UPDATE ON: WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING PAHRUMP

This past Summer (2015) brought a new hotel to Pahrump. A Holiday Inn Express on Highway 160 close to town center and next to the Gold Town Casino has opened! I'm told the prices are almost double what the Nugget charges, but a quick check of their booking website reveals the prices are only slightly higher. The hotel is new, clean and comes with all the latest amenities one can find in a modern day place to stay, such as high-speed WiFi, HDTV's and Keurig-style coffee pots in every room. So, if new and clean is more your style and you don't mind paying a little extra for it, then this is the place to stay!

WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING PAHRUMP

The holidays are over and I finally have a couple weeks break before the Spring semester starts. Last semester went great, including my Technical Writing class. The final project for the class was an investigative report and the subject I chose was about where to stay when visiting Pahrump.

Whether a visitor is seeking a quiet, out-of-the-way bed and breakfast, a standard motel in the center of town or an RV park to “camp out”, Pahrump has the solutions for everyone.

Best Western Pahrump Station
The Best Western Pahrump Station features the motel basics anyone can find across the USA. According to Manager Laraine Russo Harper, a room here includes free Wi-Fi, a microwave in-room, a Jacuzzi and a free hot breakfast served between 6am to 9am at the Draft Picks Sports Bar and Restaurant next door. Laraine also says they’re “pet friendly” and have “beautiful grounds” to walk around. Rates range between $85 per night Sunday through Wednesday and $95 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Best Western Pahrump Station is located in the center of town, within walking distance to all the major casinos and shopping locations.

Saddle West Hotel & Casino and RV Park
Saddle West is also located in the center of town and boasts a motel with competitive rates, according to Customer Service Representative Amanda. She also says Saddle West “has a beautiful courtyard with a swimming pool and a friendly staff”. Rooms also include free Wi-Fi, and run for $67 to $77 per night, depending on the night(s) selected. The motel is attached to one of Pahrump’s bigger casinos with the Silver Spur restaurant that serves a daily buffet in addition to regular menu items. Saddle West also has an 80-space RV Park with full hookups, showers, cable TV, a laundromat and 24 hour security. Rates for RV spaces are only $25 per night and Accessible RV spaces are also available.

Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Casino
The Pahrump Nugget Hotel is a two-story hotel with rooms accessed via an indoor hallway. Once checked in, a visitor wouldn’t have to go outside for anything. The Pahrump Nugget features the casino, an indoor 26-lane bowling alley, a private poker room, large sports book with live betting, a bingo room with sessions that run on every odd hour from 9am through 7pm, a coffee-shop style café, a Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and the best value for dining in all of Pahrump at the Gold Miner’s Buffet where visitors can dine two-for-one (with a free players card) for under $13. Room rates for standard rooms run from $70 to $80 per night, depending on the night of the week. The hotel staff was not interested in providing any details when I explained why I was asking and they put me on hold until I decided to hang up about 5 minutes later. General Manager Jeremy Jenson would not return my calls.

The K7 Bed & Breakfast and International Buffet
K7 is located down on the South side of town, away from all that is noisy. This is the place for a quiet, out-of-the-way stay but still within a short drive of the central part of town. Rooms here feature a hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Non-smoking rooms are available and the motel is attached to their International Buffet, with food featured from several cuisines nightly, including pizza, except Monday and Tuesday. Owner Raja Gangadharan says the rates for rooms range from $70 to $80 per night, depending on the night. There are also master suites available at weekly rates, according to Raja. Raja also explains that they have a large, open courtyard to lounge in when the weather is nice. The K7 is located just off the main highway that leads to Las Vegas, for anyone who wants to make a convenient drive to the city.

Lakeside RV Resort
Also on the South side of Pahrump is the Lakeside RV Resort, featuring 159 full service hookup sites that surround a seven-acre lake. The RV Resort website boasts a “Good Sam’s 10-10-10 star rating and is ranked the #2 RV Park in North America” (although I tried, I could not independently verify this claim). The RV Resort also features concrete patios, 3 comfort stations/laundry rooms, a 24/7 casino and bar and the Lakeside Café and Buffet located on property. Amenities include a heated swimming pool and hot tub, kayaks, pedal boats, fishing, Frisbee golf, ping-pong and horseshoes. Rates run between $30 per night up through $50 per night, depending on the night of the week and the type of RV unit (motor home, trailer, truck with camper, tent, etc).

Wherever a visitor decides to stay in Pahrump, there is a variety of options to choose from. If someone is interested in an upscale hotel environment, the Pahrump Nugget would suit best (if the less-than-helpful staff isn't a problem), however someone who’s looking for the more traditional motel experience can choose between the Best Western Pahrump Station and the Saddle West. For those looking for a more private stay with quick access to the highway leading to Las Vegas, then the K7 Bed & Breakfast would be the best choice and for those seeking the RV/campground experience the recommendation would go to the Lakeside RV Resort.

JUST HOW MANY PIZZA PLACES DO WE NEED???

When I first moved to Pahrump, there was a Round Table Pizza restaurant here. I didn't get the opportunity to try their pizza because they closed before I got around to them. There also used to be a great pizza place on the West end of town called "Charleston Pizza". One of my friends used to be a delivery driver for them. Their pizza was really good but apparently they couldn't keep up with the competition in town. Another pizza place that was short-lived here in Pahrump was Mafia Mike's. I tried their pizza once, but was unimpressed.

It seems a lot of pizza places come and go in Pahrump, some not lasting more than just a few months. I guess that's why I struggle to understand why so many people open new pizza restaurants here. There's already a lot of successful pizza places in Pahrump, why does anyone think they can compete with that? Pizza is one of those food items that people find a place they like and then they only buy their pizza from that place.

When I was growing up in Northern California, I briefly worked for a place called Coliseum Pizza. The restaurant was owned and operated by an Italian from Sicily and served the best New York style pizza I'd ever had, until recently. I've since traveled the world and I've had all kinds of pizza and I'd never found anything that came close to the pizza I got from Coliseum. They've changed owners several times over the years and I'm told the pizza is nothing like it used to be. Unfortunate.

