| Floral jackpot: Not all of the shows in Vegas are on stage
It's a safe bet that almost no one heads to this gambling mecca in the Nevada desert looking for pretty flowers and lush landscaping. But if you look past the slot machines and green-felted blackjack and poker tables, you can find some natural greenery. Best of all, the view is usually as free as a casino cocktail, and you don't have to gamble to drink it all in. The Bellagio is the big winner here, with a 30,000-square-foot conservatory and botanical garden near its lobby. Although best known for its musical, dancing fountains, the hotel/casino has been creating five seasonal flower shows (including one for Chinese New Year) since it opened in 1998. Each one is unique, with a clever blend of plants, ornaments and water features. Less colorful but almost as impressive, given the intense heat, are the Bellagio's grounds, which feature privet and boxwood amid rows of olive, cypress and pine trees.
Views from Pemberton Many hands make cleaner community, planet
Just a few more days until Earth Day (Sunday, April 22). With increasing concerns over global warming, perhaps this Earth Day will serve as a reminder to all of us to do what we can to reduce emissions and waste in our own lives.
It's the same old story about everyone playing a small part for the greater good. Looking at environmental concerns from an individual perspective, auto emissions could be reduced significantly if we all rode our bikes more, carpooled when possible, rode the bus or walked when we could. Multiply that by a billion or more people and it would make a difference. At least it would be a start.
That said, changing our use of motor vehicles, something that we have all become alarmingly accustomed to, is easier said than done. But I like to compare it to running a marathon.
• POLITICAL LANDSCAPE: Push for genocide bill
The California State Senate and Assembly will vote on Monday on whether to approve Joint Resolution 15, which would designate April 24 as California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who represents Glendale and Burbank, introduced the bill in February. It was co-authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino and state Sen. Jack Scott, who represents Glendale and Burbank. .
Once overshadowed, Golden Bears making waves in DIII landscape (IL)
Amid disappointing seasons from many of the region's lacrosse powerhouses, the Western New England College Golden Bears have been the area's highlight program so far this spring. Ranked fifth in the Inside Lacrosse's DIII rankings, the Golden Bears had another successful last week by upending previously undefeated No. 3 Tufts by a score of 9-7 and improving their own unbeaten mark to 8-0. They have since extended that mark to 9-0 with a win over Clark University on Wednesday night. So far this season (and for perhaps the duration of his four years at WNEC), one of the players most integral to the Golden Bears' run has been senior All-American attackman Adam Cherry. Cherry, the returning Pilgrim League Player of the Year and second Golden Bear ever to receive All-American honors, recently became Western New England's all-time scoring leader by netting his 227th point in a recent win against Eastern Connecticut. With a team-high 69 points in 2006 (on 49 goals and 20 assists), Cherry has shown an improved ability to see the field this season and has become more of a playmaker than a simple, talented goal-scorer.
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