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David Dendy: The Passionate Pastor and Standup Comedian

By
Kate Mazzarella-Minshall
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PASTOR DAVID DENDY

STANDUP PASTOR

Mountain View Presbyterian Church

pastordavid@mviewpc.org

#laughoftenandfearnot 

www.daviddendy.com

A Day Without Laughter is a Day Wasted

~Charlie Chaplin

“Laugh Often and Fear Not” is Pastor David Dendy’s mantra. Hailing from Southern California and growing up in Orange County, Pastor David graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and has a Master of Divinity from Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

He has been leading worship and preaching for over 30 years as an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church. Pastor David is currently the Senior Pastor at Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a successful fundraiser, motivational speaker, published author, spiritual coach, and standup comedian. As an effective educator, counselor, and communicator of God’s Word, Pastor David is well-known for his kindness, humor, and passion for teaching the Bible. “I love Jesus,” said Dendy. “I think following Jesus and the challenge and joy found therein is life’s most rewarding experience. It far surpasses anything else I have ever done in my life!” He uses his humor to inspire, teach, and encourage people in their relationship with the Lord.

He loves the outdoors and has several hobbies. He is an avid tennis player, runs, golfs, cycles, writes, loves to laugh, and loves to make other people laugh, which brings me to his “side hustle.” In 2020, Pastor David had the thrill of a lifetime. He had an opportunity to perform a standup comedy routine at the world-famous Carolines on Broadway in New York City’s Times Square. This was a huge bucket list moment, one that he will never forget, but at the end of the day, his passion is being a pastor, preaching and teaching the word of God.

Pastor David enjoys family time with his beautiful wife, Julie, and they are the proud parents of two children, Faith and Joshua, who are only five months apart in age — a feat in and of itself. 

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NSAEN:  What is a day in the life of a Pastor?

Pastor David: The Church is open Monday through Friday and Sunday worship in the mornings at 8:30 and 10:30. Our traditional worship is at 8:30. When we say traditional, it means we have a choir and an organ as our main instrument, and our contemporary worship is a similar worship service, but we have a band with singers, drums, a piano, and guitars. We have a large staff — an administrative assistant, Ministry coordinator, tech assistant, accountant, Director of Family Ministries (Youth and Children), Worship Leader, Choir Director, Director of Men’s Ministries & Mission Strategist, and more volunteers behind the scenes.

The Church is open during the day for people who want to come in and sit and/or pray. 

We also have Bible Studies during the week. We have several outside groups that use the facilities to meet, like Gambler’s Anonymous, Alcoholic Anonymous, The Compassionate Friends, and youth groups that meet on Sunday afternoon, so there is a lot going on at Mountain View Presbyterian Church.

NSAEN:  When did contemporary services start in churches across the USA; it seemed like all of a sudden, so many of the churches were offering worship with bands, and what was the reasoning behind this?

Pastor David: It started in the ’80s, and I believe it resulted from the contemporary lives that we live. For example, how often do you listen to an organ — at church and baseball games.  The thing that the churches wrestled with forever is, ‘how do we stay relevant?’ If you walk into a church and we’re still chanting Gregorian chants in Latin, that will not go over well. Today we have contemporary music Christian stations, and what you listen to on the radio during the week you now get to hear on Sunday morning, that’s great.

NSAEN:  Was your Dad a pastor; did you follow in his footsteps?

Pastor David: My grandfather was a pastor; The Reverend Dr. Marshall C. Dendy, Sr. He was a pastor in the deep South; many churches in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. My Dad sort of rebelled against this and went into Retail.

NSAEN:   Did you always want to be a pastor; when did you decide to become a pastor?

Pastor David: I grew up in the life of a church; this was all I knew growing up; Church is where I hung out, especially on Sundays. Sunday was Church day. I went to Davidson College, and I was a Religion Major because I just loved the subject. Then my Senior year rolls around, and businesses start coming on campus to interview and hire people. And I was going to a great little country church with a young pastor, and he asked me if I might be interested in going into the Ministry. I found that curious because, at that time, I had never even thought about that. I thought I was going to be an attorney. But then I took Constitutional Law in college and changed my mind.

NSAEN:   What did your parents think about you becoming a pastor?

Pastor David: They weren’t sure that was the right path because they felt I couldn’t make much money, but that was not the point for me. But that senior year got me thinking; I grew up in the life of the Church, I love the Church, I love the Scriptures, I love the Lord; I’m going to take a look at this. I applied to the Master of Divinity degree program in Richmond, Virginia, got in, and then I started that summer after I graduated from college in 1985.

NSAEN:   When did you become ordained as a pastor?

Pastor David:  August 28, 1988. You go to Seminary; it’s a three-year master’s program. I graduated with a Master of Divinity. In the Presbyterian Church, they put a high value on education, so to become a pastor, you have to have a 4-year degree, you have to get a master’s degree at a recognized, approved Seminary, which is where I went to, and then you have to receive a call to a Church. 

NASEN:   How do you get your own Church?

Pastor David: My first call was a Church in Augusta, Georgia  – Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church – a Church with about 1,000 members. They were looking for an Associate Pastor. The Presbyterian Church (USA) denominational headquarters are in Louisville, Kentucky, so they put out this mass mailing (now it’s all on websites) of which churches have available positions, and I applied.  I interviewed — you interview just like anyone would for a job — and I got the job, and then there was an installation service where I got installed as a Pastor.

NSAEN: You’ve been a Presbyterian all your life; there are many different religions; what does that mean to be a Presbyterian?

Pastor David:  We would call these denominations; it’s the Christian Religion, and it has taken different forms; different nuances. You have the Roman Catholic Church, which was the original Church right from the get-go. Then in the 1500s, Martin Luther – the priest and scholar who initiated the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century — came along and said, “I’ve got some questions.” He wrote The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power of Indulgences. Legend has it that on October 31, 1517, he nailed a piece of paper to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, containing the 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation. In his theses, Luther condemned the excesses and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, especially the papal practice of asking for payment—called “indulgences”—for the forgiveness of sins. The Catholic Church put him on trial and demanded that he must recant, but Luther refused and said, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” He then started his own brand of Church – Protestant, and if you put the accent on the second syllable, you have “proTESTant;” he was protesting against what was happening in the Catholic Church at that time. It comes down to several variations and ideations; they are much different today than they were back in the 1500s. The way I look at it is that people who are religious believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and it’s how we govern ourselves. In the Catholic Religion, you have the Pope, Bishops, Cardinals, and Priests, and there is probably someone who assigns who goes to which Church. In the Presbyterian Church, we don’t have that hierarchy.

