April 2018 | Vol. 4 Iss. 04
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT BRINGS BACK BUDDHA ON 9TH By Spencer W. Belnap | s.belnap@mycityjournals.com
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here is a Zen Buddhist saying along the lines of “When life is good we may enjoy the beauty that others put in our path to brighten our day and never say a word. But when we witness some injustice, then we call up our Buddha nature and try to make things right again.” When Sugar House resident and Zen practitioner Ben Dieterle bought a pair of large terracotta Buddha head statues several years ago, he had no idea how much this saying would ring true for him and his community one day. “I bought them from Dancing Crane Imports (673 East Simpson Ave.) about six years ago,” Dieterle said. “One was placed inside my house and the other in the backyard. Several months ago though, I felt it was wasteful having one in the back. I had heard of neighborhood Buddha shrines in other cities and neighborhoods and how they became landmarks and sources of pride.” Dieterle decided to move the statue into his front yard along 900 East and create a shrine of his own. He enlisted a local carpenter friend to help build a custom wood structure to house the Buddha head. It was renamed Buddha on 9th and opened to the public on Nov. 5 of last year. Local Zen master Michael Mugaku Zimmerman with Two Arrows Zen Center came out to dedicate it to the community. “There is a lot of Zen and Buddhist décor in the neighborhood already,” Dieterle noted. Buddha on 9th even had its own Facebook page created, and neighbors began posting photos and positive feedback. “People would leave candles, light incense, maybe stop and take a picture,” Dieterle said. The shrine was sitting peacefully and being appreciated. Dieterle went about his daily life as manager of transportation services for the nonprofit company Intermountain Donor Services. When he came home for lunch one day at the end of January, a woman was in the front yard, and asked how she could help. Someone had vandalized the shrine, throwing a large rock at the face and stealing the crown. The wood structure that encompasses the head was fortunately not damaged. “I was very surprised,” Dieterle said. “I wasn’t super upset, but not happy about it either. I think I would have been more bitter if the community did not show as much support as they did.” With a neighbor offering to help before he even knew about the vandalism, it was an immediate outpouring of support. Pictures of the shrine’s damage were posted on the Facebook page, and messages of hope and assistance started coming through. Dieterle started a GoFundMe page to try to raise enough to purchase a new statue. Local news stations featured stories on the vandalism and the $3,000 fundraiser.
The Buddha after it was vandalized. (Photo/Ben Dieterle)
“The fundraising links started trending soon after the story broke getting a huge amount of traffic,” Dieterle said. “In just three days, we made 90 percent of the goal. People of all walks of life donated. Complete strangers, neighbors I knew, neighbors I didn’t know. We had over 100 donors, ranging from $5 to $200. I was still receiving donations at the end of February and raised more than $3,200.” Local sculptor Eric Wilson was chosen to create a new statue head, this one with some vandal-resistant features. The revamped Buddha on 9th will be an identical cast of the previous one, but with a mold with reinforced concrete
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made to look and feel like stone. It will feature some alterations to the crown, and be made with a bright bluish-green verdigris, with veins of copper throughout. It will be reinstalled in the wood structure in the front yard, and a re-dedication ceremony will be done the beginning of April. There will also be a security camera in Dieterle’s front yard going forward. “I hope it’s a one and done situation,” Dieterle said. Visit Buddha on 9th Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/Buddha-on-9th-155636384981827/ for upto-date details on the new shrine’s unveiling. l
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hat’s up in Sugar House this year? With the ever-changing landscape, you may wonder if some of your favorite social activities are still planned. We have highlighted a couple of favorites with some new twists. Sugar House Pub Crawl In honor of American Craft Beer Week, the Sugar House Chamber is sponsoring its annual Pub Crawl on Saturday, May 19. This year’s planned activities will be similar to last year’s activities. “We’ll start on Monument Plaza at noon with some booths and games and swag,” said Amy Leininger, Sugar House Chamber chair. The Plaza, 2100 South and Highland Avenue, will host community non-profits who will talk about their causes and answer questions. Monument Plaza is also where participants can register and get their passport. By registering their passport participants are automatically entered into a drawing that will happen at the end of the Crawl. Participants are encouraged to visit their favorite pubs, but also invited to try some new places. “We cap our pub participation at 10, but there will be plenty of places to visit,” Leininger said. Some of the participating venues will have a food purchase requirement, but they are planning on having a special menu available to help keep the cost of participation down. The Pub Crawl ends at 4 p.m. Participants can head back to Monument Plaza for the opportunity drawing. There will be live music, and the drawing for two tickets to the Idaho Brew Fest will happen at 4:30 p.m. (You must be present to win). Music will continue on the Plaza until 5:30 p.m. “The Pub Crawl happens rain or shine, but it will be a fun time regardless of the weather,” Leininger added. “Last year, we had about 2,200 people participate, the passport is free, but you need to purchase your own food and drinks at the venues. It should be pretty fun. I’m excited.” More information can be found at www. sugarhousechamber.org or on the Chamber’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ SugarHouseChamber
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Start of the Sugar House Pub Crawl on Monument Plaza. (Sugar House Chamber)
Sugar House Arts Festival If you have been to the Sugar House Arts Festival in past years you probably remember how hot it was. “We are moving the Sugar House Arts Festival out of July,” said Landon Clark, Sugar House Community Council Chair. “It’s just too hot in July.” Plans are still in the works, but Clark said they hope to hold the festival on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and to hold it in Fairmont Park. “We decided to move it this year to September and into Fairmont Park for a couple of reasons,” Clark said. “We are looking to bring something to Sugar House that has been missing for a while. Sugar House has a big artist community and we think the new
improved Sugar House Arts Festival will really highlight that. We want to increase the number of local artists, provide an opportunity to have food vendors and trucks, and have a variety of musical acts.” The space available in Fairmont Park is substantial and there is plenty of green space and shade. It is also close to public transportation right off the S-line. More information will be coming soon. “But we wanted everyone to know that the Arts Festival is being planned, it will just happen a little later this year with the hope to accommodate more participation from artists and vendors and increase visitors to the Festival,” Clark said. l
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Four steps to help prepare for a major earthquake By Lori Gillespie | l.gillespie@mycityjournals.com
A view of Salt Lake City where an earthquake fault line runs through. Experts say people need a 96-hour kit in case of a disaster. (Pixabay)
P
eople in Sugar House spend their day near an earthquake fault line and it is just a matter of time before a big earthquake hits the area. In the past, people have all been encouraged to prepare for earthquakes and other potential disasters by having a 72-hour kit. But according to Kenya Rene of the Salt Lake City Emergency Management Office, 72 hours of supplies just isn’t enough.
