Making A Difference – Jersey Boys and Eiffel Tower Restaurant

Members of our armed forces and their families depend on many important services to help provide comfort, care and social support. The Service to Armed Forces program of Red Cross of Southern Nevada has been doing just that, and thanks to the recent “Oh What a Night” event held at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas, the charitable organization received over $10,000 in donations with a helping hand from the cast of the local hit stage show Jersey Boys.

On February 6^th, Jersey Boys cast members Graham Fenton, Deven May, Jeff Leibow and Rob Marnell joined acclaimed Chef Joho for an exclusive cooking demonstration, preparing a selection of delectable treats and specialty cocktails. Following the demonstration, guests traveled to the dining room to join the other attendees, engaging in conversation with the show’s cast, the renowned chef and American Red Cross representatives. A silent auction featured donations from Paris Las Vegas, Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Jersey Boys and much more.

Vegas may be big on celebrity, but charity groups such as the American Red Cross provide an opportunity for big names and ordinary citizens to come together and do some good. With kind hearts on hand and a dazzling culinary flair on display, “Oh What a Night” provided a night of fantastic entertainment and helped give the members of our military a new sense of hope.

For more information on Red Cross of Southern Nevada, visit www.redcrosslasvegas.org.

In the Know

The Joint

Affordable chiropractic care doesn’t mean you need to live with aches and pains. That’s the philosophy at The Joint, where they’re aiming to help you achieve optimal health easily with evening and weekend hours, short wait times and convenient locations. Manage and relieve conditions ranging from joint pain and high blood pressure to sleep disorders and migraines and so much more. Take advantage of their unique payment plan, where you receive a set of four adjustments per month for a reasonable flat rate. Sign up for a family plan and save even more money, or you can pay by the visit as well, if you prefer. From the care to the cost, everything is designed to fit your specific needs. Find an adjusted approach to whole health today at The Joint.

759-0190  /  8820 W. Charleston Blvd., #103  /  www.thejoint.com
Chieti Café & Bakery

Come for the coffee, stay for the grub. It’s simple with a visit to Chieti Café & Bakery. Located on West Sahara next to the Burlington Coat Factory, Chieti boasts an amazing cup of joe that starts with a daily grind of the freshest premium beans available. Sip and relax your morning away in an atmosphere that encourages you to settle in instead of rushing out the door, offering free wi-fi and a menu filled with tasty grub perfect for lunch or a midday bite. Build your own sandwich on fresh bread that’s baked twice daily, adding a delicious array of quality meats, cheeses and veggies, or choose from a wide selection of signature subs, soups and salads, panini and much more. Whether you stop by for ten minutes or relax for the whole day, you’ll always find yourself welcome at Chieti Café & Bakery.

487-6800  /  5825 W. Sahara Ave.  /  www.chieticoffee.com

Pink Box Doughnuts

Want to start your day off with a sweet treat? Cure those early morning blues at Pink Box Doughnuts, where you’ll find a wide selection of classic, specialty and gourmet doughnuts in every imaginable variety. This isn’t your standard doughnut shop with nothing but sugar glaze and chocolate frosting. Where else can you find a doughnut filled with blue cheese? Or a s’mores doughnut full of marshmallow goodness? How about a Fat Elvis packed with peanut butter and topped with a caramelized banana? Try something even more exotic like sweet potato or apple pie, or you can stick with the classics like Bavarian crème or rainbow sprinkles. Whatever strikes your fancy, you can find the right sweet treat for any particular craving at Pink Box Doughnuts.

478-PINK  /  7531 W. Lake Mead Blvd.  /  www.pinkboxdoughnuts.com

Chinita Mexican Bar & Grill

With an atmosphere that feels like a home away from home, Chinita Mexican Bar & Grill and its owner Chanthy Walsh hope to bring visitors and residents from the melting pot of Las Vegas together for a memorable dining experience. Here you can find traditional specialties such as enchiladas, fajitas, chicken tortilla soup and more, but also special fare such as skirt steak and camarones al mojo de ajo. You’ll get a good bang for your buck with all you can eat tacos on Tuesdays and a great happy hour from three to six every Monday through Friday. Stick around for the fantastic live entertainment every night or create some yourself with live karaoke on Thursdays. For good food and fun times with a south of the border flair and some Asian fusion, check out Chinita Mexican Bar & Grill tonight.

