Ivins City Council Candidate Forums
A second opportunity to learn more about the six candidates running for the three City Council positions in this November’s election is happening tonight.
Wednesday, November 1st, 6:30–8:00 pm – Vista School’s Auditorium – 585 E Center Street
Use west side entrance to the back building. Parking on the west side or back of the theater. Entrance will not be allowed through the school building. Doors will open at 6:00. NO Food or drink allowed in the building (Water ok.)
What to expect at each forum:
• Each candidate will be given the opportunity to explain why they are running for City Council and why they are qualified.
• Each candidate will be asked a series of questions on topics important to Ivins residents and will have 2 minutes to respond.
• The last 60 minutes of the forum will be open for audience questions.
• There will be a short “Meet & Greet” with the candidates after the event.
We hope you can attend to be more informed about those running for City Council. The forums are being organized by a group of Ivins residents.
Please Vote! Go to https://vote.utah.gov for more information about absentee ballots, etc.
Artist’s Reception
“Finding Rain in the Desert” by Margaret Abramshe
‘Found Objects’
2D & 3D works of art created with “Found Objects”
Free Opening Reception
November 1st
6:30- 8:00 pm
Center for the Arts at Kayenta
There are some truly creative entries for the latest Kayenta Center for the Arts art show, “Found Objects”. The exhibit will be on display in the lobby gallery through December 27th during all open hours and every show. Best of all, sales benefit the Center, the artist.. and your beautiful home. Be a part of the art!
All artwork is available for sale.
Center for the Arts at Kayenta retains a
25% commission on each purchase.
REMEMBER TO VOTE!
Special General Election November 21, 2023
The deadline to register to vote in Utah is November 13, 2023. 11 days before the Election Day. The next election is scheduled for November 21, 2023.
Any eligible voter may register to vote or update their voter registration information by completing and submitting a voter registration form. There are multiple ways that you can register to vote in Utah. Please visit the link below for more information.
“Let’s Talk About Open Space”
Mayor Chris Hart and a panel five present and discuss Open Space in Ivins
Comments by Matt Marten
On October 18th Mayor Chris Hart hosted a presentation and discussion about open space in Ivins at Rocky Vista University. The panel presentation featured panelists: Elaine York from the Nature Conservancy; Steve Snow from the Virgin River Land Preservation Association; former Ivins Mayor, Chris Blake who also works with the Virgin River Land Preservation Association; Ivins City Attorney/City Manager, Dale Coulam; and Kent Bylund, Developer/Landscape Planning for Black Desert Resort and Splitrock. Each presented a different perspective on open space based on their area of expertise.
While Open Space and access to it is a high priority for many Ivins residents, I was surprised that the audience size was relatively small. The audience was filled mostly with city council members, planning commission members, candidates for city council, and friends and family of the panelists. I would say there were less than two dozen interested residents.
What is “Open Space”?
Open Space is a general term that means different things to different people and it also depends on the context. It can be undisturbed wilderness but it can also be city parkways adjacent to roads, city parks, or golf courses. The latter might be better described as “green space” or “green belt” but for this discussion, the term Open Space was used to cover almost any land that was not fully developed by streets or buildings.
Open Space in Kayenta
In Kayenta subdivisions, we create open space by agreement with lot buyers as outlined in our CCRs. On most lots, we require owners to leave a high percentage of the lot undisturbed and natural. In most cases, 40 to 75 percent of each lot is left undisturbed and open for view corridor and privacy. Unless a trail easement has been established, this land is privately owned and is not for public use. I would call this “Visual Open Space”.
Open Space has also been established adjacent to several Kayenta subdivisions and was donated to Ivins City for natural park areas. These Open Spaces include Rock Park/Pyramid, Elephant Rocks, and Humpback.
Dry Wash Nature Park was also planned for a publicly accessible Open Space but has recently been approved for a WCWCD reuse water reservoir. This has been a huge disappointment to the planning and development of Kayenta and West Ivins. It may also violate the Sensitive Lands Plan, Transportation Plan, and Land Use Plan.
Growing Pains
Back in the day, Ivins was primarily agriculture where cattle roamed free and a small patchwork of alfalfa fields mingled with sagebrush and the occasional home. When Kayenta was started in 1976, the population of Ivins was roughly 400 residents. Today Ivins City exceeds 10,000 residents. Over that time, some of us have seen drastic changes to the landscape. With more pressure to grow in the future, city planning is more important than ever.