In September 2011, I went to New York for a wedding and spent a week on Long Island. I'd been told for years that New York pizza, in New York, is the best in the world but I've always scoffed at that, since I'd been all around the world and tried pizza from nearly every continent and had never found anything that would compete with the pizza I grew up with at Coliseum. Then I tried pizza from a small chain called "Mario's" and that made me a true believer in New York pizza. It was almost exactly like the pizza I remember from Coliseum in California.

Ok, so back here to Pahrump. Domino's and Papa John's probably have the largest market share of customers here and they serve up some pretty good pizza, for national chain stores. I prefer Papa John's over Domino's but mostly because I like the flavor and they have great prices, not to mention a rewards club. There's also a Papa Murphy's (Take 'n' Bake) here, across the highway from Albertson's, which is a twist on the take-out pizza concept in that they prepare the pizza but they don't cook it. You buy it, take it home and bake it in your own oven. The prices are much better this way and you always get hot, fresh-out-the-oven pizza (because it's out of your oven), not cold and stale from the drive home. I particularly like this concept because, since it's not cooked in the restaurant but rather prepared for you to bring home and cook, it qualifies under the food stamp program. So even those who struggle financially and have to rely on food stamps can enjoy restaurant quality pizza occasionally.

Nicco's Pizza, on Postal Rd a block from the post office, is a great little Italian bistro and their pizza is really good. They're a bit pricey though, so I don't go there very often but I plan to visit them again soon. Carmelo's Italian Bistro serves up a very tasty New York style pizza, but if you haven't read my previous review about that restaurant, you might want to take a look before choosing them for your pizza date. A new place opened up recently called Big Dick's Pizza who's motto is "bigger is better", the third pizza restaurant to open at the Gamebird / Pahrump Valley Blvd location. I know from my own experience making pizza, that bigger is not always better. A 16-inch pie is about as big as you can get without losing quality rapidly due to overcooked crust area versus a terribly undercooked inner and that's the biggest problem with BD's pizza, who's larger pizza sizes are 18-inches and 24-inches. Their prices are quite a bit more than I like to pay for pizza although they do have some innovative topping combinations. I tried their pizza again for lunch at this year's Fall Festival, and was not impressed in the least.

On the South end of town is the K7 Pizza, bar and now bed & breakfast, on Hafen Rd. They've been reported to have opened a new buffet and they have plans to open an internet cafe with home-roasted coffees. I've always liked K7 Pizza and I do recommend it if you're down this way. I'll be visiting them again very soon so I can write a review about all the new stuff they're offering now, look for that post coming before Christmas.

Now Pizza Hut is advertising they'll be opening a take-out location at Pahrump Valley Blvd and Highway 372, across from the Big-O Tires. It's been years since I had a Pizza Hut pizza but I remember the style being more a dry, doughy pizza rather than the more popular wet, New York style. I'll give them a try when they open and report my likes/dislikes here, but I'm not anticipating an impressive pizza (even though many of my friends swear by Pizza Hut's quality).

There are a couple other, small pizza outlets here in Pahrump but I haven't taken the opportunity to try them, either because they're way up on the North end of town or they've had less-than-impressive reviews from other people I know that appreciate great pizza.

Do you have a favorite pizza restaurant in Pahrump you'd like to mention? What's been your experience about the places I've written about? Feel free to post your comments and let me know what you think! Click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this post and tell me. Your comment(s) will be visible once I've approved it/them. =:^)

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN (AN UPDATE TO EATING CHEAP)

You might have noticed that I didn't mention the Silver Spur Cafe at the Saddle West Casino in my previous post about eating on the cheap in Pahrump. The reason is simple, I hadn't eaten there in a couple of years. The last time I'd gone in there, I was told the wait would be about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, I was told it would be an additional 30 minutes. This was a bit disturbing and so I inquired why there would be such a long wait and also, why were people coming in after me being seated before me? Apparently, if you're a VIP card holder (because you play slots nearly 24/7) you get to go to the front of the line, and on this particular evening there were lots of VIP club members coming in to eat. So my next obvious question was, "So it's possible that, if VIP club members kept coming in, I might not get a table at all?" and the answer was "Yes".

That was a huge turn-off for me because, I'd eaten there a few times in the weeks leading up to this particular evening and the food was not all that great and certainly not worth waiting hours for while others got to go right in. In addition, the VIP club members were using POINTS to pay for their meals. Ok, so they spend real money at the slot machines and then eat for free, ahead of everyone else while I don't play slots at all but pay for my meals with real money. It was "no more Saddle West" for me. Until last week.

Some friends of mine, who happen to be VIP club members, told me that I was missing out because the food and variety had improved considerably, as did the service. They told me that I should eat there and write an update to my previous post because I would be pleasantly surprised, and they were willing to put out the dime, so-to-speak (they used points to get me a free-meal-for-two).

Apparently I wasn't the only soul in this town that was put off by the Saddle's VIP stance and at some point during the past couple of years that I had been avoiding them, they changed their policy again. Ok, so reluctantly I went for my "free" dinner-for-two, on a Friday night, and I was immediately impressed. I didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes for a table and the staff was far more courteous than I had ever experienced at that restaurant before.

The food was also great, albeit with just a few exceptions. The buffet was stocked well with a lot more variety than I remembered from long ago and was kept stocked quickly. Just a few items made the meal: the New England Clam Chowder was exceptional, the cold crab legs were pre-sliced (making it easy to enjoy) and were very tasty, and the cold shrimp was also delicious. They also had Calamari on the buffet but it was terribly over-cooked and basically tasted like leather shoe laces had been dipped in batter and deep-fried. The "Hush-Puppies" (corn-meal balls) were hard, cold and dry.

