October 6, 2008 by Baker.

The Salt Lake-Tooele Applied Technology College will open their new campus officially on October 22, 2008 with an Open House between 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  The campus is located at 1400 W Goodwin Ave. (1145 N) or the former Northwest Middle School.  Everyone is invited.

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October 6, 2008 by Baker.

On October 25, 2008, from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM, the doors of the historic Salt Lake Masonic Temple located at 650 East South Temple will swing open to the public for an Open House. Stop by. Tour the building. Ask questions. For more information, call (801) 363-2936 or visit www.UtahGrandLodge.org

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September 20, 2008 by Baker.

 Septmeber 26^th at 2pm

1300 West 300 North

Energy Efficient LEED GOLD Design with building features including:

· 62,806 Sq. Ft. Facility

· Leisure Pool

· 8 Lane Lap Swim Pool

· Drop - In Child Care

· Full Size Gymnasium

· Indoor Running Track

· Aerobics Studio

· Cardio Area

· Weights & Machines Area

www.recreation.slco.org

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August 15, 2008 by Baker.

 The city has begun work on a new Salt Lake City Historic Preservation Plan!  This city-wide plan will document past preservation accomplishments and lay out a roadmap for historic preservation in the future. 

The planning process is underway and needs the input of residents, business-owners, neighborhood groups, and others.  A public workshop will be held on September 17, 2008 at 451 South State Street.  Bring your lunch and join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. OR from 6:00 pm — 9 p.m. 

One issue on many minds in Salt Lake City is sustainability, specifically economic and environmental sustainability.  The new preservation plan will focus in part on establishing clear linkages between sustainability and preservation.  Strange but true, preserving the past may be one of the most progressive actions Salt Lake City residents can take to achieve a sustainable future. 

Recent research from a variety of disciplines illustrates just how green preservation really is.  How is preservation “sustainable?”

A Smaller Carbon Footprint.  Old buildings have a great deal of embodied energy.  The extraction and processing of building materials (e.g., wood, stone, brick), the transportation of those materials, and labor represented in the final structure mean that demolition of an existing structure is less energy-efficient than rehabilitation or addition to the existing structure.    

Strengthen Local Economy. Restoration is better for the economy.  A million dollars spent in new construction generates 30.6 jobs. But that same million dollars in the rehabilitation of an historic building creates 35.4 jobs.

Storm Cunningham in his book The Restoration Economy: The Greatest New Growth Frontier claims that restorative development is the only development mode that “can fuel continual economic growth without limit.”  Infrastructure restoration accounts for an estimated trillion dollars worldwide with the heritage industry accounting for another trillion.  Preserving what we have is not only the future but part of the answer to current economic and environmental concerns.

Salt Lake City has been protecting its historic resources for more than 30 years.  Historic preservation works to preserve historically and architecturally significant districts, sites, and structures throughout the city.  It does this by applying a tailored set of rules and standards for how development and improvements should be done to retain the integrity of the original structure or site.  It is a valuable tool for guiding change.

These are just a few examples of ways that saving older buildings can help further sustainability goals.  What opportunities exist for Salt Lake City? We hope to see you at the September 17, 2008 public workshop.

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August 7, 2008 by Baker.

Electronic Waste Recycling sponsored by RC Willey - August, 7-9

A special electronic waste collection event is being held at all RC Willey stores through the state of Utah. The electronics will be accepted free of charge during the times located below:  Dates: August 7, 8, and 9Time: 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. Place: Statewide RC Willey stores, including the Salt Lake City Store at 2301 South 300 West Return to Top 

Gang Prevention Seminar - Thursday, August 21

Date: Thursday, August 21Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Place: Police Pioneer Precinct, 1040 West 700 South, Salt Lake City 
The Romero Alternative Consortium invite you and your family to attend the first of several planned community forums designed to:  Continue to support proactive law enforcement; ensuring that schools and neighborhoods remain safe.Bridging the gap; identifying and coordinating summer and after-school services for youth. Parental involvement and education; educating parents on the issues and signs of possible gang recruitment, involvement and resources available to assist both parents and youth.Service-provider awareness and engagement; improving gang awareness, communication and collaboration among service providers, including educators, city, county, state and federal agencies and others. Community awareness and engagement; improving gang prevention awareness among community partners, including community councils, homeowners associations, local businesses, faith-based organizations, community-based groups and others. Elected Officials’ awareness and engagement; improving gang prevention awareness and support among the City Council, County Council, State Legislature and Congress; advocating for laws, policies and funding that promote gang prevention. The format of the evening will include a presentation by Sgt Scott Teerlink of the Salt Lake City Police Gang Unit and Lieutenant Anjewierden of the Salt Lake Area Gang Project followed by a question and answer forum. If you have questions about the upcoming forum, or would like more information, please contact Michael Clara at 801-521-3223 Return to Top