Ivins consists of privately owned land surrounded by BLM (Federal Lands), Snow Canyon State Park, SITLA, St. George, Santa Clara, Shivwitz Reservation Trible Land. Most of the land within Ivins City is privately owned. Historically, we have considered BLM (Federal Lands) to be safe or protected Open Space but as Steve Snow reminded us “that could change depending on the administration in power” (at the federal government level). State Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) has remained open space until recently and with pressures to develop SITLA has recently sold to private buyers or is actively in the process of developing the land through partnerships. Adjacent Tribal Lands have been open and undeveloped but with demand, there is a change in the wind. Privately owned land that has been undeveloped should not be considered Open Space unless it is purchased by a land trust, exists as city property owned by taxpayers, or is designated by agreement with the owner (whether private or public) to be conserved in Open Space.
Nature Conservancy – Utah
Elaine York represents southern Utah for the Nature Conservancy. NC focuses on biological and ecological lands to conserve. The NC purchases land to conserve through fundraising and donations. Elaine explained there are different reasons to preserve land: Green Space, Habitat, and Ecological/Biological. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/utah/
Virgin River Land Preservation Association (Trust)
Steve Snow and Chris Blake shared information about the Land Trust. It works with communities and landowners to preserve southwestern Utah’s heritage of scenic beauty, open lands, and quality of life. They are an organization that relies on volunteers to identify and fund conservation projects with both public and private owners. Like The Nature Conservancy, they work with owners to convert land into the care and stewardship of the trust. They rely heavily on volunteers and donations to manage the Trust. In some cases, there is state and federal grant money to help with land acquisitions. http://virginriverland.org/
Black Desert Development
Kent Bylund shared land planning and design from a developers’ perspective. Like Kayenta, the project Kent designs are private in nature. Sometimes lots designate an area to remain in Open Visual Space but are owned and maintained by the private homeowner. Developers might choose to offer Open Space as part of an HOA subdivision. In this case, the HOA would be responsible for the management and maintenance of the land and it may or may not offer public access. If trails or Open Space were deeded to the city the responsibility and maintenance would be transferred to the taxpayers. Landscaped parkways, golf courses, and walking paths are considered Open Space in the designs of his communities.
Takeaways
As a private landowner, turning over land to a trust for conservation is trickier than it sounds. To ensure the land remains protected and cared for, a trust needs to be established, stable, and well-funded to ensure the upkeep for generations to come. Turning land over to a municipality carries with it similar concerns. City funding needs to be stable and assured.
Some asked how the city can acquire more Open Space. In short, the mayor said, “We just do not have the money to do so”. Steve Snow also added the city needs to stick with established Land Use Planning/Zoning to create a functional city that makes sense. Ironically, commercial development is what funds trails, parks, and open spaces. Without such tax revenues, public amenities cannot be provided without significantly higher residential property taxes.
There are several takeaways from the talk that became evidently clear:
• Open Space is not free, it has to be funded. Tax revenues are critical.
• Aside from city parks and parkway trails, the city does not currently own Open Space
• Most perceived Open Space within the city is privately owned
• Volunteers are needed to be advocates and plan for Open Space
• Open Space has to be owned and managed by a Land Trust, non-profit, HOA, municipality, state, or federal government.
Creating Open Space
So, you might be asking: what can be done?
With dwindling undeveloped land for hiking and mountain biking right at your doorstep, we are all looking to the city to maintain this access and way of life. With public clamor becoming more vocal, Mayor Hart announced that he will form an Open Space Committee in 2024 to help the city explore ways to create and fund Open Spaces. The committee would be tasked with identifying possible areas for Open Space and how to acquire it:
• Identify and establish an Open Space Plan
• Raise funds to purchase land for Open Space
• Work with private owners to establish Open Space by donation
• Create conservation easements by agreement on private or public land
To understand more about Ivins City land designations I suggest you visit ivins.com where you can find maps that illustrate land use, zoning, sensitive lands, transportation, etc.
IT’S TIME TO
FALL FOR THE ARTS
The future of the Center for the Arts at Kayenta is brighter than ever. This Fall, we’ve enjoyed the return of the Art in Kayenta, and look forward to an incredible season featuring music, dance, storytelling, and theater. We hope you will join us!
We are bringing you world-class performances not found elsewhere in Southern Utah. As we approach this season, we are asking our community to help ensure the future of the arts and the Center.
A dedicated group of supporters have pledged a combined $20,000 in matching funds toward our “Fall for the Arts” campaign. Every dollar you contribute will be matched dollar for dollar from now until Giving Tuesday (November 28). With a commitment to invest in our next chapter, your donation will directly support the highest level of professional programming within our beautiful and intimate theater.
We invite you to become a member today, to support these efforts!
Upcoming Events
What the Constitution Means to Me
November 9-18, 2023
Playwright Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans. Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful and achingly human new play, she resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.
