DAVID

d a v i d l v. c o m APRIL|MAY 2022

Take a

Hike

Strap On Your Boots the Great Outdoors is Waiting

Joshua Roman

Fermented Things

No Current Plans

School Bus to the Arts

The Largest Medical School and Physician Assistant Program in Nevada • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine • Doctor of Physical Therapy • Doctor of Nursing Practice • Doctor of Education · Education Administration and Leadership • Occupational Therapy Doctorate • Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies • Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences

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APRIL|MAY 2022

Pulse

Live

12

Explore The month’s event listings to help plan your day or your stay.

26 Know Cellist Joshua Roman, artist in residence at the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

17

Devour Where to find some of the best eats, drinks, and foodie happenings in the Valley.

30 Sense Gary LaMorte meets the challenge of managing the Raiders’ players’ nutrition.

18

Desire Sin City abounds in worldclass shopping...these are a few of our favorite things.

20 Discover Places to go, cool things to do, hip people to see in the most exciting city in the world.

34 Taste Marissa Finetti & Kirk Peterson, of Deux Tell discuss the role fermentation plays in some of our favorite foods and beverages. .

34

Think

On the Cover A hiker in awe of a memorable sunset over the Mojave desert.

40 No Current Plans Jaq Greenspon and family live in Kaunus, Lithuania, close to the conflict in Ukraine. They are ready to flee the region if needed.

44 Take a Hike Strap on your hiking boots, the great outdoors is waiting. (Also included: 2022 pro hiking gear information) 52 School Bus to the Arts As the Smith Center turns 10 years old, we look at their education & outreach programs.

Copyright © 2022 by JewishINK LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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52

d a v i d l v. c o m

26

APRIL|MAY 2022

18

Take a

Hike

Strap On Your Boots the Great Outdoors is Waiting

Joshua Roman

1 Cover.indd 1

Fermented Things

No Current Plans

School Bus to the Arts

4/5/2022 10:00:00 AM

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Jaq Greenspon Zoë Friedland

Stacy D’Alessandro Marisa Finetti Aleza Freeman Jaq Greenspon Jason Harris Kirk Peterson Kelly Travis

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Contributors

STACY D’ALESSANDRO is a freelance writer who lives in Las Vegas with her family and two rescue dogs. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she moved to Las Vegas in 1992 and spent more than 25 years in the public relations industry. She is the author of the middle-grade fantasy/adventure series Journey to Zentobia.

KIRK PETERSON & MARISA FINETTI are an unlikely duo. He’s a native Nevadan, and she was born in Tokyo. Together the award-winning writing partners share things they hold dear to their hearts...and stomachs. You’ve seen his work in Vegas Seven and The Tasting Panel as well as guest appearances on FOX 5. She is a regular contributor at DAVID and numerous other publications, including Decanter. They have taken readers from Kombucha tastings to Michelin-starred restaurants to the Tortonian soils of Barolo. Visit them at kirkpetersonwine.com and marisafinetti.com.

ALEZA FREEMAN

is a freelance writer and editor with a background in journalism, web writing, copywriting, copy editing, page design and proofreading. Her work has appeared in publications including Haute Living, AARP, the Los Angeles Times, Nevada Magazine and Las Vegas Magazine.

JAQ GREENSPON is a father as well as a world traveling, dog loving, scuba diving, book collecting, writer currently residing somewhere in Eastern Europe. His words have been spoken by Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and Robin Hood, been read by David Copperfield, and criticized by his 7th grade English teacher. He’d like to thank the members of the Academy, although he doesn’t know why. In his spare time, he’s a university professor and a kick ass uncle.

JASON HARRIS writes for a number of publications and websites. He specializes in food, music, and comedy writing. He has worked in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry. He has sold multiple screenplays, written awards shows and had a tv show on ABC for a minute. He’s still broke. And he loves his daughter Scarlett the most.

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DF-CD-NP-Q421

From the Publisher

Max Friedland

It’s been a month or two, hasn’t it? We’re seeing an easing of restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and so I thought our cover (and accompanying story, see page 44) could encourage people to take in the great outdoors, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the sights! Myself, I got away by spending some time with my kids in New York City, wandering the high-rise canyons instead of the ones closer to home. I’ll get to those when I get back.

The nice thing about a trip to New York, though, is that it reminds me that the culture here in Las Vegas is right on par with some of the best the country has to offer. And that makes me proud to know that we’re a small part of that, by bringing it to you here in the pages of David.

For example, Alexa Freeman’s piece on Joshua Roman, the artist in residence at the Philharmonic (page 26), is enlightening as well as entertaining. You can almost hear the strains of his cello as you read the piece.

Along those same lines, writer Stacy D’Alessandro takes a close look at the Smith Center’s Education and Outreach Programs (page 52). It’s great to know that the Center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is giving back so much to the community.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town at Allegiant stadium, NFL fervor has definitely taken hold and our food writer, Jason Harris, was able to spend some time talking with Gary LaMorte (page 30).

LaMorte is the man who leads the team behind the team, the group of cooks and nutritionists who keep the Raiders in tip top shape.

As I said earlier, the concrete canyons of NYC are no match for the natural splendor scattered throughout our valley. Several wonderful trails and day hikes are described by Kelly Travis and illustrated by Bob Travis (page 44). These hikes range from easy, low impact walks to complex climbs only for the more experienced hikers. You can easily see which is which by noting the number of hiker silhouettes (from 1-4) at the bottom of each description. As we’re entering into the season, though, we want you to be fully prepared, so we’ve also included a number of the season’s must haves in new gear.

Once again, we’re pleased to welcome back our resident experts, Kirk Peterson and Marisa Finetti, this time in conversation about the benefits of fermentation (page 34). It’s like being a fly on the wall as they talk about everything from chocolate to eating fermented shark (yes, really!).

Of course, there are traumatic and devastating things happening in Europe, atrocities which are never far from our minds. Jaq Greenspon lives not far from the action and has written a personal essay (page 40) about how the conflict is affecting him and his family in Kaunas, Lithuania. While he has no current plans to leave, he, like all of us, are watching the news and praying for a swift end to the bloodshed.

Max D. Friedland max@davidlv.com

Easiest A hike that is generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Mostly level or with a slight incline. Generally less than 3 miles.

Moderate A moderate hike is generally suitable for novice hikers who want a bit of a challenge. The terrain will involve a moderate incline and may have some steeper sections. Generally 3 to 5 miles.

Moderately Strenuous Moderately Strenuous hikes will generally be challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain will involve a steady and often steep incline. Generally 5 to 8 miles.

Strenuous Strenuous hikes will challenge most hikers. The hike will generally be longer and steeper, but may be deemed “Strenuous” because of the elevation gain. Generally 7 to 10 miles.

Very Strenuous Only well-conditioned and well-prepared hikers should attempt very strenuous hikes. The hike will generally be long and steep, and may include rock scrambling, stream crossings, and other challenging terrain. Generally 8 miles and over.

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Pulse

Two Cellos www.davidlv.com | 11

Explore APRIL • MAY

FRI

April 1

KEITH URBAN: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS Through Apr. 2. 8 p.m. The Colosseum, Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 866-2275938. http://caesarspalace.com BILLIE EILISH 8 p.m. T-Mobile Arena, 3780 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-692-1300. http://t-mobilearena.com THE SCRIPT 8 p.m. House of Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702632-7600. http://mandalaybay.com

SAT

2

CAROL BURNETT: AN EVENING OF LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION 7:30 p.m.

Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-7492012. http://thesmithcenter.com LETTERKENNY LIVE! 8 p.m. The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com AMY SCHUMER & FRIENDS 10 p.m. Aces of Comedy, The Mirage Theatre, Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-791-7111. http://mirage.com

301 N. Buffalo Drive

702-255-3444

www.thebagelcafelv.com Winner in 8 Categories

Gold: Best Bagels, Best Deli, Best Cookies Silver: Best Desert Best Curbside Restaurant Bronze: Best Bakery, Best Brunch, Best Sandwich

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Bagel_Cafe_11.21.indd 1

11/8/2021 11:37:37 AM

SUN

3

THE 64TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM Grand, 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-892-7575. https:// mgmgrand.com ALT-J AND PORTUGAL. THE MAN 6 p.m.

The Theater, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com

THE MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER 2 p.m.

Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com

SAT

9

MEGADEATH & LAMB OF GOD 7 p.m. Michelob Ultra Arena, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http:// mandalaybay.com LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas.

702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com

TUE

12

THE LOUD & CLEAR TOUR FEATURING RITTZ, GRIEVES AND TRIZZ 7 p.m. 24 Oxford, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http://virginhotelslv.com

WED

13

THE AVALANCHES 6 p.m. 24 Oxford, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http://virginhotelslv. com

THU

14

BETH HART House of Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-6327600. http://mandalaybay.com 2CELLOS: THE DEDICATED TOUR 7 p.m.

The Theater, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com

FRI

15

THE KILLERS Through Apr. 17, 9 p.m. The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com BACKSTREET BOYS DNA WORLD TOUR 8 p.m.

The Colosseum, Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 866-227-5938. http:// caesarspalace.com THE COLOR PURPLE PRESENTED BY BROADWAY IN THE HOOD Through Apr. 16, times vary. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http:// thesmithcenter.com

SAT

16

LEE RITENOUR 6 p.m. Myron's Cabaret Jazz, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http:// thesmithcenter.com

SUN

17

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD 7 p.m.

Event Lawn, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com

TUE

19

ALEC BENJAMIN 8 p.m. House of Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http:// mandalaybay.com

THU

21

LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS 5 p.m.

Michelob Ultra Arena, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http://mandalaybay.com

FRI

22

RAY ROMANO & DAVID SPADE Through Apr. 23, 10 p.m. Aces of Comedy, The Mirage Theatre, Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-791-7111. http://mirage.com

SAT

23

RICARDO ARJONA 8 p.m. T-Mobile Arena, 3780 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-692-1300. http://t-mobilearena.com www.davidlv.com | 13

POW WOW FOR THE PLANET 9 a.m. UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas. 702-7873112. http://unlv.edu

SAT

Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http:// mandalaybay.com

WALKER HAYES 9 p.m. Concerts at the Beach, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http://mandalaybay.com

KANSAS: POINT OF KNOW RETURN TOUR 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com

FRI

J BALVIN 8 p.m. Michelob Ultra Arena, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http://mandalaybay.com HASAN MINAJ: THE KINGS JESTER 8 p.m.

The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com CODE ORANGE IS OUT FOR BLOOD TOUR 7 p.m. 24 Oxford, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com

SUN

24

HAIM 8 p.m. The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

MON

25

CINEMACON Through Apr. 28, times vary.

Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 866-227-5938. http://caesarspalace. com

TUE

26

SPOTLIGHT SERIES III: A PIANO TRIO 7:30 p.m. Troesh Studio Theater, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-7492012. http://thesmithcenter.com

WED

27

YOLA 8 p.m. House of Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-6327600. http://mandalaybay.com

FRI

29

THE BACHELOR LIVE ON STAGE 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com DARCI LYNNE 8 p.m. The Mirage Theatre, Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas.

702-791-7111. http://mirage.com DANIEL TOSH Through Apr. 30, 10 p.m. Aces of Comedy, The Mirage Theatre, Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-791-7111. http://mirage.com

14 | www.davidlv.com

30 THU

May 5

SYD PRESENTS THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB TOUR 7 p.m. 24 Oxford, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-6935000. http://virginhotelslv.com

FRI

6

SARA NIEMIETZ 7 p.m. Myron's Cabaret Jazz, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com CHRIS ROCK EGO DEATH TOUR Through May 7, 9:30 p.m. The Colosseum, Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 866-2275938. http://thesmithcenter.com

SAT

7

LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC CONTRERAS PREMIERE & BEETHOVEN NO. 9 FINALE 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com HOMESHAKE 2022 NORTH AMERICA TOUR 8 p.m. 24 Oxford, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http://virginhotelslv.com

SUN

8

THE CULT 8 p.m. House of Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702632-7600. http://mandalaybay.com SPECTRUM & RADIANCE ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION 3 p.m.

Myron's Cabaret Jazz, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-7492012. http://thesmithcenter.com

WED

11

THE COMPOSER'S SHOWCASE OF LAS VEGAS 9:30 p.m. Myron's Cabaret Jazz, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas.

702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com

THU

12

THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS 8 p.m. House of

13

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS 8 p.m. Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood, 3667 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-785-5555. http://caesars. com/planethollywood THE FAR SIDE (FORMERLY OF THE PHARCYDE) - CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIZARRE RIDE 8 p.m.

24 Oxford, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com KEM & KENNY "BABYFACE" EDMONDS: THE FULL CIRCLE TOUR 7 p.m. The Theater, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http://virginhotelslv.com

SAT

14

TIM DILLON 10 p.m. Aces of Comedy, The Mirage Theatre, Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-791-7111. http:// mirage.com NEVADA BALLET THEATRE 50TH GALA 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com KOUNTRY WAYNE 8 p.m. House of Blues, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http://mandalaybay.com SNOOP DOGG & ICE CUBE 8 p.m. Michelob Ultra Arena, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http:// mandalaybay.com

SUN

15

2022 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS 8 p.m.

MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM Grand, 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-892-7575. https://mgmgrand.com

WED

18

BASTILLE: GIVE ME THE FUTURE TOUR 6:30 p.m. The Theater, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com

FRI

20

BILL MAHER Through May 21, 10 p.m. Aces of Comedy, The Mirage Theatre, Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-791-7111. http://mirage.com

PEARL JAM 8 p.m. MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM Grand, 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-892-7575. https://mgmgrand.com NEVADA BALLET THEATRE: CARMINA BURANA Through May 22, times vary. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas. 702-749-2012. http:// thesmithcenter.com OLIVIA RODRIGO 8 p.m. The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

TUE

24

TOOTSIE: THE COMEDY MUSICAL Through May 29, times vary. Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas.

702-749-2012. http://thesmithcenter.com

THU

26

SUBLIME WITH ROME 9 p.m. Concerts at the Beach, Mandalay Place, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-632-7600. http:// mandalaybay.com

FRI

27

REX ORANGE COUNTY: THE WHO CARES? TOUR 7 p.m. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com BILL BURR Through May 28, 8 p.m. The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

SAT

28

LIMP BIZKIT STILL SUCKS TOUR 8:30 p.m.

