Wrapping up in warmth
Special Section
By Giovanni Radtke | g.radtke@mycityjournals.com
Aused-cardealership was denied permis-
sion to open on State Street after the Midvale City Council rejected the car company’s request to rezone its sales lot to a more commercially friendly precinct.
Excel Motor Co. originally applied for a business license in August, but it was denied because its four properties – 7634 South, 7636 South, 7638 South and 76407642 South State Street – are on the northern edge of the Midvale Center Station area. The car dealership requested that city lawmakers redesignate its properties to the State Street Zone (SSC), an area permitting a diverse range of commercial businesses. But the council rejected the request Feb. 3.
City lawmakers said the rezone would defeat the purpose of the Midvale Center TRAX Station corridor.
“The idea is that we need that area to be something else … a walkable use to TRAX,” Councilmember Bryant Brown said at the February meeting. “And this, in my opinion, would feel like quickly giving up on that, and [residents might ask] ‘why did we allow it right by people to begin with?’ and it just looks like ‘well we had an applicant who asked and we said yes’ as opposed to ‘we have this bigger master plan.’”
Midvale’s Planning Commission recommended the council rezone Excel Motor’s properties into the SSC in January.
City planners believed the dealership would fulfill Midvale’s master plan’s vision to “provide a commercial opportunity zone for businesses,” Jonathan Anderson, a Midvale City planner, said to the council before the vote. He added that the car dealership could help aid the city’s tax base, as sales tax revenue is slowly declining.
Still, Brown said there are already several car dealerships on State Street, so Excel
Motor might not generate a lot of business in the SSC zone.
“I think people want to see something besides used car sales in that area, so there was an intentional exclusion,” Brown said.
Councilmember Heidi Robinson concurred, adding that the sales lot will be “just a wide expanse of more concrete.”
During public comment, Midvale resident Sue Armitage expressed concerns
similar to Robinson’s about the additional concrete lots along State Street.
“Seems like between South Salt Lake and Sandy, there are just a plethora of small used car lots, and personally, I just don’t like the aesthetic,” she said.
To assuage concerns about a mass of asphalt parking, Paul Jones, an attorney representing Excel Motor, told the council that the car company will not operate a traditional dealership. Excel Motor would sell cars through its website and have a rotating selection of about 10 used vehicles at the Midvale lot.
“They basically sell [cars] on the internet and meet the consumer at the location,” Jones said. “... It’s basically just an office space where vehicles will be sold through that method, but it’s not actually a car lot; just vehicle sales will be conducted there.”
But Midvale City leaders were not swayed by the dealership’s online business model.
The Center Street TRAX zone is meant to “add a certain level of walkability and vitalization,” Robinson said. “And since this is an online business, this isn’t going to provide any of that. There isn’t going to be any people walking around.”
Councilmember Denece Mikolash agreed with Robinson and emphasized the need to follow the city’s master plan.
“I think the intent is to change the direction of this [area] and the plan is there for a purpose,” Mikolash said. “And until the general plan changes, then we should continue to see what happens there.” l
City Planner Jonathan Anderson presenting the
(Courtesy of Midvale)
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Midvale City Council approves Murray’s Fashion Place West station plan
Midvale’s role in the plan is to conform its northernmost point with Murray City’s jobs and mixeduse zoning.
By Giovanni Radtke g.radtke@mycityjournals.com
TheMidvale City Council approved the adoption of Murray City’s Fashion Place West Station Area Plan on Feb. 3. The plan includes increasing the number of mixeduse housing units near the railway station and improving walkable connections from the train terminal to surrounding neighborhoods and Fashion Place Mall.
Midvale’s city staff worked with Murray on the station master plan because – under Utah state law – station plans must cover a half-mile radius around a train depot. And a small portion of Midvale’s northernmost point lies within the half-mile boundary of Fashion Place West Station.
“This really just encompasses some properties along Cottonwood Street and 400 West,” Midvale’s Community Development Director Adam Olsen told the council in February. “It might encompass one or two full properties, but largely just portions of other ones.”
Olsen added that a grant from the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) fully funded Midvale’s work on the station plan.
Midvale’s role in the Fashion Place West Plan is to conform with Murray’s “jobs and mixed-use zoning.” Murray’s station area plan lays out a 30-year vision that includes converting sections of Fashion Place Mall’s parking lot into a mix of houses and office buildings; creating a community park within the Jefferson Park district; and activating commercial activity along the Winchester Bridge.
The mixed-use zone also aims to create a housing community on land owned by the Utah Transit Authority in the “station’s core.” “Development in the Station Core will be anchored by the redevelopment of UTA-owned parcels, transitioning surface parking and underutilized property into a vibrant mixed-use campus with active ground floors and high-quality public realm that encourages walking, biking and transit use,” the Fashion West Station Area Plan reads.
“This goes right along with what we’d like to see here [in Midvale] in the future as this area redevelops, we’d really like to see higher densities and mixed use,” Olsen said.
Every locality with a train station must provide state officials with a station area plan after House Bill 462 was signed into law in 2022. The three train stations in Midvale –Bingham Junction, Midvale Center and Midvale Fort Union – already have plans in place.
Mayor Dustin Gettel said he is
proud of all the work the city’s staff put into developing the three station plans.
“I was in a WFRC meeting two weeks ago, and there are some communities much larger than Midvale talking about how they have … one station area plan, but Midvale, six square miles, has three station area plans,” Gettel said. “ … And I’m proud to say that I don’t think there’s another city, not even Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, who has as many of these station area plans as little sixsquare-mile Midvale.” l
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Fashion Place West station. (Giovanni Radtke/City Journals
Map of Murray City and surrounding municipalities. (Courtesy of Midvale)
Life Skills Academy students are learning independence and they’re documenting it through producing a monthly newsletter.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Voicerecorders in hand and cameras
slung on their shoulders, Life Skills Academy students are stepping into roles familiar to any newsroom. They are brainstorming story ideas, interviewing staff, photographing classmates and drafting articles as part of the school’s journalism class.
The class produces a monthly, student-run newsletter that documents life at Life Skills Academy, a post-secondary transition program.
“We have a group of students who report and publish the newsletter each month,” said first-year Life Skills Academy Principal Stacey Nofsinger. “Their first one was in October and it’s a student-voice publication. They do every step of it from coming up with article ideas to interviewing, writing, taking photographs and laying it out. It’s great.”
The newsletter introduces readers to Life Skills Academy’s community members while giving students a platform to express themselves creatively.
“They like the variety,” Nofsinger said. “In one section, they’re introducing staff members and students; in another, they might include a word search or crossword puzzle. It’s what they determine should be published.”
For Nofsinger, the importance of student voice goes beyond producing a newsletter.
“It’s important for our students to use their voice and develop skills in writing, organization and talking to people,” she said. “They’re representing their peers and
Learning life skills one article at a time
themselves versus just following directions from adults.”
Post high school
Life Skills Academy is a post-secondary program for about 75 students with disabilities ages 18-22 who have completed high school, but need additional time to develop life and job skills.
Nofsinger emphasized independence is the program’s central goal.
“We’re teaching money skills, self-advocacy, meal planning and boundaries, all of those things build independence, so students don’t rely on other people fully to handle those tasks,” she said.
While some students may eventually live on their own, Nofsinger said most will continue to need supervision or support, either at home or in a group home setting, but through hands-on lessons and internships, they’ll learn many skills needed for real life.
Students create their own schedules, typically taking six classes four days per week, with one day reserved for community experiences where many will attend adaptive county library programs or try adaptive bowling.
Life Skills Academy integrates classroom learning with real-world experiences. Students spend part of their week in classes on topics such as home management, internet safety or cooking and part of it out in the community, learning shopping, dining and workplace skills.
Many, like Luke Hanks, also participate
in job placements, taking public transportation.
“I go out in the community every week,” said Hanks, who previously attended Alta High. “Sometimes we go to lunch and shop after. I work at Sam’s Club organizing and throwing away empty containers.”
He recently was recognized there as the employee of the month.
Some opt to perform school-based learning opportunities, practicing stocking shelves, floral arranging, custodial work, nutrition planning and delivery or caring for the school’s hydro farm to gain skills.
The hands-on approach extends to future goals Nofsinger envisions for Life Skills Academy.
“I would love to have a fully functioning cafe, a bakery, even a laundromat-style space so students can practice real-life skills,” she said. “We want to them to learn to cook, clean and manage tasks independently.”
When students turn 22 and complete that year of schooling, many receive a post-secondary certificate of completion, acknowledging the additional four years of preparation for life beyond high school.
