ViewOn Magazine March-April 2023 Golf, Sports and Fitness Issue

March - April, 2023

Volume 16 – Issue 2

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Kathy Lee

MANAGING EDITOR / ART DIRECTOR

Erin Eames

COPY EDITOR

Elisa Eames

COVER IMAGE

Citywide Consultants

www.citywideconsultants.com

WRITERS

Kelli Jones, Vanette Christensen, Donna Eads, Kaylee Pickering, Taylor Smith, Allan Litman, Ashley Centers, Michelle Sundberg, Cliff and Ilene Bandringa, Rob Krieger, Judi Moreo, Kyle Chappell, Andrew Lajoie, Karen L. Monsen, Denise Houston, John Roth, Susie Knudsen, Michelle Brooks, Marsha Sherwood, Josh Miller, David Cordero, Kevin Soderquist, Kent Abegglen, Kyle Chappell, Jared Barnes, Jason Timpson, Nikki Hildebrand, Elisa Eames, Sandra Tudor

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Kathy Lee

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SUPPORT STAFF

Bert Kubica

Cheryl Whitehead

DISTRIBUTION

ViewOn Magazine Staff

PUBLISHED BY ViewOn Magazine, Inc. Office (702) 346-8439 Fax (702) 346-4955

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Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,

As I contemplated my editor’s letter for this golf issue, I was wondering about the expression, “playing the links.” "What exactly is that?" I thought. So I did what most editors do when they don’t have an answer to their burning question. I “did the Google!” This is what I found in case you were searching for this information as well: Golf courses are called links when they adhere to the links–style, which entails a sandy base, shorter grass, and an obstacle-style course arrangement featuring slopes. The term “links” comes from the Old English word, “hlincs,” which was used to describe the Scottish courses with similar characteristics.

Make sure to check out the article and the schedule for the Mesquite Senior Games. Even if you do not wish to participate, you will enjoy being in the stands and cheering on these amazing athletes. Please enjoy the beautiful spring days ahead in our region.

There are so many things in this issue to check out if you are interested in golf, sports, or fitness! We also have articles on finance, pets, inspiration, motivation, and design, plus a special article about Murphy the sheepadoodle’s adventure at BARK! Canine Club and Resort.

As you are traveling around town enjoying our beautiful scenery, please remember to stop in, visit, and support our advertisers, for it is they you can thank for making this publication possible.

Please visit our website at www.ViewOnMagazine.com, and like us on Facebook to keep up on all the current events that we couldn’t include in this issue.

Happy spring, and enjoy your time on the links!

Sincerely,

Kathy Lee Editor in Chief

Frequent

contributors

Anita DeLelles, LMT, is a certified Equine and Small Animal Acupressure Practitioner with accreditation from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. Her studies included two consecutive summers in Bath, England, as well as coursework in Colorado and California and a BFA from UNLV. Anita is certified in small animal massage from the Northwest School of Animal Massage as well as in human massage. In 2014, Anita and husband Ron opened WOOF! Wellness Center and launched their website www.ShopMeoow.com.

Rob Krieger is a 20-plus-year member of the PGA of America and is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He came to the area as the Director of Golf at Conestoga and now owns his own golf instruction business in St. George called Red Rock Golf Instruction, which is based at Southgate Golf Course Driving Range. He has been writing for ViewOn Magazine since 2010. He is also a Utah PGA Player Development Award Winner. For help with your game, please visit www.stgeorgegolflessons.com or email him at rob@sgugolf.com.

Karen L. Monsen is a freelance writer who lives in St. George, Utah. She covers outdoor topics, nature, science, research, and human impacts. She taught French and social studies in public schools, served as a technical training coordinator, and designed and delivered business and technical writing seminars for corporate clients.

Elisa Eames is a freelance writer and bookkeeper. Her love of creative writing began in the fourth grade when she wrote her first story. She has a bachelors degree in Humanities with a French minor and an accounting certificate. Her other loves include writing stories, running/hiking, acting/singing, and laughing. She volunteers in classrooms, tutors missionaries from Columbia in English, and teaches Sunday school. She can be reached at elmeames@gmail.com.

Donna Eads and her husband moved to Mesquite in 2010 from Palm Desert, California, and she loves the small-town atmosphere. Her writing experience extends from high school and college newspapers to professional manuals as a critical care nurse. Her passion for tennis is evident in her frequent articles for ViewOn Magazine.

Linda Faas and her husband arrived in Mesquite in 2004. They love the friends they have made here and love exploring the beauty of the surrounding desert. Linda has immersed herself in community life and volunteers with education nonprofits. She is a reporter and feature writer for local and regional publications and is always seeking new adventures.

Judi Moreo is one of the most recognized personal growth trainers and coaches in the world. She is the author of 11 books, including two international bestsellers, You Are MoreThan Enough and ConquertheBrain Drain. A self-made success, Judi started her first business with $2,000 and a lot of chutzpah. Judi learned to succeed step-by-step over many years and now has a worldwide following of clients who are enjoying outstanding success as a result of her guidance. You can reach Judi at judi@judimoreo.com or (702) 283-4567.

David Cordero is the Communications and Marketing Director for the City of St. George. A southern Utah resident since 2006, David has extensive experience in writing, public relations,

marketing, and public speaking. He has also served in a variety of volunteer capacities over the years, including Utah Honor Flight, American Legion Post 90, religious education, and as a coach for his son's athletic teams. Email him at david.cordero@sgcity.org.

Ashley Centers is the former General Manager of Anytime Fitness Mesquite, and her passion for fitness runs deep. She fell in love with competitive powerlifting as a preteen. She set many state records and national qualifying totals during her lifting career prior to her competitive retirement while attending college. Ashley is now an ISSA Elite Level Trainer, Certified Fitness Nutritionist, and Corrective Exercise Specialist and is training for Strongwoman competitions. She is an inactive board member for the Mesquite Senior Games and is excited to remain a contributor for ViewOn Magazine and to write about her passion for health and fitness!

Helen Houston is the owner of Staging Spaces and Redesign in Mesquite, Nevada. Helen holds certifications as a Drapery and Design Professional, a Certified Color Consultant, and a Real Estate Staging Professional. Helen has been a contributing writer for ViewOn Magazine for the past 13 years. Her creative writing features articles on home fashion, home staging, and home entertaining. Helen is a published author in several national design and trade magazines. She can be reached at Helen@StagingSpaces.biz or (702) 346-0246.

Cliff and Ilene Bandringa are authors and the creators of BackRoadsWest.com. They have been traveling and photographing the world for more than 20 years, with a motto of finding the lesserknown, off-the-beaten-path places and then sharing their experiences with others. They do this via their blog, the virtual tour guides they've written, lots of YouTube videos, magazine articles, and a sister website of highquality and stock images. You can find all of these at www.BackRoadsWest.com.

Nathan Hughes is a financial advisor with Raymond James. A native of Mesquite, Nevada, Nathan is dedicated to managing and preserving wealth for you and your family. By establishing deep and valued relationships with you, he is able to gain a comprehensive understanding of your needs and goals. Nathan works hard to enhance and preserve your investments while assisting you in realizing your goals through long-term financial solutions. Contact Nathan by phone at (208) 277-9239, by email at nathan.hughes@raymondjames.com, or visit the firm’s website at www.CoeurPrivateWealthManagement.com.

Message from the Mayor

Finally, it's springtime in Mesquite, and with the spring comes beautiful weather. Sporting activities will be happening all over. We know that you can play golf nearly every day of the year in Mesquite, but the conditions on the courses are almost perfect in the spring. Between Wolf Creek, The Palms, The Oasis, Falcon Ridge, CasaBlanca, Conestoga, and Coyote Willows, you can have a different golf experience every day.

Of course, not everyone is into golf, so if you are looking for an activity to improve your fitness, look no further than the Mesquite Recreation Center. We offer lifelong fitness programs for our seniors with line dancing, water aerobics, Zumba, tap, jazz, clogging, yoga, chair exercises, and more. I personally teach spinning, which is open to all ages. In addition, the rec center offers a first-class weight room, treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, and other equipment to help you get into peak condition. Interested in joining or participating elsewhere? We have the Mesquite Fitness Club, The Mesquite Vista's Sports Club for residents of the Vista's HOA, and the Tough Country Crossfit Club.

The fastest-growing sport in the country—and probably the world—is pickleball, and we have new state-of-the-art courts with more on the way. Check them out. You can also get lessons if you wish to learn or improve your game. We will soon have tournaments that will bring participants from all over the area.

Mesquite hosts outstanding senior games for both men and women who are 50 and older. The games start in March and run into December and offer basketball, biking, hiking, track and field, tennis, and of course, pickleball. The number of sports that are offered is growing each year.

Youth sports in Mesquite are in full swing with Little League, soccer, lacrosse, and softball. Although skateboarding is not exactly a sport, we are also planning on a much anticipated first-class skate park in Mesquite.

I know that I probably missed a bunch of other sporting activities, both indoor and outdoor, but you get the point. With so much to do in our beautiful community, we have it all—and for all ages. Come out and enjoy the spring weather. There is no excuse for being bored in Mesquite.

Sincerely,

Allan S. Litman, Mesquite City Mayor

Moapa Valley Why I Love

Moapa Valley is still our place of respite. It began with vacations locally for many years prior to moving here fulltime. Initially drawn to Moapa Valley for its proximity to Lake Mead, we enjoyed decades of wonderful boating experiences with our family. With each new adventure at the lake—plus riding OHVs in the spectacular red rocks of the Logandale Trails or hikes in Valley of Fire—we fell more in love with the offerings all around Moapa Valley. Yet the greatest gifts we found are in the relationships with so many great people who foster a deep sense of community support.

Here, the nights are full of stars and quiet, the streets are lined with American Flags all year long, and folks are still friendly and helpful to each other. We love that this valley remains filled with a balanced blend of agriculture, farms, and beautiful homes where families can safely live, play, and learn far away from big city issues, traffic, or noise. For active young families or retired folks, Moapa Valley is the perfect place to live, and we love it here!

- Vanette Christensen

Why I Love Bunkerville

Iloved being born and raised in Bunkerville so much that I am now raising my own family here! It was such a wonderful place to grow up with so much freedom to roam; we spent nearly all of our time playing outdoors. From building “huts” in the trees to riding bikes around town all day, it was a safe place to explore, and I knew that I wanted to raise my own family the same way.

We are the Jones Family and we have lived in Bunkerville for seven years now. When I asked my kids what they love about living here, they named so many things that we all love about Bunkerville: the small-town feel, the ease of getting to friends’ houses, the sunsets, and the community camaraderie, to name a few! We love that it feels safe and relaxing and that everyone seems to know everyone. The close-knit community is amazing to be a part of because if you need a hand, you know that someone is there to help you. We also have family in town as well as nearby in neighboring towns.

We love the rural feel of Bunkerville but are grateful to still have Mesquite close for those city amenities. Bunkerville is an amazing place to live, and we love it!

- The Jones Family

Book Your Dream Vacation with

Golf Mesquite Nevada

by Josh Miller | Photos courtesy of Citwide Golf Solutions

If you're looking for a golf getaway that offers both top-notch courses and a bit of Vegas-style excitement without all the hustle and bustle, look no further than a trip with Golf Mesquite Nevada. Our selection of courses, including Conestoga, Coyote Springs, Oasis The Canyons, Oasis The Palmer, and Falcon Ridge, offers challenging terrain and stunning views for golfers of all skill levels.

