1. No Jimmer Hangover
Warm up by sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of basketball enthusiasts. Make plans now to attend a heated BYU or UVU basketball game. Feel the fire in the Marriott Center for BYU’s first home game on Nov. 4. Then wear green, but don’t be a grinch, for the UVU season home-game opener on Nov. 11. Bounce through our basketball section starting on page 47 and swoosh through our community calendar on page 100 for a listing of home games.

2. Taking Take-Out
Delicious holiday food doesn’t only come from mom’s kitchen. Try a made-from-scratch meal at one of Utah Valley’s delectable restaurants. Kneaders’ Christmas treats and Harvest Restaurant’s homey skillets are perfect after an ice skating outing or an afternoon sled. Check out our dining guide starting on page 78 for mouth-watering choices.

3. Rudolph Ceramics
Whether you need a creative present or want to find your inner artist this holiday season, Creativity Art Studio in Orem offers a colorful time — pots and paints included. The studio offers a wide selection of ceramics for you to paint: cups, plates and figurines, even santa cookie jars, ornaments and snowman plates.

4. Piece Together
Nothing brings a family closer than hot chocolate, chestnuts over an open fire and a puzzle. Piece your family together this holiday season by puzzling. Enjoy a meditative or chat-promoting time that results with a beautiful finished piece of art. Try a folk art puzzle by Utah Valley artist Eric Dowdle. Read more about this issue’s cover boy on page 22.

5. Waltz of the Snowflakes
Sugar plum fairies dancing in your head? What about dancing candy canes or Danish marzipan shepherdesses? See them all live in the Utah Regional Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker at The Covey Center this holiday season. See our holiday calendar starting on page 94 for this event and other holiday festivities.

6. Home Cooking
Head to the kitchen and try the recipes from our three cookoff winners or take a cooking class. Our “In Good Taste” feature staring on page 30 gives you all the ingredients.

7. Learn to Surf
If you’re at least 4-foot-4, have four friends and $20, head to the Shops at Riverwoods and catch a wave. Provo Beach Resort’s Flowrider is an indoor wave machine that pumps out 30,000 gallons of realistic surf experience per minute. Surf’s up!

8. Warm Up Your Inside
A steaming hot chocolate and a crackling fireplace should be mandatory at the holidays. Loosen your shoes and watch the first snowflakes float down.

9. Black Friday
While this may not be the safest indoor activity, you’ll need to get up early if you’re feeling hungry for a deal. Serious bargain shoppers begin to line up shortly after Thanksgiving dinner, but it you’re not up for the elbow-throwing experience, do your shopping with our holiday gift guide starting on page 59.

10. Movie Magic
No locally-produced movie will produce more thankful feelings than “17 Miracles.” The movie, which chronicles the expedition of the handcart companies to Salt Lake City, is recently available on DVD.

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I walked out of my dorm room at Southern Virginia University and into the common TV area where I saw the second tower being hit — live. I went to class in a daze. It was all anyone could talk about, so we tuned in throughout class as the other surreal events happened. My classmates had friends and family members who worked in the towers or at the Pentagon. Living on the East Coast made it even more real. We prayed and cried so much that day. I still cry every September 11th as I look back and remember.
Cristi Bastian
Lindon
Photographer and owner of popular Hatfield
home showcased on 2011 Parade of Homes

I was on my way to school and missed the bus. I walked back home and watched the second plane crash into the building. It had only been four months since visiting New York City and going up into the World Trade Center on our honeymoon. When we arrived at the top there was a sign that said, “Welcome to the top of the world.” It sent chills through my body. While on top my husband and I went inside a room to watch a panoramic film of New York City. The seats moved to make you feel as if you were in a plane hovering over the city. They had Velcro seatbelts for fun. We sat on the top for an hour, and I just could not get over the view.
Vivian Heras Klemin
Cedar Hills

When I showed up to work at an auto shop in Provo, everyone was gathered around the radio. Once I realized the magnitude, I ran down the street to Master Muffler because they had a TV in their waiting room. I saw both towers smoking. I stayed glued to CNN until they collapsed. I was stunned, and then I cried for those who lost their lives. Then I started hearing reports that it was likely a terrorist plot, and like most Americans I got angry.
Rodney Martin
American Fork
Owner of World Class Auto Repair

