September 2026 | Vol. 8 Iss. 9
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By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com Three-time Olympian Shannon Bahrke turned fear into fuel, injuries into determination and a lifelong love of skiing into Olympic success and a legacy of inspiring others.
B
efore Shannon Bahrke became an Olympic medalist, she was a young skier staring down a challenge that seemed almost impossible. Moguls looked intimidating. The jumps looked frightening. The bumps seemed endless. Her first thought? No way. “I started skiing when I was 3 years old,” Bahrke said. “I love being in the mountains, and I love going as fast as I wanted to go down the ski hill. I loved the freedom of being with my friends in the mountains. Then my coach asked me if I wanted to be a mogul skier, and I said, ‘No way; that looks way too hard.’” But after eventually trying it, everything changed. “I fell in love with it,” she said. “What I
loved about it was that it was hard and I had to overcome a lot of fear because moguls are scary.” That willingness to embrace challenges helped propel Bahrke to a career worthy of being inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame this September. The three-time Olympian won a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics and added a bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games. She recorded seven World Cup victories including a World Cup title in 2003, becoming one of Utah’s and America’s most decorated mogul skiers. Growing up in Lake Tahoe, California, skiing wasn’t just recreation, it was a way of life. Even though Bahrke doesn’t enjoy the cold and would wear “everything I owned,” she joined the Squaw Valley Freestyle Team at age 12, where she developed into an all-around skier before specializing in moguls. While alpine racing seemed too structured Continued on page 8
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Three-time Olympic skier Shannon Bahrke will be inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame this September. (Photo courtesy Dan Campbell)
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September 2026 | Page 3
COMMON GROUND
Property Rights Confuse Me
Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together. Where do I stand on property rights? Simple: if I own it, then I should have absolute control over it. And If I bought it and it is next to your property, I should also have some control over yours. For those who have followed Common Ground, I have left no doubt I lean fairly strong to the right end of the political spectrum. So when writing an opinion piece representing that end of the spectrum with the topic of property rights, I was certain what I’d say. Then last night as I prepared to write this I got confused. I stopped and prayed: Dear God, am I becoming a Democrat? A quick trip to my gun safe confirmed that I am good. But I am still conflicted. I know where I stand on my property rights, not sure where I stand on your property rights. Well, let me be clear, unless your property is near mine, I actually just don’t care about yours. To not look evil I will pretend that I care and that you should have the same property rights as me. To unconfuse myself, I broke down property rights into three categories: the ability to own property, the ability to control property, and property taxes. I see each category, but am conflicted where these fall on the typical right-left spectrum. Is everyone a Republican when it comes to property rights? Or maybe
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The Millcreek Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Millcreek. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2026 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.
John J Walker Common Ground
everyone is a Democrat? I don’t know but I can’t imagine a world where we agree on something. I agree with my dear friends from the left (yes I have a couple) that everyone should have the opportunity to buy and own their home. Home ownership is an important part of the American economy and society. I think we can all agree people should be able to own property (our own homes) and enjoy all the benefits from it, and we can all recognize that property rights are protected by the Constitution. So once you own it, what control do you have? Enter Jekyll or Hyde, I am not sure. On one hand, I want full control of my property. On the other hand, I want control of my neighbor’s property. Not full control but enough control to protect my property, property value and property rights. If I want to build a second story to my house and add a man cave garage in the backyard, hand me a hammer and shut your mouth; it’s my property. But if my neighbor wants to build an apartment on his lot, whoa whoa whoa. If my neighbor wants to
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Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com
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Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
have 14 people live in his 3-bedroom house and each of them park a car on the front lawn, no way, not in my backyard and not in your front yard. Enter local zoning. WWII veterans should be the most respected people in America. Just behind them should be planning and zoning staff and volunteers. For now, my stance is that I should control my property and I should be able to do whatever I want to do with it. And I should also control your property so that it does not impact me and my property. Until you come up with a better plan, this is my plan. My first consideration concerning property taxes is back to property ownership. I question – do we really own property if we are required to pay forever to retain that ownership? When I go to the grocery store and buy a peach, I don’t have to pay for that peach the rest of my life. But when I buy a home, all of a sudden I have to pay property taxes for the rest of my life. Technically, I “own” my home in Bountiful, but I often say I “lease” it from Davis School District and Davis County. Our governor and state legislators in recent years have stated they want homes more affordable, but they have sat mostly idle while school districts, counties, and special districts have increased property taxes – making homes even more unaffordable.
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Our Republican-led legislature and governor have provided taxpayer money to help subsidize the purchase of homes. I am sure this feels good for them. I guess on some baseline it should feel good; they are helping people live the American dream. But they are taking money from all taxpayers to give to a select few. It is clear to me that we must allow the housing market to operate in a fair and open market. As per taxes – property taxes make sense; there is a need for the government to provide amenities (roads, sidewalks, water, utilities, etc.) to homeowners that are associated with homeownership. These are expenses that I require and the value of my property is dependent on. A home that doesn’t have water or access is ultimately worthless. But remind me why we cover schools with property taxes. Don’t get me wrong, we should fund schools so our children get the best education possible. In Utah, that should come from income tax. Our legislation has lowered income tax every year but they did not change the spending with school districts so where does that “savings” come from? It comes from property taxes – your income tax goes down and your property taxes go up. A game of political whack-a-mole: slash-a-tax.
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Puppies available at Second Chance playing in a play yard ready to be adopted. (John Strater Brown/Millcreek)
Folks from all over attended the Super Adoption event and had the opportunity to play with their new furry friend before taking them home. (Photo courtesy Best Friends)
Local Millcreek rescue among organizations that found forever homes for hundreds of pets
Dog and cat adoptions going strong at the Best Friends Super Adoption event and at Millcreek’s Second Chance for Homeless Pets. By Jolene Croasmun j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
O
n a warm first day of August many lucky dogs and cats found homes. Some call it Dogust 1st which is the unofficial birthday of every rescue dog. Animal shelters often use this day to host adoption events. Best Friends Super Adoption took place at the Mountain America Expo Center. They opened with people lined up at the door coming from all over Utah and as far away as Wyoming to meet new furry friends.
“We had 148 adoptions, 64 dogs and 84 cats so far,” Holly Sizemore stated halfway through the first day. Sizemore is the Chief Mission Officer of Best Friends Animal Society. More than 3,000 people came out to the two-day super adoption and close to 450 animals found new homes. “As we adopt them out, we bring more in. Best Friends Animal Society along with over 18 other organizations are participating this weekend,” Sizemore said. “Best Friends believes in networking and supporting each other and educating people about the plight of homeless pets. We show them how wonderful they are and give them an opportunity to adopt at a very low cost.” PrettyLitter sponsored all cat adoptions
during the event. “They are vaccinated, spayed and neutered plus microchipped at no charge. Our motto at Best Friends is to create a day of no more homeless pets and to achieve that goal by helping to stop the killing in every shelter across the county,” Sizemore said. “In Utah, all but two shelters are no kill.” Johanna and Sigrid of West Valley brought their dog, Mr. Wolfie to the event to find a compatible friend. They decided on Ms. Lucy. “She will be a sister to Mr. Wolfie. She is 6 years old and a shepherd mix and they got along great during the meet and greet,” Sigrid said. “We saw a lot of dogs but liked Ms. Lucy’s calm disposition. She is going to be spoiled.” The love and joy at the Expo center was palpable. With every new adoption a bell was rung which generated smiles and sweet emotions on the new owner’s and volunteers’ faces.
