Living Large Las Vegas - October 2020 by Living Large Las Vegas

LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

CONTENT

Page 08

PAINT NEVADA PINK BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH CELEBRATES Susan G. Komen NEVADA

Page 10

GET YOUR GREENS Urban Fresh Farms produces local, nutrient-packed microgreens

Page 20

SWEAT FOR THE SOUL Derek Parent transforms gym into a space designed with the Vegas community in mind

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OUR MISSION Page 26

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Celebrating America’s Individuality of American Girls with Miss Nevada Pre-Teen Jasmine Cartright

Page 32

MEET CARRIE BUCK

An interview with Candidate for Nevada State Senate Carrie Buck

Page 36

MY TWO DADS Get to know the Velasco-Bruley Family AKA the “FamBam5”

We are a community-driven team dedicated to featuring, promoting and documenting the moversand-shakers of Las Vegas and the organizations that add incredible value to how guests and residents live, work and play in Southern Nevada. Throughout our magazine publications and podcast channel, you’ll receive an inside look at the real Las Vegas - the global influencers of our city and their stories that impact the culture of Las Vegas and the world.

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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E Good-bye Heat, Hello October!

E d i t o r- i n - C h i e f JANE S H E R LO C K

While Las Vegas is finally cooling down, Living Large Las Vegas continues to stay hot with yet another jampacked issue highlighting incredible community leaders and organizations. We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Living Large Las Vegas’s very own Derek Parent on this month’s cover and share his latest venture into the world of health and wellness! From finance to fitness, Derek has completely transformed a struggling gym into a state of the art health club called Movement Fitness designed to serve the community. It is quite remarkable to witness his vision come to life with this new facility amidst a pandemic and we are just so proud of our boss man for delivering such a phenomenal space to serve our great city.

Ve g a s i s r i c h in community leaders with giving hearts who are committed to the growth of our great c i t y. I t ’ s a n honor to partner with s o m a n y.

Part of Derek’s vision is to partner up with local organizations and leaders who you’ll also find in this issue. Thank you to Mark Engler and Lilian Cartright of Urban Fresh Farms, Jasmine Cartright, Miss Nevada Pre-Teen, and our charity of the month celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Susan G. Komen. We appreciate your partnership and contribution! We are honored to work with you and share all the amazing things you are doing to elevate our city. Our featured family of the month is one that is very near and dear to my heart. Thank you to my incredible friends Mike Bruley and Grendale Velasco for allowing us into your home for an inside look at what it’s like to lead a family as two dads. We just adore your family and value your friendship so much. Last but not least, we are so grateful for the extraordinary Carrie Buck who is counting on your vote for Nevada State Senate. Read on to learn about why we at Living Large Las Vegas passionately support her and her stand for a better Nevada!

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PAINT NEVADA PINK S U S A N G . KO M E N N E VA D A H E L P S S U R V I V O R S E V E R Y D AY O F T H E Y E A R .

The mission Nonprofit organizations like Susan. G. Komen Nevada are working to weather the COVID-19 pandemic just like the rest of us.

The organization, which was founded by Nancy Brinker after her sister, Susan G. Komen, died following a battle with breast cancer, conducts year-round activities such as advocating for universal access to breast cancer screening and treatment, providing breast health education and community outreach, serving as a resource for survivors and co-survivors and funding life-saving education, screening and treatment programs in Nevada.

The organization’s mission is “to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering others, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures,” according to the Susan G. Komen Nevada website.

Sherry Alexis, Susan G. Komen Nevada development manager, said that 75 percent of net income stays in Nevada to fund vital mission programs, while 25 percent supports the internationally recognized Komen Award and Research Grants Program that funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

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Alexis said the organization helps people on a daily basis. “We’re saving lives by meeting the most critical needs in our community, and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancers. “FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS HAVE SLOWED

That’s our goal. I can do that by involving people

DOWN. IN THE MEANTIME, WE BUCKLED

emotionally and mentally, and I can do it by raising

DOWN,” ALEXIS SAID. “WE CAN’T STOP FUND-

money. It’s not a single thing,” she said. “We’re not

RAISING. CANCER DOESN’T STOP. IT DOESN’T

going anywhere. The needs of people are exponen-

KNOW WE’RE IN A SHUTDOWN.”

tially growing in this arena, and my organization can do something about it.”

Navigating the pandemic landscape One thing the organization has done in the wake of COVID-19 is to hold virtual events, which the group wasn’t doing prior to the pandemic. Alexis called them “brilliant” and said virtual events are easy to plan and host.

