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By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
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3500 South is one of six current intersections along Bangerter Highway in West Valley City that are slat ed to be converted to freeway-style interchanges—but not until 2028 at the earliest as funding is allocated. The changes are intended to reduce congestion and accidents by allowing traffic to move uninterrupted by signals and cross traffic. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
“Once we’ve finished the environmental Cops and Cleats
The Utah Department of Transporta tion has been conducting public hearings and seeking other feedback recently as part of a state environmental study to determine the best way to change Bangerter Highway from its present structure of intersections controlled by traffic signals to a continu ous-flow freeway with interchanges from 4100 South in West Valley City to California Avenue in Salt Lake City. West Valley City intersections that would be impacted would be 4100 South, 3500 South, 3100 South, Parkway Boulevard, 2400 South and State RouteThe201.purpose is to reduce congestion and improve safety along the route on Salt Lake County’s fast-growing west side. “We have seen a reduction in accidents along the high way where intersections have been replaced by interchanges,” said Alex Fisher-Willis, UDOT project manager. The cost of and design of the project won’t be fully determined until at least mid 2023 when the environmental study is com pleted, a document that will address commu nity impacts like noise, air quality, historic buildings, and wetlands, Fisher-Willis ex plained.Crews won’t break ground on the proj ect for at least another six years. “We’re actually not funded until 2028. Even then, the funds that we do have available at that time are pretty limited,” Fisher-Willis said.
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page 12 Junior high reconstruction page 16 Handball page 14
Continued page 10 CHANGES COMING TO BANGERTER HIGHWAY IN WEST VALLEY CITY WHEN FUNDING ALLOWS
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D on’t expect to see orange barrels and heavy equipment any time soon, but the planning process is underway to convert Bangerter Highway through West Valley City into a freeway-style expressway.
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s e P t . 2022 | Page 3W VC J ournal . C om Mention this Ad for 10% off Expires 10/15/2022 Now Hiring! $35-$80K + Full Benefits & Bonuses Call 801-262-1596 or email: trent@diamondtreeexperts.com TREE TRIMMING & REMOVAL • Stump Grinding • 24/7 Emergency Services • Powerline Trimming • Land Clearing • Demolition Options Available • Organic Mulch Products Call for a FREE ESTIMATE 801-938-4345 DiamondTreeExperts.com Certified Arborists On Staff. Fully Licensed, Insured & Bonded Stephen J. Buhler Attorney at Law • Adoption • Estate Planning • Guardianship • Inheritance • Name Change • Probate • Trusts • Wills • Family Law Call Attorney Steve Buhler at (801) 964-6901, or visit us at www.4utahlaw.com First Visit Free Many Cases Flat Fee Located in the Harmon Building - 3540 S. 4000 W. West Valley City Photo: Don Polo Photography "Over 25 Years Helping People Like You."
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Veterans involved in Rolling Project Odyssey, participated in a 300-mile ride with a stop at Harley-Davidson in Salt Lake City. (Courtesy of the City Journals)
“Us veterans, we’re all alphas,” said Navy veteran Ray Andalio. “We’re all out to help. But it needs to start within. For us to start, we need to reach out because we don’t know it all. There are organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project that are out there empowering veterans every day. I hope one day everyone would understand this stigma needs to go away. Pride kills us all.”Andalio has worked as peer mentor with WWP since 2009 and regularly re cruits members, bringing them into the community and providing them with hope, purpose and camaraderie. Ogden resident, Matt, said Andalio got him involved with the WWP, a pro gram that’s given him avenues to destress and connect with other veterans. Matt served in the Army for 22 years before re tiring in 2018. “It gets you out, it gets you with like-minded individuals, whether it’s on a motorcycle or at a golf course,” Matt said. “All the different activities and exercises are group therapy, and I say therapy really loosely.”Participants in Rolling Project Odys sey come from different parts of the coun try but all have the same desire to support each other. They hope veterans see the adventure-based activities, on YouTube or social media, and reach out to get in volved.According to WWP’s Annual War rior Survey, one in four WWP Warriors have had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Adventure-based mental health workshops provide support for veterans to overcome these challenges together. This program connects warriors with common interests to develop a new sense of cama raderie and coping skills to overcome the invisible wounds of war.
W est V alley C ity J ournalPage 4 | s e P t . 2022 WEST VALLEY TEAM The West Valley City Journal is a monthly pub lication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Val Forley. information about distribution please email brad.c@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display ad vertisements do not necessarily reflect or repre sent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc. ConnectsocialmediaJou r nals YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS THE CITY FACEBOOK.COM/MYWESTVALLEYJOURNAL/ INSTAGRAM.COM/CITYJOURNALS CITY-JOURNALSLINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/WVALLEYJOURNALTWITTER.COM/WVCJOURNAL.COM CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com EDITOR Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Ryan Casper | ryan.c@thecityjournals.com801-254-5974 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com Jason Corbridge | jason.c@thecityjournals.com CIRCULATION COORDINATOR Brad Casper | brad.c@thecityjournals.com801-254-5974 Rack locations are also available on our website. EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN Ty AmandaGortonLukerStacyBronsonAnnaPro WEST VALLEY CITY JOURNAL 9500 South 500 West, Suite 205 Sandy, UT 84070 PHONE: 801-254-5974 MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to inform and entertain our community while promoting a strong local economy via relevant content presented across a synergetic network of print and digital media. PUBLISHER Designed, Published, & Distributed by FREE | COMMUNITY | PAPERS E very day, 22 veterans commit suicide. At almost one death every hour, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs report ed most of those deaths are in veterans 50 and older.TheWounded Warrior Project offers assistance to veterans through interactive retreats, professional services and rehabil itation. WWP’s adventure-based mental health program, Rolling Project Odyssey, brought a group of veterans together in Utah for a week-long 300-mile ride.
Rolling Project Odyssey is part of a larger partnership between WWP and Harley-Davidson to honor and empower wounded veterans. Harley-Davidson has supported the military for many years and continues to support veterans and ac tive-dutyCoreymilitary.Jorgensen, a South Salt Lake Police motorcycle officer, attended the event with several SSL officers. They did a motorcycle demonstration for the veterans attending the Harley-Davidson event. “We work closely with Harley-David son,” Jorgensen said. “We support them and they support us. We were asked to come support the veteran’s bike ride today. It was an honor to be here.” With donor support, the WWP has provided more than 42,000 hours of inten sive outpatient care and therapy sessions that have helped warriors move closer to becoming their best selves. “It’s pretty cool,” Matt said. “It lets you know you’re not alone.”
