HEART WALK FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2014 BENEFIT DINNER AND AUCTION EVENT

Learning to Garden

A Family Size Garden

Cutting Plastic

The St. George-based international humanitarian organization, Heart Walk Foundation, will hold its Annual Dinner & Auction Saturday, Feb. 22 to benefit the indigenous Q’ero tribes of high Andes Mountains in Peru.

This year, Founders Tim and Penelope Eicher of Dammeron Valley will join with supporters and friends in an evening of raising funds for schools, greenhouses, and trout farms for a people abandoned by their own government.

“High in the Andes Mountains, the Q’ero tribes had been living off of potatoes for centuries,” Penelope Eicher says. “Our central effort is to help them gain nourishment, education and services to help increase quality of life for a people once desperate to survive.”

This year, a special effort will be made to purchase solar lanterns for the Q’ero families that live in dark, stone-wall huts. “They are very excited about the idea of having light in their homes that will allow their children to do homework,” Penelope Eicher says.

Last May, tribal leaders requested assistance from Heart Walk Foundation to build durable greenhouses for growing protected gardens – one for every family. Living high above the tree line, never before has this indigenous community had access to a regular supply of vegetation. Since Feb. 2013, supporters have provided for the construction of 8 full greenhouses with fund raising efforts diligently underway. “Our goal is to help them build 100 greenhouses so every family has a garden,” Penelope Eicher said. 

Heart Walk Foundation is supported by a national board of directors and more than 700 supporters internationally. Janice Brooks, former CEO of Green Valley Spa and public speaker, will serve as emcee of the Feb. 22 event titled “Light the Night:  A benefit to bring light the remote Q’ero tribes of the Andes.”

The mission of HWF is to support the preservation of the Q’ero people and their native culture and traditional community living through improved agriculture, education, and health initiatives. To become involved, call (435) 619-0797.

For more information about the Feb. 22 Heart Walk Foundation Dinner & Auction, or to purchase tickets, go to www.heartwalkfoundation.org or call (435) 619-0797. Reservations are required and can be made at   www.heartwalkfoundation.org.The event will be held at The Garden Room, Dixie Convention Center and will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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Additional Quote:

“Before we arrived, the children had never held a pencil or book. Now there are three Heart Walk Funded schoolhouses with dedicated teachers and more than 100 Q’ero youth writing stories and calculating mathematical equations with pencils each day.” ­– Penelope Eicher, Heart Walk Foundation co-founder (435) 773-0781

BICYCLES UNLIMITED CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN DOWNTOWN ST. GEORGE

90 South 100 East, St. George, Utah

Owner Mark McLaughlin, Bicycles Unlimited

When Mark McLaughlin established Bicycles Unlimited in 1984, his reasons were twofold. First, he loved cycling. And second, he loved business.

Having just completed an associate’s degree and series of business courses at Dixie State University (then College), McLaughlin found the idea of opening his own store both exciting and appealing. At age 12, he took his first job working in retail, and says he discovered early on that he enjoyed working with people in a one-on-one setting. Also, he enjoyed riding his bike to and from work, and would save money from his paychecks to upgrade his bike parts.

“For me, cycling has always been a lot of fun and something I want to do,” McLaughlin says. “As a kid I remember most days riding my bike from right after school until dinner time or later.”

Putting himself through college, McLaughlin worked as a mechanic at Larry’s Spoke & Pedal, the local bicycle shop established in 1973. When it came time to make a career decision, he says it made sense to him to open a bike shop. However, in 1984, McLaughlin was given the opportunity to purchase Larry’s Spoke & Pedal where he had been employed for the past four years. With young entrepreneurial aspirations, McLaughlin decided this was the path he would take.

With McLaughlin taking over in early spring 1984, the old Larry’s Spoke & Pedal bike shop received a springtime facelift and a name change to the current Bicycles Unlimited. Although the store has been through a few upgrades and remodels since then, the name, owner and location have remained the same for the past 30 years. And so has the owner’s love for cycling.

“It’s just really fun to be part of an industry that contributes to people’s happiness and well-being,” McLaughlin says. “Over the years the technologies have improved, building and maintaining riding trails have become a priority in our community, and the number of cyclists just keeps growing,” he says. “It’s a business where customers are happy, and I really like that.” 

