Happy 150th St George- Blast from the Past 2012

I love to travel.... when I say love it...I mean...I love it A LOT and I do it as often as I can. It was when I was exploring all of the nooks and crannies walking around San Francisco New Years of 2012 that I looked at my friends and said..."Why have I never explored what St George has to offer?" 

That prompted us to take time on a Saturday to really explore Downtown St George. 

For those of you who don't know...I Work on Main Street and so I am in that area about 5 days a week. That being said...our little jaunt exploring the downtown lasted for 5 hours!! 5 hours to cover a 3 block radius!! I was blown away...but I will share with you the delights we encountered.

More by providence then by planning...we ended up on our adventure the same day St George had their 100 year Birthday Celebration...so there were a lot of guest appearances and events to do on top of the Every Day cool things to do/see on our agenda.

We met in Ancestor Square at the Old Jail House the is smack dab in the middle. Notorious villans graced the inside of that jail (such as Billy the Kid.) 

Other places of interest in Ancestor Square- The restaurants (Pizza and Pasta Factory, Benja Thai, Painted Pony, Georges Restaurant) as well as shops- Bella Donna Boutique, Le Ami, Life is Good, 

Dr Mom Herbs as well as some galleries. 

You don't want to miss asking Tenney Clemons about the history of their building as well here's a teaser ...bullet holes....)

After Ancestor Square- we had to pass through one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE STORES IN TOWN- URBAN RENEWAL. If you have never been.....GO! And tell Armando that I sent you! ;)

We then crossed the street for some prime photo ops on the grounds of the Zion's Bank. 

Brigham Young allowed us the chance to pose as his wives.

There is a pond with Stepping stones (don't fall in!)

And then this wild bucking bronco!

We perused the shops on Main- Honest Ozzie Pawn, Bear Paw (more yummy stories about that place in future posts), Nate Wotkyns amazing Photography, Main Street Antiques, McArthur Jewelers (a Fantastic Jewelry store that has been family owned and operated for 62 years!), Little Professor Book store (sadly no longer in that location) and then we went around the corner for a comfort lunch at Judds Store (in that building since 1911) Judds has a collection of old and random styles of candies and sodas. A very fun place to go to step back in time, as well as enjoy a delicious bowl of soup and twisted breadies for a very reasonable price. We enjoyed dining outside in the beautiful St George Sunshine (yes...even in January! Fantastic..isn't it!?!)

Judds is cradled in the ambiance of the Green Gate Village- which is a small community of old pioneer homes that have been converted into a village of vacation rentals. We donned our Fabulous wax moustaches (curtesy of the random candies found at Judds) for some "old time" photos.

Green Gate Village held more surprises than I imagined. If you have a 1/2 hour I would recommend going with a camera or just walking the grounds. It is a delight!

The great thing about getting out and exploring is that you never know who you will meet along the way. We made new friends and old (there were guest speakers at many of the historic locations to tell us a little more about the historical events that took place in the area.)

 After an enlightening and Fantastic day, we couldn't pass up the chance to stop at 25 Main Cafe to enjoy one of their delicious cupcakes! (And if you are looking at this picture closely and notice an extra hand... well...um... yes...that is a wooden hand. All I have to say is it makes a funny prop for pictures. Don't judge! ;)

The Lunch Box. Yum!

There are so many fantastic places to dine in St George. I am salivating just thinking of the pleasures that have graced my pallet here in this area. 

Today I am going to focus on one of my recent finds. THE LUNCH BOX.

Here's the back story. It is located across the street from the Cemetery near the college.  First- the location has always bothered me a bit. 2nd- I've seen a few businesses open and then fail in that location. 3rd- the name just wasn't very appealing at all. So when my friend Colleen suggested we eat there, I turned her down and recommended other "safer" fares. That is until I committed to writing to this blog and my desire to point out the great and wonderful things here. I am always so saddened when I see a business close it's doors because as a community we did not venture out and embrace the business (as long as they provide a product worth investing in!)