With picturesque desert landscapes, well-manicured fairways, and fast greens, each of these courses offers a unique and challenging experience. Conestoga, designed by Gary Panks, offers a great layout that combines mountain golf with links style. With the surrounding red rock, many feel like they are playing golf on Mars. Falcon Ridge, designed by Kelby Hughes and Cresent Hardy, features more traditional desert terrain with elevation changes and tight fairways, challenging even the most experienced players. Oasis The Palmer and Oasis The Canyons, both designed by Arnold Palmer, offer a challenging combination of water hazards and desert rough. And Coyote Springs Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, boasts a beautiful layout with natural water hazards, rolling terrain, and challenging greens.

After a day on the links, head over to the Eureka Casino Resort for a bit of relaxation and entertainment. The resort offers luxurious rooms and suites as well as a variety of dining options and a casino floor with all your favorite games. And after a long day out on the course, you can unwind in the resort's spa or take a dip in one of the pools.

So whether you're a seasoned golfer looking for a new challenge or a casual player looking for a fun getaway, a golf trip to Mesquite, Nevada, is the perfect choice. With a variety of courses, a luxurious resort, and plenty of entertainment options, it's a vacation that will be sure to please everyone in your group. Book your trip through Golf Mesquite Nevada today, and experience the best golf and Vegas-style excitement that Mesquite has to offer!

The following pages offer more details about each course.

Conestoga features Mesquite’s beautiful rugged rock and water elements. In addition to the feeling of being on Mars, the design carries golfers through canyons with elevation changes for a calm and secluded round. No matter the golf level, all players will enjoy the natural beauty as they play through the Sun City community in Mesquite. Golf Magazine has rated Conestoga as one of the top five golf courses in Nevada.

Owner Phil Timothy says, “Course designer Gary Panks created a masterpiece here at Conestoga Golf Club. Using the natural landscape’s unique characteristics, you would think this layout only needed some grass to be planted. The design is so natural. It’s a stunning layout. It’s scenic, picturesque, and a true test of every club in your bag.”

Coyote Springs is one of the best Jack Nicklaus-signature courses in the game. With eleven lakes in play through rolling fairways in a remote destination, many consider the golf course to be one of Nicklaus’ top creations. The surrounding Nevada desert at Coyote Springs makes golfers feel like they are well off the beaten track while being less than an hour from both Mesquite and Las Vegas. Although the golf course is not in Mesquite, the challenging greens and club service make Coyote Springs a mustvisit on a Golf Mesquite Nevada itinerary. The course is the ultimate golf challenge. From the tips at 7,471 yards but with four sets of tee boxes, it can also play 5,349 yards from the forward tees. Coyote Springs has been recognized on the “Best of” lists of many national golf publications, including Golf Digest, Golf, and Links.

The Canyons Course (left) is molded perfectly to its natural setting at the Oasis Golf Club, offering a wide variety of challenging holes and elevated tee boxes. The generous fairways and smooth Bermuda greens make the course player-friendly and are a refreshing change of pace.

The Canyons is player friendly at 6,400 yards from the tips, and good scores are in the offing if shots are placed in well-defined landing areas. Risk/ reward opportunities present themselves on both the outward and inward nines. The back nine was designed by Arnold Palmer.

The Arnold Palmer-designed Palmer Course (below) at the Oasis Golf Club offers emerald green fairways cradled in isolated canyons, a box canyon enshrining a lush green, four unique signature holes, elevated tees with majestic tee shots, and numerous hazards created by Mother Nature. The Palmer Course played host to the Golf Channel’s Big Break: Mesquite and has been ranked as “One of the Best You Can Play” by Golf Digest

This par-71 course with five different tees provides a stern test of golf skills as well as some of the most scenic desert panoramas in southern Nevada. The course can be played from 4,500 yards to 6,700 yards from the tips.

Falcon Ridge boasts a 6,550-yard, par-71 rolling layout, spectacular elevation changes, numerous water features, and high mesa views. Scoring opportunities come fast on the opening nine holes before the course stretches out, while more strategic golf shots are required on the inward nine. The golf course sits high on the cliffs of Mesquite and flows through the hills and canyons, providing one of the most picturesque golf venues in all of Mesquite.

Brandon Howard, Falcon Ridge Director of Operations, says, “Falcon Ridge has been a favorite of local and visiting golfers because of its fun challenge, great condition, and friendly staff. When you think about what you want from your ‘home course’ or even a course that you travel to, Falcon Ridge satisfies all requirements and becomes an easy, must-play decision.”

A quick drive north on Interstate 15 through the Virgin Valley gorge, which is a scenic wonder by itself, leads to two more championship-style Golf Mesquite Nevada partners in the nearby St. George, Utah, area.

Coral Canyon Golf Course works its way around some of the area’s most stunning red-rock formations and provides a resort-like layout with a variety of shot-making opportunities. The course’s character and beauty are only outdone by its variety of risk/reward chances.

Coral Canyon’s 7,029-yard, par-72 layout provides a unique golf experience with two par 5s as the opening holes. Birdies are available right at the start, so be sure to warm up on the multi-tiered driving range and practice putting areas.

A fun challenge that players face at Coral Canyon Golf Course is the short par-3, 122-yard sixth hole, which is situated in the natural red rock outcroppings and is one of the most unique holes on the Golf Mesquite Nevada menu.

Are you ready for an unforgettable golf experience?

The Championship Course at Sand Hollow is an unforgettable day of golf. Any definition of a “mustplay” course should include the unmatched beauty and excitement of Sand Hollow.

The Championship Course at Sand Hollow is a John Fought-designed masterpiece. As visually stunning as

it is challenging, the layout moves in and around the worldrenowned distinctive red rock formations of southern Utah.

With a par-72, 18-hole layout, the Championship Course features an unsurpassed blend of sand, water, sun, and turf. Elevated tees, wide-sweeping cliffside fairways, and challenging greens will keep golfers on their toes. The 7,315-yard course plays along steep ridge lines, negotiates deep canyons, and weaves through lush rolling fairways.

And you won’t be disappointed if you also make time for the nine-hole Links Course at Sand Hollow as part of your visit. In a nod to the championship-style links courses of the British Isles, the Links course is a treat to play.V

For tee times, deals, and packages, visit our website at www.GolfMesquiteNevada.com.

by David Cordero

In 1960, well before golf courses became ubiquitous in this area, St. George was just a sleepy town of about 5,000 people. Outside of a natural increase in population through childbirth, there wasn’t much in the way of residential growth—nor was there any impetus for significant growth.

In 1965, this began to change with the construction of Dixie Red Hills Golf Course and the emergence of residential air conditioning. Soon, St. George became a tourist destination and a regional golf mecca that fueled the city’s growth potential. No longer just a desert gas stop with triple-digit summer temperatures, St. George became known as an outdoor recreation destination year-round!

All these years later, golf is enjoying a level of popularity in St. George that it rarely—if ever—has experienced. The four golf courses in the City of St. George hosted more rounds than ever before in 2022.

“Golf has had a resurgence in popularity since the pandemic—and we continue to ride that wave,” says Colby Cowan, Director of Golf for the City of St. George. “As it has been for centuries, golf is a fun, safe outdoor activity for people of all ages, and we have four nice courses that provide these opportunities for our residents and visitors.”

The four city-owned courses—Dixie Red Hills, St. George Golf Club, Southgate, and Sunbrook—offer a balance of difficult and beginner-friendly holes that provide something for every level of golfer.

The following pages offer a glimpse of each city course:

HOLES: 9

LENGTH: 2,775 yards

AT A GLANCE: Picturesque Dixie Red Hills was the first golf course in St. George, setting the tone for what would become one of southwestern Utah’s hallmark leisure activities. On a cloudless day, Dixie Red Hills dazzles with its majestic backdrop of red rocks, shimmering above a blanket of green grass. Each hole on the 9-hole course has its own unique design. No. 6 is a par-3 between 60 and 140 yards based on the tees you play.

Whichever distance you start from, peril awaits—your tee shot must carry over water. In 2019, Dixie Red Hills completed construction on a new clubhouse with great views of the city. “Dixie Red Hills is very popular with people of all ages and skill levels,” says Allen Orchard, PGA Head Professional at Dixie Red Hills. “To this day, it is one of the most-played courses in the area and has created memories for many people.”

ADDRESS: 645 West 1250 North

PHONE: (435) 627-4444

HOLES: 18

LENGTH: 7,238 yards

AT A GLANCE: Challenging holes and terrific views characterize St. George Golf Club, which sits atop Bloomington Hills. No. 5 is a hot topic of discussion. It’s an intimidating par-5 with a water hazard sitting just in front of the green. Water is a factor on all the par-3s as well.

“The golf course has a very good layout— challenging, but not tricky. You can see what’s in front of you, so it is just a matter of hitting good shots,” says James Hood, PGA Head Professional at St. George Golf Club. “It is also a very walkable course. Other than the hill to No. 1 and the way back to the clubhouse at the end, it’s pretty flat.”

ADDRESS: 2190 South 1400 East PHONE: (435) 627-4404

HOLES: 18

LENGTH: 6,134 yards

AT A GLANCE: It’s a tale of two courses within 18 holes. The front nine are flat. The back nine have significant elevation change. The front nine have water hazards on eight of the holes. The back nine have just two holes affected by water. No. 8 stands out with its high-risk, high-reward characteristics.

Spanning only 278 yards from the white tee as a par 4, it carries allure for players dreaming of an eagle. To accomplish that, a drive must carry almost the complete distance over water to the green. That challenge aside, Southgate is more delightful than it is daunting.

The course recently received a facelift in the form of a $750,000 renovation of its clubhouse in 2021. The project included a covered outdoor deck, an increase of 1,500 square feet, a pro shop with multiple check-in computers, and a sitting area with two televisions. The new Southgate Cafe will also offer a full-service snack bar that serves breakfast and lunch and will have beer on tap.

“It has a much more inviting feel, and golfers really enjoy it,” Cowan says. “Many golfers are also enjoying the deck areas that overlook the front nine and offer great views of downtown St. George.”

ADDRESS: 1975 Tonaquint Drive

PHONE: (435) 627-4440

HOLES: 27 (three 9-hole courses: Woodbridge, The Pointe, Black Rock)

LENGTH: 6,818 yards

AT A GLANCE: Sunbrook, the crown jewel of St. George City-owned golf courses, has three 9-hole courses, allowing play from the top of the bluffs to the desert floor and around black lava rock and red sand traps. With staggering views of awe-inspiring rock formations and nearby alpine mountains, players are awash in the beauty of the surroundings. Bridges, water hazards, and changes in elevation make every hole an adventure. There is even a par-3 island hole that sparks dreams of an ace. Golf Digest twice rated Sunbrook—the only golf club in southwest Utah to feature 27 championship holes—as the best golf course in Utah.

ADDRESS: 2366 West Sunbrook Drive

PHONE: (435) 627-4400

by Jason Timpson

Southern Utah is known for its breathtaking views and natural landscapes, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and golfers alike. One among the many golf courses in the area, Copper Rock Golf Course stands out as a must-play for any golfer visiting southern Utah.

