Southern Nevada Public Television (SNPT) and Vegas PBS today announced that Reggie Burton was elected president of the Southern Nevada Public Television Board of Directors, the non-profit organization whose mission is to provide financial support for Vegas PBS.

Other newly elected officers of the SNPT board include Kelly Peterson of Bank of America, vice president, Jim Dionizio of NSTec, treasurer and Lori Lea of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, secretary.

"I am delighted to be among this group of community leaders committed to securing valuable funding so that we may continue delivering cutting-edge and innovative programming to Southern Nevada,” Burton said.

Burton thanked immediate past president Lisa Dove-Swisher for her enthusiastic leadership. During her tenure as president, Dove-Swisher worked to bring new members to the board, chaired the Vegas PBS 40th Anniversary Gala and conducted a strategic retreat to create a roadmap for positioning Southern Nevada’s public television station as a distributor of programs and services to support the community.

Burton, president of public relations firm Reggie Burton Communications, and a former gaming executive with MGM MIRAGE, was elected in 2006 to serve a three-year term on the Southern Nevada Public Television Board. During this time, he served as the organization’s vice president and chair of the Advocacy Council.

About Vegas PBS

For more than 40 years, Vegas PBS has provided Southern Nevada with quality, commercial-free programming, media and media delivery technology. Vegas PBS provides broadcast TV and cable over seven channels with an additional six educational channels provided directly to the Clark County School District classroom. Vegas PBS local productions include Nevada Week in Review, Inside Education, Recession Rx, Homework Hotline, Varsity Quiz, Remembering the Holocaust: Las Vegas Survivors Tell Their Stories, Building Vegas GREENer, Fit Kids, Active Families, School Matters and election debates. In 2009, Vegas PBS completed construction on its Educational Technology Campus, a model for sustainability and green building practices. The campus will house Vegas PBS studios and offices, Clark County School District’s Virtual High School, Educational Media Services, the Emergency Response Data-casting System, public meeting rooms and training facilities. Visit www.VegasPBS.org for additional information and programming highlights.

Posted February 2, 2010 1:08 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Farts, Burps, and Hurl Capture Kids' Attention and Imagination

Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body, a traveling exhibition exploring the good, the bad and the ugly about how your body works, is currently on display in the Cultural Gallery at Lied Discovery Children’s Museum through September 7, 2009.

Grossology is a collaboration between Science World, Advanced Exhibits and Sylvia Branzei, a teacher, microbiologist and author of the best‐selling children’s book of the same name. The exhibition uses creative animatronics and interactives to teach about runny noses, body odor and other unmentionables. Visitors will be able to learn how your nose acts as an air filter and mucus producer, mimic the buildup of acid indigestion at a burp machine, and climb on large replica of human skin.
As the museum’s summer spotlight, Grossology takes the place of the highly successful Adventures With Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibition and becomes the third science‐based addition to the facility in 2009. The Green Village and It’s Your Choice core exhibitions were added earlier this year.

“Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is a center for science in the Las Vegas Valley,” executive director Linda Quinn said. “Grossology makes science fun for children and families, which is why it’s a perfect fit. We are fortunate the support of the community continues to enable the museum to bring bigger and better science exhibits and educational opportunities to our members and visitors.”

Grossology is locally sponsored by Cox Communications.

Lied Discovery Childrenʹs Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North in downtown Las Vegas and features more than 100 interactive exhibits in the arts, sciences and humanities for children and families. For more information, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382‐3445.

Posted June 12, 2009 1:42 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

WHO:
Auld Dubliner, the authentic Irish pub at The Village at Lake Las Vegas.

WHAT:
Join Auld Dubliner as they celebrate Memorial Day with a festive barbecue and live music from various entertainers. Enjoy smoked turkey legs, ribs, beef tips and much more!

WHEN:
Sun., May 24, Noon - 8 pm / Mon., May 25, Noon - 5 p.m.

Auld Dubliner live entertainment schedule is as follows:
Sat., May 23, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Sun., May 24, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Mon., May 25, Noon - 5 p.m.

