Dec
21
2008
With Las Vegas being lit up like a Christmas tree 24/7, not as many people put up their own lights out here. It’s kind of disappointing to not be able to just drive around the neighborhood and enjoy everyone’s lights. When I was kid, we always had to take a drive down “Candy Cane Lane.” But Vegas still has some pretty good options besides just heading down to The Strip.
Winter Lights Festival at Springs Preserve- A half million lights, along with roaming performance groups, carriage rides, Santa Claus and Theater Las Vegas’ original puppet show “Dickens Done Over.” Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 to 17 and it’s open until December 30th.
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village - See my last post with all the details.
Gift of Lights at Sunset Park - You drive through the park and veiw over 200 light displays, some are even animated. This is probably one of the best displays in town. Admission is $13 per car but you can get $2 discount if you bring a bag of items for Goodwill. It’s open until January 4th.
Chocolate Wonderland at Ethel M Chocolate Factory- Almost 500,000 lights in the three-acre cactus garden . The good news is admission is free for this one. Also, during the day you can take a tour of factory and enjoy some free samples, mmmm! 
The lights will be up in the garden until January 1st.
Dec
20
2008
One of the biggest holiday attractions in Las Vegas is Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest, located at 6300 W. Oakey. Opportunity Village is a well known not-for-profit organization that has been helping people in Las Vegas with disabilities since 1954. The Magical Forest features many different rides, attractions and, of course, Santa. It will be open until December 30 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. each night. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at CVS or at Memphis Barbeque.
The Magical Forest has dozens of live Christmas trees all decorated by the many different sponsors. There is also the Storytime Cabin for children. The Gingerbread House display features a raffle and the Gift Cabin is where you can purchase some really nice Christmas gifts. The proceeds from both of these will benefit people with disabilities.
There are also lots of rides for the kids. My daughter’s favorite is the 40′Alpine Slide. There is also a junior Alpine Slide, an Enchanted Carousel and everyone’s favorite, the Forest Express train ride. And you can stop by Santa’s Workshop for a quick visit.
The Magical Forest needs 70 - 90 volunteers a night. If you are interested in volunteering contact Debbie Smith at (702) 880-4081. If you are interested in learning more about Opportunity Village, call (702) 259-3741.
Dec
09
2008
I am sorry it has been almost a week since I have posted. It seems like it’s been forever. I have been way under the weather!
Anyway, a bunch of stuff has happened. No. 1 being of course, OJ’s 9 to 33 years. I originally thought it was 15, but it’s no parole for at least 9 years. OJ is currently residing at High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, Nevada.
The National Finals Rodeo has been in town since last Thursday. That’s always a big deal out here. The events wrap up on Saturday.
There is a new volcano that opened Monday at the Mirage. Very bittersweet for me as I have fond memories of going to see the volcano as a kid. The show runs on the hour from dusk until midnight.
In the sprirt of the holiday season, the Hard Rock is going to have free drinks at several of its bars on Dec. 17 from 7pm to 9pm. No catch as far I can tell. Just stop by one of the bars and relax.
Tomorrow at 6:00pm Mayor Oscar Goodman is going to light up Las Vegas’ Christmas tree down on Freemont Street. I haven’t been there in awhile, but Freemont Street it great for a Vegasy night out.
Over the weekend we stopped by the Parasol Up Parasol Down bar over the Wynn and had a really nice time. The outdoor waterfall show caught our attention and we sat outside and had a few reasonably priced drinks. We’ll definitely be stopping by again.
I think that about sums things up for last week. Hopefully I’ll be back on point this week! 
Dec
02
2008
The 4 Corners Food Drive is Las Vegas’ largest food drive, sponsored by Mix 94.1 and Channel 13. It will be benefiting the City Mission of Las Vegas, which is extra busy this year due to the state of the economy. Every year for holiday season, everyone from Mix 94.1, including Mark and Mercedes, broadcast from a different part of town and try to collect as many non-perishable food items as possible.
Quick update on Mercedes, she is officially out on maternity leave and will not be at the food drive this year. She has not had the baby yet and is just at home on bed rest. I don’t think she is having any problems, but she is due any minute so it’s probably a good idea to take it easy. Mark did mention she was doing to try and stop by the food drive one day if she could. Good luck Mercedes! We are all wishing you well!
Ok, so I didn’t get a chance to post earlier and today they were out at the Albertson’s at Farm and Durango but this is the schedule of the Albertson’s they will be at for the rest of the week:
Tuesday - Town Center & Charleston
Wednesday - Rainbow & 215
Thursday - Stephanie & 215
So if you are planning on stopping by they are accepting all non-perishable food items, cash or grocery store gift cards. They are also giving a prize out to the single largest donation. I last heard it was up to $300, but it’s probably more than that by now. I didn’t catch everything included in that prize, but part of it was a Disney trip. My understanding is protein items are most in need, so that includes peanut butter, canned meats, tuna and beans.
So Vegas, let’s show some love and make it a record breaking year!!
Nov
07
2008
The holiday season is upon us. It seems like it comes earlier and earlier every year. No sooner do the Halloween decorations come down than the Christmas music starts playing in all the stores.
I know during tough times like these people still want to give to their favorite charity in need, but sometimes it’s just not possible. So our local malls, Fashion Show, Meadows, and Boulevard have set up great way for us donate through The Giving Spree and get a little back for our holiday shopping too. One of the best parts is that you can make a donation from as little as $5 to as many dollars as much as you want.
First you choose the mall you want to do some holiday shopping at. Next you get to pick which organization you would like to donate to. They have a bunch of local organization listed including HELP of Southern Nevada, Olive Crest, Opportunity Village, and Sunrise Children’s Foundation. Or you can choose one of the big ones such as Habitat for Humanity, After School All Stars, American Heart Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, March of Dimes Nevada Chapter and the National MS Society.
Once you have submitted your donation, you will receive list of discounts from the mall you chose that you can use on November 15, 2008. Some examples are
20% off total purchase at Aeropostale
15% off full priced merchandise at Steve Madden
20% off your entire purchase at Disney Store
15% off your entire purchase at The Body Shop
25% off your purchase at New York & Company
So give a little, get a little. Isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to be all about? 
With Las Vegas being lit up like a Christmas tree 24/7, not as many people put up their own lights out here. It’s kind of disappointing to not be able to just drive around the neighborhood and enjoy everyone’s lights. When I was kid, we always had to take a drive down “Candy Cane Lane.” But Vegas still has some pretty good options besides just heading down to The Strip.
