Sandy Journal | October 2023

NEW UNION MIDDLE SCHOOL BLENDS TRADITION WITH HIGH-TECH INNOVATION

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

It’s Andrea Iverson’s 10th year teaching sixth-grade social studies at Union Middle School—and it’s unlike any previous.

She and her colleagues recently moved into the new Union Middle School, which is nearing competition.

“I love it,” Iverson said. “I love the light that we have illuminating our rooms. Before I was in the 500 hall, and I had a shower window that looked out of the hall and you couldn’t see out of it. I love these garage doors that we can open to collaborate with others in our pod. We have a lot of fun plans to collaborate with En glish and have the kids practicing their writ ing skills with social studies. I teach an ELD (English language development) class where the kids do some independent reading, so I can take a group in our pod so they can chill on the couch and read. And I really do love not having cords all over my classroom just to use technology.”

Those were some of the teachers’ wishes two years ago when the ground broke for the new 219,000-square-foot school that was con -

After students and Canyons Board of Education Vice President Mont Millerberg cut the official ribbon, Union Middle families celebrated walking through the new school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

structed on the former school playing field at 615 E. 8000 South. The entire school project— building, design and equipment—totals $62 million, which was made possible through the $283-million bond measure approved by CSD voters in 2017, said Leon Wilcox, Canyons School District’s business administrator and chief financial officer.

It is the final planned rebuild in Canyons School District that, during its 15 years, has rebuilt or remodeled 23 schools with two bonds.

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Beyond touchdowns: Ron McBride transforms community beyond football

On the field, his recipe was to build success in his players and in his football team.

Now the former University of Utah’s and Weber State University’s coach is spreading the word about his foundation, so “every child deserves the chance to succeed.”

“We have programs in 17 schools in the Jordan, Granite, Murray and Salt Lake school districts and want to be here in Canyons,” said Ron McBride before speaking to the Sandy Rotary and some Canyons School District administrators. “I’ve learned from 50-some years of recruiting and seeing what's needed and know young people are the most important people to our society. It’s important that we help our youth, especially those at-risk. I want to open avenues for them.”

He compared it to the U of U team in his early days.

“Obviously, the Utah-BYU game is huge, so I prepared my players with hard work. I took them to Carbon County. I wanted a place where the fields were horrible. The dorms were horrible. The food wasn’t great. I wanted to make it uncomfortable, and they couldn’t catch a bus back,” he said.

Then something changed.

“The people in Carbon adopted our football team and came to watch practice. They brought water to water the fields and what it did is it changed how these kids thought and the thought process of what life is really about. It resulted in the team’s attitude of being committed and believing in hard work. When people believe in you, then you have a good chance to succeed. When we got off the bus that day at BYU, I said, ‘This is our day.’ We got a 55-yard field goal to win the game and change the whole program that would sustain itself,” he said. “That’s what I’m building with these after-school programs. We believe in them; this is their day.”

McBride personally meets with each

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By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

school’s principal and administrative team and sees the students before he makes a partnership. The after-school program is an answer to a need.

“At the beginning, we were considering rebuilding a library or the like. But in talking to the principals, we asked, ‘What do you mostly need?’ They said they needed a way to keep kids occupied from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and make sure they had food before they go home. So that’s where we started,” he said. “Now, I watch what they're doing after school and play around with them whether it’s Dungeons & Dragons or chess. I like all the sports, too. Rugby is big on the west side and dance clubs are huge.”

The Utah Sports Hall of Famer also helped to raise money for a track at Glendale Middle School, which after being completed last year, then welcomed student-athletes to get a “running start” at the meet and in life. His foundation also holds a soccer tournament in Ogden for thousands of youth.

It’s a personal connection for coach Mac.

“I grew up in the not-so-great area of LA. People really were struggling there,” he said. “I rode my bike to a park to play baseball and football and that kept me out of trouble. I’m hoping that by serving these youth with more programs, they have a better avenue to the life they deserve.”

He said that there’s another benefit to The Ron McBride Foundation’s after-school program.

“In the after-school program, the kids are seeing their teacher as a person and it builds that relationship into someone they can trust and go to when they need to,” he said. “They’re also getting ways to improve their educational experience as most of the schools offer computers and tutoring for kids.”

Coach Mac’s goal is to fund 23 schools in 2023 and said that many of his former players

have contributed to the foundation as well as play in the golf tournament fundraiser to extend the program to six more schools to reach that mark.

“They know the importance of education,” he said, estimating 85% of his players graduated college. “Many of them will go into these after-school programs and play with the kids, be a role model.”

McBride was one of Sandy Rotary Club’s weekly speakers, all who have a dedication to advancing the community, said former president Diana Rosenkrantz, who has been a member 13 years.

“We’ve had a handler and his canine come and tell us how the dog finds computer chips with his nose because the circuitry is printed in the chemical that the dog smells,” she said. “We’ve invited the Sandy City development officer to share with us the changes

that are coming in and we’ve had a special advocate for the foster system speak. We've had a lot of charities. There have been people that have come from nothing and made a difference in the community like the Turtle Shelter Project founder. She was once homeless and an addict. When she decided to get clean, she started making vests for others on the street to keep them dry from storms.”

As part of Rotary International, Sandy Rotary Club members are dedicated to bettering their community locally and globally. Recent activities for the 23 members include cleaning up local trails, supporting the Boys & Girls Club, annually sponsoring an international student, and providing a leadership academy to high school students.

“We have a willingness and a desire to serve,” Rosenkrantz said. l

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Utah Sports Hall of Famer Ron McBride speaks to Sandy Rotary members about his foundation’s after-school program and shares a few tales as a former University of Utah and Weber State football coach. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Alta High: Where the drama is fetch!

Premiering ‘Mean Girls’ on stage

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Alta High thespians are one of the few high schools in the state to premiere “Mean Girls.”

The show will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 15-18 and 20 in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 11055 S. 1000 East. The Nov. 16 show will be performed by the understudies.

“This is going to be so fetch, honestly, it’s going to be a positive experience,” said Alta High theatre director Linze Struiksma. “Casting was really hard because we had a lot of talent, but we came up with a cast that’s going to work well together. A big focus was making sure people represent kindness. The whole essence of the show is recognizing that kindness is more important.”

“Mean Girls,” based on the film written by Tina Fey, is a musical focused around Cady, who, as the outsider in her new home in suburban Illinois, navigates the popular cliques in her high school, eventually taking on “the Plastics,” a trio of frenemies. Lyrics are by Nell Benjamin, and the music is composed by Jeff Richmond.

At Alta, the musical involves 73 student-actors as well as 15 in the stage crew.

“I picked the show because I love the message—being who you really are is more important than anything else. These characters want to be them, but they’re scared of not being liked or they don’t feel they’re enough. What better way to talk about it’s OK to be authentically you and how beautiful that is and how the world needs you than through the theme of this musical. It’s about making real friendships and real connections and how that’s powerful,” she said.

Struiksma said the show was released in January, so only a couple schools are taking it to the stage.

“We’re one of the high schools in the United States to premiere it. It has the message we want to share; we have the right kids to do this, and they’re excited about it. It puts us on the map,” she said.

Before beginning rehearsals, Struiksma worked with Fey’s team to make “the language and content more appropriate.”

“We worked to make cuts and change it so they were happy with it and we could present it at the high school. I also worked with my administration and school district for a solid two to three months to get it approved for our community,” she said.

In addition to Struiksma, the staff includes April Lund,

music director; Susan DeMill, choreographer; and senior Addison Scarborough, student assistant director.

Prior to “Mean Girls,” Alta’s Shakespeare team will perform at the 47th annual Shakespeare high school competition Oct. 5-7 in Cedar City as well as host a Shakespeare showcase at Alta High at 7 p.m., Oct. 3.

The Hawks’ ensemble piece comes from three scenes from “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” said Shakespeare team director Lindsey Cline.

“We’re setting it up is if we are on a soundstage for a ’90’s sitcom,” she said. “‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ is most like a sitcom in its language and the physicality and the social status of the characters—and even the way the scenes are laid out. So, we’ll be presenting it as if the audience will be watching the pilot episode of ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor.’”

To prepare for their competition, the 30 students not only are learning their lines, but they’re gaining an understanding of performing in a sitcom.

“We’ve watched a handful of clips of different sitcoms, and we’ll definitely be doing more throughout rehearsals. We pulled inspiration from very specific late ’80’s, early ’90’s characters,” Cline said. “They’re understanding pop culture entertainment as they do a deep dive studying characters and history of TV and situational comedies.”

Also, several students have individual events, and eight students will compete in the Tech Olympics.

As well as competing, the thespians will see the Utah Shakespeare Festival performance of “The Play That Goes Wrong” by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer.

Following the musical will be Alta High’s traditional murder-mystery dinner show and fundraiser. The show is being written by the captain of the 30-member improv team, senior Kassie Holt. The dinner and show will be held at 5 p.m., and again at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8.

In the spring, the student-actors will perform at region in March. State is in mid-April.

The season concludes with student-directed one acts on May 9, 2024.

Tickets for all shows will be available online following the Alta athletics’ link on the school’s webpage, ahs.canyonsdistrict.org, or in person at the school’s main office. l

The cast of “Mean Girls” takes a break during an early production rehearsal. (Linze Struiksma/Alta High)

Eastmont Middle School turns 50: Students discover its history

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

It was an eventful time in American history: President Richard Nixon shared with the nation, “I’m not a crook;” the vice president resigned then pled no contest to income tax evasion; the Supreme Court legalized abortion with the Roe v. Wade decision and Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes.”

It was also the year when Eastmont Junior High opened to serve the growing population of students.

Fifty years later, Eastmont Middle School welcomed back about 400 alumni and current students to celebrate with the opening of the school time capsule.

The wooden five-foot pencil-shaped time capsule was made by shop students, painted school colors of red, white and blue, and filled in the fall of 1977, with instructions to be opened in the year 2000. After being filled with memorabilia in 2000, it was sealed again, to be opened in when the school turned 50.

First-year Eastmont sixth-grade math teacher Nicole Lund Chatelain was a student when the time capsule was opened in 2000.

“We opened it to see what was there, then put those back and filled it with new things from our time,” she said. “Each teacher tried to help students come up with something to put in it.”

Chatelain, along with former classmates Wes Stapley and Jeff Olson, was among a crowd in the cafeteria, waiting for current student government leaders to open the time capsule.

“Eastmont is important to me. This is where I became friends with people that I’m still friends with today,” she said, adding that her son now attends Eastmont and her daughter recently finished at the school.

