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Out and About: Out N About
Harmonies for the Holidays
When gift giving season rolls around, the delightful sounds of holiday music fill the air, boosting everyone’s spirit. Sitting around the tree while you enjoy traditional tunes with the family is always fun, but there are also plenty of great live holiday performances happening around town.
Las Vegas Philharmonic – “A Very Vegas Holiday”
Our hometown orchestra dazzles once again on December 8th at The Smith Center, where special guests Carolyn and Oscar Goodman help narrate “A Night Before Christmas.” Call 982-7805 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com for tickets and info.
Elvis Holiday & Tribute Show
You won’t have a “Blue Christmas” with this incredible performance by acclaimed Elvis tribute artist Steve Connolly at the M Resort on December 8th, featuring signature hits and holiday classics. Visit www.themresort.com for tickets and info.
Henderson Symphony Orchestra
WinterFest kicks off at the Henderson Convention Center on December 13th with the Henderson Symphony Orchestra performing classic holiday tunes in their “Sounds of the Season” concert. Call 267-2171 or visit www.hendersonlive.com for info.
The Deana Martin Christmas Show
Dean Martin’s daughter Deana offers a toast to the holidays and her legendary father at The Smith Center on December 14th – 16th with some of the greatest songs ever written. Call 982-7805 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com for tickets and info.
Holiday Nights and Lights
This series of community concerts, held at Town Square Park every Thursday through December 20th, features performances that include everything from local school choirs to holiday musicals. Visit www.mytownsquareevents.com for info.
Raising Hope for Parkinson’s
The battle against Parkinson’s disease affects millions of people around the world, including actor Michael J. Fox, who has been tireless in his commitment to raise funds and awareness for the disease. Fox’s efforts have even had an effect at the local level as Liberty High School students Joseph Maurer and Ryan Popowcer were inspired to bring new hope to the cause.
After watching TV reruns of Fox’s old sitcom Family Ties, Joseph and Ryan started learning more about Michael and his fight against Parkinson’s and were inspired to help out. Joseph and Ryan hosted a fundraising event on October 20th that raised over $3,500 with their sights set on an ultimate goal of raising $10,000. The two were even introduced to Fox on the Katie Couric Show in recognition of their worthy endeavors. Hope is an important thing for anyone suffering a debilitating disease, and thanks to Joseph and Ryan, that hope remains alive. “Even though neither me or my friend know anyone with Parkinson’s,” said Joseph, “we want to help better our community and the lessons and stories we’ve heard along the way are inspiration to our lives.”
Pomegranate Mojito
2 oz. Bacardi rum
½ oz. pomegranate molasses
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
½ oz. club soda
8 mint leaves
Pomegranate seeds
Lime wheel
Combine ingredients in a shaker. Pour into highball glass. Garnish with mint leaves, pomegranate seeds and lime wheel.
Recipe courtesy of Hyde at Bellagio.
Did You Know?
Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nikolas of Myra, who lived during the fourth century. Born in modern day Turkey, he is the world’s most popular non-Biblical saint and is also the patron saint of banking, sailing, orphans, royalty and New York City.
The Must Do List
Editor’s Picks
December 5
Downtown Hoedown
When the National Finals Rodeo ambles into town this December, the Fremont Street Experience will play host to this western style celebration featuring free live concerts of popular country music. Grab your boots, chaps and cowboy hat and enjoy this feel good celebration under the dazzling neon lights. The toe tapping entertainment lineup includes top country music talents such as Dustin Lynch, Uncle Kracker, Jana Kramer and Clay Walker. To coincide with the NFR, the Fremont Street Experience will hold additional nightly free concerts from December 5th – 16th featuring Country Superstars, Jimmy Ray’s Johnny Cash Tribute, Matt Stillwell and more. There’s no better way to get ready for long nights of bull riding and barrel racing than with some of the best country music around. Visit www.vegasexperience.com for more information.
January 16 – 20
Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream
As we were told in Disney’s Cinderella, “A dream is a wish your heart makes.” The dream comes alive once again as Disney on Ice returns to the Thomas & Mack Center for this magical and entertaining showcase. Disney Princesses take to the ice in thrilling tales of fantasy, including a hair raising adventure with Rapunzel from Tangled, a musical trip down to the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, and a dance to remember as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming. For young and old alike, it’s a chance to relive all those classic Disney memories and make new ones as well as you enjoy all the adventure, fantasy and whimsical dream-making that has made Disney a household name. Call 739-FANS or visit www.unlvtickets.com for tickets and more information.
