July 2021 | Vol. 7 Iss. 07
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NEW NONPROFIT ORGANIZES TREE PLANTING TO HONOR THOSE LOST BY SUICIDE By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
O
n June 6, The Roan William McClain Foundation, also known as Roan Your Boat, hosted their inaugural event, a tree planting in South Salt Lake’s Fitts Park. The event served as an opportunity for the new nonprofit organization to stretch its legs and alert the public to its services. In addition, the event paid homage to the organization’s namesake, Roan McClain and others lost to suicide. McClain, who was a student at Salt Lake School of the Performing Arts and Highland High School, would have graduated this year. His story is tragically familiar. Across the country, thousands of teenagers and young adults take their lives each year. McClain was the type of person who looked at the world without limitations. He had a knack for extracting beauty in the unorthodox, something his mother, and Roan Your Boat’s founder, Michelle Nelson emphasized. “He was a photographer who found beauty in the world through a lens,” Nelson said. “His friends told me that he was always introducing them to new music and art. He was definitely a free thinker and experimenter.” McClain and his family were also avid travelers, experiencing the joys of encapsulating oneself in new spaces and cultures. When it came to his peers, McClain was the type of student who transcended the traditional divisions of high school. “At the risk of stereotyping, Roan could make friends with any type of group, preppy, athletic, artistic, he could talk with anyone,” Nelson said.
“Above all else, he could often find the hidden value in the seemingly mundane. He was an old soul who embraced the odd and fantastic, a true visionary.” Yet it was also his open and empathetic nature that Nelson believes caused him to ultimately feel and internalize the world’s often unrelenting difficulties. “The term empath is a bit overused these days, but Roan, he was very empathetic.” At age 16, McClain took his life. As with any deep trauma, his passing catapulted Nelson into a state of grief and she found herself immersed in thought. As a licensed clinical social worker and clinical therapist, Nelson struggled to reconcile her potential blind spot in recognizing the signs of risk in McClain. As Nelson began to move through the depths of her grief, she started to ponder how she could channel her thoughts, despair, and healing into something greater. Thus, the idea of Roan Your Boat was born. Having received its 501(3)(c) nonprofit status in 2020, the organization is still in its infancy. However, its thoughtful and innovative approach is one that will certainly resonate with teenagers. “We actually decided to use the name Roan Your Boat because it was Roan’s social media handle,” Nelson said. “It’s a play on row your boat, and like many other children’s stories and songs, it actually has a lot of depth and meaning.” The concept of hidden depth and Continued page 5
To memorialize Roan McClain’s life, a plaque in his honor was crafted for the celebration. The plaque will remain in Fitts Park. (Photo courtesy Michelle Nelson and The Roan Your Boat Foundation)
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Hike with your dog for a pawsitively fun adventure By Karmel Harper | k.harper@mycityjournals.com
H
iking with your four-legged best friend can be a great adventure that provides both of you exercise, companionship and great joy. Preparing your pup for the trail prior to your first hike together is essential to ensure readiness and safety. According to REI.com, it is highly recommended that you visit your veterinarian and ask key questions before venturing out together in the wild.
Is your dog physically ready?
A young dog’s bones need to be fully developed which is usually a year of age plus or minus a few months depending on size and other factors.
Does your dog need specific vaccinations and immunizations?
Lakes and ponds could be contaminated with Leptospirosis or giardia from infected animals and your vet can provide preventative measures for outdoor destinations.
Is your dog’s immune system ready?
Your vet can advise you on when it is safe to venture out on the trail by factoring the rate of natural immunity and your dog’s vaccine schedule. Additional tips include obedience training and knowing trail etiquette. Respect others’ space on the trail. Not everyone is comfortable with dogs, especially families with young children. You must maintain control of your dog at all times and be able to keep your dog calm as other hikers and pooches pass by. Step off the trail to yield right of way to other hikers, bikes, and horses. If you’re on a trail or the backcountry that allows dogs to be off leash, make sure your dog has strong recall skills and you have voice control over them. This means that when they are off leash and you call them back to you, they will immediately return to you. A solid recall is one of the most important skills you can have to ensure safety and avoid mishaps and danger with certain terrain, other hikers, and wild-
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life. Carry plenty of poop bags, pick up after your pooch and pack out filled poop bags. It is bad form to leave filled bags on the trail for others to pick up. Just as you would carry a first aid kit for yourself, you should also carry a first aid kit for your dog. Alicia Baker, owner “Girl on a Hike” blog (www.girlonahike.com) and organizer of “Dogs that Hike Utah” Facebook group recommends nine items for your dog’s first aid kit: 1) gauze pads to place on an open wound, 2) antiseptic wipes, 3) roll of athletic tape to wrap and secure gauze, 4) dog booties to protect bleeding or wounded paws, 5) antibiotic ointment, 6) disposable gloves, 7) tweezers, 8) cotton swabs and 9) Benadryl. Baker said, “I highly recommend taking a pet CPR and First Aid course so you can be fully prepared to care for your pet in an emergency.” You can take these courses from PetTech (www.pettech.net). Additional trainings such as rattlesnake aversion training for your dog are also useful for curious canines. Once you and your pup are well prepared to hit the trails, research ahead of time which trails allow dogs. In Utah, both Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon prohibit dogs, as they are protected watershed areas. Dogs are also prohibited on national park trails. For trails that do allow dogs, also research whether they are allowed off-leash not only so you know if you can unleash your dog but also so you will be prepared and can expect that other dogs will be off leash too. During and after the hike, inspect your pup’s paws, ears and coat for foxtails, prickly goat heads, splinters, ticks and other debris so that you can remove them immediately. Despite the few areas where dogs are prohibited, Utah is an outdoor playground for you and your best furry friend. Baker’s favorite dog-friendly hikes are as follows: Begin-
Joy Marianne White of Herriman and her pup, Penny, enjoy exploring the beautiful Wasatch mountains together. (Photo courtesy of Joy Marianne White.)
ner, Living Room Trail by the University of Utah; Intermediate: Desolation Overlook in Millcreek Canyon; and Advanced: Mt. Timpanogos in Utah County. Baker’s blog provides detailed descriptions of these trails with accompanying photos. Joanne Bolnick of Herriman said: “Hikes with my dog are always exciting. For me, it’s being outdoors and getting exercise. For him it’s finding game birds and bunnies to chase.” Natalie Johnson Morrison of Kaysville hikes with her Canine Companions service
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dog, Davin. “His hiking speed is somewhere between sloth and sea turtle, but he’s a very polite and good hiker,” Morrison said. Amanda Lee of Kaysville said: “Seeing our mini goldendoodle, Sully, loves to hike has pushed us to hike together more this past year than ever before. Sully takes to the trails with a spring in his step!” If you would like you explore the wild with your most loyal and enthusiastic best friend, visit www.girlonahike.com or join the Utah Facebook group “Dogs that Hike Utah.” l
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Continued from front page meaning resonates with a lot of teenagers suffering from issues regarding their identity and mental welfare. Too often, society is quick to dismiss the perils of adolescence. The issues that children and teenagers deal with are often labeled trivial. However, if McClain’s story is to teach us anything, it’s that suffering is real regardless of age. “He lost hope,” Nelson said. “He lost hope and that’s what suicide is, losing hope. He lost hope that things would get better.” Ultimately, Roan Your Boat teaches tenants of hope and perseverance in a way that doesn’t invalidate the real struggles teenagers and young adults encounter. Given that McClain himself was a creative, the organization also focuses on extracting and utilizing the therapeutic benefits of nature, connection and creativity. While targeted toward teenagers and young adults, Roan Your Boat is dedicated to providing support for those experiencing loss and those that are actively struggling. “We are still relatively new,” Nelson said, “but we are now working toward pairing with other organizations particularly to see what kinds of complementary services we can offer.”