It’s also where teachers impacted Chatelain’s life.

“Mr. Thomas was a fun math teacher. He taught the concept, but he also joked around and showed he cared about students. He’s one of the reasons I became a teacher,” Chatelain said. “I also loved theater with Mrs. McDougal. We did a show called, ‘The Paper Bag Bandit.’ I played the lead female role, Clementine, and I still remember some of my lines. I kept the dress my mom made that I wore for it.”

One of the first items pulled out from the time capsule was a silver duct-taped helmet.

“I remember this helmet; it from a ninth-grade teacher named Mrs. Hitchcock,” Stapley said. “She put together an entire iron giant in her classroom because her classes were reading the book, ‘The Iron Giant’ that year. She felt it helped them engage with the reading material and get excited about it.”

Students and alumni poured over the capsule contents, which included a VHS recording of the time capsule presentation;

two quarters that were minted in 2000; 1977 scrapbooks; a 2000 Deseret News newspaper with the top headline, “End of line for Hatch?;” letters written by students in May 1976; a cloth tape measure; a bicentennial edition of “The Freedom Collection;” the 1970s collectable toy Pet Rock; “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” novel; a 2000 Eastmont Middle School planner with teachers’ autographs; hit music from 2000 created by Mr. Hatch’s history class; a script from “Here comes the Judge” and more.

“I was the lead prosecutor in that play in ninth grade,” Stapley said, who now is a prosecutor. “I feel my theater background helped get me into law with learning presentation skills. Mrs. McDougal helped a lot of us come out on our shell. I struggled to make friends until I was in her class.”

A Smashmouth CD was pulled out of the time capsule.

“Jeff and I are not sure which of us put this in, but one of us did,” Stapley said about the rock band CD.

Olson also remembered the CD as well as “all the stairs; as a kid, it seemed there were thousands of them.”

Now as a graphic artist for the school district, he created the Patriot-themed artwork on the school walls.

Principal Stacy Kurtzhals said it was while she was principal the school colors and branding was added.

“Our school didn’t have markings that identified what our mascot was or used our colors, so we added those patriotic features throughout the school,” she said.

First-year Eastmont seventh-grade math

teacher and former student Victoria Scott remembered in 1988-91, when the enrollment grew to about 1,400, students were “jammed in the halls, trying to open their school lockers, which were yellow, orange and tan, just hideous colors.”

“Much of the building is the same except walls were put up because then it was just dividers so you could hear what was going on in other classes,” she said. “My favorite teacher was Mr. (Jim) Marsh, the band teacher. He taught us ‘Louie Louie’ and ‘Peter and the Wolf.’ In ninth grade, an elementary school put on ‘The Music Man,’ and asked us to play “76 trombones” at the end of the musical, so we got to march at the end with these uniforms.”

Ann White, who taught reading, English and social studies from 1978 to 1986 then returned to be the school’s principal from 2001 to 2005, was looking at some oversized scrapbooks and posters in the school library. It was her first time back to the school since 2005.

One of her fond memories was when the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic torch ran by the school.

“I remember standing on 1300 East with a flag from the Olympics that we hung in the school as the torch came by,” she said. “Everyone cheered; it was an exciting time. We took groups of students to some of the hockey games in Provo.”

She also remembered the Patriot of the Month awards, “stellar faculty that worked hard and laughed a lot,” and assemblies with U.S. Sen. Frank Moss and Marlin Fairbourn, Eastmont’s first principal.

“I remember when Eastmont was opened. Marlin was my science teacher when I was a junior high student and he was in the Air Force and in the Air Force National Guard. He left for a year to fly, then he came back to teach my class. It was the year President Kennedy got shot and Marlin was very patriotic. That’s why he helped choose Patriots as the mascot,” she said.

Kurtzhals said that students have a lot of Patriot pride for the school and for themselves.

“Our big thing is ‘Patriot pride. It’s inside,’” she said. “That really was proven this past year. The students learned it wasn’t what’s inside the building, but what was inside their heart. When we moved, our PTSA students and student government took it upon themselves to decorate the school to make everyone feel welcomed. I’m proud of our students because they still had Eastmont pride, and they were able to carry on.”

The move of the 550 students to the former Crescent View Middle School happened half-way during last school year when asbestos was discovered in the basement floor. In 2014, an outside water main broke so mud “flowed directly into our bottom floor and we had about 12 inches of water,” Kurtzhals said; the gym floor and the stage were replaced, as was the flooring, but when it was discovered that it was installed wrong, crews discovered the asbestos.

“Almost everything in Eastmont is original; I wish there was updated plumbing, air conditioning, flooring, an elevator that functions all the time, but this building has a lot of character with a lot of nooks and crannies. There are big glass walls, office spaces in classrooms, science labs, a woodshop, full cooking and sewing labs, a full-size auditorium—things you don’t necessarily see in schools today. There was an upgrade to the school in 1997, when they closed in the open classrooms and remodeled the bathrooms on the bottom floor to make them ADA compliant,” she said, adding the school also has a secure entrance.

Much is the same with scrapbooks and time capsule that have been kept in the library for decades. Now the time capsule’s contents are in a display case, allowing students to get ideas of what they’d like to put in from the year 2023.

“The kids have donated some cool stuff to go in there. We’ve got masks and COVID 19 tests, we’ve got a cell phone, we’ve got pictures, students put in popular toys, some students are writing letters, they’re putting together fashion pages, and more is going to be added before it gets sealed in December,” Kurtzhals said, adding that she plans to put a Chromebook in the time capsule. “Our student government decided to have it reopened in another 25 years, so we’ll be back here in 2048.” l

Eastmont Middle’s patriot mascot joins Principal Stacy Kurtzhals and some student government leaders in welcoming students, alumni and the community to the school’s 50th anniversary. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Wilcox said that after the split with Jordan School District, Canyons acquired about $650 million in overdue maintenance on its buildings and some schools’ needs, including Union’s, were so great, it was less expensive to rebuild the schools and equip them for today’s learning than to make repairs.

The community was welcomed by nearby Hillcrest High’s drumline and cheerleaders at an official ribbon cutting and walk through of the school building, which was delayed a few weeks because of shortages caused by the COVID supply chain as well as a shortage of workers. As a result, Union students began this school year virtually.

“We didn’t know that coming from a worldwide pandemic we would see material shortage or labor shortage and supply chain issues; remote learning is not how we envisioned starting the school year,” said Canyons Board of Education Vice President Mont Millerberg, who shares representing elementary schools that feed into Union Middle with board member Karen Pedersen. “I did want to applaud VCBO Architecture and Hughes general contractor for working overtime for the last couple of months to get us across the finish line.”

Millerberg has personal ties to Union as two of his children attended the former school, where his wife taught, and both she and he served on the school community council.

While the school is named after the historic pioneer Fort Union that was in the area, he also implies “a place where families come together and find strength in our community.”

Pedersen reminded students that they are still the Bobcats.

“So many memories will be tied to this new building, but I want you to remember the tradition that you had for 55 years,” she said. “Nothing has changed. You are still the same community. The same strength, the same enthusiasm, the same support and the traditions will live on. You just have a new home. You will be able to build new friendships and discover talents and gain new skills. The legacy of Union is told through its students and the lives they lead when they leave here.”

Before families toured the new school, school principal Brenda McCann thanked not only Supt. Rick Robins, Canyons Board of Education and voters who made it possible, but also the neighbors who put up with the noise and dust. She said she was grateful for the teachers who began teaching the year remotely and simultaneously, got classrooms ready for students.

Students walked through, locating their classes, and with their families, enjoyed a hot dog dinner in the new cafeteria

and commons area.

Seventh-grader Isaac Sebresos said with core classes being held together in pods, it will be easier to get to class on time. He also said it’s bigger (about 35,000 square feet larger) and “cool looking.”

His older brother, Roman, a Union alum who now is a sophomore at Hillcrest, said that there are more places to sit and study in the new school.

Within the commons, VCBO Architecture Project Manager Brian Peterson pointed out some unique features, including the “learning pyramid” steps.

“I love how the commons pours out into the student courtyard here,” he said. “We built the learning pyramid so that the students can get access to the second floor, but they can also sit with their friends to eat or have a lesson. Maybe it’s going to include a video, which a video wall is going to be installed on the wall here.”

Outside the commons, a ninja course is being constructed.

“That’s going to be pretty cool. The kids already are waiting for it,” Peterson said.

Within the commons is a kaleidoscope.

“That’s one of the things I’m most proud of is this art display. There are 20 different colored panels of glazing, and the light comes in at different times of the day to create this fascinating, different-colored kaleidoscope. I was inspired by the beautiful basilica, Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, (Spain),” he said.

Peterson also is pleased that the main entry’s skylights will hit elaborate woven fabric panels, once installed, to cast “cool shadows” on the floor.

“I didn’t have a very good educational experience as a child; the schools I went to were horrible. When I knew I wanted to be an architect, I wanted to design cool schools so I can give students a better experience than I had. It’s a great opportunity to serve the community and the future,” he said.

Other features include a makerspace within the high-tech media center, a gym with an indoor track and adaptive equipment, a wellness room, a presentation room nicknamed the “Bobcat Den,” and a modern auditorium that will be completed later in the school year. New grass playfields will be replanted in the spring.

While many applauded the new building, former principal Ann White who served at the school 1996-97, fondly remembered the previous school’s atrium.

“One of the most fun things and a unique feature at Union was having the open atrium,” she said. “A pair of ducks flew in and built a nest, and they had nine little ducklings. So, the science team got a pool, and built a ramp (to the children’s plastic pool) for the little ducklings to be able to swim around. Then, when the

ducklings had to get out, they’d put their little bills over the edge and flip themselves out. The kids would stop and watch them between classes and the people in

the neighborhood, would come by to see the nest of ducklings and they were protected by that atrium. They certainly made a splash that year.” l

Hundreds of community members came to the ribbon cutting at the new Union Middle School, which should be fully completed this winter. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Union Middle students and their families gathered on the learning steps and in the new cafeteria commons for a hot dog barbecue meal together following the ceremony. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

• Continue to build positive relationships with Council Members, Mayor, & Administration to get things done for our residents & businesses.

• Work hard to provide Sandy residents a safe & high quality of life.

• Strongly support Police, Fire & safe neighborhoods.

• I voted in support of hiring 8 new firefighters. This meets industry standards of 3/2, three on fire engine & two on ambulance at each fire station. Providing improved emergency service to residents.

