Nevada 150 Announces Nevada Day Parade Details

The Nevada 150 Sesquicentennial Commission has announced that Las Vegas will join the Nevada Day celebration with a Nevada 150 commemorative parade. The October 2014 festivities include four Nevada Day parades to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Nevada’s statehood, including the first Las Vegas Nevada Day Parade planned as the largest Nevada Day celebration in Southern Nevada.

“Nevada Day is one of those unique celebrations that truly captures the heritage of our state's sense of community and spirit,” says Lieutenant Governor and Nevada 150 chairman Brian Krolicki. “While we thoroughly enjoy our parades and long-beard contests, it is a celebration of who we are. Being Nevada's 150th birthday only makes the day more meaningful.”

Las Vegas Nevada Day Parade
On Nevada Day, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 at 10 a.m., the Las Vegas Nevada Day Parade will be held downtown along 4th Street. The parade is scheduled to last approximately two hours and will feature 150 entries and six categories: float, equestrian, marching band, motorized vehicle, walking group, and other. Cash prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Overall Best Of, Best Historical Significance, Best Float, Best Equestrian, Best Marching Band, and Best Vehicle. The parade will be produced by the City of Las Vegas and is made possible through a $100,000 grant from the City of Las Vegas Centennial Commission through its Las Vegas Centennial History Grant Program.

“Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and we are excited to be hosting a fabulous     sesquicentennial parade to celebrate Nevada Day,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman says. “I want to     thank the Centennial Commission for contributing funding for this event to celebrate this major     milestone for our state.”

For additional information about the Las Vegas Nevada Day Parade please call 702-229-6672 or e-mail ecarter@LasVegasNevada.gov. To submit a parade application please visit lasvegasnevada.gov.  

Elko Nevada Day Parade
Also to be held on Nevada Day, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at 11 a.m. Elko hosts its 27th annual Nevada Day Parade. Chairmen Jim and Rose Conner, will start taking entries on October 1 until the day of the parade, and line-up will be handled by long-time committee members consisting of family and friends. The parade will run its usual route from the Crystal Theater to the Elko County Fairgrounds.  This parade is sponsored by the Elko Knights of Columbus Council #2511.

“Elko is truly proud of its Nevada heritage and we are Battle Born and Nevada Proud,” says Don Newman, executive director of the Elko Convention & Visitors Authority and Nevada 150 commissioner. “We look forward to celebrating Nevada’s 150th birthday in style at our annual Nevada Day Parade through downtown Elko”.

For additional information about the Elko Nevada Day Parade please call Rose Conner at 775-738-7991.

Virginia City Nevada Day Parade
To be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, the Virginia City parade route travels down historic C Street starting at the Fourth Ward School. This year’s parade combines the annual Halloween entries along with those that celebrate the 150th anniversary of Nevada statehood. The parade, organized by the Virginia City Tourism Commission, takes place just before the Nevada 150 Masquerade Ball, a Nevada 150 signature event, held at Piper’s Opera House. The 19th century mining bonanza known as the Comstock Lode turned Virginia City into one of the most important industrial cities between Denver and San Francisco. The riches from Virginia City led to the early development of Western Nevada and the Silver State’s entry into the union on October 31, 1864. 

“The gold and silver from Virginia City played a huge role in Nevada becoming the 36th state,” says Deny Dotson, director of the Virginia City Tourism Commission. “We are excited to host the Nevada Day Parade in conjunction with our Nevada 150 Masquerade Ball, right here where it all began in Virginia City.”

For additional information about the Virginia City Nevada Day Parade or Nevada 150 Masquerade Ball please visit visitvirginiacitynv.com or call 775-847-7500.

Carson City Nevada Day Parade
The 2014 Carson City Nevada Day Parade takes place on Saturday, Nov. 1 in our state’s capital; this year's parade theme is “Happy 150th Birthday Nevada.” The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with a hot air balloon launch near the Carson Mall on Carson Street (weather permitting). At 10 a.m., a military flyover signals the start of the parade.

This annual tradition features over 200 entries, including local law enforcement, public officials, floats, marching bands, a variety of entertainment, and even the occasional surprise celebrity appearance. The parade begins at the intersection of William and Carson Streets, and concludes approximately at the intersection of Stewart and Carson Streets.

