OCR Text |
Show The Park Record A-18 MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Wed/Thurs/Fri, August 31-September 2, 2016 CORE SAMPLES TO PUBLISH YOUR PUBLIC NOTICES AND AGENDAS PLEASE EMAIL CLASSIFIEDS@PARKRECORD.COM The Speyside spirit world SUMMIT COUNTY COUNCIL AMENDED AGENDA SUMMIT COUNTY COUNCIL Wednesday, August 31, 2016 12:20 PM - Site visit to Nuzzles & Co. Pet Rescue and Adoption Rescue Ranch located at 6466 N Highview Road, Peoa, UT 84061 (90 min) Consideration and possible approval of the Third Amendment to Agreement between Summit County and Valley Behavioral Health, Inc.; Rich Bullough Discussion and possible approval of Resolution 2016-13, a Resolution Adopting the Park City and Summit County 2016 Short Range Transit Development Plan; Caroline Ferris Appoint members to the Summit County Restaurant Tax Advisory Committee Appoint members to the Summit County Arts & Parks Advisory Committee-Recreation Council Comments Manager Comments Council Minutes dated April 27, 2016 1:50 PM - Travel to Richins Building (20 min) 6:00 PM Public Input 2:10 PM Closed Session – Litigation (30 min); Property acquisition (30 min) Public Hearing regarding proposed amendments to the Snyderville Basin Development Code relating to helicopter uses and heliports, and possible approval of Ordinance No. 860 Heliports Within the Snyderville Basin Planning Area; Pat Putt NOTICE is hereby given that the Summit County Council will meet in session Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at the Sheldon Richins Building, 1885 West Ute Blvd, Park City, UT 84098 (All times listed are general in nature, and are subject to change by the Council Chair) 3:10 PM – Work Session Interview applicants for vacancies on the Summit County Arts & Parks Advisory Committee-Recreation (50 min) 4:00 PM - Move into auditorium (10 min) 4:10 PM - Update on Summit County Senior Services; Heather Nalette, Senior Director (15 min) 4:25 PM - Presentation regarding Valley Behavioral Health; Rich Bullough, Katie Booth, Dodi Wilson and Ed Rutan (45 min) 5:10 PM - Convene as the Board of Equalization Discussion and possible approval of 2016 stipulations; Steve Martin Dismiss as the Board of Equalization 5:20 PM Consideration of Approval Pledge of Allegiance One or more members of the County Council may attend by electronic means, including telephonically or by Skype. Such members may fully participate in the proceedings as if physically present. The anchor location for purposes of the electronic meeting is the Sheldon Richins Building auditorium, 1885 W. Ute Blvd., Park City, Utah Individuals with questions, comments, or needing special accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding this meeting may contact Annette Singleton at (435) 336-3025, (435) 615-3025 or (435) 7834351 ext. 3025 Posted: August 26, 2016; Amended August 29, 2016 New boxing gym in Eagle opens with greater purpose Mean Street gym offers instruction for fighting, living PAM BOYD Eagle Valley Enterprise EAGLE — Mike Pisciotta believes life’s most important lessons can be learned in a boxing ring and through his new program in Eagle, he hopes local youth will sign up for an education. “Boxing is a microcosm of life. When life knocks you down, you get back up. When life hits you hard, you fight back harder,” said Pisciotta. “In boxing there is no one to block for you, no one to pass the ball to. You face your opponent alone in the ring. Boxing teaches self-sufficiency, self-discipline and a strong work ethic.” That, in a nutshell is what Mean Streets Boxing is all about. Pisciotta is the new court administrator for the Fifth Judicial District and when he packed up his household to move to Eagle County, he also transported about $28,000 worth of boxing gym equipment— the tools of the trade for his Mean Streets program. His set up includes a boxing ring, punching bags and more. He recently convinced the Eagle Town Board to rent him space at the old Eagle Town Hall so he could reach out to local youth, and adults for that matter, to offer boxing instruction. “People come from all walks of life to box. That is what is great about the sport,” said Pisciotta. Olympic inspiration Pisciotta found his love for boxing at a young age. A native of Pueblo, he recalls watching Sugar Ray Leonard complete during the 1976 Olympics. “Then the ‘Rocky’ movies came out later that year and I was hooked,” he said. Pisciotta boxed as both an amateur and briefly as a professional and then