jill lagan

We hope that you enjoyed the 2023 Spring Jamboree, here in beautiful Boulder City, Nevada.

The Spring Jamboree, which has been held since 1977,  is considered by many to be Boulder City's first major public festival of the year.

During the two days of the 2023 Spring Jamboree, we had the pleasure of interviewing a cross-section of vendors, artisans, board members, and volunteers that help to make this public festival the success that it is.

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast features Patrick Santos, co-founder of  Aloha Specialties, LLC.

LEARN MORE

Click here to learn more about Aloha Specialties on their website . You can also visit them on these social sites:

Facebook
Instagram

CREDITS

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.C.  at the  2023 Spring Jamboree in Boulder City, NV

#2023SpringJamboree #AlohaSpecialties #BoulderCityChamber #TheBestDamPodcast

The tables get turned today on The Best Dam Podcast, as is Alex Raffi, Partner and Creative Director at Imagine Communications, interviews Jill Lagan, CEO the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Highlights

• Jill shares her story about how she became the CEO of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.
• The Boulder City Chamber was established in 1932 and is the oldest business organization in Boulder City.
• The Boulder City Chamber was established in 1932 and is the oldest business organization in Boulder City.
• The mission of Chambers of Commerce is to be the voice for the business community, and why Chambers of Commerce necessary.
• Chamber membership is more than just paying dues, it's an investment in an investment in the business and it's an investment in the organization that there to help them.
• The Chamber's representation in Washington, D.C.

Next Steps

We hope you enjoyed this special episode with Alex Raffi. To learn more about Alex and work, visit the Imagine Communications website at  https://www.weareimagine.com

You can also find Alex on these social sites:

Facebook 

Instagram

Credits

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast was produced at the Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City during their March Open House.

This episode includes interviews with volunteers and guests a the Open House. We hope you enjoy our segments with:

Volunteer, Laura Robertson, recorded in the Ticket Booth

Volunteer, Tony Klein, recorded in the Caboose Railroad Car

Volunteer, Harris Seorti, recorded in the Caboose Railroad Car

Volunteer, Larry Hamilton, recorded in the Caboose Railroad Car

Volunteer, Megan Misick, recorded in Ellsmere, the luxury car built in 1899 for Dr. William Seward Webb.

Volunteer, Jeff and Kurt, recorded in Ellsmere, the luxury car built in 1899 for Dr. William Seward Webb.

Show Your Support

If you’d like to send letters of support for the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City to your elected officials, their contact information is below.  We’d love to share your love of the museum with them and encourage them to share that love right back by supporting the funding for the museum expansion in Boulder City. 

Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant      Danielle.Gallant@asm.state.nv.us 

State Senator    Jeff.Stone@sen.state.nv.us 

Next Steps

If you’d like to volunteer with the Nevada State Railroad Museum, please contact the Friends of the Nevada Southern Railway on their website, at
https:// www.boulderrailroadmuseum.org.

Credits

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast features, Gary Baldwin, Founder and President of Elite RV Resorts, LLC.

What a treat to visit with Gary, and be educated and entertained by his great energy and excellent information regarding his proposed RV resort in Boulder City, NV.  

Gary has an amazing history in Nevada and has lived in Boulder City for over 20 years.  He is a real estate developer and former casino operator.  As you can imagine, he has some great stories to tell, and you'll learn about the connection he has to Howard Hughes, and it’s not just success in the gaming industry.

Gary is driven to provide economic stability in Boulder City, by developing a high-end resort that will  amazing amenities and excellent customer service.   With a rockstar team surrounding his efforts, Gary tells us how expects to make this all happen and knows this project will have a positive impact on tourist traffic to this community.

You'll also hear more about the timetable that will facilitate this project to fruition, and you can learn more about Gary’s plans at www.elitervresorts.com.

Gary is truly an asset to the Boulder City community, and you’ll gain more insight as to why Passion and Perfection are his two words to live by.

Credits

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast features a boy and his toys.   Dr. Christopher MacMahon grew up with a toy train in hand and has not yet let go.  

