West Valley Journal | May 2023

HUNTER DRAMA TEACHER KJERSTI PARKES IS GRANITE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S TEACHER OF THE YEAR

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Kjersti Parkes was beginning to suspect something was up. During an assembly at Hunter High School on April 13, she noticed the Granite District superintendent and several district leaders in the crowd. She leaned to her friend and whispered, “This might be for me.”

She was right. Granite Superintendent Rich Nye made a surprise announcement during the assembly, naming Parkes the 2023 Granite School District Teacher of the Year.

“This award is so well deserved,” Nye said. “Ms. Parkes has a love for teaching and anyone that has been in her classes or around her can feel and sense that love. We’re honored that as a graduate of Granite, Ms. Parkes continues to share her expertise, kindness and compassion as a teacher in our district.”

Parkes has taught drama and theater at HHS since 2010 and has been an educator in the district for 17 years. She was named an Excel Award winner for Granite earlier in the year and it had put her in the running for Teacher of the Year.

“It was kind of a blur,” she said. “I did not expect it and it was a little overwhelming. My family came on stage and my stu-

dents were all there…it was overwhelming but also really cool at the same time, and not expected.”

She learned her students had been in on the surprise and had kept the secret from her for a week. Looking back, she could see that her students were acting a bit suspicious, but she didn’t think much about it.

“There were so many clues I missed. There were people making sure I was in a certain place [during the assembly],” she said. “When I look back there was a ton of suspicious behavior but I just thought my students were being weird. They’re teenagers.”

As a graduate of HHS, in the class of 1997, Parkes loves teaching drama at the school where she experienced her first onstage performance. When she took the job, she replaced her theater teacher, who was retiring. She considers it an honor to carry on the tradition of excellence the school has established.

Parkes also carries on a legacy of award-winning educators. Her mom, Kristine Davis, was a previous Excel Award winner and a teacher at Hunter Junior High

Kjersti Parkes was named the 2023 Granite School District Teacher of the Year during a surprise announcement at Hunter High School. She has taught drama and theater at HHS since 2010. (Photo courtesy of Kjersti Parkes)

INTERMOUNTAIN MEDICAL CENTER: RANKED ONE OF THE TOP ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS IN THE USA

The Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Award highlights hospitals that demonstrate a superior quality of patient care in six domains:

• MORTALITY

• EFFECTIVENESS

• SAFETY

• EFFICIENCY

• PATIENT CENTEREDNESS

• EQUITY

BE A

KANYOS BIO - CELIAC DISEASE:

This is a two-part study is for adults 18 -70 years old. Which part you are put in will determine how long you will be in the study. It can be either 56 days or 58 weeks long. You must have a diagnosis of Celiac Disease either by a positive celiac serology test or a biopsy and have followed a gluten-free diet for at least 12 months to qualify.

HORIZON - UNCONTROLLED GOUT:

This is a four-part study for adults 18 years and older and can be up to 45 weeks long. You will have 18 visits and you will come to the clinic at least 11 times for blood draws. These visits will be 48 hours before you have the infusion, you will have infusions every week for 22 weeks, and they can take up to 2-3 hours. There is one phone call 30 days after your last infusion. You must have uncontrolled gout defined as meeting the following criteria: (a) you must have an elevated level of uric acid (b) you must maintain the serum acid with Allopurinol at the maximum medically appropriate dose of 300 mg, or with intolerable side effects meaning it didn’t work for you based on medical records or the subject informing us the Allopurinol didn’t work. You must also have one of the following symptoms of gout: The presence of at least one tophus (uric acid builds up around your joints) recurrent flares are defined as 2 or more flares in the past 12 months, or the presence of chronic gouty arthritis.

Virtual Study for Asthma

BATURA AVILLION ASTHMA:

PFIZER CHILD LYME DISEASE VACCINE:

• Are 12 years of age and older*

• Have had a clinical diagnosis of asthma by a healthcare professional

• Are actively using short-acting beta-agonist inhalers (as-needed rescue inhaler, such as albuterol) to control or reduce asthma symptoms, alone or in combination with either low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent® , Pulmicort® , or Asmanex®) or leukotriene inhibitor montelukast (Singulair), zileuton (Zyflo®), or zafirlukast (Accolate®)

• Meet additional study criteria

*Parental consent is required for individuals under 18 years of age.

This study is for children 12 years and older who have a diagnosis of Asthma from a prescribing healthcare provider. We will need documentation of diagnosis from medical records or a letter from your child’s physician. You must be capable of signing and understanding the eICF (including assent with parental/legal guardian consent for children ages 12 - 17 years old). Your child must be actively using a SABA (short-acting beta antagonist) alone or SABA on a background of either low-dose ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) or a LTRA (Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists such as Accolate, Montelukast, Singulair, and Zafirlukast. This study is 52 weeks long with 8 virtual visits. You will get paid $50 for each completed visit, and you will make a total of $400 for the study. You and or your child will be required to use the Science 37 app, which can be downloaded on your phone.

This study is for healthy children or children that have stable pre-existing chronic medical conditions. This is a study for children 5 to 17 years old. Children and their parents must be able to attend all appointments and phone calls. This study is 2 years long; there are 6 clinic visits and you will get paid $116 for each, as well as $116 for any unscheduled visits. There are 2 phone calls, and you will get $25 (parents or guardians will get this money) for each of those phone calls, and there is a weekly ediary that you will get paid $10 for upon completion. Parents will get $87.75 for any TeleHealth visits. This study is a 4-dose series; you will get your first 3 doses at your first appointment, your next dose during month 2 and month 3, and then your last dose at 18 months.

AZ BATURA Asthma Study Flyer_V3_09722

Thousands of teen girls’ interests sparked at SheTech Explorer Day

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Morethan 3,000 girls attending the ninth annual SheTech Explorer Day profited from the 1,000 mentors, tech companies and educational institutions who offered classes, tech zone experiences and advice to them.

“Think about something that you totally love, something you totally love to do,” said Cydni Tetro, president and one of the founders of Women Tech Council who oversaw SheTech Explorer Day. “Then think for just a moment how technology might be part of the things that you love to do. You’re going to have an opportunity today to see so many different technologies and to be able to apply to things that you love. Think about if you learn technology, how you can apply that and help us change the world—and some really big problems. Your objectives today are to learn about all sorts of things you don’t know about, to intentionally meet role models— hundreds of them. Take advantage of the time to go and meet those women; they are here because of you.”

Behind the “Imagine the Possibilities” SheTech Explorer Day, was a student board of about 100 girls.

SheTech’s student board has two ambassadors from each high school who serve a one-year term. As ambassadors, they share information at their schools, attend monthly events, belong to school SheTech clubs, and have opportunities interacting with women in tech, industry leaders and the governor.

Many of them participated in the SheTech summer internship program. Several donned cap and gown as seniors and 30 were honored with SheTech scholarships to further their education. Applications for the board and internship are open now at their website, www.shetechexplorer.com.