WHERE:
Auld Dubliner at The Village at Lake Las Vegas
15 Costa di Lago
Henderson, Nev. 89011

COST:
The cost of the barbecue ranges from $8 to $12 per-person. Entertainment at Auld Dubliner and lakeside concerts* are free and open to the public.

Posted May 21, 2009 9:31 AM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Las Vegas, NV – April 8, 2009 – Ben & Jerry’s, the company that broke the mold for businesses showing you could make a profit while giving back to the community, will commemorate its 31st Annual “Free Cone Day” at the Galleria Mall at Sunset in Henderson with celebrity scoopers to benefit Lied Discovery Children’s Museum and at the District at Green Valley Ranch location to benefit the Nevada Community Learning Centers (formerly Classroom on Wheels). All small cones are FREE with no purchase necessary, but patrons are invited to make a donation to the respective local charity.

Local celebrities will roll up their sleeves and dig in at both locations and work to help raise money by scooping ice cream throughout the day on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from noon to 8 p.m. Celebrities are being confirmed and will be announced shortly.

“Free Cone Day” was originally launched to thank the community for their loyalty to Ben & Jerry’s and to congratulate the staff on the company’s first anniversary. It was such a huge success; it is now a tradition that is celebrated each year. “Free Cone Day” at Ben & Jerry’s will happen across the globe and all proceeds are donated to local charities. This year, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops anticipate to give away more than two million free ice cream cones nationally. While the full flavor line-up is up for grabs on “Free Cone Day” featuring “legend-dairy” palette pleasers like Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia and Chubby Hubby, Ben & Jerry’s will debut its newest offerings as part of the celebration:

• Chocolate Macadamia – A Flavor with a Mission! Fair Trade Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Creams Swirled Together with Fudge-Covered Macadamia Nuts

• Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road – Chocolate Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Butter Brickle and White Chocolate Chunks

• Orange & Cream – A Swirly Sorbet of Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream Blended to a Harmonious Summertime Treat

• Triple Caramel Chunk – Caramel Ice Cream with a Swirl of Caramel and Fudge-Covered Caramel Chunks

The Galleria Mall At Sunset is located at 1300 W. Sunset Road at the intersection of Stephanie Street. Ben & Jerry’s is located on the Upper Level, across from the Food Court. For more information, please contact Ben & Jerry’s at 702-435-0330.

The District at Green Valley Ranch is located next to the Green Valley Ranch Casino on I-215 and Green Valley Parkway. For more information, please contact Ben & Jerry’s at 702-437-3300.

Continue reading "LOCAL CELEBRITIES TO SCOOP ICE CREAM FOR CHARITY FOR BEN & JERRY’S 31st ANNUAL “FREE CONE DAY” APRIL 21" »

Posted April 8, 2009 1:55 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Event benefits The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southern Nevada

The Village (MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas) and Buckbean Brewing Company, the largest production microbrewery in Nevada, host the first-ever Village Beer Fest on Sat., March 14, 2009 from 3 – 7 p.m. Tickets for the festival are available at the event for $20 per person which includes an engraved commemorative glass, with proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southern Nevada (MDA).

The Village Craft Festival showcases craft beers from around the U.S. served along The Village’s cobblestone streets with waterfront views. Live music by Las Vegas’ The Wedge Brothers will cap off a great day where guests can enjoy these hand-crafted brews in support of a great cause.

“Buckbean’s excited to partner with The Village on this event and hopes it will become an annual event,” said Buckbean Brewing Company Owner Douglas Booth. “The location is perfect for this type of event with restaurants and shops to enhance the experience and a resort in case guests have had too much fun and need a place to sleep.”

Guests wishing to take advantage of MonteLago Village Resort’s luxury lakeside lodging can do so by calling 888-600-2688. Complete with scenic balconies, full kitchens and living areas, lodging at the resort starts at only $99 per night, plus resort fees and taxes. Mention “Beer Fest” when calling to receive the special rate. A special Beer Festival package is also available and includes an overnight stay and two passes to the event for $125, a 35 percent savings (plus resort fees and taxes).

