One of my favorite memories of my dad was when I was eight years old. My parents had just bought me a pony, and that day we were putting on his new saddle. My dad, feeling a moment of pride in his Iowa farm-boy roots, saddled the pony, hopped on and began to gallop across the field. He had only forgotten one thing: ponies like to suck in air when you put on the saddle. When they walk around, they exhale, and you tighten the girth, which keeps the saddle in place during your ride.

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[photopress:horse_610.jpg,thumb,pp_style] By Dave Ellis
My wife likes to surprise me. Normally I like surprises, like the time she washed my car or trimmed my toenails while I was sleeping. This time I knew it was going to be a less desirable surprise because she was already bargaining with me before she even told me what it was. 

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Come celebrate the arrival of the first Mormon missionaries to the Las Vegas Valley 155 years ago. There will be a pioneer breakfast Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 8-11 a.m. at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort (on the corner of Washington & Las Vegas Blvd. N., next to Cashman Field).

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[photopress:american_flag_610.jpg,thumb,pp_style] By Danielle Ellis
Just in case you’ve been stuck under a rock, it’s primary election season. And the day of decision is upon us: early voting is going on until June 4, and the actual Election Day is Tuesday, June 8. Now is the time to research the candidates, read the Constitution, and figure out which ones will best support and defend the it.

For those unfamiliar with the mechanics of the election process, the whole initial field of candidates is narrowed down in the primary process. Yet very few voters, as a percentage of the total, actually vote in primaries. So those who take the time to research the candidates, tell their friends, and actually vote in the primaries, can have a huge impact on the results of the election. Just a few thousand votes can change the results of a primary, which of course will have a major impact on the nature of the general election race.

At this critical juncture, please take the time. Mark it on your calendars. As Ezra Taft Benson once taught, “To the patriots I say this: Take the long eternal look. Stand up for freedom no matter what the cost. It can help to save your soul – and maybe your country” (Stand Up for Freedom).

Locally grown produce is available to the public in the Las Vegas Valley. Visitors can pick their own fruits and vegetables or purchase from the fruit stand on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7a.m. to noon at 7800 North Tenaya Way. The orchard also has apple cider which is produced on site. Take US 95 to Ann Road East, then go North on Tenaya.
The orchard is north of Tenaya and Farm Road.

Gilcrease Orchard is a non-profit foundation established to provide the community to learn about agriculture. It is a popular “pick and pay” site for a variety of produce at low prices. The Gilcrease Orchard is one of the oldest farms in the valley, and is also the only remaining agricultural operation in the valley. The orchards span 50 acres, and contain more than 6,000 fruit trees.