2.19Feb

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February

For your Health, Wealth,

and Good Times!

FOR TODAY’S ACTIVE SENIORS

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VICTORY!

2015-2019

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PAGES 24-33

February 2019

Volume 15, Issue 12

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Vicki Wentz

Earl Wilson, Jr.

About The Vegas Voice

In 2018, The Vegas Voice received 9 national awards from the

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graphics, overall design

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February 2019

Golden Age of Show Business

By: Earl Wilson, Jr. / Golden Age of Show Business

When I think back to my youth, it seems

like it happened last night: I remember

falling in love with Ginger Rogers, Liz Taylor and

Kim Novak. I mirrored the smile of Cary Grant; I

ached to sing like ‘Ol Blue Eyes himself. And when

my parents sent me to dance school, it was the polished elegance of

Fred Astaire that I practiced on the dance floor.

The person I am today was formulated early in life – especially at the

movies during the Golden Age of Show Business. It was Spencer Tracy

and Gregory Peck who seemed to have what I wanted to wear as my

own mantle.

While we have drifted away from those vibrant bygone days, the

wonderful innocence of my youth (1940s - 1980s) are still the memories

by which I live.

During my dad’s celebrated writing career, he penned more than

11,424 newspaper columns that were syndicated from coast-to-coast

– a much-talked-about entertainment column: “It Happened Last

Night” that was carried by hundreds of newspapers across the country,

chronicling New York City nightlife to millions of readers. The column

was always signed: That’s Earl, Brother.

Readers of The New York Post (where Dad’s entertainment column

appeared for 40 years) and the millions of others around the nation

who read his six-day-a-week column in national syndication will

remember my dad, Earl Wilson. He worked an 18-hour day (much of it

in the after-dark hours) accompanied by his wife, my mom Rosemary

Lyons – better known to his readers as ‘’B.W.’’ (Dad’s abbreviation

for “Beautiful Wife”). Together they covered the New York showbusiness

scene every night, hobnobbing with all those larger-than-life

personalities I was trying to emulate.

Not only was Dad a hard-working newspaper journalist, he authored

books, hosted

a late-night

NBC television show,

and his radio show,

wrote for TV Guide,

and appeared in many

Hollywood movies. Some

say Dad was famous for

interviewing the famous:

apparently, he was the

first to interview Marilyn

Monroe and he broke the

story of MM’s connection to JFK and his brother Bobby.

The author and his dad

It seemed like my dad knew everyone, from Groucho Marx to Lucille

Ball. (In a 1956 TV episode of “I Love Lucy” called “The Fox Hunt,”

Lucy and Ricky are visiting in London when she attempts to impress

royalty after being introduced to a baron. She casually mentions she

knows “the Earl of Wilson,” serving as a nod from Lucille Ball and Desi

Arnaz to their newspaper friend.)

Starting with the next issue, take a trip with me down memory lane

to a magical and enchanting era - universally treasured memories that

were archived by my dad, Earl Wilson, and me.

Earl “Slugger” Wilson, Jr., son of Earl Wilson — archivist, author,

playwright, raconteur, song stylist and Grammy-nominated

composer/lyricist singing his truth. Truth needs to be sung.

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February 2019

Valentine’s Day

By: Bill Caserta / Bill’s Blurbs

Two very active seniors ( Jacob, age 85,

Mariam, age 80), living in Sun City are all

excited about their decision to get married. They

go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the

way, they pass a drugstore and go in.

Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: “Are you the owner?”

The pharmacist answers, “Yes.”

Jacob: “We’re about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?”

Pharmacist: “Of course we do.”

Jacob: “How about medicine for circulation?” Pharmacist: “All

kinds.”

Jacob: “Medicine for rheumatism?” Pharmacist: “Definitely.”

Jacob: “How about suppositories and medicine for impotence?”

Pharmacist: “You bet!”

Jacob: “Medicine for memory problems, arthritis and Alzheimer’s?”

Pharmacist: “Yes, a large variety. The works.”

Jacob: “What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antidotes for

Parkinson’s disease?” Pharmacist: “Absolutely.”

Jacob: “Anything for heartburn and indigestion?” Pharmacist: “We

sure do.”

Jacob: “Adult diapers?” Pharmacist: “Sure, how can I help you?

Jacob: “We’d like to use this store as our Bridal Registry.”

And Finally: The church held a “Marriage Seminar” and the priest

asked Luigi, as his 50th wedding anniversary approached, to share

some insight into how he managed to stay married to the same woman

all these years.

Luigi replied to his audience: “Well, I tried to treat her well and spend

money on her. But the best thing I did was take her to Italy for our 20th

anniversary.”

The priest said: “Luigi, you are an inspiration to all husbands here

today. Please tell the audience what you plan for your wife for your 50th

anniversary.”

Luigi proudly replied: “I’m gonna go and get her.”

Bill Caserta is the Project Director for The Vegas Voice and

has a very “unique” sense of humor. He welcomes all funny

submissions at: bill@thevegasvoice.net.

My Funny Valentine

By: Yvonne Cloutier / Musical Moments

My Funny Valentine, sweet comic

valentine, you make me smile

with my heart. Your looks are laughable,

unphotographable; yet you’re my favorite work of art.

Is your figure less than Greek; is your mouth a little weak when

you open it to speak? Are you smart? But don’t change a hair for

me, not if you care for me; stay little valentine, stay! Each day is

Valentine’s Day.

This contradictory song is from the 1937 musical comedy, Babes in

Arms - music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart. The musical,

a puzzle in itself, had many versions.

The most popular being about a group of small-town teenagers who

put on a show to avoid being sent to a work farm by the town sheriff.

The original version had political overtones about a Communist

character and two African-American youths, who are victims of racism.

My Funny Valentine was sung by a teenage girl played by Mitzi

Green, to a teenage boy, (played by Ray Heatherton) named Val, on

whom she had a crush. She seemed to have a difficult time expressing

herself as to what she meant, which Lorenz Hart demonstrated by

“sacrificing warmth, in the first words, for wit,” but then changing the

words to ones of loving tenderness at the end.

She poked fun at Val’s looks and personality quirks, but then

realized that those imperfections were what she found most endearing

- revealing that she

was smitten with him.

Ironically, in 1939,

when the musical

was made into a

movie (starring Judy

Garland and Mickey

Rooney) My Funny

Valentine was omitted without any explanation.

Actually, My Funny Valentine did not become popular when it was

in Babes in Arms on Broadway. It became popular only after being

sung by jazz singers, most notably, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella

Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Barbra Streisand.

Mitzy Green’s original rendition of the song never became a hit,

however several other movies used My Funny Valentine in their sound

tracks - including Pal Joey with Kim Novak, although her singing was

dubbed.

My Funny Valentine is one of the most enduring love songs,

performed by more than 600 artists and appearing in over 1,300

albums.

Yvonne Cloutier, a former teacher/principal, with a music

background, specializes in ragtime piano. She researches and

reports about music on SCA-TV.com/Anthem Alive! You can

contact her at www.mytimeisragtime.com.

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Composers Showcase

Delights Fans

By: Dianne Davis / That’s Entertainment

It’s a show, it’s a party, it’s a get together. The

monthly Composers Showcase is a Vegas

treasure, one of those special happenings that is not widely known but

is well attended by those who recognize the opportunity to enjoy great

talent at a more than reasonable ticket price.

The late night event hosted by its producer Broadway veteran Keith

Thompson, is held on a Wednesday night in the 240 seat Myron’s

Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center. But you might want to nap! It doesn’t

begin until 10:30 pm and goes on past midnight.

The answer to why so late is obvious. Many of the talented performers

are in shows around the area and can’t arrive until they finish work.

What sets this event apart from others is originality.

According to Thompson, “the most important criteria are that the

music is original and the writer is there to present the song(s) and the

music is live!” No tracks. This is live musicians happening in real time.

The 13-16 performances varies. It might be musical theater,

comedy, novelty, jazz, country, pop, R & B, classical, even hip-hop/rap.

Thompson, whose background includes a stint as musical Director

of Jersey Boys and a similar position with Cocktail Cabaret (Caesar’s

Palace) carefully selects the participants.

Last month, following Thompson’s delightful intro and opening

number, we enjoyed original compositions done by more than a dozen

performers. And each had a little story to tell about the material. Some

were poignant, some serious, others comical.

Jeffrey Neiman, an international award-winning composer and

keyboard artist, spoke of child abuse. Comedian/musician Dennis Blair

entertained with a country western number. Michael Shapiro, creator

of Reckless in Vegas, wondered, “Are the answers in the stars above?”

The beautiful Italian senorita Giada Valenti sang that she is sweet

and spicy and ready for whatever comes in life. Jordan Sanders, a 16

year old from the Las Vegas Academy sang as did Star Search winner

Angela Teek. The list goes on.

And the talent comes on stage monthly. I’m looking forward to

returning to the Composers Showcase on February 13. Hope to see you

there.

Dianne Davis is also a reporter for Sun City Anthem TV (SCA-

TV) specializing in entertainment, and LV Associate Editor of

lasvegassplash.com. She hikes, travels with her husband Burt, and

works on her stand-up comedy.

February 2019

Davidsen’s Lounge

Grabs Gold

By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places

Singers, dancers and other entertainers

dreaming of their names in lights on The

Strip flood Las Vegas every day. But it didn’t take long for New Yorker

Kenny Davidsen to recognize, “Off Strip is the way to go. That’s the best

part of the city.”

It was a leap of faith for the likeable Davidsen who had performed

at the Big Apple’s Metropolitan Room, Radio City Music Hall and

Carnegie Hall. He rolled the dice the summer of 2011 for a part-time

gig pounding the keyboard at the popular Fremont Street watering

hole, Don’t Tell Mama.

Davidsen volunteered to work fund raisers to get seen and known. It

worked!

He accumulated show business friends, leading to an offer to sit in on

keyboard at Tuscany Casino’s Piazza Lounge. The casino’s owner, Brett

Heers, quickly offered Davidsen his own Friday night show.

Davidsen has captured the old Las Vegas lounge spirit with the easy

going nature of his Friday nights; never knowing who will show up and

join a regular community of stand-out performers that has included

boxing-analyst-turned-crooner Al Bernstein, comedian/musician

Dennis Blair, one or both of the Righteous Brothers, Jassen Allen and

headliners from The Strip.

This month, he celebrates the show’s sixth anniversary with two Best

of Las Vegas Gold awards. “I needed to create an environment that’s

not only a show but is social. Tuscany is a place for performers to let

their hair down and

be themselves.”

Davidsen promises

a March anniversary

celebration with

mom Rita’s

famous homemade

brownies.

Rounding out

his busy calendar,

Davidsen is musical

director for Mark Shunock’s Mondays Dark, the twice monthly show

that’s raised over a half million dollars for local charities since 2013.

The Mondays Dark variety shows allow the town’s top talents to let

loose with performances that have raised $10,000 or more for each of

more than 30 non-profits. Davidsen was honored as Mondays Dark’s

2018 Person of the Year.

Davidsen is excited that Don’t Tell Mama is moving to a new, nonsmoking

home at Neonopolis in March. The bow-tied musician credits

his success with “making singers as comfortable as possible. I learned

that from my mother.”

