Take a tour of holiday lights and decorations around the Las Vegas Valley. The area is divided into quadrants by using Sahara Avenue to divide north from south and Interstate 15 to divide east from west.

NORTHEAST

Address: 3164 Mclennan Ave., North Las Vegas, 89081
Resident: Kellee Enneman
Description: 5 - 11 p.m. Perfectly straight house lights and multiple yard decorations. Decorations are accompanied by music.

Address: 1343 Villa Park Court, Las Vegas, 89110
Resident: Chris Colasuono
Description: 4 - 10:30 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 4 - 11 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10,000 lights that are synchromized to music. Music can be heard on station 106.1 FM. Currently 14 various song/light shows are programmed.

NORTHWEST

Address: 8117 Chestnut Hollow Ave., Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Frank Endellicate
Description: Entire house decorated from top to bottom. Various lawn ornaments, blow ups, reindeer and santas! Lights galore!

Address: 6759 Rowena Circle, Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Missi K. Winter
Description: Anytime after 5:30 pm. Themed as the Peanuts visiting the North Pole!

Address: 6601 Brandywine Way, Las Vegas
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: 7 - 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday; Monday-Tuesday, all day. My parents' home, always decorated every space you can imagine ... from the roof to the whole front yard! My Dad does this himself everyt year. He is 80 years old! Climbs up that roof, etc. Then goes to my sister's house & helps her! Every year! Needs to be recognized.

Address: 6313 Bristol Way, Las Vegas, 89107
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: My sister's house says: Happy Birthday Jesus. Everyone seems to forget what Christmas really means & her display says it all ... a must see!

Address: 4205 Via Vaquero Ave., Las Vegas 89102
Resident: Kelley Thomas
Description: 5 - 11 p.m. More than 25,000 lights, dancing characters, handmade Santa, lots of intricate details. Features Christmas music.

SOUTHWEST

Address: 7040 Darby Ave., Las Vegas, 89117
Resident: Gary Bohannon
Description: 5 p.m. to at least 10 p.m., weekends until 11 p.m. Our display includes, of course, a Nativity scene, There is Santa in his sleigh with 9 flying reindeer suspended in air. Flying Sopwith Camel airplane with Snoopy. Mega tree. Animated polar bears and penguins. There are several lighted trees throughout the yard. We are approaching 100,000 lights.

Our lights are sound activated by controllers, with Christmas carols (Mannheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Kitaro, David Arkenstone) playing through outside speakers and the lights flash to the tempo of the music. Animated pink flamingos, carousel. Large U.S. flag on the roof (9' x 13').

We also have the obligatory gaudy plastic figures; Mickey, Minnie, Santa, Mrs. Santa, choir people, elves, candy canes, snowman, Santa waving in a train, toy soldiers, drummers and windows have animated lighted figures. Sometimes Santa appears, especially Christmas Eve and hands out candy canes."

Address: 2757 Grande Valley, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Rupert Chamberlain
Description: 5-10 p.m. My favorite TV show of all time is "Star Trek." The recent "Star Trek" movie was OK, but I much prefer the original cast. As a tribute to the show I have decorated my front yard to represent some of my favorite episodes with a holiday twist. Kirk and Spock in hand-to-hand combat armed with candy canes and dressed as elves, red, white and green animatronic tribbles and much much more. A true Trekkies holiday delight! Come one and all and join for a Romulan ale as we boldly go where no man has gone before!

Address: 10878 Milbank Ave, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Jerrold E. Creed
Description: 4 to 10 p.m. daily. Tune your car radio to 103.9 FM. Thousands of LED lights set to music. THX opening, Carol of the Bells, Linus and Lucy, Jingle Bells, TSO Wizards of Winter. Picture on this web page is this house. Featuring 16 mini trees out front. Merry Christmas.

Address: 346 Maddalena, Las Vegas, 89183
Resident: Ryan S. Knepp
Description: 6 - 8 p.m. My 14-year-old stepson Ryan Knepp loves Christmas decorations. With every dime he gets he buys blow-up decorations to place in the yard. Over the last month he has spent countless hours setting up his display.

He has about 40 blow ups plus countless lights and other displays. Last year he had blow ups stolen. He now attaches each one to plywood and puts a cable around all of them to prevent them from being stolen. He is very meticulous and makes sure every wire and string is just right. This 14-year-old does this all by himself and with his own money. Truly an inspiring story about Christmas and youth.

Address: 3308 Surfline Dr., Las Vegas 89117
Resident: Walt Patalina
Description: 5-11 p.m. Deer, trees, lights, music and lots more!