The core mission is to honor the real struggles of life and provide outlets of healing and expression to help cultivate resiliency and perseverance in young adults. Roan Your Boat’s flagship event at Fitts Park marks the beginning of many events to come. While the event honored McClain and others, the space was open for any and all struggling with the pain and heaviness that accompanies loss by suicide. The tree planting event, which resulted in a plaque dedication for McClain (the plaque will remain in Fitts Park) was one of several activities that over 130 participants enjoyed. Visitors were treated to ice cream, live music, and yoga. In addition, the event provided crisis resources and gun locks to help create and foster a safer environment at home. Nelson has turned her heartbreak into something both beautiful and necessary. “I wanted to honor my grief and conduct self-reflection without getting stuck in it,” she said. For information about Roan Your Boat foundation, visit RoanYourBoat.org If you are in crisis: National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255; Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 l
The Roan Your Boat Foundation celebrated its inaugural event honoring Roan McClain and others who have lost their lives to suicide. (Photo courtesy Michelle Nelson and The Roan Your Boat Foundation)
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July 2021| Page 5
A crash course on Salt Lake Valley’s water supply
W
ater is one of those things that people take for granted. We don’t really talk about it much until it becomes an issue. So now that Utah and the rest of the southwest are experiencing historic levels of drought, some Salt Lake valley residents might be realizing how little they know about the topic. So here’s a crash course lesson on the valley’s water supply. Who manages the valley’s water supply? The answer to this question depends on where you live. If you live on the west side of the valley, then most of your water comes from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. They collect water from Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs, as well as a collection of reservoirs in the Uinta Mountains. Twenty percent of its water also comes from groundwater, pumped from wells scattered around the valley. The District then sells this water wholesale to cities including Draper, Herriman, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Taylorsville, Midvale and West Jordan. It also counts among its customers a few intermediary districts such as the Granger Hunter Improvement District, the Kearns Improvement District and the Magna Water Improvement District. While these smaller districts purchase as much as 90% of their water from Jordan Valley, they also supplement that with their own water supply from wells in the area. The other big player when it comes to providing water to the Salt Lake Valley is the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy. As its name suggests, this district provides water to Salt Lake City and Sandy City, the first and sixth most populous cities in the state. But wait, there’s more! Salt Lake City’s Public Utilities department is responsible for more than just its own residents. They also provide drinking water for Cottonwood Heights, Millcreek, Holladay and parts of South Salt Lake and Murray. More than 60% of all that water comes from the streams of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon. That water is filtered by facilities owned by either the Metropolitan Water District or SLC. For example, the treatment facility at the mouth of Big Cottonwood is owned by SLC, while the treatment facility for Little Cottonwood is owned by Metropolitan Water District. Additionally, some cities own and operate their own water infrastructure to supplement what they purchase from their respective districts. Sandy City, for example, collects and treats water from the Bell Canyon Reservoir. Many cities also rely on various canals throughout the valley as a source of secondary water. How much does our water cost? It can be quite expensive to collect, treat, transport and deliver water to the over 1 million people who live, work or play in the Salt
Page 6 | July 2021
By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com
(Justin Adams/City Journals) Lake Valley. The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District operates on an operations budget of about $79 million per year, while the Metropolitan Water District has a budget of about $48 million. Where does that money come from? The largest revenue source ($48 million) for the Jordan Valley is from its wholesale contracts with its various member agencies. An additional $7 million comes from retail customers, usually homeowners in unincorporated areas that purchase water from the district directly. The second-largest source of revenue for the district is property taxes, which comes in at about $20 million per year. As a special district with taxing authority, water districts are able to levy a property tax on residents within the district boundaries. The property tax rate for the Jordan Water is .0004%. The Metro District is below .0003%. While residents around the valley have likely seen their rates increase over the years due to inflation, they’re still paying much lower rates than many people around the country, according to Linda Townes, public information manager for Jordan Valley. That’s because Utah’s mountainous landscape allows gravity to move our water for us, rather than paying for pump stations which use a huge amount of costly electricity. Who is running these districts? Between such large budgets and the task of managing a resource as crucial as water, it bodes asking who’s in charge of these districts. Special districts are typically run by a
The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District maintains a Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan, as an example to residents of how yards can be re-landscaped to be more water efficient without sacrificing aesthetics. (Wikimedia)
board of trustees. The Jordan Water operates under a board of nine members. While the Metro District has a seven-member board. Members of the board aren’t elected. Instead they are appointed by various legislative bodies from within the district’s boundaries. Appointees can be elected officials themselves (such as South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey or Herriman City Councilmember Sherrie Ohrn who serve on the Jordan Water board) or
they can be city employees or even private residents—whatever the nominating body thinks will best represent their interests. As a governmental body, districts are required to hold regular public meetings. They also publish their budgets and other reports each year to keep residents informed. Are we in danger of running out of water? Between the state’s historic drought and rapid population growth, some residents may
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wonder if we’re running out of water in the Salt Lake valley. In short, the answer is no, residents of the Salt Lake valley don’t need to worry about rationing water anytime soon. When it comes to growth, Townes said that water consumption hasn’t increased at the same rate as the population, suggesting that the District’s water conservancy efforts and efficiency standards have been effective. “The good thing we’ve seen with growth is that we really expected our water use to skyrocket with the population growth and it hasn’t,” she said. “It’s stayed pretty steady, which means conservation is working. It’s happening. We are seeing a change.” There are also still untapped sources of water which could come into play down the road. According to Townes, the Jordan Water expected to begin developing the Bear River in 2015. However, a combination of other new sources and increased water efficiency made that unnecessary. Now, they may not have to dam the Bear River until 2060. “It’s a pretty cool river and one of the last ones that’s not damned. We don’t want to develop it. It’d be great if we didn’t have to, but it’s our job to make sure there’s enough water for people,” Townes said. The Metro District is also in good shape when it comes to water supply. Speaking to the Sandy City Council last month, general manager Mike DeVries said there’s no need to worry.
“Despite poor precipitation and snow pack conditions, because of storage and Metro’s various water supplies, we’re in a healthy state when it comes to supply for our member cities. We’re not anticipating any sort of shortages for our metro at this point,” he said. It’s also important to know that most of the state’s water systems are self-contained. For example, the systems that supply water throughout Salt Lake County aren’t connected to systems for other nearby counties. So if there are water shortages in other parts of the state, it wouldn’t be possible for them to dip into the supplies of the Jordan Valley or Metropolitan Districts, even if they were willing to share. How can we conserve more water? Whether from continued growth or continued droughts, water conservation will be increasingly important for residents of the Salt Lake valley. From the water districts themselves, to municipal governments to residents’ households, there’s a lot that can be done. At the district level, the Jordan Water has set a good example by relandscaping all of their facilities to be water efficient by replacing turf with vegetation that’s more at home in Utah’s desert climate. The District also provides a number of programs, rebates and incentives for residents to improve their water efficiency. Those can be found at www.utahwatersavers.com. City governments are also getting in on the conservation effort by requiring new de-
Nearby reservoirs like Jordanelle and Deer Creek play a critical role in the Salt Lake Valley’s water supply chain. (Wikimedia)
velopments to meet certain water efficiency standards. Many cities have also taken proactive measures during our current drought. Cottonwood Heights, for example, announced that its popular splash pad at Mountain View Park would remain closed throughout the summer. Herriman City paused a requirement for developers to install landscaping on new projects, allowing them to delay the addition of extra vegetation until after the summer months. Residents, meanwhile, have many options
for conserving water. They can do small things like take shorter showers or turn off the faucet while they brush their teeth. They can take advantage of the previously mentioned programs and get a more water-efficient toilet or relandscape their yards. But the most effective and easy thing they can do, according to Townes, is simply water their lawns less. If everyone adjusted to watering their lawns just one less day per week, it would have a huge impact on the region’s water supply outlook. l
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July 2021| Page 7
Psych 101: Narcissistic abuse centers on control and manipulation By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournal.com
“
Narcissism next!” requested a reader after reviewing the previous article covering gaslighting. OK—let’s do it! (This is where I feel obliged to share a warning. The following article discusses topics of abuse and may be triggering to some.) In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), narcissism is categorized as a Personality Disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder has been primarily recognized through behavioral patterns steeped in a need for admiration and a lack of empathy. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder tend to have a grandiose sense of self-importance, believing they are special and unique. In turn, they frequently have a lack of empathy and tend to be envious of others or believe others are envious of them. They may also be preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty and ideal love. Conversations around recognizing narcissistic traits and managing relationships with narcissistic individuals have gained more popular attention in the last few years. Now, there are two types of narcissism widely recognized. Overt or grandiose narcissism is primarily described above. Individuals may be arrogant and preoccupied with success, wealth, attractiveness and power. However, there’s a less explicit type of narcissism.
