January/February 2016Complimentary Issue

recreation entertainment shopping business dining news & views

www.viewonmesquite.com

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Editor in ChiefKathy Lee

Managing EditorKristen Williams

Creative Director & Magazine DesignAloree Smith

Writers

Web DesignTrevor Didriksen

Advertising SalesKathy Lee

Margo Deshler

Advertising Emailads@ViewOnMesquite.com

Support StaffBert Kubica

DistributionView on Mesquite Staff

Published byView On Mesquite Magazine, Inc.

742 W. Pioneer Blvd, Suite DMesquite, NV 89027

Office (702) 346-8439 Fax (702) 346-4955

General Inquiriesinfo@ViewOnMesquite.com

January 1 February 29, 2016Volume 9 Issue 1

2007-2016 View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the express written permission from the publisher, including all ads designed by the View On Mesquite staff. All articles submitted by contributing writers are deemed correct at the time of publishing, View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. and/or any of its affiliates accept no responsibility for articles submitted with incorrect information.

Mekdelawit Aschenaki, MDRandy BaumanMarc Bradshaw

Kelly CrossTrevor Didriksen

Donna EadsLinda FaasAndy Geller

George Hahm, MDJennifer Hammond

Bill HeyborneHelen Houston Creamer

Rob Krieger

Doug Lesko Al Litman

Alexa V. MorganLaurie Nelson Barker

Paul NoeErin OBrien, Ph. D.

Charlene PaulSara Penny

Celece SeegmillerMarilyn Stevens, Ph.D.

Russ WestwoodKristen Williams

Nikk Zorbas

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Dear Readers,

Welcome to our first issue of View On Mesquite magazine featuring Southern Utah.

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

The New Year always brings with it some changes in one way or another. We are beginning the year with some exciting changes of our own. We have combined our View On Mesquite and View On Southern Utah magazines, expanding the reach of our publication and giving our readers the opportunity to be in the know about all the activities going on in several of our local communities. We

will cover the Overton/Moapa area as well as Mesquite, and continue through The Gorge all the way through Southern Utah, up to and including Cedar City.

Because we all travel in both directions to shop, eat, and play, this merge of our publications felt like a natural progression. We will all learn more about our neighboring communities, and our advertisers will enjoy a greater reach for their marketing dollars.

We have made some cosmetic changes to the magazine as well. Kristen has joined our team, bringing some fresh ideas to revamp our look and feel. She and Aloree have been working hard to bring the readers the beauty that the magazine deserves. We will continue to provide relevant community-focused content and the familiar View On sections. You may also notice some new categories and more design changes as we move forward. We are excited to bring you this issue and look forward to your feedback.

As always, please stop in and see our advertisers and thank them for making this publication possible.

Our website at www.ViewOnMesquite.com has some new features to go along with our combined content. Please visit us there and on Facebook and participate in the conversation.

Once again, Happy New Year from all of us!

Kathy LeeEditor-in Chief

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Donna Eads and her husband moved to Mesquite in 2010 from Palm Desert, CA and love the small town atmosphere. Her writing experience extends from high school and college newspapers to professional manuals as a critical care nurse. Her passion for tennis is evident in her frequent articles for View on Mesquite Magazine.

Linda Faas, an 11-year resident of Mesquite, is an unabashed lover of the town, its people, and its beautiful surroundings. She has immersed herself in several of Mesquites arts and outdoors organizations. She

is a frequent contributor to local and regional publications. Linda and her husband Al are enthusiastic hikers, travelers, and film fans.

Jennifer Hammond is a certified IIN Health Coach, the owner of Foodies4Fitness and a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer. After spending her 30s being unhealthy and sick, she decided to take back control of her health. Jennifer has spent the last eight years learning what it takes for her to live her version of a healthy life and finding ways to help others do the same. She can be reached at jenahammond@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/foodies4fitness, or (435) 703-3432.

frequentCONTRIBUTORS

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Elspeth Kuta is the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum Coordinator, where it is her privilege to share with the community and visitors the local history of Mesquite and the surrounding areas. She and the Museum strive to bring history to life, and preserve and protect the local tales of yore. Were pleased to have her as a regular contributor.

Rob Krieger is the owner of the Red Rock Golf Center, a high tech golf training facility located at the beautiful Green Valley Resort & Spa 1871 W. Canyon View Dr., St. George, UT. Available for beginner clinics and private lessons. Lessons can be booked by calling (435) 986-5096, emailing rob@sgugolf.com or at stgeorgegolflessons.com.

Helen Houston Creamer is the owner and chief designer at Hues &

Vues Inspired Walls & Windows. She has been a contributing writer for View on Mesquite for the past five years. Her creative writing features articles on home fashions and entertaining. Helen is a published author in several national design trade magazines.

Doug Lesko was a Head Golf Professional and Assistant General Manager at a semi-private club in Florida. He left golf to work in the real world for 10 years but hated it and had to get back into the golf business somehow. He now works at Ready Golf and Gear in Mesquite and is a regular contributor at www.thegolfchick.com. Find him at the store, on a golf course, or reach him at doug@thegolfchick.com and on twitter @protipsgolf.

Karen L. Monsen is a freelance writer who lives in St. George, Utah. She covers outdoor topics, nature, science, research, and human impacts. She taught French and Social Studies in public schools, served as a technical training coordinator,

and designed and delivered business and technical writing seminars for corporate clients.

Alexa V. Morgan has been working as a freelance journalist in southern Utah since 2011. Her work has appeared in Utah Business, Outdoor Sports Guide, and 15 Bytes, among other publications. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, tennis, and her adorable pets. She can be reached at furryfurbi@gmail.com.

frequentCONTRIBUTORS

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Erin OBrien, Ph.D. is an associate professor of biology at Dixie State University and the mother of a kindergartner. She is involved with several science, technology, engineering and math outreach programs for local students in the hope of exciting them about careers in the fields and better preparing them for college.

Paul Dr. Q Noe has been in the nursery industry for over 50 years, with experience in retail, wholesale sales and landscaping, plant maintenance and growing. Paul has lived in Southern Nevada for 34 years. He became a California Certified Nurseryman in 1968 and a Certified Horticulture Advisor in 1993 by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service.

Charlene Paul is a freelance writer, proofreader, and owner of All the WRITE Wordz. She is pleased to call the Southwest desert her home. She covers inspirational, instructional, educational, and religious topics. She can be reached at (702) 375-4216. Website: allthewritewordz.com.

Celece Seegmiller is the owner of The Travel Connection, located at 1373

East 170 South in St. George. Travel is her passion and shes spent the past 24 years planning dream vacations around the world. Her favorite vacation is the South Pacific with her toes in the sand. Reach her at (435) 628-3636 or celece@stgeorgetravel.com.

Nikk Zorbas is a renowned performance trainer in business and self-development. He is the best selling author of Discovering Your Personal Power and has recently released his second book Discover Your Business Power which is now available on Amazon.com.

To learn more visit www.DiscoverYourBusinessPower.com.

Laurie Nelson-Barker is the owner of Formatian Fitness and Travel Training. She earned a Masters degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Laurie has enjoyed over 30 years of conducting fitness training and classes. Email or call her at

brtrainers@gmail.com or (435) 574-9362. Visit her website: www.formatianfitness.com.

frequentCONTRIBUTORS

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Contents

2022

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FEATURES

view on TRAVELA Cruise to Remember

view on THE ARTSFour Shining Artists to Follow in the New Year20 22

view on OUTDOORSDinosaur Tracks Snapshots Embedded in the Earth

view on EDUCATIONDSUVision for the Future78 97

cover photo by Dave Amodt

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ContentsCATEGORIES

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43view on STRONG WOMENStrong Women of MesquiteGerri Chasko14view on BUSINESSA New BusinessTakes Root in Mesquite43view on INSPIRATIONReflections, REsolutions, and Empty Spaces76view on PETSIts PAWSitively Unique80view on FITNESSFor Fitness SakeGet the Facts84view on LIFESTYLE5 Healthy Factsto Focus Your New Years Resolution86view on GARDENINGA New Gardening Year94view on GOLFEasy Golf Fixes for the New Year90view on DESIGNNew BeginningsDesign Resolutions for 2016100

These articles are subjects we take a View On in every issue. These regular categories may also be highlighted as Feature stories, which are listed on the opposite page.

view on GOLFNew Years Resolutions You Can Keep30

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A new year is about to begin for all of us. I anticipate an exciting one for Mesquite, one filled with new adventure and successes. Its been a struggle these past seven years for our community. We went from unprecedented growth to layoffs, business closings, home foreclosures and a population drop. I firmly believe we have turned the corner. We are not yet thriving, but we are not dying. The future is looking brighter all the time for Mesquite.

