Kayenta Recreation Association
Dear Kayenta Recreation and Pickleball members,
I hope you are doing well! As we approach the start of a new season, this is a friendly reminder that it’s time to renew your Kayenta Recreation Association (KRA) membership for the upcoming term, running from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
We’re excited to share that the pool will reopen on April 15, and all key fobs will be activated at that time.
To renew your membership, please visit the accounting office to sign your updated membership agreement and receive your new key fob. Remember to turn in your old key fob at that time as well. Office hours are:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
- 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
If you live out of town, I’m happy to make the process easy for you—just fill out the attached membership agreement, and either email it back or send it in the mail along with your payment.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 435-628-7732 or by email at accounting@kayenta.net
We look forward to another wonderful season and hope to see you soon!
Natalie Duran
Kayenta Accounting Office
435-628-7732
accounting@kayenta.net
Kayenta Street Painting Festival
Held in the Beautiful
Saturday, April 11 & Sunday, April 12
10am – 5pm daily
FREE to attend! • Kayenta Art Village
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of chalk art at the annual Kayenta Street Painting Festival presented by Kayenta Arts Foundation. This year’s theme is “Under One Desert Sky” inspired by the natural beauty of our local desert, and the community we feel around it.
The festival brings students and professional artists together as they create the magnificent murals on asphalt canvases. Witness the magic unfold over the weekend as these artists bring the desert hues to life right before your eyes!
Join us over the weekend to take in the views (on the sidewalk and beyond), vote for your favorite artwork, wander the Art Village galleries, enjoy food trucks, live music, and loads of family fun.
Live Music Schedule
Wildfire Risk & Insurance: Choices & Guidelines
Kayenta Development
As we enter the hot, dry season of summer, fire risk and safety should be on everyone’s mind. There are a few commonsense things to remember: No open flames outdoors that are not enclosed safely in a fire pit, no tiki torches, no fireworks. Avoid driving over grass or dry vegetation (such as on the side of the road), sparks from welding have also been known to start brush fires.
When it comes to wildfire risk, what choices do I have? What’s prudent, safe, required? How do I define the risk? How much risk am I comfortable with? And to what authorities, agencies, or rules am I required to listen and/or comply with? Recent reports indicate that some insurance companies require you to clear vegetation 100 feet from your dwelling. But that dictum would fly in the face of the Kayenta Concept, a treasured foundation and a reason that many chose to live here.
Local fire authorities take a more reasonable approach to fire safety and recommend a 10-foot-wide defendable area around our homes. Plants can be included, such as small shrubs and ground covering. Clearing any stacked wood and minimizing other flammable materials around your home’s exterior is a smart thing to do.
Use your best judgment about what’s safe, and keep Kayenta’s community rules in mind. For instance, desert vegetation can’t be removed from Natural or Transition Areas, although you can manage trees in the Transition Area. The ACC allows dead branches to be removed, but take care—some desert plants may look dead in winter when they’re really just dormant. Removing healthy native plants can make it easier for invasive vegetation to move in and create a greater fire hazard and an ongoing maintenance nightmare.
So, what to do? Consult with your insurance company. Also, investigate your options. Several local insurance companies understand the Kayenta Concept and provide insurance to many of our neighbors.
In the near future, the Kayenta ACC, Landscape Committee, and Kayenta Development will be drafting new landscape guidelines as they relate to fire safety.
Then review the Landscaping Regulations at https://www.kayentahoa.com/editor_upload/File/ACC/Landscape/Landscaping_Regulations.pdf . Feel free to contact Ellen Nathan, Chair of the Kayenta ACC at arneen@infowest.com or Debi Clarkson, Landscaping Committee, at kayenta.acc.landscaping@gmail.com.
DPI – Desert Preservation Initiative
Advocate: Deonne Knill
Wildfire risk assessed and addressed
The pink areas show the parts of Kayenta currently identified as High Risk.
The Fire Department sent multiple fire trucks and personnel to supervise the burning of tamarisk from ignition to the last cooling ember. The 17 piles of tamarisk debris, representing 241 hours of DPI labor, came from within 75 feet of the road to Crescent Moon Inn, just waiting for a tossed cigarette or spark from a passing car.
What is your potential risk from wildfire? Property damage or loss? Additional financial loss due to increasing insurance rates? Both?
What can you do? One, research your location on the risk map offered by the state and take the appropriate steps. Two, join the community service provided by the Desert Preservation Initiative (DPI) in removing the wildfire fuel threat of tamarisk growing in our midst.
As City Council Member and Kayenta resident Wayne Pennington explains it, the state has adopted an approach “to level the playing field for insurance companies and to assist homeowners outside of the High Risk areas in being treated fairly while also being given an opportunity to reduce their risk of wildfires” by identifying the top 5% highest-risk structures for fires at the wildland-urban interface. Unfortunately, much of Kayenta is in the High Risk area.
A map at wildfirerisk.utah.gov can show you whether or not your property is in the High Risk area. The map is easy to view, and an FAQ page is very helpful.
How it will work is this: owners of structures identified as being within the top 5% will be contacted by the appropriate county office, and the owner can request an on-site assessment. If your home is in the High Risk area, insurance companies will be allowed to charge a higher rate. But the assessment will determine if you are in the “moderate” High Risk, “high” High Risk, or “extreme” High Risk. If you do not agree to have an on-site assessment, your home will default to the “extreme” category.
In addition, all new construction in Kayenta, including external additions or modifications, will be required to be built to a higher standard for hardening against fire. This will be enforced by the City of Ivins as part of its normal building permitting process.
Improvements that reduce risk to individual sites within the High Risk areas can reduce the level of High Risk for that site, but removal from the High Risk area entirely requires the effort of the community.