Sam Wagmeister is The Vegas Voice Nightlife Editor. He loves to

hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact him via email:

LasVegasHomeTeam@Gmail.com.

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The Power of the Female Meltdown

By: Vicki Wentz / Vicki’s Voice

Hello, and welcome to the seventh installment

of “Morons: Why So Many?” I promised you

more moron stories, and thanks partly to the fact

that I’m wide awake since I have not received my

prescription sleep aid, due to the imbecilic-bordering-on-insane demands

of my health insurance company – I’m making good on that promise

right now at exactly 1:17 AM.

First prize this week goes to the great guys who are building my new

house. The cutest bunch of testosterone-laden workmen y’all ever did see,

with their adorable tool belts, and their paint-smudged overalls and their

endearing cluelessness.

First, the whirlpool bathtub. Due to very slight aging, I have lost a

very slight bit of height, and I still couldn’t stretch out my legs! This is

supposed to be one of those big, luxurious tubs you can lounge in all

day surrounded by bubbles, reading, calling people, sleeping, eating a

hamburger (not that I ever do that but, if I ever WANTED to do that in this

tub) I’d be doing it with my knees in my neck.

I explained this to the work crew, who all gave me a perplexed look and

shrugged. They are REALLY good at shrugging.

Then, they installed the door at the top of the steps from the garage into

the kitchen, opening OUT! Are you kidding me? I’m at the top of the stairs

carrying six bags of groceries, but I have to unlock the door, back myself

down the steps to get it open, and then hurl the bags - and myself inside,

in order to pull the door closed before mice, snakes, deer, and further

wildlife get in?

So not happening.

And why am I moving

to where they have

wildlife?

Then my delightful

workmen constructed

two bedroom closets

that open instead into

the workout room.

(Please. The only

thing that makes it a

“workout” room is the

3-legged weight bench,

a deflated stability ball

(I thought perhaps

they meant emotional

stability), a pair of my

son’s old weights that

I’ve never been able

to pick up since he bought them in 1992 (tried to roll them across the

floor with my foot once…broke a toe) and a brand new reclining bike

(because it is sheer genius to combine exercise with lying down).

So, it’s not like I need closets in there unless I want to hide a bag of

potato chips…not that I ever do that, either.

But, bedrooms without closets? Even the two workmen who don’t speak

English totally understood that something was wrong - probably from

my tone of voice, my facial expression, and the fact that I was repeatedly

banging my head against the bedroom wall.

I would have curled up defeated in the closet – BUT THERE WASN’T

ONE!

Then, they installed the tiles around the fireplace with the flowers

upside down. I mean, who does that? Don’t most flowers grow UP? I’m

just asking!

The tile guy shrugged: “I don’t design ’em, ma’am, I just build ’em.”

(What he meant: “Why are you here all the time?”).

Yesterday, my bathroom cabinet was installed…it had no drawers. A

2-door bathroom cabinet with no drawers.

Now, ladies, back me up here. Do we not need drawers in our bathrooms?

Otherwise, where do you put the combs, the toothpaste, the hair

products, the hand mirror, the shower cap, the make-up, the nail clippers,

the nail polish, the cough drops, the extra Q-tips, the band-aids, the

aspirin, the hand cream, the face cream, the tweezers - and the antianxiety

pills?

I called the man. When he realized that that sound, he was hearing was

me, he became frightened. He said I’d have drawers immediately!

The power of the female meltdown. It drains me, but once released, it

is awesome to behold.

February 2019

Vicki Wentz is a writer, teacher and speaker living in North

Carolina. Readers may contact her - and order her new children’s

book! - by visiting her website at www.vickiwentz.com.

Looking Back

By: Evan Davis / Entertainment Editor

I thought it would be interesting to see and

compare what was going on at the local scene

two years ago and imagine what you could have

done in the last two years. To my surprise, out of 25

venues talked about below, there are still about 17 that are continuing to

bring us entertainment.

*It’s time to watch 2017 fly by just like 2016 had, so go out and

experience life and what Vegas has to offer. That’s probably why you’re

reading my article now, to see what you could do to stay active.

I stopped by the newest Hotel Casino called the Lucky Dragon. An

Asian inspired Hotel and Casino with a half a dozen delightful restaurants.

Starting to perform there is the charming and gracious singer Rita Lim.

She is performing at places like Osaka Japanese Bistro in Henderson

every 1 st and 2nd Tuesdays of the month, The Bootlegger Bistro located

on the south side of the Strip on Wednesdays, and the El Cortez Hotel

every Friday night along with Joey Ugarte and the Jazz Vibrations.

But for those night owls out there, Las Vegas is definitely a 24/7 city.

Catch late night Jazz at The Dispensary, at Ferraro’s Italian

restaurant, in the Golden Tiki, at Fuso Nightclub, Legend’s Bar

& Grill plus numerous other restaurants, clubs and bars. All have no

cover or a 1 drink minimum.

You can also see wonderful entertainers at places like the Suncoast

Hotel, the Rampart Casino, Rocks Lounge in the Red Rock

With Frankie Scinta

Hotel and Casino, Salute which is also in Red Rock Hotel, Siena

Italian Restaurant on Sahara and now Blue Fire on Durango. You

can hear Jazz, Pop, the Great American Songbook and just about every

other genre.

Other places to check out would be The Barrymore, E-String,

Piero’s, Cabo Lounge in Fiesta Rancho, Texas Station, Piazza

Lounge in the Tuscany, Eastside Cannery, The Italian American

Club, the Lounge at the Palms and the list can go on.

Next month, I will be exploring some of the restaurants, bars and clubs

on Downtown Freemont Street. I know a place, do you?

You can read Evan’s entertainment blog and sign up to receive

his free email weekly Calendar of Events at www.EvanDavisJazz.

com. Email him at: evan@thevegasvoice.net.

By: Earl Wilson, Jr. / Earl’s Pearls

. An economist is an expert who will know

tomorrow why the things he predicted

yesterday didn’t happen.

2. Today’s accent may be on youth, but the

stress is still on the parents.

3. Poise: The ability to be ill at ease inconspicuously.

4. Science may never come up with a better office communication

system than the coffee break.

5. Experience is what enables you to recognize a mistake when you

make it again.

6. Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.

7. Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared

to death.

8. A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what

you’ve been taking.

9. Benjamin Franklin may have discovered electricity, but it was the

man who invented the meter who made the money.

10. Many a standing ovation has been caused by someone jumping

to his feet in an effort to beat the rest of the audience to the parking lot.

What I Know

Earl “Slugger” Wilson, Jr., son of Earl Wilson — archivist, author,

playwright, raconteur, song stylist and Grammy-nominated

composer/lyricist singing his truth. Truth needs to be sung.

February 2019

TV’s Lassie

By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories

thought I’d write this month about one of

I my favorite people, and most probably one of

yours!

His name is Jon Provost and all of you Lassie fans will certainly

remember him as the adorable little boy “Timmy” in one of America’s

favorite TV shows of the late 50s into the early 60s.

Jon actually started acting at the ripe “old age” of 2! You might also

remember him from the feature film “The Country Girl” starring Bing

Crosby and Grace

Kelly. Not a bad

way to start out

your life!

Being that I am

a few years older

than Jon, we never

really ran around

in the same circles,

but as adults we

did many various

appearances at

autograph shows,

conventions etc. It

was at one of those

shows that I got to meet Jon and his lovely wife Laurie. And so the

friendship began.

Jon and his wife Laurie live in Northern California. Although mostly

retired, Jon still loves traveling around the country doing various

autograph shows and often times appears with one of the many

“Lassies.” Because of his kindness and his “approachability”, Jon has

always been a fan favorite.

The photo was taken a few months ago at the Superman luncheon

in Los Angeles.

Jon is an avid animal lover (could it be from working with Lassie you

think?) and is involved with many animal organizations. Just another

of the many reasons I am so fond of him.

He has received two Lifetime achievement awards along with a Star

on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and yet he remains humble,

sweet and kind. He is a true gentleman.

If you want to read a great book, please check out “Timmy’s in

the Well: The Jon Provost Story.” Speaking of fun reads, you might

also want to check out his wife, Laurie Jacobson’s terrific book called

“Dishing Hollywood” in which Laurie writes about some of Hollywood’s

biggest scandals.

I am blessed to call Jon and Laurie two of my dearest friends.

Until next time, remember: Friendship isn’t about whom you’ve

known the longest. It’s about who came and never left your side.

Beverly Washburn graced the silver screen as a child actress and

is the author of Reel Tears. You can contact Beverly at: bjradell@

hotmail.com. Check out her awesome, new website: www.

beverlywashburn.com.

Presents

Beverly Washburn

MOVIE, RADIO & TV STAR!

Magic Moments

Hollywood

Memories

Join us for a delightful evening filled with

Conversation, Clips and Chuckles with

Beverly Washburn, movie, radio & TV star, and

our very own Vegas Voice columnist.

Hosted by Kenny Chandler

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Sound Healing

By: Ali Guggenheim / Psychic Phenomenon

Although considered to be a relatively new

concept in the Western world, sound therapy

has been around since the beginning of recorded

history. Ancient Indian Rishis claimed 7.83 Hz

to be the freuency of OM, which also happens to be Mother Earth’s

heartbeat rhythm confirmed by “Schoman Resonance.”

According to ancient Hindu Vedic philosophy, OM is the primordial

sound, which the entire universe emanates. In Tibetan culture, it’s

believed that the sound of singing bowls carries the sound of Dharma,

Buddha’s teachings on bridging ego and emptiness.

“Sound is focused and organized energy (vibration) that travels

through a medium such as air. Sound alters anything it comes in

contact with, whether it’s material or non-material. All things are

simply energy.” says Gabrielle Roth, Urban Shaman.

February 2019

“Energy moves in waves, waves move in patterns, patterns move in

rhythms. A human body is just that - energy, waves, patterns, rhythms.”

The energetic body is where we are able to shift our perspective and

ultimately change our relationship with our issues. The physical body

is where we experience localized pain and discomfort.

Our subtle body is our energetic body. This body is where our life force

energy exists, commonly referred to as Prana, Chi (Qi).

Sound has the ability to positively affect our whole being. Though

breath work and stillness are also used in sound therapy, it is the

musical vibration that penetrates blockages; swiftly facilitating shifts

in the brainwave state.

While literally entertaining the brain, the penetrating vibrations

synchronize the fluctuating brainwaves by providing a stable and

consistent frequency that the brainwave can attune to. These vibrations

actually shift the normal waking consciousness (beta) state to a relaxed

consciousness (alpha) state and can access the meditative (theta) state

and even the sleep (delta) state, allowing internal healings to occur.

Whether utilizing tuning forks, Hindi mantras, American Indian

chants and drumming, Indigenous melodies from Central to South

America, or Pythagoras’ use of intervals and frequencies, etc., the

results are all the same. Sound Vibrations have proven effective in

tuning our bodies by altering imbalances to a more healthful and

balanced existence.

