West Valley City Journal | May 2022

May 2022 | Vol. 08 Iss. 04

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HELICOPTERS VISIT GRANGER HIGH’S FOOTBALL FIELD

By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com

I

n late March, Granger High School was the first fly-in location of an annual program in which high schools across the state will trade off hosting.

Industry pilots and aircraft mechanics are on site during the events to provide their expertise and passion for aviation.

The Utah Rotor Pathway program (URPP) is the first program in the U.S. that works to bring together industry leaders, universities, and high schools to provide helicopter pilot and maintenance training at Utah high schools.

The program began in fall 2019 with just two high schools, and now there are 32 participating high schools. The program reaches Beaver, Davis, Iron, Kane, Morgan, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Utah, Washington, Wayne, and Weber counties.

URPP has developed an education program to bring together industry professionals, universities, and high Continued page 5 Students participate in discussion with a helicopter pilot. (Photo courtesy Granite School District)

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Granger students win contest

Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.

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May 2022 | Page 3

Granger students win clean air quality marketing contest

By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com

F

our Granger High School students were among the winners of the 2022 Utah High School Clean Air marketing contest. The students participated in the event at Utah State University’s Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art (NEHMA) Community Art Day in February.

Approximately 1,000 Utah and southern Idaho high school students created clean air public service announcements for the contest. The Granger High School winners were Rachel Scarber (Cache Clean Air Consortium Award $200), Elizabeth Ortiz-Segura (Garbett Homes Award $100), Ailyn Madrid (Wasatch Property Management Award $100), and Sophie Estrada (Big West Oil Award $100).

There were also 60 finalists who received $50 gift cards from local merchants and eateries, and 23 state winners/honorable mentions who received up to $250 cash awards.

Extension Sustainability Professor Roslynn McCann and Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Professor Edwin Stafford from Utah State University created the contest in 2015 to encourage Utahns to keep air pollution down by avoiding idling, using public transportation and trip-chaining. “The purpose of the contest is to engage high school students who are learning to drive to understand the effects of their driving on air quality,” Stafford explained.

Stafford encourages students to participate in the contest by going into various art, business and environmental classes to teach the students about Utah air quality and how our driving affects it. “We teach about inversions, why they occur, and why mobile transportation contributes to 50% of them,” he added.

Stafford also focuses on anti-idling efforts and trip chaining. “When you are idling, you are literally breathing the fumes of the car in front of you. A car is most polluting when idling in places like a drive-thru,” he said.

During the pandemic when more people are using drive-throughs to pick up food they are often unknowingly contributing to poor air

Journals T H E

quality Stafford said.

Stafford explained that trip chaining is combining all errands into one trip. He said that a vehicle’s catalytic converter has to get to 750 degrees to burn the most emissions. If all errands and trips are separate, the catalytic converter never gets to its most effective heat level.

Stafford added that he is not simply lecturing on air pollution, but he is also teaching advertising techniques for the students to implement to initiate long-term change.

According to Stafford, research suggests that the schools are not teaching about air pollution. “This is our most salient sustainability issue. We hope this contest will help the next generation of drivers adopt better driving and sustainability skills,” he said. “Hopefully, their new behaviors can stick with them throughout their lives."

Stafford said that there is a level of problem solving involved to get the students’ message across. “When they want to execute a professional method and they have to come up with a way to do it, the project takes more effort and more commitment,” he said.

“The contest was designed to engage the protégé effect in which children act as teachers, and they are able to learn the material better.

That makes them the teacher. They have to be clever about it and the own popular culture how to come up with compelling advertising,” Stafford said. “Students who have won the contest realize they have to live out what they have learned as they take ownership of their new knowledge.”

The Granger students were guided by Granger High School art teachers Kathleen Warren and Alysson Galarza for the contest.

“Both have been instrumental in motivating Granger students to produce some outstanding artwork for their public service announcements,” Stafford said. “Granger has been one of the powerhouses that last couple of years.”

“Our collaboration between USU, Dr.

Elizabeth Ortiz-Segura, Sophie Estrada, Ailyn Madrid and Rachel Scarber with their state winner awards.

(Photo courtesy of Utah State University)

Edwin Stafford, myself and Granger Students has grown over time and guides me to support my students observe reflect and create ad campaigns that raise awareness regarding Utah's air quality problems,” Warren said. “After working together, we feel a shared responsibility to help resolve and inform others on how to be more conscious and aware of our air quality and the problems we face in the future years to come.”

“I was really excited when I won. Through the contest I learned a lot about the environment and how idling cars is bad,” junior Aylin Madrid said. Senior Elizabeth Ortiz-Segura added, “I learned that Utah’s air is really bad compared to other states because in a valley the bad air has nowhere to go.”

Junior Sophia Estrada said she also learned about the effects of idling, particularly the idling that families do when they are picking up their children from activities.

The winning PSAs are being shared over

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social media and in school displays. Sorenson Communications shows all 23 PSAs in a rotating slide show over TV monitors in its lobby to educate employees about Utah’s air pollution.

Several other organizations have been uploading some of the winner PSAs on their social media as well.

Starting July 16, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts will be hosting a broader exhibit titled, “Air,” that will feature our 2020 winners along with works by other Utah artists focused on Utah’s air pollution.

Annie Burbidge Ream from the Utah Museum of Fine Arts is the key sponsor of the contest for Granger High School, and she provides funding for 14 $50 gift cards for all the finalists from Granger High School.

“These students are the next generation of drivers, and we hope they will adopt better driving and transportation habits through this contest,” Stafford said. l

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Continued from front page schools to provide helicopter pilot and maintenance training. During the event at Granger High School, they flew in helicopters from emergency services, firefighting agencies, training facilities, and other organizations to provide high school students and the general community an opportunity to get an in-depth look at the equipment.

Mike Matson, Granite Technical Institute aviation teacher, instructs the aviation classes at the institute, along with a flight simulator instructor. Students in the program can take drone, air transportation, and aviation survey classes through the aviation program. All eight Granite high schools feed into the institute.

Matson said the helicopters all flew in and landed at the football field, and this event made aviation tangible, real, and accessible as possible to students. “Just being in a classroom learning about aviation feels distant. During events like this you can just see the students’ eyes light up,” he said.

There are several career paths you can take as a helicopter pilot such as life flights to hospitals, first responder, industrial helicopter logging, and commercial, Matson explained. “As a flight instructor, I am happy to be involved with anything aviation and getting students involved in

these careers,” he added.

Students attending the event had the opportunity to speak with pilots from different companies and learn how to get into the industry. “Students start to realize that an aviation career is approachable, and pilots are just like them. It makes it feel like an aviation career is real and possible for them if they just go after it and do it,” Matson said.

During the event students also had the opportunity to view the helicopters up close. “For them it is exciting to see the equipment up close and personal,” Matson said. “One of the most powerful things we can to is to get students flying in an aircraft. Getting in the aircraft is the next best thing.”

With five classroom flight simulators, Matson can get students as close to flying as possible. He explained that flight students can get a license as early as age 17.

“Some students end up being absolutely fantastic pilots because of the advantage of this program,” he said.

“This program gives students a massive advantage if they seek to go onto pilot careers.” Matson said. “Our GTI students go on to be the best pilots and instructors in future programs, and we are really proud that we are able to provide that experience.” l

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May 2022 | Page 5

Boys approved for sanctioning in 2023-24

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

R

epresentatives of the Utah Boys Volleyball Association had sat in meetings with the Utah High School Activities Association before—over the past four years in a formal fashion. So, when the UHSAA board again put the sanctioning of boys volleyball to a vote, the UBVA members braced themselves. They had been here before, and had walked out disappointed every time. Yet, on this day, March 24, 2022, it would finally be the outcome they had wanted when their organization was formed in 2015.

After decades of boys playing the sport in Utah, boys volleyball is official, and with a 10-4 vote, will now be a UHSAA-sanctioned sport beginning in the 2023-24 school year, joining the ranks with 25 other states nationwide.

“We had a lot more hope and momentum this time, but it was so surreal to sit there and hear it announced. We were just in shock,” said UBVA co-founder Jill Davis.

This latest attempt at sanctioning laid 10,000 signatures in front of the UHSAA board along with written support from local politicians, including Norm Thurston of the Utah House of Representatives, who was in attendance at the meeting, to BYU athletic director, Tom Holmoe, BYU men’s volleyball coach Shawn Olmstead and USA national men’s volleyball coach John Speraw.