Hillcrest High Work-Based Learning

Facilitator Cher Burbank said her school’s ambassadors have promoted SheTech’s event

Jou r nals

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annually.

“I like how the day is interactive; they’re showcasing their innovation and changes in the industry, and it engages students year after year,” she said.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox supported that as he addressed the attendees.

“Technology is changing rapidly and it’s impacting every single experience that we have; it’s impacting every industry and we need more women involved in those industries,” he said. “I see some of the best leaders in technology in our state here and they are incredible women. You can look up to them. I look up to them. We’ve been working hard to remove those barriers in the past and that’s what today is all about. This will do more to remove barriers than anything else. These people here have broken down those barriers for you and are here to support you in exploration and journey in STEM.”

Tetro realizes the impact SheTech is making as former SheTech students become leaders.

“Last year, a presenter told me, ‘I’m teaching one of the workshops and the only reason I graduated in civil engineering is because I came to SheTech seven years ago. Another told me she had met a woman who was an aerospace engineer, and she decided, ‘I could become that person,’” she said.

Summit Academy senior Kaidence Johnson followed the footsteps of her older sister to serve on the student board. She also serves as vice president of her school’s SheTech Club, a group her sister founded.

“I love the message SheTech is sending of empowering women to get into STEM,” she said. “It’s definitely a field that is growing and I’ve seen on Instagram and on the news how powerful SheTech is. The program is exploding into every school across Utah and every tech industry, so it’s exciting to be

part of it.”

Hunter High senior Paris Ott also is a student board member.

“The end of my junior year, I didn’t know what direction I wanted to go and that’s when I came across the opportunity for the summer internship,” she said. “It was through that, I applied to be a board member and found my passion within STEM.”

She learned from data analysts, product managers and software engineers.

“Seeing their passion and the opportunities I had, I realized ‘this is something I can

go into.’ I started my school SheTech club and I’ve been helping others see opportunities. At Hunter High School, we have a lot of ethnic kids with Latina and Asian backgrounds. I think a lot of them don’t know that they even have opportunities, especially those like me, as a woman, to have a future in STEM. I think a lot of girls are scared to enter the STEM field because it’s been a male-dominated field. When I see all these women in STEM, it inspires me. I’ve gained so much confidence through this program, and I was able to get an internship with Pixar

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About 100 high school girls, seen here with Women Tech Council president Cydni Tetro and Gov. Spencer Cox, represent their high schools are part of the SheTech student board, which is now taking applications. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

because of SheTech.”

Johnson said that the male-dominance is changing.

“My dad works in tech and says the attitude is changing and they’d love women’s viewpoints, but there’s still the idea of 20 years ago when you didn’t have a chance,” she said.

During the day, students were engaged in workshops such as programming, engineering, robotics, biomedicine, web development, ChatGPT, virtual reality, entrepreneurship and others.

Copper Hills High sophomore Sadie Smith attended their first Explorer Day.

“It is a good way to learn more about different jobs and get that in-depth understanding of technology, specific for girls,” Smith said. “Having an organization run this that encourages women empowerment is cool.”

Riverton High junior Elizabeth Westwood said she was researching engineering and learned about SheTech’s student board and scholarship program.

“Explorer Day seemed like a perfect opportunity to learn more about that and about STEM,” she said. “I love physics and math, which isn’t everyone’s love, but it’s normal here.”

The TechZone offered hands-on learning about aerospace programs, 3D printing, automotive tech, gaming, aerial photography and more. Students also used creativity and visionary skills in the annual TechChallenge, with the guidance of industry mentors.

Participants chatted with Miss Utah Lyndsey Larsen, who shared she was a SheTech ambassador and summer intern as a Skyridge High student.

“I’m hoping I’m breaking stereotypes by talking about tech with a tiara,” she said. “I was really intimidated by math growing up, but I came to SheTech and realized that STEM is all around us. My experiences inspired me to take a kinesiology class. As a dancer, it was interesting to learn about the mind and the body and how that connection and the science behind that. That early exposure here at SheTech helped me want to pursue kinesiology with ballet performance for my college degree.”

Hillcrest High senior Morgan Khantivong, who plans to study English and zoology at Weber State, appreciated what she said.

“It made me see how anyone, no matter what your title is or how people may perceive you, can do whatever you want with your life,” she said.

Nearby, girls crowded around the University of Utah’s entertainment arts and engineering, where they learned about game development.

“We teach everything from the history of games to how to do it, like production, design, tech art, game art, programming, all of that culminating in publishing a game,” said academic adviser Miranda Klausmeier. “We want girls to disrupt the norm and envision their future where they can develop these games, whether it’s a traditional entertain-

EVENING SERIES

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

MAY

May 26 The Alapa Family and the Kulturang Pilipino Ensemble of Utah

May 27 Aladdin, Movie Sing-Along

JUNE

June 3 Murray Concert Band

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

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 Thurl Bailey with Marvin Goldstein

Aug 18-19 A Celtic Summer’s Night

Aug 25 Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

ment game, or an alternative game, say for the educational or medical field. These young women here are going to be our leaders in STEM fields.”

Through involvement with SheTech, Adobe Chief of Staff of Cloud Operations Jamie Dalton wants to engage more females into STEM by sharing more career choices.

“We have a community of women here who are wanting to give back and help these young women succeed,” she said. “A lot of times women are pitted against each other and don’t realize if you get into a good healthy environment, women can be your

biggest allies. For these high school girls, they’re going to have a really big advocacy group, cheering them on to success.”

Tetro said that is one of the reasons the Women Tech Council founded SheTech— to increase students’ exposure to women in STEM and to have that network “of thousands of women in STEM.”

“We interviewed a 1,000 girls, who said, ‘We don’t know any women in tech and that’s why we don’t enter STEM fields,’” she said. “We knew we could change that.” l

Aug 26 Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four

SEPTEMBER

Sept 1 4 HIMS

Sept 9 Trio Los 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.

East High ninth-grader Addy Feldman and 12th-grader Mia Feldman talk with Miss Utah Lindsey Larsen at the ninth annual SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Sunset Ridge Middle Schooler Reagan Darnell points out a point in her group’s presentation during the TechChallenge at the conclusion of SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Granite School District Art Olympics showcases students’ artistic talents

Her hands and clothing covered in clay, Emma Murdock meticulously smoothed her vase as she turned it on a ceramics sculpting wheel.

“This would be an altered piece,” the Hunter High School senior explained. “I threw the base and then I just kind of mapped out where I was going to do the lines, used my fingers and kind of added my own twist to it.” For the artistically uninitiated, “throwing” means to manually shape a ceramic or pottery sculpture while it rotates on the aforementioned wheel.

That attention to detail was necessary if Emma was to be in the running for an award at the 2023 Granite School District Art Olympics at Hunter High in West Valley City. The annual competition in March featured the top 10 art students from each of the district’s eight high schools. Entries were judged in nine categories from blackand-white drawings to watercolors to handbuilt ceramics.

Emma participated in last year’s Art Olympics, but she felt more prepared this time around. Still, it comes down to inherent talent. “A lot of the time, I just do it by heart. I have a concept I want to do and kind of use intuition from there.”

