TRAVEL

The Beauty of Desert Vegetation

at the Red Hills Desert Garden

By Cliff & Ilene Bandringa, BackRoadsWest.com

We love exploring the Southwest and part of that love is being able to see the wide variety of desert plants out there. From the trees, like desert willows or smoke trees, to bushes, like the creosote, to all the different varieties of wildflowers, cacti, yuccas, and agaves, they all offer a beauty unique to the desert environment. We always come away with a deeper appreciation of Mother Nature’s diversity.

The Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George, Utah, is one of the only desert gardens that specialize in plants of the Mojave Desert region. You’ll find more than 5,000 water-efficient plants within their five-acre space that are beautifully displayed and landscaped. And because it is a demonstration garden with the goal of educating people about the benefits of having a water-smart landscape, all of the plants are labeled so that you can learn their names. There are also convenient QR codes on the labels that you can scan with your phone to get a full description of that plant, along with several pictures of it and what the flowers look like.

During our recent visit, we had a strong internet connection and were impressed by the information we were able to get via the QR codes. When at home, you can easily use their website (you can find the link at the end of this article) as a reference or catalog to help you with the design and plant choices when you’re creating your own desert landscaping.

Along with showcasing desert plants, the Garden also has a replica of a slot canyon, imprints of actual dinosaur tracks that are found just outside of St. George, and a habitat for native Virgin River fish that can be viewed through glass. You can easily spend one to two hours thoroughly looking around the Garden and it’s a fun place for both kids and seniors. It’s also a great place to get ideas and be inspired!

The plants are, of course, at their most spectacular in the spring and early summer when everything is blooming, but the fall and winter months at the Garden also have something to offer. For the holidays, starting with Halloween, the Garden puts on some spectacular light shows. More than 60,000 lights and other holiday-themed, lighted decorations are artistically placed throughout the entire area, transforming it into an absolutely magical wonderland of lights. It is truly amazing and something to see. It has become an annual winter event for us to bundle up and take leisurely strolls through the Garden in the crisp night air.

All too often, people think of desert landscaping, or xeriscaping, as something that will look barren and without color or interest, but nothing could be further from the truth, as is proven by what you see at the Red Hills Desert Garden. As you look at the pictures in this article (and check out the “Gallery” section of the Garden website), notice the variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and textures that there are to choose from. Also, notice how much shade some of these trees create and how green things are.

For those of us who have chosen to live in the desert environment, it only makes sense to embrace the desert, which includes remembering that water is very limited here. Households that utilize desert landscaping save up to 70% in water consumption as compared to landscapes that have turf or non-water-efficient plants. It is so important that we all try to be aware of our water consumption and how to live within our means when it comes to that usage.

And once you’ve seen just how beautiful and lush a desert landscape can be, we think you’ll agree that it’s a win-win situation! You can have a beautiful landscape and use only a fraction of the water of a conventional lawn. Plus, you don’t have to mow it once a week!

If you are a “do-it-yourself” person, the Red Hills Desert Garden website is a good resource to help you plan your new desert landscape. There are many nurseries in the area that sell waterefficient plants and you can also find a variety of landscaping

Oh, and one more important thing that you should know about the plants found at the Garden—in addition to being water-efficient, they are also well-suited to tolerate the extreme temperature swings of this region. They can take the heat and occasional freezing temperatures here. Living in a desert is tough and not all plants can do it!

We hope that this article inspires you to learn more about and enjoy the desert vegetation that lives all around us. In our area, the Red Hills Desert Garden is one of the best ways to see desert plants from our region all in one place. When traveling to other southwest areas, we suggest that you look up botanical gardens that typically display plants from those places. A couple of our favorites are the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, east of Phoenix. These two gardens showcase plants from the Sonoran Desert (instead of the Mojave), so they won’t grow here but are still lovely to see. And in Las Vegas, there is the Springs Preserve Botanical Garden.

So the next time you find yourself out exploring our fascinating desert backyard, see how many plants you can identify out in nature after seeing them showcased at the Red Hills Desert Garden. It’s like a fun treasure hunt! Happy Exploring!V

For more information about the gardens, go to RedHillsDesertGarden.com. The website includes detailed information about every plant growing there.

To learn about places to visit in the Mojave Desert that are lush with vegetation, see a collection of trip ideas from our blog at BackRoadsWest.com/blog/category/mojave-desert/. We also publish an online travel guide for the Mojave National Preserve (located southwest of Las Vegas). It includes hikes, road trips, and has lots of desert botanical garden information.

To see and purchase beautiful images of desert scenes and plants, go to SnapShotsWest.com.

Building a Functional Home Gym

by Ashley Centers

Hello again readers, and happy summer! As the days have become brighter and they stay that way for longer, it puts in my mind that it’s time to adjust to earlier morning or later evening workouts for me to try and beat the heat outside. While going to the gym will always be a top priority for me, I know it may not always be feasible for others to alter their routines to make a workout fit better within their day. The question is how do you make that work? for fitness equipment. The first question most people ask when doing this is what equipment should I start with? And my answer is always this: the equipment you will use.

Depending on your goals, you may need very specific equipment or nothing too specific at all. For example, if you are like I am and don’t want to walk in the heat of the day to increase your cardio strength, then a bike or treadmill might be the top priority for you. If you’re more concerned about building muscle and strength, then heavy dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, or a combination of those things might be best to invest in.

1Exercise mats are a great way to make your space truly feel like a gym and also have the benefit of being easily disinfected, unlike carpet, which can hold odors and may show wear more quickly than a rubberized or foam flooring alternative. Many folks opt for the puzzle-piece-style mats and those seem to work very well for most applications. You can find great options on

Amazon.com or at most home improvement stores, like

Lowe’s or Home Depot.

2Pick your equipment based on your budget and your goals. Is your goal to lose weight or just to stay active and moving? Do you want to build muscle mass and practice your back squat? Choose your equipment accordingly. For example, a great place to start would be with a combo rack and barbell with plates, as these can be used for multiple applications. Combo racks can be accessorized with things like pull-up bars, adjustable benches, etc., to accommodate full-body workouts, which would work for all of the above goals. Torque Fitness makes very highquality rack systems with many accessory options, while other manufacturers like Rogue Fitness, ETHOS, and Titan Fitness make slim-profile and/or folding racks to help accommodate small spaces.

If you would like to visualize things in your space before committing to the investment, brands like Precor and Rogue Fitness offer free virtual floor plans.

3Keep a flow to your space. Depending on your space, this may be difficult but is best accomplished by placing similar things together.

For example, weight implements are placed together, bands and stretching implements together, and cardio items together, all in their own designated space with plenty of room to move around to each space as needed. If your space is small, use storage bins to keep things separated. Organization is key for making your space feel clutter-free and usable.

4If your budget or space doesn’t allow for some of the above-mentioned equipment, one very inexpensive item can turn any area with a stud in the wall into a functional gym. The TRX Suspension Training System can be installed nearly anywhere and is adjustable to accommodate full-body workouts while building cardio strength and lean muscle by using your own body weight as resistance. And resistance bands, dumbbells, etc., will always be an affordable way to have equipment available to you, no matter your budget or space constraints.

On a side note, if you are a member of a gym thinking about switching to home workouts in your own home gym, take note of the machines you currently use the most so that you can replicate them as closely as possible in your own gym.

Remember, the key to building your own functional home gym is to pick equipment you will actually use. By choosing equipment that fits your fitness needs, you can cut out unnecessary expenses and avoid taking up valuable space in your home.

Until next time, have a wonderful summer living your own home gym dream!V

Broadway Season Exudes High Energy and Hope

by Lisa Larson

In the park across from Jonathan Wagner’s New York City home, the hills are alive with the sound of, well, his music.

As part of his training process to tackle the role of Dewey (a role made popular by Jack Black) in this summer’s Tuacahn production of School of Rock, Wagner has been hiking the hills of Manhattan while practicing his lines and songs at the only two volumes his character uses: loud and louder.

“If you’ve ever attempted to do something physical while holding a note, it’s very difficult,” Wagner said.

