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Show WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 • A7 Guardian of Your Community News City: From MEETING • A l clean the river on a regular basis, reducing flooding hazards. Thompson also said that because residents along the river donated easement rights, the city was able to put more grant money toward trail construction. The city has received slightly over $1 million in federal grant money since 2006 on the project, and has matched that with over $400,000. Thompson said the city is hoping receive an additional $300,000 in order to achieve the overall goal of four miles of trails. Bennett said he's long been a proponent of trails around the state. "I've been involved in trying to help create Utah trails ever since I've been in the Senate," he said. "It's something we ought to do the best we can to maintain and expand [the existing trail system]." The situation with the I-15/Main Street interchange took up the bulk of the meeting. The city sees two main problems with the interchange. The first is that traffic from Highway 6 entering southbound I15 can't adequately get up to speed on the current on-ramp, and then has to crisscross traffic exiting the freeway at Main Street. The second issue is that Main Street narrows as it travels under 1-15, restricting traffic to three lanes and causing regular; traffic'congestion as Tar"L back as 1600 North. (!1 : Bennett asked where UDOT stands on the situation. Thompson explained that UDOT prioritizes projects around the state, allocating a certain amount of funds based on the project's assessed value. Contractors can then bid on the various jobs. Thompson called the situation "a very expensive fix." "If UDOT does not assign an adequate design value to this, design/ build teams will ignore it," he said. Councilman Wayne Andersen said that over 30,000 vehicles travel that stretch of road each day. He said the cost of fixing the I-15/Highway 6 situation would probably be between $150-170 million, but that the cost to address the Main Street issue would be around $20 million. Andersen suggested that necessary funds could be reallocated from the project to widen 1-15 in Utah County. "We don't need another lane between here and Provo right now. We'd rather see this money spent on fixing this problem on the north end of Main Street," he said. Bennett agreed that there are engineering problems in the way the interchange was built. He said that a number of groups are involved in the decision-making process, but that UDOT would be the place to begin. "We'll start with UDOT and see if they can move it up on their priority list," he said. "That will make it easier to get federal help." The council again expressed appreciation to Senator Bennett for taking the time to meet with them and listen to their / concerns. V Debra Bonner Vocal coach finds joy in work Christene Choate STAFF WRITER CENTER STAGE: Above, Megan Fay competes in the Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa All-Ireland dance competition. SF girl wins international Irish dance competition Jen Allen STAFF WRITER Not very many people here in the United States are very familiar with Irish dancing. But Spanish Fork's Megan Fay has just become the first American dancer to win the Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa All-Ireland dance competition. At only 18 years old, Fay has had more than a lifetime of experience with this particular kind of dancing. She notes that there isn't a moment she doesn't remember being involved in the sport. Fay attributes her recent success to her coaches and parents, Steven and Suzanne, recognizing their support through all of her hard work. Fay has been dancing since she was only six years old. So when the chance to compete in the All-Ireland event in Dublin came up, Fay knew she wanted to do it. Most of the competitors are European, so being the first American to hold the title is impressive. This particular competition was also a qualifying round for the World Championships that will be hosted in Warsaw, Poland during Easter weekend 2010. Knowing that over 500 contestants would be at the CUMANH DEA MHEASA Courtesy pfiotos ALL-IRELAND CHAMP: Megan Fay is pictured atop the medals stand with her first-place sash and trophy. All-Ireland competition, Fay put in several hours a day five to six days a week prior to the contest. This is a strict schedule that she will continue to maintain as she prepares for her next big competition in StratfordUpon-Avon, England. The World Irish Dancing Association (W.I.D.A.) British Open Championships will take place Oct. 24^25,2009. "International competitions are a great way to see the different styles of dancers from other countries and a great opportunity to travel," Fay said. But that's not all that she is looking forward to. Now with one W.I.D.A. international title in hand, Fay looks forward to teaching Irish dance. She has spent the past several years as an assistant teacher and will debut as the head teacher of her own school, the Fay Irish Dance Company. "I've wanted to teach since I started, really," Fay said. Her classes will be open enrollment and offered to anyone three years of age or older, and will feature traditional dances such as the Reel, the Hornpipe and St. Patrick's Day. For more information on classes, call 801-915-6068. Local vocal coach Debra Bonner has various connections to Hollywood, including American Idol and the Tony Awards. Bonner has trained two contestants of American Idol, Brooke White and David Hernandez, who both went on to become finalists in the top 12 during the 2008 season. Bonner trained White for two months, and then White continued on with one of Bonner's teachers for two years. Hernandez trained with Bonner for over a year before competing in American Idol. Bonner's connection with the Tony Awards comes from her brother, Efrem Channel who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Bonner and her brother periodically collaborate their musical talents, and come up with new ideas. Channel taught "LaChanze" which won the "Tony Award" for Best Actress in a Broadway Musical and Sarah Jones who received a "Special Tony Award" for her multi-character portrayal in her one woman show in 2006. Bonner has been teaching voice for over 39 years. "I love seeing my students transform and begin to know that they have something very special that gives them joy and [they] can share it with others," said Bonner, "Not only are my students able after training to sing with a free more beautiful tone and an extended, connected range without breaks, they are more confident, direct and have more joy in their life. That means more to me than even a beautiful voice.1* Bonner trains the muscles inside the voice box (larynx) to become coordinated with a low stable larynx. "[This] allows vocal freedom and permits one to find his/her true voice," said Bonner. By the end of September, Bonner will be teaching over 100 students, ranging from young children to parents and grandparents. Anyone interested in studying at "Training the Voice" with Debra Banner can call 801-7949554. |