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Daily Archives: 17 Feb 2022
Warning to stay away from East Devon seafronts as Storm Eunice blows in
East Devon residents have been warned to stay away from seafronts with winds of up to 100mph expected when Storm Eunice blows in on Friday, February 18. [Plus advice on recycling]
eastdevonnews.co.uk
A number of schools across the district and in Exeter have also announced they will shut for the day due to the conditions.
They currently include Exmouth Community College and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in the town, along with primary schools in Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, and Axminster. A full list can be found here.
The South West is set to be battered by gale-force gusts – the worst of them happening between 3am and 9pm.
Met Office chiefs have escalated a wind warning for the area to Amber.
A Red warning has been issued for northern Devon and its coastline.
Flood gates have been closed as a precautionary measure in Exmouth at Morton Crescent, Mamhead Slipway and by the Clock Tower.
East Devon District Council has today issued the following advice:
There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life. It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees.
People are being advised to stay away from coastal paths and coastal areas where there will be large waves and beach debris is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
There is a good chance that power cuts, which could occur and possibly affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to public transport.
The Met Office says that Eunice may cause 'significant disruption' on the county's roads, and that there is a good chance that flying debris could result in 'a danger to life.'
Devon's recycling centres will likely be closed tomorrow (Friday, February 17).
Recycling crews have asked residents to ensure their recycling bins have their lids on, are weighed down so they cannot blow away and are tucked against walls and fences where possible. Residents have also been asked to wait until 7am to put them at the kerbside.
Devon County Council (DCC) is advising people to only travel if absolutely necessary. Wind speeds are being constantly monitored, so please check before you travel. If you must travel please plan your journey and leave extra time.
Teams of tree surgeons will also be on stand-by to clear any fallen trees on the county's roads.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC cabinet member for highway management, said: "The Met Office has increased its alert level and Storm Eunice will make travelling conditions quite perilous for much of Friday morning and we are advising if you can avoid travelling, please do so.
"The forecast of such strong winds may well lead to fallen trees or branches, and other debris.
"If you must travel, please take extra care, particularly when its dark when it's more difficult to see debris on the road.
"To prepare for this, extra people are being drafted to staff our Network Operations Control Centre and highways teams and tree surgeons will be on standby.
"If possible, postpone your journey until conditions improve and if you do have to travel, slow down, allow extra time for your journey and drive according to the conditions. Keep an eye on travel updates and weather forecasts and please plan your journey."
DCC is reminding people of the following advice:
Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with poorer visibility;
Be alert to fallen trees and branches, particularly on minor roads where they may not have been reported;
Consider if your journey is essential and be alert to weather warnings;
Never drive through floodwater or swollen flowing water, you don't know how deep it is. Find an alternative route;
Allow additional time for your journey;
Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front and leave plenty of room if you're overtaking;
Drive with care and according to the conditions.
Homeless given shelter during Storm Eunice
Torbay Council has brought in emergency measures as the resort prepares for gale force winds gusting up to 80mph in the resort.
Colleen Smith www.devonlive.com
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning and Storm Eunice is forecast to hit the coastal resort from 3am tomorrow (February 18), with a rare Red weather warning issued for North Devon.
The council is closing some harbouside piers and docks and warning people to stay away from seafront areas where debris is likely to cause "significant injury".
For the first time this winter, the council is activating its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, guaranteeing overnight accommodation for the homeless for two nights from tonight (Thursday, February 17).
Members of the public who have concerns for people sleeping rough can report their location via Streetlink.
Cllr Steve Darling, leader of Torbay Council, said: "The welfare and safety of all residents is a priority of ours, particularly during periods of extreme weather.
"By activating our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol today, we are guaranteeing overnight accommodation for anyone who is street homeless."
Cllr Darren Cowell, deputy leader of Torbay Council, added: "I'd like to strongly urge residents to stay away from coastal areas, particularly at times of high tide.
"Large waves are incredibly dangerous and bring with them a lot of debris.
"Our emergency services are likely to be dealing with a variety of emergencies so we need to do all we can to keep ourselves safe."
A spokesman for the council said: "We're advising people to take note of the warning, think before they travel and to stay away from coastal areas.
"Our Emergency Planning Team are liaising with council teams and emergency agencies to ensure arrangements are in place to be able to respond to damage and/or disruption caused by the strong winds.
"Gale force winds caused by Storm Eunice are expected to be their strongest in coastal areas between 3am and 9pm on Friday, with gusts of up to 80mph possible. Strong winds are also expected to continue over the weekend.
"Large waves are likely along the seafronts with residents urged not to head out and take photographs as beach debris is likely to be thrown which can cause significant injury.
"Tor Bay Harbour Authority have also made a number of preparations to ensure the safety of the public, this includes closing some piers and docks.
The Covid-19 vaccine clinic at St Boniface Church in Paignton on Friday 18 February has been cancelled but testing sites are due to operate as normal.
Flood gates closed as Exmouth braces itself for Storm Eunice
Exmouth's new tidal defence scheme is being brought into partial operation as Storm Eunice threatens to send huge waves crashing over the seafront.
Philippa Davies www.exmouthjournal.co.uk
East Devon District Council is closing all the Morton Crescent flood gates, along with Mamhead Slipway and the gate by the clock tower.
The improved road drainage should mean the other road gates will not need to be closed, but the council is urging everyone to keep away from the seafront during the storm.
The £13 million tidal defence scheme is designed to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to more than 1,400 residential and 400 commercial properties.
It includes 27 new flood gates, which are usually kept open, but can be closed in minutes when flooding is imminent, creating a barrier to protect the town.
Warning from Devon County Council
Storm Eunice: 'extremely strong winds' to peak on Friday and continue over weekend
www.devon.gov.uk
Devon County Council is advising people to only travel if absolutely necessary with 'extremely strong winds' expected over the next few days and reaching a peak on Friday morning.
The Met Office has escalated its Yellow Wind Warning for the region , issued on Tuesday, to Amber. And now a Red warning has been issued for northern Devon and it's coastline. The warning will revert back to 'yellow' for the duration of Saturday afternoon.
The south west is expected to be battered by gale force winds caused by Storm Eunice – they will be at their strongest in coastal areas between 7am to 12pm on Friday morning, with gusts of 90-100mph possible.
There is an increasing likelihood of widespread inland wind gusts of 60-70 mph and up to 80 mph in a few places. Strong winds are also expected to continue over the weekend.
The high winds will also affect some other services and all of Devon's recycling centres will be closed tomorrow (Friday, February 18).
Schools will also be affected – Devon County Council is supporting any school that decides it needs to close. A list of school closures can be found on Schools Information webpage.
Meanwhile, the County Council's school transport service will be operating if it is safe to do so. Parents and carers are asked to visit the school transport route closure website, to check if their child's routes have been closed due to safety concerns.
If students use public transport to get to school we also recommend that they check with the operator to determine if services will be disrupted.
Additionally mobile libraries and the Public Health mobile coronavirus testing and vaccination vans will not be running on Friday.
Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down. Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.
The high winds are likely to result in the temporary closure of Taw Bridge, Barnstaple. Other bridges may also be affected. Wind speeds are being constantly monitored, so please check before you travel. If you must travel during a bridge closure please plan your journey, find a safer alternative route, and leave extra time.
And on the coast, flooding and large waves are likely. During these times people are advised to stay away from coastal paths and coastal areas as beach debris is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
In preparation extra staff are being drafted into Devon County Council's Network Operations Control Centre and extra highways teams will be ready to respond. Teams of tree-surgeons will also be on stand-by to clear any fallen trees on the county's roads.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said:
"The Met Office has increased its alert level and Storm Eunice will make travelling conditions quite perilous for much of Friday morning and we are advising if you can avoid travelling, please do so.
"The forecast of such strong winds may well lead to fallen trees or branches, and other debris. If you must travel, please take extra care, particularly when its dark when its more difficult to see debris on the road.
Devon County Council is reminding people of the following advice:
• Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with poorer visibility;
• Be alert to fallen trees and branches, particularly on minor roads where they may not have been reported;
• Consider if your journey is essential and be alert to weather warnings;
• Never drive through floodwater or swollen flowing water, you don't know how deep it is. Find an alternative route;
• Allow additional time for your journey;
• Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front and leave plenty of room if you're overtaking;
• Drive with care and according to the conditions.
For more information and winter travel advice visit the County Council's winter travel webpages or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert
Mid Devon meeting 'like Stalin's Russia'
A Mid Devon council meeting has been compared to Joseph Stalin's dictatorship of the Soviet Union.
Chairperson "followed Politburo's playbook"
Ollie Heptinstall, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk
Autocrat Bob Deed (left) is accused of following Joseph Stalin's playbook
The surprising claim was made after a group of councillors complained about the running of the district council's cabinet meeting on Tuesday 1 February, which contained a packed agenda of over 20 items, including the new budget.
