The Vegas Voice 1-20

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January

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January 2020

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January 2020

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 11

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

Kate Wind

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.

Scams, Schemes, & Senior Safety

By: Dan Roberts / Roberts Rules

“

Well, if we’re going to do this, then we need

to be all in!”

That was my response to our political editor’s

new “soapbox” civic cause. Like she did in our Vegas Voice crusade

in investigating, reporting and ultimately advocating for reforming

Guardianship, she now has a new cause, a new crusade – stopping

senior scams.

Trust me, I warned her that this is probably not a “winnable” war –

those windmills can only be tilted so far – but my Don(na) Quixote is

sure going to try.

Our goals are as follows:

1. Eliminate those damn “robo” and

unwanted telephone solicitation calls,

AND

2. Expose current and new (they seem

to pop up daily) scams against seniors,

AND

3. Discover what (if anything) our

local, state and federal authorities are

doing about it.

Based on our initial review it appears

that the only solution for these unwanted telephone calls and emails

can be summed up in 4 words: Hang up or delete.

By now, we are all aware of the Federal Trade Commission’s “Do-Not-

Call” registry. You know the drill – you place your telephone number

in the system and that’s suppose to eliminate the unwanted calls. Our

question: How’s that working out?

Since Rana and I listed our respective cell, home and office numbers,

we have been inundated with even more unwanted calls. As for emails,

such deluge can only be summed up in one word: fuhgeddaboudit.

From the Nigerian Oil Minster (and for the love of god, anybody really

believe that he is going to give you $10 million? – and how about, at

the very least, sending emails in proper English; but I digress) to the

“Granny, I’m in a Mexico jail and need your help – and money”

telephone calls, it’s clear that this daily aspect of our lives will continue

(and only get worse) unless and until the senior community screams

ENOUGH and demands action.

The Vegas Voice is prepared to do everything possible to assist

our readers. We are planning (besides our monthly editions) radio

segments (on our Listening to The Vegas Voice program every Tuesday

from 11am-12 noon on KSHP 1400AM), emails blasts with our new

newsletter and even video podcasts to get the word out.

Government Responses: Besides our plans in stopping the

“bad guys” we also want to know what (or if) our state and federal

governments are doing about this epidemic.

Are they also advising “hang up or delete” as their responsible

response? Are they claiming that they are helpless to do anything?

Rana and I have already been in contact with the Nevada Attorney

General, Department of Business & Industry – Nevada Consumer

Affairs, Better Business Bureau, Las Vegas City Council and even the

FBI – and we’re just getting started.

The results? Stay tuned.

However we can only be as effective as YOU want us to be. Obviously

we need your help. If you agree with our goals, we are requesting that

that you send us your listing of such unwanted calls and scam

emails.

Want to help when you receive the scam emails? Send it to us at

our new email address: scams@thevegasvoice.net. Be sure NOT to

click on any attachments. Just forward and delete.

As for those phone calls; yes, you can notify the FTC and even the FBI,

but do you think it will do anything?

But what if we collectively send them

hundreds (if not thousands) of phone

numbers and emails - with a copy to our

Nevada representatives as well as our

Congressmen and US Senators? You think

we will get a response …especially during

an election year?

For the record, the last person

who doubted what a collective senior

community can do was private guardian

April Parks - and you all know where she

resides today.

That’s why we are asking those that are fed up as much as we are

to start a diary of documenting the phone calls (see sample). We just

need the date, time, phone number (as identified in your caller ID) and

a very brief description of the scam.

You can mail your listing to The Vegas Voice (2880 Bicentennial

Pkwy, Box 100-244, Henderson, NV 89044) or scan and email the listing

to our new scam email address.

Make no mistake: Hell has no fury and there is nothing more

frightening than determined, angry seniors on a mission. (See

Rana’s column on page 24). Let’s stop this! You with us?

We support your efforts to eliminate robo/scam calls.

Below is a listing of the unwanted calls we have received.

My NAME: John & Mary Smith

My ZIP CODE: 89123

DATE | TIME | PHONE NUMBER | SCAM REQUEST

12/24 | 8:25 am | 702/555-1234 | computer Virus

12/26 | 4: 45 pm | 461/555–5908 | credit card offer

12/26 | 5:30 pm | 702/555-1234 | computer virus (again)

You get the idea.

5

Diary of a New York Winter

By: Bill Caserta / Bill’s Blurbs

une 15: Just moved to New York from Las

JVegas. No more Vegas heat! We’re going to

love living here.

December 8: The first snow of the season

and the wife and I sat for hours by the window

watching the soft flakes drift down. So romantic,

I love snow!

December 9: We woke to a beautiful white blanket. What a fantastic

sight! Moving here was the best idea I’ve ever had! Shoveled for the first

time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the

sidewalk.

This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the

sidewalk and driveway, so I had to shovel again.

December 12: The sun melted all the snow. Such a disappointment!

My neighbor tells me not to worry - we’ll definitely have a white

Christmas. He’s such a nice man, I’m glad he’s our neighbor.

December 14: Lovely 8 inches of snow! The temperature dropped

to 12. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the

driveway and sidewalks. This is the life!

The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything

again. I didn’t realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling,

but I’ll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn’t huff and

puff, however.

December 15: More snow forecast. Bought snow tires for the

wife’s car and 2 extra shovels. The wife wants a wood stove in case the

electricity goes out. I think that’s silly.

December 16: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice

in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for

an hour.

December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads too icy to go

Swimming with the Dolphins

Vegas Voice Vice President, Debbie “Redhead” Landry last month

visited the Grand Caymans and checked off another “bucket list” item.

How many other people can say they swam with the dolphins? Way to go

Debbie!

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January 2020

anywhere. Electricity was off

for 5 hours. I had to pile the

blankets on to stay warm.

Nothing to do but stare at

the wife. Guess I should’ve

bought a wood stove but

won’t admit it to her. I hate

it when she’s right. I can’t believe I’m freezing to death in my own

living room.

December 20: Electricity’s back on but had another 14 inches of

the damn stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The damn

snowplow came by twice. Neighbor says I have to shovel or the city will

have it done and bill me. I think he’s lying.

December 22: 9 more inches of the stuff fell today, and it’s so cold,

it probably won’t melt till August. Tried to hire my neighbor who now

has a plow on his truck, but he says he’s too busy. Now I know he’s

lying. Beginning not to like him.

December 23: “Only 2 inches” of snow today. And it warmed

up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this

morning. What is she nuts?! Why didn’t she tell me to do that a month

ago. She says she did but I think she’s also lying.

December 24: 6 inches and the snow now packed so hard by the

snowplow; I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I

ever catch the SOB who drives that snowplow, I’ll drag him through the

snow and beat him to death with my broken shovel.

I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish

shoveling, and then he comes down the street...at a 100 miles an hour

and throws snow all over where I’ve just been! Tonight the wife wanted

me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents...but I was

too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25: - Merry freakin’ Christmas! 20 more inches of the

damn slop tonight - snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood

boil. God, I hate the snow!

Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit

him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude.

I think she’s a fricking idiot.

December 26: Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here?

She’s really getting on my nerves.

December 27: Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze;

plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him. He only charged me

$4,400 to replace the pipes.

December 29: 10 more inches. My lying neighbor told me I have

to shovel the roof or it could cave in. How dumb does he think I am?

God, I hate him.

December 30: Roof caved in. I beat up the snowplow driver, and

now he is suing me for a million dollars. The wife went home to her

mother. Nine more inches predicted.

December 31: I set fire to what’s left of the house. No more

shoveling. Happy New Year! Anybody know a good lawyer?

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.

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Another Year

By: Vicki Wentz / Vicki’s Voice

Well, it’s finally over. The holiday chaos,

the Christmas rush, the wrapping and

unwrapping, the oohing and aaahing over Aunt

Betty’s gag-inducing gelatin salad (and jello was

never meant to be a salad or they’d have called it SALAD).

The cookies are gone, the tree is in the fireplace, and of course,

you’ve gained a little holiday weight and are the approximate size of a

Toyota Highlander.

The traveling is finally over. You’re home, stretched on the couch,

sipping the very last of the eggnog with the very last of the bourbon,

huddled under a warm afghan and beginning your post-holiday

decompression.

Going “home” for the holidays is sort of like deep-sea diving: sounds

beautiful in theory, but the instant you enter the water (or your relative’s

house) you’ll ask yourself, “Why am I doing this, when I could simply

stick a ski pole through my head?”

As you sink into the depths, you’re surrounded by some interesting

plankton (like your Aunt Julia’s new boyfriend, the priest; or your

cousin Tony’s girlfriend who once modeled for Playboy; or, best of all,

the moment when the priest is introduced to the model!) but the longer

you stay “down” there, the more panicked you’ll become, until you’re

clawing your way to the surface and the safety of your own “boat.”

