CITY OF GLITTER

Tom Gorman’s article about Las Vegas (“When Vegas Grows Up,” March 16) taught me more about that community than I had observed in 60 years, from my first visit in 1937 to my most recent, for the ShoWest Convention on March 4 and 5.

Julian Myers

Century City

*

In Gorman’s rush to write off Las Vegas as an educational wasteland,

he somehow overlooked the largest provider of higher education in the state: the Community Collegeof Southern Nevada--a college located on three 80-acre campuses in the western, southern and northern corners of Las Vegas, one that serves 25,000 students with state-of-the-art facilities.

A computer lab the size of a football field opened last year on the Cheyenne campus. It contains 1,200 computers and offers students access from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beneath the lab are huge kitchens, a student-run restaurant and, yes, a model casino. At the Charleston campus there’s a highly respected dental hygiene program.

Clark County schools Supt. Brian Cram and CCSN President Richard Moore have formed an unusual partnership in which members of the college faculty are permitted to teach university-level courses to advanced high school students, and high-risk high school students are given special tutoring and jobs on the CCSN campus. And last year, 1,000 new teachers were hired by the school system, one in which metal detectors have not been needed.

Las Vegas has many problems, but when it comes to education, they are being solved more successfully than in most other cities.

The city of Los Angeles should be so lucky.

William K. Cassell

Associate Vice President

Community College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas

*

Gorman’s frank observations and commentary echoed my recent impressions of the new “my hotel has more rooms than yours” Las Vegas. As my wife and I checked into one of the glitzy behemoths, its “Disneyland alternative” aspects were evident. Uninhibited members of the “Sesame Street” set ran amok in the lobby, to the dismay of employees and childless adults alike.

Later, we noted that the attire sported by the people waiting for the show was not what it used to be. The ushers and waiters were dressed well and appropriately both for the event and the impressive location. Not so the majority of the audience, however, most of whom appeared to have come directly from mowing their lawns, cleaning out their garages or performing car maintenance. The fine show seemed at odds with the disheveled, poorly mannered audience.

Lastly, at our table, which seated 12, only one couple other than ourselves left a tip for the attentive service staff upon departing.

Yes, the Rat Pack and the truly classy uptown Las Vegas of the past seem to be gone forever, having been overtaken by the four-wheel-drive, wrinkle-free, fist-full-of-nickels yahoo wannabes. Dean, Sammy and Peter wouldn’t have believed it.

Max St. Yves

Newport Beach