With all the overstuffed slot machines and tempting blackjack tables in Las Vegas, it can be hard to resist the siren calls of Lady Luck when you are in pursuit of the perfect photo opportunity. Fortunately, much of Sin City’s manmade beauty can be found right on the famous four-mile strip and nearby downtown area. If you need a break from the dimmed gaming rooms abuzz with constant beeps and chimes, check out some of the best vantage points to capture all that glitters in Las Vegas.

With all the overstuffed slot machines and tempting blackjack tables in Las Vegas, it can be hard to resist the siren calls of Lady Luck when you are in pursuit of the perfect photo opportunity. Fortunately, much of Sin City’s manmade beauty can be found right on the famous four-mile strip and nearby downtown area. If you need a break from the dimmed gaming rooms abuzz with constant beeps and chimes, check out some of the best vantage points to capture all that glitters in Las Vegas.

Even though “The Great Gatsby” has gotten the movie treatment several times in the past, no film adaptation has ever really stood out as the definitive version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s celebrated novel. Director Baz Luhrmann’s film is certainly the most visually arresting interpretation of “The Great Gatsby” ever produced. Catherine Martin, who previously worked with Luhrmann on “Moulin Rouge,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Australia,” deserves multiple Oscar nominations for her hyper sets and eye-popping costumes. As wonderful as Luhrmann’s “Great Gatsby” is to look at, the enchanting visuals are also ironically the movie’s downfall. In the midst of the art direction, costumes, and music, the story and characters that made Fitzgerald’s book a classic, become a mere afterthought. 

The Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Chemical Society recently honored Pollyanna Wikrent, a PCC full-time chemistry faculty member, with its College Educator Excellence in Teaching Award.

Nurses are often the first health care provider a patient meets. Whether they’re helping someone during a health crisis, involving the family in a patient’s care, or assisting with a medical treatment, nurses bring a wealth of medical knowledge, compassion and dedication to their jobs every day. The importance of nurses cannot be overstated, yet there is a shortage of nursing professionals in this country.

Gov. Jan Brewer today appointed attorneys Sean Earl Brearcliffe, Michael Joseph Butler and Brenden James Griffin to the Pima County Superior Court.

Throughout his time at Canyon Del Oro High School and in working toward his degree from the University of Arizona, Clark Jewett’s life has slowly been preparing him for this month. On May 17 and 18, his musical will be performed at Fox Theatre.

(NAPSI)In the shop, on the factory floor, at the office, in the community, Americas workers are getting things done-and getting the chance at a new truck, and more, to prove it.

(NAPSI)—As anyone who has had a serious medical condition can tell you, there is usually a nurse who was his or her hero. That’s because it’s often up to nurses to make sure that the right procedure or medication is delivered in a timely and compassionate manner.

(BPT) - Appearances count, especially when you’re trying to sell a home. Even though the housing industry experts predict this spring will be a seller’s market, it’s important to grab every advantage when you’re trying to sell your home. Staging – decorating a house to appeal to the broadest possible range of buyers – can make the difference between a quick sale or a long, painful linger on the market.

Delta Kappa Gamma is an international organization of women educators whose purpose is to promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Aligned with that purpose, Delta Kappa Gamma/Alpha Chapter will host their first annual “Early Career Educator” appreciation and recognition brunch recognizing 16 outstanding early career educators from the Marana Unified School District. The brunch will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

(BPT) - Hitting 100,000 miles on the odometer for most people means it’s time to start car shopping. But for others it’s a personal challenge to go the extra mile, save a little cash and take their cars another 100,000 miles.

Delta Kappa Gamma is an international organization of women educators whose purpose is to promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Aligned with that purpose, Delta Kappa Gamma/Alpha Chapter will host their first annual “Early Career Educator” appreciation and recognition brunch recognizing 16 outstanding early career educators from the Marana Unified School District. The brunch will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

The Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards are a statewide competition created to recognize those non-elected professional public servants who serve as the critical link between citizens and the people elected to represent them.

With spring in the air, sports fans everywhere are turning their thoughts to the 2013 baseball season. Spring training already has excitement levels pumped, and soon the call of “play ball” will echo through the air.

On Feb. 24, millions of television sets across the globe tuned in to one of the most celebrated and glamorous celebrity spectacles of the modern era: The Oscars. Yet, within the aftermath of this 85th Oscar ceremony, it is important to note that all too often viewers are somehow missing the bigger picture. Within the Oscar experience, there is a plethora of trivial and somewhat meaningless aspects of the evening that many people choose to highlight. What designer clothing is Meryl Streep going to wear as she struts down the carpet? Did Robert Downey Jr. have something done to his nose? Did you hear about Jennifer Lawrence’s wardrobe malfunction? It is a melancholy truth that these topics are brought to the forefront of discussion.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) brings Neil Simon’s comic masterpiece about show business, friendship and growing old, “The Sunshine Boys” to Arizona audiences.  David Ira Goldstein directs one of Neil Simon’s most beloved and acclaimed plays in ATC’s new production that will premiere in Tucson for three weeks of performances.  ATC’s “The Sunshine Boys” opens at the Temple of Music and Art, running from March 1 through March 23. 

(BPT) - When the high school class of 2014 graduates from college in five years, more than 8 million jobs will be available in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). For students today, STEM is their future.

In recent years, there have been some really good Oscar hosts like Hugh Jackman, some acceptable hosts like John Stewart, some disappointing hosts like Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin, and some flat-out horrendous hosts like James Franco & Anne Hathaway. Despite the best efforts of some, none have come close to capturing the same wit, timing, and showmanship of reoccurring hosts like Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, or Billy Crystal. At the 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony however, Seth MacFarlane of “Ted” and “Family Guy” emerged as the single most entertaining first-time Oscar host of the 21st century.

The Arizona Athletic Trainer's Association recently announced the selection of Leah Oliver, of Mountain View High School, for the Hall of Fame.

Where everyone else spent most of last January debating which team would be victorious at Super Bowl XLVII, I was busy trying to predict which movies would win big at the 85th annual Academy Awards. In many respects, the Oscars feel like a sporting event as nominees tirelessly campaign to win and award analyzers place bets on which horse will cross the finish line.

On Feb. 24, the long awaited Super Bowl of the movie season will be held as the Oscar’s will be hosted on ABC. This year’s Oscars have plenty of intrigue with some obvious snubs, but overall plenty of deserving nominations that should make for a competitive night.

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement on former Senator Chuck Hagel’s nomination for Secretary of Defense:

Mountain View High School’s Charles Kamb was caught a little off guard on Jan. 29, as about a dozen people with balloons and gifts entered his classroom to inform him he was being recognized for going above and beyond in his classroom.