Second Chance for Homeless Pets
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A pet adoption agency in Millcreek is Second Chance for Homeless Pets. “I am the founder, I started it 26 years ago, I was 19,” Rhonda Greenhalgh said. “All of our animals are transferred into us from other shelters to prevent overcrowding,” Greenhalgh said. “We get a lot from the Navajo reservation area, rural areas and the Four Corners. We try to take those animals and find them homes.” Second Chance will accept animals from all shelters. “It could be from the
shelter down the street or a rural area. We get 15 to 20 pets every time,” Greenhalgh said. “Second Chance really began when I was 7. I was not allowed to have pets and my mom would take me to the animal shelters to see the dogs. I asked her what happens when they don’t find homes. She told me and explained what euthanasia was and my response was ‘I’ll take them and I’ll find them a home!’ When I graduated from high school, I decided I wanted to take all of the animals.” “We post on social media and we just do adoptions for cats and dogs,” Greenhalgh said. Once the animals get adopted, they will have another transport of animals from a shelter to find homes for. “Every day we have people come in to adopt,” Greenhalgh said. The cost to adopt pets from Second Chance can vary. “Adoption fees range depending on age and how much medical we had to put into them. Puppies and kittens are more because we do entire series of shots. It includes spay/neuter, deworm, flea and tick, vaccinations, registration, microchip, and any medical care,” Greenhalgh said. To help this nonprofit with costs they have fundraisers, a gala at Millcreek Common and they sell pet supplies in their front office. “I don’t take my work home with me. I have just one dog and one cat,” Greenhalgh said with a chuckle. “We are at about 8,500 adoptions so far, and I am going to retire when I get to 10,000!” l
Millcreek City Journal
Community yoga, providing wellness to every corner of the community feels in your belly, you have a quiet mind,” Yoga Forward provides free yoga Druce said. “We keep teaching people the classes to the community and tools to keep coming back to the here and makes yoga accessible in unconnow. Your feet on the earth. That is yoga.” ventional spaces, such as correctional facilities, addiction recovery Bring a mat All you need is a yoga mat to join a free centers, and schools.
Sunday yoga class. All levels are welcome. “Exhale, reach your hands out. One breath, one movement my friend,” said the yoga instructor, Ers Olsen. “Grab the soles of your ree yoga classes from Yoga Forward are feet against the earth. Let your breath be what available for everyone on the sixth floor guides the movement. Beautiful work!” of The Grandview at Millcreek Common. The classes are on Sundays at 9 a.m. in the Sound bath summer and 10 a.m. in the winter. On this Sunday the class was treated to “We are a Millcreek business and we a sound bath. The sound of chimes, singing partnered with Millcreek Common to pro- bowls and an ocean board was used by Olsen. vide free yoga classes,” said Denise Druce, “I do sound baths. It is where we’re co-founder of the nonprofit Yoga Forward. bathing in sound frequencies,” Olsen said. “Our mission is to take yoga where it “We work with 432 hertz or the frequencies isn’t and make yoga accessible to everyone,” of mother earth. As we spend time in these Druce said. “All of our teachers start with the frequencies that are being omitted, it helps baseline of accessibility with every pose and move the body into the parasympathetic state look around the room and say let’s make this a and moves us into the more restful state. It is yes with everyone in the room,” added Druce. like having yoga done to you.” “It is a gentle and relaxing practice. “Today I used four of our crystal quartz You will see a lot of families and couples singing bowls, a buffalo drum, two koshi that attend the Sunday classes,” Druce said. chimes and an ocean board,” Olsen said. “We will get 80 to 100 people in the class. Olsen works in a rehabilitation cen- Yoga instructor Ers Olsen providing a sound bath with singing bowls, chimes, drums and We train our teachers through a school ter and in preschools in Utah and Salt Lake ocean board for everyone attending the free yoga class. (Jolene Croasmun/City Journals) called Yoga Assets and we have 1,500 County along with healing art businesses. l instructors and take the very best and bring them here.” By Jolene Croasmun j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
F
Taking yoga where it isn’t
“We started teaching in the Utah State Correctional facility. That is where our nonprofit started and we are still there and we offer yoga classes every week in all the units. We have a yoga teacher training course,” Druce said. They provide a program for men and women in the prison. Yoga forward works with people who have experienced vulnerability or trauma in their lives like students, incarcerated, veterans and terminally ill. “We teach at the Other Side for people coming out of homelessness, addiction recovery spaces and schools,” Druce said. “We’re in all places where yoga isn’t.”
Yoga for mental health
“The exercise is secondary. Everyone knows that yoga helps you with flexibility and strength. But it is more for your mental wellness and health. We live in our heads so much and our devices so yoga immediately in the first few breaths asks you to listen to what is happening in your body and as soon as your brain gets busy noticing what is happening in your shoulder or the way the breath
MillcreekJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 7
continued from front page for her adventurous personality, moguls offered endless variety. “I love that every single run in mogul skiing is different; I love the challenge of that,” she said. “I don’t like being told what to do and essentially, that’s what alpine skiing is. Mogul skiing is fun and there’s a sense of freedom. I also loved the people and the culture; everybody’s hilarious and fun and quirky and just a little bit out there. Everyone finds their tribe of people and mogul skiers are my tribe.” The road to Olympic success required years of disciplined training. Bahrke counts her Olympic journey from the day she first clicked into skis at age 3. She earned a spot on the U.S. Ski Team at 18, made her first Olympic team at 21 and at age 29, competed in her final Olympics with her younger brother, Scotty, an aerialist, as a teammate. Her training extended beyond the slopes. She built strength through weightlifting, developed explosive speed with sprint workouts and perfected aerial tricks by launching off ramps into water at Utah Olympic Park. Proper nutrition, hydration and recovery were equally important. Still, preparation didn’t erase fear. While she’s known for fearless performances, Bahrke admits jumping never came naturally. She gradually built confidence through coaching, repetition and taking one step at a time. “You learn how to do it at the basic level, before you start adding difficulty,” Bahrke said. “We’re not World Cup skiers right from the start. We learn like everybody else.” That same approach carried her through injuries, including multiple knee surgeries, a broken jaw and other setbacks that threatened her dreams. “When I was overcoming those injuries and overcoming a lot of the fear, I dug deep and found out who I really am and what I’m made of, how tough I am,” she told youngsters while
A resistant mogul skier at first, Shannon Bahrke won two Olympic medals and a World Cup title and will now be honored in the Utah Sorts Hall of fame. (Photo courtesy Shannon Bahrke)
visiting a Sandy elementary school this past spring. “It was hard because I thought about how my competitors are out there getting stronger, getting faster and getting better while I’m trying to rehab my knee.” Bahrke worked with sports psychologists and other professionals to rebuild her confidence and return stronger. Her greatest Olympic moment came on home snow at Deer Valley during the 2002 Winter Olympics. After placing fourth in her first run, Bahrke stood at the starting gate before her second attempt knowing she had the support of her family, friends, coaches and thousands of cheering fans. “One of the things I always do is I look up at the sky and