Beyond individual responsibility for lowering risk on their own property is the community’s responsibility for dealing with high fuel loads that can impact anyone and create a fire that can climb out of the washes and sweep across multiple properties. As Pennington told the attendees at the Shonto Point HOA annual meeting, “Tamarisk is the single highest risk fuel here.” If you want to make a real difference, join the Desert Preservation Initiative in its community service work tackling the large scale removal of this fuel.
“We welcome all volunteers in joining our neighbors in this important work,” says Deonne Knill, DPI president. “There are a number of ways you can contribute that should suit your interests and energy.
“If you haven’t been involved in removal before, we will offer you the appropriate training and safety instruction. If you don’t want to do the physical removal of tamarisk, we need help in other ways.
“You can join the team that monitors for tamarisk regrowth. You can join the team being formed to spearhead and implement restoration—planting and caring for native plants and trees until they are established. Or, you can bring your creative thinking to our fundraising committee as we work to cover our ongoing operating expenses. All hands are welcome.”
To volunteer, visit our website at https://www.desertpi.org/ or email admin @desertpi.org You will find a fun, hardworking, enthusiastic group dedicated to making our beautiful environment safer for us now, and for future generations.
The pink areas show the parts of Kayenta currently identified as High Risk.
For more in-depth information on the people, progress and plans of the Desert Preservation Initiative, visit our newly launched website.
Red Mountain Land Preservers
Advocates: Patricia O’Rorke
New Shivwits Chairperson Seeks Local Residents’ Support
The Shivwits Band of Utah Paiutes has elected Philip Bushhead as the Band’s Chairperson, according to election results announced Friday, March 28. A member of Red Mountain Land Preservers, Mr. Bushhead seeks transparency and the right of the Shivwits members to vote on the terms proposed by private equity group Reef Capital Partners (“Reef”) to use the Shivwits’ land and water for a massive, 1,250-acre expansion of its Black Desert golf resort. He is asking local residents to help the Shivwits people defeat the legislation proposed by Reef to transfer jurisdiction over the Shivwits reservation to the State of Utah without a vote of the Shivwits members. For more information, please click the link below to download the full article and ways to help our Shivwits Neighbors.
New Shivwits Chairperson Seeks Transparency and Right to Vote Asks the Local Community for Support
Thank you for a great night under the stars!
We’re so grateful to all our theater supporters who came out Saturday for Where the Stars Are at our annual Gala. It was the biggest and most successful yet. Photos of all you stars will be posted soon and an email will be sent to attendees with an access link so stay tuned!
Before we get into the month’s events, a quick heads-up: the Kayenta Arts Foundation has decided that if we are going to continue to meet the challenges of our growing performance programming, we need to expand the Board membership. In the coming weeks, we will cast a wide net by sending out an email to our full email list with information on the application process and timeline. We wanted to give our Kayenta residents an early opportunity to consider serving and to suggest others who may be interested. Stay tuned for more information regarding Board membership.
Onto the events! We kick off April with another fun filled First Friday on April 3rd that will feature Game Night! April 4 features another performance by Cassia Streb and the Sandstone Quartet’s Music for the Open Sky. April continues with our annual 5K Color Fun Run (April 11) and Street Painting Festival (April 11-12). We are seeking volunteers for the festival and Fun Run! Sign up here if you are interested. And finally, we close out the month with Aristides Rivas and Meena Malik: Remembering for an evening of music and storytelling on April 25.
See you at the theater!
Best,
Laurel Bryant
Chair, Kayenta Arts Foundation
First Fridays at Kayenta: Game Night!
Friday, April 3, 4 – 8 pm
Game on! Bring your favorite lawn games, board games, or card games and join the fun in the courtyard. Rock cover band Geezer returns with classic hits, while the Southern Utah Market fills the Village with handmade goods by local artists. Enjoy great food, sweet treats, and end the evening with a DOCUTAH screening of Silent Fallout inside the theater.
DOCUTAH PRESENTS: Silent Fallout
Friday, April 3, 2026 at 7:30pm
Join us for another of DOCUTAH’s “Best of Fest” screenings during First Fridays at Kayenta. This film follows the untold stories of the victims of nuclear testing in America-and the account of one mother who risked her career to expose the dangers of radiation poisoning.
Cassia Streb / Sandstone Quartet: Music for the Open Sky
Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 7:30pm
Across five centuries, composers have looked to the night sky for inspiration. This program traces that shared sense of wonder—from a Renaissance lament by Josquin des Prez to Beethoven’s star-gazing slow movement and contemporary works by Leila Adu-Gilmore and Laurence Crane.
Kayenta 5K Color Fun Run
Race begins and ends at the Kayenta Art Village
Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8:00 am
Run, walk, and get colorful at the 3rd Annual Kayenta 5K Color Fun Run, a vibrant all-ages event set in the stunning Kayenta community.
Regular Pricing: $45
Last-minute registration, beginning April 6: $55
Family 4-Pack, until April 5th: $120 — use code “RUN4FUN” at checkout to apply discount.
Kayenta Street Painting Festival
Kayenta Art Village
Sunday & Sunday, April 11 & 12, 2026
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Celebrate creativity at the Kayenta Street Painting Festival, where artists bring the theme “Under One Desert Sky” to life through stunning chalk murals on the streets of Kayenta—plus live music, food trucks, galleries, and fun for the whole family.
Aristides Rivas and Meena Malik: Remembering
Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30pm
In Remembering, vocalist Meena Malik and cellist Aristides Rivas blend music and storytelling to share deeply personal reflections on immigration, identity, and home. This moving performance invites audiences to connect with the universal memories and experiences that shape our sense of belonging.
Visit our website for information and tickets to all our amazing events.
We look forward to seeing you at the Center for the Arts in Kayenta.
Kayenta Community
The local perspective. Our businesses and residents news and events.
