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mesquite | moapa valley | arizona strip | southern utah complimentary issue

magazine May 1 – June 30, 2017 Volume 10 – Issue 3 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Kathy Lee MANAGING EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Aloree Smith COPY EDITOR Charlene Paul WRITERS Katherine Bailey Kenzie Lundberg Laurel Beesley Karen L. Monsen Keith Buchhalter Judi Moreo Dr. Brian J. Carr Alexa Morgan Susan Cramblitt Laurie Nelson-Barker Randy Dodson Austin Osborne Laura Draskovich Adele Park Donna Eads Charlene Paul Jennifer Hammond-Moore Dr. Q, Star Nursery Nancy Hewett Celece Seegmiller Dena Hoff Mayor Stan Smith Helen Houston A. Kathleen Snow Rob Kreiger Debbi Swanson Patrick Elspeth Kuta Christine Ward Larry LeMieux We Care for Animals Tiara Lisk Burton Weast 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 Twitter

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.

Editor

Letter from the Dear Readers,

The View outside the window is stunning. Red rocks and climbing trails just waiting for climbers to lace up their hiking shoes and head out to explore. Blue skies with wisps of white clouds as far as the eye can see. Beautiful sunrises that usher in sunshiny days, and breathtaking sunsets that greet warm, balmy evenings.

Summer is on its way, and communities from Moapa Valley and Mesquite in southern Nevada to St. George and Kanab in southern Utah are gearing up with activities, events, and adventures that will satisfy a wide variety of interests. Check out our calendar so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a thing. May is a special month for the residents of Mesquite. Come and join in the fun as we celebrate our heritage with Mesquite Days. We have included a full overview of the celebration so you can make plans with your family and friends. Your children and grandchildren will delight in the endless number of activities that round out the celebration. We have received a lot of positive feedback on the new format of View On Magazine, and hope you will continue to make us aware of events and stories you would like to see covered in future issues. As you travel these magnificent roadways, paths, and byways, take time to visit our wonderful advertisers and thank them for making this publication possible. Come and visit our website at www.ViewOnMagazine.com, and join us on social media. Yes, the View outside the window is stunning. The outdoors await. See you there! Sincerely,

Kathy Lee Editor-in-Chief

frequent CONTRIBUTORS 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 outdoor 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.

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Dawn McLain is the Owner and President of Write It Up!, a small, fullservice 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.

Dianne Reid has been in the pet industry for 12 years, and owned two import companies, where she sought out cuttingedge 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, (435) 862-8116, or www.facebook.com/foodies4fitness.

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. Email Laura at lauradraskovich@yahoo.com or call (702) 600-8953.

frequent CONTRIBUTORS 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.

V 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.

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.

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. We’re pleased to have her as a regular contributor.

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!

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

Springdale There are a variety of businesses in Springville to meet the needs of almost anyone. Looking for something to eat? There are plenty of eateries to choose from. If you want a quick homemade sandwich or a fine dining steak you will find it here. Most of the businesses are mom and pop shops where the owners can be found working somewhere in the business. Art galleries feature works from some of the finest artists, and the majority of them are locals.

Springdale is not your typical tourist town, it is a special place. Not only is it surrounded by the beauty of Zion National Park, but it provides a variety of experiences to those who come to visit the park. Although the population is only approximately five hundred and fifty residents, it serves millions of visitors a year.

With the increase of visitors to Zion National Park, there have been growing pains. In the last two years, the number of visitors has soared from 3 million two years ago, to 4.3 million last year. Holidays are especially busy, so the people of Zion and Springdale are looking for solutions to handle the increase. The free shuttle busses that operate both in Springdale and Zion started early this year, and will operate for a longer time.

Zion is in the process of replacing or refurbishing the shuttle busses. Springdale is working with other communities in Washington County to include a transit system that would provide daily busses from St. George to Zion National Park. A lot has changed over the years, but a leisurely stroll through town will show that there is a lot going on in Springdale. However, one thing that has not changed is the hospitality that welcomes you. We invite you to come and see what Springdale has to offer, and await the opportunity to share with you the beauty that is Springdale. Sincerely, Mayor Stan Smith

Contents

FEATURES

Cover photo by Skydive Fyrosity, Josh Pitts

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26 view on FITNESS 48 Niko 56 71 David Swindler

Logandale Trails

Emotional Fitness The Mind-Body Connection

Reaching for the Top

Action Photo Tours Camera Adventures For a Lifetime

The History

Contents

12 STRONG WOMEN 14 TRAVEL 22 DIY 30 OUTDOORS 36 EDUCATION 42 PETS 52 GOLF 64 THE ARTS 74 BUSINESS 76 DESIGN 84 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 86 DEFENSE 92 GARDENING 94 ENERGY 98 INSPIRATION Candlelight and Soft Music

Strong Women of Moapa Valley Mary Kaye Washburn

Packing 101: Be Prepared!

VIEW ON

Creating a Memory

Land Caretakers and Untrammeled Places

An Individualized Approach to Education

We Care for Animals is Looking for Foster Homes

Growing the Game – Junior Golf

Local Students Take Over Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery

Golden West Restaurant and Casino

How to Mix Historical Features with Modern Design

Find Time for “Doga” and Outdoor Exercise!

"STAY BACK, YOU'RE NOT MY DAD!" "STAY BACK, YOU'RE NOT MY MOM!"

Color Your Desert Landscape

94 36

Turn the lights off!

Kanab

Why I Love I

was born and raised in Washington state. But as our young family grew, my husband and I began thinking about finding a more affordable place to raise our two active sons where we could own our home and have animals. My husband had good memories of the time he spent as a kid in southern Utah, so we all came to visit here and really liked it. I loved Washington and the ocean, so southern Utah had to be something very special or I just couldn't have moved. It was!

Now, we are here and we love everything about it. Kanab has just enough of everything we want and need. The schools, the library, great local hikes just outside the door, and remarkable, helpful, and generous people make it almost perfect. And we can have animals! So far, we have a few cats, a dog, and chickens. We just planted fruit trees in front of the house. I sell eggs to neighbors and local restaurants, and hopefully, we will be doing solar soon so this will be a postage stamp sustainable property. Every morning, when I send the boys off bicycling to school, I know they are safe and I am glad to be here.

Mesquite

~ Lara Terry

Why I Love H

ello! I'm Lindsey and I relocated to Mesquite, Nevada from Utah in 2015 because of a job offer. I'm a professional dog groomer, and manage La de' Paws Salon. I very quickly fell in love with Mesquite. It's a dog friendly town, and I love the weather, the palm trees, and all the many species of birds! I adore my clients and their owners. It's refreshing to live in a mature community where people are respectful, grateful, and peaceful. From the great places to walk my dogs, to poolside concerts and shows, our little town never disappoints. I look forward to many more years here in Mesquite! NamastĂŠ ~ Lindsey Stewart

Why I Love Ivans

ach morning as I drive to work at the Red Mountain Resort in Ivins, Utah, I still can’t believe I am lucky enough to enjoy the view of Snow Canyon each day. The light bouncing across the towering red cliffs is magical, and I am constantly amazed at how blue the sky can be. More than the beauty however, are the components of conscious healthy living, that you find in this small city. The combination of performing and visual arts, heart-pumping hiking and biking, and easy access to nature in the wide open spaces of Snow Canyon State Park, fosters inspiring community spirit. I do love this community that protects its night skies, is home to a no-kill animal shelter, cares for our veterans, and considers growth thoughtfully. ~ Tracey Welsh

Why I Love Moapa Valley “W

hat has kept your family in Moapa Valley for so many years?” As a fourth-generation Moapa Valley resident, the answer is easy. It’s the lifestyle. There is so much to discover and enjoy, on a budget anyone can afford. Of course, there is Valley of Fire State Park, or water sports on Lake Mead, but there is so much more. The Rez, where we love to kayak, swim, and cliff jump is a local favorite. Red Rock, with its sandstone cliffs and orange sand dunes is perfect for four-wheeling, hiking, camping, rappelling, and rock climbing. Our family favorite is running down the steep, 150-foot sand dune known as Easter Egg. Jump Back is one of the many mesas surrounding our valley. What makes this mesa so unique is the soft blanket of sand surrounding the ledge. Take an exhilarating leap off the edge, and you can fly for just a moment. The River, located on the back side of the mesa is the latest addition to our list of favorites. So, the next time you pass through, stay a while, venture off the beaten path, and fall in love with Moapa Valley! ~ Brooklyn Pulsipher Redd

Candlelight and Soft Music

view on INSPIRATION

by Charlene Paul

pring is not my favorite season of the year. Oh, I enjoy the warmer days, the flowers in bloom, the cool mornings, and the warm afternoons. It’s just that when you live in southern Nevada or southern Utah, spring is only about forty-five minutes long, and then it’s triple digit days and ninety degree nights.

contemplate checking off one task after another is indescribable. Knowing my home will look Better Homes and Garden-ready once the checks have all been made, fills me with gladness. Once finished, I will sink into a tub full of fragrant bubbles, surrounded by warm candlelight and soft music.

But I digress. Spring is in the air and with it comes the desire to clean out closets, touch up paint, deep clean the garage, plant a garden, wax the car, seal the grout, Swiffer the cobwebs, aerate and fertilize the lawn, service the garden machinery, defrost the freezer, wipe down the baseboards, and shampoo the carpets. And the list goes on. I am a list maker. There is the grocery list and the list of books I want to read, movies I want to see, and television series I intend to binge-watch. I also have a list, a long list, for my husband. And I will shortly compose my spring projects list. The reason for these lists is to stay organized and on task.

Hold on . . . Reality check.

As I create my spring project list, I am careful to include every single chore that must be completed to make my spring cleaning a success. The finished list is lengthy, but the exhilaration I feel as I

The alarm rings and wakes me from the dreams of checking off one item after another. I hop out of bed wearing my exercise clothes. Brush my teeth. Splash cold water on my face. Wipe the mascara from under my eyes. Gulp down my protein shake and pick up my list. Since I’m already in the kitchen, I go to that section of my list and start by wiping down all the counters. I put away the toaster and notice that the cupboard where it goes could use a little straightening. That is not on my list. I add it to the bottom so I can check it off, and then re-stack the pots and pans, and find a new configuration for the lids. Check. Focus.

I open the fridge to get the grape juice. It’s a disorganized mess of out-ofdate condiments, potatoes with Bette Davis eyes, and containers of what appear to be science projects. Although it’s not on my list, I add that to the bottom and clean out the fridge. Check. Focus. I clean out the dishwasher and put the pitcher in the pantry. . . . Look away; don’t stare. Focus. But the pantry is in shambles. Clean out the pantry goes on the bottom of the list. After an hour of sorting through cans and boxes, wiping syrup drippings, putting the baking items on a more accessible shelf, only to realize not everything will fit and putting them back where they were, I finish. Check. With the kitchen looking good and the pantry organized, I review my list. Only one original item is checked, although there are lots of checks. Focus. Next, it’s off to the garage for a deep clean. I see Totes filled with miscellaneous holiday decorations. They need to be organized and labeled, so I add Organize holiday decorations to the bottom of my list. After three and a half hours, the last container is labeled and neatly stacked on the shelves. Check. I look at my watch and realize it’s time for lunch. How can that be? I haven’t made a dent in my original list. Focus. Next on the list is the laundry room. I toss worn out sheets and towels, unmated socks, and assorted cleaning paraphernalia. I throw in a load of laundry and check my room for dirty clothes. I strip the bed so I can launder the sheets. I check under the bed and see dishes, spoons, wrappers, a couple of glasses, and mates for a few of the socks I just got rid of. I throw the wet clothes into the dryer and deposit the sheets into the washer. Washing the sheets and cleaning under the bed are not on the list, so I add them to the bottom. Check and check. I’ll finish the laundry room later. Focus.

The master bathroom and closet are next. Not much more than a quick wipe down and a swish of the toilet bowl is needed in the bathroom. But when I open the cabinets under the sink to put away a can of deodorant, I see everything in disarray. Add that to the list. Two hours later, the trash can is filled with depleted lotion and shampoo bottles, empty hairspray cans, smashed toothpaste tubes, dull razors, and a moldy orange. Check, check, check, and check. Focus. The closet just needs to be vacuumed. But I get sidetracked at how untidy the hanging clothes appear. It would look so much nicer if my clothes were on white hangers and my husband’s clothes were on blue ones. And hanging them by color and sleeve-length adds a nice finishing touch. Add those items to the bottom of the list. Another two hours gone, but my closet is picture perfect. . . . except for the top shelf. Add that to the list. Half an hour later, and the shelf looks professionally organized. Check and check. Focus. Time for an exhaustion break. It’s past dinnertime and my husband is on his way home. I look at my list. Still only one original item checked. So, it’s cold cereal and toast for dinner and then off to bed. Shoot! I forgot to put the sheets in the dryer. I don’t care. I plop down on the bed, too tired for the bubble bath, and definitely not in the mood for candles and soft music. I hate spring. V

view on STRONG WOMEN

Strong Women Moapa Valley

he measure of strength is in the eyes of the beholder. Growing up, Mary Kaye Washburn was shy and reserved. As an adult, she navigated through the balancing act of working and raising a family. Mary Kaye worked for a large Southern California utility, where she quickly advanced from a clerical position into the Information Technology field, learning programming, networking, troubleshooting, systems analysis, and project management. She retired from her position as Senior Systems Analyst after a twenty-five year career. She believes the confidence and skills she gained as a result of her career have served her well in retirement.

providing assistance and information to boaters, and they participate in search and rescue operations. After a few years as a deckhand, Mary Kaye became a Certified Boat Operator and continues to be active in the program.

After moving to Moapa Valley in 2004, Mary Kaye became a docent at the Lost City Museum in Overton, Nevada. Not only did she make lasting friendships, it also sparked a desire to give back in other areas. She soon found herself volunteering in the Nevada Site Steward program, monitoring archaeological sites and reporting observations to responsible agencies, such as the Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management. She joined the Nevada Rock Art Foundation and participated in rock art recording projects. About eight years ago, a friend invited her, along with several others, to volunteer as a deckhand in the Lake Mead Water Safety Program. Volunteers patrol the lake by boat,

Many people talk about wanting change in the communities in which they live, but few seek out a journey to exact that change. Mary Kaye drafted a heartfelt letter which was published in the Letters to the Editor section of the Moapa Valley Progress in January, 2013. She issued a call to action to join together and make a difference in the valley through community revitalization projects, pointing out the potential to make Moapa Valley a tourist destination. She challenged readers to support local businesses, and asked those interested in forming a committee to explore and execute steps to revitalize the community to email or call her, hoping like-minded people would respond. Her call was answered! The core group of what would become The Moapa Valley Revitalization Project (MVRP) was created. Within a few months, The MVRP, with Mary Kaye as the founding member and President, became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and began developing projects that would bring about revitalization to the community.

Mary Kaye Washburn, center, in front of the Wild Horse Gallery.

In a desire to lead by example, Mary Kaye, along with her daughter and a friend, local artist Joan Day, opened the Wild Horse Gallery in downtown Overton. There were many vacant buildings and she wanted to show the community their potential when few were ready to take a risk on the heels of a recession. Initially, the trio set out to run the business for a year. However, Mary Kaye continued into a second and a third year, until it became clear that what she had set out to do had worked. At least nine new businesses opened in those three years, leaving far fewer vacant storefronts in town. More demands on her time, writing, planning, and directing implementation of grants and projects, not only for MVRP, but as a board member of the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce, helped her to decide it was time

Mary Kaye Washburn close the brick and mortar store and pass the torch to a new business to occupy the space. Making a name change to Fire Canyon Gifts, Mary Kaye has taken her business online, referring to it as the local online gift store. You can find it at www.firecanyongifts.com. The MVRP has developed many projects. A few years ago, on Make a Difference Day, MVRP spotlighted a local business, and volunteers donated time and supplies to spruce up its curb appeal.

MVRP was instrumental in getting the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to update freeway and highway signage, directing traffic from Interstate 15 to use exit 93 to reach the Valley of Fire, and signage from the east side of the valley, routing exiting Valley of Fire visitors through Overton and Logandale to Interstate 15. NDOT also installed signs along Moapa Valley Boulevard to direct visitors to the Logandale Trails. MVRP placed a map and business and

services signage at Valley of Fire Visitors Center two years ago to direct tourists to exit the eastern end of the park and continue on to visit Moapa Valley attractions and businesses. The Lost City Museum, Inside Scoop, and Sugarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Plate have all reported increased business from these efforts. Although new to grant writing, Mary Kaye has submitted nearly a dozen grants for MVRP and the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce, and all have been awarded. In

Mary Kaye shares that most grants require matching funds, so a $20,000 grant is really only funding half of the request, or $10,000. The match can be made with money, volunteer hours, and/or income in kind, such as contributions of materials. She says she has much to learn, and continues to search for grants and resources to meet matching fund requirements to benefit Moapa Valley and its community members. Mary Kaye has generously given her time to the valley she loves, and inspires those who wish to do the same. She is a Strong Woman of the Moapa Valley, and it is a better community for her efforts. V

2015, a grant was approved to produce rack cards, a two sided 4â&#x20AC;?x 11â&#x20AC;? card, advertising all that Moapa Valley has to offer. Cards were distributed along travel corridors in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The hard won efforts of Partners in Conservation, Clark County Commissioners, the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board, and involved community members to make Moapa Valley Nevada's first OHV friendly community, paved the way to promote use of Moapa Valley's trail systems as a recreational attraction. MVRP applied for and was approved grants in 2015 and 2016 to produce off-road events, bringing ATV riders into the business districts to establish Moapa Valley as an ATV friendly destination for enthusiasts. Now, visitors arrive daily in the valley, hauling their ATVs. Weekends in the area are bursting with ATV and 4-wheeler traffic. The most recently approved grants will help fund the Main Street Project. MVRP is in the process of looking at bids to purchase benches, shade shelters, and trash receptacles for downtown Overton. The grants will also help in building a portable information kiosk that can be positioned at various locations and events.

Cedar Cit y

3 Must-Dos in by Kenzie Lundberg, Cedar City • Brian Head Tourism Bureau

edar City, Utah is a surprising cool mountain town that just happens to have world class cultural attractions surrounded by southern Utah’s famous Mighty Five© National Parks. Located in the heart of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, and home to the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City offers a perfect combination of outdoor adventures, historic experiences, arts and culture, and fun. Festival City, USA Nicknamed Festival City, USA, each summer Cedar City comes to life with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Neil Simon Festival, Utah Summer Games, Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire, and many more. When not enjoying a local festival, historic downtown is quaint with local shops and an impressive menu of “urban-esque” cuisine and southern Utah’s only winery. Southern Utah University keeps things interesting with Division I athletics, guest lectures and concerts, AND they just happen to be the “Most Outdoorsy University” in the nation.

Utah Shakespeare Festival, photo by Alex Santiago

#1 Utah Shakespeare Festival Each year, the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival presents a spectacular five month season of plays and musicals. The Festival is one of the oldest and largest Shakespearean festivals in North America, and its productions – both Shakespeare and modern playwrights – are presented in a stunning setting. In 2016, the Utah Shakespeare Festival expanded its space and along with Southern Utah University and the Southern Utah Museum of Art, created the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center of the Arts. The new center is located in the heart of the city, just two blocks from local restaurants and shopping. Each season eight plays are presented in repertory in three theaters: The outdoor Engelstad Theatre, which is a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; the indoor Randall L. Jones Theatre, a stunning modern facility that features contemporary works; and the indoor Anes Studio Theater, an intimate two hundred seat performance space.

Since Shakespeare may be a little overwhelming for some, they can prepare by attending the play orientation or a free seminar just prior to the play’s performance where they can ask the experts, meet the actors and directors, and share thoughts and opinions, as well as get a close-up look at props and costumes. Backstage Tours allows a behind-the-scenes visit to various production areas to see how all the magic comes together. For those bringing kids, be sure to arrive early for the free nightly Greenshow. This magical hour of music, dance, storytelling, juggling, snacks, and food reminiscent of Merry Ol’ England is held in the courtyard surrounding Engelstad Theatre. You can find more information on the Shakespeare Festival at www.bard.org. #2 Southern Utah Museum of Art As part of the new Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center of Arts, the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) is the first museum accredited by the American Association of Museums that is operated by graduate and undergraduate students. The museum

features approximately 5,300 square-feet of exhibition space composed of four galleries. SUMA host’s FREE exhibitions from around the world, and features rotating exhibits from their permanent collections. SUMA also regularly exhibits works of Southern Utah University’s Art and Design students and faculty, and provides a venue for displaying regional artists and juried shows. SUMA is also home to a special collection, The Final Paintings, by Utah artist, Jim Jones. These fifteen paintings comprise the very best of Jones’ work and were part of Jimmie’s gift to Southern Utah University, a gift which was the cornerstone of SUMA. Jones’ paintings of Zion and the Grand Canyon have given him the title of southern Utah’s premier landscape painter. You can find more information on SUMA at www.suu.ed/suma. #3 IG Winery Southern Utah’s only winery, IG Winery, is located in downtown Cedar City, surrounded by shops, art galleries, and local eateries

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Southern Utah Museum of Art, photo courtesy of Cedar City • Brian Head Tourism Bureau.

