My View: Mary Colleen O'Callaghan-Miele

St. Rose history outshines the stars

2009-03-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

This first published February 26, 2009 in the Henderson Home News, a Community Newspapers of Nevada publication.

St. Rose Dominican Hospitals' 2009 Children's Miracle Mardi Gras Ball was an evening of elegance, glamour and entertainment. After 52 years, this is the longest-running fundraising event in Southern Nevada, and I am of the opinion that this year's ball should be up for an Academy Award as the "Best Gala of 2009," if there were such an award.

The performances by the celebrity cast — Donnie and Marie Osmond, Debbie Gibson, the Osmond 2nd Generation and others — were phenomenal. It was a wonderful night of entertainment.

Although, even those stars were outshone by the history in the room. There were three generations of St. Rose supporters, and they had a story to tell about the survival of Henderson's little hospital, which in my lifetime has become a respected player in Southern Nevada health care. I would like to share some of that story with you.

I had the honor of being the guest of my dear friends Troy and Selma Bartlett. Selma along with a handful of her colleagues have believed in and supported the vision of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals since 1956.

The history of this hospital began in the 1940s. The hospital was built as Basic Magnesium Hospital as the medical support for the Basic Magnesium Plant that provided critical goods during World War II.

After the war ended, there was no longer a need for magnesium to be produced for the war, and the plant's production slowed down. The plants were converted to peacetime uses, but attracting businesses was slow, and many of the people began to leave. Not all of them did, though. Some stayed, determined to scratch a living out of the Southern Nevada desert between Boulder City and Las Vegas.

Still, the hospital was put up for sale. It was purchased by the Adrian Dominican Sisters for one dollar a year, the assumption of the debt and a commitment to run the hospital for 25 years. That year, 1947, is where the story of Rose de Lima Hospital, now known as the St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, begins.

From 1955 through 1956, the hospital became accredited and it obtained a radioisotope (nuclear medicine) laboratory with the first accredited cancer treatment center. In 1957 was the first Mardi Gras Ball — the year I was born — and my mother sat on the Event Committee.

Selma was also involved in that early support of St. Rose. She had moved to Henderson in 1954 to work for Bank of Nevada, which she later managed, while her husband, Troy, was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.

Selma got involved with St. Rose shortly after arriving in Henderson, when Sunrise Hospital made a move to buy St. Rose, which was failing financially. She recalled how community members met with the sisters and the mother general and pleaded with them not to sell the hospital to a private company. The conversation with the mother general went something like this, as Selma recalled:

"We said, 'Don't sell it, don't sell it.'

"But we're losing all this money," the mother general said.

"So a group of us came up with the money."

That group included City Councilman Lou LaPorta, Glen Taylor and James I. Gibson, who later became State Senate majority leader and was father of our current mayor, James B. Gibson.

And the Mardi Gras was born to ensure at least one major fundraiser for Henderson's hospital for the years to come.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column for the Home News.

When times are tough, find balance

2009-02-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

This first published February 19, 2009 in the Henderson Home News, a Community Newspapers of Nevada publication.

During our challenging economic times, it is apparent that all in our valley are being financially impacted. Even the valley's largest neighborhood gaming corporation is not shielded from a tremendous financial loss.

It is at this time that we must take action for our own well-being and search for inner-peace and contentment.

Many people are pulling together and sharing resources such as living quarters, food, transportation and child care.

Let's take these hard times and focus on what and who is important. The "what" is happiness — isn't that what we all desire to wake up in search of each morning? The "who" is you — you do have the responsibility and freedom to tend to your needs so that you are able to care for others.

Realistically, nobody is happy all the time, although there are people who are happy and fulfilled a majority of their life.

Personally, I wake up going 60 mph and usually with a smile on my face and a cheery "good morning" and kiss for my boys. And I don't start to put the brakes on until about 11 each night after my family is settled and the house is shutting down.

This doesn't mean that I am happier than you are; it just means that I wake up going full-force and looking forward to my day.

