In the Know
In the Know
Unbroken – A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
By: Laura Hillenbrand
As Reviewed by: Macy Walsh
“If I knew I had to go through those experiences again,” Louis Zamperini once said of his years as an Army bombardier in World War II, “I’d kill myself.” After reading Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand’s powerful new book about this extraordinary man’s life, few are likely to doubt him. Hillenbrand, whose previous book was Seabiscuit: An American Legend, seems drawn to underdogs who struggle against adversity, and her subject here is no exception. It’s hard to say what’s more remarkable, the story or she who tells it. In the case of Unbroken, the two combine to paint an engaging portrait of heroism, endurance and the triumph of the human spirit.
A bad kid from a good working class family, Zamperini showed defiance as a child, consistently at odds with his father and the police. After seeing that some “bad kids” were ending up in institutions for the feeble-minded and criminally incorrigible, he decided to reform himself. Louis worked on his schooling and soon took up running, eventually qualifying for the 1936 Olympic team. While he didn’t win a gold medal, the star athlete came from way behind, making up 50 yards in one lap. This underdog moral victory turned him into a worldwide celebrity, and many believed he was on target to take the gold in the 1940 games. But life had other plans.
The world was at war and Louis decided to join the military. Despite a fear of flying, he ended up in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier. While on a mission to find a downed plane, his aircraft crashed in the Pacific Ocean, beginning one of the most horrific and amazing stories to come out of the war. Louis extricated himself and two companions from the wreckage onto a pair of pitifully equipped life rafts. Under harsh circumstances, the three men collected rainwater, shared lessons from school and recited old family recipes to keep themselves sane. As time passed, they finally learned how to catch and eat the sharks that constantly surrounded them and even survived a strafing from a Japanese plane that tore one of the rafts to shreds. Still, after 46 grueling days on the ocean (a survival record), the most horrific trial of all was yet to come.
Soon captured by the Japanese, Zamperini endured a long stay at a POW camp run by a sadistic soldier known to the other prisoners as the Bird. He dubbed Louis “prisoner number one” and singled him out for regular beatings. Many prisoners died from such systematic abuse, disease or starvation, but Zamperini endured despite cruel treatment and humiliation. Many of these scenes are difficult to read, especially when you consider that nearly 40 percent of POWs in Japan died while in captivity, not counting the thousands whose names were never recorded. It’s almost inconceivable that any human being could withstand the tortures these men were faced with. Despite the odds, Louis survived and returned to his family. How he came back from the brink of self-destruction and emerged as an unbroken man is just one part of his amazing tale.
Unbroken is a riveting read. Once you pick it up, be prepared for a long weekend living inside the mind of Louis Zamperini and his companions, not to mention many of his Japanese captors. Taken from extensive personal interviews, diaries, letters and archives, Hillenbrand’s attention to detail is superb. Her research was aided by the fact that Louis, now in his 90s, is a “superlative pack rat.” That sense of authenticity adds to the human drama of this compelling saga that helps us remember and respect the men and women who served so valiantly, and I’m sure they’re proud to have Louis Zamperini represent them. Laura Hillenbrand has hit another home run.
Spring Into Wearable Style
Spring Into Wearable Style
Build it and They Will Come – Dom DeMarco’s Pizza
By Aly Wagonseller
Domenico DeMarco is a pretty famous guy. His name is synonymous with a tiny, hole in the wall pizza joint known as Di Fara’s. For more than 45 years, people have queued up for hours in a graffiti laden neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, just to garner a morsel of his legendary pies. DeMarco himself is something of a celebrity, earning accolades and recognition from the likes of Good Morning America to Gourmet Magazine on what many consider the best pizza they’ve ever tasted. Even President Obama sampled some the last time he dropped in on Las Vegas. Hype, you say? Can this pizza really be that good?
Worlds apart from the gritty, green walled pizzeria a countryside away, Dom DeMarco’s, located at 9785 W. Charleston Blvd., arrived with a Summerlin-esque facelift and more than a few extra dishes designed to woo those who enjoy the trendy, neighborhood foody scene. The restaurant is impressive yet casual, with an open kitchen, a few flat screen TVs and a stunning, outdoor glass fireplace alcove that makes for some of the best alfresco dining in the city. I smell the makings of a successful conglomerate here, yet one can only hope that the namesake’s claim to fame remains the focal point. Remember… it’s all about the pizza.
