Recently-retired Major League Baseball pitcher Greg Maddux, a shoe-in for the Baseball Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2014, is doing what he loves most with his newfound free time. It’s all about family, golf and community now.

So when he received the request to donate his time for an auction package to raise money for Lied Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas, he willingly obliged.

“If my being on the golf course helps the kids in my hometown, then that’s where I need to be,” said Maddux, whose own charity, the Greg Maddux Foundation, will also benefit from whatever is ultimately raised.

The children’s museum, which serves more than 100,000 visitors a year and is the only one of its kind in Las Vegas, recently put together an “exclusive dream trip” package that is highlighted by a round of golf with Maddux at Cascata Golf Club, one of Southern Nevada’s most prestigious and exclusive golfing experiences.

Through the generosity of US Airways, Luxury Suites International, On Demand Sedan & Limousine, and Wolfgang Puck, the museum was able to create a package people from outside Las Vegas might find irresistible. Maddux played in Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego and Los Angeles, so the museum is hoping fans from those markets might compete with each other for the honor of teeing it up with Maddux.

“eBay is the perfect instrument to get this unique, one-of-a-kind experience out to as many people as possible,” said Linda Quinn, the museum’s executive director.

Go to eBay and search “Greg Maddux Golf” to see the package.

Posted October 21, 2009 9:43 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

After "Timmy The Greek" went ballistic last college football bowl season by going 30-4 against the spread on his picks for all 34 bowl games, the public went nuts trying to get their hands on his picks this season. Well folks, TTG has agreed to share his picks. Here you go. Come back weekly for more of the same.

Baylor -10.5 vs. Conneticut

Western Michigan -17 vs. Miami (OH)

Colorado -7 vs. Wyoming

(Note: these are not recommendations and are intended solely for entertainment purposes)

Posted September 17, 2009 12:37 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

The Clark County Water Reclamation District (District) will be continuing to repair the collection system on Broadbent Boulevard at Frances Celia Avenue, near Sam Boyd Stadium. Traffic in this area will be impacted through at least the end of the year.

The bypass pumping, that is the cause of traffic impact in this area, works to protect the public and environment from any spills during the critical repair work being done.

Travel advisory for fans attending the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl:

Expect the following traffic impacts on Broadbent Boulevard at Sam Boyd Stadium:

- Prior to the start of the game two lanes will be open traveling into the stadium.
- Once the game has started, lanes will shift so provide two lanes for traffic exiting the stadium.

“We appreciate the patience of the community and of fans attending Saturday’s football game during this project. Rest assured, we are working as quickly as possible to have traffic back to normal in these areas,” said Sam Scire, assistant general manager of the District. “Due to the nature of this work, we are unable to avoid some lane restrictions for events at the stadium this month.”

Scire suggested those attending the Las Vegas Bowl use alternate routes, including Boulder Highway to East Russell Road, which leads directly into the stadium.

For more information and traffic updates, drivers can call the project hotline at 702-853-1333, or visit www.cleanwaterteam.com.

About the CCWRD

The Clark County Water Reclamation District was created in 1954. It services the unincorporated portions of Clark County within the Las Vegas Valley, as well as the communities of Blue Diamond, Indian Springs, Laughlin, Overton and Searchlight. The District collects and treats more than 100 million gallons of wastewater each day utilizing more than 2,000 miles of pipeline and eight treatment facilities.

Posted December 19, 2008 2:49 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Some interesting news on the NBA/Las Vegas arena front: Gary Loveman, CEO and president of Harrah’s Entertainment, is buying a 2.4 percent minority stake in the Boston Celtics according to a Sunday article in the Boston Globe.

David Stern, the league’s commissioner, initially rejected the purchase on account of Loveman’s affiliation with Harrah’s. According to Joel Litvin, president of league and basketball operations, Stern was following league policy that “no owner can also have an interest in a business that takes NBA bets.”

However, Loveman’s application was forwarded to the league’s Las Vegas Committee for review. The committee passed the application on condition that Harrah’s sportsbooks stop taking bets on Celtic games.

Continue reading "Harrah’s CEO’s stake in Boston Celtics – sign for possible arena and NBA franchise in Las Vegas?" »

Posted November 6, 2007 2:45 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

If you enjoyed the Las Vegas Grand Prix back in April, I’m sorry to have to tell you that the event won’t be repeated next year. Champ Car World Series did not include Las Vegas in its 2008 schedule, which was released yesterday.

