Peace Officer's Memorial Day

Friday, May 07, 2010

Law Enforcement Officers across the United States will be honored on Saturday, May 15, (Peace Officer’s Memorial Day).

The week of May 9-15, (National Police Week) will honor and remember law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In Washington D.C., numerous events are scheduled beginning on Tuesday (May 4) and continuing until the close of the ceremony on Saturday (May 15). The events include; a Law ride, Candlelight Vigil, National Police Survivors’ Seminars, Awards Ceremonies, Honor Guard Competition and the Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Services.

In 1962, a Congressional resolution was approved authorizing and requesting President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1994, President Clinton signed a law requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on this day as a tribute to the law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The law directs flags be flown at half-staff at public buildings and/or private residences on Peace Officer Memorial Day.

Members of the Mesquite Police Department will be wearing a band over their badge on May 15, symbolizing their fallen brothers & sisters. A blue ribbon campaign, sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) will be available at the Mesquite Police Department. Citizens are encouraged to tie the ribbon to their car antenna to act as a reminder of law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Desert Tortoise

Like many desert creatures, desert tortoises spend most of their lives "holed up." In spring and summer, they roam grazing on grasses and wildflowers, then head for their burrows when it gets too hot. In fall and winter, when it is cold and there is not much to eat, they stay burrowed in for six months or more at a time.

If you see a desert tortoise, you are seeing an endangered species. Please watch out for them on the roads. Tortoises live in washes and valleys where the soil is soft enough for them to burrow into, yet stable enough so they do not collapse. Remember, desert tortoises are protected under the Endangered Species Act and may not be handled or removed.

Golf in the Desert

The city of Mesquite combines calm, small-town flavour with big-city attractions and championship golf. The Palms and the Oasis Golf Clubs are only two of the half-dozen challenging courses in the area.

Golf Highlights in Mesquite

Golf built on the dramatic Virgin Foothills of Nevada makes for a unique landscape and golf setting.
Enjoy a spa treatment at the Spa at Casablanca or the Spa at the Oasis.
Mesquite serves as a gateway to the national parks of Southern Utah and Zion National Park, which is less than two hours away.

View more information about golf courses in Mesquite

The Speedy RoadRunner

Called paisano in Mexico, the roadrunner is a well-known desert resident that only superficially resembles its popular cartoon portrayal. The greater roadrunner has adapted to life on the run. Though it can fly well, it prefers to use its strong legs and X- shaped toes to run rapidly over the desert landscape. Active predators, roadrunners aggressively chase insects, lizards, snakes, small birds and mammals.

Tolerant of humans, they sometimes nest in protected eaves and garages when they are not building large stick nests in desert trees. Their vocalizations include bill clicking noises and a mournful cooing made during breeding seasons. They do not meep-meep.