Like everyone, I have challenges to face, which is why I looked for ways to maintain the healthy perspective necessary to come out at the other end of these times smiling and loving life. I like what I found. As with everything in life, it is about the KISS factor — keep it simple, silly.

Relax — Rent a movie, visit a funny Web site, take a bubble bath or be resourceful. What I do is beg, bribe and sometimes pay one of the boys to rub my feet.
Let's laugh — Having a good laugh is scientifically proven to heal the sick, and it's free. Well, not always; many times in our household a good chuckle is often at the expense of someone within the family circle.
Let's take the good with the bad — It often isn't what we go through that determines an outcome, but how we choose to go through it that makes or breaks our spirit.
Let's be grateful — For our family, friends and neighbors. We all have something or someone who we can be thankful for or to take care of.
Love and be yourself — Be honest and open with yourself. Be true to your feelings even when doing so hurts a little. Personally, I believe that God is my maker and that he doesn't make mistakes, so, although I am far from perfect, I am a precious soul worthy of all the good and kindness the world has to offer.
Let's surround ourselves with healthy attitudes — People who enjoy doing the things that we do, people who live life as we do. We all need someone who cares about us and treats us well, someone who supports us during good and difficult times.
Let's stay active — Studies show that when we have a diversified lifestyle we are happier. Incorporate activities that balance and meet our educational, spiritual, social, nutritional, occupational and physical needs.
Let's make someone happy — We carry with us the ability to make others happy just by raising the corners of our mouth, opening a door or giving a hug. The beautiful thing about a simple smile is that by doing so we find our own ray of sunshine.
Let's dance and make snow angels — It was the little things in our lives that filled our days with joy and memories when we were young. Did we forget how to dance and whirl and twirl or plop down in the fresh snow and wave our arms to make snow angels as we'd giggle? Not so long ago, I climbed out of a window onto the rooftop of a 15-story New Jersey hotel and laughed as I danced underneath the falling snowflakes.
Let's promise to be forgiving — Forgiving those who have hurt us knowingly or not knowingly is like a rainbow at the end of a storm. When we are forgiving we release the weight of the world from our shoulders and set free out hearts.

This list just scratches the surface of things that we can do to brighten and lighten our lives and those of others. Life is simply too short.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column for the Home News .

Standing with Israel and in unison

2009-02-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

This first published February 5, 2009 in the Henderson Home News, a Community Newspapers of Nevada publication.

Throughout history, religious teachings around the world shaped by ignorance and fear have been misguiding people and have often led to tragedy.

Religion, even in its purest form, can be prejudiced, discriminating and violent against any minority, not only in America but around the world. Authentic religion inspires compassion and respect for everyone. Religion as defined by several sources is:

• People’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life.

• A particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine.

• A set of strongly held beliefs, values and attitudes that somebody lives by.

• An object, practice, cause or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by.

We, as a country, are in existence today because our forefathers were persecuted for their religious beliefs. They were forced to flee their homeland in search of a place to be free to practice their faith and to feed and raise their families in peace and without fear.

No different is the state of Israel. Israel and her people are entitled, as are all of God’s children, to live in peace and prosperity in a land of their own with borders free of missile attacks.

At the close of 2008, Israel launched a defensive military action against Hamas targets in Gaza. Following years of unprovoked rocket attacks, the Israeli government has taken this action to protect her citizens.

Israel’s leadership determined that it could no longer allow Hamas’ declaration to destroy Israel to stand. The terrorists have amassed huge stockpiles of sophisticated weapons that are now being used to target Israeli population centers in the south, including Ashdod and Ashkelon.

It is clear that Israel’s leaders have said enough is enough. Southern Nevada’s Jewish community is committed to do whatever is necessary to provide aid and support for their brothers and sisters in Israel.

We, as Americans, understand the terror of Sept. 11 and treasure our homeland and life without war. Therefore, our United States has always demonstrated its solidarity with Israel in the past and should continue to do so. As an American, and as my father did before me, I will stand with Israel and her people.

