Desert companion - Oct 2015 by Nevada Public Radio

Trust issues

An odd ‘husband,’ a determined son and an epic probate case

10 OCTOBER

Plus: how the tax repeal could fail and still succeed

A guide to aging, death, grief and moving on in Las Vegas

the comfort of strangers

‘the ideal nexus’

boulevard of tasty dreams

When tragedy strikes, these trauma volunteers will be at your side

Black Mountain Institute’s expansive new vision

For uncompromising Thai flavor, find your way to Chada Street

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EDiTOR’S Note

Silver states

he ethos of Las Vegas may be new, new, new, but, actually, we’re a wise old city underneath. Shiny new subdivisions, constant Strip evolution and Downtown makeover aside, Las Vegas continues to be a major retirement magnet. Right now, about 12 percent of our state’s population is 65 or older, but that’s expected to grow to nearly 20 percent by the year 2030. In other words: Sure, we’ve got gaming and nightlife down to a science, but it turns out we’re also at the vanguard of the graying of America. This means much more than having a wait a little longer for a tee time at your favorite golf course. It raises a more fundamental question: How can Southern Nevada get prepared to serve our growing population of silver citizens, with their unique health care, financial and lifestyle needs? One mere issue of a magazine can’t begin to answer the question, but we’ve tried to start some conversations about it in our Passages issue. Starting on p. 55, you’ll find FAQs, resource guides and feature stories that touch upon issues such as aging, death, grieving and moving on — handled, we hope, in a way that’s neither grim nor saccharine. We tapped local experts in fields such as finance, end-of-life care and relationships for their advice on commonly asked questions about death and dying. We also provide a curated guide to resources in the valley, ranging from in-home care services to rehab centers to classes and workshops that help with the grieving process. However, aging, death and grieving are ultimately personal — but not priNext vate. That is, the trials and struggles MOnth — and yes, joys — of life’s final chapters ’Tis the season happen in family rooms, kitchens, nursfor our Holiday ing homes and hospices, places where Guide we live and work. Author and UNLV

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English professor Douglas Unger ruminates on that reality in “Being There,” p. 62. He recounts three “good deaths” — those of an aunt, his first wife, and his brother — in his family, occasions that, while heart-wrenching, also gave him the opportunity to play a meaningful role as a companion and caregiver in their final days. In each case, he took on the task of supplying “small good things” to the dying in a spirit of compassionate duty. Heidi Kyser’s story, “You never know their real intentions” (p. 66), tells a different type of personal story. She examines the case of Japanese socialite Reiko Kawasaki, whose death in Las Vegas in 2010 sparked a series of bitter court battles over her estate. Death is hard enough; Kyser’s story considers how it can often provoke the basest human traits — greed, jealousy, revenge — among the living who remain behind. We’re not going total goth on you. Be sure to check our Q&A with the Black Mountain Institute’s new Executive Director Joshua Wolf Shenk (p. 44) and our critics’ first tastes of two new restaurants, one dishing up innovative Thai street food, the other revved-up Italian classics (p. 50). You’re sure to find it all enlightening and entertaining — no matAndrew Kiraly ter the color of your hair. editor

Follow Desert Companion www.facebook.com/DesertCompanion www.twitter.com/DesertCompanion

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October 2015

letters@desertcompanion.vegas

Vo lU m e 1 3 I s s u e 1 0 Business

still life: For the Werner family, taxidermy isn't just a business, but an art and a craft.

“Lifelike,” our September profile of a local family’s taxidermy business, prompted a couple of strong reader responses, including one from Annoula LifeLike Wylderich, excerpted here (see the full text at desertcompanion.vegas): “We have few really good publications in the valley that actually provide newsworthy articles rather than superfluous pages of ads and useless information. I consider Desert Companion to be among them. However, I have been disappointed lately to read articles that help glorify and perpetuate the exploitation of animals. “… The public may not have the foresight to look past the cuddly animals, photo opportunities or trophy heads adorning walls to ask some pointed questions. However, journalists who report about these businesses do have the responsibility to look at all sides of the issue when they decide to write these stories. Your recent ‘Lifelike’ article in the September issue was one such example. The Werner family, like many other ‘avid hunters’ and trappers, professes to ‘love animals.’ Many of us love our families and friends; that doesn’t mean we want to see their heads on our walls. “The 5 percent of Nevadans who hunt usually show up at meetings where wildlife issues are discussed, to oppose any measures of more humane ways of trapping and treating wildlife. Any attempts to alleviate the needless suffering of animals are vehemently fought against by these people, and the Werners are at practically all of these meetings. … “If publications choose to continue printing stories which include self-professed ‘experts’ on the issue of wildlife, at least include the input of those educated and trained individuals who can speak intelligently about this issue.” Editor Andrew Kiraly responds: Thanks for writing, and sorry you were disappointed by the taxidermy article. I suppose I would agree with some of your assertions if the article purported to be some thorough investigation into the ethics of hunting and its arguable role in conservation. It wasn’t that kind of article, quite obviously. It was a profile of an unusual family business that many people are curious about (and, yes, that some find distasteful). The fact that we wrote about it doesn’t imply editorial endorsement or approval, or that it meets some Desert Companion value test. It’s journalism. It doesn’t condone, condemn or glorify. But it does acknowledge that

For the Werners, taxidermy — “capturing the spirit” of a dead creature — is all about family, tradition, memory and a love of animals B y S ta c y J. W i l l i S

hen I call Werner Family Taxidermy in Henderson to arrange a visit, Ryan Werner is remarkably friendly and open. “Sure, come on down,” he says, just as it says on their website: “Come check out the showroom.” The shop sits beside their house on Basic Road, across from Dog Beauty Parlor pet grooming. Upon entering, I’m greeted by several dozen animal heads, or mounts, displayed on the walls. Then I get a friendly handshake from Ryan, a bearded man wearing a Guinness beer T-shirt, shorts and baseball cap. Behind him, his wife, Vikki, sits with a scalpel, thinning a deer hide strewn over a bench. She’s focused and bespectacled. Their pet dog, a rescue mutt, runs around in the shop, and one of their three sons is hanging out in the back, where later he’ll

September 2015

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show me a coyote that he killed and mounted at age 14. He’s 17 now. But first, I spot a small bobcat mount of some sort, and ask Ryan if I can touch it. He seems relieved. “Yes! Go ahead, we want you to touch them,” he says. “That’s part of what this is about. We want you to be able to experience them because you’d never get this chance in the wild.” True enough. If I saw this cat in the wild, I’d walk the other way. Perhaps run. Here, I touch its fur, which has been cleaned and brushed, the skin tanned, and then stretched over a foam model in an action pose. I pet its fur; it’s soft. All around me, glass eyes carefully placed in elk and antelope faces stare me down. Ryan invites me to walk around and feel the horns and fur, while he talks about the family business. As children, both he and Vikki hunted

with their fathers, and they continued the tradition with their three kids. After a hunt in 2008, they sent their “harvest,” as hunters call it, off to a taxidermist to be mounted (not “stuffed”; that’s a common misnomer). They weren’t impressed with the results — it had visible staples, among other problems. So Vikki decided to learn the trade herself, in their carport. “We bought a tarp to cover the front so that the cars driving by wouldn’t see,” says Ryan, who also works full-time for Clark County doing roadwork. “We made tools out of scrap metal and whatever we had.” Vikki did a taxidermy apprenticeship, and initially, she barely charged her new customers. “We’d give them a lower rate (to attract them) and use that money to buy more materials and tools and reference books and freezers and paint,” Ryan says. But she got better at it quickly, and the business grew. Ryan learned some basics, too, and eventually, they had to move the business into a building beside their house. Their three sons began learning the trade to help out, and later, an adopted daughter joined the effort. What started as 10 or 20 animals per year has turned into about 1,000 mounts annually, primarily from Nevada hunters, although some come from as far away as Africa. This year, as hunting season began in August, they hired extra help and started tossing around the idea of expanding to a new shop, perhaps in Arizona. “We didn’t think it would get this big,” says Ryan, who acts as the business manager while Vikki remains lead taxidermist. “From August to January, it’s just crazy.” Still avid hunters themselves, they have to schedule their hunts carefully to keep up with the demands of taxidermy, which come at all hours: “Say we get someone who has a harvest from Pioche, three hours away. They may not have it back to their truck until 10 p.m, so they may not get it to us till 1 a.m. We have to be available on standby because you need to get it in the freezer. Most people

people different than you live and work here, and that they might be interesting. That’s the value test, if any. I like to think our readers are mature, educated and broad-minded enough to understand that these subjects may not always comport with their sensibilities and values — and, moreover, that our readers even enjoy encountering such diversity in our pages.

Now let’s hear from a website commenter named Emily, responding to September’s story about developments in the solar-power industry: “How can miles and miles of solar fields be considered environmentally friendly? In our fragile desert habitat, where destroyed soils will never regenerate in our lifetime, and where plants and animals have evolved specifically to survive in this harsh climate, it must be acknowledged that solar fields are destructive. … It is misguided to assume that solar energy is ‘green’ energy, especially out here where the destruction of desert land means permanent destruction.” P h oto g r a P h y C h r i sto p h e r s m i t h

8/25/15 7:08 PM

Saying “It is a big deal to some of us,” reader Brian Forbes wrote in to correct a fact in our “Stirring tribute” cocktail story from September: “Jack Daniels is Tennessee whiskey, not bourbon. Bourbon comes only from Kentucky.” Duly noted; into the Desert Companion style guide it goes!

The September issue’s 24-part all-Vegas hoedown — in which we chronicled a day in the life of the valley — was so wide-ranging, so inclusive, that even some of the participants learned from it. Poet Lee Mallory, for example, who contributed a poem inspired by spending the 3 a.m. hour in a North Las Vegas Denny’s, told Facebook the following: “Well, after barely two years in Vegas, I learned more from this virtual ‘tour’ than from anyone, anywhere.” And Stacy J. Willis, while stationed at Sunset Park for the sizzling-hot 4 p.m. shift, tells us she picked up a receipt dropped by a man racing through the park on a kid’s bike: “It was from Walmart, and here’s what it said: 5 pounds of rice, 2 calzones, 2 pickles, and 1 ‘MC SS Choc’ — whatever that is. I sat under a tree for a few seconds, trying to put together that meal: rice, calzones, pickles and chocolate.” All that’s missing is a little bourbon.

My favorite bonding time with my mom is at Town Square. The Children’s Park is so fun, and I love the Cactus Coaster too. We shop, have lunch and after the park we get our favorite dessert. It’s a great day.

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October 2015

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Features 62 being

Resources to help you deal with aging and end-of-life issues â&#x20AC;&#x201D; plus, expert, no-nonsense answers to the legal, medical and personal questions that arise in the twilight of a life

Novelist Douglas Unger has helped three loved ones manage the ends of their lives. Tales of compassionate duty.

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there

66 what came after The death of socialite Reiko Kawasaki set off an epic series of surprise revelations and court battles. A cautionary tale about life, death and trust. By Heidi Kyser

c o u r t e s y o f j o h n k awa s a k i

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October 2015

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Vo lU m e 1 3 I s s u e 1 0

departments All Things

38 community

49 Dining

72 The Guide

23 analysis What’s at

You hope you’ll never need their comforting presence — but if you do, the Trauma Intervention volunteers are ready By Dan Hernandez

50 The Dish Old-world

Someone call the Petri dish people because we’re overflowing with culture

lame design

44 Q&A

53 Eat this now

30 Profile Top Scout

Talking with Joshua Wolf Shenk, new director of the Black Mountain Institute By Andrew Kiraly

The Blue Ox Tavern’s peasant-food gem

stake with challenges to the 2015 tax increase 26 trending Hospice

care — for pets 28 zeit bites Courting

32 STYLE Day of the

dead — in style! 34 outdoors Taste

the wilderness 36 Open topic My

newfound historical apathy

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Italian gets a Vegas update at Salute 52 at first Bite Thai

delight at surprising prices at Chada Street

80 End note Next year’s Burning Man agenda By Andrew Kiraly & Scott Dickensheets

C o v e r : H e av e n ’ s G i f t x x x 8 9 / G e t t y I m a g e s

D o g : B r e n t H o l m e s ; I l lu s t r at i o n : S c ot t L i e n ; J o s h u a S h e n k : C h r i s t o p h e r S m i t h ; F i s h : S a b i n O r r

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p u b l i s h e D B y n e va d a p u b l i c r a d i o

Mission Statement Desert Companion is the premier city magazine that celebrates the pursuits, passions and aspirations of Southern Nevadans. With awardwinning lifestyle journalism and design, Desert Companion does more than inform and entertain. We spark dialogue, engage people and define the spirit of the Las Vegas Valley.

Publisher Melanie Cannon Associate Publisher Christine Kiely Editor Andrew Kiraly Art Director Christopher Smith deputy editor Scott Dickensheets senior designer Scott Lien staff writer Heidi Kyser Graphic Designer Brent Holmes Account executives Sharon Clifton, Parker McCoy, Favian Perez, Leigh Stinger, Noelle Tokar, Markus Van’t Hul NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Couture Marketing 145 E 17th Street, Suite B4 New York, NY 10003 (917) 821-4429 advertising@couturemarketing Marketing manager Lisa Kelly Subscription manager Hannah Howard Web administrator Danielle Branton traffic coordinator Karen Wong ADVERTISING COPY EDITOR Carla J. Zvosec Contributing writers Cybele, Elisabeth Daniels, Dan Hernandez, Alan Gegax, Mélanie Hope, Debbie Lee, Corey Levitan, Christie Moeller, Geoff Schumacher, Greg Thilmont, Douglas Unger, Carla Zvosec Contributing artists Bill Hughes, Chris Morris, Sabin Orr, Jasper Rietman Editorial: Andrew Kiraly, (702) 259-7856; andrew@desertcompanion.vegas Fax: (702) 258-5646 Advertising: Christine Kiely, (702) 259-7813; christine@desertcompanion.vegas Subscriptions: (702) 258-9895; subscriptions@desertcompanion.vegas Website: www.desertcompanion.vegas Desert Companion is published 12 times a year by Nevada Public Radio, 1289 S. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89146. It is available by subscription at desertcompanion.vegas, or as part of Nevada Public Radio membership. It is also distributed free at select locations in the Las Vegas Valley. All photos, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Desert Companion and may not be duplicated or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The views of Desert Companion contributing writers are not necessarily the views of Desert Companion or Nevada Public Radio. Contact Hannah Howard for back issues, which are available for purchase for $7.95.

ISSN 2157-8389 (print) ISSN 2157-8397 (online)

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Board of Directors Officers cynthia alexander, ESQ. chair Snell & Wilmer Jerry Nadal vice chair Cirque du Soleil TIM WONG treasurer Arcata Associates Florence M.E. Rogers secretary Nevada Public Radio

Fall in love with your backyard.

Directors kevin m. buckley First Real Estate Companies Dave Cabral emeritus Business Finance Corp. Louis Castle emeritus Patrick N. Chapin, Esq. emeritus Richard I. dreitzer, Esq. Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP Elizabeth FRETWELL emeritus City of Las Vegas bOB GLASER BNY Mellon don hamrick Chapman Las Vegas Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram gavin isaacs Scientific Games

well-designed, installed, and maintained landscape is an extension of your indoor living space. Take comfort in our expertise, and let us help you create your outdoor oasis. We want you to love where you live, indoors and out! “Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” —Jim Bishop

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Anthony j. pearl, esq. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas MARK RICCiARDI, Esq. emeritus Fisher & Phillips, LLP Mickey Roemer emeritus Roemer Gaming

Like us on Facebook Follow Desert Companion

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Events at the Springs Preserve are supported by the generous contributions of our sponsors

Top Dentists

ON AUGUST 20, more than 250 medical professionals, their guests and readers of Desert Companion gathered at the new Roseman University Campus in Summerlin to celebrate the 2015 Best Doctors & Top Dentists. The evening featured an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail, courtesy of Davalos Tequila, as well as engaging activities that encouraged friendly competition. With so many “best doctors & top dentists” in our community to celebrate, we can’t wait for next year. Check out all the photos on

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ANALYSIS

Saw, meet money tree The culmination of years of effort, the 2015 tax package is being targeted for repeal — with some obvious short-term and surprising long-term consequences By Steve Sebelius

o start, it’s important to understand that the tax bill passed by the 2015 Nevada Legislature wasn’t just the product of a few months of work. The groundwork that led to the unique confluence of events in Carson City this year began more than 12 years ago, when another popular Republican governor in his second term failed to pass a gross receipts tax to better fund Nevada’s public schools. Where the late former Gov. Kenny Guinn failed, the seemingly charmed Gov. Brian Sandoval succeeded. But it wasn’t easy. In the years since 2003, several proposals for taxes were discussed and some even fashioned into bills, although none were seriously considered by the Legislature after the failure of Guinn’s tax. Nevada’s response to the recession required reductions in education spending that made the issue more acute. Before the 48 members of the Legislature who approved the tax bill pushed their green buttons in May, literally thousands of hours were spent dissecting nearly every alternative. Hearings stretched until long past sundown. Numbers guru Jeremy Aguero of Applied Analysis estimates he and his staff spent 1,100 person-hours weighing 117 different tax models, and then distilling the results for lawmakers. “It’s massive,” he said of the effort.

i l lu s t r at i o n c h r i s m o r r i s

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ALL Things

education

Sandoval and his team monitored the Legislature daily, responding both to policy and political questions. Initial plans were changed. Anti-tax business lobbyists were heard from, loudly and repeatedly. Alternatives were weighed and rejected. The payroll tax? Hardly any businesses in Nevada actually pay it, evidence showed. A sales tax on services? Talks broke down over which services should be taxed and at what rate. Finally, thanks to Sandoval’s resolve, good research and solid lobbying, a consensus began to coalesce around Nevada’s new commerce tax, along with a package of other increases. Skeptics were slowly persuaded, a constitutionally required twothirds supermajority was painstakingly assembled and tough votes were finally taken. Now, all that may be undone. Or, maybe even worse, frozen into the law until a vote of the people comes along to change it. At least two factions of conservatives have maneuvered to challenge the new taxes using the state’s referendum laws, by which citizens can ask for a ratifying vote for any bill or resolution passed by the Nevada Legislature. One faction, led by activist Chuck Muth, is seeking to repeal the entire tax bill, from the commerce tax to increases in the cigarette tax, business license fees and DMV registration fees, among others. Another faction, led by state Controller Ron Knecht, Las Vegas Councilman Bob Beers and former Assemblyman Ed Goedhart, plans to target only the commerce tax. Because turnout in the 2014 election was so low — and because referendum signature requirements

So even though a hated tax would be cemented into the law books, conservatives can take cheer in the fact that it can never be raised without another vote of the people. The long-term impact could pose much greater problems than even an outright repeal.

