Tropicana to be
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M
Resort
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"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Sun City Anthem
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Who Needs a Professional Decorator when You Can Do it Yourself
Interior Decorating Ideas
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"Mr. Fix-It's World of Home
Improvement"
May Schedule Features Lots of "Country"
May Event
Schedule
or
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Page
"Laughlin
Live...Weekend Entertainment"
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Are Water Restrictions Far Behind ?
Lake Mead Expected
to Reach its Lowest Level Soon
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"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Monday, April 27, 2015
Where's my stuff ?
.jpeg)
Nothing worse than you getting there...but your luggage doesn't !
We have some ideas to help you avoid it
!
7 Ways to Avoid Lost
Luggage
or
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Page...
"Why Didn't I Think About That ? ....Tips"
2800 Block of Hartwick Pines Drive...Site of Murder
Sun City Anthem Man Identified...Died from Gunshot Wounds
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"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Looking at Miniature Golf Using Common Sense...An Anthem Opinions Editorial
Major Myths in "Selling" Mini-Golf
It certainly didn't take a long period
of time for an alternative blogster to make attempts at "winging" answers to questions previous brought up by Anthem
Opinions.
After all...based
on the numerous disastrous financial debacles he has recommended in the
past....(three consecutive restaurants that
had more RED INK than PEOPLE who ever ate or
currently eat their food).
At this desperate
stage....
...it's now "anything" to "sell" something....no matter what affect it might have on
the economic well-being of a community.
.jpeg)
Let us reiterate our basic question....which seems to be "conveniently" avoided in his latest epistle...
Should the people have
the ability to decide on this HUGH EXPENDITURE?
...or...will it be "politics as usual" in supplying inaccurate and slanted
information to obtain this ridiculous idea of a mini-golf course in the middle
of a desert ?
Obviously the points made by Anthem
Opinions disturbed a number of his readers; and true to form, he once again
provided answers that were "winged" without
substantiation....although his writings would have you believe they are
fact.
Anthem Opinions had a strong concern
regarding insurance coverage.
After all, our two owners have a combined 70 years of insurance
experience versus those of an ex-lawyer who
lost his license to practice law.
His answer.....a "winged" comment without
substantiation stating a "reliable source"
...
...informed him that there would be no additional cost for insurance regarding liability coverage.
Sure...no cost...for additional risk?
Anyone out there actually believe that
to be true?
Probably the same people who originally
signed a petition believing his "pet project" would
be free !
When was the last time you contacted your insurance agent and asked him to INCREASE your coverage and that individual told you, "Sure..no problem..and we won't charge you an additional cent to do it!"
What reliable
source?
THE PROOF
POSITIVE...is...IN THE WRITING....not a verbal unnamed source.
And it's very simple to obtain...IF
TRUE...
..a letter ON THE
INSURER'S STATIONERY over the SIGNATURE of a
CORPORATE OFFICER....stating that there is NO
increase in premium or increase in liability as a result of building such a
mini-golf course...
...and retaining it for future
reference...
...is the ONLY
intelligent manner in which to protect this association against LEGAL
LIABILITY and unnecessary financial expenditure.
Now let's discuss the "fee"...which again, he "conveniently" WINGS IT ...this time...
"I can't see anyone
arguing that we should make our guests pay for enjoying the facility in the
company of their member hosts".
Really?
How about running that one past the
property owners...something the advocate is deathly afraid to do for fear of the
reaction the MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS would have.
My guess is that the answer would be
short and sweet.
If they
use it...they should pay for it.
It's that simple.
Why should the balance of the
membership FINANCE any cost a guest incurs, and incur
liability for them as well?
We are a retirement community....NOT a playground for children.
Now let's talk "safety" !
How about the sales pitch trying to
correlate death with any form of safety?
What a bunch of...as Judge Judy would
say.... "Who Shot John" !
It's not death...it's a different kind of safety that concerns us...but then
again...to dramatize the statement...how is it portrayed by the "alternative
blogster"?
More "WINGING
IT" !
