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It’s official – you’re a Las Vegas resident! Now that you’re calling Las Vegas home, there are a number of things about our wonderful valley you’ll want to know more about. This section is devoted to turning you into a true “local,” with information on desert living, local government, history and community resources.

Desert Living
Life in the desert southwest is incredibly unique. New residents are often amazed at the stunning natural beauty of the desert. While there are countless positive aspects about desert living, new residents must adapt to the arid climate and factor in a number of things that will contribute to a healthy, happy adjustment to desert dwelling.

“My son Tom and I moved from Florida to Las Vegas two years ago, notes Kellie Mendonca, corporate marketing director, PEAK & Balance Centers of America. “We absolutely love Las Vegas, especially the valley, the mountains, the western landscaping, the friendly people here, the quality of the schools, the tremendous job opportunities and air you can breathe! Palm trees are the same as in Florida, and the only thing missing is grass. We don’t miss not having to use the lawn mower. The lights at night are amazing, life is good here and we can highly recommend Las Vegas to everyone.”

It’s a “dry heat”
Las Vegas is situated at the southern tip of Nevada in the Great Basin – the western region between the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch mountain ranges. Official elevation of the city at McCarran International Airport is 2,174 feet. The Las Vegas Valley itself is comprised of nearly 600 square miles and runs from northwest to southeast and slopes downward from west to east.

The mountains surrounding the valley extend as high as 2,000 to 10,000 feet above the valley floor. The Sheep Range bounds the valley on the north. The Black Mountains bound the valley on the south. The Spring Mountains are to the west and include Mt. Charleston, the area’s highest elevation, peaking at 11,918 feet.

While a dry heat dominates in the summer months, winters are typically mild and pleasant, though occasional high winds are common in late winter and early spring. Summer temperatures can sometimes soar as high as 120 degrees, but there is very little humidity. Las Vegas’ wonderful year-round climate allows for a good deal of outdoor recreational opportunities, although special care must be taken during the hottest times of the year.

Your Home
When the temperatures start to soar, it’s tempting to lower the thermostat as far as it will go. However, Nevada Power Co. warns of possible power outages during peak usage periods and encourages residents to maintain a regular thermostat setting in the upper 70-degree range. You can also keep your home cool by using ceiling and floor fans and “swamp coolers.” For additional energy conservation tips for your home and vehicle, see the “Conservation Corner” of this guide.

Conservation Corner
There are a number of ways to save energy and save money through conservation efforts. A good deal of energy efficiency can be achieved through pre-planning and investment in energy-saving products. The U.S. Department of Energy provides a range of tips, from simple, low-cost household adjustments through long-term investment in energy-saving appliances and structural changes. You can conduct a home energy audit at www.eere.energy.gov to determine the best options for you.

–Low-cost “quick fix” tips:   

• Use a programmable thermostat to control the heating and cooling in your home.
• Adjust air vents in infrequently used portions of your house to save on heating and cooling costs.
• Install energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
• Hire a professional to help you insulate and repair your ducts.
• Let dishes air-dry instead of using the heating element on your dishwasher.
• Use cold water instead of hot water in washing machines.
• Turn off lights and appliances in rooms when they are not being used.
• Use fans and evaporative “swamp” coolers to supplement your air conditioning system during the hotter parts of the year.

–Long-term conservationinvestments:   

• Purchase Energy Star-rated energy-efficient appliances.
• Install double-paned windows.
• Invest in solar panels to generate some of your own energy.
• Install ground-source heat pumps.
• Replace turf landscaping with desert rock or artificial turf. *
• Synthetic grass (“artificial turf”) is quickly growing in popularity in desert climates. This easy-to-maintain, realistic-looking ground cover looks good year-round, requires little maintenance and is child and pet-friendly. The product cost starts in the $4-per-foot range.

Note: Homeowner associations in Southern Nevada have restrictions on the installation of synthetic grass. Consult your community rules and regulations prior to purchase.

Motor vehicles
The desert sun can turn the inside of a vehicle blistering hot within only a few minutes. The dry climate can also place wear and tear on car parts, such as hoses, windshield wipers and tires. Make sure your car’s fluid levels are checked regularly, particularly in the summer months, and schedule routine maintenance to ensure a good-running vehicle.

