Ivins City Council Primary Election September 5
Three Ivins City Council seats are up for election this November and because there are eight candidates who have filed to run, there will be a primary election on September 5.
This election is so important because the city council members who are elected will be updating the Ivins General Plan which will direct the city’s future.
Right now, it’s important to make sure you are correctly registered to vote. If you are away for the summer, make sure you have updated your mailing address so you will receive your mail-in ballot. Remember, your ballot will NOT be forwarded through a regular “forward mail” with the post office.
We encourage you to complete your change of address no later than Friday, August 18.
Click “Update Ballot Mailing Address”. You’ll be asked if this is a temporary change and how long you want it to be in effect.
What to do if you find an injured or trapped animal in Kayenta?
By Kayenta Homes and Properties
Kayenta Homes & Properties, located in the heart of the Art Village, often gets asked to assist in “Everything Kayenta”. Our team is always happy to help. From wayward irrigation lines, escaped pets, directory assistance, and most recently, quail chick rescue.
What to do if you find an injured or trapped animal in Kayenta?
This question came up recently when a well-meaning person left a box of very young quail chicks in front of Datura Gallery.
Although we do not know the circumstances behind how these chicks ended up in the box at the gallery, I think it’s safe to assume that someone had kind intentions. They likely were trying to save these tiny vulnerable creatures from certain death and felt the quail parents were not able to care for them. Possibly the parents were killed, leaving the chicks behind, we do not know. Lucky for the chicks, a woman came by and offered to immediately take them to a rehabilitation center in Cedar City. Under the care of Enoch Wildlife Rescue (www.gowildlife.org) three of the four survived and were later joined by two more from up North
Enoch Wildlife Rescue was founded in 1997 in Cedar City. It is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education. The video and photos below show the founder on a rescue and release of a young hawk, and the Kayenta chicks being cared for.
As I sat and wrote this article, I had a call from Ivins Police about more trouble with chicks. A couple witnessed several quail chicks fall into a storm drain in the parking lot here.
They watched the chicks cross with their parents and quickly vanish through the drain slots. The quail parents were clearly panicked, so police were called, then Kayenta Homes & Properties, and I called David. He is the ever-helpful Kayenta “go-to guy”. It is so wonderful to live in an area where the police come out in 109 degrees to help rescue a few quail chicks. The innovative couple was able to remove one of the drain covers and devise a ramp for the parents to head down and complete the rescue. Mother knows best in this situation, as she quickly climbed down the ramp, and guided the chicks to safety.
So what do you do if you come across chicks that appear to be abandoned?
Enoch Wildlife Rescue says it’s best to leave the chicks where they are. Most often the parent will return, and they often leave chicks unattended. Do not feed them or give them water, this could be fatal. Call the rescue center or one of the numbers listed below for instructions.
Who to call in Ivins
The best numbers to call for injured or orphaned animals would probably first be:
- Ivins Animal Services 435-628-1049
- DWR (Division of Wildlife Resources) at 435-879-8694
- Urban Wildlife Hotline at 435-680-1461
- After hours the best number would be Ivins Dispatch at 435-634-5730. These guys can often remove snakes too.
- Kurt VanLeeuwen 435-705-1442
He is our local Kayenta snake expert, and if he is available can help, including the removal and relocation of rattlesnakes. He coordinates his efforts with the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
Tortoise
If someone finds a Mojave Desert Tortoise it is best to leave it alone unless they are in immediate danger. If they need to be moved off the road, pick them up, keep them low to the ground, and move them to the other side they were heading for. They are a threatened species and the Red Desert Cliffs Desert Reserve usually likes to get a report when they are found out of the reserve. The folks there like it if the person finding the tortoise would take a picture and text it to them. That gives them the GPS location. Call them first at 435-301-7430 to get the best number to text too.
Gila Monster
If someone finds a Gila Monster, they should feel lucky. They typically only come out in the spring to eat and mate. The rest of their time is spent underground. They are venomous but the venom is not considered significant to humans and they are very docile. However, let them be, and DO NOT try to pick one up. Their bite is extremely painful. They are considered a near-threatened species.