December 12
Chanukah Menorah Lighting
Join the Henderson Jewish community for this ceremonial event to kick off the start of Chanukah with a traditional menorah lighting at The District at Green Valley Ranch. The event will feature the largest menorah in the city, kicking off eight nights of festive celebration in grand style. Enjoy the merriment with a full range of fun stuff to see and do, including live music, chocolate Chanukah gelt, free doughnuts and all kinds of treats for young and old. Embrace this special time of year while it lasts and enjoy all the joy and wonder the season has to offer. Call 617-0770 for more information.
December 14
Night at the Museum: The Polar Express
Need a break from the kids so you can get some holiday shopping done? Or are you just looking for a nice, holiday themed experience your children can enjoy? Either way, the Springs Preserve has you covered. Drop the young ones off for a night of fun entertainment that includes a screening of the new holiday classic The Polar Express. As the evening goes on, kids can make holiday arts and crafts, explore the Origen Museum and snack on pizza while making some great memories for the season. Call 822-7700 or visit www.springspreserve.org for more information.
December 15
Suite Holidays
Many of us have wondered what lies beyond those mysterious doors to all the big hotel suites on the Las Vegas Strip. Now you have your chance to take an exclusive peek inside as six amazing properties offer this exclusive tour. Explore elegant suites at Caesars Palace, The Cosmopolitan, Hard Rock, Palms, Paris and Rio and relax in all the chic style as you enjoy appetizers, cocktails and raffles as part of your private tour. It’s the perfect way to spoil yourself and feel like a Vegas VIP for a special holiday treat. Call 214-0500 or visit www.jalasvegas.org for tickets and info.
The Giving Season
As we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, it’s always good to keep in mind ways we can help the less fortunate. No matter how you want to contribute, there are plenty of ways to give back.
Socks for Seniors
This annual community service project, running now through December 23rd, collects new socks to be distributed to the elderly in local area nursing homes around the holidays. You can donate socks to a neighborhood drive or even start one of your own! All it takes is one person, one box and one location. Visit www.socksforseniors.com for more information.
Macy’s Make-A-Wish “Believe”
Kids love writing letters to Santa, and children of all ages are encouraged to bring their stamped letters to Macy’s now through December 24th. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to a total of $1 million. Families may drop off their letters addressed to “Santa at the North Pole” at any of the four Macy’s locations in the valley.
If you’d like to make a general donation of food, clothing or anything else you think might be of use, the following organizations are happy to receive them, but please contact them beforehand.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
385-2662
www.catholiccharities.com
Three Square
644-3663
www.threesquare.org
HopeLink
566-0576
www.link2hope.org
Las Vegas Rescue Mission
382-1766
www.vegasrescue.org
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth
383-1332
www.nevadahomelessyouth.org
Salvation Army Las Vegas
870-4430
www.salvationarmylasvegas.com
I’m Dreaming of a Cowboy Christmas
When the National Finals Rodeo comes to town, there are plenty of cowboys to be seen walking the streets. And when the dust settles after each long day of steer wrestling and bronc riding, you’ll see a big crowd of Stetson hats and big belt buckles, along with one of the best selections of western merchandise, at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show. Held in conjunction with the NFR, the show is known for being the longest running gift show connected with the rodeo and will take place from December 6th – 15th at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Explore more than 300,000 square feet of space with over 400 vendors from across the United States and Canada. Endless rows of booths will feature customized jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts, pottery and more, along with a wide range of official Wrangler NFR products. And with free shuttle service to and from the rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center, you don’t even have to worry about parking. Wear your most comfortable boots and saddle up! Visit www.nfrexperience.com for more information.
Home Sweet Home
For those with a sweet tooth, the holidays bring no shortage of tasty treats – candy canes, cookies, peppermint bark and so on. But there’s nothing sweeter, crunchier or more aesthetically impressive than a good old fashioned gingerbread house. The intricate detail that goes into some of these designs is truly artistic. You can check out some of the best for yourself or indulge your creative side and build your own at the 3rd Annual Boulder City Gingerbread House Competition, held this year on December 8th – 9th at the Boulder City Elks Lodge.
Children and adults alike can experience a genuine thrill by building the gingerbread house of their dreams with the only limits being those of the imagination. You may discover hidden talents beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed upon a confectionary canvas. The winning entry will receive a grand prize and all houses built will be auctioned off with proceeds going to local charities. Help out a good cause, spend some quality time with the kids and create a Christmas masterpiece! Visit www.bcgingerbreadhouse.com for entry forms and more information.
