Crystal Gayle at Southpoint Showroom

Crystal Gayle arrived on the music scene in 1970 with the hit single I've Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes) and went on to earn Grammy awards and country music's affection. 

See the Wikipedia article on her history and work here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Gayle.

Her sweet sound is a lilting melody. She has been honored with a star on Hollywood's walk of fame and many, many awards. She is now in her early seventies and still performs to this day. Her hair still reaches the floor and this woman is as elegant and beautiful as ever. My family enjoyed her performance at the South Point Showroom in Las Vegas on September 16, 2016, where she played with her band. She returns on a yearly basis to entertain locals and visitors alike. Our hopes were not disappointed. She still sings true to her talent and it was an honor and wonderful privilege to see her.

Crystal Gayle - South Point Showroom Sept 16, 2016. Image: M Burgess - all rights reserved 

I highly recommend catching Ms. Gayle's show where ever she appears. The song list and band members are worth the ticket price, which by the way are very reasonable. She has some amazing talent with her including her sister Peggy, who is also a singer and surprisingly a songwriter. Peggy co-wrote the song Don't Come Home a Drinkin with Lovin on Your Mind with Loretta Lynn and has written a few other fab country hits. Their famous sister Loretta Lynn recorded and performed the song on her tours. This is truly a blessed and talented family. If you love classic country don't miss this lovely lady in concert!

Crystal Gayle's CBS Special 1979

Loretta Lynn - Don't Come Home a Drinkin' with Lovin' on Your Mind

Crystal Gayle Merchandise on Amazon

The Best of Crystal Gayle -- Amazon CD

Crystal Gayle Cd Gold Disc Record Limited Edition Best of Crystal Gayle

Don't You Miss Shelby American While In Las Vegas

If you are a car person or just appreciate a great classic automobile, Shelby American is the kind of stop that might be worth your time. The showroom is filled with some of Carroll Shelby's best engineering examples. The highly envied collection is a museum of early racing marvels.

Located just Southwest of the Las Vegas Strip, Shelby American opened its doors in 2009 and has dazzled its visitors ever since. A revered mechanic and engineering wizard, Carroll Shelby's early designs surpassed the standard of fast cars in his time. The modifications and specs designed into these cars made any model bearing the name Shelby a pricey treasure. These are automotive gold.

Shelby American Showroom Las Vegas

The Shelby Cobra is still a revered sports car and the envy of collectors who actually own one. There are very few of these original cars left. The ones seen on the roads today are more than likely fiberglass replicas. Most of the initial models of the Shelby Cobra went to scrap yards as victims of racing. Several of the originals are present and accounted for on the showroom floor at Shelby American for you to oooh and ahhh over. They certainly are very attractive models.

Shelby 427 Cobra 

1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (Blue) by Shelby Collect
[Amazon Link]

Shelby Mustangs

1 967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT-350 Medium Gray Metallic 50th Anniversary Limited Edition to 1002pc 1/18 by Autoworld AMM1060 by Shelby

[Amazon Link]

[Video]

                  Carroll Shelby: An Interview with the Snake

See the collection for yourself

Address: 6405 Ensworth St, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Phone:(702) 942-7325

Hours: Open today · 9AM–6PM

Website: http://www.shelbyamerican.com/

Shelby and AC Cobra Hardcover by Brian Laban
[Amazon Link]

Affiliate advertising links are featured on this page. The purchase of an item through these links nets the author of this page a small commision for placement.

A Visit to Bonnie Springs Nevada

Visiting Bonnie Springs

West of the valley near Las Vegas is a little spot known as Bonnie Springs. It hosts a small restaurant, a petting zoo, and a rustic town attraction called Old Nevada. Enjoy a melodrama in the town, a great breakfast or burger in the restaurant, or a horseback ride. Stay at the resort motel overnight or just make it a day trip. Unwind and relax around the duck pond and nature scenes. The view of nearby Red Rock from the west side is wonderful!

The ranch we know today was started in 1952 by Bonnie McGaugh who sadly passed away on January 29, 2016. It has been a favorite time out for locals and visitors alike. The attraction is a great way to wrap up a trip to Red Rock Canyon after a day hiking and touring. The area is serene and pleasant except for the occasional calls of the peacocks wandering the property. All in all it is a neat little hideaway.

Old Nevada

This rustic town's setup is host to a melodrama featuring old timey cowboys, a sheriff, and some bank robbers. There is a shootout, a capture, and a hanging. All of it is staged, of course, but the fun reflects the Old West right in the streets of a model western town. There are small shops inside that mimic life in the wild west. Common merchants found around the 1800's time period are represented. You will find a telegraph office, stables, mercantile shops, and a black smith.

