Pole Position Fights Against Drunk Driving at Public Service Event

It’s one thing to be told not to drink and drive. We’ve all read the statistics, heard the warning signs and may even know people who have been affected by drunk driving accidents, but how many of us have seen what a few drinks does to response times behind the wheel?

Pole Position Raceway recently showed us how a night on the town can lead to dangerous side effects. In partnership with the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) and Sudden Impact Auto Body, Pole Position held its DUI Public Service Message event on March 17, at their indoor kart track. The event was designed to graphically illustrate the effects of drinking and driving to bring awareness to the dangers behind mixing alcohol with operating machinery. During the event, on a track closed to the public, two volunteers were timed in 10-minute races while consuming alcohol in between each race. The women were then intermittently tested for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) by NHP and laps were timed by NHP. “This event meant a lot to us because it allowed us to demonstrate the dangers and ramifications of drinking and driving,” said Brad Mark, C.O.O. of Pole Position Raceway. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with other great organizations who want to make our community a better and safer place to live.”

Results of the test showed impaired judgment in the volunteers after just one alcoholic beverage, and a significant slow in response times as the experiment continued. For more information on Pole Position Raceway visit www.polepositionraceway.com. For information on Nevada Highway Patrol visit nhp.nv.gov and for information on Sudden Impact Auto Body visit www.suddenimpactauto.com.   

Young Philanthropists Society: Piggy Bank Program

Have you had “the talk” with your child? No, not that talk, the one about the importance of saving money for the future. Chances are, considering everything else a parent has to worry about while their children are in elementary school, saving money is not at the top of the priority list even though it probably should be.

The Young Philanthropists Society (YPS) is a membership program through the United Way of Southern Nevada. Along with Junior Achievement, Silver State Schools Credit Union and the Andson Foundation, YPS is managing a program called “Piggy Bank” at Walter Bracken Elementary School. The program serves to teach kids the importance of saving for necessities like education, transportation, clothing, health care and housing. Fully funded and run by YPS membership and volunteers, “Piggy Bank” allows kids to deposit actual money into a savings account with an operational bank on campus, and offers supplementary financial literacy curriculum to students in the classroom. “I love the piggy bank project because we have the opportunity to interact with the children every week,” said Jordan Sacca, YPS Membership Chair. “We get to see how they earned their deposits and how excited they are to save their money. It has made a difference in so many ways in the students’ lives. They get to meet young, caring professionals who are at Bracken supporting them every week and they also get to start saving for the future and in some of these families they are the first to do so.”

Last year students saved $18,000 and are up to over $36,000 for the 2013-2014 school year. For more information visit www.uwsn.org/yps. 

Keeping Up With the Jetson’s: Gadgets and Gizmo’s for Pampered Pets

Since the turn of the century, technology has exploded onto the scene unlike ever before. Everywhere you look, someone is sporting the latest smartphone, tablet, game or electronic gadget. You love it, so why not extend that passion to your pets and take them with you into the new age?

By: Hana Haatainen Caye

Spy Games

Have you ever thought about what your pet does all day while you’re at work? Does she curl up and sleep or snoop around your office? Is your dog terrorizing your cat when you’re not around? With Uncle Milton Pet’s Eye View Camera (www.unclemilton.com), you no longer have to wonder. Simply attach the lightweight, compact digital camera to your pet’s collar and get a spy’s eye view of what he does in secret.

Available on Amazon for about $120, the Pet’s Eye View Camera features auto-interval settings, internal memory for up to 40 photos, a 640 x 480 resolution, and a USB cable for easy upload on both PCs and Macs.

On the Road Again

More than 10 million pets are lost each year, but yours doesn’t have to become part of that statistic. With the Tagg Pet Tracker (www.pettracker.com), you can monitor your pet’s whereabouts from your smartphone, computer or other mobile device. The tracker attaches to your pet’s collar, provided your dog or cat weighs more than 10 pounds and senses if Fido roams outside his boundaries. The smart accessory will send you a text or email right away, and it’s one message you won’t want to ignore! The GPS syncs with your device and leads you directly to where your little hobo has wandered.