(and just one block from the Utah Shakespeare Festival). New to this home in April 2017, the production area has grown and the IG Winery is ready for wine tastings; inside and al fresco on the patio adjacent to the winery, as well as tours of the production area. Though located in a state that is not known for alcohol production, the IG Winery stands among the best. Doug McCombs brings his penchant for fine wines to his unique signature blends. Each wine is handcrafted to create a rich, smooth, and delicious sipping experience that everyone from the crisp white wine lover to the hearty red wine connoisseur can enjoy. The winery has received several gold and silver medals in the Grand Harvest Wine Competition, as well as the International Wine Competition Sommelier Challenge. The winery now serves over forty restaurants and casinos in the western states, so ask your server if IG is on the menu at any of your local restaurants.

IG Winery, photo by Alex Santiago.

Visit IG Winery at www.IGwinery.com for details. For more information on Cedar City and the surrounding area, find the Cedar City/ Brian Head Tourism Bureau at www.visitcedarcity.com or (435) 586-5124. V

Volunteer of t he Year

Spirit of Dixie F

red Dungan is generous in giving his time to various organizations and businesses in southern Utah. This year’s Volunteer of the Year has spent the last twenty-five years volunteering - at Zion National Park, working with referees at Dixie State University Athletics, and at the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve always stayed busy trying to help where I could, trying to do what I could.”

After their move to southern Utah, Fred found himself at Zion National Park as a volunteer at the information desk. Enjoying the drive to the park, Fred learned about the area from locals. “This is an area you could spend your entire life in and not really go to every place you’d like to go.” He continued to regularly drive to Zion for fifteen years. He still manages to make it to the park to visit with rangers who have been there for years. Fred’s first foray into basketball referring started in 1948 when he started officiating

in high school and was also working grade school basketball games. When he moved to St. George, Fred helped at the then Dixie College by keeping books and working the score clock. During the transition from junior college to Division II status, Fred was asked to assign referees for all sports. As part of the American Sky Conference, Southern Utah University needed someone to observe the officials in football and basketball. He participated in football for ten years, but is still an observer for the Big Sky Conference in basketball. Volunteering has come easily for Fred. Growing up on a farm in Oklahoma, he observed his parents volunteering and helping everybody. By staying involved with the community in day to day routines and activities, Fred says that it helps increase his ability to cope as he gets older. A young eighty-five years old, Fred states that he enjoys the different aspects of day to day contact with different people from different walks of life. “If you really want to be a part of our universe,

part of mankind, you need to be able to interact with all different kinds of people. The more you do that and the more you understand where they’re coming from— even in a small way—you’re going to help what goes on in the world.” V

view on TRAVEL

PACKING 101: BE PREPARED!

by Celece Seegmiller

ith the summer travel season just around the corner, I decided to share some packing tips and ideas for your next vacation. While you hope it never happens, flights can be delayed due to weather, mechanical issues, and a variety of other reasons. When this happens, passengers may be rerouted to various cities, and sometimes forced to stay overnight in a hotel. Often, bags are checked through to the final destination and passengers do not see their luggage until the following day. In rare circumstances, luggage may show up a few days later, or not at all. What does this mean? Like the Boy Scout motto says, “Be Prepared!”

may vary on the destination, I have learned to put the important things in my carry-on such as:

Most flights allow one carry-on bag and one item, such as a backpack, to be stowed underneath the seat free of charge. Your carry-ons should contain anything you will need for two or three days, just in case your bags don’t arrive when you do. While it

• Toiletries: one quart-size zipper bag for liquids (liquids,

• Passport, credit cards, and money • Travel documents: Vouchers, tickets, travel insurance policy, etc.

• Medication • Any valuable items aerosols, gels, creams and pastes must be in 3.4 ounce or smaller plastic bottles placed in the zipper bag) visit: www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

702.346.3000 24 Hour Emergency Call: 702-704-3483

• Travel hair dryer and curling iron • Converter

New Location!

• Comfortable walking shoes • Light rain jacket and travel umbrella • swimsuit • Three or four complete outfits • Telephone, iPad, and noise-cancelling headphones • Power bank to charge electronics • Travel pillow, blanket, and eye mask for long flights If you are traveling with a companion, split your packed clothing into two suitcases. This way, you will have some clothes and shoes if only one bag arrives. I was prepared for the worst-case scenario on my trips to Europe last year, all thanks to the help of a few purchases. I bought a new rolling bag that fits under the seat, and packing cubes for my carry-on and checked bag. The rolling bag has several compartments and provides access to anything I need during the flight. It also connects to my carry-on making it very easy to move from place to place. The packing cubes created space in my overhead carry-on. They were wonderful, especially in my large suitcase when we were moving between several hotels and our ship. They managed space and kept things organized. Both of my items were purchased on ebags.com

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.

I was happy to see my bags upon arrival, but I was ready just in case they were not there. Although you may not need all of the above items for your vacation, remember to keep your essential items with you – just in case your bags arrive after you do.V

They’re Back and Taking it Deep by Randy Dodson

olf Mesquite Nevada is proud to once again host the Golf Channel and the World Long Drive Association in early June this year with the staging of the Clash in the Canyon, a new qualifying event for the 2017 World Long Drive Championship. “In a lot of ways our friends at the World Long Drive Association (WLDA) and Golf Channel have helped to cement Mesquite’s reputation as a world-class golf destination. We are excited to announce that our partnership has been renewed with the brand new Clash in the Canyon qualifier,” said Golf Mesquite Nevada’s Executive Director, Cody Law. The WLDA has held national qualifying and championship events, originally on the driving range at the Palms Golf Course and then for many years at the Mesquite Regional Sports and Event Complex, once home to the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. “Mesquite is a location that for many years has maintained a deep connection to Long Drive, so it’s fitting that the creation

of this new event in partnership with Golf Mesquite Nevada will return the sport to such a familiar place in its history,” said Phil Piazza, Senior Vice President of Programming for Golf Channel. “The new event also will present the current group of emerging personalities in the sport with an opportunity to compete in the same market as the generation of Long Drivers, having laid the foundation before them, and showcase their skills in a live setting from Mesquite for the first time ever.” The Clash in the Canyon event (June 3-6) will include an opening day golf festival to kick off the activities, a Sunday poker tournament, a Monday Pro-Am and then the main competition where competitors will be taking it deep, 400-yards deep, on June 6. The Golf Channel reported, “The Clash in the Canyon will feature a 32-man field competing in the Open Division based on the Official World Long Drive rankings, along with a Women’s Division field of sixteen competitors. The Open Division will compete for a $50,000 purse, with a first place prize of $20,000, while the Women’s

Division will be vying for a $7,000 first place prize with a $15,000 overall purse. Qualifying rounds will narrow the field to eight men and four women advancing to take part in the televised portion of the competition on Golf Channel. As part of the event, the WLDA will also stage local and regional qualifying for the Open Division on Saturday-Sunday, June 3-4, which will award four exemptions into the 2017 World Long Drive Championship (Aug. 31-Sept. 6) field later this year. Also taking place on Sunday, June 4, will be a Masters Division (ages 45+) competition (an event being staged only in Mesquite, Nevada) featuring a $15,000 purse and $7,000 first place prize. The field of sixteen Masters Division invitees will include several individuals who have greatly contributed to the success and sustainability of the sport over the past few decades. The 2017 Open (Men’s) Division schedule consists of eight qualifying events, with four competitors from each event advancing to the World Championship, which will feature a 96-man field

competing for a $270,000 purse. The Women’s Division at the World Championship will feature a field of thirty-two competitors vying for a purse of $40,000. The World Championship will return to WinStar World Casino & Resort (Thackerville, Oklahoma) for a third consecutive year, following a multi-year extension as the World Championship host site.”

The complete 2017 World Long Drive Association season includes the following events with live Golf Channel coverage for the Clash in the Canyon, Mile High Showdown and World Long Drive Championship events.

DATE

EVENT

LOCATION

March 24-27

Endless Summer Invitational

Huntington Beach, California

April 21-23

East Coast Classic

West Columbia, South Carolina

May 18-20

WinStar Midwest Slam

Thackerville, Oklahoma

June 3-6

Clash in the Canyon (*Golf Channel*)

Mesquite, Nevada

June 23-25

Bluff City Shootout

Memphis, Tennessee

July 6-8

Rockwell Blast

West Bountiful, Utah

July 22-25

Mile High Showdown (*Golf Channel*)

Denver, Colorado

Aug. 4-6

Catawba Classic

Hickory, North Carolina

Aug. 31-Sept. 6

World Long Drive Championship (*Golf Channel*)

Thackerville, Oklahoma

The new Rising Star Resort will host the WLDA players and staff, Golf Channel staff and Golf Mesquite Nevada clients and guests. “Partnerships like ours with the World Long Drive Association and the Golf Channel are key to our objectives when marketing Golf Mesquite Nevada’s strengths and unique location to the world’s golfers. Our partner resorts and championship golf courses will benefit greatly from this exposure,” explained Law. Golf Mesquite Nevada is the marketing cooperative for Mesquite’s world famous golf courses and resorts. The collective marketing effort of the Golf Mesquite Nevada partnership

strengthens the ever-growing positive reputation enjoyed by the Mesquite’s tourism industry and businesses. Randy Dodson is the publisher of Fairways magazine, the official publication of the Utah Golf Association and a frequent contributor to View On Magazine. V

David Swindler & Action Photo Tours Camera Advent ures For a Lifet ime story by Laurel Beesley photos by David Swindler

t’s one o’clock in the morning, and several clients with Action Photo Tours prepare for the next amazing venture in their nearly non-stop forty-eight hour photo trip. The trips are for those who want to seriously invest in an exceptional experience photographing the wow of southern Utah. When you book with daring David Swindler of Photo Action Tours, the expected sometimes turns into the surprisingly unexpected. Weather forecasts the day before one planned trip promised to make the excursion particularly challenging. But despite heavy rain, the group set out to find one of the most exceptional rock formations in southern Utah – White Pocket. Swindler was determined to dare the weather gods and asked his clients to do the same. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. The weather gods decided to smile on their daring that day, and as the group arrived, the clouds lifted and an exceptionally long and bright rainbow stretched across the sky, splashing the landscape with amazing color. When that happens, it is truly astonishing. The little pockets of rock that White Pocket is named for were filled with water and reflected the rainbow and scattered clouds in the broken sky above. Perfect. Absolutely perfect for photography. You can’t plan for the perfect photo op; nature takes its own time. But for the lucky who are willing to wait, it shows off and hands you a very big reward in return. “Some days the weather gods are just with you,” Swindler reflected. “And it didn’t end there. As we were setting up for sunset, some clouds rolled back in, just enough to set off an amazing sunset. That night before bed, the clouds cleared again.

David Swindler

It was a perfect night for photographing the Milky Way. We were able to photograph an amazing night sky. We were up until four in the morning, but everyone felt satisfied!” David does not hail from Utah, although his Action Photo Tours business is solidly planted in Kanab, Utah. He is not a born photographer, and this is not his first career. He has been an avid outdoorsman since his first backpacking trip, and has been fascinated by photography since first discovering it as a Boy Scout. Born and raised in Iowa, he initially went into chemical engineering and worked ten years in the semiconductor industry. His specialty was in photolithography which involves using photo-sensitive chemicals to image very small patterns that later become microchip circuitry. The job was fascinating, with the latest and greatest in lasers and optics, and great people to work with. Life was good. August on Mt. Rainier in Washington state brought a new picture into focus. Backpacking during wildflower season, he began to question how willing he was to spend the rest of his life in a cubicle staring at a monitor. The tentacles of doubt crept through his mind, and he returned to work, restless and preoccupied. Coincidentally, when he returned to work on Monday, he heard his fellow workers discussing a new VSP, voluntary severance package, being offered. To the surprise of everyone, he accepted the VSP, turned in his resignation that very day, and took off for an unknown career. Opportunity spoke, and he listened.

The next challenge was combining his skills and interests, and reinvesting them in a new career. His strengths were composition, detail, great technical skills, and a keen desire for outdoor adventure. He loves being outdoors, mountain biking, climbing, backpacking, canyoneering, and about every other outdoor sport imaginable. (He also loves the piano.) During those early decision-making days, he noticed that travelers were interested in their photography, but lacked the technical expertise and the confidence to visit places they dreamed of seeing. That Eureka! moment resulted in Action Photo Tours, a company that helps people produce great photography in stunning places. Initially, David tried to boil the ocean, taking photo clients everywhere from New Zealand to South Africa and across the globe, including photographing polar bears in the Arctic. Eventually he zoomed in on the place where plenty of people wanted to come, and where his heart was. Two years ago, he refocused the business in Kanab, Utah. “It’s great to travel,” he reminisces. “But there is so much here in the U.S. that is beyond comparison. And the most spectacular destinations are right here in southern Utah!” Since then, he has focused on bringing clients to those elusive and very special places just outside Kanab. He caters to the varying capabilities of his clients, teaching anyone at any skill level who wants to further their skills and enjoy astounding places. Most importantly, he is a dedicated and remarkable

His favorite places, those magical places only locals know, include White Pocket, the Paria, Buckskin Gulch and other unusual places outside Zion National Park. If you want to step outside the familiar places, he knows where to go. His dark sky photo sessions are exceptional. With over ninety percent of Americans unable to see the Milky Way and other galaxies, southern Utah is highly rated on the nine-level Bortle scale measuring night sky brightness. *Unique now in America, a growing number of the national parks and national monuments here, including Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Grand Staircase National Monument qualify as International Dark Sky Parks. David’s acute knowledge of this area allows him to choose the best locations and lead clients through the technical challenge of dark sky photography. March through October, he observes, are the beauty months for shooting the Milky Way here. In the long run, he is dedicated to assisting clients, from early learners to extreme pro’s, explore through the wonder that is simply southern Utah. Also on his immediate list of mustdo’s is a book on White Pocket – It’s Moods and Many Secrets. V For more information go to : www.actionphototours.com. *David Swindler will be making a presentation on Sunday, May 14 at Amazing Earthfest 2017 where the theme will be “Protecting our Night Skies.” Go to: www.amazingearthfest.com

photographer himself and committed to sharing his talent. He takes the photography experience of his guide trips very seriously, and individually plans each trip around exactly the right time of day to produce exactly the right light and shadow. As he attempts to explain, “To be a good photographer requires patience, dedication and an understanding of both the art and the subject. A big thing is going out at exactly the right time of day for the location, and going after that special light. It’s not just about the settings on the camera and all that technical jargon, except for the night sky photos; it’s about composition and timing. Move the camera a few inches and it’s a different photo.”

view on DIY

y r o m e M a g n i t a e r C

by Jennifer Hammond-Moore he hardest part of encountering Mother and Father's Day is WHAT DO WE GET THEM?! When parents have given so much, how do we say Thank You with one single gift? I have tried to get hints at something they may need or want, but always feel that I come up short. If I think of this in reverse, what do I like to do, or what do I need? Well, one of my favorite things to do with my own grandkids is to cook! But alas, you must be dressed for the part! Solution for Mothers and Fathers Day presents - Aprons! They are fun to make, easy to decorate and can be used for years to come! Plus, they are good for the indoor or outdoor chef!

The Creation

I have a beautiful old apron passed down from my grandmother; too delicate to still use, but full of memories. I recall spending hours cooking in the kitchen with her. The amazing smells that emanated throughout the house will never be forgotten. She was never without an apron; pockets full of clothespins or toys. This DIY may not be grandma’s apron, but it can be the start of more memories!

Items Needed

• premade aprons -unless you have time to make your own! (premade are easily

found in Walmart, Michaels or online in the arts and crafts area in adult or child size) • contact paper - clear is fine (you may even have some leftover from our previous crafts) • acrylic paint in your favorite colors • Stencils -helpful, but not necessary • paint brushes, foam daubers, sponges or steel wool • Scissors • Paper plate or somewhere to apply paint for daubing

Instructions

1. Prewash the apron and iron flat. (If you skip the prewashing, handwash in cold after paint has dried.) 2. Determine the design you are going to use. I like to block out the apron on a mat with a grid. If you are the more adventurous type, just go for it on the design. 3. For the flag apron design, I blocked out the area that the flag would be on first with contact paper. Using steel wool, I daubed into the paint and then around the square flag area. The paint dried fairly quickly and I was able to remove the contact paper without making a mess.

4. Cut Â˝ in strips to block the edges where the bluestar area will be. Either cut stars or purchase stickers and place in the blocked area. (blueflagpic) 5. Using the foam dauber, apply the blue paint over the stars, be careful not to go outside the blocked off area of contact paper. Was dauber while this is drying. 6. Remove stars and cover over the blue star area, if it is dry, with contact paper. Place contact paper over the outside border area as well. Lay contact paper strips horizontally where the stripes will be. 7. Daub away with the red paint!

8. Let red paint dry and then remove the contact paper. 9. Ta-Da!!! The second apron I used a stencil, making sure that the paint was dry before I moved the stencil. I also wiped the stencil off after each application. Do not just apply and slide it over. This can cause a mess from bleeding paint. Be creative! Make a Chef Apron for your favorite Barbecue Guy! This can be a great family activity! You could even give Mom or Grandma a DIY basket with all of the supplies. Plus you can include the gift of TIME spent with them to make the project! Now THAT is a gift!

Putting the Apron to Use I always remember my apron AFTER I have started using powdered sugar. Before long I am a powdery mess, but the results are oh so sweet! This recipe is one of my family's favorites and was recently requested for my daughter's wedding.

AH-MAZING Dark Chocolate Frosting Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup Butter, softened (NOT melted) • 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened • 4 cups Powdered Sugar • ¾ cup dark Cocoa Powder • 1 Tbsp Vanilla (I love vanilla!) • 3-4 Tbsp Milk (almond or coconut milk work fine)

Instructions

1. In a stand-up mixer, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. 2. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla and milk. 3. Mix on low until all ingredients are combined. Stop mixer, scrape bowl, then turn back on to med-high for an additional 2 minutes to make fluffy. 4. If frosting is too thick, add more milk before turning up for the last 2 minutes.

I like to make chocolate cupcakes and fill with raspberry preserves, then top with this dark chocolate frosting and add a raspberry for decoration. This dessert should be illegal! Regretfully I no longer have to find a perfect gift for my mother since she is an angel, but I am blessed to have a wonderful mother-inlaw that has filled an empty spot in my life! I wish all the wonderful mothers and fathers Health, Happiness and JOY!!! V

So Close and So Amazing! by Nancy Hewett

or us, the year 2017 is for exploring the sites around us. There are so many amazing hikes in this area, and we are always excited to make the time to actually get out and explore them. We often travel to St. George by way of Highway 91. We had passed a sign for the Anasazi Valley Trailhead many times and noticed a dirt road with rock pillar formations on each side. We heard of Anasazi Petroglyphs somewhere in this area and wondered if this was the road that lead to where they were located. We found some time one Sunday morning to assuage our curiosity. After doing a little research online, we made our way to that oft passed dirt road with the rock pillar formations on the west side of the 91. Just a few miles before you get to

Santa Clara, on the way back from Mesquite, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not difficult to find. Traveling less than a half mile on the dirt road, we arrived at the trailhead for the Anasazi Ridge Petroglyphs. Several parking spots were available, and there were restrooms and a posted trail map. The trail is rated as a moderate hike due to the amount of climb involved and some rugged portions of the trail, but throughout the day we noticed people of all ages, from children to seniors, and also pets on leashes. Everyone seemed to be able to handle the 1.5 mile hike, and seemed to enjoy exploring the prehistoric farmstead on the way up to the top of a formation called Land Hill. We continued on Writing Rock Trail which has two options. Since we were hiking to explore and be adventurous, we chose the longer trail.