Old Nevada

Virtual Tour and Train Ride - Bonnie Springs Ranch

The property has been featured on ghost hunts for paranormal activity!

The Duck Pond

My favorite part of a visit to Bonnie Springs is the small duck pond which is fed by a natural spring in the area. This water attraction features turtles ambling up to the rock formation in the center and a variety of waterfowl. Ducks wander aimlessly across the surface and dive into the murky depths of this shallow pond. The sound of the water is relaxing and a great place to enjoy an after dinner nature scene.

Duck Pond  - Bonnie Springs

Female Mallard Duck

Peacock Sanctuary

One of the best features of the Ranch are the peacocks waltzing around the property. Their screeches announce new visitors and invite their females to approve them for the mating season. Their lovely tails are a bright collage of teardrop marked feathers in lovely iridescent blues and greens. These lovely birds are all over the interior property. The one below is the guardian of the parking lot. 

Did you know: Peacocks or peafowl are not native to the States. They are imported from India or Sri Lanka. 

Peacock Guide - You will be greeted at the parking lot by one or more peacocks that live on the ranch.
This variety of bird is stunning. Please, do not collect tail feathers unless you ask permission. 

For hours of operation and information on motel reservations 

visit the website

http://bonniesprings.com/

The Majestic Peacock
by Maria Burgess

How Do You Use Your Iphone While In Vegas

I see them. They are walking aimlessly around staring at their phone screens and stumbling through the crowded busy streets. Cell phone users checking their social media posts, adding new photos to their Instagram feed, absent mindedly chasing down their closest Pokemon Go treasure. 

Cellphones are wonderful tools for communication and information seeking. They are our link to the world of social networks and news sources. Streaming videos, music, and more entertaining items are at our fingertips. Our smart phones contain a seemingly unlimited supply of time consuming applications for games and shopping and mind boggling endeavors.

This man did something really creative with his smartphone when he was delayed and stranded at the airport in Las Vegas. He used the time as an opportunity to do a dramatic piece using the most appropriate music of Vegas' songbird, Celine Dion as his lipsynch and background music. I give this guy five gold stars in effort and ingenious use of time.

Enjoy!

Open Mic at Owl In Las Vegas

Owl Wall Logo

Open Mic at Owl in Las Vegas and My Thoughts on Some Types Of Humor

A friend of mine let me know he was going to be filming an open mic event at a new bar named Owl tonight and invited me along if I had time. I decided it would be good to get out for a bit and enjoy some local talent. I really, really wanted to enjoy some local talent. When you read what I experienced below you will understand why I repeated that statement. 

What I witnessed instead was a collection of the city's common trash. By the definition of trash, I mean that most of the dialog can be overheard in any long waiting taxi line, lifestyle choice lounge, or tweaked out neighborhood street corner. It is not original and in most cases not humorous. It is the sad examples of human behavior mistakenly called humor. 

The topics ranged from sexually explicit issues to racial jokes. In light of recent events, most of this was in extremely poor taste and I would suggest that the owner or manager seriously screen and audition the folks that are going to be sharing the light on their stage. This is not to reflect badly on the event coordinator and MC. He did a great job introducing the players and arranging for a full schedule of performers. Better luck next time. (May I suggest musicians?)

Open Mic MC and Players

My thoughts on one specific "comic" were that his friends probably laugh at him not because he was funny, but the fact that he was that stupid. Tasteless commentary is not funny. The lack of a filter is not funny. Toilet humor reveals a childish and immature intellect. Classic comedians like Buddy Hackett and George Carlin got away with their trashy humor because they chose it carefully and warmed their audiences up to the final punchline. These two comedians got extremely raunchy in their acts, but they tied in timing and strong storytelling with their jokes. 

None of the amateur comics had much of a response from the audience until I decided to walk out of the room after the last comedian made a very vulgar statement and verbally dragged me into his act. I'm sorry, sir (using that term loosely) the total disregard for your audience and the fact you hazed your critic was a really bad move. No one was laughing. I pondered the fact that a pig had more class than this fellow.

The Talent

The night was not a total bust. There was a lovely guitar set with a gentleman playing original songs. The music was comfortable, lyrics bright and warm, and the sound - easy to listen to. His voice was pleasant. This was the talent I was expecting. Thank heavens this performer came before the last acts or I would have missed any performance of good taste.

I will certainly think twice before attending an open mic at this location or any for that matter. I seriously do not relish spending my time in offensive language and dialog. If I wanted that I'd just go to the worst side of town and eavesdrop on the patrons there. No serious effort needed.