Kayenta New Play Lab
We are thrilled to announce the first annual Kayenta New Play Lab, a unique opportunity for theater artists and audiences to converge to create and witness the development of new work. Six playwrights have been selected to participate by a panel of local and nationally-recognized experts. Local playwrights will be joined by playwrights from Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
You’ll have the chance to engage in discussions with the playwrights, dive deeper into their creative process, and contribute your insights to the ongoing development of these plays!
Visit our website for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Great Potato Conspiracy
by Brandon Bruce (St. George, UT)
Friday, August 11, 7:30pm / Saturday, August 12, 4:00pm
Jeffrey Jefferson is on a mission to spread the truth about a terrible conspiracy plaguing America. Amid his fervor, it becomes clear that he, himself, is playing into an entirely separate conspiracy. A satire about being certain about uncertain things.
Postcards from Mecca
by Debora Threedy & Teresa Sanderson (Dammeron Valley, UT & Layton, UT)
Saturday, August 12, 7:30pm / Sunday, August 13, 4:00pm
Two women find themselves as they run away to the California desert. Like Thelma and Louise except for the ending. They rebel against societal expectations for the freedom to live unabashedly. Based on a book about a true story from the 1930s.
P.G. Anon: a play about fear and fury
by Julie Jensen (Salt Lake City, UT)
Friday, August 18, 7:30pm / Saturday, August 19, 4:00pm
Three women: one too old, one too young, one not up to the task, all newly pregnant. It’s a time before any decisions, a time they are alone, living in two heads, one deeply buried in the present, the other threatened by a future turned upside down.
This is Why I Don’t Come Home
by Gina Young (Los Angeles, CA)
Saturday, August 19, 7:30pm / Sunday, August 20, 4:00pm
The story of a prodigal daughter who returns home to her Italian-American family in New Jersey to find out she’s not the only one who is queer. It examines loving across difference and the state of the queer community a decade after the legalization of gay marriage.
Dancing In The Flames
by Michael A. Harding (Cedar City, UT)
Friday, August 25, 7:30pm / Saturday, August 26, 4:00pm
On the day before Easter, the Becker family has gathered for holiday celebrations, and though they are surrounded by a comfortable, homey residence, the cracks in the façade are increasingly apparent and the structure barely held together.
The Magician’s Sister
by Jami Brandli (Los Angeles, CA)
Saturday, August 26, 7:30pm / Sunday, August 27, 4:00pm
The story of two sisters, one of whom is a struggling female magician, interspersed with the stories of real, historical female magicians and on-stage magic.
Carpenters Platinum – A Tribute
Saturday, September 2, 7:30pm
Walton Commons Plaza
Step back in time and experience the enchanting music of the legendary band “The Carpenters” with Carpenters Platinum – A Tribute. Join us on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 7:30pm for an unforgettable evening of beautiful melodies and positive messages. Led by the exceptionally talented Lynndee Mueller on lead vocals, this extraordinary band takes you on a magical journey to a happy and innocent time. With their precision and infectious energy, they recreate the timeless songs of The Carpenters, transporting you to an era filled with heartwarming nostalgia and musical brilliance. Don’t miss this extraordinary outdoor concert experience that celebrates the remarkable legacy of The Carpenters and their iconic sound.
News Splash
Our Pool Party will now be held once a year.
Kayenta Homes and Properties has been hosting Pool Parties for Kayenta residents since 1986. Moving forward, our annual hosted event schedule will be a bit different. The Holiday Open House is a welcome tradition and we will continue to host our popular hot chocolate extravaganza during January each year. The well-attended kick your shoes off and dance Memorial Day weekend Pool Party will become our singular annual pool party event.
Kayenta Homes and Properties is proud to be part of the Kayenta Community and we are looking forward to making our 2024 parties the best yet.
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
Studios, Galleries,
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Tapas+Bar
NOW OPEN
Tapas • Cocktails • Wine • Beer • Spirits
Monday 4-8 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 4-9 pm
Sunday 4-8 pm
Kayenta Community
The local perspective. Our businesses and residents news and events.
