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Show -NEWS- A8 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 -15: Phase 1 Reconstruction - American Fork Main SL to US-6 Spanish Fork Sky Spectacular: Covering what matters moi From WIND • A l MS: PtiM* 1 RvcoflttnKtlon • American Fork Miln SL to US-4 H :T Courtesy graphic EXTRA MILEAGE: The I-15 Corridor plan will widen the freeway between American Fork and Spanish Fork. UDOT reports to city council Jen Allen STAFF WRITER During a special presentation by UDOT this week at City Council, Dal Hawks addressed the upcoming construction and upgrades that will be made to 1-15 through the Utah County corridor. Hawks explained that although not all construction would affect the city of Spanish Fork, it would certainly affect those citizens who commute throughout the county. Freeways from Spanish Fork to University Avenue will increase to four lanes, the stretch from University Avenue to University Parkway will increase to five lanes and from University Parkway to American Fork there will be six lanes of traffic. Hawks said that UDOT's goals are to stay under budget, give the best value to allotted funds, minimize inconvenience, complete the project by the fall of 2014 and uphold the public's trust. Construction will begin in the Spring of 2010. Citizens with any concerns or questions can look to the UDOT website and find contact information for Hawks, the project manager and Merrell Jolley, the project engineer. Councilman Richard Davis, in his comments, addressed some of the feedback he received from North Star, the company that has been contracted for branding the city. Davis related that representatives from North Star commented on just how bonded this community is to one another, a trait that Davis greatly appreciates. Councilman Andersen was proud of the community as well as he watched the parade in Payson on Labor Day. He reported that although it was rainy and cold he was happy to see Miss Spanish Fork as well as all the kids from the high schools showing the spirit of Spanish Fork. In matters of new business, the council had an open conversation about the pros and cons of having private streets within city boundaries and what benefits would be had by opening these private roads to public roads. Richard Heap, the city's engineer, discussed some of the upgrades that would be required should the roads be made public. Ultimately the council decided that should the Home Owner's Associations contact the city in regard to the change, they could then make changes but would leave the private streets as they currently are. District Camporee The Palmyra District Scout Camporee will be held on Oct. 10-11 r 2008 at Camp Jeremiah Johnson. This camp will replace the sector camporee. More information will be provided at Roundtable on Sept. 11. Registration information can be found atwww.pdbsa.org ra presented Thomas and Elaine Hansen.city special events coordinator, with personal kites. He also displayed and donated, via speedboat, an American flag and a Spanish Fork City banner made entirely of recycled plastic bottles, showing the community that eco-friendly materials can be durable and aesthetically pleasing. Mayor Thomas then proclaimed Sept. 6th "Wind Power Day" in Spanish Fork City, and released 9 sets of balloons, one for each turbine. Small aircraft flew over the reservoir in a "Parade of Flight" and released 9 banners as the water-craft kite show began and "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day" played from the loudspeakers. Leslie Crout, of Spanish Fork, brought her children to see the Welcome to the Wind Farm Celebration. "I wanted to be outside, see the kites and spend time with my family. The best part so far is the water-craft kite flying," said Crout. The event was a family attraction, and kids from throughout Spanish Fork and the surrounding areas came to design their own kites at the kite-making workshop and see professionally crafted kites at the kite museum. There were also many families enjoying the remote-control airplane show and a tile-decorating booth sponsored by The Home Depot. Miss Spanish Fork, Ashlee Jex, attended the Sky Spectacular and helped children with their projects at the Kite-making workshop. "My favorite Clair Jones / Spanish Fork Neu LET'S GO FLY A KITE: KiteMan Productions takes kite-flying to new heights with their performances on the reservoir. part of the event is mingling with the little kids flying kites and the water kite show. I think it's awesome that Spanish Fork is trying to use clean energy. It's great for our city, and we're pretty much the pioneers for this sort of thing," said Jex. "I'm more than pleased with how the celebration has gone, and I am very proud of all of the city