For more information on this event, please visit www.montelagovillage.com. For sponsorship information during any MonteLago Village event, please call 702-564-4785.

Continue reading "Inaugural "Village Craft Beer Festival" Coming To The Village" »

Posted January 23, 2009 12:59 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

The hit a cappella musical group Mosaic highlighted the American Marketing Association Las Vegas' first-ever "Agency Crawl" when it put on an intimate performance at the Las Vegas offices of star7advertising and PR Plus last Thursday.

Mosaic sang a traditional rendition of "Carol of the Bells" before taking things to another level with a modern version of "We Three Kings" that brought down the house.

Mosaic is an instrument-free, all vocals group that blends elements of pop, funk, jazz, hip-hop and opera. The group performs regularly with comedian George Wallace at the Flamingo Las Vegas and was recently crowned MTV’s Top Pop Group.  The six-man vocal collaboration was also the winner of CBS’ “The Early Show” search for The Next Great A Cappella Group.

star7 and PR Plus hosted the first leg of the AMA's inaugural event in order to spread holiday cheer while creating a networking opportunity for AMA members. Longtime collaborators with star7, DAV Productions provided lighting, video and sound support.

"With the premier lights sweeping the sky and all the other great equipment they brought filling the room with sights and sounds, this place felt like a big time event," star7 partner Cary Duckworth said. "Throw Mosaic into the mix, and it was a big time event!"

The Agency Crawl drew about 30 members and guests, and included stops at star7, Sutton Watkins, and Greenspun Media Group.

star7 / PR Plus / DAV Productions / Mosaic

Posted December 17, 2008 4:06 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

The sheer volume of entertainment options available to locals and visitors to the Las Vegas area is staggering, but ShowsLasVegas.com is trying to make it easier for folks to sift through the plethora of entertainment information.

When ShowsLasVegas.com launches this week, visitors to the Web site will have the ability to view hundreds of the most popular shows, night spots, and tours offered in Las Vegas in one place. ShowsLasVegas.com visitors will be able to read reviews, compare prices, view available dates and other pertinent show information, and purchase tickets.

Continue reading "New Las Vegas Entertainment Site ShowsLasVegas.com Prepares for Launch" »

Posted October 7, 2008 10:57 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Yesterday I had the distinct privilege of accompanying my six year-old daughter to see the national tour of Disney’s High School Musical.

It’s bad enough I’ve had to sit through two franchise movies and the occasional re-airing of the show on Disney Channel. But now, in true Disney fashion, I have yet another opportunity of soaking in more over-the-top high school mania.

Oh the things we parents do for our kids.

Although my anticipation in no way matched my daughter’s for the evening extravaganza at Planet Hollywood’s Theatre for the Performing Arts, I must say I was impressed with the quality and ingenuity of the stage production.

Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything less than perfect from Disney. I mean, they must have a sizable percentage of every family’s annual income.

The staging of the movie for the theater was clever. The costumes and set were top-notch. The performers were even pretty much on-point if you can get past the exaggerated acting that Disney just soaks up.

Continue reading "Disney’s High School Musical on tour delights" »

Posted June 6, 2008 3:30 PM by Pete Codella, APR | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

If you’re a Manilow ‘fanilow,’ Barry Manilow’s Music and Passion show at the Las Vegas Hilton is a must-see.

Although, as he sings in I Write the Songs, he’s “been alive forever,” he’s remarkably in-touch with what it is all good entertainers do. He’s a showman, a performer, and he surrounds himself with people who are just as talented as he is.

The musicians and back-up singers were just as impressive as Manilow.

Continue reading "Barry Manilow really delivers music and passion at the Las Vegas Hilton" »

Posted May 24, 2008 7:25 AM by Pete Codella, APR | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Last night my wife and I had the privilege of going out on a date night. I say it’s a privilege because now that we have two kids, our weekly date night is more like a monthly occurrence (if we’re lucky).

