Flagstaff's Latest Community News

Las Vegas has long been known as an adult fantasyland. But that hasn't stopped one enterprising local entrepreneur from turning  castles in the air into a real-life 14,000-square-foot majestic French palace in which private events are king.

Named the Parisian Palace, the off-Strip mansion hotel — with its Rococo interiors, 22-karat gold-plated bathroom fixtures and European toilets built from marble slabs — evokes Versailles more than Vegas. And those wishing to experience the venue need princely purses: An overnight stay costs $2,000 for up to four, with a three-night minimum. A week's sojourn can run anywhere from $8,000 to $105,000. Hosting a celebrity party there starts at $10,000.

Owner Nico Santucci is betting that the hefty price tag won't keep the well-heeled away, be they corporate brass, brides seeking a storybook wedding, honeymooners, dierctors needing location shoots, magazines on photo shoots or the af

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If you have Nintendo Wii wishes and 12-pillow dreams, the exclusive new boutique Hotel32 on the top floor of the Monte Carlo allows you to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous -- beginning at $250 a night.      

Whether you’re coming to Las Vegas for business, a fun-filled girls’; or guys’ weekend or a romantic getaway, Hotel32 is a place where the “I Don’ts” outweigh the “I Do’s.” You don’t have to worry about transportation to the hotel from the airport. You don’t have to go to a check-in desk. You don’t have to pay for fax services, local and toll-free calls as well as for daily fitness center passes, newspapers, and water. You don’t have to stock the refrigerator or do other menial tasks.      

That’s because you’re taken from the airport to the hotel via

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For many of us, exercising is something that we have to fight with ourselves to do, even though we know that it helps us maintain a healthy and fit body. But one innovative Las Vegas salon, Madame et Monsieur, has proven that you can lose fat and inches and maintain health simply by taking the exercise issue lying down.      

Via a process called electro-weight loss, Madame et Monsieur allows both men and women to achieve both generalized fat and weight loss as well as spot reduction in specific areas by providing a non-physical “workout” for the body’s muscles.      

Clients are taken into their own private room in the salon, where they recline, relax, and enjoy the sounds of soft music and the scent of aromatherapy candles. A specialized technician connects 12 strategically placed electrodes on multiple target areas on the body. Those electrode

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The Hard Rock is heralding the completion of a tall order – the opening of its new tower almost two months ahead of schedule.      

The Paradise Tower is the newest addition to the Las Vegas horizon, upping the ante on Hard Rock’s hotel side where luxury and attitude are concerned. Sexy sophistication meets signature Hard Rock party hardy attitude in a 490- room venue. But while those familiar with the hotel’s brand will notice a significantly increased lavish atmosphere in the tower, they will still find the irreverent "anything-can-happen" ambiance there that they have come to expect from the property.      

“The Hard Rock is evolving,” said Phil Shalala, Hard Rock’s vice president of marketing, “It has really melded into the perfect property for the young affluent consumer that is into music, fashion, tec

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For most of us, going to the dentist immediately evokes that four-letter “f” word – fear. Now a dental office with all “the Wright stuff” is looking to wash away that sentiment by putting its money where your mouth is.                

The Four Seasons Dental Spa, owned by Dr. James Wright and his wife, Debby, is a totally new concept whereby patients can receive the finest quality care in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. The only dental practice in Las Vegas that combines dentistry with a spa environment, the Wrights have invested in their patients’ physical and emotional well-being, providing amenities to eliminate their fear at its root.                

“I set about seeing what we could change so that folks woul

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When it comes to her vision for saving children’s lives, Las Vegas resident Ann McGee has always had her head in the clouds. Twenty-four years ago, the Las Vegas resident founded Miracle Flights for Kids, a program that provides America’s children with free flights to hospitals and treatment centers they otherwise could not visit because of financial hardship. For many, it has proven to be the ticket to proper diagnosis and care.  

To date, Miracle flights has provided more than 61,000 flights covering some 31 million miles. It began back in 1985 –from McGee’s apartment – when private pilots she knew were attempting to organize their efforts to fly blood to remote sites around Nevada that had no facilities for storing it.  

“I felt that I could organize this community service for the pilots,” explains McGee, who has a Master’s degree in early childhood development and has always had a

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It’s not easy being green in Las Vegas, at least where its desert landscape is concerned. But at the Floyd Lamb Park, the grass lawn, cottonwood trees, and ponds offer a colorful oasis along with lots of fun family things to do.    

