Murray May 2016

May 2016 | Vol. 16 Iss. 05

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Cottonwood Softball: A Solid, Stand-Together Team

By Sarah Almond | sarah@mycityjournals.com

page 7

Colts pose for a team photo on their well-manicured field. With help from the school administration and local sponsors, the girls are now able to play on an upgraded field that reflects the quality of their team. –Fotofly

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M Local life Humane Society Conquers Charity Contest

Page 2 | May 2016

urray J ournal

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

Found as a nine-week-old bulldog puppy, Willow was diagnosed with demodex mange and fully recovered through the Humane Society of Utah’s care. Willow was the advertised dog leading up and through the event.

– Humane Society of Utah

W

inning a $10,000 grant is good.

Winning said grant as a result of raising $44,155 in one day is even better.

On March 31, the Humane Society of Utah (HSU), located just off the freeway in Murray, won the fourth annual Love UT Give UT online giving campaign by raising $30,155 from 863 donors over the course of the day.

“It’s gratifying, very very gratifying” Jamie Usry, director of development, said.

Adding to the money raised from donors was the $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Utah, who organizes the event, $11,000 from matching donations and $3,000 from Mountain America Credit Union for winning their Likes on Facebook campaign.

In 24 hours, HSU made $54,155.

“It’s a great event — I hope it never ends,” Usry said.

“The Humane Society, year in and year out, does a fantastic job with this,” Tony Mastracci, program director of the Community Foundation of Utah, said.

Usry’s team did a lot of the work to fundraise for the event, including finding former donors or companies willing to make the matching donations.

Usry said social media was an instrumental tool in their achievement.

“In an event like this that’s how you win I believe, because it goes viral and you get all those people watching it and sharing it,” Usry said.

Mastracci said HSU really understands how to use the platforms to their advantage with their photos and the stories associated

These were the types of photos posted to the Humane Society of Utah’s Facebook page throughout the day of the event. – Humane Society of Utah

Over 3,000 dogs and cats were rescued by the Humane Society of Utah in 2015. – Humane Society of Utah

with them.

“Being able to talk about the animals they save, the ones they want adopted, it’s just so natural for social media,” Mastracci said.

Mastracci said he would love to see all organizations be as successful with their social media platforms as HSU is.

“One of the things we’d like to do is use organizations like the Humane Society to train other organizations about how they can use the platform as effectively as possible,” Mastracci said.

A planning meeting was held two months in advance to prepare their marketing timeline for the big day down to the day and minute.

Usry said it wasn’t just their social media advertising or the billboards on I-15 that inspired people to contribute, but the stories behind the animals as well. HSU primarily used the story of Willow and Fern, who were diagnosed with demodex mange, placed in foster care for five months with constant medications and were recently adopted.

“It’s something that really tugs at the heartstrings,” Usry said.

Usry said that having your cause be cute animals sure helps inspire action.

Tentative plans for how to use the winning money are underway as HSU, which was recently renovated to save more pets, and needs a new transport vehicle to bring in more animals from other foundations and rescue teams.

“Over 3,000 of the lives we save a year comes from other shelters where they would

be euthanized,” Usry said.

As one of the largest animal shelters in the state, HSU saved 11,318 animals in 2015 and achieved no-kill status for cats, having already had no-kill status for dogs for five years. No-kill status is attained by reaching a save rate of 90 percent.

“The community thinks we’re doing something right and we’re saving a record number of lives every year in the process, so it’s just a win-win — how could you be any happier about what we’re doing?” Usry said.

Usry said the donations and volunteer time are not only essential for the nonprofit organization to operate but for the animals’ lives as well.

“Without us being here to function, that is thousands of animals a year that would have nowhere to go,” Usry said. “They’re [donors] giving us their love, it’s overwhelming.”

The shelter is open for any animal it can legally accept. Besides cats and dogs, HSU carries bunnies, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, and facilitate the movement of birds and reptiles to a rescue group in their network.

Usry said every employee of every department carries a strong affection for these animals, which made winning the grant for these animals all the more special.

“Every one of us works here because we love animals, we truly, truly love them so when we see the community support us in this way, its like we’re doing something right obviously,” Usry said.

To continue donating or to find out more information on HSU, go to utahhumane.org. l

Searching for Murray High School’s Oldest Living Alumni Murray High is celebrating its centennial in 2016-2017. As a kick-off to the celebration, Murray City is looking for the oldest living alumni to participate in the Murray Fun Days parade. If you know someone still living who graduated from Murray High before 1940, please contact Mary Ann Kirk at 801-264-2638 or email mkirk@murray.utah.gov.

May 2016 | Page 3

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local life

Page 4 | May 2016

Murray Journal

Humane Society Conquers Charity Contest

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

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n an effort to deter feline promiscuity throughout the valley, Salt Lake County Animal Services held a Free Feline Fix day on April 6 with another one scheduled for June 1.

Animal services offered a program where the first 40 cats within its jurisdiction were spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped for free.

“We want to help prevent so many litters being born,” Marketing and Communications Manager Callista Pearson said.

Pearson said that with the warm weather, cats can sometimes have two or three litters during a given year.

“Their gestation period is only about six weeks, so as soon as they’re done with one litter they can [get pregnant] and have another,” Pearson said.

Pearson said it leads to an overcrowding population of kittens and one that the Free Feline Fix will hopefully restrain.

“Kittens are so cute and sweet, but there are not enough people out there to care for as many kittens as there are,” Pearson said.

Pearson, owner of two dogs and a cat, said that’s also why Animal Services does its Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) Community Cat Program where after performing the necessary fixes on the cats, they are

released into a community where they can be taken care of.

“When people were just euthanizing those community cats rather than spaying or neutering them, those cats would die off then more cats would come,” Pearson said. “This way they keep more cats from coming, and they also prevent more cats from being born.”

Besides being spayed or neutered, the cats are vaccinated with FVCRP, which is meant to prevent common diseases and boost the immunity of domesticated cats. The microchips are inserted between the shoulder blades so cats can be registered online. This way if the cat is lost and found by the Animal Services, they can scan the chip and then contact the owner.

Animal Services started the Free Feline Fix program last year. Pearson said it helps families who otherwise couldn’t afford it.

Utah Faces, an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to improve animal welfare and eliminate euthanasia, sponsors the free fixing for Animal Services.

