April Fools’ Day has always inspired the prankster in all of us. In modern times, people have gone to creative measures to fool the “fool in all of us. In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were harvesting a record spaghetti crop, with footage showing people harvesting noodles from trees. In 1992, National Public Radio ran a spot in which former President Richard Nixon said he was running for president again, which caught the country by surprise. We even fooled a few of our own readers last year with the announcement of Hell Hole Manor, a high-rise tower planned to block views of Kayenta’s iconic red cliffs.
This year, we offer no April Fools’ Day joke and only provide you with this public service announcement.
“Avoid three kinds of Fools:
“The Swindler,” “The Sluggard” and “The Sociopath””
(Prov 6:1-19)
Enjoy more quotes by wise people.
“If every fool wore a crown,
we should all be kings.”
~ Welsh Proverb
“Wise men don’t need advice.
fools won’t take it.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
“A fool flatters himself,
A wise man flatters the fool.”
~ Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton, English Writer
“I have great faith in fools:
self-confidence my friends call it.”
~ Edgar Allan Poe
ANNOUNCING
Wisdom Project
Exploring Independent and Assisted Living Community for Kayenta
Over a year ago, several residents inquired about the feasibility of establishing independent and assisted living housing and amenities in Kayenta. At that time, such a project was not on our radar. However, as time has passed, both interest and relevant information have significantly increased, highlighting a clear need. While numerous quality options are emerging throughout southern Utah, they fall short of the interests and sensibilities that make our community home. We recognize the importance of staying connected within your community, maintaining friendships, and enjoying our magnificent environment with access to open-space and nature as we get older.
We are currently gathering information and assessing the potential for developing a unique community within Kayenta. This proposed community would be designed thoughtfully and intentionally, allowing us to age gracefully while preserving the magic and joy that we cherish here.
- Smaller homes designed for independent aging in place, with nearby community amenities like a gym, pool, meeting spaces, dining and food services.
- Assisted living casitas that are attached to community amenities and care services.
- Concierge Care – for the community. Nurse advocacy and personal care assistance, including light housework and minor home maintenance, while you remain in your current home.
Come learn and contribute ideas for the possible creation of this project in Kayenta.
Hosted by Matt Marten and Patty Flood
– Along with our grass roots study group
When: 10:00 am, April 26 & 27 (Saturday & Sunday)
Where: In the Studio at Center for the Arts in Kayenta
We Are Your Neighbors
One of the highlights for Jeff, Steve, and Naomi of working at Kayenta Homes & Properties is the wonderful opportunity it affords to be at the center of community activity. Having the brokerage located in the heart of the Art Village gives the three realtors daily interactions with residents and homebuyers alike. But when they aren’t in the office promoting home sales, what are these three up to? Their interests most likely align with yours!
For example, Jeff loves to travel with his beautiful Airstream trailer. He has a wide breadth of knowledge not only about real estate but also local area sights (especially in Southern Utah), where he has deep family roots. Some of his favorite places to camp are Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Pine Valley Recreation Area. Cedar Pocket, just across the border in Arizona in the Virgin River Gorge, is a less heard-of area he enjoys visiting as well. Do you have any questions about area campsites (or considering buying an Airstream)? Jeff is happy to make recommendations.
Steve enjoys being outdoors, e-biking, and hiking through the Kayenta community and Snow Canyon. He can often be seen exploring the side streets and washes in the neighborhood, usually “incognito” in his ballcap and sunglasses while listening to an Audible book on his Airpod earphones. Steve relocated to southern Utah from Prague several years ago and, soon after, began his post-retirement career as a realtor. He has solid knowledge and insights about the Kayenta real estate market and local restaurants but also enjoys sharing his recommendations with those who may be planning a European vacation.
Naomi both lives and works in the Kayenta community. She can often be seen riding her bike, looping through Kayenta, the Santa Clara River Reserve, and Snow Canyon. You can’t miss her in her neon socks! She is an avid mountain biker who moved here from Park City 3 years ago to work at Kayenta Homes & Properties. Last Spring, she purchased a gravel bike and has enjoyed exploring the many gravel roads in the area. Have any questions about area trails? Give her a shout-out.
Should you see Jeff, Steve, or Naomi out and about, give them a wave (or a shout)!
The team at Kayenta Homes & Properties is hosting the annual
Memorial Day Pool Party
again this year.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 24th, starting at 5:30 pm. Beverages provided by Kayenta Homes & Properties (Wine, beer, soft drinks, water). You get to bring the appetizers, main course or dessert. We will post a sign-up link in next months connection.
Our office is open 7-days a week to help with all your Kayenta real estate needs.
Your Kayenta Home and Properties Sales Team:
Jeff Sproul, Principal Broker
Steve McAllister & Naomi Doyle, Sales Agents
435-628-7234
UPCOMING EVENTS
FIREBIRD
April 11-13 & 16 - 18
Created by Touki Delphine
This event takes place outdoors at Kayenta Art Village, with general admission seating.
“An epic update of Stravinsky’s Firebird.” – The Standaard
Inspired by composer Igor Stravinsky’s 1919 “Firebird Suite”, Touki Delphine (visiting Southern Utah from the Netherlands) presents FIREBIRD, a rule-breaking concert program and an extraterrestrial installation in one — including an “orchestra” constructed entirely of light. Over 600 recycled car taillights illuminate the dance of the firebird in this thoroughly hypnotic event that is hard to describe.
