JoAnn Giordano is the editor-in-chief of Provo.com. Having lived in and around Utah Valley for years, she leads the site's editorial direction with a focus on the comprehensive, honest local coverage that helps residents, students, and newcomers feel at home.
When she's not shaping Provo.com's restaurant and neighborhood coverage, she's exploring the valley's trails or tracking down the best new spots on Center Street.
Areas of Expertise
Local Restaurants
Real Estate & Housing
Neighborhood Culture
Community Resources
Cost of Living
Date Ideas & Nightlife
Outdoor Recreation
Pet-Friendly Provo
Articles by JoAnn
Daily Life
Homeless Resources in Utah County: Where to Get Help, and How to Help
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Getting a Passport in Utah County: Two Payments, One Building, and the Check Nobody Brings
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Preschool in Provo: The Four-Hour Rule That Decides Which Law Applies
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Civic
Provo City Cemetery: Finding a Grave, Reading the Records, and the 1853 Ground Underneath It
15 min read · August 13, 2026
Real Estate
Provo Zoning, Explained: One Family or Three Singles, and the $25 Letter That Settles It
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Outdoors
Shooting Ranges in Utah Valley: Where the Public Can Actually Shoot, and What to Bring
14 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Voting in Utah County: The Postmark Rule Is Gone, and That Is the Change That Bites
14 min read · August 13, 2026
Families
Youth Sports in Utah Valley: City Rec, Club Teams & What It Actually Costs
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Arts & Culture
American Fork Amphitheater: Free Monday Concerts, Weddings, and Two Different Addresses
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Real Estate
What Rent Actually Costs in Provo: Reading the Number Correctly
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Home
Building Permits in Provo: When You Need One and When You Don't
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Transportation
Car Insurance in Utah: The Minimums Changed, and What Actually Drives Your Rate Here
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Schools
Charter Schools in Utah Valley: How the Lottery Works and What You Give Up
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Money
Credit Unions & Banks in Provo: Who's Local, Who's Not & Which to Pick
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Healthcare
Eye Exams & Glasses in Provo: Who Takes What Insurance, and Where to Go
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
How to Actually Follow Provo City Council (and Be Heard at One)
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Community
Food Help in Utah County: Where to Go, What to Bring & What Nobody Asks You
13 min read · August 12, 2026
City Services
Funeral Homes, Obituaries and Death Records in Utah County: The Practical Guide
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Gig Work in Provo: The Honest Math on Delivery, Rideshare and Side Apps
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Home
Does Provo Have Hard Water? Yes — Here's What It Costs You & What Helps
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Day Trips
The Heber Creeper: A Complete Guide to the Heber Valley Railroad
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Home
HOAs in Utah Valley: What You're Actually Signing Up For
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Food History
Hogi Yogi: The Provo Chain That Went National, Sold, and Came Back to Four Stores
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Families
Homeschooling in Utah Valley: The Affidavit Is Gone, and Most Guides Haven't Caught Up
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Job Fairs & Hiring Events in Utah Valley: Who Runs Them and When
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Outdoors
Jolley's Ranch: Camping in Hobble Creek Canyon, Twenty Minutes from Provo
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Places of Worship
The Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork: Llamas, Holi and a Rajasthani Palace in Utah County
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Attractions
Lehi Roller Mills: The Footloose Landmark That Quietly Changed Its Name
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Planning
Getting a Marriage License in Utah County: Cost, Timing & the 32-Day Clock
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Fitness
Martial Arts in Provo & Utah Valley: Choosing a School Without Signing the Wrong Contract
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Apartments
Midtown 360: Utah County's High-Rise Experiment on State Street
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Temples