She said when the pandemic first started, she was the last affiliate to sign on to converting 2020’s fundraising event, the Komen Las Vegas MORE THAN PINK Walk to a virtual More Than Pink Walk.

“Instead of fighting it, I said, ‘What can we do to live in this current situation and still make things happen?’”

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MORE THAN PINK Walk On Saturday, Sept. 26, Komen Las Vegas held its

The virtual event on Sept. 26 included a survivor car

biggest interactive event—the 2020 Virtual MORE

parade, and the event was broadcast live.

THAN PINK Walk. The walk was preceded by the well-known Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

However, even though the event has passed,

Alexis said the organization shifted from a race to a

community members can still give back by texting

walk because the walk is less costly to host, which

“more than pink” to 44944 to donate.

means more funds can stay in Nevada.

The organization opted not to hold an in-person walk to minimize the spread of COVID-19 to maintain public health and stay within Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s mandate to limit gatherings to fewer than 50 people.

For more information or to donate, please visit www. komennevada.org or call (702) 822-2324.

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What’s next?

Alexis said the organization is evangelizing the importance of mammograms in October with “paint Nevada pink this October.” The initiative highlights the importance of early screening, and Alexis said the organization works hard to cover the costs of mammograms for its communities and aiding those who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Early detection will save your life,” Alexis said. “I feel we’re so close to multiple cures. It’s not a cure, it’s ‘cures’ for breast cancer. Twenty years ago, it was a 75% mortality rate. Now, 99% of the people who are diagnosed with breast cancer will be alive five years after their diagnosis. … The key is to catch it early. Mammograms save lives.”

Click PLAY to tune into Susan G. Komen Development Manager, Sherry Alexis' interview on the Living Large Las Vegas Podcast 11 LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

Help a Business Thank a Hero

Vegas Chamber Launches Switch to Kindness! Gift Card Program Supporting Local Businesses & First Responders Partnership with Switch, LVMPD Foundation & ItsOnMeÂŽ will infuse much-needed cash to help small businesses Switch to Kindness! offers a one-stop shop platform to purchase* electronic gift cards from local businesses, which will then be distributed to Southern Nevada ďŹ rst responders by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation.

Buy gift cards & get details at VegasChamber.com *Five percent processing fee applies

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Microgreens

Nutrient-packed m i c ro g r e e n s o n o f f e r f ro m l o c a l f a r m

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Does your salad pack a nutritional punch? If not, it might be time to give microgreens a try. Microgreens are an antioxidant-rich superfood that are more nutrient-dense than traditional leafy greens. They’re packed with vitamins and minerals. According to the 2017 study “Broccoli Microgreens: A

What are they?

Mineral-Rich Crop That Can Diversify Food Systems,” “Microgreens had larger quantities of Mg, Mn, Cu,

Dr. Susan Stone, Urban Fresh Farms horticulturist,

and Zn than the vegetable. … For eight nutritionally

explained it this way: Microgreens are the young

important minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Na),

seedling stage of the vegetables and herbs we’re all

the average C microgreen: vegetable nutrient ratio

familiar with, such as micro broccoli, and micro basil.

was 1.73.” “We’re just growing the vegetable or herb at the Urban Fresh Farms located at 4770 Wynn Road, is

very beginning part of its life,” she said. “We usually

a local indoor farm that produces microgreens and

harvest microgreens whenever they’re 1-3 inches

wheatgrass and has been in operation in Las Vegas

long, which is anywhere from one to three weeks,

since 2014.

so it’s a very young portion of the vegetable’s life. The reason we do that is because, at that stage,

“Urban Fresh Farms is a locally owned microgreens

microgreens are packed with nutrition. The seed

production facility in the Las Vegas Valley,” said

has all the nutrients that that plant needs to grow

Urban Fresh Farms CEO & President Mark Engler.

and thrive, so when we cut it at the microgreens

“Urban Fresh Farms is passionate about being local.

stage, all the nutrients that were locked up in the

We will always be local. We believe we are beyond

seed and dormant are now activated; photosynthesis

organic because of the local nature of our production.

has started, and now we can eat the microgreens

You get your product the day it’s harvested.”

at that stage and get all those wonderful nutrients ourselves.”

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How does it work?

The mission

Microgreens at Urban Fresh Farms are grown

“We want our product to be readily available in all

hydroponically in a greenhouse, which means that

different venues so that we can eliminate the food

water and nutrients are delivered directly to the roots

desert that exists within the Mojave Desert,” Engler

of the plants and then circulated to other plants,

said.

which results in 95% to 99% savings in water and nutrients, according to Stone.

