In the afterglow of the 2011 Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), Las Vegas found itself still in tact. Los Angeles reporters and officials were skeptical about the city’s ability to maintain order in the face of a drug-wrenched, hormone-crazed audience with no concern for consequence. WARNING:This video contains graphic images and strong language. (And is unsuitable for children!) This scene last year quickly became life-threatening, as the massive crowd continued to push through a small gate opening. The weight of the people left one or more unconscious, and as the video clearly shows, it became bloody for some as well. Las Vegas was fortunate enough to not have experienced anything as terrifying as this scene. Some of that may be attributed to luck, but the majority of it was most likely sound planning. LA WEEKLY blog author Dennis Romero said, “Officials in Vegas keep referring to the city’s ability to deal with large crowds at NASCAR and New Year’s Eve events without realizing that a rave is a wholly different animal.” And according to Romero’s blog, “Dr. Dale Carrison, the EDC’s on-site medical director, told 8 News Now in Las Vegas this: ‘This is what we do in Las Vegas. This is what the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department does with NASCAR and New Year’s Eve and with all of the different events we have downtown and on the Strip. This is what we as a city do and we do it well and I think we are going to do this well.’”

I say KUDOS Dr. Carrison! Not only did you defend Las Vegas resources eloquently and on point, you remained correct. Way to stick to your convictions. LVMPD did a bang up job as they have been doing for decades on the strip every New Year’s Eve like clockwork.

Romero actually LOL’d after Carrison’s statement in his blog, but the fact of the matter is no one died on Vegas’ watch. Additionally, reported drug arrests were vastly lower than those in LA. That either means the media grossly under reported or the police did a fine job. I tend to believe the latter. Although official revenue totals from the event for Las Vegas have been kept under wraps, Last year’s totals for L.A. were just over 40 Million. I don’t know where this “revenue” will be applied, but I indeed hope that whatever Vegas came out with, it will consider the revivification of a dying school system. More education means less drug use and isn’t that what the police were trying to stop at EDC? Lastly, the outrageous attire of today’s raver is leaving most adults in a state of cardiac arrest. I’m not sure why either because it was those same adults that began the topless, drug-addled trends in the 60s and 70s. The bare-chested look will most likely never die, but does it have to be done with neon pink, furry, cave-girl boots? Newsflash!!:It’s not as cute as you think. Thank you and please come again! Disclaimer: The verbal foible (Electric not Electronic Daisy Carnival) in the podcast was unintentional. It was a trial getting the podcast to post so  rather than mess with a good thing I left it. Please forgive!  <8′-(  

It’s really heating up out there in the valley! This week’s post is about the rising temperatures in the area and how to keep cool Las Vegas.
Beginning with the notion that water is so vital to our systems as human beings. It is the most important nutrients that our body needs to survive. Signs we need to keep up with the ever so high temperatures of Las Vegas whether we are walking the dog, walking into a store and doing basic thinks around there are signs of hydration. Such as the Lack of saliva or dry mouth, Rapid heart beat and feeling signs of fatigue. So when feeling that on the day of a heatwave drinking throughout the day water preferably 5-6 glasses a day. This will give water a chance to get inside cells and begin their job of temperature regulation in the body. Drinking that entire water bottle quickly just before you go outside will not be as effective and may give you an upset stomach versus it actually helping you to stay hydrated. There are also veggies that have water, too such as cucumber, peppers and WATERmelon!

As staying protective nutritionally, we also need to take note that exposure to the sun can be detrimental and have long term risks involved such as skin cancer and premature age of the skin. Best way to avoid the sun is just not go out. That is obviously not the best way and is not very congruent to what we have to do in our lives. Wearing a simple hat can protect the face as well as wearing SPF creams that are found everywhere from our food store and pharmacies.

So it is very important to keep these facts and tips in the back of our mind when stepping out in the place we live call the desert. Next time don’t forget the lotion!

It’s that time of the year again! Every Fourth of July people gather with family and friends to celebrate the day of our country’s independence. This holiday usually consist of barbeques, fireworks and a few cold ones by the pool. While distracted by the fun, often time people fail to see the dangers that may arise when fire is involved. According to the Green Bay Fire Department, more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day of the year. If one does not take the proper precautions, it is very easy for a great evening to go wrong. Before hosting a Fourth of July event at your home, make sure that you fulfill each task that is recommended by the experts in the City of Las Vegas. These tasks include: 1. Cleaning your yard: Make sure that weeds are pulled and grass is cut and watered. 2. Take off all dead palm tree fronds. It is known that these burn fast and can spread the fire through wide areas. 3. Always be ready with the hose and/or bucket of water, just in case any small fire breaks out, this can prevent them from spreading and getting larger. 4. Keep all pets inside throughout the evening. 5. Keep all cars and trucks in the garage or safely from the area where fireworks are being lit. Fireworks can also cause harm to people if not used properly. Each year thousands of people are injured while using consumer fireworks. A majority of these injuries happen on the hand or head of victims. While several fire departments report that 10-14 year olds have a higher risk of being injured on this day, everyone should take the time to practice the tips that firefighters encourage firework users to follow. 1. Fireworks should be only be used on a flat, firm surface such as the ground or a driveway. They are illegal on street or sidewalks. 2. Stay away from cars, lawns or anything else that may easily catch fire. 3. Always have an adult present when fireworks are being used. 4. Young children should not be lighting fireworks. 5. After the firework has been used, one should pick up the remains with a shovel, dropped into a bucket of water and left to soak for several hours before being thrown in the trash. The same measures should take place when there is a “dud.” Do not try to relight any fireworks that were not originally able to function properly. 6. Fireworks should never be used inside a house/building. 7. Do not ignite fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Before partying all afternoon and sitting in front of a beautiful firework show, please take the time to BE SAFE on Fourth of July!

Every year, I’ve always struggled to find things to do for the 4^th of July.  Not only because I was under aged (not 21), but I was getting too old to be popping fireworks.  I also have two little brothers that I never seem to have the answer for as to where to take them to see fireworks.  One thing I did know that never gets old is watching fireworks! I took it upon myself to do a little research and find out exactly where the fireworks would be going off around the Las Vegas area. People always said that there were firework displays on The Strip, but I missed them by mere seconds every year. I started off Googling places that had done presentations in previous years, but then I remembered LasVegasWeekly.com.  I check their website to know which clubs to go to on the weekends so I knew they would have what was going on July 4^th weekend. Along with the firework displays at Caesar’s Palace, Mandalay Bay, the Las Vegas Hilton, and the Station Casinos, as I described in my podcast below, there will be displays at Lake Las Vegas, Primm Valley Casino Resorts, and Basic High School. Though July 4^th firework shows are not as expansive as our New Year’s shows, it is always a wonder to see what kind of rabbits they are going to pull out of the hat.  It’s perfect, free entertainment if you have children, younger siblings, and – who said watching fireworks were for kids, anyway? So take your significant other if you please, grab your blanket, some snacks, and lie out on the grass or drive your vehicle on a hill to sit back and enjoy the Independence Day celebrations.