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Out and About: Out N About
Get Off My Back!
As the school year kicks into gear, kids across the valley will be slinging full backpacks across their shoulders. But did you know that heavy loads carried by more than 79 million students across the country can cause low back pain that often lasts through adulthood? In 2010, nearly 28,000 strains, sprains, dislocations and fractures were treated by health care providers.
“A child wearing a backpack incorrectly or that is too heavy can be contributing risk factors for discomfort, fatigue, muscle soreness and musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lower back,” says Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CPE, clinical professor of occupational therapy at Boston University. Luckily, preventing pain and discomfort is simple. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers these tips for keeping kids safe while hauling their packs:
- Always select a backpack that is the correct size.
- Make sure the height of the backpack extends from approximately two inches below the shoulder blades to waist level, or slightly above the waist.
- Wear well-padded shoulder straps on both shoulders to balance weight.
- Distribute weight evenly. Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back and balance materials so the child can easily stand up straight.
- Wear the hip belt if the backpack has one to improve balance and take some strain off the neck and shoulder muscles.
- Make sure the backpack weighs no more than 10% of the child’s body weight.
- If the backpack is still too heavy, consider a book bag on wheels.
HopeLink Goes “Back2School”
While most kids look forward to the start of the school year, many disadvantaged children don’t have the supplies they need to get by or a new outfit to wear on the first day. HopeLink is setting out to change that by providing over 1,000 poverty-level school children with new clothes and school supplies through their annual Back2School program. As in past years, HopeLink is appealing to generous residents across the valley to help put confident smiles on the faces of kids in need.
You can help by purchasing a new outfit for a designated child by August 10th, including shoes, socks, underwear, pants/skirt and shirt/blouse. For many of these children, this may be the only new outfit they receive all year, so contributions are appreciated on all ends. HopeLink is also accepting donations of any school supplies fit for grades K-12. Purchases are fully tax deductible, as are any cash donations. Bring hope to a needy child this fall and help set them on the path to a prosperous school year. For more information, visit www.link2hope.org.
Pomegranate Berry Breakfast Smoothie
Serves 2
1/3 cup pasteurized egg whites
1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1 – 6 oz. container nonfat vanilla yogurt
¾ cup frozen mixed berries
¼ cup cooked oatmeal, completely cooled
Whip all ingredients in blender until smooth. Serve cold.
Did You Know?
The sweltering “dog days” of summer traditionally run from July 3rd to August 11th and are named for Sirius, the Dog Star, which rises with the sun during this time of year. Ancient cultures believed the intense brightness of the star was responsible for the sizzling temperatures.
The Must Do List
Editor’s Picks
August 29 – October 7
Wicked
The smash hit Broadway musical finally comes to Las Vegas for this exclusive engagement at The Smith Center. Long before Dorothy crash landed in the merry old land of Oz, two young girls had a fateful meeting: beautiful, kind hearted Galinda and green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba. Wicked spins the tale of how these two eventually became Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West and how their conflicting paths changed the destiny of an entire nation. With themes of friendship, ambition and corruption to go along with its unforgettable repertoire of incredible songs, you’re sure to be transported to a faraway land for an experience like no other. Call 982-7805 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com for tickets and more information.
September 15 – 16
22nd Annual Ho’olaule’a Festival
Mahalo! Celebrate the culture of the Pacific Islands at the Henderson Events Plaza with this two day festival put on by the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club, where you can enjoy a full spectrum of Hawaiian song, dance, food and more beginning each day at 9 a.m. Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day and evening at the Events Plaza Amphitheatre stage and the Convention Center Lawn stage, including Holunape, one of Hawaii’s premier music groups. In addition, visitors can explore a children’s craft area, an informative health fair and many commercial and craft vendors. Come down and experience the thrill of the islands in the middle of the desert. Call 267-2171 or visit www.hendersonlive.com for tickets and more information.
August 5
World Football Challenge 2012
It may be known as “soccer” in the United States, but to the rest of the world, it’s football. Las Vegas fans can now experience some of the thrilling European sports action at this exciting event as recently crowned La Liga champions Real Madrid take on Italy’s Juventus Football Club in this epic match at Sam Boyd Stadium, part of Real Madrid’s U.S. preseason tour. Gear up in your favorite colors and watch the best of the best take the field. Call 739-FANS or visit www.unlvtickets.com for tickets and more information.
