View on Mesquite

March/April 2016 Complimentary Issue

Special Golf Edition

recreation • entertainment • shopping • business • dining • news & views

www.viewonmesquite.com

March 1 – April 30, 2016 Volume 9 – Issue 2 Editor in Chief Kathy Lee Managing Editor Kristen Williams Creative Director & Magazine Design Aloree Smith Writers Laurel Beesley Michelle Brooks Kathy Bussman Bob Challinor Mary Cook Patricia Cox Rich Csenge Randy Dodson Donna Eads Merry Gravett Jennifer Hammond Helen Houston Creamer Steve Johnson Rob Krieger Doug Lesko Mayor Al Litman

Dawn McLain Karen L. Monsen Nicholas Montoya Alexa V. Morgan Nick Neeley Debbie Oskin Charlene Paul Mayor Jon Pike Jeff Roberts Terri Rylander Sue Santercangelo Celece Seegmiller Darren Stanek Mark Udy PA-C Joseph Yu, MD Nikk Zorbas

Web Design Trevor Didriksen Advertising Sales Kathy Lee Margo Deshler Advertising Email ads@ViewOnMesquite.com Support Staff Bert Kubica Distribution View on Mesquite Staff Published by View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. 742 W. Pioneer Blvd, Suite D Mesquite, NV 89027 Office (702) 346-8439 Fax (702) 346-4955 General Inquiries info@ViewOnMesquite.com 2007-2016 View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the express written permission from the publisher, including all ads designed by the View On Mesquite staff. All articles submitted by contributing writers are deemed correct at the time of publishing, View On Mesquite Magazine, Inc. and/or any of its affiliates accept no responsibility for articles submitted with incorrect information.

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Edit or

Letter from the Dear Readers,

Welcome to our Golf, Sports, Health, and Fitness issue.

This issue is for everyone. If you are starting a journey to health, continuing on your path, or you just want to have some fun, you will find some great information within these pages.

Mesquite, southern Utah, and our outlying areas boast some of the finest golf courses you will ever have the chance to play. Our weather is amazing and the views are spectacular. Please take advantage of these great months to hit the links.

Thank you all for the support with our decision to combine our magazines. We have received many great emails and phone calls and feel that we have made the right choice to bring these together for all to share. Please keep sending us your feedback.

We hope that you enjoy this action packed issue and even learn a thing or two along the way.

As always, please stop in and visit our advertisers and thank them for making this publication possible.

Visit our website at www.ViewOnMesquite.com and our Facebook pages to participate in the conversation.

Sincerely,

Kathy Lee Editor-in-Chief

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frequent

CONTRIBUTORS



Donna Eads and her husband moved to Mesquite in 2010 from Palm Desert, CA and love 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 View on Mesquite Magazine.



Linda Faas, an 11-year resident of Mesquite, is an unabashed lover of the town, its people, and its beautiful surroundings.

She has immersed herself in several of Mesquite’s arts and outdoors organizations. She is a frequent contributor to local and regional publications.

Linda and her husband Al are enthusiastic hikers, travelers, and film fans.



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Jennifer Hammond is a certified IIN Health Coach, the owner of Foodies4Fitness and a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer.

After spending her 30s being unhealthy and sick, she decided to take back control of her health.

Jennifer has spent the last eight years learning what it takes for her to live her version of a healthy life and finding ways to help others do the same. She can be reached at jenahammond@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/foodies4fitness, or (435) 703-3432.

frequent CONTRIBUTORS 

Rob Krieger is a 20 year PGA Member & former Director of Golf in Mesquite & Greensboro, NC. He is currently the Director of Instruction at both his own Red Rock Golf Center in St. George and the Southgate Golf Club and is experienced in teaching all skill levels from beginners to low handicappers. Rob has been writing for us since 2010. For more information on help with your game check out his website www.stgeorgegolflessons.com or to schedule a lesson, email him at Rob@sgugolf.com.



Helen Houston Creamer is the owner and chief designer at Hues & Vues – Inspired Walls & Windows. She has been a contributing writer for View on Mesquite for the past five years. Her creative writing features articles on home fashions and entertaining. Helen is a published author in several national design trade magazines.



Doug Lesko was a Head Golf Professional and Assistant General Manager at a semi-private club in Florida. He left golf to work in the “real world” for 10 years but hated it and had to get back into the golf business somehow. He now works at Ready Golf and Gear in Mesquite and is a regular contributor at www.thegolfchick.com. Find him at the store, on a golf course, or reach him at doug@thegolfchick.com and on twitter @protipsgolf.



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.

 

Alexa V. Morgan has been working as a freelance journalist in southern Utah since 2011. Her work has appeared in Utah Business, Outdoor Sports Guide, and 15 Bytes, among other publications. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, tennis, and her adorable pets. She can be reached at alexavmorgan@gmail.com.

Elspeth Kuta is the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum Coordinator, where it is her privilege to share with the community and visitors the local history of Mesquite and the surrounding areas. She and the Museum strive to bring history to life, and preserve and protect the local tales of yore. We’re pleased to have her as a regular contributor.

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frequent CONTRIBUTORS 

Laurie Nelson-Barker is the owner of Formatian Fitness and Travel Training. She earned a Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Laurie has enjoyed over 30 years of conducting fitness training and classes. Email or call her at brtrainers@gmail.com or (435) 574-9362. Visit her website: www.formatianfitness.com.



Erin O’Brien, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Biology at Dixie State University and the mother of a kindergartner. She is involved with several science, technology, engineering and math outreach programs for local students in the hope of exciting them about careers in the fields and better preparing them for college.



Dawn McLain is the Owner/President of Write It Up!, a small, full-service advertising agency based in St. George.

Over the past 20 years, the firm has grown to include comprehensive PR and marketing services as well as media buys, blogging, corporate facilitation and much more. To get in touch with Dawn, please email her at dawn@writeituponline.com.



Charlene Paul is a freelance writer, proofreader, and owner of All the WRITE Wordz. She is pleased to call the Southwest desert her home. She covers inspirational, instructional, educational, and religious topics.

She can be reached at (702) 375-4216. Website: allthewritewordz.com.

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Celece Seegmiller is the owner of The Travel Connection, located at 1373 East 170 South in St. George. Travel is her passion and she’s spent the past 24 years planning dream vacations around the world. Her favorite vacation is the South Pacific with her “toes in the sand.” Reach her at (435) 628-3636 or celece@stgeorgetravel.com.

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Nikk Zorbas is a renowned performance trainer in business and self-development. He is the best selling author of “Discovering Your Personal Power” and his most recent book, “Discover Your Business Power,” is now available on Amazon.com.

To learn more visit www.SelfGrowthAcademy.com.

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Contents

FEATURES

88

48

48 ATV & OHV 88

view on Outdoors Go Hike the Mesa

What a Way to Go Explore

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65

cover photo submitted by Coyote Springs – Hole #18

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65 view on Education 92

Featured Golf Courses Golf Information Guide and an In-depth Look at a Few Local Courses

DSU Athletics Department Success On and Off the Field

Contents

CATEGORIES 12 view on Travel 20 view on Design 26 view on Fitness 32 view on Golf 34 view on Outdoors 78 view on Business 84 view on Inspiration 90 view on Fitness 94 view on Golf Tips 96 view on Nonprofit 98 view on The Arts 100 view on Lifestyle 102

view on Strong Women Strong Women of Mesquite Michelle Brooks

Cruise to The British Open

“FORE!” Your Home Decorating with a Golf Theme

The Science of Fitness for Better Golf

Taking an Unplayable Lie

Southwestern Utah’s Volcanic Past

Desert Pain Specialists Could Your “Golf Pain” be Arthritis?

Golf is Good for the Soul

Prepare or Suffer in Silence Sports Conditioning is Important

Using Long Putters LEGALLY with the New Anchoring Ban

Silver Reef Museum & Foundation

Kayenta Arts Foundation Brings Creative Diversity to Southern Utah

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Leap Ahead with Positive Thinking

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Message from the Mayor

Mesquite

I

t’s spring in Mesquite, and are we busy. With an average of 310 sunny days per year and just a few rainy ones, it’s no wonder we are one of the top golf destinations in the country. In fact, people I have met in foreign countries know about our fantastic golf courses and the beauty of Mesquite. Combine our climate, proximity to a major airport and the interstate and you have the right combination for year-round activity when it comes to the outdoors.

Of course, it’s spring; it’s warm and dry.

What an ideal time to hit the links. Our courses welcome all levels of players, from Beaver Dam for those who want a short, not so difficult game to Wolf Creek for the ultimate challenge. In between we have another seven, as I count them, fantastic, scenic venues to try out your skills.

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For those who love the outdoors, there are numerous activities in addition to golf that will keep you busy and fit. You might try hiking, mountain biking, walking or running our many nature trails, or tennis. Of course, there’s also bowling if the outdoors is not your thing.

If you are a senior and like some competitive or non-competitive outdoor physical activity, this spring we have the Mesquite Senior Games which include pickle ball, softball, long drive, track and field, weight throws, and walking tours.

Indoors, you can compete in basketball.

Mesquite has it all, and for all ages. If fitness is your thing and you are looking for activities that can keep you motivated all year, you must check out the city recreation center. There are activities for every age and fitness level. From Zumba,

spinning, swimming, water aerobics, tai chi, yoga, line dancing, Pilates, and jazz dance, to chair exercise, you just can’t stay home.

All in all, Mesquite offers all ages more physical activities than we could find time for, but it’s so much fun trying. Come out, enjoy the weather, and enjoy life in Mesquite.

Sincerely, Mayor Al Litman

Mesquite

Why I Love I

t all started back in 2006; we were in Las Vegas and we were chatting with a lifetime Nevada resident. He said if he could live anywhere he’d choose Mesquite. Well, we decided to take a drive and see for ourselves.

We quickly realized Mesquite offered a lot of what is important to us. We visited a couple of times, and decided to build. We moved into our new home on New Year’s Day 2008.

We love that there are seven beautiful golf courses within a five minute drive from our home. (​ It’s noteworthy that the City of Mesquite collects the gray water to help irrigate these courses and that our potable water supply is not subject to the concerns seen in Las Vegas or California.)

The desert offers incredible hiking and scenic ​drives; we especially enjoy the spring blooming desert – gorgeous! And for those who love a great casino – we have those too! The beauty of a small town is that everything is only minutes from home – rush hour traffic is non-existent! With Las Vegas being so close, family and friends can i​nexpensively come and visit, and they especially enjoy our fabulous weather when it really is “winter” in other places. (Word of advice: don’t make your guest room too comfy – they may never leave!)

Of course, what makes a place “home” is the people you meet; nearly everyone here is from somewhere else and making new friends has been one of the joys of our life in Mesquite.

~ Bridget and Dan Kershaw

B

eing a server in a restaurant with a name tag that says “I’m from California” makes “Why do you like living in Mesquite?” a more commonly asked question than “How’s your special?” Being from a big city and then growing up here the last 21 years makes me appreciate small town living, even more so now that I have a family of my own to raise. Living and growing up in a small town like this, you kind of know what to expect on a day to day basis. Here, I can support a family working one job so I’m not missing out on time with them. In a big city, unless you have some high paying job, you can’t do that. I know plenty of family and friends that live in big cities and have to work multiple jobs to support their families, missing out on a lot with them in the process.

Yeah, Mesquite may be small, but to me that just adds to its appeal. Here in our small town we all know each other. In times of hardships this town has pulled together to take care of its own on more than one occasion and will continue to do so in the future. So when I get asked “Why do you like living in Mesquite?” my answer is simple. It’s just a great little small town to raise my family, and I’d rather do it here than in a big city any day of the week. ~ Michael Sandoval

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Strong Women of Mesquite

view on STRONG WOMEN

Procedures that were implemented throughout the country.

However, since she was a kid, Michelle had always wanted to open a restaurant, and one day this fact dawned on her. In 1998 Michelle moved to Las Vegas to be a part of the booming restaurant scene that was happening there. Las Vegas was a great place for her to get the hands-on training she desired to eventually open her own establishment.

M

ichelle Brooks has lived in Mesquite for eight years and is the owner, together with her husband, of Ready Golf & Gear. It wasn’t always the plan or a direct route to get here, but she has immersed herself in this community she loves and couldn’t be happier about it. She is an active business leader in our city, enjoys her involvement in giving back, and as an owner of the only golf store in town, was our obvious choice for our Strong Women of Mesquite in our golf issue.

Michelle Boucher was born and raised in Vermont, but with a strong dislike of snow, moved to Southern California when she was 18. There she spent a year as an assistant manager of a retail clothing store before getting a job with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

“I started in the file room at pretty much the most boring job on the planet,” Michelle said. But from there she quickly rose through the ranks, taking on different management roles where she was needed and writing Standard Operating

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About six months after moving to Las Vegas, a new restaurant called McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant started going up next door to the restaurant where she had been working. Hired on the spot as a server, Michelle began training when the building was finally built and the allnew staff was brought together to open the new establishment.

A couple of weeks after the restaurant opened Michelle went to the bar to retrieve drinks for one of her tables. A bartender she hadn’t met yet was having a conversation with customers about how each of them liked Las Vegas. As Michelle was placing drinks on her tray he asked her, “What about you, how do you like living in Las Vegas?” That new bartender was Michael Brooks, now her husband.

After just a couple of months, they offered Michelle a management position. “Banquet & Sales Manager / Food & Beverage Manager,” Michelle said, “I loved that position! I booked and coordinated all the banquets and private parties for the restaurant

in addition to attending many networking functions and doing whatever we could think of to get those ‘butts in seats.’ I did this in addition to the Food and Beverage part of my job which meant training and maintaining my staff and working on the floor during lunch and dinner among many other things.”

Soon after Michelle and Mike met, they found out that they shared an entrepreneurial instinct, and as their relationship grew, they set their sights on one day opening their own restaurant.

In the early 2000s Michelle and Michael came to Mesquite to see this “fun little town” everyone was talking about. As they were leaving town and heading back to Las Vegas Michelle said, “We should open our restaurant here.”

Many months and several business plans later it was just about to happen. They had investors, they had a finished, solid business plan, and they had a location.

Then it all fell apart when the investors themselves fell apart. “Blessing in disguise,” Michelle says, “everything happens for a reason.”

Michelle Brooks A few years later, Michelle was working as the General Manager at a small restaurant in the Venetian and was officially burnt out on the restaurant business. One day Mike and his father drove up to Mesquite from Las Vegas to play golf. Mike forgot golf balls and asked someone where the nearest golf store was and was told he’d have to go back to Las Vegas.

Mike called Michelle immediately and she was ready for a new adventure. Since she had once been the Assistant Manager of a retail clothing store and Mike grew up in his dad’s retail business, they thought, “Let’s do it. How hard could it be?”

A couple more years and a few more business plans later, in July of 2008, just as the word “recession” became the new buzz word in the country, Michelle and Mike opened the doors to Ready Golf.

“We were supposed to open in March or April but the building wasn’t done,” Michelle recalls. “We had so many boxes of merchandise piled up inside the store.

Of course we never thought to cancel any of it.”

For the last seven and a half years, Mike and Michelle have worked hard to make Ready Golf & Gear the golf store Mesquite residents can be proud of. “It was hard in the beginning but we absolutely loved Mesquite and loved all the people that came into our store. The rest of it we just figured out as we went along.

We’ve gotten really good at dividing and conquering. ” Michelle handles all of the marketing and bookkeeping for Ready Golf & Gear

in addition to purchasing and merchandising all of the store’s shoes and apparel.

“I love going to the trade shows, meeting with my reps and learning about the latest trends. I love the challenge of bringing together great apparel collections for my customers.

And the merchandising and display of the clothes when they come in is very rewarding. I spend a lot of time in front of the computer so the apparel side of things keeps my creative side happy.”

Michelle, usually the one in charge of donations, continually provides prizes and monetary donations for many charity functions that go on in Mesquite. “Mike sells stuff and I give it away,” she said jokingly.

Michelle has also coordinated several fundraisers including a now biannual charity raffle for We Care For Animals which raises much needed funds and food donations for the local charity. “Mike and I are animal lovers and rescuers so we like to give back to the people helping to find homeless pets good homes,” she comments.

Also, Michelle was on the Healthy Women board at Mesa View Hospital for several years, graduated from the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Mesquite program and stays active with the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce.

Now that the store is almost eight years old, Michelle says she still loves living in Mesquite and still loves all the people that come into the store. “I love this community. It is like one large extended family. We have so many great friends and I feel blessed every day.”

When asked if she regrets not opening a restaurant Michelle says, “No way! I love our business. I still have an affinity for the restaurant business but I am fine with just eating at them.”

Michelle embodies the spirit of Mesquite, and her personal characteristics shine through in her business and other endeavors, which is a large part of what makes those efforts so successful. She’s genuine, caring, warm, compassionate, and fun. Her family, friends, employees and customers will all tell you the same.

Not that she has much of it, but in her free time, you’ll probably find her doing something active and outdoors. Whether on the golf course, at the dog park, or out hiking with friends, this busy woman is always on the go. If you can call Michelle Brooks your friend, you are truly among the lucky ones. We’re proud to call her a good friend, and our Strong Woman of Mesquite.

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Ducky Derby 2016

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t’s time for the third annual Ducky Derby! The 2016 Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Ducky Derby will be held on Saturday, March 26, from 9:30 am until noon. The duckies have been training all year and are ready for the tough competition at Hafen Pond, located at 450 Hafen Lane Park.

These elite athletic duckies are competing for the first prize of $250, second prize of $150, and third prize of $100. The duckies are available to sponsor for only $5.00 per ducky or sponsor a “quackpack” of 6 rubber duckies for $25.00. The more duckies you have in the race, the greater your chances of winning. There is no limit to the number of duckies you can sponsor.

You do not have to be present to win, but how can you resist the intense competition and awesome effort put forth by these highly trained rubber duckies?

There will be picnic tables available as well as rolling grass hills that overlook the pond so you can keep an eye on the race.

Derby the Duck will be handing out a treat to every child that attends. There will also

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be a ‘Vendor Village’ where you can get information on a variety of businesses and organizations in Mesquite.

An added incentive this year for Chamber members will be the Ducky Around Town rubber ducky race competition to follow immediately after the popular Ducky Derby race. The first 24 Chamber members to sign up will receive a free 10” rubber ducky to decorate and race for a chance at the traveling Duck Around Town trophy and a year of ‘quacking’ rights.

After the races, be sure to stick around for the ‘Pluck a Duck’ drawing for a chance at winning some fabulous gift baskets and prizes.

This will be the best quacktacular event ever seen in Mesquite. You definitely want to be there to enjoy this quackingly good time!  For more information or to sponsor a duck, please call the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce at (702) 346-2905.

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The Wolf

Maintaining

by Bob Challinor

A

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foursome was catching its breath at the pinnacle of Wolf Creek Golf Course’s “Challenger” tee on the second hole when one of the players noticed something unusual. “Look, there’s a lawnmower parked in a little shelter up here.” The covered parking spot is the pragmatic alternative to dragging a mower up 90 steps, an 11-story climb, to the Challenger tee box every day. But that’s just one of the “you’ve-gotta-be-kiddingme” challenges Wolf Creek’s golf course maintenance staff confronts.

Wolf Creek Superintendent Kelby Hughes says the challenges begin with soil and water, the basic building blocks of growing a golf course. “The hardest part of maintaining the course are the soil and water issues we have here in the desert and trying to manage them both to grow turf,” he said. “We have different types of soil; everything from caliche to blow sand.

We have different classes of water – the potable water we use on the greens and the canal water from the Virgin River we use to irrigate the rest of the course.”

When golf converges with Grand Canyonlike terrain, as it does at Wolf Creek, it creates a dramatic playing experience, but it also causes dramatic maintenance issues. Wolf Creek, in fact, could be one of the most difficult golf courses in North America to maintain.

Wolf Creek’s sudden elevation changes require an irrigation system on steroids.

