Desert companion - Aug 2015

TOP DENTISTS

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CARDIAC CRYOABLATION

These new technologies are conquering cancer, repairing hearts and freeing people from chronic pain

Congratulations to all of the physicians in the region for the outstanding care you provide to residents and visitors of Southern Nevada.

We are proud to work with you.

www.valleyhealthsystemlv.com Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of The Valley Health System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

Dawson graduates can go anywhere

Katie

The Clark aCademy of maThemaTiCs, sCienCe & applied TeChnology magneT sChool, las vegas, nv

“Dawson was the right fit for me because it is such a wonderful, caring and beautiful school that welcomed anyone and everyone with open arms and kind smiles.

The staff, environment, and students there are all amazing!�

Students from the Class of 2015

tanner

Miranda

MaKenna

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“Dawson is a place where all unique types of minds are accepted and taught to the fullest extent. Dawson also prepares you to excel at whatever you enjoy”

“At Dawson, there is always something to look forward to. The classes are interesting, the people are fun, and most of all, Dawson gives you incredible experiences that help you grow as a person.”

“Dawson was the right fit for me because I got to experience a school with a great community and staff that cared about everyone, and the small classroom size and the supportive learning environment helped develop my love for learning.”

“I love Dawson because the people I am surrounded by classmates, teachers, and administration - care about me, and they will do anything in their power to help me succeed.”

The Meadows school PrivaTe school las vegas, Nv

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defne: “Dawson is unique in many aspects;

for example, students are given many wonderful opportunities to grow and prosper while discovering talents and learning valuable lessons.”

aliKa: “When I leave Dawson, I am going to miss the great people that I’ve met during my time here.

They have supported me and shaped who I am today.”

(702) 949-3600

www.alexanderdawsonschool.org 10845 W. Desert Inn Road | Las Vegas, Nevada | 89135

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Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

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Somebody’s making money off your checking account.

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EDiTOR’S Note

Isn’t funny anymore

I

won’t drag out that crusty joke about having to go to the airport to find a good surgeon in Las Vegas (nyark nyark!), but it seems to elbow itself into the conversation any time you talk about the state of health care in Nevada. Every time I ever heard it, the telling of it was always cynical and strangely gloaty, like the jokester was unconsciously reveling in our state’s troubled healthcare system. If humor relies on a little bit of truculent accuracy for its impact (we’ve all winced at the punch line that lands too close to home, too near the bone), I’m not so sure that joke’s funny anymore. Because (after the fake-patriot pageant of closet racists and posturing gunlobby molls subsided), the Nevada Legislature managed to move the state ahead on health care. One of the signature pieces of legislation that emerged from this session was launch-pad funding, about $27 million, for a medical school in Southern Nevada. (Heidi Kyser reports on the numbers, and what they mean, on page 23.) With added oomph by private donor money and additional backing to support graduate medical programs — the magic glue that encourages doctors to stay and practice and make a home in Nevada — the school is aiming to accept its first class as early as 2017. That not only holds the promise of alleviating our doctor shortage, stopping our medical brain-drain and introducing some badly needed specialty practices to Southern Nevada; it also translates into billions of dollars of medical spending that circulates in the state. Perhaps just as noteworthy is how we got to this point: with refreshingly tantrum-free collaboration between Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada, entities that haven’t always kumbayaed in the process of divvying up state revenue. Call me a Pollyanna, but when University of Nevada School of Medicine Dean Tom Schwenk says Next this legislation reflects a statewide viMOnth Our fall culture sion for improving health care — and and fashion not, instead, a case of bickering sibissue celebrates lings being momentarily pacified — I an artful, stylish want to believe him. But whether this season

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is the fruit of community-minded fraternity or backroom dealing, we’re undeniable winners.

That promising development serves as a nice news peg for our health and medicine issue, and new emerges as a theme elsewhere, such as in “The next frontier” (p. 93).

In this feature, we profile five new medical technologies — from cutting-edge nerve surgery techniques to cancer treatments that seem to come straight out of a sci-fi movie — that are offering patients renewed hope and health.

And, back by popular demand, we’ve got Best Doctors 2015-2016 (p. 75) and topDentists (p. 83) to help you make health-care decisions with a list of the best medical and dental professionals in the Las Vegas Valley.

Anyone who thinks laughter is the best medicine probably never heard “The Aristocrats” joke. If you have heard it, sure, you’ve laughed — but you’ve also gasped and grimaced, too, and probably also made some strange feral, moaning noise to convey your mounting bafflement and frightened confusion. On the anniversary of the cult documentary about this legendarily offensive and shocking joke — really, less a joke than a sort of cathartic exercise that maps the edges of our fears and fantasies — we’ve got an oral history of the 2005 film (p. 106) produced

by Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza. Not all jokes are funny, to be sure, but sometimes the point is not in the punch line, Andrew Kiraly but in the telling. editor

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

4 color process

速 The will to do wonders速

速 The will to do wonders速

INVESTING IN THEIR

FUTURE Since 2002, Caesars Foundation has provided over $16 million to support organizations dedicated to educational innovations.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Teach for America Las Vegas Valley this school year by offering senior-level students at Chaparral High School a Career Exploration course.

Facilitated by Caesars Entertainment HERO volunteers, the course is offered weekly, educating students about a variety of popular career opportunities available in Las Vegas including hotel operations, catering and valet.

facebook.com/CaesarsFoundation

@CaesarsFdn

AUGUST 2015

letters@desertcompanion.com

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us dealicio •

SIXTH

ANNUA

L•

LS A E M D CH FOO SO MU

•

•

CH SO MU

FLAVO

R

•

OOD SUCH G

DEALS

OUR DEALICIOUS MEALERS •

Jim Begley John Coulter Scott Dickensheets Brent Holmes Andrew Kiraly

Debbie Lee Molly O’Donnell James P. Reza Greg Thilmont Mitchell Wilburn

Pie oh my: Settebello’s $5 margherita mini-pie

photography

CHRISTOPHER SMITH illustrations

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1

Scrumptious as it was, July’s DEALicious Meals package didn’t taste right to everyone. First Last, a commenter on desertcompanion.vegas, for instance. “I’m getting so sick of every single restaurant/meal article/review full of dead animal meals,” he or she wrote furiously. “Oh, every once in a while you’ll throw in something plant-based, but that’s one out of 20-plus listings on average.” And make no mistake, First Last has achieved peak meat fatigue: “It’s getting to the point that if I see food on the cover, I don’t even bother reading the issue and just recycle it.”

(Did you at least read the profile of the Tomato Lady first?)

Before we could chamber a rebuttal, another commenter, RealityCheck, jumped to Desert Companion’s defense by busting out some foodie math: “Of 38 places listed here: 10 mention only meatless dishes; 4 mention both meat & meatless dishes; 24 mention only meat dishes = 37 percent of the listings give those who skip meat an option ... a far higher percentage than those of the population who eat meatless.” RealityCheck had more to say — some combination of the words “angry,” “self-important” and “vegetarians” — but we’ll let that pass and merely direct First Last and other like-minded readers to page 70. That’s where you can find a conversation between Staff Writer Heidi Kyser (a vegetarian) and Deputy Editor Scott Dickensheets (“mmm, charred flesh”) as they appraise the offerings at the Downtown vegan eatery VegeNation. Spoiler alert: Dickensheets swoons. Trigger warning: You’ll encounter the phrase “balls of meat.”

2

As an irrepressible cheerleader for poetry who’s already familiar to readers of this page, Las Vegan Lee Mallory was naturally gladdened by Andrew Kiraly’s All Things Profile of Bruce Isaacson, newly appointed Clark County poet

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laureate, in the July issue. “When I arrived here,” Mallory writes, “I saw how stuck and unsupported poetry is. Caught in the backwaters, overshadowed by all the glitz, illusion and pretense that much of Vegas represents. Poetry here, like elsewhere, is marginalized.

“In understanding Ginsberg and, especially, Bukowski’s interest in wrenching the word away from poetry posers, wannabes and academics standing by pencil sharpeners, Isaacson — like me — is avid to return poetry to the people. To bus drivers, servers, a nurse who writes a haiku or a carpenter set to scaffold thoughts and feelings. Those who try writing know that the word can pull us out of the cold cyber world, to get us back in touch with ourselves and life’s universals — love, escape from alienation and a yearning to get closer to nature. Poetry’s a north star to lead us back from the abyss and stir the soul.

“That’s why Isaacson sets his first sessions at a well-worn cultural center, site of his inaugural, which seemed a cross between an old school and a park. Indeed, our new poet laureate put his outreach there for the same reason I carry poetry into dive bars, coffeehouses, libraries and even a casino. As Charles Bukowski, late friend and mentor, said, ‘The world is full of shipping clerks who’ve read the Harvard Classics.’ We just have to go out and find them.”

3

On page 56, Mob Museum content guru Geoff Schumacher tells the tale of Johnny Rosselli, a Zelig-like figure in mob history. Hold on a minute, Geoff — is it Roselli with one S, as Wikipedia has it, or Rosselli with two, the way you use it?

“This is an example of why Wikipedia can’t always be trusted,” Schumacher tells us. “To be fair to Wikipedia, the one-S spelling is common in newspapers, magazines and books. Still, it’s not correct.”

He says the two-S spelling is used in the most serious-minded books in which Rosselli appears: All American Mafioso by Charles Rappleye and Ed Becker, The Outfit by Gus Russo, The Money and the Power by Sally Denton and Roger Morris and The Green Felt Jungle by Ovid Demaris and Ed Reid.

“More important,” Schumacher adds, “the two-S spelling can be found on Rosselli’s business card, one of which I happen to have on display above my desk at the Mob Museum. The most important part of that business card, however, is not the spelling of his name. It’s the job title he lists: Strategist. Apt.”

AUGUST 2015

www.desertcompanion.com

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93 Cool Tech

Saving Lives

These medical innovations, from 3-D mammography to heart-freezing to the futuretastic CyberKnife, are upgrading health care in Las Vegas

Features & Top DeNtists

Looking for a new doctor? Want to confirm your choice of dentist? Take two lists and call us in the morning — specifically, these lists of the valley’s highest-rated medical and dental practitioners.

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106 One Big Joke A sweeping oral history of The Aristocrats — the cult comedy film about the world’s filthiest joke — which got its start right here in Las Vegas.

By Julie Seabaugh.

114 The zero-

Armed Bandit

It was fiendishly clever. It was maddeningly intricate. It was also a bomb, placed in a Lake Tahoe casino in 1980. A blast from the past.

By Alan Bellows

H e a r t : A a r o n M ay e s

75 Best Doctors

FROM YOUR PHONE TO YOUR FEET Discovering beautiful trails right in your own backyard just got easier with the new Neon to Nature App from the Southern Nevada Health District!

Now, more than 800 miles of trails, perfect for walking and biking, are available on your Android device on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Each trail listing includes photos and a detailed map description of its location, length and amenities. The App also features tips and resources on living a more healthy and active lifestyle.

Download the Neon to Nature App, today!

Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

AUGUST 2015

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Vo lU m e 1 3 I s s u e 0 8

40

44

32

departments All Things

40 Profile

56 crime

139 The Guide

23 medicine Inside the

Eric Snyder’s life behind bars

By Lonn M. Friend

Johnny Rosselli, the mob’s ambassador to Sin City

By Geoff Schumacher

Zizek would still approve of so many events! (Philosophy joke.)

65 Dining

Ballad of the pool grifter

By Stacy Willis

effort to fund UNLV’s medical school 26 health Medicine

with strangers 28 outdoors Hello,

Basin and Range!

30 zeit bites Voucher

factoid bonanza!

32 Profile Prosthetic

pioneers 34 STYLE Sneakers!

36 STreetwise Indus-

44 Travel One last summer road trip! Aim your car toward Prescott, Arizona.

By Greg Thilmont 48 Politics What politicians are talking about when they talk about jobs

By Hugh Jackson

trial Road

52 Appreciation

38 Open topic lash flood fun F

A fond farewell to the legendary Ralph Lamb

By George Knapp

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66 The Dish Small-

144 End note

batch beers 69 Eat this now

Zereshk polo — find out what it is, then try it 70 table for two

Vegetarian and carnivore, dining together!

on the cover PHotography By AARON MAYES

h a i l e y a n d y o n g d a w s o n : B i l l H u g h e s ; T r a v e l : G r e g Th i l m o n t ; E r i c S n y d e r : L u c k y W e n z e l ; B e e r : S a b i n O r r

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out of your

out of your

HEAD out of the

Let’s face it, it’s still a desert out there. Using less means more. Replacing your lawn with water smart landscaping is the right thing to do. There’s even a cash rebate for doing it. Learn more at snwa.com, or call 702-258-SAVE. The Southern Nevada Water Authority is a not-for-profit water utility.

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

Mission Statement Desert Companion is the premier city magazine that celebrates the pursuits, passions and aspirations of Southern Nevadans. With awardwinning lifestyle journalism and design, Desert Companion does more than inform and entertain.

We spark dialogue, engage people and define the spirit of the Las Vegas Valley.

Publisher Melanie Cannon Associate Publisher Christine Kiely Editor Andrew Kiraly Art Director Christopher Smith deputy editor Scott Dickensheets senior designer Scott Lien staff writer Heidi Kyser Graphic Designer Brent Holmes Account executives Sharon Clifton, Parker McCoy, Favian Perez, Leigh Stinger, Noelle Tokar, Markus Van’t Hul NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Couture Marketing 145 E 17th Street, Suite B4 New York, NY 10003 (917) 821-4429 advertising@couturemarketing account coordinator Kayla Hamblen Marketing manager Lisa Kelly Subscription manager Gianna Petro Web administrator Danielle Branton traffic coordinator Karen Wong ADVERTISING COPY EDITOR Carla J. Zvosec Contributing writers Alan Bellows, Cybele, Lonn M. Friend, Mélanie Hope, Hugh Jackson, George Knapp, Christie Moeller, Courtney Purcell, Launce Rake, Geoff Schumacher, Julie Seabaugh, Greg Thilmont, Stacy J. Willis Contributing artists Elizabeth Buehring, Bill Hughes, Aaron Mayes, Chris Morris, Sabin Orr, Jska Priebe, Checko Salgado, Hernan Valencia, Lucky Wenzel Editorial: Andrew Kiraly, (702) 259-7856; andrew@desertcompanion.com Fax: (702) 258-5646 Advertising: Christine Kiely, (702) 259-7813; christine@desertcompanion.com Subscriptions: (702) 258-9895; subscriptions@desertcompanion.com Website: www.desertcompanion.com Desert Companion is published 12 times a year by Nevada Public Radio, 1289 S. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89146. It is available by subscription at desertcompanion.com, or as part of Nevada Public Radio membership. It is also distributed free at select locations in the Las Vegas Valley. All photos, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Desert Companion and may not be duplicated or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The views of Desert Companion contributing writers are not necessarily the views of Desert Companion or Nevada Public Radio. Contact Chris Bitonti for back issues, which are available for purchase for $7.95.

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

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Welcome Home.

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

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“I am living proof that Centennial Hills Hospital cares. Their experience saved my life and my baby’s.”

I’m Living Proof

~ Kristina Moore

Rapid, intensive, specialty women’s care saves mom and baby.

Kristina Moore’s normal pregnancy turned high-risk five weeks before her first child was due to be born.

With severe pain in her stomach and a high fever, she needed a hospital where the staff understood her needs and focused their expertise on her and her baby.

“From the moment I walked into Centennial Hills Hospital the staff listened to me.

They were attentive and they knew that my baby and I were in serious condition.”

Kristina needed emergency surgery.

Doctors delivered baby Hailey then operated on the new mom and removed her appendix.

Kristina believes Centennial Hills Hospital saved her life and her baby’s … “without them we wouldn’t be here today.”

Learn more about Centennial Hills Hospital and the Women’s Center at www.centennialhillshospital.com/kristina 6900 North Durango Dr. | Las Vegas, NV 89149 | 702-835-9700 Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. 150137

What good is the

“right� treatment if the diagnosis is wrong?

Based on the medical cases reviewed by our physicians, 1 out of 3 diagnoses in the U.S. require correction or refinement. And 75% of the reviewed treatment plans need modification. In fact, medical errors are a leading cause of injury and even death in our country.

Best Doctors is out to change that. We help ensure the right diagnosis and treatment by providing patients with access to world-class medical experts for second opinions, treatment guidance and more. Our services are offered nationwide as an employee benefit by companies like The Home Depot and many other Fortune 500 companies. Find out if your company offers Best Doctors and keep your health care on the right track.

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Helping patients get the right diagnosis and the right treatment.

Below are a few case studies where Best Doctors made an impact.

Marion was involved in a serious car accident and began experiencing headaches, neck pain and dizziness. Medical test results revealed nothing, yet her condition worsened. A Best Doctors specialist reviewed her case and discovered an undetected brain injury, as well as soft tissue injury and even a possible concussion. The expert provided a step-by-step plan to put Marion on the right course for treatment.

A lump on Simon’s hand was diagnosed as a noncancerous ganglion cyst. Less than two weeks after surgery to remove it, the lump grew back, bigger than before. A Best Doctors specialist reviewed Simon’s case and found Simon was positive for a cancer called fibrous histiocytoma. The specialist recommended further surgery and Simon avoided the consequences of a life-threatening situation.

Alex, a runner and mother of two, lived for years with a malfunctioning heart valve. She always took the necessary precautionary steps with her cardiologist to watch for any changes in symptoms, such as feelings of fatigue, fainting, and shortness of breath. Alex felt healthy, until one race in 2012, which she struggled to complete. Something wasn’t right. She decided to have her case reviewed by a Best Doctors cardiology expert. The expert recommended an immediate valve repair, noting that Alex’s condition had become severe and was endangering her heart. She had the surgery and is on the path to recovery, grateful for the services Best Doctors provided.

www.bestdoctors.com

SOUTHERN NEVADA’S MEDICAL SCHOOL

ABOUT TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA Touro University Nevada was established to help address and serve the critical needs in medicine, health care, and education in the State of Nevada. A non-profit, Jewish-affiliated, private university, Touro University Nevada opened its doors in 2004 in Henderson and over the past decade has become a leading educator of health care professionals and teachers in Nevada.

SOUTHERN NEVADA’S MEDICAL SCHOOL Touro University Nevada graduates more than 130 new physicians each year. Touro’s graduate medical education programs at Valley Hospital Medical Center and Nathan Adelson Hospice include nearly 100 residency/fellowship slots for Nevada’s future physicians.

A COMMITMENT TO NEVADA Touro is making its mark at absolutely NO cost to the taxpayers of Nevada. With student expenditures, payroll and benefits for more than 200 employees, other university expenses and construction and renovation projects, the University invested more than $88 million in the local economy this past year.

For more information about supporting Touro University Nevada or if you are interested in a campus tour, please call: 702.777.3100 or visit our web site at www.tun.touro.edu 874 American Pacific Drive | Henderson NV 89014 Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Licensed in Nevada by the Commission on Post-Secondary Education. Touro University Nevada does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability in its employment, programs, or activities.

08 15

fair med sc ho ol fu nding ... stat!

medicine

School of docs The 2015 Nevada Legislature approved funding for two full-fledged medical schools in the state, but there’s more to the story between the (bottom) lines B y H e i d i K ys e r

i l lu s t r at i o n C h r i s M o r r i s

All the other kids want your pumped up kicks page 34

“I

t’s a Rebel Day in Nevada, isn’t it? Yeah!” said Governor Brian Sandoval, echoing the cheers of the dozens of people who’d crammed into the loft of the UNLV Student Union on June 11 to watch him sign a series of bills allocating funds for various programs at the university, including a new school of medicine. “We’ve all heard the talking points — that this is the largest metro area in the United States of America without a medical school. We have to have that. … And it takes an investment. In this budget, there is close to $27 million for this medical school. That is quite an investment.”

Sandoval paused to laugh as the audience cheered some more. Sitting in the row of VIP seats before him, Barbara Atkinson smiled, too. The planning dean of the UNLV School of Medicine, hired a year ago to get the project off the ground, had landed the amount of startup funding that she’d been saying all along she needed.

But for much of the spring, Atkinson probably wasn’t so happy when she thought about Sandoval. His proposed budget for the two-year 2016-’17 fiscal

august 2015

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23

ALL Things

medicine

period earmarked only $8.3 million for the UNLV School of Medicine, with the idea that admissions could start in 2018, a year later than UNLV planned. The existing University of Nevada School of Medicine didn’t appear to be in much better shape. Whereas higher education officials asked for more than $5 million to expand UNSOM’s programs up north — in order to make way for the new UNLV medical school down south — the governor had granted it just shy of $2 million.

Then, the first week of June, the state Legislature made a move that might have surprised some, considering the Republican majority in both houses: It fulfilled higher education’s budget requests for both UNSOM and the UNLV School of Medicine — $5.5 million and $26.7 million, respectively. Carson City observers credited Senate Majority Leader and strong Sandoval ally Michael Roberson, a Republican from Las Vegas, with going to bat for his constituents to make Southern Nevada’s med-school dreams a reality.

Whatever political maneuverings led to the Legislature’s generosity, the headline funding figures don’t tell the whole story. Beneath them is an additional boost for graduate medical education that will be shared with private medical schools — but also a continued disparity in north-south funding, leaving UNLV’s Atkinson with the biggest gap to fill.

Besides the $32 million-plus in funding for the two public medical schools, the governor proposed, and Legislature approved, $10 million to help create fellowships and residencies at hospitals and private clinics around the state. This resulted from a couple years of work by a statewide committee representing UNSOM and UNLV, as well as private medical schools Touro University Nevada and Roseman University of Health Sciences. It’s been arguing — and few in the medical field disagree — that graduate medical education is at least as important to increasing the number of doctors in the state as the schools themselves, because it fosters a rewarding research environment and because graduates often

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stay where they do their fellowships and residencies. An advisory committee that has yet to be appointed will help the governor’s office spend the $10 million.

UNSOM, meanwhile, will use its $5.5 million to develop full teaching capacity in Reno. Right now, UNSOM is the state’s only public medical school, and it’s effectively split between Reno, where students do their first two years in the classroom, and Las Vegas, where they do the last two years’ clinical work.

The new funding will go toward creating third- and fourth-year programs up north and in rural areas, says Thomas Schwenk, dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

“That means recruiting community physicians out of the practices to take on teaching responsibilities; the administrative support to make that happen; faculty development — teaching physicians how to be teachers and incorporate students into their structure,” Schwenk says. In addition, UNSOM will set up Project ECHO, a tele-health system that will connect UNSOM faculty with primary-care providers in rural areas.

Schwenk will have much more than the $5.5 million in question to work with, too. That amount is on top of the University of Nevada School of Medicine’s biennial operating budget of $72.5 million — more than twice the amount allocated to UNLV’s fledgling medical school.

Atkinson is sanguine about the discrepancy. “Well, we’re at the stage of just beginning to grow,” she says, “so we have to grow at the speed we can. I’m happy for the amount we got. And we’re also going to be asking private donors for quite a lot.”

Some have already stepped up. This spring, the UNLV School of Medicine launched a scholarship called “60 by ’16,” indicating its goal of raising enough money to cover tuition for its entire first class of 60 students by 2016. Right away, the Engelstad Family Foundation pitched in $2.5 million to fund 25 scholarships; local businesses, doctors and community members donated enough to pay for another 15. Then, the Engelstad Foundation

gave an additional $7.5 million for 25 students in each of the second, third and fourth entering classes.

“This means we’ll have four years of really good students coming in,” Atkinson says. “We’re already getting calls from prospective students, though we don’t have permission to talk to them yet.”

That’s because she’s still in the process of getting the school accredited and hiring faculty and support staff. That’s where much of the $27 million granted by the Legislature is going, along with curriculum development. For the first couple years, students will take classes at partner facilities, such as the VA Hospital. Then, they’ll move to the school’s first new building, which a memorandum of understanding with the county says will be on Shadow Lane in the City of Las Vegas’ medical district. Atkinson initially estimated it would cost $75 million. She now thinks it will be closer to $100 million. Still, she only plans to ask the state for the base amount it received this year, with additions proportionate to student body growth ($30.3 million for the next biennium).

“The decision was made early on that we would just ask the Legislature and the state to pay for the educational costs … and that we’d ask philanthropists to pay for the building and the programs,” she says. Their pitch includes this enticing promise: a $1.2 billion economic impact and 8,000 new jobs by 2030.

Together with the City of Las Vegas’ medical district, those numbers rise to $3.6 billion and 24,000 jobs.

But Schwenk says it’s a mistake to see the Legislature’s funding as having isolated impacts on Northern and Southern Nevada.

“The way to frame this is not, ‘Las Vegas gets a medical school,’” he says.

“Now, we have a statewide vision, not just for Reno and Las Vegas, but for the rural areas as well. This is perhaps the first time — I wouldn’t want to claim that for the entire 45 years (of UNSOM), but possibly the first time — the state has had a convergence of vision around public medicine and education and had it backed it up with financial support.”

@SDMILV

#LASVEGASMEDICALDISTRICT

#ONLYSDMI

702.732.6000

SDMI-LV.COM

ALL Things

trending

health care

Patients!

The doctor will see you (and you and you) now

by Elisabeth Daniels

S

usan Sprada has a heart condition, lower back issues and psoriasis — a host of medical issues that can be tough to deal with alone. So why should she? Sprada was initially a little nervous about the idea of a group medical visit when Dr. Linda Johnson, her doctor at Southwest Medical, first suggested it.

Now Sprada says she’s glad she did.

“When you’re in a group session, you’re finding out about stuff you never even thought of,” she says. “In one of my appointments, someone was talking about a bladder sling. That can help me because I have bladder issues. I would’ve never heard of it if I hadn’t gone to that group meeting.”

Sprada is not alone — and we don’t just mean when she’s at the doctor’s office.

Shared medical appointments, group

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August 2015

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visits with 10 to 15 people, are growing in popularity, and for some patients, they’re a more satisfying way to see the doctor, bringing in crowd-sourced wisdom, and a sense of emotional support that comes from shared experience. Between 2005 and 2010, the percentage of medical practices across the country offering group visits doubled, from 6 percent to 13 percent of doctor visits. Southwest Medical Associates launched its shared medical appointments program in Nevada last summer.

If you’re imagining a room full of people standing around in their underwear, don’t worry: Physical examinations are conducted privately, in a separate room. Instead, patients talk openly about their health conditions. Think of it as a combination of group therapy and a wellness seminar.

Typically lasting 90 minutes, group sessions allow patients to ask questions, share experiences and learn from each other.

