Monday, December 25, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
5 things you may not know about me
Following suit- here are mine
5 things
1- I studied Opera in college.
2- I had arthroscopic surgery on my jaw in 1992 (thus ending my Opera career- well, that and the fact that I wasn't good).
3- I don't want kids (and up until recently didn't really like them either).
Every one has told me, from the time I was young myself, that I would change my mind when I got older. Nope. I was never a baby sitter and I have always been uncomfortable around children (exact opposite of my kid-magnet brother). Now that I am an aunt, I do like babies more than I used to, but I still don't want any of my own.
Every one has told me, from the time I was young myself, that I would change my mind when I got older. Nope. I was never a baby sitter and I have always been uncomfortable around children (exact opposite of my kid-magnet brother). Now that I am an aunt, I do like babies more than I used to, but I still don't want any of my own.
4- I have always dreamed of singing the National Anthem at a major league sporting event
5- I have randomly been on TV numerous times.
I was on some Dr. Ruth special with my high school class council, something about teens and sex. I was on the news several times, for school things a couple times and once when my work was profiled for local business segment. I was sitting front row at a Jimmy Kimmel talk show taping and the band came and sang to me and my friend. Most recently I was on the security line at the Denver airport and they were filming something about a change in security, and of course they filmed my entire check in process (I never saw it, but friends across the country told me they did)... it's kinda weird.
I was on some Dr. Ruth special with my high school class council, something about teens and sex. I was on the news several times, for school things a couple times and once when my work was profiled for local business segment. I was sitting front row at a Jimmy Kimmel talk show taping and the band came and sang to me and my friend. Most recently I was on the security line at the Denver airport and they were filming something about a change in security, and of course they filmed my entire check in process (I never saw it, but friends across the country told me they did)... it's kinda weird.
Rocky Balboa
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Drama |
I am giving this film 5 out of 5 stars. First off, because I enjoyed it much more than I had expected. Second, because I can’t think of anything that would have made it better.
This film had a lot of potential to be bad. What I mean by that is a successful franchise like Rocky, which hasn’t seen a picture since 1985, comes out with a modern tale of an aging boxer that gets a second chance. C’mon. Yet it was extremely realistic. Rocky’s simple character is still so full of heart. There are many flashes to the earlier films (not flashbacks, rather flashes) and it is so well done, you feel all the history. You get invested in this character so quickly because of that history. You immediately relate, rather than having to spend too much time on character development.
Could this film be successful as a stand alone film, if you have never seen any Rocky movies? Well, it is hard for me to say, because I am biased from seeing the other films. It probably wouldn’t get 5 out of 5. A lot of what makes this picture so good is the play on the previous films.
Obviously without giving anything away, when Rocky decides to train, and first suits up for his run, the extremely familiar Rocky theme blasting out of the movie speakers, most of the audience began to clap. I think everyone shifted a little in their seats to, like they were preparing for the next phase of his life.
I would recommend renting 1976’s original Rocky first, before going to check out Rocky Balboa. I think it will add to the overall enjoyment of this new film.
After the screening, Sly and Planet Hollywood hosted an after party that was a who’s who of the boxing world. But, since I have no idea who is who in the boxing world, it was wasted on me (Aaron Pryor, Vito Antuofermo, Ron Lyle, Lonnie Smith, Tim Witherspoon, Gerry Cooney, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Ken Norton, Emile Griffith, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Iran Barkley and Hedgemon Lewis among others). I did see David Hasselhoff and Carrot Top, so it was all good :).
I think Rocky Balboa is the perfect movie for this time of year. A ton of heart, a good story and likeable characters… what more could you ask for.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
San Diego and Legoland
I got to visit with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew for the past few days in San Diego. My friend Shari drove from LA to join us at Legoland. Although Charlie was too young for some of the attractions, I think he had a good time. I know I did!!
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
A Newspaper Chain Sees Its Future, And It's Online and Hyper-Local
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/03/AR2006120301037.html
Interesting article in the Washington Post about an experiment Gannett is trying, focusing on web first, before print, for it's many newspapers and publications.
Interesting article in the Washington Post about an experiment Gannett is trying, focusing on web first, before print, for it's many newspapers and publications.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Miscellaneous Photography
If you ever bought same day discount show tickets in NYC, you know this fence.
Misc pictures from the past couple years
Friday, December 1, 2006
Light to Unite : Dec 1st, World AIDS Day
https://www.lighttounite.org/
Dec 1st is World AIDS day. Bristol-Myers is donating a dollar to AIDS research every time someone goes to their website and moves the match to the candle and lights it. Please forward this to your friends. Do a good deed and light this candle for more funds to be donated for research to stop this horrid disease.
Dec 1st is World AIDS day. Bristol-Myers is donating a dollar to AIDS research every time someone goes to their website and moves the match to the candle and lights it. Please forward this to your friends. Do a good deed and light this candle for more funds to be donated for research to stop this horrid disease.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Politicians Sweep Midterm Elections | The Onion
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54918
Funny Onion spoof article about Politicians taking 100% of the elections (over non-politicians that is).
Unrelated photo someone sent me... Republican conceding.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Vegoose Music Festival 2006
The 2nd Annual Vegoose Music Festival was this past weekend (10/28-10/29). It was awesome. Took me back to my college days....
Lots of bands, lots of people in tie dye, lots of smoke....
The lineup over the two days consisted of the following:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The Killers
The Mars Volta
The Keller Williams Incident
The Black Crowes
The Raconteurs
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Medeski Martin & Wood w/ special guest Maceo Parker
Cat Power and the
Memphis Rhythm Band
Jurassic 5
Praxis
Yonder Mountain String Band
Gomez
Dr. Octagon aka Kool Keith
Money Mark
Toubab Krewe
The Coup
Yard Dogs Road Show
Widespread Panic
Phil & Trey...
Fiona Apple
Ben Folds
The Roots
Rhythm Devils Featuring Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Mike Gordon, Steve Kimock, & Sikiru Adepoju Plus Special Guest Jen Durkin
G. Love & Special Sauce
Galactic
Built To Spill
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Guster
Jim James of My Morning Jacket
Band of Horses
Jamie Lidell
Matt Costa
We didn't catch all the acts, but heard many of them. Fun was had...
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Flags of Our Fathers
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Drama |
This is the story of a photograph. It is the story of a picture taken of the men that raised the flag at Iwo Jima, the war story and the political story. As soon as the photo hit the states, the politicians and military wanted to use it to gain support and money for the war. The U.S. was broke and desperately needed it's citizens to buy war bonds to help pay for the war. The men in that photo (the ones who were not killed- 3 of 6) were brought back to the U.S. and put on tour, the War Bond tour, going to stadiums, balls, dinners, etc. touted as heroes, asking for money. This didn't sit too well with those soldiers.
I ran into someone in Starbucks yesterday who also saw a preview Tuesday night. I asked how he liked it because I was seeing it that night. He said it was good, but choppy. And bloody.
Well in a word (or 3), he was right.
By choppy, it jumps around, quite a bit. It doesn't lose you, but at times is a little distracting. I did notice however, when it would jump to the actual war scenes at Iwo Jima, everyone was a little taller in their seats. Some holding the arm rests, some moving to the edge of the seat. When it would jump to the War Bond Tour or to current times (as told by the elderly men and sons), people would relax in their seats, begin breathing normally.
