West Valley City Journal | June 2023

ACADEMY GIVES RESIDENTS INSIDE LOOK AT WEST VALLEY CITY POLICE OPERATIONS

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

It doesn’t make them police officers, but it sure gives them a greater understanding of what law enforcers do.

Ten members of the public graduated in May from West Valley City Police Department’s Citizens Academy.

They gathered Wednesday nights over a span of 10 weeks to learn from police personnel what they do on a daily basis, why they do it, and the training and attention to detail that go into it.

The participants come from all backgrounds. Some are grandparents. A couple of people are civilian employees of the police department wanting to know about what their sworn colleagues do. There was a city councilman and a 17-year-old boy considering a possible law enforcement career.

They all had a common interest in wanting to know more about how the West Valley Police Department functions, particularly its officers who patrol Utah’s second-largest city.

“We expose them to firearms, SWAT, K-9s, to patrol operations. We also introduce them to the case flow that goes through the detective unit,” said Sgt. Gabriel Bier, who conducted the academy.

Academy participants learned—hands-on in some cases—police department operations and tactics to address a variety of situations officers are trained to encounter. They fired weapons at a shooting range, and some even volunteered to be on the receiving end of a taser. They sat next to dispatchers and call-takers at the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center as they took emergency and nonemergency calls and dispatched, coordinated and tracked a countywide network of police, firefighters and paramedics responding to those calls.

“This is to create a relationship in our community. This is designed to help us teach the citizens what it is we do, why we do things a certain way, and maybe increase the understanding that they have for our profession,” Bier added.

Continued page 15

West Valley City Police Chief Colleen Jacobs congratulates 10 graduates of the police department’s biannual Citizens Academy. It gives the public an in-depth view of how police officers and other law enforcement personnel do their jobs. (Darrell Kirby/ City Journals)

Ambulatory Surgical Center

GRAND OPENING

Sports Performance

Open House

Sports Performance Open House on Thursday, June 15 from 6-8:00 p.m.

Entrance 2

Grand Opening

Friday, June 16 from 2-4:00 p.m.

Ribbon-cutting, tours, lunch and more!

Hires Big H open (again) for business in West Valley City

Festooned with balloons and a fresh new look inside, a longtime restaurant in West Valley City celebrated its grand re-opening at the end of April.

Hires Big H at 2900 W. 4700 South had been closed since early 2020 in large part because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also to allow for the interior remodeling of the eatery which originally opened in 1987. “It looks fabulous,” said co-owner Jon Hale. “It’s clean, it’s bright, it’s lovely.”

Known for its burgers, fries, onion rings and, of course, root beer, among other menu items, Hires Big H’s dining room had remained largely unchanged from its opening to when the pandemic kept people away and prompted Hale to take advantage of the down time to renovate the dining room to

Jou r nals

WEST VALLEY TEAM

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By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

modernize it while keeping a bit of the nostalgic feel of a 1950’s diner.

The exterior of the building maintains most of its original white brick appearance and the neon Hires sign will be upgraded sometime in the future.

Aesthetics aside, what brings people in is the food, made possible by Hires’ dedicated employees, many of whom show up at 7:30 each morning to prepare it all from fresh ingredients. “We like to do as many things as we can ourselves because we can maintain the quality that way,” Hale said. “These great people are the backbone of the operation.”

Hires Big H was started by Jon’s dad, Don Hale, in 1959. The elder Hale also established its companion restaurant, Litzas

Pizza, in 1965. Hires has other locations in Salt Lake City and Midvale, which opened before West Valley City.

With its re-opening, West Valley City’s Hires Big H will operate Wednesday through

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with additional days and hours possible in the future depending on how business goes. “After COVID, everything’s a new experience,” Hale said. “You just have to find your niche.” l

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EDITOR

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ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

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Lydia Rice | lydia.r@thecityjournals.com 385-557-1022

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strong local economy via relevant content presented across a synergetic network of print and digital media. PUBLISHER Designed,

Jon Hale, co-owner of Hires Big H, stands in front of the newly re-opened restaurant in West Valley City in April. It closed to in-person dining during COVID-19 and underwent a remodeling of its interior. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

With its doors already closed because of the pandemic, Hires Big H remodeled the dining room of its popular burger eatery in West Valley City. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Wolverines incorporate ice baths into unusual spring season

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

EVENING SERIES

Season Tickets: $49 Adult, $45 Senior, $29 Child

For the Hunter High School boys soccer team, the spring season was one of ups and downs. Unpredictable spring weather necessitated many changes to the schedule and routines, but the team's efforts paid off by advancing in the playoffs and strengthening them.

“I feel like it has been a good season,” boys soccer head coach Brett Solberg said. “This year has been one of the craziest springs I have seen while I have been coaching. It is not quite where we wanted to be, but overall it has been a good year.”

The spring snow and rain storms forced the Wolverines to hold tryouts indoors and cancel or reschedule several matches.