I think how grateful I am to do what I love. Then I look at the mountains, and I think all my hard work is in those mountains. I saw people down there — my family, my friends and my coaches — and I was so thankful to have them there. Then I looked down at the mogul course, what I was born to do, what I love to do and I saw the Olympic rings on my shoulder in the American flag, and I felt so much inspiration and so much pride because I was competing for our country. I pushed out of the gate and had the second best run in the whole world that day,” she said. Bahrke delivered one of the best runs of her life, earning a silver medal — the first medal won by Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, the Millcreek resident channels those experiences into motivational speaking and leadership programs, encouraging others to embrace challenges just as she once did. At a recent young women’s technology conference, Bahrke told them: “Find something that you really love here, something that inspires you, something that intrigues you…and you will have your Olympic moment. It may not be on the world’s biggest stage, but it will be on your biggest stage. Work hard and be your best self because your extraordinary starts here.” Being inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, she said, is another milestone. “It’s an incredible honor,” Bahrke said. “I hope I can keep making our state proud and do the things I love and lay the pathway for the next generation to do what they love in a way that’s meaningful for them.” In addition to Bahrke, the Utah Sports Hall of Fame 2026 inductee class includes Ben Kjar, Blair Buswell, Cody Jensen and Lee Benson. The Utah Sports Hall of Fame Museum is located at 99 W. South Temple, Ste. 102 in City Creek Center and is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. l
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Millcreek City Journal
Members of the Unified Fire Authority and Unified Police Department pose with Millcreek City Council. (Photo credit Millcreek City Council)
Millcreek honors Unified Fire, Police for firefighting efforts “I encourage all residents to join and recognize these guardians of public safety,” says mayor. By Alexandra Straumann a.straumann@mycityjournals.com
O
n July 27, the Millcreek City Council adopted a proclamation to recognize the efforts of the Unified Fire Authority (UFD) and Unified Police Authority (UPD). Millcreek’s Mayor Cheri Jackson explained that the work of both departments has long been admired and appreciated by
the council and general community, but that the decision to adopt the proclamation came after a recent fire. On July 12, a brush fire developed around 6 p.m. near Tanner Park trailhead and Parley’s Historic Nature Park. The blaze moved quickly and burned four acres within an hour. Jackson explained that the swift response from the UFD and UPD resulted in a potentially disastrous situation being mitigated and that the departments worked through the night in hot temperatures to safely contain the fires and evacuate residents who were in danger. The proclamation formally recognizes
the work by the UFD and UPD not just in emergency events but every day, to protect the safety and well-being of Millcreek residents. The UFD has made a continual effort to increase public awareness of fire prevention precautions, such as supporting Millcreek’s Chipper Day’s program, which works to improve community wildfire readiness and to decrease wildfire danger on private property. “Whereas the mayor and city council wish to recognize the dedication, professionalism and team work of the personnel and leadership of both agencies, and to express the gratitude of Millcreek and its
residents in their continuing partnership in protecting lives and property,” Jackson read, “I Cheri Jackson, mayor of Millcreek, do hereby proclaim the sincere appreciation and gratitude of Millcreek to the Unified Fire Authority and Unified Police Department for their dedicated service and their outstanding response to recent emergencies, and I encourage all residents to join and recognize these guardians of public safety.” Many members of the UFD and UPD were in attendance, and after the proclamation was read those in the room gave a standing ovation. l
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The Dog’s Meow has been helping pets stay healthy for over 20 years Employees at the independentlyowned pet health food and supply shop greet canine customers with a treat. By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
T
o paraphrase the old “Cheers” television show theme song, The Dog’s Meow is a place where everybody knows your pup’s name — and has a little treat waiting for them too. This personal touch, along with quality products and knowledgeable staff, has helped the independently-owned pet health food store thrive in the face of competition from online and big box store competitors. “We have one customer whose dog expects the same treat every time he comes in,” Draper store employee Brylee Knapton said. “We develop a really personal bond with our customers. I have some that I’ve helped the whole time I’ve worked here.” The Dog’s Meow sells specialty brands of pet food made from natural ingredients along with supplements, treats and accessories for both dogs and cats. The store also offers do-it-yourself dog washing facilities that are available by appointment.
Jada, a 9-year-old bulldog owned by Adam Pulsipher, waited for her turn to have a bath at The Dog’s Meow. (Katherine Weinstein/ Founder and owner, Alexis Butler, estab- years and spoke of watching their kids “go City Journals)
Sterling Harness’s dog, Diesel, smiled for the camera when photographed with The Dog’s Meow employee Brylee Knapton. (Katherine Weinstein/City Journals)
lished the first location of The Dog’s Meow from strollers to college.” In fact, it was one in Millcreek in 1996. She has enjoyed build- of those customers — now a good friend — ing relationships with her customers over the who encouraged her to open a store in Draper in 2003. “There was nothing except for big box pet stores in the south,” Butler said. She added that at first it was a struggle to get the Draper location going. “But then the melamine crisis happened and people started thinking about what they’re feeding their pets,” she said. “That’s what put me on the map and kept the store going in Draper.” The melamine crisis occurred in 2007 when dogs and cats throughout the US were suddenly sickened from contaminated pet food. It was discovered that industrial chemAs Utah’s official educational savings plan for the icals such as melamine had been added to past 30 years, we help you invest for education so you imported proteins used in many mainstream can help your children and grandchildren follow their brands which lead to their recall. dreams. “I’ve always had a thing for healthy food,” Butler said. “You are what you eat as a Contributing even a small amount now to a 529 human and as an animal too.” education savings account can help make college or Currently, the most popular pet foods at The Dog’s Meow are both raw and lightvocational school more affordable later. ly-cooked natural foods. “Lightly-cooked is fresh food, but you’re not handling raw meat,” And now, 529 savings can be used for qualified Knapton explained. Fresh, whole-food ingreeducation expenses that occur before, during and dients are heated at low temperatures just after college. enough to kill harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, while preserving natural nutrients. my529 can help make the process of saving for higher education easy! Butler emphasized that her staff is well-educated about the foods and suppleLearn more at my529.org ments they sell and that they stay on top of new trends such as the lightly-cooked foods. Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may “You can come ask us questions,” she said. vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program “The only way we can compete is to be the Description in its entirety for more information and consider all investment best we can be.” objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For a copy of the Knapton, who has worked for The Dog’s Program Description, call 800.418.2551 or visit my529.org.