With, picnic areas, barbecues, scenic paths, four stocked ponds, and volleyball and horseshoe facilities on 2,040 acres, there is opportunity for a full day of activities. Visitors with a Nevada fishing license can fish in any of the park's ponds but are limited to three fish per person    

But there is another aspect to Floyd Lamb Park, which after three decades of being a state park is now operated by the City of Las Vegas. Located in the area of the city, this popular spot, which once served as a watering hole for Indians and prospectors traveling across Nevada, is full of history of other kinds.    

Inside the park is the Tule Springs Ranch, an ar

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An interactive learning experience that teaches people to be hands-on at home where the spa massage experience, is concerned has been introduced by the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas Spa. The exclusive mentoring initiative in interactive spa-going heralds an emerging trend spearheaded by the lakeside venue.  

The 30,000-square-foot spa located 17 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip is offering Massage Mentoring for Couples, a 60-miniute session under the instruction of one of The Ritz-Carlton skilled massage therapists during which partners learn how to give each other a massage for relaxation and to relieve muscle tension.  

Couples meet with the therapist to discuss the benefits of massage and then watch and learn massage techniques. At the end of the hour, the therapist reviews the session and guests can take notes. They receive a certificate of participation, a detailed instruction guide, and an aromatherapy kit containing bath

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Indulge yourself in a day of pampering at the Body and Soul Spa. Offering a broad range of treatments to promote improved overall improved health and wellness—the luxury services include a variety of massages, facials, wraps, peels, waxing, laser hair removal, non-surgical treatments for weight-loss, cellulite, wrinkles and lifts of the breasts, butt, thighs and face.

The Body and Soul Spa offers several types of massage services, depending on your needs. The first is the traditional Swedish massage—light pressure and kneading on the surface of the muscles to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation ($50-$115). Then, the therapeutic massage is a full body experience that stimulates deeper tissue than the Swedish ($50-$120). There is also an aromatherapy massage using essential oils ($95) and a hot stone massage—heated basalt stones are used to massage the body and relive muscle tension ($110-$140).

Facials are a very popular spa treatment and th

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Take a break from the hustle and bustle of your busy life and enjoy the luxury amenities at the Arizona Grand Resort. Offering a variety of suites, rooms and villa style accommodations there’s a package to fit everyone’s budget. Each suite is decorated in relaxing natural color schemes and comes with a private balcony or patio. The resort offers a wide range of entertainment, dining and family activities to enjoy during your visit.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Arizona grand Resort. In the athletic club you’ll find more than 40 cardio machines, free weights, racquetball, basketball courts, a lap pool and weekly exercise classes—Pilates, swimming, yoga and more. Then, in the spa and salon you can enjoy a massage, facial and many other relaxing body treatments. Hair, nail, waxing and other services are available as well.

Have some fun in the sun at the Oasis water park—offering seven acres of fun including a heated p

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 Spa Vdara goes for the green. The 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness center themes itself on the calming power of water and remains the first and only Green Spa (certified by the Green Spa Network) in Las Vegas. That means only organic or wild-crafted products, no paraben anywhere, only natural and cruelty free product (even nail polish is all natural and vegan). In addition the spa recycles and uses recycled paper for spa materials.

Just because you are nice to the environment does not mean you can’t be a little naughty. The Champagne Bar in the spa lobby is open for business all day, seven days.

Treatments at Spa Vdara keep an eye on the holistic twist and use natural organic products, such as Naturopathica, Dr. Obagi’s ZO Skin Health, Akhassa, Chocolate Sun and Red Flower. The salon uses Aveda products and elixirs from Moroccanoil. Massages start at $140 for 60 minutes.

Recommended are such treatments as the French

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Since 1995, Maverick Helicopters has been flying high in the sky allowing tourists a birds-eye-view of the Grand Canyon aboard luxury helicopters and providing exceptional customer service. Maverick flies to both the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon as well as to Sedona. There are more than a dozen tours to choose from as well as multiple departure locations including Las Vegas, South Las Vegas, the South Rim and the Scottsdale/Phoenix area.

