I can't believe we are already at that point in the week where I write about weekend plans.

Did this week go fast for anybody else?

I am craving a relaxing date night.

You too?

Try this:

Start at Thai Ruby. It seems to be a local favorite for Thai food and the house special Gaeng Ped Gai Yang (red curry with roasted chicken) is a popular choice. I like the mussaman and for the wavy-cut potatoes. Thai Ruby is a cozy restaurant with warm colors and intimate eating quarters and it's just south of campus.

Eat slowly, enjoy picking out each spice simmering on your palette. (I should write this stuff for a living.)

After dinner drive down ninth east to the Paul Mitchell The School for a dual scalp massage. Whether you have hair to spare, or not-much up there, a pulsating pull on your head by a well-trained Paul Mitchell student will sooth your spirit. And they are only $7 each. I'd call ahead and make an appointment (801-374-5111), but walk-ins are welcomed, and they are open late.

After your halo is adjusted and you've eaten spices of the Orient, it's time to drive directly across the street to Stan's. Cool things down in the right direction by ordering from their vast shake menu in the convenience of the drive-thru.

Take those cold mugs home and relax in front of a movie. This time of the year always begs me for foreign films. A few we've adored lately include the cult favorite Delicatessen, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Paris Je T'aime (but I skip the short called Tulleries), and La Vie En Rose.

So there you have it. From Thailand to France. A date night to soothe your spirit without ever leaving ninth east.


(Thanks to Lucy for her input on this week's plans!)

By the looks of things, it appears Daletax is Provo's Best Tax Service. I did some perusing on their website and came away feeling impressed. Plus, it looks like the guys at Daletax were educated locally, which I like because it means they understand our language.

It appears Chup and I will have a new place to try this year.

Thanks voters!



The always affable Mr. Justin Hackworth stopped by my house Saturday morning to take some new headshots. You know Mr. Hackworth right? He is Provo's most esteemed wedding photographer (only, I like it when he calls himself a documentary photographer). His office is in the Knight building which means he is obligated to eat at Gandolfo's twice a week. And is the genius behind the 30 Strangers Project.

Justin was telling me about a cool thing he has going on for brides-to-be. The first ten brides who book their weddings with Justin in 2010 will get more than stunning wedding photographs. For the first year of marriage, Justin will take five photographs of pleasant newly-wedded moments--your first house, your trip to the park, (whatever newlyweds do--it has been so long) and print them in a fine art book for you to have FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE as part of your wedding package.

Want more info? Go here.

Tell your bride-y friends about it. Hurry only 6 out of 10 spots remain!

(perfectly romantic photo by Justin above)



A new blogger conference is coming to Utah.

I heard you wanted to go, so I blogged about it here and included a chance to win a free pass.

I am not kidding, it has your name written all over it.

(I am sure more posts about this will be coming forth . . .)



Last of all, thanks for whoever prayed for moisture.
Next, could you pray for me to find a million dollars in the basement floorboards?
Thanks.

This is Jes. With her man Rendy.

Last week Jes emailed me to tell me about the South Franklin Community Center. Which I was unaware of, as you might be.

Check this out, Jes writes:

In December I finished a year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA (the domestic version of the Peace Corps). I was assigned to work in community development in the South Franklin neighborhood - Provo's low income area south of 600 S. to the Provo Towne Center Mall.

With another we started the South Franklin Community Center as well as the South Franklin Soccer League. We started both with 0 dollars and through volunteers and donations were able to create two great programs for the neighborhood. The community center has a ton of free classes and activities (tutoring, health, Institute, holiday parties, playgroups and more), and the second season of soccer this past fall had over 150 kids playing on 12 sponsored teams.

I think it would be GREAT if more people in Provo knew about this grassroots project and got involved.

I was so intrigued about this project, I went to the South Franklin Community Center's blog and read more. The blog has photos and posts and is wonderfully up-to-date. I would say to anybody with a little time to donate should consider spending it on this project. Or you can help by buying something off the Center's wishlist by shopping here.

Thank you Jes!

This is a date for this Saturday (Jan. 23rd) and you won't be disappointed with me. I so pledge.



First, go try your hand (belly) at Provo's newest pizza, Slab. I intend to give the place a full-on write-up next week, but until then take my word for it, EAT THIS PIZZA. Just the other night Chup engulfed his cheese and pepperoni (Chup's a traditional guy) while I had delicious dialogue with my Thai Chicken (peanut butter on pizza sprinkled with cilantro, oh died, oh heaven!) And the next day, when I ate it cold? Even better. That is the mark of a good pie. Telling you what Provonians.

