Posts in category: Fun Stuff!

A reminder to everyone – because this is one of our favorite annual charitable events – that PEDAL 4 POOCHES is happening this coming Saturday, October 1! The New Home Resource team will be taking part in this ride for the animals – won’t you join us?

Created to benefit local animal rescue organizations, this is the third year Barry and Karen Lasko are hosting this family-friendly bike ride event to raise awareness, funds, and gather much-needed items for those pets who don’t yet have their “forever home.”

This year, donations will be given to the NSPCA and Heaven Can Wait Animal Sanctuary. Riders and non-riders alike are invited to join the fun and bring their donations of:

• Pet food
• Blankets
• Beds
• Towels / Linen
• Animal supplies
• Cleaning supplies
• Grooming items
• Leashes / collars
• Money (always desperately needed for medical and other care)
• And you can even check out the NSPCA Amazon Wishlist and Heaven Can Wait’s Amazon Wishlist to purchase items online directly

All of these items and all the funds – as always – will be donated in their entirety to these rescue organizations. We invite you to help us set a new record and let’s just overwhelm these great animal charities with kindness this year!

It all begins at 8:00am on Saturday October 1 at 1226 Kover Court Henderson, Nevada, 89002. And after the ride – the event wraps up at the same place with a Potluck Dinner at the Lasko’s farm.

It’s your chance to “wow” your fellow pet-loving do-gooders and bring your crowd-pleasing special Potluck Dish!
If your last name starts with A-L, bring a salad or side dish. If it starts with M-Z – bring a dessert!

So join us this Saturday – and if you’d like to play an important role in helping homeless animals, too – contact our office at (702) 365-1000 to find out how you can participate in the ride, make a donation, or maybe even do just a little bit more! (If you also happen to have time to volunteer to these organizations, they can surely use it!) Remember – all those furry little paws are counting on you! ☺

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

You bought a home – yay! Oh wait, no – maybe a friend of yours bought a home. Or a family member just moved back to town. Heck – whoever is the one that just moved into a new home or a first home – the point is there are a lot of things they could use to help them take care of it.

So while a bottle of champagne or a houseplant might seem like a nice “Congratulations on your new digs!” gift – let’s get real. That champagne will probably sit in the refrigerator for six months while they wait for the perfect occasion to pop the cork, and the plant – well, okay, it might look nice for a while (unless the recipient suffers from “Black Thumb”).

What these people really need (or if anyone asks what they can get you for your new home) – is the basics. All those little things that you know you reach for as you’re unpacking boxes, only to discover that uh, you don’t have one of those (whatever it was you were looking for). Damn. Back in the box until later. More work. Less done. Not-as-happy-as-you-could-be Homeowner.

We’re here to help solve that. So in our very best Joan Crawford voice, we want you to hear us say this: “No. More. Useless. Housewarming. Gifts. !!!” (you’re probably creeped out just thinking about those hangers right now, but you’ll get over it.)

So here we go, with our “Authoritative Gift List O’ Things People With New Homes Probably Need Or Even If They Already Have It They Can’t Find Theirs Anyway So They’ll Love It Just The Same”:

Essentials

Showing up to visit “The Day Of” moving in? Then think smart. Stop by the grocery store and put together a care package of things they’ll want to kiss you for: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, disposable plates and cutlery, WATER, sodas, coffee, snacks, frozen pizza, a corkscrew (not kidding!), fresh fruit (the kind you can eat with your hands), a loaf of bread, and thou. Well, you get the picture. Hey – they’re your friends; you should have a good idea of what they’d like to chow down on. The point is, when people are in the midst of a move – easy-to-grab-sustenance is one of the most appreciated things you can gift. Go crazy – get the Macadamia nuts and the dried cranberries, too. Oh – and most important, don’t forget the Chocolate!!

