Health Investment Partnership and Nevada Youth
Each day, more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarette; another 1,000 become addicted smokers. Health Investment Partnership (HIP), Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.) and other Nevada youth are working toward ending this sad trend in a most sensible way…by kicking butts!
Thousands of local teens and HIP members joined forces to honor Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative held March 23rd this year, in an effort to stop youth tobacco use. Omega Gents youth guidance organization created an informational booth at Western High School; Sierra Vista’s Key Club created a flash mob at their lunches highlighting the dangers of smoking; Casa de Luz, an inner city faith-based group, created fact cards and passed out information on smoking cessation; Students from Cheyenne, Rancho, Arbor View and SWCTA High Schools participated in the “Be a flower and not a butt” campaign; and Basic High School Key Club and Student Council developed and wore signs with tobacco statistics.
“The tobacco companies make smoking look cool in their ads, but that’s nothing but a lie,” said Sean Judd, a member of T.A.T.U. “There’s nothing cool about bad breath, a nasty cough and an early death.” These teens are our future, and we applaud their creative efforts to make it free from the devastating consequences of tobacco use. For more information, visit www.tobaccofreenv.org.
Adventure on the Fringe – Spring Mountain Ranch
By Lisha Ross
With all the new fangled bars, restaurants, spas and shops in the city, we so often forget about, or just don’t make time for, the natural treasures that exist on the fringes of town. One such largely untapped gem is the Spring Mountain Ranch nestled in the Red Rock Conservation area. Super Summer Theatre fans have known about the ranch for years and stirred up quite an uproar when proposed state budget cuts threatened to close down the beloved outdoor theatre and ranch in 2010. The park managed to survive, but the question on everybody’s mind is still: for how long? If nothing else, the situation served up a reality check; it’s now more important than ever to show support for their public programs and take advantage of this pleasant oasis before it’s too late.
A Walk to Remember
Spring Mountain Ranch is only 15 miles west of town, but it might as well be a world away. Shadowed in late afternoon by the colorful cliffs of the Wilson Range and sitting high at about 3,800 feet, the temperature is 10-15 degrees cooler, the air a bit cleaner, the scenery spectacular and the quiet complete. Once a working ranch and luxurious retreat for previous owners like German actress Vera Krupp and millionaire Howard Hughes, its rich history is preserved wonderfully and shared with the public through guided and self-guided tours, historical re-enactments and family events.
On any given day, a stroll through the park should begin at the main house, where you’ll find information on the ranch and the surrounding area, as well as artifacts, old photographs and historical documents. Once you’ve learned the intriguing story of the ranch, particularly the eccentric life and death of Ms. Krupp, an exploration of Wilson Cemetery, Board & Batten Bunkhouse, Sandstone Cabin, Two-Hole Outhouse, Chinchilla Shed and several other buildings that dot the property is surely in order. Guided tours are offered daily at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. with an additional tour at 3 p.m. on weekends, but visitors may take a self-guided tour anytime the park is open.
Picnics, Productions and All That Jazz
The ranch, with its expansive grassy acreage surrounded by desert scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands and shade-bearing trees is excellent picnicking property. Picnic areas are open from 8 a.m. to dusk and replete with tables, benches, restrooms and plenty of lawn for blankets, Frisbee and family fun. For a picnic experience you won’t soon forget, visit the ranch in the summer months, as Super Summer Theatre celebrates 36 years of providing the best seats under the stars and monthly productions on their outdoor stage. Annie opens the season June 8th, followed by The Drowsy Chaperone in July, Fiddler on the Roof in August and Five Guys Named Moe in September. Shows begin at 8 p.m. and run Wednesday through Saturday. Visit www.supersummertheatre.org for a complete schedule and ticketing information. Blankets or folding chairs, picnic dinners, snacks and beverages are all encouraged, but for a no-fuss trip, concessions are available for purchase as well as $1 chair rentals. Seating fills up quickly, so if you want a good spot, consider arriving as soon as the parking lot opens at 5 p.m.
