Bottles of Hope

We’ve all heard of a message in a bottle, but hope in a bottle? That takes some ingenuity, but, as volunteers working with the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) recently proved at the Bottles of Hope program, anything is possible.

On Saturday, January 15^th, more than 30 NVCI patients, friends and loved ones, along with generous community volunteers gathered together to transform chemotherapy bottles into things of beauty. With the help of members of the Las Vegas Polymer Clay Guild, volunteers wrapped the small glass bottles from NVCI’s treatment center in a thin sheet of clay, then sculpted, painted and ultimately fashioned the bottles into unique works of art.

Adorned with flowers, leaves, animals, lace and stamps, the bottles became more than discard items and even more than art. These unique gifts to future cancer patients and survivors are symbols of hope and resilience, beautiful to behold and inspirational for the soul. It just goes to show how far a little bit of imagination and compassion truly go. Want to get involved? The next Bottles of Hope event will be held March 19^th at NVCI’s Sunflower Café from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call 822-LIFE.

Green Valley National Charity League

Just as the love between a mother and child knows no bounds, neither does the philanthropic work of the Green Valley National Charity League. The nonprofit organization brings mothers and daughters together through community involvement to help foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship.

Their goals are evident in events like November’s Mother Daughter “Tea in Paris”, during which the women of the GVNCL collected over $1,100 worth of art supplies for the Boys & Girls Club. And yet so many more have benefitted from their efforts, like the family of six that the class of 2011 adopted through the Children’s Heart Foundation. Or the Clark County Public Education Foundation, for which the class of 2012 purchased board games and hosted an annual benefit fashion show.   

The classes of 2013 through 2016 are hard at work as well, volunteering at Candlelighters Childhood Cancer events; bringing holiday cheer to the Henderson Senior Center; adopting residents of the Delmar Gardens rehabilitation center and much more. By the end of 2010, the group logged 16,582 hours of philanthropic service for a dollar value of $334,190. Through their work, they will continue to fulfill a legacy of community pride, and for that, we thank them.  For more information, visit www.nclgreenvalley.org.

Smashburger

Ordinarily, eating a 100% certified Angus beef burger topped with a fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions and special sauce wouldn’t seem like a great way to start out the new year. Las Vegas Smashburger locations, however, took some of the guilt out of those juicy pleasures by teaming up with the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Throughout the month of January, the nationally acclaimed “better burger” restaurant donated $1 from the sale of each Sin City Smashburger and Smashchicken sandwich to JDRF. “We are pleased to partner with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to create awareness about this disease and help generate funds to further the JDRF mission,” said Smashburger Founder Tom Ryan.

JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type one diabetes. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type one diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research, including $107 million last year. It is with the help of donors like Smashburger that they are able to contribute so much to the cause. That’s the kind of charity we can sink our teeth into. For more info, visit www.jdrf.org or www.smashburger.com.

Humana Crafters for Charity

Humana Crafters for Charity have been hard at work warming the hearts and bodies of veterans and children undergoing cancer treatment. The group, consisting of eight women, is diverse in age and skill level, but the one thing they all share is a love of giving back to the community through crafting. On December 20^th and 21^st they showed their true mosaic of talent and altruistic colors by making two donations of their handy-work.

To the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, they donated 42 hand-made blankets, 19 hats, 18 scarves and a quilt featuring an original poem commemorating the anniversary of 9/11. VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is an organization that provides health care services to more than 35,000 veterans yearly.

As for the children? Quilter Carol Hoyt, age 70, crafted eight blankets for oncology patients at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. Each blanket featured embroidered jokes and riddles in English and Spanish that Hoyt hopes will “brighten the day of children undergoing cancer treatments as much as my day is brightened by working with others…on these quilts.” It’s enough to give you the warm and fuzzies just thinking about it. For information on the Humana Guidance Center in Henderson, or to join the crafters, call 269-5200.

Chris, Deborah, Zoe and Lily Gandy

By Callie Thomas

It is often said that good things come in small packages.  The Gandy family, residents of 89123, learned quickly that a small package can offer both incredible joy and unfathomable challenges–especially when the tiny bundle was their newborn daughter Lily. 