I went to a domestic violence support group to help the ladies deal with the fact that the country was now feeling in a public way the horrors of violence that they were living privately. Very sad day.
Lisa Peck
Highland
Business coach and owner of Step It Up Enterprises

We moved to D.C. from New York City a month before so Joel could practice law at a firm in the district. We lived in Alexandria, Va., a 10-minute drive to the Pentagon. We hopped on the freeway that morning and arrived in the parking lot of the Pentagon. He kissed me goodbye, and we parted ways. I turned the radio on and was listening to the horrors in New York praying that our friends were safe. I then went into a store and shopped for a few minutes before heading back out and seeing the smoke that would smolder for days coming out of the Pentagon! Before my fears turned into full-blown panic, peace began to flow through me. I knew my husband was safe. Hours after navigating through the great exodus of D.C., he was home.
Marisa Wright
Cedar Hills
City Councilwoman

We were living in Montreal (just a few hours north of New York City) where Ben was playing in the CFL. I remember it was the most beautiful blue sky the morning of Sept. 11th, which later seemed so ironic for what ended up being such a dark, tragic day. I have never longed for home more than I did the days or weeks that followed. We drove across the border from Canada to New York a few days after it happened just to be back on American soil for a few hours. We blasted the Whitney Houston version of the national anthem in our car as we crossed the U.S. border. The sight of the American flag brought us to tears of both gratitude and sorrow.
Kim Cahoon
Cedar Hills
Wife of Ben Cahoon, receivers coach for BYU

My wife, Jodi, and I traveled to Maui on Sept. 8, 2001, with two other couples for a weeklong trip. Jodi was working for Southwest Airlines, so we all flew to Hawaii for free. My friend and I planned scuba lessons Tuesday morning, and my wife had scheduled a golf lesson. We woke up early and were shocked by the images flashing across the TV. We didn’t have a lot of money at the time, and since we didn’t know when we would get home we kept purchases to a minimum. Now when we visit Hawaii, my wife reminds me about the $15 shirt I didn’t let her buy from Crazy Shirts. The next Saturday when flights resumed, we left Maui after 15 hours at the airport.
Jay Bean
Founder of OrangeSoda, #360 on Inc. 500
and No. 1 winner of UVEF’s Top 25 Under Five Awards

In September 2011 I was spending two weeks per month in New York’s financial district preparing to take Altiris public. On the morning of Sept. 11, I had a meeting with a banker of a large bulge firm — fortunately in my Utah office. This banker had colleagues in the second World Trade Center tower. Words cannot describe the horror, pain and sorrow on his face as we watched the plane crash into the second tower. To know people who worked in the tower and to have spent time there just before the destruction made Sept. 11th much more personal, intimate and painful.
Greg Butterfield
Alpine
President/CEO of Altiris and Managing Partner of SageCreek Partners

I was with my family in California attending the Latin Grammys. A couple of days before the attack, we watched a movie on Nostradamus, which depicted New York being destroyed. The morning of 9/11, our 7-year-old son announced Nostradamus’ predictions came true! We didn’t believe him. He came back crying for us to look at the TV. Our friends thought L.A. would be hit next, so we caravaned to Vegas with other families. We were stranded for a few days waiting for the airlines to open up.
Scott Lazerson
Orem
Judge of Miss Universe 2011, host of upcoming “Celebrity Garage Sale” on HGTV

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1. SCERA Park
600 S. State, Orem
Just off of busy State Street in Orem is everything a lazy afternoon should include. Mature trees, walking paths and vast open space will have you breathing deep. After you’ve enjoyed the 25+ acres of park, your family can take in an evening performance at the outdoor SCERA Shell or swim at the pool.

2. Bridal Veil Falls Park
Provo Canyon
The world-famous, 607-foot waterfall for which the park gets its name cascades down to the Provo River below. After you’ve finished using one of the eight picnic tables, allow your children to explore the trails leading up and around the most beautiful spot in Utah Valley.
3. Rock Canyon Park
2620 N. 1200 East, Provo
Rock Canyon Park is known for three things: proximity to Rock Canyon trail head, great views of Utah Valley (especially the Provo LDS Temple), and grassy hills perfect for kids (and adults!) to roll, slide, sled or “iceblock” down. The 55-acre park is also home to four pavilions, two playgrounds and picnic tables with grills.