began a career in law enforcement. While he was working for the Nebraska Department of Corrections, he came up with the idea of offering a boxing program as an By Jay Meehan outlet for at-risk youth. From his personal experiences, Pisciotta knew boxing would be a great way to channel aggression and work toward a longterm goal. Pisciotta said you have to take responsibility for your own training as a boxer, and that’s a skill that transfers over to other aspects of a fighter’s life. At the same time, a boxing gym is a place full of camaraderie. “Not every kid who comes through the door will ever fight a match,” said Pisciotta. “But I will teach him some boxing fundamentals and he is going to learn respect.” Early enthusiasts Mean Streets Boxing has only been set up for a couple of weeks and Pisciotta hasn’t really begun his outreach efforts. But there is already a corps of seven fighters who are thrilled to have the opportunity to learn how to box. Xavier Rios Varela, 20, is the Eagle program’s first ambassador. “I was going to Golden Oven with my girlfriend to get a pizza and I had to see what was going on,” said Varela. Pisciotta was still moving equipment into the building when Varela said he wanted to sign up. “I have been a boxing fan since I was little,” said Varela. “I had to take this opportunity.” Varela noted he has never had the chance to study boxing before and he was so excited about the new program he reached out to a bunch of his friends. Hector Valdez, 21, is working as an electrician apprentice. When he attended Basalt High School, he was a wrestler and during his junior year, he placed fifth at state. He is excited to have the chance to compete in the ring. “Boxing is not for everyone,” he said “But if you are doing something like this you need to train as hard as you can and then see how good you are. This is a great experience for me.” “Xavier told me be about it and I like to train,” said David Sanchez, 22. “I have learned how to make a great fist,” added Sanchez, flashing a grin. Because there hasn’t been any formal boxing program lo- cally for a number of years, Pisciotta said it would be awhile before his protégées are ready for a match. But he is committed to getting his fighters to that point. “By the time they are ready for a match, they are going to be trained,” he said. Passion for teaching Pisciotta knows some boxing gyms will take a kid fresh off the street and put him in a ring with an experienced fighter. After getting pummeled, the gym operator will know the new kid is serious about learning if he comes back. But that’s not the way Pisciotta runs his program. “Why would you take a kid and hurt him just to see if he comes back?” Pisciotta said. “Most everyone who comes into a gym is scared to begin with. They just want to see if they are as tough as they believe they are.” Pisciotta’s teaching philosophy is based on nurturing a fighter and teaching him or her the skills needed to succeed in the ring. While he often refers to his students as “he,” Pisciotta noted that more and more female are finding their way to the sport. He’s open to teaching anyone who wants to learn. “I really have a passion for coaching and teaching and I have a knack for showing people technique,” said Pisciotta. One of his boxing heroes is a fellow named Angelo Dundee, who worked as a corner man for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. “I really admired him and liked his style,” said Pisciotta. For now, Mean Streets Boxing is open from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Anyone interested in the program is welcome to drop by. Because of his work schedule, Pisciotta can’t open the gym earlier, but he would love to attract other instructors so he could expand the hours. In the meantime, he hopes that the regular weekday sessions attract more and more aspiring boxers. When students come to his program, Pisciotta can’t promise he will make them fighters. But he can promise something else. “When they leave, they are going to be a better person than when they came in. That’s what’s important to me,” he said. So there I was, wandering up and down the “spirit” aisles at the local Costco over here on Kauai looking for something of the “blended” Scotch-whisky persuasion when my sister, a longtime local in these parts, sort of nudged me toward a particular “single malt” to which I’d previously shown an attraction. Well, when compared to the sin-tax tithing the legislative watchdogs back in Utah