Las Vegas police have arrested a seventh person after the stabbing of a British tourist at a business police say was marketed as a health spa but operated a prostitution scam.
Records show that 33-year-old Kenneth Stimpson was held Friday at the Clark County jail pending a court appearance on conspiracy, racketeering, fraud and other charges.
KLAS-TV 8NewsNow (http://bit.ly/KyR92j ) identifies Stimpson as the business owner at the Red Devil Fitness and Spa west of the Las Vegas Strip
Five women and a man were arrested shortly after 25-year-old Joseph Sherriff was stabbed early last Sunday in a dispute over sex acts that police say were hinted at but not performed.
Prostitution is legal in some rural Nevada counties, but not in Las Vegas and Reno.
Erie police have charged a fourth person in connection with a series of recent gun-related crimes in the city.
Marc A. Moore Jr., 18, is accused of taking possession of two guns that were reported stolen from a residence in the 1000 block of West Fourth Street on April 27 and were allegedly used by two people to rob a pair of businesses.
A robbery was attempted at Totally You Fitness, 1812 Peach St., on April 30, and cash was stolen from employees in a robbery at the Satin Health Spa, 2117 Peach St., on May 1, according to police.
The two suspects, 21-year-old Robert R. Davis and a 14-year-old boy, have been charged in those crimes and in the burglary where the guns were stolen. Davis also was charged with threatening a woman with a gun on April 29.
Another man, 21-year-old Gregory J. Thompson, was charged earlier this month with hindering apprehension for allegedly taking possession of the guns after the robbery.
Police allege in the criminal complaint filed against Moore that he took possession of the guns used in the two robberies. Police said the guns, which were stolen in the West Fourth Street burglary, were then sold by Moore, according to the complaint.
No further details were available Friday on what became of the guns, or if police recovered them.
Moore was arraigned Thursday night before Erie 2nd Ward District Judge Paul Urbaniak on charges of hindering apprehension, receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license. He was placed in the Erie County Prison on $25,000 bond.
TIM HAHN can be reached at 870-1731 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNhahn.
This morningMarufu has left her driver’s overalls in the wardrobe. She is wearing a slinky grey skirt and a black top that reveals the rose tattoo on her left shoulder. “I’m a go-getter!” she says.
Marufu (35) began her career in motorsport three years ago. She impressed many by finishing ninth in her debut Toyota Challenge Rally in 2010. The following year she moved up three places to finish sixth.
But her luck did not last. Earlier this year she crashed on the opening day of the African Challenge Rally when she hit a tree at Donnybrook.
Marufuhas never been put off by crashing. She remembers the first time it happened, in a rally at Norton.
As her Toyota Runx began to roll, Marufu had just one thought. She wanted it to stop, so she could continue the race. At that point she lost consciousness.
“Then I heard my navigator’s voice saying ‘Laureen, Laureen’,” she recalls.“I replied: ‘Yes, let’s go!’. He pointed out that we were upside down.”
The Toyota Runx was new. “It’s heavy in front, and when it comes to dips, it lands on its nose,” she explains. On this occasion it spun into the bush and rolled seven times before it finally stopped.
“It was actually funny. I wasn’t scared – I just wanted to keep going!” she says.
Marufu is the mother of five-year-old Amara, after whom the health spa is named, and four-year-old Ridwaan. She is used to other women calling her “mad” and says she has always been an adrenaline junkie. Her love for speed started when she was a little girl “driving with my Dad”. She wanted to be the one behind the steering wheel, so when she was just 14 he taught her to drive.
Years later, as her beloved father was dying in hospital, she made the journey from Bulawayo to Harare in just two and half hours so that she could be at his side to “see his last breath”.
Marufu is sad that he never watched her race professionally.
“The difference between normal driving and rallying is so huge,” she says. “I had to learn all over again.”Rally drivers travel at high speed on dirt roads. It requires much more control – and every ounce of focus.
Marufu admits that she wouldn’t want to be“someone else’s passenger at that speed”. She likes to be the one in control.
Even so, her debut race at Donnybrookmade her sweat. Her navigator, Clint Ashdown, was also racing for the first time. “As a new driver I had no idea what this guy was talking about,” Marufu laughs. “I was like:‘Please keep quiet. I’m trying to see where I’m going!’ Three years later, Marufu has won the respect of her male colleagues. Jamie Whyte,African champion and one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced rally competitors, describes her as a “good driver who will go far”.
But motorsport is expensive, and many would-be champions are scared off by the thought of car repair costs. Marufu dreams of a “brilliant sponsor” who will recognise her potential as Zimbabwe’s first woman rally driver. However, she does not expect special treatment just because she is a woman. She knows that “playing the pretty little girl”will not get her anywhere. She learned to be tough at an early age, she says, thanks to “an abusive stepmother” who forced her to set her own goals.
