Roberta LaRocca REALTOR® Las Vegas Broker Salesperson Property Management

Even though the country and the world is still pulling itself out of this economic downturn, there has been some positives. Home buyers have found affordable properties, and the same is true for Tim Arnold's Pinball Hall of Fame.

Late last year Tim was able to purchase a building at 1610 E. Tropicana Ave., closer to the Strip, just before the Liberace Museum. You can find out more about Tim, our Las Vegas "Pinball Millionaire", and his original location here in my previous post.

The new Las Vegas home to Pinball is twice the size of the previous leased space, allowing for many more machines to be on display and to play. Tim's collection is said to be the largest Gottlieb in the world, among all his other brands of pins and arcade games that date back to the 1930's. I was in shock at the size of his collection in the back of his Las Vegas home. If you never had the chance to visit his warehouse, or for one of his Pinball Fun Nights he held there, check out the 360 panoramas here.

If you check out those pictures, you'll be able to understand that Tim won't have any trouble filling up the new home for the Pinball Hall. This is an all volunteer effort and no admission charges, only the quarters to play, and any funds left over after paying the bills goes to charity.

Tim, "the Hippy", and the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club members are working hard on moving and installing the machines in their spare time. So here's some pictures of the new and permanent home of the Pinball Hall of Fame. Part games and fun challenging the Silver Ball, the intricate graphic art, and a time capsule of activities, TV & movies, and styles of the period of the machine.

To watch full screen, instead of using PLAY, click the HD or Full Screen button on the bottom of the player below, and when finished click it again or use the ESC key to return.

The XML Flash player NOT embedded in your current posting location? Click here to view these pictures , and the pictures can also be downloaded on the right side of that page. Or for all my Las Vegas Photoshows that include some of the interesting neighborhoods and other community activities found in and around the Las Vegas Valley, CLICK HERE.

These pictures and others of the Las Vegas area are also available as higher quality large images that are downloadable in my Picasa Photo Album. They are under a creative commons, so you can have them for personal use, like a wallpaper. For any commercial uses, just get in touch. One of my night images of City Center is being used for the International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference hosted by UNLV in September 2009, so permissions are possible if you ask.

Just as with my last post on the Cloud Nine Balloon, this is another of many unique attractions and things to do, that makes Las Vegas such a great place to call home.

If you are interested in relocating to Las Vegas or would like more information on Las Vegas real estate, please email me, Roberta LaRocca, at roberta@search4lasvegashomes.com, or call 702-354-8988. I look forward to hearing from you!

Las Vegas has another new attraction, the Cloud 9 Balloon. It's right on the Vegas Strip across from Mandalay Bay and Luxor Casino Resorts. The massive 11 story tall balloon is the largest land tethered helium balloon in the world. It carries passengers 500' above the 'Entertainment Capital of the World, offering spectacular views both day and night.

The 2 year dream of Cloud Nine Balloon owner Kevin Michaels opened Oct. 5th. He first saw the balloon in Spain and began his plan to bring the unique attraction to Las Vegas. It's not only a balloon ride, but a learning experience about lighter than air flight and combined with art found in the complex. Catch a glimpse of it all in this opening day video of Cloud Nine.

It's no surprise that even through this global economic downturn that entrepreneurs like Kevin look to Las Vegas as the place to be. For those of us that live here we get the benefit of having these amazing attractions right in our back yard, combined with the abundant recreation or natural beauty of nearby places like Lake Mead.

Cloud Nine isn't the only thing 'on the rise' Southern Nevada. Las Vegas homes sales have been up throughout 2009. September's home sales are not only up, but show that Las Vegas home prices have also risen. Earlier reports on September sales and inventory indicated that of an inventory of 20,801 listings with only 7,909 that weren't under contract, indicating Las Vegas had a 3 month supply of homes.

From new attractions like Cloud Nine's opening, to these positive Las Vegas home market statistics, it shows that everyone from investors to home buyers are looking forward to a bright future for the valley.

If you are interested in relocating to Las Vegas or would like more information on Las Vegas real estate, please email me, Roberta LaRocca, at roberta@search4lasvegashomes.com, or call 702-354-8988. I look forward to hearing from you!