To learn more about Ali, spiritual consultations, coaching, classes,

workshops, and readings, call, give her a call: 702/373-9081.

Insect Spray in the Bread Aisle

By: Adrea Nairne-Barrera / 60s to 60

There are times when you look at something

and you know it’s just not right. So when I

went grocery shopping the other day, they were

completely re-arranging all the aisles, putting shelves up front and

generally making a mess.

Some corporate marketing genius is at it again; deciding how I want

to shop. If they wanted me to notice some new items, wouldn’t it make

sense to put it in an area I already frequent so it would stand out? Nope.

These scholars completely upset the order of things that I just figured

out from the last time they did it.

This is right up there with driving 10 miles to save 10 cents a gallon

on gas, or collecting hundreds of Monopoly pieces, sticking them on a

piece of paper and hoping for $5.00.

And then I saw it. In the new bread aisle was a display for insect spray.

Seriously? I’m not too sure about the mind trigger on that.

Who thinks about insect spray when they’re buying bread and bagels?

If you do, you must need an exterminator anyway, not to mention that

stuff getting close to your food.

And speaking of the bread aisle, why did they take it away from the

bakery section? For the past year, I’ve been running back and forth

from one end of the store to the other to find what kind of breakfast

pastry we want. There was a time when they were all together, but alas,

the fun is over.

The brilliance behind all these marketing plans has nothing to do

with actual people. There must be an algorithm somewhere using

artificial intelligence to send us into a state of confusion when doing

something we have to do to survive.

All of these changes are called “convenient” by the marketers. Is it

convenient to chase around like a lunatic when you’re finishing a work

day and need to grab three things? Is it convenient to go through a web

based app to get grocery discounts so they can monitor your habits and

sell them to others?

Is it OK to be made to feel guilty when you put in your debit card and

they ask for donations? How rude!

Adrea Nairne-Barrera writes of celebrations, observations &

complaints of life in the 60s to being in your 60s.

Face Products

By: Linda Bateman-Gomez / Timeless Beauty

Unfortunately our Vegas winters do not leave

us looking as sun-kissed as in warmer

months. I am always scouting for something to

keep up that summer glow.

When it comes to any face product, I’m very picky and want

lightweight and non-greasy. I dislike anything that gets cakey and sits

within wrinkles or laugh lines, making it very apparent on your face

when the goal is to blend in.

I have two that I really like, including one that I’ve added to my own

line, each with its pros and cons.

First is the Perricone MD High Potency Classics: Face Finishing &

Firming Moisturizer Tint, SPF 30. I absolutely love this product! It’s

light, gives my skin a glowing effect and smells nice.

The added SPF 30 is also great for an all-in-one type application. It’s

a bit pricier ($69 for a 2 ounce jar), but a little goes a long way. It also

goes on easily, providing nice coverage and moisture without looking

thick.

That said, my skin is a medium olive tone and the tinted color beads

work well with that. However, if you are quite fair, it may not blend as

well for you, so you may want to check out the color in person at the

store.

The second is my own oil-free BB Cream. It is paraben free and has a

natural sunscreen. It has a more sheer color to it but adds just enough

tint for my “natural” days. The price is less expensive than the others

($11.99 for a 1 ounce jar) and does come in three different shades –

light, medium and dark.

The biggest drawback for me is that this time of year, I’m between two

colors, the light and medium. In the summer I’m a medium, but not in

the winter, so I end up mixing the two for the perfect shade. It provides

the perfect coverage for me without being oily or making my skin feel

like it has anything on.

Whichever product may suit you, I’ve found adding a little summer

glow to your winter routine can make all the difference!

Linda Bateman-Gomez has an international beauty company

based in Las Vegas that specializes in cosmetics and other beauty

products. Contact Linda at TimelessBeauty2020@gmail.com or

through her website www.fullips.com.

Endorsed by Firefighters and Police

PAID FOR BY FRIENDS FOR DAN K. SHAW

February 2019

February 3, 1943

By: John Beilun / Time Traveler

On February 1, 1943, a six-ship convoy

slipped out of the sanctuary of St. John’s,

Newfoundland. It was bound for war.

Conditions were typical for that time of the year. The North Atlantic

was treacherous and choppy.

The convoy included a former luxury liner: The U.S.A.T. Dorchester.

It had since been converted into a transport carrier. The ship carried

902 souls - including 751 soldiers, seven officers and four chaplains.

The men of the cloth were of varied faiths: A Catholic priest, a rabbi,

a Methodist minister and a pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church. They

got along well. After all, they all prayed to the same God.

On February 3 rd , 150 miles short of safe harbor, a German submarine

surfaced in their midst. Escort ships rushed to intervene but, alas, too

late. With day light yet to break, the U-boat fired five torpedoes. Four

missed.

The one that didn’t miss hit the Dorchester on the starboard

side - stark dead midship deep below the water line. Scores of men

instantaneously died, as well as the power to drive the engines and the

wireless. The Dorchester tilted over and began to sink.

Unable to send off a radio signal, a warning blast or even a flare,

the captain ordered, “Abandon ship!” No mean feat in the pre-dawn

darkness in the wintry North Atlantic.

Pandemonium broke out throughout the ship. The captain, now in

the midst of trying to launch the few serviceable lifeboats, was preoccupied.

Not so the chaplains.

Father Washington, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Fox and Pastor Poling

organized the men as best they could. They said prayers and consoled

their interchangeable flocks as they opened a storage locker and

distributed life vests.

When they had given out the last, the four chaplains in unison

removed their own life belts and handed them out to whoever was next.

They watched as their shipmates scrambled overboard. They did so

knowing that they had chosen to save other people’s lives at the expense

of their own.

As the Dorchester sank beneath the waves, its survivors remember

watching the four chaplains standing on a tilted deck, embraced arm

in arm, as they sang praises to the Lord.

Endorsed by Firefighters & Police

Paid for by Committee

to elect Dan Stewart

February 2019

Ask A Desert Gardener

By: Howard Galin / Happy Gardening

Although February is the shortest month,

there is a great deal to do to ensure that

your garden will flourish in the months ahead. To

accomplish this, divide February’s chores into four weekly categories:

Cleanup, preparation, purchase, and planting.

Week 1: Cleanup and repair your existing garden. This is

accomplished by removing dead and damaged plants and pruning

back branches.

Make sure that non-functioning irrigation equipment is repaired or

replaced. To do this, a visual inspection should come first, followed by a

test run of drips and emitters as well as valves, clocks and tubing.

While running your irrigation system, make sure that there are no

wet or damp spots. This can signal breaks or leaks in the underground

tubing. A timely repair now can save you time and money in the future

if these tubes burst!

An inspection of the actual drip emitters will show you which ones

are not functioning. If the emitters look clogged and covered with

“white powder”, remove and soak overnight in a solution of vinegar

and water and they will be as good as new.

Week 2: Prepare your soil by adding sulfur to lower the pH levels

caused by alkaline salt buildup during the winter months. A high pH

level can prevent plants from absorbing nutrients.

Once combined with the soil, you can add the nutrients needed for a

thriving garden.

To enrich the soil, use an “all-purpose” fertilizer having a 24-8-

16 ratio of nitrogen-phosphorous-and potassium. If you are growing

fruit and vegetables, or cactus and flowers; add bone meal which will

provide needed phosphorous and calcium.

This is also the time to add “systemic” insect control to the soil

around your agave and yucca to control root-eating weevils and grubs.

Week 3: The plant nurseries will be receiving their shipments of

flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. Begin the purchasing process of

replacing plants and choosing your garden “palette” for the growing

season.

Week 4: Now is the time to plant your new acquisitions. Remember

to modify your drips and irrigation systems to accommodate these

additions.

Have a question? Contact me: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com.

Howard Galin, a/k/a: “The Plant Whisperer” is a retired NYC

school administrator, transplanted in Las Vegas who devotes his

time to communicating with and lecturing about our native

plants.

February 2019

Winter Golf

By: Mike Landry / Golf Fore Ever

Winter is upon us! Just as I thought we

would miss out on the cold weather and

enjoy a mild winter, here comes the freezing

temperatures beginning Christmas week. I just checked the forecast

and hopefully it looks like we will soon be enjoying weather in the 60’s

once again. It’s truly awesome to play golf in the desert.

Remember when you use to live back east (or up north) how you had

to give up golf for several months each year? I bet you agree with me

that our winter weather is much more enjoyable.

My daily routine now involves going to the golf course nearly every

day to practice my short game. It makes a big difference in scoring. Not

everything is about the long drive, although I must admit that this time

of year the ball rolls much further than in summer.

As many of you know, I belong to two great golf organizations - the

Nevada State Senior Golf Club (minimum age 50) and the Winterwood

Men’s Golf Association (any age may join). I’ve been a member of both

clubs for many, many years and enjoy the comradery that both offer.

If you’d like to expand your friend base and enjoy organized and

competitive golf, feel free to contact me (my email address is below)

and I’ll be able to tell you about these great organizations. Neither club

will break the bank to join – so what are you waiting for?

See you on the links!

Mike Landry resides in Sun City MacDonald Ranch and is a member

of both the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club and Winterwood Men’s

Group. He can be reached at: airmikel1@cox.net

February 2019

Impoverished by Medicaid

By: Jerry Creed / Trust Jerry

brother and sister came to my office. Their

A mom had passed years earlier and dad,

dying from Parkinson’s disease, was entering

hospice. He had been in a skilled nursing facility for the last ten years.

The two kids had worked extra jobs to keep dad’s house, hoping for

him to return home one day. Worst case the kids figured, when dad died

they could recover their funds by selling the house.

Unfortunately Medicaid has changed and went from being a benefit

to a loan. Every dollar spent by Medicaid on you is tracked and when

you die, Medicaid expects to be paid back from your Estate.

In addition, the rules to qualify for Medicaid changed so that instead

of 200,000 people on Medicaid in Nevada, we now have over 600,000.

In effect, while reducing the Estate Tax, they created a huge hidden tax,

without politicians calling it a tax, simply a “recovery” so more people

can benefit from the program.

I had to explain to the brother and sister that Medicaid was no longer

a benefit, but a loan. In their case, dad was in a skilled nursing facility

- $8,000 a month (average cost in Nevada), 12 months a year, $96,000

for 10 years or $960,000.

End result, dad’s home was sold to pay Medicaid back. The kids got

no inheritance and had lost years of work.

It should surprise no one that when the Federal Government raised

the Federal Estate Tax threshold to 11.2 million dollars appearing to

reduce their supply of our money, Congress had already found a new

source of funds by stealing the life savings of our seniors. The method

for capturing these funds - changing Medicaid.

While most people can afford the cost of assisted living for a spouse,

few people can afford the $8,000 monthly cost of a skilled nursing

facility. In order to qualify for Medicaid assistance, a single person is

allowed to keep $2,000 in assets, and if both spouses need assistance the

amount increases to $3,000.

If you can’t pay the $8,000 a month, you’ll be forced to reduce your

life savings to impoverishment levels and have no safety net in order to

receive Medicaid’s help. There is a better way.

