Live from Vegas PBS Studios.

It's pledge for Vegas.

Yeah.

All right.

I always wanted to have my own band.

Good evening.

Las Vegas and the world.

And welcome to pledge for Vegas.

I'm your host, John Dominico.

And, yes, we are live inside the Vegas PBS studios in fabulous Las Vegas.

Tonight we're here to celebrate, to .. raise the money we need to keep Vegas PBS strong.

You may have heard back in July, Congress cut federal funding for public media organizations like Arts that left Vegas PBS with a nearly $2 million shortfall annually.

And that is why we're here tonight.

We're asking you, our community, our neighbors, our Vegas family to help us close that gap.

But this isn't just a pledge drive.

This is a three hour live event filled with incredible Vegas performers, special guests, and stories that show why Vegas PBS matters now more than ever.

It's going to be an amazing night.

So stick around.

And now joining me is someone you all know and love.

The vibrant, the dynamic, the always smiling Maria Silva know yeah I see yes.

Thank you guys.

You all know really know how to make a girl feel really special.

What a welcome.

Thank you so much John.

It is so much fun to be here with all of you.

I am so excited to be here tonight.

This is such a special event and to be a part of it is just such an honor.

It's incredible.

Well, Maria, you're go.. Tell them what you're going to do, what you're up to this evening.

Oh, I'm so excited.

Okay, so I've go.. John and our wonderful viewers at home tonight.

I am taking you behind the scenes here at Vegas PBS, a place you never really get to see.

We have so many programs, services, and community resources that people don't really know that we offer.

I didn't even know we offer.. So I am going to shine a spotlight on all of it.

Plus, I'll be highlighting some of our original programi.. right here in this wonderful building.

You are going to meet the people who make it all happen, both in front of the camera and behind the camera.

And trust me, they are amazing.

Yes, I can just say this from the bottom of my heart.

I have the honor of working here at Vegas PBS.

It is.

I can't even begin to te.. a part of the Vegas PBS family.

Oh that's fantastic.

That sounds amazing, Maria.

I can't wait to see what y.. to do a phenomenal.

Oh, thank you so much.

This is going to be incredible.

You're so talented.

All right.

So I am heading out, right?

Yes.

And, let's start this tour.

All right.

I'll see you.

All right.

I'll be checking in with you.

All right.

Well, while Maria is, .. Give her some applause.

She has so much energy, I love it.

While Maria is out exploring, we are here live for the next three hours taking your calls.

So please call or text the number on the screen right now or we've made it so easy.

Just scan the QR code on the screen.

Make a donation big or small because honestly, every single dollar truly helps.

In fact, your donation doesn't even have to be cash.

It doesn't have to be a cash donation.

You can make a contribution from your IRA or a stock gift call now, and we have experts standing by who can walk you through that process.

Now that you know what tonight is all about, let's take a look back where we've been and where Vegas PBS is headed next.

Today we ready k a part of the airwaves which belong to all the people, and we dedicate them for the enlighten of all the people.

This is what I give.

I give an expression of care every day to each child to help him realize that he is unique.

It's you I like.

It's not the things you wear.

I think we must consider you ways to build a great network for knowledge.

Not just the broadcast system, but one that employs every means of sending and of storing information that the individual can.

You step back and look at it and you'll see a whole new perspective.

Things look totally different.

We're made of stars, though.

We're all ready.

Reading rainbow is not about learning to read.

It was about loving to read information is powerful.

You want to be in conversations that are happening right now.

I thought that was the point.

And how will man use his miracle?

The answer just begins with public television.

Public television is really for the people.

The station broadcasted its first program on the evening of March 25th, 1968, at 6 p.m., airing Mister Rogers Neighborhood, followed by The French Chef with host Julia Child.

Here on the Battle Week, we're sharing our stories.

I think that education is the core of exactly everything we do in society, and I think that's a big misconception.

And when we talk about Las Vegas, a lot of people are like, they don't have any culture.

They're right.

We need to let kids know they're not alone.

The way that they went through life, the same way I want to go through life is be 1% better every single day.

There was a need for information.

I had no idea that this was here.

I wanted to be on billboards.

I wanted to have a show.

I had goals to be bigger.

I think our best years are coming and the next ten years are going to be explosive.

The views always work to climb.

I have never fished from a kayak before in the community.

The people in Las Vegas are what kept us here.

Vegas is one of the greatest cities in the world.

It's not the greatest city in the world as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, we do believe it's the greatest city in the world.

Oh, there we go.

Yes, we do indeed all believe Las Vegas is the greatest city in the world.

And that's why we're here.

And Vegas PBS is a huge part of what makes .. so special.

So please donate whatever you can and help Vegas.. continue bringing you great programing and providing the services southern Nevada desperately needs.

Now, when we first announced this live pledge event, we immediately received several donations from Friends of Vegas PBS.

Many of them chose to remain anonymous, and we know you at home can match those numbers tonight, so please help however you can.

The pledge is in full swing right now, and we have some very special guests joining us tonight right here in the studio.

So let's kick things off.

Let's get this party going with our first guest.

Please welcome to the show the one, the only, our mayor, Shelly Berkley.

Hi, Shelly.

Back here.

We got reception already.

This is great.

Now I have a question.

This is not on my card.

Do you love being the mayor of Los?

It's the best job I ever had.

Yes, it's a fabulous job.

I love my city.

I'm to be mayor of your home town is nothing short of extraordinary.

I wake up every morning.

I can't wait to get to work.

Oh, and I and I know you're incredibly busy, so we're so grateful that you're here.

Well, all I have is you tonight.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, great.

God, I feel I feel like we're on a date.

This is awesome.

So, you know, what is it?

You grew up here.

So this is the perfect question for.. What does Vegas PBS mean to you personally?

Well, Vegas PBS has been part of my life for as.. I was president of the friends of, Public Broadcasting, this very station, in the early 80s.

So I have had a relationship for 40 years.

But even before that, when I first got out of law school and came back home, I started making very small donations because that's all the money I had back then.

And I started making donations and come to PBS and pick up my PBS cup or whatever tote bag.

Yeah, whatever they were giving away.

And and as I, you know, grew with the city of my pledges continued to grow because I had the disposable income to do that.

But I want everybody to know that PBS is so important.

You don't have to start at a high level.

If you're giving $60 a year, $120 a year, it is so important.

And it's those little donations that add up and make a difference.

So I, I started at a very young age, and I'.. with PBS ever since.

It is very much a part of my life and my family.

So I love that you've just been yeah, with it so long.

It's incredible.

And those little donations, they're the backbone I think so, yeah.

That's wonderful.

Okay, so what do you feel?..

What is the role that Vegas PBS plays in our community, especially keeping Southern Nevada residents informed?

Well, I'm so glad you said that because if, God forbid, there's an emergency, you tune in to PBS and you will know exactly what to do, where to go, and what you're expected to do in time of crisis.

But even when there's no crisis, PBS helps educat.. It informs all of us.

I mean, Masterpiece Theater, I love it, I'm a Downton Abbey lunatic, and I, that was part of I would not miss a Downton Abbey episode, if my life depended on it.

And there's so much more.

I mean, that obviously was, masterpiece is a highlight, but there's so much, so many.

Great.

And, y.. Yeah.

And I love the diversity.

I think that's what makes our city strong and great.

But no matter who you are, where you came from, what your ethnicity is or what your religion is, PBS has something for everybody.

And I think it unites the community and keeps us strong and and makes a difference in all of our lives.

Somebody said to me that Vegas PBS is community and I think that's something I've learned putting being part of this and putting this show together.

Oh, absolutely.

And I was very involved in PBS when it was at the other, the little theater way back when.

And now we have this beautiful studio.

Yeah, this is truly remarkable.

It's like, you know, like we do.

And the news programs are so important.

All of it.

It's great if it's any if you want to learn about little bugs and animals, you call, you get turned on PBS.

If you want to learn about the news and the latest things that are happening, you turn on to PBS.

If you want to be thoroughly entertained and odd, you.. So it it's something for everybody, and it's very much a part of our community.

And we have 20s if you look right at the camera and tell people to donate, oh, please join me in donating to PBS.

It's our television station, it's public broadcasting.

We are the public.

It makes a difference.

And you're going to make a difference by supporting PBS.

It's good for you.

It's good for your kids.

It's good for your grandkids.

And now that I am a grandmother five times over and my, my grandchildren are going to be watching PBS and learning from it.

So thank you for letting me be a part of tonight.

Thank you for being here tonight.

We have plenty of great entertainment and conversations coming up tonight, so let's head out of the studio to our friend Chet.

Oh chef I was going to say you got it.

But it's Chef.

Yes.

Oh, yes.

Scaffolding.

Chef Alicia who's cooking?

I have something very special for you.

And then we're going to jump into the performance of the Rat Pack is back over Tuscany Suites and Casino.

And after that, we're going to hear from some very special guests at the Rio Hotel casino.

Stick around.

This night is just getting started.

Fantastic.

Thank you so much.

Happy holidays.

Thank you.

I've been watching PBS ever since I was a kid.

Quality programing that has inspired me to become a chef, and watching all of my favorite cooks and chefs from all over the country, and actually all over the world, is how I got into this business and how I got into hospitality.

So I'm really excited to be participating in this, and I hope to be able to inspire you and the next c.. to go to the phones or go online and pledge to be able to show your contribution to this fantastic organization and actually to get you through so that you're not hungry over the next couple of hours.

Have a fantastic recipe to share with you.

You know, growing up an Italian family, we always had antipasto before every meal, so there were pickled vegetables marinated vegetables, a lot of different types of meats like capicola and mortadella.

And there were breadsticks which were not particularly flavorful and not very exciting.

So I decided to combine both of those things together and create my antipasto sticks, which I'm going to be showing you today.

Made with puff pastry, using some very common ingredients that you probably have right in your pantry.

So what we're going to do first is actually prepare the puff pastry.

You take a sheet of puff pastry which comes frozen from the grocery store.

You've probably seen it cut into 12 different rectangles.

And then what we're going to.. in order to receive all the fantastic ingredients that are going on top.

So what we're going to do first is actually score the puff pastry.

What this does essentially, is to make sure that your puff pastry puffs evenly and looks very, very beautiful.

So we are going to score them on all sides using a paring knife.

And the next thing we're going to do is use a fork to.. The pastry put little holes in it again to ensure that it puffs very, very evenly.

At this point, all we really have to do is two more steps.

Stick with me.

We can just take some egg wash here and brush the egg wash on top of the puff pastry.

This is going to make sure that your antipasto sticks come out golden brown and delicious.

And then after that, it's just a matter of choosing your own adventure with your favorite antipasto toppings.

I have here some sliced pepperoni.

I'm also going to put some sliced olives.

I got some some dried tomatoes and a little bit of capers.

And what we're going to go ahead and do is complete all the toppings on .. We are going to bake them at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, which is going to give you plenty of time to hop online or hop on that phone, put in your pledges, come on back with me.

I'll pull these out of the oven and then we're going to eat.

Wait until you see these.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are videotaping live tonight raising money for Ve.. Our city's a home for arts, culture and education.

That's right.

So pick up the phone, scan the code, do whatever you have to do.

Every little bit helps.

Come on.

And Vega.. And we are honored to be here tonight helping them raise money.

Absolutely.

Let's do a song together.

Let's do it.

My kind of town.

You know, Vegas is my kind of.

To.

Las Vegas is my kind of people to just people who smile at you.

And each time I roll my eyes, Vegas is coming my from Las Vegas.

It makes us jump up and down.

Yet my kind of town.

Where you going to go?

Oh, that's too far to fly.

I us, Los Vegas is my kind of town.

Las Vegas, it's my kind of razzmatazz.

And we have, you know, we have all the heads up every time I used to have his head stuck in my sleeve.

Los Vegas is not me.

Hello?

I use a Las Vegas in showgirls, and I love Vegas is why I'm down.

I don't want to go.

There's money kind of town.

Not just Las Vegas.

Nothing fragrance like higher up.

Some love this.

Hi.

We're Penn and Teller.

And we are celebrating our 50th anniversary.

But that's not the anniversary that matters.

40 years ago.

40 years ago, a PBS station let us do our first TV special ever.

Call Penn and Teller, go public.

40 years ago, we did it in LA, sister station to Up to Vegas, and they let us do whatever we wanted.

And we won an Emmy for it.

It was really, really important.

They really gave us our start.

And after a lot of late and New York all over, we ended up here in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is now our home and, the entertainment capital of the world.

Really.

It really centers on all sorts of wonderful entertainment.

And there's a PBS station here, and it's a PBS station that you should be supporting because they give us great entertainment and they need your donation.

So there's lots of ways to do that.

There's a phone number, there's a QR code, there's probably all sorts of computer stuff or just walk down there and hand them cash.

They don't care anyway.

PBS is wicked important.

The local PBS station here is wonderful, and let's make sure that 40 years from now, they can give someone else a break.

Love you piece!

Wow, what an incredible lineup of Vegas legends.

Thank you so much Penn and Teller.

And thank you, Chris Kyle Andrew from the Rat Pack is back I know drew and he is Dean Martin.

We're going to keep this night rolling with even more special guests from our current mayor to our former mayor.

Please welcome former mayor Jan Jones.

Blackhurst.

Hi, John.

How are you?

Thank you for for being here.

We put you right, right here on the spot.

Now, you've been a long time supporter of Vegas PBS.

What would you like to share with our audience about your connection to the station?

Why is it so important to you?

I used to say that Las Vegas was the last outpost of Western civilization.

Because of what we could be and what we could do and what we could imagine.

And a lot of that came from B.S.

I moved here in 1980.

It's true.

And I sat on their board and I watched the evolution of information and entertainment and engagement, and it all came from PBS.

And I think now more than ever, we need to remember how important that is to be able to access real information, to access real debate, to see, as Penn and Teller said, entertainment.

That may be unexpected, right?

That's what PBS is about.

Oh, I love that, I love that, and I asked, I asked, Mayor, Shelly Berkley, did you love being mayor here or.

Listen, being the mayor of Las Vegas is absolutely the best job anyone could have.

You go around the world.

Everybody wants to know about Las Vegas, right?

Nobody cares.

Sorry, Governor Lombardo, but nobody cares who the governor is.

They want to know who the mayor of Las businesses is.

And and the best is even 20, 30 years later, you still get to keep the title, right, mayor, people know that.

So, you know, you've lived here, you've bee.. to people who are watching, who maybe never donated before.