August 7
National Night Out
Learn how you can help keep your neighborhood secure at this annual event held by police departments across the country. Local police will be on hand at the Henderson Events Plaza to help stress the importance of crime prevention, getting to know your neighbors and maintaining community safety. Live police unit demonstrations will be provided, along with toe-tapping entertainment from the Sin City Surfers. Bring the entire family to learn how to be safe and have a big dose of summer fun. Call 267-5100 or visit www.hendersonlive.com for more information.
September 20 – 23
13th Annual Super Run Classic Car Show
Get your motor running at this automobile extravaganza held at the Water Street District in downtown Henderson. With over 1,000 hot rods, muscle and vintage cars on display, it’s the largest classic car show in Southern Nevada. The festivities are open to all years, makes and models of classic vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles and will feature competitions for roaring engines, slow drag, burn out and more. Shift into gear and cruise to Water Street for a free-wheelin’ good time! Call 267-2171 or visit www.hendersonlive.com for more information.
SUMMER FUN
Springs Preserve Events
There are plenty of cool things happening this summer at the Springs Preserve (www.springspreserve.org), and we’re not just talking about air conditioning. Don’t miss out on these exciting exhibits and events:
Envenomators: The Venemous Snakes of North America
This exhibit, which runs through September 16th, tells the story of four venomous snakes indigenous to North America: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Coral and Rattlesnake. Visitors will explore the secret lives of these unique and venomous beauties, learning all about the benefits they provide to the natural world and the startling misconceptions these intriguing creatures have earned through fear rather than facts.
Bugs!
New to the Big Springs Theater, this show runs from now until August 31st and explores the creepy crawly things of the Mojave that love to hiss, sting and slither. The show features all manner of insects, arachnids and invertebrates such as the desert tarantula, bark scorpion and centipede. Get up close – or don’t! – and find out why our desert could not survive without them.
Summer Camps
Skip the daycare and explore 180 acres of summer fun at one of the Springs Preserve’s many day camps, running now through August 24th. Campers will learn about nature, archaeology, animals, plants and more and will even get to do a little swimming at the neighboring YMCA. Activities are led by education specialists and field experts to give campers a unique and educational experience that makes for a great summer memory.
CHARITY TICKETS
Buy One, Help One
Want to do something fun and help out a good cause at the same time? Now you’ve got a couple of opportunities to give back by picking up tickets to exciting local events. Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, now showing at Bally’s, will donate $25 from every ticket purchased to help Dress for Success Southern Nevada, which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and career development support. Visit any Caesar’s Entertainment box office and use the codes “AADS” for General Admission or “BADS” for VIP.
For the golf enthusiasts, HopeLink is selling tickets to the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, which will be held October 1st – 7th at TPC Summerlin. You can purchase a daily grounds pass for $20, a $5 savings off the price if purchased at the event. All proceeds from these sales will go to HopeLink, a family resource center that seeks to prevent homelessness and keep families intact. Contact Rachael at 439-2676 for more information.
FOOD & DRINK
Carnival of Cuisine Returns
Take a bite into something new and delicious as The Venetian and The Palazzo welcome the fifth annual Carnival of Cuisine, held August 25th at The Venetian. Part of the resort’s summer-long Carnevale celebration, this popular culinary event will feature a wide array of delectable, award winning dishes from more than fifteen of the two properties’ signature restaurants, including Bouchon, Carnevino, Delmonico Steakhouse, Pinot Brasserie and more.
Guests will also enjoy live cooking demonstrations and specialty drinks and will have the chance to win prizes that include restaurant gift cards. The event will be helping a good cause as well with a portion of every ticket benefitting Three Square, Southern Nevada’s food bank. General Admission tickets are $60 with VIP tickets going for $85. Give your palate something to savor at this exciting event that’s sure to capture any foodie’s heart (and stomach). Call 414-9000 or visit www.venetian.com or www.palazzo.com for tickets and information.