Resident Spotlight
Janell Bassett, Editor
Ken and Donna White
For Ken and Donna White, questions about how we shape and manage our environment have been central to both their professional lives and their personal interests. For Ken, that meant studying environmental and occupational safety and health. For Donna, a choreographer and dancer who toured nationally and internationally, that ultimately meant defining curriculum and taking on academic leadership roles in the world of dance. And it might be safe to say, their recognition of how much a clean and beautiful environment adds to our lives was at least one factor in their ultimately settling in Kayenta.
Ken, born and raised in Salt Lake City, parlayed his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Utah into studying the effects of air pollution on crops and researching air pollution from coal-fired power plants. Later, he took an MS in biology and a Master of Science, Public Health in Industrial Hygiene to become a Certified Industrial Hygienist, serving on the clinical faculty of the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Utah School of Medicine, moving on to become the Vice President of Industrial Hygiene for IHI Environmental.
A native of Phoenix, Donna received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from the University of Utah, became a Certified Laban Movement Analyst and completed PhD course work in Performance Psychology also at the University of Utah. She became Chair of the Department of Modern Dance, moving into academic administration where she particularly enjoyed “problem solving on behalf of students and faculty.” She presented papers on curriculum design and leadership at dance forums in the U.S. and China and was a dance panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts.
They met when Ken brought his technical expertise to a position as media and technical director for the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company of Salt Lake, for which Donna danced for 12 years.
An invitation from friends living in Kayenta found Donna on the phone the next day to Doug Caputo asking to see houses. Within a year, they found their home in “the old town area of Kayenta.” Since then, they have brought their interests and talents to a variety of activities that enhance the physical and artistic landscapes here.
Ken is treasurer for the Kayenta Desert Arboretum and Labyrinth, is on the board of the Kayenta Lake Patio Homes HOA and “has also recently joined forces with the Desert Preservation Initiative, waging war on the tamarisk invasion in Kayenta.”
Donna is on the board of the Kayenta Arts Foundation; “I totally believe the arts and creativity are the core of Kayenta,” she says. Ken also contributes his expertise there, managing lighting for the annual gala and assisting with production of the touring dance performances. Donna also volunteers at Windhorse Relations and joins Ken in working for the Arboretum.
Having found an environment that allows and enriches their many interests, the Whites love sharing their chosen environment on visits with their daughter Ruby and husband Tom who come frequently from Boston for hiking adventures and with their son Ian and his wife Helena, who live in St. George.
Photo of Ken and Donna by John Yohman
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.
Welcome to August at MakeSpace
Check out the exciting class schedule at MakeSpace focused on giving you the opportunity to try something new!
Have you ever wanted to try painting? Now is the time to take that step. You could discover a new life-long hobby after learning and creating at MakeSpace. Maybe oil painting intrigues you, or you could be a fan of acrylic or watercolor painting. Either way, we have introductory classes available in all three mediums in August or early September. Our popular and accomplished instructors will make sure you feel welcome while you learn in our beautiful solar-powered, air-conditioned studio.
If an afternoon of artistic play is more your speed, try your hand at Sumi-e drawing or the ever-popular Acrylic Pour.
Some of the details about some of these classes are noted below. Or, go directly to our website at makespacekayenta.com to see a full listing of our classes and to enroll.
While you are on our website, you will get a sneak peek into the start of our new Fall Schedule which is brimming with variety! We are hard at work, adding new classes daily, and cannot wait to share them with you!
Darcy Lee Saxton
Introduction to Acrylic Painting for Beginners – 3-Week Series
When: August 2, 9 & 16
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Come learn, explore, and unlock the possibilities of working with the incredibly versatile medium of acrylic! We will overview the basics of composition as well as the many methods and approaches to consider when working with acrylic paints. In this 3-week series, you will have the opportunity to create your own unique acrylic painting.
Matt Pectol
Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners – 3-Week Series
When: August 4, 11 & 18
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
If you are curious, but new to oil painting, or new to art in total, this class is for you! You will quickly learn your way around the painting studio as you experiment with various techniques, methods, and materials used in oil painting. Over this 3-week series, you will learn how to work with a limited number of colors, basic color mixing, and more while you create your own oil painting.