What what can you say to them to get them to donate for Vegas PBS?

What makes it unique?

What makes it unique is it is singularly Las Vegas.

It is our station.

It's our information and it's our programing.

And yet it still has a world view.

And so everyone who lives in Las Vegas, if you want to be able to see what matters, if you want to see the truth, if you want to see all sides of an issue or all new experiences and entertainment or magic, right?

A lot of magic, a lot of great magic.

Amazing.

And maybe that's why PBS is the magic.

It is the magic.

And if that matters, give to that.

Oh that's beautiful.

Well, thank you for all you've done.

We really appreciate you coming in.

We can't we cannot thank you enough.

You were incredible, mayor.

We've always seem to have amazing mayors in this town.

We do have good mayors.

Yeah, we do have good mayors.

And I would say tonight I will pledge $5,000 just tonight.

Oh, for PBS.

And I would ask everyone who's been here who cares about this city to match that.

There was a little bit of applause.

Can we get a little more?

Thank you so much.

I really appreciate that.

That's incredible.

Thank you.

All right.

Maria is now standing by .. at Vegas PBS to introduce you to the amazing team behind our Ready to Learn program.

This is a critical part of our mission and it has been directly affected by federal funding cuts.

They need your help now more than ever.

So if you can make a donation, make that donation.

But let's send it upstairs to Maria.

I love PBS, I love Vegas PBS, and I love that van.

It's part of the Vegas PBS Ready to Learn department.

We are here in another part of our amazing building, and let's come on in.

Check out this room here.

If I worked here every day, my inner child would be jumping up and down.

How cool is that?

I see Elmo, I see Arthur, I see so many different, wonderful characters and two of my favorite people here in th.. building, Jessica and Fernando.

Hey, why are you so happy to be here again?

I'm like, my inner child is coming in and out.

I might be jumping up and down a little bit.

I want to grab everything that's here.

What are you guys doing?

Well, we're getting things together for our family engagement workshops.

This is one of the many things that we do here at Reading Learn.

What else do you do here again I that workshops coming up.

I love seeing the smiles on these kids faces and the parents are so happy.

Talk to us about the magic that happens.

Why?

Well, everything that we do is really rooted in PBS Kids media.

So we're bringing together families, the community, educators, and we're doing hands on experiences that really extend what we're learning from our PBS kids show.

Again, thank you both for what you do in the community and for our children.

And what a lot of people may not realize is that you guys have been doing th.. and I'm seeing a lot of wonderful books.

The way I feel.

City signs.

How do you use all of this?

This is Vegas, PBS and PBS kids media out in the community and at home for the kids and family.

Yes.

So there's decades of research.. help children learn at home.

But we want to make sure that this learning goes, beyond the screen.

So, like you said before, the two books and materials we have in here are things that we use to help families keep the learning going.

So what we do is we, help families model how they can read these to their children.

We have hands on activities, and we usually use the PBS kids media clips to show families how the them viewing this at home is a complete learning experience.

All right.

Let's ta.. doing some great work throughout Southern Nevada.

You've traveled all over.

We have.

Yeah.

This past summer we actually traveled ove.. That is the width of the United States, but we kept it in Clark County.

And when as far as Moapa Valley to search like Fernando did a great event down there.

And so we're always at libraries and community centers doing these wonderful activities.

And let's talk about when you do go to these smaller cities and communities like Moapa and Searchlight, walk us through the feeling when you get there and you see their faces again, just light up a pure excitement.

I think they really are the ones who sup.. and it really shows us who this is for, you know, this.. who really benefit from all of our services.

And again, you guys distribute so many books and you just leave them there.

How many books?

It's about 85,000 per year that we give o.. You heard that 85,000 per year.

And that just makes my heart so happy because again, the reality is that a lot of families can't afford books.

We have an incredible amount of passion.

And I think that if you ever do come out to an event, you will see that we love what we do and we really believe in the mission, and we're so proud to be part of an organization.

Really one of the the only media organization that's working with children and families in this way.

This is what it's all about.

This is why we're doing this.

We want to make sure that programs like this one continue, especially for our kids and our families and even grandparents, as you mentioned.

Let's talk about how the funding impacts your department and the learning van.

Again, the fact that you get to go to Mesquite and Searchlight in rural communities, that their faces light up when they see that van come up.

Well, the one way thing is we there's an A if we can ever go back.

Now that we have, you know, no more of this funding.

We don't know if we can go back.

And we did supply a lot of learning, value to those communities.

And we just don't know if we can go back right now with what we got.

And we want to make sure that we can go back what needs to be done.

Well, we did receive a lot of funds over the course of our entire history from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

And that grant, of course, has been terminated.

And so we definitely are pursuing alternate funding sources and applying for grants.

We're talking with donors, and we're really hoping that something can come through so that we can have our Learning Neighborhood van be at full capacity, as it has been.

We really did about 90 events this past summer, and it 90 just this summer.

Did you hear that?

90 and all of that was originally going to be funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

It was not.

Luckily, a donor came throu.. But we don't know what funds we are going to be using in the future at this point.

So again, that membership.

Right.

It's important.

And that and that is every dollar it really,.. keep the station going.

And for our services as well.

Okay.

I ca.. more about your PBS Kids Writers contest.

It's been around for how many years?

25.

We just celebrated the 25th anniversary last year.

This started a long time ago, originally as the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, but now it's evolved to the PBS Kids Writers Contest, presented by Janice Allen.

We're so thankful to her for being able to help fund it so that we can keep going for this long, and it's been an amazing opportunity for kindergarten through fifth grade.

Now we've had almost, I'd say, 19,000 entries over all of those years.

And this is something that kids look forward to throughout the whole year.

They can't wait till it comes around and these kids are brilliant authors and illustrators.

Yes, in five years old, you'll be surprised.

Kindergarten is the way all the time, and I love that they're using their creativity and their beautiful little minds to do that.

And they're not necessarily on the phone.

I mean, they're writing this and they're actually illustrating this themselves.

They are so fun to hear them read it to out loud.

When you see their personality come through through their voice, they're like, oh, that's so amazing.

And we have a special video to show you.

So tell us a little bit about the young men featured in this video.

Yeah.

You're going to see a video featuring Morris Brown.

He entered our contest multiple years and was a multi year winner when he was about six, seven, eight years old.

And now he's an adult.

And we're going to hear about how this contest has impacted him even into adulthood.

Now take it away.

Hi, my name is Morris Brown.

I won the PBS Kids Writers contest from 2005 to 2007.

The personal meaning that I had for these stories was just primarily self-expression, and the things that I wanted to see in the world being brought out.

And my mom really always wanted us to be learning.

She heard about the writers contest and thought it would be a really good way for us to develop our writing, but also to have some healthy competition.

I remember the first time I went to the award ceremony for the Kids Writers contest.

I never really been in front of a crowd, and .. heightened in that moment.

I remember.

And then when they called my name out for first place, I remember.. I did not expect anything to come from it, the association with that being a worthwhile way to spend my time.

It started from a very young age with these programs like PBS or the Kids Writers Contest.

If you wanted to participate in the writers contest, I'd say just write as much as you can.

See what inspires you and the story will just come together as you go.

Winning did give me the confidence to keep pursuing writing beyond writing.

It gave me the confidence to pursue any form of self-expression.

It all ties in to the seed that was planted with PBS writers competition.

I would like to wish a very happy 25th anniversary to t.. PBS Kids Writers Contest, presented by Janice Allen.

It's such a wonderful competition.

Here's to 25 more years.

What an amazing young man Maurice is.

And how great is the Vegas PBS Kids Writers Contest presented by Janice Allen.

We are so thankful for the woman who makes this program possible year after year.

On the phone with us is a longtime donor and Charlotte Hill Silver Legacy Society member, Janice Allen.

Janice, how are you?

I'm doing very well at 98.

Thank you.

Oh, that is so impressive.

98 wow, I hope I get to live that long.

Janice, you have been such a long time supporter of Vegas PBS, a specially when it comes to children.

Why is Vegas PBS so important to you?

I was a child writer and I know the importance of encouragement, and I want to encourage all the young people to keep writing and enter the big contest each year.

Yes, and what a fantastic contest.

Now, what would you like to tell the audience at home tonight, right now, who's thinking about donating?

Why should they donate to Vegas PBS?

I hope that they'll donate it t.. and do this not only tonight, but tomorrow.

Yes, in the next ten.

To encourage the young writers to to continue writing and, and just sponsor any contests with with Vegas PBS.

That's wonderful.

Thank you for all you do for Vegas PBS.

Your support truly means the world to us.

I love doing it.

Oh, thank you Janice.

Have a wonderful evening.

Thank you.

Okay, so now we're going to keep this night moving.

We're checking in with another Vegas icon, my good friend Carrot Top from the Luxor.

And then we're going to hear from more friends in the Vegas entertainment community.

Let's check it out.

Hey everybody.

Thank you, John, for .. Sounds great isn't he?

He's nailing it tonight.

It's your buddy Carrot Top here at the Luxor.

And I wish I had to be there with you tonight for the PBS live aucti.. I wish I was there, but you're there.

So anyone watching you can click tonight and donate to help our cause.

I don't have a teleprompter.

If you can know, I'm.

I don't have.

Don't use one of those.

Right.

You don't need a teleprompter, would you?

Good.

Why this matters for Vegas.

PBS has served Southern Nevada for decades.

Write educating, informing entertaining don entertainers, gaining the community and generation public service for our hometown Vegas.

PBS isn't just a station, it's the local service.

I'm not reading this that reflects an uplift.

The city that we call our home, right?

I do call Vegas our home.

Art, culture, community PBS exposes people of all ages art, culture, history done, and storytelling right.

John loves to tell stories.

He's probably telling you when I'm done that may n.. anywhere else right here on PBS.

If you chance tonight, if you get a chance, please donate.

Click, go, swipe whatever you call the young guys.

Do donate tonight to help PBS live in Las Vegas and tonight here in Las Vegas.

So, now that I'm now that we know I'm not reading this, let me just say something else.

Donate today.

If you can make a donation tonight, ev.. Keep PBS independent access and serving our community.

I think I've said enough, John.

Go back to boring the heck out of the people tonight.

All right?

The free.

The food is free.

Cheers, everybody.

Please donate.

Hey.

What's up?

This is Matt Franc.. And I gotta say, we're all been so inspired by PBS over the years, and we want that to continue for years to come and donate as well.

Love to have you be part of it.

Hey, everyone.

This is Anthony Fair.. Mike at the Sahara Las Vegas.

Vegas PBS belongs to all of us.

Donate today.

I am for Vegas.

PBS celebrates creativity and connection, and we are proud to be a part of this Las Vegas community.

Give what you can.

Hi.

We're the cast of menopause, the musical comedy from Paris Cabaret.

We want to send our love and support to Vegas PBS and encourage you to donate today to help keep this Las Vegas institution alive for many years to come.

As the longest running musical in Las Vegas, we know what it takes to keep something great going.

And your donations make it possible for Las Vegas and fans of PBS.

I'm Brian and I'm Nick, and we're the ca.. the comedy wine tasting experience right here on the Las Vegas Strip.

You know, PBS is very important to local public media.

Public media.

I think PBS stood for Pino, Barolo a.. Yeah, but you also thought you stood for Kentucky Fried Chardonnay.

Remember to donate what you can for your local public media.

Hi, we're James and Toby from Potter.

Potter, and we support public media.

Support local support Vegas PBS today.

Pick up the phone.

Go online.

Donate some of.. Welcome back to my kitchen.

So now it's been 15 minutes and we are ready to pull out my antipasto sticks out of the oven.

I hope during this time that you have managed to make your pledges to Vegas PBS, and if not, you still have some time to do it.

But let's take a look at these lovely antipasto sticks and see how they turned out.

Oh boy.

Oh, they smell fantastic too.

I already got started plating some.

Oh, I got to make sure.

Hot pan hot pan here.

But what we're going to go ahead and do I like to.. We like to be able to plate these with a little dimension too.

You want to make sure that you're giving your guests something visually appealing.

And that's why all these are like little unicorns.

They're all a little bit different.

And then to be able to put in a little bit of grated, freshly grated parmesan Reggiano is a really, real.. And if you got people that like a little bit got a heat, how about some crushed red pepper flake just to make it zesty?

If you would like more exciting recipes, please check out my website, Dink cuisine.com, or follow me on Instagram at Dink Cuisine.

I really hope that you've had an opportunity to consider pledging to Vegas PBS.

It's meant so much to me to be part of such a fantastic culinary community with wonderful programing.

I'm going to send it back to the studio now.

Thanks so much, John.

Let's see what else the evening has in store.

I love that, that's great.

You guys are amazing.

Give them a hand.

Thank you Chef Alicia.

And thank you to my friend Carrot Top and to all of our friends in the Vegas entertainment community for your support.

We truly appreciate every single one of you.

This is amazing.

We have already matched our pre-show don.. Can we have a round of applause for that?

And we still have a long way to go.

Now, earlier in the show, we mentioned that we received several anonymous donations.

When we announced this event, and now we want to acknowledge some very special friends who matched those gifts.

A huge thank you to Gail Collins raha dive, who donated $5,000, Carson Schiffman for her donation of $5,216 5216.

We'll tell you why that number is important and get this.

IRA and Adrian Miller have pledged $25,000, which was matched by an anonymous donor.

This is absolutely incredible.

So thank you so much to all of you.

Next up is John know very John.

Come on out here.

So John I've been to John.

And thank you.

Thank you for being on the show.

I've, I've lived here for about 15 years.

You've been here your entire life.

Yes.

I love talking to people who were born and raised in Las Vegas.

You have a law practice here?

Your father was a Nevada Supreme Court judge.

That's correct.

That is.

That is amazing.

So you're the real deal.

And there's very there seems to be very few of you left.

That's true too.

And you're a member of the Charlotte Hill Society.

Can you tell everyone what that is?

So just so they know.

Yes, it's a it's a society, to encourage large gifts to sustain the station.

That and I had the good fortune of going to school with Charlotte Hill's daughter, Candy Hill.

So we have a connection there, too.

And I watched the station being birthed from conception.

President Johnson, we saw the tape on him earlier today, signed it into effect in 1967.

Charlotte took it from there.

And here we are in 2025.

So why is it important to you to continually give to Vegas PBS?

We have only one life to explore, which is not enough.

PBS opens a portal for all young and old alike to explore the outdoors, astrophysics, national news events, most most importantly, to focus in on Nevada related events.

