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magazine March 1 – April 30, 2017 Volume 10 – Issue 2 PUBLISHER Kathy Lee MANAGING EDITOR Kristen Williams CREATIVE DIRECTOR & MAGAZINE DESIGN Aloree Smith WRITERS Kent Abegglen Elise McAllister Laurel Beesley Dawn McLain Lukas Brinkerhoff Karen L. Monsen Michelle Brooks Judi Moreo Keith Buchhalter Alexa V. Morgan Laura Draskovich Laurie Nelson-Barker Donna Eads Charlene Paul Linda Faas Mayor Jon Pike Joyce Forier Donna Roberts Kathi Fox Terri Rylander Michael Goins Adam Schwartz Jennifer Hammond-Moore Celece Seegmiller Judy Hart Darren Stanek Patty Holden Kris Strauss Rob Krieger Kathy Tolleson Elspeth Kuta Mindee West Karl Larcom Brian Wursten ADVERTISING SALES Kathy Lee ADVERTISING EMAIL ads@ViewOnMagazine.com SUPPORT STAFF Bert Kubica DISTRIBUTION View on Magazine Staff WEB DESIGN Trevor Didriksen PUBLISHED BY View On Magazine, Inc. 742 W. Pioneer Blvd, Suite D Mesquite, NV 89027 Office (702) 346-8439 Fax (702) 346-4955 GENERAL INQUIRIES info@ViewOnMagazine.com ONLINE ViewOnMagazine.com Facebook

2016-2017 View On Magazine, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the express written permission from the publisher, including all ads designed by the View On Magazine staff. All articles submitted by contributing writers are deemed correct at the time of publishing, View On Magazine, Inc. and/or any of its affiliates accept no responsibility for articles submitted with incorrect information.

Publisher

Letter from the Dear Readers,

The sun is out, the warmth is returning, and it’s time to get outside and play. Our area is all about fun and adventure. In these pages, we feature many of our local courses from which to choose for amazing day of golf. Or don’t choose at all – why not play them all?

The Mesquite Senior Games is always an exciting time of year for participants and spectators. You don’t have to be an amazing athlete to join in the fun. Hiking and camping are also great at this time of year. We have included some articles that may help you enjoy these activities as well. Kanab offers some of the best stargazing in the country. Take advantage! Whatever you choose to do, be it golf, adventure, or just a great barbecue in your own backyard, you couldn’t find a better place to enjoy them than in our beautiful communities. As always, please stop by and thank our advertisers for making this publication possible. Visit our website at www.ViewOnMagazine.com and join us on social media. I wish you all the most wonderful spring, and remember – get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful weather. Sincerely, Kathy Lee

Publisher

photo courtesy of Wolf Creek Golf Club

frequent CONTRIBUTORS Dianne Reid

has been in the pet industry for 12 years, and owned two import companies, where she sought out cutting-edge pet products to bring into Australia. A frequent visitor to Mesquite since 2009, she moved here in 2016 to start-up a unique pet store concept, but was unable to bring the dream to fruition due to personal family issues. She remains passionate and dedicated to advancing the pet community in Mesquite, and is excited to continue contributing to our magazine with her knowledge of pets and their peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. She can be reached at DianneReid@hotmail.com.

Jennifer Hammond-Moore is a certified IIN Health Coach, the owner of Foodies4Fitness and a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer. After spending her 30s being unhealthy and sick, she decided to take back control of her health. Jennifer has spent the last eight years learning what it takes for her to live her version of a healthy life and finding ways to help others do the same. She can be reached at jenahammond@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ foodies4fitness, or (435) 862-8116.

Linda Faas, an 11-year resident of Mesquite, is an unabashed lover of the town, its people, and its beautiful surroundings. She has immersed herself in several of Mesquiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arts and outdoors organizations. She is a frequent contributor to local and regional publications. Linda and her husband Al are enthusiastic hikers, travelers, and film fans.

Karen L. Monsen is a freelance writer who lives in St. George, Utah. She covers outdoor topics, nature, science, research, and human impacts. She taught French and Social Studies in public schools, served as a technical training coordinator, and designed and delivered business and technical writing seminars for corporate clients.

Alexa V. Morgan has been working as a freelance journalist in southern Utah since 2011. Her work has appeared in Utah Business, Outdoor Sports Guide, and 15 Bytes, among other publications. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, tennis, and her adorable pets. She can be reached at alexavmorgan@gmail.com.

Elspeth Kuta is the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum Coordinator, where it is her privilege to share with the community and visitors the local history of Mesquite and the surrounding areas. She and the Museum strive to bring history to life, and preserve and protect the local tales of yore. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pleased to have her as a regular contributor.

frequent CONTRIBUTORS V

Laurie Nelson-Barker is the owner of Formatian Fitness and Travel Training. She earned a Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Laurie has enjoyed over 30 years of conducting fitness training and classes. Email or call her at brtrainers@gmail.com or (435) 574-9362. Visit her website: www.formatianfitness.com.

Paul “Dr. Q” Noe has been in the nursery industry for over 50 years, with experience in retail and wholesale sales as well as landscaping, plant maintenance and growing experience. Paul has lived in Southern Nevada for 34 years. He became a California Certified Nurseryman in 1968 and a Certified Horticulture Advisor in 1993 by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service.

Donna Eads and her husband moved to Mesquite in 2010 from Palm Desert, CA and love the small town atmosphere. Her writing experience extends from high school and college newspapers to professional manuals as a critical care nurse. Her passion for tennis is evident in her frequent articles for View On Magazine.

Charlene Paul is the owner of Proof It Up, a proofreading and copy editing company. She lives in southern Nevada with her husband. Their original family of eight has grown into a crew of 25, including 12 of the cutest grandkids on earth. She loves spending time with family and friends, singing, writing, playing the piano and organ, reading, crocheting, sewing, and talking – a lot!

Celece Seegmiller is the owner of The Travel Connection, located at 1373 East 170 South in St. George. Travel is her passion and she’s spent the past 24 years planning dream vacations around the world. Her favorite vacation is the South Pacific with her “toes in the sand.” Reach her at (435) 628-3636 or celece@stgeorgetravel.com.

Dawn McLain is the Owner and President of Write It Up!, a small, full-service advertising agency based in St. George. Over the past 20 years, the firm has grown to include comprehensive PR and marketing services as well as media buys, blogging, corporate facilitation and much more. To get in touch with Dawn, email her at dawn@writeituponline.com.

frequent CONTRIBUTORS V

Laura Draskovich is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. With more than 15 years in the fitness industry, Laura currently teaches a wide variety of group fitness formats and trains clients at the Mesquite Fitness Club. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she attended Central Washington University, majoring in Community Health Education. Mother of three, Laura is a national level NPC figure competitor, who is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and dedicated to reaching goals.

Rob Krieger is a 20 year PGA Member & former Director of Golf in Mesquite & Greensboro, NC. He is currently the Director of Instruction at both his own Red Rock Golf Center in St. George and the Southgate Golf Club and is experienced in teaching all skill levels from beginners to low handicappers. Rob has been writing for us since 2010. For more information on help with your game check out his website www.stgeorgegolflessons.com or to schedule a lesson, email him at Rob@sgugolf.com.

Message from the Mayor

St. George

on some city uniforms. The logo is now reflected in our new city flag. All these things are visible signs of what I hope will be evident in every interaction we all have together. The logo represents the sun, as most who have seen it would know. But it represents other things as well.

ver the last two years, the city council and I along with the city management team and many of our city employees, went through a process of considering what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all about as a city. We did this to help us define our mission, vision, and values, and to better brand our city. What you might have seen last year was a new city logo appear gradually on city vehicles, at city hall, on our letterhead, and

The logo resembles a wagon wheel, and is a nod to our heritage. It also looks like a cog or gear, signifying industry and commerce. It could be people standing together in a circle with open arms. It might refer to communication coming in and out of the community. It also reflects brightness, activity, happiness, and optimism. As we discussed the foundation and pillars of our city, we determined that activity and optimism are two words that describe us as a community. So much of what we do and are can be illustrated within those two words. When you think about what it took to build St. George in the hot and dry desert, it certainly took a lot of work and optimism. Today, many of our residents and visitors are here because of our sunshine and numerous activities. We will continue

to build on that, and focus even more on being a healthy, active, and positive community. We recognize that we still have more to do to meet the needs of our citizens in terms of economic development, housing, and wages, and we continue to keep our eyes on the ball when it comes to public safety and infrastructure. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m confident that, working together, we will be successful. In fact, I think our new city tagline says it best: St. George â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the brighter side! Sincerely, Mayor Jon Pike

Contents

FEATURES

12 Starry Starry Night 71

view on INPIRATION The Family that Runs Together Gets Blisters The Dark Night Skies in Southern Utah

cover photo courtesy of Conestoga Golf Club

28 Desert Combat Tour 96

view on NONPROFIT Charity Through Golf Mesquite's Charity Golf Tournaments Passport to an Awesome Adventure

Contents

VIEW ON 14 TRAVEL 22 DIY 30 OUTDOORS 36 NONPROFIT 48 PETS 52 FITNESS 56 GOLF 64 THE ARTS 74 BUSINESS 76 SEASONAL RECIPES 84 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 86 ENERGY 98 STRONG WOMEN Strong Women of Mesquite Terri Rylander

Experience Tuscany and the Italian Riviara

Spring into DIY

Landscape Transformations Golf Courses and Visual Resource Management

Nonprofits Collaborate for 2nd Year of UNA Summit

The Dog Nanny Down Under

Fit For Adventure

Better Practice Equals Better Results

Kayenta Open House

Phone Skope Small-Town Startup Eyes Worldwide Success

Antipasto Appetizer

It's Your Environment

Yes, I Want You to Switch to LEDs

36 14

Moapa Valley

Why I Love M

oapa Valley has so much to offer that it is almost impossible for me to tell anyone what it is that I love the most.

Our family moved to Moapa Valley 12 years ago from Utah. We had always come to the valley to visit my parents on weekends and such, but we would consider it our vacation. The valley was always welcoming to us during our visits and people would remember us upon our next arrival, which always seemed to shock me. When you go to the grocery store, people say hello; when you drive down the street, people wave, not always because they know you, but just to be kind. Our family loves exploring Moapa Valley and its surroundings. Wildlife watching is one of our favorite pastimes. We are almost sure to spot wild horses, bighorn sheep, lizards, donkeys, or coyotes each time we go out, and we thoroughly enjoy every opportunity. The valley is beautiful and vibrant and has offerings for all to enjoy. We are 10 minutes away from the Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead National Recreational Area, Logandale Trails, and the Double Negative.

Why I Love Sout hern Ut ah

To be able to enjoy a lifestyle full of friends, natural wonders, and wildlife on a daily basis is something that one can only dream to be blessed with. ~ Latitia (Tish) Cook

eginning a new chapter in my life was scary and exciting at the same time. I was making a big change in every aspect of my life. I chose southern Utah mainly because three of my six children and five of my six grandchildren live here. I wanted and needed to be close. What I found was an even greater blessing. October 1, 2016 I opened my wellness center here so that I could be a tool in other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healing. What I found was, I was the one being healed. Each day as I drive around this amazing place, I find myself with tears in my eyes and genuine gratitude for living in such an amazingly beautiful place with incredible people and a great sense of unity and family. But most of all for me, it is a place of safety, security, and healing. I am home! I love southern Utah! ~ Stephanie Parrish

Why I Love St . George I

retired to St. George 14 years ago, but my retirement lasted just two weeks. The allure of live theater was like a strong magnet pulling me to the many stages in this area. First it was St. George Musical Theater, then Tuacahn, the Space Between Theater Company, Dixie and Desert Hills High School Theater Departments, and finally Dixie State University Shows at the Eccles & Cox Auditoriums. In the last few years Brigham's Playhouse, the Stage Door at the Electric Theater, and the Hurricane Valley Theatrical Company have joined the area providing many new choices where you will see great plays and concerts. The homegrown talent showcased in these venues cannot be matched anywhere else. We have outstanding dance and performance studios like Diamond Talent, Westside Studio, and Dixie Arts Conservatory. These studios showcase their students at Jubilee of Trees, Dickens Festival, World Senior Games, and their own productions at the theaters mentioned above. St. George and the Arts are awesome.

Why I Love Mesquite ~ Gary Payne

moved to Mesquite in the fall of 1992 from Fresno California looking for a new start. I found a job at the Peppermill Hotel/Casino and shortly after became a cocktail waitress. I love interacting with people and found myself looking forward to going to work each day to see what new customers had to say about themselves and greeting the familiar faces of the regulars.

I also met the love of my life, (my husband Patrick Flynn) at work in 1993 and we have been together for 23 years now. The Peppermill became the Oasis and after 15 years the Oasis closed and I found myself out of work, but not for very long because the Eureka Hotel/Casino hired me and it couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have worked out any better. I absolutely love it at the Eureka and have made many friends with co-workers and customers. To top it off I was chosen as Employee of the Year for 2016 and the Eureka is where I plan to be for the rest of my working days. I love to bowl and I play in two leagues a week â&#x20AC;&#x201C; my husband is an avid golfer and also plays in two leagues each week. Mesquite is the perfect place for us. We have a wonderful home that we love and we enjoy bringing friends and family to Mesquite to see us so we can show them why Mesquite is a great place to live. Those are some of the reasons why I love Mesquite. ~ Maria Tristan-Flynn

view on INSPIRATION

The Family that Runs Together Gets Blisters by Charlene Paul

y husband runs marathons. Yes, he chooses to run 26.2 miles for the fun of it. After his first marathon, he came home with blisters on his feet, scabs on his nipples, and black toenails. His knees were swollen and his gait was that of an 85 year-old double amputee. He was dehydrated, sick to his stomach, and so tired his eyelids refused to withdraw from over his eyeballs. I was certain he was finished, that he would never want to compete in another marathon. I was wrong. He told me, while sticking a hot needle in his toenails to relieve the pressure, that he had only just begun. He loved it. It was fun. He was hooked. Running was now part of his life. At least it would be once he could walk again. He begged me to join him, but I had no intention of waiting for my toenails to fall off as the price for experiencing so much fun. He tried to guilt me by asking, “If you died tomorrow, wouldn’t you feel like you cheated yourself if you never finished a marathon?”

I didn’t even have to think; I looked him squarely in his droopy eyes and replied, “Nope!” Fast forward a couple of decades. He is still running marathons, and after each one he promises himself that he will actually train for the next one. Oh, he does train a little here and there, but that training generally involves eating, drinking, and making merry, and then going into panic mode three weeks before the race. This May, however, he and several of our kids will participate in the Odgen Marathon. They have been competing there for several years, although they haven’t been too dedicated to training. But our youngest daughter, Heidi, decided she and her dad would not only compete this year, they would run it in under four hours. That adds up to just a few seconds over nine minutes per mile. She found a training schedule and has been a brutal taskmaster. They

run a set number of miles per day for the first two weeks, with one longer run at the end of each week. The miles and long runs increase every two weeks until just before the marathon. My husband has been more devoted to training this year than he ever has in the past. Heidi has been vigilant with her training. She gets out whether it’s rainy or sunny, calm or windy. She gets a little discouraged, but unlike her dad who runs alone, she runs the same distance while pushing about a 50 pound load of two little boys in a double jogging stroller. The boys love it and yell “Run faster, Mommy.” “Go! Go! Go!” “Are you tired, Mommy?” “We wanna go home now!” I think it would make the time go by much more quickly. She disagrees. Our youngest son Ben, who is in the Army, will also be running the full marathon with Ken and Heidi. He is in the best shape of his life. He jumps out of planes, goes on rigorous training missions, and runs a LOT. He did an eight mile ruck run in the woods in full uniform, boots and helmet, carrying a loaded rucksack, water, weapon, and other stuff that weighed approximately 42 pounds. He completed the run in one hour and 30 minutes. He will probably fly past his dad and sister. His goal is to beat them badly. Our other daughter, Emily, and her husband, Chantz, will compete in the half marathon. Two years ago, Chantz decided the day before the race to run his first half-marathon. And he almost beat Emily who had prepared and was properly attired. They started out together at first, but he soon left Emily in the dust. Actually, since it rained the entire time, he left her in the mud. When she caught up with him in the last half mile, she was determined to beat him. She tried to sneak by him, but he and his long legs kept up with her. What happened next is unclear. She claimed he dropped his phone and had to stop to pick it up, so she beat him by a few seconds. He says she knocked his phone out of his hand. He is ready for a re-match.

They will have blisters, scabs, and sore knees, and will walk like little old men, but after hot showers, naps, and a good, hearty meal they will swear they had the time of their lives, and they will make plans for next year. Oh, yeah. I get to spend time with all nine of their kids. That’s my marathon, one which I would definitely feel cheated out of if I never had the opportunity. V

Our second son, Dallas, and his wife, Jaycie, are also competing in the half marathon. Dallas isn’t a fan of running, so Jaycie signed him up and then told him about it later. Jaycie is a dedicated runner and if anyone in the group stands a chance of beating Chantz, is it her. Our third son, Adam, will also run the half marathon. Since working so hard to lose weight and getting back into shape, he has been running and working out, dazzling his sweet wife, Catherine, with his speed and finesse. I don’t think he will beat Chantz, but I think beating Emily is a definite possibility. And what will I be doing while they run? I will sleep in while they are being driven up the hill at four in the morning. Then I will take a shower, get dressed, and eat breakfast with Catherine, and Heidi’s husband, Jeremie. When we are finished, we will drive to the covered parking garage so we can whistle and yell at them not to give up as they run the last few yards. We will wait for them to come hobbling up the stairs so we can drive them back to the condo.

view on STRONG WOMEN

Strong Women of Mesquite her family. The Mount Rainier area was her particular favorite. Her father, loving the outdoors himself, taught her how to hike and how to backpack. She still remembers the old external-frame backpacks that were so cumbersome. One of these backpack trips is particularly memorable. It’s where she met her second family. She lived with her father after her parents divorced at age 10, and when she was 12, he met a woman who also had three children. They introduced the kids on a three-day backpack trip in the North Cascades. Seeing how well they all got along, they married and became a real-life “Brady Bunch.” This yearning to be near the mountains was another reason Terri came to Mesquite. She loves the wide-open spaces, but also enjoys running around in the nearby Virgin mountains. In doing so, she met some other like-minded friends who introduced her to the group, "Friends of Gold Butte."

ome women are born strong and some become strong through adversity. Terri is a combination of both. As a first born, her leadership skills come naturally, but she also faced some challenges that have made her a stronger person. Terri is one of those people you are sure you know, but don’t know why. It’s likely because of the things she quietly does for the community. People have asked Terri what brought her to Mesquite, this tiny jewel in the desert. She says back in 2004, she was reading a golf magazine one day and saw a full-page ad for condos on the golf course for only $99,000. It sounded like a steal and the picture in the ad was gorgeous. Coming down for a weekend trip, she was not disappointed. She went home with a new house. In her younger years, Terri loved exploring trails in the woods behind her house and going on camping trips every weekend with

Friends of Gold Butte is a grassroots group of people who got together to care for the Gold Butte area. The volunteer group gives their time to advocate, restore, and educate people about the area, including through speakers at the Mesquite Community Theater and outings to show people the special places in Gold Butte. The group was instrumental in recently gaining national monument status for Gold Butte, adding it to the Conservation Lands system where there will be more access to resources to help support visitation and use. Terri has served on the board of directors for Friends of Gold Butte since 2009 and is the longest serving member on the board. She has seen the ups and downs of the effort it takes to preserve wonderful places. This journey has taught her to be strong throughout the rough times and that perseverance ultimately pays off. She notes that there are so many special sites in Gold Butte, that it was a "no-brainer" to sign up to be a site steward. During the late ‘90’s, Terri learned to write code and build websites. It was a natural fit for her love of math and science. And, fortunately, it led to a full-time corporate job. And, as always happens when you’re good, she got promoted from developer to manager of the team to then director of the organization. Life was great until it wasn’t. The company re-organized and Terri’s

Terri Rylander work environment became miserable. So miserable, she believes it was responsible for her developing breast cancer at the age of 45. Adversity struck. Terri went through two surgeries and seven weeks of daily radiation. She says it was during this time that she stopped to take a good look at her life. She wasn’t happy and days were slipping by. Not being one to wallow in pity, she did some soul-searching and visioning to figure out how to change things in order to create the happiness she knew she deserved.

a new sponsorship program. Some of the new events do not involve athletic ability, like the History Tour, Poker Tournament, and Shotgun Sports. It’s her goal that everyone in Mesquite knows of the Mesquite Senior Games, even if they don’t participate. Around the same time, she started playing co-ed softball with the Mesquite Geezers. She says they are a terrific, caring bunch who will do anything for you. Terri says they are like family to her since hers are so

far away. Although Terri’s three daughters and one granddaughter have come to visit, being so many miles apart is probably the biggest difficulty she has living in Mesquite. Terri’s hopes for Mesquite is that it can really capitalize on all of the things the city has to offer. This includes being a destination for team sports, golfers, and Gold Butte tourists. She knows it’s going to take visionary leadership to guide the city toward this and is happy that the city

Terri took the time to really flesh out a vision of the rest of her life. She thought about what a perfect day would look like. That’s when she came up with a few ideas, including moving to Mesquite. The other big shift was to leave corporate and start freelancing. It took a while to put everything in place, but the vision has been a reality since 2007. In 2011, Terri was introduced to the Mesquite Senior Games and met Frank Pati, the founder. Using her techie skills, she developed a website for the games and began helping out behind the scenes with marketing and events. She found she really enjoyed meeting active peers and both participating and watching people accomplish things they never thought they could. After Frank Pati decided to retire in 2014, he asked Terri to take over leadership as president of the Mesquite Senior Games. Terri brought in a new board of directors and has taken the games to the next level, including adding more events and creating

management and businesses of Mesquite seem ready to lead the way. As much as Terri does for the community, she should be a household name around here. So much of what she does is behind the scenes, her name and face may be familiar to you but you may not have put them together. If this is the first time you have put them together, we hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll thank her the next time you see her, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at a community event or just out hiking the trails. We definitely appreciate all you do, Terri. Thanks for being such a Strong Woman of Mesquite. V

Local Cops and K-9 Partners

Sniff Out Crime W by Alexa V. Morgan

hether they’re sniffing out drugs, bombs, or criminals on the run, Washington County’s K-9 cops and their devoted handlers put themselves in harms way to help make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. “These dogs provide an indispensable service to this department and to our community,” St. George Police Officer Joseph Watson says. “It is a fulfilling experience to work, learn, and grow with these dogs.” There are currently seven K-9 teams on active duty in Washington County. For the most part, they provide specialized assistance to other officers. Depending upon their training, dogs can track and

apprehend fleeing suspects, locate a victim, recover evidence, or identify illegal drugs and explosives. While the typical human nose has roughly six million olfactory receptors, a dog’s can possess up to 300 million. Using their extraordinary sense of smell, dogs are able to track and locate drugs, explosives, and even electronic devices with adequate training. "All dogs naturally hunt and smell instinctively," Watson says. "Handlers simply teach them to behave a certain way when they smell specific odors." Dogs approach drug detection like a game of hide-and-seek. During training, the

18 St. George Police Department Detective Jason Jarvie and K-9 Rocky

handlers associate drug odors with their K-9's favorite toys. They eventually learn that they must find the odors to get their toys. Police work isn’t breed-specific, but dogs must be up for the task. Strong, agile hunting or working breeds are best suited for detection jobs, while “find-and-bite” dogs must also demonstrate a certain level of aggression, called the fight drive. “They’re not mean dogs at all,” says Sgt. Rob Nixon, who leads the Utah Highway Patrol’s K-9 division. “They just want to prove they’re stronger than the other guy.”

