Millcreek Journal | February 2023

Professional climbers and amateur enthusiasts alike gathered to compete in The Front Climbing Club’s Di’namik Bouldering competition during the week of Jan. 9.

According to The Front, the competition was first held in 2014 “with the intent of bringing back the electrifying, gritty style of those historic competitions. Since then, Di’namik has become one of the most well respected and intoxicating competitions in the nation.”

The Front has hosted the annual bouldering competition for several years, which aims to “bring people together and lift the climbing world to new levels,” according to events manager Brenna King.

The Front’s first location, originally called “The Body Shop” when it opened in 1989, was in the area now known as Millcreek. The climbing club has since opened three locations—one in Ogden, one in downtown Salt Lake City, and most recently, a Millcreek location at 4140 S. Main St.

The Di’namik competition began on the evening of Jan. 10 with the professional qualifiers event. From there, six men and six women advanced to the pro finals, which were held the following day.

The event is timed, with each climber having four minutes to successfully complete each bouldering problem. One man and one woman climb simultaneously on separate routes set specifically for the Di’na-

Continued page 4

Climber and route setter Zoe Bitters races against the clock. (Photo courtesy of Alyssa Bokovoy and The Front)

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mik competition. The athletes tackle six different bouldering problems throughout the competition, with the routes and holds being reset halfway through the competition.

The climbing walls ascend from floor to ceiling and athletes competed on an elevated surface under bright fluorescent lighting, landing on cushy black mats if they fell. A DJ played a loud set in the background and emcees cheered on the climbers and kept the crowd engaged. The overall environment more closely resembles a rave rather than a sports competition.

Once the clock began, athletes grabbed their brushes and began scraping chalk from previous climbers off of the holds to achieve a better grip. From there, climbers scrambled along the route and attempted to reach the final hold.

Director of Community Impact Alexx Goeller explained the setting team “had to work triple overtime to get all the routes set up.” Goeller said of the route setters’ strategy: “They want to make it just challenging enough but obviously make it doable, so I think there’s a lot of apprehension when they’re watching…several people don’t make it to the top and then that one person does, and it’s like ‘yes!’”

The winners of the pro competition were Natalia Grossman on the women’s side and Hamish McArthur of the men. Grossman is a World Champion in bouldering who recently relocated to Salt Lake City to train at the USA Climbing Team’s team base. McArthur hails from England and placed third in bouldering at the 2021 Climbing World Championship.

On Saturday, local climbing enthusiasts of all abilities competed in the citizen’s competition. The Front’s Marketing Manager Colt Jarvis explained that the citizen’s competition was for “people that climb more as a hobby but would maybe like to explore competing.” The event had different categories

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for beginners, intermediate, and advanced amateur climbers.

Jarvis described the overall goal of the Di’namik competition “is to bring together all aspects of the community, so pro climbers, enthusiasts, community members, nonprofits.”

Several nonprofits, who are members of The Front’s impact coalition, attended the event, and Goeller told the City Journals that the club “does a lot to support local nonprofits in the areas of mental health, homelessness, clean air and environment, and obviously climbing stewardship.”

The climbing club also offers yoga, jiu jitsu, and a full gym with cardio machines and free weights. The club partners with community climbing groups, such as Color the Wasatch and Salt Lake Area Queer Climbers, who are hoping to increase representation of marginalized groups in climbing.

Jarvis expressed excitement about changes in the climbing community over recent years, saying the sport “has grown and become more accessible” with the availability of gyms, a welcoming atmosphere, and no need for excessive equipment.

Staff at The Front repeatedly describe it as “so much more than just a climbing gym,” but rather, as Jarvis says, a “community space where people can come and not only climb and exercise but be part of something bigger.” l

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Athlete Quinn Mason inches along the bouldering wall during the pro competition. (Photo courtesy of Alyssa Bokovoy and The Front)

Maternity nurse honored as Western Governors University’s 300,000th graduate

WhenAshley Rawlins graduated from Western Governors University in November, with a master’s degree in informatics, she was part of a cohort that included the university’s 300,000th graduate.

WGU held a celebration in January, recognizing the 300,000 students who have received degrees at the school since its inception in 1997. The school’s mission is to expand access to quality, affordable higher education through online courses. It was founded by 19 U.S. governors and has students in all 50 states.

“Initially I got a nursing degree from WGU and because I enjoyed it so much, I went back to get my master’s in informatics,” Rawlins said. “I’d looked into WGU initially because they had the flex model where it was one of those things where you could go at your own pace. I could still be present with my kids while studying.”

Not only did the Herriman maternity nurse earn her master’s degree, but she’d given birth to her third child in September, just a couple of months before she completed her program.

Ismar Vallecillos, WGU director of regional operations, said Rawlins is exactly the type of student the university attracts. Women make up nearly 70% of the student population at WGU and one-third of graduates earn degrees in the health industry.