“A 90-minute span is long enough that patients don’t feel rushed,” says Dr. Evangelia Papageorge, a physician at Southwest Medical, “but it’s not so long that it affects other activities.”

During the meetings, a registered nurse

acts as a facilitator to keep the conversation moving forward, and a medical transcriptionist takes notes, which allows the doctor to focus exclusively on the patients.

“When I answer one patient’s questions,” Papageorge explains, “it often triggers the other patients to ask additional questions that may not have occurred to them.”

What about baring your soul — not to mention your medical history — in front of people you’ve just met? While some patients are understandably reluctant, those who try it seem to like it. “The person that has come in for their back will also get to hear what I say to the person who has blood-pressure issues,” says Papageorge.

“The person that came in for back pain today may have blood-pressure problems tomorrow, and now he’s learned about that.” To ensure privacy, each participant signs a waiver promising not to talk about the other patients’ health histories outside of the visit. At the end of the session, each receives a personalized action plan, which may include referrals or prescriptions.

Las Vegan Rajesh Sharma, a patient of Papageorge’s, is originally from India. He wasn’t thrown by the idea of seeing her along with several other people. “In India, everything is shared,” he says. “I had swelling of my legs because of fluid retention.

The doctor told me to get compression socks. I got them and told of my experience in the group. And the doctor told another patient that compression socks could help her.”

Group appointments are covered just like individual appointments by most health insurance plans. And they may save money in the long run: Learning about ways to prevent and treat diseases can help patients avoid expensive treatments down the road. While they’re not a replacement for one-on-one doctor exams, group sessions offer a chance to bond with other patients and reinforce the importance of preventative health care.

“As a country, we’re excellent at providing acute medical care, but we aren’t the best at maintenance,” says Papageorge.

“This is another system in place to improve our health maintenance.”

ILLUSTR ATION B REN T HO L MES

environment

landscape

All about the Basin Whoops and grumbles aside, we can all agree our new national monument is pure Nevada

T

alk about your mixed reactions. The presidential ink had barely dried on the order creating the 704,000-acre Basin and Range National Monument, on July 10, before arts boosters and environmentalists were whooping it up. If you’re social-media friends with anyone who can spell “art,” pics of giddy celebrants at Atomic Liquors on Fremont probably cycled through your feed.

In the opposite corner, though, not so much. From officials in Nye County on up to presidential candidates Ben Carson and Jeb Bush, it was all frustration. Nye County Commissioner Frank Carbone lamented on “KNPR’s State of Nevada” that it would cost his county some $99,000 in lost federal funds, and don’t yap at him about a potential increase in tourism dollars. He doesn’t see that happening. Gov. Bryan Sandoval, Sen.

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August 2015

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Dean Heller and others complained that Sen. Harry Reid, prime mover behind the designation (to pad his legacy, they say), and President Obama didn’t run this plan through Congress. Meanwhile, Rep. Mark Amodei, apparently relying on a 12-year-old speechwriter, dubbed it the “Hairy Berry National Monument,” a definite high point in Nevada political rhetoric.

Yet its opponents have largely focused on the procedure by which Basin and Range was enacted; few have quibbled with the actual merits of preserving that acreage. And no wonder. As the photos above attest, the area is suffused with the stark, minimalist beauty that is the genius loci of the Nevada landscape, its essential spirit. It contains enough petroglyphs, some 4,000 years old, and other native sites to warrant Obama’s use of the Antiquities

Act to save it. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, in supporting the designation, has predicted that cowboy-loving Europeans and ecotourists will be drawn there, perhaps easing Carbone’s concerns.

As is the fate of most things these fraught and divided times, Basin and Range — due in large measure to the presence of Michael Heizer’s titanic artwork, City, the preservation of which was a singular point of Reid’s effort — will inevitably be a litmus test and a blank screen on which conflicting ideologies will be projected. (“This guy’s crazy art project in the Nevada desert is 2016’s sleeper campaign issue,” yelped a Mother Jones headline.) But these photos remind us that when all the lip-flapping is done, the land will still look just like that, wonderfully preserved for generations. Scott Dickensheets

b a s i n p h ot o s : b r e n t h o l m e s ; c i t y : c o u r t e s y lo s a n g e l e s c o u n t y m u s e u m o f a r t

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ALL Things

zeit bites

THE BREAKDoWN

School choice

Will SB302 turn our education system upside-down? These facts give the controversial new law some context

I

n July, Lake Mead Christian Academy founder and administrator Sue Blakeley sent an angry letter to Nevada legislators. She was upset about SB302’s — the education savings account bill’s — definition of a child whose parents are eligible to redirect the state per-pupil funding to private instruction as one who “has attended a public school for 100 consecutive school days.” (SB302 was passed this year.) The requirement is causing parents who want the funds in January, when they’re supposed to become eligible, to pull their kids out of private school en masse this fall to “bank” their 100 days in public school, according to Blakeley, who said the survival of businesses like hers is at stake. Meanwhile, the ACLU, public school boards and teachers union are pondering legal action based on the constitutionality of funneling state funds to religious schools. Here are some facts behind the brouhaha. Heidi Kyser

$5,200: Current per-pupil fund-

Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio,

“No performance thresholds or

ing in Nevada

Oklahoma, Utah and Vermont.

consequences are defined … so it’s

100: Percent of that amount

“The country’s biggest-ever

unclear what, if anything, would

available to students in poverty

school choice program”: What

happen if ESA students

90: Percent available to others

conservative blog The Daily

don’t get the quality edu-

178: Private schools in Nevada

Caller dubbed Nevada’s law,

cation they’re promised.”

28,213: Number of students

because of the broad latitude it

enrolled in private schools

gives parents.

statewide; 5.6 percent of all

Who can get accredited to

Nevada students enrolled

receive the money: “A private

$8,012: Average tuition at Neva-

school, college or university,

da’s private elementary schools

program of distance education,

$10,200: Average tuition at

tutor or tutoring facility, or the

Nevada’s private high schools

parent of a child”

Other states that have school

“A huge gamble”: What Patte

voucher laws: Arizona, Florida,

Barth from the Center for Public

Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine,

Education calls Nevada’s bill:

Sources: SB302, Nevada state treasurer, PrviateSchoolReview.com, Nevada Association of School Boards

ART + ISSUES

It’s a huge issue now, but what did you see back

When Tom Loughlin, theater department chair

when you were conceiving Fandango that made

at SUNY-Fredonia, learned I was going to retire

you think water scarcity and privatization would

from teaching, he asked what sort of play I might

be a compelling subject for a play?

write next. I told Tom that my interest in the high

A few years ago,

Robert D. Kaplan, in The Coming Anarchy,

plains (depopulation of rural counties, the future

playwright and

wrote, “Water will be the liquid of the 21st

of the Ogallala Aquifer) was probably going to

poet Red Shuttle-

century.” Kaplan predicted that there would

predicate my direction. So, quite bravely, since

worth, a former

be resource scarcities, and those scarcities

I had not written a scenario or prospectus of

Las Vegan — he

would lead to international strife. Like anyone

any sort, Tom commissioned a play for the 2012

was in UNLV’s first

seriously interested in foreign affairs, I read a lot

theater season. I left teaching a semester sooner

MFA playwriting

of Kaplan. Also, when, out of curiosity, I did very

than I had planned to, and I sat down and banged

class, graduating

basic research on water, on the huge Ogallala

out High Plains Fandango, relying heavily (to

in 1991 — wrote a prescient play about water scar-

Aquifer (beneath the Great Plains), I learned

make composite characters) on people I’d known

city and privatization, High Plains Fandango. Late

that privatization of water sources had already

in my Nebraska years, throwing them against the

this month, as the scorching drought and fears

begun, with investments by Calvert and Pepsi-

approach of water privatization. All the characters

of water shortages give the play a heightened

co, oilman T. Boone Pickens and others.

believe they are involved in doing good, or at least

relevance, it’s being published in paperback and

How did you go about turning a hot-button

that they are involved in actions worthy of their

Kindle versions by Humanitas Media Publishing.

environmental issue into a work of art?

talents and entitlements. Scott Dickensheets

Down to the last drop

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

CheCk out what’s Coming up satire

Monumental fun After Basin & Range, a few more Nevada landmarks the president should preserve

Next

better to do on a Saturday night.

Visitor activities: Observe free-range bearding, trilby fluttering and flowering of ironic band tees.

Basin & Derange

H

ave a Second Amendment field day just outside of Mesquite, where a mi-

Sheldon and Steve’s Field of Despair

A

litia of redneck artisans is crafting a giant, Rushmore-like image of Cliven Bundy from the dung of illegally grazed cattle. A true

mid the sway of high-desert grass-

monument to liberty!

es and the gentle cawing of crows

Visitor activities: Buy live ammo at Stand-

(suitable for eating), this quiet haven allows

off Flats; eat BLM Burgers at the Welfare

lovers of nature and the Citizens United

Cowboy Cafe.

decision to contemplate the vast futility of spending millions to defeat a popular incumbent president.

Visitor activities: Camping, picnicking, opposing socialism.

Hipsteria

T

september 2015 Fall Culture and Fashion Great looks for the cooler months to come and a definitive guide to culture in Las Vegas.

OCtOber 2015

The Crusty Slough of Frozen Tears

Passages: A Guide to End-of-Life and Aging Issues

Y

ears after her scandalous fall in the wake of her conviction in the infamous

G-Sting corruption probe, former County Commissioner Erin Kenny now wanders this

his small but environmentally sensitive

purgatorial desert outland on the edges of

stretch of East Fremont Street is a fragile

Las Vegas in a continuous rite of obsessive

ecosystem where fauxhawked twentysome-

penance. The tragic power of her grief and

things feed, socialize and search for mates.

despair has turned the area into a glim-

Also contains the state’s highest density

mering crystalline wonderland of hardened

of skinny jeans. Wildlife biologists consider

tears, and some other dried substance, too.

this site to be a prime location to observe

Visitor activities: Earn merit badge in brib-

the hunting behavior of the hipsters’ largest

ing; view “exchanging favors” diorama.

predator, the overzealous cop with nothing

Andrew Kiraly & Scott Dickensheets

Lines of inquiry: a riff Look at this piece, “White on Blue Lines,” by artist Derek Dunlop (in the Satellite Contemporary Gallery through September 12). So ridiculously simple, right? Yet I keep puzzling over it. Is Dunlop trying to symbolically erase the ruled lines? (So why not make the white opaque?) Is he trying to call attention to the lines? Mimic them? Replace the machine-made lines with hand-drawn ones, hoping to assert the appeal of the human — but with the translucence of the his lines allowing the machined lines to show through as a reminder that the machine never goes away? Or does it perhaps have nothing to do with content, but rather form? Is the artist just trying to draw long white lines and needed the ruled lines as a guide? Does he just like the look of thick, slightly imperfect white lines with a thinner, perfect blue line down the middle?

So simple, yet so many questions! But that, of course, is the fun of it. Scott Dickensheets

A wealth of resources for planning for life’s later stages.

NOvember 2015 Illustrated History and Holiday Guide Featuring gifts for everyone on your list, with recommendations for men, women, kids and even pets.

To reach over 177,500

educaTed, affluenT and influenTial readers

Call Now! 702-259-7813

or email christine@desertcompanion.com

August 2015

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31

ALL Things

people

profile

Hailey & Yong Dawson prosthetic trailblazers

A

round 7 p.m. on August 17, 5-year-old Las Vegan Hailey Dawson will take to the field at Oriole Park in Baltimore and toss out the first baseball of the Orioles vs. Athletics game using her 3D-printed mechanical hand.

Those devoted spectators who pay attention to such pregame fanfare will be moved by Hailey’s adorableness and the enormous technological promise her hand offers other children like her, with deformed or missing fingers.

Little will they know, it took two UNLV professors, six students, a couple different designs, a bunch of those thimble-like rubber fingertips and some Super Glue to get to the hand Hailey has today.

“We got the first hand on October 31, 2014, and she broke it within 15 minutes,” Hailey’s mom, Yong Dawson, says. “She stuck a finger in a metal pole at school and it detached.”

Eventually, Yong would learn how to MacGyver fixes on her own, but she took the first hand back to UNLV for repairs. Now, this isn’t like taking your car to a garage. The biomedical and mechanical engineering students working on the project are excited to do so, but they’re volunteers. And they’ve never done anything like this before. Students graduate, move on, have more pressing work to do. New people come on board with new ideas requiring new software. Meanwhile, Hailey keeps growing. By the time she got her first UNLV-made hand repaired, it was too small. The second one fit, but Yong accidentally got glue in the mechanism while replacing some of the fishing line that serves as tendon-like retractors for the fingers.

It was ruined. Hailey’s on her third hand now, and students are already working on her fourth. And none of this is counting the very first one, made by a private 3-D printing lab,

32

august 2015

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which was a total disaster — too big, stiff and heavy for the then-4-year-old to use.

Mechanical engineering professor Brendan O’Toole says it’s all part of the use, modification and improvement process, which will hopefully lead to a smooth-working template that anyone can use. UNLV has absorbed the cost of the community project so far, and besides engineering the hand, O’Toole’s team is trying to come up with a workable model for funding further related study.

“It’s generated a lot of interest,” he says, “so there are a lot of students who’d like to work on it, and we’ve had inquiries from other people who’ve had similar needs for low-cost prosthetics.”

That was the idea behind Robohand, the open-source model created by a South African carpenter and American puppeteer that originally inspired Yong Dawson two years

ago to find someone local to make a hand for her daughter. Shortly after her birth, Hailey had been diagnosed with Poland Syndrome, a congenital disease that manifests itself in lack of pectoral muscle and, often, fingers on one side of the body. O’Toole’s team used Flexy-Hand 2, similar to Robohand, and scaled it down to Hailey’s small size.

Yong Dawson says every tweak makes her daughter’s mechanical hand more wieldy, and weekly therapy sessions with Touro University students overseen by occupational therapist and professor Cynthia Lau have taught Hailey how to operate it.

“She doesn’t use it all the time, but she knows it’s there,” Yong says. “I understand it. It’s still not perfect. It pinches her wrist after a while. But she takes it to school. She rides her Big Wheel with it. It’ll get there.”

Heidi Kyser

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

Au g u s t 2 0 1 5

DesertCompanion.com

33

ALL Things

style

trend alert

Get your kicks From sporty to fashion-forward and flatforms to slip-ons, you’ll want to walk a mile in these shoes

Nike women’s Air Max, $189.99, Finish Line in the Fashion Show Mall

By Christie Moeller

Maison Margiela men’s paint splatter replica high-top sneaker, $645, Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall

New Balance women’s Luau sneaker, $79.99, Journeys in the Fashion Show Mall

Christian Louboutin women’s Boltina trainer red sole pump, $1,095, Christian Louboutin in the Forum Shops

34

August 2015

DesertCompanion.com

Paul Smith men’s white leather Osmo trainers, $270, Paul Smith in The Shops at Crystals

Pharrell Adidas Superstar Supercolor (available in 50 colors), $100 at select Adidas retailers, Urban Outfitters in the Fashion Show Mall and adidas.com

Giuseppe Zanotti men’s metallic chain & zipper high-top, $1,125, Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall

Tory Burch women’s slip-on Stardust sneaker, $225, Tory Burch in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, the Forum Shops at Caesars and the Fashion Show Mall

Tory Burch women’s slip-on Stardust sneaker, $225, Tory Burch in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, the Forum Shops at Caesars and the Fashion Show Mall

Adidas women’s Stan Smith sneaker in green, $74.95, Nordstrom in the Fashion Show Mall

Adidas men’s Stan Smith sneaker in blue, $74.95, Nordstrom in the Fashion Show Mall

Au g u s t 2 0 1 5

DesertCompanion.com

35

ALL Things

leisure

streetwise

Industrial strength

7

3

A primer on the overlooked charms of this gritty, varied street B y L a u n c e R a k e

F

rom the charter-bus lots and

wall during shift changes, but you’re

welding shops to the boutiques

also likely to see visitors who’ve

selling clothing for strip-club per-

heard it’s worth seeking out. 2129 S.

formers, the aptly named Industrial

Industrial Road, 702-542-6286

1

Road serves the city’s industrial needs. It encompasses the past

Circus Circus

the oldest and newest businesses

4

operating near Downtown.

Thompson’s most vivid nightmares.

and future of the city, with some of

Circus Circus was the locale for some of writer Hunter S.

Hard Hat Lounge/Cody’s

snack bar, but you can still catch

Smoking Barbecue

a vibe of early-’70s weird in the

1

The mural behind the bar, featur-

massive casino. The RV park and

ing poker players and men ogling

Circus Circus Manor (with some

pinup posters, dates to 1963, but

of the most affordable rooms on

bartenders at the Hard Hat have

the Strip) open up directly onto

been slinging cold beers since 1958.

Industrial. 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S.,

A recent redesign allows Cody’s to

800-634-3450, circuscircus.com

2

5

His rotating Carousel Bar is now a

serve various well-smoked meat products. 1675 S. Industrial Road,

Battlefield Vegas

702-384-8987, hardhatbar.com

5

Downtown Spaces and

and, most important, a gun range.

Naked City Studios

Some visitors — especially those

2

Two years ago, developer Charlie Fox gambled on properties

This is a gun store, improvised museum of military equipment

from countries that restrict access to firearms — have never even seen

on Industrial, including Downtown

a gun up close, explains manager

Spaces. Fox says there are about 50

Anna Shum. Visitors can shoot

small art galleries and hip business-

pistols or, going total Rambo, a fully

es there, and he predicts Industrial

automatic belt-fed .50 caliber ma-

6

Rollin Smoke Barbeque

will undergo the same revitalization

chine gun. 2771 S. Industrial Road,

S. Industrial Road, 702-794-1000,

that has affected other parts of

702-566-1000, battlefieldvegas.com

eroticmuseumvegas.com

8

Erotic Heritage Museum

Sonny’s Saloon and

Rollin Smoke has helped establish

Downtown. 1800 S. Industrial Road, 702-429-1295, dtspaces.com

Las Delicias de Las Vegas

3

6

A block west of Industrial Road, on Highland Drive,

It went through some changes

Casino & Diamond Chinese

Las Vegas as a leading light on

about a year ago, but the

Restaurant

the competitive barbecue circuit.

It looks like a local Mexican

museum remains the must-see

This generic-looking video-pok-

for anyone interested in human

7

The extensive menu focuses on

restaurant that could have been

er bar is really a slice of local his-

dry-rubbed brisket, ribs, hot links

there for decades, but it’s just a cou-

sexuality. All of it. Billed by Director

tory: one of the city’s oldest contin-

and chicken, which are redolent of

ple of years old. There are few frills,

Dr. Virginia Hartmann as the world’s

ually operated businesses. Don’t be

fragrant wood smoke, not tomato

but the food is good — the huara-

largest museum of sex — it sprawls

put off by the signs demanding two

sauce. It’s a small, informal joint,

ches, wet burritos and cheeseburg-

across 24,000 square feet — it is

pieces of photo ID and “no loitering”

with picnic tables inside and out,

ers are spiced and served Mexico

home to the world’s largest sex bike

by police order. The food is actually

and patrons from everywhere.

City-style. Drivers from nearby cab

and features regular installations by

quite good. 3449 S. Industrial Road,

3185 S. Highland Drive, 702-836-

companies crowd this hole-in-the-

local and international artists. 3275

702-731-5553

3621, rollinsmokebarbeque.com

36

august 2015

DesertCompanion.com

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ALL Things

open topic

outdoors

Slippery slopes A foolhardy hike during a flash flood could have killed me.

Instead it awakened awe — and a taste for danger B y C o u rt n e y P u r c e l l

W

e’ve all seen those billboards scattered along Vegas freeways depicting minivans half-submerged in flooded streets, with license plates bearing grim messages like FLOTNBY, IBSINKN and 2DP2DRV. The message is clear: Summer monsoons bring dangerous flash floods — and flash floods are death.

Like any good citizen, I’d always glanced at the billboards, and then promptly ignored them and their doomsday messages.

It wasn’t long, though, before I became fascinated with flash floods. It started one overheated spring day, when this wiry old desert rat I knew told me a fantastic account of a visit he’d paid to Red Rock during a summer monsoon many years back.

Not only did the cliffs darken, stained with the precious wet, he told me — with not a small amount of enthusiasm — but as the waters drained from the skies, rather than sink into the soil, floods gathered in every watercourse and hurried down every drainage, culminating in hundreds of waterfalls pouring over the steep walls. It was breathtaking, he said, and I believed him.

My face must have lit up. My crinkled old friend warned me sternly to stay in the car, or better yet the house, when dark skies released their anger into the canyons.

Danger, he cautioned, is not for doughy men like me.

I would remember his story, and his warning, but promised myself I’d take a

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drive out to Red Rock one stormy day to witness for myself all the glory he described. Spring begat summer, and I made time to monitor the weather forecast, waiting for an opportunity to put to task my drive to be stupid.

An August morning, a day dawned dark. The forecast called for something like 100 percent chance of rain. I tossed some trail mix and a cheap windbreaker into my backpack, made a gallon of Tang, got in my car and rushed on over to the Red Rock fee booth. I flashed my pass to the ranger-guy, who seemed a bit surprised that I wanted to enter the gloom and mounting drizzle, and buzzed around the loop, pulling off in a parking lot near the mouth of a particularly deep and long box canyon. The flood, I was sure, would really be spectacular from here.

Although I sat in my car in the downpour for the better part of an hour, not much of anything was happening.

Yeah, the cliffs were getting darker as they soaked, the clouds were impressively moody, but the raging torrent that old geezer promised was flowing in the direction of bullshit.

I quickly grew bored. I grabbed my pack, tightened my shoelaces, locked the car, and bolted down the trail toward the canyon.

If this flood was ever going to happen, I reasoned, what better way to experience it than from deep within the canyon?

What followed was one of the most awe-inspiring and disorienting experiences of my life. I’d say it was horrifying, but I wouldn’t lie to you — I was too ignorant to notice until later the danger and too reckless to recognize what should have been fear. If you’ve never been in one of Red Rock’s deeper canyons, imagine miles of bungalow-sized boulders occupying every inch of a two-lane, meandering highway stuffed between vertical sandstone cliffs hundreds of feet high. There’s one way in and one way out — through the mouth of the canyon.

In that steady but slight drizzle, I hiked and scrambled ever upward into the canyon, noticing early how slippery

ILLUSTR ATION H e r n a n VAl e n c i a

A timeless experience had engulfed eight hours. We were delighted to have survived — and emboldened to tempt fate another day. the rock had become, and learning how the lichen became like grease on a terrazzo floor. It was when I eventually climbed up into the lower reaches of a high, sculpted bowl surrounded by rocky slabs that the skies finally unleashed.

The slabs coaxed the thickening waters down, streaming cascades toward the anxious, cluttered boulders below. I began to feel a little lonesome, and then I heard a human murmur.

Two men about my age, looking dazed and a bit scared, huddled shivering beneath a small tree. I had no idea what their mission was, but in some unspoken agreement, we ineptly decided to clamber higher, to escape the increasing flow of water funneling down the bowl and into the constricting canyon below, and perhaps climb to the perceived safety of one of the small peaks high above.

It was perhaps 20 minutes later, around noon, when we reached terrain too steep to climb, where stunned cacti shuddering under the force of gushing rain clung to slick, deep red slabs of solid earth. We could go no further. But could we return?

Back down the bowl, the terrain seemed foreign. The waters had gathered so thin yet so wide that the entire bowl appeared to move. Confused and uncertain, I haltingly led us back, creeping down slabs that now seemed glassy and hostile, that dodgy lichen suddenly seeming to cover every square inch. Where the bowl fanned out and the slabs once again gave way to massive boulders, a maelstrom of white water churned. Tumbling waters thrashed the sides of the canyon, fighting each other to be first down the narrowing channel. There was nowhere else to go: The stuff in the center was chaos of a type and strength beyond our comprehension, and the stuff on the other side too steep to escape. What laid in between on a sliver of tentative earth was us.

By now, the skies were pouring.

With only light jackets, we were cold.

We picked our way carefully toward a nearby overhung boulder, out of the path of the angry water. But what

promised sanctuary proved chilly, and we wasted no time in abandoning the site for fear of hypothermia.

We crept down the watercourse, staying clear of the massive torrent, yet never courageous enough to stray into that steep stuff adjacent. So we rode that middle ground, there between likely death and certain death, where we could cling to bushes and small trees, twist through tangles, and climb, terrified, down the smaller waterfalls that occupied the relatively safe corners of the obstacle course we’d led ourselves into.

Negotiating even the smallest obstacle now took on epic proportions, requiring strategy, talent (of which we had none) and nerve. Our survival instinct seemed ludicrous. We were flotsam in a carnival of force, but we continued on.

Reflecting back now, I wish I could recall the remainder of our journey to freedom. I know that in that primitive, thoughtless state what mattered only was survival — without will or whim, muscles and skeleton got the job done.

I glanced at my watch. It was 8 p.m.

We’d turned around at the top of the bowl at noon. A timeless experience had engulfed eight hours of our lives. We were delighted to have survived — and even emboldened to tempt fate another day.

All these years later, when I see those summer billboards, driving home a point while somehow missing the point, I sometimes catch myself thinking: If only we didn’t exist in a society of half-truths, if only we saw danger for what it is in myriad — an opportunity to see beyond the mirage, to feel beneath the surface of the ignorant daily grind, and to realize, intuitively, that water sets the baseline for everything on the planet, without malice or love, care or concern, and in spite of our efforts to overcome it.

Beautiful, really. Dangerous, perhaps deadly, but beautiful.

Your smart wants to party.

Courtney Purcell is the author of Rambles & Scrambles: A Peakbagging Guide to the Desert Southwest.

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Profile High spirits: Bar chief Eric Snyder has a tale for every occasion.

Life behind bars Three decades in, hospitality lifer Eric Snyder still loves the people, the ambiance and the stories of a good neighborhood watering hole B y L onn M . F r i en d

I

t’s an exceptionally warm mid-June evening, and around the horseshoe-shaped bar of the Montana Meat Company on Centennial Parkway, three-dozen pairs of eyes are focused on ice. Specifically, the Chicago Blackhawks closing out the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the Stanley Cup. A lone barkeep slides from one parched patron to the next, filling glasses, bumping knuckles, slinging quips that keep the

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room buzzing long after the Hawks hoist Lord Stanley’s sacred Cup. “That’s my hometown!” roars a portly fellow clad in appropriate Windy City fan wear. “Next round is on me!” As the room breaks into ecstatic applause, Eric Snyder — the affable, 54-year-old overseer of this exceptionally happy hour — fires back. “Hey, Harry, I know what you do for a living! Are you sure you can afford to be so magnanimous?” He proposes a solution.