UHSAA assistant director Jan Whittaker said, “The UHSAA is excited to be sanctioning boys’ volleyball for the 2023-24 schools year. This will allow many boys who have not been competing in a sport for their school the opportunity to be part of the high school sports experience.

They will be able to benefit from the positive impact that high school athletics has on students.”

Davis said, “It’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment and it was an honor to be in the seat. A lot of people told us it wouldn’t happen, but our grassroots efforts and the community support made this happen. This is a victory for everybody, especially the boys and their families.”

Davis has helped spearhead the UBVA’s effort the past few years to get the sport sanctioned. Her sons, Parker and Price, were part of a Bingham High boys volleyball program who three-peated in state titles from 2017 to 2019.

She, UBVA co-founder Warren Van Schalkwyk and Duke Mossman, who coaches at Wasatch High, formed a collaborative effort of continually gathering statistics and surveying coaches statewide to keep up with the growing interest and participation in the sport.

What they found was: • Boys volleyball is one of the fastest growing sport in high schools across the nation.

• Boys volleyball is one of the largest club sports in Utah. In 2015, the state had 24 club teams; last fall, that number was up to 56.

• In 2019, 81 high school teams represented 56 schools in Utah. This year, 122 high school teams are playing from 64 schools with more than 1,500 boys competing.

• More than half of those 64 high school teams had such a demand in numbers that coaches had to cut players at tryouts due to popularity of the sport and lack of facilities.

• Most of the 5A and 6A schools have full teams with the 3A and 4A classifications having a more mixed representation and the more rural schools in 1A and 2A coming in with the lowest participation rates.

• 53% of the boys volleyball programs pay for gym rentals from their schools in order to play and practice.

• 90% of participants statewide just play boys volleyball and are not multi-sport athletes.

“The push that Jill stayed on to make was really key,”

Page 6 | May 2022

Corner Canyon High boys volleyball director Dan Penrod said. “Over this long process, there have always been a few parents that wanted to get the sanctioning ball rolling, but when their boys were finished playing, the momentum died down. Jill staying on after her boys graduated was everything in making sure this happened.”

Whittaker noted how the Emerging Sports Program that the UHSAA formed three years ago played a key role in the sanctioning of boys volleyball. “That program was created to grow meaningful participation opportunities for student-athletes, particularly for female student-athletes, in sports and activities,” she said. “A sport can be considered for sanctioning after it meets a certain threshold of participating of our students in member schools. Boys participating in volleyball has steadily grown over the past few years.”

Whittaker said once boys volleyball had met initial criteria for sanctioning consideration the UHSAA Board of Trustees looked at several factors in the ultimate decision-making process including: • The impact on Title IX compliance • The percentage of member schools that facilitate interscholastic competition in the emerging sport • Participation in community-sponsored leagues for the sport • Whether other state high school athletic associations sponsor or sanction competition in the sport • University, college and junior college opportunities for participation after high school • Whether the sport is a lifetime sport or activity, easily accessed in later life, that contributes to public health or fitness • Whether the NFHS or other recognized governing body publishes rules for interscholastic competition in the sport • Assistance available for growing the sport from national governing bodies, in-state coaches association and/or in-state officials associations • Significant obstacles to growing the sport, such as lack of facilities, expensive equipment, risk of injury, lack of experienced coaches and officials • The opportunity for student-athletes to participate equally from all socio-economic backgrounds • Whether sanctioning the sport will divert participants from and weaken an existing sanctioned or emerging sport • Whether there is significant competition for student-athletes to participate in this sport outside of school • The length of time the sport has been an emerging sport • The burden on member schools, districts and on the UHSAA of sanctioning the emerging sport • Utah Division of Risk Management concerns and input “This is not a check off list, but are items that were discussed prior to making the decision to sanction boys volleyball,” Whittaker said, adding that each school and district will “make the determination whether they will sponsor a sport that UHSAA sanctions.”

Davis said that the sanctioning of boys volleyball is a “win-win.” “This legitimizes it for the boys and creates stability and consistency across the board under a fabulous umbrella. Scholarships are secondary,” she said. “Plus, county rec leagues can still function for those who were cut from their high school teams as well as those who just want to play.”

Davis, the former director of Bingham boys volleyball

Skyline’s Kai Sorenson and Nick Allen reach to block a Bingham attack with Jordyn Vagana also ready on defense during a game at Riverton High School. (Photo credit Josh Henderson)

teams, has been gearing up to step away from UBVA since 2020 when her son graduated but “needed to stay in the game” to see the sanctioning process through. “Personally, to be able to serve these boys has been a thrill, and it’s an even bigger thrill to betting Utah on the map with boys volleyball,” she said. “I’ll forever be a part of the sport, but this ‘cherry on the top’ is so exciting for these kids and a great way to go out for me.”

“Jill is an absolute angel for doing all of that. She did an amazing job, and it means so much to the boys,” said Olympus High boys volleyball club director Brett Peterson.

Peterson, who has been directing the Olympus boys volleyball program for several years—with Ben Chamberlain coaching the varsity squad—said he’s thrilled to have the boys experience sanctioned volleyball. Peterson’s own experience was competing for two years in sanctioned play in California, and then helping build a club team at Olympus High, where he was a player/coach over his final two seasons, while his mom, Chris, ran the program.

The UBVA will continue to host the state boys volleyball tournament for the next two seasons as budgets, schedules and regional alignments are put in place for the 2024 spring season when UHSAA will take the reins.

For more information on the UBVA, visit www.ubva. info or email ubva.info@gmail.com.

The addition of boys volleyball will come just after Salt Lake City hosts the high school boys volleyball national championships in summer 2023.l

West Valley City Journal

Have you seen this tree? If so, call the Beaver Hotline

“H

ave you seen this along the Jordan River? ¿Ha visto esto al lado del Río Jordan,” asks a chalk-drawn parody of a wanted poster, with arrows pointing to a whittled, carved-out tree trunk.

These wanted posters aren’t meant to apprehend a fugitive, and the suspect at large is not going to face criminal charges.

Instead, biologists with Tracy Aviary’s Birds and Beavers program are asking trail users along the Jordan River to help collect data that will be used to make connections between beaver activity and bird habitats.

If a trail user spots a nibbled, chewed, or chomped tree, known as beaver gnawing traces, they are asked to take a photo, note the location and text it to the aptly-named Beaver Hotline. Trail users can find examples of gnawing traces on the Birds and Beavers website, along with an interactive map pinpointing beaver activity.

Birds and Beavers is a bilingual community science project that launched in April 2021 and is headquartered at Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center. “Some families who live close to or along the river speak Spanish, and we want to be an inclusive project that motivates residents to go outside and walk the trails and look for beaver activity,” says Frances Ngo, the lead conservation outreach biologist on the project.

Cities like West Valley City, with an approximate 38% Latino population, inhabit a large stretch along the Jordan River. According to experts, Latino communities in urban areas are often underserved when it comes to environmental education and outreach. Ngo hopes Birds and Beavers will encourage all residents to participate in outdoor activities and wildlife preservation.

The trail user photo project and resulting data is part of the three phases of the program that include identifying beaver activity, monitoring beaver activity, and educating the public and government agencies with the findings.

To date, trail users have submitted photos of beaver gnawing traces from as far south as Spanish Fork to just above West 2300 North Street in North Salt Lake City.

“We are primarily interested in how beaver activity interplays with bird habitat,” Ngo said. “Beavers are a native species prevalent along the Jordan River. They are known as ecosystem engineers because they can alter habitats by creating lush ponds, generating deadfall that attracts bugs, which in turn attracts birds, and facilitating the return of other species to an ecosystem.”

Over 200 species of birds, including migratory birds, call the Jordan River home.

Protecting trees or leaving fallen trees in certain areas is important for resident birds as they provide places to hunt and nest and insects to eat. Ngo and her colleagues are using the Beaver Hotline photos to assess

Wvc Journal .com

By Deb Hafner | d.hafner@mycityjournals.com which trees need to be protected or monitored.

Beavers eat tree bark and the softer growing tissue under the bark, called cambium, and they prefer soft-wooded trees like native cottonwoods. A beaver can gnaw the entire circumference of a tree, called girdling, leaving an hour-glass shaped trunk with visible teeth marks.

Once a tree has been girdled, it is in danger of dying because it cannot get the nutrients it needs through its narrowed trunk.