Our population is growing again, this time at a modest rate, but at a pace we can manage. Modest growth will allow us to better plan for our future and what to expect. The long closed Mesquite Star is rising again under the very capable hands of the Eureka and the

Lee family. The new Star will provide needed jobs, additional taxes, more money spent in the community, and will no longer be the eyesore it has been for so many years.

December 2, 2015 was the groundbreaking of the 118 exit ramps for the I-15. Thanks to the fuel indexing tax, and the Regional Transportation Commission, new business will come to Mesquite. With new business comes needed tax dollars, jobs, and lets the state and nation know we mean business in Mesquite.

Our Chamber of Commerce is growing membership again, showing a greater optimism in our business community. Sun City and other residential developments are doing much

better and are good indicators of a brighter future for Mesquite. I have had several positive meetings with the Clark County Library District. Plans are moving forward for a state of the art 16,000 square foot facility that will serve Mesquite for many years to come.

I still remain cautious, as we have experienced ups and downs before and promises that were not kept. We need to approach every promised development carefully and not repeat the mistakes of the past. Mesquite is a very young city, still in its childhood. We will grow and we will experience failures, but we will be successful and still maintain

the small city, wholesome community that so many of us moved here for.

I, as your mayor, along with our city council and staff are committed to all of you in bringing about a Mesquite we can all be proud of. With the New Year and a new view, the future looks bright. It takes all of us working together, but we can do it!

Sincerely,Mayor Al Litman

MesquiteMessage from the Mayor

In 2003, we decided that we no longer had any desire to go through another Iowa winter (where we lived in a very small town, 1900 residents). We came to Mesquite in July on a search and see mission, loved the place, bought a house, and moved in on October 1st.

It seemed that everyone we met was an instant friend. It wasnt long before John joined the Mesquite High Rollers Motorcycle Riders and I discovered the VVAA and the pottery studio, and we are still actively involved in both.

John has met three golfers who he has played golf with twice a week for the last six years. I volunteer at both the Pottery Studio and Gallery. The

friends that we have made, very good police and fire departments, and the availability of stores either in town or nearby have made us true fans of Mesquite.

~ John and Doreen Kinkade

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Why I LoveMesquiteWhile visiting family in Las Vegas, I took a road trip to Mesquite and stayed a couple of days. While looking the city over, I saw a new home for sale, submitted an offer, and it was accepted. In November of 2000 I went back to Michigan to tie up ends there, and in March of 2001 Mesquite became home.

The beauty of the climate, desert, and mountains are so calming, and you can be sure I do not miss the winter months in Michigan.

Watching Mesquite grow has been amazing, but it has kept that small town atmosphere that makes Mesquite so special. It also has so many wonderful people from all over the United States and beyond, and I have found wonderful friendships here. Through the years I have been involved in many organizations and currently I am a member of the Exchange Club of Mesquite, Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, and volunteer at the Salvation Army.

Who wouldnt love Mesquite with the weather, desert, mountains, and people? It is an oasis in the desert.

~ Pam Gagnon

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Manufacturers mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assesd against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitaions may apply. Ask participating dealers for details and rebate form. 2015 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. HOL15MB2

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Cowboy Poetry 10 Year Anniversary

by Russ Westwood and Marc Bradshaw

foundation laid by early Mesquite poets like Butch Burkholder, Don Sims, Lee Kimberlin, Sam Jackson, Harlo Birkholtz, Barb King, Wanda Eckhardt, Smoke Wade, and others.

Originally known as the Cowboy Poetry Hootenanny, now the Mesquite Western Roundup features Cowboy Poetry and Traditional Western Music. Poets from Arizona, Colorado, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada will share original material blended with works from other well-known poets. Western Music Association male vocalist of the year Dave Anderson will perform a variety of western and cowboy songs.

This years event is directed by cowboy poet Marc Bradshaw and features poetry by Marleen Bussma, Ken Marshall, Mike Prince, Hap Stuart, Russ Westwood, and original member Lee Kimberlin. The local band Strings and Things will return this year to perform traditional musical favorites for the pre-show program, and

Mr. Jeff Hoyt will serve as the events Master of Ceremonies.

Past shows have drawn fans from Las Vegas, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming. Over the years, poets and entertainers have come and gone, but the desire to preserve the old western lifestyles and traditions live on in the Mesquite Western Roundup.

The Mesquite Cowboy Poets Group is excited to present the 10th annual Mesquite Western Roundup. Two shows are scheduled one on Friday, February 19 at 7 pm and on Saturday, February 20 at 1 pm. The shows will be held at the Mesquite Community Theatre located at 150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite, NV.

Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the theatre box office or at one of the four satellite ticket outlets: Danielles Chocolates, The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, The Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery and Have Boutique Will Travel. For more information, visit mesquitewesternpoetry.com.

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Cowboy Poetry has been described as the perfect language coded with insider words, special phrases and shared values. It is a language that reflects the sights, sounds, and smells of wide-open spaces. It opens a window into the past when solitude and loneliness were often a cowboys only companion. Cowboy poetry is, in fact, a language all its own, sharing the joy, humor, history and hijinks of a diminishing way of life.

Cowboy poetry has its own distinct rhyme, rhythm, cadence and structure. All meant to convey content and meaning in the most understandable, concise way possible. It is the eloquent use of wordsmith skills sos ever body knows zactly what yur a talkn bout.

The popularity of cowboy poetry spread like wildfire across the west over the past two decades. In Mesquite, serious poets began sharing poems in 2006. Those informal get togethers have grown through the years into a polished blend of music and poetry. In February 2016, the Mesquite Western Roundup celebrates its 10 year anniversary, continuing to build upon a

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Gerri Chasko, director of the Eureka Community Initiative (ECI), is the first to admit, working at the Eureka is way more than a job. Working there has given her an opportunity to have an interesting, challenging career while having the best possible people to work with on her side. Its easy to do when you live the Eureka way, Gerri says.

She explained by referencing the companys core values: Our Eureka Family shows its pride and commitment to be first & best by working hard and living the core values: Serving our guests, community and one another with care, compassion and dedication; believing in the future by continuously improving; creating a fun environment for our guests and one another.

Gerris personal values intersect wonderfully with these, so living the Eureka Way comes naturally to her.

Gerri and her husband Bob came to visit a cousin in Mesquite in 2003, and like so many other couples, fell in love with the city right on the spot. The memories of driving 2300 miles from her hometown

of Cleveland, Ohio, in their Chevy Prism, stuffed to the brim with belongings, still brings tears of laughter to both of them when recounting the adventure.

Gerri was hired at the Eureka Casino Resort in 2006, as an Administrative Assistant. Her role in the organization grew as she took on more responsibilities, one of them being coordinating donation requests. General Manager Frank Toddre and Gerri reviewed every request and came up with ways to support the local organizations with more than money. Sometimes the group needed hamburgers for their charity BBQ and sometimes they needed 50 posters printed. But whatever it was, the Eureka was more than happy to help and Gerri coordinated the donations.

Through these interactions, Gerri became well acquainted with the members of the organizations and their contributions to the city and residents of Mesquite. One of the first people she met was Jim Wilson,

then President of the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation. Getting to know Jim was a turning point in her life and her career. His enthusiasm for the arts groups in Mesquite was infectious, and before very long, she accepted a seat on the GMAF Board. From there she got to know Dr. Ann Rice and Gloria George, two ladies that Gerri admits have also changed her life. Their commitment to volunteerism has changed my perception of retirement. They are not just worker bees, although they work harder than any people I know. Their commitment positively impacts not only the organization they work in, but the people they interact with. Gerri said. She feels this inspires additional commitment and support from individuals who might not have otherwise considered becoming involved.

In 2012, the Eureka Community Initiative was formed. From the ECI website: The Initiative grew from community focus groups where residents and business people were challenged to answer the question of what specific characteristics and traits defined their community at its best. The answer to that question led to a series of initiatives all designed to contribute to the quality of life and quality of community in the region. Read more and find out how to get involved at www.eurekacommunityinitiative.com.