“Tell you what: This victory round only, half-price! Just for you, man.

Oh, and by the way, I’m a King’s fan, so don’t think this is easy for me!”

Personality and mad people skills are the key ingredients to Snyder’s long tenure in the food-and booze-service world, an intoxicating ride that began at the outset of his favorite decade, the ’80s. “I got my first job as a barback in a place called the Spaghetti Warehouse,” he recalls. “It was across from the state capitol in Austin, my junior year at University of Texas. First night on the job, the bartender — his name was Mark and he had hair like Burton Cummings — gets into a fight with the manager, who fires him then turns to me and says, ‘Okay, dude, you’re up!’”

Diploma in hand, he blew out of Texas and returned home to Los Angeles, where he landed a job at Mom’s Saloon in Brentwood, which his family owned. It was a popular destination for thirsty UCLA students and affluent West-Siders. Those were the days of wine, whiskey and women, and Eric fell in love with watering-hole culture, 13-hour days and the alchemy of proof and people.

This was L.A., so of course he has a celebrity story. “One night, British recording artists Howard Jones and Rick Astley show up and try to cut in line. I was managing the place from behind the bar with my mullet, tucked shorts and bow tie. Astley gets right in my face and says, in this somewhat arrogant English twang, ‘Do you know who we are?’ And I reply, ‘Yes, I do, and it doesn’t matter. When people leave and the crowd thins out, you can go in.’ So he starts to get really red-faced and shouts back, ‘Know what I’m gonna do, mate? I’m gonna buy this place and fire your ass!’ And I say, ‘That’s fine ‘cause your music is shit.’ Then I turn to Jones and say, ‘But I dig your pipes, Mr. Jones, so please come in,’ leaving Astley outside in line. If there was a hot-tub time machine, I’d transport myself back to that bar and that decade.”

SHAKEN TO VEGAS

“J

anuary 17, 1994, we were living in the San Fernando Valley,” recalls Eric. “Me, my wife Vicki and 2-year-old son, Max. Had a guy living next door named Norman

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Profile who would shoot cheap porn films in his backyard. I get home from work at Mom’s around 2:30 a.m. About 4 a.m., all the dogs start barking on my block. Howling up and down my street. Six minutes later, boom, the 6.7 quake hit — rocked my house off its foundation and freaked my wife out bigtime. We immediately started exploring our connections and places to move. I knew the guy that owned a bunch of La Salsas in Las Vegas. He was building them with bars and gaming. On March 8, 1994, we packed up the house and, like the Griswolds, hit the road — not for vacation but for a new life in Southern Nevada!”

The Snyders landed in the soon-to-be developed Centennial Hills area. After managing a La Salsa and then spending 13 years learning the ropes at a bar called O'Aces, he became the general manager of Montana Meat Company, a steakhouse and bar encased in an imaginative barn design, replete with metallic silo. (It’s since opened a second location in Rhodes Ranch.)

“The atmosphere here has always been terrific,” says Meat Company regular Ray, as he and his wife, Nancy, tap away at their video-poker screens. You can find the retired couple at the bar every night when they’re not traveling. The missus slides another twenty into the slot and takes a sip of her non-alcoholic Coors. “For health reasons, I had to stop, drinking, smoking,” she says.

“Been eight months now. The minute I informed Eric, he made sure that the bar was stocked with sober beer, because he cares.”

The establishment’s name is inspired by the home state of principal investor Steve Meatovich, though you might wonder if the “meat market” reference was conjured up for more social intentions. “Well,” Snyder confesses, “over the years we have been known as a hook-up spot. Purely unintentional.” But he has a funny story about it. “Guy named James comes in one night in a $3,000 Armani suit. He’s balding, handsome, sort of looked like Ed Harris and visibly nervous, sipping a Tanqueray and tonic. I walk over, fist-bump him and ask what’s up? ‘I’m on a match.com date,’ he replies, voice cracking. ‘Meeting this chick; she’s so incredibly hot.’ I ask him what she looks like. ‘Picture Cher with blue eyes,’ he says. Twenty minutes lat-

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er, this gal strides in, 5-foot-9, 6-2 in her heels, stunning. And yes, like Cher with blue eyes. He glances at her and squeaks, ‘Tammy?’ She responds, ‘James?’ He nods, and she hauls off and slaps him across the face. ‘You look nothing like your photo; how dare you!’ and storms out. I ask him to show me his profile pic, and it’s this Hugh Jackman stud. ‘Hey, can’t blame a guy for trying, right?’ Four onlookers bought him drinks, including me.”

worry, I’ll tow the car to the shop and get a rental. Take you to work.’ I’m not paying attention but Richie leaves, comes back 10 minutes later, tosses a set of keys on the counter and says, ‘Hey Eric, overheard your conversation. Here, borrow our truck for a week or as long as you need it.’ I’m blessed by the good people I’ve met here.

A passionate fan of cinema — his mother was a costumer for Paramount Pictures who worked on Cheers, Taxi and Mork & Mindy — he’s spent his 33 years behind bars examinGOOD STORIES ing the characters like Tina and Richie and nyder’s DNA did not predispose him the disparate others who have populated his establishments. Taking mental notes. Gathto sober living. “My father’s struggle with the bottle is the reason why I ering stories. Scripting a dream.

“I wrote a screenplay,” he says. “It’s gonever loved the booze enough for it to control me,” he says. “He was a fantastic, ing to be read by the head of Woody Harcreative guy despite the addiction. My dad relson’s production company. He’s one of was in the restaurant-supply business — my favorite actors, and I really see him glassware, salt shakers, chairs. He could in the lead. It’s about a guy whose been enter an empty building, sit there with the doing this for a long time. A pill addict owner for an hour and map out what his and boozer, he’s completely burned out.

Everywhere he goes he’s told he’s a loser. place would look like, design the room in aesthetic detail, furniture, etc., from top Then he falls in love with a midget who’s to bottom. My dad was a workaholic who in town doing Willie Wonka and the Chocodidn’t retire until he was 72. He passed late factory, but ODs when she dumps him. away Election Day, November 4, 2008, on He survives and says, ‘F--k this, when I his 75th birthday. Fading from cancer and go out it’s going to be in a blaze of glory!’ a hardcore Republican, he asked my broth- Can’t give away the ending, but trust me, er Bobby, a little after 6 p.m., ‘Who won its crazy and happy.”

As for his own crazy, happy ending? the election?’ Bobby answered, ‘Obama.’

Seconds later, he was gone. True story.”

“My son is grown up, so I think I’ll work Stories are one thing Snyder never runs another seven or eight years,” he says. out of.

“Then probably move back to California “I’ll tell you a story about two of my best and open up a surf shop. If I was scriptlong-term customers,” he says with a smile. ing my last chapter, this protagonist would “Tina and Richie — he owns an auto shop; be wearing sandals to work, making surfshe’s in insurance. They started coming boards and eating lobster tacos, spending in seven or eight years ago. Not long af- my final days in a pair of torn jeans looking ter I meet ’em, they’re seated at the far like Jeff Bridges from The Big Lebowski, end of the bar, I’m on the phone with my without the joint and goatee. The Jew wife saying something like, ‘Honey don’t abides. Ha!”

S

Committed to serving the health care needs of Southern Nevada for future generations Training health, wellness, and medical professionals since 1957.

Allied Health Sciences Community Health Sciences Dental Medicine Medicine Nursing www.unlv.edu

travel

Arizona highways There’s still time for one more summer adventure — make it a road trip to Prescott, Arizona and beyond

By Greg Thilmont

H

ello, August! Time to squeeze in that last summer road trip. And we have just the drive. A mere five hours away there’s a highway route that mixes forests and rangeland with a Victorian-era city, a nearly Gothic-looking mining town, pre-Columbian ruins and a ranching settlement brimming with wineries. There’s even a spectacular,

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quirky stop amidst sandstone spires at the end. This is the loop that unites Prescott, Jerome, Cottonwood and eventually Sedona. So let’s take off for Arizona!

SOUTHEAST BOUND

H

ead past Hoover Dam on Highway 93, where the view is all spindly, Mojave-dry yuccas. Turn east onto

Interstate 40 at Kingman. Soon, the foliage changes. The ground becomes grassy and closely dotted with rounded, graygreen junipers. In an hour and a half, the pyramidal peaks of the lofty, volcanic San Francisco Mountains rise in the distance.

Veer right at the tiny waypoint of Ash Fork.

You’re definitely not in Nevada anymore.

Cruise south along Route 89 through an undulating, mostly uninhabited landscape for 50 miles. Vistas of serrated ridges and buttes are far on the horizon in every direction. More junipers abound.

After a stretch of suburban farmland, wind through a granite canyon and drop into Prescott proper. It’s a leafy place, filled with deciduous and evergreen trees throughout. It’s completely un-Mojavean.

The casually driving road-tripper will probably pull in to Prescott in the afternoon. At 5,300 feet, the August daytime

P h oto g r a p h y G r e g T h i l m o n t

Clockwise from top left: Hotel St. Michael in Prescott; observation deck in Sedona; Mingus Mountain, near Jerome; The Palace restaurant in Prescott; Whiskey Row, also in Prescott

clime might reach the 90s, but the area cools down quickly in the evening. It’s time to secure some lodging.

With a regional population of 250,000 in a wide circumference, Prescott has plenty of nice, mid-level hotels of the Hampton Inn and SpringHill Suites variety. There’s also the upscale Prescott Resort on a hilltop. But it’s the town’s vintage accommodations that make for more memorable stays.

You can’t miss the old-timey Hotel St. Michael in the heart of town. A grand stairwell leads up to the second level, as does a gated, somewhat creaky elevator.

Stays come with complimentary breakfast in the full-service Bistro St. Michael: The morning after my June overnighter, I ordered a substantial plate of cooked-toorder sunny-side-up eggs, thick ham steak, savory house potatoes and sourdough toast with coffee. Very filling.

The Hassayampa Inn, just up Gurley Street, is gorgeous from its four-story, redbricked exterior to its grand foyer. Fans of classic national-park hotels like the Grand Canyon’s El Tovar and the Zion Lodge will appreciate the lobby’s landscape murals, tiled fireplace, chandeliers and exposed-wood ceiling. Rooms are well-appointed in a comfortable, Western-style décor. Suites are available.

For the hungry, the Hassayampa houses the elegant, Art Deco-decorated Peacock Dining Room. There’s also a compact, Art Nouveau-inspired side lounge. It’s beautiful and would be crammed with drinkers every night if it were in Vegas.

It’s that cool. During my visit, I sipped on a splendid Perfect Manhattan. The cocktail’s lemon twist and cherry garnishes complemented the room’s swirling woodwork and

low-glowing glass panels.

More bedding can be found in the Hotel Vendome’s 20 rooms. Like the Hassayampa and the St. Michael, it’s rumored to be haunted.

Prescott’s historic downtown is something of a time warp back to the 1880s, when it was incorporated. In its early frontier days, Prescott served twice as Arizona’s territorial capital. In the park-like town square, the colonnaded Yavapai County Courthouse is picture-perfect Americana.

It’s downright Midwestern, in fact. Along Montezuma Street, Whiskey Row is all woolly with Wild West nostalgia. This is where buckaroos, barkeeps, preachers, politicians, lawmen, ladies of the evening and other fine folk all did business of every variety. Today, it’s lined with Southwestern curio emporiums, snack shops and numerous bars, all tourist-forward.

For history buffs, Prescott has a trio of collections. The Phippen Museum specializes in Western art. The Smoki Museum focuses on Native American culture. The Sharlot Hall Museum encompasses centuries of Central Arizona’s past.

A number of lively, locally owned shops fill the Bashford Courts Atrium Mall across from the courthouse, including The Raven, a stylish stationery vendor and the extensive — and aromatic — Spice Traveler. Boutiques also line adjacent Cortez Street.

Hankering to chest-push through swinging doors like a tough-as-nails sheriff? Well, The Palace is the watering hole of your Zane Grey fantasies. Touted as the oldest operating saloon in the state, it has significant taxidermy overlooking the long, ornate bar. The food is quality, from the nightly prime rib entrée to chicken wings.

Back at Bashford Courts, there’s plenty to eat and drink, too. Prescott Brewing Company has vats of frosty beverage and hot pub food, from pizza to fajitas. In the basement, Prescott has a boozy leg-up on

PHOTO SHOWCASE ON TOUR!

Check out all the eye-catching photography from our 2015 photo contest until August 20 at Fifth Street School downtown.

We thought the photos from the 2014 photo contest deserved a second showing. They are on display at the Cheyenne Campus of the College of Southern Nevada, till August 22.

SPECiAl THAnkS TO B & C CAmErA More information at desertcompanion.vegas

HISTorIC

FiFTH STrEET SCHOOl

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travel Stay, do, eat Nevada: Superstition Meadery. In huge glass jugs, the establishment ferments honey into inventive vintages. I sampled a half-dozen 1-ounce snifters in styles ranging from Champagne Brut-tart to brandy-sweet. The “honey wines” are individually flavored with various ingredients such as Spanish saffron, Tahitian vanilla beans, coriander and marionberries. Behind Whiskey Row, in the Old Firehouse Plaza, grab gourmet burgers at The Hungry Monk. Nearby, the arty Wild Iris Coffee House can fill your espresso needs.

PICTURESQUE JEROME

J

erome is your next stop. Leaving Prescott via switch-backed State Route 89A over Mingus Mountain, this substantial “ghost town” suddenly appears around a blind corner. Built mountainside, it’s as if a section of late 19th-century San Francisco had been plopped down in the high desert. Its twisty streets are dotted with brick buildings galore from copper-mining heydays of yore.

The original town, which once had a population pushing 15,000, slumped off after the Great Depression and World War II to a few hundred. These days, some five hundred people live in Jerome. But it’s packed with visitors ambling down its crimped sidewalks. It’s nearly medieval. Restored structures house galleries, restaurants and shops. Step into the prismatic Nelly Bly, which specializes in kaleidoscopes, or pick up a case of Chenin blanc at Caduceus Cellars, a winery owned by avant-garde rocker Maynard James Keenan. Lodgings include The Surgeon’s House, a bed and breakfast; the sizable Jerome Grand Hotel; and the quaint Hotel Conner.

One of the main activities in Jerome, besides taking pictures of stacked-up buildings and the non-Euclidian street layout, is looking out over the wide Verde Valley that spreads to the north. Fantastic views are to be had at Jerome State Historic Park. It’s an enormous mansion that occupies a bluff of its own.

Leaving Jerome, venture down into the Verde Valley. Your first stop is at Tuzigoot National Monument. Above a bend in the Verde River, pueblo peoples known as the Sinagua built a ridgetop settlement. Its

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stony, desolate walls and foundations stand sentinel over modern ranches and subdivisions.

Next up is Cottonwood, with its perfectly linear Main Street.

Many of its old town buildings could have been backdrops for The Rifleman. More than a few are now tasting rooms, such as Pillsbury Wine Company. The watered landscape around the once-and-still cowboy town is dotted with vineyards. One completely modern and worthwhile stop is wood-fired Pizzeria Bocce. It has a namesake bocce court off its back patio for playing the venerable precursor to bowling.

After Cottonwood, the highway soon approaches the Mogollon Rim, an escarpment rising some 3,000 feet in the air.

The trees of the Prescott National Forest begin to envelop the landscape. Sandstone cliffs with rusty colors from peach to orange seem to leap upward.

Welcome to Sedona.

hit these arizona hot spots Prescott Prescott Resort prescottresort.com St. Michael Hotel stmichaelhotel.com Hassayampa Inn hassayampainn.com Hotel Vendome vendomehotel.com Whiskey Row whiskeyrow.us Bashford Courts bashfordcourts.com Old Firehouse Plaza oldfirehouseplaza.com Phippen Art Museum phippenartmuseum.org Smoki Museum smokimuseum.org Sharlot Hall Museum sharlot.org The Palace historicpalace.com Prescott Brewing Co. prescottbrewingcompany.com Superstition Meadery superstitionmeadery.com Wild Iris Coffee wildiriscoffee.com

Jerome Nellie Bly nellieblyscopes.com Caduceus Cellars caduceus.org Surgeon’s House bed & breakfast surgeonshouse.com Jerome Grand Hotel jeromegrandhotel.net Hotel Connor connorhotel.com Tuzigoot National Monument nps.gov/tuzi

Cottonwood Pillsbury Wine Company pillsburywine.com Pizzeria Bocce boccecottonwood.com

Sedona Chapel of the Holy Cross chapeloftheholycross.com Tlaquepaqe Arts & Craft Village tlaq.com Canyon Breeze restaurant canyon-breeze.com

BRING YOUR CHAKRAS

G

eologically, Sedona is an echo of Red Rock Canyon multiplied with slices of Utah’s Canyonlands. Culturally, it goes for a funky, Santa Fe-ish resort vibe. There are architectural gems like the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which rises from a ruddy sandstone cleft. The Tlaquepaqe Arts & Craft Village is a hive of memento-buying frenzy in an Old Mexico-themed complex.

Of course, New Age esoterica is big business. You can hire a shaman, get your chakras astrally cleansed at a cosmic “vortex” on a mesa or attempt to commune with UFOs. Uptown Sedona is not unlike the Strip, however, with its full-on tourist economy of timeshare-hawkers, jeeptour booths and hot-air balloon outfitters.

There are also psychic tchotchkes for sale in nearly every business.

For something more down-to-earth, pull up a chair at the Canyon Breeze restaurant’s wide patio overlooking Oak Creek.

Order a refreshment and peer through a mounted viewfinder for an up-close scan

of multihued palisades. You don’t even have to add a quarter for a telescopically sublime scene. Sedona is easily one of the most beautiful settings anywhere.

Whether you stay overnight in Sedona (bring lots of money!) or need to move on to home, there’s one more amazing treat on this venture: Oak Creek Canyon, which begins just past the town’s northeast edge. It’s a like a miniature, jungle-filled Grand Canyon or a sere West Virginia gorge somehow transported beyond the 100th meridian. It’s a 13-mile, side-winding passageway that takes up the better part of a breathtaking hour.

Eventually, the highway emerges above Oak Creek Canyon’s magnificently eroded walls onto a Ponderosa pine-dense plateau south of Flagstaff. When the route meets Interstate 40 in 17 miles, turn left. Alas, Clark County is just down the road a stretch ... this fantastic but nearby and easy excursion is approaching its end.

a mil lion times ove

r

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Since 2007, our employees have given $1 million of their own money to local non-profits through Cox Charities. And last year they volunteered more than 13,000 hours at numerous community organizations.

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politics

The economy needs you!

What we talk about when we talk about growth. (Hint: the answer isn’t prosperity for workers) B y H u g h Ja c k s o n

J

eb Bush got a bad rap. Sort of.

Critics pounced last month when Bush declared that “people need to work longer hours.” Progressive think tanks dusted off studies showing Americans already work more hours and take fewer vacations than anyone in the industrialized world. Democrats mocked Bush as a Romney redux, another

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out-of-touch rich Republican. U.S. workers “don’t need a lecture,” Hillary Clinton lectured. “They need a raise.”

Clinton’s right. Workers do need a raise, especially here in Nevada, where retail, food service and clerical jobs are simultaneously among the most common and the poorest paying.

Bush is also right, or at least partly

right: Many people who are working parttime would prefer to work full-time, especially in those aforementioned sectors that are so super-sized here in Nevada.

But from Bush and Clinton and the rest of the presidential candidates parachuting into Nevada, all the way down to aspiring career politicians seeking congressional seats, to would-be wheeler-dealers running for the state Legislature, mainstream political rhetoric about jobs and the economy comes with a baked-in blind spot.

With the possible exception of a woman whose husband was president, perhaps no one is better suited to reflect

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

the political establishment’s conventional economic thinking than a guy whose brother and father were both president.

So let’s start with Bush chiding you for being a slacker.

It was only after the fact, when he was backtracking, that Bush lamented — again, correctly — the plight of the involuntary part-time employee. His original point was altogether different. Specifically, Bush said people need to work longer hours to help the U.S. achieve his goal of 4 percent annual economic growth.

Unlike abortion, voter ID laws or Season 5 of Game of Thrones, almost all Americans are in complete agreement on economic growth: They’re for it. The assumption, the widely held “common sense,” is that when the economy grows, everybody benefits. So politicians of both parties promise to “grow the economy.”

Growth can lead to more and better jobs and to higher pay in existing ones.

But it doesn’t always, because there’s another factor that has a lot more to do with your job, a factor that U.S. politicians address much less frequently than growth, if they address it at all. Let’s say the U.S. economy grows at the expected 2 percent rate this year, from $17.7 trillion to $18 trillion. No wait! Let’s pretend Jeb is already president and because he’s so smart the economy will grow at 4 percent, from $17.7 trillion to $18.4 trillion. Whichever, the ground-level issue that matters to wage-earners is not how much the economy grows, but how those trillions of dollars are distributed.

For instance, more than one trillion of those American dollars are absolutely, positively not going to you — or any other American wage-earner. U.S. corporations are on pace to spend $1.2 trillion, an amount roughly equal to 7 percent of the economy, not to create new jobs or raise wages or develop new products and technologies, but to buy back their own corporate stock.

When corporations repurchase their own shares, they take shares off the market. That (usually) raises the price of remaining shares, to the benefit of the wealthiest investors, whose ownership of U.S. stock is of course inordinately large.

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politics Apple has been leading the buyback frenzy. “Activist” investor and occasional Las Vegan Carl Icahn has relentlessly bullied Apple into bigger and bigger buybacks — some $200 billion over a three-year period that will not be spent to build a phone that can hold a charge or increase salaries at the Genius Bar or in Chinese sweatshops, but to further enrich people like Icahn.

CEO pay packages are almost always tied to share price. So even as more and more working Americans are getting sucked deeper into financial black holes, CEO compensations have gone supernova, thanks in large part to stock prices manipulated by buybacks.

Walmart, Yum Brands (KFC, Taco Bell etc.) and McDonald’s, the nation’s three largest private-sector employers, pay poorly, provide shoddy or no benefits and love “flexible” scheduling — the hallmark of those involuntary part-time jobs that Jeb Bush wants to make fulltime. Yet even as the economy has struggled to rebound from the worst collapse of most of our lifetimes, there has still been enough economic growth to allow those companies to spend billions — not to give workers a raise, or roll back reliance on low-cost flex labor, but to buy back their own stock.

Stock buybacks are just one way that 21st-century economic growth fails to get distributed throughout the general population and show up in your paycheck. We live, after all, in a world where banks are bailed out and people aren’t; where wages are taxed much more heavily than investment earnings; where trust in the power of economic growth is so ingrained in public discourse that the word “distribution” is taboo and “redistribution” is nigh on treasonous; where “common sense” all but demands that government turn its back on the quaint 20th-century notion of helping people and instead focus instead on helping markets. (Nevada’s aggressive push to transfer your tax dollars to private education companies, adopted by state government earlier this year, is almost a caricature of market idolatry.)

Nevada is rebounding, or so the governor says, and true enough, Nevada has

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experienced economic growth since bottoming out at the end of the last decade.

Why, according to the Economic Policy Institute, the income of the richest 1 percent of Nevadans increased 40 percent from 2009 to 2012, and the incomes of everybody else … fell by 16 percent.

That disconnect between growth and distribution has not gone wholly unnoticed by politicians of both parties, who often as not vow to address it with … more growth.

For example, John Oceguera, a Las Vegas Democrat running for Congress, declared last month that “priority number one must be creating good-paying jobs that can support a family.” Priority number one will be achieved, Oceguera added, by “supporting the entrepreneurs and small businesses that power the engine of our economy,” i.e. helping the private sector grow some more.

As I reported in Desert Companion in June, at least one-third of the jobs Nevada already has fail to pay enough to support a family. That’s not a growth problem. Those jobs are projected to grow in larger numbers than any others well into the foreseeable future. A less growth-smitten political class might conclude raising pay in those jobs, not creating new ones, should be “priority number one.” Alas, that’s a distribution problem. And politicians generally don’t go around saying “priority number one” is wealth redistribution.

This is not to single out Oceguera. He’s echoing statements uttered every day by politicians from both parties in Nevada and nationwide.

And to be sure, from long-shots like Oceguera to Clinton the presumptive presidential nominee, Democratic politicians, following the lead of an awakened portion of the Democratic electorate, increasingly accompany their ubiquitous growth worship with support for other, presumably nice things, like a higher minimum wage or mandated sick leave. Perhaps no living Democrat was more enamored with the power of economic growth than Bill Clinton. Now his wife says we don’t need a growth economy, but “a growth and fairness economy.” She’s even complained

about stock buybacks.

But it could prove tough for fairness to prevail against decades of an abiding faith in the power of economic growth, even among Democrats, and especially in Nevada.

From 2011 through their humiliating drubbing at the polls in 2014, the one economic idea that Nevada Democratic legislators touted more than any other was a tax credit for the film industry — a classic if not cliché manifestation of the belief that government’s role is to facilitate markets because that will lead to growth and … jobs, or something.

The tax credits were ultimately scaled back to help finance a much more massive example of government helping out the private sector in the name of growth.

Every Democrat in the Legislature voted for the Tesla deal, a deal for which Nevada Democratic Party boss Harry Reid takes credit.

Democrats disavow so-called “trickle down” economics. But what exactly do film credits or the Tesla deal specifically, and the obsession with growth generally, reflect if not the belief that when government helps the private sector grow, prosperity will trickle down through the rest of the economy?

Or, as one critic put it: “… some people continue to defend trickle-down theories, which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting.”

It’s easier for the pope to denounce “free market” domination of democracies, the global economy, our identities and even our thoughts. He’s not on the ballot.

An argument can be made that it’s becoming somewhat easier for politicians, too, to challenge the market’s uncontested reign over, well, everything. But that assumes a mainstream political willingness to do anything of the sort.

Appreciation

Star power: Lamb was a longtime lawman — but also did stints as a bounty hunter and private eye.

A few stories about Ralph Lamb

“Y

ou son of a bitch, I’ll kill you,” the desperado yelled through his bloody, splintered teeth at the unknown man who stood behind him.

“You ain’t done too good so far, pardner,” the lanky stranger said as he jammed a large hand cannon into his prisoner’s back.

“It’s all over now. This man is coming with me,” bounty-hunter Ralph Lamb announced to the semicircle of hardeyed men who were inching toward the front entrance of the seedy cantina. Lamb told them he would blow a hole as big as a Mexican cantaloupe through the belly of his captive if anyone took another step.