Trooper Chris Terry and K-9 Titan serve Washington County. On a daily basis, they handle calls and stop cars along I-15 and other major corridors, just like any other UHP unit. But Terry has specialized training in conducting roadside interviews and if something arouses his suspicion, he will deploy his partner to search the vehicle. Nixon estimates that Terry and Titan have seized roughly 1,000 pounds of marijuana, 100 pounds of methamphetamine, and 90 pounds of heroin since February 2014.

which began in 2014 with the recruitment of Paige, a dual-purpose Belgian Malinois.

Rocky and Enzo, both 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, and Emma, a 2-year-old black Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Terry and K-9 Titan. Labrador Retriever, New K-9 teams go through an eight-week put their noses to work on the streets of detection course with Utah Peace Officer St. George. All are trained exclusively Standards and Training that consists in narcotics detection. Enzo and Emma of a rigorous side-by-side evaluation support fellow SGPD officers in the patrol process, plus a written examination for division, and Rocky is assigned to the the handler. Certification in police patrol Washington County Drug Task Force. requires another eight weeks. Once they successfully complete training, they’re When possible, the Washington County ready for active duty. Sheriff’s Office provides K-9 services to smaller cities that don’t have dogs of their Most law enforcement agencies recruit own, Deputy Michael Graf says. Graf is currently partnered with Tess, a 6-year-old dogs around age two, allowing some time Belgian Malinois. for their temperament and instincts to mature. A K-9’s career lasts about seven Along with Tess, the sheriff’s office also years on average, Nixon says. Some dogs employs Vinny, a 2-year-old German are retired early due to injuries, loss of Shepherd. Both dogs are trained in hearing or vision, or diminished physical drug detection and police patrol. “The capacity; the work that they do, especially wonderful thing about the dogs is that on the patrol side, can be very taxing. they’ve been able to help apprehend UHP has 12 dual-purpose dogs, all Belgian these people without causing injury to the suspects or officers,” Graf says. “A lot of Malinois imported from the Netherlands. people surrender when they’re told a dog The ten trained in narcotics detection and is coming out. It’s been an important tool police patrol are stationed throughout the for us to have at the sheriff’s office.” state with their handlers, while the other two remain at the capitol building in Salt The Hurricane City Police Department has Lake City. They specialize in explosives the newest K-9 program in the county, detection along with patrol.

Graf says that Tess doesn’t wear her vest on a daily basis because it restricts her movement. But if she has to be deployed into a high-risk situation, he will make sure she’s protected.

In certain situations, K-9s are in danger of being shot, stabbed, or otherwise injured by suspects. They are often sent in pursuit ahead of human officers. Among the other risks they face are accidental inhalation or ingestion of drugs, and traffic. “We regularly deploy our dogs out on busy roadways, including I-15,” says Watson. “I personally have had a few near misses where a driver has failed to move over, nearly striking myself and my dog.” While protective vests usually aren’t a duty requirement for police dogs, more agencies throughout the state and country are starting to provide them, often due to the efforts of organizations like Vesting America's Police K-9s, who helped raise funds to buy vests for Tess and Vinny. Titan also received a vest in July 2015 through a generous donation from a St. George resident.

The price tag on a dual-purpose dog can be as high as $10,000. With an officer’s salary and ongoing training expenses considered, a K-9 program is a substantial but worthwhile investment for police agencies, says Graf. Departments can sometimes receive grants to cover the purchase cost or have dogs donated to them. Such was the case with Vinny, who was acquired through Havoc K9, a nonprofit based in Willard, Utah. Utah standards require dogs and handlers to participate in a minimum of four hours of weekly training for each discipline in which they’re certified. Their skills are scrutinized during an annual retesting process. “You have to keep the dogs sharp, especially with dogs that have the ability to bite. They’re very disciplined,” says Graf. “The handler has to have a lot of control over them to keep them from injuring someone they’re not supposed to, and to be around people.” Being a K-9 handler requires countless amounts of patience, dedication, hard

Rossko’s untimely death at age five was caused by bloat, a stomach condition prevalent in larger dogs that is often fatal. Watson, who has been a K-9 handler for three years, now works with Emma, who first put her paws on the ground as a St. George police officer in January. K-9 teams live, work, play, and train together. The everyday care of a police dog is much more involved than with an ordinary pet. If their handler goes on vacation, the K-9 goes too. “Unlike the many other tools we as police officers store on our belts, these dogs move and think on their own,” says Watson. “When we get home after a long shift, we cannot just simply take the tool off our belt and lock it in a closet. We love and care for each of our dogs.” St. George Police Department Officer Joseph Watson and K-9 Emma

work, and time. Handlers play the role of dog trainer as well as police officer, making sure their partner is capable and ready for duty. Four-legged officers warrant the same respect as their human counterparts

among police agencies worldwide. When Watson’s former partner, a German Shepherd named Rossko, passed away in August 2016, he was given a multi-agency procession en route to his final resting place, followed by the traditional “last call” over the radio.

“They really become a partner in every sense of the term,” Graf says. “It’s a very extensive job. We spend more time with our dogs than we do any member of our family, and it becomes a very strong bond that you can see when you watch a handler interact with their dog. The dogs are part of you.” V

Oasis Golf Club by Adam Schwartz

s an avid golfer and traveler, I can attest that Mesquite has become a destination unlike any other in the western United States. A great asset Mesquite enjoys is its small community that boasts outstanding golf courses such as the two great layouts at Oasis Golf Club (Palmer & Canyons). These are the only two courses in Mesquite that allow golfers to join their club. As a semi-private resort, the conditions and playability of the courses are kept meticulous throughout the season. Arnold Palmer acknowledged three of his favorite 18 holes were on the Palmer course, which has tremendous elevation drops from tees to fairways surrounded by box canyons. These holes were #5, #6 (his favorite), and #8. The Palmer course was Arnold Palmer’s first desert design

golf course. After his recent passing, a September 2016 Golfweek article named the Oasis-Palmer course one of Mr. Palmer’s top 20 designs. A few of these accolades have brought a little fame to the course as Oasis played host to the Big Break Mesquite television show ten years ago in July 2007. The course has been slightly redesigned since its opening in 1995, including the addition of the 27,000 square foot clubhouse which altered the first hole from an uphill par 5 to a very generous opening par 4. The course itself is generally known as a perfect challenge for all levels of ability, catering to over 350 members and guests who can choose from five different sets of tees. Even though it is a desert course, water features will come into play on six of

the 18 holes. The 100+ feet of elevation drops on three different holes will make you feel that you are standing on the highest ledge of Mesquite from each tee platform. With a population of only 20,000 people along with mild winter temperatures, Mesquite’s small town warmth attracts golfers from across the country to its seven golf courses that are less than 10 minutes away from one another. Mesquite is an amazing place to play and stay. Locals (and frequent visitors) who are not members can get discounted rates through a membership program. V For more information, visit www.theoasisgolfclub.com or call (702) 346-7820.

Top Photo: Hole #5 of he Palmer. Bottome Photo: Hole #8 of the Canyons

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Experience Tuscany It alian Riviera and the

by Celece Seegmiller

ast summer, I had the opportunity to travel with my mother on a Mediterranean cruise. We sailed from Barcelona, Spain and made stops in France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. It was a wonderful way to get a “taste” of each destination. If I could go back to one port of call and spend more time, it would be Florence, Italy. I would not only spend more time there, but also the Tuscany region and the Italian Coast. Obviously, I was delighted to learn the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce selected the Tuscany and Italian Riviera itinerary for their fundraiser tour this year. This tour departs September 15, 2017 and returns September 22. If you love food, wine, art, history, and beautiful scenery, this is the tour for you. The trip begins with a relaxing stay in a Tuscan estate for three nights. Here, guests will enjoy authentic Tuscan dinners paired with wines produced onsite. The chef even offers an interactive pastamaking demonstration. Can you imagine sharing that recipe with your friends when you return home? A day trip to Florence, also known as the “Cradle of Italian Renaissance,” is included, where travelers will join a local guide for a walking tour

of this fascinating city. Sites include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore and the Palazzo Vecchio. From there, a choice of visiting the Uffizi Gallery or the Leonardo da Vinci Museum is included. The Uffizi Gallery features important works from the Renaissance Period and the museum features the world of this brilliant man of many traits in addition to being a sculptor and painter. The last stop is a Florentine gold shop to learn about the interesting techniques handed down from generation to generation. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy the sidewalk cafes and enjoy traditional food, wine, people watching, and shopping. Note – you may want to pack an extra bag for your souvenirs. The leather shoes, handbags, and jackets are incredible, not to mention the jewelry. The following day includes a scenic journey through the hills of Tuscany to the medieval city of Siena. See the historic Piazza del Campo with a local expert and then enjoy some time for shops and outdoor cafes. The day ends with a trip to one of the oldest wine estates in the Monteriggioni region, where you can sit down with a family member to hear about their wine and taste their creations. After returning to the Tuscan estate, a local musician will serenade you during dinner.

The next morning, pack your bags and say goodbye to Tuscany as you make your way to the Italian Riviera for three nights. You’ll stop in the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th century Renaissance walls and the ancient maritime Republic of Pisa for a view of the Duomo and the famous Leaning Tower before checking into your Italian Riviera accommodations. A highlight of this tour is Cinque Terre, with its rugged coastline and colorful buildings. Travel by rail to this nearly inaccessible string of villages nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean. The following day includes a trip to Santa Margherita Ligure for a boat ride to glamorous Portofino. This town’s colorful harbor is lined with everything from fishing boats to yachts of the rich and famous. The seaside pastel buildings create the perfect postcard. Imagine the beautiful photos for your annual Christmas Card. This eight day tour includes transportation to and from Mesquite, Nevada, roundtrip airfare, 10 meals, three nights in a Tuscan Estate, three nights in the Italian Riviera, and a professional tour escort and driver. Not only is it convenient, it is an incredible way to see some of Italy’s most popular and scenic regions. You will return home with incredible photos, memories, and new friends from your community. Space is limited and must be reserved by March 16. It is not restricted to Mesquite residents or chamber members –everyone is invited. Travelers have the option to add this to a cruise, or extend their trip in Europe.V For additional details, contact Mesquite Chamber of Commerce member and group tour coordinator, Celece Seegmiller at The Travel Connection, (435) 256-8897 or celece@stgeorgetravel.com.

photo by Susan Johnston

Bike To Your Heart's Content

In Southern Utah by Laurel Beesley

he potential for breathtaking, world-class quality biking has always been here waiting to be found. The stunning red rock landscape of southern Utah begs for attention and biking is one of the best ways to accept the challenge to discover. From short, easy rides to intermediate, and even highly challenging, technical â&#x20AC;&#x153;blackâ&#x20AC;? trail cycling - Kanab offers it all.

photo credit Mike Henrie/Kanab Western Adventures

Mountain and road bikers, this spectacular area is your growing mecca of endless delights. If you enjoy serious single-track, put Kanab on your bucket list as a must-do. If your family wants to enjoy some cycling time

together, get ready to do some fun time on the newly built Pump Track right in the heart of Kanab. BMX tricksters can do what they want to do on a pretty fantastic track and find many friends there ready to do the same. In 2015, Joey Klein, a Trail Solutions representative of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), made his first visit to the area with the sole purpose of analyzing bike trail opportunities. From that pioneer visit, a 50-page trail concept plan was created to develop new and connecting trails. The Kanab City Council and the Kanab Bureau of Land Management Field Office both endorsed the plan; cooperation and joint enthusiasm

were the name of the game as progress began in earnest. Joey returned a few months later to begin flagging trails, and the local bicycle committee voted unanimously to create a formal bike club that would now be called the Kanab Cycling Club (KCC.) “A key element of building sustainable biking trails is ensuring that there will be a community committed to the trails’ existence.” That was a statement made by IMBA at a well-attended pilot meeting with the new KCC. The response left them in no doubt as to KCC’s commitment. The club members knew they had gained the support of an international organization dedicated to mountain bike advocacy, education, access, and trail building. Now they would do the work and make it happen. Build. Maintain. Ride. Since then it has all been about action. IMBA sent a Trail Care Crew and trained volunteers in workshops on the responsibilities and challenges of building sustainable trails with just the right degree of slope to endure the challenges of winter and monsoon water run-off. Assisted by Jake Powell’s ACE conservation team, they dug in and went to work with shovels, picks, rakes, muscle, and plenty of gritty determination moving the rocks and brush to create the trails they saw in their dreams. Almost like opening a treasure chest, their work paid off in gold as each trail developed raised new ideas for additional trails. What a network they could finally see, and would create. The final ingredients in the grand menu of trail building were the huge smiles shared by everyone involved.

Virgin River Rim Trail photo by Susan Johnston

Throughout southern Utah, there is an almost infinite range of trails and rides suitable for any rider. Choose it, and do it! Excellent trails exist just outside Kanab including the Virgin River Trail, and the astounding Arizona Trail leading from Kanab to Mexico. That – is a dream wish ultraride! Rainbow Rim, Gooseberry Mesa, and many other trails are already waiting for your attention. Cycling is becoming a major sport here in southern Utah. For additional information go to: Facebook – Kanab Cycling Club. The Club has a monthly ride open to everyone. V

Kanab may have been late to the game of establishing a mountain biking community, but now they are making up for it. Build. Maintain. And ride big time! The club does not exclude road-bikers. The backways and byways of southern Utah will be the most scenic rides of your life – miles of relentless beauty, and they are working to create safer corridors for road bikers. photo courtesy of Savage Point B&B.

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Charity Through Golf Mesquite’s Charity Golf Tournaments by Michelle Brooks, Ready Golf & Gear

esquite and the entire Virgin Valley is made up of the most generous people I have ever had the opportunity to share a community with and I am proud to be to be a part of it. We have charity fundraisers of all kinds, including dinners, bake sales, yard sales, even a zumbathon. But our favorite kind of charity fundraisers, of course, have to do with golf. Or, maybe food. No, golf, definitely golf. Mesquite has many charity golf tournaments annually. Too many to even attempt to name them all here. But I’d like to talk about a few you may have heard of, but may not know the details or the impact they have within our community. A new kid on the block, the Kids For Sports Foundation, is the brainchild of Wolf Creek owners, Cory and Chad Clemetson and their executive team members. In 2014 they decided to put together a foundation that would help local kids get into sports who would otherwise not be able to due to financial or other situations. Realizing that sports equipment, registrations and the like are expensive and many families are unable to pay these costs, the Kids for Sports Advisory Committee set out to help.

Since then, the Kids For Sports Foundation has raised many thousands of dollars through various donations but, most notably (for this article at least) through their Kids For Sports charity golf tournaments. The four-person scramble is played at Wolf Creek, usually takes place in January and sells out quickly. The last one took place in January of this year and they had a full field signed up two weeks before the event.

January’s Kids For Sports tournament raised over 16 thousand dollars for the charity. Last year alone, the Kids For Sports Foundation awarded 139 grants totaling over 22 thousand dollars to help our local kids get the equipment, uniforms, and registration fees to play their sport of choice. Another new tournament to hit the scene in October 2016 was the Muttigans

Charity Golf Tournament. Mutti-what you say? It’s not a typo! The Muttigans tournament was hatched in the mind of local resident, Kristen Williams, AKA The Golf Chick (thegolfchick.com), AKA The Gun Chick (thegunchick.com), AKA Pressing Ideas (pressingideas.com) and, as you can see, she’s busy already. As a lover of pets as well as a lover of golf, Kristen decided to develop a golf tournament to help homeless pets and teamed up with a few volunteers and local non-profit homeless pet helper extraordinaire, We Care For Animals (WCFA), to make it happen. With donations from many local businesses and residents, Kristen and We Care For Animals had an incredible turn out for the first annual Muttigans Charity Golf Tournament. 64 people came out to play Falcon Ridge Golf Course on what turned out to be a gorgeous day of sunshine and perfect temperatures. The fun, four-person scramble provided WCFA with almost $13,000 to help them with the many ways they help the people and pets of the Virgin Valley including food, shelter, fostering, and re-homing for our homeless furry friends.

residents and business owners of this community are not looking for ways to do something wonderful for others whether it be through golf tournaments, raffles, or zumbathons. I feel pretty lucky to be a part of such a wonderful place. V If you would like information on upcoming tournaments please visit our website, readygolfandgear.com/tournaments. Please email me at mbrooks@readygolfandgear.com or call (702) 345-4653 if you would like us to add your tournament to our page, or if you would like contact information for donating or volunteering for any of the above charities.

And if that wasn’t enough, to cap off the remarkable day, Mesquite resident, Rocky Curtis hit a hole-in-one, winning a brand-new E-Z-GO golf cart sponsored by Ready Golf & Gear. I was there. It was very exciting. While not a golf tournament, I would like to mention another fundraiser for We Care For Animals. Ready Golf & Gear annually conducts a month-long raffle to raise donations of pet food and supplies for WCFA. Local businesses and golf courses have been especially generous in donating raffle prizes for this event. Raffle prizes that have been won include golf clubs, rounds of golf at Wolf Creek and Coyote Springs, golf lessons at the Oasis Golf Club, and golf accessories. This year’s raffle will be in March. Ticket price is pet food and/or pet supplies. Enter as many times as you like. You can’t really talk about Mesquite’s charity golf tournaments without mentioning Golf Fore Kids. This tournament has been raising Christmas gifts for local kids for 12 years. The last tournament was held in December 2016 and was the most successful to date. A whopping 544 golfers came out to play on four courses: Falcon Ridge, Conestoga, The Canyons, and The Palms Golf Courses. Donations of cash and toys for this tournament alone reached approximately $50,000 which is higher than donations have ever been. Over the last 12 years this tournament has raised more than $450,000 to ensure local kids have a wonderful Christmas. Mesquite and the Virgin Valley as a whole are filled with incredibly generous people. There is not a time of year that the

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Spring Into DIY by Jennifer Hammond-Moore

his spring marks my one year anniversary of saying “I do” to my sweetheart. It also is a time of new beginnings and growth. My goal this spring is to continue to upcycle items that have outworn their welcome. What can you do with a wire basket, an old book, and a puzzle other than sending them to the thrift store or add to another pile at the dump? Lets see!

A Tisket, A Tasket - An Adorable Basket

One of the best things in life is spoiling your granddaughter (or daughter). I love to see mine dressed up for the holidays in bows and frills. Providing them with a basket to match can be priceless. Rather than tossing out the basket that a gift came in, how about upcycling it for an adorable Easter basket or for a flower girl at a wedding? Supplies • Wire basket • 1 ½ yard of tulle fabric • 1 yard ½” decorative ribbon • Glue gun Instructions 1. Cut tulle into 3” strips - I fold the tulle over to make the cutting easier. 2. Measure the height of the basket from the top edge to the tabletop you are working on. Double that measurement for the 3” tulle strips. Cut strips. My strips measured 3”x 6” when done.

3. Fold the strip in half and feed the loop under the wire edge of the basket from inside the basket to the outside. Place the two ends over the top of the wire edge and through the loop then pull the ends to lock in place over the wire edge. 4. Continue this process around the top edge of the basket. 5. If you want to place ribbon around the top edge of the tulle, use the hot glue and adhere to the edge in short segments. 6. Tie a bow, add some grass or treats, and you are done.