McLaughlin recalls making his first top-of-the-line bike purchase in 1972 of a Schwinn Continental Road bike with European parts. The bike was a sought after model in the day and weighed in at 39 pounds. Today, his bike of choice is a Cervelo Road bike that weighs in at 13 pounds, 26 pounds less than his state-of-the-art bike purchased 42 years ago.

“A lot has changed over the years in terms of materials and streamlining for speed and safety,” he says. “But working with great customers in a great community is still the same, and we enjoy being here every day.”

This March, Bicycles Unlimited will begin celebrating their 30-year anniversary with customer appreciation activities, discounts and a series of celebration events.

From February 27 through March 1, bike manufacturers Cannondale and GT will bring their brand trailers filled with demo bikes to St. George to allow customer fittings and trial riding.  Demo rides will take place at the Bearclaw Poppy Trail parking lot (historic Green Valley Trail). From 11 a.m. to dusk, southern Utah bike hobbyists and enthusiasts are invited to try out top-of-the-line, full-suspension bikes riding the trails and testing the latest in bike technology and performance.

“This is a really neat opportunity for anyone interested in bikes to experience the newest models and the latest in technology,” McLaughlin says. “We are excited to be providing this kind of experience for our community.”

On April 11 and 12, Trek Bicycles will bring its demo bike trailer to the downtown Bicycles Unlimited store at 90 S., 100 E., St. George. Again, customers will have the opportunity to ride the latest and greatest road and mountain bike models offered by the Trek brand.

McLaughlin says that today Bicycles Unlimited has earned a reputation for its friendly customer service; huge variety of inventory, our skilled mechanics, our bike rental program, and that we have same-day repair service available by appointment. “We even offer pick up and deliver for repairs at a reasonable fee, and our customers have come to know and appreciate us for that,” he says. “As a store owner, reliability and friendly service are a lot to be proud of.” 

McLaughlin said he finds joy in serving customers from their first bike all the way through their hobby, sport and various levels of interest. Over the years, he has sold bikes to first-, second- and now third-generation customers. “It’s really pleasing to see a customer walk in with their kids and grandkids ready to share the experience of buying and owning their first bike,” he says. “There really is something that is both meaningful and magical about the experience.”

To find out more about Bicycles Unlimited sales, service or their bicycle rental program go to bicyclesunlimited.com or call 435-673-4492.

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BICYCLES UNLIMITED CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS

When Mark McLaughlin established Bicycles Unlimited in 1984, his reasons were twofold. First, he loved cycling. And second, he loved business.

Having just completed an associate’s degree and series of business courses at Dixie State University (then College), McLaughlin found the idea of opening his own store both exciting and appealing. At age 12, he took his first job working in retail, and says he discovered early on that he enjoyed working with people in a one-on-one setting. Also, he enjoyed riding his bike to and from work, and would save money from his paychecks to upgrade his bike parts.

“For me, cycling has always been a lot of fun and something I want to do,” McLaughlin says. “As a kid I remember most days riding my bike from right after school until dinner time or later.”

Putting himself through college, McLaughlin worked as a mechanic at Larry’s Spoke & Pedal, the local bicycle shop established in 1973. When it came time to make a career decision, he says it made sense to him to open a bike shop. However, in 1984, McLaughlin was given the opportunity to purchase Larry’s Spoke & Pedal where he had been employed for the past four years. With young entrepreneurial aspirations, McLaughlin decided this was the path he would take.

With McLaughlin taking over in early spring 1984, the old Larry’s Spoke & Pedal bike shop received a springtime facelift and a name change to the current Bicycles Unlimited. Although the store has been through a few upgrades and remodels since then, the name, owner and location have remained the same for the past 30 years. And so has the owner’s love for cycling.

“It’s just really fun to be part of an industry that contributes to people’s happiness and well-being,” McLaughlin says. “Over the years the technologies have improved, building and maintaining riding trails have become a priority in our community, and the number of cyclists just keeps growing,” he says. “It’s a business where customers are happy, and I really like that.” 

McLaughlin recalls making his first top-of-the-line bike purchase in 1972 of a Schwinn Continental Road bike with European parts. The bike was a sought after model in the day and weighed in at 39 pounds. Today, his bike of choice is a Cervelo Road bike that weighs in at 13 pounds, 26 pounds less than his state-of-the-art bike purchased 42 years ago.