According to an article in the Review Journal, Phoenix-bassed DDB Ventures, which promoted the Vegas Grand Prix, cancelled a racing event that was to take place in Phoenix this December. The promotion company suffered undisclosed financial losses at the Las Vegas race.

Continue reading "Downtown loses Las Vegas Grand Prix for 2008" »

Posted November 6, 2007 9:48 AM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Oh, it’s happening alright and it’s happening December 29 right here in Las Vegas at UFC 79.

UFC president Dana White made the official announcement last week: Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva will finally meet in the Octagon.

Liddell and Silva are widely considered two of the best fighters in the world and have been looking forward to fighting each other for years. And they’re not the only ones. Fans have been waiting with bated breath for this fight to materialize just as long as the fighters themselves.

At one time, each man was the undisputed 185-pound champion in their organizations, Liddell in UFC and Wanderlei in PRIDE. Although there were many cross-promotional appearances by both fighters, a deal couldn’t be reached between the rival organizations and the fight never materialized.

Continue reading "Liddell vs. Silva made official for UFC 79 in Las Vegas" »

Posted October 29, 2007 2:50 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

I read an article in the Review Journal yesterday about the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera this Saturday. I actually follow mixed martial arts much more closely than boxing, but a fighter is a fighter.

For the first time in my recollection, two fighters were respectful of each other at the pre-fight press conference. Not just respectful, but downright cordial.

I’ve never been a fan of all the pre-fight bravado that fighters tend to throw at each other. I understand that repeated incendiary comments can give one fighter a mental edge, but I always thought I’d rather just see a good show of sportsmanship.

Continue reading "Pacquiao, Barrera a little too calm before Las Vegas rematch" »

Posted October 5, 2007 9:52 AM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Mixed martial arts fans will have a lot to watch on Wednesday and a lot to discuss nest to the water coolers on Thursday. This Wednesday night, the Spike Network will broadcast UFC Fight Night 11 followed by the debut of mixed martial arts reality show The Ultimate Fighter 6.

The main event for UFC Fight Night will feature lightweight fighters Kenny Florian and Din Thomas, both former competitors on The Ultimate Fighter.

Continue reading "UFC Fight Night 11 and The Ultimate Fighter 6 premiere Wednesday night" »

Posted September 17, 2007 3:50 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Here comes the Diabetic Life Foundation’s 2nd Annual NHL Alumni and Celebrity All-Star Hockey Game.

The game start time is 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 at the Orleans Arena. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Go see the NHL Alumni and Celebrities take to the ice to “Beat Diabetes with a Stick.” You will see stars such as New York Rangers’ right wing Steve Larmer, goaltender Corey Hirsch, and Buffalo Sabres’ forward Tony McKegney. There are many other players that are scheduled to be there along with Las Vegas Thunder players, Chris McSorley, Pokey Reddick and many more. And for those of you who remember the movie Slap Shot with Paul Newman, you’ll get to see the Hanson Brothers.

If you’re not in to Hockey (poor you) there is also a golf game on Sunday at Desert Pines Golf Club with a tee time of 12:30 p.m.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Orleans Arena hosts NHL Alumni and Celebrity All-Star Hockey Game" »

Posted March 29, 2007 3:18 PM by Terry Piper | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Danny Way, a pro skater out of San Diego, has successfully "bomb droppded" from the Fender Stratocaster sign in front of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Danny dropped from over 82 feet onto a self-made ramp breaking the previous world record of a 12 foot, 3.6 inch drop. Danny dropped a total of 28 feet, landing on his board and riding out the first part of the ramp.

Bam Margera, star of the MTV show "Viva La Bam" and Sirius Satellite Radio host said, "The rollin on that is insane!"

Danny now holds two world records, but to him, it’s not about breaking records, it’s about pushing the limits of the sport.

So what's next? Danny thinks dropping 100 feet onto a 200 foot ramp is possible. We say go for it ... and do it in Vegas!

Danny Way is most famous for his leap across the Great Wall of China in July, 2005. He broke the world record for distance in that leap and solidified the popularity of the mega-ramp.

Watch Danny make history.

Posted April 7, 2006 2:51 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email This