FREAKLING BROS. ANNOUNCES THE TERRIFYING RETURN OF THE VICTIM EXPERIENCE ON OCT. 24

 Freakling Bros., Las Vegas’ premiere haunted attraction, has announced that due to overwhelming demand, The Victim Experience will make its horrifying return this October. Originally debuted inOctober 2013, The Victim Experience is a one-of-a-kind, terrifyingly realistic and utterly hellish experience for a special kind of thrill seeker. The Victim Experience will run Oct. 24 – 26 and Oct. 31.

Available for only four nights this October, The Victim Experience offers a terrifyingly realistic, traumatic and horrifying test of psychological fortitude for those who think they have what it takes. This experience is not for everybody. In fact, 80% of those who were brave enough to sign up for the initial Victim Experience in 2013, those who were actively looking  to be tortured and victimized in what Theme Park University called “The most intense haunt ever,” were unable to complete the experience without using the “safe” word.

You’re not the voyeur in this experience. You’re the victim. Things happen to you. It’s a twisted, masochistic and utterly Hellish experience for a special kind of thrill seeker. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online only atwww.victimexperience.com. Tickets are $120 for the Oct. 24 – 26 experiences and $150 for Halloween night. The experience includes safety training, orientation, a decompression period with complimentary drinks and a special edition “Survivor” shirt for those who make it through the experience. All victims must be 18 years or older and must be prepared to experience psychological, emotional and sensory torture, including physical contact and harassment, with zero retaliation. 

Located at the Grand Canyon Shopping Center at 4245 S. Grand Canyon Dr. (Flamingo and the 215 Beltway), Freakling Bros. The Trilogy of Terror operates from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday – Thursday. Tickets are $12 for “Circus of Horrors” and “Castle Vampyre” and $15 for “Gates of Hell.” Line-pass t-shirts are available for $10 and are valid all month. Discounts are available for combining houses and multiple visits, including the $30 “Freak Pass” for all three haunts and the $40 “All You Can Scream” pass. To enter the “Gates of Hell” you must be at least 17 years of age or accompanied by an adult, and you must sign a consent form. Dates of operation for The Trilogy of Terror are Oct. 9 – 12 and Oct. 16 – 31. 

For more information on The Victim Experience visit www.thevictimexperience.com or www.freaklingbros.com.

CRAZY PITA CELEBRATES “COOKING WITH KINDNESS” IN SUPPORT OF THE JOSH STEVENS FOUNDATION THIS SUNDAY

6,500 CCSD STUDENTS TO FILL THE THOMAS & MACK FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL REBEL READING CHALLENGE

SuperPawn, Spread the Word Nevada, and UNLV Athletics are teaming up with the Clark County School District (CCSD) to bring 6,500 fourth- and fifth-grade students from 33 Title I schools to the Thomas & Mack Center for the 2014 “Rebel Reading Challenge” launch event.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014
              10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV Campus
                4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. 

The fourth annual kickoff celebration delivers the message about the importance of reading as a fundamental life skill throughout an hour of entertainment, learning and fun.  The event is hosted by 98.5 KLUC’s Chet Buchanan and features comedian/magician Mac King and CCSD Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky with appearances from student-athletes and media personalities. The event launches the “Rebel Reading Challenge,” a 30-day competition designed to motivate students to read. Last year, “Rebel Reading” students read 2.6 million pages during the course of the program. Winning classrooms receive free tickets and transportation to a UNLV men’s basketball game and a classroom pizza party.

Created by SuperPawn as a community outreach initiative more than six years ago, the Rebel Reading Challenge has evolved from a 16-school competition to include students from 42 schools this year (nine schools with nearly 2,000 students collectively can’t attend the kick-off, but they are participating in the challenge). The Clark County School District underwrites the cost of busing the students to the Thomas & Mack and SuperPawn underwrites the cost of the kickoff and the prizes. Spread the Word Nevada, a non-profit dedicated to literacy, is providing each student with a book.  