It's taken a while to get to this, but it definitely deserves a mention. I posted before about Erich Bergen of the Jersey Boys at Palazzo Las Vegas teaming up with Steve Friess of VegasHappensHere.com to present Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson at the Palm's Pearl Concert Theater.

This was the fundraising concert to benefit Las Vegas schools' arts and music education. It started out as a small thought in the Liberace theater, that grew into the 2500 seat Pearl at the Palms. That venue was donated by Palms owner George Maloof.

I happy to say that not only was it a fantastic concert, the sellout crowd exceeded their goal of raising $100,000 for Clark County, NV schools. All this done from volunteer performers from various shows, and headliners of Las Vegas.

They included Holly Madison, Terry Fator, Clint Holmes, The Sirens of TI, Peep Show, Human Nature, Mosaic, Zowie Bowie, Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, The Las Vegas Mass Choir, Earl Turner and Lani Misalucha, Jersey Boys, Phantom:The Las Vegas Spectacular, Zumanity, and Lion King.

Of course many other Las Vegas celebrities were in the audience to show their support. Just to my left was 'The Pit Bull of Comedy', Bobby Slayton who is now at Tropicana. In the row in front was his former 'roommate' from their Hooters days.

Yes, I had this strange premonition that he would be there.... 'The Mentalist': Gerry McCambridge, who now performs his magic at the V Theater at Planet Hollywood. These just a few of our local stars that came out for the concert, Brenden Theater star presentation, and rare screening of Moonwalker.

Of course there was one star that really stole the show. Eleven year old Elijah Johnson who plays Simba in The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. Well, at least for a few more weeks. He has outgrown his role there. No, not from his breakout performance, but literally. Disney's contract didn't allow him to grow more than 2", and boys will be boys, he did just that.

While there is more footage of the entire show that is being edited for a DVD and possible local broadcast, this YouTube is some raw news video caught by KLAS TV. Just a small idea of just how big his performance really was. It's hard to imagine we won't be seeing more of Elijah in the future.

So a fantastic turnout and performance that raised money for our Las Vegas kids. Another fine example of the community to be found here in Las Vegas, and what makes it such a great place to live. If you'd like to help arts and music education even more, you can donate or purchase concert memorabilia here at VegasLovesMJ.com.

If you are interested in relocating to Las Vegas or would like more information on Las Vegas real estate, please email me, Roberta LaRocca, at roberta@search4lasvegashomes.com, or call 702-354-8988. I look forward to hearing from you!

No, the helicopter itself didn't hit my home. The pilot, with a rather nasty gash on his chin from the impact of bird and plexiglass, and covered in blood, made a perfect landing on the River Mountain Trail near Boulder Beach on the shores of Lake Mead not far from Hoover Dam.

So you're probably wondering how this 'hits' my home. Well, if you've followed my blog you may recall a post I did about kids growing up in Vegas, and one that grew into an amazing young man named David. He had accomplished quite a bit in his time, and among other things has been a helicopter flight instructor, flown in the unforgiving weather of Alaska, and was saving lives as an EMS pilot. There were a number of pictures and some video of him in action in That Post.

Well, my stepson Dave had returned to live in his favorite place, Las Vegas. He's flying tour helicopters out to "The Ditch", the affectionate term pilots use for flying the Grand Canyon. With this job, no more long 7 day, 12 hour shifts and 14 hour duty days never knowing exactly where or at what hour you'll fly to next. Mostly daylight, out over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, land at the bottom of the canyon, for some a stop at the Skywalk Bridge and Indian and Cowboy villages. Then come back with a route over Valley of Fire, past Frenchman's Mountain to near downtown, south along the Strip and back to McCarran.

Sounds like a job a mother could love, without having the heart attacks of the Alaska and EMS stories and asking again..."You landed where?" Glaciers, ice fields, snow covered pinnacles, to day or night....convenience store parking lots, country roads, highways, football fields, wind farms, oil rigs...fill in the blank, and I think he landed it.

It turns out Dave wasn't quite done saving lives.

The other day, after some very grueling weeks, the hubby and I were finally having a moment to catch our breath. Then his dad gets a call...unusual since it's from Dave and he's working. It starts with their typical "Hey Dad - What's up Dave", and went on nonchalantly that his helicopter was hit by a bird and he had to land, everyone on board was OK, just a little messy. After landing he served them the champagne they would have had on the floor of the canyon. Oh, and when on the ground he asked if everyone was alright, they said "yes, but you aren't." He said he had a cut on his chin and they said he might need a few stitches. Probably take him to Boulder City Hospital, just a heads up and he'd call if he needed anything.

