Mob Museum Hosts Repeal Day Celebration

Mob Museum Hosts Repeal Day Celebration

Photos by Nikki Artale

The Repeal Day Celebration was held at the Mob Museum on December 5, 2012, and the day started with former Mayor Oscar Goodman smashing a bottle against old wooden barrels. Prohibition was officially lifted on December 5, 1933 and Americans once again could drink legally. The Mob Museum was selected as the place to commemorate the day and an invitation went out to the general public to come and celebrate.

                                                              Jonathan  Ullman

Jonathan Ullman Executive Director of the Mob Museum and the Mob Girls were on hand to start off the festivities at 9:00 am in the parking lot of the museum. The Repeal Day Party was scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm and everyone was encouraged to come dressed in their best vintage clothes from the 20’ and 30’s era. www.themobmuseum.org

The 20’s party was the place to be as the booze flowed, the jazz band played and the ladies looked fabulous. Everyone enjoyed the prohibition era cocktails and the great food. Oscar Goodman loves his gin and I found him celebrating and as happy as he could be, in the crowd with his signature drink. 

                                                   Oscar Goodman

Prizes were awarded for the best costumes and the men and women did not disappoint us with their clothing, hair, makeup and accessories.

Best Dressed Man

Best Dressed Woman

I will never have to wonder how I would look in a police line up because I had the opportunity to take photos to see myself, along with my friends Debbie & Mickey Silver.

Nikki Artale

Debbie Sweeney and Mickey Silver

I was very impressed as I entered the three story building, which once was a federal court house and a U.S. Post Office, and saw the PO boxes, marble floors and the original elevators. Every floor was filled with mob memorabilia, photos, guns, documents, videos and clothes. Videos, audios and photos tell the stories of the early years of Las Vegas and the crime families that ran the town. It is the story of law enforcement and organized crime. The displays were excellent, the photos graphic and gory and it was a chance to actually see the crime scenes that we have all read about but never saw.

One of the displays was of the wall where the Valentine’s Day Massacre took place and an actual electric chair that was used to kill over 500 prisoners.

Valentine Day Massacre

Old slots and gambling equipment were on display and I saw an Abercrombie & Fitch false bottom tote bag that was used to smuggle flasks of illegal booze. 

The Mob Museum is located at 300 East Stewart Avenue and tickets are available by calling the box office at 702 229-2743

Robert Nash

  

I will definitely be going back to visit the museum and take a few hours to see it in its entirety.

The Magical Forest in North Pole Nevada is Spectacular

The Magical Forest in North Pole Nevada Is Spectacular

Photos by Nikki Artale

This is the 21^st anniversary of the Magical Forest winter wonderland at Opportunity Village that hundreds of thousands of visitors have enjoyed seeing. Millions of bright lights and decorated trees and displays are set up on the two acre parcel of land at 3600 Oakey Blvd.  www.opportunityvillage.org/magical-forest 

The Magical Forest is dazzling and enchanting and one of my favorite displays was the Cinderella Carriage that twinkled brightly, creating winter wonderland of fantasies.

 http://youtu.be/ncmkwgembxU              

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer was housed in a cozy house and kids of all ages loved seeing his big beautiful eyes.

The sights and sounds were awesome and the spirit of Christmas and the holiday tunes playing was warming to the heart. Giant Polar Bears and a Mouse Soldier towered over the children who gazed up at them in awe.

The magic of riding an antique carousel brought back the memories of the times I sat upon the stunning wooden horses and whirled around to the sounds of the carousel music with a never ending smile on my face.

What better way to see the Magical Forest is there but to ride the Forest Express Passenger Train around the two acre property and to experience the trees up close and personal.

http://youtu.be/tcFo6FqWjng    

A must stop place is Santa in his workshop, sitting in his huge green velvet chair and greeting all the children and taking pictures with them. Those pictures will be a forever memory of their childhood belief of Santa and the wonderful Magical Forest. I captured that moment with two beautiful children, two year old Avril Ashworth and her sister four year old Natalia Ashworth. (Avril Ashworth and Natalia Ashworth)

Gingerbread Houses are a must thing to have at Christmas time and there were many on display from the local hotel casinos.

Students from Basic High School Chamber sang Christmas Carols.

http://youtu.be/xkFjBcgCec4 

The Magical Forest will be open until January 6, 2013 and is located at Opportunity Village, 6300 W Oakey Blvd. Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday & Saturday: 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm. All proceeds benefit people with disabilities at Opportunity Village. Come and visit the Magical Forest and you will find the inner child that is still within you and just wanting to come out.

Leg Warmers Also Warmed Our Hearts

Legwarmers Also Warmed Our Hearts

Photos by Nikki Artale

There is never a dull moment in the fabulous story of The Legwarmers, now playing in the V Theater at Planet Hollywood. Sirc Michaels, who produced, directed and wrote Legwarmers, has once again brought Las Vegas another big hit. A VIP Media event was held on Wednesday, November 28 with a catered event and Karaoke party and everyone dressed up in their best 80’s theme. 

John Tamasello was first introduced to the media event as he rounded up the Karaoke participants in the media crowd and tossed jelly bracelets and pop rocks.

John Tamasello

Legwarmers have a perfect cast and they are energetic, playful and stay in character with each other for the entire performance.

Evan Schmalz and Sarah Willick

Several audience members were brought on stage and they were funny and entertaining and we especially enjoyed seeing Joe Buda, editor of my publication “Las Vegas Informer”. 

“Whip It”, I Want You To Want Me” and “Video Killed the Radio Star” were all favorites and the outfits, hair bands, suspenders and video screens in the background all added to the 80’s theme.

Russell Slouffman

Russell Slouffman and Stephanie Killian

Legwarmers is worth the trip to the V Theater to see and while you are there, check out Sirc Michaels other show “Evil Dead the Musical” which is getting rave reviews