Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 | 8:50 a.m.
UHF channel 35 is a low wattage television station with bright dreams.
Owner Nathan Drage has visions of creating the Las Vegas Television Network, a national network of television stations that would air programs generated in Las Vegas.
"Vegas is hot," Drage, a Salt Lake City securities attorney, commented during a recent visit to Las Vegas. "And a lot of smaller TV stations around the country are looking for a national network."
Drage bought the station last year and says he hopes to have 30 to 60 stations on board within the next year, and a total of 90 by the end of the 2006.
"That would make me very happy," Drage said.
The heart of the proposed network is the 100,000-watt KYRK 35, located at 6363 S. Pecos Road (Pecos and East Sunset roads). The station, which has the capacity to increase its wattage to 150,000, reaches 30 percent of the market share as a UHF station.
The station's slogan is, "What happens in Vegas is seen on 35."
Eventually, Drage says, the station will have Vegas-oriented programs 24 hours a day. But for now, it airs 30 hours of original programming a week.
Some of the shows may sound a little odd, such as "Saddle Up with Barb" (10 a.m. Tuesdays).
But there are some mainstream shows, such as "Las Vegas Perspectives" (8 p.m. Mondays) and "Las Vegas Sports Beat" (7 p.m. Tuesdays).
There are Vegas-themed movies at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, a show by the Latin Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m. Thursdays and "Vegas 24/7" at noon Saturdays.
Several local DJs host shows on 35, including Steph McKenzie from the "Point Morning Show," on KXPT 97.1-FM, "It's All Good" with Frank LaSpina (formerly with KXNT 840-AM) and Jon David Wells from KDWN 720-AM.
David Brenner and Rich Little are among those looking at having a program on the station, Drage says.
"We're presently in negotiations with several entertainers," Drage said. "And we've talked to UNLV about carrying their sports. We will be carrying NASCAR events."
Drage says he has been buying and selling television stations for the past 10 years in Utah, California, Florida and other states.
Channel 35 is the first one he has wanted to keep.
"It had been percolating in my mind, the idea that there could be a TV network that was based on a Las Vegas theme," said Drage. "I wasn't really pursuing it, but then this came up."
He liked the idea of building the station and the programming almost from scratch.
"The intention is, first it will be for the Vegas community," Drage said. "But the bigger picture is the Las Vegas Television Network, for which we're are currently developing affiliations."
He says he has been watching others announce plans to create Vegas-based programming.
"But no one actually had a station," Drage said. "No one had a staff in Vegas doing programming -- the nuts and bolts, not the glamour stuff, but the meat and potatoes."
Drage says he bought the station and left it dark for six months, and then in June started doing some live programming.
"Which we continue to add to," he said. "We will be filling it with more and more true Vegas programming. It will be original, by us or acquired from someone."
It's a slow process, but Drage doesn't want to rush. A lot of filler programs are used, so-called infomercials and the like.
"You've got to crawl before you walk, walk before you run," Drage said. "That's the reality, the practical reality -- where the rubber meets the road.
"You've got to build the staff and get them familiar with how things are done."
Drage says he has his own view of where the station is going.
"The quality will be network quality," he said. "But it is an evolutionary process. We've just been flying below the radar, not generating a lot of attention -- one of the reasons others have failed is they think so big immediately that the weight collapses them."
He realizes it will take time to achieve success.
The station has a staff of six and is growing each month. More equipment is being added. The word is getting out.
"A lot of people believe in my vision," Drage said. "Twenty-four hours of programming a day will take some time to get there -- but we have started."
Ushering in star
Was porn star icon Ron Jeremy the biggest celebrity at the "Billboard Music Awards" after-party held at the MGM's chic Teatro Euro Bar following the award ceremony at the Grand Garden Arena on Wednesday?
Possibly, in some areas. He seemed to garner an inordinate amount of attention at a party meant for the music industry.
