Midvale City Journal | April 2020

April 2020 | Vol. 20 Iss. 04

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TRANSFORMED INTO COMMUNITY ART SPACE

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

O

n a Saturday night in February, artists and performers came from all over Utah to participate in an art show at the Xochikalli Collective on Midvale’s Main Street. The art on display included paintings, illustrations, zines, stickers and T-shirts with many of the artists displaying their work for the first time.

“I haven’t been able to show my art since high school,” said Meg Gonzales, one of the artists. “They do a lot of cool things here. I’m glad to have this space.”

More than 70 people visited the show over the course of the evening. “We were pretty surprised,” said Patricia Campos, one of the founders of the Xochikalli Collective. “For now, we only market events through Instagram and Twitter.”

Since it opened in January, the Xochikalli Collective has hosted classes, workshops, movie nights and dance parties at 7677 S. Main St. Xochikalli (pronounced “so-CHEE-cal-ee”) is the result of a partnership between two grassroots organizations, Existimos and Wanderlust Sex. Both groups work to bring together QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in Salt Lake County.

“Xochikalli is Nahuatl word and it’s literal translation means flower house,” said Jennifer Salazar, another founder.

“It also means cultural and spiritual center. We created this collective and community space because we believe in healing through art and community.”

Salazar and Esther Aboussou formed Wanderlust Sex as The founders of the Xochikalli Collective, from left to right: Patricia Campos, Jennifer Salazar, Graciela Campos and Esther Aboussou. (Photo couran educational organization committed to creating healing tesy Jennifer Salazar) spaces. They work to create a Continued page 05

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Spanish Dual Language Immersion to expand to two area schools this fall

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

T

his April, many parents of Canyons School District students will be searching their email for notification if their children were placed in the Spanish Dual Language Immersion program in a special springtime lottery.

That’s because next fall, Altara Elementary in Sandy and Midvalley Elementary in Midvale will launch Spanish DLI programs.

The Canyons Board of Education approved the expansion of the Spanish program in early February after receiving input from those communities and in response to a current waitlist of 93 students wanting Spanish DLI. The waitlist for 2020-21 at 114 students.

Currently, Canyons School District offers Spanish at three elementary schools.

In local elementary schools, DLI students spend half their school day learning the English language and half the day learning math, science or social studies in the target language. There are two teachers, one who teaches in English, and one, usually a native speaker, who only speaks the target language to students after the initial months when first-graders are enrolled in the program.

Next year’s programs at these schools will introduce dual immersion in first grade and a one-time second-grade start, said Altara Principal Nicole Svee Magann.

“We’re excited to have dual language immersion at Altara,” she said. “Spanish is a good life skill and it will infuse the school with new energy. Altara is a warm, welcoming place and with our new students and parents, we will give both our dual language learners and our non-dual language students a chance to learn and celebrate Hispanic culture. We don’t want it to be DLI students and neighborhood school students. We are Altara, and we can all learn from one another.”

Svee Magann said it’s a good time to introduce the program at her school since first-

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grade enrollment is fewer than usual. An expected boost in enrollment with DLI should help to bring enrollment back up to about 600 students from the current 485.

An expected 56 students in first and in second grades are expected at both schools, she said, adding that the lottery for both schools was expected to be held in March.

Svee Magann said that although some boundary students will get priority, admission will be a formula factoring the number of students who apply as well as those who are on the waitlist.

Midvalley also should be equipped to handle extra enrollment as the new school building that is projected to open this fall is being built for an enrollment up to 800 students, she said.

At Altara, all teachers will remain on staff while additional Spanish-instruction

teachers will be hired to teach DLI, Svee Magann said.

Another advantage to introducing the program at Altara is that many students may now choose to attend Mt. Jordan Middle, with its Spanish DLI program, alleviating some of the numbers who fill the halls at Indian Hills Middle School, she added.

Already Altara’s emails and automated telephone calls are in both English and Spanish as Hispanic students comprise 11% of the current population.

“The Hispanic enrollment has had a huge increase in the last seven years I’ve been here,” Svee Magann said. “This program is something the community has wanted and reached out to the Board. I thank the Board for listening.”

The result was from a district DLI committee who had met many times during the

Altara Elementary, as well as Midvalley Elementary, will house Spanish dual immersion in the fall. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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past year, said Ofelia Wade, dual language immersion Spanish coordinator for the district.

“We studied, analyzed and thought through ideas,” Wade said. “It was a long, worthy process, which we involved the community and explored valid, feasible ideas.

Spanish is the highest demand in Canyons District based on a survey we sent to parents and perspective parents.”

Another consideration was to house an entire Spanish-speaking school, kindergarten through 12th, in the former Crescent View Middle School building.

“In other states, that is a more common structure. We looked at ideas and explored new ways to support our programs long-term and make learning accessible,” she said.

Earlier this year, Wade and the Canyons DLI program held a parent night outlining testing and other new ways to monitor student progress in targeted languages.

Now, parents can access their students’ 2019 language test score results through family access on the Skyward student management system, where they can see listening and speaking scores in third, fifth and seventh grades and reading and writing test results in fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth grades. Proficiency reports will be used in first through third grades.

“Usually teachers move at a higher level, they push them, similarly to how you communicate with an infant and toddler and they learn advanced language skills and put words together in sentences,” she said. “This prepares them through elementary and into their secondary school years.”

In addition, students will be taking the Districtwide Standard Base Assessment given three times — August, January and April, she said. l

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Letter From The Publisher

By Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com The best way to describe this past month is weird. Like many of you, we here at the City Journals watched as the story unfolded in front of our eyes, first China, then the spread, the cruise ships, then the United States, then the state of Utah and Rudy Gobert, it became ever so clear that it was going to bear a heavy toll on local businesses and economy.

And it has, with restaurants, gyms, theaters and dentist offices being closed and events being canceled. The pandemic along with the earthquake has taken a heavy toll on the local business, including the City Journals.

The City Journals are dependent on local businesses to advertise in the Journals. This is how the Journals have printed newspapers for over 29 years.

It wasn’t long after Rudy that we here at the Journals started getting calls from local businesses needing to pause their advertising and people’s attention turned towards dreams of massive stacks of toilet paper in their storage room.

We soon realized that being completely dependent on advertising may not be the best way to fund the operations of the Journal.

We started brainstorming ways to balance our funding between the two parties that use us, the readers who read the Journals and the advertisers who advertise in them. We knew that we did not want to charge people to visit our websites, we knew we did not want to

have a subscription to the paper, so we decided to just ask our readers for help.

To help alleviate this pain we decided we would start by asking our readers to make donations to the paper. Please visit our website (donate.TheCityJournals.com) to donate to the City Journals. We know that many in the community are feeling the same pain as us right now and donating will not be an option. That is OK. You will continue to receive your Journal. For those that can spare a few dollars, we would appreciate it.

That said, the best way to help us and the other businesses in the community as well as many of your neighbors would be to maintain your social distance to fight the spread of this pandemic as well as continuing to shop with your local businesses to keep our economy healthy. And remember to help those around you in any way you can, we are all in this together.

However, there already seems to be a light glowing on the horizon. The Governor and State have issued a detailed thoughtful plan, the President and the Federal Government have started the flow of economic aid, manybusinesses are still functioning with not much more interruption than an annoyance.

Together the residents of Utah will prevail.

Sincerely, Bryan Scott

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Midvale City Journal

Continued from front page 01 dialogue that grapples with the intersections of sexual orientation, gender identity and race.

Existimos was founded by sisters Graciela and Patricia Campos to produce inclusive and diverse events that focus on art, community and healing.

“We overlap,” Salazar said. “Both groups focus on the queer community. We make space for every individual.”

For many years, Salazar’s mother operated the Hispanic Center for the Arts and the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance at the storefront on Main Street. “My mom couldn’t keep up with it and wanted to sell (the building),” Salazar said. “I told her that’s not an option.”

“We were doing the same things, so Jennifer reached out to us,” Campos said.

“We made the rental agreement in October and opened in January.”

“I grew up here. This is my home,” Salazar said. “I’ve seen lots of changes in 20 years of being here. It used to have a cool vibe with bodegas and taco carts, but now it’s in a process of gentrification and things are changing so fast. Lots of little microaggressions. But we’re planting our stake and holding our space.”

Xochikalli clearly fills a demand. Harrison Delgado and his friends drove up from

Itzel Nava poses at Xochikalli near a mural she created with Ruby Chacon and other artists. (Sarah Morton Taggart/City Journals)

St. George to perform at the art show in February. “There’s no space like this down there,” Delgado said. “We’re trying to put something together, but it’s hard.”

“We rent out the space for parties and workshops, but we hold free events as much as we can for the queer community,” Salazar said. “We want people to feel like it’s their home, too. It’s hard to have spaces that are predominantly for people of color.”

The collective has started a GoFundMe page to help make the space available for more groups to use for free. A link to the fundraiser and more information can be found at www.xochikalli.com.

Information on upcoming events can be found on Instagram @existimos.co and @ wanderlustslc. So far the space has averaged two or three events each week.

It’s stressful, but we’ve been so happy with the turnout,” Campos said. “People always come through.”

What’s next for Xochikalli?

“I want to do more education classes and include more youth. The dream is to have this open during the day, maybe have it be a co-working space. We just need to get Wi-Fi,” said Campos with a laugh.