“For more than 75 years, the Nevada Day Parade has been an institution and a source of pride for Nevadans,” says Ken Hamilton, president of Nevada Day Inc., a not-for-profit 501c3 organization. “With this year being the 150th anniversary of Nevada's statehood, it's a wonderful opportunity for Nevadans and visitors to come be a part of our state's history.” 

More than just a parade, the Nevada Day celebration continues all weekend long, with dozens of special events taking place all around Northern Nevada. To learn more about Nevada's longest running celebration of statehood, visit nevadaday.com.

For more information on the above scheduled parades or to view all other upcoming events for the Nevada 150 celebration, please visit nevada150.org. Additional communities wishing to host a parade or other events may submit an event application by visiting the above website.

Two New Nevada Hotels Announce Opening Dates

Opening in May 2014, the Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno’s only non-gaming and non-smoking hotel, is targeted to active-lifestyle guests who want to take advantage of the area’s local culture, geography, and natural resources. The hotel is only 30 minutes from the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing guests easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities.

Upon completion (rendering at left), Whitney Peak will also feature Cargo, a live concert venue featuring indie rock, pop, and alternative artists; BaseCamp, a 7,000-square-foot indoor boulder park featuring the world’s tallest exterior climbing wall; and a restaurant serving fresh, locally inspired cuisine, craft beers, local wines, and unique cocktails.

Also, renowned nightlife and hospitality leader sbe announced that the highly anticipated SLS Las Vegas hotel will open its doors on Labor Day weekend this year (rendering below). As the first property to open on the Las Vegas Strip in several years, SLS Las Vegas is bringing new life to the city.

SLS Las Vegas is the first Las Vegas hotel by sbe and will feature an imaginative mix of the most innovative nightlife, dining, and entertainment experiences under one roof. Notable brands opening at SLS Las Vegas include a reinvention of the popular L.A. nightspot, The Sayers Club, and dynamic restaurant concepts including The Bazaar by José Andrés, Katsuya, Cleo, 800 Degrees, Umami Burger and The Griddle Café, with more to be announced.

James Lee Reeves is Nevada Proud

You would be hard pressed to find anyone more passionate about Nevada than Virginia City musician James Lee Reeves. All you have to do is search his name on iTunes, and you'll discover his 2012 album, "I'll Take Nevada," which contains seven can't-get-'em-out-of-your-head country songs about the Silver State. You can also purchase his single, "Shiny Side Up (Dirty Down)," an anthem for Nevada's mass motorcycle culture that shows up in droves at such annual events as Reno's Street Vibrations.

Reeves is a Nevadan through and through. Before he settled into his handmade log home in the Virginia City Highlands, he made a name for himself 25 years ago on the Las Vegas Strip. "I lived in Mount Charleston for four years, and then I moved to Vegas because I worked there as an entertainer/comedian," says Reeves, who performed as Milo Tremley from 1988-94. Tremley's hilarious redneck ensemble would have made Larry the Cable Guy envious.

Luckily for Nevadans and Nevada lovers, Reeves continues to write Nevada songs. Before 2013 came to a close, he wrote "Battle Born, Nevada Proud," an homage to Nevada's sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) year of 2014. He also recorded "Nevada Magazine," which salutes the official state publication's nearly 80 years of service.

The third new song is a Nevada-ized version of Hank Snow's Classic "I've Been Everywhere," made famous of course by Johnny Cash. Reeves' version, based on a 2010 Editor's Note by Nevada Magazine's Matthew B. Brown, is titled, "We've Been Everywhere (in Nevada)."

You can hear all three new songs below.

"Battle Born, Nevada Proud" Or click here


"Nevada Magazine" Or click here


"We've Been Everywhere (in Nevada)" Or click here

Historical Nevada Book Now Available

In honor of Nevada’s 150th birthday in 2014, Nevada Magazine is publishing a special book titled Historical Nevada: 150 Memorable Images in Celebration of the Silver State's Sesquicentennial. This 160-page publication is a great way for Nevadans and Nevada enthusiasts to celebrate the state's heritage. The cover shows the Virginia & Truckee Railroad as it was in 1876 Carson City.

