Out with the Old…Consignment Shopping in Las Vegas

Out with the Old…Consignment Shopping in Las Vegas

Summer Sizzle

Arts on the Ocean – Laguna Beach, California

By
Mike Sweeney

Southern California has no shortage of gorgeous beach communities. Take a drive along the PCH and you’ll find enough panoramic views to fill an entire rack of postcards. During your cruise with the top down, plan for a stop in Laguna Beach, where you’ll find more than just sand and surf. There’s a thriving arts community hiding in plain sight here beneath the California sun, a world where age old masterworks and modern creativity come together in living color.

Masters of Fine Arts

Long known as a haven for artistic types from all walks of life, Laguna features one of the best art scenes on the California coast, culminating at the annual Festival of the Arts, which runs this year from July 1^st – August 31^st. The festival revolves around the stunning Pageant of the Masters, where recreations of classic and contemporary works of art are brought to life with real people in a vivid display of imagination. Watch in awe as famous paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Norman Rockwell, Vincent Van Gogh and more turn into “living pictures” before your eyes, taking the idea of “performance art” to new levels of inspiration and creativity.

Purchasing a ticket for the Pageant also earns you free admission to the festival’s ongoing art exhibition, where paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more go on display just blocks from the ocean for casual viewing and for purchase. Stroll through the outdoor gallery as you browse through all the best art the festival has to offer. You can also take part in workshops, daily tours, live music and hands on demonstrations in everything from printmaking to ceramics and more. For more information on this year’s Festival of the Arts, visit www.foapom.com.

Pardon Our Dust

If you still haven’t had your fill of the Laguna Beach art scene, be sure to check out the Sawdust Art Festival, which runs from June 29^th – September 2^nd. Shop along sawdust covered paths through a handcrafted village as you peruse the work of over 200 local Laguna Beach artists in all media, including hand blown glass, jewelry, ceramics, painting, surf art, textiles and more. The festival also offers art classes every Friday and Saturday, where you can create your own art piece in the Sawdust Studio in one two-hour session. You’ll also find plenty of food and drink and live entertainment on three outdoor stages, along with roving performers that include circus acts and much more. For more information, visit www.sawdustartfestival.org.

Galleries Galore

While you’re in town for the various festivals, take time to visit some of Laguna’s fine art galleries, many of which are located up and down the scenic Coast Highway. The Fingerhut Gallery (www.fingerhutart.com) highlights work by many famous artists from around the world, including a collection of rare creations from the legendary Dr. Seuss. Peter Blake Gallery (www.peterblakegallery.com) showcases modern and contemporary art from a diverse group of artists in a variety of mediums with a focus on abstraction. Wyland Galleries (www.wyland.com) features the work of Wyland, whose paintings, sculptures and photography bring the world of the ocean and its creatures to vibrant life. For more information on Laguna’s many art galleries, visit www.art-collecting.com/galleries_ca_lagunabeach.htm.

Beach Eats

Some of the best culinary hotspots in Laguna Beach can also be found along the Coast Highway. For breakfast, hit up the Koffee Klatch (949.376.6867), a cozy bohemian coffee shop. Plush couches, ottomans and pillows will keep you comfortable while you peruse a wide selection of coffee, tea, espresso and blended drinks to help open your sleepy eyes. Chow down on a delicious egg and cheese croissant, oatmeal with fresh fruit or a plate of scrambled eggs with avocado for a morning treat. Best of all, it’s just across the street from the ocean, so grab that coffee and Danish to go and spend your early hours taking in the gorgeous Pacific scenery.

Closer to the Main Beach, you’ll find The White House (www.whitehouserestaurant.com), one of the oldest restaurants in Orange County and a pillar of great California cuisine. Eggs Benedict, omelettes and Belgian waffles highlight the breakfast menu, while lunch and dinner offer sandwiches, soup, pasta, salads and entrées that cover everything from baby back ribs to charbroiled Atlantic salmon. Portions are plentiful, so your chances of walking away hungry are slim to none. Right next to the dining room, you’ll find a lounge bar with a dance floor, where you can hear live music seven nights a week and keep the party going well into the wee hours.

