Anthony Curtis, one of the worlds’s most recognized and quoted gaming authorities, also is publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and Huntington Press and president of LasVegasAdvisor.com. He is considered one of the world’s foremost experts in tournament play.

Singer Dian Diaz, who had performed throughout the world with international superstar, Luis Miguel and opened for The Commodores, Chuck Mangione, Richard Elliot, Spyro Gyra and Jean Luc-Ponti, has a vocal range that spans a number of octaves. She began her singing career at the age of nine.

Murray Sawchuck, with his signature electric blonde hair, black framed Armani glasses, and contagious smile, performs magic and comedy on the road and on television. He was born in Vancouver, Canada and began performing magic at age 7.

Chris Hudgins, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at UNLV, owns four 12-string guitars, including a custom Gibson based on the Gibson Hummingbird, an iconic 6-string model that Gibson has manufactured for approximately 60 years. Hudgins’ Mighty Hummingbird is the only one Gibson has ever built as a 12-string.

Celebrity makeup artist Maura ‘Mo’ Lewit is best known for the new Lifetime reality competition TV series “Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist.” She is competing for a contract as a professional artist with Max Factor, a cash prize of $100,000 and the opportunity to be the makeup artist for an upcoming InStyle magazine photo shoot.

Kathy Newbern is a romance novelist and travel journalist, and operates yournovel.com, (founded in 1992) full time with her husband and co-writer, JS Fletcher. She has co-authored 17 romance/adventure novels, in which any couple can star as the hero and heroine. Their novels have been featured in hundreds media markets worldwide.

Katsilometes is senior editor of Greenspun Interactive, which includes LasVegasWeekly.com and VegasDeluxe.com. ). Katsilometes was honored as the state’s top headline writer for all Nevada daily newspapers in 2003 and 2004 by the Nevada Press Association.

Pat Williams is president of Friends of Red Rock Canyon, a volunteer organization whose members are committed to protecting the environmental integrity of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and helping visitors enjoy their visit responsibly. One million visitors each year enjoy the spectacular desert landscape as well as climbing and hiking opportunities.

Ron Futrell covered the world of sports in Yakima, Washington and Salt Lake City, Utah before moving to Las Vegas more than 25 years ago. He has hosted dozens of news and sports shows over the years, but provides both reporting and analysis on local and national sports.

Valerie Miller covers the local business community for the Las Vegas Business Press. She has also written articles for the Business Pressʼ sister publication, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and has previously freelanced for the Las Vegas Sun and Reno News and Review. She is a University of Nevada, Las Vegas graduate and was recently named the Outstanding Journalist for Weeklies for 2008 by the Nevada Press Association.

Sharon Belger is co-owner (along with husband, Mathew) of Mystery Adventures Las Vegas, handling day-to-day operations, marketing, creative content, and even a character role in the current mystery. She is a graduate of Dominican University in 1998 and has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Roy Winston is a professional poker player who is also a medical doctor from Rancho Mirage, California. Roy made the decision to pursue poker full-time as of 2008 after winning more than $2 million dollars. Roy’s first foray onto the tournament scene was the 2006 WPT LA Poker Classic No-Limit Hold ‘em Championship.

After nearly 30 years as a headlining magic performer, Steve was presented with the highest honors a magician can receive: “Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star” (MIMC), a designation reserved for the elite of the magic world. He was recently honored with a prestigious MERLIN Award (the Oscar of the magic world) for 2008 Best Close-up Magician in the World.

Mike Weatherford reviews Las Vegas shows and headliners on Friday in the Neon section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His entertainment column appears Sunday and Thursday in Living section of the newspaper. He is the author of “Cult Vegas.”

Grammy Award winner Skip Martin, lead vocalist, trumpet player, songwriter, artist and producer, is based in Las Vegas. His achievements include Platinum & Gold Records working with two major recording groups, Kool & the Gang and The Dazz Band.

Joe Esposito is a veteran author and publisher who is best known for his association with Elvis Presley, who he first met in the military in 1958. Joe became Elvis’ right hand man and then his road manager when Elvis started touring again. He was co-best man at Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding in 1967.