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“Our population is growing, but the number of our first responders is not. We need to be prepared to take care of ourselves for longer during a disaster,” Rene said. “Everyone needs to plan for 96 hours (four days) worth of supplies per person. We have come to realize from other recent disasters that 72 hours just isn’t enough.” To help prepare yourself and your home for a major disaster Rene suggested taking these four steps: Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. This can include attaching bookshelves or other tall objects to the walls, or moving heavy objects close to the floor. Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Sit down as a family and make a plan. How will you account for everyone’s whereabouts and safety? Keep in mind that your family may not be together. How will you communicate? Cell service and other technology may not be available. Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. Having enough supplies – water, food, clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene items, contact lenses – to support every person and pet in your family for a minimum of 96 hours. Step 4: Minimize financial hardships by organizing important documents, strengthening your property and considering insurance. Many insurance companies offer earthquake insurance. To help with planning, Salt Lake City is making an effort to get more people involved to help with first responders in the event of a disaster. It will be important to leave our homes in the event of an earthquake. Many homes in Salt Lake City will
not be safe to inhabit, so the neighborhood schools have been designated as temporary shelter. “We have planned S.A.F.E. Neighborhoods (Schools Aid Families in Emergencies) orientations in the communities.” Rene said. “These are meant to educate people on what we all need to do in the event of a disaster and how and where to go and to help educate people on how to reunite families in the case of an earthquake.” What is important to remember is that the elementary schools are meant to be a safe place to gather and will have basic supplies only. That is why individual kits are so important. Information on these orientations can be found at www.safeutah.org. Additionally, volunteers are needed to be trained on how to help during the disaster. People trained in C.E.R.T or Community Emergency Response Teams, are seriously needed. “We don’t have enough people to help in the event of a big disaster,” Rene continued. “Our first responders won’t be able to help everyone who will need help.” If an earthquake happens, it will cause widespread damage, roads may become impassable and communications will cease. Getting trained in CERT will allow neighborhoods and communities to take care of themselves until additional help arrives. “CERT class is one of those classes that train you to respond in any kind of disaster, and to help you administer first aid. Having CERT trained individuals empowers the community,” said Rene. Information on community orientation training can be found at www.bereadyslc.com. l
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After an up-and-down regular season, Highland girls basketball catches fire in playoffs
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n the long high school girls basketball season, it’s natural for teams to have highs and lows. The Highland Rams were at their best when it mattered most. The Rams struggled during portions of their non-region and region schedule, so not a lot of people expected the team to have ended up just a handful of points away from playing for the Class 5A state championship. The Rams were a big surprise in the tournament this past February, winning a pair of games against favored opponents and advancing to the semifinal round. With the right to play or the title on the line, Highland fell to Region 6 foe East 44-38. It was the third time this season that East got the better of the Rams. It would have been easy for Highland to fold against the Region 6 co-champions. East jumped out to commanding 27-11 lead at halftime behind hot shooting and solid defense. Highland managed just two points in the opening six minutes. The second half, however, belonged to Highland. The Rams showed heart by clawing away at the big deficit. As the fourth quarter began, Highland whittled the score to 35-27. Unfortunately for the Rams, they didn’t have quite enough in the tank to pull off the come-from-behind upset, as East advanced to the championship. Lana Olevao led the way for Highland in both scoring and rebounding. The 6-foot senior had 13 points and eight rebounds. Other key contributors were Misini Fifita, who had eight points, and Kaija Glasker, who also had eight points to go along with three boards. Though the loss was heartbreaking, it’s difficult to imagine anyone expected Highland to go that far in the postseason. The Rams were a ho-hum 4-6 in region play on the year and entered the state tournament with an overall mark of 11-11. Highland
By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com finished just a game ahead of fifth-place Murray, barely grabbing the final playoff berth in the region. As a reward, the Rams drew Corner Canyon, the Region 7 co-champs, which entered the tournament with an impressive 20-2 record. Clearly, Highland wasn’t intimidated. The Rams rode a big first quarter in which it outscored Corner Canyon 18-8. After a backand-forth second quarter, Highland led 31-20 at the break. Even though Corner Canyon outscored Highland 15-6 in the third, the Rams were able to hang on with a 14-10 run in the final period, resulting in a 51-45 victory. Highland scored the enormous upset with efficient offense and great defense. Corner Canyon made just 14 of its 66 shots, and the Rams got double figures in points from Glasker (17) and Olivia Beckstead (14). Fifita hauled down nine rebounds in the victory. Highland had little time to celebrate, as two days later, on Feb. 21, it squared off with Woods Cross, which placed third in Region 5. The Wildcats brought a 14-8 record in the contest, but once again, the Rams didn’t seem to care. Trailing Lana Olevao goes for a layup during practice in January 2017. (Travis Barton/City Journals) 20-19 at halftime, Highland went on a 19-5 surge in the third quarter and did just enough in the fourth quarter to secure another upset, 51-41. 11 points. In the quarterfinal victory over Woods Cross, the defense Highland returns Glasker, its leading scorer at 12 points a was once again stingy, holding the Wildcats to 29 percent game, next season. Beckstead will also be back for her senior shooting. Olevao also had a monster game, racking up 19 points season. The Rams will miss the services of Olevao, Johnson and and dominating the glass with 17 rebounds. Taryn Johnson added Fifita, who will graduate. l
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Art Walk brings out blossoming artists and their admirers By Spencer W. Belnap | s.belnap@mycityjournals.com
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t was a mild Friday night on March 9 in Sugar House and “spring fever” was swirling in the air. The first Sugar House Art Walk of the year was underway and the blooming area was even more lively than usual. The neighborhood event provides local businesses, artists and craftspeople and patrons a good reason to roam the streets and businesses around 1100 East and 2100 South. “There’s definitely a spring fever out there,” business owner Gail Piccoli said. She owns Commerce & Craft, an eclectic shop that sells a variety of handmade art and crafts from local artisans and designers. “I’ve been in this neighborhood for over nine months now. The Art Walk used to be once a month, but they moved it to quarterly last year. It’s a fun way to explore Sugar House and meet some local artists.” Several venues were hosts during the Art Walk, from more established neighborhood shops like Commerce & Craft and Local Colors, to newer businesses in the area such as Market Source Real Estate. The venues provided the spaces where artists could show and sell their work and mingle with patrons and fellow creators. One artistic couple new to the Art Walk and new to Salt Lake City was Matt and Taylor Lamb, who recently started Be Light Candle Co. The Lambs and their candles were set up in front of Lillie Botanica, an intimate boutique along Highland Drive. Their selection of candles attracted many admirers as did the inspiration
behind their business. “My wife and I moved here from Montana awhile ago,” Matt Lamb said. “The city and neighborhood are awesome and very welcoming. We were surprised to hear about the crazy high suicide rates in Utah though.” The Lambs attended a suicide awareness walk and thought about how they could help this cause in their new community. “We wanted to give back, and when we started making candles it all just kind of came together,” Lamb said. Be Light Candle Co. was born in 2017, and 15 percent of all proceeds go to suicide prevention and awareness. The soy wax candles are held in repurposed cocktail glasses of various sizes. Current scents include everything from pumpkin firewood to fresh cornbread. Be Light plans on being at future Art Walks and farmers markets as well. Another local artist new to the Sugar House Art Walk was Isabel Stearns. Stearns had a table set up on the patio of Commerce & Craft, featuring her wool pieces made from a technique called felting. “It’s a beautiful night,” Stearns said. “People are outside in the good weather and good vibes. This is the first time I’ve displayed my stuff outside of school, and it’s been a lot of fun.” The Art Walk lasted for three hours. Patrons and families came from around the valley exploring different venues. For those who missed it, the next one will be in June. l
Patrons check out artists’ work during the Sugar House Art Walk. (Spencer W. Belnap/City Journals)
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Places and Faces: April By Spencer W. Belnap | s.belnap@mycityjournals.com Gilgal Sculpture Garden In the mid-20th century, a man named Thomas Battersby Child, Jr. had a strange vision to build a sculpture park in Salt Lake City. It slowly came to fruition, and Gilgal Sculpture Garden can still be visited today. Located in a quaint city park at 500 South and about 750 East, the unique garden features various stone and rock sculptures along a nicely flowered path. One of the more famous sculptures is “The Sphinx,” which features the face of Joseph Smith on the body of a sphinx. A dozen original sculptures and more than 60 stones are engraved with literary texts, poems, and scriptures. Many residents may not even be aware of Gilgal’s existence, and rising condominiums are encroaching on the park’s perimeters. It may not be around forever, so anyone visiting or living in SLC should try to see this different place.
