Fruit Salad with Minted Sugar
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Mediterranean Lettuce Wraps
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Thai Quinoa Chicken Salad
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Vegetable Crepes
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Fast, Fresh & Fabulous!
Spring has sprung and, in keeping with the newfound spirit of the season, we crave lighter meals that honor the wide variety of seasonal ingredients so plentiful this time of year. Fresh produce and meats, while simple solo, can be easily transformed into healthy and filling meals perfect for spring-time dining.
When it’s nice outside getting out of the kitchen fast is priority numero uno. Unfortunately (and fortunately) it’s also the time when fresh fruits and veggies are abundant, leading to the time consuming task of chopping. Yep, you need to start brushing up on your knife skills because, while pre-sliced and diced veggies are always an option, for best results you’ll need to get on that chopping block. When slicing vegetables remember to use a good quality chef’s knife, holding the handle with your index finger positioned towards the top and side of the blade as opposed to the bottom of the handle. This positioning allows for you to “roll” the knife through the food for optimal control and speed. The opposite hand should be holding the food in a claw-like position where the tips of the fingers are pulled back and the knuckles lean toward the knife. This allows for safely moving food toward the knife’s edge, while keeping fingers in one piece. Finally, choosing a completely flat surface like a wood chopping board is imperative. Bumpy, plastic cutting boards are great for meat, but make vegetables ten times harder to chop than on a flat surface. When in doubt, search the web for tutorials. It will make prepping fresh foods quicker and safer.
We’ve shared four ideas for fast, fresh and fabulous dining options. They’re healthy, will have you out of the kitchen in 30 minutes or less, and are as perfect for alfresco, weekday dining as they are for a casual gathering with friends.
1. Vegetable Crepes
Light and delicious, these crepes are easy and satisfying whether as a snack, side, appetizer or dinner.
2. Thai Quinoa Chicken Salad
A burst of flavor and an infusion of protein comes from this well-balanced super food. The quinoa adds a rustic flavor while the spice of the thai sauce kicks it up a notch.
3. Mediterranean Lettuce Wraps
A creative play on the classic Asian staple – these lettuce wraps are filling, tasty AND healthy. You just can’t get better than that.
4. Fruit Salad with Minted Sugar
Who needs ice cream when you can indulge in this delicious, fresh and perfectly sweet dessert. Top with a dollop of Cool Whip if you feel like being bad.
New Rules of the Road | Tips for Handling a “No Injury – No Response” Car Accident
Since the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s new “no injury – no response” accident policy went into effect March 3, there’s been much confusion on how drivers should handle a “non-injury” accident. With the LVMPD traffic accident report no longer available following many car accidents, it will be the drivers’ responsibility to investigate and document the wreck. The Richard Harris Law Firm offers tips people should follow to protect their legal rights.
- Stay in your vehicle until you feel calm. When able, leave the vehicle and calmly introduce yourself to the other driver.
- Don’t be confrontational with the other driver. If they do admit fault, ask if they are willing to give a statement in writing or by video taken on your smartphone.
- Call police and follow their instructions. If the other party is intoxicated or high, let the dispatcher know. If the other person involved in the accident refuses to give you their information and flees the scene, it has become a hit-and-run, a situation that Metro will also respond to.
- Realize that documentation is your friend. You can use your camera phone if you have one, or carry a disposable camera in your glove box. Take as many photos and videos of the accident as possible. Recommended photos include:
• the property damage to your vehicle
• the other vehicle (include the license plate)
• the scene of the accident including street signs or signal lights
• the position of both vehicles after the accident before they are moved (if safety considerations allow)
- Write down a description of the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. This will help verify your case to your insurance company. Video or document (written or audio) statements from witnesses and those involved in the accident. If witnesses to the accident stop, make sure you also obtain their contact information. Having an un-biased, third-party’s account may help you in the long run.
- Exchange names, addresses, driver’s license numbers and insurance policy information with the other driver. If multiple vehicles are involved, obtain this information from all parties. If any other party refuses to comply, call the police.
- If you have any symptoms of injury, promptly visit an Emergency Room, or Urgent Care facility.
Being in a traffic accident is traumatic and difficult, especially when you’re dealing with the situation on your own. By documenting the facts of the accident and the people involved, and obtaining a consistent and accurate description of what transpired, you’ll be better prepared to protect your rights now and in the future.