Voyager Lecture Series: Encounters with the Future
Cardiac Surgery – Fueled By Pioneering Innovation
November 28, 2023
In November, Jon B. Woozley, MPAS, PA-C, FAPACVS shares his passionate story of how the negative advice of a college advisor fueled his desire to innovate and perfect a minimally-invasive procedure that positively impacts cardiac surgery patients and their families. Additionally, we will focus on the latest techniques to treat common cardiac conditions and other interesting cardiac cases, one involving a nail gun. Optional Social Hour With Like-Minded Friends, Light Snacks And Beverages @ 6:30pm
Soirée Musicale
A Rendezvous with Clarinet, Strings & Piano
December 2, 2023
Soirée Musicale features top local musicians tackling some of the most advanced and inspiring classical music in the repertoire. For this chamber concert, we are thrilled to welcome guest clarinetist Alex Yu, who will play alongside Urs Rutishauser & Joie Whittaker (violin), Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca (viola), Christian Bohnenstengel (piano), and Dr. Ka-Wai Yu (cello). It will be a great concert that celebrates diversity and promotes wind+string chamber collaboration!
For more information and tickets to the amazing events please visit our website.
We look for to seeing you at the Center for the Arts in Kayenta.
Studios, Galleries, Businesses & Dining
To check out all of our galleries and businesses click the link below
Locals’
Appreciation Sale
November 3 & 4
10 AM – 5 PM
30% OFF EVERYTHING
Our wild-crafted unique face and body care products are all lovingly made in Kayenta from safe, natural, and locally sourced wild botanical ingredients. Products are available to test so you can see, feel, and smell the difference for yourself.
Kayenta Art Village: 873 Coyote Gulch Ct. Suite C
Coyote Tales has a great story for you.
Storytelling – in all its forms – is a powerful bond that connects and unites us as individuals and communities. Through the sharing of stories, our differences matter less and our individuality is celebrated more.
Listen now. If you were unable to make it to the Heritage Days Festival show, you can still hear all the tales! Please check out our audio archives on the Coyote Tales website.
Everyone has a story – Vic
SAVE THE DATE
Our next Coyote Tales Storytelling event will be held at the Center for the Arts in Kayenta on February 9, 2024.
Enjoy the powerful combination of vibrational sound therapy and acupuncture. Receive 2 healing modalities simultaneously for a powerfully restorative experience.
Tiny acupuncture needles are placed on both ears and Yin Tang (3rd eye) to calm the mind, reduce stress/anxiety, and tonify organs-assisting in detoxification, improving sleep, and boosting immunity while allowing you to ease into deep relaxation.
A sound bath is a meditative experience where you bathe in sound waves produced by chimes, gongs, singing bowls, vocals, and other instruments. This reduces stress, alters consciousness, and creates a deep sense of peace and well-being.
The powerful combination of the modalities stimulates a very strong Ventral Vagal response for your parasympathetic nervous system, which can last for days/weeks to come.
LOCATION
Elevate Studio Kayenta
Date: Saturday, November 4th at 4 pm
Self-Care Investment: $65 for Elevate members, and $75 for non-members. Space is limited to 20 people.
Contact John Yohman for registration and payment at 435-632-1381 or jyfitness@me.com
Bring your own yoga mat, pillow, and a blanket
The weather is cooling off but business at Kayenta Homes & Properties is heating up
KHP is currently involved in ALL of the pending home listings in Kayenta. Traffic in the Art Village has picked up, and there has been a good flow of potential new clients coming into our office. Kayenta is very much on the radar for visitors looking to relocate to Southern Utah, especially from up North.
The KHP sales team (Jeff, Steve & Naomi) continues to be grateful to be able to work in such a beautiful community, want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!
The KHP sales team continues to be grateful to be able to work in such a beautiful community, want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!
Jeff Sproul, Principal Broker
Steve McAllister & Naomi Doyle, Sales Agents
435-628-7234 www.kayentahomes.com
Kayenta Community
The local perspective. Our businesses and residents news and events.
Resident Spotlight
Janell Bassett, Editor
Nancy Forman
Guided by Beauty
Nancy Forman’s eye for beauty has guided her life. From an early age taking local art classes to a career embracing fashion, design, and photography, she has followed a path where the pursuit and creation of beauty has been her guiding force. Eventually, that path led her to settle in the beautiful landscape of Kayenta.
Nancy’s parents enrolled her in after school classes in painting, ceramics and mixed media, an interest that led her to working in florist shops and at specialty fashion boutiques as a teen. She moved on to study design at the Moore College of Art and Design and the Philadelphia College of Textile Design and Science and to work in management for Ann Taylor stores in Philadelphia and Miami. Returning to Philadelphia, she started a career in home remodeling, primarily kitchen and bath design.