So, Colleen and I committed to doing lunch there. I was surprised to see that it was busy- all of the seats were filled (all 14 of them). The staff was friendly and helpful. I had a hard time deciding on which sandwich I wanted (a lot of them sounded really good.) I ended up getting the turkey with cranberry because I know what a good one should taste like! Then the side I chose was their home made macaroni salad. They also had some delicious looking chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies that were too fluffy to be ignored...so I partook.  My friend ordered the broccoli cheese soup and an egg salad sandwich (it shocked her to order something of that nature.) We sat outside and thoroughly enjoyed our meals in the sunshine. And it wasn't even weird to have the cemetery as the scenery. :)

The one thing I must comment on is the price. At first it was slightly shocking to see that we would be paying between $8-12 for the meal. Being so close to the college and being an upstart I figured it would be closer to the $6-9 range. But I was not disappointed in the quality and it was extremely filling.

We both felt it was a place that we would eagerly go to again and venture more into their savory menu.

Let me know if you have eaten at THE LUNCH BOX and what your thoughts are (and if you have any recommendations- because I WILL be going back! :) 

Keena

Happy Birthday St. George

This Saturday, the City of St. George celebrates its 151 birthday with 

FREE Root Beer Floats with the Mayor and people. 

FREE Swimming

FREE Sun Tran Transportation

FREE Carousel rides. 

neat!

FREE is my FAVORITE

Also Its the 

Art to Zion Studio Tours. 

For a free map of the Art galleries that are involved visit : www.artstozion.com/

I've been wanting to Check out 13th & Park Art Space for a long time. and this weekend,  

I'm doing it.

I know a few stops will even have live music. and that my friends will also be

NEAT!!

Head in the Clouds

Yesterday I was somewhere.

I only left the house to take Max to school.

and I picked him up from school.

I also went to the gym then came home.

but I felt like I was gone all day.

Just somewhere. 

I had a million things to do.

and was doing what I could haphazardly.

I was thinking and dreaming and saying uh-huh to my children without computing a thing.

My brain was in the clouds. 

When I was putting Gwen down for her nap.

Rockwell barged in. and briefly snapped me out.

I looked at his chubby cheeked huge grin and was back. I looked down at Gwen who was smiling up at me. Her face was the happiest thing in the world to me in that moment. {even though there wasn't an ounce of sleepiness in it.}

I felt present. 

for the first time that day.

I wasn't thinking about what I needed to do next. 

Wasn't thinking about what to make for dinner.

about switching the laundry.

returning emails and phone calls.

finishing songs.

just there.

and It was heavenly.

I want to have more of those moments.

I am trying.

* photo: “Upon Pondering” by Brooke Shaden via brookeshaden.com

Hello My Name Is Megan

Hello Blog World! My name is Megan McArthur Larson. Sister to the incredible Keena McArthur. I too grew up in the red dirt. I don't remember a time as a child where I wasn't pouring sand out of my shoes or feeling the dirt between my toes. I married a sweet southern Utah boy and moved to Salt Lake City for a year but the red hills called us home when I was 6 months pregnant with our first child. Here we are 8 years and 2 more kids later. Still loving the red dirt but wanting to really get to know Southern Utah again. I want my kids to experience what I did as a kid (minus the 8 hour hikes with no water). I spend my entire work week on Main Street and yet I haven't been to the Tabernacle in a year. Pretty sad.

So here is my apology to you St. George. I will show my kids your treasures and reintroduce myself again. I'm also excited for the new introductions!

Very American

I've been reading Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road.'
As he hitchhikes across the US, he orders apple pie and ice cream at every dinner and dive.
because its cheap.
and because its very American.

What is you favorite dessert in Southern Utah?
any good Apple Pies?
Croshaw Pies, Veyo Pies, the famous "HO-Made Pies" at the Thunderbird.
I'm on a quest to try them all.

Roots: Lyndy Butler

My name is Lyndy Rogers Butler. and I have lived in Southern Utah for almost 25 years.
This number boggles my mind. I don't even feel like I've been in the world for 25 years, yet alone in one spot in the world. The 5 years I spent outside of SoUt were while my young student parents were attending BYU, my Mom birthed me out in Provo, UT. Once Pop graduated, about a year later, we returned to Southern Utah. Because it really is a pretty great place to live and thats where the Rogers' were. The 4 extra years of my existence, were spent in Maricopa County, Arizona. I loved those few years in AZ But the Fam couldn't resist returning to Good Old Dixie!