The Theater, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. 702-693-5000. http:// virginhotelslv.com

SUN

29

JACK WHITE 8 p.m. The Chelsea, Cosmopolitan, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. 702-698-7000. https://www. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

To submit your event information, email calendar@davidlv.com by the 15th of the month prior to the month in which the event is being held. www.davidlv.com | 15

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Anima by EDO

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Roberto Liendo and Oscar Amador have already made magic with EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine, located in the middle of the city. Now, the duo, along with some new teammates, looks to build on that in the suburbs. Anima by EDO takes over the old Kitchen Table Squared space in The Gramercy and reimagines it as a swank, nighttime dining destination. The open kitchen houses Amador when he’s not at his other restaurant, and is anchored by Francesco di Caudo, the chef who once ran the kitchen at Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar. Meanwhile, Liendo is not the only front of house presence, as Joseph Mikulich shows off his sommelier stripes with his thoughtful wine pairings. The food has been described as “Spanish-Italian,” “progressive,” and “borderless,” and while that’s a fine start, as the point of view focuses in, it will only enhance what is already going on. For now, enjoy dishes like the striking cured tuna sashimi with aji amarillo escabeche, Kalamata vinaigrette and seagrape; the deeply flavorful oven-roasted celery root with Kalamansi brown butter sauce; and the homey braised short ribs with semolina gnocchi and Maitake mushrooms in a black pepper sauce.

Anima by EDO, 9205 W Russell Rd Unit 185, Las Vegas, NV 89148. (702)-2024291. animabyedo.com.

www.davidlv.com | 17

Desire

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri 2022 Color of the Year

Every year Pantone releases limited edition commemorative objects featuring their color of the year swatch. The Color of the Year mug is a collectable that many fans purchase year after year to celebrate the design trend and brighten up the kitchen. They also release espresso cups and cortado mugs featuring the same iconic Pantone swatch.

This year the mug features PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri, a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone that blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red. pantone.com

The Filtrum Homes celebrated Pantone’s color of the year by releasing a Very Peri Hues Glass Set. The set includes six different style options of hand blown glass candleholders and vases. They are designed to mix and match and add a colorful midcentury modern feel to any space. Each piece is sold individually for $25. shopfiltrum.com

This sleek classic purse is crafted of diamond quilted caviar leather in Periwinkle Blue. The shoulder bag features a leather top handle as well as a leather threaded shoulder strap with a shoulder pad. The classic CC turn-lock enclosure in a matching blue keeps all valuables and daily essentials safe.

Chanel, 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Bellagio, Las Vegas. 702-765-5505

Designed in collaboration with basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nike Zoom Freak 2 Basketball shoes are designed for every type of player. The combination of signature zoom air from the heel to the forefoot and soft, responsive cushioning helps players harness their maximum power and speed with every move. A decoupled outsole – separated into two areas with a supportive piece in between – helps reduce weight and improves flexibility. Enjoy the color of the year while defeating your friends and opponents on the basketball court. dickssportinggoods.com

18 | www.davidlv.com

Give your glassware a glow-up with this set of four Aurora wine glasses from LSA International. These glasses are handpainted with an incandescent violet lustre, inspired by the iridescent colors of the Northern Lights. Mix and match with other glassware from the Aurora line, including martini glasses, highballs, rocks glasses, champagne tulips and larger “balloon” wine glasses. amara.com

Oral physicians, as well as many celebrities, endorse the Burst Sonic Toothbrush. Burst’s sonic technology polishes teeth at a rate of 33,000 vibrations a minute. This is clinically proven to remove up to 10 times more plaque as a manual brush. Multi-length, charcoal black bristles lift away plaque with ease and are gentle on the gums. The lavender brush is a limited edition available now. burstoralcare.com

The Authentic II by James Oro features his best-selling rectangular rimless sunglasses with a rich purple tint. The pair is accentuated with Oro’s signature “diamond” bevel lens cut and embossed ORO end tips. All Oro frames are crafted with 18KT gold-dipped stainless steel, scratch resistant lenses with 100% UV protection, and engraved rope detailing on the bridge and arms. jamesoro.com

This limited edition collaboration between Pantone and Priority Bicycles features three different models of hand-painted bicycles: The Coast (single speed), The Gotham Edition (3-speed) and The L Train (7-speed). The Gotham Edition bicycle boasts puncture-resistant tires, commuter style handlebars and a lightweight aluminum frame, according to the brand. The bikes come with a kickstand, water bottle cage, tires and reflectors. prioritybicycles.com www.davidlv.com | 19

Discover National Geographic Rarely Seen Imagine Exhibitions presents National Geographic “Rarely Seen,” an immersive exhibition featuring 50 of the most extraordinary photographs ever taken by some of the world’s best photographers of places, events, natural phenomena, and man-made heirlooms seldom seen by human eyes. Guests will journey through the exhibition as they experience landscapes, moments, and textures as these striking photos are displayed to transport the viewer into them like never before. The exhibition is for all ages, tickets for adults start at $31.

Bally’s Las Vegas: (Lower level) 3645 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas. 877-603-4690. ixvegas.com.

KING COLONY: Photo by Frans Lanting, Antarctica. A sea of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) stretches out to meet the hills on South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. King penguins, the second largest penguin species, congregate here starting in September. The aquatic birds form breeding colonies that can reach up to tens of thousands in number.

20 | www.davidlv.com

Mingle Jewish Nevada Women’s Philanthropy Lion of Judah Luncheon 2022 The private residence of Jane Schorr Thursday, February 10 Jewish Nevada recently held its annual Lion of Judah Luncheon and welcomed special guest Rabbi Sherre Hirsch, Author and Chief Innovation Officer at American Jewish University. More than seventy of our most generous, leading women philanthropists gathered to demonstrate their commitment to the 2022 Jewish Nevada Annual Campaign.

Chaired by Lauren Chew and Fran Fine-Ventura, the Lions were thrilled to be back in person for the first time in two years. The Lions left the event feeling inspired and a with a renewed sense of how to move forward in a postpandemic life with Jewish values at heart.

To learn more about Women’s Philanthropy or Jewish Nevada, please contact Megan Weintraub (732-0556 or megan@jewishnevada.org), Chief Philanthropy Officer at Jewish Nevada.

Photos: Courtesy Jewish Nevada. www.davidlv.com | 21

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Mingle Touro University Nevada 2022 Annual Gala The Four Seasons Hotel Sunday, March 20 After a hiatus of two years, Touro University Nevada, the largest medical school Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani

in the state of Nevada, excitedly welcomed more than 600 guests to its annual fundraising gala. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal and bid on more than 100 silent and 10 live auction items, all to help raise much needed funds to support the next generation of educators and healthcare professionals, as well Touro’s community

(L-R) U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus, Jacqueline Nguyen-Lee and Dr. Michael Lee

outreach initiatives. The (L-R) Paul Stowell, Leslie Stowell and Shelley Berkley

State of Qatar’s Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, was honored for the Embassy of the State of Qatar’s $3 million endowment gift to the SigesmundPierce Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities at the University. Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, who was also in attendance,

Dr. Alan Kadish and Connie Kadish

Douglas Fleegle, Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar

presented His Excellency with a Proclamation recognizing his contribution to Touro’s Autism Center and United States Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who serves as Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, delivered the Gala’s keynote address.

Stephen Pierce and Sharon Sigesmund-Pierce

U.S. Congressman Gregory Meeks

Photos: Courtesy Touro University, Nevada.. www.davidlv.com | 23

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Fermented Things | 34 www.davidlv.com | 25

Know

Joshua Roman

26 | www.davidlv.com

Joshua

Roman

Artist in Residence @ the Las Vegas Philharmonic

By Aleza Freeman

H

e’s a visionary cellist and composer with a genre-bending repertoire, yet Joshua Roman, 38, spends a lot of time thinking about tradition.

“What is the tradition we want to continue of classical music?” he wonders during an interview about his residency with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. “What is the tradition that matters? … and how does that continue so that we’re not just playing the greatest hits from 100 years ago, but we’re keeping that alive?”