Page 10 | September 2026
Meow in Draper for over two years, said that she has applied the knowledge from her job to help care for her own dog whose allergies improved after a change in diet. “I love helping customers figure out what is best for their animals,” she said. “The relationships I’ve made with our customers and seeing the positive impact in how their pets feel and act is so rewarding. It can make a night and day difference.” While The Dog’s Meow in Draper sells products for both cats and dogs, Knapton said that the Millcreek location sees more cat owners. “Cats aren’t as big out here although we still do have our cat customers,” she said. Six years ago, the Draper store added an area where people can bring their dogs to give them a bath. Commercial DIY dog-washing stations have become increasingly popular across the country as they eliminate the mess of washing a dog at home. Clients at The Dog’s Meow can choose a deluxe wash or opt to bring their own shampoo and supplies from home. Customer Sterling Harness has been bringing her English cream golden retriever, Diesel, to The Dog’s Meow since he was a small puppy. They often stop in to buy treats. “I’m studying for a Master’s in Social Work,” she said. “He is going to be my therapy dog.” Diesel eagerly picked out a dried beef chew treat. “He’s like, ‘This is my type of store!’” Harness said. The Dog’s Meow is located at 866 E. 12300 South and 2047 E. 3300 South. For more information about the store and to purchase products online, visit www.dogsmeow.com. l
Millcreek City Journal
Cremation Services Brooke Tolman (left) and Sarah Kyle (right) created The Pause Project to help give hope and build a community of support for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. (Photo courtesy Frederick W. Hayes/ Still Photographer)
The Pause Project helps women learn about menopause
Two Utah event planners are turning their own perimenopause struggles into The Pause Project, a oneday conference Oct. 10 to replace “suffering in silence” with expert advice and community. By Rebecca Olds rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
S
arah Kyle and Brooke Tolman have been friends and business partners in the events industry for a long time, so it was natural for them to talk about anything and everything — even the topics the larger community still regards as “taboo.” “I hate to say it, but especially in Utah … we are supposed to have the perfect home … our children are perfect … there’s just this sense of like you can’t show any of your flaws,” Kyle said. Tolman started noticing strange symptoms: brain fog that made it impossible to remember details that once came easily, restless nights where her eyes snapped open around 3 a.m. and refused to shut again — what she and Kyle now jokingly call the “3 a.m. club.” Then came the hot flashes. Worst of all was a growing sense that she simply didn’t feel like herself anymore, and her confidence began to crack. Talking it through with Kyle, Tolman was stunned to learn she wasn’t crazy — and she wasn’t alone. Perimenopause and menopause affect most women, often starting in their 30s and lasting up to 10-12 years. Yet many say they were never told what to expect. Very little information is passed down within families, and most OB-GYN and primary care training
MillcreekJournal .com
includes only minimal menopause education — lining up with what Tolman and Kyle heard about doctors getting “15-20 minutes of training” on hormones. “For a long time… women were supposed to hold it all together, right?” Tolman said. “The ‘suffering in silence’ is, I think, passed down from generations … you’re a woman, you just have to deal with it.” But Kyle and Tolman decided they weren’t going to “just deal with it.” “You’re just trying to feel normal,” Tolman said. “I think that is the one sign most doctors agree with: you don’t really know what is happening to you, you just know you don’t feel like yourself, and you may not know that any of this other stuff is all related.” On Oct. 10 at The Grand America Hotel, Tolman and Kyle are hosting The Pause Project, a one-day conference designed to give women both information and community around perimenopause and menopause. The event will feature local women physicians and specialists from major health systems, along with Utah-based companies focused on women’s health, supplements and wellness. “We’re not the experts, so we are leaning on experts,” Kyle said. “We do events, we’re suffering from this and we know a lot of women are. So we want to bring this to the public space.” They hope women will come with friends, adult daughters or sisters, take advantage of group pricing and, most importantly, bring their questions. Instead of 15 rushed minutes in an exam room, attendees will have a full day to hear from specialists, compare experiences with other women and leave knowing they’re not the only ones awake at 3 a.m. wondering what’s happening to their bodies.l
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Prostate/ Breast Cancer
Fall Into Action: Tackle Cancer Screenings This Season
FALL IS MORE THAN football and pump-
kin spice – it’s time for men and women to prioritize their health. As September spotlights Prostate Cancer Awareness and October approaches with Breast Cancer Awareness, our local medical experts are issuing a direct call to our community. This is your cue: men, actively engage with your prostate health; women, prioritize your breast health. Early detection is the most powerful tool you have to protect your life and your loved ones. The statistics are sobering. For men, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer, and tragically, it stands as the second leading cause of cancer death, surpassed only by lung cancer. Similarly, for women, breast cancer is a significant threat, also ranking as the second leading cause of cancer death, second only to lung cancer. These aren’t just abstract figures; they represent real individuals whose lives can be profoundly impacted by timely action. “Too often, men delay necessary screenings,” explains Dr. Pursifull, a urologist at Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point in Lehi. “But waiting for symptoms to appear
significantly reduces treatment options. Regular PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams are straightforward procedures that detect cancer early. Talk to your primary care physician about your risk factors, especially if you have a family history or are of African American descent. CommonSpirit hospitals offer comprehensive prostate cancer screenings and advanced treatment options.” For women, prioritizing breast health is equally critical. “Early detection is truly a game-changer when it comes to breast cancer,” states Dr. Raylene Natwick, a breast surgeon practicing at a Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley. “When breast cancer is identified early, the chances of successful treatment and a full recovery are remarkably higher. This is precisely why regular mammograms are so vital. They can detect subtle changes years before they would ever be palpable.” Dr. Natwick advises women to discuss screening guidelines starting around age 40, or earlier if risk factors warrant it. Monthly self-examinations and annual clinical breast exams are also crucial. “CommonSpirit hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art mam-
mography technology and a dedicated team ready to support women.” “As primary care providers, we are frequently the entry portal to the health care system.” said Dr. Grant Hawkins, an internal medicine physician with CommonSpirit in West Jordan. We encourage our patients to have their yearly wellness checkups. At that time we have the opportunity to review medical issues, make medication adjustments, discuss new concerns and arrange for screening tests that are so important in preventing serious problems in the future.” This Fall, make the decision to prioritize your health. Both prostate and breast cancer often have excellent prognoses when caught early. CommonSpirit hospitals are committed to providing accessible screenings, expert diagnostics, and leading-edge treatments. Schedule your screenings and engage in crucial conversations with your doctor. Your life, your future, and your well-being depend on it. For more information or to find a provider visit mountain.commonspirit.org SPONSORED CONTENT
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CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region Office of the General Counsel at 1-303-643-1000 (TTY: 711). Copyright © CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region, 2026. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-303-643-1000 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-303-643-1000 (TTY: 711).
Page 12 | September 2026
Millcreek City Journal
City Journals presents:
A publication covering local pets, their
humans and their care around the Salt Lake Valley
Give an old dog a new beginning By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com Puppies are cute but senior dogs have wisdom, manners and lots of love to share. While an older dog might not have the energy of a puppy or long years of fun and adventure left in them, for people willing to look past the slower walks and gray hairs, a senior dog can offer a life-changing experience at both ends of the leash. Guinnevere Shuster works as the Humane Society of Utah’s communication director. She said there are several misconceptions about adopting an older dog that can hold people back from a loving relationship, including the idea that the dog will pass away too soon. “When people are worried about that, I often bring up the fact that the time that you do have is really special, and you’re really making a difference for this animal,” she said. “You’re getting them out of the animal shelter into a home where they’re loved. Getting them out of the shelter and into a home is really rewarding.” Dogs are considered senior when they turn 7 and cats when they turn 10 or 11. Although aging differs between the size and breed of the animals, many pets live several more years. Shuster said one cat was 12 when she was adopted, but lived another five years.
She said most senior pets offer calm companionship and are deeply grateful for another chance to live with a loving family. While some of the animals had an established bond with their previous families, others might have led a rough life, but they usually have an easy time adjusting to a new home. “They’re really resilient, and they’re also very social creatures. So they are looking to make that connection with people,” Shuster said. “They want to be around you. They want to have their person. It might take them a little time to learn the ropes and get adjusted to everyone, but dogs and cats typically bond pretty quickly to who’s caring for them, especially to who’s feeding them.” Adopting a senior dog from the Humane Society comes with several benefits. All adoption fees are waived and they are spayed or neutered and microchipped. They receive all necessary vaccinations and are given medical and dental exams, including blood work and X-rays, if needed. If the animal has medical issues, or needs teeth pulled, those problems are taken care of before they are put up for adoption. Potential adopters receive full transparency when it comes to the animal’s physical condition. “When adopting an older dog, they know what they’re getting,” Shuster said.
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BlackJack is a 10-year-old Norwegian elkhound/husky mix. He’s one of the senior dogs available for adoption at the Humane Society of Utah. (Photo courtesy of Humane Society of Utah) including photos, at utahhumane.org. “One of the benefits is that when you get them home, you get that reward of giving an animal a home, an animal that’s often overlooked in the shelter environment and maybe not favored by most people,” Shuster said. “It’s really rewarding to know that you’re giving this animal a place to rest for their golden years.”