Local Artisan: Suz Hinton
Wire cutters, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers and crimping pliers all grace the list of traditional jewelry making paraphernalia. Except if you’re Susan Hinton. Suz, for short, makes jewelry (and more), but not with the type of tools you would expect. Instead she uses technology for a look all her own.
I’m passionate about making things, whether virtual or real. In particular, I love 3D printing and other CNC manufacturing techniques. The design process starts out digital, and the final result is something that you can hold in your hand. I think there’s a certain magic to that. I make 3D printed jewelry, from materials such as stainless steel, gold, silver, plastic, and resin.
Website: owlposse.com, noopkat.com
Q: How did you get where you are now?
A: I was always that kid who was recycling toilet rolls into rockets one moment, and learning to code on a Commodore 64 the next. Somehow that manifested into becoming a professional front-end software engineer. I love the problem solving aspect of it, and it pays well enough for me to pursue other hobbies and endeavors in my spare time. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t have something I work on outside of my day job. I spent a few years sewing, some time in print design. Nowadays I’m mostly interested in 3D printing, and hacking hardware.
Q: What got you interested in 3D printing?
A: I was making laser cut wooden jewelry for fun a few years ago, but I quickly became frustrated with the flat limitations of the material. Around that time (2009), I first heard about 3D printing, in the context of medical advancements. It was causing waves in the medical world due to cost saving and improved recovery times for patients. After some online research, I discovered services that made 3D printing accessible to anyone.
Q: You’re a hobbyist. Any other creative outlets besides jewelry making?
A: These days I’m doing more hardware hacking than jewelry, so I’ll often be coding something that talks to a real piece of hardware. Right now, my spare time is split between a few projects. One of them is a bracelet that measures your pulse periodically, and sends you a picture of a kitten to your phone if it senses you’re getting anxious or stressed. I guess this is technically a piece of jewelry! Another is a pair of shoes that let you sequence sound loops into music via pressure sensors. You can dance out a song with your feet, which is pretty fun.
Q: What do you do for fun around town?
A: Oh man, wrong girl, wrong town! Las Vegas is great for introverts like myself too, though. I love spending time in SYN Shop, the local hackerspace. They have awesome classes and tools to use. Sunrise Cafe near the airport is a great mecca for bumping into creative and interesting people, and for getting work done in a relaxing environment. I love spending a long Sunday afternoon there. I also love catching up with a best friend over some boba tea and sweet butter toast, that’s a real treat for me as we make funny jokes about our week. Tea Station on Spring Mountain is delicious for this!
My favorite part about living in Las Vegas has to be the now thriving and welcoming tech community here. It’s fledgling, in that beautiful stage of opportunity and fresh leaders. Everyone wants to keep it that way as it grows, so it’s really encouraging to see that.
Q: Does living in Las Vegas have an impact on your craft?
A: Las Vegas has definitely opened my eyes to a lot of new things. Color is one of them. I tend to like neutral colors such as black, white, grey and brown. Since I started living here, the vibrant entertainment scene and hodge podge style of downtown Las Vegas has really bled into everything from my fashion sense, to my creative endeavors. I definitely include more color into things I make these days, and no longer dislike fluorescent colors either. I am terrible at color theory, but having fun learning!
Super May Day 2014
Unfortunately, as adults, we have to come up with a logical excuse to dress up like super heroes (Halloween, costume party, etc.). Thankfully kids get a little more leeway, and during Super May Day 2014 donning your favorite hero’s costume is fair game for all ages, as you’re helping possibly break a Guinness World Record for the most people and pets dressed as Superheroes in one location.
Super May Day is a non-profit event, dedicated to honoring charitable organizations that serve the Las Vegas Valley by inviting them to join forces and share their cause and needs with the Las Vegas community. The event will feature a kid’s fun zone, face painting, scavenger hunt, cake walk, talent stage, dance off, Mother’s Day gifts and more! The event will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Neonopolis Las Vegas, 450 Fremont St. At 7p.m. the countdown begins to break the world record!
Visit www.supermayday.com for more information.
The Sound of Music
It’s the time of year when the desert comes alive at night. Warm spring and summer evenings are perfect for spending outdoors, and what better way to celebrate the sun going down than some live music under the stars? Check out some of the outdoor concerts filling the air in May and June:
Jazz in the Park
Saturdays on May 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7
Clark County Ampitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.
Seating Begins: 6 p.m./ Show Starts: 7 p.m.