Eggs for a Book Worm I love to decorate eggs for Easter, but wanted them to be more functional for an adult style centerpiece. I thought what better use for an old book than to borrow a few pages to cover an egg. Since I actually didn’t have any old books at the house I bought one from a thrift store for $1.00. I like to repurpose things from stores that give back to the community or help train the disabled. The book I found was quotes and poems from 1963. I think I spent more time reading it than with the actual DIY.

Supplies • Old book - that won't make you cry if you tear some of it up • 5 or 6 eggs - hollowed out real eggs or plastic eggs • Mod podge or glue • Small bowl for glue mixture • Dish with ½” of water • Paper towel or dry dish towel • 1” paint brush or styrofoam brush Instructions 1. Hollow out eggs using a small drill bit at the end of the egg. I only opened one end of the egg and used a small medicine syringe to remove the egg from inside. Rinse the inside of the egg with water, using the syringe again. Let dry overnight. Excess water in the eggs will prevent paper from drying properly. 2. Tear book pages into 1/3” pieces horizontally following the text.

3. Place paper pieces in the water dish. Remove one piece and set on a paper towel to remove excess water. 4. Run the piece through the glue mixture wiping off any excess glue on the edge of the bowl. 5. Wrap it around the egg. 6. Continue wrapping the egg with paper until it is completely covered. Let dry. 7. When fully dry, eggs can be wiped with brown paint and wiped off to create an antique look. I brushed mine with gold paint for a more radiant effect. 8. Add to a centerpiece or Easter basket.

A Puzzle With Purpose

I have lined picture frames with colored puzzle pieces before, but this was a fun idea to celebrate our anniversary. I loved this saying about all of the pieces that go into a relationship. I think the best part of this project was putting the puzzle together. If you don’t have a puzzle handy, they are generally very cheap at a thrift store. Supplies • A small puzzle- 10” x 11” or 12” - smaller pieces under 1” are recommended • Gold or silver spray paint • Picture frame that is at least 1” larger than completed puzzle • Clear-drying glue • Poster board or mat board that is cut to the size of picture frame • Printed or hand written quote: “Love is like a puzzle...hard to piece together but beautiful when all the right pieces are put together.” Instructions 1. Assemble the puzzle on a piece of poster board or cardboard.

2. Lightly spray paint the assembled puzzle. Add a second coat if needed. 3. Allow to dry completely. 4. Determine the puzzle shape you want at the bottom of the frame. Take out puzzle pieces that you do not need to glue down; they will be used for the heart. 5. Starting from the bottom corner, glue one or two pieces down at a time on the mat board. I kept the puzzle together right next to the frame and glued across the bottom first then up the side. 6. Create the shape of the heart, then glue down on the board. Make a second layer on the heart to fill in more of the open spaces. If your frame is deep enough, you can do a third layer on the heart. 7. Either print a saying or handwrite a note next to the heart. Glue to the board. 8. Let dry completely and place back in frame.

I love to hear how others have celebrated their milestones or how someone has upcycled. If you get a chance, share your stories with View On Magazine.V

Conestoga Golf Club

A Great Ride

By Kris Strauss

efore the advent of railroads, the Conestoga wagon was used by pioneers to support migration southward. It was large enough to transport loads up to six tons, was drawn by horses, mules, or oxen and was designed to cross rivers and streams. These days we don’t have to rely on wagons or even railways for transport. And, we don’t have to cross rivers and streams on canvas-covered wagons. We can migrate to warm and sunny destinations like Mesquite, Nevada with a quick flight to Las Vegas and a one hour drive up I-15 to one of the most distinctive golf destinations in the country.

Here, wagons are traded for golf cars and golfers traverse the dramatic terrain laid over the moonscape of the rugged high desert. After golf, Mesquite visitors enjoy the excitement of casino action, steak dinners, and chill-time poolside. For those Mesquite-savvy travelers in the know, the course that is always on their must-play list is the Troon Golf-managed Conestoga Golf Club. Voted as the "Best In Mesquite” by area residents and ranked as high as number 5 among the “Best Courses You Can Play in Nevada” by Golfweek Magazine, this 18-hole masterpiece is artfully interwoven with the character and contours of

Mesquite's spectacular landforms. Meandering through canyons with gently ascending and descending elevations, rugged rock outcroppings, and tranquil water elements, the integrity of the land is preserved at every opportunity. You will immediately see why Sports Illustrated once stated: “It’s like playing golf on the moon, but with full gravity.” The masterful design and creativity of famed golf course designer Gary Panks gives the appearance of being crafted by nature, and forged over time. A round at Conestoga is a like a proverbial rollercoaster ride – the way it plays through canyons and rock outcroppings.

Much like the way a rollercoaster ride ascends and builds your anticipation, Panks eases you into your round at Conestoga with a mild-mannered, uphill par four first hole. Then, the tee box of the par three second hole feels like the first extreme drop of the ride, falling more than 100-feet downhill to the green. While almost every hole could be a signature hole, standouts on this desert gem include the par-four third and fourth holes. Or, the 208-yard par-3 fifth. Or, the double dogleg par-five sixth hole that has a jagged ravine crisscrossing the fairway (locals have named the hole “the three ditch @%#$^” (something that rhymes with witch). The par-four seventh hole is awesome and so is the risk reward ninth. A stern closing stretch is kicked-off by a desert island on the par three 14th hole. You get the picture; the Conestoga “ride” is one that you will never forget, and you will be tempted to use your camera phone more than your three-wood. Don’t just take our word for it; Golf Magazine’s Travelin’ Joe Passov once said of Conestoga: “For solid value and spectacular scenery, you’ll definitely want to ride this wagon.” After the golf ride of your life, you’ll want to allow time to enjoy Conestoga’s 1880 Grille. Enjoy a post-round 1880 burger and some signature 1880 wings, then wash it down with the club’s very own private label draft beer, aptly named 1880 Ale. The 1880 Grille was named to honor the

pioneer spirit of not only Conestoga, but also the surrounding Pulte community of Sun City Mesquite. The name and theme honor the first pioneers who came down the Old Spanish Trail and settled this area around 1880. Bring your appetite and enjoy the rustic ambiance with your buddies or family. For those needing more “supplies,” the golf shop at Conestoga provides a diverse collection of the latest golf and lifestyle offerings. From the latest Callaway golf equipment to trendy styles from Greg Norman and Under Armour, Conestoga has you covered. No matter your level of pioneering spirit, whether playing golf, dining, or

just gathering with loved ones, you are in for a truly great “ride” at Conestoga Golf Club. See for yourself by planning your next journey, golf buddy trip, or round with friends and family by going to ConestogaGolf.com for the best rates.V Visit Conestoga at 1499 Falcon Ridge Pkwy, Mesquite, NV, or call the friendly folks at (702) 346-4292. Connect with Conestoga Facebook: Facebook.com/ ConestogaGolfClub Twitter: Twitter.com/Conestogagc YouTube: YouTube.com/c/ConestogaGolf Google+ Plus.Google.com/+ConestogaGolf

view on OUTDOORS

Landscape Transformations:

Golf Courses and Visual Resource Management

story and photos by Karen L. Monsen

“

Got a lot of love between us. Hang on, hang on, hang on to what we've got.” ~ Frankie Valli song Let’s Hang On

36 Entrada Golf Course

eople are master landscape transformers–farming, mining, damming rivers, building roads, and erecting structures. Deserving recognition, golf course designers and visual resource managers often strive to minimize human disturbances, preserve natural topography, and disguise man-made attributes. Golf-scapes Entrada and Coral Canyon are among Southern Utah’s scenic golf courses that incorporate natural landscape features. Entrada opened in St. George in 1996. By 1997, Golf Digest ranked it in the top 10 North American courses and by 1999 the

second best golf course in Utah. In 2015, CNN News listed Entrada among its “Epic Golf Courses You Have To Play Before You Die.” Entrada Golf Course was designed by Las Vegas landscape architect Pravin Bakrania, Hank Isaksen (Entrada Realty), and Johnny Miller (world-famous golfer and golf course designer). Isaksen tells how professional golfer Mike Reid, who worked with Miller on the course design, described Entrada as a symphony with three movements, “The first movement meanders down Snow Canyon Wash, offering beautiful terrain for 11 holes of the course. The second movement

environment. This includes impacts to visual resources.” The Recreation/Wilderness/VRM program is staffed with five full time employees and three interns. It serves Washington County and is partially funded by fees collected for mountain biking, trail running, motorcycle races, ATV and 4WD group events, guided hunting, rock-climbing, and canyoneering. VRM becomes an issue, according to Kiel, “...if the proposed project on public lands conflicts with the Visual Resource Management Class that has been assigned to the particular tract of land.”

Coral Canyon Golf Course

offers four holes set against towering red cliffs. The third movement challenges with three ‘target’ holes carved out of an ancient lava flow.” Isaksen, a BYU geology major, loved natural landscapes and endorsed “...the mantra of all the Entrada partners not to move a rock or cut down a tree or bush that didn't have to be removed. That concept was adhered to throughout the development of the golf course and all of the custom home lots.” The Entrada course was designed to look “like it had always been there.” In 2015, this black lava and Navajo sandstone course with desert sage, rocky washes, Cottonwood and Mesquite trees hosted 22,000 golf rounds and 20 weddings and private parties.

Kiel elaborates, “Take for instance pump houses for water wells. Even if a small structure like this fits within a VRM Class, that doesn’t mean its visual impact can’t or shouldn’t be camouflaged. The most obvious thing we do is to assign a color for the structure to be painted. This is a very underrated part of the process. Dark colors fade into the background. Light colors pop out.” Kiel encourages public participation, “Pay attention when large projects are proposed and carefully read the VRM sections of

Coral Canyon’s website likewise boasts, “50 percent of the land is preserved as natural open space to protect views and trails.” Additionally, a paved walking path winds along the course with Pine Valley Mountain towering on the horizon. Coral Canyon opened in 2001. By 2016, Golf Magazine ranked it in the top 10 Best Courses You Can Play in the U.S.; Golf Digest ranked it in the top five courses; and Golf Week Magazine ranked it fourth in Utah public golf courses. Visual Resource Management (VRM) Whereas golf courses highlight natural landscapes, VRM conceals human-made elements. The BLM website states, “Visual resource management is a system for minimizing the visual impacts of surface-disturbing activities and maintaining scenic values for the future.” At the St. George Field Office, Outdoor Recreation Planner David Kiel leads VRM efforts with recreational land use, energy development, livestock grazing, utility rights-of-ways, and wildlife habitat management. Kiel, an 18-year BLM veteran explains, “Every surface-disturbing project that is proposed for public lands must first be screened for its potential impacts to the

environmental analyses. Provide comments regardless whether you agree or disagree with the findings. More public input equals better projects.” Throughout history, writers and artists have expressed joy, awe, and reverence derived from viewing natural landscapes. In his book Home Ground, local writer and Zion Natural History Association Executive Director Lyman Hafen recalls taking Arnold Palmer to inspect a proposed golf course site near Highway 18 in what was called Paradise Canyon. Hafen wrote Palmer uttered words like, “spectacular,” “magnificent,” and “awesome.” Although Palmer never built his golf course following that 1984 visit, other courses and subdivisions have transformed local landscapes to varying degrees. Hafen lamented, “We have succeeded in making the desert blossom; now we are faced with finding ways to sustain a quality of life far beyond what the pioneers ever envisioned.” Hafen cautions, “...there are spaces which should not be filled with homes. And there is ground, such as this, which should always remain sacred.” While development is unstoppable and humans orchestrate massive land transformations, we’ll count on golf course landscape architects and VRM professionals to preserve some spectacular natural vistas. V Entrada: (435) 986-2200, Coral Canyon: (435) 688-1700

Customer Service Skills That Matter

Must Have Skills for Every Employee by Judi Moreo

here was a time when the school of thought was that customer service was the job of the people who worked in the Customer Service Department and that it had nothing to do with the rest of us. Those people who worked in the Customer Service Department knew that they really worked in the Complaint Department for that is what they handled daily – complaints. Today we know better. We know that customer service is everybody’s job. Every person in a company is either serving an external customer or serving someone who serves an external customer. Every person in an organization must pull his or her own weight in order to give the external customer the service they deserve. Serving doesn’t mean you are a servant and customer service is not a trait that people just naturally have. Delivering exceptional customer service is a skill to be learned just as you would learn any other skill. When we work for any company or organization that deals with the public, we will come in contact with customers every day. Some of these encounters will be brief and pleasant, others could be difficult and take a great deal of time. Your attitude towards your job will determine whether you get up in the morning with a desire to go to work or want to stay in bed and cover your head. Whether your customer service position is your ultimate dream job or not, it can be enjoyable when you have the communication skills to handle situations that will arise. Everyone can learn how to communicate with customers to help meet their wants, needs, and expectations. The key is in knowing what customers expect and how to deal with them in a manner that meets their wants and needs and even surpasses their expectations. Providing good service is not enough. You want to provide the kind of service that makes customers want to come back and do business with you again and again. In fact, you want to provide the kind of service that makes customers want to drag all their

family, friends, and neighbors in to do business with you as well. And guess what, when your customers are happy, your job will be much easier and much more pleasant. Join me when I return to Mesquite on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at the Holiday Inn Express, 1030 W. Pioneer Blvd. Appetizers and networking from 5:30 - 6 pm, and from 6 - 9 pm I will be presenting another module of the Communicating to Deliver Exceptional Customer Service program sponsored by the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce and The Holiday Inn Express. Cost is $35 per person. You do not have to be a Chamber member to attend this event. Please RSVP to the Chamber office at (702) 346-2902. In this program, we will be discussing: • How to communicate in a diverse environment • How to become an exceptional listener • What customers expect • Using nonverbal communication • Staying focused on the customer • Maintaining emotional control • Understanding how your ABC’s influence others: attitude, behavior, communication • Handling complaints and problems • Giving and receiving feedback You’ll not only know more after attending this program, you will know how to apply the skills in order to be a better communicator and deliver exceptional service. V Judi Moreo is an internationally recognized Customer Service trainer and keynote speaker. She has inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the globe with her unique speaking and training style. Her international client list includes Nestle, BMW, Kraft Foods, Boyd Gaming, Barclay’s Bank of London, National Association of Home Builders, Ogalala Lakota Housing Authority, Alberta Hospital Association, Bophuthatswana National Development Corporation, Kwazulu Financial Corporation, Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry, and Manpower, the US House of Representatives, and many, many more.

Rising Star Will host Nike Sports Camps, Lacrosse, and Impact Basketball

rom baseball and softball to basketball and lacrosse, the Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort has hosted a slew of camps and tournaments since it opened in October of last year and the calendar is filling up fast for 2017. Many of these events are new to the city which means new visitors are experiencing Mesquite and, hopefully, will return year after year.

Nike Sports Camps The Rising Star recently announced the partnership between the resort and Nike Sport Camps. US Sports Camps, which operates Nike Camps, is the largest operator of sports camps in the world. In 2016, USSC operated over 500 camps in 20 different sports attended by approximately 85,000 campers. This year Rising Star will host at least five Nike Camps including lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball. “We are thrilled to be able to offer a Nike Baseball Camp at the Rising Star Sports Ranch this summer. It is truly a winning formula to combine an Elite Nike Camp director like Tom Myers with the state of the art facilities at Rising Star Sports Ranch. We hope to attract players from across multiple states to this destination

location,” says Mike de Surville, Sr. Vice President of US Sports Camps. Nike Camps are all about connecting young athletes with the best coaches, facilities, and instruction in the country. They work with top rated camp directors and site facilities to establish programs that promote a lifelong love of a game. Lacrosse The first event held on the new Rising Star Field was the Winter Exposure Lacrosse Camp in December. The University of Utah Men’s Lacrosse Division I & Pro Exposure Camp proved to be the premier destination in the country for lacrosse players looking to take their game to the next level. The camp featured top Division I coaches who taught, coached, and looked for future talent for their rosters along with Major

League Lacrosse (MLL) players. Nine MLL players from across the nation were in attendance. “This was truly a one of a kind opportunity for young players and high school players to learn from some of the best coaches and players in the world at a truly unique setting,” said Utah Head Coach Brian Holman. “Great coaches, great players, great venue, great weather, great fun! What more could you ask for?” Coaches emphasized key components for lacrosse excellence which included the spiritual, mental, physical, and tactical parts of the game. Players learned the pillars of Utah Lacrosse while competing hard, fast, smart, and together. “Our combination of All-Star MLL players with coaching pedigrees, Division I assistants, and a world class facility was unparalleled in terms of a lacrosse camp experience,” said Utah Assistant Coach Marcus Holman. “We impacted these campers not only on the field in terms of growing their lacrosse IQ, but even more so through lessons of leadership and how to compete at the next level. They left with a better understanding of what it means to be a great teammate and person.” This camp will be returning in December 2017 and word is spreading through

the lacrosse community about Rising Star and the City of Mesquite. Five other lacrosse camps or tournaments have already been booked for the upcoming year. Impact Basketball Another great partnership is also starting in June with the first annual Impact Basketball Summer Training Camp. Impact Basketball runs camps across the country for professional NBA players, international teams, college and high school players, and student athletes. The Barn Many of these camps and tournaments would not be possible without the addition of Rising Star’s 30,000 square foot fieldhouse, affectionately nicknamed “The Barn,” opening in May 2017. The Barn will not only provide an additional venue but will allow teams to play in Mesquite in the hottest months of the year. The Barn will be customizable for almost any sport with options for turf, hardwood, or mats to play on. Rising Star’s Future is Bright Mesquite has a long history of sporting events. Rising Star is filling a need with tournaments that come to Mesquite year after year by providing not only extra rooms, but an additional turf field for tournaments, batting cages, and an infield for warm up and practice.

More Than Sports The Rising Star isn’t just a hotel for kids and families at tournaments. It’s an innovative hotel concept that provides more options for a great overnight stay for the highway traveler, for a family vacation in Mesquite, for a group of golfers looking to enjoy Mesquite’s wonderful golf courses, and a great place for general group travel.V Website: www.risingstarsportsranch.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ RisingStarSportsRanch

41 41

Sky Mountain Golf Course by Kent Abegglen, PGA Golf Professional photo by Jerry Rigby

ky Mountain Golf Course is a public 18-hole golf course operated by the City of Hurricane, Utah. It is located in the scenic southern Utah area surrounded by Zion National Park and the Pine Valley Mountain Range, seven miles east of Interstate 15 off of Highway 9.

Sky Mountain is one of the most beautiful and picturesque golf locations anywhere in the world. The red sandstone rock formations and the majestic Pine Valley Mountain are a sight to behold. Sky Mountain Golf Course is famous for always being in great condition at an affordable price. The southern Utah area has always been a popular golf destination for full time residents and golf travelers. The mild winter climate, along with many excellent golf courses to choose from, make southern Utah an excellent choice for year-round golf. Retirement couples and families enjoy one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Sky Mountain is the first stop going south on Interstate 15 that is open for golf year-round. Golf travelers make Sky Mountain a natural stop to enjoy a friendly environment and a great golf experience. Sky Mountain is not a long golf course by industry standards, but quite challenging with narrow fairways and greens. Accuracy is at a premium to shoot a good round of golf. Beautiful fairways are surrounded by natural desert habitat and volcanic rock formations. It is always wise to bring an old “rock club” or borrow one from the pro shop so you don't damage a good golf club while getting out of trouble. Zion National Park is only 23 miles away from the golf course. Many National Park travelers make Sky Mountain a favorite stop to and from the park. Come out and enjoy the beauty that is Sky Mountain, and don’t forget to bring your camera. V Visit Sky Mountain at 1030 N 2600 W, Hurricane, UT, or call (435) 635-7888.

Dancing With the (Community)

Stars

by Donna Roberts and Kathy Tolleson, WCCJC Friends Board members photo by Mykal Photography

f you like Dancing with the Stars on television, now is your chance to see St. George’s community stars compete for their own mirror ball trophy, as well as help raise money for the Washington County Children’s Justice Center (WCCJC). We are proud to announce that our 3rd Annual Dancing with your Community Stars will be on March 25, 2017. It will be held in the Snow Canyon High School Auditorium, 1385 Lava Flow Dr. in St. George at 7 pm. We want to thank our “Stars:” • Celece Seegmiller, Owner of The Travel Connection • Camilla Carden-Clawson, popular Zumba and Fitness Instructor/Summit Athletic Club • Susi Lafaele, Director of Events/ St. George Area Chamber of Commerce • Brett Boyce, popular Parade of Homes Builder and partner of Split Rock Fine Homes • Jared Dupree, CEO, St. George Health & Wellness Magazine • Thayne Houston, CEO of ERA Brokers Consolidated And also our “Pros:” • Neil Duncan, local professional ballroom dancer

• Christine France, representing Tuacahn

High School Ballroom • DonJuhl Pili with Red Rock Swing Group; Geoff Hall, DSU Ballroom Team member • Kelby Morrison, current DSU Miss Dixie and with Westside Dance Studio • Mindy Wright, Pine View High School Dance Instructor 2015 was the inaugural year for Dancing with your Community Stars with more than $15,000 raised for the Center. Our 2016 event thrilled us with overwhelming support and raised over $22,000, so we’re planning for another successful year in 2017. The Children’s Justice Center (CJC) is one of 20 home-like facilities across the state of Utah that serve children and families who are experiencing the crisis and chaos that comes with the disclosure of significant physical or sexual abuse and other crimes involving children such as domestic violence. The Center is designed to help children feel safe and comfortable so they may begin to deal with the difficult and often frightening issues that surround abuse. Traditionally, investigation of child abuse required many interviews of the child

victim by the police, social services, medical personnel, mental health professionals, and attorneys. Each interview is now recorded so that these children rarely need to tell their stories multiple times. Please help support the WCCJC by joining us for our 3rd annual Dancing with your Community Stars. It is an evening well spent and all the proceeds go to support these smallest and most vulnerable victims in our community. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www.cjcwc.com, by calling the WCCJC at (435) 634-1134, or through one of your local Stars. And, ALL ticket bearers will be entered in a drawing for a “Star” weekend package to see Julianne & Derek Hough’s Move Beyond tour in Las Vegas, including a two-night stay, two tickets to the Linq, and luxury transportation to and from Vegas with Amore Transport. This event is sponsored by the Southern Utah Home Builders Association and The Spectrum. We would also like to thank Bay Equity Home Loans, The Travel Connection, View On Magazine, Red Rock Golf Instruction, and Southwest Spine & Pain Center for their sponsorship.V Above photo: 2016 winners, Ben Shakespeare and Camille Bahoravitch

Mesquite Madness

Cycling

Great Season Opener for

story by Lukas Brinkerhoff photos by Todd Ellis

he sun is shining in Mesquite, the Joshua Trees are always green, the sky is pretty much always blue, and the temperatures in March are borderline heavenly. How heavenly? Well, if you’ve

been stuck on your trainer all winter with gray skies and freezing temperatures, how does an average high of 74 sound? That’s what we thought – amazing!