Students had a mere four hours to create their art pieces from start to finish. They were then judged by a panel of four professionals who work in the arts. “It’s really incredible what these kids are working on in such a short time,” said Noemi Veronica Hernandez-Balcazar, Granite School District arts coordinator. Most of the competitors were seniors and juniors, but a few were good enough to enter as underclassmen.

Rock Hampton recalled participating in what is now the Art Olympics when he was a student at Cottonwood High School in 2006. Now an art teacher at Hunter High School, he helped Hernandez-Balcazar organize the 2023 version. “This is such a fun event. Our goal is to get bigger and get more of the community to come and see,” Hampton said. “We really do have incredible artists at Granite.”

One of them is Wesley Johnson. He was outlining with pencil a picture of his mother, Rebecca, who stood a few feet away, arms slightly outstretched, eyes closed, in a meditational stance. “She’s really into yoga. This is one of the easiest poses for her to hold for a long time,” said the senior at Granger High School.

“I was originally going to do a pose based on a Nirvana (album) cover, but plans change,” he added. “I just kind of roll with it.” With 25 minutes left, Wesley hoped to “bring in some pretty fun colors” to his artwork of his mom.

When time was up, the panel of four art professionals judged the entries, picking

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

the top three in each category. It was their first time judging the Art Olympics.

“Originality is a big part of what we’re looking for,” said Joe Van Leeuwen, a retired longtime art teacher at Cyprus High School.

“There’s also emotion with that and skill level. There’s a lot of things coming into play as we discuss it,” said fellow judge Abe Kimball, a lithographer and adjunct visual arts instructor at Snow College in Ephraim.

“All it takes is a look at the news these days and you’d think the world’s going to crap,” said judge Frank McEntyre, a local sculptor. “These kids are working, being creative, and trying to do good things in the world.”

With an art background in 3D and ceramics, judge Amber Egbert teaches parttime at BYU and Utah Valley University. “It’s been really fun to interact with the students and see their creativity and ideas take shape.”

Seeing the work of other student artists inspires Emma to step her game up. “I think the competitiveness is really exciting because you don’t really get that a lot (in a daily classroom setting),” she said.

She hopes to pursue art in college. “We’ll see what happens. I would love to continue to do ceramics, even if I don’t major in it.” l

Hunter High School student Emma Murdock puts the finishing touches on one of her entries at Granite School District’s 2023 Art Olympics competition featuring the top art students in the District’s eight high schools. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Wesley Johnson, a senior at Granger High School, works on a pencil drawing of his mother as she poses during the Granite School District’s annual Art Olympics in March. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Fourth-graders at Neil Armstrong Academy campaign to bring Golden Spike back to Utah

When David Pendleton visited the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University last summer, he was excited to see the Golden Spike. The spike is 17.6-karat gold and was the ceremonial final spike used to join the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 at Promontory Point in Utah.

Pendleton was shocked to find there was no special display for the Golden Spike, not even a label explaining its historical significance. As a fourth-grade teacher at Neil Armstrong Academy (5194 Highbury Pkwy.), he created an assignment for his students to write letters to the museum in the hopes of bringing the spike home to Utah.

“We’re not trying to disparage or criticize Stanford University in any way, but we do believe that part of history belongs here in Utah,” Pendleton said. “When I told [students] about the experience I had, right away they understood.”

The assignment turned into the student-led Spikes2Utah media campaign that was officially launched on April 7 at Armstrong Academy. Students are requesting that the Cantor Arts Center loan the Golden Spike, Silver Spike and Silver Maul to Utah, recognizing the state’s place in history.

“Starting to think about Utah’s history is just getting me really excited about it,” said fourth-grader Katie Foster. “I want to be a part of something big.”

Working with media partners, Pendleton’s students are promoting a letter-writing campaign and invite Utah residents to submit their own letters to Neil Armstrong Academy, Attn: Spikes2Utah, 5194 Highbury Parkway, West Valley City, Utah,

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

84120 or on the Spikes2Utah.org website. All submissions are due by May 10, the anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony.

Students also created a YouTube video and social media pages to spread the word. Broadway Media Group and Compass Billboards donated ad space for the campaign and all Utah schools are invited to participate.

“I am so proud of these kids. They have been working so hard over the last several weeks on this campaign,” Pendleton said. “We have received tremendous help from the community.”

There were actually four spikes used in the celebration ceremony at Promontory Point in 1869: The Golden Spike (or Last Spike); the Nevada Silver Spike; and the Arizona Spike, which was a blend of iron, silver and gold. The fourth spike has been lost to history. In January, the historic Silver Spike was sold for $2.22 million at a Christie’s auction to an anonymous bidder.

“We believe the Golden Spike, the Silver Spike and the hammer that was used at the ceremony at Promontory Point in 1869 belongs in Utah,” said fourth-grade student Jaden Chadwick.

Pendleton said he’d like Stanford to offer the display as a permanent loan so the spikes and hammer can be on display at the new Museum of Utah being constructed near the Utah State Capitol. The museum is expected to open in 2026.

“Regardless of the outcome, this is something that the kids will remember,” Pendleton said. “Engaging in civic discourse and learning how to be an activist for things that you care about is important. Hopefully, that’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” l

Jersey Hermansen, a fourth-grade student at Neil Armstrong Academy, takes part in the official launch of Spikes2Utah, a letter-writing campaign intended to convince the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University to loan the Golden Spike to a museum in Utah. (City Journals)

Fourth-grade students at Neil Armstrong Academy take part in the official launch of Spikes2Utah, a letter-writing campaign intended to convince the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University to loan the Golden Spike to a museum in Utah. (City Journals)

David Pendleton, a fourth-grade teacher at Neil Armstrong Elementary, created a letter writing campaign for his students to convince the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University to loan the Golden Spike to a museum in Utah. (City Journals)

City formalizes Healthy West Valley Committee

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

It’s been five years in the making.

The West Valley City Council approved the creation of the Healthy West Valley Committee in late March.

“We’re happy to promote the ordinance that would create them as an official body,” City Manager Wayne Pyle said prior to the vote.

The decision was unanimous from the council with Councilmembers Don Christensen and Jake Fitisemanu being particular proponents of the group for years.

“Thank you so much for supporting our coalition in making an effort to improve the health of people here in West Valley,” Kevin Nguyen, committee chair, told the council.

The group first started meeting in 2018 as Healthy West Valley consisting of local officials and community organizations. While its first step was to gather data, its aims included promoting health and wellness, expanding education in the community and connecting resources and programs.

Craig Thomas, director of neighborhood services, explained the group’s common interest was addressing the health of residents. Over the last year, the coalition created its own vision and mission statements to better organize its efforts. Members come from various community stakeholders including churches, healthcare providers, city officials, Salt Lake County, Granite School District and domestic services.

“It’s a very diverse coalition with a lot of different partners and there’s a lot of collaboration in helping make West Valley a place for people to be healthy and to thrive,” said Julia Glade, a health educator with Salt Lake County and member of the committee.