Tools

Maybe they have their own, and maybe they don’t. Maybe he’s a maintenance-master, or maybe he hires out his DIY jobs. Either way it doesn’t matter, because the odds are they’re going to be rummaging through boxes and stacking them one on top of the other to find that stupid jar of nails. Or that screwdriver that will let them put their dining table back together, so they can sit down and relax for cryin’ out loud! Want to show them just how thoughtful you are? Allen wrenches. They’ll probably name their next child after you for that. Even if you just head to the Dollar Store to pick up cheap versions of it all – a hammer, a multi-head screwdriver, a level, an extension cord, scissors, PLUMBER’S TAPE (seriously appreciated!) – then just toss them all into a $1 bucket – when you hand that over on your arrival (along with, again, W-A-T-E-R), not only will they never forget you, they’ll probably even pass on this helpful wisdom the next time THEY have to get someone else a housewarming gift. (And perhaps the cycle of crystal vases as move-in gifts will finally end, and move onto the wedding gift list where they belong.)

“You Know They’ll Get Used Eventually” Items

• New Return Address Labels. You can do this one at home. Buy a package of blank Avery labels and use an easy-to-read font – and they’ll bless you every time they have to mail out an envelope. (Or even fill out a form.)
• Eco-friendly collection of cleaning supplies. (We just like to encourage the eco-part whenever we can – but you can get the Clorox and the Tide, too.)
• Fire extinguisher. Sexy, no. Pretty damn useful when you need one? You bet. Something that should be in every home? Absolutely. (Also something that’s usually ‘expired’ by the time they pack up and leave their old home. Trust us, no one’s ever going to complain about having a fresh, new fire extinguisher.)
• Command Hooks, Tape, and Hangers. When you’re just moving in, you might think twice about putting a nail there – how do you know for sure where you’re going to want to put everything? No one doesn’t love Command products (and no, we’re not shilling for 3M, either). The luxury of knowing you’re not damaging a wall by hanging something on it can’t be overstated when you’re just settling in.
• Start Their Junk Drawer for Them. Sounds weird, huh? Well think about it – by the very nature of moving, theirs is history! So pull together some of the crazy things that you have in your own – glue, push pins, stapler, mini screwdriver, nail files, safety pins, batteries, scotch tape, Krazy Glue, duct tape, multi-plug adapter – let your brain go crazy. (Or just look in your junk drawer for ideas!) Come on, you know there’s a reason you kept that single bolt and washer. They may need one, too.

Actually, we could probably go on for pages with brilliant gift ideas, but we’re hoping you get the gist of it . . . which is: MOVING SUCKS. But that’s why we have friends…to make it easier on us all. So skip the crystal department at Macy’s and head to Home Depot and the grocery store instead!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Autumn is almost upon us, and almost as soon as it launches itself (that would be September 22 – for those who keep track of these things) – our New Home Resource team is going to be taking to the street in support of Las Vegas pets who need our help!

More specifically, we’re super-jazzed about the upcoming “Pedal 4 Pooches” event that comes around every year – thanks to a couple of devoted, local animal lovers who work hard to make it happen.

This annual bicycle ride takes place every fall around this time – and this year, it will all happen on Saturday, October 1. Starting at 8:00am, enthusiastic supporters (like all of us pet-lovin’ New Home Resource folks!) will take to the Henderson roads on our bicycles to help bring awareness to the plight of homeless pets in our valley – and to raise funds and accept donations that are sorely needed.

Hosted by local pet-lovers Barry and Karen Lasko (and you can check out the Facebook event here) – “Pedal 4 Pooches” invites everyone – riders and non-riders alike – to bring their donations of pet food, blankets, beds, towels, etc. – all of which will be given to local animal charities. And as we all know, animal rescue organizations are always in need of monetary assistance to provide medical and other care for their charges – so any donations of funds will be passed on in their entirety, as well.

We’re excited to take part in – and help share the news – about this fun, family-friendly event that brings together people for a wonderful common cause, gets us all outdoors and moving in this great autumn Las Vegas weather, and to icing on the cake is: the event all wraps up with a BBQ at the Lasko’s home. (Fun, friends, family, and food – the most important “Four F’s” ever!)

Pets play a major role in our lives, as shown by decades of scientific study that confirm their importance to our physical and mental health, our sense of well-being, and even to banish loneliness. Not that we need the research to convince us – because our pets have been saving our sanity and bringing us joy and happiness for, well, Ever!

Their unconditional love is, unfortunately, not always reciprocated. There are so many pets in need here in Las Vegas, that helping to lighten that burden and bring awareness of their needs to our community is of particular importance to everyone at New Home Resource.