Deena Millecam
Watercolor Painting 4 - Week Series
When: September 5, 12, 19 & 26
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
All levels of artists are welcome from beginners to advanced painters. Come learn about painting with the unique medium of watercolor. Each student will work at their own pace, learning from Deena through demonstrations and personal guidance. Class time will include painting from personal inspiration images, in-class critique, and instructor-led demonstrations.
Your Community. Your Classes. Your Space.
For registration and information on all our classes please click here.
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
July Ivins City Council Update
Mike Scott, Council Member
Is Our Glass Half Full?
I’m an optimist. Or I was. Then the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) presented a new 20-year water supply plan at the last City Council meeting. My takeaway: Our glass is empty. The plan shows the reliable yield of existing water supplies will be fully used by the end of 2023. It also shows close to 72,000 new units have been approved for development. Some of that probably won’t happen. But more projects pop up every day. So, it all comes down to one thing: How good is the plan?
A lot has changed in just the past six months. There are two significant differences between this new plan and WCWCDs Regional Water Master Plan published in January. The Master Plan anticipated we’d be getting water from the Lake Powell pipeline beginning in 2034. It also expected it would take until 2040 before we started to see significant new water supply from water reuse. The new plan doesn’t show anything from Lake Powell, and it accelerates the reuse water supply by ten years.
Both of these are good changes. Maybe I’m back to optimist. But the trick is going to be getting reuse up and running in just six years, instead of the previously planned sixteen years. And we don’t yet know how that will impact us financially. Another trick will be squeezing enough water out of conservation between now and 2030 to avoid depleting our reservoirs. Please see the full article and add your comments at www.mikescott4ivins.com/?p=1640.
When The Rubber Meets The Road
Will Old Highway 91 be a better, safer road when all the current and planned construction is completed? It better be, we’re spending $12.5 million on it! But recently the question has become, will it be good enough and safe enough? Or should we spend another million or more to widen about 1 mile of the 3.5-mile road, the portion between Main Street and Kwavasa, to five lanes from the three we’re doing there now?
We don’t have answers yet, but the City will do some research this fall on traffic counts and collect more information to help us figure out what the next step should be. In the meantime, I think there has been some confusion about what work has been committed to and what additional improvements are being considered.
The City has a lot of information on its website, but it doesn’t include everything being discussed. And there has been some confusion about how much of the road would be widened to five lanes and what else would be done. I have put together a summary at www.mikescott4ivins.com/?p=1638
The State Tells Us Harmonious Baloneyous
The State Legislature keeps chipping away at our ability to decide for ourselves what type of construction design and materials are appropriate in single-family neighborhoods. For years Ivins, like other cities, has had design guidelines to ensure new construction is harmonious with its neighbors and our environment.
That has given Ivins its unique identity and it’s the reason so many have moved here. But the State took away our ability to require these design guidelines on new single-family and two-family homes. However, we could still require new homes in a subdivision to follow our design guidelines. Now the state is limiting our ability to do even that.
So, here’s a photo of a new “structure” in an Ivins single-family neighborhood. It’s completely legal. The homeowner had every right to build it because of the state’s changes. But I wonder if the state’s intent was to encourage this type of construction all over the place, especially in residential neighborhoods. I doubt it. Please share your comments about this on my website at www.mikescott4ivins.com/?p=1554
My Election Direction Reflection
Some City Council members and some running in this year’s election will disagree with my take on state interference in the “Harmonious Baloneyous” article above. They will say the state did not take away the city’s right to control building design, instead the state gave back that right to the citizens. That different position is due to a focus on individual rights over community rights.
Yes, individual rights are hugely important and need to be protected. But they don’t exist in a vacuum. So, how City Council candidates deal with this is a useful litmus test for this year’s election.
When I took the Utah League of Cities & Towns (ULCT) training for newly elected city council members they specifically discussed individual rights versus community rights and said this is one of the “polarities” that city councils need to address appropriately. ULCT stressed that these polarities are sets of opposites which can’t function well independently. Favoring either one will lead to divisiveness.