Thomas said it’s only a sample size of the interested parties

as councilmembers have attended meetings as well as multiple divisions just within University of Utah Health.

“The energy behind the group is pretty dynamic and groups are really interested in coming to the table and participating,” Thomas said.

While the group could continue as its own coalition, Thomas and coalition members pointed to the upgraded level of commitment associated with official city status.

“You’ve said the health of the citizens matters enough to make that a part of every single decision that you make and that is important,” Granger Christian Church Pastor Vinetta Wilkerson told the council, highlighting this committee as a “pathway.”

“It’s something I’m very proud to be associated with West Valley for and something that means lot to the community that we serve.”

Besides the long-term stability that being a city committee brings, members also highlighted an improved efficiency with documentation, greater access to additional funding and grant opportunities and a stronger voice as reasons for the formalization.

Thomas said the benefits help allow for further networking, a significant impact on the health of residents and an improved self-image as the city can “view itself as a healthy community.”

For 2023, the committee is focused on three areas: health education and access, mental health and data, advocacy and funding.

Its work appeared on the same night the committee was formed as Christensen read a city proclamation declaring a “health in all policies” process within the city. The coalition,

in collaboration with Salt Lake County and the nonprofit Get Healthy Utah, generated a “health lens checklist to support city departments in implementing a health-focus too in the work, policies and projects that impact residents within the city.”

Nguyen, who was born and raised in West Valley City and works in public health, expressed just how grateful he is for this step having been with the coalition since it began.

“To have a city be really committed to make an impact on community health, it means a lot to me as a resident.” l

K. FROME, DO Pediatrics

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.

SERVICES

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The City Council approved of its Healthy West Valley Committee. (Stock photo)

Council split on putting government change on the ballot

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Potentialof putting West Valley City’s form of government on this year’s ballot cooled in April as a slight majority of the council seemed to be against the idea.

Discussions had heated up with even tentative plans being made by councilmembers in favor of the idea to place a resolution on a council agenda in April to kickstart the process.

But after comments from Rep. Elizabeth Weight in an early April council meeting and feedback from residents to councilmembers, at press time there were no further plans for council to consider the ballot-placing proposal, though the matter is not forgotten as one councilmember plans to bring the idea to each resident’s home during his campaign this year. How it started

After an initial discussion in February where the different forms of government between council-manager (under which the city currently functions) and the council-mayor were presented, Councilman Tom Huynh requested the subject be broached again in a March 21 study meeting where Huynh said the council should informally vote whether to put this on the agenda for the first week in April.

Huynh suggested they consider the council-mayor and seven voting members of the council as the other option to choose adding term limits to the mayor’s time in office. Some councilmembers balked at the hastiness. While Huynh felt they had enough time to consider the matter between Feb. 7 and March 21 to study the issue in addition to speaking about the idea multiple times, Councilmembers Lars Nordfelt, Don Christensen and Jake Fitisemanu all said they never spoke about what forms they could change to nor anything about term limits.

“This is something we can’t just jump into,” Fitisemanu said at the time with all three voicing a need to thoroughly study the topic and involve the public as much as possible.

West Valley City currently operates under a council-manager format where the council acts as the legislative body, setting policy and the city manager implements that policy running day-to-day operations as the city’s CEO.

While there are several forms of government with each having minor differences, the two primary forms are West Valley’s council-manager and a council-mayor form of government.

The council-mayor, or more commonly known as the “strong mayor” format, is what cities such as Sandy and West Jordan currently operate. In this form the council sets policy legislatively through budget and ordinance while the mayor sets administrative policy and oversees day-to-day operations.

Sandy and West Jordan, for example, have a mayor and seven-person council.

West Valley City has always operated under the council-manager format with six councilmembers and the mayor essentially serving as the chair of the council and voting member.

Nordfelt was against putting the form of government on the ballot. He noted the current form has “been working very well for our city.” With a city manager they have a qualified leader chosen by seven elected officials.

“Seven heads are better than one and we can make better decisions as a council with one employee, our city manager, that we can hire or fire,” he said. With a mayor, he added, you would have to wait until the next election.

The position would become more political, he argued, with the mayor making decisions to get votes and not in the best interest of the city whereas a city manager must enact the policies implemented by the council. Thus, diluting the power of the council.

Plus, he added, it would increase costs, they would need to pay a full-time mayor and whoever the mayor hires in their office, pointing to Salt Lake City as an example of a larger mayor’s office. Some councils hire their own staff as well leading to duplicate efforts by council staff and city staff.

“It’s too big of a risk,” he said, before later adding it’s their responsibility in the city’s representative republic to do what’s best for the city.

“What we’ve had has been serving our city very well,” Nordfelt said. “Even if it’s a little bit harder for our residents to understand, but that’s why they elect us to study the issues…and make the decisions that will hopefully be best for our city in the long term.”

“I think it’ll please the people who are seeking for power.”

Residents should decide the issue

Huynh highlighted Murray and Taylorsville as two examples of cities with a council-mayor form of government that run smoothly, having the mayor and the council as separate branches would serve as checks and balances.

A city manager can leave if they get a

better offer elsewhere, he argued, saying the mayor would also have to live in the city where the city manager does not.

The council wouldn’t choose the new form, Huynh said, the people would choose it. “We’re not going to make the decision, they would make that decision for us.”

Fitisemanu said there were pros and cons to either form of government, emphasizing the need the educate residents. He guessed most of the council probably “had no clue” what being on the council actually entailed, how it functioned and that there were different forms of governments for cities prior to joining.

While it is “up to the citizenry and absolutely their right” to choose, Fitisemanu said, “it’s also responsible and accountable for us to inform folks on what they’re voting on and let them make their own decision.”

He advocated to form an ad hoc or resident committee or have town halls to further elicit community feedback.

Councilmember Scott Harmon, who initially asked for a report from city staff on how a change could occur, supported a town hall. He was in favor of allowing the residents to vote.

“They should have an option to vote on it,” he said. “They’re not all going to be well versed in that topic but to go 40-plus years without the option brought to them, I think it’s time.”

If the council did approve a resolution to put it on the ballot, they would need to hold two public hearings within 45 days and would have 60 days to withdraw the resolution, but after that the vote would go to the people in the November election.

Harmon said to go through those meetings and pending public feedback, they can pull it back.

Mayor Karen Lang said in the March meeting her feedback from residents was in favor of a change, and supported the idea to let them choose, but agreed education would be essential.

Councilmember Will Whetstone, agreed with Nordfelt on many of his points, but felt residents should decide the issue.

How it’s going

The council ended its March 21 meeting with plans to discuss what the next steps of a resolution and public engagement would be. But discussions in the March 28 and April 4 study meetings were postponed.

Rep. Weight spoke to the council in the April 4 council meeting expressing concern at the process and the lack of public information on a potential decision that could “affect fundamental elements in our city’s governance.”

Residents are unaware of the “various forms of government, contrasts, pros, cons” as well as the concept they might have to vote on this process within the year.