That began a 32-year career leading to her current company https://www.happyupyourhome.com/, where her work includes working with builders and new homeowners in Kayenta on finishing touches, and remodeling/rejuvenating and organizing existing homes. “Creating beautiful spaces is what I do best,” Nancy says. When it comes to home rejuvenation, a key part of the process is helping a client discover what they want. “Every client is different,” she says, “some have an idea of what they want, some are focused on wanting new and following trends. Some rely on my design guidance.”
Nancy fell in love with the high desert environment of Kayenta on a hummingbird trip in southeast Arizona which led her to a stay at Green Valley Spa in St. George. Within days she bought a house that brought her back for vacation stays in Kayenta for 25 years. Today, she works “to blend interior furnishings with the color palette and beauty of our outside surroundings, to match furniture and décor with the clean lines of the Adobe lifestyle.”
For some clients, that is a challenge, Nancy reports. Some move here from traditional homes with antique or other styles of furniture that do not mesh with the desert environment. Sensitive to these situations, Nancy works with homeowners to create “a more eclectic design by mixing some of the old with the new.”
Part of Nancy’s design work involves helping clients declutter, which, she admits, can be difficult for many who hang onto things for personal, nostalgic, or monetary reasons. Her role is to help people find the efficiencies of creating storage space by decluttering, so that they can keep, display, store, or donate things, as appropriate.
At the same time, Nancy takes her eye for beauty outdoors, pursuing an interest in photography that has become a separate business. While off-roading and visiting remote areas, she began capturing natural scenes and following up on a new-found interest in photographing old trucks. Her work is displayed in galleries, home stores and museums across the U.S. www.JuniperWindDesigns.com
How does she manage both her design and photography businesses? “It’s easy when you do something you love,” says a woman whose eye for beauty guides her every step of the way.
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.
MakeSpace Art School and Studios
Located in beautiful Kayenta.
MakeSpace has a variety of classes available in all types of mediums and for all levels of artists. Make some new friends and some new art right here in our neighborhood! Visit our website (link below) to see all our class offerings.
November Opportunities include Encaustic Art
Enter the world of encaustic art. Take the opportunity to learn the magical way of creating art with hot wax. In this class, you will gain a thorough understanding of the material, science, and safety protocol of working in this fascinating medium. From there, enjoy the process of learning and practicing multiple techniques, creating your own unique art pieces. There are two levels of classes available. One for beginners and another for artists who previously completed the beginning encaustics class.
All materials and equipment are provided for both classes!
And you will learn from Kathy Johnson, the incredibly talented and fun encaustics instructor – who also happens to be one of our Kayenta residents. Kathy Johnson received her degree in fine arts from the University of Utah in 1990, with an emphasis on drawing and painting. She taught art, 3-D design, photography, and digital media in Salt Lake City for 25 years. As an educator, she initiated several local art exhibits and juried many more, including the Salt Lake Arts Festival. For 30 years she worked primarily with oils, but since 2012 she has been experimenting with encaustic. With encaustic, there is less control over details and edges–surfaces are altered by heat, which makes the process somewhat unpredictable. That has encouraged her to play with layers and surface texture and move into abstraction—and even sculpture.
Kathy Johnson
Two-day Beginning Encaustic Workshop
When: November 11 and 12
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Enter the world of encaustics, the art of creating visual art with hot wax!
You will start by gaining a thorough understanding and appreciation of the material, science, and important safety protocol of working in this fascinating medium. From there, enjoy the process of learning and practicing multiple techniques, creating your own unique art pieces, while hopefully gaining the desire to further explore the world of encaustics
Kathy Johnson
Level 2 Encaustic Workshop
When: November 13
Time:1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
*Beginning Encaustics is a prerequisite to take this class
An assemblage is a three-dimensional piece of art using found or unrelated objects. Let’s dive deep and go beyond just creating a “pretty picture.” In this class, we will strive to articulate the message that you wish to convey in your work. Techniques learned in Beginning Encaustics will be utilized, with more emphasis on the medium’s 3-dimensional possibilities.
Or maybe you want to try to paint with watercolors!
In our Winter Watercolor Painting class, you will learn to paint with our popular instructor Deena Millecam in this five-week series that starts on November 7th. All levels are welcome! In this class the student works at their own pace, learning from Deena through demonstrations and personal guidance as well as from one another. Class time will include painting from personal inspiration images, in-class critique and instructor-led demonstrations.
Or, consider trying something different!