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are based on turnout — only 55,233 valid signatures are required to put a referendum on the ballot. But here’s the thing: Simply getting the question qualified for the ballot is a victory for anti-tax conservatives. If voters say yes, the tax (or taxes, depending on which version makes the ballot) is repealed. The immediate impact of that would be a hole in the budget, likely followed by a special session and serious trimming by lawmakers. But if voters say no, Nevada law says the law cannot be changed without a subsequent vote of the people. So even though a hated tax would essentially be cemented into the law books, conservatives can take cheer in the fact that it can never be raised without another vote of the people. The long-term impact of that outcome could pose much greater problems for state budget planners — and Nevada businesses — in the future than even an outright repeal. As Muth explained in a recent email newsletter: “So a qualified referendum on the largest tax hike in Nevada history is a no-lose scenario for Nevada’s taxpayers and businesses. You see, even if the tax hikes aren’t repealed, the Legislature won’t be able to raise them on their own again in the future.” So why create all the chaos in the first place? It’s not just the basic conservative philosophy that government is bad, and that cutting taxes is the only way to contain its size and scope. It’s also the idea that lawmakers who voted for taxes defied the will of the people, who in November 2014 overwhelmingly rejected The Education Initiative, a 2 percent margins tax on business revenue. Conservatives argued in Carson City — and still argue — that the taxes are similar. “So taxpayers are supposed to suck it up and accept a billion-dollar tax hike because 48 bought-and-paid-for legislators and the governor think they know better than 429,324 voters (who voted down The Education Initiative in November)? I don’t think so,” Muth scoffed in another piece. (Aguero has said the two taxes are dissimilar “in

almost every meaningful way,” from the rate charged to the revenue raised to the way different businesses are treated under the tax.) Finally, whether by design or not, there’s something even more insidious than the instant impact of tax repeal at play here. It’s an idea that never-saydie conservatives want to take hold in the minds of lawmakers, especially Republican lawmakers, which reinforces the ultimate futility of working to raise taxes in the first place. Why go to all the trouble of working on a tax increase — the research, the long hearings, the lobbying of colleagues and persuading of constituents, finding at least 28 Assembly members and 14 senators — when you know all your work will come to naught? Why face the inevitable bad publicity, the potential of a recall election (they can be launched against state lawmakers just days after a legislative session begins), the potential of a hard primary election, when you know activists will just work to put the entire tax before voters anyway? Why spend the time studying the research, hearing the arguments and attending the hearings when the real decision will be made months later and miles from Carson City by a harried voter dropping by the grocery store, or the Costco, or the DMV, where petitions are being circulated. What’s the point of the most well-argued speech on the floor of the Assembly, when “taxes are really bad and hurt business” is just as likely to snag a signature from a voter who lacks any knowledge of the history of an issue or the consequences of repeal? It’s that idea — that a forever war will be waged against anybody who violates anti-tax orthodoxy — that’s perhaps the most subtle outworking of the referendum movement. So it’s important to remember that the referendums against the taxes of 2015 aren’t just targeting the work of a single legislative session. They’re targeting the unlikely success of a perfect storm of circumstances, and trying to squelch the chances of such a storm ever brewing again.

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trending

pet care

Creature comforts Hospice isn’t just for humans. Many vets offer end-of-life care for pets by Elisabeth Daniels

hen a pet is ailing or terminally ill, euthanasia isn’t always the first thing that comes to an owner’s mind. What if, despite the pain and illness, the pet is still alert, vibrant and engaged? What if there are still happy moments to share with the family dog or cat? That’s where pet hospice comes in. “It’s about comfort, not a cure,” says Toby Goldman. Goldman has been a veterinarian for 23 years. He runs Lap of Love, the only full-time mobile pet hospice in the Vegas Valley. Goldman uses a combination of pain blockers and anti-anxiety medications to keep pets happy and content for as long as possible. Las Vegas vet Nancy Brandt also offers animal hospice services. “I focus on quality of life, and not on a cure. Many animals will respond to treatment and enjoy weeks or years more. That time is precious. Hospice gives pets and their guardians special bonding time that could be missed otherwise.” Vets have been providing hospice care for years, but it wasn’t always called that. With the rise in popularity of the human hospice movement, now there’s a name for it, making it easier for people to request this type of care for their pets. But it’s still a tough call. People are usually in tears when they phone Goldman’s office. He reassures them: “This is a gift for your pet.” But even before hospice, they say pet owners can honor their companion’s last days by making the transition as good as it can be. In addition to pain medication, they suggest: • Making them more comfortable by adjusting things in the house or changing their eating situation. Maybe they need

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baby food for extra calories if they’ve lost weight. Or if they’re having trouble navigating a step because their vision is failing, add an extra light. • Reaching out to a pet photographer in your area. A professional photo shoot can be a great way to capture tender moments so pet owners have something to look back on. • Take them on a final trip to a well-loved location, like the park or the lake, if they’re still able to travel. As animals become sicker, there are good and bad days. Goldman says everything is based on the pet’s behavior — and advises owners to be particularly watchful for signs of disorientation, lack of interest in food or water, and listlessness. “You’ve given your pet such a good life,” says Goldman. “So now let’s take control. A natural death is not always a positive thing. They could lay there for days or weeks and have a hard time. We don’t want that for them.” Even when death is imminent, it’s still difficult to decide to euthanize. “It’s vital to understand what is suffering and what is transitioning – and when euthanasia is a better option for discomfort,” says Brandt. “One of the most important things that I do is validate the pet parents’ concern,” says Goldman. “They want to know that their choice to let go is the right one.” When that moment comes, keeping the

Canine companion: Lap of Love pet hospice’s Toby Goldman

pet at home may be the kindest option. Trips to the vet’s office can be stressful and make a pet fretful instead of relaxed. It can also be hard to transport a pet if they’ve got numerous health issues. “Driving them somewhere they’re not used to, where they hear all the sounds of the office, putting them on the table under bright lights,” says Goldman. “What a foreign, scary thing for animals!” Home is a much more comfortable setting. “When I started doing the home euthanasia, I realized how sweet and beautiful it is for them to be at home,” he adds. “We make a little circle of love and tell stories.” Pet owners want to maintain the human-animal bond, especially at the end. The vet can’t always cure an illness, but they can help owners and pets make the most of the time left.

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Subaru is a registered trademark. SiriusXM is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Inc. *Special 0.99% finance rate for 48 months available on all Subaru Certified Pre-Owned used vehicles, 2015–2010 model year. Cannot be combined with any other incentive. Financing for well-qualified applicants only. Subject to credit approval, vehicle insurance approval, and vehicle availability. Monthly payment of $21.26 per $1,000 financed. No down payment required. Must take delivery from retailer stock by November 2, 2015. See participating authorized Subaru retailer for details. †Ask your retailer for more information.

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zeit bites

responsible commentary

Forsooth, a courthouse! We’re not saying the proposed Supreme Court building Downtown looks old-fashioned, but ... by Scott Dickensheets & Andrew Kiraly Ye Olde Quizno’s concession Cutting-edge security scanner detects muskets, pitchforks

Parking meters accept Visa, MasterCard, farthings

Indoor pool for testing witches

Old-timey façade won’t scare horses!

From architect’s proposal: “A new Technologie of custom blown-glasse sheets, call’d ‘Windows,’ transparent to Man’s Naked Eye, offer a most pleasing vantage upon The Outdoors and Divers City Environs, refreshing man’s vigor and Spirite.”

3-D printer to create sleek, ultramodern scarlet letters

Wig-powder delivery bay

Doric columns lend a touch of Old Vegas

bookish

right-priced reading

have purchased hundreds of books in thrift stores. Fiction, nonfiction. Hardbacks, paperbacks. Academic doorstops, 150-page pocketbooks. It’s all there if you look closely. You can build an impressive library on the cheap — typically $1 to $3 per book. In my experience, Savers has the best book sections. Better than Goodwill, Salvation Army, Deseret Industries. I can’t explain this. (I do know Goodwill sifts out some of its better books to sell online. But don’t rule out Goodwill: I found a couple of gems there just

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the other day.) Of the valley’s seven Savers stores, three consistently offer the most diverse selection: 2620 S. Decatur Blvd., 2300 E. Tropicana Ave. and 3121 N. Rancho Drive. The Savers on East Trop is a “superstore,” and the massive book section does justice to that billing. On a recent visit, amid the multiple copies of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love — a thrift-store staple — I spied several top-tier literary works, including Jonathan Lethem’s The Fortress of Solitude. The nonfiction section offered a collection of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political writings and a signed edition of John L. Smith’s Steve Wynn bio, Running Scared. Eventually you see patterns. You may notice

Immersed in the Mojave The Mojave Desert is large, and it contains multitudes: It’s a landscape, of course, and an ecosystem, obviously (several, in fact), yet it’s also a resonant emptiness, a zone of conflict, a culturescape, a headspace and much more. If you task yourself with documenting and interpreting it, no single piece of writing, no film, photo series or art project could possibly be adequate. Which is why artist Kim Stringfellow pretty much decided to do it all. The Mojave Project is her multidisciplinary, multifaceted, multi-everything attempt to grok the muchness of this desert. “An experimental transmedia document,” she calls it. Accumulating at mojaveproject.org, it’s a slowly but steadily growing cache of documentary writings, photo galleries, sound files, maps, reproduced documents and more, and she plans to expand it into exhibits and curated events. An “immersive experience” is her ultimate goal. Projected completion: sometime in 2017. Stringfellow organizes her project around a set of overlapping themes: “desert as wasteland,” “sacrifice and exploitation,” “space and perception,” “transformation and reinvention” — eight in all. These capacious umbrella topics give her and her contributors leeway to examine subjects as disparate as Zzyzx Road, rock-hounding, Native-American resistance to nuclear power and the collecting habits of the Mojave’s human and animal populations. The writings, while probing and intelligent, aren’t off-puttingly academic — they’re accessible to the Mojave-curious. “I’m not a hyper-intellectual,” Stringfellow says. “I’m looking for a more generalized audience. But I also want some rigor in there.” “It’s meant to be very eclectic,” she adds, “to get people excited about something they might not be interested in.” Though the project addresses issues, Stringfellow says it’s not about taking sides. “I think it’s all interesting, and every stakeholder has a valid story.” Scott Dickensheets

that a store suddenly has a large number of books about European history. Or the science-fiction section has a near-complete set of the Horseclans novels. There’s something solemn about this — it indicates that a book lover has died or given up his prized possessions. You might see individuals in thrift stores poking their smartphones at one volume after another. They’re searching for books to sell on eBay. They rarely show any sign of being book lovers, thus the reliance on an app to tell them its value. Don’t expect the sections to be well organized. Savers tries to separate books

into categories, but the employees typically decide where to shelve them based on the titles, which leads to some humorous misplacements. Check all the shelves. My wife picks up old cookbooks in thrift stores. Sometimes she finds recipes worth trying, but often she finds the strangest things. She recently brought home a cookbook with a section on “Congealed Vegetable Salads.” Trust me, you don’t even want to know how to make a mackerel salad. Geoff Schumacher Like books? Check out the Vegas Valley Book Festival, October 17. See page 72.

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ALL Things

people

profile

Liz Ortenburger F CEO, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada

ifth grade is a difficult time for girls in the best of circumstances; the first signs of puberty bring unsettling questions of gender and identity. It’s even tougher for kids like Liz Leigh-Wood, who can’t rely on their parents for support. When Leigh-Wood’s parents failed to get her the $5 physical exam required to participate in St. Helena, California’s softball little league, the stability she found in the sport was pulled out from under her. She showed up to practice in tears. Her coach, Art Finkelstein, pulled her aside to ask what was wrong. When she told him, he said, “Don’t worry; I’ll make sure you get to play.” And he did. To this day, the adult Liz Ortenburger (now married), doesn’t know what magic Finkelstein worked to sort out her problem. She just knows that he showed her for the first time she had a family outside her home.

This idea was reinforced by Marlene Ortenburger, Liz’s mother-in-law, who died in 2006. From early in her courtship with Kipp Ortenburger, Liz remembers sitting with his mom on the porch of her Cambria, California home after everyone had gone to bed, sharing a glass of wine and talking about life’s ups and downs. Marlene always found the silver lining, Liz says. “Because I came from a difficult family background, she taught me almost everything I know about what empathy and love and family really mean. … She had this great joy about her that was infectious, and I caught onto that. It’s stuck with me.” Distill these two formative experiences, and you get the essence of Ortenburger’s philosophy for running Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, which she became CEO of in September 2013. First, every girl must know that Girls Scouts offers a family-like support system outside the home; second, volunteers

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must get the opportunities and resources they need to make their jobs as easy and rewarding as possible. To those ends, Ortenburger has focused on two initiatives. The first is the Super Troops model, which may best be described as crowd-sourcing Girl Scout troops. Rather than asking one or two parents to make the huge commitment of leading a troop for a year, Super Troops matches 50 to 100 girls in an area with as many volunteers as are interested in covering one or two evening meetings each. Volunteers can be parents, teachers, interested neighbors, community members, businesspeople — whoever has something to offer. A staff member coordinates the program, which Ortenburger says is up to 13 Super Troops now and expecting 20 by next year. The second initiative is volunteer support — making sure the adults

involved get as much attention and as many resources as the girls. “When people raise their hand, we want to make sure we have a suite of services to help them, to define their mission correctly and get them on the right path,” Ortenburger says. This part has been challenging, she adds, because when she moved to Las Vegas to take the job there was widespread disgruntlement among troop leaders. She estimates she has a oneon-one conversation to trouble-shoot a problem every day, in addition to regular meetings and speaking engagements. Social media is also helping, and Ortenburger says she spends time regularly on each of the local Girl Scouts’ 36 Facebook pages. On her two-year anniversary at the helm, she has some accomplishments to celebrate, notably being on track to meet her goal of 6,000 girls and 2,000 volunteers participating in Girls Scouts of Southern Nevada by her three-year anniversary. But hurdles remain. The 4,700 girls currently signed up represents only 1.7 percent of the eligible population — the lowest rate in the country. “Our main goal is 20,000 girls by 2025,” Ortenburger says. “I’ve told the board that we can do this now, that we have the right pieces put in place, the right model of Super Troops combined with the traditional program. … It will take some work, but we’ll get there.” Heidi Kyser

Photo g r a p hy b i ll h u g h e s

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ALL Things

style

trend alert

Skull’s in session The Day of the Dead’s brightly colored sugar skulls (calaveras) have gone mainstream. Here are some modern riffs on the iconic face of this Mexican holiday by Christie Moeller

Wonderland Bakery jumbo Day of the Dead skull sugar cookies (individually packaged with matching ribbon), $6.95, Wonderland Bakery in Downtown Summerlin

Reclaimed art guitar by Donna Kreinbring, $400, Artifact in Town Square

Calavera Cameo Drop earrings $75 Available at tarinatarantino.com

Cufflinks Inc. sugar skull cufflinks, $50, Nordstrom in the Fashion Show Mall

Boho black and white mug, $13.95, available at Karmagifts.com

Sugar skull candy tin, $3.99, IT’SUGAR in Downtown Summerlin

Dead it up!

Life in Death: Day of

Dia de Muertos at the

the Dead at Winchester

Springs Preserve. This

Cultural Center. This fam-

all-ages event features live theater and dance performances, face-painting, sugar skull-decorating and, of course, mariachis! Nov. 6-8, $3-$10, springspreserve.org

ily-friendly festival includes displays, an art exhibit, perforWhat better place to sport your new Day mances, craft sales and food of the Dead gear than vendors, as well as beautiful at these two local “ofrendas,” or altars, built by celebrations? families and other groups in memory of deceased relatives. Nov. 1-2, free, 702-455-7340

King Baby enamel Day of the Dead belt buckle, $190, King Baby in Caesars Palace

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Old Gringo women’s “Klak” black boots, $670, Pinto Ranch in the Fashion Show Mall

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ALL Things

outdoors

pro tips

A taste for nature How to have your wilderness and eat it, too by Alan Gegax

Dig into the wild: Left, wax currants taste like fruit punch; right, manzanitas are like a tart Granny Smith

hroughout my years of hiking in Southern Nevada, I’ve always been willing to put questionable items in my mouth. I’ve tasted and sampled all manner of native flora. Luckily, they’ve never made me sick, and I’ve gotten a few surprising rewards along the way. Like last August, when I was hiking Charleston Peak. It’s a bear of a hike, and it pushed my body and tested my spirit. But the enjoyment of finding a juicy, bright red berry, the Wax currant, helped keep my morale high. Foraging for currants was a great excuse to take a little break, poke around, and munch on something genuinely tasty. The berries are small, about the size of a BB, and to me, they taste like fruit punch. They weren’t abundant enough to make a meal, but it was neat to be able to grab something right off a bush and eat it. Humans don’t do much of that, anymore. When hiking the hills at lower elevation, I go for junipers. Utah juniper, to be precise. Many of the junipers found throughout the United States, especially those used in landscaping, produce berries (cones, technically) that are inedible. Some are even toxic. But the Utah juniper, native to Southern Nevada, has smooth, blue-gray berries that can be eaten straight from the tree. Are they delicious? No. And the people I convince to try them usually won’t have another. But I have found some in cooler climes, where the berries get plump and moist, that were downright palatable. Regardless of flavor, they’re always an interesting diversion. Red Rock is my favorite place to hike, and it has the tasty edible that is the easiest to find. In May and June, the smooth red bark of the manzanita (“little apple” in Spanish) points hikers to a fruit that looks and tastes exactly like the name implies. Manzanita are on the bitter side, like a tart Granny Smith, but I think they’re good enough to be eaten raw. They are bountiful enough at Red Rock that they can be gathered to make a cider. Here’s a time-tested preparation: Pour four parts boiling water over one part manzanita berries, and let them steep for about 20 minutes. Next, use a potato masher to gently break open the submerged berries, just enough so the water can get in and the good flavor can get out. Finally, let the whole thing sit overnight at room temperature in a closed container. The next day, strain the concoction through cheesecloth, add sugar to taste, and enjoy!

Toe the line: Hit the trails, blister-free Blisters can ruin the day of any hiker. They’re basically friction burns, caused by heat built up as your feet slide around inside your shoes, and I’ve endured blisters bad enough to land me in the burn unit at UMC. Thankfully, technicians at Wrightsock (wrightsock.com) have found a novel way to reduce that friction: a double-layer sock. The inner layer fits snugly around your foot — and stays there. It’s made of material that wicks moisture away, keeping your foot dry and less susceptible to blisters. The outer layer stays put against your shoe, and can be made from a variety of materials specific to activity and temperature requirements. I’m a big fan of their merino wool socks for winter hiking. The key to the blister-proof property is that the

Fall for hiking again

October’s finally here, and the month plays host to a number of outdoor events that celebrate the fact that we can go outside again without being roasted. The free fun starts on October 10 at Valley of Fire, where the park is hosting a class on flint knapping. Participants will learn the basics of this ancient art, turning a hunk of rock into an arrowhead, which is theirs to keep. Register by emailing Chris Johnson at vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com. • Next up is Spring Mountain Ranch’s annual Halloween Spooktacular! Kids are welcome to come in costume on October 17, where they can take part in a pumpkin-carving contest, bob for apples, and enjoy a hayride along the Red Rock Escarpment. More details at parks.nv.gov/calendar. • Head to Sunset Park on October 24 for Get Outdoors Nevada Day. This annual event brings outdoors enthusiasts, organizations, and outfitters together with booths and exhibits that highlight adventure opportunities throughout southern Nevada. (getoutdoorsnevada.org/day) AG

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two layers of the sock glide easily against one another, preventing heat from building. The whole system works together to keep your feet dry, comfortable, and blister-free. AG

Photo g r a p hy A lan Ge g a x

SAVE THE DATE Honoring

Donald D. Snyder

Presidential Advisor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

We need your help to continue to bring vital health-care services to low income, uninsured Southern Nevadans.