Are you curious about the Kayenta real estate market and how its performing?
How many homes were sold during 2025? Which were the most and least expensive? What was the average price per square foot of the homes sold during the year…and what’s the trend going forward? Kayenta Homes & Properties participated in both the Taviawk and Shonto Point HOA annual meetings where we provided answers to these questions and more. Many of you were unable to attend these in-person events and so we are sharing our slidedeck with the broader community through the Connection.
2026 is off to a great start. Several homes and lots have either gone under contract or have already closed. If you’d like more information about the current market or perhaps would be interested in a complimentary comparative market analysis specific to your home (either for tax, estate planning, or other reasons), please reach out to Jeff, Steve or Naomi at 435-628-7234. We love being part of the Kayenta community!
We’ve been listing, marketing, and selling Kayenta properties for 35+ years. It’s what we do.
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
TRANSITIONS
Betty McAleer
Betty and her husband George made their home in Kayenta in 1995, quickly becoming part of the fabric of the community she cherished. Betty embraced life there with quiet enthusiasm — whether she was at water aerobics, knitting with friends, or gathered around a bridge table, she found joy in connection and routine.
She carried a subtle, often unexpected sense of humor and a gentle independence that defined her. Even as the years brought new challenges, Betty remained determined to stay engaged and connected, especially after George’s passing in May 2021. With the support of her family, she continued to nurture the relationships and rhythms that meant so much to her.
In August 2025, Betty moved to The Retreat at Sunbrook. From her room, she could see Red Mountain — a view she held close, often imagining that just beyond it was her beloved Kayenta home. It brought her comfort and a sense of closeness to a place she loved deeply.
Betty passed away on March 13, just seven months later, leaving behind a quiet legacy of resilience, warmth, and enduring connection.
Annual Water-Wise Plant Sale
at the Kayenta Desert Arboretum
April 9, 1:00 – 4:00 pm & April 10, 11, and 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Looking to refresh your landscape with plants that thrive in our desert climate? The Kayenta Desert Arboretum invites you to its annual Water-Wise Plant Sale, a carefully curated selection of perennials, cactus, shrubs, and native or desert-adapted plants chosen for both beauty and resilience.
Held April 9–12, during the vibrant Street Painting Festival weekend, this is the perfect opportunity to discover distinctive and hard-to-find plants not typically available at local outlets—all while enjoying one of Kayenta’s most popular events.
Plants range from $5 to $75, offering something for every gardener, from simple flowering additions to rare and highly valued specimens.
At the entrance Tent, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers will be available to answer questions and share practical, cost-effective ideas for creating a stunning, water-wise landscape at home.
Make time to wander the arboretum while you’re there—spring brings an ever-changing display of color, with desert plants at their seasonal peak through mid-May.
Payment accepted via Venmo, check, or cash (no credit cards).
All proceeds support the continued care and maintenance of the arboretum.
World Labyrinth Day
Walk as One at 1
Saturday, May 2nd
In celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the Desert Rose Labyrinth (built by Kayenta volunteers in 2004), please join us for World Labyrinth Day “Walk as One at 1” on Saturday, May 2nd at 12:45.
Every year on the first Saturday in May, thousands of people all around the globe participate in World Labyrinth Day as a moving meditation and celebration of the labyrinth experience. Many “Walk as One at 1” local time to create a rolling wave of peaceful energy passing from one time zone to the next. See last year’s video from around the world (including Kayenta) at worldlabyrinthday.org.
The Desert Rose Labyrinth is a hidden gem in our community, funded and maintained by local residents. (If you’d like to help pull weeds or trim trees at the labyrinth, please email redrockmother@icloud.com.)
Community Spotlight
Janell Bassett, Editor
Andrew Kramer: A life built on creativity, self-realization and engaging with nature
Andrew at Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park
Andrew Kramer has been a lifelong student, one who continually seeks new opportunities to satisfy his creative urges and his quest for personal growth. Study in Italy, career changes, marriage to an artist, and new paths opened by moving to Kayenta transformed an engineering student into an architect, photographer, a recognized artist, and a gallery owner.
Andrew’s path began with studying engineering at Cornell University for two years, where he realized engineering did not satisfy his need for creativity. A transfer to Rhode Island School of Design to study architecture solved that problem, initially. A year in Rome, while completing his architectural studies, gave him “new perspectives about design, a profound appreciation for works of the great masters, and a deeper understanding of my own American culture by viewing it from within the Italian context.”
Drafted during the Vietnam war, he supervised construction projects both there and at the Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. A first marriage and a move east found him designing educational facilities for an architectural firm in Boston. A later move to Boulder, CO, brought him to become Project Architect for a firm in Denver managing large municipal and commercial projects. Because the creative/design portion of large projects is very small, he became dissatisfied and transitioned to architectural photography where his creativity flourished.
Architectural photography was challenging but rewarding. Exteriors were, of course, weather contingent. Interior photography required “elaborate lighting and styling similar to a movie set,” often working all night. Equipment was large and heavy – all 4×5 format and film in those days. This required Andrew and his assistant to haul 650 pounds of gear on airplanes and for interiors working “more all-nighters than I can count”. It was a “form of passion-driven insanity that one does when they’re young!”
Andrew photographed projects in 40 states and Canada. He delighted in creating dramatic images that helped his clients market themselves, win design awards and become published in design journals.
Along the way, he divorced, and met his second wife, Linda, a stained glass artist.
During their 30 years in Boulder, Andrew backpacked in Colorado in the summer and spring and fall in the magnificent red rock landscape of southern Utah, where he often gained profound personal insights during week-long solo trips. He became “enamored with the red rock, which feels like home to me and is part of my soul.” When the couple retired in 2001, on a drive into Kayenta for the first time “we knew immediately this was to be our home.”