Now LaureenMarufu wants to become “an ambassador for other abused women”, so that they too can get behind the wheel of their own dreams.
Six members of a Las Vegas ‘fitness and spa’ business have been arrested after a British tourist was stabbed in an alleged ‘clip joint’ sex scam.
Police say Joseph Sheriff, 25, was stabbed in the head and stomach after complaining that he had been offered, and had paid for, sexual services that were not then delivered.
He got into an argument with a doorman at Red Devil Fitness And Spa, demanding his money back – which led to the knife attack. Police are not sure who carried out the attack, and raided the business in a bid to collect evidence.
Multiple transactions: James Watkins, above left, and Nicole Cramer, were arrested after police raided Red Devil Fitness And Spa, a suspected clip joint
A report from Fox 5 News reveals that six people were arrested at the business address, at 3430 Polaris Avenue.
Five women, some wearing provocative lingerie, and a man were arrested at the scene.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department named those arrested as: James Watkins, 40, of North Las Vegas; Nicole Cramer, 34, of Henderson; Hope Tello, 23, of Henderson; Brooke Dugan, 21, of Las Vegas; Lyeishia Godfrey, 19, of Las Vegas; and Christine Hall.
Enticing: Brooke Dugan, above left, and Hope Tello were charged with obtaining cash under false pretenses. Dugan was wearing lingerie at the time of her arrest
All but Hall were charged with a range of offences, including racketeering, obtaining money under false pretenses, fraud and conspiracy.
Watkins and Cramer face charges of multiple transactions involving racketeering and fraud.
Dugan, Godfrey and Tello are accused of enticing male customers with the promise of sex acts, and are charged with obtaining money under false pretenses.
Dugan was wearing revealing lingerie at the time of her arrest.
On the premises: Lyeishia Godfrey, 19, above left, and Christine Hall were at Red Devil Fitness on Sunday. Godfrey was charged but it is unclear whether Hall was
There are no details about whether Hall was charged, or whether other employees at Red Devil Fitness – including owner Kenneth Stimpson – face arrest.
The six arrested were on the premises on Sunday morning, following Mr Sheriff’s admission to hospital in a critical condition earlier the same day.
A police spokesman said Red Devil Fitness was licensed as a health, fitness and reflexology centre. Prostitution is legal in some areas of Nevada, but not in the gambling meccas of Las Vegas and Reno.
Nondescript warehouse: The Red Devil Fitness and Spa business, where police believe customers have been fleeced using the promise of sex
Investigators believe that the business was being run as a ‘clip joint’, where unsuspecting tourists were scammed out of hundreds of dollars with the promise of sexual services.
The spokesman said people visiting Sin City were often told about such venues by cab drivers who then drive the tourists to the door.
Victims are greeted by scantily clad women, who suggest sex is available if the clients pay a one-off entrance fee – sometimes hundreds of dollars.
Once inside, the girls continue to offer drinks and services at higher and higher prices.
Eventually, the customers realise the service is a scam and try to complain or retrieve their money. At that stage they are confronted by angry security staff who physically remove them from the premises – often into a waiting cab outside.
Victims are usually too embarrassed to report the crime – because of the often-illegal sexual nature of the original offer.
In the case of Mr Sheriff, police have been told that he was stabbed by a security guard after trying to have his money refunded.
He was taken to University Medical Center, and an investigation continues into identifying the stabbing suspect.
Vacant buildings and unused storefronts are eyesores, but an empty storefront can also be an opportunity. You don’t need to be a commercial developer or city planner—or have money to invest in a business project—to have the next great idea.
This vacant storefront at 8754 University Boulevard has a past that might be unsavory for some. Formerly known as the Sports Health Spa, it was raided by law enforcement in 2008 after it was found to be a brothel fronting as a massage parlor.
These days, it sits empty on a piece of prime University Boulevard real estate. It was assessed this year at a market value of $220,300.
What business would benefit the Moon area community? How could this space better serve you and your neighbors? If you had it your way, what would you place in this building?
THE Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), in partnership with Clarins, is inviting cancer patients to enjoy a relaxing Beauty for Life session at the Lavender Health Spa in Ballygawley next month free of charge.
Beauty for Life is a unique service offered by UCF to give those who have been diagnosed with cancer time out to enjoy a confidence boosting pampering session.
UCF’s beauty therapist Fiona Barr said: “Beauty for Life is an ideal opportunity for patients to get away from it all for a while and we are delighted to bring our service to the beautiful Lavender Health Spa at 54 Errigal Road, Ballygawley, on Tuesday 29th May.