It takes about ten minutes to bake (tell Eric Courtney sent you) so give yourself time to sit at the communal-style tables, relax and flirt. Oh I love to flirt. Almost as much as peanut butter on pizza. Please note: the pies are really generous in size, so watch the gluttony.

Here is the address:
(where Dew used to be)
669 East 800 North Provo, UT 84606
(801) 377-3883
Here is the menu.
Here is the about.



After the grub go get yourself to the Covey for the Thrillionaire's Film Noir show. The Thrillionaires are Provo's elite comedy troupe. Singing, dancing, dramatizing 100% improv comedy. As I read on facebook, this show is a favorite among cast members, so if you want to experience the Thrillionaires this is the one for you. Plus, it is cold and inversion-y outside and sledding is dangerous on non-existent snow. SO STAY INSIDE FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR LUNGS!

(Who stopped praying for moisture by-the-way? Resume! Please.)

Show starts at 8.
Ticket information here.
Three dollars off if you buy online before Saturday!
Facebook page here.

After the show head up Center to Sammy's and get your date an accceptable nightcap (drink, is what I mean).



(Click to pic to enlarge!)

Cupshakes courtesy of The Sweet Tooth Fairy are what I am recommending. But have at it! It is your night!

Sammy's address:
27 N 100 W Provo, UT 84601
Blog here.

So much to talk about today on c jane's
Guide to Provo . . .


Everyone's favorite Provonian--Katy Knight-- daylights as the educational specialist at the Bean Museum. Recently she sent me an email detailing all the fine extra-curricular educational opportunities at the Bean. Did you know every Wednesday at 11:00am there is a Discovery Reading activity for the kids with a professional story-teller, and maybe . . . even . . . a live animal? Sounds wild.

(Speaking of wild, Chup and I are thinking of exploring the Date Night event. I am not sure what the couple is doing with the lion in that photo--above, left, but it sure beats dinner and a movie . . .)


Visit the Bean Museum for more info.




Tonight for our Family Home Evening activity Chup, The Chief and I all picked out a pair of shoes to donate to Modern Shoe's campaign for Soles4Souls. Donated shoes will go to Haiti to help those who are in need.

Although boots are preferred, Modern Shoe will accept any shoe of any size. We didn't have boots to donate but we did have some kickers we don't wear. Although, why I don't wear my pink and brown Kangaroos is beyond me, they are completely rad.

When we went to drop off our donation I was stunned to see a massive mountain of donated shoes in the storefront. Mostly boots. I felt a little bad we didn't donate boots, but style points to us for giving away the cute shoes right? All the Haitians I've ever known appreciate a good style in a fun color and even a terrible earthquake can't take that away from a culture.

If you'd like to donate or find out more, read this Daily Herald article.





Provo's own Amanda Barker had the idea of the century: Halftees.

The ladies feel me when I talk about the bunching up that happens when too many undershirts collide with an outershirt. Halftees give you the comfort (and modesty, really) of an undershirt without all the extra fabric yardage.

My sister-in-law invited Amanda over to her house to show us the beauty and design of Halftees. I bought two on the spot, as did my sister Lucy. I wore mine today for the first time. I will tell you this much, while at a check up with my midwife I didn't have to raise nine shirts for her to gain access to my belly. It was heaven.

See? Like this (but not a lot like this on me):


In conclusion, fellow Provonians, I fully endorse these babies. And here is the good news, you can buy them online here, or at the University Mall at a kiosk called "All That You Need" near the food court.

With every purchase you are helping a Provo neighbor pursue a dream.

I also blogged about them on my product blog--dear c jane--you can see that post here.

Ok, I am out.

But, don't forget to vote for Provo's best tax institution on Episode Three of Fight It Out.

To the nail and tooth, Provo, tooth and nail.

Maybe you've noticed from news sources that Karl Tucker--one of Provo/Orem's finest men and golfer--passed away. I wanted to write a post about Karl and how much he meant to my family, but really my brother Andrew should write it. Or my brother Jesse. Or my Dad. Or even my sister Stephanie. They knew Karl much more intimately than I did.