The book also pays homage to Nevada Magazine's annual Nevada Historical Calendar, because the 150 images showcased are the most intriguing and memorable from 36 years of calendars (1978-2013). "We carefully scanned and edited the photos to preserve their original attributes," says Nevada Magazine Publisher Janet Geary. "We know you will enjoy this nine-decade journey through the different eras that shaped Nevada and helped create the state we know and love today."

From 1870s Virginia City to 1950s Las Vegas, Historical Nevada illustrates the Silver State's rise from a sparsely populated mining mecca into a world-renowned tourist destination. It also includes a Foreword by Richard Moreno, who was the Nevada Magazine publisher from 1992 to 2006. He has authored a number of Nevada history books, most recently A Short History of Carson City, and he is currently a professor at Western Illinois University.

Each book is $29.95 plus $6 shipping and handling. To order, visit nevadamagazine.com, or call 775-687-0610. Nevada state employees can get the Historical Nevada book for $25 by e-mailing carrie@nevadamagazine.com or calling 775-687-0610.

Nevada Magazine Announces 2013 Best of Nevada Winners

Nevada Magazine has released the results of its 2013 Best of Nevada readers' survey. The survey spans 16 categories and includes golf courses, museums, restaurants, and state parks.

In most cases, winners are divided into three subcategories: North, South, and Rural. The top vote-getter was Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, which took honors in the North category for Casino, Hotel, Nightclub (EDGE), and Wedding Venue.

“We are excited about the enthusiasm our readers have for the State of Nevada,” said Janet Geary, publisher of Nevada Magazine. Many businesses and attractions leveraged social media to campaign for their categories. “The power of social networking is evident with surveys such as our annual Best of Nevada,” added Geary.

Carson City's Casino Fandango was a multiple-category winner as well for Buffet (Rum Jungle Buffet) and Casino. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno received recognition in the Museum and (best) Place to Take the Kids categories. Reno's Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe again garnered top honors in the Ski Resort category, which is not divided into subcategories.

Photo: Cindy Joyce

In food categories, Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille (Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno) and Carnival World Buffet (Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) were the other Buffet winners. Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse (Bonanza Casino in Reno), Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas), and The Star Hotel in Elko won in the Restaurant category.

A complete Best of Nevada 2013 list is published in the current July/August 2013 issue of Nevada Magazine, on newsstands now, and on nevadamagazine.com.

Also in the current issue are stories about backcountry lakes, rural Nevada campgrounds, wildlife sanctuaries, the monarch butterfly, and a History story about the state's innovative Mobile Museum that traveled around Nevada in the 1950s and '60s.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas Prepares For Grand Opening

Rendering

-- Gold and Season Pass holders to be among first park guests --
-- Operating dates and times – In-park services details on website --

Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas waterpark is in the final stages of construction and today announced additional details regarding park operating hours, special days for Gold Pass and Season Pass holders, and information on other services being offered inside the park. Gold Pass and Season Pass holders will be among the first to try the more than 25 slides and attractions at the new water park beginning Memorial Day Weekend. Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas is located at 7055 S. Fort Apache Rd., just west of the I-215 and W. Sunset Road exit.

Operating Hours and Days*
● May 25-27: Gold Pass holders only from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
● May 28-31: Season Pass and Gold Pass holders only from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
● June 1-2: Season Pass and Gold Pass holders only from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
● June 3-Sept. 30: Single day admissions, groups and pass holders
Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Pricing, dates, and time are subject to change.

“We’re excited to welcome our Gold Pass and Season Pass holders with special days starting Memorial Day weekend to be among the first to enjoy all our slides and attractions,” said Takuya Ohki, Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas general manager. “Our pass holders’ support, eagerness and excitement since the water park was first announced has been tremendous, and providing them with exclusive time in the park is one way we can show our appreciation.”

Single-day admission tickets that can be used beginning June 3 will go on sale soon on the park’s website. Pre-season discounts on the Season Pass and Gold Pass will end on June 2 with a regular Season Pass and Gold Pass pricing beginning on June 3. Ohki said the various pass options provide the best value to enjoy the park throughout the season.