Winner of multiple awards for innovative pet technology, including The Pettie Award as 2013’s Best Pet Mobile App from DogTime Media, the Tagg Pet Tracker is a must-have for anyone with a dog or cat with wanderlust. The free iPhone® and Android® apps also help when you’re on the road with your pet – leading you to local dog parks, pet stores, and veterinarians. Available online and at most retail pet stores, it’s more than just a necessity… it’s smart.

Hunger Games

It’s late, and based on the pile of papers on your desk you’re not going home anytime soon. But what about the dog? She’s probably so hungry she’s munching down on your new slippers by now. What can you do?

Petnet has the answer with their SmartFeeder (www.petnet.io). SmartFeeder is more than just an innovative way to feed your pet remotely. It actually is smart, with sensor technology that can figure out what your pet needs in terms of dietary requirements. Based on specific algorithms, it creates a feeding schedule tailored to your pet, which you can then control from nearly any smartphone, computer or tablet. It even lets you know when you’re running low on chow for your Chow. And, as a bonus, the SmartFeeder has a record feature so you can call your pet to dinner even when you’re stuck at work.

Available soon, you can reserve your own SmartFeeder for less than $200.

Fat Cat

Dogs aren’t the only pets in need of special care when you’re away from home. Mr. Kitty can

get awfully fat if he’s just sitting around all day. The FroliCat™ DART DUO™ by PetSafe (www.frolicatcom) is the answer. With two lasers flashing from an automatic rotating light, your cats (and even your pups) can spend their time chasing and pouncing on little red dots. The DART DUO™ has multiple speeds and timer settings, so your pets won’t be bored with predictability. The downside? You can’t control it remotely. But you can set it for 20

minutes right before you walk out the door and at least let your furry friends burn off their

breakfast calories.

Ding Dong

Have you ever let your dog out and forgotten to let her back in? The Lentek Pet Chime, available on Amazon.com and at local retailers, is the answer. Yes, there is now a doorbell for your neglected pooch. No more scratching at the door, or annoying neighbors with endless barking. When Sasha’s done with her business, she simply pushes the Lentek Pet Chime paw and alerts you that she’s ready to come in.

Dogs can be easily trained to use the Lentek Pet Chime paw either to let you know when they want to come in, or when they need to go out. No more puddles by the door when Sasha’s better able to call the shots. And if you don’t like the thought of a doggy doorbell with a ding-dong chime, simply switch it to the bark setting.  It’s portable, it’s wireless, and it’s a game-changer.

Pets Just Want to Have Fun

While much of the technology out there has a real purpose and a hefty price tag, sometimes

it’s good to just sit back and watch your pets have fun for fun’s sake. For less than $20, you

can entertain them with the PetQwerks Talking Babble Balls® (www.petqwerks.com), available for dogs, cats, ferrets and birds. These interactive balls talk or make other sounds when touched or activated from vibrations caused by movement. Your pet will be startled, fascinated, amused and entertained day after day with this innovative toy, available online and in retail stores like Petco and Walmart. The best part is you can turn it off when the sounds of “Here kitty, kitty,” “Grrrr,” or “Rock ‘n’ Roll Big Doggy” overstay their welcome.

Around the World Style: Using Maps for Adventuresome Crafting Projects

Maps and atlases drum up a sense of adventure and nostalgia for most of us.  Those archaic, worn and tattered resources now tucked in a drawer or stuffed in the glove compartment of the car are a nostalgic symbol of family trips from our youth.   Today, our own children haven’t a clue how to use a map, instead relying on that lovely female voice that spends most of her time “recalculating” our route and surprisingly never gets angry when we don’t follow her instructions!  So, now that the paper map is almost obsolete, how about repurposing it into trendy home decorating projects and wearable art?  What better way to keep nostalgia alive while going green at the same time!

By: Dee Dee Birdsall

Don’t Have a Map Stash?
No worries! Find fun vintage options online or at antique shops, and don’t discount stopping by your local Chamber of Commerce.   If you decide to purchase regular US and state road maps, you’ll find them priced around $5.99 at an office supply or convenience store. Etsy and eBay are also great resources for unique maps.  Finally, as an easy alternative, consider using map wrapping paper for your projects.  Check out www.paper-source.com for their Cavallini World Map wrapping paper option.

