Very Vintage Vegas

SouthRidge Neighborhood Association Seeks Historic District Designation

June 30th, 2009 Categories: Historic Preservation, Southridge

I call all of the downtown neighborhoods historic. From my point of view, they are already. But that doesn’t mean they actually have true designation from the City.

One exception is within The John S. Park Neighborhood. The area between has official designation for the area between Charleston and Franklin, and 5^th place and 9^th Street.

John S. Park went thru the process several years ago. From it was developed a set of “guidelines” to help the neighbors maintain and protect the rich heritage of the area as well as the architectural integrity. They also created a walking tour brochure. Here is the John S. Park Historic District Walking Tour in PDF format. Take the tour sometime. It’s a very eye opening.

You’ll notice if you look at the tour that most of the homes in JSP Historic District were built before 1950. It’s just 1 more block south, below Franklin Avenue where you’ll break into a completely different type of architecture from post 1950. Welcome to Mid Century Modern. The modernism really starts with Franklin on the north.

And NOW, it’s Southridge’s turn. It’s the Mid Century Modern architecture that really defines the Southridge Neighborhood Association. The boundaries of Southridge are purely arbitrary. Oakey’s on the north, Sahara’s on the south, Maryland Parkway to the East and 6^th Street to the west. The neighborhood has several subdivisions, and 2 pockets of custom homes that have no subdivision name. You’ll find Alta Vista, Acres, Southridge, and Oakridge and Town & Country Estates subdivisions in the Southridge Neighborhood.

The Southridge Neighborhood Association has been awarded Historic Preservation Fund Grant money from the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. The funds are being used to “conduct the Phase I Historic Survey and Inventory of the Southridge Neighborhood”.

Yesterday I met up with crew who’s conducting the inventory and survey. Monday and Tuesday are being spent taking a picture of every property in Phase One of the survey. They’ll be writing descriptions, noting the details, INCLUDING obvious changes that have been made to the homes. The number of homes that have been significantly altered with 2^nd stories, rough stucco, popouts around windows, arches, mexican fences, and other components that are not Mid Century Modern will play a key role in determining whether the district will be eligible for Historic District designation.

The goal is to show that there’s a unified, cohesive district characterized by the architecture and the history. Courtney Mooney, the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Las Vegas is supervising the process.

Eventually, I’d love to see all of the neighborhood associations go thru the process. Beverly Green is starting it up now, and I hope John S. Park will continue with the rest of their neighborhood that’s south of Franklin Ave.

There is no legislation in the county allowing for Historic Districts. Nor is there an historic preservation office in the county. Chris G. is working on it, and we encourage her to get it passed. It’s especially important for Paradise Palms, Paradise Crest and Royal Crest Rancheros, which are all in the county and not in the city.

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day

June 30th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

Buy the house, and you can keep the baby.

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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TWO Las Vegas History Panel Discussions and Exhibits

June 28th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas History

Wednesday, and Thursday evening each have a panel discussion related to the History Of Las Vegas.

Wednesday, July 1 is the 100th anniversary of the formation of Clark County. Along with the whole year long celebration, there’s a special panel discussion and exhibit at the Clark County Government Center.

Reception is 5pm

Panel Discussion :The History of The Strip – Howard Hughes and Beyond

Thursday evening July 2nd is the next installment of the “UNTOLD STORIES” series that’s presented by Lynn Zook and Classic Las Vegas. This series is held at the Springs Preserve at 6:30pm.

July’s Untold Stories is going to look at those who help keep our history alive by collecting Las Vegas ephemera.  From postcards to menus to casino chips, these guys are helping to preserve a very vital piece of our collective memory.

It started as a small hobby that over the years has grown in size.  But without them, many of these pieces would be lost for good.

Please join us and panelists: Carey Burke, Robert Stoldal and others as we talk about the hows and whys of their collections and why those collections are so important.