NSAEN:  Who do you answer to?

Pastor David:  We have a governing body in the local Church called The Session; it’s a group of elders; they are members of the Church who get elected by the Church to serve a 3-year term.

NSAEN:  Being a comedian, do you make your sermons funny; do you make jokes or add humor to your sermons?

Pastor David:  I try, well, I don’t know if I try; they just are sometimes. It’s a very serious subject matter, but then you throw in a line that breaks the tension or makes it more interesting.

NSAEN:  What is your demographic? Is it across the board, or is there a specific age group?

Pastor David:  When I first got here, the average age was around 78.

NSAEN:   So among your many talents, you’re also a published author. Why did you write the book “Seeing God at Work Every Day – The Forty-Day Challenge”?

Pastor David: Every year, I like to challenge myself to do something new. In December of 2012, while sitting at a Christmas Eve service in Dubuque, Iowa (I was a Vice President of a University then), I heard God saying, “I want you to write a blog every day in the year 2013 of where you see me at work.” I had never written a blog before, but on January 1, 2013, I started writing a blog each day. And I did it every day through December 31. Somewhere in the middle of all that writing, a few people said, “You ought to turn this into a book.” Up to that point, the thought had never occurred to me. So in 2014, I started coming up with a plan to turn the blog into a book. I attended a writing workshop in January 2014 and pitched my idea, and someone offered, “Make it into a 40-day challenge. People love stuff like that,” and that is what I did. I took 40 of the 365 blogs and turned them into a book! Many people have a hard time believing God is actually involved, interested, and interacts with humanity. The blogs and my book show how active God is at work in our everyday lives through everyday people.

NSAEN:  How did they take to a young Pastor?

Pastor David:  they were very excited because they recognized that we would die out here if we didn’t start bringing in younger people. I hadn’t been with this Church more than a month when a lady came in and said, “I don’t know why you accepted this call!” I asked why and she said, “You want to grow this Church, and you want younger people to attend; they’re never going to come!” Well, I saw that as a challenge and it made me more determined. About 13 months later, we hired a full-time Family Ministry Director, so we started getting kids in, bringing in families with young kids, so now we have a fairly vibrant congregation. We also started contemporary worship right after I got here, so that helped as well.

NSAEN:  What is the difference between a Pastor and a Minister?

Pastor David:  Letters and vowels. Basically, there is no difference, but a Minister is a person who performs religious functions such as teaching. A pastor is the religious head of a single church.  At this Church, I find it fascinating; everyone calls me ‘Pastor David,’ even the staff.  I told them I’m David, but they still call me Pastor David. A Church I served at in Oregon, they would call me David; no one called me Pastor or Pastor David.

NSAEN:  Shifting gears a bit; why comedy? 

Pastor David: I love to laugh, and I love to make other people laugh, but not at the expense of somebody. I love viewing things differently and finding humor in things. Laughter is healing, and you just feel better when you’re laughing. It builds up your immune system; it decreases stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.  It builds community and brings with it a sense of vulnerability and trust. You’ve probably heard that saying, “The shortest distance between two people is laughter.”  If we can laugh about something together, it will naturally draw us together. 

NSAEN:  I imagine you were the class clown and did you get in trouble for it?

Pastor David: “Was I the class clown,” sometimes, and yes, I did get in trouble for it.

NSAEN:  Where do you perform? Around town or at social events for family and friends?

Pastor David:  I grew up watching Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Here’s a guy at the start of the show, gets up and does a 7-10 minute monologue that makes people laugh. I always thought that had to be one of the hardest things in the world to do. I would watch other late-night shows where the host would do their routine, and I have always been fascinated with standup comedy.

NSAEN:  I have a two-part question. Do you get nervous about performing a comedy routine in front of an audience and your congregation when you give a sermon?

Pastor David:  Carolines was the most nerve-wracking thing I have ever done, but I love doing it because I like challenging myself. In August 2019, four people came out of Church and told me that I should be a standup comedian because they said the sermon was funny. It got me thinking, could I do that? But I didn’t know how I was going to do it. Then about a month later, I made what I thought were some humorous posts on social media, and this guy named Matt Kazam liked it. I had no idea who he was but later found out that he did standup comedy routines in Vegas, and he lives in Vegas. So I reached out to him, and he told me he has this course where he takes a group of people, and they spend about three months putting together a team. To graduate, you have to perform at Carolines Comedy Club in New York City. I was so nervous about it, but it was just something I had to do.  As far as getting nervous before speaking in Church, it is an excited nervousness — a notion of, I can’t wait to get up and speak.

NSAEN: While you’re performing your routine, how do you handle it if the audience doesn’t laugh??

Pastor David: Standup comedy is not about a group of people in the audience, arms folded, staring at you, and daring you to make them laugh. They are at a comedy club; they went to the club to laugh and be entertained, so they cheer for you; they want you to succeed. I was on stage for 16 minutes — and that’s a long time — it was about 10 pages worth of material. But before I got up there, I was off in the wings waiting, and I asked myself how was I going to hold the microphone; my hands were shaking so bad. But I forged ahead. I lost count on how many times I rehearsed my routine. I had some friends from New Jersey, Washington, DC, and NYC, and seeing them in the audience put me at ease. I just looked at the audience as friends and family; they wanted me to succeed, and they were laughing — it was great! This was indeed one of the most incredible nights of my life; it was just off the charts — a bucket list moment for sure!

NSAEN: Did you write the material yourself, or did you have help?

Pastor David: Matt Kazam and the group; we all help each other. You look at a premise that’s kind of funny, but then you keep digging until you make it funnier.  You can find humor in almost everything, even death, believe it or not. Laughter is a coping mechanism.