Just earlier today, I was looking at one of the segments on Lincoln County.

And this town has been our state has been it's diverse and offered opportunities since statehood.

And it changes.

Right.

To keep pace with those changes, you need to know what our history is.

Vegas PBS as the only programs that I know in medium with the click of a mouse or your, iPad, you can explore, you can go to Lincoln County, you can go up to jackpot, you can go down Laughlin.

Go to Elko, go to Reno at all points in between and find out of our great history.

You know this state.

That's incredible.

And you really do love Vegas PBS, which I think I do.

So why, for somebody who's watching right now, who's maybe on the fence, who hasn't donated before, why should they donate more than ever?

Because you mentioned earlier in the program about the funding cut.

Yes.

That is a headwind we have to address.

And you know that Up provides an opportunity to enhance and bring in some new people into the fold.

Think of it for maybe, cost of a, coffee cup on a monthly basis.

You can become a member, get your passport.

Yes.

That's an important feature, right?

Right on your phone.

You got a slow day at the office.

You want to take a break, you want to make it and click that iPhone.

Get on there and find out about something about Nevada outdoors.

The, our Nova programs, astrophysicist.

Not just for you, but for your kids and your grandparents.

And what about all these incredible community programs?

Oh, they're wonderful.

It's the only medium we have in Southern Nevada that provides them with no advertising.

Just get in and very well put together.

Quality.

Just like the Ken Bu.. recent documentary on the American Revolution.

Yeah.

Thank you John.

We really appreciate you comi.. Thank you.

Keep up the good work.

Thank you I appreciate that.

All right.

Keep those calls and donations coming in.

The night is still young.

Let's head over to Chet Buchanan,.. And then we're going to check in with more frie.. Hey.

Thanks, John.

Yeah, it is Chet Buchanan.

And right now I am on top of a 30ft scaffold at NV energy f.. Otherwise, I would be with you tonight for this very, very important event.

Obviously, I don't need to go through what's happened as far as all the funding and ever.. with Vegas PBS.

One thing that I do know is that this programing is important.

This mission of Vegas PBS is important.

Our Young Writers competition with Janice Allen is important, and it needs to continue.

And by the way, you know who else knows that you do.

That's why you're here right now.

And that's why we need your help.

The QR code is on the screen, the number is on the screen.

Whatever you can do to donate, which, by the way, for a guy who's up on a 30ft scaffold right now, we're in the energy at West Sahara, just west of Jones.

For me to ask you to give money to Vegas PBS and not to Toy Drive right now, if you can do both, that would be amazing.

But for me to take focus away from that, this is how important this is to me.

Because again, the programing is important, the mission is important, and it doesn't have to go away.

I am a big believer in the free market system.

I do believe that we the people can control our own destiny, that we can make our own things happen.

We don't have to wait for anybody else.

But it starts with you right now, and it starts with that phone number on the screen.

It starts with that QR code.

And again, $1, $5.

You're going to hear some really big donations hundreds, thousands.

You can do that and you can swing it.

We'd appreciate it.

We'd love to have you on board with us.

I in fact, right now I'm pledging $1,000, right now, $1,000.

Who's with me?

The numbers right there, the QR codes right there.

Do what you can, give what you can.

And thank you for your support of Vegas PBS.

Okay.

Hi, I'm Bob Warner.

I am one of the major donors of, PBS.

I've been have donated with Vegas PBS for the last 40 years, and I urge you to support them as well.

And I think that, any amount will help PBS to stay online.

I urge you, support Vegas PBS.

Hi, Vegas, PBS friends Nathan Tanenbaum.

Now, you may know me from eight news now, but I also hope you know, I host some shows here at Vegas PBS.

In fact, we're coming to you from studio B where we record the Ccsd spelling bee.

So this is a program that showcases some of our brightest young spellers as they compete for a spot at the state and national championships.

I also hosted Desert Treasures, our companion series to the Antiques Roadshow.

Remember, we gave you that b.. the making of an episode right here in Las Vegas.

Well, programs like these are only possible because of your support.

Your donations continue creating meaningful local programing that educates and celebrates our community.

So please donate whatever you can tonight.

Hey, there's another show I love hosting varsity quiz.

We got the best and the brightest students from across Clark County facing off in this fast paced trivia competition that asks some pretty serious science questions, too.

It's an honor to showcase the talent and brilliance of our young people.

And again, it's your support that makes it all possible.

Hey, speaking of Rose City Quiz, we got a trivia question for you.

In what year did Vegas PBS then known as Kvea, first go on the air?

And a bonus, what were the first two shows that ever aired?

All right, here's your answer.

Vegas PBS first went on the air in 1968.

On the evening of March 25th at 6 p.m., the first two shows, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and remember, the French Chef was Julia Child.

If you've got those right, great job.

You've been paying attention.

Thanks for playing and thank you for supporting Vegas PBS.

Your donations keep the station thriving and ever.. Have a great night!

Hello Vegas PBS, it's Myron Martin from the Smith Center, and we are proud to live in a city known for the arts and entertainment.

And we love it when we bring the world's most talented people here to Las Vegas.

And we really love it when we can take our shows for Myron's and bring them directly into your living room, thanks to Vegas PBS.

As someone who believes deeply in the power of live performance and community, I truly support Vegas PBS.

I hope you will support Vegas PBS too.

And we are back!

Thank you, Chet, for your generous donation.

We both go to the same barber.

As you can see.

And thank you to Bob.

Nate and Myron will be hearing from Myron again.

Myron at the Smith Center is absolutely incredible.

So we're going to go back and see him a little later ton.. We need to get these phones ringing right now.

You know what to do.

Any donation at this point will be a huge help to us.

Doesn't matter how small, how big you're going to keep this going for us.

What you're paying for Hulu and Paramount Plus and all of these other things.

What you get with PBS Vegas, PBS is absolutely incredible.

All the diversity of shows.

But not only that, that the diversity of the community services that we offer.

Now, we've just received a $2,500 donation from a Better Home Care, one of our corporate sponsors, providing home care services throughout the Valley.

Corporate sponsors have always been a vital part of the success of Vegas PBS, and our friends at Tobin Motorcars have supported us for many years, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

Here's a message from Chairman Carolyn Tobin with a special match challenge for you tonight.

Take a look and then come right back.

We're going to be live in studio for a performance you can't miss.

Hi, I'm Carolyn Tobin, owner, Tobin Motorcars here in Las Vegas.

Supporting PBS means investing and informed curious connected society means keeping quality, educational and uplifting programing available to everyone for generations to come.

I support public media and so should you.

Today I'm committing to match donations made during a telethon up to $10,000.

PBS is powered by you.

So please support PBS.

Pick up your phone or go online and give what you can.

Your donations will be matched by of class.

Thanks.

Liberace was more than a dazzling showman.

He was a cultural icon who defined Las Vegas entertainment for decades.

His performances combined music, spectacle and personality in a way that captured the world's attention beyond the spotlight.

Liberace gave generously of his time and fortune.

His charitable contributions supported education, the arts, and countless causes.

He understood the power of giving back to the community that embraced him.

Liberace also left his mark here at PBS.

Over the years, he appeared in several PBS specials and in the early days of pledge drives.

His performances, DVDs, and albums were among the most cherished gifts offered to members supporting public television.

In fact, back in 1982, Liberace sat down right here at what was then called channel ten on the program interview with Charles Zupan.

Thank you.

You're well.

Thank y.. That's right.

We didn'.. And, folks, I don't know if you know, but I want you to know that this Baldwin grand piano was do.. by the Liberace Foundation, Las Vegas, 1980.

The Liberace Foundation donated one of his beloved Baldwin pianos to Vegas PBS.

A beautiful symbol of his generosity and a reminder of the bond between Liberace and public television.

Liberace will always be a las Vegas legend and a true friend to Vegas.

PBS.

Liberace was indeed a Las Vegas and world tr.. And if you haven't noticed, the piano from that segment is right here with us at Vegas PBS.

Sitting at the piano is Zoe Wang.

On the vibraphone is Clark Anderson.

On the bass is Nora Nicolette, and on the drums is Shawn Adagio.

These incredible students, they're amazing performers.

They are part of the Las Vegas Academy Jazz combo, and we are so proud to have them here playing as our house band tonight.

And now they're going to perform a beautiful piece.

You're going to love this.

It's called Fried Pies by Wes Montgomery.

Take it away.

Proud of all.

Sally, I'm going to give this to you.

Since you're the leader of this group I love.

I love jazz, and I've sat in jazz clubs in New York and Chicago and LA and here, and I look.. and they've been playing for 25 years.

How long have you guys been playing together?

Because you sound like you have such a rich history.

Yeah.

So, we have te.. since the beginning of this 2025, 2026 school year.

So we've only been playing together since August, but we I mean, we've all been individually playing our instruments for a very long time.

But this combo specifically, we you know, we've just been getting through it.

What attracts what attracts you whenever you answer.. But what attracts you to jazz more than any other, like rock or some other type of music or classical or something like that?

Well, for jazz, I feel like it's different because the connection that we have as a band is so different from playing classical individually or rock, as you know, a performing band.

Like, I feel like the connection that we have as friends and as musicians is on such a deep level that we are able to play music at such a deep level.

Right.

That's beautiful and.. Please give them another round of applause.

They were absolutely incredible.

We have some new, more more donations have come in.

We have Lauren Rothstein.

He has made a wonderful donation, I know him.

Peggy King, Clar.. brand group that donated $5,000.

We appreciate that.

Corporate sponsors, Glass Craft Arts Foundation is donating $1,000.

Their mission is to inspire in the arts by providing educational support to students, emerging artists, and to the community.

Plus, we have Clark Lake from San Antonio.

People are watching from around the country and donating.

So if you're watching somewhere else, please feel free to donate here.

Hold up your phone.

Make that today will be Brown here in Las Vegas.

Cindy Ryman.

Katrina.

Brad Ash and Amber Dixon, also here in Las Vegas.

Now, earlier today, our very own Nikki Brunetti visited the Palms Casino resort to check in with one of our corporate sponsors.

And then we're sending you downtown for our first original programing, spotlight of the evening.

It's Vegas all in our Emmy winning show to meet the producers, followed by another live performance.

So let's take a look.

Hello amazing Vegas PBS family.

I am Doctor Nikki Brunetti, executive director of education and business development.

Today I am here at the Palms Casino Resort with Kevin Glass, general manager of the Palms Casino Resort.

Corporate support helps to fund what we do in the community, along with the great programing that you love and enjoy.

So this is an important such an important contribution.

That palm through their palms cares foundation that we are here to receive.

Karen, take it away.

Thank you Nicky.

Well, allow me to present you with a check on behalf of, the palms.

Employees .. Very much appreciate all the content that you provide to the local community, particularly on education and really thoughtful, content for the Las Vegas community.

So thank you very much.

And, we know this will go a long way.

Thank you.

So much for the support.. We appreciate it tremendously.

Hey, it's Jeremy.

Hello.

I'm one .. and I'm Tommy Caprio, the other producer of Vegas.

All in.

We're here at the .. because it's one of the most iconic places in Las Vegas.

And our show, Vegas All In is all about iconic places, people, experiences.

It's all about the people.

We know that the city has amazing attractions and amazing buildings and shows that you can see.

But we focus on the people behind those shows to make those things the most worldwide, known as they are.

So what was one of your favorite things that you did on the show?

So we got to cover some fantastic music, like Pure Sport.

We got to see Blake Lewis.

I love that we got to go see the BattleBots.

We got to go to the BattleBots arena.

We built a battle bar and we tested out and exploded in the ring.

Yeah, I mean, I think I one of my favorite things about their doing the show is that we kind .. and live the world of these people.

Just like you said, we build the BattleBots and then we also or I got to go swim in the mermaid tank at the Silverton Casino.

And that was fun.

But I also, I would have to say the most impressive thing about the show is the people that we meet.

And Chuck Frommer is one of .. that we got to meet on his show.

He's the owner of John Moe's Meats, and we also heard that they are the sponsor for tonight's dinner over there back in the studio.

So thank you very much for that, Chuck.

And, guys, save us some bacon.

Oh, man, those burn ends.

But you know what?

We also won an Emmy.

We did, we won.

And that means we won an Emmy.

It was on our episode about Hillwood as the two filmmakers in town, locally born here, making great videos, parody videos for YouTube right here in Las Vegas.

And it's just the amazing stories that we get to.. about people in Las Vegas.

And there's so many just great stories.

Yeah, we love doing the show, but in order for us to continue to do the show, we need donations.

We need your help.

We need you to call the number .. Go online.

Follow the QR code right exactly where we're looking for that work.

But, but yeah.

So that's, you know, so, so we need your help in order to do that.

And what's what's not a challenge?

Want to do a challenge?

I think challenge me.

Fantas.. If we raise some money, we're going to do something exciting and adventurous.

$10,000.

If somebody gives us $10,000 tonight, the story out of my army, it's out there is a challenge, $10,000, and we will ride a zipline zipline across the Fremont Street Experie.. Say what?

Oh, that.

Already complete.

All right, our producer is saying that we've already just raised $10,000.

Hey, man, that's all in.

Your producer saying that you already raised $10,000, but we just started.

Well, I we got to do it.

Listen, here's what we're going to do.

We're going to do it because we said we would check it out.

Let's turn on the camera.

Let's let's let's check outside.

Zilla.

This is it.

This is where we're going to go.

We're going to go up there and we're goin.. We're going to be, we're going to work our way down the strip all night to.. So stick around.

We're, watch a clip right?

What are we going to say?

We're going to see a c.. So watch check it out.

We're gonna go get ready.

We'll be up there next.

When you see us.

Massive monkeys dance crew.

We are a three time world championship titleholder.

I don't really remember how it happened, but somebody just called my name.

They yelled the name.

Shut up!

It's your turn.

The Rat Pack in the 60s really represented Las Vegas at its libertine best.

People will often ask me, am I afraid of the sharks when we're diving?

And I say, no, I am not afraid of the sharks because the sharks have never bit me.

The turtles, however, have a really cool local band I want you to join.

The club had a reputation like all of Las Vegas did you know?

There's no denying that th.. some mob influence in Las Vegas, so strap in.

I'm a born performer.

It's the only thing I've ever wanted to do.

If you think Bugsy Siegel invented Las Vegas, remember his initials.

It's not in the script.

It's not like, yes.

What's amazing, I want it to be on Billboard.