“Guests are invited to use the spa’s facilities before choosing two of the following treatments – a 30 minute facial, make-up application or a mini manicure,” she said.
“At UCF we recognise that a cancer diagnosis can be a very difficult and sometimes harrowing experience. Many people feel out of control, lose their self-value or feel isolated. Cancer treatment in itself is often difficult to cope with and takes a physical toll on the body.
“Our Beauty for Life service was developed to help patients restore confidence in their personal appearance. It’s wonderful for people who have perhaps had hair and eyebrow loss because of their treatment as I can give them tips on how to apply their make-up and eyebrows in a natural way.
“The service is for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. It doesn’t matter what stage you’ve reached, whether you have recently been diagnosed or have finished your treatment. And men are also welcome – the service is not just for women!
“Those who have already used our service love it and find it hugely beneficial, so why not treat yourself to a taste of peaceful, quality time in this beautiful rural retreat. We’d love to see you.”
Nuala O’Farrell, from Clarins, said: “At Clarins our motto has always been ‘to do more, to do better and to enjoy doing so’. If we can help the guests in some small way to relax and unwind it will have been an invaluable experience.”
Places are limited so to book your appointment please call Toby Wheeler at Ulster Cancer Foundation on 028 9068 0751 or email tobywheeler@ulstercancer.org.
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With stress levels in the city reaching new highs day after day, and with the harsh summer adding to the woes of Mumbaikars, the one business that seems to be rocking these days is the health spa. A larger number of people are willing to spend top dollar to get an hour’s worth of relaxation and rejuvenation therapy.
And the spas themselves are begining to get smarter and re conceiving more innovative products in their bid to beat the competition and grab your custom. Organic and natural products are more or less a given and no establishment worth its name would dream about functioning without them. But they aren’t enough to augment footfalls, which is why you have new products such as spa-on-wheels, packages for your poodle, and fish pedicures, among others.
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- Weekly: Markets end down 3% on growth concerns, weak global cues - Govt asks AI pilots to end stir and come for talks - Have a spa-lendid time - ICSI seeks early passage of Companies Bill - Greek exit not fatal for euro zone: ECB’s Honohan More Another noticeable trend is the increasing number of men who’ve started using the services of service providers in this space.
Then there is the concept of the couple spa which is gaining popularity. Says Shalini Chopra, a senior engineer in a software company: “I make it a point to take an appointment at my spa on Sunday noon along with my husband. This is the best way to pamper ourselves and get refuelled for another hectic week.”
Shreya Bachawat, a college student from Bandra says “These group buying sites like snap deal, crazeal have contributed a lot towards the promotion of spas. Being a student, I can’t afford to spend more on these luxury activities. So I daily keep on looking for offers at these sites.”
Other Stories - Weekly: Markets end down 3% on growth concerns, weak global cues - Govt asks AI pilots to end stir and come for talks - Have a spa-lendid time - ICSI seeks early passage of Companies Bill - Greek exit not fatal for euro zone: ECB’s Honohan <!–
Debbie Birch, formerly of New Age Health Spa, has joined Shane Diet Fitness Resorts (SDR) as the new Program Director and Fitness Coach.
Ellenville, NY (PRWEB) May 08, 2012
Debbie Birch has joined Shane Diet Fitness Resorts (SDR) as the new Program Director and Fitness Coach.
Birch, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, lifestyle and weight management consultant, instructor and lecturer began studying Pilates during her dance training at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.
With her training and newly-minted degree in hand, she headed for New York City and secured dancing roles in many Broadway, off-Broadway productions and national road tours of successful shows. She spent her hours off the stage teaching dance and fitness classes at Broadway Dance and Manhattan Plaza Health Club and served as a personal trainer to many celebrities and fellow performers.
For the past six years, Birch was the Director of Fitness and Nutrition at the New Age Health Spa in Neversink, New York where she was beloved by the guests. Birch also created her own line of chemical-free, plant-based protective skin care – Birch Beauty Family Organic Skin Care, using detoxifying birch extract. She is featured on six exercise DVDs—excerpts of which can be viewed, along with her skincare products, at http://www.birchbeauty.com.
Co-Owner of Shane Diet Fitness Resorts, Ziporah Janowski, is delighted to have found Birch to fill this important position saying, “Debbie’s wide range of experience in fitness techniques and designing the perfect program for many types of individuals, coupled with her intuitive sense of how to help people reach their highest potential, made her the ideal choice to fill this vital job at SDR. We are thrilled to have her working with us and look forward to seeing the exciting program designs and ideas she will bring to the job. Guests will love her warmth and kindness too.”