Open House: Jordan River Blueprint Project

Last spring, over 1,000 residents brainstormed their ideal future for the Jordan River corridor. They considered natural wildlife areas, trails, kayaking, shopping, beautiful work sites and more for citizens to enjoy. Their ideas are captured in a draft vision map and recommendations for us all to consider. You can evaluate the vision map and share additional ideas at an upcoming open house or on-line.  Open House DatesWednesday, Sept. 10thUtah Cultural Celebration Center1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City Thursday, Sept. 11thLehi Legacy Center123 North Center Street, Lehi Gale Center10300 Beckstead Lane, South JordanAll Open Houses Run 6:00-7:30 p.m.  If you can’t attend an open house, you can evaluate the vision map and recommendations on-line at http://www.blueprint.slco.org starting September 10th. Return to Top 

50^th Birthday Celebration for the Rose Park Golf Course - Reduced Prices

The Rose Park Golf Course is 50 years old. Come celebrate with us throughout the month of August and take advantage of these great deals:
From Friday, August 1st to Friday, August 8thPay just $19.58 for 18 holes with cart per person (all day Mon. - Fri.)
Small Range Bucket $3.00
Large Range Bucket $5.00From Saturday, August 9th to Sunday, August 31st
Pay just $19.58 for 18 holes with cart Monday thru Friday after 12PM
Pay just $50 for 2 people and a cart Saturday and Sunday after 12PMTee times accepted one week in advance of play. To make a tee time, use our Automated Reservation Systems online or call 484-3333. You may also call the pro shop at 596-5030. Specials may not be combined with any other offer. Call course for more details. Return to Top 

Electronic Waste Recycling - Salt Lake Valley Health Department

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department is now accepting electronic waste from residents at their household hazardous waste facility at the landfill.  Landfill Locations:Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Facility*
6030 West California Avenue (1400 South)
Open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Saturday  Trans Jordan Landfill*
10873 South 7200 West
Open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Saturday * Only open to Salt Lake County Residents

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August 2, 2008 by Baker.

Free activities in Pioneer Park during August –

• Lunchtime concert series, noon-1 – put on by SLC Public Services
• Friday night movie series, 9 – 11 pm – put on by SLC Film Center, with strong support from SLC Public Services and the SLC Mayor’s Office
• Yoga classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 am – organized by the Downtown Community Council, sponsored by IHC

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August 1, 2008 by Baker.

 Public Invited to Information Session Regarding Salt Lake City Municipal TaxationSession will Also Answer Questions about Upcoming Truth in Taxation Hearing 

Salt Lake City – Salt Lake City Corporation is seeking to educate and inform residents of Salt Lake about City financing and what services they fund.  To accomplish this, City administrators are hosting an information session on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the City & County Building. Members of the City’s budget team will be on hand to present and answer questions on the topic.

The objective of the session is to address municipal government and taxation issues proposed in the FY 2009 budget. As was widely reported, this year, Salt Lake City faced the largest budget gap in City history. Salt Lake City budget planners made the decision to receive the same amount of property taxes for Fiscal Year 2009 as it did in Fiscal Year 2008, which was greater than originally projected.

The information session, which will explain that decision in greater detail, precedes a Truth in Taxation hearing scheduled for August 12. The hearing is required by Utah law when a taxing entity proposes to collect more revenue than was budgeted for the previous year.

WHO:        Salt Lake City Budget Administrators 

WHAT:      Municipal Taxation Information Session

WHERE:   Salt Lake City & County Building

                          451 South State Street, Council Office Work Room

WHEN:  Thursday, August 7, 2008 7:00 p.m.

The public information session was rescheduled from Thursday, July 31 to Thursday, August 7, 2008 and will be held at the City & County Building rather than the Main City Library.

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July 22, 2008 by Baker.

 Westside Gang Prevention Consortium

Salt Lake City, Utah July 2008

By: J. Michael Clára, Secretary

THE ROMERO ALTERNATIVE is composed of a group of neighbors and organizations that have come together in an effort to stem the tide of gang violence in our westside, Salt Lake City communities.

On Sunday the 6^th of July 2008, Maria Del Carmen Menchaca, a 7 year old student at Riley Elementary was struck by a stray bullet in front of her house in a gang related drive by shooting. The following day one of our elected officials said “We are hoping it’s just a random act of gang violence …I think some of our crime statistics are down…” (Glendale Neighborhood Violent Crime In Glendale, KSL Talking Point -07/07/08). A couple of days later we received the report that Maria was buried next to her cousin who was also the victim of gang violence last year. We were told that his grave stone was adorned with “an LA Raiders hat shrouded by a blue bandana” (Devastated family buries girl killed in drive-by gang shooting, Salt Lake Tribune - 07/10/08). We have too much gang violence in our neighborhood, any is too much, and we have too much.

Not only is our community a casualty of gang violence, but even in the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, we have elected officials and teenagers who are blinded to the pattern of destruction that is and has been occurring in their midst. Gratefully, the Salt Lake City police department made arrest on the heels of this murder. In fact, the SLC Police department has a consistent record of taking the most dangerous criminals off of our streets; we nevertheless recognize that we can’t simply arrest our way out of this type of lawlessness.

