Ogden City Summer Recreation Program

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Have you heard about Ogden City’s Summer Recreation Program?

The program is all about giving kids who have completed kindergarten, but not started the 6th grade something to do on the weekdays during the summer.
When I was a kid, it introduced me to a lot of new friends and kept me busy. Granted this was over 15 years ago, but recreation went a little something like this: In the mornings, we usually played board games. Then, we would walk to the nearest school for free lunch. After lunch, we would head back to the park for a sports game, like kickball or flag football. We had fieldtrips every so often to places like Lorin Farr swimming pool or Wheeler Creek trail. And we made tie-dye shirts, boondoggle keychains and all sorts of other crafts.

This year, the program will be offered at 5 different parks:

• Bonneville Park, 2nd and Monroe Blvd.
• 4th St./Romrell Park, 4th St and Childs Ave.
• Grandview Park,3815 Jackson Ave.
• Jaycee Park, 25th and Fillmore Ave.
• Rolling Hills Park, 1500 E. 12th St.

It runs Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:p.m., June 13th through July 22nd. And the most awesome part is…It’s only $15 for Ogden residents and $20 for non-residents. You can get the registration form here, but you have to register in person at the Ogden City Recreation Office at 1875 Monroe Blvd.

If you know someone who would be interested in this program, pass it along. Tell a friend or share this post on Facebook or Twitter.

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Free Summer Activites

This summer in Ogden is going to be awesome! Thanks to R.A.M.P., WSU, Ogden City, Weber County Library and many more, there is going to be a ton of free activities every week for kids and families. Check back every Monday for a list of the week’s free activities. Don’t forget to like O-Town Mama on Facebook or follow on Twitter to keep updated on Ogden events.

Here is the schedule of free activities for May 30-June 4:

May 30-
Treehouse Museum, 347 22nd St., Ogden is offering free admission for all military families with a current military ID. Hours are 10am-5pm. Read my post on the Treehouse for more info about the museum.
Dinosaur Park, 1544 Park Blvd., Ogden is having free showings of T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. You still have to pay admission to the park and the movie is a bonus.

May 31-
Main Branch, Weber County Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden has Discovery Time at 10:30am and 11:30am. Discovery Time is a fun program that integrates songs, nursery rhymes, story time and crafts in a weekly hour-long program to help encourage literacy in children ages 0-5. Don’t forget to register your kids and teens in their summer reading programs while you are there.
Pleasant Valley Branch, Weber County Library, 5568 S Adams Ave.,South Ogden will hold its weekly Youth Chess Club from 4-5pm for kids 18 years and younger.

June 1-
Join Weber Pathways on a guided hike to find wildflowers in the Ogden Valley. Hikes begin at 9am. Call Helene for specific trail-head and more info 801-745-1799. Check out my post on Hiking in Ogden for info about other Weber Pathway hikes.

June 2-
North Branch, Weber County Library, 475 E 2600 N., North Ogden offers Discovery Time at 10:30am and 11:30am.

June 3-
It’s First Friday Night Art Stroll on 25th Street. It’s fun to bring your kids downtown to enjoy live music and local art at places like Ogden Blue Print and Eccles Community Art Center. There’s, also, lots of shopping and good vibes.

June 4-
Saturday is chock full of fun with free admission to Weber County attractions thanks to grants from R.A.M.P.
Choose from:
Hill Aerospace Museum, 7961 Wardley Rd., HAFB (Roy exit)- Read my post for more info on this museum.
Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th St., Ogden- Walk the trails, have a picnic and visit the center’s animals, from the creepy crawly tarantulas to the feathery owls and turkeys.
Roy Aquatic Center, 2977 W. 5200 S., Roy- Enjoy the pool, splash pad and slides at this outdoor pool from 11am-6pm.
Weber State University Pool, WSU Stromberg/Swenson Gym, on the south east side of campus- Do some indoor swimming on campus from 12-4pm and visit the duck pond afterwards.
Ott Planetarium, Lind Lecture Hall, 1551 Edvalson St.,WSU is hosting its Science Saturdays from 12-5pm. Activities include admission to the Museum of Natural Science, hands-On activities, science presentations and planetarium shows.This event only happens once a month, so don’t miss out.

Don’t worry about trying to fit all this fun into one day. All these attractions will have free admission multiple times throughout the summer. Ogden Nature Center will offer free summer Saturdays every week through August 20th and Hill Aerospace Museum is always free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Wow! So many things to do! What activity are you looking forward to most? After all that family fun, you and your spouse deserve a date. Check out my post,Date Night, for fun and inexpensive date ideas.

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Date Night!

Date Night! It is becoming quite the buzz word as parents worldwide finally start to realize...WE NEED A BREAK! It's kind of an odd transition going from spouses to parents. Before kids, the world just seems to revolve around your relationship and every night is date night. Then a kid comes along and two years later, you start to wonder why your husband calls you mom. It's a sign, you need some time together away from the kids.

I know that my husband and I are in dire need of a date, but as I search for a job post-graduation, funds are pretty low. But, date night really can't wait. So, I realized I needed to start looking for creative and inexpensive ways to spend time together. As I started shifting through my options (yep, you guessed it), Ogden is the place to be. With a little advanced planning, there are a lot of fun events going on that are totally FREE or pretty cheap (yep, I'm a cheap date). Lucky for you, I have done all the advanced planning, so you can have a worry-free night on the town with your honey.

June 3-For the Artsy
There is such a great vibe downtown during the First Friday Night Art Stroll. Art and culture are just flowing through the street. There's live music, art galleries and shopping all in one great, big package. The festivities are free and last from 6pm-9pm. It's a great way to stroll the town and enjoy the night with your date.

