View on Southern Utah by View On Magazine

March/April 2015 Complimentary Issue

recreation • entertainment • shopping • business • dining • news & views

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Southern Utah

EDITOR’S LETTER

View On

Magazine

March 1 – April 30, 2015 Volume 2 – Issue 2

Dear Readers, Spring is here and we are so excited

Editor in Chief

Kathy Lee

of the year in Southern Utah. Warm

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Hammond

days, stunning blue skies, trees

Copy Editor

Cindy Biskup

Creative Director & Magazine Design

Trevor Didriksen Aloree Smith

because it is absolutely the best time

budding and the opportunity to get back out there and enjoy the area! I’d like to share some things to renew your soul along with your spirit……. community events to bring people together with common goals, to enjoy the area, spend good quality time with friends and family and to support organizations in our community. Please check out the following links to activities and organizations that you can get involved with this spring. March 18 - 20, 2015 - SkyWest Mini-Indy: http://www.miniindy.org/ March 26, 2015 - LoveUTGiveUT: www.loveUTgiveUT.org. April 18, 2015 - 16th Annual Dixie Kite Festival:

Contributing Writers Dawn McLain Laurel Beesley Helen Houston Creamer Erin O’Brien Laurie Nelson-Barker Rob Krieger Nikk Zorbas Charlene Paul Karen Monsen Celece Seegmiller Mayor Wayne Peterson Donna Eads Jennifer Hammond Paul Noe Maria Serbina Alexa V Morgan Web Design

Trevor Didriksen

Advertising Sales

Kathy Lee Jennifer Hammond Alexa V Morgan

Advertising Email

ads@ViewOnSouthernUtah.com

Support Staff

Bert Kubica

Published by

View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. 742 W. Pioneer Blvd, Suite D Mesquite, NV 89027

community to life with View On Southern Utah Magazine.

Office Fax

(702) 346-8439 (702) 346-4955

Have a wonderful, safe spring!

General Inquiries

info@ViewOnSouthernUtah.com

http://www.dixiepowerkitefestival.com/ We would love to showcase more interesting activities in your Southern Utah neighborhood. If you have any story ideas or future events, please send your information to info@viewonsouthernutah.com.

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We also love feedback! Share your ideas and favorite stories with

us on Facebook or via email! Our Southern Utah readers are active and enjoying life – we’d like to see that too! Pictures, anecdotes, poetry, we want to hear from you. Don’t forget to visit our advertisers and thank them for bringing your

Sincerely, Kathy Lee Editor-in-Chief

2007-2014 View on Southern Utah Magazine is published by View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the express written permission from the publisher, including all ads designed by the View On Mesquite staff. All articles submitted by contributing writers are deemed correct at the time of publishing, View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. and/or any of its affiliates accept no responsibility for articles submitted with incorrect information.

CONTENTS

Features

16 A Park For All Ages 26 View on Business; La de’ Paws

COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE AMODT

28 38 28 Take Me to the River 38 The History of Leeds and Silver Reef

In this issue Editor’s Letter View on Healthy Lifestyles View from the Mayor Why I Love Southern Utah View on Fitness Why I Love Southern Utah Three Corners Women’s Giving Circle Motor Mania The story of Peter and the Marketing Queen View on Outdoors Recipe Revamp

20 Revive, Refresh, Renew 22 View on Inspiration 24 View on Volunteerism 26 View on Business 28 View on Travel 30 Around Town 32 View on Education 34 View on Golf 36 Heartwater Farms 42 Gardening with Star Nursery 44 Patti Lewis: Artist 48 Awesome Adventures

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2 4 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 16 18

view on HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Spring Your Business to Success in 2015

BY NIKK ZORBAS If you have given birth to a new business, then you know the excitement and adrenaline rush that happens in the first stages of getting the business off the ground. It is a fun time, but eventually the excitement begins to wear off and it is replaced with the drudgery of the day-to-day tasks that are needed to keep the business going.

that you are selling. Benjamin Franklin explained it perfectly: “A small leak will sink a great ship.” These performance checks allow you to detect the small leaks early, before they turn into bigger problems. Align the performance checks with your business plan, to ensure that every aspect of the business is contributing to the overall goals of the company.

Often, the success of your business is reflected in the way that you feel. It is important to make sure that you are giving the business the right attention to ensure that it is running smoothly, effectively, and it is profitable. Keeping a business profitable is similar to the regular inspections and maintenance checks that are done on jet aircrafts, and failure to keep up with these checks could result in catastrophe.

2. Give Recognition to Your Team

Leveraging Springtime to Improve Your Business

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Springtime is a great time of year to assess the progress of your business, and do regular housekeeping to improve any systems that need attention. Just like you spring clean your home, it is important to brush up on your business as well. Don’t leave cobwebs in the corners, because it is necessary to take a close look at all aspects of your business.

When you analyze the progress of your business, it is the perfect time to look for any discrepancies or processes that aren’t working as well as they should be working. It doesn’t matter how big or small the problem is, right now is the perfect time to fix it! Sometimes, the best thing you can do is give your business a fresh burst of insightful energy. Following a few specific steps can revitalize your efforts so that you can re-launch your business to be more successful this year. Here are a few thing to keep in mind: 1. Establish Clear Procedures for Monitoring Performance Setting up systems to monitor performance is a good way to bring more clarity into your business. Review the performance of employees, management, subcontractors, and the products

It is important to make your employees and subcontractors feel special, and give them the recognition that they deserve. Creating a team-focused environment helps employees bond together and improve their productivity. Ask each person for their insights and suggestions, and address any problems or concerns they may have. 3. Develop Research Files Detailed notes can help your business, especially when you have systems in place to take action on the information. These files can include any information that is relevant to your company, such as details about each of your clients so that you can add a personal touch to the interactions you have with each person. For example, write down their birthday, details about their family, their hobbies, or the ages of their children. You can use this information to send personalized gifts, or reach out to them in a way that is catered to their individual interests. 4. Know Your Customers and Adjust the Business Accordingly It is essential that you know your customers, in order to have a deep understanding of their preferences. Keep in mind that things change over time, and if your business doesn’t adjust then it is likely that the ship will sink. Talk with your customers about the service they are receiving, how well their purchases are performing, or if there is anything that they would like to see. Keep your customers in the loop about changes that are occurring within the company, and show them the many ways that you are differentiating your product or service from the competition.

view on HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 5. Evaluate the Consumer Decision Making Process Look at the purchasing trends of your customers, and find ways to improve the process in order to boost sales. Studying the conversion rates of your advertisements can allow you to improve your advertising campaigns in the future, so that you can focus on the methods that are most effective. Rethink your plan and change your approach if your preferred methods of advertising aren’t working as well as you anticipated. 6. Customer Relationship Management Your customers are the lifeblood of your business, and it is essential that you are managing good relationships with each person. If you lose customers, then your business will fail. Instead of spending most of your time on efforts that will bring new customers to your business, a better option is to nurture the relationships that are already in place with your current customers. These people have already expressed interest in your product, they have made a purchase, and they are likely to purchase again in the future if you offer products or services that they are interested in. Plus, your current customers will

be happy with the service they receive, which means they will tell others about your products or services and bring you new clients. Looking Ahead to the Future Many businesses fail, but if you are proactive with your business then it is possible to avoid the factors that might cause harm to your business. Your company, employees, and customers deserve the personalized attention that is needed to ensure that things are running smoothly. Always follow through to deliver on the promises that are made. Telling your customers that your company offers better customer service than the competitors is not as effective as showing them that you value their business. Customers and your employees are the lifeblood of your business, and this time of year is the perfect opportunity to prove your loyalty to them. As you improve those relationships, your business will thrive!

Renowned Performance Trainer in the field of Business and Self-Development, Nikk Zorbas passionately helps people dream big and release their potential from within. Nikk is the Best-Selling author of “Discovering Your Personal Power” and has recently released his second book “Discover Your Business Power” now available on Amazon.com. To learn more visit www.DiscoverYourBusinessPower.com.

www.viewonsouthernutah.com

view from the MAYOR

View from the Mayor: Leeds Having moved with my wife to Utah less than four years ago from New Jersey, we remember what it is like to not have a view. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States, with an average of 1,210.1 people living in each square mile. Utah is near the opposite end of the spectrum, being the 41st most densely populated state, with an average of 35.3 people living in each square mile. Living in the most populous county in the state further obstructed our view in New Jersey. Some of the first pictures we took from our front porch in Utah were thought to be photoshopped by some of our friends back in New Jersey. We personally think Leeds is one of the most picturesque places, not in a national park, we have ever seen. Leeds is a Utah town located just off of northbound Exit 22 and southbound Exit 23 from I-15. Our view to the west is the close by Pine Valley Mountains, a huge laccolith, even by global standards. When looking east one sees the colorful formations leading up to Zion National Park, 18 miles away. Within Leeds are multiple reefs, from which over 300 mine openings were utilized to extract over 7.5 million troy ounces of silver. For safety, these mine openings have been grated over, but bats are still able to fly between the bars and are seen nightly at dusk, during the non-winter months, managing our local insect population. Additional wildlife frequently encountered in Leeds includes deer, quail, roadrunners, wild turkeys and birds of prey. Leeds is also a great place for views of the night sky. With light pollution at a minimum, more of those billions of stars that are out there are visible from Leeds than in more heavily populated areas of Southern Utah. Beyond the views, Leeds has extensive history and some commerce too. The ghost town of Silver Reef is now part of Leeds. The only intact building from that town’s heyday is the Wells Fargo Express building, which houses the Silver Reef Museum, including the bank’s original vault and the loading/unloading stone from the Wells Fargo Express stagecoach stop out front. Just off of Main Street in Leeds are buildings from the Civilian Conservation Corps (“CCC”) Camp, a Depression Era program from 1933-1942 that provided young men with construction employment in area parkland. The CCC Camp buildings in Leeds are the only remaining CCC Camp buildings still standing in the State of Utah. On Main Street, currently undergoing restoration is the Leeds Tithing Office, originally completed in 1892.

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You won’t be able to fill up your car’s gas tank in Leeds, but we do have, among other businesses, a small grocery store, a café, a car dealer, a barber and beauty shop, an RV dealer and multiple realtors and RV parks.