THE VENETIAN THE PALAZZO LAS VEGAS

Co-Hosted by: Florence Jameson, M.D. & Lydia Wyatt, D.D.S. Tickets and Sponsorships available today! Contact us today to make yourGreen early (702) reservation! Esther 912-0020 egreen@vmsn.org www.vmsn.org

Saturday, November 7, 2015 6 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M.

Esther Green 702.912.0020 egreen@vmsn.org www.vmsn.org Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada (VMSN) is a non-proďŹ t organization providing quality health care and support to people without access to health care in Southern Nevada within a culture of caring.

Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada Ruffin Family Clinic Paradise Park Clinic 1240 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. 4770 Harrison Dr., Ste 200 Las Vegas, NV 89106 Las Vegas, NV 89121 Phone: (702) 967-0530 Fax: (702) 967-0538 Web: vmsn.org

VMSN THANKS WELLS FARGO FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT AND CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

ALL Things

open topic

n o s ta l g i a

The end of history Or, more precisely, the waning of my interest in Old Vegas B y C o r e y L e v i ta n

“Y

ou have to see this!” gushed my friend Doug, a Harrah’s employee who’s not the gushing type. He led me out to the roof of the showroom to gaze down at the hotel’s original Strip-facing exterior. It was a steamboat replica, probably from the ’50s, I thought. Instead of dismantling it, Harrah’s just walled it off with its current Mardi Gras facade. Like Robert Ballard first setting eyes on the Titanic wreckage, I stared at the faux ship’s boarded-up portholes, the shutters of its captain’s bridge surrendering its red gloss paint to the elements. I wondered how many more facets of Old Las Vegas thought lost to the ages might merely be waiting for me to discover them? Since my wife and I moved here in 2005, glimmers of occasional hope have rewarded my

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perpetual search for historical authenticity, or at least some connection to Las Vegas’ former classic greatness: Shecky Greene joking about the Rat Pack at the Suncoast; Elvis properly remembered by the Westgate at the former International Hotel; the original Flamingo Capri rooms still hiding from the wrecking ball at the back of the Linq. Such moments offer a wormhole back to the days before the only force shaping Las Vegas Boulevard was shareholder value, before seeing a Vegas show meant having to choose between singing, dancing or comedy. But, it turns out, no glimmer this time. The Harrah’s steamboat dates back only to 1973, when the casino was called the Holiday. The nautical façade actually stood until 1997. Destroy it and they will come. How about a little truth in your next motto, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority? You and the industries you represent saw no good reason to preserve the Desert Inn, Sands, Dunes, Stardust or Frontier. And you were the entity that voted to purchase and demo the Riviera to make room for an expanded convention center. And how did this city let the Flamingo gut the very last physical connection to its storied past? The motel rooms by the pool — including Bugsy’s Oregon Suite, with its secret getaway staircase — were replaced by the Hilton Corp. with two towers in the mid-’90s. That’s where a mob museum should have gone. I know these were profit-driven decisions. But is it impossible to imagine visitors lining up for an Old Vegas experience? Couldn’t one hotel have been spared demolition and themed to fit the heritage exploited in Las Vegas marketing campaigns — with replica 1940’s slot machines, cigarette girls and crooners in the lounges? Isn’t there some giant foot that’s supposed to come down to preserve the history of the Strip? Even occasionally? Even once?

ILLUSTRATI O N S c ott L i en

SAME OLD SONG Gary Colombo knows the history of Las Vegas well. He recreates it for three hours every Thursday evening at the Mad Greek on Sahara. It doesn’t matter to him that only 12 customers have shown up tonight, none of whom seem to want to interrupt their baklava for a show. He just bursts out onto the sort-of stage with his million-dollar smile, shiny shirt and tap shoes machine-gunning to a pre-recorded instrumental of Louie Prima’s “Jump Jive an’ Wail.” (Prima and his big band performed regularly at the Sahara and, later, the Desert Inn from 1954-1960.) A quiet falafel catch-up with my parents has come with a side of irony: Now that, out of frustration, I’ve finally stopped seeking Old Vegas, it ambushes me. Colombo eyes the only table showing him the remotest love, plops himself down and karaokes with my 74-year-old mom on “Just a Gigolo.” “I ain’t got nobody!” she rocks out, as my 4-year-old daughter buries her face deep into my wife’s ribcage, displaying even more fright than earlier that day at the Lion Habitat Ranch. It was the Gary Colombos of the ’50s who played the lounges every weekend, the hard-working but forgotten musical foot soldiers with names like Tommy Doyle, Jimmie Nelson and Ernie Stewart. (The Rat Pack lived in Beverly Hills, parachuting into showrooms for limited engagements.) Colombo’s an excellent singer and hoofer. But the fact that he’s playing to the unlistening in an empty restaurant suggests that maybe the LVCVA is right and people just don’t care. (Indeed, just before this issue went to press, the Mad Greek on Sahara closed for good.) I once had a conversation with a young Sahara publicist who had no idea that Elvis rented a suite in the hotel that employed her, much less that it’s where he began his affair with Ann-Margret while they filmed Viva Las Vegas in 1963. (Come to think of it, she didn’t seem to recognize her name.) Even worse was the response of a Caesars Palace publicist the time I phoned for details about a comedian who

supposedly crashed his Oldsmobile into the fountains out front in 1968: “I’m sorry, but I don’t know who Shakey Greene is.” And these are Las Vegas experts, folks. Imagine how little ordinary tourists, and even locals, know and/or care about this stuff. Historically, our hometown is an altar to anything bigger, better and newer. And so what Las Vegas means today to most of our tourists is 25 hands of blackjack followed by “CSI: The Experience,” Criss Angel and maybe the nightclub du jour. If even a thought is given to Ocean’s 11 as the taxi crawls through Strip traffic, it’s about how different things look since the “classic” 2001 movie starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. I’m reminded of how radio personality Garrison Keillor defined nostalgia upon his recently announced retirement: “being sentimental about the ordinary.” Even I don’t care as much about Las Vegas history anymore. Since becoming a dad and an unemployed writer wondering how to continue raising my child indoors, I haven’t even checked whether the SLS bothered commemorating the suite where Elvis once stayed. Hell, I never even set foot in the joint. Anyway, would I really have loved living in Las Vegas in the ’50s, when the entertainment was sarcasm-free and booked by members of organized crime? When 32-kiloton atomic bombs sprinkled deadly fallout over Las Vegas faces craned upward for the best possible view? When Sammy Davis Jr. headlined the Frontier but couldn’t stay there because he was black? Exactly what “historical authenticity” was I nostalgic for in the first place? I’ll get back to you on that. In 1996, the Titanic was actually raised, by a Florida-based company that probably would have made it the centerpiece of the current Luxor exhibit. Then it sank again when lift balloons broke free of a 15-ton chunk of rusty hull about 150 meters from the surface. Sometimes, I’ve got to figure, history is better off left where it is.

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Community Lean on me: Trauma Intervention Program CEO Jill Bernacki

Humanity at its finest In a person’s darkest hour — when a loved one has died — the volunteers of the Trauma Intervention Program make sure the survivors don’t grieve alone B y D a n H e r na n d e z

ou don’t want to meet a TIP volunteer. If one arrives at your door, it means the unthinkable has happened. Someone you love has been killed in an accident, a homicide, perhaps suicide or natural causes, and while first responders make their way to the scene, a second call has gone out to arrange “citizen-to-citizen” support for you, the decedent’s survivor. You don’t have to be alone when the unimaginable happens; our branch of the Trauma Intervention Program will make one of its 70 volunteers available during the first hours of the grieving process. They are crisis-scene advocates and personal assistants and emergency friends. Highly trained, naturally sensitive people, TIPs are do-gooders willing to be with strangers in the worst moments of their lives.

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“We call it emotional first aid,” Scott Vivier, a volunteer who also works as a Henderson fire chief, explains at a monthly TIP meeting. “There are times when the decedent’s survivor literally has no one else. Imagine a spouse who just lost their only companion. They have no family left, no children. They are in a place all by themselves, and even though we’re only with them for those first couple of hours after the tragedy, that time frame can make a difference. “It really is humanity at its finest,” Vivier adds. “This is people helping people.” The Trauma Intervention Program was founded 30 years ago in Southern California, when grief counselor Wayne Fortin noticed many of his patients struggling to move on from incidents that occurred in the immediate aftermath of a death. It might have been the clinical way in which first responders acted on the scene. Sometimes his patients felt lingering bitterness over a neighbor’s insensitive questioning. Or regrets about the way they explained the loss to a child. At times, having no one to express their sorrow to in the first emotional hours after a death was that haunting experience. TIP was launched to minimize such unfortunate events and, when possible, prevent them. “We’re part of the emergency-response system, but we don’t work for them — and there’s a significance there,” says Jill Bernacki, CEO of the Trauma Intervention Program of Southern Nevada. “Some people are leery of talking to police or more people in uniform. They’ll talk to us because we’re just another person.” Vivier describes his fellow TIPs as “everyday citizens who want to be there to care for somebody else,” which conveys the gentleness you hear in their voices, the sincerity you read in their eyes when you meet. At their gathering in September, when volunteers break into small groups to discuss the month’s most difficult calls, one volunteer scrubs tears from his cheeks as he describes visiting a man who lost a grandchild. “What a horrible, painful, awful situation,” he says, pausing often as he speaks. “It was a privilege to be of some service, but there was no sense that … I mean, he was just crushed.” On the way

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Community home from that call, the volunteer had to pull over to collect his emotions. At home, he gave each of his kids a hug. One of the unintended side effects of exposing yourself to so much pain and grief is that you never take the people in your life for granted. TIP volunteers are frequently reminded how fragile life is. In fact, they receive that lesson more than counterparts in any other TIP affiliate city. ‘A Very Busy System’

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he Trauma Intervention Program has 15 branches in California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Maine. They are organized in cities as large as Portland and San Diego, but the Las Vegas entity is the biggest and busiest. Vivier, who has worked in emergency services in Clark County for more than 20 years, says, “We are a very busy system for tragedy because of our sheer size. The population can double on a weekend. And being a 24-hour city, I think you are going to have a higher call volume than other areas.” Every call the group receives is placed by a medical professional, law enforcement officer, the fire department or coroner’s office. In some cases, calling TIP is written into department protocol. Vivier says first responders have a strong affection for TIP. “What we find is that with people during a tragedy there are emotional and practical needs that aren’t addressed anywhere else in the system other than by TIP,” he says. We often expect the kind of soft approach and generous emotional support provided by TIP volunteers to come from emergency-services professionals on trauma scenes. But such expectations are neither fair nor realistic. “Emergency responders certainly are compassionate,” Bernacki says. “They just might not have the opportunity to stop their investigations to do what we do on a scene.” In addition to being the organization’s CEO, Bernacki is an investigator in the Clark County coroner’s office. “It boils my blood to hear people say the police are not compassionate, or the fire department doesn’t have a heart. They do,” she says. “They wouldn’t be calling us out to the

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS scene if they didn’t.” She says that having a volunteer explain the investigative process and keep the grieving person occupied often makes it easier for emergency-services workers to do their jobs. There’s another reason Vegas is the busiest of TIP’s 15 affiliates. “I think there are real social struggles that our community is faced with,” Vivier adds. “I think all those things combined make it so we keep getting busier. The response keeps growing every month.” Last year, the organization responded to 1,233 trauma scenes, where they assisted more than 5,500 people. This year, TIP has answered well over 100 calls a month and is on pace to hit more than 1,400 scenes in support of an estimated 6,000 people. The majority of those calls are for natural deaths, while the second most are alleged suicides and the rest are about evenly split between accidents and homicides. Emotional burnout is obviously a concern. That’s why TIP volunteers only do three 12-hour shifts per month. The commitment also includes a monthly meeting where they receive informal seminars from emergency services and then gather in small groups to discuss their most difficult calls. At the September meeting, a representative from Metro gives TIPs a presentation on programs available through the victim-services unit. She shares information on grants available to families of homicide victims to improve home security. That’s another reason first responders like to call on TIP: The program has a serious training regime that is proven and ongoing.

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mong the first things volunteers learn during two weeks of classroom sessions is that there is no one way to grieve. A person hit by tragedy might need to flail on the ground, or stand still in quiet anguish. It could be that they are very talkative, and they sometimes ask volunteers to pray with them, too. Whatever the situation, TIPs are instructed to “meet the person where they are.” And yet the range of scenarios they walk into is staggering. Imagine trying to calm a person who wants to run into a burning house, or assisting an overseas tourist who speaks very little English,

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Community and with the sudden loss of a spouse is alone in this strange country, this surreal town. Or, as one volunteer recently did, playing peacemaker between two families furious over the accidental death of an infant. When the mom and dad are separated, when they don’t get along and their families are on the verge of a fight — and you’re there to support them all. TIPs spend the first week of training just learning how to reach out to people suffering great loss — their “clients.” Although the volunteers never know what dynamic to expect on a scene, they are taught to always speak with a soft tone, use nonconfrontational body language and avoid phrases that might make the person feel worse. This means that when the individual is sitting on the ground, their TIP sits on the ground, too. You avoid physically facing a client, as if interviewing them or engaging in a transaction. The volunteer positions him- or herself at the in-

dividual’s side, a less-intrusive posture that shows they are with them, available when needed but not demanding attention. They are instructed to focus conversations on the survivor as much as possible — their feelings, their memories of the decedent, their concerns about what should happen next — to allow the client to vent as much as possible and avoid confusion in the few hours TIP is there. Stock phrases such as “It’s going to be okay,” “I’m here to help” or “I know how you feel” are purged from the aspiring volunteer’s mind. “We don’t like to use the word ‘help’ because nothing can help in that situation. Nothing we say or do is going to make someone’s tragedy better,” Bernacki says. “The worst one is, ‘I know how you feel,’” she adds. “We can’t claim to know how they feel, because no one does. Everyone grieves differently.” These and other lessons are followed

by three months of field training. By shadowing veteran TIPs, new volunteers begin to recognize when clients give verbal and nonverbal cues about other things they might assist with — advice on the appropriate time to contact mortuaries, or how to tell friends and family about the death. Perhaps most importantly, TIPs learn as soon as they arrive at a scene to begin determining whether their clients have additional sources of support. “When we leave — which we are going to do — this person’s life is not going to be any better than it was before we got there,” Bernacki says. “We’re hopefully softening a little piece of the process while we’re there. But we’re also going to try to identify a source of strength for that person to hold onto when we leave. Whether it’s getting their social support mobilized or calling their rabbi, priest or pastor. It could be that they need to hold onto a pet. It

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Helping hearts: Volunteers talk at a TIP meeting.

could be memories. A lot of times we’ll go on a scene, and that person starts sharing memories of their loved one; they want to start that memorialization process. They’ll pull photos off walls, photo albums out of bookcases, start going through this person’s life. It could be holding onto a piece of clothing. We try to leave knowing they at least have something to hold onto, whether it’s physical or emotional.” All of this is a lot to ask of volunteers, most of whom have no prior experience in emergency response. The ones at the September meeting are retired social workers, lawyers, former real-estate agents, secretaries and event planners. They all admit to feeling nervous every time they arrive to a new scene. But then so does the Henderson fire chief. “It’s much more difficult than responding to a normal medical call,” Vivier says. “These TIP calls, each one is unique, each one is very challenging. I’ve worked in emergency medical services for over 20 years, where the job is to fix things. But when you go on these calls, you can’t fix anything.” Most volunteers say kid calls are the hardest. Vivier, on the other hand, says that the one which affected him most was a call for an elderly woman whose husband committed suicide. He couldn’t quite explain why. Yet he didn’t really have to. It’s hard to imagine a situation more traumatic and painful than having a loved one take their own life. And to have that be the last person left in yours. Vivier didn’t experience any closure with that woman. They rarely do. A lot of volunteers punctuate stories by saying, “I couldn’t tell if I made a difference.” The reason most of them joined TIP, of course, is to help people. But survivors

don’t overcome the initial shock of tragedy that quickly, so the clients may not realize the effect that volunteers have until they reflect on the event much later. Occasionally, TIP receives letters. Thank you notes that Bernacki reads aloud at their monthly meetings: “Russ was very sincere, kind and supportive of me and my family.” “Tiara was very helpful and it was nice to talk to someone.” The volunteers clap after each letter. “Lea helped

my daughter in viewing the body before the mortuary took him,” another wrote. “I believe that the service she provided is needed. I think that during a difficult time having someone there to answer questions is a great idea.” Those volunteers mentioned by name smile as their fellow TIPs turn to applaud. All except one. There’s one volunteer who doesn’t hear her thank-you note — she’s out that night on a call.