Details on the many in-park services — such as cabana, locker, and tube rentals — and more group event information has been added to the park website. For more information, visit wetnwildlasvegas.com, and click on the Park Info and/or FAQs tabs.

Read more about the waterpark in Nevada Magazine's May/June 2013 issue, or here.

How Fast Can You Go?

Introducing American Muscle Car Challenge by Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Now you can settle the dispute over which of these icons is King of American Muscle — the Camaro ZL1, the Challenger SRT8, or the Shelby GT500. Get behind the wheel of all three at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway test track, where data acquisition systems will measure acceleration, braking efficiency, cornering capability, and top speed. Drive all three for just $199.

Click here to book your challenge today.

Morelli House Receives National Recognition

Junior League of Las Vegas headquarters named to National Register of Historic Places.

Junior League of Las Vegas announced recently that its headquarters, the Morelli House, former home of revered Sands Hotel Orchestra Leader Antonio Morelli and his wife Helen, located at 861 East Bridger Avenue, has been recently listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places, named by The National Register, the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. This esteemed honor, conferred by the U.S. Park Service, is part of a national program that supports public and private efforts to identify and protect America’s historic resources.

National designation was granted on two criteria: Antonio Morelli’s contributions to the Las Vegas community and the structure’s mid-century modern architecture. Prior to this national recognition, the Morelli House was listed on the Nevada State Register of Historic Places in 2001 and on the City of Las Vegas Historic Property Register in 2007.

A classic, mid-century modern home, the Morelli house was built in 1959 by Antonio and Helen Morelli at its original location of 52 Country Club Drive within the former Desert Inn Estates. In 2001, after being subject to demolition to make way for Wynn Resorts, the Junior League relocated the architecturally impressive home to its current location in the downtown Las Vegas historic district. Final restoration was completed in 2009.

In addition to its architectural significance, the house represents Antonio Morelli’s years of achievement and importance in Las Vegas entertainment history as the conductor of the Sands Copa Room Orchestra for nearly 20 years. Antonio considered the building of his home to be one of the greatest challenges of his life.

It was a place where legendary gatherings took place, where a variety of local Strip headliners — including members of the famed Rat Pack, professional musicians, and prominent locals — enjoyed the hospitality of the Morelli’s. Antonio is also credited for producing pop concerts and religious pageants for Las Vegas locals where lavish, star-studded performances were provided free to the public.

Read more about the Morelli House in this Nevada Magazine article, which was published n the March/April 2009 issue.

Nevada Magazine explores Las Vegas’ cultural side

Nevada Magazine’s January/February 2012 issue is available on newsstands throughout Nevada. Featured in the edition are multiple Southern Nevada museums, highlighted by the opening of The Mob Museum on February 14. Former Las Vegas defense attorney and mayor Oscar Goodman is one of four people interviewed who have strong connections to the new museum, which is housed in the city’s historic former federal building and post office on Stewart Avenue.

The new Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas at Springs Preserve leads off the issue’s other feature story (watch a video of Governor Sandoval's speech at the museum's November 12 opening below). Among the other museums covered are two additional state museums — the Lost City Museum in Overton and Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City — the National Atomic Testing Museum, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, and the Neon Museum.

Also featured in the issue are the Mizpah Hotel, which recently reopened in Tonopah, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, The Gun Store in Las Vegas, Reno-Sparks bakeries, and Reno’s CommRow, home to the world’s tallest artificial climbing wall. The issue also debuts new “Visions” (spotlighting outstanding photography) and “Nature” departments.

To view the digital editions of Nevada Magazine's sister publications, Las Vegas Events & Shows or Nevada Events & Shows, click here. If readers missed any of the magazine’s special Territory issues of 2011, they can view them here.

Touring the Nevada Test Site

DOE helicopters fly radiation-monitoring personnel and photographers over Yucca Flat during tests. Yucca Flat is dotted with more than 200 subsidence craters from underground explosions.

By David Lusvardi

Who knew that you could find a broken-up Delta Airlines fuselage in the middle of the Nevada National Security Site (formerly the Nevada Test Site)? Or a house that has withstood an atomic blast? What about a bridge section that looks like a bent-up piece of Chicago’s “L” Train? 

