Summerlin Resident Profiles

Celebrating 30 Years BE PART OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

OF SUMMERLIN

Some Places were Meant to Inspire | Discover Our Community

SOME PLACES WERE MEANT TO INSPIRE. DISCOVER OUR COMMUNITY. Thirty years ago, the master-planned community of Summerlin was in its infancy, envisioned as a place that would set a new standard for quality of life in Las Vegas. From the simple to the spectacular. From the silence of daybreak to the roar of the crowd. From the glow of The Strip to the awe of Red Rock Canyon. From quiet neighborhoods to buzzing blocks of fashion, dining, sports and entertainment. No matter where you turn, Summerlin presents inspiration in every direction, beckoning you to be part of something beautiful.

While the past three decades have been full of milestones, we want to take a moment and celebrate our community of 100,000-pus residents by giving you a peek into Summerlin life.

Thunderbird Flyover | Brigadier General Novotny

Thunderbird FLYOVER

If you saw the awe-inspiring Thunderbird flyover last weekend to honor all the Southern Nevada hospitals and first responders helping to fight the coronavirus, you have a Summerlin resident to thank for making it happen!

Brigadier General Robert G. Novotny of the 57th Wing Commander at Nellis Air Force Base, who is responsible for all the uber cool activities and initiatives at Nellis, including the Thunderbirds, the Red Flag and Green Flag exercises, 38 squadrons and more than 130 diverse aircraft, oversaw the planning and development of the flyover as a way to unite the community while expressing gratitude and respect for those on the front lines of the pandemic.

Novotny and his wife, Dawn, who recently returned to Las Vegas for the third time during Novotny’s storied military career, are preparing to put down roots of the permanent kind in Summerlin. All this in advance of Novotny’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force after 28 years that took he and his family around the world more than once.

The Novotny family’s first stint in Las Vegas from 2003 to 2005 put them in The Hills village in Summerlin near Lummis Elementary School. “Everyone told us to live in Summerlin because of the schools, and based on the great experience of our kids, we couldn’t agree more,” said Gen. Novotny.

After assignments in Rhode Island, Alabama, Japan and Washington, DC, the family returned again to Summerlin again in 2011, this time choosing to live in The Canyons village to be closer to Sig Rogich Middle School and Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School. “We upgraded a bit from our first Summerlin home, but continued to love Summerlin for all the same reasons as the first time around: beautiful trees and landscaping, good schools, and a true sense of community.”

In 2013, Novotny was deployed to Afghanistan, then assigned in 2014 to serve as Commander of the 48th Fighter Wing south of Cambridge in England. He went on to serve a two-year stint in Virginia from 2016-2018 before returning to Las Vegas and Summerlin – for the third time.

Today, the couple is preparing to move into what is expected to be their “forever home” in the village of Stonebridge. “We keep moving south and west and look forward to the amazing views we will enjoy from our new home,” said Gen. Novotny. “We have lots of retired military friends here so it really is the beginning of what we anticipate will be a great next chapter in our lives.”

The Novotny family includes two adult children: son, Hunter, who recently returned to Las Vegas after graduating from Texas A&M University; and daughter, Kaitlyn, a pre-med student at Texas A&M whose aspirations are to return to Las Vegas to attend medical school and eventually practice as an orthopedic surgeon.

THE BRAINCHILD OF SUMMERLIN RESIDENT AND BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT NOVOTNY

“Despite the fact that our kids have literally traveled the globe, they, too, have a love affair with Las Vegas and Summerlin.

It really is our family’s home sweet home.”

Sports at the Heart | James & Irena Sullivan

Sports at the Heart OF THIS SUMMERLIN FAMILY

Little Isla Sullivan may not yet be born, but her soon-to-be parents are busy preparing her nursery for her July 2020 arrival and can’t wait to take her on stroller trips to nearby Fox Hill Park. Dad James Sullivan, and Mom Irena Sullivan, are longtime Summerlin residents who met on a blind date in 2015 at Grape Street at Downtown Summerlin. At the time, Irena was preparing to move into her second Summerlin home in The Paseos village, and James was also a community resident.