In addition to featuring an 18-hole championship course, Copper Rock is a brand-new development that offers luxury homes as well. The golf course is one of the most challenging in the area, with a total length of over 7,200

yards and the addition of eight new tee boxes. The course's layout is designed to take full advantage of the natural beauty of the area with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and red rock formations.

Located in Hurricane, Utah, Copper Rock is easily accessible from State Route 7 and is just 20 minutes from the airport with quick access to St. George. This makes it a convenient option for golfers looking to play a round while in the area on vacation or business.

In April of 2023, Copper Rock will also host the LPGA EPSON Tour event, the Copper Rock Championship. This exciting event will bring some of the top female golfers in the world to southern Utah, providing a unique opportunity for golf fans to watch world-class competitions in a beautiful setting.

In addition to the golf course, Copper Rock is also home to multiple Parade of Homes houses featured over the last four years. These custom-built homes are available for purchase, providing a unique opportunity for golfers to own a piece of

southern Utah's natural beauty. Vacation rental options are also available for those looking to stay and play at Copper Rock.

Overall, Copper Rock Golf Course is a one-of-a-kind adventure for any golfer visiting southern Utah. With its challenging layout, stunning views, and convenient location, it offers a truly unique golfing experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor, be sure to add Copper Rock to your list of golf courses to play.V

To learn more about Copper Rock, visit copperrock.com.

Sky Mountain Golf Course is a public 18-hole golf course owned and operated by the City of Hurricane, Utah, located in the beautiful, scenic southern Utah area surrounded by Zion National Park and the Pine Valley Mountain Range. It is just seven miles east of exit 16 on Interstate 15 at 1030 North 2600 West, Hurricane, Utah.

Sky Mountain is one of the most beautiful and picturesque golf locations anywhere in the world. Backdropped by red sandstone formations and the majestic Pine Valley Mountain, this course is truly a sight to behold! Sky Mountain Golf Course is famous for its incredible views.

This great golf course is always in excellent condition, along with an affordable price for the public. Southern Utah has always been a popular golf destination for full-time residents and golf travelers. The mild winter climate and many excellent golf courses to choose from make the area the perfect option for year-round golf. Retirement couples and families enjoy one of the fastest-growing recreation areas in the country.

Sky Mountain is the first stop going south on Interstate 15 that is open for golf year-round. For northern golf travelers, Sky Mountain is a favorite stop to enjoy a friendly environment, delicious food, and a memorable golf experience.

by Kent Abegglen | Photo Credit: Jerry Rigby

Sky Mountain is a medium-long golf course, challenging players with strategic fairway landings and approach shots that require accuracy. To shoot a great round of golf at Sky Mountain, you need to be precise.

Beautiful fairways are surrounded by natural desert habitat and volcanic rock formations. It is always wise to bring an old rock club or borrow a used one from the Pro Shop to play out of the desert lava rock. There are unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Hurricane Valley: hiking (national parks), biking, golfing, sand dunes, four-wheeling, camping, fishing, and boating.

Quality of life, quality air, and peaceful communities are all trademarks of southern Utah. If you love an active lifestyle with great weather, be sure to visit and stay in the Hurricane Valley in the southern Utah area.

Zion National Park is only 23 miles away from the golf course. Come out and enjoy the beauty that is Sky Mountain Golf Course, and don’t forget to bring your camera.V

Kent Abegglen is a PGA Golf Professional at Sky Mountain Golf Course, Hurricane, Utah. Sky Mountain Golf Course is located at 1030 N. 2600 W., Hurricane, Utah. | (435) 635-7888

by Kyle Chappell

The Ledges Golf Club is kicking off 2023 in peak condition! Winter takes its toll on any golf course, but the Ledges is in the best condition that I have seen anywhere in a long time! We pride ourselves on successful corporate events, women’s and men’s leagues, and other successful amateur events. The condition of the golf course continues to be topnotch among the golf courses in southern Utah. The back nine at The Ledges Golf Club follows the rim of Snow Canyon State Park, and the views are like none other. The course layout is accommodating to those of all levels from beginners to professionals. The recently renovated No. 13 green is complete and makes for a much more enjoyable hole.

The Ledges Golf Club holds two amateur player-performanceranking golf tournaments during the year. The first tournament, The Ledges Spring Amateur, was held in February, and it

attracted the top players from across the state of Utah. A full field of great players made for some exciting golf. In November, The Ledges Golf Club will hold its annual Senior Amateur event (for 50 years old and over). This two-day event will fill up with the top senior players from across the state, who will compete for prize money and points. The club will hold the Men’s Club Championship two-day event in November as well. This event is catered to those members that have been playing in the Men’s League throughout the year and have qualified to play this event. This year, a new point system was added to The Ledges Men’s League to award players for their performances as well as for playing each week. All the club events are run professionally by the staff of The Ledges Golf Club.

Vacation rentals at The Ledges provide an excellent opportunity for those that are wanting to take advantage of our “Stay and

Play" packages. With views of the golf course and Snow Canyon State Park, these vacation rentals are among the best in southern Utah.

The Ledges Golf Club Pro Shop holds the latest variety in men’s and women’s apparel. The staff is professionally trained and willing to assist with apparel questions, tee time bookings, or general questions about the area. The Ledges Golf Club is also staffed with our Head Golf Professional and Director of Golf, who are both highly qualified to offer yearround golf lessons.V

Please see our website at www.ledges.com for more information about tee times, golf rates, instruction, and more. Feel free to stop by at 1585 West Ledges Parkway in St. George, Utah, or call anytime at (435) 634-4640.

by Denise Houston and John Roth

It was the second week of February 2005, and the normally calm Virgin River grew into a raging giant, severely damaging four holes of the newly built Coyote Willows Golf Course. Refusing to allow Mother Nature to win that round, Coyote Willows still managed to open, offering a five-hole game. Those who played it twice achieved their nine holes.

In 2008, just as the recession hit Nevada, the course became a full nine holes. Sadly, by the end of the year, all employees were regrettably laid off, and the bank foreclosed in 2009.

Coyote residents Gary Hafen, Tony Evans, and Chuck Horn rallied a group of dedicated volunteers, who, along with superintendent Saul Gutierrez, helped maintain the course until a buyer was found. CW Investment Group, LLC, purchased the course in 2017.

Today, the love in the hearts and souls of the many volunteers can be felt as you play the course. With beautiful fairways and views of the Virgin Mountains, Coyote Willows embodies the human spirit. It is a story of triumph and proving that bigger is not always better.

The nine-hole course can be played as 18 with patrons never playing the same game twice. Whether you are looking for a two-hour break in your workday or are squeezing in a favorite pastime, the benefits of a nine-hole game are apparent. As you balance family, friends, or prior engagements, “there's always time for a date on the green.”

In today's world, staying healthy mentally and physically is a necessity. Coyote Willows puts emphasis on a better you, whether it is improving your game, spending time with your

friends, or getting the exercise you need. Coyote Willows also gives you the option to choose between walking the course or riding in a cart.

Coyote Willows offers a very affordable game, especially for Mesquite. The course welcomes everyone from beginners to seasoned golfers. No. 8, the signature hole, offers a great riskreward challenge.

Coyote Willows would like to invite you to come party on the greens! They proudly support the future golfers of the community, offering great youth incentives and family bookings outside professional time frames.

The golf shop at Coyote carries top brands and is open to the general public. It's a great place to dress to the nines at Mesquite’s ONLY nine-hole course.

Coyote Willows invites you to be part of their story. Always swing with courage, and play the ball where it lies. The course is open seven days a week, and times vary per season. Annual golf passes are available.V

Coyote Willows Golf Course is located at 940 Hafen Lane in Mesquite, Nevada. For more information, please visit our website, coyotewillowsgolf.com, or call (702) 345-3222.

by Kevin Soderquist

Green Spring Golf Course is a top-rated municipal Golf Course owned by Washington City. We strive to offer a premier, quality golfing experience while keeping rates affordable. Designed by award-winning golf course designer Gene Bates, Green Spring opened in 1989 and was ranked in the "Top 5 Best New Public Golf Courses in America" by Golf Digest in its debut year.

Green Spring Golf Course remains a fan favorite among locals and visitors. Signature holes 5, the “Bottomless Pit,” and 6, the “Devils Gulch,” have you shooting across red rock ravines that will surely get your heart racing! These two holes feature breathtaking shots over a deep red-rock canyon with incredible views of Pine Valley Mountain and Red Cliffs State Park Recreation Area.

Hole 6 was ranked as “The Hardest Hole in Utah” for many years in a Salt Lake Tribune poll until they expanded the rankings to include the “18 Hardest Holes in Utah;” hole 6 currently resides on that list. There are many water hazards and defiant ravines to navigate on the course. Green Spring is considered by many to be the toughest course in southern Utah; bring extra balls!V

For more course information, pictures, drone footage of each hole, rates, or to book a time, please visit our website, www.GolfGreenSpring.com, or call the pro shop at (435) 673-7888. Find us at 588 North Green Spring Drive, Washington, Utah.

by Jared Barnes

Cedar Ridge Golf Course is a beautiful 18-hole regulation golf course located against the red hills of the east bench of Cedar City. The original nine holes were built in 1964, and the second nine were constructed in 1992. Cedar Ridge is a par 72 with four par 5s that offer plenty of birdie and eagle chances. The course has three sets of tee boxes, providing a perfect distance for golfers of all different playing abilities.

Cedar Ridge features a full practice facility with a driving range, two practice putting greens, a chipping area, and a practice bunker. The pro shop at Cedar Ridge is always stocked with the latest in golf equipment, accessories, and golf apparel.

Jared Barnes is the PGA Professional at Cedar Ridge and serves as the Director of Golf with Tyger Riggs working as the Assistant Golf Professional. Golf lessons are available for players of all abilities both in private and group settings. Cedar Ridge has an extensive junior golf program, providing both instruction and playing opportunities for over 200 junior golfers each summer.

Steve Carter serves as the golf course superintendent and provides excellent playing conditions each season.

Steve was recently recognized as the Utah Public Golf Course Superintendent of the Year. The putting greens at Cedar Ridge are always the highlight of the course and are consistently among the best greens in southern Utah.

Cedar Ridge is home to the men’s and women’s golf teams at Southern Utah University as well as the golf teams from Cedar and Canyon View High Schools. The golf course has very active men’s and women’s golf associations and holds weekly as well as monthly events. The end-of-year men’s and women’s club championships are the highlights of the season.

Cedar Ridge hosts many corporate as well as charity golf tournaments throughout the season. These events consistently raise more than $100,000 per year for local charities.V

Cedar Ridge Golf Course does not take tee times. During the busy season, a golfer will never have more than a ten-minute wait to get their round started. A call ahead is suggested to make sure that the course doesn’t have a tournament and is available for open play. For more information, the pro shop can be reached at (435) 586-2970. Located at 200 E 900 N Cedar City, Utah.Visit our website at www.CedarRidgeGolfCourse.com.

Get Your Game On !

Experience the Utah Summer Games in Cedar City, UTAh

by Kaylee Pickering | Photos courtesy of Visit Cedar City · Brian Head

Soccer, basketball, horseshoes, and more! The month of June in Cedar City gets a little wild as Festival City plays host to the annual Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games.

The Utah Summer Games is a festival for athletes of all ages and abilities that has become a beloved tradition for locals and visitors. Since 1986, the event has been held at Southern Utah University, and event locations have since spread throughout Cedar City as the games have grown in popularity.

