LITERARY LAS VEGAS VIEW CAPTION CONTESTPATRIOTIC SPIRIT

"Attached is a photo we took with the flag you sent us," wrote Capt. Casey Harsh from Iraq about the Nevada state flag requested of Gov. Jim Gibbons? office. "The photo was taken on the south bank of the Euphrates River on Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq. The Marines surrounding the flag from bottom left are: Lance Cpl. Stewart Carboni, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines from Mesquite; Pfc. Walter McEuen, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from Las Vegas; Lance Cpl. Jeremy Lechuga, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from Sun Valley; Sgt. Travis Johnson, Kilo Battery, 3d Battalion, 11th Marines from Elko; Pvt. Julian Criales, H&S Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines from Las Vegas; Sgt. Pedro Gutierrez, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from Carson City; Cpl. Trevor Hanrion, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from Reno; Sgt. Jonathan Duncan, Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from Las Vegas; and Capt. Casey Harsh, Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from Reno. It snowed a little bit here this morning. Didn?t stick, of course, but it snowed in Iraq." Advertisement

Carla Jo Masterson branches out beyond the bookstores to distribute her children's picture book "What's On the Other Side of the Rainbow? The Secret of the Golden Mirror." The Las Vegas resident, whose background is in vocal performance, estimates she has had more than 170 book signings, but most of them haven't been in libraries or bookstores. Instead, she's reached out directly to readers in elementary and preschools.

Masterson's message, illustrated by artist Omra Jo Fochtman, is all about emotional expression. Within the book's text, Mr. Positively takes children on a trip through the colors of the rainbow, each tied to an emotion. Along the way, he encourages children to express their feelings appropriately.

For information on Masterson's upcoming appearances, visit www.harmonysoup.com.

Send to:

View Caption Contest, View Neighborhood Newspapers, 1111 W. Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, NV 89106

Name ____________________________________________

Address __________________________________________

_________________________________________________

City ______________________ State _____ ZIP _________

Phone ___________________________________________

E-mail ___________________________________________

"______________________________ _____________________________________________________________"

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Entries are limited to five per person and must be postmarked by Thursday. Look for the winning caption in the Feb. 5 editions.

WRITE THE WINNING CAPTION FOR THE CARTOON BELOW AND WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF "THE REIGN OF SIR OSCAR" BY LAS VEGAS ARTIST MIKE MILLER.