The Vegas Voice 11-19

Winner of 

11 Awards! 

2O19 

November 

For your Health, Wealth, 

and Good Times! 

NEVADA’S MOST POWERFUL SENIOR PUBLICATION 

Veterans 

Day 

So Much to be 

Thankful For... 

Happy 

Thanksgiving! 

Put your home to work for 

you and achieve your 

retirement dreams. 

SEE HOW ON PAGE 7!

“ASK LAURA ABOUT REAL ESTATE” 

Laura Harbison 

Broker/Owner 

B.0026537.LLC/ PM.0164922.BKR 

Seniors Real Estate Specialist ® (SRES) 

Accredited Buyer Representative ® (ABR) 

Graduate, REALTOR ® Institute (GRI) 

Equator Platform Platinum Certification 

Equator Short Sale Agent Certification 

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) 

Advanced Evaluations Certification 

At Home With Diversity (AHWD) 

Broker Price Opinion Resource (BPOR) 

NVS Institute BPO Certification 

Five Star BPO Designation 

Certified Distressed Property Expert ® (CDPE) 

Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist 

(RSPS) 

NAWRB Certified Delegate Spokeswoman 

Distinguished Real Estate Broker ® (DRB) 

Laura@HarbisonRealEstate.com 

www.LauraHarbisonRealEstate.com 

Call Laura Today! 

7022-777-1234 

Lets Make Moving Less Stressful! 

Moving can be a great adventure, but the process of moving may just seem like a 

nightmare. One in five people feel that they would rather have a root canal than spend the 

day moving, and one in two people would prefer to sit next to a screaming baby ... on an 

airplane! Relocating is often not "optional" though, so finding ways to make the process 

less stressful is a must. 

A great strategy is to follow the "Rule of Twos." Create your moving plan two months 

before moving day, and start your packing two weeks before your move. Giving yourself 

eight weeks to plan and execute your move will give you the time to do all that you need to 

do. 

The first step is to make a checklist. A real one, on paper. It needs to include reminders to 

change and/or cancel utility services, schedule cable & internet installation, hire a moving 

company, update your homeowner's or renter's insurance, and to update your address 

EVERYWHERE. 

Carefully plan what you will be packing and moving. Think about the floorplan that you are 

moving into, and don't take items that won't fit (physically or style-wise). Make sure you 

label every box as you will NOT remember what you put in the box (maybe not even 

minutes later, LOL). 

You will need an emergency moving bag. You will want to have easy access to necessities 

like your medications, toothbrush, and other items that you use daily. You should pack this 

bag with everything that you need to survive at least two days, maybe three. Toiletries, 

clothing, a towel, toilet paper, and your cell phone charger are great items to have in that 

life-saving bag! 

Reconfirm your moving company reservation two weeks before the move. Make sure that 

their expectation and yours are the same on the timing, the volume of belongings to be 

moved, are they packing or are you, who supplies the packing materials and mattress 

covers, etc. The more prepared and organized you are on "the day", the better. It will 

decrease your stress level, save you time, and ultimately save you money as well. 

Selling your home or buying a new home can be a stressful process. In my opinion, the 

move itself is stressful enough, so my goal is always to help reduce the stress of the real 

estate transaction by explaining what you can expect in the process up front and helping 

you avoid unpleasant surprises. Education and planning are the key elements to a 

successful real estate transaction, and I will be with you every step of the way! 

Sharing your goals, 

Laura Harbison, ABR, AHWD, BPOR, BS, CDPE, CRS, DRB, GRI, RSPS, SRES 

Realty Executives Southern Nevada Properties 

Broker/Owner License # B.0026537.LLC / PM.0164922.BKR 

770 Coronado Center Drive, Ste. 100 

Henderson, NV 89052 

Office: 702-777-1234 

2 

November 2019

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3

By: Dan Roberts / Roberts Rules 

Last month, my Rana and I flew to Memphis 

to attend the North American Mature 

Publishers Association (NAMPA) annual 

convention. NAMPA is the only non-profit association of “senior” 

publications in the United States and Canada. Its member publications 

cover 37 states and two provinces in Canada with 98 editions. 

The Vegas Voice has been a member for the past three years. We would 

have joined sooner but when yours truly first heard of the organization, 

I believed it was a trade group of pornographers. My bad, my stupidity. 

Anyway at its gala dinner, the organization announced its top awards 

for publishing excellence. The senior newspapers/magazines were 

judged by the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism – widely 

considered one of the top journalism schools in America. 

On behalf of our magazine, this publisher was extremely proud 

receiving 11 NAMPA awards (see next page). With this in mind, let me 

explain my “backstory” and our monthly goal in putting together The 

Vegas Voice. 

In 1975, when and where I first met our travel editor Stu Cooper 

(his involvement has nothing to do with any of this, but he’d be 

disappointed if I did not mention him), we were in a pre-law class. My 

first assignment: A two page paper on a subject long forgotten. 

Trying to impress my teacher with my abilities and knowledge, I spent 

hours writing it up. Once completed, I confidently handed the paper to 

Professor Elliott Landau. He advised me to return that afternoon. 

I arrived as scheduled and he was waiting for me with a look 

and expression that still gives me nightmares. The professor’s only 

statement, “Is this the best you can do?” 

I was stunned. I mumbled “perhaps not” and he allowed me to resubmit 

the paper the next morning. 

As you can imagine, I spent that evening re-writing, re-editing, 

revising a paragraph here and there, adding or deleting a sentence and 

changing a word (or two). I approached him the following morning 

and as before, was told me to come back that afternoon. 

Upon my arrival, his manner was even more glaring and ominous. 

While shaking his head, he demanded to know if what was in his hands 

were really “the best I can do?” The professor (against his “better 

judgment” he scornfully told me) gave me one last chance. 

4 

Is This The Best You Can Do? 

The Vegas Voice Goes Country 

Chase Brown and the Rockin’ Country Band take to the stage at Sun 

City Summerlin Starbright Theater in October. As for the performance 

– “Beyond Fantastic!” 

November 2019 

With NAMPA Executive Director Gary Caligas 

I was terrified. My hope and dream of being a lawyer was shattered 

even before I ever attended a law class. If I couldn’t write a simple two 

page composition, how would I ever submit anything to a judge? 

I remember calling my parents in tears and informing them of my 

overwhelming predicament. And you can imagine the time and effort 

I spent the rest of the night (and very early morning) changing a 

phrase, re-wording every paragraph and making sure I had the correct 

adjectives and adverbs to support my contention. 

I meekly returned that next morning to face him. I will never forget 

his tone when the professor asked that same damn question: “Is this the 

best you can do?” he roared. 

I was beyond freaked-out. Angry and scared out of my wits, I 

stammered: “Yes, it’s the best I can do!” 

“Good” he replied with a smile. “Now I’ll read it.” 

My jaw dropped and after a few seconds (although it felt like hours) 

my mouth began to move. I blurted out: Are you telling me you never 

read the first two submissions? 

His answer stayed with me all these years. “Are you telling me you 

submitted something less than your best?” 

Talk about a teachable moment. 

It remains our goal at The Vegas Voice that we write and publish our 

editions the best we can do. While the judges’ awards and national 

recognition are wonderful, the only “judge” that matters is you – our 

readers. 

By the way, when Professor Landau finally read my paper, he wrote 

this comment: “Keep up this good work and one day you’ll be a very 

fine lawyer.” It was the greatest complement I ever received.

1THE VEGAS VOICE 

MAJOR 

AWARDS 

THE VEGAS VOICE 

DOES IT AGAIN! 

The Vegas Voice 

received 11 awards – 

including five 

“First Place Awards.” 

Awards included: 

1. General Excellence (For 

the entire Vegas Voice family) 

2. Special Sections 

(Political Editor Rana Goodman) 

for her work and efforts 

on guardianship reform in 

Nevada; it’s the 3rd consecutive 

year The Vegas Voice was 

recognized and applauded for 

our reform efforts. 

3. Editorial/Opinion (Publisher Dan Roberts) 

4. Column Review 

(our Yvonne Cloutier’s Musical Moments columnist) 

5. Senior Issues (our Jim Valkenburg’s Insurance Insights columnist) 

6. Travel Column (our Vacation Editor Crystal Sarbacker’s Out & About 

articles) 

7. Overall Design 

(our Graphic Editor Michael Roberts) 

And to cap off the ceremony, Vegas Voice 

President Ray Sarbacker pretty much 

swept the graphic awards categories - 

winning the following: 

8. Front Cover Illustration (for 

his 100th Vegas Voice front page) 

9. Self- Promotion Award (for 

last year’s graphics on winning the 

NAMPA awards – guess he’s going to 

have to “top this” for these awards!) 

10. Best single color ad (for 

his Vegas Vacationers Tuscany ad) 

11. Best Banner (for his front 

page display which was thereafter 

copied by the Las Vegas Review 

Journal). 

Winner of 

9 Awards! 

Winner of 

9 Awards! 

Our 1OOth cover designed by 

our President, Ray Sarbacker 

F O R T O D A Y ’ S A C T I V E S E N I O R S 

F O R T O D A Y ’ S A C T I V E S E N I O R S 

with apologies to 

my hero, Norman... 


February 



GUARDIANSHIP 

VICTORY! 

