Time for this blog to come to an end

I began this blog in November of 2007. I had a lot of fun reporting about the many things St. George offers, its weather, new businesses, and various comments about the community. I hope all my information has helped you to become familiar with our town and maybe want to come visit us. But like all good things, it is now time for me to end this blog. Take care...

New store on the block

A new store moved into the old Tai Pan Trading building...it's a huge building to begin with, but C-A-L Ranch utilizes every inch of it. Never heard of the store ?....check them out at this link: http://calranch.com/

Store moves to new location...

Tai Pan Trading, which used to be located in a very huge building near Costco, has moved to a new location…180 North 380 E. in St. George….next to the Flood St. Theater. An employee of the business told me today that they hope to make yet another move in January, into the former Old Navy building. That’s a LOT of moving around of inventory !!!!

Smiley faces...

Well the kids are back to school now and they come home with smiley faces....at least my grandkids do. I think they really are glad for the structure in their days and to see their classmates again. So drive safely when school is out, these kids are all over the place.

Our weather...what I like best about it...

In actuality, I feel that St. George has two months of really, really hot weather, and the other 10 months are very pleasant. July and August are the hottest months. June is not too bad, yet...most of the time.

School begins again Wednesday, August 15

Panorama Elementary is close to a stones throw from us. I can't believe school begins again so soon....18 days away. This seems to have been a short summer vacation. Wonder how all the kids feel about going back to school again, so soon ?

We NEED it...

A much welcomed and needed change to our weather the last couple of days...RAIN !!! And with the rain, of course, it is much cooler. I have no complaints. I love the rain. In fact, Thursday night I took my granddaughter to DI (Deseret Industries..like a thrift store)and it was pouring down rain. While several people were hovering under the shelter of the outside entrance ready to run to their vehicles the first sign of the rain letting up a bit, my granddaughter and I got out of our car and walked normally to the front door. We, of course, were kinda drenched when we entered the building. But....it was so refreshing !!! Loved it...

How come ?

Something that has puzzled me for quite a few years now is, why isn't there a Toys'R'Us store here in St. George? Certainly we have the population for it, don't we...about 75,000 people? I think we need a bigger, better selection of toys other than what our two large retail chain stores offer. Hey, Toys'R'Us...please come check out our town !!!

Happy 4th !!!!

Wonder what interesting and exciting things will develop today, here in St. George. I am so anxious for Pepper's Cantina to open up. I love Mexican food !!! They are remodeling a building next to Del Taco, where the old Honey Baked Ham place used to be.

Cooler night

I like a cooler night once in a while...but just wait till later in June and into July and it will stay hotter during the night. That is not nice.

The Weather

It's a beautiful Spring day, here in wonderful St. George.

SEE THE TEMPERATURE SECTION POSTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS PAGE....

Happy New Year !!!!

Hoping that 2012 is a great year for all of us.

Well.....

I didn't get anything posted these last 8 months like I thought I would. Here's hoping things will get better.

St. George has had a little bit cooler and wetter winter than usual. But it has still been wonderful as far as I am concerned !!!! Some of the "Snow Birds" (people from the cold Northern areas) are starting to leave here, to go back to their main homes...wherever that may be.

Returning

I have been ill for many months but I am back and hoping to post on my blogs again.

Ahhhh.....cooler weather

From now until May, this is my most favorite time of year in St. George. It is cooler....but NEVER cold.....a good long reprieve from the HOT summer.

Sidewalks and eggs

Seems like there is a saying that goes: “It’s so hot outside you could fry an egg on the sidewalk” ?

Well, that is what it feels like down here in St.George lately. But….this is typical summer weather for us. Want to come for a visit?

Love them mountains!!!

St. George City Magazine

The City of St. George produces a magazine entitled…. "inSIDE St. George". There are four issues a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. It contains news, activities, programs and information of things happening in the city. The magazine is very informative and colorful.

Click on the following link to view an archive of past issues. The magazine requires Acrobat Reader to view.
http://www.sgcity.org/inside/

Remember when my neighborhood was snowing cotton last year?