add to the bottom line of such freeagent debauchery, these Hawaiians were almost giving it away. Although recognizing right off that the somewhat hyperbolic prose affixed to the box by “The Macallan” marketing department sounded unfamiliar, I spirited it off the shelf and into the cart. The Macallan is distilled in the Speyside sub-region of the Scottish Highlands and something about the “sherry” aftertaste of its 12-year version made it my favorite go-to recreational single-malt back in the day. You know, the kind you would toss in your duffle if you were planning on spending two weeks rustically lodged on Hanelei Bay. Or, for that matter, just hunkereddown in Heber binge-watching “Grantchester.” By “recreational,” I mean its not one of those peaty singlemalts from the isle of “Islay” like, say, the Laphroaig 10 or the Lagavulen 16 that often find themselves languishing in my liquor cabinet waiting for a worthy cigar to come my way with which to pair it. Not that I don’t get a wild hair now and then and pour 4-fingers of either in celebration of some arcane milestone. So, the jug-in-question, rather than being the Macallan 12, is the heretofore unfamiliar “Macallan Gold” from the 1824 Series. Which, in case you were wondering, had been created to showcase “the beautiful range of natural color” inherent to Macal- lan whiskies exclusively matured in sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain. Or, to quote David Byrne of the Talking Heads: “Same as it ever was.” Even at this point, after having knocked back a couple of goodsized snifters, I’m still not sure if this is the beginning of a new single-malt relationship. Last evening was really an annual wake-like party celebrating the life of my brother-in-law Billy Terheggen on the third anniversary of his passing. Which is to say, it didn’t lend itself to the aloof “airs” that often accompany the inner-connoisseur. I will find time, however, to put whisky maker Bob Dalgarno’s assertions to the test. You know, to see if “this burnished gold spirit presents a lemon cit- Even at this point, after having knocked back a couple of good-sized snifters, I’m still not sure if this is the beginning of a new single-malt relationship...” rus nose, then orange peel and an interlacing sweetness that softens but doesn’t eliminate the zest.” I just love it when they talk like that. In fact, I’ve been attempting to incorporate similar flowery jargon into the characterizations I employ to embellish what is actually a quite dull existence. If truth be known, however, opportunities to insert such phrases without the awkward non-sequitur alarm going off are few and far between. Like, I’m a long way from being able to flippantly reply with “a quiet note of vanilla is fol- lowed by dark chocolate — more assertive yet not overly so — with lingering floral and light oak notes” as a response to “whassup?” But I’m working on it. It should have become apparent to me that such vernacular was in the works once they began reviewing single-malts in Wine Spectator magazine. Back in the day, I recall going around sarcastically spouting “It’s a BIG ‘Cab’” whenever a Cabernet wearing shoes crossed my path. I’m sure it was the Willoughby clan of Napa Valley that snuck that one into my quiver. Did I mention that, at least according to a blurb from the box, “The Macallan is celebrated far and wide by experts and discerning drinkers as the world’s most precious whisky.” Hmmm? Precious? Like in cuddly? I’m not sure I ever looked to whisky, even Scotch, for a hug. Possibly it’s the definition dealing with rarity and great value that they’re tossing about. But I’m getting somewhat far afield from my aforementioned homework, which, today, is to incorporate “Citrus and boiled sweets rule the palate, along with hints of ginger and cinnamon, while soft oak tones reveal toasted apples” as a response in the affirmative to “Wanna grab a bite?” Why I couldn’t locate a jug of The Macallan 12-year on the shelf of the Lihue, Kauai Costco is anybody’s guess. I’m sure the world’s most precious liquor store (located in the friendly confines of Heber City, Utah, by the way) will remain a reliable connection. How was that for a finish? Medium sweet, malty and slightly dry? Jay Meehan is a culture junkie and has been an observer, participant, and chronicler of the Park City and Wasatch County social and political scenes for more than 40 years. RED CARD ROBERTS By Amy Roberts Vegetable healing My dad is not what you