West Valley City Journal | December 2022

MAKING MUSIC IN WEST VALLEY CITY

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

They come from different backgrounds and life experiences. Some are teachers, others are active-duty military. There’s a music teacher and a high school student. Stay-athome moms and retirees are also part of the mix.

The one thing they have in common? Every one of them plays a musical instrument, loves playing it, and is part of the West Valley Symphony.

Surprised West Valley City has a symphony orchestra? You’re not alone. It’s been around since 1991, but not everyone knows about it.

The West Valley Symphony is an all-volunteer group num bering about 75 musicians of varying levels of ability and expe rience. But this medley of music makers from all walks of life is good enough to put on several public concerts a year, including three holiday performances in December, two of which are free. More on that later.

Sterling Poulson is chairman of the symphony’s board of directors.

“We’re not the Utah Symphony, but we don’t really want to be the Utah Symphony,” he said of the professional orchestra with paid, unionized musicians. “It’s (West Valley Symphony) a great place for people to develop their skills.”

His love of music and choral arts spans a good part of his life and eventually led him to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music at the University of Utah, the latter degree coming just a couple of years ago. He is also founder and music director of the Choral Arts Society of Utah where he conducts the 100-voice choir in several concerts each year. He fits all that around what he is probably best known for—chief meteorologist at KUTV Channel 2 for more than three decades.

Eric Kartchner has been the

Donny Gilbert conducts the West Valley Symphony during a rehearsal at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

PROVENTION CELIAC DISEASE STUDY

This study is for adults 18 - 70 years, they must have a diagnosis of celiac disease. This study involves the use of a drug called PRV-015. PRV-015 is an antibody designed to block an immune system protein called interleukin 15 (IL-15). IL-15 is made in the small intestine and is one trigger that causes intestinal inflammation followed by death of the intestinal cells. In people with celiac disease, this immune response can be caused by eating gluten, in previous studies, PRV-015 has been shown to reduce inflammation in the intestine and improve the symptoms of celiac disease when used together with GFD (gluten-free diet).

GSK HPV EVE STUDY

This is a study for females 16- 26, The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that commonly affects the skin and the soft tissues (mucous membranes) around the genital area. These infections are common in both men and women and are often transmitted through sexual intercourse or another skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms vary from rashes to warts in the hands, feet, face, and genital area. Some types of can cer, such as cervical cancer are linked to HPV infections. There are more than 100 variants, this study is looking at an investigational vaccine called HPV9, the main purpose of the study is to see whether the study vaccine is safe when given to women aged between 16 and 26 years, in a 3-dose vaccination scheme. In addition to this, the study will look at how safe the study vaccine is compared with an approved (already available for use) HPV vaccine called GARDASIL 9.

This study is for adults 18 and older, who haven’t already received a flu vaccine this year, This study aims to see if a new type of influenza vaccine, called quadrivalent influenza modRNA vaccine (qIRV), is well toler ated and can help the body produce antibodies that may help fight influenza. Hemagglutinin (HA) is a protein that is made by the influenza virus that is important in how the virus works. The influenza virus can mutate the form of HA it makes, which means each year different strains of the influenza virus, making different forms of HA, become widespread worldwide. Each year surveillance is conducted to predict what influ enza strains are likely to be most common that year, and vaccines are then tailored to combat these.

West Valley Veterans Day ceremony recognizes America’s defenders of freedom

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

Jury Toone recalls “chasing Hitler” in Poland and Germany as an Army soldier in the late stages of World War II.

That’s one of the memories the Army veteran approaching 98 years old has from his service in the field artillery of the 70th In fantry Division. He and several dozen other men and women who served in each branch of the United States Armed Forces were hon ored at the annual Veterans Day program in November at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City.

“You lost friends, you made friends,” said Toone, a Bountiful resident. “You real ized how lucky you were. The Lord was right with us.”

Toone says he still has a couple of war buddies left, one in Kentucky, another in Texas, but it’s been three years since he last talked to them. They are among an estimated 167,000 veterans still alive today of the 16 million Americans who served in “The War to End all Wars,” according to the U.S. De partment of Veterans Affairs.

Seated next to Jury Toone was his son, Kent of Centerville, a Navy veteran who served during the end of the Vietnam War and a few years after that in Okinawa, Japan. Like the humility exhibited by many servicemen and women, the younger Toone sees nothing special about himself for doing what he did for his country. “I just did my job,” he said.

“I hope that something people see in veterans prompts them to serve their coun try and be patriots,” he added. “When you put your life, your blood, sweat, and tears on the line, you love your country more and it’s more dear to you.”

Lloyd Steele of West Valley City gave 40 years of his life serving America—four years as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, where he was shot down in 1973, and 36 ensuing years in the Army. He appreci

ates the growing recognition of vets in recent years. “At times through my military career, the veterans weren’t really celebrated or hon ored, especially during the Vietnam War,” said Steele, 70. “When communities come together to celebrate, it helps us that have al ready served and the ones that are still serv ing. Those people are still defending what we

fought for.”

On the home front, Steele’s wife did the best she could raising their kids while he was away. “It was pretty difficult to take,” Veon Steele said of the uncertainty that comes with military service. She noted that like many veterans, her husband spoke little of his com bat experience. “He kept the military separate

from me and the children to protect us.”

The keynote speaker at the ceremony was retired Sgt. First Class Layne Morris, who is now West Valley City’s Director of Community Preservation. He recounted the experience of losing sight in one eye from shrapnel during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2002. l

WEST VALLEY TEAM

The West Valley City Journal is a monthly pub lication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Val ley.

For information about distribution please email brad.c@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display ad vertisements do not necessarily reflect or repre sent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

Left: Kent Toone and his father, Jury, served in the Vietnam War and World War II, respectively. Right: Lloyd Steele of West Valley City was shot down as a Navy Pilot during the Vietnam War. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

yprus senior Sammy Gallegos has not had Skittles candies in nearly two years. Her softball coaches told her determination to quit eating junk food would help her accomplish her goals and she vowed to give it up. She recently ac complished one of her goals and signed to play collegiate softball at Weber State University.

“Skittles was my bag, I would not share them,” Gallegos said. “I really ap preciate this experience (of getting the op portunity to play after high school).”

“This is huge, I think this is the big gest signing we have ever had here at Cyprus and in our program,” Cyprus High School softball head coach Whitley “Woo” Haimin said. “To be able to send someone to a super successful D1 program is exciting and for Sammy, she is about to open another chapter of her life.”

Coaches, teammates, friends, and family gathered to celebrate Gallegos signing her letter of intent to play softball.

“I knew she was going to make it someday,” former coach Sven Nelson said. “We had a championship on the line against me. I told my other coaches we needed to walk her and she hit a line drive to right-center for a walk-off win. I have always known she was going to make it.”

Gallegos started playing softball when she was 8 years old. She won a national championship in 2021. On her travel team, she developed the nickname “Utah” because she traveled to California every weekend to learn the game from the best in the country. Her high school expe rience was different than her travel team. It helped her become a leader on the field.

“She has been playing on one of the top teams in California throughout high school. She leaves every weekend to prac tice and play there and then is back Mon day morning for school. She values her education. A lot of kids would not handle that commitment,” Haimin said.

Last season Gallegos belted 13 home runs to lead the Pirates. She also hit .482 and had 49 RBI. Last season the Pirates defeated Kearns and Westlake in the state playoffs before losing two straight in the championship bracket.

Her new team, Weber State, went 16-1 in Big Sky Conference and captured the automatic bid into the NCAA tourna ment last season. She plans on studying psychology.

