I love disco. I grew up in the 70s when it was a staple at the roller rink (I was too young for the dance clubs. I was only in elementary school), but I made sure as I got older (fifth grade) I would represent the fashion by wearing my friend Lisa Garrison’s rainbow heeled platform tennis shoes (my mother was never going to buy me a pair no matter how much I begged), my skin-tight electric blue satin pants with matching jacket (think Olivia Newton John as ‘Sandy’ at the end of the movie “Grease”) and a lot of Vaseline on my lips to make them shiny (I was not allowed to wear lip gloss until sixth grade.)
I also had my boom box set to KLAV AM, then Disco 1-2-3 KLAV, so I could boogie as I got ready for school or my big night out at Crystal Palace Skating Rink.All great memories from childhood with a soundtrack to flashback to innocent fun. Here are my four favorite songs by Donna Summer.
One of my passions in life is helping others reach their personal level of success however they define it for themselves. This past month I’ve had several rewarding experiences while working with clients and learned more about myself in process.
Experience One: On Saturday, May 5 the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was held in downtown Las Vegas and ended at the Fremont Street Experience. I walked for my friends, those I do not know, those who survive, have lost the fight, and those constantly fighting to find a cure to end the battle against the disease. The past several years, I walked on my sorority’s team, the Pink Pearls, as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Theta Theta Omega chapter, to fulfill the premise of “one sister making a promise to another sister.”
2012 Race for the Cure Southern Nevada
This year was different. I walked on team Downsize Fitness Las Vegas, a new gym helping chronically overweight individuals wanting to lose 50 pounds or more reach and maintain their goals. I researched the causes of obesity by race, gender and age, and how it relates to cancer; I found chronically overweight individuals are more susceptible to 60 types of cancer like endometrial, esophagus, colon, kidney and thyroid according to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. I also learned several other facts I never thought about since I am not an overweight person, however I have many family members in Oklahoma who should be members of the gym. As I walked the quarter mile to meet up with my client and his gym members, I was approached by a mother and her teen daughter who was a bit overweight. The mother started a conversation by complimenting my CamelBak hydration pack then asking what I do as a career. I responded, “I’m a strategic marketer. I’m walking with my fitness client.” I then told them the following facts:
The Weight-control and Information Network, an information service of the division of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, found “on average, people who are considered obese pay $1,429 (42 percent) more in health care costs than normal-weight individuals”; Marketdata found the total U.S. weight loss market grew to a $68.7 billion industry in 2010; Nationwide 15.2 percent of youth between 10 and 17 years old are categorized as obese.
A report recently released by Duke University concludes “the severely obese make up at least 9 percent of the nation’s yearly health spending, or $150 billion a year.” And “severe obesity will double by 2030 and 11 percent of adults will be nearly 100 pounds overweight or more.”
As we walked for the cure, I thought about the future, the importance of good health, and how my participation this year went beyond me. I was able to share what I recently learned with others. It felt good.
Team Downsize Fitness
Experience Two: My entire life I’ve been an avid reader and spent many afternoons while growing up at my public library. On Saturday, May 19, I attended an event with my new client, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation, awards presentation of the Tom and Bonnie Lawyer West Las Vegas Library Academic Scholarship of seven $1,000 gift donations to exceptional students who demonstrated a love for their West Las Vegas community, as well as academic achievement and financial need. These young adults are smart! They kept high scholastic standards (lowest GPA 3.5, high 4.7 GPA) while dealing with immense struggles at home like unemployment, low wages, alcoholism, violence and life changing health issues all while giving back to the community.
Jeanne Goodrich Exec. Dir. LVCCLD, Angelina Paez, Manuja Sahan Gunaratne, Juan Gonzalez, Avree Walker, Rocio Hernandez, Tom and Bonnie Lawyer.
The Tom and Bonnie Lawyer West Las Vegas Library Academic Scholarship was created in 2009 by former Library Foundation president Tom Lawyer in honor of the library’s commitment to the community. To be eligible winners met the following criteria: demonstrated success in school, community involvement, a strong connection to the West Las Vegas Library, and a need for financial support to pursue their education goals.
As I stood and listened to philanthropist Tom Lawyer speak about each student, I remembered reading their applications and thinking “I wonder if I would have been as successful academically if I were in their situations?” They taught me that an adverse position is something that happens to a person, but does not make up who we are as individuals. They also reinforced my life motto, “Nothing and no one will determine how successful I will be in this life except for me.” *Photos Courtesy of Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation.
Philanthropist Tom Lawyer.
Experience Three: I work with a culinary school, the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas (formerly the Culinary Training Academy), the country’s leading nonprofit culinary and hospitality training institute. The Academy provides food for the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) administered by Nevada’s Department of Education. This program provides free, nutritious meals to children in low-income areas during the summer.