NSAEN: Do you keep a journal of funny material for future gigs?

Pastor David: I have some things I write down, it’s all premises, and Matt and I still get together. Another thing I learned is that comedy is so much better as a team.

NSAEN: How did you memorize 16 minutes’ worth of material?

Pastor David: Lots and lots of practice.

NSAEN: How do you deal with hecklers?

Pastor David: Fortunately, I haven’t run into one yet, but the difficulty for a heckler is that I have the microphone, they don’t, and because standup comedians, in general, are quick thinkers, I can out-quick-wit them faster than they can. It’s hard enough getting up there, so if you don’t think I’m funny, please be quiet, leave, or get up here and try to be funny. Most people want you to be funny because why do you go to a comedy club? Because you want to laugh. There’s a particular style of comedy that tends to invite hecklers. For example, if my comedy routine is about life, personal stuff, and things people can relate to, that typically does not encourage a heckler, but if my routine is making fun of audience members, I’m basically inviting someone to make fun of me. There’s another great quote by Charlie Chaplin: “My pain may be the reason for somebody’s laugh. But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody’s pain.” That’s not humor; that’s just mean!

One of the most satisfying things about the Carolines experience was when I got up and said, ‘I’m David Dendy from Las Vegas,’ and everyone screams yay and claps. Then I say, ‘and I’m a pastor.’ I could hear a few people, “What did he say?” Others looked confused, and then the room went silent. No one could believe it, and I think they were preparing themselves for me not to be funny. So I said, ‘Don’t clap all at once.’ My friend from DC who was in the audience had two other guys sitting next to him. They crossed their arms, looked at each other, and rolled their eyes. But once I started my routine, my friend told me they laughed the entire time. I guess they were initially put off that I was a pastor, had convinced themselves that I wouldn’t be funny, or figured I’d be talking about religion, but then a minute later, they’re cracking up. 

The best thing that came out of this experience — there were six comedians in our group who got on stage that night, and we’ve spent time together, once a week on a Zoom call talking — and probably the greatest compliment I have ever received — there are three people in that group who I met in person for the first time at Carolines – one came up to me and said, “You’re the first pastor we have ever met, and if I am ever in Las Vegas, I will come to see you at your Church. I thought that was so cool. There’s so much division in our country. If we could just spend time together, talk, and take a genuine interest in each other, spend time laughing together, the world would be a much better place.

NSAEN: What do your kids think about dad being a pastor/standup comedian?

Pastor David: They love it! We laugh a lot! Before I went to Carolines, I did my comedy routine for the family; my son was hysterical, but my wife and daughter not so much.

NSAEN:  So obviously, your most memorable moment as a comedian was when you performed at Carolines, but what has been your most memorable moment as a pastor?

Pastor David: I had started a new church in Houston back in 1996, and it was opening day—The First Sunday as a new Church. We were hoping to have a couple of hundred people. Since we had done a lot of advertising, I thought we might get more, so I decided to set up for 500 people just in case. We had a stage set up, and I was sitting behind the curtain waiting for worship to begin, and a friend of mine told me we needed more chairs. It didn’t register; I couldn’t imagine why we needed more chairs. I pulled back the curtain, stepped on the stage, and there were 1,000 people. I couldn’t believe it; people were standing seven rows deep. All those people came to see the birth of a new church. It was the most awe-inspiring moment. That is a memory that will stay with me forever! 

Other memories that stick are being with people in their last hours. I’m a master at funerals. In 2019, from January 1 to August 31, that’s 32 weeks; I had 33 funerals — over one a week — that was tough, especially the suicides. But it is perhaps one of the greatest privileges to be with people in what most people would see as the worst time of their lives — someone passing away or someone getting ready to pass away.

NSAEN: Do you get people from your congregation and/or just off the street walking in looking to talk to a pastor about life stuff, a problem they are trying to deal with, etc.?

Pastor David: Most of the folks who come to the Church to talk to me about “life” are members of the Church, family members of church members, or a friend of someone in the Church who recommended they talk with me.

NSAEN:  Do you sometimes feel like a therapist of sorts, or does that go hand-in-hand with being a “man of the cloth?”

Pastor David: Talking with people, walking with people through their struggles, “issues,” troubles, hang-ups, addictions, pain, and insecurities is all part and parcel of being a Pastor. I find this area of church life to be one of the most fulfilling. Walk with people arm-in-arm, and when they stumble, we are there to keep them upright. When they go off the rails, we are there to gently nudge and guide them back on to the path that leads to “Life!” Sometimes there is a lot to say, and sometimes there’s not much to say other than, “I am going to hang out with you in silence.” We call that the ‘Ministry of presence!’

NSAEN: Who was your mentor?

Pastor David: My first “call” out of Seminary was the Associate Pastor of the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia. The Senior Pastor was the Reverend Dr. G. Daniel McCall. Everyone called him Dan. As a seasoned veteran in Ministry, he showed me the ropes that taught me how to be patient, listen, be diplomatic, serve, serve, and serve some more. He showed me a great work ethic where Ministry is a seven-day-a-week job. He was an unintentional mentor. I was a rather self-assured, cocky 25-year old coming out of Seminary thinking I would change the world. It wasn’t until I took on my own Church, after spending seven years in Augusta, that I realized how well I had been mentored and taught by Dan how to be a compassionate, effective Pastor. Thank you, Dan McCall! Dan passed away this past spring.  I called him about two weeks before he passed, and his first question was, “How are you doing, David?” Serving until the end! May I live out his lesson!

NSAEN: What is the best advice you have ever given someone?

Pastor David: Laugh often and Fear not, and trust in Jesus with all your heart, and your life will never be the same in this world and the next!

NSAEN: The “Laugh Often, Fear Not” motto, did you create that, and what is the meaning behind it, especially the ‘fear not’ part?  

Pastor David: When people would tell me they are afraid of something, I would say, “Fear not.”

NSAEN: Is it a campaign of sorts or a motto you wanted to be associated with your Church?