Or is it? Not with dishes like their Grilled Sausage small plate: homemade Italian sausage served over velvety white beans, studded with roasted red bell peppers, garlic and a hefty amount of olive oil. The char from the tasty sausage permeates this dish, an amalgamation of textures and flavors that speak to those who love soulful comfort food. Eggplant Pizzettes are nicely breaded, served with creamy, whipped ricotta cheese and a fresh tomato sauce that’s thankfully not too salty. Gram’s Meatballs possessed a magically dense yet light texture thanks to a perfect combination of beef, pork and veal. The Soho salad was a misstep for me, mainly because I neglected to see the vinaigrette contained truffle oil, a flavor I tend to loathe as, unlike its true fungal counterpart, it can often overpower a dish with an artificially pungent punch. My guess is that’s a new addition to the menu, one I’d bypass for the house vinaigrette, which I suspect is tastier and respectful to the other ingredients on the plate.
And the pizza? It’s worthy of the crowds this place pulls in, not only because their stiffest competition resides on the opposite side of town, but more accurately because they make a quality pie using imported ingredients. I’m a fan of the thin crust version, choosing the Quattro Formaggio, yet simultaneously dreaming about the possibilities of the Bianca. The crust was paper thin with a crispy rim that crackled when bitten into, a very good thing. Not one of the four cheeses overpowered another, and the tomato sauce was light yet flavorful, allowing for a nice balance of tastes. There was a touch more olive oil drizzled on the pie than I’m used to, but I’m not one to complain about good imported olive oil, especially when it’s sprinkled with a nice handful of fresh herbs. Thick crust lovers are also represented with a heftier slathering of the incredibly delicious San Marzano tomato sauce soaking ever so slightly into the dense, bread-like crust, the edges of which were perfectly charred. Some might find it overly done, but don’t chicken out and cut off the edges or you’ll miss out on some magnificent flavor.
Pizza is personal and people will go to unusual measures to tout the superiority of their favorite pie. Based on what’s coming out of the kitchen at Dom DeMarco’s, I’d say Brooklyn isn’t the only place they’ve earned some bragging rights. For info, call them at 570-7000.
Breaking Out of its Shell…Eggs for Any Meal
By Aly Wagonseller
As sure as the rooster cock-a-doodle-doos, eggs have been a mainstay ingredient on most American breakfast tables for decades – and for good reason! Besides having amazing flavor and versatility, these perfect little packages of protein, healthy fats and essential vitamins satisfy hunger, are relatively inexpensive and pack serious nutritional punch over many of their carbohydrate laden competitors. Still, it wasn’t long ago that our friend the egg suffered from major public relations setbacks. New research has finally debunked many of the myths associated with egg consumption and elevated cholesterol, liberating our menu planning restrictions and allowing us to drop the guilt and include them in our diet any time of the day.
Although eggs are high in cholesterol, studies have shown that our mere consumption of that particular substance doesn’t necessarily produce the fatty residue that clogs our arteries. Place the blame on saturated and trans fats for that phenomenon. The reality is that eggs are one of the purest forms of protein in the food chain, allowing us to absorb 94% of their nutrients for easy digestion and immediate use in our bodies. This includes good stuff like choline, a nutrient linked with preserving memory, and lutein and zeaxanthin, both attributed to protecting against vision loss. You’re even more apt to lose weight cracking that egg in a pan for breakfast than eating cereal or chowing on carb heavy staples like bagels or toast.
With all the good news on eggs, there’s no reason to limit them to the a.m. hours either. Recipes like Cilantro Chile Pesto Frittata, Egg Baskets with Maple Proscuitto, Israeli Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce or Knife and Fork Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwiches will see to that. So make friends with the hen and get crackin’! Your body and taste buds will thank you for it.
Israeli Poached Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce
Serves 4 to 6
1/4 cup olive oil
4 Anaheim chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, crushed then sliced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1Tbsp. paprika
1 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained
Kosher salt to taste
6 eggs
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley
Warm pitas or crusty bread, for serving
Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chiles and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, cumin and paprika and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is soft, about 2 more minutes.
Put tomatoes and their liquid into a medium bowl and crush with your hands. Add to skillet along with 1/2 cup water, reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Season sauce with salt.
