As we embark on the New Year, we would like to take a moment to look back at 2021 and the events that took place close to home.
Last year started off with an optimistic look toward the future. Vaccines to mitigate the effects of COVID19 on our lives were finally here. We could start to gather, travel, and see friends and loved ones near and far.
The Kayenta Art Village opened with more regular hours and the Center for the Arts successfully reopened with smaller audiences and health safety protocols in place. In February, we hosted the Parade of Homes but with some reluctance. Vaccines were just becoming available so we encourage masking, sanitation, and social distancing as directed by the State of Utah.
Once residents acquired vaccinations, our community slowly started to gather again in small groups and life began to look more normal. Kayenta Recreation Association opened the pool and pickleball games resumed. Out of an abundance of caution, we postponed our annual summer community gatherings at the pool. We hope to resume the Memorial and Labor Day parties in 2022.
2021 saw a spike in demand for existing homes and new construction. The demand started in 2020. Many accelerated retirement plans or were able to work from home. Open space and the ability to get outside started to look very attractive. The entire state and specifically southern Utah has seen a surge in demand in the housing market. The growth that we started to see in 2018 has continued and is forecast to continue into the near future. While the demand has been high, labor and materials have been in short supply. Higher expectations for design and detail have added some increased time frames but material shortages, equipment delays, and a labor shortage have significantly added to longer construction times. Patience has been the mantra for buyers and everyone in the design and construction industries.
The supply and demand dynamic has also increased prices across the board. Interest rates remained very low and folks selling properties in high-value markets have kept things growing here in southern Utah. The average cost of a new home and lot in Kayenta is around $1,500,000 to $1,700,000.
By the middle of the year, the real estate inventory had been almost sold out and the development company choose to delay adding more lots for sale until we could service the current obligations. While costs are at a high and construction times have increased, the demand continues to be strong.
To help ease the pressure on custom home design services and long wait times for design and approvals, Kayenta will be offering a new product for home buyers. While custom lots and homes will continue to be our signature offering, a new subdivision of pre-designed homes will be offered to meet the demand. The forthcoming subdivision will be located on the east side of Kwavasa Drive across from the Arrowhead development. The new home designs will continue to retain the Kayenta DNA, values, and esthetic but offer our product on more traditional subdivision lots. Completed homes are estimated to start at $1,000,000.
Many of you have been following the developments on the proposed reservoir that would be located above Highway 91 and reaching up toward Kwavasa Drive. This is a project of the Washington County Water Conservancy District and Ivins City. The reservoir would be partially located on privately owned land that was slated for future low-density residential development by Kayenta.
The concerns are many, as there would be impacts to residents of Ivins. While a body of water in the desert sounds delightful, there are issues that need to be addressed. Just like the current Ivins Reservoir, there is no guarantee of the reservoir being full all of the time. This results in a dust bowl or a mudhole situation some of the time.
There is currently no plan in place to manage the logistical impacts of the new reservoir. The focus has been, only, on the need to store reuse water somewhere in Ivins. This is a short-sided mistake. At some point, there needs to be a detailed plan on how the body of water will be managed and maintained with regard to public use as a recreational asset or an attractive nuisance. The stored water would be used only for agricultural irrigation, landscape, parks, and golf course. We believe more discussion must take place to resolve the following issues: environmental impacts such as ground and air pollution, public health and safety, public access, fencing, parking, cost, and management. These topics should be on the minds of all Ivins residents and fully considered before construction of the project moves forward. There are limits to how much resistance a developer or landowner can exert. Residents of the city should also be concerned and ask questions.
The city and Washington County Water Conservancy District have focused only on future growth without discussions on the quality of life the growth brings with it. So far, the project has been given a green light without any public comment or conversation by the residents of the city it will impact.
Over the past two years or so, Kayenta Development has been moving earth into an area just south of Kwavasa Drive (near the dip in the road). Some residents are curious to know what the growing red piles of earth are for. The soil originates from the excavation and construction of new roads and from building sites. In previous years, this excess of earth was trucked across highway 91 into Anasazi Valley where it was used to build up and fortify land and banks that were susceptible to flooding and erosion. Now, the focus has turned to areas closer to our community that are adjacent to the proposed reservoir project. The build-up of earth on a few acres has become a proactive step by Kayenta owners that would fortify land that would otherwise be flooded by shallow water on the upper edge of the proposed reservoir. Ultimately, the red piles of earth will be shaped and planted to blend into our natural landscape.