Map Jewelry
This is a simple, quick and easy project.  You can create a wonderful personalized map location cluster pendant which can be built over time or worn individually to capture those cherished locations that hold a special story in your heart. 

How To:

• Purchase one-inch round pendant bezels, glass inserts, and E6000 glue (E6000 glue is anindustrial, high performance adhesive that is ideal for jewelry and beading applications).  You can find all this at your local craft store jewelry section.
• Using a map or atlas, cut out the city of your choice – making sure to cut it larger than you need.
• Using a scrapbook one-inch round cutter, center the city within the cutter and cut circle.
• Place a dab of glue on the inside of the bezel and affix map piece.
• Place a dab of glue on the flat side of the glass and affix glass to the inside of the bezel.
• String your pendant on a ball chain and you’ve got a unique necklace.

Time Travel – Clock Face Update
Using a World map, update your clock face!  Once finished, this project rivals the more expensive versions you see at Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs, but for a fraction of the cost. 

How to:

• Remove the outside plastic face from the clock. 
• Using the clock face, trace the size of the dial onto the map.
• Gently remove the clock hands from the dial.
• Tape off the clock frame to avoid spraying with adhesive.
• Using spray adhesive, spray the front of the existing clock dial.
• Affix cut map piece to the adhesive ready clock dial.
• Replace clock hands and outer plastic face.

Child’s Play- Geography Lesson
A child’s stool quickly becomes a unique piece when you decoupage a map to the seat and paint the stool in various accent colors.  Use the stool to study the continents and boost a toddler to a higher level. 
How to:  

• Paint all surfaces of the stool or chair with the map accent colors. 
• Cut map piece for the stool top. 
• Using decoupage glue (purple labeled Mod Podge, meant for wood), apply a coat to the chair and to the map piece.
• Apply the map piece to the chair.
• Using a plastic scraper, remove the air bubbles from the map piece.
• Using a light sanding block, gently sand the edges away from the outer edge to create a smooth map edge.
• When finished, cover entire top with a coat of Mod Podge and let dry overnight.
• To finish the chair, use Minwax Wipe-On Poly and apply three coats, allowing each coat to dry before the next application.

Upgrade a Shade
Illuminate your adventurous spirit by upgrading a ho-hum lampshade to a city or region in your travel dreams.  Place the lamp on your nightstand and you’re halfway there!  Drum or rectangular lamp shades work best as the top and bottom measurements are the same, making for easy installation.

How to:

• Remove the shade from the base.
• Measure and cut a pattern from craft paper.
• Cut the map using the pattern.
• Using spray adhesive, apply adhesive on the lamp shade surface.
• Carefully apply the map to the shade, working out any air bubbles.
• Let dry, insert your light bulb and enjoy!

With these kick-start project ideas, let your imagination be your guide for around the world décor!  

Matt Smith

Passion means many things to many people.  For resident Matt Smith, it is synonymous with family, and helping people through the rehabilitation services provided at his physical therapy clinics.  Smith owns and operates 13 facilities and manages four more throughout the state.  He has become the largest provider in Nevada for physical therapy.  Their cultural mantra of “changing lives” and helping the patient as well as those in need throughout the community is number one.

By: Callie Thomas

Smith’s lifelong career began from a devastating accident that left a high school friend a paraplegic. While accompanying his friend to physical therapy, Smith was impressed by the therapists’ commitment to the work and how they were making a difference in the lives of their patients. It was then he decided to become a physical therapist.  Throughout his practice he has met many people from all walks of life and circumstance, which has been the catalyst in becoming committed to supporting the community. 

Matt Smith Physical Therapy Centers interact directly with those in need by supporting a variety of charitable organizations.  Funding drives which involve the staff and patients at each of the therapy centers are held on a quarterly basis.  From feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless to starting a scholarship program for at risk kids, Smith and crew are living true to their customer-centric culture.

While Matt finds success difficult to define, he has much to be proud of, first and foremost his family, which includes wife Kami and his four children, Christopher, Alyssa, Sophia and Jaxon. We had an opportunity to talk with him about his charitable efforts and learned about some of his out-of-the-ordinary hobbies which just might include an upcoming safari trip to Africa.

Tell us about the charitable organizations that you support.