“I have been training at Weber State since I was 12 years old,” Gallegos said. “I love this school and I am excited to be a Wildcat. I missed a lot of high school events. We went back and forth. I nagged

my teachers to get my work, and I made it.”

Her dad, Sonny Gallegos, took her to California and found a way for her to keep involved in the sport.

“We started her as a pitcher,” Sonny said. “Then we found that she was so ath letic that infield was going to be better for her.”

She has made the sacrifice to be in California every weekend for three straight seasons.

“I am most proud of her grades. She sacrificed the Friday football games and dances. I did not want to push her, but she dragged me along. I knew I had to do what I could do to give her support,” Son ny said. “She had offers from some big schools and she took the best offer that fit her.”

Her coach said she is a hard worker.

“Her signing is a product of all the hard work she has put in. Nothing was ever handed to her and she loved the grind. She made several sacrifices to get to this point and it was not easy,” Harmin said. “We love Sammy, and she is a great player and leader. Weber State is going to be a good fit for her.”

“I am excited to be a Wildcat,” Gal legos said. l

Sammy Gallegos inked her decision to play softball at Weber State University after she graduates. (Greg James/City Journals)

Accounts & loans are subject to creditworthiness, terms, change, and conditions. Membership and eligibility apply. Special, business, and secondary accounts, as well as existing accounts opened in the last 12 months, are ineligible. Applicants must mention this promotion and be 18 or older. Bonus will be provided within 60 days of completing the required actions. America First share savings has an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.05% as of November 15, 2022. The APY for Premium Checking is 0.05% as of November 15, 2022. New accounts must remain open for at least six months or promotion incentive will be forfeited. Federally insured by NCUA.

City preparing for probable sanitation fee increase

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Due to a growing gap between revenues and expenditures in the sanitation fund, city officials are exploring the likelihood of a fee increase.

Public Works Director Dan Johnson and the West Valley City Council discussed the situation on several occasions this year, most recently in early October, to mitigate the situ ation that at one point saw the fund operating at a deficit.

“Revenue is essentially flat and we don’t anticipate that growing much,” Johnson said, noting there isn’t much growth left in the city for residents to purchase cans. While growth in expenses is built into the city’s current contract with Ace Disposal such as an annual 2.5% increase, a one-time additional increase of 2.5% for inflation and landfill increases.

Johnson also mentioned there’s an el ement of uncertainty in the future with the recycling market and the rising cost for gar bage cans, which he said has gone up 35% since 2020.

Recycling for instance fluctuates, some times forcing the city to pay a surcharge while at other times receiving a refund from Ace.

The six-year contract, which began in 2018, has two one-year extension options taking it to 2026. West Valley City has the option to opt out if it wants.

Johnson’s recommendation to the coun

cil was a 15% percent increase ($925,000) that would take the fee from $15.50 to $17.85.

The city’s current fee sits somewhere in the middle of surrounding cities, below Salt Lake City, Provo, American Fork, West Jor dan and Sandy but above Lehi, South Salt Lake and Bountiful.

Johnson said it was tough to compare since each city offers different services. West Valley City for instance, offers bulky waste programs as well as a neighborhood dump ster program. Salt Lake City offers three different size cans while WVC only has a 90-gallon size can.

Johnson said there was no rush to do the increase, but suggested they do something before January 2024.

“This is a big thing for you (the council) to decide upon,” he said.

The city last increased its fee in 2018 by $1 with the previous fee increase coming in 2014.

Mayor Karen Lang suggested they raise the fee only $1 one year with potentially more the following the year in order to “break it up and ease into people’s budgets,” with sever al councilmembers expressing interest in the idea.

City staff is currently exploring that pos sibility with plans to bring it back before the council soon. l

WVC firefighters to utilize new air packs in 2023, include thermal imaging

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Firefighters in West Valley City will breathe new air in 2023.

After decades of the city’s firefighters using a specific model of self-control breath ing apparatus, the air packs used when enter ing a fire, the fire department will switch to a new model in 2023.

The West Valley City Council unani mously approved the switch in late October after Fire Chief John Evans urged the council to allow the change following issues with the current manufacturer.

“Our air packs will no longer meet the (new) standard” beginning in 2023, Evans told the council.

This comes after the manufacturer— Honeywell, who made the packs for WVC since 2015, having bought out the previous company in 2010—started scaling back in 2020. Honeywell notified vendors and fire departments it would discontinue its fire ser vice line of breathing apparatus equipment.

Evans said it led to not only a shortage of parts, but increased prices over 200%.

“Just the mask, the clear plastic that we have to replace quite a bit, we’re now waiting four months if we’re lucky to get one,” Ev ans said, adding they’ve had to “cannibalize” other packs to “make a good pack. We just can’t get the equipment anymore.”

Additionally, new standards coming out in 2023 by the National Fire Protection As sociation for air packs increased the urgency for the change.

Evans recommended apparatus from MSA Safety, an American manufacturer that began with masks for coal mining before branching out into fire.

All surrounding fire agencies use the MSA equipment, he said, benefiting firefight er safety and “interoperability for incidents”

they respond to. “If someone goes down, we can still get air into each other,” he said.

Another bonus is each apparatus has thermal imaging cameras built into them. Currently, the fire department has only one large camera for each fire truck. Each fire fighter will now be able to see heat or an outline if a person is there as they enter the building.

Evans said it’s not just fire safety but also increases their capacity.

“Biggest thing is firefighters will be able to tell if they’re going somewhere it’s too hot they shouldn’t be in,” Evans said.

New packs would arrive in eight to 12 weeks, Evans said. The department will re quire training on the new packs, but Evans expected everyone to be trained within a week of having them.

Previous packs will be used for training purposes in the fire academy. l

Voting brings a natural sense of conclusion in election years. We are morethan-ready to be done after all the campaign signs and mailers, emails, texts, and media messages. And election day is the last day of that phase of engagement. However, our next step is even more important. The campaign cycle has provided us with topics and promises, and our next role or duty is to watch and engage in the action.

Certainly, we can’t keep up with everything, but each of us voted for at least one candidate for a particular reason. Now, how will the person elected answer questions, include di erent views, and support concepts that help our households and community? We’ll always hear about prominent national issues, but how will our local leaders vote in decisions that a ect our kids, schools, jobs, and quality of life here in West Valley City and northwest Salt Lake

Valley? How will they speak to local issues?

Let’s stay engaged! Especially since the pandemic, public meetings are available for online attendance. Meetings of our local and state school boards, city and county councils, and the Utah House and Senate are all accessible on our internet devices and recorded for later access. We can check agendas beforehand and participate with comments, questions, or concerns. We can show each other how to connect and discuss what’s going on. We can spread the word!

So yes, let’s take a breather. But then, let’s sign up for our elected o cials’ regular emails and newsletters. Let’s observe their comments and votes on issues they raised as candidates. Let’s take note of their followthrough to listen, to problem solve, to show up in the community. Let’s do our part to support (and show our kids) the next steps in civic engagement!

Left: This is the Honeywell Titan air pack the fire department has used since 2015. Right: The new air packs West Valley firefighters will be using in 2023 includes thermal imaging (left). (West Valley City)

ElizabethWeight@le.utah.gov

Elizabeth

West Lake STEM receives the gift of language

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Through a partnership between the Utah Jazz and Mark Miller Subaru, West Lake STEM Junior High (3451 W. 6200 South) received a $30,000 donation to bring a topof-the-line program to the school to help stu dents break the language barrier.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 11, representatives from the Utah Jazz and Mark Miller Subaru organizations talk ed about their exciting collaboration to help students learn and engage more efficiently. With more than 30 languages spoken at the school, the Renaissance 2200 Language Lab System will revolutionize the way kids learn and interact.

