October 2021 | Vol. 7 Iss. 10
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LUCKY 13 RACING HAS A MEMORABLE SEASON By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
A
tragedy beyond belief for a West Valley family has made an impact on many racing families. Chuck and Julie Groat faced the death of their 17-year-old son Chaz in an accident New Year’s Eve. He was a well-known and beloved member of the midget racing community. After his death the Groats decided to continue racing to honor Chaz and his life. They asked West Valley’s Devin Westover to drive his car. On Sept. 11, Westover won the season midget championship at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho. “The feeling as we crossed the finish line in first place was complete bliss,” Westover said. “I was instantly in tears of joy. We had been so close all year.” The Groats emphasized that this season was for fun and win or lose it did not matter. “Chuck puts together the finest race cars. He has a knowledge and passion for doing it that goes above and beyond. He always has the itch of what we need to change. It is inspiring to see him out there working on the cars,” Westover said. In the season championship, Ashlyn Powell finished second, River Merrill third, and Cheyenne Merrill fourth. The Groats race team, Lucky 13, has spearheaded the first Chaz Groat Memorial race to be held in Meridian, Idaho Sept. 24-25. They have raised nearly $15,000 in prize money. They expect over 20 cars from around the country to participate. Chuck has built a new car for USAC’s winningest female driver Jessica Bean to drive at the memorial event. The 31-year-old driver from Farmland, Indiana races with the USAC midgets all across the eastern United States. She recently won her 21st main event, the most amongst USAC female drivers. She started racing quarter midgets and was inducted into the Quarter Midget Hall of Fame in 2010. She represents a host of drivers that want to pay tribute to Chaz. “At the memorial race there will be special awards and bonuses. The leader of lap 13 will be special,” Westover said. In 2017 Chaz won the Rocky Mountain Raceway midget championship and rookie of the year award. He finished second in points in 2019 at Magic Valley Speedway. After his passing in January it became evident to the Groats he had influenced many people. “Chuck and Julie would constantly tell us of someone that had stopped by the house and let them know how
Local Postal Customer ECRWSS Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.
Chaz Groat and his racing family after his first main event win at Rocky Mountain Raceway. He passed away 10 months ago, but his family is determined to not let his memory fade. (Photo courtesy of CRDesign)
much they missed Chaz. They took complete strangers into their house and would just spend time with them. They do that with everything. They go to softball games, dance competitions and even went to the track where Chaz started to help out. That is what kind of people they are,” Westover said. The Groats have been instrumental in building the midget racing class’s popularity. “They go out to eat with and make sure everyone in the racing class has what they need to get their car on the track,” Westover said. Lucky 13 racing has plans to continue to build cars for next season. Westover says he will drive as often as he can. “We would like to travel to California and Colorado next year. We want this class to get bigger and bigger,” Westover said. l
page 13
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Popular chicken restaurant Raising Cane’s coming to West Valley City By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
W
hy did the chicken cross the road? To get to what will soon be West Valley City’s newest fast-food chicken restaurant (or to get away from it, depending on the chicken’s perspective). That new outlet is Raising Cane’s, a Baton Rouge-based national chain which hatched in 1996 on the Louisiana State University campus and specializes in chicken fingers. In case you’ve been cooped up from the fowl world outside, chicken fingers are somewhat similar to chicken tenders or chicken strips, but consist of chicken breasts cut into strips whereas the latter two are made from other parts of the bird. Raising Cane’s officials are flapping their wings over the new location at 3300 S. 5600 West. “We’re really excited for this area. We know it’s a busy area. We can’t wait to be part of West Valley City,” said Utah native Chris Vines, area leader for Raising Cane’s. A mid-November opening is planned. The West Valley restaurant will be the third in Utah, joining a small but growing flock in the state that includes recently opened locations in South Jordan and Provo with other planned for South Salt Lake, Sandy, Layton and Riverdale. There are more than 550 Raising Cane’s across 34 states and 333 cities, with a large presence in Louisiana, Texas and California. The chain has even expanded to Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Raising Cane’s has a fairly simple menu that, along with the headliner chicken fingers, features crinkle cut fries, Texas toast and coleslaw. The fingers can be dipped in “Cane sauce,” whose ingredients are kept under wraps but is made fresh daily at each restaurant. Then wash it all down with fresh hand-squeezed lemonade and other drinks. Vines said her company is not just about grabbing market share in the competitive
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Chicken finger fast-food restaurant Raising Cane’s opened its first Utah location in South Jordan in June. A grand opening in West Valley City is scheduled for midNovember. (Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
fast-food industry, but giving back to the community by sponsoring and supporting local organizations and events, donating to food banks, and providing free meals to various groups. “We are good about partnering with local businesses because that (commu-
nity support) is what keeps us going.” Raising Cane’s was named after founder Todd Grave’s dog. His original plan was to name it something like Sockeye Salmon after he went fishing in Alaska, but a friend suggested he throw that name back and reel
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West Valley City company brings art instruction to the web By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
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t’s been said that art can help relieve stress and generally bring out talents and self-confidence people didn’t know they had. A small West Valley City company is helping cultivate this artistic expression. Curious Mondo offers free internet classes to teach various arts, crafts and hobbies like painting, sculpting, glass art, macramé and jewelry-making. There are even self-improvement sessions to help people mold their mind and body. “We do 52 courses a year, one every week, and every single week is a different topic,” said Shahar Boyayan, founder and president of Curious Mondo. She shares the work with her daughter and co-founder, Nashlah Boyayan. While plenty of art classes are held in community, recreation and senior centers, Curious Mondo is unique because its sessions are webcast from a studio with a host, usually Shahar, and a trainer. People watch, learn, and submit questions online as it happens. Boyayan said a typical class reaches 3,000 to 4,000 participants across 40 countries. Live classes are rebroadcast soon after for people who work or are in different time zones. “It’s a very engaging format. People can learn and have fun at the same time and ditch the concept that you have to be told what to
do. It’s more like a mentor,” Boyayan said. Another benefit of a live presentation is that if an instructor makes a mistake while showing how to do a project, he or she can show how to correct it in real time since there’s a good chance students will make similar errors. “That’s a key difference from an edited video they can watch on YouTube with the perfect end result,” Boyayan said. “Life happens while the art is happening so it brings the same kind of problems that they (students) face at home.” And those issues can be addressed with live interaction from everyone involved. Most of the students are female, 40 and older, but there are men taking part, too. All ages are welcome (however, the courses might be too advanced for younger children). While individual live classes are free, Curious Mondo earns revenue by selling lifetime access passes to all courses so they can be viewed any time on demand. Social media and word of mouth help spread the word about Curious Mondo. “We are a very small company, so we don’t spend money on advertising. It’s a very grassroots approach,” Boyayan said. And perhaps a life-saving one, too, for people stuck at home during the peak of the COVID
pandemic. “When that happened, we did a whole week where we were talking to people about how to keep their mind engaged and not fall into being depressed.” “We have tons of testimonials where people said we saved their lives because we made that lockdown period bearable for them,