While growing pains are felt, we continue to hold strong with the vision for our community. Enjoy the New Year! Get outside, breathe in the fresh air, wonder at the natural beauty of the land, wildlife, and big open spaces. See a play at the Center for the Arts, enjoy a yoga or exercise class, swim, play a game of pickleball, and learn to create a piece of art!
Our Holiday inspired open house turned into a New Years’ celebration as our party had to be rescheduled due to unseasonably cold December weather. We want to thank everyone who joined us in front of our Art Village office on Monday, January 3rd, with a special thank you going to Victoria Topham and Petite Feast for the delicious food and treats. What’s not to love about a Hot Chocolate Bar? You all showed us the true spirit of Kayenta and why we have chosen to call this incredible place home. Enjoy the slide show below.
Jeff Sproul, Principal Broker
Steve McAllister & Naomi Doyle, Sales Agents
435-628-7234 www.kayentahomes.com
2 Across is a romantic comedy about life, discovery, and love…of the New York Times crossword puzzle. A serendipitous, early-morning journey on a San Francisco BART train brings two opposites together. SHE, a structured psychologist and HE, an unemployed free spirit. By the end of their 80-minute train ride their lives have changed forever.
“Must see play of the year. Witty. Mesmerizing.” Beverly Hills Lookout
“A charming, character driven comedy that strives to entertain and succeeds admirably.” Los Angeles Times
Two-person Cast: Kent Hayes and Lori Olsen
Directed by: Garry Morris
Meet one of the lead Oncologists in Intermountain Health Care’s system. Derrick S. Haslem. MD is leading a research program in determining whether an individual’s DNA will reveal genetic defects based on their family history.
Derrick S. Haslem. MD is the director of medical oncology, a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and medical oncology with expertise in targeted therapy. Derrick S. Haslem. MD provides care for cancer patients at Intermountain Healthcare’s Southwest Regional Cancer Clinic, which has locations in both Cedar City and St. George.
6:30 PM: OPTIONAL SOCIAL HOUR BEFORE THE LECTURE WITH LIGHT SNACKS AND BEVERAGES WITH LIKE-MINDED FRIENDS.
7:30 PM: LECTURE STARTS
Sonically founded in bluegrass, jazz, and American acoustic music, the virtuosic collaboration between esteemed mandolinist Matt Flinner, guitarist Ross Martin, and bassist Eric Thorin is a finely tuned compositional machine. Over the last 15 years, the trio has been writing new music the day of any given show and performing it as part of that night’s concert. The resulting push to constantly create new material and challenge themselves to find new sounds and textures has led the trio to a unique sound all their own and has also stretched the boundaries of what a bluegrass trio can do.
Matt Flinner • Grammy-nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner has made a career out of playing bluegrass and American roots music in new ways. Hailed by Downbeat Magazine as “one of the best mandolin players ever,” Flinner has established a reputation as one of the most respected composers and innovators in modern American acoustic music.
Thank you to www.alanholbenphoto.com for his talent and photography used to promote many Center for the Arts at Kayenta and Kayenta Arts Foundation shows and events.
All programing is subject to change.
“In order to protect our performers and public, we will follow the lead that other professional theaters have established in requiring proof of negative COVID-19 test results from within 72 hours before the show, or Covid-19 vaccine card to participate in any capacity at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta.”
Art will be on display to the public during regular staff business hours
(Monday – Friday 12:00 – 4:00 PM), and during scheduled performances.
In September 2021 the Ivins City Council approved final revisions to the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. While there were some very objectionable proposed changes in the beginning, because of your comments and concerns, the final ordinance retains strong provisions that will help protect our night sky. Some of the major changes include:
• Definitions and clarifications were added for Illuminated Signs, Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), Kelvin, height of luminaires and visible light source.
• Electronic Message Boards were listed under “Prohibited Lighting”.
• Maintained that the standard CCT for residential outdoor lighting and non-residential lighting for streets and parking lots shall be 3,000 degrees K or less.
• Inserted figures describing and providing requirements for light trespass, fully-shielded fixtures, walkway lighting, canopy lighting.
• Clarified that backlighting must not be visible beyond your property boundary.
• Requires security lighting be on a timer and not be triggered by off-property activity.
• Added requirements for private sport court facilities.
What’s happening with the Shivwits soccer fields?