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On Wednesday, May 23, the Academy hosted the First Grade Food Critics, a movement founded by Benjamin Brown, an elementary school teacher and food journalist to promote nutrition education, career awareness and academic development among children in at-risk schools, to taste-test two new menu items: chicken salad and fresh broccoli florets, in addition to whole wheat crackers, salad, fruit and low-fat one percent milk. After critiquing the SFSP menu they sampled a chocolate chip cookie from the cafe menu.
One thing about kids is their blatant honesty. If they don’t understand or like something it will show all over their faces. It was interesting to see them experience a non-microwaved boxed lunch, which is the norm for elementary schools in Las Vegas. The fresh chicken salad was a favorite, but none ate it atop the crackers, and the broccoli was a challenge because it was raw. Although provided with a packet of ranch dressing, the kids did not think to use it as a dipping sauce.
I learned a life lesson unknowingly taught by a bunch of six-year-old students. To try new things and try them often. If I never attempt anything new how will I grow as a person?
Get involved with your clients beyond the “work” and realize the personal rewards. You just might learn something about yourself.
*Photos Courtesy of the Culinary Training Academy of Las Vegas
Last Sunday, James and I hung out at Encore Las Vegas as a guest of Wynn public relations darling Grace Russell and Las Vegas Nightlife Group and. It was a special media VIP event celebrating the 2012 Season Grand Opening of Encore Beach Club with the super famous Tiësto as he kicked off his Wynn DJ residency. The party was also hosted by Sara Underwood, voted “Hottest Woman of 2012” by Esquire magazine, according to the invite. We didn’t see her in the throngs of beautiful 20-somethings fist pumping, jumping and posing in the hot sun.
Lucky for us, we camped out inside the air conditioned Surrender Nightclub which served as the VIP room. I love special media events like this because I get to see some of my favorite industry peeps and catch up on what new in their lives. Our gracious hosts set our pitchers of blueberry lemonade, the sister to their famous skinny lemonade, champagne and beer to go alongside lolli-chicken pops, grilled artichokes and meatballs.
Me and David Schnitzer
One thing about working in PR and marketing is the amount of people I get to encounter via email or phone call and rarely meet face to face, so I was excited to finally meet David Schnitzer who handles public relations and marketing for Surrender Nightclub, Encore Beach Club and Society Café. He is such a cutie pie and bears a striking resemblance to Glee’s Blaine Anderson (a.k.a. actor Darren Chris) just checks out his Twitter profile picture (@DaSchnitz.) I think I have a crush – lol.
Me and Susan Stapleton
That day was also a great time to catch up with Susan Stapleton and pick her brain on the where to eat right now in Las Vegas. After a few suggestions she directed me and James to The 38 Essential Las Vegas Restaurants, April ’12on Eater Vegas of which she is the editor. I shared a laugh with the very fit and tan Mark Gray, and give a hug toDoug Elfmanwho I haven’t seen in nearly a year. It was also a chance to say hi toSean Christiewho doesn’t seem to age and is as handsome as ever.
After a couple of hours, a several laughs and a few cocktails, it was time to go. One question James and I was finally able to answer is: How do headlining DJs get a chance to go to the bathroom when guest are paying $100 a head for general admission?
Answer: They put on a really long song and run to a restroom. Ahhhhh….
Photo Courtesy of Las Vegas Nightlife Group (photo credit: Erik Kabik)
Skinny Lemonade
1 ½ oz. TY KU Liqueur
4 oz Lemonade
Splash of soda
Serve over ice and garnish with a lemon and cherry
It’s always good to try something new at least once a month. So when Ryan Slattery reached out to me to write a brief for Caesars Entertainment‘s in-room magazine Vegas Player, I said why not? I love to write and I miss editorial writing (check out some of my past work on my business website http://2girlsconsulting.com.) I have a love affair with words, especially when the words involve food.
My assignment was to try KGB: Kerry Simon’s Burgers and Shakes at Harrah’s. I called Ryan and he met me for lunch. Keep in mind I try to avoid overindulgence more than twice a month, but savory comfort food from an Iron Chef is hard to turn down. KGB is lip-smacking goodness and there is something for even the most finicky eater like myself.
The menu features childhood favorites with a gourmet twist like creamy mac and cheese sticks with white cheddardipping sauce ($7/$6) along with the unforgettable sloppy Joe updated with braised short ribs, onions and pickles ($13/$12.) Or build your own handcrafted burger and pair it with a signature shake like the amusing Captain Crunch and smooth Espresso or beloved orange Creamsicle float ($7/$6) and if you are total rewards card member you get a discount hence the two prices.