Crack eggs over sauce so that eggs are evenly distributed across sauce’s surface. Cover skillet and cook until yolks are just set, about 5 minutes. Using a spoon, baste the whites of the eggs with tomato mixture, being careful not to disturb the yolk. Sprinkle with feta and parsley and serve with bread for dipping.
Recipe Adapted from Saveur
Eggs in a Basket with Maple Prosciutto
6 servings
1 bag Simply Potatoes fresh hashbrown potatoes
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
6 slices prosciutto, about 2 1/2 oz, chopped
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
6 eggs
3/4 cup shredded provolone
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread hashbrowns in a thin layer on paper towels and dry thoroughly. Add the potatoes to a large bowl, stir in the melted butter and season well with salt and pepper to taste.
Spray a six cup, jumbo sized muffin tin lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Press the grated potatoes evenly into the cups being sure the potatoes go up the sides covers the bottom in a thin layer. Bake until the top edges turn light golden brown and the potatoes are cooked through, about 35 to 40 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss together the prosciutto with maple syrup and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and gently crack an egg into each cup. Bake until the egg whites set but the yolk remains runny, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set the oven to broil. Top the eggs with grated cheese and put the maple prosciutto on another sheet tray. Broil both until cheese melts, and prosciutto crisps slightly, about 1 minute. Top the eggs with crispy prosciutto and serve immediately.
Recipe from Sunny Anderson, Foodnetwork.com
Cilantro Pesto Frittata
Serves 2-4
2 large cloves garlic
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 small bunch cilantro
1 serrano chile, seeds removed
1/4-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
6 large organic eggs
1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
2 small purple or white potatoes, sliced very thin
1/2 cup yellow zucchini
1/4 cup goat or feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
Salt
Preheat oven to 450F degrees. Prepare the cilantro chile pesto by pureeing garlic, ½ cup olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro, chile, cumin and salt until very smooth. Taste and add more salt if needed. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with a small pinch of salt. Set aside. In a 8 1/2-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet, heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. Add onion and another pinch of salt. Saute, stirring constantly, until the onion starts to brown, 5 – 7 minutes. Add the potatoes and zucchini, cover and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Slide everything out of the skillet onto a plate and set aside.
Using the same skillet, add the egg mixture and cook over medium-low heat, running a spatula underneath the sides of the frittata and tilting the pan to allow uncooked egg to run to the underside to cook. Cook until the eggs are just set and very little liquid remains. Drizzle the eggs with a few tablespoons of the cilantro pesto and sprinkle the potato onion mixture over the top. Bake for about nine minutes, or until set and puffy. Crumble cheese and sprinkle pumpkin seeds over the top of the frittata in the final two minutes of baking. Cut into wedges and serve.
Recipe adapted from 101Cookbooks.com
Fork and Knife Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich
Serves 2-4
8 hardboiled eggs
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. yellow mustard
¼ thinly chopped green onion
¼ tsp. smoky paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
Garlic salt
Trader Joe’s Red Pepper/Eggplant Garlic Spread
Leaf lettuce
Ciabatta bread
Combine eggs, mayo, mustard, onion and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Slice bread into thick slices. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with small amount of garlic salt and grill until warm through. Cool bread slightly and then coat with a generous amount of red pepper/eggplant spread. Top pepper mixture with a few slices of leaf lettuce. Scoop egg salad mixture over the lettuce. Garnish with additional paprika if desired.
Takin’ it Easy… Winslow, Arizona
By Jenna Vandenberg
As I pull off the interstate and cruise into Winslow, Arizona, it seems fitting to have “Take it Easy” by the Eagles blasting from the car stereo. That catchy tune about a man “standin’ on a corner” who catches the eye of a young woman in a flatbed pickup truck may be the only time many people have heard the name of this little town. But a quick look around reveals that there’s a charm, history and personality to Winslow far greater than the classic rock lyrics might suggest.
Standin’ on the Corner Park
I head downtown to the famed corner of 2nd and Kinsley, where the official Standin’ on the Corner Park features a mural of the truck-driving woman checking out a statue of that lonesome guitar-playing man. Across the street at the store of the same name, I trace my finger along a map of famed Route 66, still humming that Eagles song in my head. It’s as good a place as any to check out all that Winslow has to offer.