There will be copies of “Las Vegas: 1905-1965″, the history book that Carey Burke and Lynn Zook wrote utilizing a great deal of his postcard collection, will be on sale before and after the panel.  Carey and Lynn will be happy to autograph copies.

Thursday, July 2^nd 6:30 pm Las Vegas Springs Preserve Desert Learning Center

Admission is $12

It should be a fun evening of history and the panelists are bringing items from their collections as well! We hope to see you there!

Speaking of Las Vegas History, as we do often, Vegas Judy sent me a link to a 1956 home video (shot in 8mm) of Las Vegas, narrated 50 years later by man who took it when he was a child. It’s worth 3 minutes of your time.

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Getting Ready For The Fourth Of July Weekend In Downtown Las Vegas

June 28th, 2009 Categories: Downtown Las Vegas

It seems like New Years Eve was just a few weeks ago, but here we are heading into the Fourth Of July. There’s plenty to do around Vintage Vegas. Lots of Art openings, First Friday, “Summer of ‘69”ing, “Red White and Boom” and so much more.

Thursday July 2:

First Friday Preview at most of the venues.

Marty Walsh’s TRIFECTA Gallery opens with “Ripper Jordan” in the Arts Factory

Opening Reception 6 to 9pm.

Brett Wesley Opening: John Bell, “The Elegant Universe” at NEWPORT LOFTS.

Tinoco’s Kitchen in The Vegas Club hosts a new showing by renowned artist Leslie Rowland. Opening reception is 5 to 7:30pm. Thursday July 2, Stay for dinner, or make sure to come back and use the coupon below. 

Chef Tinoco has created a discount for VeryVintageVegas readers. I mentioned it last week, but now there’s actually a coupon you can print for 15% off. Just click on it and print it out.

First Friday In The Downtown Las Vegas Arts District

First Friday again! Last month was the first time First Friday was done without closing off Casino Center. At first, that worried me. It turned out that I actually liked it better without the street fair. The response I heard was terrific. Everyone I talked to (except the under 18 – spiked hair crowd) thought it was much better. It was much more art oriented, much quieter – volume wise, more traffic to the actual galleries and restaurants. I think you’ll like the new feel of First Friday.

I forgot to put up the latest video of First Friday from the SinCityArtGroup, so I’m throwing it in here. Marty Walsh is interviewed.

There’s 2 new places you ought to visit this First Friday. They’re both right across Charleston from the Arts Factory.

Our friends  and downtown neighbors, Heidi and Peter have opened Las Vegas’ first eco-friendly flower, gallery and gift shop called Gaia. Last month was their grand opening, but if you missed it, as I did, you should definitely stop in and check it out. It’s not like any other flower shop you’ve ever been to. It’s at 4 E. Charleston at Main.

Next door to Gaia is Gary Siebel’s new gallery/workspace. He hasn’t named it yet, but he’s doing a grand opening on Friday. You might remember Gary as he’s the artist who did the “CityVan” (pictured). I’m not sure what else is going to be in his gallery, but he’s saved much of the buildings that were attached to the now defunct CityVan, and there’s a memorial to it on display.

Gary also took us up on our call for someone to host the “How To Be A Pinup Girl” class that’s being held July 9^th. Now we have a location at Gary’s yet to be named gallery at 8 E. Charleston. Here’s the official, newly created flyer for the event.

To register for the class, go to “go go Amy’s” website PrettyThingsProductions

If you’re really wanting to keep up to date on ALL the downtown art happenings, there’s no better place than the “Contemporary Art of Las Vegas” Facebook Group. Yes, you’ll have to be a FB member. You are on Facebook – Aren’t You? If you’re not one of MY facebook friends yet, please invite me.

Fremont Street Experience In Downtown Las Vegas

It’s still the “Summer of ‘69: Vegas or Bust”. The whole promotion has been a HUGE success so far. Fremont Street and all of Downtown Las Vegas is packed every night of the week, and this weekend is going to be extra special. It’s the “American Pie 4^th of July”  spectacular. There’s live music every night of the week, and this Friday, July 3^rd will be “Janis Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company”, and Saturday night’s headliner will be “The Grass Roots”. I did a separate blog post below this one with all the details for the entire weekend including the schedule for the VivaVision Shows.