Deborah and Chris are the mom and dad of the Gandy household and have lived practically their entire lives in Las Vegas. Chris has been a police officer serving the community for the past 14 years while wife Deborah nurtures their two daughters, Zoe and Lily, at home on a daily basis.  Zoe is the eldest sister at age seven and Lily is now four.  It is hard to believe, yet difficult to forget, that Lily had been born nine weeks early due to a medical emergency and had entered the world at a miniscule 2 pounds, 9 ounces and just 14 and three-quarter inches long.  The couple had to leave the hospital without their little baby, putting Lily in the hands of medical experts rather than taking care of her themselves. “It is really difficult when you’re the mom, you’re supposed to be taking care of her, and instead there’s a team of people that are taking care of her for you,” Deborah said.  The family found comfort in the March of Dimes of Las Vegas organization.

The mission of the group is to help improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  It is estimated that in Nevada more than 5,200 babies are born prematurely each year. Since the inception of the March of Dimes in 1938, the organization has conducted research, provided community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. It has been successful in funding important research which has led to finding a cure for polio as well as a synthetic surfactant therapy that preterm babies receive in order to breathe when their lungs are not fully developed.  “We became active in the March of Dimes after Lily was born.  We call raising money for the March of Dimes our therapy,” she said.  “We want to make sure no one has to endure what we did, but if they do, they know there is someone out there that can help them and is fighting for them,” says Chris.

The Gandys are proud of their association with the March of Dimes and have even been chosen as the Ambassador Family for 2011.  “We hope by sharing our story we can raise a lot of money for research,” Deborah said.  Through their interaction with the group, the Gandys have met many other families with similar stories at the March of Dimes fundraisers.  “We love seeing the families at all the events and my daughters love being a part of the festivities.”  The girls enjoy participating in the family picnic in the fall and taking part in the pumpkin carving event at Halloween.  Their favorite is the spring fundraiser walk, March for Babies.  This year on May 7, the annual three-mile March for Babies walk will be held at Town Square. The family hopes to raise $2,000 for the March of Dimes. Those interested in participating may register at www.marchforbabies.org. 

The Gandy family has also lent their time to other community organizations such as Shade Tree, Family Promise, Shop with a Cop, Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and Lutheran Family Services.  Giving back is important to this family that does everything together.  “We were raised in this community.  Everyone needs a helping hand in their life.  Even the smallest gesture can make a difference like giving a dollar to the grocery store for their charity of the month.  There are also many organizations that could use just a little of your time.”

Kimberly Abbott

By Callie Thomas

In the beginning, it might have sounded like a primetime legal drama:  Promising young attorney passes the bar and lands a job with a mid-sized law firm outside of Boston.  Two years later she moves to Vegas, takes a huge pay cut and begins a career in Legal Aid. You can almost hear the gasps of her co-workers (and would be audience), but as it turns out, it was probably the best decision Kimberly Abbott ever made.

“I went to law school knowing I wanted to do public interest work,” says Abbott.  “I felt I had gotten a bit off track and began exploring other positions.”  She answered an ad for Pro Bono Project Director in Las Vegas, although she applied never thinking she’d actually move.  In fact, she mostly responded for the interviewing experience. But that changed when she actually met her soon-to-be co-workers.  “I heard them talk with such passion about the work they did at Legal Aid.  I knew I wanted the job right then and there.”

For the past six years, Kimberly has been the Pro Bono Project Director at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Since 1958 the organization has been providing free legal services to low-income Southern Nevadans.  The project coordinates private attorney volunteers who donate their time and talents to assist those who cannot afford representation.  Upon her appointment, she immediately immersed herself in the community, met many judges and most of the Nevada Supreme Court Justices as well as bar and community leaders and prominent attorneys. Through networking, she convinces lawyers to volunteer. She also volunteers herself and is currently helping a 16 year old boy in foster care.