Water has to travel uphill with enough pressure to soak tee boxes hundreds of feet above fairways and meet the coverage demands of a course that plays more than 7,000 yards from its longest tees

and has a USGA rating of 75.4 and a slope rating of 154 from the Challenger tees. “We have double pumping systems – one for low pressure and one for high pressure – for both our potable and canal water,” Hughes said. “We have so many elevation changes that we have to use several different booster pumps.”

Water actually flows uphill at Wolf Creek, and it has to because the course ventures into terrain that other golf courses avoid.

Wolf Creek wanders through box canyons, up and down steep slopes and traces the backbone of narrow plateaus to provide visually stunning views, but the bold course design has created unintended consequences for the maintenance staff.

Heavy rain from monsoonal thunderstorms cause the course to literally devour

pipes and reservoirs to blunt some of the mudslides, but they still come.” The precipitous grassy slopes are treacherous. Rough mowers have rolled downhill and 300-gallon spray rigs have slid into Wolf Creek’s lakes.

Maintenance workers have to become part mountain goat to adapt to a workplace with such rugged topography. The celebrated white silica sand bunkers require constant attention. itself with destructive flash floods and mudslides. Canyon walls melt from the pressure-washer rain and the resulting mudslides bury everything in their way: greens, fairways and cart paths. It takes weeks to clean up the mess. Wolf Creek suffered three successive storm-induced disasters between August and October of 2012, however the maintenance staff was able to repair the damage with minimal interruption of play. It took some epic shovel and backhoe work to rescue the course.

“The golf course was built where the natural drainage was,” Hughes said.

“We’ve done some preventative work with

maintenance demands. Hughes has told his crew, “If you can cut it at Wolf Creek, you can work anywhere if you ever decide to move on.”

There are currently 17 golf course maintenance workers on staff, and they have their hands full ensuring that Wolf Creek remains one of the nation’s perennial top golf courses.

“It’s really rewarding to see the transformation of a piece of desert into something so beautiful,” Hughes said.

“It’s been a great career for me in a great atmosphere.” 

The most labor-intensive project is Wolf Creek’s annual overseed. Every September the crew overseeds hot-season Bermuda grass with cool-season ryegrass. Mowers scalp the Bermuda down to the nubs, and the crew dusts the entire course with perennial ryegrass seed. It’s a week of dusty grinding hell and long hours. Then the sprinklers pop on, keeping the seed moist for germination. In about two weeks the green carpet of fresh ryegrass is golfready. The switch from Bermuda to rye is necessary because Wolf Creek is located in a transition zone where Bermuda grass goes dormant during winter. The course also endures the Mojave Desert weather extremes of fire and ice, which add extra

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Use It Or Lose It But Don’t Abuse it

by Joseph Yu, MD

G

olf looks like an easy game to play, right? Hitting a stationary object with a club into a relatively wide open space ­– well, think again! To become a good golfer, it is recommended that you start young and practice, practice, and practice, and then keep practicing.

Historically, golf is perceived as being a low-risk sport when it comes to injuries.

However, many golfers, especially those who lack proper technique, suffer from acute or overuse injuries.

Acute injuries are usually the result of a single, traumatic episode, such as hitting the ground or a submerged tree root in a sand trap. Of course nobody ever does that, right?

Overuse injuries are more subtle and usually occur over time. These injuries will more often stem from the stress that the golfer puts on the back and shoulders when swinging. The three most commonly injured areas of the body are the back, shoulder, and elbow.

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While overuse injuries are more common in sports than acute injuries, their subtlety and lengthy onset make them challenging to diagnose and treat. They are the result of repetitive micro-trauma to the tendons, bones, and joints. Common examples include tennis elbow, swimmer's shoulder, youth-pitching elbow, runner's knee, jumper's knee, Achilles tendinitis, and shin splints.

WHY DO OVERUSE INJURIES OCCUR? The human body has a tremendous capacity to adapt to physical stress. We tend to think of "stress" in the context of its negative effect on our emotional well-being. However, physical stress, which is simply exercise and activity, is beneficial for our bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, making them stronger and more functional. This happens because of an internal process called remodeling.

The remodeling process involves both the breakdown and buildup of tissue. There

is a fine balance between the two, and if breakdown occurs more rapidly than buildup, an overuse injury occurs.

WHAT FACTORS CAUSE OVERUSE INJURIES? Training errors are the most common cause of overuse injuries. These errors involve rapid acceleration of the intensity, duration, or frequency of activity. Overuse injuries also happen in people who are returning to a sport or activity after injury and try to make up for lost time by pushing themselves to achieve the level of participation they were at before injury.

Proper technique is critical in avoiding overuse injuries, and slight changes in form may be the culprit. For this reason, coaches, athletic trainers, and teachers can play a role in preventing recurrent overuse injuries.

Some people are more prone than others to overuse injuries, particularly as they age. Imbalances between strength

and flexibility around certain joints predispose individuals to injury. Body alignment, such as knock-knees, bowlegs, unequal leg lengths, and flat or high arched feet, also impact overuse injuries. Many people also have weak joints due to old injuries, incompletely rehabilitated injuries, or other anatomic factors.

If symptoms persist, a sports medicine specialist will be able to create a more detailed treatment plan for your specific condition.

This may include a thorough review of your training program and an evaluation for any predisposing factors. Physical therapy and athletic training services may also be helpful.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR OVERUSE INJURIES?

Whether you’re simply hoping to alleviate pain and increase mobility so you can carry out daily activities, or you’re an athlete anxious to return to the field of play, a sports medicine specialist can design and carry out a treatment plan to help you to stay active for better health.

Overuse injuries should be treated with rest, a good stretching/ warm-up program, and good, sound advice from an experienced golf professional.

Some other common tips for treating an overuse injury include:

• Cutting back the intensity, duration, and frequency of an activity

• Adopting a hard/easy workout schedule and cross-training

with other activities to maintain fitness levels • Learning about proper training and technique from a coach or athletic trainer • Performing proper warm-up activities before and after • Using ice after an activity for minor aches and pain • Using anti-inflammatory medications as necessary



Call (702) 346-0800 for an appointment with the Mesa View Medical Group sports medicine team, or request an appointment at www.mesaviewmedical.com.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your doctor that will benefit your health.

(Sources: Dr. Joseph Yu, and the Stop Sports Injuries Organization)

About the Author: Dr. Joseph Yu is an orthopedic surgeon, board certified in Orthopedic Medicine, who has served as team physician for the University of Nevada Las Vegas and NBA Summer.

Dr. Yu works with another accomplished orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Roddy McGee. Paul Morgan, PA-C is the physician assistant who completes their team.

They are now accepting new patients at Mesa View Medical Group, 1301 Bertha Howe Avenue, Suite #1, Mesquite, Nevada.

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view on TRAVEL

Cruise to The British Open

by Celece Seegmiller

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photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

F

or as long as I can remember, golf has always been an important activity in our family. As a little girl, I often caddied for my grandparents. I loved driving their golf cart, keeping score, and retrieving an ice-cold Tab from the cooler for my grandma. On Sundays, we enjoyed dinner and gathered around the television watching golf legends like Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.

Although I still have not yet learned to play myself, some of my best Sundays have been spent with The Masters, U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, and of course, The Open Championship - a.k.a. The British Open. Phil Mickelson is my favorite and watching him win The Open in 2013 was a highlight. Some of my clients were there on an Azamara golf cruise, which made it even more special. They returned home and said their British Open cruise was the trip of a lifetime. This year, there are two cruise options available to the 145th Open at Royal Troon.

On July 11, Azamara Club Cruises’ Quest will sail from Dublin, Ireland to Southampton, England on an 11 night British Isles Cruise. Guests sailing on this itinerary will experience the best of the Beatles, Guinness, Castles, and of course, golf. Ports of call include Holyhead, Liverpool, Glasgow, Ayr, Belfast, Waterford, and Cork.

Azamara is partnering with PerryGolf for an exceptional golf voyage featuring a collection of the game’s most respected courses, plus attendance to Sunday’s final round of the 2016 British Open at Royal Troon. Golf along the way includes Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, and Royal Birkdale. Non-Golfers like myself can enjoy an equally impressive sightseeing schedule ranging from famous cities, to castles, gardens, and the Waterford Crystal Factory.

photo by Kenneth Ferguson Photography

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and they often overnight in the ports, allowing more time to spend on land. In this case, less is more. Azamara sets itself apart with many exceptional features like open dining, complimentary gratuities, complimentary bottled water, soda, wine, beer, and select spirits.

For those not familiar with Azamara Club Cruises, they are the little sister to Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Azamara is a boutique cruise line with just two ships, the Journey and the Quest. With a total occupancy of just 694 passengers, the experience is intimate and sophisticated, yet relaxed. Because the ships are just 592 feet and 30,000 tons, they offer passengers access to unique ports that are not available on the large ships

For travelers looking for a more traditional cruise experience on a larger ship, The Celebrity Silhouette will sail for 12 nights roundtrip from Amsterdam on July 13. Ports of call include Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, Cork, and Paris. An optional shore excursion is offered for those who wish to attend The Open. Celebrity’s new Go Best program makes this cruise a better value than ever before. Guests can receive free beverages, free Wi-Fi, free gratuities, and up to $300 shipboard credit.

Although many years have passed since I caddied for my grandparents, I will always have fond memories of golf with them. I am sure they would have loved the opportunity to go on a vacation like this and watch Tom Watson win the 1977 Open. If you want to cross the British Open and some of the world’s most beautiful scenery off your bucket list, Azamara and Celebrity can take you there.

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For more more information, or to book a cruise, contact The Travel Connection at (435) 628-3636.

photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

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Mesquite Senior Games Turns 15

by Terri Rylander

E

very spring in Mesquite, you’ll find seniors honing their skills as they get ready to compete in the Mesquite Senior Games. The games are a series of events open to those age 50 and better. Participants may be reliving their

competitive younger years or trying out new activities. The one thing for sure is they have a lot of fun.

Mesquite Senior Games is in its 15th year this year. It is the second largest city-held senior games in the state, next to Reno-Tahoe. Over 1000 people participated in 2015 and even more are expected in 2016. There are 15 different events held in March and April with two more in October and December.

This year there are two new events and both are open to all ages. The Fitness Hike will be held Saturday, March 12 and is free of

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charge. Hikers will explore the desert wash at the edge of town. The History Tour is Saturday, March 19 and is a walking tour of Mesquite where participants will learn about the history of various buildings in town, followed by a lunch in the Virgin Valley Heritage museum. Sign up is required for both.

Of course, all of the tried and true events will be held too. They include Basketball Skills, Bicycling, Bocce Ball, Bowling, Bridge, Long Drive, Pickleball, Softball, Target Pistol, Tennis, and Track & Field.

It doesn’t matter what skill level the participant has, Mesquite Senior Games is about having fun and meeting new people who enjoy the same things.

Brochures have been mailed out to former competitors and are available at

the Mesquite Rec Center and other areas around town. An electronic copy can be downloaded from the website, along with more information.

Putting on an event of this magnitude could not happen without the generosity of the people of Mesquite, along with the partnerships with local businesses and the City of Mesquite.

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If you or your business would like to get involved, contact Mesquite Senior Games President, Terri Rylander. www.mesquiteseniorgames.org mesquiteseniorgames@gmail.com (702) 345-3347

Southwest Spirit

“Southwest Spirit has a new face!”

New Furniture Arriving Daily

561 West Mesquite Blvd 702.346.6959

• Unique rustic furniture and artifacts • Nature Inspired Wall Decor • Genuine native jewelry (Turquoise and Sterling) • A complete line of Juniper wood furniture • A complete line of Seiko clocks

Hours 10am- 6pm 7 days a week 25

view on DESIGN

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“FORE!” Your Home

Decorating with a Golf Theme

by Helen Houston Creamer

W

hether it’s a bedroom, bathroom, man cave or family room, a golf theme is sure to inspire conversation among golf enthusiasts. If you enjoy the clubs, the courses, or the clothing, you can incorporate the feel of it all in your golf-themed room.

Flooring For a golf-themed room, a grass green carpet, or even indoor/ outdoor carpet re-creates the feel of a golf course. Add a few throw rugs in a tan color, cut to the free-form shapes of sand traps, for an air of whimsy. Go for the green with a portable putting surface, like those used by office golfers. Wood flooring gives the room a highly polished look and feel.

Walls Think in terms of broad, horizontal strokes with regard to a room with a golf theme. Dedicated players identify with shades of sky, grass, sand, and water, looking downward and pretty much in that order. For the extreme golf-themed space, murals painted on each wall can create a 360 degree view of a favorite golf course as if you were playing a round. If that look is too intense, painting at least one wall green and the others tan still evokes the feel of a golf course.

overcrowding floor and wall space. Framed photographs add eye-catching enhancement.

If the room’s purpose is mainly for viewing golf, position clubby leather chairs at central points in the room. If the purpose of the room is to emphasize participation, place locker room replica benches along a wall.

The glint of metal (trophies or club shafts), as well as accents like wire baskets full of clean white golf balls will definitely brighten up the corners of the room and blank wall spaces.

For a bit of whimsy in your golf-themed room, an old golf bag is a fun way to store umbrellas. Golf club heads transform into drapery finials, lamp stands, or coat hangers. A table painted green with indented cup holders looks like a putting green with holes.

For the final touches, don’t forget the printed golf cocktail napkins, bookends, stir sticks, wine racks and bottle stoppers, or golf ball-shaped chocolate candies.

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Make a room appear larger with a graduated painting scheme that draws the eye upward and outward. Take advantage of the way tall wooden cabinets with brass fixtures give a golf-themed room an added air of authenticity. As a bonus, they are ideal for storage of favored bags, caps, shoes, and clubs. Dark wood can “enclose” the feel of the room. Brighten the room with natural light as much as possible.

Watch yourself, literally, with a range of options that include full-length mirrors. Place mirrors in strategic positions that both enhance the perceived size of the room and give active players at least enough room to check their posture and setup positions.

Fabrics Sofa fabrics and chairs done up in greens and tans follow the golf scheme of a golf course. Throw pillows and throw blankets in bright or subtle tartan plaid represents the hallowed Scottish golf heritage. Reclaimed golf flags numbered from one to 18 can be used as placemats or framed for wall art. Printed fabric in an array of golf patterns are readily available and lend themselves to stylish window treatments and even lamp shades.

Unexpected Creative Elements Set the tone for a golf-themed room with personal favorite items along with a few unusual additions that will foster conversation.

Treat the room with golf books, equipment, or souvenirs as a shrine to personal enjoyment. Keep dimensions in mind to avoid

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Mesquite Elks Annual Golf Tournament

by Debbie Oskin

F

or 17 years they’ve flocked to the desert to make new friends, renew old friendships, play golf, do some good and mostly to have fun. They come from the far corners of Nevada, Utah, California, Wyoming, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona, to our little town - Mesquite, Nevada. A number of them proudly proclaim they’ve never missed a year since the beginning.

What is this event that has people coming back year after year from all over the western United States to our neck of the woods?

It’s the annual Mesquite Elks Charity Open Golf Tournament.

Some of the long-timers’ eyes sparkle as they recall the “old days” when the Elks Lodge was just a small shack on Sandhill Boulevard and 120 people showed up for the first tournament. Wondering what to feed the unexpected crowd, the late Carol Terry (fondly remembered as a tiny dynamo by those who knew her), ran over to Smith’s Grocery and negotiated a great deal on 120 steaks.

Members gathered four or five small grills together and managed to cook up a memorable feast for their visitors.

For the past five years member Dennis Baylor has been in charge of the tournament. Dennis claims he walked into the Lodge one

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day and one of the members told him he was in charge of the annual event. Not knowing any better, Dennis accepted the job. It's not an easy job to arrange the golf, collect prizes, get the word out all over the western part of the country, solicit sponsors, cook and serve the meals, award the prizes, and make sure everybody has a good time, but Denny, along with his wife Kathy and some dedicated volunteers, manage to get the job done exceptionally well.

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Besides the fun, camaraderie, and the fabulous food and prizes, players agree that the best part of the annual tournament is the money it provides for charity. Over the past 16 years, the tournament has raised about $40,000 for charity. The money raised is spread proportionately among Elks State Major Projects according to the number of players from each participating state. The State Major Project is the official charity of each state’s Elk’s association. Nevada’s Major

Project is Safe Haven, which provides safe homes for abused children across the state. Locally, some of the money goes towards youth activities sponsored by our local Elks.

This year’s tournament is on track to attract more players, with more prizes and more fun than any year in the past.

This year’s event will take place June 7, 8 and 9. Golf will be played on the Oasis

The tournament will consist of two-person teams. As in past years, the formats will be scramble and shamble. There will be cash prizes for the low scores in four flights for the two-day tournament. If there is enough interest, there will be a “ladies only” flight added this year.

In addition to plenty of good food, there will be raffles for great prizes generously donated by businesses and members of the community. Past prizes have included free dinners at local restaurants, free golf at seven plus local courses, golf equipment, and large screen televisions, to name a few.

The tournament is open to everyone, not just Elk members. For the $170 registration fee anyone can have fun, make new friends, eat great food and golf for two days. To register your two-person team, to sponsor holes for $50, or for more information, email elksgolf281114@yahoo.com or call the Lodge at (702) 345-2811.

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Canyons and The Palms course. Day one starts with registration and a welcome reception with hors d’oeuvres at the Mesquite Elks Lodge at 545 Riverside Road. Day two includes golf, lunch, and a sit-down dinner at the Lodge. Day three includes more golf, lunch, and prizes.

Elks in a Nutshell The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a patriotic and charitable organization with Lodges in every state in the United States of America. Mesquite Elks Lodge #2811 was chartered by 120 community minded men and women in 1999.

Since that time, Lodge 2811 has grown to 480 members.

The Mesquite Lodge sponsors many charitable and community activities throughout the year. Some of these activities include an annual Flag Day ceremony, participation in Naturalization Ceremonies in Las Vegas, Mesquite Night Out, an Americanism essay contest in local schools, annual basketball hoop shoot and soccer shoot competitions, as well as Shop with a Cop sponsorship. The Lodge participates in Youth Drug Awareness activities including the Dictionary Project for local third graders and the local Halloween Trunk or Treat. Mesquite Elks give out scholarships for High School Seniors and provide prescription gift cards for senior citizens.

The Lodge sponsors Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops and was instrumental in forming Mesquite’s first Little League.

The Elks continue to sponsor a Little League team and help support the League financially and by participation on the Board of Directors.

The official motto of the Elks is “Elks Care – Elks Share.”

Nowhere is this motto more embodied than in the Elk volunteers who drive Veterans to their doctor appointments in Las Vegas three times a week, year round. Last year the volunteer Disabled American Veteran van drivers from the Mesquite Elks logged 26,252 miles and 1,766 hours serving 564 veterans.

The Mesquite Elks Lodge #2811 is located at 545 Riverside Road, Mesquite. For more information contact (702) 345-1811.

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view on FITNESS

The Science of Fitness for Better Golf

by Rob Krieger – PGA Golf Professional

T

he Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) was developed in 2003

by Dr. Greg Rose and Golf Professional Dave Phillips to help golfers understand that swing flaws and injuries can be directly related to the body not working properly. Additionally, they prove that when a properly performing body becomes more efficient, better golf will happen.

The obvious results are shown through better scores and golf shots but are also shown through something called the kinematic sequence using body sensors. Whether you are swinging a golf club, tennis racquet, or baseball bat, the kinematic sequence is the same. It is the transfer of power and speed through the segments of the motion starting from the ground into the feet, to the legs & hips, to the torso, to the arm and then to the club.

This has led to a new age in fitness for golf specifically due to golf professionals, medical professionals, and fitness professionals all working together to help golfers get fit or fixed in order to perform better.

When a deficient area of the body is recognized, the medical pro can manually try to fix it with therapy or surgery, the fitness pro designs workout routines and exercises to improve the problem area, and the golf pro develops drills and swing mechanics to improve the swing. Most every player now on Tour has all three of these professionals on their “team”

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helping them to succeed.