Today, the couple has a bustling household that not only includes preparations for little Isla, but also James’ nine-year-old daughter, Gabby, as well as Irena’s nephew, niece, sister, and mother, who live just down the street. “Summerlin is all about family, and we can attest to that,” said Irena. “With trails that connect our neighborhood to nearby parks and schools, this is the perfect place for our growing family.”

James makes his living as a sports marketing agent for many leading sports figures, including several Las Vegas Raiders and some of our city’s most popular Vegas Golden Knights, among them Reilly Smith and Ryan Reaves, to name just a few. James is also the co-founder of the Battle For Vegas celebrity softball game played at the Las Vegas Ballpark, which last year raised $136,000 for charity and featured Reilly, teammates and friends from the Raiders.

“Several Knights have put down roots in Summerlin for all the obvious reasons, including proximity to City National Arena and the community’s stellar quality of life,” said James.

“It’s nothing but convenient and easy to live so close to City National Arena and Downtown Summerlin, where several Knights recently partnered with Wolfgang Puck to reimagine the bar and grill to a new sports-themed venue –Wolfgang Puck Players Locker.

We can’t wait to spend more time there,” he said.

For Irena, Downtown Summerlin was a game-changer that gave her back more time for friends and family. “I no longer had to go to the Strip for make-up, a quick outfit, or birthday gifts,” she said. “That’s just one of the reasons we love Downtown Summerlin.

But if you ask the kids, the parades are the big draw. From the Halloween and Chinese New Year Parades to the Holiday Parade, Downtown Summerlin is the best. No one does holidays quite like Downtown Summerlin!”

James and Irena, who, along with extended family, are frequent patrons of Las Vegas Aviators games, can’t wait to take little Isla to Las Vegas Ballpark, yet another amenity that helps to make family time so enjoyable and memorable.

“Summerlin is like baseball and apple pie - all rolled up into one. It’s hard to beat the community’s signature quality of life,” said Irena. “With sports and family at the center of our lives, there is no better place for us to be.”

Weekend Walks | Dulcinea and Pio Rongavilla

Weekend Walks

CREATE IDEAL SUMMERLIN LIFESTYLE FOR THIS ACTIVE FAMILY

You could say that Dulcinea and Pio Rongavilla are the consummate Summerlin family. The couple, who married in 2013, moved into The Canyons village home Pio purchased in 2001.

Dulcinea, who moved to Las Vegas from Phoenix in 2005 for a career opportunity, had already become a Summerlin fan, having purchased a Summerlin condo upon her arrival.

Today, the couple, along with three-year-old son, Cristiano, fully embrace the Summerlin lifestyle with weekend traditions that they’ve been practicing for years. Every Saturday and Sunday, the family walks from their home to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on W. Charleston Blvd., strolling through Cottonwood Canyon Park that feeds directly into their neighborhood.

“Diane at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has been working there for the 14 years I have been patronizing the store,” said Dulcinea. “She still has ‘puppicino’ treat ready for my dogs on every weekend visit. You could say Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is our version of a ‘Cheers’ bar where everyone knows our name and our dogs’ names, too.

You gotta love Summerlin!”

After getting caffeinated, Pio usually heads over to Lifetime Athletic for a workout, while Dulcinea and Cristiano usually head to a Fit4Mom class with a group of other stroller-pushing Moms who are now fast friends. After their respective workouts, the family typically meets up at Lazy Dog for an afternoon brunch before heading over to the Farmers Market at Downtown Summerlin to buy fresh fruit and veggies.