463-1000  /  9440 W. Sahara Ave., #165  /  www.chinitamexicangrill.com
RORO Photobooth

Looking to add a unique sense of fun to your next party or special gathering? RORO Photobooth has the perfect solution. Their fun and friendly staff will provide a new kind of photobooth with an open air professional studio feel just for the occasion, and they’ll even serve as hosts for the attraction so that you can stay focused on your guests. Choose from several different packages that include fun props for your guests to pose with, sets of prints, a hi-res DVD with your photos, and even an optional greenscreen to help create amusing backdrops. Share photos with friends and social media through the free online gallery and download as many photos as you want. Help create lasting memories of your favorite get-togethers with the creative minds from RORO Photobooth.

981-0577  /  www.rorobooth.com
Fixt

Everybody wants to eat healthy, but many of us are just too busy to find the time to shop right and cook right. Thankfully, Fixt is here to help by delivering fresh gourmet meals to your home or office on the days you choose. You don’t have to shop or prepare anything; they do all the work! Just select your meal membership plan, choose your meals according to your preferences and enjoy the benefits. Everything is portion and calorie controlled and low on the glycemic index. Choose from tasty options such as lemon chicken, grilled strip loin, tilapia, Thai satay and much more. Smart food choices are easier to make when you have a helping hand, so let Fixt help you plan ahead and get you back to looking great and feeling fit.

900-8790  /  8560 W. Desert Inn Rd., Suite D-5  /  www.fixtfood.com

In the Know

Chinita Mexican Bar & Grill

With an atmosphere that feels like a home away from home, Chinita Mexican Bar & Grill and its owner Chanthy Walsh hope to bring visitors and residents from the melting pot of Las Vegas together for a memorable dining experience. Here you can find traditional specialties such as enchiladas, fajitas, chicken tortilla soup and more, but also special fare such as skirt steak and camarones al mojo de ajo. You’ll get a good bang for your buck with all you can eat tacos on Tuesdays and a great happy hour from three to six every Monday through Friday. Stick around for the fantastic live entertainment every night or create some yourself with live karaoke on Thursdays. For good food and fun times with a south of the border flair and some Asian fusion, check out Chinita Mexican Bar & Grill tonight.

463-1000  /  9440 W. Sahara Ave., #165  /  www.chinitamexicangrill.com

Fixt

Everybody wants to eat healthy, but many of us are just too busy to find the time to shop right and cook right. Thankfully, Fixt is here to help by delivering fresh gourmet meals to your home or office on the days you choose. You don’t have to shop or prepare anything; they do all the work! Just select your meal membership plan, choose your meals according to your preferences and enjoy the benefits. Everything is portion and calorie controlled and low on the glycemic index. Choose from tasty options such as lemon chicken, grilled strip loin, tilapia, Thai satay and much more. Smart food choices are easier to make when you have a helping hand, so let Fixt help you plan ahead and get you back to looking great and feeling fit.

900-8790  /  8560 W. Desert Inn Rd., Suite D-5  /  www.fixtfood.com
The Joint

Affordable chiropractic care doesn’t mean you need to live with aches and pains. That’s the philosophy at The Joint, where they’re aiming to help you achieve optimal health easily with evening and weekend hours, short wait times and convenient locations. Manage and relieve conditions ranging from joint pain and high blood pressure to sleep disorders and migraines and so much more. Take advantage of their unique payment plan, where you receive a set of four adjustments per month for a reasonable flat rate. Sign up for a family plan and save even more money, or you can pay by the visit as well, if you prefer. From the care to the cost, everything is designed to fit your specific needs. Find an adjusted approach to whole health today at The Joint.

759-0190  /  8820 W. Charleston Blvd., #103  /  www.thejoint.com

RORO Photobooth

Looking to add a unique sense of fun to your next party or special gathering? RORO Photobooth has the perfect solution. Their fun and friendly staff will provide a new kind of photobooth with an open air professional studio feel just for the occasion, and they’ll even serve as hosts for the attraction so that you can stay focused on your guests. Choose from several different packages that include fun props for your guests to pose with, sets of prints, a hi-res DVD with your photos, and even an optional greenscreen to help create amusing backdrops. Share photos with friends and social media through the free online gallery and download as many photos as you want. Help create lasting memories of your favorite get-togethers with the creative minds from RORO Photobooth.

