Brunch Knows No Rules…

By Michelle Morey

Just for grins, ask random strangers for their definition of “brunch.”  This hybrid meal truly breaks all the rules with its many variations.  Foods that may or may not bear any relationship to one another, ranging from sweet to savory or a whimsical marriage of the two, provide an excuse to create a festive event.  Boldly serve popovers and jam with garden peppers stuffed with salt cod, while imbibing drinks from all ends of the spectrum.

A terrific beginning to any interpretation of brunch is sweet ricotta fritters accented with lemon zest, pine nuts and powdered sugar with Gramona Imperial Cava Gran Reserva ($25.00/btl.) sparkling wine.   Ripe apples, tea biscuits and spice waft from the glass, enticing one to sip often while enjoying these rustic donuts.  For those who fancy mimosa, stock your cellar with Gruet NV Brut ($14.00/btl.) sparkling wine from New Mexico; crisp citrus notes enhanced by a fine mousse is perfect for sparkling wine cocktails paired with shortbread, muffins and scones.

For fans of omelets, frittatas and quiche of all varieties and international influence, keep a flush selection of white wine.  Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Chardonnay ($17.00/btl.) is Burgundian in sensibility, but with a California bloom; brioche married with tropical fruit offers a delicate richness that bolsters eggs with seasonal vegetables.  For outstanding white Burgundy value, consider Domaine de Roally Mâcon Viré-Clessé ($22.00/btl.); fresh and lively Chardonnay fruit coupled with deep mineral character and modest toasty oak.  If a smattering of bacon, pancetta or Serrano ham is desired, dry and slightly off-dry Rieslings are in tune to counter-balance the smoked and dry aged attributes.  Look to Germany, Alsace and Australia for inspiration and producers such as J.J. Prüm, Trimbach and Grosset Wines for consistent quality.

Escape to the sea with an afternoon brunch or Sunday lunch starter course of sautéed prawns in Pastis with lemon and cherry tomatoes.  Chilled bottles of Bonny Doon Ca’ Del Solo Estate Albariño ($18.00/btl.) should be served as an apéritif and an inseparable component to the dish.  Bracingly crisp citrus and hints of florals make this wine versatile and inviting with many cuisines.

With spring upon us, take advantage of our days in the sun with “al fresco” dining as often as possible.  Seasonal salmon, Gulf Coast red snapper and young lamb will soon be the centerpiece to many outdoor affairs.  Lighter-bodied single varietals and blended reds will surely complement these preparations.  King Estate Oregon Pinot Noir ($22.00/btl.) offers a welcome drink with whole roasted salmon and steamed red snapper.  Bright cherries, raspberries, rose, hints of spice and a soft finish complete this wine.  As for that leg of lamb, look no further than Estancia Napa Valley Red Meritage ($27.00/btl.), a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot exudes black cherries, herbal accents, chocolate and vanillin.

A fine old Basque saying, “To know how to eat and drink is to know enough” puts it all in perspective.  Whether you enjoy brunch or Sunday lunch, gather often, embrace flavorful food and toast with earnest wines!

Rock the Tea/Child Focus

There are thousands of foster children in Nevada. In the shuffle from home to home, school to school, family to family, many of these children don’t receive all the care they need, and sometimes they just don’t have the time or occasion to relax and enjoy the silly things in life. That’s why when family-oriented organizations like Rock the Tea and nonprofits like Child Focus join forces, the result is an amazing experience for all involved, with long-lasting and joyous ripple effects.

 Sunday February 28^th, Rock the Tea hosted an inaugural fundraiser and community event for Child Focus, serving the needs of foster children in Nevada. The event was a hit, with about 300 in attendance, some foster children with foster parents, some parents and their biological children. Even Miss Teen Nevada and Miss Nevada made an appearance to sign autographs. Children at the event dressed up, sang karaoke, had mini manicures, showed their wild side with washable tattoos and bounced on the jumpee. Smiles were had by all, and the event helped to raise over $1700 in funds for Child Focus.

 Rock the Tea is a modern, clean and elegant party place for girls to explore their imaginations and creativity. To learn more about it, visit www.rockthetea.com. For more info on Child Focus, visit www.childfocusnv.org.