“This itinerary has literally become our standard Summerlin weekend plan and we wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Dulcinea. “Other favorite family spots at Downtown Summerlin are City National Arena and Las Vegas Ballpark,” she said, noting that among Cristiano’s first words were “Las Vegas Ballpark!” “We drive or walk past the Ballpark so many times, it’s no wonder those words crossed his lips first,” said Dulcinea. “Cristiano is also a huge VGK fan, and we hope to start him in skating lessons this summer.”

On the rare occasion Dulcinea and Pio have a night out without Cristiano, their go-to spots are Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen and T-Bones at Red Rock. But most nights out are family nights, and Cristiano’s picks are usually Shake Shack, Maggiano’s, California Pizza Kitchen and Pancho’s, which Cristiano refers to as “baby shark’s restaurant” because of the shark hanging in the lounge.

Dulcinea and Pio, who met in 2010 and mastered the art of long-distance dating for years because of Pio’s travel and work schedule, considered Southwest Airlines their personal “uber.” In fact, Pio was such a frequent traveler, he was featured in Southwest’s in-flight magazine in 2012. “Those years of commuting during our relationship were obviously worth it,” said Dulcinea. “Our little life and our little family in Summerlin are perfect. We expect the community to be our forever home.”

All in the Family | Fafie Moore & Tanya Murray

All in the Family

IN SUMMERLIN

Combined, mega-Realtors Fafie Moore and her daughter, Tanya Murray, have sold real estate in Southern Nevada for more than 57 years. Long-time Summerlin residents, this mother-daughter powerhouse is responsible for collectively helping hundreds of families find their dream homes – many of them in the very community they, too, call home.

According to Moore, who moved to Las Vegas in 1989 with husband, Jeff, the couple was among Summerlin’s earliest buyers, recognizing the value of a master-planned community from their time living in Phoenix.

“Even though Summerlin Parkway was originally considered the ‘road to nowhere,’ we recognized that Summerlin would grow into what it is today – the very best place to live in Southern Nevada,” said Moore. “Everything here is well planned, from landscaping and amenities to schools and shopping centers. We can walk to Starbucks, to the grocery store, and all our doctors are nearby. Downtown Summerlin is a five-minute drive from home so we can easily enjoy a night out at one of our favorite restaurants or meet friends at Las Vegas Ballpark for a fun evening of baseball and catch-up. From personal experience, it’s easy to sell the Summerlin lifestyle.”

Speaking of Downtown Summerlin, both Moore and Murray agree it is a gamechanger, especially for their out-of-town clients who only know the Strip as a great place to dine and play. “I always make it a point to take my clients for lunch or a drink at Downtown Summerlin so they can see first-hand just how vibrant and convenient it is,” said Murray. “When they see the movie theatres, the Ballpark, the department stores and stores like Trader Joe’s, clients better understand the scope of the destination, and it helps them to imagine their life as a Summerlin resident.”

According to Murray, the beauty of Summerlin is its adaptability to virtually every family unit or lifestyle. “From young families to empty nesters, and everyone in between, Summerlin has a home for every life cycle. Home buying decisions for families are often influenced by schools, and in Summerlin, there is a school, park and shopping center in nearly every village, not to mention an amazing trail system that runs through the entire community. As an avid walker, I especially appreciate Summerlin’s plentiful trails. The community represents master planning at its finest.”

“Summerlin’s natural beauty is another selling point,” said Murray. “Especially for Californians relocating here from the land of ocean views and lush green landscaping, Summerlin is a pleasant surprise. They are in awe of the majestic Red Rock mountains, the interesting colorful desert landscapes and the beautifully maintained streetscapes, parks and trails.”

Moore, who has sold real estate through 9/11, the economic downturn of 2008 and now, the coronavirus pandemic, well understands that master-planned communities, by their very nature, are built and designed to better hold their value. “Whether it’s a terrorist attack, war or infectious disease, communities like Summerlin fare better because their boundaries are clear,” she said. “You know what Summerlin stands for and it’s obvious where it begins and ends because the community is so clean and well-maintained.”