Bring your picnic basket and blanket and get ready to chill out for a night of renowned jazz music brought to you by Clark County. In it’s 25th year, the Jazz in the Park series features Marlena Shaw (5.10), The Jimmy Cobb Trio (5.17), Sax Pack (5.24), Randy Brecker (5.31) and David Benoit (6.7). Visit www.clarkcountynv.org for more information.
Sandbar Series @ Red Rock Resort
Saturdays on May 3, 17 and 31
The Sandbar at Red Rock Casino, Resort, Spa, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd
Doors Open: 7 p.m.
Rock out poolside to some of the hottest bands around. These all-ages shows (minors must be accompanied by an adult) make it easy to forget the heat with bands like Lifehouse (5.3), Kansas (5.17) and The Fray (5.31). Visit redrock.sclv.com for more information.
Las Vegas Brews and Blues Festival
Saturday, May 31
Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.
Doors Open: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
You’ll not only get rockin’ blues music at this annual event. Prepare yourself for tasty bites and craft suds from local, regional, domestic and international brewers – the perfect combo. Bands scheduled to perform this year are Chris Zemba & The Late Shift Band, John Earl and the Boogieman Band and Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues. Visit www.springspreserve.org for tickets and more information.
Editor’s Picks: May/June
May 10-11
Spring Mountain Ranch Music Festival
As “winter” comes to a close one of our favorite outdoor venues comes alive once more with the sounds of music, theater and happy picnic goers clinking plastic cups and munching on Edamame Guacamole. Spring Mountain Ranch in Blue Diamond (6375 Hwy 159) kicks off its Super Summer Theatre this Mother’s Day Weekend with its “Spring Mountain Ranch Music Festival” from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festival features pop, blues, jazz and rock acts such as the UNLV Jazz Ensemble and
The Mass Distractors-Outrageous Ska Band, as well as a Beatles Tribute by Uli Geissendoerfer. Tickets start at $35 and go on sale starting May 1 with all funds benefitting music programs in the Clark County School District. Visit www.supersummertheatre.org for tickets and more information.
May 16-17
Las Vegas Car Stars
In more than one TV sitcom or popular movie, one of the “stars” subs two legs for four wheels and a power engine. From Dukes of Hazzard to Ghostbusters, the famous cars steal scenes and go down in history. Paul Casey showcases some of these legendary vehicles at this annual event on Fremont Street benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network. For free admission, attendees can appreciate the cars (fifty of the world’s most famous) and hob knob with the stars that drove them. This year the festival celebrates 50 years of James Bond! Visit www.lasvegascarstars.com for information on cars and event schedule.
May 23-24
10th Annual Best Dam Barbeque Challenge
Thousands travel from across the west to get a piece of the finger-lickin’ goodness produced at this two-day Memorial Day mainstay held in Bicentennial Park in Boulder City (401 California Ave.). Benefitting the Rotary Club of Boulder City, the event doesn’t stop at just divine BBQ goodness. Bring the kids to enjoy live music and DJ’s, a Family Fun Zone, vendors and the Best Dam Car Show among other fun events taking place throughout the day. The festival is free to the public and runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Visit www.bestdambarbeque.com for more information.
June 14
Reggae in the Desert
Join the largest reggae festival in Las Vegas at the Clark County Amphitheater (500 S. Grand Central Parkway) and experience the unifying power of reggae music and the Caribbean lifestyle. Bargain with vendors for island style arts and crafts and add some flair to your wardrobe or living space. Sample the great flavors of the Caribbean at their onsite food court, which includes classic offerings such as jerk chicken, peas and rice, fried plantains and more. But let’s be real: you’re really here for the music. Kick back on the grass as you enjoy live performances by reggae legends such as Morgan Heritage, Collie Budz, Fortunate Youth and Barry Black and the Senzuals. It’s one summertime jam you won’t soon forget. Visit www.reggaeinthedesert.com for tickets and more information.
June 14
ARTrageous
Adults 21 and over can enjoy a party and showcase of visual (two and three-dimensional), culinary and performing arts as well as a juried art show, fashion shows, music, comedy and dance performances at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, widely known as The Center (401 S. Maryland Pkwy.). This year’s event theme celebrates “Artists in Wonderland” and features artists from around the community. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with tickets on sale for $35 in advance and $40 at the door with all proceeds benefitting The Center. Visit www.artrageousvegas.com for more information.
