Sandy City Journal November 2018

November 2018 | Vol. 18 Iss. 11

FREE ONE YEAR LATER: HALE CENTER THEATRE in Sandy ‘exceeds everybody’s expectations’

By Justin Adams | j.adams@mycityjournals.com

W

hen Hale Center Theatre opened its new home in Sandy last year, it represented more than just a new theater town. It was also the first major attraction to be implemented as part of the city’s Cairns master plan, a bold idea by the city administration to create a new downtown area for the Salt Lake Valley. The stability of any cairn (a stack of rocks used to guide hikers along a path) is dependent on the base — the first rocks that are placed. As the first “rock” to be placed, Hale Center Theatre’s success or failure would have a huge impact on the eventual success or failure of the entire Cairns project. So, the question is: has Hale Center Theatre been successful in its first year?

The answer: a resounding yes.

“We were hoping and thinking that if everything went really well, we’d be able to seat 430,000 people this calendar year but we’re actually going to be able to seat well over half a million,” said Hale Theatre’s Chief Operations Officer Michael Fox when he reported to the Sandy City Council on October 9.

The theater has outperformed its goals in other metrics as well. They hoped to put on 673 performances this year. They’re currently on track for 750. They hoped to have 27,000 season ticket holders. They now have 29,000, which Fox noted is more than the Utah Jazz.

Those statistics, offered to the city council as an accountability report, was enough to convince city councilors that the round-stage theater is a solid foundation for the Cairns.

“I’m glad to renew my tickets,” said Councilman Steve Fairbanks, who mentioned he was initially skeptical the theater would be financially viable enough to pay back the $42.7 million bond the city issued to help pay for the construction of the building.

“What a great asset this is for our community. I think it’s exceeded everybody’s expectations,” added Councilman Chris McCandless, who was instrumental in landing Hale Center Theatre in Sandy.

Mark Dietlein, the theater’s president and

Hale Center Theatre’s yearly production of “A Christmas Carol” is a fan-favorite. (Courtesy of Hale Center Theatre)

CEO, told the Sandy Journal they expected it to take four to five years before the theater started to pull in 500,000 visitors in a year.

“The response of the public to come here to attend shows and be entertained has just been phenomenal,” he said.

Dietlein, who is the grandson of Ruth and Nathan Hale after whom the theater is named, remembers when his grandparents opened their first Utah theater in 1985. He recalled that it “looked like an X-rated movie joint in an abandoned lingerie factory,” a far cry from the theater’s home now.

The Mountain America Performing Arts Center, which now houses Hale Center Theatre, is one of the most imposing landmarks along the I-15 corridor. Its spacious lobby with crystal

chandeliers welcomes theater patrons and lets them know they’re in for a world-class experience.

But the theater’s calling card is the 900seat theater-in-the-round stage that boasts some of the best technology in the world. Motorized cranes raise and lower massive platforms on and off the center stage, allowing massive set pieces to be changed in and out quickly, such as a double-decker carousel or massive guillotine in its current production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Combine all that with the superb talents of hundreds of designers, choreographers and actors and it’s not hard to see why Hale Center Theatre has been drawing in such massive crowds in its first year.

“We don’t strive for customer satisfaction.

We strive for customer astonishment. That’s what gets people wanting to come back,” said Dietlein.

The new theater is a world-class experience not just for patrons, but for its employees as well. Hale Center employs over 60 full-time employees, 150 regular part-time employees and about 500 actors throughout the year, almost all of whom live along the Wasatch Front.

One of those employees is Sharon Kenison, who has been with Hale Center Theatre since its earliest days as an actress and now also works for the events department.

“Everyone’s super excited to be here. It’s heaven backstage, to have the dressing rooms, green room and kitchen that we do,” said Kenison.

Continued on page 5...

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Sandy City Journal

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November 2018 | Page 3

After 40 years of teaching preschool, Pat Mehler isn’t going anywhere The Sandy City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Sandy.

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By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

at Mehler of Sandy has taught preschool classes in her basement for the last 40 years.

Kids love teacher Pat, and their energy and love keeps her going strong year after year.

When it’s pick-up time at Pat’s Preschool in Sandy, parents wait in their cars in front of her house. Soon, 15 4-year-olds appear with backpacks on their backs, projects in their hands and smiles on their faces. Behind them, an energetic teacher emerges. Mehler doles out hugs and keeps the kids from running into the street.

“I love every minute of it. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t do it,” said Mehler, who has run a preschool in her home for nearly 40 years. She stands in her driveway and socializes, waiting to go inside until every child is picked up. Many parents have known her for years, or were students of hers themselves, and want to chat.

Middle school kids walking home see Mehler and rush over for a hug. She loves and has time for them all.

On Oct. 15 the preschool had a special treat: a visit from Lenore Corey and Kimberly Hornberger of the Sandy City Fire Education Team. Corey has welcomed Mehler’s students to the fire station for their annual field trip for more than 10 years. “Pat is the best. She’s so thoughtful and kind and caring,” Corey said.

The presentation on fire safety was moved to the preschool this year while the station is remodeled. Kids love the fun props during the lesson. They call out answers to questions about candles and hot stoves. They practice “Stop, Drop and Roll!” and Mehler sings and rolls right alongside them.

Mehler was raised in Monticello, Utah, and her father was the principal of the high school.

When she moved to Sandy in the 1970s, she and her husband looked for a house. “I told Steve that I had to get a house that had a backyard and a basement so that I could teach preschool,” Mehler said. They found it, and have been in the house ever since.

While raising four children of her own, Mehler opened Pat’s Preschool in 1978. Parents in the neighborhood started sending their kids there. Thanks to word-of-mouth advertising, she’s been full every year. Her grown daughters, Ashlee and Hollie, now help her as teach-

Thank You

Pat Mehler (back right) with a group of her preschool students in 2017. Mehler’s daughter Hollie Greenwood (back left) grew up with a preschool in her house, and is now an assistant teacher. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

ing assistants.

Angela Hogan Rich grew up in Sandy and was in one of Mehler’s first preschool classes.

“What’s amazing is that Pat still remembers me.

She really loves and remembers her kids years later. And I have great memories of the end-ofyear water party,” said Rich. With a five-day-aweek schedule, and morning and afternoon (and summertime!) sessions, an estimated 2,000+ students have gone to Pat’s Preschool.

Education at the school is decidedly lowtech. There are no computers or fancy curriculum. There is a lot of coloring, sharing, and emphasis on basics like the alphabet and colors. When the weather’s good, kids play in the backyard.

“I want the kids to build self-esteem. I want them to like coming to school. I want them to develop social skills and know that someone loves them,” said Mehler of her philosophy and curriculum.

Kids at Pat’s learn to sit on their “spot” at group time and take turns. They learn about holidays, bring show-and-tell, sing fun songs and of course eat snacks. There are cooking lessons

when Mehler takes the whole group upstairs to her kitchen and makes smoothies, homemade doughnuts or veggie trays. And there is a field trip about once a month.

Mehler’s preschool thrives on traditions, like the graduation party. It takes place in her backyard at the end of the school year. Mehler and her daughters set up wading pools, and kids bring lunches and play and watch a magic show with their families.

Graduation day encapsulates all that is important to Mehler. Outside play, time with peers, time with family and individual recognition. Mehler reads each student’s name one by one and brings them to the front. She gives them a hug, a diploma and some bubbles. “I want each student to have their special moment in front of their family members and friends,” Mehler said.

Families who come to graduation and still have little ones at home all say the same thing to Mehler. “Please just do this for another year so my other child can come!” She can’t make any promises, but smiles and tells them, “I’ll do it for as long as I can.” l

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Page 4 | November 2018

Sandy City Journal

...continued from front page “The sky is the limit as far as what we can do here,” she said.

In addition to providing employment to hundreds of Utahns, Hale Center Theatre has a direct benefit for the residents of Sandy.

When people come in to the city to attend a performance, they will also often go to dinner somewhere nearby. Sometimes they’ll drop

down to South Towne Mall for a little shopping beforehand or fill up their car with gas before driving home. Many people even come from out of state to attend performances (the theater sold tickets to residents of 45 different states last year) and they stay in nearby hotels. All of this contributes tax dollars to Sandy’s tax base, which means the city can rely on residents’

Hale Center Theater’s 2018 season included a number of Disney-related productions, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame. (Courtesy of Hale Center Theatre)

hotels on their way, the Cairns project still has several rocks to add on to the base that Hale Center Theatre has helped solidify.

“As the Cairns further develops over the next several years, it’s going to be a hip and happening place. As a business you want to be right there in the middle of it,” said Dietlein.l

Performers rehearse for Hale Center Theater’s production of “The Music Man.” (Courtesy of Hale Center Theatre)

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The theater’s economic impact on the city is estimated to be $24.60 per customer, according to Fox. That adds up to nearly $13 million that’s been brought into Sandy’s economy this year alone. And it could just be the beginning.

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Sandy City Journal

A Sandy classic gone: The waterslides at Classic Fun Center will be replaced by new activities

By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

C

lassic Fun Center in Sandy opened in 1979. In September 2018, the slides were removed to make way for a new building with new attractions, and owners are open to suggestions.

If waterslide names like Octopus or Stingray mean something to you, it’s probably because you spent time at the Classic Fun Center waterslides in the last 40 years. Hopefully, you got your fill of them this past summer, because Classic has cleared the site to make way for a new building and more indoor attractions.

“I’ve been with Classic since 1991. We loved the waterslides and there’s a lot of nostalgia there, but they’ve run their course,” said Jared Halls, general manager and part-owner of Classic Fun Center, in October. The waterslides were part of the original complex and opened in the 1979–1980 season. But summer 2018 was their swan song. When the waterslides closed for the season in September, they were removed permanently.

As waterparks go, it wasn’t huge. There were four waterslides, all original to the park, which emptied into a splash pool. In recent years, the slide mats that were once a luxury were used by nearly all patrons. The mats prevented sore bottoms and torn swimsuits from the bumps in the slide connections. There was also a grassy area for patrons to sit, a kiddie area with picnic tables and a lazy river feature into the 1990s.

Halls said Classic had one of the first waterparks in Utah. But Utah’s weather is problematic for a waterpark. The short summer season and unpredictable weather are hard to negotiate financially. For example, Aug. 27 was one of the last dates the park was open, and the weather turned cold and windy with rain and lightning, which is a deal-breaker for swimming.

Abbey, a nine-year old patron, was there that day with her cousins. “I rode on the Octopus slide three times and had so much fun.