Both mom and daughter have a long history of chairing the annual “Kick Off Your Heels” fundraiser at TPC Summerlin during the annual PGA TOUR tournament, Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. “You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy this fun event that is headlined each year by our city’s most successful and savvy women, along with inspirational kids from across the country who have been treated at a Shriners Hospital.”

“It’s a beautiful event,” said Murray of the fundraiser on which she and her committee work long hours. “But the opportunity to put it together in my own backyard, makes it even more meaningful. I love sharing Summerlin with everyone who attends. A day at TPC Summerlin in the October sunshine amidst a group of charitable women is a window into the community’s heart and soul.”

Professional Executive Coaching Couple | Lisa & Jesse Ferrell

Professional Executive Coaching Couple LIVING BEST LIFE IN SUMMERLIN

According to Summerlin super couple, Lisa and Jesse Ferrell, whose firm, JessTalk, has logged more than 183,000 hours of executive coaching and professional speaking services for thousands of clients worldwide since its founding in 2001, the community is the perfect place to call home.

The Ferrells, who live within walking distance of Downtown Summerlin, just west of the 215 Beltway, thrive on the energy of the retail and dining destination that is home to their favorite restaurants, including Jing, True Food Kitchen and Frankie’s Uptown.

“Everything we want is right here, so we rarely have a need to leave our Summerlin nest, other than trips to the airport when our work takes us out of town,’ said Lisa. “And given that we are literally one minute from the 215, getting just about anywhere is quick and convenient. We especially love our view of Red Rock Canyon and proximity to this beautiful area that we visit at least monthly. It’s hard to find anything we don’t love about Summerlin,” she said.

The Ferrells love story with Summerlin is wrapped around their own love story. The couple met when Lisa sought professional coaching from Jesse, who worked with her for more than a year before realizing his client had fallen for him. The rest, as they say, is history.

The couple married, and together, has built a thriving business with the entrepreneurial and outgoing spirit they share.

Jesse, whose passion for his work, is evident with every word that crosses his lips, says the pillar of the couple’s work he is most excited about is professional speaking. Together, the couple has traveled the globe running workshops and providing training to individuals and companies of all sizes. Lisa’s work focuses primarily on workshops to empower women, and together, they provide executive and personal success coaching. Their newest project, a virtual class called The Breakthrough Success Plan, helps individuals to visualize and achieve their goals and dreams utilizing a variety of tools, resources and techniques.

Jesse, who frequently uses The Color Code personality test to help clients better assess and understand their personality and communications styles, says that if Summerlin was a color, it would be Impossible to assign it only one. You know, the test that assigns yellow to fun-lovers, white to those who are kind and gentle, blue to those who have integrity and seek appreciation, and red to hard-driving overachievers for whom getting things done is everything.

“Summerlin is so thoughtfully planned and multi-faceted, the community has the ability to speak the language of everyone and it is beyond healthy,’ said Jesse. “Summerlin’s parks, trails, and happy places at Downtown Summerlin are yellow; its office towers and business centers are red; its neighborhoods, homes and landscapes are white; and its schools and civic centers like the library and hospital are blue.”

A Five-Star Community | Michelle Brown

A Five-Star Community FOR THE BROWN FAMILY

Brown recalls the very first Summerlin Patriotic Parade when she and her neighbors and their kids would decorate their bikes and throw out candy to a handful of other neighbors who would sit on the sidewalk. “Today, more than 50,00 people attend and we marvel at the amazing floats and performances.

The Parade’s evolution is a good analogy for how the community has also grown and thrived.”

Michele Brown moved to Summerlin 24 years ago and has been working as a counselor at Palo Verde High School a few years after it opened. To say she loves her school and her community is an understatement.

Equally passionate about both, Brown is particularly proud of Palo Verde’s five-star rating, which she explains is very difficult to achieve in a public, non-magnet school with a large student population.