Todd Mulvay
The Sphinx at Gilgal Garden
Fairmont Park Skatepark Nestled in the southwest quadrant of Fairmont Park is a bustling skateboarder’s paradise. The skate park is open until 11 p.m., and features big lights similar to ones at a baseball diamond. In dry weather, it is usually overflowing with skaters of various ages and skill levels. In one pool there might be a small class being taught the fundamentals of balance. In another, several teenagers bet each other that they can’t land any difficult tricks. There’s plenty of surrounding grass for spectators to sit on and enjoy the fresh air and skating fun. What’s your favorite thing about spring? Todd Mulvay and Mary Costello
Mary Costello Fairmont Park Skatepark
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Todd Mulvay: The fresh air is a big plus in the spring. Utah’s dirty air is gone for now, and I can breathe easier. Even though it’s tax season, I’m not as stressed if the air is clear. Mary Costello: Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I would have to say the optimism that comes with it not being so gray and dreary anymore. The optimism for sure, and it being light out for longer. l
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S ugar House City Journal
Understanding elected official compensation in the wake of pay raise controversy By Justin Adams | j.adams@mycityjournals.com
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“A witch hunt.” “A failure on many levels.” “An unfortunate situation.” Those are the terms used to describe a controversy that came to a conclusion at a Sandy City Council meeting on Feb. 27. A few weeks prior, KUTV reported that Sandy’s recently-elected mayor, Kurt Bradburn, had given himself a $15,000 raise during his first month in office. The news resulted in a firestorm of social media backlash—KUTV’s post on Facebook garnered 72 (mostly) angry comments—resulting in an announcement by Bradburn that he would take a pay cut instead. The city of Sandy appeared ready to move past the controversy at the Feb. 27 council meeting. Most of the residents who spoke as well as the city council expressed continued trust in the mayor. The city council also passed a resolution that codified mayoral compensation, meaning that the Sandy mayor will no longer be responsible for setting his or her own salary. The resolution also included an increased commitment to transparency. As suggested by Councilman Zach Robinson, the city will begin disclosing both the mayor’s and the city councilors’ salaries in the city’s budget. “If we’re going to publish the mayoral ranges, I’d recommend that we publish the council ranges as well. I feel that would be an open and transparent communication from us to our citizens,” said Robinson. Part of the reason for the public outcry about the mayor’s self-appointed raise is a lack of public understanding about how local elected officials are compensated. In response to a query on social media concerning this subject, respondents who live along the Wasatch Front said by and large that they weren’t quite sure how much their mayor was paid, but guessed anywhere in a range from $10,000 to $50,000. While some mayors’ paychecks do fall within this range, there are many others who are paid two or three times that amount. According to the report by KUTV, Bradburn’s initial salary when he took office was $147,000, meaning the raise would have brought him up to $162,000. That would have been more than double the median household income of Sandy ($76,807) as well as the highest salary of any mayor in the valley, including Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski. The resolution passed by the Sandy City Council set a minimum mayoral salary of $119,000 and a maximum of $144,000. Those figures were recommended to the council by Mike Applegarth, the council office’s director, who said that the mayor’s compensation should be based on “similarly situated cities” such as Provo or Ogden. In 2017, the mayors of those cities received salaries of $109,500 and $128,699 respectively, according to information from the state of Utah’s public finance website, transparent.utah.gov. While the mayor’s new salary of $119,000 is more on par with some of the larger cities along the Wasatch front, it is still near the top of what a municipal mayor can make in the state of Utah.
