Carmen Cashman, A Lady of Many Talents, Then and Now

Author: Nancy Ackerman
Released 19 June 2006

Aramco Annuitants Carmen and Don Cashman

Carmen and Don Cashman
Photograph Contributed by Nancy Ackerman

There is a beautiful statue on display in Carmen Cashman’s Las Vegas home, inscribed:

Some people dream of worthy accomplishments,
While others stay awake and do them.

There isn’t a better way to describe Carmen’s latest accomplishments than what is said so eloquently on this trophy, presented to her on June 28, 2005 by Jerry Gillock, President of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, at the Sine Die Gala—in recognition of her hard work and devotion to the rights of Nevada consumers. This award was presented by the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association to Carmen as Consumer Advocate of the Year, and this honor was bestowed at two lavish occasions in both Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. This is Carmen NOW.

Carmen and Don Cashman’s Aramco days, in Dhahran, were from 1980 – 1991, where Don hired on as a Senior Contracts Representative, and Carmen was soon a ‘casual’ employee, and an eventual dynamic force in the Computer Graphics Department. Carmen’s talent in the workplace was evident from the start, and, shortly after she began her job, she was sent on an international business trip…one of the first female employees to represent Aramco OOK. This was a fitting start for a lady with huge talents, both in and out of the workplace.

If you knew Carmen, you were no doubt touched by her friendly warmth and bubbly personality, her abundant hospitality, and her inability to say ‘no’ to any request by a friend. She was (is) a decorating marvel, a whiz in the kitchen, and a helping hand for your garage sale, your charity project, your wardrobe malfunction, or the color you should have on your bedroom wall. One event in Dhahran that Carmen is proud of is the fundraiser she worked on called Doctors Without Borders, to aid the children of Afghanistan. But if anyone had a need for any function, Carmen was there to lend a helping hand. Carmen can do anything. She did it in Dhahran, she continues to share her expertise now, and she is my Secret Weapon.

For example, I was recently preparing for a ballroom competition and had gowns that were not working the way they should have. Carmen dove in with hot glue, needle and thread and soon rhinestones and sequins were appearing, chiffon was being snipped, seams were tucked tightly, and alakazam, I suddenly had gowns that were Tres Chic! “How do you do this?” I asked her, and she looked genuinely surprised at the question. Like, doesn’t everyone know how to do this?!

In Dhahran, the Cashman’s were also part of a group called The Silver Spoons, along with Marylyn and Ron Powell, Marcie and Bill Stamm, and Rise and Gary Ryan. These evenings of good food and creative menus once expanded to a culinary contest between the guys and the gals, with some truly serious competition going on…all in the name of creative gastronomy. Fortunately, the friendships remained intact…(and the gals won the contest.)

When you have a meal at Carmen and Don’s table, you know you’re forking up something uncommonly delicious, unique, and memorable, and I know few who are as ‘at home’ in the kitchen as Carmen. With a collection of over 1000 cookbooks, the menus she created were inspired, and an invitation to dine at their charming home on main camp was always welcomed. She and Don could turn the usual dinner party into ethnic adventures, and their Friday morning brunches often meandered throughout the house and garden…where everything was cooked to perfection, decorated with flair, and served with style. She was an inspiration to everyone lucky enough to be her guest, and to this day I rely on some of her wonderful recipes, such as:

Carmen’s Good Shrimp

Put 1 pound of cleaned, peeled, uncooked shrimp into a plastic bag.
Pour in a couple of good slugs of the best olive oil you can find.
Shake gently until shrimp is thoroughly coated with oil.
Season heavily with Cajun Seasoning (such as Paul Prudhommes
Black and Red or similar hot Cajun seasoning)
Shake bag until shrimp is coated then let sit overnight in refrigerator
Broil or barbecue (or wok) until shrimp is sizzling hot and turns pink.

This can be served as an appetizer, main course with Cajun rice, or tossed salad and plenty of garlic bread.

The story behind Carmen’s passionate involvement for consumer rights, in Las Vegas began on a personal basis when, in 1992, rains caused the windows and roof of their brand new condo to leak. This was the beginning of a nightmare of battles with the building constructors to make right what they had built so shabbily, and to ensure that they assumed responsibility for their inferior work. Once her investigations began, other homeowners with similar problems turned to her for help and guidance in the long process of rebuilding their homes…thus leading to her commitment and dedication in making right, a grievous wrong. The fight went on for 8 years, and settled for millions on the Court House steps a few days prior to the scheduled trial. A major coup for ordinary citizens, led by Carmen, who cared enough to fight for what is right.

During this period, with the long hours of paperwork, the many visitors and phone calls, Carmen’s time in the kitchen began to shrink. The demands on her time were huge, but her passion for this cause was unstoppable and she became the PMK…Person Most Knowledgeable, a title she thought was "a little scary". The multi course meals she was so fond of preparing gave way to soups, casseroles and stews that could last more than a single meal, my "fave" being her delicious:

Italian Sausage Stew

About 2 pounds Sweet or Hot Italian Sausage – casing removed, and chunked
2 chopped onions
2 chopped red bell peppers
1 box cremini mushrooms
¼ jar of Pasta Seasoning
Stir fry all the above until cooked through. Then add to pot
3 or 4 cans drained white beans
3 cans peeled, chopped tomatoes
5 cans low sodium chicken broth (regular size, not jumbo)
Additional ¼ jar Pasta Seasoning
Simmer about 45 minutes, cool, and then refrigerate to serve next day.
Reheat, then top servings with a mixture of
Parmesan cheese mixed with packaged 4 cheese mix,
A drizzle of crème fraiche or sour cream and a scatter of parsley
NOTE: For an even heartier stew, add cooked elbow macaroni or cooked potato chunks during final warming.
Serves 8 lucky people

Today she is President of Safe Homes Nevada, a non-profit organization that helps families that have bought a defective home. And she is hard at work preparing for a battle with the State Legislature in 2007…up against the developers and insurance industries, to fight for the rights of the "little guys". I have no doubt Carmen’s grass roots efforts will again effect big changes. She has the "big guys" worried.

Carmen has given her personal time and energies, without compensation, to keep those who would destroy our system of civil justice from prevailing unopposed in the State of Nevada. Carmen is, without a doubt, a true consumer advocate and is well deserving of the honor bestowed upon her by the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association.

As busy and involved as she always seems to be, with her huge volunteer efforts and enthusiastic involvement with her cherished granddaughters, I’m grateful she still has time to cook for appreciative friends.

Contact Carmen and Don at DCash71894@aol.com - they would love to hear from you.

Purchase Nancy's travel book, London's Sights and Bites.

Aramco Expats