Some larger cottonwoods need to be protected from too much beaver munching, so Ngo and her colleagues and volunteers have been wrapping endangered trees with chicken wire to encourage the beavers to feast on other species of trees, like the invasive Russian olive tree.

Ngo hopes to install motion-activated cameras in the future to continue monitoring beaver activity and to specifically see how long beavers dine at each tree before moving on to a new one. This data will inform city and county management efforts so they don’t remove dead trees and debris, called snags, too soon. “If we see perching, nesting or decomposers occupying areas, we don’t want to see the removal of snags,” Ngo said, adding, “Flickers, for example, create nests in dead trees, and if we remove those dead trees, we remove potential bird habitats.”

One sunny morning in early April, Ngo, with binoculars hanging around her neck, and Millcreek District 1 Councilmember Silvia Catten, set off from the General Holm parking onto the Jordan River Trail to look for new beaver activity.

Almost immediately, Ngo spotted a muskrat lounging on a log in the river. American coots, a duck-like bird that is not a duck, paddled down the river in pursuit of aquatic vegetation. “Did you hear that?” asked Ngo, excitedly. “That is an American kingfisher.”

In a few more steps, Catten spotted teardrop shapes hanging from branches high in a cottonwood tree. “Those are oriole nests,” informed Ngo, “they build new ones every year.” Excitedly, the pair continued south on the trail. “I bet most people don’t know about the myriad species of birds that live on or around the river, or that there is a population of beavers right through the middle of the valley,” said Catten.

Catten, who is also a vice chair on the Jordan River Commission, has taken an interest in the conservation and protection of the Jordan River “as a place for wildlife, open space, recreation and beauty in our urban landscape.” Millcreek, 16 other cities and two counties are members of the Jordan River Commission, which helps fund conservation, planning, education, and recreational efforts around and on the river. A partial grant from the Jordan River Commission is helping to support the Birds and Beavers

Frances Ngo, a biologist with Tracy Aviary, shows Millcreek District 1 Councilmember Silvia Catten what to look for when searching for beaver-chewed trees along the Jordan River. (Deb Hafner/City Journals)

program.

“Millcreek is planning to complete a trail—a loop—on the east side of the water that connects to the existing Jordan River Trail,” Catten said, adding that “while a lot of the work for Millcreek’s portion was completed last year, we are awaiting funding to finish the loop access to our portion. We’re hopeful it will be complete within the next few years.”

Ngo said that as part of the education phase of the program, they will offer guided and self-guided beaver tours and install interpretative signage along the trails.

Catten and Ngo headed south where the meandering trail led them to a small meadow, in the middle of which stood a large cottonwood tree with recent beaver chew marks. To the left was another dined-upon tree, and to the right an abandoned dinner spot. Across the river were more trees with beaver gnawing traces.

While Millcreek touches a small portion of the Jordan River, cities with larger portions of the river have led conservation efforts, and according to Catten, “When we became a city we wanted to follow suit and be good stewards, too. We have a relatively small portion of the river and we are so lucky to have bordering municipalities that

manage their portion of the river so well, like Murray. Our portion has benefited from that for sure. Our goal is to be a vested partner with the agencies, like the Jordan River Commission, who take prudent care to plan for the conservation of the river as a whole.

It’s our job to help as we can, even if it’s just for our tiny portion.”

As for the Birds and Beavers program, Catten believes “the knowledge gained from programs like this one does have a wider reach as I see it—the trees, plants, and weed management plans affect the wildlife, so as far as what might guide future plans for conservation, understanding the broader ecosystem is always helpful.”

Ngo and Catten took a photo of the beaver gnawing trace they discovered and sent it to the Beaver Hotline for Ngo to plot on the map.

If you see beaver activity along the Jordan River, take a photo and text it to the Beaver Hotline at 801-381-6349. You can visit the Jordan River Nature Center at 1125 W. 3300 South at the James Madison Oxbow Park. The Birds and Beavers website can be found at www.tracyaviaryconservation.org/ birdsbeavers.l

May 2022 | Page 7

City to install or improve pedestrian ramps throughout the city

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

T

he West Valley City Council unanimously approved a resolution that would see close to 40 pedestrian access ramps built around the city.

Recently the city has bought various corner pieces of land in preparation for this project giving access ramps to sidewalks.

Public Works Director Dan Johnson explained to the council in April the “project would focus primarily on adding ramps” to locations where there are high curbs with no ramps at all, aiming to take care of the “worst of the worst” corners.

The resolution approved a contract with Acme Construction for the project for almost $275,000 with the public works department receiving the authority to use an additional $25,000 to fix any further issues they may find during the work.

“It’s hard to go into a neighborhood and fix some things, but not everything,” Johnson told the council. “Certainly resources are always limited but we’ll do our best

to capture what we can.”

Mayor Karen Lang referred to an issue several years ago in her neighborhood where a ramp was fixed, there was an additional issue with the sidewalk, but wasn’t fixed and had to be repaired later when it was possibly more expensive.

Johnson said the extra $25K gives them the “latitude” to add smaller fixes.

Councilman Jake Fitisemanu Jr. asked if similar consideration or project could be given to the sidewalks themselves. City officials explained that is determined from policy discussions under URMMA (Utah Risk Management Association) of which the city is a member.

Those discussions establish policies and best practices and how “fast or slow” the city can move, based on its resources, to prioritize sidewalk safety.

Funds for the project come from the class C road funds and the transportation sales tax passed a few years ago. l

PHOTO COMING

The West Valley City Council unanimously approved a resolution that would see close to 40 corner ramps built around the city.

(Wikimedia)

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West Valley City Journal

Roots Charter High School—a school where farming and learning combine

By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com

You are invited & dinner is on us!

R

oots Charter High School, Utah’s first farm-based charter high school, is planning a spring festival from 4-8 p.m. on May 5 at the school’s farm located at 1301 Cesar Chavez Drive in West Valley.

During the festival students, parents, and community members will be able to enjoy food truck concessions, a bouncy house and a petting zoo. Students also will be selling garden starter plants as well as art and other products they have created this school year, Principal Tyler Bastian said. The school is also offering a flower share program June 29 through Aug. 31. For $210 people can receive a hand-picked bouquet each week for 10 weeks or a half share every other week for $115.

The school, located at 2250 S. 1300 West in West Valley, was founded by Bastian in 2015. In addition to teaching, math, reading and science, the 200-student school operates a farm for hands-on learning experiences.

Bastian was inspired to open the charter school after teaching character development at a school in South Jordan.

“My class was filling up with students who were disengaged and struggling. They were starving for attention and personal connection,” he said. “So, I began researching a way to teach on a more natural level.”

Roots students still attend common core classes, Bastian explained. “We then integrate farm into the curriculum and the curriculum into the farm. A math class can go outside and do hands-on activities to support what the class just learned inside,” he said.

Students who come to Roots are often behind in credits, so the school offers several summer school sessions at no charge. During the year, Roots enrollment is purposefully kept small Bastian said. “We want students to feel seen, that every adult in the building knows them, and that they have positive connections,” he added.

Since many Roots families experience financial stress, the school has funding to provide free lunch to every student every day, to provide a food pantry, and to offer free public transportation passes.

Bastian shared that most of the students are at-risk and have failed other programs. He sees success in that he has had parents comment that their children have grown from never wanting to talk about school or go to school.

After being at Roots, they become students who are eager to go to school and share with their parents about what they did all day. “Students start to feel more positive about life, and this helps the parent/child relationships,” Bastian said.

Previous students have been so proud of their experience at the high school that it is not uncommon to have three or more graduates a week visit, he added. Many have gone on to

Wvc Journal .com

Dinner Seminar

As part of their hands-on learning, Roots High School students spend time working on the farm. (Photo courtesy of Roots High School)

work in area businesses. Bastian said that local businesses have hired current students and the businesses collaborate with the school to manage the students’ schedules and work-place transition. “It’s like a net under a trapeze of real

life,” he said.

For more information about the spring festival or the flower share program, contact the school at 385-715-2591 or info@rootshigh. org. l

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West Valley City Journal

PIK2AR reaches out to support students at local high schools

By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com

W

ith the help of local nonprofit Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR), Hunter High School students continue to heal after the Jan. 13 shooting, which took place near the high school and resulted in the death of two boys.

Lulu Latu-Wolfgramm, PIK2AR Empowered Living Services director and youth coordinator, and other PIK2AR staff have been going into classrooms to provide students a safe place for discussion.