Pastor David: Yes. I offer Benediction at the end of my service:

Be of good courage.
Hold fast that which is good.
Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted.
Support the weak.
Love and serve the Lord with gladness and with joy
Honor all people
And…
Laugh often and Fear not!
Go forth knowing the unconditional love of God,
the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the fellowship, the communion, and the power of the Holy Spirit 

Is with you now and forever 

And everyone said…
Amen!

I would say, “Honor all people, and fear not.” And then I thought, we need to laugh too! So that’s how this motto originated, and it just took off. We have it printed on plastic tumblers and bracelets; I think we’ve given away 4,000 bracelets. “Fear not” is mentioned 86 times in the Bible, enough to show that many people live in fear. Look what we saw from the Pandemic; everything is so fear-based; people fear they might get Covid, fear they might get Covid and die, or fear they might give it to someone and on and on. The other day, someone called the Church to say they were afraid they would die because so many people refuse to wear masks. Some people are afraid of failure, afraid of humiliation, or afraid of being humiliated if they fail. No one likes being humiliated. These are real fears, and there are hundreds of them. “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”

NSAEN:  In terms of pursuing standup, what about something like “America’s Got Talent”; as a pastor, would you be allowed to compete?

Pastor David: Oh, sure.

NSAEN:  During Covid, you did the Facebook Worship; was that every day?

Pastor David: When Covid hit, I started a community prayer group online on Facebook since the churches were closed. I felt this was something that my congregation needed, and 900 people signed up for it. I have about 30 people in the morning and 25 in the evening. While we were closed, I offered prayer twice each day, Monday through Thursday, at 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and Friday at 6:00 AM, but since it’s been so successful, even though the churches have opened back up, we still hold the online services. We have had 808 gatherings to date.

NSAEN:  I’ve never believed that when we die, that it’s the end. Do they say they see things or see people from the other side?

Pastor David: Yes, they do, and that’s one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” It truly is one of the great privileges. Not only are you with the family when a loved one dies, but then to have a memorial service and a funeral to celebrate that life and offer hope in the most dire of circumstances — it’s an honor and a privilege. You have to have compassion for the family; whether you knew their loved one or not, otherwise, there is no reason to be there.

NSAEN:  Why do you do what you do and why is what you do so important to you?

Pastor David: That’s a great question. I believe it is a calling to serve God. I’ve done a few things outside of the Ministry, yet it always comes back to this.

NSAEN:  So you don’t want to be a full-time comedian?

Pastor David: No. I love it, and I have fun with it, but being a pastor is my passion.

NSAEN:  What does your family think about your standup gig? Are they supportive, and do they let you practice in front of them?

Pastor David: They are very supportive, but I practice by myself. I’ll throw stuff out at people, and if they laugh, then I know I’m onto something. Did you know the number one attraction between couples is a sense of humor! It can get you through the toughest of times, and besides, who doesn’t like to laugh. Life is better when you’re laughing.

NSAEN: So let’s get to the personal stuff. How did you meet your wife?

Pastor David: A friend of mine invited me to go on a rock-climbing trip. I was living in Houston, but I was not a pastor at the time. He said the young adult group at the Church was planning a camping trip and encouraged me to come. I told him that I don’t do tents.  He was from San Antonio, so the whole group was going to San Antonio and spending the night at his house and then go up into the hill country for rock climbing, spend the night, and then come back — leave the group there — and go to Enchanted Rock. That sounded fine. So we get into the parking lot at the Church, and this girl walks up and says, “I’m in debt, I just bought a house today.” I asked my friend who she was, and he said he thought her name was Julie. I said, ‘She’s in debt; it’s always nice to find chicks in debt.’ So the group headed to San Antonio, we did some rock climbing, and we started a conversation — we had a real dialogue; it wasn’t me just asking questions. Then it was dinner time, and we cooked dinner. One of the guys from the group said he had an extra sleeping bag and an extra tent if anybody wanted it. I looked at my friend and told him we were spending the night — in a tent!! Two and a half years later, we got married. 

Thank you, Pastor David; it was a pleasure talking with you about your calling and your comedy. I greatly appreciate you sharing your amazing story with NSAEN! Thank you!

5 Ways to Become a Top Salesperson

By
Richard Norton
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You made the decision to get into the field of selling. Sales certainly can be challenging. However, if you commit to it, it can be incredibly rewarding.

No matter what anybody has told you, there is no such thing as a born salesperson. Top salespeople can certainly make it look easy, but high-level performance indicates that a salesperson has taken the time to work on their skills and they always focus on helping the prospects.

Whether you’re just entering into the sales field or you’re looking to get back to the basics, here are some tips that will help you to be successful in sales.

1) Identify your goals.

Knowing exactly what you want to accomplish is the most important place to start.  It is important to have a big goal, but in order to achieve that big goal, you have to have daily goals.

In our industry, we have the blessings of residual income. Your first goal is to find out what number is needed for you to support your lifestyle. Once you have written that number down, put together a plan on how many merchants it’s going to take over a period of time to achieve that goal. Once you’ve accomplished that, move onto the next goal.

It’s also important to set a goal to be a top performer. It may not happen right away. It won’t be easy, but no matter what, always strive to be the best.

2) Learn the process

In order for a prospect to have confidence in you, you must first have confidence in yourself. The best way to develop the confidence is to learn.

Make a commitment to learn every phase of your industry from beginning to end. Learn to be an exceptional cold caller along with the art of prospecting. Get knowledge about all your products and services and the proper way to present them. Most importantly, develop a presentation where you convey the message of helping your prospects.

Develop the skills but always remember the best way to learn is to get out in front of the prospects. Don’t delay. Make a commitment and act now.

3) Don’t waste time

Time is your capital. It’s important that you spend your time with the right people. Make every second count, and don’t waste time with non-prospects. The time you waste with the wrong people stops you from being in front of the right prospect.

Always keep this in mind, there are plenty of prospects out there who want your help. Your goal is to find them and help as many as you can.

4) Be part of a winning team

Unfortunately, I hear way too many stories of salespeople who feel like they are lone rangers. I’m very thankful to say with our sales team, we promote team effort. We bombard everybody with motivation, inspiration, and competition.

We make sure that we have resources available to ensure our representatives have everything they need to succeed.

When you surround yourself with winners, it is natural for you to want to be a winner also.