We came back in 1995. and soon after our return my Dad got a job for Dixie College as the Academic Recruiter. He traveled all over the west promoting Dixie College and St. George telling high school seniors that Southern Utah was the place for them. Naturally, I knew I was going to Dixie College. Its hard to pass up free tuition and The love for this place had been buried deep within me covered by piles and piles of red dirt...I love my Hometown. I do. So many memories of Snow Canyon Sand dunes, fireworks on the Red Hill, the Black Hill, ice blocking and golfball diving, "cruising the vard", pranks in Smiths parking lot, the ocean, the point, the crack, concerts at the Electric, bingo and buffets in Mesquite, school shopping and shows in Vegas, Gunlock fishing bonfires, sleeping on a mattress in the back of my truck, Skim boarding and floating down the Virgin, picnics and hiking in Pine Valley, Zion, Kolob, Snowboarding in Brianhead. This is a beautiful and blessed life. I couldn't have asked for a more lovely place to grow up.
but, I still have always had a desire to see what it's like outside of this little region. This state. this half of the country even. Is the grass greener? I always wanted to move somewhere and see. See if I would Choose to live in St. George and not feel like this is where I had to be.

After I graduated with my associates degree, I had the chance to move away. I landed a job in New York as a Musical Director at a summer camp for kids. As a 19 year old wannabe musician, this opportunity was golden. When they were ready to send me my plane ticket, I felt super uneasy and strange. What? Why? Was I wussing out? When I was offered this job I was told that I would have to work on Sundays and that I wouldn't be able to attend my Mormon Sunday services. My day off would be Saturday and I could spend my time in the city. If I felt the need to be churchy, I could attend the Evangelist Saturday Worship Service. I took the job immediately. I wasn't worried about missing church. Jesus would understand, it was New York!  When I came down to the heart of it, I knew it wasn't the right thing for me and I had to pass on this ticket to the Big City. I don't regret not going. I only reference this story to make the point that I could have gone somewhere exciting but at this point in my life, I was compelled to stay in Washington County. I knew I would have other opportunities to leave and I would take one. To be a thousand percent honest, there may have been a missionary kid that I was hanging around for. I would have never admitted it back then but everyone kinda knew. Luckily for me, during that time I also made a good friend named Jon Butler.

The friendship between Jon and I is my most cherished blessing. It led to something wonderful. We didn't have a lightning bolt kinda love. It was always comfortable and natural and grew without us even realizing it. Jon is my ultimate match. Seriously, I never knew two people could work so well together and be so unbelievably happy. Jon is a Dixie Man and we share many of the same memories of home. He loves Southern Utah and would never leave if he didn't have to.
Jon is half way through Grad school at the University of Utah. When he first decided what he wanted to be, I was pumped and found the program he needed at schools all over the country... But amazingly enough he was accepted to the U's Extension program right here in St. George. This Fall, he will begin his internship to become a School Guidance Counselor. In a little over a year, our family will no longer be a student family. We will start trying to find a place to settle. For years I have been telling Jon as soon as school is finished we should leave. But now, for the first time in my whole life, I hope we get to stay here.

There is still a smidgen of me that hopes we get to have an adventure somewhere else. I think that smidgen is what has spawned this blog. Jon is awesome, and will probably be offered a job here. I don't want to seem discouraged that this is where we "end up." This amazing place is where we met, fell in love, had three beautiful kids, and started our story. So many wonderful memories have been made here, and This is where we will make many more.
I would be so lucky to stay here forever. Here the the dirt is red and the Grass is very Green. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journal: January 7, 2013

We had a fun weekend. Friday night I went out to dinner with Kate and Amanda. We went to Benja's and laughed a lot and I had a yummy Vegas Roll. Then went to Jazzy's for a listen to the bands. Caught the last of Your Meteor. Their three part Harmonies were lovely. Live music makes me happy so I was glad to be there for just a minute. then I was even more glad to run home to my babies. Saturday we made birdhouses and Matix got a cut from Barber Dave. We had lunch at the Wagon Wheel and I overheard the waitress telling the family behind us that their lunch had been paid for by the patrons that had just left. I peeked at their faces and the Dad said, "wow, thats never happened to me before. Thank you" What a warm and generous gesture. this town is good. people in it are good.

