On Saturday, March 14, at 6:00 pm, we’ll roll out the red carpet and pop open the bottles of bubbly. This year’s theme embraces our fantastic star-gazing sky.
Like constellations in the night sky, art connects us across distance and difference — through shared stories, cultural traditions, creative vision, and acts of generosity. This gala honors the belief that when we gather, collaborate, and give, we become brighter together.
Dinner, Beverages, and Entertainment are all included.
Entertainment
Preslee Heppler – Vocalist
Shawn Owens Project – Jazz Band
Marni Bell Barranco – Harpist
Live auction of Artwork by Greg Ragland, Premier Kayenta Fine Artist
Dinner Menu
Charcuterie/Grazing Display
Seasonal Farm Style Salad
Entree: Herb Roasted Chicken w/ Lemon Buerre Blanc or Seared Salmon w/ Lemon Gremolata or Vegan Ratatouille
Sides: Seasonal Vegetables or Wild Rice and Quinoa Salad or Oven Roasted Potatoes
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
PURCHASE OPTIONS
Single ticket – $150
Table (Six Seats) – $1,000
THIS IS OUR SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENT
AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AS WE SUPPORT THE ARTS IN KAYENTA
Check this link for information and ticket details.
Photo: Alan Holben
Kayenta Street Painting Festival
SAVE THE DATES
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.
Unique Experiences, Gastronomic Delights, Creative Businesses &
Exceptional Art.
A Love for Art, People, and Community
Writer: Kaitlynn Kraus
A Conversation with Cherie Stoddard
February is known as the month of love—a time to celebrate the people and places that make us feel connected. For Cherie Stoddard, that love shows up every day in Gallery 873, the gallery she owns in the Kayenta Arts Village. It’s felt not only in the artwork on the walls, but in the people who walk through the door and the stories they bring with them.
Stoddard is one of the many wonderful gallery owners located in the Kayenta Arts Village, and has spent years building a gallery rooted in connection, intuition, and community. Most of the artists represented in Stoddard’s gallery come to her through word-of-mouth. Over the years, she has developed a strong instinct for choosing artists, trusting her gut and her eye for what will resonate with visitors. Her gallery features a wide range of artists, from retired and well-established creators to young, emerging artists just beginning their careers. Despite the variety of styles, the gallery feels cohesive. For Stoddard, it’s simple: if the work looks good on the wall, it belongs.
What makes the gallery especially personal to her is the people she meets along the way. Stoddard genuinely enjoys connecting with both artists and visitors. Through the gallery, she hears stories from all over, and listening to them is one of the most rewarding things for her. “The stories these guys have,” she says, “it’s just fascinating to listen to.” Those shared moments are a big part of why the gallery feels less like a store and more like a gathering place.
Please click on the link below to enjoy the rest of the article.
KAYENTA ART VILLAGE | 800 COYOTE CULCH COURT | IVINS, UTAH 84738
435.673.6628 | 435.674.2306 | kayentaartvillage.com
Inspired by Art, Rooted in Community — Kayenta’s February Art Festival Weekend.
The 2026 Kayenta Art Festival was held over a glorious, sun-drenched February weekend, made even more perfect by pleasant temperatures and gentle breezes.
Amazing and beautiful displays of artistic talent and creativity by local and regional painters, potters, sculptors, woodworkers, jewelry designers, musicians, and others brought crowds of festival goers to the Art Village.
As a longtime presence in Kayenta’s vibrant Art Village, Kayenta Homes & Properties takes great pride in being part of a community where creativity isn’t just celebrated during festivals, but woven into everyday life. Surrounded by galleries, studios, and working artists, we value the important role the arts play in shaping the character and spirit of Kayenta. Supporting and championing that creative energy is a natural extension of what we do — helping people find their place in a community inspired by art, architecture, and desert beauty.
Our office’s location within the Art Village offers a distinct advantage to buyers and sellers alike. Because we are immersed in the daily rhythm of the community — not simply operating nearby — we’re able to provide insights, connections, and perspective that can only come from being truly part of Kayenta’s creative and cultural fabric. That close relationship with the Village allows us to offer a level of understanding and service that is uniquely rooted in place.