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Q&A

Lit up New Black Mountain Institute Executive Director Joshua Wolf Shenk plots the future of the literary center B y A n d r e w K i r a ly

t can be challenging for newcomers to adjust to Las Vegas — our weather, our ways, our whole I-can-buy-shampooand-eat-a-steak at 3 a.m. lifestyle. But it might be especially challenging for Joshua Wolf Shenk. Shenk not only has to find a dentist and learn to negotiate the Spaghetti Bowl; he’s also charged with writing the next chapter of an international literary center based in a city known more for spectacle than scholarship. Shenk started in August as the new executive director of the Black Mountain Institute, which was largely built and grown under former executive director and UNLV President Emerita Carol Harter. If this interview is any indication, the next chapter should be compelling. Shenk — founding adviser of The Moth storytelling program, author of numerous books and articles exploring creativity and mental health, and free-range literary impresario — aims to

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take BMI well beyond the walls of UNLV, in more ways than one. You have a diverse resume — founding adviser of The Moth, author of books on everything from famous creative partnerships to Lincoln’s clinical depression, a teacher of nonfiction. How do you see your resume fueling future plans for BMI? I’m situated as a mediator between two cultures, between the culture of literary writing, which has a home in the academy — a place where you can come, read seriously and write seriously and engage in this delicate and mysterious process that takes a lot of time and lot of quiet and a lot of support. At the same time, I’ve been able to mediate between that and a world of, for lack of a better phrase, entrepreneurial culture, a world that asks how is work brought to a general audience, what will excite attention in a meaningful way, a

substantial way? Which sometimes mean paying attention to what excites attention in superficial ways — but only so you can grasp some of that energy and run a wire from that into things that are meaningful and ultimately helpful. What is a meaningful thing, and how do I bring it to an audience? Another preoccupation of mine is institutional collaboration, something that I think BMI is really set up for for a few reasons. We have this record, and we have resources to get stuff started that we can then bring to the perfect partner and say, “Do you want to play with us on this?” And I think it fits with what Las Vegas is at its core, a meeting place, a gathering place, that place where people gather and encounter people different from them. I’m very interested in that, both as a physical fact — because you can fly here from anywhere, quickly, and we’re close to the world, we’re accessible, a crossroads and an intersection — and as a metaphor. Do you have an example of a collaboration you’d like to pursue? I have 100 ideas how that might manifest, and I’ll tell you one. Shortly after I got the job, I met with a series of people who seem

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like promising potential partners, we’re going to do in the spring or, interview more likely, the fall. and among them were the crew with Shenk on “KNPR’s at McSweeney’s. We threw lots of State of What other ideas do you have ideas back and forth, and out of Nevada” brewing? that grew the idea to create a live at desert Another idea is to do something series of events in Las Vegas that companion. vegas/hear around veteran writers. But beyond will generate content for a special more issue of The Believer. Conversations, a single panel, the question is what commissioned pieces, performanccould do we do that’s meaningful es, both to create material that will be text and original in this space, that draws tothat will float directly into the pages of The gether a lot of really interesting themes: Believer, some material that will require edmedicine and the humanities, mental iting and sculpting, and some that will be health, the element of exploring a literature of experience, the element of direct service? audio for their podcast, which is a KCRW podcast called “The Organist.” The collaboIt speaks to BMI’s possibilities as a place of ration is this delightful thing where they get intersections and connections, and that’s to do something different, they get to have to get all these people together who are this experience in Las Vegas, they get finaninvolved in thinking about how we work cial support to generate live programming with veterans, and more broadly how we they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to fund. work with war stories. Then the question We get access to their community, a mesh becomes, how do you connect that with of their community and our community, and some kind of media? I think there’s a posthe whole thing also articulates something sibility to do some interesting things with that’s really core to my philosophy about documentary film around the experience of veteran writers. I’m very interested in the curating, which is that the ideal nexus is experience of war and the variety of perwhere you have a live experience where human beings get to be in a room together — spectives around it — the perspective of the something increasingly rare and something soldier, the journalist who’s watching the people are deeply, deeply hungry for — that soldier, the experience of the refugee, the offers a possibility for real transformation experience of a soldier on the other side. But the broader question, in all these on top of education and entertainment, and to combine that with some substantial ideas, is how do you create chain reactions? piece of media — be it a book, or a film, or You can do a spectacularly edifying event in this case, a magazine, or a podcast — that that, yes, will last in people’s minds, they’ll learn something, and perhaps they’ll read allows that to live outside of that room and to be accessible to vastly greater numbers a book they haven’t thought to read, and of people, people who are not privileged to that’s really valuable, but we’re in a posijoin that small gathering. Whether it’s 20 or tion to do the next thing, which is actually several thousand people, it’s small compared to create enough activity that people beto what a magazine might reach. The largest gin to bounce off each other in ways that Moth shows have done halls that are, like, are really effective and, to say something 3,500 people, but there are a million downoverly dramatic, life-changing. A certain loads of the podcast every week. But both amount of density can generate spectacuaudiences are experiencing something that lar things. When you look through human history, all of the most meaningful things feels like it’s for them. have come from this concentration, and we can be one of the nodes for it. Is there a theme for this project? We’re working on a theme. We want It happens in the smallest places, like in this office, across the hall we have (Nito do something that is evocative of the particular landscape of Las Vegas and its gerian writer) Okey Ndibe, Walter Kirn environment, but that also rises up as a will be here in a couple weeks. We have metaphor. This something I and the BMI Hossein M. Abkenar Hussein, our City staff and The Believer as a staff are just of Asylum fellow, our staff, Sally Denton, starting to think about. This is something a fellow who’s extended to help us with

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Q&A special projects, and then sort of radiating out to UNLV itself, then radiating out to people who have a relationship with us, even though they live in Berlin or Moscow or Shanghai. The question I’m asking: How do we engage the international literary community in such a way that we’re really playing a powerful role?

Are there any dream writers you would love to bring to Las Vegas? I don’t know where to start. If I'm really to dream: Philip Roth, Janet Malcom, Louis CK, Junot Diaz. Katherine Boo, author of Beyond the Beautiful Forevers, is in the area, and I’m trying to get her here. We played a role in the translation of Karl Ove Knaus-

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gaard’s books, and at some point we really need to have him here. (Shenk picks up a colorful blank journal that’s been sitting on his desk.) I have this book on my desk because I went to the Anne Frank House in December, and just as anybody would be, I was devastated by it, moved by it, and in the gift shop, they have a replica of the diary that her dad gave her shortly before she went into hiding. I just thought, this is such an interesting blank space, and could this be filled in such a way that it speaks to that tradition? I was thinking, is there a way to put this book in the hands of people like that who would continue that tradition, and help us see it’s a living possibility? Is this something we can do at BMI, would there be a way to get this book around the world and fill it with the voices of teenage girls — who aren’t in a literal situation of being in hiding, necessarily, but who are in that situation of being in a tight place and longing to be an artist in the world? That’s the fun part, that kind of dreaming. Do you ever think about like the longterm viability of the humanities and literature and ideas in today’s tech-obsessed culture? We live in an age when tech icons actually pay young people to skip college and work on tech startups instead. It’s a great question for us to engage. How does technology not only affect the way ideas and literary expression are conveyed, but the actual substance of it — that to me is the interesting question. Can we look at some of these new manifestations, like if you go through an MFA program here, you know how to read a text. But can we read Twitter with that same kind of attention, and what would it teach us? Can we learn to compose those sentences or a couple of short sentences or handful of fragments with the kind of vigor and authenticity and surprise that we associate with the first sentence of a great essay or short story? This is just a coincidence, but Susan Orlean — have you read her Tweets? I haven’t. They’re amazing. There’s a voice, but

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it’s when voice edges into a whole sense of character that’s immediately conveyed through the rhythm and the content. It’s infectious and feels totally natural, and I’m curious about her as someone we could learn from and study. I think it would be profitable to study her Tweets the way we study the essays of E.B. White. I actually just mentioned this to Jennifer 8. Lee. Jenny has a relationship to Las Vegas. One of them is that Tony Hsieh invests in her company, Plympton, a digital literary studio. They’re looking at new forms of distribution, for digital distribution for literature that also gets them into commissioning and producing new work, both the printed word and audio work, and they do some live events that are connected to that stuff. She’s interested in Las Vegas a place to incubate the culture her company is trying to draw on. They had something called a Twitter fiction festival that Twitter was actually a sponsor of, she and I were trading ideas, I told her about my idea of doing a Twitter MFA — that’s just a clever phrase for what I’m suggesting: How would you create a pedagogy, create a curriculum for that? Could you do something like that for Tweets? “Now we’re gonna study Susan Orlean, now we’re gonna study Ta-Nehisi Coates.” What’s your first impression of Vegas? There’s so much new here. My eyelids are practically glued to the top of my eyes for all the new things I’m seeing. There are these elements that are dazzling and bewildering, the density of the entertainment culture, the aesthetics of the neon and the lights and just the desert landscape — it’s hardcore. Is there anything about Las Vegas that’s

struck you or surprised you? Last week I came to the office, I worked all day, and I went home around five, and changed and came back and wrote from like 6:30 to 10:30, and then I went to the Cosmopolitan to have dinner, and it was midnight, and the place has all the ambiance of a fine Japanese restaurant, but in a nightclub, and I don’t where the music was coming from, but I found myself swaying to some kind of beat … and I just thought it was awesome. The 24-hour-ness of this place, the way that it’s suited to all kind of sensual desires and needs, it’s like this magic closet in your house you can open up and walk into, like this magic closet you can wander through totally wide-eyed. Then I went out and I got my car from valet — the valet system is like organized like clockwork, like the German engineering, the different levels and the electronic submission, and my car was delivered to me and I drove 10 minutes home to what’s a very ordinary apartment building in a kind of emerging residential neighborhood downtown. I was into it. What are you writing now? Your title is “executive director and writer-in-residence.” Yes, theoretically. (Laughs). I’m writing piece about Bill Wilson, the founder of AA. Bill Wilson is someone whose story — the first chapter of The Big Book, it’s called Bill’s Story — it’s literally the foundation of a movement. He wrote it when he was in his mid-30s, and his life got much more complicated, and he lived his life in this tension between what was actually happening in his life, and what the story that had been written of his life that had given birth

to a movement. He had to negotiate those two things. After he died, the historians of him have had to negotiate those things. And most of the history of him has been from within the movement, so there are aspects of Bill’s life that have been way underplayed because they throw a wrench — there’s this machine of his narrative that is extremely functional, it suggests a sort of arc through life for troubled people, specifically for people whose trouble manifests with addiction — but when you start to look at his actual biography, it jams up that machine in ways that are really bewildering and fascinating, especially given that it’s not just a problem for historians. It was part of his problem as a human being: How do I live and do what I want to do — he was both a man and a myth and his life, for 30 years of his lifetime. So, I’m writing that as a short book and when I finish that, I’m going to return to a family history memoir about the American Dream and all that contains — starting with my grandfather, who was an immigrant from Russia, kind of a classic American dream story, with the suburban house, the Cadillac, but there was a lot of subtext. My grandfather is the exact same generation of the Jews from the same part of the world who were among the founders of Las Vegas, and had a kind of similar life. He was not in casinos or nightclubs, but he had sharp elbows in a world where with that generation of Jews, that’s what was needed to survive. There’s a legacy of what he did, it kind of runs through my family. That book is going to end in Las Vegas, because I’m writing it from a sort of self-conscious, first-person place, and this is where I live now. I’m like, this is great, like a gift from the gods, that life has taken me here.

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Saturday, NOVEMBER 7 TH

| 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

On Main Street at

at GREEN VALLEY RANCH An evening of

THE DISTRICT

WINE & BEER TASTING • FOOD SAMPLING • MUSIC

SCAN QR CODE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Arrive early to avoid the line, check-in begins at 4:15 pm MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND

For more information, visit shopthedistrictgvr.com/events Benefitting

The Dish 50

At FirST BITE 52 Eat this now 53

Our c i ty's be st spots to eat & drink

The hissing link: Chada Street's spicy Thai sausage

P hoto g ra p h y Christopher Smith

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Dining out

The DISH

Brave old world Italian kitchen wisdom and modern Vegas savvy join forces at Salute B y Greg Thilmont

ver the summer, there was a buzz of activity at the front of Red Rock Resort — construction crews working heav y equipment, installing metal, wood and wiring. In a marquee spot, craftsmen and designers transformed a hollow space into the gleaming new Salute Trattoria Italiana. The project was piloted by Clique Hospitality. Clique grew out of the sale of Light Group — once one of the prime movers of entertainment and dining in Las Vegas — to nightlife behemoth Hakkasan Group. In other words, at first glance, Salute seems to be the story of a shiny new

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Italian-themed culinary venture by a shiny new restaurant-development company looking to expand its footprint. But Salute promises to be much more than that. Beneath the glammy-sounding Clique name is another name to note: Luciano Sautto, executive chef of Salute. He’s as old-school as Clique is new. Born in Italy, Sautto has the food business in his veins: His family has owned and operated one of the world’s oldest pizza places for more than a century. “My great-grandfather was one of the first pizzaiolo in Naples,” Sautto explains. “Our first pizzeria opened in 1870, and it’s still standing.” That establishment, Da Michele, was making pizza before anyone in the United States even tried a slice. Sautto is bringing that generational restaurant heritage to Summerlin. In that sense, the story of Salute is one of blending old and new methods — Sautto’s Old World pedigree, with his focus on regional specialties and solid classics made from scratch, and Clique’s applied savvy about what it takes to make it in Vegas. (The

pizza oven imported from Sautto’s hometown is a nice secret weapon.) The old-meets-new design reflects this: glowing Carrara marble — the stuff of Rome’s Pantheon and Michelangelo’s David — gives way to a warm interior with blown-glass lights hanging from lac-

P h oto g r a p h y S a b i n o r r

Salute Tr at tori a I tal i ana

Sea and taste: Opposite page, salt-crusted sea bass; above, salmon carpaccio

quered wood beams. The menu: regional specialties from both Northern and Southern Italy as well as Italian American favorites — think go-tos such as baked rigatoni and lasagna, though, in the case of Salute’s versions, the red sauce is powered by luscious San Marzano tomatoes grown on the fertile slopes of Mount Vesuvius.

Forty eggplants

he road to opening Salute has been smooth, but it’s still been an uphill one, an effort that’s seen Sautto and collaborator Brian Massie, executive chef of Hearthstone next door, in the kitchen for long stretches of time perfecting and finalizing the full menu. “I’ve probably eaten 40 eggplants,” says Massie. “Because we do that, we make the perfect eggplant Parm, and we’re continually trying to make it better.” The proof is in a menu tasting. The gorgeous Caprese salad features unbelievably flavorful and deep-hued heirloom tomatoes trucked in from Abby Lee Farms in Phoenix, rustically chopped with bright arugula leaves grown by the same niche purveyor. The cheese is a supple mozzarella di bufa-

la from the verdant Campanian fields around Naples. (Yes, it’s made from water buffalo milk.) The delicate salmon carpaccio arrives in perfectly cylindrical roulades, sliced a few mere centimeters thick and arranged like flower petals on a serving platter. (It’s lovely, but I tear into it with a fork nonetheless.) A seemingly simple fettuccine with walnut pesto, topped with frizzled zucchini blossoms, has many nuanced flavors. A second pasta follows, but this one is not light at all. Rather, it’s a velvety plate of chewy tagliatelle in a cream sauce topped with an abundance of black truffle shavings. It’s incredibly rich, fragrant and filling.

Zing and zest

n the meat menu, the salt-crusted sea bass, adorned with flower petals and accented with lemon slices and aromatics, is sweet and mild. And then there’s a classic: chicken piccata. In Sautto’s version, poultry cutlets are thinly pounded and sparsely dusted with flour before being quickly sautéed. They arrive in a zinging lemon-wine reduction and a scattering of edible micro-flowers. It’s one of the prettiest piccatas in town.

Fresh pastas are a highRed Rock Casino Resort & Spa light of Salute’s menu. 702-797-7311 The kitchen is producing salutevegas.com house-crafted strings such as tubular bucatini and HOURS stuffed varieties like raviSun-Thu 5-10p oli, agnolotti and pansotti. Fri-Sat 5-11p Among the array of noodles will be a few cuts and extrusions not frequently found in American eateries, including spaghetti alla chitarra, which is cut by a multi-wired contraption that looks like Bo Diddley’s guitar. “I’m going to do long fusilli, which you don’t really see here,” says Sautto of the corkscrew-shaped vermicelli cousin, yet another pasta taking shape in Red Rock Resort. Beyond pastas, uncommon fish and mollusks are another hallmark of Salute’s menu. Numerous catches of the day are being flown in from the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas that wash up on Italy’s shores. Branzino, orata (sea bream), John Dory and baby octopus will be a few of the seafood stars. Of course, there’ll be daily pizza selections baked in the oven, too. And, for dessert, a gelateria that whips up Italian-style ice creams and fragrant, fresh-made waffle cones. Does such ambition reflect Vegas smarts or Italian pride? It doesn’t matter so much when the food tastes this good.

May we Recommend... Antipasto bar Antipasto is traditionally an appetizer, but you might just fill up on what Salute has to offer: The eye-catching antipasto bar is the first thing you see upon walking in. “Some (meats) I’m going to cure here, some I’m going to import.“ A variety of cheeses and vegetables are there for the choosing, too. Chicken piccata Plated with a sprinkling of delicate, edible flowers, these lightly sautéed cutlets taste as good as they look, the tender meat drizzled with a pleasantly sharp lemon-wine reduction. GT

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Dining out

at first bite

Street food with style Chada Street serves Thai cuisine with both uncompromising flavor — and surprising takeout prices B y D e bb i e L e e

opened his first venture, Chada Thai & Wine, on south Jones Boulevard in 2012 to local and national acclaim. Distinctions include 2013 Sommeliers of the Year by Food f you’re in the pro-pork belly camp, you probably think you’ve seen every incarnation & Wine and 100 Best Wine Restaurants of of this glorious, fatty cut of meat. Dine at any modern Asian joint and you’ll find it 2015 by Wine Enthusiast — high honors for sliced into planks, lacquered in sauce and stuffed into a fluffy bun. Or you could an off-Strip property. splurge at a steakhouse, where luscious squares might be braised into submission In the same vein as Chada Thai, Cha(I’m looking at you, CUT and Heritage Steak). For unadulterated pig, there’s Filipino da Street merges authentic fare with a lechon kawali — salty nuggets that are deep-fried until golden and blistered. contemporary atmosphere. Reclaimed Just when I thought the fleshgeist was over, the wheel was all but reinvented. At wood walls, tufted sofas and a polished, Chada Street, a massive new Thai restaurant on Spring Mountain Road, pork belly is fishbowl-style wine storage room — it’s all prepared in an unexpected fashion. Rather than your usual chunks of fork-tender flesh, very flashy and au courant rather than a the belly is aggressively seasoned, sliced into thin strips and bathed in bubbling oil hidden hole-in-the-wall. until a crunchy crust gives way to a juicy interior. It’s served unadorned on The good news is that the food, prepared by chef Aime a stark white share plate, with only a tiny stainless steel sauce cup of green C hada Street Wanmaneesiri, never comchile dip on the side. 839 Spring promises on f lavor. Have Perhaps my endorsement doesn’t require a hard sell. After all, any crispy Mountain Rd., morsel of meat is guaranteed to please an omnivore. However, the pork belly’s some Kleenex on hand and 702-579-0207, slight shift in form was enough for me to take notice of an ingredient that I get an order of sai oua. The chadastreet.com would otherwise deem tired and overused. (I should also mention that it’s northern-style Thai sausage, only six bucks, which is a steal.) which is heavily perfumed HOURS Lunch It’s good to see the restaurant’s proprietor, Bank Atcharawan, stake his with lemongrass and kaffir Mon-Fri 11:30a-3p claim on Spring Mountain proper. The former manager of Lotus of Siam lime, is cooked until the cas-

Dinner Mon-Sun 5p-3a

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P h oto g r a p h y c h r i sto p h e r S m i t h

HOT PLATE

K i r by P u c k e t t: c h r i sto p h e r s m i t h ; D e v i l ' s E y e : b r e n t h o l m e s

Eat the street: Opposite page, Manila clams in garlic chili paste; left, crab fat fried rice

ing is pleasantly snappy. Each bite ends with a heavy dose of heat from bird’s eye chilies. At the risk of drawing the ire of food snobs everywhere, I dare say it’s on par with Lotus of Siam’s version. Another success is the hoi pad prik pao. A mountain of tiny Manila clams is tossed with basil in a garlicky chili paste until the belly meat is just cooked through. It cries for a frosty beer, although Atcharawan would probably prefer to recommend an unusual white wine from his cellar. Save his pairing suggestion for the kao pad mun pu, or crab-fat fried rice. There’s no skimping on this one — the rice is smothered with a generous pile of the crustacean’s flaky sweet flesh. (My sincerest thanks to whoever had the task of picking that much crab meat from its shells, especially since my table inhaled the dish in a fraction of the time.) As far as our city’s dining scene goes, Chada Street is a welcome addition. It may not have the hipster vibe of Downtown’s Le Thai or the cool cred of Pok Pok in Portland, but it is most certainly a cut above the local competition. The prices are as cheap as takeout, the service is just as professional as you’d find on the Strip, and the food is as tasty as anything you’d chew on in Chiang Mai.

