Murray Journal | July 2022

July 2022 | Vol. 32 Iss. 07

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BELOVED LONG-TIME MURRAY HIGH DANCE, SOCIOLOGY TEACHER DIES UNEXPECTEDLY

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

O

n Tuesday, Murray High Dance Company and sociology teacher Leesa Lloyd met with theater director Will Saxton briefly about the November musical, “Shrek The Musical,” with the intent to talk about the choreography, especially the big tap number, when they returned to school in August.

“She said, ‘I’m excited,’ and I said, ‘Me too;” that’s how we finished a lot of our conversations,” he said.

On Wednesday, she was at the faculty meeting and was “totally Leesa,” Principal Scott Wihongi said.

On Thursday, she was to meet with her Dance Company, but the teacher who always was at school by 6:30 a.m. every day without fail, didn’t show up—nor did she answer messages from the school.

“She never misses work; it was very unusual for her,” Wihongi said, having had worked with her for more than 20 years.

Lloyd, who taught at Murray High for 36 years and three years before that at Timpview High in Orem, had died in her sleep of natural causes that morning, May 26, Wihongi said. She was a couple weeks shy of her 63rd birthday and had no plans of immediate retirement.

“She always had plans that she was working on and always involved in many things,” he said. “This was her life.

Her words were, ‘I’ll just keep working until I die.’”

Lloyd had taught sociology and sports psychology as well as had led the cheerleaders for three years, Spartonians for nine years and Dance Company for 36 years. She was named teacher of the year by Murray High School and the PTA in 2008 and 2009.

Wihongi broke the news to her long-time collaborators in the performing arts department, before sharing it with her Dance Company and the Murray community.

“It was really rough for the first several days,” Saxton said. “It was hard when we lost (instrumental director) Mr. (Rob) Wilson in 2015; he had leukemia for several years and it was sad, but it wasn’t a shock. That’s one of the most difficult things about this. It was completely unexpected. The four of us—Rob, Leesa, (choir teacher) Mr. (Alan) Scott and I—we were a dream team of collaboration. We really were.

It was such a joy to collaborate with Leesa because she had the same passion for hard work and high quality. I trusted her implicitly and I knew that no matter what she said she was going to do, she would do it. There’s such a trust there that we’re not going to let each other down or slack off because we want to have a product that we’re proud of and that shows your students off in such a great way.”

Saxton remembers when they first met 16 years ago.

“She was the first teacher I met at Murray High School.

She came down and introduced herself to me and made me feel very welcome. I remember she was ready to get to work on the musical. It was ‘42nd Street’ and was already picked out when I got here; she loved that musical because it’s a Continued page 6 Beloved Murray High School sociology teacher and Dance Company coach Leesa Lloyd died unexpectedly at the end of the school year.

(Photo courtesy of Murray High School Dance Company)

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July 2022 | Page 3

Murray’s long and winding road construction project nears completion

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

V

ine Street is one of Murray’s longest distance roads; it’s also been under reconstruction for the most extended amount of time.

After several years of design and construction, crews plan to wrap up the complete makeover of one of Murray’s oldest roads this fall.

Murray City manages and implements the Vine Street project, developed over a decade ago by the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC). According to its website, WFRC “builds consensus and enhances the quality of life by developing and implementing visions and plans for a well-functioning multi-modal transportation system, livable communities, a strong economy, and a healthy environment.”

WFRC comprises members of Utah’s Department of Transportation, state legislators, county government leaders, and other transportation entities. Every four years, the WFRC prepares and adopts a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a Wasatch Choice Regional Vision component. WFRC adopted the current 20192050 RTP in May 2019.

For Vine Street, planners determined to improve the road by providing continuous sidewalks, bike lanes, a center turn lane, upgraded utilities, roadway shoulders, an improved drainage system, and new roadway surfaces.

Initially, the road grew out of a trail in the 1800s. Later pioneers hauled granite from the canyons down the road en route to the Salt Lake Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple; a rest site was recognized near today’s Murray Cemetery. The winding nature of the road earned it the name Vine Street.

Some parts of the road have never had formal sidewalks, an issue for students attending Woodstock Elementary and Cottonwood High School. Pedestrians have needed to negotiate an irrigation ditch and trees that push walking onto the shoulder of the road, notably between the Canal Trail entrance and 1830 East. As de-

Journals T H E

Vine Street’s redesign will include a 68-foot road width with bike lanes and sidewalks. (Photo courtesy of Murray City)

velopers have added subdivisions in the later part of the 20th century, piecemeal sidewalks were added along the road.

Vine Street’s remodel was broken down into two phases. Phase one consisted of improving the street from 900 East to 1300 East.

Phase two consisted of the longest stretch from 1300 East to the Van Winkle Expressway.

The project has not been without controversy. Phase one, completed in 2019, required right-of-way land acquisition and removal of old-growth trees. Some residents in the phase two area organized a petition to prevent the project from continuing eastward.

With 1,100 signatures, the petition claimed that “Federal and state tax funds, distributed by the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), awarded grants of approximately $10 million to Murray City to increase the width of Vine Street from 900 East to Highland Drive without citizen input required by NEPA,

the National Environment Protection Act.” Murray City did conduct open houses in 2017 and addressed the issue in the city council meeting held on August 22, 2017, where opposition was stated in the public record. In addition, the city has discussed, in several city council meetings, the addition of sidewalks, curb and gutter to that section of road as far back as 2015.

Murray City, in 2020, conducted a survey of residents about concerns and design preferences for the project. In total, 199 survey responses were collected; most respondents live in a neighborhood that has access off of Vine Street between 1300 East and Van Winkle Expressway.

For driving, the survey found that the respondents were satisfied with the safety of driving between 1300 East and Van Winkle Expressway. However, most responded that they were dissatisfied with the level of safety

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of walking and biking along the route.

The survey also determined that continuous sidewalks were the highest priority regarding the project, significantly over treelined streets and on-street parking. Survey participants could also choose which design was preferable between 74-foot, 70-foot, and 68-foot road widths.

According to the survey, “Almost 50% of respondents chose the 68-foot corridor width design as their first preference for the design of this project. Most comments from respondents who chose Option 3 stated that this was the best combination of creating a safer road while also being the least intrusive to adjacent properties.”

Without any unforeseen delays, paving the road is expected to be completed through the fall. l

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Murray City Journal

Tammy Kikuchi’s path from newscaster to Asian-American role model to Murray City Hall

F

or many, her voice was a trusted news source, and for others, an example in their community, but now Tammy Kikuchi serves her hometown. In January, the former KSL news reporter became Murray City’s Chief Communications Officer when Brett Hales was sworn into the Mayor’s Office.

Kikuchi was known to thousands of radio listeners as one of KSL radio’s legendary lineup of news reporters in the 1980 and ’90s.

She shared the airwaves with Jane Clayson, Craig Bolerjack and Amanda Dickson.

“In my junior year at the University of Utah, I was lucky enough to get an internship with KSL Radio, working under Doug Miller of KSL Outdoors fame,” Kikuchi said. “After the internship, I was offered a full-time reporting position while continuing to finish school full-time. It was a busy time. Eventually, I was given the overnight weekend anchor job and reported three days a week. The flip-flop from overnights to days every week was tough. Eventually, I got a daytime position working from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.”

Communication is in Kikuchi’s blood as she has not only been on-air or a public information officer, but her family, as well, were broadcasters.

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com “My father used to work at a radio station; I think it was KMUR in Murray. This was a long time ago, and he spun hits from the Big Band era. He had a great set of ‘pipes,’ a deep voice that was perfect for radio. I inherited his deep voice and was often told that I should work in media, which led to my major in journalism and communications at the University of Utah,” Kikuchi said.

KSL switched her over to television during her stint on radio, and listeners became viewers. Kikuchi’s face became associated with the voice.

“At that time, KSL was trying some new things and asked the radio reporters to also work as TV reporters. That was fun and challenging but meant that the days often started at 6 a.m. but did not wrap up until 11 p.m.

When another job fell in my lap, I knew it was time to change careers,” Kikuchi said.

While at KSL, Kikuchi was something of a rarity, a person of Asian descent broadcasting the local news. Nationally, at the time, there some Asians, such as Connie Chung and Tritia Toyota, that television viewers were familiar with, but in Utah, Kikuchi was a first.

“I think I was the first Asian face on lo-

cal television news,” Kikuchi said. “For the first 10 years at KSL, I was on the radio, and no one knew my ‘TV face.’ I could work and anonymously move about the community, which was great because I’m a pretty private person. But with TV, things changed. I knew people were mumbling behind my back when they recognized me, which isn’t surprising since, as a whole, there weren’t many Asians in Utah. This was uncomfortable frankly because I liked going to the grocery store in flip-flops, shorts and a T-shirt.”

After putting in enough 18-hour days, Kikuchi transitioned to a public information officer. She held stints from Gov. Jon Huntsman’s spokeswoman to large government agencies such as the State of Utah Tax Commission, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Health and West Valley City.

“Public relations and marketing are often referred to as ‘the dark side’ by journalists. But it’s also a sort of natural transition for journalists to make. When a marketing position dropped in my lap, I jumped, and for almost 30 years, I have worked as a marketing professional or government public information officer. I do miss the news business whenever there are big breaking stories or

during elections. The teamwork that has to happen at those times is exhilarating. But I do like having a schedule that is more normal,” Kikuchi said.

So how did Murray City end up with an accomplished and practiced public information officer?

“Honestly, this opportunity fell into my lap. Those are usually the best things in my life. I met Brett and his wife, Cindy, when he was campaigning. He was bringing over a lawn sign. We talked for quite a while, and there was an instant comfort level and familiarity. We spoke a few more times before and, after he was elected, I was thrilled when he offered me the position,” Kikuchi said.

Kikuchi has finally come full circle. She grew up in Murray, attended Murray schools, bought a home in the city and served as a voice for her hometown.

“I have wanted to work for Murray City forever,” Kikuchi said. “It’s ironic that I’m back in Murray. It used to be that when I lived in Salt Lake City and ran into classmates who still lived in Murray, I would think to myself, ‘get a life.’ But here I am.” l

Orange insulation covers the exterior of the new city council chamber. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)

July City Hall update

W Murray Mayor Brett Hales and the city’s Chief Communications Officer Tammy Kikuchi at the Murray High Basketball playoff game. (Photo courtesy of Brett Hales)

MurrayJournal .com

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

ork continues on the south side of the new Murray City Hall. A curved wall with red insulation conceals the new city hall council chamber; an earth-tone façade will cover most of the arc wall. In addition, crews are adding a brick façade to the western exterior where the police department’s wing will reside.

Adjacent to the chamber’s east, an outdoor gathering space will hold city functions. Directly west of the council chamber, a “gathering node” amphitheater will form with concrete benches installed into a turf berm, where future public events could take place. l

July 2022 | Page 5

Continued from front page big dance musical and those were always her favorites. She loved the spectacle, the big, colorful lighting and production numbers. She liked elaborate things. It was her personality and how she approached her art.

So, we just kind of hit the ground running on the musical that year and have collaborated well ever since,” he said. “She always was fun and always excited. She had so much energy and enthusiasm for everything—and always wanted to get to work.”

That same welcoming and caring feel continued through their friendship.