“You get these kids in a classroom with 30 other kids and a teacher in front of the class speaking English and most kids don’t know what’s going on,” said Jeff Miller, gen eral manager and owner of Mark Miller Sub aru. “The headsets come down from the ceil ing and everyone puts on a headset. Now the students can practice language and practice learning and be more engaged in school. We really want to make our community as strong as we possibly can by opening this language lab.”

Jazz President Jim Olson and the Jazz Bear were on hand to celebrate with the stu dents and hand out swag. Olson said the Utah

Jazz and Mark Miller Subaru organizations brainstormed ideas for how they could have a big impact on the community, and discus sions led to the idea to help students learn English.

“As Utah continues to become more diverse, it’s important that we embrace that, and not only embrace that but look for op portunities for all these youth coming from different cultures to make sure they have the same opportunity that everyone else has,” Olson said. “It’s a great opportunity to be in volved with the school here.”

The Renaissance language system con nects students who don’t speak the same language by interpreting and translating in formation. Teachers can monitor students as they interact, either individually or as groups. The system allows interactive discussions and performance-based assessment.

West Lake Principal Scott Bell is excited to bring the program to the school that will help students learning English as a second language, as well as kids enrolled in the dual immersion program.

“We have numerous kids where this is their first experience with learning English,” Bell said. “This language lab program will enhance their learning, they’ll work with each other better and practice more. That’s

going to increase their ability to learn the lan guage.”

Mark Miller Subaru recently received the 2022 Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award, a national recognition for Subaru dealers who demon strate commitment to local causes in health, education and the environment.

Olson is excited about the Utah Jazz/ Mark Miller Subaru collaboration and hopes

to create more opportunities to help students in the state.

“We understand how important commu nity is. As the Utah Jazz organization, our priority is to play basketball but an equal pri ority for us is to be involved in the commu nity and give back to the community,” Olson said. “We’re always looking for opportunities and the right fit. Let’s hope there’s some fu ture schools we can participate with.” l

From left, Jazz President Jim Olson, West Lake Principal Scott Bell, the Jazz Bear and Jeff Miller, general manager and owner of Mark Miller Subaru, join students at West Lake STEM Junior High to celebrate the opening of a new language lab. (Photo courtesy of Mark Miller Subaru)

principal cellist in the symphony since 1997 and lately has helped with its sales and mar keting efforts as a member of the board of di rectors. “I really enjoy the orchestra. It brings me a lot of joy,” he said. “It’s a wonderful out let for the community.” Resting at his feet was his cello he affectionately calls “Jessabelle.” Kartchner’s time with the symphony puts him among the top five musicians in tenure with the group.

The rest of his time is spent giving pri vate music lessons. “I think my musical switch never shuts off,” he said.

The symphony’s associate music direc tor, membership chair, and one of its trumpet ers is George Dye. “It’s a lot of fun deciding what the theme (of performances) is going to be, what is our current skill level, how much time do we have to push for growth in terms of skills,” he said.

“We get a lot of opportunities to play at different places.”

Donny Gilbert occupies the podium as the West Valley Symphony’s main conductor and music director. He, with help from Dye, arranges the music for the orchestra’s perfor mances, right in line with his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music composition from the University of Utah.

“We’ve got professionals, and we’ve got gifted amateurs in this group,” Gilbert said. Since joining the symphony in its inception, Gilbert says the quality of its musicians has gotten much better over the years. “It has im proved vastly. It’s been a lot of fun to witness that evolution.”

“The sound of this group is just intense now,” Gilbert added.

Still, he knows the West Valley Sympho ny is not on the same level as the better known Utah Symphony and must fill a different musi cal niche. “If you want to hear the classics, go hear them play and they’ll play it wonderfully. That’s not where our heart lies. We have to be a bit more on the popular side of music,” he said.

Being a volunteer symphony, the number of members fluctuates as people come and go for any number of reasons. Musicians are not committed to the symphony contractually or by any other means. “If someone’s going to stop coming, they’re going to stop coming,” Dye said. “For the most part, people keep coming back. They love it.”

In return for the Utah Cultural Celebra tion Center providing a place for the sym phony to rehearse, the orchestra does a few concerts a year at the venue. Members also help with ushering and other needs for perfor mances put on by West Valley Arts, the city’s nonprofit arts and cultural organization.

The symphony holds a day-long work shop for high school students in advance of its spring concert, in part to hopefully attract future members.

One high schooler who is already in the symphony is 17-year-old Zach Bean. He comes to the rehearsals every Wednesday night all the way from Tremonton with his

Cello player Zach Bean, 17, of Tremonton is one of the youngest members of the West Valley Symphony. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

parents and siblings who also play in the or chestra. He was introduced to it by his cello teacher, Kartchner. “It’s a way to be involved in the music community,” Zach said. He plans to pursue music education in college, possibly at BYU.

The West Valley Symphony was found ed in 1991 by Ralph Baker. His son, Steve, conducted the orchestra for many years until he died in 2007. As Poulson recalled, “Steve and I had become pretty good friends. He said, ‘Sterling, if anything happens to me, would you make sure the orchestra keeps going?’”

“Steve, I will, but you’re in your 50s. You’re going to be fine,” Poulson told him.

Baker died two weeks later. Poulson in corporated the symphony in 2008. “We’ve been going ever since.”

Funding for the symphony comes from Salt Lake County’s Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) tax and grants from foundations like the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.

Although most performances are in West Valley City and Salt Lake County, the orches tra has played at events in Utah County, Og den, and Logan.

The West Valley Symphony has three holiday concerts in December:

Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. - KUTV Holiday Pops Concert (with the Choral Arts Society of Utah) benefiting the Salvation Army Angel Tree Pro gram. Cottonwood High School. Admission $15. Tickets at eventbrite.com.

Dec. 12, 7 p.m. - WorldStage! Winter Concert Series. Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City. Free admission.

Dec. 19, 7 p.m. - Christmas Carol SingAlong. Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City. Free ad mission.

For more information, visit westvalley symphonyutah.org. l

Nature’s Virus Killer

Copper can stop a virus before it starts

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Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast.

Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.

“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.

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Miller Family Foundation $10M gift is the largest donation Salt Lake Community College has ever received

By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

Some 47 years ago, $8 million was enough money to purchase half of the then-floun dering Utah Jazz. Car dealership owner Larry Miller wasn’t worth nearly that much money back then. But he somehow pulled the fund ing together – along with the additional $14 million it took to buy the “other half” of the NBA franchise the following year.

Nearly a half-century later, times have changed. Now the Miller Family Founda tion has that kind of money, not to keep bigtime professional sports here in Utah… but to transform a Taylorsville-based institution that’s been around even longer than the Jazz.

Salt Lake Community College opened its doors in 1948. The school will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. Taylorsville was home to the SLCC “main campus” near ly three decades before the city incorporated. The school arrived in 1967, while the city in corporated in 1996.

Over all those decades, Salt Lake Com munity College had never received a $10 million single cash donation, ever – until this fall.

“We are deeply humbled by the gener osity of Gail and the Miller family and the extraordinary leadership they provide to our community,” said SLCC President Deneece Huftalin, as she recently announced the $10 million gift from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. “We are grateful for this gift and for the friendship and support the Miller family has given to the college over the years. SLCC is a better institution be cause of their involvement and commitment to our students.”

This unprecedented gift to SLCC will all be spent on structural renovations and improvements to the college’s business school building. The structure has now been renamed the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Business Building. Also, the school itself is now called the Gail Miller School of Busi ness.