• Provide safe & high quality parks, recreation, & trail experiences for residents of all ages

vote for

Scott Earl is currently serving as the District 4 Councilman. He was appointed by the City Council from ten candidates in January of 2022, filling a vacant position.

As a Sandy native, Scott attended Peruvian Park, Eastmont, & Alta High schools, before joining the Sandy Fire Department in 1983.

In 1986 he accepted a position with Sandy Parks & Recreation and retired after 35 years.

Scott served as the Parks & Recreation Director for 11 years.

• Focus on remodeling existing parks, playgrounds, & add splash pads & climbing walls.

• Complete the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

• Build business base to help keep resident taxes low.

• Provide leadership & open transparent communications with residents, departments, & employees.

• Focus on the environment & saving resources through efficiency, good planning, & implementation.

• 100% council meeting attendance since appointed in January 2022.

Jordan High’s stage comes alive with Shakespeare and ‘Brigadoon’

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Seventy

Jordan High theater, dance and choir students are dedicating their first eight weeks of school to Shakespeare.

Jordan’s Shakespeare team will take a devised piece from “The Tempest” to compete at the 47th annual Shakespeare high school competition Oct. 5-7 in Cedar City.

“We’re really excited with our devised piece, and we had a really good group that thought it would be fun to write it together,” director Suzie DuVal said. “I like having this ensemble team that plays on everybody’s strengths rather than having one lead person.”

Prior to the competition, a Shakespeare showcase at the school will be held at 7 p.m., Oct. 2. The $5 ticket will help support the Shakespeare team, she said.

Following their Shakespearean performances, the student-actors will work simultaneously on both their fall musical, “Brigadoon,” as well as their spring play, “Pride and Prejudice.”

“We have a broader skill set so we’re going to be building a lot at the same time. ‘Pride and Prejudice’ has 29 roles, so we’re going to be casting that in a couple of weeks, and we’re going to do the choreography this fall at the same time as working on ‘Brigadoon,’” she said, noting that it gives students

who want to participate in plays, but work after school, the opportunity to get involved.

“Brigadoon” will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 13 on the school stage, 95 Beetdigger Blvd. Tickets will be available at the door.

The show, with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, follow two American tourists who stumble upon Brigadoon, a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day in every 100 years, and the love of one tourist for a maiden from the village.

DuVal said she has been waiting a couple years for the right cast to direct the show.

“‘Brigadoon’ was a good pick for the cast. I have a lot of strong men this year and there’s a lot of great male roles in that show. Plus, my costume designer, Mary Ellen Smith, has wanted to do ‘Brigadoon’ forever. Her basement is full of costumes so one day this summer, I went over to her house and we went through every box and held the costumes up and it was like, ‘bring me to life,’” she said.

As a special treat, Jordan High Principal Bruce Eschler will take the stage alongside the 60 members of the cast to perform as a clan leader.

“He’s been supportive of our program

and the arts; he travels with us to Shakespeare so it’s going to be fun,” DuVal said.

Joining DuVal with the direction of the musical is Jordan Wright, pit orchestra director; Jaron Putman, music director; Taylor Meredith, choreographer; and Madi Michaels, a Jordan High alumna who is the assistant director.

At 7 p.m., Dec. 14, the Jordan thespians will take the stage for “A Night of Broadway,” which may feature up to 20 performances and will serve as a fundraiser for the 40 Theatre 3 and 4 students to attend the Utah Theatre Association conference in January.

“The students are always excited for this,” DuVal said. “I have a lot of talented freshmen, and this will give them more performance opportunities.”

“Pride and Prejudice” will be on stage at 7 p.m., Feb. 22-24 and again on Feb. 26, 2024. It is a theatrical version of Jane Austen’s classic novel that addresses relationships and courtship between the independent-minded Elizabeth and the handsome yet perplexing Mr. Darcy.

The students then will compete in March at region. State is in April.

The season concludes with student-directed one acts on May 21-22, 2024. l

Jordan High will perform “Brigadoon” this November. (Poster design by Teä Atkinson/Jordan High)

Waterford students duel with drama: ‘The Three Musketeers’ and ‘King Lear’

It’s a tale of a brother and sister who set off for Paris in search of adventure. The brother hopes to join the king’s musketeers while the sister is sent to convent school. She quickly decides that’s not for her; she’d rather fight by her brother’s side.

It’s an account of heroism, treason, close escapes and honor.

“The Three Musketeers” will be performed by Waterford middle school students this October.

Directed by Riya Sahasrabudhe, 20 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students make up the cast of the classic story. The show will be performed at 7 p.m., Oct. 1314 as well as at 3 p.m., Oct. 14 in the black box theatre in the Heuston Center for Performing Arts on the Waterford campus, 1480 E. 9800 South.

“They’re learning from a fight choreographer how to have sword fights for the play, so it should be a fun adventure,” said Waterford theatre director Javen Tanner. “Their swords are made for stage combat, but they look cool.”

Assisting Sahasrabudhe will be students who are on the stage management team, which she started on campus. It’s a program that allows students to be able to run the sound, lights and props on several shows during their schooling at Waterford.

Similarly, high school kids who are in stage management will help with the upper school’s production of “King Lear,” which Tanner will direct.

“‘King Lear’ is our annual Shakespeare production and some students performing read it with me last year in our Shakespeare class so they really were excited about it,” he said. “When I announced that we were going to do it, it was quite a stir. Everybody’s excited to tackle such a such a mountain of a play.”

The play will be at 7 p.m., Nov. 10-11 and again at 3 p.m., Nov. 11 in the Heuston Center for Performing Arts.

Tanner said he picked “King Lear” after deciding which play would work best for his students.

“I felt that I had a group who would work well within the characters and were dedicated enough to pull it off,” he said. “It’s widely debated which is his greatest play—‘Hamlet’ or ‘King Lear.’ It was a well-known story in Shakespeare’s time, but it had a happy ending. Then he took that, and he turned it into one of the greatest tragedies ever written. The (Columbia University) scholar James Shapiro suggests that King Lear was only performed once in Shakespeare’s lifetime because people were so shocked he had turned it into this tragedy. It wasn’t performed the

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

way it was written again for hundreds of years. In his verse, Lear cares deeply about the human experience and how difficult that can be. Shakespeare gives these incredible images…and it brings this sometimes very austere, stark coldness of the human experience. It’s delivered with both incredible language and with vivid images on stage.”

Tanner hopes that both the audience and 24 student-actors are able to feel what Shakespeare portrays.

“It’s just bleak, bleak, bleak, and it just seems to get more and more bleak as the play progresses. Then you have this moment of astonishing forgiveness and redemption amid that. It’s truly incredible. I don’t care that the kids or the audience goes out with some maxim about how to live your life or how to be a good person. That’s what that theater does. What I’m interested in is that in those moments, dark moments, they feel the dark moments. And in that moment of redemption, they feel deeply that moment of redemption, and how powerful it is. I’m interested in what’s happening in your heart,” he said.

The play is recommended for high school age and up.

In his 18 years at Waterford, Tanner has directed 16 different Shakespeare plays.

“It’s been pretty fun. We did ‘Romeo and Juliet’ last year. That was the first

time I’ve ever directed,” he said. “I really look forward to doing ‘Richard II’ at some point. I still haven’t done ‘Henry V,’ which I would love to do or ‘Henry IV, Part 2.’” l

The Waterford School will perform “King Lear” this November. (Image courtesy of Javen Tanner/Waterford School)

Sarah Cowdell carries on family tradition of athletics at Jordan High School

Jordan High School is one of the oldest high schools in Utah, having opened its doors in 1907. The locations and buildings have changed a few times, but the traditions have always been strong. It’s not unusual to see second- or third-generation students and athletes here. In the case of girls tennis player Sarah Cowdell, her family ties to the school go back four generations.

Cowdell traces her family link to Jordan to her great-great grandparents. Her family members were not only students at the school but competed in athletics for the Beetdiggers. Cowdell has been a standout member of the girls tennis team and placed second in region at first doubles. Along with her partner, Olivia Hill, she went 6-1 during the season.

“The current season has been personally fulfilling,” she said.

The individual success has been nice, but being part of the Jordan team is what she loves most about playing tennis at the school. She loves the team unity and selflessness the players show.

“Playing for the Jordan Beetdiggers is a privilege,” Cowdell said. “The girls tennis team doesn’t have any drama or exclusivity. I love that we all are friends, support each other and have fun together.”

Cowdell started playing tennis at age

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

14. Though no one in her immediate family played tennis, her grandfather introduced her to the sport and became her first coach. Playing tennis has been a way for Cowdell to meet people and socialize. Competing has made her happy.

“It has been a great way to make friends and get involved with the school,” she said. “I just love the joy that it brings me.”

Over the years, Cowdell has improved and honed her skills. She has used these to help her team and lift her teammates. She prides herself on her work ethic, among other things. Opponents and opponents’ parents have often noted how kind she is.

“As a player, my strengths are consistency, willingness to practice outside of school and being a good team player,” she said.

Beginning her tennis career at 14 meant Cowdell had a later start than many of her opponents. Though this may have been a disadvantage, hard work and practice evened the playing field more, helping her to achieve success and become one the region’s top players.

“I feel like I had to put in a lot more work to match that level,” she said. “I had determination, perseverance and rigorous training.”

Cowdell is a captain for the Beetdiggers. She is also a manager for the boys tennis team. Off the court, she has an impressive resume.

She is a 4.0 student and is ranked No. 1 in her class. She was also voted as homecoming royalty (princess). After she graduates at the end of the school year, Cowdell plans to go to college and eventually become a medical doctor.

Though her completive tennis career will come to an end when the season concludes, Cowdell will still play tennis recreationally.

As she reflects on her time as a Beetdiggers’ tennis players, Cowdell is thankful for her coaches, parents and teammates and for the role they have played in her success.

“Coach (Matt) Bell has been the perfect coach for my personality and for our entire team,” she said. “He is always positive and pushes me to be the best player I can be. I have also taken private lessons with coach Ahmed. He has helped me to sharpen my skills and take them to the next level. My teammates and family have been a huge inspiration for me to keep playing. They have provided guidance, motivation and unwavering support. My family never misses a match, and my team is always cheering me on.”