“When I was out with my cancer treatments (last year), Leesa was the only teacher who checked in with me, and it was on a regular basis, with emails and texts just to see how I was doing. I know others may have thought it was awkward or didn’t want to bother me, but she was not afraid to say, ‘how are you feeling, how are things going, we look forward to having you back.’

It meant a lot to me; it really did,” he said.

“I’m going to miss her a lot. It’s just weird to think of her as gone because she was always so alive. She was so vibrant, energetic and had such a larger-than-life personality.

It’s difficult to imagine someone who was so present and so alive as not being around anymore.”

In the spring, Lloyd held her last Dance Company concert, which Wihongi and his wife as well as Saxton attended.

“Her dance concerts always are amazing. She had a great mixture of small numbers, big numbers, choreographed numbers.

I always looked forward to seeing her big spectacle of what she did with the dance number, the lighting, the costumes,” Saxton said. “We’re going forward with the musical in November and still planning on using the Dance Company in it; Lisa would have wanted us to move forward as planned.

She always said, ‘The show must go on’ so that’s how we’re going to approach it.

We’re going to dedicate the musical to her and make sure we honor her memory in the program and as much as possible with the choreography. I don’t know what it will be like without Leesa because she really was the heart and soul of the performing arts department. It’s hard to imagine what we’re going to be without her.”

Wihongi attended her viewing and Saxton was at her funeral, where her family shared that she was known for photo albums of every activity in her life, her legendary Christmas sugar cookies or a note with her loopy cursive and that she collected Barbie dolls.

“They had a beautiful set-up with her photo albums and her Barbie collection; she had all types of Barbies,” Wihongi said. “I had no idea about it. The one I liked the best was Elizabeth Montgomery and she was in the ‘Bewitched’ outfit.”

Saxton said he knew dance and per-

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forming arts have always been a big part of her life, but he learned a lot about her childhood, including that she had a Barbie collection.

“I always knew she loved nice things, fancy things and decorating. Her office has a ton of stuff in it, but it was always beautifully decorated, and she would cover her cabinet doors and her office window with beautiful fabric. She just knew how to take something and make it beautiful,” Saxton said. “I’m sure she loved Barbies and loved the way they were costumed. I didn’t know about it, but it doesn’t surprise me one bit.

Her brothers also talked about how she wanted a bike and how she worked to earn that bike (which she rode to piano lessons).

She was the only one in her family who ever owned a brand new car. If she wanted something, she did whatever it took to achieve it. Family was important to her and she was a big part of the Riverton community.”

Lloyd was the daughter of Sandra Newman Lloyd, Riverton’s first female mayor and Miss Riverton pageant director.

Like her mother, who also had a passion for the arts and has the Riverton community center named after her, Leesa Lloyd was a pageant director for Murray for 27 years and was part of the Miss America Scholarship Organization for more than 44 years.

“She loved inspiring young people,” Saxton said. “She would talk to me about students who would be good to be involved in the pageant. She put as much work into that as she did with everything she worked on. She also served as the mentor for Miss Murray so it wasn’t just over when Miss Murray was crowned. She was always focused on quality; she never did everything half-way, she wanted to make sure it was done to the best of her ability so her protégées could do everything to the best of their ability. She knew a lot about Murray so she could help them be a good representative for Murray. Leesa was very smart, so she’d be behind the scenes making sure those girls have the resources, the knowledge and organization they needed.”

Former Murray City Cultural Arts manager Mary Ann Kirk worked with Lloyd when the city hosted the Miss Murray Pageant for several years in the Murray Park Amphitheater and coordinating the Miss Murray Royalty each year for the summer float season.

“We worked together on a number of projects,” Kirk said. “When we had an idea, we would sit down and brainstorm about how we could work together. She was a great collaborator and supporter for school and community arts programs. We both loved history; she was interested in the history of Murray City and often talked about the history of her own community of Riverton.”

Kirk was recognized one year by Lloyd and the Miss Murray Pageant as Woman of the Year.

“It is supposed to be a surprise and she called and asked if I was planning to come,” Kirk remembered. “I told her I couldn't be there—can't remember why. So, she called my son Jonathan and asked him to figure out a way to get me there. He was struggling to talk me into attending, so I think he told me what was going on. I wasn't overly excited about the focus on me, but I decided to play along and be gracious about the recognition. I tried to act surprised even though my whole family showed up to the event. Afterwards, Leesa came up to me and asked if I was surprised and we both laughed.”

Lloyd served on the Murray Arts Advisory Board for six years and Kirk said it provided a great connection between the city and high school.

“We worked around each other's schedules at the high school to accommodate her needs for the dance company and our needs for community performances in the auditorium,” she said.

Lloyd also choreographed and provided volunteers for the opening and finale numbers for the citywide dance festival in 2017 that Kirk produced. In return, Kirk provided guest instructors to enhance her dance program.

“She had a great sense of humor but also knew when her students needed to take things seriously. She demanded commitment to rehearsal schedules,” Kirk said.

“Both my daughter and my future daughter in-law were in Dance Company, so I had an inside look at her incredible organizational skills. Her choreographic skills were second to none. It was fun to watch those skills highlighted in dance company concerts and the school musical. She encouraged respect for concert etiquette and would always welcome the audience and remind them that this was a concert not a sporting event. Very few people grasp the huge amount of time these art department teachers spend before and after school producing concerts and plays that give students a meaningful opportunity to develop skills and personal confidence while providing a rich cultural experience for the audience. Leesa dedicated her life to creating these opportunities.”

One of the touching memories of Lloyd Kirk cherishes is when she retired as the city’s first cultural arts manager. “(Leesa) choreographed and staged the finale number (from “Newsies”) for my retirement celebration that included many performing groups. She even volunteered to sit with the technical staff to make sure the program went smoothly since we never had a dress rehearsal; she was a great tutor to high school lighting and sound technicians,” she said. “I will deeply miss her smile and sparkling eyes, but more importantly, the opportunity to share our love of the arts together.” l

Murray City Journal

Twin Peaks’ culture night returns, students share their heritage

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

T

win Peaks third-graders Ana Gomes Ferreira and Enzo Martins were telling their schoolmates and their families about the beautiful rainforests, what school life was like and the amazing food of their homeland of Brazil.

Their principal, Rebecca Spence, listened to them, then she sampled a Pão de Queijo or, a homemade cheese ball.

Their families also brought brigadeiros or condensed milk candy, bolo de fubá or cornmeal cake, bolos de arroz or rice cakes, and Paçoquinha de amendoim or peanut candy.

It was the return of Twin Peaks’ cultural night, an annual tradition that started in 2012 before being disrupted by the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

Now, not only did families have displays with food and items from their countries, but many classes took part as well from Colette Madsen’s special education unit where they learned how to jugar, or play, with their homemade rattles to Jessica Hixson’s third-grade class that each created their own African masks which are worn during celebrations, such as holidays.

Spence said it gave all students the opportunity to engage in the night’s activities and apply what they were learning. For example, she said that fifth-grade teacher Naomi Lunt had her students read the book, “Esperanza Rising,” the story of a girl who migrates from Mexico to California. While Esperanza ends up working on a fruit farm and advocates for workers’ rights and better conditions, she gains maturity as she comforts her friend by making a yard doll. Lunt’s class then tied into what they were reading by making the simple, colorful yard dolls.

Several classes learned about different countries and showed their artwork.

Stephanie Proud’s kindergarten class shared their own stories. One boy said he moved here from Colombia, and others wrote their families came to Utah from Ukraine, Denmark, Mexico and Brazil, and a Kurdish village. Many kindergartners shared the languages they speak in their homes.

Spence said she can walk down the school’s halls and hear more than 10 different languages.

Of Twin Peaks’ 230 students, 56.6% are ethnic minorities, and 34% and rising are English language learners, she said.

The second highest demographic are 82 Hispanic students, 16 fewer students than Caucasian. There are 17 Pacific Islander students, 16 Asians and multi-race, American Indian and Black students complete the rest of the student body.

“We have such a diverse culture here and we want all kids to feel welcome and safe and part of the school,” she said, mentioning that recently some students were fasting during Ramadan and that gave them a chance to share about their culture and for others, the opportunity to learn and celebrate “how cool it is.”

Ana and Enzo were excited to share with the festival-goers about their heritage.

“In Brazil, Carnival would fill the streets with people and all kinds of fun,” Ana said. “We all would have a really big feast at lunchtime.”

Enzo added: “There was all sorts of food that was wonderful. We make a lot of it here. Brazil is very beautiful and windy,

Attendees sample some Brazilian food at Twin Peaks Elementary cultural night. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

but our goal now is to have a good life and school here. I’ve made some good friends.”

Spence said that is part of the goal with cultural night.

“Cultural night has been very ingrained in the culture of the school and the teachers who have been here wanted to bring it back so we can share with one another,” she said. “This is just an opportunity for us to remember how lucky we are that we have people from all cultures that we get to learn from.” l

From Uganda to Murray, with love

G

ratitude came full circle for a man known for promoting literacy, social justice, and health in Uganda. He now serves the Murray community that has supported him in his causes.

David Muyanja, chief operating officer for the Murray-based Kids Read Uganda organization, nearly lost his life trying to reach a rural community. While on a motorcycle, Muyanja was involved in an accident and injured. His foot and thighs were severely wounded, his big toe nearly ripped off, and his teeth shattered.

“Since this accident, I had never been able to wear shoes or even take anything hot or cold because of the severe pain I was going through every day,” Muyanja said.

Kids Read Uganda is not the only organization that depends on Muyanja; he is a Project Manager for the Remnant Generation, an organization that rescues and helps sexually abused teenage mothers and survivors of sexual abuse.

Also, he is a Resource Center Coordinator for Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union with USAID’s funded project—Strengthening TB and HIV & AIDS Responses in Eastern Uganda (STAR-E) Project.

KIDS READ Foundation President Lynda Brown thought it imperative to get Muyanja to the United States and get the necessary treatment for his injuries. Kids Read Uganda is an organization that educates and feeds 100 children in Uganda, where Muyanja also serves as the foundation’s Children Learning Independently Program advisor.

“I am so grateful,” Muyanja said. “Currently, I am getting treated for the nerve on my foot and dental treatment for the damage that I got nearly two years ago.”

A local physician has volunteered to work on Muyanja’s foot, while the University of Utah Dental School has worked on repairing his teeth. While his health has improved, he still has many treatments to go.

MurrayJournal .com

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com “I am highly indebted to the doctors who have cared for me,” Muyanja said.

While recuperating in Brown’s home, Muyanja has decided to pay back to the community by supporting the Kids Read Foundation to provide books to children in Title I school areas or neighborhoods through Little Libraries.

The Kids Read library program was first started in Uganda, where they have 11 libraries in the slums providing books to children. Kids Read Uganda also provides safe drinking water filters to volunteers and children, nutritional support to highly vulnerable and malnourished children in five communities, mosquito nets, and hand washing sanitary stations.

Brown realized the need to have similar Libraries established here in Murray to provide books to children in Title I school areas or neighborhoods to help them access books and improve their learning and reading.

Muyanja has been meeting with community groups such as the Murray Rotary Club and elementary schools advocating for more books and encouraging the use of the Little Libraries. In addition, he met with state legislators to discuss Kids Read and the work they are doing here and in Uganda.