2015-2019 

SPECIAL FEATURE 

“WE MADE IT” 

PAGES 24-33 


May 



Political Editor Rana Goodman and Nampa Executive 

Director Gary Calligas 

5

6 


PUBLISHER/EDITOR 

PRESIDENT 

VP ADVERTISING 

POLITICAL EDITOR 

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR 

NIGHT LIFE EDITOR 

TRAVEL EDITOR 

RADIO HOST 

GRAPHICS EDITOR 

DIGITAL MEDIA 

VIDEO EDITOR 

PROJECT DIRECTOR 

Adrea Barrera 

John Bielun 

Yvonne Cloutier 

Dianne Davis 

Chuck Dean 

Jan Fair 

Howard Galin 

Susan Goldfein 

Linda Gomez 

Volume 16, Issue 9 

OUR FANTASTIC COLUMNISTS 

PROUD 

MEMBERS OF: 

Ali Guggenheim 

Morris Heldt 

Dan Hyde 

Mike Landry 

Heather Latimer 

Joey Kantor 

BJ Killeen 

Kathy Manney 

Kyo Mitchell 

Dan Roberts 

dan@thevegasvoice.net 

Ray Sarbacker 

ray@thevegasvoice.net 

Debbie Landry 

debbie@thevegasvoice.net 

Rana Goodman 

rana@thevegasvoice.net 

Evan Davis 

evan@thevegasvoice.net 

Sam Wagmeister 

Stu Cooper 

Rich Natole / Jon Lindquist 

Michael Roberts 

Ross Roberts 

Matthew Moore 

Bill Caserta 

bill@thevegasvoice.net 

Aaron Phillips 

Judy Polumbaum 

Mary Richard 

Renee Riendeau 

Crystal Sarbacker 

Jim Valkenburg 

Beverly Washburn 

Vicki Wentz 

About The Vegas Voice 

In 2019, The Vegas Voice received 11 national awards from the 

North American Mature Publishers Association. The awards were for our 

guardianship special efforts, editorial and columns, front page graphics, 

overall design and “General Excellence.” 

The judges found (and we humbly 

agree) that The Vegas Voice puts 

a premium on well-informed 

columnists who cover a lot of bases. 

Serious issues are thoughtfully 

discussed, but there’s enough fun 

to lighten the mix.

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7

8 

Why We are Grateful for 

Seniors 

By: Carol Chapman 

Look around you and notice that the world 

is getting grayer. You can count your 

blessings for this, as seniors add richness to life 

and contribute so much to the community around us. 

This month, as your family sits around the dining room table, 

articulating their “gratefuls,” you might gently, gracefully remind 

them to add seniors to that list, starting with the seniors at your table. 

Here are a few reasons why: 

1. Parents have limited time off, and when their little one decides to 

come down with the flu, who gets to take care of them while they stay 

home from school? 

2. Who sends cards and presents for birthdays and other holidays and 

expects nothing in return? 

3. When adversity strikes, such as a job loss, an accident, or a 

financial hurdle, who prays for the one in trouble and bails them out 

when they’re able? 

4. Car troubles hit on occasion. Who gets the call when the children 

need a ride to soccer, Girl Scout meetings, or playdates with friends? 

5. Who are the most loyal fans, attending band concerts, peewee 

football games, debate tournaments, and other events? 

If you answered Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Great Aunt or Uncle 

to any of the above, you’ve counted your blessings and acknowledged 

the value and quality of life they bring to your family. Give them an 

extra hug and thank them this holiday season. 


You Gotta Laugh 

By: Bill Caserta / Bill’s Blurbs 

Top 10 Reasons to Stay Positive When You 

Burn the Turkey 

1. No one will overeat. 

2. Everyone will think it’s Cajun Blackened. 

3. Salmonella won’t be a concern. 

4. Uninvited guests will think twice next year. 

5. Your cheese broccoli lima bean casserole will gain new found 

appreciation. 

6. Pets won’t pester you for scraps. 

7. Carving the bird will provide a good cardiovascular workout. 

8. You won’t have to face three weeks of turkey sandwiches. 

9. The less turkey Uncle George eats, the less likely he will walk 

around with his pants unbuttoned. 

10. You’ll get to the desserts quicker. 

A Family Thanksgiving: A man in Sun City, calls his adult son in 

New York in early November. The father says to the son, “I hate to tell 

you, but we’ve got troubles in the house. Your mother and I can’t stand 

each other anymore, and we’re getting a divorce. 

The son hangs up and immediately calls his sister in Florida and 

tells her the news. The sister says, “I’ll handle this.” 

She calls her parents and says: “Don’t do anything till we get there! 

We’ll be there Wednesday night.” The parents agree. 

The old man hangs up the phone and tells his wife, “Okay, they’re 

coming for Thanksgiving. Now what are we going to tell them for 

Christmas?” 

And my wish to all readers: I hope your turkey is moist and 

fluffy - and when you’re done you’re nice and stuffy. 

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.

The Grandfather of Rock ‘N’ Roll 

By: Yvonne Cloutier / Musical Moments 

Little is known about the life (1911-1938) 

of Robert Leroy Johnson. He lived only 27 

years. His mysterious death has been attributed to 

poison placed in his moonshine liquor by a jealous husband of one of 

Johnson’s mistresses. 

He was born into a poor family in 

Mississippi and during his life was a 

wanderer. Johnson was a self-taught 

guitarist - who played out of tune, not 

knowing how to tune his guitar. 

It was years after his death with the 

advent of rock ‘n’ roll that he became 

one of the most famous musicians of 

legend - a lost prophet epitomizing 

Mississippi Delta blues. 

In Hoodoo folk belief, popular at the 

time, it was said his talent developed after a visit by the devil. It was said 

that he made a deal with Satan in exchange for help in guitar-tuning. 

Notwithstanding the Hoodoo belief, Johnson took lessons from 

“Ike” Zimmerman in the solitude of cemeteries, where they practiced 

undisturbed. This was after the releases of Cross Road Blues and Me 

and the Devil Blues. 

Sadly, musicians discovered his many innovations after he was gone. 

Johnson was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He was ranked as 5th in Rock ‘n’ 

Roll magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. 

Johnson was known for his complex guitar technics and “corner 

loading,” (which is facing a corner to enhance the guitar’s sound) 

including a dazzling six-string 

technique assimilating Delta slide and 

rhythmic attack. His I Believe I’ll Dust 

My Broom is such example. 

His lyrics were continuous floating 

blues lines amongst his poetic creations. 

Johnson’s accomplishments were 

building blocks for the generations of 

musicians like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton 

and Led Zeppelin - making him an 

early influence on Rock ‘n’ Roll and 

earning him the title of Grandfather of 

Rock ‘n’ Roll. 

Robert Johnson died with only 12 recordings. Nothing was written 

about him before his death. He has only existed in his records. His life 

became a chasm between the man he was and the myth he became. 

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. 

9

We made it through Halloween and now 

we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving. 

So, what does that all mean in the world of 

entertainment? I have no idea except to tell you 

that there’s plenty going on in November. 

You can go to Rocks Lounge in the Red Rock Casino, South Padre 

Showroom at Texas Station, Addison’s Lounge in the Rampart Casino, 

Piazza Lounge at the Tuscany, Club 172 at the Rio, The Commissary at 

the Downtown Grand, the Barrymore in the Royal Resort Hotel, or Vino 

Del Lago Wine Bar in Lake Las Vegas. I think you get the idea, there’s 

plenty to do this month. 

From Jazz to Blues to R&B to 

Pop and, Oh Yeah, how about 

some Disco? Get over to the Italian 

American Club on November 8 th to 

boogie for “Disco Nights.” Singing 

the songs from the Club 54 Disco era 

will be Sonny Charles – the former 

lead singer with the Checkmates 

and 7 years with the Steve Miller 

Band. 

Musical director Ned Mills will 

accompany the Disco Ladies: Nieve 

10 

November Entertainment 

By: Evan Davis / Entertainment Editor 

Malandra, Autumn Grayce Johnson and Nellie Norris (of 

Concerts and Legends) and yes, the dance floor will be open. You can 

always call The Vegas Voice hotline for tickets at 702/755-3799. 

With Hanukkah, Christmas and all the other Holidays in December, 

don’t miss our Holiday Spectacular at Sun City MacDonald Ranch (see 

page 21) on December 7 th. It will feature Bill Fayne and his wonderful 

friends. 

And to end 2019, join us for our New York New Year’s Eve Dinner 

& Show (page 25) at Sun City MacDonald Ranch. Performing and back 

by very popular demand will be Genevieve Dew and Michael Ross 

Nugent. The festivities will start at 6 pm with the New York Times 

Square ball dropping at 9 pm (Vegas time) on our big “live” screen. 

Happy Thanksgiving ya’all. 

Entertainment editor Evan Davis with The Bronx Wanderers’ Vinnie 

Adinolfi. Vinnie was our guest for our monthly Vegas Voice Celebrity 

Corner podcast. 


Join my friend Bill Fayne 

and his friends for our 

Holiday Show 

Vegas Voice Podcast 

LV Suite Honors Jazz Great 

By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places 

The legacy of jazz great Russ Freeman 

will again be presented this month 

when Nathan Tanouye, Clint Holmes and the 

32-piece Las Vegas Jazz Connection present the Las Vegas Jazz Suite, 

a masterpiece composed under the inspiration of Freeman’s late 

widow, Carolyn. Although not Freeman’s work, his inspiration is the 

foundation for the Jazz Connection. 

