jjj jennifer j johnson

Walking Not Alone on the Boulevard of Non-Broken Dreams

S-A-TUR-DAY...  DAY!

I have always loved the word boulevard. Perhaps that's the reason I chose french as my second-language to study in junior high. East Capitol Boulevard... Now there's a beautiful name, and, most likely not a blvd that Dr. Dre, Green Day, or even Jackson Browne would be angsting about.

As I start off, I elect to park my car next to a home bearing a competitor's sign for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council. Sets the tone for the day at hand: Trench time.

Walking up ECB, I am struck by the uniqueness of the yards: Several of them have whole clusters of trees in the front yards. The look and feel reminds me of the method I have heard that the LDS Church's chief landscape architect used to create the truly stunning rooftop garden downtown: Taking handfuls of seeds and throwing them over his shoulder with as much wild abandon as can be mustered, given the circumstance.

The look is not overly manicured, but natural, inviting. Calls to mind the TreeUtah-sponsored class in designing edible forests that I attended a few months ago. Although, for the most part, I did not observe too many fruit-bearing trees on ECB. [A few days ago, though, a bit lower on ECB, I visited a house where a child-scrawled sign requested (and I ad lib, here): "Please do not eat our peaches! These have been a lot of hard work!"]

The people I spoke with yesterday were very friendly. Aaron was a standout, spending several minutes with me on his front porch, talking about the efficacy of solar panels and wind farms and the tougher how-to's of enacting change. Sharing with me that he works for the University of Utah in the Math Department, Aaron's xeric yard was the tip of the iceberg of a very eco-passionate individual.

We concluded. I planted a sign in his inspired yard, then walked away, realizing that I had not spoken with him about his participating on our GREEN City task force; so I jotted a note to do so. Later, much later, back at home, I searched for his e-mail at the U and found that he not only works for the U Math Department, but is the chair of such... Affable and humble, both...

Same pleasing duality with Andrew on Sandrun Road. On board with "green" as a concept but concered about costs, Andrew had just concluded a bike ride up Millcreek Canyon. He hung out a bit and talked about his home under construction, and I promoted green-building techniques. (I general-contracted the rebuild of my home in 2005.) As I was leaving, Andrew made a point of saying he intended to "spread the word" about me as a candidate, then offered some water and even some Pepsi. I passed on the Pepsi, telling him I am still working on shaving down and then in to a lime green dress from 20 years ago at an appropriate stage of the campaign. Andrew, 100% fit, approved of this idea, shared the water, and sent me on my way, still lingering in his yard, playing with his two young children.

On Sandrun I also spoke with Chris, who owns multiple apartment buildings in addition to his East Capitol home. Chris mentions that even though he believes in Mayor Becker's concept with the updated Safety Complex that he will probably vote against it. Taxes are his nemesis.

Ended up taking a trip down memory lane at the corner of Sandrun and ECB, where I encountered long-lost contact Jerry. He and I were both in a community theater production of The Music Man probably 20-some years ago! In those days, I lived in the Kensington Apartments on Main Street, and he lived who knows where. It was nice to visit, and, yes, pump him for voting commitment, as well as admire his very lush yard.

It was lunch time, not by the clock, but by my gut. I decided to swoop in for the last few minutes of the Salt Lake Downtown Farmers Market.

Krista and Hyrum of The Salt Lake Bike Collective were just packing up, which made me pick up my wearied pace a bit. Hurry up and wait ensued, as I ran into Turtle, a woman who used to attend my Yoga classes at the JCC. We had not seen each other in years, and it was interesting to hear of her recent time spent in Australia, where she reported that bicycles outsell cars and non-eco consumers pay $3 per-bag for plastic at the grocery store.

$3 per bag... I guess that gets the point across, I thought, as I walked the market.

Bumped into a "seed seller" whom I, Jack-In-The-Beanstalk-like, had shoveled over a ton of money for sego lilly bulbs, which, to my extreme sorrow, had never bloomed. They were to be my front-and-center showpiece, but not to be...

