Michelin, Publishers of the famous Michelin Star travel guides has awarded Utah the first three-star designation for a state!  The editors used a nine weighted criteria to evaluate a destination, and three stars were awarded to Utah mostly in recognition of local hospitality, visitors’ accessibility to hidden gems and The Mighty 5Ⓡ national parks.  To see more about this amazing award for Utah click the link below:

Utah First State to receive three Michelin Stars

Utah is the sixth-best state in the country for child well-being, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a children's advocacy group.  Utah ranked first nationally in the family and community measure, which tracked the percentage of children in single-parent families, the teenage birth rate, the proportion of youth living in high poverty areas, and minors living in homes where the head of the household does not have a diploma.

To see the full report go here:  Utah the 6th best state for child wellness

One of the most stressful changes for people is moving, and for animals, it is no different. According to statistics published by the Humane Society of the United States, 79.7 million households have at least one pet. This is a survival guide for some of the most common stress-induced issues furry family members may face during a move.

Canines

According to the vets at Pet MD, dogs generally tend to internalize their emotional pain, and stress reactions usually manifest in tummy troubles and/or a decrease in appetite. They may also become isolated and sleep more than usual.

To help relieve some of the stress associated with an impending move, Jodi Frediani, wrote in her article that the key to managing a dog in a stressful situation is balance

Park City is always the place to be on July 4th with festivities starting at dawn and going until dark.  This year the July 3rd celebration is back at the Canyons Village after a few year hiatus so it is two days of fun!  The fun begins at 5pm on July 3, at Canyons Village with complimentary family activities including, caricature artists, hula hoops, chalk art, and face painting and DJ Velvet spinning some music.  The band The Number Ones will perform at 730pm, followed by a fireworks show at dusk. 

Here are the happening on Wednesday July 4th:

7am - Traditional pancake breakfast at City Park that benefits local Boy Scouts

8am - 5K Fun Run presented by the Park City Ski Team at Park City Mountain Resort

11am - Fourth of July parade starts at

Imagine enjoying a nice breezy mountain day with your doors open and in walks a moose!  That is what really happened to a family who lives in the Bald Eagle neighborhood of Deer Valley.  Get the full story here:

http://kpcw.org/post/moose-wanders-bald-eagle-home#stream/0

*Photo by Sheri Prucka

Allergy season is upon us. Here are a few ideas to reduce the negative effects and stay healthier.

1. Wipe surfaces. Use a damp cloth to dust window sills, bookshelves and knickknacks. Any allergens will cling to the moist rag instead of spreading into the air.

2. Vacuum this. When you strip your bed, run the vacuum over the top and sides of your mattress to remove any dust mites.

3. Check the dryer vent. The dryer produces moist air that can cause mold to form. Make sure the vent is securely attached, sending the air outside and away from the house.

4. Shift furniture. Moving furniture just an inch away from air vents will allow air to flow freely, stopping the buildup of dust particles.

SmartAsset’s “Best States for Homeowners” list came out for 2018 and Utah came in at #2!  What exactly makes a State great for homeowners?  According to SmartAsset, a personal finance site, home price growth as well as affordability, and low foreclosures, property taxes, closing costs, and low burglary rates are among the characteristics that make homeownership an attractive investment.  Utah came in strong with low property taxes, price appreciation, and price per square foot.  

Take a look at the full list here:  SmartAsset's Best States for Homeowners List

Expanding the Company’s Family of Destinations and Experiences in Utah, Alterra Mountain Company announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Solitude Mountain Resort, which would bring the company’s total to 13 year-round mountain destinations throughout North America, including the world’s largest heliskiing operation.

“With its close relationship with Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort is a natural fit for Alterra Mountain Company, and a tremendous addition to our family of destinations. We are especially excited to expand our reach within Utah and offer another ski and snowboard experience in a state known for its exceptional snow and mountain culture,” said Rusty Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, Alterra Mountain

Recently Facebook choose Eagle Mountain, Utah as the place for their new data center.  Entrepreneur.com just published a great article on the reasons why Facebook and several other big companies are choosing Utah or as they say the "silicon slopes" including: Adobe, Overstock.com, Vivint Solar, Skullcandy and many more.  See the full article here and the 5 reasons why you should choose Utah too!

TripAdvisor came out with the Top 10 U.S. Wellness Destinations in the Nation and Park City came in at #8!  

The travel planning and booking site identified what it called 'zen destinations' and were happy to see that Park City made the list.  With Park City's endless trail systems, clean air, and so many healthy things to do it really is a zen place to get away!