Announcement: Roadrunners Speak about history with Area 51

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1. 755 E Flamingo Rd
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Roadrunners, International is a group of ex-military who formerly flew black missions for the CIA and air force.  These and other top secrets that are now unclassified will be presented to the public at this groundbreaking special session.  This is the first ever public reunion of Roadrunners and very much a coup for the Atomic Testing Museum, which is increasingly establishing itself as a primary voice on Nevada’s top secret history.

The panel will include members from Project OXCART and Operation BLACK SHIELD, which were declassified from December 1998 through September 2007.  One of the focuses of these projects was the U-2 spy plane, first tested at Groom Lake.  The Roadrunners have created a website that features thousands of declassified pages and photos depicting their “Area 51 Cold War legacy.” They are also soliciting submissions from others who have access to previously top secret photos and stories or Cold War activities.

Roadrunners International Panel:  AREA 51

Wednesday and Thursday, October 7 and 8, 2009

6 p.m.

Atomic Testing Museum (map it)

755 E. Flamingo Rd.

(Just East of Paradise Rd.) map it

$5 for all, museum members free

Image courtesy of the Atomic Testing Museum.

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Ten Very Vegas things to do

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1. Caesars Palace
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2. 3101 W Sahara Ave
3. 3101 W Sahara Ave
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4. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
5. Death Valley, CA
6. Atomic Testing Museum
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7. Bellagio Buffet
8. Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

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It isn’t too late to hit Vegas’ hot spots and highlights before the year ends.  While a few shows have closed since I first posted my Very Vegas list, new ones have opened, as well.  Let me know your favorite Very Vegas venues.

Brian May Jams at a Show Opening Party

1. Catch Bette Midler’s local show, a classic broad who celebrates life through bawdy humor, exquisite singing and heartfelt stories that have made her the favorite superstar for a legion of loyal fans (that would be me!) (map it)
2. Attend a Flair Bar, where bartenders practice the ancient art of high energy juggling mixology. Shaken, not stirred, by definition. Check out The Red Room Saloon (map it), a local bar with world class flair artists, reasonably priced drinks, a VERY eclectic mix of patrons, great dancing and no pretentiousness.
3. Do some guided rock climbing at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (map it). One of the premier rock climbing destinations in the Southwest, Red Rock is only 15 minutes from the Strip, yet, as they say, a world away.
4. Compete in the annual Las Vegas Marathon or Half Marathon – or at least be there to provide water.
5. Go fishing at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, or bird watching at the Las Vegas Wash (map it).
6. Book your hotel room in Death Valley during the hottest week of the year to see how a turkey feels on Thanksgiving day or how the most extreme of extreme sports participants feel when running 135 miles in breath-stealing heat in AdventureCORPS 32^nd Annual Badwater Ultramarathon (map it). (The rooms fill up fast.)
7. Attend at least one exhibit of the Atomic Testing Museum (map it) that explores the history and culture of the atom bomb.
8. Save my pennies to eat at Picasso (map it), still considered one of the top restaurants in Vegas (as well as one of the priciest in a pricy town).
9. Make it to Penn and Teller — finally (map it).
10. Follow that favorite local band.

Vegas Sings the Blues

Don’t miss the 2009 Las Vegas Blues Festival this weekend.  Presented by the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Blues Society, the afternoon of blues in the park helps fund The Las Vegas Blues Society’s  Las Vegas Scholarship Program. Las Vegas finest blues players include:

The National Anthem to be performed by recording artist, Lady "J " Huston

The Lucky Cheats  at 12 Noon

Glenn Patrik at 1:15 PM

Ronnie Rose at 2:30 PM

The Andy Walo Trio (Los Angeles)  at 3:35 PM

Michael Grimm and  Delta Bound with the Big Easy Horns is the headliner, and is scheduled to take the stage at 5 p.m.  Grimm’s catalog is known for meticulously crafted songs and a mature, passionate delivery.  Special guests to include Mark Medina, President of the Las Vegas Blues Society, who will present several awards including one to Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Saturday, September 26  from Noon to 6 PM.  ( Gates open at 11 am)

Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park

3333 West Washington Ave
(702) 229-6704

Tickets $5     Children under 12 FREE

For further information call Carol Nashe, Trustee, Las Vegas Blues Society: 617-721-5426 or Darren Copeland,  City of Las Vegas:  702-229-1087

Bring your own blanket or lawn chair. BBQ and Beverages  will be available to purchase. No outside food/beverages allowed.  PLEASE, NO PETS.

