1. law, govt and politics
2. government
3. courts and judiciary

Why the terrible, awful,
nobody-likes-it spending bill
could be a good thing
Seven more states join suit
against Obama’s amnesty;
bringing total to 24
PAGE 2
PAGE 4
Volume 16, Issue 41
Nevada Assembly
Republicans in gender war
for leadership
lasvegastribune.com
PAGE 5
December 17-23, 2014
Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce Member
New Blue Ribbon Committee: Hope for
child welfare system and court reform
By Rolando Larraz
Las Vegas Tribune
Last Monday a second meeting
of the newly created Blue Ribbon
Committee took place at the Regional Justice Center. The Committee was formed with the hope to fix
the child welfare system that has
been broken for a very long time.
Nevada Supreme Court Justice
Nancy Saitta, a perennial fighter
against abused children and one
who has been directly involved in
adoptions of children, chaired the
committee and picked the members
of the Blue Ribbon.
Saitta has asked a group of Nevada leaders to serve on a blue ribbon committee to look into deficiencies in the Clark County child
welfare system and courts.
“The panel, which will meet
over the next four months, will
make recommendations for county
action and/or legislation to be
passed in the 2015 state legislative
session,” she wrote in an email to
My Point
of View
By Rolando Larraz
Last week I was summed to the
Italian American Club by the Godfather of the FIORE Social Club,
Don Vito Nelson Sardelli, and I was
too worried to ask too many questions, but I was told that I was to
participate in a “sit-down meeting”
with the Italians and non-Italian
members of the non club FIORE
Club.
I was pleasantly surprised when
I was welcomed at the door by two
Capos of the Sardelli clan that I
knew from before and I felt safe
around them; I assumed that the “incident” I had been thinking about
could not be too drastic because I
could see Godfather Sardelli on the
stage having a good time as always;
he seemed happy and relaxed.
There were at least three hundred people in the room, which
made me more at ease because
nothing could happen to me in front
of three hundred witnesses, right?
I sat quietly at a table with a
beautiful young lady and her no less
beautiful and elegant mother, hoping that I would be safe among them
in case anything were to happen.
Godfather Sardelli approached
the table I was sitting at, dressed all
in black with a white tie and no fedora hat, and warned me that he
would be calling me soon.
Finally, the moment came when
I heard my name called over the microphone to approach the stage
where Don Nelson was with one of
his trusted lieutenants, comedian
Peter Anthony.
I was at ease because I figured
that if they were to harm me in any
way, they would not do it in the
open, on a stage with so many witnesses.
Nelson spoke for about five minutes and I heard my name mentioned a few times; Peter Anthony
tapped me on the shoulder (like
Sheriff Gillespie did to newly
elected Sheriff Joe Lombardo; no
relation I was told to Joey
Lombardo from New York) and I
then saw this beautiful plaque with
the FIORE logo and my name in
big letters.
FIORE was honoring me for the
second time for something that all
of us at Las Vegas Tribune have
done throughout the years, promoting and supporting their organization for all the good they do for the
community, for getting involved
and helping, in any way they can,
those who already have given
plenty to the community and to the
(See My Point of View, Page 2)
Nevada Supreme Court Justice
Nancy Saitta chaired the
committee and picked the
members of the Blue Ribbon.
all members of the media, said
Michael Sommemeyer, as a Public
Information Officer for the Nevada
Supreme Court.
What appears to be unknown to
Sommemeyer and Justice Saitta,
however, is that some of the selected members of the Blue Ribbon
have little experience with children,
Family Court, Divorce Court and
abuse of the courts against litigants
in Family Court.
Among those chosen for the
committee are Las Vegas Mayor
Carolyn Goodman; County Commissioner Susan Brager; former
Assembly Speaker Barbara
Buckley, currently the executive
director of Legal Aid Center of
Southern Nevada; Nevada Health
and Services Director Amber
Howell, along with Second Judicial
District
Judge
Deborah
Schumacher.
“These children deserve better,
and I get no sense of urgency on
the part of the system. This committee will identify the most serious issues in the child welfare sys-
tem and work with [county] officials to make sure they are corrected
quickly,” Saitta further stated.
“Action needs to be taken immediately to address these issues and
shortcomings that are jeopardizing
the well-being of the children in
Clark County,” said Saitta.
However, the action that is obvious is in the words of some of the
speakers that have addressed the
committee. Family Court Judge
Frank Sullivan, for example, raised
his hands as a prophet asking the
children be returned immediately to
their legit parents, and minutes after that speech he went back to his
courtroom and took a child from her
legit parents and gave it to an adoptive family.
DeShaun Jackson is a product of
the foster care system and has been
for more than four years. He told
the Blue Ribbon that it’s hard for
him to escape the stigma.
The Blue Ribbon panel has one
more meeting before members
come up with their final list of recommendations for changes to the
Department of Family Services.
The recommendations could be
submitted to the Legislature in February.
The committee may need more
time to accomplish that. By the time
Nevada lawmakers convene for the
2015 session, the panel will have
met just three times.
Cases like the Jones family,
whose newborn baby was taken
from the mother at the hospital because she tested positive for Marihuana, need to be addressed.
Karen Ross-Glaser, a local
medical marijuana activist, has
been fighting to have her children
returned from local CPS authorities
(See Blue Ribbon, Page 4)
By Bear Witness Central
Special to the Las Vegas Tribune
President Barack Obama’s Nov.
21 amnesty puts millions of illegals
on a fast-track to citizenship, Utah
Sen. Mike Lee announced Thursday.
Obama and his administration
“have cleared the pathway to citizenship for millions of people who
have crossed our borders illegally,”
Lee said in a Thursday speech on
the Senate floor.
“They know what they have
done, and it is illegal,” he added.
Obama’s amnesty allows illegals
with U.S.-born children to briefly
leave the country, perhaps for a
business meeting in Canada, and
then be given “advanced parole” by
border officials that lets them legally return to the United States.
Once they have legally returned
under “advanced parole,” they can
be immediately sponsored for a
green card and citizenship by their
adult child, he said.
That process bypasses U.S. law
that requires illegals to leave the
country for 10 years before their
U.S.-born adult children can sponsor them for citizenship, Lee said.
Lee spoke shortly before Republican House Speaker John Boehner
tried to muscle through a 2015 budget that doesn’t bar federal spending to implement Obama’s amnesty.
The budget’s support for Obama’s
amnesty is opposed by numerous
GOP legislators and a significant
slice of the GOP base. Obama’s
amnesty offers work permits, drivers’ licenses, Medicare and Social
Security to five million illegals who
have children with citizenship or
green cards.
The five million could get citizenship via Obama’s new parole
technique.
“The president claims that he is
not changing this rule, but that’s exactly what he’s doing,” Lee said.
“So long as you have a business
meeting in Toronto. you can get permission to leave and be paroled
back into the country on your return... [and] once you do that... You
(See Amnesty, Page 4)
Senator Lee: Obama’s amnesty gives
illegals a fast-track to the voting booth
The Rhiannon Gonzales Story Continues:
Gonzales meets with court affiliated psychologist
By Rolando Larraz
Las Vegas Tribune
Part Seven of a Series
October 22, Gonzales meets
with court-affiliated psychologist
Greg Harder for an evaluation to
determine how likely she would be
to re-offend. The term itself already
implies that she is guilty of the offense, although having taken the
plea, this assumption was to be expected. This interview, “based upon
a currently accepted standard of
assessment,” arrived at the conclusion that her risk for reoffending
was “increased by the following
factors: She had been arrested before for a minor crime. She did not
take any responsibility for her
criminal charges. She had minimal
education.” Her risk was “decreased by the following factors:
She has never been arrested for
child abuse. She does not use drugs
Iyanna's Elementary Graduation — June 2013
or alcohol. She is employed. She ior problems in school. She denied
denied any history of domestic vio- ever being the victim of abuse or in
lence. Had never been on psychiat- foster care.” And yet, Harder’s recric medications or in a psychiatric ommendation was: “Based on the
hospital. Had no history of behav- risk factors, she is a moderate risk
for reoffending.”
November 6, the family receives
an email from caseworker Sherrie
Litman with photos of Elgin, courtesy of his foster family, and asks
when they will be able to come to
Las Vegas to pick him up. Glorious
news for the family, but first they
had to prepare their homes for a
baby. November 14, Eugene goes
through a final background check
followed by a meeting between
Eugene, Gonzales and Gonzales’
mother with Family Services Specialist Sherrie Litman to sign the
final paperwork for his release.
Elgin was officially released to the
custody of his father on November
15 by Family Court Judge Robert
Teuton. The Termination Order
stated that visitation between baby
Elgin and Gonzales was at the sole
discretion of Eugene. However,
(See Gonzales, Page 6)
FROM THE DESK OF GORDON MARTINES
Misprision of a Felony
By Gordon Martines
For those of you who are unaware, Misprision of a Felony is
what you charge Law Enforcement
Officers with when they don’t do
their job. Basically, if a law enforcement officer becomes aware of a
felony crime and he doesn’t report
it, then he/she has committed a
felony crime. This provision comes
with the job and is associated with
taking the Oath of Law Enforcement.
So, with that being said, our current and past police administrations
have committed, at the minimum,
numerous felony crimes, whereby
all that is needed for them to be
convicted of a felony crime is to
have direct knowledge of a felony
crime and have consciously ignored, omitted, or have failed to
report this felony crime to the
proper authorities.
For the past decade, I have continuously made the upper police administration of the LVMPD aware
of numerous felony crimes that
were committed by LVMPD personnel, which have been ignored
and have even sparked direct threats
(See From the Desk, Page 5)
Page 2 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Why the terrible, awful, nobody-likesit spending bill could be a good thing
The Senate passed a $1.1 trillion spending bill Saturday, avoiding a government
shutdown. Both liberals and conservatives dislike the bill, but that could be its charm.
By Mark Sappenfield
Christian Science Monitor
Perhaps the best thing that can
be said for the spending bill that
passed Congress Saturday is that no
one likes it.
On one hand, no one likes much
of anything coming from Congress
these days. But this is a different
kind of dislike. This isn’t an anger
at partisan theatrics and
brinksmanship, though there was
plenty of that to go around.
TRIBUNE
VOL. 16, NO. 41
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Rolando Larraz
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Rolando Larraz
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Quote of the Week:
“Christmas is not a time nor a
season, but a state of mind. To
cherish peace and goodwill, to be
plenteous in mercy, is to have the
real spirit of Christmas.”
—Calvin Coolidge
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) speaks with reporters after the U.S. Senate voted to approve the spending bill.
Cruz had sought to slow debate on the bill by raising concerns with Obama’s immigration policy.
In some ways, this is an anger for taking unilateral executive ac- about outside Washington is how
tion to delay deportation of more Congress actually does its job. This
that something actually got done.
Let’s not sugar-coat this. The than 4 million undocumented im- bill was a bit of a throwback. It was
$1.1 trillion spending bill passed by migrants. That makes conservatives built the old-fashioned way — by
appropriators making tough
the Senate Saturday and the House mad.
But each of those distasteful tradeoffs in back-room talks.
earlier in the week won’t win any
More recently, however, party
beauty contests. Yes, it averts a gov- choices was not random. In fact,
ernment shutdown, but there’s each was carefully chosen by both leaders have taken over that proplenty to dislike, and not simply for Democrats and Republicans cess, cutting out the back-room nethrough months of negotiations. gotiations. This has sped things up
partisan point-scoring.
Rich folks can now put even Years ago, setting priorities and and has given leadership more conmore money into political cam- making difficult choices is what trol, but the tough tradeoffs have
been avoided because, well, they’re
paigns, and the bill neuters one im- was known as legislating.
In that way, this spending bill tough. The result is that the minorportant attempt to rein in risky bank
ity party has little voice in budgetbehavior in the wake of the Great could be a positive sign.
Of all the many changes that making and is expected simply to
Recession. That makes liberals
fume. Meanwhile, it does little to have swept Congress during the take its lumps.
For his part, Sen. Mitch
hold President Obama to account past 20 years, one of the least talked
My Point of View
(Continued from Page 1)
nation as a whole, like the veterans.
This honor is taken very humbly by me and all the people that
form the Las Vegas Tribune, yet is
very proudly displayed on the walls
of our office.
This recognition is as much for
Donald H. Snook, our Production
Manager who takes special care to
make the FIORE page perfect every month, and the reporter that
covers all the meetings of the
FIORE Club, as it is for me.
I am honored to be the first person to be recognized by the FIORE
Club, and this second recognition
came as a surprise, but was wellreceived. In all fairness to the
FIORE club, I need to point out that
those more than three hundred
people that were present at the
FIORE monthly meeting were not
there for my plaque presentation;
they were there because that was
their annual Christmas party; I was
just an added treat for that event.
To the entire clan of FIORE, to
the Patriarch of the Club, my friend
of many years, Nelson Sardelli,
thank you from the bottom of my
heart... and Merry Christmas.
The FIORE event last Thursday
reminded me of another event in
2004 when the first Italian Restaurant in the Entertainment District
opened its doors.
Then-Councilman Larry Weekly
was on hand to cut the ribbon of the
new place and then-Mayor Oscar
Goodman was present for officially
opening the Entertainment District
that Mayor Goodman worked so
hard to implement.
Mayor Oscar Goodman had
made the transition from so-called
mob lawyer to public figure after
winning the election as mayor of
Las Vegas.
Right after the ribbon-cutting
ceremony and after many handshakes with the people that love
him, Mayor Goodman approached
me and asked what my plans were
for the night and that he’d like to
take me for a ride to show me something. I told him that it was okay,
and I noticed that he signaled Councilman Weekly, but I did not think
much of it and we started walking
to the front door.
The mayor’s car was parked at
the front door and he got in on one
side and I got in through the other
door; the driver was already at the
wheel and his assistant was next to
him.
I was just getting comfortable
when my door opened and a voice
told me, “move in.” I had to move
over, and then I was sandwiched in
between the mob lawyer and a
member of the Black community
with two guys in the front seat that
were double my size and probably
wider than a refrigerator; and we
were going to an unknown location
without a chance to let anyone
know that I was in the car with the
mayor and a councilman from the
city of Las Vegas; I thought I did
not even have a chance to call my
family and say good by.
It turned out that was the second
First Friday event and Oscar wanted
me to experience the happiness of
the attendees; he told me that the
First Friday will become part of
downtown Las Vegas. As always,
he was right — a decade later First
McConnell (R) of Kentucky, who
will become majority leader in
January, has said he wants to take
the Senate back to the old way of
doing things — which, in Congressspeak, is called “regular order.” On
Friday, Daniel Newhauser and Sarah Mimms of The National Journal wrote:
This is what McConnell has
been talking about: returning to
regular order and allowing the committees to do their work. The only
reason that the omnibus was able
to pass the House, and is likely to
pass the Senate, is that it is a carefully crafted compromise bill. Appropriators, both Democrats and
Republicans, liberals and conservatives, spent months haggling over
every last detail before presenting
the package to members. The final
omnibus bill has the fingerprints of
not just a few members of leadership, but dozens of members from
all sides of the political spectrum.
Could the terrible, awful, nobody-likes-it spending bill passed
by Congress last week (and now
heading to Mr. Obama for an expected signature) be a turning point
for Congress?
Perhaps not. Two factors forced
lawmakers’ hands in this case: The
coming holiday recess (they wanted
to get out of town), and potentially
catastrophic political consequences
if they did nothing (a government
shutdown that almost no one
wants).
Those variables come together
only rarely. But getting the budget
process right would be a big
achievement, and last week appeared to be at least a small step.
Fridays have become like the oncea-year Mardi Gras in New Orleans,
only in Las Vegas, it’s in monthly
installments.
My name is Rolando Larraz, and
as always, I approved this column.
*****
Rolando Larraz is Editor in
Chief of the Las Vegas Tribune. His
column appears weekly in this
newspaper. To contact Rolando
Larraz,
email
him
at:
[email protected] or
at 702-868-NEWS (6397)
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CITY BEAT
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 3
Fremont Street Experience raised $15,940 for American
Heart Association from SlotZilla revenue on November 8th
Jeff Victor (Left), President of Fremont Street Experience, and Tom Bruny, Director of Marketing of Fremont
Street Experience, present Kerry A. Sallee, Business Development Director of the American Heart Association,
a check for $15,940 on Monday, December 8. The proceeds were raised from SlotZilla revenue on November
8. Photo courtesy of Scott Roeben of Fremont Street Experience.
VISUAL: Students are expected
Fremont Street Experience do- Graffiti Free.” The students were
nated 100 percent of SlotZilla rev- encouraged to design their artwork to attend the unveiling of the tranenue to the American Heart Asso- to specifically promote and support sit vehicle wrapped in the artwork.
The RTC is the transit authority,
ciation for everyone who flew on the message of respecting each
either the lower Zipline ($20) or other’s property and not devaluing transportation planning organization and regional traffic manageupper Zoomline ($40) on Saturday, or defacing it with graffiti.
The artwork of the top two win- ment agency for Southern Nevada.
November 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
President of Fremont Street Expe- ners was selected by a community The RTC’s vision is to provide a
rience, Jeff Victor and Director of online vote and will be featured on safe, convenient and effective reMarketing, Tom Bruny, presented the outside of an RTC transit ve- gional transportation system that
enhances mobility and air quality
Kerry A. Sallee, Business Develop- hicle for up to one year.
UNVEILING CEREMONY 1:
for citizens and visitors. The RTC
ment Director of the American
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1 encourages residents and visitors to
Heart Association a check of
use a variety of transportation
$10,000 on Monday, December 8. p.m.
