WHAT:
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Coffin will lead an official ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony of the new 1.5-acre campus of Rick’s Restorations, filming site of the History Channel’s hit reality TV series, “American Restoration,” starring Rick Dale.

The weekly show features the Dales and their 23-man expert crew who take old, dilapidated and often historic items and return them to their original glory.  Every project is approached as a high-stakes business venture designed to restore a valuable collectible that preserves a piece of American history and/or pop culture.

Tours of the facility will be offered following the brief ceremony.

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 9 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:
Rick’s Restorations
1112 South Commerce Street, Las Vegas, NV 89102

WHO:
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman
Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Coffin
Rick and Kelly Dale
The crew of American Restoration

About Rick’s Restorations

In 1983, when the Las Vegas economy hit the pause button, construction worker Rick Dale changed his course with the restoration of a 1957 Coca- Cola dispensing machine for an antique enthusiast.  An avalanche of similar requests from around the globe came from those interested in reclaiming what the United States had previously thrown away, transforming Dale’s backyard business to a restoration empire.  Today, over 30 years later, Dale is a highly regarded expert on antique and artifact restoration. He appears regularly on the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” and in 2010 earned his own show – “American Restoration.” Dale shares the spotlight with his real-life partner, Kelly, who oversees administrative, operational and financial responsibilities at Rick’s Restorations, along with a crew of 23 restoration experts.  Located in downtown Las Vegas on a sprawling 1.5-acre campus, Rick’s Restorations features a Hollywood studio-like set with a 1940s Main Street motif creating a kitschy and charming backdrop for “American Restoration,” which airs weekly on the History Channel.  To arrange a visit and tour, call 702-366-7030 or visit ricksrestorations.com.

Media contact:
Melissa Warren or Eryn Sebelius
Faiss Foley Warren Public Relations
702-528-6016; 702-234-6684

The musical Cinderella is the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company’s first show in its new location at the former Reed Whipple Cultural Center. For tickets and information, call (702) 220-5872.

WHEN:          
Thursday, May 3, 2012
6:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Las Vegas Shakespeare Theatre
821 Las Vegas Boulevard North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-220-5872

About the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company

The Las Vegas Shakespeare Company produces and performs classic and contemporary plays and musicals throughout Southern Nevada. The Company administers a 35,000-square-foot, multistage theatre arts complex complete with scene and costume shops in downtown Las Vegas’ Cultural Corridor. LVSC also mounts large-scale musicals and works with the Clark County School District to offer educational outreach year round. The members of LVSC use their broad knowledge and expertise to apply modern storytelling techniques to Shakespeare – they create contemporary visions of the classic plays while honoring the original language. www.lvshakes.org.

Brian "Paco" Alvarez tells the story of the Emergency Arts building from 60 years ago to the present day

Paco’s special exhibition celebrating anniversaries of institutions downtown runs through April at Emergency Arts on Fremont Street.

Want to gain a better understanding of the history of downtown Las Vegas? Folks such as Brian “Paco” Alvarez are an aid to your quest. Dubbed an urban historian years ago, the native Las Vegan is fascinated by downtown businesses, neighborhoods and the history of the city as a whole. Although he admits that no city is perfect, he loves Vegas for “everything it is and everything it isn’t.” He has studied its history so he can pass along his knowledge to the rest of us.

While working on a research project, the cultural blogger, artist and curator of the Las Vegas News Bureau photo archives, recently came across a gem – a photograph of what’s now the Emergency Arts building downtown when it opened to great fanfare as JC Penney on April 3, 1952.

The Emergency Arts building, which has become a center for creativity, innovation and community downtown, is 60 years old this month. The Beat Coffeehouse inside the building is now two. Plus, the news bureau where Paco works and gathers information on historical buildings such as this is 65. You know what that meant – time for a celebration!

Q: Talk about the past and present of the Emergency Arts building at 60…

Paco: The land that the building sits on was once a house and a gas station, at one time this was the end of town.

JC Penney opened on Fremont Street in 1952 to great fanfare

However, in 1949/50 JC Penney on Fremont Street needed to be expanded due to a population influx created by jobs at the Atomic Proving Grounds (Nevada Test Site).  Interestingly enough, the store could not open as planned in 1950 because construction workers were being pulled to work at the test site. It finally opened on April 3, 1952 – just in time for Easter. Newspaper clippings talk about how this was a larger, more modern store and the first one with an elevator.

