Grape Expectations for Pasta Pairings
By Michelle Morey
There is nothing simpler, nor more satisfying than creating a memorable pasta or noodle dish while enjoying a variety of wines. A comforting truth is that there are usually several wines that do complement, and the foundation for delicious synergy is possible. Whether you revel in the deconstruction of food and wine components or simply appreciate a clear marriage of flavors, bask in honest pleasures at the table.
Historically, different cultures consumed some form of noodle-like food; generally composed of native ingredients including wheat, corn, millet, rice, quinoa and beans. Happily, this same variety flourishes today and what may have been old is truly new again.
Spicy bean thread noodle salad, seasonal vegetables and sesame vinaigrette is ideal for a light meal paired with Deligeroy Crémant de Loire Brut ($15.00/btl.), sparkling wine from Loire Valley, France. This blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc offers well rounded notes of lemon, apricot and florals while maintaining vibrant acidity. This will enliven your palate and enhance slightly sweet, spicy, salty dishes. Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler Riesling QbA ($10.00/btl.) from Germany is also suggested for its off-dry, classic Riesling qualities which are especially well suited to Asian cuisine.
Our homage to vegetables continues with quinoa penne, roasted fennel, red onion, olives, orange and pine nuts finished with olive oil, oregano and feta cheese. Where fennel and olives go, so follow wine from Southern France; specifically, Château de Nages, Costières de Nîmes, Reserve Rosé ($10.00/btl.). This dry rosé made from Grenache and Syrah beautifully highlights berry fruit with a hint of pepper–just enough character to stand up to fennel and olives without overpowering multiple flavors.
For sublime gratification, indulge in cornmeal fettuccini, leek cream sauce and crispy pancetta with a glass of Kris Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio ($10.00/btl.). Enticing aromas of tangerine, apricot, acacia and almond evolve nicely on one’s palate and finish with bright contrast to the richness of this dish. If you desire red wine, consider Tarras Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir ($30.00/btl.) from New Zealand. Earthy, dark cherry complexities pick up the pancetta accent, yet won’t confuse the taste of the overall dish.
With a bow to Emilia-Romagna tradition, warm platters of tagliatelle con ragù alla Bolognese are in order, along with bottles of San Felice Chianti Classico ($13.00/btl.) and Mauro Sebaste Barbera d’Alba Santa Rosalia ($17.00/btl.). These regional wines from Tuscany and Piedmont, respectively, are equally steeped in history and offer flavors that match the intensity of hearty meat sauces. Cherry and raspberry compose a balanced Sangiovese portrait, and rich black fruit and violet complete a Barbera profile. Both blend seamlessly with traditional meat fare from this area.
Spanish and Mexican cuisines embrace fideo, coiled vermicelli simply prepared with tomatoes, chile peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro and dry grated cheese. Torres Celeste Ribera del Duero ($16.00/btl.), Tempranillo from Spain, delivers plum, cherry, spice and herb in smooth Ribera style, character and compatibility with these ingredients.
Where food and wine were once exclusively unique to different cultures, international evolution is thankfully expanding our creativity, imagination and palates.
Pup-Psychology – Therapy for Your Troubled Companion
By Lisha Ross
Rudy the Rude Dog more than earned his nickname. A purebred German Shorthair with a hot temper, he was prone to attacking unfamiliar dogs and exhibiting aggressive, territorial behavior. Despite all his shock collar and obedience training, and a mild, loving manner inside the home, his gnarling turf wars with neighborhood dogs left Rudy’s owners with few options to ponder, the least desirable being euthanasia. With nowhere else to turn, Rudy’s owners took him to a pet psychologist. What came of just one session was nothing short of a miraculous turnaround. After careful observation of Rudy’s mannerisms, the psychologist was able to pinpoint his triggers and teach his owners practical strategies to correct his aggressive behavior.
Sound like a furry-tale? Rudy’s story is, in fact, non-fiction, and he’s far from alone. According to Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D., CAAB, Executive Vice President, National Programs and Science Advisor, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “Behavior problems are the most common reason given for the surrender of companion dogs and cats to animal shelters in the United States.” Pet psychologists can and do help eliminate this problem by applying scientific principles of animal behavior to, as Zawistowski states, “mediate conflicts or problems that exist between humans and animals in a way that does not require killing or hurting animals.” It worked for Rudy; it might just work for your troubled pet, too.