Dr. MacMahon is the Director at the Nevada State Railroad Museum ~ Boulder City.  He shares how wonderful it is to love what you do for a career, and how he arrived here in Boulder City.

Highlights

The Museum has many moving parts…and not just on trains.  Christopher manages the daily tourist activities as well as works with two non-profits that are contracted with State on his site in Boulder City.  In addition: 

• He speaks about the Live Steamers group, and 
• The Friends of the Nevada Southern Railway which operates the event trains and weekly tourist trains.  

Christopher enjoys interpreting the story of railroading and the importance of transportation systems to Nevada’s history and culture for the enrichment of all who visit through the acquisition, preservation, and exhibition of the railroad history artifacts.  

More Highlights 

• We learn what Christopher likes about the work of a museum director and the impacts he makes on many lives.  And,
• How seeing the response of children and grown children when they visit the museum and ride the trains makes his day.   
• There are many needed improvements coming to the state site and Christopher shares a little about how we too can help during this 2023 Legislative Session in Carson City, Nevada.  
• He also encourages those listeners to consider volunteering at the train museum and come to love the youthful enthusiasm that departs with each train ride.  

If you’d like to send letters of support for the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City to your elected officials, their contact information is below.  We’d love to share your love of the museum with them and encourage them to share that love right back by supporting the funding for the museum expansion in Boulder City. 

Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant      Danielle.Gallant@asm.state.nv.us 

State Senator    Jeff.Stone@sen.state.nv.us 

Next Steps

If you’d like to volunteer with the Nevada State Railroad Museum, please contact the Friends of the Nevada Southern Railway on their website, at 
https:// www.boulderrailroadmuseum.org.

Credits

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Our guest today on The Best Dam Podcast is Alex Raffi, Partner and Creative Director at Imagine Communications.

What a treat to listen and learn from the Alex. And it seems that Alex and I never miss the chance to get together, brainstorm, and create work for those that surround us.  

Alex is inspiring and brings it out in you without even trying.  We can only imagine that when he goes to sleep at night, that he dreams in color, action, content for another children’s book, scripts, illustrations, and that is all before midnight.  He must wake up exhausted from all the creativity that runs through his mind.  

Episode Highlights

• Learn a little about how Alex’s mind works as you listen to his favorite parts of working in marketing, business development, and creativity.  
• While the pandemic challenged many, Raffi found ways to challenge his clients to think big, think often, and make promises and keep them in business to find true success. 
• We all generally try to go throughout our day trying to not have our clients and customers cry, however, listen to how this very thing became an “aha” moment for Raffi.
• Alex shares his thoughts and ideas for being better in business and better in life.  His lessons expand your thoughts and his fun and jovial way he teaches will inspire you as well.  

Our conversation with Alex will we a listening experience well worth your time.

Next Steps

We hope you enjoyed laughing and learning with Alex Raffi. To learn more about he and his team's work, visit the Imagine Communications website at  https://www.weareimagine.com

You can also find Alex on these social sites:

Facebook 

Instagram

Credits

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Our guest today on The Best Dam Podcast is John Chase, Owner of AmeriSent Insurance-Boulder City and Rotary Coordinator for Zone 26. 

Episode Highlights

We ask John what the job description is for a Rotary Coordinator and how he sees his role in a leadership position such as this to be beneficial to him personally and in business.  

John shares how his service has impacted his life and his company that he operates with his wife Elizabeth, whom he has been married to for 30 years.  

John’s also a retired police officer and had many life changing experiences that have led him to the place he is now in business and service to others through his non-profit work.  

We learn how his well-rounded life brings him to a place where he sees the good in others and appreciates surrounding himself with those that do the same.  

John and his friend in Rotary and business, Larry Archeletta, started the Business Book Club,  and we find out about some of the groups favorite books that have impacted their lives.  He invites all to join in.  

As we get to know a little about his youth and what shaped the man he is today, we hear him share his experience working on a dairy farm every day before and after school.  This leads us to understand why he now lives in the desert.  