June 10-Movie Buffs and Foodies
Generally, dinner/movie dates are pretty dull and can end up being pretty pricey. What with the cost of theater popcorn these days! But Ogden has gone ahead and turned this dull night into something way better. The Taste of Downtown event is the perfect night out.
As part of the Ogden Arts Festival kickoff, Taste Downtown will feature the culinary creations from restaurants on Historic 25th Street. Sample City Club's spicy sweet wings, Roosters chicken salad canape's, Tona's sushi, Crowley Cafe's caesar salad, Brewski's mini meatball sub's, and Union Grill's mini caramel bread pudding. All for only $8 per person. Preview the High School Art exhibit before you "Taste" then finish the evening with a film brought to you by Foursite Film Institute, "One Revolution", $5 at the door. Food will be served from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Movie starts at 8pm. Event info provided by Ogden City.
So, pretty much you've got dinner from 6 different restaurants, an art exhibit and a movie at historic Union Station all for just $13/person. Love it!

June 15-Summer Lovin'
Not all dates have to be on weekend nights. Check out this summer's first Tunes at Noon at the Ogden Amphitheater. Dan Weldon will be performing live music from noon-1pm. Bring a picnic or grab a bite from a taco stand and enjoy the sunshine!

June 23-For the Philanthropists
Why not spend your night out supporting a good cause? SLam Jam is open mic night at Mojo's from 8pm-7pm. This night's open mic will support the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation.
ALL musicians, poets, singers, MCs, etc. are welcomed and wanted. There will be no featured artist this month, instead we are just having a completely OPEN mic. FREE FREE FREE. Info for this event provided by indie.ogden.

Well, there it is: A whole month worth of date nights. I hope everyone gets the chance to attend at least one of these events. Let me know what you think, cause I'd love to do this every month if there is positive response.

Enjoy your Memorial weekend and I'll be back on Monday!

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Hiking in Ogden

There is no better way to wear out a toddler than a beautiful hike up Taylor's Canyon. We made sure to snatch up the opportunity to actually enjoy the outdoors yesterday. It is so beautiful up there right now. It's really, really green and the creek is overflowing. Eleanor loved hearing the birds sing and looking at the wildflowers and butterflies. We parked at 29th St and took the Bonneville Shoreline Trail until we reached the Taylor's Canyon Trail. I am thinking we went about a mile each way.

There are so many trails in the Ogden area perfect for hiking, running or biking. I love the east bench trails, because they are so close to my house and you have a lot of options once you get up there. There's Waterfall Canyon, Taylor's Canyon and Indian Trail to name a few. I, also, like going up the canyon to hike Wheeler Creek, because the first section is wide and not too difficult for young children.

If you want to go hiking in Ogden, you should check out Weber Pathways. Weber Pathways is a great organization dedicated to promoting and taking care of trails in the area. On their website, you can search trails by length or difficulty and print off maps. If you are new to the area or unfamiliar with our trails, you can join Weber Pathways on guided hikes throughout the area.

Here is a list of this summer's guided hikes:

For All Ages:

Geo-Hikes
Geology students from Weber State University will be leading hikes and conducting geology discussions of local the terrain and surrounding Earth materials. Topics that will be discussed are geomorphology (how the land was formed) and lithology (what the land is made of). These hikes are for everyone (kid and dog friendly) that want to know more about our mountains. Hikes start at 9:00am
May 28- Birdsong Trail, led by Amanda Gentry and Sara Yearsley. For more info, please call Sara at 801-682-5545 June 11 Waterfall Canyon, led by Amanda Gentry and Sara Yearsley. For more info, please call Sara at 801-682-5545.
August 16- Indian Trail, meet at the Smokey the Bear Trailhead in Ogden Canyon. Led by Kristina Bishop and Sara Yearsley. For more info, please call Sara at 801-682-5545.
August 27- Beus Canyon, led by Josh Poulsen. For more info, please call Josh at 801-231-5850.

Family Hikes
These hikes are intended for families with children. We most likely will not be hiking the entire duration, but only to where the children feel comfortable. These hikes are to get parents and children outside and exploring together in our mountains. We will be looking for bugs, animals, and plants. Bring a bag or jar so the children can collect little treasures. There will lots of stops along the way and it will be slow hiking. Anyone welcome (with or without kids), dogs welcome. Outings start at 9:00am.
June 8- Burch Creek
August 18- Wheeler Creek
For more information, please call Sara at (801) 682-5545.

For Adults and Older Kids:

Up N’ Over!
May 28th
Please be physically prepared...these hikes are tough! We will meet at the designated trail-head, leave 1/2 of our vehicles, then carpool to corresponding trail-head to hike. Hikes start at 7:00am. May 28th. We will be hiking the Indian Trail. Meet at the 22nd St trail-head for this 4.3 mile hike “up-and-over” to Ogden Canyon. July 9th. Meet at the North Ogden Divide trail-head, hikeing the South Skyline Trail. Expect to be hiking for at least 5 hours. Bring a lunch! September 10th. Meet at the North Ogden Divide trail-head. Expect to be hiking for at least 5 hours. Bring a lunch! We may summit Ben Lomond Peak! Call Casey for more information 801-540-5698.

Moonlight Hikes!
Join us on these beautiful FULL MOON hikes all summer long! All outings start at 9:00pm, meet at the 29th Street Trailhead.
June 15
August 13
September 12
October 12
For more information, call Anika at (801) 792-3398.

Wild Edibles of Northern Utah
Dozens of wild, edible plants grow in the region of Northern Utah. Several almost certainly live in your own backyard! Join us for a walk to learn what edibles grow in our area and how to use them. This is an informational hike only, not an actual foraging excursion, so please bring your own snacks and drinks. Children ages 10+ and well-behaived dogs are welcome. Recommended texts: “Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West” by Gregory L. Tilford or “Plants of the Rocky Mountains “by Kershaw, Mackinnon, and Pojar. All hikes start at 9:00am on Saturdays.
May 28
June 25
July 30
August 27
September 24
Please contact James Magruder at (801) 755-9274 for trailhead info, or check Weber Pathways’ Facebook page!

Wild Flower Hikes
We’ll hike for about 3 hours with frequent stops to look at/look up wild flowers. Hikes will be at various locations in and around Ogden Valley. Bring flower guide book if you have one. Outings are weekly on Wednesday’s at 9am.
June 1
June 8
June 15
Call Helene for specific trail-head and more info 801-745-1799.