“Broccoli microgreens would require 158–236 times less water than it does to grow a nutritionally

“We’re able to control the temperature and humidity

equivalent amount of mature vegetables in the fields

in the greenhouse so we can produce consistently

of California’s Central Valley in 93-95% less time and

every day of the year,” Stone said. “We also are

without the need for fertilizer, pesticides, or energy-

protecting the plants from the outside environment

demanding transport from farm to table. The results

and pests... so we are able to grow pesticide-free

of this study suggest that broccoli microgreens have

produce.”

the potential to be a rich source of minerals that can be produced by individuals, even in urban settings,

Stone said Urban Fresh Farms employs a low-waste

providing better access to adequate nutrition,”

system to ensure the farm’s small carbon footprint.

according to the 2017 study.

After every grow cycle, the farm sterilizes and reuses plastic trays that are used to contain the greens.

What’s next?

Fiber mats and roots are fully compostable. The farm has partnered with a local nonprofit organization to

The product comes in a 4-ounce clamshell or

double down on its sustainability mission.

10-ounce bag with mild or spicy options. Also on offer is wheatgrass in a 4-ounce clamshell, 20-ounce

“We’re really proud that we’ve partnered with

bag, or 10-inch-by-20-inch live tray.

Greener Planet, a local nonprofit that supports school gardens,” Stone said. “Greener Planet picks

Microgreens are available at Movement Fitness,

up our compost and is able to incorporate it into the

which features an Urban Fresh Farms smoothie bar.

Clark County School Garden program.” Engler envisions partnering with local retail grocers and other retailers to make the microgreens readily available to the public.

“We want our product to be affordable and accessible to all,” Engler said.

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Group photo: Mark Engler - President, Lilian Cartright - VP of Sales and Jasmine Cartright - Youth Ambassador for Urban Fresh Farms Photos: Dr. Stone working with the microgreens Photo Credit: John Sherlock, Headlock Studios

Website: www.urbanfreshfarms.com Address: 4770 Wynn Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103 Office: (702) 701-1325 Lillian Cartright, VP Director of Sales: (702) 348-6692 Click PLAY to learn more about Urban Fresh Farms

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FROM FINANCE TO FITNESS, MOVEMENT FITNESS OWNER D E R E K PA R E N T GIVES BACK TO THE VEGAS COMMUNITY LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

Click PLAY for an inside look at Movement Fitness

S W E AT IT OUT Derek Parent, who moved to Las Vegas in 2000 and has had a storied career in the mortgage lending space, opened Movement Fitness at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June. His vision was to open a gym that’s more than a gym. “It’s the vision of having a multi-functional health club. I want to get rid of the traditional idea of a gym. It’s a

health club and a lifestyle,” he said. “Everything about this facility is about the community.” Movement Fitness, 3075 E. Flamingo Road Ste. 102, is a 24,000-square-foot facility that is the largest functional indoor facility in the state with more than 45 yards of turf functional space.

“MOVEMENT FITNESS IS M O R E T H A N A GY M — I T ’ S A N I D E O LO GY.” What is “functional space,” you may ask? Parent said functional space allows for functional and everyday movements on a large turf area — more than 60 people could work out on the turf at once and still maintain the recommended 6-feet radius of space to allow for social distancing. The facility also offers one of the largest weight rooms in the state, as well as a variety of classes and a dance room that offers four classes a day, from MixxedFit to Yoga, Bootcamp to Zumba. “We have a wide variety of classes. You don’t have to be a member here to go to a class. So, if you’re intimated to work out, all our classes are free,” Parent said. “We’re believers in taking care of the community, and not everyone wants to say they’re unemployed and they don’t have the money, so we don’t ask them. We just let them come in and do that class.” 21 LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

GIVING BACK In addition to classes, Movement Fitness offers personal training and group training for student-athletes. “We have an obligation as community leaders to get our children to the next level,” Parent said. “This facility will help you achieve that for your student or for your athlete.” Parent founded Movement Fitness to give people an opportunity to get healthy. “I’ve been a part of the Vegas community for 20 years now, and we’ve donated money and volunteered, but the gym was actually the biggest way I could give back to the maximum amount of people,” Parent said. In the spirit of community, Movement Fitness is offering a free, 90day membership for those who have been financially affected by the pandemic, people who have been either furloughed or laid off. “People who are furloughed or hurt by the pandemic, we want to get them in the gym to get their mental health back and physical strength, so we can get them back into the workforce,” Parent said. “That way, when they go out looking for a job, their confidence level is through the roof. People who lost their jobs can get in and get functional again and feeling good about themselves.” Those who weren’t financially affected can still pop in to take a free class or sign up for a free seven-day trial. LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

Click PLAY to check out Vegas Jr. Golden Knight, Carter Adams training at Movement Fitness

Derek Parent, Miss Nevada Pre-Teen Jasmine Cartright, Mark Engler and Lilian Cartright at Movement Fitness’s Urban Fresh Farms juice bar.