4. Moyle Park
770 N. 600 East, Alpine
The historical qualities of the park will make your time in the car worth the trip. John Rowe Moyle is a legend to LDS faithful, as he walked 22 miles to the Salt Lake Temple weekly on a hand-made prosthetic leg to work as a stone mason.
Eat your picnic and then tour the Moyle home, built in 1858 by John Moyle. Call (801) 756-1194 for tour reservations.

5. Salem Pond
Main Street, Salem
The natural pond dominates the park. Top off your picnic by fishing, swimming, boating or floating in the aqua-green water.

6. Vivian Park
Upper Provo Canyon, near Deercreek Reservoir
Vivian Park is a great afternoon get-a-way with historical value.
First deeded to William Ferguson in 1888, William began operating “Billy’s Place” as a convenient resting and eating place for canyon travelers.
Through the years this spot has been home to everything from dance halls featuring live bands to fine restaurants. Today the spot is home to picnics and fishing — and seeing the Heber Creeper arrive and depart.

7. Mt. Timpanogos Park
Provo Canyon
Although this newer park is not yet steeped in history, you can go back in time at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival (Sept. 1-3) where tellers come from around the world to share their culture, childhood stories and song.
When the festival isn’t under way, visit this park to enjoy pavilions, fire pits and access to the Provo River Parkway. The adjacent Canyon View Park has playgrounds and tables.

8. Memorial Park
800 E. Center, Provo
No stranger to BYU students, Memorial Park is shaded by mature trees and bordered by walking paths. Treat your family to some history with the Veterans Memorial, and then take the short jaunt to Seven Peaks just east of the park.

9. Spanish Fork River Park
Intersection of Diamond Fork and Spanish Fork rivers.
The Spanish Fork River Park offers both small picnic areas and a large pavilion that screams “family reunion.” In addition to a fantastic playground, the park also has trails and native vegetation.

10. Tibble Fork Reservoir
American Fork Canyon
Residents of northern Utah County must take at least one summer trip up American Fork Canyon with firewood and hotdogs. If you read closely, it’s in your resident contract.
A few miles past Timpanogos Cave, take a left at the fork and you’ll arrive at Tibble Fork, which is stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

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1. Louis Wong
Timpview High School
After winning five state championships in six years, there is no debating that Coach Louis Wong has been successful on the Timpview gridiron.
But what makes Louis our No. 1 high school coach has as much to do with his influence off the field.
Timpview principal George Bayles calls Louis “an outstanding teacher and builder of young men.” In addition to producing NFL-caliber talent, Louis teaches a class for struggling students.
Timpview also set a state record by winning 36 consecutive games.

2. Quincy Lewis
Lone Peak High School
What Timpview symbolizes to football (dominance) — Lone Peak has meant to basketball the past 10 years.
Boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis has coached the Knights to four of the past seven state championships.
Along the way Quincy has led a slew of talented players like Jackson Emery (BYU), Bracken Funk (Fresno State), Josh Sharp (Utah), Justin Hamilton (LSU) and Tyler Haws (BYU).

3. Craig Drury
Provo High School
Think of Provo High’s Craig Drury as the Bob Knight of Utah high school basketball.
Craig and his teams have won eight state championships in the 28 seasons he’s coached at Provo High.
During his coaching tenure, Craig has coached players like Mekeli and Tai Wesley (BYU/Utah State), Kyle and Chris Collinsworth (both BYU) and Brandon Davies (BYU).

4. Jim “Shoe” Nelson
Spanish Fork High School
Besides being the fourth winningest baseball coach in Utah state history, Jim “Shoe” Nelson is loved by past players and a community.
The Spanish Fork Recreation Department recently named the city’s baseball field after the coach.
“Shoe cares about the boys at all levels. He believes by working on the important things, winning will take care of itself,” says Doug Snell, athletic director at Spanish Fork High.

5. Kim Nelson
Timpanogos High School
Kim’s record speaks for itself: six state championships at two Utah Valley high schools in 27 years. His first two state championships came while he coached baseball at American Fork High (1984, 1985) and four at Timpanogos (2002, 2004, 2005 and 2008).

