Chill Concoctions for Hot Summer Soirees
By Gordon Gilbert
The dog days of summer are upon us. By now, you’ve probably had your fill of ice cold beers and frosty cocktails, but have you indulged in sangria yet? An invigorating wine punch with roots that go back to Portugal and Spain, sangria is an exceptional addition to summer soirees, providing refreshment that lingers on into our warm autumn months. Here are three ways to enjoy sangria from now until the chill of November approaches, made with wines that can easily stand alone.
To start with a play on the traditional red sangria, Balaclava will provide a crisp daytime concoction and leave a fantastic bordeaux to enjoy with chargrilled steaks later in the evening. Prepare by combining 25 ounces bordeaux wine, 1 thinly sliced cucumber, the juice of two lemons and 1 ounce simple syrup in a bowl. In the same bowl, suspend a sieve containing the thinly pared peel of half a lemon. Place the bowl and sieve in the refrigerator to infuse for an hour. Remove the sieve and add plenty of ice, 25 ounces mineral water and 25 ounces sparkling wine.
Chateau Haut Mazeris Cannon-Fronsac 2003 ($20/btl.) is a voluptuous bordeaux for Balaclava, with notes of mocha, dark fruit and sweet tannins that linger on the palate. Another choice, this one from the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, is the 2006 Château La Grange Clinet ($16/btl.). Blackberry, black currant and a touch of spice give way to medium tannins in this incarnation of red wine. For the sparkling wine, Crémant d”Alsace Brut Lucien Albrecht Rosé ($15/btl.) is perfect as both a mixer and a stand-alone. Made from 100% pinot noir grapes, it has a soft salmon hue and yields touches of raspberry and air dried strawberry. If rosé is not for you, Francois Montand Brut Blanc de Blancs ($15/btl.) from Gascony is an ideal substitute. This wine will match white fish pleasantly and can hold its own as a tasty aperitif.
Next up, the oft forgotten white sangria, or Sangria Blanca. The mix is light, bright, delicate and perfect for soaring temperatures. Peaches and banana give the punch all the texture it needs, and as an added bonus, should things get out of hand, the stains are easier to remove than the red alternative! For pitcher perfect Sangria Blanca, start by mixing a batch of banana puree. Liquefy two bananas, 1/3 cup of ice and 1/3 cup of water in a blender, then strain through a very fine sieve. Combine the puree with 25 ounces dry white wine, 8 ounces peach nectar, 17 ounces white grape juice, 3 tablespoons Cointreau and sliced peaches, bananas and lemons. Stir well and chill in the refrigerator overnight. Add ice cubes just prior to service in a large bowl.
Miguel Torres Gran Viña Sol Penedès 2008 ($14/btl.), produced in Penedès just outside Barcelona, is wonderful in Sangria Blanca, but also makes a beautiful match with poached prawns and cannellini bean salad. Made predominantly from chardonnay and a touch of parellada, it has a deeper gold color and exposes mild tropical fruits to crisp, old world acidity. If a lighter-bodied wine with hints of citrus fruit is what you savor, then Pazo Serantellos Albariño 2009 ($11/btl.) will fit the bill. It is clean, brisk and excellent with shellfish.
If you simply cannot wait overnight, or have last minute guests, a Portonic is a quick fix. Initially created to combat the heat of a Portugese summer, it can be poolside ready in minutes. Simply combine 2 ounces of dry white port, 4 ounces tonic water and ice for an individual serving. For the port, try Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry White Port ($20/btl.), a velvety variety filled with notes of melon and honey. With a touch of tartness to it, this port pairs nicely with almost any lemon-forward dish.
When temperatures soar, let your palate go right along with it. Be bold and creative, mixing your favorite wines with equally agreeable fruits and juices. And of course, share your creations liberally with friends and family; you will surely find wondrous joys in the season.
Gordon Gilbert holds wine certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Society of Wine Educators and the Culinary Institute of America. He has worked the floor as a sommelier for ten years and is currently pursuing his Master Sommelier certification. He can be reached at elgordo43@hotmail.com.
An Ounce of Prevention – Playing Safe on the Social Network Scene
By Jessica Kennedy
Growing up, we were inundated with a number of fair warnings from our elders. Never talk to strangers, they said. Or take candy from them, or tell them where you live. And yet, more than 500 million active Facebook users, not to mention countless others on My Space, Twitter, Friendster and the like, log in daily to share all sorts of secrets and personal details on a very public forum. We admit our whereabouts by “checking-in” on Foursquare, accept friend requests from friends of friends and upload intimate photographs of our families and social activities.