because we gave them something where they could laugh and engage,” she said. Classes are held Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, mountain time. For more information, visit www.curiousmondo.com. l
Shahar Boyayan, right, founder and president of Curious Mondo, hosts live-streamed art and craft classes at the company’s studio in West Valley City. The instructor is Tremaine Fenton of Heart Beads Jewelry in Murray. (Courtesy Curious Mondo)
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Page 6 | October 2021
West Valley City Journal
The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is rumored to be riddled with ghosts. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)
Ghosting ghosts By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com
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s the Halloween season looms near, the fear of supernatural beings does too. Decorations remind us of the existence of ghosts, vampires, goblins, werewolves, and other non-human creatures. We may even become a bit more startled by that unexplained noise in the middle of the night. We might wonder if others from beyond share our space. There are many stories, myths, and folklores concerning ghosts throughout historical contexts. The common foundational plot for all these tales is a spirit has moved on from its original form and is now somewhere between our world and the afterlife. Some lore focuses on the ghosts of animals and objects, but let’s focus on the human ghosts for now. Ghosts may be noticed through electromagnetic interference, a drop in temperature, items moving seemingly on their own, unrecognizable whispers or other audio abnormalities, and/or environmental features like fire, water, electricity, and wind behaving rather strangely. “Ghost Adventures,” a 19-season television show, sends out a crew to investigate hauntings. The crew members commonly have a variety of tools to help them locate ghosts through the avenues mentioned above. They even created their own device called the Extra Investigator Box which detects magnetic, infrared, and other physical events. If you’re not a star on this Travel Channel show, there are a few household devices that can help detect a ghost. Thermometers, infrared cameras, and motion detectors can be used to detect temperature changes and minimal motion changes. A tape recorder can be used to convert communication outside of our perceptual field into sensations humans can understand. Ghosts are often believed to be attached to a place, item or person. There are varying stories about why and or how ghosts stick around, but regardless, they often do. Some cultures around the world welcome these ghosts, as they are believed to be visiting family members or other loved ones. In America, we often do not welcome ghosts and try to rid them from our spaces. If you do suspect a ghost to be in your space and wish to remove them, perhaps helping it to move
Wvc Journal .com
on, what can you do? There are a few different recommendations from varying sources for getting rid of a ghost. Before diving into a few, let me provide a word of caution. When dealing with the supernatural, always do your research, be respectful and cautious, and stay aware. If you’re convinced a ghost is in your space, you might figure out why it’s there in the first place. Some believe a ghost can become attached to an item, location, or person, continually haunting them. Another belief is that a ghost has unfinished business. If possible, determine why a ghost is still lingering and then the more effective course of action would be to help the ghost resolve their business. However, if it’s impossible to figure out why a ghost is hanging around, there are some possible actions. A popular television series worldwide with 15 seasons in just as many years, “Supernatural,” shows audiences how “hunters” track monstrous creatures and rids them from this earthly plane. “Supernatural” shows perpetuate the idea that ghosts can be temporary eliminated with salt and iron. It is commonly believed that supernatural beings are aversive to salt. If known, hunters will try to salt or burn the bones or item the ghost is attached to. In addition, ghost-repelling spells are used in “Supernatural” when other avenues of riding a ghost fail to work, along with holy water. A common lore throughout contexts is that ghosts cannot enter or be on holy ground. Suggestions from entertainment and television should be taken with a grain of salt though (no pun intended). Outside of entertainment, momentary interaction may be recommended. If you suspect a ghost is frequently hanging around, it may not be malicious. In which case, it is possible to speak directly to them. When talking to a ghost, experts believe it is important to set boundaries, be assertive, respectfully ask them to stop bothering you and confidently let them know that they are not welcome in the space. After interacting, do not do it again. If a ghost still lingers, it may be best to seek out professional help for a ritual or ceremony. Or, alternatively, remove yourself from the space by moving out. l
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West Valley City population continues to grow, becomes more diverse By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
T
o no one’s surprise, West Valley City is growing and becoming more diverse. Figures from the 2020 Census released a few weeks ago show the city’s population jumped over the previous decade to a total of 140,230, a jump of 10,750, or 8.3%. The real story behind the numbers is that the population growth is fueled by an increase in people who identify with one ethnic group or another. In raw numbers, Hispanic/ Latino saw an increase of 12,386 new residents for a bump of 29% in that category. The biggest increase by percentage in a single ethnic category was Black/African-American at 65%, for a 2020 total of 3,720. However, the largest percentage rise was 73% among those who identify themselves as being two or more races or a race not specified. Those statistics are countered by a further decrease in what was once West Valley City’s largest sector of the population. “The data indicates a decline in the white population” of 8,494 or 12%, Mallory Bateman, senior research analyst and state data center coordinator at the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute said by email.
That drop between 2010 and 2020 continues a trend that has existed in the city for a number of years. West Valley City remains firmly cemented as the second most populous city in Utah. Salt Lake City remains No. 1 at just under 200,000 people. Rounding out the top five are West Jordan, Provo and Orem. Other information from the 2020 Census, compared to 2010: Utah population: 3.27 million, increase of 507,000, or 18%, fastest percentage growth in the nation. Fastest growing county by percentage: Wasatch, 34,788 from 23,530, 47.9% increase. Most new residents, county: Salt Lake 155,583. Total population 1,185,238. Fastest growing city by percentage: Vineyard (Utah County) 8,932%, (12,534 residents from 139) Most new residents, city: Herriman, 33,359. Total population 55,144. Largest population decline by percentage, county: Emery, 1,151, -10.5%. l
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About one-third of the people in House District 31, the legislative district I represent, are under voting age. That makes me very conscious that how I think and vote as a legislator will affect not only current Utahns but will influence conditions for our young people throughout their lives – in their families, their jobs, their health, the way they travel, their opportunities. In any policy debate these days, it’s my duty to consider my voting options for how they will shape circumstances in ten, twenty, fifty years, and even longer. People my age have seen the impact of well-balanced decisions and politically driven choices, and we understand how critical directions are determined by how conscientiously long-term outcomes are regarded. Right now, we state lawmakers are noting no more “low-hanging fruit” in some critical decision areas. We have addressed the problems that have easier, more immediate
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solutions – less controversial, less complex, with less budget impact. We are now challenging each other with the harder questions and listening to thoughtful ideas. But I also hear avoidance, denial, and redirection away from serious concerns, especially if speakers are engaged in certain political biases. As legislators, our priority must be to the people whose lives and futures we represent. As we regard topics of air quality and its relation to health, water and conservation, transportation and population impacts, and how “economy” translates to vibrant communities and fair opportunities, there is no place for extremism or presumption in our decision-making. It means listening and collaboration. I’m always excited for input from engaged neighbors, and in these days of uncertainty, I’m so grateful to collaborate and rely on the expertise of all the trained and dedicated people in our state departments.