–Conservation Driving Tips:   

• Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.
• Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking) wastes gas and can lower your highway gas mileage by as much as 33 percent.
• Avoid high speeds – it’s not only dangerous, it uses more gas.
• When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces wear.
• Use air conditioning only when necessary.
• Clear out your car - extra weight decreases gas mileage.
• Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks.
• Check into carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.
  

–Tire Maintenance Tips:

Proper tire maintenance is important no matter the season. Whether you drive in the extreme heat of summer or negotiate cold, wet or icy road conditions in winter, tires should be checked at regular intervals. These checks help to determine if tires are safe to drive on, or if they are in need of service or replacement. Caring for your tires helps you get the most out of them.
It is recommended that motorists take five minutes each month to inspect their tires or take it to a professional. This helps identify potential problems related to tire air pressure, alignment, rotation and tread. Correcting these problems is critical to road safety, extends tire life and increases fuel economy.
Consider this monthly tire checklist to get the most from your tire:

Pressure
Under-inflation can lead to a tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!  The correct amount of air for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It’s also listed in the owner’s manual.

Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid tread wear. Front-wheel-drive vehicles and those with independent rear suspension, require alignment of all four wheels. Have your alignment checked periodically as specified by the owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble such as “pulling” or vibration.

Rotation
Regularly rotating your vehicle’s tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle owner’s manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual, the tire manufacturer or your tire dealer for the appropriate rotation pattern for your vehicle.

Tread
Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage. Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch in order to prevent skidding and hydroplaning. Built-in tread wear indicators or “wear bars,” which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread will appear on the tire when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. An easy test to know if it’s time to replace your tire:  Place a penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the proper amount of tread. If you can see all of his head, you should buy a new tire.

–Car Maintenance Tips:   

• Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid or transmission problems.
• Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage and protect your engine.
• Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• For long-term savings, consider investing in a fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle.

Source: Excerpted from the U.S. Department of Energy

–Some tips for keeping your car cool:   

• When possible, park your vehicle in a garage, shaded parking structure or in the shade of a tree.
• Government-approved window tinting and the use of removable window screens can greatly reduce the internal temperature of your vehicle.
• Covering your steering wheel, seats, and in particular, the belts and buckles on child safety seats, can help combat high temperatures.
• When possible, start your car and allow the air conditioning to run for a few minutes before getting in.
• Driving gloves can protect your hands from a hot steering wheel.
• Always carry water in your car.
• Remember, a good air-conditioning system is vital to desert living.

Above all else, never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle. It’s dangerous and it’s against the law.

Pets
Pets need extra care when adapting to a desert climate. It’s recommended that you limit the amount of time your animals spend outside during the hottest parts of day. Plenty of fresh water and shade should always be provided. Remember your pets’ sensitive foot pads, which can easily burn on hot concrete or dirt during high temperatures.

–Pet licensing:   

• Licenses are required for all dogs and cats in Clark County. Residents are limited to three adult dogs and three adult cats per household. Special pet fancier’s licenses are available that allow up to six cats and dogs.
• All dogs must be restrained by a leash. Cats in the city must be restrained by leash. 
• All dogs and cats must have license and rabies tags. Rabies shots are required every two years.

Government
The City of Las Vegas operates as a council-manager government. The 19th Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar B. Goodman, sits as a Council Member-At-Large, presiding over all City Council meetings. Mayor Goodman was re-elected to a second four-year term in April 2003.

The city manager, Douglas Selby, is responsible for the effective administration and daily operations of municipal services for the city. Other responsibilities of the office include economic development/redevelopment and the maintenance of relationships with other county, state and federal governmental agencies.

All municipal elections are open and nonpartisan. Only voters properly registered within the specific boundaries of the city of Las Vegas are eligible to vote in municipal elections. With regard to federal, state and county elections, Nevada is a closed primary state. As such, voters are prohibited from voting for candidates from another party. All registered voters may vote on nonpartisan races that decide which candidates advance to the general election. General elections are open.

–Voter Registration
You must be 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Nevada and Clark County for at least 30 days and a resident of your precinct for 10 consecutive days to register to vote. Applications are available at area post offices, libraries, schools and DMV locations, and may be completed either in person or through the mail. Mail-in voter registrations is also available.