The year was 1955, and the Mexican resort town of Acapulco had only recently emerged as a seaside hideaway for the rich and famous. But there were no rich or famous people inside the Si Como No

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cantina. It was a foul-smelling tequila joint, its wooden floorboards stained with the blood of countless stabbings, shootings and drunken fistfights, events no policia would ever investigate.

“I knew I had no business being there, especially alone,” Lamb told me almost 60 years later, recalling the story in vivid detail. “I would have taken somebody with me, but no one would go. Before I left, I made sure I was paid some of the bounty up front because I knew there was a good chance I might not get back.”

He had found himself surrounded by bad men in a back alley in Mexico because that same year, Lamb had opened a detective agency, Barlow and Lamb. Before going private, Lamb had worked his way up to chief of detectives for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. His partner Jack Barlow had been the ace investigator for the Las Vegas Po-

lice Department. The two were sharp and ambitious and loved being lawmen, but both knew the burgeoning city needed a topnotch detective firm, and that there was a lot of money to be made.

How many readers were aware that the longest-serving sheriff in Clark County history took a detour from law enforcement to work not only as a private dick, but also — if the price was right — a bounty hunter? The incident in Acapulco, for example, unfolded because the fugitive he tracked, pummeled, handcuffed and whisked across the border had a price tag of $25,000 on his head.

WILD TALES

I

n recent years, much has been written about the most famous lawman in Las Vegas history. “He was John Wayne, Wyatt Earp and Dirty Harry all rolled into

ralph lamb: courtesy mob museum

A rousing sendoff for the late, the legendary, the larger-than-life Sin City lawman By George Knapp

In addition to facing down and arresting mobster Marshall Caifano multiple times, Lamb said he single-handedly confronted six mob guys and ordered them to get out of town. They left. one,” Congresswoman Dina Titus said on the floor of the U.S. House following Lamb’s death on July 3. Dozens of postmortem articles were written about the adventures he packed into his 88 years. Some of those wild tales had been recounted in 2012 when CBS launched Vegas, a prime-time series inspired

by Lamb’s colorful career. But neither the short-lived show nor the news reports came close to the true story.

I knew Ralph Lamb for close to 30 years.

For most of them we were friendly but not really friends. That changed in 1994, when Lamb took one last stab at regaining the office he dominated for 18 years. At the time, I worked for Altamira Communications, a firm founded by Lamb’s longtime political consultant and trusted confidante, Don Williams. Since Williams served as a chief strategist for Lamb’s comeback campaign, I had a front-row seat. (Lamb placed first in the primary but lost to Jerry Keller in the general election.)

Because of the familiarity and friendship that blossomed during that period, Lamb gave me the go-ahead in late 2012 to begin work on a book about his amazing life. During the last two and a half years, we spent hundreds of hours together or on the phone, talking about people he knew and things he had seen. Always a tough interview, he did not willingly surrender details about the old days. But every single one of those chats left me agog, invigorated and envious. Lamb also gave the green light to his family and friends, letting them know it was okay to open up and fill me in. There is so much to tell …

hire someone to take you out,” Lamb told me. “But there was another guy who would have done that kind of thing himself. Johnny Marshall was the probably the toughest mob guy I ever tangled with.”

Marshall was one of the aliases used by one Marshall Caifano, a Chicago killer who was sent to Las Vegas to watch over Mafia interests, an earlier incarnation of rackets boss Tony Spilotro. Lamb says he personally arrested Caifano a couple of times and tried to question him, but the only reaction he ever got was a stone-cold death stare and a demand that he be allowed to call his lawyer.

In addition to facing down and arresting Caifano multiple times, Lamb said he single-handedly confronted six mob guys and ordered them to get out of town. It was Ralph on one side and six Chicago hoods, including Momo Giancana and Big Tuna Accardo, on the other. They left.

LAMB HAD AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY

“A

THE TOUGHEST HOOD LAMB EVER FACED

T

he story has been told many times about Lamb’s thrashing of mob ambassador Johnny Rosselli (see page 56) in front of a crowd at the Desert Inn. But the sheriff says the dapper gangster was a creampuff compared to a few other tough guys.

“Rosselli was the kind of guy who would

few people over the years heard him speak with that slow cowboy accent and then made the mistake of thinking he was a dumb hick,” says businessman Kevin Buckley, one of Lamb’s closest friends. “They were in for a big surprise.”

During one interview session, Lamb told us about a fugitive he had busted Downtown in the early ’60s. He spotted the guy because he’d read the man’s license plate on a bulletin issued days earlier. To my amazement, during one interview, he rattled off the plate, though the arrest had occurred five decades earlier.

He likewise remembered the name of the sleazy bar in Acapulco, and many other minor details from long ago events.

LAMB WAS A BABE MAGNET

R

alph Lamb was tall, tanned, strong as an ox, impeccably dressed and movie-star handsome. For 18 years, he reigned over Las Vegas, more powerful

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Appreciation than any casino boss or mobster or elected official. That kind of power reportedly can be attractive to women.

Rae Cornell Lamb, still petite and striking today, recalls the first time she saw Ralph Lamb in person. It was 1973 at a tack store. He spotted her. She looked at him. Sparks.

“He was tall and strong and had these piercing blue eyes,” she told me. “I didn’t talk to him that day, but he tracked me down and that was it.”

Rae would learn that the sheriff was still married at the time. Each of his three marriages proved tumultuous, in part because Ralph had a weakness for women. Lamb would never reveal anything to me about his liaisons, but others who knew him have dropped hints about his “friendships” with some of the most famous women of the 20th century … singers, starlets, you name it.

LAMB ACTUALLY MET HOWARD HUGHES, MORE THAN ONCE

F

amed investigator Bob Maheu is one of the men who tasked Lamb with tracking down the Acapulco fugitive, and Lamb believed Maheu is also the person who subsequently recommended him to reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Maheu later became Hughes’ right hand man, though the two never met face-to-face.

Lamb, however, met Hughes in person several times in the late ’50s, a few years before Hughes began his descent into drug addiction and solitude.

“We used to meet at different hotels, sometimes out by the pool,” Lamb recalled.

“He’d be lounging around in casual clothes and didn’t wear socks.” His primary assignment for Hughes was to keep tabs on various male employees who had been given the job of keeping an eye on assorted women that Hughes had stashed in suites and bungalows all over Las Vegas.

“He had Marilyn Monroe in one part of a hotel and Elizabeth Taylor in another and didn’t want them to cross paths,” Lamb told me, mentioning a few other names as well. Lamb also knew that just as he was watching the guys who were watching the women, Hughes had someone watching him, too.

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LAMB’S CODE OF JUSTICE WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED TODAY

A

s sheriff, Lamb said, he didn’t approve of brutality by his officers against suspects in custody, but he crossed many other lines that would have sent him to prison if he had done them in modern times.

Gene Perry, a lifelong friend to Lamb, says the sheriff went to Lincoln County to help a friend of his catch some rustlers who had been stealing livestock. When Lamb caught the two thieves, he’s said to have dished out on-the-spot punishment: Using a red-hot branding iron, he burned a brand on both of their bare asses.

Williams remembers a time in the early ’70s when Las Vegas got an influx of flashy pimps who drove up and down the Strip in fancy pimp-mobiles. Lamb reportedly authorized his men to kidnap the pimps, put a hood over their heads, and haul them out into the desert to a spot where a grave had already been dug. When the hoods were pulled off, the pimps were given a choice of leaving town or staying in the hole.

LAMB WAS WILD BEHIND THE WHEEL

P

ublic-relations kingpin Sig Rogich not only ran many of Lamb’s early campaigns, he became one of the sheriff’s running buddies. The two would conduct business over breakfast almost every morning at the Golden Nugget; in the evenings, they would go catting around town. Rogich remembers traveling with the sheriff out to Lake Mead for a fundraiser held on a yacht; this was sometime in the ’70s. Most of the 25 or so donors were casino managers or bigwigs, but the man who owned the boat was suspected by the FBI of having mob connections.

“All those guys loved the sheriff, so they were out on a yacht in blazing heat. It must have been 120 that day,” Rogich recalls. The sheriff noticed a couple of guys in dark suits standing atop a nearby hill, looking in their direction. “He figured out they must be FBI agents keeping an eye on the host.

When Ralph and I drove back to town in that white Oldsmobile of his, he must have been doing 135 mph around that two-lane road twisting around the lake.” The sheriff

drove like a wild man all the time, Rogich says, but he gave it extra gas that day in case anyone was foolish enough to try following them. “Can you believe those dumb bastards,” Lamb remarked. “No wonder it took them forever to catch Dillinger.”

LAMB HAD EYES EVERYWHERE

R

alph’s sons Cliff and Clint admit that they occasionally tried to take advantage of their status as the sons of the sheriff back when they were kids. But no matter what kind of mischief they tried to pursue, they always — always — got caught.

“He knew where we were and what we were doing at all times,” Cliff told me. “We could never figure out how he knew what we were up to. It was like he had eyes everywhere.”

He did, too. Lamb developed a network of eyes and ears by befriending bartenders, casino dealers, bellmen, taxi drivers and working stiffs. When they saw something of interest, they let the sheriff know.

LAMB WAS LOYAL TO THE END

P

erhaps the most moving words spoken at the memorial service for Sheriff Lamb came from casino developer Steve Wynn. Wynn cracked up the crowd with stories of how Lamb taught him how to rodeo. And he caused eyes to mist as he talked about the good old days of Las Vegas.

For years after he left Metro, Lamb worked for Wynn and must have seen a lot of crazy stuff. This was during the time the dapper young casino magnate was a rising star. But if he did, Lamb never told me about any of it. Several times I returned to the subject of Wynn, asked about the people around him, associations he may have had, women he chased. If Lamb knew anything juicy — and he always did — he never gave it up. Not even a tidbit. He never revealed anything that might have been embarrassing to a friend of his.

Ralph Lamb was a colossus in Las Vegas and was able to get away with behavior that would clearly be considered illegal today.

He operated by his own code of honor, and it is no accident that longtime residents think of that era as the greatest time to have lived in Las Vegas. The mob never ran Las Vegas. Ralph Lamb did.

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CRIME

With irresistible charm and high-level connections, Johnny Rosselli made things happen for the mob in Las Vegas B y Geoff Schumacher

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T

r o s s e l l i p h ot o w i k i m e d i a c o m m o n s

Handsome Johnny in the open city

hrough the annals of organized crime, documented for a century in newspapers, books, movies and cable TV shows, a handful of individuals have become household names: Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, John Gotti. Even if you have little interest in the subject, these names register.

But there are scads of spellbinding stories featuring lesser-known figures.

Perhaps the most fascinating of the lot is Johnny Rosselli. And, in a great bit of good fortune for us, Rosselli’s story is deeply entwined with Las Vegas.

Rosselli was involved in many major underworld episodes from the 1920s through the 1970s. As a young hoodlum, he worked for Capone in Chicago. Capone sent him to Los Angeles, where he hooked up with Tony Cornero, the King of the Western Rumrunners, and then set his sights on Hollywood, where he built relationships in the movie industry, orchestrated the mob’s takeover of craft unions and competed with Howard Hughes to bed the town’s most beautiful actresses.

He joined the Army during World War II but rather than serve his country overseas, he was convicted and imprisoned for labor racketeering. After three years behind bars, Rosselli returned to L.A., where he became embroiled in a battle for power between mob bosses Jack Dragna and Mickey Cohen.

In the early ’50s, Rosselli’s Hollywood ties were employed to help a singer named Frank Sinatra secure the lead role in From Here to Eternity. During this time, Rosselli turned his attention to gambling — legal and illegal. He traveled across the country and to Cuba, which crime bosses believed had even greater potential than Las Vegas.

After Fidel Castro seized Cuba, destroying the mob’s Caribbean cash cow, Rosselli took part in a CIA plot to assassinate the bearded revolutionary. He was not successful, obviously, but not for lack of trying.

All smiles: The Around this time, Massachusetts dapper, charismatic Senator John F. Kennedy was runRosselli was ning for president, and when he known as the paid a visit to Las Vegas, Rosselli "Silver Fox." was tapped to find a suitable female companion for the virile candidate.

He delivered Judith Campbell (later Judith

Exner), whom Rosselli had dated and whose affections would later be shared by Kennedy and Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana.

Campbell was not Rosselli’s only connection to JFK. There also was Marilyn Monroe, whom Rosselli had met in the late 1940s and who had an affair with Kennedy before her apparent suicide in 1962.

There’s also the widely disseminated theory that Rosselli was the second shooter in Dealey Plaza, but we’ll get to that later.

Rosselli’s story could have ended in the mid-1960s and still have been epic in scope. But one of his most important missions was still to come.

‘Charismatic character’

B

y all accounts, Rosselli was a good-looking, charming man. He had two nicknames: “Handsome Johnny” and the “Silver Fox.” “He was a very charismatic character,” says Peter Maheu, whose father, Bob, knew Rosselli well. “There’s something about people like that — when they walk into a room, everybody has to turn around and look at them. Johnny was one of those guys.”

Maheu recalls Rosselli always being well put together. “He was impeccably dressed.

I never saw him not dressed in expensive suits and beautiful ties.”

Bob Maheu threw lots of lavish parties that brought together politicians, business tycoons and movie moguls. “My dad had one of his famous clambakes and Johnny was there,” Peter Maheu says. “The only way to really explain Johnny is that he sucked the air out of the room when he walked into it. He was so striking.”

Casino industry veteran Bernie Sindler has similar memories of Rosselli, whom he knew well. They lived for a time in the same posh apartment complex in Los Angeles. “I used to have dinner with him at least once a week,” Sindler says. “He always had a smile on his face. He was good company, very funny.” Rosselli also was popular with women. “He had a lot of lady friends,” Sindler says. “They were movie stars and starlets. He was big with women.”

Sindler remembers the quiet power that Rosselli possessed. “He was absolutely the boss, and what he said, that’s what went down.”

Where words leave off, music begins

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CRIME

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Above, mugshots of a younger Rosselli, also known as "Handsome Johnny." Right, Bob Maheu called Rosselli "a key to the city" for his Vegas connections.

and raided the Friars Club. They seized the electronic equipment hidden in the rafters and convened a grand jury. Two months later, Rosselli was one of six men indicted.

Rosselli worked the angles, from calling for a hit on one of the witnesses to talking with high-ranking friends in Washington, D.C., to try to quash the case. It didn’t work. After a complicated, six-month trial, Rosselli was convicted on December 2, 1968. Friends appealed to U.S. District Judge William Gray to give Rosselli a lenient sentence based on his service to his country. Gray wasn’t impressed. “I am just not able to conclude that Mr. Rosselli is entitled to brownie points for having tried to assassinate Fidel Castro,” he said, and handed him a five-year sentence.

He served two years, nine months.

Sindler recalls that he was offered the chance to join Friedman’s cheating scheme.

But he checked with his longtime mentor, Meyer Lansky, who advised him against it.

“Too many people knew about it, and sooner or later they were going to get nailed.”

Misspent youth

F

ilippo Sacco was born on July 4, 1905, in Esperia, Italy. His family emigrated to the United States in 1911 and settled in Boston. As a teenager in hardscrabble East Boston, Sacco hung out with street gangs and got involved with criminal rackets.

In 1922, at age 17, Sacco was busted twice for dealing drugs. He made bail and skipped town. Sacco hooked up with bootleggers in New York, where he gained a reputation as a tough customer. Soon he was on his way to Chicago, recruited to work for an up-and-coming mobster named Al Capone. While helping Capone

r o s s e l l i m u g s h ot c o u r t e s y j o h n b i n d e r ; m a h e u c o u r t e s y m o b m u s e u m

Most of the time, anyway. Rosselli’s notable underworld achievements over the years were balanced by periodic errors in judgment.

For example, in 1966, Rosselli was in Las Vegas when he received word that Clark County Sheriff Ralph Lamb expected him, as an ex-felon, to check in with the authorities. Rosselli arrogantly ignored the directive. Lamb, who died this summer at age 88, decided the suave gangster needed a reminder of who was in charge in Las Vegas. He found Rosselli having lunch at the Desert Inn, yanked him over the table and slapped him around. Then, just to make sure Rosselli got the message, Lamb escorted him Downtown, where he was stripped and deloused.

An even dumber move was to get involved with a card-cheating scam at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills.

In the mid-’60s, Rosselli was a regular at the exclusive social club. One of his friends there was Maury Friedman, an owner of the Frontier hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

Friedman often played gin at the club alongside Hollywood aristocrats such as actor Phil Silvers and singer Tony Martin, as well as card sharps with underworld connections. Friedman gradually raised the stakes in the casual games, with thousands of dollars on the table at any one time. Losses for some players amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Little did the “pigeons” know that Friedman was cheating them.

“Peepholes were drilled in the ceiling of the Friars Club, and a man posted in the rafters was reading the cards of the wellheeled Friars,” according to All American Mafioso, the Rosselli biography by Charles Rappleye and Ed Becker. “Signals were conveyed to the hustlers via a tiny radio transmitter strapped to the card cheat’s midsection. If the game involved two-man teams, the hustler with the receiver would relay information through an elaborate voice code. A word or phrase beginning with the letter A meant to hold kings, B meant queens, C, jacks, and so on.” Rosselli rarely played gin, but when he learned about the scheme he demanded a cut of the winnings, to which Friedman agreed.

In 1967, the FBI caught wind of the scam

fend off rival bootleggers, Sacco built friendships that would serve him well for decades. He also adopted the alias by which he would be known the rest of his life: Johnny Rosselli.

The strength of the Capone organization was not Big Al himself, but the coterie of loyal lieutenants he assembled. Long after Capone found himself going crazy in Alcatraz, men such as Jake Guzik, Murray “Curly” Humphreys, Paul Ricca, Tony Accardo, Frank Nitti and, eventually, Rosselli built the smartest and most effective criminal enterprise in mob history.

For Rosselli, however, his apprenticeship in Chicago was cut short when Capone dispatched him to Los Angeles in 1924. He immersed himself in the Italian community of L.A., and eventually hooked up with Tony Cornero, Southern California’s biggest bootlegger. During Prohibition, Cornero used freighters to bring in illegal liquor from Canada and Mexico.

Rosselli was a key henchman as Cornero battled with pirates intent on hijacking his high-quality hooch.

When the law caught up with Cornero in 1927, Rosselli renewed his connections in Chicago, only to witness Capone’s downfall, largely the result of his frontpage antics and above-the-law attitude.

“Rosselli took the brief episode to heart, and throughout his life shunned Capone’s flamboyant manner and lust for the spotlight,” his biographers write.

Returning to L.A., Rosselli partnered with another young Mafia boss, Jack Dragna, who, like Capone, was intent on usurping the old guard. Although police records don’t reflect it, Rosselli actively participated in the violent mob turf wars of the era, employing enforcers such as Frank Bompensiero and Jimmy Fratianno to eliminate competitors.

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The man in Vegas

W

hen Sam Giancana took over dayto-day control of the Chicago Outfit in 1957, he sent Rosselli to Las Vegas. Rosselli had tinkered in Las Vegas before, but now he would be Chicago’s main man there, replacing Marshall Caifano, who used intimidation and violence to get his way. Rosselli would get more

Voting ends August 14.

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CRIME done with charm and guile.

Rosselli’s first Las Vegas deal resulted in the Tropicana Hotel, which had hidden mob-ownership interests from New York (Frank Costello), Miami (Meyer Lansky) and New Orleans (Carlos Marcello). Rosselli would benefit from the deal by owning the parking and gift shop franchises, and booking the entertainment.

The Tropicana could have been a huge cash cow for everybody involved, but three weeks after it opened, Costello was shot in an assassination attempt orchestrated by power-hungry underboss Vito Genovese.

Costello survived: The assassin’s bullet only grazed his temple. But while doctors attended to Costello’s wound, police officers went through his pockets and found a slip of paper that broke down the Tropicana skim.

Although the Tropicana skim soured for a time, Rosselli’s influence in Las Vegas increased. Through his hidden interest in Monte Prosser Productions, he controlled much of the entertainment booking in town. He arranged casino loans provided by the Teamsters Union’s Central States Pension Fund. He orchestrated the Cleveland-Chicago mob takeover of the Stardust Hotel after its founder, Rosselli’s old bootlegging partner Tony Cornero, died before it was finished. He even profited from the ice-machine business on the Strip.

Las Vegas was an “open city,” in mob parlance, meaning no single syndicate could gain a stranglehold on the Strip. But no matter who was involved, Rosselli coordinated everything that happened. In their 1963 exposé of the mob’s influence in Las Vegas, The Green Felt Jungle, Ovid Demaris and Ed Reid painted a colorful picture of Rosselli: “Rosselli is definitely of the new school — sharp silk suits, diamond accessories, swanky apartment, busty showgirls in fulllength minks, big Cadillac, gourmet taste, sportsman golfer — the best of everything in the best of all possible worlds. . . . Rosselli spends his leisure hours (that is, all the waking hours of his day) at the Desert Inn Country Club. He has breakfast there in the morning, seated at a table overlooking the 18th green. Between golf rounds, meals, steam baths, shaves and trims, Twisting, romancing and drinking, there is time for little private conferences at his favorite

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table with people seeking his counsel or friendship. It may be a newsman, a local politician, a casino owner, a prostitute, a famous entertainer, a deputy sheriff, a U.S. senator, or the governor of Nevada.”

Helping Hughes

T

he reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes moved to Las Vegas on November 27, 1966, and took up residence in the penthouse suites on the ninth floor of the Desert Inn. It was supposed to be temporary, but as the holidays approached, Hughes gave no indication that he planned to relocate. This didn’t sit well with Desert Inn boss Moe Dalitz, who had high-rollers slated for those suites during New Year’s. Hughes undoubtedly had more money than those high-rollers, but he wasn’t gambling any of it.

Hughes’ right-hand man, Bob Maheu, was in a tough spot. With Dalitz threatening to physically remove Hughes, Maheu turned to his old Cuba accomplice for help. Hughes, familiar with Rosselli from his Hollywood days, approved. “Rosselli was like a key to the city, the ultimate mob fixer in the desert,” Maheu wrote in his memoir, Next to Hughes.

First, Rosselli — supported by a call from Teamsters Union President Jimmy Hoffa — persuaded Dalitz not to evict Hughes. Then he served as a key player in the negotiations for Hughes to buy the Strip resort. For his services, Rosselli received a fee of $50,000.

The Hughes buying spree coincided with Rosselli’s Friars Club troubles, and he was frantic in his efforts to avoid going to prison.

Rosselli wanted Maheu to appoint him manager of the Desert Inn casino, but Maheu adamantly opposed the idea. “He came back after we got possession of the hotel and he wanted to run the casino,” Peter Maheu says.

“My dad got into a heated argument with Johnny. Dad said he wasn’t going to have anything to do with the casino.”

Despite that dustup, Rosselli also helped engineer Hughes’ purchases of the Sands and Frontier hotels. For the Sands deal, Rosselli received a $45,000 fee. The Frontier was different: Instead of a fee, Rosselli got the lease for the hotel’s gift shop, which netted him about $60,000 per year

for the rest of his life.

As the mob’s point man in Las Vegas, Rosselli was involved in all kinds of behind-the-scenes activity. Before Hughes purchased the Silver Slipper casino, it was owned by Shelby Williams and Jack Shapiro, the latter of whom was tied to the Detroit Mafia. Bernie Sindler says he was approached to buy a piece of the Slipper.

“They came to me one day and wanted to see me. They said, we want you to buy 3 percent of the Silver Slipper for $30,000. But the deal was this: You have to give one-third of it to Johnny Rosselli. He’s going to be your partner. You are going to put up all the money and he’s not going to give you any money.”

Sindler says the reasoning was that Rosselli was close to Maheu, who could be influential in causing Hughes to buy the Silver Slipper.

“It will be done at a good number and you’ll make a lot of money,” Sindler was told. “But Rosselli is going to get a third of it.”

Sure enough, Hughes bought the Silver Slipper, netting Sindler a healthy $231,000.

But now he had to figure out how to give Rosselli one-third of the proceeds without drawing any law enforcement attention.

“I was on the radar with the FBI all the time,” Sindler says. “They wanted me to be an informant and I wouldn’t do it. So, how am I going to give Rosselli $77,000 without any trace of anything, no banks, no nothing?”

Sindler figured it out. He happened to be a very good — and lucky — gin rummy player, and he had stashed his winnings in shoeboxes in his closet. He paid Rosselli his share out of those shoeboxes.

“I gave him his money, we shook hands, he went his way and I went my way,” Sindler says.

Star witness

A

fter his release from prison in 1973, Rosselli moved to Miami, ostensibly retired, though he kept his eyes open for business opportunities to break up the monotony of his days by the pool. But he spent some of his time testifying before congressional committees.

In 1974, Rosselli appeared before the Watergate Committee, which wanted him to connect President Richard Nixon to the Castro assassination plot. Rosselli could not or would not confirm what Nixon knew.

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A tw sk o- ab w ou ay t ou r

In 1975, he was called by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, known as the Church Committee after its chairman, Sen. Frank Church of Idaho. The committee wanted to know more about the plot to kill Castro. Rosselli was more helpful this time, in part because so much about the Castro assassination plot was already common knowledge. As he described the Cuba operation in detail, Rosselli kept the committee members on the edge of their seats. Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona interrupted the narrative to ask Rosselli a question: “Mr. Rosselli, we’ve had CIA agents, we’ve had FBI agents, we’ve had other members of the government here, and all of them came in with their notes and files, and they referred to them in answering our questions, and it’s remarkable to me how your testimony dovetails with theirs. Tell me, Mr. Rosselli, during the time that all this was going on, were you taking notes?”

Rosselli famously replied, “Senator, in my business, we don’t take notes.”

The following year, the Church Committee called Rosselli again, this time to probe what he knew about the Kennedy assassination. But unlike his voluble testimony on the Castro plot, he didn’t have much to say about Kennedy.

As the investigations were unfolding, Rosselli’s underworld friends warned him more than once that his life was in danger. After all, Sam Giancana and Jimmy Hoffa both had been rubbed out in 1975, at least in part because of concerns that they were talking too much. Rosselli routinely dismissed the warnings.

That carefree attitude was misguided.

On the afternoon of July 28, 1976, he left the house he shared with his sister, Edith Daigle, and drove away in his Chevy Impala. She never saw him again. Two days later, Edith’s husband, Joe, found Rosselli’s car at Miami International Airport.

On August 7, Rosselli’s body surfaced. It had been dismembered and stuffed into a 55-gallon drum, which fishermen found floating in Miami’s Dumfoundling Bay. Authorities believe Rosselli’s killers did not intend for his body to ever be found. The 71-year-old had been shot and suffocated, and his legs were cut off.