“FIREBIRD is an auditory and visual work of art. A composition exploring technological reincarnation. A performance in which the audience becomes a uniform mass, playing the most important role in an alien ritual.”– Touki Delphine
Soirée Musicale:
April 19
Mozart, Beethoven, and More
Please arrive early for a pre-performance reception hosted by Snow Canyon Retirement Community at 6:30pm.
Don’t miss the grand finale of this season’s Soirées Musicales. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we close our musical journey with a spectacular chamber concert. Six talented string musicians will bring Mozart’s “Grand Sextet,” Beethoven’s “Eyeglass Duo,” and other pieces to life.
Experience the pinnacle of classical music in an exhilarating performance that promises to be the perfect crescendo to our season. Book your tickets now for this unmissable conclusion to our Soirée Musicale program!
SALT
April 25 & 26
Contemporary Dance
“SALT prides itself on being “current,” we love to bring in new choreographic voices from around the world that are truly making waves in the dance community. We have had incredible success bringing thought provoking contemporary dance to the Utah community of artists and are so pleased to be touring some of these incredible works.”
SALT Contemporary Dance was founded in 2013 in an effort to bring new voices of dance to Utah. In its 10 seasons, SALT has grown exponentially into a well-respected company, working with some of the most sought-after choreographers to create innovative new productions.
This performance will feature choreography from Rena Butler, Ching Ching Wong, Brandon Lee Alley and Racheal Prince.
VOYAGER LECTURE SERIES
April 29
With Matthew Malinowski, The Atomic Museum
This year’s Voyager Lecture Series follows “The History of This Land,” from the deep time studied in geology, through modern concerns related to our changing environment.
April’s program is presented by the Atomic Museum, a national science, history and educational institution that tells the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site.
The Atomic Museum team will visit Kayenta to discuss the history, challenges and consequences of atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site, including the Downwinders living in Arizona, Nevada, and our area in Utah who were exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear testing.
Learn more about the Atomic Museum at atomicmuseum.vegas
Donna McMullin, Gourd with Dragonflies
Joe Viers, Faux Teapot
Art Exhibit: Eye Candy
Opening Reception
April 4, 2024, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
(opening reception in conjunction with CFAK’s First Friday event)
The exhibition will run until April 30, 2025
This exhibit features artists working in fabric, clay, weaving, wood, encaustics, needlework, metal, and fiber art.
For more information visit:
Group Exhibitions
The Desert Spirit Art Committee organizes three juried visual art exhibitions each season at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta. The Committee encourages and invites both established and emerging regional artists to submit original art for consideration.
SAVE THE DATE
Kayenta Street Painting Festival
Red Rock Reflections
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 5:00 pm-8:00 pm during FIRST FRIDAYS at Kayenta
Saturday & Sunday, April 5-6, 2025 | 10:00 am-5:00 pm
FREE TO ATTEND!
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of chalk art at the 15th annual Kayenta Street Painting Festival presented by Kayenta Arts Foundation. This year’s theme, “Red Rock Reflections,” celebrates the breathtaking beauty of our region’s red rock landscapes while incorporating an appreciation for nature and the conservation of our natural resources.
The festival brings students and professional artists together as they create magnificent murals on asphalt canvases. Join us over the weekend to take in the views (on the sidewalk and beyond), vote for your favorite artwork, wander the Art Village galleries, and enjoy food trucks, live music, and loads of family fun.
This Festival is generously sponsored by Carpets Plus, Gaia’s Garden Cafe, Red Rock Vacation Rentals, St George City Lifestyle, The Sole Sanctuary, and Zia Pottery
REGISTER NOW
5K Fun Run Returns
Participants of all ages and abilities can run-walk-stroll through 3.1 miles of our beautiful Kayenta landscape during the Second Annual Kayenta 5K Color Fun Run!
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 8:00 am
Register Early to Save $
Each color stop during the race will feature powdered paint stations to allow each participant to end the race as a colorful masterpiece! The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line. Enjoy a breakfast snack and beverage (orange juice, water, or coffee) at the finish line while you stroll through the fantastic art of the Kayenta Street Painting Festival.
REGISTRATION FEES
January 23rd – March 1st: $35
March 1st – April 3rd: $45
April 3rd – April 5th: $55
Kids Price: $15 ($25 April 3rd-5th)
EVERY MONTH
First Fridays at Kayenta
We’re thrilled to introduce First Fridays at Kayenta, happening on the first Friday of every month, September through June! Enjoy live music, food trucks, and a pop-up boutique market in the Kayenta Art Village beginning at 5:00 pm, with film screenings in the theater presented by DOCUTAH, and good vibes all around.
Live Music
5:30p-7:30p
FREE • Live Music in the Courtyard!
Art Exhibit
5:30p-7:30p
Desert Spirit Art Committee Presents: “Eye Candy”
Center for the Arts at Kayenta Lobby
Visit Make Space!
5:00p-7:00p
Come be a part of our growing art community for First Friday, view art, meet fantastic teachers, and learn what MakeSpace has to offer for art classes.
Visit our website for information and tickets to all our amazing events.
We look forward to seeing you at the Center for the Arts in Kayenta.
Kayenta Community
The local perspective. Our businesses and residents news and events.
The Kayenta Desert Arboretum is getting a new and beautiful look this spring. Over the last couple of months, our faithful volunteers have been turning the arboretum into an impressive Kayenta attraction, including adding $1000.00 of new desert plants and many new sculptures.
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
April 18 & 19, 10 am to 4 pm, and April 20, 12 to 2 pm
Native and Water Wise Plants at Low Prices!