Covert or vulnerable narcissism may be identified through self-absorbed and/or passive-aggressive behaviors. Individuals with covert narcissistic traits may be highly sensitive and have a history of impersonal and difficult relationships. Narcissistic abuse has been recognized as a type of interpersonal abuse (and/or domestic abuse) and is beginning to be formally recognized in various governmental and legal documents and policies. On the surface, it may be difficult to differentiate narcissistic abuse from typified interpersonal abuse. This tends to make narcissistic abuse more complicated and harder to prove. Some of the key reported differences include increase frequency and explicit intentionality. “The idea is that they totally know what they are doing,” reported an anonymous survivor. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder tend to exhibit numerous abusive behaviors. They may make attempts at isolation in order to maintain control and attention in the relationship, driving away friends and family relations of the other person. They tend to control finances, monitoring money closely, and only allowing limited access to certain funds. In abusive relationships, including those involving individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, there’s frequently a
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cycle of abuse involved. Psychologists have deemed the phases of abuse as idealization, devaluation and discarding. In idealization, otherwise known as “lovebombing,” the individual may shower the other with praise and gifts. This builds a sense of safety and trust. In devaluation, the individual may use what was disclosed during the idealization phase as ammo to instill emotional responses and a sense of worthlessness. Then, the individual discards the other before starting the cycle over again. Additionally, abusive relationships commonly involve manipulation tactics such as being overly critical and controlling, manufacturing situations to elicit emotional distress, engaging in hot and cold behavior, stonewalling, triangulating, blaming, shaming, deflecting and projecting. Narcissistic abuse can occur in any relationship. While some of the focus above is on abuse in romantic relationships, it’s important to remember narcissistic abuse can be prevalent in friendships, familial relationships and working relationships. Those with narcissistic personality disorder tend to be in-
terpersonally exploitative as they take advantage of others to achieve their own ends. For example, friendships may only be maintained on a superficial level. If you, or someone you know is experiencing abuse, some steps of recovery to enact right now may include: validating the survivors experience, identifying abusive traits, breaking habits of empathizing with the abuser, validating one’s own reality, creating or relying on a solid support network, grieving the good parts of the relationship, resolving trauma, improving self-love, and learning to recognize red flags and set boundaries. In Utah, resources for domestic violence and interpersonal abuse include: the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, Utah Community Action, Utah Association of Family Support Centers, YWCA Utah’s Domestic Violence Shelter Programs and the Statewide Domestic Violence Info-line LINKline. Research from Shahida Arabi, Sandra Brown, Thomas Crawford, Ramani Durvasula, Harold Koenigsberg, Kristian Markon, Kati Morton, Rebecca Shiner, Jennifer Tackett, and David Watson. l
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Utah Food Bank to distribute 200,000 meals this summer By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com
W
hat fits in a 10-inch by 8-inch by 7-inch box? If you said 14 meals for a Utah child, you would be right. As part of their Summer Food Service program, the Utah Food Bank provides meal boxes to individuals 18 and younger each week throughout Utah. The boxes are free and are design for one person for seven days— seven breakfasts and seven dinners. If a family has four children, they get four boxes. Each box includes a sample menu. For example, breakfast one is a cereal bowl and regular applesauce. For dinner two, the menu is cheddar cheese cup, sunflower kernels, MJM Pizza Crackers, flavored applesauce and vegetable juice. Other items on the menu are Pop-Tarts, barbecue chicken salad, breakfast bar, Jack Link’s Original Chicken Tender Bites, and beef sticks. The kids are given 14 small cartons of milk with their box. These boxes are distributed in eight Utah counties, including Salt Lake County.
Salt Lake County
In Salt Lake County, the Utah Food Bank provides hot meals at various locations Monday through Friday. The meals are prepared in the Utah Food Bank kitchen and delivered in electric hot boxes, which keep the food warm for up to four hours. The Utah Food Bank can provide these 200,000 meals because they are partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This partnership extends the Kids Café program throughout the summer. The 200,000 meals are served at 40 sites across the state. Some programs are open sites meaning first come, first served. Other sites are enrolled programs that have specific requirements. There are 16 sites across the valley, including Boys & Girls Clubs, community centers and libraries. Libraries are included because the Utah Food Bank found that many children spend their days at the library but never had food. A complete list and details like times, locations, and dates is available at www.utahfoodbank.org/SummerMeals/.
Utah Food Bank
“Most people, when they come home, they wonder what they are having for dinner. I drive home wondering if every child in Utah has a dinner,” Ginette Bott, president and CEO of Utah Food Bank, said. The Utah Food Bank partners with 205 agencies across the state. In 2020, they distributed 62.5 million pounds of food at no cost to the receivers or the agencies. Utah Food Bank is the largest food distributor in the state. Since 1904, the Utah Food Bank has tried to learn more efficient ways to obtain products and meet the needs of the people of Utah. With the increase in the refugee population, the Utah Food Bank has learned how to meet
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“Most people, when they come home, they wonder what they are having for dinner. I drive home wondering if every child in Utah has a dinner.” – Ginette Bott their dietary needs. Utah Food Bank does not consider itself a transportation company nor a human need company. “We just quietly go about feeding kids,” Bott said. Bott mentioned that sometimes they are Contents of a meal box given to kids by the Utah Food Bank this summer. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) criticized for giving out ramen noodles. Her response is she would rather have a child’s belly full of noodles than having them cry because they are hungry. Bott pointed out that the Utah Food Bank always needs food, time and money. She also said if a person ever needs help, call 211 or go to the Utah Food Bank website.
Grocery Rescue program
The Grocery Rescuer program is a partnership with 270 grocery retailers. Retailers provide food that is nearing the expiration date but is still healthy and wholesome to eat. Refrigerated trucks provided by the Utah Food Bank and partner agencies operate six days a week throughout the state, picking up the food donations. The food goes directly to food pantries to be distributed within 24 hours. The donations primarily are daily consumables, including fresh produce, dairy and meat. Without this program, such items would end up in the landfill. In 2020, 16 million pounds of food was distributed to help end hunger. Walt May, a program director, offered a way anyone can help with this program. May suggested that they will give you the freshest meat or cheese when you go to the deli at the grocery store. This allows the retailer to freeze the older meat and cheese and donate it to the program. “Buying sliced deli meat or cheese helps feed people of Utah,” May said. l The Utah Food Bank does much more than collect food. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)
July 2021| Page 9
The INN Between helps the homeless die with dignity By Sona Schmidt-Harris | s.schmidtharris@mycityjournals.com
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he INN Between, tucked in an inconspicuous corner in Sugar House, helps adults experiencing homelessness to obtain professional hospice care. In addition to hospice care, The INN provides housing, three meals a day, enriching activities and more. It is also a place the homeless can go to prepare for surgery and recover from serious illness or injury. Currently licensed to take 50 residents, 25 assisted living residents and 25 independent living residents, the INN’s population has been down due to COVID. “We stopped taking the residents completely,” Interim Executive Director Jeanie Ashby said. “We had to protect the people who are already here, and then we’ve obviously opened back up again, and I expect to be full to the brim by the end of the month.”