This movie is long (2.25), and at times does feel long, yet I didn't mind. It is also very graphic. The movie was filmed on location in Iwo Jima which is incredible and certainly adds to the realism. This was not a small military campaign and Eastwood captured the enormity of it all. The war scenes, reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan's opening sequence, were extremely bloody. I would almost say too bloody, but I would guess so was the actual war. This movie is not for the faint at heart. Some of the blood and guts scenes will make you turn your head away.
The casting was terrific. I could say Ryan Phillippe (Crash), who did an incredible job portraying John "Doc" Bradley, was the main character, but the more I think about it, the more I think all three of the men were leads.
Adam Beach (to me best known from Windtalkers w/Nic Cage) played Native American Ira Hayes and showed a side story that was more poignant and depressing than the war story itself.
Jesse Bradford (who I loved in Bring it On) played Rene Glagnon, the only one of the soldiers who liked the 'celebrity' of being a 'hero'.
There were a lot, I mean a lot, of familiar faces in the cast. It was a fun and distracting at the same time. Barry Pepper was excellent as Platoon leader Mike Strank, yet I kept thinking he was going to pull out a rifle and be a sharp shooter (his role in Saving Private Ryan).
The movie was, in my opinion, about 20 minutes too long. I found the end to be a little slow and after 2 hours in my seat, I was getting antsy. But I did cry, multiple times, although that could just be because I am an emotional gal...
I will recommend that you stay for the credits after the movie. The ominous music playing (written by Clint Eastwood) and the authentic photos from Iwo Jima, will amaze and sadden.
I give it four of five stars, only because the gore and the length made it lose one star for me personally. Otherwise, I think it probably has some Oscar nominations in it. It is an important story that was important to tell.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Dove Campaign for Real Beauty
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/
I love Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. They have posted one of their new commercials on the homepage of their campaign site. It is really awesome.
I love Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. They have posted one of their new commercials on the homepage of their campaign site. It is really awesome.
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children Gala
Last night (10/7/06) I attended the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Gala at the MGM Grand. This is an annual star studded affair with entertainment and auction to raise money for Agassi's foundation. I arrived towards the end of the auction, in time to see the entertainment. I was astonished by the caliber of items up for auction (one example was 2 First class tickets to the Grammy's, plus two VIP tickets and passes to all Grammy parties plus the presenters gift bag. This auction item went for about $200k.). It was hardly a surprise to hear, after the auction, that Agassi raised over $9 million.
The auction had assistance from some celebrities (I caught Emily Proctor of West Wing/CSI Miami fame) as well as Agassi and Steffi Graf.
The entertainment after the auction was awesome. First off Ellen DeGeneres was the host.
The first act was Tears for Fears. They performed Shout, Head Over Heals and Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Video here. They sounded and looked great. I never thought I would see this band live so this was a real treat.
There were some smaller, local, up and coming acts next. Then Sarah McLachlan performed. She did 3 of her big hits. Having seen her live a few times, as always, she did not disappoint with her absolutely perfect voice.
Next up was Michael Bublé. I love this guy. Such an incredible voice. He did a couple songs and an Elvis impression. See Video .
In between some of the acts, various celebrities came up, including Bradley Whitford (West Wing/Studio 60) and Ben Stiller.
Next up was John Mayer who did an acoustic set of 3 songs including his newest hit, Waiting for the World to Change - Video here.
The next act was the Counting Crows. I was really looking forward to them because I never saw them live before. An incredible disappointment. Worst act of the night. Adam Duritz went off into a weird prolonged, at points, seemingly improvised version of 'Round Here which took about 15 minutes... it was painful and a lot of the audience took this opportunity to leave for the evening.
Waiting through the Counting Crows was worth it though, because the final performer of the night, one I was only a little excited to see, was by far the highlight of the evening for me.
Phil Collins. Wow. He looked great. He sounded awesome. He chatted, he danced, he played the bongos. His first song, by request of Agassi, was In the Air Tonight. Then he went into a medley of hits. You Can't Hurry Love, Two Hearts, How Many Times, Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Easy Lover... He ended with Take Me Home. The crowd sang along. There wasn't a disappointed person in the audience. Some Video here and here.
Las Vegas loves their local hero Andre Agassi. People obviously know about his tennis career. But what he has given back to the people, and especially the kids of Las Vegas, far surpasses his tennis highlights. Check out his foundation's website for more info.
Monday, October 2, 2006
Comic Relief
| Start: | Nov 18, '06 8:00p |
| Location: | Caesar's Palace |
Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children
| Start: | Oct 7, '06 8:00p |
| Location: | MGM Grand |
Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer, Counting Crows, Phil Collins, Ellen DeGeneres...
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
The September 11 Digital Archive
http://911digitalarchive.org/
This may have been posted before, but with the 5 year anniversary approaching, I thought I would share it.
The September 11 Digital Archive is a still-growing archive launched in January 2002 with the aim of collecting 1,000 stories. Now there are more than 150,000 pieces of history uploaded to the online collection of photos, stories, e-mails, video clips and animations
This may have been posted before, but with the 5 year anniversary approaching, I thought I would share it.
The September 11 Digital Archive is a still-growing archive launched in January 2002 with the aim of collecting 1,000 stories. Now there are more than 150,000 pieces of history uploaded to the online collection of photos, stories, e-mails, video clips and animations
Friday, September 1, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters
This was a highlight!
Last night I attended the Big Mix- a Benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was at the exclusive Chameleon Studios. Our hosts for the evening, The Godfather of Las Vegas Mark Wayman and Jordan Wirsz put together an eclectic group and some great auction items. 100% of the proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Vegoose Music Festival
| Start: | Oct 28, '06 |
| End: | Oct 29, '06 |
Lineup includes:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Widespread Panic
The Killers
The Mars Volta
The Keller Williams Incident
The Black Crowes
Fiona Apple
The Raconteurs
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Medeski Martin & Wood w/ special guest Maceo Parker
The Roots
The Rhythm Devils feat. Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzman, Mike Gordon & Steve Kimock
G. Love & Special Sauce
Jurassic 5
Galactic
Praxis
Yonder Mountain String Band
Gomez
Built To Spill
Guster
Jim James of My Morning Jacket
Dr. Octagon aka Kool Keith
Band of Horses
Jamie Lidell
The Zutons
more to come...
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Monday, August 7, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Vegas in B&W Day 1
The start of my photo journal, capturing the magnificent city I call home... more to come.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Cute Overload!
http://cuteoverload.com/
What they say:
"At Cute Overload™, we scour the Web for only the finest in Cute Imagery. Imagery that is Worth Your Internet Browsing Time. We offer an overwhelming amount of cuteness to fill your daily visual allowance. Drink it in!"
Very very cute photos ahead!
What they say:
"At Cute Overload™, we scour the Web for only the finest in Cute Imagery. Imagery that is Worth Your Internet Browsing Time. We offer an overwhelming amount of cuteness to fill your daily visual allowance. Drink it in!"
Very very cute photos ahead!
Friday, July 7, 2006
Monday, July 3, 2006
Hiking at Mt. Charleston
We went to Mt. Charleston this weekend for the Jazz and Wine Festival. Mt. Charleston is, well, a mountain, about 35 minutes Northwest from the strip. It is at 6500 elevation and is generally cooler there in the summer, and snowy (there is skiing) in the winter.