WHERE: Roy Martin Middle choices to help reduce traffic con*****
RTC unveils Anti-Graffiti Art School, 200 N. 28th Street, Las gestion, clean the air and improve
Vegas, Nev., 89101
the quality of life in Southern NeContest youth winners
VISUAL: More than 50 students vada. For more information, visit
The Regional Transportation
Commission of Southern Nevada are expected to attend the unveil- rtcsnv.com.
*****
(RTC) will recognize local students ing of the transit vehicle wrapped
who won the agency’s annual Anti- in the artwork. Martin Middle
Graffiti Art Contest at two special School has been a top 10 finalist
awards ceremonies on Wednesday, every year since the contest began.
UNVEILING CEREMONY 2:
Dec. 17, and Thursday Dec. 18.
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 18, 1:30
Elementary and middle school
students from across the Las Vegas p.m.
WHERE: Victoria Fertitta
Valley submitted artwork that they
created to promote the contest’s Middle School, 9905 W Mesa Vista
theme, “Keep Southern Nevada Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89148
FRANK: The Man, The Music
on January 24th, 2015 at The
Palazzo Las Vegas
On behalf of The Palazzo Las
Vegas we would like you to save
the date to experience the sounds
of Frank Sinatra with “FRANK:
The Man, The Music” starring Bob
Anderson at The Palazzo Theatre in
The Palazzo Las Vegas on January
24, 2015.
The Man, The Music has been
called the most authentic reenactment of a Frank Sinatra concert ever
performed on the live stage. Produced by Hoboken Productions in
association with Stephen Eich and
starring Bob Anderson, the most
revered singing impressionist in the
world, the production features a
lush 32-piece orchestra under the
direction of Sinatra’s former musical director Vincent Falcone. The
elegant set, reminiscent of nightclubs from years gone by, transports
the audience to that glamorous time.
Anderson as Sinatra stylishly leads
us through the intimate execution
of his craft, pouring his heart out,
and captivating the audience with
the music of the man who defined
a generation of entertainers.
Kling Law Offices
announces office move
Kling Law Offices, a Southern
Nevada law firm specializing in
estate planning, elder law, asset protection, and business planning,
moved their office to 8906 Spanish
Ridge Avenue, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nev., 89148. The new office
was opened for regular service and
appointments on Monday, December 15, 2014. The new location of
Kling Law Offices will allow the
firm to better serve existing clients
and to remain accessible and easy
to locate for new clients in search
of the firm’s services.
“The entire team at Kling Law
Offices is pleased to have moved
to a new office,” said Michael I.
Kling, Founding Partner. “This new
location is a great way for us to continue and expand on the service that
we have been fortunate to offer our
clients for the past thirteen years.”
*****
City Beat is a compilation of
news and views of our editorial and
writing team, along with reader
submissions and topics. Readers
are invited to suggest a local topic
or any other items of interest.
From the Staff and Management
of the
Las Vegas Tribune
Page 4 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Why three Obama nominees are so controversial
A procedural maneuver by two Tea Party senators gives 23 Obama nominees, some highly
controversial, an unexpected chance for confirmation in the last hours of the 113th Congress.
By Francine Kiefer
Christian Science Monitor
WASHINGTON — Thanks to
an unexpected legislative maneuver orchestrated by Sens. Ted Cruz
(R) of Texas and Mike Lee (R) of
Utah, Senate majority leader Harry
Reid (D) of Nevada got two extra
days he needed to try to move a
slate of 23 presidential nominees,
some strongly opposed by Republicans, before the 113th Congress
ends this week and Democrats lose
their majority.
Republicans had blocked these
nominees for months and had expected to run out the clock. But the
surprise weekend session, during
which the Senate passed the budget deal on Saturday, gave Senator
Reid an opening, and he seized it.
“The surgeon general nominee
— previously blocked — will be
confirmed due to missteps,” said
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South
Carolina on Saturday, according to
CQ Roll Call. “I haven’t seen Harry
Reid smile like this in years. I don’t
like it one bit.”
Here are three nominees that
GOP senators find particularly objectionable:
Vivek Murthy for surgeon
general. The Indian-American
physician at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston is a founder and
president of Doctors for America,
VIVEK MURTHY
which supports comprehensive
health-care reform. His advocacy
for the Affordable Care Act is one
problem for Republicans, and so is
his support for gun control and his
view that guns are a health-care issue.
At his confirmation hearing on
Feb. 4, Dr. Murthy said he didn’t
intend to use the surgeon general’s
office as a bully pulpit for gun control. Rather, he said, his priority will
be obesity prevention. Later that
month, the National Rifle Association wrote senators a letter objecting to the Murthy nomination.
Sarah Saldaña to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Dallas-based U.S. attorney would be the first Latina as the
nation’s top immigration enforcer.
SARAH SALDAÑA
She had the support of the Senate’s
No. 2 Republican, John Cornyn of
Texas. “Sarah is a dedicated public
servant with a distinguished career
as a prosecutor,” Senator Cornyn
said, when she was nominated in
August.
But since then, she has said that
she believes President Obama’s recent executive action shielding millions of undocumented immigrants
from deportation is legal. That’s
anathema to Republicans, who see
the move as executive overreach or
even unconstitutional.
Antony Blinken for deputy
secretary of State. Mr. Blinken has
been the president’s deputy national
security adviser since January 2013.
His old stomping grounds are the
Senate, where he was Democratic
By Conn Carroll
Special to the Las Vegas Tribune
Seven states joined Texas in a
lawsuit challenging President
Obama’s executive amnesty plan
this week, brining the total number
of states on the suit to 24.
“More than 20 states have joined
our challenge against the
president’s unilateral executive action to bypass Congress and rewrite
immigration laws,” Texas Attorney
General and governor-elect Greg
Abbott said in a release. “The
president’s proposed executive decree violates the U.S. Constitution
and federal law, circumvents the
will of the American people and is
an affront to the families and individuals who follow our laws to legally immigrate to the United
States.”
The list of states now suing
Obama over his unilateral amnesty
now includes: Alabama, Arizona,
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho,
Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine,
Michigan, Mississippi, Montana,
Nebraska, North Carolina, South
Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas,
Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Plaintiffs received a huge boost to
their cause Monday when the same
judge who once called Obama’s
immigration policy a “criminal conspiracy” was assigned to hear the
case. And last week, Abbott filed a
motion for a preliminary injunction
which could stop the amnesty before legal documents are scheduled
to be handed out this June.
Seven more states join suit against
Obama’s amnesty; brings total to 24
Amnesty
(Continued from Page 1)
can get a green card and get citizenship,” Lee said.
The method is illegal, said Lee,
because Congress has narrowly defined when the administration can
offer “advanced parole” to foreigners, he said.
Parole can be offered to people
“only on a case-by-case basis for
urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”
These reasons include allowing
a person without a visa to attend the
imminent funeral of a relative, or
to act as a witness in a trial, he said.
Obama’s plans to provide parole to
many returning illegals “clearly
violate U.S. law,” he said.
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ANTONY BLINKEN
staff director for the Committee on
Foreign Relations from 2002 to
2008, when he joined the ObamaBiden presidential transition team.
Republicans complain that
Blinken is unqualified and that he
advocated for and helped implement the Obama administration’s
drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq.
Blue
Ribbon
(Continued from Page 1)
They also worry that he could
change the U.S. relationship with
Cuba.
Since Democrats changed the
rules on most confirmations last
year, it only takes a majority vote
to approve nominees (the exception
is nominees for the Supreme
Court).
But that doesn’t guarantee that
Reid will get all the nominees on
his list. Much depends on whether
Republicans will exploit legislative
procedures to use the maximum
time possible in the confirmation
process.
Stretching out the process might
cut it too close to the holidays for
many senators, who would either
pressure Reid to give up, or simply
head for the exits — depriving him
of votes.
That’s why this Christmas,
Harry Reid is grateful for an unexpected gift of two more days.
since January. After the theft of her identity, she was mistakenly arrested
for crimes the identity thief had committed. During this less than 24-hour
improper detainment, Karen’s children were placed in state care. One
year later, the identity thief is still free while Karen and her children are
still separated and suffering.
The reason CPS currently cited for keeping the children in foster care
has turned this case into a First Amendment and civil rights issue.
They are stating that both Karen’s use and promotion of medicinal
cannabis have the potential to cause harm to the children and are more
than adequate reasons for holding the children (ages 16 and 17) in their
custody.
After an August CPS hearing, Karen’s son and a CPS worker came to
her home for a visit. In the following days, Karen was informed that her
visits with the children were being suspended. Allegedly, the CPS worker
who was in her home went to the hospital later in the day complaining of
THC intoxication.
There was no presence of cannabis smoke in Karen’s home at the time.
No evidence has been produced to substantiate those claims.
Marijuana is now in many states legal, and in Las Vegas license to
peddle the marijuana has been granted to prominent figures of the community.
Brian Greenspun, publisher of the daily Las Vegas Sun newspaper,
District Court Judge Jim Bixler and a former detective with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s narcotic unit, David Kallas, are
among those holding marijuana licenses.
DO YOU NEED AN EDITOR?
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out to you that you misspelled a word in your report or maybe
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Why put off doing what you know you should have done before:
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From the Staff and Management of
RadioTribune.com
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 5
Assembly Republicans in gender war for leadership
Special to the Las Vegas Tribune
Even before The 78th Session of
the Nevada Legislature has begun,
and the battle among Democrats
and Republicans begins, a battle has
begun within the Republican Party:
The Nevada GOP “War on
Women.”
Coming off a Republican
“sweep” and taking control of the
state Legislature for the first time
in decades, Assembly Republicans
took control of the lower house for
the first time since 1985. In addition, it is the first time the governor, Senate majority leader and Assembly speaker will all be Republican since 1929. And another first
is the fact that Assemblywoman
Michele Fiore is the first female
Republican to serve as the Majority Leader of the Nevada Assembly. Seems this is just too many
“firsts” for some Republican men
in the Assembly.
On Wednesday, Assembly
Speaker designate John Hambrick,
R-Las Vegas, ousted GOP Las Vegas Assemblywoman Michele Fiore
as chairwoman of the Taxation
Committee and replaced her with
freshman Derek Armstrong, RHenderson. In another gender
move, Victoria Seaman, R-Las Vegas, the first Republican Latina female elected to office, was also removed from her position in taxation. She was replaced by Pat
Hickey, R-Reno.
“It appears a few men in our
From The Desk
(Continued from Page 1)
against me to remain silent and not
bring up these criminal acts.
On November 7, 2010, retaliatory acts by the LVMPD were committed against me, which caused me
to have a medical episode which essentially ended a 39-year law enforcement career. I brought these
past criminal acts not only to the
attention of the LVMPD police administration, but also to the Federal
Government, FBI, DA’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, and the
Justice Department.
In January of 2011, I filed an
EEOC Federal complaint against
the LVMPD, Sheriff Gillespie, et
al., and fourteen high-ranking police officials for racial discrimination, threats to life, unlawful termination from employment, age discrimination, and other violations,
totaling 19 counts.
Since filing this federal complaint, numerous other egregious
crimes committed by the LVMPD
police administration have resurfaced — this all happening during
legal depositions that were taken
from witnesses in June/July of
2013, which are now part of a legal
record attached to my 2011 Federal
Complaint. (See Gordon Martines
vs. LVMPD, Sheriff Douglas
Gillespie, et al.)
All that not withstanding, my
federal complaint was dismissed by
Judge George Foley Jr, in March of
2014, and I was formally terminated
from employment for being on
Medical Leave too long.
I can’t help but think that the
resurfacing of all these egregious
crimes committed by the LVMPD,
which included multiple murders,
thefts, evidence-tampering, rape,
false arrest and imprisonment, destruction of evidence, criminal
cover-ups, malfeasance... etc,
would have literally blown the lid
off the LVMPD. That, by the way,
was the exact sentiment of Judge
George Foley Jr., in May of 2013,
during an early evaluation hearing
regarding my federal complaint at
the Federal court house.
I have made sure that any felony
criminal offenses committed by
LVMPD personnel or others that I
have become aware of have been
properly transmitted to the
LVMPD, FBI, and Justice Department via fax, email or letter, thus
making all aware of these felony
crimes, which strongly suggests
that these agencies are directly
complicit in the commission of
these felony crimes.
Most all agencies have acknowledged receipt of my correspondence, and even the FBI requested
copies of all legal depositions, in
August of 2013, by Special Agent
Joseph Dickey.
In September of 2013, I received
information and corroborating
documentation that then Attorney
General Brian Sandoval, now Governor Brian Sandoval, conspired
along with then Governor Kenny
Guinn, to illegally transfer one billion dollars of Nevada Taxpayer
Monies into the private bank accounts of EICON (Employees Insurance Company of Nevada), during the early years of 2000.
This crime was investigated by
then Deputy Attorney General
David Otto, esq., who later filed a
complaint against EICON, and submitted this complaint to the Washoe
County District Court in 2006.
There since has been no movement or acknowledgement regarding this submitted complaint, and
now the actual amount that was stolen from Nevada taxpayers, with
interest, is approaching TWO BILLION DOLLARS.
Again, I produced a letter that
depicted this information with sup-
porting documentation, and sent
this information to the U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden, Nevada Attorney General, Clark County DA,
Clark County Sheriff, FBI, Justice
Department in Washington, and to
senators Dean Heller and Harry
Reid.
The only agency that responded
was the Justice Department in
Washington D. C., which indicated
that they weren’t authorized to investigate this kind of theft. In other
words, they all decided not to acknowledge this information or to
deal with this politically explosive
information.
Well, all I can say is that it is just
too bad for them, because I am going to continue to flood the system
with this information until I force
the powers that be to do their job,
party are not happy that we have
Republican woman in key leadership roles in the legislature, and
may look to Democrats for help in
unraveling more leadership roles,”
said Fiore. “Women make up only
35 percent of the Nevada Assembly, while they are 50 percent of our
population in Nevada. It seems it is
time for women to have a voice and
take on leadership roles in Nevada
government.”
Of the 15 women in the Assembly, seven are Republicans, and of
those, five are Freshman Assembly
members. This is the largest influx
of Republican women in decades.
Assemblywoman Seaman commented, “To replace the two women
elected to the Taxation Committee
obey their sworn Oath, or eventually face being charged with a Misprision of a Felony.
IN GOD WE TRUST
*****
Gordon Martines is a former
LVMPD detective who has served
in many capacities over his 39-year
career in law enforcement. He has
been a candidate for sheriff in 2002,
2006, 2010 and 2014, with the intention of bringing integrity and accountability back to the department,
and filed a federal lawsuit against
LVMPD in 2011. Martines now
contributes his opinions and ideas
to the Las Vegas Tribune to keep the
public informed and help improve
policing in Las Vegas. He has also
appeared on the Face the Tribune
radio program several times to
share his plan for a better LVMPD.
with two men sends a very dangerous message to Nevada women
voters. Women pay taxes too in
Nevada. They are small businessowners and they usually control the
household budgets. They deserve to
have women in leadership roles
looking to impact the laws on taxation in Nevada.”
“Republican voters in Nevada
elected women to represent them in
majority numbers this year. Education, the economy, and other core
value issues are what women face
every day as working moms, single
parents, wives, and mothers. They
want to see Conservative women
with values they relate to in leadership roles,” said Assemblywoman
Jill Dickman.
Efforts to unseat Fiore and other
women from key roles will take cooperation from Democrats.
“Why the Nevada Republican
Party would not take the opportunity to govern Nevada with our values and ideas for the first time in
29 years is a mystery to me. A Republican “War on Women” from
within in our own party is not what
the voters wanted,” added
Dickman.
M-W-F at 8:00 a.m.
with A’Esha Goins and
Derek Washington
Covering what’s happening in the
Las Vegas Black Communities
RadioTribune.com
Page 6 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Nevada Home-Visitation Programs
Now Cling to Congressional Funding
By Troy Wilde
Nevada News Service
The clock is ticking on federal
funding for a program that helps
struggling parents with young children in Nevada and across the nation. Unless Congress takes action,
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Service’s Maternal, Infant
and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program will expire in March.
Amanda Haboush-Deloye, director of programs at Prevent Child
Abuse Nevada, is part of a coali-
By Troy Wilde
Nevada News Service
Nevada lawmakers are expected
to consider the “Caregiver Advise,
Record, Enable Act” in the legislative session that starts in February.
Barry Gold, government relations director at AARP Nevada, said
the bill would improve the ability
of caregivers to care for others.
“The CARE Act is going to ensure that family caregivers, and
those that they care for, will get the
right information when someone is
discharged from the hospital,” he
said.
“It will make sure that the information gets to the right person and
that they’re shown what to do, and
it will really help people get better
care and keep them from going
back in the hospital.”
Gold said the “CARE Act”
would require hospitals to enter a
family caregiver’s name in the
medical record at the time a patient
is admitted, notify the caregiver
when the patient is due to be released and ensure that the caregiver
is instructed in any follow-up care
needed at home, such as dressing
wounds or managing prescriptions.
To address the daily challenges
caregivers face, Gold said AARP
launched the iHeartCareGivers
website for people to share their stories. He says those tales of struggle
could compel state lawmakers to
pass the CARE Act.
“The more stories we get on
iHeartCaregivers,” he said, “the
easier it will be to document the
problems caregivers face and what
an easy solution this would be to
help both the caregivers and those
they love.”
Gold said the legislation would
help anyone of any age providing
care for another person, whether it
be a child or a senior. He said similar bills passed unanimously in
Oklahoma and New Jersey.
The iHeartCaregivers website is
at iheartcaregivers.
Bill Aims to Help Nevada
Caregivers Give Better Care
Gonzales
(Continued from Page 1)
because of the stipulation on visitation mandated by criminal court, the
family felt it was in Gonzales’ long-term best interest not to run the risk
of stopping by, even for a moment, so that she could see her baby.