Characters Welcome
While Super Summer Theatre may bring in the most characters, costumed role players breathe life into both Nevada history and the ranch all the year through via living history programs and other exciting events.
On May 1st, the ranch goes wild from noon to 4 p.m. as cowboys round up city slickers for a day of ranch activities the whole family can enjoy. Members of the Sandy Valley 4H Club will be giving demos throughout the day and cowboy style games will be open for all to participate. And what would a ranch day be without the lively sounds of a few acoustic instruments? Old Time Fiddlers will be spinning out their own brand of country fried tunes until 2 p.m.
Fourth of July comes a day early, Sunday, July 3rd, when the ranch celebrates our country’s independence Old World style…sort of. Get ready to be part of the action! Visitors will be invited to join historic characters and dress up in full uniform for a battle reenactment royale. You, thankfully, won’t hear any cannon blasts but water sponges will surely fly! Free refreshments will be available on a first come, first served basis. Stay tuned at www.parks.nv.gov/smr.htm to learn more about these events and upcoming programs in the fall, such as Pioneer Day in September.
A perfect, quaint retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, Spring Mountain Ranch is that place between here and there where you can slow down, relax and experience history in motion. Don’t worry if you forget where and when you are…you’ll return to the current decade soon enough feeling just a bit more renewed and invigorated, I promise.
In the Know
In the Know
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In the Know
In the Know
Lola’s: A Louisiana Kitchen
By Aly Wagonseller
There’s something about the sound of a rockin’ accordion pumping out some serious Louisiana Zydeco that just says party. Add to that a dose of ragin’ Cajun cuisine, a sprinkling of purple, green and gold plastic beads and a fleur-de -lis or two and you’ll all but have transported yourself to Mardi Gras in the French Quarter streets of the Big Easy. Sounds fun, don’t it? It’s a good time that can be had six days a week at Lola’s: A Louisiana Kitchen, located at 241 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 101, near the I-15.
A quaint little haute spot situated in the heart of the downtown arts district, Lola’s is the brainchild of Lola “Beth” Pokorny, a charming woman who draws her culinary flair from a long line of down home “Looziana” cooks and restaurateurs, as well as her own endeavors as a successful caterer. Beth brings a homey, soulful sensibility to Lola’s; a little slice of Southern pride and hospitality that’s as evident in the comfy, yet stylish décor as what’s cookin’ in the kitchen. She’s there to greet you most days and is happy to share the skinny on house specialties, personal faves or what’s new on the menu.
Cajun cuisine can certainly be a mixed bag, running the gamut from a humble dish of Red Beans and Rice to spicy seafood, Jambalaya and a variety of Po-Boy sandwiches. Lola’s has them all, including a seasonal crawfish boil that’s offered on Fridays and Saturdays from noon until there’s nothing left but empty heads, shells and tails. They’re flown in fresh from Louisiana and are so popular that you need to call and reserve your stash ahead of time to avoid missing out on the fun. For starters, you can’t miss the Charbroiled Oysters. Broiled in an open view kitchen adjacent to the small bar area, Lola’s version is tender and only slightly smoky; a good thing, as it doesn’t overpower the freshness of these tasty little mollusks. Wisely restraining the amount of fresh lemon juice, garlic and cheese served atop the oysters only does more to highlight the clean flavor, making for a balanced dish that’s hard to stop eating. A Blue Lump Crab Cake was less successful, but still enjoyable. I just would like to have had the outer crust more caramelized and the temperature of the cake closer to hot than lukewarm, something that could be attributed to the thickness of the cake.