I had posted photos last year of what it looked like when it was snowing cotton in our neighborhood, http://beautyofstgeorge.blogspot.com/search/label/cottonwood%20tree .

Well, about a month ago the owner of that lovely massive cottonwood tree couldn’t stand it anymore, either, and so he had it all cut down! Yea!!!!! I thanked him and mentioned that the whole neighborhood was thankful, too. We laughed.

Construction on the new larger airport for St. George

See a large photo gallery/slideshow of the continual progress on the new airport….click on the following link:
http://www.sguconstruction.com/photos.php

To see a dated list of interesting details and historical summary of the events leading up to the actual groundbreaking of the new replacement airport, click on the following link:

http://www.sguconstruction.com/history.php

Pine Valley Chapel

This old chapel in Pine Valley, about 45 minutes north of St. George, was built by a ship builder in 1868. The inside of the chapel is in the shape of an upside down hull of a ship.

See the following website for more information:
http://www.utah.com/stgeorge/historic_sites.htm

Still lots of room to expand and grow

Economic crisis, yet we continue to build in St. George

St. George forges ahead in expanding to meet the continuing growth of our city. Construction does not stop, as we see new business structures or remodeling going on all the time. This building will be the Steve Ogden's Flooring and Design business.

City transportation

SunTran is the City of St. George’s public transit system. Whether you need a ride to work, school, shopping or somewhere fun, they offer an easy, comfortable and economical alternative to driving. SunTran buses pick up and drop off passengers at over 60 bus stops throughout St. George.

Buses run Monday through Saturday, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The buses do not run on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Pioneer Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

For more information on the SunTran bus, see their website:

http://www.sgcity.org/suntran/

A great place to live, work and play

People relocate to the St. George, Washington County, Utah area for various reasons -- it might be the excellent quality of life....the many breathtaking scenic areas....or the temperate climate....or the healthy lifestyles the community offers....or the variety of golf courses....or the other drawing factors including the outstanding school system......or the Dixie State College educational opportunities for all ages. Include the abundant recreational opportunities... the variety of cultural events.... the growing business opportunities. Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, this is a great area in which to live, work and play.

Build your house upon a mesa

What a view you could have!

St. George has many mesas, with many houses built on them. The view from them is fantastic !!!!

Our town's municipal airport is on a mesa. See a previous post of mine on this blog about it: http://beautyofstgeorge.blogspot.com/search/label/St.%20George%20Municipal%20Airport

(Definition of mesa: a high broad plateau with sharp rocky slopes)

St. George Art Museum Soup N' Bowl Fundraiser and Pottery Fair

When: March 6, 2009
Where: St. George Art Museum
47 East 200 North St. George, UT 84770

(435)627-4525

http://sgcity.org/artmuseum/info.php

Museum Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm

The Annual Soup N' Bowl Fundraiser and Pottery Fair generate support for the Permanent Collection at the Museum. Tickets for this event will be available in the Art Museum.

For a ticket price of only $20 per person, attendees will get to choose a bowl from a wide variety donated by local potters and enjoy a delicious lunch of soup, bread, and dessert.

Participants will also have the opportunity to bid on gorgeous art pieces offered in the Silent Auction and to meet some of the potters who donated bowls and auction items. Other artists will showcase pottery for sale at the outdoor Pottery Fair.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support the museum while enjoying a fun outing with family and friends. As an added bonus, a visit to the Art Museum is included in your ticket cost. Don't miss this fun event!

You can:
* Meet potters
* Support the Museum
* Enjoy lunch with your family and friends
* Keep your beautiful hand-made bowl
* Buy other Pottery
* Visit the Art Museum which is included in the ticket price

Town vista

It’s so fun to drive around St. George and have these wonderful mountains surrounding us.

Culture and the Arts in St. George

Southwest Symphony Orchestra…

The 2008-2009 eight-month concert season of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra has as their theme this year… “Simply Sensational Sounds”
Music soothes our souls, makes us feel good about ourselves, and gives us hope in the future.

For more information:
http://www.southwestsymphony.org/

Celebrity Concert Series….