November 21, 2013, Attorney John Piro is concerned about Gonzales
having to spend the holidays alone, so he put Gonzales back on court
calendar to request permission for her to travel to Los Angeles to be with
family. This time the matter is brought before Honorable Justice Court
Judge Valerie Adair, a far superior human being than Diane Sullivan. Adair
did not grant Gonzales permission to travel, but her reasoning behind the
decision was logical. In addition, Dena Rinetti was not present in the
courtroom that day; in her stead was Elissa Luzaich. Luzaich read the
case notes stating that Gonzales had an extensive record in California; as
this was not her case she could only assume that this statement was true.
Gonzales continued to check in regularly and make payments at house
arrest. Her apartment was randomly checked for contraband, as she was
randomly drug-tested. Home searches and drug tests were always negative. She completed her parenting classes and received a certificate on
December 2.
December 19, Gonzales meets with Nevada Dept of Public Safety
Parole and Probation Specialist, Frank Pontier Jr, for a pre-sentence investigation report. It was Pontier who casually pointed out that Detective
Bulmer had opened up her juvenile record. His own findings brought
forth one arrest in Altadena, California in 2008 for controlled substance
(marijuana) with paraphernalia, receipt of stolen property, false insurance information and driving on a suspended license. The stolen property
was her vehicle, which had been reported stolen by a previous owner;
Gonzales showed proof that she had purchased it legitimately. The false
insurance was thrown out of court. In 2009 she received three years of
probation and in 2011 she got an early dismissal from probation and her
sentence was reduced to a misdemeanor. Pontier’s contact with CPS established that no restitution was being requested. He then contacted University Medical Center, who reported an outstanding balance of
$90,450.05. This was the amount that he recommended as restitution. His
final recommendation was a minimum prison sentence of 12 months and
a maximum of 48 months, with no recommendation of probation. His
report concluded that the state retains the right to argue at rendition of
sentence.
The 2013 holidays pass with Gonzales spending them alone, participating via FaceChat to watch her babies, Elgin and Iyanna, open their
birthday and Christmas gifts. When she had originally been granted house
arrest, her family had intended to spend the holidays together in Las Vegas. However, with the criminal court provision of no visitation with the
baby, the original plan was abandoned. During the holiday season Gonzales
also worked minimal hours at Ross.
January 20-22, 2014, approximately 30 letters arrive at John Piro’s
office asking the Judge for leniency in the sentencing of Gonzales, to be
submitted with his motion for probation. This time they were to include
from as far away as New York City and Santa Fe, New Mexico and as
near as her supervisors at both jobs, plus a glowing letter from House
Arrest, attesting that she was in full compliance with the program. There
was a letter from both children’s fathers, one from the Dalton’s — Elgin’s
former foster family, and one from Iyanna.
January 23, 2014, Sentencing day. Present in the courtroom in support
of Gonzales are her mother, her grandmother, and her daughter Iyanna;
with the baby’s father Eugene and baby Elgin outside waiting to be summoned. Dena Rinetti requests the opportunity to argue the case and proceeded to regurgitate the aforementioned performance. But this time,
Honorable Judge Valerie Adair asked what the current condition of the
baby was. Grandmother blurts out “He’s right here, Your Honor, and he’s
perfect!” Instead of charging with contempt of court, Adair addresses
grandmother and baby Elgin’s father and listens to what they have to say.
During Gonzales’ statement, she finds herself unable to speak after
uttering the words “Your Honor, I am guilty...” leaving the entire courtroom speechless, but Judge Adair halts Rinetti from comment and urges
Gonzales to continue, “of allowing myself to be distracted and not protect my baby.”
Deputy Public Defender John Piro reported that the CPS case had been
closed since November 15, that Gonzales was employed full time, had a
Nevada driver’s license with an established Clark County residence, zero
failures to appear, and was working on reunification with her baby, as she
had completed all of her CPS requirements. Piro further contended that
although Gonzales accepted the Alford Plea, that she had never conceded,
and will never, because it did not occur — that she intentionally harmed
her child. He conceded that Gonzales did take responsibility for the inadvertent harm that came upon her baby. He addressed every medical point
argued ad nauseum by Rinetti by elaborating a plethora of rebuttals disproving the methods by which Gonzales’ accusers had arrived at their
alleged diagnoses. He then presented Judge Adair with the packet of letters, remarking “even one from House Arrest — they don’t do that for
anyone!” Rinetti’s statement to the news of a closed CPS case was “CPS
is always doing that to me, Your Honor.”
tion of 750 organizations,
nonprofits and elected officials that
sent a letter to Congress asking that
the program continue as it has for
decades. She says research has
shown voluntary home visits, usually conducted by nurses and social
workers, can prevent serious problems and help with a child’s development.
“If you identify those issues earlier and get early intervention, that’s
beneficial for the child and it allows
them to get the treatment and the
services they need,” she says.
According to Haboush-Deloye,
home visits also help ensure
children’s medical appointments
are kept, that homes are safe as babies begin to explore, and that families receive books and other childdevelopment tools.
There’s a financial payoff for the
state as well. Haboush-Deloye
points to a RAND Corporation report that found home-visiting programs saved up to $6.00 for every
$1.00 invested.
“For every dollar that goes into
home visiting,” she said, “...six dollars [aren’t] needed to be spent on
that child on different services, or
areas like juvenile justice later on
throughout their life.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevent Child Abuse
America, and The Salvation Army
are among the national organizations that signed the letter.
On average, funding has been at
about $400 million per year.
The founder and editor in chief of the Las Vegas Tribune, Rolando
Larraz, once again was the recipient of an award that no one else
has ever received, for help above and beyond “the call of duty” in
publicizing and promoting the FIORE non club club and its
goodwill toward this community and all those it serves. Mostly,
just for being the man he is.
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EDITORIALS
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 7
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. — Thomas Jefferson
Our Point of View
Journalists come
and go: Farewell for
now, Jon Ralston
We, at Las Vegas Tribune, believe in freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of opinion and very
emphatically appreciate the Voltaire quote we proudly display in our mastheads.
We expressed our disappointment when the City Life
newspaper ended, and the Las Vegas Sentinel Voice — the
only Black newspaper in the our community — closed their
doors after thirty-five years of publication.
Today, we are saddened again and disappointed that another voice in our community has shut down, allowing the
Review-Journal to get one step closer to controlling the
opinions of many in the community and getting in an even
better position to brainwash and poison the thinking-processes of the people, the people of the state of Nevada.
Jon Ralston ended his Face-to-Face television show after 14 years on the air on Friday, December 12 of 2014.
We did not always agree with Mr. Ralston’s opinion, but
we most definitely appreciated his efforts to bring forth his
straight journalism, giving the audience two sides of every
story.
Once a woman at a restaurant was offered a copy of the
Las Vegas Tribune and she, not too politely, refused the
gift by saying that she does not read the Las Vegas Tribune
because they only print one side of the story.
The person offering her the copy of this newspaper told
her that she was right, that we agree with her that the Las
Vegas Tribune prints only one side of the story. The woman
looked up, incredible that we would agree with her, until
we told her that the Las Vegas Tribune prints one particular side of the story — the OTHER side, the side of the
truth, the side of those who do not have a full voice in the
community, the other side that the Review-Journal does
not print. That is why we were very happy when Jon Ralston
left the Review-Journal after many years in different capacities, from reporter to writer to columnist. We were even
happier when Ralston left the Las Vegas Sun after the
Greenspun family bought his Ralston Report.
He deserves to be an independent supplier of opinions
as every journalist deserves to be, answering only to the
community and his audience, bringing a real transparency
in our political circles even though that is not the goal of
the daily newspaper or the opinion of the powers that be.
Ralston has been digging up the dirt about Nevada politics and businesses for almost two decades,
A Buffalo, N.Y. native, Ralston arrived in Las Vegas in
1983 and went to work at the daily newspaper learning the
ropes of our city, very quickly gaining the admiration of
many and the fear of others.
Ralston holds a B.A. in English from Cornell University
and an M.A. in journalism from University of Michigan.
Shortly after his 1983 graduation, he came to Las Vegas
as the night police reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, later covering general assignments and county government before becoming a political reporter in 1986.
His bio reads as this one liner: “I’m a political analyst
on TV, on the web and in print — a single dad with one
daughter.”
By the way he talks, he seems to adore his daughter, and
on the rare occasions we have seen him with his daughter
in public, we can see that they have a magnificent relationship and maintain a great line of communication between
the two of them.
Las Vegas has not been blessed with many real journalists; there have been maybe a handful of them that can be
counted in that category, and each with their own style.
At the top of the list, of course, is the “Chairman of the
Board,” Mr. Bob Stodal, who has been instrumental in the
life and careers of many in the news business in this community.
U.S. Senate and Majority Leader Harry Reid called Bob
Stodal a legend and we have to agree wholeheartedly with
that designation even if we still refer to him as the “Chairman of the Board” because of his dedication and impeccably clean record in the news business.
Ned Day, a Milwaukee Wisconsin native, is another good
example of real journalism; a fighter for news and a nose
for finding stories. Day came to Las Vegas to work at the
North Las Vegas Valley Times and when the newspaper
closed, the Review-Journal grabbed him and he was the
lead columnist until his death.
The First Lady of Nevada Journalists, Jane Ann
Morrison, is still hanging in there at the Review-Journal,
jumping from reporter to columnist to reporter and back
again to columnist.
The end of the Jon Ralston Face-to-Face show is sad for
all Las Vegas news junkies. We hope and pray that we can
have him back again somewhere, someday, but where can
he continue to display his talent?
There are behaviors
we learn at home
By Perly Viasmensky
I just wanted to wait until all the buzz created by
national media about the comments made in social
media by the communication director of Republican
U.S Representative from Tennessee, Steve Fincher,
Elizabeth Lauten, cool off a little to give my own opinion about the matter.
Maybe it was a little off line for Ms. Lauten to
make those comments, considering the position she
held until recently when she was asked nicely, professionally and in a politically correct way to resign
from her position (a very nice way to tell her, “YOU
ARE FIRED”).
I don’t honestly believe that her comments warranted an order for resignation.
Now, I am going to give my own opinion, since
everybody is entitled to their opinion, and I also have
the First Amendment right to express mine; and most
importantly, since I am not holding a government position from which I can be nicely fired, my honest
opinion is as follows:
The two “first daughters” are student of the elite
Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., the very
same school that educated children of notable politicians, including those of several presidents, such as
Tricia Nixon, daughter of President Richard Nixon;
Chelsea Victoria Clinton, daughter of President Bill
Clinton; and not to forget Setsuko Chichibu, Princess
of Japan, just to mention a few.
It is true that the Obama girls are teenagers and
they probably want to dress and act as all teenagers
do, but they need to remember that they are not regular teenagers; they happen to be the daughters of the
President of the United States of America. They
stopped being “regular” when their father became
president.
The blame should not lie on the two girls but on
the Sidwell Friends School. I believe that at $34,268
a year paid per student, besides history, mathematics
and languages, the school should teach students class
and the proper way to conduct themselves in public as
ladies.
Credit to those who deserve credit: The Nixon girls
always conducted themselves in a proper way and
Chelsea Clinton has always presented herself in public as a perfect lady, since her early years.
Let us not forget the old saying, “Like father, like
son.” Even though children learn many things at
schools where a great many dollars are paid, those
children still learn manners at home.
When have we ever seen a First Lady of this great
nation descending from Air Force One wearing shorts?
And she is very far from being a teenager.
All presidents have played golf (in their spare time)
with their friends and co-workers, and they all wear
golf shirts, but none of them have come to a public
forum wearing a shirt with sleeves rolled up. And he is
not a teenager.
All presidents of this country appear in public wearing a suit (with a blue or red tie, indeed) but regardless, well-dressed; even former President Clinton appeared in Las Vegas wearing a suit.
Perhaps President Obama wants to show equality,
but by showing up in his rolled-up sleeves he is showing very little respect for the people who invited him.
The bottom line is this: Don’t blame the Obama
girls for dressing as teenagers do and for standing with
legs spread; they are just daughters of Mom and Dad.
And there was no excuse for the U.S Representative
from Tennessee, Steve Fincher, to request the resignation of his communication director, Elizabeth Lauten,
unless one of his three children is a copycat of the
Obama girls.
*****
Perly Viasmensky is the General Manager of the
Las Vegas Tribune. She writes a weekly column in this
newspaper. To contact Perly Viasmensky, email her at
pviasmensky@lasvegas tribune.com.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
Santa’s letter to all children
By Maramis
dren and those who seem to be endDear Children,
ing up permanently on the “Naughty”
As you know, this is my busiest
list. It is so sad to me to know that
time of the year; and in most times
little growing children seem to think
past, it has always been my happiest
it is okay or even fun to do certain
time of the year.
things that set them on the road to
Maybe you never thought about
withering.
Santa as not being happy, what with
Thank goodness most children
all my look-alike helpers everywhere
will manage to blossom into flowers
quoting my ever-popular “Ho ho
no matter what. But those who do not
ho,” along with my usual smile and
are trying their best to take other
hearty laugh, but I think it’s time for
“flowers” down with them. They
a little understanding about some of
become the bad examples that your
MARAMIS CHOUFANI
the things that can and do make Santa
parents warn you against. They probsad.
ably don’t even realize that they are depriving themI can’t think of anything I love more than children:
selves of “water” and “sunshine,” but as they grow
the tender and growing beginnings of all grown-ups,
older, they display more and more of the very things
just like the tender and growing buds of spring that
that make them wither before they have ever bloswill eventually become the beautiful flowers we see
somed.
in a garden. Fortunately, Mother Nature supplies evMany of today’s children listen to those who are
erything flowers of a field may need, but flowers in a
slightly older and already going down the wrong path.
garden, since they were carefully arranged or placed
They therefore “copy” them or simply follow their
there by humans, need extra care to look their best
lead, talking back to their parents in a disrespectful
and thrive. Children, like those flowers in a garden,
manner and refusing to do what their parents ask of
need to be cared for to blossom and thrive.
them. Some children go so far as to steal from their
I have always known that some children don’t get
own parents, as well as from stores or other people,
nearly enough care — which has always been one of
according to their belief that they can get away with
my deep sorrows — but what I want to particularly
it. They “look up to” the tough kids or the examples of
bring out in this letter today is how some children
wrongdoing that they see in the movies, on TV, or in
refuse to grow into the beautiful flowers they could
any number of video games, and feel that it is far more
become.
fun or exciting to follow that lead than simply obey
No child who believes in me or is old enough to
their parents and be what their friends might consider
read these words can say they don’t know the differa “goody-goody.”
ence between a beautiful flower and one that has withI realize that most children don’t give being on the
ered and died. Beautiful flowers need no reason for
“Nice” list a thought during most of the year, although
their beauty: they merely grow into what they are and
they may try to put on a good show come December,
bring joy to everyone who sees them. But when the
just in case..., but within my limited capacity to influflowers right next to them wither away, someone is
ence any of you to get and stay on that list, I want you
sure to ask how that could have happened. Weren’t
to imagine right now, if you did everything you ever
they “watered”? Didn’t they get enough “sun”?
wanted to do or that someone was trying to influence
Yes, Santa is talking about the good (or nice) chil(See Maramis, Page 9)
VIEW POINTS
Page 8 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Editors note: The views expressed are entirely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Las Vegas Tribune.
Shots Fired! Nevada
GOP Goes to DEFCON 3
laborator Caucus.”
By Chuck Muth
The resolution warns
With “nuclear option”
Assembly Republicans
talk in the air — whereby
“who are working against
five or more Republicans
their own caucus leaderwould collaborate with the
ship to stop these destruc17 Democrats in the Netive actions or face convada State Assembly to
sequences, up to and inelect a Speaker for the
cluding a recall election,
2015 legislative session
due to any efforts to usurp
other than the Speakerthe duly elected leaderdesignate elected by the
ship of the Nevada AsRepublican Assembly
sembly.”
Caucus — a special meetCHUCK MUTH
The resolution reads,
ing of the Executive Board
of the Nevada Republican Party was con- in part...
vened today to address the threat.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that
In short, the party’s leaders declared the Nevada Republican Party asserts that
“open season” on any Republican member any Nevada Republican Assembly Caucus
of the Assembly who is foolish enough to member who works with Democrats to
push the nuclear button and side with undermine the elected leadership of their
Democrats against their own elected cau- own caucus is acting counter to the intent
cus leaders.
of Nevada voters, and demands that any
“This morning the Executive Board of caucus members engaged in these actions
the Nevada Republican Party passed a reso- immediately cease these dishonorable aclution calling for members of the Republi- tions or they shall be censured by the Necan Assembly Caucus to unite or face a re- vada Republican Party; and
call election for any efforts to usurp the
RESOLVED That the Nevada Republiduly-elected leadership of the Nevada As- can Party will call upon the NRAC to imsembly,” declared the party elders in a press mediately remove any Republican Assemrelease following the meeting.
bly member who fails to support their leadAccording to the release, party leaders ership from the NRAC; and
have learned that some GOP members of
RESOLVED That the Nevada Republithe Assembly are “intending to work with can Party will support any efforts, up to and
Assembly Democrats to unseat the incom- including recall, to hold any NRAC meming Republican Speaker Designate in ex- ber who fails to support their leadership
change for committee assignments and bar- accountable.
tering of legislative bills.”
That, ladies and gentlemen, is Defcon
Thirty pieces of silver will be a bonus.
3.