The group submitted a motion to the authority's scrutiny committee held this week, claiming the agenda was too long and that several items "could and should have been placed on the agenda of another meeting."
"This gave very little time for discussion and questioning of important items of business, especially by non-cabinet members," wrote Councillors Graeme Barnell, Simon Clist, Elizabeth Lloyd and Ashley Wilce.
The motion claimed some questions were not answered and that the meeting was chaired by council leader Bob Deed (New Independent, Cadbury) in a way "that was perceived to be extremely disrespectful towards non-cabinet members, bordering on hostile and autocratic."
"With one notable exception, non-cabinet members felt as though they were routinely and aggressively interrupted by the chair and prevented from making valid points or from entering into any discussion about key items," it added.
During the debate on the motion, Cllr Barnell (Lib Dem, Newbrooke) said the management of the meeting "seemed to follow the Joseph Stalin playbook of Politburo management," a reference to the former Soviet dictator and his all-powerful executive committee.
This was evidenced in how the agenda was "unmanageably long," Cllr Barnell said, as well as by allowing "cabinet members to expand at length about the wisdom of their proposals, thereby limiting the time available for anybody else to suggest alternatives."
He also suggested it was chaired in a way that tried to prevent questions being asked and non-cabinet members who had managed to "ask a question or, god forbid, express a point of view" were interrupted.
"This is a clear mismanagement of decision-making and is fundamentally wrong. It is completely out of step with the Nolan principles and with the council's own principles of good decision-making," Cllr Barnell claimed.
He added that it "brings the council into disrepute and corrodes trust and confidence in the executive."
He asked the cabinet to review the management of the meeting and requested better collaboration with non-cabinet members.
Another of the motion's signatories, Cllr Wilce (Ungrouped, Cullompton North) said: "I have to say from listening to that meeting, I was appalled by the way that it was conducted and I can only think that any member of the public that listened to it would feel the same way."
He and Cllr Clist (Lib Dem, Upper Culm) both claimed their pre-submitted questions were not answered during the meeting. Cllr Wilce called it "totally wrong" not to discuss his, and "an abuse" of the chairman's discretion.
In response, Cllr Deed defended his handling of events.
"As has been acknowledged, there was a very long agenda," he said. "I did take the view that in order that the meeting only took as long as it needed to take, I didn't think it would be appropriate to allow any members to speak in a way that perhaps took us slightly away from the agenda."
As a result, Cllr Deed said he decided to "only allow members to ask questions," adding he was "perfectly entitled to do that" due to being in charge of the meeting and that, by definition, a chair is autocratic.
"Yes, there were three members where I did try to stop them talking and it took a while. There were two members who wanted to argue with me.
"Well, that was sad because there seems to be a lack of understanding that a chair is a chair, and one therefore needs to abide by the time-honoured rules."
He added: "I wasn't trying to be offensive to anybody. I wasn't trying to cut down any subsequent discussion, but I though it appropriate to ask that only questions be asked. If it has offended people because they didn't understand the process or the role of the chair, I'm sorry."
Cllr Deed concluded: "Everybody knows that I did not take that stance in any previous meeting while I've been on this council. It was because of the very heavy workload on that particular meeting that I took the attitude that I did."
The deputy leader, Councillor Bob Evans (Conservative, Lower Culm), said it was "a little bit unbecoming" and "an insult" to be associated with Joseph Stalin – "a dictator who was responsible for the deaths of millions of citizens."
"We can all have an opinion, and we call all think what's right and what's wrong, and what could have been done a little bit better … however to come out with a pre-conceived, pre-written, pre-notified comment such as that I think is slightly wrong."
He suggested the remark be withdrawn and reminded councillors that they operate under an agreed constitution and cabinet system, but Cllr Barnell said he made the Stalin reference in relation to his style of meetings, not "to compare character or dictatorial tendencies."
Councillor Barry Warren (Lower Culm), chairman of the scrutiny committee said Cllr Deed was "faced with a very, very heavy agenda" and suggested future such meetings could be split into two.
The committee agreed to note the motion and for other groups of the council to review the issues raised.
How No 10 is testing out excuses to enable the PM to escape the Partygate scandal
If the "gatherings" that Boris Johnson "dropped in on" were just "part of his normal working life" and business, for him, continued as usual afterwards; are we meant to assume that this was also common, and acceptable, behaviour amongst senior staff during lockdown restriction in, for example, our NHS hospitals? Are knees ups, boozy leaving dos and quizzes in between a spot of intensive care, a necessary part of the working day?
It was the government, led by none other than Boris Johnson, who devised and imposed the restrictions on the rest of us. Are they now taking us for fools? – Owl
Elsewhere it has been reported that the number of people contacted by the police is now nearer 90 than 50.
www.independent.co.uk
Boris Johnson insists he can't "say anything" about his defence in the Partygate scandal while the police investigate him – but, behind the scenes, his aides are singing like canaries.
As the clock ticks down to what looks like an inevitable fixed penalty notice – and enormous pressure for the prime minister to resign – we are being given a fascinating insight into the fightback to come.
Friendly newspapers are being briefed about what are either, depending on your point of view, the clever arguments his lawyers will employ – or their increasingly desperate excuses.
The motive is clear: this is a softening up exercise to try to shift public opinion about what was acceptable behaviour for Mr Johnson, during the lockdowns he imposed, with a none-too-subtle threat to the police tossed in.
So, it has been briefed that Mr Johnson will acknowledge he attended up to 6 rule-busting gatherings the Met is investigating, but will argue they were "part of his working life".
"For each event, the prime minister will use details in his diary and call logs to highlight that he was present only briefly and that he continued with other work-related events afterwards," The Times was told.
This defence will apparently cover not just staff leaving parties, but even the 'ABBA party' his fiancée Carrie and her mates reportedly held in his own flat, to celebrate Dominic Cummings' demise.
The sound of 'The Winner Takes It All' is said to have boomed through the building, but Mr Johnson – who has, publicly, refused to say if he was in his flat – will tell the police he was there but "working", we learn.
Most extraordinary is a briefing that his lawyer will argue that – even if he attended illegal parties – he broke no rules if he went back to work immediately afterwards and did not drink excessively.
If Mr Johnson can "prove that he didn't get drunk and incapacitated" and "has proof" that he then resumed his tasks, there "is a chance" he can mount an effective defence, ITV's Robert Peston was told.
Meanwhile, slavishly loyal Tory MPs are sent out to argue a fine for breaking Covid rules is no more serious than a speeding ticket, or parking on a red line.
To understand what a seismic shift this is, we need to remember both what Mr Johnson originally told parliament and what broke the rules he brought in.
As a former Tory attorney-general has reminded us, MPs were told there were no parties and that no rules were reached – so, not only the goalposts, but the entire pitch is being uprooted by No 10.
And, as lawyers have repeatedly pointed out, no such thing as a "work event" existed in the lockdown laws. What matters is whether gatherings were "reasonably necessary for work".
It is clearly hard to argue an event was necessary for work when those attending have been told to "bring your own booze" or ABBA songs are blasting out – so that effort needs to start now.
It is called "rolling the pitch" – preparing people for a message that will otherwise fall on stony ground – and there are still several weeks ahead for more of it.
Pompey Power – another coalition takes control of the budget from Tories
Tories 'gobsmacked' as Lib Dems and Labour join forces in city budget meeting
www.portsmouth.co.uk
The deal, which was only finalised hours before the start of Tuesday's meeting, will see a new family support worker employed, grants for voluntary groups – including Portsmouth Pride – and funding for two benefits advisors kept.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said the agreement showed 'a willingness to work together' with other political groups in a council in no overall control.
'We offered every group on this council a chance to work with us to put together a budget that works for the people of this city,' he said. 'Unfortunately the Conservatives didn't take up that offer but what we have reached is a good budget.'
Labour had hoped to secure £1.6m to roll-out the living wage to all council-contracted carers in the city.
Group deputy leader Cal Corkery said they had played a 'fundamental' role in the pandemic and deserved the pay increase, accusing the Lib Dems of not prioritising the issue.
'The Living Wage would represent an increase of over £1,200-a-year for the lowest paid social care workers in Portsmouth, at a time when we are enduring a cost of living crisis.'
But Cllr Vernon-Jackson said this would have put the future of plans for a new fire station and health centre in Cosham at risk. He said he 'hoped' to secure funding for it next year.
A budget amendment was also put forward by the Conservatives in a bid to keep funding for two school crossing patrol positions, to fund two new community safety wardens, grants for voluntary organisations.
It also would have scrapped controversial plans to charge a 10 per cent commission on the sale of mobile homes at Henderson Road and Cliffdale Gardens.
The tax was first introduced by the council in 2007 before being scrapped two years later in the face of widespread public pressure and 116 affected people repaid.
Former Conservative group leader Matt Atkins described the charge as 'absolutely egregious'.
'They want to charge the owners of homes there – the people who have fought the hardest for their little slice of England – 10 per cent of the value of their home,' he said. 'That is absolutely disgraceful.
'You are taking money from the least well-off in the city to use it for your vanity schemes.'
The joint Labour-Lib Dem budget amendment was proposed half way through the meeting, a move which prompted consternation from the Conservatives.
'I'm gobsmacked that they have done this,' Conservative leader Simon Bosher said. 'They have created absolute anarchy by playing fast and loose with the standing orders.'
However, the council's solicitor said amendments did not need to be proposed at the start of the debate.
The joint amendment was passed with the support of all Lib Dem, Labour, Progressive Portsmouth People and independent councillors.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Vernon-Jackson said the agreed budget was 'ambitious', 'strategic' and followed a 'financially-prudent model'.
'Most of the budget was agreed cross-party,' he said. 'The debate was about the details of the last two per cent, which are still important but showed we are willing to work together for the benefit of the residents of this city.'