Mesquite Madness is a great season opener for bicyclists. We get that a lot of riders are literally coming off the couch in early March, so we made sure to have a distance for you regardless of your current fitness level. If you’re still portaging that extra chub you earned over the holidays, we’ve got a 35 miler that will keep a smile on your face and will be a great way to start your season. Are you more of a closet training fiend who has been putting down ungodly miles without moving? Good on ya! Sign up for the 90 miler that will challenge even the most prepared riders. And of course, we’ve got the middle distance for everyone that falls somewhere in between. Ride Southern Utah organizes the event and always has great food and friendly faces at the fully stocked aid stations along the route. Games and prizes at different spots throughout the ride will keep you motivated and might even get

you a little something to take home. In addition, there are roving sag vehicles to lend a hand if you happen to run into an issue along the road. In addition to great support along the ride, you’ll be treated to a post ride meal catered by a local restaurant, Coyote Charro. We can’t let all the details out yet, but needless to say, we have our best foodies on it and they ensure us your taste buds will be happy you decided to go for a ride. Mesquite is only an hour north of Las Vegas, 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City and a short 30 minute drive from St. George. Nestled in the Mojave Desert, you’ll be treated to the dry desert air and Dr. Seussian plants and landscapes. Our favorite is the Joshua Tree named by Mormon Pioneers for the prophet Joshua as they saw the trees as always pointing to heaven. These are a variety of Yucca that grow much taller and tree-like. Online registration is available until March 14 at RideSouthernUtah.com. While we do offer late registration at both Red

Rock Bicycle from 4-7 pm on the Friday prior and onsite before the ride from 6:30-7:30 am, we strongly encourage you to book early. Hotels are filling up fast and this is the time of year people come to the desert. Registration ranges from $40-75 depending on the distance you choose and includes access to all of the aid stations, sag, and catered lunch. In addition, you will receive a custom Mesquite Madness hat and medal when you pick up your packet which can be done at the same times listed for late registration. We picked Mesquite as the location for our first event of the season, not only for its weather and amazing scenery, but also for the many other activities available. The city is kind of like a little brother to Las Vegas with many of the same amenities including live music, gambling, gaming, and plenty of swimming pools. Which

reminds us, there are games along the way where you can win extra prizes. The big one is at the top of the turnaround hill. If you make it to the top, we’ll make sure it’s worth your while. V For more information, please contact Margaret at (435) 229-6251.

On The Town by Linda Faas

Racers Rip it Up as Mesquite MX Hosts WORCS

t was a great weekend January 6-8 at Mesquite Motocross Raceway as motorcycle and ATV racers gathered for the World Off Road Championship Series opener of the year. Recent rains made for a down and dirty course with lots of bumps and gullies, a power hill climb and heart-stopping jumps. WORCS, headquartered in Hurricane, UT, is the largest and most exciting off-road racing series in the world, and Mesquite leads the pack as a thrills and chills race course. Connie Shaw, grand dame of the MX Mesquite course welcomed riders from all over the west while her family worked tirelessly to provide a premier experience for racers in all age categories “from 4 to 104.” “We expect to bring about 80,000 racers, support crews, and fans to Mesquite in 2017,” says Jason Shaw. The Shaws are rightfully proud of their success in rebuilding the Mesquite MX racing and gun club operations they purchased in 2015.

Great events are going on around southern Nevada and the Arizona Strip on a daily basis. Here, we bring you just a fraction of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happened lately.

Lights Fest Comes to Mesquite Feb 25

esquite MX Raceway is the 2017 site for the Lights Festival on Feb 25. Marvelous extravaganzas of soaring candle-powered lantern festivals have thrilled audiences throughout the west, and Lights Fest debuts in Mesquite as this magazine goes to press. Organizers chose Mesquite to draw a large crowd of participants and spectators to a wide open rural venue with easy access to hotels and restaurants. The Fest creates a transformative experience for families and friends sharing their light with others. These inspiring lantern festivals have been a part of Asian culture for centuries, with the beautiful concept of a crowd of silent, ascending lights gaining popularity in the U.S. in recent years.

Moapa Valley Fantasies of Summer, Shakespeare-Style

Utah Shakespeare Festival production of A Midsummer Nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dream delighted its audience at the Moapa Valley High School Ron Dalley Theatre on January 30. This classic favorite played out in a 20th century setting. USF is known for its effectively minimal sets and costuming, with modern dialogue geared for contemporary enjoyment. Shakespeare tells a story of magical events surrounding the marriage of Theseus of Athens and Hippolyta, an ancient love tale that never grows old. USF offers an educational program each year, touring towns in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. The production previews one of the plays to be featured in the 2017 Cedar Citybased Shakespearean Festival this summer.

view on NONPROFIT

Nonprofits Collaborate for 2nd Year of UNA Summit by Dawn McLain

the 2016 Challenge award winners, and the Community Impact Awards Ceremony.

n 2016, the inaugural Southern Utah Community Impact Summit presented a first-time funding opportunity, the Community Impact Challenge, that encouraged southern Utah to seek out strategic partnerships. On April 4, 2017 Community Impact Challenge team finalists will take the stage to present innovative projects and programs in hopes of winning $1,000 for best existing collaboration or $2,500 for best new collaboration at the 2nd Annual Southern Utah Community Impact Summit. The event will be dedicated to collaboration as the Utah Nonprofits Association, City of St. George Mayor Jon Pike, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch Professional Staff Member Dianne Browning, Dixie State University, and legislators and nonprofit organizations across the state join together for the Southern Utah Community Impact Summit. The summit will include educational programs, networking, a key-note speaker, a panel discussion, Community Impact Challenge and Exposition including presentations from

Southern Utah UNA Committee

Carol Golichnik, Owner of CG Nonprofit Solutions and Southern Utah Committee Member explains, “The objective with the Southern Utah Community Impact Summit is to ignite and inspire our audience and our southern Utah residents to actively engage in collaboration to reduce redundancy, stretch dollars, and expand effective programs or services to ensure that our community is served in the most efficient way. Our goal is to see that everyone who has a need in our community is served.” To reach this goal, UNA has created a unique, exciting, and truly beneficial funding opportunity – the Community Impact Challenge and Exposition. For the Challenge, the nonprofit organization is seeking innovative projects that demonstrate collaboration between nonprofit organizations, government entities, and for-profit businesses which meet a need in our community. The competition provides an innovative, creative experience that motivates nonprofit organizations to reach out, to think outside of the box, and partner

strategically to provide new projects or programs that will impact our communities in a positive way. The end result will bring successful, sustainable new services or programs and long term mutually beneficial partnerships not only to fruition, but also to thrive. Committee Co-Chair, Mike Gburski shared, “In its first year, the Summit helped create a dozen new collaborations between nonprofit organizations, government, and for profit businesses. As we enter our second year, I am very excited to see the growth in support, participation, and most importantly, impact.” Applications for the 2016 competition were submitted in March by many organizations. After careful review the selection committee chose three existing collaborations and three new collaborations to present at the summit. Each presentation was judged by a panel of five experienced community leaders who evaluated and selected a winner from each category that was announced at the Community Impact Awards Ceremony. Last year, the Best New Collaboration prize went to the Assistance League of Southern Utah, Cherish Families and Washington County School District, who collaborated to prepare children from the Hildale area for a brighter future by easing the burden of poverty and isolation associated with polygamy and provide a wrap-around of community caring to nurture future citizens of Utah. Students entering public school for the first time were provided new clothing and shoes, easing their transition by creating a positive school environment that prepared students to meet the challenges of a new environment and increase academic performance, an effect that will last a lifetime. The Existing Collaboration prize went to eSMART Camp for Girls. The annual program is provided in partnership by AAUW St. George Branch and Dixie State University. eSMART is a science summer

camp for girls in Southern Utah. Camp activities increase interest in STEM fields and future careers in STEM for over 360 local girls entering the 8th grade. The Community Impact Challenge supported new engineering-specific activities to the camp including soldering of circuits. With the success of the Summit and the Challenge competition, many organizations are looking forward to the 2017 event and the incredible partnerships it will bring. Last year’s winners truly enjoyed their experience and encourage other organizations to apply. “What a wonderful opportunity and a very exciting time winning this challenge provided us with an amazing opportunity to help those families from the Hildale and Colorado City communities that took a very large leap and placed their children in public schools – we are so thankful to everybody involved,” said Sue Gilliam, Assistance League of Southern Utah. The Southern Utah Community Impact Summit provides a venue and a voice to the Utah Nonprofits Association as they work to create and support success and sustainability for all Utah nonprofits. Kate Rubalcava, CEO of UNA, is a diligent advocate for UNA’s members. She says, “Government, business, and nonprofits are all important sectors to ensure our communities are strong and vibrant. We invite everyone to join the Community Impact Summit to learn more about the important work of the nonprofit sector, collaboration, and collective impact. Research shows, nonprofits who partner with other organizations, government, business, and volunteers are more impactful and sustainable. By leveraging the commitment of strategic partners, engaged volunteers, and diversified funding streams, nonprofits can see as much as 10 times the results of those trying to do the job by themselves.“ Applications for the 2017 Community Impact Challenge are open through March 15, 2017. To download an application please visit utahnonprofits.org. To request an application via email or for additional information or questions, please contact Carol Golichnik at: carol@cgnpsolutions.com. V

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

702.346.3000 24 Hour Emergency Call: 702-704-3483 New Location! 111 E. Mesquite Blvd., Ste. 3 Mesquite, NV

Spring Tune Up

$69

“Spring is right around the corner and you know that means, it’s going to get hot soon!”

TUNE-UP INCLUDES: Check ALL electrical, attic duct work, contactors & capacitors, refrigerant charge and primary & secondary condensates

We carry ALL major brands including Maytag, AC Pro, Rheem, Ruud, Amana, Goodman, Trane, Day & Night, Bryant, Ducane, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi.

Event Details: Date: April 4, 2017 Time: 8 am – 5:30 pm Location: Dixie Elks Lodge, 630 W. 1250 North, St George, UT 84770 Cost: UNA/St. George Chamber Members/Cedar City Chamber Members $75.00; $100.00 for nonmembers; Early bird registration discount available through March 31, 2017 online at: utahnonprofits.org; Members $50.00; nonmembers $75.00.

Falcon Ridge Golf Course - Scotty’s Bar & Grill by Mindee West

History Falcon Ridge Golf Course opened in 2004 as a 9-hole course and as a full 18-hole course later that fall. Falcon Ridge is uniquely built into the red mountains of Mesquite and has breathtaking views around every bend. With elevated tee boxes, numerous water features, and crystal white sand traps, the course is truly captivating. The greens at Falcon are bentgrass, which is more costly and time consuming to maintain, but bentgrass provides a much quicker and more consistent playing surface that golfers appreciate. Falcon Ridge has four sets of

tee boxes to meet the needs of all levels of players from the pros to seniors and everyone in between. Goals Falcon Ridge’s mission statement is to provide an awe-inspiring product with exceptional customer service so guests will feel appreciated and want to return. The course has always been a local favorite and tries to support local residents and community events. Falcon offers discounted rates to locals through a membership program. Falcon Ridge has hosted dozens of charity events and

started one of the largest charity events, “Golf Fore Kids,” which hosts 550 golfers annually and raises toys for local children at Christmas time. Falcon Ridge is proud to be part of the Mesquite community. Restaurant Scotty’s Bar and Grill is located inside the Falcon Ridge Golf Course club house. It has a wrap-around deck with a bird’s eye view of the course and overlooking the city of Mesquite. Scotty’s serves breakfast and lunch daily from 8 am - 4 pm, with extended bar hours based on daylight and golf groups. The restaurant is famously known for its homemade chips with chipotle ranch and the Southwest salad – the #1 item on the menu. Scotty’s has a full-service bar, four kegs on tap, 84” TV, and a staff that will keep you laughing and entertained all day. It’s a perfect place to start your day, enjoy lunch with a friend, or some drinks after the round.V For more information, visit golffalcon.com or call (702) 346-6363.

ShopLOCAL Mesquite Nevadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Appliance, Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Heating Professionals

view on PETS

DownUnder

The Dog Nanny by Dianne Reid

’day Mesquite and Southern Utah! I’m currently down here in Oz, where I came to spend the Australian summer as I have the past 21 years – experiencing what I believe to be the most beautiful harbor in the world. If you saw my last article, you’ll remember that I lost my dog, Ralph, in Sydney back in 2014. And sadly, due to travel, moves, and (mostly) nostalgia – I’ve not been ready to find another dog, or rather one hasn’t found me, in these past three years. But fate has a funny way of stepping in and providing what we need, even when we don’t realize what that is. I flew into Sydney on Boxing Day – yes, Australians actually have a holiday for discarding boxes the day after Christmas (teehee, that’s just one of many explanations, but really it’s more like our “Black Friday” sale day). The plan was to spend some quiet time at a friend’s farm in the country (Mudgee), and work on my next project. But just a week before traveling, I received a special gift in the

form of the opportunity to housesit and mind two very gorgeous Golden Retrievers here in Sydney. And that, as they say, was the beginning of a beautiful love story. “Luck is what happens to you when fate gets tired of waiting” (1) Tobias (11 years old) and Bentley (9 years old) – “The Boys” – are both rescues from Australia Golden Retrievers. They both arrived with horrific stories of abuse and neglect, and both were saved after being deemed unfit for rehoming. Thankfully, their rescuer, Susan, has significant experience with Goldens and was able to redeem them. And that story, my friends, is an article in itself. They were adorable even when they were “monsters” that trashed homes and discovered the shock – and the awe – of swimming pools. But I digress. Eight years on, no one would ever imagine these two stately gentlemen were anything but. Fortunately, they live right on the water, surrounded by parkland, within minutes of

downtown and the Harbor Bridge. Much of the area is off-leash, and a true mecca for dogs and dog-lovers alike. Sounds like the perfect playground, right? But I was sternly warned by another dog-walker, who knew The Boys, never to let the dogs off lead, or allow them to swim, or “I may never get them back.” Of course, we all know that was never going to happen – even after I’d heard the story about the poor European tourist who heroically stripped down to his shorts in the middle of winter to swim the 250 yards into the bay to retrieve the retrievers. Within a few days, The Boys and I came to a mutual understanding. They would come dutifully when called, as long as I agreed to give in to their frequent fish-spotting excursions (at any – and often all – of the five small beaches along our walk). These boys love their water, but not so much for the swimming as for the fishing. Don’t get me wrong, they are Retrievers and they swim after balls, but quickly abandon fetching when they catch a glimpse of fish. Bentley, especially, will strike his regal

pose, and stand mesmerized for hours (if allowed) staring at the schools of fish swimming carelessly, if not recklessly, between his legs.

the ensuing weeks, I came to enjoy – and welcome – the carefree nature and unrelenting joy that these dogs embodied each day.

As a result of my “time sacrifice” to appease The Boys, I met scores of fellow dog lovers, engaged in long discussions, and formed new friendships. Have you ever realized that for every new dog you meet, and whose story you hear, their people have equally amazing life stories? Not only that, but in listening carefully to the stories, more often than not you can discover that the lives parallel and intertwine. And don’t even get me started on freaky physical resemblance many people have with their pets (à la Jake and the Fatman).

Actually, now that I think of it, this has been my “Groundhog Day” experience. Taking the time to relax and put my brain on pause, I found a new solace in looking at the world through the their eyes, and it’s a pretty forgiving and astounding place. I can honestly say that Toby & Bentley have provided me with unexpected soul searching wisdom over this past month. They freely share their love, never hold back on giving affection, and every experience is a novelty and a great excuse to wag your tail. As a side-note here, contrary to popular rumor, dog’s tails do NOT wag counter-clockwise in Australia.

And we’re back to, “who rescues whom?" Soon, I was fully relaxed alongside Toby & Bentley, and without realizing it, fell into their world of wonder. Funny how as pet lovers, so much of our lives are defined by pets in our lives and their participation in our life events, and vice versa. Through

Our pets are full-time teachers – if we will allow them – showing us how to live in the moment and greet each day as a new adventure, with no regrets or unforgiveness left over from yesterday. They find joy in sniffing the same patch of grass every morning, and in greeting the same people and dogs each day. They know no strangers. Dogs are non-judgemental, nonpolitical, and have no predictable buying patterns – a marketer’s nightmare, but a compelling case study for believing in the magic of gratefulness.

• Every throw of the tennis ball is like the

Again reverting back to the last View On Pets article, this is further proof that pets come into – and out of – our lives for a purpose. Their timing is always perfect, and the perfection they embody is always timely. We can learn so much from our pets. If only we stop and take the time to observe.

• Every fish in the sea is a miracle to

Thank you, Tobias and Bentley.V

first time they’ve chased a ball

behold • Every dog they meet is a new friend – with a story to tell

1Shantaram, written by Australian author Gregory David Roberts in 2003 (and highly recommended)

view on FITNESS

Fit For Adventure by Laura L. Draskovich, A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer

pring is coming! If you love the outdoors like me, you live for getting out in the sun and fresh air. Another thing I love is working out. (It's true! I live in workout clothes and ponytails.) Hiking is a happy union of the two. Beginner or experienced, solo or with a group (or pooch!), hiking is easily adaptable and can be as easy or difficult as you wish. With the huge bonus of having some of the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery practically in our backyards, there are many options for incorporating your fitness lifestyle into an outdoor adventure. De-stress, revive, and restore. Get the blood pumping and endorphins flowing. Are you in? Getting Ready For Your Hiking Adventure While hiking can be exhilarating, it can be physically demanding. Conditioning your body for the trail will take some preparation. Being physically ready for a long trail with uneven terrain will help ensure an enjoyable day's hike and lessen the likelihood of an injury along the way. First, you should assess your current fitness status. For example, if you are in mediocre shape, you might give yourself six weeks of physical preparation. Generally, two to eight weeks is recommended, depending on your state

of fitness, (more if you haven't been in the gym for six months or more). Cardiovascular Endurance The ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to efficiently deliver oxygen rich blood to the working muscle tissue and the ability of the muscles to utilize oxygen is the role of CVE. A recommended training schedule is five days a week for 30-50 minutes at a moderate intensity level. Interval workouts can prepare you for varying terrain (climbing hills). Example: treadmill walking on incline 10 minutes, decline treadmill five minutes, elliptical 10 minutes, stairclimber 10 minutes. Strength Training Building strength and muscular endurance is important. You want to enjoy yourself, not feel wiped out by your first hour. Plus, being strong will help you to stay injury free. Maintaining your balance and stability on uneven terrain may be the most important aspect of your training. You will want to adopt a program that targets back, chest, shoulders, arms, glutes, and core. Don't forget ankle strength and flexibility. You should dedicate a minimum of three to four days for strength training each week. Feuling for Adventure Scramble with more energy. Feed your body with quality and convenient, energy rich food. Nutrition is always key, however, it becomes crucial when placing higher physical demands on yourself. Plan and prep whole food meals. Select

lean protein, fresh, fibrous vegetables and fruit, high fiber carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plenty of water. Fiber fills you up, so try to choose fiber rich foods. Things to avoid? You guessed it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sugar and processed/premade foods, which have low nutritional value and are often packed with additives including salt and sugar. Yuck! For snacking/fueling on the trail, go for lightly salted or salt-free raw nuts, no sugar added dried fruit, low-fat granola (make your own for quality control), and protein bars (my favorite are Quest bars). Check your health food store for more ideas. Endless Benefits Incorporate fitness outdoors whenever you can. De-stress by getting away into nature. Breathe in fresh air. Listen to the sounds. Admire and marvel at the beauty in which we are so blessed to be surrounded. Explore new territory on your own, with your dog, a friend, or a group.