For Israel, these are challenging times that demand action and support from all those who denounce anti-Semitism.

Judaism and Christianity teach that the gifts we have been given are not ours to keep but to steward responsibly and pass on in ways that help make a difference in the world. Events of the past few months have caused many to suffer and lose their homes and lives.

Let’s not forget the innocent killed in the crossfire. This alone should cause us all to reassess our needs and priorities and to be thankful for all we have been given, to count our blessings, as well as our resources, to recommit ourselves to embrace our ability to care for those in need in our community and around the world.

President Obama, I also stand behind you. You have shown the world that regardless of one’s race, color, creed or gender, as Americans we are united.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column for the Home News.

Go Red for women’s hearts on Feb. 12

2009-01-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

This first published January 22, 2009 in the Henderson Home News, a Community Newspapers of Nevada publication.
On Feb. 12, I intend to dress in red and support the American Heart Association’s fourth annual Go Red for Women Luncheon. My intentions are two-fold: first, to join in the AHA effort in educating women about heart disease while learning to live as a champion of health in our community and, secondly, one of my parents died as a result of a heart attack and the other a broken heart (aortic aneurysm).

Heart disease is a dietary and genetic dominating health issue throughout our family tree. My maternal grandfather died from a massive aortic aneurysm when my mother was 5. My paternal grandparents both suffered and died from heart disease.

To this day, heart disease impacts me five out of seven days a week.

In August 2004, at approximately 6:45, while I was curling my hair, I dropped a hot-roller. As it bounced then rolled across the floor, the house phone rang.
It was a call telling me mom (affectionately know as “Big Red” to Nevadans) was on her way to the hospital in an ambulance. Mom was woken up by an explosion of pain that brought her out of bed — to her knees — then to the floor. Apparently she crawled, dragging her body, paralyzed with pain, down the hall into the family room to get a phone.

I arrived at the hospital just in time to find my mother on a gurney, my brothers, sister and aunt Harriet around her bed, when the surgeon blurted, “We must get you into surgery. ... Frankly, I am amazed that you’re alive. ... You could die any minute ... and I’m not sure that I can repair the aneurysm ... or that you will live through surgery."

The weekly sitcom character House displays better bedside manners.

We kissed mom and told her that we loved her, and off she went. With eyes wide, mouths dropped open and hearts racing, we were all at a loss and had little hope that we would see her again. The damage tore and zig-zagged down her aorta, which I believe was from a broken heart at the loss of her college sweetheart and soul mate, my dad.

The following five days in the intensive care unit were filled with experiences that I believe only those who have an awareness of their higher self would appreciate.

So, my story wouldn’t feel complete without sharing my mother’s loss of her lifelong love to heart disease just five months before her story began.

On March 5, 2004 — five months and five days before, it was shortly before 7 a.m. and I was curling my hair, getting ready for work — exactly like the morning I got the call about mom, while curling my hair I dropped my curler, it bounced and rolled across the floor as the phone rang. It was my brother Brian calling.

“Colleen?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“Dad went down at church.” (He attended ritually every morning.) “They are working on him and the ambulance is on its way. They will probably take him to Desert Springs.”

“Oh no! Please, dear God! Brian, is he breathing?”

“I don’t know, Colleen. All I know is that they are working on him”.

“Who’s working on him?”

This was the first day that changed my life forever.

Sharing my story I realize my feelings of sorrow have turned to empathy and the tears I cried in the future will be for the family and friends of the nearly half a million women who will lose their life (according to AHA) to the No. 1 killer of women: heart disease.

The mission of the Go Red for Women movement is to educate and create awareness regarding women and heart disease, enabling women to live stronger, longer lives.

So, I encourage you to throw on a red dress and join us at the Four Seasons Hotel here in Las Vegas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, for the Go Red for Women luncheon. The day promises you an opportunity to learn, share, shop, win and be entertained. This event is designed to create an inspirational and informative atmosphere that will encourage women in our community and across America to become champions of their health.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column at the Home News.