We all feel strongly about our individual rights. But these are not just rights in our personal real estate. Individual rights are also rights in relation to other people, to the community. So, regulations need to balance a city’s duty to individuals with its duty to the community.
Some City Council candidates will say that Ivins is not a HOA, so we shouldn’t impose regulations on residents like HOAs do. Yes, I have heard some of them say that. But HOAs aren’t the only ones in the regulation business. Just one document, our Ivins City Code, has over 250 pages of regulations. It exists to create a balance between Individual rights and community rights.
I believe regulations are appropriate if they are created for a reasonable purpose. I believe that our design requirements have helped Ivins develop its own unique character by prioritizing the views of our spectacular desert environment over the views of buildings. For me, that’s a reasonable purpose.
We live in Ivins because we have chosen to live in a community. We have chosen to rely on others in the community for lots of stuff we need, enjoy, and value. There’s give and take in that bargain. But, despite the regulations that come with it, being part of a community gives us greater opportunities and freedoms.
So, it’s important to look at how candidates in this year’s City Council race balance the polarities of individual rights and community rights, not just on one issue, but on any issue. Please share your comments about this on my website at www.mikescott4ivins.com/?p=1642
The Truth About Absentee Ballots!
There is a primary election for three City Council positions on September 5th. Ballots will be mailed around August 15th. You may be out of town. No worries, you think, because you have forwarded your mail to your out-of-town address. Bad news. That won’t work. The post office will not forward election ballots. So, to be sure you get your ballot if you are out of town, you need to “update” your mailing address at https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html
We’re Getting Closer To An Arts Corridor
There’s still time to help create a vibrant visual Arts Corridor stretching from the Kayenta Arts Village to Tuacahn and Black Desert Resort. The vision for the corridor includes sculptures for current and future roundabouts, a mural on the fire station, and wrapping the large roadside utility boxes with art by local artists. For more information, see the article “Out of the Desert” at www.mikescott4ivins.com/?p=1534.
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.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Join us for Coyote Tales Live Storytelling Under the Stars at Ivins City Heritage Days Festival at Ivins City Park.
The Theme for the Evening’s Stories is:
WILD
Coyote Tales is pleased to welcome audio producer and writer, Peter Frick-Wright, who has reported from Bosnia, Burma, Burundi, and Bolivia. He is a contributing editor to Outside Magazine and is also the host of the podcast Missed Fortune @ https://apple.co/Missed_Fortune. Joining him on stage will be singer/storyteller and songwriter, David Lindes, and explorer, writer, and naturalist, Robert Perkins. They promise to throw down some WILD tales but there is room on the stage for you too.
The evening begins with a BYOP (bring your own picnic) pre-party with great Stillhouse Road Bluegrass music where potential storytellers put their name in the hat with the hope of being chosen to share their tale on stage. Kayenta Homes and Properties will be hosting the upscale water trough providing FREE beverages and cookies for story lovers. Everyone is welcome!
Pre-party starts at 7:00. Stories start at sundown. THIS EVENT IS FREE!
If you are interested in sharing a story on stage, please contact Victoria through the Coyote Tales website. Everyone has a story – Vic
Coyote Tales events are funded by Petite Feast, Utah Humanities, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Kayenta Homes and Properties, Desert Dweller Realty, and SBDance. All proceeds from indoor events have been donated to local nonprofits and all outdoor events are FREE.
For information on Coyote Tales including stories in our archives please visit our website.
Petite Feast Dinner Club
ARRIVE AS GUESTS….LEAVE AS FRIENDS
AUGUST’S DINNER HAS SOLD OUT BUT SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TWO VERY SPECIAL DINING EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
The onset of September coincides with days getting shorter and the weather getting cooler, but that doesn’t mean bare cupboards and stodgy stews for dinner. While it’s true that bright and tender leafy greens have given way, the wonderful fruits and vegetables associated with the onset of the earthy, autumn season are ready to shine! Apples, pears, mushrooms, parmesan, and pasta show off in this wonderful end-of-summer meal. I hope you can join us!