So we invite you to join us on October 1 – and if you’d like to play an important role in helping homeless animals, too – contact our office at (702) 365-1000 to find out how you can participate in the ride, make a donation, or maybe even do just a little bit more! Remember – all those furry little paws are counting on you! ☺

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Football season is almost here! And while Las Vegas may not be the Deep South, we have a pretty die-hard population that brought their team loyalties along when they moved to the Desert Southwest. (Besides, we’ve got NHL Hockey now….can NFL Football be far behind?)

While we’re not going to wax poetic (in this post anyway) on any team’s chances to get to the Super Bowl this year– we DO want to do something to help you win some of those half-time trivia bets that are so fun to argue about in a crowd. These particular Trivia Tidbits are designed to help you put those visiting friends and family in their place (after their team has trounced yours during the first half) – because YOU, my friend, are a LAS VEGAS LOCAL. That makes your knowledge of our fair city quite special (and even if it wasn’t, it will be after you take in the following list of interesting facts and statistics). So let us begin . . .

If You Didn’t Know These Things Before, At Least Now You Can Win Some Friendly Bets With Them:

1. The Bronze lion outside of the MGM Grand Hotel weighs 50 tons, making it the largest bronze sculpture in the country.
2. It would take 288 years for one person to spend one night in every hotel room in Las Vegas.
3. The Mirage Hotel’s iconic golden windows actually got their coloring from real gold dust.
4. There’s a heavy equipment playground in Las Vegas where you can drive bulldozers for fun.
5. The Las Vegas Strip is the brightest place on Earth when looked at from outer space.
6. There are over 21,000 conventions held in Las Vegas annually.
7. Many of the herbs in the Bellagio’s restaurants are grown in the hotel’s rooftop garden.
8. The gaming revenue for Clark County in 2015 was $9.6 Billion.
9. Las Vegas is home to 15 of the World’s Top 25 Hotels.
10. Hula-hooping is banned at the Fremont Street Experience. (really!?)
11. Las Vegas has the 11th largest school district in the U.S.
12. The most expensive dish purchased (as of 2014, anyway): 26 Fleur Burgers sold at Fleur, Mandalay Bay ($5,000 each).
13. The first hotel/casino on what is currently the Strip was the El Rancho Vegas, opening on April 3, 1941, with 63 rooms. It stood for almost 20 years before being destroyed by a fire in 1960.
14. In 1970, Las Vegas visitors topped out at nearly 6.8 million. In 2015, it was 42.3 million.
15. Most of the Las Vegas Strip and nearly all of the top casinos are not actually in Las Vegas.
16. Shortly after buying the Desert Inn hotel (after they asked him to vacate the premises), Howard Hughes went on a hotel-buying spree and purchased the Castaways, the Landmark, New Frontier, the Sands, and the Silver Slipper. The beginning of the end of the mob’s influence in Vegas.
17. The cost to light up the Luxor’s beam is $51.00/hour. (It’s also the brightest in the world.)
18. People eat more shrimp in Las Vegas than in the rest of the country combined. (60,000 lbs. per day)
19. Las Vegas is home to more than 500 churches and synagogues and represents over 40 faiths.
20. Annual rainfall in Las Vegas totals slightly more than 4 inches, (and the average temperature is 66.3 degrees!)

Now don’t tell us you knew about ALL of these things! And chances are, even your local Las Vegas neighbors don’t either. So write it on your palm or make yourself some cue cards, and be prepared to “Wow!” your friends with your encyclopedic knowledge of our fair city.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

For many people, a pet is a constant source of happiness, affection, and joy. It’s a scientific fact, actually, that pets are good for our physical health and our emotional well-being!

So is it any surprise that this source of unconditional love and devotion inspires us to strive harder to become the person they think we already are? Seriously, though – would you trade for anything, that moment at the end of a difficult day when you’re greeted at the door with a wagging tail and a happy face? For us, it’s like our own little slice of heaven on Earth, because they mean the world to us.

Sadly, though, we recognize that not every animal has it as good as the ones we have at home. That’s why at New Home Resource, among the several non-profit organizations we volunteer our time, effort, and funds to throughout the year, helping local animal rescue organizations is high on that list, too.

