The Best Dam Podcast

Jill Lagan
  • 4.6 (7)
  • Arts
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Best Dam Podcast is your resource for discovering business, adventure tourism, and Boulder City living. As the home of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, we want to invite all who will listen to come Discover, Explore, and Unwind. 

  1. Crushing Chaos: From Event Planning to Empowering Homeschool Families with Holly Wittwer

    54m ago

    Crushing Chaos: From Event Planning to Empowering Homeschool Families with Holly Wittwer

    In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Holly Wittwer, the mastermind behind Events with Holly and the newly launched Home Educated Foundation. Together, they pull back the curtain on the invisible art of event planning and explore how a local need sprouted a rapidly growing national initiative to support homeschool families. The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of wedding and festival logistics—from managing over-the-top family emotions to handling wild day-of emergencies like car pile-ups, casino drama, and unexpected event crashers. Holly also breaks down the rapid growth of her non-profit foundation, sharing how she balances her strict Type-A personality, her thriving businesses, and homeschooling her three energetic young boys right here in Boulder City. DISCUSSION The Invisible Talent of Event Planning: A great event coordinator works completely behind the scenes so the client never notices a single problem. Holly reveals that she often acts as a day-of counselor or therapist to ground stressed-out brides and families so they can actually enjoy their big day. A Sudden Homeschool Pivot: After traveling to a massive multi-day homeschool convention in Arizona, Holly immediately realized she had the exact skill set needed to bring a similar, high-quality educational resource hub to Nevada families.Launching the Home Educated Foundation: Now in its third year, the convention has morphed into a full-scale non-profit foundation. The initiative features a digital and physical magazine with youth-authored articles, a nationwide podcast, and financial scholarships to help underprivileged families purchase curriculum.Local Micro-Schools and Collaboration: Holly emphasizes that homeschooling isn't for everyone, but options are exploding locally. She collaborates with local spaces like Grace Christian Church and Burning Bush to offer thriving drop-off classes, including chess and photography clubs.The Entrepreneurial Balancing Act: Transitioning to working for herself has unlocked immense creative freedom, allowing Holly to wake up with dozens of new ideas every night. She maintains healthy personal boundaries by strictly homeschooling her kids in the morning and tackling work in the afternoon.Handling Extreme Day-of Emergencies: From a 10-car freeway pile-up delaying every vendor by two hours to wild off-site casino drama during her first convention, Holly keeps a cool head by reminding her team: "Unless the building is on fire, it's not an emergency."Harnessing Teen Energy: Holly loves hiring local middle and high school students to assist with event day logistics. Giving local youth a chance to rise to the occasion provides them with high wages, great experience, and solid recommendation letters.The"Dating Convention" Crasher: Holly shares a hilarious, memorable story from her first homeschool convention where a solo male attendee crashed the event, recorded families without permission, and tried giving Holly's husband dating advice before being escorted out by security.Leaning into Type-A Strengths: While Holly used to criticize herself for being a "control freak," she has fully embraced it. She points out that a hyper-organized, Type-A personality is exactly who you want managing the complex moving parts of a wedding or festival.An Event Planner's Secret Confession: In a surprising twist, Holly admits that she actually dislikes attending events that she isn't running. On a Friday night, she would much rather be snuggled on the couch with her kids and a good book.A Hyper-Active Nightstand: Holly is a self-proclaimed voracious reader who cycles through up to 10 books at once. Her current rotation ranges from business classics like Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership to deep fictional fantasies like Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive, and even reading The Iliad and The Odyssey with her kids.The Unbeatable Value of the Chamber: Holly Credits the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce as an instrumental force in building her business. She fiercely defends the value of a Chamber membership online, viewing it as essential marketing, networking, and a vital community resource.LEARN MORE Events with Holly: Keep up with Holly’s local Boulder City wedding and festival coordination by connecting with local businesses like Village Floral House and Twist and Shout DJ. https://eventswithholly.com.The Home Educated Foundation: Look up the foundation’s official launch materials online to find step-by-step guides on homeschool paperwork, daily family rhythms, and upcoming curriculum scholarship applications.Business Leadership Resources: Pick up a copy of EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey to explore the delegation and team-training philosophies Holly utilizes to scale her operations.Boulder City Chamber of Commerce: Head over to Chamber website or stop in to chat with Jill and her team to find out how local business owners can utilize Chamber resources to market their next big community initiative. https://www.bouldercitychamber.com.KEYWORDS Holly Wittwer, Events with Holly, Event Planning, Youth Entrepreneurship, Home Educated Foundation, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce #HollyWittwer #EventswithHolly #EventPlanning #YouthEntrepreneurship #HomeEducatedFoundation #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCity

    33 min
  2. Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part II

    6d ago

    Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part II

    Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part II with Brynn Delormier, Kendra Dyson, and Fred Boltz  - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Boulder City advocates and local community members Brynn Delormier, Kendra Dyson, and Fred Boltz to pull back the curtain on a massive, fast-tracked tech proposal. Together, they break down the critical issues surrounding a proposed 300-megawatt data center and explain why 93% of surveyed residents are firmly opposed to its development. The guests explore the deep financial, infrastructural, and environmental risks associated with the project—ranging from doubled utility bills seen in other rural American towns to the toxic chemicals needed to run massive industrial cooling systems. With a strict timeline advancing toward a final city council decision, this episode provides a vital, detailed look at the public pushback, the discrepancies in the developer's application, and how local citizens can use their voices to protect Boulder City's precious natural resources. DISCUSSION The Swift Public Pushback: When the data center option was presented at a city council meeting to bridge a budget shortfall, local social media pushback was immediate and vehemently opposed.A Warning from Rural America: Brynn shares that her mother’s utility bills doubled in rural North Carolina after a data center was implemented in her small town.Lessons from Local History: Kendra recalls growing up in downtown Henderson and details why trusting corporate promises can lead to long-term health and environmental damage, such as contaminated soil and air.The Two Ballot "Boxes": The discussion clarifies that the immediate Townsite Solar lease amendment is moving forward at warp speed independently of the future data center restriction question on the November ballot.Developer Red Flags: Proponents of the project are investment-type professionals with zero actual experience running an operational data center, creating a lack of public confidence.City Spending vs. Income: Fred emphasizes that the city has a spending problem rather than an income problem, highlighting multi-million dollar outlays on an elaborate swimming pool and a railroad museum.Grid and Spot Market Competition: A 300-megawatt data center would directly compete with Boulder City’s 55-megawatt peak summer load on the wholesale power spot market, potentially skyrocketing local utility rates.The Hoover Dam Trap: Under federal agreements, Boulder City ratepayers remain on the hook for dam operations and maintenance costs even if Colorado River water levels decline and power production stops.Application Inconsistencies: The developer's proposal contains severe mathematical errors and explicitly lists banned evaporative cooling methods across multiple pages of the planning commission agenda packet.A Toxic Chemical Brew: Running the proposed closed-loop cooling system requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of water mixed with rust inhibitors, propylene glycol, and other hazardous compounds.Demanding Performance Bonds: Due to the environmental risks of wastewater remediation and the potential for corporate bankruptcy, residents are calling for massive performance bonds.Citizens Initiative Petitions: Community members are actively gathering 1,700 local signatures by June 25th for three citizens' initiatives focused on restoring fiscal responsibility and public oversight.LEARN MORE Boulder City Power Sources: Google the official "Power Source" page on bcnv.org to see the monthly breakdown of where the city buys its wholesale energy.Water Conservation and the Colorado River: Read up on current Colorado River shortages and drought forecasts by checking out the recent interviews published by the Glen Canyon Institute.Boulder City Citizens Initiative: Reach out to local organizers Brynn, Fred, or Kendra to find out where to sign the three fiscal responsibility petitions before the June 25th deadline.Closed-Loop Cooling System Discharges:  This resource provides a brief explanation of Closed-Loop Cooling System Dischardges - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fp0shgbge685jzg830ueh/Closed-Loop-Cooling-System-Discharges.pdf?rlkey=ugvfu1ls4bsjtdnzetviwyu3c&st=k1efv53c&dl=0Linktr.ee to NO Data Center in BC Resources - https://linktr.ee/nodatacentersbc KEYWORDS Brynn Delormier, Kendra Dyson, Fred Boltz, Data Centers, Boulder City, The Best Dam Podcast, Townsite Solar, Colorado River, Water Conservation, Wholesale Power, Spot Market, Environmental Impact Assessment, Budget Shortfall, Citizens Initiative #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCity #DataCenterDebate #ColoradoRiver #WaterConservation #SmallTownAmerica #FiscalResponsibility #CommunityVoice