It’s all in good fun, of course, but what happens when sketchy strangers turned sordid cybercriminals stalk your profile looking for ways to violate your privacy, bypass your security and take advantage of your information? It happens every day. At best, you wind up on a mass email list for illegal pharmaceuticals. At worst, accounts get hacked, identities get stolen, lives and credit lines are left in ruins. Sound scary? It is. But that doesn’t mean you have to turn off your Wi-Fi, cover your computer and just listen to your friends talk about the latest and greatest Twitter post. While there are no guarantees that your information is safe online, there are many ways you can amp up your security, maintain some level of privacy and still enjoy social media sites to the fullest.
Setting Up for Safety
Taking precautions when establishing a new presence on a social media site is your first line of defense. You’ll likely be asked for personal information like what school you graduated from, place of residence and phone number. Just because they ask doesn’t mean you have to answer truthfully. It’s only important that you remember what you entered in case they ask you to verify your information for security reasons. This measure alone could potentially protect you from being a victim of identity theft or worse.
If you’ve already set up an account, it’s not too late to change your address and delete your phone number. If a particular system won’t allow you to delete your number entirely, you should still be able to change it. Make one up, but remember it. A good alternative is to use your area code plus 123-4567, which seems to be accepted by most sites.
Don’t Tempt Fate
Passwords are like the keys to your house; never share them or make them too accessible. If you live at 1234 Main Street, for example, a poor choice in passwords would be “1234Main”. Consecutive numbers or letters, the names of pets or family members, and the commonly used “password” should also be avoided. Using at least one capital letter, one or two numbers, a symbol and eight to ten characters makes your password very difficult for someone to guess. Isn’t that right, sT3ph@n13? Create a different password for each site you use. This way, if someone is able to guess one account, your other accounts won’t be compromised. If your passwords are so intricate that even you can’t remember them, write them down and keep them somewhere away from your computer, but not in your purse or wallet, in the event that it gets stolen.
To further insure the security of your personal information, it is advisable to change your passwords once a month. This will make it very difficult for someone (or someone’s computer) to correctly guess your current password. If generating unique passwords every month gets too cumbersome and time consuming, try getting them from a password generator like Roboform.
On the Look Out
It is a sad reality that people out there spend a lot of time devising clever schemes to fool you into thinking you’re talking to a trustworthy source. For that very reason, it’s important to be vigilant and know how to identify and report schemes before you become a victim.
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Phishing
Created to mimic real sites–those of social media outlets, financial institutions, software distributers, etc.–phishing sites are designed to capture your personal information and/or install malicious software on your computer through various methods. One popular phishing scheme on Facebook is when a “friend” of yours makes a wall post about some great deal they received and suggests you click on the link to get the deal as well. Clicking on the link takes you to an obscure website where you’ll be asked to enter personal information. Don’t fall for it. Look for these tell tale signs of a phishing scheme:
- Poor Grammar and Spelling: Professional organizations have copy-editors that proofread messages for grammar; cyber criminals are notoriously bad spellers.
- Threats: Phishers attempt to convey a sense of urgency by threatening that your account will be blocked or closed if you don’t fill out a security form.
- Too Good to be True: If a message promises to give you a brand new, $600 iPad for free just for filling out a survey, you can bet money it’s a scam.
- Real-Looking Links: These links are designed to look legitimate, but often contain random extra letters, numbers or file extensions.
To verify whether or not a link is legitimate, place the cursor over the link but do not click on it. A small window will appear with the actual web address you are going to link to; if it doesn’t match the link printed in the email/message, do not open it.
If you see a phishing site, report it. Most social networking sites offer the option to “report this user”. If the message came from a friend, send them a private message alerting them that their account has been hacked. It only takes a moment of your time and could prevent you and others from having any personal information unknowingly and unwillingly shared.
Bad Company
They’re called “friends” for a reason. Know them before accepting a friend request. Anybody can set up a profile using anybody else’s photo and information, including hackers. If someone requests your friendship online and you’re not sure who it is, ask them how it is that you know one another. Check to see if you have “mutual friends” and ask those friends if they know the person. If you do accept a friend request from someone you think you know, and he or she starts uncharacteristically asking you for personal information or sending you spam messages, chances are they are not the person you thought they were. Drop ‘em like a hot potato.