Music Happening this WEEKEND.

1/9   - Open Mic at Jazzy's Rock N Roll Grill
1/11 - Josh Larsen @ Wing Nutz on Sunset 7pm - Free
          (Acoustic rock)
1/11 - Soul What! @ George's Corner 8pm - Free
          (Classic R&B/Rock)
1/11 - The Moth and The Flame/Polytype/Quiet the Titan
           @ Jazzy's 9pm - FREE!!

Go have some dinners and some listens!

Home Grown Goodness- Keena

Hey all!
I'm Keena McArthur and have been living the single life in St George for many of my 31 years. Now some may think that is a bummer deal (and at times...I think I might agree...) but then I shake my head and say "No Way! I've got a pretty sweet set up in life."
Having grown up in St George with 2 fantastic parents, 3 older brothers and 3 younger sisters and a Grandpa who didn't understand that hiking in Southern Utah for 8 hours a day, every day, without water wasn't a good idea, I've seen and experienced a lot of what the St George area has had to offer. From many nights at the baseball fields, to tubing down the Washington canal, to surviving Fat Mans Misery (a hike that my Grandfather founded which begins in Zions), to glow in the dark hide 'n seek in the lava caves, dancing on roof tops, taking pictures dressed in clothes from D.I., poking the meat in the deli section of grocery stores, making recipe-less desserts and taking them to friends (to the recipients of those treats..I apologize), ice blocking, acting in plays, driving around town with a cardboard cut out of Ricky Martin hanging out the window, trying to be cultured by going with my parents to the Celebrity Concert Series and to the Southwest Symphony. I remember thinking we had hit big time status when Tuacahn was opened and when we got our Chili's restaurant- my friends and I couldn't get enough of their mashed potatoes and chips and salsa. ... life in St George was very FULL and Extremely RICH! After doing my 2 years at Dixie (at that time it was known as 13th and 14th grade),  I thought the world was finally open to me, so I moved to SLC to do massage therapy school. I Loved SLC, Loved school, Loved being single. Then the next wave came and took me to serve a mission in Boston for 18 months. I Loved Boston, Loved the Culture, Loved my experience. I came home to St George and almost immediately got my dream job at a High end spa in Las Vegas, so I moved there. I Loved my Job, Loved my clients, Hated Vegas. So I came back home to help with the family business (insert here a shameless plug for McArthur Jewelers.) I got a little down at first because I remember feeling SO OLD when I was at Dixie College and single at age 19. How could I return at the ripe old age of 25 and survive the singles scene? But I not only survived but THRIVED as I met so many Wonderful singles who were doing incredible things. It was then that I truly realized that the St George I knew had changed and that change was for the better! I had friends that were teachers, artists, writers for the newspaper, dental hygienists, musicians, dancers, actors, graphic designers, nurses, business owners and I was hooked. I was thrilled to be surrounded by such incredible people who were drawn to this city with the Red rocks, Lava mountains and Pine Valley Back drop.

When Lyndy approached me with the idea of doing this blog... I was ecstatic!!!  I was also committed to doing it for a slightly different purpose. I think I can bring to the table a different view of St George through the eyes of a single person.
I can't wait to get out and about and involved and meet many of you through the events that will bring us together. It's time for St George to truly Rock our Socks!!!!

Randi Gardner Introduction

Hello, My name is Randi Gardner, Formerly Randi Borst.
I am proud to say I have lived in Southern you my entire life, all 24 years. My parents are Howard and Keri and they are young spirits. Thanks to them, my two sisters and I grew up dancing to the smiths and frequenting the outdoors. I have many memories of exploring Zion National Park, Rock hunting in the middle of nowhere and visiting small "Mom & Pop" shops around Southern Utah. My childhood was never short of fun. Now as a wife and mother of one cute little boy (and another on the way) I feel so fortunate to raise my family in this dreamland!

I was asked by Lyndy to share the Artistic side of Southern Utah. Our community is such a dream to anyone interested in Art. The scenery is so inspiring! So, let me tell you a bit about me, as an art nerd.

