May 15, 2012

Safely View the Solar Eclipse

Sunday May 20th, thousands of people will be gathering in Southern Utah to view the spectacular sight of a solar eclipse.  The eclipse will begin at 6:22 PM and finish at 8:37 PM.  The annular will be visible from 7:31-7:36.

We want to make sure that all of our guests have a fun and safe experience, so we thought we’d share a few safety tips and options for viewing.

1.  Eclipse glasses are an inexpensive and safe way to view an eclipse.  Make sure the glasses have “CE” printed on them, showing that they are safety certified.  Visitors can order them online at www.rainbowsymphonystore.com/gensolecshad.html or pick them up at the Iron County Visitor’s Center for FREE (first come, first served.)  Inspect your glasses for any damage before looking directly at the sun.

2.  If you are using a telescope filter, DO NOT use one that fits over the eye piece.  This can seriously damage your eyes.  Instead, be sure to use a filter that fits over the FRONT END of the telescope.  Devices such as binoculars and telescopes concentrate energy from the sun in a similar way to magnifying glasses.  (Picture the little pyromaniac child that tortures ants and burns leaves.)  So if you don’t want your eyes to suffer the same fate as those ants, make sure you are using a proper telescope filter.

3.  A number 14 welders glass can be used.  However, you should not layer glasses of smaller numbers that add up to 14.  A stack of two 7 glasses to does not provide the same protection as a 14 glass!

4.  The classic pinhole projection is a guaranteed safe way to view the eclipse.  Instructions for making one can be found at http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how.html.

No matter how you decide to view this amazing phenomenon, make sure you protect your eyes first and foremost…..

….And be sure you book your room with us soon.  We are already sold out for Saturday the 19th but still have a handful of rooms for Sunday the 20th.

Filed under: Area Events and Info,Main — admin @ 9:55 pm

May 11, 2012

Happy Mother’s Day!

From all of us here at the Abbey Inn, Happy Mother’s Day to all of our moms!  We love you and our grateful for your goodness.

Filed under: Main — admin @ 5:58 pm

May 10, 2012

What is a hoodoo?

When visitors come to Bryce Canyon or Cedar Breaks National Monument, they come to see the curious geological features called hoodoos. Also called goblins, tent rocks, fairy chimneys, and demoiselles coiffees (ladies with hairdos), these unique formations capture the fascination and imagination of people worldwide.  According to Paiute mythology, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are Legend People who the trickster coyote turned to stone.  They were called “Anka-ku-was-awits” which means “red painted faces.”

Bryce Canyon has one of the world’s highest concentrations of hoodoos which can range from 5-150 feet.  Some of the most famous examples are: Thor’s Hammer, Queen Victoria, and The Hunter.

These magnificent structures are composed of soft sedimentary rock that was topped with harder, less easily eroded stone that protects the column from the elements.  The brown, pink, and red colors are from the mineral hematite (iron oxide), the yellow from limonite, and purple from pyrolusite.  These colors are even more vibrant after a rain storm, and provide a stark contrast to the gleaming white snow during the winter.  The delicate features are the result of erosion cause by wind, water, and ice.  The erosion rate is 2-4 feet/100 years.

In order to protect these amazing structures for as long as possible, visitors are expected to keep to the designated hiking trails.

Be sure to include Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks National Monument in your next Southern Utah adventure.

Filed under: National and State Parks — admin @ 7:26 pm

April 25, 2012

SUU Graduation Schedule

Today was the last day of the SUU 2012 spring semester, and everyone is gearing up for the SUU graduation.  The Abbey Inn is sold out on May 4th, but we still have some availability for Saturday, May 5th, so book your room soon.  Here is the schedule for graduation to help you plan your weekend.

Schedule

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Graduation Fair
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the SUU Alumni House (300 West University Blvd.)

Friday, May 4, 2012

Graduation Fair
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the SUU Alumni House (300 West University Blvd.)

University Commencement
11:00 a.m. Processional Line-up

  • For all graduates, faculty & staff
  • Caps & gowns required
  • Upper Quad

Noon Main Ceremony

  • For all graduates, guests, faculty & staff
  • Centrum Arena
  • General admission seating

1:30 p.m. Graduation Celebration

  • For all SUU graduates, guests, faculty & staff
  • Multipurpose Quad

Individual College Ceremonies

  • 3:30 p.m. College of Science & Engineering, Centrum Arena
  • 5:30 p.m. School of Business, Centrum Arena

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Individual College Ceremonies

  • 9:00 a.m. College of HSS, Centrum Arena
  • 9:00 a.m. College of PVA, Randall L. Jones Theatre
  • 11:00 a.m. College of Education, Centrum Arena
Filed under: Southern Utah University — admin @ 11:59 pm

April 21, 2012

Photo Contest in Southern Utah

Contest — Hidden Gems of Southern Utah

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Hidden Gems of Southern Utah

Photo Contest.