“This is continuing education,” Nofsinger said. “It’s a robust program designed to teach students what they need for life beyond high school.”
Students voice in action
Back in the journalism classroom, students like Hanks are discovering the power of their voice.
“I’m working on spotlights about the students and teachers,” he said. “I’m taking the important and interesting parts of the interviews for the spotlights.”
For him, the newsletter is more than an assignment; it’s an opportunity in gaining confidence and advocacy.
“I’m learning how I can write and make sense on my own and share what I know,” Hanks said.
His classmate, Jaxson Smith, said he has learned how to be more assertive.
“I’ve learned how to ask questions and get answers,” he said. “Sometimes, when I go into a big class, it takes a while to write them all down. Then, I find the best answers to use in the newsletter.”
Other students say they’ve also developed skills in technology, art and photography through producing the newsletter in addition to writing.
Every issue reinforces Life Skills Academy’s dual mission of developing essential life skills while giving students an opportunity to decide what is important and be heard.
“They’re adults,” journalism instructor Tessa Marrelli said. “Their opinions matter, and a lot of them are learning how to advocate for themselves in this new adult role. This allows them the opportunity to have a voice; they’re learning the skills and gaining the confidence they will use as they become more independent.”l
Life Skills Academy students show recent issues of the newsletter they write, photograph and produce. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Nancy Diaz Malanche is one of several students who work with vegetables grown in Life Skills Academy’s hydro farm. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Life Skills Academy’s Mitchell Burt practices stocking shelves as a valuable skill he can use toward a greater independence. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Urban Air Adventure Park takes flight at Fort Union
The first Utah location opens with fun and fanfare.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Hundreds of parents and kids showed up to welcome Urban Air Adventure Park to Midvale. On Jan. 31, the family entertainment center held a grand opening at its first-ever location in Utah (7220 S. Union Park Ave.), with attractions like the Sky Rider zipline, Spin Zone bumper cars, a ropes course and climbing walls.
“We didn’t want to just open another play place. We wanted to build the ultimate destination,” said Diby Roy, Urban Air franchise owner. “Families in Midvale, Cottonwood Heights and Sandy have been waiting for a premium venue that works for everyone, from the toddler on a playdate to the teenager on a Friday night date. We’ve built the place where you go to make memories, not just burn time.”
The Urban Air Adventure Park also features a play area with seven slides, including the Launch Slide, where riders catch air on the landing; a slide for tandem racing; and the double tube slides with dynamic lighting effects.
Attendees can ride the Flip Zone bumper cars, play laser tag, navigate the
With the Spin Zone bumper cars, drivers can flip, twirl and spin, taking the ride in an entirely new direction. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
obstacle course and fly through the air on the zipline-type Sky Glider.
“We’re really excited to bring this here,” said General Manager Anna Powell. “We’ve got so many different things and attractions, and our three main core things are: clean, safe and kind. We do daily checks on all of our equipment, sometimes
The popular Sky Rider allows people to soar over their friends and families in a zipline-type adventure. (Peri Kinder/ City Journals)
even twice a day, to make sure every single bolt and screw is working properly.”
For more information, including hours and memberships, visit Urbanair.com. l
The extensive ropes course at Urban Air Adventure is a challenging route for people of all ages. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
Midvale community wraps students in warmth
Wrapped in new blankets, Midvale Elementary second graders experienced a lesson in community kindness.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Wrapped in their newly opened blankets, Midvale Elementary students in Amanda Kraft’s class settled in to watch a holiday movie in the last hours before winter break.
They were amongst the four classes of second graders who received a new blanket donated by individuals and businesses in the Midvale community.
Kraft thanked those who supported her blanket drive.
“Thank you for all your support during my 2025 Christmas blanket drive,” she said. “Your support made it possible to give over 110 second graders a warm blanket that they will use for years. We were also able to help many families as well. During this crazy and frightening time, it is so wonderful to see our community come together to keep our kiddos warm at Christmas. This was truly a Midvale community event, and I am so thankful that we have community members like you
who step up and help where they can. You have all warmed and filled my heart. Thank you all.”
This was the sixth year Kraft has held a blanket drive for Midvale Elementary students and families. The students also received stocking hats and other goodies from donors in individual stockings.
She already has begun accepting blankets for next December. Community members can drop off blankets at the school office, 7830 S. Chapel St., between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. For additional information, Kraft can be contacted at amandakraft@canyonsdistrict.org. l
This was truly a Midvale community event, and I am so thankful that we have community members like you who step up and help where they can. You have all warmed and filled my heart. Thank you all.
Amanda Kraft
Two Midvale Elementary second graders shared their excitement in receiving new blankets, stocking hats and stockings. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Midvale Elementary STEAM Night sparks discovery
With help from teachers, volunteers and a local robotics team, students engaged in hands-on learning.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
With wide eyes and busy hands, Midvale Elementary students explored a world of robots, puzzles and sweet science during the school’s Family STEAM Night. With curiosity leading the way, students and their families discovered interactive STEAM activities that were accessible and connected to everyday life.
Offering STEAM experiments set up from Canyons School District which align with curriculum standards, Midvale added several unique elements, including a cotton candy creation station that explored the science behind the sweet treat, displays from Brain Booster classes and student-created projects such as bridges from STEM classes and lava lamp paintings from their art rotation.
“The provided activities aim to help families grasp the essence of STEAM and its connection to children’s daily play,” said Heidi Sanger, Midvale Elementary community school facilitator. “By asking the right questions, routine activities can take on greater significance.”
Midvale Elementary families tried hands-on learning activities, such as magnetic rings, during the school’s STEAM Night. (Photo courtesy of Heidi Sanger/Midvale Elementary)
The activities are designed to build interest in STEAM while emphasizing the four C’s: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
Students and families rotated through challenges such as the Code & Go Mouse
Challenge, Snap Circuits, LittleBits coding kids, marble runs, KEVA planks, K’NEX, magnets, pattern block symmetry and even a Hot Wheels racetrack challenge.
Teachers and community members, including Rise Life Church members, led activ-
ities. The church volunteers also served pizza; earlier in the school year, they helped with Back-to-School Night and have assisted with clothing distributions.
Students could meet “Kevin,” the robot brought by the 17230 Aluminum Falcons, a Sandy-based FIRST Tech Challenge robots team made up of area middle and high school students. The team demonstrated the robot and introduced students to the FIRST competitive robotics world.
Families also took home books, many STEM-related, donated by Progressive Leasing.
“I do think that families had a fun experience, but also a learning experience,” Sanger said. “It is a great opportunity to demonstrate that play and fun activities are also learning opportunities.”
She said by hosting STEAM nights, it has helped reduce fear around subjects such as math and science while empowering families to support learning at home. It has helped to strengthen relationships between the school and the community.
For Sanger, seeing the families together was meaningful.
“Having families come and enjoy time with their children, participating in activities with them and seeing the smiles on their faces is the best part,” she said.
Midvale Elementary will next host a Family Literacy Night on March 24.l
You Can Adopt: Helping Adopted Pups Feel at Home with the 3-3-3 Method
Adopting a dog is a joyful, life-changing experience, but it also comes with an adjustment period that many new pet parents don’t expect. Rescue dogs need time to transition from shelter life into a home, and the Shelter to Home, 3-3-3 Method is a simple way to understand what that process looks like.
The 3-3-3 Method reminds us that adoption isn’t a test period, it’s a transition.
With understanding, structure, and compassion, rescue dogs don’t just adjust, they thrive.
When you adopt, you’re not just giving a dog a home.
You’re giving them the time they need to become family.
3 Days:
The first few days are about helping your dog feel safe. Your new pup may seem overwhelmed, quiet, or unsure all completely normal responses to a big change.
During this phase: Keep things calm and predict-
Limit visitors and stimulation Focus on basic needs like food, potty breaks, and rest
This is your dog learning, “I’m safe here.”
As your dog settles in, their personality begins to emerge. They’re learning your schedule, house rules, and how to communicate with you.
Consistency matters most during this stage. Clear routines and patience help your dog understand what’s expected and build confidence in their new environment.
By around three months, many dogs begin to truly relax. Trust grows, bonds deepen, and your dog starts to feel like part of the family.
This doesn’t happen overnight; it happens because you gave them time.