A Cajun kitchen wouldn’t hold its weight in Louisiana hot sauce without Catfish and Grits on the menu, a dish that truly shines here at Lola’s. Dubbed as bronzed rather than blackened, the spicy seasoning on this tender and flakey fish wasn’t overly aggressive, something lovers of the more potent version may want to take note of. Still, the flavors were vivid and complex served atop a nice helping of creamy grits, somewhat reminiscent of an aromatic risotto, aptly spiked with flavorful Gouda cheese and surrounded with earthy mushrooms and smoky chunks of andouille sausage. This, to be certain, is a five star winner of a dish. The New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp was also quite tasty–large, perfectly cooked prawns swimming in a rich and somewhat spicy sauce with hints of cinnamon, cayenne and, I suspect, a pop of allspice. Delicious it was with accompaniments of white rice and toasted, buttered French bread made for soppin’ and washed down with the refreshing raspberry undertones of an Abita Purple Haze lager. And, although we couldn’t possibly eat more, we had to try the amazing Bananas Foster Bread Pudding. Beth’s own secret recipe, the homemade banana bread and custard were artfully elevated with the addition of a sublime, cinnamon infused caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Foodie dreams are made of this stuff.
Lola’s may be a bit out of the way, but the music, food and atmosphere feel miles away from anything else here in Vegas. It’s the magic of New Orleans in our own backyard. To reserve your crawfish or make reservations, call them at 227-5652.
Making the Most of the Sun’s Rays – A Solar Story for Nevada
By Lisha Ross
With approximately 320 days of sunshine per year, there’s no place on Earth that a solar energy system will produce more electricity than Southern Nevada. Perhaps that’s why these days just about everybody is pining to collect the sun’s rays. In 2008, PulteGroup Inc.’s Villa Triesta became the city’s first community to offer a roof-integrated solar power system as a standard option, and in March of this year Meritage Homes unveiled an eco-friendly development complete with solar systems to offset electricity, water heating and air conditioning.
Of course, this is all good news for “green” folks in the market for a new home, but what of home owners who want to join the movement in their existing abodes? Well, there’s even more good news! Options for incorporating solar power abound and the benefits are many. Aside from doing our part to reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources, we might just be able to save a few bucks in the long term with some sound financial decisions.
Systems Big and Small
When researching solar power, you’re likely to encounter a barrage of foreign-sounding words and phrases. The two most applicable for residential use are solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar thermal systems. PV systems are comprised of approximately 20 panels that convert the sun’s energy into electricity in order to offset a home’s total electrical usage. Solar thermal systems convert sunlight into heat that can furnish your home’s hot water needs.
No matter if you go totally PV or opt for a smaller scale thermal system, which requires fewer roof panels, the obvious financial benefit is lower bills. To put the savings in perspective, water heating accounts for about a quarter of total energy usage in a single family home. By some estimates, switching to a thermal system can potentially help owners save between 50% and 85% on their utility bills. It’s trickier to estimate savings from a PV system, as it depends on the size of your system and several other factors. Some estimates suggest it is around $500-$900 per year, but with an all encompassing system, you may never see a power bill again.
Nickels and Dimes
Potential savings notwithstanding, the two most common questions solar sales people hear are: How much does it cost? and Can I get a rebate? Unfortunately, these figures often stop potential customers in their tracks. It costs about $15,000 to $25,000 for an adequate PV system and anywhere between $2000 and $8000 for a solar thermal system, again depending on the size of your home and your family’s needs. Only a licensed contractor can provide a proper estimate after a careful evaluation of your home and electrical usage. While the state legislature and other entities are working hard to make solar more affordable to all, there are currently several incentive programs that can take a load off the initial expense. Here are just a few:
Federal Tax Credit: Until December 31, 2016, homeowners and businesses that install qualified PV systems and/or solar thermal systems are eligible to receive 30% of the installation cost in tax credits.
NV Energy: Through Net-Metering, NV Energy offers credits in exchange for energy your system produces that you do not use. As part of their Solar Hot Water Incentive Program, they also offer rebates of up to 50% of the installation cost of a solar thermal system up to $1500.
Southwest Gas: Through Southwest Gas’ Solar Water Program, they offer rebates based on the amount of therms (heat energy) expected to be generated by the system.
Nevada State: Nevada offers property tax incentives where any value added to the home by a qualified renewable energy system will be subtracted from the assessed value for property tax purposes.
Be sure to check out the eligibility requirements for each program. Most, if not all require you submit an application prior to installation. For more detailed information on these programs as well as financing, visit www.dsireusa.org.