staff who helped bring us this event, especially Elaine Hansen and Steve Money, our Special Events Coordinators, Mayor Thomas said on Saturday. "We had over 1,770 cars come in on Friday, and we're expecting more today, so it has bee bigger than anyone expec ed. Kids are having the tirr of their lives and peop! are coming from all ov< and telling their friends I come out as well." The Sky Spectacular, would seem, was a spei tacular success for Spanis Fork. Star Power: From STAR • A l Eric Kern's approach to teaching reading is what set him apart, said Snowbarger. As a "transitional first grade teacher" at Rees for the past three years. Kern worked with children who were assessed at a low level of reading and writing. "There's not one strategy that works for every student," Snowbarger said. "He treated each student's situation differently." Kern began his impromptu acceptance speech with his traditional "Woohoooooo!" Kern made this a staple cheer in his three years at Rees. This year, he moved up to the district level as an "instructional coach" who works with other teachers. Kern said for him, coming back to Rees was like coming home. He said it was "a shocker" to receive the award. He thought he was supposed to be at the school for a meeting. Kern shared his philosophy about teaching and learning, which reveals one aspect of his teaching success. "Acommunity of learning is where we come together because we love learning ... and we love each other and care for each other. That's what learning is all about," said Kern. Kern's fellow teacher, Claudia Jex, nominated him for this award. She described Kern as outgoing, ei thusiastic and dedicated. "He has done a lot to increase lean ing and reading — and he always h; his' woohoos,*" she said. "I was please to nominate such a great teacher." Kern received praise from facult administration and students alik but Julie Warren, elementary dire* tor for Nebo School District, pointc out that the cheers he received fro) the students may have been the be award of all. "That's the best honor of honors she said. Kern is the second Rees teacher: three years to receive the Utah St of Teaching award. Brenda Beyal r ceived the honor in 2006. Harvest Moon Hurrah: From HARVEST • A l leton. Headlining the entertainment will be Utahbased a cappella group Eclipse. Eclipse is a sixman group who has won multiple awards and performed at such prestigious events as the 2002 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremonies and Provo's Stadium of Fire. "They are a really fun, versatile group to listen to," says Pendleton. "They don't use any instruments, but they do vocal percussion and they are just really entertaining and fun. We're really excited to have them come." Eclipse will perform at the event starting around 7 p.m., but there will be other entertainment starting with well-known local singer/songwriter Shaun Barrowes at 4 p.m. Other featured performing groups include the Nebo Chorale and Nebo Philharmonic; Sorella, a high-energy dance company; and Innerfusion, a jazz/rock group that will play music for dancing beginning at 8:30. Innerfusion's drummer, Jill Elliot, teaches percussion at SFHS, and will also be performing with another percussion group before Eclipse performs. Drew Briney, an award-winning juggling storyteller, will also perform during the evening. In addition to the entertainment available, there will be a few select vendors offering food at the event. "We have asked the vendors to keep their costs below $3 per meal, so it should be very affordable to come and feed the whole family," Pendleton said. The entertainment and the other parts of the event— "It's just a really good chance to enjoy the arts and celebrate the harvest together." - Bjorn Pendleton except for family photos and caricatures, which are $5 —are free. The Harvest Moon Hurrah also includes a variety of activities for young and old alike. There will be children's craft activities, pony rides, hay rides, bowling with pumpkins, and maybe even a haybale maze. A new addition to the year's activities is a huge mural. "We have two b whitewashed panels, ar we've asked some artis to draw in picture outliru for us," said Pendleto "Then we'll let the ki< color in the pictures make the completed mi ral." Pendleton thinks tl Harvest Moon Hurrah w: be better than ever th year. "This is a great oppo tunity to come together; a community and have really fun time together he said. "It's really ta lored to all ages, and it more personal than son of the big Fiesta Da; events. It's just a real good chance to enjoy tl arts and celebrate the ha vest together." The Harvest MCK Hurrah will be held at tl Spanish Fork Library Pa from 4-10 p.m. on Set. 20. Admission is free ai all ages are welcome. |