Desert Companion - November 2015

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Plus seasonal events, giving back and four inspiring people

11 NOVEMBER

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Scandal!

Dark rooms!

A mammoth!

Gripping tales drawn from our past AN

illustrated history of

LAS VEGAS

EDUCATION

Behind UNLV’s drive for ‘top tier’ status

DINING

CHURCH AND SATE JOHNNY CHURCH GETS EXOTIC AT ARTISANAL FOODS CAFE

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EDiTOR’S Note

Browser’s history

W

e call this (*flourish of parting curtains*) our Illustrated History issue, but we seriously need to Frankenstein up a better word for what’s going on in this month’s feature package, our second stab at excavating our state and city’s history for interpretive doodle-fication. History? Really? The word “history” evokes yellowed newspapers and scratchy sepia photographs of grim-looking dudes in bowler hats (what was with the bowler hats back in the day?). “History” suggests a floating, time-fogged iceberg of irretrievable pastness that can seem emotionally and intellectually untethered from our lives in the four-color present. The word doesn’t quite capture, say, my recollection of seeing Clash of the Titans in 1981 at the Fox Theatre on Charleston Boulevard, or my bafflement and disbelief (and, okay, a dash of schadenfreude) as we watched the G-sting saga engulf a raft of county commissioners in 2003.

To be sure, this edition’s illustrated histories will certainly illuminate and entertain — I mean, sure, they’re historical — but they’re also vitalized with a personal element that, I hope, allows them to breathe deeply as something more than mere remembrances of things past. In “Life in a dark space,” Sean C. Jones reflects on the valley movie theaters of his youth. To him, they’re more than just venues for cinematic summertime escape. Rather, they’re landmarks that, though long since razed, still populate his memory as sites of passage through his teenage years.

In our “History in a hotel room” series, we commissioned five illustrators to interpret events that took place in Vegas’ native habitat of the hotel room. Hotel rooms were the place of O.J.’s belated downfall; of Who bassist John EntwisNext tle’s hopefully ecstatic death; of MOnth Clark Gable’s epic fret over the Raise your forks fate of his wife, Carole Lombard; for our 19th annual and, of course, then there’s HowRestaurant Awards ard Hughes creeping around his

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Desert Inn suite like some neurotic Caesar, assembling a casino empire from the clutches of strange obsessions. Michael Ogilvie’s “Territorial Legends” series, meanwhile, was inspired by his fascination with the lesser-known and little-celebrated figures from Nevada’s past — and he tells their stories in a lively, idiomatic manner that bests any traditional telling in terms of punchy memorability. The big history lesson begins on p. 63.

Our take on history is riffy and reflective, sure, but the holidays are a time of reflection as well — beyond, of course, mulling over gift lists and dinner-party menus. Our holiday guide (p. 90) not only has a fat events list and gift ideas for everyone from kids to co-workers, but also includes a list of volunteer and philanthropy opportunities that encourage you to get involved. Need a bigger nudge than that? Check out our “Kickstart my heart” profiles of four valley volunteers who discuss what inspired them to give of themselves in a way that’s more than just checking off the “seasonal obligation” box. For them, giving back is a way of life, inspired by personal experiences that are in some cases poignant, wrenching, and even tragic. And yet, these four people have turned pain into a passionate drive to better the lives of others. While such things may not make the history books, surely the people whose lives they impact consider them pivotal figAndrew Kiraly ures in their personal histories. editor

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

November 2015

1

Let’s open with some random burbles of feedback: In response to Launce Rake’s September report on the school district’s new bullying policy, former teacher Wendy Goldstein Gelbart took to Facebook to remind us that teachers aren’t ignoring the issue. “It is not that teachers have not wanted to act,” she insists. “Writing incident reports is seen as a sign of poor classroom management by many school administrators. When I was a classroom teacher, I was pulled in and asked to cut down on my disciplinary reports.”

On a cheerier note, Jill Bernacki, CEO of the Trauma Intervention Program of Southern Nevada, praised Dan Hernandez’s October profile of her group, which trains volunteers to assist families of victims at trauma scenes. “I appreciate you taking the time to research, listen and understand what it is that we do,” she writes. “That’s a rarity. Thank you for presenting our program to the community in such a powerful way.”

Bernacki’s kind words will echo in our ears even as we gobble this fresh slice of humble pie: Our September Fall Culture Guide reported that the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s performance of The Snowman will take place in January, when in fact it happens December 5 and 6. We apologize for any ‘YOU NEVER KNOW inconvenience and hope readTHEIR REAL ers can still make time for this INTENTIONS’ family friendly event. Deets at lvphil.org.

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i o Kawasak alite Reik nese soci 2010, it set When Japa Vegas in enly in Las ns and died sudd revelatio surprising of s her nst off a serie her son agai les pitting luable court batt red an inva ” — and offe t “husband h and trus ut life, deat lesson abo I KYS ER

BY HEID

Reader Natasha Pace seemed to like our October “Passages” edition, which dealt with aging and end-of-life questions: “Thank you so much for publishing this issue,” she posted on Facebook. “As an estate liquidator I try to help my clients find the ‘silver lining’ every day. As I went through the issue I was so pleased to see all of the advice, resources and help you had to offer. But I couldn’t help but notice that estate liquidation was not mentioned, nor offered as a resource.”

Excellent suggestion, Natasha. We’ll keep that in mind for any future iterations of “Passages.”

A key pillar of “Passages” was Heidi Kyser’s absorbing re-

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port on the aftermath of a death, that of Vegas-based Japanese socialite Reiko Kawasaki. What ensued was a hard-to-believe series of revelations and probate actions. It was enough to keep a reader named Diane on tenterhooks. “True stories are the most compelling, and this was a good one,” she wrote in a note emailed to Kyser. “The details were complicated, though, so I figure you had to put in a lot of work to get the many details straight.” Indeed, Kyser spent months interviewing subjects and combing through masses of documents in order to assemble her narrative. “This particular issue of the magazine with a variety of topics was one of my favorites.”

Meanwhile, here’s a sampling of the comments that bloomed when John Kawasaki, Reiko’s son and protagonist of the story, posted the piece on Facebook: “Wow. Truth can be stranger than fiction.” “This story is sickening. People will stoop to anything for greed.” “I’m speechless. What a rough journey.” “This is some crazy story.”

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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

F

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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Where does creativity come from? While there are shelf-loads of books attempting to plumb that question, we thought we’d go straight to a first-rate source: author David Armstrong, who wrote the unusual and entertaining piece of fiction that begins on Page 44.

(Note to Diane, above: It’s not a true story, but it’s still pretty compelling.) It features a mysterious duffel bag and some audio tapes — and it turns out there’s a

good reason why.

“I’d been working at a hospice facility in North Las Vegas,” Armstrong tells us, “where an elderly resident kept a duffel bag in a closet. No one ever looked in the bag, and its contents were the subject of a good deal of speculation. When the man passed away, I thought I’d satiate my curiosity by peeking inside — but the duffel bag was gone, replaced with two audio tapes, apparently by the last visitor to have seen the man alive.”

Thus a story was born. In the spirit of the month, we’re thankful we can give it a home.

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Features

Sometimes, the past is best served as a big bowl of doodles, so welcome to our second Illustrated History edition, featuring Dario Herrera, various obscure figures of the past, an intimate recollection of the valley’s movie theaters, a doomed mammoth and five wild historical moments that took place in Las Vegas hotel rooms (talking to you, O.J.!).

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90 let’s get seasonal The holidays are upon us like a pack of boisterous reindeer, and Desert Companion is here to help.

We have gift suggestions for everyone you know.

Between shopping trips, you can fill your hours with events from our massive holiday calendar. You can make the world a little better with our guide to philanthropic opportunities. And, to bulwark your spirit against holiday backlash, we’ll introduce you to four wonderfully inspiring people.

I l l u s t r a t i o n : Ri c k S e a l o c k

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32

38

60

departments All Things

38 film

55 Dining

110 The Guide

23 education UNLV

Practically alone among major Las Vegas films, Scorsese’s Casino — which turns 20 this month — explains the real Las Vegas

By Geoff Schumacher

56 The Dish Chef

Quality culture for your enjoyment

aims for the summit — can it get there?

26 books Claire Vaye

Watkins’ new novel reviewed 28 zeit bites Your

Johnny Church keeps it small and exotic at Artisanal Foods 59 cocktail of the month Autumn on the

rocks at StripSteak

month planned for you

44 FICTION

60 at first bite

30 Profile Funny

A deathbed confession by a man about to be killed by someone we all thought was dead

By David Armstrong

Bawk this way — three new restaurants get their chicken on

people 32 STYLE Stylish party

gifts 34 open topic What’s

in a name? Damn good question!

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120 End note Key moments in Nevada history rendered as a series of improbable comic dialogues, often involving inanimate objects, intellectual concepts or historical figures we might not be quoting with 100 percent accuracy. Just like real history, only funnier!

By Andrew Kiraly & Scott Dickensheets

on the cover Illustration Brent Holmes

I l l u s t r a t i o n : B r e n t H o l m e s ; D e Ni r o : U n i v e r s a l S t u di o s ; Rib l e t s : Ch r i s t o p h e r SMi t h

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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

Fall in love with your backyard.

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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.”

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Contributing writers David Armstrong, Chantal Corcoran, Cybele, Mélanie Hope, Debbie Lee, Christie Moeller, Alissa Nutting, Geoff Schumacher, Greg Thilmont, Carla Zvosec Contributing artists Bill Hughes, Sean C. Jones, J.D. King, Conor Langton, Gary Mar, Matty Newton, Michael Ogilvie, Sabin Orr, Craig Schaffer, Rick Sealock, Hernan Valencia Joseph Watson

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T H R U

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Editorial: Andrew Kiraly, (702) 259-7856; andrew@desertcompanion.vegas Fax: (702) 258-5646

(702) 452-5272

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Advertising: Christine Kiely, (702) 259-7813; christine@desertcompanion.vegas

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Call to schedule a design consultation

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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JULY 3, 2015 – JANUARY 10, 2016

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Pablo Picasso, Woman with a Chignon and a Yellow Hat, Oil on Canvas, June 1962, 36 x 28 ¾”, © Estate of Pablo Picasso, Paris/Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York.

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another story about blo od, sweat and tier s

The future is dystopian — and very dry page 26

education

We’re number top!

What does UNLV President Len Jessup’s plan to bump up the school’s status actually mean for students and the state?

B y H e i d i K ys e r

I

n September, UNLV President Len Jessup gave his first State of the University address since taking the job at the beginning of the year. It was full of excitement and optimism, as such speeches are meant to be, but it also echoed with a familiar refrain: UNLV must rise from good to great. Like former president Neal Smatresk in 2013, and interim president Don Snyder in 2014, Jessup invoked the idea of tiers

i l lu s t r at i o n b r e n t h o l m e s

and presented his plan for boosting UNLV to the highest one. But he used slightly altered terminology for it. Whereas Smatresk and Snyder had spoken of “Tier One,” Jessup adopted the name “Top Tier” for his vision. The press was perplexed. During a small Q&A following the address, a Las Vegas Sun reporter asked whether Jessup was worried “Top Tier” sounded so general that it would confuse the public.

Jessup’s response to such skepticism has been to emphasize content over nomenclature. What matters, he argues, is that the initiative resulted from a year’s worth of planning by an outside consultancy combined with input from the university’s administrators, faculty, students and other stakeholders. Using the Top Tier Vision as their guide, separate committees will work toward goals in five focus areas: research and scholarship, student achievement, the medical school, community partnerships and infrastructure. The first group, for instance, is charged with more than tripling the school’s research expenditures to $150 million and graduating 200 doctoral students yearly by 2025, compared to 147 last year.

“In one word, it’s about impact,” Jessup told Desert Companion.

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“What impact do we have on the community? … It’s a matter of aiming everything we’ve got now at being better.”

To what end? Attracting more students and professors, and increasing the amount of outside money flowing into the university, mainly for research. UNLV lost $73 million (nearly 40 percent of its budget) in state funding from 2009 to 2013, and although restored state funding, a growing student body and increased fundraising have partially filled that hole, Jessup says, the school isn’t back to where it was pre-recession.

In other words, Top Tier isn’t just a strategic plan for making the university better; it’s also a marketing plan for attracting customers. And in that respect, branding does matter.

Let’s say a talented high school athlete is shopping for colleges. He might consider only those in a certain NCAA division (1, 2 or 3) or compare their various standings in his sport. Sure, it gets more complicated with conferences and standings and so on, but the point is, there’s a standardized classification system that student-athletes and their parents can refer to.

There’s no equivalent for scholars. A teenage astronomy buff might know she wants to go to MIT, but most students are left to parse college costs, acceptance and graduation rates, scholarships and other deciding factors on their own. No single, objective list tells them X school is ranked Y in academics.

Instead, there are several systems, ranging from popularity contests to ROI calculators. The best known may be U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best College Rankings, which divides schools by scope (national or regional, college or university, etc.) and then rates them according to criteria such as freshman retention rates, student-faculty ratios and six-year graduation rates. More prestigious, however, is the Carnegie Foundation’s classification, which identifies research universities and distinguishes those with “very high” or “high” research activity.

When Smatresk and Snyder talked about “Tier One,” they explained it in terms of Carnegie’s “very high” designation. Rob Lang, UNLV’s Brookings

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Mountain West director, who participated in the current planning process, says, “Tier One came from this: The schools at the top level of the Carnegie rankings used to be called R1, for ‘research one,’ which meant they were in about the top 100 …

Carnegie’s business isn’t marketing; their specialty is to gauge the research capacity of a university, to help guide the federal government — your National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.”

Some universities’ initiatives reflect Lang’s take. In Texas, the state government facilitated a race to the top of national rankings among public universities with a matching grant program for research funding. Frontrunner Texas Tech University writes on a related page of its website: “Tier One is a term used to describe institutions having academic excellence, world-class research and an exceptional student body; it is used interchangeably with ‘national research university.’”

The push for academic prestige has been a driving force in higher education over the last couple decades, says Eric Kelderman, who writes about state government for the Chronicle of Higher Education. “It’s behind a number of trends in what you would call infrastructure and spending to attract better students, research dollars and faculty,” Keldersman says. “One way to accomplish this is to enhance their reputation as a research university. ... That’s what UNLV appears to be doing. It’s a worthy goal, but there are a couple problems. Every other university that size, and many smaller ones, are trying to do the same thing at a time when research dollars are not increasing. The university a couple hundred miles to the north is trying to do the same thing.”

As if UNLV and UNR need something else to compete over, it turns out they’re both vying for Tier One status. Key “unr. edu” into a web browser, and the home page that comes up looks like an ad for Tier One. Beneath a “University of Nevada” header is the tagline, “One of the nation’s top public research universities.”

And below that, a gold banner trumpeting, “National Tier 1 Education.”

Yet UNR, like UNLV, is still waiting to graduate from Carnegie “high” to “very

high” status. So what makes UNR “Tier One”? Spokeswoman Jane Tors says it’s the fact that the school is in the top section of the U.S. News & World Report’s rankings — the one that’s for national universities. On that list, UNR comes in at No. 187 out of around 200 ranked (UNLV is one of several dozen unranked entries at the bottom). But schools in other sections may have far higher scores than some of those in the national universities section.

Amherst, whose score is 96, appears on the national liberal arts university list.

Compare that to UNR, whose score is 23.

It’s hard to see why the national universities section as a whole would constitute the highest echelon.

“Tier One is really just a colloquialism for the national universities,” Tors says. “I think the important thing is our state has two schools striving for top-ranked status.”

Indeed, among Nevada’s closest competitors for students, it’s the only state with no school on the Carnegie research university “very high” list. Only the top 2.5 percent of schools make that cut; UNLV is in the top 4.5 percent.

This, Jessup agrees, has got to change.

But his vision subsumes the Carnegie designation — and all the other lists, which he’d like to see UNLV top — under his broader goal of making the school a more enticing place to study, rewarding place to work and collaborative partner in the community. As an example of what he means, he points to the recent deal between UNLV and the Lou Ruvo Cleveland Clinic Center for Brain Health to form Nevada’s first Center for Biomedical Research Excellence. The NIH awarded the project $11.1 million in funding.

“We did that without adding any research facilities,” he says. “We have existing faculty that will go after that. It just took outside-the-box thinking. Another example is tech transfer. There are many internal resources we can redirect to hire more faculty and help us create more spinout activity (businesses being spun off academic projects into the private sector).”

Call it what you want, Jessup says; that kind of activity attracts talent. Talent, in turn, attracts investment. And with resources to buoy it, UNLV can only rise.

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ALL Things

literature

review

Living the dry life In her hotly anticipated debut novel, onetime Nevada author Claire Vaye Watkins imagines the consequences of extreme drought on the West and its people

By Alissa Nutting

R

aised in California and Nevada, Claire Vaye Watkins is a writer of the American West. Her award-winning book of short stories, Battleborn, features haunting, complex portraits of the desert in all its allure and danger. Now, in her debut novel Gold Fame Citrus (Riverhead Books, $27.95), Watkins again settles her gaze on the arid West, taking the desert’s unforgiving potential to a near-futuristic extreme: Drought has turned Los Angeles, and most of the Southwest, into a wasteland. Civilization proper has evacuated East. Much of the landscape has been swallowed up by an expanding sea of sand; we learn that “a white-hot superdune entombed Las Vegas.”

Some stragglers remain in Los Angeles, picking the skeleton of the city clean and subsisting as best they can.

The book revolves around three such individuals: Luz, a former teen model, has holed up in a Hollywood starlet’s abandoned mansion, languishing and raiding the actress’ plentiful wardrobe.

She’s found love post-drought with Ray,

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an AWOL soldier. Together, they do their best to play house and find food and water in the city’s chaotic remnants.

They rove alleyways where wilted produce is peddled like heroin. They attend massive bonfire events called raindances (picture busloads of criminals getting dropped off at Burning Man). It seems they’re set to stay in the city, despite its dangers, until Luz encounters an abused toddler named Ig and is moved to take her home to the mansion. Suddenly a family of three, Luz and Ray realize Ig can’t have a safe life unless they get out of L.A.: They have to attempt a hazardous pilgrimage east.

The book is as innovative in form as it is in content — some chapters depart from the linear narrative of the protagonists to provide historical context; others weave in alternate points of view or introduce supporting documents (such as a National Laboratory employee reference questionnaire).

These innovations further illuminate the times our characters find themselves in, and often the characters themselves.