After reaping the results of a COVID-era lifestyle for the last year, Wagner said he knew he had to get back into shape before revisiting the role that he understudied on Broadway.

“It’s the Dewey Finn workout. Best shape of my life,” Wagner said with a laugh.

“It’s a story that is all about being heard,” Scott Anderson, artistic director for Tuacahn, said of the message behind School of Rock. “Not just ‘heard’ in the basic auditory sense, but being listened to and understood. It’s something everyone wants—especially kids.”

The Tuacahn production is the first regional version of the show outside of Broadway and the national tour, something Anderson said Tuacahn feels “extremely fortunate about.”

A high-energy show if ever there was one, Wagner said, “It’s not like The Phantom of the Opera, where Christine stands still and sings a beautiful song. Every one of Dewey’s songs is sung while sprinting.”

Considering that he’ll be sprinting across an 80-foot stage while belting out lyrics to fill a 2,000-seat amphitheater, the mountain-climbing fitness regimen makes sense.

“It doesn’t matter if my voice is in shape if I can’t breathe,” Wagner said.

But Wagner won’t be maintaining all that energy alone. Joined by a cast of young musicians culled from both local and national talent pools, Anderson said that the level of skill is just incredible. “It’s going to be a very pleasant surprise to people who are fans of the film,” Anderson said. “To hear it performed by these young people, playing their instruments live on stage, is a real treat.”

Jonathan Wagner

Alternating with School of Rock in the Tuacahn lineup is a performance that requires just as much energy and passion but put forth in a more calculated, controlled way. After all, how can the Count of Monte Cristo exact revenge on those who have wronged him if he’s not subtler in his tactics?

Brought to life as a musical adaptation of the book and film, thanks to the genius of Frank Wildhorn (Scarlet Pimpernel and Jekyll and Hyde) and Jack Murphy, The Count of Monte Cristo is a story of enduring hope, enduring faith, and justice.

“People often bring out the idea of redemption within this story, but we find that redemption doesn’t give him the reward he wants,” Anderson said of the journey that the title character takes throughout the course of the show. “Sometimes redemption is not justice.”

David Toole, who plays the role of Edmond Dantes/The Count, said it has been a dream come true to work with Wildhorn and Murphy on this project and to see the script massaged and updated to be even better than in the past. “These two guys are the best at creating these

A world is brought to life by Tuacahn’s masterful set designers and scene shop. Both create a backdrop worthy of what Wes Hamblin, technical director for Tuacahn, refers to as “epic, monumental scores and storytelling.”

Playing Dantes’ love interest and leading lady is Caitlyn Caughell in the role of Mercedes—a woman who exudes strength even in a time when female voices were quieted by society at large. “I’m always looking for: 'What did strength look like in that time period?’” Caughell said of her portrayal of Mercedes. “What I love about this story is the reflection on justice and forgiveness and the tension between those two things.”

More than anything, Caughell joins her fellow cast members in rejoicing at the opportunity to return to the stage. “This last year has been a time to reflect on the gift that it is to be able to tell stories in person to an audience,” Caughell said. “It is such a unique experience.”

The cast and crew at Tuacahn will continue to follow the health and safety guidelines put in place that allowed it to open its Broadway season this year. Masks, social distancing, regular COVID-19 tests, and vaccinations are all part of the process that led to being able to take the stage without masks to perform each night.

“There is something so human about live theater that I have missed, and I can’t wait!” Caughell said.V

David Toole

In addition to The Count of Monte Cristo and School of Rock, Tuacahn’s Broadway season includes: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Million Dollar Quartet, and A Christmas Story.

Designing Your Bathroom

By Carol Lee Parrish

The possibilities are endless when designing a bathroom today. Gone are the days of bathtubs with shower curtains. Even a 3x5 foot area that now encases the bathtub can be turned into a beautiful custom walk-in shower. This not only enhances the area but can be functionable for those who have a difficult time climbing into a bathtub. Master bathrooms, on the average, give you a larger area to work with and can be a lot of fun to remodel. Walls or closets can be removed or added for variety. Bath areas can be enlarged if there is room. An ordinary bathroom can become the focal point of your master area. The possibilities are endless as you design your bathroom just for you.

While considering your options, take time to assess your needs. For example, who will be using this bathroom and how will it be used? What kind of atmosphere would you like? If you would like a bright mood, you would choose brighter colors and shades. Positioning a shower near a window allows natural light to flow in and out of the area. This can give warmth to the room. You might consider changing an inner wall to give your room additional light. When selecting your tile products, it is important to examine your lifestyle. Ask yourself, "What product would not only be attractive to look at but would serve my needs as well? How much time is spent in these areas?” Consider your personality, your likes, and dislikes. Light can change the look of the product from what you see in the store to what you have visualized when you are home. It is suggested that you bring samples into your home to get a feel for what that product will bring to the room you are decorating.

Designing Your Bathroom

Adding accents to the area gives a nice contrast. There are a large variety of mosaics, subway tile, and much more that can be used to give a pop to your room. A fun option is to accent a full wall with tile or mosaics.

Glass enclosures are not only beautiful, but can enlarge the look of your shower area. Glass enclosures show off the wall and floor tile in your shower. Another option for a walk-in shower is to build it such that you do not need doors. This is also a pretty way to show off your tile work.

Vinyl planks are extremely popular today. They can be used on a bathroom floor, which can be easier on your feet and complement your tile in the other areas of your room. They are also waterproof and work well in a bathroom setting. Mesquite Tile and Flooring has a great team that can guide you through this process. Our field techs are experienced and professional. We invite you to come and see us and let us show you some beautiful options to give your home a personal touch.V

For more information, please contact Mesquite Tile and Flooring at 521 W Mesquite Blvd, STE A, or call (702) 346-7225.

COMING HOME TO

Coming Home

by Paula Stanton

When you walk into BeeHive Homes of Mesquite, it feels like coming home. Sunlight filters in through large windows and fills a large great room. Residents relax in comfortable recliners, sit in small groups working a puzzle, and there is a small circle of ladies working crochet. Music plays and the tantalizing smells of a homecooked lunch fill the air. Immediately, one word comes to mind–LIFE. BeeHive Homes are full of life! From the sounds of a bustling house to the smiling faces and welcoming calls from the care staff, BeeHive is bustling with life. It both looks and feels like a family atmosphere because they began with family in mind.

BeeHive Homes assisted living began in 1987 when Twayne Walker built the first assisted living home in Meridian, Idaho. Seeing that there were not very many quality care facilities, Twayne set out to build the first BeeHive to provide his grandmother with quality care and personalized, homelike surroundings. This format has been developed and nurtured into a nationwide family of BeeHives, providing care in a homelike atmosphere. Because of the small size of all BeeHive Homes, each resident receives the personal attention they need, and no one gets “lost in the shuffle” of a large, institutional setting.

The uniqueness of BeeHive Homes starts with their pricing. Their commitment to transparency in pricing is worthy of remark. When an individual and his or her family have made the decision to come into care, they will find many options, sometimes too many to manage. BeeHive Homes strives to provide a different experience right from the beginning. You will be given one monthly amount that includes the base rate and a service rate based on an individualized evaluation. There are no surprises, hidden fees, or extras. BeeHive Homes makes several promises to their residents and the promise to be transparent in their pricing is at the top of the list.

There are endless small, homelike touches throughout the House. The smell of cookies baking wafts through the air. Two residents sit together, cozied up in recliners, hand

crocheted lap blankets over their legs, laughing at a shared joke. A gentleman sits at a table, diligently working a large puzzle, squinting at the pieces. A caregiver stops to admire his progress and casually reminds him that his glasses are atop his head. He chuckles and pats her hand. Music and laughing can be heard coming from the Beauty Salon. The administrator, Christy Lodeserto, can be found there most Fridays, doing hair and manicures for the ladies of the House. The patio door is slightly ajar, letting in a warm spring breeze. There are residents on the patio watering newly planted seeds, reminiscing about gardens past. Everything about life at BeeHive Homes is designed with family in mind. With their commitment to delivering the highest quality care in a loving family atmosphere, BeeHive Homes really is the next best thing to home.