Turn hard times into opportunities

2009-01-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

This first published January 8, 2009 in the Henderson Home News, a Community Newspapers of Nevada publication.

Welcoming the New Year was bittersweet.

With the aftermath of last year’s financial downturn of the real estate, construction and banking industry came a distinct sullenness for those in our valley who found themselves financially inverted, unemployed or homeless. The sweetness is it’s a time of awareness, a newness and rejuvenation to look at each day of this year as the “Last Day of Forever.”

Each year, I embrace the new year with a vigorous, dynamic and effective mind set to be all that I can be to my God, self, family, close friends, partners and those in need because they are who keep me strong when facing life’s challenges.

This year, with so many in our community being without jobs or homes, I am optimistic and encourage you to trust that life is good and we all can have a fruitful new year. There is one catch, and that is this new year will require some minor changes to our mind set.

This year for some may require embracing and incorporating past years’ philosophical lifestyles.

Recently I had lunch with a partner and reflected on the 60s, where less was more. It was a time when we all lived in the moment. Peace, love and happiness wasn’t purchased or a tangible item but a state of mind. Spending time with your family (especially the grandchildren) and friends was the ultimate source of happiness. It was a time when volunteering was not only valued but a part of life, and volunteers were acknowledged for their talents and contribution to the betterment of oneself and his or her commitment to their community as a whole.

For those who have their job and home, I encourage you to volunteer your time just a couple of hours here and there to those who are in need of your time and energy. Trust me, you will reap great rewards.

For those who are in need, what appears to be a misfortune finding themselves out of work or struggling this year could very well be a wondrous opportunity.

Think about this: Not everyone will be given the opportunity to make new decisions, change direction or launch a new venture. Use this time to take stock and inventory and use it to your advantage.

At a time when one could feel at a loss or disadvantage, research recommends that you maintain a regular schedule and daily routine.

Keeping “office hours” will help maintain a feeling of control and can be personally empowering. Get up at a time as you would if you worked. Check e-mail, job sites and read the paper. Dress and leave your house as you would if you were working.

Distribute your resumes at places or agencies you would like to be employed. Look at temporary jobs until you get the job you want. Return home at the same time each day. In order to find a job, you must treat the day as if you had one.

Be opened-minded to all options. You might find that you like a job that you might have never otherwise considered.

A perfect example is our beloved Ronald Reagan. Being turned down for a job at Montgomery Ward was one of many setbacks that moved him onto a path that eventually led to his becoming president of the United States. In the book “American Life: The Autobiography,” he wrote, “I’ve often wondered at how lives are shaped by what seem like small and inconsequential events, how an apparently random turn in the road can lead you a long way from where you intended to go — and a long way from wherever you expected to go.”

Decide how and what you want to do at this point and perhaps for the rest of your life. When you reach this juncture in your life, work will no longer be just a job or a way to earn a paycheck. It is at this point that work becomes an exciting part of your daily living that will overflow into every aspect of your world.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column at the Home News.

Snow day a chance to slow down

2008-12-31T10:18:00.000-08:00

This first published December 25, 2008 in the Henderson Home News, a Community Newspapers of Nevada publication.

It was the night our community came to a screeching, sliding, bumper-to-bumper halt. As beautiful and refreshing as a heavy winter snowstorm in Northern Nevada or Southern Utah can be, last week’s storm here generated a surreal introduction and closing for the last week before Christmas and the new year.

The massive and beautiful snowfall brought our community to a standstill. There were many people who were concerned for the safety of family, friends and their employees. For others, this day brought a sense of calm, appreciation of family, friends and neighbors, and created a time to be still, a time for reflection.

It is ironic that in this time of financial duress and instability, the frantic holiday pace to get everything wrapped and tied with a bow, Mother Nature, with her glory of her winter wisdom, bestowed upon us the greatest gift of all.