The couple’s passion for art and creativity found expression as they transformed one of the original Kayenta homes (“very boring vanilla dry wall”) into rustic Santa Fe style, redoing virtually every surface in the house, working 12-14 hour days together for four months while sleeping on a mattress on the floor. The result, Andrew says, “is likely one of the most unique homes in Kayenta, featuring Santa Fe style embellishments and more than 80 pieces of art.”
Following the renovation, Andrew and Linda began taking fine art painting lessons, leading to their opening Purple Sage Fine Art Painting Studios and Gallery in Kayenta Art Village, which they owned for nine years. Eventually, they found the gallery demanded more time than they wanted to invest, so they closed Purple Sage and continued painting at home. With Linda’s passing in 2022, Andrew held sales of her art, raising over $10,000 which he donated to charities focused on environmental and social justice issues important to them.
Andrew’s thirst for knowledge, artistic expression and self-realization now takes him to painting classes at MakeSpace and personal growth classes at the Institute for Continued Learning which inspire “developing a more evolved perspective about myself, humanity and the complex world in which we live.” He also enjoys RV camping, works out at Summit, meditates daily and writes opinion pieces for newspapers.
And, he adds, he hopes to meet a woman who would enjoy joining him on life’s journey “exploring our beautiful world with humor, fun, adventure, playfulness and spontaneity, as we embrace the path of self-realization”.
Editors note. If you know someone that you think should be featured in our monthly Kayenta Connection under our NEW “Resident Spotlight” section please email the Kayenta Connection at kayentaconnection@rdicreative.com. Our intent is to focus on the incredible people living in our community– be they seasoned residents or new recruits.
Located in beautiful Kayenta.
We offer small classes for students who have never explored the field of visual art, all the way through to highly experienced, professional artists who are looking to explore new mediums and methods.
See a few class options below:
Intro to Rug Tufting: One Day Workshop
April 18
Teacher: Jack Laub
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Unleash your creativity in this hands-on Rug Tufting Workshop, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of designing and creating your own custom tufted rug from start to finish. This immersive, beginner-friendly class is perfect for anyone curious about textile art or looking to try something completely new in a supportive, creative environment.
Photography as Creative Expression
April 17
Teacher: George Kalantzes
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Join photographer George Kalantzes for an inspiring workshop that explores photography as a form of artistic expression. Moving beyond simply capturing beautiful scenes, this class will challenge participants to think more deeply about photography as a creative practice, one that communicates meaning, emotion, and personal vision.
Mosaic Pet Portrait Workshop
April 9, 10, 11
Teacher: Joyce Casey
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Celebrate your beloved pet (or favorite animal) by transforming their likeness into a one-of-a-kind glass mosaic portrait. In this immersive three-day workshop, you’ll create a detailed 10×10 mosaic on a cradle board using carefully selected glass pieces to capture personality, expression, and character.
Linocut Reduction Fundamentals
April 24 & 25
Teacher: Carol Bold
Time: 10 – 4 pm
In this immersive two-day workshop, Carol will guide students through the complete process of creating a multi-colored reduction linocut print. Participants will learn how to develop and transfer a design, carve a linoleum block with confidence, and understand the step-by-step reduction process that allows multiple colors to emerge from a single block.
MakeSpace Open Studio
Friday, April 3, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
A First Friday Event
Get a behind-the-scenes look at this hub of creativity.
Your Community. Your Classes. Your Space.
Information & Class Registration
And, while you are there, register your email to receive monthly updates on classes.
MAKESPACE | 918 ART VILLAGE WAY | IVINS, UTAH 84738
Petite Feast Dinner Club
PALETTE TO PLATE DINNER
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2026
~Reserve Your Seat at the Table~
For this extraordinary evening, we invite you to embark on a culinary expedition where each course is inspired by a celebrated work of art. Immerse yourself in a meal, where every dish tells a new story. Colors, shapes, and flavors unfold in a one-of-a-kind journey through six fascinating masterpieces. Each painting will guide the diner through the meal and the journey we are on; each work of art showcasing a thoughtful interpretation of the course to follow. We are traveling together where each stop will awaken your senses and spark your curiosity. Reserve your seat and anticipate a culinary journey that will create memories that linger long after the last bite.
As part of this immersive journey, the menu will be presented as a handbound deck of miniature gallery cards, As each dish arrives, guests are invited to decipher which artwork corresponds to the plate before them, creating an intimate dialogue between visual and culinary art, where observation becomes part of the ritual of dining.
MENU
RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE AND UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE WHERE ART AND CUISINE CONVERGE
Spring’s best offerings shine in this thoughtfully crafted, vegetable and seafood focused menu
Limited seating available
Petite Feast Dinner Club
DINNER LOCATION: PRIVATE HOME IN KAYENTA, UTAH
**The exact address and driving directions will be emailed 1 week prior to the event.
About Petite Feast Dinner Club: after 35 years as a restaurateur, caterer, chef and Food and Wine best new chef nominee, Victoria Topham is opening her kitchen to share her unique culinary skills and healthy cooking style with guests just like you. PF Dinner Club offers guests the opportunity to socialize with new friends around a shared table while enjoying deliciously upscale meals. Monthly dinners will feature an hors d’oeuvre hour followed by a multi course dinner where mingling with the chef in the kitchen is encouraged. ** Think – mash-up of a restaurant, dinner party and cooking class. And, she always has a few unplanned courses and surprises for her guests! Events are announced monthly through the website and pricing for each event varies. Victoria is happy to accommodate your special celebration requests and dietary preferences whenever possible. I hope to see you soon.