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson of Salt Lake City (2928 S. State St.) hosted the warriors at an event in late July, giving veterans an opportunity to connect with staff as they assemble bikes and watch a demonstration of some motorcycle tricks for the warriors.
partners with the Wounded Warrior Project to host veterans
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
South Salt Lake Police motorcycle officers stopped by Harley-Davidson to participate in the Wounded Warrior Project’s mental health program, Rolling Project Odyssey. The officers did a motorcycle demonstration for the attendees. (Courtesy of the City Journals)
The challenges that refugee children face can often feel insurmountable. Especially when you consider that these children are tasked with learning about school both culturally and academically. Nevertheless, there are a growing number of resources available to refugees, which is one of the many reasons Granite School District continues to host its annual refugee night for incoming students and their families.
“The overall message is of belonging, and they do belong,” the volunteer further explained. “America is a country built on the backs of immigrants, and to this day that re mains true.” l
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Granite School District’s refugee night combines philanthropy and fun
On a hot yet rainy evening in early Au gust, families of refugee students, and stu dents themselves, gathered at Granite Park Junior High School to partake in the night’s activities. Students and families were first prompted to enter the school’s gymnasium where a series of booths offered information and resources regarding everything from En glish courses to food pantry locations.
“It’s so vitally important for refugees in our community to feel like they belong. And they do belong. It might not seem so in dayto-day life when you’re walking down a Salt Lake City street but look at events like this where there are hundreds and hundreds of people present. This community is not only here, but they belong here. And that’s why refugee night is so important because it helps (families) know that they are both included and celebrated,” said a volunteer who was passing out free pizza. Following the indoor portion of refugee night, students and families were ushered outside to enjoy the carnival where children could take pictures with actors dressed as Marvel movie characters, play games and navigate bouncy houses. Various food op tions included complimentary pizza and doit-yourself snow cones. As the night came to an end, even the incoming rainstorm couldn’t deter the high-spirited atmosphere. Events like refu gee night are pertinent to creating an envi ronment where refugees can connect, not just with one another, but with the commu nity at large. Especially considering many of these refugees are fleeing nations where there is the constant looming threat of vio lence. According to Utah Refugee Connec tion, over 1,000 people attended refugee nights throughout the 2021, making these events pivotal for providing resources and camaraderie.“Theseare our neighbors, your neigh bors,” Lewis said, “and there are so many ways to get involved, volunteering for one. Even just getting to know more about refu gees in the state of Utah is helpful.”
Volunteers helped students pick out a backpack of their choosing, offering plenty of different colors and de signs. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals) There are currently over 65,000 refugees living in Utah today. They come from over 40-plus countries and speak 20-plus languages. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)
At the carnival, students and families were treated to pizza and do-it-yourself shaved ice and snow cones. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)
At one booth sat Tim Lewis, who was there on behalf of the Asian Association of Utah. Lewis and his fellow volunteer spoke highly of working with refugees saying, “There are a lot of great kids that (we) work with. So much of what we do is about finding out directly from (the refugees) how we can support their transitions. Even a seemingly small gesture can make a lasting impact.”
Granite School District in collaboration with Utah Refugee Connection hosted Refugee Night at Granite Park Jr. High School. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)
One such small gesture was the free backpack giveaway, designed to help allevi ate purchasing school supplies. Children ex citedly shuffled through multiple backpacks as they were prompted to pick one that they liked with their favorite color or design. The kids excitedly pranced around the grounds with backpacks of all hues. While the organizations present at the event play a key role in helping refugees get established, most volunteers agree that the long-term success of refugees in the com munity hinges on those individuals feeling like they’re supported and welcome. It might not always seem like refugees make up a sig nificant portion of our population, however, the actual numbers denote a sizable percent age. Refugee night further drives home the urgent need for community, especially in certain cultures where a strong and fortified network is crucial.
By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
As of 2022, Utah Refugee Connection reports there are approximately 65,000 refu gees living in Utah. Each year the president sets a ceiling for refugee admission. This ceiling is created after the president spends time consulting Congress and the United Nations, in addition to reviewing informa tion provided by world refugee relief orga nizations. Since 2002, the ceiling has been set at a consistent 70,000 per year. However, the ceiling was changed for the first time in 2017, after the Trump administration cut the number down to approximately 23,000. The refugee population in Utah is di verse, as our population of refugees come from 40-plus countries and speak 20-plus languages. For the past decade, Utah has welcomed over 1,000 refugees each year. However, following the ceiling drop in 2017, that number dwindled to 300. The largest groups of refugees in Utah come from Iraq, Bosnia, Somalia and Sudan. All refugees will experience some de gree of culture shock, regardless of where they are coming from. For certain individuals even daily activities like bathing, retrieving water, and using electricity are profoundly different. To help alleviate stress and pro mote a healthy transition, refugees rely on our established communities for guidance, acceptance and patience. For those looking to get involved and volunteer, there are many ways to do so. Utah Refugee Connection recommends con tacting their offices, or other organizations like the Asian Association, International Rescue Committee, and Catholic Communi ty Services. From there, these organizations can assist you in finding the right program.
According to the district, “(The work aims to) highlight the landmarks, values, ambi tions, and goals of the communities within the school district. The work aims to instill in each young person a striving to succeed.” After three years in the making, the proj ect was finally unveiled at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art in June. It was an effort that required lots of planning both financially and artistically. While funding was provided by the Utah Legislature and Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the project was overseen by profes sional artist Matt Monson. Monson was the type of child who took to the arts at a young age. “(However), it took me until my 30s to have enough confidence to call myself that out loud. It was around that time I began giving myself permission to just put it out there…to go with my own style. I’ve nev er stopped creating, and now have murals in different spots from Logan to Boulder, Utah,” he said.Given Monson’s expertise in mural work, he was an obvious shoe-in for the project. “My main areas of artistic focus are storytelling and creating art that doesn’t just look neat, but something that also gives the feels. My artistic style is defined by flowing interconnected line work, vibrant colors, and always a memorable ‘ah-ha’ sort of design element.”
The students at Olympus High School wanted to pay homage to Salt Lake’s famous mountain landmark and the namesake of the school, Mount Olympus. “In our mural, the great Mount Olympus overlooks our small city and the people who enjoy the myriad of outdoor activities Holladay has to offer: ski ing, hiking, mountain biking, live music in the summers, and of course, the Mount Olympus torch run,” according to the school’s statement. In addition to Kearns High School and Olympus High School, the other schools repre sented were Taylorsville High School, Grang er High School, Wasatch Jr. High, and Hunter High School. Separate but united, they created their own murals, that eventually came togeth er as the “Sense of Community” mural. The mural hung in the UMOCA from May until the end of June. “This was such a fun opportunity for me,” Monson said. “Many thanks to Noemi, the art teachers, and, of course, all of the awesome art students from Granite School District. Well done y’all. You really delivered, and the show was truly amazing.”l
Lead artist Matt Monson, along with several student collaborators, stand in front of a mural on opening night. (Photo courtesy of Matthew Monson)
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“The obstacles and setbacks were innu merable,” Monson said. “What’s even more amazing though was the perseverance and de termination everyone showed in never giving up and pulling off such an amazing show.” Each school was encouraged to showcase the attributes and defining features that made their specific institution unique. For exam ple, Kearns High School wanted to focus on “the strength of the Kearns Community (that) is represented by the strong roots that sprout up into the stalwart tree. The tree grows and branches out throughout the community and into the many diverse hands that are all part of such an incredible community,” according to the school’s statement.