You pay no attention to warnings against coming up too fast,

maniacally heaving your clothes into the suitcase and sprinting for the

car. You forget that you need to decompress slowly.

Otherwise, going home for the holidays - followed by the feverish

scheming to get the hell out of there can definitely cause the “bends.”

Now, being the kind of fun gal who can take a metaphor and beat

it into a coma, I think of post-holiday “bends” as those pangs you get

while driving through West Virginia. If there’s nothing but preaching

and bluegrass on the radio, you will inevitably begin to have painful

flashbacks that will stab your heart like a thousand teensy machetes.

Like your Mom’s hearing is starting to go (stab!); the Christmas

Eve family luncheon tradition is a thing of the past (stab!); your son

is changing professions for the 812th time (stab!); and your sister is

looking…well, aged and tired - and she’s younger than you (stab!

stab! stab!).

Yes, diving into family and resurfacing too quickly is a dangerous

combination. Preventing serious injury requires the aforementioned

eggnog, bourbon, afghan, and cozy couch.

In the safety of this “decompression chamber” you can slowly replace

those knife-like thoughts with others that at least validate your choice

to live far away.

Yes, maybe your mother’s hearing is getting bad, and that’s sad…

but, when she asks you to set the table for Christmas dinner, and you

“idiotically” fold the napkins instead of using the napkin rings, and

don’t choose to wear the turquoise snowflake-covered sweater she gave

you…well, that little hearing deficit covered a few distinctly non-

Christmas-like observations on your part.

And sure, you can choke back tears remembering the Christmas Eve

luncheon, a tradition for forty-five years, everyone gathered together,

laughing, talking, exchanging gifts. Or you can recall the toast your

mother gave one year to all thirty-seven of you seated at the long table:

“A good friend of ours just died a couple of weeks ago. She was

fine one day, and the next day she had a stroke, and died. She

never had a chance to say good-bye and that’s so sad. So, just in

case anything happens to Daddy or me – good-bye!”

Naturally, after that toast, we started every conversation with her by

saying: “Good-bye, Mom!”

I guess you see where I’m going with this. Meanwhile, I’m joining

“23 and Me” in case there’s the tiniest sliver of a possibility that I’m

adopted. Happy 2020!

Neon Museum Shines

Neon Museum Shines

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January 2020

Neon Museum’s Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Dawn

Merritt with Publisher Dan at last month’s Vegas Voice video podcast –

Senior Matters. Dawn explained all the great things (beginning with the

Tim Burton exhibit) happening at the Neon Museum.

Happy to Say Goodbye

to 2019

By: Morris Heldt / A Senior’s P.O.V.

January 2019 started off with my wife, Sue

Pam, having a huge blood clot logged

near her heart. After a week in ICU, and the help of Eliquis, it finally

dissolved enough that she got her strength back.

Most importantly, I got the love of my life back. For awhile I was

afraid I was going to lose her.

Then in October, I was given an MRI to check the arthritis in my hips

and determine if I might need a hip replacement. However, after the

orthopedic surgeon reviewed the MRI with me and gave me the good

news that my hips were not in that bad of shape, he gave me the bad

news.

A huge mass, (tumor) was discovered near the base of my spine and

in my left buttocks. He told me that it was serious and I should see only

one doctor, in the entire state, that was experienced enough to handle

my condition, an oncologist and orthopedic surgeon.

After a two and one half hour cancer surgery the huge mass (the size

of a large sweet potato) was removed. The doctor informed me it had

not metastasized.

Sue Pam and I hope you make 2020 the best year yet!

So, as you might appreciate, my wife, Sue Pam, and I are sure glad

2019 is over. I bring this to the attention of our Vegas Voice readers to

emphasize that we seniors often times are faced with adversity in our

lives. It is worth fighting through and continue to live instead of giving

up.

Not only is life a little sweeter with each day, but it also helps the

people around you. Although we are older, slower and don’t think as

quickly as we once did, we still have a lot of wisdom to share.

So I encourage all of you to live each day and share as much as you

can with loved ones, friends, or even just people who pass through your

life on your journey. Make 2020 the best year yet!

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.

EXHIBITION

NOW –

FEBRUARY 15

NeonMuseum.org

9

Old Yeller Lives On

By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories

I

’d like you wish all a happy, healthy, safe and

prosperous New Year. I’d also like to take this

opportunity to thank my loyal readers. When you

take the time to stop me when I am out and about and tell me you read

my column, it always means so much to me.

I guess the heading of this month’s column might be a bit misleading

because, of course, Old Yeller himself doesn’t “live on” since this movie

is 63 years old - but what just happened was such a sweet surprise.

I was notified that Old Yeller was inducted into the National Film

Registry of the Library of Congress!

I know I’ve written

about Old Yeller before

and I have also written

about my friend Tommy

Kirk. He is the boy who

“shot” Old Yeller.

Tommy and I are the

only two people who

are still alive from the

making of this movie.

He also lives in

Las Vegas and we get

together often to have

dinner.

I am blessed to call

him my friend and we are both

honored to have been a part

of such an iconic film. Now

that it’s a part of the Library

of Congress, it will forever be

registered and will live on

forever.

Recently I was at an

autograph show and was

talking about Old Yeller. I

mentioned that Tommy and I

are still friends after all

these years, when a little

girl in the audience

raised her hand to ask a

question.

She said, “Isn’t that

the boy who shot Old

Yeller?” I answered,

“Yes, Honey” to which

she replied, “Well then

how can you still be

friends with him??!” Out

of the mouth of babes...

Until next time

remember, If you can rise above the storm, you will find the sunshine.

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.

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11

New Decade, New Shows

By: Evan Davis / Entertainment Editor

With the start of a new decade, let’s see

what’s in store for entertainment. Have

you been to The Composers Showcase? It’s an

entertainment forum that allows local composers

and songwriters the opportunity to present original music. It’s hosted

by Keith Thompson.

By now, I hope all readers realize that The Vegas Voice provides

entertainment featuring the best singers and musicians in town. We

also take pride in introducing many new and upcoming stars.

As “Host” I try to bring quality entertainment to all four corners of

Las Vegas and Henderson. Unfortunately, there are many communities

around town that have their HOA board members dictate who they will

allow (and won’t allow) to bring entertainment to their communities.

I’m not too concerned about being politically correct, as I won’t be

running for public office in the near future, so why won’t Sun City

Anthem allow The Vegas Voice to put on shows for their community?

Why did Sun City Summerlin refuse to give us any dates for shows

when we requested them eight months ago; yet SCS apparently finds

dates for other performances?

Some community restrictions just make it impossible to bring in any

entertainment. This is the entertainment capital of the world, so why

not act like it?

On a happier note, we just finished a SOLD OUT New Year’s Eve

show at Sun City MacDonald Ranch, (which has a very supportive staff

and community who truly enjoy and appreciate fine entertainment).

On Saturday, January 18 th , we will be bringing back the Folk Legacy

Trio to MacDonald Ranch.

And for a sneak peak, February brings Craig Canter with special

guests Janien Valentine and Jennifer Lier to MacDonald Ranch

in our “SINATRA to TOM JONES and Everything in Between”

show.

I look forward in seeing you at our shows in 2020.

Best Holiday Show Ever!

Best Holiday Show Ever!

Entertainment editor Evan Davis with musical director Bill Fayne

and all the performers at our tremendous Holiday show in December. A

capacity crowd at Sun City MacDonald Ranch will no doubt remember

this performance for many more holidays to come. Photo credit – Ed

Forster.

12

January 2020

Topless Shows in Las

Vegas

By: Dianne Davis / That’s Entertainment

You’ve got visitors who want to see a topless

show? These productions are not just for the

guys. Females enjoy and appreciate the dancing, singing and acrobatic

talents of the women who entertain these diverse audiences.

I love Sexxy at the Westgate. Jennifer Romas, who put this show

together in three weeks’ time, five years ago, stars in this sexy content.

Jennifer’s pole dance and bathtub scenes are legendary. Gabriella

Versace’s singing and comedy add more fun as she works the audience

while the ladies change their scanty costumes.

Crazy Girls, at Planet Hollywood, led by Dani Elizabeth, is America’s

longest running Burlesque show. 31 years! It includes everything from

topless contemporary boot-stomping to bawdy burlesque classics.

There’s audience interaction. You could be part of the show.

X Country at Harrahs and X Burlesque at the Flamingo are

themed topless shows. At X Country, I was clapping to the spirited music

and loving the costumes. It’s a down home country-themed good time.

If you like country, visit this one.

Fantasy at the Luxor has been entertaining visitors for 20 years. This

is a variety show with dancing women, beautiful costumes, enjoyable

music, great comedy by Sean Cooper, and the fabulous singing of

Lorena Peril.

You’ve got the amazing Isabella doing aerie acrobatics on the silks.

The music includes country, romantic, and frantic.