Only those who live within the Animal Services jurisdiction could participate in the free fixing for their cat while those outside the jurisdiction could get the full servicing for $50. The same will be true for the June 1 event.

“It’s a screaming good deal considering all of that is usually around $300,” Pearson said.

Animal Services jurisdiction covers Herriman, Holladay, Midvale, Riverton and Salt Lake City as well as the Emigration Canyon, Copperton, Kearns, County Islands, Magna, Millcreek and White City townships.

Pearson said those are the only cities that have contracted with Animal Services, which is why other cities aren’t included in its jurisdiction.

“We do want to be a regional facility and have everybody contract with us; it’s what we’re hoping for eventually,” Pearson said. “That way we can offer the same service to everyone in Salt Lake County.”

Animal Services is the largest municipal no-kill shelter in the state of Utah. More than 12,000 animals passed through Animal Services in the last year, and Pearson said their no-kill rate is about 94 percent.

“That means that basically every animal who’s healthy is adopted out because we don’t euthanize for time or space,” Pearson said.

The next, and possibly last for the foreseeable future, Free Feline Fix day will be June 1. A licensing fee of $10 will be required.

For more information, go to slco. org/animal-services. l

LOCAL LIFE

M urrayJournal.com

May 2016 | Page 5

Murray City, Exchange Club Join Forces to Spread Child Abuse Awareness

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

T

he Murray City Hall landscaping received a makeover for the month of march by honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month with blue pinwheels dotted all over its lawn and garden.

Thoughts tend to veer away from depressing subjects such as child abuse awareness, but the month of April offered Murray the opportunity to steer into the skid.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Murray City, with the support of the Murray Exchange Club, marked the occasion on Monday, April 4 in front of City Hall with a Prevent Child Abuse ceremony to expand awareness of the issue.

“This is a problem that needs our awareness and our attention,” Jennifer Brass, Murray Exchange Club President, told the over 65 people in attendance.

The ceremony included Murray Mayor Ted Eyre reading the resolution passed last month declaring April 2016 as Child Abuse Prevention Month along with the presentation of plaques to the Murray City Police and Fire Departments from the Murray Exchange Club for their community service. Craig Burnett, Murray City Police Chief, was on hand to accept the honor.

“They [Police and Fire Departments] are our champions, they are often the first responders in child abuse cases,” Brass said.

Interspersed throughout the ceremony were

songs from students of the Parkside Elementary School Choir. Songs included a recalibrated rendition of Katy Perry’s “Roar” – but replaced the word “tiger” with “panther,” the school’s mascot – as well as “Hall of Fame” by The Script and “Seize the Day” from the musical “Newsies.”

The ceremony concluded by planting blue pinwheels in the lawn and garden in front of City Hall and tying ribbons around branches and tree trunks. Nationally the blue pinwheels represent the happy childhood all children should have.

234 pinwheels were to be planted throughout the month to denote the number of allencompassing cases of Child Abuse and Neglect that were reported in Murray in 2015. That number is up from the 229 reported cases in 2014.

“We just cannot live in a society that is progressive and forward thinking and have this type of thing within our community,” Mayor Ted Eyre said.

City Hall flew the Child Abuse Prevention Flag and placed two small banners in front of its building.

During the ceremony Brass said she already saw drivers passing on State Street craning their heads to look at the banners, ribbons and pinwheels.

Brass said anyone can help in the prevention of child abuse by helping overworked parents, supporting any number of groups that assist in child abuse cases or simply listening to a friend or

neighbor.

“Everyone can help to aid the prevention of child abuse by lending an ear to anyone, tall or small, who needs to talk,” Brass said.

“We try to get the word out so people understand that there’s help,” Carlton Defosse, Murray Exchange Club member, said.

Brass said people assist when they support some organizations whose ideal it is to help.

Some of that help includes Family Support Centers around the Salt Lake Valley as well as the Utah Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club.

Brass and Defosse were quick to point out the assistance they received from not only the Murray City Council but from the community’s youth in both the Excel Club, a junior program of the Exchange Club, and the Murray Youth Chamber of Commerce.

Defosse said child abuse awareness shouldn’t stop when April ended.

“Everybody needs to be aware that we have to prevent child abuse, we’re just emphasizing it through this [ceremony] but we need to do this 12 months a year,” Defosse said.

Brass said events like the Child Abuse Prevention ceremony really brings the community together.

“If we’re all watching out for everybody else’s kids too, then we’re all watching out together.”

Brass said. l

Community members tied ribbons on trees and planted blue pinwheels in front of City Hall as part of the Prevent Child Abuse Ceremony. – Travis Barton

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sports

Page 6 | May 2016

Murray Journal

Colt’s Soccer: A Team Fueled by Passion

MISSION STATEMENTS: The Murray Chamber creates synergy among professionals. We facilitate the creation of long lasting business relationships between members that are based on trust, value and cooperation.

We provide tools to connect education, service opportunities and interaction between members.

By Sarah Almond | sarah@mycityjournals.com

The Murray Area Chamber of Commerce thanks the following members for reinvesting in their memberships. When shopping or looking for a product or service, be sure to contact the chamber. We are YOUR RESOURCE for all things Murray!

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The Colts practice on a bluebird April day. Though the team graduated 10 seniors last year, the group has benefited from the leadership of a strong senior class and greater team chemistry.

F

or many of the 35 players on Cottonwood High School’s boys soccer team, soccer isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life.

“A lot of us have been playing from a very young age,” senior co-captain Daniel Nerey said. “I started when I was five years old and my dad would always take me into the backyard and roll the ball to me. But as I’ve gotten older, it’s been an individual choice. I’ve played other sports like basketball and stuff, but there’s just nothing better than soccer. It’s shaped my character and helped make me who I am.”

Thanks to years of experience and strong family influences, the Colts play soccer with enthusiasm and energy that’s helped them find success in their 5A division.

“I would say soccer is the best sport in the world,” senior co-captain Daniel Darelli said.

“It’s taught me to live life and to have passion.

You know, we play with so much passion.”

Head coach Allen Reed had the difficult task of choosing just 35 players from over 70 that came to tryouts on Feb. 29 and March 1.

“Our numbers were great this year,” Reed said. “We have room for improvement, but overall I think we’ve made some great progress.”

Though this is his only second year as head coach, Reed, a Cottonwood High School alum, has been with the Colts since 2006.