“I am particularly thrilled to be the first in the state to name a business school after a successful businesswoman and leader,” Huftalin added. “The Gail Miller School of Business amplifies Gail’s amazing skills as a business leader and the success she has achieved through hard work, courage, lead ing with integrity and a fierce commitment to serving the community. It is a powerful sig nal to young women that they too can achieve great success.”

The Miller family is a long-time sup porter of the school, SLCC officials report, dating back to family-sponsored student scholarships starting in the 1980s. In the ear ly 2000s, the Miller family donated the land and buildings that now make up SLCC’s Miller Campus in Sandy.

“We love the power of learning and are humbled by the opportunity to help others achieve their educational goals,” said Gail Miller, chair of the Miller Family Founda tion. “Salt Lake Community College plays an important role in developing future business leaders and problem solvers. The knowledge they gain here will enrich lives and strength en communities.”

Miller has also served the college as a member of the SLCC Board of Trustees, as chair from 2013-2017, and as Trustee Emer itus since 2017. Additionally, since 2013 she has been the title sponsor of the Gail Miller Leadership Cup, an annual golf tournament that raises scholarship dollars for SLCC stu dents. SLCC awarded Miller an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2008.

SLCC Business School Dean, Dr. Den nis Bromley, says the massive remodel to his building will serve students in many ways.

“The addition of a high-tech auditori um will enable us to hold large group events where students will showcase projects they have completed,” Bromley said. “We will also add dedicated spaces throughout the building where small groups of students can gather to collaborate on projects. The open nature of the space will create a sense of warmth and community where all are wel come.”

SLCC is Utah’s largest two-year col

lege, educating the state’s most diverse stu dent body in 8 areas of study at 10 locations and online. The majority of SLCC graduates transfer to four-year institutions, while thou sands more are trained in direct-to-workforce programs.

According to a news release from the college: “With the Miller Family Founda tion’s gift, SLCC will renovate and expand the current 50,000-square-foot business building to include kickstarter spaces for entrepreneurs and upgraded learning envi ronments. The renovation also includes im provements to SLCC’s Business Resource Instructional Center, which offers academ ic advising and IT assistance to more than 13,000 students annually.

“The gift will also enable SLCC to strengthen the high-impact learning practices in its business courses such as undergradu ate research and real-world problem solving. Modeled after the Miller’s commitment to serving the community as they do business, the new Business Scholars Program will re quire students to work with a faculty mentor each semester to create cause-related or non profit projects that benefit the community.”

The remodeled business building will increase its size by 18,900 square feet and will feature an open atrium, expanded audi torium and modernized conference rooms. Construction will begin in 18 months with a

targeted completion date of May 2026.

SLCC officials report the business major is the second most-popular major at the col lege. More than 1,600 students are currently enrolled in the program. l

Salt Lake Community College President Deneece Huftalin (L) holds a $10 million check presented to the college’s business school by businesswoman Gail Miller, on behalf of the Miller Family Foundation. (Courtesy SLCC)

Dr. Dennis Bromley, Dean of the newly-renamed Gail Miller School of Business at Salt Lake Community College, says a $10 million donation from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation will provide stu dents with a much more productive learning environ ment. (Courtesy SLCC)

Comcast celebrates the launch of SheMoney’s Spend program

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

When ComcastRISE was launched to support women-owned small busi nesses, Comcast committed $1 billion to programs that would affect 50 million people. ComcastRISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment, helps business owners get ac cess to tools and funding they need to thrive.

In early November, Comcast sponsored the opening of SheMoney’s Spend program, inviting conscious consumerism to support women+ business owners in their wealth cre ation journey.

SheMoney, a content platform dedicated to financial equity, is a sister brand to She Place, a network designed to help members build social capital through resource sharing and opportunities for worldwide collabora tion.

Madison Limansky, COO of ShePlace, worked in the fashion industry and produc tion for 17 years. After receiving a degree in gender studies from the University of Utah, it changed her perception of the fashion world and she revolutionized the way companies approach representation through media cam paigns.

Limansky joined forces with ShePlace founder Jacki Zehner to build a program that takes networking to a new level, with a focus on collaborative success.

“We believe that social capital is a cru

• Spares your family from making detailed decisions at an emotional time

• Ensures that wishes are expressed

• Prevents overspending and can lock in costs

•

cial ingredient to financial success. What we want to do at ShePlace is provide digital and in-person space where people can connect in a way that goes beyond industry and socio economic status,” Limansky said. “Research shows when looking at what makes a commu nity vibrant for upward mobility, what’s most important is friendships that connects people across a socioeconomic spectrum.”

ShePlace is a network where individuals and groups can share opportunities and chal lenges and have the opportunity to coordi nate efforts. Approximately 70% of ShePlace members are based in Utah, but the platform includes women+ from 28 states and 13 coun tries. It encompasses nonbinary or gender flu id individuals and is intentionally inclusive of people that don’t identify on the binary spec trum.

The SheMoney brand gives women the ability to learn about and control financial re sources. While money can’t buy happiness, it can help provide resources like access to counseling services, fitness classes, network ing opportunities and more.

Through its custom framework called the 7 Money Moves, SheMoney delves into the actions a person can take with money. Whether it’s spending, saving, investing, pro tecting, giving, borrowing or earning, SheM oney offers women a chance to understand and control their financial security.

“If we can make a difference in a per son’s financial wellness, that has the potential to impact every area of their well-being,” Li mansky said. “If you can’t afford a therapist or live in a home with access to clean water or

take time for a spiritual practice, money has the ability to impact all areas of your life.”

Spend is the first targeted focus of the SheMoney platform and brings together 70 small business owners across 10 categories, including business services, art, food, beauty and health. SheMoney hopes to inspire con scious spending and intentional support for women+ owned businesses and create social change.

“We started with Spend because it’s something everyone can participate in imme diately,” she said. “If we spent every dollar in a more intentional way to support women and people of color, that could make a huge impact in the financial landscape of Utah.”

Historically, Utah has been a difficult place for women economically but the Spend experiment could be the first step toward ad dressing change in a healthy, long-term way.

“We hope to be an aggregator of the re sources readily available to business owners,” Limansky said. “It’s about economic con nectedness among the business owners and accessing resources like knowing which type of capital is most effective for your business, or understanding when is it time to grow and scale your business.

“Comcast not only provided a cash spon sorship for the launch event, they also provid ed a lot of photo and video coverage for this event. That was such an extraordinary gift and an asset to us as a small company just getting started.”

Visit sheplace.com and comcastrise.com for more information. l

McDougalFuneralHomes.com

At a launch party in November, sponsored by Comcast, SheMoney launched its Spend program to support women+ business owners. (Photo courtesy of The Ahfuas)

ANGELO PULGIANO, MD Internal Medicine

Dr. Pulgiano joins Granger Internal Medicine – Riverton from the University of Utah. He graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine in the Caribbean Netherlands in 2002. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in 2005.

Dr. Pulgiano is passionate about being a strong patient advocate and gives his best efforts to educate, support, and encourage each patient throughout all aspects of their care. He is a strong believer in preventative medicine, utilizing annual routine exams and age-appropriate screenings, combined with a healthy lifestyle. He is dedicated to applying his knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide accurate diagnoses with the most advanced medical treatments in order to provide superior care to his patients. In addition to internal medicine, Dr. Pulgiano also offers facial rejuvenation treatments that include dermal fillers for the cheeks and lips in addition to Botox for the face.