Of the 15 cities considered for this article (13 Salt Lake County municipalities plus Ogden and Provo) there is a wide range in the amount of money that a mayor is paid. In fact, Salt Lake City Mayor Biskupski made almost 10 times as much money in 2017 ($149,220) as the lowest-paid mayor last year, former Riverton Mayor William Applegarth ($15,521). Of course, Salt Lake City and Riverton are two completely different cities in a variety of ways. First, Salt Lake City has more than four times the number of residents as Riverton. Secondly, one city’s budget is much larger than the others. Last year, the city of Riverton’s expenses totaled The salaries of most of the mayors within Salt Lake County. There is a clear about $30 million, according distinction in pay between mayors in cities with a council-manager form of govto the city’s 2017 financial ernment and mayors in cities with a council-mayor form of government. report. Salt Lake City mean“You don’t do it for the money, that’s for while, had a budget of over a billion dollars. But the most critical difference sure,” said Rob Dahle who is currently the maybetween the two cities, at least when it comes to or of Holladay, one of the municipalities with a determining mayoral compensation, is form of council-manager form of government. According to Dahle, his main role is acting as a spokesgovernment. Utah state code specifies a few different man for the city. “We’re a pretty small municipality and it forms of municipal government and the roles and responsibilities of the mayor vary greatly allows for a citizen mayor where their primary function isn’t to be employed by the city. It’s from one to another. The form of government in which the may- more of a service,” said Dahle. “These small or has the most power and responsibilities is the cities don’t really justify a full-time mayor so council-mayor form of government. The cities that allows any citizen to be able to throw their of Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, Sandy, Mur- hat in the ring to run for mayor.” Dahle said that transparency is the key to ray, South Salt Lake, and Taylorsville fall under this category. Because this form of government avoiding controversies similar to what happlaces more responsibility on the mayor, the po- pened in Sandy. “Whatever you do, you make sure it’s a public process. The mayor should sition is well-compensated. “In our form of government, the mayor not have unilateral authority to set his own pay. position is a full-time position,” said Cherie That’s just bad policy,” he said. When it comes to the compensation of Wood, the mayor of South Salt Lake. “I’m charged with running the city and we have a city council members, there isn’t much of a multi-million dollar budget and we have 300 difference between cities of different forms of government. Instead, the principle determinant plus employees.” Without an above-average salary, Wood seems to be population. The highest-paid city said that the position would not attract candi- councils belong to the cities with the most peodates who are qualified to manage such a large ple such as Salt Lake City, Sandy and Provo The average salary for a city councilor ranges from organization. Another problem, according to Mike Ap- around $10,000 on the low end (Herriman) to plegarth, is that an extremely low salary might over $40,000 on the high end (Salt Lake City). Residents who want to know more about exclude all but the “independently wealthy” how government entities spend taxpayer monfrom running for office. In contrast, there are the five-member and ey, including employee compensation, can acsix-member council forms of government. Un- cess that information through various online der these forms, the mayor’s principal responsi- resources such as transparent.utah.gov and bility is to be the chair of and preside over the utahsright.com. As for Bradburn, he’s working to regain the city council. The responsibility for the daily administration of the city instead lies with a City trust of Sandy residents who felt betrayed by his Manager. With the decreased responsibility actions, saying on a Facebook post, “I always comes a smaller paycheck; in some cities, the said when I was campaigning that I was going mayor even makes less than the city councilors. to make mistakes, but I would always own up to Holladay, Draper, Midvale, South Jordan, Cot- them and fix them when I did. Hope you can still tonwood Heights, Herriman, and Riverton fall support me as I try to do the best I can while I have the privilege of serving you.” l under these forms of government.
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Students join nationwide protest, many focus on kindness By Julie Slama, Justin Adams, Lori Gillespie and Travis Barton
Students link arms around the football field at Highland High School on March 14 as part of the nationwide walkout. (Lori Gillespie/City Journals)
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cross the country students made their voices heard on March 14, one month after the school shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school. They honored the 17 victims with tearful moments of silence, they protested gun laws and pledged kindness to their peers. Salt Lake County was no different as schools around the valley participated with walkouts and “walk ups.” Murray “I’m scared at school and I hear that from my friends as well,” said Academy of Math, Engineering and Science junior Grace Wason. “I don’t think fear should be in a place of learning.” About 150 students, most wearing black in mourning, lined 1300 East near the Murray school. They held signs showing each victim and chanted, “Books not bullets; no more silence. We are change.” During the walkout, Grace recited names of each victim, then added: “These are only 17 of the 75-plus students we are mourning today. We do this in solidarity not only with lost victims, but also their mourning friends and families. This has gone too far.” Grace participated in a routine school lockdown earlier in the week. “It was daunting,” she said. “I was working on the posters and saw them on my desk as I hid in the corner and thought, this is the exact thing those Florida students went through only they had someone with a gun come in their door.” Students, many who planned to take part in the “March for Our Lives” rally at the Capitol March 24, also signed up to vote as leaders organized voting registration as well as planned to hold a letter-writing campaign to Congress. Murray Board of Education Vice President Kami Anderson said Murray School District allowed students from Murray High, Hillcrest Junior High and Riverview Junior High the opportunity to walkout. “As a school district, we wanted to facilitate the conversation between students and parents about what the walkout means and why or why not participate and provide a safe place for them,” she said. “We need to allow students to make the choices for themselves.” Murray High student body president Kate Spackman said student government ushered the student-organized walkout to the school plaza, which had about 250 students participate. “Some students stood up and spoke out; we paid our respects
to the victims,” Kate said. “I felt the kids who walked out for the right reasons supported the victims and it was awesome. For the kids who walked out to miss school, I hope they realize what this is all about and the importance of it.” Kate and other student government leaders organized “17 days of kindness of positivity.” Suggestions include to make a new friend, smile at 17 people, post a picture on social media “NeverAgain” in support and write to Gov. Gary Herbert and the legislature. “We wanted to do something that will make a difference immediately in kids’ lives,” she said. Cottonwood Heights Brighton student government also will hold a kindness campaign to create a more welcoming environment, said Principal Tom Sherwood after about 500 students participated in the student-led walkout. “I believe if students want to make a statement about changes to protest future lives, they have a right,” he said. “Students for generations have used civil disobedience in the community or country to stand up for what they believe is not right — and they still do.” Students, who gathered in the football stand, were silent for 17 minutes as the names of victims were held up and read out loud. Student leaders also urged students to use their voice — “we can’t let kids our age die in vain,” to vote and to write to their representatives. Afterward, two juniors — Evelyn Compagno and Lilly Olpin — lingered. “I’m so glad we raised awareness for such a horrible thing,” said Evelyn, adding that she had friends who survived the Las Vegas shooting. “Those kids were murdered for no reason.” The future of the country is being impacted as well, Lilly said. “You never know the potential those children had. They could have been someone great, like the next Isaac Newton,” she said. Community members and Jim and Bonnie Despain came with their signs supporting the students. Jim Despain, who once hunted rabbits, said that he has wanted better gun control for years. Bonnie is a retired Ridgecrest Elementary schoolteacher and remembers faculty discussing the best course of action after the Columbine and Sandy Hook shootings. “It’s taking the kids across the nation to say enough and get the movement going on this,” she said. Utah State Rep. Marie Poulson, who taught English in the south end of the valley, agreed and supported students who participated. “I’m so proud of the courage, how they came out and spoke up,” she said. “It’s taking our young people’s activism to come out to remind us to look at it and make changes. Kids should have the right to feel safe at school.” Poulson said she recalled how the Columbine shooting terrorized both students and teachers and puzzled them about what they could do to make schools safer. Since then, she said phones and panic buttons have been installed in classrooms. “And we’re still discussing it now, but I’m hoping these students caught the attention of other officials and have embarrassed them to do more,” Poulson said. “We don’t want schools to become an armed camp, but we want our students to be safe. We’ve called a school safety commission and if they can find a way to make a difference, we’ll call a special session (at the legislature) and I hope they do.” Sugar House
