CHAMBER LUNCHEON

Join us for the next Chamber luncheon, Wednesday, January 31st from noon to 1:00 p.m. at DSC Gardner Center. Our guest speaker is Leslee Hintze of the Utah Business Employer Team. Cost $12.00/person.

ERA Brokers Consolidated is our luncheon sponsor this week. ERA Brokers Consolidated is the number one ERA Real Estate office in the State of Utah, as well as a “Top 15 Company” in the ERA Franchise. They have obtained these honors by striving to continually improve the home buying and selling experience for their clients. Their use of innovative technology, local and worldwide internet marketing strategies, as well as their “Client Service Guarantee”, and ERA’s exclusive “Guaranteed Sale” program, set ERA Brokers apart from the competition. Over the past 25 years, ERA Brokers has grown to 150 Real Estate Professionals, with 7 office locations at St. George Blvd., St. George Red Cliffs, Hurricane, Panguitch, Beaver, Richfield and Mesquite, NV. In addition to residential resale and new construction, ERA Brokers offers Mortgage Services and Property Management services. It is a GREAT time to buy and sell Real Estate in Southern Utah, so contact ERA Brokers at 628-1606 or on the web at www.erabrokers.net , and you will agree that when you see an ERA sign; it is a “Guaranteed Sign of Success”. Click Here

CHAMBER BRIEFS

Today is the last day to register for the The St. George Area Chamber Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, Reel Business Stars, "Lights, Camera, Action" on Saturday, Feb. 3rd at Dixie State College, Gardner Center. Mr. Phil Tuckett, Emmy Award Winning NFL Films Cinematographer, will be our featured speaker. The cost is $35 a ticket. Please call Trudy at 628-1650 ext. 3 to reserve. ...more Click Here

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following businesses who are graciously sponsoring our award winners and also businesses sponsoring additional events for the Annual 2007 Awards & Installation Banquet. Major Sponsor – Well’s Fargo Bank Reception Sponsor – Canyon Media - Southern Utah’s BEST Country 99.9 KONY Country Invitation Sponsor – Oh, My Heck Marketing –Nina Heck Program Sponsors - Oh, My Heck Marketing, Rocky Mountain Printing and Action Zone Centerpiece Sponsor – Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield Entertainment Sponsor – Design to Print Tabloid Sponsor – The Spectrum Executive of the Year – Kim, Tracy & Troy Ence – Ence Homes Sponsor, Southern Utah Home Builders Association Entrepreneur of the Year – Kelly Nyberg and Randy Cosby– Infowest Sponsor, LearnKey Community Business Partnership – June & Brooks Pace - The Dammeron Corp. Sponsor, SelectHealth Community Service Volunteer – Paula O. Bell – Individual Sponsor, Zions Bank Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year – Steve Kemp & Graig Griffin - Kemp Griffin, Inc. Sponsor, Durham, Jones & Pinegar Lifetime Achievement – Mayor Daniel McArthur Sponsor, City of St. George Business Integrity Award – Scott, Randy, Troy and Travis Wilkinson – Wilkinson Electric Inc. Sponsor, Soltis Investment Advisors Please join with other businesses on February 3 to honor these recipients and enjoy a delightful evening.

Capture Today Photography will be available at the Annual Awards & Installation Banquet. For more information Click Here

The Chamber is having an open house on Thursday, February 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to welcome DeAnn Behrmann to St. George. Our president Russ Behrmann and DeAnn were married on Saturday, January 20th in Cedar City. We welcome you to stop in an extend your best wishes to the happy couple. No gifts please.