Monica Hinz joins Granger Medical Clinic as a recent graduate of University of Florida, Jacksonville’s pediatric residency. Following residency she served as a chief resident for one year. As a native Floridian, she and her family have loved moving to Utah this past summer and are enjoying all the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Salt Lake City area has to offer. Dr. Hinz is of Columbian descent and is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Hinz is passionate about not only helping her patients grow, but also ensuring the entire family unit is thriving.

American Outlaws chapter hosts World Cup parties

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Utahns have found a soft spot for the most popular game in the entire world. The World Cup begins the week before Thanksgiving and Salt Lake City ranks in the top 10 of soccer fans’ best cities.

“Our chapter of the American Outlaws has been around since 2009,” Brighton High School graduate and AO chapter president Todd Nate said. “We have around 250 mem bers here and are excited to cheer the US Men’s National Team on.”

The World Cup is the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world. It is held ev ery four years. The tournament is held over a month-long celebration and includes 32 teams. France is the defending champion and Germany won in 2014.

“We did not make it last time (the U.S. team),” Nate said. “I think that makes this year more exciting.”

The AO chapter has scheduled watch parties for fans to enjoy the games. They are planned to be held at Beer Bar in Salt Lake City (161 E. 200 South). The organization is more than a set place to watch games. They encourage new friendships and donate time to local soccer leagues.

The chapter helps grow the game in the United States.

In other countries, World Cup games can close down a city.

“We went to watch a Brazilian World Cup game. We got there one hour before the match and the bar was sold out. You could not even get in. The excitement that other na tionalities have for their teams is beginning to carry over,” Nate said.

In a study done by wallethub.com based on 52 key matrices, cities were ranked ac cording to their acceptance of the game, Salt Lake is number nine. Some of the soc cer excitement is attributed to the growth of the women’s game, but Nate said this year’s

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tournament will be fun to watch.

“I think this is a smaller market and like the Jazz, we only have a couple of major sports teams. I could not stand soccer, but as my kids started playing I fell in love with it. I am not sure how to explain how soccer is such a growing sport here in Utah,” Nate said.

The USMNT has a following here, but so do other teams.

“I cheer for the Mexican National team,” West Valley resident Ray Mondragon said.

“My team is in limbo. They are not playing with their best players.”

Mexico left two of its best scorers off the roster because of injuries, Chicarito Hernán dez and Julián Araujo. They have advanced to the knockout round for seven straight tour naments, but have failed to win a game to ad vance to the quarterfinals.

“I don’t expect them to go far, but the entire tournament is full of great matches,” Mondragon said. “I can’t pick Argentina so I will pick Brazil.”

The United States is scheduled to play Wales on Nov. 21 and England Nov. 25. There will be four games broadcast on Thanksgiv ing Day. The finals will be played Dec. 18. All games will be played in Qatar. This is the first time the tournament has been held in the Middle East and Qatar is the smallest country to be a host.

The average ticket price for the finals is $1,600 a piece and the U.S. purchased the third most tickets to the tournament, behind Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Brazil is the only nation to appear in all 22 World Cup tourna ments.

“I would pick Brazil, Germany is always tough. You could watch for England and I think the U.S. could be a sleeper,” Nate said. “We are a young squad and hope we get out our group.” l

Granger Medical Clinic fue fundada en 1954 con la filosofía de que las personas no deberían tener que viajar fuera de su comunidad para poder encontrar servicios de atención médica de calidad. ¡Es por eso que estamos orgullosos de ofrecer medicina familiar y atención especializada para la zona de West Valley City!

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The Salt Lake City chapter of the American Outlaws is full of supporters of the United States Men’s National team, and they will host watch parties of the World Cup at Beer Bar in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy of American Outlaws)

Navigating Grief and the Holidays

By Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW

The holiday season is nearly upon us. This is the time of year when grieving people often feel dread and sorrow about the very events and traditions that formerly brought happiness.

As every grieving person handles loss in their own way, each one of us observes holidays in our own way in time of bereavement. There simply is no one right way to experience the holidays. Some find meaning in following cherished traditions, and others benefit from avoiding traditions because their associations are now tinged with loss. Some people find great comfort in being with other people, others prefer solitude to camaraderie. For all of us, how we gather is as important as gathering at all.

Plan ahead for the holidays: The first step in planning is to listen to yourself….what will help you most at this time? You may have strong memories and powerful feelings. Accept this as normal, but prepare for it. Anticipate the pleasures and the stresses of events, and select those you want to participate in. If you expect to be lonely, arrange supportive companionship. If you can’t bear the thought of connecting with the entire extended family, let the family know of your needs. Be creative and accept support by using distance technology.

Accommodate your plans to your new limits: Most grieving people have significantly lowered physical stamina and emotional reserve. Perhaps you can’t get every decoration out this year. Accept these limits as temporary, and good enough for this year. Choose to put your energy into the things that matter most to you.

Accept that the holidays will be different this year: The holidays are often filled with unrealistic expectations that may overwhelm you. You may need to revisit your goals and find a balance between continuity and change. Many people find a special comfort in establishing a new holiday tradition that honors the memory of the person who died.

Recognize that other family members or friends may have struggles, too: Look for opportunities to discuss your feelings and wishes with others who may also be grieving for your family member. Try to respect their choices, if they are different from yours. You all may need to make compromises.

If the holidays have always been hard for you: Use this transition in your life to try something completely new…an untraditional-tradition. Perhaps you have never taken the occasion create a new experience on your own. As challenging as loss can be, it can bring momentum to grow and to try something new.

For all of us, whether the holidays are a time of personal significance or not, it can be a season in which we reflect on what we do cherish as we journey through grief.

Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW

Building community for displaced women

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

When

Samira Harnish was 10 years old, living in Iraq, she drew a picture of a woman trapped in a spider’s web, calling for help. Even at a young age, Harnish knew the world was a difficult place for women.

Education opportunities weren’t easy for women in Iraq. Harnish’s sister received a scholarship to study in England but community members tried to convince her father to keep her home.

“My dad was strong and said my daughter got this scholarship and I’m going to send her,” Harnish said. “I remember the family didn’t want to be with him anymore. So in that way, society was harsh for the women.”

As a young woman, Harnish came to the United States for an arranged marriage. It was a difficult time and Harnish said she could feel the sticky web keeping her trapped.

“I felt like I couldn’t take it off my shoul ders because I was thinking everyone was go ing to hate me or not want me because I was divorcing my first husband,” she said. “But I was taking care of my life and not wanting to feel miserable.”

In 2009, Harnish gave up her job as a se nior microchip engineer and founded Women of the World, a nonprofit that helps displaced women gain self-reliance by giving them tools to navigate an unfamiliar society.

WoW works with refugees, asylum seek ers and immigrants, helping them learn En glish, apply for jobs, go to college or even start a business. But the organization fills an even more important role, it helps women find a community.

Harnish understands the loneliness dis placed women experience when first coming to Utah. Assimilating into a community is diffi cult and it is a challenge to find people who will welcome and support them.

“Because of these things I went through, it made me want to become an advocate for them,” she said. “We let women know every

thing’s going to be OK. They just need a guide into a new life. They’ve had a lot of hurtful moments: war, oppression, poverty, rape and mutilation.”

Located in South Salt Lake (415 E. 3900 South), WoW is giving a voice to women who have lost jobs, families and homes. By building confidence through English skills and mento ring, WoW participants learn how to improve their lives and connect with others. These wom en often have college degrees and valuable pro fessions, but can’t get hired due to the language barrier.

WoW holds a celebration each December, recognizing women who have reached their goals and becoming independent. The event is supported by local business and government leaders who help the women find jobs in their communities.