Luz and Ray’s individual histories haunt them, yet in many ways the characters’ pasts seem to have been wiped out alongside the landscape — one of the

text’s thematic explorations involves wondering how one comes to truly know another or one’s self, especially after everything that once was is gone. Of Ray, Luz starts “to think she’d never known this man and never would.” To mull him over, she uses an exercise one of her former acting coaches prescribed, a way to “learn about a character.” Hoping for answers, she makes three lists: “What he says,” “What he does,” and “What other characters think about him.”

Their compelling relationship and the high emotional tension of trying to protect Ig prevent the narrative from ever falling into the trap of indifference that sometimes plagues dystopia-centered writing. Throughout the book, Watkins’ portrayal of the postapocalyptic drought environment is vivid, feeling hauntingly probable.

But the text’s most terrifying depictions come in its honest premonitions of humanity under duress. The dazzling prose and empathy in Gold Fame Citrus is paired with a cold truth, a question: Who and what will prevail when conditions become too toxic — whether physically or emotionally — for a thing as fragile as kindness to survive?

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ALL Things

zeit bites

we Charted

November at a glance 1. I’M HUNGRY!

National Bundt Day November 15

You prefer (a) turkey in your bread, or (b) bread in your turkey?

B

YES

Sandwich Day

A

November 3

Thanksgiving

Done yet?

Can you say “nice bundt” with a straight face?

NO

November 26 YES

First, make room for those leftovers!

Pomegranate Month

NO

National Flossing Day

Clean Out Your Fridge Day

November 27

November 15

Chicken Soup for the Soul Day

And your spirit could use a little tidying, too, pal

November 12

2. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

Have you been known to pick a peck of pickled peppers, or perhaps sell sea shells by the seashore?

National Day of Listening

International Tongue Twister Day Guy Fawkes Day November 5

YES!!

NO

You prefer Parliament or Funkadelic?

November 8

Parliament

Funkadelic

Saxophone Day

Do you want to feel GREAT!!

Hospitality corners, please

M

ore than 20 years ago, a couple dozen Strip hotels and the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 created a training academy to provide the employers in the state’s biggest industry with a reliable pipeline of high-quality staff. Since then, the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas has trained some 40,000 people to cook, bake, serve and bus in kitchens and restaurants, and to straighten, scour and spiff up hotel rooms and event spaces. Curious about what it takes to join the ranks of the city’s housekeeping army, Desert Companion writer Heidi Kyser observed some guest room attendants (called GRAs) in training one recent afternoon. $679 cost of GRA course (uniform included), unless the student has already been a contracted hotel’s employee for six months; then, it’s free 70 hours How long it takes to learn cart loading, bed making, cleaning methods, safe chemical-handling and room-check procedures 45 hours How long it takes to learn English in the optional vocational language class 5 minutes Time within which a GRA has to make a bed, from dirty and rumpled to crisp and clean, by the end of the program

November 27 YES

behind the scenes

20 minutes Time it takes an average Desert Companion staffer to make his bed, minus the clean sheets 15 Average number of rooms a GRA has to clean in one day One hour Length of her paid lunch break in an eight-hour workday

November 6

World Kindness Day

Exactly one year to Election Day

NO!!

November 8

November 13

Dunce Day November 8

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Hmm, look what else this day is!

91 percent Portion of hotel housekeepers in a recent survey who reported work-related pain 11,000 Approximate number of housekeepers the Culinary Union represents $21/hour Starting salary of GRAs at hotels with union contracts, including benefits

the browser

Water log If you’ve got a few spare hours, there are worse ways to spend them than browsing Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s Virtual Museum, a collection of photos and artifacts that the National Park Service put online last month in honor of the National Historic Preservation Act’s 49th anniversary and International Archaeology Day. Do note, though, that looking at the photos is slightly addictive. If you don’t have spare hours, you may want to stay away from nps.gov/features/lake/museum.

The site has the look of a well-lit exhibition; each page includes a main photo, small caption and minimal navigational links on a stark white background. It’s organized into two main sections — artifacts and historic images — each with, such as “pottery” and “structures.” Photos are high-resolution, so they can be examined in detail. For this reason, the collection could be as useful for research as it is pleasing to the eye.

Why a virtual museum? Because there’s no building to house an analog exhibition.

The Park Service had already cataloged the photos and artifacts, so the agency thought it only made sense to make them available for public view.

The artifacts section is small but well-curated, featuring items such as an 1865 wood-and-string snare trap and an early 1900s liquor bottle, both from St. Thomas. Its prehistory page shows arrowheads, awl fragments, ceramic shards and other classic archaeological treasures.

But the historic images section is what hooked us. It covers the gamut of the Lake’s periods and personalities, from a picture of the 1938 Neville expedition that shows Emery Kolb balancing a movie camera on a boat’s hull, to a 1957 shot of bathing beauties lounging poolside at the Lake Mead Lodge. One especially fun category is “objects,” which includes a series of 1970s public service advertisements illustrated by Ernie Aguilar. Beer-swigging hippies pile into boats and explode against rocks, proving that safety concerns at Lake Mead are timeless, as is this collection. Heidi Kyser

A bo ok for this (or any) season We want to say that Decemberlands, by local writer and occasional Desert Companion contributor Greg Blake Miller — a slim, highly readable volume of three short stories with holiday themes — would make a great stocking stuffer. But that would shortchange the book: By the time the recipient opens it on December 25, he or she will be pretty much holidayed-out. And it would be a shame to set aside a

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book that, really, isn’t about seasonal clichés.

“When I wrote these stories,” Miller tells us, “I had been thinking a lot about the tension between humility and grandiosity, and the way that life — especially family life — calls upon us from time to time to put our dreams on the back-burner and attend to the quiet business of taking care of the people around us. It’s not an easy thing to do, particularly in a culture that blurs the line between fame and fulfillment. It struck me that one role of the holidays in our culture has been, or ought to be, to remind us of this tug-of-war.”

Decemberlands’ stories range widely: from the Bronx in 1957 to 1859 England (hello, grownup Tiny Tim!) to a timeless wilderness. “They were born,” Miller says, “like so many stories, out of images that lodged in my imagination: kid-musicians on the streets of Greenwich Village, Scrooge with the grown Tim in front of the Round Church in Cambridge, the sleigh’s crash-landing in the mountains. The image meets the idea, and you’re off and running.” Get your copy at decemberlandsbook.com. Scott Dickensheets

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profile

Eric and Jayne Post T Entertainers

hey’re a hoot, these two, and why wouldn’t they be? Life’s pretty okay for Eric and Jayne Post — you can tell that much after five minutes at their dining-room table, watching them zing each other with love and practiced ease. They’re professional comic entertainers; they’ve been married for 26 years; they’re square with God; and right now they have an audience, even if it’s just an interviewer. They’re on. Eric has just made a crack about Jayne’s age.

“Here’s the thing in our home,” she says. “If you laugh, you get away with it.” (She’d laughed.) “Comedy reigns at all times.”

Eric, big, bluff and quick, and Jayne, charismatic and blessed with spot-on comic timing, are the team behind the dinner-theater show Marriage Can Be Murder at The D. Two hours of clean jokes, audience plants, a mystery to unravel and a culprit for viewers to unmask, Marriage is, their publicist insists, at 15 years the city’s longest-running dinner theater production. If that sounds like asterisked praise, you try putting on a show seven nights a week, improvising through all the contingencies of audience response, herding actors, acting in it yourself, writing a new storyline every three months to keep it fresh … “The show does work like a well-oiled machine,” Eric says, “but I have to stay vigilant and continue to oil it.”

Before we get to Marriage Can Be Murder, let’s begin with marriage. How’d you two come together? Like many fairy tales, this one begins in Sacramento, where a young naval lieutenant with the acting bug sought work with a murder-mystery dinner-theater troupe, wherein worked a young comedienne. “I came by, saw her …” Here, there’s a pause in his taped conversation. Then you hear Jayne’s voice, speaking drily: “For the recording, he’s licking his eyebrows.” Seems he was taken with her. Onstage, they were a good match. “Instead of fighting for the mic,” he says, “it was like, ‘Oh, it’s your turn, oh, it’s my turn,’ which was hugely impressive. On top of which, she was beautiful.” (Still is.)

They married 58 days later.

After that it was a couple years in Lake Tahoe — “poverty with a view,” in Jayne’s words — where they’d taken their

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own murder-mystery show, while also performing odd jobs. “We were Caesar and Cleopatra at Caesars,” Jayne recalls.

“One year for New Year’s, he was Carmen Miranda …”

“For two different casinos on the same night!” Eric crows.

“Our kids,” she says, “did not have a conventional upbringing.”

After that, Vegas.

Even with its well-defined narrative and characters, the show — thanks to its often-raucous audience-participation element — is an exercise in managed chaos. People are unpredictable; for one show they’re into the mystery and not the humor, at the next a rowdy bachelorette party might set the tone. Or take the night the 8-year-old kid came with his parents.

You don’t look happy to be here, they

joked with him. “I’m in Vegas,” the kid replied, and the house came down. After years of this, at the old Castaways, at the Egg & I, now at The D, they don’t feel upstaged by such moments — that fluidity, says Eric, who directs the show, “is what makes it fun to do every night.”

“The murder mystery is the vehicle for our comedy and fun,” he adds. “At the end of the night, if they haven’t figured out the mystery but laughed a lot, I’m happy.”

So it makes sense, this rule they have: There are no bad audiences. Jayne: “If we come back and say, ‘Wow, this is a tough crowd,’ Eric says, ‘It’s not a tough crowd, you just have to be a better actress.’ ‘Oookaaay,’” she mock-cringes. After 26 years, he still gives her critique notes.

Comic magician Adam London, who performed in Marriage before launching his own show at the D, Laughternoon, marvels at “how quickly they play off of each other. They’re a great comedy team. He knows how she’s going to react and she knows how he’s going to react.”

You know who else knows how they’re going to react? God. You might’ve heard of Him, producer of the longest-running show in existence, Existence. The Posts are huge fans. They’re active in the church Jayne helped found in 2013 with co-pastor, Rhonda Baker, Sin City Church. The appealing frankness of that name is reflected in everything from the church’s transparent finances to the way the Posts let their faith suffuse their work. It’s why they don’t work blue; it’s why Eric calls to encourage every person who auditions for the cast, no matter how bad they bombed it.

“At the end of the day,” Jayne says, “we’re more concerned about the people, and we’re going to do that with our church, and we’re going to do that with our show.” Scott Dickensheets

P h oto g r a p h y b i l l h u g h e s

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style

trend alert

Host with the most

Wildfox hostess sweater, $98, Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show Mall

Our top picks in hosting and party gifts ensure you’ll never arrive at a shindig or soirée empty-handed

by Christie Moeller

Tory Burch multi-color wine tote, $95, Tory Burch in the Forum Shops at Caesars, Fashion Show Mall and Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian

LUSH limited edition Celebrate body lotion, $32.95, LUSH in Downtown Summerlin, Fashion Show Mall and the Forum Shops at Caesars

Party like a pro

Molly Gaddy, co-owner of Artifact in Town Square (artifactlv.com) and party planner, shares tips for a party to remember

First, imagine it “I always ask someone how do they envision people mingling, what does it smell like or sound like to be there?

The exercise of creating the vision of your party beforehand is a great way to start.”

Invest in the invite “The invitation

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Reindeer bottle stopper, $15, Sur La Table in Downtown Summerlin Giving Thanks By Compendium Books, $25, Paper and Home, paperandhome. com

Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Annamaria Clementi, $90, sherry-lehmann.com

Neiman Marcus Cooks cookbook, $45, Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall

Ethel M Holiday Deluxe Collection, 24-piece selection with favorites such as Almond Butter Krisp, chewy and creamy caramels and seasonals like pumpkin pie and egg nog, $34.99, Ethel M and ethelm.com

Decorate with what you’ve got “I’m

Put time on your side: “Ambience dictates the energy. If you’re calm and the environment is welcoming, your guests are calm and relaxed.

If you’re frazzled, your guests will feel nervous.

I like to have a timeline of party set-up, allowing me a moment to catch my breath and clear my mind before guests arrive.”

a big fan of using items I can recycle back into my home decor or give away as favors at the end of the night. My go-to items for decorating are recycled canning jars, grandmother’s China and brass candlesticks.”

Remember it’s just a party “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but it’s important to remember that everyone loves a party, no matter how elaborate or simple.” CM

should be a billboard for your vision. Whether it’s through email, text message or paper, people love knowing what the expectation is so they can feel involved. Don’t be afraid to communicate dress code or menu.”

Feed your smart.

npr.vegas

ALL Things

open topic

discomfort zone

Name equality Getting married may be easier for everyone now, but for Nevada women, it’s still complicated to leave an ex’s identity behind B y H e i d i K ys e r

W

atching a middle-aged woman with overworked hair lose her cool at the Social Security office on Buffalo and Charleston last summer, I had an ugly moment of smug superiority. As the woman ranted at the clerk behind the glass window about being told she needed something different every time she came in and how sick she was of having to come back again and again with a different piece of paper, I thought, Poor thing. If only she, like I, had brought every document that could possibly be required. The clerk repeated her instructions to the woman in a sterner tone while I confidently took inventory of my

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own folder for the zillionth time: namechange application, birth certificate, passport, marriage and divorce certificates from ex-husband, marriage certificate to current husband. Ah, the joy of good preparation!

Personal knowledge further bolstered my confidence that I’d have my request expedited in time to swing by Chipotle and make it back to the office before my lunch hour ended. My friends Scott and Heidi Swank love to tell the story of their prenuptial decision to take a different name — a composite of their respective Sowers and Frank — rather than an existing one or the other, and how all it took was filling out and signing the

marriage certificate with their chosen new identities. What I wanted seemed even simpler: to revert from my previous married name, Heidi Kyser-Genoist, to my maiden name, Heidi Kyser (my current husband, Peter Frigeri, and I having concluded that we’re better off keeping our fathers’ names than becoming Peter Fryser or Heidi Kygeri).

I heard the poor woman who’d been denied whatever it was she was looking for mutter furiously as she strode behind me toward the exit, “Is it their job to keep from helping you? That’s what you’d think by the way they act.” Etc. I was next, at the same window.

“Do you need a break?” I asked the clerk, showing my sympathy for the plight of public servants who have to deal with the unreasonable masses.

“No, I’m fine. How can I help you?”

I handed over my pile of papers with the simple declaration, “I got married and I want to change my name.”

“Mm hmm.”

She examined the documents for several minutes as if they contained indecipherable oddities. She even turned one page of something over to look at the back, perhaps searching for the conclusion to a bureaucratic non sequitur?

Nothing there. My confidence waned.

Then, she began asking questions.

Who was I? To whom was I recently married? And this Bertrand Genoist, who was he? What was my name now?

I swallowed the embarrassment of being on my third marriage in my mid40s and laid it all out. My first go-round was so brief, and I was so young, that I can’t remember anymore how many months it lasted. We were lonely college kids from the same hometown whose devout Christian parents wouldn’t hear of us living together in sin. So …

Fast forward a few years, and I meet a Frenchman who’s come to the States as an au-pair to improve his English. I offer to tutor him. One thing leads to another, and before you know it, he needs a green card. Having disliked

ILLUS T RAT ION h e r n a n va l e n c i a

the process of changing names — then changing back — with my first marriage, I decided that I’d simply tack the Frenchman’s name, Genoist, onto my own. (Somehow I thought this would make it easier to revert back, should the need arise.) Trouble is, during the dozen years he and I remained married, I began my career as a writer, using the byline Heidi Genoist because it sounds so much cooler than my maiden name.

I developed a readership and, like most journalists, became protective of my private life. After my second divorce, I kept the hyphenated name, opting for pen name continuity over a change that could invite gossip. So it was that I came to marry Peter while still bearing another man’s last name.

“So, your name now is Heidi Kyser-Genoist?”

“Technically, yes. But I just go by Kyser.”

“And your current husband is Peter Frigeri?”

“Yes.” “And you want to change your name to Heidi Kyser?”

“Yes, back to my maiden name.” (I’ve learned my lesson.)

“Hold on a second.”

Nina, whose name I would shortly demand, disappeared into the bowels of the agency, returning after five or 10 minutes of conferring with her superiors to deliver this news: My options were to (1) Keep my name as is, Heidi Kyser-Genoist; (2) switch my last name to Peter’s, becoming Heidi Frigeri; or (3) add Peter’s last name to my current last name, Heidi Kyser-Genoist-Frigeri.

Current Nevada law, Nina explained, only allows for the woman to take the man’s name should she so choose.

The absurdity of what I was hearing made it difficult to grasp. Consequently, I kept asking and re-asking the same question in different ways. Nina answered in an ever-sterner tone.

“So, I can’t just drop the Genoist and be Kyser?”

“That’s correct.”

“I want to talk to your boss.”

A few minutes later, I met Mario, who,

after undergoing the same incensed interrogation as Nina, confirmed her ridiculous story. He added this insult: “You can change your name to Heidi Kyser, but you’ll have to get a court order.”

“BUT THAT’S MY NAME! YOU CAN SEE IT ON MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE RIGHT THERE!” etc.

Around this time, I sensed the presence of someone behind me and noticed Mario looking over my left shoulder. Security.

Okay, okay. I lowered my voice. “Are you sure there’s no exception to the rule that would allow you to just drop a hyphenated name after a divorce?”

“No. In your divorce decree, you say that you will keep the name, ‘Kyser-Genoist,’ so that’s your legal name,” Mario said, neatening my stack of papers and handing it back. “We can’t make the change you want based on a marriage to someone else.” He turned and walked away.

I snatched up my folder giving Nina a final glare and headed for the door — no security escort necessary. Though I managed to keep from fuming out loud, a sense of injustice boiled in my throat.

In the days that followed, potential scenarios kept dawning on me: What if my husband wanted to take my name?

The law wouldn’t allow that either, I suppose? What if two women got married, as they now can; neither one can take the other’s name? I consulted an attorney friend, and he concurred with the social security officers’ interpretation. It might be sexist and anachronistic, but it’s the law. Maybe Heidi Swank, who also happens to be a state assemblywoman (we were friends long before she got elected), can do something about that.

Meantime, here’s what it cost me to get back the name I was born with: $270 in filing fees at Clark County Family Court; $75 to publish a notice of my intended name change in the legal section of the newspaper; a few hours of my time; and a boatload of indignation. But it’s done. I have an order signed by a judge showing that I am officially — again — Heidi Kyser.

Tomorrow, I plan to spend my lunch hour at the social security office signing up for a new card.

I wonder if Nina will be on duty.

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film

You lookin’ at us?

Criminal minds: Casino managed to be exciting and edgy, but also educational.

I

t’s not surprising that 1995 saw the release of three major movies set in Las Vegas. Twenty years ago, Las Vegas was riding as high as it ever has.