“Right now I’m going to school, I have a full-time job, and I’m doing this,” Salazar said. “We would like to make this our fulltime job.”. l

Safe Driving Habits

S

pring is upon us, summer is on the way; and with warmer temperatures and (hopefully) blue skies on the horizon, drivers can’t blame slick roads or blinding flurries for their faulty driving anymore.

Driving safely requires good driving habits. Habits. Not occasionally safe maneuvers.

The following are some prudent practices to implement in your daily travels.

Blinkers and blind spots Driving 101. If you plan on changing lanes, let others in on your secret. Everyone will appreciate it. Others want to know what you are planning.

Likewise, if you see a blinker come on indicating your lane is that car’s desired destination, let it in. This isn’t the Daytona 500. We are not racing for $19 million. It is common courtesy, if we want people to use their blinkers, then we should reward them for doing so.

Remember the blinker doesn’t automatically assume safe passage to the next lane. And while your car’s sensors in the rearview mirrors are helpful, they are not omniscient. Check your blind spot with your own eyes. There’s a reason it’s called a “blind” spot.

Tire pressure This one is almost as simple as the first.

Check your tire pressure on a regular basis to know if there is a small leak. Maybe you drove over a nail and didn’t realize it.

We often don’t look at the tires on the passenger side since we don’t approach the car from that direction, checking regularly allows you to examine those opposite side wheels.

MidvaleJournal.com

It will keep your car’s handling in its best condition. Each vehicle can have different appropriate PSI (measurement for tire pressure), but when temperatures drop, so does the pressure in your tires.

Drive defensively This means keeping distance between you and the car in front of you.

Touching their bumper does nothing for you. And if you need to get that close to read their license plate or sticker, your eyesight is troubling and you probably shouldn’t be behind a steering wheel.

Also you can’t always see what’s in front of the car before you. They may have to slam on their brakes due to an unexpected obstruction. If you rear end them, insurance rarely works out in your favor.

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Distractions This is the No. 1 reason for accidents. This is not limited to using the cell phone, though texting, checking news alerts or making a phone call are all terrible decisions to make while driving.

It also extends to dozing off or checking the price at the gas station you just passed. Be alert, stay vigilant. Other drivers may suddenly stop, they may not see you as you yield or turn.

By staying engaged and sharp, your reactions can be sharper and you may even anticipate what other drivers are looking to do.

These habits are important and it is not overdramatic to say that they could save a life.

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Midvale creates model for working with individuals experiencing homelessness

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

H

omelessness is a complicated problem that Midvale city officials, service providers and business owners are working to address, one meeting at a time.

Several years ago the city received complaints from local businesses owners about vandalism and loitering attributed to individuals experiencing homelessness.

“There was a desire by businesses to have their property rights and employees’ safety addressed in a joint committee meeting with the city, Unified Police Department (UPD) and Road Home leadership,” said Midvale Mayor Robert Hale, who took office after the meetings had begun.

The shelter coordination meetings have continued every month, with participation from a range of service providers including the Boys & Girls Club, Salt Lake County Library, Canyons School District, the United Way and Utah Community Action.

“The Road Home starts the meeting with their report, then everyone takes their turn,” Hale said. “This is a model that’s been shared with other cities in Utah. Coordination brings unity of direction to coordinate protective action. It helps protect residents (of the shelter) from abuses, helps keep kids off the railroad tracks, keeps vandalism away from businesses.”

The meetings seem to be helping.

“In the last year, we haven’t had any business owners complain,” Hale said. “(The shelter) has taught the youth what they can and can’t do, where they can go.”

It’s unusual for so many different groups to come together for regular meetings, but the benefits are clear. Heidi Lund, program director for The Family Support Center’s LifeStart Village attended her first meeting in March. She met members of the UPD who are working with the local homeless population and asked staff from The Road Home how to best help individuals who might need to move from one shelter to the other. Sarah Strang, deputy director of crisis services for The Road Home, regularly comes to meetings and learns something new each time.

“Sometimes we solve problems before leaving the table. Sometimes it takes longer,” said Patrick O’Brien, the RDA Housing Project manager for Midvale. “These meetings are very beneficial to the city. With the communication list, we can work together even outside of the group.”

The shelter coordination meetings have helped The Road Home work more closely with the local police force. “Strong partnerships with Midvale City and the chief of police, I can’t stress how essential that’s been,” Strang said. “We’ve created a model here in terms of partnership.”

“South Salt Lake now follows our model with officers in-house as well as surrounding areas,” said Randy Thomas, the UPD chief in

Page 6 | April 2020

Midvale. “Our future goals are better information sharing.”

“Safety has been adopted by our board as a top value,” said Michelle Flynn, executive director of The Road Home. “The officers assigned here are caring individuals.

They want to keep families together and keep dangerous predators out. I feel good about how we’ve evolved that conversation. The officers are getting to know who the unsheltered are.”

In addition to the monthly coordination meetings, The Road Home’s Midvale Family Resource Center has made other changes in the past few years to reduce the amount of time families spend at the shelter. When families first arrive at the Midvale Family Center, located at 529 W. 7300 South, they meet with a case manager from Utah Community Action. The case worker first finds ways to divert the family from the Midvale Family Center, if possible. According to Flynn, 25% of families are diverted to alternative shelters.

“We help them find other resources and look through their own networks,” said Nathan Breinholt, housing homeless coordinator at Utah Community Action. “We diverted 20 families in February, which allowed (The Road Home) to shelter 20 other families.”

There is room at the Midvale Family Center for a maximum of 300 individuals, which usually works out to around 80 families at any given time.

The families sleep in a large room with movable dividers for privacy. There is a small playground outside and an outdoor area on the roof. School-aged children are bussed to local schools and younger siblings have access to the preschool area at the shelter. Families prepare their own meals in the kitchen using donated food. Lockers are available to store food they’ve purchased on their own.

“We try to get families out as quickly as possible,” Flynn said. “We’ve been housing first for many years. We connect clients with the services they need to help them remain stable.”

“We have a light touch for families who cycle through quickly,” Strang said. “And wraparound services for more vulnerable families who need supportive services to be able to maintain their housing. Wraparound services start in the shelter and follow them to their home after they move out. The Road Home’s strength is getting people into houses.”

The Road Home reported on a recent success story at the March shelter coordina-

tion meeting. A family consisting of two parents and two young children, one of whom is disabled, first stayed in the Midvale Family Center in 2018. The Road Home provided the family with rapid rehousing funding, enabling them to move to an apartment. After a year, the family became unable to pay their rent and returned to the center. However, their case manager had stayed in touch throughout this time and worked to keep the family on the waitlist for subsidized housing.

The family was at the shelter for less than two months during their second stay and have now moved to more affordable housing where they pay 30% of their income for rent.

The Midvale Family Center has become such a model that Robert Marbut, the federal government’s top homelessness official, visited the shelter in February. After his tour, Marbut took note of the many things being done in Midvale.

“You need to connect services and housing at the same time,” Marbut said. “But it’s best to prevent, whether it’s 24 hours after eviction, or before evictions.”

“When people come to the shelter they are citizens of Midvale,” said O’Brien. “We want them to have positive experiences as citizens.” l

Midvale City officials, police officers and members of the Pioneer Park Coalition pose with Robert Marbut (second from the left) in front of the Midvale Family Resource Center. (Sarah Morton Taggart/City Journals)

Midvale City Journal

Hillcrest IB meeting to address incoming students’ questions, officers share insight into rigorous program

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

L

ast school year, Hillcrest High international baccalaureate students racked up more than $4.7 million in scholarships to attend colleges and universities nationwide.

That, and the fact that many of the students enter their collegiate careers as sophomores are two main reasons why students choose the IB program, said Su Veenstra, IB CAS/Service Learning coordinator​​.

A new student and parent meeting about the program will be held at 6 p.m., April 13 in Hillcrest’s STEM atrium, on the north side of the campus located at 7350 S. 900 East, where IB student officers and IB program coordinator John Olsen will outline the program.

“We will go over what IB is, how to apply, terminology used, why IB is helpful, if it’s a good fit for a student and information about college credit,” Veenstra said, adding that the meeting is helpful for incoming freshmen in the fall. “We also offer a student shadow so we can pair up an eighth-grade

of career-related studies, such as technical and professional coursework. There also is a focus in service learning, language development and a reflective project.

“It’s a rigorous program, so if students enroll in a class or two, it looks great on their transcript,” she said. “We help the student align IB with their goals and other activities so they will understand which pathway best fits their time and focus.”

Teachers, as well, are a valuable source of information as those teaching IB are sent to trainings and conferences about the program and material covered. In addition, Hillcrest hosts an IB conference each fall for about a dozen Utah IB schools to cover new curriculum, trainings and hosts national guest speakers.

“IB diploma students work with a teacher as an adviser on a one-to-one level on the subject of their choosing for an extended research essay that is 4,000 words. They’re there to advise their research and direction.

IB covers a depth of knowledge, not memorizing facts, but approaching a deeper level of subject matter. The coursework is part of the final grade; it’s all-encompassing with the oral and written tests,” Veenstra said.

IB is graded on a one to seven rubric, with scores of three through seven passing.

Many high school graduates will enter college after IB as a sophomore or higher, she said.

“It really depends how driven you are.

Last year, we had a student graduate in the IB program and will graduate this summer from college,” she said.

Currently, the IB diploma program credits are accepted at all Utah colleges and universities with the exception of Brigham Young University in addition to numerous institutions nationwide.

IB officers lead their peers in activities throughout the year. In addition to hosting this and other quarterly meetings, they visit with middle school students and reach out to others at the Husky (activities) fair. They also plan socials from bowling to painting and recently completed a clothing and humanitarian drive for refugees.