During the first few weeks of June, you’ll see gaggles of children in bright uniforms on nearly every corner in town. Their cleats clack throughout buildings and echo on the sidewalks, and vehicles adorned with team colors, names, and participant jersey numbers are everywhere. Local businesses join the fun with special deals for teams and athletes and even festive sport-themed decor.

The streets and businesses are a bit busier during this time, and the excitement is palpable! Athletes of all ages compete in a wide variety of sporting events, hoping to claim a medal. Tables strewn with medals of gold, silver, and bronze within Southern Utah University’s P.E. building entice participants to do their very best.

Traditional team sports like soccer and basketball draw the largest crowds, but there are some unexpectedly fun events at the Utah Summer Games that are also worth checking out. The crowd at horseshoes is delightful, and with snacks, banter, and encouragement from the audience, it feels like a regular party! The skill on display at the track events is incredible! Water polo is easily one of the most intense events to attend, while dodgeball is delightfully chaotic. And who doesn’t love a little “Katniss Everdeen” moment as they visit the archery competition?

Opening Ceremonies

The biggest and best fireworks show and party in southern Utah, the opening ceremonies for the Utah Summer Games is a mustsee summer event. Head over to the Southern Utah University campus on the afternoon of Friday, June 9, to see why this is one event that everyone loves. The annual block party is a great way to get to know the event sponsors. Play carnival games at various booths, win prizes, get your face painted, and don’t forget to grab a bite!

Every year, the block party is host to incredible food trucks and dessert vendors from around southern Utah. After the block party, turn in your tickets at the gate of the Southern Utah University football field, and settle in for the athlete parade that follows the national anthem! Amid the 100 U.S. flags that line the field, the athletes have a chance to feel like the rockstars they are as they take to the track to wave, throw t-shirts, and then gather on the football field for the concert that comes afterward.

Every year, following the lighting of the torch, there is a musical performance (in 2019, it was the Plain White T’s) and then a spectacular fireworks display! Cedar City really puts its heart and soul into ensuring that these fireworks are some of the biggest and best that attendees will see all year!

It wouldn’t truly feel like summer in Cedar City without the Utah Summer Games to kick it off. The enthusiasm of thousands of participants, spectators, and volunteers brings a special atmosphere to the commencement of summer that our community would not be the same without. The brightly colored uniforms, the familiar sound of cleats, the thunder of fireworks, and enthusiastic sideline cheers are all an integral part of the season.V

Located at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, the games start June 1 and run through June 25, with the opening ceremonies taking place on Friday, June 9.

Learn more at www.UtahSummerGames.org.

KEEP YOUR SPRING

by Dr. Taylor Smith, Medical Director of Emergency Services

With the arrival of spring, increased outdoor activities are just around the corner; sun, sports, pools, and other outdoor adventures abound. It’s no surprise that the summer season can also be the busiest for your local emergency room. In addition to roundthe-clock emergency medicine physicians, Mesa View Regional Hospital now has 24/7 cardiology coverage provided by specialty physicians at Intermountain Southwest Cardiology.

Knowing what to do when an emergency arises, when and how to administer medical care at home, and when to head to the ER are all important. Educating yourself and your family about how to handle an emergency can make for a safer, happier, and healthier spring/summer season. So let’s take a minute to review some simple steps that can make a big difference in your life!

FIRST-AID KIT

Bumps, scrapes, and boo-boos can be handled at home with a well-stocked firstaid kit. A necessity in every home, a first-aid kit can help handle minor emergencies that don’t require a doctor’s immediate care. Your kit should be stored in a central location in your home—within easy reach for adults, not children. A properly stocked kit can help you manage emergency needs ranging from a burn to a deep cut.

Check your kit regularly, and replace missing items or expired medications. It’s a good idea to have a first-aid kit in your home and another in the car. Don’t forget to take it with you on vacation, too!

+ SUMMER SAFE!

FIRST AID BASICS

General first-aid tips for common situations include:

· BRUISES: Elevate, and apply ice or a cold pack.

· BURNS: Immerse the burned area in cool water for at least five minutes or until the pain subsides. Cover the area loosely with a sterile gauze bandage. Do not apply ice directly, and do not use ointments or butter.

· BLEEDING OR PUNCTURE WOUNDS: Apply continuous, direct pressure with a clean cloth or towel for about 20 minutes to control bleeding. Rinse the wound with clean water (no soap, as this may irritate the wound); apply an antibiotic, and cover the wound with a bandage or sterile gauze.

Be sure to wash your hands before treating a wound. If you’re not sure about the severity of the injury, call your doctor or head to your local emergency room.

WHEN TO GO TO THE ER

If the injury is severe or complications occur—such as continued bleeding or redness, pain, numbness, fever, or swelling—you need to go to the emergency room.

BE PREPARED

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, every emergency can be managed using the four-step process: prevent, prepare, recognize, and act. This includes mock emergency drills with family, CPR classes from your local hospital or Red Cross, and teaching children to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Discuss with your child what constitutes an emergency and in which situations it is appropriate (and not appropriate) to call for emergency help. Help your child to memorize and practice the information they’ll need to provide: their home address, their home phone number, and answers other questions the dispatcher will ask about the person who needs help (whether they are conscious and breathing).V

About the author: Dr. Taylor Smith is an experienced ER physician. Dr. Smith is certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Don’t

So

by Andrew Lajoie, Attorney for Kirton | McConkie Law Firm

Are you a business owner who is owed money? You may be discouraged from past collection efforts and may even think pursuing the debt is a lost cause. After all, if your only fallback has been to hire a collection agency to send form letters and leave automated voicemails, then it’s understandable why you’re discouraged. Fortunately, however, the law provides better tools to collect a debt, and when you know how to use those tools or have the assistance of knowledgeable counsel in using them, your chances of collection are much higher.

To enforce the debt, you need a judgment. An attorney can have a court of law enter a judgment for you or your business based on the amount owed plus interest and any potential attorney fees and costs. Once you have a judgment, you become a “judgment creditor,” which entitles you to enforce the judgment. Prior to entering a judgment, you are limited to only making demands. With a court judgment, however, you can start seizing the debtor’s assets pursuant to the rule of law.

Even if the debtor moves out of state, the process continues because a judgment entered in one state can be “domesticated” or “registered” in another state and enforced there. A good attorney can also help you track down debtors who have relocated.

Along with a judgment comes the authority to require the debtor to identify and locate their assets. Subpoenas can confirm or supplement this information when sent to banks that produce the debtor’s bank statements, which can then be analyzed to pursue the debt.

Sometimes a debtor may threaten to file for bankruptcy, which stays usual collection efforts. For their tactics to succeed, however, they must follow through and meet the court’s requirements. Even if the debtor does have a bankruptcy order, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are no assets to collect on. You may then have rights in the bankruptcy proceeding as a creditor entitled to liquidated assets distribution.

As far as collections go, an attorney can organize the repossession of equipment or other collateral that the loan is secured by. If the loan was unsecured, meaning there was no tangible asset securing the loan or credit, an attorney can garnish wages from the debtor’s employer, garnish the debtor’s bank accounts, or even seize any valuable qualified assets. These seized assets can then be sold in an auction arranged by the attorney on your behalf.

A common asset to pursue is the debtor’s home, which can have a lien placed on it and can often be sold. You can then use the proceeds to repay the judgment. Pursuing a debtor’s home can also motivate them to cooperate and establish a serious payment plan.

For those not currently pursuing a debt, an experienced attorney can be useful in ensuring your rights and preventing a situation where someone defaults on a contract or loan. An attorney can help you draft your contracts and agreements more effectively to prepare you to collect from a potential debtor. Debtors in the Arizona, Nevada, and Utah areas frequently move between these states and even go to California according to recent migration and relocation trends. Judgments can be enforced out of state, but it’s less work if you don’t have to file a judgment in a different state. Be sure to set the venue location and choice of law in your contract.

A creditor should also solicit detailed borrower identification information in the agreement, including a social security number, ID card information, home and work addresses, employer identification information, and existing bank information. Using universal form agreements found on the internet usually doesn’t sufficiently document detailed information about the borrower. Getting detailed information makes it easier for you to keep track of the debtor and to collect on any future monies owed. Any lack of information about a future debtor makes it difficult to enforce a judgment against them.

It's better if a default situation doesn’t happen in the first place, but when one does, there are ways to enforce your agreements and collect the debts you’re owed if you’re prepared.V

Andrew Lajoie is a local attorney in the Kirton McConkie St. George office, which serves clients in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Mr. Lajoie has considerable experience in representing creditors and debtors.

If you have questions about this article, please call (385) 501-5033 or email him at alajoie@kmclaw.com.

Tennis TNT - tips-n-tricks -

by Donna Eads

There is so little time, yet so many options for 2023 are waiting for us all. Living close to both Las Vegas and Indian Wells, California, options cannot get any better. The month of March offers two events to watch world-class tennis. The first is The Slam, featuring a match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcatraz, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 5, 2023—buy tickets at www.axs.com. Or travel to Indian Wells, California, to “Experience Tennis Paradise”—the event better known as the BNP Paribas Open, which is from March 6–19, 2023. This tournament is considered to be the west coast U.S. Open by most players. Make your plans early.

Two tennis greats have retired in the past year—Serena Williams and Roger Federer—both of whom many consider to be GOATs (Greatest of All Time). Both are noted to have changed tennis with their skills—examples include Serena’s powerful and aggressive play and Roger’s dance-like movement around the court. As club players, we can learn

from both styles. Tennis is a very physical game but also an art. Women’s play had to catch up with the power of the Williams sisters. It did at times, but not quite. Men’s play had to learn to focus on more than power and to find a way to win by using skill and thought.

To reach these ends ourselves, we can look at the need to move forward when it’s possible to take a ball early by hitting it in the air. This method will put your opponent on defense and will make it difficult to respond. During a doubles match, when possible, hit the ball out of the air so you take time away from the other team. Use that Serena power and aggressive play.

Look for the soft touch of a drop shot after you have your opponent pushed to the back of the court. Follow up with a lob, or close in for the weak return for the winning shot. Move as if you are in a ballroom. Use the Roger movement and channel his tennis IQ.

Both of these champions know that hard work and practice made them the best in the world. Additionally, they know of the mental focus that makes it all work so that they win. A tennis point is usually scored in only around 45 seconds to a minute, but one must focus on the outcome. So, envision the point and plan for it. Adjust when needed, but have a plan. Many players think they cannot lose when up 40–love, so they relax, and guess what happens? No plan means no winning.

Tennis is like all sports where mental practice is as important as physical. Multiple studies show that players who practice mentally do better than those who only do physical practice. One example is a study that was done regarding basketball. Players who practiced daily to make baskets did not perform as well as those who replayed the baskets in their minds. So your mental game is as important as your physical one. Think about where you are placing the serve or shot and your chances go up!

A trick to try is hitting to one side of the court at least three times and then dropping the shot to the other side. You might win the point!

See you on the courts!

Sounds of Spring Birding by Ear

by Karen L Monsen

Spring arrives with the honking of migrating geese, the rallying call of a Gambel’s quail, and the chatter of hatchlings competing for parental attention. Although birders rely mainly on sight for identification, by honing listening skills, you can expand your birding proficiency and add a new dimension and appreciation to spring bird walks.