“I love being back here,” Reed said.

“When I was here we had a pretty good team, but the best we ever did was the first round of the playoffs. So now it’s kind of my challenge [to] continue that success and do better.”

Unfortunately, the Colts were eliminated from playoff contention last year after losing to Hunter High School during their final regular season game.

“I think we have a good shot at making it this year,” Reed said. “We are really working on changing the attitude of the team, to be more positive and work harder. We’re also working on being better competition and improving team unity at the same time.”

In order to make the constructive improvements, Reed has worked hard to change expectations and hold players accountable for

their actions both on and off the field.

“We’re working on things like anytime there’s feuds between guys, just resolving it the right way,” Reed said. “I encourage friendly competition but I’m also letting these guys know that no one is entitled to anything.”

While sportsmanship and team chemistry are noticeably better than in previous years, the Colts’ greatest challenge is their new region.

Cottonwood is now in Region 3.

“We are in a tough region this year,” Reed said. “Competition is higher than it’s been in past years here.”

But with a 4-2 regional record, the Colts are standing up to this challenge with enthusiasm and team unity. Reed credits his senior leadership for the team’s success.

“This year my seniors have been amazing,” Reed said. “I’ve been able to give them a lot of responsibilities and they’ve seemed to go with it really well, especially our captains.”

Darelli, Nerey and fellow co-captain, Matthew Orem agree that their leadership skills have brought consistency and guidance to the team.

“This year is very different because we have to be leaders,” Nerey said. “You know, like every other year we’ve just had to show up and listen to the coach. But now we have so much say in our own game.”

The captains, who have been playing together since they were sophomores, think this year is one of the best because they’ve been able to test themselves. And with a team goal of making it to the playoffs, the Colts know they’ll encounter several challenges as the season comes to an end.

“We need to still be consistent with our game,” Nerey said. “We need to work on just going out there and working hard from the beginning; if we get scored on, we shouldn’t put our heads down, we should use that as motivation to work even harder.”

Check out the Colts in action during their final home game against Brighton on May 10 at 3:30 p.m. Cottonwood High School is located at 5715 South 1300 East in Murray. The soccer field is located on the south side of the school.l

M urrayJournal.com

sports Cottonwood Softball: A Solid, Stand-Together Team

May 2016 | Page 7

By Sarah Almond | sarah@mycityjournals.com

at

With a team motto “Stand Together,” the Colts are proud of their camaraderie as a team and their confidence in both each other and themselves. –Fotofly

“We have a good mentality of who we are, and I definitely think that a lot of the coaching staff helped with that.”

S

top by the softball field at Cottonwood High School and you’ll see nothing but smiles on the 21 faces of this year’s CHS softball team.

Thanks to hard work, newfound positivity and a fresh coaching staff, the Colts are having a great season.

“I’ve seen a lot of hard work this year,” senior captain Kayla Navarro said. “A lot of hard work and a lot of improvement. The underclassmen are definitely nipping at our heels.”

With just three seniors, the Colts have a large group of freshmen, sophomores and juniors making up the bulk of the team.

“I think I have more depth on this team than I’ve ever had on any team in 10 years of coaching,” head coach Alyssa Smith said. “We have great JV players that are coming up and we have an awesome core of freshmen.”

Even with a solid group, Cottonwood has still dealt with their fair share of challenges, particularly in the form of injured players.

Between injuries suffered from a car accident, players being hit by the ball during games and the typical wear-and-tear of playing softball, the Colts lacked several important players in the middle of their season.

“Thankfully our injuries haven’t hurt our team too bad because we have good depth,” Navarro said. “We have a lot of utility that’s kept us pretty strong.”

Despite having a large amount of young, relatively inexperienced players and just a few seniors, the group’s dynamics are stronger now than they’ve been in years past.

“We have pretty good chemistry all around,” senior captain Kristina Baker said.

“And that’s definitely translated well onto the field.”

For Navarro, Baker and fellow co-captain Ashtyn Armon, the team’s chemistry and improved self-confidence have contributed in making this a highlight season at CHS. “We believe in ourselves so much more,” Armon said. “We have a good mentality of who we are, and I definitely think that a lot of the coaching staff helped with that.”

Improving the team’s positivity and overall self-confidence as women were some of the reasons Smith accepted the coaching position at the start of last season.

“My goal is that people don’t want to play for Cottonwood because they know we’re going to win, but because they know that they are going to improve and grow as an individual,” Smith said. “I want them to play because they know we’re putting out good, strong women; we’re sending girls to college and preparing girls to be adults and exist in the real life, not just as athletes, but as wellrounded citizens that understand the role and impact they can have in the community.”

For Smith, having a group of solid, hard-working young women trumps any championship title or winning record.

“To me this is more important than wins,” Smith said. “If I’ve got girls that are going to college and becoming effective, capable citizens and are doing well in school, then that means I’m doing my job.”

In less than two years of coaching, Smith is already seeing positive results. Two of the Colts’ players will likely make the Academic All-State list at the end of the season, and as a group, the team has one of the highest GPAs at CHS. From shining efforts in the classroom to dedication on the field, Smith couldn’t be happier with this year’s group of girls. More than anything, though, the Colts are a family; they look out for one another and support one another.

“Feeling like a family and being inclusive — that’s what makes our team really unique,” Navarro said. “We stand together.”

“Stand Together” is the team’s motto this year and serves as a constant reminder that commitment to the team and dedication to improving one’s self are the foundational elements of success.

“I’d like to take credit for their camaraderie, but it’s really their character,” Smith said. “We set the expectation that they are committed to each other, but this is just an incredibly fine set of young women. As a coach, it’s important to set the standard that we all need to be fine people; here we’re building women, we’re building honesty and hard work, and that’s what I consider a success.”

The Colts host their senior night and last home game against West Jordan on May 5 at 3:30 p.m. Cottonwood High School is located at 5715 South 1300 East in Murray. The softball field is located on the southwest side of the high school. l

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Page 8 | May 2016

SPORTS

Murray Journal

Cottonwood’s Fearless Track and Field Team

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The Colts cheer before a causal pre-meet practice. Activities such as this have helped contribute to the team’s improved camaraderie and advanced team spirit.

W

ith just a fraction of its season completed, the Cottonwood High School track and field team has found success in individual improvements and positive team unity.