Fido vs. Freud
Just as humans are susceptible to angst from a variety of sources, so too are our pets, making emotional support and social cultivation key points in a healthy human-to-pet or pet-to-pet relationship. It is when those relationships are jeopardized by a pet’s fear, nervousness, anxiety, jealousy, compulsive behavior and aggression that a professional pet psychologist can save the day.
A pet psychologist, more formally known as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), is a professional that has studied the science of animal behavior in depth, giving them intimate knowledge about the instincts and social rituals of cats, dogs and other animals. With that knowledge, CAABs use scientific principles to identify and diagnose troublesome behaviors and devise a plan to modify them.
Though it’s tempting to throw them into the same category, pet psychology is not obedience training, which is oftentimes based on a system of dominance, negative consequences, control and bribes for good behavior. On the contrary, pet psychology works by establishing leadership, mutual respect and a clear pack structure via positive reinforcement and compassion. While obedience training may help with some issues, such as basic manners and obeying commands, when it comes to deep seeded behavioral and emotional problems, it may not be enough. According to Pearl Kam, Animal Wellness Consultant for Gentle Care Natural Pet Products, obedience training and the rewards that come with it may please both owner and pet superficially, but psychological training helps animals be happy on a deeper level, as they will learn how to live with humans by managing their natural instincts.
On the Couch
So, how does one go about teaching an animal to manage their natural instincts in an unnatural environment? Well, it starts with a firm understanding of pack mentality, something educated behaviorists are well versed in. Put simply, pack animals have a pecking order; as such, they fair best when there is a clear leader, one that offers protection and support. Furthermore, animals respond better to a leader that is calm, alert and in firm control. Excitability, anger and fear are all emotions that animals pick up on. Meek animals will emulate these behaviors; dominant ones will attempt to assert their own control over the situation. Similarly, if an animal is confused as to whom the leader of the pack is, they are equally bound to lose confidence and act erratically.
The role of a pet psychologist, as Kam states, is to “redirect [these] unwanted natural behaviors and instincts, without suppression, in order to help human caretakers adapt animals to our society in a safe and acceptable manner.” To that end, a behaviorist will interview you about your current situation, observe your pet, diagnose its problem and draw up a solution. To be sure, you, as the owner and leader of the pack, will be doing most of the work. More often than not, it will be your responsibility to learn how to communicate effectively with your pet. This may mean learning how to control your body language, tone of voice, and reaction when your pet’s behavior gets unruly.
The Dog-ter Is In
When searching for the right specialist for you and your pet, it’s important to note that the terminology can get confusing. There are Animal Behavior Counselors, Animal Behaviorists and Veterinary Behaviorists, so it can be challenging to find one suitable for your unique situation. The difference among them has to do with certification.
- Behavior Counselor: While there are some self-recognized Behavior Counselors out there, they do not require certification or accreditation. These professionals could be of some help when it comes to minor behavioral problems, but they may not have the kind of expertise in animal behavior necessary to address more complex conditions.
- Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB): CAABs, the pet’s equivalent to a human psychologist, are required to have an M.S. or Ph.D. and certification by the Animal Behaviorist Society (ABS). They can be of assistance when an animal’s behavior has become so unruly that you are considering euthanasia or turning your pet over to a shelter.
- Veterinary Behaviorists: Veterinary Behaviorists, the equivalent of a psychiatrist, are doubly adept, as they can treat any medical issues that may be the cause of your animal’s behavior. For example, if your dog suddenly begins to urinate inside the home, he/she could be suffering from diabetes, kidney disease, cystitis or a number of other conditions. VBs must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) plus a residency in animal behavior and certification by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
The one you choose depends on the severity of your situation and your confidence level in that professional. Start by asking friends or a trusted veterinarian for a recommendation. If that leads you to a dead end, pick up the yellow pages and call area veterinarians. Armed with a list of contact names, call each one and inquire about their education, certification, and if they have experience dealing with your particular problem. While certification is important, it’s even more important to find someone that is patient, relaxed and possesses an obvious love for animals. And since the psychologist will be working with you as much, if not more than with your pet, you should also seek out a professional whom you like and respect. The right professional, regardless of certification, should use a non-violent technique, and if you have any doubts about their methods or treatment of your animal, don’t hesitate to fire them and move on.