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West Valley City Journal
Local school districts join mass-action lawsuit against e-cigarette maker, Juul Labs By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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ordan, Canyons and Murray are amongst the hundreds of school districts that have joined a mass-action lawsuit against e-cigarette maker, Juul Labs, Inc., claiming that they deceitfully and intentionally marketed their products to children. This has led to an increase in e-cigarette use amongst youths, statistics reveal, so in the mass-action lawsuit, they are wanting to hold the company responsible and seek damages for the “vaping epidemic” on school campuses around the country. Jordan Board of Education President Tracy Miller said, “vaping is a really big problem in our schools.” “We have a lot of kids who vape, a lot who don’t necessarily know how bad it is,” she said. “They are companies using different flavors and marketing, aimed at youth, and it caught on and became popular at a lot of schools. We (Jordan Board of Education) recognized that it’s a problem and need to hold Juul accountable. The problem is they weren’t forthright and transparent about what was going on. There’s high levels of nicotine in vape products, (which are) highly addictive and it was not marketed that way.” Canyons Board of Education member Mont Millerberg agrees. “We need to call a spade a spade,” he said. “Vaping is not a healthy habit and with them having Captain Crunch and sugary flavors, it’s targeting our most vulnerable population to lead them to believe ‘it’s a cool thing.’ If this puts a stop to marketing unhealthy products to children, I’m happy to support it.” Jordan District approved the legal service agreement on Aug. 24 as they joined the mass-action lawsuit. Canyons joined in Sept. 7, and Murray, Sept. 9. Granite’s school board has studied the litigation, said Ben Horsley, Granite School District spokesman. “The Granite School District has recognized the harmful effects of vaping on our youth,” he said on Sept. 17. “The Board of Education and district administration has studied the associated litigation and is inclined to participate.” Vaping products, known as e-cigarettes or mods, are battery-powered devices that heat up a liquid to create an aerosol vapor which typically contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals. Since the user inhales and it doesn’t emit the strong odor associated with conventional combustion cigarettes, and they are designed to resemble USB flash drives, keychains or lipstick tubes, youth often have them in plain sight, even plugged into a laptop, officials say. According to 2020-21 statistics collected by Jordan School District, 90% of the tobacco violations in the district’s schools were infractions against vaping, with only 10% for regular cigarettes.
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We need to call a spade a spade. Vaping is not a healthy habit and with them having Captain Crunch and sugary flavors, it’s targeting our most vulnerable population to lead them to believe it’s a cool thing. — Canyons Board of Education member Mont Millerberg
A Juul device, plugged in like a USB flash drive, is seen charging in a computer, making it unrecognizable to many teachers or parents. (Photo courtesy of Steve Hanson/Salt Lake County Health Department)
Educators and officials are concerned about youth vaping in the mass-action lawsuit; seen here is a Juul starter kit. (Photo courtesy of Steve Hanson/Salt Lake County Health Department)
“Vaping is just so prevalent these days,” said Sharon Jensen, Jordan District’s student support services consultant. Jensen said that youth see vaping in social media or have greater access to it, even getting it from family members as 56% say their parents or other close adults are nicotine users. Sometimes, even adults are unfamiliar with the harm and addiction from e-cigarette use, including that it can hamper long-term adolescent brain development, according to Utah Department of Health research. In a 2021 report, it states Utah’s youth vape at nearly twice the rate of Utah’s adults. Jordan’s statistics reveal that the majority are regular users. Last year, of the students caught with tobacco, 98 were directed to attend an online first-offenders class for nicotine. Of those students, 18% used nicotine 26 days-plus in the last month—“basically daily,” she said. Another 11% used it between 13 and 25 days in that past month. Most students who vape are teens, she said. Of those 98 students assigned to the online class, 25% are age 13. Another 24%
are 14 years old. Six percent are age 12 or younger, making the greatest amount, at 45%, in high school. “Often they vape on the job and their outside-of-school-life is much more colorful than their in-school-life,” Jensen said. Those statistics are in line with the state, according to the Utah Prevention Needs Assessment that showed 12.4% of eighth graders tried vaping; 25.5% of high school sophomores; and 32.1% of high school seniors. In Canyons District in 2019, there were 219 school office referrals, first-time and/or repeat referrals, for e-cigarette use or possession, up from 35 referrals in 2010. Justin Pitcher, who has served as an administrator in Canyons District in the Midvale and Cottonwood Heights communities at both elementary and secondary levels, said vaping is “definitely a concern.” “If it’s happening in high schools, then it’s happening in elementary; the frequency is different,” he said, saying there are fewer younger students caught with devices although all age levels may have access to them despite administrators taking them away. Jensen said that Jordan District policy is to collect and lock up Juuls and other violating products; they can be returned to an adult in the family. She’s hoping their first-time user classes as well as well as the END—Ending Nic-
otine Dependence—course for regular users will help youth identify the harm it does to their bodies. “What we want our kids to do is to learn and to quit,” Jensen said. There is no fee for the classes as Jordan District has a state SAFE (Supporting America's Families and Educators) grant which it dedicated to alcohol and drug abuse prevention. However, hundreds of school districts nationwide are wanting Juul to foot the bills for public resources being used to pay for the current and future costs. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Northern District of California Federal District Court by the Frantz Law group, is a mass tort lawsuit where damages for plaintiffs, or in this case, school districts, are calculated individually. Therefore, multiple plaintiffs can be awarded differing amounts of damages for the amount of its past and future damages. Those costs can range from providing information and resources to students regarding the negative impacts of vaping, student services or counseling, or installing vape detectors. “It’s not really about getting money as much as sending a message,” Miller said. Millerberg agrees: “I don’t expect a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It’s more of a moral stance than anything else.” l
October 2021 | Page 11
Years pass, but memories remain for Granger Class of ’71 By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
T