Holidays are a great time to drive down Main Street in Leeds, when over 100 American flags are displayed along both sides of the road. An extra special time to visit is Leeds Wild West Days, which will be held this year on September 11 & 12, 2015. This celebration of our town’s early history features period-appropriate events, such as a Pony Express Race, square dancing, a fiddling contest, a horseshoe competition, mining-related programs at the Silver Reef Museum, live entertainment and stargazing led by an astronomy teacher. If you are not one of Leeds’ 837 residents, please come for a visit. There’s no need to bring all of your friends with you at once, to surround my wife and I, to make it feel more like New Jersey. We like our views in Leeds and think you will too. We hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, Mayor Wayne Peterson

Why I Love Southern Utah I like to think of Southern Utah as the “Melting Pot” of the state. I love that I can hike amongst juniper, pine and volcanic rock in back of my home in Dammeron Valley. I can then drive a few miles down the road and marvel at the red and white contrasting rock of impressive Snow Canyon. A few more miles, and I can wade through the extraordinary Virgin River. I love that I can snow ski in the morning and bike along the scenic trail system in the afternoon. I love that I have friends and acquaintances from all walks of life and religious and spiritual persuasions. Some relocated from other states and countries. I love that I met and married my soul mate here. I love that there are pastures and vineyards in our neighborhood. I love that I have found my niche! ~Laurie Nelson-Barker

~ Mary & Jerry Richmond

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We first came to know St. George about 25 years ago. We spent the night here on our way to visit relatives in Idaho. Since we arrived in the dark, you can imagine our surprise when we woke the next morning to the beautiful vistas. Years later, my sister and brother-in-law moved to the area so visits came more often. We are avid tennis players and were impressed by the facilities provided and absolutely loved the recreational opportunities. We often participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games. When we sold our home in Northern California last year, we contacted Red Rock Realty in St. George to find us just the right home. We bought “over the internet” because we had confidence in my sister’s approval of the home. She took additional pictures and scrutinized it for us. Our closing went smoothly and when we arrived, we were delighted! How many people can say they bought their home, sight unseen, over the internet? We are already deeply entrenched in the tennis community and love the trail systems here. We love the friendliness of the locals and the transplants which obviously is a direct result of their happiness to be here!

view on FITNESS

Everything I Know About Fitness “Don’ ts”, I Learned From My Other Dog! BY LAURIE NELSON-BARKER In my last article, I talked about my old dog “Sashi” and how she has learned to adapt and live her life to the best of her abilities. She does have a nemesis, however. His name is Forrest and he is a ten year old Dalmatian rescue. That says volumes, as I will explain.

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We have learned to love Forrest and accept his quirky ways. But often, we have to save him from himself as he has some questionable habits! His diet is very good as long as he eats what we give him. However, as most dog owners know, anything that falls on the floor becomes a snack whether it is edible or not. He loves tissue and napkins, used or unused, it doesn’t matter. Maybe he isn’t getting enough fiber in his diet? Quality counts when it comes to food even though it doesn’t seem to be a consideration in his dog brain!

This past Christmas, he spent many hours in “time out” for eating stale candy canes off the Christmas tree. Apparently, the wrapper is a tasty, edible shell in Dalmatian land. Sashi didn’t bother the tree at all and never has. She has learned the art of discriminating taste. The lesson here is to be aware of what you are eating. Most people tend to underestimate the amount of food they consume. Jotting down a few notes regarding what you eat on a daily basis, and in what quantities, keeps you accountable and aware. Forrest does not like cold weather and I have to admit, I don’t either. But if left unattended, he will lie next to the portable heater and never move, unless he thinks a snack is imminent! He will go outside for a walk as long as his trainer (that would be me or my husband, Mike) suggests it, but he isn’t self-motivated to spend much time in his enclosed yard by himself. He loves hikes, so we try to take him often. He has a coat to protect against cold and snow, so he doesn’t have an excuse. Find the time to exercise outdoors. If it is cold, put on warm clothes and get going. You will warm up quickly and burn more calories because your body is trying to maintain core temperature. It’s pretty efficient at doing so, as long as you are properly dressed and remain active.

Forrest has some limitations but he is still functional. He has to compensate. He could have avoided his hip injury entirely with a bit of discretion. He sustained the injury while chasing a younger, more agile, female dog. I shouldn’t have to explain the lesson here! He also has some arthritis but often feels better once he begins moving. Forrest has forgotten how to play. I believe many human adults have too. It’s not often that I see adults using swings in a park or playing in snow. Get out there. Swing, bike, climb, snow shoe, ski or make snow angels. You are never too old. Remain active and healthy. Life is not a spectator sport. Forrest is hesitant to try new things and often expresses his displeasure by baring his teeth and growling menacingly. Sometimes he must wear his muzzle when ointment is being applied to irritated skin or when his nails are being clipped. Evidently, these activities are illegal in his world and perpetrators must be punished. Be willing to try new training methods occasionally. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results. Never bite your trainer! Forrest seems to get sufficient sleep at the expense of others. He selfishly grabs the most comfortable bed and growls at anyone that walks past him. He is not at all subtle and often disrupts the all-important sleep of others. He is not a fan of lavender or meditation, although I really think he could benefit from them. Relaxation is an important component in remaining healthy and happy. Choosing a healthy lifestyle requires conscious choices that may not be the most convenient or obvious. But if you are willing to make the effort, you may find that your quality of life can improve immensely if you have a patient trainer. Just ask Forrest! Laurie Nelson-Barker is a partner of Boomers Rule, Personal Training and Lifestyle Fitness Coaching. She is also the owner of Formation Fitness and Travel Training. Laurie earned a Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and is a Certified Personal Trainer. She has enjoyed over 30 years of conducting fitness trainings and classes. Email: trainers@boomersrule.net Phone: 435 632-0199 Website: boomersrule.net

Why I Love Southern Utah I’m grateful that time and circumstance landed my family in southern Utah in 1991 when the city of Hurricane ended at Ace Hardware and the road to the freeway was slow, winding, and two lanes wide. I wasn’t sure we would stay, but we have now lived here longer than anywhere else, so we call it home. The area has grown a lot in 23 years, but the flavor of southern Utah remains unpretentious. Southern Utah offers opportunities not found in most regions of the US. Not only do we have our own natural resources so close by, we can also drive two or so hours in any direction and land in a spot most people pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to visit. From the glittery lights of Las Vegas, NV, to the solitude of camping at Cedar Breaks, to the majesty of Grand Canyon AZ, we embrace the quaintness of small town living while enjoying the privileges of the well traveled. ~ Beth Lock

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I’ve lived in Southern Utah for about 26 years and can’t think of anywhere else I would rather live. Being an amateur photographer, you can’t find more spectacular sunrises and sunsets to photograph and experience that rival anywhere I have ever been. If you enjoy the outdoors and hiking the opportunities here are almost limitless. I love the fact that in December you can go skiing less than an hour and a half drive and come home and play tennis or golf in the same day. The climate, the clean air, the lack of city congestion, some of the most beautiful parks in the country, make this one of the best places to live that I know. ~ Eric Yunker

SOUTHERN UTAH NONPROFITS; SUCCESSFUL & GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Three Corners Women’s Giving Circle BY DAWN MCLAIN

pring is in the air, and View on Southern Utah is ready to share some new fresh ideas for the philanthropic minded!! As a partner and advocate building solid communities, we recognize the efforts our local nonprofit organizations make to provide programs and services to those in need. We also understand the importance of strong, successful result-driven organizations that create the quality of life we all enjoy in Southern Utah. Together, we make our community even better, now and for generations to come. Though Utahns are known for generosity and service, many people in our local area don’t realize how great the need for philanthropy truly is, especially in relation to women and girls. Some statistics that you might not be aware of: • • • • • • • • •

24% of children live in poverty in Washington County. The poverty level for a single parent with two children is $17,568. In 2011, 25% of children in Iron County were living in poverty. For single moms, the poverty rate is 62% in Washington County compared to 41% in the state and nation. Of the 4 homicides in Washington and Iron Counties in 2012 all were women (ages 5-80). All the women were murdered by a boyfriend or husband. 8.1% of households in Washington County are headed by women who are single mothers under 18 years old. The state average is 6.1%. In 2013 48% of female-headed families in UT were receiving child support. Though still less than half, that’s (frighteningly) the highest percentage in the nation! Utah women are less likely to complete bachelor’s degrees. There is currently a 6% gap in Utah’s population (ages 25 & over) with bachelor’s degrees held by men versus women, which is the largest gap in the nation. UT ranks 49th in the “State of Women in America” study: F in economic security for women; F in women in leadership, D in women’s health; 46th out of 50 states for having the fewest women in he state legislature. UT ranks 49th of 50 states in number of women getting mammograms in the previous year.

Considering these statistics, it’s easy to see that there are more reasons than ever to get involved. Fortunately as the nonprofit culture evolves, there also are more ways and opportunities to do so.

This month VOSU is pleased to present the Three Corners Women’s Giving Circle (TCWGC) to our readers. Giving circles provide an innovative way to provide financial support to charitable organizations. We sat down with Stephanie Martini to learn more about them.

learn about what they do and support to their work. This provides a forum for nonprofits to discuss their mission and how to collaborate. Our grant funding focuses on supporting projects or programs that aim to enhance the lives of women and girls in our community.

VOSU: Stephanie, let’s start off with learning more about what giving circles are. Stephanie Martini (SM): Giving circles are created when people get together and decide to make a collective charitable contribution. Finances are pooled together and the group jointly decides how to distribute the funds. This group give concept means that the support given can have a greater impact than just one single donation alone. VOSU: Truly, that really is the goal of giving.

VOSU: How do you impact our community? SM: By contributing to innovative projects and programs for women and girls that local nonprofits would not be able to fund on their own. We have just 4 meetings a year, so we’re perfect for busy schedules! At each meeting we invite local nonprofits to speak so that we can

VOSU: How did you get involved with your organization? SM: I had this idea for about 10 years after I became aware of other women’s giving circles around the country. I discussed the idea with about 15 women in Washington County and it had a good reception. So I, along with other local women who believe in the mission, started the organization in May of 2013. www.viewonsouthernutah.com

SM: Yes! (TCWGC) is an active and fun community of women, diverse in interests and backgrounds. We leverage our friendship, intellect and resources to effect change for women and girls in the “three corners” region: southern Utah, northwest Arizona, and Mesquite, NV. We are a membership organization. Each member contributes a minimum amount each year. The money goes into a fund at the Community Foundation of Utah and is then dispersed in the form of grants to local nonprofits at the end of each year. In August we send out a grant application to local nonprofits. After receiving the applications, a small committee selects 5 finalists. Then the membership votes for the nonprofits they believe should receive a grant. In the 2 years we’ve given grants, we have awarded 3 each year for a total of almost $25,000 thus far.

VOSU: So, how are your grants funded? SM: It’s a simple process. Our members make a yearly minimum contribution. Currently, we have 3 levels of membership: Standard - $250. Higher Education Students - $100. Girls Under 18 - $50. The joint funds are invested, and then disbursed each year. Since 2013 we have grown to 56 members, allowing us to award almost $25,000 in grants. Our goal is to raise $50,000 or more every year. Thus far we have virtually no overhead costs thanks to the Community Foundation of Utah who administers our fund. So, nearly every dollar goes directly to the nonprofits we support.

We’re flexible and open to talking to anyone, or any business, that shares our vision to strengthen our community so that together we can make it happen! VOSU: That’s perfect! Simple, effective and impactful. Thank you for sharing TCWGC with us!

Due to your generosity, this fall, 30 young girls at Tonaquint Intermediate School will have the opportunity to “shop” for new school clothing through our program Operation School Bell®.” ~ Jillene Lander, President, The Assistance League of Southern Utah Dawn McLain is the Owner/ President of Write It Up!, Write It Up! is a small, full-service advertising agency based in St. George. Over the past 20 years, the firm has grown to include comprehensive PR and Marketing services as well as media buys, blogging, corporate facilitation and much more. To get in touch with Dawn, please email her at dawn@writeituponline.com.