If you have recently driven out Highway 91 past Fire Lake you may have noticed the earth-moving equipment behind the Shivwits Gas Station & Convenience Store. The Shivwits Band is constructing a soccer field complex complete with lighting for night games. Ivins Night Sky has been working with the Shivwits since March 2021 to influence the design of the lighting system so it minimizes the light pollution off-site. What we do not want is sports lighting similar to what exists at nearby Unity Park, Gubler Park and The Canyons Softball Fields where the lights are not properly shielded and broadcast light well beyond the sports fields into neighboring communities. The ultimate goal is a design that approaches the International Dark Sky Association’s criteria for ‘Community Friendly Sports Lighting’.
So far the Shivwits Band has taken this effort seriously, as they have a positive ethic towards environmental conservation and also want to minimize light pollution and its impact on Dark Skies. The reality is a well-designed lighting system is going to have additional costs and there will likely be a community fund-raising effort to help defray the incremental cost. More information will be following.
For more information, please click on these links:
Utah Youth Soccer Legacy Fields at Shivwits https://www.utahyouthsoccer.net/legacy-fields-shivwits
A Soccer Mecca: Complex groundbreaking a big step for both Shivwits, Utah Youth Soccer Association
International Dark Sky Community-Friendly Sports Lighting Design Certification
Winter skies bring the return of the constellation Orion containing the Orion Nebula
This object is within the Milky Way and is on the aptly named Orion Spur of which our Sun is a member. The chart (courtesy of NASA) shows the Sun at the center of the grid. A closeup map shows the Orion Spur with objects labeled.
Although the Orion Nebula is a next-door neighbor within the Milky Way, it’s 1,344 light-years distant. Above is the Orion and Running Man Nebulae taken from Kayenta over several nights. The image is a mosaic of two panels, using red, green and blue filters in a monochrome camera. The RGB images are combined to form the color image. (Image curtesy of Tim Povlick, INS board member)
A Christmas Star was formed by Jupiter and Saturn in 2020
January’s Petite Feast Dinner Club has sold out but there’s room for you at February’s table!
HORS D’OEUVRE
BAKED FETA WITH BLUEBERRY BEAUJOLAIS JAM
VEGETABLE TART WITH RED PEPPER HUMMUS AND KALAMATA OLIVES
ROSE WATER MOJITO
FIRST COURSE
PEPPERED SALMON WITH ORANGE, CELERIAC, AND FENNEL REMOULADE
SECOND COURSE
CRUSHED POTATO AND BABY GEM CAESAR SALAD
ENTREE
HOUSE-MADE BASIL LINGUINE WITH SPICY ROASTED TOMATO ARRABBIATA SAUCE
DESSERT
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TART WITH PISTACHIO CRÈME ANGLAISE AND CURRY BRITTLE
“What a night to remember. Their elegant home is as spectacular as the hosts’ hospitality. My husband and I plan to buy tickets every time, so you better book soon!” – Abby Borg
“Absolutely a wonderful evening with incredible food! Add Petite Feast to the top of your list as an experience you don’t want to miss out on.” – Bryan Johnson
The holiday card my husband and I sent out this year boldly exclaimed, “New Year, New Beginning!” But as I sit at my desk writing this, what seems to be a more pressing thought is, “new year, new dinner idea.” Oftentimes when it comes to cooking dinner I default to what is familiar, but tonight I want to try something new or at least new-ish. Seared chicken with some sort of basic pan sauce is frequently my go-to recipe, but what if I reimagined this dinnertime staple by subbing in ground turkey for the usual chicken breast?
Turkey meatballs are highly customizable and because of turkey’s mild flavor, they can play nicely with just about any sauce or starch. Add a simple side and a green vegetable and there you have it – dinner! All you need to do is combine ground turkey (ground chicken could also work here) and seasonings with a mixture of bread crumbs and milk (known as a panade) to help keep the lean turkey tender and moist. To bump up the umami flavor that ground poultry usually lacks, I added a generous handful of flavor-boosting parmesan cheese and a tablespoon of soy sauce.