“The graduate we highlighted was a woman,” Vallecillos said. “She showed up with her four-month-old baby. She completed her masters while pregnant with her son. She was the example of why this works. These are career women who are supporting their households. Some of them are single and some of them aren’t but the idea is they have family obligations along with work obligations. On top of that, they’re trying to get their education. The flexibility of WGU is really inviting to a lot of these women so they don’t have to stop their lives to finish their careers.”

Reaching 300,000 graduates has been no small feat for the university that has only existed for 25 years. Vallecillos said the milestone demonstrates the need for flexible, affordable, online programs that help students achieve educational goals without the added stress of attending in-person classes.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a monumental shift in how education used online learning. Traditional enrollment for WGU used to be working adults in their mid-30s, looking to upscale or shift careers. But now, the school is seeing a trend of 18- to 24-yearolds choosing online classes over traditional education, with close to a 300% enrollment increase for that age group.

“Put together with our cultural belief of one-by-one, that’s 300,000 individual lives that have been able to change their finances or their careers through education,” Vallecillos said. “I think we’re part of the solution.”

Rawlins, who works at Riverton Hospital-Intermountain Healthcare, said the online classes were perfect for her schedule, plus her ADHD made it difficult to pay attention during

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

in-person classes.

“Sitting in a class for two or three hours was excruciatingly difficult. Western Governors was great for me because I could focus and learn in the way I’m used to. That’s why I went back for my master’s.”

Of the 300,000 graduates of WGU, 37% are first generation, 28% are ethnically diverse and 69% are female. Learn more about the university at WGU.edu.

“You are capable of doing anything and

everything,” Rawlins said. “Western Governors is definitely a way to pursue that. If you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it. No matter how hard it seems.” l

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Western Governors University recognized it’s 300,000th graduate at a celebration in January. The school was founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors to offer affordable higher education in all 50 states. (Photo courtesy of WGU)

Herriman maternity nurse, Ashley Rawlins, was honored as the 300,000th graduate of Western Governors University. She gave birth to her son two months before her graduation in November. (Photo courtesy of WGU)

Millcreek prioritizes walkability on 3300 South in agreement with UDOT

In a metro region where, according to the census, nearly 95% of households have access to a car, walkability may not seem like an obvious priority for local government. Millcreek City Council, however, has chosen to make it a cornerstone in their development of the young city.

Their latest resolution to address walking infrastructure in the city passed unanimously on Jan. 10, approving an agreement between Millcreek and the Utah Department of Transportation to construct a sidewalk on 3300 South between 1885 East and 1940 East, near the Millcreek Unified Fire Authority station.

Mayor Jeff Silvestrini told residents in the city council meeting “we have been trying to install sidewalks on 3300 South since we incorporated.” Promoting a walkable downtown area was specifically identified as a priority for Millcreek in the city’s General Plan, adopted in 2019 as a policy guide for future decision making and city planning.

Walkability is a central tenet of creating “vibrant gathering places,” one of several themes around which the General Plan is centered. In addition to fostering vibrant community spaces, walkability has become a safety issue in a city character-

By Sara Milano | s.milano@mycityjournals.com

ized by wide roads and dominated by cars.

On Jan. 15, Salt Lake City recorded three separate auto-pedestrian crashes in 24 hours. Incidents like this reflect poor walking infrastructure that favors cars over people and presents serious safety concerns to pedestrians.

Despite efforts to install sidewalks along 3300 South, the council ran into challenges acquiring the right of way, an expensive and unexpectedly tedious process where the government acquires land from property owners legally by providing monetary compensation.

Silvestrini described 3300 South as “one of our busiest corridors” and explained that the installation of sidewalks on 3300 South has been a longtime priority for city council, saying “I campaigned on this the first time we incorporated.”

The stretch where the city plans to install the sidewalks is part of Evergreen Jr. High’s safe routes to school, and Silvestrini has “seen kids riding…on bicycles down 33rd (South) which just scares (him) to death.”

The project will be funded primarily by UDOT but will require a 25% match by the city of Millcreek. All future maintenance and repairs will also be the financial

responsibility of Millcreek.

Councilmember Cheri Jackson described the ultimate goal of building pedestrian infrastructure, saying “it's frustrating that 33rd (South) sidewalks have to come just a little hurdle at a time…but

we’re chipping away at it. (We are) slowly hoping to make that street more safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, people in wheelchairs and all that we see along the side of the road.” l

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A walkability map from Millcreek’s General Plan show planned pedestrian corridors. (Photo courtesy City of Millcreek)

Malik Beasley teams up with Icy Mountain Shaved Ice to fight hunger

When former Minnesota Timberwolves player Malik Beasley was traded to the Utah Jazz, he immediately wanted to get involved in the community. His most recent event took place at Icy Mountain Shaved Ice in Millcreek on Dec. 21, 2022. He teamed up with Icy Mountain owner Jared Clavell and the Bountiful Food Pantry to host a meet and greet, raffle and food drive.