~ Cash and Checks Accepted – No Credit Cards ~
SPECIAL NOTICE! To complete our arboretum upgrade, we need the community to step up and attend our annual plant sale on April 18 & 19 10 am to 4 pm, and April 20, 12 to 2 pm. With your purchase you will assure that we can complete the spring upgrade. There has been considerable gopher damage this past year, and we need to add landscaping gravel to the damaged areas. Please come to the sale and let us know you care that our beautiful community arboretum continues to be an informative asset to Kayenta.
Your community arboretum was created, managed, and improved by residents in Kayenta who consider it to be another special feature of to our community. If you want to see it grow, we would love to welcome you into our all volunteer organization. Just email or call Roger Head, rbhkayenta@gmail.com; 435-632-1814 for additional information.
In celebration of the 21st anniversary of the Desert Rose Labyrinth
(built by Kayenta volunteers in 2004)
PLEASE JOIN US FOR
World Labyrinth Day
“Walk as One at 1”
on Saturday, May 3rd at 12:45 pm
Every year on the first Saturday in May, thousands of people all around the globe participate in World Labyrinth Day as a moving meditation and celebration of the labyrinth experience. Many “Walk as One at 1” local time to create a rolling wave of peaceful energy passing from one time zone to the next. See last year’s video from around the world (including Kayenta) at worldlabyrinthday.org.
The Desert Rose Labyrinth is a hidden gem in our community, funded and maintained by residents. (Please let us know if you’d like to volunteer to help pull weeds or trim trees at the labyrinth.)
Community Spotlight
Janell Bassett, Editor
Christian and Laurie Anderson—A joint venture from day one
Like many Kayenta residents, Christian and Laurie Anderson lived many places before they settled next to the red cliffs of Southern Utah. Laurie, whose father was in the military, spent time in Libya, before returning to the states, eventually landing in Seattle. Christian was born in Idaho Falls; his father worked for Woolworths and was a specialist in turning around failing stores, taking the family to Salt Lake, a number of cities in Southern California and ultimately, also to Seattle. There, sometime in junior high, Christian and Laurie met and the rest, as they say, is history.
Christian and Laurie
Married 38 years, the Andersons followed their passions, first in Pocatello, Idaho, where Christian was in pharmacy school and Laurie began a nearly two-decade career teaching in special education. “it’s a very taxing career,” Christian notes, as few survive as many years in that field as his wife did. “That just shows you she’s an awfully giving lady,” he adds.
Later, Christian moved into medicine and opened a multi-location practice in Jackson, Wyoming, with three satellite offices that served all of the western part of the state. “Some patients had to drive three or four hours to see us,” he says of the wide area served. Laurie, meanwhile, moved into administering his practice and became a certified lab technician.
Along the way, they began flipping houses to add to their income. The most recent house they flipped was the 15th one, on Wicasa, in Kayenta. But the catch is that they lived in each house they flipped, rather than buying one and flipping it while they resided elsewhere. “We have moved around a lot,” Christian says, “but we have a ton of energy, more than most people should have.” They call their current Kayenta home ”our forever place, we hope.”
Over the years, their energy has gone into raising two daughters, whom they count, along with their husbands, as their “four children,” all of whom have successful professional careers, in law, construction, family medicine, and education. In addition, Laurie and Christian pursue hiking, biking, off-roading and skiing, in Utah, where they cherish the fact that these activities are so readily available.
In the community, the Andersons are devoted to tending to people who are under-served or under-represented through their newly formed practice, Desert Dermatology and Surgery, in Ivins. They welcome Medicaid patients and invite low income kids in the community whom they meet to come in for free, when they see a problem, saying “We can help you with that.”
Laurie’s hobby, her husband says, “is us; it’s hard separating us from each other. It’s been a joint venture from day one—flipping houses, building a practice, raising four successful children.”
Editors note. If you know someone that you think should be featured in our monthly Kayenta Connection under our NEW “Resident Spotlight” section please email the Kayenta Connection at kayentaconnection@rdicreative.com. Our intent is to focus on the incredible people living in our community– be they seasoned residents or new recruits.
Located in beautiful Kayenta.
New options to be creative and build your artistic skills at MakeSpace in our beautiful Kayenta Arts Village. Check out our website for the variety of classes available, for more information, or to enroll. See a few highlights below:
One-Day Workshop: Resin Lazy Susan
April 24
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Teacher: Leslie Wignall DeBry
Join local artist Leslie Wignall DeBry in a fun day of creating a beautiful and functional art piece on a Lazy Susan using pigments and resin. The process involves applying tinted resin with mica powder, acrylic paint, and/or resin pigments to a 15-inch round Lazy Susan. The Stone Coat Resin that will be used is a top-notch, FDA-approved food-safe resin. Students will choose their color palette and will be taught several techniques to create unique designs. This class is for all artistic ability levels! All supplies provided.
2-Day Workshop: Portraits in Wire Sculpture
April 25 & 26
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Friday)
10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Saturday)
Teacher: Mark Rane
Learn how to “draw” with wire. Wire is a beautiful and versatile medium that enables us to create three-dimensional shapes in a fun and innovative way. This class will focus on observation and creativity. Through techniques such as contour drawing, we will train our eyes and hands to work in harmony, allowing us to “draw” with metal wire. In this two day workshop, you will create a series of contour line drawings and small aluminum wire sculptures before moving onto working with steel. Final sculptures will be created with steel wire. All skill levels are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary. All supplies provided.