Joining the Three Corners Giving Circle provides an opportunity to maximize the impact of our contributions by pooling resources. These grants can make a significant difference in the lives of women and or girls who are in need in our community. I believe that as women, we have an obligation to women and girls in need, to improve their quality of life.”

~ Donna Howell, Vice President AAUW

St. George Branch

www.viewonsouthernutah.com

VOSU: What can we expect to see in 2015 for TCWGC?

SM: We are striving to grow and give more. This year, to support that goal we are looking to do some community outreach and education so that people will know and understand who we are, what we do and how they can support TCWGC’s efforts. Which is easy – just join us! Memberships can even be gifted to others. It’s the perfect way to grow a global culture of philanthropy. In fact, this year we had our youngest member join. She’s 5 years old! We would love some corporate sponsors too. Businesses can donate or gift a membership; make a challenge grant to match membership contributions; donate directly to our grant fund or sponsor conference space for one of our meetings.

Serving St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV

435-862-1264

2015 Motor Mania

Photo Credits - Kris Zurbas, Deena Snyder

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The 2015 Mesquite Motor Mania event brought in over 850 classic cars and thousands of spectators and car enthusiasts to Mesquite over Martin Luther King Weekend. The weekend was full of great activities from the open header cruise through Mesquite, slow drags and burn outs. With all of the beautiful classic cars filling the town accompanied by fantastic weather it made for a great weekend. Mesquite Motor Mania celebrated 7 years in Mesquite and each and every year the event gets bigger and has quickly become a must attend show in the west. This event would not be possible without the great community support and the title sponsor the Mesquite Resort Association which is made up of the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino, Eureka Hotel and Casino and the Virgin River Hotel and Casino.

The story of Peter and the Marketing Queen (Part 1) by Maria Serbina Peter Genovi recently moved to St. George after receiving a Master Herbalist Certificate from The School of Natural Healing, founded by Dr. John R. Christopher. He is very proud of his certificate, as the school is one of the most well-known in the country. Since he was a little boy, Peter has been interested in desert herbs and natural remedies. Somehow, he knew about their amazing healing properties. The School of Natural Healing was his best choice for an education because he also learned the secrets of desert plants. While Peter was in herbal school, he dreamed about creating a magic plant tonic that would help people stay healthy, young, and happy. He has been working on it for the last 12 months. He mixes different herbs together, experimenting with their properties. It is tricky because while some herbs work as enhancers, some of them were reducing the healing abilities of others when combined.

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Of course, Peter also dreamed about opening his own business, because he didn’t want to work for someone else. With the help of Google search, he started his corporation. At the same time, he found an ideal formula for his tonic. He named it “The Magic Tonic.”

Everything was great besides one thing: Peter needed money for the tonic production. He found out that Zions Bank gives loans to entrepreneurs. After a short conversation, a loan officer gave Peter some paperwork and asked Peter to bring in his marketing plan for the “The Magic Tonic.“ Peter was really tired after his conversation with the banker and stressed about the marketing plan. He didn’t know where to start. He decided to go to bed and deal with the marketing plan in the morning. Peter closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Then, something strange happened. He was in strange country called Marketania Kingdom. Somehow, his name was Peter the Generous. He invented The Elixir of Immortality and wanted to sell

it in different countries and kingdoms. But he had one little problem: He needed money to start the production. Peter the Generous heard from friends that the Queen of Marketania, the Marketing Queen, helps with financing of interesting projects. Peter put his best suit on, took a sample of The Elixir of Immortality and went to ask for an appointment with the Marketing Queen. Surprisingly, the Queen didn’t make him wait for a long time. She was very pleasant and even offered Yerba Mate tea with fresh pastries. The Marketing Queen was very impressed with Peter the Generous’ product and offered him a loan. But the loan was given with certain conditions. The Marketing Queen said, “I offer you two different choices. The choice is yours. Choose wisely. The first choice is: I give you the money and all the tools that I have at my disposal, including Web2.0, Google, Yahoo, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), billboards, magazines, and flyers. Your job is to make your name and your elixir known to all 10,000 people who live in Marketania by the end the year. If you succeed, you won’t have to pay the loan back and I will personally promote you to other kingdoms and lands. But if you don’t succeed, you will have to pay back the loan and are never allowed to have your own business.

The second choice is: I will help you create a social influence marketing plan and teach you how to use the best online platforms for promotions, but you will have to pay 30% of your earnings to the special Marketania Kingdom fund.” Peter thought, “I am smart; I don’t need anybody’s help. Plus, I will use the Queen’s tools for my promotion. I will be famous in the whole country. Why do I have to pay 30% of my hard-earned money?” In a few months, Peter had his elixir made. He hired the best SEO guys, who promised to feature his product on the first page of Google. He paid lots of money for Facebook ads. He paid an arm and a leg for billboards, newspaper ads, and TV commercials. But by the end of the year, he didn’t really see huge sales happening, and only a few people knew his product or him. He knew he was in big trouble because he forgot to create the social-influence marketing plan. Peter knew that the Marketing Queen would use all the sophisticated, cutting-edge analytical tools to find out about his failure. The Queen was friends with Google guys, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Peter woke up with horrible headache trying to forget this crazy dream. Right at that moment he heard The Marketing Queen’s voice, “Write a social influence marketing plan. Think about: • Who your customers are and where they hang out, online and offline. • What your budget is. • Combining online and offline promotion strategies • Measuring your efforts (Google analytics, Bit.ly links, ranking signal, etc.) • How to take advantage of the power of Google as the largest search engine in the world and the fastest-growing social platform, Google+ • Creating a serious online presence through your personal and company profiles on different social platforms • Utilizing the website • Creating an editorial calendar If you need more help, find me on Google+.” To be continued…

Maria Serbina, known by many as The Business Strategist & Social Influence Marketing Expert, founder of “Savvy Woman Business School” and the creator of “Russian Elixir of Youth”, which is an anti-aging bath elixir. Maria holds two Master Degrees: In Construction Engineering and Business Administration, E-Commerce. As proud owner of 2 businesses, she teaches entrepreneurs how to create massive exposure, build credibility and get outstanding results in business growth using unorthodox marketing and the power of Google+. She had helped women in 7 countries improve their health and beauty. Maria owned a successful Trade & Construction Company in Russia. Dr. Joe Vitale is one of her celebrity clients, a star in the movie “The Secret.”

9th Annual

Guided Adventures Performing Arts Lectures and Films

Southern Utah’s Premier 7-Day Festival of Discovery, Arts, and Outdoor Adventure Centered in Kanab, Utah

435.644.3735

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Over 50 Free Events

May 10–16, 2015

view on OUTDOORS

A Park for All Ages By Karen L. Monsen At the LaVerkin Creek Trailhead in Utah is a small park with a big story. Two years after opening on September 24, 2012, the park has hosted events for all ages—preschoolers to senior citizens. The park’s own creation story winds like the river through 15 years, amassing community support and merging local, private, and public resources.

Virgin River Basin maps to locate their settlements. Today, visitors can see the remains of the hydroelectric plant that operated 1929−1983, a dairy farm that closed in the 1970s, and a wooden storage building from a turkey farm. Three Cities and Virgin River Land Preservation Association (VRLPA) The park’s formation involved three municipalities —Hurricane, LaVerkin, and Toquerville. Around 1997, locals approached the non-profit VRLPA for assistance. Founded in 1993, VRLPA, achieved a reputation for success after brokering a three-way property exchange (City of St. George, private landowner, and BLM) on Webb Hill that protected habitat, maintained hilltop vistas, and left hiking trails accessible.

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The land is sacred. These words are at the core of our being. The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. ~Mary Brave Bird (Lakota)

Two Creeks and a River thru Time Downstream from Pah Tempe Hot Springs, LaVerkin and Ash Creeks join the Virgin River, dilute its mineral content, and cool the water critical to native fish. Nearly two thousand years ago, Native Americans grew crops along the river and creeks that Fathers Dominguez and Escalante, explorer John C. Fremont, and trapper Jedediah Smith later documented. Early Mormon pioneers referred to Fremont’s 1844 writings and his

Project Director Lori Rose has held various roles with VRLPA since its founding. She explains, “VRLPA built a broad partnership of people and agencies and raised over $5 million to acquire the 350 acres in the park today. Funders included The Virgin River Program, the State of Utah, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington County, The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Chums and many private individual contributors.” The Trust for Public Land and The Conservation Fund completed the land acquisition from three owners between 2000−2007. Washington County holds land ownership; the State of Utah holds conservation easements that protect the park as open space in perpetuity; and Hurricane, LaVerkin, and Toquerville with Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Washington County manage the park. Wilderness Festival SUNCLF (Southwest Utah National Conservation Lands Friends) organized the April 25, 2014 event that drew 200 visitors to the Park to celebrate 50 years of the Wilderness Act. Children and families explored 20 interactive displays

hosted by outdoor-activity groups including the Bureau of Land Management, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, Dixie Archaeology Society, American Conservation Experience, and Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Stormy weather kept attendance low, but enthusiasm was high.

Day in the Desert On November 12, 2014, the BLM, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, and SUNCLF sponsored the second Day in the Desert event at Confluence Park. Forty-five students from Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School participated in outdoor learning experiences on stream ecology, animal adaptations, solar energy, land use planning, and leaf-color changes.

If you, too, can come to love this land as our ancestors did, all the problems of the world will fall away like autumn leaves in the wind. ~Tong Ten Fingers, Wanbli Nata’u Oglala Lakota

Bennion demonstrated fish sampling techniques and allowed the group of mostly retirees to examine native fish including the Flannelmouth Sucker. John Donnell, 94-year-old member Emeritus with VRLPA, was among the interested participants. Elaine York, West Desert Regional Director for The Nature Conservancy and host for the Virgin River Walk explains, “Our river projects include 1) Riparian restoration projects, for example, the removal of invasive species and planting of native seedlings east and west of Zion National Park; 2) Collaboration with the Virgin River Program, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Washington County Water Conservancy District to understand river flow patterns and temperature fluctuations to benefit the native fish; and 3) Partnership with the Virgin River Program, purchasing riverside habitat near Zion National Park.” Additionally, the Conservancy has developed a Landscape Conservation Forecasting™ methodology used by St. George’s BLM Field Office and Dixie National Forest’s Pine Valley Ranger District for predictive modeling, cost analysis, and forecasting various habitat management scenarios. Work Continues Kathleen Nielson spent the past five years writing grants for the Confluence Park Board. She is currently in the middle of a grant awarded by Utah State Parks for a

Hurricane trailhead. Locals are also considering forming a non-profit Friends group to continue park support. The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve website underscores, “The Confluence Park objectives are to preserve and protect historic and prehistoric resources, scenic vistas, native species and their habitat, and to provide a special place for people to enjoy these resources and cultural riches.” Nature took millions of years to create the 200-foot basaltic lava cliffs that tower over the Virgin River and her two creeks. Multiple groups and individuals worked 15 years to finalize the land purchase and five more years to prepare the park for opening. In the past two years, children, adults, and senior citizens visited, explored, and enjoyed the park. From grassroots organization to riverside trails, the Confluence Park in LaVerkin is truly a park for all ages.