So I will say this:

My family used to ride Arabian horses with a group of Provo riders. We would ride all over the state and camp at nights. We'd take day trips to mountain passes or deserts. We'd have cook outs and parties and horse-themed socials. There was singing and dancing and doesn't this just sound perfectly Western? It was.

Karl was somewhat the ring-leader of the group. He'd always have a grandchild along to accompany him. He was funny and loud, but sweet and tender. One time I fell off my horse in a muddy spot and Karl was off his horse pronto to pick me back up. He had contagious enthusiasm. We all loved him.

My sister Lucy today reminded me of how Karl would always give us a gentleman's kiss us on the cheek when we'd see him around Provo. To use a horseman's term, men like Karl are a dying breed.

I liked this quote from Lee Benson's article,

"When you think of Karl," said LaVell Edwards. "The first thing that comes to you is a grin."

Well said Coach. I am grinning right now.




Want to read more about Karl Tucker?
I liked this tribute from golfweek.com.
UPP has also gathered statewide articles written in the wake of his passing you can see them here.
UPP is making our lives so much easier . . .

Here is a weekend date idea for you and person you love. I mean, I hope you love them a lot because this date night is on the pricey side. Worth it though.

There might not be a more romantic way of celebrating this winter than taking advantage of Sundance's Night Skiing--new this year. You and your bunny on the slopes. Out in the winter air. Underneath the stars. Breaking for a cup of hot chocolate in the warm lodge. Do you follow me?

Consider getting an early start on the hill at 4:30pm on Friday or Saturday. Ski the evening away until 9:00pm and then hit the Grill Room for some relaxing dinning by the fire.

Chup says don't miss the tortilla soup. I say try the meatloaf and get back to me.

Either way, enjoy the evening. How couldn't you?

Night Skiing info here.
Grill Room info here.

Gary Nuila--the mastermind behind UPP--interviewed me last week about this Provo blog. I thought I'd pass it on, just in case you like slideshows with lipsy commentary.

Click here!

This morning my cousin Katie D came over to deliver some colored glass stars I ordered. By-the-way, if you love colored glass stars (first crafted by Provonian artist Kurt Knudsen) Katie makes them out of her home. And howdy, they are most lovely in the morning sun.

It was early, and even though it was a red-alert smoggy day, Kate looked like she was dressed for sunshine.

I said to Katie,

"What are you doing today Kate?"

And she replied,

"Taking the kids to the field house with Jayne."

Ahh yes. The field house.

If you were going to ask me about my favorite building in Provo I would answer the Smith Field House on BYU campus. It is old, but it was built with foresight and genius. Big enough to host a small planet and its ability to hold multi-functions under one roof is incredible. A wondrous place to bounce echos off the walls, jump and roll on the pole vaulting mats and most importantly, take energetic children to dissolve all wintery-pent up steam. There is enough room to run to eternity. I don't know a child alive who doesn't love that place.

But not only for these reasons to I love the SFH. The place has a soul, an exciting energy runs through the open corridors, around the track and spreads about in the multi-use arena. You can smell it in the air, a sweaty, musty smell of decades past. It has captured all the thrills of sports and mixed it with the determination of athletes as they go about their business training for the next meet.

If you are tired of the cold, smog-filled, heartless days of January, try taking your spirit (and children, if you have them) to the SFH and let it fill you up with energy (while it conquers the adrenaline of your children). It is free, open to the public, and is iron-made so that there is nothing destructible standing--even for your clever two-year-old.

Then, when you've had enough, go home and take a long winter's nap.


More info here.
Photo from here.

Last week my mom and I were notified that my sister Stephanie was listed as one of Utah Valley's most beautiful people in the Utah Valley Magazine's Best of the Valley issue. Hooray!

But then we got to reading some of the other categories/winners and were somewhat disappointed. I mean, Best Cheap Eats went to Wendy's. Wendy's? Wendy's. Best One Stop Shop was Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart.

What am I not getting here?

We are better than this Utah Valley.

This shows the critical need we have of more than one source for illumination.

Thanks to a new website called the Utah People's Post information around our cities, valleys and state will be brought to a exciting new level. Basically the UPP will be using professional journalism, citizen journalism, local organizations to spread quality news throughout our state.

Quality news.

From Reflections Winners at your local elementary school to the Gubernatorial Race 2010. It will all be there, online, accurate and ready for you to read . . . or write yourself.

The UPP officially launches tomorrow (Monday, January 11, 2010). Check it out by clicking on the button below, or read about the ideas behind this new project here.