But the real star was Usher, the 26-year-old R&B artist who walked away with 11 awards before finding his way to Teatro, where he hung out in a corner surrounded by his people -- granting audience to a select few who dropped by to congratulate him.
He had a lot to be congratulated for -- among other things R&B hip-hop album of the year ("Confessions") and hot 100 single of the year ("Yeah!"). Usher has also received eight Grammy nominations.
Bootlegged holiday
Vocalists Joey Gian and R&B and jazz legend Ruth Brown will co-host a monster entertainment bash to collect Christmas gifts for children from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday at Bootlegger Bistro at 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
The price of admission to hear some of Vegas' top musicians and entertainers is an unwrapped toy (worth $10 or more). The toys will go to Child Haven, a children's shelter.
Among the many vocalists, musicians and comedians who have volunteered to perform are Bootlegger owner Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Sonny King, Gian, Ruth Brown, Pat Cooper, Freddie Bell, Joey Villa, Sandy Hackett, Michaelina Bellamy, Kelly Clinton, Tommy Deering, Ron Mancuso and Ronnie Rose.
Ronnie Rose?
Rose is a vocalist from North Kingston, R.I., who has spent the last couple of months in Vegas assessing whether he should bring his career to the West.
"I have done a lot of fundraisers over the years," Rose said. "During Christmas some of the (Rhode Island) state troopers and myself go to different schools and drop off toys."
Countless performers gravitate to the Bootlegger when they hit town. Every Friday and Saturday night King hosts "Off the Cuff," a kind of jam session for entertainers of all sorts.
Rose became acquainted with vocalist Gian, who performs at the Bootlegger on Wednesdays, and asked him about a charitable event he could participate in before he leaves for home on Dec. 13.
"It was such a beautiful question," Gian said. "And all of a sudden, it clicked. I thought, what a beautiful idea."
And so, the first Bootlegger "Christmas for Kids -- A Musical Event" was born.
Inspired by Rose, Gian began networking and quickly put together the Christmas show.
"The beauty of the musicians in this town is amazing," Gian said. "So many are responding. They all want to come by. Everybody wants to play, to sing for the children."
For more information, call 736-4939.
Dusty gifts
Commercial Realtor Dusty Buckel is fairly well off these days, but she grew up poor in California -- a member of a family who survived by picking fruit.
"We slept on dirt floors in shacks, so I know what poverty is like," Buckel said. "When I graduated from high school the dean of boys paid for my cap and gown -- I asked him how I could repay him, and he said just pass it on."
And so she does.
The 60-year-old grandmother, motivational speaker and ordained minister collects unwrapped gifts for students, primarily those in need at Sunrise Acres Elementary School, 211 E. 28th St.
"The need is so great there," Buckel said. "There are a lot of Hispanics at the school and a lot of them don't speak English. Some of the kids go to school wearing four pairs of socks because they don't have shoes."
Three years ago Buckel started Dusty's Secret Santa program. She gets names of needy children, collects gifts and will begin delivering them Dec. 17, the day before school is dismissed for the holiday.
Each year the need grows. The first year 140 students were helped. Last year gifts were distributed to 268 children.
"This year we have a list of 305 children at Sunrise Acres in serious need, including in need of food and clothing," Buckel said.
There are about 200 "Secret Santas," concerned donors who may give a gift or two or, if they can't afford to buy something, will donate their time to help Buckel.
"They ranged from construction companies to family friends and friend of friends," Buckel said. "Last year one landscaper donated a dozen bicycles."
Buckel says she can always use more gifts and more helpers.
She can be reached by telephone at 812-1209 or by e-mail at [email protected].
A spokesman for the Clark County School District said there are needy students throughout the Las Vegas Valley, and many of them are helped by the district's Partnership Office -- which helps businesses adopt specific schools.
The businesses help the students throughout the year, as well as at Christmas.
Those who would like to help a specific school should call 799-6560.
Buckel says she and her family spend much of Christmas day delivering gifts.
"I always wanted to be a Mrs. Claus," she said.