“Even the council discussing a resolution step belongs in open focus meetings,” she said.

Weight requested the council ensure organized public meetings are held, one in every district, with clear presentations about the forms of government with informational materials and summary reports prepared on what residents want.

Two weeks later, April 18, Huynh said in the council study meeting that residents pay attention and the fact no one had come to speak or sit in on their meetings showed the lack of controversy on the topic.

Huynh, who plans to run for reelection in District 1 for his fourth term, said he would be informing residents in his door-to-door campaigning.

“(I plan) to bring this matter to every single voter on their front step,” he said.

In his time serving in the city and campaigning (he’s run for mayor twice) he said about 100 people have asked him why they don’t change the form of government.

But other councilmembers said they heard differently from their residents. Fitisemanu said in his efforts, only two asked to consider the change. From the rest—his social media and visits to nine different community watch groups—voiced no desire to change.

He wasn’t willing to put it on the ballot because of timing and “the fact folks aren’t raising this issue citywide.”

Whetstone, the de facto swing vote, said he only heard from one resident in favor of changing while the rest preferred to keep the status quo.

“I don’t think in good conscience, I could ignore that,” he said, later adding, “I can’t vote for it without more input.”

Whetstone said he too prefers the current form of government, but “won’t stand in the way of allowing residents the opportunity to choose.”

At press time, there were no further plans to discuss the matter further.

West Jordan voted to change their form of government from council-manager to council-mayor in 2017 and enacted in 2020. Seen here in 2019, the mayor sat on the dais with the council and was replaced with another councilmember. (File photo Erin Dixon/City Journals)

Continued from front page

School.

Teaching theater and drama gives Parkes the opportunity to help students find their voice, learn to connect with others and develop empathy. She believes the communication skills they learn in her classes help make them better equipped to deal with the world in a healthy way.

“In theater, you have to communicate with each other and a lot of students, bless their hearts, I think it’s the generation they’re growing up in, they have lost the art of communication because they live their lives on their devices,” she said. “When kids finish their work, it’s dead silence because they’re all on their phones. With drama, you can’t disengage. You have to be engaged.”

She said working as a theater group teaches students to come together to create something they’re proud of. Learning to step into a character’s shoes allows them to learn about themselves in ways they can’t experience anywhere else.

“The art of performance helps kids develop confidence in themselves which a lot of kids need to do,” she said. “I try to create an environment where it’s safe to take risks and it’s safe to explore. I really think theater teaches you how to be human.”

Parkes lives in West Jordan with her two dogs, 14-year-old Eponine and 2-yearold Molly. l

Pirates slugging away in competitive Region 2

Photos by Travis Barton

Photo:

Bree Garcia unleashes a pitch at Taylorsville in a come-from-behind 5-4 victory on the road. At press time, Cyprus was 10-3 and 6-1 in region with Garcia serving as the team’s primary pitcher.

Khloie Kramer looks to slap the ball down the third base line in the Pirates come-from-behind victory at Taylorsville. With Hunter and Taylorsville enjoying resurgent years along with traditional power West, Region 2 is proving a battle for Cyprus. But the squad’s bats are alive hitting .421 with 128 runs through its first 12 games.

Salt Lake City Rotary Club launches fundraising effort to expand transitional living services

TheSalt Lake City Rotary Club supports the expansion of the Salt Lake County Youth Services Milestone Transitional Living Program and is raising the money to prove it. The Milestone TLP provides crucial transitional housing and support services for adults from 18 to 21 who have aged out of the foster care system or are at risk of homelessness.

The club held a kickoff event on March 28 to launch its fundraising efforts, with a goal to raise $3.5 million to purchase and renovate two five-plex properties to house young adults. Spring 2024 is the target for when the money is raised and the properties purchased. Since the event, Salt Lake Rotary has already raised roughly $250,000 for this project.

“We are thrilled to be launching this fundraising campaign to support the Milestone TLP,” said Jeff Young, president of the Salt Lake City Rotary Club in a press release. “This program has already made a significant impact in the lives of so many young adults who have experienced homelessness and with the community’s support we can do even more to help those in need.”

Currently, the Milestone TLP provides housing for young adults for up to 18 months and offers services such as case management, life skills training, education and employment support and mental health counseling.

This is the only program of its kind in Salt Lake County and many consider it crucial to address the increase in the youth homeless population. The Milestone TLP started operating in 2012 and has served more than 250 young adults. In 2022, 86% of the young adults that exited the Milestone TLP were success-

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

fully housed and were employed, attending school or both.

“It’s been said that it takes a village to take care of our young, and the partnership with the Salt Lake City Rotary Club provides the opportunity for youth experiencing homelessness in our community to change the trajectory of their lives,” said Mina Koplin, in a media release. Koplin is the current section manager of Salt Lake County Youth Services and former program manager of the Milestone TLP for more than eight years.

More than 120 young people age out of the foster care system in Utah each year, which means they are no longer wards of the state. These young adults are often at risk for homelessness, substance abuse, crime and other dangerous situations.

Funds raised through the campaign will go toward expanding the program to provide additional housing for young adults at risk of homelessness and other negative outcomes. The goal is to have young adults moving into the new facilities in the fall of 2024.

Information on the Salt Lake City Rotary Club’s website shows that people experiencing chronic homelessness cost the public between $30,000 and $50,000 per person per year because of repeated emergency rooms and hospital visits, jails, psychiatric centers, detox and other crisis services. This cost is more than double the maintenance costs for the Milestone Living Program.

For more information on Milestone TLP visit SLCRotary. org. l

More than 120 people age out of the foster care system in Utah each year. The Salt Lake City Rotary Club is raising $3.5 million to expand services for these young adults to help them find housing and employment. (Stock photo)

SBOs from Granite District high schools create an anti-slur campaign

Student body officers from the eight Granite District high schools came together to create an anti-slur campaign, sharing the message that words have power. With help from district leaders, SBOs from Taylorsville, Cyprus, Olympus, Granger, Skyline, Kearns, Hunter and Cottonwood high schools created and launched the video “Stand Together, Speak Out, Make a Difference.”

The video invites viewers to walk in someone else’s shoes to see how slurs, derogatory language and hurtful words have an impact on individuals.

During the April 11 Granite District school board meeting, the SBOs were recognized for their work on the video and the efforts they have made at their schools to bring about inclusion, acceptance and change.

“It was so fun to have the district reach out to us. We had a big part in coming up with a lot of the script, which was super cool,” said Skyline Student Body President Max Stewart. “We thought this was such a fantastic idea and a message that really needed to be heard.”

Student leaders shared their own experiences being targeted because of their culture, heritage or skin color. They thanked the district for its action in bringing attention to the

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

problem and hope the video starts conversations to foster respect and understanding.

The campaign inspired the SBOs to create programs in their own schools to further the message. Olympus High introduced Kindness Week, where students were encouraged to demonstrate acts of kindness to the school community. Cottonwood High SBOs started the “Acceptance Starts with U” campaign to encourage empathy and kindness.