The women are a combination of hot, sexy, girl next door, slender,

and well endowed. They dance, move, entice, entertain, titillate, and

engage. The bedroom scene is a highlight.

These are adult only productions - not for everyone. But if you’re

going to do Vegas, you (or your visitors) should check out at least one.

You can be sure of a few things. You will see bare bosoms, attractive

ladies moving around and you will be entertained by the singing,

dancing and visuals. Don’t be shy. Go see the ladies of Las Vegas.

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

Harriet

By: Renee Riendeau / Movie Revelations

Rich, exciting, important - the phenomenal

life of Harriet Tubman! That’s what the coauthors

Kasi Lemmons and Gregory Allen Howard

stress along with this tiny woman’s unerring faith

in God.

It’s a showcase movie for Cynthia Erivo who plays the role of a scared

slave girl, named Araminta Ross, “Minty” married to a free slave,

Tubman. They both worked for an overbearing and power-hungry

plantation owner in 1849.

Over a dispute that would affect the ownership of all the plantation

slaves, “Minty”, at 27 escaped alone - leaving her husband and other

relatives behind.

She didn’t get far when the plantation men corned her at each end of

a bridge. She was forced to make a decision: “be free or die.”

She jumped off the bridge into the rapid waters below. This leap was

both physical as well as metaphorical. Her faith allowed her to press on

during a harrowing journey to freedom

In Philadelphia she met William Still, (Leslie Odom Jr.) a freed slave

who was organizing free slaves. He suggested they change their name to

represent their new life as they registered as new free slaves.

Minty chose Harriet, her mother’s name. And Tubman, her husband’s

name as she signed “Harriet Tubman” in the book.

What I liked about the film is that director Lemmons evoked the

experience of slavery through the voices of former slaves and didn’t

use exploitive imagery of torture or sexual violence to drive home the

horrors of slavery.

The film “Harriet” is a start, but there’s a better, bolder story to be

told. This is a deeply spiritual film. Harriet’s faith in God expands her

faith in herself and her own power.

The scared girl Minty, becomes the empowered woman Harriet

through sheer will and desire for justice. Her escape from slavery,

crossing over state lines, through dangerous missions, leading 70 plus

slaves to liberation as conductor of the Underground Railroad changed

the course of history.

I give the movie, “Harriet” 4 boxes of buttered popcorn.

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.

14

January 2020

Guy Lombardo & the

Royal Canadians

By: Yvonne Cloutier / Musical Moments

He was called Mr. New Year’s Eve.

From 1924 until 1977, we looked forward

to hearing Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians Orchestra on radio,

then on TV (starting in 1956) playing music to Scottish poet, Robert

Burns’ 18th century poem, Auld Lang Syne.

It was the longest running special produced on radio, followed by 21

years on TV. I will also remember the orchestra’s flashy red blazer band

uniforms.

What seemed to make people connect with his music is that it was

nostalgia personified - playing songs his audiences wanted to hear,

always in strict tempo, always recognized as his music, and always

“danceable.” “I don’t play for acrobats” he stated. Hear that Dancing

with the Stars?

As he said, “Keep on doing what people tell you they like.” His father

said people should be able to sing, hum and whistle his music.

His music was identifiable with its sweet, orchestral sounds of

exaggerated sax vibrato by his brother Carmen punctuated with

string. Guy played violin and clipped brass phrases of traditional pops

arrangements mixing jazz, classical and bebop - and never forgetting

golden oldies.

Born Gaetano Lombardo in 1902 in London, Ontario, Guy Lombardo,

only 5’4”, was the oldest of 7 children (5 boys and 2 girls). He formed

his first orchestra, The Lombardo Brothers while in elementary school.

The orchestra started as a family and hometown affair - 4 brothers, two

sisters, (who became his female soloists). Amongst their 300 hit songs

and 100-300 million sales, were: Charmaine, Boo Hoo, and Red Sails

in the Sunset. Their sales record has never been broken.

Eventually Dick Clark’s New York Rockin’ Eve gave him

competition, as is when a new generation takes over. Guy Lombardo, at

77 died of a heart attack with his lifelong wife by his side. Broadcasters

continued to play his midnight specials for 2 years afterward.

His recordings of Auld Lang Syne are still played as the 1st song

of New Year’s Eve on Times Square. Guy Lombardo and his orchestra,

became an institution, fulfilling dreams with their self-named “sweetest

music this side of heaven.”

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.

15

16

Dixieland Swings at IAC

By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places

One of the longest running shows in Las

Vegas is the off-Strip production that packs

the Italian American Club the first Thursday

of nearly every month, a throwback salute to

bathtub gin and speakeasy days. Hostess Jeanne Brei, for more than a

decade, has taken time from her busy schedule as trade show magazine

editor to produce The Swanky Supper Club Soiree with her band, The

Speakeasy Swingers.

Brei’s love of Dixieland, swing and jazz and her fellow performers

inspired her. “I get to invest in and keep the music alive…and keep

my musicians working,” she explains. The sextet is anchored by Las

Vegas Hall of Fame musicians Dick Jones (bass), Bob Chmel (drums),

Steve Johnson (saxophone), Bill King (trumpet) and Charlie Shaffer

(keyboard).

Saxophonist Don Hill retired from the band three years ago, at 94, but

remains an audience member. Hill, who performed with the legendary

Treniers for 55 years until they disbanded in 2003 told Brei when he

joined the band at 81, “I’m too young to retire.”

Brei’s early life abruptly changed after her father, an Air Force pilot

who was in the original astronaut training program, developed polio

and spent the rest of his days in an iron lung. “We had a piano my

whole life,” she recalled, “and I took tap lessons beginning at eight.”

Summers, on a Midwestern farm, Brei and her brothers wrote and

Getting a New Bed

By: Adrea Nairne-Barrera / 60s to 60

It’s a new year and we’re guilty of resolutions

never kept from the year before. More

concentrated effort is promised for this year but

not much changes.

We go through the same old

promises of diets, budgets and closet

cleaning. So we made a bold move

and decided to buy a new bed.

There are all sorts of warnings

about new beds, when and why

to buy them, how healthy or not

healthy they are after a few years

and prices that are so confusing you

might want to just keep sleeping on

the old one another 10 years.

The first serious discussion was

the size of the bed. Can we manage a Queen with 2 dogs that get first

right of position every night? The King crowded the bedroom so my

choice was to scale down a little.

I figured the dogs would have to adjust. After all, they’re dogs!

Then came the new headboard and whether or not to hang something

over our heads on the wall. Coming from earthquake country, I have

January 2020

produced shows. “We

played the animal circuit.

Lions Club. Elks. Moose.”

Northwestern University

provided Brei the

opportunity to pursue

theater and journalism

but a busy work schedule

allowed limited stage time.

“I worked three jobs. I

didn’t even have money for

toothpaste,” she smiles.

Journalism barely sustained her after college, working off-hours

entertaining on lunch cruises and piano bars before landing a role

touring with Phil Ford and Mimi Hines in No No Nanette on her road

to Las Vegas.

Brei’s monthly themed shows continue to draw loyal audiences with

a true Las Vegas vibe that includes an intermission with the showgirl

Spotlight Dancers.

Performances: Italian American Club, 2333 E Sahara Av, Las Vegas.

At the door, $20. (702) 457-3866 Photo: Brei’s Disney tribute. Photo

by Susan Nitebunny.

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.

a thing about things over my head while I’m asleep. Been there, done

that.

But I was ready to compromise and buy a tapestry for the wall. Not a

big one but just enough so it didn’t look bare. It’s 23” X 54” and looks

awesome in great jewel tones.

I forgot one thing. It hangs on a

curtain rod affixed to the wall and if

that comes down on my head, I’m

not going to be happy. So much for

my great idea.

New colors on the tapestry call

for new colors on the bed. We have

a new comforter, sheet sets, europillow

covers and shams with a new

side rug by the bed. Not sure I saved

anything.

The bed goes up and down at the

head and the foot. We never agree

on which way we really like it and one night the puppies slid down the

pillow because the head was too high. I wound up with a tail in my eye.

We’re getting used to it.

Adrea Nairne-Barrera writes of celebrations, observations &

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

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17

46

Everyone Needs Ho’oponopono

By: Ali Guggenheim / Psychic Phenomenon

“

Reflecting the true spiritual essence of living

in harmony with themselves, family and

community was how every Hawaiian once strived

to live their life. While being guided and protected

by their Kupuna (elders) and Aumakua (ancestors), practicing the

Ho’o.po.no.po.no process – meaning reconciliation and forgiveness,”

explains Pali Jae Lee, “was what helped them achieve this state of

balance.”

Ho’oponopono is a unique, simple, effective and powerful four step

practice that originated in ancient Hawaii. This technique has been

proven to work with individuals, as well as on a collective consciousness.

Hawaiian courts order juvenile and adult offenders to work with

court-approved, native elders who conduct traditional Ho’oponopono -

without any court interference or psycho-therapy as a form of alternative

dispute resolution for them and their families.