Even though it didn't sound like much of an event and he hadn't asked, we decided to head over there. Strangely enough, when we arrived at the hospital he wasn't there. Boulder City Airport, where his dad assumed he had landed when he said he was at 'Boulder', is just down the street. A few moments later a Park Service Ambulance arrived at the ER, and out comes Dave, neck bandaged and all covered in blood. I don't do well with that, and fortunately it wasn't all his, some was bird, but it sure didn't make me feel much better.

He was cleaned up a bit and they allowed us to come in. I was fine until I saw the gash on his chin opened wide enough to lay a pencil in it. He greeted us with his typical cheery "Hi Guys," like he would any other time. The ER staff called him "Our Sulley" and "Hero over Hoover", and he just smiled as much as he could and rolled his eyes.

We brought him home, but had to run out again. For some reason he just wasn't in the mood for the chicken made for dinner. He joked he'd had enough bird for one day and would prefer something soft since his chin wasn't very comfortable. The phone began ringing and that went on into the night. Dave's wallet had been lost in the shuffle, so the hunt was also on for that. It was later found in the ambulance and secured... secured so well that the next morning it couldn't be found. The next day was filled with missteps like this and getting pulled into dozens of directions, but I won't bore you with the frustrating details.

It wasn't until the news reports came on that we really got a feel for what Dave had done, since his descriptions were very modest. KVVU FOX 5's Story and Video Interview with his UK Passengers was amazing. Their description and how they felt about the reactions of their 'Hero Pilot' was great, I especially love the accent. (Or is it us that have the accent since they're English?)

KTNV Channel 13 also did a good story, and a few more details found in their video. Unfortunately the online version was cut short and left out the line that made Dave chuckle a bit. Nina had said that her co-anchor Steve was right, "It looked like he parallel parked it on the bike trail....impressive." Dave said, "Yeah, I guess I did nail the landing pretty well."

KVBC Channel 3 found out that it wasn't a goose and what kind of bird it really was, and that it weighed an estimated 10#. That, the size of the hole and more is found in their Story and Video.

Of course there were requests for interviews, but that's just not Dave's style. I understand and appreciate that they wanted to give him the recognition he deserves, but he seems satisfied with what he receives from family, friends and his employer. To him, anything more is being showy.

He just did his job, what he enjoys and trained for so many hours to do. Fly the chopper, land the chopper, and do the best you can do whatever the conditions. How many others do the same, using the skills they've honed to be the best they can at what they do. Military, medical, police, fire, and many others out there push themselves beyond the status quo and provide "Service before Self."

While I'm sure he's flattered and has to feel pretty good about himself, he's just not looking for a pat on the back. "Besides", he joked later, "Really, ask anyone. Your face is sewn together, can't shave, and you're sore and have a bit of a headache. Do you really want to go on TV like this? I think that's a NO."

Although I will admit I'm both amazed and proud, I'm not writing this to boost Dave's hero status, that he humbly doesn't want. That's even why I waited a few days to write about it. Still, his story hits home. My home, in more ways than one.....and yours as well.

While we all don't necessarily save other's lives, what we do, surely can have a profound effect on them. For those here at Active Rain in real estate and related industries, we touch people right where they live. What we do effects their lives for years, sometimes even a lifetime or for family generations to come. We can use Dave's story as a vivid reminder that we're here to do a very important job, need do what we're trained to do to the best of our ability, and always give our 'passengers' the best possible outcomes we can provide, whatever the circumstances.

If you are interested in relocating to Las Vegas or would like more information on Las Vegas real estate, rentals or property management, please email me, Roberta LaRocca, at roberta@search4lasvegashomes.com, or call 702-354-8988. I look forward to hearing from you!

Yes, the Las Vegas Valley has home secrets. Of course we have a number of celebrity homes, both past and present, from entertainers to sports greats. Las Vegas locals may or may not know where they are, as they often blend into neighborhoods.

I mentioned in the comments of my Donny and Marie Osmond post, that while I know, don't expect a map to the Las Vegas Celebrity homes. One of the reasons the valley has been popular with performers, athletes, and business moguls is that they can usually live here without much interference to their privacy at home.