We all need a little help sometimes, whether it’s advice from a trusted friend or assurance from someone we love. But in the real tough times, when emotions run hot or fear gets the best of us, we must turn to a professional for guidance and support. Animals are no different. Help your beloved companion get the help he or she needs by turning to a pet psychologist. It can do more than save your relationship; it can save lives.
Sidebar
Help is On the Way
Although pet psychology and emotional therapy is a growing field, professionals with accreditation are difficult to come by. Crista Coppola is the only CAAB in Las Vegas and can be reached at 609-7991 or by email at Crista@dogandco.com. At Dog and Company, Crista specializes in a variety of services ranging from home consultations to group workshops. Discover how she can help you help your pet at www.dogandco.com.
For a list of CAABs and Veterinary Behaviorists in surrounding cities that may offer consultations over the phone, visit the Directory of Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists at www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com.
Out and About
Out and About
Bottles of Hope
We’ve all heard of a message in a bottle, but hope in a bottle? That takes some ingenuity, but, as volunteers working with the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) recently proved at the Bottles of Hope program, anything is possible.
On Saturday, January 15th, more than 30 NVCI patients, friends and loved ones, along with generous community volunteers gathered together to transform chemotherapy bottles into things of beauty. With the help of members of the Las Vegas Polymer Clay Guild, volunteers wrapped the small glass bottles from NVCI’s treatment center in a thin sheet of clay, then sculpted, painted and ultimately fashioned the bottles into unique works of art.
Adorned with flowers, leaves, animals, lace and stamps, the bottles became more than discard items and even more than art. These unique gifts to future cancer patients and survivors are symbols of hope and resilience, beautiful to behold and inspirational for the soul. It just goes to show how far a little bit of imagination and compassion truly go. Want to get involved? The next Bottles of Hope event will be held March 19th at NVCI’s Sunflower Café from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call 822-LIFE.
Green Valley National Charity League
Just as the love between a mother and child knows no bounds, neither does the philanthropic work of the Green Valley National Charity League. The nonprofit organization brings mothers and daughters together through community involvement to help foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship.
Their goals are evident in events like November’s Mother Daughter “Tea in Paris”, during which the women of the GVNCL collected over $1,100 worth of art supplies for the Boys & Girls Club. And yet so many more have benefitted from their efforts, like the family of six that the class of 2011 adopted through the Children’s Heart Foundation. Or the Clark County Public Education Foundation, for which the class of 2012 purchased board games and hosted an annual benefit fashion show.
The classes of 2013 through 2016 are hard at work as well, volunteering at Candlelighters Childhood Cancer events; bringing holiday cheer to the Henderson Senior Center; adopting residents of the Delmar Gardens rehabilitation center and much more. By the end of 2010, the group logged 16,582 hours of philanthropic service for a dollar value of $334,190. Through their work, they will continue to fulfill a legacy of community pride, and for that, we thank them. For more information, visit www.nclgreenvalley.org.
Smashburger
Ordinarily, eating a 100% certified Angus beef burger topped with a fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions and special sauce wouldn’t seem like a great way to start out the new year. Las Vegas Smashburger locations, however, took some of the guilt out of those juicy pleasures by teaming up with the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Throughout the month of January, the nationally acclaimed “better burger” restaurant donated $1 from the sale of each Sin City Smashburger and Smashchicken sandwich to JDRF. “We are pleased to partner with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to create awareness about this disease and help generate funds to further the JDRF mission,” said Smashburger Founder Tom Ryan.
JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type one diabetes. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type one diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research, including $107 million last year. It is with the help of donors like Smashburger that they are able to contribute so much to the cause. That’s the kind of charity we can sink our teeth into. For more info, visit www.jdrf.org or www.smashburger.com.
Humana Crafters for Charity
Humana Crafters for Charity have been hard at work warming the hearts and bodies of veterans and children undergoing cancer treatment. The group, consisting of eight women, is diverse in age and skill level, but the one thing they all share is a love of giving back to the community through crafting. On December 20th and 21st they showed their true mosaic of talent and altruistic colors by making two donations of their handy-work.
To the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, they donated 42 hand-made blankets, 19 hats, 18 scarves and a quilt featuring an original poem commemorating the anniversary of 9/11. VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is an organization that provides health care services to more than 35,000 veterans yearly.
As for the children? Quilter Carol Hoyt, age 70, crafted eight blankets for oncology patients at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. Each blanket featured embroidered jokes and riddles in English and Spanish that Hoyt hopes will “brighten the day of children undergoing cancer treatments as much as my day is brightened by working with others…on these quilts.” It’s enough to give you the warm and fuzzies just thinking about it. For information on the Humana Guidance Center in Henderson, or to join the crafters, call 269-5200.
