Midvale City Journal February 2020

February 2020 | Vol. 20 Iss. 02

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SENIOR PLAYER BROX ASHBY BRINGS ON THE HEAT THIS SEASON

By Nichole Duffy | n.duffy@mycityjournals.com

A

fter Hillcrests’ back to back wins against fellow region teams Murray (49-35) and Cottonwood (56-50) the City Journals caught up with third-year captain and leading scorer, Brox Ashby.

If the name sounds familiar it could be because of his older brothers, Mckay and Stockton Ashby who also started for the Hillcrest boys basketball team from 2013-2018.

The Ashbys are a basketball family through and through, Brox explained. “My dad loves basketball, growing up that’s all we watched and that’s all we played.”

Brox has been a part of Hillcrest basketball since he was a freshman in the 2016 season, averaging 4 points a game and lettering that year and has been on a steady rise ever since.

“Their family records the Jazz games and watches them after our games as a family,” Coach Sanjin Kolovrat said about the Ashby’s basketball obsession.

Brox smiled widely and said, “Yeah, we really love the Jazz.”

At 6-foot-1, Brox is a large guard, whose responsibilities include controlling the pace of the game and making hard choices.

As a sophomore Brox began as a starting five member of the varsity team, and captain, that year averaging 14 points per game.

When asked if that was a hard decision, Kolovrat said, “No, he is a 100% leader. He takes care of business in the classroom and leads his teammates on the floor.”

One aspect that could be contributing to Hillcrests’ success thus far is the way Brox’s game has evolved over the last

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Senior Brox Ashby has had an all-star season averaging 18 points per game. (Photo courtesy Riley Mathis/Hillcrest High School)

two seasons. “In basketball terms, his decision making [has improved]; he was only really known as a scoring/shooting guard before this year, whereas now teams have to be aware of his decision making and passing,” Kolvorat said. “He sees the whole court so well and our guys know to be ready for a pass to come their way.”

One factor that could have inspired this change was

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Growing up & giving back at the Boys & Girls Club

Brox’s junior year pregame injury to his foot. Brox explained, “I broke my foot and it took a lot of hard work and working on my game and working out with the coaches that really brought my game to the next level.” He went on to average 15 points a game that year.

Kolovrat added, “Hillcrest historically really hadn’t had an offseason program, so my coaches and I implemented one where we would have the team doing weights once or twice a week as well as skill development once or twice a week.”

Brox’s stats certainly show the discipline he has for the game, this season averaging 18 points, and in line to be the first player in more than 20 years to reach 1,000 points in their Hillcrest high school career. He broke through the 1,000-point barrier against Brighton on Jan. 21.

Clearly Kolovrat and his colleagues are doing something right as the Hillcrest boys varsity are 4-4 in their region and have high aspirations for the future.

“We got a lot of energy and a lot of good kids, we have ‘family’ written on the back of our warm-ups, it’s a big deal for us to have that positivity,” Kolovrat said. “We want to win more games than last year, we want to host a game in the state finals, and we just focus on getting better every day, and Brox is a big part of that. When he goes, we all go.”

Brox has received scholarship offers from Green River College and Centralia College both in Washington State, but has decided to serve a mission before committing to any school. l

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Model trains on display at the Midvale Museum

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February 2020 | Page 3

This volunteer led transformative music program at state prison for over a decade

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

D

avid Aguirre is a retired financial planner who began volunteering at the prison with his wife, Mary, as part of a church activity. They went to the prison twice a month on Monday evenings to give lessons.

One day they had an opportunity to see some inmates perform a concert and were told the music program was going to shut down because there wasn’t a volunteer to run it.

So Aguirre decided that he would be that volunteer. A few years earlier he was given a terminal cancer diagnosis and told he had two more years at best.

That was 18 years ago.

“I came in for a day or two a week to help them,” Aguirre said. “It meant so much to them to play music and get away from the (prison) block. I thought if Mary and I could do something, then we should. Our business allowed us retirement so we could come more and more. We came every day at one point.”

Mary taught inmates how to crochet while David kept the music program going.

“Initially, it was just being there, supervising,” said Aguirre. “If I was late or didn’t show up, there was no music school.”

Some inmates had musical experience coming in. One was even a high school band director.

One inmate known as Solomon played nothing at first, but learned the guitar by ear.

“Now he teaches others,” Aguirre said.

“I think that’s one of the reasons our school has had success while others have not. We implemented a tutoring program and the instruction is turned over to the inmates. Ron Green was a master musician, and he set up the school. I had more time (to volunteer) so we were a good pair.”

On Dec. 19, friends and neighbors gathered at an LDS chapel in Midvale to watch a tribute to David and Mary’s labor of love. A year earlier their neighbor, Gordon Huston,

Journals

Mary Aguirre (left) tells Kirby Heyborne about her husband’s illness while filming an episode of “Making Good” for BYUtv. (Photo courtesy Greg Kiefer/Cosmic Pictures)

filmed them for a BYUtv series called “Making Good.” Huston got special permission to screen the episode and host Kirby Heyborne and producer Ron Johnson were in the audience of around 30 people.

Each episode of “Making Good” features a group or individual doing good in the world, seen through the eyes of Heyborne.

This episode follows him as he visits the prison to meet Aguirre and the inmates in the music program. At one point Heyborne asks Aguirre what keeps him going and he responds without hesitation.

“Mary. I’ve done one thing in this world that I’ve done really well and that’s convince

her to marry me. There’s a saying here that ‘Dave brings the law, so you gotta be careful when he comes. But Mary brings the light.’

And she really does.”

“When Dave said that about Mary it made us change the script,” Heyborne said.

“It wasn’t just a Christmas story in prison, it was a love story.” “(The inmates) still talk about the crew coming,” Aguirre said. “Kirby and the crew treated them as people. Treated them as sons of our Father in Heaven. That really came through.” The full episode, titled “Christmas Special,” can be viewed at byutv.org/makinggood.

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After the screening David and Mary took questions about their experiences at the prison.

“As the gate in front of you opens, the one behind you slams shut,” Aguirre said.

“The first time I went in I looked at the green tile floor, the ‘Green Mile.’ Then you see the inmates. Some are pretty scary, with these elaborate tattoos they give to each other. But then they start to cry when they talk to you about what they’ve done.”

“When we first started, they gave me a radio (to call for help if needed) and keys to the chapel. We were on our own. At first it was very frightening. There was a riot (before I be-

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gan volunteering) where the inmates took over and demanded a chapel. The riot left some walls with bullet holes. You see those, and it’s eerie. I’ve seen fights, I’ve seen blood.”

At this point, Heyborne interrupted. “You’re not really selling the volunteer experience.”

Aguirre laughed and went on. “During a riot the prisoners will protect the volunteers.

If they don’t, they know the program will go away. And they have a guard there with the volunteers now. Volunteering at the prison is something you’ll never forget. You’ll feel the spirit. I’ll even compare it with the temple.”

Aguirre already recruited a very impactful volunteer several years ago. He invited Mack Wilberg, music director of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, to lead a onetime lesson. Wilberg called Aguirre back a week later and asked if he could do more.

“He now comes in four or five times a month and arranges some Tabernacle Choir practices around his prison commitments,” said Aguirre. “The prison choir is made up of petty thieves and mass murderers, but Mack treats them no differently than his singers in the Tabernacle Choir. He doesn’t care what you did, but you have to be willing to work.”

“Yes, they did horrible things,” Aguirre said. “They know that more than anyone. But they’ve changed their lives on the inside.”

One inmate, known as Big Ron, has had a significant impact on the program.

“He can’t undo what he did when he was 18,

but he can change lives now,” said Aguirre.

“He’s earned two degrees (while in prison) and now teaches other inmates.”

Someone commented that it must have been brave for them to learn new instruments and be so vulnerable while performing in front of other inmates at the recital. “The other inmates support them,” said Aguirre.

“Some will hurt your ears, but others will make you say holy cow, where did that come from?”

The program began with just guitars available for the inmates to play. It has expanded to include vocal instruction and instruments ranging from trumpets to violins to banjos.

“I tell people I have no music skills,” said Aguirre. “But Mary has seen how much music I’ve been able to pick up at the prison.

The guitar, all of the saxophones, the stand up bass. I didn’t have those skills when we started. But then an inmate said why don’t we teach you how to play?”

Other inmates are tougher to work with.

“Just one time I turned someone away,” said Aguirre. “I just couldn’t work with him.

What he’d done hit too close to home. Others will try to play you.”

“This movie makes it look easy, but it’s not,” said Mary Aguirre. “In some ways it’s like my favorite church calling. It’s like working in the nursery, but with bigger bodies.”