Freeman, a classical 

jazz pianist/composer 

is considered a major 

figure in the technically 

difficult be bop style of 

jazz developed in the 

mid-1940’s. Songwriter 

Jerry Goldstein added 

lyrics to Freeman’s mid- 

1950’s composition, 

The Wind, which was 

recorded by singers including June Christy and Maria Carey. 

(L to R) Carolyn Freeman with Clint Holmes & Nathan Tanouye 

The Guardian newspaper eulogized his death: “Freeman’s subtle 

pressure made (Chet) Baker play better, Baker’s intuitive improvising 

on the pianist’s original pieces surprised and delighted the composer.” 

Upon Freeman’s death in 2002, his widow Carolyn approached 

UNLV’s Nathan Tanouye to memorialize her husband’s work. The pair’s 

efforts produced five CD’s - two of Russ’ works and led to the formation 

of the Las Vegas Jazz Connection. 

The Las Vegas Jazz Suite, now submitted for Grammy consideration, 

was Carolyn’s initiative, Tanouye recalls, designed to be her tribute to 

the city that the Freeman’s called home. Tanouye, a UNLV graduate 

and current Associate Professor of Jazz Studies credits Freeman, “She 

trusted my artistic judgment and helped qualify me to teach at a major 

university.” 

The work, which was in development for three years, explores 

Tanouye’s and Holmes’ impressions of Las Vegas and its culture in five 

movements: Springtime in the Desert; The Boulevard; The Hustle; 

After (which Tanouye describes as “after the day after”) and Holmes’ 

edgy The Heat. 

“I wrote the music and handed it over to Clint,” Tanouye explained. 

“He’s just a genius. His lyrics are so perfect. He knows how to bring out 

the whole vibe.” 

The three years of work were completed shortly before Carolyn 

Freeman died last July. “It’s a way to pay homage to Carolyn for her 

years supporting the band,” said Tanouye. 

Proceeds of the performance will help fund UNLV scholarships. 

The performance will being at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 10th at 

the new Notoriety Theater inside Fremont Street’s Neonopolis. Tickets: 

www.ForgottenSongFoundation.org. 

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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11

By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories 

Last month, I was invited to the Gene Autry 

Museum in Glendale, California to celebrate 

what would have been the 70th anniversary of 

The Lone Ranger TV series. The Lone Ranger was seen on ABC from 

1949-1957. 

Although I was never on the TV series, I did play the little girl in the 

1956 Warner Bros. movie, simply titled “The Lone Ranger.” 

In the role, I get kidnapped by Indians and… guess who comes to 

my rescue? Ok, that was easy. Of course it was The Lone Ranger, who as 

usual, saves the day. 

I was so thrilled to have been cast in that role because although I 

didn’t know who Clayton Moore was, I certainly knew who the Lone 

Ranger was! Little did I 

know that one day, 63 

years later, I would have 

the honor of meeting 

his daughter. She’s the 

beautiful lady in the 

photo with me. 

The Lone Ranger’s 

sidekick was Tonto 

portrayed by Jay 

Silverheels. Jay was in 

12 

Hi Yo Silver 

The Atomic Saloon Show is a Blast 

By: Dianne Davis / That’s Entertainment 

The Atomic Saloon Show. If you saw Absinthe 

or Opium, the Speigel World productions, 

and loved them, then run, don’t walk, to this 

hilarious show in the Venetian’s Grande Canal 

Shoppes. If it isn’t your cup of tea, if you don’t like over the line humor, 

if profanity doesn’t work for you – then run the other way. 

I loved this raunchy bawdy, absurdly entertaining show. Your first 

clue might be the initials. Atomic Saloon Show: A-S-S. Over the line! 

This is an amazingly talented collection of performers – some of the 

best I’ve seen, with singing, dancing, comedy, acrobats, hula hoops, 

a singing cowboy (with a practically bare butt), a naughty nun who 

juggles ping pong balls out of her mouth and plays the xylophone with 

the balls, Irish folk-dancers, hand tappers, – the usual Vegas Variety 

production. 

Well, not entirely the usual. I’m not even going to tell you what else 

the nun does. 

Great period costumes (many on the skimpy side) bring the old Wild 

West to life as the buxom Boozy Skunkton, the madam of this madhouse 

- actually another kind of house. You know, the kind cowboys visited 

with a few bucks in their pocket. 

Get the picture? Boozy tries to control the absurd activities that are 

practically in your face in the 236 seat theater. This is chaos at its finest. 

It is the Wildest Wild West I’ve seen. 


fact, a member of the 

Mohawk Aboriginal 

People in Canada. 

I loved working with 

him also. From my 

memory, I can tell you 

that, not just in “reel” 

life, but in “real “ life, 

they actually seemed 

to have that “special 

bond” and it came 

across so well on screen. I truly believe it was because their friendship 

was the real thing. 

Today, Clayton Moore would be 105 years old, so finding someone 

who is still alive and could talk about him on stage wasn’t an easy task. 

Somehow (and thankfully) Dawn Moore had them track me down. 

It was my privilege and honor to do so. In today’s world, we have 

many “Superheroes,” but for me, I will always smile as I realize what a 

lucky girl I was to have worked with the Lone Ranger and Tonto. 

Until next time remember... the most valuable possession we can 

own is a kind heart. 

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. 

Eric Kabik for Spiegelworld 

The London Times said in its five-star review, “It’s like Blazing 

Saddles with sex on the brain. A ridiculously enjoyable show.” The show 

previewed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it was a huge hit. 

Leave some time to check out their creative liquid libations. Or look 

into a dinner and show package with Smith & Wolinsky. 

If you enjoyed Absinthe and/or Opium, this is for you. Leave your 

inhibitions at home and go see the Atomic Saloon Show. 

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.

13

By: Adrea Nairne-Barrera / 60s to 60 

What is the one question I ask my husband 

every day? It’s always the same and the 

answer is always the same. 

No matter how prepared I think I am, 

we go through this over and over and 

over again. You would think at our age 

we could get it answered. “What do you 

want to do for dinner?” 

There are no less than 20 restaurants 

around us and we know every menu item 

by heart. Some servers actually know I 

hate garnish on my food too. 

Whether or not we eat at home hardly 

comes into play with my schedule. I’m 

never prepared to cook, he doesn’t cook 

and if I buy things to cook, they spoil 

in the fridge waiting for one of us to do 

something. 

But if I go to the market on the way home to buy something to 

make, it’s too late to cook because the desired eating time passed an 

hour before I got home. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of being a 

domestic goddess. 

14 

Downtown Abbey 

By: Renee Riendeau / Movie Revelations 

Downton Abbey is PBS’S highest rated series 

of all time! By season three, PBS reported 

twenty four million viewers, beating out broadcast 

and cable news. 

The actors have a ball with fun and games, and you will too, unless 

you and the TV series have never had a chance to cross paths. I have 

never known anyone who started watching and didn’t continue to 

finish the series. 

It was mesmerizing and each episode couldn’t come fast enough. 

Such a disappointment when the sixth seasons ended in 2016! 

Twenty of the original actors made it to the big screen. Absent was 

Lily James, but the other prominent actors were Hugh Bonneville, Jim 

Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, and the incomparable 

Maggie Smith. 

Director Michael Engler and screenwriter Julian Fellows recreate the 

chemistry of the show. The movie picks up where the PBS series left off. 

The movie exceeds all expectations by doing what the combo has been 

good at: passion, patience, and perfect timing. 

A partial thumbnail sketch of this story: A century ago, the wealthy 

Crawley family and their servants lived in an enormous British country 

house. As the movie opens, they receive a letter announcing King 

George V and his wife are taking a grand tour of Yorkshire using the 

houses of aristocracy as free hotels. 

You can imagine the uproar in the Crawley house when they discover 

The Question That Never Gets Answered 


that the King and Queen 

travel with their own set of 

servants and that much of 

5 

their food had already been 

prepared. 

This is where the plot 

thickens and you must see 

for yourself how all of this 

plays out. I give this film, five boxes of buttered popcorn. 

And, as always, I hope to see YOU at the movies. 

Renee Riendeau is the movie critic for “Renee’s Revelations” 

on Anthem Alive SCA-TV. As a dog sitter she operates “ Renee’s 

Roommates” out of her home and can be reached at 

rriendeau@aol.com. 

The idea of calling a delivery service is not appealing unless you’re 

stuck home sick and absolutely must have chicken soup from the deli. 

Anyway, that process takes over 1-2 hours and by then we’ve landed on 

the couch for the nightly TV marathon. 

My friend suggested living by crock 

pot. Not happening. After a few of those, 

they all taste the same and the urge for 

Mallomars or Baskin-Robbins takes over. 

Then there are frozen dinners. So 

many advertise healthy alternatives and 

yet, dried up string beans and no-salt 

saucy chicken in a microwave is good for 

you because you can’t stand to eat it and 

therefore you involuntarily diet and get 

healthy. (Reminds me of “alternative 

facts” but that’s a whole other article.) 

Rummaging around the fridge is that 

last resort and by that time it’s 7:00 or 

8:00 and old people don’t eat after 6:00 

pm - or so I’m told. They snack and by definition, a snack has no 

boundaries or requirements to be anything but tasty. Problem solved. 

