-
Steph Katzovi’s book, MISCOMMUNICAMP! is the perfect read for kids heading to camp this summer!
Steph Katzovi’s debut middle grade novel, Hurricamp, was published last year to widespread praise. Cynthia Ellingsen, author of The Girls of Firefly Cabin called the book, “a joyous glimpse into life at sleepaway camp as the charming lead character, Noodle, works through her nerves as a first-time camper. The girls in Noodle’s cabin start off as strangers but become lifelong friends.”Now Noodle Newman is back at camp for her second year, another year older and ready for whatever camp has in store this summer. Joined by some old friends and some new ones, Noodle is ready for this to be the best summer ever. But when her best friend Aries only wants to work on the camp play rather than help Noodle with her popular radio show like they talked about, Noodle doesn’t quite know how to deal with it. From an enigmatic and theatrical camp counselor to mishaps at the Rock-and-Bowl, there’s one thing Camp Hillside never is – boring! Join Noodle and her friends as they navigate both the pitfalls and perks of growing up and learn that perhaps sometimes all you need when you’re a little lost is a good friend to lean on.
In third grade, Steph Katzovi announced that she was going to be author when she grew up. Realizing that she might want to explore other career options first, Steph got her bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University before attending Brooklyn Law School. She spent the bulk of her 15+ year career at Deloitte as a speechwriter and strategic communications consultant. When the opportunity arose to raise her children and focus more fully on creative writing, Steph decided it was time to take her “When I Grow Up” essay from third grade a bit more seriously. If she’s not busy writing at her desk in New York City, Steph is a sports and exercise enthusiast. She also enjoys playing guitar and piano with her two sons, going out on date nights with her husband, and reading. Preferably poolside.
MISCOMMUNICAMP! by Steph Katzovi
Pub date: April 2, 2024
ISBN 9781612546636• paperback original
Ages 8-12 • $13.95
A Conversation with Steph Katzovi, author of MISCOMMUNICAMP!
Q: Summer camp is generally a pretty formative experience for kids. What made you decide to set your books at a summer camp?
One of the main themes I explore in my books is adolescent independence. The setting of sleepaway camp gives my characters a less supervised, but still controlled place to tackle the challenges of growing up. Counselors and peers act as the support network instead of parents, teachers, or relatives. In other words, the characters experience life without the safety net of “home.” By giving the characters a different lens for responding to various coming-of-age situations, it, of course, leads to plenty of drama and comedy!
Q: What are some of the key themes you focus on in your work?
We all struggle with something and we’re all working on something. Trust in yourself, discover what makes you special, then use those strengths to elevate and celebrate others. For me, I was introverted and incredibly shy as a child. When I went to sleepaway camp for the first (and unfortunately, last!) time, kids saw me as this sniffly, quiet, homesick kid. No one saw me as this nice, funny, athletic, kid that I was back home. That was who I was, but no one else saw that. It was a tough realization for me to have. After that not-so-great experience at camp, it made me recognize that I needed to change my approach in handling challenging situations. If I wanted to make friends and show people the real me, I’d need to try harder in being more outgoing. I figured out I could use my sense of humor and genuine interest in hearing about people’s lives and stories to become more of an extrovert. And that’s why I write—to entertain, to make people happy, and to share my stories in the hope of helping others on their journeys.
Q: What is your inspiration for writing?
When it comes to why I write, I borrow a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” My goal in writing is to promote positive values, confidence, and kindness. I hope to inspire kids to be their best selves. There are plenty of role models for kids to choose from . . . I’d like to provide some relatable yet inspiring options through the characters in my work.
Q: Why do I write for children (and not another genre/age group)?
Adolescence is such an important time. It’s when people form their identities. When we understand who we are in the world and what is important to us. In the grand scheme of things, adolescence is a relatively short period of time in one’s life. Think of it as 0-18. Assuming you’re lucky enough to live into your 70s or longer, that’s more than 50 years as an adult. It’s a long time. If I can make a positive impact on someone during that brief period of adolescence, it can set the stage for those next 50 or 60 years.
Q: What do you love about writing?
Books can be mirrors (where you see yourself reflected back) or windows (where you are exposed to a world that is not your own). There’s a great power in creating an emotional experience for people through a story. When people can see themselves or sympathize with the characters, you know that author has done their job. My joy comes in sharing stories and observations from common human experiences—and from finding the humor that comes from these experiences. If I can share a message and also make you laugh, then I consider myself a success.
Q: How did you get into writing and do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
When I was young, I got a lot of positive feedback about my writing abilities from my teachers. (Not great feedback on my handwriting, though!) Because writing was something I enjoyed—and was apparently good at it—it fueled my passion for the written word. As I got older, I always managed to find jobs that were somehow related to writing. In college, I interned at a radio station and convinced the station manager to let me write the scripts for their news updates and advertisements. In law school, I realized early on that I didn’t want to practice law. Knowing that, I always managed to find the very rare writing/editing jobs that didn’t involve working for a law firm. After law school, I worked at Arthur Andersen and Deloitte (both consulting companies), also finding jobs that involved research and writing. Now, I’m grateful that I have professional writing experience and creative writing experience. I feel like I’m using both sides of my writing brain! My advice for anyone seeking to follow your passions is to be creative in how you reach your ultimate goal. I knew I couldn’t go from “kid who loves writing” to “published author” without making sure I honed my skills, background and experience in a variety of ways… the path I took eventually led me to where I am today. But I was flexible and open-minded in how I approached opportunities to reach my ultimate goal. It’s never a straight path, but if keep thinking about ways you can incrementally build towards your goal, the more prepared you’ll eventually be.