Ten to thirteen presentations are offered each season, which includes symphony, opera, musicals, ballet, ethnic and chamber music.
Some events presented through the years include: St. Petersburg Ballet with Galina Mezentseva, Western Opera Theater, The Brothers Four, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Ballet Hispanico, Americus Brass Band, Montana Repertory Theater, Mendelssohn String Quartet with Charles Neidich, The Nylons, Turtle Island and Montreux.

For more information:
http://www.dixie.edu/concerts/

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum in St. George is a world class facility of over 25,000 sq. ft. allowing visitors to experience over 300 species of wildlife throughout the world in their natural habitat. Nearly a quarter mile of mountain pathway (suitable for handicap access) winds its way through the plains of Africa, the forests of North America, and the mountains of Asia.

A two story mountain with two live waterfalls, over 50 hidden speakers providing ambient sounds of different animals, periodic thunder and lightning storms, provide an experience to be remembered.

Each person is provided a personal radio for narration during their journey describing the various animals with personal experiences from around the world by the Rosenbruch Family.

Nearly every large mammal of the world has been collected by the Rosenbruch Family over the past 40-years. All animals were legally hunted which have provided substantial revenue for protecting animal habitat and anti-poaching for third world countries.

Some species may no longer exist in countries like the Sudan of Africa that has been embroiled in Civil War for over 20-years. Other countries in Central Asia are increasingly difficult to access due to political problems.

The Rosenbruch family is committed to educating the public of the history and contribution that managed sport hunting provides for governments to provide protection for critical habitat and management of their wildlife resources.

Visit their website at: http://www.rosenbruch.org/index.html

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum • 1835 Convention Center Drive • St. George, UT 84790 • (435) 656-0033. The Museum sits adjacent to the Dixie Convention Center

Playing golf against this backdrop

Easy way to earn $200 a month at the plasma donation center in St. George

BioLife Plasma Services in St. George

816 N. 2860 E. Street (next to Costco)

St. George, UT 84790

(435) 627-9102
http://www.biolifeplasma.com/html/center_location/Centers/utah_st_george.html

BioLife Plasma Services is an industry leader in the collection of high quality plasma that is processed into life-saving plasma-based therapies.

BioLife operates and maintains numerous state-of-the-art plasma collection facilities throughout the United States and collects nearly 3 million liters of plasma per year, helping hemophiliac and cancer patients as well as burn and trauma units with the donations of plasma.

The process of getting the plasma entails inserting a needle in the donor’s vein, and pumping blood into a specialized spinning device that separates the plasma from the cellular components of the blood, such as red and white blood cells and platelets.

While the plasma is collected, the other blood components are pumped into a reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, the red and white blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor’s body.

Throughout the process, the system automatically alternates between collection and re-infusion until the predetermined amount of plasma is obtained, based on your weight.

The tubing and all other collection supplies that come in contact with your blood are discarded and replaced with new, sterile materials each time a donation procedure is performed. Your blood never enters the machine.

When people donate blood they can’t get that blood back right away, but plasma is different. Plasma will automatically replenish itself in one’s body. When people give blood they feel weak, but when people donate plasma that doesn’t occur and they can go right back to school or work without having any of those symptoms.

So if you are looking for extra cash, you can donate up to two times a week and earn up to $240 a month. The payment system credits the money onto a debit card for you…you can just keep going in, and they automatically fund the card with the amount each time.
People are paid according to how long they donate.

The average length of time it takes to donate is 2 ½ hours for the very first visit, to go through the questions process, but the next visits are on average of 45 to 60 minutes long, which includes the time it takes to answer some health questions at the beginning of each session.

Time rolls on

We’re into a new year and a new month and time just rolls along….not waiting for anyone or anything.

Christmas has come and gone in St. George, just like it has where you live. We each spent the holidays in our own special way and are now continuing to go forward to see what each new day of this brand new year will bring into our lives.

St. George continues to grow in population with new businesses sprouting up all the time. More and more places to eat seem to be what opens up the most.

We are hopeful, just like you that 2009 will be good to all of us, and that we will do what we can to make it a good year.

Now you see them....now you don't

mountains visible on a clear day:

mountains hidden behind clouds on a stormy day:
It is interesting how the view near my house of the Pine Valley Mountains can change according to the weather.

