Category Archives: Things To Do

National Service Recognition Day, April 4

National Service Recognition Day in Washington County

PROCLAMATION NO. 2017-4
APRIL 4, 2017

WHEREAS, service to others is a hallmark of the American character, and central to how we meet our challenges; and

WHEREAS, the nation’s counties are increasingly turning to service organized by AmeriCorps and Senior Corps (“national service”) and volunteerism as a cost-effective strategy to meet county needs; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants address the most pressing challenges facing our communities, from educating students for the jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to providing health services and helping communities recover from natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, national service expands economic opportunity by creating more sustainable, resilient communities and providing education, career skills, and leadership abilities for those who serve; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants serve in more than 50,000 locations across the country, bolstering the civic, neighborhood, and faith-based organizations that are so vital to our economic and social well-being; and

WHEREAS, national service participants increase the impact of the organizations they serve, both through their direct service and by managing millions of additional volunteers; and

WHEREAS, national service represents a unique public-private partnership that invests in community solutions and leverages non-federal resources to strengthen community impact and increase the return on taxpayer dollars; and

WHEREAS, national service participants demonstrate commitment, dedication, and patriotism by making an intensive commitment to service, a commitment that remains with them in their future endeavors; and

WHEREAS, the Corporation for National and Community Service shares a priority with county officials nationwide to engage citizens, improve lives, and strengthen communities; and is joining with the National Association of Counties and county officials across the country for the County Recognition Day for National Service on April 4, 2017.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH, do hereby proclaim April 4, 2017, as National Service Recognition Day, and encourage residents to recognize the positive impact of national service in our county; to thank those who serve; and to find ways to give back to their communities.

Give Your Land a Hand

Washington County Commission set to launch campaign aimed at keeping public lands clean

St. George, Utah (Nov. 3, 2016)Washington County Commissioners are unveiling a new campaign that encourages Washington County residents and visitors to help keep public lands clean. The campaign inspires and invites individuals and groups to “Give Your Land a Hand” and help keep Washington County Clean.

The initiative, will utilize Video Animation, Social Media, Radio and TV spots, along with Signage and Community Clean-up Activities to inspire action and educate people on how they can help.

The website www.giveyourlandahand.com provides campaign details including a 30-second jingle by locally renowned vocal artist Lyndy Butler. Visit the site for information on how to get involved as well as “how to” tips for disposing different types of waste in partnership with the Washington County Solid Waste district.

“Outdoor recreation is important to our local economy and it is one of the things that makes living in Washington County so great. It is vital that we all take proper care of our lands,” said Commissioner Victor Iverson. “Our aim is for this campaign to be an ongoing effort reminding multiple generations of Washington County residents of the importance of maintaining clean and attractive public lands and to help stop illegal dumping. We believe this is going to be a wonderful tool in engaging folks in this very important subject matter.”

Public lands have always been a part Washington County’s heritage and lifestyle in particular. Washington County offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational possibilities on public lands, including hunting, fishing and camping.

“Our county has so much to offer, from unlimited recreational opportunities to the quietness of a peaceful desert,” said Commissioner Alan Gardner. “We need your help to keep our public lands free from trash and debris. You can help today – and it is easy. Simply pick up the trash you see — don’t depend on others to clean up.”

Special clean-up days will soon be announced, giving local groups an opportunity to put together a cleaning crew and help in the effort.

The Give Your Land a Hand campaign is a combined effort of the County Commission along with several partners including Washington County Solid Waste.

For More Information:

www.washco.utah.gov
www.giveyourlandahand.com

Volunteer Opportunity at the Red Cliffs and Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Areas (NCA)

Time:

  • 9 AM, November 5th at Beaver Dam Wash NCA
  • 9 AM, November 19th at Red Cliffs NCA

Location:

  • On Nov 5th we will gather off of State Road 91, in the Beaver Dam Wash NCA. Maps and directions will be provided to registered volunteers.
  • On Nov 19th we will meet a few miles north of St. George, in the Red Cliffs NCA. Maps and directions will be provided to registered volunteers.

Bring:

Digging shovel (if you have one), work gloves, sun block, and water bottle. Snacks and water will be provided.

Wear:

Field clothes, sun hat, sun glasses and closed toe shoes (boots or sturdy sneakers)

Description:

We will revegetate two 100-acre plots of burned desert tortoise habitat within two National Conservation Areas (Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs). Our goal is to plant 5,000 native plants at each site. Volunteers are expected to attend a brief orientation and training in the morning (9 AM on each volunteer day) and then help plant the containerized native plants.

Each of these revegetated plots will create fertile islands which will act as seed banks from which native plants can disperse to adjacent burned areas. These plots are located in critical habitat for desert tortoises, a federally protected species. Our efforts will help to restore habitat by providing food and shade to desert tortoises.