Camping Early Spring in the Valley of Fire

Campground Destination - Valley of Fire

Early Spring and late Fall are the ideal times to visit The Valley of Fire area in Southern Nevada. The air is cool and crisp at this time and the temperatures comfortable. The nights get a little chilly, but they are pleasant with a thick scattering of stars overhead and a roaring campfire. It is a perfect stargazing space.  A Springtime expedition will delight nature lovers with a flower show on the desert floor and Autumn will impress with its own beautiful array of color.

When inviting several friends out for the first camping trip of the year and it was decided that the Valley of Fire would be an ideal setting. The park was not on my list of places I had visited and I was excited to make this short journey from the city of Las Vegas where I lived.

About The Park

Visiting The Valley of Fire is permissible year round. The campgrounds are open and so are the trails. The road in and around the park is winding jaunt through desert wonder. It would be a perfect place for a day cruise on a motorcycle or in a convertible. Red stone formations are scattered across the entire park. 

Valley of Fire (Zazzle Image)

The Flora and Fauna

Catch the desert blooms around Easter weekend. The foliage will amaze and delight. The Beaver Tail Cactus puts out one of the most stunning pink ever seen in the flower world. The heady greens of plant life in the Mojave Desert are dotted and streaked with neon florals. The scene is rivaled only by Las Vegas, which is about 70 miles away.

Beavertail Cactus Blossoms (Zazzle)

Camping Valley of Fire

Camping is most comfortable during the cooler seasons. The summer temperatures would be unbearable for more than an afternoon or early morning visit. The camp areas fill up very fast so get to the park early for a spot. This happened to be the last available space in the park on Easter weekend. Restroom facilities and showers are scattered throughout the park, so the camping does not have to be roughing it to the extreme.

Camping out is recommended during these months: March to May and September to November. If you are to visit any other time of year it will be either too hot or rather cold. Risks of health issues are extremely high during summer. Heat kills quietly. Bring plenty of water. 

Hiking Trails 

There are unique walking and hiking trails through, around, and over the rocks. The sand is really soft and deep in many of the tour areas so expect a nice workout while catching the beautiful scenery. The picturesque views will exhaust batteries and fill up photo galleries quickly so plan images carefully.

For additional information on the park visit the nationa park's website:
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/

Flowers
by Maria Burgess

Valley of Fire
by Maria Burgess

Las Vegas Local Bands - Today Ends Tomorrow

Today Ends Tomorrow is a local band that is a mix of new age rock with an old school feel.

Las Vegas has produced many successful bands including Imagine Dragons and The Killers. The city has an ideal setting for talented people to showcase their music from the big stages to small venues. They build their following and work hard on their sound and presence and hope something hits and rockets them into the open arena of public view. Maybe they just want to get their views out through their sound and song lyrics. Bands like Today Ends Tomorrow is one of these local gems. 

John McEwan is the frontman for the band. He is also the heart of it. He writes originals and handles the lead guitar and vocals. His style reminded me of Queensryche and Metallica. There is a touch of Iron Maiden in their sound as well as Judas Priest.  It is a sweet blend of new age rock with an old school feel. Classical metal is certainly an influence.  

I spoke to John McEwan recently about his music and enjoyed a moment in his sound. He says his promotional manager has a tough time classifying their music. If anything they are a unique set and an enjoyable sound.  His songs carry a message of hope and of God. They portray anguish over today's social climate. The spiritual side of Rock and Roll doesn't surface often, but when it does it carries with it a powerful message. 

The melodies are comfortable and the instrumental parts are energizing, emotion movers of guitar riffs and runs. John's voice is soothing and powerful. He loves what he does and you can tell that from the energy he pours into his exhibition. He is a talented soul and mentioned that his whole life revolves around those six strings. He humbly says he is a hack -- I beg to differ. This is one of their practice videos. I for one want to hear more of their music and wish them all the luck and good fortune this universe has to offer. 

Today Ends Tomorrow - Promo Medley

Where Is The Truth 

Vegas - A Menagerie of Stupidity

Little Black Dresses

Vegas' slogan for a few dozen years has been What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. That may not be so true in the modern era of social media and cell phones in the hand of every visitor that passes through this entertainment hub. The evidence of deeds untold is on someone's camera gallery. Did the scenes of the bachelor or bachelorette party end up as digital images? One might ponder the night's activities and sort out the details and the photographer by checking friend's Facebook or Instagram posts. Either way, I'm am sure it was all in good fun, at least for the time being. As a cab driver, I see and hear some toe-curling tales as I transport people to and fro across the Strip Corridor. Some stories I just cannot pass on. They are crude examples of human behavior and I chalk it up to the stupid things people do while they are here.