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September 2026 | Page 13
Local vet clinic saves Piper the Viper By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com “They really did treat Piper like he was my child,” Ruben “Rusty” Lugo said of the staff at Wasatch Exotic Pet Care. Pets reside in over 66% of U.S. households, according to a Forbes report pulling research from the American Pet Products Association in 2024. Of those, the most common pets are dogs (56.3 million) and cats (43.1 million). Salt Lake County residents, however, like to keep things interesting with beekeeping and backyard chicken coop trends. Rabbits, ferrets, ducks, turkeys, goats, cows, pigs, sheep, horses, snakes and turtles are also allowed within most of the county’s cities (with varying ordinance and permitting requirements). One such nontraditional pet is a California king snake named Piper. Cottonwood Heights Planning Commissioner Ruben “Rusty” Lugo calls Piper the Viper a part of the family. “I’ve always loved exotic type pets,” Lugo said. “They are wonderful conversation starters.” Lugo adopted Piper in 2015 when he was 6 months old. At the time, he was about 3.5 inches long and, when coiled, could fit in the palm of Lugo’s hand. “People have this perception that
a few words. His favorite childhood pet was a tarantula which lived for 12 years. Lugo now passes on the tradition of nontraditional pet ownership to his son with Piper the Viper. Upon returning home from a recent summer trip, Lugo found Piper coiled up in his water dish (which is an abnormal behavior for snakes). Upon further inspection, Lugo noticed Piper’s heat lamp had gone out. He thought he might give Piper some
snakes are slimy. They’re actually soft, smooth and very clean animals,” Lugo said. Lugo’s been able to watch people’s perceptions of snakes change in real-time. It all starts by slowly bringing Piper out to introduce him with a single touch or pet. “He’s so tame,” Lugo said. “Now, my friends are coming back to hold Piper.” Lugo’s love for animals is genetic. He recalls how his mom converted one of the bedrooms in his childhood home into a space dedicated to raising animals. They had lizards, praying mantises, tree turtles, swimming turtles and frogs. She even let the large turtles roam around in the backyard. Once, his mom brought home and cared for a wounded Piper the Viper came home to an all new terrarium after a health magpie. She eventuscare. (Ruben “Rusty” Lugo/Cottonwood Heights) ally taught it to speak
time before he grew concerned. However, his girlfriend nudged him to not wait. Lugo called Wasatch Exotic Pet Care and they recommended bringing him in. “He was real lethargic and was barely alive,” Lugo said. “We got the good call around 4:30 p.m. that Piper was thriving in a heat incubator.” Lugo was prepared to pay whatever the cost to ensure a member of his family remained healthy. He was pleased when Wasatch Exotic Pet Care presented him with reasonable and fair pricing that didn’t break his bank. “They really did treat Piper like he was my child,” Lugo said. “It’s exceptional to have that service in our awesome city of Cottonwood Heights.” Piper was able to go home that day. Wasatch Exotic Pet Care even sent Lugo home with additional information about California king snakes. “It hit me I love Piper more than I thought,” Lugo said. “I’ve been holding him a lot more ever since.” Wasatch Exotic Pet Care is a drop-off only small business located at 1892 E. Fort Union Blvd. (Open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday). To learn more, visit their website at: www.wasatchexotic.com. According to Lugo, Piper has a long life ahead of him, which may be about 25 more years as that’s how long California king snakes can live in captivity.
Meet the winners of our cutest pet social media contest First place is a three-way tie!
First place. “Peaches smashed between our mastiff/ pitbull mix and the couch.” (Photo submitted by Kelsee Tia Kinder)
Page 14 | September 2026
First place. “Rosie is a 9-week-old shih tzu who alternates between nibbling at your toes and taking naps under the couch. Her emotional support human’s name is Liz.” (Photo submitted by Liz Ang)
First place. “Charlie puppy is a 4-year-old yorkipoo who does not like going to Lowe’s but when he does, he planks on a bucket of drywall mud to strengthen his front paws. His motto is ‘why only lift a leg when you can lift your entire body?’ His support humans are Liz and Stephane.” (Photo submitted by Liz Ang)
Millcreek City Journal
5 unique animal rescue organizations By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com It’s not just cats and dogs that need rescue and love. When you think of animal rescues, you probably picture shelters filled with cute kittens or adorable dogs. But animal rescue is much more than that. Several organizations in Utah are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating everything from ducks to turtles and finding homes for these unique pets. Here are a few of these groups that help nearly every type of creature.
Wasatch Exotics Rescue
Founded by Angela Pollack, Marybeth Spencer and Mitchell Christiansen, Wasatch Exotics Rescue provides a foster-based model in which every rescue is placed in an approved foster home. The fosters set up a proper habitat for the animals and give the rescues love and attention until they find their forever home. The group accepts pets such as ball pythons, iguanas, geckos, bearded dragons, turtles and more. To adopt an exotic pet, surrender an animal, become a foster or volunteer, visit wasatchexoticsrescue.org for more information.
Clementine Ranch
Although they are not currently accepting new animals, Clementine Ranch is a sanctuary for livestock. Started by Lindsey Armstrong and Rob Fenn, the ranch is intended to be a place of compassion, embracing a vegan lifestyle. The couple took over an existing animal sanctuary in Herriman that needed a lot of renovation to make it safe for humans and animals. The rescued or retired livestock include cows, sheep, goats, horses, emus and chickens who can live out their lives in peace and comfort. At clementineranch.org, information is available on how to support the organization to keep the animals fed and housed. Follow their adventures on social media @ theclementineranch.
Wasatch Wanderers Animal Rescue
This animal rescue is focused on the care of abandoned, neglected or unwanted animals. Since it was founded in 2021, the organization has rescued 1,400 animals in need. Wasatch Wanderers is dedicated to educating owners about the care of domestic fowl, which are often dumped in rivers, lakes
and streams once they outgrow their “cute” chick stage. Rescuers hope that by teaching people that domesticated ducks, geese and chickens cannot survive in the wild, it will stop the illegal dumping of these animals. Learn more about the organization, or donate to the cause at wasatchwanderers.org.
Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS)
CAWS is Utah’s oldest animal rescue group, providing foster care, adoption and education to save cats and dogs that are often overlooked or under-appreciated. This includes sick, elderly, injured or special needs animals looking for the perfect family. Most animals at CAWS are rescued from shelters across Utah and other states. Families looking to adopt are carefully screened to ensure they get the best pet for their home. For information about adoption, fostering, volunteering or donating, visit caws.org.
Canines With a Cause
This organization offers a double bonus: it pairs rescued shelter dogs with military veterans struggling with PTSD. Animals are evaluated at shelters to find potential candidates to become psychiatric service dogs, then partnered with a vet. The duo trains together, allowing the vets
When ducks are illegally dumped in ponds and streams, Wasatch Wanderers rescue and rehome them. It’s just one of the many organizations that help animals find loving homes. (Canva stock) to work with the dog to develop therapy skills and tasks. These can include interrupting distress, waking a vet up during nightmares, retrieving items and grounding. CWAC helps the pair develop a strong bond that supports both partners. Classes are offered to veterans at no cost. To learn more, visit canineswithacause.org.
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Hard to Recycle Materials drive in Millcreek diverts 10,000 pounds of waste from landfill Event was sponsored by Utah Recycling Association which works toward a zero-waste future. By Alexandra Straumann a.straumann@mycityjournals.com
T
he Utah Recycling Alliance (UAR) is an organization dedicated to inspiring Utahns to work toward a zero-waste future. A zero-waste future imagines a world where discarded items don’t end up in landfills, where millions of items go to rot. One of the ways UAR works to combat this is by putting on Collection of Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) events. Across the country, a variety of items such as batteries, light bulbs and electronic devices are commonly disposed of in landfills when they could be recycled, but many people don’t know this, or where to dispose of these items. CHaRM events are designed to provide residents of a particular community with a free, easy to access method of disposal for their hard to recycle materials that would not be accepted in curb-side disposal. On May 16, UAR brought a CHaRM event to Millcreek. Participants were able to
Utah Recycling Alliance volunteers at CHaRM event. (Photo credit Utah Recycling Alliance)
drive and drop off their hard to recycle items to a team of 20 volunteers who sorted the collected materials for recycling. In a three-hour window, 168 cars showed up, resulting in 10,215 pounds of recycling being collected and diverted from the landfill, a 38.6% increase from 2025. The items with the greatest collection volume by pound where electronic waste and cords (2,383 pounds), metal (2,275 pounds), paper shredding (1,280)
and tires and tubes (740 pounds). Participants were surveyed on their thoughts about the event, and reported high degrees of satisfaction, and an understanding of the importance recycling plays in their everyday lives. Additionally, 93% of respondents indicated they would hold on to harder to recycle items throughout the year if they knew what to collect and where they could dispose of it properly.