Helping others comes naturally for Abbott, and she has made it a point to assist other organizations including Big Brothers & Big Sisters, a crisis pregnancy center, domestic violence organizations and Habitat for Humanity.  What has become one of the most powerful connections in Kimberly’s life is a non-profit called Helping Hands of Vegas Valley.  She learned of the organization while pitching a group of paralegals to volunteer their time to her organization.  There she met the then President of Helping Hands. “I’m not sure either of us recruited any new volunteers that night, but we learned a lot about each other’s organizations.”  Kimberly ended up joining the Helping Hands board and has been a member since 2008. 

Helping Hands assists seniors over the age of 60 who are unable to get around on their own through programs that ensure they have access to services that will aid them in remaining healthy and independent.  “I’ve watched the difficulties my grandmother and great aunts and uncles have had as they’ve gotten older, having a harder time doing things for themselves, like getting to the doctor or buying groceries,” Kimberly said.  “In my work I encounter lots of struggling seniors who are on fixed incomes with little support.  Helping Hands of Vegas Valley makes sure they get to medical appointments and have enough to eat.  They also give their caregivers some desperately needed breaks. The group does a lot to better the lives of seniors in our community.”

In fact, Helping Hands provides critical services to hundreds of seniors in the community each year.  Last year they gave more than 3,300 rides to more than 1,000 seniors, distributed 1,800 grocery bags and gave away more than $350,000 in respite care vouchers. 

Kimberly Abbott has even convinced her husband Darren and a few friends to help, and she hopes that her passion for giving back is instilled in her own daughter, who was born just last May.  “Aside from surviving the first year of my daughter’s life, working full time and being a good mom, I’m proud to be a part of two great organizations which continuously remind me of the good in people and in our world, and for that I am incredibly grateful.”

Mike & Karen Crovetti

By Callie Thomas

You hear the saying often enough–“The family that plays together stays together.”  By definition, 89052 residents Mike and Karen Crovetti and their three children, Brielle, Chelsea and Michael, would have superhuman staying power, particularly as their version of “play” ultimately benefits those in need throughout our community. 

The Crovetti’s idea of fun involves a dedication toward giving back and helping our neighbors who are unable to help themselves.  Mike and Karen have led by example and instilled a strong charitable foundation in their kids.  That’s not to say the family doesn’t spend time enjoying other activities like the kids’ various sports teams, including football, soccer, basketball and tennis.  Snowboarding and trips to the beach are also on the family “to do” list.  But there’s always plenty of room on the list to give their time, talents and support to a multitude of organizations in our area.

Mike Crovetti is an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Crovetti Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Henderson.  Over the last ten years he has taken care of thousands of residents from high school athletes to elderly patients and everyone in between.  “It is through these amazing people that I’ve learned so much about our community,” says Mike.  Wife Karen is a stay at home mom who’s not only passionate about her kids, but also about kids in need.  “I felt it was important to be actively involved in our children’s lives and teach them the importance of giving back,” Karen Crovetti said.  “Through my involvement in our children’s schools, sports teams and various charities, I have learned so much about the needs of our neighbors.”

Karen and her two daughters are active members of the National Charity League (NCL), a philanthropic organization made up of mother-daughter teams who work with over twenty-seven different charities in the Las Vegas chapter.  Mothers and daughters join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Their goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility in the girls as well as to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. “I became involved in NCL because it was a great way to spend time with my daughters and at the same time give back,” says Karen.  She also currently serves as the Chairperson to the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson for NCL.  The Boys and Girls Clubs provide quality programs and services in a safe, positive environment to thousands of Southern Nevada youth each year.  An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.  “For me, there is no bigger reward than helping to make a difference in a child’s life.”

For the last three years, the Crovetti gang has participated in an event called Fun Day for Kids through the Boys and Girls Club.  Kids in the organization are paired with an adult participant and together they play games and activities competing for prizes.  While taking part in the event Mike recognized a need for sporting goods equipment.  Crovetti Orthopedics, along with Tropical Smoothies of Henderson, held a successful drive this past December and were able to donate much needed equipment to the club. 