His questions about this centuries-old music genre and how to make it relevant to modern-day audiences are helping to shape Roman’s artist in residence role, now in the first year of three. Described by Roman as a work in progress, it’s the philharmonic’s first residency but not Roman’s, though the cellist is quick to point out it’s his longest, by far, and “to have three years to experiment is really exciting.”

A native of Oklahoma City, Roman first picked up the cello at 3 years old. By age 22, in 2006, he was named the Seattle Symphony’s youngest-ever principal player.

He embarked on a soloist career soon after, playing across the nation and all over the world, including with the San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New World Symphony, even being chosen as a TED

Fellow, and gracing the stage of New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Roman is also a composer, possibly helping to repopularize the composer-performer tradition for classical music (the norm up until the 20th century). His work has been described as “cinematic,” with a broad feel and organic storytelling quality.

Roman didn’t set out to write music, classical or otherwise. Instead, it happened out of necessity, while working on one of his extensive musical projects.

“What we were looking for didn’t exist musically, so I ended up creating it and, without realizing it, becoming a composer,” he says. “Then it got more serious and now I do write a fair amount of music. I tend to write music that I will play; I don’t write a whole lot of music that doesn’t involve me in the performance.”

Roman has long loved the cello and notes with enthusiasm that the instrument has exploded in popularity with young musicians over the last 60 years, showing up in both classical and nonclassical songs. He credits a “YoYo bump” for its popularity, referring to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, as well as other great moments in pop culture such as the television performance by grunge-rock legends Nirvana with cellist Lori Goldston on “MTV Unplugged” in 1993.

“It started to really become popular in classical music in the 20th century,” says Roman. “Then artists like Yo-Yo Ma, who have done so many collaborations with different

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Joshua Roman

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people, and different genres, and even different art forms, have really paved a path that young cellists are excited about. I’m one of those.”

Calling it a versatile and soulful instrument, Roman is thrilled to see the cello represented in different ways, playing any type of music, whether classical or contemporary. “It can be the bass, it can be the melody, it’s percussive, sad, happy, aggressive, or sweet,” he says.

“I don’t think there’s really anything bad you can do with a cello, except maybe break it.”

As the artist in residence at the philharmonic—led by Music Director Donato Cabrera—Roman will continue spreading the gospel of cello and classical music by playing for, and mentoring, young music students throughout the valley and leading public masterclasses.

He describes a masterclass as “a regular lesson that gets turned into something a lot more intense” and “a good moment to have breakthroughs for students.”

Additionally, Roman will perform with musicians from the philharmonic at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and other venues, and collaborate with a variety of established Las Vegas institutions. He intends to check out shows and attractions in Las Vegas and get to know a variety of the city’s eclectic innovators and creatives, including visual artists and dancers, even those in the food scene. He doesn’t want to simply say, “You should

listen to my music because it’s good for you,” but to see how he and other local creators can unite their passions to enrich the Las Vegas community.

“I want to not just be an ambassador for the philharmonic, but to really help explore the place of the philharmonic in the community,” says Roman. “It’s a balance between helping reinvigorate…celebrating the good that is there…and looking at how I can use that extra little bit of attention from being an artist in residence to open doors and build bridges.”

Before the time comes to pick his own successor for 2024, Roman envisions a program that’s inclusive of the community at large and reflective of Las Vegas as a whole.

“There’s no model that can be copied and moved to one city from another,” he explains of his residency. “You have to find what’s unique about a particular city and find a way to emphasize that.”

Roman next performs in A Cello Celebration with Joshua Roman, part of the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s 2021-2022 Spotlight Concert Series, on April 7. The intimate concert in the Smith Center’s Troesh Studio Theater was curated

by Roman and puts audience members up close and personal with cellists including Roman, Andrew Smith, Mert Sermet, Kevin Mills, and Jeremy Russo, as they play some of their favorite pieces. Tickets are $72.

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Taste

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Fueling the

Fury

The Team Behind the Team

By Jason Harris

L

as Vegas Raiders fans might not know of Gary LaMorte, but he is integral to the team’s success.

LaMorte, 43, heads Honest Hospitality, a group of 30 chefs who prepare every meal for the players, coaching staff, and administration of the NFL team. With the New York native’s culinary background, it’s almost like he was a perfect fit for this gig. We caught up with LaMorte to discuss learning on the job, his past work for celebrity chefs, and his goals going forward with the Raiders.

How did you get into food?

Growing up in Yonkers, New York, we shared our favorite childhood memories together eating. My dad would cook for special occasions. That triggered something important.

There was an admiration of how special that was.

I got hired at a restaurant on the edge of The Bronx and Yonkers, an Italian steakhouse. It was very romantic in a mafioso manner.

Left: Gary LaMonte and the Raiders nutrition team on one the team’s practice fields. www.davidlv.com | 31

That’s a time and place that doesn’t exist anymore.

The FBI raided the house of (John) Gotti and they released a list of the member names they found. The restaurant closed the next day.

How did cooking become your path?

I was consistently in food as a kitchen manager at a busy restaurant. I realized if I didn’t do something pretty drastic that that was going to be my life. It wasn’t bad but I wanted more.

I got an associates in culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America and a bachelor’s in hospitality management. I went from pretty humble beginnings to the culinary Olympics with the ACF National Culinary Team because of the formal education and being brave enough to step away from everything I knew to do it.

How did you end up in Las Vegas?

I moved to Las Vegas to work at Robuchon but chose to work at Bouchon.

The food wasn’t the same caliber as Robuchon but it was a better run operation, and culturally I had more to learn. Thomas Keller is a thorough technician. It was pretty obvious that what he was doing was better than everybody else, which was operations, standards, and details.

After a stint with Vegas legend Andre Rochat, you went to work for Michael Mina.

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I went from being the chef of a Michelin restaurant to taking a step down to a corporate sous chef role at The Mina Group. I ended up becoming the first VP of Culinary Operations.

You have a passion for details. Why is that something you have been able to focus on more than others?

The challenge of finding success every day requires extreme detail orientation because when the major products you are working with are organic – the food and your coworkers – there’s a lot of moving parts. Understanding how to control and manage the things that you can, really well, is the only way to leave enough breathing room and operational capacity to manage through the really tough stuff.

Is there a similarity between the cultures in the kitchen and on the field?

There are really strong similarities in the two types of operations. The NFL is incredibly demanding. It’s the highest highs and the lowest lows from week to week.

It takes a tremendous amount of emotional stability and team commitment to continue finding success throughout a season that’s going to kick your legs out from you pretty regularly.

Above: Chef Gary LaMorte

What are the biggest adjustments going into year three with the Raiders?

We’ve doubled the amount of dishes we’re going to be offering for next season. We have multiple development chefs that are testing new recipes and dishes every single day.

We’re prepared to adapt to the new coaches. We’re fortunate in the fact that our department is probably going to be consistent. Our number one goal is to be a headache free operation for them.

What is the difference in diet when teams are winning versus when they are losing?

Everybody comes in with the highest hopes and expectations for the year. As you get into the season, if you continue winning, you’ll continue on with that mindset of “we’re going all the way,” and eat accordingly.

When you lose a game, it damages that expectation.

Our emotions are connected to our food desires. People look to food for celebration or consolation.

How do you modify food for someone who is recovering from an injury?

You’re always in recovery in professional sports. Whether you’re recovering from a good workout or a great practice or a minor injury, you’re looking for the same type of thing.