5-Week Series: Courageous Creativity – Part One
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Thursdays)
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Teacher: Becky Woodbury
Join art therapist and art educator Becky Woodbury in this unique and exciting course designed for anyone who wants to cultivate their creativity! Courageous Creativity is an opportunity to play, celebrate, and elevate your creativity. Whether you are a visual artist or you express creativity through cooking, decorating, or any other avenue — this class will help you find your way to greater inspiration. This 5-week course will be a gathering of like-minded individuals who wish to cultivate their creative expression and learn more about themselves. The classic creative processes by Julia Cameron, “The Artist’s Way,” will be used as a resource for the class.
MakeSpace Open Studio
Friday, April 4, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
A First Friday Event
Get a behind-the-scenes look at this hub of creativity.
Your Community. Your Classes. Your Space.
View the full schedule online.
Information & Class Registration
And, while you are there, register your email to receive monthly updates on classes.
MAKESPACE | 918 ART VILLAGE WAY | IVINS, UTAH 84738
Petite Feast Dinner Club
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL APRIL DINNER EVENT
ARRIVE AS GUESTS….LEAVE AS FRIENDS
SPRING IS HERE DINNER
Sunday, April 27, 2025
~Reserve Your Seat at the Table~
Spring is a wonderful season for eating. Throughout the season there are some great ingredients that reach their peak and are bursting with flavor. Ingredients like, rhubarb, asparagus and artichokes just to name a few. But we all know it’s not really about the food, it’s about enjoying the company of friends and family seated around the table. Please join us for this warm weather feast that highlights some of Spring’s best offerings. Let’s embrace and joyfully celebrate it – brighter flavors, sweeter desserts, tighter hugs and heartier laughter are all in store for us. As always, there will be a few extra courses to delight you!
MENU
HORS D’OEUVRE
GOAT CHEESE WITH LOCAL UTAH HONEY, WALNUTS AND PICKLED PLUM
CARROT BELLINI WITH HOUSE MADE PICKLED GINGER
FIRST COURSE
CREMINELLI SALAMI WITH ASPARAGUS AND HERB SABAYON
SECOND COURSE
ZUCCHINI AND BASIL WRAPPED SHRIMP SKEWERS WITH RED PEPPER AIOLI
ENTREE
COD WITH BROCCOLI PUREE, WILD MUSHROOMS AND SPRING GARLIC EMULSION
DESSERTS
RHUBARB TRIFLE WITH GREEN TEA PASTRY CREAM, PISTACHIO AND LIME
To reserve your seat at the table please click on the link below
Petite Feast Dinner Club
DINNER LOCATION: PRIVATE HOME IN KAYENTA, UTAH
**The exact address and driving directions will be emailed 1 week prior to the event.
About Petite Feast Dinner Club: after 35 years as a restaurateur, caterer, chef and Food and Wine best new chef nominee, Victoria Topham is opening her kitchen to share her unique culinary skills and healthy cooking style with guests just like you. PF Dinner Club offers guests the opportunity to socialize with new friends around a shared table while enjoying deliciously upscale meals. Monthly dinners will feature an hors d’oeuvre hour followed by a multi course dinner where mingling with the chef in the kitchen is encouraged. ** Think – mash-up of a restaurant, dinner party and cooking class. And, she always has a few unplanned courses and surprises for her guests! Events are announced monthly through the website and pricing for each event varies. Victoria is happy to accommodate your special celebration requests and dietary preferences whenever possible.
I hope to see you soon.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner and all the fun meeting and chatting with new people. The entire evening was exceptional and the food throughout even better. It was so, so much fun and thanks for the anniversary mention, it was special for us.” – Ray and Abby
“Amazing as always! Thank you!” – Sharon Kelly
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #104
SKILLET SHRIMP ENCHILADAS
Defining true Mexican cuisine is practically impossible. Each region has its own culinary heritage. But in my experience, there is one similarity that runs through all of Mexican cooking – for the most part, the dishes are simple. The robust and distinctive flavor comes from the complex seasonings and sauces – cooked or raw – that are served alongside each dish. Mole, guacamole, escabeche, salsa roja and salsa verde are only a few of the iconic sauces that define Mexico’s diverse cuisine.
To reflect the simple beauty of Mexico’s cooking, I thought it would be fun to step away from standard fare and make my version of Mazatlán’s favorite, shrimp enchiladas. The flavors are reminiscent of typical Sinaloa-style Mexican cooking; bright, fresh and flavorful but I’ve added a nontraditional nod to central Mexico’s chilaquiles. Rather than filling and rolling the tortillas, the dish is layered like a lasagna using crispy tostadas instead of the usual ‘need-to-fry-tortillas’. A fresh cilantro forward pico de gallo tops the enchiladas to provide a distinctly Mexican flavored punch of acidic contrast to the rich chipotle cream sauce.
I admit the cream sauce is a bit of a calorie splurge but I think it’s totally worth it. The sauce is thick, creamy, and smoothly flavored with canned chipotle peppers. If you’ve never used them, canned chipotles are matured red jalapeños that have been smoked, dried and packed in a richly flavored sauce called adobo. They are perfect for adding the complex semi-sweet heat that introduces a strangely delicious campfire-y undertone to the dish’s indulgent sauce.
The recipe starts by quick cooking the shrimp in a deep, oven proof skillet. Once cooked, remove the shrimp and use the same pan to make the sauce. Add the shrimp back to the sauce and then carefully poke the tostadas down into the steaming liquid. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese and the nearly effortless enchiladas are ready for baking to tasty perfection. Once baked, top with fresh pico de gallo and additional cilantro. Buen provecho!