Peak Bagging
We will be hiking various peaks in and around Weber County, including Lewis Peak, Ben Lomond, Mt. Ogden, James Peak, and others. Bring lunch. These hikes are strenuous! Please be in adequate physical condition. Outings are on Fridays at 7:30am.
June 17
July 1
July 15
July 29
For trailhead info, please call Helene at (801) 745-1799.

Wasatch Hikers Wednesday Evening Hiking Group
Wasatch Hikers can be found every Wednesday night at 6:30 PM hiking a different trail in the Ogden area. Our creed is exercise is good for the body, mind and soul! The trails in the area are better than the gym. So if you want a group to hang with, or just have time for just one hike , we look forward to meeting a new friend. For information on our next outing visit: http://www.meetup.com/webercountyoutdoors/ and check the calendar under the meetups tab.

For Adults Only:

Singles Mingles 45 and older Hikes
If you’re 45 years old or older, single, and want to mingle…come join Polly on a wonderful series of trail outings! These outings are on MOST Thursdays at 6:00pm and won’t last longer than 2 hours. Outings will run from April 7th to September 29th. This is a great way to meet other singles in the area and enjoy nature together. To register and for location, please call Polly at 801-645-3236.

Hiking in Ogden is such a great way to appreciate your surroundings and enjoy a beautiful and free outing with your family. I encourage you to get out on the trails as soon as possible!

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Guest Bloggers

Click here to getImages &
Hopscotch Pictures - Pictures

It's almost summertime and I am hoping the sun is finally going to decide to stick around. I hope to make the best of this summer, since we've been waiting so patiently for it. There is going to be a tons of things to do in Ogden this summer and I will keep you posted on all the fun. Because I'm an O-Town Mama, I keep my scope limited to Ogden City and on some occasions the rest of Weber County. Plus, I only have a toddler and that further limits the activities I attend. I would love to hear from other O-Town mamas about things they like to do with their kids of all ages. I know that there are Clearfield mamas, Brigham City mamas, Salt Lake City mamas and mamas from all over the state that know about all the fun things going on in their towns. I would love to hear about your fun, summer games or crafts that can be done anywhere and special spots anywhere in Utah that your family loves to visit in the summer. I hope to take a lot of field trips and staycations this year and I (and my readers, I think) would love to hear about other family-friendly places. You can write a little blurb about your ideas, send a few pics or both would be great. I would like to highlight a guest mama or daddy blogger each week, if possible. If you would like to share your family fun on O-Town Mama, please email me at otownmama01@gmail.com or write me a comment on Facebook or Twitter.
Thanks for reading!

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LeVeque Photography

For Eleanor's birthday a couple of months ago, I started looking for a local photographer to take her pictures. Most of the photographers I found were waaaay out of my price range or didn't appeal to me. Some never returned my inquires, so I was lucky when my friend, Brooke, introduced me to LeVeque Photography. I booked a mini session, which is super affordable, and met owner and photographer, Chelsey Westbroek.

Chelsy has been doing photography for a while now, but just opened her own studio downtown at the Borrowed Earth Emporium. It's a super cute space that totally caters to kids and has the surrounding building, with all of its character-rich brick walls, for use. She offers many services, from individual portraits to large-group family photos, and takes pics in-studio and on-site.

The hardest part about taking a toddler's picture is that they CANNOT sit still for one second. Chelsy was great about not making Elle pose too much and she snapped a great shot as soon as she had the opportunity. I think she captured Eleanor's bursting personality in each shot. I am sharing my favs from the session.

If you are looking for a new photographer, I recommend LeVeque Photography for its great prices and service. She's got a great special going on for Father's Day: Get 25% off your on-site or off-site photo session. You can check LeVeque Photography out online on her website or on Facebook. If you like her on Facebook, you will find out about even more great specials.

LeVeque Photography
801-209-4881
2242 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84403

Thanks for reading!

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Swimming Lessons

*Post updated at 7pm on Monday, May 23*

"I've been coming here every summer of my adult life, and every summer there she is oiling and lotioning, lotioning and oiling... smiling. I can't take this no more!" --Squints
Photo from Andrew's Idea.

I am not a swimmer. My husband is not a swimmer. I almost drown two times as a kid until I finally learned how to doggy-paddle well enough to keep my head afloat. I can swim now, just not very gracefully. Therefore, it seems like Elle may be doomed to water phobia. But, I am determined to make sure Eleanor becomes a good swimmer. I think it is an important life skill and a confidence booster. Last year, I took Elle to the Parent/Child lessons at Roy City Complex. Each lesson consisted of the same routine of blowing bubbles, playing motor boat, kicking in the water and just becoming familiar with the water in general. Children as young as 6 months old can enroll in Parent/Child classes and it's really a good idea to get your child in lessons as soon as possible. The lifeguard told us that the reason why many babies and toddlers drown when they fall in water is because they don’t know what to do and just sink to the bottom of the pool unnoticed. By learning to splash and kick in the water, young children are able to draw attention to themselves if they get into trouble. As your child gets older, they are going to want more freedom at the pool, so it's a good idea to teach them how to swim properly. Arm floaties and life-jackets only provide so much protection.

This year I wanted to find lessons closer to my home, because Roy is just too far for me to drive. I was surprised to find that there are many options in the Ogden area.

The lessons are listed by price point, least expensive to most expensive.

Marshall White Pool
222 28th St. Ogden
801-629-8347
$25- Lessons are about 45 minutes, except Parent/Child classes are 30 minutes, and are held on Mondays, Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Thursdays for 2 weeks. Classes are held between 8:30am-1pm. The heated pool is a bonus! You can call for more info, but you must go to the pool in-person to register.

Lorin Farr Pool
1691 Gramercy Ave. Ogden
801-629-0696
$30- Lessons are 45 minutes long and last for 2 weeks. Lessons are held at 10am, 11am or 6pm depending on the lesson.You can get the registration form here and register online at ogdencity.com or in person at Ogden City Recreation Office, 1875 Monroe Blvd. P.S. Can someone please tell me when they got rid of the Rampage? That thing was epic!