Chris, Deborah, Zoe and Lily Gandy
By Callie Thomas
It is often said that good things come in small packages. The Gandy family, residents of 89123, learned quickly that a small package can offer both incredible joy and unfathomable challenges–especially when the tiny bundle was their newborn daughter Lily.
Deborah and Chris are the mom and dad of the Gandy household and have lived practically their entire lives in Las Vegas. Chris has been a police officer serving the community for the past 14 years while wife Deborah nurtures their two daughters, Zoe and Lily, at home on a daily basis. Zoe is the eldest sister at age seven and Lily is now four. It is hard to believe, yet difficult to forget, that Lily had been born nine weeks early due to a medical emergency and had entered the world at a miniscule 2 pounds, 9 ounces and just 14 and three-quarter inches long. The couple had to leave the hospital without their little baby, putting Lily in the hands of medical experts rather than taking care of her themselves. “It is really difficult when you’re the mom, you’re supposed to be taking care of her, and instead there’s a team of people that are taking care of her for you,” Deborah said. The family found comfort in the March of Dimes of Las Vegas organization.
The mission of the group is to help improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. It is estimated that in Nevada more than 5,200 babies are born prematurely each year. Since the inception of the March of Dimes in 1938, the organization has conducted research, provided community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. It has been successful in funding important research which has led to finding a cure for polio as well as a synthetic surfactant therapy that preterm babies receive in order to breathe when their lungs are not fully developed. “We became active in the March of Dimes after Lily was born. We call raising money for the March of Dimes our therapy,” she said. “We want to make sure no one has to endure what we did, but if they do, they know there is someone out there that can help them and is fighting for them,” says Chris.
The Gandys are proud of their association with the March of Dimes and have even been chosen as the Ambassador Family for 2011. “We hope by sharing our story we can raise a lot of money for research,” Deborah said. Through their interaction with the group, the Gandys have met many other families with similar stories at the March of Dimes fundraisers. “We love seeing the families at all the events and my daughters love being a part of the festivities.” The girls enjoy participating in the family picnic in the fall and taking part in the pumpkin carving event at Halloween. Their favorite is the spring fundraiser walk, March for Babies. This year on May 7, the annual three-mile March for Babies walk will be held at Town Square. The family hopes to raise $2,000 for the March of Dimes. Those interested in participating may register at www.marchforbabies.org.
The Gandy family has also lent their time to other community organizations such as Shade Tree, Family Promise, Shop with a Cop, Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and Lutheran Family Services. Giving back is important to this family that does everything together. “We were raised in this community. Everyone needs a helping hand in their life. Even the smallest gesture can make a difference like giving a dollar to the grocery store for their charity of the month. There are also many organizations that could use just a little of your time.”
Kimberly Abbott
By Callie Thomas
In the beginning, it might have sounded like a primetime legal drama: Promising young attorney passes the bar and lands a job with a mid-sized law firm outside of Boston. Two years later she moves to Vegas, takes a huge pay cut and begins a career in Legal Aid. You can almost hear the gasps of her co-workers (and would be audience), but as it turns out, it was probably the best decision Kimberly Abbott ever made.
“I went to law school knowing I wanted to do public interest work,” says Abbott. “I felt I had gotten a bit off track and began exploring other positions.” She answered an ad for Pro Bono Project Director in Las Vegas, although she applied never thinking she’d actually move. In fact, she mostly responded for the interviewing experience. But that changed when she actually met her soon-to-be co-workers. “I heard them talk with such passion about the work they did at Legal Aid. I knew I wanted the job right then and there.”
For the past six years, Kimberly has been the Pro Bono Project Director at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Since 1958 the organization has been providing free legal services to low-income Southern Nevadans. The project coordinates private attorney volunteers who donate their time and talents to assist those who cannot afford representation. Upon her appointment, she immediately immersed herself in the community, met many judges and most of the Nevada Supreme Court Justices as well as bar and community leaders and prominent attorneys. Through networking, she convinces lawyers to volunteer. She also volunteers herself and is currently helping a 16 year old boy in foster care.
