The judging committee has spent countless hours sorting through hundreds of nomination forms covering thirteen categories and then narrowing it all down to their picks for the finalists and top achievers. It’s not just a check-off list. Upon receiving their 3-inch binder full of nomination forms and questionnaires, the homework assignment begins for the judges who study the nominees, make their notes and then participate in a series of closed door meetings to sort out their choices.

Then its interview time spread over the course of two days filled with questions and responses from the finalists that will determine the top achievers in the 13 categories. Some judges would even say ‘it’s a life changing experience.’ Pastor Doug Westly of Living Water Christian Church explained, “This exercise returned me back to the original vision I had when I came to this area.” Others also expressed their amazement over the number of silent hero’s in our local communities that go about making a difference in the lives of so many families and individuals in the Colorado River Region and only seek the gratitude found in giving their time, energy and money to help others.

An equal number of judges are selected by each Chamber of Commerce and this year, the elite group includes:

Debbie Marcusson

Debbie Marcusson is an Extension Educator for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension located in Laughlin, Nevada.  Debbie received her Master’s of Education, Curriculum and Development degree from University of Phoenix and Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from California State University, Los Angeles. She has been a resident of the tri-state area for 12 years working in the fields of juvenile justice, public education and social service.

Rosemary Munger

Rosemary Munger, a graduate of the University of Houston and Saint Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, moved to Laughlin in 2007. Prior to her move, she practiced real estate litigation, family law and probate law for almost twenty years. She was an Adjunct Professor in Research and Writing at St. Mary’s Law School and served on the State Bar Real Estate Forms Committee and was President of the Family Law Section for the San Antonio Bar Association, as well as serving on numerous other local and State Bar committees. Rosemary obtained a Nevada teacher certificate in Mathematics and taught Algebra for the Clark County School District for three years.  In 2011, Rosemary was appointed to the Laughlin Town Advisory Board for a two-year term.

Doug Westly

Doug Westly is Pastor of Living Water Christian Church in Laughlin Nevada.  His church meets at the Spirit Mountain Activity Center on Sunday Evenings and at the Laughlin Library on Wednesday evenings. He is a “working pastor” in that he also has a secular job. Doug is the IT Technician for TV2, and also works for other businesses and individuals when they have computer and web site needs. Doug came from Huntington Beach, California and located here in 2003 to do missionary/church work.  He has actually been acquainted with the area since 1967 when his grandparents purchased two lots and a trailer in Bullhead City

Laura Grasse

Originally from New York, Laura moved to the Phoenix area in 1984 and later to Bullhead City where she began her career in banking 17 years ago. She was a commercial loan officer at Laughlin National Bank /1st National Bank of Nevada for 10 years and in 2009 moved her banking skills to the Ramar/Hwy 95 branch of Chase Bank where she serves as a Business Banker. Laura is Past-President of the Bullhead City Rotary Club, has served on the Board of Directors of the Mohave Valley Contractors Association and participates as a volunteer Ambassador for the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Mirchoff

Originally from Hacienda Heights, California, Brian and his parents spent many years traveling to the Bullhead City area enjoying weekends on the Colorado River. During that time, he found sports to be his favorite passion and specialized in soccer. He was scouted for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles out of Mt. San Antonio Community College as a Goalkeeper. Working his way through High School and College, he landed at Vons Markets and then into food manufacturing as an Inventory Control Manager. Revisiting his passion for sports, Brian turned to physical fitness as a career after losing almost 100 lbs and for the next ten years managed 24-hour fitness clubs before making his move to Bullhead City. Now, Mad Dog Fitness and the fitness needs of the tri-state areas residents are what he enjoys most.

Kelly Burgess

Kelly Burgess arrived in Bullhead City with his family in 1979 when his father founded Superior Tire Corporation.  Kelly graduated from Mohave High School in 1986 and a year later married his high school sweetheart and today they have four children. He and his wife attended Brigham Young University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and soon after, returned to Bullhead City and joined the family business. Kelly is actively involved in his church where he currently works with the young men ages 14-15.  He is also involved in scouting, he himself having earned the Eagle Scout level.  Kelly is a member of the Rotary Club of Bullhead City, served on the board of directors of the Bullhead Regional Economic Development Authority and coaches youth soccer in Bullhead City. He is Referee Administrator for the American Youth Soccer Organization and is the head coach of the Mohave High School Girls Soccer Team.