Students from Highland High School and the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts congregated on the Highland football field where they linked arms and sang the Highland school song. Highland principal Chris Jenson estimated they had 1,200 students walk out. “The kids that did walk out, it was really nice to see them make a peaceful statement,” Jenson said. Ermiya Fanaeian organized the student protest—which also included voter registration booths—at Highland having grown tired of the mass shootings that have transpired over the last decade. “I am sick and tired of American schools being the new American battleground,” she said, adding the protest serves as a “call to action” for Congress and state legislators to limit access to weapons that put student safety at risk. “It is important that we express our dissent, it is important that we stay pugnacious to the change that we want to expedite.” Holladay At Churchill Jr. High, Principal Josh LeRoy estimated that 80 percent of the student body joined the nationwide walkout. The administration took a hands-off approach to the demonstration, letting student leaders organize it themselves. They did notify the PTSA so that parents were aware of the walkout, many of whom attended to show solidarity for their children. The students formed a large circle and had a moment of silence to honor the victims of recent school shootings. Afterward, some of the student organizers spoke through a megaphone about the need for more gun control and more kindness between students, noting that many of those who carry out school shootings were previously victims of bullying. One of those students, Lydia Timms, said that the opinion and activism of students across the country shouldn’t be discounted just because of their age. “Just because we’re young doesn’t mean that we can’t be patriotic,” she said. Following the demonstration, the majority of students promptly walked back into the building to return to class. LeRoy said he was impressed with the behavior of the students throughout the demonstration. “For most of these students, this was their first experience in civic engagement so we wanted to make sure that it went well,” he said. Eric Holley, one of the parents who attended, said that he thought it was a valuable experience for his daughter. “Something like this works for these kids on their level,” he said. Midvale and South Jordan While several Canyons School District schools had student walkouts, Midvale Middle students not only participated March 14, but also on Feb. 23 when 400 students participated in a spontaneous demonstration, said spokesman Jeff Haney, who added as long as students returned to class after the walkout, they were not marked tardy or absent. Jordan School District spokeswoman Sandra Riesgraf said that students who walked out were asked to check out, but they were marked truant, according to district policy. “It doesn’t stay on their record,” she said, adding that they could make it up with an hour of homework time. “Some didn’t check out because they thought it best expressed their civil disobedience. We just want to know where our students are, for their safety.” At Bingham High, where students also are participating in acts of kindness, Riesgraf said that about 75 students lead a peaceful and respectful walkout by the street. “We fully support students exercising their free speech and peaceful discussion,” she said. l
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Safe Driving Habits
Spring is upon us and with warmer temperatures and (hopefully) blue skies on the horizon, drivers can’t blame slick roads or blinding flurries for their faulty driving anymore. Driving safely requires good driving habits. Habits. Not occasionally safe maneuvers. The following are some prudent practices to implement in your daily travels. Blinkers and blind spots Driving 101. If you plan on changing lanes, let others in on your secret. Everyone will appreciate it. Others want to know what you are planning. Likewise, if you see a blinker come on indicating your lane is that car’s desired destination, let it in. This isn’t the Daytona 500. We are not racing for $19 million. It is common courtesy, if we want people to use their blinkers, then we should reward them for doing so. Remember the blinker doesn’t automatically assume safe passage to the next lane. And while your car’s sensors in the rearview mirrors are helpful, they are not omniscient. Check your blind spot with your own eyes. There’s a reason it’s called a “blind” spot. Tire, pressure This one is almost as simple as the first. Check your tire pressure on a regular basis to know if there is a small leak. Maybe you drove over a nail and didn’t realize it. We often don’t look at the tires on the passenger side since we don’t approach the car from that direction, checking regularly allows you to examine those opposite side wheels. It will keep your car’s handling in its best condition. Each vehicle can have different appropriate PSI (measurement for tire pressure), but when temperatures drop, so does the pressure in your tires. Keep car maintained Since you’ll be regularly checking the tires, might as well keep regularly scheduled maintenance on your car. This can range from
Syrian refugee receives Westminister scholarship
oil changes to transmission flushes. Simply checking windshield washer fluid or the antifreeze level in your car’s reservoir can prevent serious issues happening on the road. Wash your car especially after storms or if you’ve parked under a pine tree where birds can drop their white business on the hood or sap could drip onto the roof. Left untreated, these outdoor stains can ruin the paint on your vehicle.
By Jessica Ivins | j.ivins@mycityjournals.com
Drive defensively This means keeping distance between you and the car in front of you. Touching their bumper does nothing for you. And if you need to get that close to read their license plate or sticker, your eyesight is troubling and you probably shouldn’t be behind a steering wheel. Also you can’t always see what’s in front of the car before you. They may have to slam on their brakes due to an unexpected obstruction. If you rear end them, insurance rarely works out in your favor. This can also mean slowing down on wet roads or not weaving in and out of traffic. Distractions This is the No. 1 reason for accidents. This is not limited to using the cell phone, though texting, checking news alerts or making a phone call are all terrible decisions to make while driving. It also extends to dozing off or checking the price at the gas station you just passed. Be alert, stay vigilant. Other drivers may suddenly stop, they may not see you as you yield or turn. By staying engaged and sharp, your reactions can be sharper and you may even anticipate what other drivers are looking to do. One way to stay engaged is to vary your daily commute. Changing your routine alerts your brain, breaking you from the monotonous snooze you may find yourself after traveling certain routes hundreds of times. These habits are important and it is not overdramatic to say that they could save a life. l
Mohammad Alzouabi finishes his shift at The Gap clothing store.
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f you walked into Gap clothing store and saw 17-year-old Mohammad Alzouabi working, you would think he is like any other senior graduating this year. And Alzouabi is like any other teen in America—he wants to go to college and applied for college like his friends. “It is priority to my family to get an education,” Alzouabi said. Alzouabi had planned to attend an affordable community college and transfer to a university when the time was right. But a teacher told him to apply for a scholarship to Westminister College. The essay prompt: Tell about a struggle in your life. When he received the $18,000 scholarship, he decided he had better apply to Westminister and was accepted. With the help of friends and the Refugee International Committee, he applied for more scholarships. Ultimately, Alzouabi received a full scholarship to Westminister. Here is what separates Alzouabi from other teens: he is refugee from Dara’a, Syria. He came to the United States in 2016 on refugee status with his family and grandma. His family’s village was bombed in 2012 and they were forced to leave. “Prices were escalating and people were dying,” said Alzouabi. During their last two months of living in their village, it was destroyed. Finally, his family’s lives were threatened and they fled to Jordan. They applied for refugee status through International Organization for Migration.