I shaped the meatballs into bite-size orbs and cooked them in a skillet on the stovetop until they were nicely browned. Then, I scooted them to the side of the pan, added garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and chicken stock to make a piquant sauce. Then, push the meatballs back to the center and allow the simmering sauce to tenderly cook the meatballs through. To ensure that the sauce was not too tart and had just the right amount of silkiness, I whisked in a knob of butter. And because I didn’t want to stray too far from traditional piccata sauce, I added briny capers, a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a flourish of chopped parsley. Delicious. Serve over simple mashed potatoes (or any other starch on hand), add sautéed spinach and you’ve got a tasty dinner on the table in about 35 minutes. New Year, new dinner idea, indeed!
To serve alongside our resident wine experts, Tim and Judy said, “How about a lightly oaked California Chardonnay, from a cooler climate area such as Carneros, Mendocino or Sonoma coast (more citrus and green apple flavors vs. tropical fruit, melon)?” As an alternative, they suggest, Sauvignon Blanc.
Thank you very much for your continued support.
With Blue Raven, there is no need to load the bikes onto your vehicle and drive to the trails. From our front doors, you can access any kind of riding you want, from paved trails through Snow Canyon to mountain bike adventures that can last from sunrise to sunset, and everything in between. With e-bikes, you can make the ride as easy or as challenging as you like.
We also have some pretty ingenious bikes to bring your kids along.
Check our website for pricing and hours.
(435) 225-0295 • blueravenbikes@gmail.com
Organized drop-in play occurs 4 mornings a week; Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, but players are welcome to set up their own matches, do drills and use the courts freely outside of those designated times.
Plans for 2022 include spring and fall skill sessions with a guest instructor, a KPG- member tournament in March and possible ‘field trips’ for social play in a new location. If you would like more information, please contact Trish Olson: otrish54@gmail.com or Barbara Vaughn: bvaughn@montana.com.
Elevate is a boutique fitness studio located in Kayenta offering group fitness classes, and private, semi-private, and group training workouts. Participants MUST be vaccinated. Pre-registration is required as these classes remain popular. For more information please visit our website at http://johnyohmanfitnessretreats.com/.
ElevateFIT is offered M, W, & F at 8:30 & 9:450 am. This class is taught inside and outside.
Limited Space is available. Contact Elevate Studio before attending as class sizes are limited due to the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
ElevateYoga class is offered Saturday at 10:00 am. This class is for yogis & yoginis w some experience.
Call for interested participants for:
Yoga foundations class for folks that are new to yoga on Thursdays at 9:30 am.
Please email or text John for interest in participating or any questions.
Be happy. Be healthy. Have a blast! ELEVATE!
Inquiries can be directed to John Yohman, Owner
Elevate Studio • 435-632-1381
jyfitness@me.com
Now taking appointments at my home office in Ivins- Just 5 minutes from the Kayenta Art Village.
Check out these exciting new add-ons to enhance your treatment!
Please call or text to schedule or with any questions! Please remember that I am usually booked at least 2 weeks out.
Namaste, Aly Hansen
The Village Fitness Center is open but with limited class sizes. Following social distancing protocols for the safety of everyone, we are only allowing 4 participants for each class.
The Village Fitness Center located near the theater and next to the room for thought has circuit training classes M/W/F at 8 am and Tu/Th/Sat at 9 am. ($4 per session). Other options to use the facility are also available. Come join your neighbors to strengthen your muscles, improve your heart rate and have some fun.
Please contact Gloria Prahl for more information and to check on class availability.
435-674-2824 435-669-0430
Class will be held in The Room for Thought in Kayenta Art Village (next to Kayenta Art Center) at 9:30 am on Thursdays.
Vaccination cards are required to attend in-person classes.
435-862-7743
(Kayenta Resident)
Call or text for an appointment:
206-271-6165
“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
We are still savoring the holidays and cherishing time with everyone we care about including our furry friends.
We will be back soon with more Inkas updates.
Bailee Sleppy, Manager
HOURS: Monday – Saturday: 8AM – 3PM
Sunday: CLOSED
Lois Hewitt: President. 435-414-4802
Sara Dupre: Secretary. 206-724-5902
Please visit our website to read INKAS accomplishments!
Remember the pets waiting for adoptions or fostering at the Ivins City Animal Shelter.
435-628-1049
INKAS is a 501(c) 3 organization and is a Registered Utah Charity.
Inkas4pets@gmail.com. You can also check us out on Facebook.
In-person events have returned! Friends of Snow Canyon will offer outdoor events in 2022! See the volunteer opportunities below as well as outdoor hike/lecture presentations. At this point, we are not planning indoor events due to the COVID situation. Zoom presentations remain available for your enjoyment at home. They are posted below the Event listings on this page.