We didn’t know it was going to close after this summer. We got the last chance to go to the waterpark. I hope they build a new one. But now the Classic waterslides are only a legend,” Abbey said.

Management is interested in the public’s ideas. The plans are already drawn for a connecting building to be built on the former waterpark site. But as far as what will go inside the building, that is still open to suggestion.

“The building will be two stories, we know that. That keeps our options open for tall things like a rock climbing wall. We did a poll on Facebook a couple weeks ago and got a lot of good ideas. And people talk to me almost every day about what they’d like us to include,” said Halls.

One suggestion they’re looking at is a way to bring the waterpark indoors so it could be used year round. Those plans would include installing an indoor surfing pool or splash pad.

The waterslides removed from Classic Fun Center left an empty canvas in Sandy near 9000 South and I-15. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

And there are no changes planned to the current indoor activities: skating, laser tag, bounce houses, birthday parties and the dime arcade.

Currently, the plans are being reviewed by Sandy City. “In an ideal world, we’d be breaking ground as soon as the snow melts in spring

2019 and opening the new building by Christmas 2019. But there are a lot of things that can get in the way to slow the process,” said Halls.

One of those things is the site itself. Halls said the ground where the waterpark sat had originally been level. The slides and splash pool were created by digging out the land for the pool, then piling it up to create the hill where the slides started. To re-create a level building site, the construction project will reverse that process.

Regardless of what activities go in the new building, “there are some things that we are really proud of that won’t change. First, we’re a huge advocate and supporter of the school systems. We do family skate nights for schools for little to no cost and other school activities.

Second, we are fun and affordable; it’s the staycation concept. It’s safe and families can afford it,” Halls said.

And last, the managers at Classic will choose activities that get kids and families moving. “We believe in fun and fitness. We’re looking for things where kids are playing and burning calories without realizing that they’re exercising,” said Halls. With their upcoming November trip to the Amusement Park Convention (best job requirement ever?), Halls and the other owners are likely to come back with some great ideas. l

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November 2018 | Page 7

Survey says! Newman family shows the love on ‘Family Feud’

By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

T

he Newman siblings grew up in Sandy. After making it through a long audition process, they were on three episodes of “Family Feud” that aired in October and won them $20,000.

Have you ever wanted to be on a game show? Lisa Aldridge had. Aldridge, who was raised in Sandy, got four of her other siblings together to audition for the game show “Family Feud.” After making a fun audition tape, waiting several months and doing many mock rounds, they were chosen for the show. They flew to LA and won $20,000 on three episodes of “Family Feud” that aired on KJZZ in October.

Ken Newman, the team captain for the family, said it all started when the “Family Feud” game show auditions came to the Sandy South Towne Expo Center. “The audition process is elaborate. We started the process in January 2017 (Aldridge remembers it as November 2016). First, you have to submit an audition tape. For our video, we dressed up as superheroes. And we got a callback,” said Newman (the audition is on YouTube – search “Super Hero Entire Newman Family Feud”).

“They’re looking for people with a lot of energy, people who will be fun to watch and not freeze on camera. So we were pretty enthusiastic. We were invited to the mock round in Utah.

There were a lot of people there. They taped it and sent it to the studio. Since I was the team captain, I was supposed to hear back in six to

Page 8 | November 2018

Siblings L to R: Joe Newman, Dave Newman, Michelle Ellsworth, host Steve Harvey, Lisa Aldridge and Ken Newman. (Photo Courtesy Nicole Winer/BWR Media Relations)

eight weeks. But eight weeks passed, and so we just thought, ‘Well, that was fun but we missed it,’” said Newman.

Aldridge had really wanted to be on the

game show. “It was me who said we should do this. I thought my siblings would say they didn’t have time. But they all said they wanted to do it, so when we auditioned, we went all out,” Aldridge said.

They hadn’t missed their chance. “About 12 weeks after that first audition, my brother Ken sent out a text to all of us saying that the producers saw our tape and wanted us to be on the show! There were about a thousand people there that day, and only 10 percent make it through, and we had made it through. I guess it just took longer than they thought it would,” Aldridge said.

But scheduling issues arose. “We’re all adults with our own lives, kids and jobs. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to coordinate that. So even though the producers sent us several dates, none of them worked for us. We thought we had missed our chance again. That was April 2017,” said Aldridge.

And then, the best birthday present ever. “I got an email from the producers on Lisa’s birthday with more options for dates. I sent texts to my brothers and sisters, and this time there was a date that worked. We replied as fast as we could and got scheduled for the show,” said Newman.

In March 2018, five Newman siblings — Joe, Ken, Lisa, Michelle and Dave — were flown out to Hollywood where the show is filmed (other siblings Laura and Jeff couldn’t make it). “They put us up in a 5-star hotel and

brought us to the studio. They tape four episodes a day, so we were there from 9 a.m. until about 5 p.m. taping,” Aldridge said.

The siblings built new memories. “We’re an energetic and loud bunch to begin with, and for TV they want you to be really enthusiastic.

At one point, my brother Joe jumped up and touched his feet at Steve Harvey’s request. And my sister Lisa hit the buzzer so hard that on her next turn Steve stood back away from it,” Newman said.

The family had to stay quiet about the details until the episodes aired on Oct. 3, 4, and 8. But the results are in! The Newman siblings were on three episodes, won twice and were defeated once, and won a “Fast Money” round, which garnered them $20,000 total.

Aldridge said that even though the process was long and there was a lot of waiting, it was all worth it. “The other contestants on the show were really nice and happy for you if you won.

It was the most unique and amazing experience I’ve ever had.”

The best part of the experience? “We had so much fun! We’re all parents now, so when we get together it’s always with kids, we’re always wearing the parent hat. But we had so much fun as kids growing up, and while we were doing this, we were just us. Even if we hadn’t been on the show, the whole process of reconnecting as brothers and sisters was worth it,” Aldridge said. l

Sandy City Journal

Sandy City receives award for its short term rental ordinance

By Justin Adams | j.adams@mycityjournals.com

T

his August, the Sandy City Council passed a new city ordinance regulating the use of short-term rental units (such as Airbnb). In October, the city received an award for that ordinance.

The award came courtesy of the Utah chapter of the American Planning Association.

During its fall conference, they awarded Sandy city its Achievement Award for the best city ordinance. It’s the highest award they give out, according to City Council Analyst Dustin Prado.

“We were really excited. It’s great to have a group of professional planners look at our ordinance and deem it worthy of an award like that,” said Prado, who helped develop the details of the ordinance over the course of 18 months.

Prado said he thinks the award was given as much to recognize the process that the ordinance went through as much as the final product. A key component of that process was meeting one-onone with any resident who had concerns about the issue.

“It was a concerted effort by both staff and elected officials to meet with any resident that wanted to come in and talk to us about this,” he said.

Dozens of concerned residents also attended city council meetings over the months in which the ordinance was drafted. Much of the input provided by residents was eventually incorporated into legislation.

The final ordinance represented a compromise that balanced the property rights of shortterm rental owners with the concerns of skeptical neighbors.

The effectiveness of the ordinance can perhaps best be exemplified by one resident who came to the meeting intending to strongly oppose any legislation that allowed STRs, but after hearing the council staff’s explanation and the ordinance’s details, completely changed his mind and fully supported the legislation.

How often does that happen? l

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November 2018 | Page 9

Behind school walls: Schools, districts address students’ concerns, needs and safety Schools and school districts provide more services than buses, textbooks

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

L

ast year, a female student in a Granite School District secondary school broke up with her boyfriend. However, before the breakup, she sent inappropriate photos of herself to him, which he then threatened to send to others.

District officials were able to seize the devices, collect images and put a stop to the potential spread of child pornography, and at the same time provide comfort to the female student that those photos weren’t spread.

“It was brought to our attention, so we were able to act quickly,” Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley said. “We need our students to be able to feel safe to be able to learn, and once someone violates that, such as with internet safety, it impacts our school environment.”

Internet safety is just one of many concerns school administrators and school district officials are managing these days, which include not having enough school bus drivers; increasing enrollment, resulting in not having enough lockers, textbooks or seats for students in class; and being concerned about going over the student limit assigned to teachers. School districts need to be concerned with medical and food issues, content material, sexual harassment and safety matters that aren’t seen by the general public.

“We’re dealing with issues that didn’t even exist 10 or 20 years ago,” Horsley said. “But we’re wanting to create an environment and a community that is safe and all-encompassing and provides resources, skills and knowledge.”

Internet safety Horsley said about 80 to 85 percent of Granite schoolchildren carry a cellphone — even many low socio-economic families.

“It’s considered a must-have item, but with parents working, there are many students using it without supervision and that’s when cyberbullying, sexting, viewing pornography on school property comes about,” he said, adding that the district does provide a parents’ guide for smartphones.

While Horsley said the district works with administrators and, when needed, law enforcement on a case-by-case basis, a positive with cellphones has come about with the use of the SafeUT app, which allows anyone to anonymously report tips of harassment, suicide, threats, family crisis, bullying and other issues.

“Granite has a 24/7 police department that can follow up on tips that are threatening, drug abuse, cutting, suicide and welfare checks,” he said, adding that the district is receiving more tips — about 1,000 last year — than their anonymous text line that has been in place for years.

“We’ve had three instances where classmates have tipped us off and saved lives.”

At nearby Murray School District, spokeswoman D Wright said social media is a concern.

“Messaging incorrectly is something everybody is concerned about,” she said. “Our

Page 10 | November 2018

principals have jurisdiction first, then if needed, the school district and others are brought in. We look at the individual and what the best outcome is for our student.”

Elk Meadows Elementary’s Aaron Ichimura, who has been a principal for six years in Jordan School District, said he has occasionally had to deal with postings on social media.

“Usually, it’s rude comments like so-andso should have something bad happen because the student may be unhappy with something that happened at recess, but they could be back to being best friends the next day,” he said.

“When it disrupts what’s going on at school, we bring in the students and parents and discuss respect, responsibility and safety. We’ve had a couple times where we can delete a post, but they also learn that once something is online, it can be there forever.”

Alta High Principal Brian McGill, in Canyons District, said each grade level has a digital citizenship plan and policies are reviewed annually. The school hosts, as many do throughout the Salt Lake Valley, a Netsmartz assembly where students learn about their responsibilities on social media.

While McGill said that sometimes the line is carefully walked with students’ First Amendment rights, there will be questions asked if there is a statement, for example to a teacher, that is defamatory or threatening.

“We will ask questions on the intent and perception and note if this is a kind of message that people will take offense,” he said.