“The drum was sliced with a series of

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CRIME gashes to let water in and air out, then wrapped in 20 feet of heavy two-inch-link chain for ballast, and sunk in 28 feet of water,” his biographers write. But “gases trapped inside the decomposing body had floated the drum with just enough buoyancy to bring it to the surface.”

Nobody was ever arrested for Rosselli’s murder, though it was widely speculated that the Chicago Outfit or Tampa Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr. — or the two in collaboration — were responsible.

Whatever additional information Rosselli might have been willing to share with the authorities — which may have been nothing much at all — went with him as that 55-gallon drum sunk beneath the water.

Kennedy conspiracy

J

ohnny Rosselli’s story parallels the rise and fall of organized crime in America, and he had a part to play in many of the major plotlines. But there’s one tale that, if true, would elevate Rosselli to the top shelf of hoodlum history.

The Kennedy assassination is a breeding ground for conspiracy theories. With so much circumstantial evidence to sift through, it is rich territory for those who can’t accept that lowly Lee Harvey Oswald single-handedly brought down the president of the United States.

The CIA did it. The KGB did it. The Cubans did it. The Mafia did it. Even Vice President Lyndon Johnson might have had a hand in it. The lawyer and investigator Vincent Bugliosi said conspiracy theorists had accused 42 groups, 82 assassins and 214 people of killing Kennedy. One of the alleged assassins: Johnny Rosselli.

As the story goes, Rosselli was hiding in a storm drain beneath Elm Street when the Kennedy motorcade rolled into view. He allegedly had a clear shot at the president and took it.

The story, as fantastical as it seems, has been repeated by more than one source, including Bill Bonanno, son of New York Mafia boss Joe Bonanno, in his 1999 memoir, Bound by Honor. Bonanno claimed Rosselli told him about it while they were briefly in prison together.

But the Rosselli assassination theory does not hold up to scrutiny. The journal-

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ist Gus Russo has spent the better part of his long career researching the Kennedy assassination, and unlike most conspiracy theorists, he’s done the work of interviewing hundreds of people in person to get their stories. “This is poppycock,” Russo says of the Rosselli connection. “Rosselli was sleeping in Vegas on the morning of the assassination. He was woken up with a phone call about it.”

Part two of the theory is that Rosselli was killed in 1976 to prevent him from revealing the mob’s role in JFK’s death.

But Russo says this, too, is off base. It’s true that fellow mobsters killed Rosselli to shut him up, Russo says, but not about Kennedy. “They were concerned he was going to bring down Vegas,” Russo says.

“Kennedy was ancient history. It was all about bringing down Vegas. Imagine if he had sung to the feds about the skim.”

It turns out that by 1976, casino skimming was on its last legs, in the process of being rooted out by federal authorities bent on cleaning up Las Vegas. But mobsters pocketing big money from the skim at that time did not have the benefit of hindsight.

Buying lawmakers

T

here is one other oft-told tale concerning Johnny Rosselli that deserves mention despite a shortage of hard evidence.

You’ll recall that the Nevada Legislature legalized wide-open gambling in 1931.

This came after the same Legislature rejected similar measures in 1925 and 1927 and didn’t even consider the notion in 1929. The conventional wisdom has been that the onset of the Great Depression changed the minds of Nevada lawmakers.

But some authors contend that bribes had something to do with it as well.

In The Outfit: The Role of Chicago’s Underworld in the Shaping of Modern America, Gus Russo — the same author who debunks Rosselli’s role in the Kennedy assassination — gives credence to the story behind Nevada’s move to legalize gambling. “When state officials considered ways to rejuvenate the state’s stalled economy, they were aided in their discussion by Curly Humphreys and the Outfit, who were conveniently expanding

their dog-racing ventures in the state. The relaxing of Nevada’s gambling laws ... was likely the result of graft dispensed by Johnny Rosselli and Curly Humphreys in 1931.”

Russo interviewed Irv Owen, a longtime friend of Humphreys, who told him emphatically that Humphreys and Rosselli “bribed the Nevada Legislature into legalizing gambling.”

“Las Vegas owes everything to Murray Humphreys,” Owen said.

Consider the historical implications if this is true. What Russo is saying, in effect, is that none other than Al Capone, the most notorious mobster in history, is responsible for the industry that transformed Nevada from desert backwater to international resort destination.

The story is not farfetched. After all, we know Capone was linked with Bill Graham and his Bank Club casino in Reno.

We also know Humphreys was the Outfit’s financial mastermind, cooking up all kinds of clever money-making schemes.

And we know Rosselli was Capone’s man in California. We also have the testimony of John Detra, whose father, Frank, opened the Pair-O-Dice Club in Las Vegas in 1930. In a 1999 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Detra said his father knew Capone and that the Chicago gangster gave him money to pass around to Nevada lawmakers to support gambling legalization.

Mob history can be difficult to pin down. As Rosselli explained to the Church Committee, mobsters don’t keep notes.

But if Rosselli’s connection to gambling legalization is valid, this would link him directly to 1) the start of Nevada’s gambling industry, 2) the mob’s heyday on the Strip, and 3) Howard Hughes’ buyout of mob casino interests, which led to corporate control of the state’s largest industry.

The beginning, the middle and the end.

The historical trifecta. Perhaps only the Silver Fox was savvy enough to pull off that trick.

Geoff Schumacher, director of content for the Mob Museum, is the author of Sun, Sin & Suburbia: The History of Modern Las Vegas, and Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue.

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The Dish 66

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Eat this now 69

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Cocktail of the month 69 Table for two 70

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

Amber waves: Pouring a cold one at CraftHaus

P hoto g ra p h y SABIN ORR

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Dining out THE DISH

Sally froth Spicy, sassy and sour: The new breed of small-batch brews will challenge your palate — and deliver a good buzz, too

By Greg Thilmont

I

t’s August in Las Vegas. The sun is hot and effulgent in the sky. Throats are parched and thirsty. It’s time for a cold beer! But this is the modern Mojave. There’s more to reach for than major-label lagers canned in faraway Milwaukee or even pilsners bottled by heavyweight West Coast “microbreweries.”

Now is the ideal time to explore unique local offerings for refreshing pints.

Right here in the metro area, there’s a new breed of beer creators such as Joseph James Brewing Company, Bad Beat Brewing and CraftHaus Brewery. These artisanal enterprises have caught up with the drinkable trends in other cities such as San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.

The latest buzz? They’re focused on singular types of grains, varieties of hops and strains of yeast that have become selling points for hometown imbibers in-the-know. Best of all, their efforts are yielding excellent and eminently enjoyable results. Here are my notes from some recent recon crawls to find some of the valley’s more intriguing beers.

A growing grain

R

ecently, I’ve been ordering sultry-season happy-hour pints of Citra Rye Pale Ale at Joseph James ( jjbrewing.com).

This is a definitively sharp-tasting beer due to the grain in the name. Many craft beers are largely based on malted barley, which has a sweetish character. But it’s far from the only cereal that can be poured into water-filled fermentation tanks. Rye, a hardy grass seed with a pronounced flavor, is becoming a popular ingredient in the brewing world. It’s familiar to many from pumpernickel bread. In beers, rye lends a bitter edge. But a growing crowd of avid imbibers is actively seeking this flavor profile.

Because rye is so powerful on the

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palate, surprisingly little of it is needed to make the pale ale sharp-tasting, says Kayla Callahan, Joseph James operations manager. She’s also a certified cicerone, beer’s equivalent to wine’s sommelier.

“Nine percent of the grain is rye, so it’s not that much,” she says.

There’s a scientific reason why Joseph James’ pale ale isn’t completely rye-based and is mostly bubbled up with barley.

“Rye is not 100-percent fermentable,” explains Callahan. “So you still have to use your base grains to be able to produce

alcohol.” It seems that notions of sugar ratios in the endosperm of a rye kernel is definitely a turn-on in contemporary Las Vegas. Rye is going over very well in these desert environs. “Locally, it’s our number one selling beer, by far,” Callahan adds.

Botanical blends

B

eer requires hops to be palatable, whether rye, oats, wheat, sorghum or barley is on the ingredient list. Hop plants grow in climbing, ivy-like tendrils.

Their perennial flowers impart appealing

P h oto g r a p h y S abin O R R

Drink that!

Eat this!

Citra Rye Pale Ale, Hoppy Times India Pale Ale and Evocation Saison all go well with edibles easily prepared at home this August. We queried local culinary experts for their proposed pairings.

• Sean Mayhew, executive chef at Made L.V., pairs Joseph James’ pale ale bitterness with even more rye on the plate.

“My first thought, rye? … A nice turkey Reuben,” he says. “Sauerkraut, a good homemade Thousand Island, some crispy rye bread.” A cold strawberry gazpacho would also be a fitting accompaniment.

In the July issue of Desert Companion, we added an extra ingredient to the delicious Verano de Jalisco margarita recipe created by our friends at La Comida.

We apologize for the error.

Here is the correct recipe.

• Alexandre Brard, a certified beer server and sommelier at Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro, suggests a robust but fresh salad to match the rye’s undeniable touch.

“Arugula, feta cheese, walnuts, some dried cranberries,” lists Brard.

“The dressing should be raspberry vinegar vinaigrette.”

•F or the overtly floral Hoppy Times, Mayhew looks to the dessert course: “A nice grapefruit panna cotta.” He also says crispy-fried kale leaves would be a good salty snack on the side, pre-dinner.

Brard has a ringer to go with Hoppy Times. “Anything with pesto,” he says, especially roasted pork loin or grilled lamb chops.

Brew-haha: Bad Beat Brewing, CraftHaus and Joseph James are all brewing up novel beers with unusual flavor profiles.

flavors in beers, plus antiseptic and preservative properties. These tight blossoms transform what is basically fermented gruel into a delicious quaff. Each hop hybrid has its own unique essences and aromas and comes with a nomenclature as specific as a prized American Beauty rose. For instance, Cascade is a citrusy cultivar. Chinook has a nearly smoky aura. Citra, an exciting darling that was introduced in 2007, comes with tinges of gooseberry, passion fruit

•T he puckery but airy Evocation Saison brings fresh, summery food to the minds of both culinary pros.

Mayhew goes for fish, including a crudo plate of smoked lox, sliced cucumbers and crème fraîche.

He also favors sea bass ceviche.

Similarly, Brard goes old school mollusk — oysters on the half-shell with mignonette sauce. GT

and lychee. There are dozens of other hops currently in use in the brewing industry.

In Henderson’s Booze District, I’ve cottoned on to short glasses of a Bad Beat Brewing (badbeatbrewing.com) mainstay: Hoppy Times India Pale Ale. While the beverage can be swirled with up to five different types of petals in the tank, a tried-and-true trio forms its backbone. “Primarily, the hops we use to make Hoppy Times ‘Hoppy Times’ are Cascade,

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Dining out Chinook and Citra,” says Weston Barkley, head brewer. This florescent triad is so important to glass-tipping cognoscenti that Bad Beat lists each hop on its website. “People are kind of drawn to them.”

Dynamic biology

B

eer, of course, is more than just grains, hops and water. It needs yeast, that microscopic, single-celled, eukaryotic critter that excretes alcohol when it eats sugar. Yeasts also instill distinct flavors.

CraftHaus’ (crafthausbrewery.com) flagship Evocation Saison, for instance, is a slightly sour, lightly effervescent nectar that matches Las Vegas’ scorching temperatures exceedingly well.

At the microbrewery’s tasting bar, Dave Forrest discusses Evocation Saison’s yeast-driven characteristics. “We use a Belgian-style yeast,” he says. Forrest co-founded and co-owns the business

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with his wife, Wyndee.

He describes how yeast cultures from different geographic regions and even micro-locales have their own savors based on their genetics. And savvy beer consumers are keen on the carefully perpetuated organisms that bring Evocation Saison to chemical life. “They bring out esters — some banana flavor, some clove

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flavor,” Forrest adds.

Joseph James, Bad Beat and CraftHaus beers are all available in retail stores plus an expanding roster of drinkeries around town. Other local brewers including Banger Brewing, Tenaya Creek Brewery, Barley’s Brew Pub and Triple Seven Microbrewery are concocting draughts to meet summer desires, too.

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HOT PLATE

Eat this now!

Zereshk polo at Zatyoon

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3655 S. Durango Drive, 702-685-1875, zaytoonlasvegas.com If your only experience with Persian food is fesenjan, that dark-hued stew of chicken, walnuts and pomegranate molasses, your eyes will be absolutely dazzled by zereshk polo. A house specialty at Zaytoon, a bustling little restaurant-market combo on the west side, it’s one of Iran’s national pilaf dishes. It begins as a mound of ivory-white basmati rice as a base. This is gilded with a layer of golden-yellow, saffron-infused oryza sativa. Dried barberries — the zereshk to pilaf’s polo — glisten like tiny rubies on top. Raw barberries have an acidic, astringent quality that falls somewhere between lemons and cranberries. Desiccated, they are somewhat like craisins. On the side comes a skewer of mildly savory grilled chicken. The plating is rounded out with grilled tomato and fresh lemon wedges for condiments, plus a gorgeously charred flatbread. Try this Fertile Crescent masterpiece with some emerald-green tarragon soda from Armenia – it’s sweet and licorice-y. Greg Thilmont

Cocktail of the month

All About Mary at Todd English P.U.B. Jurassic World all up in your mouth: This is less a drink than a hyper-adaptive meal species that somehow clawed

out an evolutionary foothold on top of a Bloody Mary. Available only during weekend brunch, Todd English P.U.B.’s All About Mary ($35) goes rogue with the classic drink’s saladish aspirations and shifts into schizophrenic charcuterie plate overdrive, sporting salami, cheese, stuffed olives, pickled green beans and asparagus, a complete slider, a corn dog nub and a lip-zinging chicken wing. As for the liquid portion of the lunch, the Mary itself is quite fine, too, with a smoky, spicy kick. Andrew Kiraly In Crystals at CityCenter, 702-489-8080, toddenglishpub.com

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S

Dining out

Table For Two

Veggie tale A practiced vegetarian takes a lifelong carnivore to VegeNation, Downtown’s new meat-free eatery B y H e i d i K ys e r a n d S c o tt D i c k e n s h e e t s

TABLE TALK Heidi: This is a vegan restaurant, not

vegetarian, so there are no animal products at all. Which I have to confess gave me pause — I’m not a huge fan of vegan food.

I like cheese. I like eggs. I like dairy. So I was a little leery.

Scott: If I have one reservation, it’s the thought that this is gonna be bland. I don’t know why I assume that meat equals flavor, except that in my life it always has.

Heidi: For me it’s usually more a question of … richness? To me, dairy tends to equal creamy, and I like things that are creamy and thick and voluptuous and smooth. And I’ve had a lot of vegan food that just doesn’t have much texture.

Scott: I think of vegetables and salads as sides. So pivoting to think of them as the whole meal isn’t easy.

Heidi: Another thing — I’m not a huge fan of soy. One of the misconceptions that

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people have about vegetarians is that they eat a ton of tofu or soy products. When I do eat soy, I like it in small quantities. I’ve been to vegan restaurants where everything is soy-based. That is not the case here.

Scott: My ground rules are: No okra, no collard greens, especially no kale.

THE MENU Scott: I’m interested in the meatball grinder, because it’s analogous to something I might eat in the non-vegetarian world.

Heidi: Their meatballs are very good.

My husband got the meatballs with spaghetti, and they were unbelievable. I think I’m going to try the VegeNation burger. (Glances at specials board: some kind of salad.) When we’re all going out to a restaurant and are trying to decide if it’s vegetarian-friendly, people always say, “Well, it has salad.” But I eat salad probably four times a week. So it’s not

special to me to go out and eat a salad.

Waitress: All set? Need a minute?

Heidi: I think we’re set.

I’ve had the My Little Dumpling, but I haven’t had the Mexican hummus. Which would you recommend?

Waitress: I prefer the Mexican hummus.

Heidi: Okay, we’ll try that.

Waitress: Are you …?

Heidi: I’m vegetarian. He’s carnivore.

Waitress: That’s okay!

We welcome everybody here.

Scott: I’m looking to expand my comfort zone, let’s say.

Waitress: We have tons of people who aren’t vegetarians or vegan who eat here all the time.

Heidi: I’m going to try the VegeNation burger. What is your burger made of?

Waitress: The patty is made of chickpeas, onions, herbs, spices, chia seeds, hemp seeds …

Heidi: I want to ask the same question about the meatballs because he’s going to get the meatball grinder.

Waitress: The meatball is made of soy and wheat gluten. I don’t know how they do it, but it tastes exactly like a meatball.

Some vegans don’t like it because it’s too similar: “Ooh, it’s too meaty.”

MORE TABLE TALK Scott: Is switching to a vegetarian diet inherently more healthy? Is there such a thing as a bad vegetarian diet?

Heidi: Yeah, there are bad vegetarian diets. I know people who are vegetarians who are very much overweight. I know people who are vegetarians who have cardiac problems, high blood pressure — many of the same health problems as carnivores.

THE FOOD ARRIVES

(Waitress brings appetizer.)

Heidi: Mmm! Scott: Got a little spice to it.

Heidi: Black bean hummus, I guess? I

don’t like the color; I don’t like the pre-

P h oto g r a p h y B rent H ol m es

sentation of the dark chips and the dark hummus. I would serve it with a white corn chip. But this is a good black-bean puree. With lots of garlic.

Scott: Nothing wrong with that!

(Waitress brings entrées.)

Scott: This is an impressive-looking meatball sandwich! (Looks at Heidi’s burger.) That looks like a burger that needs to be cooked.

Heidi: I’ve eaten a lot of veggie burgers and I can tell you right now that as soon as I take a bite or two it’s going to fall apart.

Scott: I would think it would be a little off-putting (to a vegetarian) because it looks like raw meat. I don’t know, maybe a hardcore vegan can find a certain amount of ironic satisfaction in that …?

Heidi: It looks like steak tartare. (Bites into it.) It’s interesting. I don’t dislike it, but I’ve had veggie burgers I liked better.

You should try it; it’s an interesting flavor.

Scott: I only had half a meatball in this bite, but so far, so good. It’s a nice transitional dish (for a carnivore sampling vegetarian) because it certainly tastes like I’m eating a meatball.

Heidi: It’s got a really good texture.

If you’re going to do a meat substitute, it should be meaty. It should hold together.

Scott: (Sampling Heidi’s burger “meat.”) I like it; I just don’t know why you’d arrange it into a hamburger.

Heidi: Exactly. It reminds me of pâté.

It should be served with toast squares. ...

Scott: (Admiring the texture and density of his meatballs.) I’m genuinely blown away by these meatballs. It’s not a ball of real meat, but I wouldn’t know that.

Heidi: On principle, one of the things I love about this place is that they support local gardens.

Scott: I noticed on the menu that a number of items say “local greens.”

Heidi: I kind of wish that we had small meat-growers here, because I would support them. People who raised grass-fed, humanely slaughtered animals — I would support them.

(Restaurant goes silent as all heads swivel to Heidi; chairs are pushed from tables as angry, murmuring mob forms …)

Heidi: (to waitress) We’ll also try the blueberry cheesecake.

Top Dentists

Join us Thursday,

August 20 at 6 p.m. as we celebrate the Las Vegas valley’s Best Doctors & Top Dentists featured in the August issue of Desert Companion.

RosemAn univeRsity At summeRlin.

Enjoy specialty cocktails, light bites, excellent company and interactive games (with prizes!) throughout the evening.

RsvP stAt

(or by August 18) More information at desertcompanion.vegas

AUGUST 2015

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Local Bariatric Leaders The experienced bariatric surgeons of Surgical Weight Control Center exclusively devote their practice to weight-loss surgery. If you or a loved one is considering a weight-loss procedure, turn to Dr. Atkinson and Dr. Soong.

DEPEND ON THE “Ex” FACTOR

Experience AND Expertise

JAMES D. ATKINSON, MD, FACS

DARREN W. SOONG, MD, FACS

Board-Certified Bariatric Surgeon

Board-Certified Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Atkinson is a Las Vegas native who has been featured in MD News and was named one of “America’s Top Surgeons” in 2002. He earned his medical degree at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and served as Chief Resident during his training at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

A certified LAP-BAND® system surgeon, Dr. Soong was voted a “Top Doctor” four consecutive years by Las Vegas Life, 215 South and Summerlin magazines. He earned his medical degree from the University of Hawaii and served as Chief Resident during his training at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

Dr. Atkinson is a former consultant for Ethicon® Endo-surgery. He is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society.

Dr. Soong is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

He is also an assistant clinical professor at the University of Nevada School of Medicine Department of Surgery.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Atkinson or Dr. Soong, call 702-313-8446.

For more information call 702-313-THIN or log on to surgicalweightcontrolcenter.com

Change your life for the better Don’t let pain hold you back anymore Centennial Hills Hospital is the only hospital in southern Nevada to offer MAKOplasty® • Partial knee replacement or resurfacing and total hip replacement procedures • Advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arm technology • A higher level of accuracy • Procedure tailored to your needs to achieve optimal joint movement

Individual results may vary. Talk with your doctor to find out if surgery is right for you. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. 150746

It’s time to get moving again.

Do something for yourself.

Learn more at a FREE MAKOplasty seminar at Centennial Hills Hospital

Seminars held monthly For dates, times and location, visit centennialhillshospital.com/makoplasty

6900 N. Durango Drive • Las Vegas, NV 89149 • 702-835-9700

Best Doctors 2015-2016

AUGUST 2015

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Best Doctors 2015-2016

Addiction Medicine

Melvin I. Pohl

How the Best Doctors were chosen Best Doctors, Inc. is transforming and improving health care by bringing together the best medical minds in the world to help identify the right diagnosis and treatment. The company’s innovative, peer-to-peer consultation service offers a new way for physicians to collaborate with other physicians to ensure patients receive the best care.

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., the global company seamlessly integrates its services with employers’ other health-related benefits, to serve more than 30 million members in every major region of the world.

More than a traditional second opinion, Best Doctors delivers a comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s medical condition, providing value to both patients and treating physicians. By utilizing Best Doctors, members have access to the brightest minds in medicine to ensure the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Best Doctors’ team of researchers conducts a biennial poll using the methodology that mimics the informal peer-to-peer process doctors themselves use to identify the right specialists for their patients. Using a polling method and balloting software that Gallup® has audited and certified, they gather the insight and experience of tens of thousands of leading specialists all over the country, while confirming their credentials and specific areas of expertise.

The result is the Best Doctors in America® List, which includes the nation’s most respected specialists and outstanding primary care physicians in the nation. These are the doctors whom other doctors recognize as the best in their fields. They cannot pay a fee and are not paid to be listed and cannot nominate or vote for themselves. It is a list that is truly unbiased and respected by the medical profession and patients alike as the source of top quality medical information.

Las Vegas Recovery Center 3371 N Buffalo Dr 702-515-1373 Sees Addiction in-patients only

Anesthesiology

Mark Stuart Scheller Cardiovascular Anesthesia Consultants 2850 S Mojave Rd, Ste A 702-388-8062

John S. Smith Cardiovascular Anesthesia Consultants 2850 S Mojave Rd, Ste A 702-388-8062

Cardiovascular Disease

John Bedotto HealthCare Partners Medical Group 9280 W Sunset Rd, Ste 320 702-534-5464

Tillmann Cyrus VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Department of Cardiology 6900 N Pecos Rd, Rm 3D152 N Las Vegas 702-791-9000

Carlos Fonte Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists 3201 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 502 702-733-8600

Cres P. Miranda Nevada Heart & Vascular Center 3150 N Tenaya Way, Ste 320 702-227-6482

David Lloyd Navratil HealthCare Partners Medical Group 2865 Siena Heights Dr, Ste 331 Henderson 702-731-8224

Charles Allen Rhodes Nevada Heart & Vascular Center 4275 S Burnham Ave, Ste 100 702-240-6482

Gallup® has audited and certified Best Doctors, Inc.’s database of physicians, and its companion The Best Doctors in America® List, as using the highest industry standards, survey methodology and processes.

These lists are excerpted from The Best Doctors in America's 2014 database, which includes more than 40,000 U.S. doctors in over 40 medical specialties and 400 subspecialties.

The Best Doctors in America's database is compiled and main-

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tained by Best Doctors, Inc. For more information, visit bestdoctors.com or contact Best Doctors by telephone at 800-675-1199 or by email at research@bestdoctors.com. Please note that lists of doctors are not available on the Best Doctors website.

Best Doctors, Inc., has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list, but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person or other party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence,

accident, or any other cause.

Copyright 2014, Best Doctors, Inc. Used under license, all rights reserved. This list, or any parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Best Doctors, Inc. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without the permission of Best Doctors, Inc. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

BEST DOCTORS, THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA, and the Star-in-Cross Logo are trademarks of Best Doctors, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries, and are used under license.