Lisa Maas

Lisa is a true native of Bullhead City, calling the tri-state area her home for 33 years. Her family came to the area in the early 50′s to drive cattle through town and her grandparents loved the area so much, they simply never left. Lisa is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Laughlin and serves as Laughlin Key Club Advisor for Laughlin High School. She is the recipient of many awards through Kiwanis but is known best for organizing the first bone marrow drive for the tri-state area in 2009 and has since continued the drive annually with the help of her Kiwanis Club and Key Club students. She also participates as an Ambassador for the Bullhead Area Chamber and is a member of the Colorado River Women’s Council. Lisa is the Administrative Assistant at Maas Construction Company in Mohave Valley.

Tony Inglese

Tony Inglese and wife Donna were visitors to the Colorado River Valley for over 15 years prior to making Laughlin their home in 2009. Tony is a Financial Advisor and has been helping business owners and individuals set and achieve their financial goals since 1992. Before entering the Financial Service Industry, Tony owned a construction business in Southern California. Tony has been an active Rotarian since 1998 and has spent several years working with various chambers of commerce; between various organizations Tony is proud to have been part of their community improvements. His personal philosophy involves a healthy balance between family, community service and his profession.

Lin Clark

Lin grew up on a farm just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a very large family base.  To say she is a diehard Steeler Fan would be an understatement. Lin and her husband, Bruce have owned and operated tv2KLBC which is a community based television station providing local news, weather, sports and more for the last 22 years. What people don’t know about Lin is the dedication she has to the Laughlin community. In 2003, she spearheaded business leaders wanting to do something for the people who lived in Laughlin – an event full of fun and excitement for families.  This is the eighth year of the “Laughlin Town Fest,” and Lin continues to plan and organize the carnival and parade making Town Fest possible. Lin works throughout each year on numerous community-based projects to help families and individuals with hardships and to improve the quality of life along the Colorado River. This past year, Lin was selected as the CAA Citizen of the Year and serves as Chairwoman of the CAA Judging Committee.

The 2011 Community Achievement Awards event is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011 in the beautiful Pavilion Ballroom at the Tropicana Express Resort and Casino. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased at either the Laughlin Chamber, 1585 S. Casino Drive, or the Bullhead Area Chamber, 1251 Highway 95. For more information, please contact either office by calling (928) 754-4121 or (702) 298-2214.

FT. MOHAVE – Valley View Medical Center has named Diandra Andrews, RN, of Ft. Mohave as the hospital’s 2011 nurse of the year.  The announcement follows Valley View’s activities during National Nurses’ Week and National Hospital Week.

Andrews works in the medical-surgical department, the unit in which most patients stay because of illness or surgery.  She was one of seven nominees recognized and was cited as “a critical thinker and creative problem solver” by one of her nominators.

“Diandra is committed to continuous improvement of patient care and focuses on helping others improve performance,” said Phyllis Newbern, RN, the director of Valley View’s medical-surgical department.  “She has developed a culture that fosters teamwork and effectively draws on the strengths of all team members.”

Andrews was born and raised in Needles and graduated from Needles High School.  She then received her bachelors of science degree in nursing from Nevada State College in Henderson and worked at a Las Vegas hospital.  She returned to the Tri-State area three years ago and joined Valley View’s nursing staff.  Originally hired as a nurse in the hospital’s main acute care unit known as “med/surg,” Andrews is now a charge nurse, supervising nurses in her department on her shift.

“We’re so proud of our nursing staff,” said Valley View CEO Allen Peters.  “But Diandra exemplifies something special: an extraordinary nurse who was born and raised in this area, received a degree, and returned to the Tri-State as a medical professional with a true commitment to both the hospital, its patients, her colleagues and the community.”

The other finalists for nurse of the year as nurse of their departments were Joanie Gillespie, labor and delivery; Cheryl Hering, intensive care unit; Susan King, house supervisor and Valley View’s 2011 Mercy Award winner; Juanita Johnson, inpatient acute rehabilitation; Regina Mingus, emergency department; and, Luis Romo, surgery.

National Nurses’ Week is now an annual event that grew out of recognition of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.  Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.