First Friday Las Vegas Celebrates 12 Years of Arts and Culture in Las Vegas with “Time, Mythology and 12”

Celebrating the 12^th anniversary, First Friday Las Vegas presents the “Time, Mythology and 12” for October 2014.  Event-goers can participate in a variety of celebratory activities including a special activation, brought through a partnership between the First Friday Foundation and Wynn Resorts, featuring six prominent Las Vegas-based artists collaborating with rising stars in the arts community.  Chosen artists Tim Bavington, David Ryan, Sush Machida, Shawn Hummel, Juan Muniz and Zak Ostrowski will be partnered with student artists to construct six distinct art pieces that will then be displayed throughout Las Vegas during the month of October to commemorate the 12^th anniversary.  The special activation will take place along Casino Center Drive between Colorado and California.

Attendees can also explore a the new Pure Green Place zone with a living wall demonstration led by Marilyn Yamamoto, a special Sun Dial tribute to 12 by Dead Girls and Robots at Zappos headquarters, live music, Las Vegas artists, arts and craft vendors and much more.  First Friday Wonderland winner, Brock Nordstrom, unveils “Atlas Emerged” at Artifice (1025 First St.) while Las Vegas photographer, Cameron Grant, shows “The High Points” at a mini-gallery experience.  First Friday revelers are also invited to become a part of the event through costumes and submitting theme ideas for First Friday 2015 events.

For more information visit www.firstfridaylasvegas.com.  

El Cortez Hotel & Casino Launches New Pop-Up Outdoor Patio The Wineyard on Friday, Oct. 10 on Jackie Gaughan Parkway

The El Cortez Hotel & Casino will introduce The Wineyard, a new pop-up outdoor patio, to Downtown Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 10. Set to take place directly across from the main property on Jackie Gaughan Parkway, The Wineyard will combine music, drinks and a cozy atmosphere to create a simplistic and charming hangout.

Wooden picnic tables, overhead string lights and cedar wine racks contribute to the laidback style of The Wineyard as it transforms Jackie Gaughan Parkway into a backyard setting reminiscent of establishments found in New Orleans. The charming outdoor location offers live music, wines by the glass or bottle, craft beers and an array of meats and cheeses for purchase a la carte. Food items are prepared on the grill and served with warm, toasted bread and olives.

 “The Wineyard provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, a place where guests can come and enjoy the simple pleasures, like conversation with friends over a bottle of wine, that often gets overlooked in Las Vegas,” said Alexandra Epstein, executive vice president of the El Cortez Hotel & Casino. ”We wanted to offer downtown a comfortable and welcoming social setting that encourages guests to relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

The weekly event will take place each Friday in October from 5 p.m. to midnight at 600 E. Fremont Street, across from the El Cortez Hotel & Casino on Jackie Gaughan Parkway. Additional nights during the week may be added at a later date.

Dive into Fall Flavors at Culinary Dropout’s Limited Seating Craft Beer Pairing Dinner with Joseph James Brewery, Oct. 16

Foodies and beer connoisseurs can unite at Culinary Dropout inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for an exclusive, limited seating five-course craft beer pairing dinner on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7p.m. The edgy gastro pub is teaming up with the brew masters at Las Vegas’ Joseph James Brewery for the special one-night engagement. 

The journey through food and drink features an inspired menu from Culinary Dropout’s Executive Chef Erik Syhre and includes an aged cheddar soufflé, ricotta and black truffle tortellini, loup de mer, Citra Rye glazed chicken and profiteroles. Each course is expertly and perfectly paired with one of Joseph James Brewery’s signature beers, such as the award-winning Citra Rye Pale Ale.

The complete menu for the prix fixe pairing event includes:

• Starter: Aged cheddar soufflé, crispy bacon, caramelized onion gravy, chive
     Craft beer pairing: Joseph James Craft American Lager, a light and refreshing brew

• First course: Ricotta and black truffle tortellini, grilled portobello, butternut squash velouté
     Craft beer pairing: Joseph James Hop Box Imperial IPA, a rich, hoppy and aromatic imperial IPA.

• Second course: Loup de mer, roasted cauliflower, salsify, pomegranate, brown butter
     Craft beer pairing: Joseph James Rum Barrel-Aged Pumpkin Ale, a sweet and toasty barley wine style ale with hints of molasses, smoke and pumpkin.

• Third Course: Citra Rye glazed chicken, roasted Brussels sprouts, spiced chicharrones, shaved baby beet
     Craft beer pairing: Joseph James Citra Rye Pale Ale, the brewery’s gold medal award-winning pale ale with lychee, gooseberry and passion fruit aromas.