Jerry Routh HealthCare Partners Medical Group Summerlin Medical Office 10105 Banburry Cross Dr, Bldg 3, Ste 250 702-360-7600

Erik J. Sirulnick HealthCare Partners Medical Group 3131 La Canada St, Ste 200 702-933-9400

Leo Spaccavento Advanced Heart Care Associates 4275 Burnham Ave, Ste 220 702-796-4278

Colon and Rectal Surgery

Ovunc Bardakcioglu University of Nevada School of Medicine Department of Surgery 1707 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 160 702-671-5150

Joseph P. Thornton University of Nevada School of Medicine Department of Surgery 1707 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 160 702-671-5150

Dermatology

Miriam S. Bettencourt Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery 1701 N Green Valley Pkwy, Ste 7B Henderson, 702-257-7546

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Freddie G. Toffel 2700 E Sunset Rd, Ste D-34 702-736-2021

Gastroenterology

Joseph Mansour Fayad VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Department of Gastroenterology 6900 N Pecos Rd N Las Vegas 702-791-9162

Donald Lawrence Kwok Gastroenterology Associates 3820 S Hualapai Way, Ste 200 702-796-0231

Gregory Kwok Gastroenterology Associates 3820 S Hualapai Way, Ste 200 702-796-0231

Frank J. Nemec Gastroenterology Associates 3820 S Hualapai Way, Ste 200 702-796-0231

Infectious Disease

Jerome Frank Hruska Infectious Disease Consultants 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 780 702-737-0740

Brian J. Lipman Infectious Diseases of So Nevada 10001 S Eastern Ave, Ste 307 Henderson 702-776-8300

Gary R. Skankey Infectious Disease Consultants 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 780 702-737-0740

Internal Medicine

Ethan Milton Cruvant Dignity Health Medical Group 8205 W Warm Springs Rd, Ste 210 702-735-5801 AUGUST 2015

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Best Doctors 2015-2016

Paul T. Emery Dignity Health Medical Group 8205 W Warm Springs Rd, Ste 210 702-616-5801

Mark Charles Handelman 2585 Box Canyon Dr, Ste 110 702-538-7773

Sarah C. Heiner 70 E Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Ste 100 Henderson 702-778-8828

Medical Genetics

Edwin Charles Kingsley

Colleen Morris

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 3730 S Eastern Ave 702-952-3400

University of Nevada School of Medicine Division of Pediatric Genetics 2040 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 401 702-671-2229

Medical Oncology and Hematology

Heather J. Allen Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 3730 S Eastern Ave 702-952-3400

Fadi Braiteh

3530 E Flamingo Rd, Ste 100 702-737-8657

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 3730 S Eastern Ave 702-952-3400

Bradley J. Thompson

Russell Gollard

3650 S Eastern Ave, Ste 300 702-796-8036

Cancer & Blood Specialists of Nevada 2460 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Henderson 702-822-2000

Jerrold Schwartz

Candice Tung 3530 E Flamingo Rd, Ste 100 702-737-8657

Rinah I. Shopnick Cancer & Blood Specialists of Nevada 6190 S Fort Apache Rd 702-822-2000

Nicholas J. Vogelzang Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 3730 S Eastern Ave 702-952-3400

Nephrology

Marvin Jay Bernstein Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 500 S Rancho Dr, Ste 12 702-877-1887

Robert W. Merrell Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 100 N Green Valley Pkwy, Ste 310 Henderson 702-877-1887

Neville Pokroy Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 653 N Town Center Dr, Bldg 2, Ste 70 702-877-1887

Zvi Sela Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 653 N Town Center Dr, Bldg 2, Ste 70 702-877-1887

Neurological Surgery

John A. Anson The Spine and Brain Institute 8530 W Sunset Rd, Ste 250 702-851-0792

Derek A. Duke

John P. Havill Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 100 N Green Valley Pkwy, Ste 310 Henderson 702-877-1887

The Spine and Brain Institute 861 Coronado Center Dr, Ste 200 Henderson 702-948-9088

Ask your doctor for a referral to Nathan Adelson Hospice • Largest not-for-profit hospice • Hospice care is provided in your home— we come to you • Two inpatient facilities No one should end the journey of life alone, afraid, or in pain.

“Because hospices are not all the same.”

—Brad Garrett 78

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(702) 733-0320

www.nah.org

Otolaryngology

Pediatric Cardiology

Walter (Russ) Schroeder

Ruben J. Acherman Children’s Heart Center 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 690 702-732-1290

Florence N. Jameson

Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants of Nevada 3195 Saint Rose Pkwy, Ste 210 Henderson 702-792-6700

5281 S Eastern Ave 702-262-9676

Robert C. Wang

James S. Forage

Jocelyn Ivie

The Spine and Brain Institute 861 Coronado Center Dr, Ste 200 Henderson 702-948-9088

Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada 2821 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Ste 130, Henderson 702-862-8862

Neurology

Jeffrey Lee Cummings Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health 888 W Bonneville Ave 702-483-6000

Steven Kramer

Luis L. Diaz

Women’s Health Specialists 1934 E Sahara Ave 702-369-5758

3150 N Tenaya Way, Ste 520 702-233-0755

Kirsten B. Rojas

Nuclear Medicine

Paul D. Bandt Desert Radiologists 2020 Palomino Ln, Ste 100 702-387-6900

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Irwin G. Glassman Women’s Health Specialists 1934 E Sahara Ave 702-369-5758

Meadows Women’s Center 9120 W Post Rd, Ste 200 702-870-2229

J. Michael Scarff Women’s Health Specialists 1934 E Sahara Ave 702-369-5758

Bruce S. Shapiro The Fertility Center of Las Vegas 8851 W Sahara Ave, Ste 100 702-254-1777

University of Nevada School of Medicine Dept of Otolaryngology 3150 N Tenaya Way, Ste 112 702-671-6480

Pathology

Laura Lynn Bilodeau Quest Diagnostics 4230 Burnham Ave, Ste 144 702-733-7866

Ronald Knoblock Laboratory Medicine Consultants 3059 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 100 702-732-3441

Darren Thomas Wheeler Quest Diagnostics 4230 Burnham Ave, Ste 144 702-733-3785

Abraham Rothman Children’s Heart Center 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 690 702-732-1290

Pediatric Medical Genetics

Colleen Morris University of Nevada School of Medicine Division of Pediatric Genetics 2040 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 401 702-671-2229

Pediatrics/General

Renu S. Jain University of Nevada School of Medicine Pediatric Center 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 315 702-992-6868

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Best Doctors 2015-2016

Beverly A. Neyland University of Nevada School of Medicine Pediatric Center 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 315 702-992-6868

Plastic Surgery

Julio L. Garcia

William W. Orrison Jr.

Goesel M. Anson

6020 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste C 702-870-0058

8530 W Sunset Rd, Ste 130 702-822-2100

Radiology

Nevada’s Imaging Center 5495 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste 101 702-214-9729

Michael (Mike) C. Edwards

Paul D. Bandt

8530 W Sunset Rd, Ste 130 702-822-2100

Desert Radiologists 2020 Palomino Ln, Ste 100 702-387-6900

Surgery

Terence G. Banich General Surgery Associates 700 Shadow Ln, Ste 370 702-382-8222

John J. Fildes University of Nevada School of Medicine Department of Surgery 1707 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 160 702-671-5150

Arthur A. Fusco

PARTNERS IN

EXCELLENCE

General Surgery Associates 700 Shadow Ln, Ste 370 702-382-8222

John Ham University of Nevada School of Medicine Department of Surgery 1707 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 160 702-671-5150

Surgical Oncology

Souzan E. El-Eid

TO P R A N K I N G I N K E Y H E A LT H A R E A S

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 9280 W Sunset Rd, Ste 100 702-255-1133

Daniel M. Kirgan

In a recent quality review, HealthCare Partners earned five-star ratings* in these important categories: Maintaining Physical Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Monitoring for Healthy Weight Pain Screening And Management Healthy Diabetes Management

Our Total Care approach is at the heart of this success. It puts you and your primary care doctor in charge of your full wellness plan, for care that is more coordinated, more cohesive, and more comprehensive.

Find Out What Five-Star Quality From Healthcare Partners Can Do For You. Visit Hcpnv.com. *Source: medicare.gov

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University of Nevada School of Medicine Department of Surgery 1707 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 160 702-671-5150

Thoracic Surgery

Peter G. Vajtai 5745 S Fort Apache Rd, Ste 100 702-240-3198

Robert Wiencek St. Rose-Stanford Clinic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Program 7190 S. Cimarron Rd 702-675-3240

Urology

Sheldon J. Freedman Medical Office Bldg 9280 W Sunset Rd, Ste 200 702-732-0282

Ranjit Jain Urology Associates 700 Shadow Ln, Ste 430 702-384-0500

and Health Concerns Away From sleep apnea and joint pain to diabetes and hypertension, your weight affects more than your appearance – it affects your life.

Kathi

Lost 91 pounds “This journey has been amazing and has changed my life. It is such a terrific feeling to be back to my old self!”

Peggy Lost 143 pounds “Life-saving experience.

I had a lot of health issues that have all been resolved as a result of this surgery.”

Download Dr. Tom’s hot, new report today – FREE! Call us now and begin your journey to permanent weight loss, improved health, and a sizzling new life before Summer’s end!

Call 702-803-3685 BlossomBariatrics.com/Melt-the-Weight

TOP

Dentists H

ere’s something to smile about: a great dentist is just a page or two away. Our 2015 topDentists list features more than 150 of the best dental professionals in Southern Nevada.

How did we find the valley’s top dental talent? It started with a simple question: “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help us determine who the topDentists should be. Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and of course physical results.

The nomination pool of dentists consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association as well as all dentists listed online with their local/regional dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists we have missed whom they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peers' work when evaluating the other nominees.

Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases

are given a careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received and status in various dental academies can play a factor in our decision.

Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists.

Of course, there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in Nevada. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate, and useful list of dentists available anywhere.

This list is excerpted from the 2015 topDentists™ list, a database which includes listings for more than 150 dentists and specialists in Southern Nevada. The Las Vegas area list is based on thousands of detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com. For more information, call 706-3640853; write PO Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@ usatopdentists.com or visit usatopdentists.com.

DISCLAIMER This list is excerpted from the 2015 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for more than 150 dentists and specialists in Southern Nevada. For more information call 706-364-0853 or email (info@usatopdentists.com) or visit us at topdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2008-2015 by topDentists, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

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TOP

Dentists Endodontics

General Dentistry

Mark Dorilag

Steven L. Hardy

710 Coronado Center Drive #100 Henderson, 702-260-0102 gvdentalgroup.com

6825 Aliante Parkway, N. Las Vegas 702-294-2739, drstevehardy.com

Jason L. Downey

Green Valley Dental Group

W. Scott Biggs

Micro Endodontics of Las Vegas 4450 N. Tenaya Way #240 702-463-5000, lasvegasendo.com

William D. Brizzee

Las Vegas Endodontics 6655 W. Sahara Ave. #A-106 702-876-5800, lvendo.com

Russel K. Christensen

Las Vegas Endodontics

Stanley S. Askew

Island Dental Center 9750 Covington Cross Drive #100 702-341-7979, islanddentalcenter.com

Balle & Associates

5660 W. Flamingo Road #B 702-871-4903, smileslasvegas.com

731 Mall Ring Circle #201 Henderson, 702-434-9464 georgeharounidds.com

2801 W. Charleston Blvd. #100 702-977-1177, balledds.com

Robert R. Earl

Gregg C. Hendrickson

Laurie S. Bloch-Johnson Exceptional Dentistry

9501 Hillwood Drive #A 702-463-8600 drblochexceptionaldentistry.com

Matthew O. Cox

Derryl R. Brian

William J. Dougherty Jr. Sunset Endodontics

54 N. Pecos Road #B Henderson, 702-436-4300

George Harouni

Peter S. Balle

6655 W. Sahara Ave. #A-106 702-876-5800, lvendo.com

8460 S. Eastern Ave. #B 702-492-6688, coxendo.com

Paradise Family Dental

Nevada Trails Dental 7575 S. Rainbow Blvd. #101 702-367-3700 nevadatrailsdental.com

Pamela G. Caggiano

5320 W. Sahara Ave. #3 702-871-4990, robertearldds.com

Donald J. Farr 2458 E. Russell Road #B 702-798-4595, donaldjfarrdds.com

Richard W. Featherstone

Comprehensive Dental Care 2790 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #100, Henderson, 702-735-3284 nvdentists.com

Paul K. Hilton 4560 S. Eastern Ave. #B-20 702-898-3440, paulhiltondds.com

Caring Dentistry

Michael G. Hollingshead

880 Seven Hills Drive #130 Henderson, 702-914-4478 drfeatherstone.com

6392 Spring Mountain Road 702-430-2552 lasvegasnevadasmiles.com

Barton H. Foutz

Brian R. Karn

Lakeview Dental

2510 Wigwam Parkway #100 Henderson, 702-792-5929 drfoutz.com

Karn Extraordinary Smiles

John Q. Duong

321 N. Pecos Road #100 Henderson, 702-732-7878 pamelacaggianodds.com

851 S. Rampart Blvd. #230 702-341-9160, drkarn.com

2291 S. Fort Apache Road #104 702-869-0001, karentrandds.com

Colin M. Campbell

James B. Frantz Jr.

Thomas P. Keating

710 Coronado Center Drive #100 Henderson, 702-260-0102 gvdentalgroup.com

880 Seven Hills Drive #240 Henderson , 702-454-8855 keatingdds.com

Glen Gallimore

James G. Kinard

David C. Fife 1975 Village Center Circle #110 702-360-2122, drdavidfife.com

Darin K. Kajioka

Endodontics of Las Vegas 9750 Covington Cross Drive #150 702-878-8584

Jason T. Morris

Excellence In Dentistry

St. Rose Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 2875 Saint Rose Parkway #110 Henderson, 702-387-5900 strosedental.com

Sandra Chan

Moore Family Dentistry 10624 S. Eastern Ave. #N Henderson, 702-407-6700

Green Valley Dental Group

702Dentist

3455 Cliff Shadows Parkway #130 702-839-0500, 702-dentist.com

John T. Gallob

UNLV School of Dental Medicine

2510 Wigwam Parkway #200 Henderson, 702-263-2000

Guy L. Chisteckoff

Kathleen Olender

Desert Dental Specialists

8940 S. Maryland Parkway #100 702-270-6501, islandsmiles.org

7520 W. Sahara Blvd., 702-384-7200 dentalimplants-lv.com

Stephen H. Clark II

Douglas R. Rakich

Endodontic Associates

2820 E. Flamingo Road #B 702-732-2333 stephenclarkddslv.com

1475 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #100, Henderson, 702-564-4498 blackmountaindental.com

6950 Smoke Ranch Road #125 702-869-8840

Kenneth M. Cox

Benjamin Glick

Daniel I. Shalev

6615 S. Eastern Ave. #106 702-735-3506

2510 Wigwam Parkway #200 Henderson, 702-263-2000

Chris S. Cozine

Ryan C. Shipp

8579 S. Eastern Ave. #A 702-739-8289, cozinedental.com

2295 Renaissance Drive #C 702-798-0911, shippendodontics.com

Todd H. Cressman

Mark C. Tingey

Endodontics of Las Vegas 9750 Covington Cross Drive #150 702-878-8584

Island Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

Gentle Dental

5527 S. Rainbow Blvd. #A 702-529-0772 gentledentalspanishtrail.com

Bradley A. Ditsworth 2458 E. Russell Road #A 702-798-6216

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1707 W. Charleston Blvd. #290 702-671-5175, unlv.edu/dental

Heeyup Ghim

Black Mountain Dental

1070 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #120, Henderson, 702-432-9100 benjaminglickdmd.com

Irwan T. Goh

Smiles by Goh 2653 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #110, Henderson, 702-832-5517 smilesbygoh.com

Chad Gubler

Gubler Dental 11221 S. Eastern Ave. #200 Henderson, 702-558-9977 gublerdds.com

Keating Dental

2780 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #20, Henderson, 702-719-4700

Gregg R. Kolebuck

Lake Sahara Dental 8685 W. Sahara Ave. #100 702-838-5400, lakesaharadental.com

Timothy J. Kuiava

Dental Designs of Las Vegas 3975 S. Durango Drive #102, 702-254-1444 dentaldesignslasvegas.com

Jeffrey L. LaBarre LV DentalArts

2510 Wigwam Parkway #204 Henderson, 702-263-8400 lvdentalarts.net

Barry J. Lasko 51 E. Lake Mead Parkway #102 Henderson, 702-564-1818 barrylaskodds.com

Ton V. Lee

Summerlin Smiles 9525 W. Russell Road #100 702-579-7645, summerlinsmiles.com

Mark D. Lewis 7890 W. Ann Road #150 702-878-4397

TOP

Dentists Robin D. Lobato 9061 W. Sahara Ave. #101 702-877-0500, drlobato.com

Nicholas E. Lords

Rainbow Park Dental

Craig R. Rose

Rose Family Dentistry 8490 S. Eastern Ave. #C 702-914-0000 rosefamilydentistry.com

2950 S. Rainbow Blvd. #200 702-227-6510

Stephen C. Rose

Kent A. Lysgaard

4230 E. Charleston Blvd. #A 702-459-8998 rosecosmeticandfamilydentistry.com

Lysgaard Dental 2911 N. Tenaya Way #101 702-360-9061, drlysgaard.com

Ronald R. Marshall 6891 W. Charleston Blvd.

702-255-6768, rrmsmile.com

George J. McAlpine

UNLV School of Dental Medicine 1707 W. Charleston Blvd. #290 702-671-5130, unlv.edu/dental

Nina Mirzayan

Adaven Children’s Dentistry 1701 N. Green Valley Parkway #8E Henderson, 702-492-1955 drninaonline.com

D. Kevin Moore

Moore Family Dentistry 10624 S. Eastern Ave. #N Henderson, 702-407-6700

E. Orlando Morantes 3412 N. Buffalo Drive 702-794-0820, morantesdds.com

Johnny E. Nassar

Smile Design Center 10120 S. Eastern Ave. #375 Henderson, 702-361-9611 smiledesigncenterlv.com

Rose Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

George F. Rosenbaum 899 Adams Blvd., Boulder City 702-293-0373, drgrosenbaum.com

Franson K.S. Tom 4318 S. Eastern Ave. 702-736-6119, drfransontom.com

Michael Tomita

Island Dental Center 9750 Covington Cross Drive #100 702-341-7979, islanddentalcenter.com

Raymond A. Tozzi

UNLV School of Dental Medicine 1001 Shadow Lane 702-774-2673, unlv.edu/dental

Mark I. Degen

Red Rock Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre 4730 S. Fort Apache Road #390 702-253-9090, redrockomsc.com

John J. Dudek

Mountain View Oral Surgery 6970 Smoke Ranch Road #150 702-259-6725

Ryan Gibson

Gibson and Leavitt Oral & Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery

Karen T. Tran

Lakeview Dental

2835 Saint Rose Parkway #100 Henderson, 702-685-3700 ryangibsonoralsurgery.com

2650 Lake Sahara Drive #160 702-734-0776, sandquistdds.com

2291 S. Fort Apache Road #104 702-869-0001, karentrandds.com

R. F. John Holtzen

Brian G. Sanford

Terrie X. Tran

Douglas D. Sandquist

2551 N. Green Valley Parkway #C301 Henderson, 702-451-8181 greenvalleysmilecare.com

Nathan D. Schwartz

All Smiles Dental 10545 S. Eastern Ave. #140 Henderson, 702-492-9399 allsmilesbydesign.com

Henderson Family Dentistry

Michele S. Tratos

537 S. Boulder Highway Henderson, 702-564-2526 hendersonfamilydental.com

3057 E. Warm Springs Road #300 702-369-8730 thelasvegasnvdentist.com

A. Thomas Shields

Scott M. Weaver

Shields Family Dentistry 653 N. Town Center #508 702-228-8777 shieldsfamilydentistry.com

Patrick A. Simone 70 N. Pecos Road #A, Henderson 702-735-2755, patricksimonedds.com

Susan Schmutz Smith

Nevada Oral & Facial Surgery 6950 Smoke Ranch Road #200, 702-997-1166 nevadaoralandfacialsurgery.com

Gregory J. Hunter

Nevada Oral & Facial Surgery 6950 Smoke Ranch Road #200 702-360-8918 nevadaoralandfacialsurgery.com

Brendan G. Johnson

Nevada Oral & Facial Surgery

53 E. Lake Mead Parkway Henderson, 702-564-3444

6950 Smoke Ranch Road #200 702-360-8918

Matt D. Welebir

Katherine A. Keeley

Summerlin Dental 410 S. Rampart Blvd. #360 702-228-2218 summerlindental.com

James V. Whalen

Sun Dental Center

2649 Wigwam Parkway #102 Henderson, 702-263-9339 drkeeley.net

Bryce Leavitt

Gibson and Leavitt Oral & Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery 2835 Saint Rose Parkway #100 Henderson, 702-685-3700 ryangibsonoralsurgery.com

Tam P. Nguyen

8275 S. Eastern Ave. #101 702-967-1700, susansmithdds.com

9450 Del Webb Blvd.

702-255-2111, sundentalcenterlv.com

4840 Spring Mountain Road #2 702-256-2111

Stephen W. Spelman

Brad A. Wilbur

3450 S. Hualapai Way 702-871-6044 stephenspelmandds.com

275 N. Pecos Road, Henderson 702-896-8933, gvdentalcenter.com

The Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas

Bradley S. Strong

Joseph A. Wineman

10115 W. Twain #100 702-367-6666, lasvegasoms.com

Wineman Dental

Jorge Paez

Nevada Dental Esthetics 4455 S. Jones Blvd. #E2 702-312-3655 lasvegas-cosmetic-dentistry.com

Willow Springs Dental

Patrick A. O’Connor

3505 E. Harmon Ave. #A 702-605-1819 minidentalimplantslasvegasnv.com

Derrek A. Yelton

Daniel L. Orr II

5660 W. Flamingo Road #A 702-365-1743

2040 W. Charleston Blvd. #201 702-383-3711, orrs.org

Thomas Tenney

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Mont M. Ringer

George E. Bonn

5765 S. Fort Apache Road #110 702-876-6337, omssnv.com

7884 W. Sahara Ave. #100 702-367-7133

Ronald R. Taylor

James B. Polley Thomas J. Puhek 3431 E. Sunset Road #301 702-435-3901

Bradley S. Roberts 3047 E. Warm Springs Road #200 702-454-8773

Tenney Dental 5250 S. Pecos Road #102 702-454-5200, tenneydental.com

Rick B. Thiriot

UNLV School of Dental Medicine 1001 Shadow Lane 702-774-2655, unlv.edu/dental

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Carlos H. Letelier

1701 N. Green Valley Parkway #4D Henderson, 702-270-4800 winemandental.com

William G. Pappas

2931 N. Tenaya Way #200 702-242-3800, bstrongdds.com

1875 Village Center Circle #110 702-873-0324, drpolley.com

Green Valley Dental Center

Huang & Bonn Oral & Implant Surgery 1701 N. Green Valley Parkway #2-E Henderson, 702-270-2999 oralsurgeryhenderson.com

630 S. Rancho Drive #B 702-870-2555, drpatrickoconnor.net

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Southern Nevada

Steven A. Saxe

Advance Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 1570 S. Rainbow Blvd.

702-258-0085, nvjawdoc.com

Make the Right Choice for

Your Best Possible Recovery When it comes to rehabilitation after a stroke, illness or injury, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals hold a clear advantage over skilled nursing facilities.

What Sets Us Apart HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals offer distinct advantages in the level of care and services over skilled nursing facilities. Once you compare placement options, we feel confident you will choose HealthSouth. For example, all of the following are required at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals – and not at the average skilled nursing facilities: • Exceptionally trained therapists • Frequent visits by a rehabilitation physician* • Neuro-IFRAH certified therapists • Multidisciplinary, collaborative team approach • Specialty nursing training: CRRN®’s, wound care certified • Leading-edge rehabilitation expertise • Weekly team conference • Exceptionally trained therapists • State-of-the-art therapy gyms and rehabilitation technology • VitalStim® certified therapists

For a no-cost home assessment for you or your loved one, please choose one of the hospitals below.

The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Stroke Rehabilitation and Oncology Rehabilitation (HealthSouth Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital only)

HealthSouth Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital 9175 W. Oquendo Road • Las Vegas, NV 89148 • 702 252-7342 HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson 10301 Jeffreys Avenue • Henderson, NV 89052 • 702 939-9400 HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas 1250 S. Valley View Boulevard • Las Vegas, NV 89102 • 702 877-8898 healthsouth.com * The hospital provides access to independent physicians.

©2013:HealthSouth Corporation:599049-02

TOP

Dentists Robert M. Svarney Jr. 3140 S. Durango Drive #100 702-362-1856 durangodentalgroup.com

Eric D. Swanson

Scott E. Leaver

Pediatric Dentistry

Periodontics

6460 Medical Center St. #210 702-878-0764, leavergardner.com

Laurie B. Abrams

David A. Arpin

7140 N. Durango Drive #110 702-740-5437 justforkidsdentistrylv.com

Desert Dental Specialists 7520 W. Sahara Ave. 702-384-7200, dentalimplants-lv.com

Ryan S. Bybee

Eric Bernzweig

Leaver & Gardner Orthodontics

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada

Carey B. Noorda

2030 E. Flamingo Road #288 702-892-0833, facialsurgery.org

1701 N. Green Valley Parkway #1 Henderson , 702-737-5500 drnoorda.com

Albert Ted Twesme 4544 S. Pecos Road, 702-436-0900

Oral Medicine

Edward E. Herschaft

UNLV School of Dental Medicine 1001 Shadow Lane, #SLC-B 214 702-774-2654, unlv.edu

Orthodontics

David A. Chenin

Chenin Orthodontics 10730 S. Eastern Ave. #100 Henderson, 702-735-1010 cheninortho.com

Stephen T. Chenin

Noorda Orthodontics

Timothy Reardon Cool Smiles

8490 S. Eastern Ave. #A 702-260-8241, vegascoolsmiles.com

Alana Saxe

Saxe Orthodontics

Griffiths & Simister Orthodontics

Dave L. Smith

1750 Wheeler Peak Drive 702-272-1100, dcare.org

5320 W. Sahara Ave. #4 702-871-1808

Alfred Thresher

5320 W. Sahara Ave. #4 702-871-1808

9500 W. Flamingo Road #102 702-254-4335, thresherortho.com

Michael C. Gardner

Mark Truman

Griffiths & Simister Orthodontics 8710 W. Charleston Blvd. #150 702-256-7846, lasvegasbraces.com

R. Cree Hamilton

Hamilton Orthodontics 401 N. Buffalo Drive #220 702-243-3300, hamiltonortho.com

Blaine R. Hansen

Hansen Orthodontics 3600 N. Buffalo Drive #110 702-568-1600, hansenortho.com

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Anthem Pediatric Dentistry

Dawn L. McClellan

Thresher Orthodontics

John C. Griffiths

2843 Saint Rose Parkway #100 Henderson, 702-531-5437 anthemkidsdental.com

8710 W. Charleston Blvd. #150 702-256-7846, lasvegasbraces.com

Stephen N. Fleming

70 E. Horizon Ridge #170 Henderson, 702-564-1037 gogibson.com

Anthem Pediatric Dentistry

Douglas K. Simister

1945 Village Center Circle #110 702-364-5100, thalgott.com

Gibson Orthodontics

Jeffrey A. Cox

2843 Saint Rose Parkway #100 Henderson, 702-531-5437 anthemkidsdental.com

Robert H. Thalgott

James L. Gibson

1600 W. Sunset Road #B Henderson, 702-733-8341 hendersonkidsdentist.com

Chad W. Ellsworth

10730 S. Eastern Ave. #100 Henderson, 702-735-1010 cheninortho.com

6460 Medical Center St. #210 702-878-0764, leavergardner.com

Kidz Dentistry

3555 S. Town Center Drive #104 702-541-7070, saxeortho.com

Chenin Orthodontics

Leaver & Gardner Orthodontics

Just for Kids Dentistry

Truman Orthodontics 851 S. Rampart Blvd. #130 702-360-9000, trumanorthodontics.com

Zachary B. Truman

Truman Orthodontics 880 Seven Hills Drive #170 Henderson, 702-221-2272 trumanortho.com

Fenn Welch

Welch Orthodontics

Dental Care International

Todd S. Milne

Children’s Dental Center 2085 Village Center Circle #120 702-240-5437, cdclv.com

Manny Rapp Jr.