PARTNERSHIP Movement Fitness is partnering with nonprofit organizations such as Susan G. Komen Nevada, the Youth Leadership Authority and the Police Athletic League of Southern Nevada. Partners are allowed to use the space for events, and with every Movement Fitness membership signup, $5 of the membership fees go to the partner philanthropic organizations. “We are so proud to have a space that’s been designed to give back to the community.” Jane Sherlock, Movement Fitness’ Head of Community Outreach. “We want to work with any organizations who want to come in and create that kind of program with us.” MENTORSHIP “When we evolved into a health club, it was to be more of a mentor to not only to youth but to adults, and to stand out in the community,”

to stand out in the community,” Derek said. “We’re growing the next leaders.” As t he gy m be come s mo r e p rofi t abl e , t h e p roceeds w i l l go to sch olarship s and i nt e r n s hi p s . “We’re blessed that we get to work with not just foundations, but I have an internship program for low-income kids, Your past doesn’t define your future,” he said. “In order to change, you have to be the change. IT’S A LIFESTYLE In addition to the standard health club amenities, Movement Fitness has a juice bar that offers smoothies and protein drinks. The smoothies are built with locally-grown microgreens (the young seedling stage of vegetables and herbs) from Urban Fresh Farms and are named after the club’s nonprofit organization partners. Protein drinks are built with sports-sanctioned proteins from Momentous. Grab-andgo meals are also on offer, as well as bags of the local microgreens from Urban Fresh Farms. Photo Credit: John Sherlock, Headlock Studios

“Every smoothie is named after a great organization that we’ve partnered up with,” Parent said. Our mission at Movement Fitness is to give 100% of the profit back to the community … giving back to the community that’s given me so much. Movement Fitness is a movement, and it’s a community that’s going to give back.” Ultimately, Parent’s inspiration was to create a sense of community and purpose while evangelizing a mission of wellness. “When I get my back against the wall is when I realize my greatest potential. For this facility, my greatest potential was to make this a community gym, not about how much, not about the members, but about the community and how we can best serve the Las Vegas community, Parent said. “I’ve always been a giver … but to give people the opportunity to feel good about themselves for a very low amount of money, it’s priceless. I can help out not one person here, I can help out thousands.” MOVEMENT FITNESS 3075 E Flamingo Rd Suite 102, Las Vegas, NV 89121 info@movementfitnesslv.com, https://movementfitnesslv.com 702-803-3777

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A Rugby based charity utilizing education, mentorship and Rugby ethos to build into our four pillars that support a variety of community programs: * Junior Development *Women’s Initiatives * Uniform Services & * Adaptive Sport Exmples of events ‘The Rugby Foundation’ have supported or sponsored here in the Las Vegas Valley... Come Come and and join join us us at at our our next next Las Las Vegas Vegas event... event... or or to to support support our our efforts efforts please please contact contact us us at at

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LAS VEGAS 25 LIVING LARGE

BEHIND THE CURTAIN MISS NEVADA PRE-TEEN JASMINE CARTRIGHT TALKS ABOUT PAGEANTS, HER JOURNEY TO THE CROWN, AND WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEXT.

Living Large Las Vegas sat with the newly crowned 2020 National American Miss Pre-Teen Nevada, Jasmine Cartright, to learn more about her and life as a beauty queen.

Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming Miss Nevada Pre-Teen. When did you first start competing in pageants?

I first began competing in pageants at eight years old. The first time I participated in a pageant I was beyond nervous, there were more than two-hundred girls competing. I placed in the top 20, but after that first competition, I knew that pageants were something that I was going to continue doing for a long time. I really wanted to be the queen and I knew I would have many challenges to accomplish it.

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‘‘I wish that people would know that competing in a pageant doesn’t have to be stressful or scary.’’

What first sparked your interest in competing in pageants? When I was younger I was extremely outgoing and loved making new friends. My mom had found National American Miss, and when I went and met so many people, I had such a fun time! After that day I continued to ask my mom to go back, and after five years of a lot of perseverance and growth, I finally won the title! What do you find to be the most rewarding part of competing in pageants? I find that the most rewarding part is the confidence that I get to leave with. While self-doubt was something that has held me down and stopped me from becoming a better role model and public figure, I love getting to go to NAM and boost my confidence through the roof. I also love all the new people I get to meet and the friendships that we create that last a lifetime.