Why Birds Vocalize

“Birds are compulsive singers,” states avid birder Paul Hicks. “They can hardly help themselves, especially in the spring and early summer when they are establishing and/ or protecting their territory for the nesting season.” Hicks, who moved to southern Utah from Washington state when he retired, will present a “Birding by Ear” workshop and field practice session during the Red Cliffs Bird Fest, April 27–29, 2023 (registration at http://www.redcliffsbirdfest.com).

Hicks explains that males sing to maintain their food supply and warn competitors, often from an elevated perch. “This is MY territory! Don’t mess with me!” The morning cacophony, called a pre-dawn chorus, is also designed to attract female birds in the morning when they are the most fertile.

According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (https://academy.allaboutbirds.org), female birds also sing, but “chances are when you hear a bird singing, it’s a male. The majority of female songbirds in temperate zones use shorter, simpler calls while the males produce the longer and more complex vocalizations we think of as a song. In the tropics, females commonly sing, and many engage in duets.”

Photo Credit: Becky Matsubara

How Birds Vocalize

Songbirds make up about half of the 10,000 global bird species. Sound is produced by the vibration of air molecules moving outward in bands of air pressure called sound waves. Our ears detect the waves as sound, and we can visualize them on spectrograms showing high or low pitches and loudness in zigzag lines.

Although birds possess a larynx, unlike humans, they usually do not use it for vocalization. Songbirds use a syrinx—a song-box organ located where the trachea splits into two bronchial tubes. The length of the trachea and bronchial tubes determines the sound quality and frequency. Each side of the syrinx operates independently, allowing birds to produce two pitches at once.

According to Cornell’s research, in a tenth of a second, the northern cardinal can produce more notes than a piano has keys, and the wood thrush can simultaneously create rising and falling notes. Topping that off, birds learn songs and have local dialects. Bewick’s wrens, per Hicks, “may possess a repertoire of more than 20 distinct songs; further, their songs differ in significant ways from one region to another.” The northern cardinal can sing 8–10 songs, American Robins 70, and northern mockingbirds around 200.

Mockingbirds are in a group called mimids, who are expert impersonators. The brown thrasher, according to Cornell Lab, has a repertoire of around 2,000 song types, and along with mockingbirds, they can mimic and weave in the voices of other birds as well as sounds like car alarms and cell phone rings. Here is a fun fact from Laura Erickson’s The Birdwatching Answer Book: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had a pet starling that could mimic tunes and make variations on them, leaving us to speculate if any variations made it into his compositions.

Photo Credit: Becky Matsubara Macaulay Library ML464917181

Mockingbird Credit: Lynn Chamberlain

Learning to Listen

With his personal record of audibly identifying 42 species in one spot, Hicks asserts, “You will hear the largest number of birds where multiple habitats converge.” In our semi-arid region, riparian corridors, wetlands, streams, and springs are all bird magnets. When temperatures rise, head for the cooler highlands.

Different methods can help you identify calls and songs. Practice is the most important! Some songs and calls are distinctive, like those of the whip-poor-will, goose, mourning dove, Gambel’s quail, raven, or crow; others are more difficult to decipher. Hicks uses an acronym— PPPLIQ— to identify techniques by listening to pitch (high or low, rising or falling), pace (fast, slow, varied), pattern (rhythm or configuration of notes and phrases), length (long, short, or medium), intensity (loud, soft, variable), and quality (tone, timbre, including feeling).

Some people find visual graphs representing the sound waves helpful—with lines, dots, and dashes showing pitch and rhythm changes. Others prefer mnemonics, like “sweet-sweet summer-sweet” for remembering the yellow warbler, “deeear me, kitty-did scare me” for the whitecrowned sparrow, or “chicka-dee-dee-dee” for the blackcapped chickadee. Whether you notice the machine-gun staccato of a Wilson’s warbler or the weaker trill of an orange-crowned warbler, you can select the association method that works best for you.

Overall, Hicks’ advice is to start small, and practice, practice, practice! He recommends choosing five or six species to master and then expanding to more. “Describe a song to yourself in a way that makes sense to you and helps you remember it.” Technology, CDs, and online games are available to assist learning.

Apps and Learning Tools

From Cornell’s exhaustive online audio library to games and apps, learning tools can improve your bird identification proficiency. The Merlin Bird ID (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) is a free downloadable app. Peterson and Stokes both have CD bird calls and song collections. Larkwire (http://www.larkwire.com) and Cornell’s Bird Academy: Bird Song Hero (https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/ bird-song-hero/) offer online learning games.

As the spring sunrise chatter builds to a pre-dawn chorus, answer the citizens band (CB radio) question, “Yew gotcher ears on?” Most importantly, Hicks reminds us, “ENJOY! Learn the sounds because you want to better appreciate and explore and enjoy the wonder of God’s incredible creation!”V

Save the date! Red Cliffs Bird Fest is April 27–29, 2023.

Vermilion Flycatcher Credit: Lynn Chamberlain

Skiing Uphill

by Judi Moreo

Have you ever had one of those days? You know what I’m talking about…a day when you felt like the world had it in for you and you were trying to ski uphill? Perhaps you had a day where you lost a client or you were publicly humiliated. Or maybe you were in a bad mood for absolutely no reason at all.

On those days, have you noticed how negative your self-talk becomes? “I can’t seem to do anything right. I’m such a loser. Nothing I do is successful. I am a total failure. I am a stupid person. I will never get this.”

Then maybe you rationalized what a loser you are by giving yourself examples of things you did or didn’t do and finding evidence to support your belief in your failure. “How could I have been so stupid as to give those papers to Bill?” or “I can’t believe how horribly I behaved toward Pete in that meeting today. I just lost it. I should learn to control my emotions.” Perhaps someone cut you off in traffic and you yelled at the jerk while waving your hands in unbecoming ways. Or you broke a nail right before going out to an important event.

Are these things really so bad? Is your day so horribly awful? I recently had the opportunity to work with Pat West Turner on her book, Skiing Uphill: A Story of Strength and Perseverance. She is one impressive lady, and she really knows what a bad day is.

At the age of 17, Pat was riding in a car that was involved in an accident with a snowplow. The collision was so severe that the damage to Pat’s body required the eventual amputation of one of her legs. Due to the severe burns to her body and legs, Pat was in the hospital for three months and underwent thirteen surgeries. The doctors advised Pat’s parents that she probably would never walk again.

But walk again she did. And ski again as well. Pat, who had been an avid skier before the accident, learned to ski again with ski equipment called “outriggers.” These consisted of armband crutches mounted on short ski tips to aid in balance. Pat says, “By the end of that first season, I was a much better skier on one ski than I ever was on two."

The next winter, Pat worked at Mission Ridge Ski Slopes as an instructor while she finished her second year of junior college in Wenatchee, Washington. During the year of instructing, she also participated in slalom racing on Mount Hood.

Since three-track skiing was new, there were few women competitors, so she raced against men in the same ability class and won. She later skied on the United States amputee demonstration team for an international ski event, 8th INTERSKI, held in Aspen, Colorado. She was the only woman selected for the team of eight skiers.

In the following years, she won the Salem Jaycees Flying Outriggers race at the Hoodoo Bowl as well as the National Amputee Ski Races at Mount Hood. She also competed in the New Zealand NZSTAR Race, where she won a silver medal. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Central Washington University and became a teacher.

Here are some tips Pat shared with me about how to get past “one of those days.”

1) Honor your feelings, even if they are negative.

2) Be kind to yourself, and show self-compassion.

3) Speak to yourself with dignity and respect.

4) Perform kind acts for others. Pat volunteers to teach other seniors how to paint “kindness rocks.” She also crochets “bookworms” bookmarks and gives them away. Her “bookworms” have now traveled around the world.

Imagine if another person is having a bad day and you shocked them with your kindness by giving them a positive message painted with a cute picture on a rock. Or you handed them a “bookworm” for no reason at all. Chances are you will make a positive difference in someone’s day. They will feel better. And so will you.V

If you would like to read Pat West Turner’s complete story, her book, Skiing Uphill: A Story of Strength and Perseverance, is available on Amazon.com.

Judi Moreo is one of the most recognized personal growth trainers and coaches in the world. Judi will help you discover that you really are More Than Enough to achieve the success you desire. To contact Judi Moreo, email her at judi@judimoreo.com or call (702) 283-4567.

N O W I S W H E N W E A R E

(the stars)

from Andrew Schneider

A Three-Dimensional, Interactive Experience Like Southern Utah Has Never Seen Before

by Michelle Sundberg

How often do we have the opportunity to experience, feel, and deeply connect with something new and truly unique? The answer is very rarely. One of these unique experiences is N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars).

After a successful and emotional tour starting in New York City, N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars) isc oming to Center for the Arts at Kayenta. It is an interactive light-and-sound installation and promises to be an experience that southern Utah has never seen before.

N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars) is an interactive theatrical installation that pushes the participant to become the main character of the production. An unseen narrator guides participants through an individualized journey into a precisely programmed matrix of light—and into the cosmos of themselves. Part meditation, part exploration, the stars draws visitors into a hyper-focus on the present. The stars traces every decision that you have ever made as a contributing factor to being “here” and being “now.”

This ambitious project—with nearly 5,000 individually reactive LED lights and a 496-channel sound system—envelops each participant. The stars is an invitation to engage and become an active explorer—discovering the traces of yourself in light, the universe, and in those who have been here before us.

Every point in space occurs once at each moment of time, and an event in time is the intersection of a location and a moment. The stars installation creates a space where each participant can define and recognize personal truths about themselves.

How do we remain present in space?

How do we remain present in time?

How do we collectively grieve as a community?

How do we say goodbye?

How will we remember?

What are audiences saying about the stars?

“I didn’t realize how much I missed me. Thank you.”

- Lita, audience member (Northfield, Minnesota)

“It was magic.”

- Taia, audience member (Providence, Rhode Island)

“Thank you for a life-changing experience.”

- Sophia, audience member (Northfield, Minnesota)

N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars) is an example of how technology can bring us closer together, shake us from the synthetic, and offer a genuine experience that becomes imprinted in our consciousness. The artist, Andrew Schneider, writes, “I’m interested in how creating meaningful time-based experiences can lead to more consequential human-to-human interaction. If, at its core, theater is humans telling stories about ourselves to each other, then I hope what I make is in the service of getting better at being human. That’s why I make the work with recurring collaborators with aligned values to create experiences for others. We work to interrogate the power structures that exist in the rooms in which we make and question how to systematically change inequitable systems.”V

N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars)

Dates: March 9–19, 2023

Details: the stars offers two unique ticketed experiences:

GUIDED PERFORMANCE:

$35 general admission/$10 students

A one-hour-long crafted experience for up to eight audience members at a time. This theatrical experience features a beginning, middle, and end—all guided by an unseen narrator.

OPEN UNIVERSE INSTALLATION:

$20 general admission/$10 students

A self-guided experience through an open installation. You’ll have an entry time and 30 minutes to explore the space at your own pace.

Location: Center for the Arts at Kayenta

About us: Kayenta Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and create an environment where diverse artistic endeavors for educational and enrichment purposes can flourish. Our vision is to be the premier venue in the greater southern Utah area for the awareness, appreciation, education, enjoyment, and celebration of the arts.

