The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – February 2020: Nevada
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1bhabeck
Each month, we will visit a different state in the United States of America for the Monthly Reading Challenge in the Mystery & Suspense Extra! Group. This month, we stop in at one of the states that will hold a US presidential primary in February - Nevada.
The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – February 2020: Nevada
History
Nevada is a state in the western United States of America; its capital is Carson City, but its best-known city is Las Vegas. Nevada is ranked 7th in area at 110,577 square miles (286,382km square) but is only the 32nd most populous state with approximately 3.1 million residents as of 2019 (it is 42nd in terms of density). The state's name comes from the Spanish "nevada" which means "snow-covered."
Nevada was originally annexed as part of the Spanish Empire in the territory of New Spain but became part of "Alta California" (Upper California) province in 1804 when the Californias were split (more on this when we get to California). When the Mexican War of Independence was won in 1821, Alta California became a state of Mexico. As a result of the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the area was acquired by the United States and continued to be administered as a part of the Utah territory. In 1861, the area separated from Utah and became the Nevada Territory until it became the 36th state on October 31, 1864.
Nevada is one of only two states that expanded its land area significantly after becoming a state (the other is Missouri). The state absorbed a portion of Utah to its east and the area to the south between the 37th Parallel and its current southern border. The transfer in the south was prompted by the discovery of gold in the area and officials thought that Nevada would be better able to handle the population boom. The area acquired to the south includes most of what is now Clark County and the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Mining was a major component of Nevada's early economy but saw a decline in both mining and population in the late 19th century. Unregulated gambling was common in the mining towns but was outlawed in 1909 as part of a national anti-gambling campaign. Following further declines in population and agriculture during the Great Depression, the state petitioned for and was allowed to legalize gambling in 1931 as well as enact the most liberal divorce laws in the country.
Geography
Nevada is bordered by five states: California to the west and south, Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east and Arizona to the east and south. Nevada is largely desert and semi-arid with areas to the south within the Mojave Desert.
Fun Facts
Approximately 86% of the state's land is managed by various jurisdictions of the United States' government, both civilian and military.
The economy of Nevada has long been tied to vice industries. "Nevada was founded on mining and refounded on sin – beginning with prizefighting and easy divorce a century ago and later extending to gaming and prostitution," said the August 21, 2010 issue of The Economist.
Nearly 75% of Nevada's people live in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas-Paradise metropolitan area, including 3 of the state's 4 largest incorporated cities.
Nevada is the 4th largest producer of gold in the world.
Nevada has 172 mountain summits with 2,000 feet of prominence. Nevada is ranked 2nd in the US by the number of mountains (behind Alaska). Nevada is the most mountainous state in the contiguous United States.
Nevada has no individual income tax nor does it collect corporate income tax.
The iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was create by 35-year old graphic designer Betty Willis in 1959.
Nevada is the driest state in the United States with less than 10" of rain per year.
Shrimp consumption in Las Vegas is more than 60,000 pounds per day – higher than the rest of the country combined.
Nevada has multiple nicknames – The Sagebrush State, The Silver State and The Battle-Born State.
In 1941, the El Rancho Vegas was the first resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. Bugsy Siegel named his Las Vegas casino "The Flamingo" for the long legs of his showgirl sweetheart, Virginia Hill.
Notable Residents
Authors from Nevada include: Nevada Barr (mystery writer), Lute Pease (journalist and cartoonist), Cecelia Holland (historical novelist), Walter Van Tilburg Clark and Georgie Sicking (a Cowboy poet).
Famous Nevada natives include athletes Andre Agassi (tennis player), Kurt and Kyle Busch (Nascar drivers), and Floyd Mayweather (boxer). Also from Nevada are actors Nicolas Cage, Jenna Jameson, Matthew Gray Gubler and Dawn Wells.
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
Happy Reading ❤
The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – February 2020: Nevada
History
Nevada is a state in the western United States of America; its capital is Carson City, but its best-known city is Las Vegas. Nevada is ranked 7th in area at 110,577 square miles (286,382km square) but is only the 32nd most populous state with approximately 3.1 million residents as of 2019 (it is 42nd in terms of density). The state's name comes from the Spanish "nevada" which means "snow-covered."
Nevada was originally annexed as part of the Spanish Empire in the territory of New Spain but became part of "Alta California" (Upper California) province in 1804 when the Californias were split (more on this when we get to California). When the Mexican War of Independence was won in 1821, Alta California became a state of Mexico. As a result of the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the area was acquired by the United States and continued to be administered as a part of the Utah territory. In 1861, the area separated from Utah and became the Nevada Territory until it became the 36th state on October 31, 1864.