S.A.V.E.

 S.A.V.E. isn’t just any ol’ nonprofit group; they’re the littlest givers around, and they’ve got soul! What is S.A.V.E. exactly? “It’s a program to promote peace and kindness within the school and community,” says Julie Doody, counselor at Elise Wolff Elementary school and facilitator of the group. The children of S.A.V.E., all students of Wolff, meet once a month to discuss school activities and current issues, and to organize and participate in projects from giving personal thanks to community workers to welcoming new students. 

Recently, these philanthropists-in-training wanted to do a service project to help out survivors in Haiti, so Doody contacted Soles4Souls Inc., The Shoe Charity. Together with the nonprofit organization, the students and Doody launched a very successful drive for gently-used shoes. “Our initial goal was to collect 500 pairs of shoes,” says Doody, “However, after only two weeks, [we] collected over 540 pairs of shoes!” All told, they collected over 900 pairs of shoes during the month-long drive. That’s no small feat for some wee little feet. We’d like to thank the students of S.A.V.E. and Julie Doody for working so diligently to help others. These children are the future, and they sure do make us proud.

Three Cups of Tea – One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time

By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

As Reveiwed by Macy Walsh

Three Cups of Tea is not just the title of an inspiring book.  It’s code for a phenomenon that began with the unlikely collaboration of a lost American mountain climber and a wise elder in a small Himalayan village, and it chronicles one man’s Herculean efforts to leave the world a better place for his passing. 

Greg Mortenson was born in Minnesota in 1957, but he grew up on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, where his father, Dempsey, co-founded Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, and his mother, Jerene, founded the International School Moshi. In July of 1992, Mortenson’s sister, Christa, died from a massive seizure after a lifelong struggle with epilepsy. To honor her memory, in 1993 Mortenson climbed Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second highest mountain in the Karakoram Himalaya.

That attempt fell 600 meters short of the summit due to weather conditions, and during the descent, Greg became separated from his companions.  Lost and alone, he endured unimaginable conditions as he worked his way down to the highest base camp, where he was found by a Sherpa guide named Mouzafer.  As fate would have it though, nearing the end of their descent, Mortenson again managed to take a wrong turn and wound up in Korphe, a small, impoverished village perched on a shelf 800 feet above the Braldu River.

Mortenson remained in Korphe, having found something rare in the hardy, self-reliant and devout people of the village. He formed a life-long bond with Haji Ali, the village chief, and Mouzafer, his rescuer.  In living among the people of the region that gave birth to the Taliban and gave sanctuary to Al Qaeda, he realized that the only way to fight ignorance and poverty was through education. Believing that providing their sons and daughters with a balanced, non-extremist education would make them much less vulnerable to the extremist madrassas, he vowed to build a school in Korphe.  From that rash promise has grown a remarkable humanitarian campaign, in which Mortenson has dedicated his life to promoting education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

With scant resources, the project began. Mortenson was reduced at the start, trying to save money out of his meager wages as a nurse in California and sending out literally hundreds of letters soliciting donations.  And the work has been fraught with difficulties that would have defeated most mere mortals.  He survived an eight day armed kidnapping by the Taliban in Pakistan in 1996, and escaped a 2003 firefight with feuding Afghan warlords by hiding for eight hours under putrid animal hides.  He has overcome fatwehs from enraged Islamic mullahs, endured CIA investigations and received threats from fellow Americans after 9/11 for helping Muslim children with education.

Greg Mortenson is a living hero to rural communities of Afghanistan and Pakistan where he has gained the trust of Islamic leaders, military commanders, government officials and tribal chiefs from his tireless efforts to champion education.  He is one of few foreigners who has worked extensively in rural villages where few foreigners ever go.

Today Greg Mortenson is the director of the Central Asia Institute and has established or significantly supports 131 schools in rural and often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, which provide education to over 58,000 children, including 44,000 girls.  TV newscaster Tom Brokaw calls Mortenson, “one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, who is really changing the world.” Congresswoman Mary Bono says, “I’ve learned more from Greg Mortenson about the causes of terrorism than I did during all our briefings on Capitol Hill.  He is a true hero whose courage and compassion exemplify the true ideals of the American spirit.”