Helping others comes naturally for Abbott, and she has made it a point to assist other organizations including Big Brothers & Big Sisters, a crisis pregnancy center, domestic violence organizations and Habitat for Humanity. What has become one of the most powerful connections in Kimberly’s life is a non-profit called Helping Hands of Vegas Valley. She learned of the organization while pitching a group of paralegals to volunteer their time to her organization. There she met the then President of Helping Hands. “I’m not sure either of us recruited any new volunteers that night, but we learned a lot about each other’s organizations.” Kimberly ended up joining the Helping Hands board and has been a member since 2008.
Helping Hands assists seniors over the age of 60 who are unable to get around on their own through programs that ensure they have access to services that will aid them in remaining healthy and independent. “I’ve watched the difficulties my grandmother and great aunts and uncles have had as they’ve gotten older, having a harder time doing things for themselves, like getting to the doctor or buying groceries,” Kimberly said. “In my work I encounter lots of struggling seniors who are on fixed incomes with little support. Helping Hands of Vegas Valley makes sure they get to medical appointments and have enough to eat. They also give their caregivers some desperately needed breaks. The group does a lot to better the lives of seniors in our community.”
In fact, Helping Hands provides critical services to hundreds of seniors in the community each year. Last year they gave more than 3,300 rides to more than 1,000 seniors, distributed 1,800 grocery bags and gave away more than $350,000 in respite care vouchers.
Kimberly Abbott has even convinced her husband Darren and a few friends to help, and she hopes that her passion for giving back is instilled in her own daughter, who was born just last May. “Aside from surviving the first year of my daughter’s life, working full time and being a good mom, I’m proud to be a part of two great organizations which continuously remind me of the good in people and in our world, and for that I am incredibly grateful.”
Mike & Karen Crovetti
By Callie Thomas
You hear the saying often enough–“The family that plays together stays together.” By definition, 89052 residents Mike and Karen Crovetti and their three children, Brielle, Chelsea and Michael, would have superhuman staying power, particularly as their version of “play” ultimately benefits those in need throughout our community.
The Crovetti’s idea of fun involves a dedication toward giving back and helping our neighbors who are unable to help themselves. Mike and Karen have led by example and instilled a strong charitable foundation in their kids. That’s not to say the family doesn’t spend time enjoying other activities like the kids’ various sports teams, including football, soccer, basketball and tennis. Snowboarding and trips to the beach are also on the family “to do” list. But there’s always plenty of room on the list to give their time, talents and support to a multitude of organizations in our area.
Mike Crovetti is an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Crovetti Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Henderson. Over the last ten years he has taken care of thousands of residents from high school athletes to elderly patients and everyone in between. “It is through these amazing people that I’ve learned so much about our community,” says Mike. Wife Karen is a stay at home mom who’s not only passionate about her kids, but also about kids in need. “I felt it was important to be actively involved in our children’s lives and teach them the importance of giving back,” Karen Crovetti said. “Through my involvement in our children’s schools, sports teams and various charities, I have learned so much about the needs of our neighbors.”
Karen and her two daughters are active members of the National Charity League (NCL), a philanthropic organization made up of mother-daughter teams who work with over twenty-seven different charities in the Las Vegas chapter. Mothers and daughters join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Their goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility in the girls as well as to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. “I became involved in NCL because it was a great way to spend time with my daughters and at the same time give back,” says Karen. She also currently serves as the Chairperson to the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson for NCL. The Boys and Girls Clubs provide quality programs and services in a safe, positive environment to thousands of Southern Nevada youth each year. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. “For me, there is no bigger reward than helping to make a difference in a child’s life.”
For the last three years, the Crovetti gang has participated in an event called Fun Day for Kids through the Boys and Girls Club. Kids in the organization are paired with an adult participant and together they play games and activities competing for prizes. While taking part in the event Mike recognized a need for sporting goods equipment. Crovetti Orthopedics, along with Tropical Smoothies of Henderson, held a successful drive this past December and were able to donate much needed equipment to the club.
The Crovetti family has had many rewarding experiences through their volunteer efforts. Daughter Brielle tutors local youth and is actively involved with the Best Buddies program, an opportunity that has allowed her to befriend and enjoy monthly activities with an autistic child. The entire family gets involved doing anything from adopting a foster family for Christmas through Child Focus to escorting special needs children down the red carpet for an event called Joy Prom.
“This community has given us so much,” says Mike Crovetti. “It is where we call home and where we are doing one of our most important jobs: raising our family. Giving back is our way of expressing our gratitude for being so blessed.”