Adrea Nairne-Barrera writes of celebrations, observations & 

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

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15

The Decline in Golf 

By: Mike Landry / Golf Fore Ever 

Playing golf is declining around the valley. I 

know this on a personal level since I belong 

to two golf organizations. Both have been steadily 

losing members for years. 

The Nevada State Seniors Golf Club (NSSGC) which I have 

been a member for the past 18 years will close at the end of 2019. This is 

not a decision that was taken lightly as this club had been in existence 

for more than 45 years. 

At one time, the club had between 350-400 members; a far cry from 

where it currently stands. This year membership dipped to 50 as many 

members aged and can no longer play as they once did. 

For one reason or another, and unfortunately, new golfers just are 

not interested in organized play. The club struggles to get 24 players to 

sign up for each monthly tournament. 

The NSSGC was once the pride of Clark County, but sadly, it will 

disappear in just a few months. 

The Winterwood Men’s Golf Association (home club is Boulder 

City Muni) is doing a little better with around 100 members. About 50 

players participate in each event every two weeks. 

But this club is a far cry from where it used to be. When I joined the 

club some 27 years ago, I was put on a waiting list for two years before 

I was able to join. How times have changed! 

Winterwood is still a great club and I urge all readers to give this 

club a look if you want to play organized golf every two weeks. The club 

is well run by the leadership who keep the play interesting and golf 

affordable - which keeps golfers coming back. 

The Winterwood Men’s Group welcomes all ages, and tournaments 

are handicapped so winning is possible at any level – whether a 0 or 

22 handicap player. 

See you (hopefully) 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 

16 


17

For Guts or Glory? 

By: Chuck Dean / Vet 2 Vet 

In the mid ‘80s it was like a light came on. I 

woke up to the reality of how spending a year 

in a war zone affected you. 

I had some new peculiarities, but since I didn’t understand what 

was going on, I chalked it up to “that’s life, and let’s get on with it.” 

However, I learned that if you put garbage into a can, no matter how 

tightly you clamp down the lid, it will pop off sooner or later. 

That’s why it is called “POST-traumatic stress disorder” - which 

means it usually comes along later on. And heaven forbid if you’re not 

ready when that can explodes. 

It happened that way for thousands of vets and many ended up in 

prison, with broken marriages and shattered lives. For me, I was lucky 

enough to find out before too much damage was done. 

When I did wake up, I didn’t settle for just getting help for myself, but 

was burdened for the sake of other vets who also struggled. That’s why 

I began writing. 

I wanted to get the word out to help vets avoid some unnecessary 

grief. I certainly knew I was no Hemingway but I didn’t let that stop me. 

I began writing simple explanations of PTSD and other transitional 

challenges for vets to understand. I am not a professional therapist but 

knew I could talk to vets in their voice and perhaps help them. 

I began passing on information they may miss from complicated 

literature from the VA. I did not begin writing for the glory of being an 

author, I did it from the guts of being a vet that wanted to help others 

make a better transition. 

My first book “Nam Vet: Making Peace with your Past”, written in 

1987, is still alive and well on Amazon.com. It amazing to see where it 

has landed over the years. 

It’s been a humbling experience for a guy who barely passed his high 

school English courses. 

Welcome home and have a safe Veterans Day. 

In the photo: Nancy Sinatra, General Myers, Joint Chief of Staff, 

and Anthony Principi, the then VA Secretary. 

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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18 


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19

NOW – 

FEBRUARY 15 

Renowned filmmaker 

and artist Tim Burton 

premieres new digital and 

sculptural installations 

created specifically for the 

museum’s unique campus. 

Intimate Ghostly Encounters 

By: Ali Guggenheim / Psychic Phenomenon 

Spectrophilia is a sexual attraction to a ghost 

or the phenomenon of sexual encounters 

between ghosts and humans. Cultures such as 

Arabic, Greek, Hindu and Celtic have folklores that 

involve such encounters. 

With a little research, you can actually find step-by-step instructions 

on how to do so. You can also go to YouTube.com and see some of these 

claims and encounters recorded. 

I know this topic sounds more than a little odd and extremely 

inconceivable. However, I decided to write this article since I have now 

met a few people that spoke with me about such experiences. 

One of these women came to me for a reading. I told her that she 

would be breaking up with her then boyfriend and that she would date 

a much older man. What I didn’t know was that he’d be in spirit form. 

All of these people claimed they never knew the ghost they were, or still 

are involved with, nor, did they seek them out. They also assured me that 

they were not particularly vulnerable at the time of their encounters. 

Some of them claimed the spirit was jealous when live potential 

partners came around. Others were encouraging and considered their 

relations infinite. 

Although, there appears to be no documented scientific evidence 

about this phenomenon, Travel Channel’s “Ghostly Lovers”, ghost 

hunters and movies such as “Ghost” etc., address this topic frequently. 

There are also Shamans that believe that these ghost entities are spirit 

husbands or wives in the spirit realm and may even perform a marital 

ceremony between the two souls. 

20 

NeonMuseum.org 


The people I spoke with expressed that they did not seek these 

encounters. They also had no inkling as to why they were chosen. 

They all shared the same belief that love is a feeling of great magnitude 

that exists on both sides and that there are many ways you can love - not 

necessarily in the traditional way of boy meets girl. 

And… as we already know, the soul knows no time or physical 

boundaries. 

To contact Ali or for spiritual consultations, coaching, workshops 

and readings, email: alivegasvoice@yahoo.com.

21

Last month I told you about my Sun City 

Anthem resident and friend who had been 

tricked into allowing her two adult children to 

take guardianship over her. Suddenly 

the situation turned from bad to worse. 

Although my initial article provided 

this lady anonymity, she asked that I 

share her name with readers so that 

this story might be of help to others. 

Her name is Marianne Chiang, known 

to many of us as Marianne Blaha, a 

very active member in SCA events and 

social circles. 

I ended my article as Marianne, 

publisher Dan, myself and several of her 

supporters headed to Family Court. We 

had medical documentation supporting 

her attempt to end the guardianship. 

In a surprise move however, the 

lawyer her adult children requested the 

court to appoint to represent Marianne, 

Dara Goldsmith, (a former attorney for 

private guardian April Parks; yes that 

April Parks) filed a motion to be excused 

It’s Greed - Part II 

By: Rana Goodman / On My Soapbox 

My friend Marianne Blaha 

from the case. Her reason: “lack of cooperation” from Marianne. 

Ms. Goldsmith introduced another attorney, Dallas Harris from the 

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and asked that she be allowed to 

take over Marianne’s case. 

I immediately reached out to former 

Nevada Assemblywoman Barbara 

Buckley. Buckley was the author of the 

“Protected Person’s Bill of Rights” 

which was part of our guardianship 

reform efforts in the 2017 legislative 

session. 

Ms. Buckley is also the Executive 

Director of the Legal Aid Center. My 

reasoning was to let Buckley know 

of Marianne’s background and my 

relationship and personal knowledge 

with the “protected person” 

I also wanted to make sure that Ms. 

Harris, new to guardianship issues was 

briefed and up to date. I am not willing 

to let this case “fall through the cracks.” 

Oh, and there was another “surprise.” 

Marianne’s son, the primary 

guardian, wants approval from the 

Court to move her into a California 

assisted living facility. Such court 

authorization would end a very active social life Marianne has in our 

community and would forcefully relocate her to a place she knows no 

one. 

He also wants to sell her income property and home in Sun City 

Anthem. 

Forgetting for the moment how Marianne’s children could be so 

callous, so mean and so greedy (you think they care more about the 

welfare of their mom – or her money?) the fact remains that Marianne’s 

future and life is now on the line. 

Thankfully the Legal Aid Center is prepared to fight for Marianne. 

It assured me “that we are on it. All of these issues are anticipated 

to be heard on 11/5 which means all the pleadings will be filed in 

advance of that date. We like our pleadings to be top notch and 

don’t just throw something together.” 

To her credit Buckley is personally taking an interest and assured 

me, “We are working hard on excellent multiple pleadings which 

will be filed.” Obviously, we will tell you the results of Marianne’s 

November court hearing. 

Do I have confidence in Barbara Buckley? The answer is “yes” but I 

am well aware that she is up against a court system that is not broken 

– but fixed. 

For Marianne’s sake, let’s hope justice prevails. 

22 


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

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

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24 


25

Common Questions and Answers 

By: Nick Flores / Loan Educator 

Q 

: What if I have an existing mortgage 

balance? 

This will not affect your eligibility for a reverse 

mortgage, however, at closing your mortgage balance needs to be paid 

in full and you may opt to pay it off with reverse mortgage proceeds, 

or with some other source. If your mortgage balance is greater than 

your reverse mortgage proceeds value, you still may use proceeds from 

a reverse mortgage to pay off the difference to eliminate monthly 

mortgage payments. 

Q: How much can I get out of my home’s equity? 

The maximum loan amount is based on the home value and on 

the youngest homeowner’s age because this is a loan based on life 

expectancy. The expected rate also plays a role in how much HUD will 

allow for you to borrow of your home’s value. 

Q: Will I still own my home? 

Yes. You retain Title with the same rights and responsibilities with 

a reverse mortgage. Maintenance on your home along with paying 

property taxes, insurance and HOA are part of being in good standing. 

The home must be your primary residence. 

Q: Will I have to make monthly payments? 

You are not required to make monthly payments until the loan is 

due, however, you may choose to make a payment anytime. There is no 

prepayment penalty. 

Q: When will the loan become due? 