It was well-groomed, but not as steep. We took the other trail on our return. It was shorter, steeper, and more rugged. We finally found several amazing petroglyphs scattered about. As we started climbing and venturing further in, we found even more petroglyphs. It was so much fun exploring. Around every corner, and over every rock, you could see the Anasazi art. As we found our way back down the trail, we were pleasantly surprised to see a couple of mountain bikers also enjoying the trails of the ridge. The trail is managed by the BLM and is hiker, bike, and peton-leash friendly. This is truly a hike that should be enjoyed by many. So if you find yourself in the mood to explore, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to drive too far, I would highly recommend this adventure. V

Weather Heating Up? Cool Down at

Big Rock Candy Mountain

t’s that time of year again when Big Rock Candy Mountain opens its doors to welcome the summer visitors who flock to Central Utah to escape the blistering heat. Big Rock Candy Mountain is located on historic Heritage Highway 89, on the border between Piute and Sevier Counties, a little less than three hours from Mesquite. Ride the world famous Paiute ATV Trail and explore hundreds of miles of trails and side trails through forests, desert mountains, and streams. If you don’t have your own ATV, or don’t want to haul it, you can rent single seat ATVs and side-by-sides that hold up to six people. These can be rented for half-day, full-day, or multiple days. No trip to Big Rock Candy Mountain is complete without experiencing the cool waters of the Sevier River. Choose from

whitewater rafting trips with class II to class III rapids, just enough to get your heart pumping, but not so much that you fear for your life. Or relax on a Lazy River float trip that lets you float unguided on the Sevier River in rafts or tubes. Don’t forget the various rope courses and ziplines. These activities are entertaining for all, ages seven and up, and include ziplines that cross back and forth across the river, tightrope walks across the river, and many other fun challenges. Survival courses are also available at Big Rock Candy Mountain. They help prepare folks, young and old, to survive in the wilderness. When you stay at Big Rock Candy Mountain, you are just seven miles from Miner’s Park and Bullion Falls. Miner’s Park includes original buildings and equipment from days of long ago when Marysvale, Utah was a bustling mining community. Bullion Falls is a moderate two and a half mile trail with a sixty-foot waterfall at the end and another one about halfway in. There are literature boxes along the way that provide a detailed map for a small donation. Awesome Adventures has the best activities available in the area and offers packages that include lodging and activities. We make it easy for you to book your Utah Adventure. Please visit awesomeadventures.com/Utah for more information.V

view on OUTDOORS

Land Caretakers and Untrammeled Places

story and photos by Karen L. Monsen

ilderness is defined in the 1964 U.S. Wilderness Act as “where the earth and its community

As Hopi, we don’t own the land; we’re just the caretakers.”

“

of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” Although untrammeled (from Latin and Middle English) is seldom heard in conversation, it aptly describes undisturbed places. Today’s exceptional land caretakers include The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land—two non-profits who safeguard habitats and untrammeled places by purchasing them.

~ Martin Gashweseoma from The Book of Elders

The Nature Conservancy Incorporated in 1951, the Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the lands and

photo courtesy of Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

waters on which all life depends, through acquisition, conservation easements, and partner collaboration. In its sixty-five year history, the Conservancy has protected 5,000 river miles, more than 119 million acres of land, and operates more than one hundred marine conservation projects. They employ more than six hundred scientists and have approximately one million members. From southern Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon to southern Utah’s White Dome Nature Preserve, the Nature Conservancy employs non-confrontational methods

to implement pragmatic solutions. In 1988, the Conservancy, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Howard Hughes Corporation created the 5,302-acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area outside Las Vegas—supporting desert species and providing public access for hiking, biking, rock-climbing, and outdoor recreation. West Desert Regional Director, Elaine York states, “As of 2016, the Conservancy’s Utah Chapter holds fourteen managed preserves and thirty-four conservation easements, and has completed over two hundred conservation projects with partners.” They have secured almost one million acres of public and private land in Utah for people and nature, including Lytle Ranch Preserve, a wildlife and bird sanctuary near St. George, purchased by the Conservancy and later sold to Brigham Young University—permanently protecting it for ecological studies. photo courtesy of White Dome Nature Preserve

York adds, “At the Conservancy, we are doing all we can to protect critically important habitats, to transform how we use lands, and to inspire better land-use practices in the geographies that are facing the most pressure for development.” In arid Utah, they are working with partners to ensure there is enough water for people and nature by helping restore and protect habitat for the Great Salt Lake and flows for seven major rivers including the Virgin. White Dome Nature Preserve Partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Utah, and Washington County, the Conservancy protected eight hundred habitat acres for two plants found nowhere else on Earth—the Dwarf Bear Poppy and Siler Pincushion Cactus. The poppy, named for lobed leaves resembling bear paws with silver

hair claws, blooms in April and thrives in the gypsum-rich hills south of St. George. As soon as the preserve opened with five miles of hiking trails, informational kiosks, and parking area, York noted, “We heard as many as 30 people were visiting every day to enjoy the poppies and be outdoors. That is a great feeling and keeps us going!” The Conservancy also worked with the St. George BLM Field Office and other partners on Landscape Conservation Forecasting™ which York describes as, “a cutting-edge planning methodology for the two Washington County National Conservation Areas (Red Cliffs and Beaver Dam Wash).” Using satellite imagery, habitat models, and on-the-ground expertise, York explains, “The tool offers conservation action plans that make a difference for a reasonable cost. It’s a win-win.”

“

We believe all of nature, from a blade of grass to the tallest mountain, has a spirit. We seek Landscape Temples and trees to give us messages direct from the Creator. If nature is destroyed, the Creator cannot send us messages.” ~ Kaye Whitefeather Robinson Daughter of Blackfeet (tribe) father and Liverpool England mother The Trust for Public Land (TPL) Founded in 1972, the Trust for Public Land works to “create close-to-home parks— particularly in and near cities, where eighty percent of Americans live.” They assist communities in purchasing land, protecting wildlife habitat, and renovating parks and trails. In 2013, TPL purchased forty acres of inholdings for Utah’s Red Cliffs Area bordering St. George—with one hundred and thirty miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, camping, and day-use areas. “Our goal is to ensure that every child has easy access to a safe place to play

in nature,” their website affirms. “We also conserve working farms, ranches, and forests; lands of historical and cultural importance; rivers, streams, coasts, and watersheds; and other special places where people can experience nature close at hand.” In 2016, TPL protected 62,134 acres, generated more than three hundred and twenty-nine million dollars for parks and natural spaces, and completed one hundred and twenty-eight projects and twenty strategic

conservation plans. Using public/private partnerships, TPL created the National Conservation Easement Database recording an estimated forty million acres of conservation easement lands throughout the United States. With fewer places untouched by humans, the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land are exemplary non-profit land caretakers devoted to maintaining untrammeled places for habitat biodiversity, recreation, and spiritual renewal. V

Bear Paw Poppy photo by Nikki Davis.

ountless professional athletes and business people alike will all tell you the same thing, “I am here because I had a coach who believed in me and taught me to never give up.” Whether that coach dates back to little league, high school, or college, they played a role in shaping their players into adults.

Rising Star to Host Sports Leadership Summit

Cindy Fredrick coaching UNLV Volleyball.

Just like players need a good coach to lead their team to victory, good coaches know they, too, need to learn and be inspired by other coaches. It is for this very reason that Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort is hosting the upcoming Sports Leadership Summit on May 19-21, and has brought an all-star lineup of coaches, athletes, and trainers. Anyone familiar with men’s college basketball will instantly recognize the name Dana Altman, University of Oregon’s head coach and this year’s featured keynote speaker. Altman is one of only six active coaches in the NCAA Division I with nineteen consecutive winning seasons. In 2013, he was voted as the National Coach of the Year, and is a three-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2013, 2015, and 2016). He has won more games in his first six seasons than any coach in Oregon history. Dana Altman is reason enough to draw in coaches and people in the business of sports, but the list of talent doesn’t stop there. Cobi Jones, considered to be one of the best soccer players the United States has ever produced, will be sharing the experience of his on- and off-the-field victories. LA’s original Cobi, spent fifteen

Ralph Perez coaching at Cobi Jones Elite Soccer Camp.

seasons, 1996-2010, with the Galaxy as both player and coach, with his #13 being the only number in club history to be retired.

biomechanics of the golf swing. He is also the creator of the PMT, Pensivy Method Tool, an anti-pain and rehabilitation system.

Local coach, Cindy Fredrick is the head coach of the women’s volleyball team at University of Nevada Las Vegas, UNLV. She has won over one hundred matches since beginning her career with the UNLV Rebels in 2010, and has over five hundred NCAA Division I triumphs. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and a female perspective of leadership. She will be joined by the Rebel’s head football coach, Tony Sanchez, and men’s basketball coach, Marvin Menzies.

Last but certainly not least, is Joe Abunassar, founder of Impact Basketball in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, now training over two hundred NBA professionals, men’s and women’s national teams, McDonalds and NCAA All-Americans, foreign professionals, and numerous talented youth players from all over the world participating in Impact Youth Summer Training Camps and Impact Academy.

Soccer fans will certainly recognize the name Ralph Perez, head men’s soccer coach at University of Redlands. He has over thirty years coaching experience, and is considered a soccer expert. In 2012, Perez was the recipient of the Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award, the pinnacle of coaching honors in the United States. He is a member of the NSCAA and the United States Soccer Coaches Organization (USSCO). Perez remains affiliated with U.S. Soccer as a national staff coach, as well as Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach. Coaches are only as good as the people they have to support them. In addition to Altman, Fredrick, and Perez, the Sports Leadership Summit will also feature Mike Waters, Certified Personal Trainer® and founder of Phase 1 Sports, a premier athlete development facility located in Las Vegas. Waters is an active participant in the Clark County School District PAYBAC program, Stay in School mentoring project, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. For the sports recovery side of things, Dr. Scott Pensivy, a physical therapist and owner of S.P.O.R.T.S in Las Vegas will be there to explain the role of physical therapy in sports. Pensivy is an author and the creator of Golf Conditioning, a strengthening and conditioning program for golfers that emphasizes the

From T-Ball to the collegiate level, organized youth sports are markedly different than they were even ten years ago. Youth sports and related travel are estimated to be a nine billion dollar industry in the U.S. alone. The Sports Leadership Summit will address how the industry is evolving, and offer educational sessions on sports psychology, leadership, and team development, along with various other topics. Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort stands alone as the region’s most comprehensive sports facility and hotel. Rising Star Ranch’s 30,000 square foot field house and training complex bridges the gap between lodging, location, tournament, and camp operations. Conference tickets are reasonably priced at $349, and include a two-night stay at the new Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort, admission to all sessions and break-out panels, entry in the Summit Long Drive Competition, and Saturday night Mesquite barbecue. V To make reservations, call 702-726-8515, or book through RisingStarSportsRanch.com/Summit. Per NCAA regulations, high school and Junior College athletes are not permitted at this event.

view on EDUCATION

An Individualized Approach to Education Dixie State University’s Individualized Studies Program Helps Students Earn Customizable Bachelor’s Degrees story by Austin Osborne photos by Bryce Parker / Dixie State University

elissa Cornwall always had an interest in health care and nutrition, but that interest became a passion five years ago when her two year old daughter was diagnosed with an extremely rare autoimmune disease that left her in critical condition. Doctors were baffled by the aggressive nature of the disease, and Cornwall was forced to face the heart-wrenching possibility that her daughter might not survive. After several incorrect classifications, doctors eventually diagnosed Cornwall’s daughter with autoimmune enteropathy, a rare disease that attacks the small intestines. Cornwall spent three years studying and researching nutrition, health, and wellbeing, doing everything in her power to improve her daughter’s condition. She discovered that very few studies were conducted on autoimmune enteropathy at the time, and none of them employed

a regimented diet as a form of treatment. However, she made sure to keep her daughter on a strict diet while utilizing minimal medication, and despite the initial skepticism of many doctors, tests began to show improvement. Cornwall’s holistic efforts, paired with medical intervention, have helped her daughter grow and flourish. Using her experience as a guide, Cornwall continues to seek opportunities to expand her knowledge on holistic health practices, leading her to where she is now, studying in Dixie State University’s Individualized Studies program, a unique learning opportunity that allows students to earn bachelor’s degrees without confining them to the parameters of traditional, disciplinespecific programs. “I realized that if my abilities to this point were lacking in any respect, it was in my own education on the subject on which my daughter’s life depended,” Cornwall said.

With academic interest in health care, Cornwall earned an Associate of Science degree from Dixie State in 2002. It was during this time that Cornwall discovered a love for nutrition. However, after getting married and having four children, she decided to put her schooling on hold to focus on her family. Cornwall’s life-altering experience with her daughter’s disease set the stage for the next chapter in her life. Earning a college degree was pivotal to that new chapter, so she returned to Dixie State. Though she was interested in various aspects of nutrition and health care, Cornwall planned on pursuing a spot in the registered dietician program. It was after returning to Dixie State that Cornwall heard about the Individualized Studies program, and she immediately knew the program was right for her. “I knew this was what I was supposed to be doing, so I ran with it,” Cornwall said.

“I now had the chance to tailor a program that would combine exactly what I wanted to do in the future with what I had already accomplished.” Like Cornwall, many nontraditional and returning students have earned an array of college credits and have a breadth of work and life experience. “There are many working adults who started college, but life circumstances got in the way of finishing,” Dr. Matthew Morin, director of the Individualized Studies program, said. “This program helps these students find a way to graduate while also ensuring that they are job-ready by working backwards from their current professional goals and filling in the coursework needed to attain them.” Individualized Studies degrees are customized and titled by each individual student and incorporate coursework from more than one academic discipline in order to accommodate students’ varying interests and career goals. In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Individualized Studies degree, students must first clearly define the academic objectives for their personal degree program. Additionally, they must design an education plan, outlining how they will accomplish the objectives they identified. The curriculum they build is driven by the student, guided by faculty, and encompasses content from various academic disciplines as well as Individualized Studies core courses. Cornwall’s degree is titled Nutrition and Functional Wellness, and incorporates content related to human nutrition, physical fitness, and the arts as a form of stress management. Cornwall said she, like many other students, would not have been able to pursue such a broad scope of subjects if it weren’t for the Individualized Studies program. “There are so many others I've met in this program with unique stories and unique programs that match perfectly with what they need and want to accomplish,” Cornwall said. “The Individualized Studies program is the perfect platform for people with a vision and a purpose.”

Cornwall said these opportunities would not have been available to her without the Individualized Studies program, and her advice to those who are considering the program is simple: “Do it,” Cornwall said. “What an amazing journey all of this has been.”V For more information about the Individualized Studies program at Dixie State University, visit integratedstudies.dixie.edu/ individualized-studies-program.

Dr. Morin said Cornwall, as well as the rest of the students in the program, have changed his life through their influential stories and unrelenting pursuit of education. He hopes individualized studies programs will become more of a norm, and he urges any students who are interested to look into the program. “To those who may feel insecure about returning to college because it didn't work out the first time, know that we specialize in problem-solving in this area, and we are committed to focusing on your real-world needs,” Dr. Morin said. Cornwall said that her real-world needs were not only met, but exceeded as she works toward graduating this summer. In fact, she included a nutrition internship at Healthology Experts in her degree plan. She has been offered a job with the company, as well as the opportunity to develop her own nutrition program.

Dixie State University Individualized Studies student Melissa Cornwall incorporates her customized degree program in nutrition and functional wellness into her everyday life by preparing healthy food for her family, including son Dax.

Skydive Fyrosity Brings the World to Moapa Valley by Larry LeMieux photos courtesy of Skydive Fyrosity

he other day I had the distinct pleasure of visiting with Sammy Vassilev and his lovely wife Iva, owners and operators of Skydive Fyrosity in Overton, Nevada. As her husband worked with one of his students, Iva gave me some insight into the man who has skydiving in his blood. Now this may seem a bit of a cliché, but allow me to explain. As Iva put it, “Sammy had a few hundred jumps before he was even born”. You see, his mother was a competitive skydiver and made many a jump while pregnant with Sammy. Sammy’s mom Peggy Vassilev came to the United States in 1972 to compete in the Eleventh World Parachuting Championships, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and won the gold medal. They must have liked it here because they left their native Bulgaria about twentyfive years ago to make America their home. While Iva is a novice at the sport, Sammy has more than lived up to the family legacy. Skydiving since the age of fifteen, he has about 8,500 jumps to his credit. He is a Certified Tandem Instructor, an Assisted Free Fall Instructor and a Professional Free Fall Camera Man. Sammy is a pioneer in developing the Wing Suit. In 1998, he placed second in the USA in Sky Surfing. The couple started the process of opening Skydive Fyrosity about four years ago, applying for licenses, working with the necessary

agencies, and finally officially opening for business in July of last year. They operate with two aircraft, a Cessna 182 and a King Air 90, a twin-engine turboprop, that gets the jumpers to altitude very quickly. They operate out of a good-sized hanger now, but hope to build a large (125’ x 125’) building later this year that will include its own TV studio, training area, packing area, and a place to relax and enjoy the company of others. Skydive Fyrosity will play host to the Second FAI World Cup of Wing Suit Flying November 1- 9 this year. They expect between a hundred and a hundred and twenty competitors from about thirty countries to attend and compete in two contests, Performance and Acrobatics. Competitors in the Performance competition are judged in three categories, Speed, Horizontal Distance, and Time Aloft. This is an individual event. The Acrobatic competitors work in teams of three, two acrobats and a camera operator, to produce a winning video, by which they are judged. The event will be fun for all, with a barbeque, live band, and giant screen to watch the flyers. Sammy and Iva plan to be very involved in the community, and would like to invite the public to come up any time and watch the fun. Judging from their warm, engaging personalities, Moapa Valley has a great new addition to their community. V

Sammy Vassilev, 1996.

On The Town by Charlene Paul

Moapa Valley Days

The fourth annual Moapa Valley Days Festival was held March 10-11, 2017. Bargain hunters and yard sale aficionados shopped until they dropped, going from one yard sale to the next. The biggest sale, however, was the MV Rotary Club Yard Sale held in the parking lot of Lin’s Marketplace. “We had a fantastic turnout,” said Rotarian Ken Robson. “ . . . People lined up . . . buying things as we were unloading them off of the truck!” One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Rotary Yard Sale go to scholarships for MVHS graduates. After a long morning of shopping on Saturday, people were treated to shade and a downtown Street Fair in the Overton Park. Vendor booths, lunch, and live music from Mama’s Wranglers, a favorite of the Moapa Valley Pomegranate Festival, highlighted the festivities. And the Moapa Valley Art Guild Show gave artists and photographers a place to showcase and sell their paintings, sculptures, gourds, jewelry, baskets, photographs, and much, much more. If you couldn’t make it to this year’s Festival, make plans to join in the fun next year. There will be food, bargains, music, and loads of fun for everyone.

The LDS Logandale Stake Womens Conference Sponsors Days for Girls Event On Saturday, March 4, women of all ages gathered at the Fine Arts Building at the Clark County Fairgrounds to participate in Days for Girls. Days for Girls is a non-profit organization that helps impoverished girls around the world by providing them with feminine hygiene kits. Organizer, Lorri Rust explained, “These kits are changing the lives of girls by giving them the opportunity to stay in school during their menstrual cycles. Without the kits, the girls are often forced to stay at home during that time and are unable to attend school, putting dropout rates in double digits.” The women worked together to cut, iron, sew, and package the colorful kits that were then shipped to Nairobi, Kenya to be distributed by Melinda Bailey. In Kenya alone, the dropout rate for girls has hovered around twenty-five percent. But after receiving kits, the dropout rate has been reduced to around three percent. If you are interested in helping with this project, visit daysforgirls.org. Moapa Valley has its own team, and they challenge other communities and groups to start their own teams. Lorri Rust can be reached at lorri@mvdsl.com. Donations are welcome, and one hundred percent of all donations are used for materials and shipping.

Great events are going on around southern Nevada and the Arizona Strip on a daily basis. Here, we bring you just a fraction of what’s happened lately.

The Jungle Book Comes to Bunkerville The Jungle Book came to J. L. Bowler Elementary School in Bunkerville, Nevada in March, 2017. The school was awarded a three-year grant from Disney Musicals in Schools, one of only seven elementary schools in the Clark County School District to receive the grant. The goal of the program is to “build sustainable theater programs in under-resourced public elementary schools. . . By providing free performance materials and free professional development to participating teachers, . . .” Actors and art crew were chosen from the third, fourth, and fifth grades, and practices began after school in October. On March 4, 2017, all seven elementary schools performed one of their songs at the Smith Center in Las Vegas. The J. L. Bowler cast and crew performed The Prologue. All the groups joined together for the finale to sing, It All Starts with a Dream. The cast and crew from Bunkerville was the largest with a total of seventy-one. And they also had the largest number of family and friends in attendance. Director Jamie Jones said they have not decided which musical they will choose for next year’s production, but promises it will be every bit as entertaining and worthwhile as this year’s.