Gerald Hamilton and Tim Stewart are the owners of the two BeeHive locations in Mesquite. Gerald has over 30 years of experience caring for the elderly, beginning in high school working in nursing homes. He joined the BeeHive family in 2005 and now operates other BeeHive locations in Henderson, Nevada, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He serves on several state and national boards for professional associations that promote long term care services. Tim is a local who grew up in Las Vegas and is now a building contractor in St. George, Utah. He was the general contractor and built the two Mesquite BeeHive Homes.V

Call BeeHive Homes at (702) 346-0445 and talk with Christy about what sets BeeHive apart from other, larger communities. You can stop by 780 Second South, Mesquite, Nevada 89027 and schedule a tour or email christyn.beehive@gmail.com for a virtual tour experience. Check out BeeHive Homes of Mesquite for quality care in a homelike atmosphere.

Life Depends on the Little Things We Take For Granted

by Marilyn Pabon

Pollinators are an especially important part of the earth’s ecosystems because they are responsible for ensuring the reproduction of most of our planet’s flowering plants. Three out of four of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators, and not just honeybees, but wild pollinators too.

One of the most fascinating things about pollinators is their incredible diversity. Plants are pollinated by a host of different animals, including bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, hummingbirds, and bats.

Most folks are aware that pollinator numbers are dropping all over the world. This is especially scary for us here in the desert because we're home to the largest and most diverse population of bees in the world. One of the best things we can do for our pollinators is to plant native plants that can provide them with a yearround food source.

Bees

Desert native bees that have coevolved with specific native plants are common. Cactus bees are one example. They feed almost exclusively on a few cacti species, especially prickly pear and cholla. Squash bees are another example of coevolution. They feed on gourds, squash, and pumpkins. Nests are in the ground under the leaves, taking advantage of the shade and cooler temperatures. Males often sleep in larger flowers while waiting for females to hatch.

There are three aspects of plantings that best support desert native bees. These are: (a) multiple flower colors, (b) varying bloom heights, and (c) blooms that are available throughout the growing season. As for flower colors, a mix of purple, blue, yellow, or white flowers is preferred. A range of flower heights, from one to five feet, speaks to the unique needs of small and large bees and those with specialized feeding habits. Continuous flowering from very early spring to late fall is needed to support differing life cycles of desert native bee species. Early spring is the most important time to ensure ample flowers because desert native bees are often the most active pollinators in that cooler time. But fall is also vital, as the supply of native flowering plants is limited.

Bees come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, from metallic green sweat bees to fuzzy orange carpenter bees to small striped mining bees. Unlike honeybees, most native bees are solitary, building individual nests in the ground or in wood cavities. Seventy percent of native bees in North America nest in the soil by digging underground tubes in which the female lays her eggs. Carpenter bees and mason bees build nests in wood and rock crevices.

Butterflies & Moths

Butterflies are some of our most charismatic pollinators. Take the monarch, for instance, with its colorful orange and black markings and epic annual migrations. Most adult butterflies and moths prefer open flowers with a flat surface on which they can land and feed. This includes the daisy-like flowers of Acton encelia and brittlebush, which both have clusters of small flowers.

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are attracted to colorful, nectar-rich flowers that are funnel-shaped or tubular.

Some of their favorite native plants are bladderpod, penstemon, and sage. However, nectar isn’t the only source of food for these high-energy birds. They also need protein, which they get in the form of insects. Protein is an especially important part of their diet during breeding season when they feed small insects to their developing chicks. Common insects that hummingbirds eat include aphids, spiders, and gnats.

How Can You Support Pollinators at Home?

• Plant a variety of native flowering plants that attract bees, flies, beetles, butterflies, and hummingbirds. • Plant both nectar plants for adult butterflies and moths and the host plants that their caterpillars feed on. • Maintain patches of open, undisturbed soil where native bees can nest.

• Construct and install a bee house for carpenter and mason bees.

• Avoid using insecticides. • Leave spider webs alone. Hummingbirds feed on spiders and insects trapped in webs, and they use the web material to construct their nests.

Plants to Attract Pollinators

Perennials:

Hyssop: attracts bees and hummingbirds Sage: attracts bees and butterflies Lavender: attracts bees and butterflies Echinacea, or Coneflower: attracts butterflies and birds Yarrow: attracts bees Pincushion: attracts bees and butterflies Beebalm: attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies Black-eyed Susan: attracts bees, hummingbirds, and birds Blanket flower: attracts bees and butterflies Beardtongue: attracts bees and hummingbirds Butterfly weed/milkweed: attracts caterpillars/butterflies

Annuals:

Butterfly weed/milkweed: attracts caterpillars/butterflies Hollyhock: attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies

Herbs:

Borage Catmint Fennel Mint Oregano Rosemary Thyme SalviaV

Marilyn Pabon is a holistic nutrition consultant, organic gardener, sourdough bread baker, and author. To learn about her new series, The Divine Feminine Handbooks, visit her website at www.marilynpabon.com.

Find Stylish and Unique Decor at

by Julie Reber

St. George is one of the fastest-growing towns in America and was in need of a unique home decor store. As the owner/operator, I love the opportunity I have been given to open such a unique store.

I work with a talented staff to help with your decorating needs. At Rod Works, we offer unique and charming home decor at incredible prices. The imaginative way that we display our products will get your creativity flowing, while our outstanding customer service will work with you one on one to create a one-of-a-kind look for any room in your home.

Our mission at Rod Works is to offer affordable, quality, and unique home decor. With our inventory options, creative displays, and exceptional customer service, we are able to offer decorating help that is suited to the individual style and needs of each customer who walks through our doors. It is our goal to make the experience at Rod Works one that will keep you coming back, not just as life-long customers, but as friends.

Customer service will always be what we pride ourselves on. We believe that our store is more about the people than the products. We strive to provide a personal feel with unique products that you will love to put in your home—and you’ll have fun doing so.

When you walk into Rod Works, St. George, you will be greeted with a friendly “hello” and the following question: “What brought you in today?” If you are just looking or trying to find that special gift, we can help. The variety of products and daily arrivals in the store is guaranteed to be refreshed weekly with new and unique offerings. We carry a variety of products ranging from unique signs and seasonal decor to baby items and furniture.

Whether you are trying to decorate a porch, mantel, kitchen, laundry area, or bathroom, we can help. We have everything from cutting boards, table runners, and candlesticks, to planters that you can add foliage to as well. We carry large pictures, clocks, and mirrors to fill any space. Add style with our accent tables and decorator pillows. Bring in a picture of that hard-to-decorate wall or space, and let us fill it with decor that reflects your taste.

Follow our daily posts on Instagram to see what is new and exciting. We will have a Witches Night Out in September, along with a Christmas open house in early October. The products that have been selected for the holidays are THE BEST! If you love gnomes, we have you covered for the year, along with any needs for porch signs, Christmas tree decor, and more. We also have a very generous rewards program. You can add your name and receive a discount on future purchases and advance notice of any sales. Get ready to make us your favorite unique gift store!V

Rod Works is located at 553 S. Mall Drive in St. George, Utah. Feel free to call (435) 215-4715 with questions, and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @rodworks_stgeorge for any updates.

Celebrating 10 Years in Mesquite

by Spencer Wells, MD

On July 14, 2011, I climbed into my Toyota Corolla with two of my co-workers and drove down to open the doors for our first day in Mesquite at Desert Pain Specialists. I’m pretty sure that I saw a total of five patients in the clinic that day and that I took over an hour for my lunch break, which included a long walk up and around the Palmer driving range and into the surrounding neighborhoods and desert hills.

I had met as many of the primary care doctors as I could before starting to let them know who I was and what my plans were for this small pain clinic that was opening up in their town. They were all very kind and welcoming and even hopeful for our success, but all had one simple request— “Please don’t abandon us after a few years because you’ve become too busy in St. George.” After multiple office renovations and relocations to accommodate for growth, it has now been ten years since that first day in Mesquite. I have many reasons to love my time in Mesquite, but on top of that list are the patients who are among the friendliest and most grateful people I’ve ever met. For many years, I’ve told my patients, “I know I can’t help everyone, but I know I can try.”

