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Local Las Vegas

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

 
George the skateboarding bulldog builds skills, fame

Three years ago, almost to the day, this column featured a purebred English bulldog named George who, at the canine ageof 2, was drawing rave notices for his skateboarding exploits from many of his Summerlin neighbors.

Northern Nevada adventure never disappoints

With the arrival of warm weather and school almost out, this is the time to think about a summer visit to the cooler climates of Northern Nevada. One of the most stunning areas you can visit lies just east of Elko: the Ruby Mountains.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park in a class of its own

Nevada is home to 23 state parks, the majority with only one unique feature. But Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is in a class of its own, as it features not only a well-preserved historic mining town but also remains of the ancient ichthyosaur (pronounced ICK-thee-o-saur), our state fossil.

THE LATEST
New book shares stories of unheralded figures in black history

After grad school, Joel Christian Gill did a series of paintings that he says “freed” him from the racism that his father and grandfather endured. But something was missing. That’s when he turned to comics to tell stories of “obscure black history.”

If bees don’t get to flowers, plums can’t form properly

Question: I have two Santa Rosa plum trees planted in my backyard. One is planted in a lawn, and the other is in a rock landscape. Both are doing well with numerous large plums growing on them. The one in the lawn area has about 25 percent small yellow plums that fall off when I flick them or shake the branches. The remainder of the larger plums look great.

Leave room on the kids’ bookshelf for ‘One Room Schools’

Imagine wading to school in snow that’s waist-high and having to build a fire when you got there. Imagine going outside to go to the bathroom, no matter what the weather. And then read “One Room Schools” by Susan Apps-Bodilly.

Pluot gumming can be from borers, sunburn

Question: We planted a pluot this past spring along with four peach trees of different varieties. The pluot just started oozing sap or gumming on the lower truck.

Understanding handicap system, course rating is rocket science

I recently spoke with Eric Yaillen, the executive director of the Southern Nevada Golf Association. The topics of our conversation have been the USGA handicap system, how to establish a course rating and what the heck a slope measures.

Some cactus fruit must be eaten with caution

Question: I would love to plant op-a-la-ah (not sure of spelling) cactus, the kind that looks like Mickey Mouse ears and grows red cactus pears, also known as prickly pears. Several of my neighbors have them. The problem is the tiny stickers on the fruit. I have heard that there is a variety that does not have stickers. Please advise me what they are called.

Rim-to-rim canyon hike a peak experience

Of all the ways one could see the Grand Canyon, one of the very best is to hike across it, rim to rim. It is a tough physical hike, and the logistics are complicated, as you need to get camping permits in advance and arrange transportation from the destination rim back to the trailhead where you presumably left your vehicle.

Pecans too big, water intensive for desert

Question: We want to plant a pecan tree. Would you please recommend one for Las Vegas? If we plant one, can we cut it way back and keep it small like we did our other fruit trees?