6. Deanna Meyer
Lone Peak High School
Girls volleyball coach Deanna Meyer has led Lone Peak High School to five of the past eight volleyball state championships.
Principal Koop says Deanna is “a great motivator and clinical coach.”

7. Nancy Warner
Springville High School
Just a couple months ago, Nancy and the girls basketball team at Springville High won a second straight state championship in girl’s basketball. Principal Mike Brown describes Nancy as “an excellent teacher and role model.”

8. Dan Lunt
Payson High School
Dan is a builder of boys and a competitive basketball program.
“Dan consistently turns out not only fine basketball teams but excellent young men who go on to contribute to our society in many ways,” says Ben Ford, Payson High principal.

9. Chris Chilcoat
Provo High School
Not only has Chris accepted a heavy coaching load at Provo (girls soccer and girls golf) but works diligently with ESL and at-risk students.
“Chris is willing to do whatever he’s asked and has a great attitude about teaching and coaching today’s youth,” says Kyle Bates, assistant principal.

10. Dennis Meyring
Lehi & Westlake High School
Dennis not only does double-duty (coaches swim teams at Lehi and Westlake), but he also mentors all athletes at the school, according to Lehi principal Jess Christian.

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1. On the rocks
Utah is home to challenging rockclimbing expeditions. Life is elevated in our canyons, cliffs and boulders.
Get ready to “belay on” by practicing at The Quarry in Provo or getting equipped at Out N Back.

2. Cowboy up
If you don’t trust yourself to go “2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu,” you can still get your spurs on.
Cowboy Leaders uses ranch life to overcome leadership strife. This ranch in Birdseye, Utah, offers more than a bird’s eye view of cowboy life while helping participants get tough on the inside, too.
Rodeos from Pleasant Grove to Spanish Fork can also up your tough quota, especially if you pull on your Wranglers.

3. Mix and match
Mixed Martial Arts now generates more revenue than any other pay-per-view event.
Throwdown in Orem is a great place to start your own tough MMA career. Need inspiration? Meet Court McGee and Tandi Schaeffer, two of our Fab 50 (page 55).

4. Turn the page
Some would argue the best defense against life’s challenges is to be mentally tough. And tough can be found on the shelves of your local library.
Our every-issue department dubbed Made in UV (page 14) highlights pages written by Utah County wordsmiths. See our back issues at uvmag.com for more reading material.

5. What gives?
Help someone in tougher circumstances than your own. The Food & Care Coalition (foodandcare.org) has ideas for service including donating produce, serving hot meals or doing an Eagle Scout project. This Provo organization has opportunities for individuals and families.

6. Raise your glass
Blowing glass at The Art Institute at Thanksgiving Point is in a glass of its own. Learning to deal with hazardous, near 1,000-degree liquefied glass will make anyone a diamond in the tough.
Exercise your creative side and sure-up your grit by signing up for a class.

7. Hot stuff
Toughen your tastebuds by requesting the hottest sauce at one of Utah Valley’s Mexican restaurants. Read about Milagro’s, Orem’s newest chips-and-salsa mecca, on page 96.

8. In the long run
To finish a race is to prove your toughness. Visit www.run13.com to choose the pain you’ll enjoy. The Provo City Half Marathon, for example, brought 1,400 runners to get their tough fix for 2010. Our Fab 50 (page 49) includes a husband-wife combo who have both won the St. George Marathon. Tough twosome!

9. Take a bike
Feel the ideal summer temps in Utah Valley while gliding down the Sundance slopes on your two-wheeler.

10. On call
Need one last way to get tough? Can you take it? Apply for a job at one of Utah Valley’s call centers.
But before your first day on the job, get tips on staying calm in our “tough jobs” story on page 26.

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1. Azure
The world’s most unique crater is just a canyon drive away. The Homestead Crater in Midway provides a swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and soaking heaven in 96-degree azure water.

2. Ochre
This obscure color was part of Joseph’s amazing technicolor dreamcoat, but you’ll find this golden-yellow-brown in Provo Canyon in the fall or during a dusty West Mountain sunset. Enjoy! (And don’t forget your technicolor camera.)

3. Green
Make 2011 the year your family enjoys fresh peas and corn from your very own family garden. Also plan to visit the county’s treasured gardens at Thanksgiving Point — especially during the Tulip Festival in April.