Center For the Arts at Kayenta, located in Ivins, Utah, was built with grassroots support from the community, united by a shared passion for the cultural value of the art community. We bring diverse artistic talent and culture to our unique, premier venue for the benefit of the community.

Tickets: www.KayentaArts.com | Box Office: (435) 674-2787

Come, be part of the arts!

The Mesquite Senior Games Board is Ready for 2023

by Sandra Tudor, President

Registration for the Mesquite Senior Games has opened for the 2023 spring season. See the attached schedule of events. Just because the games haven’t started yet doesn’t mean that the board has not been busy. In addition to scheduling the games and finding venues, we have purchased a portable automatic external defibrillator (AED) for use at our events, and we have created a new position: sports director. We also had a very successful Grinch-themed Christmas bowling tournament.

Through our profits from the 50/50 raffle at our Christmas bowling tournament—but mostly through the generous donation we received in memory of Arlene Waite—we were able to purchase the AED. Ms. Waite was a longtime resident and philanthropist in Mesquite, and the donation in her name could potentially help save lives going forward. The city, where many of our events take place, has AEDs at its sites, but there are event venues where we would be required to provide our own. All of our athletes and most of our

volunteers are over age 50, and as we all learned not too long ago, heart issues can happen at any age.

As we continue to look for a new executive director, we have realized that many of the responsibilities of that position should be separated into the administrative side and the sports side. The executive director should handle the administrative and business side of the MSG, and the sports director should handle the sports aspects. Shaun Edwards has accepted the sports director position. Shaun will be the point of contact for all sports. The event coordinators for each separate event will know that Shaun has their backs. He will make sure they have the physical resources, including volunteer personnel and equipment, that are needed to run a successful event. The goal of the senior games is to help seniors (over 50) get out, get active, and to make sure they have a good time.V

For further information, please visit our website at www.MesquiteSeniorGames.org.

Murphy’s New Year’s Adventures at Bark!

Canine Club & Resort

by Elisa Eames

My name is Murphy, and I’m a five-month-old sheepadoodle! My mom and my friends call me Murph. I’m so excited because Mom and I are going on a trip! It is New Year’s Eve, and Mom says that I get to go to a doggie resort while she goes to the Rose Bowl. I don’t know what a resort is, but it sounds like fun. (I also wonder if there will be any food for Mom in this bowl that she’s going to or if there will only be roses.)

We arrive at a place called BARK! Canine Club and Resort in Mesquite. This is my first time being away from my mom, but I’m not scared as we walk out of the cold into the bright, warm building. Suddenly, I can smell so many new and amazing things! I can’t wait to investigate. A nice lady named Susan stoops down to say hello and welcome me. She smells wonderful! Smiling, she scratches behind my ears. (Getting my ears scratched is my favorite.) Susan’s friends come to say hello. They smell great, too! I lick everyone’s hands as they pet me. I love new friends. Everyone makes me feel right at home, and I know I’ll love it here at BARK!.

Here comes another friend! I run up and sniff her. She smells fantastic! Her name is Lucy, and Susan says that she is a Portuguese water dog and that she is one year old. That’s only a little older than I am! Lucy is my new best friend (except for Mom, of course). We get to run and run and play together. I haven’t had this much fun since Mom played with me this morning!

(Gasp!) More friends come! Here are some other dogs near my age. They both smell incredible! Susan says that Daisy is a goldendoodle and that Bella is a black lab. I show off a little for all the ladies and hop forward on my back legs. Mom calls this my “bunny hop,” and everyone loves it, including Susan and her friends. I am so proud of myself! My dog friends and I run and play and chase each other. I haven’t had this much fun since I played with Lucy!

Soon, it’s time for bed, and guess what? Susan and her friends are all so good at cuddling that I don’t even miss Mom or worry about how she might have to eat roses from the bowl. Susan’s friends give me so many pets and cuddles that my tail almost wags right off. I haven’t had this much fun since I played with my new dog friends right before bedtime!

The next few days are filled with lots of playtime with all my new human and dog friends. The outdoor park is the biggest space I’ve ever seen! We can all play safely there, chasing balls and running as much as we want. Lucy is my special friend, so

we always sniff each other out and play together. I’m having so much fun here that I become positively chatty, vocalizing often for any human or dog friends within earshot. I tell everyone that this doggie resort is the best!

But I only get to stay a few short days at BARK!, and soon, it’s time for me to go. Susan’s friends give me a bath before Mom comes. The water is so warm and feels so nice, and the soap in the bath smells amazing. They give me lots of pets as they wash me and say that I’m such a good dog (I don’t tell them, but I already know.) Then they blow-dry and brush my fur until it’s as soft as Mom’s cheek. I am so handsome!

Smelling so nice with my soft, clean fur, I wait proudly until Mom arrives. She is so happy to see me, and I tell her that I haven’t been this excited since I got my bath! I am so glad to be with my Mom, but I can’t wait to come back to BARK!. I hope Mom had fun at the Rose Bowl, but I think I had a much better time because I heard her say that the Utes lost. On the way home, I nuzzle Mom to comfort her. I don’t know how Mom lost her Utes in the bowl, but I’m sure I can help her find them.V

With 24-hour staff, BARK! Canine Club and Resort offers grooming, daycare, boarding, training, and so much more! They are temporarily located at 770 Cimarron Court in Mesquite, Nevada, while their new facility is being built on a 14-acre parcel on Isaac Newton Drive.

Make Time for a Healthy You

with SUU Community Education

by Susie Knudsen

This year, make time for yourself by learning new skills to enhance a healthy lifestyle with Southern Utah University’s (SUU) Community Education classes. The new spring lineup offers ways to get active, prepare food, and grow fresh produce you can enjoy all year long. Choose from four healthy living classes—Pickleball, Gluten Free and Dairy Free Cooking, Gardening from the Ground Up, and Preserving the Harvest—to help you flourish with your family and feel good inside and out. Other classes offered include Wood Carving, Watercolor Painting, and even American Sign Language.

“The new year is a great time to set goals and commit to learning ways to care for yourself,” says Melynda Thorpe, executive director for SUU Community and Professional Development. “Learning new skills and developing hobbies are significant contributors to staying healthy, active, and engaged in the community.”

Try the Pickleball class starting on March 21 to get moving and pick up this popular sport. Learn techniques for serving the ball, basic grip, forehand and backhand hitting, and the basic rules of the game with instructor Jeremy Waite.

Cooking with fresh food at home can contribute to your wellness, but for those with allergies or dietary restrictions, healthy cooking can look quite different than for others. Find out what substitutes to use in the new Gluten Free and Dairy Free Cooking class, which started on January 26 by Southwest Tech’s Chef Jon Woodgate. By learning gluten-free and dairy-free methods, you’ll be able to adapt your favorite recipes and continue cooking for friends and family. This class will keep you in the kitchen cooking what you love.

“Culinary skills are like tools in a toolbox,” says Woodgate. “If you only have one or two culinary skills and an understanding of those very specific or very unique foods, it's hard to branch out. Understanding how to cook gluten-free and dairy-free allows you to add more tools to your toolbox.”

For gardeners looking to improve the quality of their soil and find out what vegetable varieties grow well in Cedar City’s climate, two favorite classes are back with instructors Neal and Valerie Pack. The Gardening from the Ground Up class started on February 1 and will help you prepare for a summer garden. Preserving the Harvest starts March 9 and will help you make the most of your produce so you can enjoy it year-round. Learn many preservation techniques, including freezing, canning, and dehydration.

If you are looking for a new hobby, consider taking Wood Carving for Beginners, which started on February 2 with instructor Jocelyn Ross. In this fun class, you’ll learn the skills needed to design and create a hand-carved charcuterie board to take home. You’ll also get a set of carving tools so you can continue practicing on different species of wood.

Learn the basics of watercolor painting with returning instructor and local artist Larry Lawoski began on January 25. From transparency and color theory to composition and style, this class will teach you how to turn your vision into an art piece you’ll be proud to display. On January 24, Lawoski began to teach the Intermediate American Sign Language class for those ready to build on existing language skills.

SUU’s Community Education program offers classes, workshops, and events for the purpose of generating fun, cultural, and educational opportunities for those who love to learn. While increasing participant knowledge, programs provide non-credit experiences for community members wishing to develop new hobbies, skills, and areas of personal interest.V

To register for classes, visit suu.edu/wise or call SUU Community Education at (435) 865-8259.

Electric Golf Carts Are Going Lithium, But What Is that Stuff?

by Michelle Brooks, Ready Golf Cars

Lithium-ion-powered everything is available now, including golf carts. In 2017, E-Z-GO was the first golf cart manufacturer to offer a lithium-powered vehicle with their Freedom RXV Elite model, which featured a Samsung lithium battery pack. Since that time, most other golf cart manufacturers have come out with their own version of the lithium-powered cart, but E-Z-GO remains at the top of the game with new, improved, smaller, and more lightweight Samsung battery packs in both sixty and one-hundredtwenty amps.

People were kind of skeptical when E-Z-GO first released the lithium-powered cart. But these days, with eight-year warranties, zero maintenance on the battery packs, and less impact on the environment, lithium has become the most popular option. In fact, beginning in 2023, all but one of E-Z-GO’s electric models will no longer be built with lead-acid batteries but only with Samsung lithium batteries.

Golf cart conversions from lead-acid to lithium are now available as well, which is super handy for someone who doesn’t want to buy an entirely new golf cart to get the benefits of lithium. Conversions can be done by dealership service centers, or for the mechanically inclined, there are do-it-yourself kits available.

So, with everything seemingly going lithium, did you ever wonder what lithium is? Is it man-made, something found in the earth, or derived from magic fairy dust?

Did you know that lithium is a metal? For some reason, when I first started hearing about lithium years ago, I thought it was some kind of gas.

But, no, lithium is a naturally occurring metal found in salt water, salt flats, and certain types of hard rock. It has the chemical element symbol of “Li” and sits proudly at the top of the periodic table. It’s a soft metal—it can actually be cut with a knife—and literally floats on water. But don’t try this at home—lithium is also a very reactive metal and may burst into flames when it comes in contact with water. (I would actually like to see that.)

Australia is currently the world’s largest producer of lithium, but the salt deserts in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, called “the Lithium Triangle,” are giving The Aussies a run for their money.

Lithium can be found in many places around the globe, the U.S. included. The first lithium mine in the United States was started in the 1960s in Silver Peak Nevada. More recently, lithium has been found in abundance in Thacker Pass in northern Nevada. Thacker Pass is thought to have the largest lithium deposit in the United States, and production is set to begin this year. I wonder if Nevada will be called “the Lithium State” years from now…

Lithium was discovered by Johan August Arfwedson, a Swedish fellow, in 1817. He got his hands on this shiny new element and dropped it in a beaker of water. It shot out red

flames, and he said, “Ah! Lithium! Let’s make a battery!” (No, that’s not really true.) But Johan did discover and name the soft metal.

Several scientists experimented with lithium over the years, and in the 1970s, during the oil crisis, an English chap named Stanley Whittingham working for Exxon-Mobil began experimenting with the metal. He had hopes of creating a battery that would free us from fossil fuel. He was not successful, and I’m pretty sure he got fired after that, but we thank him for his efforts.