The Aguirres no longer get to the prison as much as they’d like. They still own their

Mary Aguirre, David Aguirre, Kirby Heyborne, Ron Johnson and Gordon Huston reunite on Dec. 19. (Sarah Morton Taggart/City Journals)

home in Midvale, but have relocated to St. George most of the year for David’s health.

He believes it has improved his health, but he misses the program. He turned the role of director over to his former assistant in De-

cember.

“It’s very hard to see the impact, then turn your back on it,” Aguirre said. “Not that we were anything special. But we were there, and that’s the important thing.” l

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Unless you’re one of the few anomalies in the world, we’ve all been in an accident. We’ve experienced that sickening feeling when your car makes unwanted contact with another vehicle.

We’re frustrated and disheartened.

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1.Have an emergency kit in your car.

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Whatever you kit entails, make sure it has a first-aid kit, flashlight, reflective triangles and a small (and simple) camera in case there’s been damage to your phone. We’re typically frustrated or frazzled after an accident and not inclined to rational thinking. Being prepared limits the possibility of forgetfulness.

2.Take a deep breath. Accidents are traumatic experiences. Taking a breath will shift focus from what just happened to what needs to be done next.

3.Get a status check on everyone in the car. Check with each passenger to see if they are OK. Have someone call

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911 immediately if someone is injured or unresponsive.

4.Move to a safe location. Most insurance companies recommend relocating the vehicle to the sidewalk or shoulder of the road as soon as possible after the accident. If the damage to the car is minor, this should be relatively easy. But if there are major injuries or questions about the safety of the car, leave it where it is, even if its blocking traffic.

5.Increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights and set out your attention items from the emergency kit—flares, orange cones, reflective triangles, etc.

One accident should not lead to another. Take precaution to ensure other drivers on the road remain safe.

6.Stay calm. It is very easy to lose your temper in this situation, it’s human nature. Keeping your cool will keep the situation from getting worse. If it wasn’t your fault, it’s easy to want to let your emotions loose on the other driver. This will cloud your judgment and may lead to something that does not help the situation. You still need to exchange information. l

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Midvale bakery collects supplies for victims of Samoan measles outbreak

Model trains on display at the Midvale Museum

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

Volunteers pack boxes of medical supplies to be shipped to Samoa to aid victims of the recent measles outbreak.

(Photo courtesy Sagato Bakery & Café)

L

ita Sagato was visiting Samoa for a family reunion in October just as a deadly measles outbreak was beginning. “They were starting to close the schools down at that time,” Sagato said. “I didn’t ever think it would get this bad.”

The outbreak was most dangerous for young children that had not been immunized.

A distant relative of Sagato, just a baby, passed away at the end of November.

As the news coming from the islands got worse, Sagato knew she had to do something.

Her family operates the Sagato Bakery & Café in Midvale, which serves food inspired

by Samoa and other Polynesian islands.

“People were calling me asking how they could help,” Sagato said.

The bakery began asking for donations in early December. The list of needed supplies came from the National Emergency Center and included items such as hand sanitizer, medical face masks and vitamin A. The donations came from dozens all over Utah.

“It was a very good turn out,” Sagato said. “Lots of individuals and groups, like a Zumba group that collected diapers and brought them over. Another family that came from Utah County did a huge drive and brought 200 care kits they put together with their community.”

Dozens of individuals and families dropped by the bakery with donations and even the Salt Lake Police Department brought in supplies.

“We had people stop by after lunch and drop off hand sanitizer,” Sagato said. “One person went to Costco and bought a bunch of latex gloves.”

A week later they had collected three pallets full of supplies. Volunteers packed the items onto the wooden pallets. “The whole hallway leading to the restrooms at the cafe was full,” Sagato said.

Page 6 | February 2020

Cash donations were used to ship the supplies to Los Angeles, California. They were then flown to Samoa. A group in Samoa got a sponsorship for the air freight costs, according to Sagato.

All pallets have arrived in Samoa and the supplies were passed out to hospitals and clinics by a team of interns from the National University of Samoa.

Having a community partner was critical to the success of the donation drive. The bakery was able to connect with Brown Girl Woke, a nonprofit based in California. “The founder moved to Samoa and works with females that have been abused,” Sagato said.

“She does afterschool programs and work around mental health, but then the measles thing happened and she reached out to all her contacts.”

The Sagato family also rallied volunteers in Utah after a deadly tsunami hit Samoa in 2009. They collected two truckloads of donations in two days for families who had lost their homes. The family has been selling Polynesian treats in Utah since 1994 and opened their storefront location at 44 W. 7200 South in Midvale in December 2018.

“People (with donations) kept coming, so after that first batch sent on a Monday we sent three more pallets that Friday,” Sagato said. “Right before Christmas, consultants from doTERRA brought health kits and things to use in hospitals. So we sent another pallet just of their stuff.”

As of Jan. 5, more than 2% of the island’s population had contracted measles, with 83 reported deaths. Tragically, a majority of deaths occurred in children 4 years old or younger.

“We just pray that everything gets better,” Sagato said. “We’re just waiting to see if they have other needs and we’ll do what we can from here.” l

Gary Petersen (right) shows a child how to start and stop a model train at the Midvale Museum as his son, Marty Petersen, looks on. (Sarah Morton Taggart/City Journals)

T

rains are an important part of Midvale’s history. And for the first time, a working model train collection is on display at the Midvale Museum.

The display is more than 30 feet long and includes crisscrossing tracks, mountains, and a small town. “The mountains are supposed to be the Swiss Alps, but they look like Big Cottonwood,” said Marty Petersen. Petersen is a volunteer with E-Mo Rails of Utah, the model train club that assembled the tracks.

A group of 20 young adults volunteered to move all the models and tracks from Petersen’s home to the Midvale Historical Society & Museum located at 7697 S. Main St. The display is open for the public to view every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. through the end of March. Groups are also welcome to contact Bill Miller at the museum to arrange visits at other times.

“We’ve stayed busy past closing on Saturdays,” Petersen said. “People will just walk in to see.” l

Midvale City Journal

Midvale increases elected official salary to meet market average

I

By Erin Dixon | erin@mycityjournals.com

f the raise was passed before the November election, then candidates might be accused of chasing money. If the raise was done after the new year, then new council members might be accused of giving themselves a raise as soon as they took office. The mayor’s salary was increased by $7,219.50/year.

Councilmember’s salary was increased by $1,016.00/year.

This raise was passed in a budget amendment during a Midvale City Council meeting in December 2019. But each elected official will be paid as if the raise had happened in July.

This same topic was discussed in September 2019 during a public meeting, and deliberated the previous May during the council’s budget retreat. The idea at the time put the council in an awkward position. If the raise was passed during election season in the fall, candidates might be accused of chasing money. If the raise was done after the new year, then new councilmembers might be accused of giving themselves a raise as soon as they took office.

Public Information Officer Laura Magness said, “The City completed a market survey of employees and the City Council compensation to ensure we are paying a fair and Midvale City raises its pay for their elected officials to keep up with other cities pay. (Photo/pixabay) competitive salary. The City Council decided to postpone their increase because they didn’t want the compensation increase to become an election issue.”

Before the raise, salaries for the parttime officials were well below the average pay for others in the same position in other cities. Midvale’s mayor is part-time, so he/ she is paid half the yearly salary of full-time mayors.

“We looked at Eagle Mountain, Murray, Provo, Salt Lake, Sandy, South Salt Lake, Taylorsville and West Jordan. Their average salary is $104,439 and we pay our mayor $45,000 so we’re about $7,000 a year out of the market...,” Kane Loader, city manager, said in the September meeting.

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February 2020 | Page 7

Aging infrastructure, weather conditions to blame for water main break

By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

S I MP L E, AFF ORD A BL E FU N E R ALS PROFESSIONAL & CARING SERVICE

“A very impactful break” in Midvale’s water line left many residents with low water pressure and took most of the day to fix. (Courtesy Midvale City)

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Page 8 | February 2020

idvale Public Works crews scrambled to repair an early morning water main break at 8000 S. State St. on Jan. 15.

Many residents had low pressure for hours; a few had no water. The break affected three Midvale schools west of State Street, forcing Canyons District to cancel classes at those schools for the day.

“We got a call about 6:30 a.m. from the Dish Network business at 8000 S. State St. We sent someone to check it out. There was an obvious water leak, with water coming up out of the ground. Then we called out a repair crew and shut the water off to work on it,” said Glen Kennedy, Public Works director for Midvale City.

“The majority of residents who were affected had lower pressure, which was back on within a couple of hours. A small [residential] area around the leak did not have water while we shut it off for the repair,” Kennedy said.