Only if loan conditions are not met: your home is not maintained 

properly, you failed to pay taxes and insurance or the home is no longer 

your primary residence. 

Q: What are my options when the loan becomes due? 

When the loan is due, you or your heirs will need to repay the amount 

owed. There is always an option to pay off the loan balance in full and 

keep the home, and for this purpose other financed mortgage loans 

could be obtained to cover balance if other funds are not available. 

You can sell the home to pay off the reverse mortgage loan. In a 

down market, your heirs can purchase the property at 95% of the 

current appraised value if the loan balance exceeds current appraised 

value to keep the home. 

26 


Thanks for the Experience 

By: Morris Heldt / A Senior’s P.O.V. 

We are entering the season to be thankful 

and to give. I am thankful that I am 

retired from “Hollyweird” and I moved to 

Henderson where I had the pleasure of working part time for several 

years under the guidance of Bob Cooper and Jeff Leake, who managed 

the Economic Development Department for the City of Henderson. 

I helped with the creating and assisting of writing brochures, letters, 

etc. to entice companies to relocate to Henderson. Both Bob and Jeff did 

a great job in soliciting many new businesses to settle in Henderson and 

adapt their business to the motto: A place to call home. 

Now Bob, Jeff and I have fully retired. Though Jeff is still a relatively 

a young man, (early fifties) he still believes in growing the Las Vegas 

Valley, and more importantly, giving back. 

I learned a few weeks ago after having dinner with Jeff and his funloving 

and also civic minded wife, Debbie, that Jeff was volunteering 

with the group SCORE. It is a wonderful organization that provides 

free and confidential business advice to entrepreneurs on starting a new 

business or growing an existing one. They do this by providing one-onone 

mentoring and group seminars. 

I bring this information to readers because I’m sure many of you 

have experience in business and would love to share your knowledge 

with people that are hungry for someone trying to learn. This is a way 

to give, or “pay it forward” if you will. 

With that in mind, and entering the season of giving, I suggest you 

please take a look at the SCORE website: www.lasvegas.score.org. This is 

one place where one person can make a difference. 

What is common knowledge to you through your many years of 

experience in your fields of endeavor might just be the lighting of a fire 

under a new company, or individual, which will make life a little better 

for all of us. And in my thinking, that has to be the ultimate gift. So, 

please think SCORE for the holidays. 

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. 

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27

The Public in Public Radio 

By: Judy Polumbaum / Our View 

If you aren’t helping to “save” Nevada Public 

Radio, consider it. Senior (and student) 

membership starts at a mere $30 a year. KNPR is 

facing a fiscal crisis. 

Public radio stations pay for national programming based on 

listenership, while relying financially on member dues, corporate 

sponsorship, and a bit of federal money. Growth in listeners has outpaced 

growth in members. Revenue has fallen behind expenses. 

We want public radio to endure. Upon moving to Las Vegas from Iowa 

City two years ago, I joined at the basic level of $60 per year. 

28 


To be frank, I’ve been disappointed with my new station. It’s my 

essential portal to the National Public Radio programs I came to know 

listening to Iowa Public Radio. But KNPR needs to kick up its local and 

state coverage. 

Nevada’s public radio station should be gushing original news – 

about gaming, tourism, labor, mining, ranching, arts and culture, 

and above all, politics. We get one hour per weekday (two, counting 

the repeat) of solid local programming: “State of Nevada,” the 9 am 

(rebroadcast at 7 pm) interview show. That’s it. 

Iowa holds the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. New 

Hampshire’s primary comes next. Nevada caucuses are the third test. 

Nevada and Iowa each have about 3 million residents, New Hampshire 

some 1.5 million. Nevada has by far the best claim to representing 

America: Hispanics, Asians, African Americans and other minorities 

constitute half the state’s populace, whereas minorities account for just 

8 percent in New Hampshire and 13 percent of Iowans. 

In Iowa, presidential wannabes vie for public radio time. “State of 

Nevada” finally has begun interviewing Democratic candidates. That’s 

a start. But not nearly enough. 

According to their websites, IPR has a news staff of 28, and 12 to 

generate and handle money, while KNPR lists 11 individuals gathering, 

producing and hosting news, and 17 in fundraising. 

KNPR’s 2018 operating budget was about $7.6 million, with nearly 

$2.4 million directed to fundraising. IPR’s budget of about $6.2 million 

put $1.2 million into fundraising. 

There’s a saying: “Content is king.” Maybe less begging and more 

journalism will bring bigger rewards. The station has my minimal 

loyalty, but not yet my love. 

Judy is a professor emerita of journalism and a transplant to 

Las Vegas from New England via China, the West Coast and the 

Midwest.

Medicaid - No Longer a Benefit 

By: Jerry Creed / Trust Jerry 

Can you have Medicaid pay the high price of 

a skilled nursing or memory care facility 

and keep most of your Nest Egg intact? Yes, with 

proper planning. 

A brother and sister came to my office. 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. 

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 

received no inheritance and had lost years of work. 

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

memory care 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. 

Had this family met with an Elder Law attorney much earlier, the 

house could have been saved for the two children, and probably half of 

the remaining community property could have been used to improve 

their father’s quality of life while still having Medicaid pay for the 

expensive care. 

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Contact and Elder Law attorney 

today. 

29

Goodbye, Old Friend 

By: BJ Killeen / Down the Road 

It was 1949, and the baby boom was in full 

swing. It was also the year Volkswagen 

introduced the Beetle to America. Few cars have 

reached the same status icon as the affectionately known “Bug.” 

I’ll bet many of you have either, at one point in your life, owned a 

Beetle or had a friend who owned one. They could float, the air-cooled 

engine could be fixed with a rubber band and a stick of chewing gum, 

and one even beat Ferraris in a fictional movie (we love ya, Herbie!). 

The VW Beetle comes close to the cockroach as the only bug who 

would survive Armageddon. 

But the time has come, once again, to bid farewell to one of the most 

popular cars ever created. While the Beetle’s history is more infamous - 

commissioned in the 1930s by Hitler as the people’s car (volks wagen) 

the Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche of 911 sports car fame. 

After the war, the British took over the factory and continued to 

produce the popular hardtop coupe. By 1972, the Beetle had sold over 

15 million units, and replaced the Ford Model T as the best-selling car 

in the world. 

The Beetle ceased production for a while, then reappeared as the 

“New” Beetle in 1998. The third-generation Beetle ran from 2012 until 

this year, when the car will be retired yet again. Total sales of the Beetle 

are upward of 22 million. 

The 2019 Beetle will be the last in a long lineage. Over the decades, 

About That Hair Color 

By: Linda Bateman-Gomez / Timeless Beauty 

I 

’m still not quite ready to go the all-natural 

route and sport grey locks but am trying to 

avoid monthly appointments for a permanent dye 

session. I am therefore continuously in search of products that allow 

me to disguise the grey until I can’t get away with it any longer! 

Since finding colors that don’t contain peroxide or ammonia are no 

longer easy to find in the USA I have been ordering a version of Clairol 

online as it is still sold in the UK. 

I stumbled on a new product at Ulta called dpHUE gloss. It is a 

semi-permanent hair color and deep conditioner that is available in 

several colors. 

It was much pricier at $35 a bottle than the UK Miss Clairol, but I 

the styling has remained, but, thankfully, safety, interior features, 

performance, and technology have not. 

Today’s Beetle is better in every way yet retains all of the reasons why 

people fell in love with it in the first place: affordable, adorable and fun 

to drive. A testament to the love for the Beetle can be seen in myriad 

car clubs around the world, as well as never-ending adulation from 

Hollywood filmmakers. 

Will there ever be another Beetle produced from Volkswagen? 

According to Hinrich Woebcken, former President and CEO of VW, 

“Never say never.” 

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 

had a coupon and decided to give it a try. Anything I can buy right off 

the shelf is certainly a bonus - especially if shopping online is not your 

thing! 

I bought 2 bottles as it had a light brown and dark brown and I 

wasn’t sure which would be best. I looked up the information online 

first, as I do with almost anything I buy now for user warnings and saw 

the heads-up about getting it in on your hands. Take note: wear gloves 

and old clothes with this stuff because it does stain. 

I followed directions and having used both the brown colors I must 

say that I am pleased with the results. It is definitely a more permanent 

color than the Clairol and it has left my hair really nice and soft. 

A bonus of this product, compared to many others on the shelf, is that 

it has no ammonia or peroxide and it smells nice. The color does last so 

test a small area first in case you don’t like it. 

The downside is that it is expensive compared to other drugstore 

alternatives. 

And the reviews for the red hair color were not good, so I would likely 

not use that color if that’s your shade. Otherwise, it is definitely nice to 

have a new go-to for my hair coloring trials. 

30 


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.

31

46 

Bedroom Safety 

By: Heather Latimer / Heather’s Self-Help Tips 

Do you have a picture hanging above your 

bed? Take it down! If an earthquake or 

other tremor occurs it could crash and cut your 

face, knock you out or even kill you. 

Another hazard that you might like to guard against is falling out of 

bed. You may believe it couldn’t happen unless you occupy a narrow 

bed. But what about a California King if you toss and turn about whilst 

you are sound asleep? 

Here’s a quick and easy way to counteract that possibility. Obtain 

two lengthy pool-noodles from a sports store. Place one on each side of 

your bed. When you turn in your sleep and touch those creepy-feeling 

squeegees you’ll draw back in a hurry and save yourself from landing 

on the floor. 