Granite School District is one of the most diverse school districts in Utah and op erates in various different cities throughout the central Salt Lake Valley. With a total of roughly 67,000 students enrolled ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade, Granite is the third largest district in the state. As a result, the dis trict is home to a variety of students with vary ing racial, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds.Inanattempt to pay homage to these dif ferences, while simultaneously highlighting a need for unity, Granite School District invited students from six of their high schools and one of their junior highs to participate in a collabo rative mural titled “Sense of Community.”
By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
Monson was approached by Noemi Her nandez-Balcazar, the district arts coordinator. Hernandez-Balcazar first encountered Mon son’s artwork on the walls of the new Kearns Public Library, which Monson explains had a heavily Kearns-centric community focus, with three large murals that focused on the town’s past, present and future. Based on that proj ect alone, Hernandez-Balcazar propositioned Monson for the job. “I was asked to be the lead artist to help the students form their ideas and find their artistic style,” Monson said. “It was import ant for me to be there in a supportive role and help them with the process—but all designs were done completely by the students of each school.”The project began in fall 2019, and while the ultimate product turned out wonderfully, Monson and the students would soon learn the challenges of collaborating on a project of this size and“Therescope.were many challenges with the project—coordinating eight different Granite School District art programs and the many stu dents involved. But that was expected. What was not expected was everything that 2020 and 2021 brought us,” Monson said. The Covid-19 pandemic set the project back by two and a half years. However, the prolonged timeline made the reveal that much sweeter thanks to the hard-working students and art teachers. Finally, those involved were able to host a proper celebration and opening night at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art in May 2022.
Granite School District students collaborate on a mural highlighting community
The Taylorsville mural was made to feel like you were walking down the streets of the city, seeing the main things that bring the community to life. (Photo courtesy of Matthew Monson)
“Running a nonprofit is not easy,” Han sen said. “We usually wing it and hope people find out about us and donate when we can. It’s stressful every year to know if we’re going to survive another year because of funding. But it’s been so Accordingrewarding.”tothe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Utah is one of the worst states for veteran suicide. Part of Continue Mission’s goal is to get people in touch with the VA to get assistance, mental health coun seling and other support.
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Visit ContinueMission.org for more in formation or to make a donation. l
“After going to his funeral and seeing how it devastated the family and his kids, that was the turning point to say that’s not the an swer,” he said. “We took care of each other during the war, we need to do that at home.”
Depression breeds in isolation, so physical interaction is a big part of Continue Mission.
As Hansen and his soldiers cleared bombs in Iraq, he’d say Charlie Mike, which meant they could continue mission. “Here at home we need to continue mis sion in life and support one another,” he said. “It’s healing for me when I hear success sto ries. There are so many ways we can touch people's lives and not even know it.”
“When you get this big network of in dividuals you can reach out to when you’re struggling, that can save a life,” Hansen said. “What worked for me might save others. Mother Nature is so healing.” Many veteran programs are only avail able to military personnel who served after 9/11, but Continue Mission is open to vets of any era and service connection including National Guard, reserves and active duty personnel. The program also has numerous women participating, as well as LGBTQ or trans soldiers. Hansen wants the program to be all-encompassing and inclusive.
After Sgt. Josh Hansen (US Army Retired) was injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2007, he was hospitalized for months with brain trauma, and back and neck injuries. Hansen often felt he was a burden on everyone around him and thought it would be better for everyone if he wasn’t around. But after one of his soldiers died by sui cide, Hansen realized he was traveling that same, dark road and wanted a different end ing.
Healing program allows vets to Continue Mission
Hansen and his wife, Melissa, founded Continue Mission in 2014, to provide a pro cess to help veterans dealing with trauma.
Continue Mission has grown with more than 3,500 vets participating this year, com pared to 15 vets during the first year, and nearly 200 events. A recent river trip to Moab cost $10K but was offered at no cost to par ticipants.Continue Mission is funded through grants, website donations and a fundraising event organized by Blade HQ in Pleasant Grove.
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By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com
“The majority of veterans dying by suicide aren’t registered with the VA at all. They’re not even getting the help,” Hansen said. “I don’t want to wait until someone is in that dark place. I’d rather stop it beforehand. If we can get them out with our program and get their lives back again, and not let the tun nel get too dark, that will be the saving grace.”
Veterans involved with Continue Mission use outdoor activities to become mentally strong and to build long-lasting relationships that are healing and supportive. (Photo courtesy of Josh Hansen)
Based on his personal healing journey, the Continue Mission program, based in North Salt Lake, gets vets outside and interacting with each Whetherother.it’s hiking, paddle boarding, disc golf, pickleball or a ball game, the out door activities create bonds and friendships.
Scott Bell, former Kearns Junior High princi pal, is replacing longtime West Lake STEM Junior High School Principal Tyler Howe this fall. Howe is moving into the Granger High School principal position this school year. He served as West Lake principal for six years. Bell says he is excited about the connec tion with Howe as the West Lake STEM stu dents go onto Granger High School. “It’s been great that I have been able to have a variety of opportunities to meet with Tyler to learn what he has been doing and what our directions and focuses are,” Bell said. Bell has also had meetings with the ad ministration team and teachers this summer. “It has been a great chance to get to know them and to continue to focus on the growth of our students,” he said. “We are all very much passionate about our students and their growth mindset. We want to continue our academic growth and grow our staff to help our students to the best of our ability in the coming years,” he added.
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Bell’s academic career began when he was a West Lake school counselor and alter native school teacher. He later transitioned into administrative roles in the district. “I am ecstat ic to have an opportunity to return,” he said. “West Lake holds a special place in my heart. Sometimes things just come together, and life works in a funny way sometimes…it certainly did in this case.” Bell grew up in West Valley City and graduated from Kearns High School, and he says this opportunity is letting him return to his roots. After graduating from high school, he earned his associate’s degree at Utah Tech and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah. He went on to earn his master’s and administrative credentials from Southern Utah University. Bell said his career led him to right where he wants to be. “It’s been by design to stay where I grew up,” he said. “I was first hired in Davis County as an intern, and it was there that I realized I wanted to work where I grew up. I am grateful for the upbringing that I had here. Now I can give back to the community that gave me so much,” he said. One of Bell’s first priorities is getting ready to move into a new building in two years. The school currently operates at the old West brook Elementary School campus at 3451 W. 6200 South in West Valley City. The building sustained significant damage during an earthquake, leading to a temporary relocation of the school. Following extensive building assessments, the Granite Board of Ed ucation decided to rebuild instead of repair the damaged structure. The new West Lake building will be modeled after an existing Utah middle school building, Hidden Valley Middle School, that was completed in 2020. It is anticipated the new building will be ready August 2024. Bell recently posted a construction report video said.bemountainJI4kVbK1z-WIQ.www.youtube.com/channel/UCqF2XaoalAatOutsideofwork,Bellenjoyshiking,biking,skiingandopportunitiestoinnature.“Iworkhard,andplayhard,”he l
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Principal Scott Bell is looking forward to returning to his roots.