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu.

Follow me on  Twitter @nvwriter.

Vegas Sings the Blues

Don’t miss the 2009 Las Vegas Blues Festival this weekend.  Presented by the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Blues Society, the afternoon of blues in the park helps fund The Las Vegas Blues Society’s  Las Vegas Scholarship Program. Las Vegas finest blues players include:

The National Anthem to be performed by recording artist, Lady "J " Huston

The Lucky Cheats  at 12 Noon

Glenn Patrik at 1:15 PM

Ronnie Rose at 2:30 PM

The Andy Walo Trio (Los Angeles)  at 3:35 PM

Michael Grimm and  Delta Bound with the Big Easy Horns is the headliner, and is scheduled to take the stage at 5 p.m.  Grimm’s catalog is known for meticulously crafted songs and a mature, passionate delivery.  Special guests to include Mark Medina, President of the Las Vegas Blues Society, who will present several awards including one to Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Saturday, September 26  from Noon to 6 PM.  ( Gates open at 11 am)

Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park

3333 West Washington Ave
(702) 229-6704

Tickets $5     Children under 12 FREE

For further information call Carol Nashe, Trustee, Las Vegas Blues Society: 617-721-5426 or Darren Copeland,  City of Las Vegas:  702-229-1087

Bring your own blanket or lawn chair. BBQ and Beverages  will be available to purchase. No outside food/beverages allowed.  PLEASE, NO PETS.

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu.

Follow me on  Twitter @nvwriter.

Best Vegas Joints for Free Dance Lessons

Tired of going to clubs and flailing wildly (and probably awkwardly) until you are too drunk to care?  Want to sweep your sweetheart off her feet?

Wish you knew how to actually dance?  Too cheap or too scared to take lessons?  Never fear.  Free (or nearly free) dance lessons are here.  If you know where to look, you can learn to line dance, swing, cha cha, tango, two-step-, rumba, hustle or do the salsa.  Lessons typically take place a half-hour or so before the club opens.  Nightclubs are typically 21 and older, but many restaurants and social clubs offer all ages dancing. Call ahead to verify policy for that night’s dance.

Join the Las Vegas Dance meetup to learn how to dance with other eager amateurs, get an updated schedule or practice with other enthusiastic and beginning dancers. Swing Vegas, Swing offers free and paid dance lessons and practice sessions in local clubs. Salsa Las Vegas  offers lessons, events and other dance info. Vegas-salsa.com keeps up a pretty good list of salsa dancing locations (not necessarily with free dance lessons). So there’s really no excuse not to shake a leg – or two.  Have a favorite place we missed?  Please feel free to share.

Dylan’s Dance Hall and Saloon

4660 Boulder Highway

Every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

music until the cows come home

Age limit: 21+

lessons by Byrdie

Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant

953 E Sahara Ave. Suite A-27
Tuesdays: Free Argentine Tango lesson 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: Free Swing lessons 5:30 p.m.

Thursdays: Free Salsa lessons 5:30 p.m.

Hosted by Eric King, Master Marcos Questas and Ruta Maria.  No partner necessary.

No cover
All ages
702-732-0010

"SALSERO" a Latin Dance

South Point Showroom

9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Lessons before club opens

Fridays at 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

11 Piece Live Band headed by the world renowned Grammy Award Winner Michito Sanchez

Salsa at Firefly Restaurant
3900 Paradise Rd - LV NV 89169
Free Salsa Class at 10 p.m. with Tony Rico
Tuesday at 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
No cover charge
(702) 369-3971

Latin Beat / Salsa Nights @ Dance World USA
1950 S. Rainbow Blvd Ste 104 LV NV 89146
(corner of Rainbow / Oakey)
Tuesday at Starts at 9 pm till 1am
$10 cover charge (include free lesson at 7 or 8 pm)
$ 8 cover without lesson
All ages (14 yrs and under, no cover charge)

702-248-4349 or 702-773-9337

SALSA ON THE STRIP
Harmon Theater @ Miracle Mile Shops
PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT
3663 Las Vegas Blvd S # 600
Thursday
Doors open at 11 p.m. 
No cover charge
21 +
702-556-6540

Salsero Nights @ South Point Hotel

9777 LV Blvd South
Lessons by SALSALASVEGAS.COM instructors
Open at 10:30 p.m.

$10.00 cover

21+                                               
702-369-3971

Stoney’s Rockin’ Country

9151 Las Vegas Blvd S #300
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

21+

702-435-2855

Stoney’s North Forty

Sante Fe Casino

4949 North Rancho Road

Wednesday,Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

21+

702-435-2855

Aruba Swings (ALL BUT FIRST FRIDAY)

1215 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Swing Dance Lessons Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Lounge)
Live Dancing from 10 p.m.