We are thrilled to share Katie and Chris' elegant, Dutch Masters-inspired autumn wedding in England with you today. One of the things that is so enthralling about weddings that take place in Europe are the incredible venues; and the carefully restored historic home that Katie and Chris' wedding took place in is one of these amazing places. A library, ballroom, time-worn hardwood floors and tapestries, ornate trims and moldings all came together to form an idyllic setting for this autumn wedding.
Jackson & Co PhotographyThis morning we were blessed with a village hall wedding and this afternoon we are blessed with a back garden yurt wedding. Both filled with an abundance of DIY and money saving tips and both incredibly stylish.
The cake table in particular is spectacular. There's a hessian table cloth, tissue tassels, old hanging portraits of family members, a wonderful rustic table plan, and delicious treats for the guests to enjoy.
This wasn't the only rustic influence. The Great Barn ceremony where the couple said I do also made a beautiful backdrop for the nuptials. And Bride Sasha's customised Dana Bolton gown with it's boho vibes fitted in with the theme perfectly. And how can I forget her flower crown and beautiful wild and organic bouquet in THE most delicious Autumnal hues.


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Old radium watch hand inside a glass vial. This radium watch hand is from watches made 50 or more years ago. The hand probably won't glow but minuscule amount of radium 226 that is on the hand still emits alpha, beta and gamma rays. Will activate any tube or Geiger counter we sell. We recommend leaving the watch hand in the glass vial and not touching it. Hurry, we have a limited amount of these and they are extremely difficult to find in quantity any more. Note: Watch hand will vary from picture shown.