Meetup.com is one way to meet like minded individuals with similar interests. If you have been in a fitness rut, this may be your schtick. Nature has a way of picking us up and putting us in a better place with a renewed perspective. See you on the trail! Until next time, keep living the fit life.V

Spring is

Mesquite Senior Games Time by Terri Rylander, Mesquite Senior Games President

f you haven’t experienced the Mesquite Senior Games, you’re missing out. Held every year in March and April, the Mesquite Senior Games offer a variety of events for both the body and mind. Although the events are primarily for those age 50 and better, there are a couple events for all ages. And, not all events are competitive. Of those that are, most are grouped into genderbased five-year age groups. Participants can earn a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Every year the games grow in terms of participation and number of events. Now in our 16th year, we are proud to say we are the second largest city-held senior games in the state of Nevada, next to Reno-Tahoe. Last year, well over 1,000 people participated from all across the United States and Canada. New this year are Poker and Shotgun Sports. We felt these were both representative and somewhat unique to Mesquite. Poker is a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament and will be held at Sun City. Shotgun Sports is clay, trap, and skeet shooting at Mesquite’s Smokin’ Gun Club. Of course we will still hold our Target Pistol event at the Mesquite Shooter’s Pistol Club. Our most popular event is Pickleball. It fills up every year at around 150 players. Pickleball is probably the fastest growing adult sport across the U.S. In fact, it’s expected that by 2018

there will be eight million people playing Pickleball. Both the Mesquite Rec Center and Sun City Pioneer Center offer pickleball year-round but the games will be held at Sun City. Track and Field draws quite the crowd. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run like you used to? Track and Field offers power walking. How about trying softball throw or keg toss? Remember standing long jump from your school days? Track and Field offers that too. Basketball skills is another favorite and will be held at the Mesquite Rec Center the day before Track and Field. Shooters try making different shots for total points. Back this year, and open to all ages, are the Fitness Hike and the History Tour. The Fitness Hike will split off into groups based on ability and desire, allowing hikers to experience new areas and learn about the desert plants and animals at a comfortable pace. The History Tour takes participants around the downtown area to visit the various historical places and learn about the pioneers before us. The tour wraps up at the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. where lunch will be served in the garden.

the partnerships with local businesses and the City of Mesquite. This year we are pleased to have two new sponsors. Mesquite Gaming has signed on as the 2017 title sponsor. Kindred Hospice has also chosen to be a sponsor of the Mesquite Senior Games. V If you or your business would like to get involved, contact me at (702) 345-3347 or mesquiteseniorgames@gmail.com www.mesquiteseniorgames.org

Back for the fourth year is the Long Drive event. Contrary to what you might think, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for amateurs only and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a whole lot of fun. Long Drive takes place up at the Mesquite Sports and Events Complex, former home of the World Long Drive Championship. Contestants range in age from 50-87. Test out your skills hitting into the grid while the other players cheer you on in this party atmosphere. Bicycling is back for the third year and continues to grow. The format is a time trial, where cyclists are set out on the course 30 seconds apart as they race against the clock. The course follows Lower Flat Top Road, which is closed during the event, in 3 and 5.8 mile distances. If you competed previously, come back and see if you can beat your time. Bocce Ball, Bowling, and Tennis are still longtime favorites and both are well attended. These events have quite the loyal following because of the camaraderie both on and off the court (or lanes). If you are interested in these events, be sure to register early. Brochures have been mailed out to former competitors and are available at the Mesquite Rec Center and other areas around town. An electronic copy can be downloaded from the website, along with more information. Putting on an event of this magnitude could not happen without the generosity of the people of Mesquite, along with

Calendar Basketball Skills: March 24 Bicycling: April 1 Bocce Ball: April 10-11 Bowling: April 21 Bridge: March 20-21 Fitness Hike (All Ages): March 11 History Tour (All Ages): March 18 Long Drive: March 30 Pickleball: March 27-29 Poker: March 16 Shotgun Sports: March 25 Softball, Men: April 5-9 Softball, Women: April 22-23 Target Pistol: April 1 Tennis: March 6-9 Track & Field/Weight Throws: March 25

Golf, SunRiver’s Crown Jewel photos by Brian Oar

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t the center of the community stands SunRiver’s golf course. “SunRiver is home to one of southern Utah’s greatest championship golf courses. The course layout is set in the Virgin River Valley and surrounded by the most colorful desert landscape in the country. With its smooth greens and the only bentgrass tees in southern Utah you are bound to have one of your best rounds of golf.” Fairways Magazine says, “The southernmost golf course in the St. George area is the SunRiver Golf Club. SunRiver is beginning to find its niche. SunRiver offers a refreshing combination of challenging desert golf with generous fairways and true greens. With a player-friendly design, friendly atmosphere, and competitive green fees, SunRiver has become a hit with locals and visitors alike. The SunRiver Golf Club is the focal point of a master-planned active adult residential community and the golf course reflects that right-at-home feel and ambiance.” With the addition of the new Golf Boards to the conscientiously maintained fairways and greens, the SunRiver course is even more fun to play. V

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Better Practice Equals Better Results by Rob Krieger, PGA Director of Instruction

he game of golf is like any other activity in which someone aspires to get better and improve their performance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to do so, practice is required. Practice can be fun and productive, but struggling while practicing or practicing without a purpose can lead to frustrating results on the course. As you commit yourself to becoming the golfer you would like to be, there are countless drills and ways to improve your performance, and some tried and true strategies can help you reach that goal. Pre-Shot Routine This is the first area that will help

your game. A good pre-shot routine should be between 8-12 seconds and should always follow the same sequence of motions each time for every shot, without exception. Start by writing out everything you do in your routine before you hit the ball and then practice it repeatedly until you get the correct order down. A routine puts your body into a state of readiness and focus to execute a given shot. If the time is too long getting ready for the shot, the body can lose focus and tighten up which will negatively effect your performance. Practicing this part of your game may not seem glamorous, but it will improve your game.

Launch monitor data.

Putting If your problem is missing short putts, try these two ideas: First, try looking only at the hole while you make your stroke. How many times have you walked up to a putt and knocked it in without a lot of thought? We have all done it without thinking about it, so try it intentionally and you may be pleasantly surprised. The other drill you can use to improve your short putting woes is to set up to putt and squeeze the putter as hard as you can. Yes, as hard as you can. Make your stroke squeezing the life out of the putter, and roll the ball to the hole. This works on the premise that most short putts are missed when you have a last second fear of missing the putt. The hands change their grip pressure moving from relaxed to being tight, resulting in the putter moving off the target line or changing the angle of the clubface at impact. The key to putting is keeping consistent grip pressure regardless if it is light or tight. Make your grip pressure consistent and putts will go where you want them to go.

putt. Another great way to practice long putts is called the S-L-I Drill. Take three balls and putt the first ball only 75% of the way to the hole (“S”hort). For the next ball, pick a spot 10 feet past the hole and hit it there (“L”ong). For the last ball, putt the ball between (“I”n between) the first two, right where the hole is located. Do this drill when warming up before playing to get a feel for the green speed. You will develop a feel for your putting stroke and great distance control ensuring fewer putts. Sometimes distance control can be more important than being accurate, so start practicing being an SLI putter.

for all your chips (usually a pitching wedge or sand wedge) will be fine. To practice, try chipping three balls, just like the SLI putting drill but you don’t have to use a hole. Just chip one ball short, one long, and try to place one in between them. See how many times you can do it in a row or from different distances and lies. Also, place some tees at two, three, four, and five feet around the hole and see how many balls you can get in the circles with each circle having different amount of points – one point for five feet, two for four, three for three, four for two feet, and five points for sinking it in the hole.

Chipping If you can putt, you can chip. Pushing the ball along the ground (as in putting) is the same motion needed for chipping except you use a club with a ramp, otherwise known as loft. Try placing 90% of your weight on your front foot and using an iron with a good amount of loft (PW, AW or SW). Make a stroke striking the ball and brushing the turf in front of the ball.

For distance control issues, practice putting long putts while looking at the hole too. This will help by taking your focus off mechanics and letting the body feel the

A popular question is always, “What club should be used?” That is not an easy one to answer because it depends on so many variables. For some, using the same club

Pitching The biggest difference between chipping and pitching is that the ball goes farther and the club head gets above the knees in the pitching swing. This is one of the most popular drills taught by the top teachers in the world: try taking either head covers or towels and placing them under your armpits and swinging the club from waisthigh going back to waist-high coming through, keeping the items under your arms and not letting them fall out. Keep your feet closer together as you do this drill so you can feel the rotation of your upper torso leading your arms. The pace

of your swing should not be greater than half your normal swing speed. Try all your clubs taking the same pace swing and swing length and mark down the distances the ball goes and try using that same swing and club on the course for better results. Irons Making better contact with the ball will help produce a better shot. Many of the Tour players practice making good contact first before concentrating on direction and distance, so give it a try. Tee-up a ball low to the ground and concentrate on striking the ball and then taking a divot in front of the ball. If done correctly, the tee will still be in the same place after the shot. The golf ball is to be struck before the turf, not at the same time, and certainly not after. A crisp sound and feel should be noticed immediately, and distance should increase as well. Start with shorter and slower swings and work up to full swings until you are comfortable and making solid contact. Once you are making consistent contact, try to hit some draws/hooks and then some fades/slices and then something fairly straight. Mix up your shot shapes instead of just trying the same shot over and over, and never lose track of good contact. Shorten up the swing and slow down if that happens. Drivers & Distance Clubs today are manufactured to hit the ball farther than even five years ago. It is amazing how the new technology has helped so many improve their games as well as maintain their performance. However, the club still needs someone to swing it the right way so it can produce the desired result. Try this: tee-up a ball a little higher than normal and play the ball off the heel of the front foot. Put 90% of your weight on your back foot, and tilt your front shoulder higher than your back shoulder. Your goal is to aim at the underbelly of the ball, catching the ball on the upswing. Let your forearms rotate and wrist turn over through impact. These methods, used in combination, can produce higher launch angles to maximize your distance. Also, have some fun by trying to practice teeing the ball lower with a more normal set up and

trying to hit the ball lower to get more roll. Hit shots with varying shot shapes like you did with the irons; you never know what you may learn or pick up additional yardage or straightness. Technology Practicing with the technology of a launch monitor can have huge benefits. It will not only provide shot data of your practice session but you can work on maintaining a consistent swing speed. A player can also learn carry and total distances for all clubs. They also help if you make an adjustment in your swing because you can see the evidence that data produces to determine the effectiveness of the change. More accurate information makes your practice time more productive, fun, and informative, and produces better results on the course. In our area, there are many golf practice facilities. Go visit them and practice with a purpose while having some fun, and know that you will soon see improved scores. Fairway and Greens!V

Meet the New Owner H

i, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Greg Gold, the new manager of Anytime Fitness in Mesquite, Nevada. I have been in the health club business for 17 years, and with Anytime Fitness since its inception. We purchased the Mesquite location at the end of December 2016, and are excited to be expanding it in the near future. Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour fitness center that offers a safe, clean, unintimidating environment, with state of the art equipment. Anytime Fitness has 2500 locations nationwide, and over 3000 worldwide. Upon joining, a member has access to all our clubs. We cater to all, and especially seniors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we accept Silver Sneakers and Silver & Fit. We offer personal training as well. When a member is onboarded, we will make sure they know what to do, how to do it right, and get the results they are looking for. I look forward to personally getting to know the community, and being involved with the Chamber of Commerce as well. Find us at 550 W Pioneer Blvd, Mesquite, NV, or call (702) 346-3121.

Soak in the Sights at CasaBlanca Golf Club and Palms Golf Club in Mesquite, Nevada

by Brian Wursten photos courtesy of Mesquite Gaming

esquite Gaming provides two scenic golf courses for residents of Mesquite and tourists from all over the world, the Palms Golf Club and the CasaBlanca Golf Club. Located in the golf mecca of Mesquite, Nevada, each course offers a diverse 18-hole experience for beginning, intermediate, and experienced golfers. The championship courses boast vast differences, but share the grand privilege of being nestled amongst captivating scenery, including expansive mountain ranges, hills and canyons, and the Virgin River valley, offering an experience like no other.

designed and developed by Cal Olson in 1996. The course boasts bentgrass greens, rye grass fairways and is available for play year-round. The wide fairways wind through nature and feature slightly easier terrain for beginner golfers, with the majestic visuals of marsh lands, wildflowers, white sand bunkers, and numerous lakes.

The renowned Palms Golf Club is Mesquite’s longest-standing course, built in 1989. Providing scenic elevation changes along the Virgin River wetlands and settled in the river bottoms, the course begins with nine holes of lengthy fairways. Surrounded by water, the beginning is intended to be a warm-up for experienced golfers and ends with a challenging back nine that winds through the deep canyons and arroyos, while providing stunning views. The scenery distinctly changes as golfers navigate through the bermuda grass greens layout. A special par five hole with a 114 foot drop to the fairway, among many other difficulties, make this course noteworthy.

The Mesquite Amateur, one of the largest handicapped amateur tournaments in the United States, is a four-day event with an award-winning seven course lineup. The event consists of a three-day, 54-hole, net, stroke play tournament and attracts golfers from around the country. Participants compete against a field of players with a similar handicap. The competition also includes dinner parties and raffle prizes. Winners are chosen by first comparing a three-day cumulative score. From there, the top four participants from each flight compete in the 18-hole championship round at the CasaBlanca Golf Club on the fourth day. The Mesquite Amateur will take place May 29 – June 2, 2017 and sponsors include TaylorMade, The Mesquite Resort Association, Callaway Golf, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, and the City of Mesquite.

The CasaBlanca Golf Club, equally beautiful in natural surroundings, features an 18-hole, 7,011-yard landscape that was

Both courses have a driving range, putting green, and each carries a distinct notoriety for hosting two major golfing events throughout the year – the Mesquite Amateur and the Nevada Open.

The Nevada Open is Nevada’s premier professional golf tournament that takes place annually during the fall season at the CasaBlanca and Palms Golf Clubs. With nearly 40 years of championship history, the tournament has experienced exponential growth and is one of the most respected and anticipated golf tournaments in Nevada. In 2016, 216 professional golfers from throughout the nation competed for a $140,000 prize purse, and Kevin Lucas, of Folsom, California, took home the coveted trophy and winning prize of $28,000. V For more information, visit casablancaresort.com/golf-home/ or call the CasaBlanca golf course at (702) 346-6764, or the Palms at (702) 346-4067.

The Dark Night Skies in Southern Utah by Laurel Beesley

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” Vincent van Gogh

ecome a sky watcher, a star gazer. Southern Utah is an ongoing star party for anyone who wants to look into the dark, clear, and inspiring night sky. Utah has the most designated dark sky places of any state in America and more than any country in the world. In the dark sky over Kanab, on a moonless night, you can see 7,500 to 14,000 stars, the Milky Way, many Zodiac constellations, celestial objects, shooting stars, and several planets. How amazing is that?

their sets of songs throughout the night in the winter ceremonies. Every culture on Earth since the beginning of time has created their story of the stars.

When is the last time you looked into the night sky and felt astounded by the bright spots of starlight, the mysterious orbs, and the milky arcs of luminescence above your head? Or felt the mystery of the beyond and wondered, feeling nearly invisible as you watched the continuously changing star and galaxy show above?

And yet – we are coming so close to losing that startling light show of the night due to light pollution.

The Navajo "So' ba hane'” is the “Story of the Stars.” The Big Horn, a Navajo constellation represented in the night sky is said to be used by medicine men to time

Without the natural night sky and its bright constellations, we never would have navigated to the moon or learned that humans are made of stardust. The night sky is our universal heritage, providing perspective and inspiration. What would happen if we couldn’t see the stars?

Most of the world’s population will never again see the bright river of stars in our galaxy we call the Milky Way. The sight of the Milky Way is becoming a memory – to say nothing of those storytelling stars. What is your birth constellation? Leo, Aries, Pisces or Sagittarius? Your constellation is rapidly disappearing behind a blanket of light pollution.

Utah stands out as one of the most amazing places on Earth to still see the amazement of the skies. The Bortle Scale, rating night sky brightness with astronomical observability, puts southern Utah at the top of the charts for clarity. Surrounding Kanab, the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument (GSENM) may be one of the best places on Earth to still see our night sky. Not only is the Monument dark, but it may also be one of the darkest places in the lower 48. Exciting to imagine, the GSENM may soon become part of what is called the “Great Western Starry Way,” a series of International Dark Sky parks and sanctuaries sanctioned by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) stretching from northern Montana to southern Arizona. Every night in Kanab the “Star Party Tonight” – members of the Star Party Guide Systems – take guests out to perfect locations for viewing the sky above. Expert hosts use a telescope, photo by Barry Glazier

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binoculars, and Star Wars-type lasers to point to each star, the star clusters, and other objects in the mysterious sky. Where is the big red supergiant Betelgeuse, the ninth brightest star in the night sky? Once we learn to see them there are barely visible nebulae and mythic constellations telling the story of Andromeda (The Chained Lady Cassiopeia) and the many other legendary characters that chase the sky each night. What a mix of science and classic storytelling. Coral Pink Sand Dunes, just outside Kanab, has camping and night sky presentations. Simply walking outside at night, or venturing onto a local trail like the K-Hill can become an astronomical adventure. Pack a dinner picnic from home or with goodies from a local restaurant and enjoy a quiet candle- or lantern-lit meal at the Peekaboo Trailhead while waiting for the surprising sky to tell its countless stories. Drive down Johnson Canyon as the sun is setting and enjoy tremendous views of the Grand Staircase before settling in at Nephi Pasture. Wherever you go to any one of the countless dark sky locations around here, look forward to a view millions of people will never be able to see again. The night sky is always a celestial showcase. V

photo "White Pocket Milky Way" by David Swindler

Observing the night sky can be done with no special equipment, although a sky map can be very useful, and a good beginner telescope or binoculars will enhance some experiences and bring some otherwise invisible objects into view. Space.com will help you plan your night by providing Star Maps and video guides, as well as providing tips on equipment and viewing techniques. Find out what's up in the night sky tonight (Planets Visible Now, Moon Phases, Observing Highlights This Month) plus other resources (Skywatching Terms, Night Sky Observing Tips and Further Reading). The Kanab Office of Tourism and BLM Visitor Centers will assist you in finding special vantage points. Kanab is proud of its growing number of businesses observing dark-sky lighting. For more information, go to visitsouthernutah.com or call (435) 644-5033 or (800) SEE-KANE (733-5263).

Kayent a Open House

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story and photos by Kathi Fox

ver one thousand people, of all ages, attended the standing room only, free open house event that took place on the afternoon of January 28th in Kayenta, located in Ivins, Utah. They celebrated and took tours of the new Center and previewed whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next. Over 2,000 sweet treats were enjoyed by the crowd. It was a celebration for the completion of the construction phase of the new Kayenta Center for the Arts. There were self guided and volunteer led tours of the building and exhibits for things

that will come to the Center for the Arts. Examples include a small piano to depict the concerts that will come, an easel to depict the art exhibits that will happen at the facility, and beautifully decorated tables to show what a private event could look like in the facility. When completed, the Center for the Arts at Kayenta will be home to theater, musical performances, dance recitals, art exhibits, lectures, and more. The center will also be available for both public and private events.