One of those events is coming up on October 1, and the New Home Resource family is excited to participate in this one yet again! It’s called “Pedal 4 Pooches”– an annual bicycle ride event that takes place in Henderson and is hosted by local pet-lovers Barry and Karen Lasko. (You can check out the Facebook event here!)

Enthusiastic supporters (like us!) will be ready to hit the bike trail at 8:00am on Saturday, October 1 in this fun, family-friendly event that wraps up with a BBQ at the Lasko’s home. Everyone is invited to bring their donations of pet food, blankets, beds, towels, etc. to be given to local animal charities – riders and non-riders alike.   And as we all know, animal rescue organizations are always in need of monetary assistance to provide medical and other care for their charges – so any donations of funds will be passed on in their entirety, as well.

There’s nothing better than working with people who care. And we’re not just talking about people who do their job well and treat clients with respect while delivering superb service (although those are things that every New Home Resource agent and employee does daily!).

We (thankfully!) all have a life outside of our ‘day jobs,’ and we all have particular causes that are dear to our hearts. So we love it when we can come together as a team to help focus attention on important causes in Las Vegas, because this is our home – and finding ways to make it better, well, it just seems to be part of our VegasDNA.

If you’d like to play an important role in helping homeless animals, too – contact our office at (702) 365-1000 to find out how you can participate in the ride, making a donation, or maybe even do just a little bit more.   We’re counting on you ☺

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

ANYone can throw some burgers on the grill and have a back yard bbq (well, if they have a back yard, that is). Are we right?

But you – you’re better than that. You’re proud of your get-togethers, whether they’re impromptu or long-planned events. It doesn’t matter if you do it all yourself, or share the duties. Maybe one is working the grill and the other is at the margarita machine. The point is, like any good host or hostess, you want your guests to have a great and memorable time.

Because these casual gatherings are precisely what make up the memories we carry with us through life. They’re why we work so hard all week, why we wanted a home of our own – so we can have these amazing, laid-back events where the line between family and friends is a little more blurred than usual (and we don’t mean because of the margaritas, either!)

Towards that end – of helping you make your cookout fall into the “Remember that great time we had at _______’s house?” category – we’ve gathered a few suggestions together that might already be just perfect for you, or will be if you tweak them a bit your way. Party on, Dudes & Dudettes!

FOR THOSE EARLY ARRIVALS

There’s no better solution for early arrivals – or even the post-lunch slump – than a collection of “no skills required” lawn games. Set out a basket of Frisbees, Wiffle balls, and badminton rackets, or pull that croquet set out of the garage. Then set them up in easy view. (It’ll be a hit with the kids, too!)

KEEPING THE FOOD FRESH . . .

It’s all about the food. Seriously – did you ever notice that when the food starts trailing off (or not looking too fresh from sitting out too long) – the party starts to wind down? (And don’t even get us started on the drinks!) Take a look around the house and see what you have handy to multi-purpose – like this kids’ swimming pool that keeps it all fresh for hours. (Don’t like the little painted animals appearance? Line it first with a couple of inexpensive plastic tablecloths to match your party theme!)

AND THE DAY ORGANIZED (SORTA)

Juggling plates, napkins, and silverware. We all know how that works out. At your next event, help your guests avoid that conundrum! Punch a hole into your disposable plates, tie up your utensils and napkin with twine, and loop it through the plate. They’ll have a free hand as they tackle the buffet (and it will move things along much faster, too).

SHOW YOUR GUESTS THEIR COMFORT MATTERS

Help them keep cool (or at least keep the scorching sun at bay) by providing a supply of fans and sunblock. Bug spray is an especially nice touch. Even handy bowls of ice cubes around with some heavy paper towels is a great idea (for here in Las Vegas, anyway!).

DID SOMEONE SAY DESSERT?

Take a page from a rustic wedding, and prepare a fun way for your guests to build their own S’Mores. (Think of all the time you’ll save worrying about what to serve for dessert!) Shish kabab skewers and cans of sterno make this idea a blast for everyone.

HERE, FIDO!

Don’t forget the dogs! Hot summer days with lots of friends around can get them excited – so calm them down with a little planned-ahead of time treat cooler for them. Throw some smaller-sized treats into an ice tray with water and stick them in the freezer overnight to keep tails wagging (and maybe not always underfoot!).