981-0577  /  www.rorobooth.com
Chieti Café & Bakery

Come for the coffee, stay for the grub. It’s simple with a visit to Chieti Café & Bakery. Located on West Sahara next to the Burlington Coat Factory, Chieti boasts an amazing cup of joe that starts with a daily grind of the freshest premium beans available. Sip and relax your morning away in an atmosphere that encourages you to settle in instead of rushing out the door, offering free wi-fi and a menu filled with tasty grub perfect for lunch or a midday bite. Build your own sandwich on fresh bread that’s baked twice daily, adding a delicious array of quality meats, cheeses and veggies, or choose from a wide selection of  signature subs, soups and salads, panini and much more. Whether you stop by for ten minutes or relax for the whole day, you’ll always find yourself welcome at Chieti Café & Bakery.

487-6800  /  5825 W. Sahara Ave.  /  www.chieticoffee.com
Greens & Proteins Healthy Kitchen

Just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean it can’t taste amazing. Just ask the staff at Greens & Proteins, a modern, family friendly café serving up some delicious dishes. With plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, along with a full menu of nutritious fare for all appetites, Greens & Proteins has something for everybody. Start with some tofu fries or hummus and pita, then work your way up to a nice albacore tuna salad or margherita pizza. You can even build your own meal from a wide selection of meats, grains and sauces, then wash it down with a green ginger limeade or apple pie smoothie – just like mom used to make! So drop that cheeseburger and discover a health conscious option that’s every bit as tasty. Your body will thank you for it.

541-6400  /  9809 W. Flamingo Road  /  www.greensandproteins.com

On the Verge – Poppy Den by Angelo Sosa

By  Aly Wagonseller

 Having been victim to some disastrous restaurant openings, I generally don’t frequent the new guy on the block until they’ve had ample time to find their groove. Granted, there are some very experienced restaurateurs that seem to possess the golden touch from day one. But with too many hiccups to be had in terms of staff and service, menu options and food execution, they are most definitely the minority, especially if the patriarch of the restaurant lives and works a countryside away. That’s what makes my visit to Poppy Den by Angelo Sosa, the newest addition in the massive restaurant revamp currently taking place in Tivoli Village, so bittersweet. Do I want to adore this place because I see its massive potential? Absolutely. But much like the relationship between a growing adolescent and a loving parent, you may have to cut them some slack while they learn from mistakes you both totally saw coming.

Sosa definitely has personality and wild creativity, something that any fan who’s seen him compete on Top Chef can attest. These traits transcend themselves in both the conception of the menu and the atmosphere at Poppy Den. Billed as an Asian Gastropub, the décor is more sophisticated than theme-like, a blend of beautifully crafted paisley textile, distressed beam ceilings, dark hardwood tables, repurposed steel architectural details and a collection of rustic yet modern accessories that create a homey comfort zone. Not what you might expect… but this is Angelo Sosa. The second dining room upstairs is also available to rent for private parties and owns a sexier, loungy vibe with vibrant red walls and flowing fabric that’s vastly different from its downstairs counterpart, and yet probably more predictable in terms of what a poppy den might conjure in the imagination.

Equally exciting is a menu that builds upon Sosa’s clear understanding of Asian flavor combinations, while indulging a love for taking a ride on the fusion wild side. Herein lies the root of some of Poppy’s growing pain issues. The flavors rocked in all but a few of the several small and large plate dishes we ordered, yet somehow more than a few suffered from at least one element of improper execution. Silly issues that, while not egregious, stripped perfectly conceptualized dishes of their deserved five star status. Cases in point: unforgivably chewy crostini served with an otherwise delicious Jarred Tuna, or painfully overcooked meatballs that marred the brilliantly conceived Korean chili paste, basil, ginger and Parmesan cheese tomato sauce that accompanied them. Shrimp and Grits were troublesome as well, the turmeric marinated shrimp taking on a kind of mushy, tandoori like consistency that did nothing to add interest to the sublime, velvety white polenta elegantly flavored with yuzu, lemongrass and coconut milk. Finally, a delicately flavored Green Tea and Mint Crème Brulee fell victim to unevenly bruleed sugar that either stuck to your teeth from being undercooked or permeated the palate with the bitter taste of singed caramel; a shame, as the flavors in the custard were incredibly well thought out.