The resolution, as adopted, didn’t name
I understand a majority of county chairnames. But I’m reliably told that a number men were part of the meeting, as well, and
of members wanted to specifically single also voted in support of the resolution —
out former Minority Leader
with the exception of Washoe County, the
Pat “The Appeaser” Hickey, widely sus- home turf of two of the suspected prime
pected of being the ringleader of the “Col(See Chuck Muth, Page 9)
What Five Old Ladies Teach
Us About Leadership
By Doug Dickerson
going too fast then they
Management is doing
will get frustrated. See
things right; leadership is
what’s wrong with this
doing the right things. —
picture? As a leader it’s
Peter Drucker
important to find the right
Sitting on the side of the
speed so that everyone can
highway waiting to catch
succeed.
speeding drivers, a State
Leaders chart
Trooper sees a car putterthe course
ing along at 22 m.p.h. He
Knowing where you
thinks to himself, “This
are going is important. As
driver is just as dangerous
the leader you set the
as a speeder!”
course by clearly articulatSo he turns on his lights
ing the vision and by evand pulls the driver over.
DOUG DICKERSON
eryone understanding their
Approaching the car, he notices that there mission in making it come together. Roy
are five old ladies — two in the front seat Disney wisely observed, “When your valand three in the back, wide eyed and white ues are clear to you, making decisions beas ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, comes easier.” Chart the course, communisays to him, “Officer, I don’t understand, I cate the vision, and never confuse the route
was doing exactly the speed limit! What number with the speed limit.
seems to be the problem?”
Leaders can make adjustments
“Ma’am,” the officer replies, “you
Once pulled over, the old lady realized
weren’t speeding, but you should know that the error of her way. As a leader it’s impordriving slower than the speed limit can also tant not to let your pride or ego get in the
be a danger to other drivers.” “Slower than way of making adjustments when necesthe speed limit? No sir, I was doing the sary. Your plans may look great on paper
speed limit exactly ... twenty-two miles an with your team solidly behind you, but
hour!” the old woman says a bit proudly.
when circumstances on the ground change
The State Trooper, trying to contain a you must be prepared to make adjustments
chuckle explains to her that 22 was the route when needed. It was William Arthur Ward
number, not the speed limit. A bit embar- who said, “The pessimist complains about
rassed, the woman grinned and thanked the the wind; the optimist expects it to change;
officer for pointing out her error. “But be- the realist adjusts the sails.” As a leader it’s
fore I let you go, Ma’am, I have to ask... Is important that you know how to adjust the
everyone in this car OK? These women sails.
seem awfully shaken and they haven’t mutClosing questions for
tered a single peep this whole time,” the
your consideration
officer asks.
1. Have you set the right tempo for ev“Oh, they’ll be all right in a minute, of- eryone in your organization to follow? Are
ficer. We just got off Route 119.”
your team members up to speed as they
The old lady driving the car had her fel- should be? If not, why? How soon can they?
low passengers terrified. She had mistaken
2. Is the vision and mission of your orthe route number for the speed limit. Your ganization clear to everyone system-wide?
actions as leader have an impact on those How often is it being communicated? Does
around you. You can lead and inspire your everyone know how their specific role conpeople in magnificent ways or you can scare tributes to the vision and mission being fulthem to death. Here are three things we can filled?
learn from the story.
3. Are there any adjustments in your orLeaders set the pace
ganization that need to be made? What
Mary Kay Ash said, “The speed of the about blind spots and who can help you
leader is the speed of the gang.” She’s right. identify them?
You set the pace as the leader. Getting ev*****
eryone on the same page is important but
Doug Dickerson is a syndicated columgetting everyone up to speed is critical. If nist. He writes a weekly column for this
the leader perceives that the people are go- newspaper. To contact Doug Dickerson,
ing too slow then he or she will get frus- email
him
at
ddickerson@
trated. If the people sense that the leader is lasvegastribune.com.
Former state trooper is charged
with sending DUI arrestees’ racy
photos to his own phone
By Mace Yampolsky
photo trading as dehumanA now-former Califorizing. His wife sat in the
nia Highway Patrol officer
courtroom gallery and supis facing felony charges
ports him, his attorney
concerning two women
Michael Rains said after
whose racy photos he althe brief hearing. Rains
legedly forwarded to his
said Harrington is the faown cellphone after arrestther of two children.
ing them for driving under
Rains said that although
the influence.
his client had in the past
Sean Harrington, 35,
described his conduct as a
“abused his authority” and
“game” and a “joke,” acdeeply regrets his “insencording to court records,
MACE YAMPOLSKY
sitivity,” his attorney said
Harrington’s behavior was
Monday. Harrington himself, who was far from that (a dangerous and costly game
freed on $10,000 bail after being charged for Mr. Harrington). “This is no game,”
with theft and copying their computer data, Rains said. “What he meant was, ‘I didn’t
did not comment after a Contra Costa do anything with it other than look at it
County Superior Court hearing, the San myself; I sent it to one or two other people,
Francisco Chronicle reported.
we thought it was cute, we thought it was
He resigned from his job last week, ac- funny. We didn’t send it anywhere else; we
cused not only of stealing the women’s didn’t put it on the Internet, we didn’t put
cellphone photos, but sharing them with it on Facebook. It went no further.’”
colleagues. A lawyer for a third woman says
Rains said Harrington “recognized the
she believes she may also have been vic- impropriety of his conduct. He knew that
timized, but Harrington is not charged con- that kind of conduct should and will cost
cerning her claim, an earlier San Francisco him a career in law enforcement and,
Chronicle article says.
frankly, it should cost him a career in law
Several driving-under-the-influence enforcement. He tarnished his own name,
cases in Alameda and Contra Costa coun- and he tarnished the good name of law enties involving Harrington and female forcement officers everywhere. ”If conarrestees have been dropped. He “abused victed, Harrington could be sentenced to
his authority” and is deeply sorry for his anywhere from probation to three years and
“insensitivity” in stealing racy cell photos eight months in prison. (I highly doubt he
from two women he had arrested for will get any prison time and if his attorney
drunken driving, his attorney said. Sean is good, it will probably end up as a misHarrington of Martinez California made his demeanor.)
first court appearance after being charged
Rains asked for the arraignment to be
with two felony counts of theft and copy- postponed, saying he needed to review the
ing computer data belonging to the women. evidence surrounding what he said was a
(See Mace, Page 10)
The police chief denounced the nude
BEHIND THE MIKE
Retirement Sucks
a computer from a box of
By Michael A. Aun
junk parts.
I recently retired on
As a matter of fact
Halloween of all days. The
they can do anything and
celebration lasted about
everything. Their client
two days. After ironing
list reads like a “Who’s
every piece of clothing in
Who” in business rangthe house twice and memoing from NASA to
rizing Sports Center (I
Boeing to Disney. They
didn’t know it repeats), I
trip over most of their
was left without a new
business and have no clue
challenge. Retirement
how to market themsucks.
selves.
I’ll be like Bear Bryant,
So they approached
dead in 30 days if I don’t
MICHAEL A. AUN
me about building a marfind some new meaning in
my otherwise boring life. I don’t golf. I’m keting plan for them. They have a nebumarried and that provides me with an ample lous name for their company that includes
amount of frustration. Why add golf to the their initials. That bird won’t fly. So there I
was dreaming one night and I had a nightlist?
I thought about becoming greeter at mare about how my computer crashed and
Wal-Mart. There are two kinds of greeters I called on them to save the day, which they
that work at Wal-Mart. One “likes” to be did!
When I woke from my nightmare, I dethere. He’s happy and just interested in
having some meaning in his day. The other cided that my guys need a new handle, so
one “has” to be there to make ends meet. I’ve decided to brand them as MY GUYS,
the geek experts. When one has a computer
Life for him is not as happy.
So on Monday morning, I started a sec- or software problem, they simply contact
ond career with the same company that now MY GUYS for a solution.
In addition to helping with the branding
graces me with a pension, the Knights of
Columbus Insurance. The truth is I have and marketing, I want to enhance the busitrouble with long weekends. Retirement ness by providing training and consulting
services to the clients who have those needs
ain’t gonna fly for me.
I’m still writing books. Jeff Slutsky and as well.
Our consultancy will reach across the
I have a new one coming out next year with
McGraw-Hill, which is a sequel to our 1997 normal borders and will include me assistbook “The Toastmasters International ing with business clients who want to asGuide to Successful Speaking.” While that sess their insurance needs, leaning on my
kept me a little busy, it doesn’t fill the void 40 years in the life insurance business. I
won’t be selling them insurance only helpof working full time.
What I really want to do is write trash ing them to buy from the company of their
novels. Since my brain is pretty trashy any- choice.
Other services will include providing
way, it’s not a stretch for me to pen an embarrassing story about love lost and love potential clients with accounting needs
found. I think I’ll take on the pen name through an association with a firm that proNorbert Roberts, since Nora Roberts is my vides those services. Similar services will
be provided through an attorney referral serfavorite trash novelist.
When you’re blessed with a twisted vice to provide legal and estate planning
mind that is cluttered with evil thoughts needs.
Finally, we’ll also be providing discount
most of the time anyway, the best way to
cleanse it is to cast those thoughts to a piece cards to a number of establishments through
of paper and entertain those with similar an affiliation with Lyoness, allowing clients to save money on goods they’re already
twisted minds.
So stay tuned... there could be a trash purchasing.
The whole goal of MY GUYS is to help
novel in the future.
Since I’ve been in business most of my as many people as possible. That should
life, it would be a shame for me not to con- keep me busy in my retirement.
*****
sider opening a new business. Some budMichael Aun is a syndicated columnist
dies of mine who are geeks by the very
definition of the word can do anything and and writes a weekly column for this newseverything with a computer. One is an ex- paper. To contact Michael Aun, email him
pert in programming and the other can build at [email protected].
COMMENTARIES
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 9
Editors note: The views expressed are entirely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Las Vegas Tribune.
True Colors — False Narratives
By Norman Jahn
A demonstration of TRUE COLORS was on display Saturday.
Army vs. Navy — America’s
Game. What an awesome display
of patriotism and pride! These men
and women are willing to sacrifice
their lives in battle to preserve the
‘roar’ of freedom. Some of them
will die in service to this country. I
couldn’t help but to compare them
(men and women from all nationalities and various upbringings) to
the protesters elsewhere in the
country.
Protests are focused on THE
POLICE, not the military — at least
not this time. Like the graduates of
the military academies, police officers could also die on the streets
while serving and protecting their
communities. Police deaths do not
seem to get national attention that
continues for more than a few newscasts. Even the execution of Officers Beck and Soldo only made the
news for a few days. Compare this
to how long the news covers incidents where the police use deadly
force. There are concerns about
President Obama’s failure to even
acknowledge the deaths of police
officers during his term in office.
Police in cities all over the U.S.
are now facing protesters (and
thugs) who are misguided in their
search for ‘social justice’ or ‘equality’ and the police can deliver neither. The protesters WANT this and
WANT that, but I’m not hearing the
words ‘personal responsibility’
used very often. You also don’t hear
those uncomfortable discussions
about stopping violence ‘within’
races very often. Black on black
violence far exceeds any police use
of deadly force. The new ‘face’ of
the cause seems to be a different
criminal each week.
The ‘false narratives’ continue,
but for how long? Maybe those
seeking social justice will work
within the system and attempt LEGITIMATE change one of these
days and try to stop the cowards
who blend in just to riot and burn
down buildings.
In my opinion, America will
continue to decline if so many of
the politicians, promoters, and
thugs (who would quit on Day 1 of
any boot camp or a police academy)... keep getting more attention
than those who risk their lives to
serve... and isn’t it ironic that mili-
NORMAN JAHN
tary academy graduates must commit to their service for five or more
years after they endure their training, but murderers often get out of
prison in less than five years?
WHAT IS A FALSE
NARRATIVE?
A perfect example was in
yesterday’s paper. There was a story
about the ‘alleged’ gang rape in a
fraternity house at the University of
Virginia. The story in the Rolling
Stone
magazine
(http://
www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-20141119)
had to be retracted after questions
about the credibility of the ‘victim’
(and her story) arose. One ‘friend’
of the victim (who was never even
contacted by the reporter) said:
“People at U. Va. want answers
just as much as I do,” Duffin says.
“But if anything, the takeaway from
all this is that I still don’t really care
if what’s presented in this article is
true or not... because I think it’s far
more important that people focus on
the issue of sexual assault as a
whole.” So it is okay to accuse a
bunch of college frat boys of a horrible gang rape so long as it generates intense debate about sexual
violence, alcohol, fraternities, and
journalism ethics? Does anyone remember the Duke Lacrosse team?
AMAZING: THE TRUTH
DOES NOT MATTER (in any
given incident) BECAUSE IT IS
FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO
FOCUS ON THE CAUSE AS A
WHOLE! So advocates of social
change or any other issue are free
to vilify a man just trying to do his
job (Darren Wilson) and destroy his
life so long as they generate some
attention for their cause?
So ‘false narratives’ are why it
(Continued from Page 7)
you to do, what the consequences
would have been then and what
they still might be today.
Perhaps you do not know that
some children want to be “grown
up” all of a sudden, without going
through the normal growing-up
process in the natural course of
time. They do such things as they
see their parents or other adults doing, thinking that it will make them
look or feel grown up. They use
very bad language and words that
even their own parents might not
use, they steal and drink their parents’ alcoholic beverages, take and
smoke their cigarettes, find and use
such substances as their medical
marijuana or any pills that they
think will make them act like adults
act when they take them; they decide it would be “cool” to bring that
not-so-well-hidden gun to school to
show their friends... or maybe to
“threaten” those who are not their
friends. But because they are children, and don’t know what adults
know, they don’t know that there
are bullets in the chamber and they
don’t know how to keep the gun
from discharging and accidentally
killing one of their schoolmates or
their own self. And they don’t know
that in addition to the horrors they
can wreak, with or without knowing what they are doing, they can
cause endless misery and sorrow to
their own parents and to everyone
in their life that is touched by any
deed that they will have done in
their desire to rebel against their
parents or just in their misguided
desire to be “cool” or copy that person who may have become their
role model for how to permanently
remain off the “Nice” list.
I know. You’re just a child and
would never think of doing “bad”
things. But unfortunately it isn’t
only grown-ups who end up in police stations these days. And it isn’t
only grown-ups who have to “go
away” somewhere to be punished
for what they did.
That is why Santa is so sad this
year. More and more older children
have become something that no
parent ever wants to see their child
become: a withered flower. If you
believe in the Spirit of Christmas
— the spirit of kindness and sharing and love — please remember
that it really exists all year long and
can’t be turned on and off like a faucet. Living that Christmas Spirit
also includes choosing a role model
— someone to copy — that will
help you grow into an even kinder
and more loving person yourself,
someone who will never have to
suffer horrible regrets for having
done the wrong thing.
Santa knows you can avoid doing the wrong thing the more you
continue to choose doing the right
thing all year long. And if you do
that for no other reason than to permanently stay on the “Nice” list,
that’s okay; but it’s important for
me to point out that the more you
follow Santa’s advice, the happier
everyone will be, and the more the
true Spirit of Christmas will always
fill the world!
*****
Maramis Choufani is the Managing Editor of the Las Vegas Tribune. She writes a weekly column
in this newspaper. To contact
Maramis,
email
her
at
[email protected].
Maramis
did NOT matter if Michael Brown
had his ‘hands-up’ or NOT, or if
Eric Garner died from a police
choke-hold or NOT? Pick your recent topic (NFL domestic violence,
Bill Cosby rapes, University of Virginia campus rape, Adrian Peterson
child abuse) and apply the same
standard. It does not matter if the
allegation is true because the issue
is important enough to address!?
Wouldn’t we be better served to
address a known problem (spousal
abuse/domestic violence, child
abuse, campus rape, police tactics
and use of force) and start with the
facts and the truth? These problems,
and others, certainly need to be addressed but not with information
(and people) who are at the bottom
of the trash can. Good American
citizens don’t need a false symbol
to address a problem. The media is
responsible for ‘creating’ a false
narrative and false symbols (for ratings? for fame?). They ‘run’ with a
false narrative to whip up a frenzy
which is destructive.
RIO HOTEL
SHOOTING
I didn’t see much attention given
to the shooting of the robbery subject at the Rio. The ‘new’ undersheriff, Kevin McMahill, held a press
conference and the video was released to the media and on
YouTube. McMahill explained that
Metro was able to release the video
right away because it was not
needed for prosecution — the suspect is DEAD! Metro creates ‘false
narratives’ about transparency and
other subjects but you need to be
paying attention. Bottom line — if
Metro can use something to their
advantage, it will be done.
The RJ reported, “Detectives
from Metro’s robbery career criminal sections began surveillance of
Moore on Saturday evening, where
he was observed driving a rental car
with license plates that changed
throughout the night. He also
changed into clothes that were similar to those he wore in previous
robberies, police said. Detectives
caught up to Moore in a populated
Chuck Muth
(Continued from Page 8)
“nuclear option” collaborators,
Hickey and his thin-skinned sidekick, Randy “Kirner Tax” Kirner.
It’s unclear if Washoe GOP
Chair Sam Kumar voted against the
resolution or simply wasn’t on the
call.
In any event, Hickey is truly
playing with fire here. And if he
continues, he ain’t the only one
who’s gonna get burned.
Officially-sanctioned recall efforts by the Nevada Republican
Party — likely to be fully funded
by conservative donors who are
tired of this crap by the moderate
crybabies who didn’t get their way
— are far more likely to be successful than not, especially considering
the relatively tiny number of signatures needed to qualify for a special election.
Oh, and the fact that those targeted for recall (a) will be in session and unable to campaign to save
their bacon in their districts, and (b)
will be unable to raise any money
to stave off the recall effort thanks
to the fundraising “blackout period” they’ll be under.
