St George Thrives Insider Staff
Jul 26, 2026
Trivia Question❓St. George, Utah holds the record for the hottest reliably measured temperature ever recorded in the state of Utah — but what is that record high temperature in degrees Fahrenheit? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
By the time the first brushstrokes hit the canvas, the nerves have usually melted away.
Some guests arrive insisting they aren't artistic. Others apologize in advance for what they think their paintings will look like. But by the end of the evening, Ash Swenson watches them leave with something more than a completed piece of art.
As the founder of Beyond Color Art, Swenson has built a business around the idea that creativity belongs to everyone. Through guided paint nights across Southern Utah, she teaches people how to paint while creating a welcoming, judgment-free space where they can relax, connect and surprise themselves with what they're capable of creating.
"Beyond Color Art was born out of a love for art and a passion for creating a judgment-free space where people can relax, unwind and create," she said. "Growing Beyond Color Art is such an incredible journey. Watching Beyond Color Art blossom from a childhood dream into a thriving business has been incredibly rewarding." Read More... |
Quote Of The Day |
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. — Robert Collier |
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Not every classroom in St. George is filled with teenagers and traditional college students. More and more, local parents, small business owners and mid-career professionals are heading back to campus for short community workshops designed with real life in mind.
On the Utah Tech campus, evening and weekend sessions introduce residents to everything from basic budgeting and small-business marketing to entry-level coding concepts and digital design tools. Instead of full semesters, many workshops run just a few weeks, making it easier to fit learning between work, family obligations and everything else happening in Greater St. George.
Participants like the mix of hands-on projects and practical takeaways. In a computer lab one night, a small group might build simple websites for neighborhood organizations or tune up online listings for local side businesses. In another room, a photography class practices capturing red rock light on nearby overlooks before heading back inside to edit images together. Read More... |
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Joke Of The Day |
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| ★★★★★ |
When it comes to authentic Mexican food in St. George, Los Tapatios is the real deal. This family-owned gem on Bluff Street brings the bold, traditional flavors of Jalisco, Mexico straight to your table — from sizzling carnitas and handcrafted enchiladas to signature margaritas that keep locals coming back.
Whether you're dining in with the family or grabbing takeout after a long day, Los Tapatios delivers a warm, vibrant experience that feels like home. Call 435-652-1693 today.
We recently opened another restaurant in Kanab. Enjoy the same great food and fun in St George. If you are traveling, come visit our newest location.
Tell them St George Thrives Insider sent you!! |
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Interesting Facts |
St. George, Utah hides some genuinely surprising details beneath its sunny reputation.
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| ★★★★☆ |
The Cosmopolitan Grill is a true hidden gem in downtown St. George, Utah — where European fine dining meets everyday affordability. Chef Imi Kun, trained across Hungary, Italy, Germany, and France, brings decades of award-winning culinary craft to every plate. From the elegant Filetto Gorgonzola and Lobster Tail Surf & Turf to casual favorites like the Ultimate Cheeseburger and Smoked Salmon Baguette, there is genuinely something for everyone. The tapas menu and bar bites make it equally perfect for a relaxed happy hour or a special night out. With a kids' menu, house-made desserts, and a curated wine list, The Cosmopolitan Grill is the kind of place the whole family will want to return to again and again. |
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Tip of The Day |
Beat the Heat by Hiking at the "Wrong" Time
Most visitors to St. George assume you hike early morning to avoid the brutal sun — but locals know the real secret is the hour just before sunset in late spring. The red sandstone at places like Gunlock State Park and the Beehive Trail absorbs heat all day and then radiates it back in a way that keeps the trail surface warm without the sun beating down on you.
You get golden-hour light that turns the vermillion cliffs almost electric, temperatures that drop fast enough to make a brisk pace comfortable, and — crucially — almost no other hikers because everyone else went out at dawn and called it a day.
The insider move: park on the west-facing side of any trailhead so your car sits in shade by the time you return. On east-facing lots, you'll come back to a vehicle that's been baking for two hours straight. It's a small thing, but after five miles on red rock it matters enormously. |
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Secret Little Hack |
Beat the Heat by Hiking Backward — Literally
Most visitors to St. George hit trails like Zion or Snow Canyon in the morning thinking they're being smart, but locals know the real trick: scout which canyon walls face east, then hike those specific segments in late afternoon. East-facing sandstone walls fall into deep shade by around 3–4 PM in summer, turning brutally hot trails into surprisingly cool corridors while everyone else is retreating to their hotels.
The Petrified Dunes trail inside Snow Canyon is the sleeper pick here — its eastern ridgeline shades out fast, and because most tourists assume afternoon hiking is suicide in the desert, you'll often have the otherworldly white dunes entirely to yourself during what locals quietly call the shadow window. Pair it with a cheap insulated water bottle filled at your hotel ice machine and you've just unlocked a crowd-free, heat-manageable St. George experience that 90% of visitors never figure out. |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: 117°F (recorded on July 5, 1985) |