The New Provo Temple, Explained: The Rock Canyon Rebuild
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Arts & Culture
The Osmonds and Utah Valley: How a Family From Ogden Built a Hollywood in Orem
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Real Estate
Property Tax in Utah County: How It's Assessed, How to Appeal & When It's Due
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Schools
Provo City School District: The Parent's Guide to How It Actually Works
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
Provo's Elevation: How High It Is and What That Actually Changes
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
Provo for Retirees: The Other Demographic in America's Youngest College Town
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Getting Started
Moving to Provo When You're Not LDS: The Honest Guide
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
Where Provo's Water Actually Comes From
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Local History
Qualtrics: The Provo Basement That Built a $12 Billion Company
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
Recycling & Garbage in Provo: The Actual Rules (2026)
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
River Rock Cafe: Eating at Utah Valley Hospital When You Did Not Plan To
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Nearby Cities
Where to Stay in Spanish Fork: The Honest Answer About Lodging
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Local History
Startup Candy: The Provo Family That Claims America's First Filled Candy Bar
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
Tax Prep in Provo: From Free VITA Labs to Paid CPAs, and How to Tell Which You Need
13 min read · August 12, 2026
History
The Legend of Timpanogos Was Written by a Track Coach in 1922
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Families
Tutoring in Utah Valley: What It Costs, Who's Actually Qualified, and When You Need It
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Renting
Renters' Rights in Utah: Deposits, Repairs, Entry & Eviction, Explained
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Apartments
Ventana: The Four-Bedroom Student Complex South of UVU
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Apartments
Wolverine Crossing: The UVU Student Housing Complex Across the Skybridge
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Annual Events
Colonial Days in Orem: The Living-History Festival Locals Underrate
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Arts & Culture
Comedy in Provo: Dry Bar, ComedyBox, and How a College Town Became a Clean-Comedy Capital
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
The Provo DMV, Decoded: Two Agencies, Two Buildings
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Daily Life
Dry Cleaning & Alterations in Provo: Suits, Missions & Wedding Deadlines
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Annual Events
Balloon Fest at Fox Field: Provo's Best Free Morning of the Year
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
FrontRunner from Provo: What to Know Before You Ride
13 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Government Jobs in Utah County: How Civil-Service Hiring Actually Works Here
14 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Job Help in Utah Valley That Costs Nothing: The Register
14 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Jobs in Provo With No Degree or Experience: The Honest Map
14 min read · August 11, 2026
Outdoor Recreation
Mini Golf in Utah Valley: Where to Putt, and Why Provo Doesn't Have a Course
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Part-Time Jobs in Provo: Who Hires, When They Hire, and What the Shifts Are Really Like
13 min read · August 11, 2026
Healthcare
Pharmacies in Provo: Late Hours, Transfers & What Utah Lets Pharmacists Do
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Working at Provo Airport: Who Actually Hires There, and What the Expansion Changes
13 min read · August 11, 2026
Parks & Recreation
The Provo Recreation Center: What's Inside, What It Costs, and What Nobody Tells You First
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
What Jobs Actually Pay in Provo: A Sector-by-Sector Wage Guide
13 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
Living in Provo Without a Car: An Honest Assessment
13 min read · August 11, 2026
City News
Seven Peaks: How Provo's Water Park Nearly Died
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Annual Events
Fiesta Days: Spanish Fork's Rodeo Week and the Valley's Biggest 24th of July
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Annual Events
Steel Days: How American Fork Takes Over Two Full Weeks in July
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Summer Jobs in Utah Valley That Are Not Door-to-Door Sales