But even if not successful, the
recall effort alone will be enough
to entice serious, credible and viable GOP primary challengers for
the next election — and the campaign mailers will write themselves! It will cost the collaborators
a fortune to defend their seats.
To tell you the truth, part of me
hopes Hickey & Company are actually stupid enough to go through
with the “nuclear option.” I’d love
the chance to get rid of them BEFORE the end of the legislative session when Gov. Brian Sandoval’s
tax hike votes come up rather than
wait until June 2016.
So...
Go ahead, Pat. Make my day.
*****
Chuck Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, a non-profit public
policy grassroots advocacy organization. Chuck Muth may be reached
at [email protected].
area of the Rio on the casino floor
around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Detectives Sean Beck and Thomas
Faller attempted to take Moore into
custody, but a struggle ensued.
Metro said Beck saw Moore pull a
gun out of a gym bag he was carrying and told him to drop it. Metro
said Moore disobeyed and managed
to fire one round when Beck shot
once, striking him in the neck. He
was declared dead at the scene.
Metro has released surveillance
footage showing the first part of the
encounter.”
McMahill’s press conference
makes it look like we are going to
have another four years of ‘tough
talk’ designed to defend and deflect
and shut down any legitimate inquiries. This is the ‘culture’ of the
LVMPD but it does not represent
the culture of all police departments
in America. Chief Ed Flynn from
Milwaukee fired an officer after the
fatal shooting of a homeless man
who started to strike the officer with
a club. THE OFFICER WAS
FIRED FOR NOT FOLLOWING
DEPARTMENT POLICY THAT
COULD HAVE PREVENTED
THE SHOOTING...NOT FOR
THE FATAL SHOOTING ITSELF.
Compare Flynn’s actions (and how
quickly he acted) to those of Doug
Gillespie when he was forced to
deal with the shooting of Stanley
Gibson — and eventually fired
Jesus Arevalo.
I watched the Rio video and realized how incredibly intense it
must have been for the officers, for
the bystanders, and for the suspect.
The intensity and traumatic nature
of the incident that lasted a few seconds should bring forward many
important questions. And the areas
of concern have nothing to do with
the shot to the back of the neck that
killed the suspect. McMahill was
upset that some people were call-
ing it an execution.
In each of these incidents the
analysis that must take place (other
than the final decision to employ
use of deadly force) should begin
with the severity of the crime, the
need for immediate apprehension,
the danger of flight or injury to officers or citizens. It should then
examine the supervision, personnel/
resources, the location of the takedown, the timing, the distance, etc.
The detectives should have to explain their decision-making. They
ran right up on the suspect inside
the hotel/casino! Why did they do
that? How can that be justified?
What options could have been employed to prevent loss of life?
I’ll be waiting to read the Office
of Internal Oversight report on this
one. Everyone should want to know
the answers. McMahill was loud
and proud and defiant (in ‘classic
Metro tradition’) when he denied
that Metro ‘executed’ the suspect. I
wonder if anyone asked questions
after his ‘press release’ because I
didn’t see that part on YouTube.
I’m sure that bystanders who
didn’t know what was happening
(or how police operate) actually
DID feel that there was an unnecessary shooting. Metro’s “Wild,
Wild, West” mentality is part of the
culture that will not be tolerated
forever.
NEXT WEEK: Police Leaders,
Promoted Policemen, Pretenders &
Politicians
*****
Norm Jahn is a former LVMPD
lieutenant, who has also served as
a police chief in Shawano, Wisconsin, and has nearly 25 years of police experience. Jahn now contributes his opinions and ideas to help
improve policing in general, and in
Las Vegas in particular, through his
weekly column in the Las Vegas
Tribune.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Response to Perly Viasmensky’s
column about Hailee Lambert
Dear Ms. Viasmensky,
I am sorry to admit that it was just today that I read your article about
young Hailee Lambert that you wrote and published on November 1,
2014.
When my grandson moved to the Las Vegas area from Mississippi
back in 2008 and began attending elementary school here, he made friends
with Hailee Lambert. That friendship spanned the years until Hailee’s
untimely death on December 11, 2013.
Hailee Lambert was my grandson’s best friend and first love. They
talked all of the time and would have competitions in school to see who
could get the best grades on assignments and projects. Even though Hailee
often won those little competitions, my grandson was always thrilled for
Hailee’s accomplishments and intelligence. He was so thankful to have
Hailee as his friend. My grandson would often tell me; “Gramma, Hailee
is the smartest girl that I know and I’m lucky to have her as my friend.”.
My grandson was completely devastated by the death of Hailee... his
best friend and first love. But even he will tell you that as one of Hailee’s
friends, he had no inkling of the bullying that Hailee was going through.
I want to thank you for the article that you wrote about Hailee. She
was a beautiful young girl. Her smile would light up any room. She was
sweet to every one that she knew. Which is why we cannot fathom why
anyone would target poor Hailee for any type of bullying. I know that
bullies are often cowards who project their own shortcomings and insecurities onto their victims. But what had Hailee ever done to deserve the
level of bullying that she must have received to make her think that killing herself was the only way to escape it? None that we can think of.
How unrelenting was the bullying that Hailee experienced that made her
feel this way?
Your article has been one of the best ones that I have read regarding
Hailee, the bullying that she endured and the lack of responsibility of
those who were in a position to prevent it (i.e. White Middle School
Principal Andrea Katona; Dean Ron Kamman; Dean April Barr; counselor Sabreena Adams; and physical education teacher Kim Jefferson). You
put the blame squarely where it should lie, those with the responsibility
and the means to stop the bullying dead in it’s tracks. And I also agree
that, even though the two students that made Hailee’s life a living hell
should be held accountable, that their parents should bear the shame of
raising such children that lack a complete sense of compassion and empathy for those that may be different... or in the case of Hailee, better
than they were. If we lived in the days where public shaming were politically acceptable, no better candidates would there be than ‘C.H.’ and
‘J.J.’s’ parents.
And while although I did appreciate and enjoy your article, might I
make one simple request of you? I’m sure that now that the anniversary
of beautiful Hailee’s death is upon us, that just maybe an article remembering what a beautiful young lady Hailee was would also be appropriate. An article remembering how wonderful, loving, giving and considerate Hailee was would be a good way for those of your readers who may
not have had the privilege and honor of knowing Hailee Lambert. Hailee’s
parents are still grieving and will be for a very long time to come. Every
December and every Christmas without their beautiful daughter will be a
sad reminder of their loss and the circumstances that caused that loss.
Why not give them a gift, Ms. Viasmensky? Give them a gift of an article
that celebrates their daughter’s beautiful spirit and a memory that just
might accompany the painful one every Christmas holiday so that with
the painful, maybe a healing one might be right beside it.
Thank you for letting me make this suggestion.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gloria Corder
Page 10 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Krav Maga, police tactics,
and our desire for justice
By Thomas A. Nagy
Part 24 of a Series
Last week I wrote in this series
about the systemic lack of justice
in Clark County, and predicted that
the shooting of Anthony Wade
Moore at the Rio Casino by
LVMPD Officer Sean Beck would
be found “justified” by authorities.
Within hours after this Las Vegas
Tribune published that article,
Deputy Sheriff Kevin McMahill
defended Beck’s action and denied
that it was an execution, proving
my words to be true.
Immediately and with evident
vehemence, McMahill defends
Beck and asserts that “this was not
an execution.” Undoubtedly with
full support of Sheriff Douglas
Gillespie and sheriff-elect Joseph
Lombardo, this brute-force incident
has been deemed the only recourse
open to “peace officers” present at
the Rio Casino to make an arrest of
the late Anthony Moore.
There were and are other options
to this brute-force approach to making arrests or subduing suspects
who might or might not cooperate.
Krav Maga is one of those options. Krav Maga is a system of
techniques developed and used
since 1942 in then-Palestine and
later by Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) and Israeli police. Its history
goes back to a special-forces master of renown, British Royal Marine and Assistant Commissioner
William E. Fairbairn, who developed lethal hand-to-hand self-defense techniques from 1907 to
1940. Fairborn’s techniques did not
require lengthy training or mastery
of martial arts fighting techniques
used in Asia for centuries. His
methods were taught, with lethal
effectiveness, in a matter of hours
or days to persons from ordinary
walks of life. Those techniques
made warriors out of ordinary men
and sometimes women without the
requirement that these folks first get
into top physical condition. While
Palestine was under British rule and
European Jews were emigrating
there during the 1930s and 1940s,
these methods of fighting attracted
great interest among those determined to defend their new stakes
in the Holy Land from hostile
neighbors. After all, they had very
little access to hard weapons. During these last two decades, Krav
Maga has spread internationally.
The officer in the casino video
demonstrates some knowledge of
Krav Maga, or a defense technique
similar to KM. By approaching the
victim from behind, he takes a position in the only safe spot; Moore
would not have been able to kick
or strike Beck. In his movements,
Beck shows that he knew exactly
how to approach Moore safely. Of
numerous possible places at which
to position himself, Beck knew
where not to go. The fact that he
had his gun drawn and at the ready
Mace
from the initial approach from at
least 20 feet away, Beck also shows
that he was not prepared to engage
in a struggle, or to use defensive
fighting tactics to subdue Moore.
With his weapon in his hand Beck
was not in any position to engage
in a struggle or handcuff Moore.
This indicates he might have intended to shoot and kill Moore by
the time he made his approach, and
this seems to be the case.
For those interested in knowing
how to disarm a potential threat, including one involving a gun pointed
at you, you can go to this YouTube
link: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=cmQk3DnTcSs.
Additional information about
Krav Maga training of Canadian
forces can be found here: https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=cmQk3DnTcSs. Please
keep in mind that I do not recommend anyone attempt these techniques without professional training. For good reason, law enforcement agencies recommend that a
potential victim cooperate with attackers or those who threaten harm.
Only use techniques that you are
comfortable with and have confidence in. But do be prepared.
And this is the essence of the
matter: police complain on a daily
basis that they are under threat of
violence or harm on a regular basis. They know in advance of the
dangers of their positions and are
trained to deal with threats. To protect lives of officers, there is no
holding back. Krav Maga training
is designed specifically to alleviate
threats and elements of surprise. Its
premise is to “expect the unexpected.” Threats are known to come
in three potential forms: physical
struggle, a knife threat, or a weapon
that fires a projectile, otherwise
known as a gun. Krav Maga prepares an officer or a trained civilian to deal with each of these
threats. An ordinary man with a
knife is not a serious threat to a
well-trained police officer schooled
in Krav Maga. Such an officer will
approach a knife-wielding perpetrator with confidence, subdue and
disarm the person with rapid movements, or inflict serious bodily
harm if necessary, such as a broken hand or arm, a dislocated shoulder, or other disabling injury that
(Continued from Page 8)
relatively new statute that had not been tested. But prosecutor Barry
Grove said outside court that the law wasn’t complicated, saying, “If
you go into somebody’s cell phone and you take their nude selfies without their permission, it’s a crime.” Yes, it is. I’m not condoning his behavior, but there are a lot worse crimes out there.
Grove said Harrington’s actions were “egregious, not only because
of the invasion of privacy, but because it undermines the public trust in
the criminal justice system.” Grove said he couldn’t charge other officers who allegedly received photos from Harrington with receiving stolen property, because the women still have their pictures in their possession.
“If I take a picture of your picture and you still have your picture,
that’s not stolen property,” Grove said. “Definitely some of the text messages that we’ve all seen are especially unappealing and unethical, but
commenting on those photographs is not a crime as well, even though
there may be consequences for them at their jobs.”
Bikini photos of a 19-year-old woman were allegedly stolen by
Harrington as the woman was undergoing X-rays after being involved
in a suspected DUI crash in Livermore in August. “Taken from the phone
of my 10-15x while she’s in X-rays,” Harrington allegedly texted fellow
Dublin CHP Officer Robert Hazelwood. In police parlance, “10-15x”
refers to a female arrestee.
Hazelwood in turn responded, “No f— nudes?” senior district
attorney’s office inspector Darryl Holcombe wrote in a search warrant
affidavit. Then, on Aug. 29, Harrington secretly forwarded at least five
photos that belonged to a 23-year-old woman he had arrested on suspicion of DUI in San Ramon, authorities said. That woman found out what
happened when she looked at her iPad, which was synced to her iPhone,
authorities said. She hired a lawyer and notified the district attorney’s
office. Prosecutors opted not to charge that woman in her DUI case because of Harrington’s alleged conduct, court records show. Although
I’m sure she was embarrassed, at least she wasn’t charged with a DUI;
ultimately I think she came out ahead of the game.
*****
Mace J. Yampolsky is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist,
625 South Sixth St., Las Vegas, NV 89101; He can be reached at: Phone
702-385-9777 or fax 702-385-300. His website is located at:
www.macelaw.com.
makes it impossible for the potential attacker to harm the officer.
Because this training has been
available to law enforcement officers for at least two decades, the
common complaint that officers
feel threatened and must use brute
deadly force as often as they do is
inexcusable. Yet, it is the most common non-apology applied: “I felt
threatened.”
This was the excuse used by
Officer Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, and accepted by the grand
jury there despite obvious misrepresentations of fact in his story.
Wilson obviously lied. As the primary prosecutor in that case, the
district attorney actively misled the
grand jury by allowing glaring contradictions to go unquestioned in
those proceedings. The district attorney blinded the grand jurors by
omitting important facts that would
have had to have been considered
in order to make a fair and just
evaluation of Wilson’s story. He
failed to bring into focus certain
facts about the motion momentum
of a large human body once struck
by bullets, for example.
In each of the officer-involved
shootings in Clark County this year,
the same logic has been used to justify actions of officers: I or we felt
a threat to personal safety. In June
2014, in Henderson, there was the
case of two officers shooting to
death a man stopped for questioning while riding a bicycle in the vicinity of Horizon Drive and Boulder Highway. In that case, no mention has been made as to the level
of self-defense training received by
officers prior to that event. Had
there been no training whatsoever
in techniques similar to Krav Maga,
if not Krav Maga, by Henderson
police up to the time of that incident? What self-defense training
had those officers received? If police in all jurisdictions of Clark
County have been mutually concerned with threats to personal
safety, why have these well-known
techniques of self-defense not been
shared with law enforcement officers most likely to encounter threats
to personal safety?
Agents of the Justice Department, including the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI) have training in Krav Maga. The FBI is less
often at the front lines of intensive
threats from violent criminals than
officers on the streets of cities like
Las Vegas. So why hasn’t this training been shared with local officers
as a matter of routine? Or has it?
The answer seems to be that this
county has had a long history of
injustice and corruption that precludes an honest approach to these
issues of personal safety of officers and agents of the government.
Rather than take measures to protect officers through training in
techniques known to be most effective, such as Krav Maga, the historic mindset in Clark County has
been gun-centered: shoot first and
create a cover story after the fact.
This has been made possible by
the corrupt Clark County Coroner’s
office and a corrupt Clark County
district attorney’s office for decades. Alternative views and approaches to officer safety are not
necessary because the outcome of
the previous fifty “investigations”
into officer-involved shootings or
killings has been a foregone conclusion: the officer was “justified”
no matter what ensued. In a macabre sense, the most “reliable” persons in Clark County are the coroner and the district attorney. In every case, history proves, they can
be relied upon to justify deadly
force of an officer in any circumstance.
Now think of the irony of a
changed story by persons of interest in criminal investigations and
how a story, once changed, leads
officers and prosecutors to make an
arrest and get a conviction in trial.
Initially, as reported by the ReviewJournal, LVMPD officers in the Rio
Casino were “engaged in a struggle
with Moore” before he was tazed.
The RJ reported that he was tazed
only after a struggle, but the surveillance video released by the
LVMPD shows a completely different truth: Moore was tazed from a
distance by an approaching officer
who was obviously prepared to do
exactly that: he had his tazer ready.
It was also reported that, according
to the initial story by LVMPD,
Moore “reached into his waistband.” The video shows otherwise.
After being subdued somewhat by
the electric shock, Moore attempted
to reach into his bag. His hands
were nowhere near his waistband.
But the waistband line is the same
one used by Officer Wilson in
Ferguson, Missouri. Was this a coincidence?
After releasing that Rio Casino
surveillance video, the LVMPD had
to change its story. It then makes
the claim that Moore had taken a
gun out of his bag and fired a round,
injuring his own thumb before being shot by Officer Beck. If that
were the case known immediately
after the fact of Moore’s death,
known to not one or two LVMPD
officers on the scene but three, why
was there a completely different
story told while a black curtain was
hiding the death scene in the Rio?
Three first-person eyewitnesses got
it wrong immediately after events.
This is the same cause of doubt that
often leads investigators and prosecutors to conclude that those who
change a story are not reliable as
witnesses or perhaps even guilty of
the crime.
This is what lies behind the black
curtains put up by LVMPD and
other government agencies in Clark
County: death followed by deception, or deception preceding death.
It is a symbolic yet quite real death
of justice that is systemic here.
Truth is obscured by a banal, “He
said, but he or she also said the opposite...” routine. The cops say, “I
feared for my life.” Witnesses say,
“He was on the ground and not a
threat to anyone.” Everyone is expected to choose between these two
options, and only these two options
without questioning whether a third
or fourth option was available...
perhaps an option of devastating,
potentially lethal self-defense techniques such as Krav Maga, used by
law enforcement and combat troops
throughout the world.
One side effect of television programs about unlawful homicide and
other crimes is that we have come
to accept conflicting versions of
what is possible in real life. We are
no longer able, as a mass-consuming audience of conflicting versions
of a story, to discern what is true
from what is false. We have become
too readily duped into believing
what cannot be true as if it can be
true. Too many of us, ordinary
people that make up our communities, have been placed on the wrong
side of those black curtains for so
long that we’ve lost, it seems, the
desire to discern or to know truth
from fiction.