Of the many projects that the ECI coordinates, one project in particular has become Gerris passion. Mesquite Reads is an intensive summer school program for local elementary school students reading below grade average. In 2014, Virgin Valley Elementary School Principal Cathy Davis and teacher Lupe Guzman approached

Strong Womenof Mesquiteview on STRONG WOMEN

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the Eureka with a proposal for a much needed summer program for which the school did not have the funds. The cost of the program was $43,000. I remember assuring Cathy and Lupe that, of course we can raise the money, while thinking, how are we ever going to do this? To date, the project has raised over $75,000, and fundraising has already begun for the 2016 sessions. Of the 97 students attending the 2015 summer school session, all ages showed improvement, with some of the students making a full year's growth in their reading skills. One of the highlights of the summer school session is that every Thursday is spaghetti day. The Eureka prepares and then serves spaghetti for the children, some of them coming back for second and third helpings. Gerri laughs when some of the children refer to her as the Spaghetti Lady.

When asked how she was able to accomplish her projects, Gerri replied that her efforts were made easier by the fact that she and the Eureka have worked hard to build partnerships with groups such as the Veterans Center, the Exchange Club, The Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation, the Rotary groups, and the Salvation Army, just to mention a few. The Eureka is very fortunate to have such hard working, dedicated friends like these, and without their support our projects would not succeed.

Besides her work at the Eureka and with the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation, Gerri also sits on the board of a new foundation, Mesquite Opportunities Regional Fund, which will provide fiscal

sponsorship to community projects. This new group promises to keep her busy with some very exciting projects which will impact Mesquite.

Its clear that Gerri wouldnt change a thing about her life in Mesquite. Her family, her job, her friends, and her interests are all intertwined, resulting in one very happy and rewarding adventure. We are fortunate shes out here living what well call the Gerri Way, and we hope readers are as inspired as we are by this Strong Woman of Mesquite.

Gerri Chasko

Hanley, long-time participant. Dianna Walker and Rebecca Fee, new graduates, and long-timer, Andrea Meckley, are Master Gardeners from Logandale.

The Master Gardener curriculum covers a wide area of topics including botany, plant nutrition and deficiency diagnosis, plant disease, soil amendments, and sustainable gardening practices. The course comes via interactive video available at the Cooperative Extension office with the next course offering for Master Gardeners to be held in Logandale in the Fall of 2016. The Extension office hopes to get inactive Master Gardeners "current" and re-certified in 2016, so if you are an inactive Master Gardener, call and get started.

On an almost daily basis Carol Bishop, Extension Educator, offers one-on-one mentoring for beginning farmers and ranchers and will continue to expand these services in 2016. Carol has successfully helped local farmers and ranchers in determining profitability and applying for agricultural loans. Additionally, home-based and small business consultations are available to individuals interested in starting a business. Mentoring comprises learning the processes and feasibility of creating a business plan, determining profitability, and navigating the application and paperwork process of the numerous agencies involved. Her hope for 2016 is to increase the number of individuals from the Mesquite area who take advantage of these services.

Grants are funding opportunities for local non-profits and individuals, and consultations on writing grants will continue to be available through the Cooperative Extension office. Due to the fiercely competitive nature of grants and the intricacies of writing a successful application, this type of grant writing mentoring is invaluable. Grant writing education provides results; 2015 mentees self-reporting to Carol Bishop received grants totaling over $225,000 in cash along with additional equipment and materials, and she looks forward to increasing that amount in the new year. In October 2015 the Manager of the Mesquite Heritage Garden mentored with Carol to write and submit a grant proposal to The Home Depot for equipment and raised bed gardens for use by Veterans. The process

by Marilyn Stevens Ph.D., Master Gardener

New Year's greetings from the The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in Northeast Clark County. The Extension office is an outreach of the University of Nevada, Reno, affording unbiased, research-based knowledge to local communities including Mesquite and surrounding areas. Educational programs are developed based on local needs, sometimes in partnership with other agencies and volunteers. 2016 will see educational programs offered that include Master Gardeners, mentoring small businesses and non-profits on grant writing and loans, overseeing local 4-H youth clubs, and offering information on weeds and pests to gardeners and landscapers.

If becoming a Master Gardener is on your 2016 to-do list, let the Extension office help you reach that goal. The Master Gardener program was created in 1992 when Extension Educators were overwhelmed with gardening and landscape questions. The training is now one of the offices most requested programs. Master Gardener students are required to attend 80 hours of classes and pass a test on their knowledge. To become certified and remain active, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of service on approved projects yearly or they receive an inactive status. Currently, the Cooperative Extension office reports that there are three active Master Gardeners in Mesquite: Pamela Yelinek and me, both recent graduates, and Carole

Master Gardener class photo (L to R): Pam Yelinek, Rebecca Fee, Marilyn Stevens, Andrea Meckley, Dianna Walker

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Become a Master Gardener Discover the Northeast Clark County Cooperative Extension Office and Its Programs

covered locating a suitable grant, data collection, writing, and application submission. As of this writing, they had not learned if the Garden had been awarded the grant, but if awarded, the work at the garden will be completed in 2016.

Recently, members of the Mesquite Virgin Valley Theatre Group (VVTG) Board, Diana McKinney, Jerrie Clarke and Mark Guertin, met in Logandale with Carol to research the viability of writing a grant in 2016 for funding to assist with their projects. They learned the process, isolated some grant possibilities, were educated on key components, and reported back to the VVTG Board on grant writing feasibility.

If your New Year's goals include working with youngsters, how about looking at the 4-H programs that are overseen by the Cooperative Extension office? The existing 4-H clubs involving both Mesquite and Bunkerville children are: Super S 4-H club raising chickens, rabbits, and goats, and the two 4-H clubs raising pigs, lambs, steers, and goats the C-N-A Livestock Club, and the Kickin' R 4-H Club. For 2016 the Cooperative Extension office would like to expand 4-H opportunities in the Mesquite area by offering a myriad of opportunities in virtually any area including photography, fishing, cooking and sewing, but needs adult volunteers to be leaders of the clubs. With only six required meetings per year, the commitment is well worth the return. Additionally, the Cooperative Extension office is exploring the opportunity to have a part time bilingual 4-H Community Based Instructor based in Mesquite beginning this year.

The Cooperative Extension Office is open daily Monday through Friday and the staff enjoy visitors who may have questions, bring in plants or weeds for identification, or just want to look around. Stop by when you're in Logandale and meet the energetic staff who make all these opportunities happen.

Appreciation on being interviewed for this article goes to Carol Bishop, Extension Educator, and Dianna Walker, Administrative Assistant.

For information on Cooperative Extension programs call/email: Carol Bishop, Extension Educator, (702) 397-2604, bishopc@unce.unr.edu.

For information on the Mesquite Heritage Garden, email: Marilyn Stevens, Manager, msms32515@gmail.com; website www.mesquitechamber.org (under members).

Super-S 4-H Club

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Heartburn or Heart

AttackBy: Mekdelawit Aschenaki, MD, FACC, Cardiologist

When chest pain strikes, its sometimes hard to know if the cause is something you ate or a heart attack. Symptoms of heartburn and heart attack can be quite similar, but the right diagnosis can be a matter of life and death.

Heartburn and other digestive disorders are not a health emergency, but it can be difficult to distinguish what is causing any chest pain you are experiencing, said Dr. Aschenaki, Cardiologist. Heartburn is very common and many treat chest pain by self-medicating. However, it is better to be safe and report chest pain, especially if its a new symptom, to your doctor.

Heartburn or acid reflux occurs when the valve between the esophagus and the stomach does not close properly, allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Severe, chronic heartburn is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The main symptom of GERD is frequent burning pain in the lower part of the chest.

According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 70 million Americans experience non-cardiac chest pain caused by gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms of heartburn/GERD include: The chest pain usually occurs

after eating, or while lying down.

Pain may be accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth, due to stomach acid moving up into the esophagus.

Pain may be brief, or may continue for several hours.

Chest pain may be accompanied by dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.

Chest pain signaling a heart attack involves uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest that can be mild or strong. The discomfort lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back, said Aschenaki. Chest pain is

Pay Attention to Chest Pain

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also accompanied with other symptoms that should be taken seriously.

Symptoms that go along with cardiac chest pain include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cold sweat or tightness and pressure during physical activity or under emotional stress.

If you regularly experience heartburn and the pain seems to worsen, or is different than usual or if it occurs during physical activity and is accompanied by any of the above symptoms, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room, immediately.

If you have severe, recurring heartburn talk to your doctor about treating it with medication and lifestyle changes. You may need to see a gastroenterologist for additional guidance.