Subdivisions were spreading to the foothills. The Strip bulged with massive new resorts. The world was flocking to the desert to gamble, eat and party on an unprecedented scale.

Las Vegas was on fire, and Hollywood took full advantage. Leaving Las Vegas earned four Academy Award nominations, including a Best Actor honor for Nicolas Cage. Showgirls was widely panned but

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grossed more than $20 million at the box office and is enjoying a mild critical reappraisal. And Casino was a critical and popular success. These films joined dozens of others that have been set in Las Vegas. But most of them are not about Las Vegas. In most cases, Las Vegas is simply a provocative backdrop for a tale that could be told just about anywhere.

In Martin Scorsese’s Casino, released 20 years ago this month, Las Vegas is the main character. The city, depicted during the rollicking 1970s and early ’80s, takes top billing over Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci

and Sharon Stone. Casino is not a documentary, but it is a credible resource to understand pre-corporate Las Vegas. For one thing, it explains how a casino works: “In Vegas, everybody’s gotta watch everybody else,” says Ace Rothstein (De Niro) in one of the film’s many voiceovers. “Since the players are looking to beat the casino, the dealers are watching the players. The box men are watching the dealers. The floor men are watching the box men. The pit bosses are watching the floor men. The shift bosses are watching the pit bosses.

The casino manager is watching the shift

casino film stills courtesy universal studios

Twenty years ago, Martin Scorsese’s meticulous Casino explained Las Vegas to the world B y G e o f f S c h u m a c h e r

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film bosses. I’m watching the casino manager.

And the eye in the sky is watching us all.”

It also shows the process by which the mob skimmed casino profits, and it describes what happened to people who crossed the line. “A lot of holes in the desert, and a lot of problems are buried in those holes,” says Nicky Santoro (Pesci). The almost giddy reaction of the mob guys to their great good fortune is reflected in Rothstein’s comment that, “back home, they would have put me in jail for what I’m doing. But out here, they’re givin’ me awards.”

Scorsese’s achievement is considerable. He devised an effective method to give viewers not only what they want but what they need. Casino is slick, exciting and edgy, but it’s also educational.

When critics rank the greatest mob movies, Scorsese’s other gangster film, Goodfellas, often tops the list. Casino usually earns a place on such lists, but it’s

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not as highly regarded. One writer who takes exception to this hierarchy is Natasha Vargas-Cooper, who, in a 2011 article for GQ magazine, argued that Casino is the superior film.

“Casino is a more substantial, artful, and engrossing movie than Goodfellas,” Vargas-Cooper writes. “It’s partly because Ace Rothstein, Casino’s main character, is a far more fascinating creature than Henry Hill. It’s also because Casino is a dazzling period piece, a penetrating historical work that captures Las Vegas better than any other movie that has come before or after it.” She is right, especially concerning Casino’s all-in commitment to Las Vegas.

Rather than use Las Vegas as a metaphorical backdrop or winsome window dressing, Casino embraces the city, its history and its people. The movie was filmed here. Hundreds of local actors and extras appeared in the movie. And locals were

consulted constantly as Scorsese strived for accuracy and authenticity.

“When they decided to do this movie, the producers contacted me and asked me for background,” says Gwen Castaldi, a wellknown local television reporter who had a cameo in the movie. “I gave them a lot of my affidavits and press clippings so they could read some of the real stuff. We had several conversations before they started filming.

They did their due diligence.”

Casino hews fairly closely to the true story of the mob’s last major racket on the Strip.

A Midwestern mob syndicate, with financial assistance from the Teamsters Union, took control of the Stardust, Hacienda, Marina and Fremont hotel-casinos and set up what may have been the most lucrative skimming operation in Las Vegas history. The syndicate put Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, a sports betting guru, in charge of the casinos, and sent out enforcer Tony Spilotro to handle

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film

The movie's most famous voiceover is Rothstein's lament about the corporatization of Las Vegas.

"Today it looks like Disneyland ... "

Like a (mob) boss: Right, Scorcese directs a scene. He consulted with actual mobsters for authenticity and realism.

any problems Lefty might encounter. (“Ace Rothstein” is Rosenthal and “Nicky Santoro” is Spilotro.)

These boyhood friends made their bosses in Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee and Cleveland very happy for a time, sending home suitcases full of cash every month. But their outsized egos and sloppy antics — along with some well-placed wiretaps — eventually resulted in their downfall and the mob’s extrication from the Las Vegas casino industry.

Attorney Oscar Goodman was at the center of the maelstrom. Long before he served three terms as mayor of Las Vegas, he represented Spilotro and Rosenthal as they battled federal prosecutors and state gaming regulators. He speaks well of the movie (in which he briefly plays himself ): “I thought it depicted a slice of Las Vegas life that will never be repeated. I thought it was very realistic. But based on personal experience, I didn’t agree with all of it. I know some literary license had to be taken, some composite characters created. All in all, it gives you a good sense of Las Vegas and the mob during those very turbulent and interesting years.”

If there’s a missed opportunity in Casino, it’s that Goodman appears only briefly. He was a huge media presence during that era,

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a relentless spigot of piss and vinegar, and a formidable obstacle for those who wanted to put Spilotro and Rosenthal behind bars.

Frank Cullotta, who was Spilotro’s right-hand man during that era and was played by Frank Vincent in the movie, served as a consultant during the filming.

He often sat next to Scorsese and pointed out things that weren’t accurate.

“It’s a good movie,” Cullotta says. “Is it accurate? It runs along accurate lines, but to be completely accurate would be impossible to do, because it’s a movie. Real life is ordinarily dull. An audience wouldn’t go for something like that, so they adjust it and make it more exciting.”

Cullotta’s primary complaint may seem trivial, but it is shared by others who knew the real characters. “In Joe Pesci’s portrayal of Tony, he swore too much. Tony did

not use that kind of language. And Tony wasn’t an obnoxious guy in public at all.

He was very, very courteous to everybody.

He had his bad ways, of course, but he didn’t walk around like a tough guy.”

One intriguing theme in Casino is often overlooked: the uneasy relationship between the mob and local politicians.

Though the film doesn’t explore this subject as thoroughly as it could have, it conveys an important point: The mob was able to exploit Las Vegas not because of its power or threats, but because political leaders permitted it to happen.

“Your people never will understand the way it works out here,” an unhappy county commissioner tells Rothstein. “You’re all just our guests, but you act like you’re at home.”

Not long after the commissioner makes this assertion, Rothstein is denied a gam-

ing license and Santoro is placed in the Black Book. There’s no question the mob was critical to the rise of Las Vegas — it provided the money and expertise to build the casino industry — but it was always a temporary, transitional role.

The movie’s most famous voiceover is Rothstein’s lament about the corporatization of Las Vegas. “The town will never be the same,” he says with derision. “Today it looks like Disneyland. … In the old days, dealers knew your name, what you drank, what you played. Today, it’s like checkin’ into an airport.”

This sentiment is widely shared by Las Vegas old-timers, but there’s really not a whole lot in Casino’s 178 minutes to recommend the mob era. Where is the glamour in burying “problems” in the desert? Was it really better when millions in untaxed casino winnings were secretly handed to criminal bosses 1,500 miles away? Should we look back fondly on a time when a casino manager wore a salmon-pink blazer and white slacks?

On the other hand, there’s no question the Casino era was an embarrassment of riches for the city’s journalists, who reveled in the crimes, courtroom dramas and political scandals.

“We all actually to this day talk about how lucky we were to live in that era and cover it, because it was so encompassing and complicated and powerful,” Castaldi says. “The stories were stories you would read in a book. The soup was being stirred on such a big scale, and it was unfolding right in front of you.”

Casino captures the high stakes and electric atmosphere of that slice of Las Vegas history, and it does so without resorting to a string of car chases and shootouts. The conflicts and violence are woven naturally, authentically into the story. It’s a wild movie, full of high drama, but it never feels like a sop to the Friday night audience. Besides being an artistic and entertaining film, Casino serves the valuable purpose of explaining Las Vegas to the world.

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Fiction BEGIN TAPE:

A

The King is Dead A Personal History of Las Vegas D av id [NOTE] In February, this magazine published an article entitled “Is the Army at it Again?” which reported an explosion on January 8 at Frenchman Flat, northwest of Las Vegas. Included were interviews with anonymous conspiracy theorists who speculated that the explosion was nuclear in nature and was somehow linked to a certain Las Vegas celebrity on whose birthday the explosion occurred.

A month after we ran the piece, we received an envelope containing two cassette tapes from a man who claimed to be an orderly at a hospice in North Las Vegas. According to the orderly, the tapes contained the last words of a dying man who had been a patient there.

We have listened to these tapes and transcribed certain portions. In places where historical accuracy could be verified, our

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A r m s t r o ng

fact-checkers have found no outright errors.

In places where the accuracy may come into question or clarification seemed needed, our editors have included footnotes. The statements concerning matters of national security cannot be confirmed nor denied, nor is the publication of the following in any way meant to be an indictment of the U.S. Army’s record-keeping practices during the period discussed.

We leave it to you, the reader, to believe or disbelieve any and all parts of this story.

(Ellipses represent omitted sections of audio) Handwritten on TAPE #1: “The king is dead. Long live the king.”

—a bunch of Europeans

man is coming to kill me, so I’ll make this brief. Even if this man weren’t right now speeding his way across the city in a black Mercedes, the fact remains that time isn’t known for being a luxury here.

Here is Desert Springs Hospice, an establishment for old pensioners like me who receive enough to die indoors but not with much dignity. The hospice sits between a heavily fortified pawnshop and a check-cashing establishment. Outside my window I can see a patch of unused city block, which grows nothing but stiff sprouts of brown desert grass. A scrawl of graffiti on the abandoned motel across the street tells me, Now is a time to kill and a time to heal.

I agree, though I wish I knew what the author meant by quoting Ecclesiastes. It’s always been a problematic book for me.

Full of contradictions. ...

I apologize for not getting to the point.

I’m not particularly good with stories because, from the time I was a child, I was taught the value of silence. ...

My father came to Nevada in 1932, the same year I was born, to help pour concrete for the dam being built out at Black Canyon. The dam became that monstrosity and tourist trap named after Herbert Hoover, whom my father always called the “captain of the Titanic” for leading our country into the financial ruin that forced my father to move to the desert to begin with.

During the workweek my father stayed out at Ragtown, the city of tents near the dam. But he made a point of owning a house in Las Vegas. He said it showed we were “established folks,” reputable and therefore employable. The real reason was that it put us close to the Boulder Club where my father spent his free evenings indulging in table games. On the nights he came home, my wailing didn’t appeal to him. My father came home tired when he came home at all, and he beat me regular for making any sort of noise that kept him awake. Even as a baby I suffered my share of broken bones. It’s a wonder I lived. My mother defended me, but my father gave

I l lu st r at i o n B r e n t h o l m e s

her the same treatment. When I was five, she walked into the desert and never came back. It was like she’d walked into the sun.

When the public works jobs dried up, my father dedicated all his time to the Boulder Club, which now boasted a neon sign depicting the dam. My father said the sign made him feel like he was still going to work, and in a way he was. He began to make just enough on poker to keep us afloat. We lived “baize-to-mouth,” as he often said.

During that period, I developed an expressionless stare meant to duck his wrath, which could be triggered by the slightest hiccup or smile. I erased all emotion from my countenance in hopes that, when he arrived home from a beating at the tables, he wouldn’t transfer that beating to me. ...

When I was sixteen, my father disappeared into the desert behind my mother. He was driven there against his will by men who would have preferred he be more punctual about his debts. I was free of a tyrant. ...

For five years I was on my own. ...

I enlisted in the army in 1954 to get away. And though I slogged through basic training at Fort A.P. Hill (A.P. Hell, we called it) in Virginia, I was posted with my battalion at the Nevada Test Site not far from where I’d grown up.

Though I was little more than a glorified grunt on guard duty, I became popular with the other men because I had a working knowledge of Las Vegas. On leave, I became a kind of ringleader and tour guide.

It was the Cold War and the age of atomic experiments. We soldiers watched as mushroom clouds blossomed in the desert. During those years, despite my hatred for my father, I felt the call of the casinos and found that I too had a knack for poker. I’d inherited his talent for the odds, his understanding of the expected value and the long game. But he had bestowed on me something far more valuable. In learning as a boy to mask my emotions to avoid his tirades, I’d cultivated the perfect poker face.

Any time I could get away from base, I

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Fiction played. I did well for a time. One night I This was as shocking to me as if the even faced off with the legendary Johnny Pope had requested my presence for a Moss.1 He was only in his forties then, but heart-to-heart in Rome. Elvis Presley was he already seemed ancient and intimidating. the most famous man in the world, and He reminded me of my father in the way I’d never been invited to anything fancier than a fish fry. I had met Milton Prell. he sat passively behind his cards, his eyes focused somewhere in the middle distance. He used to walk the floors and chat with Moss took me for five thousand dollars that high-stakes regulars “slumming it” with night, the entirety of three months’ earn- us servicemen at the lower tables. But I ings playing tourists. But he left me with didn’t know that Prell knew me. I was to the words that served me well in years to call his office at my convenience. come: “Kid,” he said as I stood up from the Mr. Prell’s secretary patched me table, my blood boiling, “don’t betray your through, and Prell got on the line. emotions, even after the cards are collected.”

“You’ll come to the party then?” he said.

That’s the one lesson I’ve remembered “Bring a few fellas. A dozen. You choose.” to this day.

“Mr. Prell,” I said. “I don’t understand.” ...

“I bought your marker, Mr. Radnik. You owe me money now, a lot of it, which By 1961 it appeared I was more like my father than I’d hoped. I found myself in means you’re my employee.” I felt as if debt for forty-seven thousand dollars. a fairytale giant had placed his massive ... thumb on my head and was threatening I maintain that I am a patriot, no matter to squash me flat. what anyone says.

He went on. “Mr. Presley was in the Army himself and has a soft spot for grunts, ...

That same year, I was assigned to the ‘regular guys’ like yourself. He wants some of you there.” firing team responsible for testing the “Mr. Prell, you didn’t have to buy up my M-28 recoilless rifle. The gun was similar to what people today call a bazooka. marker just to make me to go to Elvis’ birthIt was different from a bazooka though day party. I’d have carved out the time.” because it fired a nuclear warhead with a He laughed — a little cruelly. “I’ve heard you’re a good poker player, Mr. Radnik. To 10-kiloton payload. It was the bazooka to end all bazookas. The rocket was designed me that’s as good as being smart. We’re to be used by ground troops to defend the trying to convince Mr. Presley to do an European border in case of a Russian in- extended gig in Las Vegas. There’s a big vasion. The brass had dubbed this weapon movie in the works, and a corresponding system the “Davy Crockett,” king of the album. The album and the movie will wild frontier. forever associate Elvis with this city, so there’s a lot of money to be made.” ...

Testing of the weapon at Yucca Flat was Prell told me Tom Parker, Elvis’ managset for July, still six months away, when er, couldn’t be persuaded that giving Elvis at the beginning of 1962 I received an in- an extended run in Las Vegas was a good vitation from Milton Prell, owner of the idea, but if Elvis came to the decision on Sahara Casino2, to attend Elvis Presley’s his own, Parker would fall into line.

27th birthday party.

“What Elvis needs,” Prell said, “is a little nudging from an ‘unbiased’ source, 1 While Johnny Moss would have been roughsomeone he’s inclined to trust, like a felly the age stated, there is no record of this game, nor any mention of a game resembling low soldier.” it in any of Moss’s biographical accounts.

“You want me to convince Elvis to sing 2 Milton Prell, a friend of Elvis’ lawyer, in Las Vegas?”

Colonel Tom Parker, sold the Sahara to real estate developer Del Webb in 1961, but did “He had a bad experience here years celebrate with Elvis at the Sahara that Janago. We want him to know this time it’ll uary. Presley was married at Prell’s Aladdin Hotel (now Planet Hollywood) in 1967. The be different. And, Mr. Radnik, not just to M-28 tripod-mounted recoilless rifle was sing in Las Vegas — to sing in my clubs. scheduled to test fire the M-388 projectile Exclusively.” with nuclear warhead; tests were carried out in July of 1962.

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“That’s worth $47,000?”

“Let’s round it up to 50,” he said, “and no, it’s not. There’s something Elvis wants.

Something only you can help him get.”

I wanted to say no. There were too many factors I couldn’t see. But then I thought of my father sitting between two men in the backseat of a car as it headed out to some dusty, lifeless horizon.

I agreed. ...

The man who is coming to kill me did me the courtesy of calling an hour ago. He was checking to see if I was in my room, to make sure it was really me. That’s when I knew he’d found me after all these years.

That’s the reason I decided to record this personal history, so that if anything happens people will know the truth.

The man coming to kill me is obsessed with the item I have in the footlocker at the bottom of my closet. Over the years he’s become crazy for it. He’s convinced I no longer have the strength to defend it. ...

Elvis’ birthday party was a grand affair held at the Sahara hotel. It hadn’t been difficult to gain leave or to find 12 men who wanted to attend.

Late into the night we drank. The guys were starstruck and kept ogling the women. Elvis sang a few songs and hobnobbed with Prell’s people, who were all in formal wear and twice our age. Then Elvis found his way over to our table and palled around with us. He was warm and genuine, interested in what we had to say — what we could say of it. But knowing what Prell wanted me to do, I was sweating bullets.

Elvis leaned in. “What’s that test site like, anyway?”

“The site?”

“Yeah, that base, man. That’s wild.

What’s it like watching them bombs go off? That’s some crazy stuff, man.” He was close. His dark hair and blue eyes.

Something hypnotic about him, like he was trying to put me into a trance.

“It’s nothing,” I said. “Boredom. We hunker down in ditches until the thing goes off.” I couldn’t help thinking of the signs posted around the base. They were spelled out in deceptively cheery red-white-andblue letters:

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“Talk Means Trouble. Don’t Talk!” father again. Prell winked at me from a “If You Get Your Information Here, corner of the room. He held up a glass of LEAVE it HERE!” champagne.

I’d always thought maybe this was the ... true origin of the now ubiquitous “What Because I was part of the firing team of Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas." Had the M-28, I had certain privileges to move over the range. Most of the MPs and other the city just adopted the policies of the most notorious secret-keepers, our gov- grunts owed me money or favors, which I ernment? My training and my nature was exploited. People like to pretend the Neto give up nothing. Blood from a turnip, vada test site was a high-security facility, but it always surprised me how easy it was like they say. But what do you do when Elvis asks you for state secrets? to move about in zones where we weren’t strictly permitted. Maybe the Army fig“Come on, man,” Elvis prodded. He laid his hand on my shoulder like we were pals. ured anybody with gumption enough I had him where Prell wanted him, but it to trespass where we were setting off bombs and testing the radioactive fallout meant giving up a secret of my own.

