The Latest
The Deal
Going Underground
May 31st, 2012
There are a LOT of entertainers in this town. Some are working. Some are looking. Some just used to. Get a bunch of them together and you usually wind up with something strong. That’s the case every Monday night when the Tap House (5589 W. Charleston Ave.) hosts “The Vegas Underground.” Read more »
Dispatch
So You Want to Be a Tech Hub?
The successful startup community in Boulder, Colo., has some wisdom to share
May 31st, 2012
A successful tech community requires available talent, sufficient capital and an attractive lifestyle. But there are other, less tangible qualities that go into building a technology hub. One of the most recent success stories—hailed everywhere from The New York Times to Fox News as one of the country’s most favorable places for startups—is Boulder, Colo. The city held its Startup Week in May, and some of the ideas discussed not only tell the unique story of Boulder’s progress but offer insight that can help evolving hubs such as Las Vegas accelerate their progress. Read more »
Vegas Tech
Data Plans Testing Limits
May 31st, 2012
Mobile-phone customers who want to save money have figured out many ways to avoid charges for extra services. For instance, apps such as Google Voice can replace expensive text-message plans and allow unlimited messages. Read more »
Seven Questions
Thom Reilly
The ex-county manager on the public-employee compensation crisis, how to fix it and the one job he’ll never have
May 31st, 2012
During Thom Reilly’s tenure as Clark County’s CEO from 2001-06, local unemployment was low, spirits were high and government coffers were overflowing with cash. But as the economic train was cruising down the tracks, Reilly was the lone passenger who could see a red light at the end of the tunnel. In particular, he was alarmed by the way politicians, public managers and public-employee unions at the state and local levels were negotiating billion-dollar contracts that included, among other perks, pensions for life and endless retiree health benefits—without ever considering the need for a safety net in case the financial bubble burst. Read more »
Vegas Moment
Occupy Your Face
May 24th, 2012
Turns out the disgruntled barbers and the bearded contestants were in cahoots for a good cause, with Whiskerino entry fees going to the Elks Scholarship Fund to help local students. Read more »
Quizzing Education
Who really won in the recent teachers’ union arbitration?
May 24th, 2012
When does this experiment come to an end? Some 309,000 Clark County students, including my own kids, are counting on the community to make better decisions about their education. When we do, the heading on my website will say, “Arbitrator Rules in Favor of Kids.” Read more »
The Week
Unpacking Containerville
May 24th, 2012
Walking through the Fremont East entertainment district is pleasant up to a point. That point is located precisely at the southeast corner of Seventh and Fremont streets, where a trash-strewn asphalt lot provides empirical proof of just how far downtown Las Vegas has yet to go before we can even begin to call this neighborhood “gentrified.” Read more »
Philanthropy
Serving Up Opportunity
May 24th, 2012
Who says Las Vegas doesn’t take care of its own? Read more »
Reasoning
Five reasons North Las Vegans should worry …
May 24th, 2012
1. Your officials were expecting a budget deficit of “only” $15.5 million for fiscal year 2012-13. The actual figure is closer to $33 million. Read more »