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Playing on
Former CWRU soccer star, now an engineer, is still reaching his goals as a player.
By John Canale
With a little more than eight minutes left in the opening period, the Cleveland Crunch of the Major Arena Soccer League 2 held a slim 2-1 lead over the Muskegon Risers. The score changed abruptly as the Crunch's Chris Cvecko knocked a rebounded kick past a diving Risers' goalie. The small but passionate crowd at the Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted, Ohio, erupted in cheers.
When Cvecko '16, MS '17, completed his illustrious soccer career on the pitch at Case Western Reserve, he ranked among the university's all-time best. He finished his collegiate career as the Spartans' sixth all-time leading scorer and fifth in career assists. But he knew he wasn't done.
A lot of athletes, when their college playing days end, hang up their cleats and move on to the next chapter of life. They reflect on the wins and losses and injuries and look forward to rehashing stories at homecomings and reunions. But some decide they have more left in them — and have more to prove to themselves.
"After my senior year, when I had won some accolades, my coach suggested I go to a combine being held at Columbus Crew Stadium," Cvecko said. "I held my own against Division I players and knew I could compete at a higher level and wanted to keep playing."
The mechanical engineer is now playing for the Cleveland Crunch of the Major Arena Soccer League 2 indoor soccer league. In 2021, the Crunch were crowned the MASL2 Champions after an 11-6 win over the Wichita Wings. In April 2022, the Crunch returned to defend their title but fell 7-4 to the San Diego Sockers in the championship game.
The game of indoor soccer resembles outdoor soccer but it's also a different beast. Each team has five players plus a goalie on the field while players rotate in an out in shifts. A penalty against a player can lead to a team having a one-man advantage or disadvantage, also known as a power play — almost like soccer combined with ice hockey. "I played indoor soccer growing up, but this is entirely different," Cvecko said. "There's a lot of tricks and tips I'm learning about from playing indoor at professional level. There's a lot more action, more shots on goals, and fans love it." Besides his time playing for the Crunch, the native of Erie, Pennsylvania, also plays outdoor for Cleveland SC of the National Premier Soccer League. As part of the NPSL, Cvecko and his teammates compete against teams from across the country. In March, the team scored a 2-1 victory over Chicago FC United in the opening round of the annual U.S. Open Tournament.
Since graduation, Cvecko has also found the time to coach. He returned to campus to serve as an assistant on the CWRU coaching staff and was the head varsity boy's coach at Orange High School in the Cleveland suburb of Pepper Pike. Cvecko managed to balance coaching and playing while working as a systems engineer for Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems in Akron.
"It was tricky with work and playing, but I really enjoyed seeing the other side of it," he said. "I can definitely see myself getting back into coaching down the road."
For now, his focus remains on playing. As the Spartans' midfielder in 2015, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the University Athletic Association and helped lead the team to a 13-4-1 record. Unfortunately, that team did not make it to the post season playoffs. In his post collegiate career, Cvecko has tried to erase that disappointment. He hasn't missed the playoffs very often since.
John Canale is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio. To comment on this story, or to suggest a candidate for an Alumni Adventure profile, please email casealum@casealum.org.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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NHL Alumni
Mats Sundin VIP Hockey Experience
From November 15th-17th, over 40 individuals took part in the third Mats Sundin VIP Hockey Experience. An action-packed weekend where contest winners from LeoVegas.net were able chat and skate alongside NHL Alumni members in a series of games. The event weekend kicked off at the Delta Hotel in downtown Toronto. While the Toronto Maple Leaf's game was played in the background, winners were able to mingle with NHL Alumni members and enjoy delicious cocktails and food. After everyone settled in, a hot stove chat took place with Christine Simpson, Glenn Healy, Mats Sundin, Bryan Berard, Gary Roberts and Fredrik Modin. The group talked about their time in the NHL with Healy making jokes the whole way. Afterwards people were able to ask questions to get better insight into their history playing in the NHL or just questions they have always wanted to ask their heroes.
"I think that each of these guys have the life skills- that we have learned through sports- that have molded us into great ambassadors." Healy stated about the group. "Hockey provides you with many life lessons, so yeah Sundin probably knew he was going to make the NHL as soon as he came out of the birth canal," he joked.
The VIP weekend continued with each of the two teams suiting up for a good old-fashioned hockey game at the Ford Performance Centre. There were a variety of skill levels on the ice with the help of Mats Sundin and other NHL Alumni members, including Nick Kypreos, Fredrik Modin, Gary Roberts, Steve Thomas, Nicklas Lidstrom and Bryan Berard. Behind the bench was Glenn Healy to run the lines. The speed and skill of Sundin was on full display as he was racking up points and in one instance even scored on a breakaway by kicking his stick to shoot the puck.
"When Steve Thomas came to the Toronto Maple Leafs, when I played with him, he taught me the kick shot and I got to try it out and it worked," Sundin said recalling the goal.
Participant Taylor Simpson had a different experience on his breakaway, recounting one of the funniest moments of his weekend playing with the NHL greats, "when I used to play hockey I'd be known to go on a breakaway and then miss the net. So I was on a breakaway yesterday and I was thinking, oh, what if that happens again? What if I miss the net? But that didn't even have a chance to happen because Mats Sundin strips me at the last minute, stole the puck. I didn't know who it was and when he turned back, I just see number 13 flash and thought, 'oh, well that makes sense.'" he laughed.
Later in the night, a private watch party was hosted at Real Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Toronto. Watching the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Pittsburgh Penguins as food and drinks were served, everyone unwound and traded stories about their on-ice experience earlier that day. They were also joined by Sundin and the rest of the group to take photos, sign autographs and finish off a fun-filled day.
In day two of the games, the pace picked up a bit. Noting the skill on the ice, Taylor Simpson stated, "It was amazing to be around these guys. How often do you get access to being around not just one NHL Alumni but a bunch of them all at once? Being on the ice with them was amazing. The size, the speed, the skill. When you see them on TV everyone's kind of the same, but next to an average joe like me and some of the other guys you can really see the strength of these guys and how they made it to the NHL."
After the conclusion of the final game, lunch was held in the Hockey Hall of Fame D.K. (Doc) Seaman Hockey Resource Centre. Waiting for everyone was a gift to commemorate the weekend, a signed and framed picture of each participant with Mats Sundin as well as a group photo.
"It's been a fantastic weekend for me. This is this third time we've done it, hopefully we can continue to do it and make it a tradition. Perfectly run and it's been a lot of fun," said Sundin summarizing the weekend. "It's been a great camp for both LeoVegas guests and NHL Alumni. Big thanks to the LeoVegas team and also Glenn Healy and the whole NHL Alumni Association."
Special thank you to Mats Sundin, Bryan Berard, Gary Roberts, Fredrik Modin, Nick Kypreos, Nicklas Lidstrom, Bryan McCabe and Steve Thomas for coming out to support the NHL Alumni at this great event and create memories for each and every participant!
← Hockey Fights Cancer → Alumni Whisky Series
Alumni Talks Series
Featuring Chris Chelios
2020 In Memoriam: A Tribute To Those We've Lost
Hockey Fights Cancer: Teammates in Battle, Far Beyond the Ice
Hockey Fights Cancer:
Dale Hawerchuk Feature
2019 NHL Alumni
Awards Gala Recap
Alumni Talks Series: Chris Nilan
My Hockey Idol:
The Tkachuks
Mats Sundin & Max Domi
The Folignos
Chara & Lidstrom
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Here lies some fun doodles I make to work out ideas or for Instagram. I really love trying out a lot of different styles so this area will be the best shots.
For a live action show set in spooky and gothic New Orleans. It follows the adventures of a ghost/living mixed family as they navigate growing up.
Who doesn't love some positivity to wear? My first enamel pin that i made to send to friends and clients to show my appreciation of all their support over the years. Coming soon to the shop!
Nella is princess who transforms into a knight! She goes on fantastical adventures with her friends and fights for what's right. I had the great pleasure to collaborate with the awesome team at Nick Jr. to create the title for Nella. They took my concepts and made them a million times better! And I was really excited that I got the chance to experiment with a child friendly blackletter style.
My love of detective films knows no limits. Here are a few lettering experiments to showcase how much I love these films! Thanks so much to everyone involved in making them, I totally listen to them all the time while I work. Plus when the plots take place in different eras, then I really get to pul from those aesthetics and have some fun.
I've been experimenting with chemical etching for lettering work. I LOVE IT. The plates are 4x6 and are copper. And in the plus column, I didn't burn my skin off. Nice.
A run of 50 plates were produced, handlettered and gold foil. It's a play and nod to the "importance" of collecting valuable objects so embellishments and gold foil all the way.
Shimmer & Shine is a fun, animated show for pre-schoolers about a girl who makes friends with a couple genies-in-training. Concepts needed to appeal to the young audience as well as having a little flair and sparkle. Just a few concepts that didn't make it to the final round.
This delicious pho restaurant in California is focused on traditional dishes fused with some modern flair. Insanely good!
GCDC, a grilled cheese spot in DC, needed a fun mix of lettering and type. Chalk lettered phrases to be used where needed.
Lettering created for The Guardian in London. I love being able to use so much color and texture!


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Pregame warmup: Weather clearing, but still chilly and windy
Kickoff is less than an hour away, so here's the latest from Lambeau Field for today's Packers-Steelers matchup:
The snow has stopped in Green Bay, and the tarp has been removed to reveal a clean playing surface. Temps are in the 20s and winds could still be in the 15-20 mph range, with it getting colder as the game wears on. But the weather is nowhere near as bad as it was earlier Sunday, when several inches of snow fell in the area amidst high winds.
For a look at a weather video that was shot earlier Sunday, click here.
It's Flynn again
QB Matt Flynn will make his fourth straight start in place of Aaron Rodgers, who is still out with a broken collarbone. Since Flynn took over in the second half of the game against Minnesota more than a month ago, the Packers are 2-1-1, rallying late for the tie and both victories.
The Packers can win the NFC North with wins in their final two games. They cannot clinch the division today, but they can be eliminated, should they lose and the Bears win on Sunday night.
For a more complete look at the different NFC North playoff scenarios, check out this week's installment of Path to the Playoffs.
First meeting since Super Bowl XLV
Three years later, this is far from a real rematch of Super Bowl XLV (click here for a more detailed explanation), but for those curious, the Packers have had mixed results in their history the first time they've faced a team after going head-to-head in a Super Bowl.
Against teams they defeated in Super Bowls, the Packers are 1-1-1 in "rematches," beginning with a 10-10 tie at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1973 against Super Bowl I opponent Kansas City.
The Packers also lost to Super Bowl II foe Oakland in 1972, 20-14 at Lambeau Field, and defeated Super Bowl XXXI opponent New England in 1997, 28-10 in Foxborough, Mass.
As for Super Bowl XXXII, which the Packers lost to the Broncos, Green Bay lost again to Denver in 1999, 31-10 at Mile High Stadium.