he hair is thinner, maybe a few pounds have been added, and half a century of life’s experiences after leaving high school have taught lessons far more impactful than anything learned in the classroom. Even the school building they attended has changed. Students of the Class of 1971 at Granger High School in what is now West Valley City gathered in September to rekindle friendships and look back on their time as Lancers that ended with graduation 50 years ago. The reunion took place at the new Granger High that opened in 2013 to replace the original facility that first welcomed students in 1958 when the then-rural community was known as Granger. The youngest of six children, all of whom attended Granger, Marlon Nielson was part recruited and part volunteered to organize the 50year reunion. The ’71 grad reached out to classmates on Facebook and asked if anyone was working on putting together the milestone reunion. “I said we need to get a committee together and get this thing going,” Nielson said. “I talked to one person who said, ‘if you want to be in charge, I’ll help you.’” So he channeled his old high school spirit and took it on. Through web searches, networking, and other means, about half of the 373 graduates
were tracked down and contacted about the class reunion. Most of them made it to the gathering. One of them was Susan Winder Tanner of West Valley’s Winder Dairy family. “It’s interesting to be sitting here with classmates that we haven’t seen for 50 years. Everybody looks kind of different and you look into their face and then you think “Oh yeah, you’re the same person that I once knew.’” As for today’s Granger High, “this facility is phenomenal, it’s beautiful,” said Tanner, who now resides in Provo. When asked to compare life as a teenager in 1971 to now, Tanner said there were challenges then, but not like today. “I think the world is a more difficult place. I don’t envy teenagers right now. There’s a lot of turmoil, a lot of commotion, and a lot of dissonance. It’s not like we didn’t have those things then, but a lot of it seems so in our face right now.” Nielson cited other reasons why things were better back then. “We had the best music in the world in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said. “You got The Beatles, the Beach Boys, The Association. It’s just really good music.” Some of those tunes played in the background as he spoke. Also, “everyone dressed modestly. There wasn’t much crime. You could leave your car unlocked if you wanted to.” The 68-year-old, who still lives in present-day West Valley City, reminisced about
Officers in student government at Granger High School in 1971 reunite after 50 years. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
hanging out with buddies at a Frostop Root Beer stand on 3500 South after a Lancer football or basketball game. “That’s all gone now. The whole city’s changed a lot.” Despite the memories made in the original high school, Nielson is impressed with Granger 2.0. “This new school is a lot better than the old one. This is like the Waldorf Astoria,” he said, gazing at floor-to-ceiling windows, the spacious indoor commons area, and other architectural features that didn’t exist in schools of their era.
Susan Sterzer was especially tuned in to the doings of the Class of ’71. She served in student government as school historian, chronicling all that happened during the academic year. “We just had such a good time. We’re remembering how good it was when we were teenagers growing up in Granger. We’re sharing great things that have happened in our lives since.” “We’re reconnecting in a way that is deeper than I thought.” l
Because I Care! Lindie Sue
BEAUDOIN West Valley City Council At Large
udoin Lindie Sue Bea
Write Me In!
Lindiesue52@gmail.com 801.633.0083 PROFILE: www.wvc-ut.gov
WHO AM I?
• I grew up in Salt Lake City, born and raised, and graduated from Westminster College earning a bachelor degree in nursing. I was a single parent at the time so I know what it is to struggle through hardship and poverty, I was determined to work hard, complete my education, and be an example so I could successfully raise my four children. • I am a veteran, served in the U S Navy Nurse Corps. I specialized in women’s health and had many opportunities to lead, grow and serve. We have made West Valley our home and have lived here for 18 years and we love it!
WHY AM I RUNNING?
• • I am running for City Council at Large to use my gifts, leadership and work ethics to serve the West Valley community. I will work hard to protect the interests and quality of life for our residents. I will be on top of the issues and listen to the people, and get involved and work hard.
HOW CAN YOU VOTE FOR ME?
• I am a WRITE IN candidate. Remember my Name: Lindie Sue Beaudoin and write me in!
Page 12 | October 2021
West Valley City Journal
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October 2021 | Page 13
Jim
MY PROMISE TO YOU
Vote Vesock
I will always remember, I work for you. If you send me an email, I will reply. If you call me, I will call you back. If you invite me to your neighborhood event, I will do my best to be there. You will see me at West Valley City events. You will see me at West Valley Grand Openings. I will be present at all West Valley City Study Meetings. I will be present at all West Valley City Council Meetings. I will always do research and listen to you before I vote. I won’t be just a rubber stamp for the West Valley City Manager. Hello, West Valley City friends and neighbors. My name is Jim Vesock and I’m asking for your vote on November 2nd. In return, when I am elected, I will honor you by speaking up on your behalf and giving you a voice unlike any other you’ve ever had in West Valley City from the Council at Large representative. As your City Council representative, your voice will be heard and together we will bring about positive changes to benefit you and your family while creating an optimistic future of our great city.
For West Valley City
Council At Large
“I will always be there for you.”
WHAT I STAND FOR
Keeping Taxes Low
West Valley City needs to set an all-inclusive budget. Once the budget is approved, West Valley City needs to stick to it. The budget should not be re-opened except for an emergency. The West Valley City Manager has had a blank check for way too long. This STOPS with me when I’m elected. I will not vote to use the general fund (AKA rainy day fund) for things that should have been in the budget.
Safety and Security I will always vote for our police and fire departments to be funded for ongoing training, equipment and personal needed to keep us all safe.
I will speak up as the voice for the great people of West Valley City, even if—and especially if—what I say isn’t popular with other elected officials or the City Manager. I will vote for what I believe even if that means I’m the only no vote. Or the only yes vote. If you have questions about how I intend to serve you, or where I stand on an issue that’s important to you, please contact me via e-mail at votevesock@gmail.com or call 801-573-9062.
Stay current with what I am doing or what I have done in our great city by following me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vote.vesock
GET INVOLVED
Donate to My Campaign
Volunteer
Every dollar will help. Go to any America First Credit Union and donate to: Vote Vesock Account number 9119082
Come be part of my team. Together we can do this. Volunteer today. Call me: 801-573-9062 or Email me: votevesock@gmail.com
Post a VOTE VESOCK yard sign
STAY CONNECTED votevesock@gmail.com www.facebook.com/vote.vesock votevesock.weebly.com
Infrastructure As West Valley City continues to grow and age, this is putting a major strain on our infrastructure. I will be a vote for managed improvements.