“Susan Dintner here to say I have never had food like yours in my life. It was wonderful and so was the company. We sat with so many interesting people. We would not have changed one thing about last night.” — Susan and Warren Dintner
“How creative this dinner was! It was absolutely fabulous in every way” — N. Campbell
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #116
GREEN GODDESS PIZZA
Green goddess dressing has always been a kitchen overachiever. Creamy, herb-packed, and unapologetically green, this classic dressing has been gracing tables for more than a century. It’s great on salads, roasted vegetables, grilled meat and, move over fry sauce, it’s even terrific on french fries. But for me, its bright flavor really shines on this spring vegetable pizza.
Making this lively herb-flecked dressing is simple. Silky mayonnaise and yogurt are blended together for richness and texture, then garlic, lemon juice, and anchovy are added to deliver depth and a savory umami edge. Finally, a generous handful of parsley, basil, and tarragon are folded in to deliver green goddess’ fresh, spring-like perfume and beautiful, bright green hue. How could that not be a winning sauce for a spring pizza?
Once the dressing is made, the rest of the dish comes together in a snap. After whizzing up the dressing ingredients with an immersion blender, I got to work on the pizza. I started with a homemade pizza crust (store bought will also work beautifully) and topped it with a generous crumble of tangy goat cheese, tender asparagus, and for big allium flavor, I added green onions cut into 1½-inch pieces. After baking in a blisteringly hot 500-degree oven, I finished it with a drizzle of the green goddess and a sprinkle of sweet peas. BOOM! Suddenly, bright spring flavor was in the house.
To pair alongside, Tim thinks this dish calls for a light, crisp, highly acidic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc (with a grassy touch), Albariño, Gruner Veltliner, or dry Riesling. He also mentioned he would avoid heavy, oaken Chardonnays. But if you’re trying to hold firm on your dry January resolution, a cucumber lime spritz is the way to go. The subtle, refreshing flavor of cucumber won’t overwhelm the asparagus and the carbonation will lift the richness of the cheese from your tongue, refreshing your palate. To make it, muddle 1/4 peeled and sliced cucumber, a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a 1 tsp. of sugar in a sturdy glass. Top with 6 oz sparkling water and strain over ice into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cucumber slice if desired.
If you have not joined the Virtual Dinner Party but would like to dine with us, please prepare this recipe – or any other – and share it with your family, friends and neighbors. It is our group’s firm belief that by preparing something good to eat and sharing it with those we love, we are participating in one of life’s greatest joys. The connection, community and good will that come from it fill us with joy, hope and gratitude. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.
Thanks for coming to the party, and cook on! – Vic
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #116
GREEN GODDESS PIZZA
INGREDIENTS
Green Goddess Dressing:
¾ cup mayo
¼ cup yogurt or sour cream
2 tsp lemon zest
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet, rinsed and dried
¼ tsp crushed red pepper (if desired)
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh tarragon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pizza & Toppings:
1 pizza dough, homemade or store bought @ room temperature (recipe link https://petitefeastutah.com/blog/2020/07/15/virtual-dinner-party-18-pizza-on-the-grill/)
6 oz goat cheese
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
3 green onions, cut into 1½-inch pieces
½ cup cooked fresh green peas or thawed frozen peas
METHOD
Preheat oven to 500°F.
Make the Green Goddess dressing: stir together mayo, yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy and crushed red pepper in a medium bowl. Add in chopped basil, parsley, and tarragon. Blend well with immersion blended. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Shape the dough into a 10–12 inch circle and place it on pizza sheet lightly sprinkled with cornmeal. Dock the dough all over with a fork.
Crumble the goat cheese over the dough. Scatter asparagus and green onions on top. Season lightly with salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Bake 10–15 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the crust is golden.
Scatter the peas over the pizza and bake 1 minute more.
Drizzle with the dressing just before serving.
*Any extra dressing keeps, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.
Side bar: Green Goddess dressing was created in 1923 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco to pay tribute to the star of the hit play The Green Goddess. The hotel’s chef crafted the creamy, herbaceous dressing (a variation of the French sauce au vert) to pay tribute to the show and it was an immediate success.
435.656.0165
Xetava Cafe is locally owned, and unlike anywhere you’ve ever been. Designed to be a respite from the bustle of modern life, the building is nestled under the giant red cliffs of Ivins, surrounded by the Kayenta Art Village and Center for the Arts.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday, 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday Brunch, 10 am – 3 pm
435.656.0165
The menu at The Rusted Cactus provides unique dishes that capture the flavor of the season. Within the walls, the Lewis and MacKay families hope to create a dining experience with shared plates that will cultivate a love of food, friendship, and new flavors.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday, 4 – 8 pm
Health, Fitness & Wellness
Kayenta’s locally run gyms, fitness classes, spas, group workouts, wellness activities, and mindful experiences.
“It’s Your Workout: Your Time. Your Body. Own It.”
– Anonymous
Elevate Fitness
NEW
Coming this Spring
Outdoor Yoga on Elephant Rock in Kayenta
Text John @ 435-632-1381 for more information.
Elevate’s Signature Class • E l e v a t e F i t
A fun, invigorating, and challenging class designed for the intermediate to advanced exerciser. (Beginners—let’s have a quick conversation before your first class.)
This indoor/outdoor class gets your heart pumping and your body strong, with a focus on functional fitness for the active Southern Utah lifestyle. Balance—an essential component of aging gracefully—is woven into every class.
You’ll never know what’s in store. Creativity is key to keeping things fresh, exciting, and never boring. One day you might be TRX-ing and using your own bodyweight; the next you’ll be lifting kettlebells, dumbbells, or barbells, pulling and pushing with resistance bands, hitting the treadmill, spinning, running, or speed-walking outdoors. Agility ladder training adds a fun twist and keeps things dynamic.
Although this is a group class, you’ll feel like you have your own personal trainer—with individualized attention, motivation, and challenge every step of the way.