Anyway, the wine festival was ok, but we got up early Saturday am and went on a great hike. Here are some nature photos for your enjoyment.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Rock 'n Roll Wine Tasting/Mt Charleston Jazz Festival
| Start: | Jun 30, '06 6:00p |
| End: | Jul 1, '06 12:00p |
| Location: | Mt. Charleston |
http://www.rocknrollwine.com
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
My first boxing match
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
I am new to the sport of boxing. My first main event occurred this past weekend in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center. The stage was set. This was to be the final fight of a trilogy between Diego 'Chico' Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, "The War to Settle the Score." Unfortunately, their 3rd match wasn't to be. For the second time in a row, Castillo was unable to make the 135 weight limit required for WBC lightweight match. He weighed in the day before the fight at almost 140lbs.
This was a big disappointment for many. Obviously the boxers, and specifically Corrales, who did train and prepare and meet the 135 lb. limit. But the promoters, the fans, Showtime, the various investors (Wynn, Caesars)... Of the close to 14000 tickets sold, only about 4000 people attended. The remaining tickets would have to be reimbursed.
Now I have to say, I was not one of the many disappointed, mostly because I don't know Castillo or Corrales from a hole in the wall. I was attending this fight to show support for undefeated junior middleweight Yuri Foreman, a new friend. He was one of the undercard matches, and fought agst Jesus Valverde after the televised match. He won his ten round match by unanimous decision and we were very happy for him.
The main event however, with the cancellation of the Corrales/Castillo fight, was an IBF flyweight world title bout between defending champion Vic Darchinyan and Luis Maldonado. I was rooting for Darchinyan. Why? Well, he had a lot of fans in attendance and they seemed passionate. He is an Armenian who is now a resident of Australia. He came out fighting tough and was clearly a champion in the making. And he won. A TKO
in the 8th round.
I sat with Yuri Foreman's wife and she knew this would be my first boxing match. She asked at one point if it would bother me, being so close (we were ringside), seeing the blood, watching two men pound on each other. I wasn't sure how I would feel. But as the first of the 3 fights we watched started, a very familiar feeling came over me. I cheered. I screamed "Hit 'em". I started to realize, this was no different then hockey. You know the old adage, 'I was at a boxing match and a hockey game broke out'. Well, a big part of hockey is the fighting, the fisticuffs, the roughing, etc. Many of you know I am a huge hockey fan. I had season tickets in DC for 6 years and am no stranger to hockey fights (a particular Rangers/Caps game comes to mind where both benches cleared and the goalies even charged towards each other to meet on center ice). So this came to me, amidst the boxing match, that I actually like this. I have been known to cheer more for the fighting than the goals and here is a whole evening of fighting. Yeah.
I would call my first fight a success. The fighter I came to see won. I got to sit with and chat with boxing legend Roberto Duran. I got to hang out with (and flirt with) IBF and WBA light welterweight champion Ricky 'the Hitman' Hatton (British cutey). I got to realize my new love of this sport. Yuri will be back fighting in Vegas in August, and I hope to be right there cheering him on!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Confessions Tour 2006
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Music |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Artist: | Madonna |
The theme, at least for the first half of the show, was, well, equestrian. There were images of horses on the huge video screens and the dancers mimicked horses galloping as they pranced around the stage. At one point Madonna even straddled a floating horse saddle, mounted on a pole, where she demonstrated her pole dancing skills while singing 'Like a Virgin'.
The music sounded perfect. There was occasional feedback ringing, but that was easily masked by the techno music playing.
If you haven't already heard of the controversial segment of the show, it featured Madonna strapped up on a huge cross. She sang 'Live to Tell' from this position and it was actually quite amazing visually. Her voice was in great shape (possibly due to the fact that she requires the air conditioning to be turned off during her show- and it did get a bit warm in there).
The many costume changes gave chances for the amazing dancers to showcase their talents. We didn't even mind that Madonna was absent from the stage because we were so transfixed on the dancers. They were jumping, leaping, hanging from the multi tiered stages.
Madonna has so many hits that a long time fan might be disappointed they didn't hear more of their favorites, but after playing most of the new album, and a track or two from each of her dozen or so albums, there wouldn't be time for all the hits. It would have been a 10 hour show. As it was, it was a good 2 hours straight.
There was a terrific 70's disco segment where the dancers all came out on roller skates, the disco ball hanging and Madonna and her two background singers in John Travolta 'Saturday Night Fever' white suits.
Out of a page from the U2 concert ritual, there was a segment where the video screen displayed images and the words 'don't speak' and 'don't talk' flashed. There were numbers counting up (numbers we eventually were told were the number of children left orphaned by AIDs), and video of various political and government officials ranging from Rumsfeld to Hitler to G. W. Bush. I think she was trying to make a point, but truthfully, it wasn't specific enough for me to actually understand what point she was trying to convey, it seemed all over the place and possibly just there to be political. Could have been just me....
One thing I want to note- Madonna is fit. It's probably the yoga, but for 47, she is in better shape than I will ever be. She is extremely flexible (see earlier pole dancing reference), and all over the dance floor, uh, I mean stage.
The show closed with 'Hung Up' and balloons fell from the rafters.
I would recommend this show if you don't mind the high ticket prices (which basically would put you in the 'Big Madonna Fan' category anyway and you will love it no matter what).
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Boxing
| Start: | Jun 3, '06 4:00p |
| Location: | Thomas & Mack Center |
http://www.yuriforeman.com/
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
VH1 Rock Honors
Last night (5/25/06) was the filming of VH1's Rock Honors show, which airs on 5/31 on VH1. This was a tribute show to Rock Legends. The honored bands were Queen (performing with Paul Rodgers), Def Leppard, Judas Priest and Kiss. The bands playing tribute were Foo Fighters (sang a Queen song, then Grohl and Taylor drummed with Queen's set), Godsmack and The All American Rejects. There was also a special performance by an all star tribute band, performing a Kiss song- Tommy Lee, Slash, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Rob Zombie.... It was awesome. The show was hosted by Jaime Pressly and had a few celeb presenters. Cameras weren't allowed so my photos are a little grainy and more sparse than if I was allowed to take pictures :)...
Tune in on 5/31 to catch the show. The bands (especially Judas Priest) sounded great. I didn't particularly like Paul Rodgers singing with Queen, but otherwise all the acts were perfect and true to old form!
http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/2006/
Thursday, May 25, 2006
VH1 Rock Honors
| Start: | May 25, '06 8:00p |
| Location: | Mandalay Bay Events Center |
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Al Gore on SNL
Al Gore was on Saturday Night Live this past weekend and the segment was a look at an alternate reality, a parallel universe, one in which Gore won in 2000...
Al Gore on Saturday Night Live
The gist of this segment was- what if we took a look at a parallel universe....
Transcript of 'President' Gore's Address to the Nation
The following is a transcript of "President" Al Gore's address to the nation on Saturday Night Live.
AL GORE: "Good evening my fellow Americans. In 2000 when you overwhelmingly made the decision to elect me as your 43rd President, I knew the road ahead would be difficult. We have accomplished so much, yet challenges lie ahead.
In the last six years, we have been able to stop global warming. No one could have predicted the negative results of this. Glaciers that once were melting are now on the attack. As you know, these renegade glaciers have already captured parts of upper Michigan and northern Maine. But I assure you, we will not let the glaciers win.
Right now in the second week of May 2006, we are facing perhaps the worst gas crisis in history.
We have way too much gasoline! Gas is down to nineteen cents a gallon and the oil companies are hurting. I know that I am partly to blame, by insisting that cars run on trash.