A short stroll down Kinsley Avenue leads to the Old Trails Museum (www.oldtrailsmuseum.org), which offers an on-site reading room and an impressive collection of historical photos. Here you can explore life in Winslow through the ages, from the heyday of the Santa Fe railroad to Native American trade routes and much more. You can even view pictures of the famous La Posada Hotel – then head down the block to pay them a visit in person.
La Posada Hotel
This railroad station turned classic hotel has some of the most reasonably priced luxury rooms in the southwest. Originally built in 1929 by hospitality mogul Fred Harvey and architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, the hotel operated until the late 1950s, after which the rooms were downgraded to office space. Allan Affeldt purchased and renovated the building in the 1990s and soon re-opened the property as a working hotel that now houses several museums and galleries. He even hosts a documentary film about the restoration, which you can view just off the lobby.
On site museums house the works of Affeldt’s wife, Tina Mion, and a collection of sculptures by Dan Lutzick, the hotel’s general manager. Mion’s pieces cover a wide range of topics, from celebrity suicide to the wives of American presidents, while Lutzick’s sculptures transform found materials such as broken lamps and old plywood into vibrant southwestern displays. In addition, the lobby holds a diverse collection of antique furniture and Native American art. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to explore the galleries and stroll around the gorgeous environment, but if you’d like to make a room reservation, call 928.289.4366 or visit www.laposada.org.
The Turquoise Room
Once you’ve toured the grounds at your leisure, don’t pass up a tasty bite at La Posada’s Turquoise Room. This award winning restaurant takes culinary cues from its southwest location and nearby native cultures. The piki bread with Hopi hummus is an authentic local delight that hails from the nearby town of Second Mesa, the hub of the Hopi Indian Reservation. Hopi women have been making this delicacy for thousands of years by mixing blue corn meal and the ash from juniper bushes with water, then baking on an oiled stone to create a distinctive treat.
Chef John Sharpe, a veteran of L.A.’s upscale restaurant scene, uses mostly Northern Arizona produce and stays involved in the local and sustainable food movements. His tomato salad features goat cheese from Black Mesa Ranch in nearby Snowflake, a site committed to humanely raising free range Nubian goats, which results in fabulous fresh cheese. Check out the ever-evolving menu at www.theturquoiseroom.net, and call ahead for reservations at 928.289.2888.
Homolovi Ruins State Park
For a taste of history that goes back even further, head five miles north on Highway 87 to visit the Homolovi Ruins State Park, whose name derives from the traditional Hopi term for Winslow. This “place of the little hills” preserves ruins of the ancestral Hopi people, also known as the Anasazi. The short drive out to the pueblo site offers a scenic look at the vast desert landscape. Visit just before dusk to watch the distant red mesas turn purple with the setting sun.
Though the site was abandoned in the 1400s, it remains sacred to the Hopi people, which gives the area a sense of quiet reverence. Scholars presume that this was one of many stops ancient people made as they continued their search for a homeland. Pit houses were first constructed here along the Little Colorado River in 750 AD, only to be left abandoned. Later visitors built massive pueblos with more than a thousand rooms. Travelers can stand inside the remains of these structures and peer over crumbling walls that once sheltered a long vanished civilization.
Evidence of ancient life doesn’t stop there. The pathways between pueblo sites are strewn with pottery shards. While these relics may be predictably indicative of the Hopi culture, uncovered samples of foreign pottery suggest that this site was a trading center for people as far away as Mexico and the California coast.I was told I could pick up and examine these artifacts, but that I must leave the park as I’d found it. Removal of ancient treasures such as these can have serious consequences, both on the site’s historical value and with local law enforcement.
Park admission costs $7 per vehicle, which includes all related tours. You can also visit the park on your bike for $3 or camp overnight for $18 – $25, which includes the park admission price. Morning tours through the pueblo sites are available on Saturdays throughout March. Call 928.289.4106 to reserve your spot ahead of time and be prepared to walk about a mile.
Clear Creek and McHood Park
Once you’ve spent enough time digging through the past, take a break for some outdoor recreation at McHood City Park on the Clear Creek Reservoir, located on the other side of Winslow. The park offers covered picnic spots, a free campsite and launch ramps for kayaks and canoes. With no white water or serious rapids, Clear Creek is ideal for novice paddlers. A trip through the canyon provides gorgeous views of the surrounding rock formations. Experienced climbers can often be seen engaging in deepwater soloing, where they crawl up the sandstone cliffs (sans ropes) and then dive back into the water. As with all river journeys, it’s a good idea to call the Winslow Parks Department ahead of time at 928.289.5714 to double check conditions.