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What do you wish people knew about pageant competitions? I wish people would know that competing in a pageant doesn’t have to be stressful or scary. Whether you win or not, it’s really the experience of going and the new people you meet that really help you have a good time. A pageant offers real-life skills practice. You get to do interviews, create resumes, and present live speeches. The life skills you acquire in a pageant are priceless. What are you most excited to do as Miss Nevada Pre-Teen? While there is so much that I am excited to do this year as the Nevada Pre-Teen, I am most excited to help other girls build their self-confidence and help them find their true selves. I am also very excited about all the new memories I get to create. I cannot wait to discover and work with new volunteering foundations. I love giving back what I was blessed to have through my life and one of my favorite ways of doing that is by volunteering. I’m also excited to meet new people and grow my social media platform. What are your future aspirations? While my aspirations for the future have changed many times throughout my years, I’ve found that I want to pursue a future in the medical world. I plan on going to Stanford Medical School to gain my medical license, specifically to become a pediatrician, and later on, own a children’s hospital. I would also like to create a few organizations for children in unstable families and abused homes. This is something that has been on my mind for awhile now and is something that I am very passionate about. Jasmine is proud to serve as an Youth Ambassador for both Urban Fresh Farms and Movement Fitness promoting healthy lifestyles for younger generations.

Follow Jasmine’s journey on Instagram @thenamnvpreteen_

Photo Credit: John Sherlock, Headlock Studios

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THE VOTE

BUCK

AN INTERVIEW WITH STATE SENATE CANDIDATE CARRIE BUCK

FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER

TO CANDIDATE OUR TEAM AT LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CANDIDATE FOR NEVADA STATE SENATE, CARRIE BUCK, AND HER STAND FOR A BETTER NEVADA.

To help our readers get to know her, we chatted with her about her stance on the issues and what matters most to her campaign.

My husband, Eric, is a captain in the local police department. Our oldest son, Collen, is a Green Beret/Army Ranger serving in the Army at Ft. Bragg. Our son, Colbie, is in the Army Reserves and attending the College of Southern Nevada, while our two youngest boys Branson and Barrett, attend Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Horizon campus.

progressive leader with proven results.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family. In my 24 years in education, I was a classroom teacher, English language Learner Specialist, Assistant Principal, Lead Principal, Executive Director, and President. These positions allowed me to have direct interaction with diverse populations and multiple perspectives. I hold a master’s in administration and supervision and a doctorate in organizational leadership. I am a lifelong learner and a

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and student achievement from one struggling school with 700 students and a 3-star state rating (Nevada CRT) to 4 campuses with 5-stars (SBAC) in both elementary and middle schools, serving nearly 6000 students. In 2019, I became the President of the Pinecrest Foundation. In that role, I created a Master Teacher process and recognition program to highlight and retain our best teachers in classrooms culminating in a Master Teacher gala at the end of each year.

As the Principal of C.T. Sewell from 2006 to 2014, our positive education reform efforts increased student achievement from 35% to 83% in reading and 36% to 90% in math. Sewell was designated a National Model School, High Achieving School, and a National Distinguished Title I School. As Executive Director of Pinecrest Academy of Nevada, I increased enrollment

How do you feel your extensive education experience sets you apart from the other candidates for State Senate District 5? I’ll tell you point-blank what is different. I’ve been a community leader, serving the people in southern Nevada the past 24 years. I will always be a voice for families as I take my experience to Carson City. It’s so important the public does

“THE ROLE OF NEVADA STATE SENATOR IS ONE OF 21 VOTES THAT DETERMINES THE VIABILITY OF OUR ECONOMY, OUR HEALTHCARE, OUR SAFETY AND OUR SCHOOLS.”

their due diligence to compare education and experience in the race between State Senate candidates. All voters need to imagine they are hiring for the job of representing them in Carson City. The role of Nevada State Senator is one of 21 votes that determines the viability of our economy, our healthcare, our safety, and our schools. Please do your research to find out what each of us brings to the table. Would you hire someone who recently moved into the district after running in another district to represent you? Would you hire someone who worked in a small business where that business is no longer viable? Would you hire someone

who has no definitive work experience aside from being a parent volunteer? My resume will speak for itself as you, the educated voter, will have to decide who is best for Nevada. What are the top issues you want voters to know you care about? Some of my key issues include rebuilding Nevada’s economy, improving the state’s healthcare, fighting for our pub-

lic safety, and improving Nevada’s education rating. For more details about how I plan to address these issues, visit my website at votecarriebuck.com. What challenges do you believe will be the most critical for Nevada to address? Read these headlines. This is what we are facing in Nevada:

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TOGETHER

“I’M A PROBLEM SOLVER. I RECOGNIZE GOOD IDEAS NO MATTER WHO THEY COME FROM. INPUT FROM ALL POLITICAL BACKGROUNDS WILL BE NECESSARY TO FIX THIS. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER. “

CARRIE BUCK TALKS ABOUT HER STATE SENATE RUN AND WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO TO HELP NEVADA.

