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Out and About: Out N About
Parent Participation
Now that summer is winding down, it’s almost time to get the little ones back to school. Parents often spend many hours trying to make sure everyone has the right supplies, new clothes, new shoes and whatever else they need to start the year off right. Once they’re off to school, the learning can begin, but it’s still important for parents to take an active role in their child’s academic and social world. Here are some short tips you can follow to stay more involved:
- Visit the school and familiarize yourself with the grounds and level of supervision.
- Stop by the classroom and introduce yourself to your child’s teachers and administrators.
- Help out in the office, library or as a chaperone on school trips.
- Volunteer to help with after-school or extracurricular activities – or start your own!
- Coordinate with your child’s teacher on homework to make sure it’s being done properly.
- Offer to start a carpool. It’s a great way to meet your child’s friends and classmates.
Staying more involved at school doesn’t mean having to keep an eye on your child 24/7. It’s more about volunteering your time to help better understand what your young one’s life is like away from home, bringing the two of you closer together and helping out others in the process.
Born to Run
After a battle with cancer in the 1990s, local nurse and fitness coach Helene Neville decided to start running seriously… and she hasn’t stopped since. She’s participated in marathons as close as Boston and as far away as London, even going so far as to start her own in Des Moines, Iowa. But even that pales in comparison to her record-breaking distance runs that have taken her across different parts of the country in a dynamic demonstration of how one woman can defy the odds.
Helene’s recent book One on the Run: 93 Days Across America captures both her feats of athletic skill and her indomitable spirit, proving that nothing can stand in the way of big dreams and undying conviction. Just one of her impressive exploits took her on foot from the Pacific to the Atlantic, covering 2,520 miles in 93 days. Along the way, she stopped to speak with doctors, nurses and health care providers about how exercise can improve one’s life and well being. Even after being diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in 2011, the four time cancer survivor’s drive to keep running just seemed to grow as she took on another epic journey from Vancouver to Tijuana. Her character, leadership skills and social conscience serve as an inspiration to us all.
Strawberry Shandy
1 strawberry, muddled
1 ½ oz. Ciroc red berry vodka
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. simply syrup
2 ½ oz. Sprite
3 ½ oz. lager beer
Pour Sprite and beer into highball glass. Fill glass halfway with ice. In a cocktail shaker, muddle strawberry then add simple syrup, lemon juice and vodka. Add ice and shake, then pour into the highball as a float. Garnish with fresh strawberry.
Recipe courtesy of Hyde Bellagio
Did You Know?
Julius Caesar’s grandnephew Augustus was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire and ushered in an era of peace known as the Pax Romana. As with his great uncle, the Roman Senate decided to name a month in the Julian calendar after him, which become the month of August.
The Must Do List
Editor’s Picks
August 7-24 & September 5-21
Super Summer Theatre
Spring Mountain Ranch continues its annual summer tradition of providing big name Broadway entertainment under the evening stars for the whole family. During the month of August, audiences can experience Legally Blonde: The Musical. Based on the hit movie, this production follows California sorority girl Elle Woods and her quest to make a name for herself at Harvard Law while still maintaining her signature style. The following month brings Mel Brooks’s award winning musical The Producers, delighting audiences with the tale of a down on his luck producer and a milquetoast accountant who concoct a scheme to bilk investors by staging a notorious Broadway flop. Visit www.supersummertheatre.org for tickets and more information.
Saturday Nights through November 2
Jazz on the Lake
The smooth sounds of jazz add just the right amount of spice to a summer evening by the water as MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas continues its Jazz on the Lake concert series. The free concerts take place every Saturday evening from 7pm – 10pm and feature supremely talented jazz artists taking the stage. Scheduled performers include Tommy Thompson, Everett B. Walters, Rocky Gordon and Anthony James Baker, with Gordon and Baker respectively performing during the village’s New Vista Wine Walks on September 21st and October 12th. It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind on a summer evening, with good music and scenic views under the stars. Visit www.montelagovillage.com for a full schedule and more information.
August 3
Andson’s Back 2 Class Bash
The Andson Foundation believes in the importance of learning and shows it by educating, informing and inspiring children and young adults through innovative programs in academics, financial literacy and mentoring. As summer winds to a close, the Foundation will also be helping students celebrate education and community togetherness with one final bash before school starts. Join them at Goett Family Park in Southern Highlands for a day filled with music, games, bounce houses, balloon art, face painting and more. Following the event, attendees will be invited to stay for a free movie at the park. Visit www.andson.org for more information.