About Owner John Yohman
John Yohman, former Head Trainer at The Biggest Loser Resort in Malibu, CA, brings his expertise to this boutique-style fitness and wellness studio. His unparalleled service, combined with top-tier training and coaching, is what makes Elevate Studio truly unique.
At Elevate, workouts are challenging—but fitness is fun. Inspiration, education, and transformation are the threads that weave together the fabric of the Elevate community. Every class and session is designed to empower you to move better, feel stronger, and live healthier.
Join the Elevate Tribe and take your life to the highest level of health, fitness, and well-being.
Private and semi-private training options are also available at Elevate Studio.
CURRENT CLASS OFFERINGS
ElevateFit / ElevateFITFusion
9:30 am, Mon, Wed, Fri
Elevate Yoga
4:00 pm Thur, 10 am Sat
Class size is limited and subject to change.
Please reserve yoga classes prior to the day of class via text: 435.632.1381
Elevate Studio • 435-632-1381
jyfitness@me.com
Be happy. Be healthy. Have a blast!
ELEVATE!
Pre-registration is required. Contact John before attending your first class.
Kayenta Home Yoga
Relax your shoulders. Unclench your jaw. Soften the space between your eyebrows.
This is a reminder to stop holding tension in your body.
2026 Schedule
Tuesday 9:30 – 10:45 Slow Flow Vinyasa
Class begins with a gentle floor warmup followed by standing poses, moving with breath and alignment. We finish with a cool down and Savasana.
This class includes fewer sun salutations and chaturangas than in Thursday’s Vigorous Vinyasa class.
Wednesday 9:30 – 10:45 Yin/Meditative Deep Stretch (Floor-based practice)
Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00 Chair Yoga
Thursday 9:30 – 10:45 Vigorous Vinyasa
Class begins with a gentle floor warmup, followed by sun salutations and standing poses, moving with breath and alignment toward a peak challenging pose. We finish with a cool down and Savasana.
Preregistration is required. Please call/text/email for more information
Karen Kushner (E-RYT 500)
978-621-0499
Find Your Joy Yoga
Find Your Joy Yoga
Tuesdays at 9:30 am
At John Yohmans’s Elevate Fitness Studio in Kayenta!
Classes are $15 • Punch cards are available for $75 (5 classes)
No sign-up is required!
Call/text: 435-862-7743
Javier’s Massage
Javier Guzman LMT/LMMT
Massage is medicine
for the body and mind
Hi, I’m Javier Guzman a licensed massage therapist who resides in the beautiful community of Kayenta. My handcrafted massages are designed for you whether you want relaxation, deep therapeutic, stress reducing, pain relieving, or just to improve overall health & well-being. Don’t delay your journey to a healthier you!
“I think he is a neighborhood treasure. He has a very nice casita where he works. I love his massage and he is a really nice, thoughtful, considerate, good guy.” ~ Christy Lueders
Call or text for an appointment:
Javier Guzman
206-271-6165
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
Email Cheryl
Beth Hopwood
Email Beth
Desert Rose Labyrinth
792 Kayenta Pkwy, Ivins UT
Trips and Trails
Kayenta Exploration Group
Monday, April 20th, 2026
Welcome Springs Excursion
Join us for a half-day outing to Welcome Springs, located southwest of St. George—a vital desert water source first documented by Jedediah Smith in 1827.
This unique area features:
- Ancient rock art
- Cliff dwellings
- Historical sites
- World-class sport climbing landscapes
Trip Details:
- Meet at the Kayenta Design Center at 10:00 AM
- Half-day excursion
- Approx. 10 miles on a dirt road
- Please bring your own lunch
For questions, contact Charles Dillier at 435-656-1956.
Community Advocates
Are you a Kayenta resident? Do you have a cause or passion that you are personally involved with in the St. George area?
If so, let your neighbors know right here.
“Ivins Inspired” Volunteer Program
Advocate: Victoria Topham
Have you always wanted to get involved in our community but aren’t sure how? Good news – a small team of volunteers is working on creating a volunteer database, connecting interested residents like you to the amazing groups that help make Ivins such a great place.
Join us in shaping our vibrant community through volunteerism. Every contribution counts, whether you have an hour or a weekend to spare. Your involvement makes a difference in making Ivins even greater.
We invite you to play an active role in our community’s future. Whether you’re passionate about parks, local events, or public services, there’s a place for you in the Ivins Volunteer Program. Already volunteering? We need you in the database, too! Please fill out our form to help match your skills with those of organizations that need you. Filling out the form doesn’t commit you to any of these organizations or roles, but it does help us connect you with opportunities, and it gives volunteer groups/organizations a way to find you and reach out.
*The Ivins Inspired Volunteer Program is entirely a volunteer program not owned or operated by Ivins City in any manner.
Red Mountain Desert Preserve
Advocate: Patricia O’Rorke
New Shivwits Chairperson Seeks Local Residents’ Support
The Shivwits Band of Utah Paiutes has elected Philip Bushhead as the Band’s Chairperson, according to election results announced Friday, March 28. A member of Red Mountain Land Preservers, Mr. Bushhead seeks transparency and the right of the Shivwits members to vote on the terms proposed by private equity group Reef Capital Partners (“Reef”) to use the Shivwits’ land and water for a massive, 1,250-acre expansion of its Black Desert golf resort. He is asking local residents to help the Shivwits people defeat the legislation proposed by Reef to transfer jurisdiction over the Shivwits reservation to the State of Utah without a vote of the Shivwits members. For more information, please click the link below to download the full article and ways to help our Shivwits Neighbors.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Humanity
Advocate: Patrick Barickman
To learn more about our projects and mission please visit our website.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah
835 South Bluff Street, St. George, UT. 84770
INKAS – Ivins No Kill Animal Supporters
Advocate: Lois Hewitt
Ivins No-Kill Animal Supporters (INKAS) is a 501(c)3 organization and a Registered Utah Charity. It was founded in 2010 with the mission of providing support to Ivins Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, now the Santa Clara-Ivins Animal Shelter. In 2006 our shelter became the first no-kill municipal shelter in the state of Utah. Maintaining a no-kill shelter, as opposed to one that euthanizes animals after a set period of time, is more costly because the animal’s needs must be met at the shelter until they are reclaimed by their owners, adopted, or transferred to an animal rescue organization. Through a memorandum of understanding with Ivins City, INKAS provides support through veterinary care, specialty foods, and other needed supplies. Funds are raised through the sale of merchandise at various local events and through the donations of many generous animal lovers. You can help by designating INKAS as your charity on Amazon Smile or by donating on our website.
