Community members’ varying expertise earns them time on TV

For some Centennial Hills residents, celebrity -- big or small -- is their reality.

From the author of a gritty novel to a budding break dancer and a reality T V star followed by cameras and fans, the northwest part of the valley has star power.

No longer anonymous

Rick Dale 's name, face and reputation are known around the world, but Centennial Hills will always be home, he says.

It's been about a year since the History Channel aired the first episode of "American Restoration ," the reality show chronicling Dale and his family-owned and operated restoration shop, Rick's Restorations . Production on season three is under way, and Dale's local celebrity is fully formed.

"My life is literally nonstop," Dale said. "We are building, restoring, working (and) putting out a project for deadline for the customer and production. The show is a success all over the world."

The latest season is to highlight some big changes to Dale's life. He married his longtime love Kelly and packed moving boxes .

The company recently converted a 10,000-square-foot warehouse downtown into a restoration shop and tourist destination.

The outside facades resemble a 1940s Main Street property, with portions devoted to his brother, son, wife and her children . The inside has space for large-scale projects and aisles for tourists to watch.

"We outgrew the old boneyard," Dale said. "It was my house, and I couldn't film and work at the same time. The crew would have to be quiet, and fans couldn't visit, and now everything is soundproof."

Dale still lives in his same Centennial Hills home, and he plans to convert his former shop into horse stables and a game room .

He regards his ranch as his sanctuary, he said, because celebrity has started to eclipse his life.

"I can't go anywhere," he said. "I don't care where it is -- to dinner or the hardware store."

He doesn't turn down autographs or pictures.

"I love my fans as much as they love me, so I don't say no to anyone," he said.

He and his wife have developed their own secret tricks for getting away, he said.

Dale came into the public eye as an expert regular on the History Channel's "Pawn Stars," and his friend Rick Harrison advised him on newfound celebrity status.

"You just have no clue what's ahead of you, and he went through it before I did," Dale said. "We talk a lot."

Despite some growing pains, Dale said the show's notoriety has helped him raise awareness for his charity of choice, James Seastrand Helping Hands of North Las Vegas . He's also hoping to franchise his business and have his children run locations around the country.

"I will take it for as long as I can," he said. "I get to work and do what I love doing. I'll go as long as I can and as long as people keep watching."

Dance dude

Bailey Munoz is an 11-year-old with a TV resume almost as tall as he is.

The sixth-grader is a budding b-boy, or break dancer, and half of the dance duo Future Funk .

Earlier this month, Munoz performed with actor Will Smith and friends at Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Awards ."

His moves were featured in a music video for "Chop It Up! ," a children's variety show, in February.

In 2010, Future Funk received national acclaim via the NBC competition "America's Got Talent ."

Future Funk made it to the semifinal level before being eliminated. Its audition video has been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube .

Bailey's nickname, Bailrok , was bestowed upon him by members of the b-boy group Rock Steady Crew . Bailey is a member, and he has traveled the world performing with the group.

Bailey said he hopes to parlay his skills into a career.

novel attention

Chris Baughman juggled dual roles as a Las Vegas detective and much sought-after author last year when he released the nonfiction book "Off the Street: Prostitution is not a victimless crime ."

The Centennial Hills resident fielded interviews with publications such as the New York Times and National Geographic and appeared on programs such as "Dateline," "Frontline" and MSNBC 's "The Hansen Files" and "Vegas Undercover."

Baughman and his publishing company also met with Hollywood production companies such as Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Scott Free, Lionsgate and Tribeca Productions. No contracts have been signed for a movie deal yet, though, Baughman said.

"I grew up here kind of in the projects, and to be able to go from that to visiting all these big-shot people in Hollywood is amazing," he said. "What I'm talking about is an important topic, but I was surprised by the adulation of the book."

In the meantime, Baughman has completed his second book, slated to be released in spring 2013.

The book further chronicles his experiences with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's pandering investigative team.

"I'm happy the topic is getting attention," he said. "It's an important issue and it scares people.

"We're talking about guys going after Jane and John Q's daughter."

For more information, visit chrisbaughman.com.

School in the spotlight

Centennial High School, 10200 Centennial Parkway , was the backdrop for the 2000 film "Pay It Forward ."

The campus received a lot of airtime, too.

The drama follows the efforts of a young boy inspired by his teacher to make the world a better place. Views of Las Vegas can be seen in exterior shots.

Reality TV meets Meats

The Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives " stamp is forever placed on John Mull's Meats, 3730 Thom Blvd .

A production crew paid a visit to the longtime meat market last month, and host Guy Fieri left his autograph and signature spray-painted visage on one of its walls, owner Chuck Frommer said.

A producer reached out to Frommer last summer on a recommendation that Mull's Meats had the best ribs in town. Timing halted cameras from rolling, though.

Catering season and Thanksgiving, a time when more than 2,000 turkeys were smoked and sold, proved too busy for Frommer to invite the crews in, he said.

"I told the producer we were still really interested, and she said, 'Do you realize you've put me off three times now?' " Frommer said.

Business settled down enough in March for the Food Network to visit.

Frommer estimated that the crew took about 28 hours of footage, and he said it paid special interest to the market's hot sticks, homemade seasonings and slow-cooked meats.

Although Fieri was on "set" for only about three hours, he and Frommer hit it off, Frommer said.

Frommer expects that the pair's expletive-laden exchanges may need some work in the editing room, he said.

"It was like Comedy Central in here," he said. "Guy was so easy to work with and nice. It was like having your neighbors over or your best friend."

John Mull's Meats' segment is to air this summer .

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.