18

January 2020

Dr. Phil repeatedly says that, “you are either part of the solution or

part of the problem.” This is no different.

“Because we see ourselves as separate and things happening outside

of ourselves, we tend to think we are absolved of any responsibility, but,

the opposite is true,” explains Dr. Hew Len. “Even if it sounds harsh,

whether we’re conscious of it, or not, just by listening to the news, we feed

into what we hear and then act out accordingly.”

Demonstrating its powerful effects, Hawaiian therapist, Dr. Hew

Len, cured an entire ward of criminally insane patients without ever

meeting any of them. He did so by healing himself, using “Self-I-Dentity

Ho’oponopono (SITH), with astounding results.

He revealed that the secret to this is that we are all connected and that

nothing is ‘out there’ without residing within us too. He claims, “If we

think or experience it, we own it.”

When doing Ho’oponopono, it is not important who you are speaking

to - God, your body, partner, situation, whatever. The order of these four

steps is also unimportant. The pertinence is in your desire to clear your

mind of any negativity and in your sincerity.

The four steps are: (1) I’m sorry, (2) Please forgive me, (3) Thank

you, (4) I love you. When we allow ourselves to heal and release, we

make room for what we really want - love, joy and freedom.

To contact Ali or for spiritual consultations, coaching, workshops

and readings, email: alivegasvoice@yahoo.com.

Self-Help!

By: Mike Landry / Golf Fore Ever

If you’re like me, you’ve taken golf lessons in

the past that may, or may not have helped

your game. I’m not saying that golf instructions

from a professional are not necessary – it just depends on your situation.

If you want to improve your game, there are some self-help ideas that

won’t break the bank. With the advent of the internet and specifically

YouTube, there is unbelievable free content out there that can help

golfers.

If you have not done so, I encourage you to check out YouTube for

golf instructions and find tips that could help your golf game. If it’s

chipping, then type “chipping” in the search box and you’ll see videos

pop up by greats such as Phil Michelson, Lee Trevino and others.

If slicing or hooking the ball is a problem, type “how to stop slicing

the golf ball” and you’ll find videos that say, “Fix Your Slice.” More

helpful videos that you can possible view and digest will show up. All

you have to do is click on the videos to get started.

So what’s a golfer to do? Take the tips you’ve seen in the video to the

practice area and put these new thoughts and ideas to work.

Practice as instructed in the video until you can see some difference

and feel comfortable to take your new swing or chipping method to

the golf course. If the tips help, continue down that path but if the

instruction doesn’t work for you, then nothing is lost but some time

and effort.

Many of us use to rely on Golf Magazine instructions and while

some of those were great, we didn’t get to see the tip in action as we do

with the videos. Like everything else however, a “buyer beware” sort of

mentality applies as you will find not all instructions will be great or

work for you.

Keep in mind that no two swings are alike and yours is surely different

than mine. Remember: At our age, we play golf for fun!

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

19

Trashing My Friends

By: Susan Goldfein / Susan’s Unfiltered Wit

Another holiday season has drawn to a close

and it’s time to think about clearing away

the last celebratory vestiges. Christmas lights and

tree decorations to be placed in their cotton-lined

cartons, safely stowed for another year.

Wrapping paper and ribbon that wasn’t decimated by greedy hands

placed in drawers to be recycled for future gift-giving. The last of

the sour egg nog poured down the drain, and the dreaded fruit cake

pulverized in the waste disposal.

If you celebrate Chanukah (or Hanukkah, if you can’t gargle), it

leaves its own detritus. The lingering aroma of fried potato pancakes

can last up to two weeks and require a gross of air freshener. (I’m

never sure what’s actually more desirable – eau d’ Used Canola Oil or

Southern Magnolia Bouquet?)

Then there’s the labor of chiseling the hardened wax from the

menorah, the candle holder which burns a total of forty-four candles

over the eight nights of the holiday. Would dripless candles be a

blasphemy?

I guess tradition is tradition, so we stand over the sink with small

sharp objects, and jab at the little candle holders until they’re empty

and ready to embrace next year’s lights.

So no more “Frosty the Snowman” coming through the speakers at

the pharmacy, and no more tinkling bells outside the supermarket. It

appears that time has indeed moved on.

But one lingering holiday-related issue remains, at least for me.

What to do with the greeting cards that contain the beautiful smiling

faces of my friends and their families?

I’m not talking about those cards from the dry cleaner or newspaper

delivery man that can be guiltlessly tossed in the recycle bin. But the

family photo cards? Not so easily trashed.

Why, it must have cost the Clarks a small fortune to assemble all

twenty-eight children, grandchildren and dogs on that Hawaiian

beach. Not to mention the photographer’s fee.

And look at how lovely and happy they are, healthy white teeth

displayed for the camera. What do I...? How can I…? But on the other

hand, do I really want to keep a family portrait of the Clarks?

Next come the Berkowitzes. There are enough people in this group

to qualify as a tribe.

And Papa Berkowitz didn’t fail to include his annual family-update

letter, with each person discussed cross-referenced with the photo. Now

I understand the little numbers on their chests.

And here’s one from Betty. She has no children but look at those

adorable dogs. I do love dogs. I would never trash a dog. But yet…

What about this one? They look familiar. Oh, they’re my grandkids.

Not the best picture, and I have so many others.

So here I stand by the garbage pail, with the photo cards in hand,

immobilized by agonizing indecision. Dear friends, you have to help

me solve this annual dilemma once and for all.

When you send the new family portraits, may I suggest they selfdestruct

after New Year’s Day? If not that, then please include an

expiration date.

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.

20

January 2020

January 10, 1776

By: John Beilun / Time Traveler

On January 10, 1776, seven months before

the Declaration of Independence, a minor

Philadelphia printer published an anonymously

written 48-page pamphlet. The author, a recently arrived Englishman,

was essentially penniless. Nevertheless, because he so much loved

his newly adopted home the writer donated all his royalties to the

Continental Army.

The pamphlet sold very well for a myriad of reasons. Unlike most

publications of its time, it was written in a style common people

could understand.

Structured like a

sermon, it helped

make its case via

countless Biblical

references.

Above all else, it

laid out the rational

and necessity for an

American revolution.

In fact, it has often

been described as “the

most incendiary and

popular revolutionary

pamphlet ever

written.”

George Washington

used the book to

motivate his troops;

often reading it to them

when they encamped.

It also inspired the

Continental Congress

to issue the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson constantly referred to it while writing that beloved

document. John Adams is noted as having said, “Without this book and

the pen that wrote it, the sword of Washington would have been raised

in vain.”

The pamphlet was originally going to be called Plain Truth. However,

Benjamin Rush, one of our founding fathers, convinced the author to

re-name it Common Sense.

As for the author: his name was Thomas Paine. At times referred to

as a pamphleteer, a radical, an inventor, an intellectual and a rabblerouser.

However, more often than not: The Father of the American

Revolution.

Having lighted the revolutionary flame with Common Sense, Paine

stoked the blaze with additional pamphlets such as Rights of Man and

The American Crisis Series, which began with that haunting sentence:

These are the times that try men’s souls.

Had it not been for Common Sense it is unlikely that there would

have been an American Revolution.

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21

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Guardianship

New Year, New Beginnings

By: Samantha Noelle Riviero / New Heights

The hustle and bustle of the holiday rush are

finally over as the season’s festivities come

to a close. It’s 2020 and the exhaustion of keeping

up with the fluidity of our modern era begs us to

take a breath and reflect. You suddenly have a minute to fine-tune your

thoughts and reminisce.

After visiting mom and dad over the holidays you remember some

subtle changes during your visit that make you question their ability

to care for themselves. You’ve noticed that since last year, the home

is now covered in a frenzy of hoarding behaviors, the cleanliness is

overlooked, or maybe mom and dad frequently repeated themselves

throughout holiday dinner.

No matter the change, your

instinct tunes in to the fact that

perhaps the next stages of life

are unveiling itself.

In an age of modern technology and advertisements abound, I still

find families struggle with locating resources. To start, I would suggest

having a conversation with mom or dad, if communication is an

option.

Email address

22

First Name

Last Name

Fill this out and mail to our address below, or go to our

website and fill it out online. You’ll be glad you did!

2880 Bicentennial Pkwy Ste 100-244, Henderson, NV 89044

702/251-4441• Fax: 702/666-0427

www.thevegasvoice.net

January 2020

Don’t demand, bargain or assume they will be ready for change;

after all, they have memories built into the foundation of their home.

Start with clear communication with your loved one, compromise and

goals.

Try and be patient as you guide them to the next steps. To help aid

in search of a Senior Living community, families can locate a Senior

Guide at most local grocery stores or can research online Assisted

Living communities in their area.

I would suggest narrowing it down to no more than three contenders.