“Obviously, Cottonwood is one of the more diverse schools and due to that there’s also more racism, which is kind of hard to say, but it’s a reality,” said Cottonwood High Student Body President Jario Licona.

While many slurs and comments can be obviously hurtful, many microaggressions often go unaddressed. The Harvard Business Review defines microaggression as “When someone says or does something that feels hostile or offensive to some aspect of our identity, and the person doesn’t even realize it.”

Microaggression includes phrases like, “What country are you really from?” or “Don’t be so sensitive” or “I don’t see color.” The anti-slur video encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and words and understand the importance of

speaking up when hearing or witnessing derogatory comments. It also demonstrates the importance of developing empathy by showing kindness and compassion.

The Stand Together, Speak Out, Make a Difference video is available on YouTube.

“I want to express how proud I am of this group,” said Granite School District Su-

perintendent Rich Nye. “When we meet with our SBOs, we are talking about those issues of importance for our students as they’re occurring in our schools, and then they leverage their leadership to make that effective change. When we think of bullying and harassment and discrimination in our schools, there’s simply no place for it.” l

Student body officers from Taylorsville, Cyprus, Olympus, Granger, Skyline, Kearns, Hunter and Cottonwood high schools created a video to address slurs and derogatory language at school. Several SBOs attended a Granite District board meeting to present the video to board members. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)

Granite School District considers west side school boundary changes, possible closures

Shifting student enrollment patterns has the Granite School District looking at future school boundary changes and possible closures.

The District held three public meetings in April—the first of many in the coming months—to explain how declining enrollments at several elementary schools within the Cyprus, Hunter and Kearns high school networks could lead to a change in boundaries to better balance enrollment numbers and optimize the use of school buildings.

District officials say there is a remote chance one or two elementary schools could be shuttered in the process but the preference is to redo the boundaries around each school. “It’s less about closures and more about realigning (the boundaries for) the junior high feeders,” said school district spokesman Ben Horsley. He noted that Matheson Junior High’s 1,200 students are about 200 to 400 more than is ideal.

The changes could also lead to the reopening of Brockbank Junior High School. It was closed in 2016 but the campus currently provides additional classroom space

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

for nearby Cyprus High School. That need will go away when the new Cyprus High opens in fall 2025.

The school district is also considering whether to reconfigure grade levels in the schools with elementaries teaching kindergarten through fifth grades and junior highs adding sixth-grade students to grades seven and eight. Any changes would be implemented at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

The process will involve more than just moving students around to make the numbers fit. “Do we consider what some people call ‘at-risk factors,’ demographics, socio-economics, all of those? Absolutely,” said Steve Hogan, the school district’s director of planning and boundaries.

About 100 people attended a hearing at Matheson on April 5. Several parents asked questions or commented about the proposed changes. One parent asked about safety walking to and from school factoring into any decisions to close or redo the boundaries of a school. Another parent inquired about the future of special programs like dual language immersion in affected schools. Horsley assured that such

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programs would continue and the safest routes for getting to school are always considered.

Horsley stressed the importance of upcoming public meetings and other outlets for feedback to determine the best course of action. “Would you please help people understand we have not made any decisions yet,” he said. “We would be remiss if we did not come to our school community first and ask what you thought about our challenge and our problem and got recommendations from you before we start the process of formally developing some alternatives and opportunities.”

“There’s no perfect solution,” Horsley added. He said the number of students attending Granite District schools has gone from 72,000 in 1998 to about 60,000 today but the number of operating schools has remained the same. School closures during that time have not kept pace with the rate of declining enrollment. There is more school capacity than there are students to fill it.

In December, the Granite School District Board members voted to close Millcreek, Spring Lane, and Twin Peaks ele-

mentary schools at the end of the current school year because of dwindling enrollment. Prior to that, Westbrook and Carl Sandburg elementary schools ceased operations in 2020 for the same reason.

Even when schools are closed, Granite School District is reluctant to sell or otherwise dispose of the properties in case the buildings are needed in the future. Westbrook is one example as it is now housing Westlake Junior High School students while the latter is being rebuilt because of age and damage from the March 2020 earthquake.

Additional meetings and opportunities for the public to comment on the latest proposed changes will be held over the coming months.

Final recommendations will be presented to the Granite District School Board in the fall when members will vote on any boundary changes and school closures.

“Everything’s on the table,” Hogan said.

For more information, visit www. graniteschools.org/planning/population-analysis-studies. l

LEWIS, FNP-C

Steve Hogan, Granite School District director of planning and boundaries, shows elementary school enrollment numbers to parents and others at a public meeting in April at Matheson Junior High School in Magna. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

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Rainy weather hasn’t dampened the Wolverines successful softball season

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

The Hunter High School softball team is dedicated to excellence on the diamond. Despite several rainouts, which have severely hindered their ability to practice and hone their skills, the team has seen success so far this season.

“It has been a little bit difficult,” Wolverines head coach Heather Carlson said about the spring weather they have had to deal with. “We have been good about covering the field. It has been some crazy weather. This team has been resilient. When we were inside we were focused on getting things done. We have made the best of it.”

The players have accepted the challenge laid out by their coaches and have risen to the occasion. They’ve managed to put some impressive stats up, especially at the plate. Freshman Kenya Lapuaho has been an anchor in the batting order with a batting average of over .600. At the same time, senior sluggers Landry Gold, Trinidi Gasu, and junior Ivy Den Boer have all shown an impressive power stroke with two home runs each.

“Early in the season, we have been hitting with power. This year has definitely been unusual. They have attributed that to reps and hitting drills in the gym. They have been dialed in on pitches they want to hit,” Carlson said.

The Wolverines have belted 12 home runs in their first eight games.

“We have really been coming together as a team. They have been super unselfish. They play whatever position I ask. Some have played in places they have never played before. The girls have said they will play anywhere, whatever the team needs,” Carlson said.

The team has also had some great outings on the mound, with sophomore Kinsley Lawrence leading the way. She has gone 2-1 this season.

“She (Lawrence) has improved from last year. She is a sophomore and has had a lot more control of her ball,” Carlson said. “Kenya is amazing she can step on the field and play anywhere. My senior first baseman (Sadie Boynton) does not let anything past her. All of my girls have improved in one way or another.”

Lapuaho was selected to join the first-ever U-15 women’s national team. She will represent the United States in the Pan Am Championship in Japan, June 2-4.

“She went to a tryout and has been working for and trying to be a better softball player. She is a great leader and has a good softball IQ. Her teammates look up to her and listen. That helps to have it coming from a teammate it carries a lot more weight,” Carlson said.

The team is looking to finish their season strong and make a run at a state championship. Their dedication and skill have been evident all season, and if they continue to play at their current level, Hunter High has a great shot at going deep into the playoffs.

“We just need to keep seeing and hitting the ball. Our defense is coming along as we continue to do that it will be awesome,” Carlson said.

