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The Paras Team shares personal thoughts and tips for coping during the coronavirus pandemic, plus market info and ways to support your local businesses (see list of operating businesses).
Kids in Focus: Mom of Five Shares Ideas & Insight
Whitney Stephens
I’m happy to share my thoughts and ideas—I hope they’re helpful! Here’s my “Activities to Do with Kids” list:
- Let every kid pick a different theme and make the day fun with that theme. Examples could be Hawaiian Day, Disney Day, Superhero Day, etc. Think of fun activities and meals to go along with the theme. You could do this once a week or every day if you’re on spring break.
- Coordinate with neighbors to do a scavenger hunt. We did a teddy bear scavenger hunt in our neighborhood, and the kids had so much fun decorating the windows with their stuffed animals, then walking around the neighborhood admiring everyone else’s displays! Here’s a website for ideas.
- Cross E Ranch is doing a drive-through baby animal tour! What a fun way to get out of your house and enjoy the baby animals and springtime!
- My kids enjoy baking, and we’ve done a lot of that! They pick out the recipe (that uses ingredients we have on hand), help make it, help clean up, and help eat it, of course! We’ve also enjoyed leaving goodies on the doorsteps of neighbors we think might need some cheering up! (Granite Bakery was selling 10 pound bags of flour for $5 last weekend and last I checked!)
- Sidewalk chalk is always a fun activity, and letting the kids leave positive messages in their own driveways or on their friends’ or families’ driveways is a great way to spread your love!
- Another activity to spread love and positivity is to decorate your own windows with hearts, or decorate a loved one’s with messages facing the inside of their house to read.
My kids love movie nights, and we’ve been taking turns choosing them. It’s been fun for me and my husband to share classic favorites with them!
My personal thoughts on keeping kids sane and healthy right now:
This is a time of big feelings for all the kids. They’re missing out on the end-of-year activities they’ve worked so hard for all year: cheerleading competitions, dance recitals, music performances, art shows … the list goes on and on. They want to be in school with their teachers and friends. And it’s a massive, terrible disappointment for all the high school seniors! No graduation, no prom, no signing year books, no saying goodbye.
There’s also much fear and unknown for parents. Most parents are dealing with some sort of pay-cut; there are limited food supplies, earthquakes, and a lot of fear. It’s important to let yourself feel the sadness, fear, and anxiety, but also to see and feel the positivity and love. Your kids will likely mirror your attitude.
Never before and most likely never again will we have the time to spend together like we have these last 5-plus weeks and counting. Get to know each other. Spend quality time together. Catch up on sleep! Make memories. Laugh. Amidst the fear and anxiety, make love win!
We’re protecting our society by staying apart and sacrificing—and there’s something very beautiful in the very thought of that. We’re doing it because the people in our lives are the most important things. We can and will get through this. Until then, enjoy the journey!
P.S. If all else fails, buy a trampoline!
4 Tips for Outdoor Recreation
Cindi Opdycke
I don’t know about you, but I’m not much of a homebody. Staying inside for long periods of time can be not only bad for my physical health—but also my mental health!
Luckily, we live in a beautiful state with many outdoor spaces to explore. Whether I’m hiking, running, walking, or biking, these are the tips I follow to continue to explore safely:
- Avoid popular trails. If the parking lot is full, go find somewhere else to go.
- Stay close to home. We have been advised to stay in our counties so we don’t burden other counties’ resources if we end up getting sick or injured.
- Give others plenty of space. Be friendly and give people the space they need. Recommendation is 6 feet.
- Be safe. Don’t make search and rescue come find you! By putting yourself in a dangerous spot, you are not only risking your life, but the lives of others.
Let’s work together to follow these simple guidelines so we can stay sane during these trying times. We’ll get through this!
Outdoor Décor: 4 Small Ideas with Big Impact
Audrey Reynolds
Best easy tips for freshening up outdoor spaces?
- Add color! Planters in coordinated colors not only brighten up your space but you get to add greenery! Try planters and plants in varying heights and including edible plants to kill 2 birds with 1 stone!
- You can add more life and personality to your space with a fun seasonal welcome mat, bee houses, and hummingbird feeders!
- Check sites like KSL classifieds for outdoor furniture you can upcycle and paint.
- LED string lights are a great, inexpensive way to add instant warmth and mood lighting!
Personal Note & Market News
Tara Paras
We have entered an interesting time in our life, environment, and business. The governor has made us an essential business, because a place to live is a basic necessity. People need a place to live, and many may need to sell.
The real estate market started out strong January 2020 and has continued to do so. We’re seeing more of a stabilization since the first few months of 2020. In Salt Lake County, the inventory is still low comparatively; however, it has begun to equal out in the last month or so in regard to active inventory vs homes with pending contracts.
March 2019, the median days on market was actually higher at 28 days on market, whereas March 2020 the median days on market was at 20 days. The median price per square foot is $149.93 in the valley. This is all relative to many different property features, so ask a real estate specialist to give you a comparative market analysis (valuation) on your unique property for an accurate estimate.