Ben Lomond Community Pool
1049 7th St. Ogden
801-625-1100
$35- Lessons are 40 minutes long and are held Monday-Thursday for 2 weeks. Children must be at least 4 years old. You can call for more information, but you must register in-person at the pool.

Weber State University
Stromberg/Swenson Gym
3848 Harrison Blvd.
801-626-7184 or 801-626-7967
$40- Lessons are 40 minutes long and are held Monday-Thursday for 2 weeks. Click here to register. Thanks for the info Evan's family!

North Shore Aquatic Center
245 E. 2550 N. North Ogden
801-737-0587
801-782-9712 (May 28th - September 5th)
$45 (non-North Ogden resident)/ $30 (North Ogden resident)- Lessons are held for six weeks. You can get more information and register here.

Ogden Athletic Club
1221 E. 5800 S. South Ogden
801-479-6500
$45 (non-members)/$36 (members)- All lessons, except level 1 which are 30 minutes, are 40 minute sessions held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for two weeks. Click here for the summer schedule. You must register in-person.

All lessons begin June 6. Many pools began registration 1-2 months ago, so you may want to hurry up and register before the classes fill up. Thanks for reading and Happy Swimming!

Check back tomorrow when I unveil my awesome family pics by LeVeque Photography.

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This Week in Ogden

Of course, you already know that you can check my calendar anytime to find out what’s happening and plan your family days in Ogden. I plan on keeping you updated on Facebook and Twitter with daily events, but there are many classes and events that may require advanced registration, so check my calendar in advance to see if there is anything you or your family would be interested in, such as an African dance class at Eccles Community Art Center or Scout Saturdays at Ogden Nature Center.

Instead of relisting everything that is on my calendar, I decided to highlight the activities and events that my family wants to attending.

Here is my schedule of events:

Monday- Weather permitting, I’d like to go walk the trails at the Ogden Nature Center and maybe have a picnic. Eleanor loves seeing the owls, snakes, spiders and other creatures. It is nice to go to the lookout and view the beautiful scenery, also. Last time we spotted a mountain lion right in the Nature Center fields.

Tuesday- I have yet to take my daughter to Discovery Time at the Weber County Library. My husband usually takes her, but I want to check it out. It’s similar to the Treehouse’s On Track to Reading as it uses storytime, songs and activities to help prepare kids for reading, but this one is FREE.

Wednesday- The fam and I will be hiking up Taylor’s Canyon on a Weber Pathways guided family hike. We don’t have a child carrier, so I hope it isn’t too steep for Elle.

Thursday- Park day! There are so many wonderful parks in Ogden and I have a few favorites, but today I think I am going to check out a new one.

Friday- I have been wanting to go to Alphabet Soup at the Treehouse for some time now. They focus on a different letter each week and use songs, science, art, history and more to encourage literacy in young kids. If you don’t have a membership, you can get reduced admission to the museum during this time.

Saturday- The Pleasant Valley Branch is having a Memorial Day Tribute and I’d like to go, because their events are really cool and I’ve never been to this branch before. I don’t know if it will be kid appropriate, though.

That’s it for today. My next post will be about swimming lessons in the area, so check back tomorrow.

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Beyond the Ogden Marathon

The 11th annual Ogden Marathon is here and thousands of people will be running, volunteering or spectating at this major event. The full, half and relay marathon spots are all filled. That’s 6500 people right there! That number doesn’t include 5k and kids K runners or all the volunteers and supporters. There will be a ton of people downtown especially around 1pm when the race officially ends. The race finishes at downtown 25th St where there is usually live music, food vendors and other booths and entertainment.

Most people attending the marathon events are already there or plan on being there soon. Keep in mind that parking may be limited and some roads will be closed off in the morning and early afternoon near the marathon trail.

So, is that all that’s going on in Ogden today? Of course not!

Here’s a just a sampling of other events going on today:
Golden Spike Arena - Acorn Antique Show and Sale from 9am-6pm.

Ogden Nature Center- Have a picnic and check out the birdhouse exhibit and while you’re there inquire about their summer camps and scout programs.

Weber County Library- There is always something to do with the kids at the library. They have computers, games, toys and, of course, books in the children’s section. Today the Main Branch will have a free showing of Disney’s Bambi and an Intro to the Internet for Families class both at 10:30am. The Pleasant Valley branch is also offering the same internet class and will be showing The Spiderwick Chronicles at 3pm.

Eccles Community Art Center- Check out the Carriage House’s current photography exhibit. There will also be two showings of the local play “Bad Show at Boffington Hall” at 2pm and 7pm.

Borrowed Earth Emporium- Bring your kids, ages 4-8, to kids-only yoga @ 11:15am and enjoy a latte for yourself.

Treehouse Museum- Check out the museum and join them for Ramped-up Art and Step on Stage throughout the day.

If you aren’t attending the marathon, there are so many other things to do and see in Ogden this Saturday. If you attend any of these events, share by leaving a comment!

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Ogden's Top Ten Landmarks

After all that historic scavengering, it occurred to me that there are many important landmarks in Ogden that are widely ignored by locals. Some of these buildings and sites are taken for granted every day, but are must-sees for anyone living in or visiting Ogden. So I decided to compile a list of what I believe to be Ogden’s best landmarks. According to my Google searches, this has (incredibly) not been done. Of course, there were many options to choose from and I picked what I thought were the very best based on aesthetics, historical significance and community importance. So without further introduction, here is the countdown of...

Ogden City's Top Ten Landmarks

10. Ben Lomond Hotel, 2510 Washington Blvd.- Built in the 1920s, this Italian Renaissance Revival building is Ogden’s largest and most prominent hotel. Centrally located on the corner of Washington Blvd. and Historic 25th St., it definitely stands out and makes downtown just that much more attractive. Still serving as a hotel, it also houses MacCool’s Restaurant and Bar and hosts weddings and other events. Plus, it’s supposedly haunted.