“It’s like seeing God,” I muttered. I deserved whatever he got. hadn’t told anyone. It had felt sacred, this One of the other men in the M-28 firing feeling that in the midst of the detonation team, whose name I won’t mention, had there was something beyond the science. passed out in our hotel room at the Sahara.

We rolled him for his fatigues, and Elvis “God? Really?”

“The first time I watched one of the disguised himself. I drove Elvis out in a MUTT quarter-ton and showed him the blasts we were hunkered down behind some sandbags. A plane dropped the bomb. structures and tanks whose sole purpose We heard it and we stood up, but we were was to be obliterated by our atomic weaptoo quick. The shockwave slapped us in ons. He and I stood under the starlit sky. the face. It was physical. Then came the I waited for what was to come next. tower. It’s not really a mushroom cloud. Prell had told me what Elvis really wanted.

It’s a pillar. You know? All the way up to “This ain’t why I’m here, man,” Elvis said. heaven. All I could think about was that “I know,” I said. “Just tell me why. I need story where God leads the Israelites out of to know or I don’t think I can do it.”

Egypt with a big column of smoke and fire.”

He leaned against a Russian tank with “Heaven fire, man,” Elvis said. its treads missing. From his back pocket he produced a rolled-up magazine. As he I agreed. “Heaven fire.”

I tried changing the subject, but I could unfurled it I saw in the moonlight that it see how this was going to play out, same was an old Saturday Evening Post. Elvis as some nights sitting with a hand at the flipped to a story titled “The Brighton table knowing I’d be the one raking chips Monster.”3 “This here,” he said, “is about a guy who at the end.

“You should sing here,” I told Elvis. “Like gets caught in an atomic blast and travon a regular basis. Entertain us troops. If els through time. I read it when I was a we’re listening to you, maybe we won’t be teenager. I can’t help think about it more so busy gambling our money away.” and more. You figure that can happen? Get Elvis laughed in a distant way. “Maybe,” blasted to another place and time?” he said. He lowered his voice. “You know “I’ve seen some strange things go on out here,” I said weakly. what I’d really like?”

“Know what I’m saying?” Elvis said.

“What?”

“Like, if a guy could get his hands on a “To see that test site, man.” bomb, could he test it? Not a guy who There it was: what I had to offer. Elvis wanted to see the test site ‘off the books,’ means anybody any harm. Just a guy who’s unencumbered by fanfare. Forty-seven tired of being famous.” thousand dollars was a cheap ticket for 3 Gerald Kersh, “The Brighton Monster” Prell to woo his entertainer. (collected in 1953, first published in The But that wasn’t all. I thought of my Saturday Evening Post, February 21, 1948)

I hold water to a higher standard.

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Fiction

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“You’re joking,” I said, though I could see he wasn’t. ...

There were times years later I’d see Elvis on television. I’d see the look of desperation in his eyes, hear the pleading in his voice as he sang. I’ve read that there’s a psychological phenomenon that occurs with truly powerful people. They come to believe in their own greatness, in the fact that they must be destined for something beyond death. Maybe Elvis thought he could skirt whatever awaited him by blasting his atoms to a new place and time.

I felt for him, I did. I had a similar idea about the desert, the place that had taken my mother and father. Maybe by blasting it with the weapons of our new age, I might destroy that god of heat and sand and thereby conquer death. Maybe that’s why I volunteered for the M-28 firing team, three men charged with firing a nuclear explosive that would land only a thousand yards away. Had I mentioned I volunteered? Maybe I wanted to prove I was bigger than my destiny, bigger than this town.

Maybe that’s why I agreed to help. ...

It took me three weeks to plan, but it was surprisingly easy to steal a W-54 nuclear warhead. As I said, security at the Nevada test site was not what it is today, not even what most people thought it was then. The security was mostly people, human beings with clipboards and personal judgment. And I had the run of the place, the trust of my comrades, which pains me to some to degree to have broken, though they never knew it. Inventories were subject to the mark of a pencil or pen. Munitions were misplaced with regularity, and that included those of the nuclear variety.

I involved no one other than a few guards, but I’ve since checked, and they’ve all passed on. They are unimpeachable now. ...

It’s a ridiculous thing to say, but ultimately I couldn’t trust Elvis Presley with an atomic warhead. Maybe it was what I’d told him about God. Something in me changed once I had it in my possession. It was one thing to watch the army conjure a deity out of the ether. It was another to hand over

that sacred source of heaven fire to a man who had no right to it. And the longer I held onto it, the more I felt like the keeper of a holy relic. It was a burden. I couldn’t bestow something as divine as nuclear fission on a person who might not understand that.

I saw him a week after I’d stolen it. He’d been in California and returned to discuss a deal with casino owners about the movie and the song that would, as Prell put it, “forever associate” him with Las Vegas4.

Elvis and I met outside the city on a deserted road at dusk where the desert sprawled away into mountains. He came alone.

Even then, I could see he was looking for a way to beat this city and all it represented. He wanted to be bigger. To escape.

Like me.

“I couldn’t get it,” I said.

“You’re blowing this deal, man. Milt said —” “Tell Milton Prell whatever you want. I can’t get it. If you want my blood on your hands, that’s fine.”

I thought of my father and thanked him silently for my expressionless face.

Elvis chuckled good-naturedly, but I could see he was ruined. Even then.

He went away. I’d won.

He must have told Prell that I’d obtained the item. My marker was erased.

Then life went on.

That’s maybe the most bizarre part of my story. That things went back to normal, that no one ever asked about it, that no one ever came for it, that in my closet to this day is a nuclear warhead.

I think about this sometimes, about my father hitting me, and life still going on. Like there’s not all that explosive energy pent up and waiting and sometimes exploding. Like a bomb. We just pretend it isn’t there. ...

Now is a time to kill and a time to heal. I wonder which one will come first. ...

4 Screenwriter Sally Benson did not begin writing Viva Las Vegas until early in 1963.

That production was not announced by director George Sidney until the beginning of that year. There is also no known evidence that Elvis met with casino owners to discuss the film, especially over a year before its production phase.

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Fiction

YOU REALLY LOVE OUR MAGAZINE. NOW YOU CAN LOVE IT VIRTUALLY, TOO. Visit us at desertcompanion.com and check out our website.

Between editions of our Maggie Award-winning magazine, you’ll get web-exclusive stories, breaking cultural news and fresh perspectives from our writers.

I GET MORE THAN CARE. I GET SUPPORT. – CHARLOTTE, ACTUAL PATIENT

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The warhead is about the size of a watermelon. It sits now in my footlocker in the bottom of my closet. I hope, in the event that I’m not able to defend it, this account shall help those whose job it is to safeguard the nation. I hope it helps them to find the man who right now is parking along the street behind the Desert Springs Hospice. I do not know how he found me, but I have my guesses.

Staying in this town, being here in this hospice for too long, has made me a sitting target. And this man is determined. He has haunted me a long while, since 1977 to be exact, after he faked his own death and committed all his time to the search (though that is another story entirely and concerns the Plowshares project)5. I could never stray too far from this town.

I’ve done my best to provide you with details that validate the truthfulness of these events. The one thing I’ve avoided — the way in which I’ve been somewhat coy — is in my refusal to identify the man who right now is traversing the sidewalk along the back lot. I have not identified him for fear you would disregard what I have to say. I feared you’d rack up my narrative to the rantings of an old man.

But now I am at an end, I have nothing left to hide. I’ll show my cards, though I betray no emotion. I see the man from my window. He’s about my age. A year and a half younger, to be exact. He’s grown thin and bowed, as have I, though he’s never succumbed to baldness. He always had a great head of hair. As I watch him now, he still has a swagger. He still swings his arms with a careless ease.

Most of all, though, I can now make out his smile, which is ever so crooked, the upper lip rising as if snagged by an invisible fishing line. And those sunglasses. He always did like those big, dark sunglasses, which hide his eyes as he turns and looks my way.6

PHYSICIAN OR PROVIDER. 5 Operation Plowshare involved government testing of nuclear explosions for purposes other than warfare. This testing was scrapped in 1977.

6 Elvis Presley’s death in 2015 by atomic explosion can neither be confirmed nor denied.

Repeated calls to authorities at Frenchman Flat have gone unanswered.

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The Dish 56

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cocktail of the month 59

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at first bite 60

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

Griddle me this: Artisanal Foods' pancakes with foie gras

P hoto g ra p h y sabin orr

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Dining out

The DISH

Uncommon good

Portrait of the Artisanal: Left, burger with Italian beef; right, pancakes with seared foie gras; below, Caesar salad

A revered destination for gourmet ingredients, Artisanal Foods brings its inventory to life in a new café B y G r e g T h i l m o n t

I

n a commercial complex southeast of McCarran International Airport, Brett Ottolenghi drops tiny, translucent crustaceans into a shallow fish tank. As they sink into the swirling water with appendages flailing, an aquatic beast bearing long, needle-sharp spindles on its fins rushes in and sucks them into its maw. “We’re feeding our lionfish some ghost shrimp,” says Ottolenghi. “We have them on display to start a conversation with our guests.”

Is this an aquarium shop? No, it’s Artisanal Foods, Las Vegas’ most interesting gourmet food emporium. But what conversation needs to be started over lionfish? Menacingly beautiful with brownand white-striped bodies and venomous outriggers, lionfish look spectacular

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behind glass. Unfortunately, the Southeast Asian native has been released along the Atlantic Ocean seaboard by careless fish enthusiasts. The invasive species is now destroying vast swaths of ocean life.

“Without any natural predators on the East Coast, they’ve become over-abundant,” explains Ottolenghi, the owner of Artisanal Foods. “They’ll consume about 80 percent of the biodiversity on a reef.

They’ve been found in waters as cold as in Maine, and as far south as Venezuela.”

The Carolinas, Florida and the Caribbean have been particularly hard hit by the rapacious hunters.

Luckily, however, lionfish are quite edible for humans, despite their ferocious appearances. Agencies including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-

ministration are trying to fight the lionfish infestation by getting them served in restaurants and fried up in home galleys.

Next to the Artisanal Foods lionfish pen is a tank with an altogether different kind of water denizen — baby sturgeon. Looking like squiggly, long arrowheads, they periodically poke their snouts above water, almost seeming to look at Ottolenghi. These cute dinosaur fish — they are creatures with ancient fossil records — produce the best caviar when they grow up, often reaching lengths more than 10 feet. Fittingly, Ottolenghi sells the best-tasting bits of each demonstration swimmer: harvested lionfish fillets and a rotating list of tinned sturgeon roes from locales stretching from Italy to Idaho.

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

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any Southern Nevada gourmands are familiar with Artisanal Foods from its prior location near the corner of Sunset and Eastern. From there, Ottolenghi sold upscale food items like Croatian truffles, acacia honey, Tahitian vanilla and olive

oil “pearls” for five years.

This summer, Ottolenghi moved Artisanal Foods to a new, much larger location back on Pama Lane, a bit south of his old storefront. The company is also a leading wholesale provider to many of the finest restaurants on the Strip and beyond.

For Ottolenghi’s retail customers, the migration is important, for now they can sit down in-store and experience a dish of coconut-infused lionfish ceviche or savor osetra caviar with crème fraîche and blini. In September, Artisanal Foods added a café, which serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday. The food program is being helmed by Executive Chef Johnny Church, who previously thrilled local diners at Downtown’s MTO Café. In partnering with Ottolenghi, Church is whipping up an inventive but accessible menu fueled with the store’s larder of exquisite ingredients.

Standout items include revamped classics such as silver dollar pancakes.

Here, they’re topped with seared Sonoma foie gras in a sweet-but-tart threegrape gastrique sauce. It takes breakfast to a whole new luscious, ethereal level.

With crispy chicken thighs, organic dark meat from Mary’s Free Range Chickens is nestled above a hearty hunk of mushroom-laden bread pudding. It’s an umami mother lode.

The Caesar salad is fantastic. Church reclaims the leafy standard from the dregs of pre-made inertia by individually assembling each order with a fresh-crafted dressing of olive oil, lemon, Bourbon Barrel Worcestershire sauce, Katz vinegar, Tellicherry peppercorns and sea salt. Significant planks of top-notch Ortiz anchovy and a soft-poached chicken egg bring more flavor amid a judicious riddling of crumbled crouton.

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Dining out Exotic accessibility

W

ant a burger à la Chef Church? He has two. One is extraordinary with foie gras, truffled egg and Melkus truffled Gouda cheese from The Netherlands. Even his seemingly everyday Americana-mode lettuce-tomato-onion junior job has a patty of imported Italian beef from the fertile Piedmont region, just like its big brother. Similarly, a deli-style sandwich comes as brioche bread stuffed with savory sliced cold cuts from Portland, Oregon’s cult hit Olympic Provisions and Mario Batali’s dad’s famous Seattle meatery, Salumi. Beyond these tentpoles, Church’s roster is set to be highly seasonal. Soups to entrées will follow the natural abundance available from modern Las Vegas’ produce vendors.

This all sounds quite expensive, doesn’t it? Actually, with so much exotic and upscale inventory already at hand, Ottolenghi and Church have largely cut the

middleman out of the equation in sourcing Artisanal Foods a frequent destinaing the cafe’s menu. This is playing out tion for Sin City’s gastronomists. They’ve nicely for diners in terms of dollars. That started hands-on classes where the curious Caesar salad? Seven dollars. Respectcan learn skills such as making mozzarelable but manageable slabs of foie gras la cheese. Also in the plans are B.Y.O.B. on flapjacks? Twelve dollars. And that brunch events, where diners can call crazy-good burger’s $17 line item would ahead with their wine selections. (The eseasily be upward of thirty tablishment doesn’t have a liquor bucks in the Tourist Corlicense.) Church will mine his Artisanal ridor. It tops the establishculinary expertise and raid the Fo ods ment’s day-to-day prices. shop’s well-stocked shelves to 2053 Pama Lane “I think we can do somecreate tastings perfectly matched 702-436-4252 thing special at the price to the vintages customers uncork. artisanalfoods.com points we’re trying to hit,” Artisanal Food’s new home says Church, prepping for definitely has an informal setHOURS ting. Be prepared. A few tables the 11 a.m. lunch starting Retail store are located in a lofty atrium next bell. “With the products 9a-6p Mon-Sat 10a-5p Sun we’re using, we’re not sacto the retail space. But they are rificing quality at all.” also right by those two interestCafé Beyond introducing ing fish tanks and the kitchen 11a-2p Tue-Sat door. Take a seat and let the culunch, Ottolenghi and Church have eyes on maklinary conversation start.

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Cocktail of the month The Daily at StripSteak If we had trees in Las Vegas, and those trees had leaves, and those leaves turned gold and orange and red, and those golds and oranges and reds carpeted your lawn in a soft/crunchy matrix of invitation to leisurely autumnal frolic, and you waded in among them, enjoying the whisper, crunch and rattle of the leaves, their scent of earthen secrets unlocked ... yeah, that might approximate the flavor of The Daily at StripSteak. This fall cocktail, brought back by popular demand, is made with Old Forester Kentucky bourbon that’s drip-dripdripped through a Rube Goldbergian contraption with a chamber that looks like it’s stuffed with your grandma’s potpourri mix. In this case, though, it’s lemon, oranges, cinnamon and star anise. Then it’s kissed with brown sugar and a Bing cherry, and probably blessed by a ruddy-faced woodland dwarf. Think of it as an Old Fashioned in a festive sweater — something to banish the chill, but with a decided sense of good cheer. — Andrew Kiraly Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7200

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Dining out at first bite

Promise wing Three new chicken-centric spots take flight — each with their share of hits and misses B y D e bb i e L e e

I

’ve long abided by a steadfast rule of not eating chicken in restaurants. Driven by snobbery and chintziness in equal measure, I just don’t see the point of paying for a bland protein I most prefer in McNugget form. (Hey, a love of foie and fast food are not mutually exclusive.)

If you fancy yourself a badass chef, pull out the big guns and feed me something a tad more interesting — no guts (literally), no glory. By the same token, you could argue that chicken is a good gauge for judging a chef. Let’s not deny the glorious nature of a perfect fried thigh. If a restaurant can’t get that right, why should I trust them with anything else on the menu?

In recent months, three popular figures in the local food scene have brought their version of the best bird to the Valley. The first to arrive was Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken (blueribbonfriedchicken. com). The New York City import, which opened in June at Downtown Summerlin, is a casual concept by brothers Bruce

and Eric Bromberg (Blue Ribbon Sushi, Brooklyn Bowl).

The menu is predictable (fried chicken dinners, wings, tenders) but the flavors are not. The chicken here is fried with matzo meal and egg whites for a crust that’s thin and crispy. It makes a serviceable sandwich filling — I had mine in the form of The Original, which came with typical fixings and special sauce.

However, I was less impressed with the individual pieces, only because I have a personal preference for darker, craggier, Southern-style fried chicken. Sides of sweet and spicy adobo corn and cookedall-day collards with smoked chunks of pork belly made up for it.

Just off the Strip in an unassuming commercial plaza on Sahara, Sheridan Su of Fat Choy is putting his own signature spin on things. Flock Bite or flight: & Fowl (f lockaLeft, Chow's pork ndfowl.com) celeriblets; right, The brates the bird in Original at Blue

approachable but decidedly Asian forms.

The highlight is Su’s Hainan chicken rice.

It’s a dead simple dish — poached chicken on a bed of rice cooked in the chicken broth — popular in Singapore and Malaysia.

For what it’s worth, I’ve had it in both countries. Su’s version is not only great in terms of flavor, but it’s also slightly more refined. Dark and white organic meat are deboned for easy eating, and homemade pickles and dipping sauces demonstrate

Ribbon; below right, Flock & Fowl's Cornish game hen

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P h oto g r a p h y C h r i s to p h e r Sm i t h

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Plus seasonal events, giving back and four inspiring people

11 NOVEMBER

15

Scandal!

Dark rooms!

A mammoth!

Gripping tales drawn from our past AN

illustrated history of

LAS VEGAS

EDUCATION

DINING

Behind UNLV’s drive for ‘top tier’ status

CHURCH AND SATE

JOHNNY CHURCH GETS EXOTIC AT ARTISANAL FOODS CAFE

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a little spice makes everything nice SPICY THAI GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD WILD GREENS, PEANUTS, BEAN SPROUTS, CILANTRO, MINT, THAI DRESSING

Heat up your next event Don’t sacrifice taste for an event. The diversity in our menu caters to the range of palates that dine with us, allowing you to customize to the needs of your unique party. Treat your co-workers, friends, and family to a memorable dining event filled with global tastes. Let’s talk food!