He turns an honest safety concern
into....
There ARE safety issues....
...FLYING BALLS
INTO AUTO AND HOME WINDOWS.....
...KIDS SWINGING A CLUB INCORRECTLY AND HITTING A BALL WITH
FORCE...
...SENIORS TRIPPING
ON RAISED GUARD RAILS.
...ALL CREATE SAFETY ISSUES....AND...POTENTIAL LAWSUITS.
...ALL AT A TIME
WHEN SELF-MANAGMENT OF OUR ASSOCIATION MEANS....FULL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY AND ALL CONTINGENCIES.
How about it, Mr.
Advocate?
If you're so convinced
that safety or liability is NO CONCERN...
We have simple request
for you and any of your supporters to prove it !
JUST SIGN A
STATEMENT YOU PERSONALLY or ANY MEMBER OF YOUR CLUB....WILL ASSUME ALL LIABILITY
FOR ANY DAMAGE, INJURY OR LAWSUIT THAT MIGHT
RESULT.
Let's see how many "charter members" of
that club would be there to sign such a guarantee !
Other noticeable omissions from his
"winging" the facts.
Members must
accompany ANY GUESTS....and that means UNBEARABLE HEAT on seniors during
the greatest percentage of the time.
How do neighbors surrounding the
Liberty Center feel about this option...being subjected to additional traffic or
strangers walking their neighborhood invading their
privacy?
On Saturday, April 25,
2015, a HOMICIDE occurred within a short distance
from the site of the proposed project.
No mention of those folks, is there?
Nothing in any way as to their
feelings....the concerns of people who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to
purchase a home to allow them "peace" in their retirement
years....
...the same people who had to THREATHEN legal action when it first appeared that Liberty
Center would not be built years ago, despite the developer's sales
representatives telling them it would be...in order to entice them into signing
on the dotted line....
...the same people who believed a bocce
court would be built CORRECTLY, yet THROUGH THE
INCOMPENTENCE of the board at the time....
...THE WIFE OF THE
BLOGSTER BEING A MEMBER OF THAT BOARD....
...accepting that project "as is", rather than examining and
viewing it...noticeably seeing it was IMPROPERLY
CONSTRUCTED.
Haven't those people sustained enough
conflict over the years?
It certainly would be refreshing if
this matter was put to referendum...it would solve the entire problem...and end
all further discussion.
It's "the people's property"... so
...why not let "the people" decide ?
...unless, of
course, the advocates are afraid of the reaction of the other 98.5% of property
owners who will finance their 1.5% whim !
At any rate, Mr. Advocate, try
something different for a change....STOP WINGING IT
!
You did your best in selling property
owners down the river regarding financing a restaurant that you are now "slanting" as to imply financial
independence...
...without
mentioning that WE HAVE FINANCED THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN....to
accomplish it !
Now you want to do it again with an
expensive MINI----MINI nine hole golf
course?
In order that you can show some GOOD FAITH....and CONFIDENCE
in your belief there is that much interest in your
proposal...
....that is....if
you have that ability to do so...WITHOUT WINGING
IT...
If you are so convinced that a
mini-golf club will be that successful, why not PROVE the
interest by TRYING to gather those supposed 240 people over the next 3 months
for a club tournament or event on a LOCAL mini-course first...before our
community would drop the $200,000?
But...make sure
you allow the participants to play ONLY NINE
HOLES...
And...play that NINE HOLES on an OUTDOOR
COURSE...
And...in JUNE,
JULY, and/or AUGUST.
It's called...PUT UP...or...SHUT UP
!
When will this community ever wake up
to see that this concept is not a good idea for THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE...as all
projects SHOULD BE?
The
answer....
...when COMMON
SENSE can prevail, and SELFISHNESS on the
parts of those who know how to "work a system" can be
looked at for what they are....
...financial drains on us all.
Anthem Opinions
Administration
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Nobody Did It Better
Saying Goodbye to a Friend
Tony
Drake
In the year and a half that I
was the Entertainment Editor of The Vegas Voice newspaper and Radio Host, I was
privileged to meet a number of wonderful people who devote their lives to making
people happy....