Sponsored by Cedar City/Brian Head Tourism Bureau

& Alive! Utah

It’s obvious, we love Southern Utah here at Alive! Utah. We especially love its sweeping vistas, hidden waterfalls, rugged trails, sunsets, mountain glades and breathtaking views. So we are ready to reward some adventurous photographers in our First Annual Hidden Gems Photo contest. Photo contest opens on April 7th, 2012 and closes on June 7th 2012.

The Theme:

 

We are looking for scenery photos in this contest. Whether they are sweeping vistas or close-up macro photography they should reflect our theme — Hidden Gems of Southern Utah. We want to see your view on Southern Utah and we are looking to see the hidden nooks and crannies of a slot canyon or the way the shadow dances across the plateaus and cliffs found in our valleys and mountains. We have some of the most varied and vast topography and scenery in the world – well we think so anyway. Show it to us.

A few hints; Pay attention these are important.

Think outside the Zion Narrows.

OK we love the Narrows and we want to see those amazing photos too. But make sure you don’t show us the same stuff we have already seen in a thousand other photos. Reveal Southern Utah.

At least one of our top prizes will be of Iron County. The sponsor’s choice photo prize is for an Iron County photo.

We only accept photos digitally. So please don’t send us the hard copy. We are an online magazine and that is how we roll. See our official submission rules.

THE PRIZES:

Photo Prizes and Judging

Entries will be judged by a panel of 5 judges including the editor of Alive! Utah, the sponsor Cedar City/Brian Head Tourism Bureau, Alive! Utah contributing photographers, Abbey Kyhl and Karynn Jorgensen and Alive! Utah graphic and style designer, Justin Jenkins.

12 Finalists will be chosen by judges from entries and will be posted on Alive! Utah. The Grand Prize will be chosen by our judging panel, People’s choice will be chosen by readers’ votes and the sponsor’s choice will be chosen by Cedar City/Brian Head Tourism Bureau.

The Top 12 Finalists will be posted anonymously on Alive! Utah between June 15th and June 30th for the chance to win the people’s choice award through reader’s votes.

Grand Prize: $100 prize and publication in Alive! Utah as well as the opportunity to sell their artwork on Alive! Utah.

People’s Choice: $50 cash prize and publication in Alive! Utah as well as the opportunity to sell their artwork on Alive! Utah. This prize will be awarded based on reader voting.

Sponsor’s Choice: $25 cash prize and publication in Alive! Utah as well as the opportunity to sell their artwork on Alive! Utah. This prize goes to a photo taken in Iron County.

Honorable mentions: Publication in Alive! as well as the opportunity to sell their artwork on Alive! Utah.

Final winners will be announced in our July Issue of Alive! Utah.

HOW TO ENTER:

Please read our official rules by clicking here. We don’t want to disqualify you because you didn’t follow the rules.

Get SNAPPING!

Filed under: Area Events and Info — admin @ 9:22 pm

April 12, 2012

Brian Head Spring and Summer Activities

 

Brian Head Resort is not just for skiing!  In fact, you may find that spring, summer, or fall is your favorite time to visit.  Boasting of gorgeous wildflowers, plentiful wildlife, fiery autumn foliage, and year-round cool temperatures, Brian Head provides a lovely reprieve from the desert heat.  Be sure to include Brian Head in your summer Southern Utah adventures.

Over the next few months, we will be sharing some activities to enjoy at Brian Head.  Today we’ll discuss hiking, but be sure to check back with us for other activities.

Brian Head is a popular destination for hikers in the summer due to its year-round cool temperatures.  When the desert temps are hitting +100 degrees, the resort is hovering around a comfortable 70 degrees Farenheit.  Brian Head offers a variety of trails ranging from easy to difficult.  If you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon stroll, you can ride the chair lift up the mountain a short distance and walk back down.  If you’re looking for a challenge, one trail will take you up the mountain where you peak at about 11,000 ft in elevation.

Listed below are some popular trails, their difficulty levels, and a short description of what you’ll encounter.  Enjoy!

All New Color Country – Beginner to Intermediate   

This top to Bottom Trail offers a gradual winding descent through a variety of scenic delights; lush meadows, bubbling springs, dense forest, and the famous Southern Utah Red Rock Vistas.  enjoy the Color Country trail by itself, or use it to mis and match other trail segments all day long. 