To learn more about heartburn and heart attacks, or to find a physician who can help you with health concerns, visit www.mesaviewhospital.com or call (702) 346-8040.

Dr. Aschenaki can be reached at Mesa View Medical Group, (702) 346-0800, or visit www.mesaviewmedical.com.

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A Cruise to Remember by Celece Seegmiller

As 2015 comes to an end and we greet the new year, it is time for reflection. Its hard to believe that it has been almost six years since I started writing travel columns for View on Mesquite. I still remember the day in 2010 I was sitting in Kathy Lees office signing paperwork for the magazine. Out of the blue, she suggested I meet her golf writer, Rob Krieger. Little did I know, that introduction would turn into a marriage proposal on the cruise of a lifetime.

Rob and I sailed with Paul Gauguin Cruises in August where we discovered the beautiful islands of Tahiti, Huahine, Taha'a,

Bora Bora, and Moorea. The renowned m/s Paul Gauguin was built specifically to sail the waters of the South Pacific. With just 332 guests and 217 crew members, the 1:1.5 crew-to-guest ratio is one of the highest of any cruise ships. While I already knew about the crew-to-guest ratio, experiencing it for myself was something else. In 24 years of travel, I have never encountered this level of genuine, friendly service.

Perhaps the best feature of the m/s Paul Gauguin is the way we were introduced to Polynesia with educational seminars, entertainment, and the crew members.

The beloved troupe of Gauguineslocal Tahitians who serve as cruise staff, entertainers, and storytellersadd the unique personality of Tahiti to every sailing. They are eager to share their culture and offer classes on everything from Tahitian language, cooking, and dance classes, to lei making, and various ways to tie a pareo. On the day we were in Huahine, a local

children's dance group arrived to perform their traditional song and dance. They selected audience members to dance with them and then gave their beautiful leis and flowers to the audience members. It was one of the highlights on the cruise. There were daily lectures on a variety of topics ranging from the coral reef system to the ruins discovered on the island of Tetiaroa. Paul Gauguin has a 17-year friendship with famed oceanographer and environmental advocate Jean-Michel Cousteau. Mr. Cousteau shares his passion for the ocean on select sailings in 2016 as a guest lecturer and will also accompany several dives from the ship.

There are not enough words to describe the beauty of French Polynesia. I continually referred to the water as "fifty shades of blue" as we snorkeled with reef sharks and stingrays and swam with dolphins. My favorite day was on Paul Gauguin's private Motu Mahana, an islet adjacent to Taha'a. We were greeted by white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. We spent the day kayaking in the turquoise lagoon and relaxing on the beach. We enjoyed lunch and

view on TRAVEL

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entertainment from the Gauguines. They prepared a traditional Polynesian feast and included a floating bar in the lagoon. I can honestly say I've never pulled up to a floating bar on a kayak before to order a drink.

Of course, I can't write this article without mentioning the romance the South Pacific is known for. This is the ideal setting for engaged couples, vow renewals, newlyweds, and couples celebrating an anniversary. Paul Gauguin Cruises incorporates elements of authentic Polynesian practices for guests looking to commemorate new beginnings and unique celebrations. Adorned in tropical flowers and wrapped in a tifaifai a Polynesian quilt couples celebrate their love to the music of the Polynesian people and the picture-perfect backdrop of the South Pacific. Little did I know when I boarded the ship, I would be participating in this beautiful ceremony. It

was followed by a surprise engagement proposal from Rob while we were in Moorea. On our way to dinner, we made a detour and entered the Owner's Suite. We were greeted by The Gauguines, who were playing their ukuleles and serenading

us with the beautiful Tahitian love song, Love and Honesty. The room was lit with candles and we were treated to a beautiful evening with a private dinner, butler, and song and dance. It was truly an evening I will never forget.

Although weve been home for a few months now, I find myself longing to go back. My goal for the new year is to sail on the 11-night Cook Islands and Society Islands itinerary in September. This itinerary includes Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Taha'a, and two of my favorite islands, Aitutaki and Rarotonga. In less than eight months, we will return to the beautiful South Pacific and I can't wait to visit paradise again. Let the countdown begin! On a side note, I will be forever grateful to Kathy Lee and View on Mesquite Magazine for introducing me to Rob who knew writing a travel column would lead to a wedding?

To learn more about Paul Gauguin Cruises, attend the special seminar on January 6 in St. George. Call Celece at (435) 628-3636 for time and location.

photos by: Paul Gauguin Cruises and Rob Krieger/ Travel Connection

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Rusty by David Boyarski took honors in the 2015

Lucky 13 Exhibition. Boyarski, pictured right, teaches digital

photography.

Is it time to turn over a new leaf in your New Year? New Years resolutions are made with the hope of adding a happy spark to life. Mesquite is profoundly blessed to have hundreds of residents who express their joy through art. As you look for that new spark for your life this year, take inspiration from these four shining stars in Mesquites galaxy of artistic talent.

Judith HetemPainter, Potter, Graphic Artist

Judith Hetem is perhaps best known for her transformative murals and magical window designs that dress the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. Her creations always carry a spark of the extraordinary. Hetem asks herself the question, I wonder what would happen if and away she goes on an artistic adventure.

First comes the idea. Then comes the experimentation and hard work that turn an idea into an original piece of art. Currently developing her pottery style, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces that she will never replicate as she moves on in her creative process.

Judith has certainly not exhausted her artistic interests, so watch for her next creative venture. In the meantime, you

Four Shining Artists to Follow in the New Yearby Linda Faas

view on THE ARTS

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may find her relaxing with her beloved cats, William and Smudgy, and thinking about something new.

David BoyarskiDigital Photographer

When you meet David Boyarski, it becomes apparent, very quickly, that he is a discerning, highly meticulous individual.

His astounding digital photos reveal his laser-sharp attention to detail. Boyarski chooses his favorite photographic subjects from opposite ends of natures size scale. He takes hundreds of shots of tiny hummingbirds. I love their fearless nature and the fact that they are so accessible in my own backyard, he says. The monstrous humpback whale is

his other passion. I am always in awe when I see a 45-ton whale come shooting out of the water, he remarks. I cannot help but smile when I see them breach. Back here in Mesquite, he delights the rest of us with his photographic catch.

Constantly working to better use his camera equipment, David wants to improve his images using only available

An extraordinary ceramic sculpture by Judith Hetem, who is pictured above.

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natural light. He hopes to expand his mastery of another elusive subject: lightning storms.

Karron KnightBead Artist

During her career, Karron Knight thrived through her attention to detail, her flexibility, and her sense of adventure. Mesquite is lucky to have Karron among its shining artists. She is a busy volunteer at the Gallery, where her tireless efforts are dearly appreciated.

Karrons precise nature is revealed in the intricate jewelry she fashions by weaving impossibly tiny beads. She specializes in beautiful Native American-style sunbursts and other fascinating, complex patterns that she produces at the speed of her sparkling ingenuity.

Floyd JohnsonPainter, Cartoonist

Floyd Johnson has been a lifelong artist. He made his living in the art world as both an artist and gallery owner, gaining considerable national notoriety for his work. Floyd has painted hundreds of portraits and scenes, and has drawn editorial cartoons. During his long cartoonist career he rubbed elbows with the best of the best, trading signed work with the likes of

Charles Schulz.

Floyd moved to Mesquite about a year ago, and his art quickly took the town by storm. He designed the VVAA entry in the recent Veterans Parade, an image of the flag raising on Iwo Jima that paid tribute to all our veterans who have served.

Flame of Life by Karron Knight

Karron Knight models one of her beautiful bead necklaces while working the front desk at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.

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Facing deterioration of his eyesight, Floyd expects to evolve into a looser, more impressionistic style out of necessity. He expects the transition will give him a fresh perspective and fertile new ground for his passion for art.

Inspired yet? VVAA offers art classes year round to help spark hope and joy in your New Year.

Visit the Gallery at 15 West Mesquite Blvd. Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Learn more at www.mesquitefineartscenter.com.

Floyd Johnson and his Iwo Jima banner in the 2015 Vets Parade.

Floyd Johnson took inspiration from Mesquites world-class golf courses for his painting, Sand Trap.

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Eureka Uncorkedby Linda Faasphotos by Kris Zurbas

On a glorious November Saturday, the Eureka Casino Resort hosted an extraordinary wine festival that featured an educational seminar and an evening wine tasting. Eureka Uncorked is a fantastic opportunity for all of us in Mesquite, effused Roo Arledge, Director of Food and Beverage for the resort. It is exceedingly rare for the general public to have an opportunity to learn wine tasting from a Master Sommelier, but Joe Phillips is here to share his knowledge with us. Joe is Director of Education for Southern Wine and Spirits Academy of Fine Wine and Service. He is one of only 234 Master Sommeliers in the world. As Educator for the Court of Master Sommeliers, he teaches and advises the worlds top restaurateurs about wine.