-
Ladies Turn Global Makes Meaningful Difference in the Lives of Women and Children
The mission at Ladies Turn Global is simple yet powerful: to provide women with the resources and opportunities they need to create and establish themselves within a safe, healthy, sustainable and scalable ecosystem. Since the nonprofit’s inception as The Emerald Foundation in 2017, the organization has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of women and their children, fostering their growth, and providing them with the resources they need to thrive.
“At Ladies Turn Global, we provide education and career development programs, mental health support, and organize community-building events that foster connection and empowerment,” said founder and CEO Roxana Valeton. “We do this through collaboration and direct engagement with clients and community partners.”
Among the nonprofit’s vital services are:
Anti-Trafficking Support and Awareness: Their mission is to raise awareness; design technology to warn young ladies, locate victims and identify “Bad Guys”; advocate for stronger laws and policies to protect the rights of victims; and provide support and resources for survivors to help them rebuild their lives.
Mental Health Support: Ladies Turn Global works to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by women with mental illness, provide support and resources for those in need, and advocate for better access to mental health care and services.
Youth Development: Mission is to provide education and resources for young women to help them grow and reach their full potential while also promoting safety and well-being. Under this program, males can participate in certain initiatives and training until the age of 25.
Women Helping Women: Through a variety of opportunities for women to get involved, including volunteer projects, fundraising events and educational workshops, Ladies Turn Global aims to create a community of women who come together to support and empower each other, and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
“Individuals will appreciate our distinctive approach to empowering women, the support we offer to those in need, our dedicated advocates, potential collaborators and our inclusive, hands-on engagement, which can have a substantial impact,” Valeton added. “Collectively, we can work toward a world in which women are celebrated, their voices resonate and their potential flourishes.”
For more information, visit www.ladiesturnglobal.org, or follow them on Facebook (Ladies Turn Global) and Instagram (ladiesturnglobal).
About Roxana Valeton
Upon her arrival in the United States from Cuba at the age of 21, Roxana Valeton faced limited resources but carried a compelling vision, an unwavering commitment to assisting others, and an unstoppable determination to achieve success. Despite holding only an associate degree, she displayed resolute determination in pursuing further education and swiftly honed her expertise in grant writing. This invaluable skill, coupled with her innate ability to generate innovative concepts and adeptly manage various business ventures, paved the way for her involvement in a succession of roles within the healthcare sector. Over the course of 18 years, Roxana dedicated most of her career to nonprofit organizations and the empowerment of women. Her extensive experience spanned a wide array of domains, encompassing both profit and nonprofit business development, as well as the successful launch of enterprises.
With nearly two decades of expertise in healthcare business development, grant writing and physician contracting, she is an impassioned and dedicated healthcare entrepreneur leading thriving enterprises: First Person Care Clinic, Ladies Turn Global and Valeton Business Consulting.
In her role as the Chief Executive Officer at First Person Care Clinic, she oversees one of Nevada’s nine Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), offering diverse services such as primary care, dental, mental health, substance abuse treatment, affordable medications and a food pantry, ensuring accessibility for all.
“My aspiration to support the advancement of those facing greater challenges in achieving success, particularly fellow women, has served as the catalyst for my latest venture — Ladies Turn Inc. This technology-driven initiative is dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs, with the ultimate objective of nurturing strong women leaders and influential role models in the realm of global, female-centric entrepreneurship. This innovative business model entails a private and secure professional social media platform exclusively for female members, and its primary aim is to expedite digital business transformation within a protected environment. Within this platform, we will provide mentoring programs and support groups while collaborating with esteemed brands, trusted organizations, and established small businesses. A portion of the proceeds generated will be directed toward our foundation’s mission.”
-
THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW, featuring the Legacy of DENNIS EDWARDS, Coming to M Resort Spa Casino, February 17, 2024 – Tickets on Sale now
Celebrate with a night of the classics as THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW, featuring the Legacy of DENNIS EDWARDS, takes the stage inside the M Pavilion at M Resort Spa Casino on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Tickets for THE TEMPATIONS REVIEW, starting at $25 plus taxes and fees, are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting themresort.com or ticketmaster.com. Dennis Edwards joined The Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin, the former superstar lead singer of The Temptations. Dennis is the “voice” on top 40 Billboard hit singles such as “Psychedelic Shack,” “Papa was a Rolling Stone” (1972), “Ball of Confusion” (1970), “I Can’t Get Next To You” (1969), “Shakey Ground” (1975), “Runaway Child Running Wild,” “Cloud Nine” (1968), and more. This group of original singers were personally chosen by Dennis Edwards to continue the authentic music and choreography of The Temptations and toured with him until his passing in 2018. This group also performs The Temptations’ Classic Hits “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Beauty’s Only Skin Deep,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “Wish That It Would Rain,” and more.