“In first quarter we support Three Square, which provides food for in-need kids throughout the community.  In second quarter we are involved in a drive to obtain school supplies for an at-risk junior high or grade school.  We support the Nevada Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the annual Rock the Walk, which is a family concert under the stars in third quarter, and then a toy drive to benefit Child Haven in fourth quarter.  These are all company-wide events and there’s a bit of competition among the 13 clinics. We also started a scholarship program with the Latin Chamber of Commerce to help three students go to college and pursue degrees each year.  We also give matching dollars at each clinic annually to donate to a charity of their choice.”

Any experiences through your charitable efforts that you would like to share?

“The thank you cards we receive alone are worth the effort.  The near homeless, brilliant youths that we have been able to assist in secondary education has been particularly enriching. The stories of these kids are both humbling and inspiring.”

Why is giving back so important?

“I’m at an age where I get to look in the rearview mirror and appreciate everything the community has done for me. To return this in a small way seems insignificant, but we do what we can.”

What are you most proud to have achieved?

“Nothing brings a smile like watching your kids grow up and succeed.  I also enjoy helping people reduce their pain and live their lives to the fullest through our services at the clinics.”

How do you unplug after a busy day?

“I like to kick back at home with a glass of wine from France or Italy after a day in the backyard with the kids in the pool and a serious game of bocce ball!”

We understand you also have some unique hobbies?

“I really enjoy hunting pheasant, partridge and grouse in the UK each October.  Dressing up in British attire and being in the countryside is the best. I’ve been on African safaris and would like to do more. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Barbro Eastling

Imagine what it would be like to travel to another country without knowing anyone and with nothing but one suitcase and a twenty-dollar bill in your wallet. For many of our ancestors, this tale rings true as their first trip to America.  For 89135 resident Barbro Eastling, it’s exactly how she entered her new home in the United States in 1966.

By: Callie Thomas

Barbro grew up in Western Sweden with two younger brothers.  At the age of fourteen a teacher encouraged her to contact a pen pal in order to refine her English skills. Not only did Barbro become fluent in English, she has remained friends with her pen pal to this day.  In her early twenties she made the trip to America by securing a position as an au pair in Los Angeles.  Eventually she took a position with the Swedish Consulate there, and served as the Swedish Consul to fifteen Western U.S. States for thirty years. During that time she met and married her husband Wendell and was welcomed by his son and daughter into the family.  In 1992 she proudly became an American citizen. 

A few years (and earthquakes) later, the family moved to Las Vegas.  Barbro wanted to become involved in her new hometown and discovered the Women’s Club of Summerlin (WCS).  After a luncheon with members of the organization, Barbro became a member in 2000 and has been very active ever since. Using her meticulous organizational skills and creativity, she continues to chair and co-chair on the many raffle/silent auction committees for the group’s Annual Charity Event. For all of her efforts, Barbro Eastling was given the WCS 2013 Award of Excellence. She talks about her work with the group, coming to America and being a consul to so many other newcomers to the United States.

What was it like when you first came to America?

“When I look back at my life I am proud of the fact that I was brave enough to move to the United States.  I had not travelled at all before and it was actually my first time on an airplane.  All I thought was Stockholm to Los Angeles, here I come!”

Your work with the Consulate General of Sweden must have been memorable.

“Since the Internet, cell phones and email did not yet exist, my job was to assist Swedish citizens as a contact link with their families in Sweden in case of emergency.  This involved everything from Swedes in hospitals, runaways, jail and death cases.  I never knew what the day would bring.  I met many interesting people during that time: royalty, government officials, actors and artists.  Several times I would help organize their official visits.  I think it made me become what I am today.”

Tell us how you became involved in the Women’s Club of Summerlin.

“I had heard about WCS and the work they do to benefit women and children in the community. I felt that this would be a new challenge for me.  I had never been involved in fundraising before I moved here.”

What is your role within the organization?

“I have chaired and co-chaired the auction committees to benefit our Annual Charity Event for many years, organizing and coordinating all the donations.  I have also been in charge of special fundraising events and fashion shows for the Dare to Dream program, which provides grants to local women who are trying to better their lives. I’ve also volunteered in a variety of places including cooking dinners at Ronald McDonald House and assisting at charity sports.”