R

R

the chef’s commitment to his craft. Those of you on the paleo train will appreciate the cup of warm, clean broth served on the side.

Su’s take on fried chicken, which comes in the form of an impossibly crunchy and juicy half of a Cornish game hen, is even better. I was only disappointed that an accompanying salad, advertised as having kale in it, is a basic supermarket mesclun blend. (Shame on me for ordering a salad at a place that stars deep-fried food, though, right?)

Finally, there’s Chow (chowdtlv.com), the latest addition to East Fremont. Chef Natalie Young has capitalized on the popularity of her first venture, the breakfastand lunch-only Eat, with a “chicken and Chinese” concept for the evening hours.

It was a packed house on a recent visit, and an impressive sight to watch Chef Young hustle in her open kitchen. Under her watch, my table received an excellent two-piece Southern fried chicken dinner with mini cornbread muffins and pickled jalapeños. The chicken was crunchy, not greasy, and well-seasoned; I was only heartbroken that both pieces were drumsticks as opposed to a mixed duo. (In fairness, my date argued that drumsticks are the best part of the bird and that the dish was extra satisfying for that very reason.)

Blame chicken fatigue, but I’m partial to Chow’s pork riblets. Tender, meaty, and richly glazed in a sweet sauce, it’s a prettier (but no less messy) take on foilbagged nuggets of pork that come from my favorite Chinese take-out joints.

There were a couple of kinks throughout the meal, but my optimistic side attributes any missteps to opening-week jitters. For instance, a crispy chicken thigh with bok choy was definitely more rubbery than crispy, and its flavor was slightly off. Service staff also seemed slightly harried. The upshot is that we received a plate of potstickers gratis because an extra order was made by accident. (They’re generously filled with pork, with a lovely golden crust on the bottom of the dumpling.)

I remain ambivalent about this Hitchcockian era of casual dining, but at least our city’s most talked-about talents are the ones stepping up to give the Colonel a run for his money.

FIND A SAMMY’S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

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HISTORY IN A HOTEL ROOM No. 1 by Joseph Watson January 17, 1942: Clark Gable, crazed with worry, paces his room at the new El Rancho hotel. He was flown to Las Vegas upon learning that a plane carrying his wife, Carole Lombard, had crashed the night before on nearby Mount Potosi. Gable spends a long and frantic weekend at the hotel, waiting on word from search and rescue parties.Â

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HISTORY IN A HOTEL ROOM No. 2 by Matty Newton Aug. 20, 1964: The Beatles stay at the Sahara hotel following two performances at the Convention Center. In the early hours, a distraught mother shows up at the Sahara hotel, claiming The Beatles kidnapped her twin daughters. Larry Kane, a radio reporter covering their tour, offers to help, and opens John Lennon’s door to find two underage girls in Lennon’s room. But it was much more innocent than it might have appeared. “He was asleep, and they were sitting on the edge of the other bed watching television and eating popcorn,” Kane told the Review-Journal. Kane speculated the girls came to the room to get Lennon’s autograph, after which Lennon passed out. “He’s just the kind of guy who would have invited two kids into his room to watch TV,” Kane said.

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HISTORY IN A HOTEL ROOM No. 3 by Conor Langton 1966-1970: Billionaire recluse Howard Hughes, wracked by pain and addicted to morphine, turns his suite at the Desert Inn into a hermit’s den. He rarely dresses, let alone bathes. Obsessed with germs, he seals his doors with tape, lets his hair and fingernails grow, urinates in jars and wears tissue boxes on his feet. He spends much of his time watching movies. But from this dim, filthy room, he also buys casinos, businesses and vacant land across the valley. It signals the end of the mob age and paves the way for a new era of corporate investment in Las Vegas.

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Black Mountain Institute Presents

STROKE OF

genius WHAT BRAIN INJURY REVEALS ABOUT CREATIVITY, CONSCIOUSNESS, AND THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

SANDRA BLAKESLEE

FLOYD SKLOOT

GEORGE JOHNSON

DR. BRUCE MILLER

J O U RNAL IST

WRITE R & P O ET

JO U RN ALI ST

N EU R OLO G I ST

Sleights of Mind

Revertigo: An Off-Kilter Memoir

The Cancer Chronicles

Frontotemporal Dementia

In the Shadow of Memory

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments

The Human Frontal Lobes (ed.)

Phantoms in the Brain

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An International Center for Creative Writers & Scholars AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS

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HISTORY IN A HOTEL ROOM No. 4 by J.D. King September 13, 2007: Former pro football player O.J. Simpson leads a group of armed men who break into room 1203 at the Palace Station to retrieve sports memorabilia Simpson claims was stolen from him. Simpson is charged and found guilty of kidnapping, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and seven other counts. He’s serving his sentence in Lovelock, Nevada, and is eligible for parole in October 2017.Â

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A policy summit on the education initiatives derived from the 78th legislative session with particular focus on the important roles community constituents must play in ensuring the quality of education in Nevada.

GOVERNOR BRIAN SANDOVAL & U.S. SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN (INVITED) Monday, December 7, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

UNLV Campus Student Union Ballroom

Register on-line at: education.unlv.edu/edsummit Registration required and includes entry into the summit, continental breakfast, lunch, and parking.

Early Bird pricing through November 6, 2015: $60 per ticket for general admission $30 per ticket for UNLV students

SPONSORED BY

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HISTORY IN A HOTEL ROOM No. 5 by Rick Sealock June 27, 2002: After a night at the bar with bandmates, Who bassist John Entwistle retires to his room at the Hard Rock Hotel to party with a stripper named Sianna. After doing some cocaine and, presumably, other strenuous activities, Entwistle falls asleep, never to wake up. The coroner determines Entwistle died of a cocaine-induced heart attack. (Roger Daltrey later joked that Entwistle would have wanted his all-tooclassic death scene turned into an exhibit befitting the Hard Rock’s theme.)

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FOR MORE THAN 125 YEARS AND IN COUNTLESS WAYS.

CHANGE A LIFE, STARTING WITH YOUR OWN. REDCROSS.ORG/SOUTHERNNEVADA

109704 10/14

Whether it’s for him, her, them, you or us (hey, thanks!), this holiday season, the giving gets personal

by CHRISTIE MOELLER

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She’ll look good and feel great with these indulgent presents HEELING POWERS Jimmy Choo “Dayno” red soft leather boots, $1,425, Jimmy Choo in the Forum Shops at Caesars and FAUX FURRY FRIEND TOPSHOP faux fur jacket, $240, TOPSHOP in the Fashion Show Mall1 Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian ARM CANDY Tory Burch satchel, $595, Tory Burch in the Forum Shops at Caesars, Fashion Show Mall and Grand Canal Shoppes BLINGY AND BRIGHT Edie Parker clutches: Sparkle, $1,495; Joy, $1,295; Cheers: $1,495; Love, $1,295, Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion at the Venetian THAT’S YOUR BAG Coach Shearling Rhyder satchel, $550, Coach in the Fashion Show Mall TURN BOTH CHEEKS ... BEAUTIFUL NARS Show Mall IT’S ALL ON THE WRIST Stardust Deluxe braceSteven Klein One Shocking Moment Cheek Studio palette, $69, NARS in the Forum Shops at Caesars let set $99, Swarovski in Town Square

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Gifts for the well-dressed gentleman in your life HIP TO BE SQUARED Suitsupply wool pocket square green, $49, Suitsupply in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian GIVE THAT MAN A HAND Armani Exchange leather knit gloves, $79.50, Armani Exchange in Town Square IN-VEST IN HIM CARRY IT FORWARD Pal Zileri briefcase, Suitsupply knit waistcoast, $149, Suitsupply in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian LET IT GO TO HIS HEAD BOB fedora, $410, Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show Mall FOR A $1,795, Pal Zileri in the Forum Shops at Caesars ROSY CHEEKS FOR ALL! Remy Martin PHOTO FINISH Ted Baker Cufflinks, $150, Ted Baker in the Fashion Show Mall and the Forum Shops at Caesars WALK THIS WAYJimmy Choo Dunstan olive green chukka boots, $650, Jimmy Choo in the Forum LOUIS XIII Cognac, $3,000, sherry-lehmann.com Shops at Caesars and Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian

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Getting and giving locally means giving back to the community RETRO RE-RUN Eric Leins vintage 1950s Zenith clock radio retrofit with Bluetooth and charging dock, $350 (custom order taken NOTES FROM THE NEON With Love From Las Vegas boxed note set by Parrott Design Studio by request), Artifact LV in Town Square CHARACTERS WITH CHARACTER Eric Leins custom-cut book letters, $20 for single; $20, Paper and Home, paperandhome.com IEAT Milk and white chocolate iPads, $29, and iPhones, $19, B Sweet Candy LOVE, $70.00 (custom orders taken by request), Artifact LV in Town Square GO FORTH IN STYLE Wanderlust Cuff, $30, Artifact LV in Town Square GIVE THE DOG A BUZZ Starbarks Frenchie Roast dog Boutique in Tivoli Village FOR FLEET LITTLE FEET Pediped Delanley girl’s shoe, $39.95, Pediped in Town toy, $16.99, the Dog House in Town Square, thedoghouseboutique.com WINTER SMELL IS COMING Beauty Kitchen full-size holiday-themed beauty box with Scents of Winter theme, $44.95, heathermarianna.tv Square

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Add a little play to the workplace for officemates, colleagues and co-workers YOU DA WOMAN! Boss Lady 22K gold printed mug by Printable Wisdom, $26, Paper and Home, paperandhome.com BLOCK OFF EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED Paul Smith and AngleSOME FUN Building block puzzle calendar, $12.50, Paper Source in Town Square PRETTY PROTECTOR Gray iPad case, poise Type75 limited edition table lamp, $295, Paul Smith in the The Shops at Crystals in CityCenter DRINK POSITIVE S’Well water bottles, $34.99 each, The Container Store in Town Square $89, Suitsupply in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian PLEASE SIGN HERE Dunhill Sentryman resin rollerball pen, $345, Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall BIRD IS THE WORD Original Penguin lapel pins, FOR THE CODE-BLOODED Bound password directory, $24 each, Original Penguin in the Fashion Show Mall and the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood START ME UP What Do You Do With An Idea? by Compendium Books, $17, Paper and Home, paperandhome.com $8.99, The Container Store in Town Square

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Show big love for your little ones with these unforgettable gifts NOW BOARDING ALL CATS Hello Kitty jet plane play set, $29.99, Toys R Us SLEEP CUTE Tucker + Tate thermal all-in-one PJs, $36, SUPERHEROES OF SNOW Youth Marvel chopper LTD Marvel snowboard, $209.95, authorized Burton Nordstrom in the Fashion Show Mall LITTLE FEETS Minnetonka + Opening Ceremony beaded smile slippers, $55, minnetonkamoccasin.com THANKS Retailers and Burton.com A TOUCH OF FUN Fingernail Friends Fairytale transfers TO YOU MEDDLING KIDS LEGO Scooby Doo Mystery Mansion, $89.99, LEGO in the Fashion Show Mall THE A STAR IS HORNED StarLily My Magical Unicorn, $119, Toys R Us, multiple locations SUDS FOR YOUR $4.99 each, The Container Store in Town Square THE THIN LITTLE BUDS LUSH Reusable Bubble Bar Magic Wand, $9.95, LUSH in the Forum Shops at Caesars, Fashion Show Mall and Downtown Summerlin DROID YOU’RE LOOKING FOR Thinkway Toys Star Wars R2-D2 interactive droid, $199.99, Toys R Us MINTS MUST FLOW! Girl Scouts cookie oven, $59.99, Toys R Us

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Gifts so good you have to get two — one for them, and one for yourself CHARMED, I’M SURE! Alexis Bittar charms on a 10K gold necklace, $55-$125, Alexis Bittar in the Forum Shops at Caesars THE MONSTER ON YOUR HEAD Fendier Monster hats and scarves: mohawk, $750; cold weather hat, $300; gloves, $250; scarf $550, Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show Mall A CASE FOR BEAUTY Coach Baseman cosmetic case, $125, Coach in the Fashion Show Mall ON LITTLE CAT FEET Charlotte Olympia Cat Nap silk slipper set, $595, Charlotte Olympia in the Forum Shops at Caesars THE EYES HAVE IT Sephora Collection Color Wishes mini eye books, $15, Sephora in Downtown Summerlin, Town Square, the Forum Shops at Caesars and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood PORE YOU! Clarisonic Mia 2 facial cleansing brush, $149, Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall PARTICULATE SHINE ON Tarina Tarantino “Simone” MATTERS Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Shimmer Dust for face, hair and body in gold, $39, tarinatarantino.com cabaret necklace with Swarovski crystals, $150, tarinatarantino.com HOLDS MAGICAL WARMTH FLUID Coach men’s leather flasks, $95 each, Coach ALL OVER YOUR FACE BITE beauty discovery set, $55, Sephora in Downtown Summerlin, Town Square, the Men’s stores nationwide and coach.com Forum Shops at Caesars and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood

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Ethel M holiday cactus garden

From North Las Vegas to Boulder City, happenings aplenty evoke the spirit of the season

by CARLA J. ZVOSEC Kickstart My Heart portraits by AARON MAYES

November NOV. 5-DEC. 24

Adventure to Santa Digital technology and storytelling bring Santa to life in this interactive 12-minute adventure to the North Pole, led by Shrek and his friends, ending with photo opportunities with Ol’ St. Nick. Nov. 5-Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. (closed Thanksgiving Day); Dec. 13-30,

10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; Dec. 21-23, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., $40-$74/family. Receive a $5 discount if scheduled Nov. 5-Dec. 5. The Great Hall at Fashion Show Mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S., thefashionshow.com

jewelry, essential oils and sports items, as well as antiques and collectibles.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun., free admission. St. Viator Parish, 2461 E. Flamingo Road, 702-499-4999 NOV. 6-8

The Craft Festival A 150-booth art and craft show featuring handmade items from 200 independent crafts workers from seven western states.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., $2-$7 (one admission charge is good for all weekend), $4 parking fee. Cashman Center, stevepowers. com/public/LasVegasFallPublic.html NOV. 7

Christmas Bazaar

Paper Poinsettia Wreath Craft

Organized by the St. Viator Women’s Guild, this indoor-outdoor bazaar features fine art, fine craft, photography, clothing,

Learn how to make paper poinsettias and assemble them into a wreath. 1 p.m., $5 deposit/reservation required and accepted at

NOV. 6-8

the Reference Desk until 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, adults and teens. Boulder City Library, 701 Adams Blvd., Boulder City, bclibrary.org NOV. 10–JAN. 1

22nd Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lighting Ethel M Chocolates’ seasonal exhibit, displayed throughout the 3-acre garden, features more than a half-million lights strung across 300-plus plant species. Cactus Lighting Opening Ceremony: Nov. 10, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., tickets are required and can be picked up beginning Nov. 1 at Ethel M Chocolates; bring a new, unwrapped toy and receive a four-pack of tickets to the event. Holiday Cactus Garden: Nov. 11-Jan. 1, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. daily, free admittance. Santa visits/ photos: 5-10 p.m. Thurs.Sun. Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Garden, 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson, 702435-2655

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NOV. 13

Santa’s Arrival Parade This annual parade starts at the West Valet near Yard House in Town Square and ends at Santa’s house in Town Square Park, where Santa lights the 45-foot Christmas tree, followed by the Snow in the Square show and photos with Santa. 7 p.m. Town Square, 702-269-5001 NOV. 13-DEC. 23

Show in the Square Feel the spirit of the season at Town Square Park with this 10-minute show in which snowflakes fall, choreographed to classic holiday music. 7 p.m. Mon.Sun., with additional 8 p.m. shows Fri.-Sun., free. Town Square, 702-269-5001

largest, with more than 1 million LEDs and 400plus animated displays stretching across a 2.5mile course. 5:30-9 p.m.

Sun.-Thu. and 5:30-10 p.m. Fri., Sat. and holidays, $20 per vehicle.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway, glitteringlightslasvegas.com NOV. 14-DEC. 24

Photos with Santa Claus Kids can visit Santa at his Norman Rockwell-inspired house to take their photo with him, and enjoy milk and cookies from 1-1:30 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Mon.Sat., 2-3 p.m. Sun. Photo schedule: mytownsquarelasvegas.com. Town Square, 702-269-5001

NOV. 15

Thanksgiving Craft and Gift Shopping Event Features handcrafted knit, crocheted, sewn and wood items, as well as jewelry, candles, cosmetics, accessories, and more.

11 a.m.-7 p.m., free admission. Cannery, North Las Vegas, 702-507-5700

NOV. 18-DEC. 23

Claus & Paws Pet Photos Bring your dogs and cats to Santa’s house to pose for a holiday photo and enjoy treats. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed. Town Square, 702-269-5001 NOV. 19

Gobbler’s Gala Join your friends for an old-fashioned holiday celebration, complete with turkey and all the trimmings. Space is limited; preregistration required.

11 a.m., $4. Neighborhood Recreation Center, 1638 N. Bruce St., North Las Vegas, 702-6331600, cityofnorthlasvegas.com

NOV. 14

Glittering Lights

Delicious Healthy Vegetarian Holiday Dishes for Every Table

This annual drive-through light show is Nevada’s

Come to the Downtown Summerlin Farmers Market,

NOV. 13-JAN. 3

under the Pavilion, to learn from top vegetarian chefs how to create rich, hearty and savory dishes for your holiday main attraction or to complement your traditional family recipe. Seasonal produce from the market will be hand. 11:30 a.m., free, Sahara Avenue and the 215 Beltway, downtownsummerlin.com

Magical Forest

Photos with Santa at Town Square

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Glittering Lights

KICKSTART MY HEART The passion and purpose of Southern Nevada volunteers NOV. 19-DEC. 17

Holiday Nights and Lights Community Concerts Local elementary through high school students entertain crowds with performances that include choirs and holiday musicals. Every Thu. prior to the Snow in the Square show, which begins at 7 p.m., free, Town Square, 702-269-5001

‘OF COURSE, I HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH THIS, TOO’ NOV. 20-JAN. 3

NOV. 20-JAN. 2

The Palazzo Hotel at Christmas The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens unveils its wintery display of snow-capped trees that soar 20 feet tall, glistening holiday lights, enormous pine cones and thousands of poinsettias. 24 hours daily, free. 702-607-7777 NOV. 20-JAN. 3

Magical Forest Opportunity Village’s magical forest is filled with hundreds of trees adorned with more than 3 million lights, as well as a passenger train, 3-D experience, slide, midway, mini-golf and raceway. Nov. 27: Tree lighting with special guest performance. 5:30-9 p.m.