By 1968, JC Penney would move again to the new Boulevard Mall, which marked the beginning of Fremont Street’s retail and commercial decline. The old JC Penney building would eventually become a medical center and remain as such until it closed in the mid-2000′s.

In 2010, husband and wife team, Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite, turned it into what it is today – the Emergency Arts Building and The Beat Coffeehouse. The front counter of the coffee shop is the former reception area of the medical center, and the lab rooms have been turned into galleries, offices and studios.

Nothing like this has ever been developed in Las Vegas. Cafes are imperative for the development of culture. It’s where ideas are born and people meet.

Local urban historian Brian “Paco” Alvarez curated the exhibition

At night it turns into a bar. It’s just a cool place, and it’s the first time I said wow, Las Vegas has finally come of age! It has finally become hip to be downtown.

Q: How is the 60^th anniversary being marked?

Paco: To mark the occasion, I reached into the archives of the Las Vegas News Bureau and put together a photography exhibition called “Fabulous Downtown.”

There are numerous photos and stories behind buildings such as Modern Cleaners, Fifth Street School and of course opening day of JC Penney 60 years ago. The photos are fun to look at and it’s great to see downtown Las Vegas as a small town. This is Las Vegas culture at its best!

Fabulous Downtown:

Through April at Emergency Arts located at 520 Fremont Street
M-F: 7 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Sun: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

-Marsha

Interested readers should contact Kimm Schwert AT INFO@LVSHAKES.ORG or at 702-220-5872 by April 20^th to register to participate in the Bard-A-Thon.

WHEN:
Monday, April 23, 2012
12:00 a.m. (midnight Sunday night/Monday morning) to 11:59 p.m

WHERE:
Las Vegas Shakespeare Theatre
821 Las Vegas Boulevard North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-220-5872

WHAT: Fifth Street Gaming, operator of Downtown3^rd and developer of Downtown Grand, will host “Mugs ‘N’ Movies,” monthly outdoor movies beginning Sunday, April 22.  Full-length feature movies are shown on a full-size, theater-style screen on Third Street in front of Triple George Grill and MOB BAR.  Parking is at the Ogden Garage off Ogden between 3^rd and 4^th  Streets. The event is free and open to the public and includes beer and popcorn.  Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets or whatever they wish to sit on. Movies are selected by various community organizations and businesses in the area. Employees from Zappos.com chose “There’s Something About Mary,” for this presentation.

WHEN: Sunday April 22, 2012, 7 p.m

WHERE: Downtown at Stewart & 3^rd   Street (near Las Vegas Blvd and Stewart)

About Fifth Street Gaming:

Fifth Street Gaming (FSG) is a Las Vegas, Nevada-based casino management company led by CEO Seth Schorr and founded by Schorr and his partner, Jeffrey Fine. Fifth Street Gaming owns and operates four Las Vegas gaming locations, including the Lucky Club Casino and Hotel, Opera House Saloon and Casino, Silver Nugget Casino and Little Macau Ultra Tavern.  Combined, these properties operate 800-plus slot machines, 16 table games and 300-plus employees. Through their successful management of these properties, Schorr and his highly experienced team have garnered a strong reputation for reinvigorating dated properties with new technology, systems and enhanced amenities.  The principals of Fifth Street Gaming also control, through affiliates, the LEV Restaurant Group, a Food & Beverage operation that owns and operates more than 35 restaurants in the Las Vegas area with combined revenues exceeding $25 million.  The LEV Restaurant Group is the local area developer for The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Jamba Juice, and has a number of internally developed concepts including i♥burgers, Lobster ME and Daily Kitchen & Wellness Bar. 

CONTACT:
FFW PR:
Melissa Warren, 702-528-6016 or melissa@ffwpr.com
Eryn Sebelius, 702-234-6684 or eryn@ffwpr.com

Arriving downtown on the official Delivering Happiness Bus and bearing happy, inspirational and upbeat signs, team members will “reverse picket” targeted downtown businesses that are playing major roles in the ongoing downtown revitalization.

According to Clair Byrd of Delivering Happiness, the purpose of the “reverse pickets” is to acknowledge the transformational efforts of several downtown and Vegas-area businesses and owners.  “Our goal is to thank, uplift and inspire the many business leaders downtown and around Vegas – small and large – who are contributing to the area’s new energy and vitality.  It’s an exciting time to be downtown and we want to show our appreciation for those who are part of the renaissance now underway that is making the heart of our city a better place to live, work and play.”

