From Retro House to Your House,
Thanks for being my neighbor!
Love,
c jane

p.s. See you in the new year when we kick Provo into the new decade!

This is from my facebook inbox:

With the season of giving upon us, we thought that it would be a great idea to have a fundraiser to help out those less fortunate. But wait, this is a two-fer. You also get to participate in the 1st annual polar bear plunge at Deer Creek reservoir. It is open to all people, preferably those who are wearing speedos or something in that vain to help eradicate insecurity. So please, come one come all. The date is DECEMBER 19th, at 8:00 A.M.

OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE OVER $5,000 TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE DOWN ON THEIR LUCK THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON!

We have some of the families picked out already, and the more money we raise the more families we can add to the list.

For donations, we are taking what we can get, however, please bring at least a couple bucks.

RSVP so we know how many people to expect.
Speedos are optional, you can use 'normal' swimming attire!

DON'T WUSS OUT!!!

We have some sponsers lined up if we pass the 100 people we are hoping for.
And if we do, we will hand out prizes.

Speedos are optional, you can use 'normal' swimming attire!

Once again, DON'T WUSS OUT!!!!

I am going to try and get Chup to take the plunge. I will pledge $100 if he does.

For more info see see here.

This morning I went to see my mother.

"I tried to comment on your blog" (she always says that) "about the dry cleaners."

"Oh?"

"You know, I always went to Durfey's."

"Right."

"But I started to notice George Stewart's shirts at city council meeting. They always looked so nice."

"Really?"

"So I asked him, 'George, does your wife press your shirts for you?' "

"And?"

"And he said, 'Oh no. I get them done at Madsen's Dry Cleaning.' "

"Huh."

"Since then I've been going to Madsen's. They even have a drive up window."

So with my mother's vote included, it looks like Provo's Best Dry Cleaners goes to Madsen's Dry Cleaning.

1273 North Canyon Road

801-374-2946

A couple months ago an email popped up from a Provonian asking about where to take dry cleaning. I thought it was an interesting inquiry because I had recently been abused by the cleaners I was using.

I took in a cotton baby quilt and was charged $20. Then, I became pregnant was too sick to leave the premises of my home (don't laugh--it could happen to you--maybe), when I went to pick up my quilt a couple weeks later, I was told that they had nearly sold it to several desiring costumers (it is a very adorable quilt and it was hung up for all to see). I felt funny about that--could they have called me first? I'd take nothing less than one million dollars.

A week after that, I took in another cotton quilt--only bigger this time and they charged me $12. Is this getting confusing to you too?

So anyway, I didn't know how to answer to this inquiry.

Let's take it to the streets and fight it out.

What is Provo's best dry cleaning company?

80-100:

80. Attend a city council meeting (my mother's suggestion).
81. Visit Lady Danburry Tailoring and Design for custom women's clothing.
82. Skip over next door and check out Perfectly Suited by Garth for custom men's suits.
83. Go to a BYU football game.
84. Go to a BYU basketball game.
85. Go to any BYU sporting event.
86. Experiment with Mexican food at El Azteca.
87. Eat a sugar cookie from Provo Bakery.
88. Get your hair cut at Paul Mitchell Hair Academy, rest easy knowing that if they mess up you don't have to pay.
89. Discover the secret ghost town feel to Olmstead--the neighborhood at the mouth of Provo Canyon (North Canyon Hills Road).
90. Order the pot roast at Communal.
91. Golf at Riverside Country Club. (If you are not a member, you can always try East Bay or call my brother Jesse.)
92. Try a slice of bread for $1.00 at Great Harvest Bread co. Smear with butter and honey.
93. Dive right into the Freedom Festival activities--they are going on practically all year.
94. Save your money for Stadium of Fire tickets, just once in your life.
95. Stroll down Lover's Lane with your lover, or roommate.
96. Check out Lion's Park mid-century modern concrete pavillion--installment art in a cool park.
97. Take a friend fishing at Footprinters Park.
98. Get fuel at Will's Pit Stop.
99. Dine at Rooster with chopsticks.
100. Go to a Thrillionaires show.

Alright Provonians, what did I miss?