Sun.-Thu. and 5:30-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., $11.99 and $21.99 (all access) for adults, $9.99 and $18.99 (all access) for children ages 3-12, free for children 2 years and younger. Free parking is available in the CSN parking lot. Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., 702-259-3741

The Rink at the Boulevard Pool A real-ice rink set high above the Strip — complete with snow showers every 30 minutes — where guests can enjoy skating, s’mores, fire pits and warm cocktails. Times and $ TBA. Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, 702-698-7000, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com NOV. 20-21, 27-28, DEC. 4-5, 11-24

Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade

Downtown Summerlin will officially kick off the holiday season with its first annual Holiday Parade, a spectacle for the entire family. This nondenominational celebration will include eight floats, in addition to toy soldiers, snowflake princesses and princes, nutcrackers, dancers, drummers and festive music. 7 p.m. (except for Dec. 24, when it begins at 6), free, Sahara Avenue and the 215 Beltway, downtownsummerlin.com

Denise Jackson T hree Square,

Dress for Success

At 16 years old, Denise Jackson picked up her first volunteer’s position with Head Start, a school readiness program for low-income families in Washington, D.C. This would be the first in a lifetime of volunteer commitments that Jackson would take on for the betterment of her community — but also her own life. Any committed philanthropist is apt to preach about giving’s own rewards, but Jackson points out the less-acknowledged perk of volunteering: an expanded sense of living.

Before retiring to Las Vegas in 2013, Jackson held a 41-year career in bank regulation as a senior management analyst with the FDIC. But even then she was volunteering. She delivered meals to homebound victims of HIV and AIDS; she worked with Habitat for Humanity; and she did a four-year stint as a volunteer firefighter with the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in southern Maryland.

“My philosophy was, I could volunteer into positions that I wouldn’t necessarily get hired for. So, if I wanted to be a firefighter…”

Jackson’s Secret Service clearance, as a federal government employee, led to volunteer opportunities in the White House, too. Under the Clinton administration, she helped with an Easter egg hunt and a Christmas open house. Later, she served on Obama’s (second) presidential inaugural committee. “Right there,” she says, remembering the scene with an elegant gesture, “was where the President and Mrs. Obama danced ... I mean, you can’t buy your way into things like that. It was just a thrill! My last salute to Washington.”

Now Jackson’s a sous chef for Three Square, where she volunteers three days a week at the food bank under the tutelage of Executive Chef John Hilton, a celebrated Las Vegas chef to the stars. “I mean, I was always a cook,” says Jackson, “but I’ve learned so much.”

She spends a fourth day outfitting disadvantaged women for the workforce, at Dress for Success’ non-profit boutique. “I do want to do my part. And I’m a fashionista — I have 41 years of heels and pearls,” she says. “Of course, I have a lot of fun with this, too.” — Chantal Corcoran

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NOV. 21

Pilgrims and Indians Feast Give thanks and celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with food, drinks, entertainment and more. 2 p.m., $2, all ages. Silver Mesa Recreation Center, 4025 Allen Lane, North Las Vegas, 702-6332550, cityofnorthlasvegas.com NOV. 21-22

Holiday Craft and Gift Festival Santa and his elves greet shoppers when they come to view a vintage Christmas train display and browse a variety of handcrafted items for sale. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., $5 for adults, free for ages 12 and younger. South Point, 702-656-2337 NOV. 21-22

Pre-Black Friday Craft and Vendor Bazaar Get a head start on your holiday shopping at this

two-day event featuring a variety of gift items, including handmade crocheted and knit items, candles, ceramics and art, as well as soaps, lotions, candles and more. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., free. Galleria at Sunset, 1300 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, 702271-5263

laugh, cry and gossip about everything. 7 p.m. daily with additional 2 p.m. performance on Sat., $35-$43, ages 5-plus. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805

NOV. 21-30 AND DEC. 1, 13-16, 18-22

The comical Christmas story of a young orphan named Buddy, who mistakenly ends up at the North Pole, then, once grown, embarks on a journey to NYC to find his birth father. 7:30 p.m. daily with additional 2 p.m. performances Fri.-Sun., $29-$129, ages 5-plus. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805

Christmas, Motown and More!

This family Christmas show starring Las Vegas headliners Human Nature features 14 holiday classics and some of Motown’s greatest hits. 7 p.m., $49-$140, The Venetian, 702-414-9000 NOV. 24-28

’Twas a Girls Night Out Before Christmas: The Musical Christmas comedy sequel to Girls Night: The Musical featuring five ladies out for a night on the town during the holidays to

NOV. 24-29

Elf the Musical

NOV. 25-JAN. 1

Mystic Falls Holiday Shows The indoor park turns into a winter wonderland with a large decorated Christmas tree, holiday adornments and music and a 15-minute laser show hourly from 5-10 p.m. Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, 702-456-7777 NOV. 27-JAN. 2

Fountains of Bellagio

Downtown Summerlin ice rink

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One of the world’s most famous fountains presents eight Christmas performances choreographed to holiday classics. Every half hour from 3-8 p.m.

Mon.-Fri., noon-8 p.m.

Sat. and holidays, 11 a.m.7 p.m. Sun. and every 15 minutes from 7 p.m.-midnight daily. Bellagio, 702693-7111

NOV. 28

Holiday Tree Lighting Spectacular and Arrival of Santa This year’s annual event is highlighted by a live performance by Las Vegas “Headliner of the Year” singer/pianist Frankie Moreno and American actress and best-selling author Cerina Vincent.

5:30-7:30 p.m., free. Main Street at The District at Green Valley Ranch, 2225 Village Walk Drive, Henderson, 702-564-8595

December DEC. 2-6

Steve Solomon’s My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m Home for the Holidays … the Therapy Continues In this award-winning one-man comedy, Steve attends holiday dinner at Grandma’s, where chaos ensues and he ends up defending himself against his wacky family. 7 p.m. Wed.Fri., 3 and 7 p.m. Sat. and 3 p.m. Sun., $35-$40, ages 5-plus. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805 DEC. 3

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis Featuring the Christmas music and signature sound of this popular group, set to multimedia effects. 7:30 p.m., $35-$75, Orleans Arena, 702-284-7777

DEC. 3-12

Cowboy Christmas Gift Show The longest-running gift show of the National Finals Rodeo features 400plus vendors selling custom jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, handmade crafts and pottery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, free admission, Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, nfrexperience.com/home/cowboy_christmas DEC. 3-12

Cowboy Marketplace Hundreds of Western lifestyle items under one roof, including boots, buckles, hats, jewelry and western wear, plus live daily entertainment. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free admission. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7777; cowboymarketplace.net DEC. 3-13

Stetson Country Christmas Western Gift Expo Find Western lifestyle items and classic gifts, and enjoy live entertainment and fashion shows daily. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, free admission. Sands Expo and Convention Center, 201 Sands Ave.; 817-599-7664, countrychristmas.com DEC. 3-JAN. 2

Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Indoor holiday display featuring thousands of lights and poinsettias; a family of polar bears

Elf the Musical

made of white carnations; and a 42-foot tree with 7,000 lights and more than 2,500 ornaments set among two 12-foot wintertime snow globes and a working train display. 24 hours daily, seven days a week, free. Bellagio, 702693-7111

tunity Village’s largest annual fundraiser. 8 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. 5K run, 10:30 a.m. 1-mile walk, $30-$45. Registration includes five-piece Santa suit. Downtown Las Vegas, LasVegasSantaRun.org DEC. 5

DEC. 4

Christmas Tree Lighting Join in this annual smalltown Christmas gathering that includes entertainment by local school choirs and visits by Santa and the town’s Christmas mascot, Jingle Cat. 6-7 p.m., free.

Frank Crowe Park, 640 Nevada Highway at Cherry Street, Boulder City, 702-293-2034 DEC. 5

Las Vegas Great Santa Run Thousands of St. Nick look-alikes run and walk to raise funds for Oppor-

Santa’s Electric Night Parade Boulder City presents its annual Christmas parade downtown. 4:30 p.m., free. 465 Nevada Way, 702-293-2034 DEC. 5

Ward 6 Cowboy Christmas and Car Show Celebrate the holiday season withy hay rides, a petting zoo, balloon artist, jump house and visit from the jolly man in red, while donating food, toys and clothing to assist local charities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free, Floyd Lamb

Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road, 702-229-8100 DEC. 5

Winter Brews Best Handcrafted Beer Festival The beer festival, held at The Green at Town Square, features more than 25 local and regional breweries offering samples of a variety of beers, live entertainment, activities and food to benefit the local charity New Vista Community.

1-6 p.m., $30 includes beer mug and tasting guide; purchase tickets at brewsbestlv.com, 702269-5001 DEC. 5-6

The Snowman This family-friendly merry musical celebration includes the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s traditional holiday concert, a special screening of the film The

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KICKSTART MY HEART The passion and purpose of Southern Nevada volunteers ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and younger (discounted for NV residents); Santa photos and a treat are included.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, 702-6324555

‘BE OKAY WITH TELLING YOUR STORY’ Travis Kelso The Shade Tree It was through his job that 28-year-old Travis Kelso discovered The Shade Tree, the valley’s shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. As the executive director of charitable outreach for MacFarlane Group, it’s Kelso’s job to seek out charities that the locally based business services corporation can get behind. He never imagined this would lead to his position as president of the charity’s board of trustees.

But his interest in Shade Tree is more than part of his job.

It was last year — almost two years into this lead role — at a fundraiser celebrating the shelter’s 25th anniversary that Kelso finally mustered the courage to speak out about his own abuse.

A child of divorced parents, he had moved back and forth between his father’s house, where his stepmother abused him badly, and his mother’s house, where alcoholism and drug abuse set another violent scene. “We always had beer in the fridge before milk,” he says.

One story in particular stands out. It happened when he was eight. Kelso was running to get his mother help when his stepfather caught him, put a gun to his head, and threatened to kill him. Their fights often landed both parents in jail, but this one sent his mother to the hospital. This is the story that had Kelso’s voice shaking when he addressed the crowd last year.

“Be okay with telling your story,” he says today, “because it will allow somebody else to connect with you.” And he makes time to listen to the stories of the women he meets through the shelter. He’s exceedingly proud of their successes. He tells one story of a woman escaping her abusive spouse by fooling him with a false trail of hotel and flight bookings at various places around the world. “These women are smart.”

No detached figurehead, Kelso also makes time to serve lunch to The Shade Tree’s residents, and he insists that everyone on the board do the same, incorporating mandatory in-shelter hours into the board’s bylaws.

His goal is to double the size of the 38,000-square-foot facility, which currently serves as sanctuary to 364 women and children. “If we’re completely occupied, every single night, and turning people away, that means there’s a need for it,” he says.

“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t expand.” CC

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DEC. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20

Scuba Santa and Elves at the Silverton Aquarium Snowman accompanied by the orchestra and an audience sing-along. 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun., with an additional 7:30 p.m. performance on Sat., $26$96. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805

Santa talks to visitors while submerged in the Silverton’s 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium among 4,000 tropical fish, sharks and stingrays. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., free.

Silverton Casino Hotel, 702-263-7777 DEC. 6

DEC. 5, 12

Ornamental Art-Making Workshop In this workshop, students create decorative winter-themed sculptural objects, such as an origami globe and beaded 3-D snowflakes, they can use to decorate the tree. 12:15-2:15 pm., $26, ages 7-plus. Registration encouraged. Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., artslasvegas. org/classes/register.htm

Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony Following Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s lighting of the menorah — which will be on display at Fremont Street Experience during the Hanukkah season — a ceremony led by Rabbi Shea Harlig welcomes the holiday known as the Festival of Lights. 4 p.m., free. Fremont Street Experience at Fremont and Fourth streets DEC. 6

Santa in the Shipwreck

Menorah Lighting at Downtown Summerlin

St. Nick appears at the Shark Reef Aquarium to greet and take photos with guests who come to explore the exhibit’s 2,000 underwater friends.

10 a.m.-4 p.m., $20 for adults, $14 for children

Chanukah observance begins at sundown, and continues for eight nights, hosted by the Jewish Community Center. There will also be events and entertainment. Free, Sahara Avenue and the 215

DEC. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19-24

Beltway, downtownsummerlin.com DEC. 7

Travis Cloer — Christmas at My Place The Jersey Boys star performs songs from his new record, “Christmas at My Place,” backed by his swinging seven-piece band. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., $50-$65, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805 DEC. 7, 14 AND 21

Pet Night with Santa Capture holiday memories with your beloved pet when St. Nick’s Pet Pics visits the mall to take photos of proud pet owners and their four-legged friends — dogs and cats only — with Santa Claus.

6-8 p.m., $TBA. Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane, 702-878-3331, meadowsmall.com

at the Fremont Street Experience through the Christmas holiday. 5 p.m., free, Fremont Street Experience at the Third Street Stage DEC. 8

Menorah Lighting Chabad of Green Valley holds its annual menorah lighting celebration featuring live entertainment, balloon creations, donuts, dreidls and gelt on this third night of Hanukkah.

6:30-8 p.m., free, The District at Green Valley Ranch, 2225 Village Walk Drive, Henderson, 702564-8595 DEC. 8

Winter Parq The LINQ Promenade transforms into a winter wonderland featuring decorations, carolers, hol-

iday music and a 30-foot hill of real snow for downhill tubing. Beginning Dec. 8, 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 2-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and 2-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, $5 per ride or $20 for allday pass, 702-322-0560 DEC. 10

Sounds of the Season Henderson Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Dennis Doubin, performs its annual WinterFest concert. 7 p.m., free, Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St., Henderson DEC. 10-12

WinterFest This year’s event, “It’s a Fairy Tale Christmas,” includes a tree-lighting ceremony with Santa Claus, live performances, entertainers, gingerbread

houses, family-friendly activities, crafts fair, food and a Saturday evening light parade beginning at 5 p.m. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thurs., 6-9 p.m. Fri. and noon-8 p.m. Sat., free admission. Henderson Convention Center & Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St., Henderson, hendersonlive.com/special-events/ winterfest DEC. 12

Night of Lights St. Jude’s invites the public to its ninth annual celebration, where the campus is transformed into a Christmas wonderland complete with a drive-through light display, holiday decorations, live entertainment, wagon rides and treats. 5-8 p.m., free admittance, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, 702-294-7100

DEC. 7, 14 AND 21

Sensitive Santa Santa arrives before the Meadows Mall opens to accommodate children with special needs. 6-8 p.m., free, Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane, 702-878-3331, meadowsmall.com DEC. 8

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Mayor Carolyn Goodman helps Santa light Las Vegas’ official 50-foot Christmas tree adorned with festive decorations, which will be on display

Grand Menorah lighting Downtown

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Nevada Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker

DEC. 12-13 AND 18-20

Philip Fortenberry for an encore performance of their sold-out show from last season. 2:30 and 7 p.m., $26-$36, ages 5-plus. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805

The Nutcracker The Nevada Ballet Theatre presents this winter holiday tradition, complete with a full orchestra and larger-than-life landscapes, which reveals the classic, visually stunning and wondrous story of Clara and her nutcracker prince. 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. with 2 p.m. show on Dec. 19, 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sun., $29-$179, no children under 3. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park, nevadaballet.org

DEC. 19

Santa Baby Holiday Show Holidays from the Heart

702-633-2550, cityofnorthlasvegas.com DEC. 19

DEC. 19

Breakfast with Santa Join Santa and his elves for a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, face painting, arts and crafts, Christmas carols and more. 10 a.m., $2, all ages. Silver Mesa Recreation Center, 4025 Allen Lane, North Las Vegas,

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Jingle Bell Run Put on your holiday gear and jingle your way along a 3.1-mile course down the Pittman Wash Trail, then enjoy holiday music and a visit with St. Nick.

9 a.m.-1 p.m., $25-$30 individual registration, $70 family four pack until Dec. 16, all fitness levels welcome, ages 5-plus.

Pecos Legacy Park, 150 Pecos Road, Henderson, cityofhenderson.com/ henderson-happenings/ program-and-classes/ about/jingle-bell-run

The Beverly Belles, inspired by the music and look of The Andrew Sisters, celebrate the holiday season retro-style.

7 p.m., $10 advance and $15 at the door, Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702-229-6383, artslasvegas.org

DEC. 19

Kristen Hertzenberg and Philip Fortenberry: Holidays from the Heart Songstress Kristen Hertzenberg joins pianist

DEC. 19-20

Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Party Ever Starring the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. 8 p.m., $29.95-plus. The Orleans, 702-284-7777

KICKSTART MY HEART The passion and purpose of Southern Nevada volunteers DEC. 27

Kwanzaa 2015: A Celebration of African Values, Culture & Community Features a marketplace bazaar with village artisans and vendors, master African dance and drum circle workshop, Kemetic yoga class, performance presentations and speakers. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free, all ages, West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., and West Las Vegas Library Theatre, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., artslasvegas.org

‘I’D GET A KNOCK ON MY DOOR’ ers: Erich Bergen, Norm Lewis, Capathia Jenkins, Clint Holmes and Patina Miller. 7 p.m., $39-$125.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-982-7805

DEC. 30-JAN. 2

Downtown Countdown TributePalooza New Year’s Eve 2016 This downtown New Year’s Eve celebration presents more than nine hours of live music by 12 tribute bands, as well as canopy light shows. Dec. 30 and Jan. 1-2: various show times between 5 p.m.-1 a.m., free, all ages. NYE: 5:30 p.m.3:30 a.m., $30 advance and $40 at gate, ages 21-plus. Fremont Street Experience, 702-6785600, vegasexperience. com DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve at the Smith Center Celebrate with a musical extravaganza featuring Broadway hits, favorite classic songs and five spectacular perform-

DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve Midnight Hike Join in a late-night hike along the McCullough Hills Trail, which leads to a viewpoint where almost the entire valley can be seen, and enjoy all the spectacular fireworks displays. 11 p.m.-1 a.m., $14. Anthem East Trailhead in Anthem Hills Park, 2256 Reunion Drive, Henderson, 702-267-5840

January JAN. 2

2016 New Year’s Spectacular A night of music and comedy hosted by Mike Epps and featuring Frankie Beverly and Maze, After 7 and SWV. 8 p.m., $34-plus. Orleans Arena, 702-284-7777

Liz LaMonica

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada In December 2006, a month after her eight-year-old daughter Luci was diagnosed with leukemia, someone started leaving treats on Liz LaMonica’s doorstep. “I’d get a knock on my door, like a doorbell ditch, and there would be gifts for all three of my children,” she says of the presents ranging from $50 Target gift cards to Lifesaver storybooks. Finally, on the eighth night, LaMonica threw open her door to discover Melissa Cipriano, the executive director for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

“It’s just a nice thing to do for a family whose kid was diagnosed with cancer,” says LaMonica of Candlelighters’ 12 Days of Cheer program.

