During a campaign season it is likely you'll see candidates refuting rumors. Because my dad happens to be running against a moral and decent man, this particular campaign has seemed pretty tame in the public rumor arena. Never-the-less, I'd like to clear up some misinformation floating around town and maybe point out how such ridiculous rumors get started.

Rumor: Steve Clark likes beer.
False.
Truth: Steve Clark likes root beer barrels candy. He's got a drawer full of them in his bedroom. Sometimes people hear things wrong. I mean not there is anything wrong with beer . . . unless you think there is something wrong with beer . . . like it makes your bishop frown at you . . . then there is something wrong with beer. But nothing wrong with root beer barrels candy--just old fashion joy in hardened sugar . . . unless you get cavities easily . . .

Rumor: Steve Clark salts his fruit.
This one is actually true.

Rumor: Steve Clark bribes people.
This one is actually true too. Me. He has bribed me before, and this is my testimony: When I was in my formative years I was frequently bribed for good grades, house cleaning and foot rubs for both parents. One time he bribed me into being a nicer wife to my husband. Shame on Steve Clark!

Rumor: Steve Clark was once an addict.
Ok, true. Coke-a-Cola. He kicked it to the curb five years ago and has never looked back. I lost my drinking buddy on that day. Sometimes I feel lonely when I am kicking back a sizzling glass of black death while my father enjoys his lemonade. I feel it keenly.

Rumor: Steve Clark can speak Cantonese.
False.
Truth: Steve Clark speaks Norwegian. I heard him myself one time in Oslo when my mother was trying to buy a fur coat. If fur coats bother you and might sway you not to vote for my dad then please know his Norwegian wasn't efficient enough to barter a good price and we went home empty handed. But he can wish you a "God Jul!" and proudly say "Ja, vi elsker dette landet!" and other stuff he remembers from forty years ago.

Rumor: Steve Clark likes illegal aliens.
True.
Steve Clark was taught to like everyone. Don't you?

Rumor: Steve Clark has never been shot.
False.
Truth: Steve Clark has been shot. Twice, once while duck hunting and the other during combat training in the army. We are lucky to have Steve Clark still with us today.

Rumor: Steve Clark has a favorite daughter.
True. Me.

Rumor: Steve Clark was once rescued from drowning by Big Foot.
False.
Truth: Steve Clark was once rescued from drowning by Mr. Carson of Carson's Market--now the Creamery on Ninth.

Rumor: Steve Clark will be a great mayor for Provo.
False.
Truth: Steve Clark will be a better-than-great mayor for Provo.

Vote for Steve Clark November 3rd!

Also, new websites for Coy Porter and David Acheson were sent to me today.
Go here for information regarding these candidates I am supporting:

David-davidacheson.com
Coy-coyforcouncil.com


A bag of BYU sampler cheeses for anyone who can tell me what the name of Carson's Market, after it was Carson's and before it turned into the Creamery on Ninth.

It is getting closer to Provo's Big Election. (Voting is November 3rd!) Chup and I have done a lot of thinking, talking, debating and deliberating and I think we're ready to make our choices.

For me, the candidates I choose to support have a strong stance on neighborhood issues. We have a neighborhood that is susceptible to multiple rentals, absentee landlords and home abuse due to stuffing too many people into one address. Many of Provo's neighborhoods have the same threat. Because we'd like to raise our children here for as long as we can, we need someone who will fight to keep our neighborhood a neighborhood--one with growing families and thriving community. I think the best way for this to happen is to elect officials who support zoning and enforcement of zoning laws--specifically with single family rentals (great!) and home owner occupants in properties with accessory apartments (super!)

I have watched what my mother was able to accomplish in her short term as a city councilmember. She worked hard to set restrictions on how much can be done to monopolize our neighborhood (and allow for chickens). I'd love to see her pass the torch to my dad, Steve Clark to work with the city council to continue to protect and preserve neighborhoods all over the city. Here is what he has said about strong neighborhoods:

National studies on demographics and crime rates show that the most important predictor in reduced crime is zoning enforcement. As long as there are predictable and enforced boundary characteristics, there is no real difference in the crime rate in sections of cities and neighborhoods where there are rentals or businesses. Similarly, statistics show that social disorganization stems from common decline within a neighborhood. Protecting neighborhoods against deterioration, enforcing zoning, and providing neighborhoods with access to a closer working relationship with law enforcement will make Provo an even safer place to raise our families.