As usual, Kayenta Homes & Properties set up a table outside the real estate office, complete with a large community map, flyers and brochures, and complimentary bottled water to promote current community properties for sale and to answer questions from interested folks about living the Kayenta lifestyle. Being present at events like the Art Festival is just one of the many ways we stay engaged in and supportive of the artistic heartbeat of the community.
We especially enjoyed connecting with so many Kayenta residents who stopped by our table to say hello! It always feels like a reunion of sorts when we can visit with homeowners — longtime residents as well as more recent arrivals — many of whom we’ve been privileged to partner with over the years.
The annual Arts Festival is just one of the many things that makes Kayenta such a unique place to call home, where art, community, and lifestyle come together in truly inspiring ways — and where Kayenta Homes & Properties is proud to serve not just as a brokerage, but as an active member of the Village itself.
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
Swinging into March and Gala season!
Dear Kayenta neighbors —
March is a critical month for the Center of the Arts at Kayenta as it is when we hold our most important fundraising event of the year—our annual gala. Scheduled on Saturday, March 14, this years gala— “Where the Stars Are” — treats guests to food, wine, and entertainment. It also features an opportunity to support specific 2025-2026 season programing as well as purchasing equipment critical to theater operations. As in the past, the gala will also auction off an original work by one of our own artist celebrities. This year, artist Greg Ragland has donated an original painting. Only 40 tickets remain so don’t miss the opportunity to support your theater and own a piece of Kayenta’s growing artistic history!
March swings into action on the 6th with First Friday’s Swing into Spring featuring an instructed Country Swing and Line Dancing session 4:30 to 5:30. So join us, vendors, food trucks, and dance the night away…until the DOCUTAH starts at 7:30!
Also, thank you to those who attended some of the most amazing performances I’ve seen at the Center. From the visual splendor of Repertory Dance Theatre’s performance of Migrations to the electrifying performance and sounds of Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez, your donations and ticket purchases are what allows the Center to bring these high caliber performances to our desert community. Let’s keep it up.
In closing, just a heads up that the Kayenta Arts Foundation Board has decided it is time to expand our Board membership, so please stay tuned for an email announcement seeking interested candidates. Until then, I hope to see you at the theater…and the gala!
Best,
Laurel Bryant
Chair, Kayenta Arts Foundation
Every First Friday at Kayenta
Friday, March 6, 4 – 8 pm
Celebrate Southern Utah’s creative spirit every First Friday at Kayenta with art, live music, and community—plus a curated boutique market from Southern Utah Market featuring local art, handmade goods, and farmers market favorites
FREE • Swing into Spring, 4:30 – 5:30p
Instructed Country Swing and Line Dancing in the courtyard from 4:30 – 5:30!
Herstory: 5:30-8:00p
Art Opening: Dynamic collection of artworks exploring themes of identity, care, resistance, embodiment, ancestry, and transformation.
DOCUTAH PRESENTS
Life That Matters
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 7:30pm
The documentary delves into the remarkable journey of Ben Lesser surviving the Holocaust, sharing profound insights gained from his harrowing experiences and the loss of his family. Through his resilient spirit, he imparts invaluable life lessons on living with purpose. Additionally, the documentary highlights the profound impact Ben has had on others, showcasing their reflections on his wisdom and his profound outlook on living a meaningful life.
Kayenta 100 Project: First Five Decades
Part IV: Expanding Views, 2006-2016
Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 3:00pm
Kayenta became a showcase for innovative desert architecture and sustainable design. This event highlights the bold experimentation and collaborative spirit behind the iconic “Concept Homes”—projects that drew national attention and redefined modern desert living. This chapter also covers the creation of Kayenta Arts Foundation and the 2008 Financial Crisis.
VOYAGER LECTURE SERIES
Venturing Into the Unknown: The Great Wealth Transfer and the Future of American Assets
with Kevin D. Rorie, CFP®, CDFA®
Sunday, March 31, 2026 at 7:30pm
As the largest generational wealth shift in American history accelerates, trillions of dollars are set to change hands—reshaping families, communities, and the financial landscape in profound ways. In this timely presentation, Kevin Rorie will guide us as we explore The Great Wealth Transfer through practical insights to help you understand what’s coming and how to prepare. From shifting demographics to emerging opportunities and potential pitfalls, this presentation will equip you to confidently navigate uncertainty and make thoughtful decisions in a rapidly evolving financial era.