The Southern Utah Networkers is a business-to-business referral/networking group sponsored by the St. George Chamber. S.U.N. meets at 7:30 a.m. every Friday at Courtyard By Marriott. Their next meeting will be Friday, 2/1/07. The featured speaker is Original Thomas Design. S.U.N. is currently looking for members in the following categories: physician, nursing facility, assisted living, home care agency, chiropractor, personal/life coaching, and others. Call the club president Orville Lucus as President 688-8182 and Ryan Bolton and President Elect 627-0494 for more information.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Dixie State College Receives Scholarship Donation from Questar. Pictured: Questar Vice President of Operations Ronald Jibson, Questar Southwest Operations Manager GaeLynn Froyd, Dixie State College President Dr. Lee Caldwell. ...more

What’s new for Perks! Expresso & Smoothies? The exciting news is their new Harmons store is up and running! They have upgraded their building and equipment and expect to be able to serve customers more efficiently (but with the same great Perks! customer service!) and more quickly with upgraded workspace. Please stop by and welcome them in their new building....more

Microsoft’s New Operating System Windows Vista is in stock at PC Innovation. Windows Vista (All Versions) & Office 2007 is available Tuesday January 30th. Make sure to call or stop in at 809 S. Bluff Street, St. George (435) 656-1975 and find out which version of Windows Vista is right for you.

Ence Commercial Construction along with Designer Furniture Gallery celebrated the Grand Opening of the new DFG 22,500 square foot warehouse on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 4416 S River Road (Fort Pierce) in St. George. The warehouse boasts three story office and storage areas, 30 foot clear ceiling heights and an on-site repair facility to better serve their customers needs. Ence Commercial Construction, Designer Furniture Gallery and the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce staff and Sunshiners were on hand to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony. ...more Click Here

Red Cliffs Mall is embarking on a multi-million dollar plan to develop new retail space at the shopping center. The development will include a 30,000 square-foot large format bookstore and a 15,000 square-foot open-air streetscape featuring several specialty women’s apparel retailers.

The Dixie Book Celebrating 35 Years in Dixie. Be apart of our 2007 anniversary edition. Call us NOW to place your ad where Washington County has been finding their information for 35 years! Our Sales Canvas is Coming to a Close. We look forward to serving you and helping your business. Call 656-8110 to be where Washington County goes for answers.

Dixie State College will host an Employment Fair on Thursday, February 22 in the Gardner Center Ballroom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Employers wishing to participate may register on-line at www.dixie.edu/career. Last year they had over 100 employers at the Employment Fair and had to create a waiting list for others who waited too long to register. Employers seeking to hire students graduating with 4-year degrees, associate degrees or certificates, summer/seasonal or part-time positions are invited to register. The Employment Fair is well-attended by Dixie State College students looking for jobs and careers. Don’t wait! Register today. For additional information call the DSC Career Center at (435) 652-7737. Click Here

SPECIAL EVENTS

St. George Area Parade of Homes! Mark your calendars for February 16-25, 2007 to attend the St. George Area Parade of Homes presented by the Southern Utah Home Builders Association and Far West Bank. For complete details on the St. George Area Parade of Homes, please visit the official website at www.ParadeHome.com . The Parade is sponsored by Far West Bank, Boulevard Home Furnishings, Questar Gas, Stock Building Supply, The Spectrum, Start 98 FM, and KSL Television. Click Here

Evenings @ Xetava Presents: Djembe Night. Join Xetava for an evening of food and music to celebrate the culture of West Africa. We will be serving a five course meal, and the professional troupe "White Chocolate" be performing 3 sets of live music between courses. Only 15 seats left! RSVP required due to limited seating. For more information, please contact Greg at 435 313-3996, or email Xetava@gmail.com  Click Here

Utah Shakespearean Festival’s Touring Production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is coming to MCC in Colorado City. The 2007 version of the Utah Shakespearean Festival’s ever-expanding Shakespeare–in-the-Schools touring production of the beloved Shakespearean comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be coming to a school near you, including Mohave Community College (MCC) and El Capitan School in Colorado City....more

Valentines Day Dinner Special Offered at the Best Western Abbey Inn. Enjoy a luxurious five course meal at St. George’s finest hotel. Spend Valentines night with that special someone. Tables are limited..reserve today at (435) 652-1234....more

Green Valley Spa Offers Candle Light Dinner $80/couple. 7:30 pm Friday February 9, Saturday, February 10, Sunday, February 11, Monday, February 12, Tuesday, February 13 and Wednesday, February 14. Enjoy a romantic evening of live music and gourmet dining presented by Chef Fio Antognini, who has earned an enviable reputation for innovative and imaginative dishes that combine the best of traditional classic European cuisine with his own personal creations. His cooking utilizes only the freshest natural ingredients to create memorable culinary experiences. Dinners include Appetizer, Salad, Entrée, and Dessert. Reservations are required. Please call Green Valley Spa at 628-8060 x170 for more details.