You could say Summerlin is a family affair for Brown whose twin sons, Austin and Cameron, live just two minutes away. Her brother and sister-in-law live up the street; and her niece and family live nearby. Daughter Erika lives and works in California, but Brown considers the short one-hour plane ride a blessing, making it easy and convenient for frequent visits.

“Luckily, we have amazing leadership with over 61 ways kids can earn college credit,” Brown said. “Added to that is our talented and dedicated staff, students and parents and our International Baccalaureate program which is almost like having a private school within a public school. It’s a program that offers a rigorous curriculum and includes community service projects that gets kids thinking about global issues and encourages them to act in a local way. It’s amazing to watch what students accomplish each year in this program.”

Brown, who says she doesn’t leave Summerlin unless it’s to travel outside the state, says a typical week includes all the things she loves about the community: hiking at Red Rock Canyon; walking her dog; taking her niece and nephew to the library; eating and drinking at Downtown Summerlin; and visiting with friends and family.

Brown, who raised her three adult children here, was initially attracted to Summerlin because of its focus on family and a strong sense of community. “Summerlin was in its infancy when I moved here, but I was confident its master plan included everything that was important to me: parks, schools and community amenities like the library. I was sold. Growing up, my kids played every sport imaginable, from t-ball, baseball, soccer, football, dance and cheer. Looking back, I feel like we all grew up with Summerlin,” she said. “And what a fantastic ride it’s been.”

“Just when I couldn’t imagine life in Summerlin getting any better, we got the Vegas Golden Knights at City National Arena and the Las Vegas Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark! What’s not to love?,” she said.

“It gives me great comfort and joy to know my kids, my family and future grandkids will have the opportunity to enjoy Summerlin’s beauty and its remarkable sense of community for years to come,” said Brown. “Like Palo Verde’s five-star rating, it’s easy to give Summerlin high marks. For the Brown family, the community is definitely five-star!”

Palo Verde High School Senior Headed to Air Force | Travis Meyer

Hundreds of Summerlin residents may recognize Travis Meyer as their favorite “bagger” at Albertson’s on W. Charleston Blvd. With a friendly face and super helpful approach, Meyer’s Albertson’s shopper “fans” checked in with him weekly, keeping up with his latest achievements at Palo Verde High School as he served them each week.

And there was always lots to talk about for this one-time Albertson’s employee of the month. Meyer played on Palo Verde’s varsity football team; he was enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement classes, ultimately passing all his AP exams for college credit; he served on the student council; and he was a member of the math and science clubs and the National Honor Society. Meyer was even a candidate for Palo Verde High School Valedictorian Class of 2020, an achievement featured in a local magazine that caught the attention of many Albertson’s shoppers.

But there is a really big piece of news that Meyer hasn’t had the chance to share with all those he served at Albertson’s since he left his position there at the urging of his family as the pandemic heated up.

Drum roll, please! Meyer has been accepted as a cadet at the United State Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs! With basic cadet training scheduled to start in late June, Meyer’s family wanted to be sure he remained healthy for this amazing opportunity and next chapter of his life.

For Meyer, the apple doesn’t fall from the tree. His father, Anthony, recently retired from a full and adventurous military career as an F16 pilot, flew missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I always thought it was so cool that my Dad continually put his life on the line to protect our country,” said Meyer. “His path has obviously influenced mine, and I am grateful for his inspiration. I am not planning to follow exactly in my dad’s footsteps and hope to do something with cyberspace and computer science with a military focus.”

Palo Verde High School Senior HEADED TO AIR FORCE ACADEMY

As an Air Force “brat,” Meyer and his family have lived all over the world with two stints in Summerlin. The family counts as home South Carolina, Arizona, Texas, and South Korea. Meyer attended Sig Rogich Middle School in Summerlin before moving to Korea in 9th grade. The family returned to Summerlin the following year, allowing him to attend the same high school for grades 10 through 12. And while graduation from Palo Verde High School 2020 is one for the history books. Meyer is grateful for his time in Summerlin and the sense of community he enjoys here.