“I wanted to show the community that I am a part of it by getting involved,” said the Utah Jazz guard. “It’s better to be known for who you are than what you do.”

The approach that Beasley took was unique. While donations to charities and speaking out about issues is appreciated by many, Beasley chose to support local businesses. That led to this opportunity to team up with Icy Mountain and help others in need during the holiday season.

“Malik Beasley came into our store in the summer time, soon after getting traded to the Jazz,” Clavell said. “We became friends with him and cheered for him on and off the court. In November, we started organizing this event.”

While buying from local businesses is a great way to help the community, Beasley and Clavell wanted to reach even more people in need. The opportunity came just around holiday season when they had a conversation with the Bountiful Food Pantry, the third piece to the puzzle.

“Three weeks before our event at Icy Mountain, we had an event with the Utah Jazz and America First Credit Union,” Bountiful Food Pantry Executive Director Rebekah Anderson said. “We got to know Malik and his manager AJ pretty well. They called us and said they were going to do another event and asked if we wanted to participate. I’m hoping that this can turn into a lasting relationship where we can continue to do stuff like this with them.”

The event was such a success that the line extended outside as hundreds of Jazz fans stayed warm in their winter coats while they waited to buy shaved ice and have the chance to meet Beasley. Fans were able to get autographs, pictures and purchase raffle tickets. Beasley gave away signed shoes, signed jerseys and Jazz tickets. Beasley doesn’t plan on stopping in his effort to give back even though the holiday season has passed. He feels it’s possible, even with his busy schedule, to be involved throughout the year.

“I want to help all year whenever I can,” Beasley said. “In the summer I do have more time. I tell the PR people that any time I have a day off and feel good I would like to do events. We have a shoe drive at a school coming up. We also have several other events coming up around NBA All-Star Weekend.”

By Daniel Olsen | d.olsen@mycityjournals.com

Although this event included the Bountiful Food Pantry, events aren’t the only way that the pantry operates. They are constantly finding ways to fight hunger throughout the year.

“We’ve been focusing on the little things,” Anderson said. “We just finished our Sub for Santa program. We provided Christmas for over 1,000 kids. That takes up so much time. Earlier in the season we did Thanksgiving meals which also takes time.”

The Bountiful Food Pantry doesn’t just serve families in Bountiful. They serve families everywhere. If anyone comes to them, they will be given food.

“This event really hit home to me because it shows that the community can come together,” Clavell said. “This last year a lot of small businesses have been struggling, so we wanted to give Malik a chance to support and for people to meet him. With it being the season of giving, we wanted to team up with the Bountiful Food Pantry to give back.”

Icy Mountain hopes that events like these will continue to help small businesses like it has helped theirs.

“We opened right before the COVID-19 pandemic,” Clavell said. “It was rough at first in 2020 and we were not sure if we were going to keep the truck around. We were fortunate at first because in the summer people ate outside more. It was hard after that in 2021 and 2022 with hiring shortages and other things. We are lucky enough to have a lot of people support us through these times. We have won awards for best dessert, frozen treat, snow cone and food truck in the state of Utah. Those results can make running this business very rewarding.”

Icy Mountain is located at 2272 E. 3300 South and is open from 2-8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Some popular flavors that might interest Jazz fans are the

Icy Mountain (topped with tiger's blood and blue raspberry flavors), Jazz Mountain (grape plus blue raspberry), and an all new flavor called the Threesley in honor of Beasley’s fitting nickname. Beasley is one of the best three-point shooters on the Utah Jazz.

Although Beasley is new to the Utah area, the 19th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft has enjoyed being welcomed by fans in his first season with the Utah Jazz.

“It’s been awesome to be welcomed here,” Beasley said. “I have a fan base already. A lot of people showed up to the Icy

Mountain event. That was huge.”

With the All-Star game coming up, many stars around the NBA will have the chance to show what they can do on the court in Salt Lake City in February. Beasley hopes that he can represent the Jazz even when not playing in a game.

“I want to be an All-Star on and off the court,” Beasley said. “Whether it’s making shots or trying to get in the three-point contest, I want to focus on the little things. I’m thankful for my family and the people around me.” l

The NBA elf gave toys to kids who attended the food drive. (Morgan Olsen/City Journals)

Icy Mountain owner Jared Clavell and Malik Beasley together at the food drive. (Morgan Olsen/ City Journals)

Jazz fans wait in line with their friends to meet Malik Beasley. (Morgan Olsen/City Journals)

Locals celebrate their love for horses near home

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

ManyHolladay and Millcreek residents are saddling up in the suburbs, bringing their passion for horses and horsemanship close to home.