• Dessert: Profiteroles, fall spices, pumpkin, crème anglaise
     Craft beer pairing: Joseph James Milkshake Chocolate Milk Stout, a full-bodied stout with hints of espresso, chocolate, smoke and roasted nuts. 

Pricing for the single night event is $50 per person plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited; reservations are required and can be made by calling (702) 522-8100. Culinary Dropout is open seven days a week: Monday –Friday from 11 a.m. to close, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to close.

The Palazzo® Las Vegas Presents Encore of Award-Winning Fall Into Sands ECO360°Atrium Display

In celebration of autumn, The Palazzo Las Vegas will feature an encore of its award-winning atrium display Fall Into Sands ECO360°, an innovative and entertaining display featuring the industry-leading sustainability efforts of The Venetian and The Palazzo.

The visually spectacular and eco-minded fall display fills The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens. The picturesque scene, on display through Nov. 10, honors the Sands ECO360°program, a strategy that was born at The Venetian and The Palazzo and drives the company’s environmental initiatives. 

The encore display also celebrates the 2014 Diamond Plantscape Award from the Plantscape Institute of America (PIA), which was awarded in honor of the original 2013 Fall Into ECO 360° installation. The annual awards program recognizes and celebrates excellence in the interiorscape community, including commercial enterprises with in-house horticulture departments and conservatory venues. Interior plantscaping is the practice of designing, installing, and caring for living plants in enclosed environments, including commercial and residential buildings.

“We are excited to be recognized this way by our peers,” said Dana Beatty, director of floral and horticulture at The Venetian and The Palazzo. “Our vision was to provide a well-designed installation that showcases the resorts’ sustainability efforts and creates an environment for an enhanced guest experience.”

Surrounded by fall colors in the foliage of native trees, flowers, and plants, this season’s display reuses materials found on the property to reflect some of the environmentally-friendly programs :

• Greener Suites:

The Infinity Pond features a bed made of cut flowers, succulents, and grasses representing the stunning suites of The Venetian and The Palazzo, each designed with high performance and sustainable functionality in mind. Energy-efficient lighting is installed in all of the suites – 50 percent of which is the latest LED technology. More than 3,000 sensors are installed in The Palazzo suites to adjust the temperature automatically according to guest occupancy. These suites also feature a master light switch, enabling guests to conveniently turn off all lights when leaving. Guests can also participate in sustainability efforts by choosing to reuse towels and linens through the Eco Linen program.

• Sustainable Food and Composting:

The Recycled Forest made of construction debris, 70 percent recycled steel, bottles, wine corks, and soaps represents the range of the properties’ sustainable catering menu options, including organic and local food, sustainable seafood, fair-trade coffee. The composting program at the resort launched in 2012.

• Alternative Transportation:

The 1934 Hudson car centerpiece was transformed using succulents, lichen, moss, grapevine, and approximately 5,000 drought resistant plants. This centerpiece represents the properties’ alternative transportation programs. RTC’s ClubRide rewards commuters for carpooling, biking, or taking public transportation to get to and from work. A valet bicycle parking service with secure bike racks is provided. Preferred parking for hybrids, alternative fuel vehicles, and carpools is available in both garages. The properties also provide Electric Vehicle charging stations and three Tesla-specific charging stations for employee and public use.

• Water Conservation:

The East Garden Nano filtration system display represents the properties’ water reclamation system that recycles 5 million gallons of nuisance water a year for horticulture use. This system saves millions of gallons of potable water each year, allowing the properties to be “off the water grid” for horticultural needs, and has recently been expanded to be used for filling feature fountains and external cleaning. 

• Recycling:

The West Bed Chocolate Cosmo Flower display, made of motion-censored flowers opening and closing in harmony, represents structure coexisting with nature. The Venetian and The Palazzo are known as one of the largest recyclers in Las Vegas, recycling not only food, cardboard, glass, plastic, paper, and metal, but also batteries, electronic waste, corks, cooking oil, and many other commodities. A recent dock remodel and improvements in the internal recycling procedures – such as implementing more upstream sorting practices – has improved The Venetian and The Palazzo’s recycling rate, including a unique profit-sharing incentive program that rewards recycling dock employees for increasing the recycling rate. 

Recently, the meetings complex that includes Sands Expo and the Congress Center at The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas  further redefined itself as a true industry leader by being named the first venue in the world to achieve the advanced “level two” industry certification for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences. The Palazzo’s Fall Atrium display celebrates The Venetian and The Palazzo’s continued sustainability efforts and green milestones.