Contacting an Elder law attorney and planning for Medicaid as part

of your estate plan now can save financial and emotional heartache for

you and your family. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

I urge you to not let this happen to you and your family. Protect

yourself and find an elder law attorney to speak with today.

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

Our Guardianship Journey

By: Dan Roberts / Publisher

“

Guardian: A defender, protector, keeper or trustee.”

So began the first sentence of political editor Rana Goodman’s September

2014 “On My Soapbox” column. Little did I know that her headline: The Pitfalls

of Guardianship, would turn into a 24/7/365 journey and obsession for The Vegas

Voice.

In February 2015, our “Special Report – GUARDIANSHIP?

BE VERY AFRAID” headline began our in-depth investigation

and coverage of exposing the guardianship cesspool.

With the sentencing (16 to 40 years) of private guardian April

Parks and the thumbs-down decision by the Nevada Commission

of Judicial Selection to select guardianship Judge Charles Hoskin

as one of the candidates to the Nevada Court of Appeals, this

publisher thought it was time to declare “victory” in our 4+

years-long effort to expose, advocate and reform the guardianship

system in Nevada.

We decided to do a special feature chronicling what The Vegas

Voice has accomplished; including the new Nevada reforms laws implemented and the prosecution and

destruction of the then unknown but totally evil and corrupt “private-for-profit” guardianship industry

- beginning with “poster child” April Parks.

For those readers who supported our efforts, attended our numerous guardianship seminars and

signed our petitions and calls for help, a most grateful and heart-felt “thank you.”

Our collective efforts killed, changed and reformed a corrupt system. And proves once again, that

“hell has no fury and there is nothing more frightening than dedicated seniors on a mission.”

“The Guardians”

By: Dan Roberts / Publisher

Many of you who attended our

Vegas Voice guardianship

seminars may recall a film crew

following Rana and I as we discussed

this scandal. From our initial viewing,

we believed that the documentary was

exceptional and captured everything

you needed to know about the

terrible and criminal abuses of the

“guardianship system.”

Apparently, the film critics and

those who saw the movie agreed. “The

Guardians,” a film by Billie Mintz was

awarded the “Grand Prize as the

Best Documentary Feature” at the

2018 Nevada Silver State Film Festival.

The documentary (which included interviews with Rana and me)

has now been shown at 17 film festivals, from Alabama (Sidewalk

Film Festival) to Albuquerque (Mindfield Film Festival); including its

international premiere at the “Visioni Dal Mondo” in Milan, Italy.

Our now good friend Billie Mintz has already received 8 awards -

including Best Documentary and Best Director.

February 2019

The Vegas Voice will be screening the movie for anyone who wants

to see it (see next page for schedule). Unfortunately we will not

be presenting the film to Sun City Summerlin residents.

The Vegas Voice was advised that the SCS Residents’ Forum is “not

interested in showing the film at this time.”

For everyone else in the valley, just make sure you RSVP - and feel

free to bring popcorn.

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

The Downfall of Guardian April Parks & Judge Charles Hoskins

By: Rana Goodman / On My Soapbox

February 2019

It’s taken 4 years but

finally justice. Private

guardian April Parks was sentenced to 16 to 40 years in state prison for her

exploitation and destruction of seniors last month.

As I sat in the crowded courtroom and listened while April Parks made her

remarks to Judge Tierra Jones, I was astonished when Parks claimed, “I did the best I could, I never

meant to hurt anyone.”

My mind immediately drifted back a few years to the time publisher Dan and I were attempting to

get Sun City resident Phyllis Moskowitz out of Park’s clutches.

Phyllis had told me many times about the lack of proper food at the group home where she was

involuntarily placed. She also told me that she had asked Parks to get her some of her clothes from

her house since the weather had turned cold and she had no warm clothing. All that was ever delivered

were a pair of boots that Phyllis said did not belong to her.

When Phyllis asked for a pack of cigarettes, she was charged $75. She was also charged a $50 per

hour fee for deposits made to her bank account under Park’s control.

The irony was that since Parks chose the bank to house the guardianship accounts, only one

delivery run was made, yet all of her wards who had a deposit going that day was charged the same fee.

A similar scheme was done with court appearances. Many days I sat in family court and noted that

the guardian was not there more than 15 to 20 minutes per case. Yet, with as many as eight cases per

day, each ward was charged the same fee of several hundred dollars for Parks to appear - thus earning

the same fee eight times over.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. April Parks never said the words “I’m sorry”, nor did

she look at her numerous victims seated in the gallery as they poured their hearts out in their impact

statements during the court hearing.

Her attorney stated that “Everything she did was approved by the Guardianship Court,” and those

responsible, Charles Hoskin and Jon Norheim eventually was removed from hearing guardianships

matters. Of course, that took many of our advocates speaking at the Clark County Commission to get

that done.

During victim Rudy North’s victim impact statement, he related how, he asked April Parks how she

could live with what she had done? North and his wife had been forcibly removed from their home and taken by Parks without a court hearing

and without their family being notified. Her reply was, “Everyone has an expiration date!”

Perhaps you can now understand why The Vegas Voice was so adamant that Family Court Judge Charles Hoskin should NOT be selected to

the Court of Appeals. He “rubber stamped” all the private guardian’s requests. Interestingly, in his application for the Appellate Court he never

mentioned that he oversaw the guardianship issues.

At his hearing before the Nevada Judiciary Selection Commission (who were tasked with recommending three of the candidates to Governor

Sisolak) he made some astounding statements; for example, “I did not have the authority to investigate.” And even: “I was not removed from

guardianship cases.”

The most amazing quote from Judge Hoskin, in my opinion, was “I have spent my career doing good.” Tell that to the hundreds of senior

victims left with only the shirt on their backs!

Bottom line: Judge Charles Hoskin was NOT among the three people chosen and we must thank all of you who took the time to send in letters

of opposition - all 658 of you. We could not have accomplished that feat alone.

With the guardianship changes and reforms now implemented there are now only three private guardians (and the public guardian, Karen

Kelly) dealing with guardianship.

However, don’t get lulled into complacency thinking that there is nothing to worry about. This industry is extremely profitable and as such,

more will come.

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is fill out the guardianship nomination form (available on our web site: www.

thevegasvoice.net) and then file that form with the Nevada Secretary

of State.

We all did it!

You can contact Rana by email: Rana@thevegasvoice.net. Also

check out her blog about life in Sun City Anthem at:

Anthemtoday.com

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

Guardianship Accomplishments & Reforms

. Removal of Guardian Hearing Master Jon Norheim from hearing

any future Guardianship matters in Clark County Family Court.

2. Removal of Guardian Judge Charles Hoskin from hearing/ruling in

any future Guardianship matters in Clark County Family Court.

3. “Retirement” of Sally Ramm elder rights attorney (and “official

government go-to” person who never saw anything wrong) from the Nevada

Aging & Disability Services.

Mark Simmons

4. “Retirement” of Kathleen Buchanan as Clark County Public

Guardian.

5. Creation of Nevada Guardianship Commission to investigate and enact

reforms on guardianship matters. (Rana Goodman selected as member).

6. Formation of Joint Task Force by Nevada Attorney General, Clark County

District Attorney and Metro Police to investigate Guardianship abuses and

criminal conduct.

7. Senior Law Project “voluntarily” ceases to serve as Family Court

guardian ad litem (after always choosing private guardian April Parks over

family members) to proposed wards/guardian victims.

8. Private for profit guardian April Parks’ attorney Bruce Woodbury

(the same person that the 215 Parkway is named for) sends “cease & desist”

letter threatening legal action if Rana and The Vegas Voice continues its

investigation of his client. Fifteen months later, Woodbury meets with The

Vegas Voice and praises Rana for seeking to improve the guardian laws.

9. The 2015 Nevada Legislative Session - After collecting 3,622 petitions:

(a) SB 262: Eliminating the Nevada residency requirement to serve

as guardian. Creation of a “Guardian Nomination” form.

(b) AB 325: State registration and licensing of “For profit private

guardians.”

10. Clark County Grand Jury formed to investigate criminal activities of private guardians.

11. Victim/Ward Phyllis Moskowitz

April Parks

Gary Taylor

Hell hath no fury and there is nothing more frightening

than seniors on a mission

(a) declared competent by Guardianship court and no longer under control of private guardian April Parks.

(b) Parks’ attorney Lee Drizen returns Phyllis’ car and her monies held by Parks.

12. The 2017 Nevada Legislative Session

(a) SB 229: Creation of “official” Guardianship Nomination form and filing provisions with the Nevada Secretary of State. (Rana

Goodman is the first to file).

(b) SB 360: Establishing a “Ward’s Bill of Rights” including right to have an attorney or senior advocate; including assistance from a

“person of natural affection.”

13. Aided and assisted in the documentary, “The Guardians,” a film by Billie Mintz that exposed the financial exploitation of seniors by private

guardians. The movie was awarded the “Grand Prize as the Best Documentary Feature” at the 2018 Nevada Silver State Film Festival.

14. Arrest, conviction and disbarment of private guardian attorney Noel Simpson.

15. Arrest, conviction and sentencing (7-18 years) of private guardian Mark Simmons.

16. Arrest, conviction and sentencing (2-5 years) of private guardian Gary Taylor (husband of April Parks).

17. Arrest, extradition, conviction and sentencing (16-40 years) of private guardian April Parks.

18. Nevada Commission of Judicial Selection rejects the application of Guardianship Judge Charles Hoskin as a candidate to the Court of

Appeals.

19. The Vegas Voice conducts 64 guardianship seminars across the Las Vegas Valley during the four year period.

20. Formation of non-profit sister company: Vegas Voice Elder Hub to protect, serve and advocate for seniors.

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

28 February 2019

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

By: Steve Miller / Guest Column

His name sends chills up and down the

spines of hundreds of exploited senior

citizens, disabled people and their families. I’m

often asked why private professional guardian Jared E. Shafer and

his Clark County Family Court Judges William Voy, Charles Hoskin

and Jon Norheim are still at large after their alleged criminal

activities were exposed on local and national media and Shafer being

the subject of over four years of purported criminal investigation by the

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Abuse and Neglect Detail.

I’ve since learned that Shafer is the go-to guy each election

season when it comes to political advertising billboards for Family

Court Judges and Nevada State lawmakers. In addition to his private

guardian service, PFSN Inc, Shafer owns Signs of Nevada, a company

that places thousands of 8 x 12 portable A-Frame political billboards

on vacant lots each election for select politicians, many who make or

enforce our guardianship laws.

To further exasperate the questions about the obvious “Teflon”

surrounding Shafer is that it’s rumored he is the Godfather to Nevada’s

United States Senator, Catherine Cortez Masto.

Clark County DA Steve Wolfson several times has proclaimed that

his office is ready and willing to “enthusiastically” prosecute alleged

crimes perpetuated by local private guardians - including Shafer. He

prosecuted Shafer’s assistant Patience Bristol who only served two

years, and prosecuted Shafer’s protégé’ April Parks who was recently

sentenced to 16-40 years.

However, the Abuse and Neglect Detail have so far failed to file even

a single required “Request for Prosecution” of Shafer with the DA.