“In a special way, I wish to appreciate the people in the Murray Rotary Club whose service is truly ‘Service Above Self.’ They are supporting the library program in Murray,” Muyanja said.

As Muyanja’s medical visa will soon expire, he will return to Uganda. According to him, he has gleaned knowledge here in the United States and hopes to provide technical support and further develop programs in Uganda.

But his time in Murray will always be in his heart.

“Murray is a place that welcomes visitors and cherishes true philanthropic values. I have been humbled to meet

Uganda community service advocate David Muyanja (left) helps install a Little Library in West Jordan. (Photo courtesy of Lynda Brown)

people who are so welcoming, loving, and caring,” Muyanja said. “To a nature-loving person like me, Murray has great mountain views that are so captivating with beautiful sceneries. Above all, a chilly, beautiful winter season with beautiful snow and beautiful flowers.”l

July 2022 | Page 7

Poll reveals residents want concerts, plays, and comedians at Murray Theater

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

W

hat type of programming should be presented at the restored Murray Theater?

Perhaps dramas fit the bill based on the latest threat to renovating the old theater—the onagain, off-again nature of funding the renovation keeps everyone on the edge of their seat.

However, the Murray Theater plans to move forward with May’s Murray City Council meeting announcement of a $100,000 anonymous donation. The city hopes to attract more donors as it does not quite have the estimated $7.5 million needed for the project. Currently, the city has put together $5.6 million.

In May, the Murray Journal conducted a poll via social media to see what residents would like to see in the refurbished theater. The top vote tally, by far, was concerts.

While initially a film venue, the theater has hosted well-known acts either in the twilight of their career or on their way up. They Might Be Giants, Insane Clown Posse, Dokken, and Harry Rollins have all graced the stage, but the January 23, 2009 concert had its biggest star ever to visit the State Street venue. Adele played a 14-song setlist to a packed house right before her career went stratospheric.

Murray Mayor Brett Hales, when he was inaugurated, made it clear to the Murray Journal that he wanted concerts there. “I would

love to see David Archuleta as our first concert, as he worked at the Murray Amphitheater, so that would be fun,” Hales said.

However, Murray Cultural Arts Director Lori Edmunds informed the City Council in January, “We have to remember that the sound system for a movie theater is much different and not appropriate for what we need for bands like David Archuleta or Alex Boyé. We’d still need to bring in a sound system, and that’s costly,” Edmunds said.

So will Murray City front the costs for a new sound system?

“The theater plans have two sound systems,” Murray City Chief Communications Officer Tammy Kikuchi said. “Of course, there will be concerts; the key is determining which entertainers our audience will support.”

Clark Bullen, former mayoral candidate and member of the Murray Arts Advisory board, said, “The Murray Theater could attract concerts and performances that cater towards smaller crowds of around 300. This does not suit all artists and groups but could be ideal for many that prefer a more intimate experience.

To this end, our equipment and setup should be more than adequate to handle any performance of that size. It is undoubtedly worth the investment to be able to address the needs of any group from recital to rock and roll.”

The ball’s in your court, apply today.

A marching band passed by the Murray Theater in 1939. (Photo courtesy of the Murray Museum)

The second choice for performances was plays and musicals. Edmunds told the council she hoped to see at least three musicals performed during the spring, winter holidays, and fall seasons. In addition, Bullen hopes that the venue will attract an acting company to take up residency.

“This occurs at the Rose Wagner,” Bullen said. “Your favorite theater experiences are likely from companies that have a residency in a municipal or separate event space. There are some advantages to this arrangement in terms of fundraising, focus, and branding, but the programing mix, timing, and opportunity would have to fall into place. We do know this space will be top-notch, and I imagine the ideal venue for a high-quality theater company.”

Rounding up the top three, residents want to see comedians on the stage. The theater has hosted improv and comedy festivals in the past. The most legendary was comedic hypnotist Van Der Meide, “the fastest hypnotist in Europe.” Benjamin Van Der Meide sold out two shows at the Murray Theater every Saturday night in the 1990s.

Also making the poll are classic films, film festivals, notable speakers/personalities,

indo-mexican fusion

dance performances, and arts education events.

The Murray Theater was once a venue for the Slamdance Film Festival; Murray officials have told the council that they hope to attract other film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival.

According to Kikuchi, the city will undertake a feasibility study to see what performances and acts should be at the Murray Theater. l

a

Tando

q u a T eri i ro

Adele performed at the Murray Theater in 2009.

(Photograph by Christopher Macsurak, Wikimedia Commons)

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Page 8 | July 2022

Murray City Journal

Murray Children’s Pantry pleas for help

N

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

ow more than ever, the demand for food at the Murray Children’s Pantry (170 E. 5770 South) has been so great that its shelves are empty. In early June, the pantry put out a plea asking for immediate help in food donations.

“We need your help,” the pantry posted on Facebook. “The Murray Children’s Pantry is experiencing our highest demand ever.”

Murray City and the Wasatch Front are not immune from the effects of rising inflation across the country. As a result, more people are turning to different resources for help, including local food pantries.

Marking its second anniversary, the demands on the pantry have changed significantly. When they opened their doors in 2020, the coronavirus was ramping ever upward, in conjunction with the jobless rate as businesses closed.

Now, with a ramped-up economy and more jobs than people to fill them, global issues drive up the cost of food. In addition, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven the cost of fuel up dramatically and straining already tentative supply chains.

“We are in a time that the most vulnerable people in our community are getting hit with one challenge after another,” the pantry posted.

“One of the personal challenges is food inse-

curity.”

An independent food charity, the pantry is not associated with any government organization, religious group, or corporate entity.

It remains entirely dependent on community support. The structure that houses the pantry was provided for use by the Murray Baptist Church.

Food donations from the community have been more critical as inflation has lessened the impact of a cash donation. Still, they will take whatever they can get.

“Anything you can donate would be much appreciated,” the pantry posted. “All nonperishable, nonexpired food will be accepted.”

Murray Children’s Pantry president Jim Brass told the Murray Journal last year, “We do not receive any government funding and are not part of any surplus foods program.”

Housing costs across Salt Lake Valley have skyrocketed. According to the Salt Lake Board of Realtors, Salt Lake County’s median price of homes sold rose 22% compared to $378,250 in 2020. For single-family homes sold in 2021, the median price climbed to $533,000, up 25% compared to single-family home’s price of $425,000 in 2020.

Brass calls this a perfect storm with inflation, supply-chain issues, and housing costs in flux.

Murray Children’s Pantry family boxes are being prepared for distribution. (Photo courtesy of the Murray Children’s Pantry)

“I don’t think it’s a case of being unable to find jobs as much as it is a case of housing being unaffordable right now. I saw where you have to make more than $20 an hour to afford a small apartment in the valley,” Brass said.

With the pantry averaging 1,300 meals a week, it estimates that it will have to provide over 50,000 meals this year. While initially a children’s pantry, it gives “weekend bags” that will feed a person for two days, or when children cannot participate in the school lunch program. The pantry has now expanded to adults by providing “family boxes,” which will feed a family of four for a week.

As an all-volunteer organization, the

pantry invites the community to drop off food items every Tuesday, and third Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon. The most needed items are cereal, macaroni and cheese, pudding cups, crackers, shelf-stable milk, ramen, juice boxes, and pancake mix.

“If our regular operating days and hours don’t work, we will be happy to schedule a pick up or drop off of your donation,” the pantry posted. To learn more or make an appointment with the pantry, more information can be found online at www.murraychildrenspantry. org.l

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July 2022 | Page 9

Viewmont girls learn positivity, teamwork, setting goals through Girls on the Run program

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t’s a race where the finish line is just the beginning.

The Girls on the Run 5K run awards everyone a medal to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments from an eight-week program which educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

Amongst the 600 girls and their running buddies who participated in Utah’s run, which was held in early June in Sugar House Park, were 16 Viewmont Elementary girls and their running buddies.

“The girls had so much fun,” said fifth-grade teacher Kate Howard, who coached the Viewmont team along with staff and faculty members Kristen Snow, Brittany Roller, Casey Majik, Susie Routledge and Aimee Land. “It’s great for them to see that Girls on the Run is not just Viewmont or Murray community, but it’s the whole state and the whole nation they’re a part of.”

This year marks the return of the 5K run that was on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic; the race is considered by many to be a highlight of the Girls on the Run program.

Girls on the Run is a nonprofit program that has involved more than one million girls across the United States and Canada to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem-solving skills and make healthy decisions while training for a 5K race. Teams, coordinated by volunteers at schools, usually meet after school for a couple hours each week.

The program started in 1996 in North Carolina with 13 girls at one school and now reaches girls in all 50 states.

Utah jumped on board in 2007 with 30 girls at two schools.

Now in its 15th year in Utah, Girls on the Run helps girls in 10 counties build confidence and make intentional decisions while fostering care and compassion for themselves and others.

“The program teaches girls how to be active and treat their bodies well,” Howard said. “It can be such a positive experience. We talk about body image, how they feel and about treating their bodies with respect. We empower them to learn how they have unique powers and to feel confident in their own skin because so many of them don’t.”

This spring, Viewmont’s Girls on the Run program met for two hours once per week and introduced “star power,” identifying their special skill that they helps understand how they’re unique.

“We talk about how each of us is unique and have unique skills and your special skills might be different than my special skills. It doesn’t make you better than me or me better than you. It’s something that the girl may think they’re good at and what is special about them,” she said. “We discuss how to communicate properly and appropriately, collaboration and healthy relationships. Those are life skills, but many kids don’t learn them. We use examples such as you and your friend might not always agree on something, but it’s OK. Then, they learn how to communicate appropriately when you disagree and understand their point is not wrong, but just different than your own. We wanted to teach them how to lift each other up.”

Each week, every girl records a goal in her journal on how many laps around the school campus she wanted to complete.

“They make their own goals, and they can see their selfgrowth; they’re really the only person who holds themselves accountable,” she said.

Then the group heads outside for games and to complete perimeters around the school.

Page 10 | July 2022

Viewmont Elementary’s team and their running buddies show their excitement about running the Girls on the Run 5K in early June at Sugar House Park. (Kate Howard/Viewmont Elementary)

“They could run, jog, walk, some of them liked to cartwheel and it just showed them that we can all work together,” Howard said. “It’s really cute because the lessons obviously connect with moving their bodies, so I’d hear them saying, ‘good job,’ ‘you’ve got this’ or ‘I like how hard you’re trying.’ They really have a bond with each other and have grown to support one another and that’s awesome to see.”

What makes it even more fun, Howard said, is that they each have an adjective that matches the first letter of their name. So Howard’s nickname is Kind Kate, so when girls are running, they’ll cheer each other or say hi to each other at school with their Girls on the Run names.

Not only do the names carry over in the hallways and classrooms, but so does the positivity and teamwork.

“I have some of them in my classroom and every day, they’re more supportive and kinder to others in the classroom. They say hi to each other and they might not have known them before since we have girls in grades three through six. It’s building a community throughout the grades that was hard to have during COVID the last few years,” she said.

Some girls also have changed their view of the sport.

“I hear ‘I never knew that running could be fun and I can do it with friends’ and having a change of their mindset is great as they become more positive and active. We did a practice 5K two weeks ago and there were girls who said that there was no way they could do that. Every single girl completed their 5K, which is awesome,” she said. “It’s ex-

citing to see them accomplish something they may not have thought they could. They proved to themselves they are capable of doing hard things.”