Karen L. Monsen is a freelance writer who lives in St. George, Utah. She covers outdoor topics, nature, science, research, and human impacts.

For Additional Information: Virgin River Land Preservation

Association www.VirginRiverLand.org

Virgin River Program

www.virginriverprogram.org

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com

The Nature Conservancy www.nature.org

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources www.wildlife.utah.gov

Southwest Utah Conservation Lands Friends www.sunclf.com

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Virgin River Walk On November 8, 2014, sixteen adults joined a guided river walk to learn about conservation efforts from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists Melinda Bennion and Christian Edwards. Bennion earned her BS in Zoology from Weber State University and MS in Natural Resources from Utah State University. She has worked 12 years for Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources and delivers Virgin River outreach programs—the majority target students ranging from kindergarten through high school. She conducts 150 presentations and 14 field trips

per year and reaches approximately 4,500 students annually. She describes her responsibilities, “...to assist with the recovery and conservation of native fish species in Southern Utah.”

Recipe Revamp! Chicken Piccata BY JENNIFER HAMMOND - IIN CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH There is one meal in our house when named is automatically followed by “mmm”, that would be Chicken Piccata. (I am pretty sure that is the reason my fiance proposed.) I used to think that Piccata was something that could only be accomplished by chefs and would use techniques that the home cook could never accomplish, Not True! Besides being relatively simple, I use a few ingredients that change the nutritional content as well. Piccata, originating in Italy is a method of preparing food: meat is sliced, coated or breaded, sautéed and served in a sauce. The most common version in the U.S. is chicken piccata. It is often served on a bed of pasta, polenta or rice. This dish can easily be prepared before a special event making everyone think you are a gourmet chef!

CHICKEN PICCATA (Gluten Free)

Prep time: 30 min Cook Time: 20 min Servings: 4 Ingredients:

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• 1 1/2 lb Chicken Breasts or Thighs - Use organic, free range chicken if possible. • Sea Salt • Ground Pepper • 1/4 cup almond flour • 1/4 cup arrowroot powder

• • • • • • • • • •

1 small white onion - chopped 2 cloves garlic - chopped 4 Tbsp - bacon fat (from prepped, uncured bacon - see prep below) 4 Tbsp - olive oil 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 3/4 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup capers - drained (1- 3.5 oz bottle) 6 slices bacon - cooked and chopped (natural and uncured is best) zest from 3 lemons (set a little aside for garnish) 1/3 cup fresh parsley - chopped (set aside extra for garnish)

Prep: • Cook six slices of bacon in a preheated 400 degree oven until browned, approx 20 min. I place bacon on a cooking rack on top of a baking sheet to get a crisper bacon and to easily save the bacon grease. Pour the bacon grease in a glass jar or glass bowl. Let bacon cool, then roughly chop into pieces. • Chop onion while bacon is cooking and set aside. • Zest lemons with a lemon zester or use a vegetable peeler and thin slice the lemon peels to create thin lemon strips only from the top yellow layer. • Slice lemons in half and squeeze, reserving juice. • Chop parsley.

Directions: 1. Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, making two thin slices. If using thighs, just open up the rolled thighs. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken. 2. In a medium sized bowl, mix the almond flour and arrowroot powder together. Coat the chicken in the flour mixture and then place on a cooling rack. You could put the flour mixture in a gallon ziplock and shake the chicken instead. I am a rather messy cook and this keeps the flour in one place. 3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 Tbsp of bacon fat and 2 Tbsp olive oil (only enough to coat the bottom of the pan). Allow the oil to get hot, but not smoking, then add garlic and onion. Stir for about 2 minutes and add half of the chicken to the pan. Cook for a few minutes on each side until meat is lightly browned. Remove the chicken and set aside, add the remaining bacon fat and oil to the pan, heat and then add chicken like before. Remove the chicken and set aside. Don’t worry if onions and garlic look “burned”, it adds a lot of flavor! 4. Add lemon juice, chicken broth, capers, lemon zest, chopped bacon and fresh parsley to the pan and allow to reduce for about 3 minutes. Place the cooked chicken back in the pan and reduce heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and add additional sea salt and pepper if needed. 5. Place the chicken on a bed of cooked quinoa, spiraled zucchini noodles or riced cauliflower (steamed and finely chopped cauliflower). Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken and garnish with additional parsley and lemon zest. 6. ENJOY! *Personally I prefer chicken thighs because they are more moist. Always try to eat organic, natural or free range chicken if possible due to antibiotics that may be found in the poultry. If you prefer more sauce, double the liquid ingredients and simmer for about 5 minutes longer in step 4. Final note: I love to cook once and eat twice, so if you have the ability, make two pans of this at once and eat for lunch or dinner the next day!

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Revive, Refresh, Restore, Renew, Reawaken, Reimagine BY HELEN HOUSTON CREAMER

have a confession. I have an obsession with home improvement shows. You’re probably familiar with Extreme Makeover, Property Brothers, Salvage Dawgs, Design on a Dime, Color Splash, American Pickers, Trading Spaces, I Brake for Yard Sales and many others.

OK, so how many times after watching an episode or two, have you said, “I can do that!” They make all the projects looks so easy, right? We’re all smart enough however, to know those projects took a lot of time and money. But you have to admit, there is some level of inspiration stirring inside you after watching the show. While fulfilling my obsession one Saturday morning I first heard the term “knack furnishings.” “Knack” furniture is a do-it-yourself character piece that you were inspired by, added your creativity and “sparkle” to, and created a one-of-a-kind, usable object.

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I’ve always been amazed at what can be done with discarded, forlorn furniture to make it sing. From flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores and consignment stores to stylish home decor, presumed trash can be transformed into amazing and affordable decorating treasures.

Before you get out your sand paper and spray paint, what is it that you look for in a piece of furniture that no one else sees value in?

Personality. Look for something in the piece that is truly unique and special. Look beyond its intended purpose and consider a new use for the piece. So what if it doesn’t match your usual furnishing style? If it reflects even a small bit of your personality and you like it, roll up your sleeves and create a masterpiece. There’s not much greater satisfaction than being able to say you did it yourself.

Condition. Be selective when considering a piece to work with. You will be investing considerable time into the project. Be sure you’re not just adding perfume to a pig. Does the piece have “good bones” or is it going to require a lot of time-consuming repair? Sniff the piece. Really. Does it smell of smoke or possibly mold or mildew? Those are smells that may never leave. Evaluate each piece based on the time and energy that you want to put into it, and how much you really love it! A Diamond in the Rough. There are many ways to reawaken your special project with some very simple materials and easy techniques. A straight forward application of wax can make a dramatic difference to both painted and unpainted wood. It tends to add natural age and depth to a piece without adding shine. Wallpaper is a great accessory to add to furniture. It creates the illusion of hand-painted design. It also helps cover up any defects in the surface. Wallpaper also makes great drawer liner. Using gold or metal leaf has been used in art for centuries. I believe the beauty comes not just from the sparkle but from the imperfect look. Metal leaf can be purchased at any craft or art supply store. Add a little or a lot to enhance your piece. Vinyl decals are an easy way to add eye-catching detail to a piece of furniture. You can use a pre-printed decal that will remain on the surface for color and interest. Or, you can use the vinyl as a reverse technique by applying the decals, paint over them, and then let the natural wood shine through once the vinyl decals have been peeled off. There are thousands of shapes and sizes to choose from. Stencils provide wonderful creative opportunities for those of us who may not be gifted in free-hand drawing. It is quite easy to incorporate gorgeous design elements using stencils and the results can be stunning.

In the 60’s when crafting became the “groovy” thing to do, the découpage technique was widely used. Cut-out paper was glued onto a surface over which varnish or lacquer was applied. Over the years, découpage has evolved and is one of the favorite techniques used by DIY restorers. The color blocking technique is a very simple way of using one color in several shades to create a beautiful statement piece. Colorful or muted tones, whimsical or sophisticated—just by changing up the color palette and paint application you can be creative based on your personal style. At times I use this same technique when fabricating custom drapery panels. Paint has magical powers, and wipes the slate clean for a tired piece of furniture that has seen better days. When applying acrylic or oil-based paints, using a foam roller on the larger surfaces gives the smoothest finish and makes the work go quickly.

and can really liven up a space. Simply changing out the hardware on a piece of furniture or cabinetry can make a dramatic difference in its look and appeal. Ceramic, glass, metal, resin, rope, bone and wood are among the options when determining the look you are after. Hardware stores carry some great wooden knobs that can be painted or customized. Sometimes the original hardware is absolutely perfect for the piece and can be left as is or simply painted.

Helen Houston Creamer is owner of Hues & Vues – Inspired Walls & Windows, a retail design studio located at 350 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Building 100 Suite 102. (702) 346 -0246 www.huesandvues.com

Milk painting, in its earthy tones, washed finish and self-distressing tendencies are perfect for maintaining the integrity of a piece of furniture while also giving it a truly authentic time-worn look. A brush application will add depth if using long, even strokes in the direction of the wood grain.

It is amazing what a new covering of fabric and a coat of paint will do to transform a piece. Simple chair pads are easy to tackle

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Spray painting is great for small projects like mirrors, side tables, stools and chairs. There is a wide variety of beautiful colors to choose from, and when applied correctly, spray paint leaves a perfectly smooth finish. The key to spray painting is to keep your hand moving. Make sure your strokes are nice and long. Keep the spray stream 10 inches to 11 inches from the piece to help avoid drips. Use several light coats rather than one heavy coat. Be patient and let the paint dry in between coats. A couple coats of a topcoat spray will finish off your beautifully renewed project.

view on INSPIRATION

The Sun Will Rise

by Charlene Paul After an heroic fight to regain her health, my mom passed away two weeks before Thanksgiving. Sitting alone in her home that Thanksgiving morning, my eyes filled with tears as I contemplated our first holiday season without her. My thoughts wandered back to holidays past and the smell of her famous potato rolls wafting through the air. I thought of beautiful quilts and whimsical pillowcases made for one and all. Homemade holiday decorations, goodie plates, and oh-so-cheery morning phone calls, “Whatcha doin’?” My heart ached; darkness surrounded me. But then as if to say, “Knock that nonsense off,” I felt Mom’s presence, and my thoughts slowly began to turn to thanks for what I had, and as they did the darkness began to lift.

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First and foremost, I am thankful for my belief in God and that the love He has for me is unconditional.