Mental health Murray School District Prevention Specialist Deb Ashton said mental health is becoming a big concern for their students. The district has instituted a national program to help with the social and emotional well-being of students.

“A lot of decisions go into which evidence-based programs we use, and we research the issues being addressed and the need for bully and cyberbully prevention,” she said.

Suicide prevention also has been part of Murray District’s push, as suicide is the leading cause of death for secondary school students, Ashton said.

“We work with students and parents getting referrals and the tools they need to get help,” she said. “This is our first year with schoolbased mental health clinicians in our schools.

With the high rate of suicide, we see mental health issues intertwined with depression and our students are struggling with the issues, so we’re making it easier for them to get help.

“The more we can help the students, the more they will succeed academically. We’re looking into helping the child in all areas. I don’t think everyone is aware of the goal to provide a safe education, in all aspects of the word, that prepares students for career, college and post high school training,” Ashton said.

In Jordan School District, spokeswom-

an Sandy Riesgraf said there is a health and wellness task force looking at ways to improve the social, physical and mental well-being of schoolchildren.

“If kids aren’t taken care of, they can’t learn,” she said. Jordan District added 36 psychologists this year so every elementary has a full-time health and mental professional to match those already in place at the secondary schools.

“We’re learning that students may be feeling down, but they don’t know why, or they feel they can’t live up to an image, or deal with peer pressure. We want them to talk about it, work it out, so they feel safe and secure,” Riesgraf said.

Teachers also are trained to be aware of mental health and suicide as well as emergency safety, she said.

School safety Riesgraf said a $1 million training was approved by the Jordan Board of Education in an effort to best provide students a safe environment.

“We work intensely with local law enforcement, meeting weekly with police and finding ways to enhance students’ safety and how best to respond to an emergency,” she said. “We also want our students to know if they ‘see something, say something.’ We don’t want them to be afraid, but to come forward for everyone’s safety.”

Ichimura said the training was beneficial.

“We know what steps to take and we conduct regular drills from fire to intruder to earthquake so we’re all more familiar with what we should be doing,” he said.

Canyons School District sends postcards home, explaining drills so parents are aware of what is being done.

And while a number of schools have increased safety in their schools, from using more surveillance cameras and installing security vestibules, Corner Canyon High in Draper invited police to help prepare teachers for an intruder drill.

“We had police-fire simulated rounds in different parts of the school, so they would know what it sounded like and practice how they should respond,” Corner Canyon High Principal Darrell Jensen said. “We also had all our faculty become first aid trained, so if there is an emergency, they can respond.”

Responsiveness Besides cyberbullying, in-person bullying still occurs in most schools. Last year, teenagers drove by a Viewmont Elementary boy walking to his Murray home, calling him names with racial slurs and hateful remarks. Led by his mother and coach, a large outpouring of support from the community came to his aid with dozens walking him home days later.

Former Viewmont Principal Matt Nelson responded, planning to make tolerance part of the school curriculum.

“Together, we can stand up and rally together to show our acceptance and support for our students,” Nelson said. “We talk about intolerance and racism and the need for inclusion.

It’s our differences that make us stronger. We need to embrace them.”

While that occurred outside of the school, Wright said each incident is a concern that they review.

Similarly, McGill addressed alleged racial slurs yelled earlier this year from fans at the Sky View girls soccer team during a game against Alta. After identifying fans who were at the game from photographs, he launched a 40hour to 50-hour inquiry.

“We fully investigated the situation,” he said. “I interviewed 25 individuals, 12 parents, both teams and coaches, the referee, and although not one person sustained the comments, we didn’t stop there.

McGill issued an apology to the other team, their coaches and their families. He also had the two teams meet to have lunch together and he has worked with his entire school to focus on sportsmanship.

“Many of the girls play club soccer together, so they know one another,” he said. “We’ve watched a USHAA video of what competition should look like at schools and our class officers and SBOs are having open, candid discussions.”

Granite’s Cottonwood High School, which has a high population of diversity including refugees, said that if a student says something derogatory, it is addressed immediately.

“We have a conversation right on the spot,” said Principal Terri Roylance, who has been an administrator for 10 years. “If the kids don’t understand their remarks, we call the parents in, but 98 percent of them understand after we talk with them.”

Although teachers are required to have many trainings and attend professional development workshops, occasionally something slips through the cracks. As was the case with Indian Hills Middle School in Sandy earlier this year when a teacher gave students a survey to get to know them better. Although students’ answers were anonymous, Principal Doug Graham said it made students and parents uncomfortable, and several questions — such as religious beliefs, mental health concerns and sexual preferences — shouldn’t have been asked.

“We were honest and open,” Graham said about his handling the situation. “Things happen, but we also need to look at how we handle them. The teacher was trying to get to know her students, but in the process, mistakes were made.”

The mistakes — from asking the inappropriate questions to Graham telling her to delete all parts of the survey and its responses — were made public.

“I was thinking about shredding the survey

Sandy City Journal

Students at Silver Mesa Elementary participate in anti-bullying classes in 2016. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

and answers when I learned it was all online.

Then, I told her to delete it and all the data as well. So, when parents wanted to see the survey, I didn’t have it,” Graham said. “When put in context, it explains why we did what we did, but it doesn’t excuse it.”

Graham said last year, when students were helping with a food drive, “students didn’t understand how these realities could affect classmates in their community.”

Although the teacher was trying to make a connection with the survey and her heart was in the right place to help the students, Graham said better communication and training will be put in place.

“We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said. “It’s best for our community, to admit to making a mistake, apologize, ask for their understanding and for them to have confidence in us.”

Jordan’s Riesgraf said the first step for parents who may have a concern about their student is to contact the school.

“Our parents and students are our customers and we want to address their questions and

S andy Journal .com

answer their concerns,” she said. “If parents don’t like a particular book in class and don’t want their children reading it, the Book Review Committee has an approved list and they can work with teachers to find an alternative book.

If there’s a fight, schools are best to handle it and if need be, the school resource officer, and can help provide intervention and counseling.”

Assistance Roylance said that with the diverse Cottonwood High student body, there is a need to provide students with other assistance — food, personal hygiene, clothing and school supplies.

“Two years ago, our student body president, Katie Metcalf, saw the need for our students,” she said. “Two parents, Robyn Ivins and Jane Metcalf, now oversee the pantry and if they put out the word that we need tuna, then an ocean of tuna floods our room in two days.

Our community is responding to the need of our students.”

Roylance said the pantry, fondly called the “cement room,” is open two days per week and an “army of students” get the supplies they need.

“We welcome anyone. I’ve had teachers bring their whole class down. I’ve opened up the door to a family on a special circumstance during spring break to load up with what they need. If someone forgets their lunch or they’re staying for a volleyball game, they can come in and grab food or if they need a notebook for class, it’s here for them,” she said.

At Jordan District, distribution of pantry needs may be subtler, especially when the student is concerned about being identified.

“We may take and fill a backpack full of food, personal hygiene, bus passes, clothing, whatever we can provide, and others are unaware of that student’s need,” Riesgraf said.

“We want to provide the supplies they need.

When students are hungry or worried about their next meal, it weighs heavily on them and it’s hard to study.”

Pantries are becoming commonplace in many schools, mostly stocked with food or clothing — even at Ridgecrest Elementary in Cottonwood Heights, what is seen as a more affluent community than at Cottonwood.

“We deal with the homeless every year,”

Ridgecrest Principal Julie Winfree said. “When I first came here, I didn’t realize it would be part of my job at Ridgecrest, but we work with other schools’ supplies to provide our students in need with food and clothing. There are no boundaries for those in need. Everyone works together to make sure our students get what they need and share with our families in need.”

Horsley said in Granite District, the need is present as is the need to provide workshops for students and families on several issues — mental health and suicide, substance abuse, bullying, internet safety, child abuse and college and career ready awareness.

“Our goal is to help provide resources and information to our community,” Horsley said.

“The world has changed. We have 62 percent of our students in free or reduced lunch and in reality, we have kids go hungry, and oftentimes that translates into behavioral issues. If we can provide the resources, skills and knowledge, we can create a better environment for our students to learn and succeed.” l

November 2018 | Page 11

Jordan, Alta to perform fall musicals in November, season of plays

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

F

rom a comic opera to a musical based on a popular children’s book, Sandy’s public high school students will take the stage to present a variety of entertainment this season.

Fresh from competing at the 42nd annual Utah High School Shakespeare competition, where Jordan High earned fourth place in sweepstakes with Madrigals finishing second and improvisation team third, the students already were celebrating before concentrating on their fall musical.

“The Madrigals met a few times informally over the summer, learning and memorizing the songs,” senior Hannah Braithwaite said.

“We wanted to be prepared.”

Likewise, junior Nathan Holley said the six-member improv team was ready to perform.

“It’s the first time ever that we’ve placed,” he said. “It was fun, really stressful, but I loved it. The judges loved it. We rocked it.”

Now, the two and the rest of the cast are focusing on presenting Gilbert and Sullivan’s fifth collaboration, “The Pirates of Penzance.”

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Holley said. “Since it’s in the public domain, we can tweak scenes to make it our own. We have a lot of talent so it will be a funny show.”

Pirates will be performed at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 10, and again on Monday, Nov. 12 at Jordan High’s auditorium, 95 East Beetdigger Boulevard (9880 South). Tickets will be available at the door and will cost $5 for students and $7 for adults.

At Alta, 26 students on the school’s Shakespeare team, who earned superiors marks, presented Brutus’ tragic downfall in “Julius Caesar.” The team competed in ensemble, monologues, scenes and tech Olympics.

“They got top marks, so I was happy with their super high scores,” theater director Linze Struiksma said.

Alta’s Shakespeare team was directed by Alta graduate Noah Martinez and coached by Nicole Triptow and Struiksma. The lead of Brutus was played by junior Kirby Balding, Antony by junior Sara Holbrook, Portia by junior Aurie Ackermann, Caesar by junior Gwyn Fowler, Casca by senior Jordan Allred and Cassius by senior Isabelle Siebeneck.

Now, theater students are involved in building a nine-foot peach prop that will dominate the stage with their season-opener, “James and the Giant Peach.”

The show will open at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15 and run through Saturday, Nov. 17, with a final showing on Monday, Nov. 19.

There will be a 2 p.m., Saturday matinee. Tickets are $10 at the door or $9 online, with a link available from the school’s website. The performance will be in the school auditorium, 11055 South Hawk Highway (1000 East).

