Preserving History

Las Vegas is associated, and rightly so, with glitz and glamour whether it be entertainment, dining, shopping or gambling. But it also has another side to it that offers something for the whole family. One of the main attractions just a short ride off the Strip is the Springs Preserve, a $250-million non-gaming cultural attraction that opened this past summer after nearly a decade of development.

Thousands of years ago the Preserve was the site of the first water in the valley. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and today it features 180 acres of museums, botanical gardens, galleries, trails and entertainment venues. Here's some of what you can expect to see. The two main galleries of the Preserve, the ORIGEN Experience and the Desert Living Center, takes you on a fascinating journey through Las Vegas history and introduces you to the latest innovative concepts and tools for living a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

As I mentioned, this is something for the whole family where you can get an up-close look at a living bat cave, a brush with a live flash flood, an historic trail walk that passes by a Cienega (desert wetland) or an outdoor cooking demonstration in the botanical gardens. Kids can climb aboard a 50-foot rattlesnake replica in the children's playground, visit the Preserve's resource library, master one of the many educational video games in the New Frontier Gallery or trade in their own artifacts at the Nature Exchange for other desired items.

You can then cap off your day with a live outdoor concert in the Springs Amphitheater, a light dinner in the Springs Café (operated by Wolfgang Puck) overlooking the Las Vegas Strip and a casual stroll through the Canary Project photo gallery.

The Preserve is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will be closed Christmas Day. Although there is an admittance charge of $18.95 for adults to enter the galleries, many of the areas of the Preserve are free, including the gardens, trails, resource library, café, gift shop and children's playground. There are discounts for seniors and students and children under 5 are admitted free. The Preserve is located at 333 S. Valley View Blvd. For more info, call (702) 822-8344 or visit www.springspreserve.org.

SANTA IN THE SHIPWRECK

More fun for the whole family. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is having what it's calling Santa in the Shipwreck Dec. 21-24. Children 12 and under, with each paid admission, can visit St. Nick and have their picture taken with the jolly one. They'll also get a candy treat, which should make all your little darlings happy.

Shark Reef, home to more than 2,000 dangerous animals including sharks, crocodiles, sawfish, turtles and piranhas, will transform from an undersea adventure into a winter holiday-themed tropical reef complete with Santa's throne direct from the North Pole, so should be a lot of fun for everyone. As well, the Shark Reef Aquarium staff will be on hand to share their knowledge regarding the exhibits and help the kids finish their last-minute wish lists. Santa will be on hand from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., beginning Dec. 21. Ticket prices are $15.95 for adults and $10.95 for children; children 4 and younger are complimentary. Discounts are available for Nevada residents with identification. For more information, call (702) 632-4555.

SO LONG, CELINE

Big news this past week was the final performance of Celine Dion at Caesars Palace, with seats going for as much as $2,000 each. Over the past five years, she has performed 717 times and generated $400 million in ticket sales. Bette Midler will replace Dion beginning Feb. 22. During her final performance, Dion spoke to the audience, telling them that she nearly called it quits in the early going, especially after becoming a mother for the first time. But her husband-manager, Rene Angelil, convinced her that there was too much money involved and too many people counting on her for her to throw in the towel. Thankfully, she listened and became the number one ticket in Las Vegas, filling the 4,100-seat theatre every night she performed. Hopefully, for Caesars and for our town, Midler will be able to do the same.

CLASSIC MOULDS

City National Bank has teamed with Chiurazzi Worldwide to unveil, for the first time in Nevada, a collection of world-renowned sculptures rendered from the Chiurazzi Foundry mould collection at the bank's new regional headquarters facility in Summerlin, located at 10801 W. Charleston Blvd. near the Red Rock Resort and Spa and the I-215.

A number of the finest renditions of bronzes from Chiurazzi will be on display through Dec. 31. The Chiurazzi Collection includes more than 1,500 moulds directly from the surfaces of sculptures created by Michelangelo, Bernini, Cellini, Donatello, Canova and countless important artists from antiquity through the Renaissance, Neoclassic and Classic periods. These moulds were made over centuries with full authority of the Vatican, the Italian government and important museums from around the world. If you're into sculpture, you won't want to miss this exhibit.

AIRPORT CHECK-IN

This is kind of cool and a great idea which I'm hoping all of our hotels will implement. MGM Grand is offering its guests the convenience of checking in from McCarran International Airport at its 500-square-foot, satellite check-in facility located in South Baggage Claim. Not only can guests receive room keys, they also can make restaurant reservations, purchase show tickets and arrange shuttle service -- all while waiting for their luggage. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com. If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylasvegas@gmail.com Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.