Spotlight Feature: The Las Vegas Rescue Mission

Issue #006 - December 13th 2023

Author

John Wu
13 Dec

In this issue of SummerSouth Insider

🔍Spotlight Feature: The Las Vegas Rescue Mission

📆 This Week’s Upcoming Events

🌞 Today’s Weather

🎄Light Up Your Holiday Season: Tour Vegas's Most Festive Homes with an Easy-to-Use Online Map and Guide!

🏗 Las Vegas Eyes Pedestrian Safety with Potential $40M Bridge at Sahara Avenue

🎲🏈 Vegas Rolls Out the Red Carpet for a Super Bowl Spectacle: Get Ready for Unprecedented Thrills!

🎰MGM Resorts Announces Executive Changes: Promotions and Retirements Shake Up Leadership

🏀Trista Mabry: Rising High School Basketball Star Named Nevada Preps Girls Athlete of the Week

🏀Kevin Kruger's UNLV Squad Unstoppable: 10 Straight Wins Mark New Era

👮‍♂️Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

✅ We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

A Beacon of Hope in the Heart of Las Vegas

In the bustling city of Las Vegas, known for its glittering lights and endless entertainment, lies a haven of compassion and support - the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. This December, the mission shines even brighter as it embarks on a heartwarming initiative to gather donations for those in need, proving that the spirit of giving is alive and well in the city of neon lights.

A Mission of Giving

The Las Vegas Rescue Mission is not just a charity; it is a lifeline for many. This December, the mission is accepting donations at the Gardens, Trails, Vistas, and Willows Community Centers, inviting the community to share in the joy of giving. The items sought include blankets, winter coats, bath towels, underwear, and essential hygiene products, along with child and baby items like diapers and pajamas. These donations are more than just goods; they are gestures of hope and care for those facing challenging times.

More Than Just a Hand-Out

What sets the Las Vegas Rescue Mission apart is its philosophy of offering a 'hand-up, not just a hand-out.' This approach goes beyond mere charity; it's about empowering individuals. The mission provides meals, clothing, household items, and crucial life-skills counseling, all designed to help people regain their footing in life. It's a testament to the mission's belief in the potential of every individual to overcome adversity with the right support.

A Community United

The Las Vegas Rescue Mission's initiative is a reflection of the community's spirit. It's a reminder that amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, there's a community ready to support its most vulnerable members. The mission's efforts in December are not just about collecting items; they're about bringing people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Join the Mission

As the holiday season approaches, the Las Vegas Rescue Mission invites everyone to be part of this noble cause. Whether it's through donating goods or volunteering time, every contribution makes a difference. It's an opportunity for the residents of Las Vegas to show that their city is not just about bright lights and entertainment, but also about warmth, generosity, and community spirit. Learn More.

This Week’s Upcoming Events

December 13th

December 14th

December 15th 

 Holiday Parade: 6 PM- 6:50 PM  

December 16th

 Holiday Parade: 6 PM - 6:50 PM

December 17th

Light Up Your Holiday Season: Tour Vegas's Most Festive Homes with an Easy-to-Use Online Map and Guide!

More than 250 Las Vegas and Henderson homes decorated with festive Christmas lights and inflatables can be toured with the help of a map and online guide.

This is the 13th year Vegas Family Guide has published The Las Vegas Christmas Lights Map. The community-curated map boasts more than 250 homes decorated for the holiday season.

This year’s map and guide feature the “Top 20 Christmas Homes,” as well as noteworthy neighborhoods that have decked the halls. The map is updated daily thanks to contributions from local light hoppers and community members.

Festive homes can be submitted to the map though an online form, text or email. Homeowners and light enthusiasts alike are welcome to send in their favorites to be added.