Parks, Recreation and Culture West Valley City has great parks, recreational and cultural facilities. I will be a vote for funding to keep these the jewels of our city. The citizens and property owners of West Valley City deserve a voice. When elected, I will always listen to you and be that voice.
votevesock@gmail.com • www.facebook.com/vote.vesock •votevesock.weebly.com
Page 14 | October 2021
Jim
Vote Vesock For West Valley City
Council At Large “I will always be there for you.” West Valley City Journal
Granite Education Foundation helps reduce food insecurity with Day of Service By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com
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n memory of Sept. 11, 2001, the Granite Education Foundation (GEF) partnered with various organizations to sponsor a day of service by putting together various student food kits on the 20th anniversary of the date. “We have about 400 or so volunteers who are coming in working for an hour, and they’re so fun. They’re enthusiastic. They try to work so fast, to get these kits filled,” Kim Oborn, program coordinator of Food Programs, said. “This happens all the time, not just on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 because this warehouse is full of food and volunteers to help kids who are facing food insecurity in our state,” Gov. Spencer Cox said. “And, as you see, we have dozens and dozens of volunteers right now. Some who have already been here and more will be coming throughout the Volunteers come together to fill student food kits at the Granite Education Foundation Day of Service. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) day. This type of effort has been replicated all across the state and all across the nation as FOOD INSECURITY Cox went on to say that many people had common issues.” we come together in a day of service.” When asked why there is division today, Granite School District is the sec- the same experience. Feeling hopeless, many First Lady Abby Cox said, “I think, instead ond-largest district in the state, with more of them stood in long lines to give blood. FOOD KITS “No one cared if you were a Republican of connecting like this, serving one another, than 64,000 students. However, 54% of those The GEF provides three types of food students or about 35,000 students live at or or a Democrat. No one cared if you had a red we are connecting on Facebook groups and kits to students in the Granite School District. below the poverty level. In addition, 70% of shirt or blue shirt on,” Cox said. “That stuff trying to hate each other. And we’re not in A student weekend kit provides one Utah refugees live within the district bound- didn’t matter then, and it shouldn’t matter places like this where we’re serving one anchild three or four meals. Each bag has equal- aries. now. Unfortunately, it does.…We need to other. Where we’re connecting through our ly prepared microwavable meals, snacks and This means that three and one-fourth out recommit ourselves to be better. So that we differences and not using our differences to drinks. of every five students are food insecure. The get off Facebook and stop calling each other hurt one another.” l “The great thing about this option is that USDA defines food insecurity as the “lack of names, but we will actually work together on they are lightweight. They are easily distrib- consistent access to enough food for an acuted,” Oborn said. “People like them for the tive, healthy lifestyle.” Or, stated more simconvenience. We give a lot during the long ply, you do not know where your next meal breaks like winter break or spring break.” is coming from. Another type is the dinner kit. They feed Numerous studies show how food ina family of four for one meal. These kits re- security results in multiple health, developspect different food choices since not every- ment, social and academic effects. one eats SpaghettiOs. According to the official journal of the “These kits take on an international fo- American Academy of Pediatrics (Pediatcus,” Oborn said. “For example, we have rics), “Compared to rates had they not been chicken curry with mango or rice and beans food insecure, children in food-insecure • Adoption with tomatoes and chili powder.” household had rates of lifetime asthma diThe third kit is a snack kit. These stay agnosis and depressive symptoms that were • Estate Planning at school. They are used if a child is hungry 19.1% and 27.9% higher, rates of forgone • Guardianship or maybe they need a little extra food. They medical care that were 179.8% higher, and are popular with high school students. They rates of emergency department use that were • Inheritance come by the pantry to get a kit if they are 25.9% higher. “ • Name Change staying for practice or after school. In addition, the Feeding America website GEF set a goal to put together 7,000 states, “Sadly, hunger may impact a child’s • Probate student weekend kits, 5,000 dinner kits and school performance. Research demonstrates • Trusts 3,600 snack kits. that children from families who are not sure “On average, we’re sending out 3,200 where their next meal may come from are • Wills student weekend kits a month. So, you know more likely to have lower math scores and • Family Law that 7,000 may not last too long,” Oborn said. repeat a grade, among other challenges.” Photo: Don Polo Photography “Saturday was a huge success! At our donation and distribution center event, a total GOVERNOR’S REMARKS of 13,086 food kits were completed (about "Over 25 Years Helping People Like You." Besides thanking the volunteers, Gov. 4,700 student weekend kits, 4,000 dinner Cox talked about his 9/11 experience. kits, and 4,300 snack kits),” Justin AnderHe and his family had just moved to the Call Attorney Steve Buhler at (801) 964-6901, son, chief marketing officer, said. “But while “scary big city,” and 9/11 occurred on the that makes it appear that we didn’t quite second day of his new job. Cox talked about or visit us at www.4utahlaw.com meet our goal but when you factor in all of walking down streets. Strangers would stop the events that were happening at other lo- and ask if he was doing OK. Many Cases Flat Fee First Visit Free cations throughout the day, we far exceeded “If a stranger stops you now, you probaLocated in the Harmon Building - 3540 S. 4000 W. West Valley City our goal.” bly get nervous,” Cox said.
Stephen J. Buhler Attorney at Law
Wvc Journal .com
October 2021 | Page 15
Utah Grizzlies will have new coach in 2021 By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
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he Utah Grizzlies are set to begin their season at the end of October. It will be under the direction of a new head coach. After eight seasons as the team’s head coach and general manager Tim Branham left the team to take an assistant coaching position with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. The Eagles are the minor league affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. The team has yet to name a replacement (at press deadline), but team officials expect a decision before October. Branham is the Grizzlies winningest coach in franchise history with 284 victories. He took the team to the playoffs six times. In the 2019-20 season the playoffs were canceled because of COVID, but he established a franchise best .637 winning percentage that season. Butch Goring has the second most coaching wins in team history. Branham owns and operates youth hockey camps in Wisconsin in the off season. He played 284 professional games in his career and was a defenseman selected in the third round by the Vancouver Canucks. He played his entire career in the AHL and ECHL. The Grizzlies have had a busy off-season preparing for the upcoming year. They signed local standouts Garrett Metcalf and Mason Mannek to contracts for this season.