History of the Logandale Trails

by Christine Ward photos by Awesome Adventures and Logandale Trails

ogandale Trails is a multi-use trail system that consists of well marked trails, restrooms, information kiosks, and primitive camping. It encompasses over twenty-one thousand acres. The area has always been very popular with Moapa Valley locals for Easter egg hunts, family reunions, Scouting events, and of course, trail riding. In 1998, the Nevada Trails Coalition, working with the Nevada United Four Wheelers Association and the Las Vegas District of the BLM, announced the groundbreaking of the first of several projects funded by a grant from the Nevada Recreational Trails Program. The projects consisted of surveys and renovations of existing trails, construction of a restroom, installation of trash receptacles, and loading and unloading areas for people with disabilities. The BLM estimated that approximately two hundred people per month visited the Logandale Trails at that time.

Over the next fourteen years, the popularity of Logandale Trails increased tremendously. A 2012 estimate from the BLM put the visitor count at 168,248, or 7.97 visitors per acre that year. Contrast that with the figure of .83 visitors per acre for ALL public lands open to recreation in Clark County, and one can see that Logandale Trails is one very popular place. While no official counts have been done since then, estimates put the annual visitor count around two hundred thousand. In 2014, after nearly six years of planning, Partners in Conservation (PIC) was designated as site steward for Logandale Trails. PIC is a local Moapa Valley nonprofit administered by Elise McAllister. The designation was the first recreational stewardship program in the region. While the BLM is still in charge of Logandale Trails, and all permitting is still under their jurisdiction, PIC became responsible for much of the day-to-day upkeep, including dumpster services, caring for and improving restrooms, cleaning up campsites, monitoring sensitive areas, and establishing more of a watchful presence in the area. PIC relies on funding from the BLM, as well as various grants, but by far PICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important source of labor and materials to implement their projects for Logandale Trails comes from their many supporters, volunteers, and their unique and interactive fundraisers. These fundraisers always include a Trail Clean Up, and it is partly through these clean-ups that PIC has been so successful in keeping the area looking as spectacular as it does. In January 2017, Logandale Trails had a ground-breaking ceremony celebrating the first ever on the ground project funded by State OHV registration fees to replace the original restrooms. On March 25, Logandale Trails held its First Annual Fundraiser, Beauty and Beast, in which participants decorated their vehicles

in hopes of being awarded the Most Beautiful or Most Beastly in their categories. This event was a success, with many prizes awarded. And of course, a cleanup of the trails followed. Logandale Trails has become incredibly popular, not just for local and out of town off-road enthusiasts; it also attracts various businesses and other entities. JP Magazine, Self-billed as the largest Jeep magazine in the world, had a trail run in early April with the Vegas Valley Four Wheelers as a planned stop on their way to the Jeep Fest in Moab, Utah. Also in early April, a commercial for a perfume was filmed there. A mule riding organization from Colorado spent a few days on the trails in 2016, and a manufacturer of remote controlled OHVs utilized the trails for building courses for their vehicles. Of course, the biggest event for Logandale Trails is the annual Hump-N-Bump held in November and sponsored by Vegas Valley Four Wheelers. This event celebrated its thirty-fifth Hump-NBump last year. The Vegas Valley Four Wheelers are a huge supporter of PIC and Logandale Trails, and they generously donate each year to show their appreciation. Logandale Trails is one of the finest examples of a multi-use trail system in the region, and all of us who use it owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who make it possible for us to enjoy such a diverse trail system for FREE: BLM, Partners in Conservation, Moapa Valley Rotary, Moapa Valley Chamber, MVRP, Local Scout groups, Moapa Valley businesses, and all of the hundreds of volunteers who spend their leisure time supporting the trail system. V http://logandaletrails.com/

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We Care for Animals

is Looking for Foster Homes by We Care for Animals

e Care for Animals (WCFA) organization does not have a physical shelter. All of the animals in their care stay in foster homes until adopted by their forever family. But WCFA can only help as many animals as they have foster homes. When rescues are full, homeless animals have no place

to go but to a shelter. Even if people can’t give a homeless pet a forever home, the organization asks them to consider helping by becoming a foster parent. Foster parents care for homeless pets as if the pets were their own until they are adopted. Foster homes help these animals

become more adoptable by providing socialization, basic training, much needed love, and attention. Training or re-training an animal to live in a home setting, helps increase the odds of a smooth and successful transition into a permanent home. Orphaned baby animals require much more care to survive on their own. A foster parent is able to learn the pet’s personality, likes, and dislikes so he can be matched to the right forever home. Foster parents save lives. It is impossible to predict how long an animal will remain in foster care. Some pets are adopted within twenty-four hours, while others can wait weeks to find a home. This doesn't mean you can't make plans to be away. Animals can be co-fostered if another foster family is available. Co-fostering helps both the foster family and the pet. The foster family can make plans to take a break, and the foster pet can enjoy different homes, other pets, and socialization; a win-win situation. Foster parent responsibilities include welcoming the pet into the family. Foster parents must be able to provide a clean, safe environment for the animal to prevent injury and the spread of disease. Foster parents also make the pet available for WCFA’s adoption events and other special events. WCFA provides the necessary items to allow the foster parents to care for the pet, such as food, pet bed, crate, litter, litter box, etc. WCFA will also handle any medical care for the pet, including spay or neuter, vaccinations, and necessary medications. Foster parents are responsible to alert WCFA immediately regarding any new medical condition. Getting attached to your foster pet is normal. The most common question we are asked is, “How can we give them up?” The answer is simple. Fostering saves lives. It is difficult to say goodbye to a pet you have fallen in love with, but the alternative is

even sadder. You get the satisfaction of helping a previously lost and unwanted animal find a loving forever home. That makes it so worthwhile. If you decide that you can't bear to part with the animal, that's okay. Foster parents can go through the adoption process and pay the adoption fee just like any other adopter. The important thing is to keep the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best interest in mind. Sometimes the best thing for the pet is to let them go. The joy of seeing an animal placed into a loving, permanent home, knowing that as a foster parent you directly made a difference in, or even saved the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, is extremely rewarding. Foster parents save hundreds of lives each year by opening their homes and hearts to young, ill, injured, abused, or under-socialized animals. The personal reward for helping these wonderful animals is tremendous.

one that is recognized by the IRS with the 501(c)(3) designation as a Not-for-Profit organization. Fostering expenses eligible for deduction are food, medicines, veterinary bills, crates, garbage bags, and other animal-related items. Even a portion of your utilities can be considered expenses as long as a specific area of your home is only used for the care of the animals and nothing else. V Those interested in fostering a pet should call (702) 346-3326 and leave a message, or go to wecareforanimals.org and complete the foster application. Email any questions to wcfanv@gmail.com.

Caring for foster animals can be tax deductible as well. As a result of Van Dusen v. Commissioner, animal rescuers nationwide who are fostering dogs and/or cats for approved charities may claim the expenses on their tax returns. An approved charity is

A Kolob Canyons Discovery by Katherine Bailey

n September of 2015, my husband David, our friend Akiko Matsuda from Japan, and I explored the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. We drove along scenic Kolob Canyons Road, stopping many times to take pictures. At one of our stops, David pointed out an amazing coloration of natural rock. The thirty to forty foot section of red rock took the shape of a Native American in profile, outlined by bluish-gray and purple rock. As a part-Paiute Native, David saw the image immediately and felt a special connection to this site. It can be seen from the scenic drive about one-third of the distance from the end, but only if you stand directly in front of the feature. Looking at thousands of pictures on the Internet, we never found another photograph of the area taken from an angle that would reveal the face. We did, however, find many photographs and paintings of Native Americans in profile illustrating how closely the rock coloration silhouetted them. My favorite, an oil painting titled, Distant Gaze (Crow) by James Ayers, portrays a remarkable match. We love Kolob Canyons and wish more people would visit. The Indian profile reminded us of how the rock formation, “Old Man of the Mountain” successfully attracted tourists to Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire and inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster.

The image still adorns the New Hampshire state quarter even though the feature collapsed in 2003. After the rockslide, the Indian Head Profile on the south side of the Park became their primary attraction. With some promotion, maybe the profile at Kolob Canyons could attract tourists who would then discover the many unique qualities of the area. On a Kolob Canyons adventure in early November, 2016, our friends from Quilcene, Washington, Ward Norden and Holly Bauman joined us. They excitedly looked for the Native profile, and Ward spotted it first. He commented on how easily visitors are able to find and enjoy the silhouette. He saw it from the car without using binoculars. Getting out of the car, taking pictures with a telephoto lens, and looking through binoculars enhanced the experience greatly. We showed some pictures of the profile to the park rangers at the Visitor’s Center. They told us they had never noticed how looking at the feature from the correct angle would reveal a Native face. I also contacted the Associate Managing Director of the Utah Office of Tourism, Dave Williams, and he forwarded our story and pictures to his visual media team.

Kolob Stargazer Profile shown with James Ayers' oil painting Distant Gaze (Crow).

In addition to many other beautiful and unique sites in

Kolob Canyons, the Native profile may get the attention of photographers and artists. David took many photographs and titled his favorite, Kolob Stargazer Profile. He learned that in Latter-day Saint scripture, Kolob is the heavenly body nearest to the throne of God. The face on the rock looks like a Native American gazing skyward surveying the stars. As an artist, I used David’s photograph as inspiration for my acrylic painting simply titled, Kolob Stargazer. We exhibited these works at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center in March and provided free maps to viewers who wanted to visit Kolob Canyons and see the Native profile for themselves. Kolob Canyons is located just south of Cedar City, Utah, off I-15. The Kolob Canyon Road makes its way through spectacular scenery. The Stargazer profile appears about one hundred yards down the road from the Lee Trailhead parking lot. In late afternoon, the cliff-face rocks turn purplish-blue in soft shadow, and the profile glows pinkish-red. We hope tourists, artists, and photographers will visit this inspiring and easily reached section of Zion National Park. V

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Emotional Fitness by Laura Draskovich

The Mind-Body Connection

"All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world." ~ Buddha

hether we are consciously aware of it or not, each of us experiences the mind/body connection every day of our lives. Mouthwatering over a delicious looking dessert, or getting nervous butterflies before a particular event are all examples of natural mind/body connections we all experience. It is important to be aware that our thoughts impact us in many ways, some positive and some negative. Your body hears and reacts to everything your mind says. There is a strong connection to what our mind perceives, and how our body reacts as a result. While we tend to think of fitness in terms of exercising to keep the body healthy, emotional fitness is perhaps the precursor that is often neglected.

Feelings of Imbalance Have you ever felt like you were spread too thin, or were overwhelmed, hanging on by a thread, physically or mentally exhausted? This could be a signal that there is an issue that you need to address. Stress is defined as, “a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension.” It is important to note, chronic stress left unchecked may lead to illness. The feelings of stress may begin as something like a headache, tight shoulders, sore upper back or neck, weight gain, and high blood pressure. Over time, the state of our mental and emotional health can help or hinder our

body’s immune system. Let's step back and talk about the physiology of stress. When a threat is detected or perceived, our adrenal glands release hydrocortisone, or cortisol, into the bloodstream. This chemical produces the fight or flight (run the race or run from the bear) response. Studies show problems mount when the source of stress is not temporary but becomes constant and chronic. Physical signs of stress are weakened immune system making you more likely to catch a cold or other illnesses, extreme fatigue, racing heart, anxiety, upset stomach, and shortness of breath. Over time, long term stress can make us more susceptible to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and infections.

Incorporating Healthy Habits In Day-to-Day Life The more that you can improve your mental habits, the more benefits you will get from your body. We all have been there. Life can be very good at doling out the lemons! The truth is, no one is going to feel content with their life one hundred percent of the time. However, you can get back on balance by making a conscious effort toward developing healthy coping mechanisms for life's trials. Take care of YOU. Give your body rest. Mental clarity and physical energy will increase, and so will your overall tolerance to things that just seem to pop up. Nutrition will fuel and nourish your body to keep it functioning at an optimal level. Eating healthy foods will also alleviate digestive issues. Exercise is good for the body and the mind. Get your heart rate up, and get a natural high endorphins! And how about laughter? See the lighter side of life. Setting boundaries by saying no unapologetically to people and situations, that you know are not healthy. Still More Options to Balance Your Wellness In addition to these healthy habits to promote emotional health and fitness, there are other ways to achieve balance in your body and mind connection. When you need a mental reset, try these:

• Yoga and Meditation. These will help you to train your mind to stay in the moment, letting go of the past, present and future feelings.

• Massage. Instant relief from tension and muscle soreness. Enough said, I'm making the call!

• Fill your senses with the arts. Listen to music, paint, draw,

or craft. Art has a therapeutic effect, don't you agree? Lose yourself in creativity.

• Take a class or join a club. Try something new. Local

community colleges have many classes available that may be fun to attend, either alone or with a friend. Check the schedules online for details.

Just like diet and exercise, emotional fitness is an important aspect of our overall wellness. Nurturing your mind is the key to balance and happiness. The mind/body connection touches every aspect of your life. Being aware of this balance is to be conscious of your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Developing healthy ways to cope with the lows in life is vital in promoting positive overall health.

"What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create." ~ Buddha

Never stop looking up. Keep living the fit life. V

by Judi Moreo

What Was

ave you ever done something that was totally out of character for you, but you did it and later wondered if you had actually been in your right mind at the time? Well, that’s what I did. It was New Year’s Eve. My friend and I were talking about something we had always wanted to do and I said I had wanted an RV. Since we were celebrating New Year’s and drinking champagne, one of us came up with the brilliant idea to go online and see if we could find an RV like one we had recently seen in a parking lot. We asked the owners if we could go inside and look around and they graciously allowed us to do so.

Since we liked it so much, it seemed like that should be the RV we would buy, so we went online and sure enough, there was an RV exactly like the one we had seen. We decided I should bid on it. After placing three bids and drinking a lot more champagne, we decided the thing to do for the New Year would be . . . “Oh, what the heck. Let’s just hit the Buy It Now

button.” So I did. (Notice how the noun has changed from we to I.)

I really should have taken note of the fact that the RV was in Washington state and it was January. Someone had to go and pick up that RV, and bring it back to Nevada. I bought two plane tickets and got my Office Assistant to go with me to drive the RV home. There were only two problems: 1. I had never driven an RV and . . . 2. I had only driven in snow a couple of times.

we went to the gas station to fill the tank, we had to clean the cobwebs off the gas cap in order to put in the gas. After driving a few more miles, we turned on the windshield wipers only to discover we needed some wiper fluid with some sort of antifreeze in order for the windshield wipers to work, so we stopped and bought wiper fluid. After driving a few more miles, we decided we had better buy some new wiper blades. It seemed like we were finally ready to head down the road for home. We didn’t really think about the fact that there weren’t many cars on the highway, and just a few 18-wheelers.

The man I bought the RV from promised to give me a lesson in how to drive it, so I figured all would be fine. He picked us up at the airport in the RV, drove a few blocks to his office, got out and said, “Hope you girls have a nice trip back to Nevada.”

As we drove, the RV seemed to be slipping and sliding a bit, and of course, I had no idea that we should have chains for the tires. Even if I had realized it, I wouldn’t have known what to do with them, so I figured I would just stay in the tracks behind the 18-wheelers and all would be fine.

I drove it slowly around the parking lot twice and figured I could do this. When

About four o’clock in the afternoon, it started getting dark, and we realized we

I Thinking?

couldn’t stay in the RV as it had no bed clothes in it. So we decided to stop at a hotel for the night. The desk clerk asked where we had come from and when we told her, she said, “Oh, good thing you came when you did. They just closed that road. And the road you are planning to take in the morning is closed now as well.”

The next morning, we had breakfast and set out on our journey. The road was open. Yea! Once again, we drove slipping and sliding in the tracks of the 18-wheelers . . . up one snowy mountain and down the next. There was nothing but white in every direction. At lunch time, I suggested we stop at a little café in one of the mountain towns and have some lunch. When we walked in, there were six elderly gentlemen sitting around a table near the fire. “Where’d you come from,” one of them asked. Upon hearing we just came over the big mountain behind us, how scared we had been, and how relieved we were to be over it, one gentleman turned to us and said, “Oh that ain’t nothin’. That’s just a little hill compared to the one you are

about to go over.” At that point, we started seriously thinking about living in that little town forever, or at least until spring. But, after some hot soup and coffee, we ventured out again. Me driving. And my assistant, Charlotte cheerleading me on: “You can do this.” “You’re doing great.” “We’re going to be just fine.” “You’re a good driver.” We both held our breathe as we slipped and slid across the state of Washington, a corner of Oregon, through Idaho, and on into Utah. Three days of me pretending to be confident in my driving skills, and Charlotte pretending to trust my driving skills and cheering me on. Each night the road closed behind us, each morning the road opened, and once again, we would drive until it got dark. White was all around us. Nothing but white as far as you could see. No cars anywhere, just the 18-wheelers and us in the RV. After we went through Cedar City, Utah, the snow lightened up. By the time we got to St. George and then on to Mesquite,

there was no snow anywhere. When we stopped, Charlotte jumped out of that RV so fast it wasn’t funny. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she was kissing the ground and thanking God we had gotten back alive. Here was my cheerleader, telling me she hadn’t really been as confident as she seemed. I was not about to admit how weak in the knees I was, but I was every bit as glad to see a bit of green grass as she was. When I think back on this adventure, I seriously wonder, “What was I thinking?”V ### Judi Moreo is an adventurer, inspirational speaker, trainer, and life coach. She is the author of eleven books, including her two international bestsellers, You Are More Than Enough, and Conquer the Brain Drain. You can sign up to receive her newsletter at www.judimoreo.com. (After 3 years, and many more adventures, Judi sold the RV…on New Year’s eve.)

Bunny Wiseman

Mesquite Distinguished Citizen

or more than ten years, Bunny Wiseman had been one of Mesquite’s best cheerleaders. She not only cheers, she commits her time, talent, and energy helping Mesquite be Mesquite. Bunny is a longtime teacher/member of the Virgin Valley Artist Association, helping to oversee the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery and has served as past president and treasurer. She was honored at the annual Hearts for the Arts Dinner. Her art volunteering includes time managing the theater, as well as working behind the scenes at productions. Bunny is currently President of Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation. Bunny was runner-up in the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant and now assists with the annual contest.

Bunny donates her time to city committees, including Bike Friendly Mesquite and the City Charter. Along with her husband Mike, she donates her time to the annual Mesquite Reads Book Sale.V

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Growing the Game – Junior Golf by Rob Krieger, PGA Director of Instruction

t’s that time of year again for parents and their children to start making plans for the summer. As a kid growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I remember summers getting up early, delivering papers, and then going to play golf. My friends and I would beg our parents to drive us to the course, or when they couldn’t, we would walk to the course to play. The season always ended with a big tournament and a huge raffle of golf equipment. The Blackbrook Junior Golf Program taught me about playing competitive golf, and so much more. Each Friday morning in the summer, we would get a group lesson from the pros and then we would go play. The season always ends with a big tournament and a huge raffle of golf equipment where the juniors would win everything from golf balls to full sets of

PowerBilt Golf Clubs. Little did I know how much a part golf would become in my life. All I knew was that I loved to play golf. It led me to become a golf professional and toward the PGA of America. Golf also brought me twenty-one hundred miles west from my home where I started my own business of teaching golf and showing others how to play the game I learned as a kid. It is my hope and the hope of my fellow professionals that the juniors of today will learn to enjoy the game as much as we have. The lessons they learn from the game will help them grow from children into adults, and will last them for the rest of their lives. They will then enthusiastically share it with others. In our area, we are very fortunate to have two great junior golf programs for kids so they are able to enjoy golf throughout

the summer. The Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association (VVJGA) is located in Mesquite, Nevada, and the Junior Association of Golfers (JAG) Program is located in St. George, Utah. Both have been very successful in helping juniors prepare to play golf in high school as well as in college. The goal of VVJGA is to introduce youth to the game and to encourage its members to play in high school and participate in tournament golf. It also prepares them to apply for college scholarships and to take part in the many opportunities offered while playing golf as an undergrad. They also stress not everyone will have the desire to play competitively, but by learning to play while they are young they can make new friends and play golf throughout their lives.

