Which is cool, if you are in to that kind of stuff. I am afraid of sequin over-usage, so instead I am rooting for the Orem-ites, Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello on So You Think You Can Dance. But let's agree on one thing here, Utah Valley CAN DANCE!


***
Tonight is the kick-off for Provo's Downtown Winterfest! The lights throughout the town will be sparkling in the November cold.

Here are the details:

***
Congrats to the Cougar's on Max's Revenge:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Steve Densley, president of the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to shop locally for the holidays. This way we stimulate and rejuvenate our regional economy. As Mr. Densley is father to my best friend in this world, I have always appreciated his advice. Join me--will you--in doing the same?

Here are three suggestions--The Beehive Bazaar, Patina Market and The Provo Posh & Chic Boutique Expo for not only buying locally, but handmade too:
(click on posters for info--except Provo Posh & Chic Boutique)

Chup came home from work before dark. With a bag of wasting wheat bread in the cupboard I figured tonight would be nice for The Chief's maiden Feeding the Ducks adventure.

We drove to BYU's Betrand F. Harrison Arboretum and Botany Pond (on 800 North) and were more-than-welcomed by a flock of ducks. White, mallards, black, brown--so many species, sizes and honks. Do ducks honk? Or quack?

The hungry feathered beasts devoured our donations. The Chief didn't completely understand the concept, but in the spirit of giving he'd share piece and eat the other. And belly laugh with joy. Chup caught it all on his i-phone, like the daddy of 2009 that he is.

After that it was time to eat, but what?

"Should we get yaki soba, in honor of last night?" I suggested.

In an attempt to feed his family last night, Daddy brought home ingredients from Many Lands to make yaki soba--a Japanese noodle dish. At the end of hours of preparation, we sat down to eat and realized the noodles had been ruined by too much Bulldog sauce and not enough Worcestershire sauce. After trying to resurrect the meal, we ended up going out for tacos. A small edible tragedy.

Chup drove the car to our favorite place for yaki soba, katsu curry and katsu don--Damae Japanese Restaurant in downtown Provo. After ordering I ducked out for some quick shopping at the neighboring antique shops--I am in need of quirky wedding presents. As I walked downtown I fantasized about doing all my Christmas shopping on Center Street on some snowy evening. Wouldn't that be a dream?

Back at Damae, as The Chief's legs dangled off the highchair, we fed him miso soup, sliced oranges, teryaki salmon and bits of gyoza and egg roll. If food is worthy, The Chief will give it all his attention and digestion. Damae is The Chief worthy. Before he had finished off the last bit of his curry, Chup announced he'd need a frozen dessert.

So we paid the bill and headed up a couple shops to Maestro's, where sadly we saw the closed doors and the notice that they are closed for an undetermined amount of time. And we weren't the only ones disappointed, a small group of people were outside consoling each other. Please bless Maestro's will live.

On the way back to Retro House we saw Christmas lights on a duplex on 9th East.

"Pretty lights!" We sang to The Chief in the backseat.

At home I turned on the City Council meeting as Chup prepared himself for home teaching. When The Chief took control of the tv remote we were directed to our recorded episode of So You Think You Can Dance where we saw a photo of Utah Valley native Ashleigh Di Lello as a little firecracker standing in front of the Challenger School in Orem. Orem is nice.




But Provo is totally on the hot tamale train.




xoxo

Provo is always better in the throes of a storm. The white washed mountains, the dusted valleys. Saturday's snowstorm did my heart right.

I throw pillows at weather casters who announce sunny weather with smiles. What is so special about sunny weather? Sunny weather is nice, but a storm? A storm is stupendous. I like a blizzard with lightening, or a rainstorm so serious drops turn to hail. Bring them on, more of them and don't skimp on the dramatics.

I like leaves blowing up and down my street. Watching BYU students out my front window running for cover when the wind gets angry. Falling asleep to drip-drip-drip from my bedroom door. Provo's weather has given me all of these things this past week. I am starting to hope for a Thanksgiving white out. Who doesn't love playing the Turkey bowl in the snow?