We hope you enjoyed laughing and learning with John Chase. To learn more about john and his work visit the Boulder City Rotary Website at  https://bouldercityrotary.org/

To learn more about AmeriSent Insurance, visit their website at
https://chamberorganizer.com/bouldercity/mp_asinsuranceboue

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Our guest today on The Best Dam Podcast is Lynn Marie Goya, Clark County Clerk

County Clerk, Goya has much to be proud of.  She has accomplished much since 2015 and her first election as our Clark County Clerk.  In this episode, we'll highlight her many  accomplishments and learn about the functions of a County Clerk and how that looks slightly different in Clark County versus other clerks around the country.  

Episode Highlights

In today's episode we learn about:

• Lynn's personal history and her love for writing, history, and family.  
• The great team Lynn has at the Clerk’s office and their success in telling about the 5 million love stories that have started right here in our part of Southern Nevada.   
• The improved website www.weddings.vegas, which shares all the information that couples need to know when planning their future nuptials.  
• How couples that have been married in Clark County are encouraged to go to that site and enter our own love story.
• The two key initiatives that she is currently engaged in providing greater transparency and accessibility to public records.  
• The importance of weddings in the Las Vegas area to our history, our current day, and to our future as an economic engine in Southern Nevada.   
• Future plans for the next big opportunity to be a part of the festivities surrounding the, World’s Wedding Capitol of the World, and join her and all her friends on March 4, 2023, as they try to set the World’s Record for the largest vow renewal ceremony held right here in our own backyard.  

On the Personal Note

• Clerk Goya shares a little more about her personal life and how she met her sweet husband.  
• How her passion for needing to be part of the solution drove her to get involved with their community and her encouraged to run for an elected position.  “You can’t have a civilization without civility,” states Goya.  She believes in what she does every day and she knows she really is making a difference.  

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Our guests today on The Best Dam Podcast are  Mayi Rosenbaum-Reiss and Jean Palmer, from SNAP Fitness.

Mayi is the Manager, and Jean is a Personal Trainer at SNAP Fitness' Boulder City, NV location. SNAP Fitness has become a lifeline for many in Boulder City.  Miya  and her team have become experts at members find physical and mental fitness opportunities.

With expanded hours as a 24/7 center, SNAP is very accessible and today’s show encourages us all to get out and get fit at SNAP Fitness in Boulder City.

Highlights About Jean

• Learn about the services offered at SNAP and get to know one of the great certified group fitness instructors, Jean Palmer.  
• Hear about Jean's love of fitness and helping others with their fitness goals
• As a very active mother, she share about the importance of taking care of yourself so that you can take care of others.  
• Listen and learn more about the classes that Jean offers at SNAP.

Highlights About Mayi

• Mayi has deep roots in Boulder City since a very young age, why being involved with her community is so important.  
• She has a love for Boulder City and for SNAP, as she has been a member or an employee since they first cut their ribbon in Boulder City.  
• Mayi promote active community outreach; her goal being to give back to the friends and neighbors she has known her whole life
• Why her care and concern for others translates into a passion for seeing SNAP be a successful company in Boulder City.   

Both Mayi and Jean share about their first jobs. Mayi also about the challenges that drive her motivation to help others overcome their limitations, and hear her enthusiasm for seeing improvement in those that take up her charge to just keep moving. 

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we have the honor of visiting with Sonny Vinuya, Director of the Governor's Office of Small Business Advocacy, and Jennie Kim, Advisor to the Nevada Asian American Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce.

Don't miss hearing how Sonny left the Chamber to further help small business owners as their champion in the Lt. Governor's office in the State of Nevada.  He will share how he can help the businesses as well as new programs that will be coming to the State in the near future. Sonny loves "finding solutions to issues that hinder the growth and success of small businesses."

We also have the pleasure of hearing from Jennie Kim about the current programming at the Asian American Pacific Island Chamber.  This strong organization has been working with business owners on specific cultural issues and has been instrumental in solving problems like a lack of awareness of how Asian food is prepared and guidelines the Southern Nevada Health District had that required them to throw fermented cabbage away, even though it was being prepared in the traditional manner that was safe and healthy based on the Asian culture.

Click here to find more information about the Office of Small Business Advocacy.

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits
This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Steven Mull, Marketing, Special Events and Promotions Manager at The Pass Casino, is our guest today on The Best Dam Podcast.