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.
HOA Annual Board Meetings.
Please contact your HOAs for more information on ballot procedures and meeting locations.
Shonto Point • March 7, 2026
The Annual SPHOA meeting of Members will be held in the Center for the Arts Kayenta March 7, 2026, noon to 1:30, with a social hour beginning at 10:45 in the lobby.
Community Spotlight
Janell Bassett, Editor
Marcia Thayne: Finding joy and revelation through Windhorse Wisdom
Formerly a therapist, Marcia Thayne found equine therapy a new avenue to help people face their issues.
Marcia Thayne has had a varied career, as a champion golfer, as an English teacher, and as a Certified Social Worker dealing with mental illness, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol addiction. Along the way, she learned how her own independence and tenacity shaped her path while she saw firsthand the struggles people face, often unable to understand or articulate what was driving their unease.
Born in Salt Lake City, Marcia took up golf at the urging of her older brother, going on to become the undefeated Utah State Amateur Champion for six years. Though she taught Honors English for 20 years, she recognized a wisdom shared by therapists and decided to pursue that avenue. “I found people complex and interesting,” she says, leading her to clinical social work. But things changed when her long-time friend Mary Lee Brighton moved to Ivins and suggested Marcia move too.
“Mary Lee encouraged me to try equine therapy,” Marcia recounts. “After my first session, I quit. She asked why. I told her that the horses were so great at communicating with people I wasn’t needed. Also, I didn’t want to have my perspective somehow distort their messages.” But Mary Lee thought “it was important to have a therapist available in case participants needed grounding. Sometimes the horses awakened parts of them they were not prepared to handle.” That conversation led to the founding of Windhorse Wisdom at Kayenta Korrals.
With the passing of Mary Lee three years ago, Marcia has taken the reins of the organization. As participants learn about the history of the mustang in North America, the staff and volunteers work “to preserve their unique and authentic nature. These horses are mystical and magical and are great communicators,” she says. “People have commented about learning about themselves as well as the horses.
“Windhorse mustangs are incredibly sensitive and read energy, inner landscapes and intentions,” Marcia says. “Their social networks are complex and fluid. Participants get to interact with the horses one on one and learn to become the horse’s leader using body language and energy.”
As an example, Marcia tells the story of a veteran dealing with PTSD from his service in Afghanistan. On the last day of a workshop for people experiencing inner turmoil, “the horses chose which person they wanted to spend the afternoon with.” Hickory, a horse Marcia characterizes as “mister sensitive and the workshop star” chose the veteran. Marcia felt the paring was perfect, but “the minute I gave the man the lead rope, Hickory turned into a brat. He was dragging the man all around and was acting out. I thought I should get him another horse or at least go help him.” But as a clinical social worker she remembered her vow not to interfere and walked away.
Returning during the last 10 minutes of the session, she was overjoyed and amazed to find “they had formed a very tender bromance.” Seeing the veteran later, she said she was sorry that Hickory was so hard. His reply? “It wasn’t Hickory’s fault. I was having flashbacks of the things I had done in Afghanistan, and I knew Hickory was experiencing them too. Hickory told me I wasn’t evil.” While others had told that man that, he didn’t believe it until he had that experience with Hickory. Simply, Marcia says, “Hickory exemplified the Wisdom part of our name.”
Going forward, Marcia faces the ever growing financial challenge of maintaining Windhorse, with hay prices continuing to rise, and the ever harder task of maintaining the health of the horses as they age. Yet “their veterinarian is continually impressed with their fitness, vitality and playfulness. This is due to our dedicated volunteers who are committed to their well being.”
Overall, she finds joy in watching those magical animals play, in experiencing their mischievousness and in witnessing the revelations and incites of the participants. “I learned everything I know about horses from Mary Lee,” Marcia says. “She was a master horsewoman and had a mystical relationship with the horses. The horses adored, respected and loved her. Someone asked her if the horses loved her. She said, ‘No they are love.’”