Working

“Largest budget deficit:’ State, local revenue projections show steep shortfalls.”

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“UPDATE JULY 7: The [Governor’s] coronavirus closure of business in Nevada is forcing the Nevada Legislature into special session on Wednesday to deal with a historic $1.2 billion budget shortfall.” “Nevada faces $1.2 billion budget shortfall, cuts to health services, education proposed.” Obviously, we need to address the economy. All the services our state provides, and we want to do will come at a price, so it is about priorities. I watched the last

few legislative sessions, and the focus has drifted away from the people we are elected to serve. Improving student outcomes has been ignored, and the Read by 3 and SB 178 extra dollars to schools were gutted. Access to doctors and care has been ignored. Economic diversification and growing our economy has been ignored. The leadership in this state has put us in such a compromised situation that a huge tax package is inevitable in this next session, and I want to be a voice for the taxpayer. You see, I grew up on a small farm in Iowa. My father was an accountant by day and farmed on eve-

What do you want voters to know most about you? I’m a problem solver. I recognize good ideas no matter who they come from. Input from all political backgrounds will be necessary to fix this. We have to work together. As the principal at C.T. Sewell Elementary School, it was a failing school when I became the principal. Right away, I worked with my team and united the community of diverse perspectives to make changes to improve student achievement and create an award-winning school. English Language Arts/ Reading proficiency went from 35% to 81%, while math proficiency jumped from 36% to 90%. We rejuvenated this dying school, and we changed lives for the better. nings and weekends. I walked beans and sold sweet corn door-to-door. At an early age, I learned the value of a dollar. These lessons and my experience running a school system with a $36 million budget and a considerable surplus each year has given me the skillset to ensure all resources are truly focused on the vision. When the State Senate is considering spending your hard-earned tax dollars, I want to make sure we don’t waste a penny, and every dollar spent is benefiting the people of Nevada.

We are facing a huge budget hole in the range of $1-$1.4 billion. Again, it’s about priorities. We need to get people back to work safely. The politicians in power have been too busy trying to score political points instead of building and preparing for the future. Our state doesn’t have the money to pay back political donors before paying teachers. We’re going to need to make cuts to the Governor’s many pet projects so we can pay teachers and provide essential services.

I am willing to work with anyone who wants to improve our state. We are facing a huge economic problem. I’m willing to work hard to turn things around for our state. I want what you want--Great jobs! Strong schools! Safe Communities! Please join my team at www.votecarriebuck.com to help me put our city and our state on a path toward a very promising future.

I want to be your voice. I’ll work to immediately improve our economy, our schools, and our access to care. How has COVID-19 exacerbated these challenges and issues? COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our state’s economy. Conventions have been canceled, and people across the country have taken a hit, so they have less disposable income to travel and enjoy our amazing city.

Click PLAY to tune into Carrie Buck’s Living Large Las Vegas Podcast interview!

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ORIENTED AND JUST ENJOY EVERYTHING ABOUT BEING A

We are

FAMILY.”

FAMILY

“WE’RE VERY FAMILY

LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS IS PROUD TO FEATURE THE VELASCO-BRULEY FAMILY - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘FAMBAM5!’ TAKE AN INSIDE LOOK AT MIKE AND GREN’S LIFE LEADING THEIR FAMILY AS TWO DADS IN FABULOUS LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. LLLV: Hey FAMBAM5! Tell us a little bit about who you are. Mike: Hi! My name is Mike Bruley, and I am 45 years old. As of last month a former Physician Account Executive at Quest Diagnostics for 24 years educating providers about better patient care. I’m also a Life Coach that supports others in creating a vision and life they have always wanted for the last seven years.

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Andrew: Even though Vegas is perceived as a gambling town, there really is a lot to do for families. You just need to go outside of the strip and into the suburban areas. It’s actually very family friendly. Preston: I really like that Vegas now has sports teams. Gren: My name is Grendale Velasco, and I’ve been a doctor of physical therapy for almost 16 years and a certified Functional Medicine Provider supporting others in better health. Andrew: My name is Andrew, I’m twenty years old and I work for Amazon. Preston: I’m Preston and I am fourteen years old and a freshman. Shyann: I’m Shyann! I’m seven years old and in second grade. LLLV: If you could describe your family to our readers in one word, what would that be? Shyann: Kind. Preston: Generous. Andrew: Loving. Mike: Loyal. Gren: Fun. LLLV: What do you love most about living in Las Vegas?