Afterward the girls signed their names to a giant banner, which was hung up in the school hallway.

“They were really excited to show their friends that,” she said, adding that the girls received hand-painted frames with the group’s picture and Viewmont-specific Girls on the Run stickers in addition to gear to celebrate the team’s accomplishments.

Viewmont’s Girls on the Run team also decided to perform a service project to make a positive impact in their community. The girls cleaned the teachers’ lounge as well as made uplifting cards for people in the hospital.

“They thought it would be good for people to hear positive things,” she said, saying they hoped to make at least 150 cards. “The girls are super excited about it. They came up with the ideas and felt really empowered to make their own choices. That’s one of the things we’ve worked on, how to be a group member, how to compromise, how to practice those skills and then, learn how to make it happen.”

With the change of mindset, many girls have plans to run additional 5Ks and tackle other challenging projects.

“One of the most amazing things about Girls on the Run is it teaches the girls to be positive toward themselves and others,” Howard said. “We help them to feel confident and excited and know going forward, they can accomplish so much.”l

Murray City Journal

The Spartan Closet is open through the summer for teens

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

W

hen Thomas Schwab graduated from Murray High at the top of his class in 2018, the community was shocked to learn he’d been homeless and living in a car for two years.

Astonishment turned to action for Murray resident Pamela Andersen. She created a program that would help teens get anything from clothes to food to hygiene products. She created the Spartan Closet and partnered with the Murray Baptist Church (184 E. 5770 South) to use the church’s basement throughout the summer.

“Elementary and middle school students get regular donations, but there’s a void for providing for high school students in need,” Andersen said. “I want [these kids] to know they are loved and cared for and every person in the neighborhood feels that same way.”

The Spartan Closet is stocked with jeans, shirts, jackets, shoes, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, blankets, sheet sets, backpacks, hoodies, bras, underwear and socks, and Andersen takes special requests. Every item is free.

When a teen had a job offer that required steel-toed boots, Andersen sent a text to the community and within five minutes someone said they were bringing the boots over so the boy could get the job. A 16-year-old was kicked out of his home and needed clothes and other necessities. The Spartan Closet had exactly what he needed.

“If I could, I’d like to hug each teen and help them feel the love of all those in our Murray family,” Andersen said. “Let’s get our teens on the road to self-confidence and feeling selfworth because it is not their fault this stuff has happened to them.”

Donations are being accepted with a need for larger sizes (L and XL) and shirts in dark colors. One mother who benefited

from the closet brings in donations to pay it forward to help other students.

It’s important for Andersen that teens who come in for help don’t feel judged or criticized. She talked with Schwab about how to make the Spartan Closet a safe place for youth. Schwab, who graduated top of his class from Nuclear Field "A" School, the most academically rigorous training program in the U.S. Navy, gave her some advice.

“I stress this so much because it's very important, but many people will suffer for their pride and ego, so they should not feel attacked or picked on,” Schwab said. “I would not take clothes or most anything if I feel like I'm being made fun of or taken advantage of. I always was poor growing up, and when I was homeless especially, I saw many people refuse help if they felt like they were being put on display. So while something in public where anyone can see is good, it would also benefit greatly from having the option to be inconspicuous while getting aid.”

Andersen has built partnerships in the community to keep the closet stocked. Home2Suites donated 400 toiletry items and local dentists have provided toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste.

Village Cleaners donated 200 dry-cleaned coats. The Murray Baptist Church allows the Spartan Closet and the Murray Children’s Pantry (located next door) rent-free space.

“Generally, the shelves are stuffed but the need has grown,” said Jim Brass, president of the Murray Children's Pantry Foundation. “I say, if it comes down to paying rent or buying food, pay the rent and we’ll give you food. It’s hard to describe when you see the relief on people’s faces.”

Both the Spartan Closet and the Murray Children’s Pantry are open every Tuesday and the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. The Murray Youth City Council/Cham-

(From left) Pamela Andersen operates the Spartan Closet, a place for youth to get assistance. Spartan Closet board members Sheri Van Bibber, and Kathy and Mike Romero, build partnerships with the community to gather donations.

ber of Commerce will help staff the closet during the summer.

For more information, contact Andersen at 801-363-5922.

“I look at the war in Ukraine and I cry because I can’t do anything, but I can in Murray,” Andersen said. “In Murray, we’ve made this about our people. We love our kids and we want them to succeed.” l

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Hillcrest Junior High first in state to install free period product dispensers

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t looked like a transformation to junior high.

A group of females congregated into the girls’ bathroom at Hillcrest Junior High, smiling and laughing—only this time, the talk didn’t focus on boys, but rather menstrual period products.

With the unanimous passing in the state legislature of HB 162, making free period products available in K-12 public and charter schools’ unisex and female restrooms, Hillcrest began the rollout this summer.

With eighth-grader Alyla Ruiz snipping the bright pink ribbon, the dispenser installation in their bathrooms was celebrated by students, educators and advocates.

Utah Period Project founder and president Emily Bell McCormick and other leaders took a subject that once was taboo to publicly discuss and brought it to the forefront.

“Until today, there has been so much stigma around menstruation that you couldn’t say the word,” she said. “We worked with the Utah legislature a couple years before this and there were whole committee meetings where the words menstruation, period, tampon and pad were never mentioned even though they were talking about a bill like this. We just needed to normalize this because we know that it’s something four to six days every month for 40 years in life, 50% of our population experiences.”

McCormick said that Hillcrest’s installation of free products is the first of 8,000 dispensers that will serve 337,000 females across the state this year and will help girls in “period poverty” situations.

“Our studies show 84% of the girls in the U.S. have missed school or known someone who has because of lack of period supplies,” she said. “The reason this has mattered the whole time is that this very day when a 12-yearold who is sitting in fifth period and starts her period, she’s going to walk to this very bathroom and be able to use free period products here. She’s not going to the office; she’s not going to call home. She’s going to go back to class and that is a win.”

Murray School District Superintendent Jen Covington said without access to period product supplies, education is impacted.

“Our students often times will stay home from school or not participate as vigorously in school without access to period products,” she said. “Not all of our students come from homes or situations where buying period products is an option, so they stay home. This impacts what we do every day with these students. We want them here in our school. We want to be able to remove barriers.”

Since 2018, the Period Project has been making products more accessible nationwide.

While McCormick acknowledged others, including area Girl Scouts, in the past have worked to get products available in schools, often times, the products are just found in school offices, which can be “embarrassing” for girls.

This launch is statewide and products are available in restrooms.

“We didn’t want for every school to individually decide whether or not they wanted to do it. We wanted to work with the legislature to make sure this is a statewide mandate because it’s a need that’s been overlooked. We recognize there are kids in the state who face food insecurity, so we produce a free lunch program.

In the same way, or even more so, you can’t go to school if you’re not caring for your period, so we just wanted to make sure that was understood,” McCormick said.

With $1 million donations from both the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and The Andrus Family Foundation, dispensers are being installed in school restrooms. Initial funding from the bill will supply the tampons and pads, but ultimately the responsibility will fall upon school districts’ budgets.

Covington said others will look to Murray School District’s program as they install their own dispensers.

“They will take our feedback and share that with our messaging, how we put the dispensers up and at what heights along with feedback from students and

Hillcrest Junior High head custodian Heather Wilks and social worker Courtney Nolan stock the first free period product dispenser in the state with tampons and pads that are labeled, “changing the world, one cycle at a time.”

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

parents to see how to roll this out throughout the state,” she said.

“This really is a grassroots effort started in this school. Our social worker and head custodian have been very active in speaking about the need here and making sure girls have what they need to be able to get back to class.”

It began when a food pantry donation was being made at the school. That’s when social worker Courtney Nolan confided that what the school really needed was menstrual supplies.

“We have about 400 girls here and 50% of our student body is on free and reduced lunch,” she said. “Most stay home if they don’t have supplies. I’ve had girls come to my office to ask for a pad or tampon, but many are too embarrassed. In our society, it’s something that in the past has been unspoken.”

Head custodian Heather Wilks has been called upon to

clean up from accidents, wash clothes and help students.

“A lot of our students struggle with food, so having period supplies isn’t even an option,” she said. “I’m glad to jump on it and help. This will make it so girls can be here at school and participate and be on an even playing field as the boys.”

McCormick said knowing the inequality fueled her passion for the project.

“The thing that got me was when I heard Utah was ranked 50 out of 50 for women’s equality and I starting thinking, well, what are concrete things we can do to change that number?” she said. “Viagra and Rogaine are traditionally male products with a policy saying they’re tax-free products, so we worked on the tampon tax and got it passed.

Then it got overturned, but we’ll be back working on that.” l

Murray City Journal

Merrill retires from Murray School Board, Taeoalii appointed

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

G

lo Merrill retired from the Murray City School District Board halfway through her second term. At the June 7 Murray School District Board of Education special meeting, Kelly Taeoalli was chosen out of four applicants to fill out the remainder of Merrill’s term that ends in December 2024.

Merrill was first elected to the board in 2016 and re-elected unopposed in 2020.

She had already retired from the school district, having served as Director of Career and Technical Education. Previously, she served as Assistant Principal for Murray High School and a business education teacher.

Along with Taeoalii, three other residents of Murray School District Precinct 1, Mitchell Tate, Ali Lyddall and Yandary Chatwin, submitted applications to be appointed to the board. After interviewing the candidates in an open meeting, board members Jaren Cooper, Kami Anderson, Belinda Johnson and Elizabeth Payne voted. Taeoalii received three votes, while Payne cast her vote for Chatwin.

According to Taeoalii, she has considered running for the board in the past.

“The timing is perfect. I don’t have small children anymore. I have more time to spend on it. Things just sort of lined up.

And the thought of serving my community in this way without the stress of running a campaign was quite compelling,” Taeoalii said.

A Salt Lake Community College alumna, Taeoalii has served in the Parent-Teacher Association since 2003. She is the mother of six children, with four that have graduated from Murray High School and two currently attending the school. She has

served on various committees in the school district, including the Facility Planning, Dress Code, Sex Education, and Behavior BLT committees.

“I knew two of the applicants, and they are wonderful people. My husband was in the public meeting and heard all the interviews and agreed that there were great strengths in all applicants. I think I stood out because of my extensive experience.

I am ready to hit the ground running, and that is what is needed at this time. There won’t be a new board member training from the state until after the election in the fall,” Taeoalii said.

Board members asked the applicants what they perceived to be the school board’s role and how they would balance the needs of the stakeholders in the community. The board also asked why they were interested in the board, their involvement, and what they saw as the district’s most pressing needs.

“I don’t really have a soap box I stand on,” Taeoalii said. “I trust that generally everyone is doing the best they can with what they have. If I had to pick something, I would love to advocate for better funding from the legislature. I appreciate that we have the trust lands funds in Utah set aside for each school and am impressed with what is done with those funds. I have seen many school trust land plans that include paying for teachers or aides that I feel really should be funded by the state. I would love to have trust land funds freed up for more unique programs and supports that can be determined by the community councils based on each school’s needs. I would love to take a load off teachers’ backs by giving them the

Kelly Taeoalii is sworn in as Murray City School District Precinct 1 Board member by Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen. (Photo courtesy of Murray City School District)

aides and class sizes they need.”