“Our students talk to parents and students because they really want to know what IB is like from a student’s viewpoint,” Veenstra said. “They are the heart of Hillcrest IB. They have a strong sense of direction. There is pressure, but these students are able to have fun even as they’re dedicated to their academics and want to be part of something An international baccalaureate new student and parent meeting for the program will be held at 6 p.m., April bigger. They’re passionate. IB students gain 13 in the STEM atrium at Hillcrest High School. (Julie Slama/City Journals) leadership and independent learning. IB brings a sense of teamwork and togetherness.

It instills values with our students.” l

MidvaleJournal.com

student with an officer for a day so they can have a better understanding of the coursework.”

Developed in Switzerland in the 1960s, IB was designed as a rigorous, internationally-recognized diploma for entry into universities that students worldwide could earn. As of March 2020, there were 6,966 programs, including those for primary and middle years, being offered in 158 countries.

Hillcrest students can choose between three IB pathways: diploma, career or coursework.

The diploma program is made of three core required components— theory of knowledge, an extended essay, and a creative activity service project — in addition to studying six core subjects: language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts.

The career path not only includes courses from the diploma program, but also those

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Schools close doors, to open virtual windows

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

H

allways were less crowded on Friday, March 13, not because of superstitions, but likely as students stayed home after the announcement of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force’s guidelines, which included no out-of-state school travel for two weeks, no school assemblies, dances or concerts, limitation of sporting events, as well as staggering lunch, start and dismissal times. Those guidelines changed within 24 hours to a soft closure for two weeks, which has many schools and school districts extending learning to an online format, but still offering meals – mostly sack lunches – to students. (Julie Slama/City Journals) l

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Hillcrest unified basketball crowned champions

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

T

he state basketball unified tournament was cancelled because of the threat of coronavirus, but that didn’t stop the Hillcrest Huskies from repeating their state title.

After winning all three games leading up to the March 14 state tournament, Hillcrest was crowned champions. “We have a lot of returners this year, which I think helped us in taking another gold medal,” said Coach Shannon Hurst, who coaches alongside

Matt Snyder, Brittany Thomfohrda and HHS alumnus Tanner Cluff. “Our coaches have seen massive improvements in all of our athletes and are so proud of their hard work and dedication throughout the season.” (Photo courtesy of Hillcrest High School) l

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April 2020 | Page 9

Hillcrest students, alumni say goodbye to gym before demolition

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Hillcrest High School gymnasium is expected to be torn down in early April to make room for a new classroom wing. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

I

t was the early 1980s. Hillcrest Huskies girls basketball team was a powerhouse, vying for the state title. They already had snagged it in 1979 and would go on to earn the honors in 1982 and 1983.

That year, rowdy students filed into the gym, packing the wooden bleachers, for the pep assembly to cheer on their team before the state tournament.

“It was loud, the students were excited and yelling,” said former coach Jeannie Wilson. “The girls were lined up, ready to run in when they were introduced. They were pumped, just excited.”

Former Assistant Principal Tom Hicks had asked students to be quiet to begin the rally. The students kept cheering. He asked a second and third time, but still the crowd roared.

“The kids were fired up and wouldn’t shut up. They were beginning to get angry and Tom was as well. Then, he said, ‘We’re canceling the assembly.’ I jumped up and said, ‘Tom, you can’t do that. These players have worked so hard,’” Wilson said, adding that she was “feisty and spoke her mind.”

Hicks walked out, but the assembly went on.

“It wasn’t a good moment for me to disrespect his decision, but I was thinking about the team and the support they were getting from the student body,” she recalled about the moment.

That story was one of many shared as Hillcrest students and alumni traded tales at

Page 10 | April 2020

the recent open house for the current athletic facilities.

Travis Grant, class of 1990, remembers the pep rallies in the gym as well as watching his older brother, Sean, play basketball until he graduated in 1986. Their younger sister, Michelle Grant Howell, class of 1992, said she played under the bleachers during the games.

She also learned to whistle by placing her fingers in her mouth and one last time, let out a deafening cry that echoed in the gym, where state championship banners hung from the rafters and a U.S. flag had haphazardly been hung in recent years as the automatic one from the class of 2011 stopped functioning.

It also brought the 2018-19 boys’ basketball team manager, special education student Tanner Cluff, who graduated last year, a standing ovation, after getting the chance to suit up and play in the final seconds – scoring a layup – in the last boys’ home game of the season.

In early April, the main and auxiliary gyms – the first portion of Hillcrest High School — are expected to be torn down to make room for a new classroom wing as a new school building is being constructed on site.

The new athletic facilities, including a new covered turf facility (or field house) located north of the football field, a main gymnasium, an auxiliary gym, training room, dance room, weight room, wrestling

Midvale City Journal

room, multipurpose athletic room and locker rooms, is nearing completion for students to use in physical education, dance, cheer, drill and athletics.

Students are expected to hold their PE classes in the field house until the new gym opens on April 13.

But at one time, Hillcrest’s current gym was the gem of the Salt Lake Valley, according to David Elibarri, class of 1991.

“This was a great place, the best facility,” said Elibarri, who also attended Midvale Elementary and Midvale Middle. “I’m a little sad that this is the last one of my schools standing and it’s coming down.”

Elibarri, who was a member of the tennis team that won the state title, said he remembered watching many assemblies and games in the gym.

“We played the students versus faculty basketball game,” he said, adding that the students, of course, won. “It’s a place we met our friends, had dances, cheered on our teams. The highlight was always beating Brighton.”

Andrew Buhler, class of 1992, agrees.

“We got to beat Brighton,” he said about the 1991 Battle of the Ax wrestling match against Brighton.

In his senior year, he finished second at the state championships.

His brother, Jake, class of 1990, said it was the first time they had beat the Bengals in about a dozen years.

In a game against Cyprus High on Jan. 31, 2017, Hillcrest High School sophomore girls basketball team defends their home court, which will now be torn down in April as construction on a new school continues. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

“We had a lot of great coaches and were one of the best teams,” he said. “We always drew a crowd.”

Sharon Kirk, class of 1981, agreed that she had good coaches on the volleyball team.

Like most of the girls basketball games in the day, the girls played and practiced in

the auxiliary gym.

“I have lots of good memories, hanging out there together,” she said.

Playing in the auxiliary gym was OK at the time, Wilson said.

“It was totally different then,” she said.

“It was our territory and it was intimidating.

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April 2020 | Page 11

Hillcrest track season has strong start — only to be sidelined by coronavirus precautions

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

The Hillcrest High track is missing student-athletes in mid-March as the UHSAA put a two-week suspension of all spring activities and athletics statewide during the coronavirus pandemic. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

A

t the start of the season, Hillcrest High head coach Scott Stucki liked what he was seeing, especially coming off the strong indoor track season, where many school records were broken.

He had set expectations and goals for this spring’s track and field athletes.

After the season’s first meet on March 11 against Skyline and Cottonwood high schools at home, where senior Jacob Atkinson had surpassed his goals, with a long jump of 16 feet 6 inches in his first try and running under one minute in the 400 meters, Stucki could make even better calculations.

However, with the March 13 announcement by the state superintendent Sydnee Dickson mandating a two-week soft closure for all schools as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus and the Utah High School Activities Association’s two-week suspension of all spring activities and athletics, Stucki now isn’t making any predictions.

“If we’re out just these two weeks, we can be just fine, but if it extends and we come back in May, it will be a very short track sea-

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son,” he said, adding that he would expect a training week followed by a week where they would compete at region and state would be the next week. On March 23, Dickson announced the school closure would continue to May 1.

The UHSAA does not allow any practices nor team gatherings during this time.

“I understand why, but it’s frustrating,” he said. “We had our meet, and we were ramped.”

Atkinson, who has run distance the past three years, is transitioning to mid-distance and jumps.

“I’m not a super sprinter and I don’t really like really long distance, so I’m OK with the 400 and 800,” he said. “I wanted to try something new and I’m becoming more of an all-around athlete.”

In his first 400 meters, Atkinson ran a hand-held time of 59.5 seconds and now has his eyes on 55 seconds. He also hopes to now long jump 18 feet, run a 2:10 in the 800 meters and beat his best 5 feet 2 inch high jump.

Stucki also expected him to make strong contributions in the sprint relays.

“It all stopped unexpectedly,” Atkinson said just days after the first meet. “I don’t want to miss out on the season my last year.”

That also is the case for senior Morgan Miller, who is a three-year varsity letter sprinter and four-year soccer player. Already Morgan has signed to run track and play soccer at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

“I’m super competitive, so I’ll be upset about it if we don’t get to finish our season,” she said, adding that her focus right now is on her classwork and upcoming International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams.

At the state meet her freshman season, Morgan finished sixth in the 100 meters and

10th in the 200. She’s in the top-5 in both the 100 and 200 meters in Hillcrest history. This year, Stucki said she is “favored to medal at state.”

Stucki said he has high expectations of many seniors and other athletes for a solid track and field season.

On the girls team, Stucki expected senior Arleigh Sorensen, who has committed to play basketball for Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, “would be a medal favorite” in the shot put and the discus.

First-year track athlete and senior Annyka Scherschlight, who is a four-year soccer player and has signed to play at Idaho State, already showed in her first meet that she would make a contribution to the sprints and to the relay teams, he said.