702-383 3100

No Cover

21+

UNLV Lindy Hop Dance Club

1775 E. Tropicana Ave

Intermediate Lesson - every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Beginning Lesson - every Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

Check here for updated schedule.

Practice Socials
Broadway Hall (formerly Raquels Dance Studio)
3375 S Decatur Blvd (between Desert Inn Rd & Spring Mountain Blvd)

Fridays

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
$ 3 registered students; $ 5 nonstudents
702-236-5966 or 702-403-4698

Salsero Nights @ South Point Hotel
9777 LV Blvd South
Dance Lessons by Salsa Las Vegas
Fridays

Doors open at 10:30 p.m.

$10 cover

21+
702-369-3971

The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
4000 W. Flamingo Rd. 
Saturdays at 10 p.m.

$5 cover

21+
702-367-7111

check website for updated band schedule

Havana Grill Latin Night

Eastern Ave & Pebble Rd - (next to the Colonade Square movie theaters)

Friday & Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight

All ages; no cover

702-932-9310

La Costa Grill
2600 E Flamingo Rd.

Saturday
Kruz and The Gang

702-210-9841 for more information (Salsa Las Vegas)
21+

Oiga, Mire, Vea Columbian Cuisine

2580 South Decatur Blvd. Suite K4A (Decatur and Sahara)

702-221-4359 for time and dates

21+

SALSA SOCIAL

Every other Sunday

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

All ages

$5 (16 and under free)

Salsa Mix with DJ Leo
Sam’s Town Casino

Roxy’s
5111 Boulder Hwy

Sundays at 9 p.m.
No cover - doors open at 9 p.m.

21+

Image courtesy of sxc.hu.

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Review: Best Chicken Wings in Vegas – And Beyond

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1. 842 S Boulder Hwy

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Hidden in a Smith’s strip mall on the outskirts of old Henderson is a gem of a neighborhood restaurant for the proletariat.  Johnny Mac’s is that old type of pizza place that has pasta and other fare, but specializes in great family deals, oversized pizza and heavenly wings.  While multiple large-screen televisions broadcast a variety of sports games, patrons sit down to white tablecloth, close-knit dining (you better enjoy getting to know your neighbor)at barstools and booths. A small stage is available for Karaoke night, which we’ve yet to attend, but the real draw for us is the Henderson Special: 50 wings and a large one-item pizza for under $30.  Now, 50 wings may seem like a lot for a family of four, but never fear, two teenage boys and an apparently teenage spouse can go through a lot of wings – especially these.  Hot (spicy), hot (temperature), juicy on the inside and actually crispy on the outside with homemade bleu cheese dip and a side of celery sticks, they rarely make it to the take home box.  The pizza is well above average, as well: large, crunchy/chewy crust, tangy sauce with a bite and plenty of topping.  We hear the other food is good, too, but we can’t seem to make it past they wings and pie to find out.  Let us know if you ever make it beyond the special.

Johnny Mac’s

842 S Boulder Hwy (map it)

Henderson, NV 89015

702-546-2121

Photo courtesy sxc.hu.

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Cheap Eats — Vegas

Who doesn’t love a deal?  A friend of mine turned me onto a restaurant site that lets you purchase certificates that discount your final price at selected restaurants.  Typically, you pay $3 for a $10 certificate and $10 for a $25 certificate.  The restaurants are good ones.  We’ve dined at Steak (before it closed); Half Shell Seafood and Gaming; Milo’s Best Cellars; Johnny Mac’s; Ventano Italian Corner & Oyster Bar and more.  You stick in your zip code, let it know how far you are willing to travel, and browse the available restaurants.  When you dine, just give the coupon to the wait staff when you order and the amount is taken off your final bill. (Tip on total bill, please.)  Restaurants may place some restrictions on the coupon use such as a minimum bill before the discount, a time of day when it must be used (lunch or dinner, usually) or food, only (not available for the bar tab).  All those restrictions are noted on the website before you purchase the coupon, so there are no surprises.