After the shootings, PIK2AR staff felt the need to respond, she added, particularly since many Pacific Islanders live and go to school in the area. “PIK2AR decided to reach out to see what we could do to help the students with processing their surroundings and what they needed more cultural awareness in,” Latu-Wolfgramm said.

Several years ago, the school district approved the offering of People of the Pacific (POP) classes to promote cultural relevancy, Latu-Wolfgramm said. PIK2AR has been going into these classes to “talk about our own stories, to make sure that the students understood that we weren’t coming in to just lecture them but to relate to them,” she said. If a POP class is not available, PIK2AR has been available for after-school meetings and other group discussions.

“Our method has really worked, and students have opened up,” Latu-Wolfgramm said.

Part of the students’ struggle comes from the fact that they are part of a newer immigrant group, Latu-Wolfgramm explained. She shared that she is a first-generation Tongan-American, whose parents immigrated to Utah in the 1970s and started their family here. “I grew up in Sugar

House, a very white community. I spoke Tongan at home and spoke English at school. I didn’t feel like I fit in. I wasn’t white, but I spoke like a white person,” she said.

“This experience trickles down to future generations of children, teenagers and young adults. Many of the Hunter High School students shared with PIK2AR that they didn’t understand their culture, their identity, or their history,” Latu-Wolfgramm said.

The program has been so impactful that Granger and Kearns high school students and staff have reached out to PIK2AR for similar support she said.

Latu-Wolfgramm said that in addition to the cultural isolation, the students all seem lost since the pandemic.

“Bullying and other issues have come up. The students had been in isolation doing everything online. Then they are thrown back into school and to class. This has caused a lot of mental health and bullying issues,” she said.

Latu-Wolfgramm wants the students and others to see that these problems among students are not gang issues.

“There is simply not enough confidence in our youth in who they are,” she said.

PIK2AR formed as a volunteer organization to develop programs and events to eliminate violence, to empower, to improve health, and to increase personal and financial growth into ethnic and underserved households. PIK2AR also promotes Pacific Island cultures by creating alliances and bridging across all communities sharing resources, education, and support. The organization has also promoted vaccination and awareness events during the COVID-19 pandemic. l

PIK2AR staff Oreta Mapu-Tupola, Adiran Swenson and Lulu Latu-Wolfgramm preparing to work with Hunter High School students. (Photo courtesy PIK2AR)

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Wvc Journal .com

May 2022 | Page 11

Students create four-hour masterpieces at Art Olympics

By Heather Lawrence | h.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

G

ranite School District’s annual Art Olympics was March 16 at Olympus High. Students from eight GSD high schools had four hours to create a work of art. Winners were awarded by category at the end of the evening.

“It’s like a track meet for art—these are marathon skills. I think they learn persistence,” said Taylorsville art teacher Nicole Lavely. She and fellow Taylorsville art teacher Kelly Mouton were there to cheer on 11 students competing from their school.

“Each school has a certain number of kids we can invite to participate. They choose what they want to make and practice ahead of time. They bring all the supplies they’ll need. The kids surprise themselves at what they can create,” Lavely said.

Students sat at tables in Olympus’ commons area, grouped by the type of art they had chosen to create: sculpture, drawing or painting. Junior Diana Vo of Taylorsville worked on her drawing at the Concept Art table.

“I came up with this idea around Valentine’s Day,” she said of her work in progress, the animated face of a young woman, with swirling pink and purple curls. The colors were warm and inviting, but the subject had tears in her eyes.

“It’s about the chaotic feeling around love. There’s the excitement of falling in love, those are the colors. There are the bubbles. But the bubbles burst—you can get your heart broken,” Vo said.

Teacher Trevor Wright of Cyprus High brought 11 students to compete. “Just being in a room with other artists and seeing them create helps these students. There’s a lot of creative energy here. If you are here, you are the best from your school,” Wright said.

Wright said the event is a confidence builder. “Being able to make something in four hours? That’s hard.”

In addition to the work they created, all students could bring three to five pieces to display in a small gallery set up by the hosting school.

Olympus student Liam Kimball set up his work just outside the commons area—a side-by-side panel of spray-painted skulls on a black background. “The skulls are mirror images of each other, but one is green and one is red. It’s my take on good and evil,” Kimball said.

Kimball’s work was freehand, including some intricate silver latticework up on the skulls. Near the bottom, he chose to let the paint run down from the teeth he outlined in black spray paint.

The event was run by GSD’s Noemi Hernández-Balcázar, a multi-awardwinning leader in the education arts community.

Hernández-Balcázar is the district’s arts coordinator. She also

Junior Diana Vo works on her Art Olympics entry about the “chaotic feelings around love.” (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

Page 12 | May 2022

set up a table with supplies for students to make art for children in Ukraine.

Awards were handed out at the end of the evening. Each high school was recognized at least once with a win. But Lavely and the other teachers insist that this night isn’t about the awards.

“I talk to students years later and they say this was their favorite event. It ignites a fire in them. Artists are funny—we feel like we should be creative by ourselves. But when we get in a group, there is an energy that happens,” Lavely said. “The students surprise themselves.” l

Liam Kimball is on his home court, creating art at Olympus with spray paint during the Art Olympics. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

A Medusa sculpture by Bekah Latham of Olympus High in its early stages at the Art Olympics. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

Three students from Taylorsville High paint subjects at the Art Olympics that tie into their families’ heritage. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

Art Olympics Awards Art Night Awards People’s Choice (chosen by the public) 1st Caroline Condie -Olympus 2nd Ile Izarraraz – Kearns 3rd Sophie Santos – Olympus and

Olga Pedraza Cano - Kearns 3D categories Best Overall 1st Ross Larrabee - Kearns 2nd Ile Izarraraz – Kearns 3rd Bradley Villaysack - Hunter Best Display 1st Zoie Lee - Cyprus 2nd Cholie Wilson - Granger 3rd Emma Rupp - Hunter 3D Design/sculpture 1st Jennifer Cornejo - Hunter 2nd Thoa Nguyen - Hunter 3rd Ellisha Olmedo - Hunter Hand built ceramics 1st Brenda Castillo - Hunter 2nd Malindow Mursal - Hunter 3rd Ashley Okabe - Taylorsville Wheel Thrown Ceramics 1st Briar Beddow - Kearns 2nd Edwin Gomez - Granger 3rd Olivia Peterson - Olympus Art Night Awards 2D Categories Best Overall 1st Mathew Seastrand - Olympus 2nd Katherine Carlson - Olympus 3rd Caroline Condie - Olympus Best Display 1st Taylin Ream - Olympus 2nd Sophie Santos - Olympus 3rd Madi Fairbanks - Olympus Black and White Drawing 1st Avery English - Olympus 2nd Jana Amer - Skyline 3rd Vincent Bagozzi - Cottonwood Color Drawing 1st Madi Fairbanks - Olympus 2nd Kira Hammond - Cyprus 3rd Juneysi Vega – Granger Concept Art 1st Sophie Santos - Olympus 2nd Chelsea Doan - Taylorsville 3rd Diana Vo - Taylorsville Mixed Media 1st LilyKate Jones - Olympus 2nd Natalie Pope - Hunter 3rd Martinez (Moth) Monzerath Taylorsville Working From Life 1st Amena Ahmed - Granger 2nd Wyatt Johnson - Granger 3rd Jade Gonzalez - Granger Watercolor Painting 1st Yucheng Chen - Skyline 2nd Beatrice Powell - Skyline 3rd Taylin Ream - Olympus Opaque Painting 1st Summer Parico - Taylorsville 2nd Eliza Meier- Olympus 3rd Janie Bonham - Olympus

West Valley City Journal

City officials lean toward own sustainability plan

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

I

t’s all about where you direct your energy.

And for West Valley City, officials prefer to work toward their own plans of sustainability rather than “opt in” to the state’s Community Renewable Energy Act, also known as HB 411.

The legislature’s bill, passed in 2019, aims to help cities achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. It originally gave municipalities until the end of 2020 to opt in the interlocal agreement that included other stakeholders such as other cities and Rocky Mountain Power.

That deadline was extended to May, giving West Valley City officials a chance to further discuss whether to join the coalition.

But city administration has remained steadfast in its preference to pursue a similar goal through its own measures rather than participate in HB 411 under its current structure.

“Nothing has substantially changed at all in terms of requirements or projections of cost or governance set up,” City Manager Wayne Pyle told the council in March.