Other strong performances this season Stucki expected would be from sophomores and state-returners Alaina Stonebraker and Auriela Gallman in the sprints and relays as well as juniors Alycea McVey and Meg Standiford in the throwing events. He also said that he expected the hurdles to be led by Maggie Erekson and Sophia Clark.

On the boys team, junior Anthony Davies is expected to lead the distance team after breaking indoor meet records and finishing seventh at the state cross country meet.

Couple that with Dallin Moon — “with the chance to hit distance milestones” — and other distance runners like Nic Holman and Jonas Jorgensen, and Stucki liked what he saw.

In the sprints and relays, Stucki also expected the team to be led by Zac Gallman, who ran a 11.37 hand-held 100 meter time on March 11. Other sprinters, including Anthony Vail, Juan Rendo and Spencer Holladay as well as Jacob Morton and Michael Rendon, Stucki predicted would have strong seasons.

Stucki anticipated that Parker Boggess and Gavin Hawley would help lead the throwers this season and student-athletes Kobe Owen, Zach Katzenbach and Hunter Purrington also are stepping into track, trying new events, like Atkinson, Stucki said.

Atkinson meanwhile is hoping he can stay in shape.

“It’s weird not having it going on right now,” he said. “I hope we can go back.”

Hillcrest High senior Jacob Atkinson, seen here running at the state cross country meet in 2018, is one of several track and field athletes hoping to continue competing this spring. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Midvale City Journal

In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047 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 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

We’re all experiencing a challenging, unpredictable and anxious time in history -- both locally and nationally.

As mayor of this grand city, I have been greatly moved by the devotion and love our community has shown each other.

There is an espirit de corps that has emerged that is truly heart-warming.

We are all rising to the challenge, finding ways to stay positive and manifesting true community spirit.

I want to assure you that all of the essential services of your city government will continue to operate. City Hall, the Justice Court and Public Works offices are closed to the public. These measures are necessary to help stop the community spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, City employees continue to deliver essential services to our residents and businesses via telephone, email and online services. Midvale City is well-prepared to handle this pandemic, not just because we have planned for potential events like a pandemic, but also because we have incredible employees who are committed to this community. I have witnessed

CITY NEWSLETTER

By Mayor Robert Hale

employees jumping in wherever needed, at any hour or day of week. In addition, our City Council members are well-connected to the community and take the time the speak with me and senior staff on a daily basis to share the needs of our residents. I am very grateful for our incredible team!

I strongly believe that timely and accurate information can help ease anxiety and fear. I recommend you take a look at our Midvale City Coronavirus webpage to stay up to date: www.MidvaleCity. org/coronavirus. The page includes resources for residents and businesses. I’d also suggest visiting www.coronavirus.utah.gov, www.cdc.gov, and www.slco.org/health/COVID-19.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the Bear Hunt Challenge and Chalk the Walk fun. These fun activities have helped our community stay positive as well as keep our children distracted and entertained. Visit our Facebook page to see the many pictures of the bears and sidewalk art!

Stay positive. Be kind to one another. We all deal with grief and stress differently, show compassion. Keep your social distance.

Call your neighbors. Unplug often. Stay safe Midvale! We will get through this, together! Best of health to all of you.

COVID-19 Pandemic Resources For Businesses (As Of 5/26/20)

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

The Heart of the Matter

APRIL 2020

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

911

As we enter a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand how businesses, particularly small businesses and nonprofits, are feeling the pain now. While some larger cities, like Salt Lake City, have the financial resources to offer loan programs for small businesses affected by the coronavirus, smaller cities like Midvale City does not have the resources to provide loans.

We strive to share timely and accurate information about resources for businesses on our website www.

MidvaleCity.org/Coronavirus. We encourage business owners to visit the following websites to see if they qualify for financial assistance.

U.S. Small Business Administration is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans to businesses that suffer substantial economic impact as a result of COVID-19. Generally, these low-interest loans provide working capital to assist small businesses in meeting financial obligations and operating expenses. Visit www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to learn more.

UTAH LEADS TOGETHER: A PLAN FOR A HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY On March 24, 2020, Gov. Herbert released “Utah Leads Together,” a comprehensive task force plan to mitigate the economic consequences of COVID-19. The plan aims to eventually return

Utah to the record-setting economic growth it enjoyed before the pandemic. The report and economic playbook include recommendations from dozens of Utah state and industry leaders. As the federal government continues to pass legislation to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we encourage business owners to follow the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development website, www.coronavirus.utah.gov/business/, which is updated daily.

Facebook has established a Small Business Grants Program to assist businesses in addressing the impacts of COVID-19.

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In The Middle of Everything

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES UTILITIES TAXES The resources provided below are up to date as of March 26, 2020. The Federal Internal Revenue Service has automatically Please visit their websites for the most accurate information. extended the deadline for 2019 individual and corporate returns and payments to July 15, 2020, without penalties and Water (Midvale City) interest, regardless of the amount owed. Visit www.irs.gov/ Midvale City has suspended disconnections on water sercoronavirus for more details. vices for nonpayment of utility bills at this time. Your public The Utah State Tax Commission, after consultation with drinking water is safe from COVID-19 as our source prothe Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker tection, water treatment, and system disinfection protection of the House, intends to follow the federal government’s tax against water-borne viral infections, including coronavirus. filing and payment actions in response to the COVID-19 outMidvale has plans in place to maintain all essential water opbreak. They are waiting to review the official instructions eration functions, and several levels of redundancy and backfrom the IRS to make certain that we align properly with the up water supplies on hand if needed. The COVID-19 emerfederal requirements. The due dates of Utah corporate and gency should not interrupt our water supply. However, an pass through entities is set by state statute and will not be earthquake or natural disaster is always a risk, so it is a good affected by IRS changes in the due dates for those returns idea to keep water on hand and stored for such emergencies. without action by the legislature. Please refer to their website Emergency planners recommend your store one gallon per for the most accurate information tax.utah.gov. person in your household per day; two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and sanitation. And don’t forBILLS get water storage for your animals.

Many banks have offered deferment and forbearance to busiResidential Trash & Bulky Waste ness loan customers having trouble making payments. You can (Ace Recycling & Disposal) search for your bank on the American Bankers Association’s Ace Recycling and Disposal will continue to provide trash ongoing A-Z list of coronavirus response programs. www.aba. and recycling pick up services. At this time, bulky waste pick com/about-us/press-room/industry-response-coronavirus up will continue to occur on the third full week of the month, on your regular trash day.

FOOD RESOURCES Gas Dominion Energy will not shut off your power for nonpayment at this time. They are reconnecting residential customers whose services were shut off. Please visit their website for the most up-to-date information. Visit www.dominionenergy. com to learn more.

Power Rocky Mountain Power has suspended nonpayment disconnections at this time. Please visit their website for the most up-to-date information. Visit www.rockymountainpower.net to learn more.

Scams Targeting Utility Customers Please be cautions of SCAMS that are targeting utility customers. Rocky Mountain Power encourages customers to protect avoid falling victim to a scam, learn more at www. rockymountainpower.net/scam.

Internet access Every internet provider that has signed the Federal Trade Commissions’ Keep Americans Connected Pledge has pledged for 60 days to not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and open its WiFi hotspots to any American who needs them. In addition, some companies are offering no-cost, in-home internet for up to two months during the coronavirus outbreak if you qualify for certain low-income internet programs or have a student living in your household. Visit www.fcc.gov/keep-americans-connected to learn more.

SNAP - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps) SNAP benefits help eligible low-income people supplement their food budgets so they can purchase food. If you qualify, you will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to help you buy food at authorized SNAP grocery stores and farmers markets. Look for signs that say, “We accept SNAP benefits.” Benefits are put on the card each month during the time you are approved to receive them. After that, if you still want to qualify for SNAP, you have to apply again to see if you are eligible. For more information visit: www.jobs.utah.gov/customereducation/services/foodstamps/

Families First Coronavirus Response Act The Act, which goes into effect on April 2, offers provisions for paid sick leave, free COVID-19 testing and expanded unemployment benefits. Generally, the Act provides that employees of covered employers are eligible for: • Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or • Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor; and • Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

• Eligible Employees: All employees of covered employers are eligible for two weeks of paid sick time for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Employees employed for at least 30 days are eligible for up to an additional 10 weeks of paid family leave to care for a child under certain circumstances related to COVID-19 • For more details, please visit www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/ pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

Unemployment If you are an employee negatively impacted by COVID-19 because you are sick or otherwise unable to go to work due to the virus, you should apply for unemployment insurance.

Following your application, the Utah Department of WorkUtahns Against Hunger force Services will work with you to determine if you are elAs Utah responds to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Utahns igible for unemployment benefits. Please check their website Against Hunger will be collecting and maintaining information www.jobs.utah.gov/covid19 to learn about COVID-19 and on emergency food resources in the state. Their county fact Unemployment Insurance. sheets collect information on food resources throughout Utah.

These sheets include lists of pantries, information on applying for SNAP and WIC, and information on other resources like meals on wheels services. Pantries are responding to a dynamic situation, and may vary in their availability, please call ahead if possible, to confirm hours and what services pantries are able to provide. Learn more at www.uah.org.

FINANCIAL As the Federal government continues to pass legislation to address the impact of the coronavirus, we will share the information on our website.

APRIL 2020 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Newly Appointed Midvale City Planning and Zoning Commissioners During the March 24th City Council meeting, Mayor Robert Hale recommended, and the City Council consented, appointing current Planning and Zoning Commission alternates Robyn Anderson and Dustin Snow as voting members, and Candice Erickson and Bart Benson as alternate members, through March 2024.