By: Becky Olivera-Schultz

(Editor’s Note: Rana’s first article on

guardianship

concerned Becky and her father’s plight)

n 2009 my life changed. My mother’s passing left my physically

disabled grieving 89-year-old father exposed to a woman at the

community center who prevented him from contacting me.

Guardianship Commissioner Jon Norheim’s office referred me to

private guardian Jared Shafer, assuring me he could help. If I only

knew then what I know now.

A horrible tragedy followed. At my first meeting with Shafer he

stated, “I don’t have to go to court; the judges give me what I want.”

Attorney Elyse Tyrell assisted Shafer in securing a guardianship of

my father; she restricted family contacts. Private Guardian Patience

Bristol (since convicted and still in prison) ordered us not to talk about

the guardianship with dad; we did anyway.

The guardianship made my father a prisoner in his home. Dad, a

World War II vet, was treated despicably by the family court, violating

his rights. Our family lost $450,000. The funds went to legal fees on

both sides; most going to Shafer’s side.

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

The Ones Who Got Away

My Guardianship Story

February 2019

They continue at a snail’s pace with their

purported investigation.

Meanwhile, based on protocol, federal

law enforcement is held at bay while

local authorities “investigate” without

requesting federal intervention or

assistance. Is this by design?

According to Shafer victim Charles

Jared Shafer

Pascal, “Many families went to the

authorities. They wouldn’t take a report. All cases resulted in the

statutes of limitations running out. So as a result, the issue dies not

because the guardians were in the right, but because the authorities

played deaf and dumb and stalled the case to death.”

Based on the above, I have reluctantly stopped recommending that

victims of Jared Shafer file complaints with this LVMPD detail, and

those victims wait for a federal investigation to begin before providing

additional information to authorities. I also believe information given

LVMPD Abuse and Neglect detectives in complaints against Shafer

has been shared with him or his lawyers, thereby further damaging

exploited wards and their loved ones.

I am sad to say that it’s far from over until the real culprits - the

politically protected ones who lurk in Family Court - are brought to

justice.

Steve Miller is a former Las Vegas City Councilman, former

Clark County Regional Transportation Commissioner and writes

internationally syndicated columns on organized crime and

political corruption for AmericanMafia.com. Visit his website at:

SteveMiller4LasVegas.com

Angry at having his life

savings bled by attorneys and

the guardian, dad ordered us to take

him to California. We were the first to

defy Shafer. This act led to termination

of the unneeded Nevada guardianship.

We had the courage to act, which

saved a small portion of his trust, his

home, car and personal possessions.

Most importantly, we saved dad from

a horrible fate. Despite the trauma dad

experienced, he had five happy years

living with us in California.

Steve Miller is a former Las Vegas City Councilman, former

Clark County Regional Transportation Commissioner and writes

internationally syndicated columns on organized crime and

political corruption for AmericanMafia.com. Visit his website at:

SteveMiller4LasVegas.com

By: Rick Black / Guardianship Concerns

Editor’s note: One of the first people The

Vegas Voice met when starting our guardianship

investigation was Rick Black and his wife Terri.

They are without any doubt one of the “good guys” victimized by

the guardianship system.

Rick’s research and tireless actions to highlight this scandal in

Nevada (and across the country) far surpasses anything that we

have Mdone. Every senior owes Rick a “thank you” for his efforts.

y family was first introduced to adult guardianship in 2013.

That experience has taken my life on a journey I never dreamt

could happen, chose or wanted.

Since that summer, I have investigated over 500 adult guardianship

case files and counselled over 1,200

victims and survivors of fraudulent adult

guardianships nationwide. The results the

victims’ coalition achieved in Nevada with

the help of Darcy Spears of KTNV, Colton

Lochhead of the LVRJ, Dan Roberts and

Rana Goodman of the The Vegas Voice is

nothing short of a miracle.

Judicial and elected leadership ignored

the complaints. Local law enforcement

refused to challenge the judicial leadership

in Clark County Family Court. They all

denied the claims of hundreds of victims

for over 25 years.

The efforts of the victims’ coalition

motivated Nevada Attorney General Adam

Laxalt to conduct the most extensive investigation of any state attorney

Getting permission to film while uncovering such a conspiracy

that was operating through Family Court was extremely difficult.

Without the help of Rana Goodman and Dan Roberts at The Vegas

Voice there would be no film as I would not have had the access that I

did through their assistance.

We even had to have a hearing in Family Court to whether or not

they would allow us to film with which The Vegas Voice represented me

and championed for my constitutional rights.

Because of their

patience and persistence

they helped me navigate

through this convoluted

mess and for that I

am eternally grateful.

BILLIE MINTZ

Director

“The Guardians.”

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

But Too Many Got Away

Thank You Vegas Voice

February 2019

general into these matters ever in the U.S. A study of press releases going

back to 2000, found no state with the number of criminal convictions

of administrative court sponsored parties as that achieved by Laxalt’s

Elder Exploitation Unit.

His team’s focus has led to 11 indictments and 10 convictions

statewide for persons abusing their powers via probate and adult

guardianship court dysfunction. The trial of LVMPD Lt. James Melton, is

set for February 25, 2019. The court that claimed to protect vulnerable

adults via their orders and oversight in fact was routinely complicit in

their abuse and exploitation.

The convictions of five of the six Parks Gang conspirators has “taken

the most significant guardianship exploitation case to resolution” per

Attorney General Laxalt. Unfortunately, the lone attorney indicted in

In happier days. Guardian victim Del Mencarelli, grandson Daniel,

daughter Terri and son-in-law Rick Black

his guardianship exploitation sweeps was Noel Palmer Simpson.

Simpson was convicted in November but will not be sentenced until

March after she testifies at the trial of James Melton. Simpson will lose

her Nevada law license and is projected to only get probation for her

felony conviction and conspiracy with Parks.

Family victims presented evidence on over 25 attorneys, guardians

and caregivers for suspect criminal actions to the Nevada Attorney

General beginning in 2015. April Parks alone routinely used ten

different attorneys to defend and protect her criminal actions as a

guardian.

Noel Palmer Simpson, Lee Drizin, Aileen Cohen, Ethan Kottler,

Bryan Lowe, Robert Winn, Trude McMahan, Chris Philips, Julie Arnold,

Carol Kingman, and others all represented or legitimized her. All her

attorneys, except Simpson, escaped any prosecution and she received

a slap on the wrist given her crimes and obligations as an “officer of

the court.”

Even though Nevada is to be commended for their efforts, dysfunction

continues to dominate these proceedings and known legal community

predators continue to operate freely within it. NEVER agree to being

placed, or have a loved one placed, into adult guardianship. The risks

are far too great.

GUARDIANSHIP SPECIAL FEATURE

One Last Word

By: Dan Roberts / Roberts Rules

first heard about Rana Goodman in 2012

I when our Vegas Voice columnist, Mary

Schramski, suggested that after one year of being

a widower, it was time for me to get a new life. Mary told me that besides

Rana being charming and beautiful, she was just as smart and that we

would make a perfect couple.

I questioned that if she was that smart, why would she go out with

me?

Anyway not having asked anyone for a date in over 40 years, you can

only imagine my hesitation. But after much prodding and demanding

from Mary, I finally got the nerve to call Rana. Despite my bumbling,

fumbling, mumbling and stumbling, she said yes and The Vegas Voice

soon thereafter had its first political editor.

After writing her first column about guardianship issues confronting

seniors (September 2014) Rana thought it was so urgent, she wanted

The Vegas Voice to start an investigation of the entire guardian system –

reporting about the criminal private guardians, the rigged courtroom

decisions and how to help seniors caught up in the system.

“What are WE going to do about it?” She demanded to know.

My response was to tell her that I was watching the football game,

my New York Giants were down by 4 and could she just move away

from the TV?

Rana then asked: “What was more important – the Giants or

Guardianship?”

Fortunately I realized it was a “trick question.” I told her that if

she did the work (and stopped blocking the television) The Vegas Voice

would continue reporting on it.

I called her Don(na) Quixote for chasing those windmills and

believing that she could change and clean-up a disgraceful system.

Four years later and as set forth on page 27 her “Guardian Gladiator”

accomplishments can be summed up in a simple sentence: Exposing

and reforming the entire guardianship system in Nevada.

With these monumental accomplishments, I need to be very clear

on a few things.

Unlike some who claim that it was “their reporting” that exposed the

guardianship reform system (but to its credit, the Las Vegas Review

Journal in its January 9, 2019 editorial recognized that its investigation

was “spurred by reporting in The Vegas Voice, a local monthly for

seniors”) it was not Rana alone who caused these reforms.

Many, many others were involved, but I will go to my grave convinced

that if NOT for The Vegas Voice, there is no guardianship reform and

private guardian April Parks is still hunting for victims.

As we have stated numerous times, enormous credit goes to former

Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Miller whose blog INSIDE VEGAS

(americanmafia.com) regularly wrote about this guardianship

cesspool. And to Steve’s ever-lasting legacy, he willingly and freely

offered Rana all information; regardless of receiving “credit” for first

exposing this scandal.

Additionally, Rana and The Vegas Voice sought the input and

information from Rick Black - a victim of the guardianship scandal.

He and wife Terri were a wealth of knowledge and information and was

with us every step of the way - beginning with our first trek to Carson

City and the Nevada Attorney General’s office.

A number of our elected officials stepped up to make sure the reform

bills passed. Credit goes to former Senator Bucky Harris for being the

(wo)man in sponsoring and guiding the major guardian legislation

through the senate.

And when the license/bond guardianship bill sponsored by

Assemblyman Michael Spinkle was in trouble of dying, former

Assemblywoman Victoria Seaman made it very clear to Rana and

myself that she would not let that happen. She was right.

I strongly doubt if the guardianship reform bills would have been

implemented without these two public servants. Thankfully they were

there at the right time and place.

Last, but definitely not least, without the assistance and unconditional

support of Vegas Voice president Ray Sarbacker, project manager Bill

Caserta and senior advocate extraordinaire Sandy Lewis, there is no

way that Rana and The Vegas Voice would have succeeded.

To all these wonderful, fantastic people: There are no words to

adequately express our tremendous appreciation except to sincerely

say: “thank you.” Their assistance, determination and a “never-giveup”

dedication, does indeed show that the “good guys” can win.

As for my Rana: It goes without saying that everyone at The Vegas

Voice is enormously proud of you… and most of all, this publisher is

forever grateful that you not only did not hang up on me 6 years ago

but made me your partner in love and life.

Vision Correction Surgery: It’s not all

about LASIK anymore

By: Peter W. DeBry, M.D.

Our modern culture is

all about choices. It’s

great to live in America because you have the opportunity to choose

your hair color, the car you drive, and the restaurant where you are

going to eat your dinner.

Fortunately more and options are now available for vision correction

procedures designed to help you live a more active lifestyle without

glasses or contact lenses. I would like to take a few minutes to introduce

you to some of the latest technologies in surgical vision correction.

LASIK is the most famous and still the most common method for

vision correction. It has become a household word with most people

who wear glasses or contacts not thinking about IF they are going to

have eye surgery but WHEN they are going to have it.