Ask questions when touring each property. You’ll want to find the right

fit that matches your loved one’s financial goals and preferences as this

will allow for a more organized and less stressful process.

New beginnings don’t have to be uncomfortable or scary. Entertain

the positive objectives your loved one would gain if a decision has been

made for them to transition.

Always remember, that it is a process that deserves compassion when

navigating finding the appropriate care for your loved one and living

their best quality of life.

Samantha Rivero is the Community Lifestyle Director at Coronado

Heights Senior Living. You can contact Samantha at 725/200-3300

Wake Up!

By: Jerry Creed / Trust Jerry

Have your estate plan reviewed before it’s too

late. Many people think they are on safe

ground when in fact they have climbed way out

on a limb or are walking on a high wire.

Most people discover their estate planning is poorly done or

inadequate to their needs only after it’s too late to correct the errors. A

few examples from the last few months.

First, a couple that has been together more than 40 years has done

only a Will. One spouse loses capacity due to disease and the other

spouse needs to sell their family home but finds in order to do the sale,

they need a court order (guardianship) or a Durable Power of Attorney

for their spouse, which they can no longer get.

Second, a spouse is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; the healthy spouse

has COPD but wants to do some advanced planning for his spouse. They

have a trust and a durable power of attorney for financial matters, but

when you look at the details within the power of attorney, the spouse is

not allowed to create or fund irrevocable living trusts.

This means no advanced planning is allowed. No advanced planning

means the spouse was going to have to live out their golden years

impoverished, without financial options.

Third, a family’s three adult children were all special needs and

on disability and government assistance. Their trusts did not have

adequate Special Needs provisions.

When the parents passed, all three children had their assistance

disrupted. Had the parents done proper planning the children could

have gained benefit from their inheritance without interrupting their

disability assistance.

Proper skilled nursing planning or memory care planning can

result in saving people hundreds of thousands of dollars. If your estate

planning did not include a discussion of paying for a skilled nursing

or memory care facility, you are way out on a limb, or unknowingly

walking on a high wire.

The simple way to avoid these tragic outcomes is to have your Trust or

Estate plan reviewed by an attorney who specializes in Estate Planning

or Elder Law.

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23

Our Plans for 2020

By: Rana Goodman / On My Soapbox

As we welcome the New Year, The Vegas Voice

will be writing a series of articles about the

many scams seniors are constantly subjected to,

what our government agencies are doing about them, and ideas of how

to handle them.

Those annoying phone calls usually pop up at mealtime or early in

the morning. Blocking the phone numbers is one way to avoid them,

but alas, the scammers seem to just

call back cloning a different phone

number that pops up on your caller

I.D. to fool you.

The “Do Not Call List” is a total

waste of time. Although many

numbers and complaints are filed,

these people keep calling numerous

times a day.

It seems local, state and federal

agencies don’t really do much to

stop these calls, yet it seems to me that a heavy financial penalty might

curb those coming from the U.S. The threatening calls that claim to be

from the IRS, Social Security and such are especially dangerous.

Speaking of scams, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to “play” with

one of these callers when he told me I had just WON the Publisher’s

Clearing House Sweepstakes. He claimed I would be receiving my

$3,150,000 prize along with a brand-new Mercedes. (He didn’t mention

the roses, I love roses).

As I was playing along, I walked into Dan’s office with the caller on

speaker. I was told that 90% of the taxes would be paid for me - all I

had to do was have the rest of the money ready for the man making

my delivery.

When I said I could only come up with $4,000 right away, he claimed

his people would then accompany me to the bank and we could make

the exchange.

Suddenly he asked, “I just heard someone else on the line.” I said

yes, that’s it’s my husband who is a federal agent working in the fraud

division. CLICK, the man abruptly hung up.

I guess I don’t get the money, the

car, OR the roses!

*As promised, an update on

Marianne Chiang’s quest to the

Family Court to terminate her son’s

guardianship over her, which if

successful, would stop her children’s

from forcing her to move into an

assisted living facility in California.

If successful, she will be FREE to

enjoy her life as she has always done.

The hearing held December 17 th was unlike any I have witnessed

before in a guardianship case. The attorneys were allowed to call

witnesses and due to the length of the hearing, only Marianne and her

daughter made it to the stand. The final round, hopefully, is scheduled

for December 30 th .

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

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

Anthemtoday.com

By: Dan Hyde / Call to Action

Nationally, there are an estimated 500,000

people who call the streets their “residence.”

In Clark County the estimate is between 8,000-

10,000. I believe that both estimates are woefully

understated.

The federal government working in partnership with the states and

their local entities, have invested literally billions of taxpayer dollars

over the years to eradicate the problem, but the problem still persists

and continues to grow. How can that be? Where did and does all that

money go?

Having been associated with several local entities over the years, I

can offer an explanation and, perhaps a solution. Just throwing money

at any problem does not guarantee a desirable solution.

What is needed is a coherent, regional approach working together

as a collective team. Part of the problem is that most governing bodies

operate independently and separately, thus duplicating costs. Those

costs can be drastically reduced by working in collaboration.

The plague I mention is because more and more homeless are using

24

Homelessness - A Growing Plague

January 2020

the streets as their

bathroom.

By doing so

they are creating

a resurgence of

heretofore medieval

non-existent diseases.

Health specialists are

rightfully demanding

that immediate

action be taken.

In Las Vegas a visionary, Arnold Stalk, created a viable, cost-effective

transitional housing facility called Veterans Village. Converting old

railroad box-cars (300-500 square feet) with a bed, stove, A/C and

Heating and placing them together with bathrooms facilities available,

he has created an excellent use of taxpayer dollars.

They are cost effective, safe, secure and, most importantly sanitary. I

think this idea should be replicated everywhere, don’t you?

Dan Hyde is a passionate and effective advocate for the senior

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

25

26

Looking Forward to a Great 2020

By: Carol Chapman

As we move forward in 2020, I would like to

remind you that the Foundation Assisting

Seniors continues to help seniors and veterans to

remain in their homes. Our services are free but

we do depend on donations to continue to operate.

This year, we are holding the The Spirit of Spring, our 2 nd Annual

Charity Gala, in association with the National Silver Haired Congress,

honoring the Nevada Senior Citizen of the Year, on Saturday, March

28, 2020, at 6:00 pm, at the M Resort. We are excited to have Mark

OToole as our emcee and performer for the evening. In addition to our

entertainment, we will be having both Silent and Live Auctions.

If you know of a

senior citizen in your

community who might

be a candidate, call the

Foundation at 725-

244-4200 to obtain the

requirements and an

application. To date,

all six previous Nevada

Senior Citizens of the Year

have been from Clark

County. We are anxious

to receive nominations

from all over the state.

January 2020

Mark OToole

Equal Opportunity Chicanery

By: Judy Polumbaum / Our View

Jimmy Carter pretty much stuck to his promise

to tell the American people the truth. I’m not

the first to note that he was the last US president

to make that mistake. The people turned him out after one term.

Lying, dissembling, obfuscation and hypocrisy have become the way

of the world of politics.

I cannot figure out how Donald Trump convinced so many that he

stands for the little guy. Is it because he was little when he made it big

as a preteen, on his real estate mogul father’s payroll to the tune of a

quarter million a year?

Bernie Sanders

entered the

Vermont political

scene as a Liberty

Union Party

activist. He won

US House and

Senate seats as

an Independent.

He calls himself

a democratic

socialist. He’s aiming for president on the Democratic Party ticket.

The newest millionaire presidential candidate, Michael Bloomberg,

was a Democrat, then a Republican, then an Independent, and now is

a Democrat again.

Nobody seems to mind the political mood swings when it’s the guys.

Yet Elizabeth Warren is criticized for switching from Republican to

Democrat a quarter century ago. With decent reason: her own research,

showing that individuals who declare bankruptcy are not deadbeats, as

she’d expected, but rather people who’ve hit a hard patch.

Poor Warren - still taking flak for claiming that drop of Native

American blood. Meanwhile, scarcely a word about Joe Biden’s little

issue with plagiarism, which caused him to drop his first run for

president. Not to mention misrepresentations about his past political

positions, which quickly disappear in denial.

Trump, who changed his party affiliation half a dozen times up to

his Republican coronation, is the undisputed Teflon champ. (Teflon, by

the way, is poisoning us all, as the new movie “Dark Waters” reminds

us.)

Fact-checkers counted more than 13,400 false or misleading

statements by Trump as he approached his 1,000th day in office. Plus

he has all the Republicans in Congress marching in lockstep, parroting

his assertions that he’s never done anything wrong.

Alas, this sweet land of liberty is also the land of duplicity and double

standards. Not all evils are equal, however; there are degrees of iniquity.

The American people need to decide how much they can stand.

Meanwhile, we’re in for another rocky year. Happy 2020 to all.

Judy is a professor emerita of journalism and a transplant to

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

Midwest.