Tom Winchester who is the head professional at the Casablanca and Palms Golf Courses, has been running the program since 2008. He says there are roughly seventy-five kids that sign up, and they wouldn’t be able to do any of it without Marsh Sherwood and Marisa Hansen, the administrators of the program. “They are invaluable, as well as the parents, volunteers, and the local professionals and their courses who donate their time and resources to support the kids. Year after year, Mesquite Gaming is the biggest sponsor. They provide money, facilities, resources, and staff to make it all happen.” The program is designed to have nine, one-hour clinics provided by the local pros and volunteers. The clinics are three days per week for three weeks, and begin in June. After the clinics, there are six weeks of tournaments at the area courses which end with an awards banquet in August. Juniors participating receive discounted green fees at all courses, Free range balls and equipment are available for those in need, and those benefits last all year. Sign-

up begins the middle of April at the Palms or Casablanca GC’s and is fifty dollars per child. Tom says, “Even if there are limited funds or equipment, don’t let that stop you from doing it. Come and try it.” For Tom, junior golf taught him responsibility. He learned that everything

was on him and he was his own referee. He started when he was eight years old, and it became a family activity, with his dad and mom traveling just for golf. He eventually earned all state honors. He wants to pass his love of the game on to the kids to teach them they can be competitive while having fun. “Even if they

don’t want to play at a high level, they can learn and experience a sense of personal achievement.” The JAG Program in southern Utah is designed to provide junior golfers affordable access to local courses while developing their skills through instruction and golf tournaments. Colby Cowan, Director of Golf Operations for the City of St. George, says, “The program gives boys and girls, seven to seventeen years of age, the opportunity to learn rules, etiquette, traditions, and skills required to appreciate and enjoy the game . . . while building character and friendships.” Over five hundred kids enrolled in 2016, and it is expected to be higher in 2017. Michael Orchard, an assistant at Southgate Golf Course, and tournament coordinator for the JAG program says; “We have about eight tournaments throughout the year at different courses with fifty to one hundred players at each event. The highlight for the players is the Match Play Tournament and the Points for Player of the Year in each age group. This kind of competition helps them get ready for high school golf and to play at the collegiate level. I am a product of the JAG program,

and it prepared me for the next level and to play golf my whole life.” Cowan also stated that, “JAG has produced multiple players that have gone on to play in college, as well as going into the golf business.” The annual JAG membership fee is forty dollars, and they receive:

• Three dollar green fees at St. George City Courses, May through September

• Six dollar green fees October through April • Range ball discounts • JAG T-shirt • Free instruction clinics and rules/etiquette classes • Eight optional tournaments • Five optional parent/child events • One optional Elks sponsored skills challenge • Mid-year pool party • Kickoff party on May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Southgate Driving Range

Cowan says, “Whether you’re experienced or not, JAG has something for everyone.” Registration is online at www.stgcity.org/golf starts April 10 and runs through June 9 . Golf is a game of a lifetime that teaches kids a sport, life skills, and influences them beyond their youth. Help us to grow the game of golf where integrity and honor in sports still exist. Sign up your junior in our local programs today, and maybe you will start them on the lifelong path of fairways and greens!V Rob Krieger – PGA Director of Instruction – Red Rock Golf Instruction www.stgeorgegolflessons.com

Healthy Workforce

A Community Project in the Virgin Valley

story by Burton Weast photos by Stephanie Clark f there is one thing that most people can agree on, it is the need for a sustainable economy in our communities. But the agreement breaks down when people are asked how to achieve a stable and positive economic environment. One thing is clear, however, creating a strong economy is more than just jobs. To have a strong economy, a community needs quality workers, and to attract workers, you need affordable housing.

Many, if not most, communities look for state and federal governments to solve their problems when jobs are lost or stores begin to close. But things are different in Mesquite and the Virgin River Valley. Early in the Great Recession, the City of Mesquite realized that using their staff

to lead economic development in the community had two drawbacks. First, negotiating with companies looking at Mesquite as a possible location want strict confidentiality â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a condition that is difficult for a public agency to meet and still be open and transparent. Second, the economy of Mesquite is dependent on the entire region, not just the activity within the city limits. For Mesquite to thrive, neighboring communities from southern Utah through the Arizona Stip, to Moapa Valley, and beyond have to be active participants in the solution. The sustainable development triad of jobs, workers, and affordable housing was born. The first part of the sustainable development triad, jobs, saw the creation of Mesquite Regional Business, MRB, in 2012 was the result of hard

working, involved citizens. Organized as a non-profit, MRB studied economic development opportunities for the entire Virgin River Valley, and quickly learned both the advantages and disadvantages of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offerings to prospective employers. Advantages included a prime location along I-15, about halfway between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and an involved and strong business community. That helped MRB achieve several successes, including assisting with the development of Rising Star Sports Ranch which opened in 2016, and siting a major RV repair and warranty center which will begin construction this summer. But MRB also lost opportunities, including major warehouse facilities, which are a natural source for new jobs given the

regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location along I-15. The second part of the sustainable development triad, workers, was also beginning. Companies want to see an available and quality workforce before committing to relocation. In 2015, MRB began organizing a new nonprofit to provide workforce training in the Virgin Valley. By January 2016, a volunteer board was created and Mesquite Works was incorporated. Mesquite Works is different than most workforce agencies in that it is community-based and not reliant on federal training funds and the federal regulations those funds require. The board of directors includes major area employers including Primex Plastics, Do-It-Best, Mesa View Hospital, Mesquite Gaming, and educational providers, such as Moapa Valley High School, Beaver Dam High School, Virgin Valley High School, College of Southern Nevada, and representatives from local newspapers, churches, and involved citizens. In February, Mesquite Works opened its office adjacent to, and with support from Virgin Valley Family Services, which

Volunteers from Virgin Valley High School help move furniture into the new Mesquite Works office.

includes a food bank and thrift store. The office is staffed with volunteers, including three members of VISTA - Volunteers in Service to America. The non-profit utilizes the many talents in the community, including residents who are retired and have experience in business, education, and social services. Today, Mesquite

Works is providing training and assistance to job seekers while coordinating with employers, both existing and future, on developing needed skills. Typical classes include resumĂŠ writing, interviewing skills, attire for hire, job readiness, and building confidence.

this problem, MRB, the City of Mesquite, and the community as a whole went to work. The first step was to show the regional construction industry that there is a demand for more than retirement communities. To do that, reliable thirdparty information was needed to show the immense need for workforce and senior housing. The Nevada Rural Housing Authority was contacted, and in 2016 a housing survey was completed. The results showed what the community already knew: The need for affordable housing was great.

MW Exec Board Mesquite Works Executive Committee- Darlene Montague Secretary, George Gault, Vice Chair, Burton Weast, Chair and Rich Green Treasurer.

Individual assistance with personal job coaches who can help define goals and assist in finding the right job is also available. Most classes are held at the Mesquite Works office which is located 312 W. Mesquite Boulevard in Suite 102. The office, which is adjacent to the food bank, faces First South Street. Some classes are held at other venues, including College of Southern Nevada and area churches. Other activities include high school career fairs where employers can tell students about job opportunities in the region. The first job fair was held in April at Virgin Valley High School. The goal is to let our graduates know they can find good careers here in the Virgin Valley.

to individuals who want to improve their education and job skills. The Salvation Army job training office is located at the Mesquite Library and can be reached at (702) 507-4093. The entire community, churches, the community college, traditional aid organizations, and new groups, such as Mesquite Works have come together to build a better community. For more information, go to mesquiteworksnv.org. But the effort to reach a sustainable economy in the Virgin River Valley is not done. The third part of the economic development triad, affordable housing, needs to be addressed.

Even the court system in Mesquite is working to utilize the job training activities in our area. Through the municipal court of Judge Ryan Toone, individuals can receive job training that can count toward community service.

At first glance, building in Mesquite is booming. The number of residential building permits issued in February, 2017 was double the number of those in February, 2016. Recently, Mesquite was named the fastest growing city in Nevada, with an annual growth rate of five percent.

In addition, the Salvation Army has information on traditional on-the-job grants to employers through federal workforce programs, and can offer tuition assistance

But the housing growth is mainly in the more affluent retirement sector, and not in the price range of younger working families, as well as many seniors. To tackle

The Preliminary Housing Demand Analysis for Mesquite and Northeast Clark County showed that of the currently vacant housing units, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The vast majority . . . are identified as seasonal and recreational.â&#x20AC;? Units are not reasonably available for workers or many seniors. The study concluded that over four hundred additional rental units are needed now in order to meet the demand, and the number of existing affordable single family units are far below demand. In true Virgin Valley and Mesquite tradition, the community has gone to work. The city is working to officially join with the Nevada Rural Housing Authority so that the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technical and financial resources can be better applied. MRB, Mesquite Works, and the city have begun meetings with contractors to show how the community can support housing efforts and make the approval process reliable and timely. Three new housing projects aimed at workforce, families, and seniors are already being finalized, and should begin construction this year. While much work remains, the Mesquite region is on the way to a sustainable economy. The community demands nothing less, and is willing to put the time and effort in to make it happen.V

Niko – Reaching for the Top by A. Kathleen Snow

hirteen year old Niko Oakley has been motocross racing since the age of six. Despite some medical setbacks, he has been persistent in reaching for his goals and finding success with the support of his family and many others around him. Niko Oakley started riding dirt bikes at age three, and motocross racing at the age of six. He lived in Scott Township, Pennsylvania with his parents, Jamie and Debbie Oakley, his two siblings, Tommy and Francesca, and his grandfather, George Schlasta. Jamie and Tommy were both motocross racers who taught him how to ride at a young age. When other kids were learning how to ride a bicycle with training wheels, Niko was riding a 50cc motocross dirt bike. “He was a natural that put in hours of practice,” said Jamie Oakley. “With many first and second place wins under his belt on both the east and west coast, he is still going strong.”

Niko’s parents, siblings, and grandfather, George, have been extremely supportive of his passion for racing. Debbie Oakley said for those who do not know much about the sport of motocross, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. The sport takes hours of dedication and maturity, and has to be taken very seriously. “This sport helps you to become self-confident and free,” said Niko. “What a great feeling that is.” About four years ago, Jamie and Debbie heard something no parent wants to hear about their nine-year-old son, Niko; that he had epilepsy. They first noticed Niko having unusual problems when he woke up one morning before school and started getting ready. He went to his parents and said he thought he passed out in the bathroom. After seeing that the bathroom floor had drool on it, Jamie and Debbie sat and talked with Niko to see if they could make sense of the incident. After Niko explained he sometimes has weird feelings on his face, they were both very concerned

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting the brain with about 5.1 million people in the United States having a history of epilepsy, and about 2.9 million people having active epilepsy. The amount and type of seizures those with epilepsy have varies with each individual. It can be dangerous to engage in activities, if a person has a seizure they could become seriously injured. It is advised to follow medical recommendations for each individual, according to their severity of the epilepsy. Activities such as driving a car are prohibited in some states unless a doctor issues a document stating the patient has been seizure-free for a specific period of time. Niko and his parents learned to recognize when he feels an episode coming on so he can stop whatever activity he is involved in.

and Debbie made a doctor appointment for him. Niko’s doctor referred him to a neurologist who specialized in epilepsy. While waiting to get in to see the neurologist, Niko experienced more seizures. The neurologist diagnosed Niko with epilepsy, which is a seizure disorder of the brain. At that time, the neurologist told Niko and his parents he could no longer participate in motocross racing. “I remember Niko looking at me and his dad, with tears in his eyes, saying ‘There's not a chance I'm giving up racing, ’” recalls Debbie. “That is exactly what he did; not give up.”

“It took a lot of hard research learning about the disease as we taught ourselves and Niko how to deal with it,” said Debbie. “As parents, we deal with Niko's epilepsy one day at a time. Now, thankfully, it is controlled with medication, and even though he still sometimes feels tingling in his face, we know how to handle it.” Niko was one of the few 50cc riders asked to participate in Amsoil's National Amateur Arenacross race in 2012 at Southpoint Casino in Las Vegas. Because of the appealing environment and the ability to ride all year long on motocross tracks, unlike Pennsylvania where you are limited to racing in the months of April through October, his family decided to move to Nevada. They rented a home in Las Vegas until they decided to settle down in

Mesquite. Niko has found a special liking for the Mesquite MX Motocross Park in Littlefield, Arizona. Once Niko started riding and racing there, the owner of Mesquite MX, Jason Shaw, saw potential in him and decided to fully sponsor him. Over the past eight years, Niko has raced at numerous events, taking home many first, second, and third place trophies. Niko also likes to challenge himself in other areas. He recently participated in the Reebok Spartan Race at the Mesquite MX Park in Littlefield, Arizona on March 18-19. The race is an obstacle course in which runners make their way through mud, fire, walls, barbed wire, and other terrain difficulties. Niko placed third on the eighteenth and first on the nineteenth. Debbie said what lies ahead for Niko is a wonderful journey. Because of motocross, Niko had an amazing experience in the summer of 2016. He auditioned for, and was chosen for a role in the movie Drop Off, a Doty-Dayton Production written by Lyman Dayton. Niko also worked with stunt coordinator, Jeff Chumus. He played the role of the stunt Mx rider for the main character. During filming, Debbie said Niko would tell her and Jamie that he can do whatever the actors were doing. Ever since, he has desired to be in the film and modeling industry. He got his wish, and will be heading to Los Angeles, California for his first photo shoot at the end of March. He has signed with two talent agencies, one for film and modeling, and one for sports. “From there it will be up to Niko to live out his dreams as his parents help him through this phase of his life,” said Debbie. “I am sure everyone will be hearing more about Niko inV the near future.” You can visit Niko’s website at www.nikooakley88.com, or look him up on YouTube, Twitter, or Instagram. **Note: It is important with any chronic medical condition to follow your doctor’s advice according to each individual’s circumstance and health needs.

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Local Students Take Over Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery!

by Debbi Swanson Patrick

rt and children. They go together like paint and brush. Or paint and fingers, for that matter. Kids can’t help but want to express themselves in whatever medium they fancy. Mad, wonderful spreading of color to represent their world is a compelling purpose. And thankfully, it is alive and well in Mesquite. In May, the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery, run by the Virgin Valley Artists Association (VVAA) will once again be filled with art from hundreds of children from elementary school through high school and some who are homeschooled. They can’t wait to see their masterpieces on the walls of a real art gallery. The VVAA donates money to the art classes for supplies. Teacher and Art Specialist, Sara O’Neal, from Joseph L. Bowler Elementary, says she has even heard the kids say, “We’re gonna be in a museum!” O’Neal says, “We don’t have as many opportunities as big cities, so this is a big deal for them.” Her one hundred and fifty participants, selected from the entire student body from kindergarten through fifth grade will show

photo courtesy of the Mesquite Fine Arts Center

paintings, drawings, masks, and collages. Last year they showed sculptures. And when the show is over, they get to take their art home, along with a certificate of participation suitable for framing. “We’re working on their projects now. As a teacher, I love seeing how the students progress as they grow,” said O’Neal. This is one of the most rewarding exhibits each year at the Gallery. “It’s a joy to walk into the gallery and see the walls literally covered in art by these kids,” says VVAA President Kat Cole. The photos of past events show the packed gallery. “There’s nothing better than to see the students’ excitement as they’re acknowledged, especially in the company of their parents.” Teacher Lori Raines of Virgin Valley Elementary School says, “The students talk about the show all year long, and frequently ask if the current project is going to be in the art show. On the night of the Artist Reception, the kids come dressed in their Sunday best. They show off their work to family and friends, their faces just beaming with pride and sunshine. They feel it is an honor to be included in the show, and I see them working to that end all year.” From the seven hundred students in her school, one hundred and fifty to two hundred pieces are selected, including a variety of two and three dimensional pieces. “It has been my honor and privilege to facilitate my students’ participation in this art show,” adds Raines. Art teacher Natalie Halladay, of Charles Arthur Hughes Middle School, has been part of the Student Art Month for eleven years. This year, her students are creating 3D art. “I’m all about recycling and repurposing stuff. So this year, the kids made self portraits on old school clocks among their projects.”

Halladay says her middle school students are different than elementary or high school students. “They’re in their insecure years, so I teach in an art therapy environment. They’re all safe here to depict whatever issues they’re experiencing. Their selfreflection time is just between us. There’s no judging others as they understand everyone’s art has a deeper meaning. I work to make sure they’re all secure in their talent when they graduate.” Coming in new this year is art and photo teacher, Tyler Roylance from Virgin Valley High School. He is a first year teacher, having just graduated from BYU-Idaho. (Tyler likes to still call it Ricks College just for fun). “I love the gallery,” says Roylance. “With so many retired people here, they bring their life experiences to their art. And I try to teach my kids all kinds of art, not just drawing and painting.” He has introduced them to wax, pens, markers, gouache and ink, and more.

photo courtesy of Natalie Halladay

Critiquing art is also a part of art life, so that experience is given to participating high school students, many of whom have participated multiple times in the gallery program. Roylance agrees that this opportunity to learn how to communicate about art will be a good skill, especially if they continue with art as adults when they will need to write about their own art, and apply for grants and scholarships. “Art is the mark of a civilization,” is painted on the outside wall of the gallery with symbols from ancient cave paintings. Today’s students are commenting on how they see their world, just like the ancients painted their world on cave or rock walls.V

photo courtesy of the Mesquite Fine Arts Center

The Eureka Hotel and Casino sponsors Student Art Month. The show runs May 1-27 with the reception for families and the public on May 25 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. For more information visit www.mesquitefineartscenter.com.

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Golden West

Restaurant and Casino

ince the Valley Inn was remodeled and reopened under new ownership as the Golden West Restaurant and Casino in 1996, it has been a local’s favorite. Situated at the corner of Mesquite Boulevard and Willow Street, the original site was the location of a church tithing lot where donated goods were collected and distributed to the poor. By the 1920s, the property was in private hands and had become a retail store. The building was converted to the Valley Inn, and later remodeled to the Golden West Restaurant and Casino. In more recent times as part of the downtown development project, Golden West sponsored the painting of a mural depicting a local river and mountain scene. The mural occupies the west side exterior wall of Golden West, and is visible to motorists as they travel east on Mesquite Boulevard. The site history is on Mesquite Historical Marker Four located in front of the building. Leaving her position as Human Resources Director at a local hotel casino to spend more time at home and riding her horse, Jeanne Guttke arrived at Golden West in February, 1998 seeking part-time employment. She soon found herself

working full-time as Bar Manager. By 2000, the TLC/Magoo's Gaming Group from Las Vegas partnered with the original owner to assume operational control. In November, 2000, Golden West Restaurant and Casino needed a General Manager and Jeanne stepped up to the plate. Managing Golden West for over sixteen years, Jeanne, along with an outstanding staff and support from TLC/Magoo’s has built a solid reputation for quality food, gaming, and friendly customer service. The heart of any casino operation is the selection of gaming products offered. Golden West offers fifty multi-game, multidenomination, Penny to Dollar, poker, both progressive and non-progressive jackpots, and slots with themes and games to excite everyone. Key elements in the success of Golden West are player events and rewards. As part of the TLC/Magoo's group, Golden West patrons participate in promotions ranging from the immensely popular Gambler's Bonus player rewards system, traditional football and sports promotions, classic car giveaways, and golf tournaments. Each year TLC/Magoo’s conducts a car giveaway where players from each location earn entries in a

drawing that allows the winner from each property to travel to a Las Vegas TLC/ Magoo’s location for a chance to draw the lucky key that will start the classic car Grand Prize. Along with the car giveaway, prizes and cash are also awarded to lucky contestants. Nobody goes away empty handed. The annual golf tournament fields teams from each TLC/Magoo’s location competing in Las Vegas to win the trophy for their location. Golden West has won the tournament on four occasions. Quite a feat considering the thousands of golfers from the Las Vegas valley! More than just the tournament, prizes, and trophy, are the comradery and just plain fun the golfers enjoy. For the past four years, Golden West has sponsored the annual Donkey Jamboree fundraiser for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue and raised thousands of dollars in donations for Peaceful Valley and their satellite facility in Scenic, Arizona. The event features booths, live donkeys, live entertainment, food, and beverages. All event food and beverage sales are donated to Peaceful Valley. Several

hundred people mingle and enjoy the annual event, learning facts about the gentle donkeys and burros from the knowledgeable Peaceful Valley volunteer staff. Quality food is essential to any localsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; casino operation, and Golden West prides itself on cooked-to-order food at reasonable prices. For seven straight years, Golden West has been voted "Best Burger in Mesquite" in a poll conducted by Mesquite Local News. Beyond the standard menu items and daily specials, Golden West offers unique entrĂŠes such as Navajo tacos, fish tacos, soups, and salad wraps. In keeping with the casino theme, Golden West offers a full-service bar where patrons can eat, play their favorite games, and enjoy a beverage. There are also two dining areas for patrons seeking traditional dining service. Jeanne and her staff pride themselves on friendly service, knowing their regular family of customers by name, and welcoming new patrons into the family. Recently, Golden West was recognized as Business of the Month by the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce. Whether you are traveling between Las Vegas and Utah, driving down from St. George, or are a lucky local looking for a good meal and a fun time, everyone is welcome! V

Golden West Restaurant and Casino is located at 91 E. Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite. Call (702) 346-7500.