Overall, the experience was actually very good, with the majority of buffet items worthy of the praise they were striving for and the staff showing us that, even though we weren't VIP club members, we were important (they didn't know I was going to be paying with a VIP coupon).

I'll be adding them back to my list of places to eat-on-the-cheap here in Pahrump, at least until they insult me again.

I also visited my favorite sports-bar this week, Keoki's Wings N Things, and again, I have to say this place is awesome. A couple of beers and a delicious appetizer, their version of a quesadilla stuffed with chicken, cheese, olives, green onions and sliced tomatoes, and a dozen phenomenal, boneless wings all for under $35 including the tip.

I revisited the Tropical Smoothie Cafe a couple of times this week, wanting to give them the benefit of the doubt since my previous review was based on an opening day visit. First, I tried one of their breakfast wraps, the All American Wrap consisting of eggs, ham, bacon, & American cheese in a toasted Flour tortilla. This exceeded my expectations for any breakfast wrap, anywhere, for under $4. It was stuffed full with the ingredients, it was hot and it was delicious. I visited again, on an afternoon, and tried their King Caesar Wrap, with chicken, Parmesan, tomatoes, Romaine and Caesar dressing in a toasted garlic herb tortilla. This was also stuffed full of ingredients, including the chicken, and was also delicious. The staff was very courteous and served my orders quickly. The smoothie was good also, discounted when purchased with a wrap or sandwich. =:^)

YOU CAN EAT ON THE CHEAP; OR NOT

There are a lot of places to eat in Pahrump and some of those are very affordable, which helps a lot in this economy. No matter what your budget is, if you want to get out to dinner here, there is a place for you.

The Gold Miner's Buffet at the Pahrump Nugget Casino is probably the best deal in town with their 2-for-1 deal Saturday through Thursday each week. Two adults can eat for under $12 making it the best value I've seen anywhere, in a long time. The food isn't bad either, with prime rib on the carving station nearly every night and some "themed" entrees (Mexican, Italian, Asian, etc) for each night of the week. Friday is their seafood night but they don't offer the 2-for-1 on Friday and the price per person is considerably higher, though they serve hot and cold crab along with tasty shrimp, among other items you'd expect on a seafood buffet. Saturday and Sunday mornings offer a breakfast buffet for under $10 and if all you want is to "eat-out" with the family-from-out-of-town then it's a good deal.

The Nugget also has a coffee shop, The Golden Harvest Cafe, but with a limited new menu and slightly higher prices coming into the late Summer than they had back in the Spring. I used to love going in for the Breakfast Special for under $4.00 on Saturday mornings but that's no longer available and now the equivalent meal is called "Eggs Your Way" priced at $5.49 (still a great value). For dinner, however, I'm unimpressed. The food is mediocre at best and will cost a couple around-about $40+. There are far better choices for dinner in Pahrump in that price-range.

Not wanting to leave out any dining class here, the Nugget also boasts a fine-dining steak house in Stockman's Steakhouse, with some nights featuring local talent on the piano. The steaks are pretty good and the service is nice and the experience nearly worth the $80-$100 check for a couple out for a nice evening, but there are far better options for date-night in Pahrump in that price range.

The company that owns the Pahrump Nugget, Golden Gaming, recently bought two other Pahrump casino's from the Terrible's organization, naming them Gold Town Casino (across the street from the Nugget) and Lakeside Casino and RV Resort (on the South end of town). Both of these casinos also offer buffets but the variety leave a lot to be desired and the prices are not even close to competitive to the Nugget. The few times I've eaten at the restaurants at either of these casinos, I've opted for menu items instead of the buffet and I've not been disappointed in the quality or volume of food on the plate for the price. A couple can dine at one of these for under $30 and be "satisfied" they had a decent dinner.

Denny's came to Pahrump a couple years ago and, while I've been suspicious that they wouldn't stick around due to the economy, I'm surprised to see they're still here. I haven't been there for breakfast, yet, however their dinner's are decent for the price. A couple out can expect to pay $30 to $50 depending on what's ordered. I've been in there some nights and had a great experience and other nights swearing I'll never go back, so getting a tasty meal without incident is a roll-of-the-dice. Of course, if you like to gamble...

If you like the "Italian experience" then Carmelo's Italian Bistro could be the choice for you. While being family owned and operated, however, there is a clearly visible power-struggle going on that seriously detracts from having an enjoyable experience (you can even see the power struggle on Facebook, where they have TWO pages instead of the usual ONE. Certainly no organization in this place). The chef (Carmelo Blundo) is insistent that quality is most important and strives to put out good food (he really IS a great chef), but the younger generation that controls the operation is more interested in the $$ part of the business and it significantly hurts the quality aspect of the restaurant. Too bad, too, because the food really is great. If they'd just get the crappy service and cheap accessories out of the place and serve bigger portions, they'd have a winner. Despite advertising $10 to $30, expect to pay $40 to $50 for a night out with your date, and not worth it.

If you prefer an Asian experience at a great price, I have to recommend the China Wok buffet. Tucked behind our Walmart, on Dahlia St, is this wonderful little restaurant that serves really great food and a couple can dine there for under $25. I eat there 2 or 3 times per month and enjoy it every time. The staff is very friendly and keep on their toes to make sure you have what you need. Family owned and operated, this place has it going on. They've certainly got the business sense to be successful in Pahrump and you won't be disappointed.

Keoki's Wings N Things is a local sports bar and restaurant that knows how to please customers. Located on Loop Rd, across from the new Goodwill location (used to be Floyd's Ace Hardware), the food is excellent and they don't skimp on quantity. You can have a really enjoyable dinner and watch the game (whatever game that happens to be the night you're there) and get out under $50 having filled up on an appetizer, plate of wings and your favorite beer (or wine). I've been in there a few times already and love it. They serve a variety of options for your wings as well as a number of different menu items for those who don't care for wings (really, though, who doesn't like wings?). The service is wonderful and it also shows. They take great care of their customers and earn their tips. If you're looking for a great dinner on a non-formal date-night, this is the place.