If you have not joined the Virtual Dinner Party but would like to dine with us, please prepare this recipe – or any other – and share it with your family, friends and neighbors. It is our group’s firm belief that by preparing something good to eat and sharing it with those we love, we are participating in one of life’s greatest joys. The connection, community and good will that come from it fill us with joy, hope and gratitude. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.
Thanks for coming to the party and Cook On! – Victoria
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY # 104
SKILLET SHRIMP ENCHILADAS
INGREDIENTS:
1 T olive oil
1 # shrimp, peeled, deveined, coarsely chopped
1 T. lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 C cream or half and half
2 whole chipotles, from can, well chopped (use less for a milder sauce)
½ C Parmesan cheese, grated + 2 T topping the dish
3 T chopped fresh cilantro
6-8 six inch diameter corn tostadas
Garnish with homemade or high-quality store bought pico de gallo and additional cilantro
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 375°.
Coarsely chop shrimp, then sauté in oil in a large pan over high heat just until firm. Add lime juice and garlic, and cook one minute. season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, simmer cream and chipotles until reduced by half (15 minutes). Taste for flavor. Stir in a small amount of adobo sauce from can if a spicier sauce is desired; stir in cheese. Cook until thick (1 minute). Taste for seasoning
Off heat return cooked shrimp to pan and stir in cilantro.
Add tostadas to the pan in a single layer, breaking them to fit nicely and gently poke them down into the sauce. Take care to leave a cushion of sauce beneath the first layer of tostadas to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue to add tostadas to make a second layer until you have two more or less complete layers of tostadas and shrimp pieces submerged in the sauce. Sprinkle with a parmesan.
Bake for 3-5 minutes only until top is browned and tostadas are softened but still retain a bit of chew. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving. Garnish with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro.
SIMPLE PICO DE GALLO: In a medium bowl combine – 1 C white onion, chopped, ½ jalapeño pepper – seeds and ribs removed, minced, juice of 1 lime, 4 tomatoes – seeded and chopped, ½ C fresh cilantro, finely chopped, and salt to taste. Let rest for 15 minutes to marry flavors
Serves 2 with ample leftovers
Please join us for an evening of true stories told live the Coyote Tales way!
We are delighted to welcome Christopher Cokinos, author of several books, including Hope Is the Thing with Feathers: A Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds, The Fallen Sky: An Intimate History of Shooting Stars, and, most recently, Still as Bright: An Illuminating History of the Moon, to our stage. Olivia Dudding, Poet Laureate of Helper, Utah, will join him in sharing their true stories based on the evening’s theme, SURRENDER. They will be joined by other experienced and amateur storytellers, but there’s room on the stage for you, too!
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? Prepare a 5-minute story about giving in or jumping on the bandwagon. Tell us about a time when you buckled, crumbled or caved in. Have you ever given in to the feeling or felt all was lost? Perhaps you put up a good fight while everyone else was throwing in the towel. Tell us about waving the white flag or the battle before you raised it. We want to hear YOUR story.
YOUR STORY MUST BE YOUR STORY. Were you there? Are you the main character? Your involvement in the events as they unfold is essential. We are after true, first-person narrative stories.
GET THE WHOLE STORY
If you were unable to attend our last show but want to hear the stories, please visit our story archives to hear the magic! Let us know what you think. While visiting our site you can find out about upcoming events and get tips and tricks for crafting your own great tale.
Listen to May 9th’s stories now
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHARING A TALE FOR THIS EVENT OR OUR FREE SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 6TH AT IVINS CITY PARK, PLEASE CONTACT VICTORIA @ https://coyotetalesstories.com/
Coyote Tales events are funded by Petite Feast, Utah Humanities, Kayenta Homes and Properties, and Black Desert Resort.
We are grateful for the in-kind support of SBDance & Desert Dweller Realty.
And a special thanks to Alan Holben for his beautiful photography.
All proceeds from live Coyote Tales events have benefited local non-profits or have been FREE.
435.656.0165 xetavarestaurants@outlook.com
Xetava Cafe is locally owned, and unlike anywhere you’ve ever been. Designed to be a respite from the bustle of modern life, the building is nestled under the giant red cliffs of Ivins, surrounded by the Kayenta Art Village and Center for the Arts.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday, 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday Brunch, 10 am – 3 pm
435.656.0165 xetavarestaurants@outlook.com
The menu at The Rusted Cactus provides unique dishes that capture the flavor of the season. Within the walls, the Lewis and MacKay families hope to create a dining experience with shared plates that will cultivate a love of food, friendship and new flavors.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday, 4 – 8 pm
Health, Fitness & Wellness
Kayenta’s locally run gyms, fitness classes, spas, group workouts, wellness activities, and mindful experiences.
“A year from now you will have wished you had started today.”
– Karen Lamb
Elevate Fitness
Coming Attractions at ELEVATE Studio in Kayenta!
New equipment coming to the studio!
Freemotion dual cable cross machine & Smith machine
Plus, New perks and offerings for members!
Soul Space retreats coming 2025
New Classes Coming!
Yoga 101
9:30 am Thursday
Vinyasa Morning Flow
10:00 am Saturdays
Open Gym
Current Class Offerings
ElevateFit / ElevateFITFusion
9:30 am, Mon, Wed, Fri
Elevate Yoga
9:30 am Thur, 10 am Sat
Class size is limited and subject to change.