The feedback given to UAR shows that people are not just willing to work towards a zero-waste future, but that they are interested in learning more about recycling and continuing to do what they can to help protect the planet. To learn more about the UAR and CHaRM, where to find upcoming events and how you can assist in creating a zero-waste Utah, visit www.utahrecyclingalliance.org/ charm-events. l
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Millcreek City Journal
Therapy animals shine bright: Moonshine’s story
“What a beautiful ending to a beautiful life.” By Cassie Goff c.goff@mycityjournals.com
“T
ime seems to drag on when you’re going through treatment. A furry friend is such a nice respite,” said Heather Dillon, registered Utah Pet Partners volunteer. Utah Pet Partners (formerly Therapy Animals of Utah) focuses on linking therapy animals and human interactions to improve physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. They provide support across a wide range of environments including mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, assisted living homes, disability service centers, correctional facilities, court programs, libraries, schools, and hospitals. For many patients and families visiting Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Salt Lake City and Miller Family Campus, their respite came as a calming and quiet presence shaped as a black-and-white speckled Great Pyrenees/Border Collie/ Retriever mix named Moonshine. “He had a knack for knowing who needed him first — the patient or the family,” said Dillon, Moonshine’s mom. Moonshine was quickly adored by all of the patients, families, and nurses he visited.
He had an even temperament, meaning he was predictable and dependent in every situation. (As required to be certified, therapy animals can also not bite, bark, or lick.) “It helps the kiddo feel a little more relaxed from the anxiety,” said Dillon. “It brings them so much comfort through their pain and treatment.” Dillon was drawn to volunteer with therapy animals after she attended graduate school and worked in hospice care. She adopted Moonshine from Rescue Rovers when her own son was 3 years old. “When we rescued him, we wanted a dog to do therapy work with,” Dillon said. “He was so chill and sweet. He won me over.” After Moonshine was adopted, Dillon began working with him to get certified with Utah Pet Partners in 2019. Therapy animals must prove they’re able to do the work through at least two to three evaluations, go to the veterinarian often to ensure they’re up-todate with full vaccinations, and re-test yearly. “Therapy animals don’t have rights like service animals,” Dillon explained how therapy animals must be invited into the environments they visit. “We can’t go where we’re not wanted.” In addition, therapy animals are required to be insured as well as clean and bathed at least 24-hours in advance before any scheduled visit.
“The best therapy dogs are leaners,” Dillon said. (Heather Dillon/Utah Pet Partners)
“Your heart really has to be in it. It’s a lot of time and your own money,” Dillon said. Moonshine began his career as a bookworm where he would visit five local county libraries as part of the “Read With Me (Read
to a Dog)” programs. Moonshine’s favorite books were “Find Momo Everywhere” by Andrew Knapp and “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse, and the Storm” by Charlie Mackery. “He locked in with you,” Dillon said. “He would just know to put his paw on the book or snuggle up. It always amazed me he knew what to do,” From local libraries, Moonshine transitioned to spending time with students at Midvale Elementary. “He would give them his undivided attention with so many distractions,” Dillon said. Therapy animals have a strict two-hour visitation limit per day. For Moonshine, the rest of his 22-hours each day were spent decompressing and enjoying some of his favorite treats – broccoli and blueberries. “He didn’t like to work at home. He was so amazing with others and their big feelings but if we got emotional, he was a fair-weathered friend,” Dillon laughed. “He had a good work life balance.” Dillon recalls how Moonshine sought out interactions with everyone and would always choose people over other dogs. “He loved everyone.” Moonshine said goodbye on May 7 after a lung cancer diagnosis. “He worked all the way up until he started showing symptoms. He told us he was ready to go and we listened,” Dillon said. l
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September 2026 | Page 17
Students prepare for start of Utah’s new bell-to-bell cellphone ban
With students gearing up to head back to school, Utah’s new bell-tobell ban will officially take effect prohibiting cellphone usage during school hours. By Lizzie Walje l.walje@mycityjournals.com
E
arlier this year, during Utah’s 2026 General Legislative Session, the state’s proposed bell-to-bell cell phone ban was officially signed into law. The bell-to-bell ban, known legislatively as SB 69, expands on a previous bill, SB 178, that went into effect in 2025. SB 178 set the precedent for restricting cell phone access in Utah schools during classroom hours. However, up until this year, students could still use technology freely in between classes, during lunchtime or other applicable downtimes throughout the day. The expanded SB 69 has since tightened restrictions, meaning students will no longer be able to access their phones at any point during school hours including downtimes. The debate surrounding how to handle cell phone usage in school has persisted for a considerable amount of time. However, in 2026, smartphones are far more sophisticated than they were 10, or even five years ago. This had complicated an existing issue substantially. As a response, several states in the union have started to crack down legislatively, in an attempt to help keep distractions minimal and students engaged. As of 2026, roughly 22 states plus Washington, D.C. have adopted some form of a complete bell-to-bell cell phone ban. In May 2023, Florida was the first state to adopt a formal bell-to-bell cellphone ban. In June 2026, Harvard Kennedy School, which closely monitors legislation regarding school cell phone usage nationwide, presented promising early data that suggests the bell-to-bell bans are ultimately yielding net positive outcomes. Paul Peterson, a professor of Public Policy at Harvard and an expert in education policy, stated that the support for
The bell-to-bell ban will officially go into effect at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic school year. (Adobe Stock Photo)
such legislation has been extremely popular amongst principals and educators. “[Bell-to-Bell bans are] a very widespread practice, and one that’s endorsed by school principals: 70% of school principals, and 81% of those who are responsible for middle and high schools, think that cellphone bans should be enacted because they have a positive impact on the climate of the school,” Peterson stated. “There is widespread consensus that this is something that should be done, given the decline in student performance in our educational system over the last 15 years or so.” Naturally, because Florida is the state with the longest standing bell-to-bell ban in effect, researchers have been eager to examine what changes, if any, are being reported. Because complete bell-to-bell bans are still in their infancy, the long-term effects cannot yet be known. Nevertheless, Peterson maintains that early data appears promising, although
with some important distinctions. The first year of Florida’s enforced bellto-bell ban rendered somewhat complex outcomes. For instance, while overall learning capabilities for students across the board seemed to improve, school suspensions also increased. In the immediate aftermath, as students adjusted to their new normal, suspensions did increase as a result of students pushing back on policy. With that said, by the second year the spike in suspensions had gradually decreased. Eventually, the number of suspensions returned to its pre-policy baseline. Conversely, student learning continued, and has continued to improve, with each passing year. Shifting back to Utah, many students are beginning to wonder how the ban will play out practically as we rapidly approach back to school season. The answer to that question? It will depend on how each school chooses to enforce the ban. While SB 69
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mandates that all of Utah’s publicly run schools will have to abide by the bell-to-bell ban, there is no universal guideline for how it needs to be enforced. For some schools, enforcement of the ban may simply look like requiring students to leave their phones in their backpack, locker or other storage space. On the other hand, it’s very likely that certain schools will decide to use Yondr pouches, or other similar technology. For those unfamiliar, a Yondr pouch is a small fabric sleeve that uses a patented locking system with a magnetic unlocking mechanism. Yondr pouches allow for the student to maintain physical access to their device, without having the ability to actually use it. Exact procedures can vary based on location, but in effect, a student puts their device into the pouch at the beginning of the school day. Once class has dismissed for the day, students can go and unlock their Yondr pouch at various stationed unlocking banks. Many teachers also have access to an unlocking mechanism within their classroom, in case of emergency. Following SB 178’s initial cell phone ban in 2025, several schools within Utah chose to utilize Yondr pouches. One such school was Granger High School, and thus far the results have been promising according to Luke Allen, the Associate Director of Communications for Granite School District. Allen and the District reported that student fights at Granger have decreased by 50% following their cell phone ban. He also mentioned that academic failure rates have dramatically improved. “The first year of that policy at Granger High School, if you compare the student failure rate to the four years leading up to that, [Granger] had their lowest rates of those five years,” Allen said. “So, they had their lowest failure rates in five years, the first year they had that policy.” Despite Yondr’s effective nature, there is still one large roadblock preventing many schools from actually utilizing the technology—cost concerns. Yondr pouches are still considered a somewhat costly option, especially for many schools in Utah that already feel stretched thin in light of ongoing funding and budget cuts. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (RSouth Jordan), SB 69’s sponsor, addressed concerns at the time, explaining that schools in Utah would not be required to use Yondr pouches, rather, they exist as one potential option that schools can employ to enforce the bell-to-bell ban. For many students, how exactly the bell-to-bell ban will be enforced in their specific institution is relatively up in the air, nevertheless, all students should be prepared for the bell-to-bell ban upon their return from the summer holidays. While early data suggests bell-to-bell bans have been highly beneficial, only time will tell when it comes to determining the long-term effectiveness of the ban. l