Dare to be Passionate

By Judi Moreo

Passion is an integral part of achieving success. People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving things. They don’t waste their time. If you feel strongly enough about something, you will put your effort and time toward it. You will be passionate and you will make your dreams come to life.

On a Mission for Happiness

Passion comes when we believe in something; when our purpose is clear. It’s the fuel that drives us to accomplish our goals and achieve real happiness. But how do we find it?  Ask yourself a few questions. What gets you excited? What do you love? What do you feel strongly about in your life? What would you do even if you didn’t get paid? What are your special talents? How do you know when something is right? Have you tried to do something that you’ve never done before? What do you secretly wish you could do? How badly do you want to do it?

Listen to your heart to find what it is you want to do and what you feel passionate about. Then you can put your entire focus into it, rather than just getting up, getting dressed, going to work, and getting through the day. When you are excited about life, you’ll get up early, be on time, do your best, give more than is expected, and be happy doing it. If you don’t feel this, perhaps you need to make some changes.

Tough Decisions

If your job isn’t as satisfying as you would like, maybe you need a new job. Perhaps it won’t pay as much or won’t have the perks your current job has, but when you condition your mind, it will change the condition of your life. The money will come when you love what you do and have enthusiasm for it. If you are willing to accept a job you don’t like, one that creates stress but pays well, then you have to be willing to pay the price, and the price you pay is a lack of passion and joy. Many of us have been taught from childhood that it is selfish and self-centered to be happy in what we do. We’ve been taught we must work hard to get ahead. If we can learn to work passionately, we will go further than hard work will ever take us.

If you keep doing the same old thing in the same old way…only harder and longer, you are going to get the same old results, and you are going to hate it. Life treats you as you treat life. In order to be passionate about life, you may have to undergo a mind change. You may need to re-evaluate what’s really important to you. As you observe your life and the lives of others, you might see that living a life without passion is a costly compromise. It is much easier to live a life of passion than it is to live a stressful, unhealthy, unfulfilling, though well-paid existence.

When we have passion, our minds let go of blocks and barriers, because we are focused on what we wish to accomplish and the expectation of what good we can make happen. When we are passionate, we take great joy in our steps forward, both big and small, using what didn’t work as lessons learned, setting new goals, and moving onward and upward to achieve these new goals. In other words, when we are passionate, we just get on with it!

Judi Moreo is the author of the award winning book, “You Are More than Enough: Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power” and its companion, “Achievement Journal”.  She is a motivational speaker, author, and coach.  Judi can be reached at judi@judimoreo.com or (702) 896-2228.

An Itch, a Scratch and a Sneeze – Helping Your Pet Survive Allergy Season

By Ashlee Verba

For most people, spring is a time for outdoor activities and sunshine. For allergy sufferers, it’s a time of blooming sneezes and Benadryl, and humans aren’t the only creatures susceptible to that stuffy head, itchy eye feeling. In fact, cats (an estimated 15% in the United States) as well as dogs also suffer the discomforts of allergies caused by a variety of sources, be it food, inhalants, mold, pollen or dander. Constant scratching, watery eyes, sneezing, inflammation and skin irritation are all signs that your pet is suffering from the perils of the season. The good news is, like human allergies, pet allergies are treatable, no matter the type or source.

Contact

A contact allergy is a reaction to something your pet comes into contact with. For cats, a common cause is plants, usually those with oily leaves. Carpet or carpet cleaners, dust, household cleaners, newspapers/magazines or even kitty litter can also cause adverse reactions. The giveaway sign in both animals is skin irritation, including hives, bumps or blisters, constant scratching and/or patches of missing fur. In cats, skin irritation is most noticeable on the ears, chin, stomach, inner thighs and underneath their tail. Dogs exhibit these problems on their stomach, feet or snout. A simple dose of Benadryl can usually eliminate the problem. The general rule-of-thumb is 25 milligrams of medicine per 15 pounds of body weight, but talk to your vet first. He can prescribe a topical treatment or, in severe cases, a steroid shot.