For a dash of elegance, make a reservation at French 75 (www.french75.net) for dinner. Nestled inside a country cottage, French 75 offers a modern take on French bistro fare in a romantic, intimate setting. Appetizers such as foie gras and shucked oysters will start your evening off right as you segue into main courses that include Bacon Tomato Mussels, Filet Mignon au Cognac and Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Breast. Choose from many a la carte side dishes as well such as mac and cheese with manchego and chorizo or their signature pommes frites. With live entertainment several nights a week and special events that include everything from wine tastings to Sunday brunch, French 75 brings a touch of class to the seaside scene.

Bunking Down

If you’re looking for a rustic, old fashioned place to hang your hat at the end of your day, check in at The Carriage House (www.carriagehouse.com). This pastoral bed and breakfast was built in the 1920s and features six two bedroom suites, each decorated with its own unique theme, including Lilac Time and Green Palms. Enjoy a family style breakfast in “Grandma Bean’s” dining room or lounge in the courtyard instead as you sample granola made from scratch and other home cooked recipes. Filled with colonial charm and located within convenient walking distance to the beach and local hotspots, The Carriage House is the perfect ocean getaway.

For something more quaint, try the Manzanita Cottages (www.manzanitacottages.com), where old California charm and modern comforts come together for a cozy beach experience. Choose from one of four private cottages, each with its own exclusive furnishings and décor. All come fully equipped with a kitchen, dining room, king size bed and the usual relaxing amenities of home. Secluded and hidden away in a storybook setting that includes floral gardens and an elegant courtyard, Manzanita Cottages will keep you away from the tourist hubbub when you want to unwind while still providing easy access to all the excitement Laguna has to offer.

A luxurious escape from the everyday world awaits at Montage Laguna Beach (www.montagelagunabeach.com), known for its elegant suites and beach bungalow style rooms that hearken back to the early days of the Laguna arts movement. Take a walk down to the shore and wade in the ocean or gaze out across the Pacific while enjoying a relaxing soak at Spa Montage. And if that doesn’t cure your ills, head back to your room for a nap on your feather top bed while you fall asleep to the cool ocean breeze. No matter what kind of vacation experience you have planned, Montage has all the tools you need to spoil yourself.

Laguna Beach may be known for its sand and surf, but its artistic side is what truly makes it shine. Where else can you explore the works of master painters, shop for homemade jewelry and then run across the street to enjoy some of the most beautiful ocean views in the world. Life may be a beach in Southern California, but thanks to Laguna, it’s a creative and inspiring one as well.

What’s Up, Doc? The Chuck Jones Experience

By Mike Sweeney

Even if you don’t know the name Chuck Jones, you’re probably still familiar with his work. Over the course of his distinguished 60-year career, he created over 300 animated films and helped bring to life some of the most beloved cartoon characters of all time, such as Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Pepé Le Pew and that “wascally wabbit” himself, Bugs Bunny. Thanks to the new Chuck Jones Experience exhibit, which will hold its grand opening at Circus Circus on January 18th, Las Vegas residents can get an inside look at the life and career of this extraordinary artist.

Every aspect of the exhibit is designed to celebrate Jones’ brilliant work, including the Acme Warehouse gift shop and animation gallery found at the main entrance. Themed after the infamous mail order company from which Wile E. Coyote acquires his mediocre anvils and explosives, the store offers books and souvenirs of all kinds, including a display of artwork and framed animation cels. Once you’ve had a good look around, purchase your ticket and make your way inside a cartoon lover’s wonderland.

The first stop on the tour is Animation Alley, a painted street scene that’s bursting with color, where the walls display some vivid renderings of treasured characters and a timeline of Chuck’s life. Here you’ll also find the Chuck Jones Theatre, a small movie house designed to resemble the 1930s-style venue from Jones’ classic cartoon, One Froggy Evening. Take in the old-fashioned surroundings as you view a short film that serves as an introduction to Chuck’s world.