In a separate ceremony, Valley View recognized ten other employees nominated by the nursing staff for providing support services.  Emergency room technician Raymond Miranda was selected as the clinical non-nurse of the year, and Maricela Esquer de Loya of Valley View’s housekeeping and environmental services department was named the non-clinical non-nurse of the year.

Valley View is licensed as a 90-bed acute care hospital with two adjacent medical office buildings and an on-campus outpatient rehabilitation complex.  It serves the Tri-State area along the Colorado River including Bullhead City, Arizona, Laughlin, Nevada and Needles, California and has the area’s only inpatient pediatrics unit.  It is part of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., a leading hospital company dedicated to providing quality healthcare in non-urban communities.

Now through March 26, 2011, customers may make a donation of any amount to the American Red Cross by simply adding that amount to their checkout purchase. All funds collected will directly benefit American Red Cross international relief efforts in partnership with the Japanese Red Cross, the agency responding with help of food, water, shelter, medical supplies and other assistance.

“Smith’s feels a great commitment to the American Red Cross, a trusted organization made up of thousands of dedicated volunteers, who respond immediately to emergency needs whether in our own backyard or abroad,” said Marsha Gilford, Smith’s vice president public affairs.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to area hospitals; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.

Smith’s is a division of the Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. From its division office in Salt Lake City, Smith’s currently operates 132 stores in seven western states. For more information visit www.smithsfoodanddrug.com.

Also on sale are tickets for the Cork and Beans New Years Eve Bash.  This special New Year’s Eve party begins at 7 p.m. and features a Prix Fixe menu including a four-course meal with choice of Prime Rib, Grilled Halibut or Pasta Primavera, a glass of house wine, champagne toast and party favors.  Music and entertainment will be provided by Toonz DJ. New Years will be celebrated at midnight Eastern Standard Time (10:00 p.m. Arizona Time) and again at 12:00 a.m. Arizona Time. Tickets are $44.50 and can be reserved beginning December 18.

Cork and Beans is the only coffee and wine bistro in the Colorado River area and offers a large selection of specialty coffees and teas. The bistro does have a full bar and specializes in wines from all over the world. Wines are also available for purchase in their wine store. Cork and Beans is located at 1595 Mohave Drive, Suite 4 and 5 in Bullhead City, AZ.

For more information contact Joanie Madrid or Charlie Grimshaw by phone at (928) 758-2009 or visit the Cork and Beans website at www.CorkNBeans.biz

Total Body Boot Camp is holding Bullhead City’s 1^st Annual 5k Fun Run/Walk Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, November 25^th. The race will start @ 7:30am.  All proceeds for this event will benefit the Bullhead City Fire Department’s 2010 Holiday Toy Program for all the families in need at Christmas in our community.

This 5k fun run/walk will start and finish @ Rotary Skate Park. Medals will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place in Men’s, Women’s and Children’s divisions.

Adults are $20 Children $15 ages 9-12.

8 years old and under are FREE.

Special award presented to the BEST THANKSGIVING DAY COSTUME!

A special THANK YOU to all the Local Businesses that are sponsoring this event:

• Khatib Family Practice
• Mad Dog Fitness
• American Family Insurance – Stacey Swartzman Agency
• Western Arizona Regional Medical Center
• Bullhead City Police Officers Association
• Parks & Recreation – Dave Heath
• True Roots Salon for the runners water stand.

Register for this event at www.totalbodybootcampofbhc.com and click on the “Active.com” link.

Hope to see the Community out there walking to support our local families in need!

For more information contact Christina Shetley @ 928-727-0078 or Kristin Karimi @ 928-234-3145

The River Valley High School Booster Club has launched a drive to supply emergency drinking water for every classroom in the Tri-State area.  The Booster Club has partnered with Sam’s Club and Valley View Medical Center to collect donations to purchase water.  The public can donate in three ways.  People can make a cash donation at the event, use a specially designed product card to purchase the water without handling it, or Sam’s Club members can purchase the product and bring it outside to the Booster Club display. The drive will be held at Sam’s Club in Bullhead City this Friday through Sunday, November 5 through 7, from 8am – 4pm.

There are six public school districts serving Bullhead City, Ft. Mohave, Laughlin, Mohave Valley, Needles and Topock.  Additionally there are also several charter, parochial and private schools.