The Crovetti family has had many rewarding experiences through their volunteer efforts.  Daughter Brielle tutors local youth and is actively involved with the Best Buddies program, an opportunity that has allowed her to befriend and enjoy monthly activities with an autistic child. The entire family gets involved doing anything from adopting a foster family for Christmas through Child Focus to escorting special needs children down the red carpet for an event called Joy Prom.     

“This community has given us so much,” says Mike Crovetti.  “It is where we call home and where we are doing one of our most important jobs: raising our family.  Giving back is our way of expressing our gratitude for being so blessed.”

Fr. Mugagga Lule

By Callie Thomas

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13

As Fr. Mugagga Lule sees it, “If we are able to make the little sacrifices every day for the sake of love, all of us together can transform the world into a far better place.”  The Henderson resident and Catholic priest has done much to encourage others to open their hearts throughout his 15 year career providing spiritual guidance and caring for others.  He has taught in seminary, high school, done parish work and, in particular, spent a great deal of time assisting disadvantaged children.  “My work as a priest gives me numerous opportunities to work directly with people from every walk of life,” Fr. Mugagga said.  “It gave me the wonderful opportunity to become involved with disadvantaged girls in Uganda.”

Father is associated with the St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy and Home, an organization founded in 1997 to assist orphaned girls in Uganda, East Africa.  “Due to the many unfortunate circumstances we find ourselves in (war, disease, poverty), Uganda has had two million orphans in the past 20 years, mostly due to AIDS and war,” he said.  The home is a small effort to help give orphaned girls a chance at a better life by rescuing street children ranging from birth to 21 years old. The goal is to promote the survival, protection, and development of these unfortunate children.  St. Elizabeth’s Girls Academy empowers them with survival skills for self reliance. Vocational training skills are offered including catering, tailoring, home economics, computer skills, agriculture, and the breeding of livestock. Students receive needed physical and emotional support, and each girl may attend two counseling and guidance sessions which are provided each week. “The girls also attend mass four times per week and clean and care for the facility on an on-going basis,” says Fr. Mugagga.  “In addition, we provide social and spiritual development and support, recreational activities and girl”s sports programs.”

Fr. Mugagga has first-hand knowledge of the challenges in Uganda, having been born there as the youngest of nine children.  Since founding the home, many of the girls have acquired the skills they need to succeed in a tough environment like Uganda. “There is an orphan who was helped by our academy and now she owns a restaurant.  Some have graduated from college and are living relatively decent lives,” says the Father.  “We have others in different schools learning a variety of skills and trades.”

Fr. Mugagga is also closely associated with a Las Vegas based nonprofit organization called Hope for Hearts, which provides important funding for the academy.  The school relies on private donations and the sale of Hope for Hearts products, which include one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry created with beads from recycled paper.  The necklaces, bracelets and earrings are eco-friendly, and proceeds from the sales benefit the students.

Since the academy’s inception, an average of 200 girls live in tents and dilapidated buildings on a one acre piece of land. If larger facilities were available, the number could grow to well over 1,000. Fr. Mugagga and the academy hope to someday build a campus called SEGA on a 50 acre piece of land.

Fr. Mugagga Lule is proud of the achievements reached by the many orphaned girls that have been assisted through the academy and who have gone on to live healthier, happier, productive lives.  Father believes that this success is built on the efforts of a community of loving, caring people rather than his own.  “My success depends on others doing their part.  Success does not depend on any one person, but by every person fulfilling their responsibility to give back to the whole.  As humans we are independent, but we are not meant to live in solitude, but in a living and loving communion with others.”  For more information on Hope for Hearts, visit www.hope4hearts.org or call 412-6571.