The Midvale Planning and Zoning Commission is comprised of five full time members and two alternate members. The Commission is responsible for administering specific adopted land use regulations and making recommendations to the City Council on land use policies and regulations. Commissioners are appointed for four-year terms and are expected to participate in land use/commissioner training, as well as prepare for and attend meetings two times a month. For a City volunteer position, it requires a substantial commitment.

Richard Judkins and Kass Wallin, two longstanding voting members, resigned from the Commission effective February 29, 2020 leaving two vacant seats. The City solicited residents interested in applying to be on the Commission through the City’s website, social media, and word of mouth.

Mayor Hale and council members expressed their appreciation to Richard and Kass for their service and commitment to Midvale City.

Midvale Community Council

By Amanda Hollingsworth, Chair

It’s been a hard month, scary and unsettling at times. I know we are worried about our loved one’s health and safety; minimizing our contact with one another to protect our families near and far.

A shining light of our fair city in this darkness has been staying connected with our neighbors. When I started the Midvale Residents Facebook page five years ago, I never could have imagined how the page would help us feel connected and less isolated at a time of “social distancing”. We’ve seen neighbors offer to pick up groceries and deliver them to neighbors they’ve never met before. Neighbors have offered diapers, toilet paper, yard work, music and more. We’ve checked in on each other to make sure our neighbors don’t feel alone. With all of the scary and sometimes negative information that is out there on social media, I am proud that people can visit the Midvale Residents Facebook page to find factual information and positive stories. We are Midvale! We care for each other and we stay connected!

Our mission this month is to spread hope. When we are out walking, we can stay connected and know that we are all in this together. We’ve got this Midvale! That is why the Midvale Community Council, Midvale City, and the Unified Police Department Midvale Precinct are partnering on two fun activities throughout the month of April: • Chalk Your Walk! Draw or write encouraging messages on your driveway or sidewalkwith chalk. Then head outside and take a walk to look for other messages written by your neighbors. Share your pictures with us #MidvaleStayingPositive. We’d really like to see as many homes as possible with inspirational messages of hope, light and love. Therefore, we are providing the chalk! Stop by the Midvale Unified Police Department Precinct and say hi to “Officer Sharp” – the wooden bear in front of the police station. We will leave a basket of sidewalk chalk next to Officer Sharp. Please take one bag per family.

• Did someone say Bear Hunt!? Yes, just like the book all kids love, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt! We are asking everyone to gently place a teddy bear in the window of your home or office. When families and children are out walking, they can pretend to be on a bear hunt and see how many bears they find. Be sure to take some pictures and share them with us #MidvaleBearHunt We’d love to see some smiles!!!

COVID -19 UPDATE • • • •

Limited public access to all Unified Police Department Precincts For Emergencies call 911 Non-Emergency / Dispatch 801-743-7000 GRAMA / Records - All requests for records (reports, good conduct letters etc.) must be requested via webform or by calling (385)468-9755. Pick-up of records will be by appointment only at the Sheriff's Office Administration Building - 3365 South 900 West • Property and Evidence – All requests for property release must be requested via webform or by calling (385)468-9530.

Pick-up of property will be by appointment only at the Special Operations Building - 3510 South 700 West • Drug Drop Off - Suspended • Internal Affairs - All inquiries will be taken via telephone (385)-468-9555

REQUEST PROPERTY FORM

In The Middle of Everything

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Messages from our Council Members COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL GLOVER We are experiencing an unprecedented event in our society that is having a major impact on every citizen, not only in our community, but also around the world. As our dayto-day lives dramatically change it is understandable that we will each experience fear and anxiety. Despite the unknown days ahead, I want to assure each citizen of our city, that together we can keep ourselves and our neighbors safe by following guidance from our health organizations. Most importantly we need to stay home as often as possible, practice social distancing, wash our hands frequently, and only buy food and supplies as needed from our grocery stores to limit unnecessary shortages of resources for those in our community. Finally, I am deeply touched by the many acts of love and compassion I know are taking place in our city to serve and care for our neighbors. I encourage each of us to carry this spirit of service and stewardship forward as our community works together to weather the storm before us.

COUNCIL MEMBER QUINN SPERRY Moments like these reveal the character of our community as we each do our part, and the irony of social distancing is that it may unify us.

COUNCIL MEMBER DUSTIN GETTEL Bruce Springsteen once said, “between our dreams and actions lies this world.” Until about two weeks ago, we weren’t forced to analyze how even our simplest daily activities could catastrophically impact the world around us every time we left home. The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States has caused millions of Americans to significantly modify their actions, and the term “social distancing” has been used (and hopefully practiced) in nearly every household. More than ever, we need to protect ourselves and our most vulnerable populations from harm by listening to the health guidelines issued by local, state, and federal health officials. Together as a city, as a state, and as the greatest country on the face of the earth, we will get through this crisis and emerge stronger and more

connected to those around us. We need to remember, however, that the actions we take today, tomorrow, next week, and over the next few months will determine how history judges our response to this national crisis. Let’s commit to doing everything we possibly can to flatten the curve today instead of wishing that we’d done more tomorrow.

COUNCIL MEMBER BRYANT BROWN Midvale’s greatest asset is the people. These six words have come to define my experience with the city. I understand that this short-term situation is daunting, however, I know Midvale has it within its bones to overcome this and become a stronger city afterwards. Now is not the time to push the limits of avoiding our social responsibility, now is the time to push the limits of Midvale ingenuity. Midvale is full of uniquely talented citizens, and I challenge each and every one of you to find a way to spread those talents to your neighbors in the most “social distancing” way possible. Are you a trainer? Find a way to load videos onto your Facebook. Do you paint? Share them with all of us by tagging the Midvale City Instagram page. Good recipes for people to try? Sign up for the Midvale City Residents Facebook page and share it. I have faith that all you “Midvaleans” can not only do get through this trying time in the ways asked, we can be the shining example to the rest of the state. I am proud to be a part of a community that is known to take care of each other.

Let’s not let the separation stop us, let it help us connect in other ways to make Midvale that much stronger.

COUNCIL MEMBER HEIDI ROBINSON During this unsettling time, I would like you to know that we are all in this together. The City and all of the staff are working hard to ensure everyone’s safety and the continued success of our beautiful city. In the meantime, please take care of yourselves and those around you. Find other social outlets while practicing social distancing and please remember our local businesses for any of your necessity items. Refrain from panic but take the proper precautions to keep yourself and those around you safe. Remember, this is temporary, and we can all look forward to throwing parties, dining out and returning to our favorite things.

Extend Your Dog’s Life: Use a Leash SALT LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES Temperatures are slowly warming up, the trees and flowers are starting to bloom, and you want to take your dog for a walk outside. That’s GREAT! At Salt Lake County Animal Services, we strongly believe you should take your dog for a walk, every day if possible. BUT THEY MUST BE ON LEASH. It’s the law.

Your dog could end up seriously injured, if not dead, if you don’t use a leash. They could get hit by a car, attacked by another dog, or cause bodily harm to another person. If any

of these things happen, YOU, the person with the off-leash dog, will be held legally and financially responsible for any harm or damage because it is AGAINST THE LAW to walk a dog off-leash, unless it’s a designated off-leash dog park.

Make sure your dog lives out their best, happy, safest life. PUT THEM ON LEASH. Your fellow constituents and local Animal Control Officers would appreciate it.

Check AdoptUtahPets.org and visit our “LAWS” section to look up the ordinances in your area. Need to contact an officer to report an off-leash dog? Call Dispatch at 801743-7000.

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC Midvale City Hall Justice Court Public Works City employees will continue delivering essential services to our residents and businesses via telephone, email and online services.

City Hall: 801-567-7200 Public Works: 801-567-7235 www.MidvaleCity.org

MIDVALE SENIOR CENTER MEAL PROGRAM

If you need a nutritious lunch that can be picked up from Midvale Senior Center 7550 South Main Street (700 West) please call (385)468-3350 Meals are available weekdays for Seniors 60+ from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Please call the center by 3:00 PM the day before

Students, parents, teachers respond to online learning amidst coronavirus pandemic

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

P

rom.

State track.

International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement testing. Commencement.

These were important items on Morgan Miller’s checklist this spring.

Instead the Hillcrest High School senior left her lavender spaghetti strapped ballgown in her closet and cancelled the boutonnière for her date once the state superintendent Sydnee Dickson announced March 13 — the day before prom — that all schools statewide were mandated to a soft closure for two weeks as a precaution to the spread of the coronavirus.

“I had just wished my coaches a good weekend and drove home from track practice, when I heard the news,” she said. “I didn’t expect schools to close — not after the day before we heard the Governor (Gary Herbert) say schools would be monitored.”

While Miller’s track coach, Scott Stucki, said she is “favored to medal at state” in the sprint races, her attention is focused on schoolwork and graduation.

“I’m worried about IB and AP tests and graduation. I want to have the testing in May as it’s scheduled and graduate in a normal commencement. I’m worried about what is going to happen and if we’ll resume in two weeks. I’ve emailed my teachers and they’re giving us resources, but I have to be self-motivated,” she said. “It’s all kind of been crazy.

My prom date and I were at least going to go out to dinner and now the restaurants are closed (to dining in).”

Even though Miller had been looking forward to many of the senior year traditions, now, she is mostly staying at home – not risking exposure as she has others at home with compromised immune systems, including her grandmother.