9. Weber State University, 3848 Harrison Blvd.- WSU is a cornerstone of the Ogden community; its expansive campus continues to grow. Not only has it been providing higher education since 1889, it is also adds culture and art to the city by hosting and sponsoring many events . I chose WSU because it’s cool to say you live in a college town and, of course, I bleed purple.

Photo of Elizabeth Hall--home of WSU's English Department, my department ;)

8. Ogden’s Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.- This is another great downtown building located right across the street from the Ben Lomond Hotel. With its high Art Deco style, this is a great example of our government’s original economic stimulus plan. Beautifully restored and preserved, it is also the home of the Municipal Gardens, monuments of early settlers, Capt. James Brown (my I-don’t-know-how-many-greats grandfather) and Lorin Farr, and the annual Christmas Village.

7. Ogden Welcome Arch, 17th St. and Washington Blvd.- What has long been viewed as an eyesore is finally becoming an appreciated and well-known Ogden symbol. From what I have read, welcome arches, like Ogden’s, used to be pretty popular in the 50s and 60s. So, what better way to be welcomed into Ogden than a sweet vintage welcome arch? And don’t forget-- It really does pay to live in Ogden.

6. Eccles Mansion, 2580 Jefferson Ave.- The David and Bertha Eccles mansion, located on historic Jefferson Ave., rivals the many other beautiful, historic mansions on that street. In addition to being one of Ogden’s most beautiful homes, it serves the community in many ways. The mansion is used to display local artwork from paintings to pottery; house community organizations, from Ogden Symphony Ballet to Weber County Heritage Foundation; and hold community classes, from yoga to poetry writing.

5. Ogden Parkway, 1890 Park Blvd.- Ogden City has done a great job making the Ogden River a family-friendly area. The well-maintained paved trail that runs along the river is perfect for walking, running and biking. The trail also leads to many other great Ogden locations, such as the Dinosaur Park, the MTC Learning Park and Fort Buenaventura. The Big Dee Sports Park along the parkway is a great place to fly kites or have a picnic. All of these features make the parkway a great showcase of Ogden’s outdoor venues, natural beauty and family activities.

4.Ogden High, 2828 Harrison Blvd.- This is another Art Deco building that was built during the Great Depression to create jobs. It is ranked the 3rd most beautiful school in the nation. I think it is awesome that it has survived the years and is still being used as a school unlike many other historic Ogden schools that have been demolished. It is currently undergoing a major renovation to preserve it for future generations. Plus, my daughter will most likely be a Tiger one day.

3. Malan’s Basin, 3500 ft. above 27th St.- I think this area just beautifully sums up Ogden’s great outdoors. It is a great place to hike up to and enjoy the scenery. It was formerly the site of my husband’s great-great grandparents’, the Malan’s, summer resort. There may be a few remnants of the historic sight left and it has a great view of Ogden.

Photo Courtesy of Jim Olsen

2. Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 2439 Washington Blvd.- This theater is a wonderful survivor of the Roaring 20s. Here you can enjoy independent films, classic movies, live performances and many other events. Thanks to the wonderful restoration, of which my father-in-law was superintendent over, the theater is once again a beautiful addition to downtown.

1. Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave.- Nothing other than the Union Station could take the number one spot. Without this hub, Ogden would not have its nickname Junction City and it wouldn’t have once boasted itself as Utah’s fastest growing city. Historic 25th St. would likely never have been called Two-bit Street either. The Union Station is the most important landmark in Ogden and continues its legacy as a museum and community center. With Ogden’s new transportation hub located right next door, it is likely to continue to be a door to Ogden; bringing new visitors every day.

All of these buildings are great places to visit to celebrate our city, expose your kids to history, art and community and spend time in Ogden. Check out Ogden today. See my calendar for upcoming events happening at many of these places.

Agree with this list? Disagree? What is your favorite Ogden landmark?

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Biking to Work

So I have really been looking forward to this post for some time. As I snuggled up to my computer to start my research, I found out that National Bike to Work Day had already passed. For some reason, I thought it was this week, but it was actually last week. Bummer! But, then I found out that Ogden City will be hosting a bike to work day this Friday. If you are interested, meet at 7:30am at the A-1 parking lot just west of the social science building at Weber State University. The group will be riding through neighborhoods into downtown Ogden arriving at the Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd. Ogden Bicycle Collective will provide a FREE pancake breakfast for all riders beginning at 7:30am. I think any day can be bike to work day! If you can't make this event, try organizing a bike to work day of your own.

From bicycle enthusiasm to penny-pinching, there are so many reasons to consider using human power to get to and from work. With gas prices potentially hitting $5/gallon this summer, anyone who is able should giving bicycle commuting a chance. You’ll save money, get fit and help the environment. If you live less than 10 miles from work, you should be able to get to work in a timely enough manner. If you live further than that, you might consider riding Front Runner, Trax or the bus to a stop closer to your work and riding or walking the rest of the way. You can bring your bike on any of these transportation modes. Just be sure to plan ahead and give yourself a little extra time. If you cannot ride to work or don’t work, try riding your bike on an errand to the library or a friend’s house.

If you have never ridden a bike on the road, there are some things you should know. Whether you are a cyclist or a motorist, it is important to realize that roads are meant to be shared. Bicyclists are subject to the same laws and rights as motorists. I know there has been a lot of negativity lately about cyclists not obeying traffic laws and SLC Government website recommends that if cyclists want the support of motorists, they must follow all traffic laws. Although I do agree that cyclists should obey traffic laws for safety reasons, I don’t think that bicyclists should have to prove themselves on the road. Most motorists break traffic laws regularly, whether on purpose or by accident. Just because a cyclist sees that the intersection is clear and doesn’t come to a complete stop does that mean they don’t deserve support? I don’t think so. Everyone deserves respect on the road. Car and bike accidents can be deadly and by being on the road we should respect other people’s lives by "supporting" each other. Bicyclists are supposed to ride ON THE ROAD with traffic. Although many people opt to ride on the sidewalk, it is technically illegal. Furthermore, cyclists should never ride on the road against traffic. Many people feel like this is safer, because you can see oncoming cars, but it is the most unsafe way to travel on a bike. It decreases both the cyclist's and motorist's stopping time if collision is a threat and makes turning left or right more dangerous because you are cutting off unsuspecting drivers. Ogden City is making an effort to make the city more biker friendly. They have painted bike lanes on many roads and installed bike lane signs.