I am therefore proposing a Federal bail-out to our oil companies because hey, if it were the other way around, you know the oil companies would help us.
On a positive note, we worked hard to save welfare, fix Social Security, and of course, provide the universal health care we all enjoy today. But all this came at a high cost. As I speak, the gigantic National Budget Surplus is down to a perilously low 11 trillion dollars. And don't get any ideas. That money is staying in the very successful lock box. We're not touching it. Of course, we could give economic aid to China or lend money to the Saudis again, but right now we are already so loved by everyone in the world that American tourists can't even go over to Europe anymore without getting hugged.
There are some of you would like to spend our money on some made-up war. To you I say, "what part of lockbox don't you understand?" What if there's a hurricane or a tornado? Unlikely I know, because of the anti-hurricane and tornado machine I was instrumental in helping to develop…but what if? What if the scientists are right and one of those giant glaciers hits Boston? That's why we have the lockbox.
As for immigration, solving that came at a heavy cost, and I personally regret the loss of California. However, the new Mexifornian economy is strong and El Presidente Schwarzenegger is doing a great job.
There have been some setbacks. Unfortunately, the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Michael Moore was bitter and divisive. However, I could not be more proud of how the House and Senate pulled together to confirm the nomination of Chief Justice George Clooney.
Baseball, our national pastime, still lies under the shadow of steroid accusations. But I have faith in Baseball Commissioner George W. Bush when he says, "we will find the steroid users if we have to tap every phone in America."
In 2001, when I came into office, our national security was the most important issue. The threat of terrorism was real. Who knew that six years later, Afghanistan would be the most popular spring break destination, or that Six Flags Tehran is the fastest growing amusement park in the Mideast, and the scariest thing we Americas have to fear is … Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!"
Video here: http://jodig.multiply.com/video/item/6
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Palms Fantasy Suites
Last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the premiere party for the Palms Hotel Fantasy Suites (aka the Party-Floor Suites). The Palms Hotel, owned by Sacramento Kings owner George Maloof, opened a second tower earlier this year and last weekend they premiered their fantasy suites. I had been seeing the commercials for these suites for the past couple weeks, and I know beyond this party I will probably never be in one again.
There are 7 basic fantasy suites:
g-Suite
Erotic Suite
Hot Pink Suite
Kingpin Suite
Crib Suite
Celebrity Suite
Director's Suite
The party was done block party style, where each of these themed suites were open and had open bars. The party was packed with celebrities (yes, Paris Hilton was there), but the real stars of this party were the suites.
The Kingpin Suite, for example, has two full size bowling lanes in it (which apparently Avril Lavigne took advantage of at the party- I had already left). From The Palms website: With two full sized bowling lanes, this room is fit for a King-pin. This retro style 4,240 square foot suite features two bedrooms, three bathrooms, LCD and Plasma TVs throughout. It also includes regulation bowling equipment, a pool table, full bar, and theater size projection television with lounge.
The Celebrity Suite is where the party started (or at least where we started). All of the suites had full bars that were fully stocked for the party.
The Cribs Suite is a 2,000 sq ft suite which caters to the demands and the needs of any ultimate crib seeker. Amenities include a DJ booth, back bar, show shower™, pool table, graffiti ceiling, video gaming lounge, “sound seating,” hydraulic bed, a display of hip-hop memorabilia, and an expanded bathroom and dressing area with a saltwater fish tank.
All of the suites had huge glass showers with stripper poles in them. The Erotic Suite features a shadow dancer projection wall, metal show shower™, full bar, and an eight foot round rotating bed with mirrored ceiling.
These suites are a nice addition to the Palms already popular Hardwood Suite, including its own basketball court.
All of the suites offer full glass wall views of the Strip from the 25th and 26th floors of the new tower.
Seriously, these suites are COOL. Prices, you ask? Well...you can't reserve these online, you have to call. And honestly I don't know the prices, but I think it would be safe to say $5-$10k a night is probably on target.... this is Vegas after all...
Friday, May 12, 2006
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
M:I 3 (Mission Impossible 3)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Action & Adventure |
I am having a little trouble writing this review. The biggest reason is I can't remember any details about the first 2 MI movies. Now that shouldn't affect my judgement on the 3rd, but it does. I like to compare sequels to their earlier releases, but I have no memory of them. I saw them both. I believe I liked them both. I know Tom Cruise starred in both. He played Ethan Hunt. That is all I remember.... so let's look at M:I 3 as a stand alone movie.
It has action. Oh boy does it have action. There were at least 4 times I had to stop myself and say "breathe, Jodi". It has 'edge of seat' action.
It has Philip Seymour Hoffman. This should be enough reason alone to go. I love PSH. Generally a character actor, his role in M:I 3 is no different, although less over the top, more subtle, definitely bad-ass.
The storyline is pretty good. You can see J. J. Abrams influence all over the place. I won't list any spoilers, but Felicity, I mean Keri Russell, shows her inner Sydney Bristow (Alias reference for those of you who don't know J. J. Abrams was the creator of both Alias and Felicity (and Lost and ...). Greg Grunberg also makes a very brief appearance. He has had a cameo in just about every J. J. Abrams TV show so when I saw him pop-up in M:I 3, I chuckled out loud- although I am sure no one knew why...
I would recommend this movie, because basically it is going to be exactly what you expect. What could have hurt it, because you know there would be spectacular special affects and non-stop action, would be the storyline. But it was solid enough for an action movie, a couple little plot twists kept in interesting. If you want a fun action movie, go see M:I 3.
Transcript of Stephen Colbert's WHCA Speech
Stephen Colbert's White House Correspondents Dinner Speech
COLBERT: Wow, what an honor. The White House Correspondents' Dinner. To actually sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what? I'm a pretty sound sleeper -- that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face.
Is he really not here tonight? Dammit. The one guy who could have helped.
By the way, before I get started, if anybody needs anything else at their tables, just speak slowly and clearly into your table numbers. Somebody from the NSA will be right over with a cocktail.
Mark Smith, ladies and gentlemen of the press corps, Madame First Lady, Mr. President, my name is Stephen Colbert and tonight it's my privilege to celebrate this president. We're not so different, he and I. We get it. We're not brainiacs on the nerd patrol. We're not members of the factinista. We go straight from the gut, right sir? That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up.
I know some of you are going to say "I did look it up, and that's not true." That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that's how our nervous system works. Every night on my show, the Colbert Report, I speak straight from the gut, OK? I give people the truth, unfiltered by rational argument. I call it the "No Fact Zone." Fox News, I hold a copyright on that term.
I'm a simple man with a simple mind. I hold a simple set of beliefs that I live by. Number one, I believe in America. I believe it exists. My gut tells me I live there. I feel that it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I strongly believe it has 50 states. And I cannot wait to see how the Washington Post spins that one tomorrow.
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, welcome. Your great country makes our Happy Meals possible. I said it's a celebration. I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.
I believe in pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. I believe it is possible -- I saw this guy do it once in Cirque du Soleil. It was magical. And though I am a committed Christian, I believe that everyone has the right to their own religion, be you Hindu, Jewish or Muslim. I believe there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's yogurt. But I refuse to believe it's not butter. Most of all, I believe in this president.
Now, I know there are some polls out there saying this man has a 32% approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias.
So, Mr. President, please, pay no attention to the people that say the glass is half full. Sir, pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32% means it's 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash.