14 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Tech Jobs in Utah Valley Without Moving to Lehi
14 min read · August 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Teen Jobs in Provo: The Utah Rules, and Who Actually Hires at 14, 15 and 16
14 min read · August 11, 2026
Visiting
Unique Places to Stay in Utah Valley: Historic Inns, Canyon Lodges and the Hines Mansion
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Companies
WordPerfect & Novell: Utah Valley's First Tech Boom
13 min read · August 11, 2026
Faith
How LDS Wards Work: A Guide for People Moving to Utah Valley
12 min read · August 9, 2026
Festivals
Pioneer Day, Explained: Why Utah Shuts Down on July 24
11 min read · August 9, 2026
Best Restaurants
Black Sheep Cafe: The Provo Restaurant Built on a Navajo Nation Childhood
12 min read · August 8, 2026
City Guides
Cedar Fort & Fairfield: Camp Floyd and Utah County's West Desert Edge
12 min read · August 8, 2026
City News
Famous People From Provo and Utah Valley
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Neighborhoods
Freedom Boulevard: The Street Where Provo Keeps the Things It Actually Needs
12 min read · August 8, 2026
City News
Geneva Steel: The Mill That Built Utah Valley, and the Ground It Left Behind
14 min read · August 8, 2026
City News
iProvo: The City That Built Its Own Internet, Sold It Twice, and Kept the Debt
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Local Business
Provo's Oldest Businesses Still Open — and Why the Dates Don't Agree
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Annual Events
Golden Onion Days: Inside Utah's Oldest Labor Day Celebration
10 min read · August 8, 2026
City News
A Short History of Provo: From Fishing Camp to College Town
12 min read · August 8, 2026
History
The Provo Tabernacle Fire and the Temple That Rose From It
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Neighborhoods
University Avenue, Provo: The Street Every Address in the City Is Measured From
14 min read · August 8, 2026
Neighborhoods
University Parkway: The One Street That Stitches Provo and Orem Together
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Day Trips
Bear Lake from Provo: Turquoise Water, Raspberry Shakes, Real Distance
12 min read · August 7, 2026
Coffee & Drinks
Drinking in Provo: Utah's Alcohol Laws, Where to Drink & Why There's No Happy Hour (2026)
14 min read · August 7, 2026
Home Services
Hiring Movers in Utah Valley: How to Vet One, What Protects You, and the Two-Week August Crunch
14 min read · August 7, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Jobs in Provo & Utah Valley: Who's Hiring, What It Pays, and What Nobody Tells You (2026)
15 min read · August 7, 2026
Moving & Cost
Provo Population & City Facts (2026): Who Actually Lives Here
11 min read · August 7, 2026
Daily Life
Provo Weather by Month: Seasons, Snow, Inversion & the Best Time to Visit (2026)
15 min read · August 7, 2026
Moving & Cost
Retiring in Utah Valley: Taxes, Property Relief, Healthcare and What Nobody Mentions
15 min read · August 7, 2026
Moving & Housing
Storage Units in Provo: The Student Gap, the Ironton Row & How to Rent Smart (2026)
11 min read · August 7, 2026
Worship
Going to Church in Provo: What Actually Happens if You Walk In (2026)
14 min read · August 7, 2026
City Guides
Living in Provo, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
13 min read · August 6, 2026
Campus Guides
Visiting BYU Campus: Museums, the Creamery, the Y & Parking
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Campus & Sports
BYU Education Week 2026: What It Costs, How It Works, What Nobody Tells You
27 min read · July 25, 2026
Temples
Visiting Utah Valley's Temples: A Guide for Everyone
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Schools
Timpanogos School District: What Utah Valley Parents Need to Know
11 min read · July 25, 2026
Service
How to Actually Volunteer in Utah Valley
12 min read · July 25, 2026
By City
The Best Restaurants in Pleasant Grove & Lindon (2026)
12 min read · July 24, 2026
By City
The Best Restaurants in Payson, Salem & Santaquin (2026)
9 min read · July 24, 2026
By City
The Best Restaurants in Springville, Utah (2026)
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Transportation
Car Ownership in Utah Valley 101: Registration, Emissions & Winter Reality
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Companies
Companies Founded in Utah Valley: The Ones You've Actually Heard Of
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Direct Sales in Utah Valley: Why the Industry's Capital Is Here
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Home Services
Hiring Home Pros in Utah Valley: How to Vet Anyone Who Works on Your House
12 min read · July 24, 2026
City Guides
Living in Alpine, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
10 min read · July 24, 2026
City Guides