Use Good Sense
Even more important than keeping your information safe is keeping yourself safe and your reputation intact. Mostly, this boils down to using common sense. If you don’t want your boss, teachers, co-workers, mother, father, grandma, etc. to see or read it, don’t post it. It can and will come back and bite your backside when you least expect it.
While sharing with real friends can be fun and safe, there is a point at which giving away too much can be dangerous. Take Gowalla and Foursquare’s “checking-in” feature, where you can tell everyone on your friend list precisely where you are and when. Surely it can be a great thing if you’re out with friends and want others to join you, but beware the dark side. If your address is on the internet somewhere, and it probably is (check out the county assessor’s page), mentioning that you’re away from home could be the green light for a burglary. Additionally ladies, if you’re out partying at 2 a.m., you might want to think twice about blasting your whereabouts all over the web; you really never know who’s peeking in on you and what kind of unsavory agenda they might have.
The online world of social media certainly has its pitfalls, but it doesn’t have to be overly frightening. Use Google or your favorite search engine to find out the latest news on current scams. Then, take it a step further and share it with your friends. Remember, an ounce of prevention can bring about more than a pound of cure; it can give you the privacy and the security you and your identity need to be safe and play nice on the social networking scene.
Jessica Kennedy is a social media expert who teaches a variety of classes on the subject in UNLV”s Continuing Education Department. She can be reached at jessica@cleandesignLV.com.
Kitty Come Home – Felines of the Great Indoors
By Hana Haatainen Caye
We’ve all heard the old adage that curiosity killed the cat. Cliché, yes, but there is a lot of truth to it. Cats are naturally inquisitive creatures; it’s part of their charm. It can, however, get them into trouble, particularly if they are avid outdoor explorers. For that reason, there is much debate over whether or not they should be kept indoors. Indoor cats are less likely to tango with the dangers of the outside world, but does keeping them inside stifle their natural instincts and lessen their quality of life? There are a great many cat lovers out there who would vehemently argue the latter, but in today’s world there are plenty reasons to err on the side of caution and transform your outdoor adventurer into a lover of the great indoors.
Danger Zones
When you consider all the dangers lurking outside of your door, it is much easier to make the decision to keep Fluffy inside. The risks to your pet’s safety and health include:
- Disease: There is no vaccination for FIV (Feline AIDS) and the one for FeLV (Feline Leukemia) offers only 80-85% protection from this life-threatening disease.
- Parasites: Flea, tick and/or mosquito bites can cause serious problems for your pet.
- Injuries: Cats are prone to multiple injuries when they spend their time outdoors. They can be hit by a car, be wounded in an altercation with another animal, get caught in a trap, etc.
- Poisoning: Unfortunately, not everyone loves cats the way you do. Neighbors may put out poison in order to keep Rocky from urinating in their garden. Or, Rocky may choose a poisoned rat for an early morning snack.
- Catnapping: Unbelievable but true, people pick up cats to sell for lab research or to use as bait in dogfights.
As compelling as they are, these concerns aren’t the only reasons to make the switch. Suppose you just moved into a new community and discover your outdoor cat is not permitted to roam the neighborhood unleashed. Or the stray cat you’ve been feeding is going to be taken to a shelter where she will most likely be euthanized…unless someone takes her in. Whether it is for safety issues, or to adhere to your community rules, the choice to retrain your cat to stay indoors is often a wise one.
Escape Artist
Since keeping a cat indoors does often contradict its ingrained inclination to explore, your first challenge is…well…keeping your cat indoors. This is not easy when your kitty is determined to escape back into her comfort zone. Start by making your cat’s passage to the outside world an unpleasant experience. Each time you enter or exit through a door and the cat tries to slink passed you, be prepared to make some noise. Stomp your feet, clap your hands or bang on a pot the second she passes the no-go zone, which ideally should be a foot or two away from the door. Add a loud hissing sound similar to what a mother cat uses with her kittens while she is training them. Be consistent. If this does not deter Lucky, add a dose of water or a puff of canned air to her face. Water pistols or spray bottles work well for this purpose. Generally, cats dislike unexpected face-washes, and when they discover the cause and effect of this misery, they will most likely decide it is just not worth it.