“Trying to gauge a player's abilities on a basketball gymnasium is tough. The team selection was a little tricky but I think we made good decisions. We had one week where we played three games. That led to some tired legs. It was our first season to do ice baths. Maybe it was just a mind game, but I think it helped,” Solberg said.

Ice baths can relieve sore muscles and aid in exercise recovery.

“We had a tub in the training room that we had never used. After two games we decided to give it a shot,” Solberg said.

The team found a routine that worked best for them and the various treatments paid off in the long run.

To open the season the Wolverines traveled to St. George and played in a mini tour-

nament. The trip produced a win, loss and a tie, but got them ready to return for its Region 2 games.

Hunter placed third in its region with an 8-4 record. The season included a tie and win over Granger, its crosstown rival.

The Wolverines finished ranked 16th by the UHSAA ratings index. That seed matched them up with 17th seed Westlake in the first round of the state playoffs.

The state tournament match proved to be a close one. It was decided in double overtime with a golden goal (a goal that ends the game) by Ceasar Arellano Rodriguez.

“This season our offense has not scored a lot of goals and that has been unusual for our teams. When other teams look at us they are never sure who to focus on because we have been so well rounded. We had multiple players that were a threat,” Solberg said.

Jonathan Hernandez Alverez led the team with four goals. Michael Martinez and Adan Almaraz each had three goals.

“Michael (Martinez) is a freshman and he scored golden goals against Granger and Cyprus. He has the energy and ability to create those dangerous opportunities. Our goalie Ariel Martinez has been a standout. He is very skilled and kept us in games,” Solberg said.

As a junior, Martinez had five shutouts this season.

“We come from a region that a lot of the state looks down on. We really want to

go out and represent, show up, compete and play. Every game we have is going to be a battle. I think the state tournament gives us a chance to play our game,” Solberg said.

Hunter would take No. 1 seed Lone Peak to overtime, even leading 1-0 at half, before losing in a similar fashion to how it won the first round, a golden goal losing 3-2.

The team scheduled its alumni game for after the season. A tradition they hope to continue.

“It is great to highlight players that have gone on to have success. Hopefully, that gives younger players the motivation to set goals,” Solberg said.

This season boys soccer teams have had to be on their best behavior. In a stand against poor sportsmanship the UHSAA placed all boys soccer teams on probation for the next two years. Coaches have questioned the accuracy of the decision, but because of it teams are forced to play two less games.

“It is a three year probation, and as far as I know the sport has not shown the improvement the UHSAA wanted to see,” Solberg said. “A reduction in red cards seems to be the gauge and many coaches think that is not a fair standard because red cards are not all about sportsmanship. We have done our best to make playing at Hunter a positive experience for these players.” l

Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South

Ticket Info: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov

Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South

Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 or

www.murray.utah.gov/1959/Tickets

JUNE

June 3 Murray Concert Band

June 9-10, Disney’s High School Musical 12, 15-17

June 19 The Bonner Family with special guest David Archuleta

June 24 Murray Symphony Pops

JULY

July 7-8, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 10, 13-15

July 21 Peter Breinholt

July 28-29, Seussical the Musical 31, Aug 3-5

AUGUST

Aug 12 “Music for the Soul” with Thurl Bailey, Vanessa Joy and Marvin Goldstein

Aug 18-19 A Celtic Summer’s Night

Aug 25 Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

Aug 26 Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four

SEPTEMBER

Sept 1 4 HIMS

Sept 9 Grupo Folklorico Sapichu & Karlysue y Los Trios Charros

This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Hunter High boys soccer team defeated Westlake in the first round of the state playoffs. (Photo courtesy of Brett Solberg)

How some high school teams handled a stormy spring season

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Whenthe end of February arrived and tryouts started for spring sports, most took place inside with snow still covering the infields, tracks and pitches.

Not really out of the ordinary as winter can occasionally linger.

Then as March plowed on and players looked at their weather app, they continued to see snow in the forecast, postponing games, forcing them inside. And forcing athletic directors to play a scheduling jigsaw puzzle with gym space to ensure soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball and track and field all had practice time inside.

Even when April arrived, spring was put on hold as snow accumulated so much it canceled in-person school, let alone a baseball game.

With teams shuttered indoors, coaches had to find ways to make practice time productive. The first objective: shaping the attitude.

Riverton High softball coach Katelyn Elliott said they focused on how they can use their time in the gym to get better, that part is within their control.

Everyone from Santaquin to Logan was in the same situation, she told the team, so instead of throwing a pity party or complaining about practicing in the gym, how can they develop themselves.

“You can’t control that there’s 4 feet of snow outside,” she said. “Let’s just take what we have. We have two hours in the gym each day, and we’re going to make the best of it.”

Elliott and her team focused on realistic game scenarios they could practice like leadoffs, tags, signs or bunt scenarios.

“If we have our signs down, things like that the controllable things we can work on in a gym, and we don’t have to work on that in April, we can go out and work on ground balls and flyballs,” she said.