WHEN:
Friday, April 20 at 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

WHERE:
The Beat Coffee House at Emergency Arts (4:00 pm to 4:30 pm)
520 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

City Hall (4:30 pm to 5:00 pm)
400 Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101

 The Smith Center for the Performing Arts (5:00 pm to 5:30 pm)
361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV  89106

Theater 7 Las Vegas (5:30 pm to 5:45 pm)
1406 South 3^rd Street, Las Vegas, NV 89104

 The Arts Factory (5:45 pm to 6:00 pm)
107 East Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89104

The Artifice (6:15 pm to 6:30 pm)
1025 1^st Street, Suite A, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Lady Silvia (6:30 pm to 6:45 pm)
900 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89101

El Cortez (6:45 pm to 7:00 pm)
600 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

About Delivering Happiness

Delivering Happiness uses scientific, business, and human sense to help people, organizations, and businesses apply the different frameworks of happiness to their lives. Our Movement to inspire and spread happiness on a global level is actually rooted in the book, Delivering Happiness — Tony Hsieh’s story of his journey to happiness and the creation of Zappos.com. It is our mission to nudge the world to a happier place!

Media Contact:
FFW PR: Melissa Warren
702-528-6016 or melissa@ffwpr.com

WHEN: April 23 at 10 a.m.; patient arrives at 9 a.m

WHERE: Medical District Surgery Center, 2020 Goldring Ave. #300, Las Vegas, NV 89106

ABOUT THE PATIENT: Raymond Wood, who has suffered from a painful double hernia condition for decades, has not been able to work because of pain since 2000. He performed as a teenager at the Imperial Palace “Legends in Concert” from 1983 to 1986, and at the Flamingo in both Laughlin and Las Vegas in “American Superstars” from 1991-1994. He remembers having to physically push in his hernia prior to going on stage to perform.

With no medical insurance and only a limited form of Medicaid which doesn’t cover non-life-threatening conditions, Wood has on several occasions tried to get work, but has not been able to keep steady employment because of his condition.  Like many hernia patients, Wood has sought emergency treatment from local hospitals, but because his condition is not considered life threatening, he is only given pain pills. Wood ’s girlfriend found HHSC through recent news coverage of previous surgeries.  For years, he has lived in despair and assumed his condition would never improve.  He is looking forward to starting over his life. Upon initial examination of Wood, Dr. Petersen discovered Wood also had high blood pressure, so he has been treating him for this condition to prepare him for surgery. Wood is amazed at how much better he already feels and realizes how fortunate he is that his life has been saved not only by the hernia operation but, by treating his blood pressure.

About Helping Hands Surgical Care

Helping Hands Surgical Care is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to fund and facilitate surgeries for uninsured and underinsured individuals without the means to pay for medically necessary, quality of life surgeries.  Founded by Dr. Kevin Petersen of Las Vegas, Nevada based No Insurance Surgery, Helping Hands Surgical Care values the health and well-being of each individual regardless of their ability to pay.  The organization is guided by its focus on the physician-patient relationship and its dedication to transforming and improving the lives of those it serves. For more information, visit www.HelpingHandsSurgicalCare.com or call 702-242-5393.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa Warren
FFW PR
702-528-6016 or melissa@ffwpr.com

Piero’s turns 30! Since 1982, Piero’s Italian Cuisine has been the meeting place for Las Vegas’ high-powered decision makers from top casino executives and infamous mobsters to politicians and Hollywood stars.  Three decades is nearly historic by Vegas standards.

To commemorate this milestone, the restaurant is pleased to extend special discounts. Any couple celebrating an anniversary in 2012 will receive 10 percent off their entire bill. For couples celebrating their 30^th anniversary this year, the restaurant will offer a 15 percent discount. 

Piero’s is famous for its traditional Italian cuisine and menu that offers nearly a dozen daily specials. All selections are prepared by the establishment’s executive chef, Gilbert Fetaz, who demands perfection in both the front and back-of-house. In addition to the anniversary specials, Fetaz has rolled out some new menu items sure to please. Veal and Peas and the 30 Burger are among the notable additions. Both round out the 40-plus nightly selections including signature dishes Osso Buco, Scaloppine Milanese and Linguine All’Aragosta.

