Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com
Lots happening in this fun spring weather. Rain, sun, snow —— April showers bring May flowers. Let’s hope so. We’ve got a wildflower blooming page on the blog now and hope to keep it full of information on what’s blooming in the desert and where. In the meantime, the Chamber General Membership meeting is April 27th at 7:00 PM at the Interagency Office. Date changed because of the Mountain Hardware Conference coming here the 16th through the 21st. We hope they have a great time and enjoy the new Pavillion at the Outfitters.

Senior Lunches for the week of the 20th. I’ll give you the main dish and you can explore from there. Tuesday – Sausage w/biscuits and gravy; Wednesday – Spaghetti; Thursday – Chicken Cordon Blu. Thanks Donna.

Five County Association of Governments held a Human Services Public Forum at the Community Center. They did a survey of topics of importance to the community. 18 people attended, besides the Mayor and myself, Skyhoopie and Envision Escalante, Care and Share, Senior Center Dir and 5 counties staff. It was good information and I came away with a Human Services Directory for 2008. I’ll work on extracting information to make up a list of resources for Escalante.

In no particular order, the City Council approved:
Welcome Signs by the Potato Valley Lions Club for each side of the City on Hwy 12;
Little League Field Partnership with Garfield School District at the High School;
Letter of support for the Science Center being proposed by Envision Escalante;
Spend up to $1,000 for sprinkler system upgrades and repairs at the park;
Purchase 2 commercial throw rugs for Care and Share;
Keep the old dump truck for summer road work;
A business license for Nicole Gracie’s Tanning Booth.
Deferred Maintenance Dept Items to next meeting:
Sewer Camera – get bids;
Partitions for Council Chambers – get bids;
Flashing Barricades – get bids;
Council Chamber Carpet – get bids;
Spray ordered last fall – never picked up or paid for – get $ due and get approved.;
Prepare & Post Bids for:
Dump Clean-up;
City Building Lights w/diagram and units;
Tabled purchase of a street broom.
The Council discussed, at length, the huge grease clog in the main sewer line. All the Restaurants have been sent letters of warning. The City will require proof of disposal for grease required by the State if another clean-up is required. The cost of the clean-up will be billed to the restaurant unable to provide proof of disposal.

Fire Chief Porter reminded folks that burning will be illegal before too much longer. If you have things to burn, please:
Do it now – keep it small – have a hose there – watch the wind – notify the Fire Chief and get okay.
Until next week – - –

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

Saturday , April 4th, City-wide clean-up day – a chance for us all to do some sping cleaning and to get rid of weeds and trash. The Escalante City dump will be open 8AM-3PM. A city dump truck will pick up large items such as appliances. Please call the city office to schedule pick up at your house.

Main St clean up will begin at 9AM – please meet at the marquee for instructions and assignments. Bring gloves, a hat, and garden tools (loppers, pruning shears, rakes, brooms etc.). Drinking water, snacks and trash bags will be available. It would be helpful to have someone with a pickup truck or utility trailer pick up trash/weeds and take them to the dump. Questions about the Main St clean-up? Contact Kathy Munthe at 826-4755.

There will be an “after clean up party” at 3PM at the Lions Club pavillion when we can consume hot dogs and ice cream and share tales of the day.

The last City Council meeting waspretty quiet. Discussions on purchases of equipment for the streets, Care and Share’s new carpet and the City Sponsored Clean-Up Day. A building permit was approved for a new fence at the Croft’s and a business license for Melanie Allen to do nails. The council approved the finalization of a contract for Bill Pay. You’ll be able to pay your utility bills and tickets on-line when it’s completed. Be prepared to pay a fee if you use the service, or continue to pay without fee at City Hall or by mail.

Rehearsals have begun for this year’s play during the Heritage Festival Memorial Weekend. Reserve the date, May 23rd. If you know where Silver Reef is, you’ll know where the play begins. For those that aren’t sure, the Utah Place Names books tell us that Silver Reef was establishedin 1866 one mile west of Leeds at the southwest edge of the Pine Valley Mountains. Still not sure? Look for another clue next week.

In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” during the association’s international convention. Today, Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Lions demonstrate their commitment to sight conservation through eyeglass recycling. The Potato Valley Lions Club has placed an eyeglass recycling box at Griffins Market. Please take any of your old glasses, reading glasses, etc. and deposit in the box. It will be there until April 15th. Both Lions Clubs appreciate your support for these important projects.

Until next week – - –

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com
City Council meeting was pretty routine. The public hearings were to consider reopening the budget to report the use of the overage in the contingency fund. Law allows the city to hold 18% of the budget for emergency uses. The amount available exceeded that and the use of the overage was welcome to finish out the Clinic, add the $50,000 from USDA for the clinic and fire house budget numbers. The second public hearing was to receive public comments on the city’s application for matching funds for a Park Master Plan. There was one question, but no comments. Both were approved.
In other business, they:
• Approved a permit for Broken Bow RV Park new fence;
• Approved a permit for a new home in Moqui Gardens;
• Approved a permit for the Escalante Outfitters to build a 20 x 30 pavillion on the back of their lot and to provide formal spaces for 9 camping spaces.
• Replaced the printer at the Fire Department;
• Appointed Vicki Crawford to represent the City on the County Library Board.
The discussion on Lost Creek Spring and a special use permit we’ll save for another article.
The Stake Picture we took last summer and have been working on getting frames and tags are done and available. Tracy and I attended the Photo Marketing Association Trade Show and did purchase a photo kiosk which should arrive by the end of the month. We’ll be adding Pioneer scrapbook albums, more frames, mats and other photography treasures, as well as Memory Maker Bracelets. Visit in April.
Parents, families and friends of the Escalante High School boys basketball team – our hats off to you. As we stood and flickered lights at the escort and parade into town at 1 AM we were reminded what a wonderful place this is. The Village raised a whole team of champion basketball players. The Village is full of Champions. Congratulations to the team and coaches.
Until next week – - –