Obama’s advance team leaves Las Vegas neighborhood bemused

Most afternoons, the only sights and sounds in this working-class neighborhood on the eastern edge of the Las Vegas Valley are those of kids playing in the street.

On Friday afternoon, the streets were quiet but full of imposing men in black suits and people in business attire checking sight lines and engaging in intense conversations.

President Barack Obama plans to visit the neighborhood Monday, and a cadre of Secret Service agents, White House representatives and other officials were there to make sure the area was safe, secure and ready for its photo op and 15 minutes of fame. White House officials requested the details of the neighborhood not be divulged for security reasons.

Residents said they have no idea why the White House chose the neighborhood. There are a few houses for sale but nothing to suggest that it suffers more than most from Nevada's record foreclosures. If anything, the neighborhood is remarkably typical, like a movie set of suburban Las Vegas.

Gloria Sanchez, who has lived in the neighborhood for two years, said that most of the people in the homes are renters and that she and her husband moved here two years ago when they lost their home to foreclosure. Clark County assessor records indicate that the owners of many of the homes along the street the president plans to visit live out of state.

Donovan Frelow, relaxing on his front porch, said, "It's a wonderful opportunity, getting to see the president. That's kind of dope."

Some neighbors said they were told they would have to clear their vehicles from the street. The street and yards are unusually narrow, and many cars parked in driveways extend out into the street.

Juan Barbosa said that on Monday he plans to drive his large pick up to work while his wife moves their car out of the neighborhood.

"It's supposed to be a one-car garage," he said, laughing , "but I can't fit my truck in it."

Like many of the neighbors, he will be at work Monday and miss the president's visit. It's likely that by the time he gets home, he will return to a quiet neighborhood.