Still, there were many bright spots to be had during our meal, including the Tuna Deviled Eggs, an addictive bite of chopped egg white and sushi grade tuna bathed in just the right amount of smoky paprika oil, cilantro and scallions. Or the Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese, a refreshing, textural superstar that paired crispy fruit, mild and creamy goat cheese and a sweet and spicy topping of candied wasabi. Super creative. Miso Salmon with charred Shishito Peppers was also nicely prepared, the charred peppers a delish, somewhat bitter contrast to the sweet, melt in your mouth salmon.

All cards on the table, the food and craft cocktails being served at Poppy Den by Angelo Sosa are truly inspired, with more than a glimpse of remarkable potential once the kinks of the restaurant are worked out. It’s a place on the verge of becoming a great neighborhood eatery; you just may have to be a little patient in the upbringing. For reservations, phone 802-2480 or visit www.vegaspoppyden.com.

A Step Above – Dontre Manual

Palo Verde High School
Class of 2013

Speaking up and speaking out is nothing new for Palo Verde High School senior Dontre Manual. As a champion and highly regarded leader in the field of forensics, Dontre puts his heart and soul into self expression through a sharp clarity of vision and a passion for engaging others in informed debate. For a young man of his unlimited potential, no challenge is too big, no mountain too high to climb. When opportunity knocks, he’s the first one to answer the call. For always standing tall and reaching for new heights, Dontre Manual rises to – A Step Above.

G.P.A.: 3.41

Sports/Activities/Awards/Community Service

• JV Basketball, 2010-11
• Forensics: Speech & Debate, 2012-13
• Creative Writing Club, 2010-12
• Chess Club, 2011-13
• Six Time 1^st Place Forensics Champion, 2012-13
• Two Time 5^th Place Forensics Finalist, 2012-13
• Award of Appreciation (Talent Show Host), 2011-12
• Quiet Storm Foundation, 2012-13
• Youth Empowerment Council, 2012-13

Accomplishments Most Proud Of: “Within my first year of joining forensics, I have gotten multiple first place positions, then went on to become a finalist in the varsity division, then finally to win first place at a national tournament. I am most proud of my success in forensics because it has helped me figure out my true talents, which are acting and giving speeches.”

Dontre Looks Up To: “I look up to Martin Luther King Jr. He has been the biggest role model of my life. With him being able to achieve his goal of passing the Civil Rights Act, it has inspired me that anything is possible and nothing should hold you back. With all the trials and burdens he carried, he was still able to continue the pursuit of happiness and achieve his dream.”

Dontre is Stronger and Wiser Because: “When I was sixteen, I was kicked out of my father’s home. At the time, my mother was in prison. I was devastated and scared that I wouldn’t make it in life. This has helped me become stronger because I am able to cope with traumatic issues and I learned the value of sacrifice. I took the initiative in the path of education and success. I was helped by many friends that helped me overcome my adversity and cope with my struggles.”

Part of the Solution: “One of the key issues facing young adults today is homelessness. Volunteer organization Title I Hope has identified that there are over 5,000 homeless students in the Clark County School District. Being involved in two different volunteer programs, I can help these students in any way possible. I understand their struggle because of my own experience.”

A Step Above – Molly Sanders

Palo Verde High School
Class of 2013

With a winning personality and a passion for broadcast journalism, Palo Verde High School senior Molly Sanders always has a story to tell – and judging by her numerous accolades, it’s usually a good one. Poised, tenacious and well rounded, Molly strives to make her voice heard, but also finds time to give voice to others through her work in the community. As a camp counselor, she’s proven herself a strong leader and someone who’s dedicated to inspiring others through perseverance and being a positive role model. For all that and more, Molly Sanders rises to – A Step Above.