Just an hour north of Las Vegas lies the Nevada National Security Site, a restricted area of government land that is rich in history, and even richer in legend. What really went on there, and what are they doing there now? Amazingly enough, you can find out for yourself. The U.S. Department of Energy offers free monthly tours of the famous site. You need to sign up months in advance, however (the next available tour is April 24, 2012). Also, prospective visitors need to provide personal information in advance for clearance to tour the site.

Within the restricted area, visitors will be entertained by signs such as:
• Caution: Underground Radioactive Material
• Controlled Area (on smaller roads that fork off from the main road)
• Caution: Radioactive Material
• Radioactive Area, Digging Prohibited

In one area, where they used to test nuclear bombs, they built elevated railroad sections, similar to Chicago’s “L” train. You can see how the historic blast bent the steel and pulled out the rivets from the sections. Nearby is evidence of the aluminum and steel test domes that were warped and wrinkled like paper or foil. Other structures of brick, wood, and earth demonstrate their various abilities or inabilities to withstand a nuclear explosion.

In a different section, houses were built, stocked with mannequins, furniture, and food to test the effects of atomic tests. Cars, airplanes, railroads, and different types of buildings were constructed to see how they would hold up.

The trenches are still there, from which some of the military observed the blasts. So is News Nob, where reporters could watch the happenings.

The largest cratering shot in the Plowshare Program, Sedan Crater, was fired at the Nevada Test Site on July 6, 1962.

An interesting site is the massive Sedan Crater, blown out on July 6, 1962. This was to demonstrate the potential of Nuclear Excavation, which could save time on major building projects. The explosion displaced 6.5 million cubic yards of earth. That number may not mean much to most people, but the 1,280-foot diameter crater can be seen from earth orbit.  Speaking of orbit, in 1970, NASA astronauts trained at the site to take advantage of the virtual lunar landscape.

A different section of the NNSS, Frenchman Flats, houses a low-level radioactive waste facility. Although we hear about these on television, most people do not see them. There are a number of large fields that look like man-made mesas which are 8 to 12 feet above ground. Each is a finished “cell.” A cell is a big, flat-bottomed pit that is dug into the ground into which large metal containers are stacked neatly and organized by size. 

The large metal containers, which look similar to dumpsters, contain waste that is shipped in from all over the country. Most of the waste inside is concrete, debris, or soil. A typical cell is 25 feet deep. When the cell is full, it is covered over with dirt to bury the waste. The cell may be finished, but it is constantly monitored for alpha, beta, and gamma rays, as well as temperature and moisture, to make sure it does not pollute the ground water or atmosphere. Last year, there were 3 million cubic feet of nuclear waste received; this year a total of 1.8 million is anticipated.

The majority of the NNSS is surrounded by the Nevada Test and Training Range (U.S. Air Force). Three sides of the site are adjacent to Air Force-held land. The bottom section of the site is adjacent to Bureau of Land Management lands.

Other places within the site include the cement plant, where they manufacture all of their own cement, and an epoxy plant, where they make the material to plug the holes after testing. There is also a Homeland Security Research and Development facility to develop new equipment and another area to train fire, police, and other first responders in the event of a radioactive emergency.

Much of the rest of the vast site is mountains and valleys with sporadic mounds of dirt, pipes and tubes sticking out of the ground, locked shacks, warning signs, and Joshua trees.

To make plans for your own tour of the Nevada Test Site, click here.

To see more photos from the test site, click here.

Read about the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas here.

Photos courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office

Las Vegas resident wins Nevada Magazine’s 2011 Photo Contest

The winning image, titled “Night Sky Over Ward Charcoal Ovens,” was taken at
eastern Nevada’s Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. Photo: Thomas McEwan

Thomas McEwan, who captured a starry night at eastern Nevada’s Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, is the Grand Prize winner of Nevada Magazine’s 34th annual Great Nevada Picture Hunt photo contest—the feature story in the publication’s September/October issue.

The winning image, titled “Night Sky Over Ward Charcoal Ovens” and shown above, was stitched together from six 75-second exposure frames and is a tribute to Nevada’s astronomical appeal. “You would think it would be jet black at night, but the starlight was so bright, I was able to work without a flashlight,” says McEwan, from Las Vegas.