Page 12 | November 2018

“It’s a fairly new musical that not a lot of Utah schools have performed,” Struiksma said.

“It has a really good message and is family friendly.”

At Jordan, “Pirates” is a story about Frederic, who, upon reaching age 21, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two fall in love.

Frederic, however, learns that he was born on Feb. 29, so, technically, he has a birthday only once each leap year. He, therefore, must remain apprenticed to the pirates until his actual 21st birthday, meaning that he must serve for another 63 years. Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.

The leads include senior Gunnar Russell as Frederic, junior Lauren Osborne as Mabel, senior Hagen Tuft as the Pirate King, junior Brynn Lythgoe as Ruth, senior Malorie Winder as the Sergeant, and Holley as the Major General.

The musical is directed by Suzie Duval, with J.P. Kentros as music director. Mary Ellen Smith is overseeing costume design and Wendy Wilde is the choreographer.

Braithwaite said it is her first musical at Jordan High.

“I’m an assistant director and I’m in the cast as one of 30-plus daughters who are getting married off,” she said. “The show is full of jokes and is classical, but with a modern twist.”

Braithwaite isn’t the only student involved with the show. Jake Jackson is the stage manager, and Ileah Washington and Holley also are choreographing pieces.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to try,” Holley said, adding that he is choreographing the daughters’ dance. “They’re using parasols in the routine. But what’s fun is the surprise twist at the end of the show.”

In “James,” Struiksma said the message of having a “family” around you, whether it’s friends, family members or the community, ties into the student drama club’s theme, “In a world where you can be anything, you can be kind.”

“For our students, it’s a comfort to know those around you, are your family,” she said.

“And as a family, we’re supporting kindness and making it a priority.”

The musical is based on the children’s book by the same name. It’s a story of how James is sent to chop down his aunts’ old fruit tree, but instead, discovers a magic potion that results in a huge peach. This launches James, who finds himself swallowed up inside the peach, on a journey alongside human-sized insects, whom he convinces to work together as a family.

The musical is directed by Struiksma, with the assistance of senior Stephanie Triptow. The

Jordan High theatre students took fourth place at the 42nd annual Utah High School Shakespeare competition, held at Southern Utah University. (Photo courtesy of Jordan High)

music director is April Lund and the orchestra is directed by Caleb Shabestari. Choreography is by Lauralyn Koffard. The stage manager and set co-designer is senior Isabelle Siebeneck, light design by junior Kirby Balding, sound design by junior Caroline Wolf.

Senior Christian Affleck is James, with senior Lindsey Brown as Ladahlord. Other leads include junior Lauren McHenry as Spiker; junior Abby Coleman as Sponge; senior Gracie Awerkamp as Spider; freshman Ethan Fullmer as Grasshopper; junior Sara Holbrook as Ladybug; junior Abram Berry as Earthworm; junior Sydney Trauba as Centipede and senior Kenedy Connelly as Gloworm.

Jordan’s season will continue with its 20-member improv team performing at 7 p.m., Nov. 16, one of 20 shows throughout the year.

The Alta season will continue with a murder-mystery dinner on Friday, Dec. 7 and will take place in the school’s atrium. The third annual event will be written and created by senior Isabelle Siebeneck and directed by Nicole Triptow.

Jordan’s December show will be a “Night of Broadway,” at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14. Tickets will be $5 at the door. The show will feature students’ pieces — solos, duets, groups — from pantomimes and monologues to scenes — of musicals.

“It’s going to be awesome. I’ve picked, ‘It Sucks To Be Me,’ from ‘Avenue Q.’ It’s something that is appropriate from a musical that isn’t appropriate for a high school. It’s going to be hilarious. We have a group of seven that will audition in late November,” Holley said, adding that Kermit the Frog, the theater’s unofficial mascot, will join the cast.

In the past, there have been students who have presented pieces that are comic, dramatic and romantic, Braithwaite said.

Both schools are planning to perform a comedy in late February. Jordan will perform a light-hearted romantic comedy set in the Great Depression called “Parfumerie,” adapted

by E.P. Dowdall from the Hungarian play “Illatszertar” by Miklos Laszlo. They will perform at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 through Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 and again, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.

Alta has yet to release its show name, but the director promises the show they plan to put on will feature “super great morals.”

Both schools also will compete at region in March. Alta Theatre IV students will write their own devised one-act. Jordan is planning to perform “Enemy of the People.” State theater competition is in April.

Alta’s season will end in the spring with senior directed one-act performances, which the students will cast, produce and direct. Jordan also will conclude its season with one-acts, which any student can direct, on Thursday, May 16 through Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Holley, who has never directed before, plans to direct a selection from “Rosencrantz and Guilderstern Are Dead.”

“I’m excited to try something new with lighting, blocking and scripting a show,” he said. “I do theater because I love it.”

Braithwaite said last year the audience “got into the show” she was in during the one-act performances. She played a washing machine.

“A lot of the audience didn’t realize I was in there; it was a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends with the same interests in theater. We’re always celebrating each other’s successes and helping support each other be better.” l

Sandy City Journal

CTEC heavy-duty mechanicals and diesel program receives national accreditation

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

I

t may be a numbers game — second in the country to earn it, third in the nation to receive it, first in the state to be awarded it — but the bottom line is the same. With the new national diesel technician accreditation, Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC) students may be better prepared when finding a career in the heavy-duty mechanicals and diesel field.

At the Oct. 3 award presentation, CTEC Principal Ken Spurlock said that with the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) accreditation, which was initially offered to high school programs last year, it is ensuring students are properly trained for the field.

“We are now teaching mechanics the way it needs to be and have what a good curriculum should look like,” he said. “We are now providing our students what is the best education and the technicians and companies in the field appreciate it.”

According to AED Foundation President Brian McGuire, this education is cutting edge.

“What it means for you students is a pathway to immediate opportunities in the career and a pathway that will pay you very well, probably more than those who a bachelor’s right out of the gate, and without college debt,” he told students at the ceremony. “You have a great opportunity to make a great living in the field and it’s not going anywhere.”

McGuire said the curriculum now fits where it’s needed in industry.

“With the AED certification, we now are having high school programs teach industry standards that are aligned with what industry needs when these students come out. At CTEC, that means the curriculum is aligned with SLCC (Salt Lake Community College) and the partnerships both schools have in the area. The standards and learning for high school students attending college is seamless. These students are already ahead of their counterparts when they finish school,” he said.

CTEC instructor Gary Snow said they added more hydraulics and air conditioning to their curriculum as well as went more in-depth to electrical and electronics, such as fuel regulators, emissions controls and timing systems. Students also learn about air brakes, steering and suspension systems and drivetrain components.

In the program, students also learn how to tear down and rebuild a large diesel engine where they will learn about 12/24 volt electrical systems, incorporate and use math into the electrical systems, and learn about voltage drop, resistance, wiring, and troubleshooting.

With those additions to the coursework, the program was accredited last April.

This is the fourth year CTEC students have been offered the Utah Diesel Technician Pathways, Snow said, adding that about 55 students are enrolled in the program.

SLCC instructor Bill Kleman said that much of their involvement came about with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development,

S andy Journal .com

AED Foundation President Brian McGuire addresses CTEC students about the advantages they have with the Associated Equipment Distributors national diesel accreditation.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

who has encouraged industry leaders to partner with education to replace retiring workers with diesel technicians as well as meet the needs of mechanics for the increasing use of diesel engines in transportation vehicles.

Snow said the current generation of students are well-matched with the new technology.

“When the engines became technically advanced so quickly, many technicians left so the shortage really hit them,” he said. “These kids are so technically advanced, so they’re a perfect match for the real world.”

Kleman said that through the Utah Diesel Technician Pathways, 24 diesel engines were offered, 12 to Canyons School District and 12 to Jordan School District’s technical education center, which was the second in the state to receive the national accreditation.

“Through the Pathways, we have seen the courses they’re learning work toward credits at SLCC and AED accreditation,” he said. “The classes they’re learning in high school are the equivalent to our Intro to Diesel Engines, so they’re already ahead of students entering the program without the Pathways.”

The Utah Diesel Tech Pathways offers

paid internship programs and on-the-job training at SLCC, as well as at Canyons and Jordan school districts. The companies include CR England, Cummins Rocky Mountain, Geneva Rock Products, Kenworth Sales Company, Komatsu Equipment and Utah Transit Authority.

Through the partnership, Spurlock said CTEC received not only the computerized engines from Cummins that replaced its 1970s engines and stands for the engines from CR England, but also training and internships from industry leaders and a $12,000 grant from the governor’s office to update software, computers and tools. SLCC donated a diesel engine truck that has its cab removed so students can learn about the engine.

“Industry business are providing internships and jobs so our students can learn what it is like in this field. Several of the companies also want their employees to continue learning so they give tuition reimbursements,” Spurlock said. “Many people think that (entering this field) means being a mechanic or parts person; however, many mechanics go into sales, become service reps, teach or own businesses.”

As part of the AED certification, Snow at-

tended the instructor conference this past summer.

“It was amazing,” Snow said. “They provided info on teaching in the classroom and how best to put ideas to use. I learned how to use what I have and can show students new techniques. It’s a growing industry and it will continue to grow with technology.”

AED Foundation Associate Director of Development and Workforce Marty McCormack said the AED Certified Technician Program makes sense.

“The benefits are clear,” he said. “It focuses on students’ and technicians’ improvement and as a result, there is better retention, and it saves industry time and money on training technicians.”

He said AED plans to expand its accreditation program across the country, which will accelerate students in college programs, to help provide qualified technicians for industry.

“The partnership between Canyons Technical Education Center and SLCC will provide dealers with qualified technicians,” he said. “It is a showcase for other diesel programs around the country.” l

November 2018 | Page 13

Union kicks off 50th year with their All for All assembly

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

T

eams paraded in under their nation’s flag — Brazil, Chile, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, Morocco — to Olympic music. In a sense, it was the opening ceremony to the school year, only these aren’t teams competing for a gold medal, but for the All for All Rock.

The granite rock, with a Union Middle School’s crest, was the goal for students to earn by competing first through a series of yelling, cheering and reciting the school chant in unison, then through a series of challenges.

“It’s a way for the school to unify through the grade level teams,” Principal Kelly Tauteoli said about the school’s second annual All for All assembly. “It’s also a way for our students to get connected to one another and to our teachers.”

As part of the fun, a portion of the challenge was tied to the school’s 50th birthday this year.

Students could see photos in a slide show and in a display case from 1968, and even see the same faculty photo replicated with the 2018 faculty.