Inflatable kayaks can be rented on the way to Winslow in Flagstaff. Canyon River Equipment Outfitters (www.canyonreo.com) provides inflatable canoes (complete with paddles, life vests and air pumps) for $35 a day. The charge only applies for the day you are using the equipment, so feel free to pick up your stuff a day in advance at no extra cost. Summit Divers and Watersports in Flagstaff (www.summitdivers.com) also offers kayaks and canoes and will include a kit to help secure the watercraft to the top of your car. Rentals here start at $45 for the day, though you must return all your gear within 24 hours to avoid extra fees. It’s a good idea to call either place several weeks in advance to ensure your reservation.
Back to the Corner
After a day of admiring hotel architecture, exploring tiny museums, kayaking and visiting Hopi ruins, I need a moment to relax, sit on a corner and take in the tail end of a southwest sunset. I head back to 2nd and Kinsley, and as I eat my ice cream cone from atop a park bench, strains of the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over album echo out from the corner store. Winslow residents may get sick of endless rounds of the band’s signature tune, but for those of us just visiting, this is takin’ it easy at its finest.
Todd-Avery Lenahan
By Callie Thomas
There are two very distinct philosophies when it comes to life. Some believe their destiny is a foregone conclusion, that no matter which road one chooses it will ultimately lead to a predetermined fate. Others believe that we are the architects of our lives and that each of us designs our own distinct destiny. Resident Todd-Avery Lenahan is a firm believer in the latter, and he’s done quite an amazing job using his creativity and know how to not only create his own happiness but to inspire the lives of others through his innate design skills, passion for learning and generous spirit.
One might say that Todd-Avery was “destined” to be an architectural designer, given that his mother was a designer and his grandfather was a mechanical engineer, but nothing is a fait accompli in Lenahan’s world. While his interest in the field may have been influenced by other factors, his decision to make it his life’s passion was purely his own. As Principal of ABA Design Studio, Lenahan has made an impression and impact on Las Vegas through his works for Wynn Las Vegas and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group USA. The extent of his expertise and projects around the globe are nothing short of awe-inspiring. The only thing that could possibly top his passion for design is his interest in academics and sharing his knowledge with the youth of our community. As an appointee to the UNLV Foundation, Lenahan motivates students as an adjunct professor at the UNLV School of Architecture and serves on its Dean’s Advisory Board. He has also recently been added to the board of directors for Communities in Schools (CIS), a non-profit local affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organizations.
Why did you choose to support the Communities in Schools organization?
“CIS is fighting Nevada’s epidemic of having the worst graduation rate in America. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support that empowers them to succeed in schools and achieve in life.”
In other words, you’re giving them the tools to become the masters of their own lives that they wouldn’t have been afforded by dropping out?
“Right. Our state and city are facing a student crisis that impacts the quality of life for not only each student but for everyone in the community. The impact of CIS’s accomplishments is profound.”
CIS programs are supporting nearly 25,000 students over 29 school sites in Southern Nevada and Northeastern Nevada by connecting them with critical services and counseling. That’s a pretty impressive means of giving back to the community.
“Giving back on any level is important in making a place a little bit better than it was when we arrived. We must support any efforts towards improving the quality of life and sense of place, even if the result of our contribution isn’t anything that will be realized in our lifetime. It has to be done with hope, optimism and a view to the future.”
You’re also leaving quite a mark for the future through your design works.
“I suppose I’m proud of creating environments that excite the mind, provoke thought, create memories and elevate the human condition through sensory pleasure. Design is a powerful means of positively affecting people all over the world, and I’m proud and exhilarated to be able to do so every day.”
What do you think moves you every day?
“Beauty in any form and my family and friends.”
You travel a great deal for your work. Is it hard to stay connected to friends and family?
“I’m single and I have amazing family and friends that want to ensure that I won’t be single forever. I’m fortunate to meet incredible people wherever I go and enjoy each new unanticipated introduction. Whichever city I’m in, I’ll always be with friends. The more the better.”
