Kevin Janison, author of "Deputy Dorkface - How Stinkville Got Cleaned Up," is just one of the 20 authors slated to appear at the second annual Pahrump Community Library's Author Extravaganza March 29. Janison is an award-winning weatherman in addition to being very involved in the Las Vegas community.

He has been named "Humanitarian of the Year," "Citizen of Distinction," National Weather Association Broadcaster of the Year and last year received his fifth Emmy nomination for his on-air work.

He was instrumental in establishing the Neighborhood Weather Network which brought weather stations to more than 100 schools in Southern Nevada including our own Rosemary Clarke Middle school. He enjoys chasing tornadoes throughout the Great Plains.

Janison makes 110 school visits per year giving presentations on weather and reading. He is an advocate of the D.A.R.E. program, as well as childhood literacy, which prompted his first venture into writing a children's book based on a bedtime story that Janison told his two children (Taylor and Colin) about a town where nobody takes a bath.

"I would tell my kids the story to make them laugh. They really looked forward to it," he said. He incorporated his kids into the story, as they are on a journey looking for adventure when they stumble onto the town of Stinkville.

They are intrigued by the Stinkville Stink-O-Meter warning sign that declares conditions to be at "High Stink Danger -- Stay Out!" Deputy Dorkface is convinced the town's water is toxic, unfit even for bathing.

One whiff of the stench convinces the children to take the law into their own lassos. They won't rest until every man, woman, child, horse and hamster can call out "Hot-diggity-dog -- I'm clean."

His dedication to children is evident in a recent comment, "The needs in our community are so great, especially when it comes to children," he said. His wife Terri and he support local organizations centered around helping children and women.

Eldon Doty created the illustrations for Janison's book. Doty has illustrated textbooks and other children's books, as well as doing humorous drawings for several national corporate clients.

Another first-time author calls the Vegas valley home but has roots here in Pahrump.

Jill Po has a sister who owns and operates Windsor's Thrift store on Charleston Park and has assisted her in its operation.

Po has worn many hats; college graduate, mother, realtor, entrepreneur, business owner and writer. Her book, "I Can Relate Can You," is a series of free verse poetry dealing with many aspects of daily life. Jill Po described herself as a "workaholic," and her free time is spent caring for her three children and squeezing in writing as the urge to release becomes overwhelming.

In reviewing her book, I found it, at times, very disturbing as Po shares her innermost feelings on rape, spousal abuse, suicide and coping with life in general.

As I read her book I found myself constantly turning back to the cover and wondering how such a beautiful young lady has suffered so much tragedy in her life, and I pointed this out to her in a conversation. But her introduction states, "These poems are about life experiences I have either directly or indirectly faced and wanted to share them with you."

If free verse weren't unique enough, Po used handwriting in putting her thoughts and feelings into print. The "flowery" script seems to contradict the power of her words and the passion that exudes from each and every sentence. Every poem evokes exactly what the title intends: "I Can Relate Can You."