Mesquite

Sinclair Comes to by Charlene Paul

wax nostalgic each time I approach exit 120 to Mesquite, Nevada. As a kid growing up in Las Vegas, I looked forward to family road trips to northern Utah for visits with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. But that trip was hot and the road seemed to stretch into eternity. It didn’t take long before my sister, brothers, and I were whining, “Are we there yet?” To keep our focus off the lengthy journey, Mom would challenge us to find landmarks along the way. There were the adobe brick houses on the Shivwits Indian Reservation, the fruit stands in Santa Clara, and the big horse in front of Dick’s Cafe in St. George. We looked for the train station in Cedar City, the cheese factory in Beaver, and Geneva Steel in Utah County. But no matter how busy we stayed looking for interesting things to see, the endless stretches we lovingly referred to as the

Middle of Nowhere went on and on and on forever. For me the highlight of that excruciatingly long trip was only about eighty miles from home. I watched out the window waiting to see the Hafen Dairy barn. I loved the sight of those letters painted on the roof, and I loved seeing the black and white dairy herd. The vast beauty of the emerald green alfalfa fields was a welcome sight after miles and miles of desert landscape. Travelers of today would barely recognize the Mesquite I remember as a kid. In June of 1930, Max and Estelle Hafen moved to Mesquite. They had twenty acres of land, a small barn, fields, and a house. As the years passed, the number of acres grew to around six-hundred, and the farming operation expanded from a small herd of range cattle to a larger herd of dairy cows. With the addition of the

dairy cows, they became part of a co-op of dairy farmers from Mesquite, Bunkerville, and Logandale who sold milk to operations like Anderson Dairy in Las Vegas and the Beaver Cheese Factory in Beaver, Utah. In February, 1969, Franklin Mickelson brought his family from Idaho to begin construction on the Hafen Dairy barn. It was constructed of cinder block in the herring bone style with a ceramic glaze on one side to make it easier to clean. There was space for ten cows on either side, and there were twenty milking machines that fed a pipeline that delivered milk into a bulk cooling tank. By 1973, the Hafen boys were milking 350 cows. By 1975, the herd had expanded to 850. Feeding a herd that size was a monumental task. It took each family member to keep the operation running smoothly. They were up before the sun

Hafen Dairy, photo courtesy of Virgin Valley Heritage Museum to feed the animals. The calves had to be bottle fed, and each mother cow had to be herded into the barn to be milked . . . twice a day. Herding dairy cows is different than herding beef cows because they don’t like being told what to do. Although, when it was time for milking they knew where they needed to be. It kept those Hafen boys busy. But as author Geoffrey Chaucer once said, “Time and tide wait for no man.” And as time passed, new industry and business came to Mesquite, literally changing the landscape. In 1994, the Hafens sold fortyfour acres of farmland to Players Island, now the CasaBlanca Hotel and Casino, for a golf course. By the summer of 1995, the dairy cows were gone. The Hafen Dairy barn came down in 2012, and along with its closing came the close of a long and colorful era in southern Nevada farming. Sunset Greens sits on ground that was once rich with alfalfa fields.

Today, however, there is a new landmark just off exit 120 on I-15, and it promises to be a welcome addition for hungry and thirsty travelers. Look to the south side of the freeway and you will see a towering sign with the big, green dinosaur that marks the location of the new Sinclair Convenience Store. Privately owned and operated, the store promises to have friendly, down-home service, affordable fuel, cold drinks, and lots of other things to meet the needs of those traveling up and down I-15. The location is perfect for a quick pit stop. It may seem strange that a couple of men who milked cows, fed calves, mucked stalls, and baled hay as boys would end up running a convenience store, but when asked how that came to be, Derek Hafen explained, “Well, we’re just a couple of old farm boys looking for a little business to keep what’s left of the farm up and running.”

I often still glance to the south on my way to Mesquite just to make sure the Hafen Dairy barn isn’t on the top of the hill. I get a little teary-eyed longing for days gone by. But that big green dinosaur on the Sinclair sign down in the old pasture promises convenience, clean restrooms, cold drinks, gas, and easy access back to I-15. The new Sinclair Convenience Store is a welcome addition to Mesquite. Along with the easy I-15 access, hungry and thirsty travelers can fuel their vehicles, get something to eat and drink, stretch their legs, and get back on their way in no time. It is true that time and tide, indeed, wait for no one. The cows are gone, the barn is gone, and so are most of the rich, green alfalfa fields. But the big, green dinosaur is here to stay. The convenience and friendly service of Mesquite’s newest addition will have travelers returning again and again as they traverse I-15. Welcome, Sinclair!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

St. George Area Parade of Homes

etween the February 17th and 26th, the St. George Area Parade of Homes took locals and visitors on a county-wide tour of the finest in southern Utah landscapes, design, and construction. Passing rain showers over President’s Day weekend did not deter visitors. A total of 37,158 tickets were sold, each accompanied by a map and directions to twenty-eight luxury residences.

Ticket sales were slightly higher than last year, according to the Southern Utah Home Builders Association. A few lucky visitors went home with giveaways, including a $1,500 shopping spree at Boulevard Home Furnishings. Seven of the featured homes found new owners during the tour. Prices ranged from $250,000 to just under $3 million. Now in its twenty-seventh year, the Parade of Homes is produced by SUHBA in partnership with numerous local sponsors, including Zions Bank. It is the largest real estate tour in Utah.

Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale photos courtesy of Kathy Cieslewicz/ DSU Sears Art Museum Gallery

hirty years ago, the Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale was established as a way to support the preservation of the arts at Dixie State University, then known as Dixie State College. Today, it is regarded as one of the state’s preeminent art events. The Invitational is a showcase of a variety of media, from landscape to sculpture, by top talent representing Utah and surrounding states. Approximately two hundred and fifty pieces of art from one hundred artists were featured this year. The Viewer's Choice winner was Jeremy Winborg for his painting Native Drummer.

A free artist symposium, preview, and opening gala kicked off the show on February 17. Artworks remained on display during regular gallery hours through March 26. The Invitational is the only fundraising event that benefits DSU’s Robert N. and Peggy Sears Gallery, and thirty-seven percent of the purchase price is tax-deductible. Proceeds from other shows go directly to the participating artists. Gallery curator Kathy Cieslewicz and her staff schedule six exhibits each year. Next up is Sight Site, a photography showcase, which will be on display from June 19 through August 18.

Sout hern Ut ah

Sand Hollow Marathon

photos courtesy of Chris Mathisen/Red Dog Events

lue skies and red rocks dazzled the runners of the Seventh Annual Sand Hollow Marathon on March 11. The scenic course makes a loop around Sand Hollow Reservoir, with the start and finish line at the Recreation Center in downtown Hurricane. A half marathon option was also offered for the first time this year. Gary Krugger won the men’s marathon, while Stacy Vossberg was the top female finisher. Aaron Metler and Emily Shaw triumphed in the half. In total, one hundred and eighty-six runners participated, only about forty percent of whom were locals. The Sand Hollow Marathon is organized by Red Dog Events, the father-son duo of Chris and Billy Mathisen. The Mathisens have created fifteen unique outdoor events, including the Hurricane Mud Run, which will return for the fifth year on May 13. All are made possible with assistance from dozens of volunteers and the support of sponsors, plus the City of Hurricane. “The best measure and the reward of an event is the magnificent runners at the finish line,” Chris Mathisen says. “I have come to appreciate the long-distance runner.”

What You

KNEE-D to Know Learn Why Your Knees Hurt And What You Can Do To Find Relief by Dr. Brian J. Carr, Orthopedic Surgeon, Board Certified

his is the season for enjoying all kinds of outdoor activities and adventures. From walking, golf, and hiking to getting out of bed in the morning, aches and pains in your knees can really hold you back. The second leading type of chronic pain, knee pain may be the result of an injury to a tendon or swelling within the joint. The most common cause of knee pain is arthritis. WEAR, TEAR AND REPAIR The largest, strongest joint in your body, your knee is where your shinbone and thighbone meet. A healthy joint has plenty of cartilage to cushion your bones and provide smooth, stable support. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage wears away and becomes frayed and rough. This may cause the bones to rub together or produce bone spurs. The pain of osteoarthritis can develop during the course of many years, and the pain generally worsens over time. Your doctor can help you find a treatment plan to stop knee pain and get you back to normal life.

DO I NEED A KNEE REPLACEMENT?

During a knee replacement, the damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with a metal and plastic joint. Before undergoing surgery, your doctor may recommend other options, including: • Assistive devices • Knee injections • Over-the-counter pain relievers • Physical therapy • Prescription medication to stop inflammation and pain • Weight loss If you have tried nonsurgical options and still have knee pain that keeps you from sleeping or participating in normal activities, you may need a knee replacement. Almost all patients who choose knee surgery find that they get relief from their arthritis following rehabilitation. Since knee joints can last for as long as twenty years, there is often no age restriction on getting a knee replacement.

Mesa View Regional Hospital provides total joint replacement of the hips and knees, helping bring relief to those suffering with severe arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases. In addition to traditional orthopedic surgery, some patients are candidates for less invasive procedures. If appropriate, specialists may use minimally invasive techniques which often allow for better precision with less incision. That includes anterior approach hip replacement surgery, a significantly less invasive alternative to traditional solutions. During the anterior approach, the surgeon reaches the hip joint from the front, as opposed to the lateral (side) or posterior (back). This way, the hip can be replaced while disturbing less surrounding muscles, and simply working between them. Immediately following surgery, patients may often bend their hip freely and bear full weight when comfortable, resulting in a more rapid return to normal function. Other potential benefits include:

• Reduced pain • Reduced tissue healing required • Reduced risk of dislocation and other complications • Shorter hospital stay • Quicker return to the life you love Learn more about our joint replacement, simple steps to success by visiting: www.mesaviewortho.com. V

About the author: Brian J. Carr, MD is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Prior to coming to Mesquite, Dr. Carr was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and has served eighteen years 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 the most current treatments, they should be treated with compassion and respect. Dr. Carr practices full-time in Mesquite, and is now accepting new patients. He can be reached at: Mesa View Medical Group 1301 Bertha Howe Ave. Suite 1 Mesquite, NV 89027 702-346-0800 or www.mesaviewmedical.com

view on DESIGN

How to Mix Historical Features with Modern Design by Helen Houston ook to the past for inspiration and pair contemporary style with distinctive designs characteristic of their times.

Antique items, historic furniture designs, and period defining decorating techniques give traditional homes a great sense of story and character, which is why I always

suggest looking to the past for inspiration when decorating your home. Think about which decorative elements defined period spaces, and translate them into a modern setting with colors, finishes, textures, layout, and positioning. This could be anything from bold statements, such as large tapestries and grand ceiling moldings, to simple things such as porcelain ware or a Chesterfield sofa. Surprise with Plasterwork Throughout the centuries, plasterwork such as ceiling moldings, cornices, and paint effects, have been used to give rooms structure and a focal point. They were fundamental to Victorian interiors, and are influenced by classical design. Today, plasterwork can be used with clean architectural lines for concealing lighting, adding interest and dimension surrounding your ceiling lights, or to create soffits to set your window treatments. Fashion a Porcelain Display The Ming Dynasty saw the export of porcelain ware to Europe via the silk route. Porcelain was so rare and precious that European aristocrats and wealthy merchants displayed their collections as a sign of wealth.

These days, porcelain displays have a more decorative aim. Instead of the traditional kitchen or glass cabinet display, think about creating a colorful arrangement of plates to hang on a wall. Define an area, such as a reading space, or hang the plates near your dining table to create a visual link. Use different sizes in a nonsymmetrical pattern to create a modern composition. Consider Hanging Fabrics Medieval and Renaissance tapestries were revered for their intricate detail, rich colors, and often vast scale. They are no longer needed for insulation, but they make for a striking feature and are an alternative to framed art. You can find old tapestries in antique markets, or if that sounds like too much work, use an unusual rug or kilim. Renew Something Re-owned The Chesterfield sofa was named after the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield in the eighteenth century. Three hundred years later, this glorious sofa is still making an appearances in many homes. But it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to look old fashioned. The dark leather of a library sofa can be updated by upholstering it in any number of different fabrics, such as velvet. Or

combine it with modern side tables; incongruous elements can work together! Pare Back a Four-Poster Bed Dating at least to the sixteenth century, four-poster beds were built with a purpose and included heavy drapes to offer privacy and protection from the drafts. Modern incarnations have been stripped back, getting rid of the canopies to reveal just a simple frame. If there is a low ceiling, consider using the uprights with a decorative newel cap and no fabric. Curate Something Curious The cabinets of curiosities of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries contained everything from taxidermy to plants, minerals, and religious artifacts. Anything that was rare or unusual was pulled together to create a spectacular collection. In a modern living space, built with a purpose and included within a bookcase, study, or guest bathroom. Assemble the mysterious and quirky with objects, photographs, or other paraphernalia from various travels to curate unusual stories. It will be an exceptional talking point.V Helen Houston is the owner of Hues & Vues, a custom design studio located at 350 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Building 100. 702-346-0246.

view on HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Find Time For “Doga” And Outdoor Exercise! by Laurie Nelson-Barker

inding the time to grow gardens, eat healthy, and get enough exercise is not always easy. It is especially difficult during winter, so now that the suns’ rays are providing extreme warmth and light again, it is time to take advantage of the opportunity to play outdoors. My spouse, Mike, and I find that we are more likely to stick to a routine if we schedule time for it. I have found that is the case for my training clients as well. It is too easy for other activities to inch their way into your normal routine if you do not set aside time exclusively to workout and play. So, Mike and I began by resurrecting the outdated Nintendo Wii, and practicing a yoga routine each morning before breakfast. To our amusement, our giant dog, Tess, tried to mimic some of the moves. Tess is not a morning dog, but her attempts started some fun Facebook conversations and we now call our

routine doga in her honor. She excels at downward-facing dog. By the time the warmer weather surfaced, we were doga experts, and the Nintendo was getting a little creepy. It told me that I should throw a surprise birthday party for Mike, and told him that he needed to pay more attention to me. It also commented that it had not seen Tess in a while. She was there, viewing the activity from the comfort of her dog bed. I guess the Wii has become a life coach, monitoring our household activity and suggesting reform. At least it is not charging us consulting fees, as far as we know, so hey, we are okay with that. We had already improved our balance and flexibility thanks to our morning endeavors, but it was time to add more outdoor activity. Lawn and garden maintenance kept us busy, but we needed something more. Cycling the twenty miles

into St. George from Dammeron Valley has always been a preferred weekend workout. In the past, we have kept a truck in town and driven home with our bikes in the back. On one occasion, we met friends in town for lunch and when we got to the truck, realized we had the wrong key. That meant biking back to Dammeron Valley. We filled our water bottles and headed up the hill. It was a warm day and we eventually ran out of water. I was slow; Mike was faster. But when I got to the north end of Snow Canyon, I found him lying in the parking lot trying to recover. We still had a ten mile uphill climb ahead, so we did what any fearless southern Utah warriors would do: We called our neighbors to pick us up. Not wanting to suffer that kind of humiliation again, we purchased pedal assist bikes. It was a hard sell. My reasoning was that now we could make a round trip back to Dammeron Valley

without risking death, and if an electromagnetic pulse takes out the power grid, our bikes will still work. If they are charged, we can get a bit of assistance on the hills, but if not, we will have to rely on our own power. We find that we are more likely to ride even if there is a bit of a headwind. In the past, that would have been a deal-breaker. It is difficult to admit that our bodies are not in the same condition they were twenty years ago, even if the Wii says so. Did I mention that the Wii lies? Therefore, we will continue to practice doga, bike, hike, golf, and hope for the best. V

by A. Kathleen Snow

Larry LeMieux Dance Studio where they both taught. They married in 1984 and moved to Salt Lake City where they bought the Arthur Murray Dance Studio franchise. They have two sons and three grandsons. His work history includes: Riverboat pilot, car salesman, mail carrier, journalist, editor, newspaper publisher, owner and manager of a ballroom dance studio, and is the current manager of the Mesquite Airport. Besides having gained a lot of experience from his work history, LeMieux has become well-known for the non-profit organizations and events he has either founded or contributed to in the valley. “I always have tried to do some kind of good deed each day,” explained LeMieux. “I am regularly approached by people asking me to help with some project and usually say yes. I really find reward in putting smiles on the faces of the people who benefit from my efforts. Just getting involved is rewarding.” The first non-profit organization Larry helped start in Mesquite was the Mesquite Senior Games about fifteen years ago, and he is currently on the board of directors. He recently organized a Trap and Skeet shooting competition to add another sport for the games.

arry LeMieux has tried to live by the old saying, “Do a good deed each day.” But according to many, those deeds have branched out and positively impacted the community and those around him since he moved to Mesquite in 1997.

LeMieux was born in Iowa and has lived in Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. He graduated from Coronado High School in Scottsdale, Arizona and studied Art at Scottsdale Community College. He met his wife, Ava, in Phoenix at Arthur Murray

Other accomplishments include: • Founder of the Mesquite High Rollers Motorcycle Club with his friend Steve Hoff; • Creating the Mesquite Concert Series that hosts variety shows featuring local talent; • Directing a number of musicals for Virgin Valley Theater Group; • Serving on the board of the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation; • Serving on the board of the Mesquite Community Theatre; • Directing the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant six times;

• Working with the Mesquite Toes,

Mesquite Showgirls, and Mesquite Arts Council; • Forming the Mesquite Community Band which combined with the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra in which he is the current vice president and trombonist. “Larry is a man who cares about this community and the people here, “said Brian Wursten, current Mesquite City Councilman. “He is someone you can count on and brings incredible creativity to this valley. He is a man of great integrity and has helped to bring the arts to life in Mesquite.” LeMieux said he feels one of the most rewarding projects he was involved in was when a local kids dance school had worked up a dance presentation only to have their studio shut down. They reached out to the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation for help when he was on the board of directors. He told them he would produce and direct the show for them so they would have a chance to perform, and it went very well. “Seeing the faces of

Larry and his wife, Ava, dancing Tango in Mesquite on Broadway.

these kids as they danced their hearts out was amazing,” said LeMieux. Jodi Johnson had a daughter involved in the dance group. “The dance studio shut its doors a month before there would be a dance recital, so we scheduled a meeting with the Arts Council and Larry was on the council and jumped in to help,” explained Johnson. “That was the first time I met

him, and he just was so great and kind and understanding to all sides. Larry was a large part of helping put a recital together for the dancers who had been preparing for months and learning routines. Most of the dances were not finished and some great people stepped in to help finish choreographing the routines. Larry oversaw everything and took charge to put together a wonderful recital for the

dancers. He played a large role in giving the dancers and the community something that they will always remember! Larry is so fantastic! Mesquite would not be what it is without him.” A more challenging project for LeMieux has been the Young Eagles event where youth ages eight to seventeen can go on free plane rides and learn about aviation. In this event, he has to arrange for permits, recruiting extra attractions like fire trucks, hot rods, motorcycles, RC planes, and of course, for the kids who attend the event. He said many others contribute to the event, including local pilots, volunteers, and the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter from Salt Lake City, as well as the generous people of Mesquite who help provide housing for the visiting pilots. “This is the twelfth year this event has taken place, and the looks on the kids’ faces after flying is priceless,” said LeMieux. Brian Wursten first met LeMieux when he was directing the musical Spitfire Grill at the Mesquite Community Theater. As a singer and performing artist, Wursten participated in many shows that LeMieux directed after that. “He introduced additional culture and brought different eras to life in many shows,” said Wursten. “He has dressed me up like Bing Crosby, John Belushi, Frank Sinatra, and Elton John in different shows; I think mostly just to laugh at me.” Wursten says LeMieux has brought to light much talent from so many in the community by helping people learn and grow, and by showing them they are capable of much more than they think. Wursten says watching LeMieux dance with his wife, Ava, is outstanding. He especially did a great job when teaching ten to twelve couples how to dance the Tango for his most recent performing arts event. “After I introduced my father, who was an opera singer with an incredible voice, to Larry, he wanted my father to perform in every show he did. This created some very special times for my father, who passed away this year, and me. I will forever be grateful to Larry for that. He always told me he wanted to bring more culture to Mesquite, and he has done just that.” There are many other events, groups, and so-called good deeds that LeMieux has played a large part in while living in Mesquite. However, after many others shared their stories, it seems those deeds have become special, lasting memories for many.

