Nevada State Bank has served the banking needs of families and businesses across Nevada for more than 60 years. With branches from north to south, urban to rural, and with more than half a century of Nevada banking experience, we’re here for you.
Your bank should help you succeed. Your bank should be NSB. To learn more, call 866.706.4508 or visit nsbank.com.
IT MATTERS WHO YOU BANK WITH ®
This has always been my favorite holiday. There’s no pressure of finding the perfect gift, just time spent together with loved ones doing our favorite things as a Greek family - eating, talking, playing fiercely competitive board games, and, of course, watching Thanksgiving day football!
The cozy warmth of just about every kitchen device in use, the smell of tried-and-true family recipes in preparation, the laughter of family retelling the same stories for the thousandth time (but laughing like it’s the first), and the joy of being surrounded by my favorite people on earth have me looking forward to this time every year.
I know we all feel pressure to have the perfect holiday, and we can end up racing around so much with all the preparation leading up to it that we’re exhausted by the time it comes. This is your friendly reminder to slow down, even if just for a few minutes during gatherings to take it in and remember to be thankful for the blessings in your own life.
This month, we’re thrilled to highlight stories from people in our community sharing their gratitude in our “Thankful” issue. We sit down with Richard Harris, owner of Richard Harris Law Firm who shares the importance of giving back to the community that built his business; Bryan Sanders, owner of EverGlo Studios who shares how being thankful for his health helped his daughter, Tiffany, and their family launch their Henderson business; and we meet with Matchmaker and Marriage Officiant Wanda Tracey, who shares the importance of gratitude in strengthening your romantic relationship; and we take a moment to honor our veterans, ensuring that we always remember and celebrate them, no matter where they may be.
As always, we hope you love it and thank you for reading!
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving,
CRISSIE BOWN, PUBLISHER
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Crissie Bown | crissie.bown@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Paige Candee | paige.candee@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Patranya Bhoolsuwan, Chanelle Hayes, Cynthia Newdel, Alexander Fraser, Angela Broockerd, Andres Molina
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Adam Trujillo, Janie Jones, Chezaray Photography, Jason Hernandez
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
1: Teach For America Nevada celebrated its 20th Anniversary in Nevada at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. 2: The non-profit organization works to improve educational equity and opportunity for children. 3: Teachers of the program have impacted over 300,000 students in the valley.
4: Community, civic, and business leaders gathered to celebrate the organization’s work. 5: Alumni have developed into classroom, school, systems, business, and elected leaders who continue to impact education. 6: Lindy Schumacher was the recipient of Teach For America Nevada’s first ever Icon Award. 7: Local City Lifestyle Publishers supported the fundraiser.
8: GiGi’s Playhouse™ Las Vegas hosted its I Have a Voice Gala. 9: The event celebrated individuals with Down syndrome and raised awareness about their cause. 10: It raised more than $285,000 for the Down Syndrome Achievement Center. 11: GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission is to change how the world views Down syndrome. 12: The gala was attended by families, sponsors, and donors to support the Playhouse's longterm sustainability. 13: The non-profit organization provides free, life-changing therapeutic, educational and career training programs. 14: Its social impact goal is to show that individuals with Down syndrome can be valued members of their communities.
Nevada Donor Network's 2024 Inspire Hope event raised almost $700,000 for organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness and transplantation expansion in Nevada. The blue and green-themed affair featured a cocktail reception, auctions, and a dinner show with performers from Frooogs Camp, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté’s newest project. Proceeds will support the "End the Wait" campaign for the Nevada Transplant Institute, allowing local residents to receive transplant services without leaving the state. nvdonor.org
The B.E. A S.H.E.R.O. Foundation hosted its 8th Annual I Am Radiant Fashion Show at Macy’s Fashion Show Mall. This inspiring event showcased local teens who completed a fourweek mentoring program focused on empowerment and life skills. The show raised funds to support vulnerable youth, featuring models in Macy’s styles and performances by teen artists. Community leaders joined to celebrate the resilience and potential of these young individuals. sherofoundation.org
by Devin D. Photography
Respected matchmaker and marriage officiant Wanda Tracey explores the importance of gratitude and thankfulness in strengthening romantic relationships
ARTICLE BY CHANELLE HAYES PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHEZARAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Did you start a blossoming romance or recently get married to the love of your life? As Thanksgiving approaches, a time for gratitude, think about your love life and what you’re most thankful for this season.