The Final Figures
Yes, even with incentives, the initial expense packs a pretty hard punch. For many, the concern is that they will sell their home before they see a return, but that’s not usually the case. Randell Hynes, founder of Solar Forces, co-founder of Nevada Solar Authority, Ltd. and lobbyist for change in Nevada’s energy market, argues that it helps to understand how this investment pays for itself by increasing the value of your home. “For example,” he explains, “in the Nevada market, the net cost of a 20 solar panel PV system is $14,500 after the federal tax credit. By considering the annual value of the electricity that the system will generate over its 25-year life, the initial appraised value is nearly $27,000…and it will retain an appraised value of more than the [original] net cost for over 20 years.” With this added value, he continues, homeowners can “recover the net cost of the installation, or perhaps more, by selling the projected value of ‘not paying the utility’ to the new owner.”
Still have questions? There is no shortage of local contractors anxious to talk to you about your options, and a listing of them can be found at www.nevadasolarenergy.org. When considering any form of solar system, always remember: you’re not just investing in your own future; you’re investing in the future of the planet!
Shoeless in Sin City – Is Barefoot Running for You?
By Aly Wagonseller
Since ancient times, man (or caveman for that matter) has traversed his turf either barefoot or in unsupportive moccasins; scurrying after food, running from danger and living everyday life sans rubber soles. Pedi-perfect deficient by modern standards, feet were visibly wider, more rugged and markedly stronger back then, providing a base for the human body that many experts believe resulted in superior balance and agility, while warding off back, hip, knee and foot injuries.
Despite the invention of cushiony Nike Airs, modern day cultures like the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico”s Copper Canyon confirm that running in minimalistic shoes or barefoot prevents injury. The Tarahumara are famous for running in homemade sandals over rough terrain for hundreds of miles at a time, with little to no incidence of hip, knee or back injuries, and many of them sprinting well into their 80s. In addition, athletes from Kenya have been winning marathons in the barefoot buff for years. It’s got a growing number of running experts thinking outside of the proverbial shoe box.
Going Au Naturale
The argument against shoes starts with their inherent interruption of the natural gait. The theory is that padded and restrictive tennis shoes encourage the runner to place the initial shock of landing disproportionately on the heel of the foot, while running barefoot allows for the weight to be distributed on the ball or mid-range of the foot. In terms of injury, it’s thought that less stress is put on the joints when the “strike point” is shifted to the front or mid part of the foot, as in the case of running barefoot.
This point is illustrated in a study conducted by Harvard University on 68 young, healthy runners of mixed gender. Participants were evaluated by a motion analysis machine while running in both shoes and barefoot. The researchers observed a 54% average increase in the internal rotation torque of the hip, and a 36% increase in the bending force of the knee when using running shoes compared to barefoot running. The study concluded that although padded running shoes protect the feet from the environment, they do have straining effects on critical joints associated with injury.
In addition to strain on the joints, it’s also thought that shoes impair the natural foot to brain connection needed for proper balance and strength. The foot contains more than 200,000 nerve endings, 33 major muscles and 19 ligaments. When placed in an overly padded, restrictive shoe, these nerves and muscles lose their ability to “feel” the ground beneath them. This lack of feeling not only hinders the brains ability to process pain from the constant impact of improperly striking the ground heel first, but also fosters inactivity and promotes weakening of muscles and tendons needed for proper balance.
On the Other Foot
While there are many who support the idea of running without shoes, they do provide the necessary protection against local hazards that include hot, desert asphalt and debris like rocks, nails and thorns. And, while a number of shoe brands like Vivo Barefoot, Nike Free and the Vibram Five Finger shoes attempt to mimic barefoot running while providing a certain degree of protection from road hazards, starting a barefoot running regime can easily cause injury to ankles, feet, calves and Achilles tendon. To avoid injury, remember:
- Start slow and consider running on indoor tracks or hard surfaces free from dangerous elements.
- Listen to your body. If you feel pain and/or strain, stop or reduce your running time until you get used to your new gait.