Here is a somewhat condensed version of the State of Utah’s Bicyclist Laws-

If you are riding at a pace under the speed limit, you must ride as close to the right-hand side of the road as is safe. This doesn’t mean you have to ride in the gutter. You can avoid potholes, parked cars and other obstructions by giving yourself enough room on each side of you: Just avoid taking up an entire lane.
You may move out of this area if:

1. You are passing another cyclist.
2. You are making a left turn. This means that if you need to turn left, you will cross traffic safely (I will talk about this later) and wait in the left turning lane until you have the right of way.
3. You are traveling straight and blocking a right turn lane.
4. The lane is too narrow for both a bike and car to ride side by side.
5. You are dogding unsafe conditions (i.e. potholes, broken glass, animals.

Because bicycles are treated like automobiles on the road, a cyclist must:

1. Yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.
2. Give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
3. Not ride bicycles on sidewalks and paths or across driveways and crosswalks.
4. Not ride negligently (this, I'm sure, includes riding while under the influence).
5. Stop at the request of a police officer.

In order to ride safely in traffic, cyclists must use hand signals to indicate turning and braking.

To indicate you are turning left you should extend your left hand and arm horizontally before and as your cross traffic.

To turn right you should extend your left hand and arm upward.

To indicate that your are slowing down or stopping, extend your left hand and arm downward.

If you are riding any time between one half an hour after sunset and one half an hour before sunrise, you must have:

1. A lamp that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front.
2. A red reflector visible for 500 feet from the rear.
3. A red taillight, either flashing or non-flashing, that is also visible at least 500 feet from the rear.

Other safety tips include wearing a helmet and riding in a straight line. I like to make eye contact with any driver coming towards me, especially when I am turning, to make sure that they see me and acknowledge that I am there. I also don’t recommend starting fights with people. As a cyclist, you WILL encounter berating, road rage and disrespect in general from motorists. Don’t reciprocate this anger, it doesn’t usually end well. I have lost my temper with drivers and was actually almost attacked by some guy who was just pissed off that I was on the road. Luckily, I had two other guys with me.

For motorists:
You may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly drive within in 3 feet of a moving bicycle. Motorists should also watch for bicyclists, they are even less noticeable than motorcyclists. Make sure you give cyclists enough room and realize that there are many hazards on the road that they must avoid. Don’t honk your horn at cyclists (or shout at, ridicule, throw things at, threaten, etc. bicyclists either!) Make sure you don’t try to pass them if the lane is too narrow and there is on-coming traffic and never make a right turn in front of a biker.

You can find the complete list of Utah's bicycle laws here.
Also, check out Share the Road for more safety tips.

In conclusion, riding your bike, either for fun or to commute, is rewarding. So hop on your old ten-speed, your fixed gear or your high-end road bike--share the road and RIDE!

Do you commute to work on your bike? Share your tips, stories and experiences by leaving a comment.

Scavenger Hunt: The Final Days

We resorted to driving around the city for the last few days of our hunt. After finding 5 houses in one day, we gave up about 1 ½ hours before the deadline on Tuesday. We still had 4 more buildings left, but just couldn’t find them. When I turned in our form, the secretary told me it was the 63rd entry. So, I think we’ve got pretty good odds for the prize drawing. I’m feeling good about it. To conclude this year’s hunt, the Weber County Heritage Foundation will be hosting an event at Ogden High School this Thursday at 5:30pm. The event will feature a slideshow presentation of all of the historic buildings featured in this year’s hunt. Chuck James, an artisan and lead decorative painter, will speak about techniques being used to restore Ogden High School. I am really glad I participated in this year’s hunt. I had a lot of fun exploring the town and learning more about its history. If you didn’t participate this year, don’t worry it will be back next year!

Be sure to check back Friday when I count down Ogden's Top Ten Landmarks.

Disneyland

Ahhhhh! Just got back from Disneyland and I haven't been on a computer for 8 days! That is a super long time for me. But, the vacation was badly needed and well-deserved for everyone. The vacation was for my graduation and Mother's Day. I love, love, love all things Disney, so I knew that's how I wanted to celebrate. I was two-years-old the first time my parents took me to Disneyland and I really wanted to do the same for Eleanor. Some people argue that 2-years-old is too young for Disneyland, because 1. They won't remember it and 2. It can be overstimulating or scary. I disagree, it was totally worth it. Eleanor loved every minute of it and kids under 3 are free anyways.

I thought that going during the off season would be a great way to avoid crowds, but now I am thinking off-season isn't so great. There are some pluses:

1. The weather was really nice. It was around 70 degrees F with a slight cool wind.

2. Some rides had wait times of 10 minutes or less.

But, I think the list ends there. Some of the cons were:

1. The park hours are way limited. During peak season the park is open from 8am-Midnight. Off-season hours are 10am-8pm. BIG difference. We talked to some locals who go all the time and they said that they usually come from 8am-noon and leave after that, because it gets too crowded. We didn't have that option and showing up at opening didn't help us escape the crowds, because 10am isn't that early for most people.

2. The parades and show times are limited. They only show fireworks and Fantasmic on the weekends during the off-season. There wasn't any parades at the Magic Kingdom and World of Color only had one showing each night. The Princess Fantasy Faire only offered princess meet and greets. During peak season, they also have Princess storytelling and Princess and Knighthood training.

3. We still had wait times of up to 45 minutes on lot of rides. We also missed out on some rides that were closed during off-season, like Splash Mountain. And if we would have waited just 3 weeks until June, we could have enjoyed the grand-opening and re-opening of multiple rides, like Star Tours and Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

I still did get to experience some of Disneyland's newer attractions.

