If you love culture, history and preservation, we urge you to read this and act:

SAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

ACT NOW

Attend the Legislative Hearing: Monday, April 6, 8 a.m.
To Remove the Department of Cultural Affairs from the Governor’s Cabinet and
make it a function of the Secretary of State’s Office

Dear Supporters of the Department of Cultural Affairs:

During this year’s Legislative Session, the Secretary of State submitted a bill to remove the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) from the Governor’s Cabinet and take over the four divisions of DCA as part of his many duties. The Bill is AB507 and proposes to:

· Eliminate the Department Director, a mission-directed, full-time advocate for culture in Nevada
· Eliminate the Department as an independent agency, dedicated to arts, culture, preservation, libraries and free access to government information
· Place the Department of Cultural Affairs in a politically elected office
We believe this is an imprudent move because:
· There is no current duplication of efforts between the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Secretary of State
· Cultural Affairs’ strong voice as an independent advocate for preservation, libraries, information management, arts and culture would be endangered
· The potential to jeopardize funding and advocacy for cultural programs could be created
· Creates questions about the ability to accept private donations during certain periods
· There is no clear precedent set by other states as a model to follow for this type of hybrid organization with all these types of divisions included
· The Department was created by a fundamental review of government and has been functioning without issue for more that 15 years which was reaffirmed in 2002
· No documented plan for fiscal saving has been identified

YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL
We ask for your support to insure that the Department of Cultural Affairs keeps a seat at the Cabinet Level. If you agree, please do one of the following:
Attend the ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS on Monday, April 6, 2009, 8 a.m. in Room 3137. Bills can be taken out of order.
If you can’t attend the hearing, please call or email members of the committee:

* Morse Arberry (Chair) - marberry@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8587
* Sheila Leslie (Vice Chair) - sleslie@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8845
* Barbara Buckley - bbuckley@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8537
* Marcus Conklin - mconklin@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8505
* Moises Denis - mdenis@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8583
* Joe Hogan - sanjoe@embarqmail.com, 775-684-8541
* Ellen Koivisto - ekoivisto@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8597
* Kathy McClain - kmcclain@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8835
* John Oceguera - joceguera@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8595
* Debbie Smith - dsmith@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8841
* Heidi Gansert - hgansert@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8837
* Tom Grady - tgrady@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8507
* Joseph P. (Joe) Hardy, M.D. - jhardy@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8857
* Pete Goicoechea - pgoicoechea@asm.state.nv.us, 775-684-8573

For more information about the activities of the Department of Cultural Affairs, please visit its website at www.NevadaCulture.org<http://www.NevadaCulture.org>

Thank you,
Friends of Libraries, Arts, Museums and Preservation efforts in Nevada

Local Mining Subject of History Discussion

Public Urged to Attend Free April 3 Event

Mining in Clark County is the focus of the next panel discussion about local history set for Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m.

The 90-minute roundtable discussion, called “Centennial Stories: Examining Our Past,” is free and includes an opportunity for those who attend the free event to ask questions of the panelists of pioneers and historians.

The event takes place in the County Government Center Commission Chambers, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, and is aired live and later replayed on Clark County Television (CCTV) Channel 4 and viewers are able to call in with questions. All Channel 4 programming also may be viewed live on the county Web site at www.accessclarkcounty.com.

The roundtable features Dr. Elizabeth Warren, a historian and historical consultant who specializes in the American West; Tony Worly, owner and operator of Eldorado Canyon’s Techatticup Mine; Donn Blake, underground miner in Goodsprings & Searchlight; and Gail Andress, long-time resident and miner in Eldorado Canyon. Moderating is county Museum Administrator Mark Hall-Patton.

Mining has played a huge role in Nevada’s history, even giving it the nickname “The Silver State.” The boom and bust nature of mining has left a ghost town legacy throughout the state. About the time of the northern Comstock discovery in 1859, gold was discovered in Eldorado Canyon, located south of Boulder City, in what was then part of New Mexico Territory. Even before that, in 1856, Mormon missionaries in Las Vegas were mining lead on Mt. Potosi, southwest of Las Vegas. By 1863, when the area was part of Arizona Territory, the largest producer in Eldorado Canyon, the Techatticup Mine, was up and running. A couple of years later in Eldorado Canyon, miners O.D. Gass, Nat Lewis and Louis Cole took over the abandoned Mormon Fort in Las Vegas valley and began growing crops to sell to nearby miners and travelers on the California trail.

At the turn of the century, gold and silver were discovered at the place that is now Searchlight. The gold caused a boom of several years, so that shortly before Clark County was created in 1909, Searchlight was a serious contender for the county seat. Although the boom faded, Searchlight hung in there and survived, although never again to return to the glory days. Goodsprings, located 35 miles south of Las Vegas, had

-more-

sporadic mining activity in the 19^th century. Then there was a boom in copper and zinc fueled by World War I.