While the Olympus softball team still spent hours in the batting cages, it also utilized time by drilling down on the mental side of the sport.

Head coach Jackson White said they brought in a team psychologist to speak about conflict resolution. The team would read articles every Friday as a group about team building or mental toughness. One article was called the Champions Mindset, he said, that focused on giving your best every play, and if your mind is still on a previous mistake, then you can’t give your best on that play.

“We were able to get a lot of growth mentally without having to see it physically inside,” he said. “It was a game changer to just kind of teach them how to be good teammates and do drills that was about talking to each other or listening to each other rather than catching a fly ball inside for the 100th time.”

White said that mental preparation was important when their shortstop broke her foot forcing them to retool their defense.

Olympus senior catcher Sofia Conlon said the mental work inside unified them in way as they learned how to grow together.

“Being inside is really hard, it's not the same as being on a field so working together as a team mentally made us tighter,” she said. “It pulls us closer and helps us outside for sure.”

Many baseball and softball teams traveled to St. George in March for tournaments while others traveled to Nevada (Riverton baseball) or California (Alta boys lacrosse and Jordan baseball) during spring breaks.

Skyline and Olympus baseball teams are located high on the east bench with snow on their fields slower to melt. They chose to relocate their three-game series to Dixie High School in St. George. Skyline didn’t

Skyline and Bingham girls lacrosse play a rescheduled game on Saturday, April 29. (Travis Barton/City Journals) Track meets were also postponed due to the weather. (City Journals)

Even in mid-April games were still being affected by rain, snow or some mixture such as this Murray Olympus baseball game. (City Journals)

have its first outdoor practice until the second week in April.

Golf’s season was essentially shortened to several weeks from mid-April to May 9. Riverton High golf coach Trish Marshall said they practiced outside when they could—layered up with coats, jackets, hats and gloves—but were often just hitting off mats at Mulligan’s covered driving range. They even practiced in her classroom, putting on the carpet or chipping over boxes and books into garbage bins.

“We had to get creative,” she said.

Scheduling affected the season as well with the Alta High boys soccer team opening its season with a region game against Lehi, a rematch of last year’s 5A state title game before eventually playing its nonregion opponents later. Hunter would play three games in a week.

Murray High boys soccer coach Bryan DeMann said at one point they spent a whole week practicing inside playing small-sided games or futsal tournaments focused on getting touches.

“It is hard to simulate soccer on a basketball floor with 30 boys,” he said.

Though Murray had the unique situation of its field being cleared quicker than any other in their region (all are located closer to the mountains, including Park City). They only had one region game rescheduled, but had to reverse some fixtures which meant they played most of their home games during the first round of region play. Only one home game (senior night) was played in the second round of region.

“We were lucky,” he said. l

The Riverton softball team focused on leadoffs and bunt scenarios indoors when they couldn’t practice outside for most of March. (City Journals)

Murray’s boys soccer team was still able to play most of its games on schedule as its field cleared quicker than at other schools. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Remnants of snow still remain around the Jordan soccer field. (City Journals)

This Taylorsville Cyprus softball game was rescheduled and played on a Saturday. (City Journals)

Best teen, preteen films showcased at Salt Lake County’s Youth Film Festival

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Eleven of Salt Lake County’s top youth filmmakers watched their films debut on the big screen with friends and family.

At an invitation-only event at the Megaplex at Valley Fair Mall, this year’s Salt Lake County Youth Film Festival student-winners came to the front of the auditorium, invited to speak and accept their prizes.

“Coming out of these heavier years with the pandemic and having to really push the film festival forward in a virtual format, the first thing I wanted to do was make sure that that our event was in-person,” said Abbey Summers, Salt Lake County health educator who oversaw the film festival. “And I thought what’s a better way to show these films for these young filmmakers than on the big screen?”

Sitting back, with provided concessions, the audience watched the short films ranging from breakfast ideas to inclusivity in sports.

All the films focused on the theme, “I advocate.”

“I wanted to have a strong theme. A big part of public health and what we do is, especially with youth, is trying to teach them about policy change and advocacy because these things are hugely instrumental in moving public health forward. Through the film festival,

we’ve allowed teens to create films around some of those topics that are important to them. With this year’s theme, we encouraged them to think about health topics that were important to them and how they could advocate for change or a way to make it better; or how

they could utilize resources in their community or in their schools to teach others. I feel the participants shined this year in showing us their advocacy and what is important to them,” she said about the fifth annual student film contest.

The films were judged by health educators, community health workers, youth services staff and others, they were ranked according to the contest rules in advocacy, originality, filmmaking elements, inclusivity and more, Summers said.