Therefore, if the body is losing its youth, recovering from an injury, or if the golf game just is not where it should be, there is a very good chance it is directly related to the body’s lack of mobility or stability during the swing. Issues maintaining stability and mobility throughout the swing can be corrected by isolating the problem muscle group or joint. It is just a matter of finding out where.

Summary of the TPI process toward better golf The golfer is given 12 body motion tests to perform which evaluate a player’s balance, range of motion, and ease of motion. Videos of the swing are taken to view the motion of the swing and to look for swing flaws.

The video and the motion tests are analyzed for a correlation between the two. For example, during the body motion tests, a golfer has limited mobility and stability while performing the Pelvic Rotation test, Lower Quarter

Turn test and the Bridge with Leg Extension test. We know before the player swings the club that there will be a problem with them coming over the top with the hands, chicken winging at impact and hanging back on the back foot in the finish.

How do we know that? Because of the limitations the lower body is presenting, a player’s swing has no choice but to react this way. We can have them work on mechanics all day but the problem will still persist unless some stability or mobility in the lower body takes place through drills, exercise, or a physical adjustment by a doctor.

Body Test – Pelvic Rotation: Lower body moves in a rotary fashion while upper body stays still. Without good rotary and range of motion of the lower body there is a mobility issue. If the lower body can move but the upper body has to move with the lower body and cannot stay still, there is a lack of stability in the upper body

and the upper body needs strengthening to resist the lower body movement.

Fitness Fix – Shovel pass with medicine ball: Put feet together and hold ball in golf posture. Move ball backwards with shoulder turn and step forward at the same time, then toss the ball forward using lower body to lead the tossing of the ball.

Golf Drill – Baseball Step Drill: Hold club in your hands and take normal stance at a ball or tee. Bring the left foot back to the right foot, reposition the club in between your feet, rotate backwards with shoulders and club to the top of a backswing, step forward with lower body and let the arms and club follow the lower body back to the tee and strike the tee through to a good finish. Just like stepping into a pitch in baseball.

These are just some of the ways TPI is helping golfers get better. When there are muscle imbalances and flexibility restrictions, no matter how strong the body, the golf game can struggle. By using some fitness exercises along with golf drills, improvement in range of motion and strength can happen even without hitting thousands of golf balls. If you want more information on how to use fitness to help your game, contact me at rob@sgugolf.com. Good luck and as always, Fairways and Greens. ď ¤

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view on GOLF

Taking an Unplayable Lie

by Doug Lesko

T

he annual golf issue from View on Mesquite has always been my favorite issue. This year, the golf issue is actually coming out in the spring, when golf in Mesquite is in its prime.

Spring, when locals can look forward to summer right around the corner because that’s when we can afford to play the courses we have been dreaming about since November.

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Much of my life has been spent playing golf in Florida, where competition for golfers is fierce because of the number of quality courses. Locals are offered spectacular rates because courses want those players back to get them through the long hot summer. I understand why Mesquite courses don't do that. With only seven championship courses in town, the competition for golfers is nearly non existent. If you want to play in Mesquite

from November to May, you pay what they say, otherwise you drive to St. George.

Please don't think this a is a negative take on Mesquite; I love Mesquite and am so happy to have moved here. The town, especially the people, are wonderful. I think if you gave every person in any town a magic wand and told them they could change two things, everyone could find at least two things to change. Mine would be lower golf prices and more restaurants.

After two health scares in the past three years I've learned some things. I'm a lucky man. I have a great job with owners who truly value their employees. Mike and Michelle Brooks at Ready Golf and Gear treat everyone who comes in as family, which isn’t really ordinary in 2016. I found my partner (@thegolfchick), who I love more than words can describe and she feels the same about me. I survived cancer when I was 10 (bad break) and divorce at 48 (good break). There are a lot of similarities between life and golf. You get good breaks and bad breaks in both and it's what you do after those breaks that steers you down the next path.

You smash a drive down the middle of the fairway, it lands on a sprinkler head and bounces straight left into an impossible lie. You have two options; 1.Try to hit it, move it six inches in two swings, finally get lucky on your fouth stroke hitting into a worse spot than it was before, and end up taking an 11, ruining your round; 2. Take an unplayable lie and the one stroke penalty, knock it on the green, maybe get lucky and get your par or a 5 at worst, emerging with your round still on track. The same is true with life. When bad things happen, the easy thing is to do nothing, admit defeat, and wonder why bad things happen to you. The hard part is doing what you're supposed to do. Pick yourself up, make things better, take what life gives you, keep swinging, and still have a chance for par. You just might get lucky and hole out for birdie.

I can't tell you how excited I am about getting back on the links. I hope to see you sweating out there with me. ď ¤

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Top 10 Reasons to

ZUMBA

A Health Coach’s Guide

by Jennifer Hammond – IIN Certified Health Coach and CrossfitLevel 1 Trainer

A

lthough I am an avid high intensity workout kind of gal, I recently took on the challenge to add more cardio into my life. But why Zumba? Here are my top 10 reasons:

1.

Cardio - I am not a cold weather jogger and needed to get my “winter coat” off. This is a great way to keep my heart rate up for an extended time indoors without spending endless boring hours on the treadmill or elliptical machine.

2.

Reduce stress - Stress has a way of keeping you up at night and making you feel weighed down. You should always make time for yourself, and focusing on movement for an hour can do just that. Plus, your sleep habits will improve.

3.

Burn internal fat - If you don’t move, you won’t lose.

Even if you are skinny on the outside, dangerous fat can accumulate around body organs. Movement helps keep fat at bay and organs healthy.

4.

Strengthen your heart and lungs - Having survived life threatening asthma attacks, there is nothing more important to me than exercise to improve lung health. Think about it - the heart needs oxygen and where do you get that? Your lungs. So healthy lungs = healthier heart.

5.

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Strong core - Sore back, tired legs, sciatica, and the list

continues, all stem from a weak core. Your core supports you.It should be a main area of focus. Through movement, such as Zumba, your core will be loving you in no time.

6.

Weight loss - Zumba provides a full body workout and combined with healthy eating, Zumba is a great tool for losing weight.

7.

Flexibility - Zumba incorporates dance movement for overall strength while working to improve flexibility. Think about flexibility - or lack thereof - the next time you tie your shoes or bend down to pick something up.

8.

Rhythm - Afraid to try Zumba because you can’t dance? No worries! Your Zumba instructor will coach you to move to your ability. This is about movement. You are not auditioning for the next TV dance show. The music is fabulous, upbeat and fun.

9.

Social - Enlisting a friend or two to commit to an activity not only helps keep you going, but laughing at (or with) each other is the best way to keep on track.

10. FUN! - Shouldn’t life be about the fun moments? You should

be smiling and laughing your way through Zumba. But the most important thing to remember is to let go and move! 

St arRises

As the A

nyone driving by the Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort can see that progress is being made on the exterior. Let’s take a look at some of the activity going on behind the façade, and watch “As the Star Rises.”

Here’s a look at progress being made on “The Backyard,” which will be the social centerpiece of the ranch. It will be a parklike area in the center of the resort towers with some unique guest amenities.

Some of those amenities include basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, tetherball, table top chess, a putting green, horseshoe pits, and of course, the resort swimming pool and hot tub.

There will also be picnic tables, barbecue grills and a covered exterior dining area for guests to relax and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner however they choose.

Since Rising Star is being designed with groups, sports teams, and families in mind, creating an entertainment hub like “The Backyard” is important. It will help ensure that guests have an exceptional stay and in turn will return to Mesquite year after year for events and vacations.  Construction is on schedule and the Rising Star will open December 2016. To stay up-to-date on the progress visit www.RisingStarSportsRanch.com or like them on Facebook.

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Follow That Dream Slide Into Sugar’s Home Plate

by Sue Santercangelo

A

nyone familiar with Overton, Nevada, knows Sugar’s Home Plate restaurant. The little sand colored building with the mural of baseball greats Maury Wills and Sandy Koufax and Ram’s quarterback Kurt Warner is a valley landmark known and loved throughout the region. Located on Moapa Valley Boulevard in the center of downtown, it houses a treasure trove of sports memorabilia while offering a hearty menu of breakfast items, steaks, burgers, soups, sandwiches, and daily specials.

The restaurant is the culmination of family passion melded with the fulfillment of a dream. 25 years ago “Sugar” Ray and Judy Metz took a chance and started what has become a favorite spot for locals, tourists, and those who regularly visit the area to partake of the local sports and recreation opportunities.

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Both Ray and Judy are lifelong sports fans. Judy was a tomboy and Ray lettered in football in high school and played on the golf team in college. The nickname “Sugar” came from his friends calling him “Sugar Ray” and after a few years the Ray just went away.

Both Metz’s are huge Dodgers fans who attended Brooklyn Dodgers games when they would play in L.A. By the time the team moved to L.A., the couple were dating. Judy smiles as she explains, “Sandy Koufax is the best ever pitcher. When we dated, we went to Dodger games and we got to see him pitch. It was an integral part of the start of our relationship."

baseball cards and read the stats to the boys before bed. She notes that the boys grew up in sports. "My boys played all sports and Sugar always took them to sporting events.” She added that, “They all excelled in golf. They all got golf scholarships."

Collecting memorabilia was a natural offshoot of that passion. Ray collected

Although they lived in Southern California they regularly visited Lake Mead to boat

photo by Rey Of Light Photography

and fish and had a place at Overton Beach. In the early 1990s they sold their business and Ray was offered a job which required overseas travel. On Ray’s first visit to Malaysia, Judy suffered what appeared to be a heart attack. It took three days for Ray to get home. It was not a heart attack but the scare showed him he could not be that far away from his wife and the children.

Local friends made over the years visiting Overton Beach turned out to help. They worked around the clock upgrading the restaurant, readying it to reopen in early April just before the County Fair. "People said 'you're going to be really busy' and I said ‘oh that's okay.’ I had no clue. I hired six people… we were annihilated. Within a week I hired six more people."

So he came up to the lake with some buddies to hang out and play golf and think about what to do. “He called me one day and he said ‘you used to always tell me you wanted a restaurant.’ Do you still feel that way?“ Judy laughs, “I said yeah, I think a restaurant one day would be fun, and he goes 'good, because we just bought one!'"

Since then things have settled down. With the continued support of their friends, Sugar’s has become an integral part of the community. The memorabilia collection which once filled their family room has grown to cover the restaurant’s walls and part of the ceiling. It not only celebrates their favorite professional teams and athletes, but local athletes as well.

That was the first step on the journey to the present day Sugar’s.

Their house, which had been on the market for six months, sold immediately. The offer required a 30 day escrow, which coincided with the 30 day closing requested by the restaurant owner. "I said ‘you know what this is just too weird. It must be meant to be. So let's go for it.’ We were here in 30 days. I can't believe it."

Although Sugar no longer works regular shifts because of back issues, he does help out when needed. Judy oversees the operation and gives credit to her staff for their hard work and support. She also gives credit to all their great friends and visitors who have helped make them a success over the years and keep them in new memorabilia.

Although Judy had dreamed of owning a restaurant she didn’t have any experience. “I didn’t even know how to turn on the equipment.” Yet the serendipity continued. The seller stayed a week and helped her learn the kitchen. Her friends told a cook who worked at the Virgin River that she had never had a restaurant so he offered her advice on menu planning. "Just little things that made things so much easier. It was an invaluable hour."

For more information on Sugar’s Home Plate including hours, daily menus, photos of Sugar’s sports mural, memorabilia collection, events, and holiday menus visit Sugar’s Home Plate website at: www.sugarshomeplate.com or join their following on Facebook.

Phone: (702) 397-8084 | Email: sugars@susarshomeplate.com.

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Majestic Expeditions J

ust 40 miles west of Alaska's capital city, Juneau, you’ll find a small island town called Gustavus, though it’s better known as the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. Gustavus is a world

renowned location for its breathtaking sights and its protected ocean waters teeming with fish, amazing wildlife, and nature. People travel from all around the world to visit and photograph one

of the highest populations of whales in Alaska. In the midst of this beautiful location sits Majestic Expeditions, a lodge that specializes in creating an amazing adventure unique to each of its visitors.

Whether you're interested in sport fishing, whale watching, hiking, or Alaska's famous glaciers, Majestic Expeditions can create a vacation you and your family will never forget.

Owner Josh Graves and his family are Mesquite locals. Josh has 26 years of fishing, guide, and tour experience.

His wife and co-owner Christina Graves, originally from Argentina, is an exquisite chef taught by her Italian grandmother. Her love of cooking and all things Alaska come through in each meal she prepares for their guests.

Majestic Expeditions offers groups of up to 15 guests an array of vacation packages including deep sea fishing

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adventures, guided freshwater fishing in Alaska’s pristine rivers, kayaking and glacier tours, and more. They are known for some of the best whale watching and halibut fishing in the entire state of Alaska.

world renowned for their sheer size and fight. Majestic Expeditions even packages and ships your catch so you’ll be able to share more than just your amazing fishing story.

For sport fisherman there’s no better place to visit - Alaska has more than 20 different species including trout, rockfish, and salmon. Many of their visitors come yearly for the halibut fishing alone as halibut are

Majestic Expeditions lodge and private cabins have bedrooms and bathrooms with all of the modern conveniences like satellite TV and internet for those who have to stay connected. After an amazing day of fishing and sightseeing, guests are treated to a gourmet dinner cooked by Christina herself and then wind down with a craft cocktail by the fireplace. 

Expeditions, visit them online at www.MajesticExpeditions.com or give Josh Graves a call at (702) 569-8020.

If you’re interested in learning more about Majestic

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Mesquite Athletics & Leisure Services Department

by Nicholas Montoya, Director of Athletics & Leisure Services

H

ere we go again – another fun year in Mesquite. The Athletics & Leisure Services Department is always looking for ways to keep the community active through the entire year and we have activities for all ages. Of course our featured facility over the next six months will be the outdoor swimming pool, and all of the special programs and open swim times that go along with it.

We promote many other programs as well, several of which are inside a nice air conditioned facility. Through the tough economic times, the Athletic & Leisure Services Department strives to be able to provide various services and amenities that can relieve some stress at a great price, help you relax a little and reflect on many of the good things in life. There’s

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really no reason not to start to take care of yourself physically.

Leisure, recreation, and play have critical roles in the development, sustenance, health, and quality of life of individuals and society as a whole. Our goal and mission of the City of Mesquite Athletics & Leisure Services Department is to provide for all residents of Mesquite a variety of leisure opportunities which are enjoyable, cost effective, and offered in a clean, wholesome environment.

The Department is committed to a proactive purpose – promoting and facilitating an atmosphere whereby Mesquite, as it grows, becomes a more

desirable place to live, work, invest, and of course play. Hope to see you around.

Stay fit and stay healthy.  Please check out our web page www.mesquitenv.gov and Facebook page www.facebook.com/ MesquiteNVRecreation.

Golf Car Fever Ready Golf & Gear Has the Cure

by Michelle Brooks

H

i there. So, you’re thinking of buying a golf car? Yes, you know you are. I can see that look on your face. You’re thinking, “Oh it’d be so fun to cruise around town in my own golf car. Take it to the golf course. Maybe take it on the golf course?

Maybe a red one. That’d look sharp. Yeah, maybe some big rims and tires…”

Okay, now that we’ve established that you’ve got the golf car fever let’s talk about what kind. There are a number of different brands out there but at Ready Golf & Gear we believe strongly in E-Z-GO. E-Z-GO was founded in the 1950s by a couple of brothers who believed they could make a better golf car. They succeeded, and to this day E-Z-GO continues to build tens of thousands of golf cars per year, in America, that exceed people’s expectations and are far better than any other golf car on the market.

At Ready Golf & Gear we specialize in the E-ZGO RXV model. It’s super cool looking and the ride is exceptional, first off, but it’s also got some pretty incredible features.

The E-Z-GO RXV is built with their exclusive A/C Drive which uses an alternating-current motor and electrical powertrain. The results are unprecedented energy efficiency and unmatched hill climbing. The RXV climbs hills maintaining 97% of its speed. That’s unheard of! Around here we need a good hill-climbing golf car.

In addition, the crafty people over at E-ZGO have created IntelliBrake™ Technology.

“IntelliBrake” because all good technologies need to be named something like “IntelliBrake.” And with a name like that you might assume that they have developed some intelligent brakes. And you’d be right. The braking system is three-fold. First, the brakes are regenerative so when you step on the brake it is actually juicing up the battery.

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With that, the motor brake will automatically slow the car down when you are heading downhill (safety first people!) and the automatic parking brake will set any time the car is stopped. Unlike gas cars, these brakes are completely electronic so they will never need pads, shoes or drums. No brake maintenance sounds pretty good, am I right?

from rearview mirrors, coolers, custom seats to match, custom dashes and glove boxes, steering wheels, custom enclosures and a whole host of things.

And the best part? You can get into a new E-ZGO for as low as $99 per month! Yes, that’s right, financing is available at Ready Golf & Gear. warranty on all new cars.

And that does include the batteries. So, now you know about the superior construction and performance of the E-Z-GO golf car. Let’s talk about the fun stuff.

In fact, the E-Z-GO drivetrain coupled with the IntelliBrake™ Technology has fewer wearable parts than other cars make, for an almost maintenance free and completely worry free golf car. You will have increased battery life and many more miles under warranty than other cars on the market.

Speaking of warranty, E-Z-GO provides a full three-year, bumper-to-bumper

Colors! The E-Z-GO RXV comes in a wide array of colors. And, don’t worry, if E-Z-GO doesn’t make the color you want we will have it custom painted in any crazy color your heart desires.

“But what about those big rims and tires?”

I know that was going to be your next question. Yes, at Ready Golf & Gear we offer a good selection of 12”-14” rims and tires to jazz that red car of yours right up. In fact, we’ve got a whole gamut of accessories for your car. You can choose

But all joking aside, first and foremost for us is customer service. We believe in taking great care of our customers and as an E-Z-GO factory authorized sales and service center we will not only sell you the greatest golf car on the market, we will handle any servicing that may need to be done down the road.

So, now you’ve got some good information to work with. Now it’s time to stop by, take a look at our inventory of new and completely refurbished cars and take one for a spin. We are here to answer any questions you have about the awesome E-Z-GO RXV golf car and to help you relieve that pesky golf car fever.  Ready Golf and Gear is located at 550 W. Pioneer Blvd. in Mesquite.

(702) 345-GOLF (4653).

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No Excuse Moms

by Merry Gravett photos by Amy Davis

F

or over eight years, a group of Mesquite moms have met together to exercise and support each other through the challenges that they face: motherhood, injuries, a need to lose weight, depression, and the desire for a healthy life and healthy habits. The exercise class, free to any who want to

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attend, helps women understand the important life lesson that we are all happier when we are our healthiest selves.

Now known as the No Excuse Mom group of Mesquite, the group has had a varied history over its eight years. One participant lovingly dubbed the group the “Ginger Snaps” because it was formed in 2007 by Ginger Slack, who is a local spin instructor.

Ginger gave her time and expertise freely to help local women achieve their health and fitness goals. Ginger also cared for the minds and souls of her “Snaps,” holding prayer before or after workouts. Four different Mesquite locations, including two churches, have hosted this gathering of health-minded women.

After several years, McKel Springer started to lead the group.

The former owner of the local On Beat Dance Company, McKel encouraged a wide variety of physical activities to give the participants more paths on their journey to a healthier life. She held group exercises outside whenever the weather permitted, and organized 5k runs on holidays (the Turkey Trot, Reindeer Run – well, you get the picture). She also invited members of the community to bring in their expertise, such as local Zumba instructor Maggie Magadan. And she organized the women into a local chapter of the No Excuse Mom national organization. The change of making the group a more formal organization gave the participants more focus and access to No Excuse Mom resources.

No Excuse Mom is a national organization to help women find local support in achieving their health goals.