RSVP:

If you are interested in participating in one or both of the volunteer days, please contact Andrea Nelson (The Nature Conservancy) at anelson@tnc.org. We will provide maps and directions only to registered volunteers. Due to parking, space is limited. Register now!

Thunder Junction Train Park

Thunder Junction All Abilities Park and Train is NOW OPEN

Last week, on Saturday, October 8th, the City of St. George officially opened with a ceremony the Thunder Junction All Abilities Park. Take the family and enjoy the new park:

Tonaquint Nature Center
1851 S. Dixie Drive
St. George, UT 84770
(Google Maps)

The park carries a dinosaur theme with some great features, like complete wheelchair accessibility, an “erupting” volcano, splashpad, and a “roaring” 1/4-scale train on a 2,700-foot track.

Train rides cost $1 per person.

Source: St. George News

St. George Marathon

Come watch the St. George Marathon

stgeorgemarathon.com
Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2016
Start Time: Wheelchairs and HandCranks – 6:40 AM, Runners – 6:45 AM
Start Location: Pine Valley, Utah

Rated by Runner’s World as one of the four “Marathons to Build a Vacation Around” in the World. Included in Runner`s World 10 Most Scenic and Fastest Marathons and Top 20 Marathons in the USA. It begins in the majestic Pine Valley mountains and descends nearly 2600 feet through scenic southwest Utah, to the beautiful Worthen Park. The St. George Marathon is a point-to-point race which is USA Track & Field Certified & Sanctioned. Runner`s World listed the St. George Marathon as the fastest fall marathon. A fun race indeed–and scenic.

Washington County Fair

County Fair on August 10 – 13

2016 Washington County Fair
“More Fun than a Barrel Of Monkeys!” (Year of the Monkey)
Wednesday, August 10th to Saturday, August 13th

Visit our official website for details: washcofair.net

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Quit “monkeying around” and get your items ready to enter into the fair exhibits. That means your photography, crafts, paintings, quilts, ceramics, wood carving, sewing, baking, poetry, leather… EVERYTHING! We have such a talented county and this is the place to show it off! Enter 8-8 from 8 to 8! Catchy, huh!

WILD ABOUT MONKEY SHOW: You have homework before you see this monkey show; watch Evan Almighty. The same monkeys that are in that
movie will be entertaining us at the fair! Fun, education and great entertainment and I bet they can make you laugh!

AERIAL ASSAULT EXTREME TRAMPOLINE SHOW: Ever watched someone jump on an Olympic sized trampoline on a bike? On skis? Change clothes in
mid air? Better be there!

WILD ABOUT GORILLAS: SHHHHHH! Don’t wake up Samson! He has an attitude… but a GOOD one if you catch him just right! The most realistic Silverback you will ever get to know! He has a girl friend too. Delilah!

JAMES CRISTY COLE FAMILY CIRCUS: A three ring trained animal circus featuring “Two Kooks and a Camel”, Dog and Pony show, Alaskan Malamutes, Aerial Show with lots of comedy and fun!

TANK THE TORTOISE PICKS THE PRESIDENT: Guess what??? It’s an election year! (snicker) Did you know that tortoises have a very special
psychic power with politics? Will Tank sleep in the Democrat Den or the Republic Den? Or will he remain neutral and sleep in the rocks? We have
officials that will tally up the results! Go visit his den!

MONKEY MUGS FOR SALE: $6 bucks will get you a collector 2016 Monkey Mug at the fair from Soda Pop Stop Trailer or the Fair Kitchen… that includes of course a drink. From then on, ALL refills are $1… Yes, $1! (34 ounces)

A BUNCH OF CONTESTS: Every day, all day come play! Great Prizes and Gift Certificates! Funky Monkey Bingo, Who Flung the Monkey Dung, Monkey Around, Banana Blitz, Cheeky Monkey Mini Golf, Monkey Mystery Crate and MORE! See? It’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

SPOTLIGHT CITY: IVINS
GRAND MARSHALL: George Elwell
PIONEER AWARD: Emma Fife
FAIR ROYALTY: Queen, Savannah Langston; 1st Attendant, Kelby Morrison; 2nd Attendant, Sara Ludlow

And all the traditional fair favorites:

Visit our official website for details: washcofair.net

Can’t wait to see all you monkeys at the Washington County Fair!

Zion National Park

Vote Your Park

Vote for your park here!

Your votes will help unlock $2 million in preservation funding. Vote daily until July 5 for the five parks you want to see receive a share of $2 million in American Express funding for a preservation project.

Zion National Park encompasses some of the most moving canyon views in the United States with sandstone cliffs and blue sky as far as the eye can see. The remarkable 1.1 mile Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel connects Zion to touring destinations such as Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon, allowing visitors a scenic drive. A $191,000 grant will support needed preservation work on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel and Highway.

#VoteYourPark

Slide The City

SlideTheCity.com
Don’t forget to register for Slide the City taking place on June 4th! Late registration ends tomorrow! The proceeds of this awesome event will go to the Washington County Children’s Justice Center.