Phoenix and Vegas neighborhoods with spectacular Christmas/holiday light displays

One of my favorite childhood memories was driving through neighborhoods lit with Christmas lights. These were homes transformed into magical kingdoms of moving figures and electric bills totaling hundreds of dollars a night to delight those who drove by. Our eyes would grow bigger the more extravagant that the displays became.

I now scope out light displays to take my children to see, ones that elicit 'oohs' and 'ahhhhs' from the backseat.

There are several of these neighborhoods in Phoenix, Arizona-- notably an area of Glendale with homes owned by the Swift trucking company-- but also areas like THESE.

Las Vegas is also no stranger to spectacular light displays. The City of Henderson is even hosting a Christmas Light Competition where 50 homes can compete in different categories. If you want to see what locals recommend, check out the conversation HERE.

We at Ice Now AZ and Ice Now NV may be a little bias, but don't you think these homes would look even more spectacular lit up AND covered in snow?

We still have a few snow appointments available so be sure to contact us soon!

As ice-bucket challengers splash away, Controversy reigns

John Maino performs Ice Bucket Challenge: commons.wikipedia.org

Has your news feed been cluttered with ice bucket challenges? Mine to.

Has every celebrity now and past accepted a challenge? It would appear so.

And as Twitter, Facebook, and Yahoo circulate the latest and greatest ice bucket dousing, voices of doubt seem to be growing louder to.

But is it legitimate or unjust negativity?

The challenge

As you may (or may not) know, the ALS ice bucket challenge is a fundraiser to rally donations for Lou Gehrig’s disease. The concept is that those who are “nominated” can either donate to the cause or douse themselves in a bucket of cold ice water. At this point however it seems that donors are also choosing to douse themselves in water. For extra affect. And possibly for viral video rights, but whatever.

According to Fox News, “As of Aug. 22, the ALS Association has received $53.3 million in donations, compared with $2.2 million donated during the same period last year.”

That’s great news, right? Well…. Maybe.

Controversy with a captal “C”

Nay-sayers have begun to question everything from the scope of the campaign to the reason why participants are taking part.

Is the money really funding research?

Are the donations enough?

Are the donations too much?

Who is really benefiting from the YouTube views and social media hype?

Is the average man just trying to get famous?

Is the famous guy just trying to get more famous?

Let’s break down the debate…

“Way to go” vs. “Gone too far”

For starters, let’s investigate the financial aspect of donating to the ALS ice bucket challenge, shall we?

Going back to Fox News…

 “for organizations that depend on a continuous support of donors, a one-time spike in revenue is only part of the picture. Another factor to consider is the number of people who publically show their support, for example, by dumping ice on their heads, versus the number who make a financial contribution, and may continue to do so, said Kirk Kristofferson, a researcher at the Sauder School of Business in Vancouver, Canada, who studies marketing and prosocial behavior.

If a fundraising campaign has a high percentage of people who voice their support without actually donating that could raise the problem of "slacktivism," which is the practice of engaging in virtual support such as "liking" a charity's page on Facebook, without having any real-world effect.”

Good point. The ALS campaign doesn’t end with the popularity of the bucket challenge. It’s ongoing. And needs long-term donors who will stand the test of time along with the fight for a cure. Much like the popularity of Breast Cancer awareness.

How much awareness though does the ice bucket spectacle create? As part of a Forbes.com article, Will Oremus was quoted as saying,

“As for ‘raising awareness,’ few of the videos I’ve seen contain any substantive information about the disease, why the money is needed, or how it will be used. More than anything else, the ice bucket videos feel like an exercise in raising awareness of one’s own zaniness, altruism, and/or attractiveness in a wet T-shirt.”

Here’s a test… do YOU know where to go to donate? Do you know how much you can/are expected to donate? I can’t tell you without a Google search. And I’m guessing more people are with me there.

There are certainly some legitimate points to be made in the skepticism circulating as quickly as the videos supposedly supporting the cause.

If you need further exploration, feel free to read this blog post Is Dumping Ice Water on Your Head Really Helping?

Did we miss the point?

As E!Online pointed out recently, most people are simply missing the point. That would be to make a donation, not to dump ice water on one’s head. The dumping remember—is the punishment for not donating in the first place.

Yes, perhaps challengers are thrilled at their “popularity” first for being nominated and called out publicly. Second, the thrill of making a video showcasing the thrilling, terrible, oh-so-shameless spectacle of being wet and cold for all to see. But by now the majority of us probably don’t really care anyway.

A few critics have complained about the water wasted to perform the ALS challenge. But since the average American already wastes roughly 50 gallons of water PER DAY, the one-time ice bucket phenomenon really isn’t the problem… now is it?