Okay, look, folks, my point is that I don't believe this is a low point in this presidency. I believe it is just a lull before a comeback. I mean, it's like the movie "Rocky." All right. The president in this case is Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed is -- everything else in the world. It's the tenth round. He's bloodied. His corner man, Mick, who in this case I guess would be the vice president, he's yelling, "Cut me, Dick, cut me!," and every time he falls everyone says, "Stay down! Stay down!" Does he stay down? No. Like Rocky, he gets back up, and in the end he -- actually, he loses in the first movie.
OK. Doesn't matter. The point is it is the heart-warming story of a man who was repeatedly punched in the face. So don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68% of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68% approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it. I haven't.
I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message, that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound -- with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.
Now, there may be an energy crisis. This president has a very forward-thinking energy policy. Why do you think he's down on the ranch cutting that brush all the time? He's trying to create an alternative energy source. By 2008 we will have a mesquite-powered car!
And I just like the guy. He's a good Joe. Obviously loves his wife, calls her his better half. And polls show America agrees. She's a true lady and a wonderful woman. But I just have one beef, ma'am. I'm sorry, but this reading initiative. I'm sorry, I've never been a fan of books. I don't trust them. They're all fact, no heart. I mean, they're elitist, telling us what is or isn't true, or what did or didn't happen. Who's Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal was built in 1914? If I want to say it was built in 1941, that's my right as an American! I'm with the president, let history decide what did or did not happen.
The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change; this man's beliefs never will.
As excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story: the president's side, and the vice president's side.
But the rest of you, what are you thinking, reporting on NSA wiretapping or secret prisons in eastern Europe? Those things are secret for a very important reason: they're super-depressing. And if that's your goal, well, misery accomplished.
Over the last five years you people were so good -- over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didn't want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out. Those were good times, as far as we knew.
But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works: the president makes decisions. He's the Decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put 'em through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know - fiction!
Because really, what incentive do these people have to answer your questions, after all? I mean, nothing satisfies you. Everybody asks for personnel changes. So the White House has personnel changes. Then you write, "Oh, they're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." First of all, that is a terrible metaphor. This administration is not sinking. This administration is soaring. If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg!
Now, it's not all bad guys out there. Some are heroes: Christopher Buckley, Jeff Sacks, Ken Burns, Bob Schieffer. They've all been on my show. By the way, Mr. President, thank you for agreeing to be on my show. I was just as shocked as everyone here is, I promise you. How's Tuesday for you? I've got Frank Rich, but we can bump him. And I mean bump him. I know a guy. Say the word.
See who we've got here tonight. General Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff. General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They still support Rumsfeld. Right, you guys aren't retired yet, right? Right, they still support Rumsfeld.
Look, by the way, I've got a theory about how to handle these retired generals causing all this trouble: don't let them retire! Come on, we've got a stop-loss program; let's use it on these guys. I've seen Zinni and that crowd on Wolf Blitzer. If you're strong enough to go on one of those pundit shows, you can stand on a bank of computers and order men into battle. Come on.
Jesse Jackson is here, the Reverend. Haven't heard from the Reverend in a little while. I had him on the show. Very interesting and challenging interview. You can ask him anything, but he's going to say what he wants, at the pace that he wants. It's like boxing a glacier. Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is.
John McCain is here. John McCain, John McCain, what a maverick! Somebody find out what fork he used on his salad, because I guarantee you it wasn't a salad fork. This guy could have used a spoon! There's no predicting him. By the way, Senator McCain, it's so wonderful to see you coming back into the Republican fold. I have a summer house in South Carolina; look me up when you go to speak at Bob Jones University. So glad you've seen the light, sir.
Mayor Nagin! Mayor Nagin is here from New Orleans, the chocolate city! Yeah, give it up. Mayor Nagin, I'd like to welcome you to Washington, D.C., the chocolate city with a marshmallow center. And a graham cracker crust of corruption. It's a Mallomar, I guess is what I'm describing.
Joe Wilson is here, Joe Wilson right down here in front, the most famous husband since Desi Arnaz. And of course he brought along his lovely wife Valerie Plame. Oh, my god! Oh, what have I said? [looks horrified] I am sorry, Mr. President, I meant to say he brought along "Joe Wilson's wife. "Patrick Fitzgerald is not here tonight? OK. Dodged a bullet.
And, of course, we can't forget the man of the hour, new press secretary, Tony Snow. Secret Service name, "Snow Job." Toughest job. What a hero! Took the second toughest job in government, next to, of course, the ambassador to Iraq.
Got some big shoes to fill, Tony. Big shoes to fill. Scott McClellan could say nothing like nobody else.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Rock 'n Roll Wine Tasting
| Start: | Apr 14, '06 6:00p |
| Location: | Mix Lounge |
http://www.rocknrollwine.com/
picture
Friday, April 7, 2006
AIDS Walk Las Vegas
| Start: | Apr 23, '06 08:00a |
| Location: | 3rd Street Downtown Las Vegas (Between Ogden and Stewart) |
Proceeds benefit Aid for AIDS of Nevada, the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in Nevada. For over 22 years, AFAN has been providing assistance to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
Last year, more than 5,000 people walked raising over $250,000. Over 100 corporate and community teams raised 60% of the total funds collected. Teams represent some of the leading corporations and organizations in Southern Nevada including MGM Mirage, Macy's, Pinnacle Health System, M.A.C Cosmetics, UNLV, Wells Fargo and many more.
We hope you'll be a part of AIDS Walk Las Vegas 2006. Your support will make a difference!
If you would like to donate, click the link:
My personal page
Komen Race for the Cure
| Start: | May 6, '06 08:00a |
| Location: | Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas |
One in seven women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime. The Komen Las Vegas Race for the Cure® raises money to fund education, screening and treatment programs for these women and thousands of others in our own community and supports the national search for a cure.
The Komen Race for the Cure® Series is the largest series of 5K run/ walks in the world. Since its origination in Dallas in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series has grown from one local race with 800 participants to an international series of 115 races with more than 1.3 million participants.
Please Support Me In The Race
JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER TODAY! EVERY STEP COUNTS!
I am participating in the Race with the hopes of raising as much money as possible to provide for research programs in our area.
Please click the link if you would like to donate to this cause:
My personal page
Thanks.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Pandora
http://www.pandora.com/
Probably many of you already know about this, but I am slow on the music streaming thing. Pandora is a cool site a friend just referred to me. You tell it a song or artist you like, and it starts streaming music it thinks you will like based on your tastes. I have been happy with the music it has been playing for me today :)
Probably many of you already know about this, but I am slow on the music streaming thing. Pandora is a cool site a friend just referred to me. You tell it a song or artist you like, and it starts streaming music it thinks you will like based on your tastes. I have been happy with the music it has been playing for me today :)
Monday, April 3, 2006
No Limit Texas Hold 'Em
This past weekend my golf association held a charity No Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament at Spanish Trails Country Club.
I had never played poker before, but like many have watched it endlessly on FSN, ESPN, USA, Bravo... I called a friend who is a professional poker player and asked him for a quick lesson last week.
It must have been a good lesson because out of 49 people in the tournament, I came in 9th. Top 10 won prizes so I got some goodies to take home.