Taeoalii would like to reduce teacher burnout.

“I have heard time and time again from teachers and administrators that teaching through Covid was difficult, but this past year has been the hardest. Ever. Dealing with the behaviors and needs of students coming out of these unprecedented experiences has been extremely difficult. Everyone is trying to figure things out, and I am sure we will get there, but it has been and will be a challenge,” Taeoalii said.

She also said that there are facility issues that she hopes to address.

“Several of our schools were built

about the same time thanks to FDR’s New Deal. They are now aging out at about the same time, and there hasn’t been a plan for replacement. To fix all that needs to be fixed would be quite expensive, and we would still have old buildings with more problems right around the corner. To rebuild all the buildings that need to be redone would necessitate an unrealistically large bond that isn’t feasible. There are capital funds available to repair and update things here and there, but there will need to be a bond for the big projects that are needed, and times are tough for most everyone financially,” Taeoalii said. “There is no easy solution.” l

Utah Interpreter Program celebrates 30 years of service

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

S

ince 1992, the Utah Interpreter Program has ensured that American Sign Language interpreters throughout the state meet the highest standards through certification and professional development as well as maintaining a statewide interpreter directory.

This year marks UIP’s 30th anniversary of working directly with sign language interpreters and members of the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and DeafBlind communities.

“Utah was 20 to 30 years ahead of many other states in its recognition and protection of the communication rights of Deaf, hard-of-hearing and DeafBlind citizens,” said Trenton Marsh, director of the Utah Interpreter Program. “As early as 1975, the Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, in collaboration with local Deaf leaders, created a certification process for sign language interpreters, 20 years before it became state law.”

After the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, the provision of interpreting services changed. Community organizations such as URID and the Utah Association of the Deaf asked the Division of

MurrayJournal .com

The Utah Interpreter Program turns 30 this year, recognizing nearly 600 certified interpreters in the state. (Stock photo)

Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to take on the responsibility of certifying interpreters and educating the public regarding communication access issues. This led to

the creation of UIP. In 1993, Utah passed legislation requiring certification of sign language interpreters.

“This is incredible since many states still do not have a similar law today,” Marsh said.

Currently, UIP focuses on providing certification exams and oversees annual certification and professional development status for all sign language interpreters in Utah. It also educates the public about state interpreting laws and policies, and provides interpreting services for DSDHH and vocational rehabilitation staff, as well as for the Utah governor’s press conferences.

UIP recognizes nearly 600 certified interpreters in the state. Interpreters can be certified after demonstrating skills, knowledge and judgment to be able to facilitate communication, including complex, technical or specialized situations. To learn more about the program, or to become a certified interpreter, visit jobs.utah.gov/usor/ uip. l

July 2022 | Page 13

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July 2022 FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS

Mayor’s Message

MAYOR’S OFFICE

Grant Elementary . . . . . . 801-264-7416

Slow Down in Murray

mayor@murray.utah.gov 801-264-2600 5025 S. State Street Murray, Utah 84107

Heritage Center (Senior Programming) . . 801-264-2635 Hillcrest Jr. High . . . . . . . 801-264-7442 Horizon Elementary . . . . 801-264-7420 Liberty Elementary . . . . . 801-264-7424 Longview Elementary. . . 801-264-7428 Ken Price Ball Park . . . . . 801-262-8282

The Mayors across Salt Lake County, me included, want you to SLOW DOWN when you’re driving in your car. You’ve probably heard this message before and you will continue to hear it, until it sinks in. We need to change our behaviors.

We are in the 100 deadliest days of summer which refers to traffic fatalities. Many of the deadly accidents are caused by excessive speed.

Yes, our cars are frankly designed to go fast, but they can also go slow.

Beyond the basic safety message of slowing down, there are other reasons why you should want to slow down:

Miss Murray Pageant (Leesa Lloyd) . . . . . . . . . . 801-446-9233 McMillan Elementary. . . 801-264-7430 Murray Area Chamber of Commerce.. . . . . . . . . . 801-263-2632 Murray Arts Advisory Board (Lori Edmunds) . . . . . . . . 801-264-2614 Murray Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-268-1335 Murray City Cemetery . . . 801-264-2637 Murray Community Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-264-7414 Murray High School . . . . 801-264-7460 Murray Museum . . . . . . . 801-264-2589 Murray Parks and Recreation Office . . . . . . . 801-264-2614 Murray Parkway Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-262-4653 Murray Park Aquatics Pool . . . . . . . . . 801 290-4190 Mick Riley Golf Course (SL County). . . . . . . . . . . . 801-266-8185 Parkside Elementary . . . . 801-264-7434 Riverview Jr. High . . . . . . 801-264-7446 Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation . . . . . . . . 801-468-2560 Salt Lake County Ice Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-270-7280 The Park Center . . . . . . . . 801-284-4200 Viewmont Elementary . . 801-264-7438

1. Slow Down in Murray for better fuel efficiency. Your car gets better gas mileage when you drive more slowly.

1. Slow Down in Murray for reduced air pollution. Since you don’t burn as much gas at slower speeds, it stands to reason that you put smaller amounts of toxins in the air from your tailpipe.

1. Slow Down in Murray for stress reduction. Set your cruise control to the speed limit and stop worrying about how to pass others on the road or worry about speed traps!

1. Slow Down in Murray for reduced wear and tear. At slower speeds, your tires last longer, your car engine lasts longer, your brakes last longer.

1. Slow Down in Murray to save money. How? Fines are expensive and when you receive a citation for speeding, it also affects your insurance premiums.

1. Slow Down in Murray to save lives. Your reaction time is compromised at excessive speeds. Going slower might give you enough time to avoid an accident.

Brett A. Hales -Mayor

The cities within Salt Lake County all support this cause and agree it is worthy to promote together across the entire County. They are combining efforts to promote the call to slow down.

Sandy City Mayor Monica Zoltanski spearheaded the effort. “The rate of fatal accidents is rising in cities across the valley. Many of these accidents are due to excessive speed. Law enforcement is working hard to enforce traffic laws, but they cannot be everywhere. It is critical we all do our part and slow down. Getting to a destination late is better than never. I’m so grateful that other mayors throughout the county have thrown their support and their voices behind this effort. Together we can amplify the message of reducing speeds and hopefully make a difference in the lives of our residents.”

Thank you, Mayor Zoltanski, for your leadership on this effort.

I am so impressed that all the mayors and chiefs of police in the county are joining together to get everyone to slow down. We’re all guilty of speeding. But if we can slow down, we will be able to save lives and that’s the most important thing we can do, is save lives.

My hope is that as you’re driving one of the neighborhood streets or bigger thoroughfares in Murray, you will think about lifting your foot off the pedal a bit and SLOW DOWN. Think of driving 5…leave 5 minutes earlier, go 5 mph slower and allow 5 more feet of following distance.

Let’s get through these 100 deadliest days with no fatalities! Thank you to all our residents for making Murray a great place to live.

Fitness classes are included with all Park Center Memberships

Regular FACILITY

HOURS HOLIDAY HOURS

Monday - Friday

5:30am - 9pm

Saturday

7am - 5pm

Sunday

CLOSED

Independence Day

12pm - 4pm

Pioneer Day (observed 7/25)

8am - 4pm

THE PARK CENTER 202 E. MURRAY PARK AVE. PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE 296 E. MURRAY PARK AVE.

MCREG.COM MURRAY.UTAH.GOV

JULY 2022 MURRAY SENIOR RECREATION CENTER 10 East 6150 South, Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-2635 seniorrec@murray.utah.gov murray.utah.gov/140Senior-Recreation-Center mcreg.com

CLASSES Ceramics Date: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon Cost: $1.50 each class plus cost of supplies

PROGRAMS

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Closed Saturday and Sunday

Thursday Evening Social Dance Live Music provided by Tony Summerhays Date: Thursdays Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $5

Check our website for any changes in programs.

DAILY LUNCH BY CHEF OMAR LIMON

Hand and Foot Card Game Date: Mondays Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Date: Tuesday through Friday Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Cost: Cost is $5; prior registration not required

BRUNCH CAFE

Mexican Train Dominos Game Date: Thursdays Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Date: Monday, Jul. 11 Monday, Jul. 18 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cost: Price varies; prior registration not required

HEALTH SERVICES

SPECIAL EVENTS Family Concert Series Date: Monday, Jul. 11 – Neo Vintage (jazz and bossnova) Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Cost: Free; no appointment needed open to all ages and doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Cost: Free; register now NOTE: Personal Training appointments are available based on student schedules, call the Center for training availability and appointments.

Grief Support Date: Friday, Jul. 8 Friday, Jul. 22 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free; Register now Vital Aging: Mind and Body Connection Date: Tuesday, Jul. 19 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cost: Free; register now

Blood Pressure Clinic by Harmony Home Health Date: Thursday, Jul. 14 Time: 10:30 a.m. – noon Cost: Free; no appointment necessary Massage Therapy Date: Thursdays Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $20 for half-hour or $40 for hour; advance appointment required

AARP Smart Driving Class Date: Tuesday, Jul. 26 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $20 AARP Members otherwise $25 (payable day of class); register now Space is limited to 12 participants.

DANCE Line Dance: Beginning Date: Tuesdays Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $10 for the month of May; register now

EXERCISE Daily Exercise Classes – check our current newsletter for the schedule University of Utah Students – Overall Fitness and Personal Training Date: Tuesdays and Fridays (Overall Fitness)

THE MURRAY SENIOR RECREATION CENTER

TRIPS Wendover Date: Thursday, Jul. 14 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Cost: $22; register now

10 East 6150 South (West of State Street) • 801-264-2635

Resident on Display We will be showcasing our 2022 Secondary Art Show Ribbon Winners, June – July at City Hall. Our winners are students from Murray High and Riverview Junior high.

TICKETS Individual tickets are available for Evening Series performances at the Murray Parks & Recreation Office (296 E Murray Park Ave), at the Senior Recreation Center (10 E 6150 S), or online through RegTix (murraycity. smashpass.com) Full schedule visit www.murray.utah. gov/853/Arts-in-the-Park

Granite School District announces more summer food pantry options for students in need

By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

G

ranite School District is helping to combat summer hunger by alerting its students to summer food pantry options. Summer is a season notoriously linked to food insecurity, especially for students who rely on their school to provide multiple daily meals.

“The level of hunger in Utah remains high, 410,000 of our neighbors are facing food insecurity,” Erica Crisco, a Utah Food Bank employee wrote. “[That number of people] is more than the population of Salt Lake, Provo, and St. George combined.”

The past couple of years have been particularly devastating, as Utahns have faced unprecedented food insecurity brought on by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Certain individuals and families, who have never needed food assistance previously, have found themselves in difficult situations.

“Even without the current crisis of rampant inflation as Utahns struggle to recover after the devastating impacts of the pandemic, summer is a tough time for families struggling to make ends meet and fill empty tummies without the help of school meals,” Crisco said.

For those who are unable to dedicate their time to a food pantry, a simple donation of a few cans can make a significant difference for those struggling. Summer, as it turns out, is often cited as the most vulnerable season for food insecurity due to the decreased volume of donations and lack of school programs. In fact, many food pantries rely on the donations that come throughout the fall and winter months that are associated with giving.