IF YOU NEED HELP with your pup’s adjustment, Dogtopia is a great way to help your PUP ADJUST to their new life. We suggest a 2-3 week time period of adjustment before bringing them in. Go to
Top spellers to compete at the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee
The Greater Northern Spelling Bee will be held on Saturday, March 7, at Wasatch Jr. High.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
More than 100 schools will be represented at the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 7, at 9 a.m. at Wasatch Jr. High in Millcreek (3750 S. 3100 East). Sponsored by the City Journals community newspapers, the winner of the event will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee during the final week of May.
Students participating in the regional bee will complete a written test before the competition, and everyone will have the opportunity to spell one word on stage. After finalizing the written test results, the top spellers will be announced and they will compete for the state championship, starting at approximately 11 a.m.
“The spelling bee teaches children the importance of hard work and aiming for the best,” said City Journals People Leader Elizabeth Sweat. “Preparing for an experience like this helps them gain confidence while strengthening language skills that further their education.”
The City Journals has hosted the regional spelling bee since 2014 and covers the trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and one parent. City Journals Publisher Bryan Scott is proud to host the event each year, allowing these students to shine.
“I’ve been honored to host and sponsor this event for the last 12 years because it’s an investment in future leaders,” Scott said. “It’s been so much fun sending the winner to Washington, D.C., and watching them compete at the highest level. We’ve had some really smart kids come through this program.”
Last year’s winner, Roshan Kaushik from Challenger School Traverse Mountain, won the regional bee and took the stage at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, finishing tied for 36th.
Help send the regional champion to Washington, D.C., to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee by donating through the QR code. l
Last year’s winner, Roshan Kaushik, won the Northern Utah Regional Spelling Bee presented by the City Journals and went to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national bee. This year’s regional bee will be held on Saturday, March 7. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
Huskies battle Taylorsville in close region matchup
Hillcrest girls basketball lost to Taylorsville in a hard-fought region game although they remain ahead of the Warriors in the standings.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Hillcrest High School girls basketball battled through a close matchup against Taylorsville on Feb. 3, falling 33-30 in a low-scoring contest. The game was tied at halftime and although the Huskies outscored the Warriors in the fourth quarter, they were unable to close the gap. Seniors Bella Christensen, Abbi Clark, Addison Hone and Emily Mandel combined for 19 points. Despite the loss, the Huskies are fifth in 5A region 4 standings as of early February, ahead of Taylorsville. The 5A state tournament was set to begin Feb. 17, with championship play concluding Feb. 27 at the University of Utah.l
Hillcrest Huskies play defense against Taylorsville Warriors in the Feb. 3 region game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY
City Hall
801-567-7200
Finance/Utilities 801-567-7200
Court 801-567-7265
City Attorney’s O ce 801-567-7250
City Recorder/Human Resources 801-567-7228
Community Development 801-567-7211
Public Works 801-567-7235
Ace Disposal/Recycling 801-363-9995
Midvale Historical Museum 801-567-7285
Midvale Senior Center ....................... 385-468-3350
SL County Animal Services .............. 385-468-7387
Communications ................................. 801-567-7230
MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor - Dustin Gettel
Email: Dgettel@midvaleut.gov
CITY COUNCIL
District 1 - Bonnie Billings
Email: Bbillings@midvaleut.gov
District 2 - Paul Glover
Email: Pglover@midvaleut.gov
District 3 - Heidi Robinson
Email: Hrobinson@midvaleut.gov
District 4 - Bryant Brown
Email: Bbrown@midvaleut.gov
District 5 - Denece Mikolash
Email: Dmikolash@midvaleut.gov
WHO TO CALL FOR…
Water Bills ............................................... 801-567-7200
Ordering A New Trash Can 801-567-7202
Permits 801-567-7214
Court ........................................................ 801-567-7265
Paying For Tra c School 801-567-7202
Business Licensing 801-567-7213
Cemetery ................................................ 801-567-7235
Planning and Zoning 801-567-7238
Code Enforcement 801-567-7208
Building Inspections........................... 801-567-7214
Graffiti 385-468-9769
PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS
EMERGENCY 911
Police Dispatch ..................................... 801-840-4000
Fire Dispatch ......................................... 801-940-4000
Uni ed Police Department
> Midvale Precinct 385-468-9350
Public Works 801-567-7235
Rocky Mountain Power 877-508-5088
In The Middle of Everything
City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
Midvale Monthly with Mayor Gettel
Walking Safely in Midvale: A Shared Responsibility
One of my favorite leisure activities is walking around Midvale. You’ve probably seen me at one point or another. I often spend time along the Jordan River Trail, enjoying the open space and connection to nature it provides. I also love walking along our developing canal trail system, watching as these pathways gradually knit our neighborhoods closer together. Walking allows me to see our city on an entirely di erent level. I can greet residents, observe improvements, and appreciate the character that makes Midvale special.
Over the past month, our community has experienced two major auto–pedestrian accidents here in Midvale, one resulting in a heartbreaking fatality and another leaving a resident with life-altering injuries. These incidents have shaken our city and serve as a sobering reminder that pedestrian safety is not an abstract policy discussion; it is about our neighbors, our families, and the simple act of moving through our community safely.
Tragically, Midvale is not alone in facing pedestrian safety challenges. In recent months, there have been fatal and near-fatal pedestrian accidents in nearby communities, including Salt Lake City, Millcreek, West Valley City, and Sandy. These incidents underscore a regional concern: our roadways must safely accommodate everyone, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Crosswalk safety is fundamental to that goal. Crosswalks exist to create predictable, protected spaces for people to cross busy streets. For motorists, that means slowing down, remaining vigilant, and yielding to pedestrians as required by law. For pedestrians, it means
Salt Lake County Animal Services
crossing at designated locations, obeying safety signals, and making themselves as visible as possible.
However, we must also acknowledge a di cult truth: even when a pedestrian has the right of way and a walk signal, they remain physically vulnerable. In any collision between a person and a vehicle, the pedestrian will always lose. That is why situational awareness is critical. As pedestrians, we need to remain alert to our surroundings, even in a marked crosswalk. Look left, right, and left again. Make eye contact with approaching drivers to ensure they see you. Do not assume that because you have the legal right of way, you are seen.
Distraction is one of the greatest risks we face. We must put down our phones and eliminate other distractions not only when we are behind the wheel but also when we are crossing major streets and intersections. A few seconds of diverted attention can have irreversible consequences. Drivers should approach intersections and crosswalks with heightened awareness, scanning for pedestrians and anticipating movement.
As a city, we will continue working to improve infrastructure, evaluate tra c patterns, and prioritize safety enhancements. But infrastructure alone cannot solve this challenge. It requires a shared commitment to attentiveness, courtesy, and care for each other.
On behalf of Midvale City, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the two pedestrians recently struck in our community. Let’s honor them by recognizing that safety on our streets is a shared responsibility. Whether we’re behind the wheel or on foot, each of us must commit to vigilance, patience, and care every time we approach a crosswalk, enter an intersection, or travel through our community.
March Brings New Beginnings
Spring is almost here, and at the shelter, you can feel it in the air! Longer days, warmer weather, and a little extra sunshine mean fresh
starts — for our team, our volunteers, and especially the animals waiting for their forever homes.
This time of year is busy. More dogs and cats are coming in, which means more hands are needed to help with care, enrichment, and socialization. That’s where our amazing volunteers and foster families make all the di erence. Even small moments — a walk, a play session, a tasty treat, or a cozy foster bed — can brighten an animal’s day in a big way.
Want to help make new beginnings possible? Here’s how:
Foster a pet: fosters@saltlakecounty.gov
Volunteer at the shelter: animalvolunteer@saltlakecounty.gov
Every bit of help matters. By fostering, volunteering, donating, or simply sharing our posts, you’re giving animals a chance to thrive and nd the loving homes they deserve. Thank you for being part of our community and helping create new beginnings — one paw at a time.
In The Middle of Everything
Midvale City Budget 101: Your Guide to the City Budget Process
It’s budget season! New year, new goals. Are you making plans for the year? So is Midvale City! Except our ( nancial) year doesn’t o cially start until July (called a scal year), so the city starts planning ahead.
Where does the money go?
Midvale City has over 36,000 residents to protect and serve. Our budget pays for:
• Police
• Clean Water
• Sewer and Stormwater
• Roads and Sidewalks
• Parks
• Government Operations
• Sanitation and Streetlighting
• Programs and Services
• Animal Services
• Events
• And much more
Wise Choices
Just like your family’s budget, Midvale City has to make careful choices. We focus on the most urgent projects rst. Some things are out of our control, but our main goal is always to take great care of our community.