We received tickets to see Toni Braxton in “Revealed” at the Flamingo Hilton on the Las Vegas Strip. The tickets were a generous birthday gift from a friend. Thank you!

We ended up at the front table, right next to the center stairs leading to the stage. Toni used this runway part of the stage quite a bit to interact with the audience, the thing she did best during the 90 minute show.

So, when she was pausing for photo opportunities with the audience mid-way in her show, I seized the moment and offered my lap for her to take a load off. She sat down for just a few seconds, long enough for the nearby photographer to snap five photos which they tried selling to me for $28 each.

As noteworthy as it is to have Toni Braxton sit in your lap (I’m wearing the same pants today), the most impressive moment of the night for me was when she sat down at the piano and played and sang. She’s a real musician!

Having said that, I can’t say I’d recommend her show to my friends. We were treated to more talking than singing, and more skimpy Vegas showmanship than quality entertainment. In fact, I take issue with her wardrobe person’s philosophy that less is more. Her best costume was a long white, elegant dress (I think it’s the one she wore at the Grammy’s many years ago; at least it reminded me of it).

Continue reading "Toni Braxton sat on my lap during her show at the Flamingo Hilton" »

Posted April 4, 2008 7:31 AM by Pete Codella, APR | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email This

So the Las Vegas Sun ran an article about RottenNeighbor.com, a Web site where people frustrated with their neighbors can vent about them to the Internet community. The way it works is the same as other rant-fueled Web sites, if they do something that displeases you, simply log onto the Web site and write about it.

The site allows users to search their areas for bad neighbors and even marks them on a map.

Platewire.com does the same thing, but is geared towards bad drivers. This site takes it one step further by allowing people to upload pictures of the license plates of offending drivers. Along with the picture, users can describe the car, driver or anything other glaring or minute details.

Continue reading "Web sites give users place to vent about bad neighbors, drivers or boyfriends" »

Posted October 29, 2007 3:45 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

We’re 11 days into October, so I hope you’ve been hitting those haunted houses. If not, go do it. In fact, go check out The Asylum at the Home Depot parking lot on Craig, just east of Camino del Norte and The Hotel Fear at the corner of Desert Inn and Durango.

This is what I’ll say about haunted houses. I don’t really like them. Always seemed a little on the cheesy side, if you know what I mean, which I’m sure you do.

It’s been a few years since I’ve put myself through such an outing, but from the website, this actually does sound pretty entertaining. I like that both houses eschew the hodge-podge mix of different cheap thrills for an overall theme.

Continue reading "The Hotel Fear and Asylum offer Halloween thrills in Las Vegas" »

Posted October 11, 2007 5:01 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

The unsigned rock band Searchlight will be holding a free performance and record signing at Zia Record Exchange on Saturday, September 22. The Las Vegas-based band will be celebrating the release of the Resident Evil: Extinction soundtrack.

Continue reading "Rock band Searchlight to hold signing and free performance at Zia Record Exchange" »

Posted September 20, 2007 12:32 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Local casino powerhouse Station Casinos announced a free concert series taking place over the next three months spread throughout the valley. The concerts will feature acts from various genres and will all be 21 years and older events.

Venues will be the 500-seat Ovation at Green Valley Ranch Resort, 650-seat Railhead at Boulder Station and the 399-seat Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort. Although tickets are free, they will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Continue reading "Station Casinos announces free concert series in Las Vegas valley" »

Posted September 13, 2007 4:24 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

He’s a combat hero; he deserves to be immortalized in wax. He’s fought off hordes of the Covenant and helped stem the spread of the Flood parasites. On Saturday, September 8 in the year 2007, the Master Chief from the Halo series of video games made history as the first video game hero to find his place among the television and movie star statues at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.

10 studio artists blew through 892 man-hours and over 1,000 pounds of clay to piece together the 7 feet 2 inch tall, 275 pound sculpture. The statue is now the tallest in the museum, beating Shaquille O’Neal by a single inch.