The reason LASIK has become so well known is that it is amazing

technology. Lasers are used to reshape the cornea (front window of the

eye) in a 15-minute procedure with great results and a quick recovery.

ICL, or implantable contact lens technology, is a newer procedure

that isn’t as familiar to people as LASIK but can actually offer better

visual results and less potential side effects than a LASIK treatment for

some people. The ICL is similar to a miniature version of a contact lens

that is implanted into the eye through a small incision. The benefits of

ICL include reversibility, quality of vision, and less chance of causing

worsening dry eye symptoms.

Refractive Lens Exchange is the third option for surgical vision

correction. This procedure uses the same technology as cataract surgery

where the lens of the eye is removed through a small incision and a new

plastic lens is inserted.

Over 3.6 million procedures are done each year with outstanding

results of improved vision and less need for glasses and contact lenses.

Even if you don’t have a cataract, a lens exchange procedure can be a

quick, safe, and effective treatment to help you to see better.

With so many choices for vision correction it can be difficult to decide

which is the right one for you. If you are interested in seeing better

without glasses or contact lenses, please come in for a free consultation.

Dr. DeBry is a local expert in vision correction surgery and can help you

come up with the best choice for your procedure.

Dr. Peter Debry

February 2019

The Good Health of

Forgiveness

By: Chuck Dean / Vet 2 Vet

Let’s talk about enemies. There is a guarantee

that you will develop an enemy when you

serve in the military.

We are trained and indoctrinated to identify and confirmed possible

adversaries, and then prepare to meet them on the battlefield - whatever

that battlefield looks like. In today’s world with cyber warfare and other

modern modes of defending our nation, few of us would recognize the

type of war that we must wage in order to do that.

One thing will never change though: the topic of enemies. I’m

finding in my later years that there’s some positive and unexpected

therapy in embracing a few holistic ideas about standing against our

country’s enemies.

Why do we enter the military in the first place? The simple answer

is in the oath we took. “I do solemnly swear to support and defend

the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and

domestic…”

That was the agreement we made to serve our nation in uniform.

However, just putting another spin on that, perhaps there should be

some sort of oath we take when we become civilians again.

Maybe something like, “I will do my utmost to lay down any animosity

I still harbor towards all enemies, foreign and domestic…” In other

words, we really don’t have to carry grudges back into our civilian life;

it’s just an added burden, and only works against us in the transition. If

we can honestly lay down any resentment developed in the military, just

maybe we can find some special healing in the adjustment.

There’s an old saying: “your only enemy is someone whose story

you haven’t heard.” Meaning that only a person with zero compassion

(perhaps frozen by trauma) can hear about the trials and hardships of

someone who has ticked them off, and still not be able to cut them some

slack.

I recommend

a healthy dose of

practicing the art

of making peace

with all enemies

both foreign and

domestic. How do

you do that?

A good start is to

forgive those you

hold animosity against including your own government that may have

betrayed you while in uniform. Forgiving doesn’t men forgetting, but it

does give you an option to lay it down and walk away with a fresh sense

of relief.

Chuck Dean served as an Army paratrooper in Vietnam and

through that experience was led to address the many transitional

issues veterans struggle with. He is the author of several important

books for veterans. All can be found on Amazon at: http://www.

amazon.com/author/chuckdeanbooks

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Why Do I Have Insurance if Nothing is Covered? - Part II

By: Jim Valkenburg / Insurance Insight

Years ago I had a client who called because

her son’s ATV was stolen from the garage.

She assumed it would be covered under her

homeowner’s policy. It was not!

Typically, the only motorized vehicles covered under your home

policy are lawnmowers and motorized wheelchairs. Any other riding

vehicles have separate insurance policies specifically for those vehicles.

In this case, a motorcycle policy covers ATV’s and are very inexpensive

to purchase. Watercraft falls into this same category with a few

exceptions like a canoe or small fishing boat.

This also goes for golf carts. However, many insurance companies

will allow you to add your golf cart to your home policy for a minimal

charge.

Say you discover your water bill is extraordinarily high, but you’re

not using any more water than normal. This recently happened to me.

After dealing with the water company, pool company and yard company

- none of this is covered with insurance.

If, however, you have major leakage (say under your yard where they

have to dig down, fix the leak and recover) this is still not covered under

insurance. The reason? Because it has not damaged your home!

What about your trees, shrubs and other landscaping? Or your

sprinkler system? If a tree falls on your house during a wind storm, your

home policy will cover the damage to the house but will not remove or

replace the tree.

Trees, shrubs and other plants are covered for fire/lightning,

explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles not owned by you, vandalism, and

theft but the most they will pay for any one item is $500. Years ago

we had a freeze which wiped out many beautiful trees in the valley.

Unfortunately freeze is not covered, which is why you wrap your trees/

plants when a freeze is predicted.

Had enough? If it appears that there are so many things not covered,

you need to think about the hundreds of things that could go wrong

and coverage is provided. Fire, theft, vandalism, wind, hail, lightning,

smoke damage, water damage and many more of the typical losses are

covered - which is why you have insurance.

Jim Valkenburg is a retired military officer and insurance executive.

He and his wife owned and operated their own insurance agency for

over 16 years. His primary purpose is to give out real information

that can be used to make intelligent insurance decisions.

February 2019

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Attention to Trees

By: Heather Latimer /

Heather’s Self-Help Tips

Maybe you planted saplings when they

were just slender stems with leaves

attached. Now they have grown huge trunks and

lush foliage. You probably haven’t given a thought to their requiring

attention beyond an occasional clipping.

Hear Ye! Those handsome full-grown trees can cause you trouble.

Lots of trouble! And big expenditures!

Check to see if they overhang the street or a neighbor’s garden, or if

your neighbors’ trees encroach on your property. Don’t overlook those

that are just where they should be, but are rotted, diseased, or infected

with insects that weaken them.

A fierce wind could blow them over. Smash your own roof. Or crash

into the roadway when a car or dogwalker is passing.

While you’re at it, examine the floors of your house and garage too. If

the floorboards or slabs have risen, tree roots are growing underneath.

Should you observe these hazards it’s wise to call professionals. The

International Society of Arboriculture (Telephone 888/472-8733) has a

state-by-state listing of members who have acquired certification after

undergoing rigorous training.

When Woody’s Tree Service (702/401-8285) removed my Douglas Fir

tree I was stunned at the speed and efficiency of the tree surgeons. Also

impressed with their high-tech vacuum-truck that shredded big tree

stubs and branches they threw into it.

I was quite pleased by their removal of that massive tree without

disturbing my decorative rock designs and plants. And just as important,

they cleaned up the garden and street without leaving a trace of ever

being there.

Heather Latimer is a nationally recognized specialist in making

difficult subjects easy and author of 17 books. Her biography,

and latest book “How to Overcome Once-Easy Tasks That Are Now

Pains in The You-Know-What,” are accessible on www.amazon.

com/heatherlatimer/howtoovercomeonceeasy.

Thank You Vegas Voice

February 2019

Seniors in Nevada can rest

easier knowing Rana Goodman

is advocating on their behalf. After

working with legislators for two

legislative sessions and helping to

usher in guardianship reform in

Nevada, Rana continues to work

tirelessly on finding solutions to

the challenges that arise as we age.

Rana deserves our gratitude.

Thank you for taking on these

tremendous and sometimes

overlooked issues, the results speak

for themselves! - Former State

Senator Becky Harris

The Checkmates

Sonny Charles

By: Joey Kantor / Vegas Retrospective

My father, Sol Kantor, was a waiter in the

showroom at the Riviera Hotel from 1959

until 1980.

In the 1960s and 70s I saw a lot of legendary acts. Through that

child’s eyes it was pure magic; the darkened showroom, the full

orchestra, a glittering world.

Needless to say, I was excited when I got the opportunity to meet a Las

Vegas musical legend, the voice of Checkmates Ltd. - Sonny Charles.

Checkmates Ltd. started out as a group of sixteen-year-olds in 1956:

Sonny Charles, Bobby Stevens, Sweet Louie (Marvin Smith), Bill Van

Buskirk and Harvey Trees. In 1963 they rolled into Vegas to audition at

the Thunderbird.

They were told they were good but didn’t have an “act.” They were

told to go get one then come back. They didn’t give up on Vegas.

In 1964 they began playing at the Pussycat a’ Go-Go, a classic go-go

club where the Wynn is now. Jazz great Nancy Wilson connected them

to Capitol Records and CMA, a major booking agency. Sinatra loved

them and had them play at his private New Year’s Eve party which got

them a contract at the Sands.

In 1969 Checkmates Ltd. played seventy-two variety shows on

television, including the Ed Sullivan show. They scored a number six

hit on the top 100 with Black Pearl in 1969, produced by Phil Spector.

The band broke up in 1970. The record company wanted to cut out

some of the players. Charles wasn’t having any of it and walked. “That

whole thing that made it work was that chemistry we had on stage and

that chemistry was five friends,” he explained.

Charles continued to make records as a solo artist. You can still catch

him live at Piero’s with Pia Zadora most weekends. Sonny will also

be making a very special guest appearance at our Vegas Voice Vintage

Variety Show (see page 17) at Sun City MacDonald Ranch on Saturday,

February 16 th at 7 pm.

Joey Kantor is a journalist and novelist. He writes fiction

under the name Fargo Kantrowitz. His Las Vegas based novel,

Babybirds, is available at Lulu.com.

Now What?

By: Dan Hyde / Call to Action

Now that this election cycle is over, what’s

next? If you think for one minute that

the newly elected crop of politicians are ready to

govern, you’d better think again!

What’s coming next is (wait for it) ANOTHER ELECTION! Already,

a slew of power hungry politicians are on the prowl for the next office

they seek.

Republicans are planning their strategy on re-taking the House of

Representatives they just lost to the Democrats and the election is two

years away! A politician will never publicly admit it but governing is

a necessary side-bar of what it is they spend most of their time doing.

I’ve spent over 40 years actively engaged in running and participating

in campaigns and can categorically state - politicians are ALWAYS

running for office again and spend an average (some a great deal

more) of 30 hours per week soliciting campaign contributions for the

next election!

How do I know that? Because, without exception, that’s what they

tell me! One of the worst addiction society is forced to deal with is an

elected official’s craving for POWER - getting it and most importantly

KEEPING it!

To do that, they need money and a lot of it! They are forced to

continuously solicit donors - that’s you and

me, and the big corporate honchos.

Money is the lifeblood of any successful

politician’s life! They need to have enough

of it to insure that any potential future

opponent will be intimidated enough not

to challenge a well-funded continuously

recycled politician.

And to do that, they need to raise always

funds and that interferes with what we hired

them to do - GOVERN!

Dan Hyde is a passionate and effective advocate for the senior

community. He can be reached at: dhyde9@cox.net.

Emotional Boundaries

By: Morris Heldt / A Senior’s P.O.V.

If we saw an adult brutally kicking a little

puppy, I would like to think the majority of

us would have an emotional reaction to stop it!

In most of the wars this great country of ours fought, was it the intellect

of the common American soldier or the emotional understanding

between right and wrong that help win those wars - or help withdraw

from them? I suggest it was our innate ability to understand right

and wrong, good and evil. It was a time when most Americans had

emotional boundaries and when they were crossed, we reacted.