I took trying something new to heart and ordered the Lamb Burger made with Tzatziki sauce, red onion, lettuce, and roasted red peppers on an onion roll ($15/$14), sweet onion rings ($4.) I am not a fan of lamb. I actually hate lamb unless it’s in a gyro hidden by a mixture of beef, vegetables and seasonings, but I was trying something new. It was good. I ate half and took the rest to my boyfriend James who’s most favorite food on Earth is lamb. Ryan inhaled the Cobb Burger made with cheese, avocado, tomato salsa and red pepper aioli on a sesame brioche bun. We slit an Espresso shake that I sucked down in a matter of minutes it was so good. It would have been even better if it had a shot of vodka in it, however it was the middle of the day.
With so much to choose from, it can become overwhelming. Make it easy and have the decision made for you by asking the server about KGB’s new special burger and shake of the month. For April it’s an Italian Burger made with Pancetta, mozzarella sticks, Parmesan crisp, mixed greens, tomato, balsamic-basil aioli, served with marinara, on an onion roll served with a side of marinara sauce paired with a Tiramisu milkshake. May features a Carne Asada Burger marinated with Cotija cheese, fried tortilla strips, fresh guacamole, lime marinated peppers and onions, roasted tomatillo cilantro mayo, on a jalapeño cheddar bun along with a Mexican Hot Chocolate Milkshake made with homemade chocolate ice cream flavored with classic Mexican hot chocolate spices and garnished with whipped cream and a cinnamon biscotti.
KGB: Kerry Simon’s Burgers and Shakes
Harrah’s Las Vegas
11am- 6am, Daily
On February 16, I received a package from UPS containing a Nourishing Newborns Feeding Kit with two samples of infant formula: Similac Sensitive for “Fussiness & Gas, Due to Lactose Sensitivity. Complete Nutrition for Sensitive Tummies” and Similac Advance “Complete Nutrition For Your Baby’s 1st Year. Closer Than Ever to Breast Milk.”
Who doesn’t love the surprise of a free gift, especially expensive baby formula? The sensitive retails for $22.75 at Walmart and $13.99 for the advance at Target. Well, I can tell you I didn’t care too much for this package for two reasons. One) I am not pregnant. Two) My relationship status on Facebook went from “in a relationship” to “it’s complicated” four days before the package arrived.
Self-pity aside, I have no idea how I ended up on your mailing list and kindly ask you to remove my contact information. I’m not sure how you develop your list, however I suggest a good scrub before the next mail campaign. And while you’re at it, tell RJ Reynolds to do the same thing. I don’t smoke and getting coupons for Camel cigarettes in the same mail delivery as baby formula is wrong on so many levels. As someone in marketing, I suggest coordinating your calendars for mailings.
I took my car in for service at FindleyCadillac to replace the driverside mirrorand check a few other issues that are cause for concern which I’m sure are unwarranted since I’m not a mechanic. I adore my service rep Mike G, but he is killing me making me drive a 2012CTSas a loner car. Since the dealership ended their relationship with Enterprise, driving the newest models is now the only option and I am not complaining. I didn’t intend to purchase a car that day in August three years ago, especially since the sales rep tried to get me to buy a white CTS with obnoxiously large tires with matching gold rims and embellishments. I had to ask if he remembered I pulled up in a black 1999VolvoS 70. And, what it was about me that gave him the impression that I wanted to drive a car that looked like I had a pimp as a boyfriend?
2009 Cadillac XLR
He obviously did not care about me the customer more than making a sale because he tried to get me to buy any and everything from the giganticSTSandDTS(I’m only 5’3) to the now defunctXLRthat started at $100,000. Annoyed, I was about to leave until my black cherry colored car with 26 miles on it pulled on the lot and the rest is history.
2012 Cadillac CTS interior
I went nuts with upgrades. I have accessories I still don’t use or even know I have, and now they seem obsolete with all the modernizations. Some things my car doesn’t have and are now standard:Bluetooth, a finish grille, metal pedal covers, seat extensions for your legs, automatic adjustable pedals, heated steering wheel, dark wood trim, and touch screen navigation to name a few. What a difference a few years can make. To read about all the upgrades go toCar & Driver.
Like I said before, any reason to get together with friends and celebrate is a good reason. Last month, a few of us had a great time inside Hyde Bellagio with Condè Nast Traveler magazine as the publication celebrated its eighteenth annual Gold List, a reader’s poll recognizing elite resorts, cruise lines and hotel around the world.
Event model at Hyde Bellagio
Me and my boyfriend James who is a Process Improvement Analyst and Six Sigma Site Leader at Medco Health Solutions
Brad Masterson, Vice President Y Public Relations and his lovely wife Yvette, somewhere schmoozing, extended the invitation.