Living in Cedar Hills, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
9 min read · July 24, 2026
City Guides
Living in Highland, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
10 min read · July 24, 2026
City Guides
Living in Salem, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
9 min read · July 24, 2026
City Guides
Living in Santaquin, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
10 min read · July 24, 2026
Companies
Silicon Slopes, Explained: What It Is and Why It Started Here
11 min read · July 24, 2026
City Guides
Utah County's Small Towns: Elk Ridge, Woodland Hills, Genola & Goshen
13 min read · July 24, 2026
Planning
Honeymoon Ideas for Utah Valley Couples (2026)
13 min read · July 12, 2026
Family Guide
Kids' Birthday Party Places in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · July 11, 2026
Family Guide
The Provo City Library: A Family Guide to Academy Square (2026)
12 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding Florists in Utah Valley: Flowers, Costs & Booking (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding Planners and Coordinators in Utah Valley (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Jobs & Economy
The Biggest Employers in Utah Valley (2026)
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Campus Guides
The BYU Guide to Provo (2026): Housing, Food, Game Days & Visiting Campus
9 min read · July 10, 2026
Congregations
A Newcomer's Guide to Faith Communities in Provo & Utah Valley
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Healthcare
Finding a Therapist in Utah Valley: The Practical Guide
13 min read · July 10, 2026
Traditions
General Conference Weekend in Utah Valley: A Local's Guide
9 min read · July 10, 2026
Missionary Life
The Provo MTC: A Guide for Visiting Families & New Missionaries
13 min read · July 10, 2026
Venues & Temples
Temple Weddings: A Guide for Out-of-Town Guests (Utah Valley)
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Campus Guides
The UVU Guide (2026): Housing, Food & Commuting
9 min read · July 10, 2026
UVU
UVU for Students 25 and Older: The Working Adult's Guide to Going (Back) to School
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Vivint: Provo's Smart-Home Giant
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Visitor Guide
Where to Stay in Provo: An Honest Guide to Every Hotel Zone (2026)
13 min read · July 10, 2026
Real Estate
Buying a Home Near Provo: A Guide to Utah Valley's Surrounding Towns (2026)
14 min read · July 8, 2026
Home Services
Home Solar in Utah: Is It Still Worth It in 2026?
13 min read · July 8, 2026
Jobs & Economy
LGCY Power: Lehi's Homegrown Solar Company
8 min read · July 8, 2026
Student Housing
Married & Family Student Housing at BYU (2026 Guide)
13 min read · July 8, 2026
City News
Utah City, Explained: How a Vanished Steel Mill Became Utah County's New Downtown
15 min read · June 21, 2026
Visitor Guide
30 Best Things to Do in Utah Valley (2026)
14 min read · June 19, 2026
Getting Started
Moving to Provo for College: Move-In Day & Your First Week (BYU & UVU)
12 min read · June 19, 2026
Date Ideas
25 Best Date Night Activities in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · June 19, 2026
Family Guide
28 Best Family Activities in Utah Valley (2026)
13 min read · June 19, 2026
Student Housing
How to Find Student Housing in Provo & Orem (2026 Guide)
14 min read · June 19, 2026
City Guides
Living in Lindon, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
12 min read · June 19, 2026
City Guides
Living in Payson, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
12 min read · June 19, 2026
City Guides
Living in Pleasant Grove, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
12 min read · June 19, 2026
City Guides
Living in Springville, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
12 min read · June 19, 2026
Cuisine
18 Best Asian & Sushi Restaurants in Utah Valley (2026)
13 min read · June 11, 2026
Cuisine
16 Best Mexican Restaurants in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
Cuisine
16 Best Pizza & Italian Restaurants in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
By City
16 Best Restaurants in American Fork, Utah (2026)
13 min read · June 11, 2026
By City
14 Best Restaurants in Lehi, Utah (2026): A Local's Guide
13 min read · June 11, 2026
By City
18 Best Restaurants in Saratoga Springs, Utah (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
By City
18 Best Restaurants in Spanish Fork, Utah (2026)
13 min read · June 11, 2026
By City
11 Best Restaurants in Vineyard, Utah (2026)
9 min read · June 11, 2026
Breakfast & Lunch
Best Brunch & Weekend Breakfast in Utah Valley (2026)
15 min read · June 11, 2026
Date Night
15 Best Date-Night Restaurants in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
Group & Catering