Who Works on the Budget
• City Council
• Mayor
• City Manager
• Department Heads and Managers
• Finance Department
TIMELINE
January and February
The City Manager and people in charge of every department (such as Parks and Finance) sit down to talk. They look at how much money is coming into the City and from where. They look at what the City needs to provide for the residents for the next year.
March
The Mayor and City Council review the budget and help decide what is most important for the next year. This is when the rough draft, called a “tentative budget” is posted online and discussed in City Council meetings.
May and June
The City Council makes nal decisions about the budget. Unless they plan to make a change to property taxes, they must nish and “adopt” the nal budget by June 30.
Ongoing Updates
Expect the unexpected. The City makes changes, o cially called “amendments”, during the year, because the City can’t always predict the future. Each amendment is publicly announced and brought to City Council meetings with time for public comment.
Your Voice Matters
Communication and trust between government and residents is very important for a healthy city. The City values what you have to say. Please contact your council member to be involved in the budget process.
• The City Council starts talking about the budget in public meetings in March. This is the best time to come to meetings and share your thoughts and ideas.
• Before the budget is made o cial, also known as adopted, there is a public hearing. You can nd the plans online 10 days before the hearing so you can read them rst. The City will also advertise the meeting 7 days before it happens. This is another great time for you to participate.
Artists Wanted for Midvale Main Art House
The Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City (RDA) is inviting talented and community-focused artists to join the waiting list for the Midvale Main Art House, a vibrant creative hub on Midvale Main Street. This unique space o ers artists the opportunity to rent studio space, collaborate with peers, and share their work with the public through a shared gallery and art shop.
Located in the Midvale Main Arts and Culture, the Midvale Main Art House spans approximately 4,791 square feet, providing each artist with a dedicated 8’x8’ studio area. The space comes equipped with security, electricity, internet, onsite restrooms, and cleaning services, with studio access available 24/7. Rent is $200 per month with a minimum six-month commitment. Artists are asked to spend at least 15 hours per week in the studio, including one weekend day per month, and participate in three community-oriented events during their term.
“Our goal is to create a dynamic, welcoming environment where artists can thrive and the community can engage directly with the creative process,” said Kate Andrus, RDA Director. “Joining the Midvale Main Art House waiting list is the rst step toward being part of this collaborative and inspiring space.”
The Art House Selection Committee oversees governance of the space, including policies, artist selection, scheduling, and curation of artwork for public display. The committee ensures that the Art House remains vibrant, accessible, and aligned with both artist schedules and public visitation.
Art House Open Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Artists interested in being part of this exciting initiative are encouraged to join the waiting list today. Space is limited, and the RDA is seeking artists eager to engage with the community and contribute to a ourishing creative environment.
Learn more at EngageMidvale.com/Art-House.
MARCH 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER
MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV
Midvale Art House: Classes, Events, & Local Art
“The Art House is here to build inclusive creative spaces where art becomes a tool for connection, healing, belonging, and inviting people of all backgrounds to create and not consume.” – J.J. Riggs, founder of the Creative Rebellion and resident artist at the Midvale Main Art House.
The Midvale Main Art House supports ve local artists who share their skills, stories, and passion with the community. Each artist has their own expertise and value to bring to the city and community.
NETWORK
EVENTS
Join in for free at open house events! The artists host events with activities like free art projects, live music, silent auctions, fortune-telling, and time with the artists.
The Art House is also open during Midvale Main Street events. Drop by for special activities!
CLASSES
“Art is really about the journey. It’s about showing up, having the courage to be vulnerable and go on this journey without any expectations.” – Riggs
There is a class for everyone! You are invited to enjoy creativity without judgment or boundaries.
Class o erings change regularly. Keep your eye on the website to see what classes are coming next. Classes that have been o ered in the past are: Pysanky egg art, Basquiat lessons, “Anything But a Brush” painting, collage art, and more.
• Class size: 8 – 12 people
• Cost per class: Starting at $25
• Sign up online: TheCreativeRebellion.org/book-a-class
ART FOR SALE
“We all do very di erent art. It comes from our heart. Something here is going to appeal to everyone.” – Riggs
Come see original art. You can nd original canvas art, prints, Pysanky eggs, handmade wood utensils, stickers, upcycled clothing, and more. There is something for every wallet size, from $5 and up.
Artist J.J. Riggs started Creative Rebellion, a network where artists and businesses connect and grow together.
As part of the Rebellion, the resident artists o er their time and expertise as mentors and connect with other aspiring artists, from their rst sketches to their latest masterpieces. Drop in, or schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your needs, your hopes and your future.
Their next step is an online database to help businesses and creators nd each other. This software makes it easy for people to hire artists like dancers, musicians, and painters. It is a work in progress, so watch for it to launch soon.
THE ARTISTS IN THE MIDVALE MAIN ART HOUSE
Abel the Artist — abeltheartist.com | @abeltheartist
Abel is known for his gurative and still life work that spans painting and sculpture art. A longtime contributor to Midvale’s arts scene, he serves on the Midvale Arts Council and the city’s Mural Selection Committee, bringing both artistic rigor and civic perspective to the Art House.
Adrianne Freeman — @adriannefreeman
Freeman is a multidisciplinary artist working across drawing, collage, photography, and traditional Pysanky egg art. She plays a central role at the Art House as a teaching artist and event lead, helping design and host classes and community gatherings that make art approachable for artists of all experience levels.
J.J. Riggs - thecreativerebellion.org | @thecreativerebell
Riggs is a multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on emotionally resonant portraiture. Working primarily in oil, her paintings explore identity, vulnerability, and human connection. She is the founder of The Creative Rebellion and serves on the Midvale Redevelopment Public Art Board, where she advocates for accessible, community-centered art.
Shantelle Sommers — @Tellikinesis
Sommers is a visual artist utilizing upcycled textiles, wearable art, and acrylic paintings. At the Art House, she supports the creative ecosystem through teaching, event execution, and community outreach, helping connect artists and is considered ‘the glue’ of The Art House artists.
LEARN MORE
EngageMidvale.com/art-house | TheCreativeRebellion.org
Midvale Main Art House Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
March Is Endometriosis Awareness Month
FUnderstanding Endometriosis: Helping Women Avoid Struggling in Silence
or many women, pelvic pain is dismissed as “normal” or “just part of being a woman.”
But sometimes that pain is a symptom of a chronic condition called endometriosis that affects millions. It’s a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain, infertility, and a range of other debilitating symptoms.
Endometriosis isn’t just about bad period cramps. It can lead to significant pain during menstruation, intercourse, bowel movements, and urination. It can also cause chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, and is a leading cause of infertility
“The emotional and psychological toll of endometriosis can be immense, especially for women who dismiss their pain and go undiagnosed. This condition han have a profound impact on their relationships, careers, and overall quality of life,” said Lisa Hill, certified nurse midwife at Holy Cross Hospital – West Valley
Endometriosis is surprisingly common. It affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age globally. In our local community, this means thousands of women are likely living with endometriosis, many of whom may not even realize they have it. The delay in diagnosis is a critical concern,
with women often waiting an average of 7 to 10 years from the onset of symptoms to receive an accurate diagnosis. This delay can lead to the progression of the disease and increased severity of symptoms. Raising awareness is crucial to shorten this diagnostic journey for future generations.
“While there is currently no cure for endometriosis, effective treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment approaches are highly individualized, depending on the severity of symptoms, the extent of the disease, and whether the woman desires to become pregnant,” said Dr. Christopher Hutchison, an OB/ GYN at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley Common treatment options include:
• Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers (like NSAIDs) can help with mild pain, while stronger prescription medications may be necessary for severe pain.
• Hormonal Therapies: These treatments aim to slow the growth of endometrial tissue and prevent new implants by regulating or blocking the hormones that fuel their growth.
• Conservative Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure where a surgeon can precisely locate and remove endo-
metrial implants while preserving reproductive organs. This can significantly reduce pain and improve fertility outcomes for some women.
• Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: In severe cases where other treatments have failed and childbearing is complete, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) and/or ovaries (oophorectomy) may be considered, though this is typically a last resort and does not guarantee complete relief from symptoms.
• Complementary Therapies: Many women find relief through complementary approaches such as acupuncture, physical therapy, dietary changes, and stress management techniques.
If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent pelvic pain, unusually heavy periods, or difficulty conceiving, please don’t dismiss these symptoms. Talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan are key to managing endometriosis and living a healthier, more comfortable life. CommonSpirit Health is committed to supporting women’s health and offers resources for diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
For more information or to find a provider visit mountain.commonspirit.org Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site.