On Sept. 28, Cowdell and Hill won a round of 32 state tournament match over a tandem from Uintah High School, 6-3, 6-1. This advanced them to the round of 16 where they were set to face a pair from Provo High School. l

Sarah Cowdell has not only excelled on the court for the Jordan girls tennis team, but she was voted as one of the homecoming royalty this fall. (Photo courtesy Sarah Cowdell )

Brighton girls tennis led by sophomore Avery Olsen

Fifty-three girls comprise the Brighton girls tennis team, including 12 seniors and two foreign exchange students. “All the girls have been playing all summer to get on the team and get a spot,” said coach Natalie Meyer. Leading the way is 15-year-old sophomore Avery Olsen who narrowly missed being a No. 1 singles state champion last fall in the state finals.

Avery Olsen trains four hours a day, she doesn’t take weekends off, she always hits on vacations and there aren’t many holidays when she doesn’t fit in training. She is self-motivated and never complains. One of her many favorite quotes is by her idol Kobe Bryant: “Dedication makes dreams come true.” She has big dreams and she isn’t afraid to put in the work.

“She took first in Region in September playing first varsity singles position and will continue on to compete for the Utah 5A State title in October. She lost in a tough three-set battle last year, and is more determined than ever to take the title this year,” according to her mother and No. 1 fan Kristy Olsen.

There are many highs and lows in the sport of tennis and it is not very often that Avery Olsen is satisfied or content. When she wins, it is a moment of brief fulfillment, but then it is back to training and trying to

By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

get better. “Losses fire me up and make me more determined to work harder,” Avery Olsen said.

Most of her tournaments take her all over the country. She plays all the high-level junior tennis tournaments which include Easter Bowl, Orange Bowl, National Hardcourts, Indoor Nationals and Winter Nationals. Traveling to these tournaments enables her to play all the best players in the country in high pressure situations. There are many wins and even more losses playing the best, but what is always guaranteed is that she learns invaluable lessons and comes home better for it.

There is a lot of sacrifice training in what is often called “the most lonely sport.” She is usually traveling on her own out of state with one of her parents, not with a team. She misses out on many social weekends with friends. Because of this, it makes playing with the Brighton Tennis Team so special for her. She loves being part of a team, and playing for and representing Brighton High.

“Avery is an exceptional player that is a key contender for the state title,” Meyer said.

At the pace that Avery Olsen is on, she will likely become the latest in Brighton's string of tennis state champions. l

Brighton sophomore Avery Olsen eyes a

No. 1 singles state championship. (Photo by David Kenas Photography)

Heaton twins big reasons for success on pitch for Alta girls soccer

Any athlete understands the importance of having good teammates. When you play with people you know, trust and get along with, it can make things more enjoyable and create a better team environment.

When one of your teammates is your twin sister, the experience is especially unique.

Annie and Kate Heaton should know. The twin sisters are starters for the Alta girls soccer varsity squad. They’re thrilled to play with one another, and head coach Mackenzie Hyer and the other players love having them as teammates too.

“Playing with my twin sister is as fun as it sounds,” Annie said. “It's good that we play different positions or else it wouldn't be as fun. Being able to play with my sister is something that I will always remember because of the memories we make and knowing that it won't last forever.”

Kate has similar feelings. She also said the two sisters have a good feel for what the other does on the field, which benefits both players’ games.

“I really enjoy playing with my twin sister,” Annie said. “We’ve played together for about 12 years, and it’s something not a lot get to experience. We both play on the same teams and at such a high level on our club team. I know how she plays which allows me to rely on her and know she will do the right thing.”

Annie and Kate are seniors. Annie is a defender; Kate plays striker and wing. The two are integral parts of Alta’s team and have helped the Hawks to an 8-8 record (6-6 in Region 6 play). Kate had five goals and two assists during the regular season. Annie was part of a defensive unit that had four shutouts on the year.

Though the Hawks had their ups and downs in a challenging region, both sisters have nothing but positive things to say about playing for Alta and the memories they have made.

“Being on the Alta team is amazing,” Annie said. “The friendships I have made will last a lifetime, and being able to play soccer with your best friends is the best. This season has been both high and low for me, but I have enjoyed it, nonetheless. We're a young team and have a lot of new players, but we've been able to come together and play as a team and fight for each other.”

Kate agrees that the friendships and camaraderie of the team are the best parts about being a Hawk. She also echoed her sister’s sentiments about playing through adversity.

“Playing on the Alta team has been amazing,” she said. “Being able to play with your friends is the best thing. You get more involved with different age groups, and everyone is friends with everyone. You’ll always remember your friends that you played with at high school. This season has had its highs and lows, and I don’t regret any of it. I have loved every minute of playing with this team. For me personally, I have had ups and downs throughout all the games. I always play my best and give it

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

my all, but sometimes I lack confidence in myself, and that shows on the field.”

Both girls started playing soccer at age 5. They also play on the same club team together and have had success such as winning State Cup two straight years and playing in the Far West regionals twice. Annie and Kate both love the teamwork aspect of the game and that they have made lifelong friends on their teams.

Annie takes a cerebral approach to the game. She is a leader—a coach on the field. She understands strategy, positioning and tactics. She also said she plays well under stressful situations.

“Once I step onto the field, I give it my all, no matter who we play,” she said. “I am always talking to my teammates and making sure they know what to do if they don't. I have played soccer for so long and have lots of experience in playing soccer that I understand the game and am able to be a leader to others on my team. I don't always feel this way, but I have been told that I am very calm when I have the ball and am able to handle pressure well.”

Kate can be an imposing presence on the field. She isn’t afraid to back down from anyone.

“I am very physical and determined,” she said. “I know when to put pressure on and make the defense nervous.”

Both players have been blessed with natural talents and abilities. They have also worked hard to develop skills. But they pass the credit along to others.

“My mom and dad are my greatest supporters, and I owe all of my success and accomplishments to them,” Annie said. “They are always there for me and have done so much for me to get to where I am today. I also owe my success to my club coach Matt Bain because of how much he has helped me grow and become such an amazing soccer player.”

“I owe all of my success to my parents,” Kate said. “They have supported me my entire life and have pushed me to be better. They always cheer me on and know how to brighten my day. I also owe my success and accomplishments to my club coach Matt Bain. He sees potential in me, and he has confidence in me which allows me to trust myself and be the best version of me. He has helped me improve so much and become a great player.”

Both Annie and Kate hope to be able to play beyond high school at the college level. They will also play on their club team for another year or two. l

Alta’s Kate Heaton dribbles downfield in action earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Michael Heaton)

Alta girls soccer player Annie Heaton fights for the ball in a game against Olympus earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Michael Heaton)

What’s your legacy?

Serving Local Families Since

During one of life’s most difficult moments, you deserve the utmost respect, kindness, care, and guidance. Six generations of Larkins have been devoted to serving Utah families in their time of need, and that unique experience enables us to guide you in preparing services for your loved one with consideration and respect.

Connect With Us! sandy.utah.gov/citizenconnect

Z News

Hello Sandy Friends,

Ready or not – the change of seasons has already begun with Utah’s rst snowfall over Labor Day weekend. Will we beat last year’s snow record with this early start? Time will tell, but we will be ready! Soon our Sandy City Public Works trucks will make the shift from the Fall Bulk Waste Pickup to hooking up the plow blades to push our famous Utah powder. is season brings an important date for you to remember – Election Day!

Sandy City General Election

With the primaries over, there is still a very important election date ahead to choose city council candidates and approve a bond for a new main re station. On Tuesday, November 21, voters go to the polls and cast ballots on these important positions and issues within our city. Ballots will be mailed to voters 21 days prior to the election. ey need to be back in the mail by October 31st.

Sandy Council Candidates

Sandy City voters will choose their candidates for four city council positions, two at-large city-wide slots, District 2, and District 4. You can learn more about the candidates at Sandy.Utah.Gov/Meet-the-candidates. You also have an opportunity to attend a candidate forum sponsored by the Utah League of Women Voters. at live, in-person event will be held in the Sandy City Multipurpose room on October 26th at 5:30 pm. Get more information online at lwv.org/elections/vote411.

Fire Station 31 G.O. Bond

Sandy City voters will also be asked whether to approve a general obligation bond for our new main re station and department headquarters, Fire Station 31. is bond election is extremely important to our city. Our residents consistently rank public safety as the top priority. We want to assure emergency services are reliable, professional, and swift in their response. Whether it’s for a re, a fall, or

crime in progress, it’s critical that that emergency services are quick and consistent.

Existing Fire Station Deteriorating

Sandy’s existing Fire Station 31, at 9010 S. 150 East, is one of the oldest operating stations in Salt Lake County and has badly deteriorated with time, age, and heavy use. Fire Station 31 is the busiest in the city based on calls for service. e building is leaking, shifting due to foundational cracking, is not ADA compliant, and does not meet the applicable re code. ere is inadequate living and working space in the building.

A critical obstacle exists with Fire Station 31’s existing location. After the re station was originally built in 1985, UTA added a light rail line adjacent to the property. When the crossing gates are down and a train is passing, re engines and ambulances cannot make a right turn and travel eastbound onto 90th South. is seriously slows response time.

New Fire Station 31

With the approval of this bond, the new Fire Station 31 will be built at 9295 S. 255 West. is property is owned by the city and was previously the site of Wasatch Shadows Nursery. is is within e Cairns District of Sandy, where high-rise businesses, high-occupancy housing, sports venues, entertainment, shopping, and large community gathering sites exist. Development like this will continue as part of the city’s

Economic Development Master Plan. Building the new Fire Station 31 in e Cairns District will improve response times with its central location and easy access to I-15, State Street, 94th and 90th South, and the more densely populated downtown area. Sandy’s existing Fire Station 31 property will be sold.

What This Means to You

If the bond is approved by voters, it will mean an estimated property tax increase on the average Sandy household of $3.28 per month ($39.44 per year). at is on a $628,000 primary residence. e bond obligation would expire in 20 years or sooner once the nal payment is made.

I am con dent that as you learn about the need for the new Fire Department Headquarters and a better Station 31, you will see how these plans will bolster our city’s emergency response readiness. Time and resources matter a great deal when our health and safety are in jeopardy.

As a resident who cares deeply for my community, I will vote in support of the bond. As your mayor, I am serious about public safety, and making prudent choices for public safety. Whether it’s a candidate or an issue, we all have the power to make a di erence by learning the facts, considering the future, and casting a ballot. is season o ers another opportunity to fully realize the democracy that is the foundation of our country. It has come at a very high cost. Let us cherish that right as we go to the polls and shape our city’s future, together.