It was the gift of being still, of reaching out to help others, businesses helping their employees and customers, the gift of prayer for those hungry and without shelter from cold and winter snow. She gave us the ultimate gift of love and appreciation for all who live in and represent our community.

Mother Nature gave Southern Nevadans the opportunity to experience the “reason for the season.”

This holiday season, our spirit of community has been renewed. The air is filled with hope and the health and well-being of all, and it’s packaged so that we can carry Mother Nature’s gifts forward into the new year.

So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column for the Home News.

Tragic Night a reminder of life lessons

2008-12-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Olivia “Lynn” Brandise Hyten, another gift from above, has been returned home.

Yes, another tragic night, another fatal crash.

Our kids are continually being educated on the importance of driving responsibly and the deadly consequences of doing otherwise.

The fact is, this same message will need to be delivered to our kids throughout their adulthood. Why? Because adults are “big kids?” No, it’s because they are human.

This is where the old saying “to err is human, to forgive is divine” rings true. As humans, we have an internal need to continually explore everything around us in addition to the freedom to make choices.

The beauty of this freedom is that as infants we learn by exploring our environment in the safety and under the close watch of our family. As adults, we continue to make decisions that are irresponsible and potentially detrimental to the well-being of ourselves and others.

One would think that after years of education about the danger of driving while under the influence and irresponsibly, there would be no need for laws and punishment for those who do so.

The driver of the truck Brandise Hyten was in has been charged with two counts of reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter; the other was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

I attended Lynn’s final goodbye and farewell service to share the suffering of my son Timothy “T.J.” at the loss of his friend and teammate.

T.J. and Lynn had someone very special in common — Michelle, the owner of Grindz Boards and More at the corner of Sunridge Heights Parkway and Eastern Avenue.

Michelle opened Grindz in memory of her mother and, in turn, created a safe haven for her children and others who love to skateboard at our local skate park.

Our kids are respected and loved by Michelle, her customers, fellow teammates and parents.

Parents such as myself are thankful for business owners like Michelle who dedicate their lives to our youths, share in their ups and downs, and have their best interest at heart.

The kids who hang, skate and work at Grindz are held to high standards of completing homework, maintaining their grades and obeying and respecting their parents and one another.

The bond that Lynn and T.J. shared was one of mutual respect and trust — I’ve got your back.

This is at the core of my son’s anguish over the unnecessary loss of his friend. In his young mind, whoever was responsible for his loss must be held accountable.

Each day, those involved in the accident that took his friend’s life will live with the memory and life-altering impact of this one fatal night.

As with all of life’s lessons, there are consequences for exercising one’s freedom of choice. As I explained to my son, the lesson learned is that the consequences of a young person’s actions should result in a judgment based on their level of experience and not as an adult.

Let the memories of Olivia “Lynn” Brandise Hyten be those of her smile, love for her family and friends, taking pictures, skateboarding, dancing and her abundant love for life.

Rest in peace, Lynn. Your laughter continues to ring at Grindz.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com. She writes a regular column for the Home News.

Journalist left important legacy

2008-11-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I attended The SGI-USA (Soka Gakkai International) presentation of The American Victory Orchestra in a celebration of Daniel Pearl World Music Days.

This celebration of Hot Classical to Cool Jazz performed by American Victory Orchestra was conducted by Patrick Scott and the mistress of ceremonies was Sherry Beall. The performance took place at the location of its conception, the World Peace Ikeda Auditorium in Santa Monica.

This year, 1,133 Daniel Pearl World Music Days took place in more than 60 countries around the world where music was ringing the earth for sanity and humanity.

The concert was beautiful and the purpose for the performance was educational, captivating and soul searching.

The world has come to know Daniel Pearl as the journalist who was kidnapped and barbarically murdered by terrorists in Pakistan four months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Daniel Pearl should be a reminder that this world is not void of terrorists and extremists who hold no value for the life of other human beings.

He should also be remembered by the world for who Danny — as he was affectionately referred to by his family — was and what he brought to this world.