G.P.A.: 4.686

Sports/Activities

• Tennis, 2009-10
• Dance Team, 2010-12
• National Honor Society, 2011-Present
• Broadcast Journalism, 2009-12
• Helping Hands Club (Founder and President), 2011-Present
• Yearbook, 2012-Present
• Create A Change Now, 2012-Present
• Eco Club, 2012-Present

Awards/Community Service

• Jr. Fundraiser of the Year Award – Jewish Family Services, 2009
• 2^nd Place, Live Daily Newscast – CCSD Broadcast Journalism, 2010-11
• 2^nd Place, Best in Show – CCSD Broadcast Journalism, 2011
• 1^st Place, Show Opening – CCSD Broadcast Journalism, 2011
• 1^st Place, Feature Story – Broadcast Journalism
• 1^st Place Varsity Dance – USA Competition, 2010-11
• 1^st Place Varsity Dance – Freedom Dance Competition & NDA Competition, 2011
• Rain Dance-A-Thon for JFSA Food Pantry (Co-Chairman), 2009
• Camp Anolim: Counselor-in-Training, 2011; Counselor, 2012
• American Heart Association Walk, 2010-11
• Lupus Walk, 2010-11
• Breast Cancer Walk, 2011
• Multiple Sclerosis Walk, 2011

Molly is Stronger and Wiser Because: “My experience at summer camp, first as a camper and now as a counselor, has taught me valuable life lessons and contributed to my success. Initially arriving as a shy camper, I learned to come out of my shell, work with others, and become a leader. This summer, I intend to provide a unique and memorable experience for each camper.”

Improving Student Life: “From a curriculum perspective, I would like to see classes in studio art reinstated. This would include drawing, photography, painting and fashion. Not only do these classes add to a well rounded education, but they also provide a creative outlet and possibly an inspiration to work in the field.”

Cause for Concern: “If I had to choose an organization, I would choose one that provides assistance to the homeless. In a country as rich as ours, it is a shame that there are people every night living without the basic necessities that we take for granted. No one should have to spend the night without a roof over his or her head.”

A Step Above – Chalon Henderson

Cimarron-Memorial High School
Class of 2013

Cimarron-Memorial High School senior Chalon Henderson is no stranger to the word dedication. It takes her own special brand of commitment, enthusiasm and intensive work ethic to not only participate in all the sports she plays, but to excel at them as well. As a captain of both the basketball team and the track team, she takes an active role in guiding her respective teams to victory, showing a wide range of leadership skills and a devotion to always be the best. Strong hearted, faithful and loyal to friends and family, Chalon Henderson stands – A Step Above.

G.P.A.: 3.3

Sports/Activities

• Varsity Basketball, 2009-Present; Captain, 2013
• Varsity Track & Field, 2009-Present; Captain, 2012-13
• Varsity Tennis, 2010
• Varsity Volleyball, 2011
• Youth Church Choir, 2012-Present
• Key Club, 2013
• Yearbook (Sports Editor), 2011-13

Awards/Community Service

• Scholar Athlete, 2012
• 2^nd Team All State (Volleyball), 2012
• State Track Meet (Hurdles), 2012
• Athlete of the Month, 2012-13
• Coaches Award (Basketball), 2009
• Best Defense Award (Volleyball), 2011
• MVP (Track & Field), 2012
• MVP (Basketball), 2012
• Short Shorts Camp, 2012
• Watson Camp (Hoops for Hope Foundation), 2012

Goals & Aspirations: “Huge goals for me to accomplish are competing in the Olympics and becoming a doctor. I can see myself on the track or the court, training like never before.”

Accomplishments Most Proud Of: “Making the varsity basketball team as a freshman, qualifying in four events in regionals as a freshman, making 2^nd Team All State for volleyball after only playing two seasons, and attending State for the 300 Hurdles last year.”

Chalon Looks Up To: “The person I look up to most is my mom. She had to raise seven of us by herself. She always taught me to keep on going and never stop fighting. I know if she could handle taking care of all of us, then I know that I can handle little pains.”

Part of the Solution: “An issue I think teens have in today’s world is confidence. Some of us get told we can never be this or would never be able to do that. But what I learned is that you don’t have to be the very best as long as you put your heart into it. I can try to change things by being a positive person and letting people know that anything is possible.”

A Step Above – Jake Smirk

Bishop Gorman High School
Class of 2013

As a defensive end and State Champion on the football field, Bishop Gorman High School senior Jake Smirk brings a sense of athleticism, spirit and undeniable energy to his favorite sport. Big colleges have begun to take notice, with offers coming in from several Ivy League schools, proving that Jake values hitting the books just as much as his efforts on the field. Humble, astute and always charming, he’s got a clear vision for his future, thinking beyond the gridiron toward innovation and enterprise. With big dreams comes big success, and that’s exactly the kind of attitude that sets Jake Smirk – A Step Above.