By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com
West Lake STEM Junior High School welcomes new principal
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Workman has been interested in Germany since her best friend moved to the country during elementary school. Workman also has distant family in Germany, so her time in the country will hold a special meaning. To learn more about hosting an international high school exchange student, visit www.ciee.org/host-families.“Assomeonewhohasalways been interested in interna tional relations and traveling, I think it’s important for people to experience different cultures to broaden their understand ing of the world,” Workman said. “Everyone is different, and the Earth is full of beautiful cultures that might not make a whole lot of sense to the next country over.”
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com technician was prompt, worked quickly, and was very professional. They provided same day service that was outstanding. —David C “ Robert and Mark were great! We had pipes burst at night and they were right there to help us get the shut off and to help us get all the water out and dried. were both professional, communication was great and they were thorough.I would recommend them to anyone!
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“With an open mind, I’m sure I can handle the chal lenges and face my fears,” she said. “Experiencing cultures teaches humans a new tolerance they might not have had be fore. Plus, learning about new cultures is super fun.”
Not only do American students go abroad to Germany, but German students come to live and study in the U.S. to promote the same level of understanding on both sides of the Atlantic. Since the program started in 1983, more than 27,000 students have taken the opportunity to become edu cated, global citizens.
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Briyanna Workman, a West Valley City resident, is one of only 250 high school students in the country to be awarded the prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. The 18-year-old Hunter High grad will spend a year in Germany, living with a host family and attending school. Workman hopes the experience demonstrates her ability to confidently tackle the world. She’s also excited to become fluent in German, possibly moving to the country after she completes the program.
Though a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship, Hunter High grad Briyanna Workman takes a gap year in Germany to study the country’s language and culture. (Photo courtesy of Briyanna Workman)
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“The CBYX students are considered youth ambassadors for the U.S. and people-to-people diplomacy plays an im portant role in maintaining relationships abroad,” said Katie Pfohl, grant program manager for the Council on Interna tional Educational Exchange. “Students go through a rig orous application and interview process, so we are looking for mature, curious, flexible leaders. They develop life-long relationships with their German host families and peers over the course of an academic year, become fluent in German, and learn to see the world in a more global way.”
Hunter High grad receives U.S. State Department Scholarship to study in Germany
“I’m looking forward to every experience, even the bad ones,” she said. “Each experience will teach me how to be a stronger person, and the hard times will refine me to be better than I was before. I’m excited to make new friends and meet new people. I’m also really excited to start school.”
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The CBYX program helps students gain a better under standing of a foreign culture, language and every day life. Workman will have the chance to visit the German Bunde stag (German federal parliament) to meet with U.S. and Ger many officials. She’ll also explore the country through visits to historicalWorkmansites.will live with a host family as she attends school in Germany. Although she’s looking forward to the adventure, she admits to being a little anxious about getting lost, not liking her host family, messing up the language or inadvertently offending a German national.
By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com
Still true in 2022: Just as when I rst ran for a Utah House seat, my job is to work on legislation to bene t people and communities. Still true: Coming from a career in which I focused on young people and their acquisition of knowledge and skills to support their future aspirations, I understand many of the challenges for them and their families. Still true: My views on state policy must be shaped by conversations I have with constituents, research that is reliable and unbiased, and recommendations from those with education and experience in a policy area. I value informed discussion.
New in 2022: More individuals believe they are more important than the community they live in – their neighborhood, school network, city, state. More individuals believe that numerous “others” are focused on hurting them. More individuals share sensational stories about how powerless our values and votes have become. A more politicized state government exists because of these beliefs and stories. More true in 2022: Our individual votes have more power than ever – voters have more access, more initiative, and more awareness. We hear a lot of judgmental statements and see behaviors based on sanctimonious views, BUT we are generally troubled by them, the hatefulness, the purpose to create chaos. We have concerns and questions, our common sense is strong, and we really do have commonServinginterests.youinour state House of Representatives is about laws that preserve our freedoms and a place where we can see a healthy, prosperous future for our kids. In this “political” position, my job is to invite valid, practical contributions of ideas and direction from various views and experiences. In 2022, I will hear the divisive rants and insistent stances, but I will continue to endorse and work with genuine interest in building together.
W est V alley C ity J ournalPage 10 | s e P t . 2022
Gearld Wright Elementary first-grade teach er Kimi Bayles is among 10 educators in Utah to receive this year’s UEA/dōTERRA Excellence in Teaching Award. Bayles has been teaching first grade for 16 years. “I just love the first graders’ excitement that they love to learn and that they love to be at school. I love to feed that love,” Bayles said. “If you teach the right way, they just breathe and live it with you. If you can just use their wonderful little brains, it's just magic!” she said. Bayles said she was shocked to find out she won the award. “It took time to sink in," she said. “I do what I do because I love it, so it was nice to get an award.” Bayles was selected out of hundreds of nominations and now has the opportunity to be part of the committee to help choose next year's winners. “I am very excited about that. I think it will be a very cool experience,” she said. dōTERRA gave each winner $1,500 to use as they chose. Bayles and her family used the money to take their son to Cooperstown, New York to compete in a baseball tournament. “We were in New York for 10 days. It was a very cool experience,” Bayles said. Bayles shared that when she was going to school she worked at Meier & Frank depart ment store. “While waiting for customers I would write ways I wanted to develop my classroom. That passion has grown every year,” she said. “I just wanted to be in the classroom. That’s all I thought about.” She added that her college professor even said she was ready to be in the classroom before she graduated. Bayles studied to teach kinder garten through third grade. “I originally thought I would teach kinder garten but after getting to spend the whole day with first-graders, learning everything I could about them, I was hooked,” she said. A firm believer in connecting with stu dents, Bayles explained that connection cor relates with success in the classroom, which makes students want to be at school and want to learn.“Ihave gotten wedding invitations from and graduation announcements from former students. It means a lot that they are remem bering me 10 and 15 years later. Every spring I can’t wait to get the graduation announcements from former student,” Bayles said. Bayles shares her advice for new, incom ing teachers. “Be prepared to repeat yourself for the rest of your life and be OK with that. Make sure that those kids, every one of them, feel loved, no matter what,” she said. Bayles said her husband and family are incredibly supportive of her job, and her hus band was happy to see her be rewarded for her devotion. “Not every teacher gets a reward, and I wish every teacher could get one. I am incred ibly grateful,” Bayles said. Bayles said her co-teacher Julie Bressler, who nominated her for the award, complements her teaching style. “I wouldn’t be the teacher I am without her. She is the other half of my brain,” Bayles said. “We are like the best half of ourselves together.”