From there, your visit takes you to a physical recreation of his office at Warner Bros., where he worked among the famous “Termite Terrace” team of animators, whose ranks also included Tex Avery and Friz Freleng. You’ll get to see Chuck’s actual work desk, along with a few book cases stocked with items from his personal library. Everything from the tile floor to the period wainscoting evokes an old Hollywood milieu. The gallery that follows puts Jones’ work front and center. Alongside his drawings and sketches, you’ll discover an impressive display of accomplished oil paintings, both of his classic creations and other subjects from real life.

One of the best things about the Chuck Jones Experience is its interactivity. Stand beside 3-D models of his famous animated characters and see how you measure up. Engage in some Chuck Jones trivia with the amusing Quiz-a-Nator by moving tiles, spinning blocks and pulling levers. In the Universe of Animation room, inspired by Marvin the Martian, try your hand at creating your own cartoons using an old-fashioned spinning zoetrope device. You can even provide voice-over and live sound effects (known in the industry as “Foley”) for a classic cartoon at the Rikki-Tikki Foley Stage, a reference to the artist’s animated version of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

As you exit the exhibit, you’ll find the glass-enclosed Chuck Jones Center for Creativity classroom. Founded by Jones with the hope of inspiring joy and innovation in others, this nonprofit organization will offer drawing classes, lectures and various other projects and educational programs for children of all ages to explore their artistic side. Chuck believed that creativity was one of the strongest forces on the planet, and this facility serves to (pardon the expression) illustrate the fundamentals of his philosophy.

The Chuck Jones Experience brings a welcome addition of family-friendly entertainment to Las Vegas. There’s even a parking structure adjacent to the exhibit entrance, so you don’t have to walk through the casino to discover all the fun. Take a nostalgic trip back to the Golden Age of animation and experience the life, work and genius of a man who educated, inspired and entertained millions with his imaginative and amusing outlook on the world. As Chuck Jones himself once said, “The rules are simple. Take your work, but never yourself, seriously. Pour in the love and whatever skill you have, and it will come out.”

For more information, visit www.chuckjonesexperience.com.

A Century of Sunken Dreams – Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

By Mike Sweeney

One hundred years ago, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City and sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic. Over 1,500 people perished that cold April night, the “ship of dreams” lost forever to history… or so we once thought. Thanks to decades of recovery and preservation efforts, visitors from around the world can relive the story of the doomed ocean liner at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, a collection of authentic artifacts and dramatic recreations of the voyage, now in its fifth year at the Luxor.

From moment one, the exhibit conveys a “you are there” quality. Each guest is handed a facsimile “boarding pass” that bears the name of a different real life passenger with facts about their journey aboard the ship. From there, proceed at your own pace through a chronological timeline of the vessel’s legacy, from her construction in the shipyards of Belfast to the ill-fated sinking.  Enlarged photographs and archival film footage help bring the startling details to life, while informative placards throughout provide facts on passengers both celebrated and obscure.

All the relics on display were salvaged from the debris field around the Titanic. Nothing is taken from inside the wreckage as it’s considered a memorial grave site. Glass cases house everything from clothes and jewelry to navigational tools to an impressive display of restaurant place settings. Most items are remarkably well preserved, including a half full bottle of champagne and a collection of aromatic perfume samples. Currency from around the world gives a sense of the ocean liner’s diverse collection of passengers, emphasizing the global scope of the disaster.

Beyond the exceptional gathering of artifacts, the exhibit also includes recreations of certain parts of the ship that depict a vintage Edwardian atmosphere. Stroll along the Promenade Deck and feel the chill in the night air. Admire the famous Grand Staircase as elegant chamber music sets the scene. Study duplications of first and third class cabins to see how both the affluent and the less fortunate were able to share the journey. None of it may be real, but you can still feel the lingering ghosts of wealthy dowagers and steerage drifters alike calling out from the past.

One of the most breathtaking items on display is the “Big Piece,” a 15-ton chunk of Titanic’s starboard hull, the largest section of the ship ever recovered. Standing 26 feet long and 12 feet tall, this iron monolith towers over all who stand before it, yet an accompanying illustration shows that this was but a miniscule piece of the 883-foot-long hull. With rivets the size of tennis balls and steel plates that could crush an elephant, it’s easy to see where Titanic got its name.