Santa Clara-Ivins Animal Shelter
MacKenzie Reid, Animal Control Supervisor
474 North 200 West, Ivins
435-628-1049
Hours by appointment:
Monday – Saturday, 8am – 3 pm
Ivins Night Sky Initiative
Advocate: Kai Reed
Ivins Night Sky was launched in January, 2019 as a 100% volunteer, citizen-led organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky over Ivins. We strive to keep our community updated about issues that threaten the integrity of our night sky and serve as a strong, unified voice for their long-term preservation and protection.
The night sky’s importance lies in its vital role for ecosystems, supporting wildlife with natural light/dark cycles, and for human well-being, offering inspiration, cultural heritage, mental health benefits (awe, purpose), and a connection to the universe, all while being threatened by increasing light pollution. It’s a natural resource for health, science, art, and a fundamental part of human history and our sense of place.
If you would like to be on our mailing list to stay informed, please email kaiallenreed@gmail.com.
Friends of Snow Canyon State Park
Advocates: Lori Capshaw
Events
EventsWe’d like to invite all Kayenta residents to join us in supporting Snow Canyon State Park. Our mission is to provide support to Snow Canyon State Park through various means. For more information and to join Friends please visit our website.
Nextdoor Kayenta
Advocate: Ray Borg
Nextdoor is a completely private online website environment for all of the Kayenta Nextdoor neighborhoods. Special thanks to Ray Borg for being our fearless leader.
Community and City Resources
Kayenta resident-owned services, Kayenta businesses, and Kayenta enrichment programs that benefit the Kayenta community and Ivins City
Naomi Doyle, Kayenta resident, Kayenta Homes & Properties Realtor, and owner of Cade&CO
Cade&Co is a unique company specializing in handmade leather baby shoes and leather-appliquéd cotton clothing. Our shoes feature a leather, slip-on shoe design recommended by pediatricians for babies and pre-walkers. The comfortable, ultra-soft, breathable leather keeps feet cool in summer and warm in winter. The natural suede sole helps protect against slipping.
Founded in 2003 by Kayenta Resident Naomi Doyle, a mother of two boys, Cade&Co develops products with original and creative designs. Our goal is to provide a high-quality, practical line of children’s shoes that parents, babies, and children can use and enjoy every day.
Cade&CO
Booties can be found in Datura Gallery, located in the Kayenta Art Villages, or on her website.
naomi@cadeandco.com • 435-901-1362
Located in the desert community of Kayenta Utah, the Crescent Moon Inn is the perfect place to get away from it all. The Inn is just a short walk or bike ride from the Kayenta Art Village, where locally-owned art galleries, the Sacred Space Day Spa and the Xetava Garden Cafe add to your unique experience.
For Reservations or Pricing call:
435-879-9076
Looking for a Hair Artist right here in Kayenta?….JENN Hair Artist embodies the artistic creativity and passion of the beauty industry. She thrives in creating natural, sexy cuts and color styles for men and women. She looks forward to pampering you.
924A Art Village Way, Ivins, UT 83455
801 637-0884 (call or text)
Good Medicine Intuitive Skin Care
Good Medicine Beauty Lab is a small women-owned company, that creates high-quality face and skincare products. The products are all hand-crafted in our Kayenta lab, from ethically sourced ingredients and wild desert botanicals.
• Unique face and body care products.
• Safe, natural, and locally sourced wild botanical ingredients
Stop by and test all our products, we will be open every day from 9-5!
Kayenta Art Village: 873 Coyote Gulch Ct. Suite C, walk towards the Center for the Arts & look for the bright purple door.
435-656-5240
Is your Home dated, and in desperate need of a complete makeover? I can completely update the look and feel of your home without costly remodeling. I can help with affordable solutions that will transform your space. You will have a home that is organized, more current, and looks beautiful.
Are you building a New Home and need the finishing Touches? I can help with all the decorative touches, from home furnishings to tile, paint & more!
Happy Up Your Home with Home Stylist Nancy Weezy Forman, Kayenta Resident
215.805.0035 WEEZY@NANCYWEEZYFORMAN.COM
Desert Dermatology and Surgery
We are committed to offering you superior dermatological care in a safe, comfortable, and modern environment. Our highly skilled team of Board-Certified providers specialize in Dermatology, Mohs Surgery, and Dermatopathology, ensuring you receive expert care tailored to your unique needs.
Kayenta resident Dr. Christian Anderson DO, PharmD, FAOCD-CAQ Mohs, FASMS, FAAD has been dedicated to healthcare since 1985. He looks forward to making a lasting impact on the health and well-being of his community while navigating today’s complex healthcare landscape with a patient-centered approach.
Desert Dermatology and Surgery
(directly across the street from Rocky Vista University)
272 E Center St Suite 102
Ivins UT 84738
435-288-1311 work • 435-274-2958 fax
Convenient healthcare with Script Your Health Telemedicine and Rosanne Calure, CRNP
Kayenta homeowner Rosanne Calure is a certified adult nurse practitioner with 30 years of clinical experience. She specializes in primary care, urgent care, weight loss, ADHD, and women’s and men’s health. She currently operates her telemedicine practice and is licensed in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, and Virginia. Rosanne has a home in Kayenta and plans to make Kayenta her full-time residence early next year.