We, as a normal diners, look at food on daily or weekly blocks. The performance athletes look at food four hours

at a time. Your body is not looking for things once a day or twice a week. To repair properly, your body is looking for those building blocks many times throughout the day.

Frequently, athletes will be eating proteins five times a day, and as much antioxidant fruits and vegetables as possible.

Is it different for, say, a running back then for a lineman?

The people in the extremes are almost naturally there. The people that we need to focus on are the ones in the middle.

Some of players, their frames are going to hold up to 260 pounds of muscles and that’s where it stops. And then they need another 25 pounds of leverage.

Has there been a dish you’ve prepared that was a surprise hit for the players?

Towards the end of the season, we used an old Andreesque recipe for lobster thermidor, led by Chef Chris Bulan, and the guys went crazy for it.

What are the goals of Honest Hospitality going forward?

I want to create a charity for hospitality workers and their families, to support them in times of trauma, create a support structure for people that don’t have it.

I want to continue creating good jobs for people, which is the thing I’m most proud of at the Raiders, the quality of daily existence of the people that work there. Culture, schedules — it takes a team.

With a commitment to educate and a passion to heal, we are

Transforming Healthcare in Southern Nevada

Call 702-660-UNLV for a primary or specialty care appointment. unlv.edu/medicine | unlvhealth.org www.davidlv.com | 33

Taste

34 | www.davidlv.com

www.davidlv.com | 35

By Kirk Peterson and Marisa Finetti

O

nce again, we’re able to listen in to resident spirits experts Kirk Peterson and Marisa Finetti as they discuss some of the finer points of fermentation and the role it plays in our everyday consumption of food and alcohol. Fermentation, of course, is the metabolic process by which the activity of a bacteria or other microorganisms changes a food or drink for the better.

Marisa: Do you think people appreciate the role fermentation plays in everyday food and beverage?

Kirk: Perhaps more so since making sourdough became popular over the pandemic, but not as much as they could. While fermentation is responsible for many celebrated culinary delights, I don’t think it’s something that’s commonly thought of. I’m sure there are more books on grilling or baking than fermenting. Louis Pasteur would be sad.

Marisa: I’m sure he’s rolling in his grave as we speak.

Foods and drinks made through the action of bacteria are just so amazingly flavorful. So many of my favorite foods and beverages are products of fermentation. It’s delicious rot! And these foods are so common.

Kirk: For sure. Humans have been utilizing fermentation to preserve and alter foods since forever.

And while many people may think of beer and wine, and maybe even kombucha, when they think of fermentation, they rarely consider salami, pickles, yogurt, or hot sauce. That fermentation is seen as synonymous with alcohol production is to be expected, considering there is considerable evidence that humankind invented grain farming specifically for beer production.

Marisa: And the fact that alcohol was also so important when water was dangerous to drink back in the day.

Kirk: Well, that is an oft-repeated tidbit that is more myth than reality. The idea that everyone only drank alcohol back in the day is attractive but inaccurate. While prior to Louis Pasteur’s discovery of germ theory people did not understand the mechanism of microorganisms causing disease (or fermentation), they clearly understood not to mix the drinking water and the poop water. Much of wine and beer’s life-saving aspects have been somewhat misunderstood by modern people: the real magic of fermented alcoholic beverages back then was as a crucial, preserved source of calories. Starvation was a far greater risk for most communities than waterborne illness. One gram of fat contains 9 calories; one gram of alcohol has 7 calories: alcohol was an essential nutrient.

36 | www.davidlv.com

Besides, you can’t avoid water completely and only drink beer and wine…it’s prohibitively expensive. Believe me, I’ve tried.

Marisa: I suppose, in retrospect, it does seem unlikely that poor medieval peasants were living exclusively off of beer and wine rather than water that was free and readily available. But even without knowing about microbes, people still knew to avoid “filth.” And today, when we think of bacteria, we have become so obsessed with getting rid of them. The overuse of antibiotics drugs, antibiotic hand soaps, wipes…we could be killing off some of the good bacteria our bodies need to be healthy.

Kirk: Humans have had a fraught relationship with the microbial world. Undoubtedly, knowing that tiny organisms invade us and cause sickness was a revelation, and the countermeasures adopted saved countless lives.

However, the realization that a significant percentage of the cells in your body are symbiotic bacteria in your gut and are consequently susceptible to those same countermeasures is a newer concept. There’s such a thing as too clean.

Above: Fermentation and champagne making.

Marisa: We are still learning to love bacteria. With the rising awareness of probiotics and the benefits of fermented foods, we are starting to replenish our bodies with good bacteria from these foods. Does that mean we can eat chocolate? OK, it’s not the most nutritious of fermented foods, but chocolate is rooted in the ancient technique of fermenting cacao pods!

Kirk: Chocolate is fermented?

Marisa: When they harvest the cacao pods, they empty the contents into wooden vats. Inside of the pods are these bitter-tasting white beans covered in opaque slime. As the temperature rises in these vats during fermentation, the milky color turns darker. Then they are laid out and dried on mats and processed into chocolate.

Such a delicious transformation!

Kirk: I had no idea. There should be an alcoholic chocolate drink!

Marisa: Also interesting about chocolate is that it doesn’t taste like a fermented food. I associate many fermented foods to have sour or even fizzy characteristics, such as beer, wine, or some cheeses.

Kirk: That sourness is lactic acid, a byproduct of fermentation, along with carbon dioxide, which causes that fizziness. With chocolate, I suppose that acid is obfuscated by added sugar and milk? Those particularly sour, “fermented” flavors probably come from Brettanomyces, a different yeast strain from what causes alcoholic fermentation but one which causes high levels of acetic acid, a hallmark flavor in everything from sour beer to sourdough bread. So, besides chocolate, what’s your favorite fermented food?

Marisa: I would say natto (fermented soybeans) is my favorite fermented food. It’s a popular dish in Japan, where I grew up, made by wrapping boiled soybeans in rice straw that naturally contain Bacillus Subtilis on its surface. Doing so allows the bacteria to ferment the sugars present in the beans. I like to have it with shaved green onions and a splash of soy sauce over hot rice. The pungent smell and stringy little threads of slime disgust people who aren’t familiar with it, but I love it.

Kirk: Meh, disgusting is a relative term more based on familiarity than anything.

Marisa: It’s delicious and certainly not as offensive as when compared to other obscure fermented foods and beverages around the world.

Kirk: As far as I’m concerned, foods are food for a reason, and you should at least give them a chance. Take Hákarl, the fermented shark from Iceland. Historically they had to rely on alternative solutions like fermentation for food preservation, since salt was in short supply.

Marisa: That makes sense because it’s cold up there and you want your food to last through the winter. But rotten shark, though…

Kirk: Not rotten, fermented. They slice the shark into sections, ferment it, then air dry it for several months.

When ready, it’s cut into little cubes and served in a glass jar to hold in the smell of ammonia, with some dried haddock and a glass of caraway-flavored schnapps called brennavín. Or at least it was when I had it.

Marisa: And how was it?

Kirk: Not my favorite. It was pungent, the ammonia shoots out your nose and makes your eyes tear, but the actual flavor itself is surprisingly mild. It was better than the McRib. Marisa: I want to try it! I love learning about all the amazing and culturally specific foods there are. Who was the first person to decide to ferment a shark?

Kirk: Somebody hungry like everything else, I suppose.

I guess it’s poisonous to eat unless it’s fermented. www.davidlv.com | 37

Marisa: Oh, like cassava beer from the Amazon? The one where they chew on the roots and spit it into a jar?

Isn’t it poisonous if eaten raw?