The name encourages moms, and others, to not give in to the excuses that frequently prevent them from making health or exercise a top priority. Mothers are the focus for the campaign because the founder, Maria Kang, believes that mothers are the key to the healthy lifestyle of the next generation. Rather than using motherhood and child-rearing as an excuse to not exercise, mothers should see these as their greatest reasons to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The group leader today is Samantha Jolley, who is currently studying to receive her certification in Group Exercise and Core Fitness. She enjoys creating varied workout routines to keep things interesting. Group members meet three times a week for a variety of activities including weight-lifting, cardio, and calisthenics. Each attendee has her own favorite exercises (running, squats, burpees, etc.), and we do them all. Several group members ran the Color Me Rad 5K in St. George last year, supporting each other along the way. Others in the group join online health challenges and share health tips that they’re learning. No Excuse Mom is a place to receive support in improving your health, no matter what your goals happen to be.

Although most of the women who attend are moms, every woman is welcome.

Our group members include women from all age groups and fitness levels.

The dissimilarities between us are unimportant when we get together to work towards what is important to all of us: a healthy life.  The group is currently hosted by the Whipple chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. The address is 121 Whipple Way. For further information about days and times that we meet, interested participants can join the No Excuse Mom Mesquite, NV group on Facebook, private message Samantha Jolley, or email workoutmom.sj@gmail.com.

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view on OUTDOORS

Go Hike t he Mesa

By Terri Rylander

I

f you’ve never really explored the desert, it’s easy to imagine it as some barren wasteland, devoid of anything interesting. I often hear that from folks.

“But there’s nothing to see!” they say.

“Why do you like going there?” they ask.

Being from the Northwest, I admit I used to think the same thing. So, let me tell you why you should spend time in our collective backyard.

The desert offers peace and solitude, something we don’t often get in our daily lives. It offers a place to reflect on our thoughts, our relationships, and our dreams—uninterrupted. And, while the desert offers miles of quiet, it is also very much alive with plants and animals. During the day, you may not see the animals, but the softness of the sand lets you identify and follow the variety of critters that make the desert their home.

Flat Top Mesa

We in the Mesquite area are fortunate to have some wonderful places to explore, including our own Flat Top Mesa. This is the big mesa you see coming into town with the white “V” on the side, for Virgin Valley. It’s a great way to see everything the desert has to offer on well-traveled ATV trails that are mostly flat (once you make it to the top).

To get to the mesa, head up Witwer Trail road, either from West Pioneer or Lower

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Flat Top Drive. Where Witwer becomes gravel, it’s about .2 miles up to the water tank where there is ample parking. Or, you can park at the Mesquite Regional Park Trailhead, where there are picnic tables and bathrooms, and walk up from there.

While there is mainly one way to get up to the mesa, there are many routes you can take once you get up there. It’s a 1.5 mile roundtrip hike to the top from the water tank with about 350 feet of gain. It will definitely get your heart pumping. Once at the top, there are three ways you can go: left, straight, or right. The route you want to take and what you want to see will determine the direction you will go.

The roads are in good shape, but there are some rocks and uneven places, so watch your footing.

Where you can go

2.5 mi – Mesquite Overlook At the top, go right along the edge, keeping left at any intersections, looping back to the top intersection. You will have a great view of the Virgin Mountains and the city of Mesquite.

3.5 mi – Power Lines At the top, go straight ahead. At the junctions, stay left until you are back to the top intersection. You will top out under the power lines, where you will have a good view to the west of the Mormon mountains.

5.5 mi – The “V” At the top, go left until you reach one total mile. Go left again. At 2.7 total miles, stay left and go a few hundred feet to the edge.

You can even scramble down to the V. 6.2 mi – The Flag At the top, go straight ahead. Stay left to the power lines. At the lines, stay straight until you reach the 2.1 total miles. Take the right fork and the next right fork along the edge down to the flag. Enjoy the view of Sun City from the waving American flag.

8.7 mi – Full Mesa Inner Loop At the top, go straight ahead. Stay left to the power lines. At the lines, stay straight until you reach 2.1 total miles. Take the left fork (straight ahead). At mile 4.1, go left along the mesa edge. Enjoy traveling through the Joshua Tree forest and views of Toquop wash. Follow around, staying with the main trail until back to the top intersection.

10.75 mi – Full Mesa Outer Loop At the top, go straight ahead. Stay left to the power lines. At the lines, stay straight until you reach 2.1 total miles. Take the right fork. At the edge, 2.5 total miles, go left. Stay along the edge through mile 4.65 then turn west down the hill. At the top of the hill, go right. Follow back down and stay on main trail till back to top intersection. Enjoy views of Beaver Dam NCA and Toquop wash.

What you can see

The desert is teeming with life on Flat Top Mesa. The Virgin Valley area is at the eastern edge of the Mojave desert. Sitting between the Great Basin and the Sonoran Desert creates a unique ecosystem of plants, mammals, reptiles, and insects.

You will notice that at your feet are dozens of different types of plant species. These include creosote bushes, dusty gray desert sage, desert marigolds, and desert primrose. There are several types of cacti including cholla, beavertail, prickly pear, and foxtail, all with blooms in early April. There is a beautiful Joshua tree forest at the northern end of the mesa as well.

Although most of the desert animals are nocturnal, like coyotes, fox, and kangaroo rats, you may see Redtail Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, ravens, cactus wrens, lizards, jack rabbits, and cottontail rabbits. If you are really lucky, you might come across a Gila monster or desert tortoise! Don’t disturb the them as the Gila monster is venomous and the tortoise will urinate out of fear and die of dehydration.

Lastly, yes, there are insects and snakes—some venomous.

You may likely see ants, butterflies, and beetles during the day.

But the scorpions, tarantulas, sidewinder rattlesnakes, and sunspiders are mostly out at night. However, be on the lookout as they can be out in the early morning and evening hours. The desert is actually very quiet from late October into April, when most mammals, reptiles, and insects are hibernating.  Preparing for the hike • • • • • • • • •

Check the radar/weather Let someone know where you are going Stay out of the heat of the day Wear sunscreen and a hat Bring plenty of water Bring a windbreaker – it can be windy!

Bring extra snacks Bring your camera Bring a cellphone – good for emergencies

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Pimento Cheese, Golf, and Life Not Necessarily in That Order

by Mary Cook

W

hen you grow up in a golf family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan you learn three things very fast about the golf season: you have four, maybe five months, May until September, to make pars and birdies; yellow balls show up the best in the snow you will play in the first part of May and the last part of September; and in April, when you heard Pat Summerall welcome you to the Masters, you could go drag your golf clubs out from behind the winter coats and skis where you put them at the beginning of October.

I remember exactly where I was in 1978 when Gary Player came back from seven down to defeat the golfing hero of my youth, Tom Watson, to win the Masters.

I was sprawled out on the cowboy themed couch in the den of my parents’ house, watching the black and white TV, munching on an egg salad sandwich. I was hoping against hopes that Watson, who scorched the back nine with torrid run of birdies and eagles, would somehow pull a rabbit out of his hat on the 18th after

he put the ball in the only place he couldn’t put it. He didn’t and the rest of that egg salad sandwich went untouched.

The Masters wouldn’t be the Masters without pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches made fresh daily and wrapped in wax paper.

Egg salad sandwiches were a staple in our house but particularly on the golf course.

My maternal grandmother made the best egg salad. On Monday afternoon she would make a batch to take to the course for Tuesday’s Ladies Day at the club where she and my grandfather were members.

If I was visiting, I’d help by peeling the eggs and using the egg slicer to cut the eggs one way then the other to create perfectly diced pieces. She would take the diced eggs and put them in a big white Tupperware container and then using a spatula combine them with a big dollop of mayonnaise, a squeeze of yellow mustard, and a dash of salt and pepper. She would slice a loaf of bread paper thin, place each slice between a piece of waxed paper and re-wrap the loaf so it would be easy to make sandwiches in the ladies lounge after the round.

On the weekend, she would make egg salad and pickled bologna sandwiches for my dad and grandfather to share on the golf course during their round. If one of my brothers or I was going with them, she would make a special sandwich for us by using one of her cookie cutters to make shapes and tuck them into a wax paper envelope. It was torture to wait until we could eat those sandwiches.

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Some of my fondest memories of playing golf with my dad and grandfather as a child and pre-teen included making the turn at the clubhouse and sitting on the small brick wall eating my sandwich and listening to my grandfather explain why golf was like life, and I learned many lessons: You get out of golf and life what you put into it. Golf is a game of manners and rules. In life, if you have bad manners or break rules you will not have an easy time of it. You treat the staff in the caddie shack and the bag room the same as you treat your best friend. They are working hard for their money and deserve your respect.

Somewhere along the way between fifteen and thirty, I stopped playing golf.

I became busy with school, my music, and with what would eventually become my career, engineering and professional audio. I would occasionally play when I went home to northern Michigan or at a corporate outing but for the most part golf disappeared from my life. It wasn’t until I married into an even more serious golfing family than my own that my love for the game of golf was rekindled.

My father-in-law was a teaching pro at a country club in eastern Tennessee and my mother-in-law was a very accomplished golfer in her own right, holding the lady club champion title well into her 60s. My husband grew up in the bag room and caddie shack, and his brother was my father-in-law’s assistant pro. The very first time I met my future in-laws was at the golf course less than 30 minutes after getting off the airplane from Boston, where my future husband and I lived at the time.

After what was a less than spectacular round on my part, my future father-in-law took me to the range and helped me start back towards the game I had loved as

a girl while my future husband and mother-in-law retired to the member grille. When we came in from hitting a bucket of balls, we sat and had cocktails and pimento cheese dip on crackers and got to know each other. As a “Yankee,” this was my first exposure to pimento cheese and it was love at first taste.

That visit was the first of many my husband and I made to his childhood home. Those trips always included a round of golf with my in-laws and a trip to the member grille to relive the best shots of the round over pimento cheese dip and gin and tonics. After my father-in-law and husband both passed away within a year of each other, my mother-in-law and I would still go out to club to share memories and funny stories over that creamy mixture spread on Ritz crackers, even if we didn’t play golf. She passed away three years ago and every time I eat pimento cheese, I can’t help but think of those afternoons in the member grille at their

club and laughing over the stupid shots in our rounds and sharing our love for the game of golf.

Pimento cheese is a staple in the South. And, of course, the Masters wouldn’t be the Masters without pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches made fresh daily and wrapped in wax paper.

I’m going to share my mother-in-law’s pimento cheese recipe.

This recipe calls for full fat mayonnaise but if you want to lighten it up a bit, using low fat mayonnaise won’t sacrifice taste.

However, don’t go for the fat free variety. You will find the taste and consistency to be lacking. If you aren’t lucky enough to go to the Masters where you can buy this classic sandwich, please enjoy this recipe as a substitute.



Pimento Cheese Dip/Spread

1 ½ cup of mayonnaise 1 jar (4 oz.) of pimentos, drained (look for them where the pickles are or in the Italian food section) ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 ¼ cup fine shredded mild cheddar cheese* 1 ¼ cup fine shredded sharp cheddar cheese* Dash of cayenne pepper Dash of cumin

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and cover.

Refrigerate for at least six hours but overnight is best. This lets the taste of the pimentos spread through the mixture.

Serve on crackers or thick slices of white bread. *don’t use anything but regular cheese, no 2% milk or fat free; it just won’t taste right.

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Reads

Mesquite A

partnership between local businesses and local elementary schools began in 2014 when Principal Cathy Davis and teacher Lupe Guzman from Virgin Valley Elementary School met with Andre Carrier, COO, and Gerri Chasko, Director of Eureka Community Initiative, from the Eureka Casino Resort. The purpose of the proposed partnership was to establish a summer reading program for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade who were reading below their grade level expectations. Andre accepted the challenge of promoting the program with other businesses and has provided matching funds for monies raised. Many conversations were held to encourage the philosophy of a village where all of its members work to help children have success and as Annie E. Casey has stated, “Children need to learn to read so that they can read to learn.”

The conversations led to the establishment of “Mesquite Reads.”

The first year of the Mesquite Reads program – 2014 – there were 60 students who successfully completed the summer reading program. The second year – 2015 – the goal was to enroll 80 students, but the numbers swelled to 95. Parents and teachers realized the success of the program from the year before and wanted to help as many students as possible. In 2015 “Mesquite Reads” received donations from Sun City Homeowners events, Chamber of Commerce book sales, Sunrise Rotary Club golf tournaments, Best of Fest (Film Events) at Redd Hills Cinema, Mesquite Rotary car show, Veteran’s breakfast, Knights of Columbus fireworks sales, Veterans Assistance Alliance, Hangey’s Upholstering, many private individuals, and a variety of activities from Eureka Casino Resort.

Mesquite Reads is vital in ensuring our children learn to read in the primary grades in order to have success in the remainder of their school career. The partnership with local businesses and schools for the Mesquite Reads Program has allowed schools to change children’s lives and thus positively impact the future of our upcoming citizens of Mesquite.  Anyone interested in donating funds, materials or time can contact Cathy Davis, Principal, at (702) 346-5761.

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Kids For Sports Foundation

by Kathy Bussman

I

n November 2013 Wolf Creek Golf Club was holding their annual meeting when the owners Cory and Chad Clemetson challenged their executive team to come up with something Wolf Creek could do that would benefit the town of Mesquite and surrounding area. The executive team and owners discussed and deliberated over many different ideas. The one idea that hit a chord with everyone was that children are the crux of our society and that is where our focus should be. We all wholeheartedly agreed that raising one's children to be responsible contributing adults in society is every parent’s goal. But sometimes the challenges of life get in the way and parents cannot always provide their children with opportunities to develop the necessary skills. Studies have shown that participating in organized sports help children learn teamwork, goal setting, and time management. Participating in sports also builds self-esteem along with greater personal confidence. In addition, kids who are active in sports are shown to have higher grades, greater attachments, and develop stronger peer relationships.

All of these attributes are integral to helping children grow up as responsible contributing adults in society.

This became the basis for the creation of the Kids for Sports Foundation. The Kids for Sports Foundation provides our local athletes with financial grants that allow them to participate in organized sports. Since its inception, the Kids for Sports Foundation has held two annual events as their primary fund raisers: 1) golf tournament at Wolf Creek Golf Club (January) and 2) Wine Fest at the Terrace Restaurant (October). It is through the generosity of the owners Cory and Chad Clemetson and the community that these events have raised an estimated $50,000 over the last two years. The Kids for Sports Foundation also sponsors a Little League Team, participates in the Eureka Shreek-Reeka, and hosted a tailgate party for the high school football team in 2015.

The foundation has provided financial support in the neighborhood of $14,000 to over 90 kids for a vast array of sports and for many different financial needs. Financial support has been provided for registration fees, uniforms/shoes, school medical insurance, team camp (travel/lodging) and school participation fees. Most recently the Kids for Sports Foundation has had the privilege of providing funding for three local soccer players to participate in the Olympic Development Team in Salt Lake City, Utah. What an honor to have three local kids, from little old Mesquite, chosen to be a part of this elite program.

We know from students’ applications why they are applying for assistance and what it means to them to be able to participate.

Bottom line – This is what the Kids for Sports Foundation is about – making a difference in children’s lives - helping the youth of today become responsible adults of tomorrow.  For more information, visit kidsforsportsfoundation.org.

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Ed Sullivan Tribute Show

Returns To Mesquite

I

n 2013, show producer Gino Venezia brought his version of the Ed Sullivan Tribute Show to the Mesquite Community Theatre.

Venezia, who is from Las Vegas but now resides in Mesquite, saw something in this idea that he continued to develop. The result is a comedic, year 2016 version of Ed Sullivan (played by impersonator Paul Terry) colliding with the new trend of cirque style acts in a hilarious twist that is sure to make you laugh.

The show will be performed on March 5 in the CasaBlanca Showroom. ď ¤ For more information on time and ticket price please go to Star Tickets at www.StarTickets.com or call (800) 585-3737.

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MESQUITE MX PARK and The Smokin Gun Pistol Range and Gun Club

W

hen motocross, motor sports, gun clubs, shooting sports, or archery are mentioned in this country, one of the first places that comes to mind should be the Mesquite Motocross Park and The Smokin Gun Pistol Range and Gun Club (formerly the Oasis gun club), located on the north side of Mesquite, NV. The facility was taken over by the Shaw family approximately two years ago, and they have transformed it into an ideal place to have a great experience. Not only does it have an amazing shooting complex, its multiple motocross tracks have been voted #1 by both professional and amateur riders from across the country. There is also a 12,000 sq. ft. banquet facility for all of your event needs. In addition, if you’re looking to entertain the entire family, we have our outdoor paintball range and RC track. This year we will also be adding a go-kart track, BMX track, giant bungee swing, zip-line, and we are currently building a 1/8th mile quarter midget/outlaw dirt car track.

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The Smokin Gun Pistol Range features traps, sporting clays, 12 pistol bays which allow you to shoot paper and steel targets, and a 10-station 3D archery course. We also have on staff, for your safety, a range officer who can advise and assist anyone if needed. Training is available, upon request, for all new or beginning shooters. We look forward to meeting all the new shooters plus those who remember this location when it was the “Oasis Gun Club.”

Mesquite MX is a motocross park which has a main national motocross track, an amateur supercross track, a vet track for beginner riders both young and old, a 50cc pee wee track, and seven miles of desert trails and GP courses with gnarly sand sections located by the river. This year we will be hosting our very own Mesquite GP Series. Our GP series will be an exciting event riders will look forward to for years to come. Our track is equipped

with plenty of spacious RV parking with electrical hookups and water available on site. Bring your motorcycles, ATV’s and side by side’s and go enjoy hundreds of miles of trails through the mountains all the way to the northern rim of the Grand Canyon.

Our 12,000 sq. ft. banquet hall features a full kitchen, a sitting room, full amenities, a DJ/band stage, and 10,000 square feet of dance floor. It is available seven days a week for birthday parties, anniversaries,

weddings, quinceaneras, social gatherings, or corporate meetings and parties.

Mesquite MX is open seven days a week for practice (pending scheduled races) from 9 am until dark with a prepped track on Saturdays and Sundays. Winter hours for The Gun Club are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily, our banquet facility is available upon request, and our paintball range and RC track are open daily.

This facility is an outdoor playground that exceeds most expectations and has been a dream project for the Shaw family.

Everyone here is family including all of our customers, spectators, and riders. This is just the start of many amazing years to come for everyone here.  Feel free to look us up on Facebook at Mesquite Mx1 or visit our websites at Mesquitemx.com and www.thesmokingunclub.com.

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Fest ival

Hot Air Balloon

T

he 2016 Mesquite Hot Air Balloon festival featured 40 hot air balloons from across the region. There were launches Saturday and Sunday morning from the Oasis Special Events Parking Lot. When these beautiful balloons were in flight over Mesquite it was a majestic sight. There were plenty of activities for spectators to take advantage of through the weekend after the morning launches. There was Popovich World Famous Comedy Pet Theater in the CasaBlanca Showroom and Champagne tasting for guests 21 and older in the CasaBlanca Skydome lounge. Then there was Saturday night’s balloon glow which had a great mix of music and a magnificent light show featuring balloon candle sticking.

These events would not have been possible without the great community support and the title sponsor the Mesquite Resort Association, which is made up of the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino, Eureka Casino Resort, and the Virgin River Hotel and Casino. Much appreciation also goes out to all the volunteers who came out to help.

photos by Kris Zurbas

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Mesquite Motor Mania The 2016 Mesquite Motor Mania event featured over 800 classic cars and thousands of spectators and car enthusiasts to Mesquite over Martin Luther King Weekend. The weekend was full of great activities from the open header cruise through Mesquite, slow drags and burnouts. With all of the beautiful classic cars filling the town accompanied by fantastic weather it made for a great weekend. Mesquite Motor Mania celebrated eight years in Mesquite and each and every year the event has gotten bigger and has quickly become a must-attend show in the west. ď ¤

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Senior Center Happenings

102 W Old Mill Rd • (702) 346-5290 • Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Sock Hop Fun

Break out your poodle skirt or your favorite set of 1960s vintage beads.