“Sheltering in place is an important part of the emergency response plan in schools,” said River Valley High School principal Bud Scully.  “When there is a lockdown caused by a situation on or off campus, students and teachers are required to stay in their rooms until the situation is cleared either by the local law enforcement agency or the campus administration.  This time period can be hours at a time.  Most classrooms do not have drinking fountains in them, thus the need for emergency water.”

Valley View has agreed to make the first pledge of cases of water.  Booster Club president Jacob Abeytia said that many businesses and individuals have expressed interest in this project and are expected to drop off donations at Sam’s Club, 600 Highway 95.  Sam’s Club will store the product and The Booster Club will coordinate its distribution.  Donations by check should be made out to “RVHS Booster Club”.

Additional information is available by calling Abeytia at 928-201-2221.

Adults 18 and over may receive the shots either day from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.  The cost is $15 per person, cash or check only.  Receipts will be available for patients who need them for insurance or medical flex reimbursement.  Fees will be waived with proof of Medicare coverage.

Valley View began offering an onsite flu vaccine clinic in 2008 after previously providing flu shots at area health fairs.  Once again vaccines will be given at 1520 E. Hammer Road, Suite 104, in a medical office building on the northeast corner of the Valley View campus.  The building is located one-half block east of Hammer Lane and Highway 95 in Ft. Mohave, about five minutes south of Bullhead City.  Additional information about the flu shot clinic is available by calling 928-788-3653.

“The flu kills 36,000 Americans each year,” said Tay Engstrom, RN, Valley View’s director of education and infection control.  “Many Tri-State Area residents also have respiratory problems and other medical issues that make them susceptible to the flu.”

This year’s flu shot clinic will be to prevent three strains of flu: H1N1, sometimes referred to as swine flu, and two seasonal strains (Victoria and Brisbane).  Engstrom noted that common sense hygiene including hand washing are major flu precautions often overlooked but easy to follow.

Engstrom also dispelled the myth about people who get the flu shortly after receiving flu shots due to the vaccine.  Because of the vaccine’s incubation period most people who get the flu right after being inoculated already have the bug in their system and the timing is coincidental.

Valley View is a full-service 84-bed acute care hospital with a 24/7 emergency department, all private patient rooms, two adjacent medical office buildings and an on-campus rehabilitation complex.

We will meet at the Edgewater Hotel boat dock at 9:30am. Following the 2-hour trip, you will have two hours to dine, shop and enjoy the excitement of Lake Havasu. We will arrive back in Laughlin at 4:00pm. The cost of this beautiful boat ride is $60. Meal cost is on your own. Checks should be made to London Bridge Jet Boat Tours and must be submitted to Diane Schwartz by no later than October 15th. Call to sign up now at (928) 763-0282.

The Western Arizona Chapter of Senior Circle provides fellowship, activities, hospital benefits, health education, local and national discounts and travel opportunities to those age 50 or older.

This package is especially for those first-time concert-goers. We will meet at Perkins for dinner at 5pm followed by the 7pm performance of John Davidson. You will love the performance of this Broadway, film and television star. The cost of this dinner/concert package is $30 and you will be eligible to purchase the remainder of the concert season (3 additional concerts) at a special discounted rate.

The Western Arizona Chapter of Senior Circle provides fellowship, activities, hospital benefits, health education, local and national discounts and travel opportunities to those age 50 or older. If you would like to register for this event or find out how you can become a member, call Diane Schwartz, Senior Circle Coordinator at (928) 763-0282.

There is no fee to enter works in any visual art media and all ages and levels of artistic expertise are welcome. Works can be created by individuals, families or groups, according to organizer Heidi Heckman. Ribbons will be awarded for the top entries.

The Day of the Dead, honoring deceased loved ones, is a time-honored tradition in Mexico and is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The holiday is based on the belief that the spirits of deceased children are allowed to return to Earth at midnight on Oct. 31, where they are reunited with their families. On Nov. 2, the spirits of departed adults are believed to join the festivities.

Submissions for the Day of the Dead art exhibit will be accepted Oct. 25-28 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Bullhead City campus at 3400 Highway 95.  The exhibit will run Nov. 1-13 in Room 210.

For details on how to enter and to request an entry application, contact Heidi Heckman at 928-758-3177.