Princess Fantasy Faire

When I was a kid, I swear we never once saw any princesses at Disneyland. It wasn't until 6th grade when my parents took us to Disney World and we ate at Cinderella's Castle that we saw our first princesses, Snow White and Cinderella. Now that princesses are so popular they have more of a presence at Disney resorts. Last time I went to Disneyland about 5 years ago, you could meet one princess at a time at random times in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Since then, they have built the Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland by It's a Small World. Now they have a huge stage for special events and a pretty area where you wait in one line to meet up to three different princesses in a more personal setting. The only catch is...The wait is over ONE HOUR long (and that's off-season). We attempted the Fantasy Faire on day 2. We got there around 10:45am (it opened at 10:30) and the wait was 90 minutes. We heard it was less busy in the afternoon, so we decided to come back. After hitting Toon Town, we came back at 1pm. The wait had decreased to 75 minutes. We decided not to wait and came back again at 4pm. The wait was back up to 90 minutes. We decided we had to get to the park early the next day and race to the Faire asap. So the next morning, I had my first experience of the countdown. We got through security and there was already a line to get into the park which didn't open for another 45 minutes. Thirty minutes before opening, you are allowed into Main Street. After counting down and making our way into the park we got coffee and waited in line on Main Street. At 9:59am an announcement came over park and we counted down until the opening of the gates. The race was on. The hundreds and hundreds of people in front of us rushed off to their desired location. We sprinted for the Faire and by the time we got there at 10:05 there was already at least 10 groups in front of us. By 11am, we finally got in to see the princesses. So, even though we got there first thing in the morning we still ended up waiting 90 minutes. The one nice thing is I was able to take Eleanor and her cousin on Dumbo (another long-wait ride) while my husband waited in the princess line. I will say that the wait is worth it. You get to meet each princess individually (luckily, my fav Aurora was there) and you are not rushed as you take pictures and get autographs. This is why the wait is so long. They also have a Tangled meet and greet and a Pixie meet and greet area. The wait for Tangled was just as long as Fantasy Faire and I never saw Pixie Hollow, so we didn't get to check out those ones.

Toy Story Mania
This ride is fairly new, so I had never been on it. It was super fun. The wait was long (about 45 minutes), but well worth it. The ride is 3D and you also get a controller, so as you go through the ride you play 5 different carnival-type games. It tallies your score, so you can compete with the rest of your group.

World of Color
We saw the World of Color show at California Adventure on the last day of our stay and it was the perfect way to end our Disney vacation. World of Color is a water, light, fire and movie show that is truly amazing. Eleanor was seriously freaking out. She was squealing with delight, dancing on my shoulders and smacking the top of my head. We opted for the picnic deal and it was worth it. For $15/person, we got a picnic lunch that could be pick up any time prior to the show and "reserved" seating for the show. The area is standing room only, but the picnic tickets let you into the best areas and you don't have to wait in line. You also get a reusable bag to put your lunches in and the kids meal comes with a light-up bracelet. I got the European antipasto (it was a little skimpy compared to the other meals, so I don't recommend it). My husband got the Mediterranean vegetarian meal and liked it a lot. My daughter got the all-American kids meals. There are two other adult options and one other child option, as well. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I just made a short video with a clip from the show and my daughter's reaction. It's a little dark, but you can still see her bouncing all over the place.


Here are a few tips if you are headed to Disneyland soon:

1. Get a fanny pack! I know they are not as cool as they were in the 90s but, I got a sweet Mickey "hip" pack from Disney Movie Rewards and it was so nice to have our camera, tickets, Photo Pass, maps, gum, etc. easily accessible without having to wear a backpack all day.

2. Bring your own food and water. Some people say you can't do this, but you can. We brought in a lunch bag full of snacks and even saw some people bring in small coolers. We saved a ton of money the first day by snacking on nuts and Luna bars instead of Disneyland treats. By the second day, we caved in and were buying ice cream bars and churros every few hours. There are some delicious treats at Disneyland that you just don't find anywhere else and are worth the splurge. We tried the pineapple juice float from the Tiki Bar.

3. Buy a cup of delicious drip coffee (no specialty/espresso drinks) at the Market House on Main Street and get free refills all day. At Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland you can do the same thing for soft drinks.

4. Stop by the City Hall on Main Street and get a free button for any special occasion. I got a 1st Visit button for Eleanor. I also saw Just Married, I'm Celebrating and Birthday buttons. Don't go first thing in the morning though, because City Hall is also guest information and there is a line to get in. We went in the afternoon and walked right in.

5. Make sure you check Disneyland's calendar on their website before you go. That way you can plan your days better. I missed out on the Aladdin show and the Pixar Parade in California Adventure, because I didn't know they didn't have either of those shows on Wednesdays (the day we were in California Adventure) or Thursdays.

6. Buy autograph books and pens outside of the park or make your own. There are a ton of souvenir shops in Anaheim that sell Disney items, from pens to t-shirts, for much cheaper. You can get a book and pen for around $5 compared to the $20 you'd spend at the Park. We made and decorated our own with scrapbook materials for a few dollars each.

We were at Disneyland for 3 days and it was definitely enough time to see both parks, but next time I am going for five days for sure! I even have my husband talked into it. He isn't a huge Disney fan, but after the great time Eleanor had he is a lot more fond of it.

Spread the Word

As I have mentioned earlier, I will be leaving on vacation this weekend. But before I go, I wanted to commemorate O-town Mama's one-month anniversary this Sunday. I have spent many hours designing, researching and writing. The most time consuming is definitely my calendar. I have done a lot in these last 28 days to build and promote my blog. I still have a lot more in store, too. I really appreciated all the positive feedback and support I have received so far. If you use or enjoy my blog, please share it. You can like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, share my blog or posts on either social network, subscribe to my posts through email or put my button on your blog or website. Many thanks!