Black High Heels 

During the club hours, I see lovely ladies scattered across the hotel entrances. They are stunning. They are dressed to the nines and drifting along as gracefully as their high heels will allow them, but there are those few that appear as if they are wearing heels for the very first time. I once saw a girl fall of PLATFORM heels three times while in the crosswalk at the front of Bellagio. The first time she hit her knees. The second and third time she simply fell sideways a bit but kept her balance. Just remember that someone may have a video shoot featuring YOU if you happen to stumble along your tour of Vegas.

At the close of the clubs, I have seen these same beauties wheeled out in wheelchairs because they got a little too drunk. I've seen them painfully tip toe along because their feet were screaming in pain from the torturous shoes. I've seen them escape the front doors only to dive head first into garbage cans to wretch the nights indulgence, exposing their bottom to all in observance. Class acts, girls. Mind you, they did look absolutely fabulous at the beginning of the evening.

Keep it in check. Pace yourselves. Wear flats. I promise you will look just as beautiful. The added plus here is you won't suffer ankle injuries falling off your shoes... for now It's Party Time in Las Vegas!

Images permission Amazon associates - clicking on them and shopping will allow a small residual income for the author. 

Zazzle - Vegas Related Images (created by M Burgess)

This is me wearing heels - peach tshirt by LimoScenesVegas
Create unique custom tee shirts no minimum.

Las Vegas Silhouette - Post Card by LimoScenesVegas
Learn about postcard printing using Zazzle

EDC 2016 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

EDC 2016 just wrapped up and the sets are being torn down, the party goers are aching from the three day dance fest and indulgence. The cleaning crews are sweeping up confetti and the trucks are shipping the DJs to the next scheduled appearance. It is a spectacle of color and sound, The Electric Daisy Carnival. There are rides and stunning displays. The crowd is just as curious as the event decor. There are fireworks and flames. Fairies and unicorns. It is a blend of sight and sound dedicated to the celebration of the human spirit. It has also been a major summer scene in Vegas.

The first time I saw the ladies flitting around in the white bikinis and tutus I thought there was a costume party no one knew about. We quickly learned what EDC was all about. We'd like to thank those visitors for bringing their unique presence to our city and bringing your special style with you. It was an entertaining event all around.

Announcement Trailers:

Amazon EDC Shopping

Under the Electric Sky A behind the scenes look at
The Electric Daisy Carnival

Tees and more:

EDC 2016 Women's Tee

Local news related to the 2016 Electric Daisy Carnival

The Riviera - A Vegas Icon Up In Smoke

June 14, 2016 - This morning marks a turning point on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. A historical moment was recorded by hundreds of locals and a few dozen visitors alike. News teams rallied for their position on the surface and in the skies overhead via helicopters. The Riviera's Monaco Tower would be removed from existence in the early morning hours.

The Iconic Riviera Sign - One of the original neon creations familiar on the Resort Corridor in Las Vegas.

Everyone who was interested in the event jockeyed for position as close as the security monitors would let them. Paradise was closed to all traffic as were all the streets surrounding this aged property. The west end proved to be an adequate viewpoint for this author. The wait began. The first firework would launch and this would be the signal to pay close attention as the countdown began. A historical Vegas property would be turned into dust and rubble momentarily. There would be a large, gaping hole in the familiar skyline where this old resort stood. 

Interested onlookers drove as far in as they possibly could and gridlocked both the Strip corridor North and Paradise Road just east of the location. This stall in traffic movement would allow for spectators to safely step out of their cars and watch from the travel lanes. Cell phones were out and the implosion parties began. The fireworks and colorful displays were magnificent. 

Implosion parties are a tradition in this fair city. These hotels and casinos have hosted the biggest names in show business. It is with honor they are demolished. They are carefully folded up like an  old, familiar blanket and tucked away in photograph and video, a chapter in the city's history book. 

The close of a property's chapter in local history ends with a pyrotechnic bang and a nice crowd. They cheer, hoot, and holler in delight at the fireworks show preceding the explosion. The whistles and applause echo along with the concussion within the wired building. One by one support beams and flooring structures would knock loose and the structure would collapse neatly upon itself, leaving a huge dust cloud in its wake. It is the death of an icon. It is the end of an era.

East View 

(From my friend Travis Gunter)

West View 

(from the author M Burgess)

Sky View - News Reel

(KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas)

Famous Faces and Players from The Riviera

Images Courtesy Amazon Associates

Engelbert Humperdink

Johnny Carson

Red Skelton Program 

The Riviera - Las Vegas