Leaving from your preferred location, you’ll embark on an amazing adventure whether you’re touring the Grand Canyon or taking the Sonora Desert tour. Many tourists enjoy taking a pre-wedding tour or even taking a ride to a remote location for their actual ceremony. Wedding flight options include an exclusive landing spot deep within the Grand Canyon. Or, check out the fabulous red rock formations of the Valley of Fire and the sparkling lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

No matter which tour you take, Maverick

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Arizona State University students are gearing up for the 2010-2011 academic year, go Sun Devils! With fall classes starting up on Thursday, August 19, 2010 the ASU campus has been full of life this week as students are moving into their dorms and getting a feel for their new surroundings. The new academic year will bring in thousands of bright eyed freshmen students eager to learn and live the Sun Devil experience—including wearing their gold digs every Friday!

New and returning students are encouraged to attend the Fall Welcome events; this is a great way to get acquainted with ASU resources and surroundings before school starts. Activities at Fall Welcome include a reception for parents, various workshops on study skills, extracurricular activities, academic planning and more. Many of the academic and student services offices will have extended hours to help students with any complications or scheduling issues that might come up during the first few weeks of school.<

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In the quiet town of Chino Valley, a massive arrest of 27 suspects to place on Saturday night when police were alerted to a shooting between two local motorcycle gangs. The groups, known as the Hell's Angels and the Vagos gang, reportedly sprayed each other with more than 50 rounds of bullets near a private residential area. Local residence feared for their safety in the midst of a scary sounding mix of gun fire and revving motorcycle engines.
 

In a press released statement, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Department said that four to five people were shot and one victim was flown to a Valley hospital. However, none of the sustained injuries have been reported as life-threatening. It took the hard work of more than two dozen Arizona law enforcement officers to make the successful arrest of these 27 leather-clad suspects.
 

The 27 suspects were booked and charged with several counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, endangerment,

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Gilbert police are investigating a shooting between two men outside of the Circle K near Power Road and Los Altos around 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2010. The two men were seen arguing over an alcohol purchase when suddenly gun fire broke out.

Police arrived on the scene to find one man, Bobby Baughman, 36 dead. Stefen Selvy, 21, was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder. Initial police suspicion indicates that Baughman was attempting to rob Selvy of the alcohol he’d just purchased from inside the store. Baughman hit Selvy over the head with a wrench. Then, according to the police, Selvy retrieved a pistol from his vehicle and confronted Baughman. After an argument, Selvy shot Baughman in the chest, according to a press release by Gilbert Police. Baughman later died from the injuries he sustained.

Police officers are conducting interviews with a number of witnesses including patrons at a dance studio nearby in hopes of learning more about what led t

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Collision as far as the eye could see on Saturday night in downtown Phoenix. A massive collision involving 69 vehicles jammed up the westbound lanes of Interstate 10. One collision involving 35 vehicles, spanned more than 2 ½ miles from 7th street to 16th street. Seven people were taken to the hospital, two of whom were in serious condition. At least 40 people were treated for minor medical injuries.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the sudden thunderstorm that swept through the Phoenix area around 6 p.m. on Saturday was the cause for the pile-up. The rain came pouring down very hard and fast, making it difficult for drivers to see or control their vehicles. Police Sgt. Robert Bailey said that several dozen calls came in to the 911 dispatch within a 15 minute span, beginning around 6:15 p.m.

Crash investigation and cleanup closed the westbound Interstate 10 ramp at 16th street and 7th Street as well as the westbound Interstate 10 ramps bet

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Phoenix police are on the hunt for a man known as the "Bad Teeth Bandit". He is accused of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank located inside of the Albertson's near Shea and Tatum around 5 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010. According to Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson, the man entered the Wells Fargo branch and handing a note with instructions to the teller.

He is thought to have been involved in a string of other robberies around the Phoenix area, targeting Wells Fargo and Chase Banks—many of which were inside of grocery stores. According to Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos, the other robberies that are suspected to be linked to the "Bad Teeth Bandit" include:

• Chase Bank at 20215 N. Cave Creek Road
• Wells Fargo inside Fry's Food Store at 6321 E. Greenway Road
• Chase Bank inside Fry's Food Store at 731 E. Bell Road
• Wells Fargo branch at 12641 N. Tatum Blvd
• Wells Fa

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A 24-year-old woman was attacked from behind and had her purse snatched while walking to her vehicle, which was parked near 70th Street and Wilshire Drive, according to Officer David Pubins of the Scottsdale Police. The incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 2010. The victim did not require medical attention for her physical injuries.

