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| March 14, 2008 | NEWEST - PRIOR WEEK - ARCHIVES |
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| "It's The Norm" - Las Vegas Entertainment Events | |
NORM JOHNSON FEATURED AT HENDERSON ARTFEST
This writer is really hitting the jackpot this month and again in May. First off the bat is the return of the World Famous Mint 400 Off-Road Race, that I dreamed up back in as a special event for the Del Webb owned Mint Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. The event, the first of its kind in the United States, went on to become very possibly the most famous off-road event ever. Well, to make a long story short, S.N.O.R.E. (Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts) have taken up the call and decided to bring the famous race back. The new Mint 400 will be held March 27-30, and just like the old race contingency and technical inspection will be held on Fremont Street, downtown - where the canopy ends at Las Vegas Blvd. going east. According to Don Wall, president of S.N.O.R.E., the event has already attracted more than 300 entries - including many veterans of the original series. K.J. Howe, who took over management of the race in 1973, following Mel Larson (who took over from me in 1969 when I was promoted to the Thunderbird Hotel, but remained as a consultant) has entered, along with Brian Collins (whose father and uncle raced in the very first race) will enter a Trophy Truck. I have been told by a reliable source that there will be a of one or two original 1968 vehicles on display downtown.
One vehicle that will not be on display, but deserves a little mention here, is the 1939 Chevrolet Coupe that an employee of the Mint Hotel entered. He worked in the print shop and heard about the race and wanted to get involved. He asked me if I could help him. I was able to get special tires and new shocks and a comped entry fee. The funny side is that he heard it might get dusty out there (the first race ran from the end of the old Fremont Street, where it turned into a dirt road about a mile from downtown and across the railroad tracks) and headed to Beatty, where it turned and returned to Las Vegas (all off-road and in the desert) so he cut a hole in the metal hood, attached a long aluminum tube to the carburetor and placed an air filter on top of the tube (it stuck up about 4" above the hood). It lasted about two miles before it fell off and the car lasted about another two miles before it broke down. But, for four miles, this young man had the time of his life. There are so many stories I could tell, but needless to say I'll save them for another day. Maybe next week I'll tell another funny one. Now with your permission (actually mine), I will print a news release sent out by the City of Henderson about yours truly. It was written by Nicole Johnson (no relation, gang, honest) and is very possibly the best release ever written about me. So, here it is: Local icon Norm Johnson, best known for his award winning journalism and the founder of the Mint 400 Off-Road Desert Race, has recently turned his focus on sculpting. To commemorate his new found passion, the City of Henderson will recognize Johnson as one of the featured artists at the 11th Annual ArtFest™ of Henderson, May 10-11 in the Water Street District in downtown Henderson. Johnson's sculptures will be on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. This family-friendly event is free to the public. |
Johnson, who specializes in bronze sculptures illustrating the Wild West and sea creatures, was first introduced to sculpting as a youth in Southern California. As a junior high student in the 1940's, Johnson entered a statewide art contest requiring participants to create three dimensional pieces of famous California symbols. Johnson's interpretation of the state's grizzly bear received high honors amongst his peers and a desire to continue sculpting. He has participated in several art exhibits including Henderson's Third Thursday, a monthly event that celebrates local artists, where he won "best of show." Additionally, Johnson artwork has been displayed throughout the valley at several galleries. He has also sculptured the trophy for the Annual off-road race held in Henderson as well as created the trophy for the Las Vegas Soccer League, an event sponsored by Entravision Spanish Television. "We are honored Norm Johnson has accepted our invitation to be a Featured Artist at this year's ArtFest of Henderson," said Andrea Primo, Director of the Cultural Arts & Tourism Department. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Norm to introduce his new passion of sculpting to an audience of art connoisseurs. A celebrity in Southern Nevada, Norm is an incredible man who continues to build a legacy in journalism to art, and everything between." With aspirations to become a reporter, Johnson pursued a journalism degree at San Diego Junior College. His first journalistic career began with the Copley News Service, where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 1965 Watts riots in Los Angeles. Moving to Las Vegas over 40 years ago, Johnson has worked as a sports writer for the Las Vegas Sun, a publicist for many local hotel / casinos and entertainers including Robert Goulet and Willie Nelson as well as worked as a special events promoter for a number of off-road races. Currently, Johnson works as a freelance writer for What's On Magazine, Las Vegas Leisure Guide, Las Vegas Review Journal and a number of regional and national publications. He has authored two books, History of Off-Road Racing and Magellans of the Sky, which details the true story of the first flight around the world in 1924 by the U.S. Army Air Service. Johnson's other credits includes first place awards from the Associated Press, Copley Journalism and United Press International in 1964 and again in 1965, and the "Best Journalist" Award by the Annual Meatball Association of Las Vegas in 2004. For 14 years, Johnson raced in many off-road races winning numerous awards including a few first place finishes. In 1968, Johnson founded the world-famous Mint 400 Off-Road Race, while working in public relations for the Del Webb's Mint Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. A popular race for 20 years, the Mint 400, which returns this year on March 27-30, inspired Hunter S. Thompson to write "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Johnson served as a consultant for the 1998 movie version. ArtFest of Henderson, which draws over 40,000 attendees, is the largest art festival in Southern Nevada. The annual art festival features over 200 select artists from across the nation displaying and selling stunning artwork from painting to pottery, jewelry to photography and much more. Other festival features include live jazz and contemporary entertainment, a new food and beverage court and an expanded Kids' Gallery, which includes hands-on crafts, a family stage and other fun activities. A Mother's Day weekend tradition, ArtFest of Henderson will stretch down Water Street, including the Henderson Events Plaza and the Henderson Convention Center, both located a 200 S. Water Street. ArtFest of Henderson is produced by Frank Maquire & Associates, Inc., which promotes annual art festivals throughout the southwest. If you would like to see some of my sculptures visit my Web site www.sculpturesbynorm.com. For additional info on ArtFest of Henderson, call the City of Henderson Department of Cultural Arts & Tourism at (702) 267-2171 or visit www.888artfest.com. Well, gang, now you know the rest of the story. Hope to see ya around the Mint 400 and also at ArtFest of Henderson. I'm outa here!
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