Give it a Twirl – Noodles with International Flair

By Aly Wagoneller

Whether twirled on a fork, slurped from a bowl or entwined within tiny fingers too small to navigate utensils, noodles are a mainstay ingredient in kitchens from Sicily to Beijing. It’s really no wonder, considering pasta’s remarkable knack for satisfying the hungriest of diners on a fraction of the total family grocery budget. But that’s only half of their noodlicious appeal. The beauty of these silky strands of textural perfection lies in an ability to change their gastronomic personality with a simple swap of the saucepan.  Kid friendly, Ragu saturated cappellini takes on an exotic, Spanish influence when paired with mussels bathed in saffron infused broth.  A variety of meats, tofu and vegetables are the perfect noodle combination when dressed with the spicy hot, sweet and sour essence of Asian cuisine. Even plain olive oil, fresh herbs and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese can transform this understated culinary canvas into a memorable work of art fit for family or friends.

The importance of successfully executing even the simplest of noodle dishes stems from proper preparation. With the exception of certain rice and Thai sweet potato noodles that need only be soaked in hot water to soften, wheat based noodles require boiling water…and lots of it.  A good rule of thumb is to allow a minimum of 6 quarts of water for a pound of pasta. Use a large, wide pot if possible and have a fork or tongs available for stirring the noodles as they cook.  This will allow the noodles to circulate freely, preventing the pasta from clumping and sticking together.  DO add salt to the water once it’s boiling. It greatly enhances the flavor of the pasta while only adding negligible amounts of sodium to the recipe as a whole.  But DON’T add oil to the cooking water or rinse noodles after they’ve been cooked if you’re saucing and eating the pasta right away.  Adding oil or rinsing noodles prevents sauces from attaching to the pasta, leaving you with a lot of sauce at the bottom of a bowl of flavorless noodles.

More and more grocery stores are carrying an array of noodles that include soba, Udon, rice and gluten free varieties.  Be bold, mixing and matching noodles, toppings and international flavor profiles. Soon you’ll be twirling a forkful of flavorful, filling and economic meals that are anything but boring. 

Thai BBQ Beef and Rice Noodle Salad

Serves 4

• 1 lb. flank steak, left whole
• 7 oz. thin rice noodles 
• 1 medium cucumber, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped basil (Thai basil is best)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. Asian chili garlic sauce (optional)
• 1 Tbsp. Asian fish sauce
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• Soy, fish and sriracha sauces for garnish (optional)

         Lime Dressing 

• 1 Tbsp. Asian fish sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Whisk together lime dressing. Set aside.  Cook noodles per package directions.  Rinse with cold water; drain well.  Add cucumber, carrots, basil, cilantro and onion.  Toss with lime dressing. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour to blend flavors.

Meanwhile, in a large zipper lock bag combine soy sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, remaining fish sauce and salt.  Add steak and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Heat a lightly oiled grill pan or BBQ over medium high heat until hot. Grill steak, turning once, until desired doneness, about 8-9 minutes for medium rare.  Let rest for 5 minutes; thinly slice across the grain.

Lay warm beef slices over the cold noodle salad and serve with additional soy, fish or sriracha sauces if desired.

Creamy Lemon Tagliatelle with Salmon, Pancetta and Peas

Serves 4

Honey-Jalapeno Chicken with Sesame Soba Noodles

Serves 4

• 12 oz. soba noodles
• 1 jalapeno, chopped w/seeds removed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 -3 Tbsp. water
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1/2 rotisserie chicken, shredded or sliced
• 4 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
• 1/3 cup chopped scallions, green part only
• 1-2 tsp. grated ginger, to taste
• 1 carrot, shredded
• ½ cup pea pods, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced

Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a blender or food processor, combine jalapeno, honey, cilantro, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Puree until smooth. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the mixture until desired consistency is achieved. Pour the 2 teaspoons of olive oil into a preheated skillet. Add the shredded chicken and the blended sauce and cook until heated through.

In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions and ginger. Toss noodles, carrot, pea pods, bell pepper and noodles, adding the soy sauce mixture to coat.  Pour heated chicken and sauce over noodles.  Recipe adapted from Robin Miller.