Schools in the neighborhoods west of the leak were without water. “We work very closely with the Canyons District. The first call the schools got that morning was from the Mayor [Robert Hale].

From then on, we were communicating with them throughout the day,” said Laura Magness, director of communications for Midvale City.

Canyons District made the call to cancel school at Midvale Middle School, Midvale Elementary and Copperview Elementary. Middle school students were excused to walk home or ride the bus; elementary students needed to be checked out by parents or older siblings.

“We got the word out to families as quickly as possible. It’s a disruption when schools can’t function as they normally would. But we got a lot of good feedback from families [on how it was handled]. We don’t have plans yet on whether to make up the day. It would be a board question,” said Kirsten Stewart, spokesperson for Canyons District.

Canyons District took extra precaution and brought “bottled water and portable toi-

lets… to schools as an emergency measure,” per their social media.

Tammy McCleary lives in Midvale and works in the office at Midvalley Elementary, which is east of State Street. “My husband called to tell me that we didn’t have very much pressure. I didn’t notice anything when I got ready, so I guess I used the last of what was in the pipes,” McCleary said.

Fortunately, Midvalley Elementary’s water supply was unaffected. But McCleary said they got a lot of calls from concerned parents. “We got so many calls. Some of our students’ siblings go to Midvale Middle, and they were sent home.

People were wondering if we were closing, too.

It was the call of the day,” McCleary said.

Joyce Bird is a longtime resident of Midvale and lives east of State Street. She noticed the water pressure issue when she got up in the morning.

“I noticed the toilet wasn’t refilling and the sink didn’t have much pressure. I started calling neighbors up and down the street to see if it was happening at their houses. One neighbor said his water had come back on, but without much force,” Bird said.

Bird and many of her neighbors didn’t have to wait long for the service to be restored. Bird’s water was back on and working within an hour, she said.

Magness said most of the people who called Midvale City that morning thought it was their personal pipes that had frozen. “They were kind of relieved when they learned it was a city issue.”

Crews worked on the water main throughout the day. At 5:50 p.m., Midvale City posted on social media that the break had been repaired. Schools that had been closed resumed as scheduled on Jan. 16.

“I would say by 7 p.m. we could pressure the line back up, and we had everyone fully back on,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy has been with Midvale Public Works about a year. He attributes the break of the main transmission line to aging infra-

Midvale City Journal

structure and weather conditions.

“With the cold weather, there’s a freeze and a thaw that happens, and the ground moves with it. Proactively replacing the pipes is something I’d really like to implement,” Kennedy said.

“We are continuously improving our water lines. For example, over on Princeton (Drive) we’re replacing water lines right now. It’s an old system,” Magness said.

Magness said she didn’t have numbers on how many residents were affected, but said that the pipes at the break site are a main transmission line and run a lot of water. Both Magness and Kennedy commended the crew on their hard work.

“The crew was awesome. They worked their guts out under tough conditions,” Kennedy said.

Magness posted pictures on social media, including one of the “muddy” crew where she asked the public to leave positive comments. “There were 120 positive comments from the public thanking the crew for their work,” Magness said.

Kennedy and Magness both said that one

challenge of the fix was there were communication conduits above the broken pipe, so the crew had to dig a deep trench to get down to the leak. Once they got in, they pumped the excess water into the storm drain.

The road the crew dug up will take longer to repair. “The [road fix] is a temporary patch. Orange traffic cones will be left up until UDOT can come in during warmer weather to fix the road,” Magness said.

Magness said what stands out to her from the experience was how people worked together. “Residents were so supportive and understanding. UDOT ensured that the lights were adjusted so traffic ran smoothly. We appreciate all the extra work the school district had to do. UPD came to help direct traffic and make sure that kids who were walking home from school crossed safely,” Magness said.

“This was a very impactful break. I was so impressed with our community,” Magness said. l

Midvale senior center update

By Erin Dixon | erin@mycityjournals.com

Remember the old senior center in Midvale Park? It’s getting a facelift this year. (Erin Dixon/City Journals)

W

hen you go to Harvest Days this year, you will find a whole new recreation center and museum.

“In an effort to update and repurpose the former Senior Center the city staff are proposing to remodel it and construct some additional... connecting facilities. There will be a pavilion, kitchen connected to the pavilion…There’ll be a stage, the museum will be moving there… new roof, new plumbing, HVAC, electrical.

We’ll remove the existing stage and replace it with one that’s ADA [accessible]. Remodel the restrooms, landscape and low-flow irrigation,” Glen Kennedy, Public Works director, said.

“It’s a complete rebuild and a complete overhaul with the intent to provide a place for residents where they can gather for group activities and family celebrations and other events,” Kennedy said.

Construction has begun and is projected to finish a week or two before Harvest Days.

Kennedy said their deadline is July 10.

MidvaleJournal.com

This project has been discussed for two years, and Public Works even collected construction quotes last summer, but there was only one response at the time.

“We held off until Dec. 3 and went out with an RFP (Request for Proposal) and got 11 responses. I believe it came in at a lower cost because they’re looking for wintertime work,” Kennedy said.

“We did go out with an RFQ in June and had only one response.”

The three major criteria were price, approach to the project and prior experience.

Based on the evaluation, Paulsen Construction was determined to be the most responsible bidder. “We have not worked with Paulsen Construction before, we have called references and have [had] positive feedback,” Kennedy said.

Paulsen Construction also gave the lowest bid than the 10 others who submitted proposals.

Their bid was $1,301,509, which was less than the budget of $1,385,000.00. l

Share the love, not the cold

By Priscilla Schnarr

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More and more people are saying they just don’t get colds anymore.

They are using a new device made of pure copper, which scientists say kills cold and flu viruses.

Doug Cornell invented the device in 2012. “I haven’t had a single cold since then,” he says.

People were skeptical but New research: Copper stops colds if used early.

EPA and university studies demonstrate repeatedly that viruses Businesswoman Rosaleen says when and bacteria die almost instantly when people are sick around her she uses Coptouched by copper. perZap morning and night. “It saved me That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyp- last holidays,” she said. “The kids had tians used copper to purify water and colds going around, but not me.” heal wounds. They didn’t know about Some users say it also helps with viruses and bacteria, but now we do. sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a Scientists say the high conductance 2-day sinus headache. When her Copperof copper disrupts the electrical balance Zap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in she said. “My head cleared, no more seconds. headache, no more congestion.”

So some hospitals tried copper touch Some users say copper stops nightsurfaces like faucets and doorknobs. time stuffiness if used before bed. One This cut the spread of MRSA and other man said, “Best sleep I’ve had in years.” illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

Copper can also stop flu if used earColds start after cold viruses get in ly and for several days. Lab technicians your nose, so the vast body of research placed 25 million live flu viruses on a gave Cornell an idea. When he next CopperZap. No viruses were found alive felt a cold about to start, he fashioned a soon after. smooth copper probe and rubbed it genDr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams tly in his nose for 60 seconds. confirming the discovery. He placed mil“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold lions of disease germs on copper. “They never got going.” It worked again every started to die literally as soon as they time. touched the surface,” he said.

He asked relatives and friends to try The handle is curved and finely texit. They said it worked for them, too, so tured to improve contact. It kills germs he patented CopperZap™ and put it on picked up on fingers and hands to protect the market. you and your family.

Now tens of thousands of people Copper even kills deadly germs that have tried it. Nearly 100% of feedback have become resistant to antibiotics. If said the copper stops colds if used within you are near sick people, a moment of 3 hours after the first sign. Even up to 2 handling it may keep serious infection days, if they still get the cold it is milder away. than usual and they feel better.

The EPA says copper still works even Pat McAllister, age 70, received one when tarnished. It kills hundreds of diffor Christmas and called it “one of the ferent disease germs so it can prevent sebest presents ever. This little jewel real- rious or even fatal illness. ly works.” Now thousands of users have CopperZap is made in America of simply stopped getting colds. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money People often use CopperZap preven- back guarantee. It is $69.95. tively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci used to Get $10 off each CopperZap with get colds after crowded flights. Though code UTCJ10. skeptical, she tried it several times a day Go to www.CopperZap.com or call on travel days for 2 months. “Sixteen toll-free 1-888-411-6114. flights and not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

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Page 10 | February 2020

Midvale City Journal

School crossing guards give winter safety tips

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

W

ith the cold and adverse weather conditions setting in, winter can be a challenging time for school crossing safety.

Drivers and pedestrians alike share responsibility for being safe, however, each year in Utah, 30 pedestrians are hit and killed by cars and another 785 are hospitalized or treated in an emergency room after being in a crash with a motorized vehicle, according to the indicator based information system for public health. According to the Utah Highway Safety Office, more than one third of the pedestrians involved are between age 10 and 24.