Each round of the competition was introduced by student leaders and judged by School Resource Officer Zach Henrichsen, former Union assistant principal Steve Dimond, and former Union administrative professional Marjoe Back.

Students are united by teams based on their academic area and named by country, so students learn more about that part of the world, Union Achievement Coach Amy Kinder said.

“We’re giving kids an enriching experience and learning about a new culture,” she said. “Our countries represent some of where our student

Page 14 | November 2018

body is from.”

Before the first round, students, working with teachers, created cheers and learned about their country. They also reviewed, or for sixth-graders, learned, the school chant. That first was judged on the show of school spirit and direction of the students as they cheered at the signals of the student leaders for the grade, Assistant Principal Taylor Hansen said.

The second round found a student and a teacher from each of the six teams competing to see who could eat an apple pie and a Big Mac the fastest. However, there was a twist. Students couldn’t use their hands to eat their apple pies, but teachers were able to hold onto their two allbeef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickle and onion on a sesame-seed bun.

“We selected apple pies since they were first introduced in 1968,” Hansen said. “We thought this would be a fun way to have students cheer on their teams.”

Hansen said the next challenge was the decade trivia, where questions were asked about each of the past five decades.

“We also had a lot of students googling about what happened 50 years ago, as well as through each decade,” he said.

The questions ranged from what historic space event happened in 1968 to which blockbuster film directed by Stephen Spielberg was released in the 1980s. There was even a question about which two teams competed in this year’s World Cup. The competition continued, with sporad-

Eighth-grade student and teacher teams at Union Middle School compete during the second round of the school’s All for All assembly by eating Big Macs and apple pies. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

ic random student winners announced between rounds and being rewarded with a bag of carrots to a can of vegetables.

“Our SBO thought it would be fun, so they took on getting prizes since we can only have so many students on stage,” Hansen said.

Before the competition, students also could get points through a capture the flag game, where they could find country flags and scan them on their cellphones.

While team Chile won the All for All Rock,

all students benefitted from the competition.

“Our big thing is to have school connectiveness,” Hansen said, adding that other spirit and service days are planned throughout the year. “We know once students are connected to the school, their academic skills and successes increase.”

Assistant Principal Shelly Karren agrees.

“Our goal is to make our learning environment where they want to be,” she said. “We want everyone to be valued and belong.” l

Sandy City Journal

Soccer unites two boys’ remarkable friendship

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

M

aison Anderson remembers in grade school lingering around Silver Mesa Elementary, waiting for his mom, who was a paraeducator, to finish up in her classroom.

Tanner Cluff also would hang around after school as his mom was the PTA president and would be coordinating activities.

“Tanner became one of my best friends in elementary,” said Anderson, who lives in Sandy. “We weren’t in the same class and probably wouldn’t have become friends if it wasn’t for hanging around after school. It was harder for him to make friends outside of the accommodated core. He loved sports and always talked sports, so once he learned I played soccer, we’d play soccer and other sports at recess and after school. He loves basketball, but he was like 6 feet tall in fourth grade, so I didn’t have a chance. Soccer was something we could play together.”

Silver Mesa Paraeducator Patty Smith remembers Cluff in her classroom and his love of sports.

“He was amazing when it came to recall stats, especially his favorite (Utah) Jazz player,” she said.

That friendship continued at Hillcrest High from when Cluff was a freshman and the two became locker partners through Anderson’s graduation last spring. Now the two are not only friends, but teammates, playing together this season on the same soccer team — Real Salt Lake Unified.

Anderson, who filled a position in the team when it became vacated the previous year, made sure Cluff knew about this year’s tryouts, which were held last spring.

“I talked to him about it and he was really excited,” Anderson said.

Cluff is a senior at Hillcrest and has been the football team’s manager for the past three years.

He, along with 17 other new team members, received uniforms and scarves at signing day in June. With their coach, Jenna Holland, they met RSL Head Coach Mike Petke and RSL and Utah Royals FC team members at Rio Tinto Stadium.

As the only player from Hillcrest, Cluff joined the handful of local high school students who participate on the co-ed RSL unified team, which is comprised of 16- to 25-year-olds throughout the state. The goal of unified sports is to unite Special Olympic athletes and partners as teammates for training and competition.

“The jersey top is really cool, but the shorts are so short, I wear two knee pads to make them look longer,” said Cluff, who now stands 6’8”.

“Playing with RSL Unified is a dream come true. Sports are my life. I don’t know what I’d do without playing.”

Cluff has played the past couple seasons for Hillcrest High’s unified soccer program, which has won recent state trophies. He also was one of nine members who were selected and traveled as Team Utah to the USA Special Olympic Games in Seattle this past July and brought home gold.

S andy Journal .com

RSL United teammates Tanner Cluff (Left) and Maison Anderson are friends both on and off the field. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Holland)

“I absolutely love soccer,” he said. “It gets my adrenaline going and it’s fun.”

RSL Unified knew they would have a twomatch season this year. First, they traveled to face the Colorado Rapids Unified team on Aug. 25, before hosting LA Galaxy Unified on Sept.

1.

“The first week was hard because there were more drills than we’ve had on my school team,” Cluff recalled. “I didn’t know all the formations, but Maison helped me through it.

He helped me through all the season. We’d get together and practice so it wasn’t so difficult.

We had a lot of fun, too.”

One rule that wasn’t familiar to Cluff was offsides.

“They didn’t call it in my previous games, so I had to learn that. We were ready for it at the first game even though the refs never called it,” he said. “I was playing forward, which is cool because I thought I could score, but there were very few times the ball came up to me.”

Cluff said Anderson did get a goal in the game that ended in a 3-1 loss.

“I gave him a big hug because he’s my buddy,” he said. “I hate to lose. The athlete in me doesn’t like to lose.”

However, just taking the field was a highlight for the team, Anderson said.

“When we came out of the tunnel, everyone was chanting ‘RSL United’ in one section, and it was getting louder and louder,” Anderson said. As an experienced team member, he helped calm the nerves for his teammates in

exciting,” he said. “Even the Utah Royals players came to support us.”

Although LA took the game, 2-1, in what Cluff said was a fast-paced game, Anderson said it was a good season for the young team.

“A lot of the team has played high school unified soccer, but with travel and playing with different formations since it is 11 (players) on 11 (players), not 5-on-5, it’s a different game and different level. The players learned to be respectful of the game, the players, the ref and the RSL family,” he said.

Even now, with just a few practices this fall as the team enters the off-season and Anderson prepares for a Central America mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he remains in touch with Cluff.

“He will text me to talk strategy or ideas about soccer. He talks football and basketball.

It’s been an incredible experience to play RSL Unified and to be able to get to know the people I’ve met better. There’s a special connection and it’s been given more kids opportunity to play,” he said. “Unified soccer isn’t just about competition; it’s about becoming friends and being there for one another.”

Cluff isn’t quite ready to see his friend leave for two years.

“I’m so happy I played and I’m on the team,” he said. “Maison is absolutely one of my closest friends…We’re going to do something before he leaves so we can talk more about soccer.” l

playing in a MLS (major league soccer) stadium. “It is really exciting once everyone works out their nerves on the field. For the most part, the partners guide the athletes and help them understand where to be and what they need to be doing so together, we’re successful.”

Even with the loss, Cluff said he had fun in Colorado as they went to a Colorado Rockies game with the Colorado Rapids Unified team.

“The Rockies game was a highlight of the trip for me. When the Rockies are on TV, I’m immediately watching them. It was way more cool to watch the players in person,” he said.

Anderson said that watching the Rockies with the opposing team reminded him of the previous year when he flew with the team to play Sporting Kansas City and they took in the Kansas City Royals game.

“We sat together and not only it was fun to get to know one another, but to cheer for the players, not just the teams,” he said. “When we met up, we knew it was about selflessness and becoming friends unified through sports.

It gives us more satisfaction to help one another. This changes our perspective on life when we’re involved on a personal level.”

But one week later, this year’s squad was playing at Rio Tinto, which was amazing, Cluff said.

“I had watched RSL on TV, but being able to play there was breathtaking. I had been on the field and waved when Hillcrest won and was honored there, but with the chanting before the game, and the beating of the drums, it was

November 2018 | Page 15

Alta soccer keeps state streak alive

By Ron Bevan | r.bevan@mycityjournals.com

I

n a year that could have been disastrous, the Alta girls soccer team found a way to continue with its streak of always making the state tournament.

Alta entered the state tournament matched up with Region 6 champion Murray. The Hawks managed to take a 1-1 tie with the Spartans through regulation and two overtime periods.

Murray moved on in the tournament by outscoring Alta in a shootout.

Alta came into the season unsure of what the season might bring. The Hawks graduated eight starters from last year’s team, and also lost Lee Mitchell, the only soccer coach in Alta’s history. Mitchell decided to retire after the spring boys season.

But the loss of Mitchell didn’t mean an end to the style and aggressiveness that has epitomized Alta soccer over the last three decades.

Alta didn’t look far to replace Mitchell, handing the reins of both the girls and boys programs to Mackenzie Hyer, an assistant for Mitchell for the past 17 seasons.

“I told the parents and the girls coming in that I wasn’t planning on changing anything, from the way we practice to the way we play,” Hyer said. “I am a former player for Mitchell and my brother and sister also played at Alta. It was more of a shift, not necessarily a whole change with a new coach. My goal is to not change the program, but perhaps to adjust things here and there to make it mine. All of the coaches on our team have played for Alta. We know what it

means to be a Hawk.”

With Hyer’s leadership, Alta took on what is perhaps one of the most dangerous regions in Utah. As such, wins were hard to come by this season and the Hawks finished fourth in Region 7. Timpview took home top region honors, followed by Corner Canyon and Brighton.

Alta’s scoring attack this season centered around two players, Kyla White and Leah Lowery. White, a senior midfielder, used her experience to find the back of the net seven times this season. Lowery, a feisty sophomore with lightning quick reflexes, was right behind with six goals.

“White played a lot of minutes as a junior last season,” Hyer said. “She came into this year ready to be one of our leaders.”

But the Hawks have always been known as a complete team, never relying on just a couple of players. In all, 13 different players put the ball into the net this year.

Alta also looked to a young player to keep the defense solid. Reagan Reynolds manned the net as goalkeeper this year, and tallied five shutout games.