Wright Elementary teacher receives top state honors
SERVING UTAH & UTAHNS Roundtable Talk with Representative Weight ElizabethWeight@le.utah.gov
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Elizabeth Weight, Utah RepresentativeLiz4Utah.com @RepEWeight document, we’re hoping we’ll get some additional funds to move forward with the wholeWhilething.”generally supportive of the highway improvements, the West Valley City Council in December 2021 passed a resolution requesting that UDOT “be mindful” of potential construction-related impacts on city residents and businesses, including the acquisition of residential and commercial properties in the path of future roadwork, the creation of a patchwork of “unusable remnant parcels,” “the loss of homes and businesses,” and the “removal of existing landscaped buffers along com mercialTheproperties.”resolution further states that “the City encourages UDOT to conduct a thor ough assessment of any alternatives that could provide the needed connectivity” with cross streets “while minimizing im pact to existing properties.”
Continued from page
Wright Elementary teacher Kimi Bayles is passion ate about making connections in the classroom. (Granite School District)
Much of the southern half of Bangert er Highway from 5400 South in Kearns and Redwood Road in Riverton has been converted over the last few years to free way-style interchanges. Construction will begin next year to do the same at 4700 South, 9800 South, 13400 South, and 2700 West where Riverton and Bluffdale meet. l
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s e P t . 2022 | Page 11W VC J ournal . C om D uring Utah National History Day this spring, Skyline High School teacher Melinda Reay was selected with senior Ayden Cline, to participate in the Sacrifice for Freedom: World War II in the Pacific Student & Teacher Institute, a student-teacher cooperative learning pro gram. The program is coordinated through National History Day and took place in Hawaii this summer. In preparation for the Hawaii insti tute, Cline developed a Silent Hero profile to be published online during the 2022-23 academic year at NHDSilentHeroes.org as part of the Sacrifice for Freedom program. Cline selected Ivan LeRoy Bills, a River ton resident who died at sea at age 18, for his project.Clinehas connected with Bills’ fami ly and learned that Bills was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Silver Star and that the family had never received those recog nitions. Through Cline’s work, the awards were added to Bills’ gravesite and to his militaryClinecommendations.saidthathepresented his proj ect in a program organized by the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. “It was really important to Ayden to honor some one who had never been recovered and will never be recovered,” said Reay, Sky line’s social studies teacher and 2019 Utah History Teacher of the Year. “It was incredible I loved every min ute of it. We had so many fun adventures, and the island was beautiful,” Cline said. “Having worked with the project for so long and learning about Bills’ story and finally being able to see where he was me morialized and speak about him was an unrealTheexperience.”pairwere also able to tour the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). The DPAA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, and its mission is to recover American military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action from designated past conflicts, from countries around the world. The agency’s team travels around the world using forensics and DNA to identi fy human remains. Reay said they learned that the agency identifies 200 service per sonnel every year. Cline said it was hard to learn that ac cording to U.S. Navy policy, military lost at sea are never recovered. “The ocean is their final burial ground and knowing they would never be recovered really human ized the war,” Cline said. “War has people in it that are not just the people in the his tory books. It’s individual people.”
By Liz Craker | l.craker@mycityjournals.com
Reay and Cline also spent the night on the USS Missouri, site of the official Japanese surrender of World War II. The ship is now a floating war memorial at Na val Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During their visit they learned about the archives process and preservation work of personal items retrieved from previous conflicts. During their time on the USS Missou ri, they learned that a Japanese surrender shipman gave the USS Missouri a sword as his own personal act of surrender. They also saw Sadako cranes that were made by Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was a victim of the U.S. atomic bombings. She was 2 years old when the bombs were dropped and suffered from the severe ra diation. She survived for another 10 years and is remembered through the story of the more than 1,000 origami cranes she fold ed before her death. She died at the age of 12 on Oct. 25, 1955 at the Hiroshima Red CrossClineHospital.recalls that a member of the USS Missouri tour leaders told him: “Re member what you saw here.” Cline said that it was a solemn reminder to remember WWII as if he had lived it. l
Student honors missing Utah military personnel
Ayden Cline on a visit to an aviation museum in Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of Melinda Reay)
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Ivan LeRoy Bills (middle) died at sea and his body was never recovered. (Photo courtesy of Melinda Reay) The ocean is their final burial ground and know ing they would never be recovered really human ized the war.
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By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
The reconstruction of West Lake STEM Jr. High School in West Valley City has started to rise above ground. Ground was broken in the spring for the new school which will replace the original structure which was demolished last year because of damage caused by the 2020 Magna earthquake. West Lake, which opened in 1964, was already on Granite School District’s list of schools to be rebuilt with funds from a voter-approved bond in 2017 because of needed repairs and renovations. The $55-million facility is scheduled to open in August 2024. Kirby/City Journals, Rendering courtesy Granite School District)
(Darrell
Junior High reconstruction on track
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Salt Lake County Youth Services held a rib bon cutting Aug. 11 to celebrate the renova tion of the Runaway Homeless Youth Program facility (177 W. Price Ave.) in South Salt Lake. The program serves runaway and homeless youth, ages 8-17, for up to 21 days. The renovation was focused on creating a trauma-informed environment with updated colors, open space designs and individualized bedrooms. New murals were painted by artists Alli VanKleeck and Caroline Kane of Smock & Roll.“All the murals in the bedrooms are unique and different because our kids are unique and different and we didn’t want it to be the same in every bedroom,” said Salt Lake County Youth Services Director Carolyn Han sen. “We wanted it to be a special place for the youth that come, that we serve.” Youth can stay in the facility for up to 21 days while they receive individual or family therapy, designed to help them return to a safe and stable environment, with follow-up sup port for 90 days. Over the years, thousands of youth have turned to the facility for assistance with more than 110 youth being helped in 2022 so far. Four beds are dedicated for runaway homeless youth. Built in the 1990s, the building needed some upgrades in both function and design. “We wanted a space that was welcoming and more homelike so the youth that we serve here, specifically our runaway homeless youth, will be able to come to a place where they feel comfortable and safe,” Hansen said. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson was on hand for the ribbon cutting and con gratulated the staff and volunteers on the ren ovation.“Iwalked through this space [before] and it was pretty crappy,” Wilson said. “It wasn’t great. I remember asking questions and hear ing the vision for what this could be. And to see it now, it’s just stunning. It’s beautiful.”
| peri.k@thecityjournals.com
By Peri Kinder
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Pro gram focuses on several goals to help those it serves. These include improving a person’s well-being, building healthy relationships, im proving self-sufficiency and keeping youth off the streets.Theprogram collaborated with commu nity partners to provide education, medical and dental services, mental health counseling, clothes, food and hygiene products. Other ser vices provided on the county’s South Salt Lake campus include the juvenile receiving center which is open 24/7 to provide free crisis coun seling and referral to community agencies, and the homeless youth walk-in program that gives youth access to food, counseling, shelter, showers and laundry facilities for 24 hours. Youth can come to the facility on their own, or they might be brought in by parents or law enforcement. No appointment is required to access the services. For more information, visit slco.org/youth.“Ifyoulookat the crisis moments that these kids are facing when they come in the doors, to be greeted with this amazing staff with smiles on their faces, but also a physical space that is worthy of moving them to a better situation,” Wilson said. “What a great place for a child to receive support.”