Danny was born on Oct. 10, 1963. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he displayed an insatiable curiosity for music, academics and sports. Music was an essential expression for Danny and led him to become a fixture in several bands around the world, where he jammed on the electric violin, fiddle or mandolin.

He graduated from Stanford University in 1985 with a major in communications with Phi Beta Kappa honors.

In 1991, he was hired by The Wall Street Journal and worked in Atlanta, Washington, Paris and London, where his assignment was to cover the Middle East.

Danny met Mariane in 1998 and the couple married a year later. They moved to Bombay, India, in 2000. Danny was the Wall Street Journal’s South Asia Bureau chief.

Danny’s skill as a foreign correspondent was apparent not only in his entertaining pieces that shed light on other cultures but also in investigative stories that uncovered the truth from the rubble of war and devastation.

In May 2002, Mariane Pearl gave birth to their son, Adam.

Danny’s parents, Judea and Ruth, their family and friends created the Daniel Pearl Foundation to carry on his legacy, using music and words to combat the root causes of the hatred that took his life.

The mission of the foundation grew out of a shared concern by Professor Akbar Ahmed, chair of Islamic Studies at American University, and Danny’s father about the deterioration of relationships between Muslim and Jewish communities around the world and their strong belief that reconciliation between these two Abrahamic faiths can be achieved through frank and respectful dialogue.

In 2003, the American Jewish Committee invited Judea Pearl and Ahmed to lead a public dialogue in Pittsburgh.

The conversation was to be about the divisions between Muslims and the western world and between Muslims and Jews. The event had a profound impact on those in attendance and was covered widely in the U.S., Arab and Pakistani press. Due to its success, this personal yet public dialogue now continues in cities across America and abroad.

Ahmed and Pearl have been invited to continue their program all over the world. The conversations, which are never the same twice, cover issues from theology, history and ideology to politics and current news, and encourage audience participation.

Two organizing principles guide the conversation: No issue is taboo and respect at all times. Ahmed and Pearl believe these open and honest dialogues are essential to the future of humanity.

It is their hope that their public dialogues will carve a path of legitimacy and inspire the communities who participate in them to continue the conversation at the grass-roots level.

The purpose is to promote cultural and religious tolerance, and to combat cultural and religious hate so that at the end of the day, humanity will prevail, hatred will be dissolved and peace will triumph.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.

Make educated votes this year

2008-10-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

Are you registered to vote?

Tuesday was the last day to register, so if you are not registered, you are not qualified to cast
your vote in the Nov. 4 general election.

If you are not sure about your registration status, you can call the Clark County Election Department at 455-VOTE (8683) or check online by going to www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/election.

Your vote can make a difference in the future of our country. Early voting starts Oct. 18. Check the Election Department Web site for details.

This particular presidential race is one of immense historic impact, the first in which either an African American man or a woman will be elected to the presidency or vice presidency, respectively.

I, for one, will always vote for the candidate I believe will keep America and her people first. I will not vote for a candidate based on their gender or race. I am refreshed by the fact that our country refuses to hold onto prejudice that has no place in the hearts of most Americans.

Besides the presidential race, this November’s ballot features races for the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada Supreme Court, State Assembly and Senate, Clark County Commission, Clark County School Board, Nevada State Board of Education, university system regents and numerous local judgeships.

Additionally, there are ballot questions that are important to the future of our state and its counties and cities.

They include several questions to change the state Constitution to eliminate an unconstitutional six-month residency requirement for voting; to provide that property taken for public use is valued at the highest price it would bring on the open market and to make other changes to the eminent domain proceedings; and to require that the Legislature find social or economic benefits and take certain steps before it enacts an exemption from property or sales and use taxes.

There is also a state question that asks if the Legislature should be allowed to change provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act without voter approval to carry out federal laws or interstate agreements for the administration, collection or enforcement of the taxes. It would also repeal a tax exemption for certain aircraft and aircraft components.

In addition to the state questions, there are two county advisory questions. One asks if voters support an increase of up to 3 percent in the hotel and motel room tax to raise money for the long-term support of K-12 education.