*****
Thomas A. Nagy is the author of
Cannabis Consumer Handbook
available at Amazon.com, and the
blog
ReGeneration
at
blogspot.com. Email direct at:
[email protected].
ENTERTAINMENT
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 11
Terry Fator’s
Country Christmas
By Sandy Zimmerman
Las Vegas Tribune
Photos by Sandy Zimmerman
unless otherwise indicated
America’s Got Talent winner
Terry Fator’s “Country Christmas”
presents a different slant on Christmas! His show brings a home-spun
Terry and puppet: (Photo by Terry Fator/Mirage)
feeling of being in the country with many talents- singing, comedy and think of Terry without his lovable
your friends and family.
of course his major success as a characters.
Terry kept bringing in each of his
Reminiscent of Las Vegas early ventriloquist.
loveable
character puppets with a
shows, Terry made his entrance
I feel an entire show with just
festive
holiday
mood. There was
with pizzazz at the top of a stair- Terry Fator as himself, singing
Winston
the
Impersonating
Turtle,
case singing while walking down show tunes and a mix of other numVikki
“The
Cougar,”
Berry
Fabuto the stage. His golden resonant bers would really showcase his
lous,
Duggie
Scott
Walker
and
voice filled the room. Terry has so singing talent. But it is difficult to
Walter T. Airdale.
The living room setting brought
back memories of spending the
holidays at home. Their classic
Christmas carols were perfect with
“Winter Wonderland,” “O Holy
Night,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside”
and the new “Christmas in Las Vegas.”
It would not be a Christmas
show without Terry’s Bing Crosby
singing “I’m Dreaming of a White
Christmas” and Nat King Cole’s
favorites.
Terry Fator makes the holidays
special with his Christmas-themed
shows.
Imagine Terry’s characters celebrating their own Country Christmas, singing those sentimental carols. They brighten the time with a
mix of comedy and music.
I watched Terry Fator the
evening he won “America’s Got
Talent” and have reviewed his
shows in Las Vegas, he truly deserves the recognition.
Terry performs over 100 impersonations and uses 16 different puppets in his act. He won season two
of America’s Got Talent’s television
program with a million dollar prize
and one-year contract to appear a
the Las Vegas Hilton.
Terry Fator appears in the Terry
Fator Showroom Monday-Thursday with select Friday performances. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.,
show at 7:30 pm.
For information, call 792-7777
or 1-800-963-9634. The Mirage
Hotel and Casino is located at 3400
S. Las Vegas Blvd. Visit http://
terryfator.com/ www.mirage.com.
*****
Award
winning
Sandy
Zimmerman is a syndicated columnist featuring Show and Dining reviews, travel, health, luxury and
more. Sandy is talk show host of the
Las Vegas Today Show programs
and Discover the Ultimate Vacation
travel specials. If you want to suggest topics for articles, request for
a review, for information or to ask
any questions about Sandy’s articles, call (702)-735-5974.
SUGGESTIONS: Do you have a
fave singer, comedian, hypnotist,
vocal group, specialty act, spectacular production show or other
entertainer in Las Vegas? Please let
us know and you may win free show
tickets or other prizes. Send the
name of the entertainer, the reasons
for your choice and your telephone
number. Information is in the paragraph above.
Page 12 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Breaking records, setting new
standards for Christmas parties
The Las Vegas Tribune Roving Reporter,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
The bar has been set higher.
Trying to avoid the ubiquitous evening Christmas parties
that will permeate the month of December, the F.I.O.R.E.’s
non-existent board of directors decided to hold their holiday
event during their regular monthly luncheon.
Was it a good idea? Well, the proof is in the (figgy) pudding.
One hundred and eighty-six people filled the main room
at the Italian American club to enjoy one of the Non Club
Club FIORE’s greatest Christmas events.
The guests were warmly received at the door by Mrs.
Claus, who flew from the North Pole, via England and Flagstaff. She greeted each guest with a smile and a candy cane.
Keeping up with the tradition of the organization, a rose
and a box of chocolates were presented to all ladies in attendance. The men folk got zilch, or as they say in Yiddish, they
got “u cazzu,” that is if you don’t count the fun and camaraderie for which this non club club is known.
While the luncheon featured the usual great music offered
in all meetings by the Grammy award-winning Gary Anderson trio, this time there was an additional, and tremendous,
musical surprise.
JAZZMIN brought the house down! JAZZMIN, directed
by Rod L. Henley, also a Grammy winner and formerly with
the Four Freshmen, is a premiere blending of professional
and university jazz singer-musicians, as a vocal jazz outreach
to the Vegas Valley. Previous appearances have been with
JAZZMIN was a smashing success. Gary Fowler, Ira Hill, Corky Difini, Al Guzman, Ben Williams, Tony Crapis,
Jake Yansen, Rod Henley (leader), Linda Woodson, Laura Taylor, Russine Zellner, and Kathy Osgood.
the UNLV Jazz Bands, the Master Singers, CSN and various him “in recognition of his unwavering support of the
jazz venues. (For more information, please contact Rod L. F.I.O.R.E., for helping it to grow, for photoshopping unflattering images and for his selfless dedication to teaching
Henley: [email protected] or 702.635.2632.)
It was yet another event to be remembered for Christmas CHARO how to “espeak well Ingles.”
The speaker at the January 2015 meeting will be the Las
future, and it leaves attendees wondering, just how high can
a bar go? But, they are the F.I.O.R.E., and that is what they Vegas Review-Journal syndicated columnist, author and a
true Las Vegas Icon, Mr. John Smith.
do.
Learn more about this off-the-wall group: visit their
Editor and Publisher of the Las Vegas Tribune, Rolando
Larraz, received the most non-coveted award, The FIORE website www.Nonclubclubfiore.com and go to the “about
AMICIZIA PREMIO (the Friendship Award). Presented to us” page.
A very happy Nelson Sardelli thanks Rod. L Henley, Linda Woodson, Laura Taylor
(featured singer), Russine Zellner and Kathy Osgood.
Nelson Sardelli in the middle. Musician Extraordinaire
Tommy Deering, and the one and only, Tom Saitta,
who officially changed the name of Poinsettias to
Poin’saitta’s. He is a president; he can do it.
Former Stripper sensation, now an
author, Doris “Bambi Jones” Kotzan and
Esther Lynn (ClayreVoyant), one of
F.I.O.R.E.’s greatest supporters.
Tim McKellar, Kristi Gufriedi,
David Adolph and Tina Davis.
Two of the original founders of
the F.I.O.R.E., Johnny Amato
and Peter Anthony.
Goodsprings, Nevada Constable and Mrs. Gary P. Rogers,
on the left, and Mr. and Mrs. Felix Silla.
JAZZMIN presented a flawless and very professional presentation.
Wayne Hood and Mr. and Mrs. “Dondino.” Dondino, a
fine entertainer, has been a part of the Las Vegas show
business scene since long before Fremont Street was paved.
Ambassador Nancy Hawthorne and
First Lady Linda November.
Johnny Amato and lovely daughter
Christy Fiore, who flew in from Chicago.
The Duke of Las Vegas and Trudy Platzer, founder and president
of the Las Vegas Railroad Society. They volunteered to hand out
the roses to the ladies in attendance.
186 Christmas motivated folks attended the monthly luncheon. A record in attendance.
Ambassador Joan Titus gives a
holiday hug to President Joe Donato.
Mrs. Claus came all the way from
the North Pole to put the final
touch onto a classy event.
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 13
David Adolph displays the newly minted
The Duke of Fremont .999 pure silver
coin. He was the highest bidder.
Nelson Sardelli, left, with
Norm and Moygan Ross
Singer, impersonator, producer, promoter,
pirate, poet, a pawn and a king,
the talented Peter Pavone and
Ambassador Judy Coco.
We could, blatantly, lie and
say that this is Santa in
civilian clothing, but
reluctantly, we will not.
Mark Hall-Patton, director
of Clark County Museum
and one of the show “Pawn
Stars” experts. (A future
guest speaker, for sure)
Brazilions of Brazilians: Ciro Batteli, Patty Ascher, Nelson Sardelli, George Bugatti, and
Joan Titus. Seated are: Camile Patti, Moygan Ross (Mrs. Nevada) and Norm Ross.
We can’t thank him enough. The leader
of JAZZMIN, Rod L. Henley, gave the
FIORE a very nice Christmas gift.
Kind words... Christmas wishes....
lots of love and laughter.
Kissy Pooh!!! Hope to see you next year.
President Barry Heifetz and ever
charming First Lady Nora Jansen
(The Judge had to hold court).
Hollywood stunt artists Kaye Wade and
Chuck Hicks (in over 1,000 movies and TV
shows, including 70 westerns. He was also
a member of the cast of the original
“Untouchables” with Robert Stack.) Kaye
Wade is also a fine singer.
Presidents Richard Huffner and
the man of the hour, Felix Silla.
Former CIA agent and one of the original founders
of the club, Ken Walther with radio personalities
Carolyn and Stephen Jacobs.
Nothing but the best people comes to the Fiore events.
Chris Hall, Sue Lowden, Trudy Platzer and,
leaning to the right, Allon Adar-Burla.
Always dressed to kill, the Ladies from the
Las Vegas Railroad Society,
Cathy Govereau and Phree Bartley of
PhreeStyle. Cathy transforms old hats
into masterpieces — “one of a kind.”
Susan Heifetz and Sharon Graziano.
The smiles say it all.
...And please, tell your husband that I have been good...
most of the time... well, some of the time...
Just forget it... I’ll buy my own gifts.
Editor/Publisher of the Las Vegas Tribune Rolando Larraz
receives the Premio Amicizia. Not only was he surprised
with the award but also he was startled, stunned and
dumbfounded by the unexpected osculation from Peter
Anthony. An Italian thing, I guess!
Super hero Wonderman,
David Adolph.
He may not have a cape
but he has a full fluffy fine
Feather Boa... Same thing,
ask any hero.
Lovely twins Esperanza Hudson Pillar and
Maria Fe Perada came from Texas, invited
by the semi-lovely President Joe DeBlase.
Peter Anthony (with shifty eyes) is holding the trophy that will be presented to “unaware”
Rolando Larraz. Nelson does a misdirection move to distract the soon-to-be honoree.
They arrived early. People came from Brazil, Chicago, Texas and Pahrump.
Felix Silla and Patricia Lindberg.
Their great attitude contributed
enormously to the success of the party.
Page 14 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Grand Laughs Christmas Comedy
Show Free at Downtown Grand
This Week
in Las Vegas
By Mike Kermani
By Mike Kermani
Las Vegas Tribune
Donations for Foundation for
Positively Kids (PK) will be accepted at this FREE show.
For one night only, Thursday,
December 18, character actor and
comedian Steve Hytner will join
Paul Scally and the cast of the
Grand Laughs Comedy Show at
Downtown Grand. Hytner is best
known for his role as Kenny Bania
on the NBC series “Seinfeld.”
In three months’ time, the Grand
Laughs Comedy Show hosted by
Paul Scally has quickly become the
most popular comedy show in Las
Vegas — and it’s completely free
to the public.
Guests are encouraged to make
a donation to the Foundation for
Positively Kids (PK) at the performance, which is a local 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing skilled medical services
for children from birth to 18 born
medically fragile or developmentally delayed.
Its services include school
nurses, skilled respite, home health,
early intervention, speech therapy,
physical therapy, occupational
therapy and medical daycare. In
addition, guests may participate in
a raffle for a one-night stay at
Downtown Grand with all proceeds
benefiting PK.
There will be a red carpet at 7
pm and show at 8 pm, in the Grand
Parlor, Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, 206 N. 3rd St.
Visit www.DowntownGrand.com
and www.PositivelyKids.org
*****
DANCING WITH THE STARS:
LIVE STARTS DEC. 27
Starting on Saturday, December
27, Keo Motsepe’s fans will have
the opportunity to see him make his
debut appearance on DANCING
WITH THE STARS: LIVE! on
stage across the U.S. Keo is the first
South African pro dancer on the
ABC hit show, and joins the other
cast members, Alfonso Ribeiro,
Kym Johnson, Sasha Farber, Mark
Ballas, Whitney Carson, Emma
Slater and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
in the official 90-minute live show,
DANCING WITH THE STARS:
LIVE!, produced by Faculty Productions in association with BBC
Worldwide.
The show kicks off Saturday,
December 27, 2014 in Niagara
Falls, NY at the Seneca Events Center and will run through February
15, 2015 showcasing some of the
faces from the show you know and
love. The confirmed list of tour
dates can be found below, with additional shows to be announced
shortly.
The all-new DANCING WITH
THE STARS: LIVE! tour will feature a cast of the television show’s
most popular competitors, treating
audiences to exciting and romantic
performances. Dancing with the
Stars dancers will choreograph
brand new never-before-seen numbers and re-create some of the
show’s most memorable moments.
As one of the pro dancers on tour,
Keo will be able to show off his
dancing skills daily on stage during
the tour.
“It’s exciting to jump from behind the TV screen into a live audience of dedicated DWTS fans,”
Keo enthuses. “I hope the magic of
experiencing dance live with such
a talented cast will match audience
expectations.”
General tickets are on sale now
through www.dwtstour.com. VIP
Packages will be available through
VIP Nation offering fans meet &
greets, photo opportunities with
cast, premium seats, exclusive merchandise and more. For more information, visit www.VIPNation.com.
*****
OFF THE STRIP OPENS
WITH JUST REAL FOOD
“Just real food.” That’s how Off
The Strip describes its brand-new
menu that will debut at The LINQ
Promenade on Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Off The Strip will be a 2-story,
11,000-square-foot bar and bistro,
open 24 hours, offering breakfast,
lunch and dinner.
Founded in 2007 in the Southern Highlands neighborhood, the
restaurant cultivated a Las Vegas
locals following. Off The Strip is
known its steaks, chops, seafood
and pasta dishes. When Off The
Strip debuts this month, the All Day
menu will include classic appetizers including fried calamari with
chili remoulade and tomato sauce
and sweet chili and bacon prawns.
Sliders offered will include fried
chicken served with a spicy honey
mustard; pulled pork simmered in
brown sauce and Wagyu beef
topped with caramelized onions and
American cheese. Las Vegas locals
favorite dishes will include the
M.O.A.B. Burger, a grilled sirloin
burger with hickory smoked bacon
with cheddar; eggplant parmesan;
shrimp scampi; Beef Wellington
served with mushroom duxelles and
bordelaise sauce baked in a puff
pastry; grilled pork chops; filet mignon and Cajun rib-eye steak.
Named for the Chef Al Hubbard,
one of Off The Strip’s founders,
Al’s Rigatoni incorporates cherry
peppers, garlic, basil and Parmesan
cheese with a zucchini garnish.
Desserts will include the root beer
float; Al’s cheesecake and double
chocolate sundae.
New to Off The Strip at The
LINQ will be its “Fresh & Fit”
menu offered for breakfast. That
menu will feature hummus and vegetables and grilled Alaskan salmon
filet, as well as roast chicken with
potatoes and grilled squash.
“We’re here to offer real, simple
great-tasting food. We believe in
making comfort food as good as it
can be—that’s why our guests come
back again and again.” says Tom
Goldsbury, founder, Off The Strip.
Indoor and outdoor seating will
be available, with the latter situated
on prime Las Vegas Strip real estate — the Promenade at The LINQ
— offering ample opportunity for
people-watching. Guests will have
direct access to The LINQ Hotel &
Casino, as well as The High Roller,
the world’s tallest observation
wheel.
*****
RING IN THE NEW YEAR
WITH CLASSIC
ROCK BAND PHOENIX
One Six Sky Lounge Atop
Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel
is inviting the public to their party.
Celebrate NYE with Panoramic
View, Champagne Toast and Party
Favors.
Celebrate the New Year in classic rock style overlooking the best
view of the Las Vegas skyline at
One Six Sky Lounge atop Eastside
Cannery Casino & Hotel. Eastside
Cannery proudly teams with 97.1
The Point to present a classic rock
New Year’s Eve bash featuring
“Phoenix,” Las Vegas’ premiere
classic rock cover band.
Guests will enjoy a spectacular
view and a rocking evening complete with a champagne toast and
party favors. The celebration begins
at 10 pm, with a classic rock countdown to 2015.
“Phoenix is widely recognized
as THE Las Vegas Classic Rock
Cover Band! Based out of Las Vegas, “Phoenix” is called by Trip
Advisor the best cover band you
will see anywhere. Phoenix performs to standing room only crowds
in Las Vegas and the western United
States.
One Six Sky Lounge offers a
breathtaking, panoramic view of the
valley. It’s proximity on the east end
of the valley offers unique, romantic views you simply cannot get on
the Strip!
Tickets for the Classic Rock
NYE Countdown with “Phoenix”
are $40, including champagne toast
and party favors. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or
by call the Eastside Cannery box
office at (702) 856-5470.
*****
CANNERY:
NEW YEARS EVE LINE-UP
WITH SOME FREE SHOWS
Claudine Castro Band
Latin Music, Every Monday in
December and January, 10 p.m.–2
a.m., Marilyn’s Lounge, Eastside
Cannery
5255 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas,
NV
Cost: FREE.