It was this thoughtfulness that warmed LaMonica to the organization that would become so important to her family. The LaMonicas were fortunate not to need financial assistance during these difficult years, but they did appreciate Candlelighters’ family counseling services. And when Luci was discovered to be allergic to her chemotherapy, Candlelighters helped them get another chemo treatment otherwise difficult to come by, delivered from France and only available in California.

When Luci completed her treatment in 2009, LaMonica joined Candlelighters as the executive committee’s secretary. A physical fitness expert who’s taught and trained in the valley for more than 20 years, LaMonica has strong ties to the community.

This, she believes, is why she was approached to join the board.

But today, LaMonica does more than take minutes and campaign for the cause. In fact, her professional expertise has come to play an instrumental role in the charity’s fundraising efforts: Each year, she dedicates herself to training a team of Runners for Candlelighters Kids to run the Summerlin Half-Marathon. It works like this: Each participant pledges to raise $1,000 and LaMonica trains them from January to April, all the way to 13 miles. “Lots of people have never run a half-marathon and don’t think it’s possible,” she says, “But they totally do it! And they end up loving Candlelighters!”

Last year, LaMonica’s runners raised $40,000 for her favorite cause — a good chunk of change to help support local families of young cancer patients. CC

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and preparing clothing donations; fill diaper bags with receiving blankets, bottles, toiletries and any other vital equipment for distribution Volunteer: 702-485-2229, babysbounty.org

Best Buddies Nevada

Bringing joy to the world by assisting others may be the best gift you can give yourself

by CARLA J. ZVOSEC

Adult Day Care Centers of Las Vegas and Henderson Provides support to senior citizens and their caregivers by a team of professionals that helps families avoid or postpone nursing-home admission by bridging the gap between home and nursing-home care.

Needs: Visit and assist clients; provide entertainment, event planning, fundraising, construction, facilities or other support services; lead a class or serve on a committee Volunteer: 702-648-3425, adultdaycarelv.org

Aid for AIDS of Nevada Provides medical case management, medical

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transportation, education and prevention, housing and nutritional services for adults and children living with and affected

by HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

Needs: Seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys and games for children up to age 15 for annual toy drive; assist with gift-wrapping and annual Kids’ Holiday Party benefitting children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS Volunteer: 702-382-2326, afanlv.org

Baby’s Bounty Provides new and gently used infant clothing and gear to babies born to victims of domestic abuse, teen mothers and low-income families.

Needs: Help with collecting, sorting, cleaning

Creates opportunities for friendships through socialization programs; job coaching; and tools in leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Needs: Individuals in corporate and civic communities, colleges, high schools and middle schools willing to befriend a Best Buddies participant or become an email pen pal to a Best Buddies participant Volunteer: 702-822-2268, bestbuddiesnevada.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada A mentoring network that provides children facing adversity with enduring, professionally supported, positive relationships that have a direct effect on their lives.

Needs: Volunteers interested in helping to shape a child’s future by enjoying fun activities together, such as playing sports, hiking, reading, etc.

Volunteer: 702-7312227, bbbsn.org

Blind Center of Nevada Assists the blind and visually impaired by focusing on personal development, social in-

teraction and meaningful employment.

Needs: Helping to greet members, serve lunch, shop, assist with various daily programs and activities such as ceramics, music, keyboarding and more; help make edible goodies for holiday gift baskets sold to raise funds to support center’s programs and services; prep and wrap baskets for shipping Volunteer: 702-6426000, blindcenter.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas Helps boost a child’s self-esteem Needs: Creating food baskets; wrapping toys; decorating for holiday celebrations; hanging with the kids as they make holiday crafts to take home Volunteer: 702-253-2801, bgclv.org

Child Haven A safe, nurturing childcare center for abused and neglected children with a goal of empowering families to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and create lifelong loving relationships.

Needs: Classroom volunteers; participants for group projects, such as Brighter Birthday and Giving Tree programs; event volunteers; spreading awareness Volunteer: 702-455-6536

Clark County READS An initiative of the Public Education Foundation, Clark County READS offers literacy programs to children and families.

Help of Southern Nevada

AFAN toy donation

Needs: Tutor struggling students in reading; help with general clerical work; pick up and deliver books Volunteer: 702-799-1042, thepef.org

Goodie Two Shoes Foundation Provides disadvantaged children and children in crisis with new shoes and socks, as well as other essential items for good health and positive development.

Needs: Assist with two or three distribution events per month during the school year; help participating children select a properly fitted pair of shoes; complete distribution process; assist with packing of backpacks, lunch, etc.

Volunteer: 702-617-4027, goodietwoshoes.org

Helping Hands of Vegas Valley Develops, coordinates and delivers home-based supportive and assistive services to frail elderly residents.

Needs: Basic administrative help, making phone calls to seniors, driving, food pantry assistance, food delivery, packing goodie and grocery bags,

pet food distribution; intake coordinator assistance Volunteer: 702-633-7264 x 30, hhovv.org

Help of Southern Nevada Assists more than 1,200 families to receive a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and more than 19,000 children in need to receive holiday gifts through its three signature programs: Adopt-A-Family, TurkeyA-Thon and Toy Drive/ Holiday Assistance.

Needs: Adopt a family for the holidays in order to provide toy donations or donations of turkey and food/nonperishables Volunteer: 702-369-4357, helpsonv.org

Jewish Family Service Agency Supports people of all backgrounds by providing professional social services, including counseling, senior services, adoptions and emergency assistance.

Needs: Daily administrative tasks, food panty help, driving seniors, assistance with events and fundraisers held throughout the year Volunteer: 702-7940304, jfsalv.org

Las Vegas Rescue Mission Provides children with Christmas gifts, as well as food and other essentials.

Needs: Aid with special events, serve meals, seek donations and collect items to distribute to those in need, drive residents to church, assist with chapel service, sort nonperishable items, gift-wrapping Volunteer: 702-382-1766, vegasrescue.org

Lutheran Social Services of Nevada Provides professional social services to people of all backgrounds, including counseling, senior services, adoptions and emergency assistance.

Needs: Help with assembling and distributing Thanksgiving dinners to seniors and families in need; Christmas Adopt-A-Family program; purchasing gift items from a supplied wish list; organizing and distributing the gifts; emergency services food pantry; office tasks, including answering phones, determining client eligibility for services, entering cli-

ent information into the record-keeping system and general duties such as data entry, bookkeeping, filing, copying, etc.; cleaning of the pantry and offices; performing of maintenance at housing units and keeping the grounds clean; assembling and delivering baskets for holiday food drives; and fundraising efforts in support of numerous programs Volunteer: 702-639-1730 ext. 510, lssnv.org

Marine Toys 4 Tots Collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children.

Needs: Toy donations; help with the transportation and storage of donated toys; warehouse assistance; help with meals and more Volunteer: 702-632-1507, las-vegas-nv.toysfortots. org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-contact-us.aspx

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Provides youth services, including street outreach, 24-hour crisis intervention,

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KICKSTART MY HEART The passion and purpose of Southern Nevada volunteers

‘One positive constant adult in their corner’ Verise Campbell Cl ark Count y

Court Appointed Special Advocate program

In her earliest years, in her home state of New Jersey, Verise Campbell lived with a loving family in a nurturing home.

Then, when she was eight, her mother — or the woman she had believed to be her mother — delivered her to a second family where she was told she would need to stay. It turns out that the woman who had raised Campbell from infancy was actually her godmother. She was being forced to return young Verise to her biological family — where she would live out the remainder of her youth the victim of every kind of abuse.

“I’m like, ‘Mom, where are you going?’ It was the worst day of my life,” says Campbell.

Campbell survived her abusive childhood and went on to thrive as an adult. Today, she is the loving mother of three grown children. She also has a successful career as the deputy director of the State of Nevada’s Foreclosure Mediation Program. She credits the positive turn of her life to those formative early years and the influence of her first mother figure.

That’s the type of inspiration Campbell strives to be for her kids in the Clark County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) . “Growing up in that type of environment, I knew I needed to make a difference for other children,” she says.

For 10 years, Campbell’s been a volunteer with CASA, working with abused and neglected children in foster care and representing them in court. But more than this, Campbell is committed to the relationships she has with these kids.

“They’re moved around in the foster care system. Placements change. Caseworkers change. Everybody changes. But, I’ve been there and I’ll still be there, one positive constant adult who is in their corner, as they’re growing up,” she says.

“You can’t fathom living in five, six, seven, 12, 14 different placements. In a matter of three, four, five years. You can’t imagine not having a bed to call your own. That’s the reality for these kids,” she explains. “And we have too many kids in the foster care system who don’t have CASAs, so we need more volunteers.” But besides advocacy, Campbell tries to give them something even more fundamental: validation. “They need to know: ‘You’re still worthy. It wasn’t your fault.’ Because for many years, I thought everything had to be my fault.” CC

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full-time drop-in center and independent-living program.

Needs: Provide food, clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, available services information and other needed items in targeted, at-risk neighborhoods; bring supplies and assemble sack lunches for distribution; host a barbecue for homeless youth at the Drop-In Center; participate in monthly baking contest by preparing and decorating cookies, cupcakes and other confections; creating hygiene kits; answering phones and other clerical tasks; food pantry help; restocking of clothing closet; housing improvements including assembling bunk beds, painting, property maintenance, organizing, restoration projects and more Volunteer: 702-383-1332, nphy.org

Opportunity Village Serves people with severe intellectual and related disabilities by providing vocational training, community employment, day services, advocacy, arts and social recreation to help them seek inde-

pendence.

Needs: Work with men and women with intellectual disabilities; assist with various events, including Magical Forest, which requires 70-90 nightly volunteers, such as ticket-takers, food and beverage servers, forest greeters, elves, train conductor and more Volunteer: 702-259-3741, opportunityvillage.org

The Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas Provide lodging, transportation and support to families while their children receive medical treatment.

Needs: Help with cleaning and organizing of house, family transportation, office work, building and grounds maintenance, hospital lunch program, dinner program, weekend breakfast program and clean up, special events, professional services and Wish List drives; driving of shuttle van and lunch program delivery Volunteer: 702-252-4663, rmhlv.com

The Salvation Army Offers adult rehabilitation, emergency disaster, family, homeless, human-trafficking victim and veteran services, as well as vocational, prayer requests, summer camp and youth club programs.

Needs: Assistance with sorting and wrapping of donated Christmas gifts; unpacking, sorting, storing and bagging of

food pantry donations; wallpapering, painting and cleaning kitchen; painting common areas, halls, lobby and bathrooms; sorting, organizing and packing donated items; building of shelving, wooden racks and wood bins for storage; organization of two clothing rooms; visiting senior care centers; serving food, passing out cups and utensils; cleaning up at community homeless meals Volunteer: 702-8704430, salvationarmysouthernnevada.org

The Shade Tree Provides a safe shelter for homeless and abused women and children in crisis, and offers life-changing services promoting stability, dignity and self-reliance.

Needs: Help preparing and serving daily meals; organizing the pantry; assist in clinic; tutoring; teach life skills classes; organizing arts and craft projects; sorting donated items; providing transportation to appointments; cleaning, painting and yard work; assisting with special events.

Volunteer: 702-385-0072, theshadetree.org

Three Square

Spread the Word Nevada Advances early childhood literacy by giving books to children in at-risk, low-income communities.

Needs: Cleaning books; Books and Buddies mentors; reading companion and “model� providing individualized attention; help with Breakfast with Books event setup, sign-in and distribution of snacks and books; assisting with storytelling; lending a hand at one of many community events.

Volunteer: 702-564-7809, spreadthewordnevada.org

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Works with abused, neglected and at-risk children, young adults and families through residential foster care; pregnant and parenting teen; transitional living, housing and services for homeless 18-25 year-olds; child-focused sibling preservation; emergency placement; and child-nutrition programs.

Needs: Donations of holiday decorations, such as light-up figurines, prelit trees, garland; volunteers with tools to hang lights

and decorate the outdoors of the ranch for Christmas on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.

Volunteer: 702-294-7152, stjudesranch.org

Three Square The Backpack for Kids program provides Clark County schoolchildren in need with bags of nourishing food for after school, weekends, during the holidays and school breaks.

Needs: Volunteers ages 10-plus to pack kid-friendly food into bags; stock food shelves; prepare bags for placement into school bins Volunteer: 702-6443663, threesquare.org

VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System To help provide for the comfort and well-being of veteran patients and make their hospital stays more enjoyable.

Needs: Help with transportation of patients to and from medical appointments; dispatching of transportation; information desk; filing, answering

phones, greeting and directing patients; making appointment reminder calls to patients Volunteer: 702-791-9134, lasvegas.va.gov/giving

YMCA Provides personal and social change through Christian principles and opportunities to learn, grow and thrive side-byside, regardless of age, income or background.

Needs: Assistance with sorting and wrapping of toy donations; setting up the facility for its annual Reindeer Rock event and distributing toys at the event; raising funds; coaching sports teams and teaching classes; motivating youth to build skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and higher education; helping adults who want to do more and live healthier Volunteer: Las Vegas: Centennial Hills, 702478-9622, Durango Hills, 702-240-9622, Bill and Lillie Heinrich, 702-8779622; North Las Vegas: SkyView, 702-522-7500, ymca.net

Opportunity Village

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5

e k ta your Arts+Entertainment calendar for november

5 Ali/Nanda Blackbird Studios

You read their compelling backstory — refugees from Iran, chased out by the regime’s restrictive attitudes toward art — in the June Desert Companion.

Now see the artwork the mullahs don’t approve of. Opening reception 6p, November 6, free, blackbirdstudios.com

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Las Vegas Vegas PhilharValley Comic Book monic Festival The Smith Center

Clark County Library

A flat-out must-attend for every comic-book nerd and pop-culture enthusiast, There’ll be big-name guests such as Matt Wagner, Jen Van Meter, Carla Speed McNeil, Shannon Watters, as well as panel talks, workshops, vendors, live music and a movie screening. 9:30a-4:30p, free, lvccld.org

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The philharmonic goes for the Finnish line with an evening largely devoted to composer Jean Sibelius — his Symphony No. 1 has been called “vibrant” and “charged.” But a local note will be hit with the premiere of “Desert Flight,” a composition by the LV Phil’s principal tromboner Nathan Tanuouye.

7:30p, $26-$96, thesmithcenter.com

Public Image Ltd. Brooklyn Bowl

13 Simply Ella The Smith Center

The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre celebrates Ella Fitzgerald with a suite of dances that include a number by Alvin Ailey.

Also: live music by Clint Holmes and Reva Rice.

7:30p, $35$125, lvdance.org

As long as even an ounce of bile gurgles in John Lydon’s spleen, punk will be alive.

8p, $30-$50, brooklynbowl.com

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THE GUIDE ART

WIN, LOSE OR HAVE FUN! THROUGH 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. 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

FIRED THROUGH NOV. 25; ARTIST RECEPTION NOV. 6, 5P A group exhibit of kiln-fired ceramic and related artwork by artists Mark Burns, Jeff Fulmer, Amy Kline, Robin Stark and Larry Williamson, celebrating a quarter century of ceramics at the college. Free.

Artspace Gallery at CSN, csn.edu

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

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HOT, DRY AND INKED: TATTOO ART EXHIBIT THROUGH JAN. 10, 10A-6P In this exhibit of tattoo art and objects, Las Vegas tattooers explore how the Mojave Desert influences the art they create on living and non-living canvases alike. Do you have a Mojave Desert or Las Vegas-inspired tattoo? Be part of the experience and enter to win prizes. Free with general admission. Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org

STYLE MODERNE THROUGH JAN. 22 This exhibition presents a rich selection of glass objects from the Barrick Museum’s Art Glass Collection. Free. Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV, unlv.edu

KVECK, RUSS & STELLMON: BREAK UPS & TEAR DOWNS THROUGH JAN. 23 These three Las Vegas artists offer unique bodies of work that spring from a common practice of breaking down their subject, then reorganizing and reordering the pieces. The results, whether paintings, collages, photographs or constructions, are stunning and thoughtful revisualizations of contemporary themes. Free. Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV, unlv.edu

ART & WINE: A PERFECT PAIRING NOV. 11, 5-7P Wines from Bellagio’s cellar are paired with artwork featured in the gallery’s current human-figure focused exhibition, “Picasso: Creatures and Creativity.” Jason Smith, Bellagio’s director of wine and Master Sommelier, blends his expertise with the knowledge of Tarissa Tiberti, BGFA’s executive director, taking guests on a stepby-step journey through the famed artist’s thought progression and creative process. 21+. $34 for BGFA

members; $42 for non-members.

702-693-7871 or bellagio.com

WHEN THE NIGHT COMES NOV. 11-DEC. 6 Mikayla Whitmore’s project is based on the complexities of memory and how it degenerates over time. She encourages guests to piece together their memories from personal photos they will print inside the studio by using a layering process with multiple images. Each guest keeps their created memento. Free.

P3 Studio at The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

MUSIC

INTERNATIONAL STEINWAY ARTIST DANNY WRIGHT IN CONCERT NOV. 1, 3P This internationally renowned concert pianist, composer and producer leads a stunning concert accompanied by violinist Rahmaan Phillips and featuring international recording artist Lisa Gay. $20.

Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com

THOMAS STRAUSS NOV. 1, 7:30P German organist Strauss has won many competitions and performed organ recitals around the world.

He will be joined by trumpeters Steven Trinkle, Bruce Barrie and Gary Malvern, and timpanist Genie Burkett. Free. Doc Rando Recital Hall at UNLV, sncago.org

UNLV JAZZ ENSEMBLES 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

• •TWO HOLIDAY TRADITIONS, • ONE FESTIVE OFFER. • •

The Las Vegas Philharmonic’s

THE SNOWMAN THE NUTCRACKER

$150*

FOR BOTH

•

•

Nevada Ballet Theatre’s

Main floor seating • Use code FESTIVE when ordering

•

•

•

• THE SNOWMAN

• •

THE NUTCRACKER

A Children’s Classic Holiday Film Live Orchestra The UNLV Master Singers Audience Sing-along to Seasonal Favorites PERFORMANCES Saturday, DEC 5, 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sunday, DEC 6, 2:00pm

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE SMITH CENTER BOX OFFICE AT 702.749.2000

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•

A Beloved Holiday Tradition Live Orchestra Clara and her Nutcracker Prince Dance Into a Wonderland of Moonlit Snow and Waltzing Flowers PERFORMANCES Saturday, DEC 12, 7:30pm Sunday, DEC 13, 1:00pm & 5:30pm Friday, DEC 18, 7:30pm Saturday, DEC 19, 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sunday, DEC 20, 1:00pm & 5:30pm

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Nutcracker photo by Virginia Trudeau • © Snowman Enterprises Limited “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs is published by Puffin • Image © Snowman Enterprises Ltd • www.thesnowman.com *For The Nutcracker, valid on C Level seating only (regularly $89), limit 6 tickets per customer. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets.