Cara Fox, owner of the Holladay-based Fox Stables, has loved horses since she can remember. It wasn’t until she was in college and had a chance to ride and take lessons that she fell even more deeply in love with the equestrian life. Fox’s first little girl, Kate, was born with the same enduring passion for horses as her mother. From the time Kate could walk and talk, it was all things horses. Kate began lessons when she was four years old. Finally, when she turned 13, the family adopted a little 3-year-old mustang rescue filly. (See sidebar about adoptions.)

“Kate absolutely loved our mustang rescue filly,” Fox said. “The next year, we decided to purchase an off-the-track thoroughbred as a jumper pony for my 11-yearold daughter, Lottie, who was learning to enjoy horses as well. We then adopted a rescue pony from the State of Utah through the Gardner Village Rescue Program. The pony has been shown a lot of love and affection, and she is to the point where she trusts humans again. Also, we have added a jumper pony and another off-the-track thoroughbred horse who pretty much rules the roost and thinks he is Superman. He is for sure the leader of them all.”

Kate and Lottie travel the country to compete in jumper and hunter disciplines. Kate who is now 16, placed first in all four

Many people might have dreams of owning and training a wild horse, but Gus Warr, Wild Horse and Burro specialist for the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, said that owning a wild horse can be challenging.

“A wild horse is not a gentled animal. It is wild,” Warr said. “Within a one-year period, if the horse does not gentle down, you can return the horse to the adoption facility. Often, if a horse does not gentle down, it’s because sufficient time has not been invested into training the horse. A wild horse requires daily physical interaction in order to create a bond.”

“If a person is interested in adopting a wild horse, they can reach out to our Delta facility,” Warr said. “You can go down and select an animal and go home the same day with a burro or horse. We have a number of programs so the cost for the horse will vary.

When we start talking about the Trainer Incentive Program (TIP), it’s a $125 fee. If you go down to the facility and just want to adopt, it’s $25. We have

of her out-of-state hunter-jumper equestrian riding competitions this past year, and she hopes to receive an equestrian scholarship.

“Riding has taught the children the value of hard work,” Fox said. “Kate and Lottie are out at the stables at least three hours every day. They feed the horses hay and water,

an adoption incentive program which is different where a general citizen will select a horse and pay $125 at the end of one year. The reason we call it an adoption program is because the animal is still owned by the government for one year and that’s to make sure that the animal is cared for properly. The Bureau of Land Management or our volunteers will do a compliance inspection within that one year to make sure the wild horse is being well cared for.”

If you’d rather just witness the beauty of wild horses, Warr said there are several Utah locations where wild horses can be observed. Utah is home to one of the most famous herds in America, the Onaqui, named for the Onaqui Mountains in the west desert.

“Most any day of the year you could drive out and see the Onaqui herd because the horses are habituated to seeing people,” Warr said. “There are about 250 horses in the herd, and they are easily observed and photographed. People drive out daily to photograph the horses.”

grain them, muck out their stalls and then do it all again at dinner time. Also, they exercise the horses for one to two hours a day five days a week.”

HeartMath Institute, a nonprofit research center, has presented a well-researched scientific explanation of how a human’s heart will sync or entrain to the rhythm of a horse’s heart. The nonprofit

research has been successful in identifying why people tend to feel better simply from being in close proximity to a horse.

“Horses require a lot of time and love, but if you have it to give, they will reward and bless your life beyond your imagination,” Fox said. “Horses are pure unconditional love and they can feel your emotions at all times. It’s truly amazing how a horse

“Horses require a lot of time and love, but if you have it to give, they will reward and bless your life beyond your imagination,” says horse owner Cara Fox. (Photo credit Cara Fox)

University of Utah Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Cindy Furse desperately wanted to own a horse her entire life. Finally, at age 40 she took her first lesson at Serendipity Stables. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Serendipity Stable owner Sue Hall runs a 15-acre riding stable in the Millcreek area and has been teaching young people and adults to ride horses six days a week for the past 50 years. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Utah Civil Rights leader France Davis talks about overcoming oppression and bringing about change

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

Home

Latter-day

Saint Church leader Brigham Young selected Green Flake, an African American and well-respected laborer, to drive Young’s covered wagon across the treacherous 1,000-mile journey to the Great Salt Lake Valley. With skill and confidence, Flake drove the wagon across the plains and navigated the team of oxen along the rough road through the Wasatch Mountains. Arriving at the head of Emigration Canyon, Brigham Young sent men including Flake ahead to forge a road into the valley. In a matter of days, the men had prepared the road. After completing the road, Flake began to cultivate the soil and to plant the first crops. The following year, Flake completed a well-built log cabin in the Holladay area for the arrival of James and Agnes Flake.

Black History Month, recognized during February, provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and contributions African Americans have made and the significant roles they have played in United States history. Each year, a theme is selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The Black history theme for 2023, “Black Resistance,” explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression.

Anti-literacy laws in Southern states were enacted between 1740 and 1834, prohibiting anyone from teaching enslaved and free people of color to read or to write. This was one of the first ways African Americans resisted oppression. To gain literacy, African Americans who couldn’t read often sought out anyone who would teach them. Learning to read and to write provided opportunities to speak out against discrimination.

