Zika

Zika

                                           Zika & Nikki at All Talk Radio "Celebrity Stars"
Photos by Nikki Artale

Zika has always had a love for animals since she was a young girl growing up in Russia. Every opportunity she had, she brought home stray animals. That was the start of her rescue and it continues until today. She started the nonprofit organization, Zika’s Animal Rescue (ZAR) in 2008.

                                                          Zika
Zika has always had a love for animals since she was a young girl growing up in Russia. Every opportunity she had, she brought home stray animals. That was the start of her rescue and it continues until today. She started the nonprofit organization, Zika’s Animal Rescue (ZAR) in 2008.
ZAR has teamed up with the ASPCA chapter and plans to hold a fundraising event this summer to raise money and awareness of pet adoption. Due to the number of foreclosures in Southern Nevada, people leaving their homes are also leaving their pets behind. Pet homelessness has become a major problem. Zika found two guinea pigs in their cages that were left on the curb when their owners left their house. She immediately took them and now they have a home at the ranch.

A previous event, A Furry Christmas, was held last month at McKee Ranch at 8982 Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas to benefit local rescue animals. There are several rescue horses at the Ranch which is run by owner Max McKee. I will be writing a feature story on Max and the McKee Ranch in next week’s column.

                                           Max McKee

There was a lot of activity going on with Horse & Pony rides, games and a petting zoo.

The children were able to feed the animals from buckets of carrots and alfalfa cubes and there were plenty of smiles from them.

                                            Dunkin the Donkey

                                             Percy the Pig
Zika goes to the ranch everyday to take care of her Arabian horse Alex who was a rescue horse that she adopted last November. Alex is living a good life at McKee Ranch. Zika is a beautiful young lady who has a heart of gold and a contagious smile that warms your heart and soul. The love of animals has passed on to her 5 year old son Jonibek who gets excited every time their doorbell rings, because he is in hope that it will be another animal being dropped off at his house.

Zika & Joe Jackson

Photo by Erik Kabik

Zulflya Karinova aka Zika is also a noted singer and actress and has released a pop album and is working on a second album. Zika was discovered by music legend Joe Jackson in 2009 at a studio and he was very impressed with her and took her under his wing. Her musical influences include pop, rock and country. Zita was scheduled to perform on the Michael Jackson tour and it was her dream come true, which sadly did not happen. Joe has also endorsed ZAR and the wonderful work Zika is doing with the Animal Rescue. http://www.zika.us/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNyULvovPtg Part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DiU7C2Ws6w&feature=email Part 2

Meatballs of Martorano

Photos by Nikki Artale
You haven’t eaten the best meatball of your life until you eat a meatball from Martorano’s Restaurant. Steve Martorano is the owner of the Italian Restaurant and he attributes his fabulous food to the teachings of his grandmother. As a young boy, Steve would spend many days in the kitchen with his grandmother who taught him how to cook.   

  
She shared her love and her cooking skills and Steve demonstrates that skill and love in his restaurants. Martorano Restaurant is located in the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas and also in Florida. People from all over the world come to eat his wonderful Italian food.

Not only do people pay for his food, a select few get to eat his meatballs free once a year when he holds his competitive Meatball Eating Contest. This is the second time that the Martorano Meatball Contest has been held in Las Vegas.

For the second consecutive year Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has won the Meatball Contest by eating 43 meatballs in 10 minutes, earning him an “M” Necklace and $1500.00. Coming in second place by eating 37 meatballs was 74 year old Henderson resident Rich Lefevre, winning $750.00. Third place was won by Juliet Lee, eating 35 meatballs, earning her $500.00.

Steve Martorano,JoeyChestnut,Holly Madison,Rich Lefevre

                                          Steve Martorano & Joey Chestnut

Guest host was Holly Madison who is appearing in Peep Show at Planet Hollywood. Other guest celebrities were celebrity Tattoo Artist Mario Barth.

                                         Steve & Mario Barth

                                          Mario Barth & Robin Leach

Holly Madison & Steve Martorano

Joey is ranked a number one eater and last year earned $218,500 in prize money, appearances and endorsement. Joey holds the title for world’s record of eating 68 Nathan Hot Dogs and buns in 10 minute. There are many other competitive eating contests that are a sight to see, such as, Buffalo Wing Festival held in New York, BBQ Eating Championship held in Myrtle Beach SC, Chili Cheese Fries, Pigs Feet, Pizza, pies, pickles and Ribs.
Major league eating has totaled over $600,000. What a way to go, what a way to eat. Maybe I should start eating in some contests.   http://www.ifoce.com/
                                       
The event was exciting to watch and thanks to the staff and crew of The Rio, everything went smoothly under the direction of the Technical Director Paolo Cuccaro.