Kayenta Arts Foundation broke ground for this center in May of 2013. Construction has been primarily funded by grassroots efforts and donations from more than 250 people from all over the United States as well as local businesses and governments. It was important and exciting for the Kayenta community to celebrate and share this wonderful building with people from all over Washington County. In speaking with Matt Marten, Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee

and a Director for the Foundation, he said, "We have made remarkable progress over the past three years, and this was the first opportunity for the public to take a peek at this amazing new facility. We view 2017 as a "preview year" for the center as we experiment with some events and grow into the space. Fundraising continues as we outfit the building with furniture and the sound and theatrical equipment necessary to support quality shows and events." Official openings with ribbon cutting, donor appreciation, and dedications will happen throughout 2017. Kayenta Arts Foundation plans to host its first fully produced performance in the black box theatre area of the Center by the end of 2017. With the completion of the building construction, it brings Kayenta Arts Foundation one step closer to its vision of being a premier venue in southern Utah for awareness, appreciation, education, and enjoyment of diverse artistic endeavors. V The Center for the Arts is located in the Kayenta Art Village, Ivins, UT 84738. For more information, visit www.kayentaartsfoundation.com or Facebook: Kayenta Art Scene

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Phone Skope: Small-Town Startup Eyes Worldwide Success by Alexa V. Morgan photos courtesy of Phone Skope

hone Skope, an emerging southern Utah-based company, is bringing the new frontier of smartphone photography and video into focus. Tracy and Cheston Davis, from the town of Beaver, came up with the idea while deer

hunting in 2010. They happened upon a mountain lion and tried to capture the rare sighting by holding a camera phone near the eyepiece of a spotting scope, but the images were blurry. The elder Davis set about creating a tool that would join the two devices and stabilize the phone while

allowing it to use the magnifying capability of the scope. He made the first prototype in his garage using sprinkler pipe, glue, and anything else on hand. It worked, and soon father and son were heading into a patent attorney’s office. Phone Skope launched the following year. Bringing it to retail was a lengthy and often frustrating process. “We hit a lot of brick walls,” Cheston Davis admits. “Neither my dad nor I had ever done anything like this.” Growth has progressed slowly but steadily over the last six years. Phone Skope was picked up by scattered mom-and-pop shops before scoring a deal with Sportsman’s Warehouse, their first national retailer. “Phone Skope branded product is a great seller,” says Johnathon Spens, hard goods manager

at the St. George location. “I think Cheston and his dad had great vision to create and market a simple and relatively inexpensive product that would allow users to take telephoto photographs and video without spending thousands of dollars on camera equipment.” Phone Skope is a twopiece system consisting of a phone-specific case and an optic-specific adapter. Universal and custom adapters are another option. “We have a kit that will work with nearly all phone and optic combinations,” says Tim Schreckengost, Phone Skope’s General Manager. “And if we don’t have it, there’s a good chance we can make it.” The product is unique because of its specifics, explains Schreckengost, and popular due to its convenience. “It’s simple and very user-friendly,” he says. “You can be taking pictures in a matter of seconds.” Today, customers can find Phone Skope in Walmart, Cabela’s, and Sportsman's Warehouse locations across the country, as well as many smaller stores. Online retailers such as OpticsPlanet and Eagle Optics have picked it up. Cases cost $49.99, and optic adapters range from $27.99 to $38.99. The full selection of kits is available at phoneskope.com. Phone Skope is also sold in Canada and the United Kingdom, with distribution in Australia and New Zealand forthcoming. Sales are centered around hunting, birdwatching, and astronomy. Although the kits are primarily used with binoculars and spotting scopes, they are also compatible with telescopes and microscopes. Schreckengost says that Phone Skope has been approached by several companies regarding application in the medical field. Phone Skope offers kits compatible with hundreds of optical devices and more

than 60 smartphones, in addition to select GoPro and iPad models. Cases for newer phones, like the Google Pixel and Moto Z Force, are currently in production. More kits are created each month. “The smartphone industry is always changing, so we’re always trying to keep up and a lot of challenges come with that,” Schreckengost says. “The iPhone 7 has a dual camera, so we’re trying to give users the ability to choose which lens they want to use.” While continually expanding their retail base, one of Cheston Davis’ main goals for his company this year is engineering an everyday phone case that can transform into a Phone Skope case. Customers will be able to easily remove the piece that attaches to the optic adapter when not in use. “We’re never satisfied with where we’re at,” he says. “We’re all about furthering our knowledge and making our product better so the user can get more and more out of it.” Phone Skope is an authentic southern Utah startup. A staff of 12 oversees dayto-day operations at their headquarters in Beaver, in addition to an outside sales team. Manufacturing is handled through a factory in St. George. Tracy Davis and his

son serve as Chief Financial Officer and CEO, respectively. Spens, who attended Beaver High School with Cheston Davis, recalls his classmate as hardworking and tech-savvy, with enviable people skills. “I'm confident that the success Phone Skope has had is due largely to that same work ethic and vision for the future,” he says. Cheston Davis launched a new company, Ice-Olate, at the start of 2017. Its flagship product is The Cooler Tray, a patented drainage system to help keep food dry within ice chests, prolonging shelf life and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. “I’ve pretty much always been an entrepreneur, clear back to elementary school,” he says. “[I’ve] always been innovative; figuring out how I can better myself and thinking outside the box.” With Phone Skope, his vision is to transform a first-person viewing experience into a memory that can be shared with a group of friends, or around the world using the magic of technology. “That’s why it started, and that’s why it’s where it is today,” Schreckengost says. “I think Phone Skope is going to be around for a long time.”V

On The Town Great events are going on in southern Utah on a daily basis. Here, we bring you just a fraction of what’s happened lately.

by Alexa V. Morgan

Arts to Zion Tour

ver Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Arts to Zion took art collectors and admirers on a self-guided countywide tour of 52 art venues, from Kayenta to Springdale. Access to most stops on the tour is free. Ticket holders gained an exclusive peek at private home studios with a chance to chat with the artists, as well as admittance to after-hours events.

The tour is continually growing, says Myron Laub, a painter whose work is displayed at Gallery 35 in downtown St. George. Gallery 35, which focuses solely on watercolor, shares its space with the permanent Arts to Zion Showcase. Now in its sixth year, Arts to Zion is presented in partnership with the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the St. George Art Commission, the St. George Tourism Office, and Washington County Recreation, Arts and Parks.

What’s Up Down South Economic Summit

usiness professionals from the public and private sectors converged on St. George to find out “what’s up down South?” at the 21st annual Washington County Economic Summit on January 12. The Dixie Convention Center buzzed with activity as keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities continued throughout the day. Transportation planning, the role of entrepreneurship in economic development, and what a Trump presidency means for companies in Utah were among the topics of interest. This year’s featured speakers were Dr. Mary Walshok from the University of California, San Diego and Utah-based entrepreneur and investor John Richards.

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St. George Half Marathon photos courtesy of St. George Races

hilly temperatures plus a light rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the runners, volunteers, and spectators at the 35th annual St. George Half Marathon on January 14. The starting gun for the half marathon went off at 9 am sharp, followed by the 5K and Tuff Kids Run starts. The course wound through quiet neighborhood streets and paved city trails, showing off the best of downtown St. George. Over 1,500 runners participated in the half marathon alone. Clinton Rhoton from Cedar City and Erica Schramm from Las Vegas were the overall and women’s winners, finishing with respective times of 1:09:04 and 1:23:57. Presented by the City of St. George, the St. George Half Marathon is the longest-running 13.1 in southern Utah. Footwear company Altra was this year’s premier sponsor.

The Ultimate Outdoor Recreation Expo photos courtesy of Sylvia Andersen, Ultimate Events

rom kids to seasoned outdoorsmen, there was something for everyone at The Ultimate Outdoor Recreation Expo, held January 6 and 7 at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George. A total of 25 activities and workshops covering archery, camping, boating, hiking, and everything in between were included with the price of admission. “This show is the family event to start the New Year, and it’s bigger and better every year,” says Sylvia Andersen, CEO of Ultimate Events, Inc. Ticketholders came and went over the weekend, enjoying such highlights as paddleboard yoga and fly fishing lessons, and screenings of the ski film Here, There & Everywhere. Entertainment was provided by DockDogs, a nationally touring canine aquatics competition. New attractions included the kayak demo pool, climbing wall, concealed weapons carry class, and a live bird show and lecture presented by Martin Tyner of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation. Attendance to the expo increased by 15% over 2016, Andersen says.

Don’t Settle for Par See Doctor Carr!

New Orthopedic Surgeon Joins Medical Staff at Mesa View Regional Hospital: Brian J. Carr, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Board Certified by Patty Holden, CEO, FACHE

esa View Regional Hospital welcomes Brian Carr, M.D. as an independent member of the medical staff. Dr. Carr comes to Mesquite from Fort Drum, New York.

Dr. Carr is originally from the desert southwest, being raised in Arizona. He attained his Bachelor of Science and Chemistry Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University. He earned his Medical Degree from Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, and completed his Orthopedic residency with William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas. He is board certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. Recent affiliations were as the Department Chief, Orthopedics at Ft. Drum, NY, General Orthopedic Surgeon at Carthage Area Hospital, Associate Professor at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, and was deployed to Iraq in 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Prior to coming to Mesquite, Dr. Carr was selected for Lieutenant Colonel and is proud of his 16 years of service in the United States Army. His philosophy is that patient satisfaction is rapidly becoming the number one vital sign in medicine. Patients not only deserve the most advanced care and most current treatments, they should be treated with compassion and respect. “Brian Carr is an accomplished and experienced orthopedic surgeon,” said Patty Holden, CEO for Mesa View Regional Hospital. “We are so pleased to welcome him to Mesquite as an essential addition to our medical staff and to the community,” Holden concluded. V Dr. Carr is now seeing new patients and can be reached at Mesa View Medical Group, (702) 346-0800, 1301 Bertha Howe Avenue Ste #1, Mesquite NV, or visit: www.MesaViewMedical.com.

Reasons You May Need To See An Orthopedic Specialist

previously published in Mesa View Regional Hospital Community Publication

ead to toe, there are a variety of reasons you might need an orthopedic specialist. Here are three:

Head and Neck Pain A stiff or painful neck may be a neck sprain, caused by anything from car accidents to simple falls when playing with children or grandchildren. These can lead to pain, muscle spasms, headache, and even sore throat. Your doctor will likely recommend non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as treatment, along with ice and massage. More severe sprains may require a soft collar to support your neck while it heals.

Shoulder Pain Are you active? If you’ve played sports at some point in your life, particularly those that require contact or overhead motion of the arm, you’ve probably done some damage to your labrum – the ring of cartilage that lines your shoulder joint. Symptoms include pain in the front of the shoulder, and difficulty raising the arm overhead. While it’s difficult to prevent, the good news is that not every labrum tear requires surgery. Many cases can be treated through physical therapy to strengthen the muscles surrounding the tear. If surgery is necessary, it may be minimally invasive and performed arthroscopically.

Knee Pain Osteoarthritis of the knee can cause severe pain, interfering with daily life. NSAIDs and ice to reduce inflammation are typically the first line of treatment. Physical therapy is also used to strengthen the muscles around your knee and reduce stress on the joint. On occasion, osteoarthritis pain may be severe enough to require injections to relieve pain and inflammation, or joint replacement surgery may be an option.V If you’ve played too hard and ended up with an injury, learn about our orthopedic services at www.MesaViewOrtho.com.

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Antipasto Appetizer by Jennifer Hammond-Moore

pringtime means outdoors to me. I want to be working in the garden or enjoying the new farm animals from sunup to sundown. Spending hours in the kitchen preparing food for the Easter holiday can be daunting. However, if you prepare this Antipasto Appetizer recipe you can have more time with family and it is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Ingredients 1 can black olives - medium or large are fine 1 jar Spanish olives with pimentos 1 can whole baby corn 1 can hearts of palm 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts - Do NOT drain 1 container fresh mozzarella balls or 1 lb mozzarella cut into ½” pieces 1 lb colby jack marbled cheese

1 tube salami or summer sausage wrapping removed 1 head of broccoli 1 container of fresh mushrooms - button size or quartered - I prefer baby bellas 1 each green, red, and yellow bell peppers or small sweet peppers 1 container cherry tomatoes 1 jar Italian salad dressing - I prefer Olive Garden Italian from Costco Small amount of grated parmesan for garnish Instructions 1. Gather a large container with sealable lid, sharp knife, and cutting board. 2. Open and drain all canned or bottled items except artichoke hearts. 3. Cut hearts of palm and baby corn into bite size pieces; place in large container along with both types of

olives (uncut) and artichoke hearts including liquid. 4. Cut remaining ingredients into ½” bite size pieces; add to large container. 5. Pour italian dressing over the ingredients in the container. Seal lid and shake container to mix dressing throughout. Continue to rotate and invert the container over the next hour. Marinate time should be a minimum of one hour. 6. Using a slotted spoon, scoop mixture into a serving bowl or platter, leaving excess marinade behind. 7. Lightly sprinkle parmesan over the top, add a few toothpicks and you have an awesome appetizer that can also double as a light lunch or on the go snack. Enjoy!V

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It’s Your Environment by Laurie Nelson-Barker

ow would you like your environment? Toasty hot with a side of dust, or frozen with a side of blizzard? I’m not referencing Dairy Queen. Minimizing impact on our environment is crucial now more than ever. Those of us who believe in satellite images from NASA know that our earth is rapidly warming and if we can’t learn to adapt quickly enough, we will have to grow food and possibly fins. Hopefully we won’t have to “sink or swim.” I recently became convinced of the health and environmental benefits of eliminating toxins as much as possible, and reducing my carbon footprint. After reading No Impact Man1, I decided that if a family in Manhattan could live with little impact, so could I. So, I endeavored to become “Little Impact Woman,“ as I’m not ready to turn off my electricity or get rid of my car or plane just yet. I also enjoy traveling

and would like to visit a few places on my bucket list before it’s too late. The first step of eliminating processed foods and eating plant based seemed easy as I am already vegan. The biggest obstacle is the people who know why eating plant based won’t work for them or you. I’ve heard every excuse: - “You won’t get enough protein.” Yes you will. - “You need animal products to stay healthy.” No, you don’t. - “You will die.” I haven’t yet, and it’s been over 20 years. Giving gift cards to steakhouses, or boxes of meat to those attempting to eat plant based, is not funny and is akin to giving liquor to an alcoholic, in my opinion. Buying only local foods is doable, but not easy. In the book, “local” was defined as

a radius of 250 miles. I would be forced to give up pineapple, bananas, avocados, mangos, and probably a lot of other stuff, unless I can figure out how to grow them. I have managed to grow two lemons and a kumquat in my sun lounge, but the big advantage of the conservatory thus far is passive heating for the house, and being able to wear shorts and a tank top in the middle of winter while my neighbors are wearing parkas, gloves, and hats. In the summer, the conservatory becomes a scorching slice of hell in the desert, but it’s a good place to dry wet items or view the stars at night in privacy. Our next sun lounge will have sliding glass doors with built in blinds. You learn some things the hard way. Eliminating cleaning products and personal care products was not difficult, as we were already doing that. My husband,

Mike, has been making soap from scratch for a while. It gives him something to do on a bad weather day and as long as nothing explodes, I support him. I use baking soda, vinegar, and pumice to clean. I have permanent makeup and use coconut oil and baking soda for toothpaste. I love shea butter, castile soap, and almond oil for skin care. I use henna on my hair, which is very time consuming. Last year, I did a bit of remodeling and still havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t figured out how to eliminate toxic paint fumes, and then there are the toxins in carpets, curtains, and even dishes. Yikes! We recycle, compost, and use our own grocery bags. I recently bought a product that was advertised as organic and natural. It came in a box. Inside were four separate boxes and the items inside the

boxes were wrapped in plastic. Seems like the all-natural, environmentally friendly product killed a few trees as it was being born. Thrift stores are fun and garage sales rock, but so do my TV, computer, iPad and coffeepot. Some things just make life more fun. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to relive

the 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, but maybe if everyone made an effort to live more and consume less, we can improve our lives and save our planet together. Just saying. V 1Beavan, C (2009), No Impact Man. New York, Farrar, Straus and Giroux,

Write It Down

A Way to Remember Life’s Adventures

by Elspeth Kuta

he Virgin Valley Heritage Museum is filled with adventures and experiences old and new. Hanging photos and artifacts trigger trips down memory lane for many. From these items I learn of escapades and exploits of our guests’ early years and in turn share the stories of the Valley. I have gained a lot of insights into the people who lived in the area, how they lived, where they came from, and their adventures along the way. One example I love comes from the history written by Victor Berdell Knight. Victor Berdell Knight was born November 19,1923 to Jessie Victor Knight and Martha Velate Hughes Knight. He was their second child. His childhood experiences included playing bottle horses under the pomegranate bushes. He helped his grandfather pick the pomegranates, which they then took to Cedar City to trade for potatoes. Victor looked forward to threshing time – Uncle Arthur Hughes would come with his boys and thresh the grain. For Victor it was like Thanksgiving – food in abundance. In high school he continued to experience life by trying opera, then athletics in his senior year. There were other juvenile exploits with his old 1926 Dodge that he and his friends cut the top off and bolted the seats to the frame. Then they took the bumpy trip down Linge Hill (Virgin Valley High School is built on Linge Hill). As time passed, Victor discovered girls, and one won his heart – Betty Hardy, whom he later married in Yuma on October 7, 1942. It was an adventure that lasted over 50 years.

On March 25,1943, an experience filled with danger and unknown risk began when Victor was inducted into the Army. Victor, Lamar Leavitt, and Ray Adams, all locals, went into the ambulance battalion. His Army service took him to Europe via Omaha Bay. He became an intuitive, quickthinking ambulance driver and was always in the thick of it. One of the many wartime experiences he shared is best told in his own words: “When they (First Armored Battalion) finally pulled back for a rest and relaxation they moved the seventy-eighth up to replace them. They were fresh over from the States and then it was a different story. My assistant driver and I didn’t take our clothes off or sleep in a bed for better than three weeks. We could catch a quick shower and shave when we drop a load at the hospital. The nurses and their assistants would take good care of us. They knew how hard we were running and so they would always have coffee and something to eat at the entrance where we would unload and when we would get a bunch of dirty clothes they would take them and have them washed and ready for when we would come back with our next load from the aid stations. They finally got battle wise and then the casualties started dropping off.” From this small excerpt we

learn who Victor was and a little more about World War II from an ambulance driver’s perspective. On his release in 1945 he said he had a lot of help from above. Victor passed away in 1999, but thanks to his journal we have his story to share. Imagine how much of his life experiences would have been lost had he not written it down. I think of myself as a pretty ordinary person, yet I have family and friends who mention from time to time, some of the life altering experiences I have had. Like moving halfway around the world, marrying the man of my dreams, and parenting seven fiercely independent children. Then there was driving a semitruck in the lower 48 States. I have been around awhile. So, like Victor, I have a story to tell and I’m sure you do too. Journaling is a great way to preserve those memories and pass the stories along. Come by the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum and let the storytelling adventure begin. V For more information, visit the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum at 35 West Mesquite Blvd., or call (702) 346-5295

The Love of Dance Enters a New Era by Donna Eads

new era has begun for the Mesquite-Toes Tap Team The founding director, Vicki Eckman, has retired and the "Goodwill Ambassadors of the Magic of Mesquite" have embraced a new director. Judy Edgington is now in charge of production and is the Director of the Mesquite-Toes. Judy was taught by the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America. Early in her life she taught dance to elementary school children. She has a degree in management and retired after 30 years with the federal government including HUD, VA, DOD, and as an Army Reserves NCO. She moved to Mesquite in 2012 and joined the MesquiteToes to continue her love of dancing. The focus of the Mesquite-Toes Tap Team continues to encourage the promotion of health, both physical and mental, via dance and teamwork. The team inspires all members, male or female, younger or older, to "be all that they can be" and to raise funds for local charities such as the food bank. The team enjoys traveling around the country and around the world to be ambassadors of dance for the great city of Mesquite. Upcoming events include the annual garage sale on March 11 from 8 am to 2 pm at the Old Gym/boxing club. Raffle tickets will be available at the garage sale for both a fire pit and wine cellar to be given away at the April Spectacular. The Saint Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Show and luncheon will be held on March 16 at the Mesquite Lutheran Church and tickets are $20. The annual Dance Spectacular will be at the Community Theater from April 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8. The musical theater production will feature songs and dances from Disney musicals. New music, tap, clog, and jazz dancing are featured for all performances. V For more information, contact Judy Edgington at mesquitenvtoes@gmail.com.

Coyote Willows Golf Club by Judy Hart photo by Stallard Photography

oyote Willows has been run by a group of extremely dedicated volunteers since 2008 and is considered to be a fun, family-friendly place for beginners or those wishing to hone their golfing skills. The volunteers who run the course have worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of a true regulation 9-hole course. Even though there have been challenges, improvements are still being made so there are still three par 3s, four par 4s, and two par 5s for a total 9-hole round of par 35. Spectacular views of the mountains and the occasional sighting of wildlife add to the experience. The course is located on Hafen Lane west of Riverside Drive and is open seven days a week. Reasonable rates and club rentals are available. We look forward to having you come play. V We are located at 426 Hagens Alley, Mesquite. Call (702) 345-3222 for more information, or find us online at coyotewillowsgolf.com and on Facebook.

by Linda Faas photos by Kris Zurbas

ig engines and loud pipes ruled as Mesquite Motor Mania dominated the town January 13-15.

This annual event continues to grow, drawing thousands of classic car lovers and curiosity seekers. Fun loving retirees love to kick tires and compare compression and paint jobs on all those cars that were hot off the assembly line when these folks were kids in their prime. Even if you have seen a hundred â&#x20AC;&#x2122;40 Fords, you probably havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scratched the surface of the customizing that can be done to those venerable wheels. Chopped, lowered, souped-up, painted with ghost flames, and on it goes. Sponsored by Mesquite Gaming, the show draws hundreds of entries from California to Colorado and all points between. No doubt they will be back next year with a bigger and better collection of fenders and vendors. V

Visit Your Public Lands by Dawn McLain photo by Tana McTeer

n Mother’s Day, May 14, in Kanab, Utah, Amazing Earthfest kicks off its second decade serving residents of and visitors to southern Utah, proudly affirming the myriad values of America’s public lands and honoring our Mother Earth. There may be no more important moment in history than right now to cultivate and express a culture of caring for our precious “natural heritage,” and all the creatures that live there. Come and join the fun. A widely shared vision among people who care about the natural beauty and the human history of the Colorado Plateau is growing rapidly among travelers touched by the plateau’s magic. The festival will feature more than 30 events to educate, stimulate, and fascinate lovers of the natural world. This year’s theme is, “Preserving Dark Skies over the Colorado Plateau.” Southern Utah’s Amazing Earthfest offers seven days of free learning, discovery, arts, and adventure activities that inspire and inform Americans from around the nation to explore, appreciate, and celebrate their National and State Parks, National Forests,

National Monuments and BLM lands. Don’t miss the 11th annual festival, May 14-20, 2017. Precious landscapes – belonging to all Americans – managed by the National Park Service, U. S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, enrich the rural economy and community vitality of towns across the American West. They preserve our ancient cultural sites, natural values of habitat and species diversity, and provide fantastic recreational opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, astronomy, and exploration of nature’s beauty and majesty. Continuing scientific discoveries in botany, wildlife, geology, paleontology, ecology, climate change, and other important fields of research all happen out there. Amazing Earthfest celebrates the quality of life in small, authentic pioneer communities like Kanab and Escalante, Utah, enriched by the National and State Parks, Forests, Monuments, and Districts of BLM land that surround them. Wild landscapes adjacent to gateway communities throughout the rural West are fueling the expanding “new west economy,” attracting people who cherish protected public lands to visit, relocate, discover, and enjoy. Plan your visit to Kanab, Utah, for a memorable experiential learning opportunity for you, your friends, and family. Celebrate Utah's National Monuments at the 2017 Amazing Earthfest. V

“La Dolce Vit a” Helps Our Neighbors

by Linda Faas he Mesquite Cancer HELP Society is our local support group that works to provide help and hope for neighbors facing cancer. In 2001, Mesquite resident Yoli Bell saw how many people in Mesquite were struggling with the non-medical impacts of cancer. She formed the nonprofit Mesquite Cancer HELP Society to provide education about all types of cancer, counseling for those who needed morale and psychological support, and financial assistance to those in desperate need. MCHS depends on grants and the generosity of the community to fund the services it provides free of charge to its qualified clients. Yoli Bell, herself, has been the driving force in those efforts, along with the help of other caring, committed members of the community.