This is Carlson’s eighth season as the team's head coach. At the press deadline, they were seeded 14th in the UHSAA’s ratings and have a 5-3 overall record. The state tournament is scheduled to begin May 1315. The championship will be held at BYU on May 25 and 26. l

The spring weather has not held the Wolverines softball team back this season even though they have practiced several times inside their gymnasium. (Photo courtesy of Heather Carlson)

Samba Fogo is ‘a celebration of self’ through dance says director

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

Lorin Hansen, the director of Samba Fogo, started her journey into Samba Fogo Brazilian dance while studying modern dance at the University of Utah. She started dating Mason, her husband. Mason was working at the dance department at University of Utah. He joined a drum group that one of Hansen’s professors started. It was a drum group to teach dancers about rhythm. Hansen had never touched a drum, but she had some piano experience and she did gymnastics. She was mostly a dancer, but she ended up joining with Mason.

It was in 2001 that Hansen first saw Samba dance. In 2003, the professor that started the drum group asked Hansen and Mason to take over the drum group so he could retire. There was no dance component at that time, but with Hansen being a dancer they started to add dance into the mix. She was running the Samba class for seven years, then in 2009 she got nonprofit status officially on paper with the state.

Hansen and the drum group ended up going to California to study Brazilian drumming, and that is where Hansen first saw Brazilian dance.

“It captured my heart in the Redwood forest,” she said.

This is a camp that she has returned to every August for the past 20 years in the Redwood forest. The dance floor is outside, with no mirrors and that is where she learned Samba in a natural and open place.

At the camp she meets and gets to know a wealth of teachers. She has over a 100 music and dance teachers who have guided Lorin and taught her and she has been to Brazil four times to study. In 2018 and 2019 she entered a Samba contest in Los Angeles to study at the International Samba Congress. It was called the Female Malandro contest. Malandro Samba is a male style of Samba, but this was a contest for females to dance male style in a suit and fedora. Hansen won the contest in

2018 and 2019 winning two airline tickets to Brazil as a prize. Her Samba group won a group contest at the female malandro contest. Lorin stayed in Brazil for six weeks in 2018 and seven weeks in 2019 and studied Samba dance. She came home in 2020 and hasn't flown to Brazil since, because of Covid.

With Hansen having a background in ballet, gymnastics and modern dance she found a whole other way of moving and knowing the body.

“Perceiving dance's role in society I think is a completely different perspective of what dance is, and what it can do for us. For me it was this magical world. We call Samba a celebration of self. It taught me how to look in the mirror and gave me permission to celebrate myself and bolden myself. It taught me that I have a very excitable beast inside of me. Samba released that beast and released a loud excitement with loud drums, and the music is fast. I never encountered that part of myself until Samba brought it out in me,” Hansen said.

Samba Fogo goes into five different

school districts to teach. They do schoolwide assemblies with two dancers and three drums and talk about the language and history of Samba. They play different rhythms and bring costumes for the students to see and get students and teachers up dancing. They do guest classes, or residencies and work with the students and then they are ready to perform.

Hansen plants organic gardens and trees and she realized, “when you plant you are dancing and repeating movements, you can choreograph those movements,” she said. They do a tree planting ceremony for this event. “When you are pushing the dirt, digging the hole, and planting the tree you choreograph dance,” Lorin said.

May 15 is the “Plant Your Feet” performance at the Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park. The classes are held at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South. Guest artists from Brazil teach classes for the Plant Your Feet project.

For more information go to: info@ sambafogo.com or 801-520-0444 l

Samba Fogo group dancing in red dresses. (Courtesy David Terry)

Two dancers in Samba Fogo. (Courtesy David Terry) Samba Fogo dancers. (Courtesy David Terry)

How to start a business

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

Do you have a bright idea for a new business? May is small business month, and according to Forbes council member, Terry Tateossian, “each year 305 million startups are born…out of them, only 10% are likely to succeed.”

So, how do you start up a business and where do you go after that to ensure you are part of that 10%? Before you give up on that dream, or invest your money aimlessly, you may want to take a look at just some of the practical steps to get your business up and going.

• Do your research. Look at the competition in your area. Perform a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) on the business niche you want to start.

• Name your business. Check out the United States Patent and Trademark Office (www. USPTO.gov) to see if your ideal name is available. A tip here: before choosing a name, check to see if that name is available through promotional avenues such as a website domain and social media handles. You may choose to secure them here, or we’ll cover that a few steps down.

• Decide how your business will be set up (i.e., LLC, nonprofit, joint venture, etc.).

• Register your business with your state and obtain your EIN (employee identification number). This is essentially your tax ID number. This is also a prime opportunity to use a professional business service, a business information service, or even hire an attorney to help you complete this step. This is especially helpful for home-based businesses as often attorney offices will let you use their physical address for your business, therefore protecting your home address information.

• Set up a business financial account and your accounting system. It is important to keep your personal account and your business account separate. Your tax adviser will thank you.

• If not done when naming your business, this is the time to secure your website and social media handles. There are many sites to accomplish registering your domain name, but my personal favorite is Squarespace. You may also choose to register an email domain, this often provides added credibility to your business.

• Depending on your type of business, you’ll need to secure pertinent permits, licenses, and insurances. Once again, this is where using a professional service or lawyer may be helpful in completing these final steps to protect your business and ensure you are within all legal requirements.

• Set up your systems. From email databases and newsletters to creating lead magnets and referral programs (i.e., ConvertKit and MailChimp). If applicable, hire your staff and set up payroll and benefits systems too.

• Promote! Promote! Promote! This may include simplicities of business cards and signage, to even joining your local chamber of commerce, Rotary Club, and setting up Yelp and Google Review accounts. Developing your brand and a marketing plan can help keep you on track in meeting goals and evaluating the data of what works for your business and what doesn’t.

Still not sure where to begin? Check with resources within your local community such as financial institutions, your local chamber of commerce, and even colleges and universities for their small business startup classes and trainings. Yes, starting a business can seem like a daunting task. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t— you’re right!” So, what are you waiting for? There is no better time to start working on your dreams than right now.

Want to dive in deeper to the ins and outs, tips and tricks of starting a business? Check out the following episodes on Holly’s Highlights podcast:

• How to Start a Business with Holly Curby (Season 1, Episode 2)

• Year-end Finances with Tony Wolff (Season 1, Episode 12)

• Preparing for the Unexpected with David York (Season 2, Episode 11)

Holly’s Highlights podcast is available at www.hollycurby.com, and wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and even “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast.” l

South Valley Chamber hosts Business Bootcamp. (Photo courtesy South Valley Chamber)

West Valley business owner on a mission to help people think like a giant

Back in 2009, Nicholas Townsend Smith was going through some tough times. He was bankrupt, his house had been foreclosed and he was getting food through a welfare program. At the lowest time in his life, a person lifted him up and helped him see the world differently.

That experience led him to create his book “The Giants and the Smalls.” Published in 2020, the illustrated book is geared toward children, but the message is for adults, too.

“It’s my metaphor of the inner journey which we all go through, which we all have within us and I had to go through my own,” Smith said. “My life didn’t change immediately. It took a decade to really start getting things together.”