There is an in-house library created in partnership with the Salt Lake County Library, who switches out the books periodically. (Sona Schmidt-Harris/City Journals)
The obituaries of some of the deceased residents are strikingly poignant, including that of Robin Lee Skinner Harmston, born in 1967. Her obituary reads in part, “She made us smile and laugh with an infectious energy when no one else could.” (Photo courtesy of The INN Between)
Page 10 | July 2021
Generous donations from The Utah Food Bank, The Bishop’s Storehouse and others help to keep the INN functioning. In addition to donated provisions, volunteers provide cosmetology, chaplain and other services. There is an inhouse library created in partnership with the Salt Lake County Library, who switches out the books periodically. An especially successful program was created with the generous support of Beading Hearts Jewelry. Residents create jewelry which is made available for donations to the INN. “Some patients spend over an hour just sorting beads for those making jewelry,” Kellie Mieremet, program assistant, said. “It’s very therapeutic for some residents.” For those who give their permission, The INN publishes obituaries on their website for residents who died within its walls. Many of them died in their 50s or younger. “There are serious health problems all associated with what we call social determinants of health,” Ashby said. “Lower life expectancies are tied to things like education, housing, whether or not they have a job, race and other factors.” The obituaries give a sense of the whole individual and their life. Part of the obituary of Robin Lee Skinner (Harmston) born in 1967, is such an example. It is from the point of view of her children: “She made us smile and laugh with an infectious energy when no one else could. She cheered for us when we were young. And later, as adults, we cheered for her as she fought illness that came in many forms. Before cancer stole the life from her, addiction stole her from her life…from our lives.” The INN Between has helped 87 people die with dignity in a home and not on the streets, and there have been at least 250 terminally or acutely ill homeless people served. The INN is particularly proud of five “miracle” cases of dying patients who regained their health. The INN Between opened its current location about five years ago. The original location was on Goshen Street. Deborah Thorpe, a founder of The INN, was a nurse at Huntsman Cancer Institute and witnessed the problem of housing the homeless who were dying. An individual must have an address to receive hospice care. Working at The INN is both rewarding and challenging. “You know, most people that are homeless are homeless because they struggle to get along in regular society and so sometimes the behaviors are difficult or there’s difficult backgrounds that can be rough, but you know what? There’s still a loving, caring person inside there that needs to have their life touched,” Ashby said. “Every single person that didn’t die on the streets of our city—that died here in a place where they were loved and
Jim Adams was one of the INN’S first residents and the featured resident in KUED’s documentary, “Homeless at the End.” (Photo courtesy of The INN Between)
comfortable—that’s why I do what I do.” For Jillian Olmstead, operations director/events coordinator, it’s the little things that make her day. “Just a resident coming in and out of the front door and saying ‘hi’ to me in my office,” Olmstead said, “Unsolicited saying ‘thank you for everything you do’ and they have no idea what my role is.” In addition to human lives saved, there are also animals saved as well. The INN has several in-house pets: two dogs, a cat and fish in a tank that adorns a living space. Forthcoming additions to The INN include a nondenominational prayer space and the names of residents who passed away etched in stone in the Memorial Garden. To learn more about The INN Between and volunteer opportunities, visit: www.tibhospice.org. l
A fish tank adorns a living space at The INN Between. (Sona Schmidt-Harris/City Journals)
Sugar House City Journal
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What’s your legacy?
Rental assistance still available in Salt Lake County By Bridget Raymundo | b.raymundo@mycityjournals.com
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own the streets of downtown, homeless people can be found around nearly every corner. The less fortunate are not often at the forefront of thoughts, however, with the effects of the pandemic still in motion, many residents still struggle with affording basic living costs. The economy is on a slow path to recovery from the shutdowns in efforts to maintain social distancing. Many people have lost their main sources of income and numerous [small] businesses have closed. Rental assistance and stimulus checks have been issued to help. The question is whether they are improving circumstances or not. In January Millcreek government, for example, took initiative to release awareness campaigns about financial aid. At that point, the pandemic had been reigning chaos into personal lives for nearly a full year. Curious as to the effects of the stimulus checks issued by the US federal government? As expected, at the shadow glimpse of an approaching financial crisis and the increased unemployment rate, anyone who could afford to save, did. The rest was spent on necessities such as food, water, rent, electricity and other household bills. Entertainment and dining were mostly closed, thereby reducing needed cash flow. Handing out government funds is tricky in and of itself; claims arose stating some stimulus checks were not received, unnecessary in some cases, and a cause for further economic inflation. The Salt Lake County Regional Development Department issued a press release on June 17 about rental assistance. It reported more than 12,000 county residents have received $17 million in rental assistance since March 2021. Data shows women are more likely to
apply for aid than men since 60% of applicants are female. The Director of Salt Lake County Housing & Community Development, Michael Gallegos, states there are still funds available to applicants even as the CDC’s Eviction Moratorium approaches its end scheduled for June 30. “The demand for rental assistance funds this spring has exceeded our expectations,” Gallegos said in the press release. “While we’re ahead of where we thought we would be, there are still plenty of funds available, and we encourage residents to continue to apply.” According to the press release, race demographics from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program match or exceed County demographics, showing that rental assistance funds are getting into traditionally underserved populations. “We know there are geographic areas of higher need, and diverse populations that may require support to apply,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “We are addressing those needs as they’re identified by the community and data. We are also utilizing organizations in our outreach grant program to assist disproportionately impacted individuals in tapping into this critical resource to avoid eviction.” So far, 52% of rental assistance provided in Salt Lake County were applied for by landlords on behalf of their tenants. While 62% of all rental assistance funds in Utah are being paid out to Salt Lake County residents. Further data on the effects of rental assistance can be found here: slco.org/slcomunidata To apply for rental assistance, please visit rentrelief.utah.gov/ . l
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www.LarkinCares.com Page 12 | July 2021
Since March 2021 12,000 county residents have received $17 million in rental assistance according to Salt Lake County. (File photo City Journals)
Sugar House City Journal
City Journals Economic Overview:
Economic recovery brings inflation concerns By Robert Spendlove | Zions Bank Senior Economist
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he Utah economy continues to improve. Job growth is accelerating, unemployment is dropping, and wages are increasing. However, the emerging trend of inflation is causing some struggles in the economic recovery. Inflation essentially describes the principle that prices rise over time. It’s actually good to have inflation; it encourages investment and overall growth. However, if inflation grows too much it erodes the value of cash and can cause asset bubbles, which then can crash. An example of this is lumber prices, which nearly tripled in price from July 2020 to May 2021, but have dropped nearly 50% in the last few weeks. Inflation has been increasing nationally and locally for the past few months. The national Consumer Price Index rose in May by 5% from a year before. This is the highest inflation since the summer of 2008. Prices regionally were also up significantly in May, increasing 4.7% over the past year. A primary cause of this recent inflation
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is the economic reopening. A year ago, as the pandemic spread and as the economy shut down, demand for many goods and services evaporated. This caused prices for things like gasoline, hotel rooms, and airfare to collapse. With many people now returning to work and going on trips, demand has surged for these products. Gasoline prices alone are up 56.2% in the last 12 months, and the price of used cars and trucks has surged 29.7% over the same period. Airfares are up 24.1% in the last year and increased 12.2% in the last month. The big question now is how long this
high inflation will last. Is this a temporary surge or is it the beginning of a prolonged period of price pressures? No one knows for sure and this is a topic of intense debate. The Federal Reserve, which sets interest rates, has said they are concerned about unexpected high inflation but they want to wait and see what the future brings over the next several months before pulling back on monetary policy that encourages growth. Robert Spendlove is senior economist for Zions Bank, a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. l
What is the Mosquito Abatement District? By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com
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ave you noticed a line on your property tax bill that says Mosquito Abatement? What is that? Why do they get your tax money? There are three mosquito abatement districts in Salt Lake County. Each of them serves their area, performing similar functions: Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement, Magna Mosquito Abatement, South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement. “Mosquitos are definitely a nuisance,” Brian Hougaard, manager for South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District, said. “They have the potential to carry diseases.” A mosquito abatement focuses heavily on mosquitos that carry West Nile Virus, a disease that can cause severe inflammation to the brain and spinal cord. “We have 52 different trap sites, using three different types of traps. We use these traps not only to monitor the number of mosquitos in the area...we also use those to catch [and] test for West Nile virus,” Hougaard said. Each district employs full-time, yearround experts, but then hires seasonal workers for the summer. The staff spends their time checking traps, testing mosquitoes for
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Mosquito abatement: The Salt Lake Valley is split into three districts. Each district helps contain the mosquito population within its borders to prevent spread of disease. (Pixabay)
potential viruses and responding to resident calls. Residents can call for an inspection. They will inspect horse troughs, residential ponds, tree holes and catch basins. If there are mosquito larvae, the district can put in mosquito fish, an aggressive eater of mosquitos, or briquettes that prevent larvae from hatching into adults. l
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July 9-10, 12, 15-17 ................................... Shrek The Musical July 23 ....................... Beehive Statesmen Barbershop Chorus Aug 6-7, 9, 12-14 ......................................... Disney's Newsies Aug 11..... Jenny Oaks Baker, Violin & Cello Workshop Concert Aug 21 .................................................. Clayton Smalley Band Aug 27-28 ...................................... "A Celtic Summer's Night"
LUNCH CONCERT SERIES * Tuesday at Noon in Murray Park Pavilion #2, FREE July 6 - One Man Band, Tony Summerhays .............................. July 13 - Time Cruisers ................................................... Oldies July 20 - Wendy & The Lost Boys ............................ Gypsy Jazz July 27 - Sonic Paragon .................................................... Jazz
LIBRARY SUMMER SHORTS * Wednesday at 1 PM in Murray Park Pavilion #2, FREE
July 7 ........................................................... Irish Step Dancing July 14 ................................. Belle & Mrs. Potts, Character Visit July 21 ........................................ Wild Wonders, Animal Show July 28 .................................. Firefighter's Soak (Softball Field)
CHILDREN MATINEE SERIES * Thursday at 2 p.m. in Murray Park Gazebo, FREE
July 8 - 1520 Arts ............................................. Hip Hop Dance July 15 - Trash Panda ............................................. Drumming July 22 - The Puppet Players .............................. Puppet Show July 29 - Happy Hula .................................... Polynesian Dance
FAMILY NIGHT S ERI ES Bring the Whole Family Young and Old! The 2nd Monday of every month at 7 p.m., FREE Murray Senior Recreation Center (#10 E 6150 S – 1/2 block west of State) July 12 – Company B. ..................................................... Oldies Aug 9 – Flashback Brothers ................................... Classic Rock
STOP IN FOR STORIES * Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at 11 a.m. in Murray Park White Gazebo, FREE Murray City Library sponsored outdoor story time full of books, songs and action rhymes for kids ages 2-7 and their families. Bring your blanket or lawn chair.