Adaven Children’s Dentistry 1701 N. Green Valley Parkway #8E Henderson, 702-492-1955 adavenkid.com

Gary D. Richardson Adventure Smiles

8995 W. Flamingo Road #100 702-529-2034, adventuresmiles.com

Joshua L. Saxe

A Childrens Dentist 8710 W. Charleston Blvd. #100 702-255-0133 achildrensdentist.com

8551 W. Lake Mead Blvd. #216 702-240-2300, welchortho.com

Michael D. Saxe

Lance L. Whetten

8710 W. Charleston Blvd. #100 702-255-0133, achildrensdentist.com

Whetten Orthodontics 4540 S. Pecos Road 702-436-0999, whettenortho.com

Tracy D. Wyatt

Wyatt Orthodontics 7550 W. Lake Mead Blvd. #6 702-242-9777, wyattorthodontics.com

A Childrens Dentist

William F. Waggoner Pediatric Dental Care Associates

8981 W. Sahara Ave. #110 702-254-4220 pediatricdentalcareassociates.com

6835 W. Charleston Blvd.

702-869-8200

Edilberto De Andrade

Anthem Periodontics & Dental Implants 2610 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #202 Henderson, 702-270-4600 periodontics-dentalimplants.com

Ryan S. Gifford

Periodontics Unlimited 3811 W. Charleston Blvd. #201 702-259-1943, lvperio.com

Gary D. Goaslind

Periodontics Unlimited 3811 W. Charleston Blvd. #201 702-259-1943, lvperio.com

Allen Wei-Lun Huang

Significance Dental Specialists 2430 E. Harmon Ave. #6 702-733-0558, sdsdental.com

Curry H. Leavitt

Red Rock Periodontics & Implantology 7475 W. Sahara Ave. #101 702-834-8900, redrockperio.com

James K. Rogers

Canyon Ridge Periodontics 3375 S. Town Center Drive #110 702-966-0300 canyonridgeperio.com

David J. Trylovich

Periodontics Unlimited 3811 W. Charleston Blvd. #201 702-259-1943, lvperio.com

Prosthodontics

Nelson D. Lasiter 2255 Renaissance Drive #B 702-798-1987, nelsonlasiterdmd.com

Marco T. Padilla

Advanced Prosthodontics of Las Vegas 851 S. Rampart Blvd. #250 702-263-4300, lasvegasprostho.com

Steven L. Rhodes 501 S. Rancho Drive #E29 702-384-4896, srhodesdds.com

Did You Know?

6 in 10 adults in Clark County are overweight or obese

This is one reason why the Southern Nevada Health District is working with local cities, organizations and agencies to offer healthier vending options in places like libraries, recreation centers and parks.

Making healthy choices easier.

Let’s Get Healthy Clark County!

To ď€ nd out what public locations offer healthier vending options, or to learn more, visit:

www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org Made possible with funding from the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I hold water to a higher standard.

The Superstar Standard.

My name is Matt, and my job at the Southern Nevada Water Authority is to make sure water delivered to your home meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking-water standards.

At home, my job is to make sure my family drinks plenty of clean, healthy water.

At the SNWA, we keep a very close eye on water quality, conducting hundreds of thousands of analyses every year to verify the quality of our drinking water. And that makes both of my jobs a lot easier.

We know that some customers use additional home water treatment devices and want to help you make informed decisions. If you have questions or would like objective information about supplemental water treatment systems, visit snwa.com or call 702-258-3930.

The SNWA is a not-for-profit water utility.

The #1 Choice for All-Laser LASIK

by Local Eye Doctors...and a Whole Lot More!

Wellish Vision Institute is a high-quality multispecialty eye care practice that combines modern state-of-the-art technology and the expertise of a team of doctors to offer the latest in All-Laser LASIK vision correction, advanced cataract removal with premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), premier fellowship trained glaucoma treatment and management, implantable collamer lens (ICLs), dry-eye treatment, diabetic eye care management and much more. At Wellish Vision Institute, we can help you find the best solution for your eye care needs.

All of our surgeons are fellowship trained at some of the top institutions in the country.*

Front Row: Aiyin Chen, M.D., Kent Wellish, M.D., KC McCandless, O.D. Back Row: Jefferson Langford, O.D., Jay K. Mattheis, M.D.

Services • Nationally Recognized All-Laser LASIK • Monovision LASIK • Nationally Recognized Advanced Cataract Removal with Premium IOLs and Astigmatism Correction • Advanced Dry-Eye Treatments with LipiFlow® and IPL • Dry-Eye Treatment Center of Excellence • Glaucoma Treatment and Management*** • Diabetic Ocular Screening Exams and Management • Pterygium Removal • Intacs and Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) Treatment for Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia**** • ICL Implants for High Levels of Nearsightedness • Flapless LASIK (Advanced PRK) • Ocular Screening for People Taking Plaquenil

Dr. Kent Wellish was Nevada’s first laser vision surgeon, starting his practice in 1994. He is truly a “doctor’s doctor,” having been voted a “top doctor” for LASIK by his peer physicians on multiple occasions. In a recent survey, local eye doctors’ offices were asked to whom they would send their patients, families and friends for LASIK eye surgery, and their number one choice was Dr. Kent Wellish!

Limited-Time Offer

$1,000 off All-Laser LASIK

**

+ 0% financing for 24 months‡

Call us now at 702-733-2020 to schedule your free All-Laser LASIK consultation.

Must have LASIK performed by November 27, 2015.

Ask about our Lifetime

Assurance Plan.

East Location

2110 East Flamingo Road, Suites 210 & 211, Las Vegas, NV 89119 West Location

2555 Box Canyon Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128 Henderson Location Coming Soon!

10424 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson, NV 89052 VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN WHY OUR DOCTORS ARE SOME OF OUR BEST-KEPT SECRETS *U.S. News & World Report. **For a limited time only. Certain restrictions apply. Not to be combined with any additional offers.

For risks and benefits, see our website. *** Dr. Aiyin Chen is fellowship trained at one of the top Glaucoma fellowship training programs in the country. **** FDA study site. Approval expected mid-late 2015. ‡Financing with approved credit. Offer expires 11/27/2015.

Lung Center of Nevada Joins Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada

C OM PR E H E NSI V E

More resources. More treatment options. More hope.

At Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, all of the specialists who treat you are right here where you need them. A diverse and dedicated team — which now includes Lung Center of Nevada, a division of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada — is here to deliver the highest level of coordinated care.

From radiation and medical oncologists to pulmonologists and surgeons, at Comprehensive you’ll have more resources for seamless care. At every level, your treatment is a coordinated effort. The specialists treating you share data and reports in real time. And through our affiliation with The US Oncology Network, they will ensure you have access to the latest innovations in cancer treatment therapies as they are developed.

Comprehensive treatment. Comprehensive care. Everything we have. For every part of you.

Ask your doctor about Comprehensive. Visit cccnevada.com for more information or call 702.952.3350 to schedule an appointment today.

Lung Center of Nevada A division of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 312 • Las Vegas, Nevada 89148 Tel: 702.737.5864

3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 125 • Las Vegas, Nevada 89128 Tel: 702.869.0855

Nisarg Changawala, MD, MPH | James S. J. Hsu, MD, FCCP, DABSM Lorraine Kossol, APRN, FNP-BC | Ralph M. Nietrzeba, MD, FCCP, FACP Dawn Willard, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC | John J. Wojcik, MD, FCCP, DABSM

John (Jack) Collier, MD, FCCP, DABSM | Lisa Reiter, APRN, FNP-BC George S. Tu, MD, FCCP, DABSM

The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health. © 2015 McKesson Specialty Health. All rights reserved.

The next

frontier New medical technologies in the valley are fighting cancer, saving hearts and eliminating chronic pain

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Radiosurgery Las Vegas CyberKnife at Summerlin

When surgery on a cancer tumor is difficult, complicated or even impossible, doctors can now operate from the outside — with a powerful, focused beam of radiation.

Maybe it was just part of getting old, Rick Lichty thought. The 63-year-old retiree who split his time between Kansas City and Las Vegas had been feeling tired lately. “I thought it was normal aging, the way I was losing stamina. To get through a normal day, I’d started taking naps. I’d never taken naps.”

A visit to his urologist in Kansas revealed the source of his creeping sense of fatigue: He was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Lichty wasn’t dumbstruck by the news; he’d done his homework. He had a pretty good idea that prostate cancer wasn’t rare (in fact, it’s the second

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most common cancer in males after skin cancer, striking one in seven men in America). His brother had been diagnosed with it. But the proposed course of treatment gave him pause.

His doctor recommended a prostatectomy — removal of Lichty’s entire prostate, a not uncommon recommendation in cases of prostate cancer. Pondering what a full prostate removal might entail — common side effects such as impotence and urinary incontinence, the long tail of recovery from surgery — Lichty must have stepped into the elevator like a man in a trance.

Lucky he got into that elevator. There he met an elderly man who told him about a decidedly different type of cancer surgery he’d recently had. It sounded to Lichty more like science fiction than medical tech: A high-precision radiation beam that destroyed tumors without hurting healthy tissue — a procedure that didn’t require cutting open his body or removing entire organs. A little Googling revealed that there was just such a piece of radiosurgery technology in Las Vegas called CyberKnife.

Basically, there are three ways to deal with cancer: You can cut it out, poison it, or destroy it with radiation. Radiation therapy has been around for more than 100 years, but it’s come a long way from the days of X-ray treatments and radium baths. Today, it’s leveraging advances in robotic technology and powerful software imaging to bring new levels of precision to treatment in a field called radiosurgery.

Destroy tumors, not tissue And precision is crucial when it comes to radiosurgery. “The challenge is to destroy tumors, not tissue,” says Dr. Dan Curtis, radiation oncologist at Las Vegas CyberKnife at Summerlin. Older, less precise methods of radiation therapy involve moderate doses of radiation over long schedules; the idea is to kill the cancer tumor without giving the surrounding healthy tissue too big a radioactive dose, while allowing the body to recover between treatments. Compared to older radiation treatments, “CyberKnife is like a sniper rifle versus carpet bombing,” says Dr. Muhammed Ozeroglu, CyberKnife of Las Vegas’ medical physicist. In a hypothetical case of lung cancer, a course of traditional radiation therapy could take seven weeks. CyberKnife could do it in three days, delivering twice the biologically effective radiation dose. That power and precision have also made it an increasingly popular alternative to tumor-removal surgery, particularly when the tumor

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is near sensitive organs. Today, there are 300 CyberKnife systems operating around the world, and they’ve treated 320,000 patients.

“Clinical trials are ongoing, and new articles about the use of radiosurgery are coming out every month,” says Curtis. In other words: The medical establishment is only starting to discover CyberKnife’s place in the cancer-fighting arsenal.

CyberKnife isn’t a cancer cure-all, and at least in America, surgery is still the first go-to option for many tumors. “But with CyberKnife, I’m treating things I couldn’t or wouldn’t treat 15 years ago,” says Dr. Curtis.

‘I had no idea’ CyberKnife uses software imaging to make detailed computer models of tumors, and can lock on to them in real time, an important factor when the patient moves, breathes, or if the tumor itself is moving (it’s a common occurrence). Once locked on, CyberKnife’s robotic arm fires a powerful X-ray, as narrow as a tenth of a millimeter wide, at the tumor, repeatedly attacking it from different angles. The precision lessens the impact on healthy tissue, allowing for a high, destructive radioactive dose; being able to fire at the tumor from multiple vantage points means the beam isn’t repeatedly passing through the same portions of healthy tissue. This makes the course of treatment dramatically shorter.

In his case, Lichty went to the clinic for a week, an hour a day. “They had a pre-made cradle that fit my body (to manage movement), and then I put on some headphones with music, and when it was all done, I felt nothing.” (Traditional radiation therapy for prostate cancer could have taken more than 45 days of daily radiation treatments.)

About two weeks after his final treatment, Lichty noticed something. “I noticed a significant change in my energy levels,” he says.

“After two months, I felt like I was 40 again.”

Today he’s back to his bike rides and daily walks. “I had no idea how much the cancer had zapped my energy.” His latest blood tests reveal that the cancer is making a fast retreat.

Andrew Kiraly

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Peripheral nerve surgery Dr. Tim Tollestrup

“Nobody’s ever looked at the peripheral nerves and said, ‘All these different kinds of chronic pain are out there that linger and cause people huge problems, and they end up on drugs — do the peripheral nerves have something to do with their pain? And if so, are there things that could be done surgically to relieve it?’ That’s the new frontier in peripheral nerves, and that’s the type of surgery that I do.”

When 36-year-old Shaun Plummer stands up to say hello, you can’t help but think of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Not only the close-cropped dark hair, intense eyes and easygoing smile, but also the towering height and arms as big as a pro cyclist’s legs. It’s tough to imagine someone so powerful lying on his couch for seven months, unable to sit or stand up for more than a few minutes. Yet that’s what happened to Plummer in the fall of 2013.

“I just started having weird shocks, like nerve shocks down my left leg,” he says. “I didn’t really say anything at first, because I could still work and mostly do what I needed to do, and

then one day, it hit and it didn’t really go away. I went to work, and I just had to go home.”

In retrospect, Plummer says, the pain had been there for a few years, slowly getting worse. He was a bartender then, on his feet all day, so it was particularly disruptive.

Even his side occupation, poker, was difficult, because it involved sitting for long periods.

Going to the gym was out of the question.

The first doctor Plummer saw was a neurologist, who looked at Plummer’s MRIs and determined he had a slightly herniated disc that was pinching his left sciatic nerve root.

The largest and longest nerves in the body, the sciatics begin in the low back and run separately down through the left and right buttocks and back of each leg.

“They told me to go get some rest and go back to work,” Plummer says. “And I was like, okay … But I didn’t go back to work — I couldn’t. And they didn’t figure it out for a few months.”

Exasperated, Plummer and his friends took to the Internet and eventually stumbled on piriformis syndrome, named for a muscle in the buttock that goes right over the spot where the sciatic nerve winds its way from the spine through the pelvis. This muscle can get pulled, be unusually tight or otherwise compress the sciatic nerve, inflaming it. The sharp, nagging pain that results sounded exactly like what Plummer had.

The neurologist doubted his self-diagnosis, telling him piriformis syndrome was rare, but he did agree to another MRI focused on the pelvis. Lo and behold, the piriformis muscle on Plummer’s left side was 50 percent larger than the one on the right. He didn’t need a neurologist; he needed a peripheral nerve surgeon. He needed Tim Tollestrup.

Pain in the butt What Shaun Plummer went through is unfortunately common, according to Tollestrup. It’s not the fault of the neurologists, orthopedists and others who misdiagnose the source of their patients’ pain. It’s the way medicine is taught.

“No doctors are given any kind of meaningful education about either the anatomy of the peripheral nerves or the way in which peripheral nerve problems present,” Tollestrup says.

“Therefore, all the chronic pain due to that is like a black box to medicine.”

Neurosurgeons operate on the brain and spinal chord; orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the neck and back focus on the vertebral column. Once the nerves leave that central corridor, they fall under the jurisdiction of whichever surgeon specializes in the nearest body part — say a hand surgeon for carpal tunnel syndrome, or a foot/leg specialist for femoral nerve issues.

Until recently, there had been no specialty for the peripheral nerve system, per se. Lee Dellon changed that when he founded the Dellon Institutes for Peripheral Nerve Surgery in 2000, seven years before Tollestrup did his fellowship there and found his professional passion.

“The traditional field of peripheral nerves was geared toward restoring function or repairing motor nerves that have been damaged,” Tollestrup says. “The focus of what I do is geared toward chronic pain.”

Tollestrup’s surgical method is simple: He either alters the patient’s anatomy to remove the cause of nerve compression (the piriformis muscle, in Shaun Plummer’s case); or he disconnects or reroutes the nerve itself. But there’s a complicated part, too: Finding the right nerve. It requires an intimate knowledge of nervous system anatomy and detective-like diagnostic skills. Tollestrup spends

lots of time listening to patients and parsing the subtleties of their experience.

“Patients know their own bodies,” he says.

“Often times, they know there’s a problem, but their doctors just can’t figure it out.”

Straight-up guy “I’m not a big doctor fan,” Plummer says, “but Dr. Tollestrup was awesome. Good dude.

Straight-up guy.”

Plummer says there was no hard sell, just Tollestrup’s findings and opinions. By that point, he’d been immobilized by his pain for more than half a year, so surgery was an easy decision. Tollestrup removed 80

percent of Plummer’s piriformis muscle to reduce the compression on his sciatic nerve.

Within six weeks, Plummer was back tending bar. Not long after, he gave it up to play poker full-time — not because of pain, he says, but because he was just tired of bartending after 15 years.

He’s back in the gym now and says he can do almost anything, physically, he could before except exercises that work the lower abs, like hanging leg lifts. His chronic pain is gone, though he does sometimes feel a ghost of it.

Still, Plummer says, the surgery changed everything for him. “I couldn’t sit or stand up. I mean, I could have lived, but that would have been a weird life.” Heidi Kyser August 2015

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Cardiac cryoablation Dr. Dhiraj Narula, HealthCare Partners

Irregular heartbeats afflict millions of Americans, and can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

Medications only work half the time.

Now a cool new idea — literally — is offering patients hope.

The first time Angel Lynch’s heart went crazy, she was driving. “I started to feel lightheaded, dizzy, short of breath, and my vision started going blurry.” Fearing she might crash, she pulled over and called her husband to pick her up and take her straight to the emergency room.

Lynch was experiencing a kind of irregular heart rhythm episode called atrial fibrillation.

“It’s like your heart is flapping and fluttering, your whole chest is pounding and you can feel it in the back of your throat, taking away your breath,” says 37-year-old Lynch. “You’re so used to your heart doing what it needs to do, you take it for granted. So it’s really scary when it happens.” (Perhaps ironically, at the time, Lynch was completing her studies to become a nurse.)

If you think of the four chambers of the heart as a well-tuned percussion troupe, in atrial fibrillation, the top two chambers lose the beat — and then tear off into their own rag-

ing drum solo. Triggered by electrical misfires, the two upper chambers start beating erratically, chaotically, randomly, throwing off the heart rhythm and thus the body’s entire blood flow. Atrial fibrillation (aka AFib) can cause strokes or heart attacks. It affects 3 million Americans, according to a 2005 figure by the Cleveland Clinic, and the number is expected to increase to 8 million by 2050. AFib can be due to a genetic predisposition — as in the case of Lynch — but it’s also associated with obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

“It was to the point that I didn’t want to drive with my kids in the car, I was so scared,” Lynch says. “I had no control over when it came on, how long it lasted. What if I blacked out with the kids in the car and crashed?” Officially diagnosed in 2012, Lynch went on medications in an attempt to quell the atrial fibrillation episodes. She got mixed results. The condition retreated somewhat, but the meds sometimes made her lightheaded or groggy — not unlike some of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation itself.

And even prescription pills couldn’t stop every episode of irregular heartbeat. By 2014 — her condition muted, but not cured, by medication — she had begun working as an RN at HealthCare Partners medical clinic. She ended up working for the very doctor who would hopefully hold the key to stopping her AFib for good.

‘Like a ball of ice’ Atrial fibrillation is an electrical problem with the heart, and medications for AFib target various parts of the cardiovasAugust 2015

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The next frontier

cular system. Beta blockers such as Carvedilol or Propranolol slow the heart rate down. Channel blockers such as Flecainide or Amiodarone aim to regulate the heart’s electrical signals. However, meds only have a roughly 50 percent success rate of controlling AFib, and side effects can range from dizziness and nausea to scarring of the lungs. In 1998, French scientists determined that AFib starts in one of the four veins that carry blood from the lungs to the heart’s left atrium. The next step was developing the use of radiofrequency heat to selectively destroy tissue around these veins, thus disrupting their ability to conduct the misfired electrical blips that cause AFib — short-circuiting the short circuit, as it were. Today, the idea of selectively damaging heart tissue has gone cold — literally — with a new process called cardiac cryoablation.

“The idea is to stop the electricity, but keep the blood flowing,” says Dr. Dhiraj Narula, cardiologist at HealthCare Partners. And cardiac cryoablation is thought to do this more effectively than radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation involves making dozens of individual burns — imagine the tip of a catheter wand cauterizing the inner walls of the pulmonary veins, one dot at a time.

Cryoablation involves reaching the vein and then inflating inside it a balloon with nitrous oxide cooled to a temperature of −40 degrees.

Cryoablation essentially destroys the heart tissue — and therefore disrupts those errant signals — one entire circle at time — “like a ball of ice,” says Narula.

“The cold makes it stick,” explains Narula. “It creates a much more durable lesion.”

And that, he says, means that a patient who undergoes cardiac cryoablation is less likely to start experiencing irregular heartbeats again. Narula says the success rate for cardiac cryoablation is about 80 percent.

He was among the first doctors in the Las Vegas Valley to start using technique, performing his first procedure in 2012 with the help of visiting doctor Dr. Mike Bensler.

Since then, Narula has performed 130 cardiac cryoablations.

Heart at rest One of the hard parts to diagnosing AFib is that it can be hard to catch in the act — the panicky, fish-flopping-in-your-ribcage feeling can last a few minutes and then disappear. To get a better understanding of

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Lynch’s AFib, Narula outfitted her with a small heart monitor. She was still experiencing occasional heart flutters and flops despite her regimen of meds, and eventually decided to undergo cardiac cryoablation in February.

“I was the biggest baby going into that room,” says Lynch, noting that her nervousness was irrational, knowing Dr. Narula from working with him and seeing him work. “My heart was literally in his hands, and I put so much trust in him.”

The surgery was a success. She was on a

short, transitional course of anti-AFib meds after the surgery, but Lynch has been off meds for six weeks now and hasn’t had an irregular heartbeat episode since. This probably says it all: For this interview, she’s talking on the phone from San Diego, where she drove the family for a vacation.

“I don’t have to worry where the closest hospital or urgent care is, there was no stress or anxiety driving here. I feel more at peace and more secure, and I just feel I don’t have to worry so much for my children.” Her heart is finally at rest. Andrew Kiraly

Full-body makeover Dr. Himansu Shah

“The first and biggest challenge is to lose the weight, and then, as you lose the weight, you realize that you are not liking your body as it appears with all the (excess) flabby and sagging skin. In the excitement of losing weight to help their overall health, people don’t think about this, and it impacts them mentally and physically. This is where a plastic surgeon such as I can help.”

The day Shannon Henderson had her bariatric surgery in 2003, she weighed 301 pounds. Since the births of her two sons, now 16 and 17 years old, she’d been struggling to lose weight, seeing doctors who put her on different diets and medications to no avail.

The first month after Henderson’s surgery, she dropped 70 pounds. Back then, she says, the procedure was more invasive than it is today; part of her stomach was removed. Although she stayed healthy and experienced no other side effects, the initial weight loss was too much, too fast.

“It took a toll,” she says today. “That’s partly why I had the extra skin, because it didn’t go off slowly enough.”

Henderson’s weight-loss rate eventually stabilized. Over the following seven months, she lost another 55 pounds. Now 40, she’s still around 170.

But post-obesity life wasn’t what Henderson expected. At first, she was so excited about losing weight that she didn’t really notice the large folds of skin hanging on her legs and torso. They just felt strange. Then, in 2005, she and her husband divorced. Despite being single and slimming down, she didn’t go out much. Her appearance was holding her back.

“Even though I lost all that weight, I still had a problem of covering myself up,” she says. “I’d wear clothes that were too big in order to hide it. I was still doing some of the things I had to do when I was overweight.”

Then, last year, Henderson hurt her back at work. She blamed the extra pounds of skin burdening her smaller body. It was time to do something.

A fellow healthcare worker referred Henderson to Himansu Shah. Henderson had come across his name in her research on plastic surgeons, and he stood out for his comprehensive, minimally invasive approach. She had friends who’d undergone individual procedures, such as breast lift and augmentation, and they described weeks of painful recovery. She didn’t want that to happen to her. And it didn’t.

The weight is over Tummy tucks and liposuction have been around for a long time, says Shah, who named his practice the Signature Institute of Aesthetic Sculpting. But technological advances mean it’s now possible to remove all the extra skin and fat from clients who’ve lost 100-400 pounds, using procedures tailor to their bodies.

Take liposuction, for instance. He offers several different approaches, from the traditional surgery, to an ultrasound-assisted version that implodes fat cells and leaves less bruising, to a needle-free option called Coolsculpting that involves freezing fat and letting it dissolve on its own. Procedures for patients who’ve undergone massive weight loss include tummy tuck, lower body lift, inner thigh lift, arm lift, breast lift, upper back lift, face lift and breast lift with augmentation.

“I limit surgery time to approximately six hours and try to complete as many procedures as possible,” Shah says. “For example, if I’m performing a lower body lift it can take 4-6 hours, so I only perform that.”

Henderson had her thighs and breasts done at the same time in April. She says she experienced none of the chest pains she’d been warned of, and despite having flesh removed from knee to hip, she had only two or three

inches of sutures at the very top of her leg.

“The healing time was really quick,” she says.

Recovery times vary, Shah says, but usually take two to four weeks per procedure. Transforming a patient head to toe can be done in 15 months.

Besides the time commitment, the biggest challenge for patients is financial. Procedures are cosmetic, so standard medical insurance doesn’t cover them. Some patients have to save for months or years after one procedure to pay for the next one.

‘You need to do this’ Its elective nature was one reason Henderson put off her own surgery. When she was finally on the verge of doing it, she thought of the vacation her sons wanted to

take. She told them she felt guilty doing something for herself.

“No,” she remembers her younger son saying.

“You need to do this. And after you have it done, you need to go out shopping, get some new clothes, go out to a bar and get a boyfriend.”

She laughs, still touched by his concern (not to mention his idea of how dating works).

She plans to have the abdominoplasty next and then, possibly, an arm lift. But she has already started shopping and reviving her social life, to her kids’ delight.

“Now that I’ve had it done, I feel better about myself,” she says. “I’ve gone from not really wanting to even look at myself in the mirror and being depressed all the time to doing my hair more, putting on a little makeup, getting younger clothes. I don’t feel like I want to hide from people anymore.” Heidi Kyser August 2015

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3-D mammography Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging

“I mean, just imagine what a chest X-ray was, just one picture with overlapping shadows and stuff. And then you had the CT scan, and that basically takes (pictures in) slices through the chest, so you could see everything separately… In three years, there will be no more 2-D. It’ll all be 3-D.” — David Steinberg, managing partner of SDMI

“Life was great until I was 55,” says Deb Swan, who’s now 61. “I was in perfect health.