Heidi Canella, another Utah Food Bank employee

said, “When kids are out of school, they also lose access to school meal programs, and parents have to find a way to provide two additional meals daily, putting additional strain on an already-thin budget. These kids spend their summer worrying about where their next meal will come from instead of swimming at the pool. Sadly, donations are also at their lowest during the summer months as families in a position to help are busy with their summer activities.”

In addition to donations, The Food Bank also stressed the importance of getting volunteers to come out during the summer months.

Two summer pantry events are hosted by a joint partnering of K2 The Church and Southeast Christian Church.

They will take place July 9 and Aug. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at 1881 Vine Street in Murray.

These are drive-up events. All you need to do to participate is bring a car to the location and pop your trunk.

The groceries will be placed in your car. There is also a clothing closet with new and used clothing for the summer months. The clothing closet will be available during pantry hours. All are welcome to participate, no questions asked.

Granite School District will also be opening multiple school cafeterias to students in need. “[We will be] providing free meals to kids aged 18 and younger throughout the summer as part of the USDA’s Summer Lunch program.

Lunch will be served in cafeterias and students must be present to receive a meal. Parents will not be permitted to pick up meals to take home,” the District wrote on their Facebook page.

Come Join Us – All Welcomed!

FREEDOM BAPTIST CHURCH — King James Bible — We are a Bible preaching and teaching church.

FRIENDLY

FA M ILY

Granite School District students 18 and under can utilize the district’s pantry services throughout the summer to combat seasonal food insecurity. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)

For more information, including locations and hours, visit Granite School District’s website www.graniteschools.org/bulletin/free-summer-lunch-locations/. l

WHERE THERE IS GRIEF, THERE IS GREAT LOVE Grief is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To offer support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.

FUN

801.263.7385

301 W. 5400 S. Murray SUNDAY: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m.

MurrayJournal .com

Call or go to Jenkins-Soffe.com and click on Resources then Grief & Healing.

MURRAY 4760 S State Street

801.266.0222

SOUTH JORDAN 1007 W South Jordan Pkwy

801.254.1928

July 2022 | Page 19

Juan Diego students learn how experts understand, fight rise in wildfires

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

H

eadlines were bleak: “Smoke blankets the West” and “Wildfire smoke from out-of-state fires darken Utah skies.”

With weather patterns, smoke was picked up in fires from California and Oregon, producing air quality so poor that the World Air Quality index, which tracks air quality across dozens of cities globally, ranked Salt Lake City amongst the worst in the world.

The Utah Division of Air Quality recommended everyone avoid outdoor activity as much as possible and several schools canceled their outdoor activities and sporting events.

That was summer 2021.

Recently, Utah fire experts were cautious releasing the number of wildfires as of late spring had dropped in comparison to this time last year.

As of early June 2022, there have been 177 wildfires that have burned 564 acres compared to 326 fires during the same time period last year. Both years, human-caused fires accounted for percentages in the 80s.

In 2020, a record number of 350 fires were set with 81% by humans, fire experts attribute this to the push for outdoor recreating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with dry and changing conditions, experts caution this year’s summer could lead to a long fire season.

Recalling last summer’s gloomy and unhealthy air, Juan Diego Catholic High School recently held the “Fire & Water in the West” symposium addressing the challenges around wildfire suppression and the urban interface with climate change. U.S. Forest Service chemical engineer Daniel Jimenez and Camp Williams Military Base fire management captain Jon Slatore spoke to students and community members about the past and future of wildfires.

“Each decade there is a rise in the temperature during the fire season and our fire seasons are longer and a higher severity,” said Jimenez, who grew up in the Salt Lake Valley and now works with the fire science lab in Missoula, Montana. “It results in the change of the landscape.”

He uses several models to see how conditions change annually, mostly which identify the climate becoming drier and hotter, combined with a deficit in the vapor pressure of the atmosphere drying up the vegetation.

“We are seeing more and more fires in the landscape and a larger fire area,” he said, adding that in the future, by 2030, “We may see a drastic increase in the probability of fire.”

Jimenez said with every fire that starts, the U.S. Forest Service is “97% effective putting out within a 12to 24-hour period,” however, it is getting more difficult as more trees in the forest compete for the same or less moisture and nutrients, leading to the environment being more suspectable to beetle attacks and ripe for fires.

While people tend to identify with the devastation of fires, there is a positive impact of forest fires.

“It’s a very positive mechanism for wildlife and the ecosystem; it’s like a cleansing and rejuvenation,” he said. “After a fire, you see immediately within a second or first spring, a flush of grasses.”

Jimenez pointed out the 1988 Yellowstone National Park fire was catastrophic with numerous dead lodgepole pines. Yet, now years later, those mature trees died and with the heat, it opened up new seeds that are abundant.

Page 20 | July 2022

U.S. Forest Service chemical engineer Daniel Jimenez speaks to students and the community about the challenges facing wildfire suppression at Juan Diego Catholic High’s “Fire & Water in the West” symposium. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

However, the increase of fires is escalating.

“We aren’t alone; it’s a worldwide issue,” he said.

“Fires around the world have grown wild. We’re seeing more extreme fires. In 2016, Canada had one of its worst fire seasons ever. In 2021, Greece had massive fires. In 2020, Australia had record-breaking fires. In the last two years, California has had nine of the largest fires they’ve ever had.”

Jimenez said that at a South Carolina testing facility, fire scientists are learning how to address the issues facing “our new normal. We are studying where our highest area of risks is and where we focus the money and manpower to reduce that risk so when the fires come out of this landscape, we’re prepared for it. That is happening across the West, but it may or may not be happening fast enough in a town near you.”

While that may sound bleak, Jimenez said that may be some of the reality of it. However, there is a paradigm shift with the fire management.

“There used to be the mentality, this machismo tough guy on the ground, ‘we’re going to get it on that ridge, the fire is not going to get past this.’ Now the mentality is we’re going to pick the right ridge and we’re going to use our minds and our science and be smart about this.

We have to recognize the fact that fire is a very present part of our landscape. We can be aggressive and smart about using resources and dollars, but there are also times where we just put up the white flag and let this thing rip until we get a change in weather, or it hits the right ridge.

Then we can use the resources, technology and ability to

engage and do it safely.”

Slatore, who used to work for Salt Lake and Logan fire departments, said that they can’t do it alone.

“The role of the public cannot be diminished,” he said. “We like to have 30 feet from the structure clear of any kind of vegetation that can burn, and we’d like 100 feet of nice open country so the likelihood of a fire carrying to a house will be lessened. If we have entire communities adopt this sort of policy, we can keep a lot of these fires from taking down the whole communities at one time.”

Meanwhile, urban crews are creating and maintaining fire breaks where communities meet the wild land.

Near Camp Williams, a running path is being added to serve as a fire break.

That may help overcome the issue in 2010 when there was a machine gun fire that spread outside the base and destroyed three structures.

“Now look at that landscape. There are 200 homes that have been constructed within that fire area that was just 12 years ago; this is where our Wasatch Front looks like with so much growth. Draper has pretty much doubled in size since 1980 and the majority of it falls into the wildland urban interface,” Slatore said.

While there are other fire breaks, such as the Shoreline trail along the Wasatch, which serves for hiking and mountain biking, crews are needed to maintain those.

These wildland 20-member firefighting crews, who work 16-hour shifts with 50-pound packs on their backs, are those on the front lines “taking that fuel away from

Murray City Journal

the fire to try and stop it; we rely on these guys a lot,” he said, adding that the mobile crews can get into places where mechanized equipment cannot.

By mechanized equipment, Slatore is referring to fire engines that can carry 200-800 gallons of water, but face the steep incline of the Wasatch Front. They also use bulldozers and graders as well as helicopters that can dump 50 gallons of water. Aircraft carrying 11,000 gallons of retardant also are used to fight fires and “work ahead of crews putting in the line that’s going to make it difficult for the fire to pass them,” he said.

What’s difficult is winds limit the effectiveness as well as the ability to use aircraft. Slatore said they also work on a limited budget that is stretched thin when use of a plane costs “$22,000 per hour plus $60,000 for every drop of retardant” as well as the need to pay crews who work fighting fires 78 days longer than in the 1980s.

However, location of infrastructure is something to consider when people build cabins in the forest or even when subdivisions continue to approach the forests.

“What we saw with the Boulder fire in December, and that county is very similar to us in elevation and snow, is something we’re seeing more and more common where it used to just be in California fires. We have subdivisions tucked away in the mountains with light flashing fuels all around and it’s becoming more of a common thing in the West. We’ve been seeing in Oregon the last few years and now Colorado fire, which affect roughly the same size as Cottonwood Heights.

We’re talking about 1,000 homes in 100 mph winds.”

In 2020, there was an 80-acre Neff Canyon fire.

“We evacuated about 6,000 homes on that—that cost $1.9 million,” he said.

“Parleys Canyon fire was 541 acres and 10,000 people were evacuated. We’re looking at a cost of $3.1 million and that was even without a loss of structure.”

Slatore said with strong winds, older power grids have started fires in Utah and Wyoming, much like California.

“Two years ago, winds came off the Wasatch at a downhill slope at 70 miles per hour knocking down trees, pretty much shut down our cities for a few days with power outages,” he said. “When that happened, the downslope wind accelerated faster and reached destructive speeds when it impacted our communities at lower elevations making it more concerning for dangerous conditions.”

To combat those instances and others, crews are moving forward with prescribed fires, choosing an area and time to start fire on the ground.

Slatore said it’s hard to burn thou-

MurrayJournal .com

sands of acres of forests with cabins and infrastructure in place because of the possible damage to them or the beauty surrounding them, but if you don’t, there could be devastating results if a wildfire does occur.

There also is a concern with prescribed burns near Salt Lake City with an international airport as well as about “how much smoke particulates and then the downwind populations and sensitive populations concerning breathing,” he said.

While working to thin the forests, the U.S. Forest Service is partnering with the timber industry in Oregon, Washington and parts of Montana and Idaho, Jimenez added.

“You don’t see large timber coming off the mill…but the way we look at it, it’s great,” he said. “We’re keeping the community thriving, we’re meeting our objective by pulling fuel off the landscape so that we can put fire back on the landscape.

And the question to follow up with that is if we’re going to use prescribed burns, how much is going to be enough. It’s never going to be enough. We just can’t treat 200 million acres. We’re identifying where our fuel treatments are going to be the most effective and those are the area where we’re using funds we have and the crews we have to treat that landscape.” l

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July 2022 | Page 21

JULY-SEP EVENTS Serving Families Since 1885

LARKIN MORTUARY HONORS FAMILY PIONEER HERITAGE Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885. Today, with six generations of history serving Utah families, four mortuaries, cremation facilities and two cemeteries, Larkin Mortuary remains locally owned and family managed.

2022

EVENING SERIES

Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov July 9 ...............................................................................Jenny Oaks Baker Violin & Cello Student Workshop July 15-16, 18, 21-23 ..................................................Sister Act July 29-30.....................................................................A Celtic Summer’s Night, featuring Mairead Nesbitt Aug 12-13, 15, 18-20 ..................................................The Drowsy Chaperone Aug 26 ............................................................................Toast – the Ultimate Bread Experience!