In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation laws did not violate the U.S. Constitution as long as the facilities for each race were equal in quality. It was at this time that African Americans began to find ways to make things separate but equal.

Rev. France Davis, former pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church and renowned civil rights leader and activist, has strived for an entire lifetime to improve the well-being of African Americans. Few can compare to the accomplishments he has made toward equality and basic human rights. Davis holds several degrees: a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley, a bachelor’s degree in religion from Westminster College, a master’s in mass communication from the University of Utah and a master’s in ministry from Northwest Nazarene University.

Under the leadership of Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King, Jr., the Montgomery Improvement Association was a group formed to resist the separate but not equal treatment toward African Americans. Davis marched at the side of King from Selma to Montgomery to try to ensure that everyone had the right to register and to vote.

In 1972, Davis moved to Utah to begin a teaching fellowship at the University of Utah where he continued to teach for 40 years in the Department of Communications and Ethnic Studies.

“When I first came to Utah, I discovered that fair housing was not available in the state of Utah regardless of skin color,” Davis said. “I had rented a place sight unseen and had a phone installed. When I showed up and met the landlord, he said the place wasn’t available. This event precipitated my interest in fair housing, and finally with others I was able to get a fair housing bill passed through the legislature.”

In a recent conversation, Davis pointed out how through history many African Americans have resisted oppression.

In the 1940s, African Americans began to resist physically beginning with Jackie Robinson being the first African American to play major league baseball. In 1954, Brown versus Board of Education ruled against racial segregation in public schools because it violated the 14th Amendment. In 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus and decided she would not give up her seat to another person simply because of a difference in skin color. More recently, with the George Floyd incident, African Americans have resisted by insisting police departments change the disparate treatment of cases and treat African Americans the same way they treat other people.

There are three main areas where Davis feels change is needed to further help African Americans rise above oppression. Politically, more African Americans need to register to vote, run for office and become elected. African Americans need to be appointed to board of directors, both those that are voluntary and those that are paid. Economically, African Americans need to be included with the higher-level employees as well as the lower. In the educational system, African American contributions need to be acknowledged throughout the year, not just emphasized in February.

Davis’s advice to all young people is first to learn as much as you can about yourself and then to learn as much as you can about people that are different than you. Finally, appreciate the differences and celebrate the achievements that people of other colors than your own have made.

“The message that I have for young people is, all of us are in this boat together. If one end of the boat sinks for one particular group such as the African Americans, the boat will take on water and sink for the others because we are all in the boat together,” Davis said. “Thus, we have to work together in order to bring about positive change.” l

Rev. France Davis, former pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church and renowned civil rights leader and activist, has strived for an entire lifetime to improve the well-being of African Americans. (Photo credit France Davis)

KOMAL RASTOGI, MD Clinical Neurophysiology, Neurology

Dr. Rastogi joined Granger Medical Clinic from Steward Medical Group. He was born and raised in Oklahoma and moved to the Salt Lake area in 2018. Dr. Rastogi previously worked in San Antonio, Texas, at River City Neurology prior to joining Steward Medical Group. Since moving to Utah, he has served as the stroke medical director of Davis Hospital & Medical Center in Layton, Utah. Under his leadership, Davis Hospital & Medical Center achieved a Primary Stroke Center Plus accreditation from the DNV and became the first certified stroke center in Davis County. He is a member of the Utah State Stroke Task Force which is a coalition of local providers whose goal is to improve stroke care in the state of Utah.

Dr. Rastogi offers both inpatient and outpatient neurological care. His training focused on procedures such as EEG, EMG, evoked potentials, intraoperative monitoring, VNS programming, and skin biopsies. This allows him to specialize in epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders in addition to any general neurological disorders.

Dr. Rastogi believes that the patient-physician relationship is an important factor in providing good care. He completed his fellowship in a variety of neurological procedures to make sure patients can see one neurologist for all aspects of their neurological care, thus providing a lasting and trusting relationship.

• General Neurology services which include stroke, concussion, traumatic brain injury, headaches (including migraines), neuropathy, back pain/radiculopathy, sciatica, seizures/epilepsy, muscle diseases, motor neuron disease (ALS), myasthenia gravis, Parkinson’s Disease, Essential tremor, multiple sclerosis, and dementias (including Alzheimer’s Disease) along with many others.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• Electromyography & Nerve Conduction Study (EMG/ NCS)

• Botox injections

• Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

• Skin Biopsies

• Nerve Blocks for Headaches

Skyline basketball looking to finish strong as region hits final stretch

Photos by Travis Barton

Point

Udochi Okoro’s toughness, along with the return of injured players like Tina Njike and Abbie Leonard, has the Eagles flying to end the season with only losses at Olympus and Brighton.