So, Miller is focusing intensely on her homework — submitting her biology IB assignment by deadline and dropping off her art for the IB exhibit (which she wasn’t sure how it would be displayed) — and admits, she’s worried about calculus.

“Math self-study may be a little harder,” she said. “My teacher usually has assignments on paper, not on Canvas (blended learning platform).”

Her teacher, Ken Herlin, said that he was working with his professional learning community to make assignments available online as well as in packets for those with limited or no access.

“It’s always better to have students in class with face-to-face discussions, but we’re doing what we can,” he said March 16.

“Some will do just fine, some may struggle with assignments, but they can send emails and I expect to be in the building the next two weeks so I can answer questions.”

Likewise, Stucki, who teaches social studies, has online assignments for his students and may add PowerPoint presentations

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with extra explanations.

“They already have some materials and assignments, but I may have to start a YouTube channel,” he said. “It’s not ideal, but we’re reaching out to our students best we can.”

Parent Jeff Pace’s 11th-grade daughter picked up her assignments and materials for her Hillcrest classes on March 16. His other daughter is studying at Canyons Youth Academy and has taken classes online at Utah Connections Academy previously.

“School is ending across the nation, and back East, it’s three weeks, not two, so we’ll see if it’s going to get extended here,” he said. “The teachers are doing the best they can given the circumstances. Both my girls are really smart, so I think they’ll do just fine with classwork online.”

Bell View Elementary parent Marcie Cano has lined up activities to keep her four children learning and active during the hiatus.

“We have activities — making slime, painting, things to build, making molds of bugs and talking about them, word searches, reading, schoolwork — that they’ll be doing,” she said, adding that between tablets, phones and a computer, her kids will have access to online materials.

At Sandy Elementary, parent Katie Bradshaw said that she’s expecting her elementary students to pick up homework packets and her Jordan High and Mt. Jordan Middle kids to have homework online, adding that they can check out Chromebooks on March 19.

“Canyons is doing a good job, keeping us informed, letting us know what is going on,” she said.

For those who don’t have access, Canyons is making computing devices and Wi-Fi hotspots available for check-out to students who demonstrate need and don’t have internet access at home.

Comcast also is equipping individuals with in-home internet for free for 60 days to help with school closures and distance learning as well as work from home initiatives due to quarantines.

Sandy Elementary Community Schools Facilitator Isa Connelly was passing out materials and also said that families can contact all Canyons’ schools for more information on the resources.

“It’s a good opportunity for those who don’t have internet to apply and have access,” she said. “We have a lot of packets available as well. We’re wanting our students to keep moving forward, keep learning.”

At Ridgecrest Elementary, parent Jason Foerster said he has heard from his children’s teachers — including those of the two older kids who attend Brighton High.

“We will do schoolwork and educational games — and work in some playtime as well,” he said.

Copperview Elementary Community Schools Facilitator Jenna Landward said that in addition to homework packets, the teachers and staff will provide additional resources for parents.

“We want to be as proactive as we can in our time of soft closure,” she said. “We understand it’s a tough time.”

In addition to Canyons alerts, calls and emails, Copperview is communicating through ClassTag to keep parents updated.

Looking ahead, Miller isn’t sure what her Hillcrest graduation exercises will look like or if it will even be held.

“I want to have a normal graduation.

I’ve worked so hard these four years, and pushed myself so hard, especially with IB. I’ve done everything I’ve literally can, so I’d like to wear a cap and gown. Literally, every class gets to walk (in commencement exercises) and have grad night. If we don’t get to, I’d be bummed,” she said.

The same can be said for Hillcrest senior Jacob Atkinson.

“I don’t know if all the schoolwork I’ve been doing all these years to graduate, will mean I’ll just receive my diploma in the mail,” he said. “It’s a little stressful not knowing where we are going from here.”

Atkinson had bought a suit for prom and had planned to attend with a group of friends.

“I don’t know if prom will be rescheduled or if the tickets can even be refunded if it’s not,” he said. “I had just gotten home from school and saw on Snapchat that my friends had posted school was closed. I looked on the Canyons website that it was legit. I like a little time off of school, but I don’t know what it or anything now will be looking like with all the uncertainty.”

Atkinson also was thinking if the soft closure will extend beyond the two weeks what may potentially cut his senior high school year short — classes, track meets, dances, activities.

“I’m taking a lot of concurrent enrollment classes and those and my other classes will be online so I’m not worried too much, but we’re going to miss out on some dances and activities. Given what’s going on, I get it,” he said. “I don’t know if my high school year (on campus) is over at this point or not, but it will be a good story to tell our grandkids.”

Note: As of March 19, Hillcrest Principal Greg Leavitt announced that prom would “be held when it is safe.” On March 23, state officials extended the closure to May 1. l

Hillcrest High senior Morgan Miller, seen here at the region 2018 track meet, is hoping school will resume her senior year so she will be able to compete at state track, take her accelerated tests and walk in her school’s commencement exercises this spring. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

April 2020 | Page 17

Everyday Psych: I didn’t want to talk about COVID

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@thecityjournals.com

“

I’m not afraid of the virus, I’m afraid of the people.”

This sentiment is one I’ve heard constantly in my social circles. It’s a sentiment I share and would like to elaborate on here. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not only important to stay safe and healthy (by routinely practicing proper handwashing and social distancing to combat the virus), but level-headed and grounded as well (by routinely practicing research and critical thinking to combat mass hysteria and panic).

The TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) version of what I’m suggesting here is: don’t freak out.

Even in the throes of the “toilet paper crisis” there were still rolls of toilet paper in many stores (don’t worry, I checked). But with everyone sharing stories and frantic pleas for toilet paper on social media, we all flocked to our local stores to hoard the goods. With such instances, we temporarily forget about the primary concern we are all facing. And getting into a grocery store fight doesn’t help combat that primary concern.

Researching and understanding the science of the coronavirus is extremely important for keeping ourselves and our loved ones happy and healthy. Credible information helps to combat mass hysteria. If we allow ourselves to become too worried, anxious, and/or panicked, we could enter the realm of

mass hysteria or acute conversion.

“Mass hysteria is the spread of bodily complaints within a school or workplace with no organic bases for the symptoms,” explains psychology professor Dr. David Myers. Mass hysteria is most commonly termed in cases without medically diagnosed physical illnesses, but noticeable symptoms.

For example, psychiatry professor Dr. Gary Small wrote about the “phantom gasser” in Illinois who would spray poisonous mist into the windows of teenage girls. The girls were showing physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and burning sensations. Other such examples of mass hysteria include nervousness around nuclear testing in the 1950s, meowing nuns during the Middle Ages, and arm and hand tremors in writing classes in Germany in 1893, among others.

However, sociologist Dr. Robert Bartholomew defines mass hysteria as “a collective stress response.” From the collective stress we are all encountering and/or experiencing related to the coronavirus, I think we have the potential to exhibit signs of mass hysteria, even with a real organic basis for the symptoms.

For example, “Notes from the field” by Iuliano et al., a 2009 study focusing on the H1N1 outbreak in Delaware, showed the possible effects of mass hysteria, even with a real physical illness.

As Jaimee Bell, a freelance writer for the website Big Think, describes, “Mass hysteria isn’t only about your mind convincing you that you have symptoms of a non-existent disease or virus—it’s a collective state of mind that can convince entire populations of things that aren’t based in evidence or logic.”

In his commentary, Bartholomew goes on to say, “Think of mass hysteria as the placebo effect in reverse. If people can think themselves better, they can make themselves sick.” Here, he references conversion disorder, which is a somatic symptom disorder within the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual – five).

These disorders have symptoms “associated with significant distress and impairment.” (However, I think our current situation might call for acute illness anxiety disorder, as the criteria for which is a “preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness” and “a high level of anxiety and health.”)

This is all to say, let’s be cautious and careful in the wake of this pandemic. We don’t need to be constructing hysteria, experiencing symptoms of acute anxiety, or reverse placebo-ing ourselves. Instead, know the symptoms of COVID-19 to be wary of

(fever, tiredness, and dry cough) and react as normal to everything else (like allergies).

Don’t panic or become too hysterical.

Instead, the stance I’ve been trying to embody and perpetuate is to have a pragmatic level of concern. l

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Midvale City Journal

Families support grab-and-go lunches at select Canyons schools

Area restaurants adopt new strategies during coronavirus crisis

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

By Drew Crawford | d.crawford@mycityjournals.com

Copperview Elementary Community School Facilitator Jenna Landward hands a 5-year-old student a book to read and keep during the two-week soft closure of schools to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

A

t Bell View Elementary in Sandy, a line for sack lunches had formed by 11:20 a.m., Monday, March 16.

At that elementary as well as 12 other Canyons District schools, free bagged lunches are available to all students under 18 years of age through March 27.

Schools are not in session during these two weeks, as the state superintendent Sydnee Dickson announced March 13 a soft closure as a precaution to the spread of the coronavirus.

Currently, breakfast in Canyons District is not being served.

Bell View Elementary parent Marcie Cano is appreciative of the efforts Canyons School District is making with their graband-go school lunches.

“The lunches are nice for the kids and parents, who already are providing activities and things to do while keeping kids at home,” Cano said, as she brought her four children to get sack lunches offered in front of the school March 16. “It’s one less thing families need to worry about or prepare.”

At Sandy Elementary, parent Katie Bradshaw stepped inside the cafeteria door with her children and nephews to get sack lunches.

“It’s good that they are providing the lunches; our schools are being helpful and trying to be in control of things they can be at this time,” she said.