Join us giving Travis Meyer, Palo Verde High School Class of 2020 a shout-out!

Well done, Travis, and congrats on being accepted to the Air Force Academy!

May the force be with you!

Fame, Film, Fins & Family | Pam Eichner

Fame, Film, Fins & Family

KEEP LIFE FASCINATING FOR THIS SUMMERLIN RESIDENT!

Film actor, shark diver and mother of two sets of twins are just a few of the descriptors that make Pam Eichner a most fascinating Summerlin resident. Two years ago, Eichner, along with her husband, Jonathan, and the couple’s 16-year-old twins, moved from their long-time home in Park City, Utah to Summerlin and haven’t looked back.

Accustomed to Park City’s magnificent mountain views and abundant wildlife, Eichner chose her home in The Ridges, in part, for its immediate access to the adjacent BLM wilderness area where she spends most mornings hiking and marveling at bunnies, lizards, birds and colorful blooming cacti. “We never grow tired of watching all the critters and flora and fauna from our backyard,” she said. “And, we love walking through our neighborhood at night. With no light pollution, it’s incredibly peaceful and serene.”

From a family perspective, Eichner says Summerlin reminds her of Southern California, where she grew up in the 1970s. “It’s kinder, gentler and everyone in the community has been so welcoming.”

Daughter, Sarah, is a second-degree black belt in Karate, while son, Matthew, plays baseball for Bishop Gorman High School where both attend school. Eichner says her twins are living their best lives at a top-notch school in a community that has provided them with many opportunities to advance their passions and their interests.

Las Vegas Ballpark is a favorite summer outing for the Eichner family who praises the ease and convenience of getting in and out of the firstclass stadium that also offers a first-rate experience. “Here, we can make a last-minute decision to go to the Ballpark and have a wonderful evening,” she said. “In any other metro area, going to the Ballpark is an all-day commitment that requires significant advance planning.”

Eichner, who has many Hallmark movies to her credit, travels frequently to Utah, a favorite locale for Hallmark and other Christian movies.

Given that summer is typically a busy filming season, Eichner jokes that she often spends the month of July wearing a down parka on sets embellished with artificial snow.

A self-professed food snob, Eichner and her family are adventurous eaters and take advantage of Las Vegas’ rich culinary scene both on and off the Strip. In Summerlin, Eichner family favorites include True Food Kitchen at Downtown Summerlin and Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen.

“Summerlin offers the best of two worlds,” said Eichner of the community’s proximity to nature and accessibility to the Strip and the Airport. The family travels often for the twins’ sporting events; she travels constantly for filming gigs and occasionally to Cape Town, South Africa, where her first set of twins, 30-somethings Andrew and Brian Chaplin, live and perform in their wildly successful international electro hop music band – Locnville.

In fact, it was Eichner’s previous and long-time residency in Cape Town where her passion for great white sharks was ignited decades ago.

As an experience diver, she frequently participates with research crews, helping to tag sharks and secure biopsies for conservation studies.

As a member of Fins Attached, she is committed to doing her part to keep the seas full of wildlife.

Just like the Japanese/Italian fusion fare Eichner craves, her life is a fusion of adventure, fun, fame and family. And according to Eichner, herself, there is no better place for it than Summerlin.

The Higgins Family Legacy | Thomas Olsen

The Higgins Family Legacy NOW LIVING IN SUMMERLIN

Twenty-five-year-old Thomas Olsen grew up in the historic heart of Las Vegas near the Medical District where the city got its start decades ago. His grandfather, Dr. Gerald Higgins, famed Las Vegas orthopedic surgeon and UNLV sports team doctor, was easily one of the most recognized figures in local history. Dr. Higgins’ ten children have mostly made their homes and raised families here as well, spawning a fierce family legacy that includes doctors, lawyers and CEOs, including Olsen’s mother, Mary Beth Higgins, who heads up Affinity Gaming.