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From left, Salt Lake County Youth Services Director Carolyn Hansen and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wil son cut the ribbon to open the newly renovated building that provides safe, trauma-informed care for runaway and homeless youth. (Photos courtesy City Journals)
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“Our bid board has become like an instore eBay for our local collectors,” said West Valley City’s Finders Keepers owner Brian Dong. “We have a little bit of everything come in on that board.”
“I think it has slowed down a bit. We have been open for about two years. We sell Funko Pops, some jerseys, superhero toys and Trans formers have been a big seller for me,” Dong said. The 42nd annual National Sports Collec tors Convention was held in Atlantic City July 25-31. It boasted over 90,000 attendees and will be held in Chicago in 2023. Bo Jackson, Rickey Henderson and Dale Murphy were some of the hundreds of athletes who spent time in the autograph pavilion at the conven tion. A VIP pass could be purchased for $210 and the ticket included entrance to the entire week of the convention and autograph priority. This year Mac Jones’ Prizm 1 of 1 card sold for “We$100,000.havehad autograph tables before,” Pack said. “Vernon Law and Harmon Kille brew spent time at one of our shows.” l The in-store eBay-like bid board at Finders Keepers in West Valley is a great place to buy and sell your sports memorabilia. (Greg James/City Journals)
H ow is understanding and trust de veloped between police officers and young people? By working together in an athletic field with a lot of football passes and running drills. On a warm July morning on the Hunt er High School football field, members of the West Valley City Police Department and a couple hundred kids ages 7 to 17 got together for the city’s first-ever Cops and Cleats
The sports collectible market has had its ups and downs over the last few years. Local collectors have turned to alternative ways to buy, sell and trade cards.
“We have had some high-end cards placed up for bid. Right now, we have a complete col lection of boxed cards available. I usually have quite a few from my collection available,” DongThesaid.idea for the auction-style board came as a way to avoid shipping costs and the dis honesty of some sellers on the national sites. The auction is not the only way he has looked to generate card sales. He also hosts a once-a-month trade night.
His bid board acts as an auction. A card collector can bring any piece of memorabilia he would like to sell. After paying a small fee it is placed for inspection on the public bid board. When the time period for selling is up the prod uct is sold to the highest bidder.
“The shop is open and we encourage nothing but trading, no selling. We have had graded cards and even Pokémon traders on those nights,” Dong said. Card shows are another way to find or sell your precious collection. Collectors get togeth er and buy and sell their favorite cards in large groups held at malls and other meeting rooms across the valley. They have developed a Face book page to help them advertise for each event. In August there were two such shows, one at the Valley Fair Mall (Aug. 20) and at the Mountain America Expo Center (Aug. 6).
By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
Stores seek new ways to sell sports memorabilia
“We wanted to find a way for our of ficers to engage more with the youth com munity members,” said West Valley City Police Lt. Levi Lloyd who, along with his Community Oriented Policing team, organized the local event. “What better way to engage with them than to come work out with them and do some sports training.”Ina report issued in 2018, “Po lice-Youth Engagement,” the International Association of Chiefs of Police noted that “...research finds that positive interactions with police are predictive of positive atti tudes toward the police, negative interac tions are predictive of negative attitudes.” That was Lloyd’s goal at Hunter High School as he chatted with small groups of young participants before addressing the gathering as a whole before they started their“Wedrills.want to get to know them a little bit better so they have a better understand ing of what we do as officers and they’ll have a trust in us and a good relationship with us as we try to make the community safer,” he said. “I think it’s pretty cool that they all came out to have some time with all the community,” said Kase Tarrant shortly be fore the event began. “I’m really interested in football and also I really like to hit peo ple,” the 11-year-old added. The kids—mostly boys with a smat tering of girls—started the day by lining up along the south goal line of the football field to do running drills and later tossed the football around under the tutelage of BYU offensive lineman Tuni Kanuch and wide receiver Ross Apo, whose Cougar careers spanned 2013-17 and 2010-14, re spectively.Pemani
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W est V alley C ity J ournalPage 14 | s e P t . 2022
“The card shows have everything from toys, sports cards, and collectible coins,” sports collector Kelly Pack said. “In the mall we get shoppers and they eat this stuff up. My son even comes with silver, gold and currency. I have been doing this for seven years.”
West Valley City Police Lt. Levi Lloyd speaks to youth ages 7 to 17 at the start of the police department’s inau gural Cops and Cleats event to help build better relations between local law enforcement and young people.
In this area, collectors look for specific types of “Thecards.Jazz are not as popular as you might think,” Dong said. “I get fans that want LeBron (James) or Steph Curry. Michael Jordan sells.” “There is such a variety of stuff available. I think Jordan toilet paper would sell. I have seen collectors that only want BYU players. At the tables, you try to watch the trends and see who is Athot.”the onset of COVID, the collectible industry boomed. eBay and other sites saw an increase in sales and purchases of cards.
Cops and Cleats aims to connect West Valley City police, youth
By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
(Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
Tuual of West Valley City brought his 7-year-old son Jesse to Cops and Cleats to help him pick up some ba sic football skills and to see police as the good guys. “We didn’t have that when I was growing up so I’m hoping this will change it and the kids won’t be so afraid of them,” he said. Cops and Cleats is a national nonprof it organization that provides sports equip ment to youth in need and helps forge better relations between law enforcement agencies and youth.
Theevent.teens and preteens got to run around and learn some basic football skills from former BYU players, but the main purpose of Cops and Cleats was to build trust in a fun environment between law en forcement and the younger generation.
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A recession is officially declared by the National Bureau of Economic Research based on a more technical definition: “a sig nificant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.” Economists at the NBER evaluate a broad range of data, in cluding employment, income, sales and pro duction. But because of the lag in when data become available, a recession often isn’t de clared until it’s well underway or even after it hasHowended.do we know if – or when – our economy is in a recession? Here are some indicators economists are watching: Inflation. August Consumer Price In dex data shows that price growth is slowing, though it’s too early to tell whether inflation has peaked. National inflation fell from 9.1% to 8.5% year over year, but that is still near a 40-year high. Even if inflation has peaked, it needs to drop to more manageable levels around 2%. Consumer sentiment. Nearly half of consumers blame inflation for eroding their living standards, plunging the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index to its lowest level in 72 years in early summer.