With the end of the war, mining in Goodsprings went bust and never saw significant mining activity again. Though the early years of mining in Clark County involved precious metals, in the post-World War II era, new minerals became important. Gypsum, which had been mined as early as 1905, is now a major part of the mining industry locally, and gravel is now one of the most important mining products in Clark County.

“One of the goals of the county’s year-long commemoration of our centennial is to engage the community and celebrate our common heritage,” said Commission Chairman Rory Reid. “These monthly roundtables are a great way to do that.” 2009 marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Clark County, and the county is commemorating the event with a year of activities.

Discussions about Clark County’s history are set for every First Friday in 2009, except in July when the event will be held Wednesday, July 1.

Roundtable discussions slated for later in the year are May 1, “Architecture and Neon in Clark County”: June 5, “The History of the Strip: The Early Years”; July 1, a Wednesday, “The History of the Strip: Howard Hughes and Beyond”; August 7, “The Mob and Las Vegas”; Sept. 4, “Hispanics in Clark County”; Oct. 2, “Entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip”; Nov. 6, “Military History in Clark County”; and Dec. 4, “Marketing Las Vegas.” The discussions kicked off in February with a discussion of the history of segregation in Las Vegas. In March, the subject was the history of women in Clark County.

“I would hope that listeners willleave witha better understanding and greater appreciationof their community, bylearning from those who were there,” said Hall-Patton. “Hearing people tell their own stories, in their own words, is a wonderful and funway to learn, andaffirm, our history.”

Other centennial celebrations will include a touring history exhibit about rural Clark County, the grand opening of the Candlelight Wedding Chapel and a 1910 railroad cottage at the Clark County Museum, the release of “Asphalt Memories: A Dictionary of Clark County Street Names,” a book-length publication; the placement of historical markers, a Web-based history of Clark County commissioners, brochures, a mural at the Winchester Cultural Center, additional historical programming on Channel 4, and partnerships with the Clark County School District and the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

Clark County also has nominated the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign to the National Historic Register. The Strip is located in unincorporated Clark County and is not part of any city. The Centennial Web site also will feature historical information, events listing, trivia contest, link to a geocaching project and a section where residents can share their historical stories.

Clark County was officially formed on July 1, 1909, out of what had been Lincoln County and is named for railroad baron William Andrews Clark. The city of Las Vegas, which includes downtown and the area north of the Strip, was incorporated two years later in 1911. Those interested in additional information on Clark County’s Centennial celebrations can visit the Web site at www.accessclarkcounty.com/100 or call 455-8200.

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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction overthe world-famous Las Vegas Strip andcoveringan area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 15^th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to more than 2 million citizens and 44 million visitors a year. Included are the nation’s 7^th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. Thecountyalsoprovidesmunicipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to almost 900,000 residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development. In 2009, Clark County celebrates a “century of service.”

Bally's announced late this evening that they are closing their Sports Book until at least September, possibly until the beginning of October.   According to hotel spokesperson, Deanna Pettit, remodeling is NOT the reason.

Guests visiting the 285-seat sports book are being directed to the sports book inside the neighboring Paris Las Vegas resort.  That means they are closing the Sports Book just before the Final Four games and if they stay closed until Oct. 1st, they will miss the kick-off the NFL and NCAA seasons as well as Major League Baseball pennant races.  Then we also have to factor in the Kentucky Derby as well as the Indy 500 in May.  Is this due to the downturn in the economy affecting the Strip and/or is Harrah's in rougher shape than they want us to know?

Both Bally's and Paris Las Vegas are owned by Harrah's.

And in other Las Vegas news, developer Jim Rhodes who has developed Rhodes Ranch and other master planned communities around the valley filed for bankruptcy today. 

Developer James Rhodes tonight filed a petition for bankruptcy on behalf of many of his key businesses, including Rhodes Design and Development Corp., listing $100 million to $500 million in assets and liabilities in the same range.

The developer filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11, which allows the companies to continue operating while their finances are restructured.

Look for developments on both stories in the morning.

Last year, one of our most successful "Untold Stories" programs was on the history of Fremont Street.

On April 2nd, we will be have a new group of panelists covering More Fremont Street History because the history of the street is just too big to cover in one session.

I am working on putting a panel together. Paul Carson, who knows a great deal about the early history of Fremont Street will be on hand to talk about the history of the Railroad depots and the El Portal Theater.  Paul has found some great photos of the El Portal in his heyday and we will have those on display as well.