Photo contest winner: Guillaume Bigot

Sandy Justice Court Domestic Violence Docket Domestic Violence Awareness

Since June 2021 the Sandy Justice Court has worked with the State of Utah’s Administrative O ce of the Courts and the Center for Justice Innovation to improve how our court manages cases where a defendant in a case has plead guilty or no contest to an o ense that involves intimate partner domestic violence. Domestic Violence is a criminal o ense involving violence, physical harm, or threat of violence or physical harm by one cohabitant against another. Often, o enses involving domestic violence result from an attempt by one individual to control another and have no simple solutions for survivors of domestic violence to escape the perpetrator of the violence. Intimate partner violence is one of the most common types of domestic violence and these relationships become even more complicated when children are involved.

At the Sandy Justice Court we process an average of 200 cases that involve domestic violence annually. ese cases are incidents of domestic violence that have occurred in Sandy City and are charged as infractions, or Class B or C Misdemeanors. Class A Misdemeanors and Felony cases of Domestic Violence are heard by the State’s District Courts and are often more serious in nature or result from repeated o enses of domestic violence by the same individual. Charges of domestic violence led in the Sandy Justice Court include Assault, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence in the Presence of a Child, Criminal Mischief, Damage to Communication Device/ Property, Custodial Interference, Harassment, reat of Violence and Unlawful Detention among others.

e goal of a court when sentencing a defendant found guilty of o enses involving domestic violence include protecting survivors of domestic violence, holding perpetrators accountable, and preventing future instances of domestic violence. e goal of the Sandy Justice Court in seeking assistance from

the Center for Justice Innovation, our mentor court Tulsa City Domestic Violence Court and from the Administrative O ce of the Courts is to create a Domestic Violence Docket to improve outcomes for survivors of domestic violence and the children a ected while holding o enders accountable. e development of the Domestic Violence Docket in Sandy has been a slow and careful process to ensure the most up to date tools and evidence-based practices can be utilized by the court, our stakeholders and community providers are included in the process and that our court has the technology and procedures in place to collect the necessary data to determine the program’s e ectiveness.

e Sandy Justice Court had hoped to implement the program earlier this year although delays in State funding, state laws regarding domestic violence and unforeseen changes in our Utah partner courts have caused a delay in initiating the program in full. e court has since been able to resolve or improve the Domestic Violence Docket’s procedures and policies and is working to implement parts of the program as soon as January 2024.

If you are a survivor of domestic violence, you can receive help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, connecting with your local Utah Domestic Violence Coalition by calling 1-800897 -LINK (5465) or by calling 211 to nd a domestic violence shelter or nd community providers for services.

Fall Bulk Waste Program – Items of Importance

REMEMBER KEEP YOUR BULK WASTE OUT OF THE GUTTER!

• Fall Bulk Waste kicked o on September 11 and will be completed before anksgiving.

• Please don't put your waste out until 72-hours prior to your scheduled collection date.

• e pile size is limited to 20 ft. x 6 ft. x 4 ft. Only one pile per house.

• Piles should be 2 ft. out from edge of gutter and 3 ft. away from any storm drain. Please do not block driveways.

• Go to sandy.utah.gov/bulkwaste for a list of accepted items you can and cannot place in your bulk waste pile.

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that often casts a long, dark shadow over the lives of its victims. While much attention is rightly focused on adult survivors, the children who either witness these acts of violence or are harmed during violent episodes are often overlooked. Unfortunately, the traumatic e ects of witnessing violence in the household can be devastating for children.

When children are exposed to domestic violence, they may feel powerless to stop the violence or protect the abused parent. ey often internalize blame for the violence, even though they are not responsible. A single exposure to domestic violence can lead to behavioral and emotional issues, although the impact is most severe when children witness multiple events. is cumulative trauma can lead to severe anxiety, temper tantrums, and developmental regression or delays.

Children who live in violent households are at an increased risk of experiencing homelessness, chronic health problems, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, suicide, and are more likely to become perpetrators or victims of domestic violence in their future relationships.

To protect children, it is important to have a safety plan –especially for families with violent partners. A child’s safety plan should include instructing children to stay out of parental ghts as they may be injured, designating safe places to go during serious incidents, and making sure they know who to call for help. Other ways to support children include engaging in open conversations about family violence, seeking support from trusted adults, and maintaining stable family routines.

As part of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, the Sandy Police Department will have pinwheels on display at the Sandy Justice Court. ese pinwheels are a physical representation of the children our agency has served. ese pinwheels are a message of hope for each child to be raised in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment.

Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, there is help available. Reach out to the Utah Domestic Violence Link Line at 1-800-897-LINK (5465) or the 24-Hour Sexual Violence Crisis Line at 801-736-4356. For local support, contact a Sandy Police Department Victim Advocate at 801-568-4627, 801-568-6059, or 801-568-7283.

HR JOB CORNER

National Preparedness Month

e roots of the word disaster can be traced back to Ancient Greek and a word that translates to ‘bad star.’ is is in reference to the idea that bad things happen

A disaster, a calamity, an emergency, is an event that causes widespread human, material, economic, and/or environmental damage. is event can be a short-term or long-term one. Earthquakes, hurricanes, oods, res, and even terrorist attacks are all classi ed as such. Whatever the cause, the result of such a disaster devastates societies, changing life as we know it. In some cases, disasters have also been known to change

e Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created the National Preparedness Month (NPM) three years after the September 11 attacks to encourage every American to plan for emergencies. is year FEMA’s ready campaign will focus on preparing older adults for disaster, speci cally older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events.

We know older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and emergencies we now face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, or live in rural areas. Visit o cial websites like ready. gov/older-adults to learn more about how to reduce risks to life and property in the event of any major disaster.

9565 S. Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah 84092

HALLOWEEN HOURS

Tuesday, October 31

5:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

No PM Aerobics classes

PLAY & LEARN

PRESCHOOL

August 21, 2023 – May 30, 2024

Half Day and Full Day available

Children will enjoy their day at Play & Learn Preschool with a variety of games and activities! ere is playtime, class time, lunch, and more playtime. Our teachers work hard to make learning fun and engaging.

See website for more information.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL (GRADE 5-K)

We provide transportation to and from school. We also provide all day care for children when o school. Children enjoy games, arts and crafts, eld trips, homework time, snacks, and many fun activities throughout the school year.

Schools: Brookwood, Granite, Park Lane, Quail Hollow, Silver Mesa, Peruvian Park, Willow Canyon, and Beehive Science & Tech Academy. Enroll online.

New this year Beehive Science & Technology Academy

NOW HIRING

Do you have experience working with children? We are NOW HIRING! Part-time exible hours, we're seeking individuals who will assist in the successful operation of our Before & After School program. Come work with us and help make a di erence in our community. Youth Counselor I & II.

Check it out at: sandy.utah.gov/jobs

PERSONAL TRAINING

Do you want an experienced personal trainer to help you get t and motivate you in the process? If so, then our personal trainer is perfect for you! With over 20 years of experience, she is up to date on the latest tness trends and knows how to design a training plan that will suit your needs.

Email tess@fuz tness.com to set up an appointment.

SNAPOLOGY

Unlock Your Child's Imagination with S.T.E.A.M.! Unleash their creativity and give them the opportunity to do something fun, educational, and engaging! With Snapology's S.T.E.A.M. programs, your child will have a blast learning about science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a safe and nurturing environment. Sign up today for an experience your child won't forget!

KARATE:

Dedicated to teaching Shotokan Karate, IMA is a family-oriented dojo o ering classes to children and adults of all abilities and levels.

Friday night class at Alta Canyon Sports Center from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. imautah.com

River Oaks Golf Course

9300 South Riverside Drive, Sandy, Utah (801) 568-4653

Sandy.utah.gov/golf

Beautiful Autumn Golf At River Oaks Golf Course!

Come enjoy one of the valley’s most beautiful golf courses. To reserve your tee time visit us online at sandy.utah.gov/golf or call 801-568-4653 to book your tee time.

e Banquet Facility located in the River Oaks Clubhouse is one of the most popular venues in the valley. Our friendly sta will make your special event memorable and worry free. Family dinners, receptions, weddings and golf tournaments will enjoy a fabulous view of our pristine, golf course along the heavily wooded Jordan River. Adjacent to the banquet room, the Pin High Café o ers excellent grilled food and golf fare. We cater all events on location and o er a large variety of menu items.

For more information email catering@ pinhighcafe.com

e North Range facility is open all month for late season practice. Come down and hit a bucket of balls or use our practice green and bunker to improve your short game!

SANDY AMPHITHEATER

Catch a show before we close for the year!

October 5 & 7: Ben Rector

October 6: Brett Young

October 13: Midland

October 14: Jake Scott

TickETS & MoRE: SANDYAMP.coM

NOW HIRING

Sport O cials/Referees/Umpires.

$13.00 – $25.00/hour

Must be 14 years old to apply sandy.utah.gov/jobs

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Registration deadline is September 17. Leagues for Girls 5-6 & 7-8 grades. Games begin Monday, October 9. Cost: $70.

JUNIOR JAZZ BASKETBALL

Registration deadline for the 2023–24 season is November 12. Boys & Girls leagues for PreK-12 grades. Practices begin in December 2023 with games starting January 2024. Cost: $60-95 depending on grade.

TURKEY TROT 5K RUN

Register now for our Annual Turkey Trot 5K on November 11.

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Lone Peak Park (Gazebo) - 10140 South 700 East

Registration Fee: $30/individual or $25/family or groups

Registration Deadline: In person Wednesday, November 8 at 5:00 p.m.

Online Registration: Closes on ursday, November 9 at 7:00 a.m.

Packet pick-up: Friday, November 10 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - 440 E 8680 S

Late Registration: November 9-11 in person only!

Late Registration Fee: $35/individual or $30/family or groups

Day of race registration at Lone Peak Park from 9–9:45 a.m.

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR ALL PROGRAMS: sandy.utah.gov/registration

PARKS & RECREATION JOB OPENINGS: sandy.utah.gov/jobs

Into The Woods Coming To Sandy This October

Just in time for Halloween! Get ready to go Into e Woods to a world where mystery and magic awaits, fairy tales come to life, giants stalk the land, and witches spin their spells. e Sandy Arts Guild is a 2023 and three-time Best of State winner, known across Utah for their high quality and a ordable entertainment.

Into the Woods follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set o on a journey to break the curse.

e show weaves together timeless tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, creating a unique and intricate narrative. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

Whether you're a fan of classic fairy tales or enjoy exploring imaginative storytelling, this production has something for everyone. A Tony-award winning musical, the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim will touch your heart and leave you humming along. Don't miss this thought-provoking and mesmerizing musical.

Tickets are $8-$15, a ordable high-quality entertainment for the whole family. All ages welcome - bring your family, friends, and neighbors to experience the magic and joy that can only be found in live theater!