Luke Nguyen, originally from Vietnam but graduated from Kearns High School, is a member of the U.S. men’s beach team. He started playing team handball when he was 12 years old. After he moved to Utah when he was 16 he was a part of the U.S. Youth National Team. He started playing beach team handball in 2015. He was the most valuable goal keeper in 2016 and was a coach of the 2019 Pan Am Games team. He still lives in Salt Lake City.
By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist
“It will be held on Saturday and Sunday,” Rammi said. “People see this game in the Olympics and they come out and join with us. It is growing in this area.”
What is a recession and are we in one?
By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com Massif Handball SLC is hosting the Uintah Cup in September. Several teams from around the country will face off in the first-time event. (Pho to courtesy of Massif Handball SLC)
Consumer sentiment has risen slightly since its June low, a hopeful sign that consumers’ economic outlook might be improving. And even though they’re unhappy, consumers are still spending.Interest rates. The Federal Reserve meets again Sept. 20 and 21 when they are expected to raise interest rates for a fourth time this year. The Fed’s goal is that an in crease in interest rates will tighten financial conditions and increase borrowing costs, which will cause the economy to soften and inflation to slow. However, an overcorrection could trigger a recession. Since the 1960s, nearly every time the Fed has significantly increased interest rates a recession followed relatively quickly. Wage growth. Wages grew 5.2% from July 2021 to July 2022 in America, well above the 2.9% average annual wage growth of the past 15 years. However, even high wage growth is not keeping pace with infla tion. Instead, it’s driving inflation, risking a dangerous wage-price spiral. Both inflation and wage growth need to come down to ad dress overheating in the economy. Job market. The labor market continues to be the strongest segment of the economy, adding an average of 400,000 jobs per month in 2022. Payrolls increased by 528,000 jobs in July, exceeding expectations, and the national unemployment rate dropped to its pre-pandemic level of 3.5%. There are near ly two job openings for every unemployed person in America, an ongoing symptom of the laborUtah’sshortage.economy is slowing but still positive. Our state’s population growth con tinues to lead the nation and Utah is at the center of the fastest growing region in the country. However, Utah now lags the nation in employment growth. This is due in part to an extremely low unemployment rate, which at 2% is the second lowest in the nation. Low unemployment has constrained economic growth and has caused regional inflation to be the highest in the nation. On the other hand, home price appreciation is decelerat ing quickly in Utah as potential home buyers are responding to high mortgage rates and a limited supply of affordable homes. With a diversified economy, Utah is not immune to national economic pressures but the fundamental strength in our state should mitigate some of the national economic con ditions.
Team handball takes hold in Utah with first-ever tournament
“I am from Guatemala and I played for the National team there for about 12 years,” Sofia Broadhead said. “When I came to Utah in 2016 I started looking for a club. The sport is growing in Central America, Brazil, and even here in this country.”“Istarted playing in Brazil when I was 12 years old,” one of the club organizers Andre Rammi said. “Our practices are open, anyone can come and join. We want people to un derstand the game. We have several that have never played before.”
“I was attending college at Auburn and a friend of mine introduced me to the game,” Massif Handball SLC member Patrick Halladay said. “It turns out that my first time was a tryout for the U.S. Olympic team. I wasn’t that good, but I learned how to play and now I really enjoy it.”
Auburn University in Alabama has one of the largest team handball clubs in the country. Only a handful of col leges have organized clubs including the Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy (West Point). The Salt Lake handball club consists of about 30 mem bers. They practice three or four times a month and have be gun traveling to play in tournaments.
Robert Spendlove is senior economist for Zions Bank, a division of Zions Bancor poration, N.A. l
Hannah Ross from Pocatello, Idaho is also a member of the women’s beach national team. She has participated with the Salt Lake City club at times. Team USA is working to establish a college national championship and the U.S. National team recently qualified to participate in the next World Cup.
“Some of my friends are from different countries. It is a new game here, but in other countries, they teach it in schools. The game is very popular in Europe. That is why they always win. There is also beach handball. It has differ ent rules,” Broadhead said.
The U.S. economy is in a time of transi tion, and that makes it hard to predict ex actly where it’s headed. The Gross Domestic Product – the broadest measure of the econ omy – contracted for the second consecutive quarter in 2022. Two quarters of negative GDP growth is a popular definition of a re cession. However, the nation’s strong labor market and low unemployment rate compli cates the narrative.
A small group of players played in the USA Team Hand ball Open National Championships in May. The local players combined with a team in Los Angeles to be able to partici pate.“Now we want to represent Utah. We would like ev erybody to get to know this sport. We are hosting a small tournament next month with a few teams,” Broadhead said.
“This is a game that can help you develop new skills and improve your athleticism. It can help you improve your abilities in other sports,” Rammi said. “This club is a family affair. They all bring their kids and we have lots just learning to play,” Halladay said. For more information visit the team's Facebook page Massif Handball SLC. l
W est V alley C ity J ournalPage 16 | s e P t . 2022 Team handball is a game that is a mixture of soccer and lacrosse. And, like the name states, it’s a team sport with two teams of seven players each (including the goalie) at tempting to pass the ball using their hands and shoot it into the opposing team's net. The team that scores the most goals wins.And for team handball enthusiasts, Massif Handball SLC is organizing a tournament in Salt Lake City this month.
The Uintah Cup is scheduled for Sept. 24-25 at the Utah Soccer Arena, 1475 S. 700 West. There will be men's and women's divisions. The Air Force Academy and a team from Denver will take part in the men's division. The women's division includes a Los Angeles-based team and a team from San Francisco is scheduled to compete.
s e P t . 2022 | Page 17W VC J ournal . C om Call 385-341-2851 or visit ScheduleEmpiretoday.com/save!aFREEIn-HomeEstimate! *Purchase highest value room at regular price, and get select styles of carpet, hardwood, vinyl and laminate for all other rooms of equal or lesser value for $50 each when you pay for installation, padding, and materials. Promotion does not apply to stairs, miscellaneous charges, and prior purchases. Product may not be sold separate from installation. Residential installations only, and at the same address. Not available in all areas. Valid through 09/11/22. Subject to change. Details at EmpireToday.com Sales (except CA, MA, UT) and installation are provided by independent contractors. Licensure at EmpireToday.com CSLB 1047108 © 2022 Empire Today, LLC We Make Getting Beautiful New Floors Easy Buy 1 Room, Get Carpet, Hardwood, Vinyl, and Laminate for All Other Rooms for $50* in Each! Product only. Select styles. $ ROOM SALE50* C A RPE T . HARDWOOD. T I LE . L A M I N A T E . LUXURY VINYL. A N D MORE ! ARE YOU READY FOR NEW FLOORS? Find the flooring you’re looking for. Floor Coverings International® carries a full assortment of flooring. Discover the durability, beauty, and wide variety of flooring styles. Floor Coverings International® is the only flooring company that brings the showroom to you! *Exclusions may apply. Each Franchise is a Locally Owned and Independently Operated Business. Book a Free In-Home Consultation! 385-341-2809 bookn ow f ci .c o m $250OFF*
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The Utah Team Hope Walk & 5K on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at Sugar House Park, raises funding and awareness for the fatal Huntington’s disease. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea Roberts)
Utah Team Hope brings awareness to Huntington’s disease
The Utah Team Hope Walk & 5K Run will be held Satur day, Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at Sugar House Park (1330 E. 2100 South). All proceeds will support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease and their families.People can visit Utah.hdsa.org to register for the event. Participants can also set up a team and create a fundraising page. “I’ve just been in awe of the community and the support they’ve given my family over the years,” Roberts said. “We’re going to come together in the community to celebrate hope, to celebrate the ability to have a sense of community because it’s a really isolating disease. We want to bring together a plethora of people who are here to buoy you up and support you and advocate for a cure.”