Don’t forget to visit the Hippie Nation Gallery.

“Star Spangled Spectacular” Moves To The Springs Preserve

This year, Las Vegas’ favorite and most patriotic pops concert has a new home: the Springs Preserve! Join us on Saturday, July 4 for “Star Spangled Spectacular” as we celebrate the birth of our nation with a fun and rousing line-up of patriotic music performed by the Las Vegas Philharmonic, under the direction of Conductor David Itkin. The concert will culminate with a light show finale.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. in our beautiful outdoor amphitheater. Tickets are limited and available for purchase online and at the Preserve box office. There are three ticket levels offered:

VIP Package – $82.50 per person
Includes pre-concert VIP reception in the ORIGEN Rotunda with complimentary gourmet hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine service, and an exclusive tabled seating area in the amphitheater. VIP tickets are extremely limited. Please call (702) 822-7705 to reserve yours now.

Amphitheater Seating – $27.50 per person
Includes assigned concert seating within the Springs Preserve amphitheater and access to on-grounds food and beverage concession stations.

Grounds Pass – $17.50 per person
Includes non-seated access to the concert venue amid standing cocktail tables, as well as the balcony at the Springs Cafe by Wolfgang Puck, and access to food and beverage concession stations.

Springs Preserve annual passholders receive a discount of $7.50 off VIP or reserved amphitheater seating. Children 12 and under receive $7.50 off amphitheater seating or grounds pass (cannot be combined with passholder discount). VIP and Amphitheater seat assignments will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 6 p.m. on July 4. Please bring your printed ticket with you.

To purchase your tickets now, click on the “Buy Tickets” button and then click the “General Admission” button in the pop-up window. “Star Spangled Spectacular” tickets can be found toward the bottom of the ticket list.

Comedy Club To Open In Downtown Las Vegas

The Four Queens Hotel & Casino is pleased to have entered into an agreement with the Joaquin Trujillo to bring some of the best and brightest comics to downtown Las Vegas.  The Four Queens’ L.A. Comedy Club will operate in the Canyon Club venue starting July 1.  Shows will run Wednesday through Sunday, with new comics appearing each week.  There will be one show on Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 p.m., and two shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m It opens at the 4 Queens starting July 1. Shows are Wednesday to Sunday in the Canyon Club Show Room.

Las Vegas Fireworks Displays

As she does every year, Lynn Zook At Classic Las Vegas has up to the minute reporting on all the fireworks displays for Las Vegas.

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Fremont Street Experience’s “Summer of ’69: Vegas or Bust” Presents An “American Pie 4th of July”

June 28th, 2009 Categories: Fremont Street Experience

LAS VEGAS – June 22, 2009 – Fremont Street Experience presents the second annual “American Pie 4th of July” celebration with major headlining entertainment Janis Joplin’s Original Band Big Brother & The Holding Company on Friday, July 3 and The Grass Roots on Saturday, July 4.
 
The festivities kick off Friday, July 3 as “American Pie 4th of July” commemorates Independence Day weekend from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 and highlights Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision show, “Don McLean’s American Pie.” Headline concerts will feature Janis Joplin’s Original Band Big Brother & The Holding Company on Friday, July 3 and The Grass Roots on Saturday, July 4. The weekend-long event will also showcase a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy, in addition to “Signs of Life,” the official Viva Vision show by Official Artist of Summer of ’69, John Van Hamersveld. Various downtown hotel-casinos will also be offering outdoor patios, selling Fourth of July barbeque favorites.
 