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Nevada travel guide
View United States of America travel guide
Select City Las Vegas Reno
For the millions passing through on their way to California, their image of Nevada is of long, empty roads and dusty desert towns, often little more than a gas station and 24-hour store with a few slot machines in the corner. For those not drawn by the desolation of the desert landscapes, it is fortunate that 'Lady Luck' descended on this state to give hundreds of thousands of people a great man-made reason for visiting. This is casino country, Las Vegas, and the other smaller towns where the main income earner is gambling.
Carson, the sleepy state capital, has tree-lined streets and some handsome old buildings and hosts the Nevada State Museum, which covers the geology and natural history of the Great Basin desert: enough distraction for a few hours. Reno is a smaller and less glitzy version of Las Vegas, packed with casinos and pawnshops, and provides easy access to Lake Tahoe, over the border in California.
Situated east of California, Nevada is split up into territories such as Cowboy Country, Pioneer Territory, and Pony Express Territory. These adventurous names aside, the majority of the state is a fairly desolate desert, sometimes beautiful, but also harsh and inhospitable. The better land is used for grazing hardy cattle, while the least forgiving is used by the military for weapons testing and other mysterious pastimes.
Nevada does have a few scenic attractions of great interest to visitors. Around Las Vegas, Lake Mead is popular with fishermen and water sports enthusiasts. While both the Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire State Park have magnificent desert scenery, which has been used as the backdrop for many famous movies including Star Trek - The Next Generation. The sandstone has been eroded into wonderful shapes over millions of years and at sunset these great natural monuments turn every shade of red.
Venetian Hotel and Casino
No expense was spared building the Venetian Hotel, aimed to recreate the city of Venice in the Nevada Desert, and the result is fairly spectacular. Guests can travel around the hotel in a gondola - real canals run through the grounds - and a replica of St Mark's Square and the Basilica turns from night to day every three hours. Visitors have to look carefully to notice that the sky is actually a vast fresco. The only things missing are the pigeons and the backpackers. The casino itself is massive, featuring something like 2,500 slot machines and 125 gaming tables. For guests taking a break from the tables, there are five swimming pools, a fitness centre, and 17 restaurants - mostly pizzerias. One of the main attractions is Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, a wax museum presenting some of the world's biggest icons including stars, politicians, record-breaking athletes, and legends.
Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard
Website: www.venetian.com
A mural at The Venetian Paulgokin
Bellagio Hotel and Casino
The Bellagio is one of Las Vegas's most opulent hotels and most popular casinos. With an Italian theme, the great bulk of the Bellagio sits in its own vast garden. It has more than 3,000 rooms and hundreds of slot machines and gaming tables. However, its best-known attraction is its amazing water show - a breath-taking union of water, music, and light. Between 3pm and midnight (from 12pm on weekends) the Bellagio's world-famous fountains 'dance' to opera, classical, or whimsical music with carefully choreographed movements. Beyond the Bellagio's gracious lobby lies the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a magnificent garden abounding in fragrance, texture, and colour. The hotel also has a new fine arts gallery that hosts contemporary art exhibits.
Address: 3600 S. Las Vegas Boulevard
Website: www.bellagio.com
Bellagio Fountains Photographersnature
Another MGM mega-casino, the showpiece at the Mirage is a volcano that shoots flames 100 feet (30m) into the night sky every 15 minutes (6pm to midnight), spewing smoke and transforming a tranquil waterfall into spectacular streams of molten lava. As you'd expect of Las Vegas, it's all quite kitsch, but great entertainment. Siegfried & Roy's White Tigers used to be one of the Mirage's signature attractions, but the show was cancelled in 2003 after Roy Horn was attacked by one of the tigers during a show. At any given time. However, there are a number of outrageous attractions at the casino. A popular feature is the aquarium located behind the Front Desk. This 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium is home to angelfish, puffer fish, tangs, sharks and other exotic sea creatures.
Opening time: Daily 24 hours.
Website: www.mirage.com
Mirage Hotel Jim G
The Luxor
The Luxor Hotel, themed on ancient Egypt, is one of the most prominent sights on the Las Vegas Strip. It is a massive black-glass pyramid containing 36 floors of hotel rooms. Shining through it into the night sky is one of the world's most powerful light beams, which they claim can be seen by planes circling Los Angeles. The ground floor of the hotel is given over to a massive casino, which stands beneath a recreation of King Tut's Tomb. Other than gambling, entertainment at the hotel includes an IMAX theatre, gyms, swimming pools, and exhilarating shows by comedians, dancers and singers. The Luxor is a Vegas landmark and one of the most popular casinos and hotels in the city.
Address: 3900 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Website: www.luxor.com
The Luxor Miguel Hermoso Cuesta
One of the most famous casinos in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in 1993 with more than 5,000 rooms. The complex also houses about 19 restaurants, many shops and nightclubs, a convention centre, and a spa. The MGM Grand's most famous attraction was, for many years, the glass-sided lion habitat; however, the casino closed this in early 2012 as part of an extensive renovation. Today, the MGM Grand is home to the Cirque du Soleil and many other exciting entertainment options. An iconic Vegas landmark, the MGM has been thrilling and entertaining visitors for many years.
Address: 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Website: www.mgmgrand.com
MGM Grand Nadavspi
The 44-storey Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is among the largest on the Las Vegas Strip with more than 3,000 hotel rooms and a 135,000 square foot (12,500 sq m) casino. The tropical-themed resort has a number of popular family attractions, including the Shark Reef saltwater aquarium and large-scale stage shows ranging from Broadway musicals to Cirque du Soleil productions. The most popular attraction at Mandalay Bay however, is Mandalay Beach, an 11-acre pool area featuring three heated pools, a wave pool, lazy river, and children's pool. Voted Best Pool of Las Vegas many times by Las Vegas Review Journal readers, Mandalay Beach has its own bar and restaurants.
Website: www.mandalaybay.com
Mandalay Bay Erin Khoo
Imperial Palace Auto Collection
With more than 250 classic antique cars on display, the Imperial Palace Auto Collection is an absolute must for car enthusiasts. It is actually part of a larger collection and cars are rotated in and out of the showroom on a regular basis. All cars are available for purchase, and once a car is sold it is replaced by another. Exhibited are rare models, race cars, muscle cars, touring roadsters, and dozens of vehicles once owned by the rich and famous. Claiming to be the one of the largest as well as the best collection of classic cars in the world, this vast showroom is heaven for petrol-heads and a very popular tourist attraction in Vegas.
Address: Imperial Palace Casino, 3535 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. Closed Sundays.
Imperial Palace Auto Collection Tom Ipri
The downtown area of Las Vegas is where it all began and the Fremont Street Experience aims to celebrate this heritage. The street is also known as 'Glitter Gulch' for the bright neon signs and thousands of flashing lights that line the streets - this is where you'll find Vegas Vic and Sassy Sal, two of the nation's best-known neon icons. Some of the city's most famous vintage casinos are found here, including the Golden Nugget and the Gold Spike, as are most of its strip clubs and stage shows. Most entertainment is on or close by the Freemont Street Experience Mall. The Fremont Street Experience encompasses the iconic Vegas experience, giving people exactly what they expect when they think of the glitzy casino city.
Address: 425 Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas
Opening time: Open 24 hours 7 days a week.
Website: www.vegasexperience.com
Fremont Street Michael Pead
Adventuredome
The glass-encased theme park of Adventuredome is the perfect attraction for thrill-seeking kids on holiday in Las Vegas. Its loop roller-coaster and other gut-wrenching rides are not to be missed. If this adrenalin rush is a bit too extreme, there are also shows by magicians and jugglers on offer, as well as plenty of treats like ice-cream, popcorn, and candy. There are also rides and activities designed for younger kids who may not be old enough to ride the main attractions. The fact that the theme park is indoors is an extra bonus, protecting visitors from the sometimes inhospitable Nevada climate.