In addition to the Grand Prize, photographers were judged in six categories: Las Vegas Territory, Pony Express Territory, Cowboy Country, Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, and Reno-Tahoe Territory (see map here). The Nevada Commission on Tourism has split the state into these six “territories” for marketing purposes.

All the 2011 category winners and runners-up are Nevada residents, including Reno’s Sally Hanrahan, who won the Indian Territory and Reno-Tahoe Territory categories. Hanrahan’s winning photos are of Pyramid Lake and Lake Tahoe, respectively.

Nevada Magazine’s
September/October 2011 issue.
Photo: Dave Harrison

The other territory winners are as follows: Kurt Kuznicki of Reno for “Joshua Trees”; Robert Rollins of Reno for “Fort Churchill”; Roy O’Brien of Gardnerville for “Autumn Morning” taken in Lamoille Canyon; and Brian Beffort of Reno for “Wilderness Whitewater” snapped near Mount Grafton.

Like Hanrahan, Spring Creek’s Jodi Esplin is also a dual honoree, taking Runner-Up in the Cowboy Country category and Third Place in the contest’s seventh category, “Then & Now,” in which photographers were asked to re-create former Nevada Highways and Parks or Nevada Magazine cover images.

The winner of Then & Now, Dawn Andone of Panaca, was rewarded for her modern-day photo of Cathedral Gorge State Park, a re-creation of a March 1937 cover of Nevada Highways and Parks.

To view the winning images, pick up the latest issue at national bookstores and where magazines are sold in Nevada, or visit nevadamagazine.com. Look for an ad in a future 2012 issue covering rules of submission for the 2012 contest, or check back regularly at nevadamagazine.com.

Nevada Magazine celebrates Nevada Silver Trails

The remainder of the September/October 2011 issue honors Nevada’s second-largest territory, Nevada Silver Trails. In it are features on Silver Trails parks and recreation—including Death Valley National Park and Lincoln County’s five state parks—and a roundup of 17 south-central towns.

Also highlighted are Yerington’s Jeanne Dini Cultural Center, Death Valley Junction’s Amargosa Opera House, off-the-beaten-path destinations, noteworthy events, and a history story titled “Gold Finds Make Nevada History,” an excerpt from Nevada Magazine’s 75th-Anniversary Edition and the July 1936 issue of Nevada Highways and Parks.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Pony Express Territory, Cowboy Country, Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, and Reno-Tahoe Territory. The November/December 2011 issue will cover Reno-Tahoe Territory.

Nevada Magazine welcomes Southern Nevada Sales Manager

Nevada’s official tourism publication is proud to add a new member to its sales team: Jan Johnson of Las Vegas. Johnson brings a wealth of experience in the publishing business to her new role as Nevada Magazine’s Southern Nevada Sales Manager, and her main initiative will be to sell advertising in the state agency’s sister publication, Las Vegas Events & Shows.

As secretary of the Las Vegas Territory and treasurer of the board of the Destination Services Association, Johnson is well connected in Southern Nevada. She will team with Director of Advertising Carrie Roussel, who is based in Carson City.

In the past, Johnson has worked for a Los Angeles-based publisher and was the publisher for the New York Convention Bureau for many years. Her more than 10 years in Nevada’s largest city has included stints as media manager for Westgate Resorts — the mastermind behind I Love Las Vegas magazine — and associate publisher for Bosley Publishing of Today in Las Vegas magazine.

“We’re very happy to have someone with Jan’s experience and tourism knowledge representing us in Southern Nevada,” Nevada Magazine publisher Janet Geary says of Johnson, who can be reached at 702-835-3270 or jwjohnsonlv@aol.com.

Nevada Magazine, which also produces Nevada Events & Shows, has won the Advertising General Excellence award from the Nevada Press Association three years running.

Las Vegas' Hidden Gems

With more than 37 million visitors traveling to Las Vegas annually, Sin City continues to be one of the most desirable getaways in the country. While uncovering the latest trendsetting spots can be easily accomplished, finding the true hidden gems can be hard to come by. From tucked-away lounges to complimentary experiences to brag about, below are some little-known treasures discerning guests will be glad they discovered.