In the 1980s, German-born John Goodenough of the University of Texas at Austin must have thought that non-lithium batteries were not good enough (get it, Goodenough?), and he was successful in creating one type of lithium battery. At about the same time, Akira Yoshino of Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, also got in on the lithium battery craze and invented a similar version, which became the first prototype of the lithium-ion battery we know and love today. Lithium-ion batteries are powering everything from cell phones to golf carts these days. How interesting that a soft and flammable metal could be turned into an amazing new power source. Now, as to how it works, you’re on your own.V

For information on converting a lead-acid cart to lithium-ion, you can contact us at info@readygolfcars.com.

PRACTICAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY ARE VITAL FOR SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

by Ashley Centers

Hello again, readers! Our annual Golf and Sports edition is always one of my personal favorites, as it means spring is upon us and the best time of year for our outdoor activities has returned!

The lead-up to spring athletics for many of us can mean beginning anew or returning to specific workout routines to prepare for the demands of our preferred sport or athletic endeavor.

Today, I would like to impress upon you how important it is to build a practical strength program. A strength program can help us maintain our ability to perform at peak levels sooner and for the long term rather than just falling in and out of exercise based on the season we happen to find ourselves in.

At this point in my life, I am realizing that there are some things my body takes longer to adapt to and that I have allowed certain aspects of my own strength to slip by not training specifically for function.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the mentality of staying fit overall. We forget that there are strength and mobility movements that we can be doing regularly that will keep us performing our very best and functioning optimally in our daily lives. So today, I’m going to outline a few movements to help keep you ready for the next thing on your list.

Exercises and movements that you can keep in your routine year-round for optimal performance:

First on the list are a couple of shoulder exercises, and the reason here is simple. Shoulder mobility and strength are key components of daily function, and training them properly can have noticeable effects on your daily life.

HOW TO DO THE ARNOLD PRESS:

• To begin, hold a moderately heavy dumbbell in each hand with your arms bent and your palms facing toward your body (essentially, in the top position of a bicep curl).

• From this position, press the dumbbells upwards while simultaneously rotating your palms to face forward. Your elbows should move laterally, and the dumbbells should continue moving upward in a fluid movement.

• The top of the movement should look like the dumbbell overhead press with the dumbbells up overhead, your elbow not quite locked out, and your biceps close to your head.

• Return to the starting position, and repeat for three sets of 8-12 repetitions.

HOW TO DO WALL SLIDES:

• To begin, stand up tall with your back, glutes, and head against a wall.

• Raise your elbows to 90 degrees, and then raise them out to your sides so that your hands are at shoulder height and your palms are facing away from the wall.

• Keeping your back tight against the wall, slowly straighten your elbows and slide your arms up the wall behind you.

• Keep your elbows and hands as close to the wall as possible while raising them overhead. Pause, then slowly return to the starting point. Repeat this 15 times.

• Repeat 3 sets of 15 repetitions.

Include these exercises into your pre or post-workout stretching routine for more mobile shoulders!

Second on my list of areas to focus on are the hips, and the reason here is also simple. Hip health and range of motion are essential tools for most movements we perform every day. Movements as simple as bending over to pet your favorite fur baby, grabbing something from the floor of the pantry, or even getting up and down from your chair all rely on healthy hip movement. When the hips don’t move properly, it places undue strain on the rest of your body to compensate.

Freedom of movement in the hips is even more essential in sports like golf. Training for a healthy hip complex will help you to play through your 18 holes with less discomfort and will help ease movement in performing daily tasks.

A really great exercise for the hips is THE HIP HINGE . Here’s how to perform it properly:

• Grab a broom handle or light body bar, and stand with your feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing slightly outward.

• Place the bar on your back vertically, grasping one end with your right hand, which is placed in the curve of your neck, and the other end with your left hand near the small of your back.

• Make sure the bar is placed so it’s touching the back of your head, upper back, and lower back simultaneously.

• Keeping your knees slightly bent, shift your weight to your heels and push your hips back while hinging forward at the hips.

• Keep the bar in place with all three points of contact the entire time.

• Lower your torso until it’s about halfway between vertical and parallel to the floor. Pause.

• Contract your glutes, and push your hips forward and upwards to return to the starting point.

• Once you have learned to do this movement properly, you can add resistance with bands and/or kettlebells and increase intensity for strength as well as power in the hips.

• Work towards three sets of 12 repetitions.

Last are rotational and anti-rotational movements of the core. The need for these two types of movements has become even more apparent to me over the years. The reason we need to train them is that our core is not stationary, nor is it static when doing most daily activities. This is especially true when we are doing any type of sporting endeavor whatsoever. Our core is constantly moving, twisting, bending, etc.

Unfortunately, the mindset many have is that ab training, like sit-ups and crunches, is adequate for core work, so a lot of times, they don’t focus on any other portion of the core. In reality, there are many other muscle groups to train in order

to make up a strong and healthy core, and rotational and anti-rotational movements help to engage these muscles in a much more meaningful way.

Here are a few of what I would consider vital core exercises:

RUSSIAN TWISTS (ROTATIONAL):

• Sit on the floor and raise and straighten your legs (while not ideal, if you are unable to perform these with your legs raised at first, you can place your heels on the ground until you have gained sufficient core strength to perform them with raised legs).

• Engaging your core, lean back slightly so your torso and legs form a “V” shape.

• While keeping your legs stationary, twist your torso from side to side. Aim for three sets of 12 repetitions of this exercise. As you get stronger, you can progress by using a single dumbbell held in both hands or a medicine ball for additional resistance.

BIRD DOGS (ANTI-ROTATIONAL):

• Kneel down on all fours in a tabletop position with your eyes focused on the floor.

• Make sure your knees are directly under your hips and your hands are under your shoulders.

• While engaging your core muscles, draw your shoulder blades together.

• Simultaneously, raise your right arm and extend your left leg while keeping your shoulders and hips parallel to the floor.

• Pause briefly, then return your leg and arm to their original positions. Next, raise your left arm while extending your right leg, pausing again briefly at full extension, then returning them to their original positions.

• Aim for three sets of 12 repetitions. (I usually do bird dogs in the stretching portion of my workout, but you can incorporate them wherever you feel they fit best in your routine.)

These exercises fit strength and mobility goals very well. So no matter where you find your athletic joy, whether it be on the links, the pickleball court, or simply in staying active, giving these exercises a try could be helpful to you on your journey.

Until next time, readers, I wish you a wonderful spring full of fun new activities, time spent doing what you love, and the strength and mobility to continue to do it for many years to come!V

by Nikki Hildebrand

Desert Dames:Looking Back

On December 29, 1994, three women—Bobbie Green, Donna Johnson, and Rosemary Lindbeck—met to discuss the possibility of forming a women's social group in Mesquite. Bobbie belonged to the Newcomers Club in California and liked the concept of meeting new people. This was the inspiration for the Desert Dames. Lindbeck says, “It started because I had heard people say there is nothing for seniors to do.” This is not true, however, as we have the recreation center, the senior center, a full-service library, and service clubs. Desert Dames just provides another avenue to meet and have fun while creating new friendships.

A meeting was set for April 26, 1995, at the Oasis Buffet. There were 27 women in attendance. It was explained that the Desert Dames (a name Helen Atkins came up with) was a ladies' social club and did not provide any community services, the idea being that social activities would be planned as a way for residents in the area to meet other residents and to promote friendship. This group doesn't become involved in politics or take any position on political or religious issues. Some say non-involvement in these two issues is the reason the club has existed for 27 years. All monies collected by the club are to be spent on club functions for members. The club is governed by a board selected by the membership. The club consists of a president, vice president, secretary, editor, treasurer, general members, publicity officials, and a parliamentarian. We are registered as a 501(c)(7) nonprofit organization.

The original group was capped at 200 members, but as the city grew, it went to 300 and then reached over 600 members. One of the problems with a large membership is that it is hard to meet people, and the organization loses the togetherness of a small group. The best way to get acquainted with others is to join social activities, like bunco,

hiking, card games, cinema outings, and crafts. These activities provide a more intimate environment.

After the pandemic hit, membership started falling as social clubs became inactive. Currently, there are 240 members. Since the dames are a nonprofit social group, their intent is to offer respites for the ladies in the area—to allow them to have time for themselves so they can mix with friends, have fun, and support one another. “Keeping Mama happy” is the goal. And local charitable organizations in this town have always been filled with Desert Dames ready to help out.

The dames hold a monthly luncheon at a local resort and an annual fashion show, which is open to the public to encourage membership. Current interest groups that meet once a month include bunco, hiking, potluck lunches, travel talk, a book club, adult coloring, and the cinema. Any member may start an interest group. A monthly newsletter keeps all the members in the know. There is something for everyone's taste. The groups meet in various places, like the Women's Cultural Center, First Baptist Church, and sometimes in members' homes. In addition, there are occasional bus trips to Utah and Las Vegas—where husbands and friends can participate—to take in the sights and entertainment.V

Today, club members are still welcoming new members to the group. They are sure to have a group that interests you. If not, you can start one. New membership is only $40, which includes a name badge and a monthly newsletter. Membership renewal is $20 per year.

For more information, email ddamesmembership@gmail. com, and check out our Facebook page by searching "Desert Dames Nevada" or by going to www.facebook.com/groups/83769647726358.

The Mojave National Preserve and Cima Road

by Cliff & Ilene Bandringa | Images by SnapShots West

One of the best ways to see large swaths of pristine Mojave Desert landscape is to take a drive into the Mojave National Preserve via the pavement of Cima Road. It is a great day trip from Las Vegas or a side trip for travelers going to L.A. It’s also a good way to get a quick peek into what the Mojave National Preserve has to offer.

From the I-15 freeway, we’ll take you on this short tour to the small desert town of Cima. Along the way, you’ll see countless Joshua trees, a large variety of desert plants, a well-maintained hiking trail, the ruins of old buildings, a small portion of what used to be a large cattle ranch from the late 1890s, a historic memorial, and maybe a tortoise or two.

The first half of Cima Road, which slowly climbs a unique geologic formation called Cima Dome, passes through what was once the largest concentration of Joshua trees anywhere. Tragically, in 2020, a fire devastated this area, and now, much of what you see is a darkened landscape with silhouettes of burnt Joshua trees.

The appropriately named Dome Fire was started by lightning on August 15, 2020, and because there were many other fires going on at the same time, this fire was given a low priority. It burned for almost two weeks and covered 43,200 acres.

Because we traveled, hiked, and photographed this area extensively before the fire, we are now able to create a “before and after” video that shows what the desert vegetation looked like both before and after the destruction. Be sure to watch this video (details at the conclusion) to get a good sense of what was and now is. Although the damage from the fire was extensive, only

about one-third of the area we’ll talk about in this tour was destroyed. The remaining two-thirds of the lovely desert scenery were untouched and are still there to enjoy.

Our tour begins at the Cima Road exit on I-15. From the off-ramp, reset your trip meter to zero, and head south. Soon you’ll be climbing a very gradual hill as you watch the Joshua trees around you become thicker and thicker. At about the seven to eight-mile mark, you’ll begin to see the fire damage, first on one side of the road, and then on both sides. At the 10-mile mark, look for a well-defined dirt road that leads to the right (west). This is the road to the historic Valley View Ranch.

The remains of what was once a huge cattle ranch are located 1.7 miles west on this dirt road. A few decades ago, it was common to see thousands of cattle roaming around the desert here. Since we were not able to visit the ranch compound, we don’t know if the historic structures survived the fire.