Thank you for supporting Desert Pain Specialists in Mesquite. I want you to know that after being here for ten years, I have no plans to leave.V

Please join us for an open house on Wednesday, July 14th, 2021, from 12–2 p.m. at our office located at 340 Falcon Ridge Pkwy, #603. Please call us at (702) 346-5037 for more details—we are happy to answer any questions you might have.

by Karen L. Monsen

Roman arches, Gothic spires, and spectacular suspension bridges were modeled after natural formations. Architects throughout history have sought to replicate the grace and majesty of Earth’s inspiring structures. In Utah’s arid lands, geologic arches and bridges attract architects, photographers, artists, hikers, and soul-searching vagabonds. A geologist, the Utah Geological Survey, and the Natural Arch and Bridge Society help us appreciate these natural wonders.

What’s in a Name?

An arch by any other name is still an arch. Arches and bridges are holes or openings formed naturally on a rock’s surface. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society defines about 17 different types of arches of which natural bridges fall into three categories. Retired geologist and 26-year southern Utah resident Dan Krupicka describes a geologic arch: “It is made of exposed rock substantially surrounded by air; it is at least one meter (3.28 feet) in diameter (although this is somewhat arbitrary); and the opening through the rock must conform to the general topological definition of a hole.”

Mark Milligan, Senior Geologist and Geologic Information and Outreach Program Manager with the Utah Geological Survey, explains, “A natural bridge is a subtype of a natural arch that is primarily water-formed and often spans a waterway, such as a stream.” Whereas seeping water is a major factor in forming many arches, natural bridges are formed over an existing or previous

watercourse. Utah’s Natural Bridges National Monument (https://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm) contains three natural bridges: Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo.

Krupicka acknowledges, “Arches can be mislabeled as bridges, such as Natural Bridge in Bryce Canyon National Park, where flowing water seems to have played a relatively minor part in its formation.” In Zion National Park, Crawford Arch, which is connected to a formation called Bridge Mountain, was known as a bridge, although it was created without a stream or water flow. In the late 1990s, Zion personnel began referring to it as “Arch on Bridge Mountain.” The Park Service later named it “Crawford Arch” after an early canyon settler. Even the Great Arch in Zion National Park is not a true arch because it has no opening. With justification, any person can propose a name or name change to the Utah Geographic Names Committee, which takes it from there. The Utah Geological Survey (UGS https://geology.utah. gov/), the division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources responsible for geologic mapping, credits Utah with having the world’s highest concentration of natural arches, with over 2,000 located in Arches National Park and at least another 800 across the state.

According to the UGS, natural arches are found in sandstone, shale, limestone, granite, and even basalt, but sandstone is the most common. Utah’s sandstone is strong enough to support arch formation, yet is easily eroded by wind, water, and gravity. Strong winds, the right moisture, and vertical rock fractures from the uplifting of the Colorado Plateau create ideal conditions for gravity and erosion to sculpt arches.

Utah’s Exceptional Arches

In March 2021, the UGS engaged the public in a nontechnical “Arch Challenge.” Modeled after basketball’s March Madness, a communications manager (a huge basketball fan) and about seven employees took the challenge photos, selected match-ups, and administered the online tournament. They started with 64 arches and bridges, collected 4,500 votes, and ended with a championship face-off. The final four included Owachomo Bridge (pictured on page 59) versus Double Arch and Pritchett Arch versus Delicate Arch. On April 5, Milligan announced, “In a stunning upset, Delicate Arch fell to Double Arch.”

DOUBLE Arch VS

Delicate Arch

Double Arch | Photo Credit Karen L Monsen

Double / Delicate Face-off

Double Arch is unique as an easily accessible two-for-one arch, whereas Delicate Arch, the most photographed arch and famous for appearing on Utah license plates, is more difficult to reach. They are only two miles apart in Arches National Park (https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm).

Double Arch, standing 112 feet above ground level and 144 feet wide, is approached by a 0.5-mile gravel path leading from the parking lot and the Windows Trailhead. Delicate Arch, the largest free-standing arch in the park at approximately 46–52 feet high and 32 feet wide, had different names before Frank Beckwith, leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition in the 1933-34 winter, described it as, “the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area.” The name “delicate” stuck. Follow a 1-mile trail to reach the lower viewpoint for Delicate Arch and continue 3 miles round trip, ending with a steep 0.5-mile climb to the upper viewpoint (round trip 5 miles).

In 1988, arch enthusiasts Jay H. Wilber, an aerospace engineer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Danny Horowitz, a geologist in Houston, Texas, founded the Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS http://www.naturalarches.org/), a non-profit with approximately 150 current members. These members include 28 from Utah, 25 from Colorado, 13 from Arizona, 3 from Nevada, and a European contingent. Sharing an appreciation for viewing, preserving, and studying natural arches and bridges, NABS members publish a newsletter, visit arches on field trips, and hold arch rallies.

David Brandt-Erichsen, current webmaster, former NABS Board member, and former editor of the NABS newsletter, joined the group in 1990 after leading Southern Arizona Hiking Club members to Moab to visit as many arches as they could in a week (65 arches). He saw an NABS brochure in the visitor center and knew, “that’s for me.” Brandt-Erichsen says, “Visiting arches takes me to very beautiful places that I might not have seen otherwise, and an arch at the end of a hike is like the frosting on a very good cake.”

Krupicka concurs, “Observing natural features such as arches, bridges, and windows is made all the more interesting when some background knowledge is present regarding the features. You don’t need to be a geologist to appreciate these incredible formations, but a little time invested in learning about them will pay off in viewer enjoyment.”V

Landscape Arch | Photo Credit: Karen L Monsen Grovesnor Arch | Photo Credit: Karen L Monsen

by Helen Houston

While rearranging the furniture in any room of your home is always a fun way to refresh your space, there are a plethora of layout missteps that can be made along the way. We typically subscribe to the idea that there are no strict rules in interior design—after all, personalization is what makes a space special. But according to a few experts, there are a few common faux pas that can make your home feel a bit off.

In this article, I review “layout lapses” and recommendations to remedy them to make your home look its best.

Choosing the wrong rug size is a common problem for living room layouts. You hear it time and again from all designers: Don’t buy too small for your room. If you’re floating your furniture, make sure both the front and back legs of your sofa fit on the rug, with space left around the perimeter. If your sofa is against a wall, make sure the front legs of all your furniture are placed on the rug.

About 90 percent of the rugs used under beds are much too small for the bed that they're under. If you have a queen bed, an 8x10-foot rug underneath is recommended. A 9x12-foot rug is the choice for a king bed. It's also important to measure your room's size and address its shape when choosing rugs. Lay the rug perpendicular to the length of the bed—no more than one foot away from the nightstands. There should be plenty of soft, cozy rug for you to step onto from the second you get out of bed and all throughout your walk to the other side when you're repositioning pillows and blankets.

When choosing a rug for your dining room, make sure all chairs can fully sit on the rug, even when pulled out a bit. Having too small of a rug can make your dining set look not proportionate. Plus, it can get in the way when scooting the chairs in and out.

In older homes specifically, living rooms were often designed with equally important views of the front and back yard on one wall and a fireplace on another. Unsure of what to do with this, many families will focus their furniture layout on just one of those walls, ignoring the other direction. Balance the room out by choosing sectional sofas. An L-shaped sectional can quickly frame the two opposite sides of the room, focusing the seating towards a dual focal point that features both the fireplace and the view to the outdoors.

Thoughtless Window Treatments

Window treatments often become an afterthought when designing a living room. They can make or break the ambiance of the space. It's important to remember that window treatments provide more than privacy; they enhance the design of a space not only by adding texture but also by creating a focal point or a statement surrounding the windows. In the meantime, starting with neutral window treatments can really warm and soften up the room.