Indeed, Joe Phillips is all he was advertised to be. Rising through the ranks of restaurant and wine management, Phillips earned his world class credentials through ten years of intensive study of the

nuances of wine. He has a singular ability to identify and describe the qualities of wines from all over the world. Yet, while Joe is an ultimate insider of the world food and beverage community, he is, best of all, a really nice guy who wants everybody to enjoy wine. Joe is a personable and approachable instructor whose message can be summarized as no wine snobs needed.

Joes afternoon seminar was a packed house of eager wine buffs, desiring to learn more about the mysterious beverage they all adore, and sometimes fear. Joe started out with basics, naming the four characteristics to look for in a wine: sugar, acid, tannin, and oak/non-oak aging. By identifying the level of sweetness, tartness, aftertaste, and appearance of a wine, a person can learn to describe wine types he wants to drink againor not. Armed with such knowledge, an individual can confidently go to a restaurant or wine merchant, select a wine that has

the desired characteristics, and be more satisfied with his choice.

Joe used a unique tasting demonstration in which he had his class compare the qualities of four wine varietals: Kerner, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. While sniffing, swirling and sipping each sample, class members also smelled and tasted various fruits and spices that have a similar chemical ingredient as a corresponding wine. He gently dispelled the common misconception that a wine actually contains that spice or fruit, just because it has a similar aroma or taste.

Varietal = a wine named for the predominant grape variety in its composition. Oaky = having an aroma or flavor derived from aging wine in oak barrels.

After Joe briefly explained facts about winemaking processes that create color,

A New Adventure

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taste and other characteristics of a wine, the class was treated to a tasting session in which they nibbled various foods and cheeses that pair well with each of the four varietals they were sampling. The general idea of pairing is to match flavors

that stand up to each other a rich Cabernet Sauvignon tastes great with a flavorful bleu cheese, and a mild goat cheese tastes nice with a lighter white wine such as a Pinot Grigio or a Kerner. Yet again, the cardinal rule of all this is to eat and drink what you enjoy, not what fits a hard and fast rule.

Cork or screw-top lid? Both are now acceptable in the wine world. The goal is to preserve the flavor of a wine until it is opened for consumption. For many, a cork adds significant romantic allure, if not flavor, to a bottle of wine.

Following up on new-found knowledge from Joe Phillips session, most seminar attendees enthusiastically crowded into the evening Grand Wine Tasting at the Eureka Grand Canyon Ballroom. Here they

could practice their recently-refined skills by sampling wines produced by well-regarded American and foreign wineries. Celebrity winery Hitching Post, that snagged a notable appearance in the 2004 movie, Sideways, was on hand at the Grand Tasting to promote its fine California wines and restaurants.

All of the wines from the Phillips seminar were served at the Grand Tasting, so students could reinforce their wine memory of the labels. Vintners named their bottle and case prices, allowing attendees the chance to pair their favorite wines with their pocketbooks. For all who want to enjoy some new labels and new varieties, watch for additions to the wine list at Gregorys Mesquite Grill at the Eureka. Plans are in the making to add some favorite Grand Tasting wines to the permanent selection.

Cheers, Wine Lovers! Dont miss the next Eureka Uncorked Wine Festival!

for Wine Lovers

Master Sommelier Joe Phillips

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Refreshing Look for the New Yearby Dr. George Hahm, MD, FACS

Do you ever look in the mirror and realize the appearance of the person staring back at you doesnt quite match the vitality and energy you feel inside? If the answer is yes, I may have a solution for you. My name is George Hahm, MD, FACS, owner and practitioner of Zen Medical Aesthetics. We offer Botox injections for the reduction of wrinkles and dermal fillers to provide volume and smoothness.

Here is a bit of background information about me. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from University of Washington, Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University and M.D. from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. I completed my surgical training in the United States Navy and was actively

involved in the surgical reconstructive care of the war wounded. It was during my time in the Navy that I began my aesthetic practice. Upon completion of my naval service, my family and I relocated to Mesquite where I practice general surgery full time. I am board certified in general

surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and certified in the injection of Botox and dermal fillers.

My philosophy in aesthetics is to provide natural and youthful appearance by enhancing the persons natural features

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and striving for symmetry. I often see lips overfilled resulting in duck lips and faces frozen and expressionless from being over paralyzed. Not all wrinkles are bad. They provide character and expressiveness to a face. I believe sub-optimal results are often achieved from practitioners not fully understanding the anatomy of the client and utilizing a cookie cutter approach to injections. The key to achieving optimal results is in understanding the dynamics of how muscles contract and pull tissue. Once you have this knowledge, you can tailor the treatment to each client and do more with less to achieve a soft and youthful appearance.

Zen Medical Aesthetics shares office space with Five Star Vein Clinic operated by Dr. Robert Ruess. I began seeing clients in December of 2015 and will be celebrating the official launch of Zen Medical Aesthetics with an Open House on January 23, 2016 from 1 to 4 pm. It will be an informal gathering to ask questions, learn about our services and skin care products. Please RSVP to the email listed below.

Zen Medical Aesthetics is conveniently located in Mesquite at 350 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Ste 500. Please call (702) 423-6360 or email zen.medical.aesthetics@gmail.com for a free consultation.

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New Years ResolutionsYou Can Keepby Doug Lesko

Its 2016 Is this your year? Is this the year you stop smoking? Stop drinking? Lose 30 pounds? If you put your mind to it I have no doubt you could. Doesnt sound like much fun to me though. Im choosing to focus on golf in 2016; I want to take five shots off my game. By June I want to be a +2 handicap. It doesnt matter what your goal is breaking 100 or breaking 70 a desire to get better is all you need. Ill give you eight easy things everyone can do to make golf more fun.

1. Stay hydratedThis one is so easy and so important to playing good golf, especially in the desert. Staying hydrated is a daily requirement;

your body needs water, and a lot of it. Drink a glass first thing in the morning, have a glass with every meal, and have 2 glasses between each meal. Youll feel fuller and eat less.

2. Eat healthy (most of the time)I like food, most of it not very healthy. I like pizza, wings, mashed potatoes, cake, and bacon. To say Ill stop eating the foods I love is unrealistic and sets me up for failure. Ive found I also like salmon, tuna, chicken, sweet potatoes, salad, and many types of fruits and vegetables. If we can just eat healthy five or six days a week, a cheat day or two is acceptable.

view on GOLF

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3. StretchAs we get older, our muscles start to shrink. We need to stretch every day, even if its just bending to touch our toes. Stretch your back, your arms, your shoulders, your legs, and your neck.

4. Swing a club 100 times every dayStart with slow easy swings, make a full swing and proper weight shift. Lay another club on the ground and pay close attention to your alignment. You can use any club but switch it up from day to day. On the seventh day swing two clubs at once. 5. Practice your puttingYou can do this anywhere at the course or in your living room. Work on five to ten foot putts. Proper techniques are the first priority: straight back and straight through using your shoulders and keeping your hands still.

6. Commit to at least one day a week at the rangeGo through odd number clubs one week, even the next. Always use alignment sticks or a club to make sure you are aligned square to the target. Hit the driver on each trip. Range balls do not fly as far as your normal ball, so dont worry about distance. Focus on hitting the sweet spot on every shot. Technology has made the sweet spot bigger but its still very important to hit the center of the club for consistency. Finish with full swing wedges; again, make good contact and control the ball flight.

7. Find a club you can chip with consistentlyJust because Jordan Spieth uses a 60 wedge doesnt mean you have to. I prefer my 50, while you might find an 8-iron to be your best fit. Whatever works for you, spend at least 20 minutes practicing chipping to inside a three foot circle.

8. Get fitPlaying with clubs that are too short, too long, too upright, too flat, or dont have the proper shafts can cost you several strokes. Bring your clubs to Ready Golf and Gear and have them fit you for your swing. You might be playing the right clubs; you may just need your clubs bent to fit you. You may decide to get new clubs, but playing the right clubs fit for you is the only way to play your best golf.

I will be implementing these resolutions personally and blogging about it at thegolfchick.com. Feel free to follow along and share your process and progress with me.

Make 2016 your best golf year ever go play!

