New kid in town

I should’ve posted something about this awhile back, but I was busy and it slipped my mind: As a consultant, I helped launch a weekly magazine – Vegas Seven. It’s slick, well-produced and covers a variety of subjects, including politics, sports, nightlife, food, fashion and business.

I’m no longer consulting for Seven, but I plan to write for the magazine occasionally. In fact, I have two stories in the latest issue: a CityCenter-related essay and a feature on Michael’s Used Books.

Vegas Seven is free and available at bookstores, libraries, grocery stores, etc., throughout the valley and at www.weeklyseven.com.

Scared straight?

If you read my book Beneath the Neon, you may remember Gary. I interviewed him in Chapter 7 – the Flood Drain – and he had some interesting things to say about being a meth cook, ghosts in the drains and the afterlife. He was also part of the panel discussion at the Arts Factory in July 2008, in affiliation with Brian Paco Alvarez’s exhibit based on the book.

Anyway, a few months after the panel discussion, Gary was caught stealing and sent to prison. He spent a year and a half in the joint and was released about a month ago. Back on the streets – and, once again, considering camping in the drains – he had a heart attack and was taken to UMC, where he had quintuple bypass surgery. Then he was released … with nowhere to go.

I picked up Gary outside of UMC and took him to his friend’s apartment, where he crashed on the couch for a few days. Then HELP of Southern Nevada, once again, came to the rescue. Currently, Gary is living in an apartment in south central Vegas, where he’s resting, recovering and showing signs that he wants to change his lifestyle. (Maybe the heart attack scared him straight?) He’s also getting food stamps, has registered as a felon and has proper ID. (A prison ID doesn’t get you far on the outside.)

So, besides prison, a heart attack, and quintuple bypass surgery, Gary is doing all right. Seriously, we’re hoping he can stay off the streets and the drugs and that he has a speedy recovery.

I’ll keep you updated.

More rain

More rain is in the forecast for Las Vegas this weekend. If you live in the tunnels or washes, or know someone who does, please help spread the word.

Flood follow-up

As forecasted by the National Weather Service, Las Vegas got bombed by rain this week – but as far as I know, no one in the tunnels was killed or seriously hurt. However, a lot of people lost their camps (beds, blankets, clothing, toiletries, photos of loved ones, etc.). They’ve been calling and texting me and Rich of HELP of Southern Nevada for assistance. Last I heard, HELP had placed two people in housing and was in process of assisting others.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Jan. 22 coverage of the flooding included some info about the outreach and the people living in the underground channels:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/las-vegas-valley-gets-record-rainfall-82352547.html

A hard rain’s a-gonna fall

Just got this National Weather Service statement, which I’ve edited, from the Clark County Regional Flood Control District:

“Several storm systems will affect the area next week. While the exact timing of these systems is still uncertain, it appears that at least four and possibly as many as five different systems will cross the area next week. The first system will affect the area as early as Sunday night and continue into Monday, before exiting on Tuesday morning.

“Although exact amounts from each system are uncertain at this time, rainfall totals in the Mojave Desert valleys are expected to be at least 1 to 2 inches, with some areas seeing at least 3 inches. It would not be out of the question for many areas to see a significant portion of their normal yearly rainfall within next week.

“The potentially high totals of precipitation could result in flooding, especially if too much rain falls too quickly. At this time, it is way too early to specify what areas could see flooding. However, the potential for flooding or other hydrological impacts will increase as the week progresses, once precipitation starts to fall and totals increase.”

So, if you live in the tunnels or washes, be prepared. Also, if you know someone who lives in the tunnels or washes, give them a heads-up.

These storms sound scary!

Christmas in the tunnels: Part III

The gift-giving in the tunnels went well. On Christmas Eve day, Rich from HELP of Southern Nevada and I went into three drains and ran into about 15 people. They seemed in good spirits and appreciative of the bags we handed out, which contained blankets, jackets, sweaters, knit caps, bottled water, disposable razors and other items. Later that day, Rick, who lives in a tunnel in south central Vegas, was wearing one of the sweaters, so I know some of the stuff was put to use.

Thanks to everyone who contributed: Andy, Kristyne, Sam, Mark and Tia. Special thanks to Tia’s mom Cyndi, aunt Penny and cousin Alex, who supplied the bags and many of the goods – some of them handmade.

Christmas in the tunnels follow-up

Still could use more bottled water, canned goods, disposable razors, knit caps, winter coats, flashlights and batteries to take into the tunnels. If you live in Las Vegas and can spare any of these things, please let me know. I plan to go into the tunnels later this week.