Another common layout mistake is the placement of curtains in relation to window size. To open up your space and to frame your windows to look their best, hang your curtain rods several inches above the top of the window. You'll also want to extend the edges of the hardware out past the window edges. When your curtains are fully open, they'll let in the maximum amount of natural light.

Nothing spoils the ambiance of a space faster than bad lighting. It’s crucial to be strategic about how you employ various light fixtures throughout your home. While beautiful pendants over your island and sink look amazing, it is good to incorporate recessed and under-cabinet lighting to give the kitchen proper light when you are cooking or prepping food. Hide strips of LED lights underneath upper cabinets or over the sink for an easy switch-on when you need a boost of extra light.

Too harsh lighting or not enough lighting can completely ruin the mood and look of the space. It's important to spread lighting around your room: Table lamps, picture lights, and floor lamps are great ways to add soft lighting throughout the area.

Placing Furniture Against Walls

A common layout mistake that people make with their living room is having all the furniture pushed up against the walls. While there are certain furniture pieces that need to be near the wall, floating your sofa or accent chairs more towards the center of the room will help the space feel more inviting. Your sofa can create another wall in the room, which can give the illusion that your space is larger. Make sure you are choosing the correct size of furniture as well to give the room ample space for walking and everyday use.

If your living room has symmetrical elements—like windows on either side of a wall, a fireplace in the center, or A-frame ceilings—arrange your furniture accordingly for a sleek look. Two matching sofas are placed parallel to the windows, while a coffee table lines up with the fireplace in the center. A pendant chandelier can complement cathedral ceilings, and two comfortable accent chairs add balance while keeping the design dynamic.

Forgetting Space for Dish Towels

Kitchen islands now commonly house the kitchen sink. But this doesn't bode well for the dish towel that has no wall space or upper cabinetry for a hook—no one wants to walk around the kitchen with dripping hands or lay the towel down on the counter. The fix is even easier than you may think. Simply place a hook or bar on the interior of your sink cabinet to hang a dish towel, which keeps it both accessible and out of the way.

Not Styling by Shape

If your bedroom layout is built with specific architectural details—like angled or cathedral ceilings—it's also important to take the room's permanent design into account. For example, in spaces with angled ceilings, it can feel awkward to have the bed placed along one of the side walls. Choose a spot for your bed either against the main angled wall or directly opposite it for a balanced finish.

Not Making Use of Walls

Using a pair of bulky lamps on each side of the bed is also considered a layout faux pas. Make use of valuable wall space by adding sconces as an alternative to lamps. There are terrific choices out right now—even plug-ins when hardwiring isn’t an option. If you're a fan of reading in bed or keeping extra glasses of water on your bedside table, you'll be surprised by how much of a difference the bit of extra space can make.

Making Rooms Seem Smaller

Another designer trick for small bathrooms is to extend visual height when usable space is already maximized. Rather than hanging all of your décor at eye level, try to incorporate decorative items, tall curtains, or lighting fixtures higher up. The effect draws the eye up toward the ceiling, making the room feel larger than it actually is. If you have large windows in your bathroom, keeping the blinds and curtains open as often as possible also helps to extend the space further by drawing attention outdoors. It's helpful to downsize additional items you don't need. Toss out the half-used bottles of hairspray or shampoo that you'll never use again, and use the newfound cabinet space to organize any extra items cluttering your countertops.

If your living room sofa is covered in throw pillows, it might be time to scale it back a bit. All too often, the sofa is cluttered with oversized or too many pillows. When accessorizing a sofa, I recommend sticking to just three pillows in three different styles to help create visual interest without overpowering the other décor elements in the room.

Eschewing Convenience

Homeowners will often place towel bars, rings, and hooks where they look best, rather than in a spot that's convenient when using the space. Luckily, towel bars, etc., are simple and easy to add, remove, or move. So once you've lived in the space long enough to know where you need your towels most, you can make quick changes to fix this problem.

Overdoing the Furniture

Having too much furniture in your dining room can be a major layout mistake. Keep the room minimal but exciting by using dynamic art, a table, chairs, and a fun light fixture. We can get away with much less in a dining room, including the outdated china hutch to store linens and tableware.

It's very common to underestimate how much space there needs to be for traffic around a dining table. To avoid this issue, consider the width of your dining set when all the chairs are pulled out from the table—not when they are pushed in. When it's time to entertain, you'll find that the extra space around the table makes it much easier to serve dishes, clean up, and for guests to get up and down from the table as needed.

TV Screen Focal Points

If you design your entire living room around the location of your television, it’s time to switch things up. The TV should never be the focal point of a room. Instead, try layering the TV around a natural focal point, like a gorgeous view or architectural fireplace, and arrange the furniture around that. This way, you’re still able to watch TV, but the layout is much more focused on the windows and allows for a great conversation setup if you're entertaining.

No Natural Greenery

A little foliage can go a long way in a living room. Greenery adds warmth and an organic feel to your décor. It can also be used to fill in empty areas of a living room—place an oversized fern or myrtle on a pedestal to act as a filler in the corners of a room.V

Helen Houston is a certified real estate staging and redesign professional. Helen is the president/owner of Staging Spaces and Redesign and can be reached at helen@stagingspaces.biz or (702) 346-0246.

presents

by Bruce R. Bennett

St. George Musical Theater is southern Utah’s oldest and most successful community theater. They are a nonprofit organization that performs their signature in-theround productions in the historic Opera House in downtown St. George, Utah. SGMT has performed 45 productions in the past seven years as part of each season of shows, which this year includes seven full productions and a youth summer camp.

Their upcoming production is the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific. Notes theater CEO Bruce Bennett: “We’re known as the local theater that produces high-quality musicals in our intimate space that can really change the experience, even for patrons that have seen classics like South Pacific before. We strive for high-quality production value and superior talent, a combination which often really surprises those who attend for the first time.” South Pacific contains some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most popular songs, including “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Younger Than Springtime,” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.”V

SGMT’s South Pacific performs from June 24 to July 24, and the General Admission tickets are only $22.00. Performances are each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7:30 p.m. (MST), with many 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays. Masks are optional. The house opens 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets can be secured through the website (www.sgmt.org) and for questions or group ticket sales, please call (435) 628-8755. We are located at 212 N. Main Street in St. George, Utah.

HOT TRENDS IN WINDOW COVERINGS:

"Alexa, Open Shades"

Image source: www.SomfySystems.com A s technologies keep advancing, so does the window covering industry. You can now get more and more window treatments that can be controlled from your phone or by Alexa. Now, instead of having a battery pack of 12 AA batteries, you have a rechargeable motor that charges like your cell phone. These window treatments can be programmed to automatically open and close at a predetermined time of day. If you have room darkening shades and would like to have your shades go up to use the incoming light as your alarm clock, just program it. When the afternoon sun comes around and starts to heat up the house, your shades will close automatically.

Window treatments can provide more than just something that looks good. A well-designed window treatment helps establish the mood of a room, whether the overall feel is glamorous or casual. Fabrics help create personality by adding color, texture, and dimension while reinforcing the color theme of the furnishings and accessories. Some window treatments also can provide privacy. Light control is also a benefit of panels and shades, especially when room darkening linings are added.

Privacy and light control: Window coverings are available in a wide range of colors, materials, and opacities. From sheer to opaque, they offer varying degrees of privacy and light control. Sheers and other select styles are designed to draw light inside your home while diffusing harsh glare. This will illuminate your home naturally and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Natural light is warm and welcoming. In time, however, your furnishings will fade and become damaged.

Modern sheers offer UV protection to help counter the harmful effects of the sun. By tilting louvers, slats, vanes, blinds, and panels, you can direct incoming light where it is needed most.

Whether you are one with the outdoors or very private and your neighbors are too close for comfort, window coverings make the difference in how you feel. Window coverings change your mood, alter your feelings, and allow you to express yourself. Lighting affects color, and it changes the entire feeling of a room. Light is a major consideration when choosing the right window coverings for your home. Low light reflects calm, and full sun reflects brilliance; maybe it is a combination that reflects your needs.