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Bryce Samuleson is a landscape artist whose work was displayed at a previous Art at The Park Show. (Photo courtesy of Rob Chipman) SPONSORED CONTENT
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UTAH ARTISTS RETURN to The Garden Place at This Is The Place Heritage Park (2601 Sunnyside Ave.) as part of the fifth annual Art at The Park event. The community is invited to attend the free art show Sept. 18-19, where they can meet the artists behind the works, watch live art demonstrations and explore a diverse selection of original pieces priced from $100 to $10,000. “We are so excited to be back for our fifth year at beautiful This Is The Place Heritage Park, where art lovers can see the amazing work of over 75 of Utah’s top fine artists,” said Rob Chipman, founder of Art at The Park and ArtThrive. “It is so satisfying to have enabled our artists to have sold well over $1 million worth of art since our founding. Now, as part of a new nonprofit organization, all of the net proceeds of the event will go towards helping local artists to flourish to an even greater degree.” The show is presented as part of ArtThrive, a new nonprofit organization that assists Utah artists and promotes art appreciation in the state. More than 75 local artists will showcase their work at Art at The Park on Friday, Sept. 18, from noon to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11:00 am until 7 p.m. Artists are expected from Cottonwood Heights, Bountiful, Kaysville, Draper, Holladay, Midvale, Millcreek, Murray, Riverton, Sandy, South Salt Lake, South Jordan, Taylorsville and West Jordan.
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September 2026 | Page 19
From the podium to the classroom: Utah 2034 launches Olympic education committee A new committee has been established in connection with the upcoming Utah 2034 Olympic Winter Games and seeks to incorporate tenants of Olympic values and philosophies into Utah classrooms. By Lizzie Walje l.walje@mycityjournals.com
T
wo years have passed since Utah was officially selected to host the 2034 Olympic Winter Games, and preparations are already kicking into high gear. The 2034 Games will mark Utah’s second time hosting the international event, more than three decades after Salt Lake City welcomed the world for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Preparations for the Olympics are notoriously extensive, often beginning years before the Games occur. This time around, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games committee has launched a unique program designed to foster Olympic values in Utah classrooms. First announced in August 2026, the inaugural Utah 2034 Education Committee, according to their official website, “will provide strategic guidance, foster partnerships, and develop statewide initiatives that connect students and educators to the opportunities created along the road to 2034. Its mission includes the launch of a statewide classroom education program.” Given that the board’s existence was just recently publicly announced, relatively little is known about how these concepts will be practically implemented into Utah’s schools. However, from what we do know, it appears that the board intends to improve education throughout the state by introducing the excitement and values that inform the spirit and ethos of the Olympic Games into the classroom. One particular issue that the Utah 2034 Education Committee intends to help tackle is the state of literacy in Utah. Earlier this year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, within the David Eccles School of Business, released a report that revealed nearly half of Utah’s K-3 students are not meeting applicable grade-level reading benchmarks. Data from the study indicated that roughly half of Utah’s early elementary school students struggle with reading proficiency, with first grade frequently revealing the lowest achievement benchmarks across the board. According to the National Education Association, childhood literacy issues can result in potentially profound and lasting consequences. Third grade, in particular, is often treated as a pivotal turning point for young students as they transition from learning how to read into learning how to develop and exercise critical reading comprehension skills. Children who fail to read sufficiently by the third grade often have lower levels of achievement, are more likely to drop out of school, and are more likely to find themselves engaging with the criminal justice system. “A key vision point for Utah 2034 is to elevate communities,” said Utah 2034 President and Executive Chair Fraser Bullock. “Our Utah 2034 Education Committee brings together a diverse group of leaders who can guide us in impacting youth through classroom programs across the entire state, serving as a model for others to showcase the power of education and sport.” The committee is comprised of 16 individuals and will be chaired by Amy Garff. The committee has also partnered with the Robert H. and Katherine B. Garff foundation, a privately-owned, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking and human
Page 20 | September 2026
The inaugural meeting of the committee was held in July at Park City’s Olympic Park. (Utah2034.org)
services. The organization already has ties to the sporting world, as it previously made a $17.5-million donation toward the expansion and renovation of the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2021. Amy Garff’s father-in-law, Bob Garff, also played a key role in the 2002 Winter Games and was among the Utahns selected to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy, earlier this year. The Education Committee will also collaborate with the Ken Garff for Good Foundation, another 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves every school district in the state of Utah. For years, the foundation has worked alongside schools to help improve education outcomes through four distinct programs: Road to Success, Keys to Success, Ken Garff Esports and Women Who Succeed. Per the foundation’s website, “The mission of Ken Garff for Good is to provide a pathway to college or careers. We do this through literacy, technology and mentoring programs, and exposure to scholarships, internships and careers.” Other noteworthy names on the Utah 2034 Education Committee include Syd Dickson, who will serve as vice-chair, and Olympic champion Nathan Chen. Dickson is well known on the Utah education circuit as he previously served as Utah’s state superintendent of public instruction. As for Chen, the Utah native is highly regarded as one of the greatest singles skaters in the history of the sport. Chen has received numerous prestigious titles throughout his career, including an individual Olympic gold medal (2022), Olympic team gold and bronze medals (2022 and 2018) and three world championships in 2018, 2019 and 2021. “The Garff family has long been a believer in the power
of education. Amy’s leadership of the Education Committee is a good example of how Podium34 can translate philanthropic participation into tangible statewide impact,” said Utah 2034 CEO Brad Wilson, who sits on the committee. “In our inaugural meeting, it was remarkable to see the interchange between educators from across the state and how everyone was joined in a common mission.” The committee’s inaugural meeting fittingly took place at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on July 29, 2026. During that meeting, committee members were introduced to the board’s overall vision and its strategic priorities for education initiatives. The meeting also cultivated in various collaborative discussions amongst Olympians, Paralympians and school district superintendents. According to their website, the board’s primary objective is to “identify opportunities to integrate Olympic and Paralympic values into education and establish measurable goals for long-term impact.” Wilson outlined his wishes for the committee, hoping that it will remain “evergreen” and on-going, should the state ever find itself hosting the Olympics again following 2034. Wilson also expressed a desire to see the program eventually expand nationwide. Presently, he conveyed confidence in the new program and its ability to produce tangible results for students. He also noted that the committee plans to closely monitor data to help ensure progress is occurring, especially as it pertains to tackling student attendance. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a community around the world that has had the opportunity that we have, to use the Olympic values, to use the power of sport, this far in advance, to have such a long runway to make a difference in the lives of our kids,” Wilson stated. l
Millcreek City Journal
GET TO THE RIVER! ALL SEPTEMBER! Enjoy experiences and make wonderful memories at Utah’s Jordan River Parkway throughout the month of September.