s e P t . 2022 | Page 19W VC J ournal . C om Chelsea Roberts was 8 years old when her mother was diag nosed with Huntington’s disease. She remembers watching her mother’s decline from the fatal genetic disease that affects nerve cells in the brain. When Roberts was 19, her mother passed“Itaway.was hard. At that point she had suffered for so long, it was kind of a tender mercy. She fought so bravely and so hard. When you watch someone you love go through that for so long, you only want the best for them,” Roberts said. “I’m the only one out of my siblings that hasn’t been diagnosed with the disorder. My younger brother and sister and both have tested positive.”Today, there are about 41,000 Americans with the disease and more than 200,000 at risk of inheriting the disease. People with the genetic marker have a 50% chance of passing it down to theirTochildren.bringawareness to the disease, the Huntington's Dis ease Society of America will host Team Hope, the organiza tion’s largest national grassroots fundraising event, which takes place in 100 cities across the country. In 15 years, it’s raised more than $20 million.
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
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Roberts, who was recently crowned Mrs. Utah Earth 2022, serves as the vice president for the HDSA’s Utah chapter and encourages families, friends and community members to walk together to help improve the lives of people affected by Hun tington’s“There’sdisease.lots of research into medicine that will hinder or stop the progression of the disease. Lots of research in the UK yielded some great results,” Roberts said. “It’s in the group of Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis, as a neurological disorder, so once we get one of those, it will be amazing.”
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S everal years ago I publicly shared the story of one my sons who had suicidal thoughts and our efforts to get him help. Since this time I have heard stories from many residents who have struggled to find resources to help loved ones through their own mental health challenges. Hearing these stories reminds me of how my heart ached as I tried to figure out what to do for my son. I was dumbfounded that as a member of the Salt Lake County Council I didn’t know who to call. Salt Lake County has helped fund the local crisis line, but we realized most people didn’t know that resource existed, nor did they have the phone number mem orized. That’s why I was so excited when we launched a three-digit crisis line that would be easier to remember. Last month the number 9-8-8, a suicide prevention and mental health crisis line number, was rolled out nationwide.Whatisthe difference between 988 and 911? The 988 number serves as a sui cide prevention and mental health crisis lifeline and is an access point to crisis re sources such as Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT). It is staffed by profession als and is confidential, free and available 24/7.The 911 number still serves as the emergency dispatch for public safety emer gencies, medical emergencies and law en forcement. If the public safety emergency is pertaining to someone who has a mental health condition, or appears to be experi encing a mental health crisis, a crisis in tervention team (CIT) trained officer with basic training in mental health crises can be requested through 911 dispatch. It is also free and available 24/7. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) are a critical resource to take the load off police officers to help solve mental health crises. These teams are made up of highly trained licensed mental health clini cians and certified peer support specialists. If someone has a mental health crisis, these teams can be dispatched to a home, school or wherever needed. Their experts arrive in unmarked vehicles to support your privacy and can work with the person experiencing the crisis and help them find a resolution that doesn’t involve self-harm.
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Right now we only have about half the number of MCOT teams necessary to help the public. I am on the State’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission, and I am pushing for additional state funding, as well as county funding, to fully operate these MCOT teams. I believe investment in MCOT teams is critical. We’ve already seen these teams in action in Salt Lake County saving lives, and I’m hopeful we will see increased access to this resource in the coming months. September is National Suicide Pre vention Month. It’s important that we all know the resources available to help us or our loved ones. My heart aches for those of you who, like me, have had family or friends struggle with mental illness. It is so difficult and frustrating because it’s such a hard problem to solve. Hang in there, my friends. There are brighter days ahead and I know together we can break the stigma, advocate for additional resources, and be come a safe place for others to go to for help.
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Peri Kinder Life and Laughter A slow burn
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Remember in the ‘70s, when it was discovered that chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol hairsprays were destroying the ozone layer, that thin layer of protection that absorbs radiation so we don’t get mi crowaved by the sun? Everyone used aerosol hairspray to get big hair and sky-high bangs. In fact, Aqua Net was our school mascot. But when we learned the chemicals damaged our atmo sphere, there was a worldwide campaign to ban them -- and it happened. Everyone agreed the ozone was worth protecting and did something about it. Crazy, huh? Where’s that cohesion now? Remember in the spring of 2020, when people actually cared about trying to stop the spread of COVID-19? We isolated in our homes, playing endless games of Uno, Clue and Cards Against Humanity, until getting the disease didn’t seem so bad. Flights were canceled, millions of cars were off the roads, and introverts were having big celebrations. By themselves. In theirDuringclosets. those brief weeks, cities around the world showed an improvement in air and water quality. Even in Utah, the sky was bluer and the air was cleaner. Now we’re back in our cars and the air is trying to kill us.
I recently walked through the Room of Extinction and Forewarning at the Utah Museum of Natural History, where dino saur bones are displayed, like the 90-footlong Barosaurus that was all neck and tail, and died 150 million years ago. A trophy wall of triceratops’ skulls stared down at me with hollow eyes and gaping jaws. Gi ant sloths and massive bears wandered this area 12,000 years ago. Of all the species that ever existed on Earth, 99.9 percent are now extinct. We could soon lose mountain gorillas, black rhinos, African forest elephants and orang utans.Here’s the thing, the Earth will be fine. It’s gone through climate cycles for 4.5 billion years. It’s watched civilizations rise and fall, and specialty soda shops fade into extinction. However, humanity is in a spot of “Buttrouble.theclimate is going to change anyway. Why is it our problem?” annoying peopleShutask.up. Yes, climate change happens naturally, but thanks to humans, the pro cess has sped up like a meteor breaking the sound barrier. I don’t want my grandchildren to wor ry about water and food and sharknados. We need to elect leaders who promote green solutions. We need politicians who care less about their pocketbook and more about the planet’s future. I believe in global warming because I’m not a knucklehead. It’s my fear that one day my skeleton will be displayed in a museum as an extinct species, with the sound of Al Gore quietly weeping through the speakers.