Kirk: Similar. Cassava is poisonous if consumed raw, so it must be boiled first, which will make it safe to consume. The fermentation part of it is solely to create alcohol and results from the enzyme amylase in saliva breaking down the carbohydrates into simple sugars that microorganisms can then use for fermentation.

Marisa: I hear it’s been around for thousands of years.

One of the first references was written in the early 1600s by historian Antonio de León Pinelo, who described it to be an alcoholic drink made when “girls chew the goo and set it aside in a glass.”

Kirk: I think we’ve got our next hot bar concept. We’ll put pictures of whose spit made your beer on the bottle to give it a farm-to-table feel. Or we could just drink some Champagne - it’s fermented not once but twice.

Marisa: Double the deliciousness, and I love a good, non-spit based drink.

Kirk: Luckily, there’s enough sugar in grapes to start fermentation unassisted. The first fermentation of Champagne is to transform grapes into regular, still wine. Then a bit of sugar and yeast are added to start the

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second fermentation in the enclosed bottle, which results in dissolved carbon dioxide in solution, the bubbles.

Marisa: The bubbles! Beer, Champagne, the fizzy tingle of fresh kimchi…one of my favorite aspects of fermented foods.

Kirk: We all love bubbles because dissolved carbon dioxide reacts with water to make carbonic acid, which just so happens to drive the sour receptors on your tongue absolutely crazy. That sensation you feel, bubbles bursting on your tongue when you drink something carbonated, has more to do with your taste buds sensing the sourness of carbonic acid than the actual gas bubbles. The burn you feel if you chug a beer or soda, that burn is not carbon dioxide escaping but your body registering a pain response to carbonic acid, just like with the burn of spicy food. Yet that sensation of drinking something carbonated adds a freshness to carbonated beverages that makes them so damn tasty and versatile with food. It’s a factor in why Champagne seems to go with everything.

Marisa: Like natto?

Kirk: Sure, particularly one with a fair amount of yeasty, nutty flavors and aromas.

Marisa: I’ll grab my chopsticks.

Above: Marisa Finetti and Kirk Peterson

Think

School Bus to the Arts | 52 www.davidlv.com | 39

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danger. But then again, between us and Ukraine is Belarus, where there are faulty nuclear plants and petty Innsbruck dictators just on the other side of our border, both just Budapest Nyí Graz moments away from blowing up.

So, yeah. Everyone is worried.

Like everyone else over the past two years, we’re spending most of our time in a holding pattern, albeit Ljubljana Trieste a slightly more Verona proactive one.

When the COVID-19 Sz Pécs lockdowns started on March 13, 2020, we knew it was Zagreb a matter of just waiting it out. The world chipped in and through the magic of the Internet, we had access to live Venice recordings of theatre productions in London, curated Rijeka Bologna Osijek Novi S tours of some of the best museums around, and “animalcams,” where we could voyeuristically peek in on zoosBanja to Luka see what everyone was up toSAN (penguins on tour was a BOSNIA MARINO Tuzla particular highlight).

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n regard to the situation in Ukraine, there are no current plans for an evacuation…”

I just got this message in an email from the US Embassy in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, the country where I live. No current plans. Of course, as we know, this could change at any point.

As I write this, the war has been going on for 2 weeks and I’ve gotten check-in emails, messages, and phone calls from friends and family, some of whom I haven’t talked to directly in a decade or more. In Kaunas, the second largest city in the country and where we live, we’re about 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Kyiv as the car drives so we’re not (current plans) in any immediate

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Left page: 5 year-old school coloring-in project in Lithuania.

My daughter and I created “stroller-coasters,” where we would strap her into a stroller much too small for regular use and put first person thrill ride videos on the TV while I mimicked the action, giving her an immersive “ride.” All the while, we would make plans for when the “batteries” (her word for bacteria/germs/the virus) went away, and we could go ride the real rides.

But the disease kept going and eventually we all just gave up. Most of us understood it was still out there, but it just got too hard to fight with the onslaught of mis and dis-information, having to explain again and again that as our knowledge changes, we have to reassess what we know and how we fight it.

And then, two weeks ago, the president of Russia, after years of feints and military exercises, decided to invade Ukraine, a free and sovereign nation on its southwestern border.

It’s a very strange feeling, knowing there is a war happening just around the figurative corner. Sure, for years, we’d all been a bit jumpy when Putin would regularly amass troops in Belarus and Kaliningrad for the Zapad war games and training, the nightly news expressing concern for the number of military personnel and equipment showing up (and, more often than not, staying behind).

In the end, though, nothing untoward happened and we here in Lithuania started feeling like the villagers while the news was the boy crying wolf. We’d note Zapad happening, shake our heads sadly, then move on with our lives.

And then, two weeks ago, the president of Russia, after years of getting us used to the idea of an increased military presence where one should not be, decided to invade Ukraine.

It’s impossible to live and work in Lithuania without knowing some Ukrainians. So the first thing that happened when the attacks came was we reached out to friends and family, either living locally or back in Ukraine and checked in.

Then we began to think of ourselves.

Back then, with no idea how things would play out, we thought (probably like Russia did) that the invading forces would steamroll over the Ukrainian countryside and overwhelm the former TV star who was leading the country. The victory would be decisive and quick and then we would be next.

Putin has long said he wants to get the “sisters” reunited and rebuild the glory that was the Soviet Union. As far as he was concerned, this was just the first step in getting the band back together. And Lithuania is like the bass player. They’re not as sexy as the singer nor as energetic as the lead guitarist, but they are steady and solid and, ultimately, they control the foundation.

Plus, geographically it makes the most sense. With Belarus already under your thumb like that little dog, bouncing behind Spike in the Looney Tunes cartoons, once you take down Ukraine, you’ve got a serious base and good supply lines to go after the other parts to remake your whole.

All of which means that after two or three days, we had to formulate an evacuation plan. The idea of Lithuania coming under direct attack, Article 5 of NATO notwithstanding, became very real, very quickly.

This is where things start to get complicated.

If it was just me, or me and my wife, that would be one thing. We both understand our work schedules and that

sometimes we have to do things in ways which are… not ideal. We may not like it, but we can understand. We know that just because we’ve made sure to put all our important documents (“Papers, please.”) into one, easy to grab waterproof folder, we’re just taking precautionary measures. We know that when we look at maps to strategize our escape routes and make sure the car, no matter the cost of gas, is never below a half tank, that we’re just (“No current plans”) being careful.

When dealing with a 5½ year old, on the other hand, it’s a bit different. And that’s what we’re dealing with. She’s got her own life. She goes to a preschool (the year before 1st grade, what, in America, is called kindergarten) in the morning and she likes it. She loves learning and seeing her friends and the teacher and every day she comes home to tell us about the day’s events. She also has a roomful of toys and books and stuffed animals, all of whom she cares for quite deeply. And now, we have to sit down with her and explain that if we tell her we have to go, now, there cannot be any arguing. When we give her the word, she needs to grab whichever animals and toys she simply cannot be without and get them ready to go.

She understands.

I wish to God she didn’t, but she does. She watches the news and her teacher at school (after asking permission from the parents) has been doing activities to explain some of what’s happening in Ukraine.

Thing is, for her teacher, what’s happening in Ukraine and what could happen here isn’t a hypothetical or some sort of thought experiment. She, like many others here, lived through it once before, about 30 years ago.

On January 13, we celebrate gaining our independence from Russia back in 1991. Ultimately, this is the thing Putin is trying to undo. Lithuania was the first of the Soviet countries to declare its independence and the rest fell like dominoes. To celebrate this, the preschool kids are given coloring pages showing the armed freedom fighters and the Russian tanks attacking civilians.