Now you can call it beginner's luck (and you would be right), but I prefer to consider myself a natural. :)
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Hairspray
| Start: | Apr 16, '06 4:00p |
| Location: | Luxor |
starring Harvey Fierstein
w/Lori
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Celebrity Death Watch: Could the country’s insane fame fixation maybe, finally—fingers crossed—be coming to an end?
http://newyorkmetro.com/news/imperialcity/16493/
Interesting article in New York Magazine about our country's obsession with celebrity- and that it might have reached a saturation point (let's hope).
Interesting article in New York Magazine about our country's obsession with celebrity- and that it might have reached a saturation point (let's hope).
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Hiking
| Start: | Mar 19, '06 08:00a |
| Location: | Red Rock Canyon |
http://www.redrock.org/issues/2002_laing_homes/map_loop.html
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Have a Nice Day Tour
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Music |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Artist: | Bon Jovi |
When the lights went down, and the band took the stage, we all took to our feet, out of excitement, out of respect, uncontrollable jumping up and clapping. Jon Bon Jovi however was not on the stage with the others. A spotlight appeared and Jon was out on the opposite side of the arena, on a small stage in the midst of the crowd. He sang the first song from this mini stage and the fans went crazy. When the song ended, he made his way through the crowd and climbed up on stage, just in time for the very obvious beginning of "You Give Love a Bad Name". It was awesome. The crowd sang along. I sang along.
Some surprises:
- I know Jon Bon Jovi is a good looking fellow. I didn't realize he still looks incredible in leather pants.
- I like when the artists dance and groove to the music. I didn't realize Jon Bon Jovi channels his inner Mick Jagger. His sway and foot work were amazingly reminiscent of the sometimes effeminate Jagger.
- I like when other band members take over the singing. But when Jon called up Richie Sambora, for a 'what he called' cleansing of sorts, to take lead on "I'll Be There For You" there were very few people in the crowd that didn't get the symbolism as Sambora is in the midst of a very public separation to Heather Locklear. His voice was good.
Some highlights:
- Jon Bon Jovi took us on a ride in a time machine, counting back, methodically, almost spiritually, year by year from 2006 back to 1983. He stopped at '83 and told a story of a young guy, long hair, driving down the LIE (Long Island Expressway for you non NY metro peeps), to a radio station with a tape in hand, asking the DJ to play his song on the air, promising the DJ this band will be a big success. The song, which the band then broke into, was 'Runaway'. Awesome.
- I thought I was one of the very few that bought Jon Bon Jovi's solo album, 1990's 'Blaze Of Glory: Songs Written And Performed By Jon Bon Jovi, Inspired By The Film Young Guns II', but apparently not. At a point during the show, Jon disappeared from the stage again, and showed up in the upper level side of stage on what looked like a pedestal, with his acoustic guitar. He sang two songs from the solo album. Excellent.
- The aforementioned Sambora solo
- Last encore, we still had not heard 'Wanted, Dead or Alive'. We knew it was coming. It had to be coming. Jon was thanking everyone, telling them how much fun they have been having in Vegas. He then said, "if you aren't standing yet, please rise for our nation's anthem", and they broke into 'Wanted'. Very cool.
This was the last show of this leg of the tour. They are heading to Europe and then later in the summer coming back to the states for an arena tour. I would recommend it. The new stuff was catchy enough, but it is very worth it for the classic hits.
Set List
:: March 11, 2006 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Arena ::
LAST MAN STANDING, YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME, WILD IN THE STREETS, COMPLICATED, BORN TO BE MY BABY, STORY OF MY LIFE, I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD, RUNAWAY, THE RADIO SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT, BOUNCE, IN THESE ARMS, I WANT TO BE LOVED, I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (featuring Richie Sambora on lead vocals - electric version), I WON'T BACK DOWN (Tom Petty cover as intro to...), HAVE A NICE DAY, WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME, IT'S MY LIFE, BLAZE OF GLORY (acoustic), BED OF ROSES (acoustic), BAD MEDICINE (with the classic Song "GLORIA" inserted in the middle), RAISE YOUR HANDS, LIVIN' ON A PRAYER. Encores: I'D DIE FOR YOU, LAST CIGARETTE, KEEP THE FAITH, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE (cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic), SOMEDAY I'LL BE SATURDAY NIGHT, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, NEVER SAY GOODBYE (acoustic).
Thursday, March 2, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Las Vegas moving 'from a circus act to a regular city'
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-02-28-lasvegas_x.htm
By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS —
Ignore the Elvis impersonator mugging for the camera in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Get past the black glass pyramid and faux New York skyline rising out of the Mojave Desert. Look beyond the glitzy neon, gambling and showgirls along the Strip.
Only then will you glimpse a side of Vegas that few of Sin City's 38 million annual visitors see: One of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas is not just growing, but growing up.
For the first time in its brief urban history — Las Vegas is the largest U.S. city born after 1900 — this booming place finally is trying to establish an old-fashioned sense of community. The city has outgrown the chummy world of the 1950s, when Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack ruled, and turned into a full-blown metropolitan area that is attracting families and businesses from other cities.
"It's gone from a circus act to a regular city," says Robert Lang, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech. "The experience of Las Vegas now is less Rat Pack and more brats in the car, from Dino (Dean Martin) and his friends and swingers to minivans and shopping malls. It's just a big Western city."
Residents are investing more time and money to diversify Las Vegas' economy and turn it into a place that not only can be a decadent playground for a few days, but also a decent home for a lifetime. Las Vegas still markets itself as an escapist's paradise, but it also competes for doctors, teachers, high-tech talent and others who make a city run.
Philanthropy is on the rise. Medical care is blossoming into a new cancer research center and a $35 million Alzheimer's hospital to be designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, is now taxing rental cars to help fund a performing arts center. The 10-story, 1.3 million-square-foot World Market Center, a furniture showroom and convention center, opened near downtown last summer.
High-rise condos and town centers are springing up. Ethnic neighborhoods are growing — Chinatown has gone from one block to a 1½-mile strip. The education level of a community that relies largely on service workers from hotel maids and waiters to croupiers and doormen is finally inching up as more professionals move in.
They're all signs that people in the Las Vegas area — which has a population of about 1.8 million and is adding an estimated 7,000 residents a month — are seeking deeper and longer-lasting connections with their city.
"Those of us who live here are looking for more opportunity to take our kids to do something in a non-gaming environment," says Myron Martin, president of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation.
"We're going through puberty," says John Restrepo, an economic consultant. "There are a lot of pulls and tugs from business, governmental side and residents: What should we be as we grow up?"
More attractive to employers
In the grand Vegas tradition, the consensus here remains that growth is good. More than 30 major casino-hotels have opened since 1990, adding more than 40,000 hotel rooms. The Strip, a 4.5-mile stretch lined by the world's most lavish casinos and 102,000 hotel rooms, is extending south to meet demand for more. The city is developing 61 acres downtown into a mix of retail, residential and commercial units.
Now, people want more than just buildings sprouting out of the desert. "Families here have wishes and desires no different from people in Omaha," says Keith Schwer, director of The Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV).
The Las Vegas area still makes much of its money from gambling and visitors who spend about $33 billion a year.
Despite the city's successful tourism campaign trumpeting Sin City's return to its sinful roots ("What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas"), Las Vegas is maturing.
Biomedical and high-tech companies are moving from California and other states. Educated and well-to-do executives who might have once pooh-poohed Vegas as morally moribund and a cultural wasteland are moving here — with their families.