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 web site.
E-mail us at friendsofsnowcanyon@gmail.com. “Like” us on www.facebook.com/ FriendsofSnowCanyon.
Nextdoor is a completely private on-line web-site environment and we now have ONE Kayenta Nextdoor neighborhood with two leaders Nathan Dupre and Kathi Fox.
We invite women and men residents of Kayenta to join us in our mission to fund local nonprofits that support women and girls of all ages in the southern Utah area. Through the strength of collective giving we make high impact grants to improve lives in our community. Please Join Us.
Email: 3cornerswgc@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/threecornerswgc
Please visit the Initiative’s website for more information at IvinsNightSky.org or email them at info@IvinsNightSky.org.
The mission of the Ivins Night Sky Initiative is to improve, preserve, and protect the night sky over Ivins and our heritage of dark skies through education and information about 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.
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)
Happy2Help is an in home personal concierge service.
Services Include:
• Personal Shopping
• Health Recovery Assistance
• Meal Prep
• Snowbird Service
• Home Organization
• Event Assistance
Call or email Andrea, your trustworthy neighbor at
401-258-9772 or Happy2help.Andrea@gmail.com
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
Staying Put in Kayenta is a member-driven organization for Kayenta residents, proactively providing programs and services so members can lead vibrant, active and healthy lives while living in their own homes.
For information contact
Ellen Nathan
Secretary for Staying Put in Kayenta
435-652-8333
Classes Run for Six Weeks.
You will be able to sign up for another six weeks if you choose to continue.
PLACE • New Studio
Fire and Maintenance building in the Art Village
TIME • Mon. or Tues. from 10 AM to 1PM
PRICE • $210 per 6 week session (Six classes)
INSTRUCTOR • Sherrie Warren
BACKGROUND • Bachelor Fine Arts. Taught for 10 years. Worked in acrylics, oils, and pastels.
CALL TO RESERVE SPACE OR TO SIGN UP
HOME • 435-656-9199 CELL • 801-680-9616
Interested in volunteering in the arboretum? Or just looking for information about the arboretum or our lecture series. Please contact Roger Head, rbhkayenta@gmail.com or 435-632-1814.
Please visit the Kayenta HOA website ACC tab for Landscaping documentation. Select Landscaping Regulations Rev 2017 and Landscaping Review Steps 2017.
The Kayenta ACC meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month, 2:00 pm in the Kayenta Community Room. 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: arneen@infowest.com
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
Meetings the 2nd Monday of every month. For more details contact our bookclub
The Kayenta Weavers groups meets weekly to enjoy the limitless creativity of off-loom weaving.
For information contact Katie at: kayentakatie@gmail.com.
Spirit of the Desert Episcopal church meets every Sunday at 3 pm at 272 E Center Street, Suite 203, in Ivins for worship, music, and fellowship. The building is located across the street from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine on the second floor, west end. We welcome everyone to join us whether you are a visitor, a newcomer, an inquirer, or a member of another church or faith tradition. We are a Christian community that cares for one another, and we’d like to care for you, too. For additional information or questions, email Father Lee Montgomery at fatherly.montgomery@gmail.com.
*Tahri Marpo Ling Tibetan Buddhist Sangha
Weekly Meditation Practices: OPEN TO ALL
Friday, 10-11 am, Green Tara Practice
Green Tara is known as the Mother of All Buddhas. We engage in this practice to awaken our capacity for enlightened activity, present in the form of the feminine dimension of the primordial nature of mind. Green Tara is known for her ability to dispel fear, anxiety and suffering.
Tuesday, 10-11 am, Awakened Mornings
This practice begins with three guided meditations to focus the mind, open the heart, and generate compassion for all sentient beings. Then, a short form of the Chenrezig practice is led, in English. Chenrezig is known as the Buddha of Compassion.
Contact Lhamo Khandro by calling or texting 801-671-8758 or emailing choshin4@gmail.com
for Zoom instructions for entering this virtual Buddhist sangha.
For more information on classes, weekly meditation practices and retreats, please go to our website: tahrimarpoling.org
Tahri Marpo Ling was founded by Lhamo Thupten Dawa Khandro on May 21st of 2017 with the blessing and guidance of Lama Thupten Rinpoche. Lhamo Khandro has been ordained in both the Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
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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.
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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