4. Lavender
If your resolution is to start running, (hear, hear), set your sights and feet on the 5K through the 140-acre lavender fields in Mona this summer. The harvest event — hosted by Young Living Essential Oils — also includes music and wagon rides. But “the color purple” is the main event.

5. Purple
Show your royally creative side this year by creating an original. Write a poem. Paint a local scene. Carve out of stone or wood. Create something that will outlast you and become a cherished family heirloom. See the art section of our calendar (page 92) for classes. Not creative? The calendar also lists exhibits to visit without raising a paintbrush.
6. Pink
Put some color in your cheeks during the new year by committing yourself to a regular exercise program. See pages 40 and 43 to meet two of the area’s top fitness experts who will have you craving pink cheeks — one of the guilt-free cravings you can give into. (You’re also allowed water.)

7. White
Brighten your smile in 2011. With help from one of the featured dentists in this issue, your face can show the happiness in your heart. (See page 55 for a way to help another family smile in the process of brightening your own pearly whites.)

8. Black
Books can be read in many forms these days (Kindle, anyone?) But anything that’s black and white and “read” all over adds color to our minds. Printed words improve imagination and build relationships between parents and children. Visit lib.orem.org or provolibrary.com to see extensive event calendars. These aren’t your grandmother’s libraries. Or maybe they are — which would be a good thing. (Digital eye strain, anyone?)

9. Brown
Do more than visit the fish tanks at Cabela’s this year — get your camping gear and — revolutionary idea here — actually use it. Brown (black) bears, brown park ranger shirts and brown tree bark await you in Utah’s wilderness areas. (Batteries not included.)

10. Blue
With seven home football games scheduled in 2011 (normally the Cougars have six) there’s even more reason to wear blue this fall.
Cheer on Jake Heaps, Bryan Kariya, JJ Di Luigi, Joshua Quezada, McKay Jacobson and the rest of the Cougars.

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1. Making light of
Christmas
We may not be home to Temple Square, but Utah County has no shortage of watts during the holidays.
Visit places such as Thanksgiving Point, The Shops at Riverwoods, Canyon View Park in Spanish Fork, downtown Provo and other glowing areas for a memorable family night.

2. Sled head
Enjoy fresh powder whizzing past your arms and legs at the Soldier Hollow tubing hill in Wasatch Mountain State Park near Midway. The tubing hill has the longest tubing lanes in Utah at 1,200 feet and comes with a rope tow, so no more hiking up hills! If you are up for a hike and are down on cash, choose a slope at Rock Canyon Park in Provo.
3. Game plan
Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to discover a new favorite family game — even for non-gamers.
Consider introducing your family to a locally made option such as Reverse Charades (available at the BYU Bookstore).

4. Don’t tell
You know what they say about giving being better than receiving? They were right on this one.
Consider paying for the car behind you in the JCW’s drive thru or drop off a few gifts on the doorstep of a needy neighbor.

5. The good book
Do more than read Luke 2 this holiday season. Some locally written books include “No Bake Gingerbread Houses For Kids” (the Costco kit looks easy, but these gingerbread house ideas are original and colorful) and “New Testament Who’s Who,” which was written by local author Richard Allen and is a perfect preface to studying the New Testament in 2011 (or for giving more background on the Luke 2 storyline).

6. Station to station
Starting the day you pick up this magazine, lock in two radio stations in your vehicle — 106.5 and 100.3.
Both stations traditionally play non-stop Christmas music starting in November.
While you may not feel the need to keep the seasonal classics grooving for two solid months, it’s nice to know where to go when the urge for holiday hits strikes.

7. Shop and see
Utah Valley is home to first-rate shopping centers that specialize in the holiday season.
The Shops at Riverwoods: Don’t miss “Lighting The Shops at Riverwoods” on Friday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. This free event marks the kick-off to the holiday season. In addition to the lights, visit Santa, take a free carriage ride and enjoy live music.
University Mall: Santa will be arriving at the University Mall via Chopper 5 on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 9:30 a.m. in the south parking lot. Other festivities will be onsite.
Provo Towne Centre Mall: It’s snowing inside the mall! A “Hollywood” snow-making machine, located above Santa Claus, will send real snow down every two hours. But don’t worry about bringing your shovel — the snow will disappear before hitting the tile.