Yorgio Golesis continues to put up important numbers for the Eagles averaging 18 points, two rebounds, two steals and three assists

Kai Tulsian battles inside against Olympus. Skyline was 10-5, 4-1 in region, at press time and No. 12 in the RPI.

per game.

guard Leelu Bare shares a laugh with her teammates after a fan tried to throw her off while shooting a free throw. Bare has paced the Skyline offense with her 9 points and three assists per game.

Skyline students turn out for a region game in the school’s brand new gym.

Utah must be nimble to adapt to an evolving landscape

Irecentlytoured Lone Peak Hospital in southern Salt Lake County. This facility, in the heart of one of the fastest growing areas of Utah, must adapt to the constantly changing economic and demographic landscape. Although the hospital opened its doors only 10 years ago, it just completed a major expansion, including nearly doubling its bed count and expanding its women’s services, surgical services, and interventional radiology services. It is also expanding into other communities, including Herriman, Riverton, and South Jordan.

To survive and thrive in our changing environment, all businesses must remain nimble and responsive to the needs of a growing population.

Our state continues to grow. Utah’s population topped 3.4 million last year, and grew by more than 61,000 people, according to the recently released 2023 Economic Report to the Governor. This is like adding a new city the size of Herriman every year. And Utah remains one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

Our birth rate is slowing. One of the traditional unique characteristics of Utah’s population growth is that because of our high fertility rate, most of the population growth has come from “natural increase” — the number of births minus deaths in the year. However, in recent years Utah’s fertility rate dropped and is now lower than South Dakota, Nebraska,

By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist

and North Dakota. But Utah recently saw a resurgence in births. For the first time since 2008, Utah births increased, topping 46,000 in 2022.

Migration is driving our growth. On the other hand, Utah has seen a migration surge in recent years. The Utah Population Committee estimates that net migration (in-migration minus out-migration) brought more than 38,000 new residents to our state in 2022. This represents 62% of the total population growth in Utah and it is the highest number of people moving into the Beehive State in a single year.

Growth is a struggle and a blessing. There is no doubt that our state has struggled under the weight of high population growth and high migration. Population growth puts greater strains on roads, schools, housing, public utilities, natural resources, and social services. It is vital for civic leaders across the state to appropriately plan for population growth and build the infrastructure necessary to support these new residents. And we must all adjust to higher demand for our limited resources as the population grows.

However, while population growth produces challenges, it is much better than the alternative. Many states in our country are currently experiencing the struggles of population loss. In these states, governments struggle to fix roads, bridges, and infrastructure; businesses struggle with decreasing demand as customers move away; and housing price growth slows or drops as people leave. On the other side of the world, China just announced that for the first time since 1961 the country’s population shrank. A shrinking population will cause the supply of workers to shrink, which may cause productivity and overall economic growth to languish.

Supporting the needs of China’s aging population will place a greater strain on workers and taxpayers as the dependency ratio increases.

Utah is blessed to have unmatched natural beauty, a high quality of life, and a strong and vibrant economy. Businesses are attracted to our state because of our strong and growing workforce, which is driven by strong population growth. And nimble companies and communities will be able to thrive in our growing state. l

The Other Side Village provides a unique solution to chronic homelessness

It’sa revolutionary idea. Build a neighborhood where the chronically homeless can learn how to own and care for a home, be a good neighbor and invest in building a community. It’s the mission behind The Other Side Village and will become reality this summer.

Located at 1850 W. Indiana Ave., The Other Side Village’s pilot phase is an 8-acre area that will include 85 homes, each ranging in size from 280-400 square feet. Most of the homes will be given to those who sign up for the Welcome Neighborhood program, some will be used for staff and community buildings, and several will be used as shortterm rentals to raise money to support the project.

“This will create a place for those who haven’t really fit into other places, so they can build their own sense of identity and their own sense of safety,” said Samuel Grenny, manager of Welcome Neighborhood. “It’s a peer-led model, so everything that happens in the community is determined by members of the community and it gives them the ability to define their safe, shared space in a way that is best for them.”

The Salt Lake County Council approved a $2 million investment to support the village which isn’t just about homes for the unsheltered, but creating a social system and culture that changes lives.

Welcome Neighborhood is a program that transitions people out of the homeless lifestyle and into The Other Side Village community where people are invested in personal growth and home ownership. When a new occupant arrives, they are given guidance to adjust to the new environment. This includes help with drug or alcohol addiction, mental health counseling and classes in how to be a member of a

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

therapeutic community.

“The only criteria is we don’t allow sex offenders or people convicted of arson charges. They must be chronically homeless and interested in living in a clean and sober community,” Grenny said. “They must have a desire to improve their life. This is permanent supportive housing, not a transitional model.”

Part of the program is teaching residents how to have healthy, strong relationships with each other. They’ll learn life skills like how to keep a neighborhood clean and how to resolve conflicts. It borrows from a housing model that shows people need base-level resources, like having a roof over their head, before asking them to take on challenges like personal growth and addressing health issues.