Now the Bountiful resident and his business partner Ryan Morris are on a mission to bring the message to people all over the world. They travel to schools, work with organizations, host the Wake Up With Giants TV podcast and have developed a social media group, The Tribe of Giants, with thousands of members.

Their passion project is to help people recognize they already have a giant within them. The book shows how adults can heal the parts of themselves that feel small and begin to pursue their highest potential. At the end of the book is a list of discussion points for parents and teachers to help children (and themselves) discover their own giant qualities.

“The hope is that people will read the whole book about themselves. The Giants and the Smalls are both within us. There’s no in group, no out group, it’s not about other people. It’s about how we have small parts and we have

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com

giant parts,” Smith said. “We don’t need to shame them or chase them away. It’s about taking those parts where we don’t feel significant and turning them into giants.”

Smith has faced many challenges in his life. He was born in Oklahoma as the ninth of 11 children. His father passed away when Smith was 2 years old and his mom raised the family alone. He grew up in St. George and earned a degree in industrial psychology. He and Morris own Advanced RV in West Valley City and created Mandelbrot Productions to help share their giant story.

“I don’t think we go out and develop compassion,” Smith said. “I think it’s already there. When we can release some of those small parts that keep us tethered down, then we can naturally have compassion and empathy for others.”

Exciting things are happening for Smith, including a movie based on “The Giants and the Smalls,” the 12 Journeys SG training program based on the book, and his new project “The Tortoise’s Hair.” The book tells the story of Frankie the tortoise and her journey of self-discovery, selflove and kindness over conformity. For more information, visit Giantsandsmalls.com.

“We can reach each other in different ways and help each other grow. We have a global mission to impact 100 million lives,” Morris said. “We can go back to what is true, that you are a giant already.” l

Nicholas Townsend Smith (left) wrote “The Giants and the Smalls” to help people discover their greatness. He and his business partner Ryan Morris (right) are on a mission to help people recognize the giant within. (Photo courtesy of Smith)

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Ifyou're like me you are ready for some bright May sunshine after a winter of record breaking snowpack and a very snowy spring. While I’m excited for the sunshine, warmer temperatures also means we begin the season of spring runoff and possible flooding. Spring runoff, where the creeks swell from snow melt, typically occurs from April to July. Because of our extreme snowpack this year we are at greater risk for flooding, especially if temperatures rise quickly and cause rapid melt.

This past month Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson declared a flooding emergency as we saw heavy runoff and flooding in some areas. If you are looking to help fill sandbags, pick up free sandbags, or get tips and information on how to protect your property, visit the Salt Lake County Emergency Management website at slcoem.org.

When properly placed, sandbags can help redirect storm and debris flows away from property. A list of sandbag locations along with instructions on the proper use of sandbags are also available on the Salt Lake County Emergency Management website.

It’s important to take precautions and be prepared. Inspect your rain gutters and downspouts and confirm that they are clear of snow and debris. Be sure storm drains closest to your home and the areas around them are clear of any debris. Pay attention to

your landscaping, making sure water drains away from your home.

Keep children and pets away from potential flood and drainage areas. Rain on low-elevation valley snow can melt it quickly and increase runoff along streets and roadways. Shallow flooding of parking lots, roadways and intersections could be possible. Watch out for surface runoff and shallow sheet flooding from snow-covered open areas of land or driveways that slope toward a home or residence.

If flooding occurs, evacuate immediately, if told to do so. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas. Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.

If you see flooding contact city officials as local roadways, intersections or parking lots are the responsibility of your city. Residents should engage their city resources for local drainage problems. If the debris is in a river, creek, stream or canal, contact SLCO Flood Control at 385-468-6600.

After the last several years of drought, this spring runoff can be helpful to offset the decreased levels in our lakes and reservoirs.

And luckily our state and county are prepared to react quickly to any flooding issues. Lastly, I’m grateful we live in a community where neighbors are willing to help each other. We’ve already seen hundreds of volunteers out filling sandbags and pitching in to help place sandbags. Whatever our spring runoff brings, we will be ready. l

The Royal Treatment

Polish your teapots, iron your doilies and butter your crumpets. For the first time in 70 years, an English monarch will be crowned and the whole world will tune in to see if King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry bust each other up at Westminster Abbey.

Whether or not the coronation turns into a fistfight, there will be plenty of spectacle, pomp, circumstance, tradition, snobbery and a reminder that England adores fluffy hats.

King Charles will be 74 on the day of his coronation, code-named Operation Golden Orb (not even kidding). He’s much older than his mother was when she was enthroned. Queen Elizabeth was crowned at the age of 27 and reigned for 156 years.

The coronation is based on traditions going back centuries. In fact, for nearly 1,000 years, the Archbishop of Canterbury has conducted the ceremony. You’d think, at some point, people would start asking how he’s been alive for so long.

Our country has a bit of history with England, but we're still infatuated with royalty. American royalty just isn’t the same. It’s either the Kardashians or the Kennedys, depending on who you ask. When we elect a new president, we don’t

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follow centuries of history and tradition. We do a swearing-in ceremony followed by four years of smack talk on social media.

But England knows how to stage a

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coronation. King Charles and Queen Camilla will leave Buckingham Palace in a four-ton Gold State Coach that’s been used in coronations since 1830 and is notoriously uncomfortable. It’s covered in gilded statues and painted panels and will be pulled by eight dragons through the streets of London.

The procession travels from the palace, past Isengard at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, along Trafalgar Square, through Hogwarts to Westminster Abbey where the king will be anointed with holy oil using the Coronation Spoon. I don’t know if there’s a knife and fork. Wikipedia didn’t mention any other coronation utensils.

King Charles will then stand next to a really old chair (and it’s not even made out of swords pulled from the hands of his dead enemies), and given things to hold like the Royal Orb, a couple of scepters, gold spurs, a jeweled sword, gold bracelets and a ring. No wonder it’s hard to be king. That’s a lot to carry.

Then the Archbishop (who HAS to be a vampire, I mean come on!) places the five-pound crown on the king’s head. Saint Edwards Crown has a solid gold frame and is bedazzled with rubies, ame-

thysts, sapphires and other jewels, making the crown worth more than my entire lifetime income.

Everyone yells, “God save the king!” and trumpets blare and, Bob’s your uncle, England has a new king.

Then the fun starts. Concerts will feature new musical pieces commissioned by the king himself, including an anthem written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and I can only hope it’s performed by the cast of “Cats.” A refugee choir and an LGBTQ+ ensemble will perform, because we all know how much the royal family loves diversity.

There’s even a Coronation Quiche consisting of spinach, broad beans, cheese, tarragon and lard, to celebrate the country’s devotion to bland food. You can get the recipe online and make it for your family as you watch the celebration.

Leaders from around the world will attend the coronation, except some countries who are afraid if they send leaders to the event, England will colonize them while they’re gone. But this is a historical moment you won’t want to miss, especially if the royal family starts throwing the crown jewels at each other.

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