Eat this now! The Kirby Puckett at Blue Ox Tavern

5825 W. Sahara Ave., 702-871-2536, blueoxtavern.com Blue Ox is a Minnesota joint, and you can taste the Minnesota in this sandwich: the sturdy rectitude of the roast beef; the homey, calorie-rich comfort of the cream cheese; the modesty of the cole slaw, all piled Bunyan-high on a white roll. The Kirby Puckett (named after the old Twins star) could only be more Minnesotan if it was sliced directly from Babe’s flank and marinated in 10,000 lakes. As it is, these unflashy ingredients work together to create a grubbin’ gem. Hearty, heartfelt, unpretentious. (The Kirby Puckett does not beg to be Instagrammed.) Sure, eating this slugger is probably like detonating a caloric dirty bomb in your bloodstream — “Would you like a side of defib, hon?” — but c’mon. Minnesota up. Scott Dickensheets

Cocktail of the month

The Devil’s Eyes You know absinthe has arrived when the preferred beverage of dissolute, flounce-sleeved poets is now available as a slushy. I’m sorry: frozen libation. That’s the

earthly form taken by Therapy’s Devil’s Eyes, a blend of Lucid absinthe, Marie Brizard anisette, sangria, rum and hearty jiggle of various fruit juices. But fret not: This isn’t a cloying sugar bomb in avant garde drag. It’s sweet, yes, but surprisingly complex, coming off as something like a frostified Good & Plenty, with the sharp lash of black licorice playing nicely with the jungle of fruit. If you want to take your first dance with the green fairy, The Devil’s Eyes might be your gateway drug. Andrew Kiraly 518 Fremont St., 702-912-1622, therapylv.com

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A guide to aging and end-of-life resources

Aging and dying are facts of life, but they can be made less difficult with a little preparation. The following is a curated list of Southern Nevada businesses, services and organizations that provide help to families dealing with aging and end-of-life issues. Because print space is limited, this list does not purport to be exhaustive, and does not include services such as hospices and funeral homes, of which there are dozens, readily found with an Internet search. Taking advantage of such resources can save you time and energy better spent with your loved ones.

illustrations by Ja sper

Rietman

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ADULT DAY CARE

Henderson; 7220 S. Cimarron Way, Suite 195; 98 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Suite 301, Henderson; 702-616-4900; call for information

Adult Day Care Center of Henderson

Chronic Disease SelfManagement Workshops

Offers the ability to keep elderly loved ones at home longer, an alternative to expensive in-home care, and assurance that needed nursing and social interaction is provided. 1201 Nevada State Drive, Henderson, 702-368-2273; adultdaycarelv.org

Adult Day Care Center of Las Vegas Helps avoid or postpone nursing home admission for those who are physically frail, suffer from neurologically related problems like Parkinson’s, post-stroke or traumatic brain injury, have cognitive problems such as dementia, confusion or Alzheimer’s, or have special medical needs like diabetes or hypertension. 901 N. Jones Blvd., 702-648-3425; adultdaycarelv.org

Easter Seals of Southern Nevada Partners with families to provide high-quality care, including an adult day care program, daily living skill-building and medical rehabilitation, that helps promote wellness, independence and connectivity among seniors with disabilities and special needs. 6200 W. Oakey Blvd., Las Vegas, 702-870-7050; easterseals.com/nevada

Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers Provides nursing, therapy; social and recreational activities, daily living activities assistance, and health education to support and promote the personal independence and social, physical and emotional well-being of older adults. 330 N. 13th St. (Arturo Cambeiro Senior Center), 702-3843746; 8695 S. Eastern Ave., 702-7781234; 2008 S. Jones Blvd., 702-3194600; nevadaadultdaycare.com

Assisted living Assisted Living Directory Online research tool providing information on senior assisted living facilities in the Las Vegas area, including amenities, pricing, eligibility requirements. Free advisor service is also available to answer questions. 866-333-6550 or 877-452-7969; assisted-living-directory.com

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Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

How do you avoid family money fights in the wake of a death of a loved one? The best way to avoid money fights is to have open and honest conversations about it while the loved one is still alive, hopefully with an awareness of his or her wishes. Ideally, after death, family members would talk and come to an agreement. A natural leader may arise from within the family or the person appointed as executor of the estate would become the leader. If the group can’t come to a consensus, even with the leader’s help, it may be necessary to bring in an attorney. It’s important to avoid anything that appears like you’re happy about the person’s death and the resulting benefits. This can trigger resentment or anger with others who are grieving. Try to speak in ways that are not confrontational or antagonistic. Try to acknowledge other family members’ perspectives while at the same time being true to your own. — Colleen M. Peterson, Director, UNLV Center for Individual, Couple & Family Counseling

Classes/ WORKSHOPS Chair Exercise Practice cleansing breathing, stretching, strengthening muscles, and balancing with fun simple movements while sitting; no registration required for this free drop-in class Mon., Tue. and Thu. at three WomensCare Center of Excellence locations. 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 180,

This free six-week workshop for those 55 or older with ongoing chronic health conditions, such as anxiety, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, is held throughout the valley in 2.5 hour class sessions to teach how to overcome barriers through communication, relaxation and exercises. Call St. Rose Dominican Hospital, 702-616-4900, for dates and locations; 211nevada. communityos.org

Learn To Love Facebook AARP Nevada offers free small group, intermediate-level, handson social media classes for its members that are designed to help you get the most out of one of the most widely used social networks. Oct. 2, 10 a.m. Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., 702-229-1600. Oct. 16, 1:20 p.m. Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-229-1702. Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 13, 12:30 p.m.; Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 S. Racetrack Road, 702-267-2950. states.aarp. org/learn-to-love-facebook-andtwitter-with-hands-on-classes

Red Hot Mamas – Depression: The Menopausal Blues Learn about the relationship between menopause and depression and how it differs from the blues or blahs, discuss causes and treatments, and clear your mind with a meditation session afterward. Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m., free. WomensCare Center of Excellence, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 180, Henderson, 702-616-4900; call to enroll.

Twitter: It’s Not Just for the Birds AARP Nevada offers free small group, beginning-level, hands-on social media classes for its members that are designed to help you get the most out of one of the most widely used social networks; space is limited, so advance registration is required. Nov. 6, 10 a.m. Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., 702-229-1600. Oct. 16, 1:20 p.m. Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-229-1702. Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 13, 12:30 p.m.;

Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 S. Racetrack Road, 702267-2950. states.aarp.org/learn-tolove-facebook-and-twitter-with-handson-classes

Yoga for Seniors Teaches the importance of proper form, breath control and practice; 8:30-9:45 a.m. Tue. and Thu., $45. Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, 702455-8334; clarkcountynv. gov search “yoga”

Counseling/ Support Alzheimer’s Association Provides free programs, services, resource information, support groups and a 24-hour helpline to assist and support Alzheimer’s patients, family members and caregivers in all aspects of the disease and its progression. 5190 S. Valley View Blvd., #104, 702-248-2770; alz.org/dsw

Center for Compassionate Care Offers low- or no-cost community counseling to assist those suffering from loss, grief/anticipated grief, and life-threatening illnesses by providing palliative care, counseling, bereavement services/support groups, and spiritual care. 4131 Swenson St., 702-796-3167; nah.org/centerfor-compassionate-care

Senior Peer Counseling Program Confidential counseling for those ages 50+ who are facing the challenges and concerns of growing older. WomensCare Center of Excellence, 7220 S. Cimarron Road, Suite 195, and 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, #180, Hender-

Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

When are my children old enough to talk honestly about death? It is important to talk honestly with children about death no matter what their age; however, it’s important to take a child’s developmental stage and understanding of death into account when talking with them. Preschool children have a limited understanding of the permanence and universality of death. They typically see death as reversible, temporary and impersonal. Between the ages of 5 and 9, children are beginning to realize the permanence and universality of death. They often associate death with things that personify it — a skeleton or angel of death. Children between 9 and adolescence begin to have a total comprehension that death is irreversible, a part of living, and that they too will die someday. They may begin to develop philosophical views of death. Teenagers often become intrigued with finding the meaning of life and exercising control over their fears of death through taking unnecessary chances with their lives. Taking these factors into account will help you tailor your conversation to help your children get the most out of what can be a difficult discussion. — Colleen M. Peterson, Director, UNLV Center for Individual, Couple & Family Counseling

son, 702-616-4902; dignityhealth.org/ las-vegas search “counseling”

Transitions of Aging A support group for elderly men and women who are struggling with the transition to retirement, coping with illness and other aging life changes. Meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 11 a.m. WomensCare Center of Excellence, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 180,Henderson, 702-616-4900; dignityhealth.org/ las-vegas search “transitions”

Veterans Angels Inc. Provides free information/support service to eligible senior veterans and their families in applying for the VA benefit to help with the cost of care. 888-319-1117; vetangels.org

DISEASE/Disability/ Rehabilitation Blind Connect, Inc. Connects blind people to other blind individuals, to available services and resources, and the community. 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., WCL #200, 702-631-9009; blindconnect.org

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Offers education, support and therapy to patients and their families for a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, multiple sclerosis and memory disorders.

Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

When should I start my estate planning?

You should start now. Begin by thinking about your assets, including investments, retirement accounts, insurance policies, real estate, business interests, as well as sentimental or financially valuable items like cars, jewelry, artwork, and family heirlooms. Then, decide what should happen to these assets upon your death and who should inherit certain items. Estate planning using a Will or Trust ensures your assets will be transferred according to your wishes rather than through intestate succession (state laws dictating who receives assets). Once you make a plan, communicate your intentions to loved ones to reduce the chance of disagreements after your passing. — Michael I. Kling and Ann Mackey Kling, Kling Law Offices O c to b e r 2 0 1 5

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Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

When is my loved one eligible for hospice? Your loved one is eligible for hospice if he or she has a terminal illness and life prognosis is six months or less, according to a physician. The goal of hospice is to improve the quality of a patient’s last days by offering comfort and dignity, while addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients and families. Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice care is provided in the location that best meets the needs of the patient, including the home, group homes, assisted-living facilities, and inpatient units. Inpatient hospice facilities are sometimes available to assist with short-term pain and symptom management or to provide respite for caregivers. A team of professionals, including physicians, chaplains, and social workers, provides care and comfort to the hospice patient. Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with an emphasis on controlling a patient’s pain and discomfort. Hospice also offers bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient’s death. — Nora Luna, Director of Diversity & Education, Nathan Adelson Hospice

888 W. Bonneville Ave., 702-483-6000; my.clevelandclinic.org/nevada/ welcome.aspx

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocacy Resource Center Empowers the deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired, by providing services and resources to improve quality of life. 3120 S. Durango Drive., Suite 301, voice/TTY: 702-363-3323, vp: 702-475-4751; dhharc.org

RAMP – Renovate Accessible Mobility Prevention A home modification program that provides an experienced, licensed specialist to assess seniors’ homes and create a design plan to help them function safely and independently in their living space. 702- 538-8743; nevadaseniorservices.org/home modifications.cfm

In-home health care Artie J. Cannon Helping Hands of Henderson Helps Henderson residents 60+ years of age who are lower income maintain independent living by providing resources, transportation, assistance with shopping and errands, and reassurance calls. 102 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, 702-616-6554; dignityhealth.org/las-vegas search “Henderson”

The Assistive Technology for Independent Living Program Supports the elderly who choose to remain living in their home by offering assistance/resources to provide them with necessary assistive technology

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– home/vehicle modification, medical equipment, visual aids, mobility services and personal communication – to allow them to care for themselves or be cared for in their homes rather than in a care

Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

What’s the difference between a will, a trust and a living will? A Will is a legal statement that goes into effect upon your death and directs the disposition of your assets. Transferring assets pursuant to a Will involves court oversight through the probate process. Provisions of a Will apply to property in your own name, not to jointly held or other assets. Trusts are private documents that take effect upon creation. Trusts can be used to distribute property before your death, at death, and afterwards. Assets properly included in a Trust pass outside of probate. A “living will” is a legal document that expresses your desires for medical care and treatment in the event you are incapacitated. — Michael I. Kling and Ann Mackey Kling, Kling Law Offices

facility. 2901 El Camino Ave., Suite 102, 702-333-1038; adsd.nv.gov/Programs/ Physical/ATforIL/ATforIL

Homemaker Home Health Aide Program Helps preserve/improve aging or disabled county residents’ quality of life by providing short- and long-term homemaking and personal care services so they can remain in their own homes, reducing the need for unnecessary institutionalization. 702-455-8645; clarkcountynv.gov search “homemaker”

James Seastrand Helping Hands of North Las Vegas Assists the frail and seniors age 60+ in NLV by providing services, including transportation, home maintenance/repair for homeowners and a food pantry, that foster independence and enable them to remain in their own homes rather than to be institutionalized. 3640 N. Fifth St., #130, NLV, 702-649-7853; jshhnlv.org

Keep You Company Provides nonmedical assisted living services, such as meal planning and preparation; diet planning; monitoring and assisting in eating, drinking and diet; and pet day care. 1200 S. Fourth St., Suite 105, 702-853-2273

Las Vegas Senior Lifeline Nondenominational program of the Jewish Federation of LV that provides frail, lower-income seniors with resources and services, such as nutritional program support, medical support, homemaker services, transportation and environmental home modification, to enable them to remain living independently in their own homes. 2317 Renaissance Drive, 702-732-0556; jewishlasvegas.com

Nevada’s Care Connection: Aging and Disability Resource Center

State of Nevada Department of Health & Human Services Aging and Disability Services Division Offers numerous programs and services for seniors, including Advocate for Elders, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Elder Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Personal Assistance Services, Senior Medicare Patrol, State Pharmacy Assistance Program, State Health Insurance Assistance Program and more. 1860 E. Sahara Ave., 89104 702486-3545; adsd.nv.gov/Programs/ Seniors/Seniors

Serves seniors 60+ years of age by developing, coordinating and delivering a comprehensive long-term support service system that allows Nevada’s elders and disabled to lead independent, meaningful and dignified lives. 1860 E. Sahara Ave., 702-486-3545; nevadaadrc.com search “aging”

Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently (R.A.G.E.) Independent Living Program Provides financial assistance to those with severe physical disabilities to facilitate integration into the community through coordinated services, including wheelchairs, van lifts, mobility evaluation/training, and structural modifications. 2901 El Camino Ave., #102, 702-333-1038; bteamrage.org/independent-living. html

Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living No-cost services, including information and referrals; basic independent living skills training; individual peer counseling and support group; advocacy; adaptive equipment; Medicaid benefits counseling; housing and transportation, to persons with permanent disabilities. 2950 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 220, 702889-4216; sncil.org

Visiting Angels Offers 24-hour nonmedical home care, including daily living assistance, light housecleaning, memory loss and rehabilitation care, transportation and companionship, to help seniors live independently in their own homes. 1701 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 9A, Henderson, 702-407-1100 and 9436 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 11-F, 702-5623322; visitingangels.com

legal/WILLS/ ESTATE PLANNING AARP Foundation Litigation Advocates in federal and state courts for the rights of individuals ages 50+ experiencing legal issues that affect their daily lives in support of the foundation’s priority areas of hunger, income, housing and isolation. 888687-2277, TTY: 877-434-7598; aarp.org/ aarp-foundation search “litigation”

Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

How hard is it to donate my body to science? It’s not that hard, but there are a few requirements. Donors have to be Nevada residents, and they can’t weigh more than 230 pounds. It usually starts with a telephone call to my office. I get your name and address, and I send you an enrollment packet, with a vital stats form and some health questions. Once you’re accepted, we do an assessment at the time of death. The condition of the body is important. We cannot accept anyone who has Dementia or Alzheimer’s, or Hepatitis B or C. We also cannot accept anyone who died in a severe car accident, a fire or an explosion. — Joyce King, Administrator of the Anatomical Donation Program, University of Nevada School of Medicine

Clark County Public Guardian and Administrator Oversees the administration of estates of the county’s deceased when no qualified individual is willing/able, including situations in which the property of the estate, or property deemed to have value to the estate, is being neglected, wasted, lost or inappropriately transferred. 515 Shadow Lane, 702-455-4332; clarkcountynv.gov/ depts/pa/pages/default.aspx

Southern Nevada Senior Law Program Provides urban and rural Clark County seniors ages 60+ with free legal services that include estate planning and probate; health care directives; guardianship matters; real property and housing; consumer assistance; elder law rights; and government benefits and public entitlements. 530 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Suite 310, 702229-6596, TTY: 702-386-9108; snslp.org

Social Services Catholic Charities Senior Services Assists senior volunteers ages 55+ in providing a variety of social and advocacy services to Southern Nevada seniors to help sustain and increase their level of independence and health by identifying and providing supplemental support and food services, including Meals on Wheels. 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. N., 702-385-2662; catholiccharities.com

Clark County Senior Advocate Program Coordinates and disseminates information gathered from government agencies, health agencies, local groups and organizations, utility companies, businesses and service programs that provide assistance to valley seniors. 3885 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-455-7051

Clark County Senior Services Provides the county’s senior citizens with information and referrals for Medicare, utility assistance, prescription drug programs, housing, social service programs, supplemental insurance, legal assistance and tax rebates. 702-455-7051; clarkcountynv.gov search “senior”

HopeLink of Southern Nevada Assists families and individuals in crisis by providing a wide range of support services, including food and clothing; rent, utility and emergency shelter assistance; medical, dental, eyeglasses and prescriptions assistance; job search and interviews; a literacy program; and much more. 178 Westminster Way, Henderson, 702-566-0576; link2hope.org

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Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

I seem to be particularly forgetful lately. Is this just harmless forgetfulness or a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s? How do I find out? It’s hard to know without an evaluation from a medical provider. Although memory loss was traditionally thought to be a normal part of aging, this is no longer thought to be true. There are a number of causes for memory loss. These include more benign causes like depression, poor sleep, or problems with vitamin or hormone levels to neurological diseases like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. If a person’s memory or cognitive abilities are so poor that they cannot function independently, the person is considered to have dementia. Dementia is a description of a person’s functioning — saying a person has dementia does not tell us anything about the cause. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in people over 65. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the slow buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain. Although there are no blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease, we can look for Alzheimer’s disease changes on brain scans. The best person to evaluate a memory change is a neurologist. — Aaron Ritter, Resident Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Jude 22 Senior Nutrition Center

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

A food bank and pantry that assists low-income seniors 60+ years of age with groceries and medical, dental, financial and healthy living referral services to improve their nutritional health and quality of life. 530 S. Ninth St., 702-366-0878; hstrial-leslie connolly.homestead.com

Provides free information, one-on-one counseling and assistance to Nevadans with Medicare to assist with problems they may encounter with Medicare, supplemental health insurance and longterm care options. 1820 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 205, 702-486-3478 or 800-3074444; adsd.nv.gov/Programs/Seniors/ SHIP/SHIP_Prog

The Salvation Army Meets the needs of the elderly through social, educational and recreational activities; food and nutrition programs; personal care assistance; and nursing services. E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, 702-565-9578; salvationarmyusa.org

Lifeline assistance Alert 911 Now Provides a simple one-button mobile

24-hour emergency response alert unit that is smaller than a cellphone – so it fits in your pocket/purse – and can be ordered online. 800-800-4067; alert911.com

FreedomAlert A small two-way voice pendant communicator with no monthly fees that can call family, friends or neighbors from anywhere in the home and into the surrounding yard and, if your programmed contacts are not reachable, the unit defaults and calls a 911 operator. 702492-1646 or 702-292-5266; seniordiscountslasvegas. com/business-spot light-burton-weinermanlcc-freedom-alert