Into e Woods runs select dates October 6 - 21. Tickets at sandyarts.com.

Water Smart Fall Yard Actions in Sandy City

Fall is here! is means cooler temps, shorter days, and of course, yard clean up. Here are some “water smart” clean up tips from your friends at Public Utilities.

• Many of us fertilize our lawns in the fall. If you do so, please use fertilizer sparingly. Excess fertilizer can make it into our waterways via storm drains and cause nutrient pollution.

• Compost, mulch or rake and bag leaves. It’s okay if you don’t pick them all up! It’s good to leave some leaves on your landscape. ey decompose and release nutrients back into the soil, while providing habitats for bene cial insects. You might even consider mowing your leaf piles to create your own mulch!

• Keep storm drains clean of debris, please! is simple action helps reduce potential ooding and improves water quality.

• Reduce your irrigation schedule and prepare to turn your irrigation o before the rst hard frost. Smart irrigation controller rebates are still available! Visit utahwatersavers.com for information and applications.

• Speaking of which, prepare to winterize your irrigation! Drain or aerate any sprinkler lines and detach hoses from hose bibs.

• Fall temperature uctuations can lead to weakened or broken pipes. Sign up for our WaterSmart software to help identify leaks and breaks as they occur and to customize the settings for your own home: sandycityut.watersmart.com

Public Utilities By the Numbers: WaterSmart Edition

WATER USE:

Water use has slightly increased this year. Compared to this time last year, water use has increased by:

• 4% or 175,730,000 gallons

However, water use is still trending in the right direction. Looking at water use from January to August, this year’s water use has decreased by:

• 16% or 935,388,000 gallons from the 10-year average

• 13% or 688,062,000 gallons from the 5-year average

• 11% or 596,756,667 gallons from the 3-year average

WATERWISE LANDSCAPE EDUCATION:

• 6 unique classes as part of a waterwise landscaping series

• 2 guest speakers

• 72 attendees

OUTREACH & EDUCATION:

• Youth water education activities: 9

• Adult and family water education activities: 14

REBATE OPPORTUNITIES:

• Smart Controllers:

o 19 applications

o 172 completed projects

• Toilets:

o 51 applications

o 37 completed projects

• Landscape Incentives:

o 151 applications

o 137 completed projects

LEAK ALERTS:

• 3,092 leak alerts sent through the WaterSmart customer portal.

• 346 leaks resolved using the WaterSmart online leak resolution tool.

With WaterSmart leak alerts, you can prevent your home from wasting water and money! Sign up here sandy.utah.gov/watersmart

SANDY CITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 2023

FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, VISIT: SANDY.UTAH.GOV/862/CALENDAR

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HALLOWEEN SECTION

A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for men, women, and children in the Salt Lake Valley

The scariest way to know what’s most popular this Halloween—with numbers!

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Hit the trifecta this Halloween by giving out M&M’S (or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) to the trickor-treaters while wearing a scary (but unique) costume in between catching glimpses of one of the Halloween franchise movies on your television screen. (“Halloween Ends” is the most recently released movie in the franchise, but “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002) and “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Meyers” (1995) (filmed in Utah!) seem to be most adored by fans.)

If you’re wondering what type of candy variety pack to pick up from the store for the Trick-or-Treaters this year, go with the chocolate. Specifically, M&M’S, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Kit Kats tend to be the most sought-after candy choice.

Some 1,188 participants (based in the United States) were surveyed during an online study conducted in October 2021. Participants were asked which candy they liked better during head-tohead match-ups of 76 different sugary items.

M&M’S topped out by being the favorite of the online voting base with 76.1%. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups came in at 74.4%. Kit Kats received 72.8% of the vote, with Peanut M&M’S not trailing too far behind with a 72.4%. Butterfinger was the last of the 70 with 70.9% of the vote.

The remaining candies to make up the top 10 favorite Halloween treats (scoring between 67.1% and 68.8%) included Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey’s and Reese’s Pieces.

In case you were curious about the top 20: coming in at being the favorite between 57.5% and 65.5% of the online surveyed population were Hershey’s

Kisses, Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, 3 Musketeers, Dove Milk Chocolate Bar, Krackel, Crunch, Almond Joy, Baby Ruth, Starbursts, and Andes Chocolate Mints.

Another study conducted in 2020 broadly backs up the claim to fame for chocolate. Some 13,852 participants were surveyed about their various Halloween preferences in September 2020.

Out of those 13,852 (United States) adults, 88% reported that they would be buying chocolate candy. Forty-two percent reported that they would be buying candy that was either chewy or fruity, with 40% reporting they’d be buying caramel candy, and 37% reporting lollipop purchases. Further, 36% of respondents reported they’d be buying sour gummies, 28% would be looking specifically for candy corn, 25% would by buying taffy, 20% would be buying nut-filled candy and 12% would be buying either gum or mints.

Overall, most (United States) adults purchased candy for their trick-or-treaters (71%). But! Twenty-nine percent of adults still purchased healthy alternatives like carrot snack bags, trail mix, or toothbrushes to throw in amongst the candy. But! You can’t just give out the most desirable candy and be the favorite Halloween house around. You have to dress the part!

A study conducted in 2017 by aytm, a market research company, encourages people to dress as scary imposters. A thousand (American) adults were surveyed during September 2017. Survey results were compared with secondary research of search trends from Pinterest and Lyst as well as predictions from USA Today.

Some 24.4% of Halloween costumes were described as being scary, with 20.3% described as sexy. Other

descriptions of costumers that didn’t score as high were cute, funny, weird/ creative, classy/sophisticated, and other. The most frequent costumers of 2017 including Pennywise the Clown, a witch, Wonder Woman, a “Game of Thrones” character and a zombie.

Echoing the sentiment, a 2021 study surveying 2,312 (United States) adults encourages people to pick classic Halloween costumes like ghosts and witches, as that’s what 20.81% of respondents chose to do.

Even if you’re still unsure what to dress up as this year, absolutely don’t go as an athlete, clown, pumpkin, ghost or cat. Survey results show that we’re all too tired of those costumes.

And be yourself! The 2021 study reported that only 10.57% of people coordinated their costume with another person.

While you’re waiting for trick-ortreaters with your M&M’S and scary costume, you may as well spend you time watching the most preferable scary/Halloween movie.

According to an online survey conducted in October 2022, 56% of 2,210 (United States) adults reported “Halloween” as their favorite horror movie franchise. “Friday the 13th” just about tied with a rounded 56% as well. “Nightmare

on Elm Street” came in closely after those two with 54%.

“Halloween Ends” ranked as the fifth top grossing horror movie in the U.S. and Canada in 2022 at $81 million, according to data collected and published in January 2023.

Plus! Halloween 2023 is anticipated to see the most participation and attendance in the last decade. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, 73% of (United States) adults will participate in Halloween activities this year. The last time over 70% of the population participated in Halloween actives was in 2017 when 71.7% of adults participated in spooky fun.

What will we be doing? About 67% of us will be handing out candy (hopefully those chocolate bites!). Fifty-one percent of us will be decorating our homes and yards (this reporter’s decorations have been up for two weeks now). Forty-seven percent of us will dress in costume. Forty-four percent of us will carve a pumpkin (you got this one). Twenty-eight percent of us will throw or attend a Halloween party. And 20% of us will dress up a pet (this reporter’s fur baby rocks her pumpkin costume). l

Responses to the question “What Halloween costume(s) are you sick of seeing every year?” (Photo courtesy of Wyatt Edwards and Katelyn Shaaf/HalloweenCostumes)

Draper families transform their yards into Halloween destinations

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

No other state gets into the spirit of Halloween like Utah. A recent three-year study of Google search terms and homeowner survey by Lombardo Homes revealed that Utahns lead the nation in decorating for Halloween. Across the state, people transform their yards and gardens into supernatural realms filled with animated creepy characters, spooky lighting, fog machines and all manner of things that go bump in the night.

The most elaborate of these homemade “spook alleys” attract visitors from all over and become neighborhood gathering places on Halloween. For years, three families in Draper in particular have shared their passion for the spine-chilling and spooktacular with the community through their immersive yard displays.

Larsen Manor

“We build stuff all year long,” LaDawn Larsen said. “It’s a construction project when it starts. It takes over everything.” LaDawn and her husband, Steve, transform the grounds of their home at 1871 Flat Bear Circle into “Larsen Manor” for the month of October. Visitors to Larsen Manor can walk around the yard where a giant pumpkin-head creature with burning eyes watches over a graveyard and skeletons appear to march out of a mausoleum.

“Steve and I got married 11 years ago. He got drawn into the Halloween craziness and it got bigger,” LaDawn said with a smile.

Halloween is a special holiday for the couple. As a firefighter in Magna, Steve used to dress up as a cyclops and ride the fire truck handing out candy on Halloween. LaDawn has cherished memories of trick or treating in Sandy as a child and enjoyed decorating and throwing Halloween parties as an adult. The pair got engaged at TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis.

“We really like to mix things up,” Steve said. “This year we’ll have armies of the dead. A mad scientist scene will be the feature.” The Larsens also plan to transform their 12-foot skeleton into the mummy of King Tut.

“A little girl who likes to come every year said that we needed more jump scares,” LaDawn said. “So we did. We have a pumpkin that opens up and comes alive. We’re trying to do more of those things.” She added that their display is not gory. “We don’t have our own children that are here so we do this for other peoples’ kids.”

The appreciation they receive from visitors to Larsen Manor is a major inspiration for LaDawn and Steve. They plan to open their yard display on Oct. 6 but will have to close it before Halloween this year on Oct. 28, for work-related reasons.

The Haunted Haven

Tifini Folkersen’s love for Halloween is a longstanding family tradition. Her mother, Jodi Tebbs, decorated her childhood home at a time when Halloween decorations weren’t quite as popular as they are today. Tebbs’ parents loved the holiday as well. “My mom’s dad would dress up like a werewolf, in full theatrical makeup. He’d run around the neighborhood and scare people,” she said.

A trellis over the front walk leading to the Folkersen’s house at 1338 Hana Court is entwined with skulls and grimacing skeletons. “Our decorations are never the same,” Folkersen said. “It changes from year to year as the kids grow.”

Tebbs and Folkersen explained that their décor came out of a desire to make Halloween an interactive experience for the children in the family. The yard display features little vignettes that relate to members of the family. When Folkersen’s son, Kolsyn, went to his senior prom, they put up dancing skeletons in the display. “Last year, Kolsyn went to the U so we had a University of Utah-themed skeleton area,” Tebbs said.