MERCADITO AT RED ROCK ADDS A LITTLE SPICE TO GIVING BACK BY JOINING NATIONAL 2014 “TACOS FOR STRENGTH” CAMPAIGN Diners can indulge in monthly culinary creations as guest chefs create unique tacos to benefit Share Our Strength

Just in time for National Taco Day on Oct. 4, Mercadito at Red Rock Resort (11011 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas) is set to join Mercadito Hospitality’s national Tacos for Strength campaign beginning Oct. 1. Each year Chef/Partner Patricio Sandoval invites a variety of chefs – from “Top Chef” and James Beard winners to several Food & Wine Best New Chefs – to join him to “think outside the tortilla” and create unique tacos to support Share Our Strength and its mission to end childhood hunger.  

Mercadito at Red Rock Resort will feature the culinary creations for the three remaining chefs on the 2014 Tacos for Strength schedule including Chicago’s Jason Vincent formerly of Nightwood in October, Philadelphia’s Kevin Sbraga of Sbraga in November and Paul Virant of Perennial Virant in Chicago and Vie in Western Springs, Illinois in December. Tacos for Strength selections are available for dinner (four per order) for $17.50 or for lunch (three per order) for $13.50. Five percent of proceeds benefit Share Our Strength. 

“Over the past three and a half years, I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best chefs in the business, who have created innovative tacos from drawing on personal memories and favorite cuisines to benefit Share Our Strength,” Mercadito Chef/Partner Patricio Sandoval says. “We wanted to integrate Mercadito at Red Rock Resort as quickly as possible and I’m happy that they are joining Tacos for Strength by featuring the creations from the three remaining chefs on the 2014 schedule.  Next year, we will integrate some of Vegas’ top chefs into the campaign and we can’t wait to see what they create.”   

Jason Vincent, 2014 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef, Great Lakes and Food & Wine’s Best New Chef in 2013, constructed the taco featured for October.  Drawing from his love of the Mediterranean, Vincent takes an offbeat approach for his guest creation combining the flavors of the Greek Isles with Mexico. His lamb shoulder carnitas taco features a savory dressing of sunflower seeds, yogurt and Thai chili, with roasted tomatoes, chilis and peppers topped with grapes and cucumbers on a flour tortilla. 

In 2013, Mercadito sold a grand total of 2,595 Tacos for Strength, raising nearly $2,000 to benefit Share Our Strength.

TWO HENDERSON PARKS SET TO OPEN OCTOBER 4 | Celebration for Potenza and Capriola Parks part of Super Inspirada Day

The City of Henderson and builders of Inspirada are hosting a grand opening celebration for Potenza and Capriola Parks as part of Super Inspirada Day starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 4. Councilwoman Debra March and members of the Henderson City Council will join the community for the official opening at Capriola Park, 2155 Via Firenze, with activities to follow at Capriola Park and Potenza Park, 2355 Via Firenze. 

The celebration includes a ceremonial ribbon cutting, soccer and skating demonstrations, bounce houses, refreshments, and pet adoptions sponsored by the City of Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility and the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A complimentary bike valet will be available for residents riding their bikes to the event.

Potenza Park sits on five acres and includes lighted basketball courts, picnic ramadas, playground, shade structures, skate area, open turf area, and restrooms. The 12-acre Capriola Park features lighted multi-use fields, lighted tennis and basketball courts, picnic ramada, playground, dog park, splash pad, shade structures, open turf area and restrooms. The parks were developed by Inspirada Builders, LLC, and constructed by Martin Harris through the city’s developer turnkey park program. Under the program, a developer builds a neighborhood park in accordance with city guidelines and standards and then dedicates the completed park to the city for public use. The parks will be maintained by the city.

“We have a goal in Henderson to provide a park within a half-mile of every residence,” said Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen. “We are now closer to that goal for this neighborhood thanks to the public/private partnership with the developer. These two new turnkey parks bring a variety of recreational opportunities to nearby residents and we appreciate Inspirada’s investment in our community.”

Potenza and Capriola Parks will be open 6:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. For additional information, visit cityofhenderson.com. 