I chatted with Jorge Fierro (a.k.a. "Rico," as in Rico's Market Rico). Jorge and Jennifer J. Johnson or "JJJ" were honored with "Giant Step" awards acknowledging business success in 2002 by the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. It was great fun to quickly cut to the chase and generate ideas on the fly with this entrepreneurial colleague. I talked zoning with him, and look forward to a near-term follow-up, as his insights are powerful  ones for our area in The Avenues, Capitol Hill, Federal Heights, Guadalupe, and Marmalade.

"It's only time on the boulevard..."

The Story of "O"

TGIF... NIGHT

Bob and Deb.

Weeks ago, they, while committed to activism of a nature other than political, insisted I mark my calendar with an "O."

No, not overstock.com.

No, not a date ruled by a basal thermometer.

THE O.

The "O" Street Summer Block Party!

SO, last night, calendar still O'd, went On Over.

To those of us living on "B," "E," "I" or any other sprawler in The Avenues, "O" Street is wonderfully compact: BOrdered to NOrth and SOuth by The City Cemetery and SOuth Temple, respectively. SO the concept of a blOck party for these fOlks? WOnderfully intimate. Old-school neighbOrhOOd.

Nice.

Tish and Dave, 20-year-plus residents of The Ave's are the grand marshalls of this annual event. Why? Tish attributes it to the fact that the concrete space in front of their home makes for the best "barbecue central" and adjacent open-air dining area. But anyone that knows them (Or, in the case of me, anyone who does not know them) immediately recognizes that they are incredibly neighborly folks.

Example:

I tentatively (does not SOUND like me, right?) enter the party environment, enjoying watching kids zig-zagging through the blocked-off street on scooters; couples old and young alike--seated together, bonding all the more as neighbors, in the joy of food; barbys and barbies alike... Summer!

I am greeted by a few folks, and tell them I am looking for Bob and Deb, who have invited me to the gig. Dropping what they were doing, they escort me to Tish. "Madame Organizer," is the smiling, twinkling tribute Tish receives from her neighbor Diana. Tish proceeds to tell me about the neighborhood--this party and the holiday progressive potluck held in wintertime. Her hubby, Dave, talks to the history of the neighborhood and respective ages of the homes and the sense of comfort they all enjoy.

They do not have a "Neighborhood Watch" program: They all are the Neighborhood Watch, operating, village-like, for the best interests of all. This night, though, they do not watch Bob and Deb, my friends, who are nowhere to be seen, let alone watched. Bob and Deb, who invited this interloper-neighbor who, through the grace of Dave and Tish and Dianna and others has been made to feel as if she lived right on the corner of 3rd and "O."

When I tell her how I like the feel of their neighborhood, Tish also mentions neighborhoods on "R" Street and on 18th Avenue as echoing the character of "O." A few other neighbors mention the gratitude of my stopping by their party. In fact, they expressed feeling almost honored by the "public appearance" from a candidate for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council! Nice... Nice, too, that one of the neighbors mentions having now actually met and discussed issues with four of the candidates. While there? Jennifer J. Johnson is even given a job--dispensing glow sticks to youth. I do a good, if not great job at it, until I become embroiled in conversation and need to be "assisted." Assisted... it takes a village... or an "O" Street.

At four blocks from North to South, "O"...

SCREETCH...

I am about to wax a bit too poetic.

I would love any contributions to conclude this ongoing story of "O." 

www.JJJslc.com

We are "The Party"... We are THE LIFE of The Party!

FRIDAY DAY

It was my biggest fear:

Throwing a party and having no one come.

And this time, the stakes were so very much higher. "I"--me, myself, I, JJJ the person and the candidate for Salt Lake City District 3 City Council.

I was "The Party."

Would anyone come?

(Besides my children!... and The Dog!)

Everyday, besides walking the neighborhoods that are this wonderful area, I watch some of the movie Milk. It is my inspiration, and my Bible. We watched it at my campaign initiation, and I bought it, to be able to watch some part of it, everyday. (I usually fall asleep to it, the show running on my laptop, my bedmate.)