SEPTEMBER- AUTUMN WEATHER DINNER
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
HORS D’OEUVRE
POTATO AND PARMESAN TORTA WITH FRESH HERBS
PARSNIP AND APPLE SOUP SHOOTER
SPECIALTY COCKTAIL
FIRST COURSE
SMOKED GOAT CHEESE WITH TOMATO CHUTNEY AND HOUSEMADE SOCCA
SECOND COURSE
ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH AND FENNEL SALAD
ENTREE
BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIB OVER SWEET POTATO GNOCCHI AND SAUTEED SPINACH
Vegetarian entree available as well – contact Victoria through the website to discuss options.
DESSERT
PEAR AND PLUM PAVLOVA WITH GORGONZOLA ICE CREAM
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.
“MEET THE AUTHOR BENEFIT LUNCHEON”
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
On September 10th, Petite Feast will host a special Luncheon with invited Coyote Tales storyteller and author, David Lindes. During the luncheon, David will share his remarks, answer questions, and perform.
David’s book “Mi tierra—Homeland” is an intimate look at his journey from Guatemala to the US. In eight chapters, each accompanied by an original song and included in both Spanish and English, David addresses themes of migration, identity, justice, and belonging. At times poignant and at times defiant, it’s a vivid take on the Latino immigrant experience in today’s America.
His work has been featured on PRI’s The World and NPR. Born in Guatemala City, he immigrated to the United States at age 9 and spent his adolescence in the agricultural communities of California’s Central Coast. He later graduated in Latin American Studies from Brigham Young University.
Reservations and Tickets are Required.
Meet the Author Benefit Luncheon Tickets
*Please know that all proceeds from this event will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah.
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.
DINNER LOCATION: PRIVATE HOME IN KAYENTA, UTAH
**exact address and driving directions will be emailed 1 week prior to the event.
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #85
GRILLED GREEK PORK SKEWERS WITH MINT, LEMON AND GARLIC
I love the cuisine and culture of the Mediterranean and often cook Mediterranean food at home. From Spain to Morocco, through Italy and Greece, all the way to Tunisia and Cyprus, the vibrant cuisine showcases the vast and varied flavors that the region has to offer. Vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, and bell peppers are crucial building blocks for many classic Mediterranean dishes. But smoky grilled meats and seafood, tart lemons, robust fresh herbs, and copious amounts of silky, peppery olive oil contribute the unmistakable sunny warmth that makes this cuisine sing with flavor. The history and people of this region are reflected in each country’s unique recipes and cooking methods. One of my favorite recipes is for Greek-style grilled pork skewers called souvlaki – the satisfying tasty char on heavily seasoned chunks of meat made bright with lemon, mint, and oregano is positively addictive and perfect for warm-weather dining.
The kebabs are best grilled, but you can use your broiler or stovetop grill pan depending on your mood and the weather. The most common meat for souvlaki is pork but feel free to substitute lamb, beef or chicken if you prefer. For a complete meal, grill peppers, zucchini, and onions (or any other vegetables you like) alongside and serve everything with the zippy yogurt tahini sauce and flatbread. VDP recipe #7 for Overnight Tabbouleh Salad would also make an excellent side dish. The piquant, fresh, and zingy flavors are the perfect foil for the boldly seasoned skewers.
Tim and Judy’s first choice to pair with this dish would be Pinot Noir, but other light to medium-bodied reds like Zinfandel or Barbaresco would work. If you prefer white wine, Tim recommends a dry Riesling or Pinot Gris from Alsace.
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 goodwill 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 #85
GRILLED GREEK PORK SKEWERS WITH MINT, LEMON AND GARLIC
SKEWER INGREDIENTS:
2 # pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1 ½” cubes
1 zest of lemon
¼ C fresh lemon juice
3 T olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ C fresh parsley, chopped
2T fresh oregano, chopped
¼ C fresh mint, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
CREAMY YOGURT DIPPING SAUCE:
1C fat-free Greek style yogurt
2T reduced fat sour cream
2 T tahini
3T ea. fresh parsley and mint, minced
1t fresh oregano, minced
1 T lemon zest
2 T feta cheese, crumbled
½ t honey
METHOD:
Prepare the marinade: Combine lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, parsley, mint, oregano, salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Place pork in a large zip-lock bag and add marinade. Toss to distribute marinade evenly with pork. Refrigerate 2-3 hours or up to 24.