- Glean information from sources that include www.barefootrunner.com, http://runnatural.org and various books on the subject. A simple Google search on “barefoot running” turns up a wealth of information.
The scientific jury’s still out on whether running barefoot is better. More studies are being conducted every year, with L. Daniel Howell, the author of The Barefoot Book: 50 Great Reasons to Kick off Your Shoes, and organizations like the Society for Barefoot Living (www.barefooters.org) leading the way. It would seem our ancestors have already spoken on the subject, yet in a high tech world of Nike Airs, only time will tell.
The Beat Goes On and On – Local Sites for Musical Nights
By Chad Felix
In Las Vegas, good musical entertainment resonates far beyond the confines of the Strip and into our very own backyards. It’s advertised on modest flyers; it hides in warm, local dives; and it’s calling out to fellow locals. The only trouble, then, is finding it. But we’re here to help you. So let’s just see what homegrown sounds await on any given night of the week.
Local Licks at a Modest Dive
Inconspicuously located and not without quiet ambitions, E-String Bar and Grill (2031 W. Sunset Rd.; 437-8764) is the perfect stop for a no-frills night of beer, blues and rock. The nightly live music, whether it’s local or travelling bands, karaoke or impromptu blues-rock jams from the in-house talent, is the primary focus here, with American bar bites, Italian fare and drinks as welcome refreshments. An onsite vintage guitar shop–the longstanding A.J.’s music–completes the scene with vintage and autographed guitars in the windows. Overall, it’s an understated rock ‘n’ roll joint that, for music lovers, is hitting all the right notes.
That Freakin’ Jazz
The Freakin’ Frog (4700 S. Maryland Pkwy.; 597-9702) is no stranger to enthusiastic recommendations. Beer aficionados will find no shortage of hops; there are over 1000 in the cooler and fifteen ever-changing taps. Spirit lovers will find a haven on earth in the upstairs Whisky Attic. Here, guests are invited to sip on some 600 varieties of the libation, from Georgia Moon Corn Whisky and Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon–“the whisky that warmed the Revolution”–to elusive and pricey breeds such as Pappy Van Winkle. And for the connoisseurs of sound? Every Tuesday evening, young players (many from UNLV just across the street) work out new tunes, revisit the old and improvise the night away. Fridays and Saturdays welcome singer-songwriters and travelling and local acts, many of which, such as The Swingin’ Pedestrians and the talented Vernell Brown, are Frog veterans.
The Ivory Downtown
Stepping onto Fremont Street, it’s unlikely that you don’t hear some live music in the distance. Downtown Las Vegas, the veritable epicenter of a growing local arts scene, is home court to the multitudes of musicians that consider the city their home. The result? A hot bed for great local outings. For those still unacquainted with such sensations, Don’t Tell Mama (517 Fremont St.; 207-0788) is a great place to start. This chic take on the traditional piano bar is great for sing alongs, drinks and song requests any night of the week. The bar attracts a crowd both young and old with talented bartenders pulling double duty, simultaneously mixing drinks and entertaining all. The pianists boast an incredible repertoire of tunes that spans contemporary pop, classic rock and everything in between.
Royal Blues
Our last stop, and it’s a big one, is B.B. King’s Blues Club in The Mirage (3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; 242-5464). While, until now, our journey has intentionally kept us off the Strip, this spot is too good to pass up. Blues, soul, R&B and funk are the names of the game at this lively venue, and one of the B.B. King-approved bands brings the house down nightly. Just get comfortable at one of King’s four bars with a specialty cocktail. Sit down to some fried dill pickles and beer chili. Listen to the music and peer over to the stage. Maybe you’ll see one of the great house bands. Then again, it might be Willie Nelson or B.B. King himself! The only thing that’s for certain is it’s going to be a great show.
From modest dives and the centerpiece of campus-cool to touristy taverns, we’ve covered quite some distance on our journey to discover the talent of local musicians. The fact is, great musical entertainment is in no short supply in Vegas, and you never know when you’re going to be up close and personal with the next garage band to make it big. Support tomorrow’s stars today; seek the players out, dance and shout.