...those who are members of The
Entertainment industry.
I had an opportunity many don't
have...getting to know a number of them "up close and personal", looking at the
difficult roads they travel....their hours of dedication...so many without compensation....
...because of a love...a desire...a
need...to express the talent God gave them.
Time and again, I would watch these caring
individuals devote themselves to charitable events in order to promote the
worthiest of causes....
...so many times...at their own
expense....always...giving, giving, giving.
...and...at times watching some forego the
basic necessities of life...
..to "give" to
others.
This passion became so strong that one
of the last articles I wrote for The Vegas Voice, was a plea to support these
unique individuals...
...the people who make Las Vegas...."The
Entertainment Capital of the World".
I'm writing this article because I lost a
friend...a friend who was one of those giving individuals...one half of a loving
partnership that has graced the music world for
decades.
We lost Tony
Drake...
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"talented" Tony Drake....
"hard working" Tony
Drake...
"giving" Tony
Drake...
"generous" Tony
Drake...
"appreciative" Tony
Drake...
"kind" Tony Drake.
...and his passing leaves a void in an
industry he proudly served.
For those of you who attended the Vegas
Voice "An Afternoon Affair" shows or any of the other production shows....Tony
was usually a part of the band.....
..playing his guitar...as he did for some of
the most famous musicians in our time.
His widow, Lisa
Gay-Drake, who shared his life....
Tony Drake
& Lisa Gay (Drake)
...was kind to send a synopsis of Tony's professional life, and I would like to ask all of you to take a few moments to see the litany of "who's who" Tony Drake accompanied over the years....
TONY DRAKE'S BIOGRAPHY
One
of soul music’s most respected session and touring guitarists, Tony Drake has
worked with some of the genre’s top artists.
Mr.
Drake started playing professionally at the age of 14, at clubs and parties in
the Los Angeles area along with a “permission slip” from his mother.
While growing up in Compton, California, at the age of 16, he was
accepted into the Dawkins Conservatory of Music where he studied classical
guitar for two years, and later studied privately with the well known guitarist,
John Blaylock, in the South Bay area.
After studying with Mr. Blaylock, Tony traveled with ”Little”
Johnny Taylor, Mr. Johnny Taylor, Ronnie Dyson, T-Bone Walker and many other
professional groups in the 60s even alongside then unknown guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, on the same bill.
In the 70s, Mr. Drake became a staff musician for 20th
Century Fox Studios doing numerous T.V. shows such as “Julia” starring Diahann Carroll,
“The Lucille Ball Show” and the “Leslie Neilson Show”.
In the later part of the 70s, Mr. Drake was signed with
A&M Records as a staff musician and recorded and toured with most of the
artists on the label including, Herb Alpert, Merry Clayton, Cheech and Chong,
and many others.
He was also a member of the Count Basie Orchestra, H.B. Barnum’s Big Band, and performed on various television specials, award shows and movies such as the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethons, Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, American Music Awards, The Grammy Awards, “American Hot Wax” and “Mother, Juggs and Speed” with Bill Cosby.
It was also during this time that Mr. Drake became the lead
guitarist for the Checkmates and traveled extensively
with them for four years.
When the Checkmates disbanded, he began to tour with such groups
as The Fifth Dimension, Marilyn
McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. (when they left the
group to do their own act), James Brown, Gloria Lynn,
Little Esther Phillips, Aretha Franklin, Marla Gibbs, The Crusaders, Jimmy Witherspoon, Cher, Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, The
Sylvers, Connie Stevens, Ray
Charles, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Etta James and
others.
Tony
Drake was also one of the “LA Motown Funk Brothers” (when Motown moved their
studio from Detroit) and recorded countless hit tracks with James Jamerson, Earl
Palmer, David T. Walker, Ray Parker Jr., Wah Wah Watson, Bill Upchurch, Ron
Brown, James Gadson, Nate Neblett and Paul Humphrey for many artists at the
time, some of the greatest entertainers of all time.