Dixie Convention Center

Hosting a variety of events, from home and garden expos to volleyball tournaments to high school reunions, the Dixie Convention Center is St. George's premier facility for conventions and trade shows. Its main exhibit hall boasts 46,500 square feet of column-free space that can accommodate anything from banquets to concerts. It can seat over 6,000 people for a concert or special event, as well as fit up to 240 10'X10' booths for a trade show.

Besides its main exhibit hall, the convention center features a 13,205 square foot ballroom that can seat up to 1,886 people for a large meeting. Its 7,078-square-foot Garden Room is an inviting reception and banquet space enclosed within glass to provide a unique indoor/outdoor feel. Three other mid-sized rooms can be configured many different ways, according to your event's needs. The 178-seat auditorium is an ideal spot for multi-media presentations.

St. George residents are glad to have this facility in their midst. For more information, click on their website:
http://www.dixiecenter.com/index.html

What a delightful event

The Dicken’s Christmas Festival....an annual event held the first week in December.

Step back in time and enjoy the sights and sounds of 19th Century Old London Town as it comes to life at The Dickens' Christmas Festival held in the St. George Dixie Convention Center. This Festival is not just another craft show, but a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience. Guests wind through narrow village streets as they shop for gifts and rub shoulders with a cast of Dickens' characters such as Tiny Tim, Scrooge and even Queen Victoria. Old English shops, hundreds of period costumes, orphans, royalty, and the "real" Father Christmas all combine to offer guests a holiday experience like no other!

There is continuous entertainment from local and statewide performing groups seen throughout each day on three different stages. Thousands of eager customers attend and experience this magical holiday festival, then take home wonderful treasures, fond memories, and the spirit of Christmas.

Excellent healthcare in St. George

St. George has two hospitals:

....the original hospital on the 400 East Campus includes: women’s and children’s services, cancer center, acute rehabilitation, various outpatient clinics, behavioral medicine, surgery center, imaging/lab/IS, newborn intensive care unit, pediatrics, Huntsman cancer center, behabioral medicine, radiation exposure screening and education program, acute rehabilitation unit.

....the new hospital on the River Road Campus includes: critical care services, imaging services, cardiovascular, bariatrics, joint services, inpatient and outpatient. For more information, click on the following two links:
http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/Healthcare.htm
http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/dixie/Pages/home.aspx

Also, on the campus of the new hospital is a building which includes an InstaCare clinic, Doctors offices, a pharmacy, a lab and imagining services.


Due to be completed summer of 2009, is the Dixie Regional Medical Center Outpatient Pavilion, which will include surgery, adult and pediatric rehab, endoscopy, fitness institute, comprehensive spine and pain management center, sports medicine clinic. Click on the following link for more information:
http://www.p-gems.com/newsletter/view.php?storyid=13886


The Russell Taylor Health Science Center at Dixie State College has built a 78,000 square foot facility that sits on the new River Road campus of Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, located approximately two miles from the Dixie State campus. The significance of this project is that Dixie State College has gone from offering no health science programs in the early 90's to a 78,300 square foot building that will now house some of the finest health science programs in the state. It also takes education to a site where students will have an incredible opportunity to get some of the best training available right in Dixie Regional Medical Center’s backyard.
The new facility, which will also double as a training facility for the hospital, will house programs in nursing, including registered nursing, practical nursing, and nursing assistance, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, medical radiography, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, and phlebotomy. For more information, click on the link below:
http://new.dixie.edu/news/news.php?id=4

Also new, is the Jubilee Home II, which will provide temporary charitable housing for patients and families. The Foundation of Dixie Regional Medical Center built the Home from community donations. Click on the following link to read more:
http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881022014

Low clouds in the mountains and hills

Clouds and colors of dusk

Leave the driving to us

The St. George Shuttle is a great way to travel to Las Vegas, Provo, or Salt Lake City. Their white van is extra large and roomy, and hooked to the back of it is an enclosed trailer for the luggage.

You just phone them to reserve a seat and then pay when you board the shuttle. If your plans happen to change, call them and they will remove your name from their list….you are not out a penny. Their service is great.

