Local MCM Las Vegas Architects

Dick Taylor has died

He came to Las Vegas to help get the Hacienda off the ground.  As its first General Manager, he helped put the struggling casino on the map and became good friends (and right hand man) to owner, Warren "Doc" Bailey.

He loved Las Vegas and became a historian who kept the history of the Hacienda, Bailey, the Moulin Rouge and much more alive.

Thanks to Doc's vision, the homes in Mt. Charleston became a reality over fifty years ago.  Dick was one of its first residents and became its official historian.

He was one of the first people we interviewed as part of the "Classic Las Vegas" Archive Project and his interview is available on DVD at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas.  We did the video oral history at his mid-century modern home adjacent to Rancho Bel-Air.  He had a palm tree shaped like a tiki god in his front yard.  As I drove up to his drive-way, I knew we would be good friends.

Over the years, I have gotten used to every few months getting a letter with clippings, pictures and more from Dick, all related to Las Vegas history.

When I was doing the "Untold Stories" series at the Springs Preserve, Dick was a frequent guest (driving down from the mountain) and an occasional speaker.  I will always be grateful.

He was a passionate about Las Vegas history and his lady friend, Terry.

Word came just few minutes ago that Dick Taylor passed away in his sleep last evening.

Rest in peace, good friend.  I will always be thankful for your friendship and for the history you fought so hard to preserve.

God speed.

Christmas Light Displays Around the Las Vegas Valley

 Note:  Over the weekend, the information for the New Year's Eve Firework Displays will go up.  Stay Tuned!

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
 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
 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
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
Description: Anytime after 5:30 pm. Themed as the Peanuts visiting the North Pole!

Address: 6601 Brandywine Way, Las Vegas
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Description: 5-11 p.m. Deer, trees, lights, music and lots more!

HENDERSON

Address: 3018 Scenic Valley Way, Henderson 89052
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. 24. 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).

 16th 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, 2010.

The Springs Preserve:

The Holiday Spectacular will transform the Springs Preserve into a winter wonderland. Bathed in the glow of thousands of colorful, eco-friendly LED lights, the family-friendly celebration will feature tasty treats, holiday arts and crafts, photos with Santa Claus, train and reindeer (pony) rides for the little ones – and snow! The merriment begins the first Saturday evening in December and runs December 4-5, 11-12 and 18-23, from 5 - 9 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and free for kids 4 and under. Visitors bringing canned or nonperishable food items will receive $1 off admission; food items will be donated to local charities including: Shade Tree Shelter, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services of Southern Nevada, and the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. Springs Preserve members receive 50 percent off admission. Tickets will be available at the gate or may be purchased in advance at www.springspreserve.org. (Price does not include $1 per ticket fee when purchasing on-line.) All activities are included with the full admission price. The Holiday Spectacular is made possible in part through the generous contributions of MGM Resorts International.

Ethel M. Chocolates:

For the 17th consecutive year, Southern Nevada residents and visitors from around the world will celebrate the season strolling through a chocolate wonderland with the official public opening on November 17, 2010 of Ethel M Chocolates’ Annual Holiday Cactus Garden. This year, Ethel M invites visitors to experience the Holiday Cactus Garden like never before – in 3-D. Visitors can purchase 3-D glasses inside the Ethel M store located next to the garden. Located in Henderson, adjacent to the Ethel M Chocolates’ factory, the three-acre Holiday Cactus Garden is free of charge and open to the public Wednesday, November 17 through Saturday, January 1. Visitors can wander down the garden’s illuminated cacti pathways and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of a chocolate wonderland from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Throughout the season, local school choirs will perform holiday favorites in the garden and Santa will make appearances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through December 23. Magical Forest: Rides and attractions include the Forest Express passenger trains, an authentic carousel, the Alpine Slide, Santa’s Speedway (a new attraction this year), hundreds of decorated trees, a gingerbread house display, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, plenty of holiday food and nightly entertainment. Hundreds of local businesses and community organizations have come together to make the Magical Forest one of the longest running holiday spectaculars in Las Vegas. This is Opportunity Village’s largest annual fundraiser, generating more than $1 million for the organization’s most profoundly disabled adults in Project PRIDE (People’s Right to Independence, Dignity and Equality). Tickets can be purchased in advance at all local CVS/pharmacy locations or online at www.magicalforest.org.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS ACTIVITIES


Ward 5 Tree Lighting and Holiday Movie (all ages)
Friday, Dec. 17, 5 to 8:30 p.m.; tree lighting 5 p.m.; movie at 6 p.m.
Fee and open to the public.
Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park, 720 Twin Lakes Drive. Join Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow and chorus singers to light the holiday tree in Lorenzi Park. Children from 14 elementary school in Ward 5 have been invited to decorate the tree from 2 to 4 p.m. with ornaments they make. After the lighting, caroling and carriage rides, enjoy the family film, “Christmas with the Kranks,” inside Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, with hot cocoa, cookies, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy, while supplies last. Please plan to bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket for the movie.

La Posada Festival Traditional Hispanic Holiday Event (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 18, 5 to 8 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., (702) 229-1515.
Join Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese to celebrate the holidays with traditional Hispanic customs involving friends, family and the whole community. All are welcome to enjoy live entertainment, traditional Posada, food vendors, children’s raffle and a special visit from Santa Claus.

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.