    1h 4m
  3. Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part I

    Jun 2

    Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part I

    Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part I with Ned Thomas - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Ned Thomas, the City Manager of Boulder City, to discuss the ongoing community conversations surrounding data centers. Moving past the rumors, Ned pulls back the curtain on the multi-step "gatekeeping" process of land management, the reality of local control versus federal intervention, and what a potential data center could actually mean for the community. Ned explores the complex nature of modern high-tech infrastructure, highlighting how the city evaluates potential land uses while balancing economic diversification with the protection of Boulder City's historic, small-town character. With a focus on transparent municipal processes, professional due diligence, and strict regulatory standards, Ned provides an insightful look at the dedication required to ensure community assets are maximized for the direct benefit of local residents and utility ratepayers. DISCUSSION The Multi-Step Gatekeeping Process: Ned emphasizes that a data center is far from a "done deal," explaining that the city's unique Land Management Process requires multiple public hearings before the planning commission and city council just to place the land use on a potential list.Local Landlord Control vs. Federal Intervention: If a data center is built on city-owned property, Boulder City dictates the parameters, design, and operator; if rejected, the developer has indicated they may move the project to neighboring federal BLM land, stripping the city of local oversight and lease revenue.The Reality of the Skyler Lease Option: The applicant currently holds a lease option strictly for battery storage and solar on an 88-acre site. To build a data center, they would have to let that option expire and restart a highly competitive public bidding process.Grid Isolation and Ratepayer Protection: Unlike issues seen in other national markets, the proposed data center would be completely isolated from the local Boulder City power grid, purchasing its power independently from separate transmission sources.The Financial Benefit of Wheeling Charges: Because the project sits within city utility territory, the city can apply a "wheeling charge" meter to their power transmission, generating revenue that directly funds and benefits local utility ratepayers.Environmental & Tech Adaptations in the Desert: Ned addresses key environmental anxieties by noting that modern data centers use advanced, water-efficient cooling technologies that differ significantly from older, high-consumption infrastructure.Lessons from the El Dorado Valley Battery Fire: Following a recent incident, Ned highlights how the city's proactive "tabletop exercises" prepared the fire department, while subsequent debriefs have improved future roadway access and emergency signage.The November Ballot Question Demystified: Ned clarifies that the upcoming November vote is separate from the current 88-acre Townsite Two discussion; it asks voters whether the city should explore future data center diversification in the distinct El Dorado Valley Transfer Area.Sanctity of the Conservation Easement: The discussion reinforces that the 87,000-acre multi-species habitat conservation easement remains completely protected and untouched by any future energy or data center developments.LEARN MORE City of Boulder City Official Website: The primary portal for residents to access official data center information, municipal codes, land management maps, and upcoming public hearing agendas. https://www.bcnv.org/1170/Data-CentersThe Land Management Process: Information regarding the specific regulatory "gates," zoning text amendments, and public bidding procedures required for new land use approvals in Boulder City.El Dorado Valley Transfer Area Map: A visual breakdown available via city resources detailing the distinct boundaries between energy zones, the dry lake bed, and the protected desert tortoise conservation easement.Supplemental Resource: This resource was created to deepen your knowledge of the Data Center Debate, both nationall, in Nevada, and specificially, in Boulder City - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yrwaeiofl3knjtrmc2cvc/Data-Centers-in-Boulder-City-NV.pdf?rlkey=kyy2cvatvc9erf1brfg02h36j&st=7gefy2kq&dl=0KEYWORDS Ned Thomas, Boulder City, Data Centers, The Best Dam Podcast, Land Management Process, Local Control, Grid Isolation, Wheeling Charge, El Dorado Valley Transfer Area, Battery Storage, Solar Energy, Bureau of Land Management  #NedThomas #BoulderCity #DataCenters #TheBestDamPodcast #LocalGovernment #LandManagement #UtilityRates #ElDoradoValley

    55 min
  4. Boulder City Critter Sitter - Professionalizing Pet Services in Boulder City