So I had goals.

Were you bigger?

You should do movies.

You could easily be a superhero.

And then once I heard that, like, oh, from Vegas, maybe us from the Vegas All In TV show will be driving a specially modified slot machine.

First of all, are you guys from here?

Yeah, born and raised basically.

Yeah.

And I was like, oh my mind was blown and was mind blo.. This is my opportunity.

A light bulb clicked and this guy has no idea what he's doing.

I knew there was something about what he was doing that I wanted to do.

I spent at this point I love most Vegas.

I like this drive.

He designed this sign for people who were not welcome to Las Vegas.

Was, He played.

And we're back high above Fremont Street at Slot Zoo.

Jeremy, how are you doing?

This is a lot higher than I thought.

It would be.

Scary, but it's gonna be fun.

Oh, this is going to be awesome.

Listen.

Well, we're we're gonna zipline down Fremont Street, but we want to keep it here downtown.

We're going to send it over to our buddy Myron at the, at the Smith Center.

So, we'll see you guys later.

We're going to head out to head down the strip.

You're going to see more of us tonight.

Guys, listen.

You're donating.

Oh, my God.

You.

This is awesome.

Oh.

All right, listen, guys, we're going to be working our way up and down the strip all night, so stick with us.

Hey, it's Myron Martin from the Smith Center.

We are here in the lobby of Myron's, getting ready for another great show with some of our great local musicians.

The audience is loaded in.

People are excited.

There's a buzz here tonight for the one Bronson there.

Come check it out.

Try.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

We're live here from Myron's at the Smith Center.

Easily the greatest place to play in Las Vegas.

Right?

We're here for the PBS fundraiser, so we're hoping everybody at home dig deep into your pockets.

You got to give some money.

This is a great cause.

How many people on PBS Vegas, PBS.

I'm saying, hey, how about your favorite shows?

I mean, front line is, I mean cosmos.

Nova, I I'm, I'm a huge fan.

I go all the way back to, channel two Boston GBH when we watched the origi.. uncensored Monty Python's Flying Circus in the mid 70s.

Right.

And it's, seemed to alter my thinking just a little bit.

So if you love PBS and I know you do, you've got a deep.

You know, reach deep down into your pockets.

You're going to give until it hurts.

And also in return, we're going to give you this song that we recorded of a tower of Power and it was written about our fair city.

It's called Sin City.

It's.

And it's at least.

You still find it on the Long Beach.

Do you want to live on TV?

You can play those little things.

And.

And maybe that's fine for me.

Now we've got a fun place to go on.

This is so.

You're living in.

Cincinnati.

It's a bit closer to us.

So I know you will.

And I. Will.

Make it so.

I'm so busy.

May you.

Want to go and get some coffee?

Just like you just you.

You never know.

Since.

Since and since I know.

I can't.

Do right.

Now.

But.

Certain things.

What an amazing performance.

Thank you to the Allen Bronson band.

They are incredible.

And we'll be seeing more from Tommy and Jeremy a little.. Now, we've also received a lot of a numb anonymous donation since we announced the pledge for Vegas.

Some large, some small, but every single dollar you send helps keep Vegas PBS thriving.

Let's get those phones ringing right there.

We also have some people who have made some donations.

Tom Lolly in Los Angeles.

Hey, we will take money from around the country.

You know how great Vegas PBS is.

So many great shows, so many great services to our community.

So if you're in Boise, Idaho, call in right now.

Make a donation.

Doug and Susie, these are friends of mine here in Las Vegas.

Thank you Doug and Susie.

Appreciate it.

Gary Sutton in Summerlin, Shell Radack, Roger Wagner in Henderson.

We've got people calling in from Las Vegas, from around the country.

Every dollar you send in help support this incredible programing and the amazing community outreach programs we have here in this city.

Now to learn more about how the federal funding cuts have affected Vegas PBS and how your donations are put to work each dollar, let's send it upstairs to our own Kip Orton Burger Camp.

Are you there?

Well, thank you so much.

I'm Kip Orton burger.

I'm the director of strategy here at Vegas PBS, and you can see a lot of strategy happening behind this bar.

And we'll get to that in just a second.

A lot of questions are coming up here with, Vegas PBS.

And the main one is, are we going to be around?

Well, of course we're going to be around.

We're here today.

We're going to be here tomorr.. And that is because of you.

Everybody at home that's watching right now and donating.

You are the reason why we are still here, not just for the pledge.

For Vegas.

I wanted to bring yo.. and we'll get into this right away.

It is all of your community dollars that you've been giving us, over the years.

That is why we are here.

We have not had to reduce any services whatsoever.

And we don't think we're going to have to.

The other question we get is with federal funding on how big of a hit is it.. Well, it's 12%.

Just by this pie graph you can see how big that is.

That's $1.9 million a year we were getting from the federal government.

That's 12% of our budget.

That's a big chunk.

But I want to bring you back to here.

88% is coming from the community that's coming from members and donors and service fees that we get for programs, sponsors and grants.

All of it is community based.

All of it is from you 100%.

And federal funding is tax dollars, right?

So when we say viewers like you, we mean it.

Everything that we raise still comes with the community, even if it's not from federal funding.

The other question we get, and I just bring it right over here and we can take a look at this is what is this going to do if we don't have that 12%?

How is it going to impact all of your programing?

The short answer is it impacts everything okay.

But the main thing it impacts is our national programing.

We have to pay dues for every one of your favorite shows.

The Novas, the nature's, The Antiques Road shows all come from dues that every local station has to pay to get that, that, that broadcasting, this is the primary thing that federal funding, funds.

But it is not just that.

It is also our children's programing.

So big, all of our PBS kids programing, we pay dues.

We also get funding for community outreach.

We do so much with families in the community, particularly disadvantaged, low income families, to bring this programing right into their homes.

And this is a big part of federal funding as well.

Let's not forget state as well, our local programing too.

For one thing, our infrastructure, all of our broadcasting, federal funding supports that.

We reached 500,000 households every single year.

That's not just through broadcast.

It's also through mobile devices and streaming.

And it is also and this is so important, this triangle right here, this symbolizes emergency response and information.

This is something a lot of people don't know.

Our broadcast covers a lot of emergency response.

And again federal funding funds the infrastructure for this as well.

So important I want to bring you back over here really quick to local programing Nevada Week, Outdoor Nevada.

All those shows are in part supported as well.

So all of our local programing receives some federal funding as well and inclusively to everything.

And this is so important because this is what separates us from other network television and our research and development.

All of the educational work that goe.. all of the backing, the journalism that goes into and the research that goes into all of our news programs.

It takes a phenomenal amount of money to be able to do that.

Right.

Again, we are not about clicks or views.

We are about educating everybody that watches us from children to adults to our news, research and development is so big.

And again, that's federal dollars that is supporting that both at the national and the local level with the programs we're doing.

Okay, so finally, the last question we get is $1.9 million a year.

What's your plan?

How are we going to cover this?

How can we make sure that everything I just showed you again is going to be covered?

And we're going to be able to do all the services th.. Well, here's the answer here.

Community, of course, it's going to come down to you.

Pledge for Vegas is one example of that.

But we're not just raising money every single year.

We would have to raise another $1.9 million every year.

That is a hard task.

But if we can build a community endowment, if we can raise money just for the endowment, we have 10 million in there right now.

If we add another $10 million.

My math, I think it's correct.

That puts us at 20 million by 2027.

If we can raise $20 million in two years, we can generate from the interest $1.9 million a year.

That means if we can raise this 20 million in the next two years, and this is why the live pledge is so important, then we then can generate from the interest $1.9 million a year and cover that 12% gap, and that c.. and the community.

And one last thing too.

Here's our little pie graph.

I know it's a little rough, but look at we project that even if we're pulling $1.9 million a year, we're going to grow this endowment still, which means there's going to be more money for local programing and the services for your community.

So again, every donation that is given during pledge for Vegas, it accelerates this.

It accelerates the community endowment.

It means we can get there quicker and we can get there bigger.

And that is why you continue to be the number one piece of this puzzle.

So.

We.

Give this band a fantastic round of applause.

Meet the only jazz band at late night television.

And they're doing a fantastic job.

They sound.

I hope they sound as good in your home as they sound here in the studio.

They're fantastic.

I want to say thank you to Kip for explaining all that.

As you can see, your donations are absolutely critical.

And I know there's people watching right now who watch Outdoor Nevada.

No.

Or watch specific shows all in Vegas.

And they think, oh, somebody else will make a donation.

You need to make the donation.

If you're watching the shows, we need you to do that.

The money just isn't for program.

It's for all these different programs, the community programs that help so many people.

So make the donation.

If it's $5, if it's $10, whatever you can give, it's going to bridge the gap.

It's going to bridge the funding gap that we're dealing with.

And every dollar you give goes back to a good, important work that is happening right here in Southern Nevada.

It's not like you're giving the money to Hulu and it's goi.. It's just staying where you live in this town.

And we're clearly doing something right.

Because tonight, because we've just received another generous donation from the Anstead family, $50,000 towards pledge for Vegas.

I think that deserves a incredible round of applause.

That is a significant gift.

Thank you for the Anstead family.

And also we've got a few other ones.

We have someone that I'm a huge fan of.

He was Lex Lewis, Lex Luther on Smallville.

He also has an incredible, podcast called Inside of You with all these amazing, amazing actors that are on it.

Michael Rosenbaum has made a wonderful donation.

Let's give him a hand.

We appreciate that.

We also he's a great guy, great actor too.

And, we just got a donation from Terry Kern and Jerry Brown, for $500.

So if it's $50, $500, $50,000, please try to match that.

Reach out now and we will acknowledge you live on air.

Let us know who you are, where you're from, and we're definitely going to let you have your moment to shine here on Vegas PBS and talk about your moment to shine.

We've got people here live in the audience, and we're going to let them shine right now.

Let's go to some of our wonderful people working the phones.

And you are.

My name is Sylvia.

Hi, Sylvia.

And, what do you do?

You work for PBS or are you just in the neighborhood?

And we roped you in.

I am the proud office supervisor of the work force team.

Oh, the wo.. which does an incredible job here in Southe.. We're actually the only sta.. that has a workforce, training department.

You see that?

That's the thing.

That's something that most probably most Las Vegas don't know that this is that unique to Vegas PBS.

Absolutely.

We help people who a.. get training, get back to work.

We have various programs, great trainings,.. And it's just a wealth of resources that we have for the community.

And we also have a Nevada assessment that helps people find their best job fit.

So kids as young as middle schoolers can take it, and adults as old as they are can also take it.

This is great.

This was unrehearsed.. Who who's sitting next to you?

These are the rest of my team.

Oh, my name is Letty.

Hi.

And how do you like doing this type of work?

I love this, yeah, I've always been big on education, and, I'm always stressed for it.

And, you can never stop learning, right?

And never stop helping you.

Helping so many people.

Thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

And we're going to meet some.. that are here in the audience right now.

You are.

Hi, I'm Victoria Cole, Quebec.

Hi, Victoria.

How did you end up on our audience tonight?

Well, I'm friends with some of the the team here at PBS.

Fantastic.

And what do you do?

I'm the editor in chief of devoid magazine.

What is it called?

Devoid magazine.

Devoid magazine.

T.. We have a publisher here.

And this young lady, you are Shannon McCallum, and you're with, Resorts World Las Vegas research.

Well, I think we all know Resorts World.

And I'm going to grab this woman right here and have her come out and introduce who she is.

Hi.

You are.

Hi, John.

I, I would ask if they were both performers, and yet we're not in the light.

You're over here away.

Oh, thank you so much.

You grab.

This is for you.

You do this.

She's really good with the microphone because she is a stand up comedian.

Actress?

Yeah.

VoiceOver artist.

Emcee.

Keep it going.

No.

We're good.

I'm Jacqueline Murphy, Fu.. and I'm so excited to be here.

Yes.

And you've done some amazing things.

You're relatively new to Las Vegas, right?

I am I am new to Las Vegas, but I've always had a love for Las Vegas ever since I was a little girl.

I did move here, though, from Los Angeles.

You did.

And it's and it's going great.

Yeah.

It's good.

I, I love how much PBS highlights the arts here in Las Vegas.

I grew up watching great performances.

Mister Rogers, Sesame Street, all of it.

And I feel like you guys are so important here.

Yeah, I feel the same way.

I'm relatively new to the town, but we're going to go back to Maria right now.

Have you loved learning about what's happening inside this building?

Oh my gosh.

I mean, this facility here is i.. And I come from L.A.

I mean, this is next level.

It's so amazing.

Really incredible.

So we're going to go back to Maria right now.. about another original program we have produced right here at Vegas, PBS Nevada Week.

Let's go to Maria to meet the team behind the show.

And a very cute little teeny tiny special guest.

And then we're sending you to the theater at Planet Hollywood for another special performance.

Welcome to the NewsHour.

Good evening.

I'm John.

Welcome to the program, everyone.

I'm good evening and welcome to Washington Week.

This week on Nevada.

We.

There's no going back to what we've had before.

This country is as divided now as it has been at any time.

That sends a signal to the world you want to be in conversations that are happening right now.

I thought that was the point.

Here on Nevada Week, we're sharing our state stories.

I think that education is the core of exactly everything we do in society.

I live specifically in a neighborhood where there's homeless.

I'm bringing everybody back together again.

It's about economic development, 35,000 jobs, good paying union jobs.

Or is this a Nevada issue solely?

I would say it's certainly not the Nevada issue solely.

This is a moment when we're standing at a crossroads.

How long has this polarization, this division been around?

We have, in fact, always been divided across the country over the past two decades, more than 2200 weekly newspapers have closed down.

Information is powerful.

We can't talk about mental health without addressing that.

There's still a stigma we need.

Do we need.. Public media's role now is more than ever to get the facts out, to be as transparent as possible, and to tell the truth, as we know it.

There's a lot of information out there, and it's really hard to know what you can believe, which is why I think people turn to us again and again.

It's public media's role to try to help educate and enlighten.

PBS continues to be one of the most trusted institutions in the country.

We really do go out and meet the moment as it's happening.

We are there at the front line, asking tough questions and getting important and robust answers.

We're playing a major role in combatting lies, fake news.

As journalists, we are trying to bring the most fair coverage that we possibly can.

We move forward by staying true to our values.

And on PBS news is human.

Public media matters.

And this is why we need your support now more than ever.

So that shows like Nevada Week in Nevada, week in person can remain on air.