Birch, whose focus has always been on helping people on their individualized journey towards health and happiness, is delighted to be joining the staff at SDR. “The owners and staff at Shane Diet Fitness Resorts understand something that has been a guiding principle of my life: ‘Every choice you make counts toward your intent of being the best you can be,’” says Birch. “SDR has a tremendous track record in getting the weight off and keeping it off. They have surrounded me with a talented support team committed to helping guide guests in the right direction to achieve their personal goals. I look forward to meeting this new challenge at Shane Diet Fitness Resorts.”
Tokollo ‘Magesh’ Tshabalala of kwaito group TKZee gets papmpered at the Cradle Health Spa in Magaliesburg. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu
There are many Magesh-isms that Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala likes to bandy about. One of them is: “you need people like me” – a line from one of his favourite films, Scarface. It is when he is in a particularly rebellious mood that this comes out.
But today, on our way to Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre in Magaliesburg, Tokollo is in a gentle mood. The venue is described as “an incredible new holisitic health and pampering spa nestled under the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains in the Hartbeespoort Valley, just a short drive out of Sandton”.
For such a troubled soul as Tokollo, this is the perfect way to spend the day.
We have been picked up and chauffeur-driven by Cradle Health Spa from Fourways. The journey, as it always is to Magaliesberg, is green and pretty. The spa offers full conventional medical consultations as well as a fusion of modern multi-disciplinary healing modalities, but we’re there for the magnificent day spa.
On arrival, Tokollo, in true rock-star style, demands champagne. Uh, dude, it’s a health spa, I want to venture, but the staff are willing to supply. We sip champagne while discussing our options and filling in health questionaires.
We choose an aromatherapeutic message which, says the beauty technician, is a gentle and tranquil massage “blended to address specific health concerns and support the body’s healing process”. The venue is just as the brochure says and more. Its Zen, quiet spirit is in stark contrast to the crazy life of one of SA’s most famous kwaito sons.
After the amazing session, Jozi life is far away. It is time for lunch, and Tokollo emerges from his session in his white gown with a wide grin. “After this massage my serotonin, my happy hormones, are flowing. I like it. It’s cute,” he says.
The “T” in TKZee has always had a uniquely brilliant and quirky way with words in English and Zulu. This has contributed to his continued popularity among music fans across all genres. But it is also that he overflows with flirtatious charm and clever, offbeat wit.
In fact, the man is one of the most intelligent people I have had the pleasure of interacting with.
Tokollo surveys his surroundings, which includes the bluest pool and an inviting, intimate restaurant where they are serving us lunch. “Ain’t I the coolest being ever. I like this place. It’s friendly,” he says.
We are served chicken liver pate with a pinotage jelly and melba toast. There is salmon with cream cheese and a parsley sauce, and then a micro-green salad with roasted cinnamon butternut and feta.
To my amazement, he orders a second helping of the micro-green salad.
“This is the first time I have never needed salad dressing,” he says, before feeding me a mouthful of the salad. “Have fun, Zaza. I love it. It’s the best salad ever.”
Finally, servings of bobotie arrive and Tokollo responds with: “I love this by far.”
I teasingly ask if he is used to such luxury. His rich-kid background comes to the fore as he dismisses the question with a curt: “What do you think?”
Then it is time for the facial. Tokollo chooses the Gentleman’s Facial, which is rejuvenating and also includes a relaxing massage for face, neck and arms. But initially lying on the bed with spiritual music in the background and the beauty technician cleaning his face, he is still not that relaxed. The energising lunch has him almost back on Magesh form. He is concerned about a solitary pimple on his face.
“Do you think its stress that leads to break-outs?” he asks the technician. “Do you think I should exfoliate once a week? This feels like a nice exfoliator. Make me beautiful.”
I am more worried about the metal plate in his head from the notorious accident he had in Botswana all those years ago. However, the consultant is gentle.
After a rejuvenating mask, he quips: “A whole lot of masks have gone. Hello, Therese. Do you know me? Do you know me?”
Eventually he slides into a deep state of relaxation, almost meditation, which is something he often avoids. The beautician offers him a scalp massage.
“Yes, but watch the pins in my head,” says Tokollo. He goes deeper into it and mutters: “I think I can write nice music.”
Afterwards, I have never seen him so relaxed. “Super. I want my face to breathe,” he says.
We explore the steam rooms, relax with some of his favourite whisky before deciding it is time to head back to Jozi’s northern suburbs. Tokollo Tshabalala leaves Cradle Spa nowhere near a rebel.
He is a shiny, brand-new superstar at peace with himself and the world. If only for a few hours.
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