You can also find the unusual and unique here, like the Las Vegas Underground Home built by Avon founder Jerry Henderson. It's tucked away in a typical Las Vegas neighborhood just a few miles from the Strip. Before the guest house was built on top of it, the sophisticated mature couple would pull into their gated empty lot, only to vanish into their 'boulder' that housed the elevator to their nearly 16,000 square foot subterranean estate.

What about neighborhoods themselves? Being here in the desert, many are surprised to discover lake front and lake view homes, from communities like Desert Shores, The Lakes, Lake Las Vegas, and the Lake Mead view homes of nearby Boulder City, with it's small town charm. Then there's the range of everything from mid-century modern to the tech of energy efficient green homes and the NextGen home creating the standards for tomorrow.

There are local historical homes and businesses that have been relocated to Heritage Street at the Clark County Museum. Located just off Boulder Highway, so many pass right by these preserved period buildings from Las Vegas' past that are hiding on the tree lined street in plain view.

You'll find dozens of master planned communities throughout the valley, some with lesser known names than others. While you'll see them all the time, what may be hidden beyond the entrance? An exceptional community? Incredible Value? Recreation options? An interesting resident or bit of history, perhaps?

About 6 miles north of the museum, and again just off Boulder Highway, you'll come across South Valley Ranch, another affordable master planned home community in Henderson. Ahh, but it has it's share of secrets.

Yes, it has the 10 acre Rodeo Park, with picnic areas, lighted tennis, basketball, volleyball, ball field, along with horseshoe pits and much more. While you may not be aware of that little gem, there's still a larger secret lurking beyond the park.

Sure, another clean looking, cozy community, with stucco homes that you might expect to find in various parts of the Las Vegas Valley. Well there is one of these South Valley Ranch homes, in particular, that has a secret.

With FOX celebrating 20 years of 'The Simpsons', and auditions held for the upcoming Simpsons Anniversary Special '3D on Ice', I thought it was a good time to let everyone know that real life Springfield and The Simpsons home, was here in Henderson, NV. Take a look at the last picture above. Now just imagine it with The Simpsons style of artistic and colorful decorating touch.

That's how the home looked when it was built in 1997 by Kaufman and Broad working with FOX, and as part of a contest promotion by Pepsi. After tens of thousands visited the home, complete with tours from Simpsons characters and ceremonies with locals and celebrities, the home was awarded to the contest's winner. It was later made over again to blend back into the neighborhood, as you'll see it today.

While there was a Henderson Kwik-E-Mart on Horizon Ridge Parkway for a short time in 2007, the Simpsons' Springfield of Henderson home roots only have one remaining landmark. Take a closer look between the shrubs in the front yard.

Notice that one section of concrete sidewalk that doesn't seem to match the rest? Well, The Simpsons' Matt Groening left this home with an original lasting 'Home-r', that you can See Here.

For more images of the home when decorated Simpsons style inside and out, pictures are found at this Animation World Magazine page ( the 'massive' at 1997 Internet speeds, video files may not play unless you have access to older video codecs), and there's also these multiple pages of pictures and information at RealPix Simpsons site.

I hope you enjoyed finding out about another of the many secrets of living in Las Vegas. For home buyers everywhere, you may also realize the benefit of having a knowledgeable real estate agent working for you, that really knows the depth of your new community down to the most trivial details, as well as the business end of real estate transactions.

Home buying is so much more than numbers, statistics, and market reports that are repeatedly copied and pasted all over the net. It's really about your life and how you'll live it. It's about finding the neighborhood that's right for you, and fits your needs. That's whether it's luxury homes and living among the stars, unique community features, convenience, recreation, events, history of where you'll live, or simply just affordable homes, rentals, or vacation homes that suit your personal tastes and budget.

That's the real value of having the personalised service of a Professional REALTOR® helping you with your decision on your next home. Make that knowledge one of your priorities when selecting your next agent. With rare exceptions, home sellers pay for your agent's services, so why not chose the best you can find.

If you are interested in relocating to Las Vegas or would like more information on Las Vegas real estate, rentals or property management, please email me, Roberta LaRocca, at roberta@search4lasvegashomes.com, or call 702-354-8988. I look forward to hearing from you!