This
experience benefited Tony and gained him even more
recognition going forward.
Later in the early 80s Tony toured with groups such as
The Supremes, En Vogue,
The Temptations, The Sylvers, The
Four Tops and others.
Through
the mid 80s, Mr. Drake became the cherished personal guitarist of the renown
singer and actress Della Reese for many years and
joined back up touring with Barry White on 2 world
tours in Europe, Africa, and Australia throughout the 90s followed by touring
exclusively with the great Lou
Rawls.
Tony’s
exquisite style and signature sound can be heard around the globe on such hit
recordings as Carl Carlton’s “Bad Mamma Jamma”, Little Johnny Taylor’s “Part
Time Love”, Jean Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff”, and Marvin Gaye’s “Here My Dear”and
Cher’s “Half Breed”, Joe Williams “Here’s To Life”, Ray Charles’s “A Song For
You”.
Tony Drake was
also part of a Las Vegas “Springs Preserve Commercial” and appeared in the Oscar
Academy Award Winner Documentary Film, “20 Feet From Stardom” with Merry Clayton
on the hit song “Gimmie Shelter” from Legendary Rock Band, “The Rolling Stones”
collection.
Just some of
the other Artists Tony Drake has recorded, performed and toured with
include:
Percy Sledge
Sam Cooke
James Ingram
Richard and Karen Carpenter
Jackie Wilson
BB King (Created/ recorded the original demo with opening
famed Guitar lick for “Thrill Is Gone”)
Arthur Adams
Joe Williams
Quincy Jones
Phil Spector (The Ronnetts/Darlene
Love)
Captain and Tennille
Frankie Lymon
Tony passed
away on his 69th birthday, April
16, 2015.
Rest in peace,
Tony. This will be your legacy for all time.
His widow,
Lisa Gay, has asked his friends and those who loved him, to attend a special
benefit performance in his honor, which has been scheduled for
Sunday, May 31,
2015.
Further
details are still pending and we will keep you informed as to the place and
time.
Dick
Arendt
Drought Keeps Reducing Lake Mead
Lake Mead Hits Near-record Low Water Level
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Ideas for a New Kitchen Island
Installing a Kitchen Island
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or
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"Mr. Fix-It's World of Home
Improvement"
Monday, April 20, 2015
Beatty, Nevada...the Gateway to Death Valley
Today...let's talk about the history of one the Silver State's small towns that made its name in the mining industry.
Did Ya Know ?
How did the town of
"Beatty"
get it's name?
"Beatty"
get it's name?
Click on our "Information Page"
"History and Holidays"
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Miniature Golf...A Decision that Should be Made by the Homeowners Who Finance It...An Anthem Opinions Editorial
Miniature
Golf...A Decision that Should be Made....by..."The
People"
That's right...a decision that should
be entrusted to "the people"...those who reside here
and will bear its cost.
...not by blog owners or the comments
of their selected readership.
We wholeheartedly believe that any such
project would subject senior citizens to the dangers of desert temperatures, as
well as, a needless drain of precious community
resources.
A recent "slanted" article published by the blogger advocate shows
a number of locations across the country with such venues available in their
communities, but as per a comment made on that
publication...
...an observation
we at Anthem Opinions made of the Sun City Summerlin miniature golf course over
a year ago after examining the same photos provided by the blogger
advocate....and then traveling to the Summerlin course to examine it for
ourselves...
....provided us
conclusive proof...
NO ONE WAS PLAYING IN
ANY OF THE PHOTOS !
Nonetheless that obvious fact has
never swayed an obsession by that individual, and we certainly don't believe it
will stop any time soon....
...but his opinions, and that of some
of his supporters... are but a mere few in our
community, though he would have you believe
otherwise.
Unlike that publication, we at Anthem Opinions, do not consider ourselves the "voice" of the people.
We instead look at
our publication as their "common sense" and
"financially responsible" element who advise readers
of the entire facts...