Susie Lee
By Callie Thomas
We could all use a little help every now and again, but there are times when it only takes a singular action to get the ball rolling in the right direction. How often has someone said, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Resident Susie Lee draws inspiration from this phrase, taking to heart those same powerful words of wisdom she once heard from her mother. Lee’s passion for finding new ways to improve the Las Vegas and Nevada communities could be the result of having the courage to take matters into her own hands and inspire others to make a difference.
As one of eight children growing up in a single income family in Ohio, Susie Lee was often the recipient of a helping hand from educators and those that would become her mentors. These experiences spurred a desire to “pay it forward” by offering her support to others in need. This 19-year resident immersed herself in the community and first utilized her skills as a research director for a gubernatorial campaign, where she drafted several proposals that are now state policy. She was also the founding Executive Director of Mobilized Assistance and Shelter for the Homeless (MASH) Crisis Intervention Unit, which provides multiple services for homeless clients all under one roof.
Lee’s lengthy list of community support includes becoming the founding director and a 10 year board member of the Inner City Games (now the After School All Stars program), which provides more than 5,000 kids with after school activities and educational programs. In addition, she serves as President Emeritus of the Nevada Women’s Philanthropy (NWP), which awards grants to several nonprofits within the community, and she has also been named board president of Communities in Schools of Nevada. Lee took some time out to share her insight into the organization, herself and her life in the city.
Communities in Schools of Nevada is a new undertaking for you?
“Yes, our organization helps to build awareness and develop strategies to address the dropout epidemic in Nevada. CIS works within the public school system and determines student needs and establishes relationships with local businesses, social service organizations, health care providers and parents as well as volunteers.”
News reports have indicated Nevada as having the highest dropout rate in the nation.
“The numbers have been staggering; 133 students drop out each school day and only 43% of Nevada’s high school students graduate, which is why I’m so committed to doing what I can through Communities in Schools.”
You created CIS’s First Annual Scarecrow Festival fundraiser. What can you tell us about the event?
“Our inaugural event was incredibly successful thanks to the generosity of sponsors and our volunteers. We raised over $220,000 for our most at risk students. It’s a night of food and family fun. We just held our second annual event this past fall.”
What experiences with these organizations inspire you?
“As the Executive Director for the Inner City Games, I accompanied two Youth Ambassadors to the Olympics in Atlanta. My husband and I took an interest in helping an extraordinary young woman named Sue Owens from the group, who showed incredible drive and commitment. Fifteen years later, I was at a support event at Wendell Williams School and recognized one of the young teachers – it was Sue. I was so proud of her accomplishment.”
Tell us something you don’t think others in the community know about you.
“I was a synchronized swimmer as a youngster.”
With all that you do, what keeps you sane?
“My family. My husband Dan and our kids Nevada and Cody and our dogs Lizzie and Scooter. I think the key is focus and hard work and the ability to laugh – at myself primarily.”
Joe Tasby
By Callie Thomas
Starting over is never easy, but that’s exactly what 89117 resident Joe Tasby has done several times. Not that he’s complaining. Instead, Joe has embraced new opportunities to thrive and make a difference each and every day. After retiring from the military, he moved into another career working for the post office, but soon shifted to a career as a graphic designer and provided his artistic skills to clients for 20 years… until another change took place. Joe began to lose his eyesight. He decided to get involved with community service work in his hometown of San Francisco, but yet another lifestyle change would bring him to Las Vegas, not only to help his children start a new life but to continue assisting people throughout the community. For the past 12 years, that’s exactly what Joe has done, helping veterans and others who are vision impaired through the American Legion, Blind Veterans Association and Center for the Blind. But when his own sight deteriorated to the point he was pronounced legally blind, Tasby turned to another source of inspiration and assistance—Easter Seals Nevada.
Since 1950, Easter Seals Nevada has been advocating for and working with infants, children, youth and adults who have disabilities and face other challenges. It is one of Nevada’s largest community disability agencies, serving nearly 6,000 people and their families each year. An associated resource of the Veterans Association, the organization provides technology assistance by teaching computer skills such as how to correspond with family as well as important life skills such as paying bills and researching information. With his sight failing, Joe found the assistance he needed to utilize the computer so he could continue to help others with disabilities.
Would you say that Easter Seals has given you another opportunity to start over?
“Easter Seals has been invaluable to me. When my ability to do graphic design ended, I felt like, wow, it’s over. There’s nothing else I can do. LaaRee Drawantz and Paul Rice from the Veterans Administration showed me that I could do it and I’ve learned that I can through computer programs like Magic.”