School crossing guards say by exercising safety tips, it can reduce the risk of getting hurt. Here are 10 different crossing guards from six different communities who are providing tips, in no particular order, on how to keep school children safe this winter while at the school crosswalk.

• “Safety is more important than worrying about being tardy to school or to work,” said Daybreak Elementary’s Don Hicks, who has crossed at the school for nine years. He said that drivers can race through the crosswalk on nasty days so plan accordingly and get up earlier and leave for school earlier, whether walking or driving. “There can be a bit of chaos here in the morning Daybreak Elementary crossing guard Don Hicks advises students to set out earlier for school during colder weather. (Julie Slama/City Journals) when it’s colder and more people are driving and in a big hurry,” he said. make sure students are aware of the them. She places a big, orange safety drivers.

“Give yourself the extra time.” traffic around them, that their winter cone in the middle of the crosswalk to • Even in the winter, about a third of the • “Drivers need to slow down in a hat and scarf do not prevent them from alert drivers, but she said that doesn’t students who cross the street to Altara school zone and leave more space hearing vehicles or the crossing guard. always work. “My cone gets hit a lot Elementary ride bikes or scooters, said near the crosswalk,” said Monte VisWith the snowplows often piling snow and people say they didn’t see it,” she Pam Hortin, who has been crossing ta Elementary’s Evelyn Heap, who has near the curbs and sides of streets, she said. students the last 15 of her 20 years at crossed at the school for three years suggests drivers reduce their speed • For seven years, Melissa Tupou has the school. “They need to walk bikes and previously, drove a school bus and even stop to look as they approach crossed students in Herriman, Rivand scooters across the crosswalk,” for almost 20 years. “Sometimes drivcrosswalks to ensure pedestrian and erton, Millcreek and throughout Salt she said. “It’s easier to see them if they ers don’t understand the weather; you crossing guard safety.

Lake County before crossing Draper walk, but they can drop their bikes and can’t stomp on the brakes as you can • For 12 years, Melissa Huyboom has students who attend Oak Hollow Elerun quickly to the side to be safe” if a in the summer.” In addition to travelcrossed school children at Alta View mentary, Draper Park Middle, Corner motorist infringes on their crosswalk. ing the 20 mph speed limit, she also Elementary and substituted two years Canyon High and Summit Academy.

• Students should “walk carefully and advises drivers not to crowd the sidebefore that. She tells students to “wait Her safety advice is to “know and be more aware as they walk,” taking walk. “Even if they are just dropping for the crossing guard to make sure follow the school zone rules.” Often, intentional shorter steps in the snow off school children, it makes it difficult all cars stop and when I signal them, drivers will not stop 30 feet from the and ice and being focused on what for the crossing guards to safely see then they should cross.” Huyboom striped crosswalk or proceed if pedesthey’re doing, said Midvalley Elemenaround the vehicle and for children, makes sure she has the eye contact and trians are on the other side of the road tary crossing guard Cathy Camacho, who could dart into traffic,” she said. attention of the drivers as students “are instead of waiting until the crosswalk who has crossed five years at the school By allowing space at the crosswalk, it excited about school, seeing a friend, is clear, she said, adding that drivers and one year in Taylorsville. “Running also allows drivers behind the stopped talking about losing a tooth, and don’t also try to turn right when they reach across the crosswalk is not allowed.” car enough room to see pedestrians always pay attention.” the intersection first instead of yielding • And importantly, “use crosswalks,” Pecrossing so they don’t pass the stopped • “Be a good role model when walking to school children. ruvian Park crossing guard Carli Orr vehicle. or driving as children are sponges • Bella Vista Elementary 10-year crosssaid. “Don’t jaywalk. It only takes • “Wear proper attire for the weathand soak up everything,” said Dawn ing guard Don Antczak worries about two extra minutes to walk to the er,” said Horizon Elementary’s Aimee Barrus, who has crossed students for a the safety of school children, especrosswalk.” She said that often times, Thompson, who is crossing for her decade at both Twin Peaks and Woodcially as “they’re all here at once afschool custodians clear the snow from third year at the school. “Sometimes, stock elementary schools. “Put down ter school.” He advises them to “stay crosswalk and if not, crossing guards I’m having to help kids cross over everything, be alert and pay attenon the sidewalks, even if they aren’t have been known to shovel it themsnowbanks onto the sidewalk who are tion to distractions.” Barrus said cell cleared after heavy storms,” rather than selves and put down ice melt so it’s wearing (dress) shoes without socks.” phones are a big distraction for both walking on the street after it has been safer for students to cross. She also said She advises students wear snow boots walkers and drivers. Wearing headplowed as “cars whip right through drivers are alert to look for students usto improve traction as well as winter phones also can distract pedestrians as here.” Staying on the sidewalks puts ing the crosswalk as they expect them coats and gloves. At the same time, they aren’t aware of the traffic around a buffer between the pedestrians and to cross at that point in the street. l

MidvaleJournal.com

February 2020 | Page 11

Community Candles of Light shined on families in need

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

Peruvian Park second-grader Miles Raymond (seen here) was one of 216 volunteers who put in more than 600 hours to help more than 600 students from 200 families from the Midvale Elementary, Midvale Middle, Copperview Elementary, Sandy Elementary, East Midvale Elementary, Hillcrest High, and Diamond Ridge High communities. It was a joint effort with Canyons District’s Title I schools, which serve a disproportionate share of low-income students, to ban together in a Community Candles of Light free shopping experience for student families in need of holiday gift assistance, said Copperview Elementary community schools coordinator Jenna Landward. “It’s pretty awesome,” she said. “We sat down at the beginning of the school year and met with

donors to make sure our students could get what they needed from hygiene items to food bags to books and blankets. So many monetary donations came, we were able to also provide them gift cards.” More than 150 businesses and individuals donated items and more than $5,000 cash to Community Candles of Light. The effort was partnered with United Way of Greater Salt Lake and Mountain View Christian Assembly, which hosted the event Dec. 14. “It is such a blessing for us to love God, people and serve our community,” Deacon Dale Whittle said. “It brings precious tears of joy to help these families. It is a privilege.” (Julie Slama/City Journals).

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Midvale City Journal

In The Middle of Everything

FEBRUARY 2020 CITY NEWSLETTER

City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047

The Heart of the Matter

MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall Finance/Utilities Court City Attorney’s Office City Recorder/Human Resources Community Development Public Works Ace Disposal/Recycling City Museum Midvale Senior Center SL County Animal Services Midvale Precinct UPD Police Dispatch Unified Fire Authority Fire Dispatch Communications

801-567-7200 801-567-7200 801-255-4234 801-567-7250 801-567-7228 801-567-7211 801-567-7235 801-363-9995 801-569-8040 385-468-3350 385-468-7387 385-468-9350 801-743-7000 801-743-7200 801-840-4000 801-567-7230

MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYOR Robert Hale Email: Rhale@midvale.com

801-567-7204

CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Quinn Sperry Email: qsperry@midvale.com District 2 - Paul Glover Email: pglover@midvale.com District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: bbrown@midvale.com District 5 - Dustin Gettel Email: dgettel@midvale.com

WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills Ordering A New Trash Can Reserving the Bowery Permits GRAMA requests Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Property Questions Cemetery Water Line Breaks Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement Building inspections Graffiti

801-567-7200 801-567-7202 801-567-7202 801-567-7212 801-567-7207 801-255-4234 801-567-7202 801-567-7213 801-567-7246 801-567-7235 801-256-2575 801-567-7231 801-567-7208 801-567-7228 385-468-9769

EMERGENCY OR DISASTER CONTACT Public Works Fire Dispatch – Unified Fire Authority Midvale Police Precinct or Police Dispatch Unified Police Department EMERGENCY

801-567-7235 801-840-4000 801-468-9350 801-743-7000

911

In the dead of winter months, life can seem bleak, especially about the seventh time homeowners must shovel snow from the front walks and driveway.

Leap Year invades the calendar this year.

There will be twenty-nine days this month. I still have a watch that requires that I reset the day of the month as the month end passes by. It will take me several minutes this month! How many do you know that are born on the 29th of February? Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a birthday every four circuits around the sun? I’d be a teenager! These people born on leap day are still in their youth, having a birthday only every four years, so give them a break if they are acting their age.