This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and Museums & National Endowment for the Arts.
July 2021| Page 13
Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts’ teacher receives national recognition By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com Katelin Ruzzamenti Knight still vividly remembers the evening in 2019 when she found out her student, Salt Lake School for the Performing Art’s Ethan Kelso, received the prestigious National High School Musical Theatre Award (also known as the Jimmy Award) for best performance by an actor. Knight was on a camping trip with her parents but still managed to get her laptop connected in time to hear of Kelso’s win. The Jimmy Awards, named in honor of the late producer and theatre owner James M. Nederlander, take place every summer, where promising students from across the country participate in a weeklong program of masterclasses and workshops in New York City. The apex of the event occurs on the final evening when a ceremony is held to honor the participants and crown winners. The students who are chosen to participate in the week-long program are typically winners of awards and recognition at the regional level. Kelso beat out a talented pool of national candidates to become the year’s best actor. As Knight recalls, “when we found out he won that evening, I probably woke the entire campground up.” A year later, the 2020 Jimmy Awards would be canceled due to the Covid-19
pandemic, causing a staunch departure from the celebratory mood that encapsulated Kelso’s win just a year prior. “Kelso’s win was truly a win for the entire school. We hosted a party for him, where all of our students got to celebrate his accomplishment. Because when it comes to the arts, musical theater, in particular, it takes a village.” Like most educators, Knight found herself in a difficult position when classes suddenly went virtual as the pandemic carried on. Teaching any subject in those parameters is a challenge, however, Knight had the added stress of teaching musical theater which hinges exclusively on dance and singing. “I’ll admit there were times I couldn’t quite hear certain students,” Knight said. “You’re dealing with a whole class of students, who all have [different rendering speeds] on their computers and devices. Some of them were in closets, basements and attics. I myself was in a five by five space in my apartment.” It was the most challenging year of Knight’s five-year teaching career. She powered through the perils of teaching through the pandemic by showing up each day. “I gave my best every day knowing many of these kids needed
a creative outlet more than ever. It was a privilege to be able to provide that space.” The silver lining came when Knight found out she would be receiving the Inspiring Teacher Award in 2021. Knight and fellow teacher Benjamin Pesenti (of Elmont Memorial High School in Elmont, New York) taught 2019’s best actor and best actress recipients Ethan Kelso and Ekel Ukegbu, respectively. Typically, the educators would have received these awards in 2020, however, due to the pandemic, the awards were canceled. With an history working everywhere from Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts to the critically acclaimed Cedar City Shakespeare Festival, Knight has performed on prestigious stages. She gives a lot of credit to those around her at Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, an institution she feels cares deeply about artistry and student welfare. And, Knight applauded the Jimmy Awards for putting a spotlight on the teachers who help foster student talent. “When I found out I had won the [Jimmy Award] I felt humbled,” she said. “It was a truly humbling experience.” l
Katelin Ruzzamenti Knight is the recipient for this year’s Inspiring Teacher Award. Her win comes on the heels of her former student Ethan Kelso, who received the Best Actor Jimmy Award in 2019. (Photo courtesy of Katelin Ruzzamenti Knight)
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Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimmillion people are living er’s 6.2 or another dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brainwith disease that causes 6.2 million people are living with a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are Alzheimer’s diseaseEvery in the United 10 warning signs and symptoms. individual may experience Alzheimer’s disease in the United one States. or more ofOver these signs in a different degree. If you notice any 34,000 people in Utah of them in yourself or a34,000 loved one,people please see in a doctor. States. Over Utah
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10 SIGNS OF This disease kills more people alone. each year than breast cancer and ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
eachloss year 1. Memory that than disruptsbreast cancer and prostate cancer combined, and is the daily life prostate cancer combined, and is the 2. Challenges in planning or 4th leading cause of death in Utah. problem solving 4th leading cause of death in Utah. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, More than 104,000 people in Utah More than 104,000 people in Utah work or at leisure 6.2for millionsomeone people are living with Alzheimer’s provide living 4. Confusion withunpaid time or care disease in the United States. Over provide unpaid carepeople for insomeone living34,000 place Utah alone. This disease kills withunderstanding Alzheimer’s disease. The impact is 5. Trouble more people each year than breast cancer with Alzheimer’s disease. The impact is visual images and special and prostate cancer combined, and is the widespread and can be devastating to 4th leading cause of death in Utah. relationships widespread and can be devastating to 6. New problems with words families. More than 104,000 people in Utah proin speaking or writing families. vide unpaid care for someone living with 7. Misplacing things and Alzheimer’s disease. The impact is widelosing ability to Forthemore information, aboutto families. spreadto and learn can be devastating For more information, to learn about retrace steps Together we can work to findor a cure support groups or other resources, 8. Decreased or poor and ultimately have our first survivor! support groups or other resources, or judgment Join the fight and lend your to to get from helpwork immediately contact thevoice 9. Withdrawal or this critical cause by attending the to get help immediately contact the social activities Walk to End Alzheimer’s this fall. There Alzheimer’s Association’s free 24/7 are eight Walks throughout the state 10. Changes in mood Association’s Alzheimer’s free 24/7 of Utah: and personality Helpline at:
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800-272-3900 800-272-3900 or visit our website at: or visit our website at: www.alz.org/utah www.alz.org/utah For more information or to get help immediately contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s Togetherfree we24/7 can work Together we can work Helpline at:
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Sprague Library shows off remodel during reopening By Anagha Rao | a.rao@mycityjournals.com
O
n May 11, the Sprague Library fully reopened after being partially closed since 2017 due to the flooding. Now, the remodeled library has been modernized to become a 21st-century library with books, games and activities to have fun this summer. On July 26, 2017, a flash storm flooded the Sprague Library and its basement was filled with more than 5 ½ feet of water. “They are calling it a 200 year storm,” said Bob, a librarian from the Sprague Library. The damage was devastating, and more than 1,000 books ended up being ruined because of the storm. The estimated cost of the damage was around $1.5 to $2 million dollars. After assessing the damage, the library hosted town halls, community council meetings, and public forums to allow the public to contribute to the renovated Sprague Library. After surveying the public, the data showed that most people wanted the library to be a place to read a good book and be creative and play. The remodeled Sprague Library includes a Creative Lab on the first floor similar to the ones in Marmalade and Glendale branches. The Creative Lab at the Sprague branch is an incredible area for people of all ages to play, create and have fun by doing hands-on activities. Bob said, “The Maker Space is one of the most popular areas at our
New, redesigned Teen’s Room features a terrarium, charging stations and new books. (Anagha Rao/ City Journals)
other branches.” This space includes many art and craft supplies including a sewing machine, a 3D printer where patrons can customize their creations, a Cricut machine to cut vinyl, paper and cardstock, a heat press for people to print their designs onto T-shirts or other fabric. For people interested in music or other digital arts, the Creative Lab has podcasting software, editing software, and photographic equipment for filming or making videos. Another unique component of the Sprague Library is the Business Incubator. The Sprague Library now has four new
This meeting room in the Business Incubator is equipped with seats, a charging cable and a TV. (Anagha Rao/City Journals)
is looking for champions in your community!