Lifeline Medical Alarm Service Provides an easy-to-use 24-hour personal emergency response service that promotes independent living by allowing seniors to call for help in case of an emergency, using a small, lightweight device that can be worn as a pendant or wristband. Home Instead Senior Care, 2340 Paseo del Prado, Suite D112, 702-796-6393; homeinstead.com/411/home-careservices/personal-emergencyresponse-services

SENIOR CENTERS Senior Centers Located throughout the valley, senior centers offer a variety of services, such as meals, transportation, activities and games, classes, recreation and fitness programs, legal assistance, and computer use and training. Contact your nearest center for specific offerings and details: Alice & Harry L. Goldberg 2309 Renaissance Drive, Suite B,

Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

how do i write an obituary? 60

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When I sit down with a family, I get all of the basics, and ask them to tell me about their loved one. Was there something they often said or did? How did they interact with others? What were they known for? Think about your favorite memories, experiences, times spent with them. Maybe describe a few things about them that make you smile. Personal details and humor are definitely acceptable. Some of the best obituaries I have read include both. One other thing: You may want to start your funeral planning by writing your own obituary. It is a great way to be sure the information you want to include is included, and it is also a good way to begin a discussion about death with your family. — Laura Sussman, Licensed Funeral Director, Kraft-Sussman Funeral Services

702-933-1191, 3930 Cambridge St., 702-455-7169 Centennial Hills 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-229-1702 Cora Coleman 2100 Bonnie Lane, 702-455-7617 Derfelt 3343 W. Washington Ave., 702-229-6601 Doolittle 1950 N. J St., 702-229-6125 East Las Vegas 250 N. Eastern Ave., 702-229-1515

Senior Low-Impact Aerobics Offers light exercise to get your heart pumping; 4-4:30 p.m., $30. Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, 702-455-8334

Speeding Theatre Over 55 Nonprofit senior theater company that celebrates and empowers older adults in the valley by producing and presenting quality theater. Encanto Drive, 702435-3366; speedingtheatre.org

Las Vegas 451 E. Bonanza Road, 702229-6454 Martin Luther King 2420 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Suite B, 702636-0064

Artie J. Cannon Helping Hands of Henderson

North Las Vegas 1638 N. Bruce St., 702-633-1600 West Flamingo 6255 W. Flamingo Road, 702-455-7742 Whitney 5712 Missouri Ave., 702455-7576

Movie-lovers social group that gathers to discuss films they’ve seen and to choose a film to watch independently to discuss at the next meeting; 10 a.m.-noon first Tue. of every other month, free. AARP Nevada, 5820 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 190, 866-389-5652; aarp.org/states/nv

Romeo Club A social group for men ages 50+ that gathers to discuss current events, past sweethearts and cars; 12 p.m. Fri., free. Derfelt Senior Center, 3343 W. Washington Ave., 702-229-6601

Scrapbooking Preserve photos of your family and friends, clippings and other cherished mementos in a fun, social and creative way with this throwback hobby; 9-11 a.m. Fri., free. West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road, 702-455-7742

TRANSPORTATION An American Cancer Society program that provides free rides from trained volunteers for cancer patients needing to get to and from a medical facility for treatment. 6165 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite12, 702-798-5938; cancer.org/involved/volunteer/ road-to-recovery-volunteers

Howard Lieburn 6320 Garwood Ave., Las Vegas, 702-229-1600

Cinemaniacs Movie Club

Provides library materials to long-term homebound patrons of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. 702-507-6334; lvccld.org/ cardsservices/homebound.cfm

Road to Recovery

Heritage Park 300 S. Racetrack Road, Henderson, 702-267-2950

social groups/ activities

Words on Wheels Homebound Services

Caring is preparing: Common questions about end-of-life issues

When is it appropriate to start dating after the death of a loved one? The answer is less about an amount of time and more about personal readiness. Where are you in the grief process? How ready do you feel to start exploring another relationship? The key thing is you’re moving into a new relationship complete and whole, not as a means to fill a void. Also, keep in mind: Public perception could be a factor. Be aware that others often have opinions about dating after a spouse dies, particularly if they were close to the deceased person. Be careful about how much you refer to your deceased partner. Talking too much about him/her can be a turn-off and a possible indication that you may not be in a place to be fully present with the current person you are dating. Feeling guilty might be a sign that you’re not yet ready, but it depends. Feeling guilty because you aren’t being faithful to the deceased person is different from feeling guilty that you’re enjoying being with people again. — Colleen M. Peterson, Director, UNLV Center for Individual, Couple & Family Counseling

Supports Henderson seniors ages 60+ with lower incomes by providing transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and errands. 102 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, 702-6166554; strosehospitals.org search “community”

Helping Hands of Vegas Valley Provides free escorted transportation services to seniors ages 60+ for medical appointments and other errands via vehicles with a wheelchair lift/ramp or by volunteer drivers. 2320 Paseo Del Prado, Bldg. B, Suite 204, 702-633-7264; hhovv.org

Las Vegas Urban League Martin Luther King Senior Center Provides free transportation for seniors ages 55+ to/from center, medical appointments, grocery shopping and bill paying, as well as many other services. 2420 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Bldg. B, 702-636-0064; lvul.org

Taxi Assistance Program Provides discounted taxicab fares to Nevada residents 60+ years of age and those with permanent disabilities through coupon booklets that are accepted by all taxicab companies in Clark County and are half the cost of normal fares. State of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division, 1860 E. Sahara Ave., 702-486-3581

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B E I N G T H E R E On dying, death, and healing our lives

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PASSAG E S : E SSAY

merica is generally what Dr. Therese Rando, in her book, Grief, Death and Dying, terms a “death denying” society (as opposed to “death accepting” or “death-defying” societies). Much of the language we use to describe death shows this, as in “passed away,” or “grandma is sleeping” or that “better place” to which we talk about the dead as “transitioning.” We tend to hush our voices when we speak about death. And we often act as though it’s rude to address the terminally ill about it, as if they’ve sprouted a bulbous second nose on their foreheads. Or like Gregor Samsa in Kafka’s classic tale, The Metamorphosis (a surreal story of terminal illness), it’s as if the dying have awakened one morning transformed into a giant cockroach, alien to those around them. We talk of “battles” with illness, of a “siege” or a “fight” — language of war. Or we confront death with emotions akin to Dylan Thomas’ famous “rage, rage” at the “dying of the light,” a fine, enduring poem, but not, in my opinion, a very healing attitude toward that final life event we will all experience, usually first with others before ourselves. suffer these?) so they might be resolved or at least set aside under I’ve done hands-on care for the dying three times. The first was an honorable truce. for an aunt (by marriage) who, after a diagnosis of colon cancer, With my first wife, this was certainly so. She had been sick a my family took into our home. She was a remarkable person, with great deal, most of her life had suffered from manic-depressive an old-world, very German attitude toward hardship, independent illness. She was also a cancer survivor, declared “in the clear” for and tough enough to have run a one-woman dairy farm. Willful more than a decade. Then a terrible diagnosis: A different large and strong, she chose to go out with a minimum of medical care, cell cancer had spread to her bones, her lungs and her brain, and largely, I think, because she was so loath to pay one thin dime for she had at most two months to live. We were separated by then, anything, the most thrifty person I’ve ever known. Her one remy failing as a husband that I had fled the marriage, not able to quest was that we keep jugs of well water from her farm in our cope. Still, we remained best friends. We would have divorced house, as she complained about the taste of “town water,” and we if it weren’t for those “pre-existing condition” did this. In her final days, she refused all painclauses demanded by shameful health insurkillers — my only regret is that I lost the family ance companies — on her own, no health insurargument to coax her or even force her into takance would cover her, not for any price. (The ing something for the terrific pain she suffered essay by Affordable Care Act has changed this, so people (my daughter still has disturbing memories of like us no longer face certain bankruptcy beher Aunt Mae pounding the wall with her fist, Douglas Unger cause of illness.) When Amy called me with her night after night, the last two weeks). But other photography terminal news, I dropped everything to manage than this, her death seemed exactly right, with Christopher Smith her care for her until she died. so many family members present: my wife, our Over the next five weeks, her process of dydaughter, her nieces, her nephews, my older ing became a healing gift. We talked through so brother, all of us attending to her in shifts, much much that had set our marriage off track, reviewas dying must have been practiced in old-world ing our 28 years together, bonding over what we agrarian societies since times beyond memory. had achieved as a partnership and celebrating (to paraphrase from What we did best: While she still could, we assisted her in getting Wordsworth) our little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness out to say goodbye to her community, to be honored at Grange Hall and of love. She had been a professional actress, then a teacher of dinners and other gatherings, reinforcing her sense of having lived theater in community college. She directed her dying as much as a full, publicly valued life; and we helped her to complete difficult she could, like a complex, five-act play. She elected to use a home legal papers, according to her wishes. These small good things care nursing service rather than hospice to retain more control most contributed to what I think of as her final healing. than a hospice service would allow. The first week, we attended to I believe there’s a big difference between curing an illness and her legal affairs — having survived a serious cancer, how could she healing. For the dying, healing can mean a sense of a life finally not already have done this? According to a recent Pew Research in its place, in the community, and far more touchy, by working survey, America is such a death-denying society that more than through family estrangements and disputes (what family doesn’t O c to b e r 2 0 1 5

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a quarter of our senior citizens haven’t yet made plans for their deaths; and among people under 50, about two-thirds are without adequate provisions. For the second and third weeks, we staged visits — three and four a day, each carefully constructed, like a dramatic scene, so she could say goodbye to her friends, then her family. Then came two weeks of living hell — the chucks, the bed pads, the vomit basin, the diaper changes, the I.V. drips and, harder still, how the mental intensity of the dying can cycle through such extremes, with terrible mood swings and disturbing static, like a car radio stuck on “scan” mode through all the stations on the dial of a brain. My regret: With the home care service, I did not take enough breaks, convinced I should be there all the time, until the physical and mental exhaustion became overwhelming, that “caretaker burnout” the guides to death and dying warn about. My advice: Find some way to get away from the bedside, even for an hour or two, at intervals; if friends and neighbors offer to help, say “yes” without hesitation. Make sure to eat regularly. Take naps. Take vitamins. Whatever assistance is offered, accept it, say thank you. Put another way: Think how not letting others help may be depriving them of a gift of healing. Finally, no matter those hard, messy days at the end, we did pull it off, together — a successful production. Amy died at ease, feeling completed. Five years ago, my older brother confronted a diagnosis of lung cancer, a strange form of it — not a trace in his lungs, but in his liver. A Vietnam veteran on 100-percent disability, Steve had lived with our family most of 30 years. After his diagnosis, a painful, 18-month journey followed, through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, with all the ups and downs, often sick from poisonous drugs, then the intermittent flashes of hope toward a “cure” followed by devastating setbacks — anyone who has lived through this knows that the way we treat cancer in the 21st century is as primitive and brutal as bloodletting centuries ago. My brother had worked hard for his health — giving up smoking long before, religiously taking his medications, going to a gym every day, careful about his diet, proud that he had avoided hospitalization for his war-related disability for almost two decades. So his diagnosis seemed to him worse than unjust, and he grew angry — enraged at fate, at the universe, at God. His struggle in dying was how to rid himself of this rage and anger, how to cast it out and possibly replace it with a sense of some larger meaning. Our good friends helped, reassuring him of their care for him; so did proximity to our family, with my beloved wife, Carola, and I both there for him, so he did not face his medical treatment or his dying alone. Each day, we did something positive — cooked a desired meal, took him to his favorite places, found a movie he liked and watched it with him. Steve played guitar and

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wrote songs, and he recorded his music in a stripped-down way. Our younger brother, John (who lived out of state), posted his songs on a website he still maintains (at dinkwells.org — after a pseudonym Steve had used as a folk singer in his youth). His music was a big help in gradually letting go of his anger, especially at the war he thought of as tragic and pointless, and that had damaged him by its atrocities. A recent book, There’s A Man With A Gun Over There, by R. M. Ryan, names my brother in its afterword as “a late casualty of the Vietnam war,” and maybe this is true. Toward the end, Steve and I talked a lot about his service. He couldn’t decide what words to use as his epitaph at the veterans cemetery. The choice Steve made for his end-of-life care was hospice, paid for by the V.A. He wanted strangers to do that messy bedside care — bottom line, he did not want me changing his diapers. Hospice company representatives assured us this would not happen, other arrangements could be made. We toured the hospice facility, assuming he would be admitted there for the final week or so, and it seemed a serene setting for his last days. In the end, the hospice company failed us — lied to us, I’ll say here. The “case manager” did not admit him into the facility. Hospice provided prescription drugs delivered to the door and in-home visits two times a month from a registered nurse, to fill out forms. When the hard time hit, it delivered only three ill-equipped, clumsy nurse’s-aid visits, then abandoned us on our own. Causing deep humiliation to my brother, I did end up changing his diapers, and doing all the rest (he did not want my dear wife, Carola, anywhere near this — he would have felt too ashamed). There are good hospice care experiences, and hospice may be the best choice. Research as much as possible about hospice before going that way. Ours is but one negative story. Many have witnessed a “terminal lucidity” before death — a sudden burst of energy, a last flare before the end, perhaps like the one described in The Death of Ivan Ilych, by Leo Tolstoy (translated by Aylmer Maude): “At that very moment Ivan Ilych fell through and caught sight of the light, and it was revealed to him that, though his life had not been what it should have been, this could still be rectified.” For Steve, lucidity visited him four days before he finally breathed out, when, suddenly, from a coma, he sat up in bed and reached out to grab both my hands. With what strength he had left, he squeezed, and managed to speak three words. He let go and gave an “okay” sign — letting me know it would be all right, no matter what happened. Those words are now his epitaph, engraved on his cremation niche at the Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City — a good soldier’s words, one meaning of his life: For my brothers. Douglas Unger is a UNLV English professor and author of four novels, including Pulitzer Prize finalist Leaving the Land.

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r e v e n ‘You know l a e r r i the ’ s n o i t inten

saki iko Kawa e R e t li ia oc et panese s 2010, it s When Ja in s a g e sV enly in La d nd d u s d ie d elations a v e r g in is s of surpr r gainst he off a serie a n o s r e gh tles pittin ble court bat n invalua a d e r e f f ” — and o “husband and trust h t a e d , out life lesson ab i kyser By heid

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In Japanese writing it’s — each letter or each phrase has a word, a meaning to it. Reiko Kawasaki means — reiko is “beautiful,” “most beautiful” actually, kawa is “river,” saki is “wine.” So in my mother’s case, (her name) is Most Beautiful River of Wine. … When my mother would sign her name in English she made a point in always signing it with Reiko with a capital R, Kawa with a capital K and Saki with a capital S. In this case the S is small and there is no division between Kawa and saki. — John Kawasaki explaining to a deputy

district attorney, in court, why he believes a will signature attributed to his mother is a forgery

ollowing a late-afternoon errand on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, Kenichi Takai, known to his friends as Ken, returned to the Henderson home he shared with his boss, Reiko Kawasaki, and a few other people. Takai headed upstairs to the master suite to check in with Kawasaki as he usually did, but she didn’t answer his knock. He waited about a quarter-hour and tried again. Still nothing. He wasn’t sure what to do. Although Kawasaki loved her 30-year assistant like a son, she was a stickler about privacy and would be furious if he walked in on her uninvited. After another 15 minutes, Takai tried again. Still no answer. He decided the risk of ignoring an emergency outweighed that of incurring his boss’s wrath. He opened the door to a sight he’ll forever wish he could unsee: At the back of the room, Kawasaki lay dead in the bathtub. “I could have saved her if I had gone in earlier,” he says, his voice thick with regret. “She had been there 45 minutes or so.” The coroner would later find that the 70-yearold Kawasaki had a pituitary neoplasm that caused her to have a seizure, slip underwater and drown. Her quiet, solitary death was ironic — although tiny in stature, she was a larger-than-life figure who spent her life basking in the company of others — and unexpected, considering her general good health. But it was not murder. The coroner ruled it an accident, and an independent forensic analyst asked by Desert Companion to review the case concurred. Still, it’s natural to suspect foul play, as many close to Kawasaki have, because of what happened next. With her body barely cold, one of her roommates and business associates, Gregory Dodkin, began passing himself off as her husband. Within a matter of days, he’d disposed of her body and held a memorial service. By Sunday, April 25, he was in Huntington Beach, California, telling her son and apparent heir, John Kawasaki, that not only were he (Dodkin) and Reiko

married, but also, she left a will bequeathing her entire estate to him. John’s reaction? “That’s impossible. When my mother died, she was still married to my father, who is alive and well in Thailand.” A bitter five-year legal battle between the two men ensued, encompassing half a dozen separate cases in multiple courts. By the time the dust settled, the basest of human impulses — greed, jealousy, revenge — had taken over. Bloodlines were questioned, burial ashes stolen, riches hidden in a secret vault. A grand jury indicted three people for conspiracy, forgery and false claim to an inheritance. At press time, they were awaiting a September 28 trial. Worst of all, the rightful beneficiaries of Reiko Kawasaki’s considerable estate have lost an enormous amount of time and money, not to mention their peace of mind. It may be true that no one held Reiko’s head under the water or gave her drugs to induce a seizure, but her death was still a crime, figuratively speaking, because she went without making her afterlife intentions crystal clear. Probate attorneys describe the case as the most contentious and drawn out they’ve seen in their field. But between the lines of this complicated story is a simpler message about how to live, love and die in a world where not everyone can be trusted.

