A message from Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson
It seems like over the past month we have had almost every type of weather here in Cedar City. From beautiful and sunny days to snow and cold windy days, as usual, you can never predict what the weather will do around this time of the year.
However, as we are getting closer to spring (at least on the calendar), I want to remind everyone that with the warmer weather comes the many “Festival City” events getting into full swing, and this year is no exception. We will have not one but two major cycling events this fall, bringing visitors from all over the world to Cedar City. As it is always best to put your best side forward when guests visit, please take advantage of our annual City Spring Clean-Up by getting your property all tidied up and looking its very best. This is a great opportunity to have our city crews haul away the debris that comes from a long winter as we all start getting our areas ready for another beautiful Cedar City spring, summer, and fall.
Beyond our crazy weather, things around town are keeping us busy at the City Office. We’ve started the annual budget process, which will lead to the final City Budget being adopted in June. As we move through this process, I will provide status updates and information about the budget public hearings.
It seems like I have been mentioning the need for a new Cedar City Animal Shelter for years. I am thrilled to announce that a groundbreaking ceremony for our new Cedar City Animal Adoption Center will take place on Monday, March 5 at noon at the new site location: 1305 W. Kitty Hawk Dr. The new site location is basically kitty-corner (pun intended!) and across the street from the current facility, so it should be easy to locate for those individuals looking to provide a forever home for one of our shelter animals.
The building will be approximately 6,500 square feet and will include plenty of space to meet our current needs and to accommodate future growth. The entire facility will be housed in one building, unlike our current location, which will make it much easier for our animal control staff to do their jobs effectively. One of the features that I am really excited about is the socialization area, where the public will be able to interact with animals before they adopt them to ensure a good “fit.” Staff will continue to focus on adopting out as many of the animals as they possibly can. The projected cost for the new shelter is $1,200,000.
A citizen group has gathered together to raise the money necessary to build the shelter, and they will be kicking off their fundraising campaign at the groundbreaking on March 5.
For more information on the shelter and ways to contribute or get involved, please visit cedarcityanimalshelter.org. This new shelter will serve our community efficiently for years to come. We encourage everyone to donate generously.
As a fun part of the groundbreaking ceremony, the schoolchildren who won the Animal Shelter logo contest will be recognized and awarded their prizes. Congratulations to Ty Burton, a fourth grader at North Elementary who won first prize for his adorable submission. Taylyn Wilson, a fifth grader at North Elementary, took second prize; and third prize goes to Ava Lunt, a fourth grader at Iron Springs Elementary. We had a lot of entries, and our selection panel had a hard time choosing between all of the darling drawings of various animals and activities! The winning logo will be used on the fundraising letterhead and displayed in the new shelter. Thanks to all who submitted their artwork!
The Southern Utah Museum of Art is introducing Spring Breakout, a new half-day art camp for kindergarten to sixth grade students. The camp will be held at the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Classroom at the Southern Utah Museum of Art April 2–6. Each day will focus on a different theme. Students will participate in art discussions and hands-on art projects inspired by artworks in their galleries and collections. This year’s themes include visual arts, storytelling and poetry, theater and dance, food art, and photography. Each student who participates will receive a SUMA swag item as well as create an artwork to take home.
Children in kindergarten through second grade are invited to join the Learning + Experiences team in the morning from 9 to 11 a.m. Then, grades three through six are welcome in the afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. Space is limited to 25 students per section, so registering early is encouraged!
The camp is $25 per day or $100 for the week. For members of the SUMA Families level, the camp is $20 per day or $75 for the week. Needs-based assistance is available for qualifying individuals. Funding is limited, and SUMA’s goal will be to provide assistance to those with the highest need.
Questions about Spring Breakout can be directed to the Learning + Experiences team at (435) 586-8765 or experiencesuma@suu.edu.
Southern Utah University has announced a wide variety of community education classes beginning in March. The classes are designed to create engagement, provide social activities, and also to provide our community members the opportunity to learn something new and fun to do!
Registration is now open for those interested in acquiring a new skill or hobby. Community members can choose from blogging, travel Spanish, wine tasting, energy efficiency, photography, Adobe Creative Suite, math made easy (for high school students), social dancing, financial management, southern Utah geology hiking, yoga, spy escape, Inkslinger’s Lounge, branding boot camp, and the southern Utah chef series.
“Our spiciest course will be the southern Utah chef cooking class where a local chef will teach participants to prepare a dish from their menu,” said Community Education Director Melynda Thorpe. “The end result will be an eclectic collection of recipes from every culture for those who attend all nine classes.”
All classes are taught by SUU faculty or community professionals, so participants can be sure they are learning from credible sources in their community. Grab your hiking buddy, dancing partner, or favorite food fanatic and sign up for a community education class today at suu.edu/wise. For more information, email bewise@suu.edu, call (435) 865-8259, or stop by the SUU Office of Community and Academic Enrichment at 136 W. University Blvd. in Cedar City.
Did you know that March 2 is National Read Across America Day/Dr. Seuss Day, which emphasizes the importance of reading? To celebrate, I had the opportunity to do one of my favorite things as mayor: spend time speaking with the fifth-grade students at North Elementary about the impact and importance of reading in my life and then read a book to them.
In keeping with this subject, I thought I would leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, The Places You’ ll Go!”: “Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way.”
I always like to brag about the accomplishments of our incredible city staff, so I wanted to make you all aware of the major award that will be presented to one of our Cedar City Police Officers at the end of this month. Officer Dane Glazier was selected by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association as the “State of Utah’s Officer of the Year” for the Mid-Size Police Department category. This award is very prestigious and is great reflection of the professionalism and dedication of our CCPD officers. We want Officer Glazier to know how proud we are of him and congratulate him on this honor!
Articles related to “A message from Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson”
Worlds come together with SUU’s production of “Carmina Burana”
Find something new and fun to do with SUU community education