The winner of the Judge’s Choice award went to Sundance Canyon Academy senior Anthony Ashton for his film, “Resources;”

Best Advocate Award to Skyline High junior Anna Liu for her film, “I Advocate for Mental Health;”

Inclusivity Advocacy Winner to Highland High sophomore Kanye Saunders for “I Advocate for Inclusivity in Sports;” Best Original Film to Granger High senior James Ngyuen for his film “I Advocate for More Sleep;” Best Filmmaking Elements to Hillcrest

High senior Abigail Slama-Catron for her film “Advocasee;” Best Theme Relevance to Corner Canyon freshman Maya Yrungaray for her film “3 Easy Breakfast Ideas;” First Runner-up to Sundance Canyon Academy freshman JD Martin for his film, “Temptations of Peer Pressure;” Group Advocacy Winner to Rowland Hall junior Eric Lu and Waterford School junior Shayan Pandit for their film, “Healthier and More Accessible School Lunches;” and Best Lower Division Winner to Salt Lake Arts Academy seventh-graders Aliya Saunders and Anna Peregrine for their film, “Living Life to the Fullest.”

The evening concluded with a private movie screening of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as well.

“We wanted to make the event an opportunity to showcase their films and be really fun and family friendly,” Summers said. “I loved the films that were submitted this year.” l

Secondary students from across the Salt Lake Valley were honored at the fifth annual Salt Lake County health film festival. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Centennial Park to get more lighting for skate park, pickleball courts

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

More lights are coming to Centennial Park, the pickleball courts and skate park to be exact.

“This is something that’s been requested, quite honestly, for years,” Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Day told the West Valley City Council.

The council approved in early May two agreements allowing the city to spend just under $188,000 to match grant funding from Salt Lake County.

Day explained it helps on various levels both safety-wise and environmentally noting the hot summers make for congested times during the cooler hours of the day.

Lights would stay on until 11 p.m. and come on at 6 a.m. pending the time of year. The park is located at 5405 W. 3100 South.

Seven people spoke during the May 2 council meeting prior the vote in favor of the lights purchase and installation, specifically for the skate park.

One person who spoke, Travis Bellantino, said he used to skateboard in the late 80’s when they had to either build their own skate parks or “get chased out of a local park.” He eventually stopped skating after high school. But when he saw the West Valley skate park building a snake run, he was inspired to pick up his board

again.

He also serves as an ambassador for the Skate Park Respect nonprofit that aims to conserve skate parks and spots through outreach and cleanup efforts. Maintenance and cleaning is something he does regularly at the West Valley skate park, he added, noting it will help keep kids off the street.

Holladay City Council meetings also recently saw youth skaters and an ambassador from Skate Park Respect advocate for lights at their skate park.

Several of those who spoke to the West Valley council were teenagers, but there was also a mom, Christy Van Buskirk, who pointed out what the park has done for her family.

“I started skating a year ago to bond with my 12-year-old son,” she said. “It’s become an important part of my life. The West Valley City Skate Park is phenomenal, I love it. I go there several times a week.”

Another West Valley City resident Bryan Borrios said extending the hours will help young adults like him who are starting 9-5 jobs and only able to skate at night.

Chris Bambaro drives there every morning from South Jordan to skate be-

fore starting work at USANA. He added the lights would affect the community too.

“The longer you keep kids engaged at night, the happier everyone is,” he said. “I

RYAN K. FROME, DO Pediatrics

travel all the way from South Jordan every morning to come skateboard here. This park has got a hold of us all.” l

Dr. Frome joins Granger Medical Clinic from Children’s Urgent Care and Pediatric Clinic in Las Vegas. He is a native of Albany, Oregon. Dr. Frome loves pediatric patients! He believes in treating the whole person and has pride in helping patients get off to a good start in life. He takes his role as a medical provider seriously and enjoys not only providing information on a patient’s current medical ailment but advice on lifestyle and preventative care as well. He listens to his patients well and enjoys getting to know them. He considers himself not only a physician but a friend.

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The skate park and pickleball courts at Centennial Park are getting lights. (File photo by Kevin Conde)

Go for the vibes!

Kick o your summer with the Utah Arts Festival at Library Square from June 23-25. Enjoy a variety of activities including browsing and purchasing art, watching films, listening to live music, savoring delicious treats, and being inspired by local poets. With new experiences every year, make sure to bring your family and friends and soak in the festival vibes.

Curbside glass recycling now offered in West Valley City

Nomore special trips to drop off recycled glass as it could now be picked up from your house.

An agreement between Momentum Recycling and West Valley City was unanimously approved by the West Valley City Council in early May providing residents the opportunity to have curbside glass collection and recycling. The contract is set for five years with two possible three-year extensions after that.

The program will be optional for residents who wish to participate, explained Jonathan Springmeyer, the city’s chief sustainability officer, who reached out to Momentum in an attempt “to increase some of the sustainability opportunities for our residents.”

“Glass is the easiest of our household materials to recycle, much easier than plastic or aluminum,” Springmeyer said.

It would cost residents $8 or “one-third of what we pay for Netflix,” Springmeyer told the council during its study meeting.

He also emphasized people won’t need to clean their glass nor remove labels or plastic tabs prior to placing it in the can as is required with other recyclables.