I am thankful that my beautiful little mom is no longer in pain. And I am thankful to know this time is but a short separation before we see her again. I am thankful for all she taught me. She was a tough taskmaster, but she was determined that her kids would know how to take care of themselves. She was determined that my sister and I would learn to cook, clean, sew, embroider, crochet, and whatever else she thought we needed to know. She was determined that her sons would not only be tough, but would also be gentlemen. I am thankful for my dad. Talk about focused and centered – he is an incredible man. He was determined that his daughters would feel as comfortable in a dress as they did in jeans and that his sons would learn respect for themselves and others. I inherited my love of nature and the outdoors from him. I can’t take a walk or drive through open spaces without trying to remember the names of plants and flowers, and trying to recall the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees. He taught us to ride horses and that naming the steer that will be next year’s meat isn’t a very good idea. I am thankful he and mom toughed it out and raised us the way they did. I am thankful for my wonderful, loving, and understanding husband. He has been by my side for almost 27 years, and there is barely a nervous twitch. He allows and encourages me to grow and to believe in myself. He helped me raise six terrific children, and he is the best grandpa in the universe. If you don’t believe that, just ask any of his grandkids. He reminds me

that time takes care of most things as long as we are true to ourselves. He is truly my rock and my best friend. I am thankful for my six kids. They are witty and clever. They are loving and caring. They can argue like the world is coming to an end and then sit down at the dinner table and enjoy a delicious meal together. I can’t begin to count the hours spent cheering them on at football, soccer, basketball, track and field, cross country, school plays, choir programs, and debates. I can’t begin to count the hours spent quietly cheering them on when they weren’t aware I knew the demons and trials they faced. My life is richer because of them. My hair is whiter, and my eyes are a little more wrinkled, too.

I am thankful for my kids who actually chose to join our family. I have the best in-law kids a mother-in-law could ask for. Each one is unique and each one brings a special spirit into our family. They have taught all of us that there is more than one right way to do things, and there is more than one right way to leave our mark on this world.

I am thankful for my brother and sister. We have all experienced love and loss, joy and sorrow. We have supported each other as we became the

I am thankful for my mother- and father-in-law. They are good people who raised the perfect husband for me. They are examples of quiet strength. I am thankful for the many friends and relatives who love and care for me. Life would be pretty lonely and miserable without them. I am thankful for this beautiful place I call home. The red bluffs, the green trees, the clear blue skies, the thundering rain storms, the stunning sunrises. We will all experience loss and darkness at some point in our lives. The only sure thing this life brings is continuing change. It’s how we look at those changes and what we do with them that shape our lives. When loss comes, we have two choices: Give in to the darkness or we count our blessings. Each choice builds on itself. Darkness sires more darkness. Gratitude begets more gratitude and welcomes the light. The lyrics from the finale of Les Miserables sum it up perfectly:

Do you hear the people sing Lost in the valley of the night? It is the music of a people Who are climbing to the light. For the wretched of the earth There is a flame that never dies. Even the darkest night will end And the sun will rise.” Charlene enjoys playing the piano, singing, and public speaking. She believes a daily dose of “I can do it” is good for the soul. She lives in St. George with her husband Ken. Her family has grown from eight original members to twenty-three, and she loves spending time with each one. She is the owner of Proof It Up, a proofreading service.

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I am thankful for the next generation of Paul kids. My grandkids make me smile and warm my heart. They remind me that although this world can be gritty and coarse, there will always be a new generation to bring bright hope. They remind me that there is a reason to keep trying to make this world a better place. They remind me to laugh when I fall and then to get right back up and never quit.

people our parents raised us to become. Losing our mom before Thanksgiving was something none of us was prepared to do. But we were there for one another and for Dad.

view on Volunteerism

Making the Difference – Southern Utah Volunteers Giving Back to the Community We Love – Lil Barron BY DAWN MCLAIN

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Dale Carnegie once said, “Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, “I like you, You make me happy. I am glad to see you.” I believe he had our volunteer of the issue Lil Barron in mind when he said it. I have known and admired Lil Barron for several years. One of my favorite things about Lil is that she always has a ready smile, a big grin that conveys her genuine happiness to see you. That one smile makes those around her smile too, of course, it’s very infectious! Even more than that; in a crazy, hectic world where many of us tend to feel forgotten every now and again, sometimes it really is something as little a smile that changes our day. You know the one, right? Someone who looks directly at you, not through you, and shines happiness right at you. Just like that, your day is better. Lil simply and selflessly volunteers to give her happiness away to those around her. The wonderful fact is, volunteerism fills your happiness bucket, so there’s always plenty to go around and lots more coming for my very deserving friend Lil.

Volunteerism and helping others kindles happiness as study after study has shown. In fact, researchers have examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in large groups of adults. They found that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. According a Social Science and Medicine study for volunteers, in comparison to people who never volunteered, the odds of being “very happy” rose 7% among those who dedicated time monthly and 12% for people who volunteer every two to four weeks. Among weekly volunteers, 16% felt very happy – a hike in happiness likened to having an income of $75,000 $100,000 versus $20,000 according to the researchers.

I have to admit, I did find some irony in a study associating our elation scale with a $50,000 wage hike, as if happiness were a commodity to be traded. The point here is, though happiness might not cost money, you do have to trade something to get it – and volunteerism has proven to yield high returns. In this sense, Lil Barron is one of the richest people on the planet! Seriously, think Donald Trump of volunteering……. she’s involved in the Red Rock Rotary Club, Huntsman World Senior Games, Recovery Outreach, Big Brothers Big Sisters, St George Marathon, Ironman, Habitat for Humanity of SW Utah’s ReStore, Human Services Council, and Utah Business Women on both local and State boards. And that’s just her weekdays! On weekends she also helps to prepare food and feed the homeless on Sundays with Solomon’s Porch.

If there was a picture in the dictionary next to the definition ‘volunteer extraordinaire’ it would be of Lil. She’s been on the Big Brothers Big Sisters satellite board for about 10 years and was chair for 2 of those years. She tears up at tender stories and it’s that tender heart that drives her to make a difference in her community. ” ~Teri Iverson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah

Says Lil, “I sit on a few non-profit boards, I have been involved with Leadership Dixie and Leadership Academy. I also sat on their boards in the past. I just finished being on the Board for the Chamber of Commerce and will now be a Dixie Sunshiner which is an ambassador for the Chamber.”

They say perfection does not exist, I believe Lil is the exception to this rule! She is compassionate, kind, giving, loving and selfless to the fullest definition of the words. Her actions always speak louder than words, she leads by example and those around her are better because of her tireless efforts. She goes above and beyond her calling no matter the task or size, and above all she is SO MUCH FUN!! I love her and I am honored to be her friend. ” ~Sommer Randall-Bowler

Lil’s efforts range from small projects to board leadership with organizations such as the Red Rock Rotary where she is Board Secretary, UBW as President Elect for the State Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters Past Board Chair, Recovery Outreach where she is Board Secretary and everything in between. She truly is involved and passionate about each organization’s mission and initiatives and how as a collective, they have the power to make our local communities better for everyone. I asked Lil about her volunteer experience and what initially got her so involved. She told me, that someone had asked her if she wanted to help. At that time, she was working with Workers Compensation Fund and the firm places a high value on community involvement. Her co-worker Linda Baker told her that she needed to out in the community, explained Barron, “She encouraged me to join a Rotary Club and get involved, but I was reluctant initially. In time I did decide to try a Rotary Club and found the Wednesday morning club, joined and well that was in 1996, the rest is history. I found out I really loved being involved. The more I did, the more I realized how much I truly enjoy giving back to the place that gave so much to me was so important to me personally. Giving back is a way to pay it forward.” And, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2015. The Red Rock Rotary along with the two other Clubs, the Dixie Sunrise and the St. George Clubs are working together to provide a Car Show called the Dixie Rotary Car Show in October. Lil is excited to present this in conjunction with the Huntsman World Senior Games where she volunteers as well. “Just giving the Seniors one more thing to do while visiting our amazing town is a great opportunity.” Other big events where you’ll see Lil’s mega-watt grin include Big Brother’s Bowl for Kid’s Sake and Recovery Outreach’s .5k, both coming in March.

On Sunday’s you can serve food to the homeless alongside her and, of course, you can shop at the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore where Lil is frequently volunteering. It’s easy to see that Lil’s happiness bucket definitely runneth over. Her greatest joy in life and by far her greatest accomplishments are her daughters, “I think having my daughters were the greatest accomplishments, raising two amazingly beautiful girls that are well adjusted and responsible adults. Also, I have two bonus daughters that I enjoy calling my own as well. “ Ahhhh, Lil that makes me smile!

My first impression of Lil was that she was a kind and calm force for the good of our community. That first impression could not have been more accurate. She is both clever and kind, and her sense of humor is an added bonus!” ~ Raquel S. Adams, The Learning Center for Families

Start filling your happiness bucket today – get involved, give back and volunteer. We bet it’ll make you smile.

Dawn McLain is the Owner/President of Write It Up!, Write It Up! is a small, full-service advertising agency based in St. George. Over the past 20 years, the firm has grown to include comprehensive PR and Marketing services as well as media buys, blogging, corporate facilitation and much more. To get in touch with Dawn, please email her at dawn@writeituponline.com.

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In closing, I’d like to remind our readers that all it took was someone to simply ask if she wanted to help. Well, View on Southern Utah and Lil Barron are asking, “Do you want to help?” We hope so!

view on BUSINESS

L A d E ’ PAW S

Offering a Luxurious Pet Grooming Experience

BY ALEXA V. MORGAN

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If only the best will do for your pooch, look no further than La de’ Paws, with an award-winning team of groomers boasting over 50 years of combined experience and locations in St. George and Mesquite.

Jay Tullis and his wife, Jeanie, were inspired to create La de’ Paws in 2006 after finding no satisfactory grooming services for their own dogs in the area. She spent six months training in Las Vegas and Chicago to become a certified professional groomer. Afterwards, they took their RV across the country to observe different salons. They spared no expense in setting up their own. “We wanted to make sure we had the best we could get; the best groomers, the best store, the best equipment,” Tullis says. “We wanted to make sure that we could offer our customers top-quality grooming, so that’s what we did.” While about 10% of their customer base comes from their easily accessible downtown location, nearly 70% are referrals, Tullis says. Thousands of happy clients later, the shop started attracting pet owners from across southern Utah and over the state line. La de’ Paws opened a satellite location in Mesquite in 2012. In the St. George store, you can watch the activity in the grooming salon through a large glass panel while browsing the boutique, which carries a selection of high-quality pet foods and treats, including Acana, Orijen, and Pawsitively Gourmet,

along with shampoos, brushes, beds, toys, leashes and collars, outfits, and other items.

Both salons offer regular grooming services, from nail trims, bathing, and brushing to mini and full grooms. Plus, you can pamper your pet by adding on a variety of luxurious spa specials. “We’ve put a lot of effort into making sure that our customers are happy,” Tullis says. “We like the dogs to come in the door and be excited to get back on the grooming table. In a lot of places, it’s not that way.” The Cat Corner in St. George offers feline-friendly equipment like the state-of-the-art Catty Shack Vac, which provides a secure environment for gentle drying and detangling. Stephan Meyers, a feline grooming specialist, adapts many of the services available for dogs to accommodate the extremely sensitive skin and differing fur texture of cats. “It’s a very common myth with cats that they groom themselves, and it’s not true,” Meyers says. “They need help just as much as dogs do.” Dogs with dry skin or coats will benefit from an exfoliating herbal bath and deep conditioning, while the healing paw balm used in the pedicure will soothe cracked pads. The Blueberry Facial, a mask that gives off a calming scent designed to make the grooming experience more enjoyable, helps reduce tear staining in dogs with light-colored coats.