The Grass Roots are known as one of the greatest rock bands of all time, as they charted between 1966 and 1975 as the brainchild group of songwriting duo P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. Throughout their career, The Grass Roots have achieved one platinum album, two gold albums and charted singles a total of twenty-nine times. Between 1967 and 1972, The Grass Roots set a record for being on the Billboard charts for 307 straight weeks. They are one of only nine bands that have charted twenty-nine or more Top 100 Billboard single, in addition to selling over thirty million records worldwide. The band also holds the all time U.S. attendance record for a concert consisting of only one act, their show for 600,000 people on July 4, 1982 in Washington D.C. Since the disbanding of the original group in 1975, early member Rob Grill and a new lineup of The Grass Roots continue to play live shows each year.
 
Janis Joplin’s Big Brother & The Holding Company is the definition of a true American rock band. The group formed in San Francisco in 1965 as part of the same psychedelic music scene that produced the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Jefferson Airplane and are best known as the band that featured Janis Joplin as their lead singer. Their 1968 album, Cheap Thrills, is considered one of the masterpieces of the psychedelic sound of San Francisco, having reached Number One on the Billboard Charts and was ranked number 338 in Rolling Stone’s The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.
 
The entertainment schedule is as follows:

Read the rest of this entry »

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Fun Features Found In Foreclosures

June 28th, 2009 Categories: Fun Features Found In Foreclosures

One of my favorite neighborhoods is Rancho Park. It’s in the NE corner of Rancho and Alta. There’s only one way in off of Rancho at the stop light opposite Rancho Circle.

All the homes in the neighborhood are on 1/3 acre lots(+-). Primarily, they’re “ranch modern”.

This one is a bank owned home. It’s got it’s problems, due to some unprofessional amateur remodelling, but you wouldn’t know it was the same home I photographed if you were to only look at the MLS Pictures.

The entire back of the house is the infamous Mid Mod wall of glass. The brick island fireplace breaks up the space without ruining it.

It’s definately a party house when someone gets in there to finish it up.

Here’s the rest of the master bath room that isn’t in the MLS pictures.

Priced at 200k, for 2500 sf on a 1/3 acre.

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day

June 28th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

If it was a close up to go along with a picture of the whole house, it wouldn’t qualify. But since it’s the ONLY picture in the listing……

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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The Cheapest Home For Sale In Las Vegas – A Tale Of Two Kitchens

June 27th, 2009 Categories: Market Conditions

Everyone says they’re looking for a bargain. How does 11 dollars a square foot sound. I was joking around a few months ago when we started seeing 25. a square foot homes in fabulous neighborhoods – “They can’t go to zero – OR CAN THEY?) I’d think that 11/sf in a not so good neighborhood would be comparable to a home in the same condition in a much better neighborhood. Am I wrong?

The 11 dollar per square foot one is a $35,000 for 3168 sf near Bonanza and Maryland Parkway. Every room is torn up like this. The neighborhood is NOT one that I’m routinely promoting.

I’m sure some appraiser will use it as a comp for a 3000 foot house that’s been loved and cared for in one of the historic neighborhoods.

There seems to be an epidemic of lazy, stupid appraisers making stupid illogical assumptions. New appraisal rules are causing even more problems and are taking longer to give us even LESS accurate assessments of value.

Appraisers are supposed to know the difference between Oakey/Maryland Parkway and Bonanza/Maryland Parkway. The new appraisal rule are allowing appraisers to NOT EVEN GO TO THE PROPERTY!

They’re supposed to know the difference between the kitchen above……

and this one. (yes, I know it’s real 80’s, but it’s perfectly livable and functional, and doesn’t look bad at all for being what it is).

Yet the island kitchen with the subzero fridge is in a house that’s only listed for 25. a square foot. And it’s in one of the better neighborhoods in Vintage Vegas.

I’m not blogging which house this one is, because I’ve already written offers for 2 buyers, and there’s probably 25 offers on it since it was listed on Thursday.

This is the only kitchen picture in the MLS. I often wonder if they listing agents deliberately sabotage the listings to justify their ridiculous sales prices. I think showing an island, subzero fridge etc. might cause the house to be attractive to a lot more buyers. Instead, they just go for the ridiculous price to get the buyers out.