Aug 27 ............................................................................Once Voice Children’s Choir Sep 2 ...............................................................................Carpenters Platinum – A Tribute Sep 9-10 ........................................................................Once On This Island Jr., Children’s Musical

LUNCH CONCERT SERIES

Tuesday at Noon in Murray Park Pavilion #5, FREE July 12 .........................................................................................................The Lazlos, Roots & Roll July 19 .........................................................................................................Iris (Britney Holman), Indie Pop/Folk July 26 ........................................................................................................Infusion Rock, Rock Ban

LIBRARY SUMMER SHORTS

Larkin’s vertically integrated services also provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, and beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures.

Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Murray Park Pavilion #5, FREE July 6 ..............................................................................................Scales & Tails, Reptile Show July 13 ............................................................................................Scariff Irish School of Dance July 20 ...........................................................................................Monroe’s Mountain Melodies, with Puppets July 27............................................................................................Longwings, Bird Show

LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Thursday at 2 p.m. in Murray Park Pavilion #5, FREE July 14 ............................................................................................................Kenshin Taiko, Japanese Drumming July 21 ............................................................................................................Rick Schwemmer, German Cow Bells July 28 ...........................................................................................................Paul Brewer, Magic Show

Taking Care of your Family’s Needs every step of the way

CHILDREN MATINEE SERIES

FAMILY NIGHT SERIES

Larkin Mortuary - Downtown 260 East South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 363-5781

Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 East 1300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (801) 582-1582

The 2nd Monday of every month at 7 p.m., FREE Murray Senior Recreation Center (#10 E 6150 S – 1/2 block west of State) July 11 ........................................................................................................Neo Vintage, Jazz & Bossanova Aug 8.........................................................................................................Company B, Oldies Sep 12 .......................................................................................................BD Howes Band, Acoustic Classic Rock

Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) Sandy, UT 84092 (801) 571-2771

Larkin Mortuary-Riverton 3688 West 12600 South Riverton, UT 84065 (801) 254-4850

STOP IN FOR STORIES

LarkinMortuary.com Page 22 | July 2022

Every Tues/Wed/Thurs at 11:15 a.m. in Murray Park White Gazebo, FREE Murray City Library sponsored outdoor story time full of books, songs and action rhymes for kids ages 2-7 and their families. Bring your blanket or lawn chair.

This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Murray City Journal

Utah Asian Festival celebrates 45 years of connection and celebration

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

T

he Utah Asian Festival, the longest-running festival of its kind west of the Mississippi, will be held in the Grand Building of the Utah State Fairpark (155 N. 1000 West) on Saturday, July 9, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Founded in 1977, the festival showcases Asian traditions, cuisine, dance, art and music from the dozens of nationalities that make up Utah’s fastest-growing ethnic population. Founders Jimi Mitsunaga, Lang Wong, Joe Arzacon and Chung Mun Lee organized the first festival with a vision to strengthen the connection between Asian communities in the state and cultivate ties with Utah residents.

“In 2022, we will be celebrating 45 years of success,” said Dr. Shu Cheng, executive director of the Asian Association of Utah. “Three generations of Asian Americans have volunteered to make the annual Utah Asian Festival fun and educational. The event transforms

Asian Americans into leaders and consolidates them into a cohesive core in Utah.”

Asian people have been part of the state’s history for more than 150 years. In September 2020, archaeologists from the Utah State Historic Preservation Office discovered remnants of a house built by Chinese railroad workers. Preservation officer Chris Merritt declared it to be “the first Chinese [transcontinental railroad workers’] home…in the entire nation.”

Utah’s leaders have assisted the federal government in sponsoring the resettlement of Asian immigrants and refugees from the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand and more, whose descendants have put down roots in the Beehive State.

“Not only will this all-day gathering serve to connect recent immigrants and refugees to the historic diasporas in the region, [but the festival] is a platform deeply benefiting Utahns of any background, honoring the ways

in which our state’s Asian families have preserved, persevered and flourished against the odds,” said UAF chairwoman Eunice Lanean. “[It’s an] opportunity to reunite with old friends, make new ones, break bread with our elders and youth, and forge bonds across generations that will last generations.”

The festival attracts thousands of people from all parts of the state and is the only event where Utah’s Asian communities come together to celebrate and honor their heritage, traditions and vibrant culture. This year’s event is described as “the boldest iteration yet” for the multicultural festival. For more information, visit UtahAsianFestival.org.

“When I learned that UAF originated as an attempt to unify the various Asian ethnic groups, I felt a sense of duty to continue the mission, especially in the midst of resurgent anti-Asian violence and discrimination,” said Emilio Manuel Camu, UAF’s cochair. “Our committee's duty is to

Asian fan dancers will perform at the Utah Asian Festival on Saturday, July 9. The event highlights the culture’s contributions to Utah through dance, cuisine, activities and art. (Courtesy of the Utah Asian Festival)

honor the past, remain relevant to all our peoples’ needs, and create durable, meaningful, cross-cul-

tural and inter-generational friendships along the way.” l

Salt Lake Valley mayors and police chiefs released a driver safety video, encouraging drivers to “Slow Down in Your Town.” (Courtesy of Salt Lake County)

‘Slow Down in Your Town’ video encourages safe summer driving

P

olice chiefs and mayors in the Salt Lake Valley joined forces to create a video asking drivers to slow down. Utah Department of Transportation officials reports that Utah averages 100 traffic fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day, approximately one death per day.

To combat dangerous driving practices like speeding, the mayors and police chiefs urge residents to drive the speed limit and be aware of road conditions.

“We are now in the 100 deadliest days of summer, the time of year when more drivers are traveling to destinations and traffic fatalities rise. Many of the fatal accidents are caused by

MurrayJournal .com

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com excessive speed,” said Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski.

The goal of the “Slow Down in Your Town” message comes after the summer of 2021, one of the deadliest summers in Utah history due to fatal traffic accidents.

“Law enforcement is heavily enforcing traffic and speeding laws but we can’t be everywhere,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera.

The safety video urge drivers to slow down when there are dangerous road conditions caused by weather or construction, be aware of cyclists and give them ample space, and to be safe behind the wheel as speeding is a key factor

in auto accidents. Distracted driving and driving under the influence are other factors that contribute to auto fatalities.

“I have joined the other mayors and police chiefs in the Salt Lake Valley to send a strong message to our residents to slow down,” Zoltanski said. “This is not just a Sandy issue; excessive speed is creating unsafe conditions in all of our communities. The goal of the ‘Slow Down in Your Town’ video is to amplify the message across the county. We can all solve the issue of unsafe roads by just slowing down.”

View the video at youtube.com.l

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Murray City Journal

UHSAA places boys soccer on probation

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

I

n a stand against poor sportsmanship, the Utah High School Activities Association has placed boys soccer on probation.

Coaches have questioned if their decision was accurate and if it will change.

“The Executive Committee voted to place the sport of boys soccer on probation due to the rise in ejections related to unsportsmanlike conduct,” the UHSAA said in a statement. “UHSAA programs will now have 14 allowable contests, down from 16.”

The sport will be on probation for the next three years. The committee will conduct annual reviews to assess the sport’s progress.

“I am really torn on this issue,” Hunter High School boys head coach Brett Solberg said. “UHSAA claims that in the past year 50% of all ejections were in boys soccer. I feel that is not a fair comparison. In soccer, you can get a red card for a handball or a foul as the last defender. If you foul out in basketball it is not considered an ejection.”

In soccer, a red card forces the player or coach to be removed from the contest and the team’s following match. Red cards can be assessed for several reasons: two yellow cards are an automatic red card, a handball, a foul as the last defender before the goalkeeper, leaving the field of play without authorization, and poor sportsmanship.

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“Not a single coach or administrator I have talked to knew anything about this being considered,” Copper Hills head coach Sean Terry said. “Unfortunately, when you are dealing with high school boys in a competitive sports setting, you will have isolated instances of poor sportsmanship.”

According to Terry referees have been instructed to take a no-tolerance approach to bad language on the field.

“I do not disagree with that approach, but if a player takes a hard foul from his opponent, then says something to the kid that fouled him, now he is red carded and out of the game. In football, that stuff happens, but the team will get a penalty and not an ejection,” Terry said.

Coaches agree that sportsmanship needs to be addressed and some changes need to be made. They do not think removing two games from the schedule will affect a change. More players may skip high school soccer and continue playing for a club team, high school teams just lose two contests.

“With the suspension of two games, we were hoping to travel to St. George in the preseason and play, but now we may not be able to,” Solberg said.

Most high schools have player and fan contracts that they sign before the season.

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This helps remind participants of what is acceptable.

“I work very hard with my players. We want them to be honest players,” Terry said.

“We will not tolerate a dirty player. We are all human, I would never say we are 100% in this area. We strive to improve every year.”

Player conduct will be re-evaluated after the season.

“For a majority of our matches things we’re fine,” Solberg said. “We had a close match against Kearns. The game got heated and it led to pushing and shoving, which was not OK. Before our next match with them, we got all of the players together at center circle. We discussed the game and that bad behavior would not be tolerated, and it was not a problem.” l

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Boys high school soccer teams will play two less games for the next three years due to being on probation. (Greg James/City Journals)

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July 2022 | Page 25

Cottonwood boys soccer surprises many during state tournament, capping a storybook season

S

tarting the 5A state tournament as the No. 22 seed could have easily eroded the confidence of the Cottonwood boys soccer team. But to the Colts’ credit they never let what some believed was a low seeding affect what they did on the field.

The 2022 season came to an unfortunate end at Skyline in the second round for this No. 22 seed—if you can call Cottonwood that—on May 17. But, the goals that this Colts team achieved this year came with so many firsts that it would be hard to call one season-ending 4-0 loss at perennial 5A power Skyline a failure, according to new Cottonwood head coach BryLee Harvest.

“Our season came to an end today, but what a remarkable and historic season that was for our boys program,” said Harvest, the first-year head coach who watched his Colts do what few believed was even possible and also do something that hasn’t been accomplished at Cottonwood since 2008.

The Colts had an 8-4 record in their first season in the new Region 7, 10-10 overall. What’s more is that for the first time in many years, these Colts were no pushover at state. That much was apparent after a two-overtime nonleague game that Harvest set up against 5A power Jordan one week before the state tournament showed the Colts’ determination. It was arranged to get Cottonwood ready for the state tournament grind. The Colts lost that one 2-1 in double overtime at Jordan in an all-out war on May 6, but it prepared them for what was to come.

Beginning with the 5A state tournament play-in game at home May 12 against No. 27 Timpview, Cottonwood didn’t act like a team at No. 22 that was ready to go quietly like those at the Utah High School Activities Association who put together the final RPI rankings must have thought. That said, there were some nerves going into this all-to-play-for decider for a state tournament berth early in the match.

“I cannot even recall how long it's been since we had the luxury of playing at home in the playoffs,” Harvest said.

“But, the boys were clearly jittery playing in front of our community and playing very sloppy.”

Timpview struck first blood in the first half, and years of futility seemed to be catching up to Cottonwood, said the coach.

“We just had no answers to their aggressive approach to the game,” Harvest said. “We recollected ourselves at halftime and had a couple chances here and there, but still could not break through their defense [that had bunkered in and was holding on for the win].”

According to Harvest, the Colts were playing with only three defenders in the back to try and get an equalizer. Then, with only three minutes to play, a cross into Timpview’s 18-yard box led to a scramble, said the Cottonwood coach.