Forget those meteorologists, I predict a wet winter.

***


Did you know Provo has its own ballet company called the Provo Civic Ballet? I didn't either. But check this out, an email from Ali Jones:

Provo has it's own little ballet company - the Provo Civic Ballet, comprised of twelve very talented dancers. They will have their premiere show next Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m. at the Covey Center for the Arts. The artistic director, Jennie Creer-King is a Utah County native who started the Classical Ballet Academy here in Provo 5 years ago. The ballet training she provides is top notch. This Gala Performance will showcase four new choreographers from across the country. There will be a reception following the one hour show to celebrate what hopefully will be a local treasure!

Provonians! Let's support our local dancers and downtown culture!

Click here to buy tickets.

Click here to learn more about the pcb.

***
Last week when I was being interviewed by Studio 5, I stated one of Provo's greatest strengths can be found in our cropping of stalwart youth. Of course, my niece Lindsay and her bff Dixie (sometimes just known as Dix) were standing right next to me wrangling The Chief while I stuttered on camera. Both solid teenage Provonians though. Anyway, the sound bite didn't make it on air, but nevertheless I still mean it.

Take for instance nephew Clark, a junior at Timpview High School:



Look at that face when he gets up and walks away. Teenage pain, something about it feels so good.

p.s. Do you think Provo has more trampolines per household than any other city in the state or state in the union? Give a shout out to trampolines if you have one. Holla.

I have no choice but to give it to Provo Bakery.

My sister Lucy agrees, she says, "I like the Y donut because it is eating a donut bigger than my thigh."


Provo makes national news, goes viral and even hits Letterman when a New Mexico soccer player pulls some bad moves against BYU players during a Mountain West semi-final on the Cougar's field.

If you are the only monkey in the universe who hasn't seen it watch the video here.



Rumors are true.

Downtown Provo's beloved Maestro's Cafe is wavering upon extinction. We can't let this happen. Let me put it this way, WE CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN.

If you haven't been properly introduced to Maestro's Cafe allow me:

• Flavorful gelato and an orchard of selection. The taste of this gelato will tempt you turn your back on ice cream forever. Free samples with the worlds smallest spoons (in florescent colors!)
• European crepes at your leisure, cuddling with clouds of cream.
• Real hot chocolate from real chocolate. If you've never experienced professionally-made hot chocolate, I'm sorry to say you've never lived. And isn't it about time? Petite mugs too.

. . . and the latest feature to the Maestro's menu is artisan pizza.

So now you know each other better, how about you join forces with me and Azucar in our SAVE MAESTRO'S campaign?

Here are somethings you can do as fellow campaigners:

• Go to Maestro's regularly--and while you are there tell them you are doing your part to keep them around.
• Blog, tweet, facebook about Maestro's.
• Tell your neighbors, your bishop and your bishop's wife to go there. Also tell your local Democrat.
• Don't succumb to any "diet" where you can't "indulge" and life's simple edible pleasures. Right?

Will you hold my hand and join with us now?

. . . it does!

Thanks Stephanie Bryson, Corey and Jen from Studio 5. What fun. What fun.

Welcome to another new series on this here c jane's guide to Provo blog. Fight it Out (as I am calling it--because I am the birth mother of this blog) is a game where I ask readers to help me decide what is the best of the best of Provo. All readers are invited to answer with their most passionate responses. After 48 hours or so, I c jane (also, the creator of this series) will pick from the best argument and will crown the winner.

The only rule (so far) is that you must only only ONLY choose from Provo's selection. I love Orem (somewhat) but Orem needs to have their own blog. Maybe Mr. Mac can help?

This episode is about donuts (you spell it doughnuts, I spell it donuts, let's call the whole thing off! But not really!) On Saturday, Chup and I were making way to our usual Saturday morning donut run when I suggested we try a new place. Now, not to sway your vote, but Chup insists Day's Market (Canyon Road) has Provo's best donut. But I don't know. I like mine to melt in my mouth (what is so wrong with Krispy Kreme anyway?)