To learn more about Script Your Health and Rosanne Calure, CRNP, or if you have questions, call or text 888-507-4660. You can also visit her website link below for more information.
The mention or listing of specific Kayenta business and/or products or services herein is solely for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement by Kayenta Homes and Properties, Kayenta Development, or the Kayenta Connection, or our partners, nor discrimination against similar brands, products or services offered by Kayenta residents not mentioned.
Kayenta Committees
Board opportunities, landscaping, and ACC & HOA contact information.
Kayenta Desert Arboretum
The Kayenta Desert Arboretum is getting a new and beautiful look this spring. Over the last couple of months our faithful volunteers have been turning the arboretum in to an impressive Kayenta attraction including a variety of new desert plants, many new sculptures and upgraded landscaping. On your next visit to Xetava or the Center For the Arts be sure to take an extra few minutes to stroll through the pathways in the arboretum.
Your community arboretum was created, managed and improved by residents in Kayenta who consider it to be another special feature of the area we live in. If you want to see it grow we would love to welcome you in to our all volunteer organization. Just email or call Roger Head, rbhkayenta@gmail.com; 435-632-1814 for additional information.
Kayenta Landscaping Committee
If you love plants and gardening….
A phenomenal new resource is now available to guide you in creating your Kayenta landscaping, available on the Kayenta HOA website.
The Kayenta ACC Landscaping Committee has just released a new guide to plants currently suggested for use, listing plant characteristics such as typical height and width, growth rate and—perhaps most useful—whether the species is available at local nurseries.
There are links attached to each of the plant IDs and names which lead to images of the plants and in-depth information available online.
In addition, the guide specifies in what areas plants can be used, such as the natural area, the transitional area or in a courtyard. A “Notes” section includes other advice and things to know about a given plant.
This user-friendly Guide to Kayenta Plants is located in the ACC’s Landscaping Documents.
ACC & HOA Information
The Kayenta ACC meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month, 1:00 pm in the Theater for the Arts. A hard copy of the agenda is posted in the Kayenta Homes & Properties office the Thursday before the meeting.
Questions? Ellen Nathan
Phone: 435-652-8333
Email EllenShonto Point HOA Meetings
The Shonto HOA Board meets regularly during the year avoiding some summer months. All meetings are from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month in the Theatre for the Arts, located in the Kayenta Art Village.
Taviawk HOA Board Meetings
The Board plans to meet on the Thursday after the ACC meeting (which is the 3rd Tuesday of each month) bi-monthly at 9:30 am at The Management Group (formerly, F1 Property Management)
The Kayenta Concept
The Kayenta Concept is a philosophy that has steered the development of our exceptional community since its inception. The standards that underlie that concept are enforced by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC), which serves both the Shonto Point and Taviawk HOAs. The pre-amble to the 2021 ACC Handbook lays out the basics of the architectural rules that have been followed to create the homes and land-scape we live in.
When your home was designed the Kayenta Concept was front and center. The ACC reviewed your design to evaluate whether it followed the rules, and the ACC monitored construction of your home through landscaping and occupation, again, reviewing adherence to design and construction standards. When you received your occupancy permit and construction deposit refund from the ACC, on-going compliance with the Kayenta Con-cept became the responsibility of your HOA Board of Directors. Your Board has the authority to perpetuate the Kayenta Concept into the future and gladly accepts that role.
The Kayenta Concept is worth reviewing to remind us that what we have here has only happened because of the rules Kayenta developer Terry Marten set up to own, build and live in Kayenta. His vision and the governing documents he developed to achieve and maintain that vision established the Kayenta HOAs and gave them the responsibility and authority to enforce the CC&Rs that underlie the beauty and value we all enjoy
Ivins City Dumpster Dates and Blucan Recycling Calendars
Ivins City Offices are open.
For Appointments with a specific department call:
Administration: 435-628-0606
Building: 435-634-9753
Parks or Cemetery: 435-634-7719
Public Works: 435-634-0689
Dispatch: 435-634-5730 or Animal Control: 435-628-1049
Ongoing Events and Activities
Weekly and monthly gatherings
Kayenta Book Lovers
Meetings the 2nd Monday of every month. For more details contact our bookclub
Submissions
Email submissions / changes to Kayenta Connection with “Kayenta Connection (month)” in the subject line. Our Kayenta Connection Newsletter updates the 1st of the Month. Please submit 6 days prior to the end of the month to be included.
The Kayenta Connection is a publication that is focused on the Kayenta Community (residents, visitors and other interested folks). Information and articles should appeal to our Kayenta readers and reflect the spirit of our community. The KC cannot be responsible for mistakes submitted by the contributor. We do not accept advertisements for services or events other than those provided by a Kayenta resident who is advertising their business/service to our community. The KC supports promotion of businesses located within the Kayenta Art Village.
The information submitted does not imply sponsorship or reflect the views and opinion of Kayenta Homes & Properties or Kayenta Development. Content not deemed appropriate for our readers will not be published. All information published in the KC is subject to editing.
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Sign up for the Kayenta Connection. We will send you monthly reminders when our next issue of the Kayenta Connection is ready to view online. Sign up to stay connected.
Download a printable pdf of our monthly Kayenta Connection here.
If you know someone who would like to read a “hard copy” version of the Kayenta Connection, we are now providing a downloadable PDF. It can be printed on any personal printer. It is a low-resolution file to keep the file size manageable. It is a conversion from an online version, so some font sizes may be small. Print a few test pages first. Please note that it will require at least 25 to 30 sheets of paper.