Reverse Mortgage Information

By: Nick Flores / Loan Educator

Qualifications: In order to qualify for a

Reverse Mortgage one of you must be 62+.

Your spouse can be as young as 18.

The spouse who is younger than 62 will be a “non-borrowing”

spouse on the loan but will still be listed on the Title of the home while

maintaining the same benefits of a Reverse Mortgage.

The home must be your primary residence. You can own multiple

homes, but the home with the Reverse Mortgage must be your primary

home and your home can be paid for or not.

A lot of people tell me they did not think they could do a Reverse

Mortgage because they had a mortgage on their house. Many people

who do the Reverse Mortgage have a mortgage on their house. It is

becoming more and more common.

The home can be a detached property, attached property, condo,

townhome or manufactured home. All of these properties fit the singlefamily

residence requirement of the Housing Urban Development

(HUD).

Reverse Mortgage used for Purchase: You may also use the

Reverse Mortgage for purchase of a new primary residence. Typically, in

order to not have a mortgage payment you would pay cash for a home.

With a Reverse Mortgage for purchase, in most cases the down

payment requirement is 40%. This will allow for you to keep the

remaining liquid cash in your bank account to save, reinvest, or to

enjoy vacations.

The Reverse Mortgage for purchase will not require a mortgage

payment ever. The Reverse Mortgage for purchase can also be used to

buy a duplex, triplex or fourplex.

You must live in one of the units, because remember, the property

needs to be your primary residence and you can rent out the other units

to supplement your retirement income. It’s a wonderful strategy.

Call us now so you can get the facts straight and retire better.

27

Medicare & Social

Security Cards

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

Volunteer Barbara Mirman said, “I’m

amazed at the number of people who do

not keep their medical cards in one specific safe place and do not make

copies in case they are lost or stolen.”

They can be replaced, of course, but it is a wearisome timeconsuming

undertaking.

The Social Security office at 1250 South Buffalo Drive, is the place to

apply in person. It’s open Monday-Friday from 7am to 7pm. To replace

your Social Security and Medicare cards you’ll be asked to produce

your driver’s license to verify your age and identity.

The internet could also be used. You can type SSA.gov/forms/SS5

into the address line of your browser. You won’t arrive right there.

You’ll be confronted with many other sites eager to fulfill your

request. Those are the commercial firms charging for replacement

cards that Social Security and Medicare provide free.

Scroll down to SS-5 Form with attached explanation – Social

Security History. On page one of that listing, ignore the preamble and

click onto “IT IS AVAILABLE HERE.”

You’ll be faced with four pages of instructions; plus the form you

are required to complete on page 5. The only drawback is that you’ll

be supplying a lot of personal information, plus a copy of your driver’s

license that could possibly be accessed by hackers.

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.

Neck Creams

By: Linda Bateman-Gomez / Timeless Beauty

Creams helps to soften the look of the

wrinkles and the surrounding skin. I’m

always on the hunt for the latest product and can

get caught in the hype - usually just to be disappointed. Recently I saw

a new neck cream online called Dr. Brandt’s Neck Sculpting Cream.

It was very pricey at $95 so I

waited until they had a sale and got

it for $66. The reviews on their site

were “too good to be true” and while

I never expected for my “loose skin

to disappear” as one review said,

I thought even if I got half those

results, it would be money well

spent!

I liked the cream and, as with

most other creams that I have tried,

my neck looks better once applied. However, after a month of use

nothing changed drastically.

To compare this higher priced cream with a drug store purchase

that also had high ratings, I bought the L’Oreal Revitalift Face and

Neck/Visage Cream for $18 at Ulta.

Happily, I like this cream better than the more expensive cream.

It’s thicker but not greasy and smells nice. I have used it as my daily

moisturizer without makeup.

Has my turkey neck disappeared? Nope! But do I think for the price

and what it does I would still use this over the $95 alternative.

I think the key, as with most products, is to use them consistently

which admittedly I often forget. But for the sake of this comparison

test, I was glad I committed to trying it out and I do think it did

improve the look of the skin on my neck. If you don’t have a cream

you like, the L’Oreal Revitalift might be worth trying!

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.

28

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29

Another Year Attained!

By: Mary Richard / Health Fitness

WOW! January 1 st and another new year

already! Where did 2019 go? I turned

a magic 75 years young last month and love

it! I have great friends, family, a home,

wonderful jobs, health and two beautiful

fur babies.

I’m on to new goals this year. I don’t

make resolutions – just new goals. One

thing that I did in 2019 was to put an

empty jar on my kitchen counter, put happy

thoughts or events into the jar and then in

January 2020 – take out all the happiness

that has transpired throughout the year

and read them.

Did you gain a few pounds in 2019? Don’t

stress about it. Just take it easy. It’s better to

lose a few pounds slowly than to crash diet.

Try to enjoy goodies if you must – but

in moderation. I try not to deny myself of any of the wonderful sweets,

chocolates, etc. I even indulge in a holiday drink or so.

I found one secret to keeping your alcohol in moderation is to have

a sip of water every so often when drinking wine or cocktail. It sure

helps! I also try to nibble on some veggies before venturing out to a

party. Then I am not so famished when I get there and eat more than

I intended!

Life is shorter than we think! Make 2020 a year to reflect on what we

did in 2019. Set some goals (not resolutions!) to try to attain what you

didn’t do last year.

Make a conscious effort to exercise more, try to lose those added

pounds that suddenly appeared around the middle, eat healthier, enjoy

your friends and make new friends. Enjoy each and every given day. Be

thankful for all that we have.

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.

Helpful Hints for a New Year’s

Resolutions

By: Kyo Mitchell / A Healthier You

Many individuals will make a New Year’s

resolution to increase their health and

quality of life. To help you fulfill these resolutions, a few helpful hints.

Losing Weight: Obviously a healthy diet and exercise are paramount

here. You should strive to lose about a pound a week.

Experts believe that weight loss at a rate faster than this may be

deleterious to the body. Tea leaves (the plant Camellia sinensis)

are used to help treat obesity, type II diabetes, high cholesterol and

cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that the herb decrease the body’s ability to make

lipids (fat) and also decrease absorption of fat in the gut. It also helps

lower blood sugar, insulin concentrations and triglycerides. Drinking

tea may help your weight loss goals.

Decreasing stress and anxiety: When most people think of

stress, what they are referring to is the nervous system in a state of

fight or flight. Where drugs such as Xanax are given for such problems,

meditation and yoga are ways to slow the body down and transition

from a state of fight or flight to one of relaxation and being centered.

Eating healthier: Do you know how you may crave certain

unhealthy foods? It may not be you that is actually craving them.

You have billions of bacteria that live in your body; a large proportion

living in your intestines. Most of these bacteria are beneficial. Some,

however, may not be.

These non-beneficial bacteria also have dietary needs which may be

contrary to your health. By releasing certain chemicals which affect the

nervous system, these bacteria can make you feel good by eating food

that nourishes them but actually harms you.

The best way to kill these bacteria is to eat a good clean diet for a few

weeks. This causes these bacteria to die off due to lack of nourishment.

Resolving Pain: Acupuncture and been used for thousands of years

to treat pain and the underlying cause of pain. When done correctly, the

procedure is not painful at all.

30

January 2020

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.

Humana’s affordable Medicare Advantage plans

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Y0040_GHHKFUJEN_C

31

By: Jim Valkenburg / Insurance Insight

Q

: Why did my rate go up when I removed

a vehicle or a driver from my auto

insurance policy?

A: This one sounds

downright wrong…but it can easily happen

for several reasons. The first one is that you sell

a vehicle leaving only one car on your policy.

You now lose the multi-vehicle discount

which can be as high as 25%. If the vehicle

that was removed was an older vehicle with

minimal coverage, removing that vehicle can

cause the policy to increase.

Another reason is divorce or death. When

that person is removed from the policy, the

remaining driver will then be rated as “single.”

And still another - if there is a young driver

also listed on the policy and there are now 2

vehicles, the young driver will be rated as a

principal operator instead of an occasional operator.

Q: Can I add someone else’s vehicle to my auto policy?

A: No. In short, to add a vehicle to your policy you must have an

insurable interest in that vehicle; meaning you must be listed as the

owner or co-owner of the vehicle.

32

2020 Consumer Electronic Show

By: BJ Killeen / Down the Road

One of the biggest conventions in the U.S.

is held every January right here in Las

Vegas: the Consumer Electronics Show, or

CES. What’s fascinating about the show is the depth of technological

goodies introduced that covers everything from home appliances to

autonomous cars.

Since technology is the future, every company is working hard to

deliver products that make life easier for everyone. Some companies

understand the growing need to address aging Baby Boomers and are

offering an assortment of items, that not only are innovative, but truly

will make a difference in the lives of many seniors.

One company, WHILL, has been working on an autonomous

wheelchair that will come to you at the touch of a button. It drives itself

using front and rear cameras and can be used at places like malls,

theme parks, and airports.