Nevada is one of only two states that expanded its land area significantly after becoming a state (the other is Missouri). The state absorbed a portion of Utah to its east and the area to the south between the 37th Parallel and its current southern border. The transfer in the south was prompted by the discovery of gold in the area and officials thought that Nevada would be better able to handle the population boom. The area acquired to the south includes most of what is now Clark County and the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Mining was a major component of Nevada's early economy but saw a decline in both mining and population in the late 19th century. Unregulated gambling was common in the mining towns but was outlawed in 1909 as part of a national anti-gambling campaign. Following further declines in population and agriculture during the Great Depression, the state petitioned for and was allowed to legalize gambling in 1931 as well as enact the most liberal divorce laws in the country.
Historian Lawrence Friedman, explains what happened next: "Nevada in a burst of ingenuity, built an economy by exploiting its sovereignty. Its strategy was to legalize all sorts of things that were illegal in California…after easy divorce came easy marriage and casino gambling. Even prostitution is legal in Nevada, in any county that decides to allow it. Quite a few of them do."
Geography
Nevada is bordered by five states: California to the west and south, Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east and Arizona to the east and south. Nevada is largely desert and semi-arid with areas to the south within the Mojave Desert.
Fun Facts
Approximately 86% of the state's land is managed by various jurisdictions of the United States' government, both civilian and military.
The economy of Nevada has long been tied to vice industries. "Nevada was founded on mining and refounded on sin – beginning with prizefighting and easy divorce a century ago and later extending to gaming and prostitution," said the August 21, 2010 issue of The Economist.
Nearly 75% of Nevada's people live in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas-Paradise metropolitan area, including 3 of the state's 4 largest incorporated cities.
Nevada is the 4th largest producer of gold in the world.
Nevada has 172 mountain summits with 2,000 feet of prominence. Nevada is ranked 2nd in the US by the number of mountains (behind Alaska). Nevada is the most mountainous state in the contiguous United States.
Nevada has no individual income tax nor does it collect corporate income tax.
The iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was create by 35-year old graphic designer Betty Willis in 1959.
Nevada is the driest state in the United States with less than 10" of rain per year.
Shrimp consumption in Las Vegas is more than 60,000 pounds per day – higher than the rest of the country combined.
Nevada has multiple nicknames – The Sagebrush State, The Silver State and The Battle-Born State.
In 1941, the El Rancho Vegas was the first resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. Bugsy Siegel named his Las Vegas casino "The Flamingo" for the long legs of his showgirl sweetheart, Virginia Hill.
Notable Residents
Authors from Nevada include: Nevada Barr (mystery writer), Lute Pease (journalist and cartoonist), Cecelia Holland (historical novelist), Walter Van Tilburg Clark and Georgie Sicking (a Cowboy poet).
Famous Nevada natives include athletes Andre Agassi (tennis player), Kurt and Kyle Busch (Nascar drivers), and Floyd Mayweather (boxer). Also from Nevada are actors Nicolas Cage, Jenna Jameson, Matthew Gray Gubler and Dawn Wells.
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
Happy Reading ❤
2bhabeck
Brenda's February 2020 Americana Challenge - Nevada
0 of 3 Complete
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
0 of 3 Complete
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
5Carol420
📌 - ★ -
Carol Is Going To win BIG in Vegas
3/3 DONE - 2/15
📌1. A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
Silver Sparrow - Tayari Jones - 3★
📌2. A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States
If I Can't Have You 4- ★ (set in Utah)
📌 3. A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
The Heavens May Fall - Allen Eskens (A &E) - 4.5★
6Olivermagnus
Lynda and Oliver's February 2020 Americana Challenge - Nevada
2 of 3 Complete
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
📌 A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
Silver Bay - Jojo Moyes - 3.5 Stars - 2/11/20 -has a mystery storyline
📌 A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
Last Sister - Kendra Elliot - 4 Stars - 2/19/20 -set in Oregon
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
7rhinemaiden
silver - Miss Silver Deals with Death by Patricia Wentworth
mobster - The Last Don by Mario Puzo
author's initials - Old Bones by Aaron Elkins
mobster - The Last Don by Mario Puzo
author's initials - Old Bones by Aaron Elkins
8Andrew-theQM
Vegas here I come (has anyone seen Elvis?) :
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 15/2/20
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
The 19th Christmas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2/2/20
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 15/2/20
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
The 19th Christmas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2/2/20
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
9rhinemaiden
>8 Andrew-theQM: Elvis has left the building
10Carol420
>8 Andrew-theQM: >9 rhinemaiden: Elvis has left many, many buildings.