Where was my Cleve Jones, I wondered? (Cleve Jones is the curly-haired, bespectacled kid heading off to Spain with a no-care attitude about political activism upon first-meet with bearded, political neophyte Harvey Milk.)

Given the brief burst of this election (I decided/entered July 14... Primary election Sept. 15... General Election Nov. 3), I didn't have time to wait for my Cleve Jones to "summer" in Europe, then get ditched by a boyfriend, only to finally come back, full-circle-humbled to a patient Harvey Milk.

I needed CleveJonesOnDemand!...

Months ago (four months, to be exact), I had offered up my Avenues home to the Green Drinks social group as a local for a "house party." To date, all of their gigs had been held in bars or other commercial venues, and I thought the group deserved a homier, more residential feel. Serendipity ruling, the two leaders of Green Drinks, Mary Rogers and Kirsten Gellella, approached me about my "taking" the August date. Wilting a bit (because of the pressures of the campaign AND the thought of my yard in its current status), it took me all of... five seconds to jump at the chance to host. And host I did... Or rather, host WE did. My friends at Forbidden Fruit Catering did the food, Uintadonated some brews, JJJ's home team pitched in with not just administrative support, but music (son Jamison's band with friend Arash--"Rabble Rouser” played), and pal Jimmy Knobs (a.k.a. Jim Mooers, who is playing The State Room in October) and Jeffery Summers (hipper-n-hell!) cranked.

Circulating at the party, I met Deb Henry, a 27-YO UDOT engineer, KRCLvolunteer, and political activist from New Jersey (apparently, the same birth-city as Mr. Bruce Springstein, who, at age 60 is gracing this month’s cover of AARP magazine!). With a degree in civil engineering and significant coursework in urban planning, Deb worked on Ralph Becker’s campaign, helping him migrate from fourth-pole position to, well, you know.

“I want to help you,” she smiled. (In journalism class, we learned to never personify those sorts of verbs. But, that was then.)

This is now.

So very now.

Today, I spent about 90 minutes with Deb. In the course of our discussion, she told me that my enthusiasm, earnestness, and honesty had engaged her. A party that she came to…

From there, I leapt into another invigorating meeting, with another 27-YO. Aurora Shlien, environmental activist, policy-maker, and co-founder of Sustain Utah. Like Deb, Aurora found space in her busy schedule to accommodate me. A party that she came to, and even invited. Ideas will turn to design-build the afternoon of Sept. 11. Anyone wanting to bring high-voltage input is invited to a GREEN City (GreenCity@JJJslc.com) strategic meeting chez moi.

Chez.

Che.

Change.

I have found that, perhaps like Santa Claus, “Cleve Jones” is not just a single person in all cases. JJJ and J?

We are The Party.

And we are The Life of The Party.

Party on. www.JJJslc.com

"The Boss" Had It Right... E Street ROCKS!

THURSDAY PM

We got off to a late start.

I could be talking about "the election" in general (my getting "the itch" @ 1:35am on Tuesday, July 14--just one day prior to entry deadline!), but... no.

THIS late start just meant the evening's campaigning.

And the "we?" Tonight, my two sons and the dog all hit the streets. In honor of... The Boss... What else but... E STREET!!!

Amazing receptivity! For one thing, we connected with several friends from Salt Lake Arts Academy.GREAT FUN.

Early in the journey? Dropping in on Dan--a friend met late-night a few weeks ago who invited JJJ and Mandy the dog in for a late-night evening of fun with friends Zac and Brian. Dan's three "JJJ" signs, even though zip-tied, had been swiped! Un-be-liev-a-ble! Had I not seen the zip-tie remnants? Might have written it off as a little bit of politicking to the politician. But no... Sheer truth. I handed Dan the two "J's" I had on me, with a promise to replenish the third.