“A lot has changed over the years in terms of materials and streamlining for speed and safety,” he says. “But working with great customers in a great community is still the same, and we enjoy being here every day.”

This March, Bicycles Unlimited will begin celebrating their 30-year anniversary with customer appreciation activities, discounts and a series of celebration events.

From February 27 through March 1, bike manufacturers Cannondale and GT will bring their brand trailers filled with demo bikes to St. George to allow customer fittings and trial riding.  Demo rides will take place at the Bearclaw Poppy Trail parking lot (historic Green Valley Trail). From 11 a.m. to dusk, southern Utah bike hobbyists and enthusiasts are invited to try out top-of-the-line, full-suspension bikes riding the trails and testing the latest in bike technology and performance.

“This is a really neat opportunity for anyone interested in bikes to experience the newest models and the latest in technology,” McLaughlin says. “We are excited to be providing this kind of experience for our community.”

On April 11 and 12, Trek Bicycles will bring its demo bike trailer to the downtown Bicycles Unlimited store at 90 S., 100 E., St. George. Again, customers will have the opportunity to ride the latest and greatest road and mountain bike models offered by the Trek brand.

McLaughlin says that today Bicycles Unlimited has earned a reputation for its friendly customer service; huge variety of inventory, our skilled mechanics, our bike rental program, and that we have same-day repair service available by appointment. “We even offer pick up and deliver for repairs at a reasonable fee, and our customers have come to know and appreciate us for that,” he says. “As a store owner, reliability and friendly service are a lot to be proud of.” 

McLaughlin said he finds joy in serving customers from their first bike all the way through their hobby, sport and various levels of interest. Over the years, he has sold bikes to first-, second- and now third-generation customers. “It’s really pleasing to see a customer walk in with their kids and grandkids ready to share the experience of buying and owning their first bike,” he says. “There really is something that is both meaningful and magical about the experience.”

To find out more about Bicycles Unlimited sales, service or their bicycle rental program go to bicyclesunlimited.com or call 435-673-4492.

Kayenta Street Painting Festival Announces Call for Artists

The Kayenta Arts Foundation announces that the fourth annual Kayenta Street Painting Festival (KSPF) will be held April 26-27 at Kayenta Art Village in Ivins, Utah. Registration for artists, school teams and event sponsors is open through March 25.

Each spring, KSPF brings students and professional artists together for a full weekend of creating colorful, chalk-art expositions. Using asphalt for a canvas and chalk as a medium, large painted murals unfold at the hands of artists over the course of two days and at the feet of thousands of spectators. Last year, KSPF attendance exceeded 3,221 visitors representing 18 Utah counties, 33 states, and eight foreign countries.

“We are thrilled with the rapid growth of this festival and how much our local community has embraced and supported it.” said KSPF founder Aimee Bonham. “We are excited to welcome several national and international artists into our community, and watch as our own local professional and student artists share their talents through this amazing art form." 

This year’s featured artist will be Delphine Anaya, an artist and street painter from Santa Barbara, Calif. Anaya works as a digital and visual arts teacher at Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara. Prior positions include lead artist, concept artist, background painter, and digital artist working for Disney Interactive, Mattel Toys, Hasbro Interactive, Universal/Vivendi, and Sony.

In addition to creating the feature street painting, Anaya will serve as judge for the artist competition. This year, top cash awards will be granted at an awards ceremony to be held Sunday, April 27. Cash awards of $500, $300, and $200 will be granted. A student awards ceremony will be held Saturday, April 26 at 4 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for artists and spectators in our community,” Bonham said. “Each year, the event brings business, community, artists and students together for an amazing collaborative event.”

Kayenta Street Painting Festival is a program of the Kayenta Arts Foundation, a Utah non-profit corporation. 

Kayenta Art Village is located at 875 Coyote Gulch Court in Ivins, Utah. For more information, or for artist, sponsor or student team applications, go to kayentastreetpainting.org.