Address: Circus Circus Hotel, 2880 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening time: Generally 10am - 6pm. Opening times vary according to season and day of the week and it is best to check the calendar on the website to avoid disappointment.
Website: www.adventuredome.com
Canyon Blaster, Adventuredome Nast89
Buffalo Bill's
The Buffalo Bill's amusement park is an excellent holiday attraction for children, offering everything from earth-plunging rides that defy gravity or end with a huge splash, to log rides on a fantasy lake. Kids will also love the Frog Hopper, bouncing around the park on the back of Buffalo Bill's life-like amphibian. Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino is a great choice of travel base in Las Vegas for families travelling with children as the resort caters equally to adults and kids, and is known for its high-energy live shows as well as its amusement park and gambling facilities. Youngsters will be kept happy and busy as adults explore the more grown-up attractions of the resort.
Address: 31900 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Opening time: Opening times vary. Check out the availability of different attractions on the official website.
Website: www.primmvalleyresorts.com
Buffalo Bill's Resort Shawn Jipp
Grand Canyon Helicopter and Ranch Adventure
Kids will revel in the exciting experience of flying through the Grand Canyon in a helicopter and landing at the Grand Canyon Western Ranch. Once at the ranch, children are thoroughly enthralled by horse-drawn wagon rides and the cowboys putting on a show. The western-style meal served at the ranch also goes down a treat. This family-friendly excursion across the border to Arizona is a great break from the casinos and resorts of Las Vegas itself, giving visitors the chance to experience some of the natural splendour of the region and partake in the pioneer and cowboy culture so well-loved in the US.
Address: 3750 E. Diamond Bar Ranch Rd, Meadview, Arizona
Website: grandcanyonwesternranch.com
Modern Cowboys Pschemp
No longer the family-friendly pirate hangout it once was, Treasure Island has revamped itself as an adult-oriented contemporary resort. The free Sirens of TI show is a special effects-laden production that is a must-see on the Las Vegas Strip, with music, explosions and beautiful women. Treasure Island is also home to a Cirque du Soleil show, and offers a number of restaurants and nightclubs. Famous comedians and musicians regularly perform at the resort. Although not a family resort, Treasure Island is an exciting adult destination in Vegas and one of the city's enduring favourites.
Website: www.treasureisland.com
Treasure Island Kris Ziel
Dig This is a wildly popular attraction in Las Vegas that allows you to operate enormous vehicles like bulldozers and excavators under the supervision of trained instructors. While the price tag is high, the experience is unforgettable as you team up with other participants to complete tasks. You must be at least 14 to operate the machines. Dig This has been voted the number one Las Vegas attraction on tourist review sites like Tripadvisor. People of all ages get super excited by the chance to experience the power of massive machinery.
Address: 3012 South Rancho Drive
Opening time: Daily 8am-5pm
Website: digthisvegas.com
Digger! Terinea IT Support
Nevada is the driest state in the US and is divided into semi-arid and arid climatic regions. The summers in Las Vegas get uncomfortably hot and the winters very cold, making the more mild spring and autumn months the best and most popular times to visit. In summer, between June and September the temperatures can climb up to extremes like 125°F (52°C), and in winter, from December to February, temperatures at night can drop as low as -50°F (-46°C), but these are the record temperature extremes and averages are substantially milder in most of Nevada. The weather is fiercely dry most of the year, but thunderstorms are likely in the summer months.
Just 500 yards from 'The Strip', Pamplemousse provides a quiet dining oasis reminiscent of a cosy French country inn, with soft orchestral music in the background to accompany the gourmet fare. There is no menu. Instead, waiters knowledgably recite the special of the day, which usually include the renowned Hobo Steak, Norwegian salmon, roast duckling, veal medallions, filet mignon, and spring lamb. The appetisers and desserts are just as mouth-watering, including the famous trademark Basket of Crudités. Reservations are essential. Open daily for dinner. Dress smart casual, no jackets required, but appreciated.
Address: 400 East Sahara Avenue
Website: www.pamplemousserestaurant.com
Golden Steer Steakhouse
The Steer, about a mile from 'The Strip', is the oldest steak house in Las Vegas. Being in business in the same spot since 1958, and still a favourite with thousands of loyal diners. Celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis Presley frequented the Steer to enjoy the large and perfectly grilled traditional steaks, especially the Diamond Jim cut of prime rib. Fish, chicken, and some Italian dishes are on offer too, and a selection of interesting appetisers, particularly the seafood stuffed mushrooms. Lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, dinner Saturdays, and Sundays.
Address: 308 W. Sahara Avenue
Website: goldensteersteakhouselasvegas.com
Exotic and exciting dining is offered in a cosy Middle-Eastern tent where diners lounge on cushions on the floor, or on low couches, to enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal. Robed waiters explain the six-course fixed-price menus, while belly dancers dance around. The meals are accompanied by homemade Moroccan bread. Be sure to try the filet mignon, marinated and grilled in Moroccan spices. Algerian wines are available. Open for dinner nightly. Reservations required.
Address: 3900 Paradise Road
Website: www.marrakechvegas.com
Mon Ami Gabi
Mon Ami Gabi, emulating a Paris brasserie, claims a sidewalk space on the famous Las Vegas Strip with not only an outdoor section, but a glass conservatory and several indoor dining rooms as well. The cuisine on offer is mainly classic French steak frites and fruits de mêr with flavoursome sauces. Their braised pork shank, and the steak with blue cheese sauce, are sublime. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Website: www.monamigabi.com
Italian restaurants abound in Las Vegas, both on and off The Strip. But for really good home-cooked food and excellent value, the unimposing brick building housing Chicago Joe's, in the residential downtown area, is a sure bet. The pasta sauces are renowned among locals, all recipes handed down by the owner's family through generations. Try the pasta with eggplant (aubergine/brinjal) or white clam sauce, or perhaps the Lobster Joe. Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Friday; Saturday dinner only.
Address: 820 South 4th Street
Website: chicagojoesrestaurant.com
Gonzalez y Gonzalez
With just about as much Mexican flair and spice that can be conjured up, Gonzalez y Gonzalez is the perfect place to knock back a few margaritas, dive into a plate of tacos, tamales, or quesadillas and enjoy the Mexican energy in the outdoor dining courtyard decked with lanterns and piñatas. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Bookings recommended.
Address: New York-New York Hotel and Casino, 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Website: www.newyorknewyork.com
Wicked Spoon Buffet
Amid the sea of $5 lobster that is buffet dining in Las Vegas, Wicked Spoon Buffet comes out tops. The restaurant serves a huge selection of dishes ranging from pizza and tacos to sushi and pad thai, all portioned out in attractive single-serving dishes rather than scooped from serving bowls. Make sure to save some room for dessert, which is highlighted by a fully-staffed gelato bar.
Website: www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Roy's
It's well worth leaving the Strip for dinner at Roy's, considered the best seafood restaurant in Las Vegas. The menu is Hawaiian fusion, with mouth-watering options like Crunchy Golden Lobster Potstickers and Boursin Cheese-Stuffed Chicken. There are a few sushi choices, and Roy's even has special vegetarian and gluten-free menus.
Address: 620 East Flamingo Road
Website: www.roysrestaurant.com
Le Cirque, which is located in the luxurious Bellagio Hotel and winner of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond rating, is decked in vivid orange, reds and pinks with elaborate and colourful artworks, conjuring a unique and accurate feel of what it must be like to dine under a big top. Boasting a world-class wine list of more than 900 international selections highlighting wines from France's best wine regions, you can be sure the food is just as mouth-watering. Try the Coeur de Filet de Boeuf served with sautéed foie-gras, smoked serrano potato Croquette and sweet onion compote, while those with a sweet tooth will love the classic Tahitian vanilla bean crème brulée. Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner only. Bookings essential.