While trees are sleeping from the cold, it is a good time to prune. A good and careful pruning in winter will produce an abundant crop in summer and fall. One of the greatest teachers of mankind is the Good Earth. Plant life can be grown universally in Midvale. Even condominium owners can put a few seeds in an indoor pot this month and transplant the starts to a small grow box in late May fir a harvest later in the summer. Seeds and new starts require light, water, food and protection from the elements. That’s kind of like our youth and those among us who are not able to do all the physical labor that young adults can perform. Care must be taken to help and preserve our hall neighbors and our street neighbors.

Right at the end of January an unfortunate water main break occurred just south of 8000 South and State Street. Much cleanup

By Mayor Robert Hale

was necessary for a few businesses nearby. Schools had to be dismissed for the day due to lack of water. This surely mangled some parent’s workday schedules. But even though there were problems, for the most part, these were short-term hiccups in what is generally smooth day-to-day activities. I think we had demonstrated to us all the capabilities of the management and faculty of Canyons School District to put into effect the emergency contingencies to protect every child. We also saw Unified Police Department at the ready to protect any children who may have had to cross Center Street so they could spend a few hours elsewhere.

Most of all, I think we need to appreciate the fearless work of Midvale Public Works who worked diligently from 4:30 a.m. to nearly 6:00 p.m. to find, evaluate, surgically use a backhoe to cut down through the asphalt and nearly six feet of soil, past three layers of four-inch tubes housing other utilities to expose the fractured ten-inch main, cut out the broken segment, put a repair sleeve over the break and clamp it water-tight on both ends, and finally re-pressurize the water system. The hole was filled in and a temporary patch put down into the asphalt. When weather warms, a permanent UDOT-standard repair will be made.

So, now we are looking forward to warmer months. The predictability of spring followed by summer is a great blessing of our memories. I can taste the tree-picked sweet apricots, pears and apples in my mouth even now, even though it is February – cold, snowy, and wind-blown. Work now to make a bountiful summer and fall. It’s always been this way. It always will be. Can you taste the fruit? I can.

Midvale Arts Council

Love Shelter Pets Food Drive

2020 Hall of Honors Nominations Are Now Open

In 2019, more than 8,000 pets spent the night at Salt Lake County Animal Services.

During their stay, staff and volunteers provided them with treats and enrichments to keep them active while they waited for their owner or a new adopter to take them home.

From February 1 through 29, Animal Services is partnering with Salt Lake County Library for a treat drive that will benefit the pets at the shelter. All County Library Branches will have a bin to collect items for both cats and dogs.

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Hall of Honors award.

Visit www.midvalearts.com/hall-of-honors to download the application. To be considered for the 2019 award, the application must be received by 5:00 pm on Tuesday March 10, 2020 at the Midvale Arts Council offices 695 West Center Street, Midvale, Utah 84047. Applications can be emailed to stephanie@midvalearts.com or mailed to the above address.

The Hall of Honors is made up of native (or adopted) sons and daughters of Midvale who have made significant contributions to Midvale and/or those whose accomplishments and achievements have brought fame and recognition to Midvale as a community. The recipient of the award will be inducted into the Hall of Honors at a Ceremony and Reception during Harvest Days. Current Mayor, City Council, and members of the Arts Council are not eligible for consideration of this award until such a time and he or she is no longer on these Councils. Nominations are kept on file for 5 years consideration.

DOG ITEMS

• Canned dog food • Soft treats • Canned pumpkin • Applesauce • Chicken broth

CAT ITEMS

• Canned cat food pate • Soft treats

If you visit your local branch, please consider dropping off a treat: Your donation of wet or dry cat food and canned dog food helps these animals stay happy and healthy. Questions? Email events@slco. org. Salt Lake County Animal Services is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Have an animal emergency? Call Dispatch at 801-743-7000.

In The Middle of Everything Winter Parking Ordinance Updated Midvale City would like to remind residents about parking regulations to ensure plowing operations run safely, smoothly and efficiently throughout the community. In December, the City Council voted to revise the Winter Parking Ordinance to tie parking regulations to snow events, rather than time of day, as the purpose of the policy is to facilitate safe and effective snow removal.

The revised policy now states “It is an infraction for any vehicle to be parked on city streets where one inch of snow has accumulated. The parking prohibition shall remain in effect for 24 hours after snow has ceased to fall, or until such time as the snow has been removed from the street.” Residents should be mindful of the weather and make arrangements to park off the streets when snow is forecasted.

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Invitation to Residents to Participate in the Midvale Community Council

By Steve Hirchak, Chair We invite all that are interested in serving the community in a volunteer capacity to join us on January 8, 2020 at 6:15 p.m. at the Midvale City Hall.

The purpose of the Community Council is to promote the public good and the welfare of the Midvale community by: • Disseminating information and providing support for activities that benefit the community.

• Initiating, organizing, and providing support for activities that benefit the community.

• Facilitating communication between the City or other agencies and the community.

Please like our page to stay up to date on our activities: www.facebook.com/MidvaleCommunityCouncil

Aging Mastering Program…Helping Seniors Navigate A More Fulfilling Life There has never been a better time to be older. We are living longer and staying healthier. Many of us will spend decades in this new phase of life. Are you interested in living a better life today and staying healthy in the future? Midvale Senior Center is offering an Aging Mastery Program that will help you make and maintain small but impactful changes in your health behaviors, financial well-being, and enrichment in later life.

Core Curriculum for this course includes: Exercise and You Sleep Healthy Eating and Hydration Financial Fitness Medication Management Advance Planning Healthy Relationships Falls Prevention Community Engagement

Midvale City Council Adopts Resolution Supporting Equal Rights Amendment On Tuesday, January 21, the Midvale City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2020-R-06, a resolution in support of ratification by the State of Utah of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the United States Constitution.

The ERA was first proposed in 1923, though Congress did not pass it until 1972. To approve the amendment, ratification was needed in 38 states by 1979; the deadline was later extended to 1982. By then, though, only 35 states had done so. For years, and especially during the 1970s, the issue was a matter of intense national debate, the topic of legislative fights and political campaigns. But it faded some as the deadline passed and the national conversation seemed to move on.

The ERA promised equal rights to women, and was aimed at improving pay equity for them, strengthening domestic violence and sexual harassment protections, and blocking discrimination against pregnant people and mothers. The bill reads, in part: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” In early January, the State of Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA and now the debate will begin to decide if or how the deadline will be extended.

Join us for this fun, innovative program where you will meet new friends, provide support and encouragement to your peers, and become more involved in your community.

Midvale Senior Center, 7550 South Main Street (700 West) Tuesdays starting March 3 until May 12 at 10:30 AM—12:00 PM. Cost is Free to Seniors 60 and older. Seating is limited. Call 385-468-3350 to register.

FEBRUARY 2020 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Officer of the Month-December 2019 Officer Matt Schauehamer

Midvale welcomes City Council Member Heidi Robinson

Officer Matt Schauerhamer is a proactive performer on the graveyard shift in Midvale City. Officer Schauerhamer consistently uses his experience and investigative abilities to locate criminals who prey upon the community of Midvale.

It is not unusual for him to transport and book offenders into jail multiple times per shift.

He willingly assists his area partners in support of their cases. He willingly and without hesitation assists his area partners as needed. He balances his professional duties with the duties of a family man, always ensuring his family doesn’t go without.

Officer Schauerhamer’s proactivity, as well as the other members of the graveyard shifts proactive work ethic, has a direct correlation to the decrease in crime in the Midvale area. For these reasons, Officer Schauerhamer is the Officer of the Month of December, in the year 2019.

Midvale Senior Center Upcoming Events AARP Tax Aide—AARP will be at Midvale Senior Center to help you with your taxes. Wednesdays, February 5th—April 15th By Appointment only. Call 385-468-3350 or stop by the front desk for an appointment.

Not So Newlywed Game—Tuesday, February 11th, at 11:00 AM Recently elected Midvale City council members have taken their oaths of offices. Council Member Heidi Robinson is newly elected, and Council Members Paul Glover and Quinn Sperry have returned to their seats for another term. Heidi Robinson was sworn in on January 7 as the newest Midvale City council member by Municipal Court Judge George F. Vo-Duc office while family and friends supported her from the audience.

Council Member Robinson and her partner, Steve, moved their family of four to Midvale in 2014. They were instantly drawn to the charm, diversity and growth that Midvale has to offer. Steve works in law enforcement for a neighboring city and Council Member Robinson has worked in the finance industry for more than 20 years, a fair share of those years at companies located in Midvale.

Outside of work they spend their time as a family playing and supporting local sports or outdoors, enjoying the diverse landscape that Utah has to offer.

Her family and their future here in Midvale are one of the driving factors in her decision to become a voice in shaping Midvale’s future.