At last, you come to the memorial wall at the end of the exhibit, a complete list of the ship’s passengers broken down by class – and also by who lived and who died. I check my boarding pass to find out that my alter ego did not survive, but his wife and son did. Small consolation for them, but it’s a sharp reminder of the human face of this calamity. For all its historical importance, the sinking of the Titanic changed many lives forever. Thanks to wonderful exhibits such as this one, we can still experience the profound impact of such an emotional tragedy.

For more information on special events surrounding the upcoming 100^th anniversary of the sinking, visit www.luxor.com/entertainment/titanic.aspx.

Made in America – The Mob Museum

By
Mike Sweeney

Wise guys and made guys have long formed an indelible part of the history of Las Vegas. While Martin Scorsese’s film Casino brought the stories of Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and Tony “The Ant” Spilotro into the spotlight, the mob’s legacy in Sin City and throughout America goes back decades further. The newly opened National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement, better known as The Mob Museum, paints a vivid picture of the notorious gangsters and intrepid lawmen who clashed in a furious battle that forever changed the face of modern history.

Public Enemies

Housed in the former federal courthouse and U.S. Post Office building downtown, the museum offers an all inclusive chronicle of organized crime through three floors worth of photographs, films, historical artifacts and interactive exhibits. From the days of Prohibition to the glamour of Las Vegas and the modern era of media darlings such as John Gotti, the sordid tales of murder, corruption and criminal activity provide a fascinating window on American culture. Detailed accounts trace the mob’s involvement in racketeering, bootlegging, gambling, politics, prostitution and more, highlighting a widespread criminal enterprise with its hands in just about everything. As infamous gangster Meyer Lansky once said, “We’re bigger than U.S. Steel.”

Interactive exhibits such as touch screen panels provide an encyclopedia’s worth of information to read through and explore. This is one museum that encourages you to be hands on, whether it’s test firing a simulated Tommy gun with some real kick or taking a seat in the actual electric chair from Sing Sing prison, where Louis “Lepke” Buchalter of Murder, Inc. met his fate. Artifacts housed behind glass provide a tangible sense of history, from old ledgers and fingerprint records to weapons favored by merciless hit men to astounding features such as the barber chair where Albert Anastasia was killed and the actual murder wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, still riddled with bullet holes from Al Capone’s ruthless thugs.

On the Case

We also get a good picture of the battle from the other side of the line, where noble G-Men such as Eliot Ness and Harry Anslinger took the fight to the mob with dedicated efficiency. A major part of the exhibit focuses on hearings led by Senator Estes Kefauver that questioned key mob players about their part in organized crime. An entertaining film projected on three screens in the old courtroom brings the hearings to life with dramatic reenactments. The ground floor traces efforts of the Department of Justice and other police and governmental agencies to conduct surveillance, gather evidence and apprehend mob figures. Listen to wiretap recordings and learn about informants and undercover operatives such as FBI agent Joe Pistone (aka Donnie Brasco).

The House Always Wins

Naturally, the mob’s history in Las Vegas forms a big part of the museum. As Dean Martin plays in the background, you’ll find walls of photos recounting the glitz and glamour of old Vegas, tracing its rise from 1950s boomtown to the days of the Rat Pack and Howard Hughes, when forgotten hotels such as the El Rancho and Desert Inn were still hot properties. Here you’ll learn about the legendary “Black Book” that kept mobsters banned from casinos, battles with the Nevada Gaming Commission and how big time gangsters like Frank Costello profited by skimming money from major casinos such as the Tropicana. There’s even a display featuring mementos and court documents from defense attorney and former mayor Oscar Goodman.

While Las Vegas will always share a notorious connection with organized crime, The Mob Museum doesn’t seek to either embrace or condemn that legacy. Rather, it presents a detailed account from both sides of the law and allows visitors to form their own opinions. The result is an entertaining and educational experience that anyone with a passion for history can appreciate.

For more information on The Mob Museum, visit www.themobmuseum.org.

