News and Events

Tule Springs

You can call it Floyd Lamb State park all they want, but it will still be Tule Springs to me. When I was growing up here, we used to have half-day school picnic trips to the park, which at that time was the only thing off the highway. You could find it by looking for the green spot in the desert. The State has been taking care of Tule Springs, but now that the City of Las Vegas is poised to take over, there’s no telling what might happen to the historic site. Rumors that the City will turn the rural-flavored park into a ball field have run rampant for years. At least the City is asking our opinion before the bull dozers arrive. Visit http://www.lasvegasopenspace.com/floydlamb_test.htm to give your opinion on what we should do with this piece of Las Vegas history.

State of Nevada’s web site on Tule Springs:
http://parks.nv.gov/fl.htm
Channel 8’s report:
http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5280081


Gilcrease Orchard

Not far from Tule Springs sits Gilcrease Orchard, a secret so well-kept that this native didn’t know about it until just a few years ago. (I did, however, meet my husband when I was volunteering at the Gilcrease Bird Preserve, also in the same area.) Encroaching development endangers the orchard (along with every other tract of land in Southern Nevada). I know progress is inevitable, but do we have to pave over everything?

Great article (with pics) about the Orchard:
http://www.meganedwards.com/Vegasland/Gilcrease-Orchard.htm

The recent Las Vegas Business Press Article on the orchard:
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2006/08/21/news/news02.txt

Little Red Rocks

To the west of Summerlin, a tiny clutch of red rocks and petroglyphs are partially hidden at the base of the mountains. For years, it was visited only by ATVers and vandals. Now the city is growing towards the area.

While I hope they can prevent the vandals from destroying the rock art (petroglyphs), I can’t say that I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen at the Valley of Fire and Red Rock itself. A couple of weeks ago my hubby and I took our son hiking at Red Rock. We remembered a cave we’d discovered years before, one full of petroglphys. We found the cave, along with all its defaced art. As my hubby’s aunt was fond of saying, “Fools and fools’ faces always appear in public places.”

To read more about the efforts to preserve Little Red Rocks: http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Sep-04-Mon-2006/news/9397611.html

Events and Programs

Yes, Las Vegas offers many things to do that don’t involve gambling! For instance:

UNLV Programs for 62+
http://seniorprograms.unlv.edu/

Desert Breeze Dog Daze of Summer
10 a.m. to noon, Saturday 09-09-06, at Desert Breeze Play Pool, 8275 W. Spring Mountain. No admission fee. Must be vaccinated and on a leash (the dogs, that is. I won’t speak for the owners).

Las Vegas Wash Green Up
Saturday Sept. 30, Noon – 4 p.m.
Call 822-8400 for more info

Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City
Train rides on weekends - thru Dec. 10. Call 486-5933

San Gennaro, Sept. 12, $6/$7
http://www.sangennarofeast.com/

Ballet Under the Stars
Sept. 9 at 8 p.m., The Hills Park amphitheater
Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets $15 – adults, $4 kids.
Call 243-2623 for more info.