“Staff’s standpoint is to not participate in this.”

Mayor Karen Lang agreed that no new info had come to light since last summer that would change her mind.

Councilman Lars Nordfelt expressed waiting longer to make a decision or even opt in at first to then potentially opt out later if they don’t feel it serves the city’s best interests.

“I like the things we are doing and the direction we’re going,” Nordfelt said during a study meeting in March. “This 411 provides opportunities that we could not provide…Maybe this would be worth offering to our residents and businesses who really want it, might provide an opportunity that we wouldn’t have otherwise if we opt out.”

City officials have repeatedly pointed to their own work toward sustainability, which included a more thorough breakdown to the council in its January strategic plan meeting.

The city council passed a resolution in December 2019 stating its goal to produce “renewable energy in an amount equivalent to that produced and consumed in the city by 2030” and “seek to achieve additional energy efficiency.” The resolution also encouraged residents to improve energy efficiency in their own homes.

City administration pointed out moves toward sustainability as far back as 2000, and suggested actions even further back, during its strategic plan meeting.

Among the moves included being the first city to build a transit oriented development (housing located at the end of a transit line) and utilizing federal grants back

Wvc Journal .com

Solar panels on houses and businesses are one way West Valley City is working toward net-zero emissions on its own outside of the HB 411. (Wikimedia Commons)

in 2008-09 for energy efficiency improvements like changing light systems, insulation projects and HVAC modifications.

There are just over 4,500 rooftop solar panels in the city, said Nicole Cottle, assistant city manager. She noted one change with a boiler unit helped save 200,000 kilowatt hours or 1,400 metric tons of CO2.

Since 2016, 20 sizable businesses installed solar arrays.

The city invested in electric cars when it became feasible commercially before expanding it to their detective fleet and is also tracking how many car chargers are going into the city. By going to a four-day work week, it saved on commuting and building energy, according to city officials, who acknowledged the sustainability plan didn’t start as a concerted effort, but more as a way to help cut cost while still creating benefits.

Pyle did point out they’ve been working on a more “strategic plan” for three or four years. Other plans presented to the council included appointing a full-time sustainability officer and creating a tree-planting program.

Councilman Jake Fitisemanu Jr. said he empathized with Nordfelt’s approach to giving each individual a choice, but also felt confident in a city-based sustainability plan, though adding he “would love to see more concrete deadlines and accountability to keep ourselves on track, to really make sure that it is prioritized.” l

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City adding Rocky Ridge to its park landscape, bike course to Centennial

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

W

ith Grasmere Park expected to be complete late spring, West Valley City has another park on the way later this year.

Rocky Ridge Park (5250 South Summer Ridge Dr.) had its construction bid unanimously approved in April by the West Valley City Council. Construction is expected to start this spring with an estimated completion date sometime this fall.

The 1.44-acre park will feature a playground, pavilion, picnic tables, benches, walking path, exercise equipment, trees, shrubs, drinking fountain and an open grass area.

Jason Eriksen, assistant parks director, said the playground slide will come down from the hillside taking advantage of the land’s steeper slope.

Councilman Will Whetstone asked if the new parks, including a county park that is now maintained by the city, would stretch resources too thin. Eriksen acknowledged the extra workload on the department but said all their full-time positions are filled and they are looking for seasonal employees now.

The anticipated cost to build the park lands at just under $950,000, with funding coming from park impact fees. Stratton and

Brätt Landscapes were scheduled to start construction in mid-April.

Rocky Ridge is just one of a handful of projects for the parks and recreation department. Besides the alluded to Grasmere Park, there is the planned wetland park along Parkway Boulevard at approximately 6600 West which is in the planning and funding phase.

The city is also working on Sunset Hills Wood Hollow Park at 6300 South and about 7000 West. The over three-acres park is under final review right now with its estimated completion date to be fall 2023.

Centennial Park is set to expand its sporting nature with a bike park being built next to the pump track. The $1.15 million project is expected to start construction this summer and be completed this fall.

Newton Farms Park will be another one-acre park at 3600 South and Newton Farms Drive (6555 West), pending funds, construction will begin in 2023.

Other anticipated park projects in the pipeline include: West View Park addition – 1.25 acres Brud Drive Park – .52 acres Brock Family Park – 5 acres OMH Power Corridor Park – 16.6 acres Midway Trailhead Park - .5 acres

A rendering by the American Ramp Company of the planned bike course to be built at Centennial Park this summer. It’s one of multiple projects in development by the parks and recreation department. (Rendering by American Ramp Company)

Veteran Memorial Park – 13.81 acres Sugar Plum Park – 9.5 acres UDOT sport field property – 14 acres

Jordan River West Trail Park – 37.73 acres Crosstown Trail completionl

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Page 14 | May 2022

West Valley City Journal

West Valley’s water conservation efforts now include artificial turf

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

A

fter the drought-laden 2021, agencies, municipalities and the state legislature have looked at ways to conserve water.

For West Valley City, officials hope changes to an existing ordinance will help.

The city council unanimously approved changes to its landscaping code in April including creating standards for artificial turf.

Previously the code allowed turf, but had no installation standards. Now the new ordinance addresses color, appearance, minimum height and weight, warranty, borders, how it’s installed and maintenance of artificial turf.

City Hall recently installed turf of varying lengths and sizes on its property to test run the artificial turf with the council generally in favor of the new look. The life span of the turf is expected to be eight years according to the ordinance.

The other significant change in the code is minimum of “live plant material” required in the front yard of a house. The amount required used to depend on the driveway size, now just 30% of the front yard must be live plant material. Turf now counts as live plant material under the reformed ordinance.

“It evens the playing field,” Steve Pastorik, community and economic development director, said of the simplified percent-

ages.

Other changes in the ordinance includes turf as a suitable substitute for grass along major streets and the type of irrigation controller required for commercial projects.

Basically a smart controller will be required where Wi-Fi is enabled and can be adjusted depending on conditions and weather.

These changes, Pastorik said, bring them in line with Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District standards.

The council also passed a resolution in April affirming its historical success, current plan and future efforts with water conservation.

The resolution points out the city uses 12% less water overall compared to other users in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and adopted early on metering and smart watering practices at city owned properties to go along with rules, regulations and ordinances for residents and businesses to follow.

City officials said they’ve pursued strategic conservation solutions since 2014. The resolution “emphasizes our standards are in line with Jordan Valley recommendations,” Pastorik said, and “shows our support for water conservation.” l

West Valley City installed artificial turf outside City Hall as part of a pilot project. (Photo courtesy West Valley City)

Investments of $30 million-plus tackle affordable housing, jobs and water conservation

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

I

n a response to the state’s housing crisis, the Salt Lake County Council recently approved $20 million in funds to build and preserve nearly 1,200 affordable housing units. The housing will be near childcare resources and jobs, with access to broadband, transportation and schools.

“More affordable housing is desperately needed,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said. “There are way too many hard-working households that are left behind because of skyrocketing home prices, rising rents, and fewer options to choose from. Salt Lake County is listening to residents and responding with significant funding to build and preserve housing.”

Funding for the project comes from the American Rescue Plan Act with an additional $12.1 million earmarked for water conservation and workforce development.

With the steady increase of rental and home ownership costs, and stagnant wages, the council approved the ARPA funds in the form of grants to community housing organizations, nonprofit housing providers, municipalities, and private developers.

In 2021, rental costs increased by 12% and homeownership costs increased by

Wvc Journal .com

28% or more in the county. In March 2022, the median price for a Salt Lake County single-family home sold for $580,000.

“Housing is one of the things that keep us up at night,” said Dina Blaes, director of Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development. “But, fortunately, the county has a lot of expertise in affordable housing. So, we’re going to leverage our expertise with this new funding to enable thousands of families to remain living and working in Salt Lake County.”

Workforce development will receive a $10 million boost for the new Workforce Inclusion and Successful Employment program. Through grants, WISE will help nearly 2,000 students complete trainings that lead to higher-paying jobs. Students will also be connected with childcare, mental health and mentorship services.

“I think this is an awesome opportunity for Salt Lake County residents who might be working two or three jobs. We’re making it easier for them to succeed with career goals that really help themselves and their families,” said Jevon Gibb, Salt Lake County economic development director.