...allowing the
people to make a proper decision for
themselves.
Do we believe this possible miniature
golf project is a wise and effective usage of precious association
funds?
NO...we do
not, and we have stated our valid reasons for believing that to be the
case.
Unlike the advocate, we won't bore you
with rehashing the past, but simply stated:
1. The costs
are considerably higher than has been proposed due to the omission of various
elements of the construction project that would be born aside from the actual
building of the project.
2. People
will not use this venue here in any regularity, when it has been proven that
other locations across the country do not use theirs frequently.
The blogger's using a potential 225
people as "charter members" of a club (a number of which are part of the same
household) to dramatize support...
... is an invalid
assumption on which to base any such
conclusion.
If we assume that half of those
individuals belong to the same household, that number represents 1.5% of the homes in the association, a ridiculously small
percentage of participation when looking at a TOTAL inclusive expenditure of
approximately $200,000.
3. The
potential of legal liability is present, and unless it can be proven IN WRITING by the respective insurers that this risk will neither affect other community liability coverage,
nor substantially increase its cost, any claim made
to the contrary is merely "hearsay" without
validity.
4.
Comparable miniature golf courses are available within short distances that
provide 18 holes with INDOOR comfort and greater entertaining variety at minimal
expense.
5.
Additional monitoring will be required to "police"
proper course usage. Someone will have to dispense equipment and check
individuals playing any miniature golf course for proper ID and proof of payment
in the case of guest usage.
6. Potential
damage and privacy to surrounding homes and automobiles from individuals are
potential problems....(especially young children) who would improperly use golf
equipment.
7. Children and grandchildren would require a daily guest
pass....costing $5 each day per person, and
would not be eligible to play by themselves. Regulations
require a member present with children. As a result,
senior residents would be forced to accompany them....at perhaps a danger
to personal health arising from the prohibitive 100+ degree
temperatures.
All of this can
easily be avoided by simply using an already existing course...an indoor
course built with proper and extensive creative amenities..paying almost the
same fee as that required of any association guest.
Any club that would be established
could obtain busing through their dues payments as most
other clubs do when off campus activities are
sponsored.
By way of example, even if such a
"charter club" existed, and the 225 people referenced were members, at an annual membership cost of $10 for each individual, that
would generate $2,250 of annual revenue...which would
more than cover the cost of a bus a few times over the course of a
year...to play their tournaments on an 18 hole fully decorated INDOOR air
conditioned course, rather than a 9 hole OUTDOOR one.
It simply makes
COMMON SENSE...to choose this path for those who wish to amuse themselves
with this form of entertainment.
Should we then build bowling alleys for
those who bowl and establish a club?
They seem to be happy on an off campus location.
How about a baseball diamond with
lights and a grandstand for those in the softball
club?
They seem to be happy on an off campus
location.
The moral of this story is
simple...
WHERE DOES THIS ALL END
?
If these clubs can accomplish their
entertainment enjoyment elsewhere that provide existing facilities THAT DO NOT INVOLVE ASSOCIATION EXPENSES, why can't the
same apply to those who enjoy miniature golf?
Are those who enjoy miniature golf more
"entitled" to a separate facility than the others?
We think NOT.
Are we wrong in our position?
Perhaps, but we believe the ultimate
decision must be made with the support of more than 1.5% of the population.
The only feasible
manner....
...using the democratic process of
placing this issue on a referendum for the association property owners to decide
its fate....
...not a meaningless slanted
survey....but...
...a proper mailing
to each and every home allowing both proponents and those who oppose it, the
opportunity to explain their positions, with a formal ballot to return in order
to make the final decision.
Simply stated...it is the right thing
to do, and any position shy of allowing "the people"
to make the ultimate decision as to its fate...
...is the WRONG
ONE.
In the spirit of "doing the right thing", we ask that any responsible
committee or board member, as well as, the alternative blogger, support this
manner of determination.
It would indicate their commitment to
their promises of representing "the
people".
Anthem Opinions
Administration
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