Joing Paul on the panel will be Joylin and Rick Vandenburg who had an apparel shop on Fremont Street and former musician Mark Massaglia who use to perform at the Fremont Hotel.

So check back for more updates.

One scheduling note:

Beginning April 2nd, "Untold Stories" will begin at 6:30 pm.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Admission is $12

The longest running show on the Las Vegas Strip came to an end last night.  We couldn't be there for the final evening but from what we here it was a rousing evening of entertainment as the curtain came down on the "Folies Bergere".  Former cast members, showgirls and specialty acts all came out to say farewell to the show that helped create the modern showgirl icon we all know so well.

Though we could not be there our good friend Mike Weatherford was and here is his story of the last evening of the "Folies":

The atmosphere onstage resembled a family reunion, albeit a family with lots of tall, glamorous women in heels.

It was the final performance of "Folies Bergere," and one that reached out beyond those who performed the last high-kicking cancan Saturday night to anyone who had been part of the show for its 49 years.

They came to say goodbye in style, from original cast members to recent hires, cheering wildly from the audience for each little bit of choreography by their younger counterparts. They were welcomed, if not into the actual performance, at least for a pre-show alumni photo and more pictures afterward on its storied Moulin Rouge set.

The curtain came down in style on the Parisian topless revue said to be the longest-running in America, one that was closing in on a Christmas day 50th anniversary when it got its pink slip two months ago. Tropicana executives decided not to reinvest in a new edition of the casino-owned revue, but they did not let their jewel go without one last chance to sparkle.

As the PA system beckoned "Folies family, come up" for a pre-show alumni photo, showgirls of all ages flowed onto the stage and packed the "golden staircase" so densely its lighted steps could no longer be seen. "Younger people up on top, please. There's a lot of us," they were coached.

"I felt so short," said comedian Russ Merlin, one of the many variety performers who worked as a specialty act over the years, after the reminder that height requirements for dancers were more stringent back in the old days.

And it was "like a big family," said Daniel Celario, half of the comedy team of Mario & Daniel (Celario), brothers who performed off and on from 1986 through 2000. "It was like going to work at the office with a lot of people you like," he said before the show, when an overhead video screen ran clips of their slapstick routine. He married a dancer, Elaine, who is now the Trop's entertainment director.

Comic juggler Michael Holly had the honor of being the last specialty act to complete a legacy that includes Lance Burton and Siegfried & Roy. "It's starting to hit me. It's a very odd feeling," he said before the show. "All the guys I know who were all the acts, they're all here."

"There's something about this show. It's the feeling we got backstage, the vibe and adrenalin with all the dancers," Daniel Celario said, that wasn't the same opening for laid-back headliners such as Kenny Rogers.

Even though the nightly production became routine, "A fast change is still a fast change," brother Mario noted. "These kids, that's why they work so hard."

"They should have put tissues on every table," said Stephanie Jaynes, an adagio dancer turned company manager who took a maternity leave in June and would have come back "if there was still a show to come back to."

"This is their high school. This is where they grew up, a lot of them," said Rob Galaway, a reminder that, yes, a lot of men danced in the show over the years as well.

"It was a great after-school job," says Vicki Pettersson, a Las Vegas novelist who saw the revue at age 14 and went on to dance in it from 1996 to 2006. "I was tall and grew up in Las Vegas, so instead of 'You should be a model,' it was, 'You should be a showgirl.'"

Bernice McCarthy was one of the original cast members hired by producer Lou Walters and flown in from Europe on a propeller jet. The English dancer was recruited in Milan and only knew Las Vegas was "a long way away."

McCarthy ended up being the lead cancan dancer, staying with the revue until 1967. "We knew everyone everywhere we went," she recalls.

"They used to fly our costumes in on transport planes from France," recalled Joyce Grayson, a 10-year-dancer.

Anita King helped dress the dancers and kept those costumes clean from 1972 to 1980. She helped the new girls adjust to 15- to 25-pound headpieces. "They were scary. The girls had to practice forever."

The "Folies" died of slow starvation over the years, as management and ownership changes stalled major reinvestment in the production that became more and more dated in the Cirque du Soleil era.

Original dancer McCarthy said she was more surprised that "it really lasted this long" than to find out it was closing. "It needed a face lift," she said.

"They nickel and dimed it to death," Pettersson agreed.

But on Saturday, it didn't take much imagination to see the "Folies" in the sheen of an earlier era.

Even Jerry Jackson, the show's director and choreographer since 1975, refused to let things get downbeat in his pre-show remarks when he thanked "all the thousands of performers who have entertained millions of people."

"As Tonto said to the Lone Ranger," the Oklahoma native told the audience, "Giddiup cowboy, it's time to get out of Dodge."

Thanks to Mike for letting us use this piece!