THE WILL As Greg Dodkin tells it, he met Reiko Kawasaki on an airplane bound for Paris in the spring of 1998. The two hit it off so well that they talked through the entire flight and kept in touch after they got back to the U.S. Within months, he left his home in South Carolina and moved in with her in Los Angeles. On August 23 of that year, he says, they got married in a suite of the Hotel Bel Air in Beverly Hills. In 2000, the couple moved to Las Vegas, where they lived with Ken Takai, Reiko’s nephew and a young Japanese woman Reiko sponsored. In August 2007, after years of prodding by his wife,

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Dodkin says, he and she sat down with two employees of Jonas Productions, the music company he runs locally, and filled out and signed their respective wills. This is all according to documents filed in the probate case for Reiko Kawasaki’s estate; Dodkin declined to be interviewed for this story. The timeline of his account jibes with Takai’s and John Kawasaki’s recollections of meeting Dodkin for the first time and of Reiko’s movements. However, their memory of Dodkin’s relationship with Reiko is dramatically different. “No, no, no,” Takai says, when asked if he thought Dodkin and Reiko were married. “I was very surprised when Greg said that.” He adds that neither his boss nor his roommate, who slept in his own, separate room, ever said they were married. Singer-songwriter Karon Blackwell, who was close to Reiko, says that during their 10year friendship Reiko talked about John and his family often, but she never indicated she was married to anyone other than her Japanese husband, who lived in Bangkok. “All she ever said to me about Greg was that she was in business with him, that she put up the money, and she owned 51 percent and he owned 49 percent. He brought in the sound and lights for shows. That’s what they did.” John agrees. “Dodkin and my mother always presented themselves as business partners,” he says. “In all honesty, I could tell it was a companionship thing, but I never in my wildest dreams thought it was romantic or intimate.” It wasn’t unusual for Reiko to have a male, non-Japanese member of her entourage. A couple men who hung around a lot in the ’70s and ’80s stick out in John’s memory, one more like a father figure, the other openly gay — and there were others, though none appeared to be romantically involved with his mom. Reiko was an art and antiques dealer who owned two shops in Los Angeles, and she cultivated an impressive cadre of acquaintances. Party photos show her mugging with the likes of Phyllis Diller and Peter Graves. John remembers former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley stopping by their house in Beverly Hills from time to time, just to say hello. “My mother was always comfortable with a group of people,” John says. “It was something I never thought twice about. It was always like that in my household.” Though asked by the police and John’s attorneys, Dodkin could not produce a marriage certificate proving he and Reiko were officially wed. At various times in the court cases, Dod-

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kin claimed Reiko failed to file the certificate and that John stole it. Responding to Desert Companion’s inquiry, the Los Angeles County registrar said it had no record of a Greg Dodkin marrying a Reiko Kawasaki in 1998. As evidence of their nuptials, Dodkin produced two photos and what he claimed was a wedding announcement. In the pictures, Reiko wears a poofy white dress and Dodkin a dark suit. In one, she leans close to him with a hand on his knee; in the other, he kneels before her, holding her hand. They look happy and relaxed — like newlyweds. “It was sort of one of those magic love at first sight (sic),” Dodkin said during the June 2011 trial to determine the validity of the will he presented as Reiko’s. “That’s all I can tell you. We were vastly different, different backgrounds, different educations, but I was fascinated by her, and for whatever her reasons, she was fascinated by me. … I just proposed to her over dinner in Los Angeles, and she didn’t hesitate.” Dodkin also says Reiko told him she’d divorced her Japanese husband years earlier. Whether his story’s true or not, he stuck to it from the moment Reiko died. Takai says he heard Dodkin tell the ambulance drivers that he was Reiko’s husband and make the decisions a spouse would in those circumstances. Henderson police detective Robert McKay, now retired, has a similar recollection. He was called to the scene as a matter of course; the police investigate any unattended death to make sure no crime’s been committed. “Gregory Dodkin was at the house, and he claimed to be Mrs. Kawasaki’s husband,” McKay says today. “We found out later that wasn’t true at all. I’d never had somebody try that, where you go out to a house and whoever’s living there says they’re married to the deceased when they’re not. … It would be crazy if we showed up at a person’s death and started asking people for their marriage certificates or whatever. We just wouldn’t do that.” Once McKay had determined the death wasn’t suspicious, the ambulance took Reiko’s body to the Clark County coroner-medical examiner, where Dodkin again identified himself as her husband. (The coroner’s office didn’t respond to Desert Companion’s request for its relevant protocols.) From there, it was easy for Dodkin to take control of the situation. He filled out the paperwork to have Reiko’s body cremated at Hites Funeral Home, the facility that was on call with the coroner the week she died. He began calling Reiko’s friends, identifying himself

as her husband, and telling them of her passing. That Friday, he held a memorial service in Las Vegas. All the while, John grieved in Los Angeles, waiting for his wife to return from a business trip so he could give her the news in person. “We knew Ken was there, and he was communicating what was going on, as was Dodkin,” John says. “There were a few other people there who were helping and supporting us, too.” He adds that he understood his mother’s body would be at the morgue until the autopsy report was done, so there was no rush to go to Las Vegas right away. Instead, he chose to stay home and console his own family. By the time John found out his mother’s body had been cremated — contrary to her wishes, he says — that was the least of his worries. Dodkin’s behavior had begun to alarm Takai, who was getting so leery of Reiko’s so-called husband that he hid a portable safe full of her valuable jewelry in his room until he could deliver it to John. Then, on the Sunday following her death, Dodkin made the trip to Huntington Beach to deliver the news to John and his wife about the supposed marriage and will. At this point, all the pieces for a probate battle are in place except one: something worth fighting over. No one can say for sure how much Reiko Kawasaki’s estate was worth. On one hand, you have the inventory that Dodkin submitted

Reiko Kawasaki’s legacy: (From left) Reiko and John Kawasaki in the mountains of Southern California; mother and son at her home before a party; Reiko with her only grandchild, John’s daughter; Reiko and Gregory Dodkin in a photo he presented as evidence they were married.

to court in the probate case estimating around $223,000 in personal property. On the other, you have John’s trial testimony ballparking the value of a single Tiffany lamp at between $300,000 and $1 million — and she owned several such lamps, along with antiques, firearms, jewelry, paintings, a grand piano, a Mercedes … the list goes on and on. John believes it could all have amounted to between $5 million and $7 million. Trouble is, a lot of stuff went missing between the time Reiko died and August 2011, when John was finally made co-administrator of her estate. He gives the specific example of an Hermès Birkin bag: “Around February of 2010, when we were visiting, my mom brought out this bag and showed it to my wife, and said she wanted to make sure my wife got it one day and that it would go to our daughter. It wasn’t important at the time, just casual bantering. Then, two months later, my mom passed away and the bag disappeared. There’s a financial value to it, I realized later, but that’s not the way I was looking at it then.” (These bags, used, frequently sell for five figures.) John says it was like this with many items he’d seen since childhood and remembers being in her last house, but he can’t find them now and has no proof that she didn’t get rid of them before she died. All he has is his suspicions that Dodkin disposed of them somehow

(later events suggest he was right; we’ll come back to this). The more time lapsed, and the more complicated the court case became, the more difficult it was to keep tabs on everything. “The reason Dodkin was able to drag this on for so long was that he had this document called a will,” says probate attorney Kirk Kaplan, who was not involved in the Kawasaki case. “When that happens it’s got to be litigated — the court’s got to determine whether it’s valid or not.” Dodkin filed a petition to have his will accepted on June 7, 2010. John, of course, contested it. Following a year of investigations, depositions and negotiations on both sides, the case went to trial, where John’s attorney and a forensic document expert convinced a judge that the signature on the will was not Reiko’s. In July 2011, the will was officially thrown out. But the fight was far from over.

THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE John was born in Tokyo, Japan, to Kiyonobu and Reiko Kawasaki on April 4, 1970. When he was around 2 years old, he says, his parents moved to Southern California, but after a year or so, his dad returned to Japan. Kiyonobu had a business there that needed his attention, while Reiko’s own business was beginning to

flourish in the states. Kiyo, as he’s known, and Reiko never divorced, and every couple years he visited his family in the U.S. or sent for his son to see him overseas. John blames his father’s absence, in part, for a difficult adolescence. After attending boarding school in Massachusetts during elementary and middle school, John returned home to L.A. and went to Beverly Hills High. This was the ’80s, he says, and his experience at the school was like something straight out of the novel (and movie) Less Than Zero, written by his classmate Brett Easton Ellis. John’s pot-smoking led his mother to put him in rehab more than once. “All of us kids were left to our own devices,” he says. “We had the financial means and no parental supervision.” In retrospect, and being a parent now himself, John understands his mother’s actions. He also realizes he was going along with what most of his peers did: using substances to nurse the wounds of a broken family. But whenever he would criticize his father, he says, Reiko would rush to her husband’s defense. Besides the Kawasakis’ living arrangement being unconventional, their marriage’s only official evidence came in a form that Americans struggle to wrap their heads around — an issue that would become critical during the o c to b e r 2 0 1 5

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probate case for Reiko’s estate. Rather than fancy certificates with formal signatures and raised seals, the Japanese use a single document called a koseki, or family register, to track all births, deaths, marriages, divorces and other life events that affect a person’s identity and lineage. John has the koseki showing him to be the son of Kiyo and Reiko and them to have remained married until her death, and it’s certified by the Japanese Embassy as an official government document. But this didn’t stop Dodkin’s attorneys from attacking it as self-reported and arbitrary, akin to our census. They used this argument as grounds to demand further proof that Reiko was John’s mother, another problem to keep the case tied up in court. “Nevada intestacy statutes say that if someone dies without a will, and there’s a child and a spouse, they will share the assets 50-50,” probate attorney Kaplan says. “If (Dodkin) was trying to prove John wasn’t the child, it would be so he could inherit everything.” Kaplan and Jill Hanlon, another attorney that Desert Companion asked to give an independent evaluation of the Kawasaki case, both found it to be extraordinarily litigious. Dodkin’s attorney, Cary Payne, is known in the probate law community as effective and tenacious, and he seems to have pulled out all the stops to prove his client was Reiko’s heir. At various times, he accused the first judge (who left the bench after she was named to a federal seat), the second judge and John’s attorney, Justin Jones, of improprieties and tried to have them removed. At hearings, he would counter each of Jones’ claims with several of his own. If a judge ruled against him on something — for instance, Dodkin’s being married to Reiko — he’d come at it from another angle: Dodkin and Reiko may not have been officially married, but he was still the putative spouse, meaning he entered a bond in good faith and lived with her for 12 years. John describes Payne’s strategy as an attempt to drown him in a sea of paper. Take the maternity issue, for instance: “It turned into a whole Obama birther thing,” John says. “First, he argued my father was not my father; then, OK, he was my father, but I wasn’t the biological son; then, OK, I was the biological son, but he had me with another woman. It just went on and on.” Payne, who didn’t respond to requests to be interviewed for this story, demanded in court that John be forced to take a DNA test. The irony, John says, is that before being repre-

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sented by Payne, Dodkin had another attorney, Bob Morris, who had agreed just before the will-contest trial in June 2011 on a settlement: John would take a DNA test and, if it proved he was Reiko’s son, Dodkin would drop the litigation. But before it could be filed with the court, Morris withdrew and Dodkin hired Payne. “It came to a point where I was no longer comfortable representing him,” Morris says. He couldn’t elaborate, because of attorney-client privilege, but he’s aware that Dodkin later accused him of incompetence. “As an attorney, you have to have thick skin,” Morris says. “I think I represented Greg to the best of my ability.” Despite Payne’s subsequent ferocity, Jones prevailed in the end. During late 2012 and early 2013, the second judge decided several issues in John’s favor. She ordered Dodkin to hand over certain missing items from the estate — most notably, Reiko’s cremains — then held him in contempt for not doing so, then fined him, then ordered him to pay John’s attorney’s fees and costs. Payne was granted a final motion: to put the case on hold pending his client’s criminal trial.

THE VAULT Before his mother died, John says, he’d always found Dodkin to be a friendly, if insignificant, presence in her home. But during the month that followed her death, Dodkin and John’s relationship deteriorated. At first, Dodkin was cooperative, allowing John to

“If Dodkin had won this, he would have removed a generation from my bloodline. That was one of the main reasons I fought. ... Playing devil’s advocate, I guess I did the same thing to him.”

come to the house where Reiko had lived and start loading up her belongings to take back to California. John says Dodkin joked that he shouldn’t worry too much about the will, because Dodkin was old and had no heirs; John would end up with all Reiko’s stuff eventually anyway. Dodkin even appeared to go along with John’s effort to get the line on his mother’s death certificate that read “Spouse: Gregory Dodkin” corrected to “Spouse: Kiyonobu Kawasaki” — until one afternoon in late May. As John and Takai loaded boxes of Reiko’s stuff into John’s SUV, Greg called to tell John that he’d talked to the funeral home director, and if John wanted the death certificate changed, he’d have to get his deadbeat dad to fly here from Thailand and do it himself. (Kiyo did eventually get the official certificate amended.) Before long, the two were shouting and threatening each other: You’re not her husband! … Oh yeah? Well, you’re not her son! The confrontation ended with Dodkin ordering Ken out of the house and barring both him and John from coming back. That’s when the respective sides lawyered up. Dodkin had himself appointed administrator of Reiko’s estate; John filed a temporary restraining order preventing Dodkin from doing anything with Reiko’s property; Dodkin fired back by lodging the will. It was around this time that Dodkin contacted Detective McKay at the Henderson Police Department to report a robbery, claiming that Ken — and by association John — had taken some things from the house without permission. To get to the bottom of it, McKay called John, whom he already knew from his death investigation. McKay and his partner interviewed John at length and got his side of the story about Reiko. “I believed him,” McKay says. “Talking to his dad, her husband, and seeing the evidence — it’s all about that. He was the one showing all the proof. … Then a couple weeks later, we started to get the runaround by Dodkin, and it started to come together. Within a couple months, I wrote up the case and sent it to the DA, and they said, ‘You’re right; he’s in violation of the law,’ and they went and arrested him.” That was October, 2010, Dodkin’s first criminal charge, stemming from his having written himself a $9,500 check signed by Reiko on an account belonging to Kiyo. The state claimed Dodkin stole the check, but in his deposition for the probate case, Dodkin says he and Reiko had exchanged $10,000 each, so they would have money to take care of costs incurred in the event of each other’s deaths. Her commit-

ment came in the form of a blank check (the one from Kiyo’s account), while his, he says, was from cash that he kept in the house. That’s because he has no bank accounts other than one for a defunct Internet marketing business called Swift Media, but saved some $600,000 in cash working as the Temptations’ production and tour manager for 20 years. (Shelly Berger, personal manager for the Temptations, confirmed that Dodkin worked for them for a “good chunk of time,” but it was a while ago and he couldn’t remember how long.) The case was, essentially, passed from Justice up to District Court, where a judge dismissed it in December 2011, finding that the state failed to account for the possibility that Reiko — not Dodkin — had stolen the checks to begin with. All this time, the pleadings war was continuing in the probate case, as well as in civil and family-court cases Payne filed against John, Kiyo and Takai. After living with John for a few months in Huntington Beach at the end of 2010, Takai returned to Japan to pursue his dream of getting a graduate degree in Chinese history. John was ordered to return his mother’s possessions to Dodkin, who changed residences in violation of the restraining order that barred him from moving estate assets. Then, John was made co-administrator and Dodkin was ordered to return everything to him. Reiko’s property was getting more and more scattered. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any more complicated, in April 2012, John got a call from Metro. There’d been a burglary at 24/7 Private Vaults on Sunset Road. Three armed men had forced an employee to enter the storage area that was supposed to be accessible only by retinal scan and had pried open several of the vaults. One vault there contained items belonging to Reiko Kawasaki, John says — a couple Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot oil paintings, for instance; some Fabergé collectibles; John’s childhood passports showing Reiko as his mother; and Reiko’s cremains. John was dumbstruck. There, in plain sight of the police, were things that he’d believed all along Dodkin was hiding. “Metro found that a bunch of the stuff Dodkin had reported stolen was there,” McKay says. “But that was hard to prove because the guy who owned the place was shady, and they don’t ask for ID.” In other words, 24/7 Private Vaults’ policy of complete anonymity to its clients meant John would have an uphill (and potentially unwinnable) battle demonstrating that Dodkin had opened the account and placed the items there.

All Dodkin had to do was claim that the account belonged to John, not himself, and the judge had another he-said-he-said on her hands. “With respect to the 24/7 Vault items,” read minutes from the second trial in the probate case on December 18, 2012, “Court stated there was no way of knowing who placed the items there or if any items were missing because of the business model of Private Vaults and as such, the court was not able to find Mr. Dodkin in contempt regarding vault items.” For all practical purposes, the probate case ended in April 2013 — but just as that door closed, another was opening. A few months earlier, a grand jury had indicted Greg Dodkin, John Foley and Steve Russo on felony charges of theft, forgery, perjury and false representation of entitlement to interest or share in the estate of a deceased person. Foley and Russo were the two guys who Dodkin said had witnessed him and Reiko signing their wills. As of this writing, the three were scheduled to go to trial in Las Vegas on September 28 following multiple continuances asked for, and received, by Dodkin’s attorney based on his client’s illness, the specific nature of which is off the record. In John’s darkest moments, he says, as he lies awake at night turning the mess of his mother’s estate over and over in his mind, he hopes Dodkin is suffering a slow death. Most of the time, though, he’s just trying to make sense of it all: “I think I’m still processing it. I have a lot of anger toward my mother, which is a mixed emotion, because I still love her. But I’ll tell you this, I’ll never do anything like this to my daughter. This has helped me grow into a better person and parent.” For the last couple years, John has thrown himself fully into fatherhood, essentially becoming a stay-at-home dad. He and his wife have tried to be as open as possible with their daughter about everything that’s happened. And, of course, they completed their wills and gave them to five people to hold onto.

The legacY For nearly 15 years, John ran a computer graphics business, Binary Designs, which did trailers for Hollywood films. His wife is an executive producer for a media company. They don’t need his mother’s money, he says; they just wish that their daughter’s memories of her grandmother had remained untarnished. Among the things that John says went missing from his mom’s house was a box containing hundreds of

his childhood photos, his high school yearbooks, a record collection from the ’80s. He suspects Dodkin destroyed them out of spite. “You go through life trying to give people the benefit of the doubt and be a good person,” he says. “If Dodkin had won this, he would have removed a generation from my bloodline. That was one of the main reasons I fought. … Playing devil’s advocate, I guess I did the same thing to him.” As insulted as John felt by Dodkin’s claim that he wasn’t Reiko’s son, Dodkin may have felt equally slighted by John’s claim that he wasn’t Reiko’s husband. The resulting animosity brought out the worst in each of them at times. John says Dodkin made a trip to Thailand after the court found John and Kiyo to be Reiko’s legal heirs: “He gave one of my dad’s workers a note that said, ‘Congratulations, you just won the lottery. You just have to go to the U.S. and take it away from your son.’” The conflict didn’t just mar Reiko’s legacy psychologically; it also marred it physically. For instance, John says, he never got the provenance documents for one of his mother’s Tiffany lamps, despite the judge ordering Dodkin to turn it over. John has the lamp, sure, but without its papers, auctioning it at a reputable house would be challenging at best. He speculates that the same would apply to anything Dodkin kept unlawfully. He’d have a hard time selling it outside the black market, where its value would be diminished. In hindsight, Ken Takai says, he wishes that John had come to Las Vegas right after Reiko’s death and that the two of them had confronted Greg about what was going on. Ideally, of course, that wouldn’t have even been necessary, because Reiko would have left a will with a disinterested party. “She should have had her wishes detailed with an attorney for safe-keeping,” probate attorney Jill Hanlon says. Personal property often creates problems when settling people’s estates, Hanlon adds, because it’s so hard to keep track of. People should try to keep running lists of their valuables and if — as in Reiko’s case — they are high-dollar, have them appraised and insured. But most important is open communication with family. “It’s a tough conversation,” Takai says, “but you should look at reality. Who knows? You might die tomorrow, so to prevent anything bad happening you have to be prepared. … And also, be careful of anyone who is close to a parent. … They may seem very friendly, very kind, but you never know their real intentions.” o c to b e r 2 0 1 5

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e k ta your Arts+Entertainment calendar for october

25 6

Trio Camino Clark County Library

These players get around — musically speaking, that is, with a classical guitar repertoire whose influences stretch from Greece to Mexico. Should make for an excellent strum-down. 2p, free, lvccld.org

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Organist Vegas Christopher Valley Houlihan Book Festival Rando Recital Hall, UNLV

Christopher Houlihan is, we are told, “one of very few organists in the world who earns his entire living from performing” — and he Onyx Theatre does it without a monkey, he’s so good. A hugely Playwright Qui Nguyrespected and awarden’s dramedy She Kills ed virtuoso, he’ll dispel Monsters follows a any doubts you have woman who delves into about the entertainment the Dungeons & Dragpotential of a guy playing ons world of her dead an organ. Sponsored by sister. 5p and 8p, $20, the Southern Nevada onyxtheatre.com Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. 7:30p, free, sncago.org

She Kills Monsters

historic Fifth Street School

Think of it as Bookstock, or perhaps Reading Man: a large gathering of the word tribe, here to enjoy panels on politics or poetry, race or romance, history or mystery. There will be kid-lit and YA galore. And some big names, from Colum McCann to Claire Vaye Watkins to Walter Kirn to Desert Companion’s own Andrew Kiraly. 10a, free, vegasvalleybookfestival.org

23 Break Ups & Tear Downs Barrick Museum

Three ridiculously talented local(ish) artists — Wendy Kveck, J.K. Russ and Erin Stellmon (who moved away so recently that her local cred remains intact) — show selected new and old work. Common thread: They all work social issues into their art. Opening reception, 6p, Barrick Museum, unlv.edu/barrick museum

ART

REALLY BAD RICE

THROUGH OCT. 8, MON-FRI 7A-5:30P Artist Greg Allred’s sculptures incorporate common objects, made of steel, in relationships which are not usually associated with one another. The sculptures are colored using various types of paint, charcoal and oil pastels. Free. Second floor of the Las Vegas City Hall Chamber Gallery, 495 S. Main St., 702-229-1012

November 2–8, 2015

• 24 Invited Artists • Free Daily Demonstrations • Peak Fall Colors in Zion • Free Evening Lectures • Paint Out & Sale • Public Wet Paint Exhibit & Sale • Proceeds Benefit Zion National Park

RECORD & PLAY

THROUGH OCT. 11 Artist Shantell Martin invites participants to step into the WHO ARE YOU booth, which is split into two sides allowing guests to RECORD and PLAY. In RECORD, attendees are asked to bring and leave items that say something about who they are. Martin will interview and draw the participant. During PLAY, guests may view the curious collections and stories of others. Free. P3 Studio at The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

IN FOCUS: DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTURE

THROUGH NOV. 19, MON-FRI 7A-5:30P Using funding set aside during the construction of City Hall, the city commissioned photographers Ryan Reason and Jennifer Burkhart to capture 25 Downtown buildings of significance. Now you may view this series of historical record. Free. Las Vegas City Hall Chamber Gallery, 702-229-4631

IT HAPPENED LIKE THIS

THROUGH NOV. 25 This annual exhibit includes mostly local artists who reinterpret the literary influences of “narrative” and “mystery.” Free. Historic Fifth Street School Mayor’s Gallery, 401 S. Fourth St., 702-229-1012

Plein Air Art

z i o n n at i o n a l pa r k

i n v i t a t i o n a l

WIN, LOSE OR HAVE FUN!