“We were asking big things from a freshman to jump into the goal in a varsity game,” Hyer said. “Reynolds stepped up to the challenge. She is tall, probably the tallest goalkeeper we have had in years. She reads the game well and has great hands.” l

Senior striker Abby Davis collects a pass during Alta’s state tournament game with Murray. Davis scored three goals for the Hawks this year. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

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Sandy City Journal

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November 2018 | Page 17

20 safety tips for trick-or-treaters

Y

ou’re never too old to trick-or-treat (unless you are 35 and going by yourself, then yes, you are too old to trick-or-treat).

But being safe knows no age limits, especially on a night when most people are wearing disguises.

While it’s time to get your costume and candy bag ready, preparation of another kind is required for kid and adult alike. Here are some tips to stay safe this Halloween.

1. Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

2. Costume accessories such as swords and knives should be short, soft and flexible.

3. Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. And as difficult as it may be, limit the amount of treats you eat.

4. Beware the homemade treats made by strangers. Better to eat only factory-wrapped treats.

5. Walk from house to house, don’t run. Doing so with a flashlight will help you see and others to see you.

6. Test makeup in a small area before applying. Then remove it before sleeping to prevent possible skin or eye irritation.

7. Look both ways before crossing the street.

Do we even need to say this one?

8. Only visit well-lit houses.

9. Do not enter a home without a trusted adult.

10. Never accept rides from strangers. Strang-

er danger is a real thing.

11. By not wearing decorative contact lenses, you lower the risk for serious eye injury.

12. Wear well-fitted costumes, masks and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, falls and relentless mockery from your peers.

13. Drive extra safely on Halloween. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert during those hours.

Slow down in residential neighborhoods. We all know how excited kids can be. Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.

14. Remind children to watch for cars turning or backing up and to not dart into the street or between parked cars.

15. Put your electronic devices down as you walk around.

16. Keep costumes bright, or add reflective tape, to ensure kids are easier to spot.

17. Be careful next to candles or Jack-o’-lanterns.

18. Keep an eye for allergies. If someone has serious allergies or food sensitivities, read any unfamiliar labels before handing over the candy.

19. Brush your teeth. Candy is sticky and cavities will scare you.

20. You can maximize your candy intake by planning your route. Stick to places you are familiar with so you can also circle back around to Halloween headquarters. l

If you’re reading this, so are your customers.

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Sandy City Journal

Utah mayors sign agreement to work on idle free initiatives

By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com “It’s so very important for our citizens to understand the impact of idling on their children,” said Diane Turner, council chair of Murray. Murray and other cities were recognized Sept. 18 for idle-free initiatives. The 11th annual event also showcased winners from this year’s student poster contest.

Eight Utah cities were recognized on Sep. 18 by the governor’s office at an event held at the City and County Building in Salt Lake City.

The event was the 11th annual Idle-Free Governor’s Declaration. Seventy-one Utah cities have committed to put idle-free practices into effect.

The eight cities recognized for their clean air efforts were Alta, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Logan, Murray, Park City, Salt Lake City and Sandy.

The event also highlighted a poster contest for students in the Cache Valley area. The contest, sponsored by Prof. Roslynn Brain McCann and Ed Stafford of Utah State University, encouraged students to make posters with idle free and clean air themes.

This year’s poster contest garnered 550 entries. “The contest engages students who are just learning to drive, so it’s a great opportunity for education,” said McCann. “We gave those who participated a post evaluation, and all of them reported improved understanding of idlefree practices.”

The contest also gave them an outlet to practice marketing skills. Entries came from art, business and environmental science classes. McCann hopes the contest will be available to more school districts in the future, and urges schools to reach out to her at roslynn.mccann@ usu.edu if they want more information.

Other speakers at the event included Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Dr. Laura Nelson of the Governor’s Energy Office, Thom Carter of UCAIR, Representative Patrice Arent

S andy Journal .com

of the bipartisan Utah Clean Air Caucus, Steve Bergstrom of Intermountain Healthcare and McCann.

Intermountain Healthcare’s representative said they have 750 fleet vehicles that do 12 million miles annually. “Idling is costly because idling equals zero miles per gallon,” Bergstrom said. With improved monitoring and education, some numbers have improved. “Where home care was idling their vehicles a total of 120 hours per month, now they are down to 45 hours per month. We see the effects of poor air quality every day in the patients we treat, and would rather not have to be treating the results of bad air,” said Bergstrom.

Mayors who were recognized were quick to give their constituents the credit for clean air efforts.

“I think the idle-free ordinance sends a message that every individual has a part to play and it can’t just be someone else’s problem. You can be a part of the solution. For example, we have a mom here in the Holladay area, Crystal Bruner Harris, who has started idle-free events at schools,” said Mayor Rob Dahle. (See Holladay Journal article on Crystal Bruner Harris, “Clean Air Crusader.”)

Murray Mayor D. Blair Camp also recognized a dedicated member of his community.

“We have a very tenacious council member, Diane Turner, who made a promise when she was running for council that she would push through an ordinance on idle free. She has really raised the awareness of other council members and the community. That’s what it’s really all about — awareness,” said Camp.

The mayors also put emphasis on children as the leaders for this issue. “The real impetus for us came from our residents,” said Mayor Mike Peterson of Cottonwood Heights. “They approached us. We had several groups of young

Eight cities were recognized Sept. 18 for the idle free efforts. L to R, back row: Mayor Mike Peterson of Cottonwood Heights; Vicki Bennett, Director of Sustainability, Salt Lake City Mayor’s office; Zach Robinson of Sandy City Council; Mayor Rob Dahle of Holladay; Luke Carlton, City Manager for Park City. Front row: Mayor D. Blair Camp of Murray; Dr. Laura Nelson, Energy Adviser, Governor’s Office of Energy Development. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

students come to city council meetings and say to us, ‘Hey, this is what we want to see happen.’

That’s why we jumped on board.”

The mayors agreed that when you educate kids they will enforce it with their parents.

Demonstrated in a winning poster from 2015 by then Logan High student Hailey Dennis. On a blue background, there is a single image of a child in a bold pose. The caption reads, “My mom idles less than your mom!”

Arent’s comments echoed this idea. “We want to make idling as socially unacceptable

as throwing litter out the car window. Education has always been a big part of what we are working on. This whole effort is about education, and teaching the public about idling: why it’s not good for their health, their pocketbook, or their car,” Arent said. “The air we breathe is not Republican air, it’s not Democratic air. It’s everyone’s air.”

The past winners of the contest can be seen online at cleanaircontest.usu.edu/past-winners/. l

November 2018 | Page 21

What’s the issue? Previewing November’s ballot

E

xcited to get that “I voted” sticker?

Utah’s 2018 General Election is underway. If you have received your ballot in the mail, make sure it is postmarked by Nov. 6 (but the sooner the better). Polling stations will be available on Nov. 6 as well (check your county’s website for locations). Before you head to that secluded booth or color within the lines on the mail-in ballot, make sure you know what you’re voting for.

In addition to the local elections for U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, county council seats, school boards, sheriff, auditor, clerk, recorder, district attorney and various judges, there are three propositions, three constitutional amendments and one opinion question that are receiving much public attention.

Proposition 2 involves legalizing medical marijuana. If passed, Utah’s current law regarding medical cannabis would be expanded. Private facilities would be allowed to grow, process, test and sell medical marijuana, with regulation.

Individuals with certain medical conditions or illness would be allowed to acquire, use and possibly grow medical cannabis.

Supporters of this proposition argue that medical cannabis can help end suffering from cancer, seizure and other life-threating conditions. Organizations in support of this proposition include the Utah Patients Coalition, Libertas Institute, Marijuana Policy Project and Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education (TRUCE) Utah, among others.

Opponents to this proposition worry about

By Cassie Goff | cassie@mycityjournals.com the effect it may have on children and families, and argue that it may pave the way for the recreational use of cannabis. Organizations in opposition include the Utah Medical Association, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, DARE Utah and the Utah Narcotics Officers Association, among others.

A special legislative session is planned for a medical cannabis bill regardless of the Prop 2 vote. Seen as a potential compromise, the bill could either replace Prop 2 if passed, if voted down, the bill is still on the table, according to legislators.

Proposition 3 involves raising sales tax to support Medicaid for low-income adults. The sales tax rate would be increased from 4.70 percent to 4.85 percent. The additional funding coming from this tax increase would expand coverage of Medicaid based on income. The proposition specifically relates to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Supporters of this proposition argue that the benefits of Medicaid should be available to all the citizens of Utah, and there is potential to bring health care coverage to thousands of Utahans who need it. Supporters of this proposition include AARP Utah, Voices for Utah Children, YMCA of Utah, Utah Health Policy Project and many others.

Opponents to this proposition worry about the potential burden to the state budget and the sustainability of the proposition. Opponents to this proposition include Governor Gary Herbert and Representative Edward Redd, along with

many other legislators.

Proposition 4 is concerned with re-districting for the House of Representatives, Senate and State Board of Education. If this proposition passes, a seven-member commission called the Utah Independent Restricting Commission would be created. District boundaries would need to be drawn by the state legislature and approved (or vetoed) by the governor. This would need to be completed during the legislative general session after the next federal decennial census in 2020. The anticipated effects would include minimizing the division of counties, cities and towns, preserving traditional neighborhoods and communities, and minimizing boundary agreement among different types of districts.

Constitutional Amendment A regards a property tax exemption for active military personal. Currently, military personal are eligible for a property tax exemption if they serve 200 days within a calendar year. This amendment would allow that person to qualify for the tax exemption if they serve 200 consecutive days in one 365-day period, regardless of the calendar year.

Constitutional Amendment B would create a property tax exemption for property that a state or local government leases from a private owner. Supporters of this amendment argue that it would be a cost-saving opportunity for government bodies. Opponents argue that it would reward a select few at the expense of others.

Constitutional Amendment C would allow the legislature to meet beyond their scheduled

45-day annual general session. It would allow the president of the Utah Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representative to convene a special session that would not be able to last more than 10 days, or go over budget.

The non-binding opinion asks if the state should increase the state motor and special fuel tax rates by 10 cents per gallon to fund public education and local roads. This specific tax is regularly referred to as the gas tax.

While this question is “non-binding,” that may be a little misleading. Voter opinion results from this question will be gauged by legislators to help guide them with a bill regarding the gas tax during the next legislative session.

Supporters of this initiative argue that schools need additional funding for tools that would help the schools go beyond the basic level. Supporters include the Utah League of Cities and Towns and Our Schools Now, among others.

Opponents of this initiative argue that Utah citizens do not need another tax increase. Opponents include the Americans for Prosperity and the Utah Taxpayer Protection Alliance, among others.

For more information on what’s on the ballot for this election, please visit the Salt Lake Tribune, Elections.utah.gov, and/or Ballotpedia.org.