Patriotic performers
Several Vegas entertainers are expected to perform at a patriotic rally showing support for American troops beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of the YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane.
Organizer Phil Randazzo says he expects between 15,000 and 20,000 military and family and friends of military to attend the event.
The rally will honor military personnel who have been killed since the 9/11 attacks, as well as those now serving overseas and their families.
Randazzo, a 35-year-old insurance salesman, hosted a similar rally last year that attracted about 4,000.
Entertainers expected to perform include magician Lance Burton and Jay White (a Neil Diamond tribute artist).
"The Scintas will drop by to say hello, and there will be cowboys from the NFR," Randazzo said.
Vocalist Michael Cagle will be singing one or two patriotic songs for the gathering.
There will be a flyover by Nellis Air Force jets.
The event will be streamed over the Internet for troops in Iraq.
Money raised from the sale of T-shirts, wristbands and other items will go to several charities approved by the military.
For more information go to the Web site, www.defending- freedom.net, or call 258-1995.
Children of parents serving in Iraq will be given Vermont Teddy Bears and have their pictures taken with the stuffed animals. The pictures will be e-mailed to their parents.
The public portion of the event will be from about 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., followed by a private gathering for the families of military personnel expected to last until 2 p.m.
Rock rolled
The "Rock 'N Roll Reunion" that had been scheduled for the Orleans Arena on Dec. 3 has been reset for Jan. 16.
For the show time and tickets call 284-7777.
Tickets range from $47.50 to $110.50.
"Rock 'N Roll Reunion" will feature the Box Tops, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Orleans and the Classic Rock Allstars.
Forbidden rules
During the month of December, before you head out for a local showroom to see one of your favorite shows you'd better call ahead.
Traditionally, this is the time of year that many productions shut down for a few days (or weeks) because tourists generally stay home with the family.
"This is a great time for the casinos to do things inside the showrooms, like maintenance work and some renovating," said Jackie Brett, a spokesman for Imperial Palace. "They pick a time of the year that's soft, and this is it."
For example, the Imperial Palace production, "Legends in Concert," will be dark through Dec. 18.
And "The Sirens of TI" (the free outdoor show at Treasure Island) will be dark through Dec. 24. Performances will resume on Dec. 25, with shows at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the Sirens' Cove at the front of Treasure Island.
But Vegas newcomer "Forbidden Vegas" (which spoofs local entertainers and shows) is bucking tradition.
Not only is it not taking time off, it's adding performances.
The production at the Westin Theater usually can be seen at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays and 10 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. It's dark Wednesdays.
But during the holidays it will have additional shows at 10 p.m on Dec. 24, 26-28 and 30-31.
The production is in preview period through Jan. 17, with tickets priced at $39.95. On Jan. 18 the price increases to $49.95.
Brett, who has been a Vegas resident for 28 years, said for years Vegas could roll up the streets in December.
"The one thing that has helped is the National Finals Rodeo, which was brought here 20 years ago to boost the economy in December," she said.
A Little tour
Impersonator Rich Little is in the middle of a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour in Italy and Turkey.
The tour began Wednesday and will end Dec. 15.
Little will perform at three military bases and aboard an aircraft carrier off the coast of Italy.
Before leaving, Little said it took him five months to put the tour together.
"I made the initial call asking if I could entertain the troops and their response was an immediate yes," he said. "It's an honor to perform for America's fighting men and women. They're a warm and receptive audience, and I think I bring a little bit of America to them through my voices."
Hilton shines
During the National Finals Rodeo the BootShine Girls are giving free shines to boot wearers at the Las Vegas Hilton.
"We're not horsing around about welcoming all NFR participants. We're not giving the boot to anyone ... we're polishing them," said Hilton spokesman Ira David Sternberg, looking as out of place wearing boots, jeans and vest as a pair of brown shoes with a tuxedo.
The seven girls shine from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. through Sunday in the hotel lobby.
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