August 11
World Hip Hop Dance Championships
Whether you think you can dance or not, you’re sure to have a blast at this electric competition as thousands of the world’s best dancers come together to show off their moves. Dance crews from almost forty different nations go head to head for the world title and the chance to claim international bragging rights, while hip hop artists, icons and celebrities add to the fun. When the music starts, the excitement doesn’t stop until the winner is crowned. With this kind of talent on display, there’s no doubt you’ll be witnessing the future legends of the hip hop dance scene. Call 284-7777 or visit www.orleansarena.com for tickets and more information.
September 8
Iron Man 70.3 World Championship
Kicking off at one of the most picturesque venues in town, this middle distance triathlon starts with a 1.2 mile swim in beautiful Lake Las Vegas. From there, participants will engage in a 56 mile bike race through the steep climbs of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, while the final stage involves a 13.1 mile run through the scenic neighborhoods of Henderson with great views of the Las Vegas Strip. Whether you want to participate, volunteer or just watch the fun, it’s a great way to celebrate the spirit of competition and enjoy an energetic day against a gorgeous Southern Nevada backdrop. Visit www.ironman.com for registration and more information.
Worldwide Celebrations
If you want to celebrate the sights, sounds and feel of different cultures from around the globe, there’s no need to reach for your passport and a plane ticket. We’ve got plenty of exciting international festivals being held across the valley to help celebrate the flavors of the world.
Brazilian Outdoor Festival
Experience a taste of South America and help celebrate Brazilian Independence Day on September 8th with this vibrant family festival at Via Brasil Steakhouse on Fort Apache. The event features live music, food and drink, samba dancers, fire breathers, capoeira performances, games and much more. Visit www.viabrasilsteakhouse.com for more information.
San Gennaro Feast
This traditional Italian food and music festival arrives at 4245 S. Grand Canyon Drive from September 10th – 15th. Indulge in chicken parmesan, linguini and clams, sausage and peppers and much more as you enjoy family friendly entertainment, including live music, amusement rides, games and more. Visit www.sangennarofeast.com for more information.
23rd Annual Ho’olaule’a Festival
The Water Street District in downtown Henderson plays host to this celebration of Pacific Island culture on September 14th – 15th where you can experience Hawaiian song, dance and food with live entertainment, arts and crafts, a health fair and much more. Stop by to say “Mahalo” and you won’t want to leave! Call 267-2171 or visit www.hendersonlive.com for more information.
41st Annual Greek Food Festival
Eat, drink and be merry at this family celebration of the Mediterranean life, held from September 27th – 29th at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. Sample delicious Greek food and pastries, tour the magnificent Byzantine church and enjoy live music and dancing. Opa! Visit www.lasvegasgreekfestival.com for more information.
Going for the Gold
Just about any resident of Henderson will not hesitate to tell you that it’s a great place to enjoy the great outdoors, and now the city’s got a shot at winning a medal to prove it. For the second year in a row, the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department has been named a finalist for the national Gold Medal Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes excellence in parks and recreation management and the department’s ability to meet the needs of the public through their staff, elected officials and residents. Henderson Parks and Recreation will be competing against other finalists from California, Texas and Maryland with the winner slated to be announced this October at the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual congress in Houston, Texas.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized as a finalist for what is known throughout the nation as the highest honor in parks and recreation,” said Mayor Andy Hafen. “We are fortunate to have one of the finest parks and recreation systems in the nation, but we continually strive to improve and find ways to better serve our residents. That is what being a premier community is all about.” Henderson residents are sure to agree and would certainly concede that it’s an honor just to be nominated. Call 267-4000 or visit www.cityofhenderson.com for more information.
Art on Wheels
The Super Run Classic Car show is the largest event of its kind in Southern Nevada, attracting more than 100,000 people to the Henderson Events Plaza. This year’s event from September 26th – 29th is sure to live up to the hype once again, especially with the inclusion of the Super Run Hubcap Art Gallery. The city is seeking enthusiastic artists of all ages and skill levels to participate by turning old hubcaps into brilliant works of expression. Hubcaps will cost $5 and can be picked up now through August 28th at the Henderson Convention Center on Water Street.
Hubcap art will be on display at the convention center throughout the show and artists may also donate their work for the Hubcap Art Gallery Silent Auction with proceeds from the fundraiser benefitting the City Lights Youth Scholarship Fund, a college scholarship for Henderson high school graduates seeking a fine arts degree. Local metal artist Chris O’Rourke will be this year’s featured artist and will unveil an abstract metal sculpture made of hubcaps and other materials at the show. Get creative, open up your artistic side and translate your vision onto a unique canvas for everyone to enjoy! Call 267-2171 or visit www.hendersonlive.com for more information.