Doors to the M Pavilion will open at 7 p.m. on February 17, 2024, for THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW. For more information on M Resort Spa Casino events and promotions and to purchase tickets, please visit themresort.com.
ABOUT M RESORT SPA CASINO
M Resort Spa Casino, the Official Team Headquarters Hotel of the Las Vegas Raiders, is a Forbes Four-Star resort located on more than 90 acres on the southeast corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard. Situated higher in elevation than other resort-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, M Resort provides optimal views of the world-famous Las Vegas skyline from its guest rooms, suites, conference center and restaurants. The resort offers 390 guest rooms and suites, over 92,000 square feet of gaming, eleven restaurants and bars, the Forbes Four-Star Spa Mio, a modern fitness center and a 100,000 square foot pool and events piazza. M Resort is operated by PENN Entertainment. -
JW MARRIOTT LAS VEGAS RESORT & SPA TO HOST VITALANT BLOOD DRIVE, JAN. 13, 14
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa recognizes National Blood Donor Month in January and invites the community to its next Vitalant blood drive on Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday, Jan. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. With patients facing an emergency blood shortage, every donation counts. “We’re excited to celebrate all blood donors who make that first appointment of the new year during National Blood Donor Month in January. Donors of all blood types, especially type O and platelet donors, are needed daily to maintain an adequate blood supply for patients,” said Mike Doria, communications manager, Vitalant Nevada.
Donors who give during the community blood drive at JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa will receive:
- A chance to win one of 24, $500 gift cards as part of their vitalant.org/24giveaway.
- One 50%-off voucher to the Market Place Buffet at Rampart Casino for lunch, brunch or dinner.
Donors who wish to attend the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort community blood drive can make an appointment by visiting vitalant.org/jw-Marriott or by using the drive code L1973 in the Vitalant app at vitalant.org or when calling 877-25-VITAL (84825).
ABOUT JW MARRIOTT LAS VEGAS RESORT & SPA
The JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa offers world-class luxury just 20 minutes northwest of the famous Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas resort is accessible to Las Vegas Speedway, TPC Las Vegas and a number of other golf courses. The JW Marriott features 548 well-appointed guest rooms and suites set amid 54 acres of lush gardens. The destination was recently voted as one of the “Top 5 Las Vegas Resorts” by readers of Condé Nast Traveler and recognized as a “Top-Performing Business” on TripAdvisor for ranking in the top 10% of businesses worldwide for traveler feedback. The Las Vegas resort also includes a full-service spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, 35 meeting rooms with 110,000 square feet of flexible space, the on-site Rampart Casino and eight restaurants serving American, Italian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines. For information, visit www.marriott.com/LASJW. Stay up to date with the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Marriott and the JW Marriott system are not associated with any part of The Resort at Summerlin (the “Resort”) other than the JW Marriott Las Vegas hotel (the “Hotel”) at the Resort. The Casino is not part of the Hotel and is not part of the JW Marriott system.
ABOUT JW MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to sophisticated, self-assured travelers seeking The JW Treatment™ – the brand’s philosophy that true luxury is created by people who are passionate about what they do. JW hotels offer crafted experiences that bring to life the brand’s commitment to highly choreographed, anticipatory service and modern residential design, allowing guests to pursue their passions and leave even more fulfilled than when they arrived. Today there are 80 JW Marriott hotels in nearly 30 countries and territories. JW Marriott is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. -
MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival Debuts Brayden Pierce’s “Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)” and Stellar DJ Performances by Knoll Doll, Matt Caines, Dude Skywalker, and More!
MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival made waves during Art Basel with an “out of this world” lineup, featuring the global premiere of Brayden Pierce‘s “Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)” and performances by renowned DJs like Knoll Doll, Matt Caines, Dude Skywalker, and DJ UZO. Held at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in Miami Beach, it was a high-energy celebration marking the launch of the moon’s first lunar art museum into outer space in 2024!
The festival wasn’t just about beats—it was a unique fusion of art, music, fashion, and space exploration, in collaboration with NRVLD. Attendees enjoyed immersive art experiences, a soothing sound bath, live paintings, and more, making it a one-of-a-kind event that left everyone stoked for the next cosmic adventure.
DJ Knoll Doll performing at MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival held at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel during Art Basel in Miami Beach.
(Photo Credit: MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival)
DJ Matt Caines performing at MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival held at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel during Art Basel in Miami Beach.
(Photo Credit: MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival)
Brayden Pierce debuting his global premiere of “Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)” at MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival held at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel during Art Basel in Miami Beach.
(Photo Credit: MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival).
DJ Dude Skywalker performing at MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival held at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel during Art Basel in Miami Beach.
(Photo Credit: MOOON.PARTY Music and Art Festival).
-
Happy New Year of 2024!