As parents, we get the idea of national pride and learning history even if we don’t necessarily agree with the specific imagery chosen to represent it. But in light of what happened six weeks later, maybe we should have paid more attention to the lessons?

Now, my friends and I start each conversation with “how are you?” Not the empty platitude meant to fill a conversation gap, but an actual inquiry with understanding we all know we’re talking about the fact that everyone is on edge. Everyone is on the starting line, in position, waiting for a starting gun (“No current plans”) we hope we’ll never hear. But the nightly news here doesn’t censor the way it does in America. They’ll talk about the Russian soldiers firing at bystanders and show the bloody damage from the explosions.

And the little one? She sees and hears it all. We try to talk quietly and discuss when she’s not around, but it’s impossible to filter out everything. Not even most things.

So, for her, she sees Ukraine in everything. Everything she paints these days is sky blue and sunflower yellow.

Her schoolyard games have become “Ukrainians and bad soldiers.”

She keeps asking us when those bad soldiers will leave and if we’ll have to go visit family in America. And all we can really do is hold her tight, breathe deeply, and think to ourselves “there are no current plans for an evacuation.” www.davidlv.com | 43

Think

CALICO TANKS This is a great 2.2 mile out and back trail located inside the Red Rock loop. You’ll start off walking on a gravel trail and soon begin the journey of climbing rocks of all shapes and sizes. Considered a moderately challenging route, you can expect quite a bit of rock scrambling as well as a couple of unstable areas where it can get slippery. If you go, wear good shoes and carry water. Once you get near the top, you’ll find a large pool of water and a beautiful view of Las Vegas and the surrounding mountains.

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Take a

Hike

5 Day Hikes That Explore the Mojave.

By Kelly Travis Photos by Bob Travis

I

f you didn’t know it by now, Southern Nevada offers some of the Southwest’s most diverse landscapes.

From the mountains of Mt. Charleston to the desert treks over sculpted rocks in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, there is something for everyone. You can opt to take it easy with hikes on a relaxed walk-through trail or you can challenge yourself with a route that requires scrambling and climbing. The

one thing everyone can agree on, though, is that Las Vegas hikes offer the perfect opportunity to glimpse some of the most stunning views of the city you’ll ever find.

Here are five local hikes that vary in terrain and difficulty. As a reminder, because Las Vegas is entering the hotter months of the year, be sure to take the proper precautions by packing plenty of water and getting out there early in the morning before it gets too hot. For the trails inside the Red Rock Canyon scenic loop, you’ll need to make reservations in advance.

Please see Publisher’s Note, pg. 10

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CALICO BASIN The wonderful thing about this trail is you can access it outside of the Red Rock loop, off of Calico Basin Rd. This fairly easy 3 mile round trip is popular for hiking and trail running. You’ll walk beside popular climbing spots and beautiful red colored rock. If you’re up for it, the Calico Basin trail is great when combined with a hike up Guardian Angel Canyon to a spectacular viewpoint.

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GUARDIAN ANGEL PASS The Guardian Angel Trail starts at the Red Spring picnic area in Calico Basin, also located off of Calico Basin Rd. You’ll head out on this 3.2 mile loop trail in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction – if you go counterclockwise, you’ll get the climb out of the way early. The hike includes a lot of bouldering up and down, as well as some scrambling. For the experienced hiker, it’s a lot of fun and you’re rewarded with a flat rock at the top to rest and take in the beautiful view of the valley!

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KRAFT MOUNTAIN LOOP This is another one that starts within Calico Basin, with access at the end of Sandstone Drive. It’s considered a moderate to challenging hike due to the scrambling and climbing, and if you choose to take it, you’ll see plenty of hikers, horseback riders, and trail runners. Along the way, you’ll experience many different types of terrain, including scree and sand. Just like Guardian Angel Pass, you have the option to go clockwise or counterclockwise. If you choose counterclockwise, you’ll come down the steep hill, clockwise you go up it. Choose your own adventure!

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GOLD STRIKE HOT SPRINGS You can access this 7-mile, out and back trail from inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The trail drops down through Gold Strike Canyon and heads all the way up to the Colorado River. It’s different than most trails on this list since, on top of boulder scrambling, it incorporates a series of 8 rope climbs that are well beyond beginner level. Plan for about 3-4 hours of hiking and scrambling time in each direction, or a full-day adventure if you plan to take a soak in the hot springs. Wear good hiking boots with a good grip for this one and bring a partner. You’ll get a great view of the Mike O’Callaghan– Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

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Hike Like a Pro...

Altra Lone Peak 6 Enhance your trail-running and hiking experience with this men’s updated shoe as you traverse new and favorite trails. Improved features include: updated StoneGuard™, which offers more protection from rocks underfoot while using less material, Quick-Dry Air Mesh uppers with laser-cut holes allow quick drainage after creek crossings, FootShape™ toe boxes allow the toes to relax and spread out naturally, Altra EGO™ midsoles provide a responsive yet soft ride, a balanced Cushioning™ platform places heels and forefeet the same distance from the ground, which encourages lowimpact landings, and MaxTrac™ outsoles feature a multidirectional lug pattern for grippy traction on a variety of terrain. rei.com

inReach® Mini This lightweight and compact satellite communicator is your goto connection for maintaining off-the-grid contact. It’s a palm-sized communicator for adventures where size and weight matter. Its unique features include sending interactive SOS alerts globally at any time, two-way messaging, location tracking and sharing, and connectivity to the Earthmate® app, weather updates, and any other Garmin devices. amazon.com

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System Simply fill up the included water pouches at a lake or stream, screw the hollow-fiber filter onto the pouch and squeeze the pouch to push the water through the filter into your mouth. No pills, no pumps, and no wait time.

Features include: the Squeeze Filter, two 32 fl. oz. pouches, a cleaning coupling, and additional accessories for gravity and incline use. The hollow-fiber membrane filter removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli. It also removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidia. Collapsible pouches are made from durable Mylar foil, can be reused hundreds of times, and fit the threads on most bottles of water you buy at a grocery store. amazon.com

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp This rechargeable, multi-beam headlamp offers 450 lumens of power to light the way during dynamic outdoor activities like running, hiking, and backpacking. It comes with the Core USB-rechargeable battery (charge time via USB port: 3 hrs.) but is also compatible with 3 AAA/LR03 batteries (not included) without the need for an adapter. The lamp has 2 beam patterns (flood or mixed) and several white brightness levels; single-button adjustment allows for quick and easy lighting selection.

Red lighting preserves night vision and the reflective headband provides low-light visibility. amazon.com

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Gaia GPS Supercharge the utility of your mobile devices by installing the Gaia GPS app. Just be sure to put your device on airplane mode to conserve battery life. Working in tandem with your GPS, you’ll have the luxury of trail data and a variety of map types at your fingertips. The app offers hike planning tools that can be dragged onto the mobile app for use in the field. As an added benefit, the app also provides wildfire, weather, and snow alerts.. gaiagps.com

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles Hiking poles are commonly used on the trail these days. With an ergonomic grip angle for maximum wrist comfort, a 100% natural cork grip, a fusion comfort strap, and double FlickLock® adjustability, these trekking poles define 4-season, on-trail versatility and comfort.

Interchangeable carbide tech tips are included. The 4-season flex tips, with trekking baskets, are snow basket compatible. The pair weigh 1 lb.