If I get access to discount codes for even bigger savings, I’ll let you know.  Enjoy!

Vegas offers Free Southern Belle

Celebrate the beginning of National Cupcake Week with a free cupcake from The Cupcakery.  On September 14, only, guests will get to sample the bakery’s Southern Belle cupcake without charge, while supplies last.  The red velvet cake smothered in cream cheese frosting is one of dozens of fanciful cupcakes created by owner Pamela Jenkins.

Monday, September 14, 2009

8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cupcakery

9680 S. Eastern, Suite 100

OR

7175 W. Lake Mead, Suite 118

Image courtesy of Cupcakery.

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Vegas offers Free Southern Belle

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1. 9680 S Eastern Ave
2. 7175 W Lake Mead Blvd

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Celebrate the beginning of National Cupcake Week with a free cupcake from The Cupcakery.  On September 14, only, guests will get to sample the bakery’s Southern Belle cupcake without charge, while supplies last.  The red velvet cake smothered in cream cheese frosting is one of dozens of fanciful cupcakes created by owner Pamela Jenkins.

Monday, September 14, 2009

8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cupcakery

9680 S. Eastern, Suite 100 (map it)

OR

7175 W. Lake Mead, Suite 118 (map it)

Image courtesy of Cupcakery.

Follow me on Twitter @nvwriter.

Van Morrison to play Vegas

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1. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
   Now owned by the Morgans Hotel Group, the Hard Rock today is less grunge

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One of the most critically acclaimed musicians of our time will play one night, only, at The Joint at Hard Rock in late September.  The show is expected to sell out soon after tickets become available on August 7.  Van Morrison is known for his free-form concerts that evolve as the muse strikes him. Painfully shy, he has been known to present an entire concert without once overtly interacting with the audience, famously noting that the only thing he can stomach (my word) about the music business is the music.

His music is legendary, however.  The Belfast-born singer-songwriter has logged 50 years of acclaim for songs including Brown-Eyed Girl, Gloria, Moondance and the still unclassifiable and unique album Into the Mystic that continues to mystify and enthrall listeners.  His rambling stream-of-conscious “Celtic soul” echoes his compatriot from Dublin, James Joyce, in Ulysses where Joyce chronicles a lifetime of epic journeys within a single day. Morrison’s career seems equally epic, creating soaring, soulfully lyric poetry even while battling his personal dragons within the music business.

He is widely considered one of the most important living artist of our time, with albums that are ranked as the greatest in the entire rock and roll canon and over 150 songs that have been used in major motion pictures, including Scorsese film “The Departed.” On the 1995 MOJO list of “100 Best Albums,” Morrison’s Astral Weeks comes in at #2. Rolling Stone Magazine lists the album at #19 on “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and in 2004 ranked him 42nd on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Van Morrison’s influence, Rolling Stone says, “among rock singer/songwriters is unrivaled by any living artist outside of that other prickly legend, Bob Dylan.”

Image courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

VAN MORRISON

Friday, September 25

8:30 p.m.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

4455 Paradise Road (map it)

Tickets on-sale Fri, Aug 7 at noon!

Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, or call 800-745-3000

Tickets $75 and up (subject to service fees)

ENTER TO WIN 2 vip TICKET AND $150 DINNER AT RARE 120~

2 Runners Up will win 2 tickets

~scroll down and look to the left~

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Complete Concert Listing for The Joint and other Hard Rock Hotel venues through September, 2009

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

THE ALL NEW JOINT CONCERT VENUE

RICARDO ARJONA                                                        Sunday, September 13^th at 8pm

Tickets start at $45                                                                                On Sale Now

Known as Latin America’s Bob Dylan, Guatemalan singer and songwriter Ricardo Arjona, like his famous American counterpart, is known around the world for his socially conscious and heartfelt folk ballads and rock tunes. Playing in a variety of styles that combine traditional South American folk music with rock, hip-hop, and classical music, Arjona sings about subjects ranging from faded love to social inequities.

The Latin sensation has won two Grammy Awards from three nominations including 2007 Best Latin Pop Album and 2006 Best Male Pop Vocal Album, both for his album Adentro (2005).

THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW                                   Sunday, September 20^th at 8pm

Tickets start at $35                                                                                On Sale Now

The World Premiere of the new ‘Big Pink Greatest Hits World Tour’, will include jaw-dropping note-for-note musical excerpts from Pink Floyd’s legendary albums Wish You Were Here, Animals, Dark Side of the Moon & The Wall.