Physical therapist, Teri Taylor MSPT, recommended solving that 

problem by purchasing a bed rail from Walgreen’s Online Store. On 

their website, you’ll see many versions of a product that reaches along 

the whole length of the bed. 

Teri ordered a “Standard Home Bed Rail” for $79 for one of her 

patients. She needed a grab bar to hold on to for a few minutes to 

regain her balance before heading to the bathroom at night. 

Medicare does not pay for what are described as “adaptability items” 

whether purchased via computer or in a store. However the online price 

is non-taxable and includes free shipping direct to your home. 

Heather Latimer is a nationally recognized specialist in making 

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

latest non-fiction “How To Overcome Once-Easy Tasks That Are Now 

Pains In The You-Know-What,” can be found at: amazon.com/ 

heatherlatimer/howtoovercomeonceeasy. 

Imagination and Creativity 

By: Pamela Winger / Guest Artist 

That is what my art is to me. My pieces are 

very personal. Each and every piece I do 

speaks to me. 

I use acrylic and mixed medium on canvas or 

watercolor paper. My art is always evolving and color is very important 

to me. When I am working on my 

art, I am totally involved. 

There is no space or time – I am in 

joy and the world becomes peaceful. 

I dream of my creations and the 

enhancements I use in my work. I 

am always creating - whether it is 

in art or in my personal life. 

Please contact me if you are 

interested in my art or if you would 

like a special art piece to be done. 

My contact is pamelawinger@ 

gmail.com. 

32 


BROADWAY S 

VEGAS® SEASON 

JIMMY BUFFETT’S 

Set Your Mind on Island Time. 

NOV 26 - DEC 1, 2019 

TM & © 1957, 2019 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, LP. 

JAN 7 - 12, 2020 FEB 4 - 9, 2020 

MAR 10 - 15, 2020 APR 14 - 19, 2020 JUNE 23 - 28, 2020 

HAVE A SEAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS 

Gift cards are available in any denomination 

and can be redeemed for shows at The Smith Center. 

Visit TheSmithCenter.com or call 702.749.2000 to purchase. 

www.TheSmithCenter.com 

702.749.2000 | TTY: 800.326.6868 or dial 711 | Group Inquiries: 702.749.2348 

361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106 

33

Give Where You Live 

By: Jamillah Ali-Rahman / Friends of 

Parkinson’s 

As we enter this season of 

giving, I encourage you 

to reflect on what matters to you and what you can 

do to make a positive impact on the city we all call 

home. Give where you live is our mantra at Friends of Parkinson’s 

because it makes sense and it truly makes a difference. 

Every dollar you give to us stays here to help your neighbors, 

colleagues, strangers and friends. 

As head of this non-profit, my mission is to help Parkinson’s victims 

move, write, laugh, sing and dance their way to a better quality of life. 

However, while raising awareness and money for Parkinson’s is my 

purpose, I know it may not be yours. 

I am striving to grow the culture of donating in Las Vegas. My 

goal is to inspire you to experience the joy, satisfaction and personal 

enrichment of giving your time, talents and dollars to a cause that 

touches your heart. 

So look around, do some research, ask some questions and give, 

give, give where you live. When we live in a community of givers, we 

all prosper. As the saying goes, no one has ever become poor by giving. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 

To learn more about our mission or to make a donation visit: www. 

friendsorparkinsons.org. 

Jamillah Ali-Rahman is the Founder/CEO of the Friends of Parkinson’s 

Inc, a Nevada 501(c)3 nonprofit. www.friendsofparkinsons.org. 

How Do You Eat an Elephant? 

By: Aaron Phillips / Healthy Voice 

At my one year gastric sleeve anniversary 

appointment with my surgeon, he shared 

some sage advice. He said that the only way to 

the benefits of the gastric sleeve surgery was to stay compliant to the 

program. 

Makes sense, doesn’t it? Any successes we have had in our lives, 

we tend to continue to do regularly in order to maintain the level of 

success that was achieved. 

In order to make changes in your life, you need to start crawling 

before you can walk. So, when it comes to a healthy lifestyle, pick only 

one thing that you can easily change and stick to it for a week. 

For instance, instead of having a bag of candy in the house, exchange 

it for a bag of pre-sliced apples to have at the ready. By the end of that 

week, that one small step has become a habit. 

Then going into the next week, select another nutritional step to be 

changed to build upon that first step. Step 2 can be drinking six 8-ounce 

glasses of water a day. This is important to protect against dehydration 

as well as keeping your kidneys healthy. 

Then add another step the next week and so on. After a month of 

habit building, you will be surprised as to how easy it was to start a 

healthy life. And more importantly, to continue building on your 

healthy foundation by staying compliant. 

The answer to the headline is well known: “One bite at a time.” The 

same can be said for healthy living. 

You cannot get healthy overnight. It takes one “step” or one “bite at 

a time” to become healthy and to “eat the whole elephant.” 

Aaron Phillips is a member of The LV Entertainers Hall of Fame, 

podcaster, producer, author, emcee, broadcaster, and talk show host 

on Vegas The Network. Feel free to contact him Aaronphillipslv2018@ 

gmail.com 

Love Our Magazine? 

Support Our Advertisers! 

And don’t forget to say 

you saw their ads in 

34 


10 Home Security Tips 

By: Jim Valkenburg / Insurance Insight 

We all need to be aware of the many types 

of security actions we can take to prevent 

home burglaries. Here are a few ideas: 

1. Landscape with safety in mind. Walk around 

your property and see if there are any potential areas a thief could hide. 

2. Lighting is important! Outdoor lights can be the difference 

between a robber targeting your house – or not. Motion sensor lights, 

LED (bright) lights and automatic lights at strategic parts around your 

house can encourage the thief to move on. 

3. Protect outdoor 

valuables – be sure to 

secure your grill, bicycles, 

etc. And for heaven’s sake 

don’t leave your garage 

door open. Some folks 

open their door a foot 

or two for ventilation 

which makes it easy for 

a thief to go under, open 

the door and walk away 

with valuables from the 

garage. 

4. Always lock your 

home, even if you are 

out for only a few minutes. Many burglars just walk in through an 

unlocked door or window. 

5. A spring latch lock is easy prey for burglars – they can just merely 

slip a plastic credit card against the latch tongue, depress it and unlock 

the door. A deadbolt stops this. 

6. If you lose your keys, change the locks. If you have given a key to 

anyone and they no longer need it, change the locks. Employ the same 

idea if you have keyless entry – change the code. 

7. To keep your tools or other items from being stolen, paint the 

handles. Thieves don’t steal anything that can be easily identified. 

8. You can burglar-proof your patio door by setting a pipe or metal 

bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide – or just cut a broom 

handle to the correct length. 

9. Install a peephole in the door separating the house from the 

garage. This way, if you hear something suspicious in the garage, you 

can check without opening the door. 

10. Purchase a “Ring doorbell” or similar device for both the front 

and back of your home. This gives you cameras and alerts to your 

phone if anyone approaches your home. 

There are so many things you can do to provide home security and 

many are free or inexpensive. Protect what is probably your biggest 

asset – your home. 

Super Summer Theatre & 

Speeding Theatre Present: 

House of Tomorrow 

A Play by Susan Shear 

This production weaves together believable, humorous, and touching 

stories about seniors facing life with vigor, keeping their lives (their 

houses) open to remodeling, their dreams big, their hopes high!! 

December 5,7,12, & 14 at 7 pm 

December 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 2 pm 

At the Super Summer Studios 

4340 S. Valley View Blvd, Suite 208, 

Las Vegas, NV 89103 

Tickets: $20 at Box Office 

(Mon.-Fri. 9am-3pm; 702-579-7529) 

$22.50 on supersummertheatre.org 

This performance is made possible by ArtAge Senior Theatre 

Resource Center, www.seniortheatre.com 

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. 

35

Another Year Almost 

Done - Any Progress? 

By: Mary Richard / Health Fitness 

November 2019 - another year coming to a 

close. How much exercise have you done? 

Have you lost weight… or gained? 

Don’t fret. If you feel good, don’t feel that the scale rules your life. 

As I approach my 75th year on earth, I am in a very good place 

in my life. I have great friends and family, a home, two beautiful fur 

babies, great jobs at The Smith Center and my aerobic classes. I live in 

a beautiful community which offers so many activities. 

If you do not feel you are getting as much exercise as you think you 

need, it’s never too late to start. Our weather is cooler now, so walks 

around the community or a park is a great beginner. 

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea 

By: Kyo Mitchell / A Healthier You 

lot of people snore. 

A In the back of your mouth and going down 

your throat, there are three soft tissue structures 

which can interrupt the airflow. They are the soft palate, the tongue and 

the epiglottis. 

As we age, these tissues lose their rigidity and when you lay down, they 

can cover the airway and obstruct air flow for a period of time. Snoring 

is the passage of air past these structures creating sound similar to how a 

wind instrument works. 

“I get all the exercise I need.” That phrase is spoken frequently, yet 

those words can describe different scenarios. 

I hear that from people I have met at the Fitness Center where I live. 

They may play billiards, walk the dog, play cards or do some other type 

of activity. 

They say, “I am on the go all the time. I take care of my spouse and 

house, do some gardening or…..(fill in the blank).” These people do 

indeed move around a great deal during their waking hours. 