5) Find a mentor

It is necessary to find a mentor who can help you plan and grow your career. This is the type of person who will help you visualize where you want to be in life, next year as well as 10 years down the road.

Now remember nobody is perfect, but it’s important that you find a mentor who has a lot of success in your industry. Also, you want to find someone who has accomplished certain top level achievements and has experience that applies to your own career path.

Once you’ve identified that person, set up monthly and quarterly meetings with them. This will give you the expertise, along with the accountability that you need to achieve your goals.

There is no secret formula when it comes to having success in sales. It all starts with having the right attitude. Always keep your focus positive. It’s going to take a commitment. No matter what, never give up. It also takes a lot of hard work. The most successful salespeople will tell you that the effort is what makes the difference.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com

WOW returns to the Rio-Water Spectacular Update

By
Shelley Stepanek
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“WOW – THE VEGAS SPECTACULAR”

HAS RETURNED TO THE RIO SHOWROOM

I just saw the show again last week, for the third time, and wanted to give an update. Highly recommended, especially for families.

The internationally acclaimed production, “WOW – The Vegas Spectacular,” returned to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this week. The show is featuring many of its past performers and a whole cast of new ones.

“WOW” had received numerous awards including the prestigious “Best of Las Vegas” awards as Best Value Show (Gold), Best Family Friendly Show (Silver), Best New Act/Show (Bronze) and Best Production Show (Bronze).  Many of the acts familiar to audiences will return including comedian Alex Traisci, along with brand new acts including NAVAS and their “Wheel of Death” (Gold Medalists at the Monte Carlo Festival), the breathtaking Adagio act “Duo Ice,” the gravity-defying hand-to-hand act “Acrodream,” “Rialcris” the trio of muscle men recently featured on America’s Got Talent, the aerial duo “Luna Girls,” a mind-blowing Icarian act, and the juggling talents of Paul Ponce.

“WOW” has had over 1,200 performances since its debut at Rio Las Vegas on Oct. 7, 2017. Seen by more than 2.5 million people, it features a cast of more than 30 international performing artists, acrobats and dancers in their 180-degree theatrical setting. 3D multi-media projections, water walls and holograms add to the dazzling choreography, and thrilling theatrical lighting. There is also a custom-built stage and pool that gives audiences a close-up experience.

“We are so excited that we are finally able to reopen ‘WOW’ at the Rio and once again entertain the Las Vegas audiences that have embraced our show and our cast over the last three years,” said creator and director, Hanoch Rosènn. “After the last 16 months our cast is thrilled and ready to return to the stage with many of the audience’s favorite acts, as well as a few new ones that will for sure ‘wow’ our audiences.”

Rosènn is known worldwide for his large-scale productions, including “Festigal” where he directed Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot in her stage-acting debut in 2008.

“WOW blends elements of an old-school Vegas variety show with modern staging and a soundtrack of familiar, beloved music for an immersive and intimate experience.”

– Ken Miller, Las Vegas Magazine

“It’s a fast-moving collection of extraordinary circus acts

for the entire family.”

– Robin Leach, Las Vegas Review Journal

“‘WOW’ brings unique touches to the classic Vegas production show…Athletic and astounding acrobats are just the beginning at ‘WOW’ at the Rio…The rapid-fire delivery of a variety of different acts brings to mind an oddball hybrid of ‘Jubilee’ and ‘Absinthe’.”

– Brock Radke, Las Vegas Sun

““WOW” is one of Las Vegas’ newest must-see shows the whole family can enjoy together.”

– Sunseeker Magazine

“Visually stunning!” 

– Vegas Insider

Some WOW “Fun Facts”:

• There are 30 performers on stage.

• The cast comes from more than 10 different countries.

• There are over 400 lighting pieces in the show.

• The LED wall is constructed of 24 Million LED lamps, it is 3,300 square feet (316 sqm), there are 3,842 feet of fiber optic cable (3,000 meter) and a total weight is 15,432 lb (7,000kg).

• There are 240 costumes worn by the cast throughout the show.

• Over 10,000 shells were hand-sewn into the costumes.

• Over 100,000 beads are integrated into the costumes.

• There are 8 costume changes for every cast member.

Follow “WOW” on social media: 

Twitter @WOWshowVegas

Instagram @WOWshowVegas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WOW-Vegas

Official Website: www.WOW-Vegas.com

From September 2021 on, “WOW” will perform nightly at 7:00 pm with additional shows at 9:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday (Dark Friday). Tickets range from $52.99 to $126.93 + taxes and fees and can be purchased at Ticketmaster, www.Caesars.com/shows or by calling 702-777-7776.

Growth-Oriented vs. Goal-Oriented: Which One Are You?

By
Richard Norton
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I recently heard an interview that was done with a very successful person. This individual accomplished great things in life and he was sharing that he recently lost his motivation and drive, and he didn’t know what to do about it. The person with whom he was speaking shared something which I thought was very profound. He said, “The problem is that you have become only goal-oriented. You need to change your thinking to become growth-oriented.” I thought to myself, “How true that is and it makes total sense.“

Now don’t get me wrong, in no way am I saying that you should not set goals. Setting goals is important if you want to achieve success because in order to have success, you must know exactly what you want. You also need to have a plan on how to get there.

This is what I have found, if you want to get better results, not only do you have to set goals but you have to develop a solid plan of growth.

When you are goal-oriented, it sets the direction but it does not get you to where you want to go. If you are not careful, you can restrict yourself and end up setting goals that do not require change or personal growth.

Growth-Orientation gives you determination to go to the next level. It challenges you to learn new skills and create new habits. When you are focused on exactly what you want, you will find there is something in your life that needs to change and you must grow. In order to achieve these goals, it’s going to require you to get out of your comfort zone.

Growth takes a lot of effort, especially when you’re practicing new skills and adopting new habits. As you begin to do this, you end up growing into who you need to be in order to achieve greater results.

Here’s the bottom line, goal-setting has an end game. Growth-Setting is a game that will never be over. You will find as you are on the road to success, it definitely is a journey rather than just a destination.