    May 12

    Boulder City Critter Sitter - Professionalizing Pet Services in Boulder City

    Boulder City Critter Sitter - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Michelle Carroll, the founder of Critter Sitter LLC, to discuss the impressive growth of her professional pet care business. From starting as a solo entrepreneur to managing a team of four independent contractors, Michelle shares how her passion for animals has evolved into an essential service for Boulder City and Henderson. Michelle explores the comprehensive nature of modern pet sitting, highlighting her transition from a 20-year corporate career to a "soul-singing" vocation dedicated to the well-being of "babies" with fur, scales, and fins. With a focus on professional standards, including being licensed, insured, and certified in Pet CPR, Michelle provides an insightful look at the dedication required to ensure community pets are safe, stimulated, and loved. DISCUSSION Entrepreneurial Expansion: Michelle has grown her business over the last year and a half and now manages four independent contractors serving Boulder City and Henderson.The Ideal Sitter: Michelle seeks mature, reliable individuals, often retirees, who have a lifelong history with animals and the flexibility to perform overnight stays.Unique Animal Care: Beyond dogs and cats, Michelle cares for a wide variety of "critters," including axolotls that must be separated during feeding and a large fish that requires hand-feeding.Mental vs. Physical Stimulation: The discussion emphasizes that pets need more than just a backyard; they require mental engagement through scent games and sensory experiences during walks.Critter Cab Services: Michelle provides transportation for pets to reach vet appointments, groomers, or the dog park, offering a vital resource for seniors and busy families.Pet CPR and First Aid Training: Starting in May, Michelle will offer five-hour certification courses at the Senior Center to teach pet parents how to handle emergencies like seizures, poisoning, and heat stroke.Wag Walks Tradition: Inspired by local Wine Walks, Michelle organizes community "Wag Walks" to encourage social exercise for dogs and their owners.Professional Standards: Michelle differentiates her business by ensuring all sitters are certified in Pet CPR and First Aid, are fully insured and bonded, and are vetted.LEARN MORE Boulder City Critter Sitter LLC: The primary professional pet service provider offering customized in-home care, check-ins, and medical administration. bouldercitycrittersitter.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bouldercitycrittersitterPet CPR Certification: Information on upcoming classes at the Boulder City Senior Center, with special discounts available for Senior Center members.Wag Walkers & Animal Lovers Group: A Facebook community where residents can find updated times and locations for local group dog walks.KEYWORDS Michelle Carroll, Critter Sitter LLC, Pet CPR, Boulder City, Henderson, The Best Dam Podcast, Jill Lagan, Pet First Aid, Animal Welfare, Entrepreneurship, Critter Cab #MichelleCarroll #CritterSitterLLC #PetCPR #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCity #PetCare #SmallBusiness #WagWalk

    30 min
  5. Boulder City Hospital Foundation: Art, Galas, and Funding Life-Saving Care

    May 5

    Boulder City Hospital Foundation: Art, Galas, and Funding Life-Saving Care

    In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Leslie Woodbury, the Director of the Boulder City Hospital Foundation, to discuss the vital role the foundation plays in maintaining local healthcare. From its historic roots established by Sarah Denton in the 1960s to its modern-day impact, Leslie shares how community-driven fundraising ensures Boulder City keeps its hospital. Leslie explores the deep connection between the town and its medical facility, highlighting how events like Art in the Park have become part of the city’s identity while raising millions for life-saving equipment. With a year of leadership under her belt and a personal history tied to the hospital’s emergency services, Leslie provides a heartfelt look at the volunteers, staff, and generosity that keep the heart of the community beating. DISCUSSION The Foundation's Purpose: Leslie explains that the foundation serves to remind the community why a local hospital is essential and raises the necessary funds to keep it operational.Art in the Park Legacy: Approaching its 60th year, this iconic October event serves as a pure fundraiser, with every dollar raised going directly toward hospital needs.Funding Life-Saving Care: The foundation has raised multiple millions of dollars to purchase critical items including ER ultrasound machines, patient lifts, lab equipment, and blanket warmers.A"High Tolerance for Chaos": Leslie shares a glimpse into her personal life, raising seven children and coming from a background in elementary education before transitioning to her role at the foundation.Clarifying Hospital Services: Leslie addresses recent changes, noting that while inpatient care is closing, the facility remains a "rural emergency hospital" providing ER services, primary care, surgery, and long-term care.Community Resource Officer: The discussion highlights the continued funding for the Community Resources Officer position, an essential asset for residents navigating healthcare and support needs.The Return of a Tradition: A look ahead to November 7th, when the foundation will bring back the Christmas tree and wreath auction at the Boulder City Hotel.A Family of Entrepreneurs: Leslie recounts the nerve-wracking but successful journey of her son, Joseph, who left a dream job to start the global storage company, Neighbor.LEARN MORE Boulder City Hospital Foundation: The primary organization dedicated to supporting the non-profit Boulder City Hospital through community events and donations. https://bchcares.org/foundation/Upcoming Events: Information on the annual Heart of the Community Gala held in February and the legendary Art in the Park festival held every October.Volunteer Opportunities: Those interested in helping can connect with the foundation to join the 200+ volunteers who make community events possible.KEYWORDS Leslie Woodbury, Boulder City Hospital Foundation, Art in the Park, Boulder City Hospital, The Best Dam Podcast, Jill Lagan, Community Fundraising, Healthcare Resilience #LeslieWoodbury #BoulderCityHospital #ArtInThePark #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCity #CommunitySupport #HealthcareFoundations