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake has been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria for evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Find emergency care close to you at mountain.commonspirit.org.
women’s SECTION
A publication covering local influential women in honor of International Women’s Day
The small team holding up the hope of change for Utah women
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
The Utah Women and Leadership Project, founded by Susan Madsen, is a research pumping machine with a goal of making Utah a better place by empowering women and removing obstacles.
A lone silhouette is a harsh contrast against the glare of a lit monitor.
Before the sun comes up, Susan Madsen sits at her computer: inbox and task list open for the day. While the house is quiet, her inbox starts to fill up for the day.
“Early morning…it’s been invaluable for me,” she said. “I always was up earlier than anybody, and it would be quiet, and I could make sense of the world.”
She uses the slow time to plan out her day and answer each email, following her team standard that “everyone deserves an answer.”
“I have a process of looking at my day, looking at my workload, figuring things out,” she said. “I reprioritize every single day.”
She might even reprioritize multiple times in a day. She’s constantly moving and pushing forward despite the odds and a small team.
Madsen, in addition to her professorship at Utah State University, is the founder of the Utah Women and Leadership Project, which has published 21 research-based white paper reports, 65 research snapshots and infographics, 68 research and policy briefs and hosted 45 “Think Tank” gatherings in Utah since 2010.
Madsen and four full-time employees — associate director Brie Sparks, local outreach and curriculum manager Deborah Lin, marketing and communications coordinator Emmalee Chastain, program assistant Kylie Hollingsworth — have
made a big push to raise awareness of the existing gaps in Utah for girls and women.
“Our work is having an impact across the state, and that is what motivates me,” Lin said. “In my role, I have visited 20 of our 29 Utah counties to get to know residents and build relationships to help with grassroots efforts to raise awareness and impact change around issues facing girls, women and families.”
“Everywhere I have been, men and women recognize the need for change.”
The “change” she is referring to encompasses topics like making more leadership opportunities available for more women, daycare options in the state, and homelessness resources for women.
Currently, the project involves close to 7,000 people statewide, with 500 partners and 300 leaders in different counties and cities, Madsen said.
Four counties and seven cities/towns have passed official resolutions to support the project’s initiative they call “A Bolder Way Forward.”
“Our efforts to equip Utah communities with the data and resources needed to help more girls, women and families thrive are just one piece of the way forward,” Sparks said. “Creating lasting change for future generations of girls and women requires a systems-based approach, and I’m honored to help build the strategic connections that make that possible.”
Madsen admits that it hasn’t been
easy for any of them, but she continues in her efforts because she feels called to help women through the best way she knows how: research.
“What has driven me for decades is research,” she said, “and getting it into the hands of people that are making decisions.”
And in the hands of decision makers it is.
Madsen, in addition to her professorship and affiliation with USU, considers herself an activist and encourages others to be too. She is frequently on Capitol Hill
advocating for change with her research and “works alongside legislators.”
“We should all be advocates and into the work of social justice,” she said. “If we care about other people, if we care about our communities, if we care about our state, if we care about our extended family, if we care about any of that, we should be in whatever topic connects with us.”
For the research and recommendations on how to get involved in UWLP for Salt Lake County or any other country in the state, visit www.usu.edu/uwlp/research/what-can-i-do.
(From left to right) Deborah Lin, local outreach and curriculum manager; Emmalee Chastain, marketing and communications coordinator; Brie Sparks, associate director; Kylie Hollingsworth, program assistant and Susan Madsen, director. (Photo courtesy of UWLP)
Utah Women’s Day in Sports empowers next generation of female athletes
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
More than 400 high school student-athletes from across the state gathered for a morning focused on teamwork, leadership, mental health and empowerment in girls’ sports.
It began as a simple game of rock, paper, scissors, but quickly became a lesson in teamwork. Everyone played at first, then losers backed their opponents until only two players remained. Silence fell as they competed, then cheers erupted when the round ended in a tie. After four rounds, one girl finally emerged victorious.
The exercise wasn’t about winning, but about being a good teammate.
“How does it feel to be celebrated by your peers?” asked Poudre School District (Fort Collins, Colorado) health and physical education coordinator Jo Dixon, who emphasized that every player has a role — scorer, defender, supporter, teammate. “Being a part of someone else’s fan club is just as important and powerful as being in the spotlight, because lifting others up feels awesome.”
The interactive activity was part of a breakout session at the third annual Utah Women’s Day in Sports conference held Feb. 4 at the Delta Center, the day before National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Dixon continued the partner activities designed to build unity. Student-athletes stood toe-to-toe and told each other: “Everyone is battling something in life, and I’m glad you’re battling with me.” Then, they stood back-to-back and said, “I’m so glad someone has my back — and I have yours.” The activity ended with a pinky promise and the words: “I pinky promise to help you unlock your greatness so the world can see it like I do.”
“We want you to be a good teammate from the inside out,” Dixon said.
The event’s origin began with Andee Bouwhuis, past president of Utah Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and Deseret Peak High School athletic director, along with Utah High School Activities Association Assistant Director Jan Whittaker and UIAAA communications coordinator and Cedar Valley High School Athletic Director Sharon Mardesich.
“Our goal is female empowerment; support our female athletes; grow leaders,” Bouwhuis said. “We’re letting these female athletes know that we hear them and we see them. We want them to be successful.”
More than 400 student-athletes statewide attended, supported by about 100 coaches and athletic directors. Participation from each school was limited to ensure broader representation.
“The athletes are charged to take back what they learned and teach it to their teammates,” she said.
Another breakout session focused on nutrition, led by Intermountain Health’s Josseline Kelley, who emphasized fueling, hydration and sleep.
“Our goal is to make sure that we’re eating something every three to four hours as athletes,” she said as she gave the student-athletes specific suggestions. “The worst thing you can do is go into a competition or training session without fueling. Under fueling can be very common in teens.”
University of Utah Assistant Director of Olympic Sport Performance Carly Fehler addressed competing in college athletics.
“Your whole life is going to change
overnight,” Fehler said. “Your city, your bed, your routine, your team and coach. Literally, everything changes. And are you prepared for that? Only nine percent of high school girls will go on to play in college. Two percent of all high school athletes will play Division I.”
While some student-athletes attended workshops, adults participated in a “Coach Beyond” session focused on supporting athlete mental health.
“I’ve been an athlete for my whole life, and I’ve seen the way mental health affects the performances of athletes,” said college athlete and presenter Makayla Pitcher. “Coaches are the front line, so it’s important for them to understand and help.”
Cottonwood High Principal and presenter Justin Pitcher emphasized the need for better training and resources for coaches.
“We need to do better by our athletes here in Utah, he said. “Our data shows over half of every female team has experienced significant sadness or depression. We look at our coaches and their training. Many of them were former athletes so they understand the game well, but they don’t always know how best to handle these tough situations that we’ve been put in.”
Speaker Amy Donaldson highlighted the origins of Title IX and opportunities it presented.
“They drafted a piece of legislation that was unlike today, with 37 words,” she said. “Even though everyone thought it was this little administrative adjustment…they had no idea of (the impact of) that law.”
Donaldson encouraged student-athletes to examine their journey, to be optimistic, to wire their brains for gratitude and forgiveness, to know “no accomplishment is an individual accomplishment.”
Karissa Niehoff, National Federation of State High School Association’s executive director and CEO, challenged the next generation to continue advancing opportunities for women.
“Look at the women who came before us, and look at where we are now, and look at the future of growth in women’s and girls’ sports,” she said. “We’ve come a long way. As a woman CEO in a sports world, I feel blessed, but I challenge you as a younger generation…to carry this forward. We have to be committed to working forward so we continue the growth we need in girls who play sports in Utah.”
UHSAA Assistant Director Jeff Cluff said the progress in girls sports, including expanded championships and the addition of girls wrestling, has helped to equalize opportunities.
“We’re trying to create equal opportunities for the girls that boys have been getting for years,” he said. “We have still more to do and more to change.”
Copper Hills High seniors Brynlee Morton and Kaysha Millet said the conference left a lasting impression.
“I love how inclusive it is,” Morton said. “Everyone has valuable knowledge, and they’re sharing their expertise with us.”
Millet added: “They’re spreading awareness and information; it’s empowering to us as women athletes.”
At the third annual Utah Women’s Day in Sports conference, presenter Jo Dixon motivated female high school student-athletes to become good teammates. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Cottonwood Principal Justin Pitcher was a co-presenter of a coaches’ session at the Utah Women’s Day in Sports conference. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Holladay’s city manager provides a steady hand of leadership
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Gina Chamness guides the city’s course with deliberate planning.