No matter what level you achieve, strive to grow no matter what. Never stop learning and don’t ever stop growing. Growth can be painful but it is definitely rewarding. Our growth tomorrow depends on the little things that we do today.

So keep setting goals, but change your overall thinking to growth. If you have found yourself unmotivated because of all the goals you have set and achieved, it is time to make a commitment to growth. No matter what level you achieve, there’s always going to be room for growth. When you commit to being growth-oriented, you will find yourself much more inspired and you will create much more joy in life. If you are breathing and you woke up this morning, you certainly can grow.

Going forward, rather than being just goal-oriented, change your thought pattern to becoming GROWTH-oriented. If you’re not growing, you are shrinking. Make that commitment to grow in every phase of your life and most importantly, enjoy this wonderful growth journey.

Have a super fantastic week!

RICH NORTON

Regional Sales Manager RMS

Photo by Brandon Green on Unsplash

Essential Steps to Protect Your Business in 2022

By
Guest Author
-

We have all seen how much uncertainty there is out there right now. We all need to be taking more steps to protect our businesses. As we look ahead to 2022, here are some necessary steps we should all be taking.

Look For Ways To Cut Costs

Look back at how your business performed during the pandemic. Identify any areas of your company that are no longer pulling their weight in a post-COVID-19 world. Consider giving up your office to avoid uncertainty and eliminate rental costs and other ancillary expenses. Think about ways that you can develop your employees instead of hiring new staff members. Research new technology and tools that will make processes quicker, such as AI software. 

Get Good Legal Help

Talk to a lawyer before you make any significant business decision. Find out what you could be liable for in case of broken agreements, missed deliveries, or breaches of contract. Go over any new contracts with them to avoid being caught out. Talk to your lawyer about any kind of business expansion. Take advantage of their experience and their contacts. Get in touch with an immigration lawyer if you are considering hiring workers from outside the USA. Remember that work visas have strict requirements and the number of H2A visas for seasonal agricultural workers, for example, may be limited.

Boost Your Cybersecurity

Invest in high quality up-to-date protection for your business. Listen to the warnings that cybercrime and ransomware attacks are not going anywhere. Learn about whether the information your business stores using cloud technology could be vulnerable. Educate your employees on the steps they should be taking if they are working remotely or using company-owned technology. Talk to a cybersecurity expert to break down the essentials and to learn more.

Boost Your Online Strategy

Remember that your website is one of the most important elements to drive business. Look at the expected online sales numbers for the holiday season for further proof. Update your site regularly with expertly written content. Research your target audience to learn more about what they are looking for and what formats will be most effective, from videos to podcasts. Look at what your competition is doing and see what is working. 

Use SEO for any written content but remember that user experience is just as important. Learn how Google has updated its software to eliminate spam. Bring on a social media specialist to get your brand out there. Use customer research to create a targeted digital marketing strategy. Focus on websites and social media channels that you know your customer base uses. 

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Yoga Classes at The Original Immersive van Gogh Exhibit Las Vegas

By
Shelley Stepanek
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Gogh with Lifeway Kefir Immersive Yoga Classes at The Original Immersive van Gogh Exhibit Las Vegas Launched Last Week with a VIP Preview Featuring Various
Las Vegas Entertainers

Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas

The Original Immersive van Gogh exhibit in the heart of the Las Vegas strip has partnered with America’s favorite kefir company, Lifeway Foods, to offer yoga under The Starry Night.  A Media event last week was held today inviting patrons of all fitness levels – including some of Las Vegas’ favorite entertainers – to take part in Gogh with Lifeway Kefir Immersive Yoga classes, led by a certified yoga instructor inside Lighthouse Las Vegas, the all-new venue located at The Shops at Crystals (LEVEL 3) adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino.

Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas
Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas
Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas

Described as an experience that “opens the aperture of your senses” by Insider, all ages alike are welcome to enroll in the 35-minute flow yoga course. Every class takes place within the multi-sensory and all-encompassing Immersive van Gogh experience. Each workout is designed to challenge the body and inspire the mind; choreographed in harmony with the music, sounds, light and moving images from van Gogh’s vast catalogue of masterpieces. All participants receive a nutritious Lifeway Kefir snack packed with probiotics. Everyone is invited to remain in the exhibit following the class to take in the dynamic projections one last time.

Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas

“Lifeway is proud to collaborate with Immersive van Gogh for this initiative,” said Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods. “Our company motto, ‘Love Your Guts,’ is emblematic of the need for us to take care of our wellness every single day. A balanced gut microbiome positively influences our mental health, and vice versa. By engaging in the practice of yoga, surrounding ourselves with incredible art, and nourishing the gut with kefir, an ancient probiotic superfood, this unique collaboration is a great way to strengthen the mind-gut connection. Now more than ever, we hope to bring joy to our community with this once-in-a-lifetime immersive wellness experience that intersects movement, sound, art and light.”

Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas

Classes begin October 29 and are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings at 9am. Admission is $54.99 per person. To book visit VanGoghVegas.com.

Guests should arrive dressed for classes and should bring their own yoga mats.
After the class and your visit to the exhibit, take a while to stroll through the elegant shops and restaurants of Crystals, on walk into Aria, right next door.

Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas

Featuring animations of 40 of Van Gogh’s masterpieces, The Original Immersive van Gogh exhibit was designed by creative director and Italian film producer Massimiliano Siccardi, with original, mood-setting music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi, who provided a score that combines experimental electronic music with pure, ethereal, and simple-seeming piano. Vittorio Guidotti is the Art Director. Visitors to The Original Immersive van Gogh are encircled from head-to-toe in over 500,000 cubic feet of projections highlighting Van Gogh’s brushstrokes and colors, including animated details from works such as Self Portrait with Felt Hat (1888), The Bedroom in Arles (1889), Irises (1889) and The Starry Night (1889).

Van Gogh Immersive YOGA
Photos By Denise Truscello
Oct 21 2021
Las Vegas

Free valet parking is available on-site at The Shops at Crystals valet parking. Tickets for Gogh with Lifeway Immersive Yoga are on sale now at VanGoghVegas.com.

For more information about Immersive Van Gogh, visit VanGoghVegas.com. Follow the exhibition on social media on Facebook and Instagram .