    32 min
  6. Lady Lux Cleaning: Workforce Development, Second Chances, and Clean Spaces

    Apr 28

    Lady Lux Cleaning: Workforce Development, Second Chances, and Clean Spaces

    In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Celeste Interrante, the founder of Lady Lux Cleaning, a woman-owned business in Nevada built on the pillars of sustainability, non-toxic standards, and a radical commitment to second-chance hiring. Celeste shares her journey from being a construction pro and landscape contractor to applying for 500 jobs and being rejected by nearly everyone—a challenge that fueled her to build her own empire. Celeste explores the heart of her mission, redefining her business as a "workforce development company that cleans spaces." From mentoring individuals through programs like "Hope for Prisoners" to navigating the complexities of government certifications (DBE), this episode highlights the importance of balancing high-end excellence with deep personal empathy and a commitment to seeing others succeed. DISCUSSION Workforce Development: Celeste views her company as a vehicle for personal growth, helping second-chance hires transition from the bus to owning vehicles and leading others.The"Enough" Realization: A deep dive into Celeste's philosophy that being comfortable in your own skin allows you to handle the judgments and opinions of the outside world.Non-Toxic Standards: Why providing an alternative to everyday cleaning products is essential for clients with allergies or adverse reactions.The Construction Connection: How Celeste’s background in framing, plumbing, and electrical work gives her a unique edge in managing post-construction cleanups.Cooperation Over Competition: An exploration of how Boulder City business owners support each other through masterminds and mutual referrals.Certification Advocacy: A look at the DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) program and the new requirements for personal narratives to ensure system integrity.LEARN MORE Lady Lux Cleaning Co: Offering refined, non-toxic residential, commercial, and construction cleaning services. https://www.ladyluxcleaningco.com/Second Chance Hiring: Learn about Celeste's work with programs like Hope for Prisoners to provide "a hand up" to those re-entering the workforce.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyluxcleaningInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ladyluxcleaningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ladyluxcleaningKEYWORDS Celeste Interrante, Lady Lux Cleaning, Second Chance Hiring, Non-Toxic Cleaning, DBE Certification, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce Podcast Interview #CelesteInterrante #LadyLuxCleaning #SecondChanceHiring #WorkforceDevelopment #BoulderCity #WomenInBusiness #TheBestDamPodcast #PodcastInterview

    42 min
  7. The Man Behind the Machine: Fortune Tellers, Slot Machines, and Animatronics