If you would rather exercise positive reinforcement, try luring your kitty away from the door with her favorite treats. Outside or treats? The answer to her inner dialogue will reflect how strong her will is to go back into the exciting world of skittering rodents and foraging pigeons.
Box Business
Training an outdoor kitty that is used to pottying in the posies to use an indoor litter box can be difficult, despite the fact that doing so is instinctual. The ASPCA suggests confining your cat to a large cage, complete with food, water, toys, a comfy sleeping area and a box filled with fine-grain, clumping litter. Once she gets the hang of going in the litter, move her to a small room, such as a bathroom, and keep her there until you are sure she is not urinating or defecating anywhere except in the litter box. This process could take as little as a few days or perhaps as long as a week.
When she finally has free rein of the house, carefully monitor her pottying habits. If you find her going outside of her box, put her back in a restricted area until she is accident-free once again.
Of course, it is important to give your cat plenty of supervised time outside of her cage or small room. Playing with her and giving her plenty of cuddle time will help your outdoor kitty adjust more readily to life on the other side of the door.
Tantalizing Temptations
Retraining your cat is only part of the equation. The other part is eliminating reasons for her to go outside. One such way is to spay or neuter the cat. Cats eager to mate will likely make your life miserable if they cannot get out that door. Food is another life necessity that trumps the ability to venture outdoors, so if your kitty is used to supping on the patio, introduce her to your wonderful indoor café. Your last task, although equally as important as the others, is to make the new indoor digs as pleasant and attractive as possible by adding a few of your cat’s favorite trimmings. An inviting home with plenty of entertainment and yummy snacks will eventually become a haven for your former roamer.
Toys, Toys and More Toys
Your reformed hunter needs a lot of stimulation. Fluffy will love leaping through the living room in pursuit of feathers dangling from a stick. Batting a ping-pong ball across the kitchen floor will satisfy her chase instinct. Even a balled up piece of paper tossed across your home office can provide loads of fun. Cardboard boxes and paper (not plastic) bags can provide hours of playtime as well. Try transforming a large carton into an entertainment box, complete with plenty of openings big enough for your kitty to stick her paw through. Dangle toys from strings taped to the ceiling of the box so she can reach through the holes to ‘fish’ for a prize. The key here is to maintain her interest by rotating the toys every two weeks or so.
Go Green
Since outdoor kitties often eat grass to aid their digestive systems, providing them with a safe indoor alternative is a good choice. Plant containers of cat grass, alfalfa grass, catnip or wheat grass and let them munch away.
A Perch for Princess
Cats tend to enjoy looking down on their surroundings. Give your indoor princess her throne. Cat trees and window perches will allow her to view what is happening inside and out. Crack the window so she can get a whiff of the outdoor air. Just make sure your screens are secure and do not tempt your kitty to devise an escape plan.
Cat Scratch Fever
Outdoor cats exercise their claws on a variety of surfaces, so you want to make sure they can continue this habit on something other than your leather sofa. Provide lots of scratching options, including sisal- or carpet-wrapped cat trees and corrugated cardboard scratch pads infused with oh-so-enticing catnip. If your over-zealous claw-sharpener is shredding your furniture, consider trimming her claws every week or two, or applying Soft Paws (www.softpaws.com) claw covers.
Whatever you do, make the change gradual. Limit the time spent outside to less and less each day. Then let Fluffy out every other day for a week, then twice a week, once a week, and eventually shut the door for good. If you listen carefully, late at night when everyone is asleep, you are bound to hear the gentle clicking of heels and a soft meow that says, “There’s no place like home.”
Out n About
Out n About
Gordie Brown
By Callie Thomas
Just watching this high octane Las Vegas performer masterfully combine comedy, music and impressions is dizzyingly exhilarating. In each of his action-packed shows, he pays homage, albeit in the most comical way, to celebs, politicians and pop culture superstars by switching easily into his “alter-egos”. Resident Gordie Brown not only puts smiles on audience’s faces nightly at the Golden Nugget, he helps give hope to residents in need by sharing his talents to raise funds for numerous charitable organizations throughout the community.
Brown was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. While working as a political cartoonist for the Ottawa Sunday Herald, his co-workers thought it would be a good idea if they entered him in a talent contest. The hunch paid off; Brown took first place. “My co-workers entered me in this lip-syncing contest without telling me,” Brown said. “After winning the competition I decided I wanted to learn the real voices and not just lip-syncing.” The aspiring comedian and impressionist sat front row at a Rich Little show in Ottawa and became transfixed with building a career like Little’s. He made his way south to Vegas where his goal was to break into the business and work with legendary Canadian performers Paul Anka and Rich Little. Less than two years later, Brown hit the Vegas jackpot. He was opening for not only Anka and Little, but other headliners including Jay Leno, Louie Anderson, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Barry Manilow and Jerry Seinfeld.