If we study “mankind” and look at all its flaws we will find that

most of “man’s” cruelty toward itself is related to the losing of their

emotional boundaries and instead rely on their intellectualizing of

their wrong doings. This is compounded when our elected officials,

our celebrated entertainers and sports stars begin to violate their own

emotional boundaries to achieve more social recognition, which creates

a surrounding exploding chaos.

Then when these outspoken individuals begin to intellectualize their

shortcoming of common sense to legitimize their run amuck emotions,

they contribute to the decline of a civilized society.

I fear that in this relatively new millennium, emotions will continue

out of control via newer social media technology preventing personal

contact, along with the dispensing of more anti-depressants to

anyone that might be upset with a “gut feeling.” The pseudo intellect

explanation of one’s bad behavior will be accepted without cause and

effect.

Simply put, we are rapidly getting to a point of no consequences

for bad behavior. This could cause one’s individual scale of justice,

common sense, to become unbalanced.

I sense if we as a nation continue in the direction of placing negative

connotations on emotions, we are destined to lose sight of right and

wrong. Perhaps if we just use our emotional response, within a healthy

boundary, to what is happening to our country instead of listening to

all the intellectualizing by both the Democrats and Republicans we can

come together again with one voice.

Perhaps listen to our God given common sense gut feeling.

February 2019

Morris Heldt is a retired award winning film and television

producer and published author. He and his wife moved to the Las

Vegas valley from the beach in 2004.

Words Have Meaning

By: Judy Polumbaum / Our View

Every locality has its special words, freighted

with historical and emotional significance.

To me, a word distinctively associated with Las

Vegas is “strip” – as noun, as verb, as adjective, as in the Las Vegas

Strip, strip clubs, strip malls.

The idea arose on a lunch excursion with my two adult sons, recently

visiting from far-flung places. As we motored past shopping centers, my

elder read the offerings aloud and mused: “Hmmm... acupuncture and

frozen yogurt!”

At our favorite Mexican restaurant, the one plastered with tributes to

Frida Kahlo, he surveyed the surroundings and continued the patter:

“You could live in this place! All you need is a car and some money.

Grab a haircut and then go get a root canal.

“Alternate Mexican with Hawaiian barbeque and Vietnamese pho.

Grocery store and pharmacy for routine boring purchases. Naps at the

mattress store, overnight it at the 24-hour tanning place, maybe they

have a shower.”

That’s the Vegas strip mall for you – everything and the kitchen sink.

I grew up in New England, where stretches of highway between towns

were lined with clusters of shops and restaurants.

The Las Vegas version puts those memories to shame. Strip malls of

my childhood had greasy steak houses and lousy chop suey dives. The

Vegas places have veterinarians and genuine acupressure massage and

really good dim sum.

Ignorantly, my

kids and I wondered

if strip malls

outnumber strip

clubs around here.

An online directory

of “gentlemen’s

clubs” lists a couple

dozen active, along

with quite a few

defunct. Their popularity peaked in the 2000s, before the recession cut

into discretionary spending and the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that

an establishment could be a bar with full nudity service or a fully nude

lap-dance club without alcohol, but not both.

Surely there’s a strip club underground – perhaps total nudity with

alcohol in those very strip malls. Still, Las Vegas obviously has waaayyyy

more strip malls than strip clubs.

The late great architect Robert Venturi would approve. In his 1972

book “Learning from Las Vegas,” he praised the city’s immersive

environment, with its neon lights and roadside signs and commercial

clutter.

He saw strip malls as an honest expression of Americana. That rings

truer all the time.

Judy is a professor emerita of journalism and a recent transplant

to Las Vegas from the Midwest.

The Inevitable Decline of

the Body: Part III

By: Kyo Mitchell / A Healthier You

In the past two months we discussed how

chronic medical problems usually have

multiple factors which contribute to their development. We also

discussed how a single drug cannot effectively treat these types of

problems since the drug only targets one of the factors, not all of them.

To help you understand a workable solution to chronic medical

problems, let’s start with a question: “Who is smarter, you or a

teenager?”

Obviously, it’s you. Time and experience provides not only a greater

breadth of knowledge but a depth of knowledge as well. This is what

we call wisdom.

The teenager, however, cannot see this because they do not know

what they do not know. Their limitations are greater because they

do not have the experiences to see and understand their current

limitations.

Medicine is the same way. Conventional medicine can do some

amazing things (like certain teenagers) and it has helped many,

many people. However, conventional medicine has only been around

100 – 200 years. It still follows the “one cause (a specific medical

problem), one drug philosophy.

Chinese Medicine has been in existence at least 2,500 years. This

type of medicine has more experience in understanding and dealing

with difficult medical issues - especially those that are due to many

factors contributing to a medical problem.

An example is “herbal medicine” where, over thousands of years,

doctors learned how to combine a number of herbs (anywhere from

4 – 20 herbs) to treat all the factors contributing to the problem while

keeping any side effects to a minimum.

To effectively treat such problems however, one must be realistic.

If the problem does not have an overt cause, it has probably been

developing in the body for months to years and will take a month to

several months to treat.

Depending on the severity and duration of the problem, it may

not be also be able to get back 100% of function, but a significantly

increased level of function is possible in most cases. The alternative

is simply to live with the problem “as is” for the rest of your life. The

choice is yours.

Dr. Kyo Mitchell served as faculty at Bastyr University in Seattle

and Wongu University in Las Vegas for over a decade. Dr.

Mitchell practices in Summerlin and can be reached at 702-481-

6216 or rkyomitchell@gmail.com.

February 2019

Organize Your Life -

New Year, New You!

By: Mary Richard / Health Fitness

OK – here it is February, the second month

of the New Year! How many have already

broken their New Year’s Resolutions? I don’t make resolutions, I make

changes!

One “change” that I’m making this year is to be more organized

with eating habits. It’s planning the grocery shopping and preparing

lunches, dinners, etc. in advance due to my very busy working and class

teaching schedules.

I try to NEVER go grocery shopping on an empty stomach! How many

times have you ventured into a grocery store and gobbled up every

“sample” food tidbit that is offered (especially Costco!) or “somehow”

found some strange item that wandered into your grocery cart?

I admit that I’ve purchased several items at Costco by sampling their

tidbits! Some I would have never purchased, had it not been for the

sample!

Before going grocery shopping, I make a list so I don’t buy those

tempting items that are on the “end caps” of the grocery aisles – those

tempting little goodies that end up in my grocery carts unnoticed!

Try to “pre-plan” some meals ahead of time, so that when cooking

you can make two or three meals at a time. This saves not only precious

time, but also when you get home you are not famished and gobble the

first thing in sight! Sunday nights, I cook up a few dinners labeling

them in individual containers to freeze.

After buying a stalk of celery, I wash it well, then cut them into

smaller pieces and place into a zip-lock bag. When I come home and

while preparing my dinner, I can munch on a few celery stalk. I do

the same with carrot sticks – or better yet, buy a bag of baby carrots to

munch on!

In the morning before leaving for work, I take out from the freezer

what I plan to have for dinner that night. Letting it defrost in the

refrigerator allows me some time for other things when I get home.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND HAPPY HEALTH TO ALL!

Mary Richard is a long term supporter of senior fitness. She

teaches Zumba, toning and dance classes throughout the Las

Vegas Valley. She can be reached at zumbaqueen@cox.net.

The Straight Dope on Dope

By: BJ Killeen / Down the Road

Love it or hate it, marijuana use is now legal

in Nevada, and there are dispensaries all

over town. While many of us grew up in the ’60s

and more than likely have smoked weed in the past, there are hundreds

of variations, and how they will affect you depends on your mind and

body.

If you choose however, to smoke and decide to get in your car and

drive, be aware that the same rules apply as if it were alcohol. Nevada

DUI laws are relatively strict when it comes to impaired driving ability.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana knows no age

limit. If your 19 or 90, you will face the same penalties for breaking

the law.

Here’s what you can expect for a first-offense conviction:

1. Two days to six months in jail, or 24 to 96 hours of community

service.

2. Nevada DUI school at your expense.

3. Fines of $400 to $1,000 plus court costs.

4. Nevada Victim Impact Panel.

5. A 90-day driver’s license suspension.

6. A stay-out-of-trouble order when the case is open (no further

arrests).

Some of you might wonder about CBD, and how it applies here. If

you don’t know already, CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of the

natural chemical compounds of cannabis and hemp.

CBD oil has been in the news lately because there are claims that

it helps everything from anxiety to insomnia, to epilepsy to cancer,

and pain relief; including big benefits to the elderly. Since CBD is nonpsychoactive,

it won’t negatively impact your mental processes, so

you don’t get high, which means it may not impair driving abilities.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be fined or arrested.

If you are stopped and given a blood test, if CBD shows up, you might

be subject to the same DUI laws. If you plan to use or are using CBD or

marijuana for medical or recreational purposes, the best way to use it

is to stay home. Or speak to your lawyer before you decide what to do.

BJ Killeen has been an automotive journalist for over 30 years.

She welcomes all questions and inquiries, and can be reached at

bjkdtr@gmail.com

ONE NIGHT ONLY Saturday, Feb. 23, 6-10 pm

Also Featuring

Spadoni

Pete Ruiz

Hosted by ROB ANDERSON

MAGIC, MENTALISM AND MORE.

5TH ANNUAL

ART WITH A HEART

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Robin Leach

Michelle Shepherd

Does copper stop colds? The Verdict

By: Doug Cornell / To Your Health

After six years and thousands of users,

the verdict is clear – copper stops colds and flu before

they start.

People are boasting they haven’t had a cold for years

since they started using a CopperZap.

“I just don’t get colds anymore the last 5 years,” said

Chris in Vermont.

“I always use my CopperZap at the first sign of a

cold. The copper works

every time,” said Allison,

a nurse who first tried it 5

years ago.

“No colds for 2 years,”

says Susan in AZ, a more

recent buyer.

These are just a few of

thousands who don’t get

colds any more. Many say

they have also stopped

flu.

“I felt the flu starting,

feeling achy and all,” said Diane, a Kansas nurse. “I

used it 2 or 3 times that night and woke up feeling

great.”

Scientists recently discovered that copper kills cold

and flu viruses on contact.

“Viruses and bacteria are rapidly killed by copper,”

reports the American Society for Microbiology.

Copper is anti-microbial, meaning it kills microbes,

including viruses and bacteria, just by touch, says the

National Institutes of Health.

Tests by the Environmental Protection Agency and

university scientists all show the same thing.

“Science confirms copper kills germs,” concluded

Doug Cornell, Ph.D., after studying the research.

“The science is so strong it gave me an idea,” he

says. “Copper should be able to stop colds.”

So he made the first CopperZap in 2012. It is all pure

copper and shaped to reach the bottom of the inner

nostril and touch gently all around for 60 seconds at

the first sign of cold or flu.

He tested it on himself. “I used to get 2 or 3 bad

Experience and research agree, copper stops colds.