Deal of the Day

Tomorrow is National Train Day and you can celebrate by giving your family a membership to Ogden's one and only Union Station. Groupon is offering memberships at the discounted rate of only $20 for a whole year. With a membership you get admission to all 3 Union Station Museums for 4 children and 2 adults, 10% off all your purchases at the gift store, and free admission to the Ogden Nature Center and Eccles Dinosaur Park on the weekdays. Click here to buy.

Blog Button

I now have a blog button which seems to be the cool thing to have. I designed and made it myself, so it's a little ghetto. But it's also kind of cute and I like it. So feel free to share it with the world!

Wanted: Ogden Event Info

I started this blog to promote Ogden and keep updated on local family activities and events. There are always great things going on in Ogden, but I found it hard to keep track of all them. Each organization, business, etc. has their own website and you have to check them all to find out what's going on. I want to create one place where locals and visitors alike can view all of Ogden's events and choose which one they want to attend for every day of the week. My goal is to have all family-friendly Ogden events and activities listed on my blog at least one month in advance. If you or your business know of any events and would like them to be included on my calendar please email me at otownmama01@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and sharing!

Scavenger Hunt: Days 2 & 3

After two days and at least 10 miles of biking and walking around Ogden, we have only found one more house (one with no visible address, no less)! This hunt is turning out to be a lot harder than I expected.

Despite our hard luck, we are thoroughly enjoy our Ogden adventures. From stopping at Bangkok Garden for lunch or Ventana's for fried ice cream, I love being caught in Ogden's eclectic mix of residential and urban neighborhoods.

From the weed-ridden yards...

To the tree-lined streets...

Abandoned buildings

And historic properties

These are the things I LOVE about Ogden!

The deadline for scavenger hunt forms is Tuesday, May 17th. Are you out there searching for Ogden's historic buildings? Share your experiences by leaving a comment!

Deal of the Day

Headed for coffee and bagels today? Click here for a coupon for a free treat from Einstein Bros.

Cinco de Mayo

Celebrations for Cinco de Mayo start tomorrow. I know, I know, Cinco de Mayo is a waaaaay bigger deal in America than it is in Mexico. Many people think that it is Mexico's equivalent to the USA's 4th of July, but it actually is commemoration of a battle won by Mexico over France. Mexico's independence day is known as Grito de Dolores and celebrated on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo may not be the most important Mexican holiday, but it is a great opportunity to celebrate diversity in Ogden and nationwide.

The Weber County Library will celebrate on Thursday, May 5 (of course) at the Main Branch and on Saturday, May 7 at the Pleasant Valley Branch. The event will boast a presentation of Mexican dances by Utah-based Mexican folk dances, arts and crafts and refreshments. Additional details are available on my calendar.

On Wednesday, May 4, the Marshall White Center will celebrate with a car show, music, dancers and activities for kids. Javier's will provide the food.

Do you know of any other Cinco de Mayo celebrations? Are you attending any of these events? Leave a comment to share!

Deal of the Day

Magazine.com is offering a $5.00 discount off of any magazine subscription listed on their site with the code springmags. You can get a 22 month subscription to Parenting magazine for only $4.97! Check it out here.

A day in Ogden

Took some time to go out and enjoy some sun, bikes and O-town. Started at the at the Treehouse for On Track to Reading. On Track to Reading is all about preparing kids to learn to read and for school. The goal is to have them interact with the songs and then sit through a group story time for about 15 minutes. Unfortunately my daughter's not quite on track, more like derailed. She will not sit down for one second. It's OK though, she's a free spirit.

Next, we headed down Washington Blvd. to check out all the newish businesses downtown. We stopped at the BEE for coffee, then did some shopping at Urban Chic, Ogden Rox and Recreation Outlet. Elle was digging the hats at Urban.

We attempted to ride the parkway, but it happens to be about 8 feet under water!

Lastly, we stopped at the library for Children's Book Week. It was really neat. They had a volunteer from the Dinosaur Park who brought bones and fossils. Then we read a dinosaur picture book and made dinosaur masks. At the end, they passed out some treats and every kid got to pick out a free book. If you missed this, I highly suggest you check out it out tomorrow at the Pleasant Valley and North branches. You can get more info from my calendar.

Deal of the Day

First off Groupon has a great offer of two tickets to Red Butte Gardens for the price of one. That's just $8 plus kids under the age are free. I have never been there, so it will be a great little field trip for the fam. Click here to order.

Secondly, Restaurant.com com is having another great gift certificate sale.

Click here to order.

Mothers, Artists and Do-gooders.

There is a ton of stuff going on this month in Ogden. I will be out of town all of next week, so I am giving you a two-week heads-up on the highlights.

Mother's Day
May 4th-7th- Let moms shop 'til they drop or find an unique gift for mom at the Kottage Kupboard Craft Boutique at the Golden Spike Event Center. Times for May 4th-6th are 10am-8pm and May 7th 10am-4pm.

May 6th- The Ogden Nature Center will be hosting a Mommy and Me Tea Party. You will enjoy snacks and tea, while learning about different types of tea, singing songs about tea and making a craft. Tickets are $12/couple.

May 6th- Ben Lomond Hotel will be hosting another tea party event in honor of Mother's Day at 4 and 5pm. Enjoy sandwiches, scones and of course tea.

May 8th- Dinosaur Park is offering free admission for all mothers with the purchase of an additional ticket.

May 14th- Treehouse Museum is offering free admission for all mothers.

May 1st-31st- Mention Dinner's Ready Mother's Day ad in the Standard Examiner and save 10% on your purchase. Check it out at mydinnersready.com

Make a Difference Day
May 12th is National Make a Difference Day. Make this a day you and your family take a little time to improve your community. Ogden City is looking for volunteers to help in many different projects. To get involved contact Ogden City’s Public Ways & Parks Division at 801-629-8284.

Ogden Farmer's Market
The Farmer's Market will be opening this season on July 9th. They are looking for art poster entries. There will be a $500 cash prize for the winner. Entries are due by May 20th.

Additional information is available for all events on my calendar. There is also many other events listed.

Have questions, concerns, suggestions? Please leave a comment.