Las Vegas Eyes Pedestrian Safety with Potential $40M Bridge at Sahara Avenue

The Las Vegas City Council is moving forward with plans for a futuristic pedestrian bridge at the busy intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. Last week, they awarded Innova Technologies a contract to conduct a structural review of the design previously completed by GC Wallace. However, there's no set timeline for when the project might be bid out to contractors or when construction could begin. The bridge, aiming to improve pedestrian safety in an area with a high rate of vehicle traffic and accidents, could cost up to $40 million.

Las Vegas spokesman Jace Radke stated that the city will decide on pursuing funding and bidding the project after receiving the structural review. The intersection, which sees up to 85,000 vehicles and thousands of pedestrians daily, has witnessed 595 crashes resulting in 326 injuries and two fatalities between 2009 and 2018. This development is part of the growth in the north Strip area, highlighted by the opening of Resorts World in 2020 and the upcoming debut of Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Vegas Rolls Out the Red Carpet for a Super Bowl Spectacle: Get Ready for Unprecedented Thrills!

Brimming with anticipation, Las Vegas stands on the cusp of hosting an extraordinary Super Bowl, an event heralded by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as nothing short of spectacular. Amidst the lively buzz of a recent "kickoff brunch," a tapestry of stakeholders illuminated the 2024 Super Bowl's transformative potential for a city now proudly known as the "Sports Capital of the World."

Goodell's enthusiasm was palpable as he envisioned Las Vegas infusing the Super Bowl with its iconic, glittering essence, effectively catapulting the community into the global spotlight. He lauded the foresight of the city's leaders, whose dreams and determination have sculpted Las Vegas into a nexus of sports and entertainment. For them, the Super Bowl transcends the boundaries of a mere game; it's a golden opportunity for Las Vegas to shimmer on the world stage.

Echoing this sentiment, UFC's Senior Executive Vice President and COO, Lawrence Epstein, sang praises of Las Vegas's unparalleled infrastructure, a cornerstone for orchestrating events of this magnitude. The city, with its constellation of top-tier hotels, gourmet restaurants, vibrant nightclubs, and state-of-the-art arenas, has evolved into a haven for sports and entertainment aficionados.

In a gesture of community spirit, the Super Bowl Host Committee unveiled the Super Bowl Legacy Grant program. This collaboration with the NFL Foundation and Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee Charities is a commitment to inject $3 million into local nonprofits in the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII. The kickoff event itself saw more than two dozen nonprofit champions sharing in the first tranche of $1.2 million.

Goodell confidently asserted that the Super Bowl would imprint a lasting, positive legacy on the Las Vegas community. With the event's advertising spots already snapped up, the city is abuzz with excitement, eagerly awaiting its inaugural Super Bowl. Goodell's expectation for the event? To surpass perfection, a testament to the lofty aspirations and electric atmosphere enveloping it.

This pivotal moment marks Las Vegas's ascension as a formidable force in the sports arena, seamlessly aligning with its ongoing metamorphosis into a premier sports destination.

MGM Resorts Announces Executive Changes: Promotions and Retirements Shake Up Leadership

MGM Resorts International has announced significant executive promotions and changes following the departure of Anton Nikodemus, who left for a role at Howard Hughes Holdings. Ayesha Molino has been promoted to President and COO of Vdara and Aria, and Sean Lanni will assume the role of President and COO of The Cosmopolitan starting April 1.

Molino, joining MGM Resorts in 2017, has been influential in public affairs and served as senior vice president in the area. Her background includes working as chief counsel to the late Senator Harry Reid, focusing on gaming policy. She will maintain involvement in MGM Resorts' communications, government, and public affairs operations.

Lanni, who has been with MGM Resorts since 2007, will continue his role as president of international marketing while taking on his new responsibilities. His experience includes financial analysis, development, and marketing roles within the company.