The 2020 Dome Fire

Continuing south on Cima Road, at 11.3 miles from I-15, you’ll see a small parking lot on the right. This is the trailhead to Teutonia Peak. It is one of the few maintained hiking trails within the preserve, but for the next few years, it will probably be closed due to restoration efforts. When it is open, this three-mile round-trip hike offers stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape.

Just across the street and south of the parking lot, you’ll find the Mojave Cross. This is a memorial site that was erected by World War I veterans back in the 1930s. Recently, this small cross made the national news when a landmark lawsuit was taken all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. The issue was regarding the existence of religious symbols on federal lands, and the court’s decision was to allow the cross to stay.

At 17.5 miles, the small town of Cima is reached. There are numerous ruins of old wooden buildings scattered all around. Unfortunately, each time we pass by here, more and more of those old buildings have disappeared. Cima means “summit” in

Burned Joshua trees along Cima Road

Spanish. The townsite marks a summit on the Union Pacific railroad tracks here and was a turnaround point for helper locomotives.

A very short distance east of Cima is a rural railroad crossing. This leads to a dirt road that will take you to an unusual gold mine named the Death Valley Mine. This mine was actively worked up until the 1990s, and so far, all of the ruins are still in great shape. The road also passes by many great specimens of Mojave Desert flora and cacti.

Complete your tour of Cima Road by either returning to I-15 or continuing south on what’s now Kelso Cima Road to the Mojave National Preserve Visitor Center at Kelso Depot. Continue on that road to I-40. If you have more time, a whole day can be spent driving the backroads in the preserve to explore the various points of interest. See our blog (details below) for more trip ideas in the preserve, or purchase our comprehensive on-guide of the Mojave National Preserve.V

See what a drive up Cima Road looks like, along with before and after pictures of this special Joshua Tree forest, by searching for “Cima Road in the Mojave National Preserve” on YouTube. Learn about what there is to see here and in the Mojave National Preserve at www.BackRoadsWest.com/blog.

Ruins at the Death Valley Mine

by Marsha Sherwood

The 2022 Virgin Valley Junior Golf program was a big success! This year, we welcomed two great teachers to our team, Patrick Moore and Kathy Cho, who led our clinics and tournaments. Our amazing community came through as well with many volunteers to fill the need. We appreciate them all and are always looking for any volunteers we can get. Whether it’s teaching the game or herding children, we are always grateful for the help.

Our awards banquet was to be held at the rec center with a pool party where the Mesquite Firefighters would be grilling up burgers and dogs. Mother Nature had other plans, however, and the banquet was held at the senior center. Several awards were given out, with the most memorable one given to seven-year-old Beckett Davis, who got a hole-in-one at Falcon Ridge Golf Course during tournament play!

We finished with almost 60 members and are looking forward to many more in our 2023 season. Virgin Valley Junior Golf is a nonprofit organization for our local youth. It offers three weeks of summer instruction from golf professionals followed by six tournaments. Junior Golf is designed to teach our youth not only the game of golf but also the integrity that is a big part of the game. The benefits that our youth gain from being involved are numerous, including math skills, good sportsmanship, independence, and many more. It is a team sport as well as an individual sport. Kids also have the opportunity to earn college scholarships.

Virgin Valley Junior Golf never turns any child away. Sponsor money is used to cover tuition, the purchase of awards, the banquet dinner, and much more. We do everything in our power to make it available to any youth that shows an interest. We also help provide golf equipment, such as golf balls, tees, and clubs. Golf is a major part of our community. By keeping our youth involved in sports, we help them build a brighter future and become valuable members of our community.V

If you would like to be a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Laura Petersen at lpetersen@mesquitegaming.com or Marsha Sherwood at msherwood@mesquitegaming.com.

Beckett Davis receiving his award

Tour Stats

Use These to Become a Short-Game Master

by Rob Krieger

You are on the green with a 15-foot putt for par or birdie, and it doesn’t go in. You begin the process of analyzing what went wrong. Was it the pressure? Did you not follow your routine? How did you miss reading the break? Why didn’t you get the speed correct? How do you keep your clubface square? This self-analyzing can go on and on. I am not saying that any of these could or could not have been the reason for not making that putt. But here are some numbers that should put things in perspective and help you practice your short game properly so you can finally start shooting lower scores and performing better on and around the green.

TOUR PUTTING STATS | One-PUTT AVERAGES

This information may vary a little from year to year, but it is a great guide to work from.

Distance - 1 Putt

1 foot - 100%

2 feet - 99%

3 feet - 96%

4 feet - 88%

5 feet - 77%

6 feet - 66%

7 feet - 58%

8 feet - 50% 9 feet - 45%

These stats are for the best golfers on the planet who are playing on the most perfect greens that money can buy, and they are getting paid to get the ball into a tiny 4 ¼-inch hole. You, on the other hand, play in less-than-ideal conditions, so please keep that in mind.

From one–three feet, success is pretty much automatic. At four feet, which isn’t really that far, they fall below 90%. But nine out of 10 is still excellent. When they get out to eight feet, they only have a 50-50 shot of making it. For a putt at 15 feet, only one in four is going to fall. That is only five paces from the hole, and they can only get 25% of shots in the cup. At 30 feet, which is 10 paces from the hole, it's not very likely they are going to make it—maybe one in 10 do if they are lucky. Yes, we see players make longer ones all the time on TV, but producers are only showing you the putts that players are making, or they are showing players that are

doing well that week. The other 120 players aren’t having as much success.

How can we use this information? First, look at the one to four-foot range. Inside four feet, skilled players perform really well, and there is no reason why you can’t, too. It doesn’t take any more strength, flexibility, or distance to make more putts inside this range. ANYBODY CAN DO IT. It will take some practice, and the more you practice at this range, the more your scores will start to fall. Start tracking how many putts you make inside four feet, and then practice from this range with different drills. You will start making more putts when you are on the course.

Second, for anything outside of 15 feet, you should really be looking to just get your ball inside four feet. This means working on your lag putting to get inside that range. Then

you can make your next putt. When trying to get close, it is more about controlling your speed and distance than it is about accuracy.

Who cares if you are two feet left of the hole—realistically, you weren’t going to make it anyway, but you are still inside four feet. Just get the ball close so you make your next putt. Stop beating yourself up for not making a putt that is hard for everyone. The stats show how challenging it can be, so take your 2-putt and move on; you did great. Minimizing three and four-putts will go a long way toward lowering your scores.

If you want to start getting more 1-putts, then simply start hitting every shot to within four feet if you can. Here are some other stats for you to think about, too:

Fairway Distance to Hole Result to Hole Tour Stats

Under 10 yards - 2.5–4 feet

10–20 yards - 3–6 feet 20–30 yards - 5–8 feet

50–75 yards - 8.5–15 feet 76–100 yards - 10–18 feet

You have some work to do. Be realistic. Good luck practicing these important shots, and as always…Fairways & Greens!

Rob Krieger, PGA

by Donna Eads

20 Years and still counting!

The Mesquite-Toes Dance Team has made it to the ripe old age of 20 years old, and its members are still dancing—dancing and loving it. This non-profit organization was the idea of Vicki Eckman in 2003, and in its beginning, the team had the help of the Mesquite Recreation Center.

Eckman envisioned a dance exercise class that would promote physical and mental health for all attending, and the class soon began to grow. The MesquiteToes have performed in several states, such as California, Utah, New York, and Missouri, and on international cruises

to sold-out audiences. Because of these performances, the City of Mesquite proclaimed that the Mesquite-Toes were the “Goodwill Ambassadors of the Magic of Mesquite.''

In April, get ready for spectacular shows that will have the theme of “No Tune like a Show Tune.” These shows will feature dances from movies and TV, including all of your favorites. The original team was tap only, but now jazz, lyrical, and clogging have been added. Special guests will perform as well. These shows will be held at the Mesquite Community Theatre at 150 North Yucca Street on

Friday, April 14, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. Beginning one month before performances, tickets will be available to the public at the box office on Thursdays from 4–6 p.m. or online at www.mctnv.com. The Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery will have tickets for sale during their usual hours of operation.V

The current dance director, Marge Westbrook, would love to help you join this fun-loving group. Visit their website at www.MesquiteToesTapTeam. org for information regarding classes, performances, and more.

5 Tips to Eliminate Self-Placed Limitations

by Judi Moreo

Some of the toughest limitations you’ll ever experience are the ones you place on yourself. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, people tend to let their minds develop an opinion about whether or not they can do something.

Often, these limitations are caused by thought distortions, negative thinking, or self-doubt. Regardless of why you experience self-imposed limitations, it is possible to overcome them. To get started, consider these five tips to begin eliminating your self-placed limitations.

Tip 1: Kick your inner judge to the curb.

Everyone has an inner judge deep within them. The judge’s voice comes out to tell us what we did wrong, what we could have done differently, or how we might fail at something. While some believe self-judgment is a good tool for development, it’s actually a big hindrance.

Truthfully, self-judgment creates the opposite effect: rather than feeling inspired to make changes or do better, all that self-imposed judgment makes us feel bad. Instead of working to push past our barriers, our inner judgment reinforces self-placed limitations.

To practice ignoring your inner judge, it’s crucial to recognize its voice. When you hear the gavel of self-judgment swinging downward, remind yourself to ignore it and keep pushing forward.

Tip 2: Trade your “what ifs” for “what can I do?”

Daydreaming and fantasizing about things you want in life are forms of visualization that can help you realize your greatest goals and potential. However, don’t get too caught up in your fantasies. It’s important to give those “what ifs” a real shot in reality.

When you catch yourself thinking, “what if,” trade that type of thinking for more positive introspection by asking

yourself, “what can I do today to get myself closer to my dream or goal?” This kind of thinking takes your visions out of fantasyland and moves them closer to reality.

Tip 3: Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. Good things come to those who ask— seriously! If you need something or want advice, don’t be shy about asking for it.

Some folks view asking for help, advice, or resources as a sign of weakness. In reality, it’s a great way to get yourself closer to your biggest goals and desires. When you reach out for help (especially to someone who is knowledgeable), you open yourself up to a wealth of information and opportunities. By asking, you’re breaking through your self-placed limitations for a chance to learn and grow.

do to contribute. All this information is valuable and helps you not only have a better understanding of what’s happening but also of how you can be a part of the action. Rather than letting self-placed limitations keep you passive, you’re allowing yourself a chance to expand your knowledge and grow.

Tip 5: Take time to really understand what you want in life. Nailing down specific dreams and goals is challenging. When you think of all the opportunities out there, you might even feel overwhelmed. This sense of overpowering possibility causes some people to place limitations on themselves as a method of protecting themselves from potential failure.

Tip 4:

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions in general!

Besides asking for help, asking lots of questions is a great way to tear down self-placed limitations. Rather than staying quiet and keeping to yourself, ask lots of questions.

According to Forbes, when you ask questions, you learn more about the world around you, how things work, what’s happening, and what you can

When you take time to really understand what you want out of life, it takes away some of the uncertainty or fear from the situation. With a clear picture of what you want, it’s easier to picture yourself there and begin working toward those specific goals.V

Judi Moreo is the Ultimate Achievement Coach. In addition, she is an author, an artist, and the television show host of What’s Your Story? with Judi Moreo on the WWDB-TV Network on Roku.

If you would like to contact Judi, you may do so at judi@judimoreo.com.