2 oz and collapse to 27” for storage. amazon.com

Gregory Zulu 30 Men’s Pack Large enough for supplies for two on sunup-to-sundown adventures, the generously sized, yet agile, men’s pack can even work for nights in the wild when the gear list is shorter than usual. It is designed with a FreeFloat Dynamic Suspension system with an independent, floating 3D lower back comfort cradle, which balances heavy loads with ease. It has a fully adjustable, torso-length OpenAir ventilated back panel, which offers a customizable fit for breathability. A U-zip panel provides easy access to all your gear, regardless of location. A fitted rain cover in a zippered pocket on the underside of the top lid keeps your gear dry even when the forecast says otherwise. According to size, this pack weighs between 2 lbs. 9.9 oz. - 2 lbs. 10.7 oz. The Jade 28 (ladies) version of this pack weighs between 2 lbs. 8.8 oz. - 2 lbs. 9 oz. rei.com

America the Beautiful Pass The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country. The pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees, and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle, at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children, aged 15 or under, are admitted free. A one year pass provides thousands of opportunities. Passes ship without names on them and can be shared with family or friends; each pass can be signed by two main pass owners. usparkpass.com www.davidlv.com | 51

Candy Schneider with students

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School Bus to the Arts

The Smith Center’s Education & Outreach Programs

W

By Stacy D’Alessandro ith a ten-year run as a world-class arts and entertainment fixture in Las Vegas, The Smith Center is not dropping the curtain any time soon.

Its 2022-2023 Broadway Las Vegas® Series will be its biggest one yet, with 11 shows including the highly anticipated Hamilton, To Kill a Mockingbird and Annie, according to Myron Martin, president and chief executive officer of The Smith Center.

March commemorated the anniversary of the $470 million performing arts center, which has welcomed more than 4,500 shows and provided education and outreach initiatives for more than one million students and teachers in Southern Nevada.

Situated in the 61-acre Symphony Park development in downtown Las Vegas, The Smith Center, which houses three indoor performance spaces, began its integration into the Las Vegas community long before the Art Decoinspired building even opened.

The nonprofit introduced arts and educational programming resources when Candy Schneider, after spending 33 years at the Clark County School District, joined the leadership team in 2006. As the Vice President of Education and Outreach, Schneider says she borrowed space to house workshops for teachers and built relationships with community partners that solidified

education as a focal point of The Smith Center’s mission.

Her tenacity paid off. According to Schneider, over the past ten years, more than 7,300 teachers have been impacted in a variety of educational content areas.

The Smith Center joined the Clark County School District (CCSD) in the Partners in Education Program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in order to bring in national teaching artists to lead after school workshops and summer institutes for educators.

The program, which is offered at no cost to teachers within CCSD, charter, and private schools, identifies arts integration strategies in math, language arts, science, social-emotional learning, and more.

Wendy Payer, a teacher-librarian for kindergarten through fifth grade at Helen Anderson Toland International Academy, says the professional development seminars offer tools to use art in ways that inspire kids to become more motivated to learn.

“One of the strategies they teach you is to use Tableau, and that’s when children are making, basically, a picture with their bodies,” says Payer, who has attended 14 professional development workshops since 2010.

She says she implemented the technique to help her students understand how words are used to express different meanings after they read the book If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!

“A light bulb went on to the shade of meaning and you could see it on their faces,” she says. “Begging is different www.davidlv.com | 53

than demanding and our facial expression is going to change, and our body gesture is going to change, and they would freeze it for that Tableau, and you’d really be able to see it.”

A CCSD employee for 22 years, Payer says she discovered many of the strategies help reach kids who might have behavior problems or who are bored.

“It helps children think more critically and problem solve because it’s not just answering a simple question,” she says. “They have to figure out how they’re going to use this art form to express what they learned and that also involves, often times, a lot of collaboration with other kids. So, it teaches them to work with each other in a meaningful way and to compromise on things, which are also really important social skills.”

Schneider says it’s beneficial if teachers from each school come as a team to the workshops.

“Whether it’s two people from a grade level, a learning strategist or someone in special education, so they can share that experience together,” she says. “And then, when they go back to the classroom and implement those strategies, they have somebody to bounce those ideas off of whether they had great success or a challenge.”

According to Martin, the educational component of The Smith Center fills a gap in the community.

“There’s not an expectation that commercial venues will do education events and hold workshops and master classes,” he says.

Teachers aren’t the only ones reaping the rewards.

More than 70,000 students attend live matinee performances during the school year, at no cost to the schools. The matinee performances are adapted from acclaimed literature and performed by local, regional, national and international artists. A classroom guide for teachers is offered for each show, with tips on how to prepare students for the theatre visit and discussion and curriculum topics for extended learning.

Rebecca Boyd, senior program manager for the Education & Outreach Department, helps coordinate the student matinees that are held inside the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall. Boyd says there’s something special about being in the same room with students when they see a live performance for the first time.

“It’s especially relevant for them if they can see themselves on the stage or see a performer speaking a language that they speak at home that maybe they don’t speak in the classroom all the time with their teacher,” says Boyd, who began her career at The Smith Center in 2010 as a receptionist. She transferred to the Education & Outreach Department in 2012. “I think that

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those moments are the most impactful for students. Not only is the curriculum that their teacher’s teaching in the classroom coming alive in front of their eyes in a way that is engaging as well as entertaining, but it also reflects who they are as a person.”

Boyd says that over the last ten years, her department has become more mindful of making sure the matinees are not just providing entertainment for the students, but offering a solid educational experience. This includes making sure teachers receive the classroom guide that goes with the show.

As one of the center’s first employees, Boyd says some of her most memorable moments include watching the children getting off the school busses to attend a matinee.

“Especially if you see a kid who has never, ever been here before and they look up and they see the bell towers and they’re like ‘Wow what is this place?’” she says. “And then when they’re leaving, they’re like ‘Wow that was really something special.’ It’s not the same as going to a movie.”

For season ticket holder Allison Bonanno, movies don’t hold the same value as live performances.

“In five years, I maybe go to five movies, but I’ll go to 75 shows at The Smith Center, including the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Nevada Ballet Theatre,” says Bonanno, a decade-long supporter of the center. “I really enjoy live performances because there’s no safety net. A movie never changes, but a live performance can change based on audience reactions and behaviors.”

Bonanno, who came to Las Vegas from New Hampshire in the mid-1990s, says The Smith Center is vital in children’s art education.

“Children need the arts for the development and to support a creative mind for a well-rounded future,” she says.

According to Schneider, children who attend today’s shows are the next ticket buying audience.

“We always talk about the fact that The Smith Center was built for the future, but that future is coming faster than we thought and I imagined,” Schneider says. “They (the children) will be our future leaders and elected officials, and it’s the idea that The Smith Center should be a part of their lives as they progress in this community.

We are definitely investing in the future.”

The future snuck up on Schneider when a former student who had visited the center on a field trip became an employee.

“She came over and said she had come when she was in middle school on a field trip and it was a realization that I hadn’t thought about,” Schneider says. “But I don’t know where the ten years went to be adults and become employees. It’s an amazing thing.” www.davidlv.com | 57

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LasVegasJewishFunerals.com

Come Play on Our Team!

We are seeking extraordinary ad sales professionals who are passionate about results.

The positions are offering a strong book of business and generous commissions.

Please contact Max Friedland

UPCOMING ISSUES

702-254-2223

max@davidlv.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINES

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APR. 15 MAY 13 JUNE 10

To advertise, please call

702.254.2223

Ads@davidlv.com • www.davidlv.com

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