The Higgins family legacy just happens to also include a professional athlete given that Olsen is goalie for the Las Vegas Lights of the United Football Club. A 2013 graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, Olsen helped his high school win a high school state soccer championship before going on to play soccer on scholarship for the University of San Diego. Upon graduation in 2017, his professional career was off and running.

In the Major League Soccer draft, Olsen was selected by the Colorado Rapids, where he played for three months before joining the Las Vegas Lights. Now in his third season with the Lights, Olsen is itching to get back out and start playing what he born to do in the heart of the city at Cashman Field not far from where he grew up.

Despite living near downtown Las Vegas for years, Olsen longed to join friends and many others in his family now living in Summerlin. After sharing a home near The Mesa Park with a few buddies, he decided he preferred a more urban-inspired location. So, when the opportunity arose to move to Tanager, the luxury apartment complex at Downtown Summerlin, the decision was easy. Today, Olsen walks just about anywhere he needs to go.

“When I lived in San Diego as a college student, walking was my preferred mode of transportation,” said Olsen. “I easily prefer a more urban lifestyle, and that’s exactly what I enjoy about living at Tanager. The vibe here is younger and hipper and it suits me better than living in a residential neighborhood.”

A self-described sports nut, Olsen says he loves just about anything with a ball – or, now, a puck. In addition to soccer, he loves basketball and like the rest of Las Vegas, has become a hockey fan because of the Vegas Golden Knights. He is looking forward to catching more games of all kinds at Downtown Summerlin’s newest hot spot – Wolfgang Puck Players Locker – where he hopes, one day, his Las Vegas Lights jersey, will find a permanent home in the restaurant’s sports memorabilia display. Until then, this hometown boy continues to pursue his “goals,” literally!

Entrepreneurs and Friends | Jennifer Higgins/Megan Wilkes

Entrepreneurs & Friends PUTTING VEGAS-THEMED VODKA ON THE MAP

The trails that connect The Cliffs village of Summerlin to the adjacent open space and ridgeline are more than just a popular walking place for community residents. If you ask Jennifer Higgins and Megan Wilkes, co-founders of Vegas Baby Vodka, those trails are a popular place to conduct business for the two entrepreneurs and long-time friends who both call the Summerlin village home. They frequently meet up – dogs in tow – and the conversation ultimately drifts toward the business venture they founded two years ago.

In 2019, Vegas Baby Vodka secured distribution with Southern Wine & Spirits, participated in the popular food/wine/spirits event, Vegas Uncork’d, as well as a major event for local nonprofit JDRF – all of which helped to put the Vegasthemed vodka on the map. The first retail outlet to sell Vegas Baby Vodka was Roy’s Liquor just outside of Summerlin, and poplar outlets like Total Wine in Reno are starting to grow the brand statewide.

Wilkes, a long-time Las Vegan who moved to the “edge” of town near Rainbow Blvd. in 1976, attended Bishop Gorman before attending UNR and UNLV. Over the years, she inched closer to Summerlin, landing in the community 20 years ago. Today, she and her three young adult children, one of which is still at home attending Faith Lutheran, enjoy all that Summerlin offers. The oft-used hiking path is literally across the street; she takes regular cooking classes at Sur La Table at Downtown Summerlin; works out at TruFusion; shops at Trader Joe’s; and her daughter skates at City National Arena.

“Our universe is pretty much Summerlin,” she said, of the fact that the community is one-stop for just about everything her family needs.

Higgins, who moved here ten years ago from Winter Park, says Downtown Summerlin is a little piece of her home in Florida.

“I grew up taking the family boat across the lake to the shopping center across the way, home to Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor and just about every brand name you could think of,” said Higgins. “Downtown Summerlin feels like home, and I especially love the Farmers’ Market. I have made friends with many of the vendors and try to get there as often as I can. The Market embodies the strong sense of community that I feel in Summerlin.”

