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Downtown Las Vegas news from Nevada's most reliable source. Read about breaking news and the latest updates in DTLV at reviewjournal.com.

Amboy offers a look at history and ancient lava crater

For some reason doubtless buried in our prehistoric past, most humans find volcanos interesting, as long as they’re not spewing molten rock and poison gas. If you’d like to visit one that has behaved itself for about 10,000 years but still shows the interesting geologic features acquired in its flaming youth, Amboy Crater makes a fine day trip this time of year. The temperature will be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the same day in Las Vegas, and the route I suggest will take you through the Mojave National Preserve, an agreeable place in early winter.

Sequoia a perfect long-weekend getaway

By most definitions, giant sequoias are the largest trees on Earth, and they will surely inspire awe in anyone fortunate enough to see them. And because they grow within a long weekend’s journey of Southern Nevada, you can be among the fortunate. But if you intend to do that this summer, it’s best to plan now, for this kind of trip will be most pleasant if you make reservations, allowing time to incorporate other activities.

Flower bloom determines pruning time

Question: I would like to cut back some cassia, Texas ranger and Rosemary plants that have grown too large. When is the best time to do so?

Take a trip to the South Rim for great winter views

A New Year’s resolution you can carry out is to visit one of the nearby national parks with which our region is so richly blessed. One of the best for winter months is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

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Suffering plum may have second chance

Question: My purple plum has branches that are dying on one side of the tree. The leaves are all brown and crunchy while the other side seems healthy. Please help.

The loneliest golf course in the world exists in Pioche

It’s early Thursday morning, and I’m on the loneliest highway in America heading toward Ely. Earlier in the week, I played golf in the boonies, in Mesquite, Hawthorne and Fallon. Today, it’s the White Pine Golf Course in Ely. Stick with me as I drive this loneliest Highway 50 to Ely, some 255 miles away, for a great story.

Rio Secco in Henderson a classic Las Vegas course

There are a lot of reasons why I love playing golf in Las Vegas, the latest being the recent round I played at Rio Secco Golf Club, 2851 Grand Hills Ave., Henderson. I say this because the folks at Rio Secco have managed to include everything I love about Vegas into their golf club.

Compost better than rock dust as desert soil supplement

Rock dust is used in organic agriculture to replenish minerals that have been removed from the soils when growing and removing vegetables and fruit. I tend to favor the addition of compost to our vegetable gardens since our soils are so low in organic matter and its derivatives.