Since then, Gordie Brown has won numerous awards, including the coveted “Entertainer of the Year”, and racked up several television appearances with stints on Letterman, Craig Ferguson, EXTRA!, a co-hosting spot on NBC’s “Friday Night Videos” and a starring role in the dramatic series “Twice in a Lifetime.” When he’s not appearing on stage or on television he fosters his song writing abilities and recently completed his first entirely original CD called “As I Am.” So what does this extraordinary performer do for an encore? Well, when the husband and family man isn’t spending time with his wife and five beautiful children, he gives back to the community by doing everything he can to support local organizations that make a difference. “I think every charity is important, and I am always willing to participate whenever I can,” said Brown. The list of charities is lengthy and includes Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Eye Care 4 Kids, Veterans of Boulder City, Grant a Gift Autism Foundation, and the recent NF Hope Concert, to name a few.
NF Hope serves families and individuals with neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder of the nervous system that results in an ineffective tumor suppressor gene, allowing for tumors to grow on any nerve in the body. The benefit concert provided an opportunity to raise awareness and inform attendees that NF is one of the most common genetic disorders. Affecting more than 100,000 Americans, it’s more widespread than cystic fibrosis, hereditary Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington’s disease and Tay-Sachs combined. Although it is a common disorder, it receives no federal funding, and very few people are aware of it. Gordie was among the list of celebrity performers to support NF, Inc., giving them a glimpse into his Golden Nugget repertoire.
Even though the funnyman, impressionist, writer, cartoonist and family man lives a whirlwind lifestyle, his genuine and giving nature can be felt throughout the community. “I care about people, and it is always a good feeling to participate in the events. I’ve made many lasting memories over the years.”
Terry Winnick
By Callie Thomas
“A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is made by way of a cultivated, enriched heart.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Back in the late 80s Universal Studios Theme Park executives had determined that it wasn’t enough to just watch the great film Back to the Future–people wanted more. And so a team of architects and designers from MCA Recreation Services, including 89074 resident Terry Winnick as producer, came up with a plan. They found a way to put you in the movie, let you travel through time with Doc Brown, shake you around, then let you return safely to your day at the studio. Thus “Ride the Movies” became an icon in the attractions arena.
Terry had been a Project Manager/Owner’s Rep for major projects for MCA Recreation Services for more than 18 years and later served as Senior Vice President. He was responsible for the design and development at Universal Studios’ Hollywood, California and Orlando, Florida theme parks, where he oversaw the design and construction of other larger than life attractions, including Jaws. Winnick’s efforts earned him the position of Executive VP and General Manager of Universal Studios Hollywood.
He has since furthered his career developing, designing and supervising the construction of projects in the areas of entertainment, resort, specialty/retail, restaurant, golf courses and theme parks worldwide. He has also served as General Manager for the world-famous San Diego Zoological Society. “I have had a very unique architectural design career,” Winnick said. His resume boasts planning and designing more than 30,000 hotel rooms and 15 major casino properties in 7 states for Circus Circus Enterprises and Grand Casinos. Taking full advantage of the skill set he’s developed over the years, he’s currently making dreams come true for those in the community in another way–by lending his expertise to the Foundation for Positively Kids, a charitable organization that’s close to his heart.
“The Las Vegas based nonprofit provides important services for medically fragile children in our community,” he said. “This includes early intervention services, skilled nursing services, respite care, sibling care and more. I am assisting them with the design of a new 148 bed pediatric skilled nursing facility which will be breaking ground this December.”
Each year 15% of the 35,000 babies born in Clark County will have a long-term chronic illness. An additional 5,000 children are diagnosed each month due to injury or illness. Currently these children are often sent out of state for long-term care. Foundation for Positively Kid’s CEO Fred Schultz is grateful for Terry’s help with the project. “For the first time families will be able to get long-term care for their children right here in Clark County without having to travel out of state,” Fred said.
