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Las Vegas and Poker Blog

April 2, 2005

Lazy Saturday here in paradise. The temperatures are already hinting that another blazing summer is just over the horizon. Close to eighty this week.

Billboards and press releases remind me that this is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the City of Las Vegas. Today, the official painting of the Centennial Celebration, Celebrating 100 Years in Neon was unveiled by local dignitaries and the artist, LeRoy Neiman. No stranger to Las Vegas and the gambling scene, Neiman has been painting his impressions of the city and its people for years. I remember seeing his exquisite impressionistic Vegas showgirl series in Playboy many years ago. His paintings of sporting events are considered to be the gold standard of sports art. We have enjoyed viewing his depictions of everything from the brutal blood sport of boxing to the ballet-like essence of the Olympiads. Quoting form the Las Vegas Centennial's press release:

"When it was suggested there should be a painting to celebrate the Centennial, I said immediately I was the man who should do it," Neiman said. "I was able to incorporate familiar and lasting images of Las Vegas into the painting, as well as my own memories of time spent there. There is no place in America, or anywhere else, like Las Vegas."

The public will have the opportunity to enjoy owning a copy of Celebrating 100 Years in Neon. Poster reproductions will be available to purchase for $45 on the Las Vegas Centennial's merchandise Web site. Pre-orders are now being accepted. Those interested in attending centennial functions can keep track of everything happening here in Las Vegas by going to www.lasvegas2005.org.