Education Advocate Helen Cannon passes away

She was fiesty, she was stubborn and she was strong willed.  That's how I want to remember Helen Cannon.  From the day she fell in love with flying when a barnstormer's plane landed in a nearby field, to her own flying days during World War II to her post-war life in Las Vegas and her strong support for educational matters throughout her career, Helen Cannon was one of kind.

From the R-J:

Helen Cannon, a pioneering, 20-year veteran of the Clark County School Board whose efforts had a lasting effect on education in Southern Nevada, died Christmas Day in a Utah rehabilitation center. She was 93.

Cannon helped govern the Clark County School District from 1960 to 1980, overseeing a period of astronomical growth while making students her priority. Her contributions earned her a middle school named in her honor.

“If you talk to administrators or teachers, they will tell you that she left an everlasting philosophy of children as number one,” said former Gov. Kenny Guinn, who served as district superintendent while Cannon was on the board.

She was born May 16, 1916, in Cameron, Wis., a small farming town about two hours east of St. Paul, Minn. She earned a degree in physical education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

After teaching for a few years, she earned a pilot’s license. During World War II, she flew and tested repaired aircraft for the Army Air Corps. She was among just over 1,000 women to earn one of the exclusive, albeit dangerous, positions at a time women were excluded from flying in combat.

“We all thought we were being discriminated against,” she told the Review-Journal in 1988. “We were as good as the rest of them (men). But we didn’t fight it because we were so happy just to have had the training.”

She met her husband, Robert Cannon, after the war. The two moved to Las Vegas, where he eventually became vice president and general manager of the Tropicana.

While on the School Board, Cannon was instrumental in introducing free lunches at elementary schools, establishing the Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center and the Variety School for the handicapped and creating KLVX-TV, Channel 10. During her 20 years on the board, the student population more than quadrupled, going from 20,000 to nearly 90,000 students.

Her daughter, Alice Kennedy, said her mother worked tirelessly for students.

“She was on the phone all the time, and if anyone called her about any problem they were having ... she called up and got to the bottom of it,” Kennedy said.

A 1980 Review-Journal editorial about Cannon declared that she probably “touched the lives and directed the means of learning for more young Nevadans” than all other trustees at the time combined.

She was an avid golfer, woodworker and reader. She was a Cub Scout den mother, sat on the local Girl Scout Board and taught swimming for the American Red Cross.

In 1988, she ran for a sixth term on the School Board against Lois Tarkanian. She raised more than $9,000 — more than her five previous races combined — yet she was still thoroughly outspent by now-Las Vegas City Councilwoman Tarkanian, and Cannon lost.

Cannon is survived by her daughter, Alice Kennedy, son Robert Cannon Jr. and seven grandchildren. Services will be held in Las Vegas but have not yet been arranged.

Fireworks return to the Las Vegas Strip for New Year's Eve

With New Year's Eve kicking off a long-holiday weekend this year, it was announced that firework displays will return to famed Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas Events and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority  announced today that the New Year’s Eve celebration known as America’s Party: Las Vegas New Year 2010 will include a spectacular fireworks show fired from seven rooftop locations along the Las Vegas Strip.

The firing locations (from the south, heading north) include the following resort properties:  MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Aria, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island (TI), Venetian and the Stratosphere. 

Fireworks by Grucci of New York will again coordinate the pyrotechnic display.   Locally, Fireworks by Grucci has produced many of Las Vegas’ largest special events and grand openings, including the official Las Vegas Centennial celebration.

 In addition to designing the pyrotechnic display, Fireworks by Grucci will work directly with the Clark County Fire Department and Building Services to ensure both fire and structural safety guidelines.

“We are moving the fireworks show back to where it should be,” said LVE President Pat Christenson.  “Fireworks by Grucci, the Clark County Fire Department and Building Services and the individual resort properties have worked tirelessly since January of this year to address the fire and structural safety issues associated with firing the show from the rooftops.  Our goal each year is to design a show that is befitting of this city and provides a great backdrop for the thousands of revelers on the Strip.”

According to the LVCVA, Las Vegas hosts several hundred thousand visitors for New Year’s Eve.  

"Las Vegas continues to be the best venue in the world to ring in the New Year," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the LVCVA. "The fireworks will culminate an evening of celebrity-hosted events at nightclubs, special dining experiences at restaurants, live music at the Fremont Street Experience downtown and much more.  There is no other destination that offers the excitement on New Year's Eve."

The pyrotechnic show will display the letters LV along with such effects as blue comets, a golden kamuro, silver palm trees and multicolored peacock tails.