To learn more about the magic of the mustangs or schedule a visit, see Windhorse Wisdom
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.
January 2026 Ivins City Council Updates
Mike Scott, Council Member
How Is Life In Ivins?
Ivins is one of many cities participating in Utah State University’s “Wellbeing Project.” Your participation in this 10-minute survey will inform the city’s planning processes and better understanding of wellbeing across Utah. It will report on residents’ well-being and attitudes about community issues. The goal is to use these results in our planning and decision-making to support the overall quality of life in Ivins.
The interesting thing about this survey is it does not explicitly define well-being. It allows each of us to explain or interpret what well-being means to us. Using that information, we can really focus on the most important aspects of well-being in Ivins and try to address and promote those.
All full-time and part-time residents 18 and older can participate in this 10-minute survey. Please share this survey link with friends and family in Ivins.
Please do it today. Click here to access the survey: www.tinyurl.com/Ivins2026
You can learn more at www.usu.edu/utah-wellbeing-project or contact Dr. Courtney Flint at courtney.flint@usu.edu for more information.
What Should We Fund — And What Should We Wait On?
When I wrote last month about budget season, I asked for early input before the formal public hearing in May. Many of you responded. Thank you. What I received wasn’t abstract commentary. It was specific. Practical. Sometimes passionate. Sometimes skeptical. Always thoughtful.
Boiled down, the messages I received touched on roughly thirty distinct issues. Some were about infrastructure. Some about growth. Some about public safety, parks, water, roads, lighting, taxes, neighborhood investment, and long-term planning.
But here’s what struck me most: the range. Residents are thinking about everything from how we maintain what we already have, to how we pay for what’s coming, to how we preserve what makes Ivins feel like Ivins.
Rather than publish a list and frame the conversation for you, I’d like to hear from more of you directly. What issues do you believe should rise to the top this year? If you had to choose two or three priorities for 2026, what would they be? What should we accelerate? What should we phase in slowly? What should we deliberately wait on?
One of the hardest parts of budgeting is not identifying needs. It’s deciding which ones move first and which ones wait their turn. That’s where community values matter most.
This is the heart of budget season. Every idea has merit. Every one comes with a cost. Some are capital projects. Some affect long-term staffing. Some require policy changes. Some involve tradeoffs between aesthetics, safety, affordability, and reserves. When we build a budget, we are not choosing between good and bad. We are choosing between good and good. These are value decisions.
The formal public hearing on May 21st is important. But by then, much of the structure will be set. The flexibility is now. You don’t need to write a policy memo. Even a short note that says, “Please prioritize x,” is helpful. Even if you think your concern is small, send it. If several people raise the same issue independently, that tells me something important. The budget is not just a spreadsheet. It reflects community priorities.
If you’d like to weigh in, email me at mike@MikeScott4Ivins.com. If you want more details on any issue before forming an opinion, let me know. The numbers are still flexible. Now is when they can be shaped.
More City Information
I try to keep these articles relatively concise. 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.
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:
Figure Drawing from Live Models: 5-Week Session
Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Teacher: Larry Gerber
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
This five-week figure drawing course focuses on the power of gesture as the foundation of expressive figure work. Working from live models, students will learn how to capture movement, emotion, and energy while developing their own unique artistic voice.
4-week Series Class: Watercolor Studio
March 4, 11, 25 & April 1
Teacher: Michael Tabor
Time: 9 am – 12 pm
Join a welcoming watercolor community at MakeSpace! In this ongoing class, you work on your own paintings, guided by a blend of instructor-led demonstrations, one-on-one feedback from Michael, and encouragement from peers. Or you may challenge yourself with an instructor painting assignment.
3-Day Pastel Workshop: The Joy of Plein Air
March 5, 6 & 7
Teacher: Arlene Braithwaite
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Join beloved local artist Arlene Braithwaite for a joyful exploration of pastels. The workshop will provide students with techniques and skills used by pastel artists. An open-class environment supports learning and creation. Beginners will have the opportunity to follow along with the instructor in step-by-step demonstrations and hands-on painting experiences.
