Presentation Is Everything! I n our house hangs a small oil painting by my Dad, Victor Czerkas.* Crystal Czerkas- Sarbacker My Dad literally painted hundreds of paintings, but this one is quite different. At first glance, it looks like a Dutch city scene, but a closer examination reveals Montmartre, with its red windmill atop the famous Parisian nightclub, the Moulin Rouge. It’s not exactly a miniature but at 7” x 9”, it’s little. The surprising thing is its frame is quite a bit larger at 15” x <strong>17</strong>”. You would think the painting would be lost in a frame that’s almost twice its size. But it works because the area around the painting is filled with four wide mats. One of them is actually padded like a piece of upholstery, and the others are wood carvings. Because the inner mats are in graduated sizes, they look like frames within a frame. Amazingly this technique does not overwhelm the painting. Instead the dainty oil painting is enhanced by it’s elaborate surroundings, and any viewer intuitively senses that, regardless of its size, this is an important artwork. There’s also another bonus to this framing technique. If the painting had been framed to fit its actual size, it would have been so small it would have been lost on almost any wall. The only other sensible alternative would have been to group it with several miscellaneous items into a wall arrangement, where it would have been a piece of the pie. But in its expanded framing, the small painting commands attention, is large enough to adapt to almost any setting, and hangs in a place of honor in my home. Yes, even in the art world, presentation really is everything! *The painting shown here is by Crystal’s Dad, the award winning artist Victor Czerkas, the only known private student of the great Russian impressionist, Nicolai Fechin. If you have any questions about framing or my Dad’s artworks, please email me at Merryman2@aol.com. Want more info....? Call 702/463-0966 Volume 14, Issue 4 Marty Allen Adrea Barrera John Bielun Yvonne Cloutier Dianne Davis Chuck Dean Jan Fair Linda Gomez Ali Guggenheim Dan Hyde Mike Landry BJ Killeen Kathy Manney Kyo Mitchell Mary Richard Crystal Sarbacker Victoria Seaman Jim Valkenburg Beverly Washburn Devon Wickens Vicki Wentz James White A Police Intervention By: Dan Roberts / Publisher “ You’re damn right you better call the police!” And with that clever retort it was “try me, I dare you” time. Regular readers are well-aware of my very special relationship with The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> political editor Rana Goodman. During the past few years that she has been my PILL (partner in love & life) I have written about her various medial ailments and conditions. One of my jobs is to make sure that Rana takes her morning drugs and advise when it’s time to reorder. A situation came up last month which should serve as a wake-up call to all that you cannot rely on anyone except yourself (or your mate) when it comes to your health. My Ladylove was running out of her Januvia medication which she now takes daily to control her diabetes. She called the pharmacy and her doctor for the routine renewal and waited…and waited …and waited. After the third day without the medication, she mentioned the circumstances and the apparent lack of communication between her physician’s office and the pharmacy. The pharmacy (after you were finally able to get them on the phone) claimed it requested the renewal from the doctor a few times (so what do you want from us? they asked in perfect “CYA” mode) without success. Naturally, the medical office (after you were finally able to get them on the phone) stated that they never received any request and, to set Rana off, alleged there was no record of her contacting them either. With her frustration and (sugar blood count) rising by the hour, my Rana handed me the telephone to speak with the doctor’s office. And then the real conversation began. The young lady (and at our age, they’re all young) smugly stated that the doctor will get to it when he gets the chance. “No, that’s not going to happen” I assured her. I cheerfully informed the assistant that the renewal prescription will either be received by the pharmacy within 20 minutes or she would have the pleasure of my company at the doctor’s office within 30. She nastily inquired if I was going to cause a “ruckus?” “Absolutely not” I promised, “it would be more like holy hell.” She then threatened to call the police. As Rana rolled her eyes and walked away, I neither raised my voice nor used certain 4-letter words. However, my “New York attitude” was in combat mode. “Darling” I calmly stated, “you’re either going to send the prescription now or call the police. But I assure you, that either way, I’m going to get that prescription. “And if I receive it while the cops are there, I guarantee you’re going to have a lot more explaining to do to the doctor, insurance company, various lawyers, government bureaucrats, and the police. Think about all that extra paperwork. I sure hope you receive overtime pay.” Miracle of miracles, the pharmacy received the prescription exactly 8 minutes later. “Who’s the gladiator now?” I exclaimed as my Rana picked up the pills. Instead of bowing down in gratitude and thanking me (like I really believed that that was going to happen) she just shot me her “look.” I’m pleased to report that her blood count has stabilized, although I’m still not sure if she would have bailed me out. But I might find out real soon – her other drugs need renewals next week. Are You Looking for Full-Time Work? Start the next step of your job search with BACK TO WORK 50+ at Workforce Connections One Stop Career Center. Our team can help you update your job search strategies, practice for interviewing and networking, and enroll in training programs that employers value. CALL TOLL FREE (855) 220–9723 TODAY! • Register for a Smart Strategies for 50+ Jobseekers Workshop near you where you can: - Learn about the 7 Smart Strategies you need to get back into the workforce. - Apply for the BACK TO WORK 50+ Coaching and Training program • Order AARP Foundation’s free job search guide To learn more, visit: www.aarp.org/backtowork50plus This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, political affiliation, or religion. 6 June 20<strong>17</strong> 7