Elevate Studio • 435-632-1381
jyfitness@me.com
Be happy. Be healthy. Have a blast!
ELEVATE!
Pre-registration is required.
Contact John before attending your first class.
Kayenta Home Yoga
“We need to balance the yang of effort with the yin of calm acceptance of what is.” Paul Grilley
2025 Class Schedule
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 – 10:45: Vigorous Vinyasa Flow
Wednesday 9:30 – 10:45: Meditative Yin/Deep Stretch
Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00: Chair Yoga
Preregistration is required. Please call/text/email for more information
Karen Kushner (E-RYT 500)
978-621-0499
Find Your Joy Yoga
Find Your Joy Yoga
Tuesdays at 9:30 am
At John Yohmans’s Elevate Fitness Studio in Kayenta!
Classes are $15 • Punch cards are available for $75 (5 classes)
No sign-up is required!
Call/text: 435-862-7743
Javier’s Massage
Javier Guzman LMT/LMMT
Massage is medicine
for the body and mind
Hi, I’m Javier Guzman a licensed massage therapist who resides in the beautiful community of Kayenta. My handcrafted massages are designed for you whether you want relaxation, deep therapeutic, stress reducing, pain relieving, or just to improve overall health & well-being. Don’t delay your journey to a healthier you!
“I think he is a neighborhood treasure. He has a very nice casita where he works. I love his massage and he is a really nice, thoughtful, considerate, good guy.” ~ Christy Lueders
Call or text for an appointment:
Javier Guzman
206-271-6165
Kayenta Pickleball Group (KPG)
Does Pickleball Pique Your Interest?
If you have an interest in joining or have played very little to even not at all and would like to try it prior to paying dues, contact Denton Zubke by email at dbzubke@gmail.com or by phone or text at 701-570-4043. It’s a great way to meet other Kayenta residents and enjoy some fun and get some great exercise.
We’re planning on more organized events such as clinics, beginner classes, and round robins in 2023. Join us in learning to play. It’s fun the first day, infectious, and great for fitness. Please email Denton Zubke or Erin at the Kayenta office for more information.
Email DentonDesert Rose Labyrinth
The labyrinth is sacred ground, a place of rest and renewal.
The Desert Rose Labyrinth & Sculpture Garden is a community resource with the intention that all who walk the labyrinth will be blessed with peace, comfort, and open hearts. The Labyrinth is maintained and funded by Kayenta volunteers. Please be respectful and leave only footprints. For more information or to make group reservations, please contact:
Cheryl Collins
Email Cheryl
Beth Hopwood
Email Beth
Desert Rose Labyrinth
792 Kayenta Pkwy, Ivins UT
Trips and Trails
Kayenta Exploration Group
April 21, 2025
We will be going to Yant Flats, north of St. George. 3-mile optional hike.
Meet at the Kayenta Design Center at 9 am, Monday, April 21.
Please bring a lunch. Half to all-day trip. Six miles of dirt road.
Any questions, call Charlie at 435-656-1956
Community Advocates
Are you a Kayenta resident? Do you have a cause or passion that you are personally involved with in the St. George area?
If so, let your neighbors know right here.
DPI – Desert Preservation Initiative
Advocate: Chuck Warren
April 2025 Update
A question of value
What is your home worth to you? That was the key question posed by DPI President Chuck Warren in an appeal to Kayenta homeowners. On the heels of a fire safety meeting in Kayenta where Sanya Clara Ivins Fire Chief Dan Cazier provided tips on how to prepare for and deal with a potential fire, Warren asked Kayenta residents to consider what they could do to minimize risk.
Warren reminds us that Kayenta is about community—not community as a place, but community as a spirit, where we work together to make where we live the best it can be. Taking personal responsibility—committing your own time, energy and effort—is what DPI needs to tackle the removal of the dangerous and highly flammable invasive Tamarisk that grows in the Kayenta washes.
The facts are these: Tamarisk increases both fire danger and the risk of fire frequency. In a fire, Tamarisk ignites quickly, leading to a more severe burn.
While you should certainly keep a cleared area 3-5 feet around your home, trim dead branches, remove debris, and check what kind of roofing was used on older homes as flat roofs can be particularly dangerous, working alone is not enough. As Chief Cazier says “a small flame can turn into a major fire in 30 seconds. Don’t try to put it out yourself, as fire moves very quickly” particularly when driven by the wind.
Also, he adds, “don’t try to wet down your home as the fire department’s equipment is much more efficient and effective.” The department needs all the water pressure it can get to put out a fire before it grows and potentially takes out more homes.
During the last three years DPI has expended 3,000+ hours in volunteer field labor removing stands of tamarisk on 30 properties, some completed in a few hours, others requiring 100s of hours. Although 65 volunteers have signed up, the fact is only about 20 regularly contribute to the cause, building community and taking a role with DPI, according to Warren.
If you don’t see yourself picking up a hedge trimmer or a saw, or pulling branches out of a wash, there are still key jobs you can fulfill, including monitoring for regrowth, contributing to outreach and communication, working on site restoration and replanting, serving as a board member, managing project initiation/ACC/Landscaping approval requests, writing grants, coordinating volunteer schedules and more.
Let there be no doubt. The project is big, and pressing. Fire professionals who have walked Kayenta’s washes with DPI tell us “that fire risk here is the highest in the hundreds of square miles for which they are responsible.” But about 90% of the tamarisk in our community remains to be removed.