Wood-Burning & Watercolor: Desert Scene Mixed Media Workshop
March 12
Teacher: Kaylee Fisher
Time: 4 – 6 pm
This class is designed as a step-by-step, one-day project, making it perfect for beginners or anyone looking to explore a new creative process without feeling overwhelmed. Students will leave with a finished mixed media artwork and a better understanding of how wood-burning and watercolor can work together.
MakeSpace Open Studio
Friday, February 6, 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
MARCH DINNER
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026
~Reserve Your Seat at the Table~
With the worst of winter behind us, March invites us to look ahead to brighter days and more vibrant meals. At Petite Feast Dinner Club, this meal hopes to celebrate the season with a refined take on New England clam chowder, an inspired chicken entree with a bright and cheery citrus beurre blanc, and tender peas transformed into a silky panna cotta. The evening concludes with a dreamy lemon pistachio torte. We hope you’ll join us for this special dinner honouring the incredible bounty of the season and the company of good friends and neighbors.
MENU
BAKED BRIE CROSTINI WITH HOUSEMADE CARROT MARMALADE
SPRING PEA PANNA COTTA WITH LEMON MINT VINAIGRETTE
NEW AGE NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER WITH NEW POTATOES AND CELERY ROOT IN A LIGHT CLAM VELOUTE
CRISP SKINNED PAN ROASTED CHICKEN WITH PARSNIP PUREE AND CITRUS BEURRE BLANC
MEYER LEMON AND PISTACHIO POUND CAKE WITH WHIPPED HONEY MASCARPONE AND RHUBARB SORBET
PLUS, SOME EXTRA FANCY TREATS TO DELIGHT YOU!
To reserve your seat at the table please click on the link below
Petite Feast Dinner Club
DINNER LOCATION: PRIVATE HOME IN KAYENTA, UTAH
**The exact address and driving directions will be emailed 1 week prior to the event.
About Petite Feast Dinner Club: after 35 years as a restaurateur, caterer, chef and Food and Wine best new chef nominee, Victoria Topham is opening her kitchen to share her unique culinary skills and healthy cooking style with guests just like you. PF Dinner Club offers guests the opportunity to socialize with new friends around a shared table while enjoying deliciously upscale meals. Monthly dinners will feature an hors d’oeuvre hour followed by a multi course dinner where mingling with the chef in the kitchen is encouraged. ** Think – mash-up of a restaurant, dinner party and cooking class. And, she always has a few unplanned courses and surprises for her guests! Events are announced monthly through the website and pricing for each event varies. Victoria is happy to accommodate your special celebration requests and dietary preferences whenever possible. I hope to see you soon.
“It was a most delightful evening with amazing food and great company! Steve and I so look forward to coming to your dinners. We’ll see you in March.” — Lisa and Steve
“What an elegant, poetic and delicious meal we had last night! It was truly special and showcased your artistry as a chef, Victoria! The desserts were out of this world and we shared our table with such great people. What a treat. It was the essence of romance! THANK YOU” — Donna and Ken White
“A beautiful and poetic dinner! It is so good to be back, I have missed sharing a meal and making new friends at your dinners” — L Gaylord
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #115
CHICKEN FALAFEL SKEWERS
I’ve been seeing these viral tortilla kebabs all over social media for months now. I’ve been mesmerized by smiling creators making endless variations, and I was intrigued. The concept is simple: spread flavored ground meat on a tortilla, layer with more tortillas and meat (lasagna-style) until the stack is about 2 inches tall. Trim the tortilla’s rounded edges to make a neat square, and then cut into tidy cubes. Thread a few cubes (top to bottom, through the tortillas) onto skewers, brush with oil and then grill, pan sear, fry or broil until cooked through and crispy on the edges.
