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Traffic Signal Installation Fast-Tracked for Dangerous Intersection
 
When Peggy Tejido stepped into the crosswalk at Wigwam Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard there was obvious emotion--her fight to make that intersection more safe had finally come to fruition with the help of Commissioner Steve Sisolak.
Tejido had been advocating a stoplight be placed at the busy intersection for months. The light was planned, but not for another six months, until Sisolak contacted Public Works and made the light a priority.
At the ceremony activating the light, Sisolak presented Tejido with a proclamation thanking her for her involvement. She also had the honor of flipping the switch.
The new traffic light is expected to increase public safety in the area.
"Public safety is our utmost concern and even the loss of one life is one too many," Commissioner Steve Sisolak said. "We have Peggy Tejido to thank for her vigilance in raising awareness about public safety."
Prior to the installation of the traffic signal, the intersection was a marked crosswalk with flashing yellow lights. Public Works officials fast-tracked the installation of the red light to place stricter control on traffic in the area.
Work to construct the $191,000 traffic signal began April 6 by Clark County's Department of Public Works and its contactor, Fast Trac Electric.
Sisolak Opposes Sloan Canyon Open Pit Mine at Forum
Donning a T-shirt with the words "Sloan Hills Gravel Pit" crossed out, Commissioner Steve Sisolak spoke to a group of citizens about the fight to oppose the mine.
Sisolak was joined by Congresswoman Dina Titus and several other officials at Independence Center's Freedom Hall in Anthem City last month to discuss the 640-acre mining operation located off of Interstate 15 about five miles southwest of that community.
About 400 residents showed up, many of whom have been busy gathering 4,000 signatures for a petition opposing the mine. Many residents worry that the rock excavation operation will cause property values to plummet, and the associated dust, noise and explosives will bring health problems and create an unwanted nuisance.
The Bureau of Land Management was also on hand to explain their environmental impact statement process, which is currently underway on the project. The report could be finished as late as November of this year. In the meantime, residents vow they will continue their opposition.
Fifth-Grader Wins Graffiti Bus Contest
From Left to Right, Commissioner Susan Brager, Pamela Torres, Commissioner Steve Sisolak
Fifth-grader Pamela Torres of Ruby Thomas Elementary watched agape as a 40-ft bus from the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) rolled up wrapped in her artwork.
Torres had come up with the winning design in an annual poster contest aimed at educating local children on the importance of creating a graffiti-free community. Her visual message will travel the RTC routes for one year to promote the anti-graffiti message. She also received a $150 gift certificate from Veolia Transportation.
The RTC has teamed up again with the Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department D.A.R.E. and anti-graffiti units, Vector Media Las Vegas and Veolia Transportation to host the poster contest. Sixteen local elementary schools participated in this year’s contest with 182 entries. The entries were narrowed down to 10 and the community was able to vote on their favorite.
Four additional posters were also honored and will be displayed in various RTC transit vehicles courtesy of Vector Media.
The Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition was formed in 1997 to reduce graffiti vandalism. The coalition meets regularly to discuss methods of reducing graffiti through education, enforcement and eradication.
Renovated Boys & Girls Club Reopens
Congresswoman Dina Titus stands up to speak while Commissioner Steve Sisolak(lower right) looks on
The new 18,000-square foot John C. Kish Boys & Girls Club opened to much fanfare last month, with Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, Congresswoman Dina Titus and Commissioner Steve Sisolak in attendance, among others.
The newly renovated facility on 401 Drake Street features a gym, cafeteria, arts center and separate areas for teens and youngsters.
New Moapa Valley Senior Center Opens
County Commissioner Steve Sisolak attended the opening of the new Moapa Valley Senior Center last month, located on the lot at 325 Cooper St., next door to the Overton Community Center.
Construction on the new 10,000-square foot facility replaced the community’s existing senior center at 475 S. Moapa Valley Blvd. in Overton. United Seniors Inc., which now operates the existing senior center, will continue to coordinate programs and activities at the new facility. Amenities at the new center will include a computer room, game room, classes for pottery and ceramics, and various recreation activities, including yoga.
“The new facility is a welcomed addition for seniors to enjoy a broader range of services and activities,” Sisolak said. "I hope this will bring a better quality of life for the seniors in this area for years to come."
Centennial Day Set for May 23 at County Museum
The Clark County Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Hwy., Henderson, will celebrate County Centennial Day on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with activities for the whole family. Admission is free on that day.
Demonstrators will show how to make horse hair-braided ropes, churn butter, plant a victory garden, quilt, and many other skills from earlier in the century. A craft tent and a games tent will feature old time activities, including make-and-take craft projects. Allstar Snacks will be on site with hamburgers, hotdogs, other sandwiches, snacks and drinks available for purchase.
A new exhibit of a hand-made model train display will open at 10 a.m. This display, the work of master carpenter Norman “Gus” Gardiner, will be in the 1931 Union Pacific Boulder City Depot. The Museum Guild will offer free popcorn, also in the Depot.
The Model T and Model A Ford clubs will display some of their restored historic cars. The Model T, also known as the “Tin Lizzie” or the “Flivver,” was manufactured from 1908 through 1927, while the larger Model A was produced from 1927 to 1931.
Authors Lynn Zook and Carey Burke will autograph copies of their new book, which will be available for purchase. Called “Las Vegas: 1905-1965,” the book is part of the Postcard History Series published by Arcadia Press.
The museum’s exhibit, “Clark County: A Destination’s History,” is featured in the changing gallery in the main exhibit hall. The county’s past 100 years is told in photographs, artifacts and text, taking the visitor on a journey that explains all the people who have come to Clark County to visit or to live.
The houses on Heritage Street will be open for self-guided tours. Each of the restored houses has been moved to the Museum and painstakingly restored to reflect a particular decade period in history and a certain area of southern Nevada. The exhibit, called “Mobile America,” contains a small motor court cabin and an Airstream Trailer from the 1930s. The Print Shop, the only reconstructed building on Heritage Street, contains historic printing equipment.
Visitors will have an opportunity to see the progress on the ongoing restoration of the museum’s two newest acquisitions, the Candlelight Wedding Chapel and the 1911 railroad cottage. The Wedding Chapel, moved from just north of the Riviera, is slated to open on November 14 with a gala celebration.
The museum’s gift shop, which will be open, features a wide variety of Native American art, historic toys, books and jewelry. Visitors who make a purchase that day will receive a complimentary Clark County Centennial pin.
Clark County was officially formed on July 1, 1909, out of the southern half of 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.
Clark County Park Events
Clark County's Department of Parks and Recreation has plenty of things going on around town. To find out what is happening in your area, click here.
District A Map
Click on the map below for a more detailed view:
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