Replenishing cannot really be done for one who has not yet experienced. I encountered Dennis, an IT director, who had never voted. Worked on a mayoral campaign, he and his wife had, but... never voted! He said he needed to somehow feel the passion to want to vote. I gave it a shot that Pat Bentar would endorse. We'll see... But I am optimistic: His corner yard now sports two "J" signs... THIS is why one gets involved with local government.

Then, a bit down the road, met with Karen (who had just purchased an enviable multi-wear cloth dress that was fabulous!) and with Alex (a Cottonwood Heights-Ite whom I kept swearing I knew, from somewhere...) When I approached the duo, Karen, unprompted, ID'd me BY NAME! What an absolute phenomenon! She is friends with a woman who attended the "Green Drinks" environmental issues-focused party I hosted Tuesday, and with whom I am meeting tomorrow a.m. to discuss SLC-general and District 3-specific policy... Amazing! Synergistic!... Dare I say it... "Cosmic?"...

Did SOMEONE say "Cosmic?"

Then there was Ru, who--when he met me,he on the couch of his front porch, and me, not seeing him at first, with eyes focused on his front door, versus the sofa occupied by he and his son's GF--IMMEDIATELY said, "You're going to win." When I asked him why? Without hesitation, "I'm psychic." I felt like I was in a Quentin Tarantino film, but I drank it in. Ru, owning a primo property on 6th Avenue, saw a future with not just "the win," but with the way to the win--three "J" signs adorning his hilly front lawn. Per-fec-tion. All I need? About 1,000 Ru's to show up and vote Sept. 15. I hope he sees that in his visionary outlook.

Perfection was, truly, the home on 6th and J. Such elegance and ease--in both the owners and the property. As I was walking along the raised sidewalk that is the North side of 6th Avenue (on the East side of "I" Street, I could hear twinkling laughter--the kind that not really makes you jealous, but strangely welcome.

Then I was welcomed, almost feeling as if a glass of virtual wine had been poured for me, as my hosts shared their unique issues--Strong complaints of worn-down infrastructure (curbs, sidewalks, streets, lights, etc.) They were absolutely right! The pole on the North East corner of J and 6th? In poor repair. The gentleman indicated that he would not have supported another bid from Eric Jergensen, noting that EJ did not fight strongly enough for investment in Avenues roads and other essential elements....

When I met with Salt Lake County Mayor AND Salt Lake City Avenues Resident Peter Corroon, last Friday, he indicated that HIS number-one issue for improvement in The Avenues was walkable sidewalks.

As one who walks these walks VERY horizontally and VERY vertically, I agree! (After the exit of my worthy colleague JOHN Johnson, I am the ONLY candidate hailing way in the upper Ave's--the area I dub the "Bewitched" part of the Avenues, due to the 1960's influence of the architecture.) We need a lot of work on what Salt Lake Tribune writer Derek Jensen dubs my "catchy" concept of "Walk-able, Bike-able, Dog-able" neighborhoods. How better to know this than by experiencing it? If you doubt it? Walk with me... Not even in my shoes... just with me, or with your DOG.

I also experienced some very jarring notions from Bernice, who is skeptical of President Obama's proposed healthcare plan. Having just committed to attending a multi-hour discussion regarding this health plan outlook tomorrow night, I mainly listened to Bernice, whose views were frighteningly profound and provocative, though skewed, to this mind. I am finding that listening makes for better thinking, better believing, better peopling. Watch out, Derek Jensen, some new ideas are on the make.

Nearing the end of the night, I hiked it back to the car, carrying not one, but TWO green umbrellas. (My 13-YO had exited the campaign-trail, in lieu of play-time with some new-found friends from 6th and J.)

Popped in to Smiths, but decided not to buy anything. On the way out? Bumped into the son of my most recently ex-beau. Nice to receive a double-take... Campaigning has been good for me, as I have shed not just my cocoon, but 40+ pounds! (Ask me how, sometime! I have written a "recipe" for such. Includes Kathy Griffin + Ex + dog walking - TV watching + small-size shopping... Stay tuned!)