                                         Paolo Cuccaro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmatQQySuO0 Video

Miss America Parade of Shoes

Miss America Parade of Shoes

Written by Nikki Artale
Photos by Nikki Artale
The Miss America Organization brought back the “DSW Show Us Your Shoes Parade” which showcased the shoes and costumes of the 53 Miss America Contestants. The parade had been a tradition in Atlantic City NJ and was dropped when the pageant moved to Las Vegas. Now after 6 years it returned, much to everyone’s delight. The parade was held at The Paris Hotel at the Arc de Triomphe with Robin Leach as the Master of Ceremonies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1TIWhzfuxQ Video      Parade of Shoes

The Miss America Organization is celebrating its 90th Anniversary with over 45 former Miss America’s and also Teen Representatives. Mayor Oscar Goodman issued a proclamation making January 15, 2011 Miss America Day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nCyH00iE6o Video    Proclamation
www.MissAmerica.org

It was an exciting day for everyone, especially the previous Miss America who was in attendance. Looking beautiful as ever was Miss Bee Bee Shopp, Miss America 1948,

Carissa Cameron, Miss America 2010 sat in the audience and you could tell from her smile that she was enjoying the festivities.

Carissa Cameron Miss America 2010

As the contestants walked around the fountains in the Arc, everyone got a front row view of the beautiful decorated shoes.

Miss Alaska Abby Hancock

                                         Miss California Arianna Afsar

                                                       Miss Florida Jaclyn Raulerson

Miss Hawaii Jakee Kate Fuselier

                                          Miss Illinois Whitney Thorpe-Klinsky

                                                       Miss Kansas Lauren Werhan

                                                       Miss Louisiana Kelsi Crain

                                                       Miss Nevada Cris Crotz

                                                       Miss New Jersey Ashleigh Udalovas

                                                       Miss Pennsylvania Courtney Elizabeth Thomas

                                         Miss America 2011

                                                        Teresa Scanlon
Teresa Scanlon, Miss Nebraska is the youngest person to win the title of Miss America.

She played White Water Chopsticks on the piano as her talent. Teresa Scanlon’s platform is on eating disorders, which affects a lot of people.

Teresa is from the small town of Gerig, Nebraska and plans a career in law and wants to be a Supreme Court Judge. She will attend law school after her reign of Miss America is completed next year. Her title brings her a $50,000 scholarship. Miss America pageants gives away 45 million dollars in scholarships.

First Runner up Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady

Second Runner up Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier

                                                      Fourth Runner up Miss Oaklahoma Emoly West


Six decades of Miss Americas came on stage and all were elegant and beautiful.

AVN Adult Entertainment Expo

AVN Adult Entertainment Expo

Nyomi Banxxx

The Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) came to the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas on January 6th through January 9th, 2011 and once again brought a lot of excitement to the attendees. The AVN is a one of a kind tradeshow that brings together adult talent, products and lots of exhibitors. Fans and buyers of all ages and from all over the world attend this show. http://www.adultentertinmentexpo.com/

There were educational sessions showing the attendees how to perform a striptease and pole dancing. Also performing were the hottest dancers from the Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club.

Some of the largest exhibitors there were from Adam & Eve Pictures, Hustler Video, Vivid and Bluebird Films. The girls from Blue Bird films were stunning and could give Charlie’s Angels a run for their money.

One of the outstanding booths was Funky Monkey who is the leader in adult 3D Entertainment with their high quality Anaglyph and Polarized technology. It is an interactive and sexy experience. Last year over 20,000 people attended the Adult Expo and they are expecing more this year. The convention center was crowded with fans and media who were interviewing the talent and exhibitors.

Mike Kurban "All Talk Radio"

The industry networking party was hosted by “Wicked Girl” Jessica Drake at TAO nightclub at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino on January 6th at 10:00 pm. The party brings together the hot talent and some of the leading directors and executives.
Robin Leach interviewed Jessica Drake at the wicked booth with her life like replica doll. The doll actually did look like Jessica and she was very happy with it.

Jessica Drake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Drake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOEIMkqwGWQ Video