Las Vegas Events president Pat Christenson said this year’s events will take on a theme called “Takin’ it to the Streets” with fireworks that will be fired from ground locations mainly on the Strip, rather than casino rooftops, which had been the tradition in previous years.

“It was partially to get people down to the Strip but also it was to redesign the show, do something different," Christenson said. "Also, in terms of shooting off the rooftops, it was getting more and more difficult to meet the requirements Clark County had."

Rather than having spectators strain their necks by looking up, they’ll be able to look directly out and see the firework display, Christenson said. However, the fireworks won't be visible to those at locations off the Strip.

More than 30,000 effects will be fired from eight locations during the eight-minute, 10-second program.

Downtown, the Fremont Street Experience party will feature "TributePalooza," a collection of classic rock acts playing the music of Aerosmith, Depeche Mode, Guns N' Roses, INXS, Led Zeppelin, No Doubt, U2 and Van Halen. FSE will also have a live fireworks show. The event begins at 6 p.m. and there is a $10 charge for locals. The event was free last year.

"It's a nominal fee. It won't break anybody," Goodman said. "The priority is to have a great party."

Residents will receive free admission downtown with a Nevada ID. Wristband distribution for locals will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 31 in the storefront next to Walgreens on Fremont Street. Gates will open at 6 p.m.

About 250,000 people are expected to be on the Strip, with more than 30,000 downtown.



Las Vegas Neighborhood Holiday Displays and MORE

Take a tour of holiday lights and decorations around the Las Vegas Valley. The area is divided into quadrants by using Sahara Avenue to divide north from south and Interstate 15 to divide east from west.

NORTHEAST

Address: 3164 Mclennan Ave., North Las Vegas, 89081
Resident: Kellee Enneman
Description: 5 - 11 p.m. Perfectly straight house lights and multiple yard decorations. Decorations are accompanied by music.

Address: 1343 Villa Park Court, Las Vegas, 89110
Resident: Chris Colasuono
Description: 4 - 10:30 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 4 - 11 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10,000 lights that are synchromized to music. Music can be heard on station 106.1 FM. Currently 14 various song/light shows are programmed.


NORTHWEST

Address: 8117 Chestnut Hollow Ave., Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Frank Endellicate
Description: Entire house decorated from top to bottom. Various lawn ornaments, blow ups, reindeer and santas! Lights galore!

Address: 6759 Rowena Circle, Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Missi K. Winter
Description: Anytime after 5:30 pm. Themed as the Peanuts visiting the North Pole!

Address: 6601 Brandywine Way, Las Vegas
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: 7 - 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday; Monday-Tuesday, all day. My parents' home, always decorated every space you can imagine ... from the roof to the whole front yard! My Dad does this himself everyt year. He is 80 years old! Climbs up that roof, etc. Then goes to my sister's house & helps her! Every year! Needs to be recognized.

Address: 6313 Bristol Way, Las Vegas, 89107
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: My sister's house says: Happy Birthday Jesus. Everyone seems to forget what Christmas really means & her display says it all ... a must see!

Address: 4205 Via Vaquero Ave., Las Vegas 89102
Resident: Kelley Thomas
Description: 5 - 11 p.m. More than 25,000 lights, dancing characters, handmade Santa, lots of intricate details. Features Christmas music.

SOUTHWEST

Address: 7040 Darby Ave., Las Vegas, 89117
Resident: Gary Bohannon
Description: 5 p.m. to at least 10 p.m., weekends until 11 p.m. Our display includes, of course, a Nativity scene, There is Santa in his sleigh with 9 flying reindeer suspended in air. Flying Sopwith Camel airplane with Snoopy. Mega tree. Animated polar bears and penguins. There are several lighted trees throughout the yard. We are approaching 100,000 lights.

Our lights are sound activated by controllers, with Christmas carols (Mannheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Kitaro, David Arkenstone) playing through outside speakers and the lights flash to the tempo of the music. Animated pink flamingos, carousel. Large U.S. flag on the roof (9' x 13').

We also have the obligatory gaudy plastic figures; Mickey, Minnie, Santa, Mrs. Santa, choir people, elves, candy canes, snowman, Santa waving in a train, toy soldiers, drummers and windows have animated lighted figures. Sometimes Santa appears, especially Christmas Eve and hands out candy canes."

Address: 2757 Grande Valley, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Rupert Chamberlain
Description: 5-10 p.m. My favorite TV show of all time is "Star Trek." The recent "Star Trek" movie was OK, but I much prefer the original cast. As a tribute to the show I have decorated my front yard to represent some of my favorite episodes with a holiday twist. Kirk and Spock in hand-to-hand combat armed with candy canes and dressed as elves, red, white and green animatronic tribbles and much much more. A true Trekkies holiday delight! Come one and all and join for a Romulan ale as we boldly go where no man has gone before!