The city currently has three glass recycling locations at the Maverik Center overflow parking lot (3025 S. Decker Lake Drive), the southwest end of the Public Works Oper-

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

ations facility (2805 S. 3600 West), and in the west parking lot of the Family Fitness Center (5415 W. 3100 South). Those bins will remain in place.

“We’re going to increase our opportunities for glass recycling rather than change them,” Springmeyer said.

Momentum Recycling will need 150 subscribers before rolling it out across the city, but Springmeyer said they already have 60 residents who had reached out independently. Councilmember Jake Fitisemanu said his wife is one of those 60 residents and he is happy to have it picked up from his house rather than driving to one of the bin locations.

A can would be provided to residents who would then get a message prior to its pickup day once a month. All sizes, colors, household and food items, bottles and even non-tempered plate glass are accepted.

Springmeyer detailed the process explaining the company is located in Salt Lake City, picks up the glass and processes it at their facility. Some of the recycled material goes to make more bottles while the rest goes to a place in Payson which turns it into fiberglass.

“Which then helps our insulation and our heating efficiency and helps sustainability and we just get in this really cool cycle,” said

Emily Lewis joins Granger Medical Clinic after working in the Newborn ICU at the University of Utah. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she has now settled in Salt Lake City with her husband. Emily went to Brigham Young University and received her Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2014. She began her nursing career at LDS Hospital in Inpatient Psychiatry. She then worked for several years in the Emergency Department and then spent some time working as a school nurse. This is where she learned her love for pediatrics. In order to gain more experience, she worked at the University of Utah Newborn ICU. She decided to further her career and attended graduate school at Westminster College. In May of 2022, she graduated with her Master’s in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner. With her diverse past medical experience, she is thrilled to become a Pediatric Primary Care Provider.

Springmeyer, who freely admitted he already recycles glass with Momentum.

He knows of neighborhoods who recycle collectively sharing cans.

The agreement will cost nothing for the city, its only responsibility would be to promote it and direct any calls that come in about glass recycling to Momentum and in return, the company would be the exclusive provider

of curbside glass recycling for the city.

Once the company receives 150 subscribers from West Valley City, the program can begin.

“I’m excited about it,” Springmeyer said. l

Residents will be able to select curbside glass recycling from Momentum Recycling once the city has 150 subscribers. Residents won’t need to clean their glass or drive to a drop-off point anymore. (Stock photo)

BE A MEDICAL HERO!

GILEAD

Treatment for COVID-19 for non-hospitalized people who have tested positive for and have symptoms of COVID. This is a 90-day study for ages 18-65. There are 10 visits total, 7 in person and 3 over the phone. You must also be willing to fill out a questionnaire from day 1 to day 29, and then for day 60 and 90.

CODAGENIX - CHILD RSV STUDY

This is a live vaccine for children ages 2-5 years old. This study is 8 months long, and there are 15 visits total. 10 of these are in-person visits and 5 are over the phone. 2 doses of nose drops are to be administered on day 1 and day 29. Only one child per household can participate, they must not be around children less than 6 months old, pregnant women or be in daycare. Must have been a fullterm birth of 36-42 weeks.

KAN-101-02 - CELIAC DISEASE

This study is for adults 18 - 70 years old who have a Celiac Disease diagnosis either by a positive Celiac serology or biopsy, and you must follow a gluten-free diet for 12 months. There are two parts to this study: Part A and Part B. What part you are assigned to will determine how long the study will be. Part A is 8 weeks with 4 weeks of screening, 7 days for treatment, 3 weeks of follow-up, and 3 IV doses. Part B is 58 weeks, 6 weeks of screening, 7 days for treatment, and 51 weeks of follow-up, also done in 3 IV doses.

Granite Credit Union earns the Juntos Avanzamos designation

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Granite Credit Union is the first credit union in Salt Lake County to earn the Juntos Avanzamos designation by creating safe, affordable and relevant financial products and resources in Spanish, and addressing specific needs of the Hispanic community.

On March 21, Granite Credit Union held a proclamation celebration at the Columbus Community Center (2530 S. 500 East) to signal its commitment to Hispanic businesses.

“We’re so excited to have this designation,” said Katie Ann Powell, Granite Credit Union community relations officer. “In order to get it we had to go through an extensive application that we had to complete. Usually, credit unions don’t get it on their first time when they try to apply but we did and that was huge for us.”

The designation affects each of the credit union’s eight branches in Utah and will be used to create strategies and partnerships that support Hispanic businesses and give underserved communities

more financial opportunities.

Juntos Avanzamos (Together

We Advance) was created by the company Inclusiv to recognize credit unions that empower Hispanic customers. Granite Credit Union helps its members navigate the financial process by employing a bilingual, culturally-competent staff, offering a Spanish website and building community partnerships.