(paid advertisement)

colds every year,” he says, “but with a CopperZap I

haven’t had a single cold in 6 years. I have stopped the

flu too.”

His company, CopperZap LLC, has made and sold

over 22,000 so far. Over 99% of people who follow

directions and report say the copper completely stops

their colds.

Many also say it stops sinus trouble, flu, congestion,

cold sores, and prevents colds after air travel.

Mary Pickrell in CO

said, “It opened my sinus

right up. It clears my congestion.

No colds since I

got it.”

Elaine in MD said, “I’ve

had sinus problems most

of my life. I felt better

right away.”

“Best sleep I have had

in years,” said another

gentleman.

Many people are giving

CopperZaps as presents.

“My husband and I love it, so we are giving them as

gifts to our family,” said Lisa in New York.

Judy Kirk in Oklahoma bought 12 for herself and a

bunch of friends. “Some were skeptical, but no one has

had a cold or flu since.”

Word of mouth is also increasing.

“My sister told me she bought one and it really

works,” said Connie in Texas. “So I tried it, and she’s

right.”

“A friend insisted I try it,” said Kari in CT. “I was a

true skeptic. To my surprise it really does work. It’s far

more powerful than I expected.”

It has a 90-day guarantee, yet less than half a percent

come back from people saying it didn’t work. Some of

those people did not read the Directions or use it right.

It costs $69.95 but you get $10 off each one with

code LVV12.

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-

411-6114.

It lasts forever. Made in the USA.

“Listening to The Vegas Voice”

Tuesdays 10-11AM 11AM - 12 NOON

And anytime on:

Thevegasvoice.net

Hollywood Legend

Emmy award winning

actress /producer

Actor/Comedian

Your Hosts:

Rich Natole

and

Jon Lindquist

“The Announcer”

From TV’s WALKER TEXAS RANGER

The Brady Bunch

Actor

Author, Former Pro

Wrestler

Kira Reed Lorsch

James Darren

Clarence Gilvard

Robert Wuhl

Sheree Wilson

Barry Williams

Ted DiBiase

John O’Hurley

“Listening to The Vegas Voice”

Tuesdays 10-11AM

And anytime on:

Thevegasvoice.net

Your Hosts:

Rich Natole

and

Jon Lindquist

“The Announcer”

This is one of my favorite classic movies. And why

not? The film is full of Italian style and grace. The

scenery is breathtaking. The villages are lovely. The

people are charming..., And the pasta, and wine...

Delicioso!

Early Bird

Special!

$ 3499.

Air included

pp dbl. occ

Join Us

“Under The

Tuscan Sun”!

Don’t be left out...

only 10 seats

remaining!

Smart Senior Travelers

By: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker /

Out & About

The late president, George H. W. Bush, liked

to celebrate his birthday by parachuting

out of an airplane. He made nine celebratory drops, seemingly without

injury. And if you’re heavily covered by an ironclad insurance policy,

you can do that, too.

For most of us, though, we’d rather do our flying inside a plane, even

if it’s crowded and uncomfortable.

But there’s good news! Major air carriers, in their quests to be more

profitable, are actually coming up with affordable individual upgrades,

which you can cherry pick to enhance your flights.

Delta is leading the pack by offering extra comfy seating, more

individual floor space with adjustable foot rests, and generous snacks

in their coach sections on many long haul flights. Also if you want

a comfortable break between flights, you can purchase an affordable

day pass to Delta’s air club where you’ll find the hidden delights of

a complementary buffet, luxury seating and resting areas, computer

hook ups, hot showers, news and weather updates, and delightful hosts

who will even keep you apprised of the status of your next flight.

So when my husband Ray and I decided

to host a European tour, Collette’s Spotlight on Tuscany

tour with Florence, Lucca, Siena, and more was a

natural choice. Plus, we’ll actually be under the Tuscan

Sun, and there’ll be no pesky packing and unpacking.

We’ll be staying in the delightful spa resort town

of Montecatini in a four star hotel just a short walk

from the charming city center. In fact, one of my best

friends, Iris Newman, who already had the good sense

to take this trip, has told me that exploring Montecatini,

meeting its locals, and enjoying spontaneous casual

gatherings at the end of the day were unexpected trip

highlights. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy

the Tuscan lifestyle. Call us at:

702/463-0966.

Wow! Local professional airport transfers

provided by Vegas Vacationers for every

Collette Vacation with air!

February 2019

And with a little advance planning, you can phone your nearest

airport and inquire about their complementary wheelchair service.

Offered at most major airports, this assistance for seniors is usually

available whether you’re disabled or not. So don’t be shy.

Getting you safely to your destination is their goal, and you just need

to ask to enjoy this little known service. Plus there’s more good news. If

you provide your complete air schedule to the wheelchair service, they

will make arrangements to transfer you to your connecting flights, as

well.

With all the convenience and time you’ve saved, just before you get

on your flight, don’t forget to purchase a bottle of Gatorade or your

favorite ionized water to drink on board. Getting dehydrated, especially

on airplanes, is a major concern for seniors, but it’s easily remedied. so

drink up, stay healthy and enjoy your flight.

Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker is the Vacation Editor and

the President at Vegas Vacationers. She can be reached at

Merryman2@aol.com

Problems With the Publisher

By: Stu Cooper / Happy Adventures

Publisher Dan always yells at me. “Stu, no

more than 350 words. That’s how long your

article can be. One word more…….and I’m

cutting the article.”

So that’s what I’ve tried to do over all these years. Keep the VEGAS

VOYAGERS “happenings” and my travel experiences over all these

years to that amount of words. It’s not easy.

I’m an attorney by education, and I like to talk and for that matter

write. 350 words takes me about one minute to complete.

Notwithstanding my editorial marching orders, I think I’ve done

a pretty good job. I have always kept our VOYAGERS informed of all

things

ROYAL

related to

CARIBBEAN

travel. I’ve told you all

CRUISE

about our trips

LINE

and offered

travel tips and advice.

I actually saved all my articles on my computer. And I

recently combed through my stored articles. I’m glad I saved

them because it is really nice to look back upon all that was

going on with the VEGAS VOYAGERS and even when this

publication was a “newspaper” then known as the LAS VEGAS

SENIOR LIFE in the early 2000s.

Moving forward, we’re still going strong. By the time you

read this, we will have returned from our second PHAT PACK

cruise on the RUBY PRINCESS. With close to 100 participants, I’m sure

we’ll have some great memories.

And later this year we have a number of “BUS TO THE BOAT”

options on Princess and Carnival Cruise Lines. Be on the lookout for

our January 25, 2020 cruise on the brand new CARNIVAL PANORAMA.

Carnival’s newest ship will be sailing beginning December 2019 from

Long Beach.

Finally, consider travel to the Holy Land/Israel on our “Daily Love

& Grace” tour hosted by BRUCE EWING. Departing September 2nd it

will truly be a lifetime experience. The full air/land cost with a nonstop

flight to Las Vegas on EL AL is $4,749 per person based on double

occupancy.

2019 is proving to be a special year for the VEGAS VOYAGERS. I hope

to see you on one of our trips. As always Happy Adventures. Oh, by the

way 349 words.

BUS TO THE BOAT

CARNIVAL MIRACLE

14 NIGHT HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

OCT. 19 - NOV. 2, 2019 • BALCONY $2,499 pp

CARNIVAL PANORAMA

INAUGURAL SAILINGS

7 NIGHT MEXICAN RIVIERA

JAN. 25 - FEB. 1, 2020

INSIDE $999 • BALCONY $1,299 pp

Call Stu

www.Vegasvoyagers.Com

Email: Fairtravel@Aol.Com

February 2019

800 698-1101

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE

Sept. 6 - 16,

2019

ADVENTURE

OF THE SEAS

10 NIGHT

FALL FOLIAGE

NORTHBOUND CRUISE

Departs Cape Liberty, NJ, visiting Bar Harbor, Portland,

St John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, disembark

Quebec City

www.Vegasvoyagers.Com

Email: Fairtravel@Aol.Com

800 698-1101

Inside Cabin

Ocean View

Balcony Cabin

$1,739 pp

$2,029 pp

$2,289 pp

Prices are per person based on double occupancy, subject to availability and

includes your cruise, all port charges, taxes, fees and roundtrip air fare from Las

Vegas to New York and back from Quebec City and airport transfers in New

York and Quebec City. A deposit of $450 per person is due at the time of booking

and is fully refundable until June 1, 2019 when the final payment is due.

February 2019

RUBY PRINCESS 12 NIGHT

ALASKA - BUS TO BOAT

APRIL 23 -- MAY 5, 2019

FROM $ 2,119

CORAL PRINCESS 19 NIGHT

PANAMA CANAL CRUISE R/T from

Los Angeles - BUS TO BOAT

Sept. 29 -- Oct 18, 2019

FROM $ 2,859

ROYAL PRINCESS 7 NIGHT

PACIFIC COAST - BUS TO BOAT

R/T FROM LA - NOV. 9 -16, 2019

FROM $ 1,099

STAR PRINCESS 15 NIGHT

HAWAIIAN ISLAND CRUISE

BUS TO BOAT

Dec. 4 --15, 2019

FROM $ 1,979

CALL STU

1/800-698-1101

BUS TO THE BOAT

February 2019

Venice Casts Its Spell

By: Kathy Manney / Around Our World

We arrived in Venice as the sun fell low,

casting long arms of shadow across the

water. There is a mystical light about Venice,

especially when heavy mists descend. At the waterline, boats bob among

tall poles, many weathered wood, others painted in bright stripes

marking the various docking stations.

One of the most spectacular and unique cities in the world, Venice

spans 117-small islands in the Venice Lagoon, where the gondola is

the most famous mode of transportation and the best way to see Venice.

People have been traveling in them since the 10 th century. Boats and

gondoliers are controlled by a guild requiring gondoliers to have a

thorough knowledge of Venetian history, landmarks and navigation.

Due to corruption, gambling and prostitution, Venice was once

Europe’s Sin City. For centuries the head of state was known as the

Doge, the Doge Place colonnaded walkway combines ornate archways,

intricate cutouts and geometric brick patterns. The often seen winged

lion has prevailed centuries as the city’s symbol.

Once the governing commercial center of Europe, the population’s

wealth and culture were once unparalleled. Venice was an enormously

important commercial capital during the Middle-ages, drawing

merchants from around the world to trade. Banking and check writing

began here.

Gray stones overlay St. Mark’s Square, where balanced on either side

are narrow white marble bands set in a classical design. The design

directs our eyes and feet toward the Basilica, one of Europe’s finest

examples of Byzantine architecture.

The interior veneer consists of millions of ancient gold tiles. It is

often liken to a meringue-topped wedding cake. At the top central

peak we spot a slender statue of St. Mark gazing down into the square

bearing his name.

The fabled Italian water canal city with its salty air smell, distinctive

sounds and spectacular sights certainly casts its spell on all fortunate

to come.

Kathy Manney enjoys visiting interesting places and being an

Adventure Diva. Her “Must See” travel journeys continue - always

with enthusiasm.

February 2019

Speaking to and for Las Vegas

Valley Seniors since 2003

2.19Feb

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