LLLV: What are your favorite things to do in town? Preston: Golfing is great here. There are so many amazing courses in Las Vegas and the weather allows us to play pretty much anytime of the year. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention...shopping. So many great outlets and malls. Shoe Palace is my favorite! Gren: Eating out with friends and family is probably my favorite. There are so many restaurants here, we’re really spoiled and I love trying new places to eat. Buffets were my favorite but I’m not sure if they will still be available due to the pandemic. I also have to agree with my shopping buddy, Preston. The outlets are the best here. LLLV: Gren and Preston, are you two the shopping and golfing duo?

ton is actually much better than I and gives me a lot of tips. With shopping, we enjoy finding the best bargains for name-brand items. Shyann: I’m going to be starting ballet next week! I’m super excited. Gren: Yes, we’re going shopping for her ballet outfits. Can you tell I like to go shopping? Mike: For me, I love having family dinners gathered around our table. It’s something that I enjoy, no matter where we are. We make sure we make time to connect, and usually it’s by having dinner together. LLLV: Speaking of dinner, who is the chef in the house? Gren: I’m the cook and Mike is the eater. Mike: Yes, I’m an expert eater! Gren: This might get me into trouble later but Mike is actually named the “microwave king” by all of our friends. Everything he cooks is prepared in the microwave. But thankfully for him, I love to cook! I prepare Filipino foods, traditional American food, lots of rice. My specialty is fried rice.

Gren: Yeah, every Sunday we go play

Mike: One of the best things about living in Vegas is definitely the weather. I grew up in Reno, with four seasons. Usually, there’s just two seasons here in Vegas. I enjoy being able to spend more time outside, specifically at the pool whereas in Reno, you can’t. Shyann: There are so many beautiful parks here. I love that! Gren: There’s just so much to do in Las Vegas! There are thousands of entertainment options daily, and we’re centrally located only about three hours away from California, Utah and Arizona.

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“LOVE HOLDS NO BOUNDARIES. AS MY SIXTEEN-YEAR -OLD STATED ON OUR WEDDING DAY, “ DAD, I’M PROUD YOU GET TO LIVE YOUR TRUE LIFE.” LLLV: Mike and Gren, you are infamously known as the “hosts with the most” who love to gather family and friends. Why are you so passionate about this? Mike: I enjoy watching people have fun. Every time I have a party, I do something different. I love to surprise my family and friends on what creativity comes out of me. I like to leave them wondering what’s going to be the next theme for their birthdays or celebrations. Gren: Central to what Mike is saying is that celebrations of our life and celebrations of our family members, regardless how big or small, to us is very important because they are part of our lives. And to have those celebrations provides Mike the opportunity to show his love and appreciation. Hosting parties is his love language, definitely. It shows his creative genius and his generosity. It also brings us joy!

Leading with

LOVE

Gren: I think it was challenging at first, very challenging for me. I was already in a place where I was wanting to be a part of a family, whatever that role that may be. And so to me that was just finding

Photo Credit: Leslie Sullivan, Leslie Sullivan Photography

LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

ing a married gay couple with you know, two dads, there’s really nothing different. A lot of people may have other views, but I know what I know and it’s what I’m living. Nothing really changes except my kids now have two dads. We’re very family oriented and just enjoy everything about being a family. There are times when we must access feminine roles, especially since we have a little girl. Gren likes fashion so he handles shopping and dressing the kids, and I do the decorating. I would say we are a normal family full of love.

Our kids have expressed how thankful they are to learn Love is Love. Love holds no boundaries. As my sixteen-year -old stated on our wedding day, “ Dad, I’m proud you get to live your true life.”

get clear and create a plan to tackle it.

LLLV: You two are celebrating seven years of being together. What are your favorite things about one another?

Do I hate that sometimes because I resist accountability? Yes. But at the end of the day, I am grateful to have someone push me to achieve my goals the way Mike does.

Gren: My favorite qualities in Mike are his sassiness, his corniness, his randomness. I really never know what I’m going to get with him. He keeps me on my toes! Sometimes I’ll come home and - surprise! The entire house is re-arranged. I also love that Mike is such an incredible communicator from the smallest or biggest of things - things I don’t necessarily want to talk about because it forces me to open up and talk about my feelings. He is so in tune to my emotions, what our family needs and he’s just so good at meeting us where we are at. I also love his get-it-done attitude. Whatever project or vision our family is going to have for this year, he helps us to

From house renovations to finances and education for the kids, Mike will hold all of us accountable.