I can tell you that I have the incredible honor of working with talented journalists who are both in front of the camera and behind the camera, one of those phenomenal journalists is Amber Rene Dixon, who is standing by in studio with a special guest.

And speaking of special guests, I can tell you that I have an adorable special guest coming up in just a bit.

He's been featured on tales From the Trails.

And no, I'm not talking about my husky Ukee that's coming up, so stick around for that.

But for now, sending it to Amber in studio for.

Thank you Maria, and hello to our viewers.

Welcome to the Nevada Week set.

Today you get to meet my producer, Kristen Kidman.

She has worked in journalism and television for many years here in Las Vegas.

Kristen, what do you like about .. So many things here, right?

Especially working with you.

Oh well thank you.

But right now in the world where all of our.. are just sound bites and the most viral moment context matters, and I feel like we lose that a lot in journalism.

So I love that we can have our guests come here and explain their issue and their story in the detail that they want the people to know.

Yes, we really get to hear a lot from them, far more in depth than what you will get on local television news.

We cover important topics.

We cover fun topics, but everything has a lot of depth to it.

The economy, for example, tourism being so big here in Las Vegas, we got a lot of good feedback on our interview with the LVA president, Steve Hill.

I was told, he kind of grilled him, but no, that's what these leaders deserve.

They need to be asked these tough questions.

And this is the platform where they get to feel that they're not going to be just cut off.

Definitely.

Some people are, are surprised to k.. to policy and government, we do arts and culture.

We like to have fun here.

We went to the Bob Marley Road experience right before I opened, and we got to hear so much about his life and all the work that goes into putting those sets together, bringing this cast in.

We have had.

Let's see, Piff the Magi.. We've had Terry Fator way back in the day.

We had a member of the Blue Man group recently.

They really like to remain kind of anonymous, not not specific to who they are, but they are one group.

Another one that comes to mind is the former mayor of Las Vegas, Jan Jones.

Blackhurst.

What stood out to you from that interview?

The first couple of minutes of that interview, she actually talked about being a mother and she talked about just some of the sacrifices and how she's had to balance being a mom and all of this role she's had as a leader.

And I remember sitting in the booth and I got like a little teary hearing that interview.

It just it was so relatable.

And I really got that.

She felt comfortable enough to share that with us.

Another awesome mom that we had on was Senate Majority Leader Nicole Can.. That one was really cool because she legislated after giving birth.

I mean, I think she was back at the legislative session within a week after having her second baby.

And so I thought, hey, I just had my baby too.

Let's do a show where we have them with us as I interview you.

That makes me think, though, of our special guests that Maria had mentioned.

Let's have her bring him in now.

And I think he has a future in broadcast journalism.

Look at this.

He's loving .. You want to go say hi to mommy?

Let's go say hi to mommy.

Okay.

Hello, Michaela.

Can I have you on my lap or you want to stand right here?

You can stand here.

What do you want to do?

Is that your microphone?

Tell us about PBS kids.

PBS kids, what is your favorite show?

I tell parents, Daniel Tiger, Daniel time, Alma's way.

I'm little.

I have to say I owe him.

I have my job because of Otto.

That's a story for another day.

But for now, we just want to remind you again.

This is why we do what we do.

Why public media matters, why shows like Nevada Week in Nevada week in person are so important.

And PBS kids, right?

Are you ready for your big baby?

It will not leave you because he's been on here before.

All right.

Ready?

Look in there and .. Nothing.

Yay!

He.

Hi.

I'm Sally Olsen, and I play Karen Carpenter.

I'm Ned Mills, and I play Richard Carpenter.

We're the stars of carpenters legacy.

And we're coming to you live from the theater at Planet Hollywood.

Vegas.

PBS is a very .. and we encourage each and every one of you to donate.

So now we're going to perform one of our greatest hits.

Why do banks suddenly appear every time you honest.

Just like me.

And they long to be close to you.

Why do stars slow down from the sky.

Every time you walk.

Both just like me.

And they long to be close to you.

To undo the day that you moved on.

The angels got together and decided to create a dream come true.

And us today.

Let's go inside.

In your eyes I'll do that is what all the girls and.

All around you.

All of us.

Just like me.

May longs to be close to you.

To.

Rise up.

Up, up I know that you a morning just got together and decided to create a dream.

Come true.

So this dream I see.

Going inside your eyes.

And that is why all the girls in town follow you.

To you all around us.

Just like me.

And they long to be close to you.

Just like me.

Just like me.

They long to be close to you.

You know.

Up close to you.

To to one up close to you.

You know, to us.

Up close to you, to.

Us.

Up close to you.

Thank you, thank you.

Please donate today.

Wow.

What an absolutely beautiful performance.

Thank you, Sally and Ned.

And as you've seen all night, your donations go a long way in helping keep Vegas PBS alive and thriving.

And we have a few more donations that I want to get to.

Vicky and Andrew Manatee.

My presence in new Jersey made a very nice donation.

They're staying up late to watch.

We also have Ethan Hanover from Los Angeles.

He's in this time zone for a little easier for him.

And I also want to make sure we thank, who provided our incredible food this evening for our entire team that's here tonight.

We would like to thank Chuck Frommer, Fromer and Jo.. Meats and Roadkill Grill for donating the amazing meal tonight.

The brisket was incredible.

The chicken, the pork, all the food that they served tonight.

So thank them.

And if you take a look around the set, we want.. the studio North America for this really beautiful set.

It is truly a Vegas set and, immersive design.

And that's what they do.

They're immersive design experts, custom builds, luxury rentals, large scale events.

And if you want to find out more, it's very easy.

The studio usa.com.

We can't thank all of you enough for your donations, for all the people who help us put us this evening to.. But this evening isn't over yet, so let's go back now to Kip Orton Burger, who's with some long time Friends of Vegas PBS who have a message and a very special guest for us.

Well, thank you so much.

Good evening, friends of Vegas PBS.

What a hive of activity we have all through the station.

Which is why we are in one of the grand rooms now.

We're using every nook and cranny we possibly can here tonight for a live pledge.

And I am so excited.

In the green room.

Joining me are two of our most dearest .. to Vegas PBS Benson and Lee Reisman.

Long time donors.

Yes, board member for Southern Nevada Public Television as well for proud board member, proud board member.

And, Benson, it looks like you got something rather large in your hand there, so let's get to it.

Well, we were thinking about just coming down because we heard there was something going on, but we forgot.

Are we forgot our checkbook, but now we just found it.

There it is in our checkbook.

This is a donation on behalf of our foundation, the Reisman Foundation for $10,000.

Plus, we added a couple extra dollars and I'll ask tell Kit to share what that is for.

I'm going to do the quick math.

It looks like an extra $1,200 in Benson.

That is a very important number, because that's 12% over what your donation was last year.

And 12% is very important because that's what Vegas PBS lost through the federal cuts that we received last year.

So we are asking so many of our donors, if you gave last year, think about giving 12% more to us.

It makes all the difference.

And Benson and Lee, you've done that.

And thank you so much.

This is such a wonderful gift.

12 and 12% is a couple of cups of coffee at Starbucks.

I mean, come on, it is absolutely.

Leah, I wanted to ask you to I mean, you I know I we've had conversations about, what you love about us, but I want to ask you and, you know, and .. why is Vegas PBS so special to you?

Okay, first of all, tonight is so crazy.

Thank you for inviting us to your green room.

I have to tell .. and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and my children grew up watching the same programs, and now my grandchildren.

For me, that's three gen.. And I cannot express to you how important that is to continue the quality learning.

And I can offer that to my grandchildren.

And it's free on public television.

And, I mean, the children are so important.

You're right.

It's so much of what we do.

You guys both, I know, are both Vegas PBS viewers.

You have busy lifestyles.

You travel a lot.

How how is Vegas PBS important to to people like you?

So many lives.

Okay.

We are travelers.

So I'll start out with when we have any downtime.

If we're not on an airplane, we're actually watching Rick.

Steve.

Because I get to travel the world with Rick.

Steve.

I really don't consider us television viewers, but I consider us PBS viewers.

And Saturdays I get to watch all the mysteries and the Mystery Theater on Saturday evenings and Sundays.

Of course, it's the masterpieces which I have the written down in my calendar, so I know exactly when they're coming on, and it just gives me great joy to live this full life.

And it's all quality broadcasting.

And that's so great to hear because you guys do travel a lot.

So you're watching Rick Steves and probably get some great ideas for it.

But even more so, I would say that especially in a night like tonight, we're giving in and it's about PBS, PBS community, and there's no better way to support your community than a vehicle that supports Las Vegas and that's Vegas PBS.

And that's why we donated our funds.

That's why we're here, inviting other people to be a part of this great effort and make Vegas even more strong, entertainment wise, educationally, family, friends.

That's what Vegas PBS is all about, and we're happy and proud to be the best.

I couldn't have said it any better.

Benson and Lee, we're going to we're going to stop it there.

And thank you.

Wonderful, wonderful.

Yeah.

Oh, okay.

Give him money.

We want you to give money because it's to a good cause.

It's not for me.

It's not Philly.

It's not for Kip.

It's not for it's for the community.

That's why.

Absolutely.

And like I said, if you can g.. give that 12%, and tonight's the night to do it right now I agree.

I totally agree.

Okay, I agree.

Tonight is the night to help.

I forgot to do that with, that tonight is tonight.

If you can help, we would appreciate if you could.

And again, I want to thank you.

Thank Benson and Lee Reisman for a very generous donation.

Thank you so much.

We have so many wonderful people in Las Vegas who step up when it matters.

And listen to this.

We've just received another generous gift.

Thank you to Ken Curry and Laurie Bogner, first time Vegas PBS donors who donated $25,000 to pledge for Vegas.

Let's give them a nice round of applause.

If you two come down here, we will give you a live round of applause.

Your generosity is helping in more ways than you know.

Now, you may be hearing some big dollar amounts tonight, which is wonderful, but I want.

I want you to know something.

It's the small gifts that are the backbone, that are the foundation.

Even five, $10 make a real impact.

And to share what I share.

Why?

Please welcome our Member Services Manager, Margaret and Snail Eyes.

Hi Margaret, as you.

You have a you have a lot of information.

So for anyone considering becoming a member all right.

Tonight, what are some of the benefits and reasons to join.

Well I'm going to tell you.

So members who donate $5 a month or more, on a monthly basis, they're going to get the following.

They're going to get that wonderful monthly Vegas PBS source magazine, which of course, this month, your lovely face.

I'm on the cover.

Yes.

And in that magazine we're going to have our television schedules.

We're going to have highlights, special events, concert and ticket offers for trips and concert tickets and all the events that go on in Vegas, PBS.

And in addition to that, you're going to receive the bi weekly engage e-newsletter, and that features all of our programs and big updates in there and what's going to happen.

And you want that every two weeks that's going to be coming into your inbox.

So check it out.

What's going on?

Yeah.

Got a lot go.. And the most popular member of benefit is Vegas PBS passport now that features extended on demand access to more PBS shows.

You're going to watch your favorites.

You're going to discover new shows, binge a bunch .. or invite friends over to watch with you.

A watch party, watch party.

And you know what?

With Vegas, PBS wants to become a member.

You're going to become lifelong friends with people, but watch parties, attending an event, maybe a concert, or taking a trip with us.

Okay, now, no matter the amount five, ten, 20 you can talk about why those smaller, steady donations are truly the backbone of Vegas.

Why are those small ones so important?

Yeah, so for the members, it's a convenient way to make a consistent impact through smaller, manageable donations on a monthly basis.

And this is reoccurring donations that provide us with stability and predictability, with revenue stream that allows us to plan, invest in programing, educate, execute our activities and services.

And as a nonprofit organization, Vegas PBS depends on that steady financial contribution from viewers to pay for the programs for everyone in Southern Nevada to watch every single day.

That was perfect.

All right.

Now, are there any other ways to support Vegas PBS?

Yes.

Do you shop at Smith's Grocery?

Yes, I do okay.

The Smiths Inspiring Donations program makes donating easy based on your shopping you do every single day.

You just link it to your shopper's card and you're going to link it to Southern Nevada Public.. And then every time you shop, Smith's will donate to us based on your spending.

So Spin Mart Smith's so all we have to do is go online and make it happen with our card.

And you just search for Southern Nevada Public Television.

I'm at Smith's almost every other day, so.

All right.

Oh, well.

And you know why?

Because no money comes out of.. That is part of the donation inspirations from Smith's.

Okay.

So let's talk a little bit mo.. Yes, yes.

Donations come in all sizes and shapes.

So maybe you have a car or a boat or an RV or a motorcycle sitting in that garage, taking up a space in your driveway that you aren't using.

Donate that vehicle to Vegas PBS.

Oh, that is great.

All right, so keep your donations coming.

You can help make a difference tonight.

Donate with cash.

Stock or an IRA contribution or any of the other ways you just heard.

Call now and we will walk you through it.

In the meantime, we're sending you downtown to the Arts District, to the Doberman Drawing room, where my good friend Mikayla Gordon is performing.

And then Maria is going to showcase an.. Student Spotlight and Energy, due us to a talented, award winning group of six students, Michaela, take it away.

Thank you so much, Johnny.

We're here live at the Doberman, and I have to tell you, as a Vegas girl, Vegas PBS is so important.

We want you to donate, whether you call, whether you go to the website.

So we're going to put on a great.. you pick up the phone and give us your money.

You ready boys?

Let's get it.

Boom!

Oh, well, sometimes I go, By myself.

And I look across the whatever.

Oh, and I think of all the things.

What you do in my head.

I bet you don't think so.

Oh, and now since I come home where my body has been a mess, I'll miss your ginger.

Hey, I know, I know.

Hey, you like to dress?

Why don't you come on over?

Hey, stop making a fool out of me, I don't you come on.

Oh, Valerie.

We hope that a rainy.

Oh, my.

Valerie, I don't kick you.

Oh, that I hate you.

Even.

Where did you have to go?

To jail?

Put your house out.

Up for sale.

Ghetto girl.

I ever met you, I know, .. I want to call your wife after this.

Did you have to pay the price you were dodging all the time.

It was a busy evening.

I shop it anyway.

You change the color of your hand.

Oh, you're so busy.

And you'll have to pay to find that you were dodging all the time.

Is the busy.

Oh, with my sins I come home when my body is made a mess I'll miss your.

Hey I know the way you like to dress.

Want to come on over?

Hey, is not making a fool out of me, don't you?

Come on.