The Community and Senior Center is hosting an authentic 50s and 60s sock hop - a musical blast from the past.

The Sock Hop will be held Friday, March 18 from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm at the Mesquite Senior Center, 102 W. Old Mill Road. This event will bring back fond memories for some and introduce a fantastic genre of fun and toetapping music for people of all ages.

From classic rock to R&B and Doo-wop, the sock hop will offer up a variety of music guaranteed to please everyone. This event will prove to be a fun entertainment experience for singles, couples, and families alike. $4.00 entry fee, must sign up for event. Call (702) 346-5290.

Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, root beer floats, french fries, banana splits, sodas, and more will be available for purchase.

Come join us and have fun!

Cards & Tile Games Open Pinochle

Mon 8:00 - 3:30 Wed 8:00 - 3:30 Fri 8:00 - 12:30

Mexican Train

Tues 12:00 - 3:30

Dominoes

Tues 12:00 - 3:30

Mah-Jongg

Tues 12:00 - 3:30 Wed 12:00 - 3:30 Thurs 12:00 - 3:30 Fri 8:00 - 12:30

Cribbage

Thurs 12:30 - 3:30

Hand and Foot

Thurs 12:00 - 3:30

Senior Exercise

Mon - Fri 10:30 am - 11:15 am Fee: $20 (13 Weeks).

Fitness level: Moderate/Beginning. Class Requirement: Bring Bottled Water.

Instructors: Jean Koehler (Mon) and Jo Anne Smith (Tues - Fri).

Class Schedule: Mon - Strength training; Tues - Balance, breathing exercises & more; Wed - Qigong; Thurs - Balance, breathing & flexibility; Fri - Cardio, stretch and more.

Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting

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Second Tuesday of the month at the Mesquite Senior Center from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Contact: (702) 346-7666.

Shop MESQUITE High Speed Internet Super-fast and reliable Bundle & Save!

Voice | TV | Security Services Call us at 702.346.5211 www.relianceconnects.com 61 W. Mesquite Blvd.

Mesquite, NV 89027

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mesquite INFORMATION GUIDE Hotels / Motels Best Western Mesquite 390 N. Sandhill Blvd.

(702) 346-7444 CasaBlanca Resort Casino Golf-Spa 950 W. Mesquite Blvd.

(702) 346-7529

American Legion 3rd Tuesday – 6 pm Veterans Center 840 Hafen Ln.

Eureka Casino Resort 275 Mesa Blvd.

(702) 346-4600

Highland Manor Care Giver Support Service Mesquite Senior Center 2nd Tuesday - 2-3 pm 102 West Old Mill Rd. Paige Tandy (702) 346-7666

Historic Beaver Dam Lodge RV/Golf Resort (928) 347-2222 Highland Estates Resort 555 Highland Drive (702) 346-0871 Holiday Inn Express & Suites 1030 W. Pioneer Blvd.

(702) 346-2200 Siegel Suites 580 Mesa Blvd.

(702) 346-4700 Valley Inn Motel 791 W. Mesquite Blvd.

(702) 346-5281 Virgin River Hotel Casino 100 N. Pioneer Blvd.

(702) 346-7777 Meetings & Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous 51 E. 1st N. St. Old Gymnasium (702) 346-6315 Al‑Anon Family Group 371 Riverside Rd. Annex Building Lynn – (928) 347-5479 Sherri – (801) 792-7353 Al-Anon 12 & 12 Women’s Night - Mon 5:30 pm Holiday Inn Express/ Hospitality Rm. 1030 W. Pioneer Blvd.

Jill B - (702) 845-5736

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Alzheimer’s & Dementia Society 2nd Thurs of month - 2 pm First Baptist Church (Mesquite) Luann (435) 319-0407

Child Protective Services Hotline (702) 399-0081 City Council Meetings 2nd & 4th Tuesdays – 5 pm City Hall (upstairs) (702) 346-5295 Desert Dames Debbie Oskin (702) 346-0811

Mesquite Area Chamber of Commerce 11 W. Pioneer Blvd. Ste C (702) 346-2902 Mesquite Arts Council For the Performing Arts 150 N. Yucca, Suite 23 (702) 346-2787 www.facebook.com/ MesquiteArtsCouncilMesquiteNv Mesquite Cancer HELP Society Support Group Meeting 2nd Thurs of the month 2:30 pm 150 N Yucca, Room #36 (702) 346-0622 www.cancerhelpnv.com Mesquite High Rollers Motorcycle Club www.mesquitehighrollers.com Mesquite Republican Women 2nd Wednesday – 5:30 pm 840 Hafen Ln. (Veterans Center) Janey Castro (702) 613-4159

Desert Fox Flyers Radio Control Flying Club (702) 346-3788

Mesquite Rotary Club Tuesdays – 12:00 noon 851 Pinnacle Court (Mesquite Vistas Sports Club) Ron Bird – (702) 346-7025

Exchange Club of Mesquite Tuesdays - 12:00 noon Veterans Center 840 Hafen Ln. (702) 346-6633

Mesquite Sunrise Rotary Thursdays – 7:15 am Oasis Grill Room, 100 Palmer Ln. Maddy Wilcox – (702) 218-5612

Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation Mesquite Campus www.mesquitegmaf.com (702) 346-1232 Knights of Columbus 1st Tuesday- 6:15 pm La Virgen De Guadalupe Church 401 Canyon Crest Blvd.

Bob Larue - (702) 613-4324 Kokopelli ATV Club Bob Adams – (307) 631-7631 bobadams5210@gmail.com

Red Hat Divas of Mesquite Chapter 25712 Red Hat Society Sandi Sorenson (702) 345-6770 Virgin Valley Tea Party 1st Thurs 5-7 pm Scotty’s Grill - 1024 Normandy Ln. Donna (702) 346-0501 VFW Post 2nd Thursday– 6:30 pm Veterans Center Chuck Caldwell, Commander (775) 220-3460

Vietnam Veterans of America Veterans Center 840 Hafen Ln. www.vamesquite.org Ed Fizer (702) 346-1286 (702) 345-3361

Municipal Court (702) 346-5291

Mesquite Christian Center (702) 346-5164

Fire Department Emergency – 911 Fire Administration Office (702) 346-2690

Mesquite Lutheran Church (702) 346-5811

Virgin Valley Amateur Radio Club Fire Station #2 (at the Airport) Charlie Lum Kee (702) 345-4646

Police Department Emergency – 911 Non-emergency (702) 346-6911

Virgin Valley Community Food Bank Mondays Only 3-5 pm Thrift Store, M-F 9 am – 4 pm, Sat 9 am – 1 pm 107 First South, Units 107 & 111 (702) 346-0900 Virgin Valley Democrats www.virginvalleydems.com (702) 715-8403 Virgin Valley Family Services Se Habla Espanol (702) 346-7277 Virgin Valley Theater Group Board meets 3rd Wed of the month (702) 346-2325 www.vvtgnv.com We Care For Animals (702) 346-3326 www.wecareforanimals.org City Information City Hall (702) 346-5295 City Jail 500 Hillside Drive (702) 346-6925 Animal Control (702) 346-5268 Building Department (702) 346-2835 Justice Court (702) 346-5298

Senior Center 102 W. Old Mill Road (702) 346-5290

Mesquite United Methodist Church (702) 346-4663 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (702) 345-2160 River Valley Bible Church (702) 346-0339

Recreation Center 100 W. Old Mill Rd. (702) 346-8732

Valley Presbyterian Church (702) 346-5683

Mesquite Fine Arts Center & Gallery 15 W. Mesquite Blvd.

(702) 346-1338 www.mesquitefineartscenter.com

Golf Courses

Virgin Valley Heritage Museum 35 W. Mesquite Blvd.

(702) 346-5705 Worship Calvary Chapel of Mesquite (702) 346-7583 Christian Community Church (702) 346-2698 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (702) 346-8888 First Baptist Church (702) 346-7061 Graceway Community Church (702) 346-8667 La Virgen De Guadalupe Catholic Church (702) 346-7065

Historic Beaver Dam (928) 347-2222 Canyons (Oasis GC) (702) 346-7820 CasaBlanca (702) 346-6764 Conestoga (702) 346-4292 Coyote Willows (702) 345-3222 Falcon Ridge (702) 346-6363 Palmer (Oasis GC) (702) 346-7820 Palms (702) 346-4067 Wolf Creek (702) 346-1670

Living Waters Fellowship Church (702) 346-8558

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We Golf T

he following pages feature just some of the amazing golf courses around Mesquite and southern Utah, but not nearly all of them. This page is our attempt at a more comprehensive list. We hope we’ve included all your favorites. If not, please get in touch and let us know so we may include them in our next golf issue. We hope you have a wonderful spring and enjoy the links in our beautiful cities.

Historic Beaver Dam - Beaver Dam www.historicbeaverdamlodge.com (928) 347-2222 Bloomington - St. George bloomingtoncountryclub.com (435) 673-4687 Canyons (Oasis GC) - Mesquite www.theoasisgolfclub.com (702) 346-7820 see feature page 72

Coyote Willows - Mesquite www.coyotewillowsgolf.com (702) 345-3222 see feature page 69 Dixie Red Hills - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/dixieredhills (435) 627-4444 Entrada - St. George www.golfentrada.com (435) 986-2200

CasaBlanca - Mesquite casablancaresort.com/tee-times-casa/ (702) 346-6764

Falcon Ridge - Mesquite golffalcon.com (702) 346-6363

Cedar Ridge - Cedar City

Green Spring - Washington new.washingtoncity.org/golf (435) 673-7888 see feature page 68

www.cedarcity.org/65/Cedar-Ridge-Golf-Course

(435) 586-2970

Conestoga - Mesquite www.conestogagolf.com (702) 346-4292 Coral Canyon - Washington www.coralcanyongolf.com (435) 688-1700 Coyote Springs - Coyote Springs (Moapa) coyotesprings.com (702) 422-1400 see feature page 74

The Ledges - St. George www.ledges.com (435) 634-4640 see feature page 70 Palmer (Oasis GC) - Mesquite www.theoasisgolfclub.com (702) 346-7820 see feature page 72

Sand Hollow - Hurricane www.sandhollowresorts.com (435) 656-4653 Sky Mountain - Hurricane www.skymountaingolf.com (435) 635-7888 Southgate - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/southgate (435) 627-4440 St. George - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/stgeorge (435) 627-4404 Sun River - St. George sunrivergolf.com (435) 986-0001 Sunbrook - St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com/sunbrook (435) 627-4400 Thunderbird - Mt. Carmel www.zionnational-park.com/golf (435) 648-2188 Wolf Creek - Mesquite www.golfwolfcreek.com (702) 346-1670

Palms - Mesquite casablancaresort.com/tee-times-palms/ (702) 346-4067

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Wolf Creek Golf Club

by Darren Stanek

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The golf operation at Wolf Creek is constantly evolving. Over the past few years we have added T1 bentgrass greens, widely considered the finest turf putting surfaces, and are continually upgrading maintenance equipment and infrastructure.

This year we expect to add a complimentary Wolf Creek app that includes state of the art course graphics and handheld GPS on the smart phone. In addition to the phone app we have acquired new top of the line rental clubs from Titleist.

Sure, there is a greater expense, but those who travel to Mesquite to play Wolf Creek expect a world class experience.

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t is amazing to think that a golf course in little ol’ Mesquite Nevada is mentioned in the same sentence with such acclaimed courses as Pebble Beach, Black Wolf Run, and Bandon Dunes. Even more impressive is that Wolf Creek and the town of Mesquite are thought of as a premier golf destination.

This past year, Wolf Creek was one of Golf Digest’s top 50 public courses you could play, and was visited by guests from over 20 different countries. Talk about global. Wolf Creek doesn’t take this success for granted and is always striving to deliver the “Ultimate Golf Experience.”

Wolf Creek Golf Club is proud of all the accomplishments we have had in 2015 from the community outreach initiatives, global brand recognition, restaurant enhancements, capital expenditures, and first rate service. We expect the positive momentum to carry forward on what promises to be a fantastic 2016.

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For more information visit www.golfwolfcreek.com, or call (702) 346-1670.

As business leaders in the Mesquite community, Wolf Creek and its owners are deeply involved with local charity work and are big proponents of giving back. The Kids for Sports Foundation was formed two years ago to help give area children the resources needed to play organized sports. Wolf Creek hosts two major Kids for Sports fundraisers each year, the charity golf tournament held in January, and the popular wine fest held in the fall. In addition to Kids for Sports, Wolf Creek has hosted business forums, chamber events and local fundraisers as well as donating over $50,000 dollars in the form of gift certificates to charities throughout the area. We are proud to be an integral part of the Mesquite community.

The Terrace Restaurant at Wolf Creek continues to raise the bar.

In 2015 we were voted best prime rib in Mesquite and are also well known for our ribs. We feel the secret to our success is the high quality ingredients and the attention given to your meal by our culinary team. The newly introduced loyalty card has been very well received and we hope more of you will take advantage of this program. Every month there is something going on at the Terrace Restaurant whether it’s a holiday brunch or dinner, the new ultimate cookie dessert or possibly Octoberfest. There is always great food and good friends. The Terrace at Wolf Creek offers breakfast and lunch seven days a week and seasonally serves dinners Fridays and Saturdays.

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Green Spring Golf Course

by Nick Neeley

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reen Spring Golf Course is an 18 hole, par 72, 6859 yard course in Washington City, Utah. Its desert layout features ravines, gorges, sand traps, lakes, and ponds, and is surrounded by upscale homes. Green Spring Golf Course is a Gene Bates design, and having opened on November 4, 1989, it was one of his first. Some say it was his best effort, and Gene Bates has designed some beautiful golf courses in his career.

With a backdrop of Pine Valley Mountain, holes five and six offer stunning red rock and green grass views. Green Spring Golf Course has received numerous awards from different golf publications. Green Spring is constantly being ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top golf courses in the state of Utah.

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For more information, or to book a tee time, call (435) 673-7888, visit new.washingtoncity.org/golf/, or come out to the course at 588 North Green Springs Drive, Washington, UT.

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Coyote Willows Golf Club photos by Stallard Photography

Welcome to the only regulation 9-hole golf course in Mesquite.

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oyote Willows has been run by a group of extremely dedicated volunteers since 2008 and is considered to be a fun, family-friendly place for beginners or those wishing to hone their golfing skills.

The volunteers that run the course have worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of a true regulation 9-hole course. Even though there have been challenges, recent improvements have been made so there are still three par 3s, four par 4s, and two par 5s for a total 9-hole round of par 35.

Spectacular views of the mountains and the occasional sighting of the wildlife add to the experience. The course is located on Hafen Lane, west of Riverside Dr., and is open seven days a week. Reasonable rates and club rentals are available. We look forward to having you visit! ď ¤ We are located at 426 Hagens Alley, Mesquite.

Call (702) 345-3222 for more information, or find us online at coytotewillowsgolf.com and on Facebook.

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The Ledges

by Jeff Roberts

Golf Club

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he Ledges Golf Club offers a world class 18-hole championship course surrounded by the majestic red and white sandstone cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park.

Located only five miles north of St. George, The Ledges offers a memorable experience at an average of 5-10 degrees cooler than other courses in southern Utah.

With its impressive red rock backdrops, immaculately designed greens, and expansive view of Snow Canyon, The Ledges Golf Club presents world class golf unlike anything else in southern Utah. This 7,200 yard golf course was designed by Matt Dye. Each hole has been carefully created to provide a unique golf environment unmatched anywhere else in the world.

You’ll admire the natural beauty and breathtaking views of the surrounding sandstone mountains while enjoying a round of golf on our spectacular course. The Ledges Golf Club is also home to

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The Ledges Golf Academy which offers private and group lessons in a climate controlled atmosphere. The facilities at The Ledges boast conditions that rival, and even exceed, conditions at private clubs.

After a round of golf, enjoy a refreshing drink with your friends at The 19th Hole Lounge, a full service bar, while watching the latest sports on our high-definition flat screen TVs. The Ledges now offers vacation rentals whereby guests have the ability to stay on-site in homes and luxury villas managed by Ledges Vacation Rentals. The vacation rental units vary in size and accommodations to fit the needs of any group including couples, adult retreats, family vacations and golf groups.

The Ledges of St. George is also home to The Fish Rock Grille, a full-service restaurant. Enjoy lunch or dinner in our spacious

dining room or take in the beautiful landscapes on our covered patio. Our chef has created a variety of entrees including steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and pasta to satisfy a variety of appetites.

The Ledges is the ultimate destination to call home whether you are looking for a primary residence, retirement home, or vacation rental property. The Ledges Community is expanding rapidly with five neighborhoods under construction and more planned to begin construction through the remainder of the year. With a variety of builders and floorplans, your dream home can become a reality at The Ledges.

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To make a tee time or to contact one of our staff members please call The Ledges Golf Club at (435) 634-4600 or visit our website at ledges.com.

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The Oasis King GolfofClub Mesquite

by Randy Dodson photos by Fairways Media

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he golf course across the highway may have been first on the scene but it was the Oasis Golf Club that cemented Mesquite’s golfing image.

Canyons Course, the Oasis Golf Club has been a leader in the Mesquite community forging the way for all the golf holes that followed.

It wasn’t until Arnold Palmer planted the first blade of grass in the Oasis Golf Club’s fairways that golf as we know it today took root and spawned a new energy in Mesquite complete with booming drives, chip-ins and birdie putts.

Membership, they say, has its privileges, and once the 29,000 square foot clubhouse opened its doors the Mesquite social club scene could be found within. The clubhouse is the focal point for both club members and traveling golfers. The dining area is perfect for a business lunch or a family dinner, the bar is fully stocked, and the golf shop is complete with the latest and greatest golf lifestyle accessories, apparel and equipment.

The growth of full and part time Mesquite residents took a leap when the Oasis golf course, now known as the Palmer Course, took shape and Mesquite has never looked back. Arnold Palmer, “The King” of golf, placed his well-worn golf shoes on the desert soil and the stay and play industry in Mesquite became world famous.

From the completion of the King’s desert masterpiece to the addition of what was once called the Vista Nine, now a full 18-hole championship course called the

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Membership also includes advanced tee time reservations, charging privileges for beverage and merchandise, and discounts for family members and accompanied guests. Weddings, receptions, banquets, luncheons, retirement parties, family reunions and barbecues have all found a home at the Oasis Golf Club.

Director of Operations Randy Tickner is the man in charge. For nearly 45 years he has been at the leading edge of the club and golf industry. He’s as well versed in the restaurant as he is on the golf course. He will tee it up with you, share a sandwich and a cold beverage, and still find time to wet a fly in Lake Powell.

Head PGA Golf Professional Adam Schwartz is also on hand to fix your swing and align your putter. Adam enjoys the privilege of one-on-one instruction, handling your group lessons, and arranging for your next tee time.

The Canyons Course was designed to fit perfectly within its natural surroundings and golfers are treated to a wonderful scenic experience while finding the course quite player friendly. At 6,400 yards, golfers of many different skill levels have a chance for great scores. The key on the Canyons Course is hitting shots to the well-defined landing areas. Birdies are

My Favorite Holes at The Oasis Golf Club

By Adam Schwartz, PGA Golf Professional

The Palmer Course My favorite hole on the Palmer is the par 5, 8th hole. The tee box is almost 100 feet above the fairway landing areas.

Both sides of the fairway are enclosed by canyon walls until about 175 yards to the hole where the fairway gets to its narrowest point. Decide carefully if you choose to reach the putting surface in two as a pond penalizes shots both short and right of the green.

Pro tip: To have the best chance of birdie on this hole, lay up your approach shot to the left. Your third shot is the easiest way to attack this hole.

The Canyons Course My favorite hole on the Canyons is the par 4, 3rd hole.

Like several holes on the front 9 of the Canyons, accuracy off the tee is more important than distance. Missing the fairway left or right on this hole means the ball is lost to the desert.