“I have been really happy about this season,” head coach Jason Baker said. “They are working harder and are definitely much more bonded as a team this year.”

Cottonwood runners agreed.

“We are really energetic this year, and we like to have fun,” junior Daniel De La Cruz said. “And I think that’s because the coaches really encourage us to be together and do stuff together, so we all get along. And everything seems to be way more organized this year.”

Much of the team’s organization and improvement can be attributed to Baker’s dedication in creating a lasting, reputable program at CHS. When he took over the head coaching position last year, the track and field program was underdeveloped and in need of refinement and direction.

“There’s definitely still room for improvement, but all in all, the program is much better than it was last year,” Baker said.

“We have almost twice as many people as we did last year, and they are sticking through it and following through with requirements as far as the culture and how to run practice and everything.”

Unlike some schools, Baker doesn’t hold tryouts at the beginning of the season. Instead, he asks his runners to be dedicated to the team, to show up for practice and to work hard. If they can meet those three expectations, he or she can be a member of the Colts’ track and field family.

“Where the program is at right now, cutting kids from the team isn’t going to be as effective as giving them time to develop and build up,” Baker said.

With upwards of 45 students on the team this season, Baker is happy with the turnout but hopes Cottonwood will one day have a team of 80 or more.

“Cottonwood is a tough place to crack just because we don’t have that running

culture here yet,” Baker said. “When I came in last year the [distance] guys were just not prepared.”

Along with helping his distance runners knock at least two minutes off their time, Baker says that a majority of individuals have also dropped time since the start of the season.

“I just really like running,” De La Cruz said. “It makes me feel good. And I’ve already shaved eight seconds off my 300-meter time, so that’s been a highlight.”

Baker pushes his runners hard and holds them to high expectations, but he says it’s all part of building a stable running culture. He thinks being consistently challenged has been perhaps the biggest obstacles for the team’s seasoned runners.

“I run my guys hard. I’m not going to let them go easy,” Baker said. “And I think that’s been a big culture shock. But for me, I’d rather take a hard worker over a talented athlete because I can do more with them.”

Fortunately, many of the runners have seen the results of being challenged and working hard. As a former cross country and distance track runner himself, Baker knows that getting his athletes to buy into the idea of working hard is only half the battle.

“The hard work has been a challenging part, but building a culture is a time consuming process,” Baker said. “A lot of the kids see their improvements, but as a coach it means that you have to be helping them focus on that improvement.”

To reflect their focus on hard work, Baker has deemed “Fearless” as this year’s theme.

“Fearlessness is what I’m trying to drive with them,” Baker said. “Even though it’s a small program right now and even though they are not as experienced as other runners might be, that doesn’t mean they can’t be fearless in their abilities.”

The Colts’ season comes to an end in mid-May, but the group is planning to send several runners to the state meet, May 20–21 at BYU. l

M urrayJournal.com

education

May 2016 | Page 9

Banquet Teaches Students About Hunger, Raises Funds To Help Others

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

S

pending money on a banquet, only to end up sitting on newspapers on the floor and eating rice and beans, may not sound much like a date night, yet many teenagers and families did just that.

On March 11, students from Cottonwood, Skyline, Academy for Math Engineering & Science, and Horizonte schools held a hunger banquet to educate the community about hunger issues. As participants entered Cottonwood High, they drew a slip of paper with a profile of a real person they were representing that night. They learned they were either a first-, second- or thirdworld citizen.

“Most of us were third world, or poverty stricken, sitting on the floor on newspaper,” said Robyn Ivins, who helped with the event. “The meal was rice and beans. The men ate first, followed by the women and they had to serve themselves.”

In the second-class world, the middle income sat in chairs and ate pizza with breadsticks. They got their own food, and everyone ate at the same time.

The first world, or high income, sat at tables with chairs, tablecloths, nice plates and silverware, and they ate a pulled pork sandwiches, salad, with ice water. They received their meals by dressed-up servers.

Ivins said the idea of hosting a hunger banquet came around their family dinner table that included her sister-in-law, Tiffany Ivins Spence, as well as family friend, Cottonwood senior Sarah Ratzlaff.

The latter two mostly organized the event.

Hunger banquet participants in the third world sit upon newspapers as they enjoyed the program’s speaker and entertainment on March 11. — Tiffany Ivins Spence

“We did it in college, and were talking to our son about it when Sarah thought it would be an amazing opportunity for the school. She’s really passionate about helping people. So she and Tiffany, who organized it in college, started talking and inviting friends at high schools to get involved,” Ivins said, adding that the preparation began three months before the event.

Sarah said that her school serves numerous relocated refugees.

“We have 54 different languages at Cottonwood, and whites are the minority,” she said. “I think students can relate that the world is crazy unfair, and poverty isn’t just a lack of food but unequal access to what we all have.

In addition to getting 160 student volunteers,

Sarah also sought and received donations for all the meals served that evening.

“I thought it was an awesome experience for 400 people,” Sarah said. “It bonded students and our community, and there was no out-of-pocket expenses. We wanted to make people aware of the issues, and we had discussion as people shared the people they represented and how they felt during the banquet. There were a lot of families; some kids had a hard time processing it at first and didn’t understand why they couldn’t have a different meal or have dessert. It definitely was a cool experience and made me again realize that I’ve been so lucky in life with the support of my family and friends.

This is definitely something that will stick with me.”

The evening included cultural entertainment, including a multi-cultural dance group from Skyline High, an acoustic guitarist and Brigham Young University professor and Utah-based Interweave Solutions Literacy for Social Change Director Lynn Curtis as the guest speaker.

“He was amazing,” Ivins Spence said. “He travels internationally and would tell stories of how impoverished villages would tell those who wanted to help them how they needed help, not just to come in and give them things. People need to learn what their needs are first, not what we think they need. We need to let them help themselves and give them what they need to do just that.”

The $6 banquet tickets and donations totaling $9,000 will go to help train Interweave volunteers in educating females in a Moroccan village and teach them how to be self-sufficient and gain employment. Interweave works with the World Educational Research Institute and uses the open content for development curriculum on the website www.oc4d.org, Ivins Spence said.

However, the main goal, she said, was to raise awareness of others.

“Many of these high school students will never want for anything,” Ivins Spence said. “However, there’s a huge percentage of the world who sit on the floor eating rice and beans, not having a meal of pizza and steak. I want these students to be aware how blessed we are and how they can volunteer and have the resources to help others.” l

Tribute

Celebrate your loved ones with a tribute in your local City Journal.