Or ElliQ, a voice assistant that helps live-at-home seniors. It’s a mini

robot that lights up, nods, talks, and has a camera so seniors can make

video calls to family and friends. It can play music, read messages, set

reminders, play games, share photos, and more.

Hearing aids also are advancing at a rapid pace. Widex offers a

battery-free hearing aid powered by a miniature fuel cell that can

reenergize in 20 seconds versus three to six hours to recharge.

Answers to Common Insurance Questions

January 2020

In addition, multiple

companies are showcasing

wearable devices, such as

watches that track medical

information like heart

monitors and exercise

reminders, or fabrics

integrated with pain-relief

electrical stimulation. Even

a walking stick that tracks

its users as they move and

can alert someone if the

owner falls.

It can record how the

owner walks and sends messages to interested parties if those habits

change drastically. And we haven’t even touched on all the different

phone apps that can control a variety of home functions for those who

have mobility issues.

While many of us lament that technology negatively has affected our

lives, there are a lot of positives that will go a long way toward helping

us age with dignity.

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

The DMV requires that the proof of insurance sent by the insurance

company matches the name on the vehicle registration. So, if a family

member moves permanently into your home, you can either change

the registration so you can insure together, or

the family member must maintain his/her own

insurance.

Q: My homeowner’s policy includes

something called “additional living expense”

(or loss of use). What is it?

A: If you have a home/condo/renter’s policy,

you will find Additional Living Expense as

Coverage D on your policy. If you own the home

or condo, your insurance company will pay for

you to live elsewhere while the property is being

repaired or rebuilt after a loss.

If you are a renter, the carrier will pay for you

to live elsewhere for a period sufficient for you

to find another place to rent. This is extremely

valuable coverage for the homeowner because

it can take many months to get you back into

you home; particularly if it is a total loss.

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.

33

By: Joey Kantor / Vegas Retrospective

It’s not like I don’t understand change. Cities

grow cities over the top of them, but people

are most edified by the relics of previous eras.

Boston is a city that preserved much of its

history. To see old graveyards with headstones

that actually have skulls and crossbones on them makes you privy to

little philosophical secrets you can’t quite name.

You expand your worldview and can relax when you see that there

are places with meaning in this world. The enemy of history is order

and cleanliness.

We have a million little stories that matter yet were never told.

Because our unique western relics are aged they are characterized as

ugly and we are ready to wipe them away.

I’m not just talking about the classic old hotels like the Landmark

and the Sands and the Desert Inn, but the humbler places of Vegas

itself. My own property is a good example.

It is the story of a naïve sap, a well-intentioned lover of history and

soul, brought to his knees by the stern thumb of the governmental

rulebook.

I inherited what is now a historical property on the Boulder Highway.

It is historical, for one, because it is one of the few properties whose full

history, eighty years, is known.

It was built in 1940 as Bob’s French Dips, a small restaurant. It was

taken over in 1960 by my grandfather who renamed it The Country

34

The Sad Tale of Bob’s French Dips

January 2020

Kitchen.

He also had a lumber yard on the acre out back. When my mother

inherited it she opened a Bible store, Alpha Omega, that she ran for 23

years

My mother, Katherine Gianaclis, is a big part of its historicity. She has

been noted as one of the most important artists in Las Vegas history by

the now defunct Las Vegas Art Museum.

She was the “go to” girl for murals and was tapped by nearly every

major hotel in Vegas during the 1960s and 1970s. When I got the

property in 1999 I opened The Katherine Gianaclis Park for the Arts

in my mother’s honor.

We quickly got this art thing that is now burgeoning in Vegas

humming. CityLife Magazine said we “helped kickstart” the arts

movement which is wholly true. Just another little known fact that only

enhances the property’s historical value.

People loved the park for both its freedom to create and humility. It

had soul.

My mother had dragged a 1949 Fruehauf semi-trailer on to the

property for frame storage. It became a venue called Club Mack. Never

underestimate the abilities of the creative class.

Old sheds and classic trucks were not junk but art, and everybody

knew it. Odd how that is, downright psychological, but you have to

believe that psychology is real.

The property was condemned as a visual nuisance in 2004 and

everything was removed.

Labors of love are often lost when unbending governmental codes

are put in charge of our history. A place of soul becomes just another

dirt lot. The old is ugly. The old is evil and must be destroyed.

But aging things are actually pure gold, invisible gold, really. If the

humble gems of our neighborhoods can survive the strains of time our

great, great grandchildren might actually have a city with real history,

a condition that produces pride.

But we worship the gods Cleanliness & Youth. Neighborhoods peel

off and die because soulless, are winnowed away by codes when they

should be allowed to age like fine wine.

They can become fearless places, humble, dignified and important.

If we can keep them, we can have something to collectively call our

own.

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.

35

2020 Reset

By: Aaron Phillips / Healthy Voice

Show of hands…who enjoyed the many

holiday food offerings at the end of the year?

Thanksgiving? (Check). Hanukkah with Latkes?

(Check). Christmas dinner? (Check). New Year’s cheer? (Check).

After the consumption of all the things

that you enjoyed, how many of you felt

guilty? Now are you asking yourself

“How do I get back onto my healthy

track?”

When we took our first steps as a child,

we had to crawl first. You likewise started some good habits before the

holidays hit. I do not want to oversimplify things but, you got to just

get back up on the bike! You fall off things, you dust yourself off and

keep moving.

The nice things about the holiday treats is if you planned right by

eating as best as you can before a party then you have given yourself a

nice treat for “being good.” It’s okay that you did that but now it is time

to get back to business.

Water, proteins, healthy snacks and exercise is the formula to get

back on track for a healthy 2020.

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

What’s Up Doc?

By: Chuck Dean / Vet 2 Vet

As we all adjust to the new Mission Act for our

medical care (rather than at VA facilities)

there is something I need to pass along.

The Mission Act (or Choice Program) was designed to get more

immediate care for veterans - since some have died in very long waiting

lines. It’s a good thing, and hopefully will be the right answer to that

lingering problem.

However, I just ran into something that you should heed. I encourage

you to check out any doctors that Tri-West Healthcare Alliance schedules

you to see. (Tri-West is the organization that locates community care

providers for veterans).

In June, I had an internal G.I. procedure done, and since the G.I.

department at the VAMC in Las Vegas was booked up, they asked if I

want to go to the community for a follow-up procedure. I agreed and

got the appointment scheduled.

I began however to have gut feelings that wouldn’t go away. I was

feeling some trepidation about the upcoming procedure and couldn’t

identify just what was eating me, so I went to Google and typed in the

physician’s name.

After wading through all the promotional “BS” about how good the

doctor and his clinic are, I then found an investigative article in the

Review Journal titled “State medical panel files complaint against

endoscopy center doctor.” I went on to discover that this doctor had

malpractice suits filed against him for careless procedures that resulted

in dozens of his patients being infected with Hepatitis C.

At one time he actually had a restraining order placed on him by

the Nevada Medical Board. Needless to say, I called Tri-West and rescheduled

with a different doctor. And you better believe that I’ll do

the same with any other doctor, namely - I’ll check out their past

performance closely.

We only have one life, so do your due diligence before going under.

Happy New Year.

36

January 2020

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

Our New Feng Shui Columnist

By: Kate Wind / Kate’s Insight

When I mention I’m a Feng Shui consultant,

I’m often met with comments like, “Oh,

that’s having a red door,” or “That has something

to do with the position of your bed, right?” And

while these responses have validity, Feng Shui is

so much more than furniture placement and colors!

Common practices, such as Feng Shui, suggest that our homes and

personal spaces are a reflection of ourselves. Whatever you place and

honor on your walls, you are asking the universe for more of. I’m

adamant that your home is the largest vision board you will ever create!

Take a moment and think about this. What is on your vision boards?

No, seriously. Put this article down, walk around the house and note

what you see.

Unlike our magazine vision boards that change every year, we have a

tendency to place items in our homes or on our walls with the intention

of making the placement its forever home.

When was the last time you really examined what was on your walls?

Do the images in your home reflect your goals, the places you want to

visit or the energy you aspire to?

Many times, I find that clients have items on their walls that were

handed down in the family or belonged to an ex. Even though they

have little or no emotional connection to the artwork or item, they still

keep it!

Or on the opposite spectrum, they have so much guilt connected to

the item, they can’t part with it! Can you relate to this?

We spend a good deal of time in our home, so shouldn’t the home

inspire us? Similar to the saying, dress for the job you want, I want

your house to reflect you and your goals for the future, not the past.

Kate Wind is second-generation Astrologer and Feng Shui

Consultant. She speaks on an array of topics, from astrological

influences, Chinese New Year, Feng Shui and Tarot. You can contact

her at: the katewind@gmail.com

37

A New Year for Desert Gardeners

By: Howard Galin / Happy Gardening

Now that the holidays are over; it is time to

focus on the 2020 growing season.