Subject to availability. Taxes and fees may apply. Other restrictions may apply. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges. Management reserves all rights.

THE COMPOSERS SHOWCASE OF LAS VEGAS NOV. 4, 10:30P Jersey Boys conductor Keith Thompson hosts this monthly musical showcase that features original music from some of Las Vegas’ best composers and songwriters, performed by some of the best performers and musicians from the Vegas entertainment and theatrical communities. $20-$25.

Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

CLINT HOLMES AND EARL TURNER: THE TWO OF US NOV. 6-7, 8:30P; NOV. 8, 2P Two iconic Las Vegas entertainers join forces for an unforgettable evening of duets. Featuring a special tribute to the music of Bill Withers with classic songs like

“Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Just the Two of Us” and more. $37-$46. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

LAS VEGAS BRASS BAND IN CONCERT: A SALUTE TO THE ARMED FORCES NOV. 8, 2P Founded in 1994, the Las Vegas Brass Band is a traditional Britishstyle ensemble made up of talented professional and amateur musicians from southern Nevada. Selections will include favorite patriotic and significant pieces from throughout the band’s history. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

musical journey spanning numerous genres including pop, standards, oldies, rock ’n’ roll and even opera.

Veterans are highly encouraged to attend, as a portion of the performance will include some of our country’s greatest anthems. $15. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com

SOUL MEN & LADY SOUL NOV. 14, 7P; NOV. 15, 3P Vocal quartet Spectrum and their sister-group Radiance perform together in their tribute to Motown and R&B music. $37-$40.

Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

JOSH KEATING: LIVE IN CONCERT

LEGENDARY LADIES OF BROADWAY

NOV. 11, 7P Keating and his ten-piece live band will take you on a high-energy

NOV. 15, 3P Catch an evening of well-loved hits featuring the vocal stylings of Ashley Fuller, Anne Martinez, Robin Vincent and Zipporah Peddle, who will pay tribute to the greatest leading ladies in Broadway history. $20. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com

THE SKIVVIES NOV. 20-21, 7P Award-winning NYC actors and musicians literally strip down to their underwear while doing musically stripped-down versions of eclectic covers and comedic, genre-hopping mashups. $39-$45.

Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

DEM BOYS FROM CHICAGO NOV. 21, 7P Shelley Fisher is an American entertainer, songwriter, and actor, as well as an author, educator, and social activist. He’ll spend the night celebrating the greats such as Nat “King” Cole, Lou Rawls, Willie Dixon and Sam Cooke. $15. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com

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“SINATRA: BEHIND THE SCENES” FEATURING FRANK LASPINA AND VINCENT FALCONE NOV. 22, 2P Based on conductor Vincent Falcone’s book, Frankly, Just Between Us: My Life Conducting Frank Sinatra’s Music, this event is a must-see for the Sinatra Centennial Celebration. $25.

Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

PONCHO SANCHEZ LATIN JAZZ BAND NOV. 27, 7P; NOV. 28, 6P & 8:30P Acclaimed Latin Jazz percussionist Sanchez brings his award-winning sound and showmanship. $37-$59.

Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

THE SNOWMAN DEC. 5, 2P AND 7:30P; DEC. 6, 2P The Las Vegas Philharmonic’s traditional holiday gathering launches the city’s festive season with a family-friendly, fun-filled concert, which features a special screening of the film The Snowman based on the beloved children’s book accompanied by the orchestra performing the beautiful score. $26$96. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

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

DANCE

A BALANCHINE CELEBRATION: FROM TCHAIKOVSKY TO RODGERS & HART TO GERSHWIN NOV. 7, 7:30P; NOV. 8, 2P A celebration of the ballet master and some of the greatest music ever composed. Featuring “Serenade,” “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” and “Who Cares?” $29-$139.

Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

1300 WeSt SuNSet RoaD

HeNDeRSoN, NV 89014

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SIMPLY ELLA

NOV. 13, 7:30P The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater wraps up its 2015 season with a very special performance celebrating the music and life of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald and the incomparable Duke Ellington. $35$125. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

CHAMPION HOOP DANCER DERRICK SWAIMA DAVIS NOV. 17-19 Davis creates intricate patterns and conveys the Hopi story of creation through his hoops while keeping time with the singing and drumming of the musicians behind him. Part of Native American Heritage Month. Free. Nov. 17, 10:30a at the Windmill Library; Nov. 17, 6:30p at the Sahara West Library; Nov. 19, 10:30a, Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

A CELTIC THANKSGIVING

NOV. 21, 3:30P A fun and lively show featuring the Desert Skye Las Vegas Pipe Band, Sharon Lynn’s Celtic Crown Academy of Irish Dance, the Las Vegas Highland Dance Association, and world champion piper Jack Lee! Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

THEATER

IMPROV KINGDOM

EVERY MON 8P The Las Vegas comedy show featuring both short- and long-form improv from some of the valley’s most experienced improv actors.

Wine and concessions available.

Come at 6p for drop-in class with Paul Mattingly. $10 show, $15 for both drop-in and show. Baobab Stage Theatre, 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S., baobabstage.com

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THE SPOT

EVERY WED 8P You never know who you’ll see, but you know you will always enjoy some great long- and shortform improv. Come at 6:30p for a donation-suggested drop-in class focusing on musical comedy, stay for the fun and games. $10. The Sci-Fi Center, 5077 S. Arville St., greyenvelope.com

THE GET

EVERY FRI 9:30P Sketches, standup and improv – oh, my! All things comedy and unexpected happen every week in this variety show. Talent from all over the valley pools here, so come prepared to laugh. $10. Onyx Theatre, onyxtheatre.com

CASA VALENTINA

NOV. 1-8, SUN 2P; THU-SAT 8P Nestled in the 1960s Catskills, an inconspicuous bungalow colony catered to heterosexual men who delighted in dressing and acting as women. These white-collar professionals would discreetly escape their families to spend their weekends safely inhabiting their chosen female alter-egos. $21-$24.

Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org

RAGTIME, THE MUSICAL

NOV. 1, 2P & 7:30P Set in turn-of-the-20th-century New York, the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold.

All three are united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Based on the classic novel by E.L. Doctorow. $29-$129. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

VIOLET

NOV. 1, 3P & 8P 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

THE ADDING MACHINE

NOV. 6-15, THU-SAT 7P; SUN 2P After 25 years on the job, Mr. Zero, an accountant at a large faceless company, discovers that an adding machine will replace him. $12 adults, $10 students and seniors.

Backstage Theatre at CSN, csn.edu

YELLOW FACE

NOV. 6-22, THU-SAT 8P; SUN 2P The lines between truth and fiction blur with hilarious and moving results in David Henry Hwang’s biting memoir. $15 adults, $14 seniors and students. Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org

GROUNDED

NOV. 19-DEC. 13, THU-SAT 8P; SUN 2P An unexpected pregnancy ends an ace fighter pilot’s career in the sky. Reassigned to operate military drones from a windowless trailer outside Las Vegas, she hunts terrorists by day and returns to her family each night. As the pressure to track a high-profile target mounts, the boundaries begin to blur between the desert in which she lives and the one she patrols half a world away. $16-$20. Cockroach Theatre, cockroachtheatre.com

‘TWAS A GIRLS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: THE MUSICAL

NOV. 24-28, 7P; NOV. 28, 2P The new Christmas sequel to GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL will feature five ladies gathering for a night on the town to laugh, cry, gossip and just let their hair down during the craziest of times. This musical is guaranteed to resonate with anyone who has survived the holiday season. $35-$43. Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

Channel 10

ELF: THE MUSICAL

NOV. 24-28, 7:30P; NOV. 27-28, 2P Based on the hit 2003 film, this tells the story of Buddy, a child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. As an adult human who still believes he is an elf, he goes to New York City and reminds people there of the true meaning of Christmas. $29-$129.

Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

LECTURES, SPEAKERS AND PANELS

THE ROLE OF THE CANINE IN HUMAN EVOLUTION

NOVA: Making North America Wednesdays, November 4 – 18 at 9 p.m.

NOV. 2, 11:30A Luke Delezene of the University of Arkansas will speak as part of the Department of Anthropology’s Colloquium Series. Free. Frank and Estella Beam Hall at UNLV, unlv.edu

GREENSPUN COLLEGE OF URBAN AFFAIRS SCHOLAR SERIES: DR. JOSEPHINE SCHAFER

NOV. 4, 1P UNLV Alumna Dr. Schafer will give a talk entitled, “Biases in Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: The Case of Environmental Planning in Southern Nevada.” Free. Greenspun Hall Auditorium at UNLV, unlv.edu

FRONTLINE: Supplements and Safety

The Brain with David Eagleman

Tuesday, November 10 at 10 p.m.

Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

November 4 — 18

Eddie Murphy: The Mark Twain Prize

Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Concert

Monday, November 23 at 9 p.m.

Thursday, November 26 at 8 p.m.

POP STARS, SUITS AND FISH GUTS

NOV. 4, 7P Jessica Brody speaks about her path to becoming an author, which was filled with many wrong turns, setbacks and unexpected pit stops along the way. In her humorous and poignant presentation, Brody makes light of her life’s disappointments and challenges as she proves that sometimes good things come in not-so-good packages and opportunities are often hiding in plain sight. Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

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THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF KIRK KERKORIAN, FATHER OF THE LAS VEGAS MEGARESORT NOV. 5, 7P Writer and director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research, David Schwartz, discusses the life of Kerkorian – the son of poor Armenian immigrants who used his gambler’s instincts to become a multibillionaire Las Vegas casino tycoon, Hollywood mogul, airline owner and auto industry investor.

Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

VISITING ARTIST LECTURE SERIES: ROBERT IRWIN NOV. 5, 7P Irwin’s lecture will focus on his creation, “The Central Garden,” that is currently at the Getty Museum.

Free. Marjorie Barrick Museum Auditorium at UNLV, unlv.edu

INVENTION OF FLYING NOV. 7, 10:30A Geary Keilman explores the lives and accomplishments of the Wright Brothers in the context of their time period. Learn how two smalltown businessmen invented the technology that would define the 20th century. Free. Centennial Hills Library, lvccld.org

AN EVENING WITH THE WHEEL OF TIME COMPANIONS NOV. 9, 7P Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, Marie Simons and Jason Denzel shine light on some of the most intriguing aspects of the iconic made-up world and give you peek at the new world created in Denzel’s Mystic. A book signing will follow the talk. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

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THOMAS DEWEY AND THE TRIAL THAT BROUGHT DOWN LUCKY LUCIANO

children under 5 are free. Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org

NOV. 10, 7P Spend an evening with Joseph Greaves as he discusses his novel, Tom & Lucky (and George & Cokey Flo), based on the real-life 1936 vice trial that ended the criminal reign of notorious mobster Lucky Luciano. Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the talk. Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

8TH ANNUAL VEGAS VALLEY COMICS BOOK FESTIVAL

LAURA MCBRIDE

SANTA’S ARRIVAL

NOV. 14, 10A McBride, Las Vegas author and English professor at the College of Southern Nevada, will speak about her debut book, We Are Called to Rise, and she will sign copies after the program. Free. Paseo Verde Library, mypubliclibrary.com

NOV. 20, 7P Santa will arrive with the holiday parade and stick around for photo ops. Free. Downtown Summerlin near the Pavilion, downtownsummerlin.com

AN AFTERNOON WITH ROGER DEBLANCK NOV. 22, 2:30P Librarian and author Roger DeBlanck will discuss his novels, The Ramos Brothers Trust Castro and Kennedy and The Sky Buries All Sorrow. He will share how poetry prepared him for writing prose and his approach to literary fiction in the preface of his book of poetry, Empire of the Mind. A book sale and signing will follow the presentation. Free. Sahara West Library, lvccld.org

NOV. 7, 9:30A-4:30P A day chock-full of activities celebrating comic book culture, including panel discussions and workshops, a vendor marketplace, Artist Alley, kids’ crafts, live music, documentary film screening and much more. Free. Clark County Library, lvccld.org

FUNDRAISERS

WOMEN’S CLUB OF SUMMERLIN 20TH ANNUAL CHARITY EVENT NOV. 7, 11A This year’s gala features a plated luncheon, raffles, silent auction, local celebrities and entertainment including the Australian Bee Gees.

Honor the past and embrace the future while raising money for Nevada Children’s Center. $80, $750 table of ten. JW Marriott Resort & Spa, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., womensclubofsummerlin.org

STROLL & TOAST FAMILY & FESTIVALS

DÍA DE MUERTOS NOV. 6-8, 4-9P This family-friendly event blends rich customs with exciting activities such as live theater and dance performances, altars, mariachis, face painting, sugar-skull decorating and an art exhibition. $9 adults, $6 children ages 5-12,

NOV. 7, 5-7P (EARLY CHECK-IN 4:15P) Enjoy an evening of wine and beer tasting, food sampling and music all benefitting Light of the World Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc. 21+. $30-$40.

The District at Green Valley Ranch, shopthedistrictgvr.com

MYSTERY SOLVED 20TH ANNUAL SERENADES OF LIFE – DOCTORS IN CONCERT NOV. 10, 6:30P Featuring a wide range of musical talent from local physicians and benefitting Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program, this year’s headliners are Kenny Loggins and Brad Garrett. $39-$179. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

FOOD IS ART NOV. 14, 7-10P As you travel through the Springs Preserve, you will encounter a tasting from each course created by a top chef while enjoying mixology bars and wine pairings from famous sommeliers and mixologists. The evening will commence with a concert in the outdoor amphitheater.

Proceeds benefit the ALS Association Nevada Chapter. $76, $141 couples, $125 VIP includes early entry and special reception. Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org

Yes, there absolutely is an afterlife.

In a previous life, they were the world’s brightest lights ablaze above the world’s most dazzling city.

Now, they lie unplugged, fading in the boneyard.

And, boy, do they have stories to tell.

Book your tour and take a walk through history.

Literally.

BOOK A TOUR

NeonMuseum.org

GOD LIVES IN GLASS – A THEATRICAL MUSICAL BENEFIT CONCERT NOV. 15, 3P Some of Las Vegas’ finest entertainers come together for one performance only to benefit The Smith Center’s education and outreach programs. Featuring a funny, powerful, emotionally uplifting and original score with multiple musical styles inspired by the drawings and stories of children from all over the world. The show is great for the whole family. $19-$79. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

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END NOTE satire

Voices from the past!

Millions of years of Nevada history rendered as a series of improbable conversations B y A n d r e w K i r a ly & s c o t t d i c k e n s h e e t s

ture: And that was when $49 million was a lot of money! *rim shot* Nevada: Great! Now, what if we legalize stuff other places outlaw? Moneymakers like easy divorce and gambling!

Gov. Fred Balzer (grabbing law-signing pen): Let’s do this!

Some guys just in from Chicago: Well, well, what do we have here …

The mob era

1941-1963 Mobster: Guys, guys! Check out this genius new method of funding ourselves!

We take the house winnings into this special back room before we put it in the ledger and steal a chunk of it from ourselves for ourselves, sort of! *Catches on for, like, 20 years* Ancient seas cover Nevada

Nevada statehood

Prehistory Cambrian Era: Hey, let’s fill this joint with water! Invite some Paleozoic invertebrates and party like it’s 543 million years B.C.! *Puts “Surfin’ USA” on turntable* Devonian Era: Pool party! I’ll bring the plankton. Oh, damn — who invited the freshwater mollusks?

Carboniferous Era: Do I always have to be the sensible one? Let’s start draining this mess before it gets out of hand.

Mesozoic Era: Don’t pull the plug yet — I brought ichthyosaurs!

Cenozoic Era: Time’s up, suckas! I’m dropping some basin-and-range geology on ya! And mammals, too. Pool time’s over!

Oct. 31, 1864 Abe Lincoln: Oh, ninnyfiddles! I’m up against two other candidates for president and the election’s just around the corner!

I need to pass the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and rebuild the South!

Nevada: Grant us statehood! We’ll give you three congressmen to support your cause!

Abe: Verily, it is done! *Waves magic statehood wand*

Mormon settlement of Las Vegas

1855-57 William Bringhurst: Water … trader route … this looks like a godly spot. Let’s build a 150-square-foot adobe fort here!

His 29 followers: That’s five square feet apiece! Yay! Random settler: The elders sure seem to squabble a lot. Bet you $5 this settlement don’t last two years.

Bringhurst: Maybe, but 160 years from now our fort will get great Yelp reviews!

His 29 followers: Yay!

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City-founding land auction

May 15, 1905 Montana Sen. William Clark: *pauses swimming in jacuzzi filled with gold* I’m rich! I run banks, own mines, newspapers and railroads! But know what I want? AN ENTIRE CITY! I know! I’ll auction off the land where my railroad stops in Las Vegas and see if those suckers are dumb enough to buy parcels! Clark County ... I like the sound of that! *resumes swimming in gold-filled jacuzzi* Hoover Dam approved, gambling legalized, divorce laws loosened

March 1931 Nevada: This Great Depression sucks.

U.S. government: We’ll throw in a $49 million dam. That should help.

Shecky Green, dialing in from the fu-

Dunes implosion

October 27, 1993 Dunes: Hey! Why are so many people crowded around? And TV cameras! Wait — a party?! For me?! Aww, you guys, you shouldn’t have, this feels so wonder— The Foreclosure Crisis

2008-2012 The economy: Unhh, I shouldn’t have eaten those collateralized debt obligations …

Wall Street: Heh-heh …

Beleaguered homeowners: So, about my mortgage — Banks: Get out.

Beleaguered homeowners: But where will we — Banks: Don’t let the screen door hit ya where Wall Street just split ya!

Justice Department: We’re going to issue some stern rhetoric …

Wall Street: We’re so very sorry!

Justice Department: … and assess serious fines …

Wall Street: *Tinkle of pocket change* Justice Department: … but not put anyone in jail.

Wall Street: Heh-heh *Sound of huge bonuses slipping into wallets* The economy: Hey, they’re too big to fail. (Shrugs) What’re you gonna do?

Beleaguered homeowners: Maybe we can get a room at Budget Suites.

Because of you, we never received a bill.

©2015 ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (22433)

Chloe | at age 1 brain cancer

Because of you, families never receive a bill from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for treatment, travel, housing or food. Because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

For More Information, contact: allison.loftus@stjude.org 702.341.2900 | stjude.org This Ad Proudly Sponsored by:

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