Food

Food allergies are less common but still occur. Table scraps are rarely healthful; however, human food isn’t the only culprit. Your feline could be allergic to the poultry products in their food (most commonly turkey or chicken), while dogs may be allergic to either the protein source or grains, like wheat, gluten, corn or soy. If your cat is losing weight, picking out certain pieces of food, has a bloated belly, vomits after eating and/or there is blood in their urine or stool, they are most likely suffering a food allergy. Only 15% of allergy suffering dogs are allergic to food, but the tell tale signs for a dog are itching, especially of the face, feet, limbs and anus, ear problems or skin infections that react to antibiotics but reoccur once that treatment has stopped, vomiting and softer, more frequent stools. Try switching to a food with a different grain content or protein source for 6 weeks. If food does turn out to be the problem, it is recommended to rotate the food periodically, as more exposure to a certain ingredient can fuel allergies. If symptoms persist, your vet may want to administer a prescription food.

Mold is another possible source for allergies, mainly (if not exclusively) in dogs, as it produces a poisonous byproduct, myotoxin, that can affect the immune system and cause itching. It will grow anywhere there is an abundance of moisture with a lack of ventilation, and has been known to grow on the wheat, corn or peanut hulls used in dog food.  Make sure to store your dog’s food in a dry area, and if you smell anything out of the ordinary, look the food over; if there’s any doubt, throw it out.

Inhalants

Inhalant allergies occur when tiny airborne particles are breathed in, irritating the nasal passages and upper respiratory system, which results in sneezing, watery eyes and difficulty breathing. Constant watering of the eyes is the giveaway sign that your animal is having an allergic reaction to something in the air. Pollen allergies are common, but the everyday source of inhalant allergies are household aerosol sprays/cleaning products. The best treatment for inhalant allergies is a vet’s prescription for pills or drops.

Insects

Fleas are the number one instigators of allergic reactions in dogs and cats. If you see bumps on the skin, constant scratching or loss of fur, check to see if there are black things resembling dirt scattered on your pet’s skin. If there are, your vet must first treat the allergic reaction with a topical treatment or medication, then treat the fleas once the skin is healed. Prescription flea treatments are recommended more than over-the-counter ones, as is the treatment of your home so your beloved companion doesn’t get re-infected.

Bites and stings are another problem, often resulting in inflammation. If your curious cat or canine returns home with an inflamed…anything, try a dose of Benadryl.

Other Pets

Like humans, dogs may also be allergic to other pets, especially cats. A protein called FelD1 (pronounced Feldy One) is found in cat saliva and, when dry, flakes off the cat’s fur into your home. Being so sticky and lightweight, FelD1 can attach itself to just about anything, including nasal passages. Both potent and resistant, it can remain active in a home for at least 10 years. Dreadfully, the best solution is bathing your cat as frequently as they’ll tolerate.  If your cat absolutely rejects bathing, products like Allerpet C or DanderSeal help seal the allergen to your cat’s body, although they aren’t as effective as a good scrubbing. You may also consider Allersearch X-Mite powder (Aller-Caire; 800-547-8095), which is supposed to neutralize the allergen in areas where your dog comes into contact.

Common Treatments

Identifying the allergen that’s causing so much fuss is only half the battle. Treating it is another. Here are a few treatments that may alleviate some symptoms.

• Avoidance: Avoidance will rarely eliminate the problem on its own, but can be used in conjunction with other treatments. Skin testing is required in order to pinpoint what exactly to avoid.
• Topical Treatments: Topical treatments like shampoos, anti-itch creams and Hydrocortisone may provide immediate relief but are rarely effective long-term. Just be aware that most pets will try to lick lotion off. A head cone may be necessary but, if possible, simply apply the lotion to an area they can’t lick, like the neck.
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids: These help reduce the effects of an allergic reaction in some, but not all dogs and cats. Omega 3s have few side effects and are usually used in conjunction with other treatments.
• Antihistamines: Antihistamines like Benadryl have proven to effectively control allergies in up to 70% of cats and 30% of dogs. The most common side-effect is drowsiness, so don’t be alarmed if your pet seems groggy after medicating. Every animal will respond differently, so if one type isn’t effective, work with your vet to find one that is.
• Steroids: Steroids, either by injection or pill form, have proven to be very effective in the relief of severe inflammation and itching. However, because of their intensity, they should be used as a last resort, and veterinary consulting is a must.
• Epi-Pen: Less common but more severe allergic reactions in dogs include intense hives, facial swelling and anaphylaxis. If untreated, anaphylaxis can result in shock, respiratory and/or cardiac failure and death. If any of these intense reactions occur in your dog, talk with your vet immediately. He may prescribe an epi-pen, a one-time dose of epinephrine to be injected upon an allergic reaction.