Continue reading ""Halo" character gets statue at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum" »

Posted September 13, 2007 3:38 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Calling him a local artist would be a terrific understatement. Master artist Jean-Paul Loppo Martinez, who spent much of his life studying art in France and has worked with Picasso, Miro, Chagall, and others, can now throw children’s author onto his list of accomplishments. “Bart & The Gang,” a new children’s book series following the adventures of four kids and a magical pet Snook was released last month by LCA Publishing.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Artist Creates Children’s Book Series" »

Posted September 12, 2007 2:35 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Top-notch comedians are making their way to Las Vegas to perform at the all-new LA Comedy Club at Palace Station Hotel & Casino. The LA Comedy Club is now open nightly and features two comedians, both of headlining caliber, in The Showroom at Palace Station.

The LA Comedy Club is the brainchild of Bill Voelkner and Joaquin Trujillo of Bill Voelkner Productions. The two got their start in comedy at the Maxim Comedy Club in Las Vegas several years ago. Along with former Maxim colleague Matt Chavez who serves as the booking agent for LA Comedy Club, Voelkner and Trujillo are utilizing this relationship to bring in some of the best comedians in the industry for the new show. In Las Vegas, Bill Voelkner Productions also represents entertainers Mac King, Vinnie Favorito, Tim Gabrielson of Keep it Funny and Michael Johns and Terry Stokes of Dirty (Hypnosis Unleashed).

Palace Station is located on Sahara Avenue adjacent to Interstate 15 and just west of the Las Vegas Strip. Palace Station is located at 2411 W. Sahara Avenue. Call (702) 367-2411

Continue reading "LA Comedy Club opens at Palace Station Hotel & Casino" »

Posted August 10, 2007 9:09 AM by Terry Piper | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Bodog announces open casting call for the "Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker II" starting July 5 - 8, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas

With thousands of poker players from around the world in Las Vegas this July for the World Series of Poker, Bodog Entertainment will be in town looking to increase a few players' odds of becoming poker's next superstar and millionaire.

Open casting calls in Las Vegas this July 5 - 8, searching for contestants for "Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker II," a new poker reality TV program where 12 amateur poker players compete for a $2-million prize package -- the largest grand prize in reality TV history.

Bodog will hold all four days of auditions at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, in the "Sapphire 2" room, between noon and 5 p.m. each day. Those interested in auditioning must be at least 21 years of old and bring a photo ID. Poker players of varying skills levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome to audition.

Continue reading "Planet Hollywood and Bodog to hold poker audition for shot at reality TV's largest prize ever" »

Posted July 2, 2007 2:47 PM by Terry Piper | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Part documentary, part narrative, part instructional film THE BOYS AND GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN teaches kids about the things they'll need in order to get down things like vodka and drugs while showing them how to avoid some of the pitfalls associated with this lifestyle like the police and getting sick.

The Guide truly gets into the science of getting down and is replete with charts, graphs and kick ass graphics. The movie opens at the Orleans theaters; 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89103 on the 3/30, visit (www.guidetogettingdown.com) for more information. The movie is only opening in six select cities: two in California and Washington, one in Massachusetts and of course the only city that really counts Las Vegas.

Continue reading "The Boys and Girls Guide To Getting Down Coming to Las Vegas" »

Posted March 27, 2007 2:09 PM by Terry Piper | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Interested in a behind the scenes look at the scantily clad, aspiring starlets of the Vegas Pin-Ups? Thanks to RawVegas.tv, that’s exactly what you’ll get.

Mixing reality television with Web broadcasting, RawVegas.tv may have stumbled upon a winning combination called Raw Reality and packaged in "webisodes."

The webisodes track the five Vegas Pin-Ups dancers as they train for upcoming shows and candidly reveal details about their professional and private lives. 20 episodes are planned and four are already posted at RawVegas.tv.

Continue reading "Vegas Pin-Ups tell all in new, online reality Web show" »

Posted March 15, 2007 9:22 AM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This