Oh, Valerie.

Oh, by the way, you.

Oh, my.

Valerie.

All.

Valerie, why don't you come all love out of me?

Let me hear that bass kick you.

Another Vegas native.

What would he be without Vegas?

PBS?

Let me here tonight.

Oh, Valerie, let me hear those keys.

Can't hold them.

And one of my favorites.

Kenji on tabs.

What do you have to say about this?

Hey!

I'm.

Oh!

He's really good, right?

You didn't expect that to happen, did you?

We make a little noise for Kenji, I guess tonight.

Oh, Valerie, all that I. Hey, hey.

Oh, my.

Valerie, he.

Oh, I like that.

Okay.

Oh, by the way.

Oh, hell, as long as I got my suit and tie now I'm living it up in the like.

Only a good, but.

Oh, oh.

And as long as I got my suit and tie.

Now I'm breaking up in here tonight.

Show me a good thing.

Oh, my Valerie.

Oh, Valerie.

Oh, my.

Valerie, we need to be with you.

We an evening.

Thank you so much.

Don't forget to donate.

Every month we visit Clark County School District schools to learn about cool school programs.

781.

Currently, I'm working on my staine.. Today we're trying to build a skyscraper and we need it to stay still.

It feels like we're above grade level because we're doing complicated project like this.

You get to learn whatever you are interested in.

You're just always surrounded with this great community and just everyone that has a passion to send that.

You do.

Dedicated staff.

The art, athletic and the incredible achievements of our students.

In my culture, it's more like you finish high school and then that say like, congrats.

Like that's the most you can get.

But I feel like just being given the opportunity to go to college, going to take me.

Amazing.

Whether we tell th.. share the news.

Hi, I'm Bryce and I'm Sophia, and we're here for your first news break.

We love learning about everything from school namesakes.

I highly recommend students to come to this school, to why students feel so strongly about issues like bullying.

But there is no winning and losing.

You get bullied if you're really smart, but then y.. if you're if you're not still right at all.

Students are always our focus.

My question is, why did you want to be a superintendent?

Oh my gosh, amazing question.

I wanted to be the superintenden.. 300,000 students here that can do great work.

We look for different perspectives.

The stories you may not hear by spotlighting all of the great things happening in the fifth largest school district in the entire country.

There are a lot of great stories to tell.

And this is why we need your support now more than ever, so that we can continue to create original programing like student spotlights featuring our talented students like Mariachi Los Pumas, a coconut bison, and you want to stick around because they are performing for us in just a bit.

But first, I want to introduce our brilliant producer, Kathy Todd.

Come on in.

That's such a great introduction.

How do I live up to that?

Love that big smile.

And Kathy, you have such a history here at Vegas PBS.

You have been with Student Spotlight since the get go.

We have, and we are in our fifth .. telling the stories of students and staff in the Clark County School District.

And let's talk about some of your favorite stories.

Oh my gosh, there are so many.

I mean, you mentioned our defense for five years.

I'll tell you that every time I go into a school and we learn something new.

I mean, I've been doing this for five years and past some shows before this, and every time I'm surprised at the brilliance and others, the hard work and the perseverance and the talent in our schools, our students and our teachers.

Because we feature everyone from our superintendent, Joan Ebert, to our students, to our teachers and staff.

You're right in some of my favorite stories that you asked about this middle school that did a story about bullying in the kids, these middle school students talking about the impact of bullying and then seeing the images that they created.

It was so moving and so powerful.

It was an honor to tell that story.

It really is an honor for me on a personal level.

It's an honor to host this show .. She's a wonderful producer now, one of our favorite shows has to do with our talented musicians.

This is a show that has become a Vegas PBS tradition, and it's something that we look forward to every single year because it just it'll knock your socks off.

I love it.

Okay.

And small.. But we get it together.

Every month we put on together a show, student spotlight, new episodes, and we can't do without our wonderful host Maria thing.

We also our main photographer and editor, mirror, Heather Caputo, who retired earlier this year but was a big part of this program.

And all of the other photog.. who have stepped in to help us.

This is a show that we're really proud of, and the feedback that we get from both teachers and students in the community, the emails and the texts.

And it's it's such a great program that celebrates everything that's going on in our school.

And it is so heartwarming when we do get those calls and those emails, because, again, this is why we talk about public media and why it matters.

So we can continue to put on shows, as I said, like Student Spotlight.

And for me as a student, too, I was one one of these Charlottesville to be able to now be the host of Student Spotlight.

It's like a full circle moment.. be able to go visit my old schools and for the students to meet you and see everything that you have become.

It's just it's it's awesome to watch.

Oh, yeah.

We love our show.

Right.

Love our show.

All right, guys, as promised, without fu.. ladies and gentlemen, that those Mariachi Los Pumas, coconuts.

Oh!

I see.

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

Is it way that says the sa.. Oh, my soul.

Oh, dear.

To me.

You know, not to.

Those who are not good at it.

What I see, we are gonna be up against are gonna get all done here.

And we are.

Here to die.

And I'll be going up.

Yeah.

Like up, up, u.. Oh, then I'll be up the hill to see.

Oh.

That's all I saw it.

Yeah.

Let us, let us.

God for God suffering all be on the field of God.

So.

Is our God get day going up up up up up.

He's up.

Oh, let me up.

To the little messy.

Your goodness, God, that is me.

Up and let it go.

Bless your son is your treat.

Your God on you know God on my less.

Hello, it's me, 15 Minute Dragon and, Jeremy at Vegas PBS.

Yeah, Jeremy works at Vegas PBS and he needs our help.

He needs cash.

Right?

I need cash if you need it.

We want you to donate to Jeremy.

But I'm not going to ask you to do it for free.

I'll do a magic trick for Jeremy, and then you can pay me by Jeremy.

So that works out.

Do you have any playing cards?

I. Oh.

Explosion when we get the budget.

All right, Jeremy, I'm going to drop the cards.

You're going to say stop.

What are you going to say?

Stop?

Okay, here we go.

Stop.

Just remember that card.

You got it.

I'll show the audience at home.

Vanish!

Jeremy, my.

The Bobo is going to attempt to read your mind.

Okay, first of all, it needs to hypnotize you.

Look into his eyes.

Just look at his eye.

Ready?

Now you hypnotized.

You understand?

But.

Bye, love.

Bobo.

Okay, now wait.

Do it for me.

Just cover.

Cover my hands.

Cover my hand.

Yeah.

Perfect in that.

Yeah.

Cover, cover.

Name your card, name it, name it.

Nine of diamonds.

Nine of what?

Nine.

Nine of diamonds.

Open.

Oh!

What happened?

That my the bobo justice.

Now that's not free.

I have to feed this label.

Boom!

I have to clothe him with fur.

I actually lots of things that involve cash.

But today I'm willing to forego my cash if you giv.. Because he also needs to be fed and clothe.

So please feed and clothe Jeremy.

Give now the numbers on the screen somewhere around here.

All right, back to the studio.

Thank you.

Piff, another great Vegas .. PBS.

And I want to thank my friend McKayla Gordon one more time.

Now, before we move into the third hour, you may have noticed this beautiful set behind me.

I mentioned it before, but I have to mention it again because tonight's set was designed by that studio, North America.

They provide custom builds, set Reynolds and e.. Their services go from concept to fabrication to execution.

If you want to learn more about them, check out the studio.

Pardon me, the studio usa.com.

And once again, I want to mention the value of the programing.. You know, many of us now have multiple streaming platforms.

We've got Paramount Plus and we've got Netflix and we have Prime and we have this and that.

But here at Vegas PBS, if you become a member, you get so many great shows.

The diversity of these shows are incredible.

Everything from documentaries to British, British serious dramas to comedies to outdoor Vegas, the shows that are made here in Las Vegas, for Vegas and of course, all of the community outreach that we do through our Vegas PBS.

But we need you to make a donation like all of these performers have done.

And all of these amazing people who've been calling in all night.

And now I'd like to invite another guest we have with us in the studio tonight, the Southern Nevada Public Television Board chair, Mr.

Andrew Thurlow, who I know very well, who is one of the people I met early on when I first got here.

And here we are years later, standing side by side .. And you are the chair of the board.

I'm the chair of the board of Southern Nevada Public Television.

We support the fundraising efforts and oversight for Vegas PBS.

Yeah.

And yo.. a proud supporter of public television.

What would you like to say to the viewers at home?

And and I want to frame this in a way where there are people watching who are like, yeah, this is a great show.

I'm enjoying this.

I'm watching this.

Who don't donate, like, let's get them off the fence and get them to pick up the phone or make that stand and make a donation.

Well, that was a tall order.

First, I want to thank you for we.. Vegas PBS is is your station.

It's, belongs to the Vegas community.

And every donation, helps bring the great content that you love that you found tonight.

The second thing I'd like to ask is spread the word.

You, found us.

A lot of people can't find us, because everybody's unplugged these days.

So most TVs these days come with, out an antenna, $20, plug in, an antenna in, and you have Vegas PBS.

So go to your neighbor, go to your colleagues, go to your friends, let them know, about Vegas PBS and how easy it is to get for free.

Awesome channels with great content.

Beautiful.

And for you personally, what.. Great question John, and I don't know if you're aware, John, did you know that Watson, public television is guaranteed to increase your IQ by 20 points?

I I've heard that.

I've heard that.

So I watch it.

So that's why we're all so smart around here.

We're not we're smarter not taller though.

Like, we just wish you were taller.

No, seriously.

The real reason is when you get done watching PBS, you feel good, you feel educated, you feel inspired.

When you watch other television, you probably get anxious and stressed and you don't even realize it.

Vegas PBS brings, wholesome, good content that it's like a, it's like a meal and everything else, like cotton candy with you.

Right?

All right, we want to thank.. and, for everything you do to support Vegas PBS and public mass public media as a whole.

All right.

So many wonderful people have donated tonight, and we want to thank Doug and Stacy Blattner for their generous gift of $4,000.

And Mercedes Philbrick, who has donated $10,000.

Thank you so much.

Now, let's head over to the space for a message from our.. Mark Chinook.

And if you don't know, Mark, this guy is so a.. He runs this space.

He does an incredible job networking and building a community of musicians, of artists, of technical people.

After we do that and C market the space, then Maria is in part of this building.

Most people never get to see.

To show you another service, your dollars directly support the special needs resource library.

Hey, thank you so much John.

My name is Mark Chinook.

You may know me as a host for your Vegas Golden Knights or the ring announcer for Friday Night SmackDown with the WWE, but my passion, my home is Las Vegas and that starts for me right here at the space.

The space is home to Mondays dark, and we know all about giving back to this great city.

Monday's Dark writes a check for 10,000 bucks every other Monday to a deserving cause.

Now I can't imagine a life without PBS programing.

I grew up watching the Sesame Street, just like you did.

Now can you imagine not being able to turn on the TV and see Big Bird?

Cookie Monster?

Come on, you know what to do.

We are honored here at the space to be a part of the PBS Pledge Drive.

So please pick up the phone and donate whatever you can.

We urgently need your support.

This is very important for our community.

Come on.

Can you imagine a World without Vegas?

PBS programing?

I certainly can't.

So you know what to do.

Pick up the phone and make a pledge.

Or scan the QR code, or send a text or click the link.

There's so many ways to give.

Just do it.

So on behalf of everybody here at the Space in Monday's dark.

Thank you.

Vegas.

We're now taking you behind the scenes to check all.. I don't think a lot of people realize that we have this here at Vegas PBS, and it's again a resource.

It's available for families, for parents,.. Check this out, you guys.

How awesome is this place again here at Vegas PBS?

I didn't even realize it was here until not too long ago.

And I'm meeting my wonderful friend Lynnette Stevens, who's going to tell us all about the magic that's created here.

Again, you can't help but smile when you come in.

How long have you been with the Vegas PBS special needs research library?

I'm really.

Thank you for having me.

I've been with the library, overseeing it as a coordinator for the past 18 years.

This library has been here for 21 years, and it has changed and grown and developed during that time.

We were originally a library serving only the deaf and hard of hearing.

But as Vegas PBS, we're asking, what can we do to better serve our community?

And over the years it has evolved from a small library in the corner to one that is more expansive, serving a wide variety of special needs like autism, language development, you name it.

And in that video we just saw, we heard from parents, we heard from teachers.

And again, it's here.

The resources are available.

What does someone need to do to come here and get some of these books?

And again books for parents, books for teachers.

We have different books.

Well, our library is available to any parent, teacher or specialist serving a child or an adult with special nee.. All they need to do is give us a phone call or email us, schedule their 30 minute appointment.

They get the library to themselves to make their selections.

They get seven items for a period of two months and I love that you make it easy.

You have QR codes with videos as well, which is something that's so important.

You know, we did see a need in the community.

Parents are often looking for language development materials.

So what we have done is we worked with a Clark County School district.

Teachers and specialists scan the QR code.

They show you how to use this piece of media as an effective learning tool.

And Lynnette, as I'm looking around, I can't help but smile.

Talk about the resources that you have available again, I can only imagine when the children walk in here in the how their big beautiful smiles just light up.

Yeah, we have, a specialized collection.

A collection that has been put together by input from our community, from our parents, state teachers and specialists.

What do you want?

What do you need?

So what you're going to find here are a lot of educ.. or tools addressing those areas of special needs.

Let's talk about you on a personal level.

Why is this place so magical and so special and so near and dear to your heart?

Well, first of all, I'm honored to be in this role here at Vegas PBS, in a role that allows me to be a servant and to serve our community.

I am most proud of the impact that we have had on our community over the years.

We work with over 100 different service providers in schools every single year.

Just last month alone, we had 40 different service providers, and so we're serving thousands of children and adults with special needs in our community with these resources.

So these tools in the in the hands of our specialists, become powerful as they help them to reach a learning goals.

And we hear it takes a village and it really does.

It really does take a village.

This is why funding for Vegas PBS is so important.

We talk about that it takes a village and this is what you're doing.

This is what we're doing.

This is what this is all about.

Helping these families, these children, these teachers and specialists who are really out there impact and making a difference in this world.

Thank you for all that.

Thank you.

I appreciate you so much.

Thank you so much.

All right, John, you heard it.

This is what this is all about.

We're going to send it back to you in the studio.

I am going to continue to explore this beautiful Vegas PBS resource library.

Again, I work in this building and I don't get to check it out, so I'm going to go check it out.

We'll see you in .. What a wonderful service Vegas PBS provides.