Finally, no matter what course of action you take, always consult with your vet before medicating your animal. Pet allergies are a real issue; they can affect your pet’s quality of life as much as yours. So brighten your best bud’s day by getting him or her on an effective treatment regime, go out on the town, and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

Elaine Joy Reininger

By Callie Thomas

It takes a trained eye, creativity and a little ingenuity to make the world a more beautiful place.  People with caring hearts that extend their talents and grace to those in the community are the ones who truly make a difference.  Resident Elaine Joy Reininger is such a person.

 Every day, Reininger is surrounded by beautiful things.  She is a Table Top Buyer for Wynn Las Vegas and the Encore Towers.  So, exactly what does a Table Top Buyer do? From the exquisite dinnerware to the stylish silver, glassware, table linens and even the salt and pepper shakers, Elaine is responsible for purchasing it at the best price for all the restaurants, snack shops, in-room dining, catering and banquet areas, bars and nightclubs.  “If you can’t eat it, I purchase it,” Reininger said.  “From toothpicks to China to kitchen equipment, it’s my job to acquire it.”  Her creative and stylish nature is also nurtured through her small art and event business called Lainey J’s, offering “Art with Heart,” an appropriate description of Reininger herself. She extends a very large heart in helping children and families throughout the community.

Elaine is no stranger to working with organizations that need a hand.  The nineteen year resident was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but moved around wherever her Army father was stationed.  She spent her teen years in Cleveland, Ohio where she was involved with B’nai Brith Youth Groups, through which teens from all backgrounds connect and become involved in serving their community and those in need throughout the world.  “I also taught Hebrew and volunteered for United Jewish Religious Schools as a clerk and mentor for students, including mentally challenged youth,” said Reininger.  Today, Elaine holds the Youth Liaison chair and is a member of the development committee for the Family Promise organization in Las Vegas.

It is estimated that over 13,000 people are homeless on any given night in Las Vegas.  The Clark County School District estimates that over 5,000 children enrolled can be identified as being homeless.  Family Promise is committed to helping homeless families in the Las Vegas valley achieve lasting independence.  From safe shelter, meals and support, Family Promise mobilizes the community to extend those services.  The group does this by partnering with faith houses and community organizations to help families transition from homelessness to stability and independence, with compassionate guidance, shelter and education.  Elaine became involved with Family Promise through a “Mitzvah Day”, a day of service within the community through her synagogue, Congregation Ner Tamid.  “I participated in redesigning the playroom at the day house along with several other temple members,” she said.  From that point forward, Reininger became an on-going part of Family Promise, extending her assistance to other projects, including Cardboard City 2009, an event which created awareness for homelessness; the God Lives in Glass musical fundraiser; and Hope 2, another fundraising event where the cast of Phantom presented an afternoon of classic ballet, just to name a few. 

Reininger and her husband Steven have also encouraged their fifteen-year-old son Alexander (Zander) to pitch in as well. “My son and I repainted the Family Promise Day House kitchen.  He gave his services there as part of his Bar Mitzvah project.”

Elaine Joy Reininger continues to lend a hand and influence others whether it is with Family Promise, donating to the Children’s Heart Association, the Breast Cancer Society or other organizations. “It warms my heart to help others who are less fortunate, and I hope that I have passed on to my family what my parents have taught me about giving back.”