11gaylebutz
I'm going to read Silver Lies by Ann Parker. "Silver" is in the title and it takes place in the west - Colorado.
12Carol420
>11 gaylebutz: Kill two birds with one stone:)
13Andrew-theQM
>9 rhinemaiden: >10 Carol420: I heard he was ‘working as a waitress in a cocktail bar....’
14rhinemaiden
>13 Andrew-theQM: Charlaine Harris wrote that he now goes by the name Bubba and moonlights in Bon Temps, LA.
15gaylebutz
>12 Carol420: Yeah that's the best I can do. I can't read the huge number of books that you and many others read in a month. So, I'm looking for shortcuts!
16Andrew-theQM
>14 rhinemaiden: Bubba sounds good! 🤔
17ScoLgo
>16 Andrew-theQM: Re: Elvis: Bubba Ho-tep...
"Mud Creek, Texas is about to get all shook up. When mysterious deaths plague the Shady Rest retirement home, it's up to "Elvis", its most sequined senior citizen and a black curmudgeon-in-chief, "JFK", to defeat a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy with a penchant for sucking the souls from the barely living."
"Mud Creek, Texas is about to get all shook up. When mysterious deaths plague the Shady Rest retirement home, it's up to "Elvis", its most sequined senior citizen and a black curmudgeon-in-chief, "JFK", to defeat a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy with a penchant for sucking the souls from the barely living."
18Carol420
>15 gaylebutz: The only reason I can read as many as I do is that I don't have a job anymore. Reading IS my job now. Wonder when pay day is.
>17 ScoLgo: That's so funny! "Sequined senior citizen". Now there's a movie that I'd like to see:)
>17 ScoLgo: That's so funny! "Sequined senior citizen". Now there's a movie that I'd like to see:)
19Andrew-theQM
>17 ScoLgo: Thanks, sounds a fun read!
20Andrew-theQM
>18 Carol420: Pay day is when you get new books.
21Carol420
>20 Andrew-theQM: That sounds like a good deal.
22Andrew-theQM
How does Nevada fund itself if there is no income tax?
23EadieB
>22 Andrew-theQM: Because Las Vegas is in Nevada and they make a lot of tax money from the gamblers then they don't have a personal income tax or corporate income tax but the residents do have to pay federal income tax.
24Carol420
>22 Andrew-theQM: Casinos are not only huge revenue for the states they are located in but also for the community they are in. The one in Battle Creek where I live, gives many thousands of dollars each year to the schools in our county plus more to the township it's located in for police, roads...whatever they want to use it for. What they use it for is often the problem but they have to use the schools money for the schools so that's a plus. There are a total of 26 casinos in the state of Michigan....23 of these are tribal owned and operated casinos... while the other 3 are commercial casinos in Detroit. To give you an idea of how lucrative this enterprise is to the state of Nevada...There are 166 casinos in Clark County, Nevada where Las Vegas is located. In addition there are currently (as of January 1, 2018), 39 casinos in the Las Vegas Strip area. For their purposes however, the Nevada Gaming Commission includes casinos that are not actually on Las Vegas Boulevard as being "Strip" casinos in their figures. It's a huge incentive for cities and states to allow these enterprises in. I believe that Nevada is the only state that residents don't pay state income tax though, but I could be wrong. EVERYONE pays federal income tax.
25EadieB
>22 Andrew-theQM: >24 Carol420: Found more info:
Three states on the list — Wyoming, Nevada, and Florida — don't have any income tax. While it's not possible to change federal taxes, these tax-friendly states could help retirees save on state taxes.
Which states do not have state income tax?
That's because seven US states don't impose state income tax — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
Three states on the list — Wyoming, Nevada, and Florida — don't have any income tax. While it's not possible to change federal taxes, these tax-friendly states could help retirees save on state taxes.
Which states do not have state income tax?
That's because seven US states don't impose state income tax — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
26Carol420
>25 EadieB: I remember when we came to Michigan in 1979 how surprised we were that we had to declare state income tax...Florida didn't have it and when my husband left Michigan for Florida with his parents, he was only 16 and had never filed any taxes in Michigan.
27jguidry
Jaret goes back to Nevada
(0/3 completed)
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
(0/3 completed)
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
30gaylebutz
Has silver in the title and takes place in the western U.S.