Learning new computer skills was like Magic?
“Yes, actually, it is a program that helps to magnify verbiage as well as read verbiage to you. I was once again able to input information and assist charitable organizations including Easter Seals in ways that I never thought I could. I am able to assist with newsletters, bulletins and fliers to the groups.”
You’re assisting Easter Seals Nevada with their biggest fundraiser, Walk with Me.
“This is the first year I will be participating in the event and will be an Honorary Ambassador and paired up with another participant. It’s a two mile walk on April 7th at W. Wayne Bunker Family Park (visit www.walkwithme.org/lasvegas for info). Proceeds from the event benefit Easter Seals Nevada and will help them continue to provide services to Nevadans with disabilities. If I can show encouragement to others that are blind by walking, I will. It’s the first year for me but definitely not my last! I hope to do much more in the future!”
As a retired military man, you have also reached out to other vets in the area.
“I chose to work with Veterans American Legion because it is about veterans helping veterans. There are so many vets that are homeless and needing help. Working with the Blind Veterans Association has been invigorating and encouraging to me. If they can do it, I can do it!”
Your children and grandchildren must be proud of your efforts.
“They mean the world to me, my son and daughter, and I have three grandchildren.”
It is easy to see that giving back is very important to you.
“So many people are out there that need help and don’t know where to get it. They feel isolated and deserted. If I can give them even a little encouragement, I do!”
Dr. Paul Wilkes
By Callie Thomas
Having a baby is one of the most precious, joyful experiences in a woman’s life. Having a doctor that provides support, encouragement and a sense of humor throughout the process is indispensible. If he was a character on the popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, they’d probably call 89144 resident Dr. Paul Wilkes “Doctor McCheery,” given his ability to put new moms at ease the instant he walks into the room. It’s an innate ability for Wilkes, who’s been hooked on obstetrics from the moment he delivered his first baby.
The nearly native Las Vegan practices maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology at Desert Perinatal Associates. He’s also a published physician, having authored several papers on perinatal topics in esteemed medical journals. His awe of the daily miracles of life and profound respect for motherhood and childcare has driven the good doctor to extend his expertise throughout the community. In addition to caring for patients within his practice, Dr. Wilkes donates medical care, time and money to charities that help the most vulnerable members of our community.
The list of organizations and contributions includes sitting on the board for the Pat Kelley Youth Foundation, which encourages underprivileged youth to pursue an education, gain self-confidence through sports and participate in after-school activities. Jump for Joy, another of the doctor’s favorite charities, is an effort to fight childhood obesity by motivating and educating children to take control of their health. Wilkes is also a board member and oversees a program to provide free fitness camps for local youths, an ideal position for such an avid participant in sports activities. He also donates funds to provide necessary items for Family and Children Treatment of Southern Nevada. But the organization that has most captured the heart and spirit of Dr. Wilkes is Safe Nest, which provides emergency shelter for abused women.
We hear that you’ve been called “an angel without wings” by the recreation coordinator at Safe Nest for your efforts at the center.
“Wow, not sure I’m an angel, but I have been able to connect with the women and children from Safe Nest and show them that there are good men in the world that want nothing from them except for them to be safe and happy and whole. It means a lot to both me and the entire staff at Desert Perinatal Associates.”
You have a unique way of greeting your patients and putting them at ease on their initial visit. Care to share?
“Well, it’s an ice breaker. I usually say ‘Hi, I’m Dr. Wilkes. Thank you for letting me have your baby.’ By the time the women leave, they’re smiling and laughing.”
You are really passionate about your work. Would you say you love your job?
“I am way too lazy to have a ‘job.’ I love what I do, and even with the long hours and emotional demands, I wouldn’t trade my life for anybody else’s. I’m passionate about pretty much everything I do. If I am not passionate about it, I stop doing it.”
You have firsthand knowledge about raising and caring for children outside of your practice. You’re a dad of three?
“Yes, I share three amazing kids – Katie, Ryan and Charlotte – with my ex-wife Megan, who is still the most amazing thing that has happened to me, and she makes me laugh every day. They know that I love them unconditionally, and all I want is for them to be happy.”
Giving back and being an influence for your children is a big deal to you.
“I’ve been a resident for over 40 years and still have friends here from kindergarten. Giving back to a community that has given so much to my family and me is an honor.”
