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Each month, The Enterprise Newspaper Group dedicates a separate section to a certain industry, profession or business issue. Focus editions also are an excellent source of lists that rank the top local companies that do business in the field being featured in the section. Additionally, Special Focus Reports on specific industries run periodically in The Enterprise.
Subjects slated to be covered in 2008 include:
Jan. 7 -- Construction
Feb. 4 -- Mining in Utah ... A Utah Focus
March 3 -- Trucking & Logistics
Apr. 7 -- Travel, Tourism & Recreation - Spring/Summer
Apr. 21 -- Small Business in Utah
May 5 -- Utah's Green Business Environment
June 9 -- Business Continuity & Risk Management
June 30 -- Technology
July 14 -- Health & fitness
Aug. 4 -- Banking & Finance
Aug. 18 -- Education & Training
Sept. 8 -- Business of Real Estate
Oct. 6 -- Oil, Gas & Energy
Oct. 27 -- Travel, Tourism & Hospitality - Fall/Winter
Nov. 10-- Manufacturing
Dec. 3 -- The Workplace
Featured story from the April 7, 2008 Focus edition
Travel, Tourism & Recreation
Rising water levels expected to lure visitors back to drought-impacted Lake Powell
By Frances Johnson
The Enterprise
After years of low water due to drought and scanty snow melt, the level of Lake Powell, located at the border of Utah and Arizona in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, should rise 50 feet this season, opening up previously closed shortcuts and drawing more visitors to the lake this summer.
The second largest man-made lake in the United States, Lake Powell is a popular houseboating destination for visitors from all around the country. Residents of Utah are especially drawn to the lake due to its driving-range proximity. Though it has remained busy, low water levels have kept some visitors away from Lake Powell, said Steven Ward, director of public relations for Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas. Low water levels open up some previously inaccessible terrain for hiking and exploration, but many potential visitors worried that popular activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding and kayaking would be affected by low water, he said.
"Everything has been open but, unfortunately, there's a negative perception that it's not as much fun if the water is down," Ward said. "The water should start coming up any day. It's just kind of going to take away that negative perception."
Some shortcuts, including the Castlerock Cut, which eliminates 12 miles of travel between the upper and lower parts of the lake, have been closed since 2003, but will be passable again by May or June. The Rainbow Bridge, Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay areas will also reopen as the water rises.
"It opens more areas for exploration," said Lisa Epstein with the San Diego-based public relations firm of Allison & Partners. Shortcuts will also encourage people who might have restricted their boat travel due to high gas prices to visit new areas of the lake.
Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas operates campground and RV park facilities at the launch points of Wahweap, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. The tent sites include campsites, tables, grills, water and flushing toilets. RV sites include full hook-ups and picnic tables, with shower/restroom facilities also available. Both the tent and RV locations take reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In addition, the Lake Powell resort boasts 350 rooms, including double queens, kings and deluxe suites. More than $1 million worth of renovations undertaken during the winter of 2005 in nearly one-third of the rooms include 27-inch Sony televisions, voicemail service, mirrored closet doors and new vanity mirrors and lights.
Several rooms at Lake Powell Resort also underwent an environmental facelift. The EcoRooms include natural, hypoallergenic personal care products; digital thermostats; compact fluorescent bulbs that provide superior lighting and prevent more than 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and 20 pounds of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants; water-efficient sinks, showers and toilets designed to save more than 20,000 gallons of water annually per room; recycled paper products, recycling receptacles and linen re-use; amenity dispensers that prevent more than 1,000 packages of soap and shampoo from entering landfills; and readily biodegradable cleaning and maintenance supplies. Environmental renovations will continue this year.
With all these options available, however, houseboat vacations are still the most popular, Epstein said.
Frequent visitors often own their own houseboats, but Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas also offers houseboats for rent in a variety of sizes and luxury levels. The 48-foot Navigator Class, for example, sleeps 10 people and features a fully-equipped kitchen, gas barbecue, water slide, two stereo systems and a TV, VCR and DVD player. The Adventurer Class houseboats, available in 53-foot and 54-foot XL models, provide an extra measure of comfort with upgrades including an evaporative cooling system, CD player and kitchen appliances.
Many houseboaters, whether they own a houseboat or are renting, also rent a "Weekender" vessel, Epstein said. The Weekender is a pontoon-style patio boat with open sides. It can be used as a floating deck attached to a houseboat, or as a day-expedition vehicle.
The Canyon Princess, a 96-foot tour boat, will hit the water for its second season this year. The Canyon Princess has climate-controlled cherrywood salons, a curved grand staircase and large, open-air decks. It can accommodate more than 100 guests for weddings, chartered events and other celebrations. Throughout the summer, the Canyon Princess will also provide sunset dinner, breakfast and evening cruises.
In June, Lake Powell will play host for the third year to a wakeboard event that draws professional and recreational wakeboarders from all over the world. Back on land, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas will also host the Fifth Annual Cruisin' Lake Powell Car Show May 10-11. Cars will be on display both Friday and Saturday, and the event includes a barbecue, dance contest and evening car parade along Lakeshore Drive and through the city of Page, Ariz.
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