Nevada Flashback

Kay Phoenix: Hello from Las Vegas

Let me tell you about my hometown. Las Vegas is more than just the stretch of road that slices down the center, holding world famous casinos. Las Vegas is a city of old-west heritage, with a strong, female mayor who occasionally wears a cowboy hat. We have an independent spirit. We have a sense of community which has only been strengthened since that awful night last October when evil rained down bullets into a crowd of innocents. Our men and women of law enforcement, and our first responders, many #VegasBorn, rose to the occasion as heroes. Many others did what they could…giving blood, donating meals to the workers, providing free hotel rooms to family or even offering free plastic surgery to the victims.  There were so many acts of kindness that were not reported by the media to the rest of the world. It was truly astonishing.

I’m writing this blog the morning after our Vegas Gold Knights won the first game against the Capitals 6-4.  I hope that by the time this feature is released, that beautiful Stanley Cup will be residing in my hometown. But, if it isn’t, that is also fine. Our Knights have done what they promised us in the moments before the puck dropped in their very first game last October. After a permanent banner was raised bearing the names of the 58 victims of October 1^st mass shooting that occurred only a few weeks before, and a few blocks south, they promised us that they would “do our best to help heal this valley.” And they have! Every home ice game has been played beneath the banner bearing those 58 names.

Las Vegas is a tourist’s paradise. I’m sure many of you have been here either on vacation or to celebrate a happy occasion. The next time you are here, please look out of your hotel room at the miles and miles of homes and neighborhoods that stretch to the beautiful, occasionally snow-capped mountains that frame our valley, and know that those homes are filled with unsung heroes. Know that your waiter, uber driver, busboy, or even the maid in the hallway gave blood and/or donated to the Red Cross after October 1^st. If you see a show, know that many of our popular local entertainers held benefits to help cover costs of medical care for victims, and many of them visited patients in the hospital.

I’ve never been prouder to call Las Vegas my hometown, and seeing so many residents wearing Vegas Golden Knights shirts, high-fiving each other in the grocery stores, smiling and nodding to each other in the post office, is tremendous. It’s exactly what we’ve needed as a community to heal after October 1^st. The very noble Vegas Golden Knights have made good on their promise to help us heal, rather or not they bring home the Stanley Cup (but I still hope they do!).

#VegasBorn  #VegasStrong

Ms. Phoenix is a rare bird herself...a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. She belongs to Las Vegas Romance Writers and has served on the board for several years. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America with PAN status.

Prior to writing, Kay was a Graphic Artist for fifteen years in the casino industry and holds degrees in both Graphic Arts and Psychology. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling and photography. She is also involved in several Las Vegas non-profits, and is the current Chairman of a popular, long-running, local art show.

Kay has been blessed to be able to travel many places, which inspired her to host a weekly author spotlight called “Midweek Escapes” on her blog. It features guest author’s favorite vacation destinations, their travel tips, and, of course, information about their book releases and occasional giveaways.

For a giveaway, Kay Phoenix offers two awesome prizes!  One audio book, and one physical, autographed book to be mailed. Leave a form of contact when you comment so we can award the prize if you win! 

Website:  http://www.KayPhoenix.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKayPhoenix/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KayPhoenix_

(all info provided/released by author)