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

A while back, we wrote an article about some of the “Things to Love About Living in Las Vegas,” (including the amazing weather, we really are all normal people here, and there’s never a reason to be bored in this town!). But with all the excitement going on here lately, it seemed like as good a time as any to expand on that list.

So for those who might be wondering what it is that draws people to – and makes them want to stay in – Las Vegas, read on!

NHL HOCKEY!

This one has been a long time coming, and for those of us who have seen the Las Vegas Thunder come and go (loved those guys!) and the Las Vegas Wranglers do the same (loved them, too) – this is like a dream come true. On top of that, it’s the first professional sports franchise to call Las Vegas its home – and that is saying something! (Will the Raiders be next? Who knows!) But come 2017, the Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena is going to be the site of some serious celebrations, and you can bet that this is one town that knows how to throw a par-tay!

Speaking of the T-Mobile Arena . . .

We’ve got a brand new 20,000-seat capacity arena in Las Vegas right on the Strip that opened this past April and it is THE hot place to be. Between major concerts, sporting events, and awards shows – the immediate success of this state-of-the-art facility is (you guess it) – just one more thing to love about this town. No slouch on entertainment value, just take a look at the events calendar to see what’s coming next.

Lots of New Things Are Coming (Once Again!) to the Las Vegas Valley

Memo to all those people who said that “Las Vegas would never come back” after The Great Recession:

We can say that because there are new projects both big and small that are joining the valley’s ranks – from the new Seasons Market at The Village in Lake Las Vegas (not to mention the several new home communities that have recently opened there), to the up-and-coming Resorts World Las Vegas, a new Chinese-themed resort on the Las Vegas Strip that’s scheduled to begin construction this fall with plans to open in 2019. The Las Vegas Convention Center is undergoing a new expansion, new schools are under way, and new home builders are enjoying a great year. Those examples are just the tip of the iceberg – but we’re pretty sure they make our point. 😉 All told, there are more than $9 billion in projects planned or under construction in Las Vegas during the next few years – including a 5,000-seat theater at the Monte Carlo, Wynn Paradise Park, Alon, and the Lucky Dragon (which is now hiring, by the way!).

Anyone who’s looking for something to do in Las Vegas can always seem to find something just a step above the norm – whether it’s the National Finals Rodeo, NASCAR Weekend, or how about this one: The final 2016 Presidential Debate that will take place at UNLV in October – just days before the vote.

Oh yeah, there are plenty of reasons people love living in Las Vegas. Just think – all that, and we’re also #2 on the list of Top Cities for Dogs in the country. (Which means, even the dogs know this is a great place to be!)

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Summer’s arrived – and with it comes everything that implies. Whether you’re headed to the lake for some serious watersports or hanging out at the pool – taking the casinos up on all their (free?) air conditioning or just headed to the movies – we’re all looking for ways to stay cool and have a good time. Friends are visiting, school is out (for some), vacations are all the rage – and there are few places that offer more opportunities to enjoy the season than Las Vegas. (We should write a book about how much we love this place!)

But it seems like the one thing we don’t want to do much of is spend our time in a hot kitchen preparing meals. So our solution to that? Spend it in a cool kitchen – making fresh and seasonal dishes that are great for feeding the family – or whipping up to take to the neighborhood BBQ. So we wanted to share some of our old favorites and fabulous finds to help you navigate your way beyond the heat without the “I’m hungry but I don’t feel like cooking anything” drag.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Edamame, Cilantro, Chipotle, and Lime

from Kalyn’s Kitchen

We are not gonna lie: This salad R.O.C.K.S. Filling yet refreshing, and a little tiny bit spicy. We have never failed to receive a multitude of compliments whether we’re serving this at home or taking to a pot-luck event. And there is NEVER anything left to toss out. The trick lies in timing your avocados so that they’re ripe on the day you want to make this dish. (You do know the “avocado-ripening trick” – right? They ripen more quickly in a closed paper bag!) But omygosh, this is one salad you’re going to add to your regular repertoire.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

from The Creativity Exchange

Okay – we know what you’re saying. “But I have to cook the chicken and the pasta!” Well, not exactly. Pick up one of those nice rotisserie chickens at the grocery store, and then you can handle boiling a little water to cook the Penne pasta to a nice al dente. Then toss the 7 (total) ingredients together, and you’re all set. (The only thing we’d add is some nice fresh avocado – but then again, we add that to everything!)