We still have a few spots open in our Introduction to Needle Felting class being taught by Debbie Hussey and scheduled for November 6th. Come and enjoy an afternoon of needle felting! This fun, forgiving, and affordable medium is sure to be a hit with anyone wanting to learn more about fiber arts. All supplies are included as your instructor walks you through each step to make your own delightful potted cactus. Afterward, you will have enough supplies to make two more on your own! No experience necessary! Great class for beginning artists or artists who want to try a new medium
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
September Ivins City Council Update
Mike Scott, Council Member
Be Counted. Be Heard
The election for three Ivins City Council positions is on November 21st. The ballots should be mailed on October 31st. If you are out of town and have forwarded your mail, your ballot will NOT be forwarded.
The only way you can receive your ballot at a different address is to update your mailing address. You can “update your mailing address” at https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html. You can enter start and end dates for when you want mail sent to that address in the online form.
Note: Don’t wait until the last minute to mail your ballot. It is likely that it will not be postmarked the day you mail it. That may take a couple of days. And if it is postmarked too late, your vote won’t count.
We Should Be Seen… But Not Heard!
The expression “children should be seen and not heard” is an old English proverb. It wasn’t just a saying. They meant it. Children could be present but should not speak, particularly when they are around adults because children are naive and ignorant of adult matters.
My, how times haven’t changed. It sounds like Governor Cox might think citizens, cities, city councils should be seen but not heard. Are we too naive and ignorant of adult matters? Maybe we really need the Legislature to figure out everything for us. Maybe we’re just not capable.
The St. George News reported recently that Governor Cox told them, “We’re going to take a little more authority over land use” from the cities. We’ve already seen the state take over some decisions cities have traditionally dealt with (see my Harmonious Baloneyous article at https://www.mikescott4ivins.com/?p=1554 ). It sounds like they enjoyed the taste of that and are hungry for more.
The Governor rationalizes this move, saying the Legislature is trying to take some of the pressure off local leaders by making it less politically harmful to add needed housing and density to a city. According to the Governor, “We are changing some laws to make it easier for those approvals to go through and harder for them to be to be overturned.”
Wow! Really! Those pesky residents and city councils are getting in the way. So annoying.
Isn’t this like saying city councils should be protected from their own residents whenever tough decisions are on the line? Is it that we can’t be trusted to make the right decisions, only the Legislature is smart enough to do that? Or is it that we’re afraid to make the right decisions because they might upset residents?
Or is it simply a smart strategy to move the decision-making hundreds of miles away? That way elected officials don’t need to be pestered by citizens showing up at meetings to express their own ideas about issues.
Makes sense. After all, it’s going to be difficult for an angry group of Ivins citizens to walk 304 miles to the State Capitol with a pitchfork in one hand and a flaming torch in the other. Especially in winter when the Legislature is in session.
Maybe the Governor and the Legislature need to be reminded why cities and city councils exist. The Utah League of Cities & Towns Powers & Duties Handbook for Utah Municipal Officials states, “Local government allows people to have more direct access to decision makers and a “closer” avenue to influence decisions…”
The Handbook also says, “The ability to approach a city official and to have issues considered in short order is a significant benefit of local government.” Those seem like pretty compelling reasons to keep decision-making local.
Moving decisions farther from their source, from the community to the state Legislature, defeats some of the reasons local government exists. City councils need to deal with issues face-to-face with residents. It’s all about being up close and personal. It’s about communication, accessibility, and accountability.
And, as the Powers & Duties Handbook says, it’s about each community deciding how to develop and preserve their own sense of community. To drive that point home, the Handbook adds, “One role of local officials is to make that place special.”
Outsourcing to the state Legislature is simply wrong. Our mayor has been vocal about that. But it looks like we need a louder voice if we want to be heard.
More City Information
I try to keep these articles relatively concise. Not doing too well at that. It’s frustrating because there’s so much to discuss. So, please email me at Mike@MikeScott4Ivins.com for more information about these and other Ivins issues. Also, please tell me what issues in Ivins matter to you. Visit my website at www.MikeScott4Ivins.com for regular updates and now you can also add your comments to my articles.
Petite Feast Dinner Club
NOVEMBER’S DINNER HAS SOLD OUT, BUT SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DECEMBER’S WINTER CELEBRATION DINNER!
ARRIVE AS GUESTS….LEAVE AS FRIENDS
December is just around the corner and this dinner is full of delicious root vegetables, brassicas, apples and pears and other tasty delights that showcase winter’s bounty. An entrée of comforting roast chicken and chestnut puree is a classic combination that is guaranteed to set the perfect tone for your holiday season. Cheers!