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BYU Management Society to host Hyrum Smith of FranklinCovey

The St. George BYU Management Society is excited to welcome Hyrum Smith of FranklinCovey as their speaker on February 27, 2014 at noon at the Corporate Alliance Hub located in the Tonaquint Business Park at 1487 S Silicon Way, St George, UT. This luncheon is sponsored by Clove CPAs. Cost of the luncheon is $15.00 payable at the door. RSVPs must be made by February 21, 2014 to drewgubler@gmail.com.

https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF-8&q=Corporate+Alliance&fb=1&gl=us&hq=corporate+alliance&hnear=0x80ca44d0984939e5:0x531707f2f8a11c1e,St+George,+UT&cid=4604124319905473623&ei=kxbxUuj6MeGNygGzpICQCQ&ved=0CJYBEPwSMAo

Hyrum Smith combines his gift for communication with his wit and enthusiasm to bring thousands of individuals face-to-face with what matters most to them. He is a sought-after international keynote speaker and has addressed more than 5,000 audiences worldwide.

Hyrum Smith, Co-Founder of FranklinCovey, has been motivating individuals for more than 35 years to gain better control of their personal and professional lives through values-based time and life management.

After graduating from Brigham Young University, Hyrum created his own seminar company, Golden Eagle Motivation, and taught sales management. Later he became one of the co-founders of Franklin Quest, the predecessor of FranklinCovey, which now trains tens of thousands of people each month.

He also serves on several boards of directors and national advisory councils and has authored or co-authored several books.

Accomplishments

B.A., Brigham Young University
Recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees
1992 S.R.I. Gallup Hall of Fame and Man of the Year Awards
1993 International Entrepreneur of the Year, Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management
Founder, H.W. Smith and Associates
Co-Founder, Franklin Quest
Founder, Galileo Initiative
Vice Chair, Board of Directors, FranklinCovey
Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America
He also serves on several board of directors and national advisory councils.

January 2014 Students of the Month Honored by St. George Exchange Club

Back Row:
JD Robertson (Dixie State University); Alec Marchant (Tuacahn High School); JessikaTalbot (Dixie High School); Bryan Phelps (Snow Canyon High School); Shonie Christensen  (St George Exchange Club President Elect)

Front Row:
Taylor Bracken (Pine View High School); Addie Beck (Desert HIlls High School); Angelina Gonzalez (December 2013 SOM Snow Canyon High School); Jasmine Escobar (Millcreek High School)

The January Student of the Month recipients were recently honored by the St. George Exchange Club.  The St. George Exchange Club sponsors the Student of the Month Program, which honors one student from the area high schools each month. This program recognizes the students’ accomplishments in academics, service and leadership in their respective schools. Dixie State University recently partnered with the St. George Exchange Club and will provide each of the Student of the Month recipients a one-year, full-tuition scholarship. 

The 48 students recognized each school year by the St. George Exchange Club equates to a commitment of over $175,000 from Dixie State University. The Exchange Club is honored to work with Dixie State University in recognizing and supporting the outstanding high school students of our community.

In addition, one student from the eight students honored as Student of the Month from each high school will have the opportunity to become Student of the Year for their school and receive a college scholarship to the college of their choice from the St. George Exchange Club.

The St. George Exchange Club meets Thursday mornings at 7:30AM at George's in Ancestor Square. For more information about the St. George Exchange Club, contact Brett Labrum at (435) 674-2221.

Congratulations to the St George Exchange Club January 2014 Students of the Month.

HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors - ANNOUNCES NEW HIRE

David Gertsch, certified public accountant (CPA)

St. George, Utah - HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors of St. George, Utah, is pleased to announce the hiring of David Gertsch, certified public accountant (CPA), as an audit manager.

Gertsch brings to HintonBurdick industry audit expertise with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) clients as well as specializing in the fields of manufacturing, technology, gaming and hospitality. Previously, he worked at the Las Vegas office of Deloitte & Touche, an international accounting firm.

Gertsch is a graduate of Southern Utah University where he obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accountancy.

“We are very pleased to have David join our team,” said Phillip Peine, HintonBurdick managing partner. “His experience adds both breadth and depth of experience to our auditing department.”

Gertsch is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Nevada Association of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he has served in various volunteer leadership positions in the Boy Scouts Of America organization, and enjoys being active, playing baseball, golfing and skiing. He and his wife, Staci, are parents of three children: Madison, Brock and Ella.

HintonBurdick currently serves clients in 47 states and some foreign countries with accounting and audit services, litigation support, computer training and systems management, payroll services, tax planning and consulting services.  Offices are located in St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, and Richfield, Utah, and in Mesquite, Nevada, and Flagstaff, Arizona. For more information, go to hintonburdick.com, or call (435) 628-3663.