Education was a priority in his home. “My whole family is educated with doctors, pharmacists, teachers, and engineers,” Alzouabi said. He always wanted to go to college. His father was a principal at a high school in Syria and his mother was an elementary teacher. Za’atari refugee camp has had 462,000 refugees pass through the camp from 2012-2017. Za’atari would be the best place for his family because the schools have teachers that speak Syrian and Jordanian. Alzouabi attended an English school for six months while at the camp. He learned to speak fluent English. He and his siblings would attend school in Za’atari camp for almost four years. His English he worked hard to learn would become an important tool for his family later. In 2016, his dad received a call from the IOM. After eight interviews over a year, they received a surprising call that they were leaving in 14 days for the United States. “I was happy and sad. I was leaving a lot of family behind,” Alzouabi said. His only vision of the United States was what he had watched in the movies. “But it would be a second life, a second chance at life in the United States,” said Alzouabi. Alzouabi plans on graduating from Westminister and applying to the University of Utah’s medical school. He wants to be a doctor. Alzouabi’s favorite thing about being in the United States? “Being whoever I want to be.” l
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April 2018 | Page 11
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Youth served: Young Highland boys tennis team strives for improvement
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By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
oming off a season in which it didn’t win a match, the Highland High School boys tennis team has nowhere to go but up. The team also has just one senior along with a number of underclassmen. First-year head coach Jeanine Elsholz, who was an assistant last season, is eager to see what progress her players have made and what the new faces can add this season. “I expect improvement,” she said. “The boys have worked very hard during the offseason, and I am hoping we will finish closer to the top of the region this year. I’m excited to see how our young team performs. Several of our sophomores have earned varsity spots this season.” Elsholz said a lot can change with her lineup during the first few weeks, as she gets a better sense of which players fit in the right spots. As the season began, junior Daichi Masuki, a foreign exchange student from Japan, filled the first singles slot. Junior Will Olsen will play second singles. “[Masuki] is a talented player, loves to compete and has been a great addition to our team in helping push the
entire team up a level,” she said. “Will Olsen probably worked harder than anyone else on the team last offseason, rewriting his form and adding some offensive weapons to his game. He has a passion for the game and hates to lose. He is a true competitor.” Abram Toronto will play at third singles, while the doubles teams aren’t set in stone yet. Elsholz said junior Will Dale, sophomore Jake Bauman, sophomore Cole Smith, sophomore Isaac Brickey and junior Jacob Jepsen will contend for the doubles positions. Though the team is young and had some struggles last season, it isn’t without promise and strong traits. Elsholz said she loves how competitive the players are and they are showing a willingness to work hard to accomplish the team goals. Elsholz also believes the team will succeed if it focuses on some key objectives. “If this team will give their very best effort in every match, keep a positive attitude and have fun in the process, this year will be a successful one,” she said. Playing in Region 6, the Rams will face Olympus, East, Skyline, West
and Murray in league play. Elsholz knows the schedule will be challenging, as many teams feature players who play year-round and who have played tennis for several years. “Currently, all of our players at Highland are involved in a lot of other activities and sports,” she said. “It makes it a lot harder to compete against top players in the state.” Regardless of how many wins and losses the team accumulates this season, Elsholz said she is happy with the way the team has responded to her as she has taken over the program. She recognizes everyone’s dedication and efforts and is happy in her new role. “I cannot express how proud of these boys I am already this season,” she said. “They are great kids to work with. It is an honor to be their coach. Because we had a hard time competing last year, at the end of the season they dedicated themselves to working hard and improving during the offseason to try and make a run at a region championship. Almost the entire team put in a lot of offseason hours, working hard to improve. We are a very young team with a lot of great tennis ahead of us.” l
Junior Will Olsen will play the second singles varsity player for the Highland High School boys tennis team. (Photo/Haslam Photography)
Get a Taste of College Life this Summer with Westminster Youth Camps By Kerry Case, Westminster Summer Camp coordinator Looking for fun summer youth opportunities right here in Sugar House? Westminster offers many great college experience and sports camps for youth, ages 5–18. Westminster’s college experience camps offer 9–12 graders the chance to get a sense of what college is like, and in some cases, even earn a
couple of college credits. For summer 2018, youth can learn to invest and manage their money with Money 101, perfect their musical skills with SummerSong and get active with a host of athletic camps. The Girls’ Sports & Recreation Camp gives girls a chance to try out a variety of different sports in a fun, supportive setting. Girls can participate in martial arts, soccer, hip-hop, rock climbing, golf, track and field, lacrosse, swimming, basketball, volleyball and yoga all in one camp. Additionally, Westminster offers an array of boys and girls camps in basketball, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball. Many of the camps provide overnight opportunities to give campers a more robust look at college life while they sleep in one of the residence halls, eat in the cafeteria, climb at the indoor climbing wall and participate in fun activities with current Westminster students. “It is great to see everyone enjoying themselves, making new friends and building positive relationships with the coaches and counselors while being active and participating in sports and recreation activities,” said Hannah Stearman, camp counselor/coach. For more information on all of Westminster’s 2018 summer camps, visit www.westminstercollege.edu/campus-life/camps.
2018 Westminster Summer Camps include: • Girls’ Sports & Recreation Camp • Money 101 • SummerSong Camp • Sports Camps (basketball, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball)
Not Just News... Your Community News...
Page 12 | April 2018
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Highland softball eager for new season, revamped region
Big numbers highlight Highland track and field
By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
very new season offers a fresh start, and the Highland softball team is optimistic as the 2018 schedule gets underway. The Rams competed in Class 4A’s Region 5 last season, finishing sixth in the seventeam region with a 2-10 record. Highland picked up league victories over winless Ogden and went 4-19 overall. Highland will see some new opponents this season as it moves to Region 6. With the creation of Class 6A, Highland is now a member of Class 5A and faces what head coach Jenny Hardy acknowledges is “a challenging region.” Still, Hardy wants her team to put forth a strong effort and stand toe to toe with the competition. She said some pieces are in place to help her team improve on last year’s showing. “I am expecting the team to work hard and work on competing,” she said. “[The players] have their work cut out for them. However, we have a lot of good athletes and a strong group of leaders that will make the team a good thing to be a part of.”