The Get to the River Festival is a month of recreational, cultural, social, educational, and stewardship activities and events. Join us for something familiar, or explore and discover something new. Check the Festival schedule and learn more at:
G e tToT h e R i ve r. o r g
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Dozens of Free Community Events & Activities Throughout the Month Recreation Arts Community Education Stewardship
your watershed
LOVE YOUR WATERSHED Litter, chemicals, and organic material like leaves and pet waste, on our streets, sidewalks, and parking areas, wash into storm drains and then into lakes, streams, and the Jordan River each time it rains and snows, polluting these waterways. Organize a group clean up of the litter and leaves around the streets and storm drains in your neighborhood for the 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance. Each month, make a habit to clean up the gutter and storm drains in front of your own home or business.
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September 2026 | Page 21
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Centers, even though childcare has never been a statutory responsibility of county government. An independent analysis last year found the county was spending roughly $2 million a year in General Fund dollars to subsidize care for about 270 children, somewhere between $6,000 and $10,000 per child annually. A whistleblower audit also turned up fraud at one of the centers. Most troubling to me, the study found the county never verified household income at enrollment. Only 17% of the children enrolled were receiving state childcare assistance through the Department of Workforce Services, meaning we had no real assurance that publicly subsidized spaces were going to the families who needed them most. Everyone on the council agreed affordable childcare matters. The real argument was whether the county should keep operating childcare centers directly, at that level
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at the Millcreek Activity Center. All three organizations already administer incomebased programs and are equipped to verify eligibility and prioritize the families with the greatest need, something county government was never set up to do well. Along the way, we extended the closure timeline, connected parents with state resources, and transferred the county’s surplus childcare equipment to our new nonprofit partners so they could get up and running faster. In today’s political climate, compromise is too often mistaken for weakness, or dismissed as splitting the difference until nobody’s happy. This decision argues the opposite. The council didn’t simply eliminate a program. We built a better one, one that reaches low-income families more reliably, makes more responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and puts childcare in the hands of organizations whose entire mission is childcare. That’s what I mean when I say government needs leaders willing to compromise. Not leaders who abandon their principles, but leaders who stay at the table with people they disagree with long enough to find something better than either side started with. Compromise didn’t weaken this outcome. It strengthened it. This wasn’t government doing less. It was government doing better, and I’d like to see us keep doing it that way.
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of subsidy, when so many working families in the county couldn’t access those services at all. That disagreement showed up in an initial vote that split the council down party lines, and it came with real anxiety for the families already enrolled. What happened next is the part I think is worth sharing. Rather than treating that first vote as the final word, Republican and Democratic council members continued listening to families, reviewing options and looking for common ground. We asked a better question than fund-it-or-cut-it: could we still make these spaces available for child care without the county trying to run the program itself and county property taxpayers subsidizing it? That work led to a unanimous vote to partner with nonprofit organizations whose core mission is serving low-income families, leasing them our existing childcare spaces at reduced rates in exchange for those organizations prioritizing income-qualified families. We paired it with expanded, affordable summer programming at recreation centers countywide. This past month, we got confirmation that it’s working as intended. Salt Lake Community Action Program will run an Early Head Start program at the Magna Recreation Center. YouthCity now leases space at the Northwest Recreation Center. Centro de la Familia de Utah will provide childcare
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I‘ve written before in this column about compromise and why I think it’s one of the most undervalued qualities we can ask of elected leaders. It doesn’t win applause at a council meeting, and it rarely makes for a good campaign sign. But when it works, it produces better government than either side would have landed on alone. The Salt Lake County Council’s decision last fall on county-run child care is a great example of this, and I want to walk through why. For years, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation operated childcare centers out of recreation facilities in Kearns, Magna, and the Millcreek and Northwest Activity
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Page 22 | September 2026
385-475-3142 Millcreek City Journal
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’ve always wanted a beautiful front porch where I could drink tea, read a book and listen to the neighbor’s fight. A porch was one of the first social media platforms. It just took a while to get the gossip; you had to sit patiently and wait for it to walk by. Now, our inability to be still keeps us from the simple joy of lounging on the porch to watch the flowers bloom, see the boy down the street learn to ride a bike, notice where the stray cat hides so you can leave it a treat, or watch your neighbor back into a light pole. At my childhood home, we didn’t have a fancy porch with swings and flowers; we had a concrete slab in front of our door, with two cement steps leading to the walkway. That was our porch and we sat on it all the time. If we were seated on the stoop, our friends knew we could play. There was no texting to see if we were home. There were no parents on a group chat arranging a play date. Kids just rode by on their bikes and invited us to go to the park. We’d gather friends along the way who were sitting on various porch steps until we had an entire gang. When I had a stomachache, Mom gave me a can of Coca-Cola. Apparently the medical treatment for an upset stomach in those days was carbonated, caffeinated sugar. Because drinking Coke in Utah at the time was borderline scandalous, I took my demon
MillcreekJournal .com
Leave the porch light on Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
beverage to the porch and sipped it while my friends watched, concerned about the state of my soul. Porches were the center of neighborhood communication. We’d leave treats on people’s welcome mats and Valentine’s cards on doorsteps. It’s where the paperboy threw the newspaper every morning and where the neighbor stood to accuse us of doorbell ditching, which also happened on a porch. How many first kisses happen on the front porch? People came to our porch every day. When the doorbell rang, we’d run to the front door, racing to open it first. We didn’t have Ring cameras. We had curiosity. It might be the Fuller Brush Man, a neighbor returning a casserole dish or Mom’s friend stopping by to gossip. The porch was where you sat in the rain, enjoyed the sunset, ate homemade cookies and watched a moth throw itself against the porch light. It was the place where nothing
happened, but also everything happened. A porch held no expectations but promoted childhood observations like: Is that mysterious car a kidnapper and does he have candy? Maybe we got rid of our front-porch communities because a porch required us to do something we’re increasingly uncomfortable with: nothing. We humble-brag about our busy schedules, eliminate downtime and use our phones to entertain us during the three minutes it takes to microwave a frozen dinner. Ironically, there’s an app called Front Porch Forum that’s supposed to connect people to their neighbors and communities. But you don’t have to download an app to build
connection. In fact, I challenge you to disengage from tech and go outside. If you have a porch or a stoop, sit down. Wait for the world to come to you. Talk to the woman walking her dog. Visit with the teenager slouching past your house. Watch the neighbor washing his car or the kid selling lemonade. If you’re lucky, listen to the neighbor’s fight. It’s really the perfect location. Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She also hosts the Life & Laughter podcast. Peri can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com.
September 2026 | Page 23