The WoW model offers advocacy for im migration, housing, law issues and health mat ters. It customizes its programs for each individ ual, matching her needs with what she needs to succeed. Volunteers are always needed at WoW to be mentors, drivers, interpreters, workshop teachers, yoga instructors, child caregivers and event facilitators. Monetary donations are also accepted.

Gift cards are an important donation for the women who can use them to buy things for themselves or their children. While the women appreciate the used clothes or shoes donated to help them, they like to purchase items that fit their personality and their bodies.

“They have lost everything but their dig nity and pride,” Harnish said. “They had good jobs in their home country and they are looking for jobs in their profession. They bring a great diversity to our state.”

To donate, volunteer or to learn more about WoW, visit womenofworld.org. l

is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing and the Director of Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program. Caring Connections is a not-for-profit program that offers clinician-facili tated grief support groups in Utah. 801-585-9522 healthcare.utah.edu/caring-connections

A Women of the World fundraising event celebrates the success of displaced women from across the globe who work hard to reach their goals. (Photo courtesy of Jake Campos)

Is it time to close the Wild Kingdom Train at Lagoon?

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com

It’s been the focus of petitions, protests and investigations but the animal exhibit at Lagoon, featured on the Wild Kingdom Train, continues to house dozens of animals including Bengal tigers, bison, African lions and zebras.

Since 1967, Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington has kept the wild animals on display and has received numerous citations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the animals’ care. Lagoon’s most recent violation of the Animal Welfare Act was in 2018 when a young elk crawled into a neighboring pen where it was attacked by a bison. The elk was subsequently euth anized.

Lagoon spokesperson Adam Leishman said the veterinarians and animal caretakers on staff take pride in the work they do. He said many of the animals have indoor clo sures and heated outdoor spaces to provide comfort during the cold months.

“I can’t stress enough how much care the animals get from the caretakers here, to make sure that they’re safe and healthy,” he said. “They get excellent nutrition and veteri nary-recommended diets. Just because we’re closed in the winter doesn’t mean the care stops. I couldn’t and I wouldn’t say what I’m saying if it wasn’t true.”

Amy Meyer, director of the Utah Animal Rights Coalition, said the Lagoon animals have been on her radar for many years, with people often contacting her with concerns about the animals’ care.

Meyer doesn’t understand why the park’s owners won’t send animals to sanctu aries and close the display for good because she thinks the zoo has to be Lagoon’s biggest public relations nightmare.

“These majestic animals, especially the big cats, live in small concrete enclosures. These big cats are some of the hardest ani mals to have in any sort of captivity, let alone something that has nothing that resembles their natural environment,” Meyer said. “We’ve actually coordinated with some glob al partners who are committed to helping us get those animals to accredited sanctuaries. If Lagoon ever says the word, we would get them to beautiful sanctuaries.”

Leishman said the park’s owners have never been contacted by wild animal sanc tuaries and added the longevity of the wild animal park at Lagoon is a testament to the type of care the animals receive.

The big cats at Lagoon came from a va riety of places. The Bengal tiger came from a municipal zoo in the Midwest that lost its funding. The mountain lions were being held illegally in a private home, confiscated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and placed at Lagoon. The African lion was used

for a photo op as a cub. As the lion got older, the owners wanted to get rid of it and Lagoon took it in.

Patrick Craig, executive director of The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Col orado, said they would be willing to take the big cats from Lagoon. Although he hasn’t contacted the park’s owners directly, the sanctuary has publicly offered to give the cats a home when animal rights groups have tried to persuade Lagoon to discontinue the display.

“This establishment has had their wild life train going since the 1960s and it has a long-established history of never providing adequate enclosures for the animals. It is the No. 1 complaint we receive on a yearly basis, which is saying a lot, given the number of other terrible exhibits that exist in the United States,” Craig said.

He agrees with Meyer that the cats’ en closures are too small, without the benefit of a natural environment. Big cats often suffer from arthritis and other conditions affecting paws and joints when they are kept on con crete. Stress and boredom have an impact on the cats’ mental health, along with being subjected to the train going past their cages several times a day during the summer.

Meyer thinks the time has come to close the exhibit as people’s attitudes toward ani mals held in captivity has evolved over the years. She believes Lagoon could turn the closing of the wild animal park into a positive story, with a happy ending for all.

“If they finally said, ‘You know what, we’re going to shut this down. We started this zoo before we knew what these animals needed and there are good reputable sanc tuaries we can send them to. We’re going to shut this down and turn it into something people enjoy’ then the UARC would definite ly be going to Lagoon to celebrate and finally ride on the roller coasters.”l

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While Lagoon’s spokesperson says the big cats in the wild animal display are well cared for, animal rights groups and sanctuaries disagree and feel now’s the time to close that part of the park’s history. (Photo courtesy of Amy Meyer)

Community packs and ships gift-filled shoeboxes for children around the world

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

As Christmas approaches we often start looking for ways to get involved in giving to others, from angel trees and food drives to secret Santa projects. However, groups across the state of Utah have already gathered during the third week of November to assemble gift-filled shoe boxes for children across the world during the annual drive for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. According to Samaritan’s Purse, churches around the world partner with OCC to receive shoebox gifts to distribute to kids in their community. Every year Samaritan's Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hy giene items for children in impoverished and remote areas. Gifts are matched to children’s specific gender and ages. Since 1993, more than 198 million children in more than 170 countries have received an Operation Christ mas Child shoebox. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but also gives them a tangible expres sion of God's love. As result of 5,000 drop-off locations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, it is expected that over 9.4 million gift-filled shoeboxes will be collected this year.

One of the local host sites, Risen Life Church in Holladay emphasized their shoebox packing night during their annual Harvest Fes

tival in October. Organizer Kristen Veth shared that the entire community was invited to bring their trick-or-treaters out for a fun evening of trunk-or-treating and then take part in the com munity service project inside while also warm ing up with a cup of hot chocolate. “Operation Christmas Child really sets the stage for cele brating Christmas each year—a simple gift that creates an amazing impact,” Veth said. “At this point we’ve collected 413 boxes. It is inspiring to see so many join together to make an impact in the lives of kids they will likely never meet.”

Ilona Penner was a recipient of an Oper ation Christmas Child shoebox when she was a child living in a Ukrainian orphanage. When reflecting on her experience opening her shoe box Penner said, “A yo-yo is what actually captured my attention the most!” Penner said what impacted her most about receiving the gift-filled shoebox was, “Here I was in an or phanage and someone remembered about me and the other children—someone cared. It was exciting! It kind of gave hope that we weren’t forgotten.”

Want to help make a positive impact in the lives of children around the world next year? Visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ to learn more and find out dates. There you’ll learn tips for packing your own box in a shoe box or shoe box-sized plastic container, locate party pack ing events, find a list of drop off locations near

you, or even be able to pack a shoebox online. Other ways to help include purchasing items to go into the boxes for groups to assemble, do nate online towards shipping ($10 per box sug gestion), or even serve as one of the 200,000 volunteers involved in collecting, shipping, and distributing shoebox gifts.

For more of Penner’s story check out Holly’s Highlights podcast Season 1 Episode 6 where Penner shares about her upbringing in Ukraine, her memories of receiving a shoebox while living in the Ukrainian orphanage, and

even suggestions on how to pack your own shoebox for a child in need. Hear of her story of hope, the heart of giving, the gift of time, and how one simple act made her feel like she wasn't alone. Holly’s Highlights podcast is designed to encourage, inspire, and equip you to intentionally live your life full of pur pose. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available at www.hollycurby.com or wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and even “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast.”l

Photo:

Risen Life volunteers assembled over 400 boxes for children around the world. (Photo courtesy Aaron Jett)

Smashing pumpkins at Armstrong Academy

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

Take a typical kid and a pumpkin and most will tell you they like to see the big fruit smashed against a hard surface.