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Lemongrass Chicken Skewersby Trevor Didriksen

Flavored with coriander, cilantro, and sriracha, these chicken skewers are fragrant, mildly spicy, and all-around delicious. Using lemongrass stalks as skewers infuses the meat with a lemony aroma.

Ingredients (serves 2)

10 oz. ground chicken 1 red onion 1 bunch cilantro 1 carrot 1 cucumber1 lime2 lemongrass stalks 2 Tbsp sriracha 1 can lite coconut milk 1 tsp ground coriander

cup jasmine rice cup panko breadcrumbs1 Tbsp olive oilsalt and pepper to taste

Directions

Make the coconut rice: preheat oven to 400 degrees. Shake the coconut milk can to combine the milk and cream. In a medium pot, bring cup coconut milk, cup water, a large pinch of salt, and the rice to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, halve, peel, and dice the red onion. Chop the cilantro leaves and stems, keeping each separate. Halve the lime.Using a vegetable peeler, peel the carrot and cucumber, then shave into thin ribbons, rotating as you go. Discard the cucumber core.

with Coconut Rice and Cucumber-Carrot Slaw

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Remove the tough outer layers from the lemongrass stalks. Using the back of your knife, lightly bruise the lemongrass to release its flavor. Halve both stalks lengthwise, creating four 8-inch segments.

Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add of the diced red onion and cook, tossing, for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the cilantro stems and ground coriander to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.

Make the chicken skewers: in a medium bowl, combine the onion mixture, ground chicken, panko, 1 Tablespoon sriracha, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Form the chicken mixture into large meatballs, then shape each meatball around the lemongrass stalks to form kebabs. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until cooked through.

Make the cucumber-carrot slaw: meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the remaining red onion with the cucumber, carrot, half the cilantro leaves, Tablespoon olive oil, and a squeeze of lime. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve: Place the chicken skewers on a bed of coconut rice, with the cucumber-carrot slaw to the side. If desired, finish with the remaining cilantro and sriracha. Enjoy!

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Mesquite Has a New Rising Star

by Kristen Williams

If you had any doubt that the Lee Family are by far the business stars of Mesquite, perhaps their latest effort will put that doubt to rest. The Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort is set to open in December 2016, and will fill a void that the less visionary among us didnt even realize existed. Rest assured, the need is there, and the owners of The Eureka Casino Resort are stepping in to meet it. In the process, theyre taking care of a problem that none of us could fail to see the abandoned, neglected building on the property that will be home to the new Rising Star.

Residents and visitors of Mesquite have long looked at the building that used to be the Star Hotel on Sandhill Blvd. as an

eyesore and a disheartening greeting for anyone entering Mesquite from I-15 at Exit 122. Havent we all wished it could be rejuvenated and turned into something positive that reflects the personality of the town we love? The Rising Star promises to be just that.

Filling the Void

As home to some of the finest athletic facilities in the nation, Mesquite has become a highly desired destination for sports events, and hosts thousands of teams annually. In the last half of November 2015 alone, we had over 10,000 visitors in town for just a few events. From youth events to the Senior Games,

we welcome them all in droves. The Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort seeks to take us to the next level, by becoming the Southwest hub for a wide variety of sports activities.

Greg Lee, the resorts developer, says it will be the intersection between an elite training and competition facility and a great vacation spot. The resort will meet the needs of the competitive athlete, while not ignoring the needs of everyone else traveling with them. Talking from personal experience, a tournament weekend should be more than long days on the fields and sidelines. Rising Star will look to create ways for Mom or Dad to sneak in a round of golf or a massage, and for the whole

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family to spend some time by the pool. Sure, they can already do all those things in Mesquite at the Eureka, no less but the Rising Star will make the experience comfortably seamless.

What Makes it Unique

The planned 210-room resort will have unique room configurations that lend themselves to team interaction and camaraderie. There will be bunk rooms that can hold up to 12 athletes, and adjoining rooms for coaches and chaperones, making it the ideal venue for youth tournaments and camps. Other rooms will feature a dedicated space for teams to gather, strategize, and unwind, complete with bean bag chairs, 50-inch TVs, whiteboard walls and video game consoles.

Speaking of camps, Rising Star will work with world class athletes, coaches and trainers of all levels in order to host elite

athletes from all around the country. Specific camps will be announced throughout the year.

There will be indoor and outdoor dining rooms where teams can gather for meals or awards ceremonies, and for larger or more formal presentations, they can use the 7,000+ sq. ft. meeting space.

The Backyard

What could arguably be the pice de rsistance is what theyre calling The Backyard, and the social centerpiece of the ranch. In between the resort towers will be a park-like area featuring basketball, volleyball, and tetherball courts along with horseshoe pits, fire pits, BBQ grills and picnic tables; and of course, the resorts swimming pool, creating an epic gathering place for athletes and families to unwind. Many moons ago, I was a traveling athlete. From my pre-teens until college, I traveled with my softball team, usually without our parents. Without revealing too much, we often sneaked around to amuse ourselves in what Ill now generously call team building exercises. Sometimes we got caught, sometimes we didnt. Wed still manage to bring home the championship trophies, but even in relatively simpler times, we were lucky we never got into serious trouble. This Backyard would have been paradise for me and my teammates, not to mention our coaches. We would have been

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able and more importantly, willing to unwind and have fun without being furtive. Instead of looking forward to that annual tournament with the abandoned drive-in across the highway we would sneak off to, we would have looked forward to The Backyard. That has to be good news for chaperones as well. Also, as a non-gaming property, there wont be any issues hosting youth groups that you might have at a casino resort.

Greg Lee says, We are committed to creating the best sporting experience for athletes, coaches, parents and families. For many families, time is the scarcest commodity. In my own experience, travel teams and tournaments consume a lot of time. What the Ranch is about is creating a place that allows you to make the most of your time. Rising Star is not just a place to train star athletes and leaders, but a place to make lifelong memories as well. Indeed; Im practically making retroactive memories just thinking about what could have been.

Dont Forget the Golfers

Thousands of golfers flock to Mesquite every year to experience our amazing courses. Within 10 minutes of anywhere in town including the Rising Star Ranch Sports Resort are seven championship golf courses, including Wolf Creek Golf Club, which is currently ranked #41 on Golf Digests list of the best public courses in America. Groups that come to town together for the Mesquite Amateur, for example can stay in the wings of the resort designed to place athletes in close proximity to one another. They can hang out in the gathering areas and brag or commiserate about their rounds (as we do). When they feel like gaming, the best casino in town (see page 46) is only a short walk away.

For more information and updates, visit RisingStarSportsRanch.com and follow Rising Star on social media: Facebook: Rising Star Sports Ranch | Twitter: RSSportsRanch | Instagram: RisingStarSportsRanch | Snapchat: RSSportsRanch

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The Eagles are Landing

by Andy Geller

Finding the perfect location for a Travel Center is much like finding a needle in a haystack, maybe even more difficult. Once you find it you will need to design it, build it, find good employees, and operate it in such a way that your customers will keep coming back. If all that lines up then you will need a little help from above that fuel/diesel margins will be in your favor. All that being said, 333 Eagles Landing, LLC feels as though we have found this needle now all we need is for the rest to line up. There are many variable factors that

will be decisive in the success of this proposed project. To start, adequate and abundant signage is critical to the success of our Travel Center. We need to be seen from the interstate in both directions and for this we will need a large, well placed sign as close to the interstate as possible. The topography of the location and the proposed freeway bridge provide challenges for this signage. Our organization is in the process of developing a sign plan for submittal to the City of Mesquite. There is no doubt that

we will seek a variance, as the current ordinance does not allow for signage that is adequate for this type of facility and for future growth of the 118 exit. We would like our proposed signage to be a beacon of recognition that all drivers will see from I-15 and we plan to incorporate Welcome to Mesquite on one side and Thank you for visiting Mesquite on the other. This signage will be for the Travel Center and for the other business that are planned for this off-ramp.Brand recognition is also vital to our

at Exit 118

Eagles Landing in Scipio, Utah.

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success. It is our intention to incorporate as many national and/or regional brands as practical to draw people to Exit 118. Preliminarily, we would like to incorporate a Wendys drive-thru, Subway, and perhaps a sit-down restaurant, such as Cracker Barrel, I-Hop, Chilis, etc. (these are just examples; we have not contacted any of these brands as of this date).