Any other organizations where you are involved?

“I am a founding member of SWEA, Swedish Women’s Education Association, a global networking group that gives grants to women in a variety of fields. There are now 73 chapters around the world and 7,500 members.  Knowing that you can make a difference is very important to me and it is so rewarding.”

Shari Exber-Scheele

Is there a mentor in your life?  For many of us, it is the influence of these special people that are responsible for pushing us toward a path that we might not have found on our own.   Resident Shari Exber-Scheele is a Las Vegas native that credits Principal Rick Watson for encouraging her to become the best possible teacher.  Mentoring comes full circle as Exber-Scheele is also the inspiration for many of the students she has taught throughout her twenty-year career as an elementary school teacher in the Clark County School District.

By: Callie Thomas

Shari was born and raised in Las Vegas, and it was a bit ironic that her first teaching assignment (as a student teacher) was at Howard Wasden Elementary, the school she attended as a child. After teaching at a variety of schools throughout the district, she was ready for a new challenge and, as sad as it was to leave the classroom, Exber-Scheele found a new role within our local education system that has become even more rewarding.

For the last decade Shari has continued to make sure all children in our community receive the very best public education as the Senior Vice President of Development and Community Relations for The Public Education Foundation.  She is responsible for raising awareness and funding for the nonprofit organization that supports education reform and initiatives to improve public education. We talked with Shari about her passion for putting opportunities within reach of our children to obtain higher education, as well as influencers within her own education and career, and why giving back is a necessity for the future growth of the community.

You’ve made a lifetime commitment to improving public education.  Who was your mentor and how did they make a difference?

“I worked for an amazing principal (Rick Watson), whom I looked up to and he helped me to be the best teacher I could be.  I was fortunate to follow him, teaching at the schools he led.  By 2003, I knew there was something bigger out there in the community for me to do that was still in the public education arena.  That’s when I took a leave of absence from teaching and began my ‘new’ career at The Public Education Foundation.”

What are your current projects through the Foundation?

“We’re in the midst of our annual Giving With Purpose fundraising campaign to support our vital initiatives, including those that provide college scholarships, promote early childhood learning and family literacy, and grow the leadership capacity of education administrators through our Leadership Institute of Nevada.”

Any experiences through your efforts with the Foundation you’d like to share?

“It’s so rewarding to see children from all parts of Southern Nevada benefit from our programs, including the Scholarship Program, which provides hundreds of students with the opportunity to seek higher education annually.  I still stay in touch with former students and their parents from my teaching days and have the opportunity to get them involved by becoming donors and volunteers.”

Why is it so important to give back to the community?

“It is gratifying to keep children growing and thriving in Las Vegas.  It is heartening to see my colleagues and former students in the workforce being successful and knowing I’m making a difference in the lives of so many children.”

Of your many accomplishments, what are you most proud to have achieved?

“As a mother, I’m so proud of my own children, Hilary and Zachary.  Just as I was, they’re both products of the public education system in Clark County and they’re college graduates and have already embarked on successful careers.”

Is there any specific inspiration you live by?

 “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

For more information about The Public Education Foundation, visit thepef.org or call

(702) 799-1042.  Follow the Foundation on Twitter @ThePEFoundation.

Jason Gerber

Unlike the title of the 1992 movie, there are more than “A Few Good Men” and 89117 resident Jason Gerber is one of them.  The attorney at Marquis Aurbach Coffing (MAC) currently handles corporate, business and civil litigation, but once upon a time he was an officer in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (also known as JAG, and yes, also the central theme of a few hit television shows). During his time in the army he became the sole trial defense counsel (defending soldiers being court martialed) in California at Fort Irwin. Gerber was deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005. He represented hundreds of soldiers in court martial and administrative proceedings in the United States, Kuwait and Iraq.  

By: Callie Thomas

Upon his return to the states, he married his wife Tammy, completed his active duty service and was hired by MAC.  After working his way through the legal ranks, he was promoted to Director, and now Shareholder, at the firm. While he’s dedicated his life and career to helping others, he continues to support those in need through several local organizations.

