Las Vegas

It all started seven years ago for Brock Noteboom after he won some money in Las Vegas. Noteboom and some buddies went in on a pool table with the winnings. Just a hobby to pass the time — at first. “After six months, we wanted to see how good we really were,” said Noteboom, 28. “We went down to a local tournament and I got third. Ever since then, I’ve loved playing tournaments. I caught the bug, started playing in leagues.” He plays in leagues run by the American Poolplayers Assn.

What does a band do when it reaches its goal? Relax, and enjoy the ride. Local U2 tribute band The Joshua Tree’s biggest dream was to play at the House of Blues, or in Las Vegas. Known for its spot-on take of the boys from Dublin, from costume to attitude to sound, The Joshua Tree has well surpassed that goal — yet its members are content to enjoy their fan base and regular gigs. The Joshua Tree will perform in an arena at the Orange County Fair tonight, followed by a smaller show at the Blue Café in Huntington Beach in August.

Ahoy, It is hot today, with temperatures higher than 100 degrees and scattered showers, but it should be mostly clear this weekend. Oh wait, this is the forecast from Las Vegas, where I’m staying at “The Signature” at the MGM, and now heading over for three nights at the Marriott’s Resort in Summerlin, Nev. I am enjoying lots of swimming pool time, good food, and leaving my money at the gambling tables. And I am also looking forward to Sunday’s day trip to Lake Havasu where a boat ride is scheduled.

Amy Norse Johnson July 20, 1920 – June 12, 2009 Amy Luella Norse was born July 20, 1920 in Bondville, Vermont, one of 10 children of Roland and Mary Norse. In 1942 she and her best friend, Dora, moved to California where she went to work for Douglas Aircraft. She married her boss on the assembly line, Warner Johnson, on September 24, 1944. At first they lived in a converted chicken coop – housing was tight during the war – but eventually they moved to Redondo Beach.

This movie is outrageous, hilarious and confusing as any alcoholic blackout in Las Vegas could ever be. “The Hangover” careens across the screen like a drunk driver on a screaming wild ride into unknown territory. Advancing the raucous themes of “Old School,” director Todd Phillips brings the art of inspired nonsense to a new level. Four B-List actors play an unusual group of buddies. They go to Vegas for a bachelor fling before one of them gets married.

Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. has announced that Jasmin Yang has joined its Orange County office as an associate in the bankruptcy practice group.   Yang previously worked at Snell & Wilmer’s Arizona office in 2005, and has re-joined the firm with an expanded background in bankruptcy practice. While earning her juris doctorate from Vanderbilt University Law School, Yang served as editor of the school’s journal and was an active member of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.

January 10, 1925-March 28, 2009 Preceded in death by loving husband of 55 years, Raymond O. Haack. Survived by her daughters Randi Warner Rollo (Roy), Jeanne Marcucci, and son Ray Haack, grandchildren Allison Warner Fraser(Joe), Jason Warner, Michael Marcucci(Heather), Lisa Marcucci Fritsch(Jean), great-grandchildren Cameron Marcucci, Sylvain Fritsch, sister Marilyn Litten(Jim), as well as cousins, nieces and nephews in MI , FL and OR. Dolores was a war bride from her beloved home state of Michigan where she played trumpet in The Salvation Army band as a youth.

The players on the Newport-Mesa sixth-grade boys’ NJB All-Star basketball team can call themselves national champions. The Newport-Mesa All-Stars, also known as the Spartans won the Nationals tournament last weekend at Cal State Fullerton. The Spartans earned wins against Hayward, Las Vegas, San Jose and San Diego to take the crown. These four wins concluded a run of 11 wins and one loss over the course of two months and four tournaments. The Spartans were led by tenacious defense that created numerous turnovers and an average margin of victory over 10. Offensively, the team was led by Cameron Hook, Brett Greenlee, Chad Redfearn and Hagen Truninger, while the defense and rebounding duties were led by Parker Reposa, Jake Hastings, Trevor Schwartz, Ryan Stone, Caleb O’Neil and Nick Belida.

This team is starting to get on a run like the Boston Celtics in the 1960s. For the fifth straight year, and seventh in nine years, the Newport Beach Police Department’s Running Team has won first place in its category for the Baker to Vegas 120-Mile Challenge Cup Relay. The nearest team in their category, the 150 division, was more than an hour behind Newport Beach’s team, officials said. More than 252 law enforcement agencies from around the world participated in the 25th annual relay race over the weekend.