Competition is also a factor. We believe demand for our Travel Center is strong, as Exit 118 provides a unique opportunity for our organization to service this corridor of the I-15. Mesquite is strategically located just far enough outside of Las Vegas while still being in the state of Nevada. We hope its close proximity to Utah and Arizona will provide a steady flow of professional drivers and highway commuters that are in search of a well located Travel Center that offers the goods and services they want and need. It is our intention to build a well-designed facility with easy ingress/egress, as the demand is there. However, discussions of competition on Exit 120 will directly affect what we build. If we have competition on Exit 120, then we will build a facility with all the same products and services, just smaller in scale, as the volumes will be less.

Lastly, and most importantly, is the community of Mesquite. It is critical that we are able to give the citizens of Mesquite a reason to come to our facility. A clean facility with friendly employees is very important, but we must provide goods and services that are not being offered already. I feel that the facility that we are proposing will be grand enough to attract some nationally recognized brands, as mentioned above. It is going to take a lot of hard work, and of course, a little luck. We will need the community to rally behind us, give us the sign variance(s) that we will be requesting, and to patronize our facility.

We have just begun the preliminary engineering and design aspects of this project. The costs of grading will be a big factor in determining the exact placement and design of the Travel Center and the overall development.

I would like to hear from the great citizens of Mesquite what is it that you want/need in Mesquite? Your ideas are most welcome and will help us determine what types of brand(s)/use(s) are wanted. You can reach me at exit118mesquite@gmail.com. My partners and I have always been firm believers in the Field of Dreams If you build it, he (they) will come. Instead of hearing voices from a corn field, Id like to hear yours.

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Toastmasters the Perfect New Year's Resolutionby Randy Baumanphotos by Kris Zurbas

The start of a new year finds many of us with the goal of improving ourselves. Exercise? Weight loss? How about something different this year?

Toastmasters can enhance your career, improve your social life, help you learn about new things, meet interesting people and develop new skills. Public speaking is one of the things people fear the most. For many of us, speaking even to a small group of peers creates anxiety. Toastmasters' supportive learning environment will have you over these fears in no time.

Mesquite's Silver Tongued Toastmasters Club was chartered in 2001 and our "sister" club, St. George's Dixie Tub Thumpers was chartered in 1996. As part of our communities, we have helped

hundreds of people from all walks of life develop communication and leadership skills. Everyone comes to Toastmasters for a different reason. In addition to helping develop speaking and leadership skills, Toastmasters is a wonderful social outlet a place to meet people, to share life experiences, and investigate and learn about new things.

Toastmasters is for Everyone

Whether you are a working professional or retired senior, student, stay-at-home parent, business owner, or just starting your work life, Toastmasters has something to offer. It is an excellent way to develop leadership and communication skills and have fun doing it.

Employees Seeking to Advance - No matter where you work or how far down you are on the totem pole, communication and leadership skills are the key to advancement. Did you know that most large employers including hospitals, colleges, Wal-Mart and casinos promote almost exclusively from within? Who do you think gets promoted? Those who can communicate and lead. Some companies will even reimburse employees for the nominal Toastmasters dues ($7 per month) and give employees the time off from work to participate.

Professionals such as CPA's, attorneys, insurance and financial professionals, bankers, physicians, and healthcare professionals - It isn't enough to be smart or hard-working in today's world. Communication skills are crucial. Not just speaking in front of a group, but giving presentations to co-workers, existing and potential clients and customers, being able to communicate your

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ideas, services, knowledge, experience and abilities these skills are more important than ever. Toastmasters is about communication and leadership and both are key to success in most endeavors.

Retired seniors - Why should I join Toastmasters; I'm retired? Seniors make great Toastmasters. They are some of our best and most committed members.

Toastmasters is also a wonderful opportunity to give back to mentor others and share your knowledge, skills, insights and life experiences. It is a wonderful way to connect to others while learning and growing yourself and is a great way to remain active.

We all have stories to tell and retired seniors are a wealth of knowledge and experience. Sharing those experiences and taking the opportunity to learn about new things to

investigate something you've always wondered about and share it with a group of interested people is a rewarding experience. It keeps you invigorated, inspired, and creates and expands a social

connection so important for joy and well-being.

College students who join Toastmasters find that it not only helps them through their coursework, but the ability to communicate sets them apart from their fellow students. Being brought up in an era of text messages and social media often leaves students lacking even the most basic communication skills.

We have had college students join our club just for the summer, and when they head back to school in the fall, they have a jump start over their fellow students who spent the summer at the beach. The metamorphosis Toastmasters provides in just a few short months is nothing short of amazing.

What are Meetings Like?

Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn fosters self-confidence

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and personal growth. We only have one rule: everybody speaks at every meeting. The only exception is for guests visiting our club.

The Toastmaster - each meeting has a Toastmaster who is in charge of the meeting. The Toastmaster follows the agenda, calls on members to fill their various roles, and otherwise keeps the meeting going and flowing. Word of the Day - each meeting has a club member present a "word of the day." The word of the day is a way to expand our vocabularies. Members are then charged with trying to use the word of the day during the course of our meeting and throughout the rest of their day and week.

Tables Topics is Toastmasters way of improving our extemporaneous communication skills by asking members to stand up and speak for one to two minutes about a random topic chosen by another member.

Speakers - Most meetings have one or two speakers. Toastmaster manuals are full of speech projects - each with the purpose developing and improving speaking skills.

The first manual every new member uses is called the Competent Communicator. It consists of speech projects, each typically five to seven minutes in length, which progressively help members learn basic communication skills. Skills range from how

to organize a speech to advanced speaking techniques such as the use of gestures, body language, and vocal variety.

Evaluations - Each speech is evaluated by another club member with one purpose to encourage and support improvement. In Toastmasters an evaluator doesn't focus on what you did wrong, but on what you did right and how to make it even better.

Join Us

Mesquite and St. George are thriving communities full of talented people. Toastmasters offers an opportunity for employees to ignite their careers, retirees to share and relive their life adventures, for professionals and business owners to develop skills necessary for their success, and for students to jump-start their academic pursuits. In short, Toastmasters is for everyone!

Join us and start off the New Year right. Get to know new and interesting people from diverse backgrounds. Our members include teachers, doctors, lawyers, students, community leaders, educators, retired seniors, business professionals, and people from virtually all walks of life. We learn something new every week, and grow together. Most importantly, we have a lot of fun.

Everyone is welcome to attend meetings as a guest to check it out. Dont worry, guests dont have to give a speech or even talk. But if you join, youll find youll be doing so with confidence in no time.

Randy Bauman is president of Mesquite Silver Tongued Toastmasters, which meets Tuesdays from 8 to 9 am at Scotty's Restaurant at Falcon Ridge Golf Course, 1024 Normandy Lane in Mesquite. For more information, contact Randy at (615) 483-5549, Christine Picior at (435) 229-9964, or visit http://mesquite.toastmastersclubs.org or www.facebook.com/toastmastersmesquite.

Dixie Tub Thumpers Toastmasters Club meets Mondays at 7 am at the Wagon Wheel Diner, 290 E St. George Blvd. in St George. Contact Marjorie Lisi at (435) 215-9899 or go to www.dixietubthumpers.com or www.facebook.com/dixietubthumpers.

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A New Business Takes Root in Mesquite

A new business is quite literally planting its roots here in Mesquite, and wed like to welcome Deep Roots Harvest to our city. In November 2014 The Department of Public and Behavioral Health issued a provisional license to Deep Roots Harvest to operate three medical marijuana businesses here in Mesquite. These businesses include a cultivation facility for growing the cannabis plant, a production facility for creating cannabis oil and other products, and a dispensary for dispensing cannabis and cannabis products to medical marijuana patients.

On July 22, 2015 the DPBH issued Deep Roots full approval to begin operations at its cultivation facility. Shortly thereafter the first marijuana plants began to take root and on November 19, 2015 Deep Roots Harvest had its first harvest. The facility includes areas for security offices, vegetative growth, flowering rooms (where the plants bud), a manicuring room and areas for drying and packaging the finished product. Deep Roots Harvest will not only be supplying its future dispensary with the flowers that it cultivates, but will also supply other dispensaries throughout the state of Nevada.

There are many regulations for both the State of Nevada and the City of Mesquite with which Deep Roots Harvest is required to comply. One important requirement is that a sample from every five pound batch harvested must be tested by an independent testing laboratory. These labs are also licensed and regulated by the State of Nevada. The testing regulations for medical marijuana in the state of Nevada are the most stringent in the country and potentially anywhere in the world for that matter.

view on BUSINESS

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The finished product must pass testing in the following areas before Deep Roots Harvest is able to make the product available for sale:

Moisture Content Potency AnalysisTerpene Analysis Foreign matter inspection Microbial screeningMycotoxin screeningHeavy metal screeningPesticide residue analysis

Deep Roots plans to complete construction on the Processing Facility and Medical Marijuana dispensary here at its Mesquite campus sometime in March or April of 2016.