61-79:

61. Check out your family history at the The Center for Family History and Genealogy on BYU campus.
62. Try the gnocchi at Gloria's Little Italy. (Pink sauce!)
63. Hire Steven Waggoner to paint your portrait al fresco.
64. Try a late night drink at Spark. ("Alcohol free Provonians!")
65. Call Central Bank for "Provo's only official forecast" 801-373-912(whatever number you want).
66. For heaven's sake, eat a Tommy Burger. You aren't a true Provonian until you've had one.
67. Take your children-folk to any of the Programs for Kids at the Provo Library.
68. If during football season, go to a Timpview football game (STATE CHAMPS '09!)
69. If during basketball season, go to a Provo High basketball game (STATE CHAMPS '08!)
70. Try the sweet potato fries at Gurus.
71. Visit Allred's orchards for the state's best fresh produce. Apple cider that can't be beat.
72. Help yourself to a cinnamon roll at Shirley's bakery.
73. Volunteer at Provo's Food and Care Coalition.
74. Observe your experience while shopping at Reams on West Center street.
75. Go to the Provo Towne Centre for DownEast basics kiosk downstairs and a retail store upstairs. Pick up a couple basic t-shirts in solid colors and pair them with flirty dresses. (Or in other words, dress like me!)
76. Compare your shopping experience at Reams with your shopping experience at Allen's on 3rd South.
77. Ogle at the Riverbottom mansions.
78. Take a drive down Osmond Lane-Provo's most famous residencies.
79. Walk on a frozen Utah Lake in the dead of winter.

If you are in the mood to drive around at night looking for homes sparkling in the snow, I've started a list on my sidebar to help you to find Provo's best neighborhood light shows. I added two today (check it out ---->)

Wanna help me out? Send me more addresses of worthy homes.

Wanna hear something sad? No Candy Windows this year. I guess a funding shortage destroyed our fun.

Mark my word, they will be back next year. Even if I have to hunt down doners and make friends with the city council. Ugh.

(If this section of the list seems particularly food-heavy, it is because I wrote it while hungry.)

40. Go to the IFA Country Store and examine at all the random merchandise.
41. Try a pre-made deli sandwich at Day's Market. (I fully endorse the Tuscan Turkey sandwich).
42. Take a date to Asaka's All You Can Eat Sushi. Wave at the sushi chefs as you leave.
43. Discover Pioneer Village at Provo's North Park.
44. Order a white hot chocolate at Juice n' Java. Sprinkle with nutmeg for good measure.
45. Try a slice of genuine Boston-style pizza made special for you at Nicotalia Pizzeria.
46. Hike up Slate Canyon.
47. Start your mornings (or really late nights) with breakfast burritos from Rancheritos (formerly Betos).
48. Enjoy the view of the mountain range from Sunset View Park.
49. Or, enjoy the view of the valley from the base of the Y trail.
50. Eat a Dunford Chocolate-on-Chocolate Donut at participating gas stations (any 7-Eleven will have them) found in clear, plastic donut shelves.
51. Hook up with the Provo River Parkway trail on Geneva Road and follow it west to the end--Utah Lake. Bring your bike or rollerblades.
52. Hook up with the Provo River Parkway trail on Geneva Road and follow it east until you arrive at Columbia lane. Bring your scooter or rollerskates.
53. Explore the entire Provo River Parkway trail. Why not?
54. Pay pennies for a dreamy towering soft serve ice cream cone at Macey's grocery store.
55. Try to find the elusive Uncle Bud's park.
56. Take a day trip to Sundance Resort. No matter the season, something is always going on.
57. Eat the egg rolls at Rice King. Feel like royalty.
58. Spend a night at the Hines Mansion Bed & Breakfast.
59. Visit Provo's Farmers Market from May-October.
60. Try the swings at Westridge Park-I swear they are more swing-ier than others.

21-39:

21. Walk around the Provo Temple grounds.
22. Eat breakfast at Magelby's, drown your plate in their syrup.
23. Walk the boardwalk at Bicenntenial park and learn about the wetlands.
24. See a performance at the Provo Tabernacle.
25. Or eat lunch on the Provo Tabernacle lawn while people-watching downtown.
26. Jog a mile indoors at BYU's Smith Field House indoor track.
27. Buy fresh tortillas for dinner at Mercado Latino.
28. Check out Fort Utah, fun times for the kids.
29. Find a treasure at Soel Boutique in the Riverwoods.
30. Spend an afternoon at BYU's Museum of Art.
31. Catch a show at Velour.
32. Buy a bouquet of flowers at the Flower Basket.
33. Order a hot plate of fries at Stan's, repeat if you must.
34. Walk from Ron Last Park to Bridal Veil Park, pat yourself on the back.
35. Try a mango lasse at Bombay House.
36. Stroll around the Maeser neighborhood to look at the historic bungalows.
37. Have a shake pie at Sammy's.
38. Go to Startup's Candy co. and buy the world's first candy bar with a filling--the Opera Bar. Also buy a box of Magnolias.
39. Check out all the happy pets at Jay's Jungle downtown.

Thanks to our friend Gabby of Design Mom who invented the online blogger's auction, blogging auctions have become a productive way to raise money for those in need. Two auctions are currently underway to help families with local connections.