Crowded in the car, my boys, my dog-on-loan, and I, we retraced our walking, admiring signs placed, hearts won, battles waged, victory... imagined... Bless you, Ru! Fortified, we faced Capitol Hill, delivering requested signs to a strong supporter, an old-school player willing to help out the JJJ.

Tonight, I experienced a lot. My focus area? 6th and J--a patio made heavenly with well-executed landscaping. And on that same patio, eyes directed toward some very real issues.

Thoughts on Image Abolitionism and Dog Day Non-Afternoon

THURSDAY A.M.

Part of running is walking.

since deciding to run for Salt Lake City Council District 3 on July 14, JJJ had been doing a lot of both.

While walking The Marmalade this morning, church bells seemed perfectly timed: Ringing ""The Battle Hymn of the Republic" just as I came to a meticulously-manicured yard and wonderfully snug home bearing a U.S.flag. Giving myself a wiki-refresh re: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," I was interested to find out that the abolitionist song is not only known as a "campfire song," but, also, a "walking song." Makes sense...

Today was definitely a DOG DAY in The Marmalade! I was accompanied by Mandy, the 1/2-Chow + 1/2 German Shepherd in my charge until end of October. One set of folks wanted to engage in conversation and put their dogs in their house while we talked, only to have the pooch pair outsmart and appear full-force 'round the back! Only moments earlier, another dog bolted to big sky when the female owner opened her front door to collect her newspaper (AND a JJJ mini-flyer!). Still pyjama'd, the woman, a well-known neighborhood contributor, and I met for first time! A wonderful encounter.

Feedback from Tom, a handy-guy with interesting opinions (he suggested his speaking with his Bishop, prior to agreeing to posting a JJJ sign!) makes me think I need to "up" my early a.m. walking attire. Staring at the mini-flyer sporting myself in green dress and heels, he squinted, then gave a quizzical look. Glancing up and looking at me with head cocked to one side, he gave a movie-worthy performance: "Well, Jennifer J. Johnson, you don't look like you do in the picture..."

I struck the sideways-angled pose with the "What, me?" arms and energetic smile, and he seemed appeased. But I did ask him--"Is it bad that I don't look the same?"

He shrugged.

I have been told the "flashcard" shot looks like a girl in a cell phone ad! And my a.m. presence? Hmmn... A visor, trademark green shirt, pants, tennis shoes with the new campaign T-shirt around the waist... Hmmn....

Makeover time?  :)

Well, even if I struggle with the chains of my image, at least I got--and always GET--the music right. "Glory, Glory..."

Tuesday's Gone... with the WINd

TUESDAY

 

Tuesday...

Now I know why at least one beau-ti-ful woman was named such.

Tuesday was a GREAT day.

With the Green Drinks party being hosted at my house

( http://www.greendrinks.org/index.php?country=USA&city=Salt%20Lake%20City ),

I elected (pun INTENDED) to take the day off, to ready myself and my house. My newfound friend from the lower Ave's, Barb, and I had a great non-party-related meeting on an initiative-in-the-works. (News release otw.) Then, we scurried back to the house to set up her vision for my front lawn: The whole front hillside was decorated with not just JJJ signs, but... UMBRELLAS! Stunningly wonderful. I can't wait to post the pictures our campaign camera guy, Steve Smith, captured. Barb.. Amazing.

ALSO amazing? Jim Mooers, a.k.a. "Jimmy Knobs." (I feel so mafiosa writing that name...)  Jim helped me get our yard party-ready, THEN the dude set up all of the sound for the night of music ahead, THEN the guy played music all night long (Lionel Richie humming optional).  It was, seriously, just about all night--until 11 p.m.... Jim is a thorough talent. CHECK HIM OUT this weekend at the Tin Angel (Saturday, reservations required)... and Oct. 24 at The State Room. I can't wait.