I am really excited about this, and I hope you will be too.

Pass it on!

Seriously, pass it on!

Your friends and neighbors need to know.

(I am not getting paid to share this information, I am just really excited!)


P.S. Best Cheap Eats in your opinion?
We'd take tacos at Diegos.

A Thanksgiving Annual Pass is going to Steph:

Steph said...

We almost bought a family pass to T.P. for Christmas. Winning one would be AWESOME.

We love farm country and my boys are obsessed with all things dinosaur, so they'd be crazy about the dinosaur museum. They even know what fossilized Dino Poop is called: coprolites. Did you know that? Me neither. If we one, you'd make some cute boys (and their mom) very happy.

Love the blog, by the way.

Congrats Steph for the win. And thanks for educating me about coprolites. Gross, though.
(Will you email me with your address? cjanemail @ gmail.com)


Thanks everyone for entering.
And thanks Thanksgiving Point!
(And Lehi. I guess.)

Are you like me? Do you remember when Lehi was just home of Lehi Roller Mills and the place where they filmed Footloose? A plot of town you watch pass on your way to Salt Lake?

And now suddenly all your friends live in Lehi, reside in newish houses, and drive white SUVs? Plus they all have children and buy annual passes to Thanksgiving Point and are consta-blogging about the Tulip Festival (accompanied by enviable photos of cuteness) or their FHE to the Holiday Lights?

You know what I am talking about, yes?

Provonians, we can't have this.

We can't have Utah County--especially Lehi!--thinking we are behind the times. I've got a plan to make sure Provo stays on top, follow these directions:

1.) Buy a white SUV.
2.) Tear down your old 70's style split level and build something with gables and iron gated balconies.
3.) Enter my drawing to win an annual pass to Thanksgiving Point.

Here is how:

- Leave a comment on this post about how you would use your Thanksgiving Point membership

- Link to this post on your blog and be entered twice (leave a second comment telling us you blogged about it).

- A winner will be chosen at random on January 8th midnight time.

I should mention, this pass has a $175 value and provides year-round access to all venues – from the always popular Dinosaur Museum to the award-winning gardens. Members receive discounts at shops and restaurants property-wide, first notice about special events, discounts for their guests and even $5 movies on the XanGo movie screen. Members also receive special advanced and on-site promotions for events throughout the year.

Also, this giveaway is open to everybody.

Even Lehi.

Good luck!

Dear Provonians,

It looks like we have a new decade on our hands. Not only that, but also a new mayor, a new city council and a new Danny Ainge, now is not the time to hide in the shadows of winter-bred inversion. We are just getting hot.

But before all of that, there is this:

Being somewhat of a New Year's Eve Grinch, when the year flipped over I was in bed listening to the glorious fireworks coming from First Night, Provo City-sponsored New Year's Eve party. I could've moved a couple inches and actually looked at the display out my window, but it would've ruined my reputation for not giving much up for a holiday I've never really enjoyed.

Were you at First Night? Did you witness the fireworks? Give a stranger a kiss at midnight? Ride the Ferris wheel? Was there a Ferris wheel? There better have been a Ferris wheel, surely that is where the candy window funds were used?

Anyway.

I also heard much pots-and-pans banging, town crying and watered-down carousing out my bedroom window from students all hopped up on Martinelli's. (I am safely living moments away from the nation's most sober university). For the record, I did celebrate with family at 10:30pm. And yes, there was a bottle of Martinelli's involved as well. Burp.

But back to the new year.

It is also a new year for c jane's Guide to Provo. I love this blog, I love writing it, I love researching it, I love the tips, I love networking, I love meeting my neighbors. I have a great desire to make this guide more helpful, more exciting (more exciting than being on Studio 5 you ask? Yes, I answer) and more entertaining. I've got lots of ideas, but I'd like to hear from you.

It hopes that you'll post some New Year-inspired suggestions or general feedback about this blog, I am opening the comments to include those non-bloggers who read (not just registered users). Please give me a piece of your mind, unless it is the piece that is all gooey and gray and falls apart in formaldehyde. You can keep that chunk.

Love,
c jane


p.s. I will be back on Wednesday with a Thanksgiving Point Giveaway and a new edition of Somebody Actually Lives Here. See if you can sleep tonight knowing all that.

p.p.s. Are you new here? Please introduce yourself!