You can see where every single dollar goes.

And the special needs resource library is a one of a kind here in Nevada, and an incredibly helpful program for parents, teachers and children in need.

Your donations tonight will help keep this library operating at full capacity.

And we have donations coming in.

We have I love that we've had people from all over the country.

Now we have somebody from, Morales, Mexico.

We have Roman Sanchez.

Thank you.

Roman, if you're still watching.

We also have Kevin Richardson.

We have Ned Mills, Linda de Marca, Karim Rubel, and we have, Dorothy Cruz.

And in and her husband.

Unpronounceable first name or someone's handwriting, but they're in Tacoma, Washington.

So thank you so much.

We have people watching from around the coun.. seeing all these different performers, but seeing how Vegas PBS impacts this community.

We also have Linda Sylvester here in Las Vegas, and two of my personal friends have called in donations, Doctor Kate Zahn in Henderson and Doctor Jeffrey Cummings.

They both work at U and LV.

Thank you so much, Kate and Jeffrey for that.

We have Catherine Hunt, who made a donation, and Diana brought Dash Lou back and she's in San Diego.

So we have people here in Las Vegas.

We have people in Southern California, we have people in Mexico.

We have people in Tacoma, Washington.

People know the value of Vegas PBS, and we know the value of having those entertainers on, because we know that you love that.

And if you are noticed by me, the cast of the Rat Pack is back.

Is back.

So why don't you guys come on up here?

They just came from their show guys.

How.

How was the show?

Dean.

Mr.

Sinatra.

Sammy.

How was the show tonight?

It was wonderful.

We had a great time.

Yeah, did a great.

I don't remember the whole thing.

Yeah, you were there, right there in front of me and Sam.

It was.

It was a Christmas show.

We on?

Is this the show?

This is it.

This is.

This is the whole show.

I feel like Joey Bishop, with no hair.

I'm happy to be here on purpose.

So we want to thank you for, No, I don't need that.

I got my own right here.

But we want to thank you for the the, performance earlier on tonight, and we want to know you guys are Vegas residents.

Long time Vegas residents.

What does Vegas PBS mean to you?

I don't know.

Vegas PBS, I'll tell you right there.

Well, I mean, it's entertainment.

It's support of the community here in Las Vegas.

That's what it means to me entertainment community, the .. the education community, all that stuff.

And you guys do an absolutely fantastic job.

You're one of the reasons that people consistently come back to this town.

This show.

How long is your show.. Ten years at the task at the Rat Hole Vegas.

The Rat Pack his bags are running for since 1916.

Max.

No no no no no no no.

You've been drinking since 1962.

26 years in Las Vegas.

Yes, but longest running years in Las Vegas.

You guys do an absolutely fantastic job.

You're iconic.

The shows iconic, your characters are iconic, and you all have beautiful singing voices beyond your characters.

We want to thank you for coming directly from your show.

And this is the kind of commitment we get from the performers here in town.

You've seen the videos tonight, the people who've passed and Penn and Teller and these guys, they love Vegas PBS, and we need you to make that love into a donation.

We would also like to thank Marty Gold for his donation of $5,000.

Let's see.

Yeah, let's keep it going.

Yeah, yeah.

Let's see.

Can you guys match that between the three of you know.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

They just 75 here.

Follow Charlie Money Vegas monopoly money.

The phone's going to ring.

The bells are ringing.

You know what?

Where the phone... I don't hear, I don't hear the phone's ringing at, and I and I, I would know because I got ringing.

Been ringing all night.

All night long, all night long.

I got ringing in my ears.

The wrong phone in.

And I go, hey, Joey Bishop.

Oh, no, no, we're going to, we're going to wrap this up.

No, no, he's a longtime supporter of Vegas PBS like these guys.

And he also happens to be the subject of.. It's an amazing piece about how a a chance encounter here at Vegas PBS Pledge Drive.

It sparked a second chance at love.

You guys sing about love all the time.

Oh yeah, all the time.

And then we're checking in with Vegas.

All in the boys Tommy and Jeremy as they work their way down the strip.

Let's take a look.

Hi.

My name is Helene Winkler.

I'm a proud member of Vegas PBS.

Hi, I'm Marty Gold.

I'm a proud supporter and member of Vegas PBS.

When I came out here, I was looking for organizations to donate to and to support.

And one of the first thing that was recommended to me was, was Vegas PBS.

When I first moved out here, one of the first things I did was go to a UC Berkeley alumni mixer, and the president of it was a professor.

Sarah.

He said, you must, must, must really ge.. I'm amazed that I did it, but I did it, and I got involved with all kinds of different activities.

So one of the volunteer opportunit.. was a pledge night, and I was going to be answering the phones.

We were sitting next to each other, answering the phones, and we started talking.

No great conversation.

So we chatted and we kind of giggled as we were answering the phone and taking the pledge, and we started talking and, we followed up later on.

That's how we met.

And then we went on.

Oh yes, it was about six months later.

We we met at the, a Democratic Club meeting.

I was telling him my I activities, he was telling me his and then finally s.. previous is where we met before.

And then we exchanged phone numbers and we went out for dinner about a week later.

Yeah, the unexpected pandemic really cemented it.

Also because we went by ourselves, the world was shut down and it gave us a chance to connect.

It was very important.

TV show 14 hours a day, well over year.

I love Vegas PBS programing.

I do watch create on a very regular basis.

My favorite programing is, great performances.

I'm a big Broadway fan, so all of those that are watching the pledge drive tonight, I want to just say get involved.

The importance of donating.

When I think of my daughter growing up with Sesame Street and every person I know grew up with Sesame Street, the thought of losing any of those kind of educational programs is very, very important in most children's lives.

They really remember that into adulthood, so donating helps to keep those programs going.

All that comes from donations.

So I certainly hope that everyone continues to do that.

Gets to know what PBS offers.

Come down, come to the studio, but get involved.

Become a donor if you possibly can.

It's very rewarding and also the trips that you can take.

So it's a good way to travel.

If maybe you're not sure how to travel by yourself or you don't know who to travel with, get involved with PBS.

So it's so rewarding.

You might meet your next lady friend right?

Hey, Vegas PBS, this is Marie Sajak.. and you can find me always up and down t.. especially this year at the Orleans Hotel.

December 30th was Marie's Misfits, the variety show for every age and every family.

But the point is, if you can donate tonight, every dollar counts for Vegas PBS bringing this great programing to you.

I don't wish you all a merry Christmas.

Happy holidays and I hope it's super, super magical.

Take care you guys.

Bye bye.

Hello Vegas PBS family, it's Tommy and Jeremy coming to you from the Blue Man Group theater to bring you something special.

Tonight, we're shining a spotlight on what a las Vegas is most iconic and creative forces the Blue Man Group.

For 25 years, they blended art, music, and humor into one unforgettable experience.

And since arriving at the Luxor Hotel Casino in 2000, the Blue Man Group has been more than just a show.

They've been true community partners, always finding ways to give back and support local causes.

Yeah, and over the years we've had the pleasure of featuring Blue Man Group here on Vegas PBS, and we're proud to celebrate their creativity, their generosity, and the joy they bring to the audiences from around the world.

Right here in our hometown.

Yeah, and tonight is all about giving and celebrating the people who made this city unique.

And when it comes to creativity, connection and community, no one does it better than Las Vegas.

So now we've been given exclusive access to head inside these doors and see into the Blue Man Group theater for a special look at a live performance.

It's going to be incredible.

Let's go do it.

Each of your eyes has over 120 million photoreceptors called rods and cones.

The rods are more numerous and specialize in night vision.

However, they do not respond to color.

If you only had rods, the world would look like this.

Kind of a bummer.

Fortunately, you also have cones which specialize in reacting to color frequencies.

These come in three types.

Those that respond to the color red.

Those that respond to the color green and those that respond to the color blue.

All of the colors that we experience, these three three types of firing off in different combinations.

Thank you.

Blue band groups.

Such a great show at the Luxor for 25 years here in Las Vegas.

And how about that Marty and Helene story?

Absolutely beautiful.

Who knows, maybe if you become a Vegas PBS member today, you could find love to.

All right.

Moving right along.

We want to quickly thank another corporate partner.

They are a better home care for you.

They provide personal, senior focused care services throughout the Valley.

And tonight they have pledged $1,000.

Thank you so much.

We appreciate it.

Round of applause.

You know, there's so many incredible performers here in town, singers, dancers and musicians.

And we have one of the best, David, call a David, can you come on out here and join us?

David, great to see you.

Yeah, yeah.

How are you?

Great, great.

Thank you for being here.

You know, you've worked with so many and you're an incredible artist, but you've worked with so many incredible artists and you suppor.. Why is why is it your support is so important?

Why do you feel you need to support Vegas PBS?

Well, you know, as a young man growing up on the East Coast, one of the only channels that you could receive in those days was WGBH, channel two.

And I watched that show, that channel religiously, and I learned a lot about life and a lot about the world around me.

And I got interested in music at that at a very young age.

And thanks to PBS, I was able to progressed to a point where now I'm on PBS with you having a great time t.. And and for those of you who don't know you and we can't mention all of the artists, but you have played with like everyone, it's really incredible.

Your resumé.

So is there anyone you can mention that?

You know, I don't want to put you on the spot.

Well, I can I can send some props out to the, the folks that even Space Productions and, Los Angeles.

I did a lot of soundtracks and, movie work with them over at, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Rocky Floor for Blue Thunder, Spaceballs, just to name a couple of the movies and, pretty much any band that recorded at SA or Sound City records say, studios in Los Angeles in the 80s.

I'm on there track shoe beautiful and you're so generous.

Your donations have been amazing.

You've given a full drum set to 60s music department for anyone watching tonight who's thinking about donating, and they're on the you know, they're on the fence about it.

What could you say about giving to Vegas PBS?

Why does it matter?

Vegas PBS is publicly funded.

We just lost our our federal funding, and that had quite an impact on us.

If you don't help us, we can't continue to guarantee the kind of programing that you expect and that you want to see, think of it this way if you've just got a little bit that you can offer, if you if you co.. over the course of a year, that's $36.50.

That's the these .. and they could take another kid and give.. or help another person get some job training or be on the air for another few minutes.

Wouldn't you want to do that?

I know I would.

Thank you, David.

All right.

We are going to take you back upstairs to Maria to learn more about one of our most popular shows, Outdoor Nevada.

And then we're sending it over to Tommy and Jeremy one last time to meet some more iconic Vegas performers.

Sounds.

From the sunlit peaks of the Ruby Mountains to the shimmering shoreline of Lake Tahoe, join outdoor Nevada as we crisscross the Silver State and uncover endless adventures like horseback riding through red rock canyons or kayaking.. Along the way, we meet the people who live it, protect it, and push it to the limit.

Outdoor Nevada is where climate, terrain and spirit come to life.

Learn more about what makes Nevada unique and fascinating.

Outdoor Nevada I have to say one of my favo.. here on Vegas PBS, and I have a very special connection to Outdoor Nevada.

I'll tell you about that in just a bit.

I am having so much fun being your tour guide.

We're taking a behind the scenes look here, second floor, where all the magic happens.

We have our editors here for Vegas.

All in Student Spotlight, Nevada Week, Nevada Week in person, and Outdoor Nevada where you're going to meet the man behind the curtain.

But we have to break out here to the, How are you?

I'm Maria, good to see you.

It's good to see you, too.

Kristen Franco, executive producer, director, writer.

You do it all when it comes to outdoor Nevada.

Let's talk about this show and what it means to you on a personal level.

You know, I've lived here for 30 years, and in this 30 yea.. you you learn a lot.

But when you get to experience it and really get out there, that's what Outdoor Nevada is all about, is being able to get out and see all the amazing things that this state has to offer, and it's all right there and accessible to anybody who wants to have an adventure, wants to do something cool, get out there and experience the amazing things that are, you know, outside the norm, you know?

And I think that's been one of the most amazing things for for us to be able to do and share with viewers.

You know, just how cool things are here.

And let's talk about what goes into putting together a p.. like Outdoor Nevada and Outdoor Nevada presents tales from the trails, Kelly, to tell you more about that.

If you haven't heard about it, a lot does go into it.

Yeah, I work with agencies throughout Southern Nevada and throughout the entire state.

Yes.

One of the big things was we were out with the Department of Wildlife and they said, oh, moose are moving back into the state of Nevada.

And it was kind of like perked my ears up, like, okay, so how does that work?

And they're explaining and they said, well, they're collaring them now, so they're tracking them and really getting a feel.

And I said, well, can we come with you and go se.. And we did.

We spent 4 to 5.

We were there five days and tracking moose up in, you know, northern Nevada in the middle of nowhere in the true wilderness, you know, looking for moose.

And we were able to find one and photograph it.

And but we got to see the passion from the people within the Valley Department of Wildlife in seeing them in their place.

And I love that we get to see things that we might never experience because of tales from the trails.

I got to go on a night hike at the Red Rock.. which was Red Rock Canyon Loop, which was eye opening and fascinating.

And I think that's the thing is, like you have outdoor Nevada that is getting out there and doing things, you know, really remote and, you know, sometimes kind of strenuous.

But then you have tales from the trails where it's like, these are all things that are right here.

And you can go, do you know, and anybody who wants to can do.

And I think that's one of those we try to incorporate people who are part of your adventure, you know, who are .. like when we went out on hiking with your dog, which, by the way, my dog Yuki, you had a blast.

And he behaved for the camera was a little leery.

He was great.

He was great.

He said, thank you by th.. No getting a good sight and that was so fun.

We went on a hike with the hiking group and it was dog lovers.

Yeah, and I think that the thing is, like when you get to experience with tales from the trails, you get to experience things that anybody can go to, and they're all within two hours of Las Vegas.

So it becomes a little bit more local for people to say, I want to go do that.

I want to try that, you know?

And they have the ability to know exactly what they can do and to just go out there and see people.

They're out there hiking in they're out there nature for very different reasons.

We did something with a nature therapist, which is, yes, it's so important as well.

Yeah.

You know, when when you meet someone like Lola from who was a nature thera.. his energy and his knowledge about things is contagious.

You know?

And that.. so special.

And again, we also did so.. with our shows, with our talented host Amber Rene Dixon and her little guy, Idaho, hiking with a toddler that was also very special.

Yeah, I mean, those are the things it's like you want to be able to.

What we try to do is we try to make a connection so people can of of, you know, anybody can look at it and say, I understand that.

That makes sense to me.