Valentine’s Day Entertainment—Time Steppers Country Western Show on Friday, Feb. 14th, at 11:00 AM Exercise with U of U Students—This class will help you maintain good health, fitness and independence through exercise. Mondays and Fridays at 12:00 PM. Personal Fitness with U of U Students—Learn how to use our equipment and exercise machines to achieve your fitness goals. Mondays and Fridays at 1:00 PM—1:30 PM. 16-Weeks to Better Balance Challenge—Participate in this challenge that helps you have better balance through fitness classes, educational seminars, and pre and post assessments. Starts February 4th—May 29th. Call Paige at 385-468-3083 for more information and to register.

Square Dancing—Exercise the body and mind while having fun. Meet new friends. Partner welcome, but not necessary. Tuesdays at 1:30 PM Senior Job Fair– Are you interested in meeting new people and making extra money? Join us on Tuesday, February 18, from 11:00 AM—1:00 PM to learn about job opportunities for seniors.

Aging Mastery Program—Are you interested in living a better life today and staying healthy in the future? Learn how to navigate through your senior years successfully. Tuesdays, March 3rd—April 21st at 10:30 AM. Seating is limited. Call 385-468-3350 to register.

Sign Up Today! Midvale Connect–Citizen Engagement Platform Midvale City’s new “Midvale Connect” citizen engagement platform has been launched. Midvale Connect will help the city hear from residents more frequently about an array of topics.

The new Midvale Connect platform connects the City’s existing methods of gathering feedback and allows for expanding these capabilities. Examples of engagement activities Midvale Connect supports include (but are not limited to): in-person interactions at public meetings or community events, online surveys/discussion forums, social media outreach, text messaging and email communication, geo-targeting, language translation, and long-term Citizen Relationship Management (CRM).

At Midvale City, we understand that public engagement is not a transactional process with a defined beginning and end-date. Engaging the public involves thoughtful outreach and a recognition of the time and energy offered by residents through responsiveness and re-engagement. This recognition builds the trust that is critical to our democracy. The Midvale Connect platform is designed to facilitate engagement and support the process of building trust through this holistic approach.

Visit

www.MidvaleCity.org/MidvaleConnect to sign up for Midvale Connect.

In The Middle of Everything American Heart Month

“On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. From landmarks to news anchors and neighborhoods to online communities; this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.” (American Heart Association) Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. American Heart Month is a great opportunity to spread the word about preventing heart disease.

You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk: • Start by knowing your numbers: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and BMI (Body Mass Index) • Take action and manage your numbers: Schedule a separate visit with your healthcare provider to learn these numbers and commit them to memory; Work to improve your numbers, if necessary • Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.

• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.

• Get active and eat healthy • Reduce stress

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

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MidvaleJournal.com

February 2020 | Page 17

Midvalley Elementary nears completion, Hillcrest High to be finished in 2021

I

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

n custodian Jim Sheeley’s office is a framed magazine cover of Midvalley Elementary.

It isn’t the architectural concept of what the new school will look like, but instead a photograph of the exterior of the current, 60-plus-yearold school that was considered to be groundbreaking at the time.

Next to the framed magazine cover is an aerial view photograph and the May 5, 1958 dedication program and photos of the school he has kept in check for the past 36 years.

On the table, Sheeley has a hard hat and architectural plans of the new Midvalley — one that he has watched and photographed the progress weekly from the roof of the existing school.

“It’s kind of neat to see the changes in the building every week,” Sheeley said.

His photography project may come to an end in a few months as the new Midvalley Elementary is expected to be completed this summer, with a projected July move-in date, according to Canyons School District Business Manager and Chief Financial Officer Leon Wilcox.

The new Midvalley Elementary and new nearby Hillcrest High are being constructed as part of the $283-million bond voters approved in November 2017.

Midvalley’s new school will cost $22.5 million, Wilcox said.

“It’s going to be a big improvement over what our current students have,” he said. “We may be using the same plan for future school buildings.”

The new elementary school is being constructed on the former grassy field as 435 current students will continue to study in the school that is west of the construction site. The new school will be the largest elementary in Canyons School District at 85,000 square feet to house 800 students.

NJRA Architects designed the building with input from teachers, students and the community. Crews with Bud Mahas Construction are continuing work on the two-story school that will include a safety vestibule entrance in addition to clear view of entrances and exits and a perimeter road to allow emergency responders access to the building.

Classrooms will have natural light, updated technology, storage, and space for learning.

Nearby will be restrooms and drinking fountains with water bottle filling stations as well as collaborative spaces as well as a small kiva for teaching.

Throughout the building, which will use school colors of red, white and blue, in addition to shades of teal, green and gray, there will be large skylights, a multi-purpose room for lunch and inside gym and power towers for electronic devices.

Progress continues at Hillcrest High, with the fieldhouse and gymnasium complex expected to be done by March. A wet spring last year pushed back progress, which makes playing any

Page 18 | February 2020

state basketball playoff games in the new facility “unlikely,” Wilcox said.

There also are delays with working crews as there are more projects, including the new Salt Lake International Airport, than laborers, he said.

However, projections still remain that the new Hillcrest will open in fall 2021 at a cost of $119.4 million.

“We just can’t start the next phase until we knock down the old gym to make space for a classroom wing,” Wilcox said.

The new athletic center will include a new indoor turf facility (or field house) located north of the football field, a main gymnasium, an auxiliary gym, training room, dance room, weight room, wrestling room, multi-purpose athletic room and locker rooms.

“It’s designed so we can put in soccer, baseball, softball and lacrosse coming up in the field house, but also use it for drill, cheer and dance and even yoga,” Wilcox said. “With PE students able to use the facility, it will ease up the demand for the gymnasium space for volleyball and basketball.”

In what was the main or south parking lot, crews already are constructing the auditorium and black box theatre, commons and the technical education wing that will house wood, automotive, jewelry, robotics, engineering and other shops.

“In a year there may be possibly looking at holding classes there, but right now, we’re not looking at it for next school year,” Wilcox said.

“Next year, we are planning to hold all programs in the old building.”

Much of the building will feature “daylighting” design in the form of large windows. The premise holds that natural light is not only good for defraying electricity and infrastructure costs, but it also boosts learning for the 2,250 students.

The final two phases, consisting of mostly sports fields on the west side of Hillcrest’s 38acre campus, will be completed by late 2021. l

Almost weekly, custodian Jim Sheeley has photographed the new Midvalley Elementary being built from the roof of the existing school building. (Jim Sheeley/Midvalley Elementary)

Midvale City Journal

Growing up and giving back at the Boys & Girls Club

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

K

rista Cardenas has been coming to the Midvale Boys & Girls Club for the past 15 years. That’s approximately 63% of her life.

Cardenas began attending programs as a youth when she was in the fourth grade. Now she is 24 and serves as the club’s outreach coordinator. In addition to organizing leadership activities and providing homework help each day, Cardenas leads special programs.

“I work with the homeless youth right now and reaching out to them in the community has been my goal,” Cardenas said. “With every new family or youth that comes in, it’s good to get to know them and help them in any way we can.”

The youth living at the Road Home Midvale Center often benefit from specialized programming.

“The most important thing is giving them opportunities they wouldn’t find elsewhere,” Cardenas said. “We have lots to give them. Homework help, helping families with what they need or connecting them with other resources. We get a lot of donations for when families need extra food and we do Kid’s Cafe for dinner every day.”

Cardenas has been employed by the Club for nearly five years. After graduating from Hillcrest High School, she started out as a youth development specialist doing dance instruction during the school year and cheerleading classes during the summer. The cheerleading group included kids in the third through sixth grades.

“A few boys were interested, but unsure how it would go,” Cardenas said. “Once we put them in and gave them some cool tricks they got really into it.” The entire group performed for the rest of the club at the end of the summer.

Working with the youth made her motivated to do more and lately she has taken on the role of mentoring youth individually.

Cardenas grew up in different cities around Salt Lake County, but the Midvale club was always her home base. She currently lives in West Jordan.

A favorite memory for Cardenas when she attended the Club as a youth was participating in the Keystone Club, the teen leadership program. “I got to go to a national

Krista Cardenas (center) supervises a field trip for Boys & Girls Club. (Photo courtesy Presley Austin)

conference here in Utah,” Cardenas said.

“I got to meet other teens from around the United States.”

Leadership programs similar to student councils are available for both age groups at the Club (juniors aged 6 to 12 and teens aged 13 to 18). And teens have chances to earn scholarships, according to Presley Austin.

Austin has been the Midvale Club director since June 2018 and has worked for the organization for 11 years. She stresses the importance of staff like Cardenas.