With a focus on hope for good outcomes, the task of funding such a humanitarian cause is lightened when many hands help. “La Dolce Vita,” a fundraiser event, will be held the evening of April 15 at the Grand Canyon Ballroom of the Eureka Casino Resort, 6-9 pm. The evening celebrates and supports the sweetness of life—hope, friendship, and life itself that all of us cherish. Phyllis Litman is chairperson of the “La Dolce Vita” organizing committee that is planning an evening that provides an opportunity to mingle with friends and enjoy luscious desserts with champagne or punch, while bidding for raffle and auction items. Ms. Senior Mesquite, Jean Hardeman, and Barry Bowers, both members of Mesquite’s Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra, will be strolling the ballroom, playing favorite contemporary and classic violin melodies. This will be a memorable evening with a noble purpose. You can help your neighbors who need MCHS support. A community appeal for “La Dolce Vita” donations is currently underway. Anyone who can donate products, salon or business services, artwork, hotel stays, restaurant certificates, show tickets, and any cash amount may call (702) 346-4556 to arrange a donation and tickets for the event. Donors will be publicly recognized. Tickets for the April 15 “La Dolce Vita” evening are $35 each. Early reservations are recommended, as attendance is limited by the capacity of the ballroom. Plan to attend! Celebrate “La Dolce Vita” and help our neighbors. V

Passport to an Awesome Adventure

The Desert Combat Tour

story by Michael Goins photos courtesy of Awesome Adventures

lanning a trip to Las Vegas but can’t seem to decide what one of a kind type of experience you are looking for? Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was some type of all-purpose Vegas vacationstyled “passport” to help sift through the many choices Las Vegas offers? Well, look no further my friends, because the Awesome Adventures Passport is the ultimate gateway to truly awesome adventures. In fact, speaking of awesome adventures, the Desert Combat Tour is an absolute “must-do” for any adventurer with a passion for thrill-seeking, adrenaline infused experiences. Our full day of adventure began by being picked up by the Awesome Adventures team and shuttled out to El Dorado Canyon. Upon our arrival, we began to feel as though we’d been transported back to the days of the Old West. Outside of the 21st century vehicles, which delivered our party to the “town,” there wasn’t much modernization anywhere to be seen. In

fact, our cell phones all began to read limited to no service. The stage was set. No more safe spaces. We were truly in the middle of the desert. After a short briefing on our itinerary, the enthusiastic Awesome Adventures team got us set-up on our very own ATVs. They also were careful in making sure we all had the proper safety gear securely fashioned before we set out into the desert wilderness. As we traversed the beautiful yet rugged mountainous terrain, led by our own personal guide, we were gifted with some of the most beautiful, scenic views one could possibly imagine. Ultimately, there were simply too many “Kodak moments” to count. Although, I will forever keep the grandeur and vastness of the mountainous canyons merging with the beauty of the crystal clear desert sky imprinted in my mind. Just as my natural high was at its peak, my senses were given new jolts

of anticipation and excitement. Why, you ask? Because we were entering the infamous Combat Canyon. As we drove past the “combat zone,” remnants of battles past could still be seen. In fact, what I can only hope was merely paint was still lingering throughout the battlefield. The rest of our party could also be seen rubbernecking as they slowly drove past the barricades which were obviously strategically placed throughout the combat zone. It was almost as if we were searching for signs of life or perhaps just plotting out our own strategy for once we returned readied for battle. Mind you, not everyone in our party had fired a gun before. Nevertheless, the knowledgeable Las Vegas Gunfights staff provided each of us an opportunity not only to learn proper firearm safety measures, but also took us through proper movement when firing a weapon. They showed us not only how to communicate without speaking, but also how to work in

what they called two man cells. They said these dynamic shooting and movement principles would serve us well in our upcoming battle. By now, we were all feeling a bit like Chuck Norris from one of his many combat movies. It’s fair to say our motley party of four was ready to do battle. We each were fully suited up in protective tactical safety gear, issued our firearm along with our magazines of ammunition (simunition). Since there were four of us, we set out onto the combat zone with two on each side. As the Gunfight Marshal barked out our final instructions, the smoke bomb exploded and our gunfight was on. Within the first seconds of the match I could hear the blistering sound of something fast whizzing by my facemask, near my left ear. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a gunfight. Make no mistake, at that point my heart was pounding through my chest, I think my partner was having an adrenaline dump because they were having a hard time keeping up with me as I was navigating the barricades towards our target. One of our objectives was that we had to work as a team if we were to win the match. And win we did.

objects on hand as far into the mine as possible to scare or rustle out bears, cougars, coyotes, etc. In fact, as we made our way back out of the gold mine all I could think to myself was, “History Channel, eat your heart out!”

Ultimately, the prep work we received in our gun training prior to the match paid off. Not only did we successfully navigate the barricades as a team, we also managed our munitions well (for first timers) and were even able to land several shots on the other team while on the move. In the end, we achieved our goal by bringing our designated tire back "safely away from harm," and then releasing our match winning smoke bomb. After the match, we all were completely exhausted. However, we all can admit that we have a newfound respect for what our servicemen and women in the military and law enforcement go through when they are in a firefight. Without a doubt this was truly an eye-opening experience and one that I must confess leaves me wanting to do it again and again.

Here’s the bottom line: whether you’re a resident or a visitor to southern Utah, Mesquite or Las Vegas, if you’re looking for a truly must-do adventure, you need to get on board with the Awesome Adventures Passport. Go to the Awesome Adventures website (wwww.awesomeadventures.com) and they will help you break out of your bubble and introduce you to the hidden gems surrounding Sin City.V

All in all, it was an awesome day. After years of coming to Las Vegas and doing the same old things we couldn’t have been more pleased to have found the Awesome Adventures Passport and learn about the one of a kind, Desert Combat Tour experience.

As we all began our cool down by removing our tactical gear while still catching our breath, the Awesome Adventures team announced it was time for our lunch break. Although we may not fully admit it, the timing was perfect. We all needed a rest from our hard-fought battle and for those of us who “won,” we offered up some good old fashioned gloating to boot. After lunch, we mounted our desert steeds and made our way back to civilization – at least, for our remote location, that is. We were led to an opening in the canyon. Our guide then asked us to shut down our ATVs and dismount. As we all stood, gazing in at the man made hole on the side of the canyon, we knew it was Eldorado Gold Mine time. It was the perfect change of pace after a morning of rugged ATV riding and exploration, and the emotionally draining, yet incredibly satisfying gunfight experience. Indeed, we were all happy to “walk it off” by enjoying a tour of the canyon interior and the many stories it would tell. We were led through the gold mine tour by our guide, who knew all there was to know about the lore and history of the gold mine. He even explained to us how miners would check to make sure it was safe before entering. They would throw rocks or whatever

view on ENERGY

Yes, I Want You to Switch to LEDs by Keith Buchhalter, Public Affairs Specialist at Overton Power District No. 5

ive years ago I bought my first LED light bulb, and as much as I like to have the latest and the greatest when possible, I was not going to replace every light bulb in my house at $35 each. My first light bulb was for research; at the time I was the Customer Service Supervisor at Overton Power District No. 5 (OPD), and I received questions on a weekly basis about the benefits of LED lighting. For those of you who are not familiar with LED’s, an LED or light-emitting diode, is a type of solid-state lighting that uses a semiconductor to convert electricity into light. Today’s LED bulbs can be six to seven times more energy efficient than conventional incandescent lights and cut energy use by more than 80 percent. Before you make the switch, let me share with you some of the benefits of LED lighting: • Lifespan: The average incandescent light lasts 1,000 hours, the average CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) 10,000 hours, a good quality LED bulb can have a useful life of 25,000 hours or more, that’s 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs. On average, you can expect to replace an LED bulb every 10 to 20 years; some last a lifetime. • Keeping it cool: Unlike incandescent bulbs, which release 90% of their energy as heat, LEDs use energy far more efficiently with little wasted heat. • Environmentally friendly: LEDs contain no mercury, and a recent Energy Department study determined that LEDs have a much smaller environmental impact than incandescent bulbs. • Dimming ability: You can use dimmers on most LED bulbs, but you need to get the dimmers made for LEDs. If you want one dimmer switch to control more than one light, all the bulbs on that switch must be LEDs. • Light quality: LED lights come in a spectrum of color temperatures, from warm white (up to 2,900k) to cool white (from 3,000k to 4,900k). I went with 2,700k throughout my house, a light temperature closest to the standard incandescent bulb's color and warmth. • Energy efficiency: LEDs use much less electricity than either incandescent or CFL bulbs to produce the same amount of light, measured in lumens. For instance, to reach 1,100 lumens, an incandescent bulb requires 75 watts, a CFL bulb 23 watts and an LED 17 watts.

• Price: LED lights have been around awhile. Prices have

decreased considerably since I bought my first $35 LED light bulb four years ago – you can buy a four-pack of that same lightbulb for $7 at your local hardware store.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to change every lightbulb in your house at the same time, but as your incandescent light bulbs burn out, consider replacing them with LEDs. For more energy savings tips, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. From all of us at Overton Power District No. 5 we hope you and your family will take advantage of the amazing weather in our area this time of the year, enjoy together outdoor activities, and why not, maybe a few rounds of golf.V

Wolf Creek Golf Club A Source of Pride for Mesquite

by Darren Stanek photo courtesy of Wolf Creek Golf Club

olf Creek Golf Club's roots are securely planted here in Mesquite. We are proud of to be one of many fine businesses that help drive the Mesquite economy. This past year we had guests from 20 different countries and all 50 states visit Mesquite to play Wolf Creek. It is truly humbling when guests mention Wolf Creek in the same sentence as such iconic courses as Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, and TPC Sawgrass. Traditionally, life expectancy for video games is short. EA Sports video golf game started out as Tiger Woods and is now Rory McIlroy. After nine years the name of the game has changed but Wolf Creek is still included in the game and in demand. Under Armour and Jordan Spieth visited Wolf Creek to do a photo shoot for their new golf products. In 2016 Wolf Creek and its ownership were featured on the cover and inside with a four page spread in Golf Business magazine, a prominent national golf publication. Recently, we were photographed for a national golf calendar and have fielded inquiries from companies

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all over the world to use the Wolf Creek canvas as the backdrop for their products. Our most recent call was for a company out of Japan. In November we had 10 golf writers from all over the globe visit and play Wolf Creek in order to write stories about not only Wolf Creek but also Mesquite as a resort destination. Certainly something we can all be proud of. The Terrace Restaurant, with the support of the community, has become a top dining option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. We have also seen tremendous support for the days we offer buffets and dinners such as Mother’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve. Two of these events sold out this past year. If you haven’t dined with us recently, please join us for a meal and check out our new carpet, chairs, tables, and wait station. When dining, we invite you to join our local loyalty club program. We developed this program for the locals, and it provides discounts and early email notification of special events and buffets.

We challenge ourselves every day to make a positive difference in the lives of vacationers, golfers, citizens, and children. Actions speak louder than words. When it comes to the Virgin Valley we express our pride in the area by our actions. We have donated over $50,000 the past three years to local charities in the form of gift certificates. Wolf Creek has also hosted the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce golf outing two of the last three years, has been a sponsor for the Walk For Life, and several times a year we invite local residents out to play Wolf Creek for a special rate. We are also very proud of the Kids for Sports Foundation which has provided many local youth athletes the opportunity to play sports and has awarded approximately $40,000 in grants over the past two years. Wolf Creek Golf Club is proud to be a member of the Mesquite Community.V

Runners, Hikers, and Adventurers Rally in the Valley of Fire by Joyce Forier photos courtesy of Calico Racing

ust an hour away from the neon lights of Las Vegas lies Mother Nature’s most impressive masterpiece. Brilliant hues of all colors of the rainbow paint the earth at the aweinspiring Valley of Fire State Park. Most visitors take in the sights by way of the two paved roads inside the park, not venturing more than a few steps away from the air-conditioned comfort of their vehicles. To go beyond the pavement takes an adventurous spirit, a sense of curiosity, and a little exertion. However, those who do will be richly rewarded with some of the most spectacular scenery not just in Nevada, but in the world. A declaration like that coming from someone who has adventured in 60+ countries on all seven continents is a hearty endorsement. This March 31- April 2 the inaugural Rally in the Valley of Fire will welcome runners, hikers, and adventurers from around the globe

for a three day running festival, getting inside the heart of Valley of Fire State Park, not only admiring the view, but being the view. The courses take you deep into sections of Valley of Fire seen by a fraction of a percentage of visitors. The ½ Marathon Distance Stage Race is fully supported and full of adventure. All meals are included and participants can stay overnight in “Camp Calico” at the Valley of Fire Group Campsite. Those partaking in the three day festival have an opportunity to run a ½ marathon each of the three days, or if 13.1 miles on day three is too much, on Sunday they can run a shorter 8.25 mile or 5K distance. The reward for enduring all 3 days? Custom medallions after each day, a custom-made belt buckle after day three, eligibility to win Nature Made age group and overall awards, and of course the reward of lifelong memories of living the dream. After exploring the trails during the day, “Camp Calico” welcomes participants back to basecamp for hearty meals, entertainment, and loads of laughs and conversation with like-minded nature lovers. The evening bonfire sets the stage for swapping stories of the day’s voyage and preparations for the day to come. Fret not – the Rally in the Valley is not only for the hard core. The event is also open to participants who want to run just a single day, or two days. Friday and Saturday offer a ½ Marathon only. On Sunday, the event opens up to runners in an 8.25 mile or 5K distance. Each days' course is different, equally spectacular, and "all highlights" from start to finish. No matter which day you choose, you can’t go wrong. With a generous six hour time cutoff each day, runners, hikers, and walkers are all welcome to join. While participants are expected to come from across the country and overseas, it is a long term local outfit who is the creator of the event. I founded Calico Racing in 2007, out of Henderson, NV. Calico Racing has been directing 8-11 races each year for a decade in various places of nature in the surrounding Las Vegas Valley including Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, Lovell Canyon, the Extraterrestrial Highway, Bitter Springs Byway, and Logandale Trails to name a few. In 2016 we introduced a 150 mile six day stage footrace called Vegas Valley Voyage. While that event tends to attract an extreme end of the spectrum, Rally in the Valley offers an “appetizer portion” to those who prefer fewer miles and more comforts. V For more information visit: www.calicoracing.com

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Tennis TNT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tips N Tricks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by Donna Eads

he Mesquite Senior Games are starting March 6-9 with tennis and finishing in late April with softball. So it is time to put together your team/tournament survival kit. Many of the items are the same for all sports such as towels, extra socks or shirts, water, snacks, medical supplies, and sunscreen. Additionally for tennis be sure you have two racquets and a can of balls since you must provide your own racquet. Court etiquette in tournaments is different than social play. A 10 minute warm-up is required, scores must be called out before each game and point, and line calls should allow for the benefit of the doubt to your opponent. Fans and players should not be talking in the middle of a point and at the beginning and end of any match, shake hands with your opponents. As any trainer or coach would say you need to cross train for tennis. Rowing, rapid footwork drills, and light weight training are recommended for tennis. Many players forget to work on their second serve which is a mistake. It is your last chance to win the point so practice your second serve for both placement and depth in the service box. A useful shot in doubles is the angle volley. To make this shot easier be sure to use your footwork to turn your back to the target and move toward the net as you hit. Another tip in doubles is work the point as a team. For example, focus on one player at a time together so that your team can open up the court for the winner. See you on the courts! V

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Logandale Trails Breaks Ground on Upgrades

by Elise McAllister, PIC Administrator

he Nevada OHV Registration Program is set up so that at least 60% of the funds collected go directly into building new trails, trailheads, facilities, kiosks, etc., as well as enhancing existing facilities and maintaining existing trails. The very first on-the-grounds project was awarded to Partners In Conservation (PIC), a northeastern Clark County rural nonprofit which focuses on conservation, access, multiple-use, and recreation relating to public lands. As such, PIC worked to secure funding for three years to jump-start daily maintenance and management of Logandale Trails, a popular multiple-use trails system just west of Logandale, NV.

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photo by Bonnie Leavitt

Logandale Trails averages about 200,000 visitors per year and when considering visitor-to-acre usage, Logandale Trails has an 8/1 ratio of people to acre per year, with the next busiest public lands in southern Nevada being the Jean area south of Las Vegas which has a 1.7/1 ratio of people to acre. So, it is a no-brainer that the Best Little Trails System in the West is also quite busy. That is one of the attractions of Logandale Trailsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it is a social environment, a place to have fun, enjoy our wonderful public lands, and to do so with family and friends. The Moapa Valley Rotary Club members serve as ambassadors to the trails system and visit with folks regularly,

delivering maps, local information, great conversation, and surveys. Those surveys show that people flock to Logandale Trails because they feel comfortable here. Nestled amongst the red rock canyons are multiple camping sites and familyfriendly trails that wind through sand dunes, washes, canyons, and along ridges. Here, people relax with family and friends, sit around the campfires, visit, ride, hike, laugh, and soak in the glorious Nevada sun. The replacement of 25-year-old restroom facilities was desperately needed because of such visitation, so PIC wrote the above-mentioned grant to the NV OHV Commission as well as another grant to

the RecTrails program (funded through federal gas taxes) administered through NV State Parks to replace the second set of restrooms in the southwest corner of the trails. Ground-breaking for each grant was celebrated January 26, 2017 at an event that over 70 people attended to show support for these projects. Admittedly, many more exciting and glamorous ground-breaking ceremonies are held in Las Vegas each year, but few are so well attended. These projects require many partners and all were well represented; the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was there as were three Commissioners of the Nevada OHV Commission and staff, plus the NV State Park’s RecTrails program as well as the NV Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Also in attendance were Commissioner Kirkpatrick’s staff, Clark County Public Works personnel, Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce Board members and Moapa Valley Rotarians plus other representatives from government and civic offices. PIC’s administrator thought that having all the partners show up for the ground-breaking event was part of the reason for the successful turnout, but stated that the biggest reason was because of the general public. Well over half in attendance were members of the public who love the area and enjoy riding the trails that loop through red rock canyons and around silky sand dunes. Several organizations that always volunteer for cleanups also attended, specifically the Mesquite Kokopelli Club and the Vegas Valley Four Wheelers. “That so many people took the time to attend, to show their support for the projects and their love for the area—it is incredible, so incredible,” said Bonnie Leavitt, PIC Administrative Assistant, “and to have the Mesquite Kokopelli Club take a whole day to ride over here and support our efforts, that is extra special. Words can’t describe our thanks for their never-ending help and support.”

photo by Sue Baker

completed and final reports accepted, is added to future grant cycles, allowing more money to be available for future projects. Once the two new restrooms are installed and the two old restrooms removed, PIC will hold a huge grand-opening ceremony to highlight the completion of these successful projects and to announce to the public that the new restrooms are open for their use. As was the ground-breaking ceremony, the public and partners will be invited to share in this celebration, complete with food, photos, and fun. Follow Logandale Trails on Facebook so you will know when the grand opening celebration will be held or keep an eye on Mesquite Kokopelli members. If you see them en masse, headed west, follow them—they will be heading over the mesa to show their support for Logandale Trails, once again.V

The ceremonial shovels of dirt were thrown into the air, words of thanks and support were spoken, then everyone visited around a light lunch and delicious cupcakes. With the weather being practically perfect, folks lingered in the sun and gorgeous surroundings, visiting with friends and making new acquaintances, marking another way this ground-breaking ceremony was anything but ordinary. Over the next several months, equipment and supplies will arrive and work will begin. Although final plans are still being made, it appears that a truly unique approach will be applied— the new restrooms will be installed next to the old ones, so that folks can still use restrooms while in the area during the work. Once the new restrooms are completed, the old ones will be demolished and the dirt removed for the new tanks will be used to fill in the holes from removing the old tanks. Additionally, although each restroom facility is funded from a different grant, all the partners are working together so that both restrooms can be installed (and old ones removed) at the same time. This has the added benefit of saving money from both grant funding programs, so any money left over once the project is

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Making Memories at

Coyote Springs

by Karl Larcom, PGA

o you are looking for the next great golf destination you want to add to your list. Coyote Springs Golf Club is a MUST. Since opening in 2008, the Jack Nicklaus Signature course has blossomed into one of the finest courses in the southwest. What makes it so special? The design, the conditions, the practice facility, the staff, the free replay program, the Coyote Club, and much, much more. The Design Nicklaus carefully laid out a masterpiece that makes you feel like no one else is on the course. With waterfalls and lakes spread throughout the course on 11 different holes, you truly have arrived at a desert oasis. With over 100 sand bunkers, undulating fairways and greens that require your attention make the course worthy of every level of player. There are five sets of tees that range from 5250 yards to 7471. Beware of the tips! Coyote Springs Black Tees are rated one of the most difficult courses in Nevada with a 76.8 course rating and 149 slope. The Conditions Very few places in the Southwest have the same grass year round. Coyote Springs

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does not overseed. With Perennial Rye tees and fairways, A-4 Bentgrass greens year-round & USGA white bunker sand, the course remains in immaculate condition. There are never transition areas where the overseeded grass hasn’t grown in. You are on vacation (or an intrepid local). You deserve the very best.

you of your day. Stop in Mitch’s Bar & Grill for our signature breakfast burrito, chicken quesadilla, or a “Mitch,” a hot dog smothered in chili, onions, cheese, and mustard. And our beverage cart server is here to make sure you have a wide selection of refreshments, snacks, and alcoholic beverages.