Community
Champions
are leaders who lift and inspire. They work to build a better community.
Sprague Library’s new Creative Lab features board games, a manual typewriter, and a 3D printer. (Anagha Rao/City Journals)
Visit the City Journals website to nominate a community champion today!
www.thecityjournals.com Each month we’ll spotlight a Community Champion!
Page 16 | July 2021
meeting rooms that can be used for studying, working or having a club activity. Each meeting room contains a large TV for presentations, several seats and a charging station. Also, the Business Incubator contains a larger meeting room with a retractable glass wall. This library’s new design is more spacious due to the increased peripheral shelving. The Children’s Room is equipped with more lighting, and the books in the Children’s Room face outward to help children pick books that suit their interests. Near the Creative Lab, there is an Everbright light
wall that allows kids to make pictures out of the lights on the wall. Sprague Library is planning on hosting more programs in the Creative Lab to encourage people to discover their creative outlets. This library also hopes to resume regular in-person programs such as book club, fitness classes and other events. Currently, the Sprague Library is hosting the Super Summer Challenge to encourage kids, teens and adults to have read this summer. Visit www.events.slcpl.org/supersummer for more information. l
Sugar House City Journal
Hawthorne Elementary teacher receives Outstanding Educator Award By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
M
arilyn Taft is the type of educator who parents adore, and children remember for the rest of their lives. Smart, intuitive, and acutely perceptive, she’s exactly the type of educator who should be molding the minds of today’s youth. On June 14, the Salt Lake City School District announced via their Facebook page that Taft had received this year’s Calvin W. Taylor Outstanding Educator Award. True to its namesake, the award honors teachers who significantly impact the lives of their students. If there were any questions about Taft’s influence on her students, the outpouring of adoration and accolades received on the Facebook post regarding her win, speaks for itself. Hundreds of people reacted to the announcement, with countless expressing admiration for the teacher. Taft has been an educator for almost two decades, although, her journey into the field was rather unorthodox. Prior to getting involved in teaching, she received her MBA and took on a position at AT&T. “I worked for [them] for 14 years in their technical sales and marketing division,” she recalled. “I loved my previous job, but I don’t regret moving to education.” She left her position at AT&T to focus on raising her children. During that time, she would discover her passion for substitute teaching. As she continued to take on more responsibility in her role as a substitute, it became clear to those around her that she was a natural educator. Finally, she made the decision to start teaching permanently at the coaxing of a principal named Liz Grant. She found her home at Hawthorne Elementary School and has never looked back. Taft is currently a fifth-grade Extended Learning Program teacher at Hawthorne. The Extended Learning Program is a Salt Lake City School District sanctioned initiative that brings together children from all across the district and streamlines them into one learning space. “I have students who live clear past the airport and high up in the Avenues,” Taft said. “It’s a program for academically advanced children but also children who need a more specialized curriculum to be able to grow and develop in appropriate ways so that they can reach their potential too.” Taft came to know of the program as her own children had participated and found success through its structuring. As a firsthand witness to the benefits of Extended Learning, she was fully on board to try her hand as a teacher. In the years that followed, Taft’s love for teaching continued to develop and expand. “It’s a remarkable thing to be in
MyS ugar HouseJournal .com
For nearly two decades Marilyn Taft has taught elementary students, almost entirely at Hawthorne Elementary School. (Courtesy of Salt Lake City School District)
a position to help empower students to grow and learn and help them understand that our biggest learning opportunities come when we make mistakes. That’s when our brains can grow and develop,” she said. This sentiment was perhaps never as relevant as it was last year during the peak of Covid-19. In a time where it would have been understandable to see students stumble, especially those who require an extra level of guidance, Taft was deeply inspired to witness her students’ resiliency. “[During Covid-19] the students were remarkable. I don’t think I’ve ever taught a finer class,” she said. “They were just amazing in every way.” The challenges of last year make Taft’s win of the Calvin W. Taylor Outstanding Educator Award all the more affecting. She was quick to give accolades to Hawthorne and the faculty that surrounds her. According to Taft, many teachers at the school have received the award in past years, which she finds hardly surprising. She said her colleagues and their contributions to the students makes Hawthorne an exceptional place for both learners and educators. “An outstanding teacher is one who meets the needs of individual students, and helps them progress by their devotion, caring and creativity,” she said. “I think that outstanding teachers have incredible respect for the human beings that are in their classrooms.” “[During Covid-19] the students were remarkable. I don’t think I’ve ever taught a finer class. They were just amazing in every way.” l
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July 2021| Page 17
Local author Jeremy Pugh hosts book signing in King’s English Bookshop By Anagha Rao | a.rao@mycityjournals.com
S
alt Lake City author Jeremy Pugh and his coauthor, the late Mary Brown Malouf, released a new book called “Secret Salt Lake City A Guide To The Weird, Wonderful, And Obscure.” He hosted a book signing event in the King’s English Bookshop in Sugar House on June 5. “Secret Salt Lake City” is a guidebook about the mysteries and other interesting facts about Salt Lake City, including why Utah is known as the Beehive State, a secret alphabet early Mormon settlers pioneered, and how Lagoon received its name. Pugh has lived in Salt Lake City since he was 10, and he used to live in Sugarhouse. “When I was young, I always knew I wanted to be a writer,” he said. He attended Utah State University, where he was an editor for the Utah Statesman, the school newspaper. Afterward, Pugh was hired as a freelance writer at Salt Lake Magazine and worked his way up to become the executive editor. Being the executive editor of Salt Lake Magazine, he has extensively researched the history of Salt Lake City. Pugh initially proposed to his publishers the idea of revealing the secrets behind different cities. He knew Salt Lake City would be an amazing city for beginning this series due to its rich culture and history, which led him to commence writing “Secret Salt Lake City.” After proposing this idea, authors from his publishing company continued the series in their hometown by publishing books such as “Secret St Louis,” “Secret San Francisco,” and “Secret Boston.” Malouf, the coauthor, was also the executive editor of the Salt Lake Magazine until her passing in late 2020. She introduced him to locals and historians who shared the
unique story behind landmarks and shops in Salt Lake City. “Mary and I have worked on this book for a long time, so its publishing is very personal,” he said. When Pugh signs “Secret Salt Lake City,” he signs every book with a stamp of Malouf’s signature in her memory. Pugh revealed that he immensely enjoyed learning about the history of Salt Lake while researching for this book. “The facts in this book are not actual secrets; they are things you may have walked by and noticed but not understood,” he said. One of his favorite parts of the book was the story about Crispin Glover, an actor in the movie “Rubin and Ed.” In 2012, Crispin Glover visited the Salt Lake City Tower Theater, and he had his handprints and footprints in the grass in front of the theater. “I love sharing that story because it’s a great movie, ‘’ Pugh said. “In fact, the cat on the cover of the book is from ‘Rubin and Ed.’” Throughout the summer, Pugh will do book signings and presentations for “Secret Salt Lake City.” In addition, he has a presentation about his book planned for July 9 from 6-10 p.m. in the Printed Gardens in Sandy. Pugh will also present at the Leonardo Museum downtown on July 15, where he will give a brief presentation about his latest book. For more information, visit www.reedypress.com/author/ pugh/jeremy-pugh. So what are Pugh’s future plans? “I have this idea to write a novel or series about Box Elder County and Brigham City,” he said. “I also have the idea for a murder mystery set at the Sundance Film Festival that Mary thought would be interesting.” l
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Jeremy Pugh sitting at the King’s English Bookshop’s desk that many prestigious authors have sat at. (Anagha Rao/City Journals)
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July 2021| Page 19
Sourdough bread can be rich in flavor, beauty and history By Karmel Harper | k.harper@mycityjournals.com
I