“A lot of our children here have parents that work two or three jobs and don’t have time to sit with their kids and do homework every night,” Austin said. “So we provide that positive adult role model. The opportunities that our kids have by coming here are endless.”

The club, located at the southwest corner of Midvale City Park, offers different activities youth can choose from each day, including sports, fine arts and performing arts.

The youth also take several field trips a year.

Youth like Cardenas who participated in the leadership programs have an important role to play.

“Those are big programs because they plan community service events and do fund-

raising for the club,” Austin said. “I love seeing how creative they get with fundraising and the different ideas that they come up with.

They’ve had a Halloween dance and a concert where they invited different bands and musicians to play. They also help out with Cinco de Mayo and the Harvest Days parade.”

Cardenas recently graduated from

Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in dance. Her future career plans include teaching dance, so working with youth at the Club is a great stepping stone.

“My main focus here is being a role model to these kids,” Cardenas said. “I looked up to a lot of staff when I was a kid, so I want to do the same for them.” l

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Krista Cardenas (back row, center) leads a cheer camp for Boys & Girls Club participants during the summer. (Photo C courtesy Presley Austin)

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February 2020 | Page 19

State Board backs need for recess for elementary school students

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com ack in the day, grade school students would race outside, eager to climb the monkey bars or capture the flag. Others played hopscotch, four-square or kickball. It was a time when students could play, chat with their friends and have a sense of freedom from fractions or spelling tests. It was always a clear answer as many students’ favorite subject.

Somewhere along the way, it changed for some students. Now, at most Utah schools, recess is considered a privilege that is granted when their schoolwork is done and when they behave.

According to a 2017-2018 Get Healthy Utah school recess report, while 95% of 356 Utah elementary and charter schools (out of 610 in the state) responded that they hold recess, more than 64% said that recess is withheld for discipline and/or remediation.

When broken down further, 72% of Title I schools withheld recess for those reasons compared to 58% of non-Title I schools.

“The findings of the study prompted us to contact the Utah State Board of Education about providing recess guidelines to help provide schools with best practices and make sure that all students in Utah have access to recess,” said Sarah Hodges, Get Healthy Utah executive director.

Hodges teamed up with others, including Canyons School District’s health/PE/Playworks

specialist Allie Teller, to ensure recess be structured to be a positive, safe, inclusive time where students can learn social and leadership skills.

In January, the State Board of Education adopted those guidelines for best practices, including endorsing that recess shouldn’t be taken away as a punishment or used as a remediation time.

While the guidelines are not mandatory, they are an opportunity for schools to determine how best to use recess at their schools, Teller said.

In the group’s presentation, Teller said that research shows students perform better when they have regular breaks that include exercise.

She also said it not only helps with development of physical fitness, but also with social and emotional behaviors.

“When students have a break, their academics improve,” Teller said. “They’re able to concentrate better after getting their wiggles out and be able to be on-task in the classroom. Having that brain break is really important.”

In Canyons School District, schools use Playworks, a structured recess program that helps kids stay active and build social and emotional life skills through playing. By training older elementary students to lead games for all grade levels, students are empowered as peer leaders to increase participation and decrease problems on the playground.

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Teller also holds monthly training for recess aides and physical education specialists so they can learn how to best support students.

“We use recess as an intentional time. Students have learned skills in PE (physical education) and are practicing them at recess. Through playing games, they all have learned rules, and now, they are able to work together as a team, communicate, practice their conflict-resolution skills and problem-solving. These are skills that will support them their whole lives,” Teller said.

At East Midvale Elementary, Principal Matt Nelson agrees with the importance of recess.

“Recess is important; there is all kinds of scientific proof that exercise helps the body and brain balance,” he said. “Playworks at our school has been a great program for students to learn and play together, to be mentors and contribute to safe and fun recesses. When students have recess, they are able to reset, come back from running around, take a deep breath and refocus.”

Teller said that Canyons District has introduced alternatives to withholding recess time for remediation and social behavior as well as introducing indoor active recesses when inclement weather doesn’t allow outdoor play.

“Our main message is that we want to make recess a positive, safe, happy, healthy inclusive time for every single student,” she said. l

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At Sprucewood Elementary, students like second-grader Mary-Ann Whitaker, enjoy their recess time, which the Utah State Board of Education says is essential for all elementary school children.

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Midvale City Journal

Evening language class boosts Spanish-speaking kindergartners success in English

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

F

ifteen years ago, Ivette Martinez moved from Mexico to Utah. At first, she didn’t learn much English, but now she, along with her son, Kevin Angel, are learning together, thanks to a program at Copperview Elementary.

Kevin is a kindergartner who is learning his letters and their sounds like his peers in class, but also attending “Mi Idiomo, Mi Exito” or “My Language, My Success.” Seven times during the year, he and his mother are attending an evening session with about 20 other classmates and their parents to practice skills to help him be able to read English by first grade.

“He needs more ABCs and more English,” Martinez said about her son, adding that her older children also are helping him learn at home.

The program is taught to parents in Spanish by Maria Alvarez, a former Copperview and Midvale Elementary School teacher, who has taught the skills to families at that school.

“I came to the U.S. by myself with five children,” she said. “I understand the same problems and challenges and worries as these parents. This is a program that provides His-

panic parents guidance.”

Alvarez created the program beginning in 1995 and over a number of years, has developed a strong foundation for success.

“Many parents think it’s just the teacher that teaches, but they need to support the English skills at home. When students have a strong foundation in education, there won’t be as many problems and it will lead to so much more success,” she said.

At Copperview, Alvarez meets with kindergarten teachers to learn the material and know how best to support the curriculum.

Then, starting on welcome-to-school day, she invites Hispanic kindergarten parents to be involved in the program at no cost.

“We learn the letters’ names, sounds, learn high frequency words, practice nonsense words, learn phonics and every bit of the curriculum. Many Hispanic parents feel they cannot help their children since they don’t know English, but I teach parents the names of the letters through a word in Spanish, so they understand. Once the parents understand, they can teach it to their children, but the students are learning it in English,” she said.

For example, Hispanic parents can look

at a tree and say, “arbol,” then learn the beginning sound of the word, “ar” is similar to the pronunciation of the letter R in English.

“We don’t want to take away the students’ ability to speak bilingual, but to introduce them to reading in English,” Alvarez said. “It’s a program that works.”

Community Schools Facilitator Jenna Landward said the program includes activities and stories Alvarez reads in English.

“It really engages our parents and students together in learning, in building stronger relationships with each other and the school,” she said.

Copperview Principal Jeri Rigby, who was an administrator at Midvale Elementary, applauds the successful program that has helped both school communities.

“Getting parents engaged to provide support and active role in learning with their children in kindergarten is huge,” she said.

“Maria is an educator, who has a passion and power for educating and impacting parents and students’ lives.”

Rigby said that when looking at past data, the program has shown that these children have improved earlier by having a high frequency of practice when parents are en-

gaged at the home as well as it has fostered strong communication between teachers and parents.

“There’s value in the partnership in the community where parents are using strategies to help kids become successful. It’s empowering the children to learn. And Maria is holding these parents and children to be accountable,” Rigby said.

During the session, Copperview provides the evening meal for the families.

“It helps to make an evening of it — to learn, be engaged, and not be concerned about fixing dinner. It all makes a difference,” she said. “Latinos-in-Action students are providing childcare for the siblings, so parents don’t have to worry about that. This is part of a community school, to have a network of support for one another.”

Alvarez said she hopes to post the program on the internet to help others.

“It’s a good feeling to help others who are in the same situation as I was in 1991 when I came here,” she said. “I know parents can learn and help their children. They must learn English to not only survive, but to be successful in the United States.” l

Desert Star Presents “James Blonde: Agent 7-11 in License to Thrill” Desert Star proudly presents their latest parody on the James Bond series, that will shake patrons with killer laughs. This double-O-funny parody opens January 9th and it’s a hilarious musical melodrama for the whole family you don’t want to miss!

Written by Jenna Farnsworth, adapted from “Casino Real” by Ben Millet (2009) and directed by Scott Holman. This show follows the story of BETSY’s best agent, Agent 24/7 who must face down the diabolical Professor Blowfish, but Director M&M won’t let her do it alone. Much to 24/7’s chagrin, he enlists the help of the overly smarmy James Blonde. The colorful characters include the ultimate femme fatale, Ivanna Yakalot, nerdy henchman Life Hack whose got a hack for every occasion, as well as gadget-guru QWERTY and alluring assassin Sister Mission Mary.

Can Agent 24/7 and James Blonde find a way to work together to stop Professor Blowfish from brainwashing the entire world? Will they find the traitor in their midst before BETSY and the world are destroyed? Adventure, romance, and comedy with double-O-laughs come together in this hilarious parody James Bond mash-up, as well as topical humor torn from today’s headlines.