Pianist to the Presidents at Bellagio 
Indulge in a splendid evening at Bellagio’s Petrossian Bar with live music from the pianist to Presidents of the United States. David Osborn has performed at the White House for many politicians including Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama. Guests at Petrossian Bar can relax on one of the velvet couches overlooking the casino while enjoying beautiful music played by Osborn on the one-of-a-kind Steinway Grand. Osborn plays evenings Thursday-Sunday at the elegant lounge that gently sets the mood for sophisticated tastes and discerning palates. Talk about a hidden gem.

Wind Down at the Cigar & Cognac Lounge 
Upstairs from Andre's Restaurant inside Monte Carlo is the warm and welcoming Cigar & Cognac Lounge, a world of intimacy where guests can settle in by the fire with a drink and enjoy the seductive aroma of fine cigars. For the ultimate experience, let experts recommend a professional cognac and cigar pairing. It's the perfect way to cap off a dinner at Andre's, a show in the Monte Carlo Theatre or to simply wind down before turning in for the evening.

Complimentary Art Tours at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art 
Las Vegas' premier fine art exhibition venue, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, offers daily docent tours beginning promptly at 2 p.m. Each tour is complimentary with the purchase of admission. The 45-minute tour takes guests through exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and works on paper by the world's most influential artists. These museum-caliber displays offer visitors a rare opportunity to view legendary works of art carefully selected from prestigious international collections.

Wine Tasting on the House at Onda 
Onda Wine Lounge at The Mirage is an Italian-inspired lounge where guests can enjoy a selection of wines available to taste by purchasing a tasting flight or individually. Every Friday afternoon, the lounge offers free wine tastings to guests. A selection of artisan cheeses and meats is also offered. All wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle and also by the case which can be shipped to an address of choice.

Gaming in Style on the Beach 
Directly on the sand and just feet from the crashing waves, the three-story, climate-controlled, glass-fronted Beachside Casino at Mandalay Bay offers fabulous amenities for guests. At the top sits the Villas Soleil with spectacular views of the entire Mandalay Bay Beach. Ranging in size from 250 to 500 square feet, these five villas are unlike any standard cabana in Las Vegas. Each of the contemporarily designed villas accommodates up to 16 guests and comes with cabana service and access to the private third-level pool. Each features cozy modular seating and day beds in crisp colors, a restroom, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe, ceiling fan and a private deck overlooking The Beach.

Swan-side Dining at Swan Court at Aureole 
The exclusive Swan Court at Aureole offers private outdoor dining next to a lagoon where beautiful white swans glide gracefully. Guests can enjoy a menu of seasonal dishes including artisan dry-aged beef and fresh seafood that reflect Chef Charlie Palmer’s signature progressive American cuisine. Along with dinner, rare wines from around the world can be sampled. Aureole’s visual trademark is a four-story wine tower with its very own Wine Angel Stewards, who stylishly ascend the tower to retrieve bottles.

Nevada Magazine’s 75th-Anniversary Edition Now Available

In January 1936, the state highway department introduced Nevada Highways and Parks — known today as Nevada Magazine. In 2011, the state’s official tourism publication celebrates its 75th anniversary. To honor the milestone, the magazine has produced a 192-page special edition, now available for purchase.

Subscribers, history buffs, and general Nevada enthusiasts can order the 75th-Anniversary Edition now at nevadamagazine.com, or, for faster response, by calling 775-687-0603. The edition features 24 re-printed stories from 1936 to 2010 and provides a fascinating historical perspective on Nevada, including the Pony Express, atomic testing, Nevada’s mining legacy, Hoover Dam, wild horses, “Bonanza,” and more. The collector’s editions are $19.95 each, plus $4 shipping and handling. Nevada state employees can get the 75th-Anniversary Edition for $15 by e-mailing pati@nevadamagazine.com or calling 775-687-0633.

Today, Nevada Magazine is a division of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, published bimonthly, and based in Carson City and Las Vegas. Check out old cover images here.

In Nevada Magazine’s January/February 2011 issue

Nevada Magazine’s January/February 2011 issue — the Las Vegas Territory Special Edition — will be available soon on newsstands throughout Nevada. In it are a feature on Las Vegas’ fascinating history, a roundup of Southern Nevada towns, and a Q&A with Brian Sandoval, who takes office as Nevada Governor on January 3. Also highlighted are Southern Nevada’s parks and recreation areas, off-the-beaten-path destinations, main attractions, and a history story about Potosi, the state’s first lode mine.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Pony Express Territory, Indian Territory, Cowboy Country, and Nevada Silver Trails. The March/April 2011 issue will cover central Nevada’s Pony Express Territory.

Cover photo: Anders Sorensen

Sparks resident wins Nevada Magazine’s 2010 Great Nevada Picture Hunt

A year after a Texas man won the grand prize in Nevada Magazine’s annual photo contest, a Sparks resident has delivered the gold back to the Silver State.

Sean Kukowski, who captured a thrilling 2009 summer lightning storm over the Reno area, is the Grand Prize winner of Nevada Magazine’s 33rd annual Great Nevada Picture Hunt—the feature story in the publication’s September/October 2010 issue.

The winning image (above), titled “Reno Lightning,” was taken from a hillside off of State Route 445, known as Pyramid Highway. “This storm took me by surprise,” Kukowski says. “It had some of the most impressive lightning I have ever seen.”

In addition to the Grand Prize, photographers were judged in five different categories: City Limits, Wide Open, Adventure, People, and Events. All the 2010 category winners are Nevada residents, including Las Vegas’ Bill Gerrard, who won the City Limits category and took Runner-Up in Events. Gerrard’s winning photo is of the tram that connects CityCenter to other Strip resorts.

Ellen Sargent, from Indian Springs, swept the People category with sepia images taken at the Overland Ranch in Ruby Valley. The subject of the winning image, Len Wines, was captured during his final branding at the 137-year-old ranch. The Runner-Up image is that of Len’s grandson, Pat, from the same branding.

Other winners are Reno resident Michael Horsley (Wide Open, “Incline Night Shot”) for his nighttime winter overview of Incline Village; Reno’s Krista Williams (Adventure, “Hidden Beach Paddle Surfers”) for her intriguing photo of two paddle surfers taken from the shore of Lake Tahoe; and Ralph Willits of Las Vegas (Events, “Shot Show”) for capturing a leaping dog at an annual hunting and outdoors trade show.

To view the winning images, pick up the latest issue (at right) at national bookstores and where magazines are sold in Nevada, or visit NevadaMagazine.com. Look for an ad in a future 2011 issue covering rules of submission for the 2011 contest, or check back regularly at NevadaMagazine.com.

Also in the September/October issue, Nevada Magazine highlights some of the state’s more accessible ghost towns, visits Virginia City’s Mackay Mansion Museum, Lake Tahoe’s Thunderbird Lodge, and Reno’s Freight House District, covers two fabulous Fallon restaurants, and continues its Tour Around Nevada in Boulder City.

Nevada Magazine celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2011

In January 1936, the state highway department introduced Nevada Highways and Parks — known today as Nevada Magazine. Always an information source for Nevada residents and tourists, what started as a black-and-white digest-sized bulletin has grown into a colorful magazine (see past issues here). Today, Nevada Magazine is a division of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, published bimonthly, and based in Carson City and Las Vegas.

In 2011, the state’s official tourism publication celebrates its 75th anniversary. To honor the milestone, the magazine will produce a 192-page special edition, to be printed late this year. “Nevada Magazine is an icon in the West,” says Publisher Janet M. Geary. “Just the other day I was talking to a man in Las Vegas who owns every issue of the magazine. We are excited to celebrate 75 years of Nevada history.”

Subscribers, history buffs, and general Nevada enthusiasts can order the 75th-Anniversary Special Edition now at nevadamagazine.com or by calling 775-687-0603. The special edition will feature re-printed stories from the past eight decades and provide a fascinating historical perspective on Nevada, including the Pony Express, atomic testing, Nevada’s mining legacy, Hoover Dam, wild horses, and more. The collector’s editions are $19.95 each, plus $4 shipping and handling. ORDER HERE

In addition, the magazine will highlight Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Pony Express Territory, Indian Territory, Cowboy Country, and Nevada Silver Trails. For more information on Nevada tourism’s Territory designations, visit nevadamagazine.com.