The party... It was A PARTY! All night long, folks streamed in. My darling son, Truman, "worked" the front check-in table, helping folks make their own nametags. Other son, Jamison, having worked in the kitchen, prepping food all afternoon, was a go-to for just about everything, including the tunes. Jamison, with his friend, Arash, performed for the first time as a group: Rabble-Rouser did six numbers tonight! JC? He went on to accompany two of the other musicians, both Jimmy Knobs and Jeff Summers. JC also even previewed an in-progress song he is writing for the campaign, with none other than ME at the mic! ;)  (btw, I was given compliments on my pipes!)

Fun things with the campaign, tonight:

• A 22-YO who worked tirelessly on Ralph Becker's campaign collected six signs to line  his South Temple-facing apartment.
• A group that had been assessing me/campaign, came through with support
• An all-star lineup of support for an upcoming project was established
• I received a call, mid-party, indicating strong support from a surprising, thoroughly unexpected and equally appreciated "establishment" source (stay tuned!)
• I had two top-notch policy pro's in da house... Coaching promised. So very enthused about this.
• My FAVORITE HOUSE in The Avenues--a college house, to the South and East of Smiths--was fully represented at this party! The whole house of guys--including one on CRUTCHES who made it up (and, presumably, down!) my driveway. These guys make me feel happy. Their support? Phenomenal.
• Neighbors of note: John and Carol Firmage, Ralph and Sarah Ewing
• GREEN City folks: Shelley Marshall, Roi Maufus
• JJJ Campaigners: Truman, Jamison, Lisa/Shawn (wonderfully inseparable!), Barb, Rona, Luke, Mendy
• Media in attendance: City Weekly contributors Carolyn Campbell and Brian Staker. (BRIAN was so impressed with the night that he, on the spot, invited me to be a guest on The Awkward Hour podcast, Thursday, Sept. 10!) 
• Chill Factor: In addition to getting the nod from the college set, I KNEW it was a party when Krista from The Bike Collective showed! (She and John Mendy are my cool-factor thermometer!)
• One of many climaxes of the night? When Rona arrived with the T-SHIRTS! Freaking phenomenal! I look forward to seeing them around town. If you have one? Please wear as often as possible!!!  :)

Met dozens of people, with the amazing backdrop of music, food and drink. Food... Forbidden Fruit Catering put on an amazing spread. And then there was Lisa Miller and beau Shawn... They kept the drinks and the management flowing. Inspired... When I told someone I wanted to host a campaign-related party like this, if I won, the rightful comment back--"You should host a party like this if you LOSE!" True True.

Party started @ 5:30. Ended after 11:00.

A perfect ending to, what was for some, the first day of school.

This was the 155-person Salt Lake Green Drinks' organization's first-ever house party. I think there are going to be more. Many more. And, for me and Jimmy Knobs, many Mooers.

 

Time for a little Chumba Wumba...

FRIDAY

Both surprising and depressing to learn that MIA signs (my campaign has had MORE THAN 50 taken!) seem to be part of an organized effort...

This morning, while walking the dog and campaigning all the while, I met up with dog-couple Chris and Linnea. They shared having seen a vehicle make repeat-stops, pulling up JJJ signs only in the lower Ave's, ignoring other signs. One of my sign-bearers also in the lower-Ave's--Lennox--reported seeing a white Neon lifting my signs right out of his yard and quickly fleeing...)

Upsetting enough to lose the investment--both monetary and service time--in the sign and to feel the disgust of the waste of the sign (In November, my signs are targeted for re-use through The Open Classroom in the lower Avenues), but...

To feel as if a target of such action?

And, worse, to feel the implications of these actions on the political process?

Wounded and obscene, respectively.

Talking with the JJJ campaign strategist, I turned to listening only:

"It's just part of politics... It happens to everybody. I was in the car with XXXX when XXXX was actually driving down the street running down XXXX's signs... It's not personal. It's only politics."

 

What else to do now but go a little Chumba Wumba--"I Get Knocked Down..."

 

 

 

 

 

Dead Girl Walking

FRIDAY

Am so tired...

And it is SO early!

I keep unintentionally crossing my arms and bowing my head, as if saying grrace.

But this prayer? It becomes unintentionally long, and perhaps unwittingly "vocal" as I snooze, stting upright at my laptop... So much to report... Tough day on the walk, but...DK!