 

Lip Smacking Foodie Tours Is Now Doing “Pizza Tours” of Chicago

By
Shelley Stepanek
-

Lip Smacking Foodie Tours Starts with A Deep-Dish Pizza Tour in Chicago

After being amazingly successful in Las Vegas for over five years, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours is excited to announce its first venture into Chicago with its new, decadent deep-dish pizza tour. Now while I have tried two of the tours in Las Vegas, if I make it to Chicago, I’ll hope to be in on one of these new “Pizza Tours” and I bet it will my best night there.

Trying to put this all together, with people, parking, menus, hours and tour conductors, along with the perfect price point, can really be hard. Like a well-rehearsed orchestra everything must be down to the exact second. Well, Donald Contursi has done it once again, taking a cue from his many tours he offers daily in Las Vegas, along with some Seattle tours. He offers VIP service at the three flagships that put deep-dish on the map here, all in one unique, unforgettable outing.

Coming from Chicago, Donald who grew up on the city’s most iconic dish, has created the ultimate deep-dish tour that allows guests to skip the usual wait for a table or the wait times for ordering these hefty pies to bake. Instead, attendees enjoy pizza delivered fresh out of the oven in only 10 minutes, rather than the customary 45 minutes. Best yet, they can take any leftovers in their own personal doggy bag for a late night snack. At each stop, attendees also have the opportunity to sit beside different people, rotating from pizzeria to pizzeria to make a new batch of friends.

The tour’s stops represent a who’s who of the deep-dish world: Gino’s East on Superior Street with its fabled graffiti-clad walls and celebrity clientele; Pizzeria Uno on Ohio Street, which claims to be the originator; and Lou Malnati’s on Wells Street, famous for its butter crust crowned with lean sausage that covers the entire circumference of the pizza.

All are close to one another in the amazing, and sometimes missed area of Magnificent Mile. At each stop, attendees will enjoy a half-cheese, half-sausage pie, made with each establishment’s secret dough recipe passed down from generations and a proprietary sausage blend. There is also a vegetarian option upon request.

 

Each tour has a professional guide who provides entertaining and enlightening information along the way about these storied restaurants, as well as this dynamic metropolis. At $89 per person, along with an optional $35 beverage package available, this is a great evening out and a unique way to spend some time while meeting quality persons with the same tastes.

This group tour comes from Don’s sister company Finger Licking Foodie Tours. Although that one is geared toward locals and visitors alike, Contursi wanted to offer a tour specifically for business and convention groups, who make up such a sizable portion of travelers to Chicago.

About Lip Smacking Foodie Tours:

Quoting from a past press release “Lip Smacking Foodie Tours is the premier culinary walking tour in Las Vegas, garnering not only loyal fans but outstanding accolades. Its tours offer guests personalized service and VIP access to the best tables at the city’s most acclaimed restaurants – all without the hassle of waiting in lines or making reservations. Each tour is led by an expert guide who entertains guests with insider knowledge about the sights along the way. At each of four restaurant stops on The Strip or downtown, guests indulge in signature dishes, as well as receive a warm welcome from the chefs. Guests can sit beside different patrons at every stop, gaining new friends and networking connections. The tours are perfect for everyone from locals to tourists to business travelers, including corporate groups of up to 250. In 2019, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours expanded for the first time outside of Vegas to include San Jose, Santa Monica, St. Louis, Seattle and Vancouver BC.”

Recent honors include: “Best Tour”, “Best Food Tour”, and “Best Date Night Spot” by Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020, 2019 and 2018; “Best Food/Beverage Tour Operations (Land)” by The World Food Travel Association 2018; “Best Tour”, “Best Fine Dining”, and “Best Brunch” by Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2017; “Best Tour” by Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2016; “Best Tour” by INVEGAS Magazine in 2015 and 2016; and “Best New Tour” by Thrillist in 2015; as well as inclusion in TripAdvisor’s “Top 3” tours in Las Vegas, and ranked #1 tour on Yelp.

Bronx Wanderers Now at the Westgate!

By
Shelley Stepanek
-

Tuesday night was the grand reopening of one of my favorite shows here in Las Vegas. The Bronx Wanderers are now playing at Westgate Hotel & Casino. Alan and Kathy Glist, also the producers of Menopause the Musical, really deserve a round of applause for getting Vinny Adinolfi and the group back. This lovely new showroom fits them perfectly and their opening was filled with an audience of A-List VIP entertainers. Among them was Tony Orlando, who will be celebrating sixty years in show business. 

I love hearing the stories that brought Vinny to have the dream he always wanted and is now being fulfilled à la Las Vegas. The group brings back so many old songs we have loved over the years, and with a lot of great video clips and nostalgia. One of the very best shows in Las Vegas and definitely worth your time out.

United by their passion for great music, The Bronx Wanderers are led by father and master entertainer Vinny Adinolfi, who is a former chart-topping record producer. He is joined on stage by his son, Vinny “Vin. A” Adinolfi III, an Italian Brian Wilson who sings, arranges and plays several different instruments, as well as a killer hand-picked backup band. They have toured for the last 16 years and no one can compete with them for the heart and soul that they pour into their show.

The Bronx Wanderers have performances Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Westgate Cabaret. Find additional information and details at www.westgatelasvegas.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit thebronxwanderers.com or follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Serves Me Right–Protect Your Investment

By
Florida Night Train
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“Serves Me Right!”

By Florida Night Train

This is such a typical story, I am embarrassed writing about it. I admit I am a stubborn hard-headed “know it all” sometimes. Depending who you talk to, they might say “all the time”.  Just in case there are more like me out there, I want to share this story so maybe you will learn and save yourself time and money. The old values and the old sayings are there for good reasons! You know, the ones along the lines of, “You get what you pay for” and “You reap what you sow,” or “You get what you deserve”.

My Harley felt lonely so I decided to get some company for him. Moramoto back in early 2021 helped me get my dream bike; a BMW s1000rr. This beast top speeds at ~200mph out of the box and makes the envy of many sport riders, including cruise riders, might I say. Moramoto had the foresight to offer me an extended warranty with EFG (efgcompanies.com). Hear me out! This is not the type of extended warranty company that will give you unsolicited calls repeatedly like others do. They don’t need to. After a forty year track record, it stands for good reasons. 