    Apr 21

    The Man Behind the Machine: Fortune Tellers, Slot Machines, and Animatronics

    In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Olaf Stanton, the founder of Characters Unlimited, to discuss his 40-year journey as the creative force behind some of the world's most iconic animatronic figures. From his early days selling life-sized characters out of a van to trademarking the world-famous Zoltar, Olaf shares how his passion for making "dummies" evolved into an international business that turns local storefronts into major attractions. Olaf explores the evolution of his craft, from traditional wood-carved looks to complex talking and moving figures that have become staples in restaurants, museums, and casinos worldwide. With deep roots in Boulder City and a business that survived a devastating fire, this episode highlights the resilience of a family-run enterprise and the whimsical spirit required to bring characters like pirates, cowboys, and fortune tellers to life. DISCUSSION The"House That Dummies Built": Olaf reflects on his 1986 start in a duplex garage, where he and his wife Krishun built their first characters and traveled for weeks at a time to sell them across the country.The Zoltar Legacy: The story of how Olaf trademarked the "Zoltar" name in 2006—nearly 20 years after the movie Big made the character famous—securing his place as the official home of the legendary fortune teller.Attraction-Based Marketing: Olaf explains why life-sized, animated characters are a vital investment for small businesses, serving as memory makers and "crowd-pullers" for locations ranging from the Southwest Diner to international gift shops.The Casino Connection: A look into the expansion of the brand into the gaming world, including Zoltar-themed slot machines and scratch-off lottery tickets that bring the character's "whimsical future" to the casino floor.High-Stakes Deliveries: Olaf recounts hilarious and stressful moments on the road, including being pulled over by the Border Patrol under suspicion of hauling illegal aliens and a helicopter chase involving a "hostage situation" that was actually just a bubble-wrapped mannequin.Resilience After the Fire: A discussion on the 2022 shop fire that forced a total remodel and a "cleansing process" for the business, which Olaf credits as a reset that allowed his children to help take the company to the next level.Immortalized in Detail: A fascinating look at the craftsmanship behind the figures, including the fact that every talking character features a mold of Olaf’s own upper teeth.LEARN MORE Characters Unlimited: https://www.charactersunlimited.com/ The official home of Zoltar and a premier creator of life-sized animatronic characters for over three decades.The Home of Zoltar: Located in Boulder City, Nevada, the shop features a "swag room" with hats, t-shirts, and even Zoltar-branded wine, where the label peels off to reveal a fortune.Products & Customization: Specialized in custom likenesses (including deceased relatives), talking fortune tellers, love testers, and classic Western and pirate-themed animatronics.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoltarOfficial/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charactersunlimited/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/charactersunlimited1KEYWORDS Olaf Stanton, Zoltar, Characters Unlimited, Animatronics, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce #OlafStanton #Zoltar #CharactersUnlimited #Animatronics #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce

    33 min
  8. Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The 60-Year Legacy of Emergency Aid of Boulder City

    Apr 14

    Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The 60-Year Legacy of Emergency Aid of Boulder City

    In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Kathleen Morris and Mary Ralph, the current and past presidents of Emergency Aid of Boulder City (EABC). They explore the 60-year history of this vital volunteer-led organization and its mission to provide a safety net for residents facing food insecurity and financial crises. From its humble beginnings during the construction of the Hoover Dam to its modern-day role as a cornerstone of community support, Kathleen and Mary share the heart and logistics behind "neighbors helping neighbors". DISCUSSION The Dam Era Origins: The organization traces its roots back to the construction of the Hoover Dam, when workers shared food during a brief strike; this eventually morphed into a formal charity incorporated in March 1966.Preventing Crisis: The EABC mission focuses on providing emergency rent and utility assistance to prevent residents from becoming unhoused and on intervening before a situation escalates into a full-blown crisis.The Client-Choice Pantry: Unlike many regional food banks, EABC operates a "client-choice" pantry, allowing residents to pick their own groceries weekly rather than receiving a pre-packed monthly box.Economic Pressures: Kathleen discusses the recent challenges of lower grant funding and rising food costs, noting that the organization has had to begin purchasing meat and staples that were previously provided by government programs.The Growing Senior Need: While general assistance numbers have fluctuated, the organization is seeing a significant increase in seniors on fixed incomes who rely on the pantry for easy-to-prepare meals.High-Impact Volunteering: Operating with nearly 150 volunteers during peak seasons and only one part-time paid employee, the organization ensures that donations stay in Boulder City to support local programs.Fundraising Innovation: The 2023 Gala featured a "cash call" that raised over $58,000, specifically funding new industrial freezers and refrigerators to handle massive food donations.LEARN MORE Emergency Aid of Boulder City: Located at 600 Nevada Way in the Department of Water and Power building.Pantry Hours: Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM.Assistance Services: The intake office for rent and utility help is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.Community Events: EABC organizes "Boulder City Angels" at Christmas to provide gifts for children and seniors, as well as annual back-to-school drives.Donation Opportunities: Local residents can support the mission through the annual Postal Food Drive, Albertsons gift card donations, or by dropping off food at the back gate during operating hours.Website: https://www.eabcnv.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCNVEmergencyAidInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eabcnv/KEYWORDS Emergency Aid of Boulder City, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce Podcast Interview  #EmergencyAidofBoulderCity #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce #PodcastInterview

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Best Dam Podcast is your resource for discovering business, adventure tourism, and Boulder City living. As the home of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, we want to invite all who will listen to come Discover, Explore, and Unwind. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jill Lagan
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Best Dam Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Best Dam Podcast