The 110,000 square foot fully sustainable “medical home” will offer a multi-disciplinary clinic with pediatric skilled nursing, medical daycare, long and short term respite care, a healing room and a family information center. But that’s not all. It will become a first of its kind in Nevada, where the word “home” won’t be taken loosely. “The rooms will be furnished and decorated like their rooms would be in a normal residence,” he said. “They will be colorful, fun and filled with personal items. There will be televisions, computer desks, book cases, carpet and soft furniture for visiting family members as well as other favorite things that will give the children comfort and encouragement.” The medical home will include family areas complete with kitchens so that parents can cook dinner for their child and “living rooms” where families can talk and play together. The design also incorporates showers, a dressing area and accommodations for parents that need to stay for long periods.
Out of all of Terry Winnick’s accomplishments, he feels giving back to the community has made him most successful. “These kids deserve and need all the assistance we can give them. It is a pleasure to volunteer and make a dream come true for them.”
Meet the Neighbor – Bruce Familian
By Callie Thomas
“A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason.”
-J.P. Morgan
When resident Bruce Familian decided to lend his support to local charities both personally and through his businesses, it was the real deal. In fact, Familian couldn’t see a reason NOT to find a way to help others. “I really enjoy helping people that may be less fortunate or need a second chance,” he said. “Giving back to the community is an essential responsibility that I take very seriously.”
The 16-year Vegas resident is an established developer, boasting the creation of over 100 commercial and industrial buildings since he made this city his home. He is the founder of the City Stop local convenience stores of which there are currently 11 in the Valley. In addition, Familian operates a local slot route company named Nevada Gaming Partners which installs slot products in many local grocery markets, convenience stores, laundromats, taverns and carwashes. Even amidst all these endeavors, this enterprising Las Vegan has also found many ways to support our local charities, including being actively involved on the Advisory Board for the Southern Nevada Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics organization provides free year-round sports training and competition through a variety of sports for those five years of age and older with developmental disabilities. Participation in the sports program is about more than winning; it is about improving quality of life. Special Olympics Nevada services help to build physical fitness, improve social skills and provide an atmosphere where participants interact with other athletes and with the community.
The Nevada chapter of the organization not only offers free sports training and competition opportunities for participation in 12 different sports, it also offers local support and motivation for its participants. “I really enjoy working with the athletes,” Familian said. “It’s rewarding to see all the athletes having so much fun, and for most, it’s what they look forward to all year long.”
City Stop convenience stores sponsor the annual fundraiser for the organization called “Bowl for the Gold”. Special Olympics Nevada is entirely self-funded and doesn’t receive any state, federal or United Way money, so events like City Stop’s Bowl for the Gold are what make the difference. “It’s my favorite fundraiser for the year, and City Stop continues to raise money from our customer’s spare change year round,” he said. “So drop your change in next time you’re there and know you are helping the athletes.” Upcoming events for the Special Olympics include Bowl for the Gold, a cycling event, an extreme rappelling event at the RIO, and fall training and competition in bowling, soccer, softball and golf. Information is available at www.sonv.org.
In addition to Special Olympics, Bruce is on the Board of Congregation Ner Tamid where he and his family, including wife Sarah and sons Alex and Cortland, are members. Familian has seen to it that his companies are very active in the community and lend their support to the Nevada Cancer Institute, YMCA, Race for the Cure, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and local baseball teams. “When I can make a difference, either by someone getting a necessary medical treatment or just putting a smile on their face for completing an event, it is a humbling and rewarding experience knowing that I’ve made a difference.”
While the accomplishment that Bruce Familian is most proud of is his family, he has also touched the lives of our community through his dedication and giving persona. “I always treat people the way I want to be treated, and I’ll continue to give back to help those in need.”
Angela Edgeworth
By Callie Thomas
A baby’s first shoes are a treasured reminder of how far our little ones have come. Particularly when you’re showing them to your baby-now-teenager with nostalgia while they dismiss the keepsake by rolling their eyes before sprinting out of the house on their size ten feet. Believe it or not, even baby shoes have come a long way. Doctors are recommending that barefoot walking or soft leather sole shoes are best for infants and toddlers. In 2004, resident Angela Edgeworth started thinking a lot about children’s footwear and the kind of shoes that would be best after she and her husband Brian had their first daughter Caroline. “We began looking for comfortable and stylish shoes with soft, leather soles. After we couldn’t find what we were looking for, we designed some shoes for our daughter and had some prototypes made,” said Edgeworth. “We would constantly get asked where we got the shoes.” And so, pediped footwear was born, along with a foundation that would support the needs of children in our community.