DECEMBER – WINTER CELEBRATION DINNER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023
HORS D’OEUVRE
SAVORY CARAMELIZED ONION RUGELACH
RED PEPPER CHUTNEY WITH GOAT CHEESE AND HOUSEMADE CRACKERS
HIBISCUS SPARKLER
FIRST COURSE
APPLE AND PARSNIP SOUP
SECOND COURSE
BRAISED LEEKS WITH SMOKED CHEDDAR CRUMBLE AND THYME
ENTREE
ROASTED CHICKEN WITH CHESTNUT PUREE, HONEY ROASTED CARROTS AND GARLIC JUS
DESSERT
SPICED APPLE CRUMBLE TART WITH PEACAN CARAMEL ICE CREAM
“I wanted to let you know how VERY happy we were to attend the Petite Feast dinner the other night. It was a truly delicious evening in every possible way. Thank you.”
– Kent and Garry
To reserve your seat at the table please click on the link below.
DINNER LOCATION: PRIVATE HOME IN KAYENTA, UTAH
**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.
Virtual Dinner Party #89
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #89
One of the highlights of my year in the kitchen is the large Friendsgiving celebration my husband and I host each November. The celebration brings together both sides of our family and many of the good friends we have made while living here in Kayenta. This year I am delighted to say that we will have 29 guests seated around our table and I’ve been dreaming about the menu for months!
Typically, Thanksgiving dinner centers around turkey. There is no denying it. A bright Thanksgiving spotlight shines squarely on the festive centerpiece of a perfectly roasted bird. But this year we are welcoming guests from across the street, across the state and across the world – and many of them are vegetarian or vegan. What to serve??? Of course, there are plenty of side dishes that can please non-meat eaters, but I want to offer something that feels a little more main-dish-y as an entrée option for our meat abstaining guests. The answer I hit on is a streamlined vegetarian paella. It works perfectly for vegans, vegetarians and even gluten free dinner guests.
So if you too are planning a Thanksgiving feast to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences, I encourage you to give this recipe a go. It is a festive dish that is elegant, colorful and welcoming. But best of all it can be proudly placed right next to the turkey in the center of your table and claim its portion of the T-day limelight.
In order to make this normally time-consuming dish a possibility for your busy Thanksgiving cooking schedule, I streamlined things a bit. I’ve used accessible ingredients, standard kitchen equipment (no paella pan needed), and a simplified modified cooking method. However, there are a couple of things that are absolutely required to make this dish paella – quality rice, a flavorful sofrito base, and saffron.Everything else is extra. Don’t feel confined by my choice of ingredients. I’ve used green beans, squash, red pepper, lemon and artichokes, but feel free to use whatever you and your guests like.
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.
The happiest of Thanksgiving to all of you. I am filled with deep gratitude for the opportunity to share my craft with you each month through these recipes.
Thanks for coming to the party. Cook On! – Victoria
STREAMLINED VEGETABLE PAELLA RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
3 C vegetable stock
2 bay leaf
2 generous pinches of saffron (about 30 threads)
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic
2 t dry thyme
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips – reserved
1 green bell pepper, diced
½ dry white wine
2 large tomatoes, diced (1 28 oz can diced tomatoes may be substituted)
1 ½ C medium grain rice
1 C pimento stuffed Spanish olives
1 T Spanish paprika
1 can canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed (frozen artichoke hearts may be substituted)
½ # haricot vert or green beans, blanched
1 ea. yellow squash, zucchini, cut into ¼ “rounds
1 ½ C frozen peas
Fresh lemon and minced parsley for serving
METHOD:
Simmer vegetable stock with bay leaf and saffron in a saucepan over low heat for 10 minutes.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and cook until soft but not brown. Add the diced peppers and cook 2-3 minutes.
Deglaze with wine and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, until reduced by half. Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook until tomatoes have softened and have given up most of their juice. Add the rice and sauté briefly.
Add seasoned broth, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, olives and paprika. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Rice should be almost cooked through but still have a bite.
Remove the lid and decoratively arrange red pepper strips, squash and green beans on top of the rice. Cover tightly and let cook over low heat for an additional 3 minutes to cook vegetables through. Finally, remove the lid and turn the burner to medium high. In a few moments you will start to hear the rice begin to crackle which develops the socarrat – the delicious, often fought over crispy layer of browned crust of rice that forms on the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and scatter peas and minced parsley over the top and serve with lemon.
Serves 6-8 but can easily be scaled up or down to suit
435.656.0165
Xetava Cafe and Tapas+Bar 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. Allow yourself to be mesmerized by the views while you choose between our new Tapas+Bar area or the original Cafe.