From Farm to Fork – Making the Most of Farmer’s Market Finds

By Aly Wagonseller

There’s nothing tastier than a fresh tomato straight from the garden. Sweeter, firmer and distinct in flavor, they run culinary circles around the more bland versions found at your local grocer. Other fruits, vegetables and herbs certainly follow suit, making the burgeoning trend of farmer’s markets coming to our city a welcome sight for demanding cooks who settle only for the best.

Farmer’s markets signify an evolution born from America’s desire to get back to basic food that’s minimally processed, seasonally foraged and void of dangerous pesticides. Markets that include Downtown 3^rd , Bet on the Farm at the Springs Preserve and Fresh52, with locations near Henderson and in Tivoli Village, allow the home cook to garner the same quality ingredients that celebrity chefs  like Mario Batali and Rick Moonen have been using for years. Naturally grown specialty citrus, fresh herbs or heirloom varieties of tomatoes, carrots, radishes and beets are the surprising secret to elevating simple recipes to sheer heaven on a plate, and now it’s easier than ever to get your hands on them.

Still, for some cooks, an outing at the farmer’s market can quickly turn into the kid in a candy store scenario, something that can waste both money and food if you’re not careful. Plan your purchases based on the shelf life of the ingredients and the weekly food needs of your family.  Refrain from filling your basket with a glut of different varieties as well, sticking with what you know you’ll use and buying only small quantities of that intriguing mystery produce you’ve been dying to try. Finally, have a menu plan in mind before you’re off and running, making sure that herbs and items prone to speedy spoilage can be purposed in more than one recipe.

We’ve got some fresh and tasty dishes ready to make the most of your farmer’s market finds.  From a veggie packed pasta to a stunning roasted beet and goat cheese salad, you’ll see why the best of cooks believe that farm to fork is the only way to dine.

Spinach and Sweet Pea Soup with Mint Cream

Serves 6

• 2 small onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 leek, cleaned and chopped, white and pale green parts only
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 ¼ pounds fresh spinach, rinsed
• 2 ½ cups fresh or frozen petite peas
• 3 cups chicken stock
• ½ cup half and half cream
• ½ cup finely chopped mint
• 1 cup crème fraiche
• ¼ – ½ cup half-and-half
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic croutons and crisp pancetta

Prepare mint cream by combining mint, crème fraiche and enough half-and-half to reach desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste.

In a large soup pot, sauté butter, onion and leeks over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent onions from sticking until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, lower the heat to medium and continue cooking for another 10 minutes until onions are translucent. Stir in spinach and sauté until wilted, about 5 minutes more. Add peas, stock and 1 Tbsp. of salt, bringing to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Allow soup to cool for a few minutes, then puree in small batches with a food processor or immersion blender.

Serve hot or cold, garnishing with mint cream, croutons and pancetta.

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Pistachios

Serves 8

• 3 large red beets (1 2/3 lb without greens)
• 2 large golden beets (1 lb without greens)
• ¼ cup minced shallot
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• ¾ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• ¼ cup pistachio oil
• 4 oz. soft goat cheese
• 3 Tbsp. salted, shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
• Baby micro greens

Preheat oven to 425°F. Separately wrap red and golden beets tightly in double layers of foil and roast in middle of oven until tender, 1 to 1 ½ hours. Unwrap beets.

While beets are cooling slightly, whisk together shallot, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a stream, whisking. When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off and discard skins. Separately cut red and golden beets into ¼-inch dice and put in separate bowls. Add 2 ½ Tbsp. dressing to each bowl and toss to coat.

Place a 2 ½ inch ring mold in center of 1 of 8 salad plates. Put one eighth of red beets in cutter and pack down with your fingertips. Crumble 2 tsp. goat cheese on top, then one eighth of golden beets, packing them down. Gently lift cutter up and away from stack. Make 7 more servings in same manner. Drizzle each plate with 1 tsp. dressing and scatter with some pistachios.

Toss micro greens with just enough remaining dressing to coat and gently mound on top of beets. Serve immediately.