Pahrump is an up-and-coming community with new stores/restaurants popping up frequently with most not lasting even 6 months because the owner's didn't know about this town's quirky nature. For example, the Yoshi Sushi cafe on highway 160 across the from the Saddle West. The sushi was good, but the prices were far more than the typical Pahrumpian was willing to pay for the quantity of food served. The owner boasted of having a very successful sushi restaurant in Manhattan and decided the slower pace of a small town was more likable than retiring altogether. Seriously, though, any smart entrepreneur would have researched the community before trying such a disastrous idea here. Quizno's was in that location for about a year before Yoshi's and they decided to pull out due to lack of sales. Heck, if Quizno's can't survive, what makes Yoshi think he can? Now in that location is Gem's BBQ, having relocated from the Calvada / PV Blvd crossing. Unfortunately, they might not last either since they also skimp on portions and charge a high price. Their food is good and they have the opportunity to succeed but I don't see it happening at the prices and portions they have now.

Speaking of new places opening here with seemingly clueless owner's, the new Tropical Smoothie Cafe just opened yesterday on Highway 372, across from the KFC, with much fanfare and hype. While the fanfare and hype are OK, they also thought it was necessary to offer free smoothies for their first 24 hours. I'm not complaining about getting a free smoothie, but realistically, when a new place opens here in Pahrump, the last thing you need to do is give anything away. Everyone in town will visit you on opening day and a smart restaurant owner/manager would certainly know that if they knew anything about this town. They were totally overrun for the entire day and I'm surprised the teenage staff members were still smiling after 4pm. I got their "Rockin' Raspberry" low-fat smoothie which I thoroughly enjoyed while my friend got the "Hawaiian Breeze" low-fat smoothie that she said had a "chemical aftertaste to it, perhaps from the machines still being new". I didn't want to try it. I also ordered some sandwiches, since it would be irresponsible of me to review the place without trying the food. My friend ordered the "Baja Chicken" flatbread, which looked pretty good for the price, under $5. I ordered the "Wasabi Caesar Roast Beef" sandwich and was very disappointed in that it cost $7 and didn't look anything like the picture (see below). It had hardly any roast beef in it, but tasted good otherwise. This TSC will be a great place for a smoothie, they also serve "supercharged" (energetic) versions, at a good price but won't be on my list of places to visit for lunch or dinner again.

What I ordered: What I got: <

Finally, for those of you interested in a fine dining experience to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or just to impress your date, there are two fantastic places here I highly recommend:

The Symphony's Restaurant at the Pahrump Winery is a classy restaurant that I would expect to pay a lot more than I have for dinner. The food is phenomenal and the service impeccable but the prices are reasonable for the experience. Hidden away just up the hill on Winery Rd on the South side of town, this place is the perfect place if you want to take your date out for an elegant dining experience. The wine is awesome, as well, as should be expected. Dinner for two, with wine and an appetizer will run $80 to $100 before tipping but you can't complain about the price when you consider how great the food and service are and you won't regret it. I also had my Thanksgiving dinner there last year (and plan to go there again this year) and I was pleasantly surprised to find it actually cost LESS than a normal night out. The special dinner for two was less than $80 and featured a five-course meal with wine. Make your reservations early, though, since seating is limited and the place is popular.

You wouldn't know that the Ohjah Japanese Steakhouse and Hibachi restaurant was a chain store, since they make your dining experience unique and enjoyable. I've been in for the hibachi a few times and enjoy it every time, with the Hibachi Combo menu option the best value in the place. You and your date can dine for $80 to $100 depending on your drink and appetizer choices (and it's worth every penny). They also serve sushi, and it's as good as any I've ever had. I recommend the hibachi for dinner because you just can't beat "dinner and a show" for under a hundred bucks. The chef cooks at your table and if you're lucky, like I've been, you'll be seated with some of Pahrump's most notable celebs (I had the pleasure of sharing a table with Mr. Kent "Tim" Hafen, a prominent land and business owner that makes Pahrump what it is). Brilliantly located in the Albertson's shopping center at Basin Rd and Highway 160.

There are many, many more places to get a great meal in Pahrump at the price you're looking to pay but this post has gone on too long already. As time goes, I'll probably post individual reviews of my experiences to help keep the recommendations fresh. Coming up soon I'll be posting "Just How Many Pizza Places Do We Need???" and provide my reviews of all those pizza restaurants in Pahrump that serve up my favorite dish. =:^)

TIME TO GET BACK TO THE BLOG

It's been a while since I last posted here... so it's about time for an update. Since my last post I got back into school, attending the Great Basin College - Pahrump Valley Center. Most of the classes I've been taking are online and I gotta tell you, I just love this method of education. We didn't have the internet back when I went to college in the 1980's.

Back in late 2011, President Obama signed an education for veterans package called the VOW to Hire Heroes Act 2011 - Veteran's Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) that went into effect in July 2012. Obama's theory was that unemployed military veterans with an honorable discharge, like myself, were having difficulty in competing for jobs because of a lack of necessary, contemporary education. So the plan was to offer those veterans between the ages of 35 to 60, who've been unemployed for more than 3 years (at the time of sign-up), 12 months of active duty benefits to be used towards a college degree in a high-demand field of study. The VRAP benefits are paid through the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program and pay only during the months of actual study (so for example, if each semester is ~3 months then the program essentially pays for 4 semesters of study, or a 2-year degree program if taking 5 classes per semester). The money is paid directly to the veteran to be used for tuition, books, school supplies and living essentials.

I learned about the program shortly after writing my last blog post in May 2012 and immediately jumped onto the program. I didn't agree with Obama's assessment of why I was unemployed (lack of education) because I did have some college back in the 1980's, albeit obsolete in the field I work in (computers were completely different back then). I do agree that having a more contemporary education makes me much more competitive in the job market, but my viewpoint is there has to be jobs available to compete for. I will admit that while I'm pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree with emphasis on Information Specialist, the economy does appear to be getting better and jobs are starting to reappear. I chose to take 4 classes per semester, making my program a 5-semester schedule. I was also able to get help with a Pell Grant due to my financial situation which helps to insure my completing the degree by the end of 2014.