FARE WALK FOR FOOD ALLERGY COMES TO LAS VEGAS AREA

There are 15 million Americans with food allergies, which means there are 15 million reasons to join the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Walk for Food Allergy in Las Vegas, where global parenting expert Jo Frost, National Ambassador of the FARE Walk for Food Allergy, will be on hand to help raise critical funds to find a cure and to increase awareness about this growing public health issue.

Frost will lead the charge at the FARE Walk for Food Allergy in Las Vegas, a family-friendly event that will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, November 2 at Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, NV 89074.

The FARE Walk for Food Allergy, presented by Mylan, unites thousands of people nationwide in seeking a cure and a safe and inclusive world for people with food allergies. The 2013 walk raised a record-breaking $3.6 million nationwide for food allergy research, education, awareness and advocacy. With so many people affected by food allergies, everyone has a reason to walk.

“Food allergy is a life-altering and potentially life-threatening disease that affects a growing number of people in the United States and worldwide” said Donna McKelvey, senior vice president and chief development officer at FARE, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to food allergy. “Together, FARE and the food allergy community are working to find a cure, to educate, to advocate, and to raise awareness. Every step we take, every dollar raised by our dedicated supporters and sponsors, brings us closer to the day when we say FAREwell to food allergies.”

This summer, Frost was named as the first National Ambassador of the FARE Walk for Food Allergy. Known for her television shows such as “Supernanny” and best-selling books including Jo Frost’s Toddler Rules, Frost was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies to nuts, shellfish, and rye as a child. Frost will be speaking and meeting with families at five FARE Walk for Food Allergy events in 2014. 

“For the last two years, I have proudly supported my local FARE Walk for Food Allergy, and I am thrilled to be serving as the first National Ambassador for the FARE Walk for Food Allergy program,” Frost said. “This program raises critical funds and awareness to support FARE’s mission of finding a cure for food allergies and keeping individuals with food allergies safe and included. I am so pleased to help advance the cause of the food allergy community, and I hope you will join me in this effort.”

Among those joining Frost in Las Vegas is 14-year-old Mikayla Kelly, Miss Jr. Teen Nevada United States 2014, who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. At two years of age, Mikayla broke out in hives on her face and body after consuming just a spoonful of peanut butter. Soon thereafter, a doctor confirmed Mikayla’s allergy, and now, she carries an Epi-Pen and Benadryl at all times. Mikayla, luckily, has never had an anaphylactic reaction, but she still faces other challenges. 

“When I was four years old, I ate fruit jelly snacks and broke out in hives all over my body. My mom read the ingredient label and found out that the fruit jelly snacks were processed in a factory that shared equipment with peanuts and tree nuts. When I was in 2nd grade, I sat between two students eating peanut butter sandwiches and broke out in hives all over my body just from being around it. Ever since, I’ve been assigned to sit at the peanut and tree nut free table at lunch until I graduated from 8th grade. There was another time when I had a strawberry banana shake [at a popular chain], and I immediately felt sick to my stomach and violently threw up. I later learned that the blender had been cross-contaminated with a peanut butter shake and was not cleaned properly. Another time, I took a bite of sample pizza [at a store] and found out it had pesto sauce which had pine nuts in it. My tongue immediately felt numb and different, and I was scared and nervous,” said Mikayla.

When she was crowned Miss Jr. Teen Nevada United States 2014, Mikayla chose food allergy awareness as her platform, and she is the honorary teen chair for the Las Vegas FARE Walk for Food Allergy. “FARE is a great resource organization that has helped me understand my food allergies and how to prevent them and be in better control of then. There is no cure for food allergies, and I want to be a voice that helps educate, raise awareness, raise money for research, and hopefully, help find a cure for food allergies,” she said.

The FARE Walk for Food Allergy is open to all. Participants can sign up individually or as part of a team. For more information, including registration, volunteer and sponsorship information, visitwww.foodallergywalk.org/lasvegas2014. Visit www.foodallergywalk.org for information on other walk locations throughout the United States.

ABOUT FARE

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) works on behalf of the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children in the U.S. – or roughly two in every classroom. FARE’s mission is to find a cure for food allergies, and to keep individuals with food allergies safe and included. We do this by investing in world-class research that advances treatment and understanding of the disease, providing evidence-based education and resources, undertaking advocacy at all levels of government and increasing awareness of food allergy as a serious public health issue. For more information, please visit www.foodallergy.org and find us on Twitter @FoodAllergy, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.