Next Movement
Classic R&B and Old School,
New Year’s Eve, December 31, 10
p.m.–2 a.m., Marilyn’s Lounge,
Eastside Cannery, 5255 Boulder
Hwy, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: $10.00 at the door
Phoenix
Las Vegas Classic Rock Band,
New Year’s Eve, December 31, 10
p.m.–2 a.m., One Six Sky Lounge,
Eastside Cannery, 5255 Boulder
Hwy, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Tickets: $40.00
Kix & Vixen
Rock, January 17, 8:30 p.m.,
Eastside Events Center, Eastside
Cannery, 5255 Boulder Hwy, Las
Vegas, NV
Cost: Tickets start at $14.95
Rich Little Dinner Show
Comedian & Impressionist,
TBA, Eastside Events Center,
Eastside Cannery, 5255 Boulder
Hwy, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: TBA
Mike Kermani is an entertainment writer for the Las Vegas Tribune newspaper. He writes a weekly
column in this newspaper. To contact Mike Kermani, email
mkermani@ lasvegas tribune.com
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 13
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino headliners Penn
& Teller kick off “13 Bloody Days of Christmas”
By Jerry Fink
Las Vegas Tribune
For the 14th consecutive year,
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino headliners Penn & Teller will partner
with United Blood Services to raise
awareness of the need for blood
donations during the holiday season. Those who donate blood between Friday, Dec. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 1 will receive two complimentary tickets to Penn &
Teller’s show.
Kick-off event with Penn &
Teller; Friday, Dec. 19; 11 a.m.
The blood drive will be held Friday, Dec. 19 through Thursday, Jan.
1 at designated United Blood Services locations and mobile units.
Guests may donate at the following locations:
6930 W. Charleston Blvd.; Las
Vegas, NV 89117; (702) 228-4483
4950 W. Craig Rd.; Las Vegas,
NV 89130; (702) 645-8700
601 Whitney Ranch Dr. Bldg. D,
Suite 20; Henderson, NV 89014;
(702) 434-1838
Penn & Teller perform in the
Penn & Teller Theatre at Rio AllSuite Hotel & Casino nightly (dark
Thursdays and Fridays) at 9 p.m.
Tickets start at $75. For tickets, visit
the Rio Box Office, call 702-7777776 or visit www.riolasvegas.com.
For groups of 10 or more, please
call 702-740-4277.
*****
STEVE HYTNER JOINS
PAUL SCALLY FOR SPECIAL
GRAND LAUGHS
CHRISTMAS COMEDY
SHOW AT DOWNTOWN
GRAND DEC. 18
For one night only, character
actor and comedian Steve Hytner
will join Paul Scally and the cast of
the Grand Laughs Comedy Show
at Downtown Grand. Hytner is best
known for his role as Kenny Bania
on the NBC series “Seinfeld.”
In three months’ time, the Grand
Laughs Comedy Show hosted by
Paul Scally has quickly become the
most popular comedy show in Las
Vegas — and it’s completely free
to the public.
Guests are encouraged to make
a donation to the Foundation for
Positively Kids (PK) at the performance, which is a local 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing skilled medical services
for children from birth to 18 born
medically fragile or developmentally delayed. Its services include
school nurses, skilled respite, home
health, early intervention, speech
therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and medical daycare.
In addition, guests may participate
in a raffle for a one-night stay at
Downtown Grand with all proceeds
benefiting PK.
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 18 7
p.m.: Red carpet 8 p.m.: Show
WHERE: Grand Parlor Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel &
Casino 206 N. 3rd St. Las Vegas,
NV 89101
*****
“CROWN PRINCE” OF
SWING LOUIS PRIMA JR.
AND THE WITNESS TO
PERFORM FREE SHOW AT
RED ROCK RESORT
Dubbed the “Crown Prince” of
Swing Louis Prima Jr. and the Witness will perform a special free
show at Red Rock Resort on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m.
Son of musical legend Louis
Prima, Louis Prima Jr. is a Las Vegas-based entertainer, singer,
songwriter and musician, who was
dubbed the “Crown Prince” of
swing music. After giving up a lucrative shirt-and-tie job at 44 years
old, Prima Jr. began pursuing music full time with the goal of bridging the gaps between the swing and
rock eras. Prima Jr. and his band
The Witness released their debut
album Return of the Wildest in
2012 and followed with 2014’s
Blow.
Doors for Louis Prima Jr. and the
Witness open at 7 p.m. There is no
cover charge and guests must be 21
years or older. Entry is first-come,
first-served and based upon venue
capacity. For more information,
please visit www.sclv.com/concerts.
*****
JERRY SEINFELD RETURNS
TO THE COLOSSEUM
CAESARS PALACE
DECEMBER 26-27
Jerry Seinfeld fans can catch the
all-star comedian as he returns to
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
for two nights of his critically acclaimed stand-up comedy on Dec.
26 and 27. The two-night engagement is presented jointly by AEG
Live and Caesars Palace.
Show Date & Time: Friday, Dec.
26 and Saturday, Dec. 27 at 7:30
p.m.
Ticket Pricing: $75-$150 (plus
applicable tax and handling fee)
Tickets may be purchased in
person at The Colosseum at Caesars
Palace Box Office, by calling 1888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849
or
online
by
visiting
www.thecolosseum.com
or
www.axs.com, keyword “Jerry
Seinfeld.”
Jerry Seinfeld is best known for
his role on NBC’s “Seinfeld,” the
most popular and successful sitcom
on American television, which was
chosen as the best sitcom ever in a
poll recently conducted by Vanity
Fair and 60 Minutes. His internet
show “Comedians in Cars Getting
Coffee” launched in 2012, has garnered critical raves, an Emmy
nomination, and more than 30 million streaming views. His book
“Seinlanguage” was released in
1993 and went on to become a #1
New York Times bestseller. Winning critical acclaim for such diverse projects as “Bee Movie,”
touring stand-up comedy performances, and guest-starring with
longtime collaborator Larry David
in the hit HBO TV show “Curb
Your Enthusiasm,” Seinfeld continues to reign among the nation’s
most popular comedy stars. He has
headlined The Colosseum since
Dec. 2003 and previously headlined
the resort’s Circus Maximus Showroom.
For more information on The
Colosseum or Caesars Palace,
please call (702) 731-7110, visit
caesarspalace.com or follow updates from The Colosseum at
Caesars Palace on Twitter
@ColosseumCP.
*****
THE COSMOPOLITAN
OF LAS VEGAS
ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Tuesday, Dec. 30; 8 p.m.; Doors
at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Prices starting at $125
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
will bring together two legendary
musicians, Tony Bennett and Lady
Gaga, for their first performance together in Las Vegas on the mophie
stage at The Chelsea. The extraordinary evening will highlight the
world-class artists and the music
from their just released #1 album,
Cheek to Cheek. Released on September 23, Cheek To Cheek debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
and hit No. 1 on both the Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums
charts. The album features classic
jazz standards sung by Tony
Bennett and Lady Gaga in a combination of vocal duets and solo
performances.
New Year’s Eve with Tony
Bennett and Lady Gaga
Wednesday, Dec. 31; Doors at 9
p.m.
Tickets: Sold Out: Room/Show
Packages still available
This New Year’s Eve, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will bring
together two legendary musicians,
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on the
mophie stage at The Chelsea. The
extraordinary evening will highlight the world-class artists and the
music from their just released #1
album, Cheek to Cheek. Released
on September 23, Cheek To Cheek
debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard
200 and hit No. 1 on both the Jazz
Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums charts. The album features
classic jazz standards sung by Tony
Bennett and Lady Gaga in a combination of vocal duets and solo
performances. From the title track
to “But Beautiful” and “I Won’t
Dance,” its duets showcase a chemistry between the two artists that
will captivate and entertain for a
singular New Year’s Eve celebration on the Las Vegas Strip.
Eric Church with
special guest Halestorm
Friday, Jan. 16 & Saturday, Jan.
17; 8 p.m.; Doors at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $65-$75 GA; Reserved
prices starting at $95
Church’s current album, The
Outsiders, debuted at No. 1 on the
Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart
and the Billboard Country Albums
Chart earlier this year, featuring his
No. 1 hit “Give Me Back My
Hometown” and his new single
“Talladega.” The Outsiders is the
follow-up to Church’s Platinumcertified album Chief, (named the
2012 Album of the Year by both
CMA and ACM, and GRAMMYnominated for Best Country Album) which featured five Top 20
singles: “Homeboy” (certified
Platinum for sales in excess of one
million singles); the Top 10 “Like
Jesus Does” and the Top 5
“Creepin’” (both certified Gold for
sales in excess of 500,000 singles
each); and two No. 1 hits “Drink in
My Hand” (certified Platinum) and
“Springsteen” (certified Double
Platinum for sales in excess of two
million singles). Church’s 2006
debut album, Sinners Like Me and
his sophomore album Carolina
(2009) are both RIAA Gold-certified. Carolina had three hit singles:
the Top 10 “Hell on the Heart” as
well as Top 20 hit “Smoke A Little
Smoke” and Top 10 smash “Love
Your Love The Most,” which were
both certified Gold. Sinners Like
Me spawned three Top 20 singles:
“How ‘Bout You,” “Two Pink
Lines,” and “Guys Like Me.”
Rose. Rabbit. Lie.
Entertainment showcase
Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a modern supper club where cocktail culture and culinary repertoire combine with spontaneous live entertainment. With hints of the past and
a flair for the future, Rose. Rabbit.
Lie. sets a new precedent for the
night. It’s an experience that blurs
the lines between restaurant, bar,
club and live entertainment while
adhering to no standard model, following no written rules. Come
when you want. Leave when you
wish. Grab a drink. Snack or dine.
Let the night take the lead. Rose.
Rabbit. Lie. opens at 5:30 p.m.,
Tuesday to Saturday and features
live music and entertainment. The
food and beverage is curated by
world-class partner Coastal Luxury
Management. Guests can make dinner reservations via opentable.com
or by calling 877-667-0585.
Dessy Di Lauro
Dec. 26, 27, 30 and 31; Doors at
9 p.m.
Tickets: $22
Los Angeles-based singer Dessy
Di Lauro delivers a unique flavor
of original music and dance featuring elements from the speakeasy
era. Her performances transport
guests back to the days of the
Harlem Renaissance speakeasies in
the 1930’s with an added flavor of
an urban contemporary edge created by a live band, horn section and
tap dancers. Di Lauro released her
latest album, This Is Neo-Ragtime,
in 2013 along with her music video,
“Jump ‘N’ Jivin’.” Throughout her
career, Di Lauro has toured
throughout Europe and North
America as a featured singer for
Cirque du Soleil’s Delirium. She
has also shared the stage with the
likes of Patti Labelle, The Neville
Brothers, Deborah Cox and Social
Distortion.
The Ice Rink
New Year’s Eve Celebration;
Wednesday, Dec. 31. 8 p.m. to 1
a.m.
Those looking for a dynamic
way to ring in 2015 will find New
Year’s Eve Celebration at The Ice
Rink an ideal fit. The event will feature breathtaking views of the midnight fireworks, music selections by
DJ Atom E, Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar cocktails and seasonal
food offerings for purchase.
A limited number of early bird
tickets are available for $20, and
regular priced tickets are $30.
Ticket price includes complimentary skating admission and skate
rental (while supplies last). Tickets
will go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 18,
at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at
www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or
through
Ticketmaster
at
800.745.3000. Hotel guests will
receive complimentary access to
The Ice Rink event with a valid
hotel key. Season passes will not be
honored at the event. Cabana and
fire pit reservations complete with
premium bottle service are also
available for the best view of the
fireworks and can be reserved at
[email protected].
You must be 21 or older to reserve
a fire pit.
*****
LISTINGS UPDATE:
2015 PRICE UPDATE AT
THE MOB MUSEUM
Beginning January 1, 2015,
prices at The Mob Museum, the
National Museum of Organized
Crime and Law Enforcement, will
be as follows; please update your
listings accordingly. Note: NEW
online pricing for regular adult admission.
Regular Pricing
Adult (Online): $19.95
Adult (On-site): $21.95
Seniors, Military, Law Enforcement and Teachers: $17.95
Children (11-17), Students (1823): $13.95
Groups: $15.95
Children 10 and under: Free
Local Pricing
Local — Adult: $13.95
Local — Seniors, Military, Law
Enforcement, Teachers: $11.95
Local — Children (11-17), Students (18-23): $10.00
Local — Student Groups: $8.00
Children 10 and under: Free
BUY ONE, GET ONE, AFTER
1 — every Tuesday, all locals receive “Buy One, Get One Free”
admission after 1 p.m. (must also
be a local to receive the one free
admission).
Groups of 12 or more qualify for
group pricing.
To make reservations, or for
more information about The Mob
Museum,
please
visit
www.TheMobMuseum.org or call
(702) 229-2734.
Jerry Fink is an entertainment
columnist for the Las Vegas Tribune
newspaper and writes a weekly column. To contact Jerry Fink, email
him at jfink@ lasvegastribune.com.
Page 16 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
EarthTalk is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss
and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to:
[email protected]. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/
subscribe; Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
Dear EarthTalk: Which are the
greenest American cities, and
why? — D. Hansen, Wichita, KS
Which American city is the
greenest depends on who you ask.
Every year dozens of publications
and websites release their own assessments of which cities have the
most environmentally conscious
citizenry, the highest percentage of
recycling or the lowest carbon footprint per capita. Portland, Oregon,
Seattle and San Francisco are often
top contenders, but some of the
other leading choices may be a surprise.
The Daily Beast based a recent
round-up of greenest U.S. cities on
data collected by market research
firm Experian Simmons, which has
been tracking the greening of the
nation for half a century. Researchers polled thousands of Americans
to find out what percentage in different geographic regions think and
act in an eco-conscious way versus
what percentage do not, as well as
what percentage make a conscious
effort to recycle. The company also
tracked the number of public transit trips per capita and the percentage of households that use solar
heating by region. Honolulu, most
likely by virtue of the fact that one
percent of homes there utilize solar
power, came out on top. New York,
with more than double the amount
of public transit ridership per capita
than any other U.S. city, is #2, followed by San Francisco, Seattle and
Boston.
Meanwhile, the website
Ecosalon looked at similar types of
data and drew different conclusions, finding San Francisco to be
the greenest. Ecosalon was especially impressed by San
Franciscans routinely voting for
aggressive green programs (like
banning plastic grocery bags and financing renewable energy sources
for public facilities) and by the fact
that the city diverts 70 percent of
its waste, thanks to mandatory recycling and composting. To top it
off, nearly half of all San
Franciscans bike, walk or take public transit every day — and the city
is on track to reduce its greenhouse
gas emissions 20 percent below
1990 levels this year. Ecosalon
ranks Portland, Oregon second, followed by Seattle, Chicago and New
York.
In another ranking, Canadian
research company Corporate
Knights granted Portland, San Francisco and Seattle a three-way tie for
America’s greenest city. Denver
ranked #4 while Albuquerque,
Charlotte (NC) and Oakland tied at
fifth. “Unlike other citysustainability rankings, this ranking
focuses on the effort cities are making rather than on their results,
which could take years to achieve,”
reported Kent Portney, a Tufts University researcher who participated
in the project. “In other words, this
ranking is aspirational in nature.”
He says that each city was awarded
a point for undertaking one of 38
programs or policies listed by Corporate Knights, in categories such
as smart growth, land-use planning,
pollution prevention, etc.
And in yet another recent roundup, Mother Nature Network (MNN)
declared Portland, Oregon —
where 200 miles of dedicated bike
lanes and legions of supporters of
local and sustainable food sources
rule — the nation’s greenest city.
San Francisco, Boston, Oakland
and Eugene (OR) round out MNN’s
top five.
Regardless of which city is
“greenest,” all U.S. cities are greening up every day because planners
now realize the economic advantages of using less energy, recycling
more and keeping air and water
clean. We can all help by supporting municipal energy savings, recycling and composting programs
and community enhancement efforts. Who knows: If you keep it up,
maybe your city will top one of next
year’s lists.
*****
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts:
“A Muse” dance-drama delights all
By Marianne Donnelly
Las Vegas Tribune
Words such as “amuse,” “museum” (from mouseion — a place
where muses were worshipped),
“music” and “musing” all reflect
the ancient tradition of honoring
“the unknown source” of creativity.
The dance-drama, “A Muse,” at
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (18,
19, 20 December, 7 p.m., Lowden
Theatre) is a rich tapestry of dance,
costume and music that explores
energetic movement techniques in
original choreographed works by
Jeneane Huggins.
These mature, urbane dances are
influenced by Graham, Laban, Limon, Yoga, Ballet, Jazz, and contemporary post modern.
From the opening number, “My
Muse,” which highlights five actors
who anchor the whole show,
through “This Is My Home,” with
the full company of 24 dancers, we
are treated to intelligent, passionate, young artists competently and
engagingly enjoying their “muses.”
This isn’t just a school showcase
for parents to enjoy. This is fine art
with as professional a polish as you
will find on commercial stages.
Lighting and sound supported
the pieces and the hour-plus program ran by quickly with no “dead
space.”
Las Vegas has so many “offStrip” gems to satisfy even the most
demanding audiences with symphony, dance, theatre, poetry and
art; and Las Vegas Academy for the
Arts, in its historic and beautiful
downtown location, is certainly one
big shining diamond among the
gems.
While New York is the perceived
Mecca for live theatre and dance, I
have discovered Las Vegas is full
Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco often top “greenest city” lists, but others, like Honolulu, by virtue of its
large number of homes utilizing solar power, and New York, with more than double the amount of public
transit ridership per capita than any other U.S. city, also place high. Pictured: Biking to work in San Francisco.
of inventive, disciplined, professional “troupes in training” in
places that don’t get deserved attention and accolades — such as at this
school, dance academies, Winches-
ter Cultural Center, and Arts District venues.