Most residents don’t think about how cities are run. As long as roads are safe, water is clean and parks are open, city administration rarely crosses their minds.
But behind the scenes, it takes a functional team and deliberate planning to make city services seem effortless. In Holladay, the person coordinating that teamwork is City Manager Gina Chamness, who’s been with the city for 10 years.
Chamness is a rarity in Utah. According to a December 2024 policy brief put out by the Utah Women and Leadership Project, of the 250-plus cities in the state, only 13 of them had women serving as city managers or administrators.
“I think that’s starting to change,” Chamness said. “It feels like there are more women in assistant city manager roles, more women as department heads, but as far as my generation, there haven’t been many of us. I’ve been really lucky.”
Chamness never imagined she’d serve in municipal government. She started her career at the federal level, working for a congressional agency, but political dysfunction persuaded her to look for other opportunities.
With a political science degree and a master’s in public administration from the
University of Utah, Chamness landed a job with Salt Lake City, working her way up to become the city’s finance director in 2014.
When the Holladay city manager position opened, she felt it was the next best move for her career and family, since she and her husband, attorney Ralph Chamness, have lived in Holladay since 2003.
“I saw this position posted and it felt perfect,” she said. “I was excited to apply. The opportunity to serve a community where you live felt like something I could be really excited about.”
Chamness acts as the CEO of the city, managing administrative functions, working with elected officials and ensuring ordinances, policies and rules are observed. When she first started with Holladay, the city was struggling. Aging infrastructure, stunted growth and a lack of direction left Holladay stagnant.
Working with the mayor at the time, Rob Dahle, Chamness held discussions with city residents, elected officials and city staff to prioritize areas of focus.
“Ten years ago, we didn’t have much of a commercial base,” she said. “We were banking on redevelopment of the [Cottonwood] mall and then the great recession set redevelopment back. The question was, how could we build a city that was going to be financially sustainable? That was a big
challenge for several years.”
Investing in infrastructure was another concern. With some parts of the community more than 100 years old, Chamness knew a concerted effort and lots of money had to be allocated to improve infrastructure.
Restructuring the city took patience. Much like turning an ocean liner, it needed a coordinated shift to move something so large and complex.
“Everyone wants to do things quickly. Sometimes people complain about how long the government takes to do things,” Chamness said. “Making sure you have adequate time to listen to residents and making sure elected officials build that conversation into their own planning and into the process is critical. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that. I wish the residents understood how critical the services we provide are to their day-to-day lives.”
Over the last decade, Holladay has improved road quality, invested in development, attracted businesses that fit the community, expanded the sidewalk system and recently acquired the Spring Lane Elementary property to develop a new park.
Chamness builds bridges between elected officials, residents and city staff, while working with other government agencies, organizations and committees to create a city that residents are proud of.
“I think the best attribute for describing Gina’s success would be ‘trust,’” said
Holladay Mayor Paul Fotheringham. “My colleagues on the council have always felt a keen sense of trust for Gina; trust in her judgment, trust in the depth and breadth of her expertise from budgetary and legal issues to citizen engagement and public policy.”
Chamness admits the job as city manager is stressful, but she’s comfortable with conflict, especially when it leads to a better outcome for Holladay. She encourages women to pursue leadership roles, whether in government or business.
“I tell women, you could absolutely do this,” she said. “I really do feel like I have the best job in the valley.”
Holladay City Manager Gina Chamness has led the city through 10 years of growth and change. (Photo courtesy of Holladay)
Women are stepping up to lead Utah’s cities
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Female mayors move from the exception to the norm.
When South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood was first elected in 2010, she was a notable exception. Along with Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini, Wood was only the second female mayor serving in Salt Lake County at the time.
She and other women, including Riverton Mayor Sandra Lloyd, Taylorsville Mayor Janice Auger and Holladay Mayor Liane Stillman, were trailblazers and glass ceiling-breakers, setting the stage for women to take the lead, and it’s paying off.
“It’s always been a passion project for me to make sure we have women at tables where decisions are being made,” Wood said. “So I’m always encouraging women to run for office.”
Entering such a male-dominated field wasn’t easy. While many of their male counterparts offered support and encouragement, the women also encountered misogyny and roadblocks. Learning to navigate their leadership roles took patience, balance and a thick skin in order to stay the course while representing their cities.
Now, many cities in Salt Lake County are led by female mayors, including the newly elected Cottonwood Heights Mayor
Gay Lynn Bennion and Riverton Mayor Tish Buroker. Add in Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, and female leadership is becoming the norm, rather than the exception.
“It is so important that young women and young men see women in leadership,” Bennion said. “It’s important for them to know that women can do a great job as leaders.”
Organizations like Utah Women Run and the Women’s Leadership Institute have provided training for women who want a leadership role, whether in politics or business. Women are taught to participate on boards, campaign, fundraise, advocate for themselves and develop a platform and voice that others want to follow.
Initiatives like A Bolder Way Forward focus on creating safe spaces for women in boardrooms, education, political office and civic organizations.
WLI’s Director of Programs and Operations, Nicole Carpenter, said the organization’s founder, Pat Jones, is a former Utah Senator who believes women need a seat at the table.
“We need the voices of women in all areas of leadership, particularly on Capitol Hill, where women can make decisions,” Carpenter said. “It’s important for women to
have a vote, but it’s even more important for women to have a voice. To have a voice in those political circles, you need to hold an office, or you need to be a lobbyist, or have some type of political influence. So we encourage women to run for political office.”
It’s not just Salt Lake County; Utah County and Davis County have also had their share of female leaders, including Kaysville Mayor Tami Tran, who was just elected to her second term. Not only is she a political leader, but she’s the CEO of a tech company, Rylex.
“When I became a mayor five years ago, for my first term, there were nine mayors who were new in Davis County, so almost half, since there are 15 cities,” Tran said. “Nine of us were new and three of us were women, so it was awesome to mentor each other and learn from each other. Women can see things in such a unique way, because we bring different perspectives to the room.”
Tran hopes more women run for political office, whether on the local, state or federal level, but acknowledges some women worry about balancing leadership roles with family.
Wood was a single mother, raising two boys, when she became mayor in SSL. She understands the fear and uncertainty, but she found support and people who believed in her. She said behaviors are slowly chang-
ing, with more understanding and empathy for women in leadership.
“I know it’s intimidating,” Wood said. “But there’s so much value to having different lived experiences and perspectives on councils and in elected office seats. When you invite all of those perspectives and give them a safe place to be heard, that’s when you’re going to solve big problems.”
For information about running for office, visit UtahWomenRun.org.
The Boob Bus makes mammograms accessible for all women
By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com
“Let’s get all the girls together to go get dinner and mammograms!” is the vibe Rena Vanzo is going for with mammogram screenings on The Boob Bus.
One in every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. For every Utah woman, that translates to about a 12.5% chance of developing cancer.
“Every family, every community, every church group, every book club—all of them will be impacted. Prevention is the best medicine,” said CEO and co-founder of The Boob Bus Rena Vanzo.
The Boob Bus is a mobile unit that offers mammograms, health care screening, breast cancer assessment and other healthcare services to women locally. The main goal of The Boob Bus is to make mammograms more accessible and comfortable.
“Utah women are just not doing their mammograms. We’re way below the national average,” said Vanzo. In 2022, Utah was ranked 48th out of the 50 states in the nation for mammogram screening.
Vanzo and her team have been working to change that statistic by transforming typical health care screenings into modern experiences. The Boob Bus was fully customized as a health care space with neon
pink lights and vaulted ceilings.
“On The Boob Bus, you can expect to feel like an individual,” said driver and Patient Care Coordinator Kayla Pacheco. “Your history, your experiences and your fears are heard.”
An average visit to The Boob Bus begins by checking in to answer medical history questions. The data collected related to menstrual changes, hormones, breast density and personal medical history is used to calculate individual cancer risk.
“Breast density is really becoming more of a topic of conversation,” Vanzo said. “And it should be. Women with dense breasts do have a higher risk of breast cancer.”
Patients are offered heated pink robes instead of hospital gowns during their appointment. Individual women will meet with a licensed certified technologist privately in the mammogram suite for a screening.
Results are within one week. (Vanzo emphasizes that patients may be referred to a hospital for diagnostic screening depending on risk.) Patients leave The Boob Bus with branded lip balm, nail files and educational cards.