t is amazing for grilled cheese sandwiches. It makes the perfect bread bowl for soup. Or you can simply dip it in a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to enjoy the tangy flavors your taste buds will thank you for. While sourdough bread can be used for a wide variety of baking delicacies, sourdough is unique as it does not require yeast but rather a gooey, sticky batter which consists of only two ingredients: water and flour. This batter, or “sourdough starter,” is basically fermented water and flour which is “fed” regularly, even daily, by mixing in more flour and water. The practice of feeding your starter keeps it alive as it feeds on the sugars and microbes in the flour. When starting from scratch it takes weeks of feeding your starter daily for it to be ready for baking. A well-fed, well-fermented starter has a gooey, bubbly consistency, a vinegar-like scent and is the magic ingredient that leavens and flavors sourdough bread. Mindy Muller of Eagle Mountain, who is a huge proponent of preparedness and maintaining your family’s food storage, began baking sourdough during the pandemic when yeast was in short supply. “When yeast disappeared in 2020, I figured I should make my own and researched sourdough bread,” Muller said. “Because it took two months for my starter to be ready after feeding it daily, I decided I would always have sourdough starter and flour on hand. Now I have both dried
and fresh starter available at any given time.” Another benefit of starter is it provides better health aspects compared to supermarket loaves. The long fermentation and natural acids help aid digestion by breaking down the gluten and making it easier for the body to absorb. Because sourdough starter rises and increases in volume every time it is fed, it is easy to share and maintain for years. People who want to jump into baking sourdough but do not have the time to invest in cultivating their own starter can find sourdough starter from neighbors or friends who are usually eager to share. When someone posted in a neighborhood Facebook group looking for starter, Nicole Hirase-Baker of Herriman offered to share hers, which is approximately 300 years old, meaning it was cultivated centuries ago, fed regularly, shared and passed down through generations. “My husband gave it to me for my birthday,” Hirase-Baker said. “He got it from San Francisco, and I have had it for 10 years.” Kaysville’s Isaac Hoffman’s love for baking sourdough came from his mother, Linda Hoffman of Farmington, who received her starter in 1974. Her starter is purported to be a direct descendant of the Klondike Gold Rush sourdough strain circa 1896–1899. Hoffman fondly remembers his mother bringing her starter everywhere they traveled to keep it alive. It has been to several countries including Chile, United Arab Emir-
ates, Singapore and Argentina. “Working from home during COVID seriously accelerated my breadmaking, and at peak, I was making three loaves at a time, sometimes twice a week,” she said. For some bakers, like Muller, the frequency of breadmaking allows them to express their artistic side often. Muller loves to experiment and try different designs in her scoring, the necessary step of cutting slashes into bread dough to control its expansion and minimize cracks during baking. Her scoring designs result in beautiful artisan loaves that perfectly dress up the table. The variety of other baked delights that stem from sourdough is endless. Waffles, pancakes, and even focaccia bread are delicious offshoots that adventurous bakers can experiment with. However, while the ingredients are basic, when the additional elements of history, artistry and sharing are added in, every loaf of homemade sourdough bread consists of much more than merely flour and water. If you would like to start your own sourdough adventure, many websites provide instructions on how to cultivate a starter from scratch such as www.thekitchn. com and www.kingarthurbaking.com. If you would like to purchase sourdough starter that has been cultivated and tended locally, contact Sourdough starter, the gooey, sticky magic ingrediMuller at mindy.muller@msn.com. l ent consisting of fermented flour and water naturally leavens sourdough bread. (Photo by Mindy Muller.)
Government 101: The budget process By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com
Y
ou (or your landlord) pays property tax every year, whether on residential or commercial property. There are several taxing entities that collect from what you pay, from the mosquito abatement, to the local school district. The city only collects a small portion of that tax. Residential properties pay only 45% of their property tax value, while commercial pays 100% of the value. In Utah, a city’s yearly property tax income is a fixed number. This means that unless the city changes its tax rate, the city will only receive the dollar amount that it received the previous year. If a city receives $20 million in 2019, it will receive $20 million in 2020, even if property values increase. This requires a city to consistently communicate with its residents its financial needs. “The county auditor takes the previous year's revenue we received, adds any new growth, and they divide that by the assessed property tax value. If the assessed value goes up the tax rate goes down,” Midvale Assistant City Manager Kyle Maurer said. “When the assessed value goes down, the tax rate goes up. This provides a steady income for the city.”
Page 20 | July 2021
Budget information is public and available on every city website. The budget contains the cost for everything a city pays for, from road salt for plow trucks, employee salary, computers, website maintenance, first responder salary and ambulances, and much more. The budget is prepared by the city’s finance department, and, depending on the form of government, either the mayor or the city manager. Each department asks for what they need, but the mayor/city manager makes the final decision on who gets what. Some cities involve the city council in the budget process, asking for council priorities in budget retreats or workshops in council meetings. Some cities prepare the budget and ask for council opinion when they present the tentative budget. The tentative budget is posted to the city website and presented to the council in May, which gives council and the public a chance to comment and suggest alternatives. A budget must be finalized and accepted by the city council by June 30 before the new fiscal year begins. (A city’s year runs from July 1 to June 30, known as a fiscal, i.e., financial, year.) “If the council does not adopt a final
This is a sample property tax bill with all the taxing entities. Midvale City only collects a small portion of the tax residents pay. (image/SLCo Assessor)
budget by June 30, then the tentative budget would become the budget,” West Jordan communications officer Tauni Barker said. “If they had not adopted a tentative budget, then it would default to the mayor’s proposed budget.” If the mayor does not approve of the budget that council passes, they can veto. Sandy’s Mayor Bradburn vetoed a line item in 2020. (https://www.sandyjournal. com/2020/06/29/319675/sandy-mayor-s-ve-
to-preserves-pay-raises-for-city-s-first-responders-and-other-employees) If a city decided to change its property tax percentage, a Truth in Taxation meeting is required. Salt Lake County decides the date of the Truth in Taxation so no two taxation meetings fall on the same date. The Truth in Taxation is a public meeting, all residents are invited to read the proposed budget and give comments before a final decision is made by the council. l
Sugar House City Journal
Annual Utah Chalk Art Festival for Foster Care mixes outreach with artistry By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
N
ot even the aftermath of a global pandemic or the heatwave of June could put a damper on Utah’s 19th Annual Chalk Art Festival for Foster Care. Festival goers arrived and joined in, including artists competing in the chalk art contest. The contest was just one of many activities that occurred at the Gateway Mall on June 18 and 19. Children and adults alike took to the surrounding areas to flex their artistic muscles with chalk, take respite in the oasis of the water fountain, and marvel at the artistry of Salt Lake’s local talent. The Chalk Art Festival takes place every year, with 2021’s tagline being “let’s chalk about it.” The event helps to spread information on foster care in Utah, which is an ongoing need. In Utah, there are more than 2,600 kids in foster care at any given time. Nearly all of these kids come from unstable homes where abuse is prevalent. Most notably, substance abuse is cited as the most common cause for a child’s removal. Utah Foster Care continues to strengthen community ties through targeted outreach and events like the Chalk Art Festival. For many, becoming a foster parent has proven to be life changing. It certainly was for festival-goer Kim Espinoza, a foster parent who proudly proclaimed, “Becoming a foster parent changed me for the better. I encourage anyone who’s ever considered doing it to take the plunge.” Espinoza also addressed the need for nurturing, competent foster parents. “I’ve fostered children who came through other foster homes. Some of these homes were full of the very abuse these kids were taken out of. It’s tough but we can’t shy away from the issues in our own organization. Talking about it means talking about all of it, the wonderful and the not so wonderful.” At the festival, artists crafted everything from bright and energizing landscapes to portraits of iconic children’s characters like Mickey Mouse. As patrons took in the collection of pieces, they were able to vote for those they liked the best. Subsequently, several awards were presented including a Youth Best In Show, which went to the young artist Natalie Pope. There are many ways for the public to become involved and spread awareness that doesn’t require actual fostering. Utah Foster Care takes donations and needs volunteer at events, or with assisting families, in addition to sharing on social media. The festival will be back next year to celebrate its 20th year. In the meantime, information is available at Utah Foster Care’s website UtahFosterCare.org l
MyS ugar HouseJournal .com