Centerfielder Shannon Lambson and first baseman Lauren Brown are the senior captains for the Rams. Hardy will rely on them heavily for leadership on and off the field. “They are fantastic people and athletes,” she said. “I am excited to see the team under their leadership. We also have a lot of new and returning talent— they are a great group of athletes. I am very excited about our new players as well.” Hardy enters the season with lots of new faces—not only to the team but to the game of softball all together. Though this presents some tests, it also provides opportunities for progress and for the girls to develop skills and display their natural abilities. “I am excited to see our new talent develop,” Hardy said. “The majority of our team has never played softball before, but they show a lot of promise and athleticism. I am excited to see them grow and learn. We have two freshman varsity players that are fantastic, and I am excited to see them continue to grow.” While every coach would love to have a team stocked with all-stars and future college
players, there are other attributes a team needs to be successful. What the Rams may lack in experience and on-the-field accolades, Hardy is pleased with some of the other traits her girls bring to the squad. “Our strengths are our student leaders and our attitudes,” she said. “This is seriously a great group of girls. Many of them are heavily involved in student government and other major groups at Highland, and that’s exactly the kind of player that I want. They are good people, and they are hard working and dedicated.” The lingering winter has made it difficult for the team to get in sufficient practice time. With new and inexperienced players, it critical to have as much instruction as possible. She knows the players must practice with dedication and push on through the challenges ahead. Hardy is also working diligently to raise funds for her team. She said the team lacks resources, and it needs to replace worn-out equipment. She encourages community members to donate through the school treasurer if they’re able. l
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n the world of high school track and field, any coach will tell you this: the more the merrier. The larger your roster is, the more event spots you can fill with starter and reserves. This increases a team’s chance of scoring points in every event and vying for top finishes at meets. For Highland High School track and field coach Gary Rowles, numbers are perhaps more important than ever. The Rams begin the 2018 season with 170 athletes. As Rowles puts it, that figure is “pretty evenly split between boys and girls squads.” Rowles is particularly excited about the girls team, which returns several region placers from last season. “Seniors Misini Fifita and Lili Ahoafi-noa return in the throws, where [Ahoafinoa] placed at state in the javelin, and [Fifita] made the finals in the shot put,” Rowles said. “Our sprinters are led by Meg Boren, who went to state in the sprints and made the finals in the 400 meters.”
Rowles also highlighted girls team members Geneva Humbert and Roma Maloney, both of whom are distance runners. Also, keep a close eye on Moira Hicks in the hurdles and high jump, along with Amy Frank in the sprints and Lourdes Lyons in the long jump. The boys team suffered heavy graduations, so the squad will reload with some younger athletes. The boys have a single returning state qualifier: shot put participant KJ Pakofe. Rowles is hopeful that Xavier Hutton will step forward in the hurdles and that Rex Graham can continue to improve in the high jump and long jump. Kyle Adams and Nick Pembrooke will also see a larger role in the distance and sprinting events, respectively. “With such large numbers out this season, we will have a number of others who will emerge once the season starts, so we are looking forward to a good season,” Rowles said as the season got underway. The Utah High School
Activities Association created Class 6A this school year, so the Rams have moved to Class 5A’s Region 6. As a result, Highland will see a handful of new opponents. Its region foes are Skyline, Olympus, East, West and Murray. Rowles isn’t too familiar with his opponents, so there are a lot of unknowns going into the season. “We are in a new region this year, so, other than East, we don’t know a lot about the other schools,” he said. “All of them have been successful in track and field at different times in the past, so we expect our region to be highly competitive.” The Rams began their season March 14 when they joined Skyline for a meet at Olympus High School against the Titans. The team hosted Murray and Olympus on March 21. The region championships will take place May 9–10 at East High School, and the state track and field meet is slated for May 17–18 at Brigham Young University. l
April 2018 | Page 13
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Highland boys basketball places second in region in successful season By Josh McFadden | josh.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
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hen your team is runner-up in the region race behind only an undefeated state champion, it’s hard to be too upset about the season’s results. That’s where the Highland boys basketball team found itself at the end of the 2017–18 campaign. The Rams placed second in Region 6 with an 8-2 record. Their only two league losses came at the hands of Olympus, the team that would go on the capture the Class 5A crown with an eye-popping 27-0 record. Highland finished the season 15-7 overall and faced Corner Canyon in the first round of the 5A state tournament on Feb. 26. Things started off well for Highland, as it led 10-6 at the end of the first quarter and 30-18 at halftime. But Corner Canyon blitzed Highland 51-27 in a dominant second half. “We went out in the first round to the eventual runner-up Corner Canyon,” head coach James Boyce said. “We were up 14 in the second half and collapsed a bit in that game. It was a little disappointing way to end, but overall it was a very strong year.” Highland struggled from the field in the playoff games, hitting just 15 of 39 shots. The Rams did hold Corner Canyon to 43 percent shooting. Offensively, Highland got a team-high 14 points from Elijah Shelton. The 6-foot-8-inch senior added five rebounds and an assist. Senior Oscar Maxfield contributed 11 points, while junior Richard Tialavea added 10 points and five boards. Despite the untimely state tournament loss, Boyce had plenty of good things to say about his squad. He was pleased with the way his players battled to earn a second-place finish in region play. He also noted his team’s athleticism, along with its defensive effort and the way his players crashed the glass for rebounds. “This is the most athletic team I have ever coached,” he said.
“They were tough players. We allowed the least amount of points for all of 5A, which I am very proud of. This is also probably my strongest rebounding team I have ever had. When you can defend and rebound, you have got a really good combination. My son Travis was a senior, so it was special to have him on the team as well.” As he reflects on the season, Boyce will retain fond memories of beating archrival East in both meetings. Each victory came by just two points, and the 59-57 victory on Jan. 12 came when Liki Makaui hit a bank-shot at the buzzer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. As every high school coach deals with each season, Boyce will need to replace some key players from this year’s squad. He said the makeup of next year’s team will be different, but he’s eager to see what his returning players and newcomers can contribute. “We will have a different team (next season),” he said. “This year’s team was really athletic and physical. Next year’s team I think will be a little more skilled. We have more ‘basketball’ players (kids who only do basketball). This year, we had quite a few football/ basketball players, which was great; I encourage my players to play other sports.” Makaui, a guard, and Christian Rich, a swing player, will be the team’s only returning starters, and Boyce will look to them for leadership. He also has high expectations for guard Bronson Olevao and swingman Jackson Hawes. All four players will be seniors next season. “Makaui will be a three-year starter,” Boyce said. “Rich is the leading scorer from this year. Olevao is a really athletic defender and can run the floor and can finish very effectively. Hawes is strong and athletic; I expect him to improve a lot in the offseason.” l
Junior Richard Tialavea fouls East forward Jeremy Jiba as he goes up for a shot. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018 • 9AM - 4PM
Take The
ElevateHER Challenge
Are you a business leader? Join businesses across Utah in our mission to elevate the stature of women’s leadership. Take the ElevateHER Challenge and stand with other businesses as we pledge to elevate women in senior leadership positions, in boardrooms, on management teams and political ballots.
for more information:
wliut.com/challenge
The purpose of the 2018 State of Utah Black Affairs Summit is to connect, enrich, and empower the Black population from across the state of the Utah. It strives to provide a sense of community and serve as a platform for educating, networking, collaborating, and the sharing of ideas.