They may rarely sit, but they may never go to a gym or for an exercise 

walk. They may be physically active, but they don’t exercise. 

Doing something is always better than not doing anything. However, 

we need to have a combination of both – physical activity and exercise. 

Being more physically active has positive health benefits, however, 

exercise best ensures a balance of fitness. 

Aerobic exercise is probably the most common form of exercise. 

It improves cardiovascular endurance - the body’s ability to take in, 

transport and utilize our oxygen level at the most efficient method. 

It strengthens the heart, allowing us to breathe easier and helps with 

sleeping. 

Start out slow and gradually build up. You will benefit tremendously 

and feel better for it! 

Positive attitude and good 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. 

36 


Mild obstruction is not a problem but when these structures cut off the 

air flow as you sleep, this is called obstructive sleep apnea, an unhealthy 

condition. There can also be a problem with your brain in which it does 

not regulate your breathing in a healthy way called central sleep apnea. 

This air flow obstruction causes a number of problems. Obviously, 

your body is not getting oxygen properly. Oxygen is necessary for human 

beings, because without it, our cells cannot make the chemical energy 

needed to function and survive. 

One of the most vulnerable types of cells to a low level of oxygen are the 

neurons in the brain (brain cells). This is why a person with sleep apnea 

becomes less sharp mentally. 

Where most people think bringing in oxygen is the most crucial aspect 

of breathing, over the short term, it is not. When a person breathes out, 

they breathe out carbon dioxide. 

Carbon dioxide is one of the end products of the process by which cells 

make energy. The carbon dioxide also regulates the pH of the blood. 

For those who never took chemistry, what this means is that the 

inability to properly breathe out carbon dioxide will make your blood 

more acidic quickly. This changes the environment in the cells. 

Structures begin to break down. Chemical reactions do not happen 

like they are supposed to and if allowed to progress, the condition can 

become serious - even lethal. 

The breathing process is a very dynamic function. Your body 

consistently monitors your blood pH and changes your breathing pattern 

to keep conditions within very tight parameters. 

Sleep apnea disrupts this function. That is why it needs to be addressed 

before it damages your health. 

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.

Withering Heights 

By: Susan Goldfein / Susan’s Unfiltered Wit 

Once upon a time there was a girl, who, at 

age 13, reached her adult height of five 

feet-six-and-a-half inches. She towered over her 

friends, who had achieved only five feet-two or 

three. 

As a result, she felt BIG. Like Gulliver surrounded by Lilliputians. 

BIG was not a good thing to be at that age. Standing last in line with 

two other “tall” girls was one thing but standing behind the boys made 

her feel as awkward as Wilt Chamberlain at a Little People’s convention. 

When they socialized with the boys, her friends looked cute. She did 

not look cute. She was too tall to be cute. 

But cuteness was what she craved. She hated her height. 

Fortunately, as the girl emerged from her self-loathing teens, she 

learned to embrace her tallness. Standing erect replaced her roundshouldered 

posture. Her height gave her confidence, a certain strength. 

Now she was glad not to be petite. (Not that there’s anything wrong 

with petite; some of her best friends were). 

She no longer considered “cute” complimentary when applied to 

her. In fact, she wished she was taller, maybe five-eight, or nine. She 

wore high heels and no longer minded if she was taller than a male 

companion. 

The girl, now a woman, eventually crossed that point of no return 

called middle-age. In order to foster wellness, physical check-ups were 

now a required annual event. 

She would fast for two days before the appointment to lessen the 

devastation of the ever-increasing number on the scale. And why did 

the nurse always weigh you before you took your clothes off? 

Height measurement? Never gave it a second thought. That is, until 

the year that same nurse told her she was five-feet-five. 

“No I’m not,” she responded with indignation, “I’m at least five-six.” 

“Sorry dear,” the nurse replied, “like the scale, the ruler doesn’t lie.” 

Fast forward to the present. Obviously, the girl in the fairy tale is 

yours truly. 

Now well past middle age (unless the life span increases to 140 

years), I’m victim of that malevolent force that each year causes weight 

to go up and height to go down. But where are the inches going? I’m 

fairly confident my legs are not 

shrinking. 

Therefore, it must be my torso 

that’s disappearing. If this trend 

continues, will my boobs one day 

get caught in my belt? 

I wonder if I’ve been inflicted 

with a biblical punishment for 

being a whiny teen or an adult 

with too much tall pride? Or is it 

simply time that is compressing 

my spine? 

Does it matter? I’m doomed to 

spending my final years looking 

up at my granddaughters. 

I know the secret to successful 

aging is accommodation, so I will adapt. I will learn to be happy with 

my new, smaller stature. I’ll also avoid standing near tall women. 

But I warn you, when I’m 90, if I hear anyone call me a “cute little 

old lady,” I will lift my walker and beat them over the head. Or whatever 

body part I can reach. 

Susan Goldfein’s newest book, How to Complain When There’s 

Nothing to Complain About, is available at Amazon.com, BN.com, 

Read her blog at: www.SusansUnfilteredWit.com. Email Susan: 

SusanGoldfein@aol.com. 

37

By: Dan Hyde / Call to Action 

Last month’s column on Climate Change 

where I suggested that private business 

should be the catalyst for mitigating the impacts 

of the worldwide carbon footprint (and I should 

have added greenhouse gas emissions pollution) sure hit a raw nerve! 

I was gratified to receive a litany of responses; over 30 in writing (see 

Guest Column as but one example) and in-person - both pro and con 

to my proposal. To my amazement, the opinions of the majority were 

that climate change is a “naturally occurring phenomenon” and that 

“alarmists” are making matters appear worse than they are! 

Further, they contend that over the 

estimated 4 billion year lifespan of this 

planet, changes in climate are not only 

“normal” but to be “expected.” They further 

claim that the “doomsday naysayers” are 

creating such an atmosphere of hysteria 

that any rational dialogue to discuss any 

possible solutions is impossible. 

They are certainly entitled to their 

opinion and I respect that even if they’re 

“wrong.” Any suggestion that the current 

climatic condition of our planet is 

“normal” and should be “expected” is 

pure poppycock! 

Mankind has, without question, been 

the root cause of climate change or, at the 

very least, accelerated its pace. Coal fired 

power plants (that have been around for 

decades spewing millions of tons of garbage in the air that we have all 

been forced to breathe) internal combustion automobiles and diesel 

trucks (that number over 850 million worldwide emitting poisonous 

greenhouse gas emissions powered by filthy oil produced diesel fuel 

and gasoline into the atmosphere such as carbon monoxide) is, 

without any doubt, THE cause of the rapid climate change we are all 

experiencing today! 

My proposal to engage the business community as opposed to 

government intervention is a solution worth exploring. You don’t have 

to bankrupt the planet to save it! 

Dan Hyde is a passionate and effective advocate for the senior 

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

Do you agree with our columnists? 

Did anyone get you angry, make you 

think or simply put a smile on your 

face? Please tell us by forwarding 

your comments, thoughts or 

suggestions to Publisher Dan at: 

dan@thevegasvoice.net. 

38 

What Do You Think? 

Climate Change - Take 2 


Climate Change - Another Theory 

By: Stephen Commander / Guest Column 

few years ago I attended a seminar on 

A Global Warming. Several hundred attended. 

We were informed about the roughly 4.5 billion 

years of Earth’s climate conditions, such as ice 

ages and their disappearance. 

The 4.5 billion years compared to the hundreds of years proposed by 

current “experts” on their Climate Change “theory” is like a grain of 

sand versus an entire beach. 

One explanation for these Climate Change events is the earth, 

over millions of years, changes its orbit around the sun. That change 

probably results in earth’s elliptical orbit - resulting in extreme distance 

from the sun. 

This appears to result in an “Ice Age.” 

Millions of years of continuing change in 

earth’s orbit brings it to a circular rotation 

around the sun and eliminating the Ice 

Age. 

During those billions of earth years, 

there were NO Humans, NO Pollution, NO 

Factories, NO Cars, NO Airplanes and NO 

Cows to justify the claims of those about 

earth’s demise in twelve years due to 

climate change. 

Let me remind everyone of Al Gore’s 10 

science predictions. These items and the 

following quote were obtained by Googling 

Al Gore’s Climate Predictions. 

“On January 26, 2006 the Washington 

Post stated Gore “believes humanity may have only 10 years left to save 

the planet from turning into a total frying pan.” His predictions: 

1. Rising Sea Levels – inaccurate. 

2. Increased Tornadoes – declining for decades. 

3. New Ice Age in Europe – never happened. 

4. South Sahara Drying Up – untrue. 

5. Massive Flooding in China and India – didn’t happen. 

6. Melting Arctic – false 

7. Polar Bear Extinction – they are increasing. 

8. Temperature Increases Due to CO2 – no significant rising. 

9. Katrina a Foreshadow of the Future – false. 

10. Earth Would be in a “True Planetary Emergency” Within a 

Decade Unless Drastic Action Taken to Reduce Greenhouse Gasses – 

never happened. 

Some current seers proposed theories envision a catastrophe in 

twelve years via centuries of climate change which is insignificant to 

billions of earth years. Shorter time frame predictions appear to reflect 

erroneous conclusions. 

Climate Change probably exists mostly via natural causes. LONG 

LIVE EARTH. 

Stephen Commander is a Sun City Summerlin resident and The 

Vegas Voice thanks him for his guest article.