The Ledges Chef's Tasting Dinner, Feb. 16th, 17 and 24th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Join The Ledges for a dining experience unmatched in St. George. Developed around a progression of tasting courses, giving their guests the opportunity to sample a wide range of flavors. ...more Click Here

The Ledges Champagne Brunch, February 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join The Ledges for Champagne Brunch - Omelet Bar, Fresh Baked Breads, Composed Salads, Prime Rib Carving Station, Dessert Station....more Click Here

SEMINARS, EDUCATION, & WORKSHOPS

Dixie State College Receives State Approval for Dental Hygiene Bachelor's Degree. Dixie State College took another big step toward fulfilling its mission to offer core, foundational and high demand educational opportunities this past Friday when the Utah State Board of Regents granted approval for the college's dental hygiene baccalaureate degree. The addition of the dental hygiene degree brings the number of Bachelor's degrees offered by the college to eight overall. ...more

Dian Thomas, Utah’s First Lady of Creativity comes to St. George for two seminars on Friday, March 9th. Morning workshop “How to Get a Million Dollars’ Worth of Free Publicity, afternoon workshop “How to Write and Market a Best-seller”. ...more

Dixie State College to Host Read-In Chain in Celebration of Black History Month. Dixie State College of Utah’s English department will host the annual African American Read-In Chain, as part of the nationwide 19th-anniversary of the Chain’s creation, in celebration of Black History Month next Monday, Feb. 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Gardner Student Center on campus....more

Join Chris Healy, faculty member of The University of Phoenix and Manager of Organizational Capability and Safety at Blue Bunny for “180 Ways to Build a Magnetic Culture”. The workshop will be Tuesday, February 13th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. For more details Click Here

Dixie State College’s English Department Receives Scholarship Gift from Long Time Professor. Dixie State College of Utah’s English department received a generous scholarship gift from one of its own to award students choosing to pursue a degree in that course of study....more

Utah State Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to Highlight Dixie State College-Hosted Women’s Conference. “The Song Within You” is the theme for the 21st-Annual Women’s Conference in Dixie, which returns to the Dixie State College campus Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Eccles Fine Arts Building. ...more Click Here

The Massage Therapy Academy is offering free massage clinics every month. You can learn new massage skills to offer comfort and relief to your loved ones. Thursday night, February 1, learn how to give great foot massages. This free clinic starts at 7:30 pm and runs for an hour. The Massage Therapy Academy is located at 368 East St. George Boulevard. Space is limited – please call to register: 673-4101.

Join the Green Valley Spa for a Decadent Chocolate Workshop, Saturday, February 3, 2207 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn to create seductive Valentine’s Day Chocolate confections from Chef Fio Antognini. The class will feature an education in chocolate, with unique assorted chocolate tasting and a presentation of Chocolate dipped strawberries, Chocolate truffles and Flaky raspberry “Heart” puffs. The workshop also includes instructions on how to create sugar-free & diabetic friendly confections. Chocolate making supplies are included and a gift box filled with your own confections. $49 per person/$89 for two. For more information and to make reservations please call 628-8060 x170.

“Building Effective Teams” a Parade of Homes Seminar. Tony Brigmon will present a seminar on Wednesday, February 14th from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Dixie State College sponsored by First Horizon Home Loans. ...more Click Here

The City of St. George and the Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUBHA) are teaming up to offer a series of seminars to inform and educate those interested in green building. The first in the series will be held at the Water and Energy Administration Building, 811 E Red Hills Parkway, St. George, UT 84770 on February 27, 2007 at noon. It is free to homeowners, building contractors, and anyone else interested in learning about creating more energy efficient and environmentally responsible homes....more

“Crucial Confrontations” two-day Mastery Seminar. February 1-2, 2007 from 8:00 am-4:30 pm at the Dixie Applied Technology College on 55 South 900 East in St. George. Kelle Stephens, 652-7741 or stephenk@dixie.edu.