G.P.A.: 3.8

Sports/Activities/Community Service

• Football, 2009-Present
• National Honor Society, 2010-Present
• National Spanish Honor Society, 2011-12
• Micro Bank, 2010-11
• Catholic Charities, 2009-11
• Boys Flag Football Coach, 2010
• Tutor for National Honor Society, 2010-Present

Awards

• State Champions (Football), 2010-12
• Defensive MVP, 2012
• League Defensive MVP, 2012
• Las Vegas Sun All-Star Team, 2012
• All-State, 2012
• Scholarship Offers: Cornell, Georgetown, Dartmouth, 2012-13
• Scholar Athlete, 2009-12
• Computer Graphics Student Award, 2010

Goals & Aspirations: “In the future, my ultimate goal is to own a business which changes the way people do something now. One avenue I see myself pursuing is developing and using 3D printing.  I want to create a product similar to the way Apple has created products, inventing something and perfecting it.”

Accomplishments Most Proud Of: “The accomplishment I am most proud of is where my football career has led me. In two years, I gained fifty-five pounds of muscle and made myself a competitor.  I never imagined being recruited to play Division I football, especially at an Ivy League. Without the hard work, I would not have been as successful in football.”

Jake is Stronger and Wiser Because: “My junior year, I had an injury to my knee just before an ESPN game, which put me out of eight games. Recovering from my injury, I made myself stronger and faster when I came back to start during the state championship. Having such a major setback, I was able to see how much I was willing to go through in order to succeed.”

Part of the Solution: “The key issue facing young adults today is competing for high school and college admissions, which is solely based on grading and test scores and not how much a person has learned or how much effort they put in. Some of my peers’ creativity and efforts have been stifled due to this. Making education a more individualized process would be a solution.”

Meet The Neighbor – Cale Ramaker

By Callie Thomas

It is apropos that Cale Ramaker’s most memorable Vegas experience would take place while he was flying into town for the first time during a lightning storm. Not that he was nervous or that he particularly relishes lightning storms. It’s that he enjoys flying on planes and is content being “up in the air,” much like the George Clooney character in the Oscar nominated movie of the same name. During the dance in the sky, the city lights still shone bright, making it a memorable welcome for the new 89144 resident. That was eight months ago, and Ramaker’s since settled firmly into the city and onto our television screens as part of the KLAS TV 8 morning news team.

Although born and raised in Bellevue, a suburb of Seattle, Ramaker has spent a bit of time traveling. He attended the University of Arizona, where he began broadcasting basketball and baseball play-by-play, which landed him his first gig in television as a sportscaster. He then joined local news stations in Lubbock, Texas and Medford, Oregon, as well as Lansing, Michigan. While Ramaker could definitely be described as an extremely loyal sports fan, he was approached about becoming a news anchor and moved around the country again to places like Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Orlando, Florida. Las Vegas eventually came calling, and he’s happy putting down roots at his new home in Summerlin and integrating himself within the community.

Ramaker brings a passion for helping others through organizations that have personal meaning. This includes Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS) as a mentor and overseeing a family scholarship that had been started in honor of his late grandfather over twenty years ago. Ramaker talks about his work with BBBS, his love of sports (Denver Broncos and Washington State Cougars) and why hopping on an airplane is just another way of unwinding.

Tell us about your work with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

“I have been a mentor for about seven years now. I’m involved in two facets, really. First, I’ve mentored a now sixteen year old young man, Marius, in Orlando since 2006. I started out tutoring Marius weekly while he was in middle school. We’ve spent the last six years or so in the traditional community based mentoring environment. Even though I’ve moved from Orlando, Marius and I keep in close touch. I’m so proud of what a strong character he’s developed and how he has tangible goals after graduating high school.”

And the second?

“I oversee a BBBS scholarship our family started in honor of my late grandfather, Colby. He was the national Big of the Year in 1985 for his work in the Marin County/San Francisco area. Colby passed away in 1987. I lead the Marin County/North Bay BBBS organization in soliciting and electing annual scholarship winners. I also oversee the financial activity of my grandfather’s scholarship.”