39

Getting Back in the Saddle 

By: Stu Cooper / Happy Adventures 

So my new 

normal 

after my four 

month post open heart surgery has 

changed. Thankfully my only major 

lingering effect is regaining my full sense of stamina. 

Slowly but surely I am getting back to 100 percent. I’ve started cardio 

rehab and go to the rehab center three times a week for the next three 

months. This rehab routine of tread mills, ellipticals, stationary bikes 

and the like is just wonderful. 

However, it still is a process and I do get tired towards the end of the 

day and sleeping is a minor issue as I still have some discomfort in my 

ribs and chest where the surgery occurred. My music and headphones 

is a big help in calming things down in the evening. 

Now that you know more than you ever need to know about my 

recovery, I will tell you why I’m telling you this. I have had a lot of time 

to think and to plan the next phase in our Vegas Voyagers upcoming 

trips. 

We, of course, will continue to provide our “Bus to the Boat” schedule. 

Our next trips being December 4-19 on the Star Princess to Hawaii, and 

January 25-February 1, 2020 on the brand new Carnival Panorama to 

the Mexican Riviera with Bruce Ewing and Philip Fortenberry. We still 

have space on both of these fantastic cruises. 

Starting next month, we are hoping to announce some new ideas 

about cruising. Don’t get me wrong - I love the big mega ships of 

Princess and Carnival Cruise Lines, but as I get older, the hustle and 

bustle of these ships can be overwhelming. 

With this in mind, it’s time to feature smaller “destination-oriented 

vessels.” How about ships that hold no more than 350 passengers? 

Interested in Mississippi River cruising? And how about small yacht 

or sailing vessels cruise options - all over the world? Be sure to look 

in the December issue as we kick off these new and exciting vacation 

opportunities. 

As always feel free to contact us at 800/698-1101 with any questions 

you might have. Happy Adventures to all. 

40 


A Hero of World War I 

By: Kathy Manney / Around Our World 

“ 

Restoring Veterans Day – Remembering 

America’s warriors is often an 

afterthought for many Americans. It’s about 

time November 11th is paid its proper respect.” 

VFW magazine November 2010. 

Despite remarkable combat decorations, Marcelino Serna is 

historically obscure. Serna came to the United States from Mexico in 

1915. 

Two years later, he was threatened with deportation. To validate his 

goal for U.S. citizenship, Serna volunteered for the army. 

Although barely speaking English, Serna completed basic training 

and was sent to fight World War I in France. When his command 

discovered Serna’s rudimentary language skills and that he was a 

Mexican citizen they offered him a discharge. He declined. 

As his unit moved north toward the Meuse River and Argonne Forest, 

a German machine gunner killed 12 Allied soldiers. Serna advanced. 

“I jumped up and ran about 10 yards and then hit the dirt,” he told 

the El Paso Times in 1962. “I kept this up until I was on the machine 

gunner’s left flank. He hit my helmet with bullets twice during the run. 

When I got close enough, I threw four grenades into the nest. Eight 

Germans came out with their hands up.” 

Serna later captured 24 German soldiers, then “shot a sniper at 200 

yards and tossed three grenades into a trench. The survivors came out 

with their hands up.” 

Days before the Armistice, Serna was shot in both legs. His rifle as a 

crutch, Serna hobbled to safety. He spent months in a French hospital. 

General John J. Pershing awarded Serna the Distinguished Service 

Cross. France presented Serna two French Croix de Guerre with bronze 

palm medals, an Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra, a French Medaille 

Militaire, French Commemorative Metal, World War I Victory Medal 

with five stars, St. Mihiel Medal, Verdun Medal and two Purple Hearts. 

Serna is among World War I’s most decorated soldiers, nonetheless, 

denied the Medal of Honor “due to his limited English” though he 

spoke neither French nor Italian when awarded their highest metals. 

More than 2-million U.S. troops fought in World War I. On this 

Veterans Day, we stop to honor the more than 22-million veterans who 

have served our country. 

Kathy Manney enjoys visiting interesting places and being an 

Adventure Diva. Her “Must See” travel journeys continue - always 

with enthusiasm. 

41

42 


43

44 

2019-20 Collette 

Spotlight Tours 

Prices shown below are land only, pp dbl. occ. 

Air and transfers are available 

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Washington, D.C. $1899 

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Pushing Up Daisies! 

By: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker / 

Out & About 

Seniors often talk about trips they want to 

take, but they forget we are all running out 

of time. It is amazing how many seniors decide to make travel plans 

for a year or two in the future, because they are feeling really well now. 

They rationalize they need to save enough to get exactly the perfect 

itinerary, the right stateroom or hotel, and the best time of year. On the 

surface this sounds like an intelligent plan, but in reality it denies the 

inevitable and puts the trip of their dreams in jeopardy with the very 

real possibility that it will never happen at all. In fact, over 25% of the 

seniors who book trips with me end up cancelling their vacations due 

to unforeseen health issues. 

In my opinion, when planning a trip of any kind, the most important 

thing to decide is whether you are healthy enough to travel, and can 

you meet the demands of the trip you are considering. If the answer is 

yes, then my recommendation is to get out your trusty credit card and 

go as soon as you can. 

Of course, I am not suggesting you do something crazy and blow 

your entire savings or estate, but don’t wait until next year unless you 

really have no other choice. That’s just tempting fate, and time is the 

most precious thing you have. 

Besides there are many exciting events that can’t be planned very far 

in advance. Is your team going to be in the playoffs? Is your favorite 

going to win the race? 

Have you always wanted to chant “USA” at the Games? These are 

experiences that may occur with little notice but might provide once in 

a lifetime memories. 

We are all close to pushing up daisies and nothing will change that. 

But hopefully we’ll have no regrets when our time comes, and we’ll 

have permanent smiles on our faces for all the fun we’ve had. 

For more information on upcoming games and special events, 

see page 42. 

Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker is the Vacation Editor and 

the President at Vegas Vacationers. She can be reached at 

Merryman2@aol.com

Reducing Water Consumption 

By: Howard Galin / Happy Gardening 

During this time of year, we are urged to 

reduce the amounts of water used to 

irrigate our gardens. From six to three days, and 

finally to one day per week. 

These changes reduce water consumption as well as saving us money 

on our water bills. Reaching these goals can be carried through and 

greatly expanded into the warmer Spring and Summer months by 

implementing a proactive approach of switching to desert landscaping. 

By removing turf and plants requiring large quantities of water, we 

can take significant steps towards reducing water consumption, and 

at the same time save us money. These steps can be taken both on a 

community level (through an HOA or community association) as well 

as on an individual basis by homeowners. 

The Southern Nevada Water Authority will pay homeowners 

and community associations $3 a square foot to remove turf from 

their landscapes. This rebate can cover the cost of turf removal and 

replacement with rock mulch. 

Sun City Anthem has taken on this approach with positive results. 

This association authorized selected turf removal as well as replacement 

of existing vegetation around the main parking lot and two recreation 

centers with drought tolerant species. 

As a result, in the last nine months, SCA saved over 21 million 

gallons of water when compared to the same period last year. This 

water reduction translated into a financial savings of over $72,000. 

Since desert landscaping requires less maintenance as well, future 

labor cost savings can be expected as well. 

Therefore, now is the time for community associations to move in 

this direction. Imagine how much water and money that could be 

saved! 

On an individual basis, moving towards desert landscaping on your 

property can reduce your water bills by 60% during the summer months. 

It can also have a residual effect of reducing required maintenance 

such as landscapers, exterminators, and irrigation repairs. 

By doing this, you and your community will be both “water smart” 

and cost efficient. A “Win-Win” proposition! 

Have any questions? Contact me at: 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. 

45

Play Your Cards Right and You’ll Ward Off Dementia 

By: Jan Fair / A No-Brainer Minute 

O 

kay. So I am not really playing bridge with Warren Buffet and Bill Gates (below). A girl 

can dream can't she?! These men say playing bridge keeps them mentally sharp. And 

in Dr. Kosik's book (below right) he confirms it. He says playing bridge and other card games, 

and even video games with one or more other players, may ward off dementia and other 

brain diseases. His research-based book is easy to understand. And it offers multiple 

prescriptions that are simple, low-cost choices giving you the power to reduce 

the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and improve your well-being. 

Outsmarting Alzheimer's 

Some of Kosik's Prescriptions: 

• Never stop learning. 

• Play games with others. 

• Socialize. (Throw dinner parties!) 

• Cook your own fresh, whole food. 

• Avoid aluminum foil/plastic wrap. 

• Have a purpose. (Help others.) 

• Count your blessings. 

• Sleep on a regular schedule. 

• Exercise, Exercise, EXERCISE. 

• LAUGH any chance you get! 

Mental Minutes 

“Card Games” 

1. In one minute, name as many 

card games as you can. 

2. Make an alphabetical list. 

Asian game of Court Piece, 

Blackjack, 

Canasta, … 

A No-Brainer Pick 

Outsmarting Alzheimer's: 

What You Can Do to 

Reduce Your Risk 

by 

Kenneth S. Kosik, M.D. 

Jan Fair is a writer, consultant & public speaker who has published over 40 books PLUS the 

No-Brainer Brain Games series. Sign up for her FREE newsletter at www.JanFair.com 


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47

Speaking to and for Las Vegas 

Valley Seniors since 2003 

#####ECRWSS EDDM##### 

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The Vegas Voice 11-19

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