They now make two trips a day to Salt Lake and many trips a day to Vegas. Click on their link below to get information on their time schedule and prices:
http://www.stgshuttle.com/

From a historic cotton mill factory to a nursery and landscaping business

Star Nursery, today

One of St. George’s neighboring towns is Washington City. Washington, named after our first president of the U.S., was established by the pioneers around the late 1850’s, before the now bustling town of St. George came into existence, which the pioneers also established. Washington was settled mainly at that time to grow cotton. Because of the war soon to break out between the North and South states, it was evident that obtaining cotton from the southern states was going to halt.

The climate and weather conditions were perfect in Washington City and trial cotton crops were planted, proving that cotton could grow and mature there and cloth made from it. By 1870 the Cotton Factory was fully completed with three floors, enabling the cloth to be produced there rather than having the lint baled and sent away to others to produce cloth. This offered a ready market for the cotton grown.

The factory never was a real money maker but it helped keep the pioneers in the area and provided them with work and an income, which they could not get anywhere else. It also supplied them with the cloth they needed to make their clothes.

Once the railroad came through and the Civil War ended, the pioneers were able to obtain goods from the east, and the need to raise cotton decreased. The Factory was closed in 1910 and basically stood empty for around 75 years.

The Civilian Conservation Corps used the factory grounds for their campground in the 1930’s and in 1985 the old cotton factory property was saved from demolition and was renovated and used for a community social hall and the Washington Cotton Factory was then listed on the national register as a Utah Historic Site.

In 1998, the old factory building and grounds was resold and the lower floor of the building and most of the grounds were converted into a nursery and landscaping business called Star Nursery, which prospers today.

Click on the following link to see photos and read more:
http://www.millpictures.com/mills/details.cfm?millid=886

Gratitude for our wonderful weather !

I just got back from visiting up in colder northern Utah for a week, and gosh I am sure appreciative for the mild weather we have here in St. George this time of year and also into the winter months. I can’t handle the colder temperatures.

Do you want to take a ride over St. George in a hot air balloon?

This might be a fun, scenic ride but I don’t care to find out, thank you. But you might be interested.

For information on how to take these balloon rides over St. George, go clear to the bottom of this home page for a photo and a link to where to go to find out.

St. George Art Museum..."The Art of Zion National Park"

Show available:

August, 25 2008 through January, 24 2009

Zion National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009. To mark this historic event, the St. George Art Museum will host the most comprehensive exhibit of Zion ever mounted, a landmark three-part exhibition display August 25, 2008-January 24, 2009.

Click on the following link to learn more about the exhibit:

http://sgcity.org/artmuseum/exhibititem.php?id=77

The St. George Marathon

The 32nd annual St George Marathon is underway and set to be largest race in its history.

This 2008 marathon cap was set higher than ever before at 7000 runners.

The Marathon experience starts Friday morning October 3, at the NordicTrack Health and Fitness EXPO held at the Dixie Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The EXPO will consist of nearly 70 vendors, Runner Packet distribution, marathon information, and multiple prize giveaways. Also there will be various clinics being held throughout the day including a first timer’s clinic, a Clif Bar Pace Team clinic and a special guest speaker Rod Dixon. An all-you-can-eat pasta dinner will be served from 4:00-8:00 for all paying customers.

The race itself will begin with bus loading at 4:00 a.m. The last bus will leave at 5:30 a.m. Hand cycle and wheelchair participants will start their journey at exactly 6:40 with runners following closely behind when the gun goes off at 6:45.

Come share with the St George City in this historic event, when 7000 runners from 49 states and 10 foreign countries take part in a run of a lifetime.

Click on the following link to visit the St. George Marathon website:

http://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/events/press.php

I love this time of year in St. George

After our very hot summers (110-115), this time of year is so refreshing as it begins to cool down. On these nice days, I especially love to sit out on our back deck in the glider swing, with my feet up and read for hours. The refreshing breeze and beautiful sky makes it just perfect.

Even as we get into winter, our weather is just gorgeous. St. George has a wonderful mild climate...no wonder retired people come here and spend their winters.