Today's Features

The dapper gentleman wearing a steel-gray ascot that matches his suit waits at his front door.

I fumble with my writing tools, exit the car and cross the street. Per his cachet of impeccable elegance, he kisses my hand in true gentlemanly fashion. I feel that “I have arrived.” I had looked forward to talking with this couple — the word was out that they are the essence of the true meaning of volunteerism.

There are a few vantages from which to view our current economic malaise.

Some see it as an isolated bump in the road that can be fixed by the gummint doling out largesse to Wall Street and other failed ventures.

Others, like myself, see  our current economic troubles as the first, spreading crack in an edifice on the verge of collapse.

Let me tell you why.

Students at Sierra Vista Elementary School found that a small gesture of kindness can create a lot of magic.

Teacher Tom Conklin spearheaded a schoolwide drive for UNICEF raising $416.50 for underprivileged kids in many countries. He said the donations help with vaccinations, food, clean water, blankets, school books and many other necessities.  

First-grader Amor Roybal said, “It made me feel good to collect money for the kids who are sick and don’t have any money or clothing.”

Carmen Baca teaches both American and British literature at West Las Vegas High School. And she has a clear favorite between the two.

“British literature. I’m more comfortable with it. I don’t know why,” she said. “American literature is dry.”

A Las Vegas native, Baca has spent her entire 32-year teaching career in the West district. She spent her first six years at Valley Junior High, but she moved on to the high school in 1983.