Las Vegas, NV

This week’s LVRJ contests include:

- Enter to win tickets to see Ratatouille

- Win tickets to see Evan Almighty

- Win a four-pack of tickets to Holly Hobbie and Friends, showing every Saturday and Sunday throughout June

- Enter for a chance to win a $10,000 buy-in World Series of Poker Main Event Championship

I’ve been learning a lot since I started looking into water conservation the last few days.

We don’t have a pool (though the info about how much water is lost per year was good to know), but we do have front and back lawns and have contemplated switching the front to xeriscaping. We hadn’t considered the backyard because the kids and dogs love playing on the lawn, but I found a child-friendly landscaping layout idea from the SNWA website. I especially like that it gives you a picture of what each plant looks like instead of just the name and description.

They also have a “color explosion” layout, “backyard entertaining,” low maintenance, desert accents, and pool friendly ideas.

Maybe I’m just easily impressed but I really appreciate the work that went into these design ideas!

Evaporation can cause an uncovered pool to lose upwards of 70 gallons of water per square foot each year (this adds up to about 10,000 to 15,000 gallons) . During the hottest summer months your pool could lose as much as four inches a week. Using a pool cover can cut this loss by 90% as well as preventing debris getting blown into the pool.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority offers an instant rebate coupon for a pool cover purchase: $50 or 50 percent off the purchase price of a pool cover, whichever is less or $200 or 50 percent off the purchase of a permanent, mechanical pool cover.

Only one coupon per address may be redeemed and you must purchase from an approved retailer. If you have questions, call the Conservation Helpline at 258-SAVE (7283).

The Southern Nevada Water Authority has been offering rebates to southern Nevada residents who convert their lawn-based landscaping to xeriscaping (desert-friendly landscaping) for several years. Many of our neighbors have taken advantage of it this year so I thought I’d check it out and see what they actually do.

For every square foot of sod removed and replaced with desert-friendly landscaping, up to 1500 square feet, the SNWA rebates $2, and $1 after the 1500 feet. You have to either apply online or call 258-SAVE for a printed application. You have to get SNWA’s approval first, otherwise you won’t get the rebate (in other words, they won’t just take your word for it).

“Every square foot of grass replaced with water-smart trees, shrubs and flowers saves an average of 55 gallons of water per year,” so not only are you helping the drought issue but you’ll also save money on your monthly water bill.

Many people don’t know this, but the majority of the Strip, the airport and the monorail aren’t actually in the city of Las Vegas: They’re in an unincorporated area of the county called Paradise.

As of the 2000 census, there were 186,070 people living in Paradise, with a current estimation of 190,129 residents. For whatever reason, Clark County has resisted attempts to annex the Strip and the two other unincorporated areas of Winchester and Spring Valley.

The United States Post Office, however, assigns “Las Vegas, NV” to the entire area which makes it hard to figure out where you actually are but probably makes their job a lot easier.

Friday

- First Friday!

- Goddess Full Moon festivities at Sekhmet Temple. Join other Luna fans for a potluck dinner after the ritual, which starts at 7:00pm.

Saturday

- The Mad Science program “Fire and Ice” will be premiering at two North Las Vegas libraries. The Mad Science program teaches kids the science behind magic tricks. The event is free and all ages are welcome. The North Las Vegas Main Branch located at 2300 Civic Center Dr shows at 10:30am, and the Aliante Library at 2400 Deer Springs Way shows at 1:00pm.

- New Country KWNR 95.5FM will be hosting the 2007 Country Summer Bash at the Club at the Cannery located at 2121 East Craig Road. Tickets are $25 and you must be 21 to attend. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-866-287-4643. Neal McCoy, Jamie O’Neal and Donovan Chapman will be among the entertainers performing.

Sunday

- Angel Park Golf Club, located at 100 S Rampart Blvd, will be hosting the “Play Golf America Day” to promote the game of golf. The event is put on by the Southwest Section PGA and offers free clinics and lessons by the pros. Activities start at 10:00am and continue on until 3:00pm. All ages welcome.

- The Las Vegas Gladiators will play the Arizona Rattlers at the Orleans Arena, located at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Kickoff is at 3:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 284-7777.