I got really busy with the preparation for my Fall 2012 semester and focused all my attention to that, since it'd been almost 30 years since I last attended any college. The Winter break was short but also busy for me as I prepared for the holidays and the subsequent Spring semester. I've managed to maintain an overall 3.80 cumulative GPA over the two semesters (3.68 in the Fall 2012 and 3.92 in the Spring 2013) and made the college Dean's List each semester. I stayed busy this past Summer, picking up a part-time job working as a caregiver for two patients in the afternoons, 7 days per week (I spend about an hour with each of the senior citizens, cooking dinner and cleaning up after). They're also veterans so I can relate to them and see what I might have to look forward to (or avoid) with regards to my potential health in about 30 years from now. This actually helps me to stay committed to this education so that I can better prepare for my financial future.

I'm now completely prepared for this coming Fall semester and in "waiting mode" for it to begin later this month. Attending online classes from home has proven to be a challenge but is certainly much easier than taking classes on campus. With online classes, I can participate as time permits and work on assignments when it's most convenient. The downside is there are always distractions here that can sometimes get in the way of study time. My dogs want in and out of the house constantly, among other things. I've found that getting out a couple times per week to study at the library or one of the local coffee shops with free WiFi helps significantly. Here in Pahrump, Irene's Off-160 Coffee House is my favorite hotspot because the atmosphere is perfect for studying, the WiFi is always reliable and they make affordable, delicious coffee and offer other great concoctions and pastries. Irene, the owner (a very sweet and very attractive young lady) is almost always there and she is committed to her customers satisfaction. On most evenings after 6pm they have live entertainment with local musician's, comedians and poetry.

I'm looking forward to my 3rd semester this Fall and I'm already planning my next two or three blog posts. I feel that, now that I'm in a comfortable routine with my educational program, I should be able to commit enough time to keep things more current with the blog here. With my financial help and ability to get out more, I've been able to explore some of the better dining options here in Pahrump and plan to write about that next, so keep an eye out for my attempt at being a food-critic next. =:^)

REFLECTIONS OF MY PAST

I've been listening to a lot of classic rock from the 70's and 80's lately on iTunes and Spotify. I grew up with the music of Boston, Journey, Van Halen, Steely Dan, Kansas and Foreigner. I also reminisced while listening to Styx, Air Supply, Supertramp and Jefferson Starship. All the great memories I've been sorting over this week and not all of them pleasant. Even Madonna's music had an impact on me through the last century.

As I got older, I listened more to Alternative Rock by artists like Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, Evanescence, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty and Nirvana (among so many others).

As life moved forward for me there were happy times, exciting times, lonely times and times of sorrow. I accomplished things and I messed things up. As long as I can remember there have been people who hurt me, emotionally and physically and there have been people I've hurt. Many cases because of immaturity or ignorance.

The most important thing I've learned from all these experiences is that I've learned from all these experiences. I've learned to be more patient with others. I've learned to hesitate before I act and I act more rationally in situations that used to get me flustered and excited unnecessarily. I still make mistakes and I still do things I look back on and wish I hadn't done but then.... don't we all?

Click Image for Large View: 

I really love the music of the 70's, 80's and 90's. It reminds me of the people that have crossed my path in life that made a difference in who I am and taught me lessons I needed to learn. Some of these people I fell in love with, some I hated and some didn't care much for me at all. Some of those people loved me and I was too blind to see it, though it's a lot clearer now (and too late). There are so many things I wish I had done and so many I wish I hadn't done but for the sake of those people who touched my life and made me who I am, if I had the chance to go back and do it all again I would probably do it all the same way. Well, perhaps I'd change just a few things. =:^)

PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!!

Recently, the subject of speed limits along Highway 160 through town has made it's way into discussions among Pahrumpians on Facebook and the comment sections of traffic-related accidents in the Pahrump Valley Times. Most of the comments are from people that apparently support the idea of increasing the speed limit from 35mph through town to 45+. One comment suggested that raising the speed limit to 45 would only result in drivers, who already exceed the posted speed limit, will simply drive that much faster and I tend to agree with that speculation.

Many drivers around Pahrump completely ignore and far exceed the speed limits all over town, even in school zones and it disgusts me to see. Accidents abound in this town and greatly outnumber the common ratio found in other small towns across America. Just this year alone we lost 2 local citizens in fatal traffic accidents including the high-profile case involving a detention center employee last week. This past week a motorcyclist was critically injured when he was struck by a car. Late last year a motorcyclist was killed riding through the intersection at Highway 160 and Basin during the Fall Festival because the driver that hit him "didn't see him" when they turned left in front of him.

And not all of these accidents are being caused by elderly drivers. During the holiday season last December, I witnessed a newer model pickup truck traveling at about 60mph South on Homestead Rd approaching the Lakeside casino and the driver was in such a hurry decided to dangerously pass three cars in a single pass as he crossed the intersection of Homestead and Thousandaire. It was insane! Had someone been exiting the parking lot at Lakeside, the convenience store/gas station or simply crossing the intersection there would have been a fatal accident for certain. The driver apparently didn't care that his construction business placard was on the side of the truck so I know who it was. Obviously he knew he could get away with driving recklessly in this town or he would have removed the placard.

What we need is the local Sheriff's department and local division of the Nevada State Patrol to enforce the speed limits already in place and not just along Highway 160. I also believe our county should consider more automated signals in those critical intersections where accidents seem to happen every week.

I walk a lot around the center of town on the weekends, it's great exercise and saves on gas, not to mention the reduced risk of being a victim in a car accident however I'm afraid of the way people drive and I'm wondering how long before I'll have to dive for my life to avoid someone that thinks they're invincible and immune from having an accident while in a rush to get no-where fast.