Address: Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Mr Lucky's
If there's one place in Vegas you're going to find a Rock 'n Roll themed restaurant, it'll be in the Hard Rock Hotel. Diners can enjoy a good, old-fashioned American hamburger while gazing at the restaurant's 50s and 60s rock memorabilia. A good place to grab a greasy bite to eat, like the Sirloin Burger, after a long night at the slots or tables. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Address: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 4455 Paradise Road
Website: www.hardrockhotel.com
Location: McCarran airport is located five miles (8km) south of the Las Vegas Strip.
Time: GMT -8 (GMT -7 from March to November).
Transfer Between Terminals Terminals 1 and 3 are connected by free shuttle buses.
Getting to the city: There are regular buses going to and from the airport, downtown Las Vegas and The Strip, dropping off at most hotels; buses 108 and 109 connect to the Downtown Transportation Center and the South Strip Transfer Terminal. Shuttle services are available on the west side of the baggage claim area of Terminal 1, outside exits 7-13.
Car Rental: Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Dollar, National, Enterprise, Advantage, Thrifty, Payless, Rent-a-Car, Alamo, and Hertz. Rental agencies provide free transportation between their parking lots and the terminal buildings.
Airport Taxis: There are taxis available outside Arrivals at Las Vegas McCarran Airport, on the east side of baggage claim outside door exits 1-4. The meter starts at $2 when departing the airport. Taxis do not generally accept credit cards.
Facilities: Las Vegas airport has a number of shops, bars and restaurants, and of course lots of slot machines. There are ATMs, a full-service bank, and currency exchange facilities in Arrivals and Departures. There is also a children's play area, shoe-shiners and information booths.
Parking Short-term parking at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport starts at $2 per hour for the first three hours, then increases to $3 per hour up to a daily limit of $36. Long-term parking is $3 for the first hour and $1 per hour thereafter up to $16 per day. A free shuttle bus links the remote car park with the terminals.
Website: www.mccarran.com
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Location: The airport is just five miles (8km) south of downtown Reno.
Time: GMT -8 (GMT -7 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Getting to the city: The RTC Ride runs between the airport and downtown Reno. The pick-up zone is at the north end near the baggage claim area. Route 19 operates to and from the airport on weekdays. Taxis are also available from the same area and the ride into town takes just ten minutes.
Car Rental: On-site car rental operators include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis: Airport taxis can be found just outside the baggage claim area. The trip into town takes 10 minutes.
Facilities: Facilities at Reno-Tahoe International Airport include ATMs, mail-drop boxes, luggage trolleys, gaming machines, a pet relief area, souvenir shops, newsstands, as well as a range of restaurants and snack bars.
Parking Short-term parking is charged at $1 for the first 30 minutes, $2 for the first hour and $1 per hour thereafter, up to $24 per day. Long-term rates are similar, but the daily rate is $14. Parking is located opposite the terminal.
Website: www.renoairport.com
The Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada's oldest park, and is so named because of its red sandstone formations which look like they're on fire when the sun reflects off them. The rocks were shaped over 150-milllion years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the area. Apart from the rugged beauty of the surrounding Mojave Desert, the main attractions in the park are the well preserved petroglyphs that adorn many of the red sandstone structures, left there by the ancient Pueblo people, also known as the Anasazi. This rock art dates variously from 300 BC to 1150 AD. Visitors should head to Atlatl Rock for some of the finest examples of ancient Indian rock art or petroglyphs, including a depiction of the atlatl, which was a notched stick used to propel spears, a predecessor to the bow and arrow. Other activities here include hiking, camping, and picnicking.
Address: 29450 Valley of Fire Highway
Opening time: Daily 6.30am-7pm
Website: parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/
Petroglyphs in the Valley of Fire State Park MrSilva
A mile deep, 277 miles (446km) long and up to 18 miles (29km) wide, the breath-taking grandeur of the Grand Canyon is so impressive that words simply cannot do it justice. One of the great natural wonders of the world, it was formed by the cutting action of the Colorado River over millions of years, the harder rock formations remaining as great cliffs, pinnacles and buttes, and the different layers of rock possessing colours that range from purple, fiery red and pastel pink, to yellow, brown, grey and soft tones of blue.
Whether by foot or on horseback, from a plane or helicopter, aboard a raft down the mighty Colorado River or by merely gazing in awe from the rim, the canyon's seemingly infinite depths can be experienced in a variety of ways. The park receives hordes of visitors from around the world, who cannot fail to be transfixed by the sculpted rock shapes, the shifting colours that change with the light and a tiny glimpse of the Colorado River far below.
The Grand Canyon National Park comprises two separate areas, the South Rim and the more remote North Rim. Separated by the 10-mile (16km) width of the canyon, it is a 215-mile (346km) drive from one visitor centre to the other and the South Rim, being the most accessible with more facilities, sees about 90 percent of the park visitors. The North Rim is higher in elevation and wetter, with thicker surrounding forests; it is farther to get to and is usually closed due to snow between mid-October and mid-May, but many people prefer the comparative peacefulness of its less crowded lookouts.
At both rims there are several drives and walkways along the edge with numerous lookout points for views from different angles, as well as a few hikes down into the canyon where one can overnight at Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor. The impact of millions of visitors a year to the South Rim, especially during the busy summer months, has a negative influence on the park, with overcrowding and traffic congestion common. Despite the hoards it is a memorable experience to have visited one of the most spectacular examples of erosion in the world.
Transport: It is possible to explore the Grand Canyon in one day from Las Vegas, but ideally travellers should stay overnight unless flying there.
Opening time: South Rim is open 24 hours daily, all year round. The Information Plaza is generally open 8am-5pm. The North Rim is open from mid-May to mid-October 8am-6pm.
Website: www.nps.gov/grca
Grand Canyon Judith Duk
Stretching 1,247 feet (380m) across the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam holds back the waters of Lake Mead and is a fine example of the engineering of its time. One of the world's most famous dams, the Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression in the 1930s - one of many vast public works projects commissioned by the US government to get people back to work. The dam employed thousands of men from all over the country, and its hydroelectric power generator continues to supply Nevada and its neighbouring states with electricity. Engineering feats aside, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is popular with water sports enthusiasts as well as those just after a bit of sun and relaxation.
Transport: The Hoover Dam is an hour's drive from Las Vegas. Coach tours can be arranged through most hotels and tour operators.
Opening time: Open daily 9am-5pm
Website: www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam
Hoover Dam Raquel Baranow
Red Rock Canyon is a dramatic valley 10 miles (16km) west of Las Vegas, and is a good excursion to escape the neon lights of the slot machines. Its defining feature is the steep Red Rock escarpment, which rises 3,000 feet (914m) on its western edge. Today, the dramatic landscape is peppered with cacti and Joshua trees and is a good spot for walking, rock climbing, cycling, or simply a scenic drive. The Mojave Desert is not as barren as you might think; it teems with rare life and beauty - waterfalls cascade into the canyons and high above red tailed hawks search for their next meal. For a taste of Nevada's natural beauty there is no better place to explore.
Address: State Highway 159
Transport: The park has a 13-mile (21km) scenic drive. Coach tours can be organised through most hotels.
Website: www.redrockcanyonlv.org
Calico Basin, Red Rock Fred Morledge


