To laugh off or discount what these people are saying is part of the HUGE problem the Arts District has. There are many, many people out here (prominent business people with money who are looking to buy good local art) that just don't go to the Arts District...(either because they're turned off by the area or because they don't really like a lot of the "outsider art" that is on display down there.) I've heard these kinds of statements many times, but the Arts District seems to want to live in their own little bubble...the attitude is "screw you, we're doing what we want." Not the kind of attitude that brings in patrons & donors...

And from what I've seen over the last few years, the most talented & art savvy folks just pick up & leave. How many artists do you know in this city making a living purely from art? There are not nearly enough for a city of this size...

First Friday, in my opinion, is not doing the artists here any favors. When an older acquaintance of mine, looking to buy some art, went down to FF, she was completely turned off...her words "it's like a big circus with some art on the side and you can't really even get a good look at the art." She said she'd never go back. The Arts District really needs to look at how FF is conducted & start making changes there, in my opinion. It's really not a positive thing to have that be someone's first experience in the local art area.

We need to be reaching out to the community...lawyers, doctors, business owners...people who have disposable income who are looking to buy from local artists...I just don't see these types of people attending FF or strolling around the Arts District on any given day...You can't have an Arts District nor art events that are completely made up of artists alone...just my 2 cents...

RyMan for Governor! Seriously, that's one of the smartest posts I've seen on this paper's pages... You hit the nail on the head about everything that is wrong with this state & this country!

And, mining is NOT paying their fair share...they are mostly foreign companies that come here, reap huge amounts of money & then leave environmental destruction. Then, they declare bankruptcy to avoid the cleanup, start a new LLC & do it all over again. Where are they going to go? If the gold is here, they'll pay the taxes...

I agree with torn - as soon as the road is paved, the area will quickly decline...I've never seen such a blatant disregard (almost disdain) for the environment and natural beauty as I've seen here in southern NV...it's a shame, because this is an extremely beautiful & fragile area..

In addition to agreeing with what the majority have said about hikers (kind, nature loving people who like to stay fit & spend time outdoors & who will often clean up trashed areas) we're overlooking the obvious...People have been climbing Black Mountain from there for years & years. This hike was listed in several local hiking books long before the neighborhood was ever built...If you wanted to live in a protected fortress, you should've done some research before you bought a home there. Most people would see the trail as a wonderful benefit...Get out & meet some nice hikers - some are probably your neighbors...