Duane Cardall admonished us to, “Let her death …become a focus for social action: for creating alternatives to whatever societal shortcomings breed gangsters…Indeed, let our collective mourning for Maria Menchaca reinvigorate efforts to combat the unacceptable plague of gang violence.” (End Gang Violence, KSL Editorial -7/11/08). It is to that end that a consortium of westside residents and organizations have banded together in order to implement gang prevention strategies throughout our community. Although gangs pose a significant threat to public safety, we believe this is actually a community issue that should be addressed through communitywide initiatives that strengthen and improve collaboration on City, County, school, private, faith-based and community-based gang prevention, intervention and suppression strategies.

We have chosen the name: THE ROMERO ALTERNATIVE in honor of El Salvadorian Archbishop Oscar Romero who in the early 80’s preached against violence in his country.

While he spoke out against violence brought on by a corrupt government, he wisely made the point that as soldiers they were killing their own brothers and sister. Sadly, In Salt Lake City, in 2008, we are faced with the same dilemma; it’s our children killing each other.

“When children who are searching for confidence don’t get it from a parent or caregiver, they often look for it in the streets, in the gangs. Joining is easy since gangs don’t ask for much in the way of a résumé or a formal education. They just want your soul, and every kid has one of those – at least when he or she signs up” (Come On People by Bill Cosby pg 205). We recognize that parents, family members and entire communities are the number one defense against a child becoming a part of a gang or choosing to participate in gang-like activities.

We intend to create comprehensive anti-gang solutions through the collaborative efforts and with support across the political spectrum from law enforcement, religious, social service, community and other civic leaders.

THE ROMERO ALTERNATIVE will focus its work in six major areas:

• Continue to support proactive law enforcement; ensuring that schools and neighborhoods remain safe.

• Bridging the gap; identifying and coordinating summer and after-school services for youth.

• Parental involvement and education; educating parents on the issues and signs of possible gang recruitment, involvement and resources available to assist both parents and youth.

• Service-provider awareness and engagement; improving gang awareness, communication and collaboration among service providers, including educators, city, county, state and federal agencies and others.

• Community awareness and engagement; improving gang prevention awareness among community partners, including community councils, homeowners associations, local businesses, faith-based organizations, community-based groups and others.

• Elected Officials’ awareness and engagement; improving gang prevention awareness and support among the City Council, County Council, State Legislature and Congress; advocating for laws, policies and funding that promote gang prevention.

The first phase our community mobilization will be to identify and promote all of the good quality after school and summer programs that are offered on the westside. We recognize that charges for these programs or the lesson fees for music and sports activities may be too expensive. Also, transportation to the programs may not be available. It will be our purpose to make these programs accessible to all our youth regardless of cost or transportation deficiencies. Members of THE ROMERO ALTERNATIVE steering committee will hold monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month in various locations throughout the westside.

Poplar Grove Community Council

MCSHALOM@xmission.com 801-521-3223

We know that every effort to better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained,

Is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.

(Archbishop Oscar Romero, March 24, 1980)

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July 9, 2008 by Baker.

As Mayor, and as a father and grandfather, my heart goes out to the Menchaca family for the loss of Maria Del Carmen Menchaca. There are not words to express how heartbreaking it is for our community to lose an innocent child in such a senseless way. 

I want to commend the work of the Salt Lake City Police Department for quickly bringing the suspects in Maria’s killing into custody.  I will continue to support the work of our police department — and particularly our Gang Unit — in ongoing efforts to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future,

This tragedy raises many questions about how our community can better deal with the gang problem. In the days and weeks to come, I will work with Police Chief Burbank and other law enforcement and community leaders to assess our efforts and identify new strategies for keeping our community safe.

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July 3, 2008 by Baker.

Leadership Utah Scholarship Applicants Sought Scholarship to Promote Leadership Abilities Created by the Human Rights Commission 

SALT LAKE CITY- Residents of Salt Lake City who are members of the city’s diverse communities are encouraged to apply for a Leadership Utah scholarship offered by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s Human Rights Commission. The application deadline for the scholarship is July 14, 2008.

The scholarship was designed to assist those interested in becoming more involved in their local communities and who want to gain the tools necessary to develop community leadership abilities. The scholarship is a tuition waiver to attend the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Leadership Utah program, a year long training opportunity for professionals in Salt Lake City.

“The scholarship is offered by the Human Rights Commission to those currently in leadership positions who want to refine their skills and have access to top-decision makers in Salt Lake City,” said coordinator of the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office of Diversity and Human Rights, Yolanda Francisco-Nez.

Leadership Utah is a program offered by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, designed to provide opportunities for business leaders to learn more about the challenges facing the community. For more information on the application process and qualifications, residents may contact Yolanda Francisco-Nez at 801-535-7734. Those who meet the qualifications are invited to apply online at  http://www.slcgov.com/mayor/divHR

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