For me, being myself always involved art. I can remember coloring in my Cinderella coloring book - thinking I was freaking amazing at this stuff. It was in 1st grade that I held up my butterfly artwork to my school crush and realized I had a different perspective than most. He told me it was ugly and I remember thinking his was too boring. By 4th grade I had gotten over the rejection and was signing my abstract art for my teachers - telling them I would be famous one day. (Man, what happened to THAT confidence?)

As high school and the wonderful teen years took place, I used art as an escape. Picture the moody teenage girl blaring "The Cure" and drawing everything with blue pencil. Yeah, life was hard. ha

But it wasn't until I became a wife and mother that art progressed into something new for me. I was frustrated because I couldn't capture this beautiful world I was seeing. I just couldn't get my paintings to be quite right. I could whip out a landscape or a cartoon portrait but it wasn't enough. So I picked up my mom's slr and started shooting.
And as I became a mother I began to get a little obsessed with moments passing by me. I wanted to capture it all because I didn't want to forget it. I never wanted to forget those newborn eyelashes or those tiny little toes. And art became even more personal to me.
Today, I always seem to find myself between expressing myself and capturing beauty.

Art will always be an important part of my life. Whether it's painting a picture to let my feelings out, doodling in my free time, capturing the beauty around me through a lens or even hearing it in the form of music. Art is who I am.

So when Lyndy approached me about this blog, I was thrilled! I need a good excuse to hit all the galleries and events. (Sorry husband.) I am excited to be completely inspired by other artists and to share their talent with you. And I must say, I am so fortunate to live in such a breathtaking town full of the most inspiring scenery you could imagine. This place is an artists dream.

As a self proclaimed artist form the age of 3, I think I'll do okay at finding beautiful things to share with you - and in the mean time, look out your front door we live in Southern, Utah people!

Randi

Where You Water It

This is a writing place about a living place.
The prettiest little piece of Desert, SouthWestern Utah!

First let me apologize for my grammar. I am a horrible writer. and a horrible blogger really. Luckily for you and me, I have enlisted a few others to help me with this project.

This writing place is dedicated to sharing information of what is going on in our awesome little corner of the State. It will also be a place to document us actually participating and experiencing those awesome things.

I have accidentally developed a disgusting habit of peering into other places of the world through blogs and other social media outlets and wishing I was there instead of where I am. I have found myself falling out of love with my surroundings and saying mean things about my town. Yes St. George, I and many others have called you lame. But really its been me, I'm Lame. Sometimes it feels like nothing ever happens, no one ever attends the things that never happen, and we all complain about it. But I'm not going to do that anymore. I live here. and I am proud to live here.

Have you seen the billboards on your way in and out of Saint George. I have always assumed they were for tourist information and never visited the websites they advertise. Until Now.
My Favorite is http://www.atozion.com/ and I am going to use the information found here and other sites to Live and Do things Here instead of Wanderlusting to far away places and feeling like my life is utterly disappointing and dull.

There are over 20 art Galleries that I have never been to.
There are Restaurants besides Cafe Rio.
There are small business owners whose hearts and souls and work are beautiful and deserve attention. There are so many activities and opportunities to move our bodies, to invigorate our minds, to enrich our spirits, to be the people we want to be, right now and
RIGHT HERE!
There is music to be heard from talented, amazing groups that Ryan Groskretz and The Flowers family have been bringing to our town for years. and there are so many talented performers that call SOuthern Utah their home... WE NEED TO HEAR, SEE, TASTE, EXPERIENCE THEM!
SUPPORT THEM!

I hope you will join Us!

***A few things happening this weekend***

1/4 - Golden Sun (SLC indie rock band) and Brolly (from California) Playing at Jazzy's FOR FREE!
Check them out at
http://brolly.bandcamp.com/ 
http://goldensun.bandcamp.com/album/golden-sun-ep

1/5 - The Sundogs are playing at George's Corner

Please know that this is a group effort. we are all busy. we have jobs, spouses, children, other commitments, and can't be to everything. Our goal is to inform but Mainly to Participate. We are Doers. If there is a cool event that we need to know about, Please Email us so we can Know and Go!

Also there is a Build a Birdhouse activity at Home Depot. Saturday morning from 9-noon. Me and my boys will be attending then going to lunch somewhere yum...any suggestions...