 

In the meantime, donations are still pouring in. ALS has been more than a mere mention in passing news (in the past mainly regarding someone famous who has been stricken). And maybe more Americans will think about additional causes close to their hearts worth monetary support.

What is being funded?

My research into the subject was wrapping up when I stumbled upon the most compelling perspective yet.

What kind of research is being funded??

In his own piece titled Why I Can't Accept the Ice-Bucket Challenge, Nathanael King details his own personal experiences with loved ones who have suffered with ALS AND why he has chosen not to accept the challenges he has received.

King steers clear of all the typical arguments and dives into the meat of his personal stance. He simply does not agree with all the types of research being performed by the ALS Association-- specifically, stem-cell research.

King writes:

"Sometimes, stem cells are harvested as part of in-vitro fertilization as described above, and other times they are harvested as part of an abortion procedure.  For example, one clinical trial, which was supported by the ALS Association with a $500,000 grant involved 'stem cells ... from the spinal cord of a single fetus electively aborted after eight weeks of gestation.'  At 8 weeks, a baby has it's own unique DNA, is 2 centimeters long, has tiny fingers and toes, and a heart beat of about 160 beats per minute."

 And on a moral level, he is not okay with that.

To dump or not to dump

The bottom line is... we all have a moral compass and we all have values with meaning. And if your chosen plight is the fight for ALS patients, no matter the cost, that is your call to action. However, if you have moral, social, or environmental issues with any aspect of the challenge, you have the right to not participate.

Choice-- is the true American dream. Every day we choose what we stand for. But at least respect yourself enough to stand for something.
 

5 Unbelievably good breakfasts in Las Vegas

 

It’s time to wake up. You’re tired. You’re moving slowly. You’re hungry.

Sleepy, late-morning weekends and the “morning after” late nights both require one thing—a fabulous breakfast. And if Las Vegas is King of Night Life, then protein and carbs rule the morning routine.

It goes without saying that great night dining is easy to come by. But hunting down a good breakfast is not. In fact, some breakfast finds are so sought-after that lines form faster than a DJ mixing at a hip hop dance club.

So if you find yourself searching for sustenance before Vegas noon, here are a few spots you don’t want to miss.

 

Egg & I

4533 W Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Come early, come often. The Egg & I has everything you need for a hearty breakfast. Choose from egg scrambles, breakfast burritos, pancake platters, and more. All served with the choice of seasoned potatoes. This is morning comfort food to fuel the rest of the day.

Eat

707 Carson Ave 
Las Vegas, NV 89101

This trendy little café has all the traditional breakfast items you want, with healthy items thrown in for good measure. Feast on Turkey Bacon Benedict, fluffy hot cakes, Irish oatmeal, and free range chicken.

 

Mr. Mama’s

5580 S Decatur Blvd
Ste 112
Las Vegas, NV 89118

Cinnamon rolls, eggs, and “man-food?”—Yep! They’ve got that. Mr Mama’s is a selection of hearty entrees in an unsuspecting spot. Favorites here include Texas French toast and every breakfast meat known to well—man.

BabyStacks Café

4135 S Buffalo Dr
Ste 101
Las Vegas, NV 89147

Are you in the mood for red velvet pancakes, Kahlua pig benedict, and omelets? Then you’re headed in the right direction. BabyStacks is the place to go for unique pancakes and Asian-inspired breakfasts. Try it. You won’t leave with regrets.

 

Black Bear Diner

6180 W. Tropicana Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89103

The Black Bear Diner serves up traditional American cuisine. Carbs, meat, and eggs are staples to most every item on the menu. The portions are large and the food beats iHop hands-down. It’s not pretentious.

Do you have a favorite breakfast spot in Vegas? Feel free to recommend it in the comments below.

And be sure to sign up to follow our blog. We promise to keep it coming. And keep it interesting.

How to throw the perfect party: 5 Details that make a difference

Pixabay @SplitShire

 



 

Elegant. Delightful. Impressive.

 

These are adjectives every host/hostess yearns to hear. Hosting the "event of the year" or "epic party" is positive feedback our inner entertainer craves. It's the champagne toast at the end of hard work and preparation.

 

But we know good parties-- unlike good times-- don't just happen. They take planning and foresight. And perhaps a few Tylenol to strategically bring all the elements together.

 

Debi Lilly, a corporate event planner, told LoveToKnow "make sure that you aren't going to forget any special details or be stuck the day of the event scrambling around trying to get something completed."

 

Professional event planners are sticklers for details. It's their special gift. And the touch of charm on which they build their business.