The other one, only for Boulder City residents, asks if voters would support establishing a special tax district that would impose a new tax of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to raise money for Boulder City Hospital.

Finally, there are three city questions in Boulder City. They would amend language in the city charter to include feminine and plural references; amend the charter to eliminate closed City Council hearings to consider the termination of a city officer; and advise the council on whether it should sell 46 acres of land to help fund construction of a third water intake in Lake Mead.

For a complete explanation and arguments, log onto the Election Department Web site.

Please make your vote an educated vote, and happy voting.

•••

On an unrelated note, I have been so busy and preoccupied with life and community that my godson thinks I have abandoned him. No, never, Matthew. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. You are a very special 6-year-old and a true gift to the world. Happy birthday Matthew Felsenfeld. Your godmother loves and misses you.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.

Mom watches boy become a man

2008-10-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Wow! The day has come. Justin, my second eldest son, is enlisting in the U.S. Army.

As I write this column, I am filled with fear, heartache and an enormous amount of pride. I don’t ever recall having such an array of emotions all at the same time. Is this what every mother experiences as she listens to the words, “Mom, I’m joining the military?”

As my son unveiled his newest adventure, these words were coming not from my little boy who was a quiet soul until the day he chose to speak at the age of 3 and, when he did speak, it was a full sentence. The little boy who was independent and was comfortable leading and following, a true team player. The little boy who always wanted his brothers to be the best they could and often set the tone with fun and laughter.

Yes, he was a jokester and usually at mom’s expense — a slithering snake into my shower, convincing his friend David into dyeing his hair and eyebrows purple.

No, these words came from a man who no longer is a little boy.

So, where is my young man going from here?

His first journey is to basic training in Georgia, where he will learn to walk and talk (yeah, I thought I had already done that job. Apparently there is a mom way and the military way.)

In addition, he will learn to properly fold his clothes. Oh my gosh! Good luck on that one, drill sergeant. I have tried to teach him how to fold clothes since he was 6 years old.

He will learn to be part of a team (heck, he has been part of a squad for the last 26 years with five brothers).

Justin’s next journey will be off to jump school. This one has the entire family shaking their heads. Justin hates to fly. His last flight was to bury Grandpa Chief in New Jersey, and we all took turns holding his hand.

Our question to him was, “So, Justin, you are going to jump out of an airplane?” His response to this was, “Well, I’ll be OK. I’ll have a perfectly good parachute.”

His next goal is to qualify for something called HALO training. Apparently, there is an elite group of military jumpers who jump from the outer atmosphere and open their “perfectly good” parachutes at the lowest point possible.

Then its onto Justin’s ultimate goal: to qualify and graduate from Ranger school.

Yes, I have found humor in sharing my son’s story. So, I will add smiles and laughter to the bag of emotions that I have as I watch my little boy become my little Ranger.

Good luck, son. I’m proud of you as you begin your journey and continue your grandfather’s legacy of love of country and of those who put their lives on the line to protect it.

I will keep the home fire burning and continue to fight for the rights of those of you who are serving our country now and for our veterans who have gone before you.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.

Let's talk some (clean) politics

2008-09-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Diana happens to have her birthday on the same day as my father.

Every year it has given Diana great joy to harass me, because each year I religiously forget it is her birthday, also.

With each passing Sept. 10, Diana would ask, “Whose birthday just passed?” Naturally, every year I would respond with, “It was my dad’s birthday!”

Well, being the great lady she is, this year she spared me the pain and annual humiliation of forgetting that it was her turn to celebrate the big day. We celebrated dad’s and her birthday at a true Las Vegas watering hole — the kind that dad would’ve been comfortable at and totally within Diana’s comfort zone. There were people from all walks of life enjoying a cold beer, great conversation and, at times, political debates.

As we toasted, I asked my friend to make a birthday wish. She said, “What I wish for is the impossible.”

Well, just tell me something is impossible and watch me find a way to make it possible. My friend knows that about me.

