Four first-grade classes at Las Vegas Day School enjoyed a visit from celebrated children's book illustrator and author David Shannon on May 26.

Shannon's more popular books include "No, David!," "A Bad Case of Stripes" and "Good Boy, Fergus!" The general age of Shannon's readers are between 4 and 8 years old, he said, "but it varies a little."

As Rancho High School transitions from its old facility to a new state-of-art building set to open this fall, principal Robert Chesto said his vision for the future of his school includes honoring its long history while also implementing new programs aimed at creating successful futures for students.

Chesto said his goal is to see all Rancho students graduate from high school and then go on to additional education by encouraging them to start thinking about the future during their freshman year. In order to do that, the school has implemented programs focused on exposing students to career paths ranging from aviation to medicine to police work.

In five weeks, some well-known Boulder City residents will begin two odysseys to Africa that will take them a collective distance equal to traveling around the world 1.7 times.

Carri Stevens, co-owner of the Coffee Cup restaurant, and her daughter Lindsay leave July 16 for a 10,500-mile journey to Tanzania, where a mountain climbing expedition to the top of Africa's highest summit -- the 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro -- awaits them. They'll be ascending the famous snow-capped mountain with friends Paul Romero and his son Jordan, who will turn 10 before they leave, and Karen Lundgaard.

Transforming into a pop music icon is about a lot more than makeup, wigs and clothes. Jason Tenner, who performs as Prince in "Purple Reign, The Prince Tribute Show," also moves and sounds just like the superstar.

"You feel like you're talking to Prince, not an impersonator. It's his mannerisms. He's so natural," said Terry Downey, vice president and general manager of Santa Fe Station, where the show has been appearing since February.

He was a muscle-ripped Tarzan in the movies. He was the strapping scout, Duke Shannon, in the television series "Wagon Train." And these days, he's the personification of the Gorton Fish Company's fisherman.

But what Denny Miller really wants to be known for is helping people get fit. A life-long advocate of exercising, he wants people to "know sweat" -- as in, from exercise.

Jackie Brett witnessed the old Las Vegas transform into the new. She saw the old showrooms and casinos give way to newer venues. And for the past 30 years as a Las Vegas resident, she has been writing about it all in various tourism publications in the region.

"I saw all the old timers: (Frank) Sinatra, Sammy (Davis Jr.), you name it," Brett said. "Sammy being my favorite."

He grew up with a sight impairment no one knew he had. Now he helps artists bring their work to life at his art galleries.

Diego Mario Galietti, who prefers simply to be called Diego, was born in Montevideo, Uruguay but raised in America from the age of 4. His family lived in Florida. As a child, blurry sight meant his schoolwork suffered. He was unable to see the blackboard so he gravitated to the back of the classroom, a loner who doodled and drew all day.

When Sunrise resident Donna West got involved with Sleepover Rover about six months ago, she could completely understand why a community member might want the service.

The owner of Lily, a 1-year-old schnauzer, West said Sleepover Rover was exactly the sort of pet care service she would seek out herself if she had to leave town for a week or two and leave Lily behind.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials have reported five confirmed drownings this year. As a result, area agencies are encouraging water safety for both children and adults.

"Knowing safety skills would help a lot (in preventing these deaths)," said Cathy Siegel-Craven, who offers private swimming lessons through the city of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. Siegel-Craven instructs children as young as 6 months the importance of water safety.