"It is dramatically easier to recruit" for jobs in Las Vegas, says Brian Sullivan, chairman and CEO of Christian & Timbers, an executive search firm based in New York. "Five or seven years ago, the pool of candidates used to be either the guy was divorced or the guy was desperate. Now, there is a family contingent. ... There are kids."
The percentage of Clark County residents age 25 and up who have graduate or professional degrees is up from less than 6% in 2000 to 7% in 2004, according to the Census Bureau. Raising the area's educational level has been difficult because casino and resort industry service jobs pay so well.
"You can get out of high school, go and valet park and you can make $50,000 to $60,000 a year," Restrepo says. "What's the incentive to go to college?"
But jobs that require education are being created in the growing non-gaming sector, which now accounts for half of the area's revenue. And retirees from across the USA are flocking to downtown condos and active-adult communities in the suburbs.
"It has become home to a rapidly growing population that has nothing to do with gaming," says Peter Morrison, demographer at the Rand Corp. "It's becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. It's a new kind of maturity."
Moving beyond gambling
A. Somer Hollingsworth, CEO of the Nevada Development Authority, has lived here since 1953, when Las Vegas was better known for courts that granted quick divorces than gaming, and gambling profits "went out in paper bags back East," he says, referring to the Mafia's ties to early casinos here.
By 2000, Wall Street had embraced big investments in gaming, prompting larger and more lavish resort hotels. World-famous chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse opened restaurants. Casino mogul Steve Wynn brought fine-arts exhibits under the same roof as slot machines. "We had a utopia," Hollingsworth says.
Then came the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Travel and tourism came to a standstill. "Fifteen thousand people lost their jobs just like this, overnight," he says. "It's taken us four years to recover."
The attacks brought home the need for Las Vegas to diversify its economy. The state has been wooing companies aggressively ever since, especially in California — Nevada's larger neighbor and friendly rival. A Nevada billboard towering over Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles shows California's state flag with the bear missing from its logo, a not-so-subtle hint that even the bear fled for Nevada's low insurance rates and zero income tax.
"We now are able to recruit companies that five years ago wouldn't even have stopped to say 'Hi,' " Hollingsworth says.
Another plus: No threats of earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes. The city is the main disaster backup center for many firms.
QUALCOMM, a San Diego-based developer of wireless technology, broke ground last year on a 32-acre facility in North Las Vegas. It's working with UNLV on homeland-security initiatives.
Varian Medical Systems, based in California's Silicon Valley, moved parts of its oncology systems business and all of its cargo screening and security operations to Las Vegas. "The proximity of an international airport, the university, the cost of living and the proximity to Southern California's vendor base" sealed the deal, says Lester Boeh, a Varian vice president.
For employees who had to move, "the initial reaction was trepidation," says James Johnson, general manager of Varian's security and inspection products division. Once here, they were excited. "In California, they were struggling with their schools, taxes. Las Vegas is a much more stable community."
When Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, he went to Los Angeles to have his prostate gland removed.
Guinn's and other high-profile cases put the spotlight on a void in Las Vegas' medical care. Last September, the Nevada Cancer Institute opened. A month later, the center had 1,000 patient visits.
"I grew up mostly on the East Coast in Baltimore," says Heather Murren, president and CEO of the cancer center. Later, she worked for Merrill Lynch in New York City. "Great education, medicine, the arts were all a given."
When relatives who had moved to Vegas needed cancer treatment, Murren realized that "a lot of the things that we had taken for granted didn't exist."
The community quickly lined up behind the push for a cancer research center. Major industries from resorts and banking to developers raised $70 million and the center obtained a $52 million loan.
Diane Gregory, executive director of physician marketing and support services for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, a non-profit group, has seen a big shift.
"In the '80s, it was very difficult to recruit physicians to Las Vegas," she says. "... People didn't think there were hospitals. We had physicians ask us, 'Do you live on the Strip?' "
Charitable giving also is growing. The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the Las Vegas tennis great's outreach program, raises more than $42 million a year for underprivileged and at-risk children. United Way contributions doubled from two years ago.
'Feng shui' comes to Vegas
There is no fourth floor in the Boca Raton luxury condominiums going up near the Strip. That's because under Chinese feng shui principles, "4" represents death, developer Jerry Peterson says.
Here, in the land of cookie-cutter homes, a developer caring about positive life energy and spiritual balance is a sign that urban sensibilities are surfacing. So is the surge of high-rise condos planned downtown and near the Strip.
Housing prices are rising. The median sales price of existing single-family homes topped $300,000 last year, according to the National Association of Realtors. The U.S. median is about $216,000.
That's still a bargain for Californians, who face prices of $500,000 or more in big markets. When software provider InfoGenesis moved some of its operations here from Santa Barbara, many executives made six-figure profits on the sale of their homes, says Drew Hulburd, a manager. The job-applicant pool is much larger here, he says, partly because of the low cost of living.
Non-invasive Medical Technologies, which has 13 patents for instruments to quickly evaluate medical conditions on the battlefield or after a terrorist attack and other emergencies, moved from Auburn Hills, Mich. Executives rave about the red-carpet treatment they got in Nevada, along with $200,000 in tax relief. Vendors are eager to do business because the company is near hotels and a major airport, says Ann McCaughan, executive vice president.
McCaughan, a nature lover, also enjoys her new setting: "I have more wilderness around me. The largest desert wildlife refuge is 30 minutes from here, and the Grand Canyon is in my backyard."
By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS —
Ignore the Elvis impersonator mugging for the camera in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Get past the black glass pyramid and faux New York skyline rising out of the Mojave Desert. Look beyond the glitzy neon, gambling and showgirls along the Strip.
Only then will you glimpse a side of Vegas that few of Sin City's 38 million annual visitors see: One of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas is not just growing, but growing up.
For the first time in its brief urban history — Las Vegas is the largest U.S. city born after 1900 — this booming place finally is trying to establish an old-fashioned sense of community. The city has outgrown the chummy world of the 1950s, when Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack ruled, and turned into a full-blown metropolitan area that is attracting families and businesses from other cities.
"It's gone from a circus act to a regular city," says Robert Lang, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech. "The experience of Las Vegas now is less Rat Pack and more brats in the car, from Dino (Dean Martin) and his friends and swingers to minivans and shopping malls. It's just a big Western city."
Residents are investing more time and money to diversify Las Vegas' economy and turn it into a place that not only can be a decadent playground for a few days, but also a decent home for a lifetime. Las Vegas still markets itself as an escapist's paradise, but it also competes for doctors, teachers, high-tech talent and others who make a city run.
Philanthropy is on the rise. Medical care is blossoming into a new cancer research center and a $35 million Alzheimer's hospital to be designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, is now taxing rental cars to help fund a performing arts center. The 10-story, 1.3 million-square-foot World Market Center, a furniture showroom and convention center, opened near downtown last summer.
High-rise condos and town centers are springing up. Ethnic neighborhoods are growing — Chinatown has gone from one block to a 1½-mile strip. The education level of a community that relies largely on service workers from hotel maids and waiters to croupiers and doormen is finally inching up as more professionals move in.
They're all signs that people in the Las Vegas area — which has a population of about 1.8 million and is adding an estimated 7,000 residents a month — are seeking deeper and longer-lasting connections with their city.
"Those of us who live here are looking for more opportunity to take our kids to do something in a non-gaming environment," says Myron Martin, president of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation.
"We're going through puberty," says John Restrepo, an economic consultant. "There are a lot of pulls and tugs from business, governmental side and residents: What should we be as we grow up?"
