Best performing cities in 2011

Texas is big - and it added jobs.  Read about it or listen to the video here.  And for us...

"Utah metros also performed well in 2011, taking three of the top 25 spots on the list, versus just one a year ago. Salt Lake City jumped to 6^th place from 49^th in 2010, due in part to the increased diversity of business and industry there including pharmaceuticals, financial services and high-tech companies. Utah was the only state to double the volume of its exports over the past five years."

It's our education that causes us to lead out (and relatively lower cost of living).  Interesting and just one more thing that makes Utah a "Pretty, Great State".

Utah - A Pretty, Geat State!

Forbes ranked us top in the nation (October 2010) for Best States for Business and Careers.  In a tough economy this is pretty significant.  We still have plenty of unemployment but our future outlook us much more positive than the rest of the nation!  See the ranking here. Nice to be able to live where the community is great, the resources fantastic and the jobs are here and we're considered "most fiscally fit" (at least by comparison). 

A little Utah fun!

Looking ahead for fun

Upcoming events:

I had hoped to make it to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point but it ends this week and we had a snowstorm; I got sick, so maybe next year.

I must see the Anne Frank exhibit at the SLC library (through May 11) Free except for downtown parking costs.

Monty Bean Science Museum on the BYU Campus - free admission and live animal shows.

Cherry Hill water park. We love this one in the summer. A bit pricey, like all waterparks but you can bring your food, etc. and it's not restricted. We'll likely also take in the Bountiful Rec Center pool.

Church History Museum - changing exhibits and I haven't been for a while - it's time to check it out. It's free~ Makes a cheap and great family field trip.

• Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Admission is free.

Other Temple Square Events - It's been a while since I took advantage of this free resource at my doorstep.

Into the Woods is playing at Terrace Plaza. My favorite!

RGR Memorial is doing Steel Magnolias - May 7 - June 5. Everyone tells me the original play is so great. Movies are never quite the same.

(This list may grow as I think of more "must-dos")

To-do in Salt Lake

National Anne Frank Exhibit at the Salt Lake City Library through May 11. Read more about it here. 

To-do in Utah!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM TODAY!

Apr. 16 - May. 1 - Lehi
Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival - The Thanksgiving Point Gardens welcome spring with Utah's only annual Tulip Festival, April 16 through May 1, featuring more than 250,000 tulips in nearly 100 unique varieties. Tulips and other early spring flowers are in bloom in the 55-acre Gardens and throughout 15 different themed areas.

Ushering the start of spring, the tulip gardens are redesigned each year to create new and beautiful displays. In addition to the colorful blooms, Thanksgiving Point's Tulip Festival includes:
- Garden Education Classes with Thanksgiving Point Experts, Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m., Friday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Guided Garden Tours, Monday through Friday at noon and Saturday at noon and 3 p.m.
- Live music on Fridays and Saturdays including strolling bagpipers, patio acoustic performances and amphitheater entertainment
- Handicraft and food vendors at the Waterfall Amphitheater
- Open-air dining at Trellis Cafe
- A guest photo contest; a winning garden photo will be published in the Deseret News and The Salt Lake Tribune
- Artwork from local artist Sarah Samuelson, which features tulips from the Thanksgiving Point Gardens, on display for the duration of the festival.

The Tulip Festival will also feature a cultural celebration on Dutch Day at the Gardens, April 24. Festivities will include a traditional costume contest, children's activities, accordion trio and Idelwild Quartet performances and authentic Dutch items from the Old Dutch Store.

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday, through May 1. Tickets can be purchased at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens. The cost for the Tulip Festival is the same as Garden's admission, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children aged 3-12. Entrance is free to Thanksgiving Point property and garden members and children under 2 years.
Admission: $6-$10
Hours: 10 am - 8 pm
Phone: 801-768-7403
Venue: Thanksgiving Point
Location: 3900 N. Garden Drive Lehi, Utah 84043, Lehi
Web Address: www.thanksgivingpoint.org

The Gnome is coming...

I voted! It counted because it was close. Click to see the report on Travelocity's Roaming Gnome. He's in Utah now. http://www.facebook.com/travelocity?v=app_200157586724

One of the best places for jobs right now.

When Jon was in South Carolina people were asking him why he came out there for a job when their jobless rate was close to 10%, much worse than Utah's. He was wondering too. False promises, basically. Anyway, one of the nice things about living here right now. Click the photo to read the story.

New Work Schedule

Today's the day we start the "four tens" work week. This is Governor Huntsman's brainchild and it makes Utah the first state to adopt this alternative work schedule. Bugs are still being worked out, especially as it pertains to people with disabilities who are restricted from such long work hours, but I'm excited to have a three day weekend EVERY week. Then when we have a holiday, it will be a three day work week. I like that idea! There's never enough time to do everything I need to do at home and still have time for church and recreation so I'm happy about this. Of course it's not such a shock to me because I already work nine hour days and get every other Friday off. So, adding one more hour is not so bad and I have really loved those longer weekends. I'm also happy to see a government official thinking outside the box. Now, maybe I can get those carpets cleaned....

Temple Square

Looking for cheap, inspirational activity in SLC (Staycation)? Gas prices may prevent travel but if this is close to home, good entertainment. Some cool photos and descriptions here or click title of post Temple Square:
deseretnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,500006473,00.html?linkTrack=Email%2DLDS

More wallet-friendly sights:
deseretnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,500006487,00.html?linkTrack=Email%2DLDS

With 3 to 5 million visitors per year, it seems a logical choice for an inexpensive mini-vacation while saving on gas. And it's almost all free - no entrance fees at all. The Family History Library itself is worth seeing and millions of people have found treasures there in the form of published materials about their ancestors, free assistance in searching, experienced and knowledgable librarians specializing in various areas of the world.... Free is good.

Special Stuff

After being closed to public access for the past six years while it was retrofitted, repaired and remodeled for safety purposes (we do live on a fault here) the Utah State Capital restoration is completed and Steve and I toured it on Thursday. Color is not good in some of these photos from my camera phone. But it was truly beautiful and elegant.

Rotunda



The Gold Room, where the Governor entertains visiting dignitaries.



Marble staircase

The lounge for the Senate. This area is off-limits to public, except at this open house.
Newly remodeled Senate Chambers
Not good photos. Forgot the camera so these are from my phone.



Professional photos I downloaded.
The Gold Room is where dignitaries meet with the Governor - like the President of the U.S. The room cost $76,000 to do new (even that was a lot) and now it is valued at $2.5 millionThe Governor's Office - the new one is even better.The Rotunda


This building is truly amazing. The cost to repair was tremendous and it took six years to do it but it was an important renovation of a historical landmark. Today's the last day of the public open house. If you can possibly do it, I highly recommend that you not miss this one.

On a lighter note -
Last night Ken and I saw Dan in Real Life - it's at the dollar theaters now so if you want to see it on the big screen you'll have to hurry! I really liked it.