 Farmer”s Market Pasta

4 servings

• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes, on the vine
• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound penne or similar pasta
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• ¾ pound Italian sausage, sliced2-3 small zucchini, sliced
• 2 globe artichokes, trimmed to the hearts, cut into quarters
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• ¼ bunch fresh basil leaves

In a large heavy sauté pan, add the sliced garlic and the clusters of cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the pan over low-medium heat on the stove top and cook slowly until the tomatoes are just about falling apart and their juices have been extracted into the olive oil, forming a nice sauce, about 45 to 50 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 2 to 3 clusters of roasted tomatoes for garnish. Discard the vine stems and puree or squash the remaining tomatoes in the pan, with a spoon, so you have nice chunky pieces of tomato in all the delicious tomato juice and olive oil. Stir in the sugar.

While sauce is cooking, in a large sauté pan, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté the loose sausage until brown and caramelized. Remove and set aside on a plate while you cook the zucchini. To the same pan, add some more olive oil if needed and sauté zucchini until caramelized around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add the artichokes and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes. Add the sausage back to the pan and toss in pasta and the tomato mixture. Mix well over high heat to ensure everything is heated through and evenly coated.  Serve, sprinkle with Parmesan, basil leaves and top with a cluster of roasted cherry tomatoes.

Lemon Arugula Pizza

Serves 4

• 1 pound premade pizza dough
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 cups grated Italian fontina cheese
• 1 ½ cups grated fresh mozzarella cheese
• 11 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup olive oil, divided
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces baby arugula
• ¼ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

Remove dough from package and cut into four equal pieces. Form each piece into a small, round disk. Place on a floured surface, cover with a clean towel, and let rest for 30 minutes. While pizza dough is resting, combine ½ cup olive oil, garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook for 10 minutes, making sure the garlic doesn”t burn. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees, or heat the barbecue to the same temperature. Stretch the dough, and form into four circles, each about 8 inches in diameter. Brush the pizzas with the garlic oil, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the pizzas evenly with fontina, mozzarella and goat cheese. Drizzle each pizza with 1 Tbsp. more of the garlic oil and bake or grill on a pizza stone for 10 to 15 minutes, until the crusts are crisp and the cheeses begin to brown.  Meanwhile, whisk remaining ½ cup of olive oil, lemon juice, 1 tsp. salt and ½ tsp. pepper until emulsified into a vinaigrette.

When the pizzas are done, place the arugula in a large bowl and toss with just enough lemon vinaigrette to moisten. Place a large bunch of arugula on each pizza and sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately.

Out N About

Out N About

David Alleman

By Callie Thomas

In the movie Field of Dreams, legendary actor James Earl Jones reminded us in his signature booming voice that, “The one constant through all the years… has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.” Americans have an ongoing love affair with baseball which has persevered throughout the decades as evidenced in the faces and hearts of children as they receive their first mitt or step up to bat for the first time. The love of the game has also been a constant for resident David Alleman since he was a boy. This busy attorney concentrates on his corporate clients during the day, handling real estate and commercial transactions at Kolesar & Leatham, but still finds time to engage in his passion for the game by coaching in Summerlin South Little League. He currently serves on its Board of Directors as “Umpire in Chief,” but he especially enjoys being called “coach” by the kids in the league.

It’s a particularly rewarding undertaking for Alleman, as all three of his boys play baseball in Summerlin South Little League, and he personally coaches two of his sons’ teams. However, he finds it equally as gratifying to give other children the same rewarding experiences. The father of four (he and his wife Skye also have a two year old daughter) proudly teaches life lessons through the game that he hopes kids will take with them into adulthood. Alleman gives us his take on making a difference by being a mentor and why a day at the ball park really is “all that” and a box of Cracker Jack.

How important is it for you to be a role model to your kids and those in the community?

“I remember great mentors I had growing up, not only in sports but also in organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and my local church, and recognize the even greater importance for youth today to have people who will take an interest in their lives and development.”

Was your father influential in getting you involved in sports as a kid?

“Growing up, I played baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball. As a young boy, I actually remember being nervous about playing kid pitch baseball. Fortunately, my very patient father encouraged me and helped me stay involved. As a result, I ended up playing and enjoying the game through high school and have several fond memories of being on the field with friends with whom I remain close to this day.”