OCT. 14-NOV. 8 Known for combining sculpture, set design and a sense of whimsy, Las Vegas artist Jesse Smigel “hosts” guests in his game-show creations. Over the course of the residency, he will construct both Family Feud and Jeopardy sets with lighting, furniture and digital graphics. Survey information of strange and hilarious questions will be gathered, creating an interesting take on the unexpected experience.

MICHELLE CONDRAT, EVENING’S GLOW–ZION NATIONAL PARK (DETAIL), 2015

zion national park foundation www.zionpark.org 1-800-635-3959

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THE GUIDE Free. P3 Studio at The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

ART & WINE: A PERFECT PAIRING

OCT. 14, 5-7P “Picasso: Creatures & Creativity” focuses on Pablo Picasso’s favorite theme, the human figure. The exhibition takes guests on a step-by-step journey through the famed artist’s thought progression and creative process behind his painting and printmaking. What better way to enjoy it than to add some carefully paired wines? Must be 21 or older. BGFA members, $34; non-members, $42. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, bellagio.com

MUSIC

NEVADA CHAMBER SYMPHONY’S MUSIC MAESTRO!

OCT. 4, 3P This musical dreamscape selected by

Maestro Fernandez will feature both classical and popular favorites from the orchestra’s extensive repertoire. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

YESTERDAY – THE BEATLES TRIBUTE SHOW BAND

OCT. 9, 8P What could be better than celebrating John Lennon’s birthday with the sounds of the Fab Four? Doing so in a beautiful outdoor arena with incredible views of the mountains all around! Lawn seating, $5; reserved, $10. Craig Ranch Regional Park Amphitheater, craigranch.yapsody.com

PARAGUAYAN HARPIST MARIANO GONZALEZ

OCT. 10, 2P Gonzalez is a world-class performer, extraordinary harpist and composer. He adds a touch of Latin rhythms, jazz, classical and pop music to his original compositions.

Free. Centennial Hills Library, lvccld.org

SHELBY & TIEG – FOLK/POP CONCERT

OCT. 10, 7P Think Simon and Garfunkel meets the Andrews Sisters. Their melodic chemistry and clever lyrics make them a group you’ll remember. Lawn seating, bring low-back chairs or blankets. Free. Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park, artslasvegas.org

WAR

OCT. 10, 8P The iconic and original jazz-rock-blues band that penned such songs as “Low Rider” and “Why Can’t We be Friends” will rock the stage and spur nostalgia. Lawn seating, $20; reserved, $25. Craig Ranch Regional Park Amphitheater, craigranch.yapsody.com

LAS VEGAS BRASS BAND

OCT. 11, 2P A traditional British-style ensemble made up of both amateur and professional local talent. Be prepared to hear many styles of music from The Beatles to Sousa. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

THE VINCENT FALCONE QUARTET

OCT. 11, 2P A glimpse of vintage Vegas will be displayed in this showcase of talented performers who have played with everyone who is anyone in the history of Strip entertainment. Pianist Falcone, former musical director for Frank Sinatra, will lead a quartet of world-renowned musicians. $18. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com

UNLV JAZZ ENSEMBLES

OCT. 14 & NOV. 4, 7P The cream of the crop from the college’s world-renowned jazz program will perform various styles of jazz. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

GOAPELE

OCT. 15-16, 7P This acclaimed American soul and R&B singer and songwriter will use her smooth and smoky voice to create a night to remember. $39-$69. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

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Channel 10

A NIGHT OF R & B … RHYTHM & BROADWAY

OCT. 18, 3P From Showboat to Memphis, to Porgy and Bess and Kinky Boots, these two genres have shared a dance together since the very beginning. Hear classic favorites from both worlds sung from the soul by Niki Scalera, Chris Lash, Michelle Johnson and Jassen Allen. $20. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com

SAMMY KERSHAW

OCT. 23, 8P A country favorite, Kershaw will wow the outdoor venue with his soulful southern rock and Cajun-inspired vocals. Lawn seating, $20; reserved, $25. Craig Ranch Regional Park Amphitheater, craigranch. yapsody.com

The Brain with David Eagleman Wednesdays at 10 p.m., premiering October 14

DANCE

A CHOREOGRAPHER’S SHOWCASE

OCT. 11 & 18, 1P Nevada Ballet Theatre and Cirque du Soleil present this showcase of amazing talent and original new works. Watch as two of the city’s most exciting performance companies combine their dynamic artistry to bring you an experience like no other. $25-$45. Mystère Theatre at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, nevadaballet.org

GOTTA DANCE!

OCT. 24, 7P The dynamic husband and wife song and dance team, Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson, will bring their company, M&M American Dance Theatre, to create a live gallery of funny and touching stories featuring musical numbers from the Great American Songbook. The show combines music, dynamic dancing and humor to create an energetic evening of fun for the whole family. $20. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com THEATER

THE BOOK OF MORMON

THROUGH OCT. 18, TUE-SUN 7:30P; SAT-SUN 2P The blockbuster Broadway smash

Home Fires on Masterpiece

Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson

Sundays at 8 p.m., premiering October 4

Friday, October 9 at 9 p.m.

Bloody Irish: Songs of The 1916 Rising

Great Performances: Billy Elliot: The Musical Live

Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m.

Friday, October 23 at 9 p.m.

VegasPBS.org | 3050 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 • 702-799-1010 O c to b e r 2 0 1 5

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THE GUIDE from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, this musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. $36-$160. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

Nevada Public radio

RECYCLING DAY Saturday, November 14, 8 a.m. to noon. • Shred old paperwork • Recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard • Bring your old computers, cell phones, appliances and more • Donate clothes, jewelry, housewares, home decor, etc. Pill Take Back. Turn in your unused or expired medications for safe confidential disposal and destruction. We will even take the prescription bottle.

all for free!

OCT. 2-11, THU-SAT 8P; SUN 2P Three Guys, one dead playwright and 37 plays, all in less than two hours! Theatre-goers deserve fair warning: This is a gut-busting comedy that ping-pongs back and forth across The Bard’s entire catalog in one highpaced evening of theatre. $20. Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

OCT. 2-11, THU-SAT 8P; SUN 2P In Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, a lover’s trap is set for sworn bachelor Benedick, and Beatrice, his favorite verbal-sparring partner. The gloves are off and a comic love story is in the making. $8-$10. Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV, unlv.edu

THE WHALE

OCT. 9-25, THU-SAT 8P; SUN 2P On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, a six-hundred-pound recluse hides away in his apartment eating himself to death. Desperate to reconnect with his long-estranged daughter, he reaches out to her, only to find a viciously sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teen. $16-$20. Cockroach Theatre, 1025 S. First St., cockroach theatre.com

KING OF KONG: A MUSICAL PARODY More information at knpr.org

PREsENtING sPoNsoR:

RECYCLE sPoNsoR:

ca e

PILL tAkE BACk sPoNsoRED BY: coalition

PARtICIPAtING sPoNsoRs:

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OCT. 9-10, 8P; OCT. 11, 2P This musical comedy inspired by the cult documentary King of Kong follows two men on their quest to hold the Donkey Kong classic video game high score. $20. Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave., onyxtheatre.com

LA MADRASTRA DEL LA CENISENTA (CINDERELLA’S STEPMOTHER) OCT. 16-17, 7P This all Spanish-language comedy brings the fairytale classic into the 21st century with its technological

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RIZE A thre e nigh t get for tw o, com away plete with d i n n er $300 S PENDI and NG CA SH.

THE GUIDE trappings and cultural references. $10-$12. Winchester Cultural Center, clarkcountynv.gov

PAUL RODRIGUEZ

OCT. 24, 8P Comedian Rodriguez will crack you up with his unique brand of Latin-American humor and universal appeal. Lawn seating, $20; reserved, $25. Craig Ranch Regional Park Amphitheater, craigranch. yapsody.com

VIOLET

OCT. 30-NOV. 1, FRI-SAT 8P; SAT-SUN 3P Set in the Deep South in 1946 during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, this moving musical follows the growth and enlightenment of a bitter, young, disfigured woman who hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her. $34. Troesh Studio at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

LECTURES, SPEAKERS AND PANELS

BETTY WILLIS AND HER “FABULOUS” SIGNS

OCT. 1, 7P From the Moulin Rouge, to the Blue Angel Motel’s revolving celestial being, to the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada sign, Willis was a trailblazer in a field dominated by men. Danielle Kelly, executive director of the Neon Museum, presents a multimedia lecture that delves into the visual artist and graphic designer’s work and life. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

AIR FORCE ONE

OCT. 14, 6P; OCT. 17, 11A Author John L. Haigh Sr. shares personal stories, excerpts and pictures from his book Air Force One: an Honor, Privilege, and Pleasure to Serve. As the Former Chief Steward on Air Force One, Haigh will talk about special air missions as well as his service to presidents from Carter to Bush Sr. Free. Oct. 14, Whitney Library; Oct. 17, Spring Valley Library; lvccld.org

VEGAS VALLEY BOOK FESTIVAL CLOSING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: COLUM MCCANN OCT. 15, 4:15P Irish best-selling author, screenwriter

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and college professor, McCann is the author of six novels and three story collections and has been the recipient of many literary and cultural honors. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation. Free. Historic Fifth Street School Auditorium, 401 S. Fourth St., colummccann.com

AN EVENING WITH BRAD MELTZER

OCT. 15, 7P Known for his best-sellers The Inner Circle and The Book of Fate plus seven other best-selling thrillers, Meltzer is one of the only authors to ever have books on the best-seller lists for nonfiction, advice, children’s books and comic books. After his keynote, he’ll sign books (available for purchase). Wristbands will be given out starting at 6p in the theater courtyard. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org/ bradmeltzer.com

THE LAS VEGAS WRITES PROJECT VOLUME SEVEN: “THE ANARCHY OF MEMORIES”

OCT. 16, 6P The public is invited to hear the authors participate in a panel together with moderator/editor Geoff Schumacher. The authors will read from their stories, discuss the project, answer questions, meet the public and sign the books. Free. The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St. #100, 702-550-6399

THE POETS’ CORNER

OCT. 16, 7P Hosted by Keith Brantley, this openmic opportunity attracts some of the best local poetic talent. Must be 17 or older. Free. West Las Vegas Arts Center Community Gallery, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., artslasvegas.org

BRIDGING MENTAL ILLNESS AND WELLNESS

OCT. 16, 7:30P Melody Moezzi, author of “Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life,” shares her experiences with bipolar disorder, the American Mental Health System and more. She will read from her latest book and take audience questions. A reception and book signing will follow. Free. West Charleston Library, lvccld.org

BUKOWSKI: MAN AND MYTH

OCT. 17, 2P Las Vegas poet Lee Mallory speaks about his turbulent friendship with the late, iconic poet, Charles Bukowski. Based on extensive journal notes, letters and poems, Mallory speaks candidly of their get-togethers, ladies and one tumultuous New Year’s party that nearly killed the friendship. Learn the mystery behind Bukowski’s enigmatic epitaph, “Don’t try.” Free. Winchester Cultural Center 3130 McLeod Dr., PoetLaureate ClarkCounty@cox.net

FAMILY & FESTIVALS

22ND ANNUAL AGE OF CHIVALRY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

OCT. 9-11, FRI-SAT 10A-10P; SUN 10A-5P Feast on traditional fare like bangers & mash, meat pies and home-brewed ales. Enjoy live music, historical reenactments, jousting, pageantry and more than 200 artisans. Witness the royal parade, a public stoning, flame eaters, trained parrots, magicians and even pirates! Advance daily tickets: adults, $13; seniors and children 6-12, $8. $15/ $10 at the gate. Three day passes, $30/$20. Children under 6, free. Sunset Park, lvrenfair.com

WINE AMPLIFIED FESTIVAL

OCT. 9-10, 5P-1A Enjoy more than 150 delicious wines from some of the top wineries in the world. If you’re not a wine drinker, there will be craft beer tastings and spirits, too! Performances will be headlined by Panic! at the Disco, Passion Pit, Sublime with Rome, and 50 Cent featuring G-Unit. Glass purchases benefit the Three Square Organization. $59 one-day pass, $109 for both days. Tastings start at $2. Las Vegas Village, wineamplified.com

SUMMERLIN FESTIVAL OF ARTS

OCT. 10-11, 10A-5P More than 100 artists and craftspeople display a fine art for sale at this art festival that also features music, food and live entertainment. Bring the

kids to the Children’s Pavilion hosted by the Children’s Discovery Museum! Free. 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, summerlin.com/festivalofarts

RISE LANTERN FESTIVAL

OCT. 10, SUNSET A traditional fire-in-the-sky festival with a green mind. Relax with carefully chosen local artists, food, drinks and your own lantern that you get to personalize. Then, at sunset, beautiful eco-friendly lanterns lift off by the thousands, creating a spectacle you won’t forget. Adults, $109; children 3-10, $59. Moapa River Reservation just behind the Moapa Travel Plaza off exit 75, risefestival.com

VEGAS VALLEY BOOK FESTIVAL

OCT. 17, 10A-6P Featuring more than 120 authors and 50 events including panel discussions, keynote speakers, readings, book signings, workshops, vendor exhibits, art exhibitions, spoken word performances, food trucks and children’s activities. Free. Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., vegasvalleybook festival.org FUNDRAISERS

THE GINGERBREAD FAIR & PANTRY

OCT. 10, 9A-2P Get started on your holiday shopping early. Affordable handcrafted gifts, goodies and crafts abound, as do baked goods (including gingerbread!), Christmas décor, pet items and even prizes. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Free. Green Valley Presbyterian Church, 1798 Wigwam Parkway, 702-454-8484

P o rt D in in g Pa ss

You’re Invited Join our holiday celebration Friday, November 13

6 pm - 9 pm

Celebrate the holiday season with Nevada Public Radio, Desert Companion and Galleria at Sunset with a festive holiday dine-around. RSVP required to receive your dine-around passport to taste and sip through five flavorful destinations. Details at desertcompanion.vegas. restauraNts iNclude

PAWCASSO ART AND SILENT AUCTION

OCT. 10, 6:30-9P The proceeds from the 4th Annual PAWcasso Art & Silent Auction event will go to multiple non-profit animal charities. Guests at this event will enjoy cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, live music, original artwork by local artists, and silent auction and raffle prizes. The funds raised will be designated for the care and keeping of rescued animals, specifically for veterinary and feeding costs. $25-$30, UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum, pawcassolv.org.

1300 WeSt SuNSet RoaD

HeNDeRSoN, NV 89014

O c to b e r 2 0 1 5

DesertCompanion.com

END NOTE satire

Burning Man recently marked its 29th year as a counterculture festival. Amid growing concerns that the event has been co-opted by the rich and powerful, Desert Companion was leaked the program for 2016’s event.

Ra dic al Con for mit y

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7 a.m.

Morning burn Disrupt your tired corporate narrative by burning large contrived objects within walking distance of your corporate jet.

7:15 a.m.

From the Art Car to the Boardroom: Leadership lessons from a week without bathing

8 a.m.

Sandy-buttcrack innovation workshop Led by hologram of Steve Jobs in a loincloth

9:15 a.m.

Plenary session: Eastern mystic drum circle and portfolio review

10:30 a.m.

From Hashtag to Cashtag: Which Instagram filters will best monetize your photos of barely dressed mud-wallowing hippie scum?

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DesertCompanion.vegas

Noon

Lunch, plus peyote trust falls Sex Popsicle Neon Deathwar Dance Fugue Syndrome (Details and point of event TBA)

3:30 p.m.

Fetch My Coffee When You’re Dry: Build stronger teams through body-painting your interns

4 p.m.

Be a Playa on the Playa singles event (half-off admission with henna tattoo) Social Darwinist Liberty DeathDome: Two startup founders enter, one startup founder leaves

5:15 p.m.

Burner-than-thou: Enhance your corporate narrative by complaining about companies that cynically exploit hipster lifestyle tropes!

7 p.m.

TED Talks on the Playa: Jeff Bezos TM in burnversation with Mark Zuckerberg. Fawned over by Malcolm Gladwell.

7:30 p.m.

The Burntown Project: In this one-night-only performance piece, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh torches $350 million in a powerdrunk frenzy of commercial real estate-induced lust.

Midnight

Burning Person A native revolt against the entrenched, systemic sexism embedded in and perpetuated by the term Burning Man, come by at midnight to witness the environmentally responsible burning of a gender-neutral effigy.

All -Day activities cleaning station

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B y s c o t t d i c k e n s h e e t s & A n d r e w K i r a ly

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