“We make it family friendly,” Folkersen said. “It’s fun and spooky, not too scary.” On Halloween night, she and her husband, Lynn, give out candy and run the technical aspects of things. Tebbs enjoys mingling with the visitors.

This year the family is planning a ghosts in the graveyard theme. “Once I come up with a theme, we figure out what we want to add and build,” Folkersen said. “We’ve been collecting for 30 years and building. There are memories attached to each decoration.”

Building the displays is a labor of love for the family and they enjoy watching visitors react to their handiwork. “It’s cute seeing all the people having fun,” Folkersen said. “People stay and have a good time.” She said that her neighbors having been getting into the Halloween spirit with their own decorations as well.

Folkersen plans to have her display ready for the first weekend in October. It is open to visitors every night from when darkness falls to 10:30 p.m. She said, “We tell people, when they hear the witches cackle, it’s time to go home.”

The Farr family’s “Southfork Sanitarium” is located at 927 E. Southfork Drive in Draper. The decorations are up throughout October. (Photo by Farris Gerard)

A pumpkin-headed monster towers over “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by Steve Larsen)

Southfork Sanitarium

Dan and Stephanie Farr explained that "love for the neighborhood" was the inspiration behind their yard display. "I loved it in our old neighborhood when our neighbor would have a Halloween potluck," Stephanie said. The Farrs started out serving chili and hot dogs to their neighbors on Halloween night and set up a "spook alley" in their yard. The spook alley got more elaborate every year and evolved into "Southfork Sanitarium."

"Dan got started with the life-sized monsters," Stephanie said. He became

hooked on Halloween after a trip to a friend's Halloween store. About 15 years ago he joined the Rocky Mountain Haunters group.

“I geek out on Halloween,” Dan said. "I love entertainment and doing stuff that makes people happy.” That same passion inspired Farr to become the founder and producer of FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention. Soon after the convention ends in late September, the Farrs start putting out the monsters.

The family has built up a collection of props that would fit in at any commercial haunted house. Some have been

created by professional monster makers. Dan has acquired a few creatures, including a giant animated demon, from his friend, Dick Van Dyke. The actor enjoys putting up an elaborate Halloween display for trick or treaters at his home in Malibu, California.

Other supernatural scares are homemade. Dan constructed Stephanie's favorite, a glowing ghost on a pulley that appears to hover in the window over the front door. "I don't like gore, I like spooky fun and jump scares," she said. The Farrs' display has attracted attention beyond their neighborhood.

"There have been years that we've been in the news," Dan said. "A lot of people will come in from other areas."

Stephanie explained that this year's haunt might not be quite as over-thetop. "We used to have our sons and their friends help set everything up, but they're grown up now," she said. "We've had to simplify."

Still, monsters will appear once again at 927 E. Southfork Drive this month. "The neighborhood kids love it!" Stephanie said. Dan added, "We just can't stop!" l

Steve and LaDawn Larsen put personal touches on their Halloween display. “Larsen Manor” will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

When their youngest son went to college, the Folkersen family put up a “U” themed vignette with skeletons as part of their Halloween display. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

The cackling of the witch tells visitors that it’s time to go home at the Folkersen family’s Halloween display in Draper. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

In this photo from 2021, a skeletal procession was on display at “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

Double, double, toil and trouble: Haunted Woods spells fun and funds for families

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

For over 50 years, Murray Haunted Woods has been a tradition in the local community, but it's more than just a seasonal attraction. It serves a dual purpose, both as a family-oriented entertainment venue and as a fundraiser for noble causes, primarily focused on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence.

Originally managed by Murray City until 2010, the Haunted Woods faced potential discontinuation due to budget cuts. However, the Murray Exchange Club and Youth Council stepped in to take over the event. "During the economic turn, the city needed to cut back. When they cut this event, the citizens responded with an adamant ‘No, we need to keep this. It’s tradition and family-oriented,'" Sheri Van Bibber of the Murray Exchange Club said.

The event has always had a charitable edge. "Our Exchange Clubs across the valley all participate. We contribute funds to different groups, past examples include YWCA, Taylorsville Family Center, Midvale Family Center, Boys & Girls Clubs, Victims’ Advocates of SLC and several more," Van Bibber said.

The Murray Haunted Woods has adapted to the changing times, especially in the era of COVID-19. "We almost shut down, but public input encouraged us to continue," Van Bibber said. "We met all health requirements and have since added double the availability. People can buy tickets online or at the gate." The event also complies with all city and county standards to ensure safety and enjoyment for all attendees.

Interactive elements have become an integral part of the event. "We want the wait in line to be just as much fun as the actual tour through the Woods," Van Bibber said. Performances from the West High Drill Team, appearances by the Ghost Busters Team and their iconic car, and multiple interactive activities are designed to keep visitors entertained throughout.

However, creating such an event does not come without challenges. "We spend months preparing, so logistics are always a challenge," Van Bibber said. In addition to dealing with increasing amounts of props that now require rented storage space, the event must adapt to changes in the city's infrastructure. "Last year, the challenge was the pavilion being rebuilt; this year, it was a new addition to the city's warehouse," she said. Despite these hurdles, Van Bibber assured that "everyone has been working together to make it possible."

Being an outdoor event, weather is a significant concern, but the organizers are undeterred. "We have run the woods in wind, rain, snow, hail, 11 degrees; it just adds to the ambiance," Van Bibber said.

She also mentioned the valuable assistance from local police and fire departments in ensuring that the event setup remains secure overnight.

As for the experience itself, the Haunted Woods offers something for every age group. "We start in the daylight with the 'Silly Trails'—the music and characters are fun and entertaining. As the sun goes down, the energy in the woods shifts, and so do the characters," Van Bibber said. A safety feature, a "Safe Code" called “Ghouls Be Gone,” is in place if anyone finds the experience too intense.

Although there have been discussions about extending the traditional three-day schedule, limitations arise. "People have asked us to run all month, at least a week, or even move to the weekend," Van Bibber said. However, due to logistical issues related to volunteer availability, "we have found it best to leave things as they are."

This year's event includes several noted attractions. "The football team playing ball in the woods as scarecrows is always entertaining," Van Bibber said, "and the polo team playing on land along with Madame Leota is new this year."

Regarding the trail designs, Van Bibber said, "We always look at it with fresh eyes every year. There's a 'Light Show' crafted by Jeff Evans and music and design by Andy and Jeleigh Evans from Murray High."

Over the years, there have been many memorable moments in running the event. "One of our first years we had three fog machines, and it was so humid that the whole park filled up with fog. The Fire Department kept getting calls that the park was on fire," Van Bibber said. In another instance, "One year, it was thundering and snowing, and we were all covered with snow. The kids had a riot, and no one wanted to leave."

Volunteers from the Murray Youth Council and the Exchange Clubs are vital. "There’s a lot of leadership involved, and we have amazing kiddos," Van Bibber said. Local businesses like K Real Estate and AAA Restoration play significant roles behind the scenes. "Our Murray businesses are the reason we are still here. We are always open to our business family and look forward to more partnerships in the future.”

The event runs Oct. 23-25 at Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.) on the south side of the outdoor swimming pool in pavilion 5. Visitors can choose the Silly Trail for younger guests from 5:30-7 p.m. or the Scary Trail from 7-9 p.m. for the more adventurous. Tickets are $5. Visit MurrayHauntedWoods.com for tickets and more information. l

Two ghosts dance in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A zombie startles visitors in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A witch greets small visitors on the Silly Trail of the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

Your Voice, Your Future!

PRIMARY WINNER

MEET AARON: YOUR COMMUNITY LEADER

Business Expert: With 11 years of experience as a Realtor®, Aaron understands the housing market and is dedicated to promoting improved homeownership policies, incentivized development and faster permitting, better zoning, and smart development focused in the Cairns to boost affordability and Sandy’s housing market.

Dedicated Educator: A Master’s Degree in psychology, a certificate in City Planning from MIT, and continued coursework, Aaron is committed to lifelong learning and community education. He continues to teach ecology at his son’s schools.

Family First: Proud husband and father of three sons and two dogs. Aaron supports safe neighborhoods and puts Sandy families first.

Environmental Steward: Past President of USEE, Past Chair of Utah DarkSky International, Past Chair of Sandy City Sustainability Committee.

Lighting Specialist: Consulted on lighting ordinances in Park City, educated Sandy City on lighting tech.

Global Visionary: Presented Sandy City resident survey data at a global conference.

Green Initiatives: Created the city’s curbside glass recycling program by working with Sandy City and Momentum Recycling.

Sandy Volunteer of the Year: Recognized for outstanding dedication and service to our community.

Gondola Opposition: Putting taxpayers and conservation first as former Co-Director of SaveNotPave. Aaron values transparency and stands with the 89% of Utahns who oppose the gondola.

PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST: Safer roads, improving crosswalks, and robustly funding our police and fire departments. Your safety matters!

SMART GROWTH: Investing in the heart of our city's natural beauty! Aaron stands for sustainable development plans like the Cairns, a walkable community close to transit and shops, that everyone can enjoy.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Aaron's financial expertise ensures your hard-earned tax dollars are spent wisely.

PROTECT OUR CANYONS: Say NO to the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola! Preserve our serene natural treasures.

Vote

Former Challenger School demolished

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Grief is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To o er support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.

It’sthe end of an era.

The former Challenger School that had educated thousands of students at the 1000 East location in Sandy is no more.

Crews in mid-September demolished the school building that opened in 1981.

A new Challenger School with 52,000 square feet opened in August 2022 at 10650 S. 700 East, three blocks west of the former school site. More than 600 students, from preschool through eighth grade, attend the 30room private school.

“Now that Challenger’s new state of the art facility on Seventh East is operational, old preschool and elementary structures at 10th East that had outlived their useful life have been removed,” said Matt Cooper, general counsel. “The remaining facilities continue to play a vital role in supporting various facets of Challenger School's broader operations, encompassing areas such as staff development, operational maintenance and logistical support." l

The last of the 42-year-old Challenger School walls were demolished Sept. 19, just more than one year after the new school building was opened three blocks west. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Untangling the Madness: Why Trimlight is the Ultimate Holiday Hack

The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it the timeless tradition of adorning our homes with festive lights. You’re likely familiar with the routine – unearthing boxes of tangled lights, grappling with a ladder that seems determined to defy you, and attempting to transform your residence into a shimmering winter wonderland. It’s all fun and games until you’re knee-deep in a web of extension cords, pondering the choices that brought you here. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a better way – outdoor permanent holiday lights from Trimlight.

they’ve staged a revolt, protesting against your decorating skills. You become a detective, tracking down the rogue bulb that’s sabotaging your holiday dreams. Just when you think you’ve triumphed, a gust of wind turns your carefully placed lights into a chaotic display of brilliance.