The entirely female Boob Bus team emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing women’s health with less shame and
embarrassment through more conversation.
“I want to live in a world where even the men are saying to their partners ‘Hey, did you get your mammogram yet?’” Vanzo said.
Vanzo and her cofounders started The Boob Bus in 2022 after being personally impacted by individual family members battling cancer diagnoses. It took her two years to get The Boob Bus fully operational.
“I had to learn all of these extra things that are very useful in your life but you wouldn’t think they’d intersect in business,” Vanzo said.
Vanzo needed to get a CDL so she could drive the oversized custom bus. In preparation, she worked for UTA for six months to get trained as a driver in a structured environment.
“Rena is a superstar. I have never met anyone so driven to help others,” said Office and Billing Manager Jen Bartunek.
The Boob Bus primarily meets women for their mammograms all across Salt Lake, Utah and Davis Counties. Through their partnership with the Central Utah Health Department, The Boob Bus also travels to Central Utah.
The Boob Bus provides heated robes for mammogram appointments so it “feels more like a spa experience,” The Boob Bus founder Rena Vanzo said. (Photo courtesy of Rena Vanzo, The Boob Bus CEO and co-founder.)
The Boob Bus works with the Utah Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (UCCP) so uninsured women can still access their mammogram screenings through a voucher program.
El Programa de Detección del Cáncer de Mama y de Cuello Uterino es facilitado por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Utah y está financiado con fondos estatales y federales. El formulario de solicitud está disponible en español a través de lo siguiente: www.cancer.utah.gov
Individual women can book appointments online (even same day) through The Boob Bus website: www.theboobbus.com.
Organizations, businesses or school districts can email or call The Boob Bus team (866-747-BOOB) to set up a day for group appointments.
South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood (right) is sworn into her fifth term in office by SSL City Recorder Ariel Andrus. Wood is one of several women elected to leadership positions throughout the state. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
From ashes to agency: Women find renewal through community
Beauty from Ashes nonprofit emphasizes empowerment for survivors of domestic abuse.
By Holly Curby hello@hollycurby.com
March carries a quiet promise. It’s the month when light stretches a little longer, winter begins to loosen its grip and renewal quietly takes root. For many women navigating trauma or abuse, healing unfolds in much the same way—gradual, unseen at first and requiring immense courage.
Lori Smithson knows this journey intimately. Widowed at 39 and later emerging from a destructive marriage marked by control, isolation and fear, she understands how disorienting trauma can be—especially when you don’t yet have the language to name what’s happening. “I just knew something was off,” she has shared, echoing the experience of countless women who sense danger long before they can articulate it.
Today, Smithson serves with Beauty from Ashes Ministries, a Utah-based nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside survivors of domestic abuse. Founded in 2019 after its director received a call from a woman hiding in her closet, the organization was born from a clear and urgent need:
long-term, compassionate support rooted in truth, dignity and hope.
The statistics are sobering. One in three women will experience abuse in her lifetime. Yet numbers fail to capture the bravery required to reach out for help. At Beauty from Ashes, the first goal is simple but profound—that every woman feels heard, believed and respected. There is no pressure to make immediate decisions, no imposed timelines and no shame. Survivors are met exactly where they are.
What distinguishes Beauty from Ashes is its emphasis on empowerment rather than rescue. Women are not told what to do; they are supported as they reclaim agency over their own lives. Trained advocates walk alongside survivors as they explore options, build safety plans and begin to trust their voices again. Support groups offer something many women have never experienced before: a space where their stories are met with understanding rather than doubt.
Healing often extends beyond emotional wounds. Trauma can fracture trust, relationships and even faith. For some survivors, spiritual manipulation or deep disappointment has made it difficult to reengage with God at all. Beauty from Ashes honors that complexity, allowing women to move at their own pace—whether that means studying scripture together or sim-
ply holding space for grief, anger and unanswered questions. Healing, as Smithson emphasizes, is not a race. It is a long, intentional process.
Hope, however, has a way of appearing in unexpected places. Smithson recalls women facing overwhelming odds—no financial support, limited community and ongoing hardship—who nonetheless find stability, provision and renewed purpose through faith and connection. Many eventually give back, becoming advocates themselves. These stories are reminders that restoration is not theoretical. It is happening, one life at a time.
March also invites reflection. It asks what must be released for growth to occur. For survivors, that first step might be journaling to recognize patterns, seeking trauma-informed counseling, setting boundaries, or simply speaking the truth aloud. Truth, after all, is often where freedom begins.
Perhaps the most important message is this: no woman has to walk this path alone. Fear thrives in isolation, but healing grows in safe, supportive community. When women are believed, empowered, and surrounded by care, even the deepest wounds can give way to something new.
For those seeking support, or for individuals interested in volunteering or getting
Finding renewal through community. Holly Curby chats with Lori Smithson from Beauty from Ashes Ministries on Holly’s Highlights about hope, healing and connection.
involved, Beauty from Ashes Ministries welcomes connection. Help is available, and no one has to navigate abuse or healing alone. To learn more about services, request support or explore volunteer opportunities, visit www.BeautyfromAshesMinistries.org. To hear more stories like this and learn how women are reclaiming hope and purpose, listen to the Holly’s Highlights podcast wherever you stream podcasts and at www.hollycurby.com. l
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Midvale resident selected for a prestigious civics fellowship
Vitalia Sun and Nivetha Karthikeyan will engage with other Student Fellows around the country.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Twenty students from across the country were selected to participate in a highly competitive civic education and leadership development program after earning a Bill of Rights Institute Student Fellowship. Two of those students are from Salt Lake County.
Vitalia Sun, a junior at Waterford School in Sandy, and Nivetha Karthikeyan, a senior at Providence Hall High in Herriman, will be part of the rigorous academic program, which includes a trip to Philadelphia. The six-month educational opportunity teaches students to develop leadership skills necessary to build a civil society.
As a Midvale resident, Vitalia is excited to be part of the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit that creates educational civics and history programs. She said she’s witnessed firsthand how the stifling of free speech, often as a result of self-censorship due to fear of retribution, can silently weaken our social fabric.
“One of the key values of being American is the freedom of speech, established by the First Amendment of the Constitution,” Vitalia said. “The implications of freedom of speech extend far beyond what is often thought, as free exchange of ideas without the fear of persecution guarantees our liberty and strengthens our democracy…I hope to deepen my knowledge of the ideals and principles at the core of our nation, many of which, like the freedom of speech, are enshrined in the first 10 amendments.”
Providence Hall High senior Nivetha Karthikeyan was chosen to take part in the Bill of Rights Institute Student Fellowship, a national program that builds future civic leaders. (Photo courtesy of Nivetha Karthikeyan)
Midvale resident and Waterford School student, Vitalia Sun, was one of 20 students in the country selected to participate in the Bill of Rights Institute Student Fellowships. (Photo courtesy of the Bill of Rights Institute)
Karthikeyan, a Herriman resident, applied for the program as part of an extra credit assignment for her AP government class. She was thrilled and surprised to be selected and she’s looking forward to making new connections, meeting a diverse group of students and getting to know future civic leaders in the country.
“I want people to put more effort, or at least take more interest, in civic duties and what it really means to be citizens of the U.S.,” she said. “I want more people to thoughtfully interact with what we can do to better our communities, because that’s what civics is. It doesn’t have to be
truly political. It’s about being compassionate with our own local communities, like here in Utah or Herriman, or on a national scale.”
The 20 students will meet virtually every two weeks to discuss things like how to be a mentor, how to create community interaction and engagement, and how they can contribute to the overall good of the country.
In July, the Student Fellows will travel to Philadelphia to learn more about U.S. history, meet with civic leaders and take part in activities and projects. Previous participants have met with members of Congress, toured historic sites in the nation’s capital and even started initiatives in their local communities.
“At the Bill of Rights Institute, we equip students to become principled, productive citizens,” said Bill of Rights Institute President and CEO David Bobb. “Our Student Fellowship Program provides some of our most gifted young people an opportunity to explore our nation’s principles and civic virtues and gain the skills to positively shape its future.”
This year’s student fellows were chosen through a national process that included being nominated by educators and composing essays that explored topics about leadership and how to be a good citizen. For more information, visit billofrightsinstitute.org.