would call progressive. He’s a salt of the earth, steak and potatoes, black and white Midwesterner. Tailgates on Saturdays, church on Sundays. My dad thinks yoga, meditation and Facebook are for “those people in California who wear Birkenstocks” and is convinced the organic food movement is part of the liberal agenda. He’s not exactly the kind of guy who is going to get his chakras cleansed. So keep this in mind. My sister Heather has been battling brain cancer for over eight years now; six years past her expected expiration date. She has met every challenge, every setback and every unfair piece of news with humor, grace and the positivity of a trillion protons. Throughout her battle, she has been hopeful to the point of foolishness and stoic to the point of stubborn. But six weeks ago, things started to change — for my dad, my sister and for the rest of my family. We learned Heather’s tumors were growing again. This time aggressively. And they were behaving like rabbits. Multiplying. They’re not operable, she can’t have any more radiation, her chemo was no longer working. Her neuro oncologist told us the news we always knew we’d one day hear, yet never really expected. “One or two more months,” she said. I flew back to Omaha to be with my family after that prognosis. Those days we could have been mistaken for five crying zombies. We all just walked around aimlessly handing each other tissues. At that time, Heather was still somewhat independent. She was living with my parents, but still going to work most days. She could carry on a conversation with purpose and, with the use of her cane, hobble around otherwise unassisted. But last week she had a stroke and things regressed considerably. I spent the weekend in Omaha again, utterly heartbroken. We’ve all been struggling to process this new reality and balance it with the optimism Heather demands. We’ve all been looking for something to cling to. But when my dad announced he asked an “intuitive healer” to come to the house for Heather, to say I was shocked is the biggest understatement since the captain of the Titanic My dad is not the kind of guy who takes the kind of guy who accepts cucumbers as currency seriously.” said, “Hey look, an ice cube.” I had to know more about this man. “He lives off the land in a tent and uses crystals or chimes or something. And he has days he doesn’t talk to anyone, just sits in silence. And he doesn’t accept money. I think you can pay him in food though. Anyway, tonight, he’s coming over to pray for Heather. It sounds like some New Age bullsh**, but he used to be Catholic,” my dad explained. “So a medicine man, a Buddhist monk and a priest walk into a house…” I started, but stopped when I noticed my dad was carefully appraising the vegetables from his garden, deciding which ones to present to this healer. My dad is not the kind of guy who takes the kind of guy who accepts cucumbers as currency seriously. But there he was, meticulously inspecting the produce he intended to give a stranger who he sought out in a moment of either utter desperation or absolute hopefulness. It doesn’t really matter which. The next thing I knew Travis the healer was in my parents’ living room and we were all standing around Heather praying for the cancer cells to leave her body. After several minutes of asking the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to grant our requests, Travis asked Heather if she had any questions. “Yes, I do,” she replied. “I am wondering if you think Jesus is cool with Xanax?” There was a long, confused pause before Travis said he didn’t know what Xanax was. But, he thought God was cool with it if Heather needed it. Heather thought about that for a moment and said, “I have been taking one before I go to bed because I’m so worried lately. But you know what? Tonight, I don’t think I’ll need one. You’ve helped me find a peace I haven’t had in a while.” I don’t know if the prayers worked or how much longer Heather will be here. But I do know, putting my sister’s mind at ease was a form of healing. And the tranquility we all felt after Travis left was worth every vegetable in that garden. Amy Roberts is a freelance writer, longtime Park City resident, and the proud owner of two rescued Dalmatians, Stanley and Willis. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer. Follow her on Twitter @amycroberts. New Equipment is expensive The Park Record’s “Help Wanted” section has the jobs you need to support your gear addiction |