Additionally, Chuck Bowling, President and COO of Mandalay Bay and Luxor, will retire on June 1 after over 25 years with MGM Resorts. He will stay on as a consultant. His successor will be Travis Lunn, who has been with MGM since 2013 and held various leadership positions, including at the MGM Grand and other MGM properties in Mississippi and New Jersey. Lunn was most recently the president and COO of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

These changes follow Nikodemus' move to become CEO of Seaport Entertainment, a Howard Hughes Holdings spinoff focusing on entertainment operations, including potential casino development at the Fashion Show mall. Nikodemus previously oversaw operations at The Cosmopolitan, Vdara, and Aria for City Center.

The executive reshuffle at MGM Resorts International reflects a strategic move to strengthen its leadership team, aligning with its ongoing commitment to growth and excellence in the hospitality and entertainment industry.

Trista Mabry: Rising High School Basketball Star Named Nevada Preps Girls Athlete of the Week

Trista Mabry, #22, Class of 2025, Desert Pines High School

Trista Mabry, a junior forward at Desert Pines High School, is quickly making a name for herself in the world of basketball. Her exceptional skills and dedication have earned her the title of Nevada Preps Girls Athlete of the Week. This honor came after a standout performance against Palo Verde, where she scored 21 points and led the Jaguars to a resounding 55-18 victory.

Throughout the season, Mabry has been an integral part of the Desert Pines girls basketball team, which has been driven to excel after narrowly missing out on the Class 4A state title in February. Now competing in the top classification, 5A, Mabry's contributions have been vital to the team's success.

Mabry's versatility and consistency have been evident in her play. In a game against Arbor View, she showcased her all-around skills, scoring 9 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Her rebounding prowess has been particularly impressive, with her securing eight or more rebounds in her last three games.

In a game against Cheyenne, Mabry achieved a remarkable triple-double, scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 blocks, which played a significant role in Desert Pines' 63-7 victory. Additionally, in a playoff game against Doral Academy, Mabry scored 14 points, had five rebounds, and three blocks, helping her team to an impressive 84-13 win.

Trista Mabry's accomplishments and impact on her team highlight her as a rising star in high school basketball, as she continues to demonstrate not only her scoring ability but also her ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.

Kevin Kruger's UNLV Squad Unstoppable: 10 Straight Wins Mark New Era

The UNLV basketball team has shown a remarkable performance in the 2022-2023 season, achieving a perfect 10-0 record after their victory over Washington State with a score of 74-70. This marks the first time the program has started a season with such a record since the 1990-91 campaign, a notable era under coach Jerry Tarkanian when they were the defending national champions​​.

Kevin Kruger, the second-year head coach of UNLV, has been cautious in comparing his team to the iconic 1990-91 squad. Despite the pressure of comparisons and the growing attention, Kruger remains focused on the current season's challenges and achievements. He emphasizes that while the team is undefeated and one of the only eight remaining in the country with such a record, comparisons to past glory are not his focus. The team's success this season has been largely attributed to their aggressive defensive strategy, which has been a key factor in their victories​​.

A significant aspect of UNLV's success has been their ability to force turnovers and convert them into points. In the game against Washington State, the team caused 22 turnovers, leading to 31 points, including a decisive 18-0 run in the first half. This defensive prowess, combined with standout performances from players like sophomore guard Keshon Gilbert, who scored a career-high 25 points, and senior E.J. Harkless with 20 points, has been instrumental in maintaining their undefeated status​​.

Looking forward, UNLV had a week off before facing San Francisco, followed by a game against Southern Mississippi to wrap up non-conference play. Coach Kruger acknowledges the growing hype and attention around the team as they continue to excel, indicating that each game presents a bigger challenge. There's a possibility that the team could enter the Mountain West season unbeaten, considering their form and the quality of upcoming opponents​​.

In summary, UNLV's basketball team, under the guidance of Kevin Kruger, has made an impressive start to the season, mirroring some of the program's historical success. With a strong defensive strategy and key players stepping up, the team has positioned itself as a formidable force in college basketball, drawing national attention and setting high expectations for the remainder of the season.

Courtesy of @LVMPD_Summerlin

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