Page 16 | October 2021
They also offered contracts to several other returning stars. Metcalf is entering his second season as a professional. He played part of the last season with the Grizzlies. He was named ECHL goaltender of the week in April. He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL draft. Mannek played in nine games last season chalking up two assists. He played from 2018 to 2021 with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, where he scored 43 goals and had 51 assists. He graduated from Herriman High in 2018. In other team news, Mitch Maxwell announced his retirement from hockey in July. The season ended last year after a firstround sweep by the Allen Americans. Despite the playoff loss, the team made the playoffs for the 13th time in franchise history. They won 35 games last year. Rookie Matthew Boucher was named ECHL rookie of the year. He led all rookies in the league with 25 goals. Goaltender Parker Gahagen had an outstanding season in 17 games he went 10-4-1 and had a .929 save percentage. He was also the league’s goaltender of the month in May. The Grizzlies push to make the playoffs included a May 4 game against Rapid
The winningest coach in Utah Grizzlies hockey history, Tim Branham has left the team to take a position with the Colorado Eagles. (Photo courtesy of the Utah Grizzlies)
City when they scored a team record four short-handed goals. Boucher led the team in goals (25), Trey Bradley had 37 assists and Cedric Pare played in the most games (67). They used 52 players last season. The season is set to begin on Oct. 22 with the Idaho Steelheads. They will host
their first home game Saturday, Oct. 23. Last season was the club’s 25th anniversary season. The Grizzlies play their home games at the Maverik Center in West Valley. It opened its doors in 1997 and hosted the 2002 Olympic hockey tournament. It also hosts concerts, shows and business meetings. l
West Valley City Journal
Utah’s economy remains strong despite speed bump in recovery By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist
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e’ve hit a speed bump on the road to economic recovery. After several months of robust growth, August marked a pronounced slowing of the economy that caught many experts by surprise. Companies tapped the brakes on hiring, consumer confidence fell, and consumer demand weakened, according to September reports. The culprit, of course, is both new and familiar. The delta variant of COVID-19 brought another wave of uncertainty that’s impacted everything from in-person dining to hotel occupancy. Even Utah’s economy, which continues to outperform the rest of the nation, is feeling some effects. The Utah Consumer Confidence Survey showed a sharp decline in sentiment among Utahns between July and August of 2021, as measured by the Kem Gardner Policy Institute. Meanwhile, Utah’s two-year employment growth rate slowed to 3.8% in August, down from 4.2% in July, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Despite these setbacks, there are still many bright spots in the state and national economies. Utah continues to lead all states in job growth. In fact, Utah and Idaho continue to be the only two states to have higher employment today compared to before the pandemic began. The U.S. unemployment
rate dropped to 5.2% in August, while Utah’s already-low unemployment remained steady at 2.6%. Utah’s unemployment rate also continues to be among the lowest in the country, behind only Nebraska. In the Beehive State, six out of the 11 major industry sectors have posted job gains over the past 24 months. August’s job growth was robust by pre-pandemic standards, just not enough to close the gap of 5 million U.S. jobs that still need to be recovered to return to the previous peak. One of the main reasons the labor market continues to struggle is because employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find workers to fill job openings. There are now nearly 11 million job openings in America, but too many people remain on the sidelines and out of the labor force. That is causing wage pressure, with wages increasing 4.3% over the last year. Wage growth is usually a good thing, but right now it is adding to more inflationary pressure on the overall economy. While the labor shortage has been a dominant theme for months, an emerging trend is weakening consumer demand, driven by the delta variant. As the variant has spread, consumers have become more cautious. Customer-facing businesses are bearing the brunt of this impact. In recent weeks, high-frequency economic indicators such as airline travel and
restaurant bookings have dropped. The economy may have lost some momentum, but it’s still performing comparatively well in the midst a global pandemic. While we don’t know how long we’ll be dealing with the delta variant, there’s good reason to believe that economic recovery will pick up again as the current wave recedes. Robert Spendlove is senior economist for Zions Bank, a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A l
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Page 18 | October 2021
West Valley City Journal
Senior quarterback Ricky Mamone threw for three touchdowns in the team’s first win of the season over Taylorsville. (Greg James/City Journals)
Lancers football team has positive outlook on tough season By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
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he Granger High School football team has not thrown in the towel even through a difficult season. “This season has certainly been a learning curve,” head coach Pala Vaitu’u said. “We have been teaching all summer a positive mindset. We want them to be positive in how we act and how we deal with adversity.” The teams first five games did not produce the results the team expected. They lost all of those games. Including two by more than 40 points, but they never gave up. The Lancers traveled across town to take on the Taylorsville Warriors. The beginning of the game did not look much different as the Warriors jumped out with a touchdown two plays in and also recovered a fumble. As the Warriors inched closer to another first quarter score the Lancer defense turned up the intensity and stopped them on the 17yard line. The turnaround captured the momentum and the Lancers never looked back. The team’s dual-threat at quarterback has become effective. It opened up the run game and led to some big plays. Senior running back Chris Ailua broke a right side run to tie the game and shortly afterward, senior quarterback Ricky Mamone hit Anthony Misi on a 21-yard pass. On the ensuing two-point conversion Mamone showed off his diversity. He seemed to be destined to a tackle in the backfield. His strong arm and determination carried two tacklers into the end zone for the conversion.
Wvc Journal .com
“Yea, both of our quarterbacks have been incredible at leading this team,” Vaitu’u said. Mamone was not done, as the first half neared the whistle he threw a 68-yard bomb. The last second touchdown helped Granger to a 21-10 halftime lead. Garret Cousins also saw time behind center. He completed a 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. “This group of kids is 68% freshman and sophomore. They are a young team that is learning to compete right now. The great thing about them is that they listen. Everything we tell them is like scripture and they soak it up,” Vaitu’u said. Granger held on for a 43-10 victory, its first of the season. “It feels good for our team. We needed this and we need to continue to build on it and go from here,” Vaitu’u said. “We are starting to click at the right time.” The Lancers are scheduled to host their final home game Oct. 1 against Kearns. They will finish the season on the road against Roy, Oct. 7 and West Oct. 13. “These kids don’t quit. They play to the whistle and the end of the game. I am proud of them for that,” Vaitu’u said. “I remember when we started here and we were teaching passing routes. We told the kid to run a 12yard dig and he ran all the way down the field to the 12-yard line. We have learned a lot since then.” l
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October 2021 | Page 19
Nine years without a cold? By Priscilla Schnarr
www.copperzap.com
Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast. Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria in the nose and on skin. Germs, such as viruses and bacteria, can multiply fast. When unwanted germs get in your nose they can spread and cause misery unless you stop them early. In the last 20 years, hundreds New device puts copper right where you need it. of studies by government and “What a wonderful thing!” exclaimed university scientists show the natural element copper kills germs just by touch. Physician’s Assistant Julie. “Is it supThe EPA officially declared copper to posed to work that fast?” Pat McAllister, 70, received one for be “antimicrobial”, which means it kills microbes, including viruses, bacteria, Christmas. “One of the best presents ever. This little jewel really works.” and fungus. Frequent flier Karen Gauci used to The National Institutes of Health says, “The antimicrobial activity of cop- suffer after crowded flights. Though skeptical, she tried copper on travel days per is now well established.” Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and not a copper to purify water and heal wounds. sniffle!” she exclaimed. Businesswoman Rosaleen says when They didn’t know about microbes, but people around her show signs of unwantnow we do. Scientists say the high conductance ed germs, she uses copper morning and of copper disrupts the electrical balance night. “It saved me last holidays,” she in a microbe and destroys it in seconds. said. “The kids had the crud going round Some hospitals tried copper for touch and round, but not me.” Attorney Donna Blight tried copper surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. They say this cut the spread of MRSA, for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no and other illnesses by over half. The strong scientific evidence gave more congestion.” A man with trouble breathing through inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe with a tip to fit in his nose at night tried copper just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in years!” the bottom of his nose. In a lab test, technicians placed 25 The next time he felt a tickle in his nostril that warned of a cold about to million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. start, he rubbed the copper gently in his No viruses were found alive soon after. Some people press copper on a lip nose for 60 seconds. “The cold never got going,” he ex- right away if a warning tingle suggests claimed. “That was September 2012. I unwanted germs gathering there. The handle is curved and textured to use copper in the nose every time and I increase contact. Copper can kill germs have not had a single cold since then.” “We don’t make product health picked up on fingers and hands. The EPA claims so I can’t say cause and effect. says copper still works when tarnished. CopperZap is made in America of But we know copper is antimicrobial.” He asked relatives and friends to try pure copper. It has a 90-day full money it. They reported the same, so he patent- back guarantee. The price is $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with ed CopperZap® and put it on the market. Soon hundreds of people had tried it. code UTCJ14 at www.CopperZap.com The feedback was 99% positive if they or 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. used the copper within 3 hours after the first sign of unwanted germs, like a tick- Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluatle in the nose or a scratchy throat. Early user Mary Pickrell said, “I ed by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, can’t believe how good my nose feels.” treat, cure, or prevent any disease. advertorial
Page 20 | October 2021
Cross country 5A, 6A divisional race date changes; new venue set for state meet By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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hen 5A and 6A cross country runners line up on the start line at Lakeside Park for the divisional meets, they will have the opportunity to have their full varsity teams. In what is considered the qualifying meet for teams as well as individuals for the state competition, organizers had worked with coaches to determine a good meet date. For this year’s meet, it was voted on for Oct. 13—the same date as the statewide PSAT college entrance exam. The PSAT date likely wasn’t communicated to coaches or put on school calendars, so organizers were not aware of the conflict, said Randy Quarez, 5A representative for track and cross country with the Utah High School Track Coaches Association. “This has happened multiple times in my 24 years of coaching,” he said. “I used to have it happen with region cross country meets.” Quarez said that the conflict also could be that coaches discussed the date more than one year in advance, so it could have been the testing dates weren’t yet released at that time to high school counselors. Typically, high school sophomores and juniors take the PSAT standardized test administered by the College Board. The test measures readiness for college, serves as a practice test for college-entrance exams and is a determination for National Merit scholarships. Once learning about the conflict, Quarez quickly reached out to others in the Utah High School Track Coaches Association. After checking the park availability for the alternative date, Oct. 12, the meet date was changed so all student-athletes could participate. “We were able to move it. If we can fix it, we’ll fix it. It would have been a struggle for kids to do that test,” he said. The qualifying runners then will have more than two weeks to prepare for the state meet, which will be held on a new course this year. The course, which many teams ran in the pre-state multi-day meet in mid-September, is at the Salt Lake Regional Athletic Complex, located off of Rose Park Lane. Utah High School Activities Association Assistant Director Jon Oglesby said there were multiple reasons for moving the meet site after more than 40 years of holding the state cross country race at Sugar House Park. Last year, it was held on the Soldier Hollow course in Midway. “Our state meet had outgrown Sugar House Park,” he said. Oglesby said the coaches’ association
At one of the pre-state races in mid-September, junior and senior girls try out the new state course, located at the Salt Lake Regional Athletic Complex off of Rose Park Lane. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
was contacted to determine the best place with a course that coaches like, meets the needs of the student-athletes and what was wanted and needed, such as ample parking. “The Regional Athletic Complex in Salt Lake City just east of the airport was the perfect spot,” Oglesby said. “It actually has a really nice setup.” He also said that “coaches more and more are wanting a flatter course that allows for fast times because that allows them to then compete and qualify into various postseason meets.” With the change of venue comes an admission charge. “That’s something that’s been talked about for quite a while. The expenses continue to rise every year and it’s hard for us to push forward with adding the other things that we want to add knowing that the expenses around even just hosting it are increasing,” he said. “Our coaches are really insistent on wanting chip timing where their splits are at the miles and on RunnerCard, it’s very easy to follow what’s going on. I think that’s a really wonderful thing for the kids, but there’s a cost associated with that.” Timing isn’t the only cost. The venue, officiating, athletic trainers, awards, dumpsters, portable restrooms and water are some other costs that contributed to the change in charging admission, he said. Oglesby said the coaches have supported the change to the new course. “Our coaches are ecstatic about it,” he said. “I am hopeful that it will be a long-term venue for us.” l
West Valley City Journal
Salt Lake County parks continue to be a well loved resource
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his past month I had the opportunity to meet with a constituent to walk around Swensen Valley Regional Park and hear issues of concern. I brought our Parks and Rec team along and we were thrilled to have the Mayor also join us. Our parks have been well loved the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic as people looked for opportunities to get out of the house. Community park spaces are a convenient, accessible place for residents to improve their quality of life. Proven benefits from time spent in parks include improved mental health, decreased blood pressure, and increased physical activity levels. Furthermore, parks improve air and water quality and can even increase property values. Many residents have said they enjoy the benefits of outdoor spaces in the company of their dogs. Dogs are allowed at all Salt Lake County parks provided they are on a leash which is controlled by the owner. In addition, there are other dog parks around the valley such as Millrace, Tanner, Sandy, Cottonwood and West Jordan Off-Leash Dog Park. The County also has an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service's Millcreek Canyon that allows dogs off-leash on the canyon trails on odd numbered days. Salt Lake County maintains more than 70 parks throughout the valley, ranging from small neighborhood parks to large regional parks, In 2020 Salt Lake County experienced a record
Wvc Journal .com
Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Council | District 3 number of people utilizing parks to recreate or as a respite from “home offices.” Currently, the number of people visiting Salt Lake County parks remains higher than pre-COVID numbers. County staff had the challenge of main-
taining the parks with high usage while also facing a reduction in our operation budget. Both the county general fund and the TRCC (tourism, recreation, culture, convention) fund were forced to take drastic cuts which impacted Parks and Recreation’s level of service. Revenue from the TRCC fund comes from tourism - restaurants, car rentals and hotels. You can imagine how much this fund suffered during COVID when convention centers were not operating. Park visitors may have noticed drier grass in the parks this summer. Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation implemented water conservation practices during the current drought conditions. Watering times in all parks, especially in passive areas that don’t get as much
foot traffic, were reduced. The grass has been allowed to go dormant in order to reduce water consumption. Yellow is the new green, right? Additionally, irrigation systems have been upgraded to smart irrigation systems over the last few years. Smart irrigation systems monitor the weather and the moisture content in the ground to provide data on exactly how much water is needed in each park. As the seasons change, I hope you’ll take advantage of the many personal and community benefits that are offered by our County parks. For a complete list of park locations, services, and amenities, please visit slco.org/parks.