Fourth-graders at Neil Armstrong Academy in West Valley City got their wish on a November afternoon in the name of science and math.

In what has become an annual demonstration, pumpkins were dropped from various heights at the STEM ele mentary school in the Granite School District to demonstrate the relationship between energy and speed.

With students chanting, “Drop it, drop it, drop it,” the first pumpkin was let go from the top of a 10-foot ladder. The second pumpkin met its demise from 20 feet. Pumpkin number three was unleashed from the 33-foot-high school roof. And for the first time, a fourth pumpkin was brought into the ex periment and dropped from a West Val ley City Fire Department ladder truck extended 80 feet in the air.

The 10-foot drop was clocked by a radar gun at 12 mph when it met the con crete playground. The 20-footer reached a speed of nearly 20 mph. From 33 feet, the pumpkin hit at 27 mph. At 80 feet, the pumpkin crashed at 54 mph.

“One of our goals here at Arm strong is to inspire kids through science, to make things as exciting and engaging as possible,” said fourth-grade teacher David Pendleton.

Besides the velocity, Pendleton said the “splat radius,” a scientific term coined by someone at Armstrong Acad emy, was also calculated. That’s the farthest distance a piece of the pumpkin (skin, flesh, pulp, or seeds) lands from the point of impact. The faster the de scent, the greater the splat radius.

The pumpkins were harvested and drafted for service from the school gar den.

“I used to think pie was the best thing you could do with pumpkins,” quipped Armstrong principal John Paul Sorensen. l

Jordan

A pumpkin is dropped from an 80-foot-high West Valley City fire truck ladder as part of a science experiment at Neil Armstrong Academy. (Dar rell Kirby/City Journals)

Former NBA coach hosts winter break basketball camp

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Utah native Barry Hecker, who coached in the NBA for more than two decades, including working with current Jazz players Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, will be hosting a basketball camp during the winter school break.

The camp, which will emphasize footwork, passing, dribbling and shoot ing, is scheduled for boys and girls in third through ninth grades from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 27 through 30 at the Sandy City Recreation gym, located at 440 E. 8680 South.

“These camps are all about the ba sic fundamentals of basketball,” Hecker said. “We focus on quality fundamental instruction, we work hard with a lot of discipline and structure and we have a lot of fun. When these kids walk out of there, they know they’ve been taught and improved.”

The cost is $85 and includes a T-shirt for all participants. Registrations are currently open online at www.san dyparksandrec.activityreg.com/selectac tivity_t2.wcs#.

The veteran coach, who lives in Murray, said the values he has learned from his basketball coaching journey— beginning at Oxon Hill High School in

Maryland and spanning through Salt Lake Community College and stints with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, Los An geles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies— are invaluable. Being able to share those principles of hard work, teamwork, un selfishness and persistence, along with the physical skills of the game itself, with others thrills him.

“I don’t care who I coach or when I coach,” Hecker said. “I simply enjoy teaching the game. It’s great to see a smile on someone’s face as they expe rience success. If you help somebody, you’ll be somebody.”

Hecker has conducted clinics all over the world for more than 40 years, including many since his retirement from coaching in the NBA. He said he particu larly enjoys working with the youth.

“If you teach skills, that leads to confidence and that confidence can al low anyone to do anything they want,” he said. “I have more fun with young kids than with the pros. In the NBA, you have guys who are making millions and they don’t listen. These kids are making nothing and they’ll listen to you.” l

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Q: Tell us more about you. How long have you been with the company and what qualifications do you have?

A: I have been with Ascent since spring 2014, since before the first schools opened. I helped prepare the schools to open and hired teachers prior to our first day of school. I've been a part of Ascent since day one!

Q: How long has your business been in business?

A: We opened our first 2 schools in August 2014 in West Jordan and Farmington. Since then we have added 3 more schools, West Valley, Lehi and our brand new school in Saratoga Springs!

Q: What products and services do you offer?

A: Ascent Academies is a Tuition-Free Public Charter School open to all families, fostering small classes and personalized education led by supportive faculty. We are on a mission to provide enriching, individualized and varied educational experiences.

Q: What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A: Award winning schools and staff! We recently won charter school of the year in 2021! This year we had 19 of our teachers and employees nominated for teacher\employee of the year and our Network Librarian, Cymberly Erni, won! Besides having amazing teachers and smaller class sizes, our network of schools combines the Schoolwide Enrichment Model’s (SEM) researchbased strategies with curriculum and instructional methods aligned to the Utah Core Curricula in order to provide students throughout the network with engaging learning opportunities.

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

A: We are a school of choice - Students and Parents choose to come to Ascent and we are honored.

Q: Who is your ideal client/customer?

A: At our Farmington school we serve students from K-9, our West Valley school serves K-6. We love all students who are ready for a challenge and ready to learn!

Q: How do potential clients normally choose between you or a competitor?

A: Our Schoolwide Enrichment Model is a huge draw along with our award winning teachers and staff. Individualized learning! Who doesn't love smaller class sizes?

OF UTAH

Q: What is your best advice for someone who is considering doing business with you?

A: Come take a personal tour of one of our schools. Register for our new student lottery, our classes fill up quick!

Q: What is your favorite product/service your company offers?

A: Schoolwide Enrichment Model

Q: Are you currently running any special or hosting any upcoming events?

A: Our new student lottery is open! The lottery will be drawn on January 24th 2023.

Q: Where can customers find you?

A: Farmington Ascent K-9, 22 S 650 W, Farmington, UT 84025, (385) 220-2200, www.ascentutah.org FB: www.facebook.com/AAUFarmington/ West Valley Ascent K-6, 5685 W Cilma Dr, West Valley City, UT 84128, (801) 685-0228, www.ascentutah.org, FB: www.facebook.com/AscentWestValley

Q: If you are a service provider, what is your service area?

A: Service areas include Farmington, West Valley, West Jordan, Lehi and Saratoga Springs.

Q: Anything else you would like our readers to know about your business?

A: We are proud our schools were some of the handful of schools statewide that stayed open safely during the pandemic.

Former NBA coach Barry Hecker has been teaching the game of basketball for more than 40 years. (Photo by Barry Hecker)

Utah cities are becoming more food truck-friendly

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

The Salt Lake area isn’t usually thought of as a top food truck destination, but that might now change thanks to a new state law.

House Bill 146 became effective in May and restricts the ability of a city or county to require a separate business license if the food truck owner already has a valid license in an other Utah community. In other words, it re quires food truck owners to obtain a business license from just one city—not every single municipality or county they want to operate in. Communities around the state are gradually amending their codes to be in compliance.

Melissa Anderson from the Community Development Department presented related code amendments to the Sandy City Council on Oct. 25.

“In lieu of a Sandy City business license, mobile food business owners may submit a business license from another political subdi vision in the state,” Anderson said. “The pro posed amendments make it easier to operate a mobile food business in Sandy, consistent with a new state law.”

Among other changes, food truck owners will also not be required to disclose financial in formation or pay additional fees above the ac tual cost of processing the neighboring business license. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation, and the amendments were approved at the Sandy City Council meet

ing Nov. 15.

“The impact will be big,” said Taylor Har ris, a founding partner and general manager of The Food Truck League, a network of gourmet food trucks in Utah. In addition to organizing events, the League works to promote, lobby and advocate for the industry.

Harris has been part of a four-year-long process begun by then-Sen. (now Lieutenant Governor) Deirdre Henderson and the Libertas Institute to create a “food truck freedom” law to reduce regulations.