Now, more than ever, there is a variety of energy-efficient and green alternatives in window coverings and fabrics. We can go online and with the aid of room scene visualizers, we can create different looks and lighting effects to help us better understand what makes us feel the most comfortable.

Our professionals have superior knowledge of products and professional design, and our professionally trained and certified installers are committed to helping you select the window coverings that are just right for you—we make your decision-making easy. Let the professionals at C & J Shutters, Blinds and Flooring turn your creative ideas into smart, stylish solutions for your windows.V

C & J Shutters, Blinds and Flooring is located at 550 W. Pioneer Blvd, Ste 112. You can reach us at (702) 345-3672, or visit our website at www.BlindsFloors.com.

Preparing for Economic Growth with

by Susie Knudsen

AUniversity Center partnership between innovation centers at Southern Utah University and Dixie State University is pleased to offer local business owners and professionals access to industry experts and training opportunities through “Better Your Business Express” workshops.

Designed to help your business adapt to a post-pandemic economy, this timely and relevant training series is ongoing through 2023 and is offered online in a live setting or at your convenience from a library of videos. New topics are frequently added based on the needs of Utah’s southern five-county region.

“Better Your Business Express” was developed to help businesses succeed after it was recognized that some in the region were struggling to pivot and respond to the impact of COVID-19. By accessing the training from regional instructors who share their knowledge of skills and strategies for adapting to ongoing economic growth and change, you’ll be better suited to engage your market. marketing for a post-pandemic marketplace, website design, and employment laws.

Whether you’re looking to design a new website or to tune up an existing site to compete in the digital marketplace, the expert-taught “Website Design for the Online Marketplace” workshop can help with your online, e-commerce presence.

"I was privileged to gain valuable insight from the group that changed my perspective and added value to my website," said Troy Richardson, workshop participant.

Help your business thrive in a post-pandemic, southern Utah economy with the “Customer Service and Digital Marketing for a Post-Pandemic Business Climate” workshop. Learn to adapt by using new customer service techniques, digital marketing strategies, and key messaging/branding strategies for building renewed trust, enthusiasm, and returning customers.

Learn how to better protect your organization and yourself by understanding the legal obligations and rights of small business owners in the “Need to Know HR Employment Laws” workshop. You’ll review interviewing basics, labor laws, FMLA, Title IX, discrimination laws, and more.

As you begin to hire new employees or welcome remote employees back to the office, brushing up on critical HR laws is more important than ever.

If you run a business and think you’ve exhausted all of your relief funds options, the “Maximizing Relief Funds for Your Business” workshop that is taught by expert accountants will help you know for sure. This training covers how to apply for Employee Retention Credit and ways to maximize your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application. Also, learn about PPP forgiveness as well as Family First Sick and Family leave credits.

All “Better Your Business Express” training videos are available at the SUU Community and Professional Development YouTube channel.

“Better Your Business Express” is a team of southern Utah industry experts offering no-cost workshops to southern Utah business owners to help the region adapt to a postpandemic economy. Participants gain exclusive access to regional experts who share knowledge of skills and strategies for adapting to ongoing economic growth and change.V

“Better Your Business Express” is offered through the University Center partnership between innovation centers at Dixie State University and Southern Utah University.

The partnership expands capacities of existing resources and focuses on empowering business owners and bolstering economic growth throughout Utah’s Five County Association of Governments (AOG) region, which includes Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver, and Garfield counties.

Funding for workshops is provided through the U.S. Economic Development Administration University Center Grant Program that was jointly granted to Dixie State University and Southern Utah University. To learn more, visit southernutahbusiness.org.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), the U.S. Economic Development Administration appropriated $1.5 billion in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds to assist communities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

To assist e-commerce and business recovery, SUU submitted a joint application with Dixie State University to develop and deliver professional development certificate programs in an online platform that support the business and entrepreneurial community within the region.

Tennis TNT

tips -n- tricks

By Donna Eads

It is HOT and HOTTER at this time of the year outdoors. So early a.m. or night play is the best way to beat the heat. Stay aware of your fluid intake, and be sure to drink at least 16 ounces of water prior to playing in order to ‘beef up’ your reserves. Most players believe that bananas are the best for electrolyte replacement, but really it is oranges. Be careful of high-sodium energy drinks as well. Such large amounts of sodium are only needed if you are doing hours of training or play. Adding water to energy drinks is probably a good idea.

Due to the heat, it’s best to look for practice drills that are limited, such as doing different serves. There are four major serve types: flat, slice, top spin, and kick. The flat serve is simplest, starting with a normal toss and then hitting the back of the ball. The slice serve is a hit around the equator of the ball, and some prefer to toss the ball more out wide. The top spin serve brushes up on the back of the ball from bottom to top. Again, the toss varies from normal to slightly behind your head. Finally, the kick serve is done by brushing the strings from 8 p.m. to 2 p.m., as if you are looking at a clock. Be sure you use targets in the server’s box to improve your aim.

One way to improve your concentration and shorten playing time is to use the tiebreaker system instead of the best of two out of three sets. Since every point in a tiebreaker counts, your focus must be fully engaged. Work with your partner to plan ahead for each shot. It is not okay to just get the ball back over the net when every point matters. Be tough and play to win. Look for each opponent’s weaknesses and use them against him or her. Remember, two loss shots can cost you a tiebreaker.

Play like a hockey goalie when faced with an overhead that is coming right at you. So stay low to the ground, and be ready to just bunt the ball back at the player. Keep your racquet in front of you, and use a bunt-like swing to return the ball. Good defense has won many matches. During the French Open, one player who was behind in the match returned six overheads using this method. It turned the tide in his favor, and he went on to win.

Even with four players on the court, the score can become confused. Each player should do his or her best to reconstruct each point. If you cannot all agree, start off at 30-30 to make it fair to all. Try to avoid this confusion by the server calling out the score before every serve. Then, the score can be questioned quickly if there is a problem.

During a serve, your opponents can stand anywhere they want. However, they must allow the ball to bounce before striking it. One problem that is considered unacceptable during a doubles match is if your partner is moving in and out of your server's box. That is gamesmanship at its worst and can result in a default for that team—not a good outcome for anyone involved in that match!V

The Dog Days of Summer

By Anita DeLelles

Summer in the desert: This is the most challenging season for pet owners who are living in southern Utah. Summers mean less physical activity in the heat of the day and can lead to less food intake for some pets. There’s no need to worry if your usually insatiable pet turns its nose up at a meal here and there during summer—it’s normal.

Thankfully, there are some fun and creative ways to encourage eating and most importantly, to keep your pet well hydrated. Cooling activities, such as a splash in a kiddie pool filled with water and balls, promote fun exercise. A comfy cooling bed raised off the ground to allow for air circulation and sprinkled with yummy treats will encourage your pup to nap and keep cool during a hot summer day. There are also a number of “cooling” treats that pet parents can make easily at home:

Frozen Broth Cubes: This is a big-time favorite for dogs. Remember the old-fashioned ice trays? Well, go dig yours out of the back of the cupboard, and fill it with low-sodium broth. Drop in some of your dog’s favorite healthy treats, and pop it all in the freezer. Once frozen, drop the cubes into an empty kiddie pool, and watch your dog have hours of fun. Dogs love to play with ice, and if the ice is flavored, they’ll devour it. You can get creative, substituting broth with pumpkin, plain yogurt, or water, and add fruit and veggies. Want to create a bigger (and longer-lasting) challenge? Take an aluminum mixing bowl, fill it halfway with water or broth, and add chunks of treats, fruits, veggies, healthy hot dog bites, or even

a durable toy. Freeze it all and when frozen, pop it out of the bowl, and put it into a kiddie pool—instant entertainment for you and your pup!

Frozen Fruit Treats: Seasonal fruits, like watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, bananas, oranges, and strawberries, can make a wonderfully healthy treat. The idea is to cut fruit into small pieces and freeze them together or separately. Get them good and hard so that they last longer. Remember to remove all rinds, seeds, and peels before feeding the treats to your dog.