WHATS HAPPENING

Scarlet Days & Jekyll Nights: Stars of St. George Musical Theater Take the Stage at DSC for an Evening of Broadway’s Finest. Long-time St. George Musical Theater performer and contributor Bruce Bennett has slid into the director’s chair to bring a very special, limited engagement concert event to the Dixie State College Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center....more

The St. George Art Museum Soup N’ Bowl will be held March 9, 2007. Get your tickets in advance at the St. George Art Museum (call 634-5942 and charge them), Juniper Sky Gallery, Datura Gallery or Blue Bunny Parlor.

20th Annual Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale from February 17- March 24 at the Eccles Fine Arts Center. Monday fom 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday from 2:00 pm – 6:00pm. 652-7905

Xetava Desert Arboretum’s Art In Kayenta Festival, February 17 & 18. The “Art in Kayenta” Festival is considered the first major spring event in the St. George region and draws crowds of more than 5,000 ...more

“Beau Jest” is a hilarious romantic comedy. SGMT offers “Beau Jest” from January 11, 2007, through February 3, 2007, at its Woodward Gymnasium theater (37 S. 100 W., St. George). Shows run Thursday through Saturday and Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee will be offered on February 3 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15/adults, $13/seniors and students, $10/children and can be purchased by calling 435-628-8755, online at www.sgmt.org , or at the theater box office. Click Here

Royden Card Fine Art Presents “Little Stories, Inner Landscapes,” New Paintings by Fae Ellsworth. Utah artist, Fae Ellsworth, will be the featured visiting artist beginning February 17, 2007 at Royden Card Fine Art in the Coyote Gulch Art Village at Kayenta. Her exhibit, “Little Stories, Inner Landscapes,” will open with a reception on Friday, February 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ...more

Zion Country Early Spring Century, February 24th. Enjoy the awesome beauty of southern Utah during this pre-spring ride. Join them as they ride to the entrance of Zion National Park o n a leisurely route that will allow you to get out on the road, test your legs, relax and enjoy your first organized ride of the season. For more information Click Here

COMMUNITY/POLITICAL

St. George City Council Votes to Accept Revised Parks Impact Fees and Policy. The St. George City Council voted to adopt the new city-wide Parks impact fees effective March 5, 2007. The new fee for single family dwellings will be $2729.69 and for multi-family dwellings $2827.88. ...more

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce is tracking legislative actions of general business interest to its members and the communities in Washington County. If there’s a bill you’d like us to track, e-mail us with the bill number, and we will add it to our weekly newsletter updates. If you need more frequent updates, go to: http://www.le.state.ut.us/  and on the right side of the screen under “quick links” click on RSS Feeds. Once on that page, look under “Feeds/Channels provided on our web site” and click on bill tracking and follow instructions to set-up your own bill tracking system. The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Community Action Committee is actively watching out for your interests at the Utah State Legislature. Click Here

HB 261 Makes it a violation of the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act to issue a gift certificate that has an expiration date or deducts a fee without disclosing the expiration date. Provides that a gift certificate that does not disclose an expiration date or fee neither expires nor is subject to a fee.

SB 34 Increases the minimum wage to $7 per hour. Deletes the exemption for persons covered by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

Washington County Republican Party Lincoln Day Breakfast will be Saturday, February 17, 2007 at the Dixie College Gardner Center beginning at 8:00 a.m. You can purchase tickets at the Zion Bank Main Branch. Cost $20.00. Ask for David Turner or Penny Shelley or call 435-628-2308.

RIBBON CUTTINGS AND OPEN HOUSES

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 31st, the W. St. George Home Depot would like to invite our members to their Grand Opening celebration and “Board Cutting” ceremony beginning at 6:00 p.m. Their new location is 937 N. Westridge Drive (corner of Sunset and N. Westridge). Refreshments will be served. The new store will feature Home Depot’s latest floor plan, with newly redesigned departments, a special home décor section, color solutions center, installation services and a large outdoor garden center. ...more

Please mark your calendars. You are hereby invited to attend the Community Grand Opening of Bella Vista at the newly constructed gated entryway, 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2nd, 2007, located at 500 East Telegraph in Washington City. Bella Vista is a gated community by Ence Homes. We look forward to giving you a personal tour of our beautiful new community. Following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Tammy Williams at Ence Homes, 652-5545.

