Feb. 16, 2023

Join me tonight at Tenaya Creek Brewery to have a conversation!

Las Vegas Arts & Culture Summit

This is an event happening at the World Market Center today designed to bring creators together to enhance the city’s goals to be a resource for Las Vegas artists, whether through our artist registry, or being able to assist in bringing additional experiences to the city. Our city has grown into such an eclectic and artistic community, and we want to continue to support that growth.

The 44th Annual 

Mid-Day Inspirational Showcase and Luncheon

A special thank you to Cassandra Lewis, recreation coordinator at Doolittle Active Adult Center, for planning this annual Black History Month event.

City Council Ceremonial

The mayor and Las Vegas City Council recognized Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, yesterday during ceremonials for their community service to residents.

The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Las Vegas Alumni Chapter, in partnership with their Diamond Foundation, sponsors the "Shop with a Kappa Program," founded by Rod O'Neal, which occurs annually in December to provide Christmas gifts to families in need. Terrance West, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated Las Vegas Alumni Chapter President, accepted the proclamation.

Watch the latest "Access City Council" to learn what is going on in fabulous Ward 5.

Derek Dominique

Concerts In The Park Feb. 18 and March 18

The city of Las Vegas is sponsoring free outdoor concerts this spring, featuring a variety of music and entertainers. The public is invited to enjoy these first Saturday afternoon performances Feb. 18 and March 18, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Historic Westside Legacy Park, 1600 Mount Mariah Drive. The Historic Westside Legacy Park is a partnership involving the city of Las Vegas and Clark County. Bring low-back chairs or blankets to be more comfortable. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.ArtsLasVegas.org or call 702.229.ARTS (2787).

Concert in the Park Feb. 18 — Derek Dominique

Composer/singer/songwriter Derek Dominique accidentally ended up in Las Vegas by way of Houston. He has released new music, made some intriguing videos, written poetic tracks for other musicians, represented Las Vegas in a Super Bowl commercial, and scored a 2021 film soundtrack on Netflix. Listen to some of his music here. 

Kiara Musik

Concert in the Park March 18 — Kiara Musik

Kiara is a singer, composer and producer who has been performing since she was 10 years old. She has performed in musical theater productions at venues such as The Smith Center of Performing Arts and also has done solo performances all over America, accompanying herself on piano or guitar. Kiara was featured on season 17 of “The Voice,” where she was coached by Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson, finishing in the top 32. She has written songs that have reached millions of viewers on TV shows, such as “Love Island,” “The Today Show” and “The Voice.” Kiara loves to share her art with the world and hopes to provide a fun and memorable experience for all who are watching. 

City of Las Vegas News

City of Las Vegas Neighborhood Partners Fund Program Offers Matching Grants to Neighborhood Associations

The annual Neighborhood Partners Fund (NPF) application process has begun, offering registered city of Las Vegas neighborhood associations the opportunity to apply for a maximum of $5,000 to help improve the quality of their neighborhoods. There is $80,000 available for neighborhood grants this year. The NPF, a real “do-it-yourself” program for neighborhoods, allows the city to support citizen creativity, empowerment, and responsibility. Applications are open now; the deadline for pre-application submission is Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The deadline for application submission is Sunday, April 30, 2023.

Community gardens, senior citizen safety programs, murals, or other proposals related to community improvement are types of neighborhood improvement projects that may qualify under this grant. The program requires neighborhood associations to match the city’s grant with cash, volunteer time, or in-kind services and goods donated to the project. Projects are required to take place within city limits and neighborhood boundaries as well as include direct resident involvement in all phases of the projects.

Detailed NPF grant requirements are available under “Neighborhood Partners Fund” on the city website at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Residents/Grants. Applicants will use ZoomGrants to submit their applications. No paper applications will be accepted. The grant workshops are over, but assistance is still available by calling 702.229.2346. 

After the submission deadline, applications will be reviewed for basic requirements and eligibility. The applications will be further evaluated by the NPF Board, whose members are appointed by the City Council. All applicants will be required to make a five-minute presentation of their projects to the NPF Board and respond to questions. Funding recommendations from the NPF Board on these projects will be presented to the City Council for final approval at the July 19, 2023, City Council meeting. Residents with questions can call 702-229-2346 or email NPF@LasVegasNevada.gov.

Artist Opportunities Are Open

The city of Las Vegas often offers opportunities for artists to qualify to be hired to create public artworks, whether two or three-dimensional. Projects are open now, including the Casino Center Pocket Park Public Art Project. Go to http://artsregistrylas.vegas/ to see the opportunities and sign up for notifications for public art opportunities and gallery opportunities.