Gratitude and thankfulness play pivotal roles in healthy and fulfilling relationships. Just ask Wanda Tracey, a Las Vegas-based matchmaker and marriage officiant with years of experience helping individuals find love, strengthen their relationships, and create unique and memorable ceremonies for couples on their special day.
“A heart filled with gratitude is filled with love,” Wanda says. “Deep appreciation, recognition and acceptance are the keys to embodying gratitude. Thankfulness is the natural, heartfelt extension and expression of gratitude.”
She notes that expressing gratitude to romantic partners serves multiple purposes in relationships. “It acknowledges invaluable efforts, sacrifices and contributions to the relationship,” Wanda says. “This acknowledgment can significantly boost your partner's self-esteem, making them feel seen, valued and heard.”
Wanda believes that appreciation is a powerful emotion connected to gratitude. “When partners feel appreciated, they open themselves up to a world of infinite possibilities to transform their lives continuously for the better,” she remarks. “Gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation enhance relationships. These simple acts can help foster deeper connections, build trust, and nurture stronger bonds.”
Show gratitude to your partner by knowing and understanding their love language. “I encourage my clients to read ‘The Five Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman, as it describes how people express and receive love,” Tracey says.
The five love languages are:
Words of Affirmation: People who value this love language feel most loved when receiving compliments and words of encouragement. Saying "I love you" or "I am grateful for you" are excellent ways to showcase this love language.
Acts of Service: Lending a helping hand to your partner makes them feel valued and appreciated. Show your partner you care by running errands or surprising them with small
gestures. Examples of acts of service include cooking for them, grocery shopping, or washing their car.
Receiving Gifts: Those with this love language value thoughtfulness and effort more than the cost or size of a gift. Sending flowers or expressing your feelings in a handwritten letter or card are meaningful ideas for those with this love language.
Quality Time: This involves giving your partner undivided attention. Great examples include eliminating distractions (putting your phone or remote control down when conversing), prioritizing regular date nights, or trying new things together.
Physical Touch: Those with this love language prefer to use physical expressions of love. Show your partner you love them by cuddling, holding hands, kissing, hugging, or other forms of physical connection.
Using the five love languages and embracing gratitude in our romantic relationships can lead to transformative changes that enhance our connections and overall well-being.
As Wanda says, “How we express gratitude shapes and molds our experiences. When we experience a profound sense of peace and fulfillment, it often stems from a heightened state of gratitude. Gratitude positively affects our mind, body and spirit, creating a ripple effect that touches everyone and everything in our lives.”
“A HEART FILLED WITH GRATITUDE IS FILLED WITH LOVE. DEEP APPRECIATION, RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE ARE THE KEYS TO EMBODYING
Thankful for courage and community that live on
ARTICLE BY PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM TRUJILLO
For 91-year-old Chuck Johnson, his life is now a history lesson for many of the young people he meets today.
"I just spoke at a school not that long ago and so many of these kids, when I say Korea or Vietnam, they just have no idea where these places are on the map, let alone what happened there during the war."
“Their experience and life stories are so inspirational, especially for our younger team members. We are so thankful for them.”
Chuck is a U.S. Army veteran who served over 20 years during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was also the recipient of two Purple Hearts.
The Southern California native was only 16 years old when he enlisted. Today, he's spending much of his time in retirement in Southern Nevada sharing his experiences from the front lines with young people including being captured by two enemy soldiers while fighting for the U.S. military forces in Korea.
These stories of courage and sacrifice echo throughout the hallways at the Cactus Valley Retirement Community in Henderson, where Johnson now lives. He was one of the first residents to move into this luxury 55-plus community off St. Rose Parkway when it first opened its doors in 2019.
"We are so lucky to have people like Johnson and the other residents who once proudly served our country, here in our community," said Joyce McBride.
She is one of the live-in resident managers at Cactus Valley Retirement Community. She and her husband moved to Southern Nevada from Savannah, Georgia earlier this year to work for the community. She said she was sold right away when she first came here and knew she wanted to be part of this special place.
"This community truly reminds me a lot of where we came from. People are so nice and welcoming. And it's not just the staff but all our residents.”
Joyce said she and her husband both grew up in military families, so they are especially proud to have a number of veterans who call Cactus Valley home.
"They bring so much to our community, and we make sure, as with all of our residents, they are getting 5-star service while they are here with us.”
Joyce said another veteran who has been an inspiration to her and her team is 84-year-old Raymond Dukes, Sr. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force for over 30 years,
he was deployed all over the world including places like Italy, Thailand, Vietnam, and Korea. He said one of the most memorable experiences he had during his career was right here in the Las Vegas Valley.