Having already wowed audiences Stateside over the course of the last five years, this magnificent new ‘Big Pink Greatest Hits World Tour’ will be even bigger, even better, featuring an amazing new stage production including more animation, more lasers, more costumes & even more amazing inflatables.

The meticulous musical attention to detail – each and every facet of Floyd’s sound reproduced note for note, sound for sound by the fastidiously talented musicians - has kept the fans coming back for more. ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Hey You’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Another Brick In The Wall’, ‘Dogs’, ‘Money’, ‘Run Like Hell’, ‘Time’, ‘Great Gig in the Sky’ are just a few of over twenty classic Pink Floyd tracks that will be performed.

PET SHOP BOYS                                                           Saturday, September 26^th at 9pm

Tickets start at $45                                                                                On Sale Now

One of the most iconic and influential pop acts in the world, Pet Shop Boys, are coming to The Joint this fall. They will be touring in support of their tenth album, Yes, recently released on astralwerks.

In a career spanning over 2 decades, the duo of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have created some of the most beloved and recognizable hits in the world (‘West End girls’, ‘It’s a sin’, ‘New York City boy’, etc.), and sold over 30 million records. They’ve worked with artists like Dusty Springfield, David Bowie, Liza Minnelli, Robbie Williams, Electronic, The Killers and Madonna. In the USA, Pet Shop Boys are the fourth most successful artist in the history of the Billboard dance charts (behind Madonna, Donna Summer and Janet Jackson).

Filled with sparkling state of the art pop songs, Yes is an affirmation of the duo’s knack for mixing innovative artistry with exuberant commercial appeal. Produced by the acclaimed Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Cher, Kylie Minogue, Saint Etienne), the album features guitar work by ex-Smith Johnny Marr and orchestral arrangements by Owen Pallett (Last Shadow Puppets, Final Fantasy). Never far from the public eye, Pet Shop Boys have been very busy lately: producing a #1 UK dance hit for Sam Taylor-Wood (released on the ultra-hip Kompakt label), remixing a track for Lady GaGa and co-writing the hit UK single ‘The Loving Kind’ for Girls Aloud. They are also working on a ballet, and were honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the

Brit Awards.

CREED                                                                                  Sunday, September 27^th at 8pm

Tickets start at $95                                                                                On Sale Now

Creed, one of the most successful rock bands of the past decade, has announced all four of the original band members are back together for a summer tour and new album.  Since their formation, Creed has sold close to thirty-five million albums and millions of concert tickets.

The songwriting team of Stapp and Tremonti are considered one of the most prolific in rock history.  Their collaborations delivered numerous chart-topping records that are a testament to the enormity and success of Creed. The band was the first act to have seven consecutive number one rock radio singles, four of which came off of the debut album. Their third album, Weathered, tied The Beatles Anthology, for the most consecutive weeks at Number One on Billboard’s Top 200 chart (eight weeks since the beginning of the SoundScan era (1991). The band was voted Favorite Group in 2003 on the People’s Choice Awards and won numerous American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and others including the Grammy Award for best Rock Song in 2001 for “With Arms Wide Open.”

RESIDENT SHOW

SUPERNATURAL SANTANA (A Trip Through the Hits)

Fri Sept 11^th, Sat Sept 12^th, Mon Sept 14^th, Tues Sept 15^th

Tickets start at $79                                                                                On Sale Now

Signing on as the first rock and roll resident artist in Las Vegas, Carlos Santana brings his legendary talent to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino through a multi-year deal with AEG Live.  Through 2010, The Joint will be the only place west of the Mississippi where fans can see Santana perform. Titled to pay homage to his most successful body of work to date, Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits features the artist’s signature fusion sound in a show designed exclusively for the new venue.

Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits will feature career-spanning classics inspired by a mix of practical spirituality, a rebel-from-the-street vibe and passionate, virtuoso guitar playing. The set list will include a nostalgic collection of touchstone tracks reaching back as far as the first charting single “Jingo” (1969) and first Top 10 hit “Evil Ways” (1970), up through the latest hit, “Into The Night.”

Santana will play approximately 36 shows per year at The Joint, with a show time of 9pm Prices range from $79-$155 and can be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. For groups of 20 or more, call the Hard Rock Box Office at (702) 693- 5233. For more information, visit www.supernaturalsantana.com.