Southwestern Barley Salad

by Chew Out Loud

You can go do the quinoa tango all you want, but as far as we’re concerned, this barley salad puts all those trendy seeds to shame. Could be we just like the texture or the size of pearl barley – or that it’s more flavorful – or hey, it’s just not quinoa! Granted, it’s a grain, so that grain-free label doesn’t apply. But that might also be why we love it. (Always a rebel is this one, Obi-wan.)

Apple Gouda Walnut Salad

from Green Valley Kitchen

Actually, this recipe is in the category of “fall salads” (with the Braeburn apples and all). But the truth is, this simple collection of wholesome ingredients will work well with many other apples types, too. Easy to prep, easy to toss together, and a mix of white wine vinegar and olive oil make this an easy and go-to recipe almost anytime.

BLT RANCH PASTA SALAD

by Pumpkin Spice

Who. Doesn’t. Love. Bacon. ? Let’s put it this way, we’re suckers for it. There are plenty of great recipes out there that include bits of freshly-cooked bacon, that’s for sure. And this one is up there on the list for us. (Although the “Broccoli Madness” salad from the Sweet Tomatoes salad bar is another one that rocks our world! You can get that recipe here.)

When you think about it, it’s amazing how using a limited, select collection of fresh ingredients can so easily turn into a meal-most-tasty. Skip the fast food and the preservatives when you can this summer – and try keeping a variety of lettuce, vegetables, nuts, and other of your favorite ‘snacking foods’ around the house this summer. No reason at all you can’t create a masterpiece of your own! (And it leaves just that much more room for those frilly cocktails you’ll enjoy by the pool!)

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Here in Las Vegas, it doesn’t always count what the calendar says…..our “summer” has a habit of showing up a bit early compared to the rest of the country. (One of the many reasons we love it here!) Las Vegans are already enjoying pool parties, visiting the lake, going hiking, and taking road trips. And many of us are also in the habit of taking our furry best friends along for whichever adventure we’re undertaking at the moment, because – let’s be honest – who doesn’t like bringing someone along who simply wants to adore us?

But there are some very important things to remember about “Adventuring with your Pet” in the desert Southwest, and we’d just like to remind long-time residents and newcomers alike, what to know so you BOTH have a safe and happy summer season!

NEVER, EVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A PARKED CAR!

Sorry for the all-caps, but it’s worth yelling about – because sometimes, people just don’t realize how FAST and how hot it can get in a car in Las Vegas. Here’s how hot:

On an 85-degree day, even with the car windows slightly opened, the temperature inside a car will reach 102-degrees in just 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, it will reach 120-degrees. That is hot enough for your pet to suffer brain and other organ damage – and die. It’s an excruciating condition for your pet, and not a pretty sight to behold. So PLEASE – don’t take that chance. (And be forewarned, there are plenty of people in this city who – if they see a pet in a parked car during the summer – will do whatever it takes to rescue that animal.)

If Your Pet Is Exposed To High Temperatures

Even as careful as we can be with our pets, accidents do happen. (Water bowls get knocked over, even your home air conditioner going-out while you’re at work.) So here are the signs to look for and the steps to follow if you have concerns about your pet’s condition:

1. Look for signs of heat stress – such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.

2. If your pet is overheated – move him to a cooler area and take these emergency steps:

a. Gradually lower his body temperature by applying COOL (not cold) water all over his body, or soaking him in a cool bath.

b. Place cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits, and in the groin area. Also wet the earflaps and paws with cool water. Direct a fan on the wet areas to speed cooling.

c. Offer your pet fresh, cool water if it wants to drink – but don’t force them to.

3. Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. It could quite literally save his life. Call ahead if you can to let them know the circumstances so they can begin preparing before you arrive.

Is the Pavement Too Hot For Your Dog’s Paws?

It might seem a little unusual for people in other parts of the country that we have to worry about this – but it is a serious concern for pets in Las Vegas. On a typical summer day with our higher temps, the asphalt outside can easily reach temperatures of 160-degrees and higher. Seriously. To avoid literally burning his foot-pads off, you need to be aware of this possibility – and if necessary, use pet boots or other protective gear to keep them safe. How do you know if it’s too hot? Try one of these tests: Can you walk on the asphalt barefoot? If it hurts you, it’s going to hurt them. Or – put the back of your hand on the asphalt. If you can’t hold it there for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog, too.