What is your home worth to you? Volunteer or donate to the cause!
Contact:
-Dan Beck, VP & Volunteer Coordinator, danbeck2@me.com
-Chuck Warren, President and Removal Coordinator, chuckwarren222@gmail.com
-Or our general DPI email address, preservethedesert@gmail.com
“Ivins Inspired” Volunteer Program
Advocate: Victoria Topham
Have you always wanted to get involved in our community but aren’t sure how? Good news – a small team of volunteers is working on creating a volunteer database, connecting interested residents like you to the amazing groups that help make Ivins such a great place.
Join us in shaping our vibrant community through volunteerism. Every contribution counts, whether you have an hour or a weekend to spare. Your involvement makes a difference in making Ivins even greater.
We invite you to play an active role in our community’s future. Whether you’re passionate about parks, local events, or public services, there’s a place for you in the Ivins Volunteer Program. Already volunteering? We need you in the database, too! Please fill out our form to help match your skills with those of organizations that need you. Filling out the form doesn’t commit you to any of these organizations or roles, but it does help us connect you with opportunities, and it gives volunteer groups/organizations a way to find you and reach out.
*The Ivins Inspired Volunteer Program is entirely a volunteer program not owned or operated by Ivins City in any manner.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Humanity
Advocate: Patrick Barickman
To learn more about our projects and mission please visit our website.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah
835 South Bluff Street, St. George, UT. 84770
INKAS – Ivins No Kill Animal Supporters
Advocate: Lois Hewitt
Ivins No-Kill Animal Supporters (INKAS) is a 501(c)3 organization and a Registered Utah Charity. It was founded in 2010 with the mission of providing support to Ivins Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, now the Santa Clara-Ivins Animal Shelter. In 2006 our shelter became the first no-kill municipal shelter in the state of Utah. Maintaining a no-kill shelter, as opposed to one that euthanizes animals after a set period of time, is more costly because the animal’s needs must be met at the shelter until they are reclaimed by their owners, adopted, or transferred to an animal rescue organization. Through a memorandum of understanding with Ivins City, INKAS provides support through veterinary care, specialty foods, and other needed supplies. Funds are raised through the sale of merchandise at various local events and through the donations of many generous animal lovers. You can help by designating INKAS as your charity on Amazon Smile or by donating on our website.
Santa Clara-Ivins Animal Shelter
Bailee Mabe, Shelter Manager
474 North 200 West, Ivins
435-628-1049
Hours by appointment:
Monday – Saturday, 8am – 3 pm
Ivins Night Sky Initiative
Advocate: Kai Reed
Ivins Night Sky launched on January 8th, 2019. We are a 100% volunteer, not-for-profit, citizen organization. We registered as a Utah nonprofit corporation in February 2019 and received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS in March.
Our mission is to improve, preserve, and protect the night sky over Ivins and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and to serve as a resource for City officials, residents, and businesses.
Let us know if this Initiative is important to you, if you are willing to get involved, and what else you think we should be doing to improve, preserve, and protect the night skies in Ivins.
Email Ivins Night Sky
Friends of Snow Canyon State Park
Advocates: Lori Capshaw
Events
EventsWe’d like to invite all Kayenta residents to join us in supporting Snow Canyon State Park. Our mission is to provide support to Snow Canyon State Park through various means. For more information and to join Friends please visit our website.
Nextdoor Kayenta
Advocate: Ray Borg
Nextdoor is a completely private online website environment for all of the Kayenta Nextdoor neighborhoods. Special thanks to Ray Borg for being our fearless leader.
Community and City Resources
Kayenta resident-owned services, Kayenta businesses, and Kayenta enrichment programs that benefit the Kayenta community and Ivins City
Located in the desert community of Kayenta Utah, the Crescent Moon Inn is the perfect place to get away from it all. The Inn is just a short walk or bike ride from the Kayenta Art Village, where locally-owned art galleries, the Sacred Space Day Spa and the Xetava Garden Cafe add to your unique experience.
For Reservations or Pricing call:
435-879-9076
Looking for a Hair Artist right here in Kayenta?….JENN Hair Artist embodies the artistic creativity and passion of the beauty industry. She thrives in creating natural, sexy cuts and color styles for men and women. She looks forward to pampering you.
924A Art Village Way, Ivins, UT 83455
801 637-0884 (call or text)
Good Medicine Intuitive Skin Care
Good Medicine Beauty Lab is a small women-owned company, that creates high-quality face and skincare products. The products are all hand-crafted in our Kayenta lab, from ethically sourced ingredients and wild desert botanicals.
• Unique face and body care products.
• Safe, natural, and locally sourced wild botanical ingredients
Stop by and test all our products, we will be open every day from 9-5!
Kayenta Art Village: 873 Coyote Gulch Ct. Suite C, walk towards the Center for the Arts & look for the bright purple door.
435-656-5240
Is your Home dated, and in desperate need of a complete makeover? I can completely update the look and feel of your home without costly remodeling. I can help with affordable solutions that will transform your space. You will have a home that is organized, more current, and looks beautiful.
Are you building a New Home and need the finishing Touches? I can help with all the decorative touches, from home furnishings to tile, paint & more!
Happy Up Your Home with Home Stylist Nancy Weezy Forman, Kayenta Resident
215.805.0035 WEEZY@NANCYWEEZYFORMAN.COM
Desert Dermatology and Surgery
We are committed to offering you superior dermatological care in a safe, comfortable, and modern environment. Our highly skilled team of Board-Certified providers specialize in Dermatology, Mohs Surgery, and Dermatopathology, ensuring you receive expert care tailored to your unique needs.