“One focus of the fellowship is civic participation, and the knowledge and skills gained through the fellowship will allow me to become more effective in promoting free exchange of ideas in my school, my community and beyond,” Vitalia said. “This, in turn, can inspire more youth to proudly embrace the founding principles of our nation. In a sense, the fellowship will not only benefit me but will also help prepare many more youth for the future through my actions.” l
Curiosity and exploration take over Midvalley after school bell rings
As the sun went down, Midvalley Elementary lit up with blinking circuits and spinning fans as excited students and their families discovered an evening of hands-on STEAM learning.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
As a sunset of orange and pink hues set on the Oquirrh Mountains one January evening, more than 100 students and their families missed it as they moved from classroom to classroom exploring and buzzing with excitement during Midvalley Elementary’s STEAM Night.
It was an evening designed to spark imagination and curiosity as well as fun as students launched fan-powered creations to lighting up alien circuits, discovering learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings, said Ashleigh Luna, Midvalley’s STEM teacher.
“I’m hoping to get the kids engaged and invested in the STEM field,” Luna said. “I want them to grow and blossom in science, technology, engineering and math. It’s an important focus in childhood. It opens and brightens their minds. It opens up career opportunities. It opens their ability to learn and look at the world with curiosity and be excited about the natural world.”
Midvalley students regularly rotate through 45-minute STEM activities during the school week, and there is an after-school STEM club, but STEAM Night allows families to see that learning firsthand.
“I like seeing the students with their parents,” Luna said. “I don’t usually see parents engaging with them, but this is exciting and they’re having fun.”
Parents like David Baldwin say STEAM Night has become a family tradition.
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“We come every STEAM Night,” he said. “It’s fun making these projects with the kids. They have different ones every time.”
Students learned through hands-on activities exploring human anatomy while engineering a robot hand or building circuits with light-up aliens. Some learned about Utah water use with information from USGS and NASA and others explored booths from community partners, Clark Planetarium and Utah Valley University.
Second-grader Riley Turiano said his favorite thing was to “light up the bug” and learn the science behind it.
First-grader Tory Gertsch, who coded a robotic mouse independently, said, “I like all the ways it can go.”
His mother, Ally, appreciated it as a time when he could try new activities.
“He can experiment and test things out and figure out how they work,” she said.
While fourth-grader Will Taggart liked exploring more STEM activities in addition to coding during his weekly STEM club, his mother, Sarah Morton, paused from helping her second-grade son, Theo Taggart.
“I love how they can look at the regular objects and activities creatively,” she said. “Last year, we spent an hour in a room with various supplies where they could imagine and build. They had to kick us out when it was time to turn off the lights.”
Many of the stations were directed by adults although several others volunteered, like Hillcrest High sophomore Aisha Puri, who organized about 20 members of Hillcrest’s Key Club to help.
“We reach out to this school a lot to help with events for the elementary kids like this and literacy night,” Puri said, adding she’s part of Hillcrest’s robotics team. “It’s fun helping our community and especially here because the little kids are so cute and curious. They’re excited to be learning.” l
Midvalley Elementary students and families learned about human anatomy and engineering by creating robotic hands at the school’s STEAM Night. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Four Simple Ways to Build a Happier Life
As a county councilmember, I spend a lot of time listening to concerns from constituents. I hear from parents who are stretched thin, seniors who feel lonely, young people who are anxious about the future, and workers who feel burned out even when they’re doing everything “right.” One thing is clear: many people are searching for happiness, but they aren’t sure where to find it.
Research from social scientists points to a clear answer. Happiness does not come from money alone, social media attention, or having an easier life. Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor, social scientist and bestselling author teaches the science of happiness. He says that happiness comes from four things: faith, family, friendship and meaningful work.
The first is faith. People are happier when they believe their lives matter and are part of something bigger than themselves. For some, this comes from faith or spiritual beliefs. For others, it comes from serving their community, caring for others or living by strong values. Faith gives people strength during hard times and helps them see challenges as part of a larger purpose. Even small habits—like volunteering, mentoring, or reflecting on what matters most—can build a deeper sense of meaning.
The second is family. Strong family relationships are one of the most reliable sources of long-term happiness. This doesn’t mean family life is easy. It takes patience, forgiveness and time. But people who invest in their families tend to feel more supported and less alone. Family can mean parents and children, grandparents, chosen family or relatives who show up when it counts. Simple actions—shared meals, regular check-ins or family traditions—can make a big difference.
The third is friendship. Healthy friendships protect people from loneliness and stress. They give us someone to laugh with, talk to and lean on when life gets hard. Yet friendships often get pushed aside by busy schedules and screens. Reaching out, making time for face-to-face connection, and being
present for others helps build trust and belonging. Often you will have to be the one to reach out and make this happen. Communities are stronger when neighbors know each other, not just online, but in real life. Do you know the people who live three houses on either side of you and across the street? If not, make it a point this year to get to know them better. It helps keep your neighborhood safe and builds connection when you can all look out for each other.
The fourth is meaningful work. This does not mean everyone has to love every part of their job. But people are happier when they feel useful and see how their work helps someone else. Whether paid or unpaid, work gives people dignity and purpose. Parents raising children, volunteers, caregivers, students and workers all contribute value. When people feel needed, their confidence and happiness grow.
One important idea connects all four of these areas: happiness is not about chasing pleasure. Pleasure fades quickly. Real happiness builds slowly through effort, relationships and responsibility. It grows when we use things but care for people—not the other way around. Being “happy” doesn’t mean you will never have sadness, anger, frustration or problems. Everyone has hard
times. But by focusing on the things that really matter, you increase your opportunities for better overall happiness.
As a community, we should make it easier for people to build these four foundations. That means supporting families, creating spaces for connection, valuing service and helping people find meaning in their lives. Happiness is not something government can give—but it is something we can support by strengthening the places where people live, work and belong. Make a goal this year to find ways you can help increase your own happiness.
Remember when you thought Mr. Monopoly wore a monocle, or you were convinced Curious George had a tail? Memory is a funny thing.
Or how about when NBC anchor Brian Williams “misremembered” being in a helicopter hit by anti-tank weapons in Iraq? His faulty memory got him suspended.
We all misremember things, but when an entire group does it, it’s called the Mandela Effect, a phenomenon that occurs when millions of people are confidently wrong. Like, remember when we all believed Vladimir Putin was a war criminal? LOL. Good times.
If you’re a Gen Xer, you might remember when the VHS tape got eaten by the VCR and you had to use brain surgeon-style techniques to carefully respool the video. But then the tape always had a wrinkled section where the movie would go wonky for a few seconds. That’s what my memory feels like most days: warped and staticky.
My husband is basically a human computer. He remembers everything. When we meet new people, he lights up like an exploding star. He’s curious about their background, hometown and their connection to any celebrity-type person.
Months later, he’ll say, “Remember at the Yankees game when we met that guy who was married to the cousin of a friend who knows Ryan Reynolds? I think his name was George.”
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
“No.”
“Yeah, you do. He owned a horse farm outside of Albany and loves the color orange.”
“What are you talking about?”
His memory recall is slightly unsettling. He’ll drop info like, “I remember the 1968 World Series when the Detroit Tigers came from behind to beat the Cardinals. They hadn’t won since 1945 and Mickey Lolich was the MVP.”
And then there’s me, having to watch a recap for a TV show I watched the night before. But then I remember random things, like when Sen. Mike Lee advocated for term limits. Hahahaha. The good ol’ days.
I was playing a “Frozen” matching game with my 9 year old granddaughter, trying to remember where the pair of Olafs were hiding. I kept turning over the same two cards, a Sven and an Elsa, convinced I’d finally cracked the code.
My granddaughter found it hilarious watching her doddering old granny lose a game. But there was a time I was the matching
game champ. At least that’s my recollection.
I can still sing Abba’s entire “Arrival” album from 1976 but I’m not quite sure I actually attended a single day of high school. I used to know dozens of phone numbers, but now I couldn’t call my daughters if the world were ending and I had to use a rotary phone.
When it comes to remembering the names of dogs I met at the dog park, I’ve got it down. But their owners’ names? No clue. I can make my mom’s mac and cheese by heart, but need to read the directions on a cake mix four times before I get it right.
It makes me second-guess my memory, like, do you recall when Gov. Spencer Cox took the side of trans kids? Or was that also the
Mandela Effect?
If you’ve ever had a sibling contradict your side of a story, or you can’t remember your eighth-grade science teacher, you’re not alone. Or maybe you had an existential crisis when you realized C-3PO’s lower right leg was silver, not gold.
Memory isn’t just fleeting, it’s fluid. When time blurs the moments we fell flat on our faces, it’s a reminder that our flashbacks are edited highlight reels, usually with a laugh track.
Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com