(If you want to be notified of listings like this the minute they hit the market, all you have to do is save your search in our MLS finder, or make an appointment with me and I’ll set you up on an auto program to notify you.)

Here’s another picture I took of the kitchen from the same spot the agent was standing. Between the 3 shots, I think someone could get a better feel for what the kitchen was like. I think if the Asset Manager (the guy in the cubicle at the bank with the 800 files stacked in the corner) had been given a true picture of the property, he wouldn’t have listed it at 25. per square foot.

I know they just wanted to generate multiple offers, but since there’s a shortage of nice livable (not fixer-upper, not shortsale) houses for sale in the Historic Neighborhoods –  I think he’d have gotten the same kind of response if it was listed at twice that amount.

Most everything that’s closing these days is closing at above – or way above the list price.

The multitude of buyers out their looking are willing to pay more. Now we have to get the appraiser and the banks to go along with the true market conditions.

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day

June 27th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

I’m not even going to ask. Neither should you.

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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Andre’s Restaurant Furnishings and Memorabilia To Be Auctioned

June 25th, 2009 Categories: Downtown Las Vegas, Las Vegas History

Preview (all items): Thursday, June 25th 10am to 5pm
First Auction Date: Friday, June 26th at 10am – Land, Building, Restaurant Equipment
Second Auction Date: Saturday, June 27th at 10am – Memorabilia

401 S. 6^th Street.

There’s tons of pictures on the auction website. I’m going over around 1pm.

(thanks for the reminder – Smiley)

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Speaking Of “Time Capsules”, “Decor Warps” And Retro

June 25th, 2009 Categories: Mid Century Modern

Most of the folks that are looking for Mid Century Modern homes, are also looking to furnish them “retro”. Our friend Pam Kueber, is the queen of Mid Mod Blogs at RetroRenovation. She got quoted in a fun article in the New York Times this morning about “Time Capsule Homes”.

The part of the article where Pam’s quoted:

Identifying exactly when a home became stuck is easier. “Pink-tile bathrooms, Dishmaster faucets, colors like aquamarine and sunbeam yellow — all very 1950s,” said Pam Kueber, who runs retrorenovation.com, a Web site devoted to midcentury design. Shag carpet and avocado appliances indicate the ’70s. Lava rock and ultrasuede? As ’80s as a Rubik’s Cube.

Ms. Kueber posts midcentury time capsules on her site, with photos provided by readers, often taken from real estate listings. In many cases, she said, the homes were occupied by elderly couples who were immensely proud of them. “I think the owners of these homes were tremendously invested in them emotionally, as well as financially,” she said. “They came from an era where a house was very hard won.”

As a rule, she said, the homes were well cared for, and the belief was “Why change something if it’s not worn out?” (read the whole NYT’s Article – “Time Capsule Homes”)

That’s one of the reasons we tend to cherish the “pink bathrooms”. Of course, Save the Pink Bathroom is just symbolic for all the great Mid Mod colors. Why do one over as Retro When the original colorful tile work is in great shape? Often I see such a mishmosh of eras in the Vintage homes of Las Vegas. The kitchen was remodeled in the 70’s, the bathrooms in the 80’s. The floorings were changed and mismatched room by room. I’ll take a period time capsule any day over a mixing of decor trends.

It’s funny that when I started in Real Estate in 1990 we used the word dated to describe the colorful kitchens and baths of the Mid Mod Era. Now we use the terms retro and vintage. What’s dated now are the horrible 70’s and 80’s cultured marbles, earthtones, and the ubiquitous beige on beige on beige. For an amusing look at the difference between retro, vintage and antique, we can turn again to a “vintage 2008” post that Pam did on the subject.