Kayenta resident Dr. Christian Anderson DO, PharmD, FAOCD-CAQ Mohs, FASMS, FAAD has been dedicated to healthcare since 1985. He looks forward to making a lasting impact on the health and well-being of his community while navigating today’s complex healthcare landscape with a patient-centered approach.
Desert Dermatology and Surgery
(directly across the street from Rocky Vista University)
272 E Center St Suite 102
Ivins UT 84738
435-288-1311 work • 435-274-2958 fax
Kayenta Committees
Board opportunities, landscaping, and ACC & HOA contact information.
Kayenta Desert Arboretum
The Kayenta Desert Arboretum is getting a new and beautiful look this spring. Over the last couple of months our faithful volunteers have been turning the arboretum in to an impressive Kayenta attraction including a variety of new desert plants, many new sculptures and upgraded landscaping. On your next visit to Xetava or the Center For the Arts be sure to take an extra few minutes to stroll through the pathways in the arboretum.
SPECIAL NOTICE! The annual plant sale, which is the Arboretum’s primary revenue source, happens on April 18-20. Looking to add an addition to your landscaping? Be sure to take advantage of the unique plants that will be offered for sale. And rest assured that every dollar you spend will be applied to the growth of the arboretum.
Your community arboretum was created, managed and improved by residents in Kayenta who consider it to be another special feature of the area we live in. If you want to see it grow we would love to welcome you in to our all volunteer organization. Just email or call Roger Head, rbhkayenta@gmail.com; 435-632-1814 for additional information.
Kayenta Landscaping Committee
If you love plants and gardening….
A phenomenal new resource is now available to guide you in creating your Kayenta landscaping, available on the Kayenta HOA website.
The Kayenta ACC Landscaping Committee has just released a new guide to plants currently suggested for use, listing plant characteristics such as typical height and width, growth rate and—perhaps most useful—whether the species is available at local nurseries.
There are links attached to each of the plant IDs and names which lead to images of the plants and in-depth information available online.
In addition, the guide specifies in what areas plants can be used, such as the natural area, the transitional area or in a courtyard. A “Notes” section includes other advice and things to know about a given plant.
This user-friendly Guide to Kayenta Plants is located in the ACC’s Landscaping Documents.
ACC & HOA Information
The Kayenta ACC meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month, 1:00 pm in the Theater for the Arts. A hard copy of the agenda is posted in the Kayenta Homes & Properties office the Thursday before the meeting.
Questions? Ellen Nathan
Phone: 435-652-8333
Email EllenShonto Point HOA Meetings
The Shonto HOA Board meets regularly during the year avoiding some summer months. All meetings are from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month in the Theatre for the Arts, located in the Kayenta Art Village.
Taviawk HOA Board Meetings
The Board plans to meet on the Thursday after the ACC meeting (which is the 3rd Tuesday of each month) bi-monthly at 9:30 am at The Management Group (formerly, F1 Property Management)
The Kayenta Concept
The Kayenta Concept is a philosophy that has steered the development of our exceptional community since its inception. The standards that underlie that concept are enforced by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC), which serves both the Shonto Point and Taviawk HOAs. The pre-amble to the 2021 ACC Handbook lays out the basics of the architectural rules that have been followed to create the homes and land-scape we live in.
When your home was designed the Kayenta Concept was front and center. The ACC reviewed your design to evaluate whether it followed the rules, and the ACC monitored construction of your home through landscaping and occupation, again, reviewing adherence to design and construction standards. When you received your occupancy permit and construction deposit refund from the ACC, on-going compliance with the Kayenta Con-cept became the responsibility of your HOA Board of Directors. Your Board has the authority to perpetuate the Kayenta Concept into the future and gladly accepts that role.
The Kayenta Concept is worth reviewing to remind us that what we have here has only happened because of the rules Kayenta developer Terry Marten set up to own, build and live in Kayenta. His vision and the governing documents he developed to achieve and maintain that vision established the Kayenta HOAs and gave them the responsibility and authority to enforce the CC&Rs that underlie the beauty and value we all enjoy
Ivins City Dumpster Dates and Blucan Recycling Calendars
Ivins City Offices are open.
For Appointments with a specific department call:
Administration: 435-628-0606
Building: 435-634-9753
Parks or Cemetery: 435-634-7719
Public Works: 435-634-0689
Dispatch: 435-634-5730 or Animal Control: 435-628-1049
Ongoing Events and Activities
Weekly and monthly gatherings
Kayenta Book Lovers
Meetings the 2nd Monday of every month. For more details contact our bookclub
Submissions
Email submissions / changes to kayentaconnection@rdicreative.com with “Kayenta Connection (month)” in the subject line. Our Kayenta Connection Newsletter updates the 1st of the Month. Please submit 6 days prior to the end of the month to be included.
The Kayenta Connection is a publication that is focused on the Kayenta Community (residents, visitors and other interested folks). Information and articles should appeal to our Kayenta readers and reflect the spirit of our community. The KC cannot be responsible for mistakes submitted by the contributor. We do not accept advertisements for services or events other than those provided by a Kayenta resident who is advertising their business/service to our community. The KC supports promotion of businesses located within the Kayenta Art Village.
The information submitted does not imply sponsorship or reflect the views and opinion of Kayenta Homes & Properties or Kayenta Development. Content not deemed appropriate for our readers will not be published. All information published in the KC is subject to editing.
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