Water conservation receives the final allocation of ARPA funds, with $2.1 mil-

In a response to the state’s housing crisis, the Salt Lake County Council recently approved $20 million in funds to build and preserve nearly 1,200 affordable housing units. (City Journals)

lion going to a regional water conservation program. By collaborating with cities and unincorporated areas in the county, the development of water conservation and landuse action plans will address the state’s

current drought, the worst in 50 years.

As growth in Salt Lake County is projected to add 600,000 residents by 2065, water for current and future populations is a top concern for the region. l

May 2022 | Page 15

Taylorsville Mayor Overson named ChamberWest Hall of Famer

By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

A

lways adept at deflecting praise, it must have been a challenging night for Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson when she had to sit front and center to accept all the accolades herself, as she was inducted into the prestigious ChamberWest Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

With a “Wizard of Oz” theme, the 2022 ChamberWest Gala titled “There’s No Place Like ChamberWest” drew a gathering of more than 400 to the Maverik Center a few weeks ago, including several in Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Wicked Witch costumes.

In addition to Mayor Overson’s honor, others singled out during the evening included: • Volunteer of the Year – Trish Hull, Kearns Library Manager • Best New Business of the Year – Nothing Bundt Cakes • Small Business of the Year – iMpact Utah.org • Best Place to Work – Summit Vista • Business of the Year – Markosian Auto “It was an amazing night, exceeding all my expectations,” ChamberWest President and CEO Barbara Riddle said. “It was so nice to see our gala filled with people

again. And we were thrilled to honor Mayor Overson. She was elected to the Hall of Fame unanimously, by our Board of Governors. She has always been such a champion of business and our organization.”

Riddle launched the ChamberWest Hall of Fame the year after she assumed her post in 2016. Previous ChamberWest Hall of Fame inductees include: • 2017 – Sen. Karen Mayne and former Sen. Ed Mayne • 2018 – Bob Harmon and Harmons Grocery stores • 2019 – Kyle Treadway and Kenworth Sales Co. • 2020 – Former West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow • 2021 – Dan England and C.R. England Inc. “I am really humbled and appreciative they would select me,” Overson said. “It was so nice to have city council members and other city officials there. It was a great night. ChamberWest does everything top notch. I was deeply honored.”

Chairman of the ChamberWest Board of Directors Rick Clasby shared Mayor Overson’s induction introduction with the gala audience.

“The Hall of Fame award is presented

Roundtable Talk with Representative Weight WA L K I N G For me, involvement in politics is about people and what I can do to make connections. My early interest in government processes led to my desire to understand the relationship between “the people” and “the government.” After all, people make the choices that result in their governing bodies, and it’s people who can best help elected leaders understand their community, neighborhood, and household needs.

As a teacher, I saw the effects of elected officials’ decisions on my job, my students’ learning, and their families’ lives. I worked to inform elected leaders about situations and circumstances all educators observe every day.

Now, my role as a state representative is to understand the experiences of my neighbors, their jobs and workplace conditions, the stability of their households, the conditions and opportunities at their kids’ schools, the dynamics of our community’s economic health, and environmental qualities that affect

Liz4Utah.com

Page 16 | May 2022

ElizabethWeight@le.utah.gov

all of those. I’ve been on both sides of making connections. So I walk.

I walk at the fitness center, among others on the track, playing pickle ball or basketball, working out with weights or on equipment. I walk in neighborhoods, noting the homes and yards and pets and projects of the people who live around me. I see them leaving for work, holding kids’ hands on their way to school, or cleaning out garages, and I stop to talk about their garden or new driveway or broken fence … or why they’re unable to walk or work or buy food.

Walking maintains my connections to the people I represent and the realities in their lives. It gives me time to think about what they tell me and what I can do to assure opportunities, safety, futures, and freedom. For me, politics isn’t about partisan views, it’s about working together for our neighbors and community. I look forward to seeing you on a walk sometime and learning your thoughts and ideas or just passing some good time together.

Elizabeth Weight, Utah Representative

@RepEWeight

Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson was joined by city council members and other officials when ChamberWest inducted her into the business organization’s Hall of Fame. (Facebook/Taylorsville City)

to a profound leader or organization which has provided extraordinary service to the community,” he began. “Mayor Overson has 20-plus years in public service with Taylorsville City. She served for 11 years on the planning commission, six years as a city council member and is now serving in her second term as mayor.”

In the audience was Taylorsville’s newest city council member Bob Knudsen.

“Mayor Overson is doing such a fantastic job,” Knudsen said. “She makes it a priority to be available—to talk to people.

She does a great job making Taylorsville a city where people want to be.”

Among the people at the gala dressed in “Wizard of Oz” costumes was one person who surprised everyone—Taylorsville City Councilman Curt Cochran’s wife, Wendy.

“It’s her all-time favorite movie—our guest bedroom is completely filled with ‘Wizard of Oz’ stuff,” Cochran said. “So, she just decided to show up at the gala in the Dorothy costume she recently got. She surprised the mayor, who got a big laugh out of it.”

Like the other city council members in attendance, Cochran felt ChamberWest made the right selection for its top honor.

“Mayor Overson absolutely deserves to be in their Hall of Fame,” he said. “The mayor is a class act. She always treats staff and employees with so much respect. Mayor Overson tied ‘Wizard of Oz’ themes into her acceptance speech, saying things like ‘there’s no place like home’ in Taylorsville. That really resonated with Wendy and me.”

This was the sixth annual Chamber-

West Gala, as the organization succeeded in not cancelling any of the events, despite the two-year COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the business organization held it in late February, just two weeks before coronavirus shut everything down. Then last year the gala was in June, during that brief lull when people thought the pandemic was finally behind them.

“Last year’s gala was different, with guest seating more spread out,” Riddle said. “It was nice to get back to a more normal cadence this year.”

Up next for ChamberWest is the second of five planned “Professional Development Series” luncheons. The featured speaker at the May 17 event will be the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Jason Perry. The luncheon will be held at the Embassy Suites in West Valley City.

The following week, May 24, ChamberWest will host its annual Women’s Golf Clinic at The Ridge Golf Course.

And June 15 will find more than 250 participants at the annual ChamberWest Golf Tournament, at West Valley City’s Stonebridge Golf Club.

For more information or to sign up for any of these activities visit chamberwest. com.

“ChamberWest is such a valuable organization for our west side of the valley: Taylorsville, West Jordan, West Valley and Kearns,” Overson concluded. “They do a tremendous job promoting our businesses.” l

West Valley City Journal

Nonprofit organization gives perishable foods a new lease on life

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com ach day in Utah, thousands of pounds of unused meat, dairy products, breads, fruits and vegetables approach the end of their life span with nowhere to go other than the garbage can.

But a relatively new nonprofit program is expanding to West Valley City to give those perishable food items a little more life by diverting them to residents in need before the food goes bad and becomes waste.

Founder and president Dana Williamson started Waste Less Solutions in 2018 as a way to reduce and divert food waste in Utah “through food rescue, education and consulting.”

The program collects surplus food from caterers, cafeterias, restaurants, food distributors, farmers markets, and even people who grow produce in their backyards that otherwise would end up in the landfill because they often don’t have enough refrigeration or other space to keep all of it until it spoils.

Williamson launched the organization after a career in the corporate world to satisfy a growing appetite for addressing the problem of food waste ending up at the dump. Williamson said not only was it a matter of uneaten perishable food going to waste but its disposal in landfills contributes to the release of methane gasses into the environment. “My daughter was turning 16 at the time and I started realizing this isn’t the planet I thought I was leaving her when I brought her into this world,” she said.

Williamson learned of food rescue efforts mostly on the East and West coasts while working with local nonprofits that serve those experiencing homelessness. She recalls

thinking that food rescue was something we needed here.

She received permission for Waste Less Solutions to use software already developed for those other organizations to create a mobile app. Anyone or any place that has extra perishable foods can use the app to arrange for a pickup by volunteers with Waste Less Solutions who take it to a facility where it is sorted for delivery to homeless shelters and food banks.

Waste Less Solutions has been doing this in other parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties, but Williamson wants to do more in West Valley City. “We are using a kitchen there and we have a couple of board members that live there,” she said.

“We want to let people know that this food rescue exists and (for them) to let us know about food donors and receiving agencies that want to sign up.”

Caterers are especially good contributors. “Sometimes we’ve picked up full turkey breasts from events,” Williamson said, adding that cooked but excess chicken breasts, brisket, and fajitas have also been donated from catered events.