Taking a Trip? Be Sure to Pack for Your Pet, Too

If you’ve got a pet, then the odds are you have a favorite pet store, too. So if you have plans to hit the road and take your pet along for some outdoor adventures, be sure you bring along the necessities they’ll need, too. These include:

• IDENTIFICATION! 10 million pets get lost every year, and without identification – 90% of them never return home. Let that sink in. Then get some updated pet tags made, pronto!

• Water & Water Bowls. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so ‘nuff said on that. But you’d be surprised how often people forget these very basic items.

• Pet sunscreen. Especially important for pets with light skin tones – but noses of all colors can get easily sunburned!

• Pet boots. Not only to protect against hot pavement, but if you’re on the trail, it will keep their paws safe there, too.

• Leash and/or Harness. Even if your pet is the most well-behaved and obedient animal in the world – there are some places they simply won’t be allowed to go without these items. Make sure your pet gets included in ALL the fun!

• Life Vests – if you’re hitting the lake, river, or ocean.

• Doggles. Yes – protection goggles for dog are necessary if you’re going to be doing anything at high speeds.

• Cooling Bandana or other cooling apparel. It’s not just a matter of keeping them safe – you want them to be comfortable, too. For those times when you don’t have access to necessary resources, items like this can be a real benefit.

We might be letting our passion for pets show through in this post, but we know we’re not alone. The loss or injury, or even worse, the death of a pet is hard enough – without knowing you didn’t do all you could to keep it from happening in the first place. Plan ahead to keep your pet safe this summer, and you’ll both enjoy the season a whole lot more!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Life wasn’t meant to be all about work. At least, that’s what the team at New Home Resource agrees on. If you’re going to work hard, you want to play just as hard – and they do. But they also have one other very closely held belief: To give back to the community that’s been good to you.

Led by Broker Joanna Piette, taking the time to give back to Southern Nevada charities is simply built right into the schedule at New Home Resource.

“All of our agents and staff care deeply about different organizations in our city – so when there’s an event that we want to volunteer our time and efforts to help make it a success – we love to get involved,” Piette explains. “We’ll close the office, turn on our voice mail, set up our email auto-reply – and for that day, we’re all fully focused on doing our part for the community.

And that’s precisely what’s going to be taking place this week – Thursday, April 7. The New Home Resource team is taking their show on the road, so to speak – to lend a hand at the “Backpack For Kids” program at the Three Square Food Bank.

Here in Southern Nevada, Three Square works year-round to help the over 300,000 people who are food-insecure – meaning they’re not able to secure enough food for a healthy diet at least some point during the year. 125,000 of those are children – and this particular event is geared toward the kids.

Joanna Piette goes on to add, “It’s an important and often overlooked topic. We believe Three Square is providing a much-needed service, but they need everyone’s help to reach their goals. We’re pitching in because we want to be part of the solution for our city. It’s a real passion for us; we’re honored to be in a position where we can help – and our hope is that more businesses in the Las Vegas valley will recognize that together, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Actually, for the New Home Resource team, it’s not just about people – because the many needy animals in Las Vegas tug at their hearts, too. During the 6 or more events that New Home Resources actively participates in throughout the year, supporting animal rescue organizations is a big part of their calendar, too.

“Our involvement in our community comes from the sincere belief that there are things we can do to help others in need – and we know so many people who feel the same. There are a lot of very dedicated, very committed individuals in Las Vegas who take the time to make a difference outside of their work,” Piette reveals.

“As far as all of us are concerned at New Home Resource, we get as twice as much in return from these events as we give – so in one way, it’s almost a selfish thing for us to do. The truth is that giving not only directly benefits others in need; studies show that it also boosts the physical and mental health of the giver, too. Perhaps that’s why knowing that our time and efforts can make a difference in the quality of life for a child, an adult, or an animal – makes us aware that it’s all time well spent. We invite others to join the spirit of giving where it affects them personally, too. If our experience is any indication, we know they’ll be glad they did.”

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!