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The Show Dog Special, which uses the same shampoo and conditioner preferred by AKC competitors, will make your pet shine like a star. And for the owner and pet who really want to turn heads, creative grooming options include mohawk cuts and colorful dyes. Meyers, Crystal O’Connor, and Chelsea Barker of the St. George salon are all certified professional groomers. Reneé Bloom and Kimberly A. Cook of the Mesquite salon are certified master groomers whose work has been seen on national stages. During the 2012 SuperZoo Groomer SuperShow in Las Vegas, Bloom, O’Connor, Meyers, and Barker represented La de’ Paws, winning top three awards in a variety of categories. From a towering Mastiff to a dainty Yorkie, no job is too big or small for the expert staff. They understand that their clients’ dogs and cats are more than just pets; they’re part of the family, and their health, safety, and comfortability are top priority. It’s a very rewarding job for the ultimate animal lover. “It’s kind of entertaining, when you get to go to work and get a new challenge every day. You never know what the customer is going to want,” Meyers says. “And working with animals is an experience of its own. It’s so enjoyable.”

St. George Salon 435-674-0451 Mesquite Salon 702-499-8585 Visit www.ladepaws.com to learn more or set up an appointment.

Melissa Hinton, DNP • Brian Jorgensen, PA-C • Cortney Bernardo, PA-C

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Court Empey, MD • Spencer Wells, MD • Mark Udy, PA-C

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Take Me to the River BY CELECE SEEGMILLER

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When my ninth grade teacher announced our required reading assignments for the year, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was first on the list. As a fifteen year old girl, I was not excited to read about the story of a teenage misfit who found himself floating on a raft down the Mississippi River with an escaping slave. However, I changed my mind once I opened the book and started reading. Because he was a former riverboat pilot on the Mississippi, Mark Twain had a way of making the river come to life. I was fascinated with the river and often wondered what it would be like to discover the beauty, history, culture, and excitement along one of the greatest inland waterways in America. Thanks to American Queen Steamboat Company, everyone can have their own Huck Finn experience.

The American Queen and American Empress are not just any ordinary boats. They offer spacious verandas and all of the amenities today’s cruisers expect, while maintaining the elegance and traditional Victorian appearance of classic Mississippi riverboats. Similar to river cruises in Europe, American Queen offers value by including all meals, complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and shore excursions in every port of call. More itineraries are possible than ever before, with longer visits to the river towns. A number of unique nine day cruises are planned in 2015, taking passengers along the winding waters of the Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, Snake, and Columbia Rivers. The “Mighty

Miss” is the largest river in the United States, stretching over 2,300 miles. Along the river you will find cities and towns with influential histories. These establishments helped our country grow to a bustling nation. Guests will be transported back to a simpler time in the middle of America’s heartland and will discover the bayous and woodlands along the river’s shore. Much of this area remains unchanged since French fur traders first ventured into the area. The itineraries will appeal to a wide audience with various interests. History buffs can retrace footsteps of Civil War soldiers on the battlefields and visit the museums. Musicians will tap their toes to the blues in Memphis and jazz in New Orleans. Foodies will fancy the wide variety of culinary delights from Cajun to Creole. Architecture enthusiasts will marvel at perfectly preserved homes and buildings in Natchez where 1,000 of its historic structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Gardeners will be amazed by Oak Alley Plantation, commonly referred to as

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the Grande Dame of the Great River Road. A quarter-mile canopy of giant live oak trees, believed to be nearly 300 years old, forms an impressive avenue that leads you to this classic Greek-revival style antebellum home. Your souvenir photos will look like they are straight out of Home and Garden magazine. To enhance the experience, there are a variety of theme cruises throughout the year. Themes include: Southern Culture, Good Old Summertime, Fall Colors, Oktoberfest,

Fall Colors, Civil War, Country Music, Elvis, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. If you are looking for a unique vacation experience that does not require a long flight outside of the United States and features the best in Southern hospitality, channel your inner Huck Finn and consider a cruise with American Queen Steamboat Company. Special Event in Mesquite

AMA Waterways River Cruise Presentation with The Travel Connection Learn about river cruises in Europe and Asia Tuesday, March 10th 1:00 p.m. at Holiday Inn Express 1030 W. Pioneer Boulevard RSVP 435-628-3636

Celece Seegmiller is the local owner of The Travel Connection, located at 1386 E. 100 South in the Bell Tower Courtyard in St. George. For more information, please call 435-628-3636 or email her at celece@stgeorgetravel.com

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Pho- Photos courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company

AROUND TOWN

Dixie Elks Lodge Serves at the Soup Kitchen The members of the Dixie Elks Lodge were on hand to serve at the Soup Kitchen at Grace Episcopal Church in January. The team, led by Elks Chaplain Donna MacBean, served healthy homemade beef stew to more than 100 people in total. At each mealtime offered at Grace Episcopal Church, the soup kitchen provides a nutritious meal in their worship center and packs dinner meals for Dixie Care and Share residents as well.

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Equality Utah

Equality Utah hosted their first New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Champagne Gala at The Falls Event Center. The festive event was a black and white-themed party led by Linda and Steve Stay, featuring music, food, entertainment and LOTS of fun!

AROUND TOWN UBW Annual Nonprofit Fair

Utah Business Women hosted their annual Nonprofit Fair Luncheon at the Best Western Abbey Inn in St. George. The event featured several local nonprofit organizations during the lunch hour. As part of their mission, UBW supports and endorses a diverse syndicate of charities and nonprofit organizations focused on women’s issues, wellness and other local area needs. As part of their goal to support the community, each year the Nonprofit Fair highlights organizations that provide much-needed programs and services to families in need.

Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah’s ReStore celebrated their official grand opening and ribbon-cutting with a crowd on Friday, Jan. 23. On hand to cheer for the organization’s great success at their new location on Bluff Street in St. George were members of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, many of the organization’s volunteers and board members, the Dixie Sunrise Rotary Club, Councilman Joe Bowcutt, and St. George Mayor Jon Pike. The ReStore’s new 43,000-square-foot facility is three times that of their previous building and will allow the nonprofit organization to generate additional funds to provide low-income housing to Washington County families.

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Habitat for Humanity ReStore Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting

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BLINDED BY SCIENCE Summer Camps for Kids BY ERIN Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN, PH.D

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Summer is comingâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;are you ready? As parents, the start of summer can be fun or stressful, depending on the age of your children and your child-care options. However, by mid-summer, many kids are bored and looking for an excuse to get out of the house. Heck, parents are looking for an excuse to get them out of the house. There are a variety of wonderful day and overnight camps in the area, and many offer educational as well as recreational experiences. The presence of two universities has resulted in some great programs for the young scientist in your family, regardless of their age or their specific interests.

If your child is in elementary school, there are a couple of options. Dixie State University hosts Girls Go Digital during the summer. This is a four-day day camp for girls starting at age seven. Activities include computer programming, digital photography, web design, Adobe Photoshop, Pixel Art, e-textiles, and other forms of hands-on technology. One popular workshop takes older university surplus computers and allows girls to completely disassemble them; and by completely, I mean down to the screws. Kids often do not get the

opportunity to break electronics intentionally, and they learn a lot from the activity. Last year, Girls Go Digital hosted 52 girls from ages seven to 17, so it is also an option for your older daughters to learn about computer science. Boys and girls are both welcome at local 4-H activities over the summer. These cover a range of topics, but the science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, events welcome kids ages 10 and up. Co-sponsored by Dixie State, these camps and events include Lego Robotics (June 15-18) and a series of Maker Camps for a variety of experience levels (dates are June through July). These include a special Maker Camp just for children from military families.

Computer Camp is also an option for both boys and girls in this age range. Sponsored by Dixie State and local tech companies, kids ages eight to 14 or 12 to 18 (dates depend on age) can learn how to program in these four-day day camps hosted by the CIT program at the university. The program is open to all skill levels. These camps include a variety of ages, but if your daughter is about to enter 8th grade, there is a special summer camp co-sponsored by Dixie State and the local branch of the American Association of University Women. eSMART, which has been featured in our magazine in the past, is an award-winning four-day overnight summer camp that includes hands-on workshops in computer science, biology, geology, physics, math, engineering, archeology, chemistry, and astronomy. All of the workshops are run by women, many of whom have successful careers in science and serve as great role models for the campers. For young adults, there are also a few options. Computer Camp for High School is similar to Computer Camp but is limited to high school students who already have basic computer skills. There are also Design and Code Schools that are completely free to attend, but are limited to high school juniors, seniors, and college students. The application process for these schools is much more intense than for the other summer activities listed here, but they are free if you are accepted, while most of the other programs have a modest fee.

Dr. Erin Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien is an Associate Professor of Biology at Dixie State University and the mother of a kindergarten. She is involved with several science, technology, engineering and math outreach programs for local students in the hope of exciting them about careers in the fields and better preparing them for college.

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Last, but not least, on this list is the Color Country Natural Resource Camp for grades 10-12. Instead of computers, this overnight camp is for students interested in the biology, chemistry, and geology of the amazing environment in which we live. Campers learn from people working in these fields in southern Utah and may be able to turn their camp experience into paid summer jobs through programs at Southern Utah University.

Applications for many of these programs are being accepted now or in the near future, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until your children are bored this summer to get them registered. For more information about these camps, check out the following resources: 4-H Programs: www.dixie4h.org Camps at Dixie State: www.cit.dixie.edu/camps www.facebook.com/citcamps www.girls-go-digital.com http://cit.dixie.edu Color Country Natural Resource Camp: www.ccnrcamp.org eSMART camp for girls: www.stgeorge-ut.aauw.net facebook.com/esmartcamp

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Putting – Fun Drills and Productive Practice Rob Krieger - PGA Golf Professional Putting is one of the most important parts of the game of golf. Why? Because that is where many of the shots on the scorecard can turn a good score into a great one or a good score into a day to forget. Also, each putt has the same score value as a 300 yard drive. As a junior golfer, I disliked practicing putting and quite honestly even when I did, it didn’t make my putting any better. After spending hours upon hours learning about how to putt better as a player and to help others for teaching, here are a few drills that have helped my students and myself personally. These drills will bring your scores down quickly and make your practice more rewarding.

The 23-45 Circles The purpose of this drill is to take 10 golf balls and create a circle only 2 feet away from the hole, and then move in a counterclockwise motion hitting all 10, 2 footers. Then move to 3 feet and do the same thing, then 4 feet and then finally to 5 feet. Goal – Make 2 feet-100%, 3 feet-90%, 4 feet-90%, 5 feet-80%. By starting to make the 2 footers, this should help build confidence in shorter putts as you go further from the hole. Try to achieve the goals listed above or just keep getting better as you build a better putting stroke. Practice this a few times per week and you will see your short putts start to fall with a lot less stress.

The 5 Point Star Similar to the above drill but the difference is that you set up only 4 balls from each distance at 2, 3, 4 & 5 feet in the shape of a 5 point star. You will putt your 2 footer first, then your 3, then 4 and then 5. I like this because it helps you to see the line of the stroke that you made for the previous putt as well as seeing the ball roll to the hole. Increasing the difficulty of further distance while staying on a similar line of putt will aid your visualization of stroke and line of the putt. See how many you can make of the star of 20 or how many you can make in a row.