The process looks a little fiddly, but it’s actually very doable and the result is delicious. Of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone, and I had to put my own spin on them. I gave my skewers a falafel inspired, healthy, high protein, low fat treatment. Ground chicken bound with garbanzo beans, loaded with spices, onion, garlic, and herbs, topped with a quick yogurt sauce to tame the meat’s feistiness resulted in an irresistible Mediterranean skewer. I think the best flavor comes from grilling, but to keep things easy for this month’s recipe, I seared them in a hot skillet on the stovetop. Another easy option is to bake them in a 400-degree oven, but just be sure to brush the skewers with a little extra olive oil so they don’t dry out. If you want that classic sear after baking, a quick run under the broiler will yield the crispy, browned edges of traditional mediterranean-style skewers.
To make a complete meal, I served them over hummus with creamy yogurt sauce topped with chopped cucumber and tomato for crunch and freshness. It made an ideal weeknight dinner and leftovers were a welcome lunch the following day. Cut smaller, they could even be a unique finger food for your next get-together.
As for what to pair alongside, I was thinking a delicious sparkling Viognier I enjoyed at a recent wine club event would be terrific. Tim agreed, noting that Champagne or another sparkling wine would work especially well with the spices and help cut through the creaminess of the hummus and yogurt sauce. He also suggested that any number of light crisp, high-acid white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Abarino, or Sauvignon Blanc would pair nicely. All excellent suggestions!
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
Chef’s tip: a food processor is your new BFF for this recipe. It does double duty for both the falafel mix and the yogurt sauce. There’s no need to wash the processor bowl after making the sauce, just add the falafel ingredients and pulse away.
VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #115
CHICKEN FALAFEL SKEWERS
INGREDIENTS
CHICKEN FALAFEL MIX
1 lb. ground chicken (dark meat or a blend of light and dark work best here)
½ can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
½ red onion, chopped
2 Tbsp each parsley, mint, and cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic
½ jalapeño, seeds removed
1½ tsp each ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
YOGURT DIP
¼ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup feta
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp fresh dill or 2 tsp dried
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Chopped romaine, tomatoes, and hummus for serving, if desired
METHOD
Make the yogurt dip: Combine feta, yogurt, lemon juice, and dill in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the cucumber and pulse once or twice to achieve a pleasant, slightly chunky texture. Refrigerate while you prepare the skewers.
Make the skewers. Combine the ground chicken, garbanzo beans, garlic, onion, herbs, jalapeño, and spices in the food processor. Pulse, scraping down as needed, until crumbly. Do not puree! You’re after a slightly textured but cohesive mix.
Lay a tortilla flat and spread the mixture evenly almost to the edges. Top with another tortilla, pressing lightly so the filling is sandwiched between. Repeat with the remaining mixture and tortillas, finishing with a tortilla on top. Trim the rounded edges to form a square, then cut into 16 equal cubes. Thread two cubes onto each skewer to secure the layers. Brush lightly with olive oil
Heat 2 t oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the skewers, ensuring good contact with the pan. An outdoor grill, broiler or oven work too. Sear 2–3 minutes until the meat begins to caramelize, then turn and cook the remaining sides 2–3 minutes each, until cooked through.
Serve over store bought or homemade hummus if you like, topped with yogurt sauce and chopped lettuce and tomatoes
hummus recipe link: https://petitefeastutah.com/blog/2024/04/06/virtual-dinner-party-94-preserved-lemon-hummus-with-tomato-cucumber-topping/
Serves 2-4
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, March 16, 2026
We will be going to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, north of Kanab.
Meet at the Kayenta Design Center at 9:30 am. Full-day trip, no dirt road. We will have lunch at their cafe and tour the facilities.
Any questions, call 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.
DPI – Desert Preservation Initiative
Advocate: Deonne Knill
Hauling branches and debris away from the site is a huge part of the work required
Working to enhance beauty, reduce risk along Crescent Moon Trail
The discovery of two massive rats’ nests as the Desert Preservation Initiative cleared invasive species and dead plants from along Crescent Moon Trail road is indicative of both the danger and neglect that untended local habitats present to our community.
Working on land owned by the Ivins Irrigation Company, the project site tackled in January and February is “a very public area, frequented by those enjoying the park, reservoir and visiting at Crescent Moon Inn, Elevate Fitness, etc.,” says DPI Director Chuck Warren. Fire Lake is frequented throughout the year by local residents as well as guests at the Crescent Moon Inn. The full load of highly flammable tamarisk and other plant debris that has collected there for perhaps the last 50 years presents a real concern of fire caused by a passing vehicle or a tossed cigarette.