Larry with Ava at Black White Ball

“If we all tried to do something selfless for others each day, can you imagine the difference we could make in the world?” asked LeMieux.V

view on DEFENSE

"STAY BACK, YOU'RE NOT MY DAD!" "STAY BACK, YOU'RE NOT MY MOM!" by Dena Hoff

f you hear a child yelling these words and see them in a defensive radKIDS stance, help them! You have encountered a radKIDS graduate. Resisting Aggression Defensively, radKIDS, Inc. is the national leader in children's safety. It is a national empowerment program taught locally to children from the age of five until their thirteenth birthday. There are currently four local instructors, Rod Frieling, Dena Hoff, Kimberly Thurston, and Duane Thurston. In 2007, each instructor attended a class in Las Vegas where they had to pass a simulation with an instructor in the redman suit. This is the same simulation the children participate in during the program. The radKIDS instructors believe every child is entitled to a realistic and empowering safety education. It is the right of every child in our community to have choices and options when faced with some of the realities of violence in our society. The only way for this

to occur is through education, since children only know what they can observe and learn. The radKIDS class shows the children many different types of safety and the proper use of 911 calls. The program aims to teach children how to feel empowered by using some or all of the realistic defenses against abduction, harm, or assault they learn in class. They are taught that no one has the right to hurt you by bullying or sexual abuse. Children learn not to be afraid, but to hit hard, run fast, and tell a trusted adult. Instructors have heard reports of students using their radKIDS skills when taught once over the summer. The instructors believe the radKIDS class is one that children need to repeat whenever possible. Repetition helps prepare them for emergencies. On the last day of class, the parents are invited to attend. They can watch their child use some of the defensive moves in the abduction simulation with the redman. The child receives a graduation certificate with their picture and fingerprint. This certificate enables the

child to attend any radKIDS class in America for free. It can also be used by the parent if the child is missing or abducted. A radKIDS class will be taught August first through the fourth, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:30 P.M. at 100 N. Arrowhead, Mesquite, Nevada. A child must be able to attend the complete class which consists of a total of 10 hours. If they miss one class, they are out of the program. There is no charge for the class. Children not enrolled in the class will not be allowed in the building. Donations for the maintenance and upkeep of equipment to be used for future classes are welcomed. We would like to say a special thank you to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the use of their facility. V Please register at the following address: vvradKIDS@gmail.com by leaving the name of the student, age, parent's name and phone number or call (702) 346-5827.

Color Your Desert Landscape By Dr. Q

lanning a showy garden in the desert for the summer can be challenging. The key to success is choosing the right flowers for the appropriate exposures and environments. Simply, tint your desert landscapes with some drought tolerant flowering plants. There are an array of plantings to choose from that can be both tolerable of heat conditions and beautiful at the same time. When thinking about desert landscapes, most of us imagine rock and cactus. Not the case! If one takes the time to amend and prepare planting areas, and takes care to plant the proper flowers in the suited space, you will enjoy success. Depending on your preference in color, there is something for everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palette.

Lantana

have yellow ray florets, touched with red bases and yellow-brown disk florets that produce early summer until fall. Parrotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beak (Lotus berthelotii) can be a great addition to your sunny garden. This plant produces trailing stems and flowers that are sweet pea-shaped in shades of red to yellow. Coupled with good soil, drainage, and a happy garden environment, the plant will work wonders in hanging baskets, rock gardens, and even as a cascade.

Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri) will add an abundance of foliage and shallow cup-shaped, pale pink flowers to your rock landscape. Flowers are borne from early summer to early autumn. They open during the day and gently close during the evening. It works well as an accent anywhere that you have space. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wild child! It will spread if you let it, providing instant gratification for the impatient gardener.

Gazanias . . . Gazanias . . . Gazanias . . . referring to the Gazania Daybreak Series. This is a clumping, evergreen perennial with glossy leaves covered with silky white hairs. Sounds a little creepy. . . No worries. This hairy little plant creates solitary flower heads in bronze, orange, yellow, pink and/or white. Blossoms are often dark in the center. Flowers open on sunny days and close at night or when it is cloudy out. Clumping Gazanias are great accents to walkways or randomly placed in a rock garden. Go Gazanias!

The Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) screams of summer. It is low-growing with daisy-like shaped flowers that are great for the warm season. Their flower heads are loaded with color. They

With a common name like Gopher Plant (Euphorbia rigida), you would not picture this as a favorite plant for color in the desert, but it is. This plant has interesting foliage and a form that is

Gopher Plant

Parrot's Beak

Mexican Evening Primrose

initially erect and then spreading. It creates contrast and bright color to an otherwise dull landscape. During the warmer spring season, it produces really cool yellow cyathia cupped by yellow involucres that redden with age. The cyathia is simply the greenish-yellow flower clusters. The awesome word involucres refers to the leaves surrounding the cyathia. Great evergreen!

Blanket Flower

Lantana varieties always add tons of color to the landscape during the summer months. This plant is available in solid colors of bright yellow, lavender, and white to blends of orange, red, and pink. Whether it is a trailing variety or bush variety, it will be sure to brighten any sunny location. Visit your closest Star Nursery location, and allow the creativity to flow. Enjoy the color palette we offer for the summer season!V

Gazania Daybreak

Library,Hospital, Museum by Elspeth Kuta

Never a Jail

he museum is an inconspicuous onestory building that looks a little like it might have been a jail. It has been many things, but never a jail. Let me share the story of the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. In 1938, funding through National Youth Association was used to start what was going to be a library for Mesquite. The NYA was similar to the works programs of the depression days, but it was geared toward youth, ages sixteen to twenty, with the idea of teaching skills, keeping kids in school, and giving young people an opportunity to earn money. The young men would travel two miles up the road, just below where the current

Virgin Valley High School sits, and haul rocks for building material. They starting building under the supervision of Walter Hughes, and by 1941 had reached the top of the doorways and windows when funding was redispersed. It was wartime, so the building was left unfinished. The men of the valley got together and volunteered their time to finish the building, collecting rocks from around the building site. As a result, there is a unique design feature on the front wall. There is a line that runs across the front of the building where the boys left off and the men took over. The building opened as a library, but the community got together and decided they

needed a hospital more than they needed a library. Each family contributed thirtyfive dollars, and Dr. Gilbert and newly hired nurse, Bertha Howe took the money to Las Vegas and brought back hospital supplies. And that is how Mesquite got its first hospital. The building served for thirty-four years as the Mesquite Unit of the Clark County General Hospital. Bertha and her prospector husband, Charlie had living quarters in back of the hospital. Bertha was the nurse in charge for the thirty-four years that it functioned as a medical facility. She was responsible for tending to emergencies, well-visits, shots and immunizations, the twentyeight babies born in the building, and on occasion, going to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes to do follow-up care. She is an unsung heroine

of the valley, and was dearly loved by all who knew her. It was said that she had a pleasant personality, was a great cook, and kept everything clean and comfortable. In 1977, Bertha and her husband passed away within six weeks of each other. That closed the hospital, and the building stood idle before being used for Boy Scout meetings, town meetings, and storage. Mesquite became a city in 1984, and in 1985, as part of the first anniversary celebration, the building was dedicated as The Desert Valley Museum. It was later renamed the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. Early collectors of artifacts for the museum went to the descendants of the Virgin Valley and asked them to donate their treasures. As a result, we now have over 5,500 artifacts. Today the 18-inch thick walls house a wonderful collection from the valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early

settlement and growth. It is a mish mash collection, but reflects well the area and people who settled here. Along with caring for our wonderful artifacts, we feature a monthly display: March was Quilts, April was Valley Commerce, and May is Military Memorabilia. We also sponsor monthly activities: March was chocolate-dipping, April was Flint Knapping with Kelly Beeson and Brent Hughes, and May is ice cream making at the Family Fun Night for Mesquite Days. We have stepped into the electronic world, with most of our artifacts available for viewing online. All the books that are not copyrighted have been scanned and are available to read online at pastperfectonline.com. Visit our Facebook page #mesquitenv #mesquitenvmuseum to see what we have and what we will be doing in the future. Information about what happens at the museum is also available on the Mesquite City Calendar at www.mesquitenv.gov/calendar.

Charlie and Bertha Howe's 50th Wedding Celebration

Once you have toured the museum, drop by our neighbor, the Mesquite Art Gallery for a taste of what our talented local artists have to offer. Parking is located behind the building.V

view on ENERGY

Turn the lights off! By Keith Buchhalter, Public Affairs Specialist Overton Power District No. 5

can hear him now, "Keith, turn the lights off!" That was my dad, twentyfive years ago. I used to get so annoyed every time he said those four words. Ironically, I find myself repeating those exact four words to my kids every time I catch them leaving the lights on in an empty room. Now, I look back and see the wisdom in my dad’s words: Why pay for something you don’t use? After twelve years working in the utility industry and answering thousands of times the question "How can I save on my next electric bill?", I realize that most of the tips I share, I learned while I was growing up. Also, you don’t have to spend money to save money; simple changes in how you do things at home can have a positive impact on your next electric bill. Let me share with you ten of my favorite no-cost/low-cost tips to save on your next electric bill: 1. Turn off lights when not in use or when natural daylight is sufficient. This can reduce lighting expenses by ten to forty percent.

2. Maximize daylighting. After all, sunlight is free! Open or close blinds to make the best use of natural daylight and take advantage of skylights or other natural daylight sources to reduce lighting during daytime hours. 3. Use shades and blinds to control direct sun through windows in both summer and winter to prevent or encourage heat gain. 4. Use ceiling fans to push hot air down in winter, and to keep air circulating so you feel cooler in summer. 5. Vacuum coils behind or underneath refrigerator or freezer twice a year. Set the refrigerator to thirty-eight to forty degrees Fahrenheit, and stand-alone freezers to zero degrees Fahrenheit. 6. Unplug battery chargers for mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other devices when not in use. They use energy even when they are not actively charging anything.

7. Use the energy-saver drying options on your dishwasher. Let dishes air dry, if possible, to save more energy. 8. Add weather stripping to drafty doors and windows. 9. Close windows and window coverings in hot weather during the day to keep hot air out. Open windows at night or early morning to let cool air in. 10. Dry two or more loads in a row when doing laundry to take advantage of the heat that is still in the dryer from previous loads. Hang clothes to air dry when possible. Clean lint filters after drying each load of clothes. For more energy savings tips, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Visit us online at www.opd5.com. From all of us at Overton Power District No. 5, we hope you find value in this information. We would love to hear your favorite energy saving tips. Email us at customerservice@opd5.com.

Mesquite Regional Business Joins National Economic Development Week Activities May 8th – 13th to Promote the Mesquite Area

kickoff luncheon is planned for Friday, May 5 at the Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite. This will be the first in what will become a regular, quarterly Distinguished Speaker Series, and will feature Brent Hathaway, Dean of the Lee Business school at UNLV. A Lunch and Learn will be held Tuesday, May 9 at Sun City, Mesquite, and the week will wrap up with an Awards Luncheon at CasaBlanca Resort/Casino on Friday, May 12. There will be plenty of other community events, tours, and features for the public to enjoy, and a complete schedule can be found on the MRB website at www.MRBNV.org. MRB is governed by a seven member board of directors, and meets monthly. Dan Wright, senior vice president at Bank of Nevada, serves as chairman. Dave Bennet, the AVP/Business Development at Fidelity National Title, is the vice chairman. Kathy Bussman, Comptroller/HR Director at Wolf Creek, serves as the secretary/treasurer. Other board members are Burton Weast, Courtney Sweetin, George Gault, and Justin Teerlink. The organization has a two-member staff. Rachel Dahl serves as President and CEO, and she is assisted by Sylvia Cox.

esquite Regional Business announces their participation in the nationwide Economic Development Week celebration sponsored by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) starting May 8. Last year more than seventy-five communities across the country participated in the first ever event. Economic Development week is an opportunity to highlight the efforts and the importance of economic development efforts to local communities. Economic Developers are responsible for generating economic growth, creating better jobs for residents, and facilitating an improved quality of life. MRB is a private nonprofit organization, 501(c)(6), that was created in 2012 and is the official economic development organization of the Mesquite region. This partnership represents the communities located within Virgin Valley and Moapa Valley, including Mesquite, Bunkerville, Overton, Logandale, and Moapa. MRB focuses on attracting primary businesses to the northeast corner of Clark County, Nevada that will serve as major economic drivers. During the weeklong celebration, MRB will feature various strategic anchors in the local community to show off ongoing efforts to strengthen the economic prosperity of the area. A

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The primary purpose of Economic Development Week is to celebrate both the achievements of economic developers and the industry’s impact on cities, towns, and the world at large. Economic Development Week consists of online and on location activities designed to highlight the importance of economic development and recognize the efforts of economic development professionals in all corners of the world. Communities are encouraged to get involved and take part in the celebration by creating events that will showcase industry and educate community members. The terrible national economic situation of 2008 is still fresh in the memory of community leaders across the country, and the effects of the deep recession have driven leaders to diversify and strategize carefully for their future. Recovery has been slow. With the loss of traditional employment to overseas countries, and the loss of value in land and facilities, economic developers around that nation have worked tirelessly to create jobs and elevate the economies of the communities they serve. “Community leaders recognize that in order to be successful, you need to leverage your assets and improve the foundations that support economic development,” said Judie Scalise, owner of ESI Corporation and industry leader in economic development services. V To find out more and participate, please call MRB at 702-613-0109, or email the office at admin@MRBNV.org. More events are being planned as this issue goes to print. Please see their website at mrbnv.org for an up-to-date calendar of events

by Tiara Lisk

Christ mas in July

hristmas carols, festive décor, sugar cookies . . . a lot of things come to mind when you consider what signals the beginning of the Christmas season. At Colonial Property Management, it is the rising temperatures and the onset of summer that kick into overdrive the planning and preparation for Christmas . . . Christmas in July! Eleven years ago, Christmas in July started as a program at Highland Manor to replenish the soaps, lotions, and other essential items that are popular gifts for seniors at Christmas time, just as those Christmas goodies began to run out. With the overwhelming support of the community, the idea has grown into an event that provides assisted living and nursing home seniors with more than just the bare basics. The program has expanded considerably over the last few years, and expanded again last year to include the seniors at BeeHive Homes.

All residents receive shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, and deodorant. Male residents also receive a handkerchief, shaving cream, and a razor. (Residents cannot use bar soap, mouthwash, hand soap or hand sanitizer.) Donations have been generous

enough in the last two years to include an article of clothing for every resident, which is always popular when the gifts are opened.

are welcome to help supplement the essentials we don’t receive through donations, and are used to purchase the clothing and special request items.

Fun items like crossword and wordsearch puzzles, stationery, crafts, perfumes, colognes, nail polish, hair accessories, jewelry, scarves, and the wonderful handknitted and crocheted blankets we are lucky to receive in abundance every year to finish off the personalized gift boxes.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off no later than Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Colonial Property Management located at 736 West Pioneer Blvd. Suite 200, Mesquite, Nevada 89027. Donations can also be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce located at 11 W. Pioneer Blvd. in the Bank of Nevada building.

The boxes are wrapped in Christmas paper at our community wrap party and are delivered and opened by each resident as Santa and Mrs. Claus look on. An average of sixty to seventy-five gift boxes for men and women are prepared each season. Special requests vary greatly, but some of the more popular items are slippers, loungewear, and matching sweat suits in women’s sizes large to 2X, and men’s sizes large to 4X. The ladies like jewelry, especially clipon earrings, and wristlet-style purses. Chocolate and snacks, like peanuts, chips, and crackers, are also popular. If you are interested in donating to the event, cash, checks, and gift cards

This program would not be possible without the community support it receives every year. The excitement of the residents at Highland Manor and BeeHive Homes as they open these boxes is contagious. Thank you to all who get involved and lend support, and to the staff at Highland Manor and BeeHive Homes for their coordination and extra dose of holiday cheer. The confirmed date of the event and the wrap party will be released by the end of April. We hope you will consider supporting the program this year. Please feel free to contact Tiara Lisk at Colonial Property Management with any questions by calling (702) 345-2200 or email tlisk@cpmlv.com. V

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A Cut Above

Steve Cramblitt and Chef Jackie Dodart

by Susan Cramblitt

“A

sharp knife is a safe knife. Using a dull knife is an invitation for disaster. If you try to force a dull knife through the surface of a food product, it’s more likely to slip and cause an injury. Also, if you do happen to cut yourself, a sharp knife will result in an easier wound to attend to.” I know sharp knives are the key to successful food preparation, and different knives are used for different tasks, such as slicing meat, slicing bread, or paring fruits and vegetables. I also know how easily a sharp

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knife slices through a finger, leaving a very straight cut, which is much easier to bandage than a jagged rip. Yes, I have cut myself. Okay, yes, more than once. Knife skills knowledge is the first step in achieving an artistic delivery of a common meal that will deceive your guests into thinking you had a professional chef in your kitchen. When visiting my Maryland-dwelling inlaws last year, I watched as my brotherin-law, Bob, prepared some chives for the

meal. Bob rhythmically moved the knife down the chives, and if I had measured, I assure you, each piece would have equaled the other in size. My interest in culinary skills was tweaked. A class in the use of knives was penned onto my To Do list. I recently moved from a large city to Mesquite and realized I missed my favorite kitchen buddy, Harmons Grocery Store. My buddy did not let me down for long. Santa Clara sits just outside of St. George, and

therein roosts my larder. Log onto their website, www.HarmonsGrocery.com, and voilà, you will find a myriad of culinary classes. I registered for the Knife Skills class and of course, took my husband, Steve, with me. Class curriculums vary, and offerings can be found on their website. Age and skill level are not barriers for attending classes, just read the topic and it will tell you if it is a beginning or advanced skills class. At sixty years old, I was not the oldest student, and the birthday boy for the night, Marek Morrill, was the youngest student chef, at twelve years of age. The class was a combination of newbies, like Marek and me, and monthly participants who knew the professional chefs on a first name basis. The classes are so enjoyable and educational that you will be smitten and want to attend several. Most classes involve preparing and eating a meal. This night was a knife skills class and did not involve making a meal, although a complete meal was served. As knives were being introduced, the class dined on a delightful appetizer of Kalamati and green olives, thinly sliced salami, crispy wafers, and bead-sized cheese balls, a main course of freshly made pepperoni or cheese pizza, a salad of field greens, shallots, and roasted pecans with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and a dessert of vanilla bean ice cream topped

Left to Right: Shane Robillard, Jackie Dodart, and Caitlin Clementson

with a chocolate covered coffee bean and a piece of dark chocolate on the side. Wine is available at the classes, but as Chef Jackie said, “Alcohol and knives do not play well together.” Tall glasses of ice water sufficed for this meal. Harmons’ professional in-house chefs are Jackie Dodart and Shane Robillard. These two patiently trained the class of ten with humor, seasoned skills, and watchful eyes. The most important thing I learned in this class was the proper way to hold

the food item being sliced. Now I know the secret to keeping all of my fingers. After demonstrating the knives in use for the evening, we were ushered to our own stations which included bell peppers, onions, carrots, and celery. Knives were distributed and away we went, slicing and dicing. Some of the cuts we learned were julienne, batonnet, Brunoise, paysanne, and several more commonly used styles, such as, oblique, bias and rondelle. The prep stations are situated next to each other, so of course, there was constant comparison to your neighbor’s work. I invented a couple of indefinable slicing styles, but laughter with new friends is part of the class. Steve and I can now cut onions without tears simply because the correct cutting skill lessens the time spent on the task. I can’t share the amount of knowledge I gained from the hour and a half class, but I highly recommend the class for improving your understanding and use of knives. Also, the chefs mentioned that these classes are perfect for all occasions, bridal parties, girls’ night out, Scout troops, daddy/daughter dates, and a perfect first date night. The class was well worth the forty-minute drive from Mesquite to Santa Clara. It is nice to have my buddy, Harmons, back in my life. V

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A Revolution at VVHS!

by Linda Faas

revolution is brewing at Virgin Valley High School! Trouble? NOPE! This is a revolution of the best kind: Expanded opportunities and support that will change lives for the better. This past year, students were offered nine courses of study in vocational skills, more than in the recent past. Mesquite is on the verge of creating more job openings requiring technical skills. A significant number of VVHS graduates need assistance in achieving post high school training in technical skills, or in preparation for college, They need all the help they can get to build successful lives. The high school’s Career and Technical Education, CTE, courses now include: Agriculture, Automotive Tech, Culinary Arts, Digital Design, Furniture and Cabinetmaking, Marketing and Business, Photography, Theatre, and Video Production. Each of these courses is a three year program that can earn free

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college credits while attending high school. Students can get a leg-up as they head toward advanced schooling after graduation. By following a CTE three year program, with a 3.0 (B) GPA, Nevada students have a potential cost savings of five hundred dollars in fees and books for each completed CTE course.