Address: 10878 Milbank Ave, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Jerrold E. Creed
Description: 4 to 10 p.m. daily. Tune your car radio to 103.9 FM. Thousands of LED lights set to music. THX opening, Carol of the Bells, Linus and Lucy, Jingle Bells, TSO Wizards of Winter. Picture on this web page is this house. Featuring 16 mini trees out front. Merry Christmas.

Address: 346 Maddalena, Las Vegas, 89183
Resident: Ryan S. Knepp
Description: 6 - 8 p.m. My 14-year-old stepson Ryan Knepp loves Christmas decorations. With every dime he gets he buys blow-up decorations to place in the yard. Over the last month he has spent countless hours setting up his display.

He has about 40 blow ups plus countless lights and other displays. Last year he had blow ups stolen. He now attaches each one to plywood and puts a cable around all of them to prevent them from being stolen. He is very meticulous and makes sure every wire and string is just right. This 14-year-old does this all by himself and with his own money. Truly an inspiring story about Christmas and youth.

Address: 3308 Surfline Dr., Las Vegas 89117
Resident: Walt Patalina
Description: 5-11 p.m. Deer, trees, lights, music and lots more!

HENDERSON

Address: 3018 Scenic Valley Way, Henderson 89052
Resident: Robert Thomas
Description: 4:30 - 11:30 p.m. Lots of lights, inflatable airplane on roof, nativity scene, snow globe and lighted animals, angels and more. Live Santa appearing on Sundays.

OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE VALLEY:

Holiday Events Town Square
More info: townsquarelasvegas.com
Snow in the Square featuring snowflakes and holiday music will be featured through Dec. 23 in the park at Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Hours are 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

Photos with Santa Claus will be available through Dec. 23. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. Pet photos will be available for dogs and cats only 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays.

The Holiday Nights & Lights community concert series featuring local choirs and music groups from Las Vegas area schools and community organizations will be at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 23.

Ice Skating Rink
The rink is located on the Floating Stage at MonteLago Village, 15 Costa di Lago, Henderson. Hours are noon-9 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and 3-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger (564-4766).

 15th annual Bagel Ball
When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 24
Where: Blush, Wynn
Tickets: $18 in advance for JCC members, $25 in advance for non-members, $35 at the door
More inf: 702-794-0090
Presented by the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada in cooperation with Blush Boutique Nightclub, the Bagel Ball is open to all adults (must be 21). Nightclub attire is suggested. Complimentary cocktails courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits and hors d'oeurvres from Wynn Las Vegas' Society Cafe will be provided between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Attendees bringing a $5 grocery gift card will receive a free raffle ticket. Gift cards will be donated to the Jewish Family Service Agency Food Pantry which provides temporary assistance for nutritious food and hygiene products to Clark County residents. Other raffle tickets for a variety of fabulous prizes are available for $5 each. Proceeds also benefit the JFSA Food Pantry.

Complementing the Bagel Ball festivities, Wynn Las Vegas is offering several special deals. A "Taste of Wynn" full course dinner is available at Society Cafe before the Bagel Ball at a discounted price. Call 770-3463 for reservations. A discounted room rate of $119 is available to Bagel Ball attendees. For reservations, call (866) 770-7555 and ask for promotion code 8JCC1209. Reservations must be made by Dec. 17, 2009.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS ACTIVITIES


Happy Everything Day Celebration (all ages)
When: noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road
Fee: $3 (all those who arrive in costume will receive a good bag)
Celebrate all past and future holidays in one day! Hunt for eggs, bob for apples, eat iced chocolate, enjoy Independence Day balloon toss, costume contest, gift guessing contest, pumpkin slam contest, swimming games, Thanksgiving pie-eating contest, and lots more. Holiday music will be played.

Big Band Pops Christmas featuring Tony Scodwell
When: 2 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.
Fee: $5 all seats
More info: 702-229-6383
Enjoy a big band Christmas program by the Tony Scodwell Big Band and vocalist Lisa Mayer.

La Posada December Fiesta
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave.
Fee: Free admission
Join Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese to celebrate the holidays with the traditional Hispanic custom that involves friends, family and the entire community. Enjoy live entertainment, traditional Posada, food vendors, a children's raffle and a visit from Santa Claus. Sponsored by the city of Las Vegas, La Nueva 103.5 FM, Recuerdo 99.3 FM and Radio Variedades 870 AM.