So you wanted to share that experience with other kids in the community?

“It’s really rewarding to help young children learn to play America’s pastime. There’s always something fun and exciting about putting on a clean uniform and taking a clean field, which I remember doing often.”

It appears you’ve made an impact on your players as well as your own kids.

“I originally got involved with Summerlin South Little League so that I could spend time with my boys and enable them to have the same experiences I had, but the reward of influencing several kids’ lives has made it completely worth it.”

Through the game, the kids also learn a bit more about life situations?

“Most certainly. Sports truly are a microcosm of real life. There are so many facets of the game, including interacting with teammates and coaches, that will prepare kids for their lives after baseball. I’ve helped kids work through their own fear of stepping into the batter’s box. I have also helped kids deal with winning and losing seasons, each presenting different challenges. Regardless of the situation, baseball, like most team sports for youth, helps children to learn life lessons about hard work, achieving goals, overcoming fears, handling success and failure, sportsmanship and leadership in a fun, competitive environment.”

What’s it like to know that some of your past players still follow the league?

“It’s a great feeling when they approach me at the fields and still call me coach.”

Loren Slocum

By Callie Thomas

Ever wonder if you can truly “have it all?” While there may be a never ending list of novels and movies where the hero or heroine inevitably ends up with the perfect life, there are an equal number of naysayers that find it hard to believe they could ever reach nirvana. But if you ask 89135 resident Loren Slocum if she believes that she can have it all, you’ll get a resounding “yes.” Loren has a “sunshiny” personality and is a distinguished international speaker, author and media personality, life coach and mom of three (a teen, a tween and a toddler), so she’s walked the talk to support her position.

Some would say she gained that perspective through her 23 years as the International Crew Director for world renowned business life strategist Tony Robbins, but that’s only part of it. She’s traveled the world inspiring, coaching and helping others through her writing and speaking engagements. The six year Las Vegas resident has entrenched herself within the community in hopes of making a “massive difference” and helping those in need as a founding board member of the annual Las Vegas St. Jude fundraising event and by creating a charitable platform for assisting several local programs called Do the Right Thing.

Her passion for life is only superseded by her passion for helping others and empowering women to realize their natural gifts, stay true to who they are and utilize the resources around them.  While Loren Slocum happily juggles many balls in the air, she is eager to talk about her work, why she’s constantly “reinventing” herself and how she can be better than she was the day before.

So you actually met Tony Robbins by making baskets at his house?

“Yes. In 1989, I had the privilege of showing up at his home to help with a Basket Brigade, where we assembled baskets for the needy. Six months later, I was asked to work for the company, organizing events around the world and developing the International Crew Director position, which I have done for the past 20 years. Tony inspired me to find my gifts and share them through writing and speaking.”

Your efforts have paid off. You’re an international author of two books. What was your goal in writing them?

“I wrote The Greatest Love because I wanted women to celebrate the gift of being a mom and have the life they want. Life Tuneups was inspired by the thousands of women I’ve met over the years and helping them get back to the core of who they are as women and as themselves.”

You keep reinventing yourself. What inspired you to run a marathon?

“I wanted to run a marathon, but I’m not a runner. In order to accomplish this, I needed to do it for a cause. They say mile 20 is the hardest. I wrote the names of people that inspired me and ran a mile for each. I chose to do mile 20 in honor of the woman who was my roommate at the event, whose daughter was at St. Jude’s having a cancer treatment that weekend. I had no idea that six months later her daughter would become the featured child for our fundraising event and had made an amazing painting that was auctioned that night. Of course, I had to buy it so the experience came full circle.”

What do you love most about being involved with St. Jude?

“It helps with so much research for kids with life threatening diseases around the world.”

Through Do the Right Thing, you’re back to your roots making baskets?

“Each Thanksgiving, we make baskets for needy families in Vegas. Thirty of us took care of 100 families and over 250 homeless people last year. We do projects every month. It might be a birthday party at a school for Title 1 Hope Kids, sponsoring an After School Allstar graduation or just assembling baskets we give to a needy person we encounter. Seeing people light up lights me up.”