15 Best Group & Family Restaurants in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in American Fork, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
11 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Eagle Mountain, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
11 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Lehi, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
12 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Mapleton, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
10 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Orem, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
12 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Saratoga Springs, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
11 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Spanish Fork, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
11 min read · June 11, 2026
City Guides
Living in Vineyard, Utah (2026): The Complete Guide
11 min read · June 11, 2026
Outdoor & Scenic
12 Best Restaurants With a View in Utah Valley (2026)
11 min read · June 11, 2026
Game Day
Where to Watch Sports in Provo (2026)
12 min read · May 11, 2026
Burgers & Wings
Best Wings in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · May 8, 2026
Best Restaurants
Provo's Best Kept Secret Restaurants (2026)
8 min read · May 8, 2026
Food News
How Provo Became a Food City: The Story Behind the Scene (2026)
13 min read · May 8, 2026
Game Day
Where to Eat Before & After a BYU Game (2026)
12 min read · May 8, 2026
Food Trucks
Food Trucks in Provo & Orem: Where They Park, Why They Move, and Which Ones Are Left
12 min read · May 1, 2026
Dietary
Best Healthy & Clean Eating Restaurants in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 22, 2026
Families
Childcare & Daycare Options in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 22, 2026
Family Dining
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Provo (2026)
11 min read · April 22, 2026
Outdoors
Stargazing & Dark Sky Spots Near Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 22, 2026
Jobs & Careers
Internships & Career Resources in Provo & Silicon Slopes (2026)
12 min read · April 21, 2026
Lakes & Water
Kayaking & Paddleboarding in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 21, 2026
Festivals
Christmas in Provo: Holiday Events & Lights Guide (2026)
12 min read · April 20, 2026
Daily Life
Coworking Spaces & Remote Work in Provo (2026)
11 min read · April 20, 2026
Pets
Dog Parks & Pet Life in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 20, 2026
Lakes & Water
Best Fishing Spots Near Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 20, 2026
Day Trips
Hot Springs Near Provo & Utah Valley (2026)
9 min read · April 20, 2026
Live Music & Arts
Provo's Live Music Scene: Venues, Shows & History (2026)
9 min read · April 20, 2026
Neighborhoods
Provo vs Orem: Which City Should You Live In? (2026)
11 min read · April 20, 2026
Coffee & Drinks
Dirty Soda in Provo: The Shops, the Vocabulary, and Where It Came From
13 min read · April 20, 2026
Late Night & Delivery
Late Night Food in Provo: What's Open After 9 PM (2026)
11 min read · April 19, 2026
Outdoors
Mountain Biking Near Provo: Trails & Guide (2026)
11 min read · April 19, 2026
Cuisine
Best Korean Food & BBQ in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · April 18, 2026
Attractions
Indoor Activities in Provo: Rainy Day & Winter Guide (2026)
10 min read · April 18, 2026
Travel
SLC to Provo: Getting Here from the Airport (2026)
12 min read · April 18, 2026
Burgers & Wings
Best Burgers in Provo, Orem & Utah Valley (2026)
14 min read · April 17, 2026
Cuisine
Best Thai Restaurants in Provo & Orem (2026)
10 min read · April 17, 2026
Moving & Cost
Cost of Living in Provo, Utah (2026)
10 min read · April 16, 2026
Date Ideas
Best Date Ideas in Provo (2026)
15 min read · April 16, 2026
Social Life
Dating in Provo: An Honest Guide (2026)
11 min read · April 16, 2026
Transportation
Getting Around Provo: FrontRunner, UTA & Commuting Guide (2026)
9 min read · April 16, 2026
Cuisine
Best Pizza in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · April 15, 2026
Seasonal
Winter Activities in Provo & Utah Valley (2026)
11 min read · April 15, 2026
By City
15 Best Restaurants in Orem, Utah (2026)
12 min read · April 14, 2026
Lakes & Water
Utah Lake: The Complete Guide (2026)
13 min read · April 14, 2026
Moving & Cost
Moving to Provo: The Complete Relocation Guide (2026)
21 min read · April 12, 2026
Hiking
Bridal Veil Falls: Your Complete Visitor Guide (2026)
13 min read · April 11, 2026
Visitor Guide
A Parent's Guide to Visiting Provo (2026)
11 min read · April 9, 2026
Cuisine
Best Mexican Food in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 6, 2026
Renting
Best Apartments Near BYU Campus (2026)
16 min read · April 4, 2026
Pets
Pet-Friendly Apartments in Provo (2026)
10 min read · April 3, 2026