Don't raise the speed limits, enforce the limits we have. Make the people of this town aware that they either abide by the law and think about the safety of our citizens, including our children, or pay a hefty fine until they do. And for you ignorant, simple-minded, inconsiderate drivers that think you'll never be involved in an accident that involves serious injury or death PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!!

The Weather Is Perfect Here This Time Of Year

Spring and Fall are definitely the best seasons of the year and here in Southern Nevada, that's no exeception with clear skies and temperatures in the mid- to upper-80's. At night it cools to the low-50's and if the wind is light it's nice. It does get pretty windy here in the Pahrump valley though. Last week we had gusts upwards of 40mph and that's not unusual for this time of year.

Even the most prolific desert weed, the Tumbleweed, takes advantage of the windy Southwest. That's where they get their common name from. They're not actually indigenous to North America, having been unintentionally imported from the Ukraine. In early Fall they grow large and green. Very annoying and seriously prolific. They're not difficult to uproot but once uprooted they spread terribly when the plant dies and turns to it's familiar brownish tan color. As they "tumble" around in the heavy winds, seeds fall off and, if in the right conditions, will be set for the next season. Rain is not frequent here but when it does the dirt turns to puddles of quick-sand-like mud and the seeds sink in and germinate. They take advantage of the water and grow quickly.

Most geologists speculate that the infamous "Sailing Stones" of Death Valley are moved by the heavy winds when the ground is wet and muddy though there are many theories about how they make those long tracks in the hottest part of the U.S. but then crazy theories about a lot things abound here in the Southwest.

The weather for the most part though, is perfect this time of year. Every now and then a Pacific storm blows cold wind and icy rain but only once or twice in any Spring season. That's different from the Gulf storms that come in from the Southeast during the Fall season. We get a lot more rain and humidity in the Fall but those storms are warm and muggy since they're coming in from the Gulf region.

It won't be long for the heat to set in. We commonly see triple-digit temperatures begin in mid-May to early June. Last year the hot season was late with 100°+ temps starting in mid-June, which is rare for the hot season to start so late into the year. This year it appears that we'll see the century mark in mid-May like normal. In July and August temperatures will average 110° to 115° during the day and drop to a comfy mid-70's to low 80's at night. I don't really care much for the hot, daytime temperatures during the Summer but the Spring and Fall makes up for it. People are most active at night during the Summer months. Sporting events such as little-league baseball and soccer are generally played after sunset when the temps are more comfortable.

Originally from the SF Bay area in California, I've lived in the desert since 1989, first in the Phoenix, Arizona area for 15 years, where the night temps during the Summer don't fall off much from the day temps of 120°, and then here in the Southern Nevada region since 2003. I love the desert because, except for the summer heat, the weather is generally close to perfect year-round.

If you have plans to visit the Southern Nevada area, May is the best time to do it. And while you're out here, don't forget to check out some of the other great things our high-desert has to offer. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Death Valley National Park are awesome, natural wonders that are must-see for those visiting the Southern Nevada desert. About 25 minutes to the Southeast of Las Vegas is the Hoover Dam and in Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is about a day's drive.

I'm off now, going out to enjoy the weather! =:^)

Racism is alive in Pahrump!

I was deeply saddened when I heard about the little boy that died last week here in Pahrump. My own kids go to Floyd Elementary but didn't really know the kindergartener who died from complications associated with an asthma attack. My deepest condolences to the family through this difficult time. It's heartbreaking to lose a child and I hope I never have to go through what they must be dealing with right now.

One of our local, community advocates came forward to help raise money for the child's funeral expenses. This isn't the first time that Stephanie Lopez, founder of the hugely popular Facebook page "Positive Pahrump" has stepped forward to help someone in crisis here in Pahrump. Most recently she organized an ongoing joint effort with the local school district to educate school children about the negative side of bullying. She also organized a drive for Easter Baskets to collect and donate to less fortunate children. Last year Stephanie organized a failed recall against Nye County Assessor Shirley Matson who made some racial accusations about construction workers and while it was failed it drew a lot of attention in the community about racism here.

And so I was shocked when I read the first reader "comment" in the Pahrump Valley Times news article about the unfortunate incident regarding the child. Deborah wrote "Boy, it sure would be nice if this kind of compassion was extended to legal citizens and children here in the Valley and not always and ONLY supportive of non English speakers."

WHY do people here automatically assume that a non-English speaking poor family here is not legally in the U.S. ? This is clear and ugly racism.

Deborah then wrote "Once again Positive Pahrump ONLY supports who it deems politically correct." First, of course Positive Pahrump (PP) only supports who it deems politically correct and I would like to point out that, in my opinion, anything that is honorably charitable is politically correct. Second, Deborah seems to be suggesting that PP only supports causes that involve the Hispanic community, which if you followed PP on Facebook you'd know is completely untrue and unfair to accuse.

How many other people in our community feel the way that Deborah does? Why do you believe anyone here of Hispanic descent must be here illegally? How can people so blindly assume negative things about a group of people just because of their race? I am just appalled and embarrassed. I think you must be severely lacking in education, Deborah, because I can't imagine any other reason for your racial comments.

A local, less fortunate family here in Pahrump tragically lost a little boy last week. My heart goes out to them, Hispanic or otherwise. I applaud Stephanie for stepping up to unite the community to help those in need. You just keep doing what you do. =:^)

Update: The Pahrump Valley Times has removed the racial comment and replies to such.

Pets Are Family, Too

In 2008, when the financial crash dealt a heavy blow to so many Americans, my friend Dan was no exception. He had bought a house down the street from me just a couple years before but after being laid off from work had to let the bank foreclose and he moved to the next street, into a trailer on a piece of property owned by a guy that had multiple rentals and a large, steel building on his 2 1/2 acres. When his wife was also laid off work his situation clearly became more strained and he moved once again into a small house next door to mine. He had an arrangement with that owner to "fix up" the property in exchange for his rent, while searching for work. Within about six months he and his wife both found good, steady jobs and had to move across town into a small apartment, where they couldn't bring their 10-year old Boxer, Chance, since pets were not allowed there.