Banana-Peanut Fun Mix: Mash some banana and stir it in a bowl with good-quality peanut butter (the kind that is only peanuts). Stuff the mixture into your dog’s interactive chew toy—West Paw makes some great ones, and they’re made in the USA—or simply

freeze it in ice-cube trays to create irresistibly delicious peanut butter treats.

How about swimming lessons for your pup this year? Swimming is not something that dogs just instinctively know how to do, so take them to safely learn from an experienced handler. Swimming is a healthy form of physical activity, which dogs can learn to love. An hour swim lesson with some vigorous interval play will have your pooch napping the When taking dogs swimming in a lake or the ocean, be sure they are wearing a life vest with a handle so that you have complete control. Also, if your dog tends to swallow a lot of water, watch for signs of distress or discomfort. Limit swimming and play to short intervals to avoid excess fatigue.

Hiking is always good fun with your dog. But in the summer, very early-morning hikes are a must to avoid the heat of the day. Be aware that this is also the time that rattlesnakes are active (during temperatures around 75°F.) Snakes are most frequently out at dawn and dusk but can be found at other times too if disturbed or threatened. Be aware and prepared by getting the rattlesnake vaccine and taking a snake avoidance class. WOOF! Wellness Center offers classes several times a year.

Finally, when taking your dog for a walk in the summer, ALWAYS check the ground temperature with a bare hand. If it’s uncomfortable for you, it is for your dog as well. Cooling boots are a great way to keep them from burning their paws, and they look cool too!V

WOOF! Wellness Center is located in the historic district at 3199 Santa Clara Drive in Santa Clara, Utah, (435) 275-4536. Find more info at www.woofcenter.com.

Getting Your Home Organized for Summer

by Janel Ralat, owner of One Organized Mama

Now that summer is around the corner and life is getting back to pre-pandemic normalcy, it’s time to focus on some organizational projects around your home.

KITCHEN

I certainly found myself in the “Quarantine Ten Club.” That’s where we packed on a few extra pounds since having the time to bake (and EAT) bread, cookies, and other goodies. So now’s the time to do an overhaul of your pantry to toss expired goods, donate foods that you bought while panic grocery shopping in 2020, wipe down shelves, and tidy the space.

If you found yourself in “shopping mode” like I did and thought that buying an Insta-Pot, an extra crockpot, or a bread maker was a good idea in 2020, it’s time to take a good hard look and ask yourself if you REALLY have the time or space for it anymore. I utilize a “use by” technique on items that I’m not ready to give away but am also not sure if I’ll use again. Place a sticky note with a “use by'' date on the item. If you use the item before the date, then it’s a keeper.

However, if the date comes and goes and you haven’t used the item, then perhaps it's time to help it find a new home.

CLOSETS

I promised myself that I’d have every closet in my home organized by the time the kids went back to school last fall. It’s now the following summer, and it just didn’t happen. Recently, I’ve taken a different approach and have been focusing on one space per month instead. This helps me focus on one entire room in my home, including the closet in that space, and makes this task much more manageable. I simply focus one quick 20-minute session on decluttering items that will be hauled off to donate. Next, I’ll look at hangers and containers to see if they could use a little updating and overhaul. Lastly, it’s time to keep the space tidy with regular maintenance and upkeep. This means making it easy to put items away in the area, either by labeling, making everyday items easily accessible, or most importantly, by training my family to put stuff away daily with a “20-Minute Tidy.”

OUTDOOR SPACES

It’s almost pool season, and for us, this means buying a few new pool towels for our home since each summer, our dog finds a few he likes to adopt as his own. (True story.) Now is also the perfect time to assess all the outdoor toys and gear and get things cleaned off, maintained, and ready for fun in the sun. Do a walkthrough of your garage, and do any decluttering or tidying as necessary. Also, doing a walkthrough of your outdoor spaces is essential to note any possible issues with air conditioning units, pool equipment, or landscaping.

KIDS

Let’s talk about the littles running around your home. In our home, all three kids (two have now grown) have summer birthdays, which created the tradition of the pre-birthday PURGE. This is where we do a quick once-over of all their toys, treasures, and trinkets in order to declutter, toss, and donate. Summer is technically the halfway point in the year to Christmas, so it’s a great habit to add to your home maintenance rotation. Also, we as parents know that when seasons change, so should our kids' wardrobes. So go through closets, drawers, and seasonal clothing, and pack some hand-medown bags for siblings, friends, or relatives.

With a “20-Minute Tidy” every day, your home will look shipshape in no time. Stay safe, healthy, and enjoy the sunshine this summer!V

The Million-Dollar Question

WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY, AND DOES IT WORK?

by Malissa Miles

We can all remember growing up and being shown a visual model of our solar system in elementary school. In the middle of the model was our sun. The sun is the most integral part of our solar system and gives us many resources that we have been utilizing for centuries. Without our sun, we would not be here today. From early sunrises to late sunsets, the world seems to take for granted the continuous cycles that this beautiful sphere of plasma provides for our world. Our sun is the most important source of energy for life on Earth.

For decades, we have needed resources to create the most valuable energy on Earth today: electricity. We have been successful in utilizing these resources to produce electricity, but it has been on a macroscale and not so clean. These resources are mainly natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and many others which are not good for the environment. In the United States today, it is the utility companies who dictate the amount of electricity produced and which resources are used to generate it. Lastly, let us not forget about the rates that they charge the consumer. ago. This phenomenon works through solar cells absorbing the sun’s energy and converting it into electricity. I am sure you have all heard of the band AC/DC. These are acronyms for the two different types of electricity that are produced around the world today.

AC stands for “alternating current.” This is the electricity that is used for your home and comes from the utility grid. When you look at the power lines above you, this is the type of electricity that is flowing through them. DC is “direct current.” This electricity is used for energy storage and is what batteries use. Now, if you think about it, not many years ago, you would have had to plug your device into a cigarette lighter in your car, using an inverter, to be able to charge it, or to charge your phone, or whatever electronic appliance you had that only accepted alternating current. It is the same with a solar energy system—it uses an inverter. You have the panels that create DC electricity, but you need to convert it into AC electricity so that you can use it for your personal residence or commercial property. The panels and the inverter are major components of your solar energy system. The last component is the racking and mounting system. Every system is different, depending on your roof structure.

The Million-Dollar Question

WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY, AND DOES IT WORK?

The concept of solar energy is well over a century old. We have only recently started to install this type of technology on residential rooftops, giving the power back to the homeowners and taking it out of the utility companies’ hands. It was a hard-fought battle, but the rewards are endless.

Now, I want you to understand how net metering works. This is how utility bills are generated, depending on how much energy your local utility company receives from your solar system. You produce solar energy in the daytime when the sun is out. Even if it is raining, you will still produce electricity. Keep in mind that when any electronic appliances are in use, such as light bulbs, air conditioning units, pool pumps, etc., you absorb the electricity from the solar system first. The excess that is being produced at that exact given moment will go to the utility company and they will credit your bill. The average single-family dwelling uses approximately 50% of its solar annually and sends the other 50% to the utility company to become a bill credit. This credit typically keeps rolling over and gets bigger as the daylight during each day lasts longer.

When choosing a size for a solar system, you can look at the number of kilowatt-hours that you use annually and then design a solar system that is guaranteed to produce that much electricity, leaving you with a netzero bill. Some utilities will still charge you a service fee, which is used to maintain the grid. This is true of the bill that you receive today—whether you have solar or not, you still will be paying it unless your solar credit is more than the service charge. Depending on the utility company, you may actually see a bill that says that nothing is due at that time! You must think about it—how much of your hard-earned money has gone out the window to the utility company? Believe me, the number is in the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on how much electricity you use.