Free Holiday Synchronized Swimming Show
When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road
Synchronized swimmers from Henderson, Clark County and the city of Las Vegas will perform to holiday music. Refreshments will be served while they last.

Tenors For You Concert
When: 3-5 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St.
Admission: Free
More info: 702-229-3515
Classically trained tenors Michael Rodrigues, Mark Thomsen, Marco Varela and Dr. Alfonse Anderson will present two hours of Christmas favorites, accompanied by Barbara Riske and a few other guest performers.

Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker"
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20; and 1 p.m. Dec. 24
Where: Paris Las Vegas' Les Theatre de Arts, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Tickets: Prices start at $50.50. Dinner packages available
More info/tickets: (877) 374-7469 or 946-4567 or www.nevadaballet.com.

Nevada Public Radio Holiday Programming
NPR will feature special programming in celebration of the holiday season.

Hanukkah Programming includes:
News 88.9 KNPR
• Hannukah Lights 2009, Dec. 18 - 7-8 p.m. and Dec. 20 - 9-10 a.m. Well into its second decade, Murray Howitz and Susan Stamberg host the program and explore Hanukkah traditions in original stories.

Christmas programming includes:
News 88.9 KNPR
• Jonathan Winters' A Christmas Carol, Dec. 24 -11 p.m. - Midnight and Dec. 25 -10-11 a.m.
Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of a special performing edition of Dickens' holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol," featuring Mimi Kennedy.

• Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites, Dec. 24 - 7-8 p.m. and Dec. 25 - 9-10 a.m.
Stories of seasons past are read by David Sedaris, Bailey White and John Henry Faulk are read touching on the meaning of Christmas, hosted by Lynn Neary.

Classical 89.7 KCNV
• A Festival of Lessons and Carols, Dec. 24 - 7-9 a.m. and Dec. 25 -12-2 p.m.
During this live two hour music and spoken-word broadcast hosted by Michael Baron, the 30-voice King's College Choir will perform its legendary Nine Lessons and Carols service of biblical readings and music directly from the chapel of Kings' College in Cambridge, England.

• Cantus: All is Calm, Dec. 24 - 7-8 p.m.
A moving musical drama, performed by Cantus, one of America's most accomplished male choirs, and Theater Latte Da, about the 1914 World War I Christmas truce scripted from soldiers' diary entries played to new arrangements of Christmas favorites.

• St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Dec. 24 - 8-10 p.m. and Dec. 25 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Featuring more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra, the festival is one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations where hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity are played.

• Welcome Christmas, Dec. 25 - 8-10 a.m.
This lively musical program is a perennial broadcast favorite featuring the Minneapolis-based ensemble, VocalEssence.
• Chanticleer Christmas, Dec. 24 - 10-11 p.m.
One of America's finest male choruses celebrates the mystery and wonder of Christmas with an elegant blend of traditional and best-loved Christmas songs from Gregorian chant to gospel.

• Echoes of Christmas, Dec. 24 - 11 p.m. - Midnight
Hosted by Brian Newhouse, the Dale Warland Singers will be performing their signature holiday concert consisting of a the best and most moving choral Christmas classics.

• A Harpist's Christmas with Yolanda Kondonassis, Dec. 25 - 2-3 p.m.
America's premier harpist Yolanda Kondonassis celebrates the season with treasures of Christmas. Joshua Smith on flute and Cynthia Phelps on viola accompany and showcase her heavenly instrument in music arranged just for American Public Media listeners.

Next week, listing for New Year's Eve Fireworks Displays!

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign gets Vandalized AGAIN!

From Fox5:

The iconic Las Vegas sign has been vandalized for the second time this year.At about 7:30 Friday morning, a barefoot man wearing a barrel and a Santa's hat threw red paint on the front of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign and black paint on the back of it, as FOX5 News was broadcasting live.

The man, Joe Pepitone, told FOX5 News he threw the paint at the sign as a form of protest. He was also one of the protesters in front of the Clark County courtroom during the O.J. Simpson heist trial.

At the time, FOX5 was reporting at the world famous sign on the southern end of the Strip about a program Metro police have implemented to try to get graffiti artists to redirect their tagging to actual art canvasses to be sold to fund the program.

Pepitone, who was half-naked, said he had lost his job and gambling winnings.Police said Pepitone could face jail time if cleaning up the damage costs more than $250. Otherwise, he could face a fine, police said.Pepitone tripped and cried after defacing the sign, and he complained of ear ringing, so an ambulance transported him to a local hospital for treatment.

Needless to say Joe Pepitone, Reality called, your 15 seconds of fame are up.