Sandy Elementary Food Services Manager Debbie Nook said that more children had come for the meal than what was estimated, but the staff quickly made more sack lunches.

“We were told to start with 10, but we had 56 in the first 20 minutes,” she said March 16. “We started with the thawed out ham and turkey at our school and other schools (who weren’t distributing lunches, but had already thawed out the meat) sent theirs over.”

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At Midvale Elementary, in addition to ham and turkey sandwiches, the food services staff prepared soy butter sandwiches, and added in chips, oranges, carrots, string cheese and milk.

“We made 251 lunches,” food services manager Sandra Anderson said. “We took 120 to The Road Home (shelter), which we will do every day, and then, had 131 come to school.”

That’s less than the 650 students they feed at lunchtime, but more than the 220 they serve during the summertime.

Midvale STEM brain booster teacher Debora Johnson said that the numbers also included Midvale Middle and Hillcrest High students who may have walked their siblings to the school at lunchtime.

At many schools, such as Bell View and Hillcrest, in addition to lunch distribution, there were food items being distributed to help families in need so they could prepare additional meals.

Hillcrest, as well as Copperview Elementary staff, also were encouraging students to take books to read for enjoyment that were donated or discarded from school libraries.

“We want our students to have access to books while schools and libraries are closed,” said Jenna Landward, Copperview Elementary community school facilitator. “We will have new books available for students every day.”

Copperview, after the first 30 minutes on March 16, had served 70 lunches to students.

At Ridgecrest Elementary in Cottonwood Heights, food service had served 85 lunches March 16 and 77 in the first 50 minutes on March 17.

“We didn’t know how many lunches to start with,” lunch manager Darci Yardley said, adding that the school doesn’t serve students in the summer so they couldn’t use that number for projections. “The principal suggested 50 as a good place to start. Today, we planned for 100.”

The lunches were similar to those at Midvale Elementary: soy butter and jam sandwiches, chips, apples, carrot or broccoli sticks and milk. Turkey sandwiches already had been distributed.

Parent Jason Foerster, who brought his young children in for a sack lunch, said they like coming to the school to get the grab-andgo lunches.

“They keep asking, ‘When are we going to get a burger in the sack lunch?’” he said.

“I told them it’s like a sack lunch they get on field trips, but they said the burgers could still be in them, just wrapped up in foil.”

For a listing of locations, see www.canyonsdistrict.org/covid-19. l

Restaurants can now be found empty, but many are finding new ways to help residents still enjoy culinary cuisine. (Stock photo/Pikrepo)

O

n March 18 at 11:59 p.m., Dr. Joseph K. Miner, the executive director of the Utah Department of Health ordered that “all foodservice, restaurants, self-serve buffets, salad bars, unpackaged self-serve food services, bars, taverns, nightclubs, private liquor clubs, and saloons in the state of Utah shall immediately close to members, guests, patrons, customers, and the general public.”

In compliance with the order, restaurants across the state immediately shuttered their doors to avoid large gatherings of people and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

This has caused incredibly problematic financial dilemmas for restaurants that often run on tight margins and rely on frequent patrons to sustain their business model.

Despite the obstacles that have resulted from this unprecedented crisis, many restaurants around the valley are still offering curbside, takeout and delivery.

The website “Curbside Utah” has sprung up to serve as a hub where restaurants can let customers know that they are still open during this time of hardship. The user-friendly interface allows visitors to search open restaurants by city. The restaurants list special instructions for how to order food over phone from each place and pick it up.

Small business owners and restaurants can easily take advantages of the service of Curbside Utah. At the top of the front page you are able to click a link that allows you to list your restaurant. This takes you to a page where you are able to conveniently list location, contact details, hours of operation and price range.

Businesses that have taken advantage of this feature include Café Rio, Pizzeria Limone, Tucci’s, and Sugar House Coffee.

Other small restaurants such as Peppercini’s American Eatery located at 3981 S. 700 East in Murray that rely on their visibility of the customer base from the surrounding office complex to do business have used other creative strategies to appeal to customers.

The small eatery has changed its hours and advertised the change on Facebook and Instagram, according to Shay Holton, manager.

“Our hours used to be 8 to 3 but we have extended 8 to 8 just with hours being cut in the building,” Holton explained. “We rely on the people that are around us and they’re all working from home. Either they’re too far or not a lot of people know about us right now.”

The change comes because the owners thought that getting a few night businesses as customers will help make up for the labor in the morning.

Peppercini’s is not currently a member of Curbside Utah but expressed enthusiasm about its potential to help connect to customers.

“We feel good about still being able to do pickup and deliveries. We’ll survive once this is over,” Holton said.

If you want to eat from any of these restaurants or many more, visit curbsideutah.com or the website of your favorite local restaurant for instructions regarding takeout.

April 2020 | Page 19

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Curry Pizza

West Valley, South Jordan, Provo

Business Spotlights are a service offered to our advertisers to help them inform our readers about their businesses. For information on scheduling a Spotlight, please call us at 801-254-5974 or email us at ryan.c@thecityjournals.com

E

ver look down at your umpteenth slice of plain pizza and wonder if there’s something tastier? Bhinda Singh can relate. After 10 years of serving authentic Indian food, Bhinda discovered a food relationship that began a restaurant. In a fit of inspiration, Bhinda created curry sauces to use as a base for pizzas. He soon opened Bhindas Curry Pizza Palace in Southern Utah.

And it was a hit! So much so that he has since opened multiple Curry Pizza locations: South Jordan (1086 W. South Jordan Parkway), West Valley (2927 S. 5600 West), and Bicknell, Utah (125 N. SR 24). Opening soon are locations in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Sacramento, California.

Upon entering a Curry Pizza restaurant, you pause momentarily to breathe in the smell of fresh-baked pizza and a wave of fresh spices. As you make your way up to the counter, your eyes glance over the menu on the wall: it’s three pages long. As your eyes wander for a landing spot to start reading, they notice the specialty curry pizza options like the Chicken Tikka Masala, Glazed Paneer, Mushroom Goat Curry, Mango Korma, Thai Peanut Chicken Curry and

the Bhinda Special. After reading through the specials, you wonder if you should trust the chef or craft your own pizza. The construction options are tempting, as you can choose from the signature naan crust, vegan or keto crust, or a cauliflower or broccoli crust, slathered with sauces such as honey curry, tikka masala curry, makhana curry, buffalo, pesto, sweet and spicy mango, and so on. The toppings list is two long columns of offerings like chorizo, bacon, tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted cauliflower, ginger, pickled jalapeño, serrano pepper, goat cheese, vegan cheese, fenugreek, almond slivers, and fresh chopped basil. But, maybe you’re not feeling adventurous today, so the classic pepperoni or supreme pizza are always an option.

After making your final, or close-to-final decision on what to order, you make your way toward the friendly pizza assemblers who have been waiting for you to soak in the menu. A quick exchange of words and they pull out a small metal plate with a freshly-rolled out naan, waiting to be topped and baked to lightly-charred perfection. A ladle of sauce is swirled evenly on the uncooked naan. As the rest of the toppings are assem-

bled, you notice Guy Fieri’s face spray painted onto a pizza stone, a memento to Curry Pizza being featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” on Season 29. The “Cultural Twist” episode is still airing.

As your personalized pizza is transferred from its prep tray and skillfully slid deep into the blazing oven via a long pizza peel, you can see garlic naan breadsticks and a tray of chicken cooking next to the open flames. After finalizing the transaction, you sit at a small table, leaving the big tables for groups and admiring the outside patio space.

While doing so, you notice the artwork placed carefully on the walls. The world map made of spices is both interesting and beautiful.

Finally, you’re united with your food.

Perhaps, you ordered the Bhinda Special.

As you take your first bite, the balance of bold and fresh flavors from the red and green onions, ginger, garlic, and jalapeños with the more delicate flavors of cauliflower and umami-punching mushrooms bring the entire flavor profile together on the comforting curry and naan base. Or perhaps you ordered

the Mango Korma. As you go in hastily for your second bite, you notice how the curry base helps accentuate the sweetness of the candied bacon, while the butternut squash and chicken tikka lend a savory complexity that will keep any fruit-on-pizza-hater deeply satisfied.

Curry Pizza is a restaurant designed to get customers acquainted, or reintroduced, to Indian food. As recommended by many happy reviewers, this is quickly becoming a must-try for Salt Lake diners. Curry Pizza is open Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. To order online, visit their website at: www.currypizzautah.com. Curry Pizza has both carry-out and curbside options as well as delivery through GrubHub.

Mayor urges residents to answer census questions

By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com

“

We need a count of every living person from age one day to 110,” Midvale Mayor Robert Hale said in a city council meeting late February.

The national census is well under way, and Midvale’s mayor has been urging the community for months to answer the census questions. Nine questions answered by every household can bring millions of federal dollars to the city.

“The census asks questions of people in homes and group living situations, including how many people live or stay in each home, and the sex, age and race of each person,” according to the website, www.census.gov “[Answering] brings approximately $1,100 for every man, woman and child in our city to us every year over the next 10 years. So, it amounts to tens of millions of dollars and we use that to pave our streets, provide healthcare, senior citizen center next door (to city hall), childcare services, immigrant services,” Hale said.

Though the United States Census Bureau is a federal organization, the information is used only for statistical purposes.