If you are not yet registered to vote (and obviously didn’t take Taylor Swift’s advice), please register by visiting Utah.gov.

Remember to be informed about local government and stay involved. l

If you’re reading this, so are your customers.

Ryan Casper

13 community newspapers serving 15 cities for over 27 years.

801-660-3463

Print and digital ad opportunities

Account Executive Ryan.Casper@mycityjournals.com

Real and trackable results.

WE’RE YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTION.

Page 22 | November 2018

Sandy City Journal

Utah Avalanche Center fundraiser celebrates patrons and powder lovers

By Amy Green | a.green@mycityjournals.com

W

hen the snow starts to fall, those with skiing on their minds look at the mountains as their playgrounds. However, before heading up to play, it’s important to check the conditions and avalanche danger in the backcountry. Luckily, it’s easy to find out by visiting the online resource www.utahavalanchecenter. org. The website offers forecasts from Logan to Moab, and also legit educational workshops and events.

Since the Utah Avalanche Center is a non-profit that carries out field work and provides timely info and website updates, they need funds to run it.

On Sept. 13, Utah Avalanche Center welcomed patrons and powder lovers to their 25th annual fundraiser for forecasting in the Black Diamond retailer parking lot at 2092 E. 3900 South. It was a relaxed evening with tickets available for anyone to enjoy live music, mingling, food and craft beverage. Dogs were allowed and one particularly lovable pup cantered about in a hip sequin tank top.

Uinta Brewing Company provided the beer. The brewery has been a huge supporter of Utah Avalanche Center since the beginning.

They brought a special pale ale made specifically for this event.

It is inspiring to see businesses and devoted people offer time and resources to an important cause. Ski equipment and artwork items were set up for auction and bidding. It was a privilege for those who came, to be able to buy a ticket and support what the Utah Avalanche Center provides.

Nicole Sims attended and praised the Utah Avalanche Center. “It’s a great resource — keeping people safe and responsible,” she said.

Jennifer Hall, a nurse, attended the fundraiser. “I ski in the backcountry and want to support Utah Avalanche Center,” she said. Hall

checks the forecasts all the time. “The services are excellent. I think everybody should read it. The site and information is awesome,” she raved.

Bo Torrey is the program manager of Utah Avalanche Center. He coordinates with ski resorts, UDOT, and also tour guides. “Those are our core teams. Those people help contribute information that helps to make our avalanche forecast that much more accurate,” Torrey explained.

These teams have the know-how to provide backcountry enthusiasts with real-time data. Snow specialists are not just guessing, but really know what they’re doing.

Torrey wants people to know that this yearly event is not only to bolster funding, but meant to be a gathering for the community. “It’s the right time of year where it’s not quite fullon ski season yet, but it brings everyone back together who hasn’t seen their buddies since April. It’s a fundraiser, but it’s really more about bringing everybody together,” he said.

Professional forecasters agree that the old “safety first” adage, is an all-important reminder to live by. They encourage those doing extreme winter sports, powder boarding, snowmobiling, alpine ski-biking and more, to set egos aside.

“Snowmobile technology has come a long way,” Torrey said. “Ten years ago, the nicest sled couldn’t get you into avalanche terrain.

Now, the sleds you can get right off the sales floor will take you anywhere on the mountain.

That’s the user group we are focusing a lot of our attention towards,” he said.

Before heading outside the boundaries of a ski resort, one can look to the valuable website.

Even if families are just headed out to find sledding in a remote canyon, safety conditions can quickly be checked beforehand.

“We want to make it easy for people to

Ski equipment and artwork items set up for auction at the Utah Avalanche Center fundraiser. (Amy Green/City Journals)

S andy Journal .com

know when it’s ‘go, or no go’ conditions,” Torrey said. If the avalanche conditions on the website are “considerable” or above, then Torrey recommends one does not go out without the proper training and equipment.

Cody Hughes, a volunteer for Utah Avalanche Center, noted, “There are nine different types of avalanches that we deal with in the backcountry, and some days we can go out and ski the steep slopes and others, we just tiptoe around the mountain. We don’t tickle the tail of the bad avalanche dragon.”

It seems wise to heed what the pros say — to avoid waking a “sleeping beast.” Utah

mountains need serious consideration and respect. Experts want all to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest, but to pay attention before stepping into those rad Fritschi bindings.

Next year, watch for the 26th annual fundraiser event. Anyone is invited to reserve a ticket. In the meantime, the Utah Avalanche Center is ready to measure, watch, predict, warn, and update those heading into the backcountry this winter.

To help support click the red “donate” button on the website, or at the Facebook page www.facebook.com/Utah.Avalanche.Center/.

Any amount is put to good use. l

Paid for by Amanda Oaks for Canyons School Board

November 2018 | Page 23

Professional carvers sculpt pumpkins into art

By Amy Green | a.green@mycityjournals.com

Kids watch Adam Smith, a professional carver, create sculptures at Pumpkin Nights. (Amy Green/City Journals)

P

rofessional pumpkin carvers have been busy at the Utah State Fairpark (155 N. 1000 West) during Pumpkin Nights, showing how pumpkin sculpting is done.

Tickets to see these carvers in action are available for the event until Nov. 4. Just beyond the ticket entrance, one can walk by the current projects of an artist sculpting massive gourds.

It’s a great beginning, before heading through a visually stimulating, pumpkin-themed park.

Ashlen Clark is an artist who contributes to the sculpting and groundwork that goes into Pumpkin Nights.

“We start planning everything in February—that’s when we start carving (synthetic) pumpkins. We do the event in four cities: Auburn (California), Denver, LA, and here in Salt Lake City. There are over 3,000 pumpkins in each city. In addition to that, is our bigger sculptures. We start with the little stuff, then move into the bigger sculptures like our giant squid and nine foot jack-o’-lantern,” Clark said.

She offered tips for anyone planning to carve pumpkins, to help make things go smoothly. “Have an idea of what you want and draw it out first. A lot of it is just putting personality into it, and having lots of fun,” she encouraged.

Guests can come to Pumpkin Nights and see up close details of how a carving artist works. Upon inspection, people will notice that pumpkins are not sculpted using just a paring knife or a vegetable peeler. On real pumpkins, artists use special clay tools that, well, resemble a vegetable peeler. But the tools are different than regular kitchen gadgets, spectators are told. Pumpkin Nights is a good place to ask an artist about what tools he or she uses and how to use them.

Nine-year-old Rorey from Sandy visited

Page 24 | November 2018

Pumpkin Nights and was among many children who stopped to observe, ask questions and react over the carving demo. “It’s very satisfying to watch,” Rorey said.

One of the artists giving a live demonstration was Adam Smith who patiently answered kids’ questions about creating the intricate and massive pumpkin sculptures.

“I’ve been sculpting pumpkins like this, the 3D stuff, for about six years—carving professionally for 10. I got into pumpkin carving, and that influenced me going into different mediums like clay and wood,” Smith said.

He described how pumpkin sculpting is unique.

“With clay, you build up and you add things to it whereas pumpkins, it’s like wood or a marble carving, where you take it away,” Smith explained. More of Smith’s art can be seen on the Facebook page, The Pumpkin Smith - Pumpkin Carver.

Watching a pumpkin artist is a unique opportunity and an alternative to suspense-laden haunted houses. It’s festive without the horror of a jumpy attraction. People seem to love watching an everyday pumpkin evolve into whimsical shapes. It is also a bonus for younger children, as there is no intense scary stuff. Anyone can look on, unafraid, while an artist peels away layers of pumpkin (that luckily don’t bleed or scream).

It is an experience that might spark a “like a kid again” feeling for adults. One might crave to have a relaxing night at home, sitting down and getting “artistic”... or just elbow deep in messy, slimy, stringy (yet wonderfully quiet) vegetable guts.

For more information, go to pumpkinnights.com/salt-lake-city. l

Sandy City Journal

Jordan finishes second in region football

By Ron Bevan | r.bevan@mycityjournals.com

I

t could have been a lean year for the Jordan High football team. Matched up in a tough region loaded with former state dynasties and losing a lot of players to graduation, many were ready to accept a lackluster year for the Beetdiggers.

In fact, the beginning of the season seemed to indicate the direction the program would take. Jordan managed only one win in four preseason games.

“I kept telling the team to trust in our program,” Jordan head football coach Kaleo Teriipaia said. “It’s a process that has to come together. It isn’t something that comes overnight.”

The process Teriipaia was implementing was planted last season, when the coach first took over the program. Prior to last year, Jordan was known as a high offensive attack team. The Beetdiggers would try to put a large amount of points on the board and hope to outdistance what the opponent would score.

While the Beetdiggers were still pounding the offense last season as a byproduct of the style Jordan was used to, Teriipaia was beginning the process to change the team into one that was more defensive driven.

“I have always been a defensive kind of guy,” Teriipaia said. “I wanted the boys to see that the team could win more games with a better defense.”

While Teriipaia was working on the game plan, the leadership of this year’s team knew they wanted to have a memorable final season.

The trio of Jake Shaver, Ethan Bolingbroke and Christian Bruderer talked with the players and got them all on the same page.

“We had a lot of new starters on both offense and defense,” Bruderer said, himself one of the new starters as quarterback. “We had graduated so many players that had experience.

So we came together and began figuring things out. By the time we reached region, we were

on a roll.”

Jordan opened the season with tough road games against two of the best programs in the state. Although the Beetdiggers lost to East and Pleasant Grove, the boys were beginning to realize they actually had a good product they were putting on the field.

“I knew we had some very good players,” Teriipaia said. “I knew as long as our players would stick to technique and the game plan they could compete with any team in the state of Utah.”

By the time Region 7 play began, there was doubt in the stands as to what might happen for Jordan. After all, the Bettdiggers had previous dynasties Alta and Timpview in the region, teams that have tasted state championships many times in the past.

But the doubt was nowhere to be found on the sidelines. The Bettdiggers steamrolled through region, beating Brighton (34-17), Cottonwood (63-0), Alta (33-7) and even Timpview (18-7).

By the time Jordan entered its final season game Oct. 17, it would be a matchup of two teams with unbeaten records in region play: Jordan and Corner Canyon. And while the Chargers emerged victorious at the end, 28-20, the momentum the Beetdiggers had established was enough to carry the team pride into the state playoffs.

Jordan’s offense centered around three seniors this season; Bruderer as quarterback, Shaver in the running back position and Bolinbroke as wide receiver. The trio would account for 24 of Jordan’s 32 touchdowns.