The median sold price is now $340,000, which is up from $305,000 last March. There are less active homes for sale and more pending contracts this March versus last March, which indicates a strong market.
In order to follow the Stay Safe, Stay Home directive, we’re offering virtual tours via FaceTime or Marco Polo and walk-through recordings. Our agents provide gloves, masks, and hand sanitizers during showings and listings.
We’re also asking the COVID-19 questions we’ve been directed to ask by our local MLS and board. As a team, we’ve provided many extra ads and boosts on social media for our listings.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re here for you not only as your real estate team but also if you need to chat! We’re always here for you!
Sending love to everyone—please stay safe and healthy! XOXO
Restaurants Open for Business
This website has a list of open restaurants in Utah. If your favorites are missing, let them know to get on this list! https://supportutahdining.com/
Golden Pearl
Delicious authentic Chinese takeout with flat noodles and egg rolls to die for!
1625 W 700 N Suite D
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
801-363-5223
Zest
Pick-up for delicious plant-based food
275 S 200 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Zestslc.com
(801) 433-0589
Cannellas Restaurant
Delivering family-style Italian meals through their website
204 E 500 S
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
https://www.cannellas.com/
(801) 355-8518
Tuscany
Fine Dining for Pick-Up
Lunch M-F Dinner M-S
2832 6200 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
tuscanyslc.com
(801) 277-9919
Other Businesses Still Open
Spice Kitchen Incubator (an awesome local nonprofit https://spicekitchenincubator.org/about-us/) has Community Food Boxes for order weekly.
Support your hairstylist by purchasing hair products or gift cards from them.
Barley’s Canine Recreation Center
Dog daycare center, dog sitter, dog trainer
2827 S 2300 E
Salt Lake City, Utah 84109
swimatbarleys.com
(801) 467-6069
Pure Paws
Specialty pet store with high-quality food, supplements, and treats
1927 E Murray Holladay Rd, Holladay, UT 84117
mypurepaws.com
801 996-3259
Hip & Humble
Free local delivery of fashion, décor, gifts, and more
1043 East 900 South, Salt Lake City UT
https://hipandhumble.com/
(801) 467-3130
Mad Snacks Produce
Small year-round farm, delivers hearty greens and other produce
www.madsnacksproduce.com
724-421-4837
Fine Tilth Farm
Fresh produce, curbside pick-up
12820 S Fort Street
Draper, UT 84020
801-971-9647
finetilthfarm@gmail.com
Sugar House Coffee
Drive-up, walk-up coffee shop
2011 South 1100 East SLC, Utah 84106
https://sugarhousecoffee.com/
Alpha Coffee
Take-out coffee and more at the mouth of BCC
7260 Racquet Club Dr
Cottonwood, UT
https://alpha.coffee/
Basecamp Kitchen
Food truck serving breakfast, coffee, and more at the mouth of BCC
3700 E, Fort Union Blvd
Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
https://www.facebook.com/basecampkitchen/
(503) 338-0994
Vive Juicery
Delivery for vegetables and juices
1597 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
www.vivejuicery.com
801-875-8923
Lone Pine Bakery
Cakes, pies, pastries, croissants, and more
834 E 9400 S #58
Sandy, UT 84094
385.237.3556
Babinski Baby
Everything for babies!
1324 S. Foothill Drive
Salt lake City, Utah 84108
https://babinskis.com
801-583-2229
Red Balloon Toy Store
Specialty toy retailer specializing in smart toys
2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
https://www.redballoontoystore.com/
801-467-7232
Cynthia McPhie
Instructor at Corepower Yoga, specializes in high-intensity yoga with or without weights
Instagram @cynniandco for live class schedule Stephanie Willey
Instructor at Rocksteady Bodyworks, specializes in reformer-based workout called BURN
Yoga and mat pilates also available
Instagram @rocksteadybodyworks
rocksteadybodyworks.com
John Paras Furniture
Quality furniture and mattresses, various locations, free local delivery
https://www.johnparas.com/index.html
801-973-7051
Wasatch Pro Painters
Experienced interior and exterior house painting
Wasatchpropainters.com
801.652.4648
Western Garden Centers
Order and pay over the phone; they load your car in the lot
550 600 E Suite #101
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Westerngardencenters.com
(801) 364-7871
Wasatch Community Gardens
Annual fundraiser and sale online this year
https://wasatchgardens.org/news-and-events/events/item/6-spring-plant-sale
Henrie’s Dry Cleaners
Utah dry cleaners since 1958, various locations
https://henries.com/
801-359-2271
artÉmotion Summer Intensive
Dance instruction summer program
http://www.artemotion-summerintensive.com
801-403-6468
Oasis Games
275 E. 400 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
http://oasisgamesslc.com/
801-738-4413
Barrus Pianos
Piano moving, service, and sales
2191 S 300 W #6
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
http://barruspianos.com/
801-486-3652
Western Garden Centers
Indoor and outdoor plants
550 600 E Suite #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
https://westerngardens.com/
(801) 364-7871
Southeast Market
Great local market, currently doing curb-side pickup
422 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
https://www.southeastmarket.com/
(801) 363-5474