Senior Isma Byangoy pounced on the loose ball and tapped it into the net past the flailing Timpview goalkeeper. What happened next, well, that’s why stories are written and told.

“It was just absolute mayhem when that ball hit the back of the net. The fans were screaming and the team received a huge boost of momentum in the game,” Harvest said.

Heading into overtime, one of Harvest’s assistant coaches approached him about keeping three defenders in the back and going for the early game winner, but ultimately left the decision up to him.

“I turned to the team [on the sideline] and said, ‘What do you guys want to do?’” Harvest said. “They said, ‘Coach, let's keep the extra attacker and go for the early goal in over-

Page 26 | July 2022

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Riyan Bakrim is one of a host of juniors returning next year for the Colts. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Having only lost five seniors this season, we will be back next year with a roster loaded on experience. We had over 16 juniors on this team and retain practically our entire starting lineup heading into the new season. This is only the beginning for this great group of boys.

BryLee Harvest time.’”

It was there in that overtime period that the Colts would immediately assert their dominance, scoring a banger of a crazy goal in the first two minutes for a 2-1 win. “[Junior] Diego Lopez whipped in a cross from near half-field and the ball landed in the feet of Riyan Bakrim who had to battle to get past their defenders. Bakrim shot the ball, deflecting off Timpview's defender straight up in the air and he proceeded to land hard on the ground,” Harvest said.

“Timpview's keeper was slightly high off his [goal] line and the ball just had this tremendous backspin and fell very oddly crossing over the goal line. [Junior] Riyan Bakrim actually had no idea that he had scored as he fell with his

back away from the goal, he claimed he just saw everyone rushing the field towards him,” Harvest said.

That comeback victory sent the Colts on the road for the first round of the state tournament — albeit against a familiar foe in crosstown Region 7 rival Hillcrest.

So the Colts took the short ride to Hillcrest, who despite losing twice to Cottonwood in league play were ranked 11th by the UHSAA. Nevertheless, for the third time this season the Colts dispatched their crosstown rival May 14 in relatively easy fashion in a 2-1 victory.

Another short bus trip up the road to Skyline, who was Cottonwood’s rival in the old Region 6 for several years resulted in a tough ending to the season in the round of 16.

But, in the new head coach’s eyes it was a storybook season regardless.

“It was a great underdog story that sets the standard for future Cottonwood soccer players,” Harvest said. “It may be a little while for our players to recover from the realization that our season is officially over, but when they do, I want them to know that they have made their community proud and have restored pride back to Cottonwood soccer.”

This state tournament run that was kickstarted by a five-game unbeaten streak in Region 7 also proved that these Colts could well be thoroughbreds by the time 2023 comes around.

“Having only lost five seniors this season, we will be back next year with a roster loaded on experience,” Harvest said. “We had over 16 juniors on this team and retain practically our entire starting lineup heading into the new season.

This is only the beginning for this great group of boys.” l

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July 2022 | Page 27

Cottonwood baseball upset early in the state playoffs after a see-saw season

T

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

o say that the Cottonwood High School baseball team had an up and down season would be a giant understatement.

On a team that had a number of impressive win streaks followed by baffling losses in the preseason, but had six seniors and then dusted their competition by sorting out their struggles to win their first title in the new Region 7, the Colts were riding high in that saddle going into the Super Regional of the 5A state tournament where they were not only seeded fifth—they got a bye in the first round.

That set Cottonwood [18-9] up for a 5A Super Regional showdown at home against Wasatch, ranked No. 13. The Wasps had just stung No. 20 Tooele out of Cottonwood’s same region, in the Regional, blanking the Buffs 10-0 and 2-0 in two straight games.

But if you were a betting man, you would have sworn that the Colts would have no trouble stomping all over Wasatch, because that’s precisely what Cottonwood did to Tooele in region play—except it was much worse.

That is why you play the games.

In game one of the Super Regional May 19, Cottonwood hosted Wasatch, who in the first inning scored four runs and handed the Colts a surprising 12-1 loss.

In game two, however, the Colts showed why they were the No. 5 seed in all of Class 5A, smashing home 14 runs in just four innings, including a grand slam by senior Jaycob Green, who before that tape measure home run had never hit one this season. But Cottonwood didn’t just score 14 runs on 13 hits; the Colts decimated Wasatch 14-4 in just four and a half innings on May 20.

That set the table for a do-or-die game three 30 minutes after the second game had ended, an elimination game that was as seesaw as Cottonwood’s season. The Colts coughed up a run in the top of the first inning, but scored four in the bottom of the second. Then Wasatch scored two runs in the top of the third to narrow the Cottonwood lead to 4-3. The Colts answered with a run of their own in the bottom of that inning to extend their lead to 5-3.

That’s when the Wasps stung Cottonwood with six runs in the top of the fourth, including a homer to put Cottonwood back in a 9-5 hole.

The Colts didn’t score in the fourth, but neither did Wasatch, and that gave Cottonwood some juice going into the fifth inning stretch. The home team desperately needed to get on base and start a rally, and they did just that on a double from senior Parker Burk

Jaycob Green holds up his mitt after making a diving catch in left field. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

in the bottom of the fifth.

Another Colt brought Burk home with an RBI double, and then yet another Cottonwood player hit a RBI double in a crazy inning that saw the Colts go through their entire batting order, watch Burk get hit by a pitch in his second at-bat of the inning, score five runs and take the lead back at 10-9.

Nobody scored in the sixth, which led

to a wild finish in the seventh inning when Wasatch scored to send the game into extra innings.

The Colts were unable to capitalize in the bottom of the eighth like the visitors did, catapulting Cottonwood out of the 5A state tournament in a shocking early-round upset, a 11-10 loss. l

FDA approval provides COVID vaccines for children between 6 months and 5 years old

W

ith COVID now the fourth leading cause of death for children under the age of 1 and the fifth leading cause of death for children ages 5 and under, medical professionals believe the approval of a new COVID vaccine for children is a glimmer of hope.

Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Utah and director of epidemiology at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, discussed the new vaccine approved by the FDA in June.

“This is really a big step,” Pavia said. “We’ve had several months now in which there’s been a lot of disease out there and younger children have not had any vaccine availability to provide them protection. It’s caused a lot of heartache for parents.”

The FDA reviewed scientific evidence submitted for vaccines by Moderna, for children ages 6 months to 5 years, and Pfizer-BioNTech, for children ages 6 months to 4 years. The advisory panel of outside experts unanimously voted for approval of both vaccines for this age group 21-0.

Pavia understands many parents have vaccine hesitancy in regard to COVID. He suggests parents talk with a trusted healthcare provider to get reliable information about the vaccine and how it can help keep their children safe.

“I think you should do it,” he said. “I would vaccinate my grandkids if I had any, but I think it’s really a decision every parent needs to make.”

This age group is the last to be approved for a COVID vaccine, which can now be found at pediatrician offices, pharmacies, the Salt Lake County Health Department and other health

Page 28 | July 2022

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com departments.

“It’s a myth that children don’t get sick with COVID because they do and it’s been pretty tragic,” he said.

At the beginning of the pandemic, COVID targeted older people but with the Delta and Omicron variants, the number of children infected is rising. More than 570,000 children under the age of 1 and nearly 2 million between the ages of 1 and 4 have been diagnosed with COVID since March 2020, with the numbers rising significantly since the beginning of the year.

Numbers are expected to spike this fall and winter as kids return to school and daycare, and as new variants appear on the scene.

“With Omicron, it really hit kids hard,” Pavia said.

“During Omicron, 15% of all visits of children to the emergency department were due to COVID. This represented several million emergency department visits…Once Omicron hit, it was actually kids 6 months to 4 years old who had the highest hospitalization rates.”

The vaccine is formulated for small children, with Pfizer suggesting three doses to provide optimal protection, and Moderna recommending two, although the company said three would be better. Infants under 6 months don’t need a vaccine if their mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy. In that case, the antibodies pass to the baby, offering immunity for the first six months of life.

As with other COVID vaccines, side effects include soreness and redness at the injection site, possible swelling in the lymph nodes, fever and irritability. He said getting kids vac-

Children under 5 are now eligible for a COVID vaccine. The FDA approved the vaccines created by Moderna and Pfizer that are now available in pediatrician offices, pharmacies and health departments.

(Stock photo)

cinated for COVID can help slow the disease and keep small children safer.

“Talk it over with someone who really knows and that means your provider,” Pavia said. “Not a friend on Facebook, not a Reddit thread, and think it through because it’s important that you make that decision for yourself. However, if you compare it to other things we vaccinate our kids for, the vaccine is at least as safe, based on everything we know to date.” l

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Teed Off

I

t was the height of COVID. We were trying to figure out Zoom meetings and DoorDash and online grocery shopping. I’d been laid off. The world was topsy-turvy.

Stress levels were off the charts.

My husband decided we weren’t fighting enough, so he thought he’d teach me to golf.

I was young and naive and thought it would give us a break from the COVID lockdowns and Netflix binging. But two years later, it’s become the most infuriating part of my life. A sport with an uppity dress code should have been the first clue.

We got to the golf arena and rented a cart, which is really the only reason to golf.

Tom gave me the scorecard like I understood “par” or colors or numbers. We drove to the starting line and he proceeded to give me my first golf lesson.

“What club are you going to use?” he asked.

“How should I know? Sandwich?

Soda? Strip?”

Tom swore, handed me a club and instructed, “Widen your stance, get closer to the ball, shoulders up, head down, knees together, thumbs out, straighten the arms but bend the elbows. Twist, but don’t move your hips. Watch the ball. Watch the ball!”

After getting me in peak form, I took a swing. I totally missed the ball and sprained

MURRAY

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

several unused muscles in my back.

“You’re pulling up,” he said, unhelpfully.

“Pulling up what?”

“Just pulling up.”

“I don’t understand the words you’re using,” I replied. I considered throwing a ball at his head.

“You know, just don’t pull up.”

I glanced around the course, certain a divorce lawyer had to be within range.

“Watch,” he said. “This is what you’re doing.”

Tom then proceeded to reenact my swing, which, according to him, looks like I’m trying to kill a spider with a baseball bat.

“Don’t do that,” he said. “Understand?”

“Do you understand alimony?” I mumbled.

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It’s gone downhill from there, but at least now I’ve learned golf etiquette, like how driving the cart through those fun sand dunes is frowned upon. And I should whisper on the golf field unless I miss a shot, and then I’m supposed to yell a swear word and throw my golf bat in the lake.

I also learned I shouldn’t shout “Fore!” every time I take a swing, and kicking the ball onto the fairway is a cool golf-pro trick. And the drink cart is like an ice-cream truck for grown-ups.

After watching Tom’s conniption when he hit a ball into the creek, I asked him, “You do this to relax? Is it working?”

He gritted his teeth and drove to the next hole. I sat back and watched the beautiful scenery. I’ve seen deer, squirrels, ducks and bunnies romping near the “greens,” which is a lazy name if I’ve ever heard one.

Maybe during the next pandemic, Tom can teach me how to pole vault or we could join a curling team or maybe we could do a DIY extension to our house. There are just so many ways to start a fight.

Peri Kinder is an award-winning humor writer and hosts the Life & Laughter podcast. She’s also a yoga/meditation instructor and life coach.

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July 2022 | Page 31