Mark your calendar for the following ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. Thursday, Feb. 1st 11 a.m. ribbon cutting at Arnold Machinery, 1409 East 3850 South, St. George. Friday, Feb. 2nd 11 a.m. ribbon cutting at Bella Vista, 500 East Telegraph, St. George. Tuesday, Feb. 6th 11:30 a.m. ribbon cutting at Beehive Homes, 2041 S. Mesa Palms, St. George. Tuesday, Feb. 6th 4:30 p.m. ribbon cutting at Sweet Gifts DBA Candy Bouquet, 370 W. St. George Blvd. Thursday, Feb. 8th 11 a.m. ribbon cutting at Fairfield Inn, 1660 S. Convention Center Drive. Thursday, Feb. 8th 12:30 p.m. ribbon cutting at Coldwell Banker KGA, 94 East Tabernacle. Friday, Feb. 9th 10 a.m. ribbon cutting at Desert Shadows, 1400 East 2450 South, St. George. Friday, Feb. 9th 11:00 a.m. ribbon cutting at Signature Suppers, 140 North 400 West, St. George.

Coldwell Banker Commercial KGA Slated for Grand Opening Feb. 8. Coldwell Banker Commercial KGA, Meridian GIS and Kemp Griffin properties will host a grand opening celebration in their new office building at 94 East Tabernacle on Thursday afternoon, February 8, beginning at 12:30 PM. The event will kick off with an official ribbon cutting staged by the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Dixie Sunshiners. An open house will follow the ribbon cutting until 2:30 PM. Chamber members, industry professionals and clients are invited to attend. Catering will be provided by Michelle Tuckness of the Rustic Tomato. Please RSVP to Cindy Webb at 688-8886, no later than February 6....more Click Here

CALL TO ACTION

Hope Pregnancy Care Center is having a huge garage sale, Saturday, Feb 10th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Ben Franklin/Ace Hardware parking lot on the corner of Bluff and St. George Blvd. If you would like to drop off donated items call Vickie at (435) 628-6622 prior to the sale date. With your help and donations, it will be a great day. Hope to see you there. Any questions can be directed to Vince Valence at (435) 680-0471.

The Woodward Gymnasium, current home of St. George Musical Theater, will be demolished on February 5, 2007. SGMT expects to complete the renovation of a new home (214 North 1000 East) in June 2007. Meanwhile, we desperately need storage units. "We have so much stuff, but it's all necessary!" says Jan Broberg, Executive Director. If you can help for these six months, PLEASE call (435)628-8755 and ask for Don Kenworthy, Deward Wilson, or Jan Broberg. You'll get credited in the playbill as a sponsor.

COMMUNITY INTEREST

Executive Care Sales Hosts Utah Firefighters Winter Training School. Jason and Todd Vowell, owners of Executive Car Sales, donated a commercial structure on 501 N. Bluff Street for Utah fire fighters' winter training....more

Washington County Republican Women Donate Scholarship Funds to Dixie State College to Honor Iraq War and 222nd Veterans. The Washington County Republican Women and Dixie State College of Utah announced Monday the creation of a new scholarship to honor veterans of the Iraq War and the Utah National Guard’s 222nd Field Artillery Unit....more

Prudential St. George Realty Sponsored Golf Outing. Click Here

KWIK SHRED, Emily Campbell, Jared Campbell, 1111 Chokeberry Drive, St. George, Utah 84790 (435) 986-0630

 

AFFORDABLE BOOKKEEPING, Troy Braithwaite, P.O. Box 608, Hurricane, Utah 84737, (435) 635-7775, www.ab4you.com.

 

ARNOLD MACHINERY COMPANY, Rob Carter, Cris Kapp, 1409 East 3850 South, St. George, Utah 84790, (435) 674-0880

 

KAY’S TLC LIGHTING ONE, Theron Borrowman, 140 North 400 West, St. George, Utah 84770, (435) 628-6474