In his early days at the MAC law firm, his wife volunteered for Camp-to-Belong, which helps bring siblings separated in the foster care system together for a week of bonding.  While at the camp, Tammy met a sibling group of three, Josh, Kyla and Skyler and fell in love with them. When she came home, the couple began proceedings to become foster parents and to adopt the children.  Their adoption was finalized in 2012 and they’ve become one big happy family, along with their three dogs Pepe, Gus and Grover.  Jason Gerber talks about their work with foster care services, Red Rock Rotary of Las Vegas and his other passion—the Cleveland Indians.

You’ve become very involved in organizations that assist foster care kids.

“I don’t think I could be more fortunate.  I grew up in a great home, with great supportive parents, with access to great education and opportunities.  I know how lucky I am and feel a need to try and help those who are not as lucky.  After working with Camp to Belong we started volunteering with Child Focus, another group that help siblings separated in foster care.”

How did you become involved with Red Rock Rotary of Las Vegas?

“While volunteering for Child Focus I met several members of the Red Rock Rotary Club.  I started attending their meetings and eventually joined.  We do regular service projects and social events each month.  It’s a great way to help a lot of different groups on a regular basis.”

Other than Red Rock Rotary, how do you and your family support local charities?

“I’m a board member of the Global Charity Foundation and I participate in the Annual Veterans Free Legal Clinic on Veterans Day.  Our family also donates regularly to Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary (we rescued two of our dogs from their shelter) and St. Baldericks.”

We hear you also built a house for a family in Mexico?

“I was part of Corazon Super Build with the Rotary last year.  In just one day you build a house for a family in need.  You make the trip to Mexico with a group of about 45 people and spend one really hard day working on the house.  The level of poverty in the community you visit is overwhelming and the entire trip is a life changing experience that I intend on participating in every year.”

In your spare time what do you enjoy doing?

“I coach sports with the kids and I like sitting in our backyard with my wife and a glass of good whiskey listening to some Springsteen. Since buying our house we’ve become pretty talented DIY-ers and we’ve had to spend a lot of time on projects.”

So, how about those Cleveland Indians?

“At the beginning of every baseball season, no matter what, I’m convinced the Cleveland Indians will win the World Series.  I am wrong every year. But, I have a really good feeling about this season.”

Traveling Like a Minimalist – Getting Out More With Less

So, how’s that New Year’s resolution coming? You know, the one where you promised to travel more and get out of the borders of your hometown. No judgment here – I know how travel can be. Sometimes it’s expensive, it can be stressful and sometimes it’s a downright pain in the butt. However, research indicates that travel statistically raises happiness in individuals, and can also be invigorating, inspirational and provide new insights into the world around us. Moreover, traveling offers a profoundly deeper appreciation for that moment when you get to come home and sleep in your own bed. Speaking of which, how are you fairing on that New Year’s resolution to focus on gratitude? Ok – we’ll talk about that some other time.

By: Meghan Pescio

The Burdens of Travel

It’s true. Sometimes traveling can be quite the ordeal. If you’re like most,  your pre-travel routine looks something like this: booking flights, booking hotel, booking car, planning itinerary, packing bags, worrying about weather, packing more into the bags, considering a night out, packing more into the bags, weighing bags on your bathroom scale to ensure you don’t get charged for overweight, checking the weather, again… and so on.  Not only do you “have to” pack for every situation, but on your trip you’re “forced to” lug around your suitcase, “worry” about things getting stolen (especially if you’re moving locations regularly) and all around transfer energy that should be used for enjoyment into stress. Not good.

The single underlying factor for this stress is stuff… way too much stuff. So, how can we cut down on stuff and stock up on savoring the moment?  Joshua Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known in more enlightened circles as “The Minimalists” (www.theminimalists.com), have a way. The duo have embarked on a series of conferences designed  to recount their journeys from six figures and a sure spot on the top rung of the corporate ladder to a simpler life, driven by the philosophy of minimalism. They gave us some pointers on how take a sliver of the minimalist mindset and apply it to our packing and traveling…thus freeing up time, energy and space to enjoy what’s really important – the voyage.