8. Movie moxie
Digest turkey and pumpkin pie by sitting in a dimly-lit movie theater for two hours.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ­- Part 1” comes out Nov. 19, and “Yogi Bear” will be released on Dec. 17.
If you can’t make it out, rent a holiday classic like “It’s A Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed; “Elf” with Will Ferrell; or “Polar Express” with Tom Hanks.

9. Have your bake
and eat it, too
Holiday time means kitchen time.
If you’re a mother, father or grandparent — invite the little ones into the kitchen and let them measure out cups of flour and lick the mixing beaters. Or if you’d rather spend your time doing the other nine things on this list, let Kneaders do the baking for you.

10. In concert
Nearly every school will schedule a Christmas concert. Support your friends and relatives by attending — complaint-free.
Or buy tickets to “The Forgotten Carols” performed by Michael McLean (see our cover story) or “A Kurt Bestor Christmas” (see our cover story from 2009 November-December Utah Valley Magazine).

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Q: How do you find out about the “Best Kept Secret” companies? — Jason Bringhurst
A: Let’s be honest. We can’t keep a secret. When we find out about a cool new venue, an accomplished musician or a boutique-to-shop-for, we want to tell 80,000 of our closest friends. We receive a couple dozen e-mails per day with story ideas and press releases. We also have a network of clients who keep us informed. We strive to send a representative to as many community events as possible and bring back ideas and names. No secrets here, people!

Q: How do you decide on companies and people to spotlight? — Brenda Thompson
A: This is the most common question we are asked. When we started Utah Valley Magazine, we anticipated that coming up with stories would be our most difficult task. Wrong! We have more story ideas than we can wrap our pens around. Editor Jeanette Bennett’s inbox and desk (she’s a piler) are proof that we’ve got ideas a-plenty. But picking which ones to feature is not so black and white. A year in advance, we create a framework for the next six issues. We do our best to spread the love from Alpine to Santaquin with a balance of gender, ages and religion.

Q: How do you get on the cover? — Veronica Chapman
A: If your last name is Osmond, that helps (we’ve featured Donny, Marie and Merrill). But most of our 60 covers have landed on the newsstand with non-household names. In our first 10 years, we’ve turned 22 women and 27 men into cover models. Ten of our covers have included both genders, and one mouthwatering cover highlighted Magleby’s deliciously frosted chocolate cake. Our ideal cover is timely (Kurt Bestor at Christmas and Matt Holland as he took over UVU). It also helps to give a good interview and to endure an hourlong photo shoot (it’s harder than you’d think to smile nonstop and absorb light in the eyes without crying).

Q: I always wonder about “behind the scenes.” Who are the makeup people? How many hours did you spend scheduling the interviews? — Suzanne Reeve
A: Movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” make magazine life look glamorous. It’s true that we have photo shoots and meet Utah Valley’s accomplished faces. But none of us has a personal assistant who hangs up our coats and makes our calls. The only time we’ve hired a makeup artist was for a Utah Valley Bride photo shoot when our unpaid models showcased the valley’s fashion forward dresses. Day-to-day life at Utah Valley Magazine involves sales appointments for ad reps and computer time for the writers, editors and designers. For more details, visit the Utah Valley Magazine blog and Jeanette Bennett’s personal blog at jeanettegazette.com

Q: What mistakes have you made along the way that taught you important lessons? — Laura Horton Lawrence
A: This seems like an easy one to answer. But after interviewing hundreds of local success stories who repeatedly tell us that adversity leads to bigger and better things, it’s hard to truly qualify anything as a mistake. But here are some setbacks …
We tried to start a BYU sports magazine but put the idea on hold before we printed an issue due to lackluster subscription requests. At times we’ve allowed clients to run a handful of ads before receiving a bankruptcy notice. An oversight on postage requirements doubled our mailing costs one issue, which took the profit margin to pennies.
But given the economic climate of the past decade and Utah Valley’s (somewhat true) stereotype of being cheap, we count more successes than failures in our first 10 years.

Q: How far in advance do you complete the magazine?
— Andrea Barney
A: Typical magazines are in production six months before the issue hits newsstands. We aren’t typical. Partly due to our high ratio of magazine pages to staff members, most of the magazine is completed within six weeks of landing in mailboxes and waiting rooms.