The Emily Jones Memorial auction is raising funds for Emily Jones the widow of John Jones who died in the Nutty Putty Caves last month (see here.) John leaves behind a daughter, and a baby on the way.

To participate in the auction, go here.



Rally for Rafe is benefiting a family in Highland, Utah. Rafe, the father of the family is battling cancer. There are hundreds of prizes to bid on including (ahem) a signed copy of my book. But shhhh this one is a surprise for the family.

To participate in this auction, go Rally for Rafe.

I believe in the power of the online community!

A lot of emails for this blog come from tourists to Provo. They want to know what to during their visit to our friendly town. Because of my people pleasing personality (three times fast) I have decided to dedicate this week to writing 100 things to do in Provo.

1-20:
1. Hike the Y
2. Buy a bag of chocolate covered cinnamon bears from the BYU Bookstore. Eat them.
3. Walk the Despain Trail on the shores of Utah Lake.
4. Eat fish and chips at Ripples, wash down with a limeade--the world's best limeade, to add.
5. Feed the ducks at BYU's botany pond.
6. Tour the Provo Library.
7. After touring the Provo Library walk across the street to the Cherry Lane Boutique and buy something for yourself/the woman in your life.
8. Eat a hotdog at J Dawgs.
9. Get Justin Hackworth to take your photo at some quaint place downtown.
10. Try a vaNIElla cupcake at the Sweet Tooth Fairy. I hope you like frosting.
11. Visit Bridal Veil Falls.
12. Buy something at Trendy Tots in the Riverwoods for the cutest baby you know.
13. Hike up Rock Canyon.
14. Go to a performance at the Covey Center for the Performing Arts.
15. Walk the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from Rock Canyon to Slate Canyon and back.
16. Ice skate a session at the Peaks Arena.
17. Visit the Bean Museum, of course.
18. Try any flavor of BYU ice cream at the Creamery on Ninth--allow me to recommend Cookies and Cream.
19. Drive to the airport road loop. Stop to see cranes, pelicans and geese. Also watch the planes fly over.
20. Roll down the hills with your body or slide on a sled (depending on the season) at Rock Canyon park. (Ice blocks work too--if you don't mind wet bum.)

No Provonian should be bored this weekend.
Here is why:


First off, I went with my compadre Wendy to the opening of the Beehive Bazaar last night at 10pm. The place was rocking. Everyone and their Enrichment (Relief Society) friends were there. Two hour wait in line to purchase goods. Dance music, free water. I ran into more of my extended family than I see in one year. It was wild.

My friend Stephanie Higginbotham--a BB founder-- tells me the best time to adventure to the bazaar is in the afternoons. So maybe sneak away in the later part of the day and avoid shopping elbow to elbow. (Plus, your husband owes you a Saturday all to yourself now that BYU football has ended the regular season. Can I get an amen?) (Not that my husband cares one lick of soap about BYU football, but I have empathy for my sister-in-laws.)




Secondly, Hour Provo gallery--a collection of portraits of Provonians by Steven Waggoner---is closing tonight and you might want to check it out before it is over. To learn more about Hour Provo go here. To see the portrait Steven did of my sister Stephanie, go here. I think the whole project is intriguing.


On the third account, the Thrillionaires, Provo's house comedy troupe is performing all Saturdays in December (except the last). They are funny. They will make you laugh. (You need a laugh during this holiday season.) They perform at the Covey Arts Center and you can read more/buy tickets here. For the record, my favorite Thrillionarie is Lisa Clark, but they are all pretty entertaining.


Four, our favorite place to buy Christmas trees in Provo is at our former neighbor's home The Baum's. They've been supplying Clark Christmas trees for decades. They are at 1650 North 1250 West and open all the time throughout the season. Pick up a mini Charlie Brown tree while you are at it!


Lastly, one of my very favorite holiday performances is coming up this weekend. It is the Utah Valley Christmas Chorus--a choir made up of women who sing traditional and modern Christmas carols. My aunt Janet Packard has been in the choir for many years and going to this concert at the Utah State Hospital Chapel has been a part of my holiday history. There is something about the ambiance mixed with the music that makes the whole experience--shall I say it?--magical. Or at least European.
But really, you should go if you get a chance.

Details:
When: Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m (for families and children under 8), and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.
Where: At the Utah State Hospital chapel, 1300 E. Center, Provo in the chapel just southwest of the main building.
Admission: Free!!

*Photo came from the daily herald article about the chorus, for more info see here.


So have fun this weekend, I will see you around!

THIS JUST IN:

I just got a message at Jess Smart Smiley:
I'll be selling coloring posters at Provo's Gallery Stroll tonight (Friday) for just $10! Watch for THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL on University Avenue from 6-9pm!

Your children will love one of these posters. I know, I asked them already.