Lighten Your Load

Living a minimalist lifestyle means different things to different people. Ultimately, it describes a method of “de-cluttering” your life (think: getting rid of stuff you don’t need) in order to determine what’s most meaningful and relevant to you (family, friends and experiences). Minimalists range from the diehard counter-consumption warrior who has 50 objects to his name and travels the world, to someone with a family, career and simply a purposeful, actionable strategy to prioritize the matter that matters.  It’s not a one-size-fits-all, but there is a basic premise that can allow for an easier and happier life, as well as vacation: be aware of your stuff.

Josh and Ryan gave us three tips for traveling like a minimalist. We challenge you to incorporate at least one into your luggage (or lack thereof) next time you plan on jetsetting:

Check Yourself Before You Pack Yourself

We all need less than we think when we’re traveling (The Minimalists are currently on a 10-month, 100-city tour, and each packed only one carry-on bag…show-offs).  While you might not be planning a backpacking trip with hostels and constant travel, it may do you some good to really think about what you need and what you don’t need before you break out the “big suitcase” from the back of the closet.

Questions you should ask yourself:

• Do I really need a different outfit every day to get the most out of my travel?
• Do I really need a different hairstyle every day?
• What are my favorite, most valued items that I know I will use regularly during my trip?
• What are my needs and what are my wants? 

Asking yourself these questions should help you as you decide whether to pack that crimper, suit or extra set of heels that “go better” with a certain outfit.

No More Just-In-Case Items.

That leads us to those three little words “Just in case…” and the distant cousin, “What if…”

The mental paranoia that acts out every single vacation scenario packs on the suitcase poundage…and fast. The truth is, unless you are on your way to Antarctica or another completely underdeveloped part of the world there is a simple rule that should be your mantra: “Everything is Replaceable.” Even more, almost everything is replaceable for under $20. Choose to pack the items that you absolutely need, put away a small amount of your vacation budget for items you opted out of packing (don’t forget to add in the $50-$100 you’ll save on overweight baggage fees), and leave the “flapper costume just in case I find myself invited to a Roaring 20’s-themed party” at home.

Versatility is Key

The final, and arguably most important tip for packing like a minimalist comes with your ability to repurpose. Think of it as a game. What can you pack that you will be able to use in two or more ways during your trip?

• Clothing: Look for clothing that can be used for a leisurely day, and dressed up at night, like a light cotton dress, dark jeans, khakis or even convertible pants that can be unzipped into shorts during the day (www.rei.com). Try to keep your clothing in a neutral palette, and if you are a fan of color try to only choose one to two colors and plan around them.

Three tops (tank top, sweater or button up and t-shirt), two bottoms (jeans and shorts or leggings) and one dress can create 12 unique outfits. Add a few more light shirts and you’ll have plenty of options to create semi-new outfits each day. Also, each pair of shoes adds an average of 1.5 pounds to your pack. Wear boots or formal shoes on the plane and pack a pair of flats or flip-flops only in a neutral color. Stick to quick-dry, wrinkle-free material like cotton/poly blends.

• Layers: If it’s going to be cold where you’re going, don’t take up precious space with a bulky winter jacket. Learn to layer with lighter, long-sleeve shirts, a thermal and a light jacket.

• Other Tricks: There are plenty of other repurposing tricks you can use to ensure you’re packing with minimalism in mind. Pack a small water bottle that will cool you down in hot weather locations and double as a travel iron to get wrinkles out of your clothes, use conditioner (in the small travel size, of course) instead of packing extra shaving cream and use sunscreen instead of carting the lotion.

Ultimately, the goal of minimalism is not just to condense your cargo. It’s a mindset that helps you to figure out what means the most to you, and to focus all of your energy and resources on those things. Start out with a minimalist attitude while packing for your travel, and transition it into other parts of your life as you see fit. Who knows, your new state of mind may even create more time and money in your life for more travel and to do the things you love the most. 

Mom and Dad Gone Wild

They gave you life, put food on the table, took you to soccer games, played catch, nursed you through sickness and broken hearts, taught you manners and even punished you (when you deserved it…which was probably often). For the two people in the world who have sacrificed the most and worked the hardest on your behalf – how do you go about repaying them? Well, if Mom and Dad are partial to a little excitement in their lives, we have a few local “adventure” experiences that will make this Mother’s and Father’s Day one to remember.