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Tennis Ball Mastery

I get the strangest looks when I break out a tennis ball for putting, but the results don’t lie and it’s a lot of fun. Take a regular tennis ball and start about 2 feet away again and get comfortable rolling the ball into the cup. The ball will fit in the cup if it is stroked properly. The larger ball will show you how difficult it is to get your putter lined up and keep your putter face square as you strike the ball. See how many you can make in a row at 2, 3, 4 & 5 feet and see if you can keep beating your own score. Then try to putt with the now much smaller golf ball and see how many you can make in a row from each distance. Remember, when you achieve a goal or make more in a row, have a reward for yourself set up in advance. I used to always like a good ice cream cone and still do. For more details on how these drills are done, please go to my website www.stgeorgegolflessons.com and view the videos. Good Luck and as always…Fairways & Greens!

Rob Krieger is the owner of the Red Rock Golf Center, a new high tech golf training facility located at the beautiful Green Valley Resort & Spa – 1871 W. Canyon View Dr., St. George, UT. Available for beginner clinics and private lessons. Lessons can be booked by calling 435-986-5096, emailing rob@sgugolf.com or visit www.stgeorgegolflessons.com.

4th Annual

Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival The 2015 Mesquite Hot Air Balloon festival brought in 45 balloons from across the region. Unfortunately Mother Nature was not cooperative with the wind conditions which made it unsafe to fly on Saturday and Sunday during the festival. The balloon pilots still did stand up balloons on the ground to give the large number of spectators a show each day. Saturday nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s balloon glow brought a great mix of music and 10 balloons candle sticking (firing the flame without the balloon). Special thanks to all of the volunteers that helped out with the event and the Mesquite Resort Association for their title sponsorship. The Mesquite Resort Association is made up of the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino, Eureka Hotel and Casino and the Virgin River Hotel and Casino. A special Thank You to Gayle McCoy for organizing the pilots for this event. Photos Courtesy of Dave Amodt

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The Heartwater Permaculture Farm and Learning Center by Laurel Beesley Can you say eco-agra-tourism? If not, a visit to Heartwater Farm, on 20 acres just off Highway 89 between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, will give you a chance to practice. From Highway 89, it is easy to see the rather idyllic homestead, with its monolithic passive solar dome home, growing domes, chickens and red devon cattle. Quite possibly, Rhonda will be outside gathering plants and herbs from what she calls “the natural cornucopia of our farm” while John is working a fence line with two overseas interns. The peace of the setting displays John’s long-held ambition to build a habitat for wildlife and then learn how to farm without disturbing it too much. Farming with the wild, a philosophy of working with nature rather than against it.

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John Flatberg’s first two attempts at establishing a sustainable homestead/farm were not successful due to lack of means, and overall inexperience. For a period of time, he re-applied himself to a demanding career in airworthiness and public safety. He also grew increasingly pessimistic by what he saw as a world seeking, but not understanding, possible solutions. He grew increasingly convinced that our problems are largely due to not taking greater personal responsibility for our own needs–food, water, shelter, heat. Contracting those needs out to governments and corporations is committing us to lives of alienation and decreasing satisfaction or stability. In his mind, the use of permaculture as a lifestyle plan for sustainability was a plan finally giving him hope. Preparing to turn his back on a career with an unlimited expense account, John made his decision to live off the land and bought Southern Utah property in the heart of Virgin River country. Appropriately, the homestead was named “Heartwater.”

That was the beginning of what would become a serious, lifelong labor of love. Luckily, romantic love unexpectedly entered his life at about the same time; a blind date set up by friends led to attending a company Christmas party with “another person

uninterested in getting involved in anything long-term.” As the party swirled with the usual holiday chit-chat, Rhonda found herself telling John about her plan for leaving California and having a large organic garden. In return, John told her of the property he’d just purchased, and the house foundation just sitting there “on hold until he could get back to it someday.” The conversation moved into a serious and detailed description of a composting toilet design he’d come up with. “I think we started falling in love during that conversation. After two more years in California, I convinced John to follow his dream and get out of the corporate grind. We moved to Utah in 1994,” Rhonda says. The idea for their steel and concrete shell home came from John’s earlier trips to the Middle East, watching huge grain silos being built using techniques roughly 1,000 years old. He was also inspired by French architect Antti Lovag and his bubble homes. It took five years to tie the steel with only Rhonda’s help. The growing domes were the result of a decision to grow their own food year-round, despite the 6,500-foot altitude, changing weather and critters. At this point, the domes provide almost all of their vegetables, although they foresee doing a lot more outdoor gardening and farming to support their animals and people coming to work with them. Heartwater is successfully off the grid, producing its own electricity and water source. Both of the Flatbergs believe strongly in sharing their vision for living in a healthier relationship with the earth and society by promoting the use of permaculture principles in everyday life. To them, permaculture makes sense because it can be practiced everywhere from huge landscapes to small backyards. It is about

discovering the “in-depth design science.” “We aren’t just about being retroromantic,” John explains. “We learned a lot of hard lessons; including that there is no such thing as total self-sufficiency-it takes a community.” Demonstrating a profitable farming enterprise is their first step towards reducing the road-mile cost of food, and giving back to others the liberating freedom that they feel. Their emerging plan for the future is ambitious. As members of the Permaculture Research Institute, they are making themselves available to visit as a PRI demo site. They are also offering a growing agenda of classes; living soil, composting, introduction to permaculture, wild herbs and many others. Classes cover gardening, house-building, power generation strategies, land shaping for water catching and social aspects for community-building. Plans are in the works for remodeling an existing building on the property and making it into both a classroom and lodging space. This past year, they entertained their first global interns through an organization known as World Wide Opportunities for Organic Farmers. They call these big plans for their permaculture farm and learning center the “200-year plan.” For John and Rhonda (and their ranch dog, Dixie), every day brings a new surprise to their diverse little kingdom. “Today was a bald eagle, yesterday a fantastic sunset. In the spring, it looks like a scene from Bambi, with birds, rabbits, a marmot and chipmunks scurrying around,” says Rhonda. “We have muskrats and [a] blue heron in the pond; beavers by the river. We wake up and go to bed immersed and embraced in a natural world.” Many people detour off Highway 89 to ask questions and

request tours. Visiting is encouraged; the Flatbergs do have a donation schedule, and it is highly recommend that visitors plan on staying a few hours to work with them and get a real feel for the place. Make it your eco-agra-tourism venture, and come away with a different perspective.

For more information on permaculture and making arrangements to visit, work or intern at Heartwater, go to www.heartwaterfarm.com

Laurel Beesley is a free-lance writer/marketing communications consultant living in Kanab, Utah. She specializes in outdoor sports, natural history, travel and the arts.

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Exploring the History of Leeds and Silver Reef By Alexa V. Morgan Less than 20 miles northeast of St. George along I-15 lies somewhat of a hidden treasure—relics of the Old West juxtaposed against modern small-town life. Leeds is a friendly, quaint community of 837 residents, and nearby Silver Reef is a ghost town with countless stories to tell. Together, their atmosphere attracts visitors from around the world for a one-of-a-kind experience.

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“This is a very unique area if you’re interested in history, and I think history adds to any community’s value,” says LoAnne Barnes, chair of the Leeds Historical Preservation Committee.

History of Leeds and Silver Reef: The area’s history begins in Harrisburg, an agricultural town settled by Mormon pioneers in 1861. After enduring floods and dismal crops due to the rocky soil, they found that the land a bit further north was more suitable for farming. Most relocated, working together to dig an irrigation ditch to sustain life in this new settlement. Organized in 1867, the town was originally named Bennington in honor of Bishop Benjamin Stringham, who later requested that it carry the name of Leeds, England, where he had served as a Mormon missionary. Leeds was founded in 1869. Silver Reef holds the distinction of being the only place in North America where mineable quantities of silver have been found in sandstone. This geological phenomenon was discovered by John Kemple in 1866. Kemple sent rock samples to assayers, geologists, and miners across the country, but none believed it was possible.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Leeds Even the Smithsonian Institute discredited his find as an “interesting fake.” Prospector William T. Barbee was hired to scout the area after word of Kemple’s discovery spread. Barbee staked a claim and wrote an article about Silver Reef in The Salt Lake Tribune, sparking a silver rush that brought miners and merchants from 29 states and 18 countries to southern Utah in hopes of striking it rich. Silver Reef soon became a bona fide Wild West town, with gambling, prostitution, robbery, and shootouts in the streets. At its peak, the town had nearly 2,000 residents. Places of business included a hotel, saloons, boarding houses, general stores, restaurants, a bank, a newspaper, dance halls, a brewery, a horse racing track, and dry-goods stores, most of which were located along the mile-long Main Street. Silver Reef’s livelihood was its mining district, consisting of 37 mines and five stamp mills that produced over 7 million ounces of silver in total.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Leeds Like many mining communities of the time, however, Silver Reef vanished almost as quickly as it sprang up. A series of misfortunes, including a fire, labor strike, and flooding of the mine shafts, crippled the town’s economy. Then silver prices fell worldwide around 1883, sending most of the mines into foreclosure. Though work continued for several years in the remaining mines, they were eventually unable to turn a profit. Leeds, which also had flourished during the boom, survived the bust due to the stability of its agriculture-based economy. But Silver Reef was a ghost town by the 1900s, left exposed to the elements for over a century. Preservation efforts: Today, Leeds is mainly a tourist town, using its combination of stunning red rock scenery, rich history, and proximity to international attractions like Zion to draw visitors. Efforts to preserve important buildings have begun in earnest within the last five years.

Another CLG grant will fund efforts to preserve the Leeds Tithing Office, built in 1891. When the traditional LDS tithing system was retired in the 1920s, the building was remodeled and used as a private residence until the 1950s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Kenneth and Patricia Hadley purchased the building in 2012 with plans to open it to the public. The town also received a grant from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation to stabilize and secure the foundation of the museum and other structures within the Wells Fargo Silver Reef Monument, 17 acres of historical sites owned by Washington County. Though some of the buildings, including the Cosmopolitan Restaurant, Cassidy Powder House, and Rice Bank, have been restored, piles of stone ruins are all that remain of most of the town’s structures. A few tombstones in the Protestant and Catholic cemeteries are still standing. Cundick, president

Photo courtesy of Alexa Morgan

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The Silver Reef Foundation and Town of Leeds applied for and received a Certified Local Government grant for historic preservation of the Wells Fargo Express Office, constructed in 1877. During Silver Reef’s heyday, it served as the town’s freight and stagecoach office, as well as the bank. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, fully restored in the early 1980s, and is now home to the Silver Reef Museum.

During the Great Depression, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established in Leeds. Hundreds of young men relocated to the area, improving southern Utah’s public lands and working on local projects. When the camp closed in 1942, most of the structures were demolished and their materials hauled to Cedar City for use in construction. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, it is the only CCC camp in Utah with buildings still standing. Preservation efforts are currently underway.

of the Silver Reef Foundation, says that $12,000 in grant money has already been spent on preserving these sites. About $20,000 more is needed to complete the project.