I have a connection with that.

That's something that I now feel comfortable doing, because there's a little bit of information for me.

And this is what it's all about.

Vegas PBS is about making you feel like you're at home, like you're part of our family.

Now you have another exciting project going on.

Tell me about that.

So in our travels, when we work with the U.S.

Forest Service, at one point there was a day, we were working with Ray Johnson, who works with the U.S.

bar.

Great guy, great guy.

And he was just giddy.

And Ray normally doesn't get giddy.

And what he was giddy about was that the U.S.

Capitol Christmas tree is going to be coming from the state of Nevada.

This is the first time.

So this tree since 1970, they've been picking trees from national forests from around the country.

And this is the first time it's coming from Nevada.

So with that, I just said, you know, is there a way that we can kind of tag along and see the whole process?

Like how does it work?

Not only do the local U.S.

Forest Service folks pick out trees and then they nominate trees, nominate.

Okay, then the architect of the Capitol from Washington, D.C.

comes and tours those trees, and then they pick one tree and then that tree will be harvested and travel across the country and be put on the west lawn of the US Capitol as the people's tree.

So we, made or we, you know, made a documentary.

It's called From Nevada.

It's a very special documentary.

I'm very excited for people to see it.

Oh, I can't wait.

All right, so speaking, from Nevada, we're giving you a sneak peek at the documentary that's airing right here on Vegas PBS on December 19th.

Check it out.

Nevada.

Unique and diverse.

And now these forests will present a gift to the nation.

A tree, the people's tree, the capital's Christmas tree.

As we explore the silver state in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

This tree, it's journey and the communities coming together, is a gift to all Americans from Nevada.

Hello, Vegas, PBS family.

It's Tommy Caprio again from Vegas.

All in.

And I am here at the Luxor, inside of the lobby of the atrium showroom.

And we're going to be meeting with some friends that were on our show Vegas only last year.

And that's, of course, the cast of fantasy.

We're going to be with Mariah and Ash and of course, the Emmy Award winning choreographer, producer, and Vegas icon Anita m.. And here is Anita.

How are you?

Jeremy's already here, as you can see.

Anita, great to see you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mariah and Ashton.

Thank you.

They have a show.

Anita has asked us to come down here because she has something special she wants to say.

And also, a surprise for us.

I have a surprise.

Yeah.

For us.

You're both in the show tonight.

All right?

Are you ready?

Yeah.

He's.. He was stretching backstage.

You didn't see that.

But you know something?

We really are thrilled that you could come today.

Because PBS means so much to us for a lot of reasons.

Here in the city of Las Vegas and all around the United States.

PBS, we grew up with PBS.

My children grew up.

We want our grandchildren to continue to watch PBS.

And right now, what you are doing for us in this city is re.. You have created a place for artists to be recognized not only as artists, but as people, a story behind who they are.

And that's what PBS does for us.

And it continues to keep us alive and working.

And we are so grateful.

Well, I mean, we were we were, lucky enough to spend some time with with all the ladies here at fantasy last year, to do a special.

What was that experi.. Oh, my gosh, honestly, we do a lot of TV.

We do a lot of visits with different channels, different places, which we love doing.

We love that in our city.

But what you did at PBS was make our life interesting to the rest of the world.

You made us look like we are people, not just a performer behind a curtain.

You brought us to the world in a in a way that you cared so much with such pride, with such integrity, with such devotion to the art.

And we cannot thank you enough.

It was so much fun.

Ladies, you had fun, right?

So much fun.

And we thank you for allowing us to, step into your world for a little while.

We really enjoyed it, and it was great to to get to know everybody really well.

So you have a surprise for us right here.

I do, it's not in the show.

I know it's not that because of what you do and because of what this night is so important and a pledge to are really our gratitude to you.

This is what we have.

What's this?

Oh, wow.

Thank you so much.

Oh, we thank you.

And to be able to give this to PBS is part of what a small part of what you deserve.

We're so honored.

Well, thank you so much.

It's very generous of all of you.

Really, really appreciate it.

And this will be very, very helpful.

And that's why we're doing this tonight, to help raise money for the station to continue to do the work that we do.. in, and all the other great things that you, love about Vegas PBS, the work that we do in the community.

Thank you so much, ladies.

This is so, so generous.

And, should we take it?

I guess you should take it.

Jeremy.

Ready?

Take this, man.

Let's all get it.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, thank you.

We're heading back to you guys.

How about that band every time?

Once again, the Las Vegas Academy jazz combo make a little more noise.

Closing in on the end of the show.

And thank you, Anita mann and the fantasy cast.

Such a generous first time donation from Anita.

Thank you so much.

And Tommy and Jeremy.

Great job guys.

Great job.

We have some more donations that have come in.

We have, gentleman crews from Tacoma, Washington.

We have Ralph Harris from North Las Vegas, Jennifer Bennett from Henderson, Edward Diaz from North Las Vegas, and Karen Ruble.

We want to thank all of these donations that are still coming .. and we want them to keep coming in.

We want those phones to keep ringing.

We are into our third hour, but we need you to keep calling in and keep giving us those donations.

Now, earlier tonight, we learned about all the incredible work Vegas PBS does to support children and our community.

But now I want to shift the spotlight a bit, because Veg.. also does amazing work for adults in Southern Nevada, helping them learn, grow, and build new careers.

Please welcome the Director of Workforce Training and Economic Development here at Vegas PBS, Deborah Salt.

Hi, Deborah, how are you?

You're multitasking during the phones and everything else.

You have such.

This is really amazing.

I didn't know about this, but can you explain what the workforce training and Economic Development program at Vegas PBS does and how it serves adults in our community?

How much time do you have?

Well, we're here.

I don't know how we help.

First of all, we have over 2400 classes online.

2400.

There's about 438 career certifications.

The rest of them are in OSHA or short term training.

You can do everything from career exploration to some high level certifications.

Right.

So we work with the unemployed, the underemployed, the dislocated, the returning citizens, the incarcerated youth.

Our goal is to train people and put them into jobs.

That's, That is incredible.

So you oversee a really impressive training facility here in this building at Vegas PBS.

Can you talk about the facilities, types .. and the certifications you offer and how the center helps people build new careers, kind of shift them from one direction to another direction?

Well, in the Las Vegas market right now.

Yeah, you know, you may want to retrain.

Yeah.

And with the new technologies coming in is learning, making sure that you have the IT certifications.

If you're in nursing, the new medical billing and coding Covid really amped that up with medical industries.

So we have everything from medical to it to Hvac to electrical.

Incredible bookkeeping.

What do you want to do?

What do you want to do?

So about how many Southern Nevadans are impacted by this program each year and what.. what kind of real world results are you seeing?

Well, we we serve over 12,000 students a year.

Wow.

Right now we are about 42,000 shy of serving a million people.

This is our 15th year in operation here at Vegas PBS.

That does it.

You should.. signs of billions and billions serve.

But we can have our number.

Yeah, I know.

Okay, well, you've done incredible work here.

What are you most proud of?

And what are you looking forward to as far as the impact of the workforce program on the community?

What I'm most proud of is, number one is being able to add capacity to the workforce system.

Vegas PBS, you know, it's still media just pushed out over a new pipe.

Right.

But the biggest thing and it is we are here just in time when you need it, where you need it, how you need it.

And we're affordable.

It's an affordable solution to get people moving in the right career path.

And watching people grow, learn change and the stories that come in on their lives and buying homes.

It's a great story.

We serve our community.

That is fantastic.

All right.

This is amazing because we have not just children being served, but adults being served the programing.

Everything at Vegas PBS is amazing.

And now in the final sprint, ladies and gentlemen, coming down to the to the wire here.

And this is unbelievable.

We've just received more anonymous donations, $9,000 and another $10,000 and another $25,000.

All right.

But but yes, k.. Okay, but don't stop.

We've got to hit our goal.

We understand you wish to remain anonymous.

All these people who made those last three.

But we wish you could take a bow.

I'll take it for you.

But because you are incredibly generous, and we are thankful to you from the bottom of our hearts.

Now, let's hear from another Vegas PBS donor.

And one more visit to Maria, who's standing by with another community partner.

And lastly, we're going to head back to the movie theater at Planet Hollywood for one more amazing performance.

Hello, PBS audience.

My name is Veronica.

Artists I moved here to Las Vegas about three years ago.

When I moved here, I decided I was going to find out what's going on in this community.

After getting know a few people and attending a couple of their events, I got to know Vegas, PBS and the people, the hardworking people that this organization is all about.

I've been impressed, particularly about their workforce development program, and I decided there was enough activity and enough impact in the community to help people try to get jobs that I could support it financially.

Today, I've been asked to ask you to try to see if you can find some resources financially to help this worthy organization.

I know it's been a difficult time for everyone given the cutbacks in public funding, but I believe the community can come together and we can do the best that we can to help Vegas PBS continue this work that they do, which is so noteworthy.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vegas PBS viewers, for tuning in for pledge for Vegas.

And I'm so excited.

My dear friend Angel Williams with Envy Energy is joining us here tonight.

And I have to say, I love this partnership that we have within the energy.

We love our partnership with Vegas PBS.

In fact, on behalf of Env.. are 2600 employees across the state.

We're really pleased to present Vegas PBS this evening with a pledge of $25,000 to support this wonderful campaign, $25,000.

Oh, it's just so amazing.

And again, I can't thank you enough for what you .. Your wonderful employees envy energy.

Thank you so much.

We love our partnership.

I can't say that enough.

It's our honor.

You know, we really enjoy supporting what's most important to NV energy customers.

And that includes supporting a station like Vegas PBS.

And just for my o.. multiple generations in my family have enjoyed the station over the years.

So really excited to be here tonight on behalf of this cause.

And I can tell you, I have loved hearing so many wonderful stories from you, from you at home, letting us know why Vegas PBS matters here in our .. So many wonderful childhood memories.

You.

Thank you so much.

All right, let's celebrate.

Hello to all you kids out there tonight.

My name is Jason Center, and you're here with Triple Rein Theater and Ring.

Make sure you spell it right.

You may have noticed some cameras floating around the room tonight.

We are currently on PBS here in Las Vegas.

You know, I grew up on PBS.

I still watch it to this very day.

It's extremely important to me.

And we're doing a pledge for the folks here in Las Vegas.

Please support your local Vegas PBS.

Anything you can do is absolutely beautiful.

Thank you so much.

And thank you kids so much for coming out this evening to celebrate the life, the music, hopefully the vibe of the one and only Mister Prince Rogers Nelson.

And that Minneapolis sound, this one's called purple.

Purple rain.

Thank you.

Hey.

Never better.

Oh, and so.

I never meant to come.

No, no.

Only one and one child.

See, you left.

Only one will see you in.

A. Purple rain.

Parade.

Oh.

Purple rain.

Day.

I'm gonna see the purple.

I never want to be waking up.

I only want to be some kind of special.

Baby, I can still use some dum dum dum.

Up to save attention, maintenance.

Purple rain, purple rain.

Purple rain.

On itself.

Now.

Oh, wait.

Let.

In a purple.

See me.

Sweet.

Hey!

One more time.

Thank you so much.

Please.

Thank you for doing that.

You can help us out.

Yes.

Thank you.

What an amazing performance to end the night with.

Thank you, Jason Turner and the cast of Purple Rain.

What an incredible show.

And thank you, Veronica and our friends at Envy Energy for your generous donations.

It has been an absolutely fantastic night, and we want to thank everyone who participated in the pledge for Vegas, both in front of the camera and behind the camera.

Yes.

This is this is just part of the team.

And now we have more, more very another very special guest with us this evening.

Please welcome the leader of this great organization, the president and general manager of Vegas PBS.

Mayor Maziar.

Hi.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

You best proud of night.

What an amazing night.

This is incredible.

I'm just thrilled.

Well, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Now, we've heard so much about the the cuts, the federal budget cuts.

The question is about the status of Vegas PBS.

How would you describe the current status of Vegas PBS right now?

We're in a really go.. And, you know, thanks to this evening, we're we're really d.. And what I want to stress to everyone is we're not going anywhere.

Vegas PBS is going to figure out how to make up this shortfall of $4 million.

It's a big number.

Yeah, but we'll get there and we'll get th.. with this team and through talent like you.

Oh, thank you so much.

I appreciate that.

So let's talk about tonight.

How are we doing now.

Are we tracking what does the support mean for the station.

How are we doing what we're doing really well.

We're we're inching up on $300,000 and.

Wow.

Yeah.

So, that brings a smile to my face.

Yes.

Yeah.

It takes an enormous amount of teamwork.

Teamwork?

What goes into pulling this night off?

And I know, and I've heard you mentioned the short,.. Yeah, it was a pretty audacious idea.

Like, let's do a live show.

How about it?

But I have to tell you, this is an.. big goals, big ambitions, big heart.

And you can see it.

You could see it in the smiles, you could see it in the energy.

And so it takes it takes the team.

It does give yourselves a round of applause.

So all night for the last three hours we've been asking people to donate.

We've had a lot of amazing donations.

But I always go back to the people who are on the fence who are watching, who maybe watched the first hour or the last 2 or 3 hours or watched certain shows.

What do you want to say to them?

Like to get them off the fence and to be part of this?

Well, what I r.. is that this is .. We're here to serve our community, and when you contribute to us, you're not just contributing to Vegas PBS, you're contributing to your neighbor.

You're contributing to the kids across the street.

You're contributing to someone who doesn't have the means to perhaps afford, you know, cable television.

And they're depending exclusively on our free over are broadcast for news and arts and culture and the educational programs that we continually deliver without commercial interruption.

All right.

Well, that's that's a gr.. Thank you so much for watching everybody who's watching.

We really hope you enjoyed our show.

We had so much incredible Vegas entertainment, so much information.

And for everyone who called in to pledge for Vegas, we can't thank you enough for your generosity.

We could not continue the amazing programs, the educational resources, the workforce development, and the community engagement we provide with our viewers.

Like you, it's not just a phrase, it's at the heart of what we do every single day.

Our viewers and our members power everything we do day in and day out.

If we didn't get a chance, if you didn't get a chance to donate tonight, the phone lines will remain open, will remain open, and you can always go to Vegas.

Pbs.com/donate small or large.

Any donation helps.

All right.

Thank you again.

And from all of us at Vegas PBS.

Thank you and good night.

Woo!

Oh!

I assume.

Buddy, is this working?

This is John.

John.

There.

And create my .. The piano from that.

And I mean.