Just two of those CTE courses, Agriculture and Culinary Arts, have each attracted over one hundred and twenty-five enrollees this past school year, and are having a positive impact on the enthusiastic students. Not long ago, Mesquite was an agricultural community, with practically every family dependent on raising livestock and crops. With the mid-twentieth century transition to hospitality and transportation, and later to sports, gaming, and retirement, interest in agricultural studies dwindled. The Mesquite Future Farmers of America chapter, one of the nation’s first, lapsed as

fields were converted to casinos and golf courses.

Enter Jeri Lynn Benell, who is helping to move VVHS back to the future. A rancher from birth, she was educated as a music teacher and spent twentyfive years teaching music. Seven years ago, she saw the opportunity to recreate an agriculture curriculum at VVHS, and earned her Business in Industry certificate that launched her second teaching career. “This is what my life is!” she exclaims. Benell’s initial class of only six students has grown into a three year CTE course of Agriculture, Food Science, and Leadership with an enrollment of one hundred and thirty-five students. Agricultural training has application to many professions, including food production and safety, nutrition, veterinary medicine, floraculture, and a host of others. Her students raise vegetables in their campus greenhouse and garden,

and hatch chicks for sale to local residents, providing income to fund their participation in the Nevada State FFA competition in Reno. No doubt, many of her students will find their fortune and satisfaction in life rooted in agricultural studies. Chef Chris Noone was hired at VVHS last fall, just two days before the start of classes. There was no time to lose re-equipping the dormant school home economics classroom, and hardly time to catch his breath as he exited his thirty year career as a head chef at top restaurants in Las Vegas. Noone came to Mesquite excited to have the opportunity to pass along his expertise and make a difference in the lives of young people who are looking for jobs in an industry that promises a good future. Generous financial support from the Eureka Casino Resort launched the new VVHS Culinary Arts program. “I want to give a shout-out to the Eureka.” says Noone. “They provided the new equipment we needed to teach kids to cook.” Indeed, the Eureka’s funding of over $20,000 in equipment and supplies launched the program that had no funds budgeted for the 2016-17 school year. “The kids are better cooks than I expected,” Noone says. Indeed, those young chefs showed off their new skills by preparing an amazing buffet dinner for one hundred and twenty guests from the community at their inaugural Spring Fling on March 21. Imagine going from learning to boil water to preparing dinner for that crowd in a few short months! Chicken piccata? No problem! Pasta with pesto sauce? Perfecto! Layer cake? You got it!

Students with Chef Chris (in black) ready to serve Spring Fling buffet.

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VVHS orchestra plays at Spring Fling.

With culinary training on his job resume, senior student Cameron was hired at the CasaBlanca, and is now looking into post high school training at a culinary arts academy. Whether it is woodcraft or electronic games that spark interest and drives determination to excel, VVHS students now have access to a broader scope of courses that will serve them well as they plan their future. Planning that future, however, can be tough and expensive. Retired educator, Darlene Nelson surveyed the local schools several years ago and saw a need for more personal mentoring and assistance for students at every grade level. A teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time is often spread too thin. She recruited a cadre of people from the community, mostly retired folks, who were willing to volunteer their time and talents to the young people who needed extra attention and guidance to grasp basic skills. Darlene and her mentors also helped high school kids focus on life beyond the schoolyard. They needed assistance in filling out college admission forms and searching for funding so they could finance their dreams.

Dan Wright, Bank of Nevada, led off fundraising drive with $5000 donation for VVHS scholarships. He presented the check to Darlene Nelson, president of MCEF.

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For the past two years, Maury Putnam has taken on many of those support tasks at VVHS. She was hired in the recently funded position of College and Career Specialist. She juggles many tasks as she supports the current tech courses and looks for opportunities to add more. She, like Darlene Nelson, understands the need for students to secure more training and scholarship funds if they are to thrive in the post high school world.

Culinary students prepare a lunch for MCEF meeting. (MCEF pays $10 per person).

Enter Mesquite Community Education Foundation, MCEF. Formed by Nelson, Putnam, and a nucleus of Mesquite residents who want to help every kid succeed, this new non-profit 501(c)(3) has been formed with the goal of providing financial support for the graduating VVHS seniors who need it most. Some graduates who are ready and willing to attend college or trade school, simply are not successful in securing scholarships, and loans are expensive. Nelson has led the effort to seek out those businesses and individuals in the community who can provide funding and are willing to work with the Foundation to expand opportunities for graduates. MCEF has established its nonprofit status and independent scholarship fund, and has tapped community leaders to work together to help our local students. MCEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sponsorship of VVHS Spring Fling on March 21 was the first bridge building activity for the community. This was a golden opportunity for VVHS students to show off their talent and participate in the actual work of raising funds that benefit their future. The one hundred and twenty guests who witnessed the talented students can be confident that their funding and support of VVHS students is money well-spent. Everyone in Mesquite can be proud to be a part of this revolution at VVHS. Contact Bank of Nevada at (702) 346-6600 to donate to the MCEF scholarship fund, or call Maury Putnam at VVHS, (702) 346-2780 for information on how to support CTE classes.V

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Great Sout hwest

Drumbeats of the by Adele Park

he Spirit of Drumming Have you ever heard a high-spirited drum corps and found your heart racing with excitement? There seems to be something about drumming, especially when there is more than one drummer, that resonates with people. In the Southwest, drum circles are enjoying a resurgence of popularity as more people are beginning to recognize the benefits derived from the simple act of beating on a drum. Dating back as far as 6,000 B.C., drumming is a universal activity found in every culture. The first sound humans hear is their mother's heartbeat. Replicating that vibration is organic in nature. For centuries, drumming has been used as an expression of spirituality, integrated into marriage ceremonies, solstice gatherings and harvest rituals. Today, drum circles are used to relieve tension, increase

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well-being, and promote a sense of connectedness through this simple form of music.

At the Center for Spiritual Living in St. George, a diverse group of people gather for a monthly drum circle. Formed by Monet Lion three years ago, the Earth Vibrations Drum Circle has become a fun and easy form of spiritual reflection. Sam Cohen, one of the current organizers of the group, says drumming as a group serves as a primal form of community building. “When I invite people to the drum circle, it's a way for them to get more inner focus,” says Cohen. In the drum circle, participants take cues from each other which helps create a unique form of synergy. The circle itself represents this dynamic since no one is above, in front of, or in back of anyone

else. “We are all in a circle so that everybody is equal,” Cohen says.

Drum Therapy Today, drum circles have become a recognized form of therapy, though this type of treatment has been used for thousands of years. Healers from all cultures have discovered drumming to be a valuable remedy for stress, depression, anxiety, and even some types of physical disorders. Recent research indicates drumming can provide emotional release, boost immune systems, and accelerate physical healing. Groups like the American Music Therapy Association strive to ensure quality music therapy is delivered through rigorous accreditation and research. In order for drumming to be considered therapy, it must be administered by a credentialed

music therapist who identifies specific goals to be achieved. Desired outcomes could be things like improving physical range of motion, relieving chronic pain, or increasing self-expression. Dan Adams is a board certified music therapist who says drumming is an effective method for treating a wide range of patients. Drumming is an easy activity that can usually match anyone's skill set. Participants don't need any previous musical experience to get the hang of drumming. Drum therapy has also become a recognized form of treatment for emotional illnesses such as depression or drug addiction. Adams says drumming is a particularly effective form of expression for autistic patients or those dealing with anger issues. “You can hit a drum as hard as you want and still say what you need to say,” notes Adams. Drumming has physical benefits as well. Adams has had success in using drumming to help cerebral palsy patients. “It helps increase their range of movement,” says Adams. “Clients will swing farther to hit a drum than they normally can reach.” With a growing population of senior citizens living in the Southwest, this alternative form of therapy is especially attractive. People looking for a natural, healthy way to increase their quality of life are finding that drum circles often fit the bill.

“Drumming is along the wave of people realizing there is another way to connect and express themselves,” says Adams. Whether you're looking for a way to blow off a little steam, boost your immune system, musically collaborate with others, or just have fun, drum circles are a time-tested form of healthy expression. What is the sound of the drum you will march to?V

Join the Circle Earth Vibrations Drum Circle Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM Center for Spiritual Living 908 1400 West, St. George Donations appreciated Drum Circle at DiFiore Center Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 3:00 PM DiFiore Center for Arts and Education 307 N. Main, St. George $10 suggested donation

Drum Circle at DiFiore Center.

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Tennis TNT – Tips N Tricks – by Donna Eads

s we move into summer, remember your equipment and body need extra care. You wouldn’t leave a child or pet in the car on a hot summer day. Take care not to leave your tennis equipment in the car either. Take the precaution prior to a match to drink at least a quart of water for every hour you are planning to play. Hats, towels, extra socks, and shirts are a must in the summer. It seems harder to move your feet on a hot day, but footwork is the foundation to any great shot. At the baseline, your moves are large, but as you close on the net, they become smaller. Even the simplest forehand volley requires a forward movement to complete the shot. If you are right-handed, step toward the oncoming ball with your left foot. Looking into the sun is a problem on a bright summer day, so a hat or visor and sunglasses are a must. When faced with an overhead that is right into the sun, there are two choices. One is to back up and allow the ball to bounce, thus not attempting an overhead. Or using your non-dominant hand to shield your vision, so you can see to use your overhead. During the Mesquite Senior Games in March, there were a couple of issues that affected both players and fans. As a reminder, a player is never to hit a ball in anger after the point is over. Many club players do not know you can and should be defaulted if a player or bystander is hit by such an action. Our fans tried to call the score for the players in a finals match. If the players forget the score, they must do their best to reconstruct the score without interference from non-players. If they cannot agree, they play from the point of a score of 30-30 for that game. See you on the courts! V

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Book Signing by Local Author B

obbie R. Yeates is a local author whose permanent residence is Riverton Wyoming. She enjoys her vacation home of warmth and sunshine in Mesquite, Nevada. Bobbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brave memoir opens her life to the tragedy of suffering physically and mentally from Tramatic Brain Injury.

her life. Her memoir reveals many after-effects of traumatic brain injury others may not have yet discovered in the quest to cope with the special challenges of TBI. V Her book signing was held March 25, 2017 at the home of Elaine Bauer in Mesquite, Nevada.If you wish to contact the author her email address is: byeates@wyoming.com

Traumatic Brain Injury is rampant, and most of the world does not realize it. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recent report on brain injuries sustained each year in the United States peaked at an alarming number: 1.7 million. "Oh! The Journey" was written to share the path of one woman and her family and loved ones as they looked for strategies to improve brain function and quality of life. Bobbie Yeates was a woman in the highpoint of her life when she suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a motorcycle accident in 2003. "Oh! The Journey" is the narrative of the struggle to regain

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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

MAY

Student Art Month May 1-27 Stop in at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery and view the work of young local artists from the elementary school, high school, and home school. See article on page 74 | www.mesquitefineartscenter.com Paint & Sip with the Mesquite Chamber May 2 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Join the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn Express, 1030 W. Pioneer Blvd., Mesquite, for a Paint & Sip Party. Admission is $35 for Chamber Members and $40 for Non-Members and includes supplies, and beverages. Limited seating available. www.mesquitenvchamber.com | (702) 346-2902

Mesquite Works! Job Fair May 3 2 - 6 PM Mesquite Works! presents an opportunity to meet your local employers at the Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort, 333 N Sandhill Blvd, Mesquite. www.mesquiteworksnv.org | (702) 613-0699 Archaeological Field Day May 4 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. Bring lunch and lots of water and expect to hike, get dirty, and be tired by the end of the day. You might do site survey work, or cataloging, or any number of archaeological tasks. Admission: $60 zionpark.org Spring Home & Garden Expo May 5 10 AM - 7 PM Come join us in celebrating the 16th Annual Home & Garden Show! Here, you'll discover ideas, inspiration, and information to help you create the home and garden you've always wanted. Admission: $5 per person. Dixie Convention Center, 1835 S Convention Center Dr, St George. Light Up the Night 5K & 10K run May 5 7 PM - 11:45 PM Join the Light Up The Night Run for this family-friendly event open to the public and welcomes all members of the community and surrounding areas. There is a 5K and a 10K timed Run. All participants must have a head lamp or some type of light for the run. www.mesquitenv.gov | (702) 346-8732

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Mesquite Days May 3 - 7 Join Mesquite for fun and games. This years event will be held at 897 W Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite. See ad on page 50 | (702) 346-5295

10th Annual Beaver Dam Jam May 5 - 7 3 Day Music Festival & Lawn Mower Racing! Tickets start at $20 for Friday or Saturday. $15 Sunday. 3 Day Pass $45. Kids 12 and under are free. For tickets and more information on the line up, check out our Facebook page or call the Beaver Dam Station. (928) 347-5589 | (928) 347-5492 Eureka Kentucky Derby Party May 6 10:30 AM Hang out in the Season's Ultra Lounge and enjoy the Kentucky Derby. Tickets: $10 at J.S. Merchant inside the Eureka Casino. See ad on page 89 Mesquite Days Parade May 6 10 AM - 11:30 AM Parade will run along Mesquite Blvd. from Arrowhead to Willow. Contact Beth Caplinger for details. www.mesquitenv.gov | (702) 346-8732 Ironman 70.3 St. George May 6 Join St. George in this fun triathlon event at 50 S Main St, St George, UT. Admission: Free for Spectators - Athletes: $275-$395. stgeorge70.3@ironman.com Casapoolooza â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spazmatics May 6 8 PM - 10:30 PM A poolside concert freaturing the Spazmatics, Nerds that rock from Sin City. Doors open at 7 PM. Must be 21 or older. Zion Canyon Farmers Market May 7 9 AM - 12 PM Fresh Farmers Market located at the Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon, 1212 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale. Night Sky Photography May 7 8 PM - 9 PM Professor Alex Chamberlain from Dixie State U, Night sky photography and hands on learning - bring a camera. FREE to the public. Community Center at 126 Lion Blvd., Springdale, UT. planner@springdaletown.com

MRBI Economic Development Week May 8-13 Economic Development week is a series of activities that will highlight the efforts and the importance of economic development efforts to local communities. See page 100 | admin@MRBNV.org | (702) 613-0109 Simple Indulgence Shopping Event May 13 10 AM - 4 PM Enjoy a "Ladies Day Out" with vendors at Rising Star Sports Ranch. Homemade goods, jewelry, makeup, lotions, nail wraps, clothing, candles, books and more. *Bring a donation of non-expired canned or boxed food and you will be put into a drawing for a $25 gift card. 11th Annual Amazing Earthfest May 14 - 20 Celebrate the centennial of America’s National Parks, in Kanab, UT. Amazing Earthfest features 35 exciting events for people of all ages. amazingearthfest.com Moapa Valley Sculpture Show May 18 - 20 This show is a great opportunity for artists to submit/sell their work and for the General Public to view and purchase art. General Admission Tickets are available for purchase at the gate, $7 per person, $20 for a family. Clark County Fair & Rodeo, 1301 Whipple Ave, Logandale. Sports Leadership Summit May 19 - 21 Rising Star Sports Ranch will host their upcoming Sports Leadership Summit, featuring an all-star lineup of coaches, athletes, and trainers. Reservations required. RisingStarSportsRanch.com/Summit | (702) 726-8515 Mayhem in Mesquite XI May 20 6 PM Watch future stars of MMA fight it out at the CasaBlanca Resort during Mayhem in Mesquite XI. Admission is $50 for Floor VIP Reserved seating and $11 for Floor and Bleacher Regular General seating. StarTickets.com | (800) 585-3737 Rim to Floor or Rim and Back May 22 8 AM - 4:30 PM Enjoy one of Zion’s premier hikes and learn a lot about the desert you love along the way. Limited to 8 participants. Allday, strenuous 7-8-mile hike! Admission: $65. Zion Human History Museum - Springdale.

JUNE

Clash in the Canyons June 3 - 6 Golf Mesquite Nevada hosts Golf Channel 2017 World Long Drive Championship in the Clash in the Canyons. See article on page 24 Casapoolooza – Yellow Brick Road June 3 8 PM - 10:30 PM A poolside concert featuring Yellow Brick Road, Las Vegas’ #1 Classic Rock band! Doors open at 7 PM. Must be 21 or older. Junior Golf June 7 Help us to grow the game of golf where integrity and honor in sports still exist. Sign up your junior in our local programs today. See article on page 64 Belmont Stakes June 10 2 PM Come watch the races at the Eureka Casino in the Seasons Ultra Lounge. See ad on page 89 Discover the wonders of the night sky June 14 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM Discover the wonders of the night sky with Professor Samuel Tobler. FREE to the public and include, but are not limited to, an outdoor component - so you might need a jacket, and you might want to bring a chair or a blanket to sit on. Community Center at 126 Lion Blvd., Springdale, UT. planner@springdaletown.com Tribute Artists Competition - Elvis Rocks Mesquite June 15 - 17 Elvis Rocks Mesquite is a heart-felt tribute to a man who changed the music world forever. Join the CasaBlanca Hotel and Casino in Mesquite for a weekend of memories and fun while watching the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists compete for prize money! Go to casablancaresort.com/ entertainment/elvis-rocks-mesquite for more information. (800) 585-3737

SAVE THE DATE Mesquite Chamber 12th Annual Golf Invitational Aug 5. mesquitenvchamber.com Mesquite Works! Job Fair Aug 16. (702) 613-0699

What Women Want Expo June 2 - 3 10 AM - 8 PM With the most Amazing Vendors, you're guaranteed a fun shopping experience. Admission: $5 at the gate! 12 and under are FREE! shelley@thespectrum.com | (435) 674-6244

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ADVERTISING DIRECTORY

magazine Ace Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 All Secure Storage LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Baird Painting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Bank of Nevada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Bella Horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 C & K Shutters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Checks-N-Mail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Conestoga Golf Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Coyote Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Dave Amodt Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Del Webb – SunCity Mesquite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Desert Oasis Spa & Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Desert Pain Specialists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Dogtown Acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Eagles Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 ERA – Sharon Szarzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Eureka Casino – Kentucky Derby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Eureka Casino Resort – Mason Street. . . . . . Inside Front Cover Eureka Casino Resort Spa. . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover Farmers Insurance – Bill Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Friends of Gold Butte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Golden West Restaurant & Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Great Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Guillen – Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Guns & Guitars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Hangey's Custom Upholstering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Helping Hands Caregivers, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Heritage Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Iceberg Air Conditioning, & Heating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Jennifer Hammond-Moore – Health Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . 116 JL Kendrick Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Keller Williams – Beverly Powers Uhlir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Keller Williams – Michelle Hampsten & Tiffani Jacobs . . . . . 67 Ken Garff Mesquite Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Ken Garff Mesquite Ford – Dave Heath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Kitchen Encounters/Classy Closets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Kokopelli Landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 La de’ Paws Grooming Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Mary Kay Independant Beauty Constultant. . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Mesa View - Dr. Carr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Mesquite Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Mesquite Fine Arts Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Mesquite Regional Business, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

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Mesquite Tile & Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Mesquite Veterinary Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Mohave Dermatology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Mortgage Mate, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 MVP Productions – Kris Zurbas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 NRC – The Reserve – Shawn Glieden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Nick Zorbas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Odyssey Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Oragami Owl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Pioneer Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Pirates's Landing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Premier Properties – Maggie Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Preston’s Shredding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Proof It Up!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Quality 1 Realty – Angela Brooks-Reese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Quality 1 Realty – Bret Lower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Quality 1 Realty – Patty Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Quality 1 Realty – Terree Knutson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Rager & Sons Refrigeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Ready Golf & Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Red Rock Golf Center – Rob Krieger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Reliance Connects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Remax – Cindy Risinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Rising Star – Nike Sports Camps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Rooster Cottage Consignment Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Sears Hometown Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Silver Rider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Skinsational. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Skydive Fyrosity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Star Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 State Farm – LaDonna Koeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Sugar's Home Plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 SunRiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The Inside Scoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 The Lindi Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Transparent Solutions Window Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Travel Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Tuacahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Valley Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Warmington Residential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Wedgies Sports Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Wolf Creek Terrace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39