Thread the marinated pork onto skewers and season lightly with salt and pepper. **If using wooden skewers, soak skewers in water 30 minutes before using to prevent burning while grilling.
Preheat grill to medium high. Lightly spray skewers with olive oil pan spray. Place on grill and cook 8-10 minutes or until nicely browned and pork is cooked through but still pink (about 145 degrees).
Prepare the creamy yogurt sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve skewers on warmed flatbread with creamy yogurt sauce.
Serves 2-4 generously
CHEF’S TIP
The skewers can be made in a broiler or on a stovetop, but they won’t achieve the same charred crust that they would on a grill. To broil: Place the kebab skewers on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil on high for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning a few times. Keep a close eye on the skewers so they don’t burn. For stovetop: Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high until hot. Place the skewers on the skillet and cook, turning a few times, about 10 to 12 minutes total.
Ivins City Heritage Days Pie Baking Contest
Calling all non-professional Ivins bakers for the Annual Ivins City Heritage Days Pie Baking Contest
Saturday, September 7th at Ball Field at Ivins City Heritage Park (50N 50W)
Enter and you could win one of these great prizes
Grand Prize – Grand Prize – Bosch Universal Plus Mixer with Baker’s Attachment Set. $600 value
Second Place Prize – Baker’s Specialty Gift Basket with kitchen essentials and a Boulevard Home Gift Certificate. $200 value
Third Place Prize – Baker’s ingredient specialty gift basket provided by Petite Feast. $100 value
Information, Rules and How to Register
Prizes generously provided by Bosch, Petite Feast and Boulevard Home
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.
“Dear summer, stop showing off. We get it. You’re hot.”
– Unknown
Elevate Fitness
Elevate Studio will be closed for Summer Break beginning Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Classes will resume Monday, August 28th.
A new focus with new classes to inspire and motivate everyone.
Check our website and Facebook page for more details.
Elevate Rise & Shine Intro/beginner Yoga • 8:00 am Tues
Elevate Cardio • 8:00 am Wed
Step & Strength • 8:00 am Thur
ElevateFit • 9:30 am, Mon, Wed, Fri
Ali’s Yoga • 9:30 am Tues
Elevate Yoga • 9:30 am Thur, 10 am Sat
Elevate Zen Stretch • 10:45 am Mon, Fri
Elevate Studio • 435-632-1381 • jyfitness@me.com
Participants MUST be vaccinated. 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!
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 MeTrips and Trails
Kayenta Exploration Group
We are on summer hiatus and will resume trips in the fall.
For details call Charles Dillier at 435-656-1956
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 Home Yoga
Kayenta Home Yoga classes will resume in the Fall. Enjoy your summer.
Karen Kushner (E-RYT 500)
978-621-0499
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: 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.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Humanity
Advocate: Patrick Barickman
There will be a “Meet the Storyteller Luncheon” in conjunction with September 9th’s Coyote Tales event. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit Habitat for Humanity. To find out more, visit: https://petitefeastutah.com/product/lunch-with-the-author-sunday-september-10-2023/
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah
835 South Bluff Street, St. George, UT. 84770
DPI – Desert Preservation Initiative
Advocate: Chuck Warren
We are group of volunteers dedicated to identifying, managing, and removing invasive species and restoring the native landscape. While we recognize that the native species present today are not necessarily the same as those that were here 200 years ago, we work to rebuild the native habitat with an eye to what has been present historically.
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
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 SkyFriends 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
Kayenta Committees
Board opportunities, landscaping, and ACC & HOA contact information.
Kayenta Desert Arboretum
Centering the importance of nature and the mind, Kayenta’s Art Village outdoor space includes an Arboretum dedicated to “waterwise” landscaping and a Labyrinth built by local residents. Free for the public to enjoy.
We are looking for landscaping-minded volunteers to continue the upkeep and improvement of the arboretum. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or just looking for information about the arboretum contact Roger Head, 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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