There are two ways to get solar installed for your residence. The first would be a lease or PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). A lot of your bigbox brand companies, such as Sun Run, Vivint, or even Tesla Energy, push this model heavily. Keep in mind that these are publicly traded companies, and the shareholders come first, not the homeowner. The problem with signing up with a lease or PPA is that you are stuck paying these companies for what the solar system produces and are under a contract that can last up to 25 years. There is also typically an escalator every year, meaning the price will go up anywhere from 2.5–2.9% annually. There is no getting out of it, and it will make your home harder to sell. The incentives and tax credits are taken by these companies since they own the asset, and all you are doing is transferring to a new utility company. Instead of paying ABC Power Company, you are paying the PPA company. This adds to their company’s assets and makes them more appealing to a shareholder, not to a homeowner. This is what we see in markets that are brand new where not many people know the difference. They think that this is the only way, and they sign on the

dotted line. If only I could tell you how many times a homeowner has called me personally and asked me to try to get them out of their lease or PPA! If it was possible to get out of one, I would be doing that full time and would most likely not have to work another day in my life.

The second way is to purchase the system outright. Within recent years, there have been a lot of solar loans with a fixed rate that is way under your average electric bill, which would give you that instant savings. This does not even include the increased value that your new owned system would bring you. In most states, solar systems are tax-exempt from sales tax and property tax. You will also be able to take advantage of the incentives and rebates, such as the 26% federal tax credit. Yes, folks, the federal government is willing to pick up 26% of the total cost of your solar system. You must have a tax liability to be able to take advantage. But who does not pay taxes? It is also a roll-over credit (not a deduction), dollar for dollar. Some states even give you thousands of dollars to install an owned solar system, so check with your state and local utility company to see what kinds of incentives are available.

There is also one major component of solar systems that most do not realize they could possibly need. These are the batteries. With so many more electric cars being produced daily, the cost of lithium-ion battery technology has dropped exponentially, making it more affordable for the average person. A large misconception is that if you have solar, even without a battery, and the power grid goes out, your solar will still work. This is not true. You would need an energy storage system coupled with your solar energy system to have an advantage in this situation. As we mentioned earlier, the average homeowner sends back around 50% of their excess solar energy.

Now, keep in mind that a lot of the utility companies within recent years have started to not pay back a 1:1 ratio for what you send them, meaning that you would need a larger system than what you use. The other option is to put the excess energy into batteries instead of into the grid. Make sure you still get the 1:1 option. If there’s a power failure, you can still have your solar running in the daytime with the battery covering your nighttime loads. You can say bye to the utility companies at this point. Multiple utility companies are also offering thousands of dollars in incentive money, which is literally a check made out to you, the homeowner, just for installing a battery.

As technology advances, we are moving into an electrical revolution. With legislation telling us how much renewable energy needs to be installed, state by state, we are moving in the right direction. Solar energy is now in all 50 states, even though it used to be only feasible in the Sun Belt. Solar energy is a nobrainer, and the sooner it is installed, the less money you will literally be throwing out your window to the utility company.V

For more information, contact Universal Solar Direct of Utah by calling (435) 220-4733. We are located at 169 W. 2710 S. Circle, Ste 202-A, St. George, UT 84790.

A Full Weekend Of Family Fun at the

by Dawn McLain

The Kayenta Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the 19th Annual Art in Kayenta (AIK) Festival, October 8–10, 2021. Every fall for the past 19 years, thousands of people have been making their way to Art in Kayenta, a three-day art festival in Ivins. There are lots of reasons to attend! For art lovers, it’s being able to wind their way through booth after booth and gallery after gallery of unique original art and wares. For others, it’s relaxing in the beer and wine garden, sipping wine while savoring fresh food from local vendors; others opt for the tasty entrées Xetava Gardens Café serves up. But for many, it’s enough just to enjoy the gorgeous weather, music, and stunning red rock scenery. This year’s Art in Kayenta Festival is expected to draw our largest crowd yet!

AIK offers original creations from local, regional, and national artists who specialize in media ranging from sculpture to painting and jewelry to ceramics and wood to metal and more. Each year, artists participate in a silent auction featuring their fabulous creations! Festival attendees will have

the exclusive opportunity to bid on—and hopefully win—selected art pieces. The auction is hosted by the Kayenta Arts Foundation with proceeds going to benefit the Center for the Performing Arts at Kayenta (CPAK) programs.

The Kayenta Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting diverse arts in the region. Each year, CPAK provides more than 50 events and workshops to southern Utah. The Center is home to the Lorraine Boccardo Theatre, a 200-seat black box and concert stage, as well as spaces to accommodate meetings, receptions, seminars, and rehearsals. As a collaborative arts community leader, the Center hosts a broad range of performing arts, plays, lectures, films, concerts, exhibits, festivals, and educational opportunities for the southern Utah area.

E v e n t D e t a i l s

dates & times:

Friday, October 8–10, 2021 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

location:

Kayenta Art Village 881 Coyote Gulch Court Ivins, UT 84738

cost: free!

Come be a part of the art at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta.V

The Kayenta Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and create an environment where diverse artistic endeavors can flourish. The Center for the Arts at Kayenta is a beautiful facility supported by the efforts of the Foundation where people from southern Utah and beyond come to learn, express, appreciate, and celebrate art in all forms.

The Kayenta Arts Foundation is supported in part by funding from Washington County and Ivins City RAP funds. The Kayenta Arts Foundation is also supported in part by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts.

N ewV ibe

Is Just a Call Away

by Bailey Logue

If you're looking for a reputable and efficient carpet, tile, and upholstery cleaning company, then your search is about to come to an end. Here at NewVibe Carpet Cleaning, we are dedicated to providing high-quality and dependable services in Mesquite, Nevada, and the surrounding areas.

What Can We Do for You?

As most homeowners will agree, a filthy and musty carpet can quickly become an unseemly eyesore, even in an otherwise spotless home. A single, professional-level deep cleaning can transform the entire impact that your carpet has on a room.

Why suffer the unpleasant glances from visiting guests when we can guarantee your home always has fresh upholstery that turns the heads of any visitors and boosts your confidence? And with a business like NewVibe just a call away, why waste time on DIY solutions and equipment that will probably be more trouble than they're worth? Let our experts handle all the frustrating and messy work for you while you take a seat and enjoy our efficient services. Expert-level upholstery cleaning has many other benefits, such as eliminating grime that builds up over time, especially on the arms and headrests of chairs and sofas. The removal of dirt, dust, and stains from your upholstery irrefutably makes it look better but also ensures it will last longer.

And most importantly, professional cleaning also removes minute particles that are too small to see and difficult or impossible to remove with a vacuum. This includes dust mites, bacteria, insect parts, chemical fumes from household cleaners, smoke, mold spores, and pollen embedded in upholstery fibers after years of use. This will not only boost the quality of indoor air but also reduce the symptoms of allergies and asthma. NewVibe’s professional removal of these potentially harmful substances ensures that you and your family can live in a safe and clean environment.

NewVibe takes care of your tile flooring as well. Grout lines tend to become darker and dirtier over the years, due to improper removal techniques—simply mopping does not effectively extract the grime and sometimes, pushes it in further. These dark lines are unpleasant to look at and unsanitary, hosting mold and bacteria. Homeowners try to clean their tile and grout themselves, but this is a challenging task, nearly impossible, especially without professional training and equipment.

That's why NewVibe’s Tile and Grout Cleaning Service is the best option for any homeowner. With our specialized cleaners and professional-grade steam cleaning equipment, we can remove all that dirt and grime in no time. After our expert service, your tiles will look as clean and shiny as the day you bought them; our team is thorough and will make sure to leave you with “clean spaces and smiling faces.”

Why Choose Us?

NewVibe is a local small business built to provide the most outstanding service to our clients. However, being exceptional is no easy task, which is precisely why we select and hire only expert individuals to join our team. With the most experienced and capable professionals by your side, expect nothing less than the best service available all around.

Being a family-owned and operated business, NewVibe values customer satisfaction, and we pride ourselves on building longlasting relationships with our clients. We strive to create a comfortable and worthwhile experience for each customer; give NewVibe one chance, and we guarantee the results will turn us into your new go-to cleaning company for any situation.

So if you're looking for some professional deep cleaning, then call NewVibe, a reputable carpet cleaning service that is prepared and equipped for every job.V

Call NewVibe for a free estimate or to schedule a cleaning at (702) 582-7550. www.NewVibeCleaners.com