STRAT Las Vegas Going Blue, Spreading Powerful Message For Nevada Kids

The STRAT Las Vegas is going blue this month as part of a worldwide initiative to help the Make-A-Wish foundation recruit more volunteers. On the local level, the blue represents the beginning of the "WishMakers Wanted" campaign for Southern Nevada.

The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower will be blue from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 1, 2024, as they help to kick off World Wish Month. The first of this month is when Make-A-Wish begins the initiative to recruit "Wishmakers" and donors in Southern Nevada. Globally, the campaign's mission is to recruit 1 million new volunteers to help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes for children in need.

The Make-A-Wish organization's "WishMakers" include anyone who helps a child's wish to be granted. From the person who interviews the child to the person on the other side who tackles the logistics of making the wish happen. "WishMakers" also includes donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and community advocates. The Make-A-Wish foundation helps grant wishes for children with critical or life-threatening illnesses.

About twenty years ago, I was a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. And I can confirm the power of these wishes for children who are facing a difficult journey. I remember one very special little girl, just five years old, who had a tumor wrapped around her spine. Not long after she got the hang walking down, this tumor took that privilege away from her.

This sweet little girl had to go through chemotherapy, hair loss, and having to use a tiny wheelchair. All at a time a child should be carefree. And every time I came to see her in the hospital, she didn't talk about the chemo. Or how much her skin was hurting or how she didn't have a hair on her head.

All she spoke of was her hope of getting better so she could go to San Diego and "meet Free Willy". Meeting a orca whale was her wish. And looking forward to doing that one day was what this little girl thought about to get her through her difficult days in the hospital.

The little girl got better. And she did get on that plane and go to San Diego and meet an orca whale. That is the power of a child's wish. It might not have happened without the help of the Make-A-Wish foundation. And even though it was two decades ago, I still remember it all like it was yesterday. That is the power of being part of making a child's wish come true.

World Wish Month is celebrated all of the month of April. The month long awareness movement coincides with World Wish Day, which is observed worldwide on April 29. In addition to the STRAT going blue on April 1, Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada will hold their 23rd annual "Walk-For-Wishes" this month to raise funds for the organization's mission.

The 5K walk/run event will be held on Saturday, April 27 at Town Square. It is expected to bring 2,500 people in Southern Nevada together to support the MAW mission. To participate, or to learn more about becoming a "WishMaker", click here.

Related: Help Las Vegas Babies By Being A Volunteer Snuggler

In addition to the STRAT, other properties in Las Vegas are also getting involved in World Wish Month. Including Paris Hotel and Casino’s Eiffel Tower and The Linq’s High Roller. Both will go blue at 5 p.m. on World Wish Day, April 29.

Every parent considers unique baby names to be something to set their child apart. Naming your baby is a big decision that will stick with them their whole life.

And while lists of trending baby names seem like a good place to go to pick your little one's moniker, is it really? Those lists are very popular. Which means a lot of people are looking at them.

So the question is, do you want what's popular to dictate your child's name? Or should you consider baby names that are a little more unique?

When I had my daughter, I thought I had picked the most unique name I'd ever heard. I thought for sure she would be the only one with the same title. What I didn't consider is that while I picked the most unique name I found, it was still from a list of baby names I saw online.

And, evidently, a lot of other parents went the same route. My daughter now knows at least four other kids who share her name. And it frustrates her to no end.

Instead of turning to a baby names list, I almost named my daughter after someone in history. Amelia was an option for a while, named for Amelia Earhart. Or Elizabeth, after Elizabeth Blackwell.

I wanted her name to mean something. To have an association with someone strong who changed the world in some way. But in the end, I ignored my gut.

Over the years, studies have indicated that what we name our child could affect their progress in life. Bbc.com cited one such study, revealing that "people who didn't like their own name tended to have poorer psychological adjustment".

That being said, picking from a list of baby names doesn't necessarily mean your child won't like their name or that they'll struggle to adjust in life. It also doesn't mean that giving your a kid a unique name will ensure they'll like it, either.

Related: Tina Turner - 11 Things You May Not Have Known About The Queen Of Rock & Roll

But giving a baby a name that has a positive association from history might just give that kiddo a little extra confidence. The trick is, you can't go so outside the box that the kid gets bullied for having the weird name.

You really have to consider the balance. Names that are cool and honor someone awesome, but not too common (sorry Debbie Harry) and not too extreme (looking at you, Iggy Pop).

Of course, if you do go the route of naming your little one after a historic figure, it's important to pick a name that represents someone who left a positive mark on history.