HENDERSON

Address: 3018 Scenic Valley Way, Henderson 89052
Resident: Robert Thomas
Description: 4:30 - 11:30 p.m. Lots of lights, inflatable airplane on roof, nativity scene, snow globe and lighted animals, angels and more. Live Santa appearing on Sundays.

OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE VALLEY:

Holiday Events Town Square
More info: townsquarelasvegas.com
Snow in the Square featuring snowflakes and holiday music will be featured through Dec. 23 in the park at Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Hours are 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

Photos with Santa Claus will be available through Dec. 23. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. Pet photos will be available for dogs and cats only 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays.

The Holiday Nights & Lights community concert series featuring local choirs and music groups from Las Vegas area schools and community organizations will be at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 23.

Ice Skating Rink
The rink is located on the Floating Stage at MonteLago Village, 15 Costa di Lago, Henderson. Hours are noon-9 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and 3-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger (564-4766).

15th annual Bagel Ball
When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 24
Where: Blush, Wynn
Tickets: $18 in advance for JCC members, $25 in advance for non-members, $35 at the door
More inf: 702-794-0090
Presented by the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada in cooperation with Blush Boutique Nightclub, the Bagel Ball is open to all adults (must be 21). Nightclub attire is suggested. Complimentary cocktails courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits and hors d'oeurvres from Wynn Las Vegas' Society Cafe will be provided between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Attendees bringing a $5 grocery gift card will receive a free raffle ticket. Gift cards will be donated to the Jewish Family Service Agency Food Pantry which provides temporary assistance for nutritious food and hygiene products to Clark County residents. Other raffle tickets for a variety of fabulous prizes are available for $5 each. Proceeds also benefit the JFSA Food Pantry.

Complementing the Bagel Ball festivities, Wynn Las Vegas is offering several special deals. A "Taste of Wynn" full course dinner is available at Society Cafe before the Bagel Ball at a discounted price. Call 770-3463 for reservations. A discounted room rate of $119 is available to Bagel Ball attendees. For reservations, call (866) 770-7555 and ask for promotion code 8JCC1209. Reservations must be made by Dec. 17, 2009.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS ACTIVITIES

Happy Everything Day Celebration (all ages)
When: noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road
Fee: $3 (all those who arrive in costume will receive a good bag)
Celebrate all past and future holidays in one day! Hunt for eggs, bob for apples, eat iced chocolate, enjoy Independence Day balloon toss, costume contest, gift guessing contest, pumpkin slam contest, swimming games, Thanksgiving pie-eating contest, and lots more. Holiday music will be played.

Big Band Pops Christmas featuring Tony Scodwell
When: 2 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.
Fee: $5 all seats
More info: 702-229-6383
Enjoy a big band Christmas program by the Tony Scodwell Big Band and vocalist Lisa Mayer.

La Posada December Fiesta
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave.
Fee: Free admission
Join Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese to celebrate the holidays with the traditional Hispanic custom that involves friends, family and the entire community. Enjoy live entertainment, traditional Posada, food vendors, a children's raffle and a visit from Santa Claus. Sponsored by the city of Las Vegas, La Nueva 103.5 FM, Recuerdo 99.3 FM and Radio Variedades 870 AM.

Free Holiday Synchronized Swimming Show
When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road
Synchronized swimmers from Henderson, Clark County and the city of Las Vegas will perform to holiday music. Refreshments will be served while they last.

Tenors For You Concert
When: 3-5 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St.
Admission: Free
More info: 702-229-3515
Classically trained tenors Michael Rodrigues, Mark Thomsen, Marco Varela and Dr. Alfonse Anderson will present two hours of Christmas favorites, accompanied by Barbara Riske and a few other guest performers.

Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker"
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20; and 1 p.m. Dec. 24
Where: Paris Las Vegas' Les Theatre de Arts, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Tickets: Prices start at $50.50. Dinner packages available
More info/tickets: (877) 374-7469 or 946-4567 or www.nevadaballet.com.

Nevada Public Radio Holiday Programming
NPR will feature special programming in celebration of the holiday season.

Hanukkah Programming includes:
News 88.9 KNPR
• Hannukah Lights 2009, Dec. 18 - 7-8 p.m. and Dec. 20 - 9-10 a.m. Well into its second decade, Murray Howitz and Susan Stamberg host the program and explore Hanukkah traditions in original stories.

Christmas programming includes:
News 88.9 KNPR
• Jonathan Winters' A Christmas Carol, Dec. 24 -11 p.m. - Midnight and Dec. 25 -10-11 a.m.
Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of a special performing edition of Dickens' holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol," featuring Mimi Kennedy.

• Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites, Dec. 24 - 7-8 p.m. and Dec. 25 - 9-10 a.m.
Stories of seasons past are read by David Sedaris, Bailey White and John Henry Faulk are read touching on the meaning of Christmas, hosted by Lynn Neary.

Classical 89.7 KCNV
• A Festival of Lessons and Carols, Dec. 24 - 7-9 a.m. and Dec. 25 -12-2 p.m.
During this live two hour music and spoken-word broadcast hosted by Michael Baron, the 30-voice King's College Choir will perform its legendary Nine Lessons and Carols service of biblical readings and music directly from the chapel of Kings' College in Cambridge, England.

• Cantus: All is Calm, Dec. 24 - 7-8 p.m.
A moving musical drama, performed by Cantus, one of America's most accomplished male choirs, and Theater Latte Da, about the 1914 World War I Christmas truce scripted from soldiers' diary entries played to new arrangements of Christmas favorites.

• St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Dec. 24 - 8-10 p.m. and Dec. 25 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Featuring more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra, the festival is one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations where hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity are played.

• Welcome Christmas, Dec. 25 - 8-10 a.m.
This lively musical program is a perennial broadcast favorite featuring the Minneapolis-based ensemble, VocalEssence.
• Chanticleer Christmas, Dec. 24 - 10-11 p.m.
One of America's finest male choruses celebrates the mystery and wonder of Christmas with an elegant blend of traditional and best-loved Christmas songs from Gregorian chant to gospel.

• Echoes of Christmas, Dec. 24 - 11 p.m. - Midnight
Hosted by Brian Newhouse, the Dale Warland Singers will be performing their signature holiday concert consisting of a the best and most moving choral Christmas classics.

• A Harpist's Christmas with Yolanda Kondonassis, Dec. 25 - 2-3 p.m.
America's premier harpist Yolanda Kondonassis celebrates the season with treasures of Christmas. Joshua Smith on flute and Cynthia Phelps on viola accompany and showcase her heavenly instrument in music arranged just for American Public Media listeners.

Next week, listing for New Year's Eve Fireworks Displays!

As the holiday season draws closer I am reminded that I need to thank a number of people who help make Classic Las Vegas possible and help make what I do easier and much more fun.

So, with that in mind and in no particular order (after all it is late at night):

To the Springs Preserve. Marcel Parent and the Educational Department for their continued support of "Untold Stories". Each month (except January), I bring long-time residents out to talk not only about the history of Las Vegas but their role in that history. Thanks to the Springs Preserve, this is the only continous educational program of its kind. A very warm thanks to our regular class members and their friends that help make this program successful! I hope more of you will join us in 2010, Take advantage of the lower prices and the discount!

To Dennis McBride and the crew at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas for all their help and support throughout the year. Dennis is like a brother to me and the crew at the State Museum is always willing to step up and help out. Without them, there would not have been the Walter Zick event.

To Barbara Slivac who helped write the grant that made the Walter Zick event possible. She is also a very good friend who supports the type of programming I try to do.

To Nevada Humanties for supporting the cultural and educational programming that I do from "Untold Stories" to the Walter Zick event!

To Jack LeVine at VeryVintageVegas, Jack and I have been friends for over two years now. We discovered each other through our mutual blogs. Since then we have become great comrades in arms when it comes to helping preserve not only mid-century Las Vegas but historic neighborhoods as well.

To Heidi and Scott Swank, Mary Margaret and Cary Stratton, Jenny and Zane Donaldson, Steve Evans, Bill Johnson and Mark Comstock, Pam Hartley, Susan Dean, Brian Paco Alvarez and Mary Joy Alderman who have invested in historic homes, helped restore them, appreciate their history and their place in downtown neighborhoods.

To Donna and Gail Andress and Peg Crockett for their continued support of all I do. Donna, Gail and Peg have lived here since the 1930s and are incredibly helpful and supportive.

To the Historic Preservation Commission for their support of our Archive Project. Thanks to a grant from them, we were able to archive 25 video oral histories on DVD with indexed transcripts. They are available for viewing at the State Museum and Special Collections.

To the Cashman Family for their support of the Archive Project.

To the crew at Dona Maria's Restaurant Downtown for always making us feel welcome and staying open when we show up just before closing time.

To the Friends of Classic Las Vegas, from Las Vegas to Northern California to places around the United States and Europe, your continued support through yearly dues and memberships helps us to fight the good battle of preserving the history of 20th Century Las Vegas. Without you, this would not be possible.

To all our readers who help support day in and day out this blog. Knowing that you are out there and are reading on a daily basis helps our morale more than you can imagine. I appreciate your support and your readership more than you know!

To all, we wish a very merry Holiday and may the New Year bring out the best in all our dreams!

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