October 2021 | Page 21
From the sideline: Interest turned profession for this MaxPreps photographer By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
O
n the sideline of any high school event, you are bound to see an oversize camera with someone kneeling down getting shots of the action. These are not high-paid newspaper photographers. In fact, most are there to enjoy a hobby they can share with others. South Jordan’s Dave Argyle has been taking photos at high school sporting events since 2007. His son was running track at Riverton High School, and he wanted some photos to add to the family album. He is now a professional photographer for MaxPreps. “I just do it for fun,” Argyle said. “The money I make helps pay for some of my equipment.” He takes photos of all schools in the valley but loves to focus on the schools close to his home. You can often see him at Riverton, Herriman, West Jordan or West Valley schools. MaxPreps is America’s online source for high school sports. The website aspires to cover every team, every game and every player in the country. Argyle is one of 11 vetted photographers in the state. His 786 photo galleries are the most of anyone else. He has become a voice of the program with others. “I have really been trying to talk others into trying it out,” he said. “The process of
being accepted is difficult, but once you are in it is fun.” The website asks the potential applicant to submit quality photographs to be evaluated. The site’s management like high-caliber sports action shots. After being accepted each photographer is able to send in high school sports shots to be viewed and purchased on the site. Argyle helped supply photos for the Valley Journals (now City Journals) when he started and now promotes his own site and skills. “I look down the list for teams that have not had submissions recently,” Argyle said. “Then I go to those games. As the season goes along, the list gets smaller and smaller. I like to shoot football and basketball mostly.” His interest in photography began nearly 50 years ago. He learned from his father and likes to pass the interest on to others. He has taught classes at the University of Utah and worked with several news agencies. Shooting sports action shots can be difficult, but being in the thick of the action and still getting a good picture is challenging. “I got tackled head-on once—had just enough time to curl up my camera and roll through it,” he said. “I did not get hurt or damage any of my stuff. This has been so
Dave Argyle started taking photos at Riverton High School and can now be found traveling across the valley in search of the great shot. (Greg James/City Journals)
much fun.” Traveling to games is a perk of the job too. “I made a trip to Richfield that was beautiful,” Argyle said, “and I got some good action shots.” In the Salt Lake Valley there are primarily six photographers approved by MaxPreps including Argyle. They include Steve Carnahan, Terry Cullop, Jay Downs, Tim Haslam
and Kevin McInnis. The site charges you to download and print your favorite photos. MaxPreps is also the website used by the Utah High School Activities Association to record statistics and team rankings. The RPI used to seed teams into its state playoffs is generated by the site. l
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Burn the witch
he husband and I spent 245 days driving to California last month to attend his high school reunion. As we drove through his old neighborhood, he pointed to a house and said, “That’s where the witch lived.” I had a witch that lived in my neighborhood, too. She didn’t wear a pointy hat and she never caused the crops to wither or danced naked in the moonlight (that I’m aware of) but we all knew she was a witch. She lived alone and she was female. That was all the proof we needed. Women have been labeled as witches since forever. One myth tells the story of Lilith, believed to be the first wife of Adam, who insisted they were equal. So, obviously she was a demon. She left Eden to live an independent lifestyle in Oregon, saying, “He’s all yours, Eve.” Things only went downhill from there. A witch could be any female who was smart, witty, courageous, quarrelsome, beautiful, self-sufficient or reserved. Women who were healers were probably witches. A woman who could read? Definitely a witch. A woman who disagreed with her husband? Get the matches. If there was too much rain, not enough rain, bugs, curdled milk, a windstorm, mice, or a solar eclipse, it must be a curse placed by the old lady living alone in the woods. If a woman hummed an unknown tune or
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October 2021 | Vol. 7 Iss. 10
FREE
LUCKY 13 RACING HAS A MEMORABLE SEASON By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
A
tragedy beyond belief for a West Valley family has made an impact on many racing families. Chuck and Julie Groat faced the death of their 17-year-old son Chaz in an accident New Year’s Eve. He was a well-known and beloved member of the midget racing community. After his death the Groats decided to continue racing to honor Chaz and his life. They asked West Valley’s Devin Westover to drive his car. On Sept. 11, Westover won the season midget championship at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho. “The feeling as we crossed the finish line in first place was complete bliss,” Westover said. “I was instantly in tears of joy. We had been so close all year.” The Groats emphasized that this season was for fun and win or lose it did not matter. “Chuck puts together the finest race cars. He has a knowledge and passion for doing it that goes above and beyond. He always has the itch of what we need to change. It is inspiring to see him out there working on the cars,” Westover said. In the season championship, Ashlyn Powell finished second, River Merrill third, and Cheyenne Merrill fourth. The Groats race team, Lucky 13, has spearheaded the first Chaz Groat Memorial race to be held in Meridian, Idaho Sept. 24-25. They have raised nearly $15,000 in prize money. They expect over 20 cars from around the country to participate. Chuck has built a new car for USAC’s winningest female driver Jessica Bean to drive at the memorial event. The 31-year-old driver from Farmland, Indiana races with the USAC midgets all across the eastern United States. She recently won her 21st main event, the most amongst USAC female drivers. She started racing quarter midgets and was inducted into the Quarter Midget Hall of Fame in 2010. She represents a host of drivers that want to pay tribute to Chaz. “At the memorial race there will be special awards and bonuses. The leader of lap 13 will be special,” Westover said. In 2017 Chaz won the Rocky Mountain Raceway midget championship and rookie of the year award. He finished second in points in 2019 at Magic Valley Speedway. After his passing in January it became evident to the Groats he had influenced many people. “Chuck and Julie would constantly tell us of someone that had stopped by the house and let them know how
Local Postal Customer ECRWSS Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.
Chaz Groat and his racing family after his first main event win at Rocky Mountain Raceway. He passed away 10 months ago, but his family is determined to not let his memory fade. (Photo courtesy of CRDesign)
much they missed Chaz. They took complete strangers into their house and would just spend time with them. They do that with everything. They go to softball games, dance competitions and even went to the track where Chaz started to help out. That is what kind of people they are,” Westover said. The Groats have been instrumental in building the midget racing class’s popularity. “They go out to eat with and make sure everyone in the racing class has what they need to get their car on the track,” Westover said. Lucky 13 racing has plans to continue to build cars for next season. Westover says he will drive as often as he can. “We would like to travel to California and Colorado next year. We want this class to get bigger and bigger,” Westover said. l
page 13
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