In the context of current state and city initiatives to identify communities at risk in the wildland-urban interface, this piece of land is particularly vulnerable. Based on his four years working in tamarisk removal, Warren finds “this location ranks as one of the most alarming I’ve seen, given the enormous fuel load and street proximity.” Noting that embers in a wildfire can be carried more than a mile, a fire started here could travel great distances.
The generous work of DPI volunteers could help lower the likelihood of Ivins neighborhoods being labeled high risk and seeing homeowners potentially face risk related fees and higher insurance rates. “Removing tamarisk infestation is one way, perhaps the most-effective way, of reducing a community’s risk level,” says DPI volunteer and Ivins City Councilman Wayne Pennington. “DPI’s efforts are well-aligned with this goal.”
While the project is yet ongoing, the work so far has shown tremendous progress. “Visually, things look so much better already!” says DPI President Deonne Knill. “It’s almost a park setting now.”
The site’s visibility paid off in another way. As a fair amount of foot traffic passes along the dam area on the way to the lake, Knill found a number of “people stopping by to ask us questions and compliment our work,” she says. Those conversations also gave DPI volunteers the chance to educate those they spoke with about the need for habitat cleanup and maintenance.
“We are not a paid labor force,” says Karl von Graevenitz. We are simply grateful that community members come to join in this effort.” While von Graevenitz particularly likes the physical side of removal, the satisfaction of “putting in a few hours of effort and immediately seeing the progress we’ve made together,” the deeper payoff is “knowing that our efforts help protect the natural beauty of the desert and support the broader community that values and depends on these open spaces.”
Given the tremendous infestation of tamarisk around Fire Lake itself, DPI is currently working to assess the site and explore further removal actions with the appropriate local agencies.
For more in-depth information on the people, progress and plans of the Desert Preservation Initiative, visit our newly launched website.
“Ivins Inspired” Volunteer Program
Advocate: Victoria Topham
Have you always wanted to get involved in our community but aren’t sure how? Good news – a small team of volunteers is working on creating a volunteer database, connecting interested residents like you to the amazing groups that help make Ivins such a great place.
Join us in shaping our vibrant community through volunteerism. Every contribution counts, whether you have an hour or a weekend to spare. Your involvement makes a difference in making Ivins even greater.
We invite you to play an active role in our community’s future. Whether you’re passionate about parks, local events, or public services, there’s a place for you in the Ivins Volunteer Program. Already volunteering? We need you in the database, too! Please fill out our form to help match your skills with those of organizations that need you. Filling out the form doesn’t commit you to any of these organizations or roles, but it does help us connect you with opportunities, and it gives volunteer groups/organizations a way to find you and reach out.
*The Ivins Inspired Volunteer Program is entirely a volunteer program not owned or operated by Ivins City in any manner.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Humanity
Advocate: Patrick Barickman
To learn more about our projects and mission please visit our website.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah
835 South Bluff Street, St. George, UT. 84770
INKAS – Ivins No Kill Animal Supporters
Advocate: Lois Hewitt
Ivins No-Kill Animal Supporters (INKAS) is a 501(c)3 organization and a Registered Utah Charity. It was founded in 2010 with the mission of providing support to Ivins Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, now the Santa Clara-Ivins Animal Shelter. In 2006 our shelter became the first no-kill municipal shelter in the state of Utah. Maintaining a no-kill shelter, as opposed to one that euthanizes animals after a set period of time, is more costly because the animal’s needs must be met at the shelter until they are reclaimed by their owners, adopted, or transferred to an animal rescue organization. Through a memorandum of understanding with Ivins City, INKAS provides support through veterinary care, specialty foods, and other needed supplies. Funds are raised through the sale of merchandise at various local events and through the donations of many generous animal lovers. You can help by designating INKAS as your charity on Amazon Smile or by donating on our website.
Santa Clara-Ivins Animal Shelter
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.