Hours of Operation
Monday
CAFE 11-5 • TAPAS+BAR 4-8
Tuesday/Wednesday
CLOSED
Thursday/Friday
CAFE 11-8 • TAPAS+BAR 4-9
Saturday
CAFE 9-8 (brunch ‘til Noon) • TAPAS+BAR 4-9
Saturday
CAFE 9-8 (brunch ‘til Noon) • TAPAS+BAR 4-8
Health, Fitness & Wellness
Kayenta’s locally run gyms, fitness classes, spas, group workouts, wellness activities and mindful experiences.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
– Mother Teresa
Elevate Fitness
Class Offerings for Fall 2023
I hope everyone is ready to get their “Fitness Groove” back on at Elevate this fall.
ElevateFit • 9:30 am, Mon, Wed, Fri
Elevate Yoga • 9:30 am Thur, 10 am Sat
Elevate Studio • 435-632-1381 • jyfitness@me.com
Class size is limited and subject to change.
Pre-registration is required. Contact John before attending your first class.
Be happy. Be healthy. Have a blast! ELEVATE!
Kayenta Home Yoga
“The land is whispering feelings of deep rest,
the sense of it landing softly
in each being’s bones and flesh
like gentle fog.”
-Brigit Anna McNeill
October’s cooler weather is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with the structure of scheduled classes, if summer’s activities took you away from home and away from your practice.
We will pick up where we left off: Noticing the breath, paying attention to the body, and focusing the mind.
October Class Schedule
9:30 – 10:45 Tuesday: Vigorous Vinyasa
9:30 – 10:45 Wednesday: Relaxing Yin/Stretch
9:30 – 10:45 Thursday: Vigorous Vinyasa
Please contact me for more information. Pre-registration is required.
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!
I will also be offering Sacred Healing Classes one Saturday morning a month
at my most sacred place, my home.
Classes include:
Sacred Tea Ceremony • Meditation • Yoga
Class/workshop will be 2 hours.
Please email me for a list of upcoming classes and dates.
Vaccination cards are required to attend in-person classes.
Call/text: 435-862-7743
Sacred Space Spa
Body, Skin, and Energy Work
Ask about our 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
For a full list of Spa Treatments visit:
Tel: 435-862-7743
Email MeJavier’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 DentonTrips and Trails
Kayenta Exploration Group
November 13, 2023
Going to Parowan Gap Petroglyphs, west of Cedar City
Meet at the Kayenta Design Center at 10 am
Bring a Lunch. 10 miles of dirt road, half day trip.
For details call Charles Dillier at 435-656-1956
Desert 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: 435-674-1664
Email Cheryl
Beth Hopwood: 802-922-8905
Email Beth
Desert Rose Labyrinth
792 Kayenta Pkwy, Ivins UT
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.
Veterans Memorial Project / Ivins Cemetary
Advocate: Kathy Nied
VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT/IVINS CEMETERY
GOLF TOURNAMENT
SUNBROOK GOLF COURSE, NOVEMBER 11, 2023
We would love to have everyone join us for a great day of Fall golf to support this wonderful
project. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, raffle, lunch, cart, goodie bag, silent auction and more.
Call Steve Corry for all the details and sign up at 702-575-3557.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our cause while at the Kayenta Arts Festival. All contributions are sincerely appreciated.
Hope to see you at Sunbrook Golf Course on the 11th, our Veterans Day at 8:00 am!
Visit our newly created website at veteransmemorialivinscemetery.com to learn more and to support this worthwhile project.
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
DPI – Desert Preservation Initiative
Advocate: Chuck Warren
November 2023 Update
Volunteering to make a difference
In a world where division and disaster dominate the news, many turn to volunteering to add purpose and connection to their lives. In Kayenta, a wealth of volunteer groups offer opportunities to make a difference.
At a recent Shonto Point HOA meeting, homeowners talked about their desires to see an increased sense of personal responsibility to the community, to develop a greater sense of community among residents, and to build on their appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.
Volunteers with the Desert Preservation Initiative find exactly those rewards as they join in the effort to restore native ecosystems for the health and beauty of our shared environment.
Aaron Martin, retired from a career in manufacturing and corporate finance with General Electric and Pfizer, says “I enjoy the exercise, the chance to be outside, and the opportunity to meet new people.” He finds working with DPI “a great way to improve and to protect our beautiful slice of nature while also enhancing out residents’ enjoyment of their property.”
Scott Florence, who spent 38 years with the Bureau of Land Management, including dealing with invasive species such as tamarisk in five states, was motivated to join in “to help improve the natural habitats that we live in. Helping to rid our area of invasive species such as tamarisk is a no-brainer for me,” he says.
The work can be physical—cutting tamarisk and hauling it out of wash areas—or not, as others offer their service in photography, database management, writing and educational efforts. For those ready to get their hands dirty, as DPI secretary Terrence Walters puts it, “DPI now offers, at no cost, 1) weight training, 2) endurance training, and 3) muscle development to our Kayenta friends and neighbors.”
