New owners of Eclectic Clay make it a family affair

by Becky Bosshart

Staff Writer

Joy Hartman, 30, is starting a new page in her life.

Instead of working part-time as a waitress and taking care of her two children, 4-year-old Amanda and 1-year-old Emma, at home, she's bringing her kids into the business.

And the business works for kids.

Hartman, a 14-year Carson City resident, bought Eclectic Clay, 328 E. Winnie Lane, on June 18 from Meadow Massey, who opened the shop about three years ago.

"Amanda has probably done 12," she said. "Amanda thinks she owns the place. She's the first one you see usually when you walk in."

Because her children are so important to her, Hartman will soon begin offering events just for them. And because this first-time business owner knows what it's like to want to have a night out on the town with her husband, Rob, these events are geared toward parents who want to drop the kids off and go to the movies.

Paint Me a Story begins Oct. 4 and it's for children aged 2 to 5. Every Tuesday morning Hartman will read a story to the children and then they will paint a character from the story. The cost is $10 per child.

"The first one we're going to do is 'The Kissing Hand,' and we're going to do a hand print plate."

For the shop's calendar of events visit www.eclecticclay.com. The store is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Call 841-7044 for information.

"When I mentioned (buying the studio) to my husband he got really excited about it. He's here just as much as me, even though he works and goes to school full-time."

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) named Gary Selesner as president of Caesars Palace.

A 21-year veteran of the gaming industry, Selesner had served as Caesars Palace's general manager. Selesner will have responsibility for the property's day-to-day operations and report to Tom Jenkin, president of Harrah's Western Division.

"Gary has had a distinguished career, including leadership positions for a broad range of markets, properties and brands," Jenkin said. "His expertise with diverse brands, entertainment and marketing will be particularly important to us at Caesars Palace, one of the best-known luxury brands in the gaming industry."

Severin "Sev" A. Carlson, a graduate of Bishop Manogue High School, joined Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw, and is an associate in the Nevada law firm.

Carlson is a litigator who also has experience with state government and construction law. He will be working in Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw's Reno office, which opened last year on South Virginia Street in the South Meadows area. The office concentrates on serving the business community, working to provide legal representation for business customers statewide.

Prior to joining Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw, Carlson practiced law in Salem, Ore., and clerked for a law firm in Carson City. He is a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the Oregon State Bar Association. He also holds a certificate in Chinese law from East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai.

Born in Carson City, Carlson received a degree in political science from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. He went on to earn his law degree from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Ore.

Anthony L. Hall joined the statewide law firm of Hale Lane as a shareholder, focusing his practice on labor and employment law as well as workers' compensation issues. As a member of the firm's litigation practice group, Hall will provide defense and extensive preventative counseling to clients in all areas of labor and employment law.

"Hale Lane is always looking to expand our depth and increase our resources for our clients," said Tim Lukas, managing shareholder of Hale Lane. "Anthony brings a comprehensive body of knowledge to our employment law team which will truly benefit the firm and broaden our realm of solutions."

Most taxpayers already have filed their tax year 2004 federal income tax returns. But for about 81,000 Nevadans who opted for the four-month automatic extension of time to file, the deadline is Monday.

The IRS reminds extension filers that e-filing remains available. To e-file, taxpayers can opt to purchase tax preparation software, use the Free-file program through www.irs.gov or file electronically through an authorized e-file provider.

"Filing electronically offers a lot of convenience and saves time." said IRS spokesman Raphael Tulino. "It's safe, accurate and there are fewer errors. Taxpayers also get their refunds in less than half the time of paper returns."

Taxpayers who are unable to meet next week's deadline may seek an additional two-month extension.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.