 

It's understandable that not all of us are gifted with Martha Stewart talents. Heck, we may not even know which fork goes where. And while we at Ice Now may not be in the event PLANNING business, but we are constantly behind the scenes at events and private gatherings. So here are 5 tips we've picked up for impressing even the snobbiest of party guests.

 

Details.... Details...

1. Hire a doorman. If your event is at night, guests may be wearing a coat which obligates you as a host to provide them somewhere to put it. At the very least, ladies will be carrying a clutch or purse. One simple detail is to have an out-of-the way place to put these items. If it's in the budget, have a doorman to greet guests at the door and take any items they won't need. This person could also simply be a friend you enlist. Guests will be even more impressed if they are handed their first drink upon entering the party.
2. Place cards. Assigned seating can be a sticky subject if you have that ONE guest who refuses to be told where to sit. Take this into consideration and then proceed. Assign guests together who are like-minded and to keep friends from talking across the table at one another. Make the place cards creative. Here are what other creative hosts have done. As you can see, almost any trinket or decorative object can be transformed into a place marker.
3. Mix and match tableware. Do you not have enough matching place settings? Don't worry. The Bohemian table setting is popular and makes what could have been a hiccup in the decor, a planning win. Cheryl Style does this beautifully by mixing patterns, colors, and designs.
4. A beautiful desert. The last course of the evening is desert. It's the final memory in the feast and should be an eye-catching centerpiece. Cake, petit fours, cupcakes, or chocolate-covered fruit-- it doesn't matter. It's all about how you display your beautiful treat.
5. Sculpted ice cubes. Creative ice cubes are easy and fun. Any craft store sells shaped ice cube molds. Or, some ice companies (not to toot our own horn but yes, we do this) are now able to bring bags of shaped ice. Our offering includes diamonds and (soon) golf balls-- perfect for engagement parties and golf tournaments.

 

 



Grace under fire
As a host, just remember that things do get off track sometimes. And not everything goes according to plan. So even if things seem to be falling apart, what guests usually remember is how YOU handled the situation more than any mishap. Never let them see you sweat. Plan B may be even better than the original plan.

And if you stick to some beautiful, well-planned details, your friends WILL remember the little things. And sometimes, little things make all the difference.

Ice Machine Horror: The growth within your drink

Most likely, you've never see the insides of an ice machine. What consumers don't know won't always hurt them. But it might really gross them out.

Restaurants have to meticulous about proper food storage and handling. Patron will peek at the insides of their steak, check their plate before digging in. But who of us has done the same to their drink order? If you've ever chewed an ice cube that tasted just a bit "off", here's the most likely reason why.

Terror in the ice bin

Like any machine in the kitchen, ice machines need to be cleaned. Thoroughly cleaned. At least twice a year.

That means taking it apart, chipping out old stale ice, and sanitizing every piece that touches the ice customers will be drinking in their cup.

Restaurant staff hate this. They don't always have time to clean an ice machine and their hourly pay doesn't make up for the labor involved in proper cleaning of this type of machine. Regardless of not having the right tools to open the machine, wiping out the ice box really doesn't cut it.

That means... horrors like mildew, mold, and stale ice.

Take a look for yourself at some ice machines we have had the pleasure of making right. The before pictures are stomach-churning.

So you tell us... should we handle the cleaning?

When a little isn't good enough: How much snow does your party need?

Welcome to our latest post for Man-made snow. We have already covered the Snow Event topics Why to Host a Snow Party, What to do for a Snow Party, How to Invite Friends to a Snow Party, and How Churches and Schools Benefit from Snow.

This is the final addition in the series so if you haven’t read the previous posts, I encourage you to take a look.

Then be sure to jump back here and find out How Much Snow it Takes to pull off your next event.

 

“Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.”

-Bill Watterson

Children in cold country spend their time hoping for a good snowfall. For snow they will sink in. Snow that packs well. Enough to cover their favorite sledding hill.

In Phoenix and Las Vegas however, we help nature out a little bit. Children don’t spend the winter with noses pressed to chilled windows in hopes that a storm will form. Instead, parents pick out the location and depth of the snow they want to appear bright and early the next morning.

Because we can make whatever they order.

Every fairy-tale themed birthday party… Every White Christmas holiday gathering… Each ‘snow day’ festivity… We make it happen.

Which leaves the question… how much snow do you need?

Is more snow always better?

The hardest decision our customers have to make is HOW MUCH SNOW TO ORDER. We spend countless phone calls and emails counseling customers about how each ton covers approximately 200 square feet of yard space for minimum snow depth.

But sometimes, no matter how much explaining we do, the struggle continues. We watch the internal debate go back and forth, balancing budget versus the “bigger is better” theory.