Steven shares some great insight into the marketing and promotion of one of the special casino properties in the historic district of Henderson, The Pass.   He also shares more about the relationship with their sister property, The Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino.   

Steven is a wealth of knowledge and uses his excellent education to better the experience of the guests at both casinos.  His favorite project to work on is the development of the comedy club in the Venue at The Pass.   The show is titled Bonkerz Comedy and through his efforts, it has become an amazing show that brings guests into the Water Street area to enjoy this attraction. 

Listen to learn more about Steven's "aha" moment and the creative solutions he has utilized with some challenges in his industry.   Check out the show to learn about his direct connection to Boulder City and how JRR Tolkein has very much influenced his life.

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits
This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we have the honor of visiting with Ruben & Dixie Valdez

Ruben & Dixie are the proprietors of Ruben's Wood Craft and Toys.   They operate and maintain the See Spot Run Dog Park at Veteran's Memorial Park in Boulder City, Nevada.

Boulder City has a true asset in Ruben and Dixie!  They love their community, love their work, and love the children that come to visit their store.  They have worked very hard over the years to build a successful business that provides joy to all those that walk through their doors.

Listen and learn more about the Young Entrepreneurs Day at Ruben's and learn more about the future events coming up that will provide future business owners the opportunity to sell their product or service at Ruben's on a set Saturday each month.   Ruben usually offers space to 4 or 5 young people at each event, and still has a waiting list of youth that would like to come and be a part.  Listen to learn more about the event Ruben and Dixie are planning to expand the locations entrepreneurs will be found and when.   

This amazing couple will soon be the Grand Marshalls of Boulder City's Santa's Electric Night Parade on December 3, 2022.  Come cheer them on!

Please visit, like, and follow Ruben's Wood Craft on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RubensWoodCraft

The Best Dam Podcast is a podcast production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay 

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we are joined by Monica Preston and Pam Leon

Monica and Pam chat about Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, at Veterans Memorial Park, on Oct 22, 2022.   

Background

Trunk-or-treat is back to normal this year! The event includes a costume parade and contest, trunk decorating contest, tractor hay ride, kids activities, a food truck, and lots more!!

Listen as the Board Members encourage businesses to come out and participate as a fun and interactive way to market their business and do great community outreach.  Local non-profit organizations will also be hosting different activities for the little goblins.   There will be several bounce houses and displays to enjoy as well.

As a way to encourage more families and businesses to hand out candy from their trunks, we are offering a 50% savings on entry if you bring candy to hand out for the event.  Entry is $20 per car and $10 if you hand out candy. 

Gates will open at 3:30 pm to allow time for the trunk decorating.  The Costume Parade and the beginning of the Trunk or Treating is at 5:30 pm.  The Costume Contest winners will be announced at 7 pm from the stage area.  The event concludes at 8 pm. 

Sponsorship opportunities will be discussed as well.

Next Steps

For more information, visit the Trunk or Treat event page on the Chamber's website.  www.bouldercitychamber.com 

The Best Dam Podcast is a podcast production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we have the honor of visiting with Sandra Fraser.  

Sandra is the President of See Spot Run.   They operate and maintain the See Spot Run Dog Park at Veteran's Memorial Park in Boulder City, Nevada.

Background

Sandra is part of a team of four that keeps the park maintained and funded so that we can all take our beloved dogs to play and socialize.  They are always looking for more volunteers and we learn more about those needs on the show. 

See Spot Run is also holding a very fun raffle at this time and we learn more about all the details and the chance to win Raiders tickets to a home game this season. 

See Spot Run was recently selected to receive a grant from the City of Boulder City that will allow them to make significant improvements to the current park features.  Sandra shares about those new improvements on the way.

Upcoming Event(s)

See Spot Run has curated a wonderful collection of safety information that they offer to help educate those visiting the park as well as great general good pet parent info.

Next Steps

Please check out See Spot Run's landing page on the Chamber's website as well as the See Spot Run direct website.  You can also donate to their non-profit organization here.

The Best Dam Podcast is a podcast production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits

This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we have the honor of visiting with Tanya Vece.  