So we ended up driving to Pleasant Grove to try Daylight Donuts. While I was in line (20 minute wait, the place is POPULAR) the man next to me said, "We like Day's donuts in Provo, but sometimes it is fun to drive out here for a good donut too." And I thought, what is Chup (and this man) seeing that I am not? Anyway, Daylight Donuts were great. We both said two claws up to their Apple Bear Claw. But in the end, Chup is still saying Day's is where it is at. (Day's/Daylight--is this confusing?)

Our home teacher says Provo Bakery with a close second going to BYU's Creamery on Ninth.

I am putting it out there for your fight:

Unless there is a mudslide propelling down Rock Canyon, through University Parkway, slipping across University Avenue and southward to Center on Monday morning, I will be in downtown on LIVE TV. Turns out they want to do a little segment-o on this humble blog of mine, you know--c jane's guide to Provo--and show me showing off downtown.

Oh Miss Molly! Live TV.

(To self: call Ashlee. Get an appointment for Monday morning STAT.)

Once I played a bit part on a little show called Oprah, I've even done KSL, KSL radio, ABC 4 Utah and a small thing called NBC's Today Show, but this being LIVE DOWNTOWN? New one for a veteran like me. I better look hot. Brush my teeth.

(Self again: call Ashlee. This is your second reminder.)

When: Monday morning, 10ish.
Show: Studio 5
Who: c jane & Brooke Walker

By way of total research, Chup and I hit up Communal and ordered almost everything on the menu. We sat at the bar so as to get the constant commentary from Joseph the co-chef and co-owner. It was a good thing too, he talked Chup out of his "medium/well steak" to a "medium steak" even though he promised he'd be "supportive" either way.

Not to confuse anyone, but I used to be vegetarian. Now I am not. I celebrated my freedom from restricted foods by ordering the pot roast which came to me more tender than my pregnant feelings. We also had the frisee salad (with GOOD GRAVY the best pork belly sampler on a nest of lettuce and local apples), a starter with sweet onions and cured meat--speck, I think they call it-- and their house bread.

In fact, I was eating a slice of this bread when Colton (co-chef, co-owner) came by in a plaid shirt to say his howdy. I said, "Colton why does this bread taste so flavorful?" and he told me, "Kalamata olives." Then we discovered our paths will be crossing on the new committee for the spice-ification of downtown Provo. I think Communal should donate a pot of butterscotch creme for every board meeting. Don't you Sue? Sue?

I almost ate the entire bowl of mashed potatoes. Why didn't Chup order his own? Or were they his to start with?

I also like the mushrooms, which Chup will not eat, so no sharing required. They were salty, just like my old man Steve Clark makes them on warm Sunday afternoons.

Chup and I took our time to be aware of the whole experience. We even debated about the art work on the walls (all local artists from Kershisnik to Mark England), and complimented our friend and neighbor Susannah Furr (of Pronk fame) who navigated the interior look of the place. I mean, Susannah wasn't there with us, but her sister's in-laws were there (is this getting random?) We think the hanging lamps would feel at home in our Retro House.

(Call Susannah. Help with Retro House.)

I drank Coke with lemon. The Black Juice never tasted so good. This is not some dramatic PR I am trying to sell you on, I am just saying it was a good-tasting Coke.

What I liked most of all about Communal was watching the communal table. The communal table--the restaurant's namesake--is a long family-style table were random guests can be seated next to each other. Although we were at the bar, Chup and I relished in watching strangers become friends by meals end.

"People bond over food." Said Joseph as he seared Chup's steak. "People love the communal table."

"Are they shy at first?" I asked.

"It might be a little awkward at first, but friends are made, couples are created, marriages occur."

Marriages?

Only in Provo.

Or . . . only at Communal?

You decide. Go there yourself.



102 N University Ave Provo, UT 84601-2820 (801) 373-8000



3 Things to Note:

1. Get reservations, I will only say this once! Get reservations, okay I said it twice.

2. Communal is now open for lunch. Chup and I intend to go back for the bleu burger--the rolls for which come from the Provo Bakery down the street.