Birth . Engagement . Wedding . Award . Birthday Obituary. Anniversary . Graduation Announcement Claire Calloway Graduates

$100 for 100 Words with Color Photo.

Content due 15th of the month prior to running.

Brenda n Ryan Wals

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Merit - Award of Pam Wolf e 50th Chaplins Celebrat sary Wedding Anniver

Timothy and Donn a Walsh Wrightwood of birth of the have announced the ir son, Bre Walsh, on ndan Rya ed eiv rec r) n Saturday, Wolf (cente on May May 22, 201 at 12: Pam r, 03 p.m. at Ov 1 Scoute Merit erlook Ho in Summi t t Award of spital t. the Distric Trail Distric Horseshoe pounds and Brendan weighed 6 12 from the uts of America. Pam 7 19¼ inches ounces and measured Sco shoe Trail lin of of the Boy in rse Chap len rd Ho gth Edwa the joins his bro Mrs. at birth. He ther, Conn Wolf serves committee member Mr. and celebrated their 50th or, age 2. The baby’s ma a field ternal gra District as to the Pyson West on Saturday, Ha ndpare rris 57 chartered received her wedding anniversary for Troop d by their Wr on, 3rd and Carol nts are In 2007, she 20, at a party hoste igh Sm b. and June two Clu ard od. ion ns Mans Lio Thomas and ith of n Aw Walsh uting Vetera during her children at the James Ward Patricia 15-year Sco es e of New York grandp of Fontana are his in various rol ster, tiger in Westfield. A nativ paternal arents. Bre has served graduated fromgreatnda lin cub ma n’s Chap ing Mr. lud maternal member.In City, a Bachelorand grandparents are Ha tenure, inc with tee ersity mit Univ rris com Marianne ns, New York Folan of Fon on, 2nd coach, and vel positio Journalism. He Evelyn Du her unit-le Arts degree in tana and maresq of duate and of r with the addition to Pin pat odbadge gra employed as an edito in ernal great-grandm on Hills. His 9. She is was e retiring Wa She is a Wo other is Ber beads in 200 Gokhos New York Times befor lsh of Phela her tha ed Miss er eiv a n, form rec CA. er of Wunit , Wolf 1999. Mrs. Chaplin, the mb me a a as a also ional life had been employed her profess and Mary Ryan, pany Lodge. In ctical Nurse redsecretary with the Green Com Pra ed is a Licens become a Registe 2000. The couple before retiring in to local American is studying is active with the .

Nurse. tat for Humanity Legion and Habi y includes two famil The Chaplins’ Timothy. and sons Tyler, Tracey

Mr. and Mrs. William Calloway of Sandy annoucne with great pride the graduation of their daughter, Claire Elizabeth Calloway from Sandy High School. Claire graduated with honors and is lookign forward to attending Utah State University in the fall where she will be studying accounting. A reception to celebrate her achievements will be held at the 5th Stake House in Sandy at 1pm.

While you’re under no obligation to give a gift, even if you aren’t attending a party and aren’t close to the family, a card of congratulations or a handwritten note is something the graduate will appreciate. Thank you and congratulations Claire. We love you!!

Call City Journals at 801-254-5974 for more information and to place a Tribute.

education

Page 10 | May 2016

Murray Journal

Cottonwood, Murray High Students Prepare For Graduation

Horizon Students Donate Jeans, Clothing To Help Community

By Julie Slama| julie@mycityjournals.com

By Julie Slama| julie@mycityjournals.com

Cottonwood High Graduation Ceremony Friday, May 27 at 1pm, Cottonwood HS Auditorium 5715 South 1300 East in Murray Murray High Graduation Ceremony Friday, June 3 at 1pm, Salt Lake Community College’s Lifetime Activities Center, 4600 S. Redwood Rdoad in Taylorsville

M

ore than 800 high school seniors will take part in their commencement programs this spring.

At Cottonwood High, Principal Terri Roylance said 395 students will graduate at 1 p.m., Friday, May 27 at their school auditorium, 5715 South 1300 East, Murray.

Tickets will be required and each student will have a minimum of six tickets to distribute.

Depending on the size of the family, more tickets may be available. The auditorium is wheelchair accessible.

The program will include senior class president Christian Garcia speaking as well as Principal Roylance and a Granite School District Board of Education member.

Additionally, five other students will speak and they will be determined on their auditions.

Joining them on stage will be Granite District board members, as well as the Murray City Mayor Ted Eyre. Commencement will include musical selections from the choir, orchestra and band programs.

That night, students may attend the official graduation night party, with a Hawaiian luau theme. It will be held at the school from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and more information will be available at the school as graduation approaches.

“There are lots of activities for our graduates and tons of food,” Roylance said.

“It’s a great night for kids to spend safely saying ‘good-bye’ to each other.”

About 400 Murray High School seniors are expected to graduate at 1 p.m., Friday, June 3 at Salt Lake Community College’s Lifetime Activities Center, 4600 S. Redwood Rd., Taylorsville. No tickets are required and there is parking and access for those with special needs.

The ceremony will feature vocal and instrumental numbers by the school’s Madrigal and a cappella choirs and concert band. Student speakers have yet to be announced.

The motto, “Go B16 (big) or Go Home,” was chosen by the graduating class.

Murray School District Superintendent Steve Hirase, Murray High Principal John Goldhardt and members of the Murray Board of Education will speak.

A Parent-Teacher-Student Association-sponsored post-graduation party will

begin at 10 p.m., Friday, June 3 in the Murray High gymnasium, 5440 S. State St., Murray.

Students need to enter the party before 11 p.m. and can’t be re-admitted if they leave early. Parents are notified if students leave before the party is over at 5 a.m., said Cherie Clawson, one of the party organizers.

Tickets will cost $30 in advance and will be available during the last two weeks in May during lunch. The first 350 tickets purchased will include a water bottle.

Tickets will be available for $35 at the door.

“Project Graduation offers MHS Graduates a safe, drug and alcohol free, all-night graduation party,” Clawson said, adding that it is organized and staffed by parents under the direction of the school administration.