Chance

Dan asked me if I would adopt Chance since I also have a large piece of property for him to run. At the time my Beagle, Scooter, was only about year old and loved that he had another dog to play with, even if he was a senior. Shortly thereafter, I also adopted a small Terrier puppy and other dogs over the past couple years... but this story is about Chance.

Even at his age Chance loved to run and jump a lot. He actually thought he was still a puppy. It was funny watching him try to curl up in Scooter's puppy bed, which was barely big enough for Scooter anymore. Chance would curl his big butt onto the puppy bed and the rest of him wasn't even close but he thought he fit snugly.

Chance was the most well-behaved dog I've ever had. He'd obviously been trained well and by a professional. He would come when called, sit when told and do everything else you would expect on command.

Scooter, still a puppy and not neutered at the time, would dig his way under the fence and wander the next street over and Chance was a follower. Scooter never went far and always came back soon. Chance, however, would find his way back to that property with the steel building to lay on the cool concrete floor in the shade. I had to go pick him up a few times before I finally secured the fencing and decided that Scooter couldn't be left unchained in the yard when I was gone. Chance liked to hang out with Scooter so if Scooter was chained then Chance wouldn't take off.

Scooter when he was about a year old

At first, Dan came by a few times to see Chance and that always made Chance really happy. He'd get excited and jump around. Eventually, Dan said it was too hard for him emotionally to visit because he missed his dog so much.

It didn't take very long for Chance to make himself part of the family here. I've recently joked about how I've got a dog in every size category: my rescued long-haired Chihuahua Dolce fits the "toy" category, Sweetie is a rescued Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix that fits the "small" category, Jojo is my medium-sized "Terrier-mixed-with-something" (too timid to let me take his picture with the other dogs), Scooter is a Beagle fitting the "big" category and Chance, a Boxer, the "large" category. It was ruff, er, rough taking care of 5 dogs, along with my 3 cats (2 rescues), my rabbits (once 4 but now only 2) and a pen full of chickens out back.

Scooter, Sweetie and Dolce

Chance did have a jealousy at times. Whenever any of the other dogs got "loving attention" he would moan and grump, "what about me?" while wagging his stumpy tail. He was very tolerant of the other dogs, too. He never showed any kind of anger and he never snapped or barked at them. Scooter and Peanut (rip) would play and jump using Chance as an obstacle and Chance would just lay there like nothing was going on. Now it's Scooter and Dolce using Chance as a barrier for play. If one of the dogs nosed his/her way into the bowl Chance was eating from, no problem, he would just move to a different dish and continue eating.

Chance had a bit of an arthritic condition with his hind-legs and an inexpensive, over-the-counter supplement helped greatly and you'd hardly noticed he had any problems at all. Chance has been here nearly 3 years and has been doing very well until just recently. A few months ago he started losing weight and quit running and jumping. He showed difficulties walking and over the past few weeks displayed symptoms of dementia. He would turn circles in the living room like he was getting ready to lay down but then would end up staring into the wall or the side of the entertainment center. He often wavered about, confused about where he was or what he wanted to do. He'd go to the front door and ring the bell hanging from the handle (the bigger dogs use it to signal when they need to "go") and we'd let him out but then he'd stand on the front porch for a minute or two and scratch at the door to come back in (apparently he forgot why he went out). Then, a few minutes later he would do it all again. He's recently had some difficult nights, wandering around the house crying as if in some pain.

I've kept Dan up-to-date on Chance's condition but this past week he decided that perhaps it was time to do something for him. When he came by today with his wife, Chance was ecstatic. He walked over to them and was shaking all over, happy-crying to see them, making that "give me attention" moan. I kept his harness and gave him a big hug before Dan lifted him into his truck. He's taking him to get "checked out" and possibly put-down, depending on the outlook of his condition but it's a high probability that Chance won't be back. Interesting considering his name. He still thinks he's a puppy, too.

I am going to miss him. A lot. He was part of this family. I loved him. =:^(

The TRUTH about aliens and Area51!

One of the features of living out in the rural Nevada desert is the exclusive areas that are supposed to be all "hush hush". Did you know that a very large section of central Nevada is owned by the federal government? Nearly 25% of the Nevada desert is federal military reserve territory used for Air Force testing, originally established in 1941 (set aside by the CIA in 1955). The government has only recently admitted (2003) that they test top-secret aircraft, other secret military weapons and research projects out here and now call it the Nevada Test Center. Just off the middle section of the range is a dry lake bed called "Groom Lake". Groom Lake is better known to most as Area 51 and has long been suspected of housing secret technologies gained from alien visitors.

Click Thumbnail for Large View from the Wikipedia site: 

I love to go out for hikes during the Spring in this high desert region although you have to be really cautious in this neck of the woods because if the feds find you within the boundaries of the test center they could shoot you... and there are plenty of signs posted telling you so. For example, in this picture I linked from the Wikipedia site of one of the warning signs, take notice of that pickup truck in the distance.

Click Thumbnail for Large View from the Wikipedia site: 

I usually spend a couple days out here and this weekend was no exception. I came out yesterday afternoon for what I thought would be just another uneventful hike and skirmish with federal goons tasked with keeping the place secure but what an adventure I ended up with!

I was out early this morning just after sunrise doing my usual sneaking around and with weather being as perfect as it's been lately I couldn't resist hiking in as far as possible, knowing that "those guys" in the black SUV's, dark sunglasses and plain, black business suits would catch up to me pretty quick and escort me out, like they usually do. What's funny is these guys are just like the characters in the movie Men In Black played by Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones although, far less sociable.

