What's Happening to Our Society
There's definitely a change in our culture, compared to what it was, let's say, thirty years ago. Unfortunately, that change hasn't been positive for our kids nor has it been positive for the adults. What happened? Our society grew in different aspects and acquired some trends that showed disrespect to others and is partly due to the family lifestyle.

Families today aren't the same as they were during a time when life was slower and the mother was home to raise her children. As time progressed, not only the husband worked, but the mother had to be employed, which led to the kids being unsupervised. Our schools have been infiltrated with drug dealers, our educational system has retrogressed, and kids have been allowed to dress with the latest trends, even as far as wearing pants below their butts. Oh yes, there is also television programs and movies which are less sufficient in the quality of the storyline. It's plain negative visualization, with too much killing and too much bad language, which is soaked up by our kids consciously and subconsciously. Let's not forget about the music with those famous N words and B words, demoralizing their own culture. That's right, these rap stars think it's part of the fabric of our culture.

But I've got news for you. What happened four hundred years ago, doesn't have to apply to today. There is a lot of talented people who can put their music in the pocket, so to speak, without putting these negative connotations in their music. What's going to be done about it? First of all, let's go back to the basics to you the parent. It's your responsibility to control what your kids are watching and looking at on the Internet. You parents that are too busy to watch your kids won't have anything to complain about, because you didn't care to take the time for using good family principles in raising your kids. But don't take my word for it. Let's refer to some statistics from the Long Island Association for AIDS Care.

In regard to alcohol, drugs, and pregnancies, 87% of young Americans, when asked if they were at risk in catching HIV infection, said they didn't believe so. 25% of the high school students, who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, engaged in sexual activity. Oh yes, what about those young girls who get pregnant. One third of them don't finish high school and half of those young ladies end up on welfare. Less than one third of teens who have babies when they are teens don't finish high school. Not long ago, I noticed recently, Mayor Oscar Goodman and some community leaders talking about the problem of our youth. It was mentioned that the families have to reunite and take quality time with their kids and teach them what is morally right and morally wrong. This included establishing rules on what they would allow their kids to watch on television and what they would be allowed to do on the Internet, as well as the movies they would attend. Without these principles, and certainly those of good Christian teaching, we may not have much to look forward to for our youth.

This country was built on Christian principles, that is, understanding God and accepting Jesus Christ into our lives as our savior. It's quite evident that temptation not only faces our children but faces each one of us each and every day. Sure it's easy to tell a little white lie, make excuses on why we do things that aren't morally right. But the bottom line here, is that eventually it eats away at our souls and we all end up crying to God for help in the end. Whatever you receive out of this, consider what the future holds for your children. For more information, on this topic log onto www.journeyseries.com or call 1-800-635-5346.

Las Vegas Casinos Intermix With Condominiums
The price of land in Las Vegas has escalated so rapidly that high-rise development has already taken place on the very ground's casinos are located. The Paradise Road area connecting with Harmon Avenue and Valley View Boulevard, along with Flamingo Road, has an approximately $50 billion dollar project in condominiums, hotel and casino projects under construction, or in planning. According to Richard Lee, Public Relations Director, for First American title of Nevada, this is just the beginning of a new era of cosmopolitan-casino community development.

The City Center by MGM Mirage, located on Las Vegas Boulevard alone, is a three billion dollar Las Ramblas project by Centra properties and Related Cos., not to mention, the two billion dollar Hard Rock Hotel condominium project. There's also the one billion dollar Cosmopolitan project by Bruce Eicher, which is also considered a casino community.

Will (Phil) Ruffins, of the Frontier Hotel, could also turn his casino into a condominium community, especially with Donald Trump's High Rise finishing construction. With more than one hundred high-rise condo towers in the making, how many will actually be completed is the question? However, the eleven projects currently under construction, and another ten looking to break ground, only proves the future of Las Vegas is only elevating not regressing.

Jazz Hits the Plaza Hotel
Award-winning Jazz Violinist, Michael Ward, and saxophonist David Van Such and Darkis will fill the air with great jazz on Saturday the 14th of the Plaza Hotel and Casino in their main showroom. The management of the Plaza are part of the positive uplifting in promoting downtown Las Vegas. "This is a great opportunity for locals and tourists to enjoy a jazz concert in a main showroom. This is where it all started," stated David Van Such. Van Such incidentally, you may remember was featured in Richard Simmons, Sweatin' to the Oldies. The congenial talented musician started out his career at the age of seven and has lived in Las Vegas for a number of years. This is a concert you won't want to miss. It has all the elements of a great concert, especially with that of Darkis, who's one of the best vocalists in the country and Michael Ward himself.

Celebrities Join LVMPD to Promote National Night Out
Allen Fawcett, formally of Dick Clark's, "Puttin' Out The Hits," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and such movies as Jackpot and Die Watching, will be one of the stars to sing on National Night Out, on Tuesday, August 7th at 15th and Fremont at Downtown Las Vegas. Mr. Fawcett is a supporter of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and believes that the partnership between the police and the community is a win-win situation. Joining Mr. Fawcett will be Sweet Louie and Sonny Charles of the Checkmates, T-Fox—The Spirit of the Strip and Comedy Hypnosis star, Michael Johns, who performs at the House of Blues in the Mandalay Bay. Johns will talk to the youth about doing things right. Johns appeared on a number of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and Fox TV shows. Pete Allman, that's me, will host the event. I'll be introducing a number of new talents of who will include Antoine and other young groups. The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Las Vegas and the Buffalo Soldiers Ninth and Tenth Horse Calvary Association along with leaders of our community and our illustrious Mayor Oscar Goodman will also be at the celebration.

National Night Out is promoted by the Downtown Business Operators Council, which helps businesses network with each other and promotes the positive aspects of a safe community in conjunction with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. National Night Out has proven to be an effective and inexpensive program to promote neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation. This year marks the 24th year of National Night Out which is celebrated nationwide.

LVMPD Promotes Educational Video
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has started an educational program by the use of videos to educate young drivers on the various hazards on the road, so that traffic accidents will be effectively reduced. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people 15–20 years of age. LVMPD department offers a traffic section which includes a 10-minute educational video, "In the Blink of an Eye." This video launches a message to youths that are driving about the dangers they may face on the road and includes actual 911 recordings and real life accident footage. The videos and all related materials may be viewed at anytime by logging on to www.lvmpd.com/multimedia/blink.html.

First Fridays Continues to Expand
First Friday with its hundred artists which includes paintings, watercolors, photography, entertainment, sculptures, hand-blown and fused glass continues to expand. The festival attracts 10,000 visitors monthly with more than 80 indoor arts, food, drink and shop venues. There is no question that First Friday has elevated the culture of our community. It's also a place where people can meet and make new friends and enjoy the preservation of our historical neighborhoods. So the next time somebody gives you a dim look about downtown Las Vegas, smile and tell them the good news about our arts community. Incidentally, there are some excellent musical production shows on a main stage which are free to the public. First Friday is located one block east of Main and two blocks south of Charleston and at the Arts Factory 101-109, East Charleston.

Until then keep your visions positive and positive people around you. Above all know that God is there for you.