"It was back in the 70’s when I was assigned here to Nellis Air Force Base," said Raymond. “That's when we saw the start of the civil rights counseling program. I got involved because I believe if things are going to get right, you have to get involved. I loved that I got to counsel the younger guys. I spoke my mind and if I saw something that I didn't agree with, I took it to the top if I had to.”
“It's important to keep telling our stories...one day we are all going to be gone and the stories will go away with us too.”
Raymond shared that one of his favorite things about living at Cactus Valley is taking part in the quarterly luncheons with other veterans. Joyce emphasized that, in addition to offering a relaxing, safe, and convenient resort-style living environment, it's important for her team to create events and activities that cater to the diverse needs and interests of all residents. These include everything from fitness classes to happy hours to community excursions. Additionally, the community has a 150-plus seated theatre for local performances. "We are committed to our residents. They are our top priority," said Joyce. "As much as
we work to give them the best experience, our residents, especially our veterans, also give a lot back to us. Their experience and life stories are so inspirational, especially for our younger team members. We are so thankful for them."
For Chuck, his contributions to the Cactus Valley community also include a book featuring an interview he conducted as part of an oral history project reflecting veterans’ voices. This book now sits in the library at Cactus Valley.
"It's important to keep telling our stories,” said Chuck. "I do it because one day we are all going to be gone, and the stories will go away with us too."
ARTICLE BY ALEXANDER FRASER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RICHARD HARRIS LAW FIRM
HOW ATTORNEY RICHARD HARRIS COMBINES LEGAL EXPERTISE WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE, CREATING LASTING IMPACT THROUGH GENEROSITY AND COMPASSION
With a heart for justice and a hand for community, Richard Harris, founding partner of Richard Harris Law Firm, has been a fixture in Las Vegas's legal landscape since 1980. Beyond his impressive career as a personal injury attorney, Harris has cultivated a legacy of community service that stems from a deeprooted sense of gratitude.
"Giving back was taught to me from a young age," Harris reflects. "My dad was the hardest worker I've ever known, but he always found time to volunteer and serve others. My mom had the biggest heart and was a living angel. I miss them both, but their examples live on."
This early lesson in gratitude has shaped Harris' approach to both his legal practice and community engagement. The Richard Harris Law Firm has become known not just for its expertise in personal injury law, but for its commitment to social responsibility.
"As an injury law firm, every single one of our clients has been hurt or lost a loved one. It's a heavy responsibility to help people get through difficult times," Harris explains. "But as challenging as that is, there are so many people in the world who suffer from other things, such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, being the victim of crime, and on and on. If we can help take away some of these burdens whether from social injustice, or an accident, we've made a difference."
CONTINUED >
Among the firm's notable initiatives are Project Backpack, their association with the Nevada Wheelchair Foundation, and support for Adam's Place Camp Cope, which helps families through the grieving process. These projects reflect Harris's belief that community work and legal practice are intrinsically linked.
"It's really one and the same," he says. "Fortunately, we have a hardworking internal marketing team whose efforts are equally focused on business development and community outreach. In fact, our most effective marketing showcases how much we do for the communities we serve."
For Harris, gratitude is not just a personal philosophy but a professional necessity. "When you express and practice gratitude, you shift the focus from what's lacking to what you have," he observes. "I've been humbled by many of my permanently injured clients with life-altering conditions who tell me it could have been worse. What a lesson in gratitude and resilience."
As he reflects on his career and community involvement, Harris expresses thankfulness for his family and the opportunity to make a difference. "I'm grateful for my kids and grandkids, good health, and countless friendships with lawyers, staff, and others trying to make the world a better place."
In a profession often associated with adversarial relationships, Richard Harris stands out as a defender of gratitude and community spirit. His approach to law and life serves as a reminder that even in challenging circumstances, there is always something to be thankful for – and always an opportunity to give back.
AFTER DECADES OF PAIN, ONE LOCAL FINDS HEALING THROUGH RED LIGHT THERAPY
“
“As EverGlo celebrates its one-year anniversary, the family expresses their gratitude to the community for its support...”
As friends and family come together this Thanksgiving to share what they’re thankful for, local resident Bryan Sanders expresses his wish to stay healthy.
Bryan has always been an active guy who enjoys boating, hiking, and family activities. When he was in his 30s, he was involved in two car accidents just six months apart. The second accident caused significant injuries that led to neck surgery to fuse two discs together, leading to a journey of pain in which Bryan lived all day and all night.