Diana wished for the days when, in polite company, it was rude to talk about politics or sex. This was a time when sex was considered dirty and politics was considered clean yet very controversial.

I believe her request is possible and, in fact, very doable, just not within my power. This birthday wish is in the hands of the voters and the American political powers-that-be.

I am often told that I look at people and life through rose-colored lenses. But restoring the reputation of politics after removing my rose-colored glasses is still doable.

As we continued our celebration, we got around to listening to the latest rumors out there regarding the races in the local, state and national political arenas. While I will not repeat the rumors — it’s not my style — I will share with you my response to one of them.

I do hope the candidate is a Latter-day Saint, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or a member of any other religion or is atheist or agnostic. This is America, like a diamond strong with many facets of races, colors and creeds.

I hope the candidate is Independent, Republican, Democrat or Libertarian. That’s American.

I hope the candidate’s ethnic background is Hispanic, Irish, Italian, German, African-American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Native American or Indian or any other nationality whose people have come to live in our country. That’s American.

I hope all the candidates worked their way up to achieve their goals and dreams or the dreams of their parents or grandparents who gave up their businesses, land and families to make America their home. Imagine how difficult that must have been to leave everything behind to flee from religious, ethnic or political persecution.

I know and understand that politics can get dirty. My girlfriend may want to turn back the hands of time, in more ways than one.

I would like to grant her one birthday wish. Can we make politics clean and get back to the day when sex was dirty?

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.

It's assessment time for government

2008-09-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Is socialized healthcare just around the corner for the U.S.?

Enjoying my pasta the other evening, observing the crowd and watching John McCain and Sarah Palin’s speech on the big screens at Tuscany Grill, a local Italian bistro, was quite an event. It was apparent that the crowd was mainly Republican, scattered with a few Democrats.

Everyone was definitely inspired as the speeches emanated with hope while outlining futuristic plans for our country.

As I listened and evaluated each speaker’s message, I walked away with a desire to see this country unified, regardless of party (sounds good, but ultra-idealistic).

Well, as the conversation amongst the crowd continued, it became slightly heated regarding the subject of whether socialized medicine is coming to the U.S. and the candidate supporting its implementation. This debate bypassed all pros or cons and went directly to the horror story of a young man sitting directly across from me with his left arm bandaged.

His name is Josh, and here is his story.

Josh is a 21-year-old baseball pitcher from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a lefty pitcher who played college ball here in the states for the past three years, first at Taft College then at Cal State Northridge.

Josh went back to Canada to train for his last year of eligibility, and he took a construction job. On the job, he injured his left elbow. After an initial assessment, he was referred to physical therapy and, because of the socialized healthcare system in Canada, it took more than eight months before his need for surgery was acknowledged.

Since he was injured on the job, his healthcare fell under the worker’s compensation program. A stipulation to qualify for the surgery under worker’s comp was that it must be performed in Canada. He saw three doctors, all of whom said they didn’t have the skill or surgical technology that would guarantee he would be able to pitch again.

So, his only option was to come to the United States and see a doctor who had the skills and technology to successfully perform the surgery.

Josh went to a doctor in Cincinnati, where he had to fork out $10,000.

The doctors in Canada took an extremely long time to get him the help he needed and, in addition, his MRI was unreadable. According to this young man and his fiancee, this is a true indication of what happens with socialized medicine in Canada and shows why Canada can afford to offer free health care.

It lacks the expertise and resources the American health care system provides. (Also, look at the tax rates in other countries, such as Canada, but that’s another column.)

Another example of a country with socialized healthcare is Ireland, where my sister and I learned that patients have waited up to three years for hip replacements.

I am, at this point, definitely not pro-socialized medicine. Josh’s story is a true story, and it is only one of many highlighting the downside of a socialized healthcare system.

I would like to see our government properly manage and improve other services that we, the taxpayers, pay out of pocket. Let’s take a look at Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, Medicaid and our government-owned and union-operated public schools!

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.