“People actually want expectations to be had of them,” Grenny said. “People actually thrive when they feel they’re capable of something. The Welcome Neighborhood is where people spend two, three or four months identifying and working on core areas that are important to them and will help set them up for success with their housing so they’re not cycling through it.”

After the resident completes the program, they are allowed to choose their forever home in The Other Side Village. Welcome Neighborhood is already working with future residents and 17% of the homes are taken. By the time the village opens in the summer, Grenny expects the first phase to be 25% full.

“Really core to our model is the self-reliance aspect, teaching skills to individuals to live as self-sufficiently as possible,” Grenny said. “We hope everybody gets to be

the best version of themselves. We have a social enterprise where neighbors are able to work, making $14 an hour. They learn job skills and all profits go to paying for the operational needs of the village.”

Salt Lake City gave The Other Side Village a 40-year lease on city-owned land to develop phase one of the project. The $2 million investment from the Salt Lake County Council will help fund the phase, estimated to cost $14 million. For more information, visit TheOtherSideVillage.com.

“This budget is an example of what we can accomplish when we all work together for the greater good,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. l

Jake Ritter

Licensed Fiduciary Financial Advisor 45 W. Sego Lily Dr., #411 208-881-7481

I’ve been with Edward Jones 3 ½ years and have my Series 7 and 66 licenses as well as my SIE and Life, Health, and Disability Insurances. I am licensed in more than 20 states but focus on South Eastern Idaho and Northern Utah.

Q. What products and services do you offer?

A. We offer retirement IRAs, 401(k) options, college 529s, wealth estate, and inheritance planning, CDs, bonds, life insurance, financial planning and advanced tax-minimization strategies with multiple investment options.

Q. What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A. We are licensed fiduciaries, legally and ethically compelled to act in our clients’ best interests. Edward Jones is one of the largest privately-held financial planning companies in America and just celebrated its 100-year centennial. We invest in quality, long-term goals that help our clients enjoy personalized and beneficial services. We put people first, not profits.

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

A. We take the guessing out of planning for the future. While we can’t predict everything, we can certainly have a plan for it. From wealth management, to retirement, to paying less in taxes and preparing for the unexpected, we’ve got a wealth of tools to help our clients have a more secure tomorrow.

Q. Who is your ideal client?

A. My ideal client is someone who appreciates fiscal responsibility and wants to be financially secure as they get older. I work with business owners, pre-retirees, people transitioning careers, LGTBQ+ individuals and couples, high net-worth individuals, government employees, and people who have experienced loss or divorce.

Q. How do clients choose between you or a competitor?

A. People choose between high service or low price. I admit we aren’t the cheapest firm to work with, but I guarantee we are one of the most personal, well-tailored solutions that our clients could select. If personal service and a customized gameplan are your speed, we’re the option for you.

Q. What is your best advice for a potential client?

A. Make sure you understand what is important to you. We have tools to help you narrow that down into financial terms, but I’m best equipped to help people who know what they want to achieve financially.

Q. What is your favorite product your company offers?

A. My favorite product is our hands-off tax-sensitive investment accounts. It helps our customers save and makes it easy for them to make decisions on how and where to put their money.

Q. Are you running any specials?

A. We currently have extremely high CDs. Most large bank accounts are earning 0.01% interest. We are offering anywhere from 4-4.5%+. We also offer free financial reviews of your current financial plan and investments.

Q. What else would you like readers to know about your business?

A. I treat every client as though they were my sibling, parent or grandparent. I only give a client or prospective client advice that I would follow myself. I will always put your needs first - no exceptions! EdwardJones.com/jake-ritter

The Other Side Village in Salt Lake City was given a $2 million boost from the Salt Lake County Council. The village offers a safe community for those transitioning out of homelessness. (Rendering courtesy of The Other Side Village)

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Four steps to learning the languages of love

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

‘Tis the season of love.

These days everyone seems to claim they have a language of love. For some it’s coffee, others a day at the spa and for many it’s cheering on their favorite football team. Author of “The 5 Love Languages,” Gary Chapman, claims that “Love languages actually apply to how people express and understand love.”

Those five love languages are:

1. Words of affirmation. Those needing love in this area need to be verbally encouraged, shown appreciation, extended empathy and genuinely heard.

2. Physical touch. This physical affection can be shown appropriately in many different relationships of love. You might hug a friend, pat a co-worker on the back, rub your kids’ shoulders, kiss your partner, or simply sit next to someone going through a rough time (physical presence).

3. Receiving gifts. We communicate this through our thoughtfulness in giving something to someone, and we feel loved by receiving even a small token. It doesn't have to be grand, it just needs to be thoughtful and heartfelt.

4. Quality time. This is intentional, undivided attention spent with the other person. Time playing a board game with your kids, a walk around the block with your spouse, a lunch outing with your friends, a one-on-one meeting with a co-worker.