Over the years, Bryan spent many hours and lots of money at his chiropractor’s office. One day, his chiropractor installed a red light therapy bed and asked him to try it out. After three days, Bryan discovered a level of pain relief that he had not experienced in the last 30 years. It was a life-changing moment, marking the start of a new journey.
Bryan explored the science of red light therapy or RLT, a non-invasive therapy that emits infrared and near infrared light all over your body. Red light therapy facial masks are particularly popular right now. The mask might make you look like Jason from “Friday the 13th,” but the benefits are worth it, as they’re known to prevent wrinkles and acne. Most importantly, RLT provides significant pain relief for muscle soreness. Football players, athletes, and all people who are active can benefit from this treatment after a rough game or any taxing physical activity.
As Bryan climbed into the bed-like device and was enclosed within it, the 15-minute therapeutic session began. Providing 360 degrees of red light therapy throughout his entire body was a completely new experience. This FDA-registered, medical-grade device isn’t a quick fix, though some users report pain relief after just one session. Some have found that it alleviates pain wherever they have pain after the very first session. For Bryan, it took several days for his body to respond to the healing red light therapy provided by this device. This worked for him, and he was sold.
Bryan became such a passionate advocate for red light therapy that he and his wife, Cindy, along with their daughter, Tiffany, opened EverGlo (everglostudios.com) in Henderson. As EverGlo celebrates its oneyear anniversary, the family expresses their gratitude to the community for its support and continues to offer customers a complimentary first visit.
If you want to elevate your healing experience, consider trying “The Cold Plunge.” You hit a three-minute timer and immerse yourself in 47 degrees of water and focus on Zenlike scenery on a TV screen. It’s mind over matter and is known for being one of the most invigorating mind-clearing encounters you have ever felt. Fun fact: Most of their clients who try “The Cold Plunge” are women.
Bryan now leads a pain-free life and hopes to help others overcome their trauma as well. Now that’s something we all can be thankful for.
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
A delicious recipe featuring autumn's signature fruit, the apple
Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup iced cold water
• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans
• Caramel sauce
Instructions:
Crust: (Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)
Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.
Filling: Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.
Assemble and Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice-cream.
NOVEMBER 1ST-2ND
Sunset Park & Composer’s Room 8:00 AM
Life By Music is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year: the Rock 'N' Run Weekend. The two-day charity event will feature a charity golf tournament, 5k fun run at Sunset Park, evening concert, and gala, on Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2. Visit Lifebymusic.org or email connect@lifebymusic.org to learn more.
NOVEMBER 7TH
T-Mobile Arena | 6:00 PM
The 2024 Diamond Dig benefitting Dress for Success Southern Nevada will take place on Thursday, November 7th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Goose Island Lounge in T-Mobile Arena. Drink, eat, participate in the silent auction, and dig in an elevated sandpit for real diamonds! Learn more about the event at dressforsuccesssouthernnevada.org/.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Las Vegas City Hall | 9:00 AM
The 2024 Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit presented by Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Las Vegas Sands will take place Friday, November 8, at Las Vegas City Hall. Registration for the state’s premier youth homelessness advocacy event is open at nphy.org/Summit24
NOVEMBER 9TH
Clark County Museum | 5:30 PM
Enjoy an evening of astronomy at the Clark County Museum on Saturday, November 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is co-hosted by the Las Vegas Astronomical Society and Commissioner Jim Gibson. The event includes an astronomical presentation and stargazing through telescopes. Register at bit.ly/AstronomyattheMuseum2024.
NOVEMBER 14TH
Camelot at the Magical Forest
Camelot Hall at Opportunity Village 6:00 PM
Participate in Camelot at the Magical Forest, Opportunity Village’s annual black-tie gala. This year’s event will be held inside Camelot Hall at Opportunity Village’s Linda Smith and Christopher Smith Family Campus and will honor Mark Davis and the Las Vegas Raiders during the soiree. To purchase tickets or sponsorships for Camelot, visit camelotov.org.
NOVEMBER 30TH
50th Battle for the Fremont Cannon Tailgate
Allegiant Stadium - Lot C (F-150) 2:30 PM
Don't miss this exciting final home game as UNLV takes on UNR in the fight to keep the Fremont Cannon Rebel red! Before you cheer the Rebels to victory, plan to enjoy the UNLV Alumni & Friends premium tailgate, located just steps from Allegiant Stadium. Find tickets at unlv.edu