Volunteer John Thomas finds his time with DPI well spent, and fun.
Volunteer John Thomas, a retired civil engineer, finds the group’s “tamarisk removal efforts effective in restoring washes with native plants and importantly, in reducing wildfire risk in Kayenta.” In addition, he finds volunteering with DPI “easy because they are organized. I know well in advance when and where the work sessions are happening, the time schedule for work sessions are held to and there is good guidance on what role I can help with that day.”
Vice President Dan Beck manages volunteer scheduling and sends out regular updates, with fall workdays scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and assignments for cutting and hauling brush and removing debris. “In our first season,” Dan reports, “a tremendous amount of tamarisk was removed, and significant seasonal rainfall totals encouraged native plants to resprout in areas where tamarisk had previously prevented growth.”
Ongoing work includes monitoring those areas regularly to address regrowth of tamarisk and to identify the return of native plants. Over time, where natives struggle to return, species identified as those that should do well at that specific site will be planted and monitored. “Volunteers are needed this season for both removal and monitoring,” Dan says.
John Thomas adds, “I’ve had fun and know that it is making a positive impact!” Scott Florence agrees. “I get a lot of good physical exercise and the camaraderie of working with others who are like minded in their goal to help make this a better place to live.”
Or, as Aaron Martin put it simply when asked what he gets out of it, “Dirty clothes, a (temporarily) sore back, and a big smile on my face.”
In DPI’s first season 43 volunteers contributed more than 1,700 hours. Among those making a difference, from left, Dave Tall, Dan Beck, Rich Bryant, Wayne Pennington, Becky Warren, Laura Pennington, Lee Goss, Cameron Ferguson, Barbara McLaughlin, Sara Dupre, and Chuck Warren.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dan at danbeck2@me.com
Won’t you join us? If you are interested in learning more, volunteering, or having a review of invasive plants on your property, please contact Chuck Warren, president, (chuckwarren222@ gmail.com) or Dan Beck, volunteer coordinator (danbeck2@me.com).
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
With so much change and growth in our City, the decisions of the City Council will have a profound and lasting impact on our quality of life. Growth, water, housing, open space and infrastructure are just some of the critical issues our next City Council will be tasked with.
Six candidates are running for three open seats on the City Council. Join us at one or both Forums to learn more about the candidates and who will best represent your interests.
What to expect at each forum:
~ Each candidate will be given the opportunity to explain why they are running for City Council and why they are qualified.
~Each candidate will be asked a series of questions on topics important to Ivins residents and will have 2 minutes to respond.
~The last 60 minutes of the forum will be open for audience questions.
~There will be a short “Meet & Greet” with the candidates after the event.
Find more information about each candidate at
Vote.Utah.gov
General Election: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
If you are an active registered voter, you will automatically receive a ballot in the mail. Click here to make sure you are registered to vote. Ballots will be mailed beginning Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The last day to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. November 14, 2023.
Ivins Night Sky Questionnaire Responses
Sharon Barton
Paul Bryson
Sharon Gillespie
Cheyne McDonald
Jenny Johnson
Kevin Smith
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.
Email Ivins Night Sky
Friends of Snow Canyon State Park
Advocates: Lori Capshaw
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
Resident support services, businesses, and education and enrichment programs
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)
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
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
215.8050035 WEEZY@NANCYWEEZYFORMAN.COM
Happy Up Your HomeKayenta Committees
Board opportunities, landscaping, and ACC & HOA contact information.
Kayenta Desert Arboretum
As fall approaches our Arboretum volunteers are making plans for the cooler months of the year. Check out our booth at Art in Kayenta where we will have plants and plant decorations available for sale. Once again we are planning our lighting display which will highlight the holiday season. Strolling through the pathways in the evening will be much easier this year as a result of a new pathway lighting system installed during the spring and summer. Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this project possible.
We continue to welcome landscaping-minded volunteers who maintain and continue to make improvements to the arboretum and the Desert Rose Labyrinth. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or just looking for information about the arboretum contact Roger Head, rbhkayenta@gmail.com or 435-632-1814.
Email Roger
Kayenta Landscaping Committee
Please visit the Kayenta HOA website ACC tab for Landscaping documentation. Select Landscaping Regulations Rev 2017 and Landscaping Review Steps 2017.
ACC & HOA Information
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 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. The next meeting will be in September
Taviawk 2023 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 F1 Property Management. Dates are: July 20, September 21 & November 16
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 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
Kayenta Weavers
The Kayenta Weavers group meets weekly to enjoy the limitless creativity of off-loom weaving.
For information contact Katie
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.
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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