5. Acts of service. This could simply be offering to help someone through your actions (or someone offering to help you). From teaching your child a new skill, cooking dinner for your spouse, helping your co-worker with

a project, pulling in your neighbor’s garbage cans, or simply showing support of someone’s idea in a meeting.

So, why is it important to know and understand these languages of love?

- To better help us understand what we need so that we can better communicate our needs to others. We can't expect others to just know what we need or be able to read our mind.

- To avoid showing love to others using the love language of how we feel loved. This can result in our expressions of our love being overlooked if this isn’t their primary love language too.

- To help us learn how to effectively show our love to those around us in a way they prefer to receive it.

Four steps we can take today to find our love language include:

1) Visit www.5lovelanguages.com or download the Love Nudge app (the official app to The 5 Love Languages).

2) Take the quiz to discover your primary love language, what it means, and how you can use it to better connect with your loved ones.

3) Have your loved ones take the quiz. Then discuss what you learned about yourselves and each other.

4) Encourage your workplace to incorporate learning the love languages of your co-workers as a way to help open pathways of improving communication and your company culture.

Want to learn more about the importance of knowing, understanding and expressing love through the five

love languages? Check out Holly’s Highlights podcast season 3 episode 3. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available on www.hollycurby.com and wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and even “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast season 3 episode 3.” l

The Harding family expresses their language of love with a group hug. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Jones)

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Millcreek runner earns All-American honor

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Millcreek’s Hallee Sullivan (in light blue jersey) earned All-American honors in the 13-14-year-old division at the USATF Junior Olympics National Championships in College Station, Texas, Dec. 10. She placed 18th overall in the 4,000 meter race—among 333 runners—as she ran unattached. Her performance came in just the second time she has ever run a 4,000-meter race. Her previous cross country experience has been at Wasatch Charter School where she is a two-time state champion in the Utah Charter and Small Schools League on a 2-mile course in leading the Waldorf program to the team title the past three seasons. She plans on competing for Skyline High School next year alongside her older sister Sophie. (Photos courtesy Helen Sullivan) l

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If you’d told me 20 years ago that I’d be a yoga instructor, I’d have laughed hard enough to tear a hamstring because I was very inflexible.

I took my first yoga class as a dare. My tennis instructor laughed at how tight I was and challenged me to try yoga. I hated every minute of that stupid class. I hated the words and I hated the poses and I hated the teacher and I loathed downward facing dog with a fiery passion.

But I realized my tennis instructor was right. My muscles were as tight as two-byfours, but less bendy. So I kept going back to yoga. Hated it every single time.

After about two months of practicing yoga, I noticed, little by little, my flexibility was improving. I could almost touch my toes without the usual amount of grunting and tears. My hips didn’t scream out loud while doing pigeon pose. My shoulders dropped away from my ears, where I’d held them at strict attention for decades. Even my back stopped hurting each time I rolled out of bed.

I grudgingly had to admit yoga wasn’t the hippy-dippy dumpster fire I thought it was. But learning the poses was just the beginning. As I explored yoga’s history, philosophy and favorite recipes, I came to realize yoga was a lifestyle that encouraged, nay demanded, self-love and com-

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

passion.

Yikes. As a lifelong subscriber to self-loathing, I wasn’t sure how to handle that type of ideology. Just like when I started the physical practice, I took lots of tiny, baby steps toward accepting myself as a worthy human.

Fast forward 20 years and not only do I teach yoga but I LOVE yoga with a fiery passion. Yoga has changed me in so many ways. I used to be sarcastic, cynical and snarky but after studying yoga for so many years, I’m a sarcastic, cynical and snarky yoga instructor.

See. People change.

I’m also much less judgmental. I’m not so hard on myself and I give most people the benefit of the doubt. Most people. Maybe someone can propose a bill that would require our legislators to take a yoga class each morning before discussing the divisive and harmful bills proposed

this year. OK, when it comes to our lawmakers, I’m still pretty judgmental.

Being a yoga instructor is super silly. As an instructor, I get to say things in class that don’t make a whole lot of sense, and my students listen to me!

I’ll say, “Breathe in through your collarbones, breathe out through your kneecaps. Inhale to fill up your armpits, exhale to release tension in the ear lobes.”

Or I’ll instruct students to “Melt into the mat, send energy out of your fingertips, ground through your sitz bones, wring out your body and lengthen the crown of your head.” And I’m totally serious. (Laugh emoji)

My yoga practice has evolved from trying to do the most difficult poses and making my students sweat and swear, to focusing on deep stretches and stress-reducing breathing exercises.

It isn’t about who can be the bendy-est or the one who can hold crow pose for five minutes. It’s about appreciating what my body can do today. Not what I think it should do or what I want it to do tomorrow, but what it can accomplish right now.

I appreciate all the yoga teachers who took this rigid block of a body and mind and transformed it into a pliable, warm and accepting human being. My hamstrings thank you. l