The lovely Celena Haas, Director of Public Relations Harrah's Entertainment
Jay Alpert, Public Relations Manager Station Casinos and partner Dr. Blaze Gusic, MD
Chris Kratochwill, Technical Service Manager CityCenter and his fashionable wife Jenn, Public Relations Director Nevada Ballet Theatre
Jenn, Me, Vegas Magazine Editor in Chief Abbey Tegnelia and Beth Schwartz editor at Luxury Magazine
Ogonna Atamoh Associate Attorney at Law at Santoro, Driggs, Walch, Kearney, Holley & Thompson and James
Me with my sweet friend and recently engaged sbe Hyde Bellagio Director of Sales and owner of Andrea Eppolito Events
Me, James and my AKA Sorority sister Kenadie Cobbin-Richardson
My two favorite people Ryan Slattery, Managing Editor at Onboard Media and international traveler Rei Bollozos
Jennifer Ruliffson- Gross my friend from high school
“I did a beer commercial while I was inChinawith superstar Jolin Tsai,” Rocky calmly sends an IM onSkype.
“What?!” I was shocked I’m just now hearing this exciting news, though I am not surprised. My beautiful friend lives with complete gusto. I wish I was more fearless like her. I’m working on recapturing my complete abandonment I had while in my 20s and 30s.
Never ceasing to make me laugh out loud, she Skyped, “I even made the Chinese media. They said a jungle girl was discovered in Guilin. I wandered off for one second during a Liquan Beer shoot, and apaparazzothought I was native to the jungle.”
I wondered how that could happen in today, and then I thought about it, and well …
“Black girl running in the jungle in China… that’s not even right,” she said.
I can’t stop laughing. Then I see behind thescenes images, video and the last version (below) that went to air.
Chris Brownhad another Twitter tantrum. I am not surprised. He has a lot of backlash from his appearance and win at theGrammys. Is it fair? That is not for me to decide, however, I don’t recall massive outrage fromMiranda Lambertwhen other musicians were in the news for domestic violence and were either nominated, won or performed on the Grammys. What I find hypocritical, I am sure Miranda Lambert and his other naysayers have attended many an award show, applauded, posed, talked, and had a good time with people who have been in the same appalling situation.
(photo credit: Great American Country)
Chris Brown is young, handsome, and talented with major anger management issues. That is obvious; yet, all of his critics seem to forget he is in the process of satisfying the courts and is working hard to redeem himself and is still under court ordered supervision. Controlling anger will more than likely be a lifelong process for him.
Country starRodney Atkins (American Country MusicAwards winner) struck a deal to avoid jail time for allegations of trying to suffocate his wife last year; Mötley Crüe has been nominated four times for a Grammy and drummerTommy Leespent six months in jail for beatingPamela Anderson Lee; Guns N’ Roseswas nominated three times and lead singer Axel Rose had to pay his ex-model girlfriends Erin Everly ($1 million) Stephanie Seymore ($400,000) for physical altercations during their relationships; country music’s Tracey Lawrence was arrested in Las Vegas for hitting his wife Stacie Lawrence; even Eminemand the late ‘Godfather of Soul’James Brownmade headlines over the years. The list goes on.
(photo credit: NationNews.com)
It’s been reported; Rihanna, the woman who actually suffered the assault and the only person whose opinion he should care about has forgiven him and invited him to her recent birthday party. Miranda Lambert should learn the lesson on forgiveness from RiRi.
Do you agree with the backlash from Chris Brown performing at the Grammys?
Me & Serina circa early 90s in her birthday suite at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
I remember being able to see Whitney Houston in concert as a gift from my best friend Serina (one of the many cool gifts she always bestowed upon me.) Whitney was headlining the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV which seats nearly 19,000 and she had no opening act. We were so excited. No opening act to us meant she was going to sing for two hours straight! Her show sold out so quickly we almost ended up sitting at the top of the arena.
It was 1987, during her long, blond-half spiral-half crimped-half curly weave phase, clear in the video of her hit song “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (which was No.1 on the Billboard Music charts for two weeks. Read about all her hits: Whitney Houston’s Biggest Billboard Hits: A Look at Her Legendary Chart Career.) She didn’t dance very well, also obvious in the video, so there was no big dance numbers with a couple dozen backup dancers. Nor did she have a lot of costume changes, pyrotechnics or recorded music. We didn’t get tickets to watch her dance, change clothes and lip-sync.
What she has, a concert experience in the round where she stood center wearing a tight-long metallic dress along a grand piano and she simply sang. At the time we were not very happy because we expected more, but tonight as I remember her music and acting legacy and how it affected me growing up, I appreciate the memory even more.
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Me and My Alter Ego 