According to Steve Stallworth, general manager of the South Point Arena, his wife, Stephanie, a native Las Vegan, is the reason the family lives, eats, drinks, works, and plays downtown. Stephanie, who is director of public affairs for downtown-based Cox Communications, has only briefly left her familiar surroundings of Rancho Circle since birth, and she doesn't intend to any time soon.

"Steve and I lived in my parents' guest house while we waited for our home to be built in Summerlin," said Stephanie. "Before the home was completed, I convinced Steve to buy another home in Rancho Bel Air, just one block from my parents' home. So we sold our Summerlin house before spending even one night in it. That was six years ago and we haven't looked back." 

The Stallworths, who have two children, Savannah, 17, and Stetson, 13, are frequent downtown diners at Nozomi's, Lola's, The Omelet House and Luv-it Frozen Custard. Stetson practices basketball at the YMCA and Savannah regularly attends concerts at The Box Office in the Arts District. 

Date nights for Steve and Steff, as she calls them, typically begin at Mundo, Chicago Joe's or The Artisan, followed by drinks and dancing on East Fremont Street. "Steve and I love all the unique downtown bars, including Downtown Cocktail Room, Don't Tell Mama and The Griffin," she said. "We've been downtown regulars even before Zappos and Tony Hsieh made the area uber-cool." 

"And, we can't wait until Insert Coin(s) opens in April," said Stephanie. "Can you imagine playing Donkey Kong or PacMan while sipping Ketel One Vodka?" 

According to Stephanie, the energy and enthusiasm downtown is catching hold thanks to developments like the Arts District, Emergency Arts and Symphony Park. "When I was growing up, downtown was cool," she said. "It's cool once again and I love that our children are able to experience this 'community inside of a community' - just like I did. Downtown will always be home for us." 

Photo:The Stallworth family