And while we agree that bigger can definitely be better, we decided to share true life pictures to give everyone a better idea of what different quantities of snow look like.

It’s a great visual for indecision.

 

 

 

- A minimum for play areas is 5 tons of snow. It fits into most spaces and can handle a few children.

- 10 tons of snow begins to cover enough for a small sledding hill or a little bit larger play area.

- 20-40 tons of snow is typically ordered for large events with crowds of people.

Our main goal is happy customers. We can advise, but we can't tell YOU what will make YOUR vision come to life how you imagine.

And when you're ready to set the date in stone, give us a call.

 

That's a Wrap

This series may have come to a close, but next week we'll be back with the next series Frequently Asked Questions. Be sure not to miss a beat by SUBSCRIBING. Simply click the button on the right. We will send posts directly to your inbox.

Snow-tacular! How snow days help Church and School organizations succeed

 

 

Welcome to the fourth post in our latest series on Man-made snow. We have already covered the topics Why to Host a Snow Party, What to do for a Snow Party, and How to Invite Friends to a Snow Party. By now you should be nearly an expert at how to create a memorable day of snow play.

(If you missed those posts I highly recommend you jump back and take a look.)

Much of the previous information was for private home events. But did you know that organizations and businesses also benefit from hiring snow companies to produce snow scenes on site?

We actually use snow days to help church and school organizations succeed!

Schools and churches are focused on outreach, community, and building strong family bonds. We love to be a part of it.

Let’s get started on the subject of Churches and Schools and how we fit in with these institutions.

Say what??

As we discussed earlier, one of the key elements in creating an event is finding the right way to announce the important date.

To kick off this segment, here are a few humorous quotes taken directly from church bulletins. Please refrain from using the following ways to announce a day of snow at any church functions.

*Note* All wording is un-edited.

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to
love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the
congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship
that began in their school days.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement
on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a
blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 P.M . Please use the back door.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double
door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My
Pledge - Up Yours.

Obviously someone forgot to have their work checked for editing. The congregations may not mind, but I’m sure it left a number of people rather embarrassed.

But let’s back up for a moment and explain why churches, schools, and snow go hand-in-hand.

“Churches and schools entertain children. And children love unusual activities.”

Church and school institutions mainly focus on education. But they also launch major events throughout the year for members who are involved with their organization or facility. This is where strategic planning takes a new turn. And requires a little help from the pros.

Here are ways these facilities plug snow events into their yearly needs.

·         Fundraising events: If you want people to come to a fundraising event, you have to feed them and entertain them. We provide the latter. Fundraisers also introduce young people to business and sales.

·         Holiday events: Fall festivals and Christmas holiday festivals fit easily with snow production. Church and school festivals need entertainment that is appropriate and fun for all ages—not always easy to find.

·         Anniversary celebrations: Sledding hills and play areas keep young people busy and entertained. At mile-marker celebrations, bigger is always better.

·         Thank you events: Snow parties are the new “pizza party.” Students work harder when the reward is greater. And it has been proven that the reward of an experience outweighs the reward of a “thing.”

·         Team building exercises: You may not have your own ropes course, but a snow company can create a “winter” course. You bring the challenges, we will do the groundwork.

·         School spirit assemblies: Pep assemblies are more exciting when you cover the football field in a layer of snow! It’s a quick way to boost team spirit and energy.

Snow company services aren’t just for private home entertainment. Snow breaks boundaries and brings a whole new meaning to the term “snow day.” Especially in areas that don’t experience typical snow cancellations.

It’s flexible, custom entertainment. Churches and schools entertain children. And children love unusual activities.

Not like that, tell them like THIS

Are you ready for your church or school to get involved?

Before you start talking, let’s go back to our humorous bulletin bloopers. The examples above are a comical look at mishaps that turned announcements into humorous antidotes. Let’s edit them into perfection.

Here are some BETTER ways to announce a big day.

·         “Join the youth this Sunday night as we raise funds for the summer mission trip. Purchase tickets to our snow play area by calling…”

·         “Our holiday party this year will feature REAL SNOW. Invite friends and family to join us for a chilly night of celebration.”

·         “Help celebrate Fall with a snow-packed Fall Festival this year. Let’s reach out to the community and help them discover the love of God.”

These announcements are much easier to digest. And quite a bit more enticing, don’t you think?

Take my advice… call us for your next event and we will give you a few pointers on pulling of a smooth and successful day.

We can even share a few stories we’ve encountered along the way. We kind of do this “stuff” a lot ; )

 

Don’t forget to catch all our future posts by clicking the link to the right and SUBSCRIBING to our blog page. We appreciate all our loyal followers and strive to keep you informed and entertained.