Before any of you accuse me of doing a shameless plug, think again. This is a true story and there is absolutely zero benefit for me in writing this, by any party. My reward and hope is that some poor soul out there might learn a good lesson through this piece and that I might spare them some time and money.

Fast forward to about May 2021, my bike (I call it “Morpheus”) showed a “DDT” code. It just was not riding right. Not thinking my bike is one of the most advanced racing pieces of machinery needing high-end expertise/diagnostic tools, I wanted to save time and money by taking it to a bike shop closer to me. I know, stupid. I have an extended warranty I thought, I’ll be fine. Shop owner (who shall remain nameless), talked a good talk for sure. It seemed busy and was close to me, so I left Morpheus there.  

In fairness to the shop owner, they had good intentions but they just did not have the tools or knowledge to handle my bike. They were in over their heads… and toolbox. They attempted to take me into an elimination discovery process on my dime at an hourly rate of ~$125/hr. Several hours into it, after using my extended EFG warranty to “replace” a ~$1,200.00 ECU, many unreturned phone calls, emails, texts and messengers, I got my bike back this time with a “DDC” code within five minutes of riding it. I should add that this process took nearly 3 months. I missed Morpheus as if it was part of my heartbeat.

Then what? Well, I sheepishly saw my error for what it was and took Morpheus to the BMW guys in Tampa. Come to find out, the issue involved another ECU type of component along with wiring connectivity. The thing is, that particular ECU component was not quite as clearly called under the warranty as the original ECU and so by contract, and understandably, EFG declined this second claim. Now I was looking at well over ~$2,000.00 and more time separated from Morpheus. Had I taken it straight there in the first place, I would have wasted a lot less time… and money.

Not knowing I write for magazines using motorcycling as a “bridge” of sorts, this is where EFG really stepped up to the plate. I called in to further discuss my second claim with them. After several calls between the BMW tech and EFG, my claim was elevated to a more knowledgeable adjuster. The adjuster was super knowledgeable and courteous—I highly advise to remain calm and non-confrontational when you call adjusters. He spoke to me with clarity, verbal precision, and professionally so I could understand the intricacies of my Morpheus. It became a dialogue rather than a controlling confrontation. After careful consideration and in-depth discussion on the language of the warranty, it dawned on the adjuster and I that the second ECU functionality could be interpreted as much essential to the first ECU therefore making it fall under the warranty by its very nature. EFG honored my second warranty claim and Morpheus and I were reunited, freely coming in and out of this mad matrix.

Had I not dealt with the team at Moramoto offering me EFG, had I not bought EFG and had I not taken my Morpheus to the BMW team, I would be out well over ~$5,000.00, maybe even more with this other shop. The point here is obvious, you get what you pay for. I got what I deserved because I did not use good judgment and I took someone’s good intentions at face value. Consequences: a bunch of headaches, frustrations, wasted time, money, and energy.

EFG Companies exists for one reason only: to protect you by protecting your investment. Your vehicle is probably one of the most expensive purchases you’ll ever make. That’s why EFG focuses on safeguarding your investment with Repair, Maintenance, and Appearance Protection Products that keep you worry-free and your vehicle looking factory-fresh. They’ve got you covered with repair and maintenance products, debt protection products, and appearance protection products.

If you have an accident or your vehicle breaks down, EFG’s ultra-responsive Claims Administration team can steer you clear of the hassles and runarounds that are often associated with making a claim. Whether you are driving a new or used vehicle, an RV or a motorcycle, EFG is ready to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

I highly recommend both dealers and buyers to consider including EFG in all their transactions, for peace of mind when the need arises. Now my Harley is ticked because I am only playing with Morpheus.

 

 

 

www.facebook.com/floridanighttrain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great War Memorials to See in San Diego

By
Shelley Stepanek
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Museums

USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

The USS Midway Museum aboard the decommissioned USS Midway aircraft carrier, is the most-visited 100-plus historic naval ship museum in the continental United States. Located at Navy Pier on San Diego Bay, the Midway is a floating tribute “to those who served aboard her and all the other flattops America has sent into battle, as well as those who pioneered carrier aviation, ushering in a new era of naval combat.” There are self-guided audio tours; over 40 exhibits and displays, along with many restored aircraft; availability to see the mess deck, berthing spaces, hangar deck, flight deck, island superstructure and more. Super interesting are the Mach Combat F-8 and F-4 phantom flight simulators and flight stations; a Flight Avionics motion simulator; and interactive, story-telling docents, many of whom are Midway veterans. Active duty and reservist personnel receive free admission; retired military receive discounted admission. 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park is home to a massive collection of classic military aircraft ranging from the dawn of flight through WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the jet age and beyond. The Museum also houses an International Aerospace Hall of Fame, honoring the inventors, engineers, pilots, and industrialists who created and built airplanes. Active military admission is free.

CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT

Along the paths of Cabrillo National Monument sit the remains of coastal defenses built to protect the approaches to San Diego Bay. While visiting the park, you will find base-end stations, fire control stations, searchlight bunkers, and other remains of troubled times; lonely sentinels that now serve to guard our memories of the past. Housed in an old radio station, the exhibit, “They Stood the Watch,” shares the story behind these remains, and ranger talks are often given on weekends. The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation bookstore, located in the Visitor Center, offers several books about Fort Rosecrans and the military history of Point Loma. 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

LIBERTY STATION

Countless thousands of civilian and military passed through the gates of San Diego Naval Training Center in the course of its history. The base, now decommissioned, has been transformed into Liberty Station consisting of part residential community, part arts district, and part retail center. With many of the businesses housed in the historic structures that date back to the 1920s, just walking around Liberty Station can bring back proud memories for the more than a million military personnel who were trained there. There is also an Arts District.  

I lived only 8 blocks away and have visited many times as well as stayed at the hotel. There is also a cultural district with galleries, artist studios, dance studios, restaurants and retail stores. Admission is free. 2701 Lytton St, San Diego, CA 92106

*Top image by skyfrance from Pixabay

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