While celebrating its 60th anniversary at a private media event, and press conference, held at Sunset Springs Ranch, Opportunity Village announced they have been offered the largest monetary donation in the history of the organization – $35 million – from the Engelstad Family Foundation. Believed to be the largest private foundation gift ever given to an organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities, the generous amount will be provided as a challenge gift, which has already been partially matched by Dorothy and Lacy Harber, owners of Sunset Springs Ranch (former Wayne Newton estate), who came forward with a donation $10 million.
Ending with Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman’s proclamation of “Opportunity Village Year”, many other announcements were made, including plans to commemorate Opportunity Village’s 60th Anniversary with a full year of celebrations through May 15, 2015; plans for The Village residences, the organization’s first residential facility, and a permanent North Campus; a retrofit of its Oakey Campus, which houses the organization’s renowned Magical Forest holiday attraction; and an expansion of the Walters Family Campus, home of the Paper Prossm document management division. In an effort to secure the additional funding necessary for these projects, Opportunity Village also announced it will execute an aggressive $136 million Capital Campaign crucial to the success of the unveiled projects.
“While we are excited to celebrate and reflect on Opportunity Village’s accomplishments over the last 60 years, our work is not done,” Linda Smith, Chief Development Officer of the Opportunity Village Foundation, said. “We have very ambitious plans, and with the help of benefactors like the Engelstad Family Foundation and the Harber Family, we can make these plans a reality. We encourage our community to follow their lead in helping to grow Opportunity Village so that we can someday meet the needs of every person on our waiting list.”
Smith added, “Words cannot express our gratitude to the Engelstad Family Foundation. Their generosity will go a very long way toward positioning Opportunity Village for the next 60 years – and beyond.” She concluded by saying, “This truly is our year, and what an amazing way to kick-start our 60th Anniversary year of celebrations.”
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If you are one of those millions of radio listeners who follow the “comedy channels on, Sirius/XM, Slacker, Pandora’s Box, or any of the other myriad of outlets broadcasting stand-up comedy, you have heard of Jeff “Big Daddy” Wayne. And, surprise, surprise, you can see him live, beginning Monday through Sunday (5/26-6/1, 2014), at the Comedy Club inside the Riviera Hotel & Casino.
His six nationally released CDs, are constantly played on rotation. Now some new laughs are on the way! Wayne just released his new comedy CD, “Big Daddy Knows.” In the new release, Wayne takes you through all the issues of today, taking no prisoners in route: Texting, cougars, TV reality shows featuring Bigfoot, Ghosts, UFO’s, and the latest fad of pretentious Hollywood— Elephant Dung Coffee! “Good to the last plop!”
A seasoned veteran of comedy clubs, concerts, luxury cruise ships, and television, Wayne is perhaps best known for his one-man show, “Big Daddy’s Barbeque,” (Grilling Food, Sex and Marriage), which he has performed in theaters throughout the world. “I am truly internationally unknown, and I love it!” he said. Originally, Wayne followed the one-man show, “Defending the Caveman,” for three years on the Improv Comedy Circuit, with the special “Barbequ
e” show. Jeff hopes to spark some Las Vegas interest for the truly rib-smoking laughter show, while playing the Riviera. Originally a native of Kentucky, he now makes his home in Los Angeles, which he calls, “That big plastic taco out west.”
From Los Angeles Wayne travels to engagements across the globe, and gets to, “strip for the TSA every week! I’m thinking about bringing a tip jar! It would be really nice not having to travel so much. I’m tired of stripping for the TSA, and only getting applause,” Wayne said. As for his experience as a comedian, “I’ve paid my dues. I just think I’ve been overbilled!”
Jeff “Big Daddy” Wayne will be sharing the Riviera stage with the legendary Jimmie (JJ) Walker. The show will be more than, “Dynomite! TNT plus Dynomite,” equals a huge comedy blast!” Show time nightly is 8:30 pm, with tickets priced at $29.99, and you must be 21 years of age or older, with a valid ID to enter. The Riviera Hotel and Casino is located at 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. So., Las Vegas. For reservations call 1-702-794-433. For more information: www.jeffbigdaddywayne.com.
Fremont Street Experience invites the public to, “Zip Now, Zoom Soon,” on the world’s most unique zipline – SlotZilla™. The new iconic attraction, built over the past 14 months at a cost of $12 million, is opening in two phases with the lower Zipline now open and the upper Zoomline opening later this spring. “A lot of time and care went into the development of SlotZilla, and we’re truly thrilled to be able to finally present this new iconic attraction for Las Vegas visitors and residents to experience,” Jeff Victor, president of Fremont Street Experience, said. “Whether you zip now, zoom soon or do both, SlotZilla is a one-of-a-kind thrill that must be experienced. We believe the 12-story slot-machine-themed takeoff tower, which glows in neon at night, is a new must-see icon that can only be found at Fremont Street Experience in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas.”
SlotZilla flyers will, `Zip & Zoom – Vegas Style,’ on the world’s most unique zipline. The attraction features two thrill levels, a lower Zipline and an upper Zoomline. Flyers on the Zipline will take off from the lower tier of the tower, 77 ft. high, and zip in a traditional seated-harness position on an 850 ft. flight – half the length of the Fremont Street Experience – to a mid-point landing platform located between 3rd Street Stage and Casino Center. Flyers on the Zoomline will be launched from 114 ft. high and zoom in a horizontal “superman” position 1,700 ft. across the entire length of Fremont Street Experience, landing atop a newly built Main Street Stage. Both levels deliver an experience unique in the world – flying above thousands of people on Fremont Street, and under the four-block-long Viva Vision canopy, which is the world’s largest video screen.
SlotZilla will be open Sundays through Thursdays, from noon to midnight, and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 2 a.m. Flights are $20 for the lower Zipline and will be $30 for the upper Zoomline. There are no age limits, but flyers under 13 must be accompanied by a flyer at least 13 or over. Flyers must weigh at least 60 pounds, but not more than 300 pounds, and persons over 6’8” will not be able to fly on the lower Zipline. Flight times can be booked in advance at the SlotZilla ticketing, will call & check-in office located next to the SlotZilla takeoff tower on Fremont Street between 4th Street and Las Vegas Boulevard at 425 Fremont St., Ste. 160. Ticket purchases can also be made by calling 1-844-ZIPVEGAS. Advance group sales for 20 or more tickets can be made by calling (702) 678-5780 or 1-844-SLOTZILLA.
After two sold-out shows in 2013 at Station Casinos’ properties, Red Rock Resort is proud to welcome Academy Award-winning actor, Jeff Bridges, back to Las Vegas, for two live performances at Rocks Lounge. Bridges and The Abiders will perform Friday, June 20 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the show are $49 and $69, plus tax and applicable fees, are now on sale. Doors open one hour before performance time, and guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Reward Center and The Fiestas or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. One of Hollywood’s most successful actors and a six-time Academy Award® nominee, Jeff Bridges’ performance in “Crazy Heart”—as Bad Blake, the down-on-his-luck, alcoholic country music singer at the center of the drama—deservedly garnered the iconic performer his first Oscar® for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. The performance also earned him the Golden Globe, SAG Award, and the IFP/Spirit Award for Lead Actor.
Well, gang, that’s it for another week of fascinating news.