MidvaleJournal.com

“James Blonde: Agent 7-11 in License to Thrill” runs January 9th through March 21, 2020. The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s side-splitting musical olios, following the show.

The “British Invasion Olio” features hit songs from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and more mixed with Desert Star’s signature comedy.

Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served right at your table.

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February 2020 | Page 21

Valentine’s Day: The Day of the Dead

By Joani Taylor | Coupons4Utah.com Awe, love is in the air, tis the season to give your sweetheart an extra lift. If you aren’t feeling it, the barrage of commercials will make sure you don’t forget it. I say extra lift, because if you’re lucky enough to have a sweetheart, we should strive to lift them every day, but no sweetheart minds a little extra chocolate sauce on their ice cream once in a while.

It’s not uncommon to hear naysayers find reasons to put down this national day of love, it’s too commercial, too lonely, too fussy, too childish.

To be honest, having suffered the loss of my husband I was inclined to agree.

There’s so much pressure put on us to celebrate Valentine’s Day with roses and a partner by our bedside it can make the rest of us feel… well… a little pathetic.

I’m here to tell you to lighten up on yourself. It’s time to stop thinking there is something wrong with being single on Valentine’s Day! Who cares!

Instead of focusing on the fact that you aren’t in a relationship this February, focus on loving yourself by giving love to those around you instead. Here are 3 ideas to get you out of the love day funk.

1 - Give love to friends and family. It could be as simple as sending out a card or two to your closest friends or someone you know that is in a similar situation, to going all out and inviting people over for a dinner party and movie night.

2 – Give love to a stranger. This could be as simple as making a monetary donation to a charity, organize a collection of needed items for shelter or go great guns and spend a day volunteering. Do this in honor of your loved one if you’re missing one.

3 – Give love to an animal. Keep it simple and spoil your pet. Take your dog to his favorite dog park or spend an afternoon reading snuggled up with your cat. Maybe make a donation to a foundation that provides therapy animals for people, like Utah Pet Partners or run a food drive for the Humane Society.

Just like Mother’s and Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day is a day meant to spend appreciating someone. It’s a day intended to lift someone special.

What better way is there to lift ourselves up than to spend it lifting another? l

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Midvale City Journal

Scent of Mystery I blame Love’s Baby Soft for destroying my archeological career. Up until I started spritzing the perfume popular with the seventh-grade girls in my class, I’d never given any thought to how I smelled. My mom was lucky to get me to shower, yet, here I was, dousing myself in baby powder-scented toilet water.

The perfume’s slogan should have been a warning, “Because innocence is sexier than you think.”

Seriously? Who came up with that?

Hustler magazine?

My mom saw the signs and tried desperately to distract me. Basketball practice.

Dance lessons. Piano lessons. But it was too late. I’d discovered this scent could lure 12-year-old boys to my locker better than a steak sandwich (which I also tried).

But this wasn’t me! I didn’t care about boys! I had planned a life of adventure!

In first grade, I decided to become an author. I read “The Little Princess” until I absorbed the ability to write through osmosis.

I spent the day in my room, penning stories and jotting down poems then submitted my siblings to “a reading” where I’d share my work and they’d complain to mom.

Becoming Nancy Drew was my second-grade goal. I was ready to uncover ridiculous clues to break up the den of bank robbers living somewhere in Murray, Utah.

As a third-grader, I checked out library books so I could learn hieroglyphics. When the call came to go dig up tombs in Egypt, I’d be ready. I would trek near the pyramids,

Life

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

wearing khakis and a cute pith helmet, encountering mummies and warding off ancient curses.

Fourth and fifth grade were spent honing my dance skills. Ballet, tap, jazz, hokey-pokey – I did it all. I’d practice every day, secure in the knowledge I’d perform on Broadway.

Or at least the Murray Theater.

In sixth grade, I discovered Paul Zindel’s “The Pigman” and my desire to write returned full-force. It was decided. In the future, I would be a writing, dancing, detective archeologist who spent equal time on the stage and the Amazon rainforest.

But seventh grade! Boys! Gah!!

Suddenly, I wanted to smell good. I became obsessed with every pimple, every pore and studied the beautiful girls who made glamour seem effortless.

I read teen magazines. I learned I needed glossy lips and thick eyelashes to attract the opposite sex. (I tried to no avail to create the perfect cat’s eye, which turned out fine because I’m not a cat.) I had bangs so high and hairspray stiff, they were a danger to low-flying birds.

I fell in love with Shaun Cassidy, which was crazy because, as a writer, how could I marry someone who sang “Da Doo Ron Ron”? Those aren’t even words!

I earned money for Levi’s 501 button-fly jeans and Converse shoes. I bought Great Lash mascara, with its pink-and-green packaging - and Love’s Baby Soft.

Sure enough, the glossy, smelly trap I’d set began attracting boys who were just

as confused as I was. Just last summer we played baseball in the street and now we circled each other like strangers, unsure of what the hell was going on. Hormones raged.

Thanks to the distraction of the opposite sex, I never deciphered hieroglyphics. I never performed under the bright lights of a New York stage. I was never asked to solve the Mystery of the Secret Bracelet.

I blame Love’s Baby Soft. If it hadn’t been for that innocent aroma, I’d be a world-renowned expert on ancient Babylonia, accepting Tony awards for my depiction of Eliza Doolittle.

Seventh grade! Boys! Gah!! l

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February 2020 | Vol. 20 Iss. 02

FREE

SENIOR PLAYER BROX ASHBY BRINGS ON THE HEAT THIS SEASON

By Nichole Duffy | n.duffy@mycityjournals.com

A

fter Hillcrests’ back to back wins against fellow region teams Murray (49-35) and Cottonwood (56-50) the City Journals caught up with third-year captain and leading scorer, Brox Ashby.

If the name sounds familiar it could be because of his older brothers, Mckay and Stockton Ashby who also started for the Hillcrest boys basketball team from 2013-2018.

The Ashbys are a basketball family through and through, Brox explained. “My dad loves basketball, growing up that’s all we watched and that’s all we played.”

Brox has been a part of Hillcrest basketball since he was a freshman in the 2016 season, averaging 4 points a game and lettering that year and has been on a steady rise ever since.

“Their family records the Jazz games and watches them after our games as a family,” Coach Sanjin Kolovrat said about the Ashby’s basketball obsession.

Brox smiled widely and said, “Yeah, we really love the Jazz.”

At 6-foot-1, Brox is a large guard, whose responsibilities include controlling the pace of the game and making hard choices.

As a sophomore Brox began as a starting five member of the varsity team, and captain, that year averaging 14 points per game.

When asked if that was a hard decision, Kolovrat said, “No, he is a 100% leader. He takes care of business in the classroom and leads his teammates on the floor.”

One aspect that could be contributing to Hillcrests’ success thus far is the way Brox’s game has evolved over the last

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School crossing guards give winter safety tips

Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.

Senior Brox Ashby has had an all-star season averaging 18 points per game. (Photo courtesy Riley Mathis/Hillcrest High School)

two seasons. “In basketball terms, his decision making [has improved]; he was only really known as a scoring/shooting guard before this year, whereas now teams have to be aware of his decision making and passing,” Kolvorat said. “He sees the whole court so well and our guys know to be ready for a pass to come their way.”

One factor that could have inspired this change was

page 19

Growing up & giving back at the Boys & Girls Club

Brox’s junior year pregame injury to his foot. Brox explained, “I broke my foot and it took a lot of hard work and working on my game and working out with the coaches that really brought my game to the next level.” He went on to average 15 points a game that year.

Kolovrat added, “Hillcrest historically really hadn’t had an offseason program, so my coaches and I implemented one where we would have the team doing weights once or twice a week as well as skill development once or twice a week.”

Brox’s stats certainly show the discipline he has for the game, this season averaging 18 points, and in line to be the first player in more than 20 years to reach 1,000 points in their Hillcrest high school career. He broke through the 1,000-point barrier against Brighton on Jan. 21.

Clearly Kolovrat and his colleagues are doing something right as the Hillcrest boys varsity are 4-4 in their region and have high aspirations for the future.

“We got a lot of energy and a lot of good kids, we have ‘family’ written on the back of our warm-ups, it’s a big deal for us to have that positivity,” Kolovrat said. “We want to win more games than last year, we want to host a game in the state finals, and we just focus on getting better every day, and Brox is a big part of that. When he goes, we all go.”

Brox has received scholarship offers from Green River College and Centralia College both in Washington State, but has decided to serve a mission before committing to any school. l

page 6

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