The food then makes its way to people in need thanks to local Boys & Girls clubs, the YWCA, Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, Catholic Community Services, and after-school programs.

Funding to help with expenses is raised through grants from local foundations, public funding, corporate donations and sponsorships, and individual contributions.

Does this compete with the Utah Food Bank? Williamson says the answer is “no.” Besides there being plenty of need to go around, the Food Bank stores and distributes mostly canned and packaged foods and very few perishable

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items.

Waste Less Solutions is using space in a vacant restaurant in West Valley City to store and sort donated perishable food items. (Photo courtesy Dana Williamson)

“They’ve been partners of ours who have really been creative in finding ways to help those who are less fortunate,” said Utah Food Bank President and CEO Ginette Bott.

For more information, visit www.wastelesssolutions. org. l

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Members of the Lewis Sorensen Doll Club gathered in West Valley City in April to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club. (Photo courtesy Lenell Chance)

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heir girlhood may be long gone, but the love of dolls is still very much alive among a group of local women.

The 15 members of the Lewis Sorensen Doll Club met in April in West Valley City to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary and their love of collecting dolls.

It is the local chapter of the national United Federation of Doll Clubs.

Born in 1910, local dollmaker Lewis Sorensen gained acclaim by creating a variety of wax dolls that were beloved and collected by kids and adults alike. The namesake club was started in 1972 by a woman named Margaret Price who grew up with Sorensen in South Salt Lake. Sorensen died in 1986.

“We meet monthly and there’s usually a program about a certain kind of doll, anything from modern to antique,” said Lewis Sorensen Doll Club historian Lenell Chance. That spans everything from American Girl and Barbie dolls of more recent times to French fashion dolls and china dolls made of glazed porcelain.

Members host the meetings in their homes, hence the reason for the small membership. “The member that’s (hosting) the meeting can come up with whatever topic they want about dolls,” Chance said from her West Jordan home. “It could be something about a certain type of doll, the origin of it, the creator of it.” There is also a show-and-tell session along with a craft activity like making an accessory for a doll.

Chapter members must have a collection of at least 10 dolls to qualify for

We meet monthly and there’s usually a program about a certain kind of doll, anything from modern to antique.

Lenell Chance membership “which for doll lovers isn’t anything,” Chance said. “It doesn’t matter what kind they are. They can have 10 Barbies.”

The all-female membership ranges in age from 35 to one woman in her 90s and most reside along the Wasatch Front.

“Most of the people, unless they move or die, are in there for a long time,” Chance said. One lady passed away in January, just shy of 50 years in the Lewis Sorensen Doll Club.

Some women in the club not only collect dolls for the sake of collecting, but also search for and buy dolls that are broken so they can repair them to give them new life.

Chance said they also enjoy dressing their dolls in the fashions of the periods when the dolls were made.

Despite the proliferation of technology among young people, retail sales of dolls in the U.S. still totaled about $3.78 billion in 2021, a slight increase from the previous year, according to Statista, which compiles market and consumer data. l

West Valley City Journal

Another older adult community development to be built in northwest West Valley City

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

A

third housing development catering to older adults is about to break ground in the northwestern part of West Valley City.

The Heather on Parkway at 6087 W. Parkway Blvd. (2700 South) will ultimately see the construction of 84 single-level homes for purchase by people ages 55 and older.

The homes in the gated community will be built in multiple fourplexes with seven different floor plans available ranging from one to three bedrooms and 1,500 to 2,700 square feet.

“Each of the homes will have their own (fenced-in) backyard, about 200 square feet,” said Trish Tann, a realtor representing project developer Arcadia Builders of Draper.

The Heather will also feature a clubhouse, gym, sauna, pickleball courts and walking trails. The community will be overseen and maintained by a homeowners association.

The homes will range in price from $465,000 to $670,000. “We’ve had quite a few reservations, lots of calls every day,” Tann said. “We’re excited to bring this to the community.”

The name “Heather” was derived from the Scottish roots of Arcadia Builders owner John Walker.

The Heather on Parkway is just down the road from another planned housing community for people 55 and older. The West Valley City Council last year approved the construction of a 43-home development at Parkway Boulevard and 7200 West, despite opposition from residents of nearby single-family homes who were against the planned density of the project in what has been an empty field.

Another development, the 81-home Bingham Point, was completed a few years ago at 7200 West and 3100 South.

Housing projects for the 55-plus demographic are sprouting up at a faster pace around the country as the tail end of the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and some seek an easier, quieter way of life.

“There’s a lot data that suggests that over 10,000 people turn 65 every day in this country,” said Ben Keal, director of sales and operations for Private Communities, a Vero Beach, Florida-based online resource for people looking for master planned gated, golf and retirement communities. That likely means no slowdown any time soon in building retirement communities, especially in Sunbelt states.

Keal said an attractive living environment is sometimes a bigger draw than price

This site at 6087 W. Parkway Blvd. will be the location of another 55 years and older housing development in northwest West Valley City. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

point for financially established current and soon-to-be retirees looking for new homes.

“The allure is the fact that it’s like-minded people like age groups” who want to be among similar neighbors, Keal said, noting that such properties are usually well-kept

and maintain their values.

“Low maintenance, the lifestyle, like-minded people, social attributes—that’s why the 55-plus (housing sector) is so attractive,” Keal added. l

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Tuesday, May 17, 2022 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

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Wvc Journal .com

May 2022 | Page 19

Don’t get left out, volleyball is now in

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

B

oys high school volleyball teams across the state got a shot in the arm this month. It is now a sanctioned UHSAA sport. West Valley, Kearns and Taylorsville boys, however, would need to organize their teams.

“This is big, big, big,” West Jordan head coach Paulasi Matavao said. “So far this season we have seen a lot of new interest. Kids have been emailing us and coming to our practices. They want to know what it is like.”

Since there are no organized teams in this area, players are forced to join neighboring school teams.

J R Seiuli is a junior at Granger High School. His school does not currently have a boys volleyball team. Under the current county rules if the player's school is not represented he may play for another team with the permission of the team director.

“I have only been playing for three years,” Seiuli said. “This is a competitive sport. I think having high school volleyball will just make it more competitive.”

Seiuli plays with West Jordan. Only 57% of the current UHSAA schools have a boys team. Olympus and Skyline are the only Granite School District schools with current teams.

The sport had been denied sanctioning for the past two years. This time it passed by a 10-4 vote. It was considered under the emerging sports initiative. The other sports under consideration included esports and mountain biking.

“This is a great group of kids,” Matavao said. “They have been working very well together. That seems to be a theme for us this season. I think that has made a big difference. We do have some kids that are still learning how to play.”

The UHSAA will hold its first state championship in the spring season of 2024. The sport of boys volleyball is the fifth sport the association has sanctioned since 2016, preceded by lacrosse, girls wrestling and cheerleading.

Sanctioning will help organize more teams according to local coaches.

“It has been hard to keep the teams together all this time,” Copper Hills boys volleyball coach Earle Fenstermaker said.

“We had to rent space to play and practice.

This season Jordan School District has been very accommodating. We have been able to use the high school and West Jordan Middle School.”

The Utah Boys Volleyball Association currently sponsors a country recreation

West Jordan’ boys volleyball team is ranked in the top five of the state this year. Many of its players come from neighboring schools. (Greg James/City Journals)

high school league. It is not a club or super league season. Salt Lake County Parks and Rec handles the scheduling of the local teams. Salt Lake, Northern, and Utah Valley all play their own independent seasons.

The top teams will come together in the state tournament.

Salt Lake County games began in early March; the teams played twice a week through mid-April. The county tournament was held in April; Bingham placed fifth,

Corner Canyon fourth, West Jordan, Copper Hills, and Olympus were still in contention at the press deadline.

There is no telling how many schools will have teams in 2024. It may take time to achieve the 138 girls high school teams.

The boys state tournament is scheduled for May 6-7 at Wasatch High School.

Bingham is the defending state champion for 2019. The tournament was postponed for two years because of Covid. l

Athletic trainers have an important place at the school

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

H

igh schools have several coaches and administrators that keep programs running smoothly. A position that is often overlooked but very important is the athletic trainer.

“I overall have liked being a trainer,” former Copper Hills and West Jordan High School trainer Chaz Beckstead said. “Depending on the size of the school it can be overwhelming. Copper Hills is one of the largest schools in the state so that means a lot of athletes.”

Trainers are contracted to high schools to provide health options for the student-athlete. They work for an outside agency and are located at the school to provide the service.

