Arts in a grown-up world

Large urban areas around the world have several things in common: the usual shear numbers of people; lots of buildings (some magnificent in their architecture and historical value, some like most in Las Vegas spectacular for a few years then torn down to make way for something even more spectacular; a business community; and frequently a “catch” – something that makes that particular city unique.

Las Vegas’ uniqueness is not in its buildings, business, or people; but in its ability to frequently reinvent its external persona. Certainly the building and dismantling of “world class” casinos in the blink of an eye is quite an achievement; but if you do nothing with the extraordinary revenue the business of entertainment brings to this City except keep building and dismantling the same old things, what then gives the “real” Las Vegas, the one that more than 2 million people make their home, its own identity.

The “Strip”, as most locals call it, is an attraction for millions of visitors who enjoy a few days drinking, dancing and parting with wads of cash. Then they return to their real lives in regular town USA. Regular Town USA has people, buildings, businesses, parks, libraries and expressions of life in the form of art.

Las Vegas is a vibrant community of artists and is home to some of the best in the world. Yet, most of our attention both personally and politically is on the 3 day visitor’s experience and not on the long-term resident.

When I arrived in Las Vegas from the incredibly culturally and artistically international city of Vancouver British Columbia one of my first interests was to acquaint myself with the permanent arts scene here. I certainly had to dig deep. I came across a story on the future building of a spectacular performing arts center (now called the Smith Center) that would be the envy of New York City, Los Angeles, and even many European venues. Nearly five years later the project is still “in the works”.

It seems strange to me when we can build a 3,500-room Casino in 18 months!

In 2005 Las Vegas celebrated its Centennial. What a great opportunity to celebrate a colorful history and to establish a lasting legacy of the arts. Some attempts were made; a few murals were painted, a quilt seemed to capture the attention of many for a short time, but it now sits quietly in its City Hall corner, barely getting noticed by the frantic taxpayer looking for a problem solver and not taking a moment to marvel at this work of art.

There have been applaudable attempts to encourage additional activities straining to draw attention to new artists through First Friday; but the City has spent very little time, money, and effort in making public art, a community where private art flourishes and support of a world class performing arts center a priority. We could have built two full Casino resorts by now; why not just one performing arts center?

An active art community breathes life into our daily grind. It brightens up our long and frustrating commute when we see a tortoise painted on the wall of the freeway. There have been some great strides such as the Springs Preserve and the few new community parks that dot our landscape.

There needs to be a concerted effort to take the gift the casinos give us and use it wisely to develop our legacy – the thing we residents of Las Vegas would like to be remembered for.

Tourists drive down the strip and rarely see our neighborhoods; but we do. Las Vegas needs to get involved, get organized, join an organization or write to city government and ask to make the arts and the Smith Center which will stand tall amongst the “Hollywood Set” a permanent symbol of our becoming of age, of being a real grown up city, of paying attention to the quality of life of our citizens and continue to thank the millions of visitors who make it all happen for us.

The Smith Center, a city-wide mural project, carefully chosen public art shared throughout the City, support for grass roots arts programs, and a yearly celebration that highlights our home grown talent would all go a long way in giving Las Vegas its own grown-up identity.

Just visit New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Denver, Albuquerque, Austin, Montreal, Vancouver, London and thousands of other cities.

What sets them apart is their commitment to the arts; to the tangible history and future of their little piece of the world that will live long after the demolition crew comes back to town.

Las Vegas real estate market in the news

The media has actually been reporting some good news about the real estate market, at least in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas real estate market has been quietly making a comeback over the last six months. Even though homes are still sliding into foreclosure, home sales are up and gainning ground. Here is a short video report by Jane Wells on the Las Vegas homes market.

OJ on trial

If you have been watching TV at all, odds are you have probably watched at least a small portion of the new OJ trial. Like all sequels, it is showing elements of the first show. Thankfully this trial hasn't turned into a huge circus like the first one. However, like the first trial, the defendant's attorney is focusing on some of the police's comments. Will this influence the jury as it did in the first trial? Maybe.

I wonder if we'll see the same reactions in Las Vegas as they had in California. Of course, this being Las Vegas, there is betting going on about the outcome of the trial. Anyone know the odds on a conviction?

Barack Obama is coming to Las Vegas

This Wednesday Barack Obama will be appearing at Cashmanfield. It will be a town hall type meeting, where voters can discuss issues with the Democratic nominee for president. Admission is free to the public, but campaign organizers recommend that you rsvp here.

For security reasons, bags, signs and banners are not permitted. Please limit your personal items.

To say this coming election is probably the most exciting one in recent history is an understatement. Cashman field seats about 9,000 people so you might want to come early.

Hard Rock and a Cool Place: Poker Lounge Opens

Filed under: Casinos, Star Spotting, Poker & Gambling

Hard Rock and a Cool Place: Poker Lounge Opens

Filed under: Casinos, Star Spotting, Poker & Gambling

Findlay Chevrolet opens community room for local groups at no cost

Findlay Chevrolet, the No. 1 GM dealer in Southern Nevada, has opened a “community room” for local groups in need of free meeting space. The room accommodates up to 50 people and is loaded with features that help organizations and groups of all types conduct successful meetings.

Features include a large white board, TV monitor with DVD player, maps, controlled lighting, and multiple power outlets. Findlay Chevrolet also has a soda fountain and coffee machine, plus supplies bottled water, all at no cost to the group or the attendees. The dealership also has plenty of parking and clean restrooms to ensure a comfortable experience for attending groups.

“We want to connect with our community, so what better way than to invite them into our home and give them something that they can’t otherwise get without opening their wallets,” said General Manager Justin Findlay. “If the money a local Little League saves on meeting space can be used towards balls or trophies, that’s a good thing.”

Homeowner’s associations, sports leagues, youth organizations, and clubs of all sorts, are examples of acceptable groups and all are expected to benefit from the community room. Findlay Chevrolet does reserve the right to turn down requests from groups that may present a conflict of interest for any reason. Groups are not allowed to sell anything on premise and alcohol is prohibited.

The room is available on a first-come, first-served basis during regular business hours and may be booked by calling 702-798-4000. Findlay Chevrolet is located at 6800 S. Torrey Pines, just south of 215 between South Rainbow and South Jones.

It’s Senior Year at the 4th Annual Vegas Prom

Filed under: Nightlife, Sexy Vegas, Event Finder

It’s Senior Year at the 4th Annual Vegas Prom

Filed under: Nightlife, Sexy Vegas, Event Finder

Rental scam on Craig’s List

These types of scams are hardly new. Scammers will 'rent' vacant homes to unsuspecting victims. Earlier this year, an alert was sent out to local Realtors to beware of rental scams.

Metro has arrested two individuals who allegedly rented a vacant home to an unsuspecting woman. One of the scammers claimed to be a real estate broker. The scam came to light when an absentee owner from California found his Las Vegas home occupied by a woman and her two kids. The woman had answered an ad placed on Craig's list several months ago. She met a woman named Melinda Hertz, signed a rental contract and paid the rent in cash.

The police set up a sting operation to catch the criminals. On Monday, the woman arranged to meet at a restaurant to pay rent. Afterwards, police investigators swooped in and arrested 26 year old Melissa Cowan and Emilio Gonzales, 53. Both individuals are facing criminal charges of conspiracy, burglary and obtaining money under false pretenses.