In the Know

For your doggie’s home away from home–and vacation of their own–consider the new Doggie District Pet Resort (407 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd.). This full service, cage-free resort boasts everything pets and their owners could desire.  With a climate-controlled indoor area, park-like outdoor area, overnight boarding, on-site grooming and much more, you can be confident that your canine companions will enjoy their time out of the house just as much as you do! It’s just like being at home, but with a few more friends around! Sweetening up the deal, Doggie District is also a retail shop offering a variety of quality dog foods, treats, toys, gifts and accessories.  Extended stay packages are available. For reservations, appointments or any other info, call 369-3647 or visit www.doggiedistrict.net today.

Have questions, concerns, or is it just time for that yearly eye exam? Things might be a bit clearer after you stop by Eyesite of Anthem (2505 Anthem Village Dr., #1A). By combining keen expertise and the precision of all the latest technology, this premiere eye care facility is a one-stop shop for all your vision needs.  Services include pediatric vision, optical services, ocular disease and trauma treatment, contact lens care and much more.  Visit Eyesite of Anthem online at www.eyesiteofanthem.com for their EyeCyclopedia–an online eye health resource with educational videos–to download office forms or make an appointment to see a doctor. Express contact services are also available via the online store. Have any other questions? Just call 476-2225.

Of all the seaside imports to our desert valley, sourdough from San Francisco is arguably among the very best. Now you can relish in that Bay area deli taste at San Francisco Sourdough Eatery (2530 St. Rose Pkwy., #100). With its signature warm sourdough bread complimenting a sandwich of your choice, this premium deli café is sure to invigorate the taste buds.  Also, with 20+ sandwiches to choose from, diners will have no trouble finding some suitable nosh.  Selections include ham and pastrami, veggie, garlic pesto, cracked pepper turkey and many more.  Pair your selection up with a Greek or Italian salad, the soup of the day and a refreshing beverage for a lunch combo that can’t be beat! Catering services are also available. For more info, call 489-7373 or visit www.sfsourdougheatery.com.

At Flowers of the Field (9480 S. Eastern Ave., #180) there is more to flower arranging than meets the eye. Through carefully crafted designs and the warmth of small business customer service, designer/owner Cheryl Peterson and manager Robert Burke provide the community with beautiful, artistic arrangements for occasions big, small, casual or formal. So whether it’s the most important day of your life or just another Monday, Flowers of the Field has just what you need to make it special. Arrangements at this boutique vary from the everyday “Breathtaking Blossoms” and the highly stylish “Malibu Modern” to the always-romantic classic “Twelve Red Roses”. Having a floral emergency? Flowers of the Field’s helpful employees are available each and every day of the week. For more info, call 263-3256 or visit www.flowersofthefieldlv.com.

For Max Brenner, chocolatier extraordinaire and eccentric restaurateur, chocolate is more than just a delectable treat; it’s got a culture all its own. Lucky for chocoholics, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man (3500 S. Las Vegas Blvd.) has brought his fabulous cocoa culture to Vegas. A seasoned veteran in the biz, Brenner worked alongside world renowned pastry and chocolate experts throughout Europe before bringing his expertise to the U.S. by way of an online shop as well as restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia. At his new location inside the Forum Shops, his passion for chocolate and food is evident in the decadent menu offerings of breakfast, brunch, dinner and cocktails. It’s truly a wonderland of food and drink for foodies with or without a sweet tooth. Visit www.maxbrenner.com or call 462-8790 for info.

Are you an at-home kitchen warrior looking to create a gourmet meal that would make Lagasse and Ramsey proud? It all starts with a selection of fine ingredients and mouthwatering morsels that can be found at Artisanal Foods (2275 E. Sunset Rd.). A chef’s only club since 2004, Artisanal Foods exotic market is now open to the public, specializing in hard-to-find ingredients sought by the best chefs in Vegas. Fresh truffles, foie gras, duck breast, prosciutto, caviar, olive oil, vinegar and fine cheeses are just a few items on their ever evolving product line. Best of all, they’re offered at low prices. And, because it takes much more than just great ingredients to make great chefs, Artisanal Foods provides education and insight into their products both online and in store. For more information, call 436-4252 or visit www.artisanalfoods.com.