 You must be proud of your work with the organization.

“It’s been a blessing to watch Marius grow from a timid pre-teen to a solid young man. I’d like to think I played even the smallest role in helping him develop a good worldly sense of priorities and making the right decisions.”

How great was it to combine your love of sports with your career?

“I am a very loyal fan. I was at the Denver Broncos playoff game and I don’t miss their games on TV. I have season tickets to Washington State football.”

Tell us something you think your friends and others might not know about yourself.

“Every now and then, I’ll just hop on a flight and fly somewhere random to unwind. A few times, I’ve come right back. Also, apparently I throw good parties. At least that’s what I’m told. They could be awful for all I know.”

What makes you successful?

“Honestly, I don’t look at myself as successful. I think I’m still evolving toward that… I hope. I’m blessed and I’ve worked hard, but I’m still working to be successful, professionally and personally.”

Meet The Neighbor – Drs. Yevgeniy & Jeannie Khavkin

By Callie Thomas

Apparently, art does imitate life. 89135 resident Dr. Yevgeniy Khavkin has often been compared to the ABC television character Doogie Howser, M.D., the sixteen year old physician. Yevgeniy also became interested in medicine at a very early age. Growing up, he observed his mother, a pediatric surgeon, in the operating room and knew he wanted to do the same. Yevgeniy started medical school at the age of sixteen, a few years later than Doogie, but went on to become a young neurosurgeon specializing in minimally evasive treatments of spine disorders. Yevgeniy’s wife Jeannie also watched as her mother, a neonatal critical care specialist, received enormous gratitude from the parents of her young patients and was determined to follow her mother’s example by becoming a doctor.  She completed her residency in head and neck surgery, followed by a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Together, the doctors have not only been instrumental in caring for their patients, but they also help others locally and internationally through their humanitarian efforts. Here in Nevada, the doctors lend their expertise to the Helping Hands Surgical Care organization. Yevgeniy is a former president of the Russian American Medical Association and donates time to MiraMed, which helps to secure a healthy and productive life for disadvantaged children in Russia. He also assists Jewish Healthcare International and Eagle Condor International. Jeannie is a founding board member of Smiles for Survivors Foundation, which provides oral rehabilitation to breast cancer survivors. The two share a profound love for each other and their family and are passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. They talk about their charitable efforts here and abroad, as well as the roots they’ve planted in Las Vegas as residents for the past two years.

While you are both involved in individual nonprofit organizations, you both assist Helping Hands Surgical Care.

Yevgeniy: “Yes. It is a Las Vegas based nonprofit whose mission it is to provide medically necessary surgeries for uninsured Nevadans. As you know, surgery is very expensive, and while there are many surgeons such as ourselves who donate surgical time, there are other costs associated with undergoing surgery. Helping Hands was created to obtain support from the community to help pay these costs.”

Jeannie: “Being involved in organizations that provide services to benefit members of our community has been a very rewarding experience.”

We hear that you have also lent your musical talents to help support the community?

Jeannie: “Both Yevgeniy and I share a love of music and we recently performed at Doctors in Concert, which benefits Nathan Adelson Hospice. Yevgeniy played guitar and I accompanied him on piano.”

Your have also lent your support internationally. How does it feel to know you are making a difference abroad?

Yevgeniy: “Doing international humanitarian work is a very humbling experience and puts things in life in a very different perspective. We would recommend that everyone gets involved in these kinds of organizations, especially young adults deciding what to do with their lives.”

As relatively new residents of Las Vegas, what are your most memorable experiences so far?

Jeannie: “Our two children were both born right here in Las Vegas!”

Although it is highly unlikely, if you were not doctors, what other career or job would you choose?

Jeannie: “I studied music at an early age and aspired to become a concert pianist. I’m also a foodie and we often go on an adventure in search of a good meal, especially when we travel.”

Yevgeniy: “Since we bought our house in the Ridges, I’ve discovered that I enjoy interior design.”

What do you attribute your success in life to?

Yevgeniy: “We love each other and our family and we love what we do professionally. One of our favorite inspirational quotes is by Francois Constantin, ‘Do better if possible and it’s always possible.’ ”