Entertainment for the evening includes magician Ryan Loveland, hypnotist Shaun Christensen, Utah Bubble Balls, inflatable slide and four rides, air brush tattoo artists, Utah National Guard’s climbing rock wall, Common Cents Casio that will feature craps, routlette and black jack tables, a cash cube, selfie backdrops created by the school art department, food and prize raffle.

“The school administration want kids to have a safe, fun place to spend all night and morning to have a good time once more with their classmates and it sounds like such a blast, I’m excited,” studentbody president Mitch Clawson said. “I’m super stoked, this is the biggest party of the year and the parents have come up with some great ideas and have done a lot to prepare for it. Last year’s graduates said the magician and hypnotist were hilarious so I’m super excited for it and for graduation.”

Mitch said that several area businesses have donated money or raffle items that will be helpful in college, such as minirefrigerators, cameras, computers and tablets, televisions, Bluetooth speakers, and other items.

Clawson added that they received numerous donations and as of early April, the amount totaled about $4,000.

“It’s so cool that businesses in Murray are supporting us. Graduation is huge and will be one of the best moments of my life,” Mitch said. l

The Colts cheer before a causal pre-meet practice. Activities such as this have helped contribute to the team’s improved camaraderie and advanced team spirit.

A

bout 700 pairs of jeans as well as coats, shoes and other clothing items were packed into bags and boxes at Horizon Elementary as school children donated gently used items to people in need.

“We collected items in February to tie into Valentine’s Day and called it Huskies with Heart: Giving Pants a Second Chance,” said Parent-Teacher Association volunteer Rebecca Lawrence, who coordinated the effort with PTA President Wendi Larsen.

“We are amazed as how they embraced the project and generously donated. We didn’t give the kids any incentives, just the great feeling of helping others.”

The drive, from Feb. 1 through Feb. 12, had an overflowing box in the school lobby, which Lawrence and others would count and store in the PTA closet until they delivered an SUV filled with bags to the Road Home Overflow Shelter.

The project began when the school’s music teacher suggested they participate in Jeans for Teens, a campaign where jeans are collected for local youth experiencing homelessness.

“We thought that would be a great fit for teen-agers in junior high and high school, but wanted to create something fitting for our own students. So we called Road Home to see what they needed and they said pants were something they needed in all sizes — kids to adults. So we organized our own drive and realized that there are people who need something as basic as pants and jeans,” Lawrence said.

PTA president Larsen said that their drive was simpler than Jeans for Teens as well, with just bringing in donations rather than logging items online.

“The hardest part of this was to empty the big box we had in the school,” she said.

“Every day, we needed to empty it. That was a great feeling and the students could see the

success of helping others.”

Horizon Elementary has helped with other service projects, including a shoe drive organized by a former Miss Murray, and helping as a Sub-for-Santa for families in need.

“It was our principal (Heather Nicholas) who pointed out that when students brought in items for Sub-for-Santa, their faces would light up as they showed they brought in things on a list of needed items. Their faces would just shine and it was very empowering as they believed, ‘I can do this, I can help.’

We wanted them to feel the same feeling of being selfless and to give just for the sake of helping and giving, not for a reward,” she said.

As students brought in pairs of jeans, Lawrence said it was apparent they understood.

“You’d see kids drop in bags in the school on the way to their class and they were excited. Incentives aren’t necessary.

The kids got behind it, their parents and families supported our desire to serve our community,” she said.

Fourth-grader Katrina Larsen said her family donated about 10 pairs of jeans.

“They were a mix of everyone’s at home,” she said. “We all went through our pants and shorts, then washed them before donating them at school. I didn’t realize there are people who may not have many pairs of pants or jeans and it made me feel good to do something good for other people.”

Larsen said that they realized that not everything needs a material reward.

“When they donated something, it was a reward enough. Nobody said anything about ‘what do we get,’ or needed any encouragement. We just announced the need and our students and their families stepped up to help. That was a great feeling in itself,” she said. l

May 2016 | Page 11

M urrayJournal.com

Replenish Landscape Garden Products Beautiful gardens, lawns, and landscapes all start with the foundation of quality, nutrient-rich soil. While that is easy to say, it is much more complicated to sort through the numerous companies that all claim to sell the best.

Whether you are starting a new flower garden or growing your own fruits and vegetables, Replenish™ Landscape Garden Products is here to help make your gardening goals a reality.

Replenish (the compost) and Replenish the Earth Products (the company) were created by Connie Cannon in 1994 in the driveway of her home. She wanted to create a compost/mulch that would be high in nutrients, low in salts, as well as dark and rich in appearance. After seeking counsel from Peter Lassig, who had been the head landscape architect at Temple Square for over 40 years, she came up with the superior formula and blend for Replenish Compost. Mixing it together in her driveway, she would have her children put the compost in bags and sell it in their neighborhood.

“Throughout its history Replenish has provided great service and customer satisfaction,” said Mike Nitz, the current co-owner. “Whether you are picking up material

at our yard, or having us deliver or install material in your yard, the service is always outstanding and to your satisfaction. As our customer, we have your best interest in mind.”

The Cannons sold the company 10 years later to the current owners, Mike Nitz and Greg Bettinson. After purchasing the company in 2004, Mike and Greg gave it a new name—Replenish Landscape Garden Products—to better describe what the business was all about. They also moved the business from West Valley City to its current location in Murray, at 4660 South 200 West. Over the past 12 years, they have grown the business by expanding the variety of landscape materials offered and expanding their customer base to cover the entire Wasatch Front.

“There are a number of options when it comes to landscape materials, but they are not all created equal,” explained Greg. “We believe that in Replenish Compost we have the finest and most versatile compost available, period. To complement our signature Replenish Compost product, we have made it our focus to develop, or find, the very best soil blends, barks, mulches and other materials available in the industry. Quality is what we sell!”

Mike Nitz and Greg Bettinson Any of Replenish’s products can be picked up at their Murray yard, in either bulk or bag. They also deliver in bag, bulk, or a 1-cubic-yard ‘Super Big Bag’, to homes and businesses from Brigham City to Price. One of the unique services Replenish offers is their “Blower Truck” service. With this truck, they have the ability to install, through a hose, any of their products (except the rock and sand) directly into gardens, lawns or playgrounds.