We'd also like to work together with the city to encourage home ownership in our area. Here is what Solutions For America had to say about home ownership:

There are significant community benefits to homeownership as well. Owning a home gives residents a stake in the community and a sense of "rootedness" in their neighborhoods (Higgins*; Schubert*). A large presence of homeowners in a neighborhood increases the number and diversity of businesses in the neighborhood and stimulates economic investment (Bipartisan Millennial Housing Commission [BMHC]*). Although urban neighborhoods with affordable homes and mortgages may undergo gentrification and quickly become unaffordable (Goetzmann and Spiegel*), the advantages of attaining a "critical mass" of homeownership in a neighborhood are much greater (Higgins*).

(In full disclosure, Chup and I have a single family rental property in west Provo. We don't plan on being long-term landlords, but we feel it is important to be responsible for our property.)

Along with my dad (of course) I've chosen to support these Neighborhood Super Protectors:

David Acheson (also in full disclosure, he is my bishop.)
Cindy Richards (represents district 5)
Coy Porter

So, there you have it. My spiel on who I am supporting and why. One reason it is nice to have my own blog, at least here my opinion counts!


Chup and I went to see Frankenstein on Friday. Go. Go this week. I am telling you, it is a treat. I screamed, I jumped, my heart raced. It was good fun mixed with philosophical questions of life, death and the pursuit of happiness. Really. Go.

More info here.



Did you go to the BYU Homecoming parade on Saturday? It is Provo's best kept secret. Short, loud, vivacious, and loads of candy. Plus dancing, singing, marching bands, beauty queens, Cosmo and the mayor on a Segway.

I would have advertised it here on my blog, but then it wouldn't be Provo's best kept secret now would it?

Anyway, we enjoy it:




(For the record, it was the best thing about BYU's Homecoming--if you know what I mean.) (There is always next year Cougar fans . . .)


Laughed at this Daily Herald editorial about the Provo Elections. Have you heard about Pizzagate? Read it and enjoy!

Here is what you need to do this Halloween season in Provo. Make arrangements to take a date out to dinner in one of Provo's fine downtown eating establishments. I'd like to recommend Rooster, or Communal, even Spark (for drinks, to be sure). Then walk over to the Provo Theater to catch a performance of Frankenstein (featuring my shy, private brother Topher Clark!) which is getting grave reviews.

Did I say grave reviews? Spooky slip of the tongue. I meant rave reviews.

See more info here.

I am over-the-moon excited to be on a committee for bringing more spice to Provo's downtown. Our first meeting is tomorrow. I'd like to come looking like I've got ideas. Want to help me? Please (oh please oh please)?

What do you love about downtown?

What are your ideas for improving downtown?

Do you think there should be a statue of me on University and Center?

(Me too.)

My dreams came true this weekend in a recording studio right here in Provo's Riverwoods.

Read about it here.

If you come from Provo you likely know the Call family. The Call family, as in Duane and Tamara. I don't go very far anywhere without someone asking me if I know a Call, "You know the Calls?" and I say, "Yes!" Then we talk about how hip the Call family is, how I grew up on their same street, and how we named our first born the same name as a Call boy because we knew it would mean he'd be good looking.

(Because if you don't know, everyone in that family is gorgeous.)

The Calls are always five steps ahead of everyone else in coolness--clothes, music, shoes. Growing up, they had ties to So. Cal and that made them more awesome than regular pioneer stock. Quirky, non-traditional and unorthodox. Never a boring day at the Call house.

(Molly Call, is one of the founders of The Beehive Bazaar.)

To get to the reason why I am writing this post, it is because I was on Devon Call's facebook page the other day and I saw that he had posted, "Missing Provo." Devon was my older brother Andrew's best friend growing up. We all called him Dr. C. Andrew and Devon used to make sure they humiliated me at least once a day. Like if I asked them for a ride to my friend's house they would honk the horn the entire ride up. And I could go on. I really could. But I won't. I could, but I won't. Oh but I could . . .

But even though he was a tease, he had fans all over the town. Girls swooned, boys admired his irreverent mojo, and parents thought him adorable. My family still swaps Devon Call stories. To those of us who know him, he is a Provo Legend.

Devon eventually grew up, married an intelligent, artistic woman and left town for dental school. It is cliche to say, but really, things just haven't been the same in this town since he left. (My pride, for one.)

What I really want to say here is this: Devon, Provo is missing you too.


A funny post about Devon written by Ben Blair (Design Mom Gabby Blair's husband) can be read here.

We went down to the Beesley Farm the other day for their annual Hayride and Pumpkin Pick. As guests of the Beesley farm, we are treated to spiced cider, warm chili and hot scones. On the hayride, we are taken to Farmer George Carter's pumpkin patch to happily pick out a pumpkin to take home. A bonfire warms are fingers and toes after the chilly ride. Are you jealous yet?

Please enjoy these photos of Provo's friendly west side: