Vital equipment worth $12K stolen from Easterseals Nevada

We take a pause from the goodwill being displayed in our community to report a loathsome exception.

A break-in was reported at Easterseals Nevada offices at 7281 W. Charleston Blvd. on Sunday night. The glass doors at the front entrance were smashed, and about $12,000 worth of equipment was stolen. Assistive technology devices used to help those with disabilities communicate and improve cognitive skills.

“We’re talking about several iPads, tablets, four laptops, the kind of equipment that helps someone who is in a wheelchair, or is blind or is deaf, uses to access a computer or to communicate,” Easterseals Nevada President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Patchett said Monday afternoon. “It’s just shocking that this has happened.”

A spokesman for Metro Police said Monday that no suspect has been identified.

Patchett said discussions about how to raise funds to replace the stolen items are underway. Those wishing to donate directly can do so on the organization’s website.

“You think about the rough week we have had in Las Vegas, and all the good stuff happening with people coming together,” Patchett said. “Then, this happens. But we’ll come together for this, too.”

Our Golden moment

The walk-in for the Vegas Golden Knights home opener tomorrow night against the Arizona Coyotes is shaping up to be a real Vegas moment.

“We want to make it a moment, a story in a story for the evening,” says Golden Knights VP of Entertainment and Marketing Jonny Greco. “We want to give people something to cheer about as they march into this event.”

About 25 Cirque du Soleil artists, Budweiser Clydesdales, the drumming Knight Line and performers from “Tournament of Kings” at Excalibur will perform as the crowd files into T-Mobile Arena. The idea is to give the fans entering the landmark event a boost after a very rough week.

“We are honoring Vegas, from our platform, and we’re honored to have that platform,” Greco said. “This is bigger than our team, bigger than sports. Think of it as a group hug for 17,000 people.” Then, and only then, do we drop the puck.

Mike’s magic

Four Queens headliner Mike Hammer has set his annual Celebrity Go-Kart Race for 12:30 p.m. Oct 22. at Gene Woods Racing Experience at 121 East Sunset Road. The event benefits Wounded Warrior Project, among other veterans’ charities.

This year’s competitors include Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, Jennifer Romas and the cast of “Sexxy” at Westgate Las Vegas, “Magic vs. Music” at Stratosphere stars Jarrett & Raja; magicians Johnny “The Great Tomsoni” Thompson, Mac King, Lance Burton, Adam London and Fielding West; Sin City Theater at Planet Hollywood impressionist Gordie Brown; members of “The Chippendales” at the Rio; DJ and violinist Lydia Ansel of Hard Rock Hotel and Coyote Ugly at New York-New York; UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonner; tattooed reality star Dirk Vermin; “The Mentalist” Gerry McCambridge; Piero’s songstress Pia Zadora; V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood hypnotist Marc Savard; the Tenors of Rock at Harrah’s; and muted prop comic Tape Face of Flamingo Las Vegas.

It’s a great hang, loud and fragrant, and a popular Kats! Bureau outpost. I’ll be writing from the pits. Feel free to drop by and share your scoops.

Rockin’ Venetian Theater

Venerable rockers Chicago have been added to The Venetian Theater lineup for an extended engagement. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will play nine shows from Feb. 7-Feb. 24. The band is donating $1 of every ticket sold for those dates to the Las Vegas Victims Fund.

And, add ZZ Top to this run of classic rock bands early next year at The Venetian. Not yet announced, but I am expecting that booking to be made public soon.

Caring karaoke action

“Sing for Strength at Ellis Island,” an all-star karaoke fundraiser, is set for 7-11 p.m. Oct. 17 at Ellis Island Casino & Brewery on Koval Lane, just south of Flamingo Road. Whenever a local performer sings a song from the karaoke machine, the business will donate $1,000 to Route 91 Harvest festival victims’ charitable causes. A $250 donation is being asked at the door, which includes food and beverages for the night.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.