Today's Features

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.

As this year draws to a close, those who want to take advantage of federal and state tax credits for the installation of a solar energy system on their 2009 tax returns need to act soon.

The term “weight training” might suggest a roomful of hard bodies in a gym working on building their six packs and puffing as they lift huge barbells.

Flip the scene to the Night Owl, where Karen Topping, an exercise instructor, stands in front of a bar counter on which a sound system pipes out “Duke of Earl,” “The Wanderer,” and other blasts from the past. It is almost reminiscent of sock hops of the ‘60s.

During the renovation of Don Cecilio Martinez Elementary School, kids were left without a playground, having to use the gym for recess.

But Principal Martha Johnsen last week announced a new playground area was  open. 

“We’ve been without a playground since December of last year when they separated us and filtered us into other schools. Even the remaining students couldn’t go outside, but I’ll tell you what, it was worth waiting for,” Johnsen said.

Physical education teacher Michael Nava agreed.