“The Census Bureau is legally bound to strict confidentiality requirements. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone—not the IRS,

Page 20 | April 2020

Midvale Mayor Robert Hale is hoping for a count of every person living in Midvale during the census this year. (Photo/pixabay)

not the FBI, not the CIA, and not with any other government agency,” according to the website, www.census.gov Census questions never include: asking for social security numbers, asking for money/donations, asking for anything on behalf

of a political party, and will not ask for bank and credit card numbers. Additionally, there is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census. l

Midvale City Journal

State of waste in Midvale

By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com

H

auling waste is expensive. The expense is only going to grow.

Midvale City Council recently discussed options for the future of waste collection in the city. Should they switch out bulky waste pickup with dumpsters? Should they discontinue recycling? What makes the most sense for Midvale?

Glenn Kennedy, Public Works director for the city, told the council that no matter what option they chose, “I don’t think we’ll eliminate any fee increase, there will still be some.”

Why is Midvale raising rates?

“What we took into consideration is Trans-Jordan [Landfill] is going to raise their tipping fee rates next [fiscal] year and for the foreseeable future, so that figured in, and also our contract with Ace every year goes up based on western CPI (Consumer Price Index) and we need to keep up with that,” Kennedy said.

Bulky waste Bulk waste pickup was the hottest topic for the evening. The options were to: • Continue the program of monthly bulk waste pickup (increased rate of $1.94 per month for every resident) • Discontinue any type of bulk waste pickup but still allow residents to rent a dumpster for $200 (increased $1.29 per month) • Begin a dumpster program where

a dumpster would be dropped off in each neighborhood for a set period of time to collect large waste (increased $2.58 per month) The council was hesitant on all the options. If the city continued waste pickup with no changes, Councilmember Paul Glover said, “the way we do it now it makes Midvale look like trash.”

Trash on curbs means that some of the waste makes it to a storm drain. Contaminating storm drains is against city code.

City Attorney Lisa Garner said, “We are in violation (of our own storm water permit) when we have that in the storm drain.”

However, the council also did not want to take away a bulk pickup from the residents. To rent a dumpster from the city is $200, and members thought this was too steep a price to make it the only option.

“When we changed from the twice a year and we went to every month, the rates increased. Now we’d be looking at taking that away. So we’re looking at, ‘Well, you’re rates going up but we’re taking away bulky waste.’ It’s going to take a lot of education,” Councilmember Quinn Sperry said.

No one was in favor of the last option that was also the most expensive.

Councilmember Dustin Gettel said, “I don’t know how any of us are going to vote for that. It’s too much too quickly.”

The conversation turned to the rapidly changing world of recycling.

Recycling program With rising costs for recycling, and low demand from China for recyclable goods, recycling programs are no longer worth what they used to be. Getting rid of recycling was suggested as a way to offset the rising cost of waste collection.

“You’re getting absolutely, how do I put it, hosed on recycling. You’re paying $50 a ton for recycling,” said Kane Loader, the city manager.

In comparison, dumping waste at the landfill is $16 a ton. Many times the recycling facilities end up taking the recycling loads to the landfill, which increases costs.

“What we’re finding is the cans are still full but they’re all contaminated,” Loader said.

Glover expressed an unpopular but money-wise opinion: “I know it’s going to be a problem but if we explain what’s really happening, and then once recycling picks back up we go back into it when they can actually recycle the stuff. It’s ridiculous. It’s not good for the environment and it’s costing us a fortune.”

Ultimately no decision was made, and the conversation will continue in future council meetings.

Assistant City Manager Matt Dahl concluded that whatever the council chose to

do, that communication to residents was the most important thing.

“Any situation where we add rules, it’s just going to add cost and not be very successful. I think the most successful program we’re going to have is the one with the easiest rules and if we can couple that with the best savings, that’s probably the route that’s going to be the best.” l

Public education director at Trans-Jordan Landfill stands on trash that could have been recycled but was contaminated with other garbage, which means it wasn’t sorted correctly by residents. (Photo courtesy Lesha Earl)

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April 2020 | Page 21

Easy Recipe Ideas from the Pantry

by

Cathy Taylor

I was once asked to write down some easy recipes for the husband of a woman who is a quadriplegic. He wanted dinner ideas that were quick and inexpensive, and easy enough for someone with little cooking experience.

After some thought, I decided that instead of writing down each individual recipe, I could share a list of pantry items that, if he kept on hand, could provide him with a variety of meal ideas. This list has since been shared with newly-weds, college students, and wonderfully enough, my own teenagers who are taking on more cooking responsibilities.

ies, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, rice, or corn.

Chili can be eaten alone, or spiced up with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, onions, olives, and peppers. You can use it as a smother for chicken, on Navajo tacos, for chili dogs, in a baked potato bar, over French fries, or mix it into macaroni and cheese. It also makes a delicious dip when mixed with cream cheese. Trying to eat less meat? They make vegetarian chili too – and it tastes great!

4 – Potatoes

1 – Canned chili

2 – Canned refried beans

These can be used in all sorts of Mexican inspired dishes: tacos, tostadas, burritos, taco salads, nachos, quesadillas, etc. You can change up the flavor by mixing in other items as well, such as salsa, enchilada sauce, canned black beans, ground beef, diced chil-

3- Pasta

Pastas like rigatoni, macaroni, fettucine, linguini, cheese stuffed tortellini, and penne are great to break up the monotony of regular old spaghetti noodles. And the toppings for pasta can be just as varied: marinara, Alfredo, meat sauce, sautéed vegetables, butter and seasonings, parmesan, salad dressings, olive and other flavored oils, or vinaigrettes.

While these probably aren’t considered a pantry item, I love to include them because they are so versatile, and pair well with most anything. They can be fried with onion, grated into hash browns, boiled and mashed, used in soup, roasted with olive oil and a variety of seasonings, baked and topped with veggies, chili, cheese, cream soups, salsa, sour cream, etc. You can even bake them the night before and keep them in the fridge for later use.

5 – Bottled sauces, dressings and marinades

Slow cookers are a busy family’s best friend – and there are few things easier than putting a few frozen chicken breasts in the

slow cooker, pouring in a bottle of sauce, and putting on the lid. (Don’t forget to turn it on too!) Salad dressings like Italian, Catalina, vinaigrettes, and honey mustard are great over chicken. You can also use BBQ sauces, salsas, spaghetti sauce, marinades, and Indian simmer sauces. Then serve with pasta, rice or potatoes and you’re good to go!

Dressings can of course top your salads, but they can also add a delicious kick to sandwiches, wraps and pasta.

Now, these aren’t by any means gourmet meals. What they are, is a solution for the reality of having our lives displaced. While we love having the whole world of cuisine right at our fingertips the reality of making do with what’s on the pantry shelf can spark our inner chef.

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A Woman’s Place

Life

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

As the mother of four daughters, and grandma to several granddaughters, I’m frequently asked (okay, twice) what advice I’d give to young women. Women are stronger than ever before, yet many men try to drag us back to the Victorian Era. Men keep gettin’ up in our bizness, drafting regulations about our bodies, creating rules about everything from prom wear to breastfeeding, and making sure we’re slutshamed if we behave out-of-line.

We’re called hysterical. We’re labeled as trouble-makers. We’re branded as unreasonable. We’re given a warm glass of milk, a pat on the head and sent to the kids’ table.

Men have had thousands of years to run the world – and I’m not impressed. Maybe it’s time they step aside and let women do the heavy lifting. (Which we can totally do.)

Here’s what young women (of every age) should know:

Own your voice.

Don’t waste time explaining yourself and don’t apologize for being a smart, confident, breath of fresh air. Shout your brilliance from the rooftops and ignore those grumpy old men who slam their windows to block out the noise.

Live an authentic life.

Travel. Get educated. Eat what you want. Drink what you want. Wear what you want. If a man’s morals are compromised because he caught a glimpse of your shoulders (or ankles, or earlobes) – not your problem.

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We’re not robots who smile 24/7, tidy up after meetings and schedule luncheons. Don’t feel self-conscious if your expression isn’t “happy” enough. Look serious. Who cares? Men certainly aren’t smiling, cheerful androids.

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TRANSFORMED INTO COMMUNITY ART SPACE

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

O

n a Saturday night in February, artists and performers came from all over Utah to participate in an art show at the Xochikalli Collective on Midvale’s Main Street. The art on display included paintings, illustrations, zines, stickers and T-shirts with many of the artists displaying their work for the first time.

“I haven’t been able to show my art since high school,” said Meg Gonzales, one of the artists. “They do a lot of cool things here. I’m glad to have this space.”

More than 70 people visited the show over the course of the evening. “We were pretty surprised,” said Patricia Campos, one of the founders of the Xochikalli Collective. “For now, we only market events through Instagram and Twitter.”

Since it opened in January, the Xochikalli Collective has hosted classes, workshops, movie nights and dance parties at 7677 S. Main St. Xochikalli (pronounced “so-CHEE-cal-ee”) is the result of a partnership between two grassroots organizations, Existimos and Wanderlust Sex. Both groups work to bring together QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in Salt Lake County.

“Xochikalli is Nahuatl word and it’s literal translation means flower house,” said Jennifer Salazar, another founder.

“It also means cultural and spiritual center. We created this collective and community space because we believe in healing through art and community.”

Salazar and Esther Aboussou formed Wanderlust Sex as The founders of the Xochikalli Collective, from left to right: Patricia Campos, Jennifer Salazar, Graciela Campos and Esther Aboussou. (Photo couran educational organization committed to creating healing tesy Jennifer Salazar) spaces. They work to create a Continued page 05

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