Signs posted throughout the event displayed various important facts about foster care in Utah. As seen here, Utah needs 500 new foster families each year. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)
Local talent took to the sidewalks of The Gateway to showcase their skills. The public voted for winners in multiple categories. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)
Children and adults alike were also provided space to put their own chalk drawing skills to the test. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)
July 2021| Page 21
Drought and fireworks… a bad combination
Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Council | District 3
When Governor Cox asked all of us to pray for rain several weeks ago, my family and I talked about additional ways we could do our part. We made the decision to turn off the water while brushing our teeth, shorten our showers, and only water our lawn twice per week. We also made the decision not to do fireworks this year because of all the dry brush and potential impact on resources should something go awry. Most of Utah is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought. As Governor Cox explained recently, this is either the worst drought since 1956 or the worst drought ever. We have seen our reservoirs and lakes at record lows. In addition to the little precipitation over the last year to refill our lake and rivers, we also have more people than ever consuming water in this state. Luckily Utah has done a great job of planning for the future; but if we don’t cut back on water usage this year, we may find ourselves in a position where we will need to ration water in future years. Little things make a big difference when it comes to water conservation. There are things you can do like not letting the water run full blast while brushing your teeth or washing your pets near vegetation to get a secondary benefit. Utah’s slowtheflow.org has great advice for how to act during a drought. I found very help-
ful their tips on lawn management, namely: 1) water your lawn twice a week, 2) don’t water if it’s windy, 3) water in the evening or before 10 a.m., 4) prioritize your watering in the following order: trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, grass, and 5) raise your mower to leave your grass longer. You should also check out utahwatersavers.com, where you can find details on rebate programs for taking all sorts of water wise steps. While I can understand the desire to have the greenest lawn in the neighborhood, this year it’s cool to have yellow or brown lawn. You are showing your neighbors that you care about them and are conscientious water consumers during the drought. Paired with being water wise is being fire smart this summer. This includes the small things, like discarding of cigarettes in the proper receptacle and not driving over or parking your car on dry vegetation. It also includes the more mindful things, like only starting campfires in cement or metal firepits, never leaving them unattended, and fulling drowning them until cool to the touch. Utahfireinfo.gov has even more information to consider for your summer plans. Lastly, consider going to a planned city fireworks show for the holidays rather than having your own fireworks. It saves money, and it’s much safer
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Sugar House City Journal
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Life
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It’s been said that when we make plans, God laughs. Do you think that’s a silly giggle or a maniacal James Bond villain laugh? The last few weeks brought a string of first-world irritations that felt like a game of Whac-a-Mole. I hit one problem and another one popped up. I pound that problem but end up hitting myself in the face with a rubber mallet. I can hear God LOLing from here. Despite our daily devotion to it, our TV stopped working. We shook the remote and pushed buttons as hard as we could, but there was still no picture. Just a dark, mocking abyss. We decided to run away from our responsibilities by driving to Idaho and checking-in at an Airbnb. (The room was nice, but the bed was shaped like a taco. I slept on the couch so I didn’t roll over in the night and suffocate my spouse.) Every 50 years, my husband likes to visit Yellowstone, so we left our Airbnb and drove to the national park to snap pictures of the bison, tiptoe around the geysers and marvel at the wondrous number of people who had the same idea. #HelloCOVID After getting lost in Yellowstone and stopping for Mexican food so we didn’t starve to death, we crossed the Teton Pass just as the sun was setting. Deer lined the road, waiting for the right moment to lunge in front of our car. We’d see their eyes glow-
ing in the dark, then hit the brakes before driving on. It took us 245 years to get back to our Airbnb. The drive back to Salt Lake the next day was pleasant, except when I had to give my husband the silent treatment because he wouldn’t take me to the Potato Museum (#PotatoIceCream). After we crossed back into Utah, the truck in front of us kicked up a rock that hit the car’s windshield, leaving an extensive and expensive crack across the glass. Used to be, when you broke a windshield, you’d call the junkyard and they’d take a windshield out of a car in their backyard to replace the broken one. Today’s windshield has monitors, antenna and tracking devices, so it’s worth half-a-million dollars, according to the windshield repair shop.
Why hasn’t Elon Musk created self-healing windshield glass? We made it back home, picked up the dog and gave everyone their Yellowstone golf balls and Idaho potholders. I looked forward to a nice hot shower but (joke’s on us) the hot water heater stopped working and was chuckling with God and the TV. They all had a good laugh together. We forked out more cash so we could have hot water, collapsed into our non-taco bed and slept. A few days later, my husband said, “We have a gas leak in the basement.” It took me a minute to understand what he was saying because he was so calm. My husband is notoriously terrible under stress. “Why are we still in the house?” I asked. “Where else would we be?” He responded. “Not in a house that could explode if we make toast.” We hustled everyone to the neighbor’s lawn until the gas company gave us the okay. The water heater had been installed incorrectly but our house wasn’t going to blow up. Today, at least. I rarely look at the dark side of life and by the end of the week I was chortling right along with God, the TV and the water heater. Sometimes, LOLing is the only thing you can do.
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NEW NONPROFIT ORGANIZES TREE PLANTING TO HONOR THOSE LOST BY SUICIDE By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
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n June 6, The Roan William McClain Foundation, also known as Roan Your Boat, hosted their inaugural event, a tree planting in South Salt Lake’s Fitts Park. The event served as an opportunity for the new nonprofit organization to stretch its legs and alert the public to its services. In addition, the event paid homage to the organization’s namesake, Roan McClain and others lost to suicide. McClain, who was a student at Salt Lake School of the Performing Arts and Highland High School, would have graduated this year. His story is tragically familiar. Across the country, thousands of teenagers and young adults take their lives each year. McClain was the type of person who looked at the world without limitations. He had a knack for extracting beauty in the unorthodox, something his mother, and Roan Your Boat’s founder, Michelle Nelson emphasized. “He was a photographer who found beauty in the world through a lens,” Nelson said. “His friends told me that he was always introducing them to new music and art. He was definitely a free thinker and experimenter.” McClain and his family were also avid travelers, experiencing the joys of encapsulating oneself in new spaces and cultures. When it came to his peers, McClain was the type of student who transcended the traditional divisions of high school. “At the risk of stereotyping, Roan could make friends with any type of group, preppy, athletic, artistic, he could talk with anyone,” Nelson said.
“Above all else, he could often find the hidden value in the seemingly mundane. He was an old soul who embraced the odd and fantastic, a true visionary.” Yet it was also his open and empathetic nature that Nelson believes caused him to ultimately feel and internalize the world’s often unrelenting difficulties. “The term empath is a bit overused these days, but Roan, he was very empathetic.” At age 16, McClain took his life. As with any deep trauma, his passing catapulted Nelson into a state of grief and she found herself immersed in thought. As a licensed clinical social worker and clinical therapist, Nelson struggled to reconcile her potential blind spot in recognizing the signs of risk in McClain. As Nelson began to move through the depths of her grief, she started to ponder how she could channel her thoughts, despair, and healing into something greater. Thus, the idea of Roan Your Boat was born. Having received its 501(3)(c) nonprofit status in 2020, the organization is still in its infancy. However, its thoughtful and innovative approach is one that will certainly resonate with teenagers. “We actually decided to use the name Roan Your Boat because it was Roan’s social media handle,” Nelson said. “It’s a play on row your boat, and like many other children’s stories and songs, it actually has a lot of depth and meaning.” The concept of hidden depth and Continued page 5
To memorialize Roan McClain’s life, a plaque in his honor was crafted for the celebration. The plaque will remain in Fitts Park. (Photo courtesy Michelle Nelson and The Roan Your Boat Foundation)
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