January is a unique month in gardening.

Although there is not much going on physically, we should be in “full

gear” planning for our new gardens.

I like to divide up this month into two parts. Part one consists of

evaluating the past year’s successes and failures, while the second part

consists of setting up and implementing a strategy for bringing our

future plans to fruition.

We should begin our evaluation by examining our soil. Although the

outward appearance of the soil may seem constant, the quality may

have changed. Does your soil lack the three basic nutrients of nitrogen,

phosphorus and potassium?

Now is the time to plan on having your soil tested. What about the

soil’s pH level? Has the increased rainfall led to a greater concentration

of alkali which will inhibit future plant growth?

Think back to last spring and summer; when did your garden start

to show the effects of extreme sun and high temperatures? Did your

irrigation systems handle these events?

Think about modifying your watering system by moving and/or

adding additional drips. Perhaps more drought tolerant plants may be

needed or maybe using more “organic” mulch would help?

Remember the “Great Grasshopper Invasion” last summer? Now

is the time to create

a proactive plan for

the inevitable “pest

problems” you may

experience in the

coming months.

Now is also the time

to acquire gardening

books, seed and plant

catalogues and do some on-line research on plants that you may be

interested in growing. While it might be cold outside, stay warm inside

setting up a “mental blueprint” of what you want to grow and how

you’re going to grow it.

The second part of the month (with increased daylight hours and

warming temperatures) will be the time to implement ideas you have

formulated earlier. This is the time to transition from planning to

actually doing!

As January comes to an end, start visiting your local nurseries. This is

the time when new plants are starting to arrive. Before you know it…

Growing Season 2020 has arrived!

Have a question? 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.

38

January 2020

39

40

November 2019

The sunshine and warm azure water of Costa

Maya draws year-round tourists, most of

whom arrive for the day by cruise ship. Costa Maya was purposely built

to accommodate cruise ships; before then, this area of Caribbean coast

on Mexico’s eastern Yucatán Peninsula was scarcely known.

Costa Maya has been developed into a popular cruise ship stop

celebrated for beaches. It provides diving and snorkeling in addition to

world-class coral reefs.

Costa Maya

runs from Punta

Herreros to

Xcala, close to

the charming

town of Bacalar,

the pictureperfect

beach

of Mahahual

and the City

of Chetumal.

Mahahual is the

town just outside

the cruise port

area.

Costa Maya More Than a

Beautiful Beach

By: Kathy Manney / Around Our World

When not

teeming with

tourists, Mahahual suggests the flavor of true Mexico; its cultural

values and traditions preserved for centuries. Because many of the

nearby communities still maintain their ancestral traditions, this is

an advantageous place to undertake alternative tourism and to get in

touch with Mayan culture.

A stiff breeze blew in our faces laden with the tang of salt as the

ship pulled into port and prepared to disgorge its passengers onto the

bustling concourse. We are looking forward to witnessing the reefs and

mangroves of Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve that are populated

by dolphins and turtles. Our revisit here will include the Sian Ka’an

Biosphere Reserve which shelters jaguars, monkeys and bird species.

The Mexican Caribbean offers rich warm waters and beautiful white

sand beaches. The land is blessed with a contrasting ecosystem that

includes not only beaches, but tropical forest, wetlands, coral reefs,

abundant wildlife and wonderful archaeological sites.

If you want to relax, Costa Maya’s incredibly beautiful beaches are

waiting. Having spent our day on land visiting the attractions, we

prepared to depart. Back on ship, we leaned against the ship’s railing

and can’t help but stare out across the harbor enfolding us.

The air is thick with the scent of the sea and the lack of air pollution

makes for spectacular sunsets. The glorious sunset did not disappoint.

Kathy Manney enjoys visiting interesting places and being an

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

with enthusiasm.

We’re Back at Palace Station

By: Stu Cooper / Happy Adventures

happy and healthy New Year to all.

A We have a CHANGE OF VENUE for our

upcoming VEGAS VOYAGERS meeting. After an

absence of a couple of years we are headed back to PALACE STATION

for our next meeting.

It will be held on Thursday, January 23rd at 9:30 am in

the upstairs conference rooms.

This meeting is going to be packed with information. As always we

will discuss our upcoming “BUS TO THE BOAT” cruise dates. We also

will have preliminary information on our next Holy Land Tour to

Israel hosted by Bruce Ewing and tentatively scheduled for April 2021.

But the absolute highlight of the meeting will be a presentation

by a representative from MAYFLOWER TOURS. The name of the

company actually belies a large part of what they do. Yes, there will

be a presentation for a Canadian Rockies land tour scheduled for this

summer.

Additionally Mayflower Tours is also the company that owns SCENIC

RIVER CRUISES and EMERALD RIVER CRUISES and is one of the

biggest European waterway cruises in the world. Over the course of

the next year we will be offering a number of land/cruise packages for

cruises along the Danube and Rhine Rivers.

And here is the best news of all. All of the river cruises prices include

FREE AIR from Las Vegas. That’s right the prices include your airfare.

For those who have frequent flyer miles or just want the cruise (or

tour) only rate, there is a rate reduction for the package that does

not include air. Any way you choose to book these trips, the rates are

extremely affordable.

The representative from Mayflower Tours will explain the differences

between the two cruise lines. Scenic River Cruises is a five star cruise

line which includes “butler” service as part of its amenities.

Emerald River Cruises is a four star cruise line and is less expensive.

Simply put, working with these two cruise lines will afford opportunities

in all price ranges.

We look forward to seeing you on January 23rd at PALACE

STATION. Please don’t forget to RSVP at 800/698-1101 or

fairtravel@aol.com.

As always Happy Adventures to all.

41

42

January 2020

43

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2019-20 Collette

Spotlight Tours

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

Air and transfers are available

Unpack Just Once!

Tuscany, 9 days from $1549

Paris, 7 days from $1999

Rome, 7 days from $1499

New York City,

5 days from

$1799

New York City Holiday,

5 days from $2499

Washington, D.C. $1899

6 days from

San Antonio, $1399

5 days from

San Antonio Holiday,

5 days from $1499

New Orleans, $1299

5 days from

South Dakota, $1849

7 days from

And...

January 2020

There’s still

time to make

2019 reservations!

Call Now!

Wow! Local professional

airport transfers provided

by Vegas Vacationers for

every Collette Vacation

with air!

Call Ray or Crystal at:

702/463-0966

Greeting New Years in

New York City

By: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker /

Out & About

Every year Las Vegas visitors and locals alike fill the Strip to see

entertainers and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. It’s a good show,

but the granddaddy of New Year’s celebrations is still found in New York

City, where almost a million revelers celebrate at Times Square.

The crowds start gathering early so by mid-afternoon, the Square is

closed to auto traffic. The countless restaurants, bars and hotels that

line the surrounding streets fill to capacity and after dark, literally

thousands of people spill out into the Square.

Eventually, the blocked streets become packed with people who can

hardly move. Everyone is expected to stand for the entire evening, and

since there are no outdoor portable restrooms provided for this event,

the situation becomes embarrassingly uncomfortable.

The crowds, however, are undaunted by these minor inconveniences.

Top performers like Taylor Swift - the 2019 New Year’s Eve star, are hired

to appear on temporary outdoor stages to entertain the multitudes for

the evening.

The New Year’s Eve extravaganza continues into the wee hours and is

traditionally a spirited event with lots of protection by New York’s Finest.

But if standing for several hours in the cold does not appeal to you, the

Big Apple has other ways to greet the New Year, because Times Square is

in the heart of the City’s theatre district.

How often do you get to see a play with its original cast or at least,

on its original stage? This is important because, the venue changes the

theatre experience.

For example, a “Spectacular” version of “Phantom of the Opera”

had a successful run in Las Vegas by changing the title character into a

scary powerhouse so he could dominate the large size of the stage, and

the theatre itself. But in reality, much of the success of Andrew Lloyd

Webber’s haunting masterpiece is due to its intimacy and sensuality,

which is clearly seen on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre, where

“Phantom” has played to full houses for over 36 years.

By the way: It’s not too early to plan for 2021 New Years in NYC! Call

702-463-0966 for more information.

Travel professional, Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker, has visited all

50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. She was awarded 1st Place for

her 2019 Travel Writing by the North American Mature Publishers

Association. She can be reached at Merryman2@aol.com

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!

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

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

with apologies to

my hero, Norman...

2O19

February


and Good Times!

GUARDIANSHIP

VICTORY!

2015-2019

SPECIAL FEATURE

“WE MADE IT”

PAGES 24-33

2O19

May


and Good Times!

Political Editor Rana Goodman and Nampa Executive

Director Gary Calligas

45

46

January 2020

47

Speaking to and for Las Vegas

Valley Seniors since 2003

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

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

LAS VEGAS, NV

PERMIT #3235

The Vegas Voice 1-20

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