The suspects fled on foot Southbound into an ally. Officers reporting to the scene found two male suspects, one 16-year-old and a 14-year-old in a nearby alley. The victim was able to positively identify the 16-year-old. He was arrested pending an investigation of the robbery.

The 14-year-old was held as well. He was in possession of marijuana at the time of the arrest, according to Pubins. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of this incident and additional drug charges.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010, shortly after 5 a.m. one woman’s life came to a tragic end when she lost control of her 1993 Chevrolet Suberban, according to Officer Robert Bailey with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The incident happened in the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 between Queen Creek Road and Wild Horse Pass. The family was traveling home to Los Angeles from visiting family in Mexico. Investigators believe that Norma may have been suffering from fatigue at the time of the accident.

Norma Chavarria, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident while her husband, Samuel Chavarria Sr., 30, remained trapped underneath the vehicle. Two other passengers, Samuel’s 71-year-old father and 15-year-old sister, both suffered significant injuries as well. Norma and Samuel’s four children were also in the vehicle — two of them ages 6 and 4, were ejected from the vehicle during the accident.

An 8-year-old son was trapped in

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At around 9:30 p.m. on August 21, 2010, Xavier Sanchez walked into the parking lot at the Arizona Motel located at 24th Street and Van Buren Street. There, he was shot multiple times by several suspects driving a pickup truck. Sanchez was shot to death by the suspects.

According to Sgt. Darren Burch with Silent Witness, three people exited the truck and searched the area for the victim. Once they located Sanchez, one of the suspects shot him multiple times. The suspects then got back into their truck and fled the scene.

Currently, the police do not have any information on the suspects other than that the vehicle was a 2000 Chevy extended cab pickup truck. The Phoenix Police Department and Silent Witness Program is offering a reward to help find the suspects. Silent Witness is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the suspects of this crime.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact S

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Mesa police are searching for a female suspect who was alleged to have thrown acid on a 41-year-old woman as she was exiting her vehicle in the afternoon on Thursday, September 2, 2010.

According to Detective Michael Melendez with the Mesa Police Department, the woman arrived home around 1 p.m. She parked her car in a parking lot located on the apartment complex grounds near the corner of Southern Avenue and Val Vista Drive.  Suddenly, another woman approached her and threw enough acid on her to cause second-degree burns to her face and chest. The suspect then fled on foot northbound through the complex.

Police have not been able to locate the suspect. She is described as a Hispanic female, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 140 pounds. She reportedly had black shoulder-length hair that was in a ponytail at the time. She was seen wearing a black tank top and black sweat pants with a white stripe.

Detectives believe that this was not a random ac

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The race to find the Republican nominee for Arizona attorney general is drawing near the finish line, and all eyes are on State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne as he has managed to pull a narrow lead ahead. By Saturday, August 28, 2010 Horn held an 833-vote lead over former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. However, with the very slim margin between the two candidates there has been no clear winner predicted.

This bitter and often very ugly primary race has been one of the worst statewide campaigns in decades, perhaps adding to the reason for such a small difference in popularity between the two candidates. Horne spent nearly $560,000 in private donations and $300,000 of his own money towards efforts to attack Thomas’ integrity, pointing out an investigation by the State Bar of Arizona over allegations of abuse of power. Then, Thomas lashed back by highlighting that Horne had filed for bankruptcy. Thomas also pointed out other evidences that Horne

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 Vegas is expert at the art of creating a sense of royalty for the common man. Limos, champagne, celeb-chef dining, high limit hospitality – it’s all part of the game that makes Las Vegas go ‘round.

The latest entrée into the king-for-a-day vacation is the Las Vegas Hilton, which just recently opened its Classic Suites Collection to the high-flying tourist. 

For years, The Classic Suites Collection at the Las Vegas Hilton was reserved exclusively for celebrities, high rollers and VIPs.  Not now, the 46 distinctive suites designs provide VIP stays for Joe the rock star as easily as Joe the plumber. 

For the ultimate VIP experience, the Hilton’s premier accommodations include the three spacious Sky Villas that are actually palatial residences ranging from 12,000 to 15,400 square feet. 

Tastes run from “maison chic” in the hotel’s Park Avenue Suites, which mirror luxurious New York

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