“Sen. Henderson brought everyone to the table,” Harris said. “What was happening was every city was doing a policy that made sense in isolation, but the compounding effects—the way we’re organized geographically in Utah— it was just killing trucks and stopping them from being able to run their businesses. So, we came up with a framework, we tried out a cou ple different things, and that’s evolved over the last several years and we’ve gotten to this place that’s really a happy home where it works for everybody.”

Harris said the original law has been tested and improved to the point where now it has be come a model for other states.

A statement on the Libertas Institute’s website says that the new law is fair since other businesses, including catering companies, are not required to obtain licenses in each city in

which they operate.

Though it will take time for every commu nity to amend city codes to reflect the law like Sandy has, Harris believes it has already had a big impact in the day-to-day business of food truck owners and operators.

“Most of the cities we work with are work ing on it,” Harris said. “In practice they’re im plementing it and working on formalizing it. I think for cities there’s this balance. They don’t want to lose control over protecting their pub lic, and at the same time, they’re busy. They don’t want duplication any more than we do. They just want to make sure that everything is safe and taken care of, and I think this law ad dressed that concern.”

The Food Truck League held its first pub lic event in May 2015 and has hosted events throughout the valley ever since, including Food Truck Mondays at Sandy Amphitheater Park, 1245 E. 9400 South.

“We work with Sandy to do their event at the amphitheater,” Harris said. “It has been a great event, but this will make it easier to bring a wider variety of trucks in. Now we can pull from all the best trucks Utah has to offer, in stead of just the best trucks registered in San dy.”

The League counts over 300 distinct food trucks in its network. Harris recommends visit ing the League’s site www.thefoodtruckleague.

com/food-trucks/trucks/ to find food trucks all year long.

“Anyone that knows restaurants knows that’s a hard business,” Harris said. “They don’t do it for money, they do it for love. So to give them tools to be more successful is really excit ing. And this legislation allows the regulatory environment to help our creators get out there and not get shut down due to signing paper work over and over again.” l

A new city ordinance will make it easier for more food trucks to participate in events like Food Truck Mon days at Sandy’s Amphitheater Park. (Photo courtesy The Food Truck League)

Election

Another election season has come and gone and I’m sure, like me, you won’t miss the campaign ads that peppered bill boards, pedestrian walkways, TV commer cial breaks, and your social media feed.

I would like to thank you for the op portunity to serve you, my constituents, in District 3 for another term on the Salt Lake County Council. My district is a swing dis trict that could easily be won by a Repub lican or Democratic candidate, and I am honored to have your support. I’ve spent my life living and serving in District 3 and I consider it a great privilege to represent you.

With the election season drawing to a close, I often get asked about our election process. First, let me say that I believe our elections are secure, and while we contin ue to find ways to improve our process, I believe the outcome accurately reflects the voter’s choice.

Vote by mail became an even more popular option in the midst of the pandem ic, but did you know that Utah was one of five states that had already implemented vote by mail prior to the pandemic? That means we have had several years to finetune this process. For those voters who chose the vote by mail option there were three ways to return your ballot: the US Postal Service, one of the 21 drive-up bal

in Salt Lake County

signature is compared to the voter-signed affidavit. The ballot remains sealed inside the envelope during this process. Once the signature has been verified, the security sleeve containing the ballot is removed and separated from the envelope, making the ballot anonymous. The anonymous ballots are removed from the security sleeve and prepared for counting. Ballots are carefully logged in and tracked during the tabulation process.

The County Clerk's office works hard to maintain accurate voter rolls. Election staff review all returned mail to verify the accuracy of voters’ addresses and vot er status. Deceased persons are regularly removed based on a list provided by the Office of Vital Records. Notifications from other states identify voters who have moved out-of-state. Address changes made with the Utah Driver License Division are automatically applied. The database is scanned regularly to remove duplicate en tries and ensure accuracy.

lot boxes, or any vote center.

When your ballot arrives at the Salt Lake County clerk’s office the barcode on the envelope is scanned, creating a re turn log and vote history for the voter, and ensuring that only one ballot is accepted for each voter. The privacy tab on the re turn envelope is removed, and the voter’s

I recognize the importance a secure and accurate voting system plays in ensur ing a stable society. Our electoral process includes many security measures to ensure integrity. You can learn more about the steps Salt Lake County has taken to protect ballot security and privacy at slco.vote.

Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3

Even though 2022 seemed to last as long

as a 5-year-old reading “Green Eggs and Ham,” the holidays rushed in like a wicked case of intestinal flu. But high grocery prices? Rising inflation? Those things have never stopped Americans from over-celebrating the holidays.

If you’re finding it hard to capture the spirit of Christmas this year, just remem ber the real meaning of the holidays: get ting presents. All those brightly-wrapped packages will bring you hours of tempo rary joy and fulfillment.

I wonder if we have lost our senses, in a very literal way. Maybe if we come back to our senses for the holidays, we’ll stop eating when we’re not hungry, partying when we’re tired and buying a doghouse full of gifts for the family puppy when we’re already overbudget.

Let’s start with the sights of the sea son, like the piles of enticing Amazon box es shoved into hiding places and spilling out of closets. The twinkling lights of po lice cars at the neighbor’s house. The deadeyed stare of a Target cashier and colored globes hanging on the Christmas tree that drops needles when someone walks by.

How about the sounds of the season, like your favorite holiday tunes played by an accordion, or the infinite Mariah Carey

song remix/mash-ups/covers. You’ll hear “Carol of the Bells” so often it becomes part of that nightmare where you’re run

ning to get the last LEGO set but you’re wearing furry slippers and keep tripping over elves. And there’s so much jingling!

What does Christmas feel like? A tod dler’s fingers, sticky from a candy cane, leaving pink fingerprints down the hall. Paper cuts from wrapping gifts. Cold, wet toes as you trudge through snowy parking lots and discover a hole in the sole of your boot. Frozen fingertips, runny noses and being bustled by bustling crowds.

The tastes of Christmas include nasti ness like eggnog and fruitcake, but also the sugary sweetness of gumdrops that suction to your molars and must be surgically re moved. Then there’s scalding hot choco late with toasted marshmallows. (Hint: don’t toast marshmallows in the actual toaster. I know that now.)

December smells like cinnamon, cloves, Seussian roast beast and smoke from your overused credit card. I’ve never smelled roasted chestnuts, but I imagine they have an aroma like a wet dog lying by the fire. Real evergreen trees emit the scent of fresh forests while making it hard to breathe for people with pine allergies.

Obviously, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong with the holidays, without paying attention to the feeling behind the scenes. When I sit with that

emotion, it’s one of peace, generosity, kindness, forgiveness and love. Things Hallmark Christmas movies are always going on about.

What if Hallmark is right? And I’ve never said that before.

Maybe the miracle of Christmas is noticing the small pleasures like when your friend sends you a funny card or your husband brings you a soft, fluffy blanket as you binge holiday movies. Maybe it’s reading stories to your grandkids or listen ing to grandparents share favorite Christ mas morning memories.

More than the senses, Christmas is about time. A time to pause. A time to be still. A time to remember. A time to breathe. A time to be grateful. A time to be with family. A time to reflect with wonder and awe at the beauty of this world.

Coming back to our senses, in a real way, slows time. It reminds us we’re not alone as we move together through these dark nights with bright stars, just doing the best we can.

Peri Kinder is an award-winning hu mor writer, hosts the Life & Laughter pod cast and was voted Best of State for 2022. She’s also a yoga/meditation instructor and life coach.