Their duties include pre-practice events like taping ankles or providing physical therapy for injuries with the athletes. During games, they provide coverage in case of injuries.

“It can be fast paced. Sometimes we had four or five events going on at the same time.

It is very time-consuming,” Beckstead said.

Sports trainers need to meet qualifications including board certification exams and state licensing requirements. They provide more than triage or emergency care.

The student-athlete can be diagnosed, treat-

Page 20 | May 2022

ed, and receive rehabilitation.

“We can make referrals and many will go to their own doctor for treatment. We can save the athlete from going to additional doctors. It is also convenient because they can get treatment right at the school,” Beckstead said.

The student-athlete usually understands the trainer's role, but many parents do not.

“I have had instances when going to an athlete that was injured and the parents have questioned what I was doing. It is understandable that most people do not know what we do,” Beckstead said.

Hailey Pabst is the current trainer at Copper Hills High School. She is employed with University of Utah Health. They are contracted to the school to provide trainer coverage. She worked at West Jordan High School and started at a school in Las Vegas.

“I love working at the high school,” Pabst said. “The kids are hilarious. They can say the strangest things. I get to hear all about prom and the stuff that is going on. High school kids can say some strange things, but it is more about the relationships we can build. Some of these kids are going through a traumatic injury. In the time we work together we can talk about a lot of things and get to know each other.”

Athletic trainers provide triage care for injured high school athletes. (Stock photo)

Pabst works with all of the coaches and gets to know how the athletic program works.

The trainers see different types of injuries depending on the sports season. Ankle sprains and strains top the list of the most popular injuries. They also treat swollen muscles, knee injuries and lacerations.

During football season they see concussions

and broken bones.

“It is super rewarding. I get to see the kids grow. They grow from a little freshman to big seniors, not only in stature but in maturity. Plus, I can provide help to them at times when they really need it,” Pabst said.

“Most people do not understand what we do,” Beckstead said. “We do provide a necessary service.” l

West Valley City Journal

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

The Hunter boys alumni game was held recently, the current team defeated their older counterparts 2-0. (Photo courtesy of Hunter soccer)

Hunter varsity defeats alumni in preparation for second half of soccer season

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

S

pring break is a time to relax and enjoy time away from school. The Hunter boys soccer team also uses it to train against its alumni.

“This is the first season, in a while, we have been able to play it because of Covid,” Hunter boys head coach Brett Solberg said.

“It was great to have some of our former players come back. The alumni like to get together and see how the team is doing.”

The varsity boys pulled out the victory 5-2 over their older and out-of-shape counterparts. The team schedules this game during the time off for spring break. It gives them a chance to train and stay ready for the season.

Hunter has won four games so far this season, with the second half of region games still to play Solberg hopes his team is ready to improve.

“We are not quite where we want to be so far this season. We are optimistic about the second round of region games. I think we have some good momentum and want to convert the games we lost into wins,” he said.

They have pulled out wins over Kearns, Taylorsville, Roy, and Cyprus, but lost to Granger and West.

“I think every game with our region schools are a challenge. Granger is one that comes to battle. There can be some fierce competition. Today’s players are much more connected than they were even just five years ago. When we go to play across town someone always knows one of the opponents.

Wvc Journal .com

They know them by name and they know who is dangerous. It used to be that you would show up and play, but not know much about the other team. In some ways it builds friendship, but it also adds to the competition,” Solberg said.

Senior Alex Munoz leads the team with four goals.

“Alex has great vision and a great strike.

He is consistently getting on the scoreboard.

He is also a great student with a 3.8 grade point average. He will have the opportunity to play soccer at the next level,” Solberg said.

Getting the ball to Munoz with a scoring chance is the strength of the team.

“Our team has very good ball control.

They know the right places to be and have that chemistry. Brian Aguilar is a player that will catch your eye. He has incredible ball control. It's like the ball is a magnet to his feet,” Solberg said.

Aguilar had three assists in the 5-0 victory over Cyprus on April 13.

The Wolverine's goalie is Ariel Martinez. As a sophomore Solberg likes his skills and calls him a “great leader in the back.” He has collected two shutouts this season.

Hunter plays in the UHSAA Region 2.

They are currently ranked 15th in the state's RPI system. Last year they finished the year ranked 18th. Last season they lost in the first round of the playoffs to Layton 2-0.

The state tournament is scheduled to begin on May 13. The final will be held on May 25 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. l

to Honor Military Veterans for Their Service to Our Country.

Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:00 am.

At Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy

The featured speaker is Congressman Chris Stewart.

Program will include: Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet and Refreshments Courtesy of Cedarwood at Sandy.

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. May 2022 | Page 21

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“Hunk-cules: I’m Too Sexy For My Toga” runs April 21 through June 4. The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s comical musical olios, following the show.

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e might not have a parrot or an eye patch, but my dad has found more buried treasure than any pirate. Inside his mild-mannered dad costume lurks the heart of Captain Jack Sparrow, ready to tackle any adventure with dashing flair and comic grace.

On a blustery day in April, he took a pickaxe and hammer to help his great-grandkids find fossilized shells and pieces of quartz on the side of a mountain near his home in central Utah. He was excited about every discovery, and everywhere he looked, he saw treasure.

He pointed to the west and said, “That mountain is full of blue agate.” He pointed down and leaned in to whisper, “We’re standing on the biggest gold mine in the state.” He pointed east to where dinosaur bones hide in the hills and pointed south to Native American sites where he’s examined petroglyphs and rock paintings.

I’ve explored with Dad many times, usually only finding spiders, cacti and the occasional rattlesnake. He can stick his hand in a hole in a rock and pull out gemstones, old coins and a jackalope skull.

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For him, life has been one big treasure hunt. He often takes his metal detector to parks and always shows up when a road is being dug or a house demolished.

You never know what he’ll find; sometimes a rare penny, sometimes radioactive marbles.

He once discovered a class ring and

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used his Hercule Poirot-level detective skills to return it to the family of the man who’d lost it decades earlier.

Even with his work, he stood on the leading edge of discovery. In the ’60s, he helped build the first communications system for Air Force One. Later, he created cameras that flew on the space shuttle, were installed in telescopes and helped aerial refueling tankers.

A camera he designed took the first pictures of the Titanic at the bottom of the ocean.

Never one to pass up a good conspiracy theory, Dad talks about his close encounters with UFOs, ghosts, the Illuminati and home teachers. He also plays the accordion, although how can you tell if someone does that well?

He’s a master woodworker, making toys, banjos, ukuleles and violins that he donates to teens. He cuts and polishes the stones he finds to make necklaces, and he’s been known to set a trap or two for Santa Claus. He’d frighten us with scary stories before bedtime, stories he insisted were true, which made it worse.

If Dad had the chance to take a rocketship to the moon, he’d already be packed. He’d love to fly in a fighter jet

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or visit the space station. He’d gladly sail the Seven Seas under the Jolly Roger and swashbuckle through hidden caves looking for gold doubloons and diamonds the size of cantaloupes.

But through all of his adventures, misadventures, escapades, quests, deeds and feats of reckless abandon, Dad knows the biggest treasure is the one in his own backyard.

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May 2022 | Page 23

Retirement Planning Seminar © 2022 Wealth Management CPAs

Given the current political & economic environment, many retirees are worried about their future.

Two complimentary consultations & personalized retirement plan with registration ($1,000 Value)

10 Reasons You Should Attend This complimentary Seminar 1.

Learn strategies to protect your estate from long-term care expenses.

6.

Learn how to avoid being taxed on your social security benefits.

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Lessen the chance that you outlive your retirement income due to taxes or inflation.

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Discover the pitfalls of probate and the steps you can take to avoid it.

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Learn ways to avoid being forced to sell your assets or surrender your money to Medicaid.

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Learn why a living trust may be more effective than a regular will and why you may need one.

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Learn how to receive long-term care benefits while remaining in your own home.

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Learn how to decrease the tax on your IRA or 401(k) for a more comfortable retirement.

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Attend Either Evening May

19th

Robert J. Beck CPA

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Kelly G. Purser CPA

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Advisory services are offered through Wealth Management CPAs, LLC, an SEC Investment Advisor. Kelly Purser and Tamra Williams are not securities licensed. Tax services offered through Wealth Management Tax Solutions, LLC, an affiliated company. Insurance products and services offered through Wealth Management Insurance Solutions, LLC, an affiliated company.