The Practice Facility The Coyote Springs practice facility is a sight to behold. Over 100 people can be hitting golf balls at one time and because of its size, you are always hitting off of grass. Once you are loosened up, mosey over to the chipping green that has sand bunkers to practice out of or hit some putts on the large undulating practice green. Arrive early and make a day of it. Practice balls are included in your green fee.

Free Replays When we say make a day of it, we mean it. If your morning tee time is before 10 am, all regularly priced green fee rounds include a complimentary replay on the same day. Did you wish you had another chance at a hole? Grab a bite to eat in Mitch’s Bar between rounds and then head back out for an extra 9 or 18 and master it the second time around.

The Staff The staff at Coyote Springs is here to ensure you have a relaxing day on a beautiful golf course. From the moment you arrive and are greeted by our bag attendants, the staff is here to make your day memorable. The Golf Shop staff is here to assist you in checking in and help you find the perfect memento to remind

Coyote Club Are you a Nevada or St. George resident? Join our Coyote Club for an annual cost of $119. This will entitle you to a free round of golf on the day you sign-up, a GHIN handicap and the guaranteed lowest rates year-round on the course. Call the golf shop at (877) 742-8455, or stop in to purchase the card or to have us answer any questions.

Coyote Springs is located at 3100 NV-168, Coyote Springs, NV. We’re 34 miles from Moapa Valley, 55 miles from Mesquite and Las Vegas, and 93 miles from St. George, Utah. *Editor’s note: This incredible course is well worth the trip - I’d go a couple times a week if I could.* If you have interest in scheduling a tee time, a stay and play package, or have some general questions, please feel free to contact our professional staff from 7 am - 6 pm seven days a week or visit www.coyotesprings.com. We look forward to having you out for a memorable golf experience. V

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Gold Butte Nevadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newest National Monument

by Terri Rylander/photo by David Bly

old Butte is an area that encompasses just about every era of history in Nevada, all in one location. In Gold Butte, you will find the twisted layers of rock exposing geologic history spanning millions of years, Native American artifacts from our human ancestors that inhabited the lands for 12,000 years, and mining relics from the once-booming early 20th century townsite of Gold Butte flanked by remnants from pioneer rancherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corrals. The Gold Butte National Monument is located to the south and west of Mesquite. Its northern-most border is just a few miles south of Bunkerville. Situated in between the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the new monument

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comprises about 300,000 acres of land with over 350 miles of roads. Visitors have enjoyed Gold Butte for a variety of recreational uses, and with the national monument status, they will continue to enjoy it in the future. Exploring, by motorized vehicle or by foot, is the most popular activity, though others enjoy camping, stargazing, hunting, and picnicking. Favorite places include: Falling Man Petroglyph Located just two miles off Gold Butte Road is a cluster of petroglyphs, including the famous Falling Man. The two mile road is quite rugged, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Finding Falling Man requires some rock scrambling, but there are several other petroglyphs at eye level that can be

found just by walking around. Don't touch the petroglyphs, as the oil on your hands can damage them. Whitney Pocket Popular for camping and picnicking, Whitney Pocket is easy to reach in a regular car. Drive Gold Butte Road to the end of the pavement, park, and start exploring. There are large, red rock formations that kids love to climb. To the west is Amber Cat Canyon, a narrow canyon of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white sandstone. To the east are remnants of Civil Conservation Corps work from the mid 1930s that includes a masonry dam that collects and sends water to a trough and a walled-off cave where they stored equipment.

Little Finland This is perhaps the most surprising and beautiful find in Gold Butte. Swirling fins of red sandstone take the shape of gargoyles, dinosaurs, and eagles. These shapes have been formed through erosion by wind and rain into delicate objects that make the mind wander and bring you back to the days when you found shapes in clouds. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a two hour drive from Mesquite and a high clearance vehicle is needed. The experience is amazing. A national monument designation for Gold Butte does bring changes, but they are actually good changes that almost everyone can get behind. Gold Butte is now elevated into the National Conservation Lands, a unit of the BLM that manages these special landscapes for their outstanding historical, ecological, and scientific values. That means Gold Butte National Monument will have greater access to additional resources like money and people. The public, through input during BLMled community meetings, will help the BLM decide what needs to be done.

Improvements could include road signs, bathrooms, and campsites. Every year, visitation to Gold Butte continues to increase without the necessary resources to support that use. That has meant an increase in garbage, human waste, vandalism, and scars in the desert from those who chose to shortcut the roads. These community meetings will help the BLM prioritize areas that need resources the most. The development of the monument management plan will be a multi-year process that incorporates the needs and interests of our community. Contrary to what you may hear, the national monument designation does not mean closing roads or fencing off recreational sites. Gold Butte has hundreds of designated roads open to two and four wheeled vehicles of all sorts. The purpose for a national monument designation for Gold Butte is to support recreation while preserving its natural beauty, and historical and cultural artifacts. Find a day and take a drive out to the end of the pavement. Enjoy the view of Lake

Mead as you round the corner past Little Virgin mountain. Get out and walk around the desert and see the diverse flora and maybe even fauna. Wonder about the geology that caused the mountains to turn on end. Picnic at Whitney Pockets at the end of the road. If you want to venture further, be prepared. The road past Whitney Pockets is unpaved and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Have a full tank of gas and bring water and food. Tread lightly when you are there and take all your trash with you when you leave. V If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Friends of Gold Butte at: info@friendsofgoldbutte.org or visit the website at www.friendsofgoldbutte.org. Terri Rylander lives in Mesquite Nevada. She spends a lot of time exploring the outdoors but also giving back to the community. She has served as a volunteer board member for the Friends of Gold Butte and is President of Mesquite Senior Games.

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Golf in Liverpool England by Rob Krieger, PGA

ast July, I had a chance to visit Ireland, Scotland, and England, primarily to attend The Open Championship. When it came time to visit Liverpool, England, the first thing that came to my mind was the Beatles. But I also knew that I wanted to play golf there because of the historic golf courses. One of the courses I was fortunate to play was the Formby Golf Club. It is a lesser known course than Liverpool’s Royal Birkdale, which will host this year’s Open Championship, but Formby is steeped in its own championship golf history beginning in 1884. Formby has been the host of the Palmer Cup, the Curtis Cup, and the British Amateur six times. It is a championship links golf course design by renowned architect Willie Park, with grass covered sand dunes and mature pinewoods, and is challenging for all skill levels up to players at the top of their games. Nasty pot bunkers to swallow up balls, undulating fairways, rolling greens that test even the best of putters, and a setting that allows the wind to blow as if the golf gods are constantly laughing as it puts the ball in challenging and unexpected locations, all showcase golf’s earliest roots. Playing Formby brought me back to my own roots when I would carry my bag and walk a course with Dad and his retired playing partners. I had the chance to pair up with a seasoned member of the club and his guest Ed, who was age 76,

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and Mike, 73. Ed throws his bag on his shoulder and walks 18 holes at least three to four times per week. Mike has his “trolley,” a pull cart, playing just as much and doing it year-round regardless of the weather. They were so proud to tell me about the golf history in the area, the history of Liverpool, and share their local knowledge of the course. It was like playing with personal golf historians and tour guides while we swapped golf stories about Europe and the United States. As we walked down the fairways together we had great conversations much like the early wisdom that was shared with me as a junior player. I found myself absorbing their knowledge and stories just like I remember doing while growing up. I realized that with today’s use of golf carts and the lack of walking, I missed that time in between shots getting to know the people I was playing with and why I enjoyed the game so much in my youth. Also, playing a course not based off of length, all skill levels can compete against one another much easier. It reinforced my belief that a player’s proficiency and cleverness from 100 yards and in is a better indication of ability than how far someone can hit the ball. An interesting note at Formby, there were only 2 "buggies," or golf carts, used. Most players will either carry, hire a caddie, or walk with a

"trolley." Also, because the holes were not extremely long, you had to hit shots to maneuver around the course and use more shot making skills, which makes you play more strategically. I could see why Formby hosts the British Amateur and championship golf; it was a great test of my ability. Both Mike and Ed were gracious enough after our round to invite me to join them in their member clubhouse to watch an early round of The Open and share a pint of Guinness. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dare cheer for Phil Mickelson, the American, against his playing competitor Henrik Stenson, the European. It was clear I was on biased turf. I enjoyed my time at Formby and with Mike and Ed. It reinforced why golf hooked me at such an early age and why I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to go back this summer, to take others with me, and get back to walking more on the course. Fairways & Greens!V

Ed and Mike at Formby

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Mesquite Senior Center Happenings

102 W Old Mill Rd • (702) 346-5290 • Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Senior Fitness (Chair)

Mon - Fri, 10:30 -11:15 AM Fee: $20 (13 Weeks/Jan-Mar) This class is free to Recreation Center Pass Holders. Fitness level: Moderate/Beginning Get fit while you sit in this chair exercise class that involves a combination of aerobic activity, strength building, balance, Qigong, and stretching. This class is a low-intensity workout designed for older adults with joint challenges, utilizing light weights, mini-flex ball, and dyna-bands. Don't forget to bring your water bottle. Monday- Strength training Tuesday- Balance, breathing exercises and more Wednesday- Qigong-Jo Thursday- Balance, breathing & flexibility exercises Friday- Cardio, stretch and more

Know Your Legal Rights

Nevada Legal Services provides FREE community education on legal topics. Second Thursday of the month at 11:30 AM at the Mesquite Senior Center. For more information, please call (702) 386-0404, or visit www. nlslaw.net.

AARP Driver’s Safety Course

Second Wednesday of the month at the Mesquite Senior Center from 10 AM – 2 PM. Contact: (702) 346-8732.

Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting

Second Tuesday of the month at the Mesquite Senior Center from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Contact (702) 346-7666.

Beginning Line Dance Fridays at 9 AM This class is perfect for beginners. Dancers will learn basic line dance steps. As the class progresses, week to week, more advanced dances will be incorporated into the mix. The EMPHASIS will be on learning while dancing and having fun. Come join the fun and meet new friends.

Nutrition Program

Lunch is served from 11 AM-12:30 PM Monday through Friday (except holidays) A $3.50 donation is suggested for 60 years and older. $5.00 fee for 59 and under. To inquire about Homebound delivery call 346-5290.

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AREA GOLF GUIDE

Bloomington - St. George bloomingtoncountryclub.com (435) 673-4687

Dixie Red Hills - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/dixieredhills (435) 627-4444

Southgate - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/southgate (435) 627-4440

Canyons (Oasis GC) - Mesquite theoasisgolfclub.com (702) 346-7820

Entrada - St. George golfentrada.com (435) 986-2200

St. George - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/stgeorge (435) 627-4404

CasaBlanca - Mesquite casablancaresort.com/golf-home (702) 346-6764

Falcon Ridge - Mesquite golffalcon.com (702) 346-6363

Sun River - St. George sunrivergolf.com (435) 986-0001

Cedar Ridge - Cedar City cedarcity.org/65/Cedar-Ridge-Golf-Course (435) 586-2970

Green Spring - Washington new.washingtoncity.org/golf (435) 673-7888

Sunbrook - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/sunbrook (435) 627-4400

Conestoga - Mesquite conestogagolf.com/ (702) 346-4292

Historic Beaver Dam - Beaver Dam historicbeaverdamlodge.com (928) 347-2222

The Ledges - St. George ledges.com (435) 634-4640

Coral Canyon - Washington coralcanyongolf.com (435) 688-1700

Palmer (Oasis GC) - Mesquite theoasisgolfclub.com (702) 346-7820

Thunderbird - Mt. Carmel zionnational-park.com/golf (435) 648-2188

Coyote Springs - Coyote Springs (Moapa) coyotesprings.com (702) 422-1400

Palms - Mesquite casablancaresort.com/golf-home (702) 346-4067

Wolf Creek - Mesquite golfwolfcreek.com (702) 346-1670

Coyote Willows - Mesquite coyotewillowsgolf.com (702) 345-3222

Sky Mountain - Hurricane skymountaingolf.com (435) 635-7888

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BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

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BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

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CALENDAR of Event s MARCH

UYSA Utah Coyote Cup Mar 2 - 4 Youth soccer event at the Mesquite Sports Complex. www.utahyouthsoccer.net/programs/coyote_cup/ Spring Festival Of Literary Arts Mar 2 - 4 Three days of poetry-writing activities. 127 Lion Blvd., Springdale, UT. lin@sunrivertoday.com | (801) 787-0724

4th Annual Donkey Jamboree Mar 4 11 AM - 3 PM Golden West Restaurant & Casino 91 E. Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, NV. (702) 346-7500 Mesquite Senior Games Mar 4 - Apr 22 The 16th Annual Mesquite Senior Games invites men and women, age 50 and better, to compete in a variety of events against age-group peers. Visit www.mesquiteseniorgames.org for details.

See article on page 58 | (702) 345-3347 Moapa Valley Days Mar 10-11 Annual celebration with two days of family fun. Festivities will include rodeo, live musical performances, vendors, and a carnival for children and adults. See page 62 | www.moapavalleychamber.com Mesquite-Toes Annual Garage Sale Mar 11 8 AM - 2 PM The Mesquite Toes Annual Garage Sale will be held in the old boxing gym on East 1st North St., Mesquite, NV. See article on page 89 First Annual Desert Color Dash Mar 11 7 - 11 AM A family-friendly event open to the public. There will be a 5K run/walk and a 1 Mile Fun Run. Please visit the city website for information on fees. 450 W. Hafen Ln., Mesquite, NV. www.mesquitenv.gov | (702) 346-8732 Sand Hollow Marathon Mar 11 Sixth Annual Sand Hollow Marathon on an amazingly scenic course. Great race with a small town atmosphere. Community Center at 100 West and State St., Hurricane, UT. chrismathisensr@gmail.com | (435) 680-0705

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Red Rock Fun Run, Walk & Roll: 5K Mar 11 8 AM Community fundraising event to support the mission, goals, and services that Red Rock Center for Independence (RRCI) provides for people with disabilities in southwestern Utah. Crosby Confluence Park 2099 S. Convention Center Dr., St. George, UT. rrci@rrci.org | (435) 673-7501 Mesquite-Toes Saint Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Show Mar 16 Saint Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Show and luncheon will be held at the Mesquite Lutheran Church, 450 Turtleback Rd., Mesquite, NV. Tickets are $20. See article on page 89 Community Blood Drive Mar 17 9 AM - 1 PM American Red Cross with City of Mesquite blood drive. 100 West Old Mill Rd., Mesquite, NV. (702) 346-8732 Mesquite Madness Mar 18 8 AM - 5 PM Cycling event season opener with prizes at every rest stop. Online registration for this event ends Mar 14. See article on page 44 | Ridesouthernutah.com Zephyr Singers Spring concert Mar 18 7 - 9 PM Zephyr Singers and Strings will come together for their Spring Concert at the Old Logandale School (OLSHACS). 3011 N. Moapa Valley Blvd., Logandale, NV. www.moapavalleyarts.org | (702) 398-7160 Reebok Spartan Super Race Mar 18 The Reebok Spartan Super Race welcomes adults and children ages 4 and up. At Mesquite MX / Hafen Ranch, Littlefield, AZ. www.spartan.com MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Mar 23 6:30 PM The official skill competition of Major League Baseball for youth. Free. Hosted at the Pioneer Park Complex. Call or email Zach Robinson for details. zrobison@mesquitenv.gov www.pitchhitrun.com | (702) 346-8732

Odan Celtic Band And Nickel Peak Bluegrass Band Concert Mar 25 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Presenting an evening of music from Ireland and bluegrass favorites at the Electric Theatre, 68 E. Tabernacle St., St. George, UT. Admission is free. (702) 346-5290 3rd Annual Dancing with Your Community Stars Mar 25 7 PM Help your local stars raise money for the Washington County Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Justice Center. The event will be held in the Snow Canyon High School Auditorium, 1385 Lava Flow Dr., St. George, UT. Tickets are $15. (435) 634-1134 See article on page 43 | www.cjcwc.com Mesquite Chamber and Holiday Inn Express "Customer Service Seminar" by Judi Moreo Mar 29 5:30 PM - 9 PM A great opportunity for business owners or employees to hone their customer service skills. 1030 W. Pioneer Blvd., Mesquite, NV. Cost $35 per person. RSVP to the Mesquite Chamber office. (702) 346-2902 See article on page 39 9th Annual Sun City Mesquite Business Expo Mar 30 10 AM - 2 PM Come check out vendors from Mesquite and surrounding areas. 1350 Flat Top Mesa Dr., Mesquite, NV. Contact Lorraine Deshayes if you wish to be a vendor. (702) 346-6095

Mesquite-Toes Annual Dance Spectacular Apr 6 - 8 The annual Dance Spectacular will feature songs and dances from Disney Musicals. Contact Judy Edgington for more information. See article on page 89 | mesquitenvtoes@gmail.com La Dolce Vita April 15 6 PM - 9 PM Mesquite Cancer Society fundraiser in the Grand Canyon Room at the Eureka Casino Resort. Cost is $35 per person. See article on page 95 | (702) 346-1137 Cottontail Classic Apr 16 7:30 AM Shotgun Golf tournament at The Palms Golf Club. (702) 346-4067 Archaeological Field Day Apr 20 9 AM - 4 PM Spend a day in the field with a Zion archaeologist and get a feel for the daily comings and goings of this fascinating profession. Zion Human History Museum in Springdale, UT. zionpark.org Zion Geology Apr 22 9 AM Short hikes, an indoor visual presentation, and trailside lectures will highlight important geological concepts of Zion National Park. Zion Human History Museum. zionpark.org Clint Black is Back Apr 27 8 PM Country mega-star is releasing his new album On Purpose. Concert at Tuacahn Amphitheatre, 1100 Tuacahn Dr., Ivins, UT. tuacahn.com

Rally in the Valley of Fire Mar 31 - Apr 2 The Valley of Fire welcomes runners, hikers, and adventures for this three day running festival. Course information and registration is available online. See article on page 101 | www.calicoracing.com

Kayenta Street Painting Festival Apr 29 - 30 Bringing artists together to create street art. Free admission. Kayenta Art Village, 800 Kayenta Parkway, Ivins, UT. kayentaartsfoundation.org

APRIL

SAVE THE DATE

FC Kicks Recreational Soccer Season Apr 1 - May 6 Five Saturday Games in April and an all-day tournament. Register and find additional information online. www.fcmesquite.com UNA Community Impact Summit Apr 4 Opportunity for nonprofits to collaborate. Dixie Elks Lodge, 630 W. 1250 N., St. George, UT. Contact Carol Golichnik for information. See article on page 48 | carol@cgnpsolutions.com

May 3- 6 10th Annual Beaver Dam Jam Linda (702) 283-0148 May 14 - 20 Amazing Earthfest See article on page 94

If you would like to be included in our calendar, please email your event information to

articles@viewonmagazine.com

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ADVERTISING DIRECTORY Ace Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 All Secure Storage LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Amazing Earthfest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Anytime Fitness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Baird Painting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Bank of Nevada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bella Horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 C & K Shutters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Checks-N-Mail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Clark County Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Conestoga Golf Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Coyote Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover Cucina Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Dancing With Your Local Stars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Dave Amodt Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Defense Preparedness Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Del Webb – SunCity Mesquite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Desert Oasis Spa & Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Desert Pain Specialists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Eagles Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 ERA – Sharon Szarzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Enterprise Carpet Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Eureka Casino Resort – Fairways . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Eureka Casino – Getaway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Farmers Insurance – Bill Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Friends of Gold Butte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Golden West Restaurant & Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Great Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Grille Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Guillen – Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Guns & Guitars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Hangey's Custom Upholstering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Helping Hands Caregivers, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Heritage Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Iceberg Air Conditioning & Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Jennifer Hammond-Moore – Health Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . 116 JL Kendrick Company Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Keller Williams – Beverly Powers Uhlir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Keller Williams – Deb Parsley, Beverly Rineck, Linda Jones . 111 Keller Williams – Michelle Hampsten. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Ken Garff Mesquite Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Ken Garff Mesquite Ford – Scott Damron . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Kitchen Encounters/Classy Closets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Kokopelli Landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 La de’ Paws Grooming Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Mesa View Regional Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mesquite Fine Arts Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Mesquite Home Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Mesquite Regional Business, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

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Mesquite Tile & Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Mesquite Veterinary Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Moapa Valley Sculpture Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Mohave Dermatology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Mortgage Mate LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 MVP Productions - Kris Zurbas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 NRC – The Reserve – Shawn Glieden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Napa Auto & Truck Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Oasis Golf Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Odyssey Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Peggy Sue's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Pioneer Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Premier Properties – Maggie Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Pressing Ideas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Preston’s Shredding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Quality 1 Realty Angela Brooks-Reese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Quality 1 Realty Bret Lower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Quality 1 Realty Gerry Gentile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Quality 1 Realty Patty Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Quality 1 Realty Terree Knutson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Rager & Sons Refrigeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Ready Golf & Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Red Rock Golf Center - Rob Krieger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Reliance Connects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Remax - Cindy Risinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78-79 Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Rooster Cottage Consignment Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Sears Hometown Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Silver Rider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Skinsational. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 St. George Shuttle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Star Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 State Farm – LaDonna Koeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 State Farm – Lisa Wilde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Sugar's Home Plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 SunRiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Inside Scoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 The Lindi Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Travel Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Transparent Solutions Window Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Tuacahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Valley Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Warmington Residential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Washington Federal Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Wedgies Sports Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Wolf Creek Terrace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Write it Up! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 X-treme Stitch.Vegas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

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