Punam Mathur

By Callie Thomas

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” –  Ferdinand Foch

 By harnessing the unique powers within us, great things can happen.  Resident Punam Mathur knows a thing or two about channeling the energy of and for people, particularly as she is currently the Vice President of Human Resources at Nevada Energy.  In fact, Punam’s entire career has revolved around pulling the best from others and putting those efforts to good use through her work at MGM Mirage, Corporate Diversity and Community Affairs, and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. “I have had the privilege of having community involvement as a centerpiece in my professional positions,” Mathur said. “They have allowed me to blend my vocations with my advocations.”

Supporting the community is a natural byproduct of Punam’s personality as much as it is of her profession. When all is said and done, you’ve got to enjoy people, have a keen sense of character and a passion for helping others.  Outside of her career, Punam reaches out to numerous community organizations, including Three Square where she is a Board Chair.

Three Square is a central location where food is donated and rescued for distribution to those in need.  The organization provides bakery, produce, dairy, non-perishable products and ready-to-eat meals to non–profit and faith-based organizations.  Three Square also facilitates childhood and senior nutrition programs and serves as a place for members of the community to meet, serve and collaborate to become part of the food solution.  By combining the right resources, experience, passionate people and local businesses, Three Square is on the way to ensuring that no one will go hungry. 

“The rapid growth of Three Square has been a thrill,” says Mathur.  “To be on the ground floor just two and a half years ago planning to wage a war against hunger, and today moving nearly 20 million pounds of food annually in partnership with more than 270 community agencies and more than 150 schools is incredibly gratifying.”

Mathur is proud to be involved within the community and has a particular passion for organizations that serve the needs of at risk youth. As a single mom of three – Richard, Joseph and Tai -Punam regularly extends her compassion to make a difference with kids.  “I’ve been active over the years in public education with organizations such as Communities in Schools, After School All-Stars and several organizations which advocate on behalf of children and seek to reform the child welfare system.”  Those efforts also include being an Executive Committee Co-Chair for the Nevada Partnership for Inclusive Education (PIE), and Punam has just been appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Education.

At this stage in her life, the twenty-eight year Las Vegas native just strives to be the best she can be, which includes raising and inspiring her children to be happy, confident and compassionate people.  Although time is tight between her family and work, Punam Mathur continues to lend her support and make a difference.

Giving back has not only presented Punam with the opportunity to meet a countless list of talented people, but has instilled a sense of belonging to something greater than herself. “People throughout my life have believed in me and inspired me to work hard.  Their endless optimism has taught me that things can be better utilizing the power within us.”

Lynn Saccoliti

By Callie Thomas

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

Perhaps it is Seuss’ most significant works which have been created for children of all ages and abilities that have influenced a program conceived by 89052 resident Lynn Saccoliti to assist our most challenged youth.  Or, it could be her enormous heart and tremendous passion which has put the needs of disabled children at the forefront of the community.

The eleven year resident has had a successful career in the medical and healthcare field working as a champion representative for innovative medical technologies devices and treatments. In addition, Lynn has her hand in helping with industry legislative issues as well as reimbursement or coverage for new medical devices. Traveling for her work had been the norm, and something that Lynn had always been  accustomed to growing up as an Air Force kid.  Saccoliti has not only moved all over the States, she spent four years in Timaru, New Zealand. 

After deciding to reduce some of her globetrotting, Lynn settled into Las Vegas.  Her close-knit Italian family has meant everything to Saccoliti. She lives within close proximity to her retired mother and father, brother, sister-in-law and two nephews, although her 100 year old grandmother still cooks up a storm in their original hometown of Brooklyn, New York.  Lynn holds in her heart another brother who died at the age of nineteen and has become an important catalyst for the work Lynn has chosen in the community today.   “My brother lived with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy,” says Saccoliti.  “I have a nephew who was born deaf and an uncle who lives with cerebral palsy.  I have watched three generations of family members, each with different types of disabilities, who have struggled with social integration issues as compared to the typical child,” she said. What Lynn noticed while spending time with her friends and their children as well as her hearing impaired nephew was that children with disabilities and those without could effectively socialize together, have fun inclusively, build friendships and engage with each other in a positive way.

At the urging of a friend, Saccoliti started a nonprofit public charity called i.m.perfect  (i-m-perfect.org.)  “My vision was simple.  Create an organization that hosts social events between typical children and children with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families.” 