Pro tip: A player's second shot will be an uphill shot to a very long green. Play the shot at least one and a half clubs longer to as much as three clubs longer if the pin is in the back portion of the green.

available for the more daring player willing to challenge the course. Risk/reward opportunities present themselves on both the outward and inward nines.

The Arnold Palmer designed Palmer Course (Par 71) offers emerald green fairways cradled in isolated canyons, a box canyon enshrining a lush green, four unique signature holes, elevated tees with majestic drops, and numerous hazards created by Mother Nature. The course once played host to the Golf Channel’s popular Big Break show. The Oasis Golf Club’s website boasts, “Its rugged canyon fairways and meticulous contour greens set this course apart as one of the best 18 holes you can play. The Palmer Course has been rated among the ‘Top 10 You Can Play’ by Golf Digest.”

Tickner says, “The Canyons Course is player friendly and the course conditions never disappoint. The Canyons always offers a refreshing change of pace. The Palmer Course offers rugged canyon fairways and the variety of holes created by Mr. Palmer set this course apart. The Palmer Course is unforgettable. I suggest you bring a camera along for both courses!”

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Call (702) 346-7820 or visit www.theoasisgolfclub.com for more information.

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Coyote Springs Golf Club submitted by Karl Larcom

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oyote Springs Golf Club is a world-class Jack Nicklaus signature design that is simply awe-inspiring. Located between Las Vegas and Mesquite, Nevada, Coyote Springs Golf Club’s remote location is just part of what makes the course so special. As Sports Illustrated’s Gary Van Sickle said, “No words arranged by me can paint the epic sweep and isolation of Coyote Springs. It’s a daily fee golf course that feels like your own private desert. This is more than just a golf course; it’s a golf experience.”

In the years since opening in May 2008, Coyote Springs Golf Club has been bestowed with incredible accolades, including “One of the Top 10 New Courses in the World” by Travel & Leisure Golf, one of the “Best New Courses You Can Play of 2008” by

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GOLF Magazine, “2nd Best New Public Course of 2008” by Golf Digest, “#1 Golf Course in Nevada” in Golf World’s Readers’ Choice Awards and “#1 Course Conditions in US” in Golf World’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Since opening, Coyote Springs has been included every year (2008-2015) in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek’s TOP Courses you can play in Nevada, further confirming that Coyote Springs Golf Club is the finest desert course the Golden Bear has ever built.

It is the attention to detail that makes Coyote Springs so special.

From the desert trees & plants that surround the course, to the 11 beautiful lakes, to the occasional waterfall, it all blends in with the scenic mountain ranges surrounding the course. In addition, Coyote Springs does not overseed. There are no month-long

Designer: Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Par 72 Est: 2008 Slope, Course Rating & Yardage: Black-76.8 / 149 7471 yards Blue-72.8 / 144 6807 yards White-70.6 / 139 6215 yards Gold-66.5 / 121 5702 yards White (W)-- 77.4 / 148 6215 yards Gold (W)-- 73.0 / 139 5702 yards Red (W)-- 69.8 / 131 5288 yards

course closures, periods of time that are cart path only, or areas on the greens and fairways that did not grow in properly. Our perennial ryegrass tees & fairways make for some of the best lies a golfer will ever have. The A4 Bentgrass greens make for a smooth putting surface all day and all year long. A day of golf on our fast rolling, undulated fairways and bunker protected greens gives a person the feeling they have just played a “championship” caliber golf course. With five sets of tees, guests can choose just how tested they want to be. Distances vary from 7471 yards from the tips to 5288 yards from the forward tees; the golf course is set-up for every level of player.

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For more information, visit CoyoteSprings.com or call (877) 742-8455.

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Message from the Mayor

St. George

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t’s hard to believe we’re well into 2016 already. Perhaps it’s a good time to see if those goals and resolutions we made in January are still active.

This year I want to really make an effort to take greater advantage of the many outdoor opportunities in St. George and Washington County.

relation to cars. We can all work together to share the roads and get to where we’re going safely. I rode my bike to work several times last May during bike to work month. I want to ride a lot more in 2016. It takes some extra time and planning to ride to work, but let’s see what we can do – at least once in awhile.

I’ve been told by fitness experts that walking is perhaps the best exercise we can do throughout our lifetime. It’s something we can do now and keep doing into our old age and if we walk far enough and frequently enough, it will certainly help us feel better and live longer. With forty miles of paved trails in St. George alone, plus the many other natural trails, there are so many safe and fun places to walk, run, hike, and ride.

We have many hiking and mountain biking trails in our city and county. I haven’t gone on enough of them and plan to do more this year. There are trails for all skill levels right in our backyards. Information is available from a number of sources, including at sgcity.org. Take a hike or ride with a friend, your spouse, or your children. Many do this already and have a great time being active together.

Which brings me to cycling. St. George is making a real effort to focus more on active transportation. Our Active Transportation Committee is meeting regularly and bringing forward ideas to help us plan better in the future and make incremental improvements now. We’ve engaged a consultant to drill down in this area and give us ideas of what will work best in St. George in conjunction with the trails and streets we have. We also want to do more in the area of safety when it comes to pedestrians and cyclists in

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Our nearby reservoirs are great for things like motor boating, waterskiing, and wakeboarding/surfing. They’re also great for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and more.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the city’s first golf course: Dixie Red Hills.

It’s a beautiful nine-hole course tucked up against some of our most beautiful red rocks. Since 1965, golf in southern Utah has become a staple for residents and visitors alike, and another opportunity to get out and actively enjoy the outdoors.

Now the city owns and operates four golf courses with four additional private courses in our boundaries. In Washington County golf continues to be a huge draw and an economic boon with a total of 12 beautiful courses.

Bottom line: so many people love to come visit our area because of all the activities that are available. It’s why many of us live here. Let’s take even greater advantage of what we have in 2016 and make it a happier, healthier year.

Mayor Jon Pike

Sout hern Ut ah

Why I Love F

or many years I ventured to southern Utah for occasional golf outings to escape the bitter cold and non-golfing winters of the north. Those visits were primarily focused on flags, sand traps and scoring, but over time I began taking in the beautiful surroundings that framed these great courses, that all who came before me had raved about for years. This brought a whole new appreciation and perspective of what playing this great game of golf was all about.

As a general contractor performing restorations and renovations of residential and commercial properties, I came to St. George nine years ago. I was in search of a slower paced and less hectic lifestyle. After years of working as an engineer on large power plants and “nukes” throughout the country, I found a love of this new lifestyle. Here, I reprioritized my life of “all work” and chasing the dream to a more enjoyable life of stopping to smell the roses, which for me means “where are we teeing it up next and what time is sunset?”

I’ve played many of the finest courses throughout the country in both competitive and casual outings for nearly 50 years now, and I’ve found the southern Utah courses can hold their own with the best venues. From the black rock lava of Sunbrook to the Virgin River canyons of Sky Mountain to the rolling, diverse terrain of Sunriver, each golf course has its own style of beauty.

After playing all these scenic and challenging Utah courses for years, I was invited to play a fundraiser golf outing many years ago in the small Nevada city of Mesquite. There, I discovered more awesome surroundings, quality courses, and that personable “glad you came to see us “ attitude of course staff. Here again was another variety of scenic views, from the cliffs and valleys of Falcon Ridge to the elevation changes of The Palms to the always challenging Wolf Creek. Southern Utah and Mesquite certainly offer some golf experiences that you won’t find anywhere else, so as a golfer, of course I love southern Utah. ~ Rick Lukas

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e arrived in southern Utah on November 6, 2011, 2,300 miles and a world away from Washington, D.C., where we’d made our home for 11 years.

Falling in love with this place was a swift and pleasurable process.

We appreciate St. George for its small-town feel and the friendliest people we’ve EVER met! We love the uniqueness of Ivins and Kayenta, where rural landscapes meld with the inevitable march of the progress of a growing community.

The quiet of Snow Canyon provides us with tranquility and clarity. We feel at home among the red rocks.

We’re fortunate to call this our home as we watch many others answering the call of the desert to stake their claim on this little piece of paradise.

This is why we love southern Utah. ~ James & Annettie Cannavale

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view on OUTDOORS

Southwestern Utah’s Volcanic Past story and photos by Karen L. Monsen

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n May 22, 2015, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake centered near Caliente, Nevada shook southwestern Utah—reminding everyone of nature’s formidable power. Although quakes are relatively minor here, volcanic events have dramatically shaped the landscape and created the towering Pine Valley laccolith, black lava ridges, cinder cone volcanoes, and lava tubes.

Pine Valley Laccolith North of St. George, the Pine Valley Mountains are the largest laccolith in the United States. In a technical paper for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, David B. Harker estimated that the Pine Valley Mountains formed 22-20 million years ago when “...the gigantic 30 km long by 11 km wide Pine Valley laccolith” intruded into Claron and Tertiary sedimentary strata beneath earth’s

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surface. The magma cooled underground and was later exposed when upper rock layers eroded and tectonic forces pushed up the ground.

capped ridges. Subsequent deposits and lava flows filled the valleys again and the process continued, creating inverted topography.

Lava Ridges “At least two dozen individual lava flows and a dozen recognizable cinder cones make up the St. George Basin sub-field,” according to William Stokes in his book, Geology of Utah. An interesting feature of the lava ridges throughout southwestern Utah is their inverted topography— where older rock layers occupy ridge tops and younger layers are in lower valleys. Generally, sedimentary rocks are deposited sequentially on top of older layers enabling geologists to “read” the rock history from the older lower layers to the younger upper layers. Since lava is more resistant to erosion, the surrounding sandstone eroded faster and left lava-

Authors of Geology Underfoot in Southern Utah estimate three major lava flow periods in the Snow Canyon area. The oldest flow was 1.4 million years ago followed by another flow 1.1 million years ago. The Santa Clara flow—the most recent—happened less than 30,000 years ago, when lava emerged from the base of the cinder cone to the north of Snow Canyon.

Cinder Cone Volcanoes The Snow Canyon Cinder Cone and the Veyo Volcano Cinder Cone are located along highway 18 northwest of St. George. On October 22, 2015, Assistant Park Manager Jordan Perez led an

The non-profit group Friends of Snow Canyon State Park provided funds that enabled rerouting the trail to make it less erosive and safer. Perez adds, “The revamped Cinder Cone Trail provides hikers with a better experience overall.

The old trail was very obviously a ‘get to the top fast’ route. With the reroutes, the trail now is taking on a new character entirely where hikers can enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Even though it was common many years ago to scramble straight up the side of the volcano, these are different times with far more people using the trail. The damage to the slopes and the risk of someone getting hit by rock slides is simply too high to allow off trail travel.”

interpretative walk on the 1.6-mile round trip Cinder Cone Trail to the top of Snow Canyon Volcano.

Perez, who previously was a naturalist at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, described the area’s volcanic history, “Uplifts, intrusions, and faults most apparent in this area happened over many millions of years. Tremendous

buckling and faulting of the earth’s crust along this region caused many episodes of venting ash and lava flows. With cracking and expansion often comes intrusive magma rushing upward from the earth’s mantle toward the surface. This magma is responsible for laccolithic domes turned mountain ranges and in other occurrences cinder cones when a surface vent was reached.”

Lava Tubes Another striking volcanic feature in Snow Canyon are lava tubes that formed approximately 27,000 years ago when the outer lava crust cooled and hardened while molten lava continued to flow inside and eventually drained out. In 1985, a 1,500-year-old atlatl (hunting device) was found in one of the lava tubes and indicates early human visitation. The atlatl is currently on display at Anasazi State Park in Boulder, Utah.

Snow Canyon Park Naturalist Jenny Dawn Stucki notes, “The tubes [in Snow Canyon] are mostly collapsed due to weathering. There are two access points where the public may enter (note that one is considerably more difficult to enter

Jordan Perez entering a lava tube in Snow Canyon State Park.

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and caution here is advised). Both are relatively short tubes; the more accessible tube (south tube access) is the shortest and has an entrance that is about 15-25’ wide and a shallow chamber of approximately 100-150’ wide once you have entered inside.”

Interpretative signs installed in 2014 describe the tube formations and Stucki reminds visitors, “Tube or cave ecosystems are fragile and easily damaged. When exploring a cave, disturb as little as possible. Always leave the cave as you found it or better—so others can continue to enjoy it long after you are gone.

Remember, if you carry it in—carry it out!”

To see a laccolith, hike a volcano, or enter lava tubes, you don’t need to go far in southwestern Utah. However, if you want to feel an earthquake, you better head to California.

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Snow Canyon State Park www.utah.com/snow-canyon-state-park Friends of Snow Canyon State Park www.friendsofsnowcanyon.org/ BLM St. George Field Office www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/st__george.html Utah Geological Survey www.geology.utah.gov/

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On The Town Great events are going on in southern Utah on a daily basis.

Here, we bring you just a fraction of what’s happened lately.

by Alexa V. Morgan

Arts to Zion

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rt enthusiasts enjoyed an intimate look at local artists and their work during the fifth annual Arts to Zion studio, gallery, and museum showcase. From Zia Pottery in Kayenta to Joy Craft & Design in Springdale, the self-guided tour also wound through downtown St. George and even historic Leeds.

More than 50 art spaces, including private in-home studios, opened to the public from Jan. 14-18, giving artists an opportunity to discuss their work with potential buyers in the area, as well as those visiting over the holiday weekend. In total, 80 different artists representing a variety of mediums, from the sculpture of Jerry Anderson and photography of Brad Dawber to the paintings of Julie Rogers and jewelry of Carla Burmingham, were featured.

The goal of Arts to Zion is to highlight all local artists and venues that wish to participate, founder and executive director Bobbi Wan-kier says. The Dixie Watercolor Society, Southern Utah Art Guild, and St. George Chamber of Commerce are among the numerous sponsors.

Dixie’s Got Talent

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ore than 100 singing, dancing, and variety acts auditioned for Dixie’s Got Talent 2016, but only the 20 finalists performed before a sold-out audience at Dixie State University’s Cox Auditorium on Jan 21.

A panel of seven judges, including Paul Anderson of the Piano Guys, chose the winners and runners-up, who received $500 and $300, respectively. Miss Utah, Krissia Beatty, served as emcee.

The adult winners were husband-and-wife singing duo Jordon and Liz Sharp. They dedicated their emotional performance to Liz’s mother, who passed away about a week before the show. Vocalist Marlie Root won the youth category. photos courtesy of the DSU Alumni Association

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Nature Sketching in Snow Canyon

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he picturesque red sand dunes of Snow Canyon State Park provided plenty of inspiration for amateur artists at a nature sketching activity on Jan 16. Naturalist Jenny Dawn Stucki guided a handful of participants, who ranged from schoolchildren to retirees, through the creative process and provided interpretation on the many creatures that call the park home—tarantulas, rattlesnakes, scrub jays, and hawks.

Nature sketching is just one of the various programs offered year-round by the park. These hikes, lectures, and field trips are designed to educate locals about the area’s fascinating geology and biodiversity. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information on upcoming activities, please contact park staff at (435) 628-2255.

Fiesta Fun’s New Years Eve Blowout

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amilies flocked to St. George’s Fiesta Fun on Dec 31 to “blow out” 2015 and ring in the new year! Family-owned and operated since 2002, Fiesta Fun recently expanded to a new 11-acre, 40,000-square-foot facility with plenty of room for future growth, to the delight of locals. The amusement center offered something for all ages, with live music from Joe Sherman, Raven Cain, and the Famous Unknowns, while DJ Lex and DJ Fayze kept the party going on the dance floor.

Mini golf, laser tag, go-karts and other attractions were drastically discounted. The little ones enjoyed bounce houses, a scavenger hunt, face painting, and a special New York New Year’s countdown to get them home before bedtime.

Those who stayed until midnight were treated to a balloon and cash drop. “[It was] a fun way to end the year!” owner Brett Crockett says. photos courtesy of Fiesta Fun

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view on BUSINESS

Could Your

“Golf Pain”

be Arthritis?

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by Mark Udy PA-C – Desert Pain Specialists n a daily basis in my clinic, someone will ask me if it’s possible they have arthritis in their lower back or neck, and the answer is yes. Arthritis in the low back (lumbar spine) commonly causes the following type of pain: hip and buttock pain, cramping of the lower extremities but usually not below the knee, low back stiffness (especially in the morning), and pain aggravated by prolonged sitting or standing. The most common symptoms of arthritis in the neck (cervical spine) are neck pain, headache, shoulder/scapula pain, and upper arm pain.

So what can we do to help ease this pain? A less-invasive approach is physical therapy and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Often times, placing an ice-pack over the arthritic area will help decrease the inflammation as well. When those methods are no longer effective, there are certain injections which may offer long lasting relief of arthritic spine pain.

One option for decreasing inflammation in the spine is an intra-articular

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facet injection, which is a relatively simple injection of a small amount of corticosteroid directly into the joint using a live x-ray. If this injection offers months of relief, it can be repeated periodically; however, if the relief is effective but short lived, another option called radiofrequency ablation would be recommended.

Radiofrequency ablation is a technique in which a needle is placed in close proximity to the small nerves in the spine which sense arthritic pain. These particular nerves are not involved in motor function or the movement of the legs – they only sense pain coming from the affected joints of the spine. Once accurate placement of the needle is achieved using live x-ray, a small probe is placed within the needle and using low-frequency radio waves for 90 seconds, the nerve is essentially cauterized or burned. Successfully done, this 15 minute in-office procedure can offer up to a year or more of relief from low back and neck pain.

Many popular, local sporting activities such as golf and pickleball require repetitive spine bending and twisting

which can aggravate spine arthritis, subsequently causing increased low back pain and discomfort. Many acute back related injuries will naturally heal over time with ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Unfortunately, people who experience and suffer from chronic low back pain usually experience recurrent episodes which interfere with their ability to perform activities, causing frustration and discouragement. In these cases, more invasive treatments are recommended such as epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation in order to help individuals more fully enjoy their physical activities.

If you suspect that you are suffering from facet arthritis of either the neck or low back, ask your primary care provider or feel free to call our office for a consultation.

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St. George office: (435) 216-7000 Mesquite office: (702) 346-5037 www.desertpainspecialists.com

Tennis TNT – Tips N Tricks –

by Donna Eads

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ennis, like most sports, has evolved over time. Some of the remarkable changes are noted with the new technology in racquets, balls, and even line calls. To the ‘old school’ player, many of the ‘died in the wool’ truths are no more.

One of the biggest changes has been the open stance and radical grips for hitting any ball. Next would be the lack of the split step before striking the ball. Now most players move through the shot to increase their power and decrease the time for their opponent. Almost all current tournament players come off the ground with each hit, which was a big taboo in the past. The choice for older players – adjust, and play smarter than the new player.

Use your attacking shots that include angle volleys, deep to the corner returns, or drop shots to adjust. As any crafty player knows, the lob is a shot that is underused by most new stronger players. Pick the right time and place so you win the point. Many a game has been won with better defense than offense.

With Mesquite Senior Tennis Games starting March 2 at Hafen Park, a survival kit to assist the player is a must. Simple things like a fresh towel or extra socks are often overlooked by average players, so don’t forget to check your bag before a match/event. Be sure that you have extra items like a back-up racquet, a can of new balls, hat, snack, or sunscreen, to name a few.

Did you know that dropping your racquet during a point is not an automatic let but dropping a ball out of your pocket does stop play?

Remember in a tournament that you must have a 10 minute warm-up with your opponent(s) unless both parties agree that it is not needed.

See you on the courts.

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SYNCHRONICITY IN SOUTHERN UTAH

by Rich Csenge

S

AVE THE DATES! 10th Amazing Earthfest, May 8-14, 2016

Significant milestones for America’s national parks and public lands will synchronize at the 2016 Amazing Earthfest, May 8-14, in the tiny vacation destination of Kanab, Utah. Earthfest inspires people to visit, appreciate, and support national and state parks, forests, monuments and public lands of the American west. In 2016, Amazing Earthfest will hold its 10th anniversary celebration of experiential learning, arts, and outdoor adventure.