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Reliving the Old West: Silver Reef’s main attraction is its museum, which the foundation opened in 2013. Grant money, assistance from the county, and a small amount of revenue from the gift shop allow it to be open four days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours are well worth the price of admission ($3 per person or $10 per family). Colorful tales of the Old West are brought to life by Eric Fleming, the museum’s director, while viewing the antique photographs, tools, mining equipment, firearms, housewares, clothing, and other artifacts on display. Visitors can peek inside the bank’s original barrel vault and safe, stand on the same stone steps used to board stagecoaches more than a century ago, or take the interpretive trail to all historic sites within walking distance.

Photo courtesy of Alexa Morgan

The museum recently partnered with the Washington County School District to create an educational program for fourth graders studying Utah history. The first classes visited Silver Reef in January.

the museum, and if you have a sense for history or culture, you feel like it’s important and if it isn’t preserved, it’s going to disappear,” Cundick says. “That’s what drives me, and that’s what I think drives the volunteers. They sense it’s a special area and a special place in history, and we want to hold onto it.”

The foundation’s preservation and education efforts are run entirely by dedicated volunteers. With limited funds and manpower, it’s tough work, but the significance of keeping the area’s past alive is worth it. “You look at a building like

Learn more about the rich history of Leeds and Silver Reef at silverreefutah.org or contact the museum at (435) 879-2254 to plan your visit.

How Much Should I Water My Plants? BY PAUL NOE STAR NURSERY; CERTIFIED HORTICULTURE ADVISOR This is the most frequently asked question from homeowners who are trying to maintain a good looking landscape or garden in our desert climate. The truth is that there is no one simple answer to that question because it depends on so many different variables! The soil type and conditions, location, type of irrigation used, how long the plants have been in the ground, how much sun they get and when, the time of year, and the plant variety and size; all these things, and more, can combine to determine how much they should be watered. The key to proper watering is to saturate the root ball of any plant by allowing the water to pass through the entire root zone. To do this for plants that will have roots deeper than 6 inches, it is best to slow deep soak with a low-volume drip system for long periods of time. This allows the water to penetrate into the soil without remaining on the surface to evaporate or run off and be wasted.

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So, how much water will it take to saturate the root ball? As a general rule, it will take as much water as it takes to fill a container that would hold its roots. If we use the standard nursery container as a reference, it would be about ½ to 1 gallon of water for a 1-gal size plant, 3 to 4 gallons for a 5-gal plant and 8 to 10 gallons for a 15-gal plant. Of course, as the roots grow down and outward, they will need more water.

When the plant reaches the size of a 24” boxed tree, it will need 20 to 30 gallons of water to saturate its root zone. You can’t get this volume of water from drip emitters by running them for only 10 or 15 minutes! You have to run them for much longer periods of time. A 1-gal drip emitter takes 1 hour to put out that 1 gal of water. Drip emitters are made to get a measured amount of water deep into the ground in a long, single application. So, you have to know what size emitters and how many emitters you have on each plant to accurately know how much water you are applying. By knowing this information, you can adjust the amount of water for each plant by adding more emitters or changing the size of the emitters. Now that you have an idea of how much water to give each plant, you need to know how often to give it. This is where the variables come into play. Sandy soil will dry out faster than clay soil, sunny areas faster than shaded, un-mulched areas faster than mulched and shallow soil faster than deeper soil. So, shallow rooted plants will dry out faster than deeper rooted shrubs and much faster than even deeper rooted trees. This is where slow, deep irrigation is so beneficial, because the deeper you water, the deeper the roots will grow…. and the deeper the roots, the slower they will dry out and the less you have to water! And by “less”, I don’t mean less amount you give them each time, I mean less often you need to apply it.

Shallow rooted turf grass and flower beds may need watering every day, or even multiple times a day in the extreme heat. Established shrubs may need watering 2 or 3 times a week, and trees may only need it once a week. That’s why it is so important to put these different types of plants on separate watering stations, so you can control how often they get watered. For new plantings, the watering will need to be more frequent because their roots are close to the surface of the soil and they will dry out faster. But, as they grow, you will need to

water longer but less frequently so you reach the deeper roots and then allow time for the soil to dry a little so air can get into the soil as well. For older, well established shrubs, once a week in winter, twice a week in spring and fall, and three times a week in summer should be all you need to run your drip system. Established trees will need deeper watering to reach their roots, but will not need it as often. Once or twice a week in the summer, once every 2 or 3 weeks in the spring and fall, and once a month or every other month in the winter, is usually all they will need, depending on the type of tree. Now that you know that there are so many variables involved in the question of “How much to water?” you can see why there are so many problems people have with trying to get it right. Just keep this in mind when trying to figure it out - each plant will have a certain amount of water it will require with each application that is dependent on its variety and size….and, it will also have a certain frequency it needs to be watered that will depend on its environment (location, soil conditions, weather and time of year). The amount should stay fairly constant throughout the year, and only the frequency should change with the weather and seasons. Hopefully, this will help you to determine how much to water your plants!

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Patti Lewis: Mural Artist with Spirit by Laurel Beesley

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A scorpion perched atop a desert-dry skull stares out from the recently painted mural at Glazier’s Foodtown in Kanab, Utah. Nearby, on another wall, a stagecoach under attack by bandits features a quailing woman with hands in the air. Locals laugh as they recognize familiar faces imaginatively worked into the historic portraits. In this detailed mural, the natural and social history of Southern Utah’s Kanab has come to life for all to share, thanks to the considerable skill of Patti Lewis.

life, Patti wasn’t imagining herself as any sort of career artist, despite her early passion. She was self-taught, and in her opinion, there were plenty of people around her who had greater talent. Time, and life, eventually taught her that her early passion had just been waiting for her to catch up. After a 20-year marriage and three children, Patti’s life was turned inside out as her relationship ended. In the midst of her confusion, panic, and a string of disappointing jobs, Patti’s mother asked the pivotal question that would change her Patti’s life began moving in the life: “What do you really want artistic direction as a young to do?” Soon after, she drudged child. “We didn’t have the up the courage to apply for a job money for expensive in commercial art. “I was entertainment, and that terrified,” she admits. wouldn’t have been my father or “Everyone else is sitting there brother’s personality anyways. with a fancy portfolio ready to Our house always had this show off their work. I just went comforting paint smell to it, and in – swallowed my shakes, before dinner, our family would followed my heart, and boldly sit down together with blank unrolled a 20-foot canvas I’d IBM punch cards and do crayon been working on for a local drawings.“ At that time in her restaurant.” She got the job.

Since then, Patti’s job has been to create art anywhere it is needed; art that creates warmth and draws attention, art that personalizes a space by creating an atmosphere. She works on walls and on canvas, inside and outside. She has even worked on wood and other surfaces (including cars!) Her own ups and downs in life have given her a certain, canny gift for perceiving what her client wants, whether the client is a commercial entity or a private homeowner. As she likes to describe it, “I become their hands.”

Patti and Jeff live in Southern Utah, on top of Zion. Patti’s first introduction to Kanab as a muralist was when she painted the outside of the Kane County Tourist Office in the middle of town with bright scenarios featuring many of the local attractions. To see a video of Patti discussing her life as muralist, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcbMe1ZhnBU. Her website, including Jeff’s portfolio, is www.lewisartservices.com.

Laurel Beesley is a free-lance writer/marketing communications consultant living in Kanab, Utah. She specializes in outdoor sports, natural history, travel and the arts.

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The wide diversity of clients she works for, including restaurants, casinos, a medical recovery clinic, businesses, and individuals, demands that she be capable of covering a wide range of subject matter. Every mural, from scenic desert to tropical jungle, cowboy history to Tuscan landscape and everything else, demands considerable research. Murals rich in scenic details and historic storytelling, like the one in Kanab, took many hours of deep, attentive research. In the long run, the final result is only as good as the research that went into it – otherwise, it becomes cartoonish. The completion of each job leaves her not only with a sense of accomplishment, but of great anticipation. In her mind, the constant expectation that the “next one” will be even better keeps her going.

Over her 30 years as artist, Patti has remarried – another artist, Jeff. Her granddaughter has decided to follow in Patti’s footsteps and continue with art. And Patti? The work keeps coming in. Ideally, her clients would give her more and more time, so the truly fine finishing details would never be rushed. She would love to do everything imaginable, and be crazier than ever. She would love more personal time (not that she wants her volume of work to decrease for any reason) so she can somehow fit in the extra hours to pursue her own personal oil painting and sculpture in her dreamy 2,000-square-foot studio. Her life motto? “To keep her immediate goals simple, and her very personal goals endless,” she says.

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The Awesome Adventures of Augustus! M

y name is Augustus, I was named by my human sister, Michelle, after the main character in one of her favorite movies, “The Fault in Our Stars”. I am almost a year old and have been with this human family since I was about three months old. I am a Siberian Husky. I spent my first several months hanging out at Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort, where my Dad works. I sort of became the store mascot, and all the guests love me. Sometimes the employees working in the store get a little frustrated with me (Mom works in the store), because I talk a lot, but pretty soon they love me too. I have participated in LOTS of adventures since I joined my new family, and I am now writing blogs for Awesome Adventures so I can share my fun with my friends (and their human families).

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN During my five month stay at Big Rock, I did so many exciting things, I was exhausted every night and slept like a baby. This gave my human family a false sense of security; once we got back to Moapa Valley I wasn’t QUITE as active and I’ve been a BIT destructive, but now that I’m out there experiencing all that the Moapa Valley has to offer, I’m getting MUCH better. I ran along the Candy Mountain Express Bike Trail and the Paiute ATV Trail every day this past summer. I saw rabbits, snakes, tons of beautiful birds, and tons of pretty trees. Just for the record, while I was running my Dad was either riding an ATV or a bicycle so he could keep up with me. My Dad even had me swimming in the Sevier River, and then Whitewater Rafting with a whole bunch of fun guests! I love that I get to sit in the back of the raft, so when all those people are getting drenched I get a nice cool, refreshing splash. Here are some highlights of my first few Adventures in Moapa Valley:

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VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK This was an awesome place. I went hiking and climbing and exploring all the beautiful places. I saw all kinds of birds, and even Big Horn Sheep!

LOGANDALE TRAILS SYSTEM This is an off road, multi use trail system in Logandale, NV and I love it here. I ran along behind a RZR, stopping to check out plants and sand dunes, and attempting to chase any animals I saw. After a while, I admit I got tired and had to ride in the RZR for the rest of the trip, but that was awesome too. There are miles of well marked trails and great scenery. OVERTON ROPES COURSE Okay, so while I haven’t yet actually done any of the high or low ropes elements at this Ropes Course, I did climb up to the start of the Zipline Platform and watch the people take off for their 1,000 ft. zipline ride. That was pretty awesome and I’m pretty sure it won’t be long until Dad figures out how to get me fitted for a harness. You can read all about my adventures and see all my great photos by visiting my website: awesomeadventures.com/augustus I will be adding more blog articles as I experience each new adventure. It’s a RUFF life being an Adventure Dog -

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