New column offers a slice of life

Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Xazmin Garza debuts her new lifestyle column, X=Why, today.

Garza plans to take readers along as she starts a new chapter in her life. She's planning her November wedding, contemplating children, considering Botox and wondering how to turn an upside-down house right-side up.

X=Why, which will appear Sundays on Page 3J of the Living section, will serve up entertaining slices from Garza's life that will have readers laughing, cursing and maybe even crying.

Topics will range from the pains of living with a sports junkie to her dog's interesting way of getting revenge to meeting her friendly neighbor who answered the door with a gun in hand. At times, she'll simply make humorous observations or pop culture commentary.

Garza has worked at the Review-Journal for six years, covering fashion and beauty for the Image section.

She's a three-time winner of the Best of the West writing contest. Garza took home a first-place award in the contest this year for a first-person account of the effects of gravity on her breasts. She also won first place in the Society for Features Journalism contest for a piece about her distaste of designer logos.

She was born in Nampa, Idaho, grew up in West Valley City, Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in mass communication.

Garza has lived in Las Vegas for eight years. She previously worked as a health reporter for the Las Vegas Business Press and editor of Where magazine. Prior to moving to the city, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Uinta County Herald in Evanston, Wyo.

Garza's stories on fashion and beauty will still appear weekly in Neon Thursday's Image section.