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My Weekend In LA – Part One

June 25th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

Let’s start with the most fun thing – The Griffith Park Carousel

It was Harry’s birthday. That was a third of the reason I went this last weekend. We’ve been friends for 30 years. He’s the oldest “kid” I ever met.  He spends his life playing with vintage cars, Edison Phonographs, marionettes, and toys of every shape and size and era.

We took him to ride the carousel for his 100th or so time. It was my first time on one since I was a little kid.

I’m recommending everyone ride a Merry-Go-Round every now and then.

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Worst MLS Photo Of The Day

June 25th, 2009 Categories: Worst MLS Photo

Just in case you weren’t sure that there’d be enough parking……

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURES AT ALL!

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HOW TO BE A PIN UP GIRL

June 24th, 2009 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

Well, this looks like fun!

Besides a travelling Burlesque and Sideshow, they stop in various towns along the way and give classes in vintage make-up, hair and clothing, and do photo shoots of the students as pin-up girls.

Amy needs a place to hold her class on July 9^th. I know one of you has a very cool retro living room, or an art gallery, or a something that would make a great setting for the photo shoot and class.

All the pictures are from past classes.

Amy tells more, and asks us for help.

Hi UncleJack,
     My name is go-go Amy and I teach a class on vintage pin up modeling called HOW TO BE A PIN UP GIRL. We have taught this class all over the world and are looking to have one in Las Vegas on July 9. We are looking for a location. Usually the class is from 2pm-8pm but we are flexible on time. In the beginning of class we teach our students how to do vintage hair and make up then we get them all dolled up and we do pin up photo shoots with them. If you have a cute space that would make a good background that would be great. If you would like any more information on the class please visit our website www.prettythingsproductions.com or feel free to ask me.

Please let me know if you would be interested in working with us on this event so I can get to work promoting it.

Thanks so much for your time,
go-go Amy

If you’ve got a space, or have a suggestion, please email her at [email protected]

www.prettythingsproductions.com
www.myspace.com/prettythingspeepshow
www.twitter.com/prettythingsps
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pretty-Things-Productions/34243079395

Even though they they’re only doing the class here, I think you’ll get a kick out of the vids that are on her website from past performances of the the PrettyThingsPeepShow.

I used to spin a good yo-yo when I was a kid, but now I know I was kidding myself. Check out the best Yo-Yo act I’ve ever seen.

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New Downtown Aerial Gallery Banners On Las Vegas Boulevard

June 24th, 2009 Categories: ART, Downtown Las Vegas

A series of 24 hand-painted images by Dennis Angel, entitled “Desert Transplants,” now is displayed for public enjoyment in the city of Las Vegas Aerial Gallery downtown on Las Vegas Boulevard. The Aerial Gallery is a public art “streetscape enhancement” project designed to bring more visibility to the arts downtown. The project features a mile-long banner display on six poles along the median of Las Vegas Boulevard from Charleston Boulevard north to Stewart Avenue. Streetlights on the poles illuminate the three-foot-by-eight-foot banners at night.

Commissioned by the Las Vegas Arts Commission, the works feature flowering desert plants. The banners are unstretched military tent canvas, painted with high-quality, outdoor acrylic paint that is resistant to fading and ultraviolet light. The current banners are scheduled to remain on display through January 2010. 

Angel moved to Southern Nevada in 1991, and currently is a professor at the College of Southern Nevada. He maintains a studio in downtown Las Vegas and specializes in original mixed media paintings. His works have been featured in more than 200 exhibitions and acquired for private, public and corporate collections throughout the United States. Angel earned his Master of Fine Arts degree at Indiana University and his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Oklahoma.
Now in its ninth year, the Aerial Gallery has exhibited works of many local artists who are part of the Las Vegas Arts Commission’s Artist Registry and who have been involved in working in the downtown arts neighborhoods. To see some of the images online, go to www.lvartscommission.com/projects/aerial-gallery-2009. For more information on Dennis Angel, visit his Web site at www.dennisangelstudio.com. For more information about the Aerial Gallery, please call (702) 229-5256

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