Bruderer, in his first year at the helm of the offense, used a lightning quick release to catch the defense off guard.

“Teams will try to key on Shaver,” Bruderer said. “So I would try to pick on the linebackers with a quick throw. I knew they couldn’t

Senior Christian Bruderer led the offensive attack as quarterback for Jordan this season. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

A three-year starter at Jordan, senior Jake Shaver accounted for 14 of this season’s touchdowns. (Ron Bevan/ City Journals)

guard both our receivers and our running back, so we would keep them honest and give Shaver some room to run.”

And run was something Shaver did well. A three-year starter, Shaver punched in 14 touchdowns during the regular season and amassed 728 yards.

“Shaver is big and fast,” Bruderer said.

“He knows what to do when the lights go on because he has been there before.”

When Bruderer would air the ball out, Bolingbroke was his favorite target. Although Bruderer connected with six different receivers on touchdown passes, it was Bolingbroke who hauled in seven scoring passes.

“Bolingbroke is just someone you can count on,” Bruderer said. “I don’t have to be 100 percent accurate with my passes with him because he will go and get the ball.”

How the season ends up will now be decided in the state playoffs, as Jordan entered the title run as Region 7’s No. 2 team. But no matter how far the Beetdiggers go this year, Teriipaia said he believes the players gave everything they could.

“It’s been a fun ride to see the progression from the start of the season to now,” Teriipaia said after the Corner Canyon game. l

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Brothers compete nationally in sport climbing

By Ron Bevan | r.bevan@mycityjournals.com “It’s so very important for our citizens to understand the impact of idling on their children,” said Diane Turner, council chair of Murray. Murray and other cities were recognized Sept. 18 for idle-free initiatives. The 11th annual event also showcased winners from this year’s student poster contest.

Eight Utah cities were recognized on Sep. 18 by the governor’s office at an event held at the City and County Building in Salt Lake City. The event was the 11th annual Idle-Free Governor’s Declaration.

Seventy-one Utah cities have committed to put idle-free practices into effect. The eight cities recognized for their clean air efforts were Alta, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Logan, Murray, Park City, Salt Lake City and Sandy.

The event also highlighted a poster contest for students in the Cache Valley area. The contest, sponsored by Prof.

Roslynn Brain McCann and Ed Stafford of Utah State University, encouraged students to make posters with idle free and clean air themes.

This year’s poster contest garnered 550 entries. “The contest engages students who are just learning to drive, so it’s a great opportunity for education,” said McCann. “We gave those who participated a post evaluation, and all of them reported improved understanding of idle-free practices.”

The contest also gave them an outlet to practice marketing skills. Entries came from art, business and environmental science classes. McCann hopes the contest will be available to more school districts in the future, and urges schools to reach out to her at roslynn.mccann@usu.edu if they want more information.

Other speakers at the event included Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Dr. Laura Nelson of the Governor’s Energy Office, Thom Carter of UCAIR, Representative Patrice Arent of the bipartisan Utah Clean Air Caucus, Steve Bergstrom of Intermountain Healthcare and McCann.

Intermountain Healthcare’s representative said they have 750 fleet vehicles that do 12 million miles annually. “Idling is costly because idling equals zero miles per gallon,” Bergstrom said. With improved monitoring and education, some numbers have improved. “Where home care was idling their vehicles a total of 120 hours per month, now they are down to 45 hours per month. We see the effects of poor air quality every day in the patients we treat, and would rather not have to be treating the results of bad air,” said Bergstrom.

Mayors who were recognized were quick to give their constituents the credit for clean air efforts.

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130 Years OF TRUST Taking Care of Isaac Buehner tried basketball as a sport, but found himself more at home with sport climbing. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

Ian Buehner works on technique prior to a recent sport climbing competition. Ian, 12, prefers climbing to other sports. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

“I think the idle-free ordinance sends a message that every individual has a part to play and it can’t just be someone else’s problem. You can be a part of the solution.

For example, we have a mom here in the Holladay area, Crystal Bruner Harris, who has started idle-free events at schools,” said Mayor Rob Dahle. (See Holladay Journal article on Crystal Bruner Harris, “Clean Air Crusader.”)

Murray Mayor D. Blair Camp also recognized a dedicated member of his community. “We have a very tenacious council member, Diane Turner, who made a promise when she was running for council that she would push through an ordinance on idle free. She has really raised the awareness of other council members and the community. That’s what it’s really all about — awareness,” said Camp.

The mayors also put emphasis on children as the leaders for this issue. “The real impetus for us came from our residents,” said Mayor Mike Peterson of Cottonwood Heights. “They approached us.

We had several groups of young students

come to city council meetings and say to us, ‘Hey, this is what we want to see happen.’ That’s why we jumped on board.”

The mayors agreed that when you educate kids they will enforce it with their parents. Demonstrated in a winning poster from 2015 by then Logan High student Hailey Dennis. On a blue background, there is a single image of a child in a bold pose. The caption reads, “My mom idles less than your mom!”

Arent’s comments echoed this idea.

“We want to make idling as socially unacceptable as throwing litter out the car window. Education has always been a big part of what we are working on. This whole effort is about education, and teaching the public about idling: why it’s not good for their health, their pocketbook, or their car,” Arent said. “The air we breathe is not Republican air, it’s not Democratic air. It’s everyone’s air.”

The past winners of the contest can be seen online at cleanaircontest.usu.edu/ past-winners/. l

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Voting like it’s Black Friday

by

CASSIE GOFF

’Tis the month for voting. Utah’s 2018 General Election will take place on Nov. 6. Make sure to get your mail-in ballot post-marked by then or visit a polling station. If you’re not registered yet, don’t worry! You can register day-of at specific polling stations.

I’ve been thinking a lot about voting recently with all the hype around this election. What does voting really mean? What do you really do when you color within the lines of your chosen bubbles? The conclusion I have come to is — voting is how I show support. There are a handful of propositions and amendments on this general election ballot. If I have an affirmative vote on a proposition, I am showing support. It’s in the name at that point. I’m a supporter of that proposition. The same goes for the candidates I vote for during elections. If I vote for a certain person, I am showing support for them.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about the value of a dollar recently. What does the value of a price tag mean? When I hand my dollar bills or plastic card to the clerk, there’s more to that transaction than just the physical transfer of material. I am showing my support for that product, and/or company. In many of the “shop local” campaigns, a common slogan is “support local businesses.” That’s been reinforcing my idea. By shopping local, I am supporting local.

Since both voting and spending money are ways of showing support, I’m starting to view dollar bills as a vote. I’d like to use a syllogism here. Spending money is showing support. Voting is showing support. Therefore, spending money is voting. With every dollar I spend, it’s another vote for the company I’m buying that product from. I’m effectively telling

that business, “Yes, I like your stuff, keep doing what you’re doing, I support you.” And that’s been really powerful for me.

With the gift-giving season quickly approaching, I’ve been starting to exercise my vote a bit differently. There are only a few more weeks until shopping becomes a competitive sport. For Black Friday, I’ve usually scouted out stores like Target, Walmart, and Kohl’s. But this year, I’m starting to look for more local deals. Even though some local shops won’t be open as early or as late as some of the bigger corporations, I’m still going to make an effort to shop local for Black Friday.

I’m especially considering where to show my support for Cyber Monday. Black Friday crowds are slowly becoming obsolete; because let’s be real, who

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would rather go battle crowds of rowdy shoppers when the moon’s out, instead of finding the same, or even better deals through a screen from the comfort of home? Not a lot. Usually, Amazon is the hot spot for Cyber Monday deals. With some of the concerning reports in the news recently, claiming bad work conditions and general disregard for employees, I’m seriously considering withdrawing my support and changing my vote. Instead, I’ll be on the lookout for small business deals through other websites. One of my favorite websites to shop for gifts is Etsy. There are so many small independent artists selling their work. There’s also really cool stuff that’s hard to find anywhere else. I’d much rather vote for the Independent than the Dictator, money down. l

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Sandy City Journal

Life and Laughter—Table Talk

Life

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

SANDY

T

hanksgiving is a day of stress, even in the best of times, but Thanksgiving 2018 could take the cake. . . er . . pie. Dinner conversations have become landmines. Relationships are as strained as my jeans after five helpings of mashed potatoes. Families haven’t been this divided since the great Toilet Paper Orientation debate of 1954.

Here are just a few topics that could escalate your meal from a civil discussion to Grandpa throwing cranberry sauce into the ceiling fan: The national anthem--Kneeling v. standing; The Presidency--Trump v. a sane person; Women’s rights v. Rich White Men; Nazis v. Not Nazis; and the most contentious subject, Marvel v. DC. Things are ugly, folks. People are tense.

There are marches and demonstrations covering every perceivable issue.

Even asking someone their view on mayonnaise could spark a worldwide protest. So, what can we possibly talk about around the Thanksgiving table so we can still get presents on Christmas?

I gathered a group of unsuspecting family members to practice possible discussion topics. It didn’t go well.

Me to Grandson: Tell me about

Fortnite.

Great Uncle Jack: What’s Fortnite?

Grandson: It’s an awesome video game!

Great Uncle Jack: That’s stupid, you namby-pamby! Do you know what my video game was? World War II! So, I tried again.

Me: Elon Musk plans to take humans to the moon in 2023.

Second Cousin: The moon landing never happened. It’s a conspiracy to keep us docile.

Me: I don’t think it’s working.

Another effort.

Me: How about those sports?

Hubbie: Agents have ruined professional sports! Back in the day, athletes played the damn game. Now, it’s, “Oh, I need an extra $20 million before I can throw a pitch.”

Okay then. Next.

Me: What fun things should we do for Christmas?

Brother-in-law: We should stop pandering to the commercialism of a pagan holiday that has no foundation of truth. Might as well celebrate rocks.

I tried a different tactic.

Me: A delicious roast turkey sure sounds good.

Daughter: Do you know how

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Or maybe I’ve just read too many Jane Austen novels where you had to actually pay attention to realize you’d been insulted.

Now everyone is insulted. All the time.

So. On Thanksgiving, let’s practice not being insulted. Let’s try hearing other people’s views without writing them out of the will. We don’t have to agree, but can we be kind?

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I was almost out of ideas.

Me: What do you think about sweater vests?

Everyone: We hate them!

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I’m worried most families will end up sitting quietly, heads down, creating volcanoes with the mashed potatoes and gravy, and making NO eye contact for the entirety of the meal. At least dessert shouldn’t be contentious. (Dessert: Hold my beer.)

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