All of us can work on making this world a better place to live...

Rapport Leadership International is a weekend leadership seminar retreat that corporations have executives attend, and is without question the most incredible seminar I have ever experienced. Located in Alamo and Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the retreat has graduated over 400,000 individuals. I highly recommend attending this seminar. Each of us has compassion, understanding, empowerment within ourselves, and the creativity to achieve our goals. We can do this as a team in the workplace, as well as in our home life. It’s all about giving that extra 110 percent, and taking the risk in order to grow as human beings. If we allow ourselves to just get by, we fail to grow spiritually, as well as in our business and as individuals. Rediscover yourself! Find out how you can make a difference!

Miss Hawaiian Tropic

Each year, Hawaiian Tropic International presents their Annual Miss Hawaiian Tropic United States Pageant Finals. Four contestants were selected as finalists to represent the United States at this year’s pageant, held at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Michell Damn representing San Diego, was the first contestant, while Amanda Henkel representing South Padre Island, Texas, was second. Suzanne Stokes represented Miami, Florida, and Angela Mason represented Houston, Texas, as the other finalists.

Over 100 ladies from across the United States competed in this year’s pageant, marking the 17th year that owner/founder Ron Rice hosted the event.

Celebrity judges in this year’s pageant were David Faustino (actor), Joey Fotone (member of N’ Sync), Ed Lauter (actor), and Gene Simmons (member of KISS). In addition, Robin Leach, track star Al Joyner, and actor Mario Lopez were on hand.

The "Vegas Connection"

Robert Carradine just finished filming "Vegas Connection" at Sunset Station Casino. Carradine stars as a young, "our man Flint" type character. Asked if Las Vegas would be the next Hollywood, he replied, "I think Las Vegas has the infrastructure to handle it. You certainly have hotel rooms. You don’t have the smog, and traffic isn’t a problem yet. Las Vegas is strategically 4-1/2 hours north of Los Angeles, and has relatively quick access to and from the airport (McCarran)."

Carradine and his wife have three children, a nine-year old daughter, six-year old son, and one adult child no longer at home. The two youngest children study martial arts, and as Robert puts it, "It allows them to focus, and gives them something to look forward to. It is an alignment of the body and mind." He further states, "Anything that you can do for your kids that gets them away from video games is good, be it bicycling, martial arts, or flying a kite."

As a musician, Carradine also wants to shed a little light in a chaotic world. Best known for "Revenge of the Nerds," "The Cowboys," "Long Riders," and "The Big Red One," Carradine is surrounded by a talented group of actors in "Vegas Connection." They include Ashley Brooks, Karen Armstrong, Ryan "Rhino" Michaels, Ed McMahon, Mame Van Doren, Barry Sigismondi, and Suzanne Laurentis.

Robert Carradine is selective about his films. As all of us can work on making this world a better place to live, Carradine simply puts it in these words. "I just try to be direct with people and tell them what I think. I try to curb my tongue if I feel one way. I carry myself honestly and forthrightly. So, go placidly with the noise and haste."

People In The News...

Las Vegan, Sam Schmidt, winner of the LasVegas.com 500, said it was a miracle in winning this year’s race. "There were a lot of close calls, but I managed to stay away from the wrecks. The track was real slick. My team did a heck of a job on the pit stops, and we worked our way back up."

Schmidt’s first win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway wasn’t as easy as other tracks around the country. The change in the wind direction and the glare of the sun for cars coming out of turn four, made it extremely difficult for drivers. "The team kept tweaking on the car and kept making it better on every pit stop. That’s what helped us win this race."

Schmidt has received a lot of attention for his Elvis sideburns and dyed black hair. This marks the first of an Elvis-type sighting in a racecar. Of course, it’s all done in good taste for his dad who is a big Elvis fan.

Sam Schmidt - winner Vegas.com 500.

Pete Allman with Miss Hawaiian Tropic contestants and celebrity Judge Ed Lauter.

Jim Furyuk - winner PGA Tour Title.

Jim Furyk collected his fourth PGA Tour title on October 17 at the Las Vegas Invitational. Furyk is the first player to successfully defend his title since David Duval won the 1997 and 1998 Michelob Championship at Kingsmill. With the exception of Saturday, where winds got up to 40 mph, Furyk was proud of his achievements.

On a broadcast with Celebrity Scene News on Cable Radio Network, Furyk commented on the high winds at TPC. "Because of the style of this course, there aren’t many greens where you can hit a low running shot, bounce upon a green. There’s either water, a bunker or elevated green. There’s too many variables that don’t allow you to do that," stated Furyk who was exhausted at Saturday’s game. "What also makes this course so hard is that you have to fly the ball and get it up in the air, which just allows the wind to maneuver your ball just a little more. You have to hit it that much harder."

Furyk spoke highly of Jonathan Kaye who placed second with a final round of 64. Kaye, from Arizona, as is Furyk, said he didn’t miss many putts but that even though he was at his best, it sometimes just isn’t good enough when someone else is on fire. Furyk won by one stroke, shooting a six under 66 Sunday and finishing at 29, under 33 for the Sunday event.

Today’s advancement of golf for both Kaye and Furyk hasn’t changed that much. They started with big irons and tailor-made woods. "I grew up with cast iron equipment and metal woods. Over the years, new equipment helped us hit longer. Many pros sometimes use forged irons, so as not to hit the ball as long in order to better control where it lands."

Titanium, a new alloy, has allowed golf manufacturing companies to make bigger heads with a bigger pop when hitting the ball with a graphite shaft, according to both pros. This also allows the player to have more speed in his execution and to hit the ball longer. Thirty years ago, players such as Ben Hogan didn’t have the consistency of the equipment as players do today. The courses were also manicured differently.

In closing, both Jim Furyk and Jonathan Kaye would like golf fans to know that players like Ben Hogan can’t be overlooked. "Players today aren’t necessarily better than the last generations," states Furyk.

George J. Maloof Jr., President of The Fiesta and one of today’s youngest casino executives, is excited about their new $26 million expansion. The expansion will be completed by November 30, when festivities begin at the new Spin City Casino, Garduno’s Margarita Factory, Blue Oyster & Chile Bar, and Roxy’s Pipe Organ Pizzeria.

Spin City will feature 500 new slots and video poker machines, all engineered for high hit frequency.

Garduno’s Margarita Factory will feature the world’s largest tequila collection with 1,000 vintage bottles of tequila and a margarita menu of over 300 selections.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this expansion is Roxy’s Pipe Organ Pizzeria, featuring the Roxy pipe organ built over 70 years ago for New York’s famed Roxy Theater. World-renowned pipe organists from all over the country will grace its historic keyboard. The two-story pipe organ, purchased by Phil Maloof approximately 20 years ago, is completely refurbished and valued at over $500,000. It features 29 rows of pipes and is powered by a 60 horsepower turbine engine with sounds of every musical accompaniment available.

It’s truly some very special fun for the entire family. Roxy’s will be serving Pizzeria Regina, Boston Brick Oven Pizza - also a first for Las Vegas. LVN