Tanya is the Community Relations Counselor at Poet’s Walk Memory Care.  She helps advocate living and care options for families seeking out resources for senior parents or spouses.  She enjoys helping arrange care and placement of loved ones and will share an “AHA” moment when she realized just how much she enjoys her career and the impact it can have on others’ lives.  

Tanya shares very specific work she and others are doing in the healthcare industry and how we can not only help become advocates ourselves, but also what to look out for and plan as we ourselves age.  

She will answer questions like what memory care is, when is memory care a good idea, what kinds of costs are associated with assisted living, is memory care covered by insurance, and has the pandemic impacted lives you’ve witnessed.  

We will learn a lot more about who Tanya is and what has formed her life today.  She will share some very funny experiences and some more serious events that have shaped who she is.  

Tanya will host an important Lunch and Learn event with Amy Moore Peterson in the coming month and more details can be found by contacting Tanya Vece at tvece@springhills.com or by calling 702.899.8028.

https://www.springhills.com/communities/poets-walk-henderson

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits
This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we have the pleasure of visiting with Pastor Adam Stetson.  

Paster Stetson is with the Christ Lutheran Church.  He views his job as shepherding the flock at 5th and Avenue B in beautiful Boulder City, Nevada.  He is an amazing family man that loves his profession, his congregation, his community, and his faith. 

We will get to hear more about some of his favorite things like reading, volunteering, and visiting with those in need.  Pastor Adam shares an emotional “AHA” moment (he had me in tears) and what he has learned from some very private low points in his and his family’s lives.

We also find out more of the details of the creation and development of the “at-home learning” program that his talented wife Jessica Stetson designed and implemented during the pandemic.  She found solutions when others struggled to even know how to get started.  We will also learn of their academic and daycare programs still happening today, and how we can help them meet some of their goals to be able to expand and assist even more children in our community.

Pastor Stetson completed over 10 years of education in the Seminary and still loves to learn through reading and interacting with other clergy in our community.  He shares more on the book he is reading right now, Martin Luther and Islam.  A history that many of us should be more aware of today.

We can learn more about Pastor Adam Stetson, his sweet wife, Jessica, and Boulder City’s Christ Lutheran Church at https://www.christluthernbc.org and https://www.facebook.com/ChristLutheranBC

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits
This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on The Best Dam Podcast we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Brandi Stankovic.  

Dr. Stankovic is the host of the energizing podcast, The Strategic Hotbox, designed to help executives reach their greatest potential, and the co-author of The Strategic MVP, a book of 52 growth and leadership tools.   

Brandi is a professor, organizational change expert, motivational speaker, and Mommy who inspires firms globally with her models of leadership, engagement, and award-winning education.  Her clients include billion-dollar organizations, trade associations, and non-profit foundations.  She also coaches Pepperdine University doctoral students, teaches College of Southern Nevada undergraduates, and serves on boards for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Aid for AIDS, and the World Council of Credit Union’s Global Women Leadership Network.  

Brandi shares an invitation to join her at the Women’s Leadership Retreat, produced by the Boulder Dam Credit Union, on August 27, 2022, at the Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nevada.  This annual event brings women together and celebrates their strengths as they build on their positive contributions to society.  

Listen and learn a little more about Brandi, her family, her goals, her accomplishments, and her future, at.

www.BrandiStankovic.com

www.BoulderDamCU.org

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits
This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Today on the Best Dam Podcast we have the honor of speaking with Ashley Pipkin.
 
Ashley is a Biologist for the National Park Service, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, and the Basin and Range Dark Sky Cooperative.  

Ashley is passionate about protecting natural night skies and caring for our nation’s amazing natural resources.  She is a federal employee, and her job is to help the American public.   Right now she is assisting the City of Boulder City with implementing smart lighting practices that will benefit night sky quality and community wellbeing. 

Ashley is inspired to see positive change by working with communities, parks, and partners and making sure they have all the information they need to make the best choices.  In today’s rushed world there are so many options and so little time to understand all of them but providing folks with the information they need to make the best choices is really inspiring to her.