3. Communal uses top quality, mostly local food and beverages. You will be paying for the total experience, Hello Provo, Welcome to Fine Dinning. Don't complain about pricing in my earshot, or else you'll get an earful. Okay?


4. Don't you think we need to come up with a name for these boys? First Pizzeria 712, now Communal. We should have a name by now. Like the 712 Boys or the . . . I can't think of anything clever right now. But I think you catch my drift? Help?

Yo Natalie Larsen of Four Small Boys fame, you are the winner! You get the Bijou Package!

Will you email me so I can get your information to the Bijou fairies? c janemail @ gmail .com

Congratulations (and what a handsome crew of the male variety at your house!)

p.s. We also use naan to eat our Bombay House, forks are for sissys.

First off, thanks everyone for your support for my Dad. It was close. John Curtis is a good man and I am sure he'll bring a great energy to our city. I need to be honest here though, the new city council is a train wreck. Not even one I can manage to watch. Brace yourselves. Brace, brace, brace!

Secondly, on to the weekend plans. So much going on!


Bijou Market is coming to town this Saturday on November 7th and has brought with it a basket for me to giveaway! (See below for details.) Here is what I like about Bijou Market, it is a tri-annual handmade event produced by three Utah Valley women (is there a theme of three here?) All vendors are local, if not from Utah County then Utah or neighboring states. Mostly, I am so thrilled about the event being held on 9th east (by Stan's, across from Golds) which is down the street from me! I hope to cross off my Christmas lists early and have the warm fuzzy of shopping local.

Go early and shop, then for lunch hop over to Stan's. Even if all you order is a plate of fries with sauce you will not be disappointed. Chup and I call label them Provo's Best Fries.

See more info on invite above, or go to bijoumarket.com for giveaways, and a sneak peak of what is to come!

On Saturday night (Nov. 7th) at the Covey Center for the Arts, actors, musicians, singers and others who are talented in ways I am not, are joining together to raise money and awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa a rare skin disorder. I was ignorant about EB until KaDee Troop emailed me about this event. KaDee's son Zack lives with this debilitating condition which in his case is terminal. My love goes out to Zack, he is a handsome guy.

I looked at the line-up of talent and it looks to be a very enjoyable evening. Headlining the event is Corbin Allred with Adam Johnson as MC. In full disclosure, my husband has sometimes calls Adam my boyfriend because I think he's great on film. Now I need to further explain this comment by adding that my husband and Adam are friends and this shouldn't be awkward. But now I am feeling awkward, so instead of pressing delete I shall just move on.

See more about the event by going to coveycenter.org

For a dinner recommendation before the show, may I suggest the gnocchi at Gloria's Little Italy. I like it smothering in pink sauce. Then I like to cap things off with a mini nutella tart. Read Provo's own Rookie Cookie for her review of the place. (Also, get reservations!)

Are you still with me?

Great because I have a prize basket to unload on one lucky c jane's guide to Provo reader courtesy of Bijou Market.


One lucky winner will receive all of these pieces . . .



How to enter:

• Tell me one (or more) of your favorite locally owned businesses in Provo.
• One entry per reader.
• You have until Thursday night at midnight MST!

I was in the BYU Bookstore the other day (because I will buy any dress DownEast produces) when I heard two v-neck t-shirt wearing, female students having a conversation about Provo.

" . . . 'cause who lives in Provo?" said Purple V-Neck T-Shirt, oozing attitude.

"I know! You might stop off the freeway to get gas, but nobody actually lives here." Replied Blueish-Greenish V-Neck T-Shirt.

It took all the self-control I had in me at that point to not set them straight. Oh the restraint! It was painful in my veins! Blood was warm, almost hot, clearly on its way to boiling!

But I used my high elevation breathing techniques, and decided to be inspired instead.

Thus in honor of that awesome exchange, I present a new series on this blog called: