2014-11-30 - The Sunday - Las Vegas

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NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES The Festivities Begin at 8 pm in the Grand Ballroom and Will Include a 4-Course Dinner, Open Bar and Party Favors. The Entertainment Starts with Music by Wes Winters, Followed by a

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4 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

CONTENTS

Almost 600,000 Nevadans were expected to spend more than $238 million shopping this year on Black Friday, the Retail Association of Nevada said. Nationally, 28 percent of people said they planned to shop, with the average person spending $399.

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NOTEWORTHY STORIES

MILITARIZATION OF THE POLICE

ON THE COVER Explore Southern Nevada’s paranormal scene and learn how to become a ghost hunter.

A government program allows local law enforcement agencies to obtain military surplus.

In the wake of protests in Ferguson, Mo., the program has come under fire. What’s being received? And how much money is being saved? In five minutes, we’ll make you an expert on the subject.

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A LATIN HOLIDAY FAVORITE

For some, it’s a turkey or ham. For others, a tamale.

There are many ways to make the traditional Latin holiday fare. We share recipes and explain how to fold the husks.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?

If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, you might want to call a ghost hunter, or even become one yourself. A growing legion of believers is exploring paranormal activity and collaborating with others on expeditions. We outline how to become a ghost hunter, where to explore and what to buy.

Q+A WITH RYAN ERWIN

A top political adviser for Republican candidates talks about recruiting politicians, what makes a good candidate and the GOP’s mission to unseat Harry Reid in 2016.

MORE POLITICS n What will the Republican Party do with its newfound power in Nevada? P18

HE BEAT THE UNBEATEN MAN

These days, Augie Sanchez works with kids in Southern Nevada, teaching them the ins and outs of the sport he loves. But 20 years ago, Sanchez was a promising boxer who defeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Some say Sanchez is the last man to truly beat the champion.

MORE NEWS

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Classroom is teachers’ new front line A Teach for America program helps transition veterans into civilian life in schools.

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Jump into the rodeo with both boots We help you look the part and point out where to go while the cowboys are in town.

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This year, Las Vegas has a good grip on NFR John Katsilometes talks to the head of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association about the wild ride that was 2014.

LIFE

28

Nevada’s most popular baby names Want an unusual name for your offspring?

Then we’ve got a list for you to avoid.

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Looking for a new best friend?

The Animal Foundation and Nevada SPCA feature several pets available for adoption.

OPINION/POLITICS

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Where I Stand: Brian Greenspun We could all take a lesson from a group of Rwandan gorillas this holiday season.

CORRECTION An item in the Nov. 23 issue of The Sunday incorrectly listed the value of a merger between Scientific Games and Bally Technologies. The value of the deal is $5.1 billion.

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11/26/14 2:38 PM

’ T I S TH E S E A S O N !

Join us for a glass of Holiday Cheer, and a bite to eat, too.

With more than 30 retail shops, Downtown Container Park is the perfect spot to find something for everyone on your list. And with five restaurants and a craft cocktail bar, we’re also the perfect place to eat, drink, and be merry.

DAILY HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT. SANTA CLAUS EVERY FRIDAY 5PM-8PM AND SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1PM-4PM.

downtowncontainerpark.com 7th & Fremont

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11/21/14 9:57 AM

PUBLISHER Donn Jersey (donn.jersey@gmgvegas.com)

EDITORIAL EDITOR Delen Goldberg (delen.goldberg@gmgvegas.com) MANAGING EDITOR Dave Mondt (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) DIGITAL EDITOR Sarah Burns (sarah.burns@gmgvegas.com) DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL John Fritz (john.fritz@gmgvegas.com) DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR, NEWS Ellen Wager (ellen.wager@gmgvegas.com) EDITOR, EDITORIAL AND OPINION Matt Hufman (matt.hufman@gmgvegas.com) SENIOR EDITOR, SPORTS Ray Brewer (ray.brewer@gmgvegas.com) SENIOR EDITOR, A&E Don Chareunsy (don.chareunsy@gmgvegas.com) EDITOR, POLITICS Ryan Frank (ryan.frank@gmgvegas.com) EDITOR AT LARGE John Katsilometes (john.katsilometes@gmgvegas.com) STAFF WRITERS Taylor Bern, Andrea Domanick, Case Keefer, Ed Komenda, Ana Ley, J.D. Morris, Brian Nordli, Amber Phillips, Kyle Roerink, Cy Ryan, Eli Segall, Conor Shine, Pashtana Usufzy, Jackie Valley, Leslie Ventura, Katie Visconti, Ian Whitaker COPY DESK CHIEF John Taylor COPY EDITORS Brian Deka, Jamie Gentner SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Craig Peterson DIGITAL COORDINATOR Adelaide Chen NIGHT WEB EDITOR Wade McAferty EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Mike Smith LIBRARY SERVICES SPECIALIST Rebecca Clifford-Cruz RESEARCHER Tristan Aird OFFICE COORDINATOR Nadine Guy

ART ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Liz Brown (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) ART DIRECTOR Scott Lien (scott.lien@gmgvegas.com) DESIGNER LeeAnn Elias CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Jay Carr, Stephen Beard, Chris Morris, William Neff, Troy Oxford PHOTO COORDINATOR Mikayla Whitmore PHOTOGRAPHERS L.E. Baskow, Christopher DeVargas, Steve Marcus

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OF ONLINE MEDIA Katie Horton GROUP DIRECTOR OF SALES OPERATIONS Stephanie Reviea PUBLICATIONS COORDINATORS Kashmir Owens, Karen Parisi ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Jeff Jacobs ACCOUNT MANAGERS Katie Harrison, Breen Nolan, Sue Sran ADVERTISING MANAGERS Shelley Bruner, Vince Durocher, Frank Feder, Kelly Gajewski, Kenneth Harmon, Trevor Layne, Jessica Zivkovitch DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Emma Cauthorn

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PRODUCTION Vladimir leaned too close to the candle. That’s the last thing he knew before his pajamas became an inferno. The burns that dominated his neck and chest were able to be treated right here, by pediatric

VICE PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING Maria Blondeaux ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Paul Huntsberry PRODUCTION MANAGER Blue Uyeda PRODUCTION ARTIST Marissa Maheras, Dara Ricci ART DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING SERVICES Sean Rademacher GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Michele Hamrick, Carlos Herrera TRAFFIC SUPERVISOR Estee Wright TRAFFIC COORDINATORS Kim Smith, Meagan Hodson

burn specialists at Lions Burn Care Center, under the watchful eyes of his family. Only UMC can provide the highest level of care in Nevada, which makes UMC one of Nevada’s most vital resources.

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Ron Gannon ROUTE MANAGER Joel Segler

GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, PUBLISHER & EDITOR Brian Greenspun CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Robert Cauthorn GROUP PUBLISHER Travis Keys EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tom Gorman MANAGING EDITOR Ric Anderson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erik Stein

TOGETHER, WE SHINE. umcsn.com

THE SUNDAY 2360 Corporate Circle Third floor Henderson, NV 89074 (702) 990-2545 FOR BACK COPIES: $3.99/copy plus shipping. Call Doris Hollifield 702.990.8993 or email doris.hollifield@gmgvegas.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: Available for $40 for 6 mo (26 issues) or $75 for 1 yr (51 issues). To order, call 800-254-2610 JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA: #TheSunday Want more Las Vegas news? Follow @lasvegassun, @VEGASINC and @lasvegasweekly

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11/26/14 1:57 PM

2014

Congratulations 2014 BOMA Nevada TOBY AWARD WINNERS The TOBY Awards is in its 30th year and is commonly recognized as the most prestigious and comprehensive program in the commercial real estate industry.

THE OUTSTANDING BUILDING OF THE YEAR AWARDS

THE SMITH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

PIONEER AWARD

SPRINGS PRESERVE ORIGEN MUSEUM AND DESERT LIVING CENTER

EARTH AWARD

HISTORICAL BUILDING AWARD

— The Smith Center for The Performing Arts —

— Las Vegas Valley Water District —

— TNP - Nevada —

HOSPITALITY AWARD

INDUSTRIAL OFFICE PARK AWARD

SUBURBAN OFFICE PARK AWARD (LOW-RISE)

— Marriott Vacation Club—

— Harsch Investment Properties —

— Hines —

OFFICE BUILDING AWARD (UNDER 100,000 SQ FT )

OFFICE BUILDING AWARD (100,000–249,999 SQ FT)

OFFICE BUILDING AWARD (250,000–499,999 SQ FT)

— Hines —

— SKR Real Estate Services, LLC —

— JLL —

GOVERNMENT BUILDING AWARD

CORPORATE FACILITY AWARD

RETAIL AWARD

— The City of Henderson —

— Cox Communications Las Vegas, Inc —

— Colliers International —

MARRIOTT’S GRAND CHATEAU

HUGHES CORPORATE CENTER

HENDERSON CITY HALL

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HARSCH PARADISE AIRPORT CENTER PHASE II

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

NEWS

Send your news information to news@thesunday.com

N O V. 2 2 - D E C . 6

WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE

LAS VEGAS VALLEY, AND BEYOND

LIFE

LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH

The Cactus Garden at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory will be lit with holiday lights, some in the form of animals, through Jan. 1.

(L.E. BASKOW/STAFF)

NOV. 23

NOV. 24

DEC. 1

DEC. 2

DEC. 2

SHORT STINT

CAESARS STRUGGLES

ONE LAST SHOT

DOTTY’S DECISION

BLM AUCTION

GOP legislator Ira Hansen resigned as Assembly speaker-elect at Gov. Brian Sandoval’s request.

Hansen said he is the victim of lawmakers who want to raise taxes.

Debt-laden Caesars Entertainment was slapped with another default notice by lenders, this time UMB Bank. Caesars, with about $25 billion in debt, said the notice is “meritless.”

Developers are to present plans for financing a downtown soccer stadium to the Las Vegas City Council. The city also could find out if it will get an MLS franchise.

Another battle between Dotty’s and Las Vegas’ gaming powers is set.

County commissioners are set to vote on regulations that would make Dotty’s’ slot-parlor model illegal.

The Bureau of Land Management will auction off 516 acres of land in the southwest valley.

The sale will be at North Las Vegas City Hall.

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1,500 Number of Thanksgiving dinners Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada served to homeless and needy men, women and children this year. Catholic Charities’ St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility has hosted meals for the needy since 1965.

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9 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

NEWS

SPORTS

BUSINESS

LIFE

GAMING

POLITICS

$3

SPORTS

BITTER END TO GAME IN HAWAII The UNLV football team surrendered a touchdown on the last play Nov. 22 when Hawaii’s Marcus Kemp caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ikaika Woolsey to send the Rebels to a controversial 37-35 defeat.

Some questioned whether there was enough time for host Hawaii to run the last play. With five seconds remaining and Hawaii at the UNLV 20-yard line, Woolsey fired an incomplete pass down the middle of the field.

But the hometown clock operator stopped play with one second remaining, allowing Hawaii to run one more play. That play went for a touchdown to erase one of UNLV’s best performances of the season, leaving players and coaches shocked, angry and looking for answers on the sideline.

“The word bitter describes it pretty well,” UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said.

MILLION

SPORTS

NARROW MISS

Desert Pines receiver Andre Watts tries to land a potential gamewinning catch during the Division I-A state high school football championship game. The team lost, 42-36 in overtime, to Moapa Valley High.

(L.E. BASKOW/STAFF)

LOUD AND PROUD TO BE NEVADANS LIFE

GIVING TUESDAYS

The Nevada 150 Commission set the record for “Most People Singing a State Song at Once” when 45,553 Nevadans belted out “Home Means Nevada.” Nevadans sent in photos and videos of them singing in more than 500 locations.

Most people have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but how about Giving Tuesday?

It’s a global holiday established to give back to your community. Communities in Schools of Nevada is among the local organizations participating for the first time this year. Donations help pay for programs for high-risk, low income students.

Reported cost of a new fire-andrain element in Steve Wynn’s “Le Reve — The Dream” at Wynn Las Vegas. The addition debuted Nov. 24.

LIFE

PILLOW TALK According to a study by adult web site Lovehoney.com: ■ Women in Las Vegas reach their sexual peak at age 26. Local men hit their peak six years later at 32.

■ Las Vegas women have the most sex at 24, valley men at 27.

■ Local men said they lost their virginity at 17, women at 16.

■ Locals in their 50s and 60s said they had their best sex at age 46.

310K

ENTERTAINMENT

COOL IDEA FOR A FAMILY OUTING

An ice skating rink and winter lounge are installed at the Cosmopolitan. The attraction opened Nov. 21 and will operate through Jan. 4, with snow days planned Dec. 4-28. (CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS/STAFF)

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Number of travelers expected to have visited Las Vegas for Thanksgiving weekend, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The tourists were expected to pump $198.3 million into the local economy.

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THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

5-MINUTE EXPERT

Scho wh

Send your news information to news@thesunday.com

THELATEST LATEST THE DEVELOPMENTS President Barack Obama ordered a review of the 1033 Program after the widespread attention and criticism it received during protests in Ferguson, Mo. Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson also drafted the “Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act,” which would ban the transfer of armored vehicles, aircraft, flashbangs and certain automatic weapons to civilian agencies and blacklist departments that fail to account for all of the equipment they receive.

A man is arrested as police try to disperse a crowd Aug. 20 in Ferguson, Mo. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE)

THE MILITARIZATION OF THE POLICE

BY IAN WHITAKER STAFF WRITER

$11,811,974.70

That’s how much money law enforcement agencies in Nevada have saved by getting equipment from the Department of Defense surplus instead of buying it off the shelf.

Through a process known as the 1033 Program, agencies across the United States can get anything from a pair of boots to a working helicopter, and all they have to pay for is shipping and maintenance. Items are new and unused or refurbished military equipment.

The program came under fire in August after police in Ferguson, Mo., responded to demonstrators protesting the police shooting of an unarmed teenager by rolling into the area in armored vehicles and dressed in military-grade combat gear. It’s likely the equipment came through the 1033 Program.

Law enforcement agencies say the program puts

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useful tools into the hands of officers and saves taxpayer money. They also say officers undergo training to ensure the equipment is used safely. Opponents say much of the equipment, which police departments request, has no place among the general public.

HOW THE PROGRAM BEGAN Passed during the height of the War on Drugs, Section 1208 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 1990 made it possible for military surplus to be transferred to local law enforcement.

The law came with two stipulations: Equipment had to be surplus and had to consist of items that could reasonably be used to fight illegal drug crime.

In 1997, the section was renamed 1033 and expanded to include use for any law enforcement activity. Priority is given to agencies that request the equipment for counterterrorism and drug-enforcement purposes.

Today, the 1033 Program is used by more than 8,000 agencies across the country, according to the Defense Logistics Agency, which administers it.

IT CAN BE ABUSED In 2012, an investigation of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office by the Arizona Republic found that the de-

partment had transferred surplus equipment to nonpolice agencies and was planning to auction off more items.

The Pentagon responded by ordering a nationwide review of the program and requiring more stringent tracking of where equipment goes.

Since then, the federal government has taken action against 184 agencies that failed to account properly for equipment. Those agencies were banned from receiving further equipment, although many were allowed to keep what they already had.

One of those agencies was the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, run by controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Before being banned from the program, the department had amassed enough equipment to field a small army: 1,034 guns, 704 pairs of night-vision goggles, 64 armored vehicles and 17 helicopters, according to the ACLU. In August 2014, the Arizona Republic reported the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was missing nine guns. Arpaio downplayed the news and announced the department was able to purchase its own equipment.

What did it buy? Four hundred assault rifles and a .50-caliber machine gun powerful enough to shoot down aircraft and disable engine blocks.

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GO

The Wa

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TEST EST ENTS

ordered rogram on and rotests tic Rep. e “Stop nt Act,” nsfer of hbangs eapons lacklist ccount ipment eceive.

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School district police can receive surplus equipment, too. The Los Angeles Unified School District police force came under fire when it was discovered the department had acquired a mine-resistant vehicle, 61 assault rifles and three grenade launchers.

THE 1033 PROGRAM IN NEVADA 1

LAS VEGAS

Total value of equipment: $3.8 million Metro Police received two Bell “Huey” search-and-rescue helicopters through the 1033 Program. The department also was given vehicle parts and search-and-rescue gear.

Metro has received more than any other agency in the state.

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Police in Henderson and North Las Vegas have not received anything.

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4

WASHOE COUNTY

Total value of equipment: $2.45 million Law enforcement officers in the northern county have used the program extensively, receiving vehicles, weapons and high-tech equipment. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office procured 83 M16 assault rifles, a Bell helicopter, cold-weather gear, night-vision and infrared equipment, and even a coffee maker. Reno police got nine assault rifles, a mine-resistant vehicle and about $230,000 worth of night-vision gear. Twenty more rifles went to Sparks police, school district police and the District Attorney’s Office.

THEY GOT WHAT?

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CARSON CITY

30 assault rifles, one mine-resistant vehicle After Eduardo Sencion opened fire in 2011 in a Carson City IHOP, killing five people and wounding seven, local police put in an order with the 1033 Program for surplus assault rifles. Police have since received 30 assault rifles and a mine-resistant vehicle. They haven’t had to use it yet, Undersheriff Steve Albertsen said.

Normally fully automatic, the assault rifles were modified to be semi-automatic, Albertsen said, and officers have been required to complete mandatory weapons training.

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Nationally, the Department of Defense has distributed more than $4.3 billion in surplus equipment.

Total value of equipment: $460,000 The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has made extensive use of the surplus program, receiving two trucks, 30 assault rifles and two military grenade launchers.

6

NYE COUNTY

Weapons, armored truck Law enforcement in Nye County received 27 assault rifles and an armored truck.

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The state agency received 11 .45-caliber pistols.

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Since 2006, through the 1033 Program, the Pentagon has distributed: A soldier with an M14 rifle in Vietnam, 1969. (AP)

THE M16A1 AND M14 The most common weapons received by Nevada law enforcement are Vietnam-era infantry rifles. The M16A1 fires ammunition less powerful than a hunting rifle but more powerful than a pistol. Law enforcement agencies use versions modified to be semi-automatic. The M14 is a semi-automatic battle rifle that uses rounds similar to those used in big-game hunting. The rifle is a common choice for honor guards and other ceremonial units.

79,288

assault rifles

205

grenade launchers

11,959 bayonets

3,972

combat knives

$124 MILLION

Boulder City Police received 14 assault rifles.

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THE GEAR

BOULDER CITY

ELKO

Cold-weather gear, one mine-resistant vehicle In addition to night-vision and cold-weather gear, Elko police received a mineresistant vehicle for SWAT calls. In the past, the small town had been forced to use donated armored cars for its SWAT team, Elko Police Lt. Ty Trouten said. “Coming from a smaller community like Elko, there’s just no way that’s going to be in the budgetary process,” Trouten said.

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

ACROSS THE NATION

DOUGLAS COUNTY

5

THE SUNDAY

MESQUITE

Total value of equipment: $700,000 Mesquite police received 38 assault rifles and a mine-resistant vehicle.

THE REST OF THE STATE A number of other Nevada agencies have made use of the 1033 Program but haven’t received nearly as much.

Humboldt, Lander and Lincoln county agencies got a combined 15 assault rifles. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received a mineresistant vehicle, as did the Winnemucca Police Department.

worth of nightvision equipment, including sniper scopes

479

bomb detonator robots

422

helicopters

MORE THAN $3.6 MILLION

worth of camouflage gear and other deception equipment

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office received more than just guns and tactical equipment through the 1033 Program. n Three percolating coffee machines: $176.79 n Six folding chairs: $180.12 n 25 pairs of Flyer’s mittens: $878.00 n Three space heaters: $2.783.67 n One bayonet and scabbard: $50.81 Other departments nationally have received building materials, toiletries and musical instruments.

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MILITARY MAKINGS? A 2014 report by the ACLU argued that the 1033 Program effectively turned law enforcement into paramilitary forces.

“What we have seen all too often is that this equipment has been deployed offensively,” Southern Nevada ACLU Director Tod Story said.

The report found that SWAT teams had a tendency to use excessive force, arriving on quiet residential

streets in armored vehicles with fully loaded automatic rifles and body armor, bashing down doors and screaming at residents.

A majority of SWAT deployments — around 62 percent, according to the ACLU — are for criminal drug searches.

“The question for every agency is, ‘What is the policy in place for the deployment of this equipment and its use in the field?’ ” Story said.

In Elko, police have used their mine-resistant vehicle twice this year for barricade situations. They say it helps protect the lives of officers.

But Story says such equipment produces an unintended side effect.

“If you are approaching people in the community with military equipment, it creates this unnatural power dynamic,” he said. “Those situations are going to be more volatile by nature of the equipment involved.”

11/26/14 12:57 PM

12 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

COVER STORY

GHOST HUNTING IN SOUTHERN NEVADA Determined to make a connection with the afterlife, hundreds of locals are buying in

I

BY ANDREA DOMANICK

t’s approaching 10 on an October night, and Jeannine Robertson is standing outside the entrance of the abandoned Goldfield High School, about two and a half hours northwest of Las Vegas. The last time Robertson was here, her group of companions left the building screaming.

This time, she brought along just one friend. She prefers it that way.

“Big groups tend to be more skittish,” Robertson said.

Standing on the school’s broad stone steps, Robertson, a 40-something accountant for Spy Entertainment, snaps open an industrial plastic briefcase to reveal half a dozen gadgets nestled in foam compartments. Some, like the digital tape recorder she removes, are familiar; others look plucked from the set of a science fiction film.

“You have to turn on the recorder before you go in, because you don’t know when it’s going to pick stuff up,” Robertson explains.

That “stuff” could be moaning from a long-dead principal, footsteps of teachers or the spirit of a schoolgirl who was raped at the school before it closed in 1953. As the story goes, the girl’s father stormed onto campus the next day to kill her attacker, but the attacker killed the father instead. The girl’s

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|

S TA F F W R I T E R

ghost now is rumored to haunt the school, grieving for the tragedies that took place.

■ ■ ■ Robertson is one of hundreds of local ghost hunters; Las Vegas is home to dozens of paranormal investigation groups.

Their members include accountants, lawyers, teachers and businesspeople. Together, they’re part of a growing community across the country and world searching for information about “the other side.”

“To me, it’s evidence that something else happens after we leave the physical world,” Robertson said.

She began exploring paranormal communication three years ago but started to really believe in ghosts a year later, after her father died.

“I wonder why it is that we can communicate with some people and not others,” she said. “I know there’s more out there, and I just want to know what it is.”

Robertson has unfinished business with Goldfield’s ghosts.

She first visited the site about a year ago, but a friend got spooked after she believed she heard a voice mutter, “I did.”

The sound sent the group running out of the building, and after hearing the voice again on a recording – this time with the more GHOSTS, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

11/26/14 1:27 PM

13

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THE SUNDAY

COVER STORY

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

Ghost hunter Jeannine Robertson sets up a camera and laser pen in the darkness during a ghost-hunting expedition in North Las Vegas. The green light is used to detect movement if something passes by.

(L.E. BASKOW/STAFF)

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14 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

COVER STORY

GHOSTS, FROM PAGE 12

menacing message, “I did it” — they opted to cut their visit short.

Robertson herself isn’t so easily shaken.

“I was a single mother for 10 years,” she said.

“Nothing can scare me.”

So she’s back a year later, intent on finding out who — or what — may have tried to communicate with her.

Entering the school, flashlight in hand, Robertson announces her presence to the darkness, her name echoing down a hallway. One of the first steps on a ghost hunt, she explains, is to introduce yourself and your intentions to any spirits that may be in the room and invite them to interact with you. n n n

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STEPS TO BECOMING A GHOST HUNTER STEP 1 Find a partner or partners. Extra help with equipment is always a plus, and eyewitnesses can provide corroboration if something supernatural happens.

being able to share evidence. I mean, there are ghost-hunting apps for your iPhone.” n n n Accessibility has allowed casual enthusiasts like Robertson to build a collection of what she estimates to be about $1,000 worth of equipment. She admits she still is figuring out how to use it all, but for her, that’s part of the fun.

With a night-vision camera set up on the ground level of Goldfield High School, Robertson and her friend explore the second floor.

They ask questions — Are you here with us? Is this where you went to school? — hoping a paranormal presence might respond.

They wait an hour. Nothing happens. n n n

For all the renewed interest surrounding the For some people, ghost hunting is a hobby — paranormal, and however real an experience an adventure and escape from day-to-day life, a may seem to a believer, no scientific evidence exway to broaden their social circle and a chance ists to prove the existence of ghosts. While devoto mingle with like-minded people.

STEP 2 tees insist certain experiences can’t be explained For others, like Zak Bagans, it’s a career.

Gather equipment. In general, a by science, skeptics say otherwise.

Bagans, a longtime Las Vegas resident, hosts novice ghost hunter will need: “What people think is a paranormal experithe Travel Channel’s popular series “Ghost n Digital camera ence often has to do with the power of expecAdventures,” now entering its 11th season. n Digital voice recorder tation and confirmation bias,” said Michael He co-authored a New York Times best-seller n A pen and paper Shermer, a columnist for Scientific American n Flashlight with batteries about paranormal activities and unexplained It’s also a good idea to bring a firstand founding publisher of Skeptic magazine. “If phenomena, and has another book due out in aid kit because you could end up in you go to any old house, you’re going to see shadFebruary. deserted or dilapidated locations. ows and hear creaks. When that stuff happens in With a decade under his belt as a paranormal a regular room in a house, you don’t think about investigator, Bagans has helped elevate ghost STEP 3 it. But if you anticipate it being haunted, you’re hunting from relative obscurity into pop culFind a location. going to notice those effects and interpret them ture consciousness. Reality television shows, as something ghostly. Houses and buildings are movies and websites are devoted to the subSTEP 4 full of electricity, wiring, pipes, moving, creakject. Companies profit from commercial ghost Visit the location and investigate. ing walls, and all that. So it’s not surprising to tours. Thousands of ghost-hunting videos have Say a prayer of protection before hear that people pick up these signals on their been uploaded to YouTube. and after the hunt to prevent devices.”

“People aren’t quiet about their experiences entities from getting angry or following you home. Introduce Still, Shermer admits there’s no harm in enwith ghosts anymore,” Bagans said. “They used yourself, explain why you are there, joying the occasional ghost hunt. to be, but now it has become kind of a cool and wait a few minutes to get “Everyone needs a hobby,” he said. “I underthing.” yourself and any spirits that may stand why people want to believe their evidence: References to conjuring and communicating be there acclimated. Take pictures, It means there’s a place to go after we die.” with spirits are as ancient as the Bible. But inmake recordings, log notes. Always vestigating the paranormal didn’t take root unbe respectful of the site. n n n til the rise of Spiritualism in the 19th century, Back at Goldfield High School, Robertson when organizations such as London’s Ghost STEP 5 carefully replaces her devices in their case and Club and the Society for Psychical Research Review your findings. Examine your concedes to a fruitless night. Nothing seen, were founded to investigate paranormal events. photos and recordings for unusual nothing heard. No sign of the eerie voice so clear Spiritualists practice a system of religious besights or sounds. Compare notes with your partner or partners. a year earlier. lief based on communication with the dead.

Driving back to the hotel a few minutes later, Paranormal interaction gained more popularSTEP 6 her friend tells her to pull over. Connecting the ity in the late 20th century, thanks to hobbyist Go online. Share your findings recorder to an amplifier, she replays a length of groups such as Chicago’s Ghost Tracker’s Club and experiences with other ghost recording that initially seemed unnoteworthy. and the work of Ed and Lorraine Warren, promihunters online.

This time, Robertson found it unmistakable. A nent paranormal investigators. The couple female voice whispers, “His name’s Paul.” claimed to have investigated more than 10,000 Robertson laughs, delighted with the unexhauntings, including several high-profile cases pected find. that formed the basis of such movies as “The Shermer and other skeptics likely would attribute the voice to the Amityville Horror” (1979) and “The Conjuring” (2013). women’s minds assigning supernatural meaning to ordinary noises.

In recent years, interest in ghost hunting has skyrocketed among the But to Robertson, it’s real. It means a night well spent, a new developmainstream, in large part because of technological advancements and ment in an ongoing adventure and perhaps a connection to life bethe increased availability and affordability of such equipment as fullyond the one we know. spectrum cameras, white-noise scanners and high-quality sound ampli“It’s a thrill, just to be able to leave your 9-to-5 and almost transport fiers, along with the rise of digital media and the Internet. back into time,” Bagans said. “When you ghost hunt, you kind of time “People are much more easily exposed to it now,” Bagans said. travel, you get that residue of the past.”

“The Internet has become a breeding ground for the paranormal and

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11/26/14 1:35 PM

15 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

GHOST-HUNTING GIFT GUIDE

Know an aspiring ghost hunter? Or someone interested in paranormal activity who might appreciate a ghost-hunting starter kit to start on the path to becoming one? It’s the holiday season, and the Christmas spirit might not be the only one you’ll find.

HELPFUL ITEMS NOT PICTURED Full-spectrum camcorder ($345) This video camera captures natural light, as well as ultraviolet and infrared light, which can’t been seen with the naked eye.

FLIR E4 thermal camera ($995) This camera allows you to see hot or cold spots in any location and track temperature fluctuations in real time.

Spirit Box SB7($70) (with optional Altec Lancing amplified speaker) A modified digital radio scans radio signals.

Ghosts are thought to communicate through the white noise.

For more, visit ghoststop.com

Olympus EVP Recorder ($25)

Ovilus ($299) Converts environmental readings, such as changes in temperature or electromagnetic frequencies, into real words.

K2 Meter ($65) An electromagnetic field meter reacts when exposed to magnetic fields.

Records electronic voice phenomena.

Camera

REM Pod ($179.95) Detects shifts in magnetic field.

Flashlight

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Laser Grid Pen ($25) A flashlight-like device that emits multiple green laser beams; used to detect movement or shadows. If something passes in front of the lasers, it will block the light.

THE LINGO Ghost hunter: A person who investigates hauntings to find explanations for possible paranormal phenomena. There are two types of ghost hunters: scientific hunters, who use scientific methods and equipment to make calculations and observations about a haunting; and psychic or intuitive ghost hunters, who use psychic impressions or intuition to learn about a haunted area.

Entity: A conscious, interactive ghost.

Spirit: The consciousness or soul of a person who is dead but continues to be seen in a specific area.

There are four main reasons spirits exist: The person doesn’t realize he or she is dead; there is unfinished business or an unkept promise to take care of; the spirit is saying goodbye to a loved one; or the spirit has returned to offer advice.

EVP: An acronym for “electronic voice phenomenon;” capturing ghostly sounds and/or words on an audio recording.

Apparition: The appearance of a ghost or spirit, usually an image of a dead person in real life or on film. There are apparitions based on each sense (visual: the appearance of a person; auditory: sounds of walking, voices, doors opening; olfactory: smells such as perfume or cigar smoke; tactile: feeling a breeze in a closed room, a tug on a person’s clothing), although taste is rarely involved.

Haunting: Any repeated appearance of phenomena associated with ghosts, spirits or poltergeists; usually a combination of cold spots, apparitions, missing objects and other forms of paranormal activity witnessed by more than one person over an extended period of time.

Orb: Visible, translucent spheres of light that hover above the ground and dart erratically through the air. Orbs are believed to be spirits trying to manifest; taking on an orb shape requires less energy than other apparitions. These usually are caught only on camera and not seen with the naked eye.

Intelligent haunting: A haunting in which the paranormal entity is able to interact with and respond to the living.

11/26/14 1:36 PM

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The Goldfield Hotel was once the gem of the desert, an opulent palace with mahogany trimming.

Today, it sits unoccupied.

GHOST HUNTING LOCATIONS There are dozens of places to ghost hunt in the state. Here are a few within a few hours’ drive.

Just remember, don’t trespass.

IN LAS VEGAS

ON THE STRIP

n Bonnie Springs Ranch

n Luxor

6395 Bonnie Springs Road The site is said to be haunted by the apparition of a schoolgirl who spins the merry-goround and moves wax figures.

3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South Guests have reported seeing a misty form in hotel corridors.

The specter reportedly is the ghost of a worker killed during the building’s construction.

n Old Boulder City Hospital Near the intersection of Park Street and Park Place in Boulder City The hospital was built during the Great Depression for people working on the Hoover Dam. People began reporting moaning, footsteps and shadowy figures in 2012, when the hospital became a community center. Reports say many of the hospital’s deaths were coverups that listed the cause as pneumonia when the patients actually died from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of their work on the dam.

n Planet Hollywood 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South The former Aladdin Hotel is said to have had a haunted Panorama Suite on the seventh floor.

Guests still report strange noises and missing objects. n Riviera 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South One of the oldest casinos on the Strip, the resort, particularly the hotel’s ninth floor, is said to be haunted. Many mob murders took place at the site, and staff have reported voices in stairwells and unearthly presences.

IN NEVADA n Goldfield Hotel Southeast corner of Crook Avenue (U.S. 95) and Columbia Street in Goldfield, Esmeralda County The entire town of Goldfield is said to be rich with paranormal activity. Goldfield was the biggest city in Nevada at the beginning of the 20th century but a fire in the 1920s destroyed much of the town.

Today, fewer than 250 people live there. n Whiskey Pete’s 100 W. Primm Blvd., Jean The resort is believed to be haunted by Whiskey Pete, a former miner and moonshiner who owned a gas station nearby. Believers say he watches over the casino and fills the gas tanks of parked cars.

WHAT YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER In general, there are three types of spirits and hauntings.

Residual hauntings A playback of a past event that unfolds in front of you.

The event has been imprinted on a location and replays when the conditions are right. There is no interaction between you and ghosts.

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Interactive spirits These can be full- or partialbodied apparitions, voices, music, footsteps, orbs, mists or smells. They are the spirits of dead people. They may try to get your attention and often are mischievous but rarely are harmful.

Demons or devils These are nonhuman spirits. While they are rare, they can be dangerous and cause you harm. They can disguise themselves as friendly, helpful spirits and often appear when unknowledgeable people play with Ouija boards and black magic.

“The most important thing to do if you’re interested in ghost hunting is research your history. And I’m not saying you have to look for all the dark history, like places where people died.

You just have to see what event happened there that could cause a haunting today.

For example, the spot where Madame Tussauds now sits, before it was the Venetian, used to be an actual dressing room and theater where the Rat Pack and old Vegas headliners performed. I received an EVP that said ‘singing in the rain’ and the sound of applause.”

— Zak Bagans, professional ghost hunter

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Gov. Brian Sandoval enters with his family as Nevada Republicans gather to celebrate the winning vote counts Nov. 4 at the New Nevada Lounge at Red Rock Casino.

(L.E. BASKOW/STAFF)

What will GOP do with its power?

Nevada Republicans have plenty to work on, if they can come together

BY KYLE ROERINK STAFF WRITER

Gov. Brian Sandoval and Nevada’s Republican Party will call the shots in the Legislature.

They will drive the hard decisions on the state’s $20 billion budget, Clark County’s failing public school system and the rising costs of health care.

But the Republican Party also must deal with itself.

The GOP scored an Election Day victory that was as unexpected as it was unprecedented. The party united for the win but now must remain together during the legislative session. It won’t be easy.

Ideologically, Nevada Republicans cover the spectrum.

After the Tea Party wave of 2010, the majority of Nevada Republicans followed Sandoval’s lead and moved center. But in February, 15 Republican rookies will step into the Legislature, many of whom ran on far-right platforms. At the same time, a cadre of the Legislature’s more conservative Republicans unhinged themselves from the fringe with more moderate policies and promises.

If the moderates and far-right can stick together, the GOP will be in a position to hang onto its power in 2016. But the question is whether that’s possible.

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INTERNAL POLITICS Political insiders were shocked when Republicans elected Assemblyman Ira Hansen, RSparks, as chamber speaker. Pat Hickey, R-Reno, the current Republican Assembly leader, was next in line for the job.

Hansen’s politics fall right of Hickey’s, and the move was the fi rst sign of a split between GOP moderates and conservatives.

Two weeks later, jaws dropped when Hansen stepped down from the speaker post. He resigned

EDUCATION REFORM A tax increase is one option for boosting one of America’s worst public school systems, but Republicans say there are better choices.

The midterm election suggested voters aren’t in the mood to pay more.

Nearly 80 percent voted against a tax on businesses that would have benefited schools.

Assemblyman Wesley Duncan, R-Las Vegas, said the Legislature could implement reforms without raising taxes by adding charter schools, changing collective bargaining laws or allowing parents to choose their children’s schools.

after columns he wrote for the Sparks Tribune were unearthed; the columns included racial epithets and degraded women and other minority groups.

Hansen said the frenzy that erupted was a calculated attempt to empower someone more moderate.

“The powers that be are planning a massive, more than $1 billion tax increase, and I stood in the way as speaker,” Hansen said.

If the party’s two factions can’t get along, the governor could end up vetoing a bill sponsored by his own party. Assembly Republicans are scheduled to pick a new leader Tuesday.

$

THE BUDGET

Legislators in both parties are awaiting the governor’s recommendations on sunset taxes, passed as a temporary measure in 2009 after the economy crashed. They were supposed to go away, but the Legislature renewed them in 2011 and 2013. They add more than $600 million in revenue for the state.

With an improving economy, many wonder whether the sunset package will phase out.

“The sunsets have to be dealt with,” said Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka.

Sandoval will release his budget in January.

11/26/14 12:57 PM

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GOP strategist peels back the curtain Ryan Erwin on recruiting politicians, what makes a good candidate and 2016

BY AMBER PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER

Ryan Erwin isn’t used to the spotlight.

The president of RedRock Strategies, a Las Vegas media and political consulting company, typically remains behind the scenes of Republican campaigns.

He has helped Rep. Joe Heck win re-election three times in a Southern Nevada swing district. And Erwin, the former head of the GOP in Nevada and California, is credited with masterminding Cresent Hardy’s upset of Rep. Steven Horsford in November.

Outside of politics, Erwin’s firm has worked with more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies and lobbied for ballot initiatives across the country.

After a historically successful election cycle for Republicans, Erwin spoke about his role and the party’s future.

You’re described as a “Republican strategist.” What actually do you do all day?

That’s such a good question and so difficult to answer. On the campaign side, our job is to provide the overarching strategy for candidates. And then we do everything from rapid response to crisis management to keeping all the campaign pieces running on time and on budget.

Do you recruit candidates?

Sometimes. I would say every election cycle, we do end up recruiting several candidates to run for key positions.

I made a decision a long time ago that candidates whom we work for need to be the right kind of people in the right place at the right time. But they also have to have values similar to ours. So sometimes, you have to go out and look for somebody who fits that model.

‘

Ryan Erwin, president and founder of RedRock Strategies, worked as a political adviser to, among others, Cresent Hardy, who defeated incumbent Steven Horsford in the 4th Congressional District. (MONA SHIELD PAYNE/SPECIAL TO THE SUNDAY.)

What type of person makes a good candidate?

You want somebody who has a core.

We are not a company that is ideologically driven. We are common-value driven. That means good people who want to go good things.

While we’ve worked only with Republican candidates, we’ve had relationships on both sides. There is a long list of people active in politics inside Nevada and out who would probably say we do good work, even if they’ve been on the other side and in a fight with us.

You’ve been credited with being one of the only people who foresaw Hardy’s win over Horsford.

I’m uncomfortable with credit. The reality of politics is good candidates can lose with bad campaigns, but it’s

really hard to elect a bad candidate, even with a good campaign.

Cresent Hardy deserves the credit for that victory. He had, at every turn, the opportunity to mail it in or say, “This is too hard.” Cresent Hardy woke up every day and did what he was supposed to do, like knocking on an unprecedented number of doors.

How much of Nevada Republicans’ victory this November can be attributed to the mood of the country?

It’s so important. We talk a lot with our candidates about the idea of knowing when to put up the sail and catch the wind and knowing when to take the sail down and paddle like crazy upstream. Cresent Hardy would not have won this cycle in a Democratic wave. It just wouldn’t have happened.

We needed the wind at our back to be able to put the sail up to get us across the finish line.

What will RedRock Strategies’ role be in 2016, specifically in regards to Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election campaign?

Anybody who is involved in politics, like I am, will be drawn to a battle like a moth to a flame.

I think 2016 is going to be a fascinating year in Nevada. Some quality candidate will run against Harry Reid, and it will likely be the most expensive U.S. Senate race in Nevada history, and arguably the one with the most long-lasting implications for the state. *Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Cresent Hardy deserves the credit for that victory. He had, at every turn, the opportunity to mail it in or say, ‘This is too hard.’ Cresent Hardy woke up every day and did what he was supposed to do, like knocking on an unprecedented number of doors.”

20_News_Erwin_20141130.indd 20

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Jacob Kepins teaches algebra at Mojave High School. He is a veteran and former tattoo artist who became an educator through Teach for America. (STEVE MARCUS/STAFF)

The classroom is teacher’s new front line

BY BRIAN NORDLI STAFF WRITER

Every day before Mojave High School teacher Jacob Kepins begins breaking down algebraic equations, he has students stand up and recite a mantra.

“Better today than yesterday,” the students say. “Better tomorrow than today.”

The words are a verbal contract to help students remember learning is their objective. The chant is a technique Kepins picked up in the Navy.

“I treat them like they’re my sailors, and I have a mission,” Kepins said. “That mission is to get you ready for college and ready for a career and life outside of college.”

Kepins is in his second year of teaching at Mojave through Teach For America’s “You Served For America, Now Teach For America” initiative, which recruits veterans and their spouses to enter classrooms. Teach For America is a nonprofit organization that provides training and support to recent college graduates in return for a two-year commitment to teach in low-income schools.

The veterans program, which began in 2012, offers an outlet to veterans as they transition into civilian life. The recruits’ experience in the military fits well in schools, where leadership, perseverance and the ability

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LEARN MORE Find more information on the “You Served For America, Now Teach For America” initiative at teachforamerica.org

to multitask are key, program director and Navy veteran Sid Ellington said.

“There is so much going around you that you need to just focus on the mission at hand and avoid the distraction,” said Ellington, who taught in New Orleans. “Those skills were honed in the military — that leadership, that ability to be prepared and show up prepared.”

There are about 100 veterans and 35 spouses teaching nationwide through the program, with nine veterans and two military spouses teaching in Clark County. Ellington helps participants transition into teaching, including helping them become accredited and find a job.

Eventually, Ellington hopes to expand the number of veteran teachers to about 265, or 5 percent of Teach for America’s annual workforce.

It’s a challenging job, he admits. He has had students die in shootings, but his time in the classroom also enabled him to make a difference in something bigger than himself, he said.

“It was a life-changing experience,” Ellington said.

Before teaching, Kepins spent seven years in the Navy as a ship electrician on the USS Boxer in the Persian Gulf.

It was his job to ensure that the generator remained operational.

After leaving the Navy and working for two years as a tattoo artist, he used the G.I. Bill to enroll in college and study economics. He learned about Teach For America during his junior year economics class.

Education “is this game changer, this universal leveling mechanism in terms of social mobility and income equality,” Kepins said. “I wanted to get in there and do something.”

In some ways, it has been tougher than his time in the military. His mission on the ship was simple — fix machines. It could be physically exhausting, but the job was straightforward.

At Mojave, he teaches students with diverse backgrounds, including many who come from low-income families. Each student needs to be treated differently, and there is no standard operating procedure to fall back on.

“These are real students with a real future, and they depend on you to be there for them and give them the right information to be successful in their lives,” Kepins said. “There’s no do-over.”

11/26/14 12:23 PM

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Jump in with both boots: How to embrace the rodeo

BY KATIE VISCONTI AND PASHTANA USUFZY | STAFF WRITERS

When the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo rolls into Las Vegas this week, it won’t be an ordinary 10 days of wrangling, riding and revelry. This is NFR’s 30th year in Sin City. ¶ With that comes a host of extra excitement for what’s widely considered the world’s premiere rodeo championship. ¶ If you want to get involved but have never so much as stepped into a cowboy boot, here are a few ways to get ready for NFR 2014: TAKE RIDING LESSONS n Equine Speed Academy, 8868 W. Washburn Road, Las Vegas Lessons are taught by Janet Roll, a retired barrel racer with 33 years as a Clark County School District physical education teacher. n Hunter’s Edge Farm, 8855 W. Mountains Edge Parkway, Las Vegas Lessons are available for people ages 4 and up; children 2 to 3 can enroll in the “Lil’ Breeches” program for private, half-hour sessions.

TAKE A HORSEBACK RIDE n Wild West Horseback Adventures, 2470 Chandler Ave., Las Vegas Five-hour desert rides, roughly $160 per person, are offered three times a day with experienced guides.

BUY A PAIR OF BOOTS n Sheplers, 5111 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas A dream for cowboys and cowgirls, with top-brand boots, jeans, T-shirts and home decor. n Boot Barn, multiple valley locations Boot Barn is as accessible for first-time buyers as it is for western wear afficionados.

DRESS IN PROPER ATTIRE What do cowgirls and cowboys wear? Riders and spectators easily can be identified by what they are wearing.

Here’s what you need before saddling up: n Long-sleeve collared shirt n Vest n Jeans, chaps, belt n Cowboy boots, spurs n Cowboy hat n Bandana

24_News_NFR_20141130.indd 24

Ty Breuer rides in the bareback bronc riding competition during the 2013 National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE)

WHERE TO SPOT A COWBOY These spots offer entertainment and a chance to see some 10-gallon hats:

MONTE CARLO

MANDALAY BAY

MGM GRAND

Menus will be rodeothemed at the Pub, Double Barrel Roadhouse, the Cafe and the Buffet. The hotel will have a live television feed of the competition, and the hotel will be the temporary home to bareback riding contestants.

The resort will host U.S. team ropers and convert its convention center into the Roper Cowboy Marketplace with more than 300 vendors.

The Wrangler Hollywood Theatre will show each NFR round live and hold the “Wrangler NFR Countdown Show.”

MORE EVENTS MISS RODEO AMERICA PAGEANT More than 30 contestants will compete in an eight-day competition at MGM Grand.

RODEO WEEK AT BRAD GARRETT’S COMEDY CLUB The comedy club at MGM Grand will feature all country-themed comedians.

AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS

DOWNTOWN HOEDOWN

Cowboy champions will be in MGM Grand’s main lobby to sign autographs and meet fans from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 5 and 8.

For the 28th year, “12 Days of Country” will take over Fremont Street, with local and national country music artists.

THE STORY OF THE RODEO IN LAS VEGAS

BY RIC ANDERSON STAFF WRITER

It’s December in the early 1980s, and Las Vegas has gone into deep hibernation. This has happened every December for years.

Tourism has faded to a trickle, with would-be visitors focusing on celebrating the holidays with family instead of gambling and boozing with strangers.

Casino companies have furloughed employees and used the lull as an opportunity to shut down parts of their resorts for renovations and repairs. There’s not much to do except get the properties spiffed up WATCH for New Year’s THE DOC Eve and take “Buckin’ the care of the few Odds: 30 Years gamblers hauntof the National ing the mostly Finals Rodeo in empty gaming Las Vegas” floors. n 7 p.m. Dec. 1 Time-travel CBS Sports 30 years, and Network (DirecTV Las Vegas no 221, Dish Network longer slumbers 158 and Cox in December.

Cable 333) n Encore Why? presentation Three letters: Dec. 4 (time TBD) NFR. The National Finals Rodeo transformed the valley by providing a stream of visitors — and their dollars — every December. Rooms filled up, furloughs became a thing of the past, and renovation and repair projects had to be sprinkled around the calendar.

That success story is being memorialized this year in “Buckin’ the Odds: 30 Years of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas,” a documentary scheduled to air 7 p.m. Dec. 1 on CBS Sports Network.

The film chronicles the events that led to the NFR moving from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas in 1985, and how the event has grown to a powerhouse that has sold out 280 consecutive nights. The storyline also focuses on how rodeo helped stabilize Las Vegas’ economy and fuel its growth through the 1980s and 1990s.

Narrated by Luke Perry, the former “Beverly Hills 90210” star who portrayed a bull rider in the rodeo movie “8 Seconds,” the documentary features appearances by top rodeo cowboys and Las Vegas notables, including South Point owner Michael Gaughan and Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

11/26/14 1:56 PM

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11/26/14 1:10 PM

26

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THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

NEWS

Send your news information to news@thesunday.com

Kaleb Driggers celebrates winning the team roping competition during the ninth go-round of the 2013 National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

This year, Las Vegas has a good grip on the rodeo

T

o quote one of the city’s great Wild West partners, Karl Stressman: “It’s been a rodeo, to say the least. It might have been the king of all rodeos.”

Stressman speaks from experience, as the proverbial head honcho of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the sanctioning body for the annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Celebrating its 30th year in Las Vegas, the NFR hits town Thursday and runs through Dec. 13 at the Thomas & Mack Center. It is expected again to sell out the venue’s 17,500 seats and funnel to the city upwards of $90 million in nongaming revenue.

The rodeo away from the rodeo of which Stressman spoke unfolded last winter. For a few tense weeks in December and January, it seemed the NFR would uproot and head to a new venue in Osceola County, Fla. Rodeo promoter Las Vegas Events finally agreed to up the annual purse and sponsorship payment to the PRCA, offering $16.5 million annually to keep the event in Las Vegas through 2024.

A congenial and relieved Stressman spoke about the return of the NFR to Las Vegas:

26_News_Kats_20141130.indd 26

J.K.: It’s already a Johnny Kats: For the wildly successful event first time in a long time, now with 280 consecutive you’re not staging the sellouts. One big negotiatrodeo with negotiations ing point was the higher hanging over the event. prize money, which kicks Karl Stressman: Yes. in next year, right?

When I’m telling you I K.S.: Yeah. This year, I am looking forward to believe it’s $6.35 million, coming, I can’t wait. And JOHN if I’m not mistaken, and that is a statement that KATSILOMETES next year we go to $10 milwould not have been made lion. So, the impact on the the past couple of years. … rodeo industry that Vegas You can just sit down and has invested in, with us as a partner, drink a Coors or a Pendleton together is phenomenal. That kind of money and enjoy each other’s company and was never even heard of, in terms of $1 talk about how we invest the energy million a round, or $10 million in prize for the future of the Wrangler National money. Each one of these individual Finals. We now have an opportunity participants gets a $10,000 bonus when to celebrate that anniversary and then they get there. plan for 2015 and how we make it bigJ.K.: How does the PRCA feel about ger and better, which is huge job. the likelihood of spending the next 10 J.K.: What did the PRCA do to years at the Thomas & Mack Center strengthen the NFR and its relationwith MGM Resorts building a new ship with Las Vegas? arena on the Strip?

K.S.: The sheer fact that we had a K.S.: The LVE guys really have the number in our mind as to what we control over moving that if the opthought the value of the Wrangler portunity arises. I know the last time I National Final Rodeo was, and Vegas spoke to LVE, the guys were in pretty came to the table with those funds — serious negotiations with the Thomas that makes us want to participate at a & Mack. We’re outside the boundarbigger level.

ies, and that is their call. We have all the confidence in the world that they’ll make the right call.

J.K.: You have a new television deal coming into play. What’s the future of the rodeo on TV? K.S.: We’re on CBS Sports Network, which we announced last year. I know they will be pleased with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the first year they’ll have it. We have a second year in 2015, but we want to find a permanent home, and eventually, we should be geared to having at least one of our rounds on national TV. I’d love to see 2015 look like that. It would be phenomenal.

J.K.: Did you ever honestly believe you were going to uproot the rodeo from Las Vegas?

K.S.: You know, the last thing we wanted to do, the very last thing, on our board of directors, was to go anywhere and start again. Just to try to start a 30-year operation some place new is so difficult. I know they saw that even 30 years ago, when they came to Vegas.

But I gotta tell you, we had long discussions about the possibilities of doing it.

So were we prepared to leave? Yes sir, we were. Did we want to leave? No, we did not.

11/26/14 1:55 PM

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11/26/14 1:06 PM

28

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THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

LIFE

Send your news information to news@thesunday.com

W H AT A B O U T 2014 ?

The Social Secu rity Administration is expected to release rank ings for the top baby na mes from this year ne xt spring.

NEVADA’S MOST POPULAR NAMES

BY JACKIE VALLEY | STAFF WRITER

hen Las Vegas power couple Holly Madison and Pasquale Rotella were awaiting the birth of their first child, they did what many expectant parents do: They made a list of potential names for their daughter.

They sought a moniker that was both intriguing and unusual but also possessed that indescribable sense of “just seeming right.”

“We don’t like plain names,” Madison, the former “Peepshow” headliner, said at the time.

The couple didn’t disappoint. They named their daughter Rainbow Aurora Rotella.

They succeeded in choosing a unique first name.

Only their daughter’s middle name showed up on the Social Security Administration’s list of top Nevada baby names last year, checking in at No. 72.

So what were Nevada’s most popular baby names?

And how have they changed over the years?

Here’s a hint: Everyone likes Mike.

W

THE MOST POPULAR BOYS’ & GIRLS’ NAMES, BY YEAR

2013

2003

1993

1983

1973

1963

BOY NAMES 1. Ethan 2. Mason 3. Jayden 4. Noah 5. Jacob 6. Anthony 7. Daniel 8. Liam 9. Aiden 10. Michael

BOY NAMES 1. Anthony 2. Michael 3. Jacob 4. Joshua 5. Joseph 6. Jose 7. Christopher 8. Tyler 9. Alexander 10. Ryan

BOY NAMES 1. Michael 2. Christopher 3. Joshua 4. Anthony 5. Tyler 6. Ryan 7. Jacob 8. Brandon 9. Nicholas 10. Daniel

BOY NAMES 1. Michael 2. Christopher 3. Matthew 4. Robert 5. Joshua 6. Jason 7. Joseph 8. David 9. Daniel 10. Justin

BOY NAMES 1. Michael 2. Jason 3. Christopher 4. Robert 5. David 6. James 7. John 8. Brian 9. Richard 10. Daniel

BOY NAMES 1. Michael 2. John 3. David 4. Robert 5. James 6. Mark 7. Richard 8. Kevin 9. William 10. Kenneth

GIRL NAMES 1. Sophia 2. Isabella 3. Emma 4. Mia 5. Olivia 6. Sofia 7. Emily 8. Ava 9. Abigail 10. Charlotte

GIRL NAMES 1. Emily 2. Emma 3. Ashley 4. Madison 5. Alexis 6. Alyssa 7. Isabella 8. Samantha 9. Elizabeth 10. Jennifer

GIRL NAMES 1. Ashley 2. Jessica 3. Samantha 4. Taylor 5. Sarah 6. Amanda 7. Brittany 8. Stephanie 9. Danielle 10. Alexis

GIRL NAMES 1. Jennifer 2. Jessica 3. Amanda 4. Ashley 5. Nicole 6. Heather 7. Crystal 8. Sarah 9. Amber 10. Christina

GIRL NAMES 1. Jennifer 2. Jessica 3. Amanda 4. Ashley 5. Nicole 6. Heather 7. Crystal 8. Sarah 9. Amber 10. Christina

GIRL NAMES 1. Lisa 2. Karen 3. Mary 4. Susan 5. Michelle 6. Patricia 7. Tammy 8. Linda 9. Deborah 10. Kimberly Source: Social Security Administration

28_Life_BabyNamessss_20141130.indd 28

11/26/14 12:22 PM

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6/4/14 11:25 AM

30

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THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

LIFE

Send your news information to news@thesunday.com

TAMALES: A LATIN HOLIDAY TRADITION

BY THE SUNDAY STAFF

When others are planning end-of-the-year vacations and winding down work schedules for the holidays, local tamale makers get down to business.

Orders of masa, the corn meal used to make tamales, multiply by 10 or more at restaurants and markets in Southern Nevada.

Tamales are a traditional Christmas food in many Latin American countries, including Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Panama and Venezuela, where they are called hallacas.

They typically are made with a meat, cheese, fruit or vegetable filling, stuffed in a corn-based dough, then wrapped in a corn husk or other plant leaf to hold the contents together and keep them moist during cooking.

Tamales date to the Mayan and Aztec civilizations and were made for feasts as early as 5,000 B.C. Why are they considered holiday fare? Making them involves multiple steps and can be labor intensive. So families gather and form assembly lines to get the job done efficiently.

The process involves grinding corn meal into flour, preparing the filling, and softening the corn husks by soaking them in warm water. Typically, tamales are steamed in a large metal pan or pot.

Today, most ingredients can be found at grocery stores; chile peppers, corn husks and dough also usually are available at Hispanic markets.

At Dona Maria Tamales Restaurant, which opened in 1979, cooks make 7,000 pounds of tamales each week leading up to the holidays. During the rest of they year, they average 200 to 400 pounds per week.

As tamales spread from Mexico, variations particular to certain countries developed.

Many Central American countries use plantain leaves instead of corn husks, and in Peru and Bolivia, the tamales tend to be spicy, large and wrapped in banana leaves.

Most commonly, tamales are filled with chicken, pork or cheese, although dessert tamales also are popular.

WHERE TO GET TAMALES Dona Maria Tamales Restaurant Las Vegas’ standard bearer for tamales. The restaurant churns out 7,000 pounds of tamales a week during the holidays and has been at it for more than three decades.

Downtown 910 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas (702) 382-6538 Northwest 3205 N. Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, 702-656-1600

30-31_Life_ChristmasTamales_20141130.indd 30

Mundo At lunch, the fine-dining Mexican restaurant at World Market Center offers short rib, shrimp and pulled chicken tamales.

Leticia’s Mexican Cocina Traditional tamales on the west side, including the award-winning chipotle fajita tamales. Order holiday tamales by the dozen.

495 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, 702-270-4400

7585 Norman Rockwell Lane, Building 1, Las Vegas, 702-445-7722

11/26/14 1:53 PM

31 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

CHICKEN AND GREEN CHILE TAMALES Recipe by Chef Emeril Lagasse Makes 20 tamales INGREDIENTS 20

dried corn husks

2/3 C

quick-cooking or old-fashioned grits (not instant)

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP TAMALES

1-1/4 C chicken stock 3/4 C

masa harina

2 tsp

ground cumin

1C

lard or vegetable shortening

1 tsp

baking powder

Recipe by Dona Maria Tamales Restaurant Makes three dozen tamales

1/2 tsp salt

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 C cooked, shredded chicken 1/2 lb

Monterey Jack or mild cheddar cheese, grated

36-40 dried corn husks 2 lbs

masa

4

poblano chiles, roasted, seeded, peeled and coarsely chopped

2

29 oz cans of pumpkin puree

2C

brown sugar

2 tsp

ground cinnamon

1 tsp

pumpkin spice

DIRECTIONS

1 tsp

ground ginger

1. Boil corn husks for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and steep until soft and pliable, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Drain and pat dry.

1â „2 tsp ground clove (optional)

2. In a food processor, process grits for one minute. In a small saucepan, bring stock to a low boil. Transfer grits to a bowl and add hot stock. Let stand uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes. Add masa harina and cumin and mix. Cool to room temperature.

3. In an electric mixer, whip lard or shortening with a paddle until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in half the masa mixture and whip until well blended.

Add remaining masa mixture, little by little, until mixture resembles a thick cake batter, adding chicken stock if needed. Add baking powder and salt and whip for 1 to 2 minutes until well incorporated and smooth.

4. Fill corn husk with 1/4 cup of masa batter and a tablespoon each of chicken, cheese and poblano.

5. Layer tamales inside a steamer basket, leaving enough room for them to expand slightly. Steam for 1 1/2 hours or until tender and tamales easily pull away from corn husks. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

1

16 oz can of condensed milk

1

stick softened unsalted butter

1C

mini chocolate chips

1C

walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS 1. Soak the corn husks in water for 30 minutes or until they are soft. Clean them and lay them flat.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine masa, pumpkin puree, condensed milk and butter. Make sure all small clumps have been removed. Mix in all dry ingredients. Once mixed well, fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

3. Fill a corn husk, smooth side up, with 2 to 3 tablespoons of masa filling. Fold and stack in a steamer in a colander or steaming basket with open end up.

Repeat until masa is gone.

4. Fill the steamer with water that reaches 2 inches from the bottom of the tamales. Cook for 60 minutes or until the filling no longer sticks to the corn husk. Throughout the cooking process, make sure there is plenty of water in the steamer and refill if necessary.

HOW TO FOLD A TAMALE

1.

Spread the masa filling in a 4x4-inch square, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides and a 2-inch border on the narrow end. Fill to the edge of the wide end.

30-31_Life_ChristmasTamales_20141130.indd 31

2. Add additional filling to the middle.

3. Fold in each side of the corn husk to cover the dough.

4. Fold up the bottom of the husk.

5. Tie with string or a strip of corn husk.

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11/26/14 1:42 PM

As nonprofit organizations, the Animal Foundation and the Nevada SPCA rely on community involvement.

Their websites provide information about how you can help support animal care in our community.

33 THE SUNDAY

LIFE

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

LOOKING FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND?

The Animal Foundation and the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are shelters dedicated to finding homes for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles and even roosters. Each week, we feature a selection of animals available for adoption.

Roxy (A810346)

Peter (A808698)

Rossi

Mimi

Age: 19-month-old spayed female Breed: Pit bull Description: Roxy is a smart, playful pup who sits, shakes and lies down on command. Additional training would teach her even more obedience and tricks.

Adoption fee: $105

Age: 13-month-old male Breed: Shorthair rabbit Description: Peter is one of many rabbits waiting for a new home.

Adoption fee: $25

Age: 5-year-old neutered male Breed: Longhaired chihuahua and Pomeranian mix Description: Rossi is best suited for a calm home environment. He is house-trained, crate-trained and compatible with dogs and older kids.

Adoption fee: $50

Age: 3-month-old spayed female Breed: Silver tabby and white Description: Mimi is bedazzled by laser lights and other toys. She has been lovingly raised and socialized in a nurturing foster home since her rescue.

Adoption fee: $70

Pudding (A706743)

Razz (A810953)

Lon and Boris

Gypsy

Age: 3-year-old spayed female Breed: Domestic shorthair Description: Pudding likes attention but prefers to warm up to new people who wish to pet and handle her. Once she’s relaxed, she’s friendly and sweet.

Adoption fee: $80

Age: 7-month-old spayed female Breed: Chihuahua mix Description: Razz has lots of promise. She walks well on a leash and is eager for more obedience training.

Adoption fee: $155

Age: 1-year-old males Breed: Crested, young guinea pigs Description: Lon & Boris enjoy people and relish their daily salad greens and veggies. They are brothers with an especially strong bond and need to stay together forever.

Adoption fee: $20 for the pair

Age: 3-month-old spayed female Breed: Bully mix Description: We rescued Gypsy’s pregnant mother, and she has been lovingly raised and socialized in a compassionate foster home.

Adoption fee: $150 adoption fee

Packer (A786836)

Gato (A803635)

Brian

Nene

Age: 2-year-old neutered male Breed: Chihuahua mix Description: Packer gets along with children and other dogs. He loves squeaky toys and has the energy of a puppy. He may bark at strangers at first, but he’s loyal to his loved ones.

Adoption fee: $155

Age: 6-month-old spayed female Breed: Domestic shorthair Description: Gato is young and timid, and looking for a calm, caring family. She’s unsure around other animals and may need to be the home’s only pet.

Adoption fee: $80

Age: 7-year-old neutered male Breed: Labrador/retriever mix Description: Brian is a sensitive boy who longs for stability. He thrives with steady routines and likes the company of other good-natured dogs.

Adoption fee: $40

Age: 7-year-old spayed female Breed: Brown tabby with white mitts Description: Nene loves being pampered and takes delight in making herself comfy-cozy. She is compatible with cats and dogs.

Adoption fee: $20

ANIMAL FOUNDATION 702-384-3333 x131 | animalfoundation.com/adopt Animals are assigned a color next to their name indicating location: 655 N. Mojave Road, Las Vegas 286 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson

33_LIFE_Pets_20141130.indd 33

NEVADA SPCA 4800 W. Dewey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89118 702-873-SPCA | www.nevadaspca.org

11/26/14 12:20 PM

34 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

SPORTS

WAS HE THE LAST MAN TO REALLY BEAT MAYWEATHER? Two decades ago, Las Vegas’ Augie Sanchez scored a win against the man most consider the world’s best fi ghter.

BY RAY BREWER | STAFF WRITER

he lobby of Barry’s Boxing on Highland Drive off the Strip is decorated with trophies and medals the club’s fighters have won throughout the years.

Hanging on the walls, almost hidden by the masses of awards, is an 8 1/2-by-11-inch framed photo from the 1996 Olympic Tr ials in Oakland. Augie Sanchez, one of the club’s trainers, is pictured leaping in excitement after beating Floyd Mayweather Jr. Aside from having a full head of hair, Mayweather’s appearance hasn’t changed in almost 20 years. But who is the fighter standing next to him?

“I’ve got these new highlights in my hair,” 37-year-old Sanchez jokes, pointing to the gray. “Yeah, that’s me. Look how young I was. It was a long time ago.”

The fighters had a lengthy history against each other in junior boxing. Mayweather beat Sanchez in the next two fights at the trials to make the Olympic team in the featherweight division.

“That was the only year they had a box-off (to make the Olympics),” Sanchez said. “Can you believe that?”

T 34-35_Sports_AugieSanchez_20141130.indd 34

Mayweather won bronze at the Olympics after dropping a controversial decision to Bulgaria’s Serafim Todorov in the semifinals but hasn’t lost since. He likely has just a few fights left before retiring and takes pride in the claim he has never been beaten as a professional.

Sanchez is equally proud he was the last American to defeat Mayweather, even if the victory happened almost two decades ago. And, if you ask Mayweather, he’ll say Sanchez was the last to legitimately defeat him.

“It was just wonderful,” said Pat Barry, who owns Barry’s Boxing and is Sanchez’s father-in-law and former trainer. “I remember the day well. My wife and daughter were (at the trials). My wife called me up all excited: ‘He did it. He beat Mayweather.’ ” Mayweather now is a household name, and his contributions to boxing are unquestioned. He is the sport’s biggest draw and one of the lone reasons it remains relevant.

Sanchez, too, is thriving.

While Sanchez, who went 28-3 with an impressive 25 knockouts during a five-year professional career, hasn’t fought in more than a decade, he’s a boxing lifer who still spends most

11/25/14 4:41 PM

of his ti dren at sport a most im The was sm his last tant tha the firs “I di from th Thos great ju won th in Milw boxers. lobby.

“You in,” Bar it’s abo On m

35

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THE SUNDAY

SPORTS

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

SANCHEZ’S LOVE STORY RINGSIDE SEATS Boxing trainer Augie Sanchez, left, poses at Barry’s Boxing Center, 2664 S. Highland Drive, Las Vegas. Below, Sanchez helps Jeremy Anderson, 13, work on his timing. At bottom, a photo at the gym, shows the reactions of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sanchez after Sanchez won their match at the Olympic Trials in 1996. Mayweather came back to win the next two fights with Sanchez and qualified for the Olympics. (STEVE MARCUS/STAFF)

A GUIDING HAND Augie Sanchez’s passion today is working with children at Barry’s Boxing, teaching them the ins and outs of the sport and making sure they have perspective about what is most important.

of his time at the gym. His passion today is working with children at Barry’s Boxing, teaching them the ins and outs of the sport and making sure they have perspective about what is most important.

The first lesson: There’s more to life than boxing. Sanchez was smart enough to retire in his mid-20s after losing two of his last four fights, knowing his well-being was more important than chasing a championship. He was knocked out during the first round of his last fight and left the ring on a stretcher.

“I didn’t want to have to use a GPS to find my way home from the gym,” he said.

Those medals and trophies are mostly his, symbols of a great junior career that inspire others to follow suit. Sanchez won the featherweight Golden Gloves national title in 1994 in Milwaukee, the most prestigious tournament for junior boxers. The gold trophy gloves are in a display case in the lobby.

“You should see the kids’ response when they first come in,” Barry said. “It’s, ‘Wow, can I win those, too?’ I tell them it’s about hard work and dedication. You need to work hard.”

On most afternoons, as many as 30 children train in the

34-35_Sports_AugieSanchez_20141130.indd 35

gym’s two rings, on heavy bags or with punching bags. When Sanchez walks in, he commands attention.

He knows the fighters by name and is familiar with their stories. Most youth boxers come from a rough upbringing and use the sport to stay off the streets. They hope one day to be like ‘Kid Vegas,’ the moniker given to Sanchez by Top Rank Promotions when he turned professional at age 19.

Sanchez went from fighting at the old Golden Gloves gym on Washington Avenue near downtown to fighting on the Strip on the undercard of a Mike Tyson bout. Becoming a trainer was the natural next step.

“Fighting is an all-or-nothing sport,” Barry said. “It becomes a lifestyle. You do it from morning to night. When you get too old to do it anymore, this is what you do. You find yourself hanging out in the gym, working with a kid who you see has potential.”

Mayweather has the fame and fortune. Sanchez has his family — his wife, Dawn, and the three foster children they adopted — and the children he trains at Barry’s Boxing.

“I wouldn’t change my life for anything,” Sanchez said.

“Everything works out for a reason.”

He was fighting in a junior boxing tournament at the old Showboat. She was one of the ring girls.

That’s when Augie Sanchez, then 9, met his future wife, Dawn, then 7.

“I was sitting on the stool, and my feet couldn’t touch the ground,” he recalled.

They started dating in middle school and have been together since.

They married in 1999.

“Initially, she wasn’t all too thrilled about boxing itself,” said Pat Barry, Dawn’s father and Augie’s trainer for part of his professional career. “She had other things she wanted to do on a Saturday afternoon. But, when she found out (Augie) was fighting, she would be there.”

Barry and Augie Sanchez train fighters at Barry’s Boxing gym.

Dawn Sanchez coordinates tournaments locally and works as an official. This month, she traveled to Korea to score fights. Dawn Barry, Pat’s wife, does a little bit of everything at the club and is hugely popular with its patrons.

Sanchez’s three children often spend their evenings at the gym.

Soon, Hunter Augustine Sanchez, 5, will follow his father’s footsteps into the ring. His sisters, Lily Pat and Cecelia Dawn, also plan to be involved in the family business.

“We’re a boxing family,” Pat Barry said.

“When you do something long enough, it grows into you.”

11/25/14 4:41 PM

36

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

GAMING

Send your gaming information to gamingguide@thesunday.com

CASINO PROMOTIONS CLUB FORTUNE Top of the Hill slot tournament Date: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

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Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Information: Open to Club Card members age 50 and older. First entry is free with a swipe at a club kiosk; collect a second entry by earning 250 points and a third entry by earning 500 points. Top prize is $1,500; total prize pool is $5,200.

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Play For Prizes – Something Fresh Date: Dec. 1-12 Information: Earn points to redeem for Albertsons gift cards. Players keep their points.

KLUC Toy Drive Date: Dec. 1-13 Information: Bring in a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more to Club Palms and receive $10 in free slot play once per day.

Play For Prizes – Keep the Cash Coming Date: Dec. 15-26 Information: Redeem points for up to $190 in cash per day. Players keep their points.

D LAS VEGAS AND GOLDEN GATE Corvette giveaway Date: Jan. 24 Information: Receive an entry for every 100 points earned at slots or video poker, every $100 blackjack wager or every $300 daily keno play. Remaining drawing is Dec. 31, with five winners at each advancing to the grand-prize drawing Jan. 24. Top prize is a 2014 custom Corvette Stingray.

SOUTH POINT Seniors 50+ weekly slot tournament Date: Thursdays

36-37_Gaming_20141130.indd 36

will visit Station Casinos sports books and ask people, “If I give you this Bud Light, are you up for whatever?” Those who are “up for anything” have the chance to win iPads, televisions, gift cards and football tickets.

10x points Mondays Date: Ongoing Information: Club members get 10x points on selected reel and video reel slot machines.

Weekly slot tournament Date: Saturdays Time: 1-5 p.m.

Information: First entry is free, with additional entries per 500 points earned that day. First place is $1,000 in slot play. Top 20 players win slot play prizes, which must be used within 24 hours. Winners must pick up prizes between 6 and 11:59 p.m. the day of the tournament.

WILDFIRE JERRY’S NUGGET Up to 5x points Date: Fridays and Saturdays Time: 4 a.m.-11:59 p.m.

Information: Rewards members who swipe their cards at a kiosk get 3x to 5x points on slot and video poker games.

50-plus senior Mondays Date: Ongoing Locations: Wildfire Sunset, Wildfire Boulder, Wildfire Rancho, Wildfire Casino & Lanes and Barley’s.

Information: Earn drawing tickets to win free slot play; 6x point multipliers; dining and bowling specials

50-plus senior Mondays Date: Ongoing Time: Midnight-11:59 p.m.

Location: Wildfire Sunset, Wildfire Boulder, Wildfire Rancho and Wildfire Casino & Lanes Information: Free $2,500 slot tournament for rewards members age 50 and older, 20 percent off food at Wild Grill and Brewer’s Cafe, and half-off bowling when paying with points at Wildfire Casino & Lanes.

50-plus senior Wednesdays Date: Ongoing Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Locations: All Station properties, Fiesta Henderson and Fiesta Rancho Information: Free $3,000 slot tournament for rewards members age 50 and older; $5,000 Spin and Win Silver Ticket promotion; bowling specials; and half-off dining, bingo and bowling when paying with points.

Holiday place settings Date: Dec. 6 Information: Earn 300 base points for a place setting that includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl and cup. On Dec. 4, earn 750 base points to receive a tiered serving tray.

Up for Whatever Date: Throughout football season Information: Bud Light representatives

December multipliers Date: Wednesdays, Dec. 3-24 Information: Earn 5x multiplier on video poker and 10x on all reels.

50+ Monday Swipe and Win Date: Mondays in December Information: Earn 50 slot points and spin the wheel at any kiosk to win up to $500 in free slot play. $2,500 50+ Slot Tournament Date: Dec. 22 Time: Noon-4 p.m.

Information: Play in one free threeminute slot session. Sessions on a firstcome, first-served basis. Top 25 scores will share $2,500 in free slot play.

Holiday Multipliers Date: Dec. 25-31 Information: Earn 6x multiplier on video poker and 12x on all reels.

Champagne giveaway Date: Dec. 30 Information: Earn 250 slot points or $10 average-rated bet for two hours to redeem for one bottle of Ballatore Champagne.

WESTGATE ALIANTE

STATION CASINOS

games to redeem for an Aliante fleece blanket.

$42,000 pro day parlay football contest Date: Through Dec. 28 Information: Play weekly at any casino kiosk. Top 10 winners per week share $2,500 in free slot play.

Two-year anniversary shirt giveaway Date: Nov. 30 Information: 150 slot points or a $10 average rated bet for two hours of table play earns a T-shirt.

Santa’s Leftovers $25,000 Drawing Date: Dec. 1-27 Information: First place wins $10,000 in free slot play. Drawing will be 7:15 p.m. Dec. 27 in front of ETA Lounge. Earn entries through play.

Players can also win up to 10X drawing entries every Tuesday in December.

Twelve Days of Magical Elves Date: Dec. 1-24 Information: Play 12 days to win cash, credits, free slot play and more. Unlock all 12 doors and receive a bonus gift on Dec. 25 worth up to $10,000 cash.

First door free, earn 100 slot points for other doors.

Fleece blanket giveaway Date: Dec. 1-31 Information: Earn 600 video poker points, 300 reel points or $10 rated average bet for two hours on table

Rockin’ 777 slot tournament Date: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 4-8 p.m.

Information: Free to loyalty club members. Top five winners get $100 in free slot play.

DOWNTOWN GRAND Point multipliers Dates: Fridays and Sundays Information: Earn 11x multipliers on reels and 7x multipliers on video poker.

BOYD GAMING Pick the pros Date: Weekly contest Information: Players have a chance at a guaranteed first-place prize of $10,000 each week of the season.

Loyalty card required.

GOLD COAST Level up Sundays Date: Sundays Time: 8 p.m.

Information: Participants may insert their loyalty card along with $1 into an eligible machine that awards Slot Dollars to see what they’ve won. Amount varies based on play.

Senior bonus days Date: Mondays Information: For guests 50 and over.

Earn 10x points on reels and 5x points

11/25/14 2:57 PM

fleece

Send your gaming information to gamingguide@thesunday.com

on video poker; a free entry into the weekly $2,500 video poker tournament (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays); and play bingo with a free blue pack.

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Square Fandemonium Date: Monday nights Information: Qualifying blackjack and craps players can earn squares for the chance to win up to $600 in cash and promotional chips.

SUNCOAST $15,000 table games drawings Date: Fridays Time: Drawings at 7 and 9 p.m.

Information: Forty winners will take home a television, Best Buy gift card, Microsoft Surface tablet or $300 cash.

Point multipliers Date: Thursdays and Saturdays Information: Earn 3x points on video poker and 7x points on slots on Thursdays; earn 4x points on video poker and 10x points on slots on Saturdays.

$20,000 video reel slot tournaments Date: Tuesdays Time: Noon-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m Information: Fifteen winners will take home up to $1,500 in cash. Get entries with points earned on slots or video poker.

Point Multiplier Mondays Date: During football season Information: Earn 10x points on video reel machines and 5x points on video poker.

RAMPART CASINO

EL CORTEZ

Pirate’s Treasure progressive drawings Date: Last Wednesday of the month Time: 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.

Information: Ten winners at each drawing. Progressive jackpot increases every month it doesn’t hit. $25,000 hot seat drawings Date: Thursdays Information: Up to $200 in free slot play. A winner from slots is drawn every 15 minutes and from table games on the 45 of every hour.

50-plus party Date: Tuesdays Information: Players 50 and older can participate in a slot tournament, get point multipliers, earn slot play bonuses and get other incentives.

GOLDEN NUGGET

Cash is King Date: Nov. 30 Information: Earn entries into the $25,000 drawing at 3 p.m. Dec. 13.

Spin ’N’ Win Date: Ongoing Information: Earn 100 slot points in a day and have a chance to spin the virtual prize wheel at one of the kiosks.

VENETIAN AND PALAZZO Progressive poker variant Date: Ongoing Information: Players at Caribbean stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and three-card poker can make an optional $5 side bet for a progressive jackpot.

M RESORT Point multipliers Dates: Mondays Information: 4x points on reels and video reels and 2x points on video poker.

SAM’S TOWN Bonus slot dollars Dates: Thursdays through Sundays Information: Earn 500 base points for $5 in bonus slot cash.

SILVER SEVENS Halftime drawings Date: Last Monday of every month Information: Earn entries through slot play. Prizes include official team jerseys, free slot play and more. $5,000 weekly professional football challenge Date: Through Dec. 22 Information: Guests have the chance to win prizes such as $500 in cash, $250 in cash or two free buffets. $12,000 Football

36-37_Gaming_20141130.indd 37

Touchdown football drawing Date: Through Dec. 28 Information: Hit any four-of-a-kind combination with a minimum bet of 25 cents on bar-top video poker machines during select football games at 32° Draft Bar, M Bar or the main casino bar to be entered into the drawing for a getaway to the Super Bowl.

Information: Win a share of more than $25,000 in free bets during the football season.

Pro Pick’em Football Contest Date: Through December Information: Pick the winning teams to collect your share of $13,000 each week of the football season.

20/20 College Bowl Challenge Date: Dec. 10-29 Information: Pick 20 college bowl games against the spread for your chance at $30,000 cash guaranteed.

Go 20 for 20 and receive a $100,000 perfect score bonus.

STRATOSPHERE Wrap up holiday cash Date: Through Dec. 31 Information: Every 10,000 base points you earn delivers $50 cash.

TUSCANY 10x reels and video reels 7x video poker Date: Mondays and Fridays Information: Rewards members get 10x points on slot and video reel games and 7x points on video poker games.

5x points Date: Tuesdays Time: Midnight-5 a.m.

Information: Rewards members get 5x points on slot, reel and video poker games.

Free Klondike Bar Date: Wednesdays Information: Win a free Klondike Bar when you hit any jackpot of $25 or more.

GAMING

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

Information: Earn double points with a loyalty card. $2,000 blackjack tournament Date: Fridays Information: Throughout the week, guests on the casino floor can qualify to play in blackjack round from 6 to 8 p.m. The top three winners receive $250, $750 and $1,000.

ARIZONA CHARLIE’S Jingle Bells, Free Play is Swell giveaway Date: Dec. 1-12 Information: For every 1,200 base points earned, receive $12 in free slot play. Maximum of 8,400 base points may be earned for the promotion.

Holly Jolly, Gift Time giveaway Date: Dec. 17-21 Information: For 2,500 base points earned, guests will receive a gift of their choice, either a set of soup bowls or a panini maker.

New Year’s Week Point Challenge Date: Dec. 29-Jan. 1 Information: For every 2,500 base points earned, guests can pick a card and receive between $15 and $250 in free slot play. On Jan. 2, receive a $100 cash bonus for every 5,000 total base points earned — up to $500 cash.

Third Annual Feed A Family Date: Through Dec. 15 Information: Turn points into a holiday meal for others. For every 12,000 points contributed, Arizona Charlie’s will provide a holiday meal basket for a local family.

SILVERTON TREASURE ISLAND $40,000 free slot play fortune Date: Through Dec. 27 Information: $10,000 in free slot play will be awarded at the end of each month. Earn tickets one ticket for every 50 points of play. Ten winners each month.

BINION’S Mother Lode swipe and win Date: Ongoing Information: Club members can win up to $2,500 daily. Earn points for chances to swipe the prize machine, with a maximum of three swipes daily. Earn five points for a chance to win $50; 40 points for a chance at $100; and 300 points for a chance at $2,500.

THE SUNDAY

SLS $5,000 weekly giveaway Date: Sundays Information: Loyalty card members earn one entry for every 500 slot points earned throughout the week.

Earn 2x points on Mondays.

WILLIAM HILL RACE & SPORTS BOOK

$3,000 slot tournament Date: Tuesdays Information: Earn 100 points while playing slots to participate. Three players will win $1,000 in free play, and everyone is guaranteed $10 in free play.

1st & $10,000 Date: Saturdays and Sundays through December

2x points Date: Thursdays

Seniors 50-plus club Date: Mondays Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Information: Cash drawings at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Fifteen cash winners, including one $1,000 and three $500 winners, at each drawing. Register at the promotions booth. Also, present a rewards card and 50+ sticker to receive half-off dining Mondays. $10,000 Reel & Win weekly slot tournament Date: Tuesdays Time: Registration 11 a.m., tournament noon-5 p.m.

Information: Open to rewards card members. First entry is free; collect entries per 100 points earned from noon to 4 p.m. Prize payouts begin at 6 p.m., with a top prize of $1,000 and a prize pool of $10,000.

10x points Date: Nov. 30 Information: Swipe loyalty card at kiosk.

11/25/14 2:57 PM

38

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

WHERE I STAND

Send your political information to news@thesunday.com

Gorillas in Rwanda have the holiday spirit

T

BRIAN GREENSPUN

38_Where I Stand_20141130.indd 38

hanksgiving and the weekend that follows have always been one of my favorite times of the year. For many years it was the turkey and stuffing. Then it became the great night’s sleep that followed the turkey and stuffing!

I now am in that part of my life where reflection is every bit as important as the experience itself. In that regard, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and be grateful for what we have. (And the more time we focus on happiness means less time thinking about what makes us unhappy.)

I have a whole list of those “unhappy” things, but they don’t mean that much when family, travel, friends and bucket lists are front and center.

My wife has a bucket list. On it was visiting Rwanda and trekking into the mist to find the endangered mountain gorillas of Diane Fossey fame. I say “was” because we recently checked off that box, and I am glad we did. Whenever the political process starts screaming anything about family values, I will remember the mountain gorillas we

found after four hours of climbing up an extinct volcano and what we learned from a grand old silverback and his growing family.

The children played, mom hovered over them, keeping their playfulness on the straight and narrow, and dad ate his vegetables while keeping a wary eye on the strangers in his midst. On the other hand, he cared not one bit what we ate, what we did or what we said, as long as it didn’t affect him or his brood. Those were his family values.

Poachers who just a few years ago had caused the gorillas to live on the-soon-tobe-extinct list, now acted as trackers and porters and safari leaders for tourists who had come from around the world to find the gorillas.

Where these men once sought to destroy the gorillas for their fur, their meat and the superstitions of others, today they understand that those beautiful animals hold the key to the futures of their own families. Not unlike Las Vegas, which has grown up on a tradition of service to our tourist benefactors, the people of Rwanda now realize their schools, their health care and the opportu-

nity for hot and cold running water to their own homes rest on the health of the gorilla families that beckon tourist dollars from around the world. Dozens of docile creatures will grow to be hundreds — and then, thousands — while providing valuable lessons to people around the world who need to understand nature’s version of the value of family.

How did the mountain gorillas become the subject of a Thanksgiving column? This is a holiday that brings families together — if only for a meal. Myra and I ate a meal while watching a huge family of gorillas just a few feet away eat theirs. Everybody got along because each group respected the other’s space and needs.

Of course, most people’s bucket lists don’t include Rwanda. What’s important is that your priority list includes family and friends at Thanksgiving. Good food, the warmth of family and the security of friends who care are all we need in this world.

Many people don’t have even that. That is why those of us who do should feel grateful — and never stop feeling for those who don’t.

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

LIFE

Send your feedback to events@thesunday.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 “Sister’s Christmas Catechism”: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold”: It’s “CSI: Bethlehem” as Sister takes on the mystery of the Magi’s gold. Sister retells the story of the nativity as a comedy. 3 p.m., $35-$40, Troesh Studio Theater, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., thesmithcenter.com. *Also: 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Holiday cooking oil recycling: Bring your used cooking oil and grease to Springs Preserve for safe recycling.

Use a funnel to pour the used oil back into its original container, seal it, then bring it to a special collection receptacle in the south parking lot. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free, Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., springspreserve.org. *Also: Through Monday.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 Culinary Union exhibit: UNLV public history graduate students will unveil a new exhibit, “Line in the Sand: The People, Power and Progress of the Culinary Union,” which explores the history of the Culinary Workers Union, Local 226 and the city of Las Vegas. Free, Lied Library, UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, unlv.edu.

Quilts, part of the Names Project and the AIDS Memorial Quilt, are displayed at the Aid for AIDS of Nevada offices in 2013. The quilts feature the names of Nevada residents who have died from HIV/AIDS. (STEVE MARCUS/FILE)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 World AIDS Day: Aid for AIDS of Nevada will show its support in the fight against HIV and AIDS and honor those who have died during a ceremony at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. AFAN Executive Director Antioco Carrillo will speak on behalf of the 4,000 local men, woman and children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. 9 a.m., free, Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Las Vegas Boulevard South, afanlv.org.

Little Black Dress event: Students from The Art Institute of Las Vegas will compete for a scholarship. The event will include a cocktail reception and raffle, and will raise money for the nonprofit Las Vegas Fashion Council. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Dress for Success Southern Nevada, which helps disadvantaged women find jobs by providing them with professional wardrobes and career-development tools. 6 p.m., $50, Stitch Factory, 300 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Suite 120, lasvegasfashioncouncil.com.

“The Normal Heart” screening and candlelight vigil: In honor of World AIDS Day, The Center will show the HBO film “The Normal Heart,” starring Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer and Julia Roberts, then host a candlelight vigil. 6 p.m., free, The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, 401 S. Maryland Parkway, thecenterlv.com.

40-41_Events_20141130.indd 40

Parkway, nfrexperience.com. *Also: Related events include the free Cowboy Christmas Gift Show and Cowboy FanFest from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the free NRS Shopping Experience from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Marquee Ballroom of MGM Grand and the free Cowboy Marketplace Gift Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mandalay Bay. Most NFR events run through Dec. 13.

Back Room Jazz: The American Jazz Initiative and Forgotten Song Music present Back Room Jazz, featuring the Gary Anderson Quintet.

7:30p.m., $15, Scullery, 150 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 702-910-2396.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Stirling Club luncheon: Former basketball pro Ed O’Bannon and D.J. Allen, founder of Xs & Ox of Success, a leadership development group, will speak at a networking luncheon. 11:30 a.m., $26, Gordon Biersch, 3987 Paradise Road, celebrityspeakersentertainment.com.

gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations and children’s activities. Cash only. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., free, Desert Living Center Courtyard, Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., thegreenchefs.com.

Judicial process lecture: UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas and the Anti-Defamation League, with the UNLV Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution, present the second annual Judge Lloyd D. George lecture on the judicial process featuring nationally recognized attorney Kenneth Feinberg. 4-5:15 p.m., free, UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-732-0556.

Ethnic Express International Folk Dancing: Learn international folk dances. No partner needed. Ethnic Express International Folk Dancing is a nonprofit volunteer organization.

6:30-8:45 p.m., $4, Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702229-6383, ethnicexpresslasvegas.org.

Holiday shopping for men: Berger & Son Fine Jewelers and other retailers will showcase gift ideas for men and women, including jewelry, eyewear, skin care items, accessories and more. Complimentary food from Maggiano’s, cocktails and cigars from Vato Cigars will be offered. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Opportunity Village. 6-8 p.m., free, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Fashion Show Mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-737-7118.

Lee Mallory: The poet will deliver original poems on love in a performance set to live music. 7p.m., free, Wimbledon Tennis Club, 3930 Swenson St., 702-735-9532.

Jewish Federation of Las Vegas annual meeting: Lt. Col. Miri Eisen of the Israel Defense Forces will speak. 7 pm, free, Temple Sinai, 9001 Hillpointe Road, 702-732-0556.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 Green Chefs farmers market: Shop for produce, plants, herbs, homemade baked goods, honey, soap and more.

Shoppers also can take part in

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: The top contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding compete.

Times and prices vary, Thomas & Mack Center, 4505 S. Maryland

Sweet Treats recipe exchange: Bring a dessert for at least 12 people to taste and a hard copy of the recipe.

Attendees can share stories, watch a show by the Tapping Teachers Dance Company and watch “Elf.” Registration required. 12:30 p.m., free, West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road, clarkcountynv.gov/ parksregistration Down the Rabbit Hole: See works from 42 local artists inspired by Alice In Wonderland. The exhibit will include paintings, mixed media and sculpture. 6-10 p.m., free, Skin City Body Painting, 1800 Industrial Road, 702-431-7546.

“Meet Me in St. Louis”: The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Production presents a musical based on the 1944 movie. As St. Louis anticipates the 1904 World’s Fair, the Smith children reluctantly prepare for a move to New York. 7 p.m., $5, Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702-229-6383. *Also: 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 12, 13; 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 13, 14.

Herpetological Society meeting: Reptile breeder Tom Crutchfield will present, “I Searched for Adventure and Found More Than I Bargained For.” 7 p.m., free for members, $20 for nonmembers, Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road, 702-2575529.

A Dick Johnson Christmas Carol: Poor Richard’s Players presents Detective Dick Johnson in an original Christmas adventure. 8 p.m., $20, Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave., 702-732-7225. *Also: 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 11, 12, 13; 2 p.m.

Dec. 7, 14.

11/26/14 1:40 PM

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41 THE SUNDAY

LIFE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Great Santa Run: Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Las Vegas Great Santa Run and Opportunity Village’s 60 years of providing services to people with disabilities.

Last year, more than 11,000 runners dressed as Santa Claus to raise money for Opportunity Village. 10 a.m., $25-$55, Fremont Street Experience, downtown Las Vegas, opportunityvillage.com.

Ward 6 Cowboy Christmas and Car Show: Families can enjoy hay rides, a petting zoo, balloon artist, jump house and visit from Santa.

Bring a donation of food, toys or clothing. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free, Floyd Lamb Park, Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road, 702-229-8100.

PlayStation Experience: Experience 400,000 square feet of PlayStation games, take part in discussions with industry leaders and browse merchandise. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., $55 for one-day pass, $95 for two-day pass, Sands Expo and Convention Center, 201 Sands Ave., playstation.com/en-us/campaigns/2014/playstation-experience. *Also: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Suite Holidays: Tour the Strip’s most exclusive suites and VIP areas to raise money for Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, which teaches financial literacy to local students. Graze on gourmet bites while sipping wine and cocktails at Vdara, the Venetian, the Cromwell,

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

Mandarin Oriental, the High Roller and more. 3-10 p.m., $150, various Strip locations, jalasvegas.org/ events/suite_holidays.

Big Band Series: This week’s jazz show features the Jimmy Wilkins’ New Life Orchestra. Cover includes a free drink. 1-4 p.m., $15, Ron DeCar’s Event Center, 1201 Las Vegas Blvd.

South, 702-453-8451.

Sol Huasteco dance concert: Ballet Folklorico Sol Huasteco presents “Fiesta Mexicana,” a Mexican festival of dance. Sol Huasteco features young dancers, mostly from Rancho High School. 7 p.m., $10-$12, Winchester Cultural Center Theater, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, 702-455-7340 Art workshop: Create seasonal art, including ornaments, an origami globe and beaded 3-D snowflakes.

Registration required. 12:15-2:15 p.m., $26, Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702-229-6383, artslasvegas.org. *Also: Dec. 13.

Hometown Holidays: The event begins with a Christmas tree lighting and features Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa arts and crafts, caroling, cookie decorating, snow machines, a light show, food trucks and hot chocolate. Bring canned goods and nonperishables to donate to Three Square for families in need.

4-8 p.m., free, Knickerbocker Park, Providence master planned community, 10695 Dorrell Lane, 702-2162020.

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p.m.

40-41_Events_20141130.indd 41

11/26/14 1:40 PM

GRAND OPENING EVENT!

Ho! Ho! HOME!

at:

R RUN! JOIN THE POKEan IPad! Best Hand Wins Giveaways!

Plus...Other Prizes and

FREE photos with SANTA!

Plus: . Tour Our New Model Homes! . Decorate Your Own 12” Tree! . Hot Chocolate & Goodies! . PLUS Christmas Caroling

SATURDAY SATUR A ATUR DAY A . DECEMBER AY D 6th . 12pm - 4pm New N Ne w Ho H Homes m From the Mid $200’s . One-Story . Two-Story .

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Located at the corner of Warm Springs and Gibson 1077 Jesse Harbor Ave. Henderson, NV 89014 (702) 501-6301 for info.

Prices, included features, availability and delivery dates are subject to change without notice or obligation and subject to builder discretion. Square footages are approximate. Terms and conditions vary and are subject to credit approval, market changes and availability. Images are an artists conception, actual homes may vary.

042_tsd_113014.indd 1

11/26/14 1:43 PM

43 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Take steps to re-enter the workforce Experts offer advice on how to land a job after being unemployed for an extended amount of time

BY SUZANNE M. ELLIS | SPECIAL TO VEGAS INC

The October jobs report had more good news for the nation’s economy and the millions of Americans looking for work. The unemployment rate was 5.8 percent, its lowest since 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And more than 2.6 million jobs were added over the past 12 months, the best period since early 2006. ¶ Nevada ranked second in the nation this year for job growth.

RESUMES, CONTINUED ON PAGE 53

50%

Share of women ages 30 to 49 who say it isn’t possible to balance their home and work responsibilities, according to an Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor survey.

43,53_VICover_20141130.indd 43

8

Number of states with the highest part-time job rates that also have unemployment rates above the national average.

$170

Estimated annual increase in pay for the average American by 2024 as a result of President Barack Obama’s immigration plan, according to the White House.

$33M

Estimated cost to passengers of flight delays at McCarran International Airport during the holiday season over the past three years, according to a SmartAsset study.

11/25/14 3:00 PM

44 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

CONTENTS PUBLISHER Donn Jersey (donn.jersey@gmgvegas.com)

EDITORIAL

NOTEWORTHY STORIES

47 48 56 Q&A WITH MARK PENN

The founding dean of Roseman University’s College of Medicine discusses his expectations for the Summerlin campus, the rewards of expanding medical education in Southern Nevada and the importance of having leaders who listen.

THE NOTES Best Lawyers, P46

MEET: PASTA SHOP RISTORANTE & ART GALLERY

David Alenik’s restaurant has thrived in Southern Nevada for 25 years, beating the recession and delighting regulars both with its cuisine and its selection of metal art and custom-made flatware, jewelry and stemware.

TALKING POINTS How to know when you’ve got an employee, P49

DATA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION A listing of local bankruptcies, bid opportunities, brokered transactions, business licenses and building permits.

MORE VEGAS INC BUSINESS NEWS Calendar: Happenings and events, P55 The List: SBA 7(A) lenders, P59

EDITOR Delen Goldberg (delen.goldberg@gmgvegas.com) MANAGING EDITOR Dave Mondt (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) DIGITAL EDITOR Sarah Burns (sarah.burns@gmgvegas.com) DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR, NEWS Ellen Wager (ellen.wager@gmgvegas.com) EDITOR, POLITICS Ryan Frank (ryan.frank@gmgvegas.com) STAFF WRITERS Andrea Domanick, Ed Komenda, Ana Ley, J.D. Morris, Amber Phillips, Kyle Roerink, Cy Ryan, Eli Segall, Conor Shine, Pashtana Usufzy, Jackie Valley, Katie Visconti, Ian Whitaker COPY DESK CHIEF John Taylor COPY EDITORS Brian Deka, Jamie Gentner SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Craig Peterson DIGITAL COORDINATOR Adelaide Chen EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Mike Smith LIBRARY SERVICES SPECIALIST Rebecca Clifford-Cruz RESEARCHER Tristan Aird OFFICE COORDINATOR Nadine Guy

ART ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Liz Brown (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) ART DIRECTOR Scott Lien (scott.lien@gmgvegas.com) DESIGNER LeeAnn Elias PHOTO COORDINATOR Mikayla Whitmore PHOTOGRAPHERS L.E. Baskow, Christopher DeVargas, Steve Marcus

ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OF ONLINE MEDIA Katie Horton GROUP DIRECTOR OF SALES OPERATIONS Stephanie Reviea PUBLICATION COORDINATORS Kashmir Owens, Karen Parisi ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jeff Jacobs ACCOUNT MANAGERS Katie Harrison, Breen Nolan, Sue Sran ADVERTISING MANAGERS Shelley Bruner, Vince Durocher, Frank Feder, Kelly Gajewski, Kenneth Harmon, Trevor Layne DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Emma Cauthorn

MARKETING & EVENTS DIRECTOR Michael Uriarte EVENT MANAGER Kristin Wilson DIGITAL MARKETING ASSOCIATE Jordan Newsom

PRODUCTION VICE PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING Maria Blondeaux ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Paul Huntsberry PRODUCTION MANAGER Blue Uyeda PRODUCTION ARTIST Marissa Maheras, Dara Ricci SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sean Rademacher GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Michele Hamrick, Carlos Herrera TRAFFIC SUPERVISOR Estee Wright TRAFFIC COORDINATORS Kim Smith, Meagan Hodson

WHEN CASINO COMPANIES START CHASING THEIR LOSSES Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts are no strangers to debt.

Expanding nationally and internationally requires deep pockets and carefully structured agreements with lenders.

MGM and Wynn recently revealed they’d take on an additional $1 billion each to bring Massachusetts expansion plans to fruition.

Caesars, on the other hand, is contending with debt already on the books — more than $25 billion — and deciding what to do next, especially in light of significant losses in recent quarters.

Securities filings show the company expects to keep losing money “for the foreseeable future” and

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Ron Gannon ROUTE MANAGER Joel Segler

GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, PUBLISHER & EDITOR Brian Greenspun CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Robert Cauthorn GROUP PUBLISHER Travis Keys EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tom Gorman MANAGING EDITOR Ric Anderson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erik Stein

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 13 Vegas Inc, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074 is published each Sunday except the last Sunday of the year by Greenspun Media Group.

Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Henderson, NV and at additional mailing offices.

must restructure the debt of its largest unit, which owns Caesars Palace, by next year. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is one option.

Caesars wouldn’t close during such proceedings, but the financial health of the company is likely

a concern to its tens of thousands of employees nationwide. In Las Vegas, where gambling is king, debt is a given. These days, Caesars certainly can empathize with its gamblers, in spades.

— ELLEN F. WAGER

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Vegas Inc Greenspun Media Group 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor Henderson, NV 89074 702.990.2545 For inquiries, write to: Vegas Inc 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor Henderson, NV 89074 For back copies: Doris Hollifield at 702.990.8993 or e-mail at doris.hollifield@gmgvegas.com For subscriptions: Call 800.254.2610, or visit vegasinc.com. For annual subscriptions, $50.

For single copies, $3.99.

CORRECTION The List of banks published in the Nov. 16 issue of VEGAS INC listed an incorrect amount of local deposits for Bank of Nevada. The correct amount is $2.6 billion, which places Bank of Nevada No. 5 in the rankings.

44_VITOC_20141130.indd 44

11/25/14 4:33 PM

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0000102762-01.indd 1

9/12/14 10:28 AM

46 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

One Nevada Credit Union won second place among small-sized businesses at the 2014 Best Places to Work in Southern Nevada awards luncheon sponsored by Southern Nevada Human Resources Association.

Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its 27th annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The top hotels in Las Vegas are Delano, Aria, M Resort, Venetian, Four Seasons, Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, Mandarin Oriental, Palazzo, Wynn and Encore.

2014 HealthInsight Quality Award recipients are Advanced Home Health, Advent Home Health, At Home Health Services, Mother’s Care Home Health Services Inc. and Reliance Health Care LLC. HealthInsight is a private, nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to improving health and health care in Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

Global Imaging Systems, a Xerox company, has acquired Las Vegas-based Élan Office Systems, a provider of copy, print and IT services.

South Point Bowling Plaza is open. The $35 million facility has scheduled 122 days of bowling

THE NOTES Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

tournament operations in 2015, 210 days in 2016 and 310 days in 2017. It includes a 360-seat viewing area for the public.

The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce announced its Business Excellence Awards. Categories and honorees are: Trailblazers — AA Printing Service, Nevada PEP, Visiting Angels and Las Vegas HEALS; Innovators — Clubhouse Children’s News Network, D&R House of Diamonds, Lazer Ladies Gifts & Awards and AMR-Las Vegas; Pacesetters — Baby’s Bounty, McDonald’s Greater Las Vegas Owner/Operator Association, Matt Smith Physical Therapy and Wirtz Beverage-Nevada; Groundbreakers — Andson, CrossFit702, Max’s Restaurant and Alpine Mortgage Planning; Cultivators — Mob Museum, Incorp Services, Sumnu Marketing, Eureka Casino Resort and Goodwill of Southern Nevada; Torchbearers — Nathan Adelson Hospice, Vegas PBS, Gensler and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.

Border Grill opened at the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Maryland-based Axim Fringe Solutions Group opened a local branch to provide HR and mediation services to the contractors that support Nellis and Creech Air Force bases.

The Toy Box, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Kay Jewelers, Nekter Juice Bar, Crazy Pita and Sushi Loca opened at Downtown Summerlin.

Alibi Cocktail Lounge opened at Aria.

Nevada State Bank revamped its website, www. nevadasmallbusiness.com.

Station Casinos launched a Sports Connection prepaid card. The card allows guests to bypass the sports book to make deposits or cash winning tickets.

Downtown Summerlin began construction on its first residential development, the Constellation, a 124-unit, gated luxury rental residence complex.

Lorna Jane and Corsa Collections opened at Tivoli Village. Cupkates by Kate moved to a larger location in the shopping center.

The Leapfrog Group announced its hospital safety findings, and Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican’s Rose de Lima Campus and Desert Springs Hospital were the only two hospitals in Southern Nevada to receive an A.

n Holland & Hart: Commercial litigation, construction n Holley, Driggs, Walch, Puzey & Thompson: Construction n Howard & Howard: Labor — management, labor and employment litigation n Jackson Lewis: Employment — management, labor — management n Jay H. Brown: Administrative and regulatory n Jimmerson Hansen: Medical malpractice — defendants n John D. O’Brien: Commercial litigation n Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish: Gaming, corporate n Kaempfer Crowell: Real estate litigation, government relations practice, land use and zoning, real estate n Kamer Zucker Abbott: Employment — management, labor — management, labor and employment litigation n Kathleen Jane England: Employment — individuals, labor and employment litigation n Kemp, Jones & Coulthard: Commercial litigation, construction litigation, land use and zoning litigation, real estate litigation n Kenneth A. Woloson Law Office: Corporate n Kermitt Waters: Eminent domain and condemnation law n Kolesar & Leatham: Banking and finance n Law Office of Daniel Marks: Employment — individuals n Law Office of Rory Reid: Government relations practice n Law Offices of Gerald I. Gillock & Associates: Personal injury litigation — plaintiffs n Law Offices of Kathleen M. Paustian: Employment — individuals, employment — management n Law Offices of Steven J. Parsons: Personal injury litigation — plaintiffs n Law Offices of William Terry: Criminal defense n Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith: Mergers and acquisitions n Lewis Roca Rothgerber: Commercial litigation, Employment — management, gaming, information technology, labor — management, labor and employment litigation n Lionel Sawyer & Collins: Commercial litiga-

tion, appellate practice, corporate, employment — management, government relations practice, labor — management, land use and zoning, construction litigation, intellectual property litigation, labor and employment litigation, real estate litigation, real estate, tax n Littler Mendelson: Employment — management n Lubbers Law: Real estate n Lyons Law Firm: Employment — individuals n McDonald Carano Wilson: Commercial litigation, corporate, construction litigation, real estate n Morris Law Group: Commercial litigation, construction litigation, intellectual property litigation, real estate litigation n Nutile Pitz & Associates: Health care n Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart: Construction n Oshins & Associates: Tax, trusts and estates n Pecos Law Group: Family n Peel Brimley LLP: Construction n Pisanelli Bice PLLC: Construction litigation, land use and zoning litigation, commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions litigation, real estate litigation n Pitaro & Furno: Criminal defense n Rice Reuther Sullivan & Carroll: Real estate n Santoro Whitmire: Commercial litigation n Schwartzer & McPherson: Bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization, bankruptcy litigation n Sneil & Wilmer: Bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization, commercial litigation, construction, bankruptcy litigation, real estate n The Cobeaga Law Firm: Personal injury litigation — plaintiffs, personal injury litigation — defendants n The Law Offices of Brian C. Padgett: Eminent domain and condemnation law n The Rushforth Firm: Trusts and estates n Weide & Miller: Patent, patent litigation n Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial: Construction litigation n Whittemore Gaming Group: Gaming, information technology n Wright Stanish & Winckler: Criminal defense: white collar

BEST LAW FIRMS Several local law firms received the highest distinction awarded in the 2015 edition of “Best Law Firms”

by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. They are: n Armstrong Teasdale: Bankruptcy, construction

litigation and real estate litigation n Bailey Kennedy: Appellate practice, commercial

litigation, health care n Ballard Spahr: Corporate, government relations

practice, land use and zoning, banking and finance litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate n Boies, Schiller & Flexner: Labor and employment litigation n Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck: Commercial litigation, corporate, gaming, ERISA litigation, real estate n Bruce A. Leslie: Banking and finance n Campbell & Williams: Commercial litigation, first amendment litigation n Carbajal & McNutt: Commercial litigation n Carlyon Law Group: Bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization n Ecker Law Group: Family n Emmel & Klegerman: Corporate n Fennemore Craig Jones Vargas: Commercial litigation, government relations practice, banking and finance litigation, real estate n Fisher & Phillips: Law firm of the year, labor — management, labor and employment litigation n Fox Rothschild: Bankruptcy n Frank J. Cremen: Criminal defense: nonwhite collar n Goold Patterson: Real estate n Gordon Silver: Administrative and regulatory, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization, criminal defense: white collar, gaming, land use and zoning, banking and finance litigation, trademark, bankruptcy litigation n Greenberg Traurig: Commercial litigation, construction, copyright, corporate, land use and zoning, banking and finance litigation, construction litigation, real estate litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, trademark n Griffin Row: Government relations practice n Hardy & Hardy: Workers’ compensation — claimants n Hilbrecht & Associates: Energy

46_VINotes_20141130.indd 46

11/25/14 2:56 PM

47

THE INTERVIEW Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

THENOV.SUNDAY 30 - DEC. 6

Q&A WITH MARK PENN

‘We are going to make a positive impact on the lives of the people in our community’ Roseman University’s College of Medicine is part of a private, nonprofit health professions university founded in Nevada. It began in a 900-square-foot rented space in Henderson, and in 15 years has grown to three campuses in two states. Mark Penn is the founding dean and chancellor of the Summerlin campus, which this year submitted an application to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education to begin the accreditation process for the College of Medicine.

How is Roseman University’s College of Medicine different from other medical schools/ programs in Southern Nevada?

Roseman is different from Touro University in that we are an allopathic (MD) program and our institution was founded in Henderson. It’s different from UNR and UNLV in that we are a private, nonprofit institution.

Roseman’s educational model is known for its mastery learning, theater-in-the-round teaching, high academic standards and student success.

Even though we are a private medical college, we will have a major focus on the needs of the state, and we will highly prioritize recruiting students from Nevada and the Intermountain West. One of our major goals will be to increase the number of physicians who stay in Nevada or will return after residency.

What do you hope to accomplish with Roseman University over the next few years?

To lay the groundwork for success, I am connecting with members of the community, including local physicians and hospital systems. Listening to and understanding their needs is helping me determine how we can best move forward together.

I also hope to develop true interprofessional opportunities for all of our students.

How has your background prepared you for your role?

Being a part of a residency program (at Northeastern Ohio Medical University), teaching in all four years of medical school, helping with curriculum development, leading a major curriculum transformation, being a medical school student adviser, being in a variety of leadership positions, being the liaison between our university and other universities, expanding our medical school and developing a new campus — all of these experiences have prepared me.

They helped me understand medi-

47_VI_QA_20141130.indd 47

vada, and 5) we are recognized as one of the premier medical schools in the United States.

Someday, it will be time for someone else to lead the next era of growth.

I feel it is important to recruit the right people who could be the next leaders.

What is your dream job, outside of your current field?

High school science teacher and basketball/baseball coach. I love science and math and had wonderful public high school teachers that were inspirational. I love the idea of teaching and learning with high school students in the classroom and on the court or out in the field.

Dr. Mark Penn is founding dean of Roseman University’s College of Medicine.

(COURTESY)

cal school education and operations, residency education, how to interact and work with the highest levels of university administration, how to work with the state higher education system, and how to develop strong community partnerships.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting to know the wonderful people of Nevada and knowing that we are going to make a positive impact on the lives of the people in our community. It is very gratifying to partner with community physicians and hospitals and help them continue to be successful, and it will be immensely rewarding to help students realize their dream of becoming physicians.

Describe your management style.

I believe in people and believe in being respectful. People need a clear understanding of their role and how they can succeed. It is my job to help them succeed. Complimenting and encouraging others is very important. I believe in providing appropriate, honest feedback to help someone grow.

I believe in the team, and value diverse opinions. I recognize that sometimes the quietest person in the room may have the solution for the challenge we have been working on.

I work hard to gain consensus and don’t always need to be right. I simply want us to make the best decision using the best information at hand. I use facts/data to drive decision-making, yet use common sense as a large part of the equation.

Where do you see yourself and/ or the university in 10 years?

I rely heavily on strong strategic planning; before I began my position as founding dean, I created a vision for what our College of Medicine would look like in 2026 — five years after the inaugural class had graduated. So, 10 years from now, I would anticipate that our College of Medicine: 1) has gained full accreditation, 2) is graduating our projected number of students, 3) is providing team-based, interprofessional learning opportunities for medical students with other health professions students, 4) some of our students who have finished residency are practicing here in Ne-

Whom do you admire and why?

Proudly and without hesitation, my parents.

My mother inspired her children to be the best we could, and made sure we learned. A librarian, she was a perfectionist, and she inspired me to love science books. She always seemed to say the right thing no matter the situation. She is no longer with us but her sweet attitude, actions and memory have positively affected her children and grandchildren.

My father is a WWII Army veteran who became a teacher/administrator and taught me the value of education, respect for the military and respect for our country. He didn’t see problems as problems, but challenges or opportunities to help us or the situation become better.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Unintended consequences that arise when decision-makers fail to think through the challenges before putting an action plan in place.

What is something that people might not know about you?

When I was younger I lived in Honduras, where my parents were agriculture missionaries with World Gospel Mission.

11/25/14 2:58 PM

48

GET TO KNOW A LOCAL BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

BY THE NUMBERS

7.1 PERCENT

Nevada’s unemployment rate in October, down from 7.3 percent the previous month and the lowest level since June 2008.

7.7 PERCENT

Percentage of single-family homes statewide that were flipped from July through September, down from 9.5 percent during the same period last year, according to RealtyTrac.

22 PERCENT

Drop in valley home sales through October compared with the same period last year, according to Home Builders Research.

34 PERCENT

Share of North Las Vegas home buyers who backed out of new-home sales contracts in October, according to Home Builders Research.

509

Number of homes sold by local developers in October, according to Home Builders Research.

8,200

Approximate number of single-family homes listed for sale without an offer in September, according to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors.

40,000

Number of jobs added statewide in the first 10 months of the year.

$550 MILLION

Amount of negative operating cash flow for Caesars Entertainment through September, according to a securities filing.

$1 BILLION

Amount MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts plan to take on in debt to help pay for new developments in Massachusetts.

$1.8 BILLION

Amount of Bally Technologies debt being assumed

by Scientific Games as part of a merger.

48-49_VI_MeetColumn_20141130.indd 48

David Alenik, owner of Pasta Shop Ristorante & Art Gallery, shows off a specialty dish. (L.E. BASKOW/STAFF)

It’s not your kid’s macaroni art Describe your business.

We combine an eclectic restaurant featuring creative fresh gourmet pastas and chicken and seafood specialties in a vibrant art gallery.

We also manufacture and produce fresh pasta for Strip hotels. We serve lunch and dinner, as well as cater private events.

Who are your customers?

PASTA SHOP RISTORANTE & ART GALLERY

the highest standards of sanitation.

Address: 2525 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052 Phone: 702-451-1893 Email: info@pastashop.com Website: pastashop.com Hours of operation: Lunch is 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; dinner is 5-8:30 p.m. Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday Owned by: David Alenik In business since: 1989

What is the hardest part about doing business in Southern Nevada?

We have customers come from all over the country and world due to our strong presence on rating services such as Zagat, Yelp, Urban Spoon and Rewards Network. We also have a strong convention attendee following from our former location close to the Strip. Our strongest presence is from the Anthem, Green Valley and Boulder City neighborhoods.

Refrigeration equipment is a big part of the restaurant industry.

Maintaining proper cooling temperatures is crucial. With the extreme temperatures in the summer, it can be a challenge.

What is the best part about do-

ing business here?

We have a pro-growth business environment in our community. We have close contact with our elected officials and with the regulatory bodies that pertain to our business. The access and availability of these people and agencies enable us to grow and prosper.

What makes your business unique?

We produce fresh pastas and have an art gallery as part of our restaurant, featuring funky, eclectic metal art and custom-made flatware, jewelry and stemware.

What is your business philosophy?

We strive to exceed customer expectations by greeting each guest with a smile and gratitude that they have chosen us for their dining experience. We believe in consistency, cleanliness and attention to detail. The philosophy is, if we perform at this level, we are sure to have people come back.

What’s the most important part of your job?

Maintaining excellence in service, food taste, quality, presentation and appreciating our customers. We also strive to conduct ourselves professionally and maintain

What obstacles has your business overcome?

With the housing-bubble burst and the souring economy in 2008, we saw many in our local community suffer dramatically with their personal income and loss of employment. Under these conditions, we lost many of our clientele.

How can Southern Nevada improve its business climate?

We are experiencing creeping tax and regulatory liabilities with unpredictable national health care requirements looming, the talk of state income tax being instituted, unemployment insurance costs climbing and payroll taxes.

We need to lighten this burden and stress, so we can put more of our profit into capital improvements and confident hiring of employees.

11/25/14 2:52 PM

49

TALKING POINTS Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

READER COMMENTS We want to hear from you. Visit vegasinc.com to post your opinion.

On J.D. Morris’ vegasinc.com story “Sorting out Caesars: How company slid into distress, and what’s next”: I should have gone to law school. The lawyers on every side of the table must be making a killing. — Anthonyjoevegas On Eli Segall’s vegasinc.com story “Builders struggle as new-home sales slow”: There ya go, overbuild a bunch of clone homes using low-quality materials and create another bubble. — jokersmile On Eli Segall’s vegasinc.com story “Investors are flipping fewer Nevada homes, report finds”: Nevada’s market is not poised for a recovery because of inaccurate low appraisals, fewer qualified buyers, increased lending requirements, lowquality housing and greedy Realtors.

— huskywarrior777

THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

How to know when you’ve got an employee

N

control or direction over the performance of evada employers often are faced GUEST COLUMN: the services, both under his or her contract of with the decision of whether to ANTHONY GOLDEN service and in fact. classify workers as independent 2. The service is either outside the usual contractors or employees, in course of the business for which the service an effort to save money on taxes and limit is performed or the service is performed outside of all the liability. Typically, employers don’t have to pay independent places of business of the enterprises for which the service is contractors minimum wage or overtime, and those workers performed. can’t claim rights under federal or state discrimination laws.

3. The service is performed in the course of an The Nevada labor commissioner investigates possible independently established trade, occupation, profession or misclassification of independent contractors. business in which the person is customarily engaged, of the The Nevada Supreme Court recently adopted the federal same nature as that involved in the contract of service. economic realities test to determine under Nevada wage laws If someone is properly classified as an independent whether someone is an independent contractor or employee. contractor, the business wouldn’t need to contribute to Criteria include: unemployment or provide workers’ compensation insurance. n The degree to which the person’s work is controlled by Do you have an employee or an independent contractor? the organization Consider the following questions: n The individual’s investment in facilities and equipment, if any n Do you control the work time, location or method? n The individual’s opportunities for profit or loss, if any n Is the individual economically dependent on your business for his or her livelihood? n Whether the service rendered requires a special skill n The permanency of the relationship n Is the service integral to your business?

If the answer to any of those questions is “yes,” you n Whether the service rendered is an integral part of the probably have an employee. If there’s doubt, it’s safer to err organization’s business. on the side of classifying the individual as an employee and to The Nevada Employment Security Division presumes that consult legal counsel. everyone is an employee unless each part of the following Anthony Golden is an associate with Fisher & Phillips LLP, an statutory test is met: employment and labor law firm.

1. The person has been and will continue to be free from

SMITH’S WORLD

Mike Smith is an award-winning editorial cartoonist who also draws for the Las Vegas Sun. His work also is distributed nationally by King Features Syndicate.

See archives of his work at lasvegassun.com/smithsworld.

On Tristan Aird’s vegasinc.com story “Restaurants on the way to New YorkNew York; SLS buffet closes temporarily”: What I find amazing is places like SLS, Cosmo, Hard Rock and MGM catering to the 20-something crowd and in turn, they are all headed to bankruptcy.

— Wally M

48-49_VI_MeetColumn_20141130.indd 49

11/25/14 2:53 PM

50 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

YOUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS NEWS Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

Solar power, VIP guest are stars atop Mandalay Bay

BY KYLE ROERINK STAFF WRITER

It wasn’t the average Las Vegas rooftop party.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz was the special guest at a rooftop event to unveil Mandalay Bay’s new, first-of-its kind solar installation on the Strip. Construction started on the solar array in August and finished in October. It is scheduled to be fully online by Dec. 12.

The solar array, built by NRG Energy, has 21,324 panels and will supply electricity to 20 percent of the resort’s electrical needs.

That’s enough electricity to power around 1,000 homes and will result in a carbon reduction equivalent to removing 6,300 cars off the road, The world’s largest convention center rooftop solar array overlooks the pool at said Randall Hickok, an NRG Energy Mandalay Bay. (L.E. BASKOW/STAFF) vice president.

Twenty percent of the solar panels ing 2014 the year of solar. The govthe energy department started inwere funded with taxpayer dollars ernment has funded five large-scale vesting in them. But Moniz signaled through a Department of Energy solar projects this year. That promthat the private sector is now taking grant from the 2009 stimulus proise of investment has spurred 17 notice and the industry is turning a gram, Hickok said. private-sector solar projects, Moniz corner.

Skepticism has shrouded governsaid. He said companies such as NRG Some in the solar industry are callment-funded solar programs since

Clark County slated to receive $838 million for road construction

BY CY RYAN STAFF WRITER

CARSON CITY — The state plans to spend $1.5 billion next fiscal year on road construction, more than half of it in Clark County.

The Department of Transportation unveiled plans for its short- and longrange construction projects. Overall, $838.5 million would be spent in Clark County.

Project Neon would get $546 million, the biggest job in Nevada in 2015.

The department’s board of directors, headed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, withheld approval of the plans to get a better breakdown of the spending, which includes a long-range plan for fiscal 2016 to 2024.

The board approved a $22.1 million contract for Las Vegas Paving Corp. for resurfacing and other improvements on an 18-mile stretch of U.S. 95 northwest of Las Vegas.

50-52_VI IBLV_20141130.indd 50

Energy, which owns solar arrays and works out agreements with private companies, helps to drive costs down.

Asked if there is a stigma attached to solar, Moniz was quick to resound.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think solar is in a really good place.”

After years of avoiding solar projects because of cost concerns, the Mandalay Bay project “made sense for shareholders,” said Cindy Ortega, MGM Resorts chief sustainability officer.

MGM Resorts, which owns Mandalay Bay, is considering installing solar arrays at other Strip locations, she said.

The Mandalay Bay project, which covers more than 20 acres of the resort’s convention center rooftop space, is one of the largest in the world, Hickok said.

“It is the flagship for commercial, industrial,” he said.

Hickok’s company has 142 other installations.

“This one dwarfs all of those,” he said.

Specialty pharmacy to create 350 permanent local jobs

AT&T offering free Wi-Fi to customers on Las Vegas Strip

BY ED KOMENDA

BY PASHTANA USUFZY

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

Officials broke ground recently on a $23 million pharmaceutical facility at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.

The planned two-story, 110,000-square-foot facility represents a bright spot in the technology park’s history: It will be the first building constructed there. Completion is expected within 13 months.

Because of the Great Recession and ensuing credit crunch, officials had significant trouble luring developers to the space after initially hoping the park, at South Durango Drive and West Sunset Road, would bring new opportunities for solar energy and water research to the university.

The company that will occupy the space is Catamaran, an Illinois-based pharmacy benefits manager focused on processing prescription-drug claims. It will share the property with its specialty pharmacy, Briova RX. Project officials say the facility will bring 200 construction jobs and 350 permanent jobs to the area. Those permanent jobs will include positions such as pharmacy technicians, administrators and shipping specialists.

AT&T customers in need of wireless Internet on the Strip will now be able to access free Wi-Fi, the company has announced.

The telecommunications company is providing its customers with Wi-Fi for two miles along Las Vegas Boulevard South, from Sands Avenue to Tropicana Avenue.

More than 60 access points will provide coverage for the area, according to an AT&T press release.

Accessing the Wi-Fi will not count against customers’ data allotment, the company said.

“The Las Vegas Strip brings flocks of people from all walks of life looking to enjoy themselves. Our customers, whether locals and tourists, will enjoy free Wi-Fi to help enhance their wireless experience while visiting the Strip,” AT&T Nevada President Stephanie Tyler said.

The company has more than 300 additional hotspots throughout the Las Vegas area, according to the release.

11/25/14 2:50 PM

51

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NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

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The Gramercy development project, shown Oct. 29, is slated for completion soon. The tower at the failed ManhattanWest, right, may be deconstructed or repurposed. (L.E. BASKOW/STAFF)

Work progressing on recession-stalled Beltway project

BY ELI SEGALL STAFF WRITER

Buying an abandoned real estate project — and there are plenty to choose from in Las Vegas — can seem like a steal, since owners usually sell cheap to get back any money they can from the failed venture.

The trade-off for buyers? It can be a years-long, hair-pulling process to untangle a property’s legal woes, close the sale and prepare to finish construction.

Investors Benjy Garfinkle, Ofir Hagay and Michael Werner know this all too well. Through their company WGH Partners, they bought and finished a mothballed Las Vegas office complex and are wrapping up work at a once-busted condo project.

They also are completing the former ManhattanWest, the stylish retail, office and residential complex that sat unfinished for years at Russell Road and the 215 Beltway, one of the most visible casualties of the building bust.

Abandoned developments often are bogged down by lawsuits and liens and frequently get seized by lenders or end up in bankruptcy court. Investors need to determine who owns what, who is owed what, which repairs are needed, whether wiring and pipes were stolen, whether building permits are still valid, and if anyone can find the blueprints.

“Sometimes we joke that we’re like Indiana Jones, trying to reveal the past,” Hagay said.

Despite the headaches, several other investors pounced on mothballed projects in recent years, betting that Las Vegas’ once-battered economy would improve — and that their bar-

50-52_VI IBLV_20141130.indd 51

gain deals would pump out big profits.

They include Malaysia’s Genting Group, which last year bought the partially built Echelon resort on the Strip with plans for a multibilliondollar Chinese-themed megaresort.

Howard Hughes Corp. in 2010 took control of the Shops at Summerlin Centre — the abandoned retail and office complex near Red Rock Resort — as part of a corporate spin-off, completed construction and opened it Oct. 9 as Downtown Summerlin. Last year, Pinnacle. bought Vantage Lofts, a partially built luxury condo project in Henderson, and now, having finished it, is charging up to $4,545 a month in rent.

During the downturn, WGH bought a pair of unfinished two-story office buildings off Russell Road east of the Beltway. One building at the Red Rock Business Center, as the property is known, is now fully leased. The other building is empty but Garfinkle said his group was close to signing the first tenant there and was negotiating with several other prospective renters.

WGH also bought failed condo project Milano Residences on Cactus Avenue at Bermuda Road. The original developers defaulted on a $19 million loan and lost the partially built, fourstory complex to foreclosure in 2010.

Lenders sold it to WGH in 2012 for just $2 million.

The trio resumed construction last year and planned to have the 100unit property, now called the Lennox, ready for occupancy in mid-December as a high-end rental complex.

Meanwhile, WGH also is working with San Francisco developer the Krausz Cos. to finish Manhat-

tanWest, now called the Gramercy.

Krausz bought the 20-acre property last year for $20 million from developer Alex Edelstein, who spent around $170 million before he lost his funding and stopped construction during the downturn.

Hagay and Garfinkle recently spoke with VEGAS INC. The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

You bought the Lennox for $2 million. That’s a huge discount.

Garfinkle: That issue always comes up — people say, ‘You just stole this asset.’ That’s really not accurate, because the cost to finish these is so high, and the market is so much different today.

Hagay: There was so much work to be done. If you add up the overhead and costs, the architects, engineers, it took three years of work before we even started construction.

What appealed to you about the Lennox?

Hagay: This is an expensive project — this is not a garden-style, stickframe apartment building. This is a small community, and we are planning to give great amenities.

The owners of the Ogden recently began listing units for sale that had been rented as apartments. Do you foresee doing that at the Lennox?

Garfinkle: Not at this time. I’m a very strong believer in the condo market in town, but the prices are too low to make it work. If we wanted to open the Lennox next week as condos, we’d probably sell them very quickly, but

not at prices that justify the transition from for-rent to for-sale.

Why take on ManhattanWest, given all its problems?

Garfinkle: Being on the curve of the Beltway, having such a high-profile project — there’s nothing else like it in this area. It’s such a special project — the design, the architecture, the quality, the size.

You’ve lined up several restaurants for the site. Will there be shopping, too?

Hagay: No. If you look around the area, there are a lot of rooftops and offices, but there is nothing to offer for food. We believe there is a demand here, and we have a captive audience.

Garfinkle: We want to create a destination, to come here, stay in the courtyard, work out in the gym, have coffee, beer, wine.

Talk about how difficult this deal was, and what you had to go through to buy it and gear up to finish it?

Garfinkle: The project never went into foreclosure, but there were legal disputes between the contractors and the bank that predate us and continue today, over who had first lien rights.

A local brokerage put out a call for offers, and we were the successful bidder. We paid $20 million, but the lenders and the contractors are still in litigation over who gets that money. It has no effect on the site; we’ve got clear title. But the court took the $20 million, it’s sitting in escrow, and the lenders and contractors are still haggling over it.

11/25/14 2:50 PM

52 THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

YOUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS NEWS Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

Is Las Vegas becoming the bowling capital of the world?

BY J.D. MORRIS STAFF WRITER

Can Las Vegas be the competitive bowling capital of the world?

The South Point is trying to make it happen.

Eight months ahead of schedule, the off-Strip hotel rolled out a new $35 million bowling tournament center recently, adding to the long list of bowling facilities inside casinos around the valley.

“All the casinos in town that have bowling centers, there’s a reason: It’s a popular sport, anyone can do it and it’s also a great demographic,” said South Point General Manager Ryan Growney. “(Bowlers) like to drink beer, they like to have a good time, they like to gamble; so it’s a deIn lieu of a traditional ribbon cutting, red pins were placed at the head of each mographic that casinos are going to set and knocked down by executives to commemorate the opening of the South obviously try to reach out to. We just Point Plaza Bowling Facility. (ERIK KABIK/SPECIAL TO VEGAS INC) went one step further to reach that Championship, which brought more the facility will regularly host major next level of tournament bowlers.” than 17,000 teams and an estimated bowling championships.

The 90,000-square-foot bowl292,750 travelers. The nongaming Future events will be much more ing facility has 60 lanes and a 360economic impact of the championextensive than the Professional seat viewing area. And that’s just ship, held from February through Bowlers Association World Series the second level — on the first floor, July, was around $120 million. of Bowling that broke in the centhe South Point also built two new So tourism officials sought a way ter. During the USBC open chamhorse-showing facilities to expand its to make the tournament a consispionships, Growney said the center equestrian offerings. tent source of economic activity, and should see hundreds of bowlers pass Growney said the hotel’s equestriSouth Point owner Michael Gaughan through multiple times a day, seven an business was so strong it needed agreed to build the tournament facildays a week for several months. additional arenas right away. So the ity.

USBC open championships, which hotel pushed to get them up and runNow that same championship event have been in Las Vegas previously, ning as soon as possible, allowing the is scheduled at the South Point bowlare open to bowlers with a memberwhole project to be completed ahead ing center five times between 2017 ship and are separated into divisions of schedule, he said. and 2027. The USBC Women’s Chambased on average score. The profesWhereas other bowling spots are pionship, which also lasts for several sional association events, on the usually open to the general public — months, is slated to be held four times other hand, are only open to the most including the South Point’s original at the South Point between 2016 and skilled players. bowling area — this one is only for 2026.

Las Vegas has already seen how the tournaments. Per a 12-year deal with The championships will bring so bowling championships can affect the United States Bowling Congress, many people that South Point says it the local economy. In 2009, CashLas Vegas Events and the Las Vegas can only provide rooms for about 27 man Center hosted the USBC Open Convention and Visitors Authority,

percent of the expected visitors. That leaves the remaining 73 percent up for grabs.

And even when large-scale championships are not underway at the bowling center, South Point expects a steady stream of business. According to Growney, the facility is already booked for more than 100 days in 2015, 210 days in 2016 and 310 days in 2017.

Ninety percent of those bookings, he said, is new business that has not been at the hotel’s original bowling area. That facility will remain open for, as Growney put it, “casual, everyday, let’s-just-come-out-and-have-agreat-time bowlers.”

USBC executive director Chad Murphy, who bowled his first tournament in Las Vegas in 1990, said the city is “exceptional” for bowling.

“There’s a long, storied history here — both amateur and pro alike,” he said. “We’ve kind of gravitated to these areas in some cases just because of the facilities that Vegas offers. Not to mention, it’s a vacation destination for folks.”

Las Vegas and Reno will be the most regular hosts of the open championships for the foreseeable future.

Dave Wodka, a professional bowler and Henderson resident who’s lived in the Las Vegas area since 1981, was optimistic the valley would be considered the premier location for competitive bowlers.

“I think it’s already kind of become that, but this is just going to facilitate that even more,” he said. “At some point, every major tournament is at least going to make a trip to this facility. It may not be every year, but they’re going to at least come here once.”

Some Las Vegas contractors are struggling to hire workers

BY ELI SEGALL STAFF WRITER

With construction picking up in Las Vegas, some contractors are having trouble finding qualified workers.

Sean Stewart, executive vice president of the trade group Associated General Contractors of Las Vegas, said most of his group’s members recruit regionally because they can’t always find enough qualified workers in Nevada.

They also are poaching workers

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from other firms, said Stewart, who spoke at a news conference recently at the Nevada State Contractors Board offices in Henderson to discuss construction labor shortages.

Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said contractors in Nevada “have not been immune from the kind of hiring challenges plaguing firms in many other parts of the country.”

The Las Vegas area had 43,600 con-

struction workers as of September, up 22 percent from two years earlier, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

But employment levels remain far below the boom years, when easy financing spurred a wild upswing in construction. Even in spring 2008, as the market was heading south, the valley had 94,500 construction workers, more than twice today’s levels.

“It’s been a slow recovery here in Las Vegas,” Stewart said.

Some 83 percent of U.S. contractors are having difficulties filling tradeworker positions, while 61 percent are having trouble filling site-management and office jobs, according to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America.

More than 1,000 construction firms, including eight based in Nevada, took part in the survey. Among the eight Nevada firms, four reported they couldn’t easily find qualified tradesmen.

11/25/14 2:50 PM

53

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THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

RESUMES, FROM PAGE 43

Don’t be afraid to tell your story The brightening economic picture should encourage those who have been unemployed for a long time. But that optimism may be tempered for some by the reality that there are sizable gaps in their resumes, a potential roadblock to employment.

“Time off work may be necessary at some point in your career for maternity, taking care of a sick relative, postoperative leave for yourself or pursuing a degree,” said Janelle E. Taylor, who writes about workplace issues. But, “the reality is that time has passed since you last applied work-related expertise. And your resume, although impressive, may be old news to recruiters seeking to fill positions with today’s requirements.”

The good news — which you should highlight to employers — is that you might be more eager than other job seekers to perform.

Taylor offered more tips to help workers with gaps in their resumes show prospective employers they have what it takes: n Tell your story. Employers want to know why you haven’t

“The reality is that time has passed since you last applied work-related expertise. And your resume, although impressive, may be old news to recruiters seeking to fill positions with today’s requirements.”

— Janelle Taylor, who writes about workplace issues for examiner.com

worked for an extended period. In your cover letter, along with key achievements and what you can offer, explain your situation and outline the responsibilities you maintained outside the corporate setting. Life doesn’t stop after office hours.

If you chose to leave the workplace, explain why. Such a decision exhibits leadership and unselfishness — traits that make a great team member. n Demonstrate new skills. Show employers that you are up-to-date in your field and have developed new skills.

Volunteering in your industry also is an effective approach to transition back into full-time employment. The most important de-

tail is to show you were out of the office but not out of sync with your profession. n Show your face. Even with multiple modes of social media, face-to-face interaction always will reign supreme in making solid, genuine connections. Go to job-related events, meet new people and network. When someone hands you a card and tells you to call them, open your briefcase and pull out a crisp resume package. n Be yourself. Telling your unique story and verifying you’re still an asset is a winning strategy.

Making a comeback and competing with the current workforce shows tenacity and confidence. That is the type of resiliency hiring managers want.

BUSINESSES CAN BENEFIT FROM HIRING LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED Patricia Nelson, a career counselor for Nevada JobConnect in Las Vegas, believes there are good reasons to hire someone who has been out of work. Employers should realize: n Going back to school makes a person more employable and more valuable. If the subject matter expands the applicant’s skill set and can be applied on the job, that’s beneficial to the employer. n Volunteering and on-the-job training increase a candidate’s marketability. Volunteerism is a strong testament to a person’s character and work ethic. n Employers can take advantage of incentives, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Silver State Works incentive through Nevada JobConnect and Platform to Employment internships and incentives through the agency.

SEVEN SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING YOURSELF FOR RE-ENTRY INTO YOUR FIELD

Regardless of the reason for your absence, the greatest challenge is figuring out what you want to do when it’s over, said Carol Fishman Cohen, cofounder of iRelaunch, a consultancy for people returning to the workforce.

Cohen and her partner Vivian Steir Rabin, both Harvard MBAs, returned to their jobs after 11- and 7-year career breaks, respectively.

“You need to figure out if your interests and skills have changed,” said Cohen, who stayed home to care for her children before returning to Bain

Capital, an asset management firm.

“Sometimes a career break is a gift because it is the first time people have the chance to sit back and reflect, to figure out if they were on the right career path before they left. Success in returning has less to do with age or the number of years you were gone and everything to do with figuring out exactly what you want to do and being relentless about going after it.”

Here are a few tips from Cohen: n Look at current job descriptions in your chosen field. See what the

requirements are and whether they have changed. n Seek out strategic volunteering opportunities, roles that are in line with your career goals. Two great sources are volunteermatch.org and idealist.org. n Consider going back to school, even if it’s just for a single course at a community college. Look for courses that have a field study component, because that gets you to a real-world employer. n Academia is a great place to re-

launch a career. The website hercjobs. org is a great resource for administrative and teaching jobs at academic institutions. n Check with your alma mater to find out if it offers career services for alumni. n Try to go through the return-towork process with another person or a small group of people. That keeps you accountable, motivated and moving forward. n Enlist working friends to do mock phone or Skype interviews with you.

ing, job searching and general business topics can be equally helpful. n Fill in the gaps. There was a time when resume gaps were an immediate red flag, but more employers today understand that sometimes even the best candidates have been out of work.

Be sure those hiring know you haven’t been idle during your time away; emphasize skill sets over work history,

and capitalize on how your time unemployed was spent on relevant activities. n Accentuate the positive. Job seekers who have been out of the workforce need to demonstrate they have valuable experience, are excited to be returning to work and are eager to learn new things. Doing it right is all about preparation.

FOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR TOUCHING UP YOUR RESUME AND PITCH

Deborah S. Hildebrand, a writer and human resources consultant with a business degree and 20-plus years of experience, said it’s not a matter of “just dusting off the old resume and sending it out to potential employers.” Looking for work after a long absence, she said, requires forethought, time and energy.

She offered four suggestions: n Update your wardrobe. Be sure

43,53_VICover_20141130.indd 53

your clothing hasn’t gone out of style while you’ve been out of work. It doesn’t take a huge amount of money to supplement a wardrobe; it’s just a matter of shopping wisely. n Brush up old skills. Anyone who has worked in an office environment knows how quickly technology changes. Taking computer classes is a great way to learn. Classes on resume writ-

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11.20.14

The SmiTh CenTer

FOR The PeRFORming ARTs

PHOTOG: TEK LE

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55

YOUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS NEWS

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NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

Calendar of events TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees 2015 Installation luncheon Time: 11:30 a.m. registration and networking; noon-1 p.m. program Cost: $60 members; $70

Valley Parkway, Henderson Information: RSVP to 702-207-4298 The event benefits Tots to Teens and features a gift-basket auction, festive wreaths, decorated trees and drawings. Business or cocktail attire.

nonmembers; $70 walk-in registration

Location: Aria, Ironwood Ballroom, 3730 Las

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas

Economic Outlook Conference Time: 7:45 a.m. registration; 8-10:30 a.m. program Cost: $80 per person, $75 for two people or more

Information: RSVP requested; call 702-641-5822 Meet Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce leadership as board members are sworn in.

Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Chamber Connections Time: 5:30-7 p.m. Cost: Members only; insurance, real estate and financial services groups Location: Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, 575 Symphony Park Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas Information: RSVP to chamberconnections@ lvchamber.com; call 702-641-5822 for details Business professionals can grow their networks by sharing contacts, referrals and ideas.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 “Year End Update: Are You Ready for 2014 1099s and W-2s?”

Time: 7:30 a.m. breakfast; 8-9 a.m. program Cost: Free for Houldsworth, Russo & Co. clients; $35 for nonclients Location: Houldsworth, Russo & Co., 8675 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas Information: Register at trusthrc.com CPA Dianna Russo updates new rules and refreshes old rules for 1099s and W-2s that need to be filed in January.

Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundations for Success Time: 8-11 a.m. Cost: Free, members only Location: HBRC seminar room in Wells Fargo Building, 112 S. Water St., Henderson Information: RSVP to Nancy Aquino at 702-9927200 ext. 0 or naquino@hendersonchamber.com Nathan Whittacre, founder and CEO of Stimulus Technologies, will discuss small-business security.

Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys charity luncheon Time: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: Members $27 with RSVP by Dec. 1, $32 with RSVP after Dec. 1; nonmembers $32 with RSVP by Dec. 1, $37 with RSVP after Dec. 1 Location: Las Vegas Country Club, 3000 Joe W. Brown Drive, Las Vegas Information: Visit snawa.com The luncheon benefits Goodie Two Shoes, Breakfast with Books and Southern Nevada Senior Law Program. Donations accepted.

from same organization until Dec. 2; $100 per person after Dec. 2 Location: M Resort, 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Henderson Stephen Brown, director of UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, will present an economic outlook for the nation.

Vegas Young Professionals Toastmasters meeting Time: 6:30-8 p.m. Cost: Free Location: The Ogden clubhouse, 16th floor, 150 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas Information: Call 702-735-2196 Learn speaking, presentation and leadership skills.

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Chamber of Commerce members; $25 for nonmembers; additional $10 for walk-ins Location: HBRC Seminar Room, in Wells Fargo building, 112 S. Water St., Henderson Information: RSVP by Dec. 9 to 702-565-8951 Cory Frey of Assurance Ltd., a certified Affordable Care Act specialist, will discuss how charges are applied to employees, contribution methods and case studies.

Women’s Chamber of Commerce Athena International Awards Show Time: 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $75 members; $95 nonmembers Location: Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd.

South, Las Vegas Information: RSVP to redheadmarketing@cox.net In addition to the awards banquet, a silent auction and raffle are scheduled.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 WordCamp Las Vegas Time: 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Cost: $40 Location: InNEVation Center, 6795 Edmond St., Las Vegas

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Information: Visit 2014.vegas.wordcamp.org

Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Voices Toastmasters Time: 10:45 a.m.-noon Cost: Toastmasters mem-

WordPress users are invited to learn and network.

Also 9 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Dec. 14

bership costs $54 every six months; guests free

Location: First American Title Co. Nevada, 2500

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16

Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 120, Henderson Information: Call 702-641-5822 Improve personal and professional communication skills.

Henderson Chamber of Commerce new member briefing Time: 8-9 a.m. Cost: Free, members only Location: HBRC Seminar Room, in Wells Fargo

Henderson Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast Time: 7-9 a.m. Cost: $25 members; $45 non-

Information: Contact Lisa Chao at 702-565-8951

building, 112 S. Water St., Henderson

members; additional $10 for walk-ins

or lchao@hendersonchamber.com For new members looking to increase their organization’s visibility through member benefits.

Location: Terrace Banquet Halls, 1361 W. Warm Springs Road, Henderson

Information: Contact Donna Israelson at 702565-8951 or disraelson@hendersonchamber.com Cass Palmer, president and CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada, will present “Insights into the Nonprofit Community.”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee Meeting: Local Government Time: 1:30-3 p.m. Cost: Free for chamber members and their employees Location: Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, 575 Symphony Park Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas Information: RSVP to 702-641-5822 Chamber members and their employees can learn about local government issues that affect business.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 Friends of the Henderson Library Time: 7-10 p.m. Cost: $10 Location: Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green

Commerce “Roadmap to Success” Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Cost: Free for Henderson

Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce morning mingle Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Cost: Free for members; RVSP required Location: Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, 575 Symphony Park Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas Information: RSVP to 702-641-5822 A breakfast meeting to help Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce members learn how to maximize membership.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 Leadership Henderson and Henderson Chamber of Commerce mixer Time: 5-8 p.m. Cost: $10 Location: Miller’s Ale House, 594 Stephanie St., Henderson

Information: Call 702-565-8951 or visit hender-

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 Henderson Chamber of

sonchamber.com Business-minded people can toast their peers and bring new, unwrapped toys for needy children.

11/25/14 4:29 PM

56

THE DATA

THE SUNDAY

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

Records and Transactions BANKRUPTCIES CHAPTER 7 Rainaid Inc. 4601 E. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 107 Las Vegas, NV 89115 Attorney: Ambrish S. Sidhu at asidhu@sidhulawfirm.com Prado LLC 1821 Las Vegas Blvd. North North Las Vegas, NV 89030 Attorney: Talitha B. Gray Kozlowski at tgray@gordonsilver.com

CHAPTER 11 LVBK LLC 4770 Barela Way Las Vegas, NV 89147 Attorney: David J. Winterton at david@davidwinterton.com

BID OPPORTUNITIES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 2 p.m.

One-year, open-term contract for Plantmix/Coldmix bituminous base and surface aggregate State of Nevada, 8291 Marti Marsh at mmarsh@admin. nv.gov

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 2 p.m.

One-year, open-term contract for dairy grain feed State of Nevada, 8292 Annette Morfin at amorfin@admin. nv.gov 3 p.m.

Annual requirements contract for diesel storage tank decontamination Clark County, 603269 Sandra Mendoza at sda@clarkcountynv.gov

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 2:15 p.m.

I-215 airport connector phase two Clark County, 603451 Tom Boldt at tboldt@ClarkCountyNV.gov 2:15 p.m.

Slurry seal 2015 - residential Clark County, 603481 Tom Boldt at tboldt@ClarkCountyNV.gov

BROKERED TRANSACTIONS SALES $8,015,000 for 173 units, residential 1000-1100 Dumont Blvd.

Las Vegas 89169 Seller: H&B One LLC Seller agent: NAI Vegas’ Sauter Multifamily Group

56-57_VIData_20141130.indd 56

Buyer: Las Vegas Residential Properties LLC Buyer agent: Did not disclose $6,200,000 for 29.94 acres, land Corner of Lake Mead and U.S. Highway 95 Henderson 89105 Seller: Did not disclose Seller agent: Did not disclose Buyer: Panattoni Development Co. Buyer agent: Pat Marsh and Sam Newman of Colliers International $1,550,000 for 15,210 square feet, undisclosed type 2001 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Las Vegas 89146 Seller: Jarretts Children’s Trust Seller agent: NAI Vegas Buyer: Troy Kearns Limited LLC Buyer agent: NAI Vegas $1,150,000 for 8,200 square feet, office 101 E. Warm Springs Road Las Vegas 89119 Seller: Did not disclose Seller agent: Did not disclose Buyer: JER2911 Partners LLC Buyer agent: Suzette LaGrange of Colliers International $700,000 for 5 acres, land 8220 W. Wigwam Ave. Las Vegas 89113 Seller: Investor Equity Homes LLC Seller agent: Vince Schettler of Colliers International Buyer: Commercial Investment Advisors Co. Buyer agent: Did not disclose $690,000 for 5,686 square feet, industrial 4485 Wagon Trail Las Vegas 89118 Seller: GWM Ventures Seller agent: Danielle Steffen of Cushman & Wakefield Commerce Buyer: Tim Thomas Buyer agent: Amy Ogden of Cushman & Wakefield Commerce

LEASES $1,438,226 for 30,902 square feet, retail for 84 months 9850 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 20 Las Vegas 89183 Seller: Maryland Parkway Property LLC Seller agent: Cushman & Wakefield Commerce - Dan Hubbard, Todd Manning Buyer: Open Box Holdings Buyer agent: PR Properties Group - Philip Roy $1,117,718 for 24,925 square feet, industrial for 39 months 770 Pilot Road, Suite A Las Vegas 89119 Seller: CIP Real Estate Seller agent: Garret Toft of Voit Real Estate Services Buyer: Page Operations Buyer agent: Amy Ogden and

Danielle Steffen of Cushman & Wakefield Commerce

SUBLEASE $128,324 for 2,406 square feet, office for 28 months 1120 Town Center Drive, Suite 130 Las Vegas 89144 Seller: SW Way Holdings LLC Seller agent: Bob Hawkins of Cushman & Wakefield Commerce Buyer: Realty Pros LLC Buyer agent: Kris Waiter of Avison Young

BUSINESS LICENSES Quality Design & Fabrication Business type: Commercial interiors Address: 9550 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 253, Henderson Owner: Quality Design & Fabrication Consulting Inc. Raul Herrera Business type: Mobile car wash Address: 5144 Ruby Sunset St., Las Vegas Owner: Raul Herrera Rayco International Ltd. Business type: Retail Address: 2480 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 175, Las Vegas Owner: Marcus Thuna Real Care Pharmacy Business type: Pharmacy Address: 10890 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 104, Henderson Owner: Healthcare Plus LLC Real Property Management North Business type: Real estate Address: 3660 N. Rancho Drive, Suite 125, Las Vegas Owner: Sky Rocket Management Inc. Redesigning Surfaces Business type: Marketing Address: 1717 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite H47, Las Vegas Owner: Redesigning Surfaces Inc. Republic West Home Business type: Contractor Address: 3401 Sirius Ave., Suite 14, Las Vegas Owner: Panda Products LLC Ron Decar’s Event Center Business type: Tavern Address: 1201 Las Vegas Blvd.

South, Suite 110, Las Vegas Owner: Viva Las Vegas Weddings Runner Shoutouts Business type: Mail order and Internet sales Address: 4413 Point Breeze Drive, North Las Vegas Owner: David A. Perez Running Bull Productions LLC Business type: Office services

Re Address: 714 S. Fourth St., Las Vegas Owner: Adam J. Courrier Saint Dominic Home Health Care Inc. Business type: Residential home care Address: 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 210, Las Vegas Owner: Teresa Gabat Sam Ernest Business type: Independent massage Address: 6255 W. Arby Ave., Suite 158, Las Vegas Owner: Samuel Ernest Savanna Jahn Business type: Real estate Address: 10220 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 3, Las Vegas Owner: Savanna Jahn Shawarma Plus Business type: Food Address: 10100 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 120, Henderson Owner: Fresh Pita Inc. Silver Psychological Consulting LLC Business type: Psychological consulting Address: 2831 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 200, Henderson Owner: Silver Psychological Consulting LLC Sofia’s Beauty Salon Business type: Cosmetology Address: 3868 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas Owner: Martha Vicke Sol Nevada Inc. Business type: Design Address: 235 Mojave Lane, Henderson Owner: Sol Nevada Inc. Southwest Imaging Business type: Retail Address: 3401 Sirius Ave., Suite 16, Las Vegas Owner: Merry X-Ray Corp.

Speedy Locksmith Business type: Locksmith Address: 1913 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas Owner: Speedy Locksmith LLC Steel Concepts Business type: Manufacturing Address: 595 E. Brooks Ave., North Las Vegas Owner: Steel Concepts LLC Steps To Success Business type: Residential home care Address: 600 N. First St., Las Vegas Owner: Steps to Success Behavioral Health LLC Straighttails.com

Business type: Online advertising Address: 235 Mojave Lane, Henderson Owner: Sol Nevada Inc.

Victoria Business Address Suite 1E, Owner: P

Stu Miller’s Christmas Trees Business type: Christmas trees, teardown Dec. 31 Address: 251 Coronado Center Drive, Henderson Owner: Seasonal Adventures Inc.

William Business Address 101, Las V Owner: W

The Dawg Haus LLC Business type: Food Address: 2101 Texas Star Lane, North Las Vegas Owner: The Dawg Haus LLC

Wireless Business Address Suite 140 Owner: W

The Stevotomic Store Business type: Retail Address: 1114 S. Main St., Suite 120, Las Vegas Owner: Metal Trends

Zippy Sh Business Address Las Vega Owner: S

The Washburn Computer Group Inc. Business type: Retail Address: 5000 W. Oakey Blvd., Suite D14, Las Vegas Owner: Allen Wentland

BUILD

The Writer’s Block Business type: Retail Address: 1020 Fremont St., Suite 100, Las Vegas Owner: The Writer’s Block LLC TheHappyDemocrat.com Business type: Online advertising Address: 235 Mojave Lane, Henderson Owner: Sol Nevada Inc. Tiger Toast Custard Business type: Nonfarm product vendor Address: 1600 N. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas Owner: Supaporn Tikhamrum Tokyo Sushi House Business type: Restaurant Address: 10040 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 150, Las Vegas Owner: Zacks World LLC Tortas Michoacan Business type: Food Address: 400 N. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas Owner: Silvia Rodriguez Tru 702 Business type: Retail Address: 1717 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite B29, Las Vegas Owner: Seyed Ali Dadkhah Unisex Beauty Salon Business type: Retail Address: 1401 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 21, Las Vegas Owner: Estetica Unisex Salon Inc. Vegas Baby Productions LLC Business type: Office services Address: 1635 Village Center Circle, Suite 140, Las Vegas Owner: John Breitling

11/26/14 1:38 PM

$3,727,5 3420 Lo Southern struction

$1,373,3 1743 Wh Henders TWC Co

$650,00 4100 E. L Las Vega Marmax Fire Prot

$500,00 solar 12 E. Ogd Logic LL

$464,47 600 S. G Henders AADF A

$372,62 4335 Arc Moen Inc

$356,89 2225 Civ North La United H Construc

$309,85 1741 Las Las Vega Jerry’s N

$300,00 595 W. L Henders CSI Cons Partners

$284,10 2275 Co Henders The Kort

57

THE DATA

THE SUNDAY

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

Records and Transactions Victoria’s Wedding Chapel Business type: Wedding chapel Address: 2800 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 1E, Las Vegas Owner: Parti Pak Productions Inc. William Hong Business type: Real estate Address: 1820 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 101, Las Vegas Owner: William Hong Wireless Experts Business type: Retail Address: 7595 W. Washington Ave., Suite 140, Las Vegas Owner: Wireless World LLC Zippy Shell of Las Vegas Business type: Large storage facility Address: 2711 E. Craig Road, North Las Vegas Owner: Sin City BJ LLC

BUILDING PERMITS $3,727,500, commercial-addition 3420 Losee Road, North Las Vegas Southern Tire Mart/Starco Construction Co. Inc. $1,373,300, industrial-new 1743 Whitney Mesa Drive, Henderson TWC Construction Inc. $650,000, fire protection 4100 E. Lone Mountain Road, North Las Vegas Marmaxx sprinkler/Olympic West Fire Protection $500,000, tenant improvementsolar 12 E. Ogden Ave., Las Vegas Logic LLC $464,475, commercial-remodel 600 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson AADF Architecture $372,625, commercial-addition 4335 Arcata Way, North Las Vegas Moen Inc. $356,898, commercial-alteration 2225 Civic Center Drive, Suite 120, North Las Vegas United Health Care Group/Rafael Construction Inc. $309,858, sign 1741 Las Vegas Blvd. North, North Las Vegas Jerry’s Nugget $300,000, commercial-remodel 595 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson CSI Construction Inc./Healthcare Partners Nevada LLC $284,100, commercial-remodel 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 100, Henderson The Korte Co./2275 Corporate

56-57_VIData_20141130.indd 57

Circle LLC $248,342, residential-new 9624 University Ridge Ave., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC $248,342, residential-new 9619 University Ridge Ave., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC $243,817, electrical 3330 E. Lone Mountain Road, North Las Vegas Sturgeon Electric Co. Inc. $238,032, residential-new 7341 Fresh Harvest Ave., Las Vegas DR Horton Inc. $229,286, residential-custom 832 Jakarta Ave., Henderson Craig T. Barney

$176,331, residential-new 788 Sunlight Dunes Court, Henderson DR Horton Inc. $176,331, residential-new 116 Kirkcaldy St., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $176,331, residential-new 108 Kirkcaldy St., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $175,000, commercial-remodel 2610 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 105, Henderson UHG/JLL $173,871, residential-new 7311 Fresh Harvest Ave., Las Vegas DR Horton Inc. $173,871, residential-new 7331 Fresh Harvest Ave., Las Vegas DR Horton Inc.

$215,000, tenant improvementoffices 7251 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 250, Las Vegas DC Building Group LLC

$173,871, residential-new 7270 Fruitful Harvest Ave., Las Vegas DR Horton Inc.

$213,593, residential-new 1132 Via Della Costrella, Henderson Greystone Nevada LLC

$169,622, residential-new 3162 Biccari Ave., Henderson KB Home Nevada Inc.

$211,918, residential-new 9620 University Ridge Ave., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC $210,524, tenant improvementoffices 305 N. Nellis Blvd., Suite 150, Las Vegas TWC Construction Inc. $185,647, residential-new 12249 Nasino Ave., Las Vegas Pulte Homes of Nevada $185,647, residential-new 12250 Nasino Ave., Las Vegas Pulte Homes of Nevada $180,427, residential-new 9623 University Ridge Ave., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC $179,769, residential-new 1137 Via Della Costrella, Henderson Greystone Nevada LLC $179,769, residential-new 1128 Via Della Costrella, Henderson Greystone Nevada LLC $178,771, residential-new 813 Barrhead Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $178,549, residential-new 825 Barrhead Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $178,549, residential-new 240 Cromarty St., Henderson DR Horton Inc.

$169,622, residential-new 711 Nerka Drive, Henderson DR Horton Inc. $167,685, residential-new 12233 Olivetta Court, Las Vegas Pulte Homes of Nevada $167,685, residential-new 12237 Olivetta Court, Las Vegas Pulte Homes of Nevada $167,459, residential-new 805 Barrhead Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $167,459, residential-new 821 Barrhead Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $160,000, tenant improvementassembly hall 801 N. Lamb Blvd., Las Vegas RJ Loerwald Construction Co. $156,369, residential-new 801 Barrhead Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $154,151, residential-new 112 Kirkcaldy St., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $153,859, wall fence-block 7356 Grand Teton Drive, Las Vegas Frehner Masonry Inc.

Frehner Masonry Inc.

DR Horton Inc.

$134,921, wall fence-block 9300 Grand Teton Drive, Las Vegas Hirschi Masonry LLC

$108,615, wall fence-retaining 1640 S. Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas Hirschi Masonry LLC

$129,143, residential-new 1133 Via Della Costrella, Henderson Greystone Nevada LLC

$108,405, residential-new 865 Maybole Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc.

$129,039, residential-new 3812 Fuselier Drive, Lot 75, North Las Vegas Richmond American Homes of Nevada

$106,108, residential-new 4360 Duck Harbor Ave., Lot 31, North Las Vegas KB Home Nevada Inc.

$125,317, residential-new 1030 Fish Pond Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $125,317, residential-new 1042 Fish Pond Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $123,813, residential-new 8042 Mosaic Sunrise Lane, Las Vegas DR Horton Inc. $123,813, residential-new 9344 Bright Blue Sky Ave., Las Vegas DR Horton Inc.

$105,910, residential-new 861 Maybole Ave., Henderson DR Horton Inc. $103,530, residential-new 7230 Puddle Duck St., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC $102,649, residential-new 2716 Star Manor St., Lot 35, North Las Vegas Ambleside Properties LLC $102,649, residential-new 1204 Stormy Day Ave., Lot 36, North Las Vegas Ambleside Properties LLC

$122,187, residential-new 6749 Bristle Falls St., Las Vegas Ryland Homes

$102,649, residential-new 1208 Stormy Day Ave., Lot 37, North Las Vegas Ambleside Properties LLC

$121,327, residential-new 2804 Colts Ave., Lot 50, North Las Vegas Richmond American Homes of Nevada

$102,527, residential-new 717 Nerka Drive, Henderson KB Home Nevada Inc.

$118,000, wall fence-retaining 297 Fox Hill Drive, Las Vegas Frank Iovino & Sons Masonry Inc. $117,926, residential-new 10513 Hartford Hills Ave., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC

$102,355, residential-new 5752 Clear Haven Lane, Lot 128, North Las Vegas Beazer Homes Holdings Corp.

CONVENTIONS

$117,926, residential-new 7336 Chesapeake Cove St., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC

Vendome Group: Construction SuperConference 2014 Location: Wynn Dates: Dec. 1-3 Expected attendance: 400

$117,926, residential-new 7332 Chesapeake Cove St., Las Vegas Greystone Nevada LLC

Ergo Expo 2014 Location: Caesars Palace Dates: Dec. 2-5 Expected attendance: 1,000

$113,865, residential-new 10819 Cather Ave., Las Vegas Ryland Homes

15th Conference on LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Location: Bellagio Dates: Dec. 6-9 Expected attendance: 200

$113,227, residential-new 8046 Mosaic Sunrise Lane, Las Vegas DR Horton Inc.

$142,396, residential-new 729 Nerka Drive, Henderson KB Home Nevada Inc.

$113,227, residential-new 9340 Bright Blue Sky Ave., Las Vegas DR Horton Inc.

$135,630, wall fence-block 10500 Farm Road, Las Vegas

$112,009, residential-new 1038 Fish Pond Ave., Henderson

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Attorneys’ Seminar Location: Mirage Dates: Dec. 6-7 Expected attendance: 600 To receive a complete copy of Data Plus every week in Excel, please go to www.vegasinc.com/subscribe

11/26/14 1:38 PM

NOVEMBER MIXER 11/20/14 Photog: Erin Orozco www.vegasyp.com

09668_VINC_VYP_Photopage_AD_c1.indd 1 0000104568-01.indd 1

11/21/14 12:12 4:15 PM 11/24/14

59

YOUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS NEWS

THE SUNDAY

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

The List 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

CATEGORY: SBA 7(A) LENDERS (RANKED BY LOAN VOLUME FROM OCT. 1, 2013 TO SEPT. 30)

Company

2014 loan volume

2014 loans

2013 loan volume

2013 loans

Wells Fargo Bank 3800 Howard Hughes Parkway, Second floor Las Vegas, NV 89109 702-791-6370 • WellsFargo.com

$25,636,100

75

$17,721,800

58

Seacoast Commerce Bank 7436 Oak Grove Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89117 702-538-7841 • SCCombank.com

$16,535,400

21

16,745,500

17

Meadows Bank 8912 Spanish Ridge Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89148 702-471-2265 • MeadowsBank.com

$15,480,700

19

$25,408,100

40

Western Alliance Bank 2700 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-248-4200

$6,803,078

4

N/A

N/A

U.S. Bank 2300 W. Sahara Ave., First floor Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-251-1600 • USBank.com

$6,341,300

88

$11,226,000

59

Nevada State Bank 6505 N. Buffalo Drive Las Vegas, NV 89131 702-515-2312 • NSBank.com

$6,112,073

25

$4,774,300

27

East West Bank 4711 Spring Mountain Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-475-6111 • EastWestBank.com

$6,095,000

12

N/A

N/A

JPMorgan Chase Bank 9911 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 1 Las Vegas, NV 89117 702-938-0050 • Chase.com

$5,117,700

23

$3,437,400

36

Stearns Bank 4191 Second St. St. Cloud, MN 56301 320-253-6607 • StearnsBank.com

$4,740,000

2

N/A

N/A

Bank of America 300 S. Fourth St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 702-654-7900 • BankofAmerica.com

$3,416,000

1

$520,000

6

Celtic Bank 268 S. State Street, Suite 300 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-363-6500 • CelticBank.com

$3,140,000

12

1,620,000

12

Heritage Bank of Nevada 1401 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89502 775-348-1000 • HeritageBankNevada.com

$2,790,000

7

$1,670,000

6

Commonwealth Business 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90010 323-988-3000 • cbb-bank.com

$2,756,000

1

N/A

N/A

City National Bank 6085 W. Twain Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89103 702-952-4400 • CNB.com

$2,638,000

7

$1,578,000

7

Commercial Bank of California 1 Pointe Drive Brea, CA 92821 714-482-2200 • CBCal.com

$2,400,000

1

N/A

N/A

Source: Small Business Administration data and VEGAS INC research. It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants or to imply that the listing of a company indicates its quality. Although every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of VEGAS INC lists, omissions sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions on company letterhead to Tristan Aird, researcher, VEGAS INC, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074.

59_VI_List_20141130.indd 59

11/25/14 2:49 PM

Get

with the purchase of $25 or more in Capriotti’s Gift Cards capriottis.com/holiday Visit Any of Our 33 Las Vegas Locations

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Construction Las Vegas is a showplace for the trends that make our valley a world-famous destination.

TESTOSERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

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11/26/14 1:44 PM

Clinical Trial for People with Glaucoma Diagnosed with Glaucoma?

See if this clinical trial is right for you or your family members or friends.

If you have glaucoma or high eye pressure, you may be eligible for a research study involving the use of an investigational drug.

You will be reimbursed for your time & travel.

The study has 9 visits & will last approximately 12 months.

All visits & medication will be provided at no cost to you.

CALL TODAY!

for more information or to set up a free screening appointment.

Lindsey Kowal, study coordinator

702.515.9648

Matthew J. Swanic, MD • Las Vegas Eye Institute 9555 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89123

Working TOGETHER to help local businesses achieve success.

Meadows Bank was organized by local businessmen to provide a good banking alternative to the communities we serve. We are financially strong with a consistent ‘5-star rating’ and #53 national ranking in 2014 by DepositAccounts.com in their Top 200 Healthiest Banks in America. We offer a full suite of banking products and services in a highly personalized banking environment.

SBA 7(a), 504 and USDA business and industry loans SBA ‘preferred lender’ Loan amounts up to $8 million Up to 90% financing (higher on case-by-case basis) Loan terms up to 25 years (fully amortized) NO balloon payments Commercial real estate purchase or refinance, equipment purchase, business acquisitions & expansions, partner buy-outs Competitive interest rates All deposits FDIC insured to the maximum limits

702.471.2265 | MeadowsBank.com

061_vinc_113014.indd 1

11/26/14 1:47 PM

It’s easy to do business with us because we focus on one thing: what your business needs.

Get the fastest WiFi available.

COX BUSINESS INTERNET 10 AND VOICE SPEED

VALUE

VOICE FEATURES

Choose the Internet package right for your business and experience speeds up to 100 times faster than basic DSL

Unlimited nationwide long distance calling included

More than 14 professional features including unlimited local calling, Caller ID, and Voice Mail

85

$

30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

/mo* For 12 months with a 2-year agreement*

24/7/365 LOCAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT

702-939-1146 | coxbusiness.com *Offer ends 1/4/15. Available to new subscribers of Cox Business VoiceManager Anywhere, unlimited nationwide long distance and Cox Business Internet 10 (max. 10/2 Mbps). Offer requires minimum 2-year service term. Monthly service fee increases to $95 for months 13-24. Standard rates apply thereafter.

Unlimited plan is limited to direct-dialed domestic calling and is not available for use with non-switched circuit calling, auto-dialers, call center applications and certain switching applications. Equipment may be required. Prices exclude equipment, installation, taxes, and fees, unless indicated. Speeds not guaranteed; actual speed may vary. Fastest WiFi based on available 802.11ac equipment, available at additional charge. Rates and bandwidth options vary and are subject to change. Phone modem provided by Cox, requires electricity, and has battery backup. Access to E911 may not be available during extended power outage or if modem is moved or inoperable. Discounts are not valid in combination with or in addition to other promotions, and cannot be applied to any other Cox account. Speed claim based on Cox Business Internet 150 Mbps service vs. basic 1.5 Mbps DSL. Services not available in all areas. 30-day satisfaction guarantee limited to refund of standard installation/activation fees and the first month’s recurring service and equipment fees (and equipment purchase fees if purchased from Cox) for the newly subscribed services only. Excludes all other costs and charges. Refund must be claimed within 30 days of service activation. Other restrictions may apply.

0000101897-01.indd 1

9/12/14 10:32 AM

FREE Drink at PT’S Gold 215 & Sunset

FREE Appetizer at PT’S Gold 215 & Sunset

Wine, well or domestic beer

Buy one appetizer and get the second FREE

*Expires 12/31/14. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Management reserves all rights.

May not be combined with any other offer. See bar host for details. VALID AT 215 & SUNSET ONLY. Settle to 1400.

*Expires 12/31/14. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Maximum value of $9.99 on free appetizer.

Management reserves all rights. See bar host for details. Settle to 1402. VALID AT 215 & SUNSET ONLY

9050 W. POST LAS VEGAS, NV 89148

9050 W. POST LAS VEGAS, NV 89148

(702) 798-7678 www.pteglv.com

(702) 798-7678 www.pteglv.com

FREE Drink at PT’S Pub Tropicana & Fort Apache

FREE Appetizer at PT’S Pub Tropicana & Fort Apache

Wine, well or domestic beer

Buy one appetizer and get the second FREE

*Expires 12/31/14. Management reserves all rights. May not be combined with any other offer. See bar host for details.

Settle to 1400. VALID AT 9435 W. TROPICANA ONLY.

*Expires 12/31/14. Please present coupon at time of order. No cash value. Maximum value of $9.99 on free appetizer.

Management reserves all rights. See bar host for details. Settle to 1402. VALID AT 9435 W. TROPICANA ONLY.

9435 W. TROPICANA LAS VEGAS, NV 89147

9435 W. TROPICANA LAS VEGAS, NV 89147

(702) 871-6682 www.pteglv.com

(702) 871-6682 www.pteglv.com

Buy one regularly priced beverage and get the second one half off

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Buffet

*Must be 21 or over and present valid NV ID. Limit one per person. Management reserves all rights.

Expires. 12/31/14.

063-065_tsd_113014.indd 63

at S7 Buffet

Must be at least 21 with valid photo ID and A-Play Card. Membership into the A-Play Club is free. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Complimentary buffet value up to $12.99, additional fees apply on specialty, brunch and holiday buffets. Tax and Gratuity not included.

Dine in only. No cash value. Management reserves all rights. Expires 1/3/15. Settle to: 535

9821 S. EASTERN, LAS VEGAS, NV 89123 IN THE TARGET SHOPPING CENTER NEXT TO DISCOUNT TIRE

4100 PARADISE ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89169

(702) 431-5484 www.dochollidayslv.com

(702) 733-7000 www.SilverSevensCasino.com

11/25/14 4:54 PM

FREE Bloody Mary or Mimosa

FREE Drink On Us at House of Blues Crossroads Bar

and $5 OFF adult ticket to Gospel Brunch at House of Blues.

Buy one drink and get the second FREE.

*Subject to availability. Must present coupon when booking Gospel Brunch ticket; to get a drink ticket for free Bloody Mary or Mimosa.

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offers. Offer is non-transferable and has no cash value.

Not valid on holidays. Management reserves all rights. Expires 12/31/14.

*Good for one domestic beer, well drink or house wine, valid at the bar only. Must present this coupon when ordering drink.

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offers. Offifer is non-transferable and has no cash value. Must be 21+ with valid ID. Management reserves all rights. Expires 12/31/14.

HOUSE OF BLUES INSIDE MANDALAY BAY RESORT 3950 LAS VEGAS BLVD. S, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119

HOUSE OF BLUES INSIDE MANDALAY BAY RESORT 3950 LAS VEGAS BLVD. S, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119

(702) 632-7600 www.houseofblues.com/lasvegas

(702) 632-7600 www.houseofblues.com/lasvegas

Get 10% OFF Any Purchase Over $30

Buy one regularly priced beverage and get the second one half off

Bring this coupon and get 10% off your purchase of $30 or more in the HOB Company Store

*Must be 21 or over and present valid NV ID. Limit one per person. Management reserves all rights.

Expires. 12/31/14.

*Offer not valid on sundry items, CD’s, Santana Musical Instruments or Artwork. May not be used in conjunction with any other offers. Expires 12/31/14.

HOUSE OF BLUES INSIDE MANDALAY BAY RESORT 3950 LAS VEGAS BLVD. S. LAS VEGAS, NV 89119

2312 E. CRAIG RD., LAS VEGAS, NV 89030

(702) 632-7600 www.houseofblues.com/lasvegas

(702) 399-1599 www.mulliganslv.com

GRAND OPENING!

One Free Order of Fried Pickles with purchase of regular priced entrée.

Buy one regularly priced beverage and get the second one half off

*Dine in only. Must present coupon to redeem offer. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes holidays and special events.

Management reserves all rights. Not including tax or gratuity. One voucher per guest per visit.

*Must be 21 or over and present valid NV ID. Limit one per person. Management reserves all rights.

Expires. 12/31/14.

3850 LAS VEGAS BLVD. SO., LAS VEGAS, NV 89109

955 GRIER DRIVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119 SOUTH OF SUNSET AT PARADISE & GRIER

(702) 597-7991 www.dickslastresort.com

(702) 462-2431 www.paradisepublv.com

063-065_tsd_113014.indd 64

11/25/14 4:57 PM

$

1 OFF

$5 FREE Slot Play for New Members

725 S RACETRACK RD. HENDERSON, NV 89015 (702) 566-5555 www.clubfortunecasino.com

Must become a Player Rewards Card member to redeem.

Existing Player Rewards Card Members do not qualify.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other free slot play offer.

Management reserves all rights. Limit of one (1) New Member free slot play offer per person and Player Rewards card.

Valid 11/30/14–12/06/14, with group code 5241.

Per Carton of Cigarettes — NO LIMIT — Las Vegas Smoke Shop 1225 N. MAIN STREET, LV, NV 89101 (702) 366-1101 Snow Mountain Smoke Shop 11525 NU-WAV KAIV BLVD, LV, NV 89124 (702) 645-2957 www.LVPaiuteSmokeShop.com

*Cannot be used to purchase Marlboro, Misty, KOOL or Pyramid.

NO LIMIT on any other brand of carton purchased. Must be 18 years of age or older. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Limit one discount given per customer per day. Must present this coupon for redemption. Cannot be redeemed for cash.

No photocopies accepted.

COUPON EXPIRES 12/31/2014 COUPON CODE: TS SERVING LAS VEGAS SINCE 1978 NO ADDITIONAL TAX ON THE PAIUTE RESERVATION

$

LOGO HERE

31 Off Your Next Removal

2 FREE L.A.S.E.R. Therapy Sessions

200 E. HORIZON DRIVE, SUITE A HENDERSON, NV 89015 (702) 329-9907

for Neck and Back Pain By appointment only and requires patient evaluation.

Limit one coupon per customer. Expires 12/06/14

(800) 468-5865 www.1800gotjunk.com

*Not valid with any other offer. Limit one coupon per customer.

Expires 2/22/15.

EAT IN, TAKE OUT, OR DELIVERY*

FREE Monday Bowling

Buy any Large Pizza and get an appetizer of your choice

(Shoes Included)

Onion Rings, Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Jalapeno Poppers, Cheese Fries or Fried Mushrooms**

*Management reserves all rights, no cash value, not valid on holidays, not valid during concerts, not valid during special events. Expires 12/30/14.

Open 10:30am–9:00pm *Within delivery zone only. **Limited 1 per order. All prices are without tax or delivery fee and are subject to change.

LOCATED CENTER STRIP AT THE LINQ UNDER THE WHEEL

(702) 862-BOWL www.BrooklynBowl.com

Gourmet $1 Kronuts ™

*Limit 6 per coupon. Offer expires 12/7/14.

6400 S EASTERN AVE, STE 24, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119

(702) 826-4220

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Texas Smokehouse or Cheesy Bacon Burger™ Regular price $6.95 and $7.95 *Limit one per customer. Valid 11/23/14 to 12/07/14.

063-065_tsd_113014.indd 65

7280 WEST AZURE, STE. 150 LAS VEGAS, NV 89130

7280 WEST AZURE, STE. 150 LAS VEGAS, NV 89130

(702) 655-7280 www.cafeburgergroup.com

(702) 655-7280 www.cafeburgergroup.com

11/26/14 1:25 PM

66

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

THE SUNDAY NOV. 30 - DEC. 6

LIFE

Send your thoughts to news@thesunday.com

L.A. TIMES CROSSWORD

“RÉSUMÉS” BY MICHELE KANE

 TOP DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEK (AS OF NOV. 26) TV SHOWS

1 2 3 4 5

11/30/14

XWORDEDITOR@AOL.COM

ACROSS 1 Fuss 6 1622 newlyweds 12 Police show staple 20 One of two capitals on I-84 21 Southernmost U.S. state 22 With strong desire 23 Apple product 25 Kept 26 Block 27 Slippery fish 28 Outer space feature 29 Genesis woman 30 Convinces 32 Lullaby-like Chopin work 35 USA part: Abbr.

36 __ Dhabi 38 Traffic cop’s gp.?

40 Boisterous 41 Lunes, por ejemplo 42 Modern security threat 47 Anatomy feature in a ‘50s musical nickname 50 Deejay Casey 51 Perceptive 52 Pittsburgh’s __ Park 54 Like a sick student, probably 55 Queequeg feature, briefly 57 Salt in a lab 59 Eye-fooling pictures 61 “Of Human Bondage” (1934) studio 62 What most coupons lack 64 Canine complaint 65 Nada, in Nice 66 Firmly fixed 68 Slo-mo studier 70 “I don’t think so” 72 Calendario units 73 Consider 76 Election night drama 79 Tippler 80 Loren’s husband Carlo 81 Jalopy 82 Bambi relative 83 Sore 85 Annual reason for losing sleep: Abbr.

87 French 101 word 89 New Look creations 93 Future doctor’s work, maybe 94 Lustrous fabric 97 D.C. bigwig

66_puzzles_20141130.indd 66

PAID FOOD/DRINK APPS

“Crossed” “The Walking Dead,” Season 5

“Paprika Recipe Manager” $2.99

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“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Season 8

“Forks Over Knives” $3.99

“Power Outage” “The Flash,” Season 1 “Secrets & Lies” “State of Affairs,” Season 1 “The Trial” “The Good Wife,” Season 6

“Joy of Cooking” $3.99 “My Recipe Book” $0.99 “Vivino Wine Scanner Pro” $4.99

©2014 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

98 Pauley Pavilion player 100 Ike’s command 101 Joseph of ice cream fame 102 Draining aid 104 Cheapest way in 107 Goldsmith’s “The __ of Wakefield” 110 As per 111 Haunted house noises 112 “Got it!”

114 Balmoral attraction 117 Risked perjury charges 119 “Glee” song, e.g.

122 Precise 123 Fast tempo 124 Showed entirely 125 MLB All-Century Team outfielder 126 Sneaky devil 127 Diving ducks

Sch. with a Lowell campus Italian restaurant choice Bring upon oneself Long hole Comic book artist Like some beaches Naval noncom: Abbr.

Not a good thing to go to Parasite Exceptional Stand in a bedroom Dodge Viper engine Stores, markets, etc.

Attended Tennyson’s “__ Arden” Runs __ Nast LAX listing Makes a poor stroke Pledge Shopper’s indulgence DOWN Nabokov title professor 1 Basics “Uh-huh” 2 San Francisco’s __ Tower Business __ 3 Enviable assets 1999 Ron Howard film 4 “I’m available” Exhaust 5 Jeopardy Sunburn color 6 Sushi bar selection 7 “Penny __” Farm structure 8 Social misfit One, to Juanita 9 Three on a 47-Down Singers’ reality show, with 10 Actress Vardalos “The” 11 Title for golf’s Nick Faldo 98 Intelligence 12 Hide from view 99 Weasel out 13 Like a landlubber on the 102 Devour open sea, say 103 “In bad company,” to 14 Loosen, in a way Bierce 15 Culture medium 104 First __: Shakespeare 16 Soft & __: deodorant collection 17 Technique employed on 105 Intelligence many police shows 106 Paper bundle 18 Regular “Jeopardy!”

108 Dieter’s count sponsor 109 Indian state 19 “Girl, Interrupted” star 111 Former golf announcer 24 African grassland Dave 28 Ski resort refresher?

113 Violist’s direction 31 Look for 115 MGM co-founder 33 Basic educ. trio 116 Extremes 34 Something to pull off 118 Doctor of music?

35 Doesn’t feel great 119 Résumés, briefly, and a hint 36 “Oh no!” to this puzzle’s eight 37 Eye-catching wrap longest answers 39 Place to play 41 Not a good thing to go into 120 Texas resource 43 “He loves me” pieces 121 Bug 44 45 46 47 48 49 53 56 58 60 62 63 65 66 67 69 71 74 75 77 78 80 84 86 88 90 91 92 95 96

KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2014 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved.

Dist. by Universal Uclick for UFS. www.kenken.com

without repeating.

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging)

The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the

target numbers in the top-left corners.

Freebies: Fill in singlebox cages with the number in the top-left corner

For answers to this week’s puzzles, go to Page 41

11/26/14 12:17 PM

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10/21/14 1:01 PM

A Celebration this BIG Deserves a Tribute A special one-hour documentary Buckin’ the Odds – 30 Years of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas will celebrate the impact of the world’s richest and most prestigious rodeo on this great city.

As told through the eyes of NFR Champions: Ty Murray Trevor Brazile Billy Etbauer

Ote Berry Charmayne James Kaycee Feild

Rich Skelton Joe Beaver Cody Ohl

And rodeo industry and Las Vegas leaders: Jack Binion Bill Boyd Pat Christenson

Shawn Davis Michael Gaughan

Bill McBeath Rossi Ralenkotter Karl Stressman

Airing on CBS Sports Network Monday, December 1 at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET DirecTV/Channel 221 Dish/Channel 158 Cox Cable/Channel 333

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTERS

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photos provided by PRCA

PRESENTING SPONSORS

11/21/14 2:41 PM