Time for an untimely sleep!!!

Lessons from The Lorax: A somewhat-early stroll down 11th Avenue

THURSDAY

Just finished 1.25-hr walk-with-dog.

This morning? Inspired to cover 11th Avenue.

Early on, met "Adam," then within about a minute, his next-door neighbor, "Heidi"... As if they were on a time-release commute departure! Having recognized me only my the "JJJ" campaign signs, Heidi knew me by name! S-weet!

Oh-so-lovely conversation with "Leslie," a Texas-living French woman visiting her daughter and grandchildren. She even let me try out my French on her AND complimented me, encouraging me to practice with those en route (see the INFLUENCE, ALREADY! ;) to a trip to France or other French-speaking environs (bien sur!).

Ever since I took up gardening about four years ago, the house--on the North East corner of 11th Avenue and "H" Street--has always had my fascination. The trees? Wonderfully "Seussical" in inspiration. Today, I met the yard visionary: "Lon." Lon and family have just returned back to The Avenues and SLC after a few years away at graduate school in Southern California. I welcomed him back, sharing my opinion of his other-worldy garden. When I mentioned the Seuss reference? Lon beamed. "That is exactly what I was going for," he said. Or, perhaps, words more poetic. (After all, he is a fan of Mr. Geisel!) Chatting 'tics for a bit, I invited Lon to sport a JJJ sign. He declined, saying the household wanted to "avoid being political." ONLY then did he let his last name drop--"Huntsman."

Big smile!

Ode to 80s, 90s, and... Hair

Barely 6 a.m., and day ALREADY MADE!

Check this glorious quote from former boss and off-the-charts success Darrell H. Smith:

"Jennifer is uniquely talented.

She understands the world we live in,

the technology that is changing that world,

and, most importantly, jennifer

understands, relates to, and inspires

the people that live in this changing world.

And she has terrific hair."

Darrell is one of Utah's entrepreneurial success stories, and a technology-inspired success story. Barely 30, he and two partners formed Dahlin Smith White (DSW), an advertising firm focused on servicing Utah's then-fledgling technology sector. Novell and WordPerfect both, then Aldus, InFocus, and then the unbelievable mammoth account, Intel, were landed by DSW.

The greatest day of my business life was when our landlocked agency in Salt Lake City bested the group doing Nike's advertising out of Portland and another "in vogue" tech firm out of Silicon Valley to win Intel. The partners took the entire agency to the movies, giving us treat money and a life-long memory.

In my role at DSW, I was both able to endure a steaming Andy Grove and able to tour George Lucas' studio--Industrial Light and Magic--the agency's partner for the ground-breaking (or, since depicting a "Star Wars"-like cruise through the innards of a computer, perhaps, siliconbreaking?)"Intel Inside" television advertising. DSW produced Super Bowl commercials for both Intel and Iomega... in one year!

The company was the toast of the town, the envy of the industry, and created a culture where we loved and lived to work our guts out all hours of day and night. We were on the cover of Marketing Computers, in AdWeek's list of "hottest" agencies, in Inc. and elsewhere.

We partied with Harrison Ford and supported his rainforest-saving project. We had Harley fetes and bowling parties and even a true red-carpet and Hollywood lights gala, renting out a giant computer retail store and getting a $100 coupon to buy "whatever" (me? I am sure you won't be surprised that I scored a karaoke machine!).

We had an agency band, enjoyed constant lunches with the partners, had people to take and fetch our dry-cleaning, snarfed snacks beyond measure and high-brow take-out, inhabited a Triad Center address by day (that had buzz, back then!) and "uber-bonus"-supported homes by night, scored offices with European furniture, and lived, breathed, and created with the brightest minds in the biz.

But what I like most?

Darell Smith's saying I have teriffic hair!  :)

(He "knows hair"--he is gorgeously, long-time married to the original Big-Hair Queen!)

Barely 6 a.m., and day already made.

Thanks for the smiling trip back, Darrell...