For the Parental Adrenaline Junkies:

They have always lived on the edge, scoff at the thought of being idle and most likely embarrassed you once or twice with their wackiness until you got old enough to realize they were actually just really, really fun. These are sure signs your folks are always on the lookout for something a little crazy – and what better time to indulge them than on “their” day? Obviously our town is known for delivering many a “wild” time – here are a few that may play well for Mom and/or Dad.

Note – these adventures are NOT confined to the Hallmark Holidays and also make a great gift from the little ones to younger Mom’s and Dad’s.  

Urban Sniper Course

If Mom and/or Dad are fans of SWAT and FBI movies, this new Vegas experience should be the equivalent of going to Disneyland – without the long lines and with the addition of sniper rifles and hand-to-hand combat training.

Former US Navy SEAL and veteran Police SWAT Officer, Charles Moser, along with Navy vet Claudia Moser created SWAT Concepts to offer a truly unique way to experience the life and mindset of a SWAT sniper.  As many times as we’re sure mom felt like a SEAL as she “cleared” your dirty bedroom – this is the real deal. You can choose from one to five-day training courses/camps scheduled throughout the year (a one-day class is scheduled for May 18) that provides everything from basic handgun and ballistics training to full immersion surveillance and recon training that also leaves you with a Nevada Concealed Carry Permit (CCW). Be ready to drop a pretty penny ($499 for the one day course), but remember all the diapers, the college tuition and that time they had to bail you out of jail!

All live shooting occurs at Pro Gun Club Las Vegas in Boulder City. Visit www.swatconceptslv.com for more information.

Richard Petty Driving Experience

If you always thought Mom drove a little too fast on the freeway…and Dad frequently works the term “Need for Speed!” into casual conversation than the way to their hearts may be through their pedals.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a NASCAR fan’s dream, offering ride along and drive along “experiences” in a 600 horsepower, two-seat NASCAR racecar. Reaching speeds of up to 165 mph, this ain’t your Mama’s V6 mini van.  Dad can don those racing gloves he’s been saving for “retirement” and take laps around the speedway with expert advice for professional racers, and even someone to record his top time (although we know he’ll probably skim a few minutes off the top). If they don’t want to drive, riding with a pro is also an option. Finally, if racecars aren’t their thing, but they have a soft spot for muscle cars – the American Muscle Car Challenge lets those lead foots test out a Chevy Camaro ZL1, a Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. For prices ranging from $99 to $3,499 for a full-fledged Advanced Racing Program your folks can get a taste of what it’s like to be Jeff Gordon. 

Visit www.drivepetty.com for more information.

VORE | Vegas Off-Road Experience

Another “behind-the-wheel” option may be more akin to when Dad took you out for that first-time stick shift driving lesson. It was definitely a bumpy ride, but a blast nonetheless!

VORE (Vegas Off-Road Experience) will put Mom and Dad out in the Nevada badlands, mobbing along dirt trails in a 235 horsepower VORE CHALLENGE off-road truck that means business. Choose between a short course, ripping off hills and jumps, or a longer course through the barren desert. Professional off-road truck drivers will give your beloved parents a lesson in dirt driving before setting them loose – without inhibitions – to brave the gravel and dust. Just like Richard Petty, if Mom decides she’s A-OK as a passenger, there’s an option to ride along with a pro. They promise to take you on jumps up to 40 feet high! What’s more, let’s just say you’ve always known Dad has pyromaniac tendencies…let him get it all out in a safe environment by signing him up for the “Blow Up a Car” package. Yes, that’s right, he can blow up a car by shooting at explosives inside the vehicle… unlimited caveman grunts are free of charge.

The small course tours start at $295. Visit www.vore.com for more information.

Stratosphere SkyJump

Sometimes, instead of revving engines and flames, it’s heights that get the blood pumping. If that’s the case, maybe jumping off the top of the Stratosphere would be a fun surprise for Mom and Dad?

SkyJump at Stratosphere is described as a “vertical zipline” – the highest in the world. It’s not bungee jumping, but a controlled fall from the 108^th story. That’s 855 feet. Getting Dad to make the leap should be fun for both of you!

For locals, SkyJump is $89.99. Visit www.skyjumplasvegas.com for more information.

Whatever the adventure – it’s the thought that counts. Give Mom and Dad a big hug and let them know you care before sending them on an experience they’ll never forget!