I can hardly believe what I saw... just about a mile away from me in the open desert a huge UFO (read: alien spacecraft) landed and shortly thereafter an alien was out and moving towards me. I was terrified out of my mind and suddenly, strangely felt very woozy but somehow managed to get my Blackberry out and took a photo before running away like a rabbit ditching a hungry coyote.

I couldn't wait to post this message and photo on the blog for you. Not sure why the thumbnail uploaded from my mobile is blurry but the full-size image displayed when you click the thumbnail is crisp and clean, check it out.

Click the thumbnail below for a larger, crisper view: 

I'm going to make my way back to Pahrump now and I'll post more pictures and updates when I get back. Keep checking here for the updates.... =:^)

Pahrump vs Las Vegas Casino Slots

One thing I've noticed that's different in Pahrump from Las Vegas are how the slot machines are set to pay. While some table games offer far better odds for players the fact is most people who gamble love spending time sitting at their favorite slot game.

At the major casinos on the strip (Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM, Bellagio, Mirage, etc) I've discovered that certain slot machines are set to pay more frequently than others. That's not to say they pay more, however, just more frequently.

I wouldn't expect to hit any jackpots anymore than normal but knowing a few key points could mean the difference between leaving a casino with more than you came in with versus leaving broke. Of course, big jackpots are nice but if you play with the goal of hitting a jackpot you'll more likely end up spending all your money.

Casinos like when players get excited, shout and scream when they win something and it doesn't have to be much of a win. They want you to get the attention of those that are not spending money and get them thinking that they should and could win, also.

Obviously, if everyone were winning, the casino would be the one going broke so they turn up the frequency of payouts on certain machines while turning down the frequency on others. While the machines all have to pay back a certain percentage based on local gambling establishment laws, there is some flexibility the casinos have to work with and they use it. High traffic days tend to be better, also.

Here are some tips based on my own observations from playing slots at some of the large, strip casinos:

1. Slots at the ends of the row are generally set to pay more frequently. People are walking by and tend to notice when a slot is making noise by adding credits.
2. At some casinos, the slot machines close to a change/cash cage are set to pay better.
3. Ideally, slot machines closest to entrances will also pay more frequently because lots of people walk into a casino and try to feel the "presence of winning" and will walk back out if they don't see winners within just a minute or two. The perception is that if the machines they see as they come in the door are paying then all the machines in the casino must be paying and so it's worth sticking around and dropping cash. 
4. Always play max-bet. I know it's not easy to commit to spending $4.00-$6.00 per round on a penny-slot especially if you've only dropped twenty bucks into the machine but the slots are set to pay more frequently if you play max. Of course, another advantage here is that when you do win something back it's going to be proportional to your bet so maximizes the return.
5.  If you've at least doubled your money (you put in $20 and your credits=$40) it's time to cash out and move to another machine. The ultimate goal of every slot machine is to take your money so the old saying "quit while you're ahead" is prudent to pay attention too. You might also consider cashing out and moving on if you notice the machine starts taking back what you've won without giving you anymore tidbits.
6. Bonus games aren't always the way to make the bucks. Many players will continue to play a machine because it gives them bonus games frequently but if the payouts from the bonuses aren't that great then it's no better than a worm on a hook trying to entice a fish. Pay close attention to every payout and look for frequent returns that quickly double or triple your balance.
7. If the machine doesn't pay something by the 4th time you've hit the bet button, cash out and find another machine. 
8. Get and use a member's club slot card. Many casinos will offer incentives and bonuses for slot card members and this could increase your chances.

Things are quite different in Pahrump casinos, however. I'm not really sure why they don't follow the same, secret rules as the casinos on the strip in Vegas. I've practiced my theory in several casinos in Vegas and at least half the time walk out with $50 to $100 more than I walked in with after starting with only $20 or $40. In Pahrump, I've not been able to discover any pattern at all other than some days of the week seem to be better than others.

This might change soon, however, since the gambling company Golden Gaming, which already owns The Pahrump Nugget Casino, has recently purchased/traded for their biggest competitors here, The Terrible's Town Casino and the Terrible's Lakeside Resort & Casino. Now that they own three of the four major casinos here we might start seeing some of the Vegas style frequency of payouts. =:^)

And just where exactly IS Pahrump?

 

Here's a map showing the Southern Nevada region that includes Las Vegas and it's surrounding areas. Pahrump covers a lot of area but has a population of only about 40,000 (very opinionated) people. Trips to town usually involve seeing lots of people you know and catching up on all the gossip.

State Route (Hwy) 160 basically circles Mt Charleston  which is between Las Vegas and Pahrump (though it doesn't really appear on this map), so one could drive North from Pahrump (the long way around) or, as most do, South from Pahrump to get to Las Vegas. The South route is about a 70 mile drive and takes just under an hour.

Pahrump residents are close enough to Las Vegas to have access to all the "big city" has to offer and yet far enough to be a true rural community. We do have casinos here but that part of Pahrump is a far cry from the casino life in Las Vegas.

Pahrump is only a few minutes drive from Southern California, though this part of SoCal is even more rural than Pahrump, offering little more than refreshing hot springs and access to the state's lottery. The nearest "big city" in California is Barstow, nearly a 3 hour drive.

Pahrump is also famous for brothels. The county, Nye County, is among the last in the country where legalize prostitution still exists. On the South end of Pahrump are the two most prominent brothels in the country: Sheri's Ranch and The Chicken Ranch.

Of course, neither of these brothels should be confused in the least with one of my other blog sites, The Nevada Hen House Project.  =:^)

Welcome to the "Not Las Vegas" Blog

This is where I'll post my mutterings about the town I live in which is just minutes from the California border and about an hour West of Las Vegas.

Most of the content will just be my observations and/or criticisms about Pahrump and the surrounding rural areas, including some of the people that make this town "special". I'm also going to post some pictures occasionally and my hope is that you won't be offended by any of them.

My plan is to make this blog interesting, informative and, at times, humorous. Please enjoy. =:^)