Q: Will magazines still be in business in 10 years? — Jason Gray
A: While it’s true that our friends in the newspaper business are seeing their industry change, magazines have been largely untouched. Newspapers deliver timely news. With smart phones and laptops at our fingertips, we access news 24 hours a day without waiting for the yellow baggie to hit the driveway in the morning. Magazine websites are much less important than the glossy, portable version. However, our magazine is available online at uvmag.com, and we intend to add more interactive features in the future.

Q: What is it like to work with family? — Lanae Wilson
A: Bennett Communications is a family business. Matt and Jeanette Bennett started the company in 1998 doing national newsletters and then added Utah Valley Magazine in 2000, which is when Kendall and Roxanne Bennett came on board to run the advertising side. Greg Bennett was hired as an editor in 2002 (he also worked under sister-in-law Jeanette on the junior high yearbook staff). But there are a dozen other staff members who don’t share a last name but do share the goal of creating the best magazines in the valley. We’re all family!

Q: Is Utah Valley Magazine subscription-based? — John Christensen
A: When we started Utah Valley Magazine in 2000, we mailed sample copies to the top 20,000 households in the county based on income. Since then we have built our subscriber base and our newsstand distribution. We do still send sample mailings to parts of the county based on income and age. So if you want to guarantee a copy will land in your mailbox, pony up the $10. If you are lucky enough to be on our sample list, we hope you’ll fall in love with the magazine.

1. Utah Valley Marathon
  Unless you’ve avoided every major thoroughfare in Utah County the past few months, you’ve heard about the Utah Valley Marathon. With the massive marketing effort, the 1,000 spots in the marathon and 1,000 in the half marathon sold out quickly. With a finish line at the Provo Towne Centre, the finish line is full of community excitement.

2. Hobble Creek Half
  This August half marathon down Hobble Creek Canyon is the perfect ending to a summer of training. Dubbed as the “ultimate St. George Marathon tune-up,” this fast course is mostly downhill, which means a higher chance of setting a personal best. Plus, the flowers given to all female finishers is a fragrant touch.

3. Lavender Harvest 5K
  Running and relaxation may not by synonyms, but this early morning meandering through 200 acres of vibrant lavender fields may be the closet thing to bring the two words together. Young Living hosts this July race in south Utah County and follows the race with live music, wagon rides, a lavender fairy tea party and more.

4. Rex Lee Run
  More than 2,000 runners came out this past year to race around BYU’s campus in honor of the school’s president who died in 1996 just two months after leaving his post. Runners show their admiration for a cancer victim or survivor by wearing a certificate bearing the name of the cancer fighter.

5. Running with Angels 5K
  Named for Pamela Hansen and her book with the same title, the Running with Angels 5K is a walk/run through the beautiful and fragrant gardens at Thanksgiving Point. Pamela lost 100 pounds in one year by taking that first step, and then another, and before long a marathon. Proceeds go to Women’s Service at UVRMC.

6. Freedom Run in Provo
  The multi-event Freedom Festival isn’t complete without a run around Provo. With a 1-mile, 5K and 10K option (and patriotic music in the background), the setting and patriotism is worth joining the large crowds. Let Freedom Run, as the shirts say.

7. Provo Halloween Half Marathon
  Touted as the “most fun you can have in Provo without being arrested,” the Provo Halloween Half draws in costumed runners for this fast and scenic downhill course from above Sundance to the finish line at the Shops at Riverwoods.

8. Hale Freezes Over
  Fair-weather runners need not apply for this January jaunt sponsored by Hale Center Theater Orem. More than 250 runners came out for the Highway to Hale 10K and 5K this past winter around the chilly streets of Orem.

9. Thanksgiving Point 13.1
  Even though the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon runs through the gardens at the height of the Tulip Festival in April, you won’t want to stop and smell the roses until after you’ve crossed the finish line at the Electric Park. This half marathon and Kids Fun Run (3/4 mile) benefit the recently announced Museum of Natural Curiosity.

10. Mad Dash to Beat Cancer
  The American Fork Hospital is gaining a reputation for its cancer center, and this fall 5K raises money for the cause. Perhaps the best part of this race — other than the good cause, of course — is the long-sleeve wickaway athletic shirt. Plus, runners who beat the hospital administrator get a prize. (Bonus — his busy hospital post doesn’t leave time for rigorous training.)

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