The couple already had a strong background in business, so starting their own was a natural. Angela graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an honors degree in business and had started a cosmetics company in her early 20s. Brian, a Harvard Business School graduate, had already worked on Wall Street for eight years before entering private enterprise with pediped footwear. It started by attending a tradeshow and obtaining their first few accounts. Today, the company is currently selling to over 2,500 retailers in 50 countries. “From the onset, we made a commitment to serve our customers, our employees and, most of all, our community,” Angela said.
The pediped foundation was established in 2010 with the goal of expanding the philanthropic activities of pediped footwear. Since the company’s beginning they have donated nearly $1,000,000 worth of products and monetary support to children across the globe. The first charitable organization they have and continue to support is the Make-a-Wish Foundation. “We chose them because they enhance the lives of children, and my husband had worked with them previously when he worked on Wall Street,” she said. “It was amazing to him how many high powered Wall Street executives appreciated a donation on their behalf instead of a corporate gift. It means that the charity is doing something right. It was a fit with our company.”
The Make-a-Wish Foundation provides hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. They grant a child’s wish in the United States and its territories every 40 minutes. Each wish takes $7,000 for the foundation to grant. The pediped foundation has granted almost 70 wishes with their support. “It is amazing to hear each child’s story, know that we were able to make a dream come true and make their life better in a really tangible way,” she said.
The foundation has also assisted other charities, including Soles for Souls, K.I.D.S, Children’s Heart Foundation of Nevada, Sunrise Hospital Foundation, Southern Nevada Urban League WIC program and Operation Home Front, to name a few, although they have worked with hundreds of charities with product donations. Some have included donations of $80,000 in products to child victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan. They also donated shoes to Operation Shower, which throws baby showers for military women whose husbands are deployed overseas. “These charities all assist children or mothers and are a good fit with our philosophy to enhance the lives of children everywhere,” said Angela.
Angela Edgeworth and her husband Brian hope to instill their giving spirit in their own two girls, Caroline, who is now seven, and Lauren, age six. “Everyone has the capacity to give in some small or large measure. It’s about making it a priority in your life, and it is very fulfilling and rewarding in itself.”
AFAN and InCorp
Early one Sunday morning in the summer of 2011, 17 children enthusiastically hopped into two vans and set off to have the time of their lives at summer camp. But these weren’t ordinary children; they were children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
Each year, Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) sends a local group of children to Camp Courage in Big Bear, California. A summer camp for children affected by HIV/AIDS, the Camp Courage mission is to help children between the ages of 6 and 17 overcome the obstacles associated with HIV/AIDS by providing a therapeutic wilderness experience that fosters self-confidence, social interaction and social support. Campers get to participate in typical activities such as swimming, canoeing, crafts, hiking and horseback riding, among others that focus on building self-esteem, independence, communication and courage.
The camp is cost-free for the attendees, but it can’t run on love alone. Thanks to organizations like InCorp, AFAN can celebrate its most successful camp yet. InCorp’s generosity in sponsoring several campers, as well as creating care packs and volunteering at the send-off, proves that the community of Southern Nevada is devoted to tackling HIV/AIDS and making a difference in a child’s life. For more info, visit www.afanlv.org.
Chef Pete Ghione
There are many that would argue that good medicine doesn’t always come in a bottle with a child safe top; sometimes it comes on a plate. Chef Pete Ghione is among them, and he’s helping to fight cancer, one forkful at a time.
“Nutrition is obviously something people are becoming eager to learn about,” says Ghione. “Especially when it relates to potentially fighting and preventing cancer.” He would know. The turnout for his June 24th seminar about anti-cancer nutrition at The Caring Place brought in nearly three times the number that was expected. During the seminar, Ghione explained how conventionally grown, processed and refined ingredients negatively impact both our environment and our health, and how anything but organic can be a distraction to our immune system.
The most important aspect of the presentation, however, was about foods that fuel cancer and which ingredients have been known to help our body fight and resist cancer cells. In the end, the audience left with a better understanding of how fresh, clean and low-glycemic ingredients can help fight and prevent cancer. Just as we’re thankful for doctors that fight cancer in the lab, we’re grateful for Chef Ghione, who’s soldiering on in the kitchen. See what else he’s cooking up at www.cancercuisine.com.