Mike: Well for me, what I love about Gren is his energy when he comes into a room. His energy is very contagious! His smile and his intention to love anybody right where they’re at. He has no balance though. I try to teach him that a little bit of balance will serve him. That it’s okay to get mad at people or decline an invitation now and then. (Don’t be mad at me, Gren!) But seriously, Gren jumped right into being a parent right off the bat, and I am so grateful that he is so family-oriented. Gren: I think you forgot to mention good looking, how hot I am, how I look like a cross between…. Screw the mushy stuff. What about how handsome I am?? Mike: Well, I didn’t hear you mention how hot I am.

OUR KIDS HAVE EXPRESSED HOW THANKFUL THEY ARE TO LEARN LOVE IS LOVE.

Gren: Ok, let’s be sure to mention that we are both sexy. Mike: And there you have it. This is the story of our life!

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AS SEEN IN Fortune, Entrepreneur, Cosmopolitan & Bloomberg Businessweek L E A D I N G WO M E N I N B U S I N E S S | L A S V E G A S

A FORCE for

FINANCIAL CHANGE

Financial and life coach Lisa Chastain helps young women make money simple and create rich, full lives.

isa Chastain is on a mission to change the way millennial women relate to money. “Sixty-one percent of women say they would rather talk about death than money,” says Chastain, a No. 1 best-selling author, entrepreneur, and financial industry disrupter. “In my world, we talk about money all the time; it’s some of the most valuable work we do. We want to keep money simple so more women will have the courage to have open, honest conversations about their feelings toward money and how they can grow financially.” An unshakable optimist who believes money management should be simple (and even fun), Chastain offers down-to-earth life coaching with a heavy emphasis on financial wellness through her full-time practice, Millennial Consulting LLC. “Financial coaching is life coaching and vice versa, because life is an interconnected web of investments in time, money, and people,” explains Chastain, who is trained as a financial advisor and life coach and has been working with millennials for nearly 20 years. “Women need to know what they make, spend, and keep every month, and they also need to know the ‘why’ behind those decisions. I help them clarify their ‘whys,’ know their goals, and put simple systems in place to reduce stress and increase their enjoyment of life.” Chastain is no stranger to financial stress. In 2016, she found herself in deep debt and facing the failures of her marriage and business. “I felt like I was free falling with no way out,” she recalls. “My passion for this work grew out of my personal struggle. I turned my life around with the right tools, systems, and support, and now I empower other women to do the same.”

INVEST IN YOURSELF

In addition to her No. 1 bestselling book, Girl, Get Your $hit Together! #adulting YOUR way, which teaches millennials how to own their money, live purposefully, and love their lives, Chastain offers women several ways to invest in personal growth, including private and group coaching sessions, online training, and signature live events like “Girl, Get Your $hit Together Bootcamp” in Las Vegas. After attending this one-day event designed to create a new money mindset, Bootcamp attendees walk away with a clear vision, a rock-solid plan, and Chastain’s powerful budgeting tools. And for women who want to level up in life and surround themselves with a like-minded sisterhood, Chastain offers her yearlong training program, The Academy, which helps independent, successful women take control of their money and take their lives to the next level. “Women do not have to do this alone,” says Chastain. “With my help and our #tribe, women can stop stressing and start living rich, full lives.”

5 SIMPLE MONEY TIPS 1. SLOW DOWN: Have the courage to take a deep breath and

face the facts of what you make, spend, and keep in a month. 2. LOOK AT YOUR TIME: How you’re spending your time will tell

you a lot about where you’re spending your money. 3. EVALUATE RELATIONSHIPS: Who in your life is helping or

hindering your progress toward goals? 4. SEPARATE ACCOUNTS: Create a spending account to regain

control over your finances fast. 5. ASK FOR HELP: Look for an advisor who knows money and is

a good personality fit.

lisachastain.com

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The FIRST time a kid discovers that the

BIGGER THE MESS, the bigger the lesson.

That’s a FIRST made possible by DISCOVERY Children’s Museum. Our kids’ firsts are our first priority. Those magical a-ha moments of discovery that start with a “why” or a “what would happen if” and end with a kid’s face lit up brighter than a vintage Vegas neon sign. And these firsts can only come from kids doing what they do best – having fun and playing around.

OUR KIDS FIRST.

360 Promenade Place | Las Vegas, NV 89106 | 702.382.3445 | DiscoveryKidsLV.org | @DiscoveryLV

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HALLO N E E W

Living Large Las Vegas Best Halloween Family Photo Contest The Havens Family

WINNERS!

Have a happy & safe Halloween! LIVING LARGE LAS VEGAS

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