More attractive to employers
In the grand Vegas tradition, the consensus here remains that growth is good. More than 30 major casino-hotels have opened since 1990, adding more than 40,000 hotel rooms. The Strip, a 4.5-mile stretch lined by the world's most lavish casinos and 102,000 hotel rooms, is extending south to meet demand for more. The city is developing 61 acres downtown into a mix of retail, residential and commercial units.
Now, people want more than just buildings sprouting out of the desert. "Families here have wishes and desires no different from people in Omaha," says Keith Schwer, director of The Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV).
The Las Vegas area still makes much of its money from gambling and visitors who spend about $33 billion a year.
Despite the city's successful tourism campaign trumpeting Sin City's return to its sinful roots ("What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas"), Las Vegas is maturing.
Biomedical and high-tech companies are moving from California and other states. Educated and well-to-do executives who might have once pooh-poohed Vegas as morally moribund and a cultural wasteland are moving here — with their families.
"It is dramatically easier to recruit" for jobs in Las Vegas, says Brian Sullivan, chairman and CEO of Christian & Timbers, an executive search firm based in New York. "Five or seven years ago, the pool of candidates used to be either the guy was divorced or the guy was desperate. Now, there is a family contingent. ... There are kids."
The percentage of Clark County residents age 25 and up who have graduate or professional degrees is up from less than 6% in 2000 to 7% in 2004, according to the Census Bureau. Raising the area's educational level has been difficult because casino and resort industry service jobs pay so well.
"You can get out of high school, go and valet park and you can make $50,000 to $60,000 a year," Restrepo says. "What's the incentive to go to college?"
But jobs that require education are being created in the growing non-gaming sector, which now accounts for half of the area's revenue. And retirees from across the USA are flocking to downtown condos and active-adult communities in the suburbs.
"It has become home to a rapidly growing population that has nothing to do with gaming," says Peter Morrison, demographer at the Rand Corp. "It's becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. It's a new kind of maturity."
Moving beyond gambling
A. Somer Hollingsworth, CEO of the Nevada Development Authority, has lived here since 1953, when Las Vegas was better known for courts that granted quick divorces than gaming, and gambling profits "went out in paper bags back East," he says, referring to the Mafia's ties to early casinos here.
By 2000, Wall Street had embraced big investments in gaming, prompting larger and more lavish resort hotels. World-famous chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse opened restaurants. Casino mogul Steve Wynn brought fine-arts exhibits under the same roof as slot machines. "We had a utopia," Hollingsworth says.
Then came the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Travel and tourism came to a standstill. "Fifteen thousand people lost their jobs just like this, overnight," he says. "It's taken us four years to recover."
The attacks brought home the need for Las Vegas to diversify its economy. The state has been wooing companies aggressively ever since, especially in California — Nevada's larger neighbor and friendly rival. A Nevada billboard towering over Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles shows California's state flag with the bear missing from its logo, a not-so-subtle hint that even the bear fled for Nevada's low insurance rates and zero income tax.
"We now are able to recruit companies that five years ago wouldn't even have stopped to say 'Hi,' " Hollingsworth says.
Another plus: No threats of earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes. The city is the main disaster backup center for many firms.
QUALCOMM, a San Diego-based developer of wireless technology, broke ground last year on a 32-acre facility in North Las Vegas. It's working with UNLV on homeland-security initiatives.
Varian Medical Systems, based in California's Silicon Valley, moved parts of its oncology systems business and all of its cargo screening and security operations to Las Vegas. "The proximity of an international airport, the university, the cost of living and the proximity to Southern California's vendor base" sealed the deal, says Lester Boeh, a Varian vice president.
For employees who had to move, "the initial reaction was trepidation," says James Johnson, general manager of Varian's security and inspection products division. Once here, they were excited. "In California, they were struggling with their schools, taxes. Las Vegas is a much more stable community."
When Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, he went to Los Angeles to have his prostate gland removed.
Guinn's and other high-profile cases put the spotlight on a void in Las Vegas' medical care. Last September, the Nevada Cancer Institute opened. A month later, the center had 1,000 patient visits.
"I grew up mostly on the East Coast in Baltimore," says Heather Murren, president and CEO of the cancer center. Later, she worked for Merrill Lynch in New York City. "Great education, medicine, the arts were all a given."
When relatives who had moved to Vegas needed cancer treatment, Murren realized that "a lot of the things that we had taken for granted didn't exist."
The community quickly lined up behind the push for a cancer research center. Major industries from resorts and banking to developers raised $70 million and the center obtained a $52 million loan.
Diane Gregory, executive director of physician marketing and support services for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, a non-profit group, has seen a big shift.
"In the '80s, it was very difficult to recruit physicians to Las Vegas," she says. "... People didn't think there were hospitals. We had physicians ask us, 'Do you live on the Strip?' "
Charitable giving also is growing. The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the Las Vegas tennis great's outreach program, raises more than $42 million a year for underprivileged and at-risk children. United Way contributions doubled from two years ago.
'Feng shui' comes to Vegas
There is no fourth floor in the Boca Raton luxury condominiums going up near the Strip. That's because under Chinese feng shui principles, "4" represents death, developer Jerry Peterson says.
Here, in the land of cookie-cutter homes, a developer caring about positive life energy and spiritual balance is a sign that urban sensibilities are surfacing. So is the surge of high-rise condos planned downtown and near the Strip.
Housing prices are rising. The median sales price of existing single-family homes topped $300,000 last year, according to the National Association of Realtors. The U.S. median is about $216,000.
That's still a bargain for Californians, who face prices of $500,000 or more in big markets. When software provider InfoGenesis moved some of its operations here from Santa Barbara, many executives made six-figure profits on the sale of their homes, says Drew Hulburd, a manager. The job-applicant pool is much larger here, he says, partly because of the low cost of living.
Non-invasive Medical Technologies, which has 13 patents for instruments to quickly evaluate medical conditions on the battlefield or after a terrorist attack and other emergencies, moved from Auburn Hills, Mich. Executives rave about the red-carpet treatment they got in Nevada, along with $200,000 in tax relief. Vendors are eager to do business because the company is near hotels and a major airport, says Ann McCaughan, executive vice president.
McCaughan, a nature lover, also enjoys her new setting: "I have more wilderness around me. The largest desert wildlife refuge is 30 minutes from here, and the Grand Canyon is in my backyard."
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Friday, February 3, 2006
Road Trip Across U.S.A. - Move to Vegas
We stopped at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest in AZ.
So we made it to Vegas. It took us 3 1/2 days. We left VA Saturday am and arrived in Vegas on Tuesday afternoon. We stopped overnight in Jackson, TN, Amarillo, TX, and Sedona, AZ.
I planned to document the whole trip with photos, but truthfully, other than many churches and giant crosses, there wasn't too much visible from the road through the bulk of the bible belt.
We drove through these major cities during our route: Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque and Sedona.
The cats were ok for about 60% of the trip. The rest they meowed and yelped.
My furniture/stuff won't arrive until mid next week- that is a bummer. Otherwise so far so good from sunny Las Vegas. Enjoy the photos!!
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Goodbye message for Jodi
my buddy Jon had Jeff (Halpern, captain of the Washington Capitals) send me this message, as I journey west...
Friday, January 20, 2006
Matthew Lesko is here
Matthew Lesko is here at USA TODAY today. And he is wearing a black suit with hot pink question marks. Just had to share that...
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)