Through i.m.perfect programs, social integration and friendships grow when children and families have the opportunity to engage in a fun, social venue.  What they learn is that the children are more alike than they are different.  “If you let children have fun together, magic happens,” says Saccoliti.

I.m.perfect reaches out within the community to organizations and entities that provide much needed support to children and families with intellectual/developmental disabilities and other special needs. Many of the families with children who have disabilities are engaged with medical, educational, therapeutic and nutritional requirements, yet socialization is an important aspect in a child’s further development.  I.m.perfect provides that opportunity for families.

On April 25, i.m.perfect will hold the 2010 Carousel Sprint Event at The District in Green Valley for the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN).  “We’ll be integrating children and families with clowns, face painting, balloon twisters, hot dogs, lemonade, cotton candy, Sno-Kones, popcorn, games and other fun things to go along with the Old Fashioned Carousel theme. I’m fortunate to be co-coordinating this event with Lindsay Terrett, Director of Programs for DSOSN.”

Saccoliti is pleased that the community has embraced the efforts of i.m.perfect.  “I have made some wonderful friends, worked with tremendous partners and have been inspired by our community’s children’s organizations and talented supporters.  It truly does take a village!”

Heidi Hayes & Ted Pretty

By Callie Thomas

Pioneer American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow said that to be persuasive, one must be believable; to be believable, one must be credible; and to be credible, one must be truthful.  Viewers need little persuasion to watch the Fox5 morning news show every day because of the authentically candid demeanor of its most familiar news personalities, residents Heidi Hayes and Ted Pretty.  The married news and weather duo, who have been on-air longer than any other members of the Fox5 team, are engrained in the very fabric of our community.

“I was born and raised in Las Vegas,” says news anchor Hayes with passionate pride. “I’m a proud native.  I grew up just a few miles from the 89012 area, and back then it was all desert.”  Meteorologist Ted Pretty has resided in the valley for just over a decade, but has immersed himself within the community to earn him nearly native status.  “The last decade has absolutely flown by with all the personal and professional changes,” adds Pretty.  “I was single and 25 when I moved here; now I’m married with two children, and Fox5 has grown by leaps and bounds.”

When Hayes started her career in the news business, her dream was always to come back to her hometown.  “I am proud to represent my community on live TV everyday.  Since this is my hometown, getting involved in the community is an honor.”  Pretty, like most aspiring news journalists, worked his way through small markets across the country before landing in Vegas as the morning features reporter.  He later became the station’s meteorologist after earning his certification and seal of approval from the National Weather Association nearly seven years ago.

Both Hayes and Pretty feel strongly about giving back to the community and can be found supporting an extensive list of organizations throughout the valley.  The couple participates in fundraisers for the March of Dimes, Opportunity Village, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Nevada Cancer Institute, and so many more.  Ted sits on the Board of Directors for the Southern Nevada Chapter of the March of Dimes and also lends his time to causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and The Salvation Army.  Heidi visits local schools to speak and read to children of all ages.  “My favorite would have to be Keith and Karen Hayes Elementary School, which was named after my parents,” she said.

One of the most important events that the couple participates in each year is the annual Float Like a Duck water safety and awareness campaign created by Paragon Pools. “Drowning is the number one cause of preventable death for children under the age of four, and with two small children myself, I feel it’s important to educate parents on how to keep their children safe,” says Hayes.   Pretty concurs.  “We love helping out with the Float Like a Duck Campaign along with the Fire Department, Las Vegas Metro Police and the Southern Nevada Health District.”

The 7^th annual event will be held this May at the Heinrich YMCA Branch Water Sports Park.  “Floating” is regarded as the first building block in a series of water-related safety programs that families can build on throughout their child’s upbringing.  The event teaches how to be safe around all bodies of water in a fun-filled setting.  “It breaks my heart every year when I have to report tragic stories of children drowning or being seriously injured in backyard pools when it can be prevented,” says Hayes.

Giving back to the community is a no brainer for Heidi Hayes and Ted Pretty who are dedicated to making it the best it can be.  “Just do what you can.  Not all of us can donate thousands of dollars to our favorite cause, but we can give our time and talents.”