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Page 12 | May 2016

Murray Journal

Salt Lake County Council Honors Fallen Law Enforcement

S

everal months ago our community mourned the loss of Doug Barney, a Unified Police Department officer who was killed in the line of duty. This was a tragic loss for our community. During that time, one of my constituents asked if there was a way that we could memorialize those in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate price. May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day. During that week, I will be issuing a proclamation during our Salt Lake County Council meeting to honor all law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Police officers are a vital component in a much larger system that seeks to address the root causes of criminal behavior —a system that includes multiple different arms of county-level efforts to truly make a difference.

The county provides many public safety-related services, including felony and misdemeanor prosecution by the district attorney’s office, incarceration at the metro jail and Oxbow facilities, law enforcement services through the sheriff’s office, pretrial and probation services provided by criminal justice services, and the justice courts.

Whether cities use the Unified Police Department or have their own police department for local law enforcement,

all send arrested individuals to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for booking and potential incarceration. The jail is also one of the most significant items in the county budget.

That’s why criminal justice is an issue we’re addressing at the county level through multiple fronts.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Criminal Justice Services provide criminally involved residents of Salt Lake County with effective and innovative alternatives to incarceration in the county jail. These services focus on offender accountability, risk to the community and behavioral change in order to reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Services is another crucial component, given the number of offenders who suffer from mental health disorders or struggle with substance abuse. Behavioral Health Services connects residents with evidence-based treatment practices throughout the community and appropriate communitybased services that provide support along the road to recovery and healing.

These entities work in tandem to address root causes of criminal behavior, help residents avoid future offenses and

ultimately reduce the demands on the county jail system.

The entire system works well because we have good people addressing each criminal justice need for our county.

While we have more work to do, I cannot emphasize enough my appreciation for what these many committed men and women do each day for the people of Salt Lake County.

Law enforcement officers in every corner of this county are the most important resource we have to protect our residents, address criminal justice challenges and ensure we are raising our families in safe, healthy and happy communities. I want all officers and their families to know they have the support and appreciation of the County Council, as well as the county as a whole. When I saw the outpouring of love and support to the family of UPD Officer Doug Barney, I was reminded again of the goodness of our residents in the county and state, as well as the unfailing dedication of our officers to their sworn duty. I look forward to May 15, when we can honor Officer Barney and the rest of our men and women who have paid the ultimate price to keep our county safe. l

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May 2016 | Page 13

M urrayJournal.com

May 2016

T

here is a Chinese proverb that goes like this: “Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.” Even when we had snow on the ground in April, the tulips and spring flowers were poking through showing us that it was time for a change, they were ready for spring. I am ready for spring too. I enjoy driving around the city and seeing neighbors talking over fences while they clean up their yards. I can hear kids playing and see the gloom from winter being erased by beautiful green lawns and brightlycolored flowers.

In the spring, Murray City becomes of blur of furious activity with our employees starting projects that have been in the planning stages during the winter. I’m sure you have noticed the street department crews starting their construction projects, our arborists cleaning up trees and our parks department employees cleaning up playgrounds and pavilions to get facilities ready for family parties and picnics.

We have one of the finest parks in the state of Utah.

Murray Park was established in 1918, but nothing was initiated until early 1924. The park has seen many developments and improvements through the years. Last

month at a conference in St. George, the Murray Parks and Recreation Department were honored by the Utah Recreation and Parks Association as the Outstanding

Department Class II for this year. We are so happy for our employees to be recognized by their peers for their hard work and dedication. l

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Page 14 | May 2016

Murray Journal

Mom… I’m Bored…. The Cheapest and Easiest Way to Entertain the Kids this Summer

C

an you believe it? Summer is almost here, that time of year where kids take a break from their structured routine and turn to the adults in their lives for entertainment ideas.

What will you do to help your kids enjoy their time off? One only need to turn to Pinterest and Youtube to find dozens of Millennial Mama experts sharing all kinds of amazing ideas for summer fun. Turn an old rain gutter into a river, paint with flyswatters or, there’s always the old standby of making rainbow unicorn poop slime, (Google it) that’s not to be confused with rainbow unicorn puke slime. You’ll want to save that for another day.

Parenting has become very precious to the digital generation. The pressure to have the perfect house, perfect marriage and perfect children seems to be stronger than ever.

Leaving them feeling that in order to be a “good parent” they must create an utterly magical fairytale, and delightful childhood experience for their kids, right down to the bug bite sandwiches and peanut butter snails.

Holy Crap! I get shaky hands, a sick panicky feeling and a stress rash just thinking about it. Staring at twelve long and unobstructed weeks trying to figure out how to keep the kids entertained so they won’t sleep too late, lose brain cells and ruin their vision playing computer games, or utter those dreaded words “Mom, I’m bored”. How can a parent these days possibly balance it all?

Parents out there, I’m about to share with you a secret

trick, a plan of attack that moms for generations have been using for decades. A place so magical your kids will never forget it and will look back on it fondly for a lifetime. It’s a place where your kids will learn to build, socialize, exercise and dream all without your help. It’s cheap, easy to get to and will provide hours of entertainment. Are you ready for it? It’s called outside.

Prior to the digital drama of today it never occurred to our moms to entertain kids non-stop, fund expensive summer activities or endeavor to create stimulating and crafty projects for brain development. Our mom’s simply said “get your butts outside” and we did. We built forts from broken branches, made city roads in the dirt for our matchbox cars, choreographed dance routines, made up songs and rode our bikes. It’s these very activities that allowed our minds to develop coping skills, learn for ourselves to be creatvie and dream the seemingly impossible. What better gift and life skills can you give a child than the ability to imagine, dream and build for them selves?

This summer save yourself the fret and stress of building a bowling ally with coconuts or a carwash with PVC pipe and give them a pool noodle and pack of plastic cups from the dollar store and the gift of figuring out what do with them on their own. If we don’t remove easy entertainment from our children’s lives they will never learn the skills to create and l invent on their own.

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May 2016 | Page 15

M urrayJournal.com

Gee. Thanks, Mom

F

rom the moment I was born, my mom looked for ways to make my life miserable. Admittedly, I don’t remember anything before the age of 4, but I’m sure her pattern of behavior extended back to my birth.

For instance, my mom insisted I play with my little sister, even though my little sister was a demon who wailed like a banshee whenever I pinched her. Mom had this harebrained scheme that being forced to play with my siblings would make us friends. (Okay, she was right on that one. My siblings are pretty cool.)