In no way does this list cover everyone who made a difference in rock music. I left off the ones that were too mainstream as well as the ones your kid would never admit is their real name. This list includes the names I think are bold, just unique enough, and pretty darn cool.

If you want to name your baby after one of the greatest drummers in rock and roll, consider "Bonham". John Bonham was the legendary drummer for Led Zeppelin and has played with some of the best musicians in history. Which is even more impressive considering he mostly taught himself to play the instrument. And when it comes to unique baby names, Bonham is pretty cool for a boy or a girl.

This name was much more unique about five years ago, but it's becoming more common. The reason it's still on this list is because it's not considered a common name. And it's still paying tribute to one of the coolest guitarists ever. Saul Hudson is Slash's real name. So, if "Hudson" isn't for you, "Saul" is another option. But maybe don't name your baby Slash.

My radio friend has a son named "Jagger", so I can say from experience it works. Mick Jagger is arguably one of the most influential men in rock history. He's talented, he's bold, he's a legend. As one of the founding members of the Rolling Stones and an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, any namesake of his will walk with confidence. Your only problem might be keeping the kid humble. And if he/she ends up with moves like Jagger, we'll just consider that a bonus.

Being named after one of the most amazing women in rock is a pretty cool thing. That would be Joan Jett. Having founded the Runaways, Jett paved the way for many other women in rock. And showed a lot of guys in rock and the girls can do it too.

I love "Jett" for a boy. If you're having a girl and want to honor Joan Jett, and don't mind a bold name, you could go with "Larkin". Which is Jett's real last name.

This one might be a little more risky when it comes to baby names. But you can probably bet there won't be many kids in class with the same moniker. Of course, there's the added benefit of the kid being named after one of THE coolest women to ever grace the stage. Janis Joplin was in a league all her own. She is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In fact, Rolling Stone said she was a groundbreaker for women in rock, and many others wouldn't have ever come to fame without Joplin leading the way.

Of course, if "Joplin" is too bold a name for the new baby, "Janis" is a safer nod to this rock legend.

If there's anyone worth being a namesake, it's the Queen of Rock and Roll. Even while enduring some well-documented adversity, Tina Turner still rose to a level of fame few have since matched. She was an example of strength, perseverance, and determination. Not a bad combination of gifts to pay forward to a kiddo. If "Turner" is too unique, you can still honor Miss Tina with her real first or middle name, "Anna" or "Mae".

Obviously, this is a nod to the King of Rock and Roll. And there's probably not a more famous person in the history of music than Elvis Presley. However, since he's so well-known, this name might not feel as unique. I've only known one "Presley" in my life. A woman. And I always thought her name was the coolest.

This is a unique option because "Paige" isn't that rare of a name. So it won't draw that much attention when the teacher calls it out. However, the spelling is what makes it unique, and what makes it a nod to one of the most talented guitarists in music. As a founding member of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page is still unmatched in his ability to write a guitar riff that blows peoples' minds.

This might be one of my favorite options on this list. By itself, it's just a unique and interesting name that's simple enough to be unassuming. Because without the "Van" in front of it, we almost don't realize the name is a tribute to two of the greatest musicians in rock. Alex and Eddie Van Halen. And "Halen" works for a boy or a girl.

This is another of my favorites from this list. "Rhett" has been a popular name in the last twenty or so years. So "Raitt" would seem like an acceptable shoot-off from that. But "Raitt" has the added benefit of honoring a seriously cool chick in rock music. Bonnie Raitt has 13 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She's also on two of Rolling Stone's list of greats: 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Yes, if you named your boy "Raitt", he would be named after a woman. If that's not your thing, consider it for your next girl.

Is it just me, or does this already exist as a baby name? It's very akin to names like "Maddox", which we have seen the last few decades. "Lennox", however, is going to give that nod to Annie Lennox, who is one of the greatest singers in music. Her rock-inspired soulful voice made the Eurythmics a very unique band. VH1 actually dubbed her the "Greatest White Soul Singer Alive", according to bet.com.

While "Ron" and "Ronald" are more common names, I've only known one kid named "Ronnie". And the cool thing about this name is that it honors three legends in rock. Ronnie Wood, the rockstar guitarist for the Rolling Stones. Ronnie Van Zant (not pictured), who Rolling Stone Magazine claimed "was Lynyrd Skynyrd". And Ronnie Spector, who lead and cofounded The Ronettes and was widely considered one of the original rocker chicks.

While this name is good for a boy or a girl, I think it's especially cool, and more unique, for a little girl.

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