People from around the nation will gather in beautiful Kanab to enjoy a delicious variety of nature-based activities. Those include hiking and cycling, documentary films, live music, and informative presentations by experts and scholars in archaeology, astronomy, earth sciences, wildlife, and more. Over the course of seven days, 35 exciting events will educate, stimulate, and fascinate all who have discovered the magical red rock spectacle that is the western edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Even more momentous, the year 2016 marks

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the 100th anniversary of America’s National Park Service. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1916 to protect spectacular landscapes and develop visitor services for a newly designated collection of the wildest places in America, the park service has much to celebrate. And participants in southern Utah’s Amazing Earthfest will join millions of Americans in doing just that.

Eye-popping natural beauty like that found in Utah’s canyon country can engender hidden yet powerful emotions and create a sense of wonder. Protecting these stunning landscapes in their natural state is what documentary filmmaker Ken Burns referred to when he called our national parks “America’s best idea.” Amazing Earthfest is proud to engage the American public and overseas visitors in recognizing this signature achievement.

It’s serendipitous that 2016 also marks the 20th anniversary of one of America’s most important national monuments, the 1.9 million acre landscape-scale frontier in southern Utah known as Grand Staircase-Escalante,

managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. Through a brilliant series of designations that help connect wildlife corridors from Mexico to Canada, the all-new National Conservation Lands system was created from federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Grand Staircase is the largest land-based unit of the system. Its vast reaches contain remarkable and largely still undiscovered treasures for science in paleontology, archaeology, geology and wildlife. In partnership with BLM, Amazing Earthfest helps tell the story of these treasured lands and the people who inhabit them.

Grab your hiking boots and camera; bring your family and friends to celebrate a decade of outdoor learning, adventure, and memorable experiences while exploring shared values in conservation and land ethics.

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Visit www.AmazingEarthfest.org for festival information and links to visitor services.

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ATV & OHV

What a Way to Go Explore

by Laurel Beesley

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f there is any better place than southern Utah for an off-roading adventure, I don’t know it. This is land that begs for attention, and pays you back with nearly unbelievable views – and enjoying them from an ATV is a wonderful adventure for anyone, of any age.

Hog Canyon, just outside Kanab, is a good place to begin – a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property with 200 miles of trails and loops ranging from a few miles to over 60 miles. Levels of difficulty range all the way from mild and easy to extremely challenging. Elevation rises from 5,000 feet to nearly 7,000 feet with numerous overlooks that provide spectacular views of red-rock cliffs and deep canyons. Picnics, cameras, and good friends are recommended.

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Sound interesting? Here’s a plan for beginning your adventure into ATV/OHV exploration. First – go to the Kane County Office of Tourism or BLM Visitor Center in Kanab and ask for a map and expert advice. If you are traveling with your own vehicle, decide on which of the six or more staging areas within 25 miles of Kanab you can’t resist. Each staging area branches into a widespread network of astounding trails within BLM properties, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the National Forests and alongside state parks like Coral Pink Sand Dunes.

Two of these staging areas, the Peeka-Boo Staging Area and Crocodile/Hog Canyon Staging Area, access Kanab’s little hidden gem – the Red Canyon (Peeka-Boo) slot canyon. While the rest of the

world crowds into the famous Antelope Canyon in Page, the equally stunning Peek-a-Boo Canyon silently waits for the appreciative visitor and promises a quiet journey within its classic sculpted, fluted walls. Surrounded by a rolling landscape of sand dunes and small hills, Peek-a-Boo is an ideal destination for ATV riders (it is difficult to hike there). Several Kanabbased adventure guides are available to take you there, and even help you adjust the settings on your camera to capture Peek-a-Boo’s dramatic light show.

Day-trip possibilities are nearly endless, and the local Utah/Arizona ATV club is busy naming their favorite trails so others can better find and share them. “Many of our members were, and are, hard-core hikers and horseback riders but as they

photo by Utah Office of Tourism

photo by Kanab Tours Company

photo by Brent Johnson

photo by Utah Office of Tourism

had children or got older they began thinking about other, flexible ways to keep exploring this great outdoor museum we call our backyard.” Sam, one of the “trail masters” in the club, explained how likely it is that people will find haunting petroglyphs, pictographs and even mysterious “water glyphs” on their rides here. “These unusual water glyphs are primarily found right here in southern Utah; they may have come from very early Spaniards but more likely they came from the Ancient Pueblo peoples. When you find one, you feel like you are looking around some back corner of time wondering what they mean.”

Those treasure-map findings don’t even include the dinosaur tracks club members helped locate just outside the Coral Pink Sand Dunes – Moccasin Mountain Dinosaur Trackways is open to the public; please respect the 185-million-year-old tracks set in Jurassic Sandstone when you visit. There are 5-Star rated ATV tours

photo by Zion Ponderosa Ranch

available that will take you across the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, including the dino tracks. ATV rentals are also available.

As if all that fun isn’t enough, there is also “motocaching” – geocaching done on an ATV with your GPS coordinates. Caches are only a short distance from the road and not difficult to reach. In the spring, come to Kanab and join in the three-day UT/AZ ATV Club “Fun Run” festivities. Free guided rides are available the day before and day after this great event; ride with club members on Saturday and enjoy a BBQ style lunch with a great Split-thePot and Live Auction. Learn from club members where many of the best trails are found and become part of an active trail riding community (and learn more about motocaching). The club website assists all visitors with rider reports and other advice.

In the ATV world, Kanab has been considered one of the best-kept secrets.

Two ATV companies have even shot their

catalogs and filmed commercials here due to the number of un-crowded and diverse scenic trails. Nearby Duck Creek Village is another oasis for ATV riding in the amazing Dixie National Forest and on Cedar Mountain. Backcountry trips are an excellent way to see some of southern Utah’s most beautiful and untouched landscape.

Don’t have a vehicle? No problem – outfitters offer guided ATV tours and ATV rentals on the east side of Zion National Park, and in the city of Kanab and Duck Creek Village. Kanab allows ATVs to drive on public roads to better access its many trails.

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For more information contact Kane County Office of Tourism at 78 South 100 East, Kanab, at www.visitsouthernutah.com, or call (435) 644-5033.

UT/AZ ATV Club: www.utazatvclub.org

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view on INSPIRATION

Golf is Good for the Soul

by Charlene Paul

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ot being a golfer myself, I set out on a journey this month to find out whether or not the game of golf is good for the soul. I asked my nephew who is attending college on a golf scholarship.

He rattled off a lot of statistics and dropped several big names in the world of golf, and then gave me a satisfied look as if he had more than adequately answered my question. I thanked him for the history lesson and then asked again if golf was, indeed, good for the soul, to which he replied, “Aunt Charlene, do you know why they named it golf? Because all the other colorful four letter words had already been used.”

If that is true, why are so many people obsessed with this game? Is it because of the challenge of trying to hit a very small ball with 336 dimples into a very small hole while trying to remember to align your stance, keep your eyes down, and loosen your grip? Is it the snazzy shoes?

Is it the fact that the lower the score the better chance you have of winning? (If that were true in bowling, I would be a world champion.) Or is there more to this game?

Could there be life lessons in learning to master it?

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The first thing that came to mind as I contemplated golf’s life lessons was the fact that it is played outside surrounded by nature. Sunshine, green grass, water, sand, trees, and the call of the Canadian geese. Could there be a nicer way to spend the day? Okay, I get that the geese can make things a little slippery, but everything else sounds nice. And being outside is good for the soul.

The next thing I thought about was the social element. In my quest, I learned that golf is a social game. Friends play with friends, strangers play with strangers, and couples play with other couples. Men and women, young and old, professional and novice can enjoy playing together because of the handicapping system. Sometimes the games are friendly in nature, and sometimes they are more competitive. But however it is played, the social aspect of golf is good for the soul.

As someone who is determined to lose weight and get back in shape this year, the physical fitness part of golf interested me.

Unless you choose to ride in a golf cart, there is plenty of walking that takes place during a game. And if I had to chase my

own runaway balls, I am sure I could walk the equivalent of a marathon during one game. Exercise is not only good for the body, but for the soul as well.

I have a tendency to hear every conversation going on around me, and can even jump into several in the course of an evening. Focus is not one of my strong points. But I imagine that focus is an extremely important part of golf. And being able to focus on the task at hand is good for the soul.

The cerebellum is one of the areas of the brain responsible for coordination. Since the coordination I think I have does not always translate to my outer extremities, I have embarrassed myself more than once. But when I watch a golfer’s body move in sequence with smooth rhythm, I am awestruck. Being in control of one’s movements is good for the soul.

In my quest to learn about golf, I finally found a use for the eighth grade geometry class I despised. No matter where the golfer is on the course and no matter how he hits the ball, there has to be some sort of strategy. By analyzing the geometrics

of the course, the left brain gets a workout right along with the body. I cannot say that geometry is good for the soul, but learning to strategize could be.

The game of golf is a terrific character builder since the shot you thought was your absolute most horrible could always be followed by one that is worse. And unless you want to alienate anyone who would be willing to play with you, learning to control one’s temper while cultivating good sportsmanship is a must. This can lead to increased humility, and humility is good for the soul. However, I am certain that for some it expands their ability to string together lots of the aforementioned four letter words. Not sure that is good for the soul.

And if you are interested in learning a new language, one that does not have too many words, golf is what you are looking for. An ace is a hole-in-one which is good. There are albatrosses, eagles, and birdies. Par is what is expected, and bogey and doublebogey are not what you should aim for.

My brother told me he once hit a duck on the course. Do not bother to look that one

up; he really did hit a duck.

Learning a new language is good for the soul.

And let us not forget prayer.

More than one golfer has undoubtedly uttered a prayer while watching his ball sail across the sky. And prayer is good for the soul.

But according to my young and devilishly handsome nephew, the real reason to play golf is because it is fun.

The atmosphere, fresh air, challenges, socializing, and competition are what makes the game fun. Not unicorns and fairy dust fun, but torturous and agonizing fun filled with blind luck and bits of satisfaction. And fun is definitely good for the soul.

Riley Clark, the author’s nephew, on a golf vacation.

So tie up those snazzy shoes, loosen your grip, keep your eyes down, and align your stance. Concentrate on hitting that tiny ball into that tiny hole, and pray for the lowest

score of the day. And while you are at it, you just might learn some good life lessons and develop character traits that are good for the soul.

ď ¤

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DSU Athletics Department Success On and Off the Field

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early 10 years ago Dixie State University Athletics began a new era in its storied history. After enjoying decades of championship success at the junior college level, the program transitioned to four-year competition at the NCAA Division II level beginning in the 2006-07 season.

DSU began its four-year NCAA provisional period that season, and as is the case with most programs which have made the step up in competition, there were some initial growing pains. However, the hard work and early success we enjoyed both on and off the field not only caught attention of our future homes in the Pacific West and Great Northwest Athletic (football) conferences, but the NCAA as well.

After completing the first two years of our four-year provisional period, the NCAA waived our final two years in advance of the 2008-09 season, which made our athletic programs immediately eligible for conference and national postseason

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by Steve Johnson, Associate AD/Media Relations, Dixie State University photos by Stan Plewe – DSU Athletics play. Clearing that final hurdle served as a springboard for Dixie State to become a major player on the national stage.

Over the next seven-plus seasons, Dixie State has won nearly 60 percent of its games, claimed 16 PacWest conference championships and has sent 29 teams to the NCAA tournament. One program in particular, the Red Storm women’s softball program, has won three NCAA West Region crowns and advanced to three NCAA Division II World Series, which included a national championship runnerup finish in 2015.

Our men’s golf and softball programs have both advanced to the NCAA tournament each of the last seven years. Meanwhile, DSU’s men’s basketball team has earned a trip to the Division II “Big Dance” in six straight seasons, including a “Sweet 16” appearance in 2013, and our baseball (four straight) and women’s volleyball (three straight) programs have made multiple trips to the NCAA postseason.

More importantly, our student-athletes not only perform at a high-level on the field, they also excel in the classroom and in the community. Dixie State studentathletes have maintained a departmentwide GPA of over 3.0, with a number of athletes earning conference and national academic awards and recognition.

In addition, Dixie State athletes and coaches give back to the community they represent. Whether it is by hosting a food drive, providing mentorship to younger students, reading books to local elementary school children, or participating in building and clean-up projects, we have provided more than 6,000 hours of community service since 2010.

In 2008-09, and again in consecutive years in 2010-11 and 2011-12, Dixie State was presented with the Pacific West Conference’s Community Engagement Award. The award recognizes and celebrates the efforts of the conference’s

member schools and student-athletes who have contributed to their community in the most notable ways.

“We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments our athletic programs have made in our very brief history participating in the NCAA,” said Dr. Jason Boothe, Dixie State Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Our student-athletes are secondto-none when it comes to their dedication athletically. But more importantly, they have consistently performed well in the classroom and they are great ambassadors of our institution and our community.”

“We provide a very high level of athletic competition, an exciting event to watch for a very affordable price,” Boothe noted. “We have championship caliber student-athletes who truly represent the very best in intercollegiate athletics, our university and our community.”

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For more information on DSU Athletics’ news, schedules, and rosters, please visit www.dixieathletics.com.

So what does the next decade hold for Dixie State Athletics?

In the immediate future, our football program begins a new era in 2016 with a new head football coach in Shay McClure, and a new league home as we become an affiliate member of the storied Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). We will also field our 14th intercollegiate athletic program this fall when our women’s swimming team hits the pool. In the years to come we look to add several more sports, including women’s track and field and sand volleyball, among other possible options.

In addition, we will have completed our athletics rebranding campaign, which will usher in a change to our identity with a new nickname and mascot, along with new colors and logos.

One thing that won’t change, however, is our continued pursuit of excellence on and off the court. We will continue to field teams that will compete at the highest level of athletic competition. We will also continue to excel in the classroom as we prepare our student-athletes for their future careers, and we will continue to represent our university and you, the community, in a way that will make you proud.

And if you are not a season ticket holder, or are someone who has not been to a Dixie State athletic event in a while, or never taken in a game, we invite you to campus to see one.

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view on FITNESS

Prepare or Suffer in Silence Importance of Sports Conditioning

by Laurie Nelson Barker

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any years ago, through no fault of my own, I found myself headed to exotic Pocatello, ID for what seemed like a lengthy stay. My lack of seniority as a flight attendant had netted me the opportunity to savor all Pocatello had to offer for the better part of a day.

Fortunately for me, the captain of our flight was an avid golfer. He took advantage of the opportunity to play golf whenever and wherever possible and he was determined to include the entire crew of three (it was a small plane) in his endeavors.

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So, after checking in at our hotel and changing into something less uniform-like, we headed to the local golf course. I had never played golf before, but considered myself rather athletic, which was my first mistake. We borrowed a bunch of random clubs, grabbed a couple of mildly fermented beverages, hijacked a golf cart and I was on the way to a stunning golf debut.

The weather was sunny and warm and the course was perfectly manicured, but my golf game was less than stellar. One

would think that walking the length of a plane several times a day would prepare you to walk a golf course, but one would be wrong. It took a long time to play nine holes, although none of us had pressing plans. Still, I was pretty sure that my life had been changed by the innocuous game and I was right.

The next day, I struggled to walk down the aisles of the small plane and tried to avoid bending forward or reaching overhead as much as possible. My muscles were sore and my body was sending me a message

that was unprintable. My back ached and my quadriceps and hamstrings were yelling. I realized that I was not ready to jump into a new sport without some conditioning first. A new set of clubs and the latest golf fashions just weren’t going to be enough.

I’ve learned the same lesson with other sports too. A good pickleball or tennis racquet and the right shoes are important, but if you sustain an injury because you weren’t prepared, you are going to be sidelined and it can take a long time to recover. By then, your opponents and former friends will have moved on without you and your social life will be circling the drain. Just saying.

So, before attempting a new sport, start with the basics – and I’m not talking about trendy gear. Make sure that your body is up to the challenge. Take lessons and start slowly. A little sports specific conditioning never hurts, and I mean that in the literal sense. Also, consider balance in your selected routines. For example, if you love to bike or hike, you may want to add other activities that require upper body movement. Kayaking, tennis, pickleball and basketball all fit the bill. Try yoga, Pilates, sports conditioning, and/or functional fitness training for fun and variety.

With a little preparation, you can look great and destroy your opponent.

Or, at least become friends for life. You might also find yourself enjoying the offerings of a life well lived. After all, shouldn’t your goal be to savor and enjoy each and every day that you have left? Didn’t get that memo?

Consider yourself notified. Just saying.

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view on GOLF TIPS

Using Long Putters LEGALLY With the New Anchoring Ban

by Rob Krieger – PGA Golf Professional

I

n January 2016, the USGA and R&A adopted Rule 14-1, banning an “anchoring point” during a putting stroke. This is when a player intentionally uses a hand connected to the body creating a stable point and the other hand swings the club. The rule does not ban using a long putter.

Legally, a player can use the traditional grip, the claw, cross-handed, grip resting against forearm, forearms held against body, or one or both elbows braced against body. Here are some methods you can legally use with a belly putter and a long putter:

With a Belly Putter

Belly Putter Method #2 the “Matt Kuchar” 1. Take normal grip but allow excess grip to rest up against forearm of lead arm 2. Putter stays connected to forearm during entire stroke

Belly Putter Method #1 1. Longer putter so hold putter higher up on grip 2. Stand further & taller from ball (eyes not over ball) 3. Grip end points into center of body, not touching body 4. Tuck both elbows into rib cage, they remain there the entire stroke 5. Torso, elbows, arms & putter move together in stroke

With a Long Putter Long Putter – Method #1 Similar to Sam Snead 1. Take left arm and place long putter under armpit and allow end of putter to stick out on outside of upper arm 2. Left arm & hand grip club so left thumb is straight down center 3. Right hand is placed on grip w/ palm facing hole 4. Right elbow tucks into body 5. Feet point at hole or w/ open stance to target line, similar to Sam Snead but stand taller 6. Ball position is at tip of toe of right foot 7. Allow right hand to move putter back, right elbow brushes body during stroke

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Long Putter – Method #2 Similar to Matt Kuchar with a belly putter 1. Stand tall, left arm/hand go straight down club; grip goes up forearm 2. Place right hand under left hand w/ straight right arm 3. Ball position is critical; play ball to the left of left foot, face ball normally 4. Shoulders & arms move club together; end of club can not anchor to torso

More information on the anchoring rule is at www.usga.org/anchoring. For more information on using these putters, go to www.stgeorgegolflessons.com to see video.

Good luck and as always, Fairways & Greens.

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view on NONPROFIT

Silver Reef Museum & Foundation

By Dawn McLain

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hen we were kids, stories of mines, cowboys, and the Wild West held a certain interest for us all. Perhaps it was a mix of the desert outdoors, the historic and heroic way of life, or simply the danger that fascinated us all. Whatever it was, kids of today are also drawn to these stories and equally enthralled to hear them, and see the sites.

The Silver Reef Museum is the perfect place to relive those memories and reacquaint yourself with the remains of the once booming mining town.

I sat down with Liz Napper (B.A. in Archaeology, Cornell University), past General Manager of the Museum to hear firsthand why the Museum continues to intrigue visitors today.

Dawn McLain (DM): Tell us about the museum?

Liz Napper (LN): Our organization works to preserve the remains of the Silver Reef mining town and teach our visitors about the history of Silver Reef.

The Silver Reef Foundation, Inc. actually runs the museum in the old Wells Fargo, which is the only building left in its location in Silver Reef. We offer tours, children’s games, educational workshops and monthly special events. We also work with Washington County Schools to create field trips for fourth graders centered on their curriculum of Utah History.

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DM: You mentioned several programs and educational elements. How are these funded?

LN: Unlike many historic sites, the museum does not receive any state or federal funding. We have received some funding from the county in the past, but for the most part we rely on our admission fees, private donations and grants in order to operate.

DM: What’s it like to work in a museum?

