. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Utah and maintains diplomat status at the national level:

NCCAOM. Megan also has a Master’s degree in Science with a focus on Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine. She has 15 years of experience in the field of medicine and opened her clinic in Cottonwood Heights in 2021.

Q: What services do you offer?

A: As a holistic endocrinologist and pain specialist, I do acupuncture, cupping, diet guidance, and internal medicine in the form of herbs and key supplements.

Q: What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A: Our 100% natural therapies address the root cause of acute / chronic pain and hormonal imbalances. Your body never forgets how to heal, it just needs the right guidance and support. Through simple treatment strategies, along with our targeted acupuncture sessions, we provide a clear and concise way of improving your health and wellbeing. We offer a free initial consultation to see if our services are a good fit.

Q: Does your business solve a problem for your customers?

A: We offer solutions that Western medicine fails to provide. By reducing or eliminating pain, improving sleep and energy levels, and lowering physical and emotional stress for our

patients, on a daily basis, we naturally increase quality of life. Many of our patients love acupuncture’s naturally relaxing effects every time they receive treatment.

Q: Who is your ideal client/customer?

A: Anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain and/or nerve related conditions is urged to check us out. We also specialize in women’s hormonal health and infertility.

Q: What factors should potential customers know to make a decision about your business?

A: Our mission at Wild Sage is to provide efficient, cost-effective, natural healthcare.

We accept HSA/FSA cards, provide Superbills for insur-

2258 E Fort Union Blvd #B6 Cottonwood Heights 801-849-8312

ance reimbursement, and have a financing solution through CareCredit.

Q: What can customers expect from your business?

A: We will do a detailed assessment of your symptom or pain pattern, medical history, and other factors to determine the best way to treat you. If you follow the plan laid out, our experience has shown that we get quick and effective results, and once you are strong and well you do not need ongoing visits or treatments.

Q: Are you offering any specials?

A: We always offer free consultations and your first treatment is 25% off through May. Call 801-849-8312 to schedule a consultation and visit wildsageacupuncture.com for more information.

We love having our business in Cottonwood Heights to engage this wonderful community and be a source of renewed hope in healthcare. Find us on Facebook at @WildSageAcupuncture and on Instagram @wildsageacu.

“Megan is a world class acupuncturist who has helped me with pain from a spinal injury and chronic nerve pain… gratefully, Megan and her team helped me to recover holistically. I recommend her to my friends and family all the time.” – Sean

The Truth is Out There

Depending on who you ask, aliens have either 1) frequently visited our planet, 2) never visited our planet, or 3) are currently running our planet.

It’s been quite a year for Unidentified Flying Objects, which are now called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. (Tomayto, tomahto.) These “extraterrestrial” vessels made the news, created a TikTok channel and had their own congressional hearing.

In early 2023, the Air Force started blasting weather balloons out of the sky. Although weather balloons have been used since 1896, it’s only in the last year the balloons became malicious enough to be shot down. It’s definitely American to shoot first and never ask questions.

It reminds me of the 1978 video game Space Invaders, where the goal was to blast UFOs out of the atmosphere before they reached Earth. Whether the current UAPs were peace emissaries from Alpha Centauri or galactic multi-level-marketing sales-aliens, we’ll never know.

Look at it this way. If you launched a celebratory lightspeed rocket on the day Jesus was born, it would still be in the Milky Way Galaxy, even traveling for 2,000 years at the speed of light. So if a flying saucer made its way across its galaxy and our galaxy, it would take hundreds of thousands of light years to reach us, only to be casually shot down by an F-22.

Maybe they were on their way to teach

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

us how to travel at lightspeed, how to create a functional Congress or how to evolve so our skin glows in the dark. We’ll never know.

UFO sightings occur all over the world, but the U.S. has the most interaction with aliens. The Roswell crash in 1947 was the first “flying saucer” wreckage that authorities said was a UFO, then it was a weather balloon, then it was Carl’s tractor from down the road and then it was the remnants of an atomic test, which didn’t make anyone feel better.

Air Force pilots share stories of strange objects in the sky, security cameras capture “meteors” and eerie lights, and there was a congressional hearing to talk about what the government isn’t telling us. Spoiler alert: the government keeps a lot of secrets.

Many people are convinced the pyramids were built with alien technology. Some people think UFOs travel the world making intricate designs in crops, kind of like alien graffiti. Others point out the first microchip was created just 10 years after the Roswell crash. Coincidence?

Hmmmm.

Records from Rome (AD 65) and Ireland (AD 740) document chariots flying through the clouds or ships floating in the air, filled with people. Too bad there wasn’t an F-22 to shoot them down.

“War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells was written in the late 1890s. It was one of the first novels that detailed an alien invasion on Earth. People lost their minds when Orson Welles dramatized it on a 1938 radio show.

I’m not saying UFOs are real. I’m not saying they’re not. But sightings have increased, usually in the form of an orb, a disc, a triangle,

a cylinder, an egg, a toaster, a VW Bug or other random shapes.

I’ve been saying for years that Earth is a hit reality show in the universe and little green men (or blue or white or gray) watch the hilarious antics on our dumpster fire of a planet while eating alien popcorn.

It’s pretty egocentric of us to think we’re the only planet with intelligent life. And I use the word “intelligent” lightly. I hope somewhere in the universe there’s a planet where the inhabitants live in peace and work together to create new ideas. I just hope they don’t come here. We’ll shoot them out of the sky.l