But here’s another example of my mom’s ruthless conduct. After school I could only watch TV for ONE HOUR. That’s all. Once my 60 minutes of Zoom and School House Rock was over, I had to engage my mind with something “enlightening.”

Mom would force me to listen to classical music or make me memorize a poem she taped on the fridge. (I still randomly recite “The Highwayman.”) And there were books she required me to read like “Jane Eyre” or the Nancy Drew series. She even made me write book reports.

“But it’s Saturday! School’s over!” I exclaimed when she handed me the illustrated book of Shakespeare.

“Learning is never over,” she’d reply.

Now I can’t go anywhere without a book. Gee. Thanks, mom.

When Atari hit the market, mom made it perfectly clear we would not be getting a game console. She told me video games would rot my brain, then she had the nerve to send me OUTSIDE where I had to resort to bike riding, playing baseball in the street or shooting hoops with the neighbors.

(Eventually she caved and bought a game system, but even then there were strict usage guidelines.)

Mom was a homework Nazi. She’d drill me on times tables (which I still hate) and spelling (which I admit comes in handy at times) and she insisted on attending every single parent teacher conference, just to embarrass me.

Attendance at dinner was mandatory. Mom had read somewhere that family dinner time was vastly important and would lead to the decline of society if families didn’t eat their meatloaf together. She force fed me vegetables from her garden, peaches from her tree and raspberries from the bushes in the backyard.

And there was no fluffy Wonder Bread for my lunches.

Instead, I had to consume peanut butter sandwiches made with home-baked bread that was denser than granite, but kept me full for several days. It doubled as a blunt object if a boy was chasing me at recess.

When it came to dessert, she was heartless. Even though I begged her to purchase Oreo cookies or Chips Ahoy (because no one else in the universe had to gag down homemade

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chocolate chip, oatmeal or gingersnap cookies), she would only buy them on special occasions. Like never.

But the final straw was when she rolled pink, spongy curlers into my long hair every Saturday night so I’d have ringlets for church. Before she added a curler, she’d dip a comb in water and run it through my hair, dripping ice-cold water down my back. And in the morning, removing those curlers was akin to being scalped.

As Mother’s Day approaches, I grudgingly acknowledge that once in a while my mom probably wasn’t trying to make my life miserable. But for all her nefarious efforts, all I learned from her was to love my family, enjoy learning, get outside, eat real cookies and get dressed up for special occasions. Gee. Thanks, Mom. l

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GARAGE DOORS

INSULATION

VEHICLES WANTED

STUDENT ANXIETY? Help for Exam Anxiety All types of hypnosis

LAWN SERVICES

Keep Your Lawn Looking Its Best With Top Quality Weed & Feed for The Intermountain Area.

20 Years of Professional Experience Call Ralph at 801-205-6934

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SPRING CLEAN-UP Affordable Yard Care / Tree Trimming & Removal

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Residential Commercial Licensed & Insured Senior Discounts Call Dan: 801-518-7365

Gumby’s Auto Parts We'll buy your Non-running, wrecked or broken car, truck, or van call or text anytime

(801)506-6098

G.S. LAWN CARE SERVICE

23 Years Experience. Spring Yard Clean-up. Mowing, Trimming, Edging Aeration & Power Raking, Sprinkler Repair.

Reasonable Prices!

Ask for Bernie 801-916-5463 or

801-759-1475

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#1 IN UTAH, #1 IN AMERICA, 39 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!

our first time ever offering...

years

No Interest* No Down Payment No Minimum Purchase

20 off

On purchases with your Ashley Advantage™ credit card made between 4/12/2016 to 5/9/2016. Equal monthly payments required for 4 years. Ashley HomeStore does not require a down payment, however, sales tax and delivery charges are due at time of purchase. See below for details.

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IKEA

S 200 W

Sales Associates

W IKEA WAY

PONY EXPRESS RD.

NOW HIRING!

S 135 W

Under NEW Corporate Ownership. Take a Look at us NOW! DRAPER

13177 S 135 W Draper, UT 84020 385-234-4663

LAYTON

1070 N Main St Layton, UT 84041 801-939-4663

SALT LAKE CITY

1773 S 300 W Salt Lake City, UT 84115 801-433-4663

BANGERTER HWY.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday - Sunday 10am - 9pm

“Se Habla Español”

www.AshleyHomeStore.com

*Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Ashley HomeStore does not require a down payment, however, sales tax and delivery charges are due at time of purchase if the purchase is made with your Ashley Advantage™ Credit Card. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and equal monthly payments are required equal to initial promo purchase amount divided equally by the number of months in promo period until promo is paid in full. The equal monthly payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Promotional purchases of merchandise will be charged to account when merchandise is delivered. Subject to credit approval. ‡Monthly payment shown is equal to the purchase price, excluding taxes and delivery, divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded to the next highest whole dollar, and only applies to the selected financing option shown. If you make your payments by the due date each month, the monthly payment shown should allow you to pay off this purchase within the promo period if this balance is the only balance on your account during the promo period. If you have other balances on your account, this monthly payment will be added to the minimum payment applicable to those balances. §Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See store for details. ‡‡Previous purchases excluded. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Discount offers exclude Tempur-Pedic®, Stearns & Foster®, Sealy Optimum™ and Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid™ mattress sets, floor models, clearance items, sales tax, furniture protection plans, warranty, delivery fee, Manager’s Special pricing, Advertised Special pricing, and 14 Piece Packages and cannot be combined with financing specials. Effective 12/30/15, all mattress and box springs are subject to an $11 per unit CA recycling fee. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Stoneledge Furniture LLC. many times has multiple offers, promotions, discounts and financing specials occurring at the same time; these are allowed to only be used either/or and not both or combined with each other. Although every precaution is taken, errors in price an`d/or specification may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. Picture may not represent item exactly as shown, advertised items may not be on display at all locations. Some restrictions may apply. Available only at participating locations. †DURABLEND® upholstery products feature a seating area made up of a combination of Polyurethane and/or PVC, Polycotton, and at least 17% Leather Shavings with a skillfully matched combination of Polycotton and Polyurethane and/or PVC everywhere else. **Leather Match upholstery features top-grain leather in the seating areas and skillfully matched vinyl everywhere else. Ashley HomeStores are independently owned and operated. ©2016 Ashley HomeStores, Ltd. Promotional Start Date: April 12, 2016. Expires: May 9, 2016.