The Processing Facility will be where the plant material is processed into oil and extracts which contain the medicinal and active elements of the plant. From the oil various products can be created such as tinctures, sprays, capsules, sublingual, topical and other products for consumers who prefer not to smoke cannabis.

We believe that cannabis is a great option for people to try as relief for their ailments. Its a safe alternative to the highly addictive opiate based medications that are currently over prescribed. We believe that the purpose of medicine is to help relieve some of your pain and to help you get through the day, says Ryan Breeden, Chief Operating Officer. Many patients and consumers of cannabis prefer to not ingest marijuana through smoke, but rather other modalities; this facility is where these other modalities will come to life.

The medical marijuana dispensary will be where medical marijuana patients approved by The State of Nevada DPBH can purchase medical marijuana as well as medical marijuana products. Only employees of the company as well as patients with a valid medical marijuana card will be permitted in the dispensary. Along with their patient cards, patients will have to show a valid state issued ID with matching address to make a purchase. The state of Nevada is the first state in the country to accept medical marijuana patients from other states, provided they have the proper documentation. Currently the state of Nevada considers patients for the medical marijuana program who have the following conditions:

CancerGlaucoma Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Cachexia (general physical wasting and malnutrition from chronic disease)Persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis)Seizures (including epilepsy)

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Severe nauseaSevere pain Additional conditions (subject to approval by Department of Public and Behavioral Health)

Breeden says, We want our dispensary to be a really comfortable place where you can come to receive sound and reliable recommendations, and have a wide variety and selection of high quality cannabis and cannabis products. Currently Deep Roots Harvest has over 40 employees of which 35 are residents of Mesquite, and plans to grow their team as needed. Positions within the company include security, transportation, inventory control, manicuring, packaging, maintenance, and management. We consider ourselves very fortunate to be located in Mesquite, said Breeden. Weve had

some really qualified local job applicants. The support of City Council, City Staff, Police and Fire Departments, as well as the community has been tremendous. We look forward to getting the dispensary open and to becoming very active in the community for a very long time. For updates and information, find them on Facebook at DeepRootsHarvest and on Instagram as @DeepRootsHarvest. For information on career opportunities, email hr@deeprootsmedical.com.

For more information on how to obtain a medical marijuana card as well as up to date information on the Nevada medical marijuana program you can visit the State of Nevada DPBH website at mhds.nv.gov/MedicalMarijuana.htm.

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story and photos by Kristen Williams

When you talk about a casino and use the word family, a certain connotation may come to mind. But the Eureka is not like Vegas used to be. Its a warm, friendly environment where people want to play, stay, and yes, work. You cant say that about many places, let alone a casino resort. As is widely known by now, the Eureka Casino Resort is under new ownership. With the approval of the Lee familys sale to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) by the Gaming Control Commission in November, the Eureka became the first casino in Nevada - and only the second nationwide - to give ownership interest to its employees. But who are these new owners? As it turns out, theyre extended family. Ive lived in Mesquite for just over two years, and Ive met many past and present Eureka employees. Not a single person had a negative word to say about the company or its management. On the contrary every one of them have given rave reviews. It almost made me wonder if there was a special kind of Koolaid being served in there, but I know all the amazing things the Lee family and the Eureka do for this community and it made sense theyd also be good to their employees. Then I heard about the ESOP, a move which makes the Eureka stand out even more in Mesquite, and in particular contrast to its contemporaries, and I wanted to know more.

New Owners of Eureka Have Been Family All Along

Employees, Owners, Family

Paula Wikan, Dealer

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Im not going to delve into the potential pros and cons of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, nor speculate on reasons behind the decision. In my estimation, adding a retirement benefit for employees where there previously was none is a good thing, and the Eureka seems to have no shortage of good things in its arsenal. In the process of putting together this issue of the magazine, Ive joked that we should just call it The Eureka Issue, as we have a story on The Rising Star, our Strong Woman of Mesquite Gerri Chasko is all about the Eureka way, and I was going to write a story on the ESOP. That storys been well covered in town, so I decided to talk to some of the new employee owners instead. Ones I didnt already know. So I just wandered into the casino and started asking employees how they liked working there. A theme

quickly developed, so I started asking people to go on the record with their quotes when they werent too busy.

The first thing Paula Wikan, a dealer who has been working there for about nine years, had to say was I love the family atmosphere. She went on to explain how she feels comfortable taking any question or issue she has to anyone from her immediate supervisor LaShan Hoopes to COO Andre Carrier - and knows it will always be heard and addressed. I feel like part of the family, she concluded. When I met her on a break to take her photo, she made a point to add how much she appreciated her fellow employees.

Linda Harper, a clerk at J.S. Merchant, began with the same sentiment. I love the people I work with, she said. Shes been working there for almost nine years as well. She said she tried retiring but it didnt take, and she returned. They make

Linda Harper, J.S. Merchant Clerk

They make me feel important and that I

belong here. They make us believe we are part of

their dream.

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me feel important and that I belong here. They make us believe we are part of their dream. Linda told me she likes how the company is always trying to improve and to be a place where people want to be.

Mikey VIP, the resident DJ at Seasons Ultra Lounge, lives in Las Vegas, and stays at the Eureka hotel for his Thursday through Saturday shows. He says he feels like he lives at the Eureka, and loves it. He told me he has been recruited by other locations, but he has been playing and staying at the Eureka for five years, and he doesnt want to go anywhere else. Hes not an employee, but he feels like part of the family too. In Vegas, people dont even acknowledge youre there even in a closed space like an elevator. Here, the employees, patrons, everyone they all

smile, wave, and greet you. Its that small town love. Speaking of the hotel, I found Kasey McCulloch and Tesa Kennard at the front desk. Tesas been with the company for around seven years, and loves her work because she gets to meet new people all the time. She says the Eureka is a really good place to work, because they really care about their employees and are very family oriented. So far, all my on the record

employees are vested in the retirement plan, but I doubt they stuck around all that time just in case. Then we have Kasey. Seven months into her employment at the Eureka, she admits she was reluctant to get back into the hotel business after having a bad experience at other casinos. She heard good things about the Eureka, so when a promising opportunity arose, she decided to give it a shot, and she said it was the best decision shes ever made. Now she enjoys going to work. I wake up every morning and Im like YAY! I get to go to work! Its fun. Its like one big giant family. Many people I spoke with, including Kasey, specifically mentioned the Lee family, and how they always make a point to stop and say hello. Kasey told me there are no barriers between employees of all levels and upper management. It really is like family. What you think matters to

them. She mentioned The Eureka Way, the companys core values and policies, and said It works! It certainly seems that way to me. Yes, everyone knew I was writing an article, but they were more than willing to go on record with their thoughts, and couldnt have been more warm and genuine in our conversations. If I didnt love my own work, I would be seeking employment opportunities there myself.

Before I moved to Mesquite, I visited frequently and stayed and played at all the gaming properties in town as well as other hotels and vacation rentals. Probably a coincidence, but I always had the most fun (and the best luck) on the tables at the Eureka. As for accommodations, I found the rooms and service at the Eureka to be outstanding, and beyond comparison to the other gaming properties. The new family ownership isnt going to change that.

While all the Eureka stock is now in the ESOP, the Lee family retained significant financial interest in the company, which is a good thing. It probably didnt surprise anyone when the Eureka was named Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for 2015. The Lee family is well

Kasey McCulloch, Front Desk Supervisor, and Tesa Kennard, Front Desk Agent

I wake up every morning and Im like YAY! I get to go to

work! Its fun. Its like one big giant family.

Its that small town love.

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known for their community-minded philosophies and commitment, which is evident in all the programs they spearhead that give back to the Mesquite community. Greg Lee will remain the CEO of the Eureka with Andre Carrier by his side as COO. In an interview with Mesquite Local News about the ESOP sale, Lee said We think this is a way to re-energize our company and allow us to become more strategic and more aggressive in our growth. Having no affiliation with the Eureka other than being in its fan club, and speaking purely as a citizen of Mesquite, Im excited to see what manifests as a result, and where this big giant family goes from here.

Mikey VIP, Resident DJ (photo provided)

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