According to Evan Glusman, operating partner for Piero’s, “Thirty years in Vegas is quite an accomplishment. We want people to know we appreciate their patronage and look forward to another thirty great years here.”

 For additional information or to secure a reservation, please visit www.pieroscuisine.com.

About Piero’s
Piero’s Italian Restaurant has quickly become one of Las Vegas’ most notable restaurants earning a Zagat Award, Jerry Lewis Five Star Award, Five Star Diamond Award and American Express Platinum Fine Dining Award as well as the DiRona Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) – established in the1990’s as the only non-profit inspections program in the world to exclusively evaluate fine dining restaurants the United States, Canada and Mexico.  The restaurant is open for dinner daily from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa Warren –702-528-6016; mwarren@ffwpr.com
McKinzie Cogswell –702-234-5307; mcogswell@ffwpr.com

The event, which offers guests their choice of 30-minute salon services, such as manicures, brow and lip waxing, blow-outs, men’s haircuts and organic spray tans, also features a fashion presentation by Saks Fifth Avenue and Best Agency, cocktails courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Ferraro’s and dessert courtesy of Pick Your Poison Bake Shop.  Music stylings by DJ No I Nose will keep guests entertained during the event.  The celebration continues with an After Party in the outdoor lounge at Tease Boutique Salon.  Guests can enter to win fabulous raffle prizes, from beauty services, dining experiences, puppies, show tickets, designer handbags and more.

WHEN:  Friday, May 4 from 5 to 9 p.m.

WHERE:  Tease Boutique Salon, 9540 W. Flamingo Rd. #160, Las Vegas, NV  89147

TICKETS:  To purchase a ticket, visit www.helpinghandssurgicalcare.com/pampering
$40 – admission plus 1 raffle ticket
$50 – all of the above plus 1 salon service
$100 – all of the above plus 3 raffle tickets and 2 salon services
$240 Model Experience for 2 -  early VIP arrival with champagne; hair/nails/make-up; group photo with models; priority seating for fashion presentation, 6 raffle tickets and upgraded swag bag.

All guests receive the “Helping Hands” signature hand treatment and the first 200 guests receive a Kerastase swag bag valued at $80.

About Helping Hands Surgical Care
Helping Hands Surgical Care is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to fund and facilitate surgeries for uninsured and underinsured individuals without the means to pay for medically necessary, quality of life surgeries.  Founded by Dr. Kevin Petersen of Las Vegas, Nevada based No Insurance Surgery, Helping Hands Surgical Care values the health and well-being of each individual regardless of their ability to pay.  The organization is guided by its focus on the physician-patient relationship and its dedication to transforming and improving the lives of those it serves. For more information, visit www.HelpingHandsSurgicalCare.com or call 702-242-5393.

Media Contact:
Melissa Warren
Faiss Foley Warren Public Relations
melissa@ffwpr.com or 702-528-6016

WHAT:
5^th Annual Steve Rigazio Memorial Golf Classic for ALS of Nevada– helps fund much-needed services for ALS patients and their families throughout Nevada. The Rigazio Golf Classic takes place at the beautiful Cascata Golf Club in Boulder City.

PARTICIPANTS:
The event cost includes green fee, caddie fee, scoring, bag handling, personalized day locker, practice range, continental breakfast and awards luncheon. Each player receives complimentary brand-name golf shoes and there are 1^st through 5^th cash prizes plus a raffle. The event is open to the public.

WHEN:

• Monday, May 7, 2012
• Registration and continental breakfast: 7:30 am
• Shotgun Start: 9:00 am
• Four Person Scramble
• Awards Luncheon and Raffle following the Tournament

WHERE:

• Cascata Golf Club, One Cascata Dr., Boulder City, NV 89005

COST:

• $350 per golfer and $1,400 per foursome
• Supports ALS of Nevada’s programs and services
• Sponsorship packages are also available

CONTACT:
For more information and to sign up for the tournament, visit www.alsofnevada.org and click on the link to the golf tournament on the home page or call Lauran Meyer at 702-880-9213 (LauranMeyer@cox.net).

Media Contact:
Nancy Higgins 702.467.3540 or marketing@alsofnevada.org
Megan Testa 702.777.0500 or  mtesta@alsofnevada.org