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Q: Differences when using ** in C I started learning C recently, and I'm having a problem understanding pointer syntax, for example when I write the following line:
int ** arr = NULL;

How can I know if:

*

*arr is a pointer to a pointer of an integer

*arr is a pointer to an array of pointers to integers

*arr is a pointer to an array of pointers to arrays of integers
Isn't it all the same with int ** ?

Another question for the same problem:

If I have a function that receives char ** s as a parameter, I want to refer to it as a pointer to an array of strings, meaning a pointer to an array of pointers to an array of chars, but is it also a pointer to a pointer to a char?

A:
How can I know if :

*

*arr is a pointer to a pointer of an integer

It is always a pointer to pointer to integer.

*

*arr is a pointer to an array of pointers to integers

*arr is a pointer to an array of pointers to arrays of integers

It can never be that. A pointer to an array of pointers to integers would be declared like this:
int* (*arr)[n]

It sounds as if you have been tricked to use int** by poor teachers/books/tutorials. It is almost always incorrect practice, as explained here and here and (
with detailed explanation about array pointers) here.
EDIT
Finally got around to writing a detailed post explaining what arrays are, what look-up tables are, why the latter are bad and what you should use instead: Correctly allocating multi-dimensional arrays.

A: Having solely the declaration of the variable, you cannot distinguish the three cases. One can still discuss if one should not use something like int *x[10] to express an array of 10 pointers to ints or something else; but int **x can - due to pointer arithmetics, be used in the three different ways, each way assuming a different memory layout with the (good) chance to make the wrong assumption.
Consider the following example, where an int ** is used in three different ways, i.e. p2p2i_v1 as a pointer to a pointer to a (single) int, p2p2i_v2 as a pointer to an array of pointers to int, and p2p2i_v3 as a pointer to a pointer to an array of ints. Note that you cannot distinguish these three meanings solely by the type, which is int** for all three. But with different initialisations, accessing each of them in the wrong way yields something unpredictable, except accessing the very first elements:
int i1=1,i2=2,i3=3,i4=4;

int *p2i = &i1;
int **p2p2i_v1 = &p2i;  // pointer to a pointer to a single int

int *arrayOfp2i[4] = { &i1, &i2, &i3, &i4 };
int **p2p2i_v2 = arrayOfp2i; // pointer to an array of pointers to int

int arrayOfI[4] = { 5,6,7,8 };
int *p2arrayOfi = arrayOfI;
int **p2p2i_v3 = &p2arrayOfi; // pointer to a pointer to an array of ints

// assuming a pointer to a pointer to a single int:
int derefi1_v1 = *p2p2i_v1[0];  // correct; yields 1
int derefi1_v2 = *p2p2i_v2[0];  // correct; yields 1
int derefi1_v3 = *p2p2i_v3[0];  // correct; yields 5

// assuming a pointer to an array of pointers to int's
int derefi1_v1_at1 = *p2p2i_v1[1];  // incorrect, yields ? or seg fault
int derefi1_v2_at1 = *p2p2i_v2[1]; // correct; yields 2
int derefi1_v3_at1 = *p2p2i_v3[1]; // incorrect, yields ? or seg fault

// assuming a pointer to an array of pointers to an array of int's
int derefarray_at1_v1 = (*p2p2i_v1)[1]; // incorrect; yields ? or seg fault;
int derefarray_at1_v2 = (*p2p2i_v2)[1]; // incorrect; yields ? or seg fault;
int derefarray_at1_v3 = (*p2p2i_v3)[1]; // correct; yields 6;

A:
How can I know if :
arr is a pointer to a pointer of an integer
arr is a pointer to an array of pointers to integers
arr is a pointer to an array of pointers to arrays of integers

You cannot. It can be any of those. What it ends up being depends on how you allocate / use it.
So if you write code using these, document what you're doing with them, pass size parameters to the functions using them, and generally be sure about what you allocated before using it.

A: Pointers do not keep the information whether they point to a single object or an object that is an element of an array. Moreover for the pointer arithmetic single objects are considered like arrays consisting from one element.
Consider these declarations
int a;
int a1[1];
int a2[10];

int *p;

p = &a;
//...
p = a1;
//...
p = a2;

In this example the pointer p deals with addresses. It does not know whether the address it stores points to a single object like a or to the first element of the array a1 that has only one element or to the first element of the array a2 that has ten elements.

A: The type of
int ** arr;

only have one valid interpretation. It is:
arr is a pointer to a pointer to an integer

If you have no more information than the declaration above, that is all you can know about it, i.e. if arr is probably initialized, it points to another pointer, which - if probably initialized - points to an integer.
Assuming proper initialization, the only guaranteed valid way to use it is:
**arr = 42;
int a = **arr;

However, C allows you to use it in multiple ways.
• arr can be used as a pointer to a pointer to an integer (i.e. the basic case)
int a = **arr;

• arr can be used as a pointer to a pointer to an an array of integer
int a = (*arr)[4];

• arr can be used as a pointer to an array of pointers to integers
int a = *(arr[4]);

• arr can be used as a pointer to an array of pointers to arrays of integers
int a = arr[4][4];

In the last three cases it may look as if you have an array. However, the type is not an array. The type is always just a pointer to a pointer to an integer - the dereferencing is pointer arithmetic. It is nothing like a 2D array.
To know which is valid for the program at hand, you need to look at the code initializing arr.
Update
For the updated part of the question:
If you have:
void foo(char** x) { .... };

the only thing that you know for sure is that **x will give a char and *x will give you a char pointer (in both cases proper initialization of x is assumed).
If you want to use x in another way, e.g. x[2] to get the third char pointer, it requires that the caller has initialized x so that it points to a memory area that has at least 3 consecutive char pointers. This can be described as a contract for calling foo.

A:
Isn't it all the same with int **?

You've just discovered what may be considered a flaw in the type system. Every option you specified can be true. It's essentially derived from a flat view of a programs memory, where a single address can be used to reference various logical memory layouts.
The way C programmers have been dealing with this since C's inception, is by putting a convention in place. Such as demanding size parameter(s) for functions that accept such pointers, and documenting their assumptions about the memory layout. Or demanding that arrays be terminated with a special value, thus allowing "jagged" buffers of pointers to buffers.

I feel a certain amount of clarification is in order. As you'd see when consulting the other very good answers here, arrays are most definitely not pointers. They do however decay into ones in enough contexts to warrant a decades long error in teaching about them (but I digress).
What I originally wrote refers to code as follows:
void func(int **p_buff)
{
}

//...

int a = 0, *pa = &a;
func(&pa);

//...

int a[3][10];
int *a_pts[3] = { a[0], a[1], a[2] };
func(a_pts);

//...

int **a = malloc(10 * sizeof *a);
for(int i = 0; i < 10; ++i)
  a[i] = malloc(i * sizeof *a[i]);
func(a);

Assume func and each code snippet is compiled in a separate translation unit. Each example (barring any typos by me) is valid C. The arrays will decay into a "pointer-to-a-pointer" when passed as arguments. How is the definition of func to know what exactly it was passed from the type of its parameter alone!? The answer is that it cannot. The static type of p_buff is int**, but it still allows func to indirectly access (parts of) objects with vastly different effective types.

A: C syntax is logical. As an asterisk before the identifier in the declaration means pointer to the type of the variable, two asterisks mean pointer to a pointer to the type of the variable.
In this case arr is a pointer to a pointer to integer.
There are several usages of double pointers. For instance you could represent a matrix with a pointer to a vector of pointers. Each pointer in this vector points to the row of the matrix itself.
One can also create a two dimensional array using it,like this
 int **arr=(int**)malloc(row*(sizeof(int*)));
 for(i=0;i<row;i++) {
 *(arr+i)=(int*)malloc(sizeof(int)*col); //You can use this also. Meaning of both is same. //
  arr[i]=(int*)malloc(sizeof(int)*col); }

A: There is one trick when using pointers, read it from right hand side to the left hand side:
int** arr = NULL;
What do you get: arr, *, *, int, so array is a pointer to a pointer to an integer.
And int **arr; is the same as int** arr;.

A: The declaration int **arr says: "declare arr as a pointer to a pointer to an integer". It (if valid) points to a single pointer that points (if valid) to a single integer object. As it is possible to use pointer arithmetic with either level of indirection (i.e. *arr is  the same as arr[0] and **arr is the same as arr[0][0]) , the object can be used for accessing any of the 3 from your question (that is, for second, access an array of pointers to integers, and for third, access an array of pointers to first elements of integer arrays), provided that the pointers point to the first elements of the arrays...

Yet, arr is still declared as a pointer to a single pointer to a single integer object. It is also possible to declare a pointer to an array of defined dimensions. Here a is declared as a pointer to 10-element array of pointers to arrays of 10 integers:
cdecl> declare a as pointer to array 10 of pointer to array 10 of int;
int (*(*a)[10])[10]

In practice array pointers are most used for passing in multidimensional arrays of constant dimensions into functions, and for passing in variable-length arrays. The syntax to declare a variable as a pointer to an array is seldom seen, as whenever they're passed into a function, it is somewhat easier to use parameters of type "array of undefined size" instead, so instead of declaring
void func(int (*a)[10]);

one could use
void func(int a[][10])

to pass in a a multidimensional array of arrays of 10 integers. Alternatively, a typedef can be used to lessen the headache.

A: int ** arr = NULL;

It's tell the compiler, arr is a double pointer of an integer and assigned NULL value.

A: There are already good answers here, but I want to mention my "goto" site for complicated declarations: http://cdecl.org/
Visit the site, paste your declaration and it will translate it to English.
For int ** arr;, it says declare arr as pointer to pointer to int.
The site also shows examples. Test yourself on them, then hover your cursor to see the answer.
(double (^)(int , long long ))foo

 cast foo into block(int, long long) returning double

int (*(*foo)(void ))[3]

 declare foo as pointer to function (void) returning pointer to array 3 of int

It will also translate English into C declarations, which is prety neat - if you get the description correct.

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