“We have a lot of community partners and we’re growing in community partners with the Hispanic community. Juntos Avanzamos saw that and are now giving us this designation,” Powell said. “We’re signaling to the Hispanic community that we’re a partner and we’re open for business.”

The celebration brought Granite Credit Union dignitaries together with local community leaders as the proclamation was adopted. The document states the credit union has compassionately responded to the needs of the community, is taking strides to provide financial services to

underserved markets and has acknowledged its role in “People helping people.”

Next steps include making sure the Hispanic community knows they can come to Granite Credit Union for help, whether that’s for business or individual financing, and adapting programs to make services accessible and understandable.

“You want to be served in the language you’re comfortable speaking, even if you’re bilingual,” Powell said. “We’ve also partnered with a lot of different organizations around the community doing clothing drives or workshops specific to the Hispanic community, but primarily it’s providing things in their language.”

By holding regular events, partnering with service projects and sponsoring community get-togethers, Granite Credit Union will continue its mission to bring inclusive concepts and ideas to Salt Lake County. For more information, visit Granite.org.

“We want to make more relationships with the Hispanic community and drive more members as well, so they know they are safeguarded here, this is a safe space, they have resources for themselves,” Powell said. “For the Salt Lake area, this is a huge

deal. We have a lot of Hispanic members or bilingual people in our community and we feel they should feel at home here. We also feel that we are an example to other credit unions to also do this… We’re hoping to be pioneers in that sense.” l

Local dignitaries from Granite Credit Union and the community celebrated the credit union’s Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) designation, signaling commitment and collaboration with the Hispanic community and businesses. (Photo courtesy of Granite Credit Union)

The sergeant also hopes that what is learned in the Citizens Academy will let people know that what they read, see and hear on the news is only part of the story when something like an officer-involved shooting or other use of force occurs. “These individuals understand that it’s not appropriate to rush to judgment until all of the facts are on the table and the investigation has been concluded,” Bier said.

Brady Nelson is a West Valley City native. That, as well as his longtime respect for law enforcement, and the fact that his wife is an assistant to Police Chief Colleen Jacobs piqued his interest in getting an inside look at how officers do their jobs. So he signed up for this spring’s Academy.

“The insight you gain, seeing just how professional, efficient, and proficient the different (police department divisions) are, just made it even more impressive how amazing the West Valley PD is,” Nelson said. “Getting an inside look through the Citizens Academy has been probably one of the greatest things I’ve been able to do in recent years.”

Another participant in the academy came at it from a different perspective. Michael Finch is a member of West Valley City’s Professional Standards Review Board, which reviews citizen complaints, use-of-force occurrences, and vehicle pursuits involving the police department. “I’ve learned how well-trained West Valley City police officers are,” he said. “It’s just blown me away.”

That training and other standards led to the police department earning an advanced level of accreditation in 2021 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the first department in Utah

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“To see what officers deal with every day that they strap up and clock in is just amazing,” Nelson said. “My respect and admiration for them has gone off the charts.”

The next Citizens Academy will be held in the fall. l

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Continued from front page

Participants in the recent West Valley City Police Department’s Citizens Academy got the chance to sit with dispatchers at the Valley Emergency Communications Center. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Turf conversion grants awarded to seven Salt Lake County cities

In late April, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson announced the recipients of $1.1 million in turf conversion grants. Seven cities across the Salt Lake Valley will be awarded funds from the American Rescue Plan. Recipient cities are Bluffdale, Riverton, Sandy, South Jordan, Taylorsville, West Jordan and West Valley City.

Post-performance grants will be distributed to 21 approved projects to support conversion of turf on municipal property to water efficient landscaping.

“This is a visionary program and we’re helping cities who are already doing great things in working with their residents to be waterwise and eliminate some of the grass throughout our county,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “Water conservation is not one city’s duty, not one county’s duty, it’s not one household’s duty, we will make a difference by making the change together.”

In total, projects in the participating cities will remove 412,000 square feet of non-functional turf, saving 9 million gallons of water annually. The effort is part of a collaboration with Salt Lake County, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Dis-

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

trict, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns to supply resources to support water conservation.

“We are leading by example, so we are flipping the strip at our own city hall,” said Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson. “Water is so important but it isn’t handled the same in every city, so we’re excited to be able to individualize this and do what works in our city.”

With the help from mayors and councilmembers from every recipient city, West Jordan kicked off one of its projects with a “turf turn” to commemorate the occasion.

“We wouldn’t ask our residents to do something the city isn’t willing to do, as well, so we’re starting at our own house,” said West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton, who climbed into a mini excavator to begin the turf conversion project at West Jordan City Hall. “If enough people do these little things, it makes a big difference.” l

Local elected officials join Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson at West Jordan City Hall to kick off one of the turf conversion project designed to create water efficient landscaping at municipal buildings in the county. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County)

BECAUSE NO TWO ARE ALIKE

WestFest headlines summer events in West Valley

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

WestFest returns June 15-18 and headlines a busy summer of events in West Valley City. While the Maverik Center and the USANA Amphitheatre will offer big options such as Charlie Puth (USANA, June 28), Fall Out Boy (USANA, July 7) and 50 Cent (Maverik, July 21), there’s plenty of other options available including the ones below:

June

6th Puffs Production Opens, June 6 – July 1, West Valley Performing Arts Center

7th Pop Up Play at Hump Day Buffet, Fairbourne Station Promenade

8th WVPAC Gallery Exhibit: Puffs Exhibit Opening, 6 p.m.