6 Trial Loop – Beginner to Intermediate 

Another one of Brian Head’s undiscovered gems; the 6 trail loop is a combination of trails looping the upper elevations of Brian Head Peak.  Offering some of the most diverse and spectacular views in a short 4.6 mile loop, the six trails together are; Color Country , Peak Access Trail, Sidney Peak Trial, Dark Hollow, Mace’s, and Timberline.  X-Country riders and hikers alike agree that this is a must do! 

Brian Head Peak Access Trail – Intermediate   

This short ascent around Brian Head Peak is used to gain access to the Sidney Peaks Trail Head and many more mountain bike trail options.  This under utilized trail across the exposed south side of Brian Head Peak offers some of the most stunning flowery meadow views. 

Lightning Point – Intermediate  

This trail splits off early from the Coor Country Trail.  After crossing UT Hwy 143 you will enjoy open meadows, before ascending through the forest overlooking Ashdown Gorge and Cedar Breaks National Monument behind Lightning Point Mountain.  Drop into the Upper Bear Flat Campground and to coast down UT Hwy 143, a short distance back to the Brian Head REsort Mountain Bike Park.

Even though the temperatures are not extreme, be sure to drink enough water and wear sun protection.  Most areas have good cell phone coverage, so you can call 435-677-2035 for help in case of an emergency.  Be safe and have fun!

Filed under: Brian Head Resort — admin @ 7:12 pm

April 7, 2012

Easter at Brian Head?

Yes, Brian Head is offering a great way to celebrate Easter this year.  They still have fantastic conditions for skiing, and you can still get a discount for your room at the Abbey Inn by showing your lift pass.

Also, warm and sunny St. George is just a short drive from Cedar City.  You can ski and golf in the same day!

Filed under: Main — admin @ 5:07 pm

April 3, 2012

Little Women: The Broadway Musical

Trent Dahlin as Laurie and Tatem Credille as Jo March

WHAT:             Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel will be brought to life on stage in Little Women: The Broadway Musical. Self-discovery, family bonds, and love are themes that the famous March sisters explore in this song-filled production.

WHO:               Southern Utah University, College of Performing and Visual Arts,

                        Department of Theatre Arts and Dance

WHEN:             Thu-Sat, April 12-14 and April 19-21, special Family Night performance: Mon. April 16 

 

TIME:               7:30pm

WHERE:           Auditorium Theatre, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT

TICKETS:         (435) 586-7872, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm or visit: www.suu.edu/arts

PRICES:           General Adult Admission: $10; SUU Faculty & Staff: $8; Student & Youth: $5;

SUU Students: Free with valid I.D.

SUU’S DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS AND DANCE
PRESENTS LITTLE WOMEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
 Little Women remains a major novel in American fiction and its popularity still endures. The story has been translated into over one hundred languages, adapted for the cinema four times, for television twice, and for the stage five times — making the March clan one of the most famous literary families. Little Women: The Broadway Musical, with a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Jason Howland, centers on the journey of high-spirited Jo March and her determination to establish herself as a writer. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the March family’s trials remain timeless and enduring. This heart-warming coming-of-age tale is an ideal musical for the entire family – especially mothers and daughters. To quote the Deseret Morning News, “A fine script by Allan Knee and an effervescent score by composer Jason Howland and lyricist Mindi Dickstein, this one soars!”   

Filed under: Main — admin @ 10:15 pm

March 28, 2012

Brian Head Spring Carnival

Ski at Brian Head and bring your kids for the Brian Head Spring Carnival! 

The carnival will be held 11:00am to 3:00pm at Giant Steps and Navajo Lodge (Brian Head). Events at Giant Steps include: 11:00am Tennis Ball Roll, 12:00pm Round The Mountain Race, 12:30pm Dummy Jump, and 2:00pm Pond Skimming (registration is at the Chair 9 Deli, Giant Steps Lodge Third Floor. Kids Events at Navajo Lodge from 11:00am to 3:00pm and include Basketball Free Throw, Long Jump, and Tennis Ball Roll (no registration necessary, kids can participate anytime). For information call 866-930-1010 or visit www.brianhead.com.

Filed under: Brian Head Resort,Main — admin @ 9:09 pm

March 22, 2012

Furniture Sale

 We are getting some new furniture and are selling the following items:

  1. 3 drawer chests
  2. desks
  3. night stands
  4.  round tables
  5. king and queen sized wall-mounted headboards
  6. mirrors
  7. benches

(You can view most of these items by looking at our single king and double queen room pictures.)

These items are in good condition and are for sell at hugely discounted prices.  Call us at 435-586-9966 with any inquiries or stop by in person.  Cash payments only, no credit cards or personal checks will be accepted.

Filed under: Abbey Inn Hotel,Main — admin @ 3:35 pm