And let’s not forget the extension cords. You weave and wind them through your yard like a mad scientist setting up an experiment. And guess what? They have a mind of their own. They tangle, twist, and trip you up in a game of holiday-themed Twister.

The Drama of Hanging Holiday Lights

Picture this: You’re in your front yard, armed with a string of lights that may have been plotting against you in the attic for the past year. You attempt to untangle them, or at least you try. Suddenly, you nd yourself locked in a wrestling match with a stubborn knot that refuses to let go. This is where the adventure begins.

But that’s not all! You embark on a ladder-climbing odyssey, channeling your inner acrobat as you teeter on the edge of catastrophe. The ground seems to disappear into the distance, and you ponder the cosmic signi cance of your holiday decorating decisions. In that moment, the ladder is not just a ladder; it’s a perilous gateway to a realm of festive uncertainty.

Now, the real challenge begins. You plug in your lights, and behold – a quarter of them refuse to illuminate. It’s as if

By now, your ngers are either frozen or numb, and you’re seriously reconsidering the merits of holiday cheer. You might even have a breakdown amidst the holiday lights, swearing to never repeat this ordeal—until next year, of course.

The Brilliant Solution: Trimlight’s Permanent Holiday Lights

Now, imagine this instead: You’re sipping hot cocoa, snug inside your warm home. With the touch of a button or automated schedule, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame. No battles with knots, no precarious ladder ascents, no detective work, and no expeditions in sub-zero temperatures.

Outdoor permanent holiday lights are your comedic relief in this festive chaos. It’s akin to having a team of holiday magic-makers who turn your home into a dazzling masterpiece with a simple press. You can change colors, craft patterns, set schedules, and adjust brightness—all from your cozy couch.

Meanwhile, your neighbors are outside, grappling with their lights and cursing their extension cords. You, on the other hand, get to relax and savor the spectacle. You’ve outwitted the holiday lighting madness, and you’re relishing every moment.

In summary, the holidays should be a time of joy, not a test of your patience and ladder-climbing skills. Trimlight’s outdoor permanent holiday lights are the ultimate holiday hack, sparing you from the chaos and transforming your home into a yearround holiday haven. Embrace the brilliance of permanent holiday lights and leave the comedy to the experts – and maybe even enjoy a chuckle or two as you witness the chaos unfold elsewhere! Happy Almost Holidays!

Trimlight is the industry leader in outdoor permanent holiday & accent lighting and nobody helps more Utah homeowners than Trimlight. To learn more about Trimlight, or to schedule a free estimate visit trimlight.com/saltlake, or call 801-382-8746.

With the touch of a button, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame.

Q & A Business Spotlight

Megan Sewell owns Wild Sage Acupuncture in Cottonwood Heights. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Utah and maintains diplomat status at the national level:

NCCAOM. Megan also has a Master’s degree in Science with a focus on Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine. She has 15 years of experience in the field of medicine and opened her clinic in Cottonwood Heights in 2021.

Q: What services do you offer?

A: As a holistic endocrinologist and pain specialist, I do acupuncture, cupping, diet guidance, and internal medicine in the form of herbs and key supplements.

Q: What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A: Our 100% natural therapies address the root cause of acute / chronic pain and hormonal imbalances. Your body never forgets how to heal, it just needs the right guidance and support. Through simple treatment strategies, along with our targeted acupuncture sessions, we provide a clear and concise way of improving your health and wellbeing. We offer a free initial consultation to see if our services are a good fit.

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

A: We offer solutions that Western medicine fails to provide. By reducing or eliminating pain, improving sleep and energy levels, and lowering physical and emotional stress for our

patients, on a daily basis, we naturally increase quality of life. Many of our patients love acupuncture’s naturally relaxing effects every time they receive treatment.

Q: Who is your ideal client/customer?

A: Anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain and/or nerve related conditions is urged to check us out. We also specialize in women’s hormonal health and infertility.

Q: What factors should potential customers know to make a decision about your business?

A: Our mission at Wild Sage is to provide efficient, cost-effective, natural healthcare.

We accept HSA/FSA cards, provide Superbills for insur-

ance reimbursement, and have a financing solution through CareCredit.

Q: What can customers expect from your business?

A: We will do a detailed assessment of your symptom or pain pattern, medical history, and other factors to determine the best way to treat you. If you follow the plan laid out, our experience has shown that we get quick and effective results, and once you are strong and well you do not need ongoing visits or treatments.

Q: Are you offering any specials?

A: We always offer free consultations and your first treatment is 25% off through May. Call 801-849-8312 to schedule a consultation and visit wildsageacupuncture.com for more information.

We love having our business in Cottonwood Heights to engage this wonderful community and be a source of renewed hope in healthcare. Find us on Facebook at @WildSageAcupuncture and on Instagram @wildsageacu.

“Megan is a world class acupuncturist who has helped me with pain from a spinal injury and chronic nerve pain… gratefully, Megan and her team helped me to recover holistically. I recommend her to my friends and family all the time.” – Sean

Odyssey House of Utah Admissions O ce: 344 East 100 South, Salt Lake City 801-322-3222 | OdysseyHouse.org

Odyssey House is the largest nonpro t behavioral health agency in Utah, with more than 30 locations in Salt Lake County and 70 Best of State awards. It was started in 1971 and provides treatment for substance use disorder and mental health issues through a variety of programs, both residential and outpatient, for children, teens and adults. It also has its own medical clinic (Martindale) and administers a substance use program in the Salt Lake County Jail. On any given day Odyssey House serves 1,100 clients and served 12,000 clients in the last scal year.

Randall Carlisle is the Odyssey House media and community relations director. He’s been with Odyssey for six years and before that he spent 40 years as an anchor/ reporter in television news.

What sets Odyssey House apart from other treatment centers in the region?

We have the highest success rate of any nonpro t treatment center. We are the largest and o er more specialized programs than any other similar agency. We can also treat anyone regardless of their ability to pay and our service can be free for residents of Salt Lake County.

Who do you serve?

If you have a substance use or mental health problem we can help. Substance use disorder and mental health problems a ect anyone from all walks of life. We help clients solve the problems of drug addiction and mental health issues.

How do potential clients make the choice between you or a competitor?

We provide low-cost or free care. We are in network with all major insurance providers and we can provide a more successful outcome than other providers. We back up our slogan which is “We Are Recovery.”

What types of treatment do you o er?

We o er adult and youth residential programs, sober housing, an intensive after-school outpatient program for youth, a parent with children program and a criminal justice program. Odyssey also has a medical clinic that includes harm reduction services and we have men’s and women’s mental health treatments. All of our programs include extensive case management, trauma informed care and life skills development.

What is your success rate?

We have a 173% higher drug abstinence rate than the 2020 National average and an 84% higher drug abstinence rate than the 2020 Utah average. We o er recovery that leads to a successful and happy life.

How do you help those who have graduated from the Odyssey program?

Odyssey House is about lifetime recovery, even when you have some bumps in the road. Alumni services are provided for free and include therapy and relapse support, sober outings and graduate groups.

How can people learn more about you?

We have over 30 locations in Salt Lake County. Our weekly podcast Odyssey House Journals can be seen on YouTube or listened to on all podcast platforms. We can also be found at odysseyhouse.org.

The Truth is Out There

Depending on who you ask, aliens have either 1) frequently visited our planet, 2) never visited our planet, or 3) are currently running our planet.

It’s been quite a year for Unidentified Flying Objects, which are now called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. (Tomayto, tomahto.) These “extraterrestrial” vessels made the news, created a TikTok channel and had their own congressional hearing.

In early 2023, the Air Force started blasting weather balloons out of the sky. Although weather balloons have been used since 1896, it’s only in the last year the balloons became malicious enough to be shot down. It’s definitely American to shoot first and never ask questions.

It reminds me of the 1978 video game Space Invaders, where the goal was to blast UFOs out of the atmosphere before they reached Earth. Whether the current UAPs were peace emissaries from Alpha Centauri or galactic multi-level-marketing sales-aliens, we’ll never know.

Look at it this way. If you launched a celebratory lightspeed rocket on the day Jesus was born, it would still be in the Milky Way Galaxy, even traveling for 2,000 years at the speed of light. So if a flying saucer made its way across its galaxy and our galaxy, it would take hundreds of thousands of light years to reach us, only to be casually shot down by an F-22.

Maybe they were on their way to teach

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

us how to travel at lightspeed, how to create a functional Congress or how to evolve so our skin glows in the dark. We’ll never know.

UFO sightings occur all over the world, but the U.S. has the most interaction with aliens. The Roswell crash in 1947 was the first “flying saucer” wreckage that authorities said was a UFO, then it was a weather balloon, then it was Carl’s tractor from down the road and then it was the remnants of an atomic test, which didn’t make anyone feel better.

Air Force pilots share stories of strange objects in the sky, security cameras capture “meteors” and eerie lights, and there was a congressional hearing to talk about what the government isn’t telling us. Spoiler alert: the government keeps a lot of secrets.

Many people are convinced the pyramids were built with alien technology. Some people think UFOs travel the world making intricate designs in crops, kind of like alien graffiti. Others point out the first microchip was created just 10 years after the Roswell crash. Coincidence?

Hmmmm.

Records from Rome (AD 65) and Ireland (AD 740) document chariots flying through the clouds or ships floating in the air, filled with people. Too bad there wasn’t an F-22 to shoot them down.

“War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells was written in the late 1890s. It was one of the first novels that detailed an alien invasion on Earth. People lost their minds when Orson Welles dramatized it on a 1938 radio show.

I’m not saying UFOs are real. I’m not saying they’re not. But sightings have increased, usually in the form of an orb, a disc, a triangle,

a cylinder, an egg, a toaster, a VW Bug or other random shapes.

I’ve been saying for years that Earth is a hit reality show in the universe and little green men (or blue or white or gray) watch the hilarious antics on our dumpster fire of a planet while eating alien popcorn.

It’s pretty egocentric of us to think we’re the only planet with intelligent life. And I use the word “intelligent” lightly. I hope somewhere in the universe there’s a planet where the inhabitants live in peace and work together to create new ideas. I just hope they don’t come here. We’ll shoot them out of the sky.l

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