Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 | 7:35 a.m.
Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun. His column appears on Sunday and on occasion during the week.
It was cold under the Las Vegas stars. But our hearts were warmed by the music of a master.
Lake Las Vegas is the reality of a dream that J. Carlton Adair had more than 50 years ago. He saw that beautiful canyon surrounded by mountains and believed that one day he would build a lake that would give rise to one of the most beautiful resort areas of the country.
He was right, but like many dreamers he was just a half century off.
Last week Lake Las Vegas -- the vision of Ron Boeddeker and his partners -- hosted what I would say is the most beautiful voice on the planet in the person of Andrea Bocelli.
It was a magical evening because it combined the majesty of the Southern Nevada mountains, illuminated by the lights of a most incredible resort, set among the backdrop of a Mediterranean-inspired village and floating over the top of a magnificent man-made lake.
It was everything that Carlton Adair could have dreamed of, and more. It was a dream come true for Ron Boeddeker. It was "Amore under the desert stars" for Bocelli and the hundreds of people fortunate enough to get a seat.
There is no way that the dreamers -- early and late -- could have imagined just how special an evening could have been with a man such as Bocelli. Just the idea of it all was beyond reasonable comprehension.
But, thanks to producer David Foster and the crew producing what will be a PBS special in March, Las Vegas was the beneficiary of a most special night.
I know that Bocelli has played in Las Vegas before. I know that superstars of all kinds have graced the stages of Las Vegas resorts since the beginning of time. And I know that it is difficult to say that one performer is better than another -- or every other.
So I will say it the best way I can: Las Vegas came into its own last week when Andrea Bocelli performed in the magical setting of Lake Las Vegas. The combination of scenic beauty and artistic excellence combined for a most extraordinary evening and one that will long be remembered by those of us who were lucky enough to be there.
Bocelli has said, "What I crave most, what I hope to achieve, is to communicate with the listener; to touch them in the same way that I was touched as a child by my favorite singers, who touched my heart, inspired me, could make me cry and make me dream."
Andrea did all that at Lake Las Vegas. He can do all that next March on PBS. Don't miss it.
There is one item lingering on my desk as I clean it up in anticipation of 2006.
It is this mess involving my friend Bill Walters. I can't help wondering what happens next year if those very expensive lawyers that Attorney General George Chanos hired don't back his play as the "new sheriff" in town. After all, he ignored our own sheriff and district attorney to make his play on the basis that Walters got a sweetheart deal from Las Vegas.
Now it appears that Chanos may make a similar move regarding the land deals at McCarran International Airport, which recently got a somewhat clean bill of health from those investigating that mess. The one thing both matters have in common are the Las Vegas Review-Journal screaming that the taxpayers got taken. Maybe they did. And, maybe they didn't. But there is no question that the R-J screamed and Chanos jumped.
Will Chanos' political career hang in the balance of what the lawyers find? Will the lawyers find something, if only because the guy who hired them needs something found? Stay tuned because this story can only get more and more curious.
Again, I don't know what they will find. There may be skulduggery afoot. I am just wondering what happens if they don't find anything? The good news is that there will be plenty of time to deal with this next year.
For right now, from everyone at the Las Vegas Sun, here's wishing you a happy and healthy New Year and a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and whatever else people choose to celebrate this festive season.
archive