8th Movie in the Park – “Top Gun,” Centennial Park

10th Salt Lake Men’s Choir Concert, UCCC, 6 p.m.

12th ARTrageous Thought Leaders Live with Jenny Barlow, 6 p.m., West Valley Performing Arts Center

16th Father’s Day Breakfast, Harman Senior Recreation Center

15th Movie in the Park – “DC League of Super-Pets,” Centennial Park

15-18th WestFest Celebration

19th Juneteenth Event, 3 p.m., UCCC

21st Hump Day Buffet Special: African Cultural Showcase, 6:30 p.m., Fairbourne Station Promenade

22nd World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, FFC

22nd Farmers Market Begins, 5-9 p.m., Centennial Park

22-24th Gerald Wright Classic Girls Fastpitch Tournament, Centennial Park

22nd Movie in the Park – “Top Gun Maverick,” Centennial Park

23rd ARTrageous Theater Arts Summer Camp Performance, 7 p.m., UCCC

26th ARTrageous Thought Leaders Live with Jim Christian, 6 p.m., WVPAC

26th Utah Symphony Concert, 8 p.m., UCCC

26-30th Harman Senior Recreation Center Camp Wrinkle

July

(National Parks and Recreation Month)

3-7th Family Week Events

3rd West Valley Symphony Concert, 8 p.m., UCCC

6th Movie in the Park – “Lightyear,” Centennial Park

7th Community First Friday, 6 p.m., UCCC

7th Skate Jam, Skate Park – Centennial Park

7th Rock Crawling Demo, Crawler Course – Centennial Park

10th Trio Los Charros Concert, 8 p.m., UCCC

11th Gallery Exhibit: What’s on Your Plate Opens, 6 p.m., UCCC

12th Hump Day Buffet Special: Mexican Cultural Showcase, 6:30 p.m., Fairbourne Station Promenade 1315th $1 admission to Family Fitness Center

13th Gallery Exhibit: Face of Utah Sculpture XIX

Opening Reception, 6 p.m., UCCC

13th West Valley High School Summer Showcase Art Exhibit Opens, 6 p.m., UCCC

15th Tree Planting

17th The Soulistics Concert, 8 p.m., UCCC

19th Pop Up Play at Hump Day Buffet, Fairbourne Station Promenade

20th Movie in the Park – “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” Centennial Park

21-23rd WVC Summer Sizzler Mini Z Race Event,

UCCC

26th Senior Countywide Cornhole Tournament, 10 a.m., Harman Senior Recreation Center

27th Luau Party, 5-7 p.m., Harman Senior Recreation Center

31st Coco Garcia Rumba Libre Band Concert, 8 p.m., UCCC

August

2nd Hump Day Buffet Special: BD Howes Band, 6:30 p.m., Fairbourne Station Promenade

3rd Movie in the Park – “Vivo,” Centennial Park

3rd Luau at Centennial Outdoor Pool (members only event), 6:30-8 p.m.

3rd “West Side Story” Production Opens, Aug 3-26, WVPAC

3rd WVPAC Gallery Exhibit: “West Side Story” Exhibit Opening, 6 p.m., WVPAC

4th Community First Friday: Face of Utah Sculpture Art Talk, 6 p.m., UCCC

7th Senior Safety Fair & Family Safety Fair, Family Fitness Center

7th Smiling Souls Reggae Band Concert, 8 p.m., UCCC

11th ARTrageous Theater Arts Summer Camp Performance, 7 p.m., UCCC

30th National Night Out, Fairbourne Station Promenade

WestFest returns June 15-18 to headline a busy summer of events in West Valley City. (File photos City Journals)

Cyprus girls golf finishes second in region, Chandra wins individual title

Led by the Region 2 individual champion, Cyprus girls golf finished second place in Region 2. Even though several of its players were new to the sport they stuck with it the entire season.

“We had a great team,” Cyprus head golf coach Zach Dickison said. “We had 12 players and some had never played golf before. It is fun to get them involved and see them stick with it.”

The Pirates placed second in the region to Roy High School. One stroke separated the two teams.

“When you think about the whole season, one shot would have made us region champions,” Dickison said.

In a typical season, the teams would have played seven or eight regular season tournaments, one for each school in its region. Because of the wet spring weather the UHSAA had to modify its rules and reduced that to five.

“The weather was crazy. We had to cancel so many tournaments,” Dickison said. “It made it

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

more challenging. At the start of the year, we could only practice inside and could not do much. It did not give us as much time as we would have liked, but we did what we could.”