Submit Your 2023 Helldorado Days Parade Entry Application Now

Commission For The Las Vegas Centennial Offers $1,500 For Quality School Entries

The Helldorado Days Parade (formerly known as the Las Vegas Days Parade), an annual event celebrating our diverse city and its history, is accepting applications from the community to participate in the 2023 parade, scheduled for Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. The application deadline is April 30, 2023, and applications may be made online at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Helldorado. There is no fee to enter the parade, which will take place on Fourth Street downtown between Gass and Stewart avenues.

This parade was historically known as Helldorado Days before changing to Las Vegas Days several years ago. Now the event returns to its roots as the Helldorado Days Parade, celebrating the city’s founding in 1905, its western history and diversity.

The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial is offering $1,000 for local school marching band entries and $1,500 for quality local school float entries, limit of two parade entries per school. There is space for a total of 100 entries. A committee will judge the entries during the parade and prizes will be awarded, including $500 for the best marching band and $500 for the best historic Las Vegas-themed float.

“The Helldorado Days Parade is back and bigger than ever, and everyone is invited to participate and enjoy this citywide event,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said. “From the marching bands to the beautiful horses and the floats, this parade celebrates our heritage, and is something that everyone can enjoy.”

May 15 is the 118^th anniversary of the land auction in 1905, which marks the beginning of Las Vegas. This parade was created in 1935. For more information on the Helldorado Days Parade, call 702.229.4859.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Computer Basics for Seniors

Feb. 21, March 7, March 21 and April 4; 10 to 11 a.m.

Free and open to the public.

Strong Future Technology Training Center, 330 W. Washington Ave.

Learn basic computer skills in a friendly and welcoming classroom environment. Include any specific computer skills lesson requests upon calling/emailing to register. 

Advance registration required; space is limited. To reserve your seat, please call 702.236.2114 or email cboring@lasvegasnevada.gov.

Local Black History Month Moment 

In 1971, when Ruby Duncan faces the stigma and harassment of a fraud-obsessed and broken system, she ignites “Mother Power,” mobilizing a welfare rights group to march down The Strip demanding dignity, justice, democratic participation and an adequate income.

She started a movement that drew national attention and attracted Hollywood celebrities like Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden. Based on the book ‘Storming Caesars Palace: How Black Mothers Fought Their Own War on Poverty’ by Annelise Orleck, the film challenges the pernicious lie of the black ‘welfare queen’ and highlights the visionary leadership of low-income grassroots organizers whose courage, tenacity, and dreams could not be quashed, against all odds.

The book has been revised and updated to accompany the PBS broadcast. Make It Work Nevada and Vegas PBS, Channel 10, will be hosting a movie screening:

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Clark County West Las Vegas Library Theater

951 W. Lake Mead Blvd

5 to 8:30 p.m.

Eventbrite ticket information is below.

Super Bowl LVIII

is coming to Las Vegas in 2024!

The Super Bowl LVIII Business Connect program is a partnership between the National Football League and the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee. The program works to connect experienced, event-ready, Las Vegas businesses with opportunities to compete for contracts related to Super Bowl LVIII. For more information about eligibility, visit here.

HUNDRED PLAN IN ACTION NEWS & UPDATES

Celebrating 2022 Achievements, Planning for 2023!

This past year brought significant progress towards implementing the HUNDRED Plan in Action for the Historic Westside, and set the stage for more progress in 2023.

Some 2022 accomplishments include:

• Jackson Avenue Complete Streets Project Groundbreaking - A $6.5 million project to widen sidewalks, increase pedestrian safety, and add street lights, trees and landscaping.
• Historic Westside Urban Farm Delivered to James Gay III Park - The urban agriculture farming containers will provide fresh food to local residents.
• D Street Properties Mixed-Use Development Project Approved - A $40 million, 84-unit mixed-income housing development featuring a ground-floor business incubator.
• African American Museum and Cultural Arts Center Master Plan Contract Approved - The master plan will fully develop the approach for the museum and cultural arts center.
• Agreement With Vertical Harvest to Explore Vertical Urban Agriculture in James Gay III Park - Vertical Harvest is a large-scale urban agriculture developer exploring vertical farming potentially supported by other uses, including housing.
• Engagement with Jackson Avenue Property Owners - Individual work with property owners is helping them to imagine the possibilities for their properties to be developed as part of the overall effort to bring Jackson Avenue back to life as the Historic Westside's main street.
• EDA Grant awarded to support Chef Jeff Culinary Training Program for Youth - The program will support youth and young adults by providing workforce development opportunities centered around culinary skills.
• Marble Manor Redesign Underway, led by the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority and Supported by a Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant - The project will see the eventual replacement of existing affordable housing units and increased density along with parks and public amenities.
• Completion of Design for the West Las Vegas Workforce Training Center - The $15 million center is partially funded by a U.S. EDA grant and will provide education and job training in advanced manufacturing, health care, technology and construction trades, supported by wrap-around services.
• West Las Vegas Wellness Center Design Completed - The center will be located on Jackson Avenue and D Street and serve as both a holistic health center and primary care facility, as well as offering specialty services and dental. 
• Funding Committed for the Expansion of Mario's Westside Market From the city of Las Vegas and ARPA funds - This grocery store in the Historic Westside will expand, after receiving $1 million in funding. Mario’s has been a staple to the community for more than 20 years.
• Land Purchased for the New West Las Vegas Library, and City Purchase of Old West Las Vegas Library - The new campus will cover 5.25 acres and more than double the square footage of the library; the existing library will remain open during construction.
• Historic Westside Mural Project launched, led by artist Chase McCurdy and funded by the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE - This $250,000 mural project includes the installation of four large-scale murals throughout the Historic Westside.
• New workforce training and development facilities completed at the Historic Westside School, including the Workforce Development Hub, the College of Southern Nevada Wet Lab and the Dialysis Training Center - The projects collectively are helping to transform the Historic Westside School into a comprehensive workforce development facility.
• Arts Commission Funding Awarded to Honor James Gay III as part of the reimagining of James Gay III Park - The artwork concepts are yet to be developed but will honor the namesake of the park.
• Holiday Lighting and Banners Added to Martin L. King Jr. Boulevard - Councilman Crear and sponsor Cox Communications introduced festive holiday lighting and banners to the Historic Westside, bringing light and color to the neighborhood for the holidays.

Coming up in 2023:

• Historic Westside Design Center Grand Opening - Situated in the Historic Westside School, this will be a community space to share information about the Historic Westside's history and its future.
• Historic Westside Urban Farm Ribbon-Cutting - Operations and growing will be fully functional with the first crop likely to be harvested in spring 2023.
• African American Museum & Cultural Arts Center Master Plan Completed - The master plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2023, at which time work will begin to realize the vision for the museum.
• Mario’s Market Renovations Completed - Doors are expected to open to the expanded and renovated market in summer 2023.
• Historic Westside Co-Op Market Architecture Completed - The co-op will be situated in James Gay III Park, adjacent to the urban agriculture facilities.
• Jackson Avenue Complete Streets Improvements Ribbon-Cutting – The renovation of the historic street will be completed in summer 2023.
• Lake Mead and Owens Avenue/Harrison Avenue Complete Streets Design Complete - The design will pave the way for significant investments in the streets aligned with the look of Jackson Avenue.
• Completion of Inventory of Historic Westside Building Stock and Nomination of Building(s) to National Register of Historic Places - This work, funded by a National Park Service grant, allows us to better understand the history of the buildings in the Historic Westside, and make every effort to preserve those with historic relevance.
• Single/Multi-Family Housing Projects on City-Owned Land Begins - The city has begun the process to select development partners to build housing on several parcels of land throughout the neighborhood. It is anticipated that 70+ single and multi-family housing units will result.
• Small Business Support Program Launched - The program will help small businesses navigate the process of setting up shop in the Historic Westside.
• Exploration of Renaming of Streets in the Historic Westside with the Community - This effort, identified in the HUNDRED Plan, will include significant community engagement.
• Chef Jeff Culinary Training Academy Opens - The academy will have both a fixed location at the Historic Westside School, as well as mobile facilities.
• Grant Submitted to U.S. Economic Development Administration to Support Jackson Avenue Redevelopment - The city of Las Vegas will be submitting a grant for funding to support Jackson Avenue property owners in the redevelopment of the street.
• Completion of ACCED (wireless) Network for all of the Historic Westside - The network provides free wireless access for education and workforce training.
• Application to NVEnergy to bring Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Community Solar to the Historic Westside - Sustainability investments will be a focus as the community begins to see other reinvestment.

To review the HUNDRED Plan in Action, visit here.

Animal Protection Services - 702.229.6444

City Marshals -  702.229.6444

Customer Care Center - 702.229.CARE (2273)

Graffiti/Code Enforcement - 702.229.6615

Park Maintenance - 702.229.6571

Parking -  702.229.6432

Republic Services - 702.735.5151

Sewer Billing - 702.229.1289

Street Sweeping - 702.229.6227