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
315 S. 7th Street
(702) 855-9729
&
HEALTH LIFESTYLES
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 17
It is all about Carnevino’s steaks
By Sandy Zimmerman
Las Vegas Tribune
Photos by Carnevino
Italian Steakhouse unless
otherwise indicated
It was time to visit the Carnevino
Italian Steakhouse, the third restaurant for the Dine-around tasting
event at the Venetian and Palazzo
Resorts.
Jason Neve, Culinary Director
for the four B&B Hospitality Group
Restaurants discussed the quality of
their meats, “When Carnevino
opened in Las Vegas, we wanted it
to be the greatest steakhouse in the
world.
We added a longer dry-aging
period to 120 days which is three
times more than most of the other
restaurants.
The natural BBL beef is hand
selected and aged in our meat chamber by our man Adam Perry Lang.
BBL beef is often beyond regular
USDA prime standards for marbling and flavor and is hormone and
antibiotic free. We rub all of our
beef with sea salt, black pepper and
fresh rosemary to get a delicious
and slightly charred crust.
We have so many dining options, the possibilities are endless.”
This was an opportunity for the
invited guests to taste three differ-
Carnevino Italian Steakhouse
ent beef dishes from their extensive
menu.
The food was ready and plates
of Carne Cruda Crostini (raw steak
Tartar) awaited us.
Carnevino not only serves their
special 120-day dry-aged beef as
steaks but also in the Dry-Aged beef
Tortellini Pasta and many other
dishes as well. The Tortellini is accompanied with Parmesan Brodo
(classic Italian beef broth).
The finale of the evening, the
Dry Aged Beef with Mascarpone
Mashed Potatoes. Mascarpone is a
soft Italian cheese made from
cream, produced in the Lombardy
region. The steak was so tender, so
juicy and went well with the creamy
mashed potatoes.
Carnevino paired our dishes
with their special Flagship wine
from Joe Bastianich, the owner’s
estate, Vespa Bianco, Bastianich
2011. This wine was created to
showcase Friulian white wine. The
served a second wine — Aragone,
la mozza, 2009.
Each tasting was unique in the
combinations of ingredients and flavors.
Carnevino’s steaks are featured
on their menu: Dry Aged Bone-In
Ribeye, La Fiorentina classic
Florentine porterhouse, Dry Aged
New York Strip, Grilled Hanger
steak, Filet Mignon, and Braised
Short Rib Al Barolo (in Barolo
Wine).
They even have a Beef Tasting
Menu for those who want to indulge
in three different steaks: Carne
Cruda chopped to order (raw Steak
Tartare), Bresaola with black mission figs and gorgonzola dolce,
Dry-aged Beef Tortellini with
Parmesan Brodo, Braised Wagyu
Beef Cheek, BBL Dry-Aged
Ribeye and Tiramisu for dessert.
Of course the menu also includes
lamb, veal, pork, poultry, fish, pastas and a wide variety of choices.
Since the portions are large, the
server suggests ordering steak for
two and to share one pasta and one
antipasti.
For the real Italian Steakhouse
Experience, visit Carnevino Italian
Steakhouse, inside the Palazzo Resort adjacent to the casino. Visit
www.carnevino.com.
*****
Award
winning
Sandy
Zimmerman is a syndicated columnist featuring Show and Dining reviews, travel, health, luxury and
more. Sandy is talk show host of the
Las Vegas Today Show programs
and Discover the Ultimate Vacation
travel specials. If you want to suggest topics for articles, for information or to ask any questions about
Sandy’s articles, call (702)-7355974.
Jason Neve, Culinary Director of B&B Hospitality Group
(Photo by Sandy Zimmerman)
Page 18 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 17-23, 2014
Five Tips for Holiday Fat Loss
By Sidney Wilson
When it comes to burning fat
during the holidays, we find a dicey
issue. There are so many ways, so
many aids and not all work for everyone because we all respond differently. There are some groups
who do have like results and respond to like diets or training, but
we have many different groups and
each one has a different fat-burning threshold.
There are some tips that I can
share with you which are general
and regardless of the degree of
burn, you should respond if you are
consistent in using them and patient.
Fat Loss Tip #1
Portion control and what it
means. Well, I personally don’t
believe in portion control to the effect of limiting the amount of food
so that you stay hungry! I do agree
that you do not want to push yourself to the point of moaning and
unzipping! Taste has to be a bit
compromised in the way that you
must not over eat items you enjoy.
Control portions by having reasonable helpings of foods which are not
threatening to your goals.
Do have 4-6 small meals per day
— THAT is controlling your portions in my eyes, but do not limit
yourself to less than three meals per
day or to very low calories. Metabolism needs to be fired up to
burn fat; by eating every 2-3 hours
you are doing exactly that, which
is the optimal way. Go big on dark
leafy greens — large portions are
great; fill up on that fiber and you
won’t feel hungry. Then your proteins should be lean and will aid in
appetite control so that your starchy
carb does not have to be a large
portion; keep that controlled to
moderation. Do eat good fats in
moderate portions; going too low
or too high is adverse to your goals.
Fat Loss Tip #2
Go dark green. As I mentioned
By Dr Nina Radcliff
To Decrease
Holiday Stress
Sidney Wilson
in Tip #1, go for the broccoli, green does and go for lower fat options
beans, and collard or mustard or get the powder. This is also a
greens for half of your carb intake. sleep aid for some people.
Then you can have orange veggies,
Fat Loss Tip #5
legumes, and some higher protein
Last but not least is resistance
grains such as oats and quinoa.
training. Cardio and diet alone is
All these foods are considered not enough. In order to burn more
whole foods, are easy to prepare, calories naturally you want to build
fast to cook and perfect for burning muscle. That is not to say you need
fat.
to build very obvious muscle if you
Fat Loss Tip #3
do not wish to, which is not so easy
Do cardio after your weight even if you try! Muscle needs fuel
session. You don’t get into your fat- too, so enhancing your lean muscle
burning zone for about 15-20 min- mass to some degree will also aid
utes, so if you do the weights be- in fat burning in a huge way.
forehand you will get into fat-burnSidney Wilson is a Las Vegasing a bit sooner, making your cardio based celebrity fitness trainer and
more efficient and effective. There lifestyle coach dedicated to providis also a roundabout way by doing ing his clients with the tools needed
anaerobic type cardio, such as in- to “Get Vicious.” Through rigorous
tervals or HIT training.
workouts and extensive nutrition
Fat Loss Tip #4
coaching, Sidney trains clients at
Avoid starchy carbs in the The Get Vicious Training Center
evening. Your body works better located at 5693 South Jones Blvd.
assimilating proteins at the end of Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV 89118, or
day and while sleeping so go for remotely around the world through
lean proteins and the leafy green his website www.sidneywilson.com.
veggies for the carbs. Casein is also Sidney can be contacted at:
said to work best at night, but not [email protected] or 646all dairy has this so watch for what 226-6359.
SOCIAL SECURITY AWARENESS
What’s New in Medicare for 2015?
By David Sayen
Good news for people with
Medicare in 2015: Part B costs will
remain the same as in 2014.
Medicare Part B helps pay for
doctor bills, outpatient care, durable
medical equipment, and other
items. It requires a monthly premium and an annual deductible. I’m
happy to report that Part B costs for
2015 will be identical to 2014:
$104.90 a month for the premium
(for most beneficiaries), and $147
for the deductible.
Most people with Medicare
don’t pay any premium for Part A,
which helps covers hospital care.
But for those who do, the 2015 premium is dropping, from a maximum of $426 per month to $407 per
month. The annual deductible is
going up a little, from $1,216 in
2014 to $1,260 in 2015. Once you
pay the deductible, Medicare covers your first 60 days of hospitalization with no co-insurance.
Thanks to the Affordable Care
Act, people with Medicare no
longer have co-pays for a long list
of Medicare-covered preventive
health services.
Preventive shots and screenings
are intended to keep you healthy
and to detect disease in the earliest
stages, when it’s most treatable.
Medicare’s preventive health
services include vaccinations for flu
and Hepatitis B; screenings for
colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer; screenings and counseling for
diabetes and depression; cardiovascular disease screenings; and counseling to help you stop smoking or
abusing alcohol.
In addition, you can get a onetime “Welcome to Medicare” visit
with your doctor, during the first 12
months you’re enrolled in Part B.
During this visit you and your doctor can review your medical and
social history, and your physician
can recommend specific preventive
screenings for you, if needed.
Medicare also now covers an
annual “wellness” visit with your
doctor. This visit is intended to develop or update a personalized plan
to prevent disease or disability
based on your current health and
What
You Need
To Know
risk factors.
Another benefit of the Affordable Care Act is that it’s gradually
closing the “donut hole,” or coverage gap, in Medicare Part D, the
prescription drug program.
The coverage gap begins after
you and your drug plan together
have spent a certain amount for covered drugs. In 2015, once you enter
the gap, you pay 45 percent of the
plan’s cost for covered brand-name
drugs and 65 percent of the plan’s
cost for covered generic drugs until you reach the end of the gap.
However, not everyone will enter the coverage gap because their
drug costs won’t be high enough.
(There’s a full explanation of the
coverage gap in the “Medicare &
You” handbook for 2015, online at:
http://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/
pdf/10050.pdf.) The gap is scheduled to be completely closed by
2020.
Finally, Medicare has expanded
its “Blue Button” feature to provide better access to your Medicare claims and personal health
information.
With the Blue Button you can
download 12-36 months of claims
information for Part A and Part B,
and 12 months of claims information for Part D. This information
can help you make more informed
decisions about your care and give
your healthcare providers a more
complete view of your health history.
You can find the Blue Button at
www.MyMedicare.gov.
Once you’ve used the Blue Button, there are a variety of health applications and services to analyze
your health information. Visit
www.bluebuttonconnector.healthit.gov
to learn more about these useful
tools and how to protect your health
information once it’s in your hands.
*****
David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona,
California, Hawaii, Nevada, and
the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare
questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
By Dr. Nina Radcliff
It’s the most wonderful time of the year with the kids jingle-belling
and everyone telling you, “Be of good cheer...”
However, despite songs written to tell us “It’s the hap-happiest season
of all, With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings, When friends
come to call,” stress levels can skyrocket. After all, it may get hectic
between “parties for hosting,” holiday shopping, sending greeting cards,
decorating our homes to look like a winter wonderland, and other activities. But stress takes a toll on our mind, our body, and our spirit. And it is
important to keep it in check so we maximize our enjoyment during the
holiday season.
—Perpetual busyness. Our “To Do” list can become very long and
reflect perpetual busyness. The act of doing, doing, doing can preclude
enjoyment and meaning of what we are doing. Instead, try writing down
what needs to be done so we can keep things in perspective when we are
faced with the myriad of obligations that arise. Seeing it in black and
white helps us rank our priorities—“has to,” “nice to,” “does not need to”
be done. Don’t stress if we do not get past what “has to” be done.
And let’s remember to put some time for ourselves each day on the list
of “has to.” We will be glad we did as it will help us refuel for each of the
items on our list. Make “our time” inspiring and reflective. Review our
lists with a watchful eye to insure we can manage it in a balanced manner.
—Less than perfect is OKAY. It is easy to fall into the trap of wanting everything “perfect.” Let’s become more forgiving and tolerant of
ourselves. I have adopted a new strategy: “Always keep several Get Well
cards on the mantel. Unexpected guests will think you’ve been sick and
haven’t been able to clean.” Let’s focus our energy on enjoying the people
in our lives and not sweat the small stuff.
—Move it! Getting our muscles moving, increasing our heart rate,
and breaking out a sweat are great antidotes to life’s stresses. Exercising
increases our body’s natural “feel good” chemicals. This has a domino
effect by recalibrating our focus, giving new perspective, improving our
sleep, and keeping inches off of our waistline. So, although going for a
walk or jog is probably the last thing on our mile-long “To Do” list, let’s
move it to number one.
—The Sound of Music. Rhythms go back to the womb where babies
hear their mother’s heart beating and her lungs breathing. They are both
natural and life-sustaining sounds. In fact, pediatricians often recommend
replicating these sounds to soothe a baby or get them to fall sleep. Thus,
it is no surprise that listening to and playing music decreases levels of
cortisol—a “fight or flight” stress hormone—even in adolescents and
adults. Research has also shown that it relaxes our blood vessels and increases blood flow.
—Unplug. Ding, beep, rrrrr-ing. These sounds can put us in a state of
frenzy. Studies have shown that they can elevate our “fight or flight”
chemicals, thereby increasing our heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension. Additionally, being constantly available to everyone makes us unavailable to ourselves and those immediately around us. At our next holiday function, the last hour before bedtime, or while we eat meals, let’s
power down.
—Book into January. We need to be honest with ourselves: it may be
impossible to fit everything that we want to do between now and the New
Year. But don’t fret. January is a great time to schedule mini-vacations,
projects, and get-togethers. By serving as an “overflow” for our busy
schedule, it can make our holiday season “manageable” as well as avoid
the anti-climatic feeling we may have come January 2nd.
—Sleep. There are only 24 hours in the day. As a result, we oftentimes
find ourselves dipping into the much needed sleep hours in order to get
things done. But by compromising our ZZZ’s, we are setting ourselves
up for being irritable, unable to concentrate, making unhealthy food
choices, and avoiding exercising. Let’s keep our 8 hours of sleep sacred.
—Laughter. “Always laugh when you can. It’s cheap medicine,” for
stress. Research has shown that a good laugh can relieve physical tension
and stress, leaving our muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after! Additionally, laughing can trigger the release of endorphins — our body’s
“feel good” chemicals — creating a natural high and even temporarily
relieving pain.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. Let’s not let stress prevent
us from stopping to smell the cinnamon; listening to “the kids jinglebelling;” making time to smooch under the mistletoe; having our hearts
aglow; and enjoying the loved ones who are near. After all, “It’s the haphappiest season of all.”
Dr. Nina Radcliff is dedicated to her profession, her patients and her
community, at large. She is passionate about sharing truths for healthy,
balanced living as well as wise preventive health measures. She completed medical school and residency training at UCLA and has served on
the medical faculty at The University of Pennsylvania. She is a Board
Certified Anesthesiologist and a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists where she serves on committees for Young Physicians and
Communications. Author of more than 200 textbook chapters, research
articles, medical opinions and reviews; she is often called upon by media
to speak on medical, fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle topics impacting our lives, today.
PLACES TO GO
December 17-23, 2014 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 19
QUICK GETAWAYS
The Three Kings Hotel:
The Ultimate Luxury Hotel in Switzerland
By Sandy Zimmerman
Las Vegas Tribune
Photos by Sandy Zimmerman
unless otherwise indicated
With the elegance and charm of
a grand historic hotel, the Three
Kings Hotel stands on the banks of
the Rhine River at the entrance to
Basel’s Old Town.
The Three Kings Hotel still
looked as regal as when the hotel
was built in 1681.
Walking into the reception room,
everyone noticed the large golden
chandelier hanging down from four
stories above.
The regal feeling of the past still
remained within these walls.
Our Bon voyage dinner was set
at the Three King’s Brasserie with
a view of the Rhine River.
The Brasserie sparkled with the
pride of belonging in this grand setting. A nature scene adorned one
entire wall which was indented.
This created the impression that the
mural was a picture in a frame.
When I thought of all of the famous people who dined and/or
stayed at this hotel, the evening
meant so much more.
There were Napoleon, Queen
Elizabeth II, Pablo Picasso and a
who’s who of the rich and famous
throughout the years. Imagine the
stories behind these walls!
The dining room faced the Rhine
River with a full wall of windows
to take advantage of the views.
One man, in a tuxedo, was in
charge of preparing their signature
Beef Steak Tartar with cognac or
whiskey and served with French
fries and toast. This is not just any
beef steak, but from Simmental
beef, a breed of cattle whose history dates back to the Middle Ages.
The name Simmental is derived
The Les Trois Rois Hotel/The Three Kings Hotel is on the bank of the Rhine River at the entrance to Basel’s Old Town.
(Photo by The Three King’s Hotel)
from the area where the cattle were with a Terrine of foie gras (duck zerland, the Three King Hotel is the more. Sandy is talk show host of the
first bred — the Simme Valley in liver), berries, red beetroot and old place to visit, to relax and travel Las Vegas Today Show programs
the Berner Oberland, in Switzer- balsamic vinegar. This was very back to another world. Visit and Discover the Ultimate Vacation
land.
light, tasty and the berries added a www.lestroisrois.com.
travel specials. If you want to sugOur three course feast began sweet, juicy balance.
Award
winning
Sandy gest topics for articles, for informaMonkfish, the entrée, was an in- Zimmerman is a syndicated colum- tion or to ask any questions about
teresting choice because you nist featuring Show and Dining re- Sandy’s articles, call (702)-735don’t see that on many menus. The views, travel, health, luxury and 5974.
waiter served the roasted Monkfish
with artichoke puree and vegetables
a le Barigoule, a traditional
provencal sauce. Monkfish is compared to lobster meat, commonly
used in French cuisine.
The classic Fondant potatoes
combined their creamy inside texture with the contrast of a crunchy
brown crust and smoked bell pepper sauce.
The finale, another dish I have
not tasted before, pineapple and
lemon grass soup with a banana
Financier, coconut ice-cream and
pistachio crisps. A Financier is a
small, light, moist French cake.
This dinner cost $120.00 SF per
person. The Brasserie specializes in
Swiss and French cuisine.
If you are ever in Basel, Swit-
This man is in charge of preparing the Three King’s signature Steak
Tartar with cognac or whiskey. This beef steak is from Simmental
beef, a breed of cattle whose history dates back to the Middle Ages.
Foie gras — Torrine of duck liver.
Interior scene, Les Trois Rois Hotel (Photo by The Three King’s Hotel)
Roasted Monk Fish.