Recent news stories or industry topics
 
Journal of Environmental Management - Changes in night sky brightness after a countywide LED retrofit        https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479721008380

Is Astrotourism The Next Big Thing?  Incredible Nighttime Outdoor Adventures For Stargazers?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/wendyaltschuler/2019/08/31/is-astrotourism-the-next-big-thing-incredible-nighttime-outdoor-adventures-for-stargazers/?sh=4b14913c51d3

"AHA" Moment etc.

Ashley shared her "AHA" moment, how to become involved in improving night sky lighting. 

We also learned a little more about who Ashley Pipkin is in her personal life,  what inspired her to become a night skies biologist, how her run-in with an alligator mother went for her, and what book she is reading today.

Media

Boulder City Review - Preservation efforts expand upward
Council move forward with Dark Skies initiative
View On Magazine- Starry Starry Nights
 Oregon Public Broadcasting, Loosing Dark Skies 

More References

Night Skies (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Basin & Range Dark Sky Cooperative (brdarkskies.org)
email:  Ashley_pipkin@nps.gov

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Credits
This episode is sponsored by the  i & i Podcast & Music Studio. Be Heard.   
Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Hello, and welcome to The Best Dam Podcast.  

On today’s show, we have the pleasure of speaking with David Lusvardi, Vice President of National Park Express.

National Park Express is an amazing partner of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce and a true asset to tourism in Southern Nevada.

David has spent his life working in the tourism industry and has many experiences to share with us today.   He enjoys seeing the pleasure on the guests’ faces as they see the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon for the first time.  Or simply hearing the joy in their conversations about their experience.  He strives to help tourists in Southern Nevada make memories and build on life moments.

David shares a couple of articles related to National Park Express.

https://www.nationalparkexpress.com/surprisingly-good-free-las-vegas-attractions   https://www.nationalparkexpress.com/top-tour-questions-for-the-las-vegas-area/

 Want to learn a little more about who David is?

We talk about David’s first job and the impression it left on him for a lifetime and the amazing book he is reading right now that exemplifies the great leader that David is.

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce would like to thank David for serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for 2021-2022.  We are a better organization because of his leadership.

To learn more about National Park Express, visit their website at www.NationalParkExpress.com.   They can also be found on these social sites:

Instagram

Facebook  

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.

Hello, and welcome to The Best Dam Podcast.   

Our guest today is Eddie Rodriguez Jr.

Eddie is a Senior Arborist and Senior Sales Manager at First Choice Tree Service. He has over 20 years of experience motivating and leading sales teams to achieve sales excellence in arboriculture and horticulture Industry. Eddie is a Certified Arborist WE-3916A, and 
holds an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification from the the International Society of Arboriculture.

Eddie's primary responsibilities at First Choice Tree Service, include:

• Client consulting & advising
• Diagnosis and report writing, and 
• Developing tree maintenance programs

"AHA Moment"
When he began to see the people that he trained get promoted in the industry, he started to see them running tree companies, becoming supervisors and foreman’s and even owning their own businesses. The joy really came when he started to see them buying their own homes and new cars, having children and watching them send them off to college.

Key Questions that Eddie Answers:

1. The importance of a tree maintenance program
2. Credentialing and the International Society of Arboriculture
3. Bidding apples for apples not apples and oranges

Stories shared by Eddie:

• “The no net loss of tree canopy” National Initiative
• Scariest Professional Experience
• First Job
• What Eddie is Reading

About First Choice Tree Service

First Choice Tree Service is celebrating over 30 years of service to the Las Vegas valley.  They offer a wide variety of services including:

• Residential and Commercial Tree Care
• Emergency Services
• Landscape Design and Transplant Services
• Plant Health Care and Grounds Management Services. 

Click here to learn more about First Choice Tree Service.

SOCIAL SITES

You can learn more about First Choice Tree Service by visiting these social sites:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube

RESOURCES
Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) - https://www.tcia.org/
International Society of Arboriculture -  https://www.isa-arbor.com

The Best Dam Podcast is a Podcast Production of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce.

Music for the Best Dam Podcast was created by ZakharValaha from Pixabay.