Higgins’ three adult children include two sons, ages 26 and 28, who are also working for Vegas Baby Vodka, and a daughter who attends the University of Texas at Austin. Higgins hopes her daughter will eventually join the business, truly making it a family affair.

In fact, it is the “weird” city of Austin that is the inspiration for Vegas Baby Vodka.

According to Higgins, the idea for the vodka was born when she was in Austin visiting her daughter while sipping her favorite cocktail, a classic Cosmopolitan.

Launching a vodka brand was both exhilarating and intimidating, but she tackled it with gusto, starting first with licensing and trademarking before venturing into manufacturing. Vegas Baby Vodka is distilled in Bozeman, MT, where the water is exceptionally smooth and the perfect foundation for the perfect vodka.

So next time you’re looking for a special spirit, check out Vegas Baby Vodka.

Your neighbors, Jennifer Higgins and Megan Wilkes, will thank you.

Fun is Always in the Forecast | Janice Gallagher-Spencer and Trish Spencer

Capt. Trish Spencer, who oversees the Downtown Area Command for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), knows a thing or two about a demanding, stressful job. That’s just one of the reasons why this 25-plus-year veteran of LVMPD first moved to Summerlin in 2002 – because it felt more like the peaceful Oklahoma community where she grew up. She especially appreciated serenity of The Vistas village situated along the western edge of the valley – far away from the daily stressors of her job.

Trish, and wife, Janice Gallagher, who recently moved to the village of Reverence, Summerlin’s northernmost tip, are enjoying the quintessential suburban life with sons, Jace, 11, and Jedd, 8. The couple, who met in 2004, waited to marry until 2013 so their boys could take an active role in the ceremony. At a beautiful and intimate wedding in the heart of downtown Las Vegas within the gorgeously decorated back yard at Park on Fremont, the Gallagher-Spencer family became an official clan.

Janice, who has her own business, Specialty Home Edit, is a professional decorator, finisher and organizer. She loves helping her clients improve their home spaces and their lives with beautiful touches and improved organization. A stay-at-home mom for ten years, Janice is now loving the challenges and the opportunities of putting her eye for beauty and innate organization skills to good use to help others.

Fun is Always in the Forecast FOR THIS SUMMERLIN FAMILY

According to Janice, the family rarely leaves Summerlin, because everything they need or want is within walking distance or a short drive away. Jedd, who attends Staton Elementary School, has played baseball with Summerlin South Little League for five years. Jace, who was accepted this fall to Hyde Park Academy, a math and science magnet school, is also interested in theatre and music. He attends the Kids Shine program at Veterans Memorial Leisure Center, and both boys have long participated in summer camps there as well. The family has grown up taking advantage of Summerlin’s resident-only events that have become holiday and seasonal traditions. “The Easter Egg Hunt and Hometown Holidays” are among our favorites,” said Trish.

“We ride our bikes along the Summerlin trail that parallels the 215 Beltway; we hike often in the foothills behind our neighborhood; we run every day in Reverence Park; and we take advantage of the Reverence community center and pool,” said Janice. “All the amenities in our immediate neighborhood and throughout Summerlin help us maintain our active, healthy lifestyle.”

The family loves to travel and documents each trip with copious photographs, thanks to their interest in photography. And while the Gallagher-Spencer family is big on adventure, the boys’ list of favorite dining spots is always predictable when the family is at Downtown Summerlin.

“California Pizza Kitchen, Pieology Pizzeria, Earl of Sandwich and Crazy Pita are the kids’ picks,” said Janice. “When Trish and I are in the mood for wine, Grape Street is our spot. But when it comes to having fun with the kids, we all love the Wednesday events and activities at Dave & Buster’s. What’s not to love about an arcade and video games? Count us in!”