Silver Lies by Ann Parker
3.5 ★
The crooked, the greedy, and those with a checkered past-they all came to Leadville with the same purpose: Get in, get rich, get out. As 1879 draws to a close, silver fever burns hot in the Rocky Mountain boomtown of Leadville, Colorado. Unfortunately for Joe Rose, an assayer of precious metals, death stakes its own claim. Joe's body is found trampled into the muck behind Inez Stannert's saloon. Most of the townsfolk, including Inez's business partner, Abe Jackson, dismiss Joe's death as an accident. When Joe's widow Emma asks Inez to settle Joe's affairs, Inez reluctantly agrees and soon uncovers skewed assays, bogus greenbacks, and blackmail, leading her to believe that Joe was murdered.
This was a pretty good story, if a bit complicated to follow. Inez is not easily intimidated and willing to take things into her own hands, which is sometimes a bit of a stretch. It’s set in the wild west in the 1800s. The feeling of that comes across pretty well but sometimes the danger seemed to be missing. I thought the second half of the book was more interesting than the first. Overall, a decent story.
Silver Lies by Ann Parker
3.5 ★
The crooked, the greedy, and those with a checkered past-they all came to Leadville with the same purpose: Get in, get rich, get out. As 1879 draws to a close, silver fever burns hot in the Rocky Mountain boomtown of Leadville, Colorado. Unfortunately for Joe Rose, an assayer of precious metals, death stakes its own claim. Joe's body is found trampled into the muck behind Inez Stannert's saloon. Most of the townsfolk, including Inez's business partner, Abe Jackson, dismiss Joe's death as an accident. When Joe's widow Emma asks Inez to settle Joe's affairs, Inez reluctantly agrees and soon uncovers skewed assays, bogus greenbacks, and blackmail, leading her to believe that Joe was murdered.
This was a pretty good story, if a bit complicated to follow. Inez is not easily intimidated and willing to take things into her own hands, which is sometimes a bit of a stretch. It’s set in the wild west in the 1800s. The feeling of that comes across pretty well but sometimes the danger seemed to be missing. I thought the second half of the book was more interesting than the first. Overall, a decent story.
31jguidry
>30 gaylebutz: I read this one not too long ago. I agree with your review completely. I thought it was pretty good for a first book in a series. I will eventually continue it...
32gaylebutz
>31 jguidry: Good to hear. I liked it enough that I would try another in this series also.
34Sergeirocks
Taken me a while to start, but:
1) 20 February - The President is Missing - Bill Clinton and James Patterson 4★s (A character is a politician)
2) 28 February - The Silver Locomotive Mystery - Edward Marston 4★s ("Silver" in the title)
3) 29 February - A Study in Scarlet - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 4★s (Author's first and last initials in 'NEVADA')
Made it, by the skin of my teeth, 😀
1) 20 February - The President is Missing - Bill Clinton and James Patterson 4★s (A character is a politician)
2) 28 February - The Silver Locomotive Mystery - Edward Marston 4★s ("Silver" in the title)
3) 29 February - A Study in Scarlet - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 4★s (Author's first and last initials in 'NEVADA')
Made it, by the skin of my teeth, 😀
35Olivermagnus
I never did get the author's initials but I'm done.
Lynda and Oliver's February 2020 Americana Challenge - Nevada
2 of 3 Complete
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
📌 A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
Silver Bay - Jojo Moyes - 3.5 Stars - 2/11/20 -has a mystery storyline
📌 A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
Last Sister - Kendra Elliot - 4 Stars - 2/19/20 -set in Oregon
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
Lynda and Oliver's February 2020 Americana Challenge - Nevada
2 of 3 Complete
In honor of NEVADA, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
📌 A Mystery/Suspense book with "Light(s)," "Strip," "Gamble," "Silver," or "Gold" in the title or a desert landscape on the cover;
Silver Bay - Jojo Moyes - 3.5 Stars - 2/11/20 -has a mystery storyline
📌 A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a Politician or a Mobster or the story takes place in a desert or the western United States;
Last Sister - Kendra Elliot - 4 Stars - 2/19/20 -set in Oregon
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in NEVADA.
36bhabeck
>35 Olivermagnus: lol...I don’t know if I even got one of them this month! February was a very bad reading month for me — even with the extra day...
37bhabeck
>34 Sergeirocks: congrats!
38Sergeirocks
>36 bhabeck: >37 bhabeck: I really needed that extra day! 😉
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