Senior Madalin Chandra finished as the Region 2 individual champion. She averaged 83 shots per round which included a season-low 74 at Riverbend Golf Course. Her season average ranked her 18th overall in the state.

“She played so well and so consistent all season long. More than anything she has such a good attitude. When she misses a shot she has a short memory. That is a difficult thing to do as a golfer. She is also super helpful and friendly,” Dickison said.

At the state tournament, she was seen consoling another competitor.

“This girl was struggling on the first day at state. I saw her go over and pat her on the back. She said, ‘You’re OK and you got this.’ That is the kind of person she is,” Dickison said.

As a golfer she consistently drives 300 yards. Her coach describes it as “killing the ball.”

“Her swing is fundamentally sound. In her last region tournament she shot an incredible 74 even though it was windy,” Dickison said.

Chandra has played golf for several years and the team now includes her sister Katey.

She placed 23rd at the state golf tournament by shooting 175 over the two-day event. Her rounds included two birdies and one eagle (two shots under par).

“She has the potential to continue to play at the next level,” Dickison said.

Freshman Madilyn Hongell had a season average of 105 second best on the team. Katey Chandra, Lorryn France, Savannah Watkins and Kallie Harrison made up the rest of the varsity team.

“She (Hongell) has grown up around golf. I had no idea she was a golfer until she showed up at tryouts. She is really good,” Dickison said.

Hongell shot her season-best 90 at Mountain View Golf Course even though her father works at Stonebridge in West Valley. She did shoot a 114 at Stonebridge in her first tournament of the season.

“We had JV girls like Gracie Erickson, Devina Park and Avery Williams that were brand new to

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golf and caught on really quickly,” Dickison said. “Golf can be frustrating and tough to stick with. It can be challenging. They made steady progress and growth. Our team is all solid in the classroom and high achieving students. They are great girls.” l

The Cyprus girls golf team placed second in Region 2 this season; it came down to one stroke. (Photo courtesy of Zach Dickison)

People say they wish they’d had their grandkids first, but you can’t appreciate the ease of grandchildren without first swimming through the shark-infested sewer that is parenthood. The sleepless nights, the face-wrinkling worry and the gut-clenching idea that you’ve messed your kids up forever is all forgotten when you become a grandparent.

Most Wednesdays, my four youngest grandkids come over after school to play games, make crafts, eat Popsicles and cause random chaos. At 11, 7, 6 and 2, they’re young enough to still find me entertaining, but they also expect me to die at any moment because, at 54, I’m unbelievably old.

The 7- and 6-year-old granddaughters team up immediately, take their usual blood oath (“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”), then disappear for a while.

My 11-year-old grandson tries to teach me his newest Kung Fu moves while the 2-year-old crawls out the doggie door into the backyard.

As I practice my jabs and leg sweeps, and corral the 2yo back into the house, the 6yo and 7yo discuss how to creep into the attic through an opening in the pantry ceiling. They opt for Plan A which has them scaling pantry shelves to get into the crawl space. When I foil that idea, it’s back to the drawing board.

A second chance

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Now, the 2yo is missing. I send the girls to look outside and the grandson to hunt downstairs. Earlier, I’d closed my office door so she couldn’t get in, but I find her hiding under my desk, happily listening to us search for her.

While the 11yo beats me at Rack-O, I see the two girls mosey into the garage for Plan B. They look suspicious, so I follow and listen to them figure out how to carry the ladder into the pantry.

“Nope,” I say, as they jump 20 feet into the air.

“We’re just getting Popsicles,” one of them says. They scurry to the freezer and make a big show of picking out the perfect Popsicle before going back inside to resume planning.

The 2yo is missing. After a brief search, I find her sitting behind the recliner, eating Milk-Bones with our dog Jedi.

While the 11-year-old wins Yahtzee for

the third time in a row, I notice the two girls whispering on the couch. They’re on to Plan C: looking for materials to build a ladder since I foiled their earlier strategies. I get out the paints, rubber stamps and crayons and distract them with a craft project.

The 2yo is missing. I find her in the backyard, throwing Jedi’s balls down the window well. Jedi stares down at her favorite ball and looks at me like, “I guess you’re climbing into that spider-infested hole to get my squeaky ball.”

I gather everyone for dinner (only the 11yo eats) before realizing the 2yo is missing. I don’t have to look far. She’s in the hall, coloring the wall with a purple crayon. About this time, my husband gets home from

work to find me washing crayon off the wall. “Why weren’t you watching her?” he asks, like I’d encouraged the toddler to create a lavender mural in the hall. I respond by pouring a tablespoon of antifreeze in his Diet Coke.

Although my Wednesday nights are a bit scattered, I’m in no rush for these kids to get older. I’ve learned how fast children grow up and I don’t want to waste a single minute with them. Even better, these evenings are a lifeline to my daughters who are swimming that shark-infested sewer of parenthood.