This one-day summit, held at the David Eccles School of Business on the University of Utah campus, will include 12 breakout sessions lead by notable experts, will include breakout sessions on financial strategies to building black wealth, secondary and higher education, leadership in the black community, and health and wellness.
Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building 1655 Campus Center Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84112 FREE/OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
REGISTER HERE: http://bfsa.utah.edu/events/2018-bfsa-summit/ 2018 State of Utah Black Affairs Summit Sponsors:
David Eccles School of Business, J. Willard Marriot Library, Goldman Sachs, Utah Community Credit Union, Salt Lake Community College, W.P Johnson Research Group, College of Science, College of Health, College of Mines and Earth Sciences, College of Architecture and Planning, College of Fine Arts, College of Nursing, Darryl & Ann Butt, University of Utah Health-Office of Health Equity and Inclusion, and College of Education.
Not Just News... Your Community News...
Page 14 | April 2018
S ugar House City Journal
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I recently watched a Netflix Original show called “Ozark,” starring Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner and Peter Mullan. The show opens over a lake, late into an evening sunset. Over the next three minutes, a dimly-lit montage of the main character doing some menial tasks makes the audience question the morality of the character. Bateman’s voice is tracked over this scene.
For months, the above quote has stuck with me, challenging my perceptions of money, poorness, richness, currency, and value. As the season of new beginnings—spring—approaches, it is a time to challenge ourselves to think more positively, meditate incrementally, comprehend the daily quotes from calendars. If you aim to change mentality, instead of physicality, as part of your new beginnings, I challenge you to begin questioning the perception of money. Most of us view money as an agreed upon unit of exchange for goods and services. You’re reading this newspaper segment with the word “coupon” in the title, hoping to find ways of protecting those units already possessed. Without such coupons, or mentality of frugality, those units diminish. In viewing money as units of exchange, statistics like the ones mentioned above are frightening. Half of all American “Money: that which separates the haves, from the have- adults need to earn units to replenish the units they’ve already nots. It’s everything if you don’t have it, right? Half of all Amer- exchanged, instead of inheriting them. Fifteen percent of the ican adults have more credit card debt than savings. Twenty-five population has not obtained enough units to exchange for a onepercent have no savings at all. And only 15 percent of the popu- year lifestyle free from work and responsibility. lation is on track to fund even one year of retirement. However, if we perceive money as a measure of an individYou see, I think most people just have a fundamentally ual’s choices, those statistics are less anxiety-ridden. Half of all flawed view of money. Is it simply an agreed upon unit of ex- American adults made choices to live outside of their means. Fifchange for goods and services? Or is it intangible – security, teen percent of the population chose to live a different lifestyle. happiness, or peace of mind? Let me propose a third option; As I’ve been challenging my perception of money, I’ve obmoney as a measuring device. You see the hard reality is how served less stress about the number of units in my bank account much money we accumulate in life is a function of….patience, and wallet. I’ve realized that the choices I make are my own. frugality, and sacrifice. When you boil it down, what do those Some of my choices may not be acceptable, or even viable, for three things have in common? Those are choices. Money is not others within my community or country. I may not understand peace of mind. Money’s not happiness. Money is, at its essence, or support others’ choices as well. That’s why we make differthat measure of a man’s choices.” ent choices, the ones that make sense to our individual selves. Our own currencies enrich our lives in different and meaningful ways. Choices are indefinite. We are provided the opportunity of Mention This Ad & choice with every moment we are alive. Our behaviors may be influenced; but we are the ultimate decision maker in what we wear, what we say, what we do, where we sleep, where we live, how we respond, who we 28 West 700 South fear, who we love, and who we are. Our money reflects those Salt Lake City, UT 84101 choices. (Bills over $500) And if we were to perceive money as a measure of human choice, I’d be pretty wealthy.
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April 2018 | Page 15
S ugar HouseJournal .com
Out in Left Field
Laughter AND
by
PERI KINDER
SUGARHOUSE
Hubbie: We’re at a ball game! Me: I know. Hubbie: Maybe I’ll catch a foul ball! Me: Maybe. Hubbie: Do you think they’ll run out of players and call me up to play?
Me: Me: You’ve been in the sun too long. But it’s not just my husband, nearly every man there is reliving childhood dreams of baseball stardom, talking about games they watched with their dads or reminiscing about baseball legends they revered as teens. I love baseball, but not in the way my husband does. A lot of my experience revolves around food (as most things do). At ball games, I eat food I’d never eat in real life. My 74-ounce Coke and foot-long Bratwurst was an appetizer for my shredded pork nachos, drenched in a fluorescent orange “cheese” stored in plastic buckets in the basement of the stadium. I ate French fries so salty, I actually pooped jerky. Baseball is about tradition: team loyalty, peanuts, Cracker Jack, not caring if you ever get back, and yelling at the umps after every bad call. The drunker the crowd, the more hilarious the insults. “Can I pet your Seeing-Eye dog after the game, Blue?” “That’s why umpires shouldn’t date players!” “You drop more calls than Verizon!” And so on. Then there’s the stats. Baseball statisticians use more abbreviations
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than texting teens. You have your standard 1B, HR, BB, SB, K, L and ERA. But occasionally, a stat will appear on the scoreboard that leaves everyone confused. “What the hell’s a UZR?” slurs a drunk ESPN announcer. We all scratch our heads until someone Googles it. (Ultimate Zone Rating, if you were wondering.) Each game holds the opportunity to witness an unassisted triple play, a grand slam, a no-hitter, a perfect game or a squirrel being chased off the field by an octogenarian ball boy. Ballparks are national treasures, each one unique
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Baseball has been America’s favorite pastime for more than 150 years, followed closely by gun control debates, reality TV and overeating. There’s just something about sitting in a ballpark surrounded by drunk fans that screams ‘Merica! The hubbie and I spent a weekend in Phoenix for spring training where teams get together for pre-season games and fans hope for a glimpse of a mega baseball star like Mike Trout or one of the racing sausage mascots from Milwaukee. As San Francisco Giants fans, we sat in a sea of orange and black, surrounded by men who obviously missed their calling as ESPN baseball announcers. Their color commentary got slurrier and slushier with each beer they drank. It made me wish real ESPN announcers would drink on the job. Whenever we walk into a ballpark, my husband turns into a 14-yearold boy. The crack of the bat, the smell of a leather glove and the roar of the crowd makes him absolutely giddy.
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and representative of their community. But my main reason for loving the game is this: baseball is a game of patience. There’s no time limit to a ballgame. It could last 3 hours or 5 hours; 9 innings or 13 innings. As our lives get busier, a ballgame is a reminder to sit in the sunshine, to talk to the person next to you and to order a hot dog without guilt as you root for your favorite team. All you have to do is sit, eat and cheer someone on. Shouldn’t that be America’s favorite pastime?
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