LN: It is wonderful to work with people, especially the visitors. It is amazing to see the kids, because they are so inquisitive and energetic. To help channel those aspects towards hands-on learning; it’s phenomenal what they can do.

One of my favorite stories related to this: A young child, about four perhaps, came into the museum. I gave him our “I Spy” game, which is a sheet with pictures on it.

I explained to him that when he found all of the artifacts that match the pictures in the museum, he would be able to get a prize at the end of his visit. I was helping him with a few of the tougher ones, and I pointed to a stove. We have toy bats hidden inside, but I didn’t want to just tell him that. I wanted him to try to figure it out for himself, so I simply said, “We had to block up the chimney for that old stove. Why do you think that is?” He replied quickly, “So Santa won’t get in. ” I couldn’t help but smile as I explained that Santa only visited houses, not museums. After all, he

could only do so much in a single night. His second guess was animals, and I had him gently open the stove. His face lit up when he saw the bats.

The fact is, people learn in different ways, and just because something is the norm like learning in a classroom from a book, does not mean it works for everyone or every topic. Our museum brings that education to life. That learning is enhanced by hearing, touching, smelling, and discovering our local mining history in a very tangible way.

DM: What can we expect from your organization in 2016?

LN: The museum will continue to offer fourth grade field trips, and other community events throughout the year.

Two exceptionally exciting ones on tap for this year are: Dr. Schuyler, who has been conducting archaeological research in the Silver Reef area for several decades, comes out each May for a few weeks to talk about his most recent findings. Then in October are the Ghost Nights, where actors and historians dress up in costume and tell stories of Silver Reef in the first person; we even have a “shoot out.”

DM: How can others support your cause?

Liz Napper

LN: The best way to support the Silver Reef Foundation is to volunteer, donate, visit, and tell your friends about us.

DM: What events or opportunities for the community to get involved do you have coming up?

LN: Volunteers with any time commitment are so important to us, whether it’s to help with a single event, a more specialized project, or become a docent within the museum; we want to hear from you.

DM: What else would you like to share?

LN: We have exciting news. We are preparing for a Smithsonian traveling exhibit entitled The Way We Worked, which will be coming to the museum in 2017.

DM: Wow! An exhibit from the Smithsonian is very exciting news.

Congratulations to the Silver Reef Museum.

The Silver Reef Museum is a great example of successful southern Utah nonprofits making a difference and giving back to the community.



Museum Information: The Silver Reef Museum is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm. Call (435) 879-2254, email Museum@SilverReef.org, or visit www.SilverReef.org.

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view on THE ARTS

Creat ive Diversit yto Southern Utah

Kayenta Arts Foundation Brings story and photos by Alexa V. Morga

W

hen developer Terry Marten purchased the land on which Kayenta was built in 1976, his vision was to foster a community with a unique identity, a mecca for those who create art and support the arts.

Beneath the red cliffs and clear blue sky, among fragrant sagebrushes and desert creatures, inspiration isn’t hard to find.

“I think that this area attracts artists because even though there are more than 500 homes here, one can look out over the landscape and the homes don’t take away from the natural beauty of the area; they actually become part of it,” says Kurt VanLeeuwen, a resident and sales agent with Kayenta Homes & Properties.

30 residents, 13 of whom became its first board of directors. Marten and his staff wanted to improve management of the Art in Kayenta Festival after years of putting it together with little help.

The Kayenta Arts Foundation was spawned from a 2011 meeting between Kayenta’s developers and a group of about

Cherie Stoddard, owner of Gallery 873, says that the foundation’s existence has provided a substantial boost in patronage to the collection of small businesses in Kayenta’s Coyote Gulch Art Village over the past five years.

These include four art galleries, several studios and co-ops, the Sacred Space Spa, and Xetava Gardens Cafe. Stoddard and her husband, George, are regular donors to KAF.

KAF received nonprofit status later that year and assumed control of the art festival. Organizers then set about filling in the season with smaller evening and matinée productions offering everything from poetry to classical music. The Kayenta Street Painting Festival was also incorporated into KAF and has since become the community’s second-largest annual event. Ticket sales from these help support foundation projects.

Stoddard says that the diversity of KAF events is reflected in the art for sale in Kayenta’s galleries. Pieces on display range from large sculptures in the thousands of dollars to more affordable, packable works that cater to the sizable tourist clientele. No two galleries show the same artist. “Kayenta is a different way of looking at art,” she says.

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Building an arts center was one of the original goals of KAF, and carried a 10-year timeline. However, the project started rapidly gaining ground in 2012, when Marten donated a plot of land to the foundation and some residents with theatrical experience became involved.

The first phase of fundraising that took place within the community brought in over $500,000 to get the ball rolling, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 31, 2013. The foundation has received more than $900,000 in total donations so far. “Our goal of diversity in the arts in southern Utah strikes a chord with a lot of people, I think,” KAF chair Judith Kapuscinski says. “The entertainment in this area is mostly very family-oriented, which is wonderful. But sometimes you want something a little more thoughtprovoking.”

As a completely independent venue with the potential to appeal to a broader audience, KAF hopes to host a wide range of visual and performing arts productions, from dramatic plays to jazz and blues concerts. “This area is growing and there are people moving here from all over the country, if not the world,” Kapuscinski says. “These people are used to having a variety of venues and performances available. This will fill a void.”

The arts center was designed as a flexible space centered around a black box theater/concert stage with accommodations for an audience of 200.

It can be emptied and rearranged to hold meetings, receptions, seminars, lectures, and rehearsals.

KAF events currently take place in an outdoor theater that seats about 40. With patrons and performers at the mercy of the often unpredictable desert weather, this venue also puts seasonal limits on the schedule.

The residents of Kayenta are generous, Stoddard says, and most are in favor of the expansion. “Anything that happens in the village is good,” she says. “[The arts center] is really important to me because my gallery is right around the corner. It’s going to bring in a lot of traffic.”

The facility is expected to open by the end of 2016. It will be officially titled the Center for the Arts in Kayenta. “But if anyone has a spare $1 million, they’ll have the opportunity to name it!” Kapuscinski says.

2016 KAF Schedule of Events On April 23 and 24, professional artists and school teams will present their best chalk works during the Kayenta Street Painting Festival. Anyone strolling through the art village over the weekend will be able to watch the process. Kayenta is hosting a block party on April 15 to welcome the public with live music and refreshments.

The first weekend in June, violist Jason Bonham and several members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic will join forces with visiting southwest artists for two distinct classical evenings.

Organizers have tentatively scheduled the fifth annual Poetry Under the Stars for sometime in July. Featuring local poets and teams that will be competing in the National Poetry Slam, it has been a highly popular and well-received event for KAF. The 17th annual Art in Kayenta, from Oct. 7-9, will bring the season to a close.

Highlights include booths from over 75

artists representing a variety of mediums and the live-artist exhibition “Art in the Moment,” with finished works immediately going to auction.

venue. More discussions are forthcoming, Kapuscinski says, and the input collected will be taken into consideration as organizers plan the 2017 season.

Another of the foundation’s goals is to communicate that the arts in Kayenta are not just for residents of the development, but everyone living in or visiting southern Utah.

For more information about KAF and upcoming events in Kayenta, visit kayentaartsfoundation.org.



KAF recently held an “arts chat” with residents of Washington County to talk about the arts center, the foundation, and what people would like to see offered at the new

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view on LIFESTYLE

LEAP AHEAD WITH POSITIVE THINKING I

by Nikk Zorbas

consider myself an optimist, but I’ll be the first to admit that maintaining a positive attitude can be an arduous task. In today’s society we are constantly bombarded with negative messages, whether it’s around-the-clock newscasts filling our minds with troubling stories and violence, or friends and co-workers lamenting about today’s tough economic times.

If you join the majority and feel bad about what’s happening

®

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around you, you attract negativity into your own life. This creates a downward spiral since you cannot attract positive things into your world when you are in a negative state. In order to attract positive people and circumstances, you need to feel positive yourself. So how do you stay positive when everything around you seems to be crumbling?

1. Become more aware of your thoughts. Ironically, the solution to this problem is also its cause: our thoughts. The thoughts running through your mind, your reactions to situations around you, and how you choose to interpret your problems all combine to define your present mental state. Each thought you have either moves you closer to or further from your goals. However, it’s impossible to direct your thinking to your advantage if you’re not aware of what you’re thinking about. That’s why it’s important to keep your feelings in check and go through life with awareness, not on autopilot.

2. Stay in the present moment. Worry can consume us only when we focus our thoughts on either the past or the future. Therefore, the key to being content is to stay in the present moment.

Yesterday can’t be changed, so when you find yourself thinking about the past, limit your thoughts to the good times. Worrying about the future can ruin the present, so instead of feeling anxiety, visualize a happy outcome.

3. Learn to reset your thoughts. Did you know you can actually learn to redirect your thoughts? Whenever I catch a negative

thought seeping into my consciousness, I press an imaginary reset button on my wrist that immediately erases it and tells my mind to think only happy, positive thoughts for the next 30 seconds. (Your reset button can be wherever you’d like; mine just happens to be on my wrist.)

Try it—this really works!

4. Cultivate an environment that fuels your passion. Keep positive mementos around your home, office, or car. Surround yourself with things that bring you joy—a trophy, an award, or a photo of a loved one. Watching inspiring movies, reading books, and listening to music with positive messages are also great tools to help you stay on target.

5. Choose to be happy. Each day you are given a choice; you can choose to be happy or unhappy. Regardless of what’s going on around me, I always choose happiness. I focus on all the things I am grateful for; in other words, I keep an “attitude of gratitude.” You have the same choice: happiness or sadness. What you choose is up to you.

Start feeling positive today! For the next 24 hours, smile at everyone you see, and handle every situation in your life with a positive mindset. If someone cuts you off in traffic with a certain hand gesture, just say to yourself, “Wow, he thinks I’m number

one!” Make a commitment to yourself that no matter what, you will never allow anyone or anything to bring you down.

The key to a stress-free life is to feel good as often as you can, and when you integrate these simple strategies into your life, you will begin to notice a world of difference. Remember, we all have the same goal: to be happy. So why wait? Be happy now!



Discover more at www.SelfGrowthAcademy.com.

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The 48hr WEEKEND WARRIOR

by Patricia Cox

R

esults by Design, a Las Vegas based professional coaching company, and Awesome Adventures, who offer everything from ATV tours to Bear Grylls survival courses, have teamed up to bring a weekend of taking yourself on and discovering your inner ‘Bad Ass’ in the 48hr WEEKEND WARRIOR. About an hour

drive outside of Las Vegas, the journey will begin as “warriors” step into their first challenge of various ‘Bad Ass’ activities.

Their comfort zone will be challenged by breaking through fears to play a bigger game throughout the weekend, as well as back in their daily lives.

The weekend event starts on Friday, March 18, at 3:15 pm, and ends on Sunday, March 20 at 3:00 pm. There will be another Weekend Warrior event on April 22, 23, 24.

The event will take place entirely outdoors and participants must bring a tent, however all food and water is included as well as photos, a trigger device, and a souvenir t-shirt. Once

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registered, and only then, will you receive a list of items to bring, adding even more intrigue to this exciting weekend they have planned. Location is within 30 minutes from Mesquite, and this is just the first of several weekends offered. The event is created for anyone over the age of 18 that is ready to take themselves on to a whole new level and bring the ‘BAD ASS’ out of themselves.

If you have enjoyed crazy adventures like Spartan, Tough Mudder, or Warrior Dash, or want to take on a new challenge, then this one of a kind, life changing event is for you. Sign up today. SPACE IS LIMITED.  For more information: (702) 432-3200 www.resultsbydesigncoaching.com resultsbydesigncoaching@live.com

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BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

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BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

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CALENDAR of Event s

MARCH

Art Walk. Feb 29 – Mar 26 Local artists, art exhibition presented by VVAA at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. 15 W. Mesquite Blvd. (702) 346-1338. Free to the public.

Mesquite Senior Games.

Mar 2 – Apr 29 Events all over town this spring. For more info see mesquiteseniorgames.org. (see page 24)

Sock Hop. Mar 18 A musical blast from the past. Friday, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm at the Mesquite Senior Center, 102 W. Old Mill Rd. $4.00 entry fee, must sign up for event. Call (702) 346-5290. (see page 60)

Ed Sullivan Tribute Show. Mar 5 At the CasaBlanca Showroom. For time & ticket prices, go to www.StarTickets.com or call (800) 585-3737. (see page 55)

Moapa Valley Days. Mar 18 –19 Community wide celebration featuring fun activities throughout the Moapa Valley. For more information see www.moapavalleychamber.com.

Ms. Senior Mesquite Fashion Show. Mar 5 Envy Lounge, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm, $15.

For more info contact MSMP at (702) 345-2033.

48hr Weekend Warrior. Mar 18 –20 For more info: (702) 432-3200 www.resultsbydesigncoaching.com. (see page 104)

Self Defense Workshop for Women.

Mar 5 2:00 pm Mesquite MX/Smokin Gun Club. FREE. For more info, contact Peggy Pope. (702) 346-6149.

Ribbon Cutting - Mystic Treasures.

Mar 10 5:30 pm Mesquite Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.

404 Riverside Road, Mesquite. (702) 346-2902.

UYSA Youth Soccer Tournament.

Mar 10 –12 For info contact Lindy Hulet at board.fcmesquite@gmail.com.

The Marvelous Wonderettes.

Mar 11–12, 18–20, 25–26.

Musical production at Mesquite Community Theater, 150 N. Yucca. (702) 345-4499. All dates at 7:00 pm and a matinée at 2:00 pm on Mar 20. $18.

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Mesquite Winter Series. Mar 12 2:00 pm Friday Practice/Saturday Race. At Mesquite MX Park. For more info: www.mesquitemx.com.

Gallery Reception for “Art Walk” artists.

Mar 24 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm At Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery, 15 W. Mesquite Blvd. (702) 346-1338.

Moapa Valley OHV Roundup. Mar 25 – 27 Three days of off roading on the Logandale Trails.

For more information visit playinourdirt.com.

Moapa Valley Easter Egg Hunt. Mar 26 9:00 am More info: www.moapavalleychamber.com.

Ducky Derby. Mar 26 9:30 – noon Hafen Pond, 450 Hafen Lane Park. For more info or to sponsor a duck, call the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce at (702) 346-2905. (see page 14) Easter Sunday. Mar 27

APRIL Mesquite MX Spring Nationals.

Mar 31–Apr 3 For specific dates, times, and to sign up, visit mesquitemx.com.

George Streetfest on Main. Apr 1 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Main Street, St. George.

Street market, stage concert, food truck village.

Plus, the new Zion Brewing Company Jazz Garden will offer wine, beer, and paired fruit and cheese to the background of live jazz music. This city sponsored event is the first of its kind.

Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant. Apr 2 4:00 pm Mesquite Comunity Theatre, 150 N. Yucca.

Cash Mob - DDT RV & Outdoor Supply Store. Apr 2 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 355 West Mesquite Blvd. #D80. Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Cash Mob. For info contact (702) 346-2902.

The Masters. Apr 7 –10 Augusta National Golf Club, 2604 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30904. (We wish.) Or watch it on CBS. Mesquite-Toes Dance Spectacular.

Apr 14 1:00 pm Apr 15 –16 7:00 pm Mesquite Community Theater, 150 N. Yucca, (702) 345-4499.

Relay for Life. Apr 15 6:00 pm Virgin Valley High School, 820 Valley View Dr., Mesquite, NV. See website for dates and info on committee meetings. (435) 674-9707.

Eureka Uncorked. Apr 15 –16 6:00 pm Wine Seminar, Friday Apr 15, Grand Canyon Room.

Wine Tasting, Saturday Apr 16, Seasons Ultra Lounge. Get tickets at J.S. Merchant in the Eureka Casino. www.EurekaMesquite.com.

National Park Week. Apr 16 – 24 Fee free entry to the National Parks. To encourage Americans to explore America’s natural beauty, rich history, and culture. Admission fees waived.

Utah Summer Games: Water Polo.

Apr 21 – 23 Held in the SUU Sorenson PE Building Aquatics Center. For info visit www.UtahSummerGames.org or call (435) 865-8421.

48hr Weekend Warrior. Apr 22–24 For more information: (702) 432-3200 www.resultsbydesigncoaching.com. (see page 104) UFO 5K Fun Run. Apr 23 10:00 am Hosted by the Southern Utah Space Foundation; open to all ages. Race starts at the Cedar Canyon Fields of Veteran’s Park at 200 N. 200 E., Cedar City, UT. For info call (435) 633-1759 or visit susf.org.

Kayenta Street Painting Festival.

Apr 23 – 24 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Held at Kayenta Art Village, 800 Kayenta Parkway, Ivins, UT. Free admission. (435) 634-2787.

SAVE THE DATES: May 8 –14 Amazing Earthfest June 7– 9 Annual Mesquite Elks Charity Open Golf Tournament (see page 29) 111

ADVERTISING DIRECTORY Ace Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Advanced Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 All Pros Real Estate- Sharon Szarzi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Amazing Earthfest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Antigua Bohemia Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Anytime Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Baird Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Bank of Nevada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 C & K Shutters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Checks-N-Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Coyote Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover Coyote Willows Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Danielle’s Chocolate & Popcorn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Dave Amodt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Desert Oasis Spa & Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Desert Pain Specialists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Doug Lesko. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 E.R.A Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Edward Jones Financial – Derrick Martinez, AAMS . . . . 105 Eureka Casino Resort – Uncorked . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Eureka Casino Resort – Town Square Buffet . . . . . . . . . 87 Farmers Insurance – Bill Mitchell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Friends of Gold Butte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Gold Butte Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Great Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Guns & Guitars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 H & R Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Hangey’s Custom Upholstering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Helping Hands Caregivers, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Heritage Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Highland Manor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Hole-In-One Pet Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 House Cleaning By Donna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Hues & Vues- Inspired Walls & Windows. . . . . . . . . . . 22 Iceberg Air Conditioning & Heating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Jennifer Hammond - Health Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 JL Kendrick Company Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 JiffyLube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Kane County Offfice of Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Keller Williams – Beverly Powers Uhlir . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Keller Williams – Cindy Biskup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Keller Williams – Debbie Spitale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Keller Williams – Michele Burkett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Keller Williams – Michelle Hampsten/ Tiffany Jacobs. . . . 15 Kitchen Encounters/Classy Closets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Kokopelli Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 La de’ Paws Grooming Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Law Powersports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Majestic Expeditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Mesa View Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Mesquite Audio & Video. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Mesquite Department of Athletics & Leisure Services. . . . 23 Mesquite Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Mesquite Ford - Dave Heath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Mesquite Home Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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Mesquite Regional Business, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Mesquite Tile & Flooring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Mesquite Veterinary Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Mesquite Women’s Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Mesquite Women’s Clinic – Dr. Edward N. Ofori . . . . . . . 106 Moapa Valley Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Moapa Valley OHV Roundup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Mortgage Mate LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 MVP Productions - Kris Zurbas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 National Title Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Nikk Zorbas- Speaker and Business Trainer. . . . . . . . . 109 NRC – The Reserve – Shawn Glieden . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Oasis Chiropractic Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Oasis Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Odyssey Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Origami Owl Custom Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Pioneer Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Premier Properties – Judy Cole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Premier Properties – Maggie Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Pressing Ideas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Preston’s Shredding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Print Management Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Pro Glass & Door. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Quality 1 Realty Angela Brooks-Reese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Quality 1 Realty Bret Lower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Quality 1 Realty Terree Knutson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Rager & Sons Refridgeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Ready Golf & Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Red Rock Golf Center - Rob Krieger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Redd Hills Cinema. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Reliance Connects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Remax - Cindy Risinger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Rooster Cottage Consignment Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Sears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Shelter Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Silver Rider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Silverado Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Skinsational. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Smokin’ Gun Pistol Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Southwest Spirit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Star Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 St.GeorgeMassage.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Sugar’s Home Plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Sun River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 The Lindi Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Travel Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Tuacahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Valley Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Virgin Valley Artist Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Warmington Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Washington Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Wolf Creek Terrace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Write it Up!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Xtreme Stitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54