I always worked out and lived a good lifestyle.

I had been getting my mammograms since I was 40.”

It was May 2008 when Swan’s life changed.

In the shower, she found a pearl-sized lump in one breast.

If you think this would send any woman running to the doctor, think again. False positive results from mammography are a common problem, particularly for those with dense breast tissue, like Swan. The National Cancer Institute reports that, on average, 10 percent of women will be recalled following breast cancer screening examinations for further testing, and only 5 of 100 women recalled will have cancer.

Benign abnormalities, such as the calcifications Swan’s mammograms had been turning up year after year for a dozen years, can result in endless cycles of 6-month follow-ups that produce little more than wracked nerves and unnecessary doses of radiation.

So that May day, Swan thought, “I have a mammogram scheduled for September anyway. I’ll just wait until then and see what it says.”

Unfortunately, by September, she had a golf ball-size tumor — stage 4 breast cancer.

Swan had a lumpectomy followed by six

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weeks of radiation, which stopped her cancer in its tracks. She’s been on the hormone interceptor Tamoxifen since her treatment, and continues to have mammograms every six months to help ensure she remains cancer-free.

Understandably, she’s less cavalier about visits to the radiologist now than she was before her illness.

“I don’t think about it until it’s time to go again, and then it weighs on you,” says Swan, a polished blond sales executive. She can tell the entire story of her diagnosis and treatment unflapped — with occasional humor, even. But when it comes to the aftermath, she shifts nervously in her chair.

“I do think the radiation wreaks havoc on your body,” she says. “You sleep 12 hours a day. Your hair and skin dry out. … I try not to stand in front of the microwave anymore, and if I could, I’d wear a silver suit when I fly.”

Swan is a textbook case for the argument in favor of 3-D mammograms, which, manufacturers and radiologists say, will take the mystery out of breast imaging, reducing the number of call-backs and false-positives and, consequently, the amount of radiation patients are exposed to.

Slice of life Currently, most breast imaging is done in two dimensions. To explain the difference between 2-D and 3-D, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging COO Jerry Hartman uses this example: Imagine a loaf of bread sitting on a table. A 2-D image shows the outside of that loaf. You can take pictures from any angle, but the only way to get an idea of what’s inside is to squish it down and see what bulges out around the edges. With 3-D imaging, on the other hand, you get a picture of each slice in the loaf. If you suspect there’s a moldy piece or two, you can pull them right out of the middle of the loaf and look at them individually. If a breast is the loaf and cancer the mold, then 3-D imaging allows radiologists to see the exact “slice” where the cancer is located — without flattening the loaf.

Desert Radiologists was the first to begin offering 3-D mammography in April 2014, using Hologic’s Genius technology at the Palomino Lane and Horizon Ridge locations.

SDMI’s David Steinberg says he wanted to wait for the GE SenoClaire machine that the FDA approved in March of this year, because it can take both 2-D and 3-D images with no increased radiation to the patient.

“Basically, in a screening population, only 1.5 to 2 percent of women end up having cancer,” says Steinberg. “You really don’t want to radiate people unnecessarily, because we know that, essentially, radiation is bad and can actually induce cancer.”

Steinberg also put 3-D mammography machines at all seven of his locations. “Everyone should have access to exactly the same medicine,” he says. Other than Medicare, most insurers don’t cover 3-D mammography yet, but Steinberg is confident that, by next year, most carriers will include it. The argument for the long-term cost-savings that come with early detection are simply too strong to ignore.

Don’t call us Aanshu Shah, director of women’s imaging at Steinberg, wants to see less of women like Deb Swan, and believes her new 3-D mammography machines will help. Industry studies indicate that it identifies 40 percent more cancers in patients with dense breast tissue than 2-D, she says.

“We hope to reduce the number of callbacks and patients coming back every six months, because we can see behind that dense tissue and make a better decision at the time the patient comes in,” Shah says. “That’s going to help with patient anxiety.”

Swan’s next mammogram in October will be in 3D, and she can’t wait until she only has to be screened once a year. “This is going to help so many women who, 10-15 years ago, had to go through those needle biopsies that hurt like a stun gun,” she says. “This will save a lot more women going through cancer treatments, too. Because if it’s caught early, breast cancer is really curable.” — Heidi Kyser

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I SURVIVED BECAUSE OF UMC

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The UMC Trauma Center was ready for Andrew to come through the doors when his luck ran out. Back home after two tours of duty in Afghanistan, Andrew went out for a hamburger late one night and fell asleep at the wheel, crashing into a fence post, which went right through him. First responders assumed he was dead until they saw him texting his wife that he had been in a crash. EMS crews sawed Andrew away from the fence, but the fence post was still lodged inside his mouth, literally in one end of his head and out the other. Just moments after the crash he was transported to UMC Trauma where an entire team of specialists were already waiting for him. UMC is always ready. Surgeons, physicians and nurses carefully sawed a smooth edge off the pole and delicately slid it out of Andrew. This could have been an un-survivable injury. Yet, Andrew lived to share his story of all that is possible because of UMC.

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An oral history of the iconic comedy film The Aristocrats as it turns 10 — from its conception in a Las Vegas lounge to its legendary status to its meaning for comedy and free speech

by Julie Seabaugh illustration jska priebe

W

hen comic magician Penn Jillette and comedian Paul Provenza conceived the film The Aristocrats in the Peppermill Lounge, they couldn’t imagine the continuing legacy their dirty-joke documentary would leave. Featuring more than 100 performers, some of them among the biggest names in comedy, each offering a unique take on the mythic “secret comedian handshake” — an ever-contorting tale spun out of taboo sex acts, improvised bad taste and cathartic obscenity — the 2005 film celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.

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‘DUMBEST IDEA EVER’ …

‘ALL VERY LOOSEY-GOOSEY’ …

‘DON’T (BLEEP) IT UP’ …

‘I’LL NEVER HEAR ABOUT THIS AGAIN’ …

tener of the “joke” that the family regarded themselves as a classy act, amidst having just performed the most heinous act in show business, hence the punchline “The Aristocrats.”

Johnathan: Comics will use that joke as a gauge to see if people will laugh at it or not.

That gives them a slanted sense of humor, a view of the ridiculous. The other people just go, “I don’t get it.” They’re looking for anothGilbert Gottfried, comedian: One er joke within the joke. time I was at the Improv, and I told Richard Belzer’s brother the joke. He liked it and told Penn Jillette, comic magician: My me to tell someone else. Then they liked it and mom died the first day of 2000, and in my asked me to tell someone else. I wound up say- grief I poured myself into bebop jazz. One ing it a few times in a row, and each time I said night I was talking to Provenza about improit differently. He was amazed by that, and he visation in jazz, and talking about the little bit said, “You know, you should make a film of I’d learned about Miles Davis, and how improjust you telling this joke over and over again!” visation is little bits and pieces you’ve heard I thought, “That’s the dumbest idea ever.” other places, odd rules, little things that are your style that you do all the time, and a small The Amazing Johnathan, comic amount of that is actual improvisation. magician: I had told the joke to Emo Philips.

Emo Philips told it to Paul Provenza, and Paul Provenza, comedian: A jazz that’s how the movie got started. Garry Shan- artist of a certain era, it was almost expectdling told it to me, and I laughed even though ed of them to do “their” version of a standard.

I did not get the joke. But then, after a second Like, “Oh yeah? What are you gonna do with or two, I did get it: “‘The Aristocrats?’ Oh, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’?” okay, yeah.” So I told it to Emo; Emo was, like, Jillette: Provenza and I went to the Pepblown away by this joke. Paul told everybody permill at about 10 in the evening. At 8 in the this joke, and then Penn heard it from Paul. morning, we were still talking, drinking deSo yeah, it was my idea … caffeinated coffee … I was saying that you can hear Coltrane and Miles Davis, Cannonball Bob Saget, comedian: Comedian Dom Adderley, Thelonious Monk all play “Bye Bye Irrera told me the joke the first time I heard Blackbird.” You never hear comedians tell the it, I guess in the mid-’80s. We were standing same joke. Our discussion turned to comparin front of the Improv in L.A. Dom said, “Hey ing Miles Davis to Gilbert Gottfried.

Saget, you ever hear ‘The Aristocrats?’” I told him no. I recall Dom saying, “Oh, man, you’re Provenza: With comedy, which is so gonna love this, this was made for you.” He much like jazz in so many ways, the object railed off into the story that really wasn’t a is not to do material that other people do. So joke, but he told it incredibly funny — I recall there really is no jazz equivalent … except for there was a lot of talk of skating in poo. Once “The Aristocrats.” he’d gone through the whole thing, and endJillette: Provenz said we should just ed with an agent saying to a family who’d just tape a bunch of our friends telling this joke. done the most heinous act on Earth, “What The idea was kind of a Christmas card: We’re do you call yourselves?” And the father, I gonna send this around to our buddies! It guess it was in this version, said, “The Aris- wasn’t going to be a movie. tocrats,” I recall wondering, “Why is that the Provenza: He said, “Can we really compunchline?” It wasn’t as much a punchline mit to doing this?” And I said, “Yeah.” He said, as it was a statement, which tells the lis-

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“No, I mean really, can we commit to doing that?”

I said. “Yeah!” A couple nights later he came out to L.A. I called Bobby Slayton, Cathy Ladman, Jon Ross and Rick Overton, told them the idea, and told them to meet me at the Improv.

Jillette: Provenz and I bought consumer equipment. We spent $1,500 for a mic setup, video setup, and there’s actually video of Provenza turning on a camera, and me at the trunk of his car going, “Okay, you read about the camera, and I’ll try to figure out the mic, because we’ve got to tape Bobby in five minutes.”

Provenza: No actual camera people were involved. It was all very loosey-goosey.

Nothing was staged to any degree.

Jillette: In show business, you arrive to do a shoot. You come in alert, you’ve got some jokes in your head, you’re ready to do the best job you can. They put you in makeup, then they light it, 25 minutes go by and they light it again. Another 25 minutes go by. And because you’re professional, you go out and do the best job you can. I told everybody doing this movie, “There’ll be no hair. There’ll be no makeup. There’ll be no lighting.” I told Eric Idle, “We’re gonna knock on your door, and when you open the door we are rolling.”

Emery Emery, film editor: Paul Provenza went and recorded video and audio of Terry Gilliam, and when he got home, we had no audio whatsoever. Only video. So losing an hour-plus of Terry Gilliam waxing creative about “The Aristocrats” puts all other losses of that kind in such a diminished perspective …

Jillette: I was the most incompetent with the camera. We got back the stuff that I had shot, and it was absolutely useless. So after the first few people, Provenz said, “You’re not gonna touch a f---ing camera anymore.

You just talk to them.”

Provenza: It was easy to go, “I have two months off this month, so call everybody you know in New York. We’ll do a whole bunch of interviews … I’ll meet you in L.A. I just spoke to so-and-so; they can do it.” We just went between Vegas, New York and L.A., and I caught a couple people elsewhere.

Jillette: I would call up every comic and give them my speech: You know how in jazz you hear soloists blow over the same changes.

We never hear comedians tell the same joke.

We want everybody to tell the same joke, make it their own, and the joke we’ve chosen is “The Aristocrats.” That’s all it took. Drew Carey said yes before I’d finished that sentence.

Gottfried: I already knew Paul and Penn, so they went to me directly. But when they’d go through the managers and agents, the managers and agents would immediately say no. And a lot of comics said they would have done it if they would have known about it. But they weren’t even told. Penn called me directly and got me to do it for free, which makes it his greatest magic trick.

Provenza: In the movie, there are scenes where Gilbert’s around a conference room table. That’s where he does the thing about “… the arm like Popeye!” We shot that four or five months before the Friars’ Roast.

So it had to be early 2001 when we started.

Sarah Silverman, comedian: I was there for Gilbert’s epic telling at the Hugh Hefner Roast one month after 9/11. It was kind of exactly what America needed.

Gottfried: The Hefner Roast, after September 11: First they were planning on not having the roast. A lot of people were afraid to fly in for it. Everyone around the world, but especially in New York, was in a daze. There was still black smoke in the sky. I remember for some reason I wanted to be the first person to say a bad-taste September 11 joke. I said, “I can’t stay late tonight. I have to catch a flight to L.A. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a direct flight; we have to make a stop at the Empire State Building.” The audience started booing and hissing and gasping, and you could hear chairs moving. One guy yelled out, “Too soon!” which I thought meant I didn’t take a long enough pause between the setup and the punchline. And then, in what felt like 200 years onstage, after I had lost the crowd as much as anyone could have lost them, I thought, “Eh, there’s nothing else I can lose. I might as well

go to the bottom level of hell.” I started doing “The Aristocrats,” and to my amazement, the crowd started cheering and laughing and convulsing. Some critic in one of the papers said it was like I performed a mass tracheotomy on the crowd. They were calling it cathartic. To me, it just proved that terrorism equals bad taste. Incest and bestiality equals good taste.

Paul Provenza: I truly believe that was at the front of his mind because he had whipped up a kick-ass version for us just a couple months previously.

Jillette: I called Carlin. I gave him the pitch and George paused, then said, “This is a snapshot of transgressional comedy coming into the new century.” He paused for a moment, and went, “This is too good an idea for you to get. Someone else should have gotten this idea. But it’s you. So I want to ask you: Do it right. Don’t f--- it up. Just don’t f--- it up.”

Then Carlin paused for a long time and said, “I’m going to make this really easy for you: I’m going to make you promise that you will not talk to anyone with money until the movie is finished, and once someone buys the movie, if you change a frame of it, you aren’t allowed to use my image. That way when you sell it and they say, ‘We want to make Gilbert a little shorter and Robin Williams a little longer,’ you can say to them, ‘If we do that, we lose George Carlin.’” He said, “I have now given you the muscle you need to make this movie the way you want to make it. Now don’t f--- it up.”

Jeff Ross, comedian: I didn’t even know the joke existed until I saw Gilbert tell it at the Hugh Hefner Roast. And then I remember being at the Comedy Cellar, and Paul pitching this idea to the comics. It sounded so lame, so uninteresting, talking about some old joke that no one knew and no one cared about. I really didn’t want to do it. Not only did I do it, I said, “Well, I’m going onstage in a few minutes; I could try to tell it onstage at the Comedy Cellar.” And it just didn’t work. The audience didn’t really get it. They asked me weeks later if I’d do it again.

I’m like, “Now I’m doing it twice for this movie no one’s ever going to see?”

Silverman: I was on Conan, and Penn and Teller were the first guests but stayed on the couch during my segment. Penn asked me to do this thing, and I said sure.

Wendy Liebman, comedian: After performing on Penn and Teller’s variety show, Sin City Spectacular, Penn and I kept in touch. My initial reaction when he told me about the movie was, “I’d love to be a part of that. But I don’t want to tell that joke.”

Carrot Top, comedian: I was very excited to be part of a project with so many comedic legends. We recorded it in The Hollywood Theatre, where I performed in Vegas at the time. Since I was working there, it was an easy location and saved Penn the cab fare he would have had to pay to get me to where he was.

Liebman: I was filmed sitting in my living room in a red chair. Penn, Paul and (producer) Peter (Golden) met my husband and stepsons (8 and 12 at the time), and then got right down to me telling the joke. Penn was sitting right in front of me. I told him my version of the family act and he just stared at me like I was crazy, and then I said the punchline, and he was relieved. I don’t want to give anything away, but I figured out a way to tell the joke in my own style, and it was not at all what the crew was expecting.

Silverman: I was subletting my friend Lizz Winstead’s apartment in the Village, and Penn and Paul Provenza came by with one camera and shot it in one loose, improvised take and were gone within 15 minutes.

So many well-meaning, talented people set out to make docs about comedy, to be honest, I was sure it would never see the light of day.

I just know comics and assumed that they’d get all this footage and then get overwhelmed and take a nap and never edit it together. But apparently not everyone is me.

Saget: My initial reaction was, “Really, you’re going to have people telling that joke?

How?” I understood the craft and art of their intention, but I didn’t understand what they’d already done: already had interviewed most

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if not three-fourths of the comedians in the film, telling their various versions of the joke.

I was hesitant but liked being included in this group of many of my peers. I just thought, no one would probably see it anyway, and my scatological riffing wouldn’t be that memorable even if it was included in the final product.

Gottfried: I remember thinking this is something that will at best play in their living room, if they’re lucky. But I took part in it. And thought, “I’ll never hear about this again.”

‘THIS BEAUTIFUL, COHESIVE MOVIE’ … ‘IT WAS A RENTAL BABY’ … ‘WE WERE FURIOUS’ … ‘MAYBE WE SHOULDN’T BREAK IT DOWN’ …

Silverman: I was shocked they edited it all together and made this beautiful, cohesive movie that made you cry laughing and also felt like a peek backstage into this crazy secret-handshake/land-of-misfit-toys world of comedy.

Provenza: Most of the early cuts we did with Emery, I would literally say, “Turn the picture off. Let’s just work with audio.” We would just listen to the audio and feel the rhythm.

Emery: At that point he had probably captured at least half of the interviews, if not three-quarters of the interviews.

Jillette: Emery Emery is a fabulous editor. His sense of comedy and movement informed that movie very much.

Doug Stanhope, comedian: Emery Emery called me up right when I did The Man Show, when I avoided calls from everybody because I figured everybody wanted a writing job. He pitched it to me so quickly it made no sense: “We’re doing this documentary: It’s going to be a bunch of comics and they all tell the same joke, but you tell it in your own way.”

And a documentary of a bunch of comics all telling the same joke was the worst idea I’ve ever heard, so I just said, “Yeah, great. I’m

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kind of busy right now, but give me a call.” And then I made sure to put his name into my phone so I’d know not to answer until it all went away. And then after they’d shot a bunch of it, Paul Provenza said, “Just look at the trailer.” I saw the trailer, and then I got it.

Saget: I ended up doing it on the second floor of the Laugh Factory in L.A. Supposedly that space was once part of Groucho Marx’s office. Not that that was my reasoning. My first choice was to do it at the conference room at my manager’s office, but upon talking to the producer and directors, it seemed like some place a bit grittier would serve this piece better. I had a set scheduled and figured a half-hour would be enough to tell a joke on camera that I’d only heard once before.

Stanhope: Paul had come down to Playa del Rey to sell me on it. He met me in a bar, which is always my favorite kind of meeting. It had a great deck, not that there was any view in that camera angle. And it was nighttime. I told the joke to a baby, and a lot of people have called me a hypocrite over the years for my anti-childbirth stances. They see that thing and think that’s my baby. I wouldn’t tell that joke to my own baby. It was a rental baby. I think it was Paul or Penn’s manager’s kid. The baby-handler was on set. My idea was to tell it to a kid that was old enough to understand it, like a 7-year-old, and watch the horror in their face. And they said, “Ah, nah.

That’s too much.” It was nice to be the one that was too much for The Aristocrats.

Saget: I saw my part in the film before I saw the entire film. I wasn’t supposed to see it out of context, but I wanted to decide if I should even be in the film. Upon seeing their cut — viewing my part and it being intercut with Chris Albrecht — I decided to sign the release, because I figured this footage would either destroy me or make people laugh very hard, providing they were people who understood the point of the film, and the irreverence that it took to tell that joke and the purpose behind telling it in the first place.

Provenza: The one piece of footage we did not have 100 percent control over at all times was the South Park animation. It had to go to a transfer house; that’s the clip that ended up online. At first we were like, “F-k!” But then there turned out to be all this chatter about, “What is this? I didn’t see this episode. Are they working on something we don’t know about?” There was all this speculation among South Park fans.

Johnathan: The fact that South Park did it, to me, made the movie legendary. Matt and Trey, those guys are amazing.

Provenza: I remember we had an interview with someone who said, “That was a brilliant stroke of marketing!” Penn and I looked at each other, laughed and just said, “Thank you! Thank you very much!” But we were irate; we were furious when it happened.

Jillette: One of the really expensive post-production things — and Provenz will curse me for this, and should — was, I laugh very loud and witch-like. It cost tens of thousands of dollars to get someone to go through and take out “A-HA-HA-HA!” It was all the way through the f---ing movie.

Emery: We had been going round and round with, “What is the best way to finish this story?”

We were trying different endings and messing around with things. Peter Goldman and Paul Provenza were over, sitting on the couch, while we were just pushing pieces around and trying them out. Finally they stepped out for Provenza to have a cigarette. I thought I would try something: I stumbled onto this particular clip where Jon Stewart is interrupted in his interview by Madeleine Smithberg, a co-creator of The Daily Show. She walks up behind them and they have an exchange, and I grabbed that piece and laid it at the end. I had no idea when I did it how spine-tinglingly perfect it was going to be.

It was just such a perfect button to put after an hour and a half of pontificating, unnecessarily verbosely, about this dumb goddamn filthy joke.

Angeles, so we said, “Come on over to Emery’s house!” We showed the movie, they went outside and talked for about five minutes, came back inside and said, “This is the first film that we’re committing to this year. Let’s talk.” They changed the game right out of the gate.

Jillette: It would have been too expensive and impossible to make just five years earlier.

Provenza: The premiere at Sundance, there was so much buzz around it because of the celebrities, and the idea that it was about one joke, and it’s the filthiest movie ever, blah blah blah. It was impossible to get into the first few screenings. It was so gratifying. It killed, and it killed in all the right ways. The Q&As had all the right conversations happening. One of the first pieces written about it said, “This is a movie with Robin Williams and all these big stars in it. This is showbiz.

This is Hollywood. This isn’t what Sundance is about.” After the first screening, there was all this stuff written about how, “This is a DIY movie a couple people made with their friends. It just so happens that some of their friends are Oscar-winning movie stars.”

Johnathan: When somebody says, “I’m When we got a deal at Sundance it was six going to write a book,” or “I’m going to do a months prior to the release, with ThinkFilm’s movie,” I always used to think, “Eh, it’s not going to take off or it’s not going to be pub- Mark Urman and Jeff Sackman. lished.” I learned that by saying no to some Ross: It was up at the Montreal comedy projects, and then it gets made into some- festival, against a documentary I made about thing huge and I missed out on it ’cause I Iraq called Patriot Act. I remember thinking, didn’t think it was going to be huge. That was “Hmm, I also made a low-budget documentary one of those things. that nobody thought would be any good. Now we’re both showing it at the Montreal comeProvenza: Penn’s friend Farley Ziegler — she basically shepherded Being John Malkov- dy festival.” (My film won the Best Comedy Documentary award that year.) ich from pitch to the Oscar — knew the festival world. She laid it out for us, and we ended up Saget: What stands out in my mind the first bringing her on board because she was the time I saw the film at this premiere screening only person who could get us taken seriously in New York City — for the directors, producwith the fact that we refused to send out any ers and most of the comedians in New York that DVDs. She literally would go someplace, pop were in the film — was how incredibly well-reit in the DVD player, wait outside and when ceived the film was. It was as if people had been everyone was done take the DVD back home. waiting for the lid to get blown off of censorship, She did that with the Sundance people. It hap- and this film had an interesting way of doing it pened that a couple of the others were in Los by telling the same joke over and over again, all

Provenza: The musicality of what people were saying and the way they told the joke drove some cool edit choices. That was really exciting. It’s the first thing I ever worked on where I was able to — because I had no choice — let go of an outcome. I had no outcome to let go of. I had no option but to go, “Let’s see.”

That was revelatory for me. And almost every major project I’ve worked on since then has been trying to exist in that space.

Emery: Maddy says, “I don’t get it. It’s a joke about a family shitting and pissing on each other? I don’t get it.” Jon Stewart kind of chuckles, and he goes, “Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t break it down.”

‘SO MUCH BUZZ’ … ‘IT WAS AS IF PEOPLE HAD BEEN WAITING’ … ‘YOU DIDN’T (BLEEP) IT UP’ …

‘YOU SHOULDN’T SELL THIS TO FRAT BOYS’ …

held together by the brilliant Obi-Wan Kenobi: George Carlin. He understood the context of the joke and the purpose of the joke.

Jillette: We did the premiere in Las Vegas.

George Carlin came to the movie and watched it, and on the way out he said one simple sentence to me. He said, “Huh, you didn’t f--- it up!”

Saget: I saw it once again at the Los Angeles premiere, and it was a slightly less octane version of the New York premiere. My fear of my irreverence came through, as did my pride in being part of something which is so blatantly on the side of freedom of speech.

Gottfried: My favorite part about the reactions is that critics were singling me out. One person said of the hundred or so comedians, “No one is more disgusting than Gilbert Gottfried.” I thought that was quite a compliment.

Stanhope: I went to the premiere in L.A., Santa Monica, and I think I brought Mother. I know I was standing next to Ricky Jay outside. It was mostly comics and the industry, and everyone going, “Who’s your favorite one?” like we’re picking the cutest Beatle.

And of course Gilbert Gottfried, South Park and Taylor Negron stood out.

Liebman: I saw it at The ArcLight in Hollywood with my husband and a regular audience the day it came out. The theater was almost full. I held my breath until I came onscreen and loved, loved, loved hearing the audience laugh loudly at my take on the joke.

My favorite versions were Sarah Silverman’s, Billy The Mime’s and Steven Wright’s.

Provenza: A bunch of Christian groups came out and they talked about how filthy the language was, but they got that it was really uplifting in some way. The AMC theater chain refused to show it, and the only reason that was noteworthy was because they already committed to running it, and then somebody somewhere higher up the chain said, “No way,” so it was banned.

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sell this to frat boys, because frat boys listen to Eminem (at the time), and it means something different to them. This is being sold to 40-year-old intellectuals. That’s who will like this movie. It’s an intellectual movie, it’s an art-house movie, it’s a Woody Allen-audience movie.” I said, “You are going to get a rave review in the New York Times, the New Yorker, and from NPR.” They said, “Oh no, no, no.

They’ll just think it’s dirty. They won’t get it at all.” I said, “No, maybe you’re not getting it.

Put it in art houses. Don’t sell it to frat boys.”

Provenza: The New York Times won’t take advertising for a movie that’s rated X or is unrated, so we ran into some real practical prices to pay for it being unrated. But then being unrated became a press point, and it gave us a chance to say, “If a movie is R-rated or X-rated, what does that mean? We tell you a lot more than the rating. Our tag is ‘No nudity.

No violence. Unspeakable obscenity.’ That’s everything you need to know. By not rating it, we specifically chose to be so clear about what it is that there’s more information than you would get from a rating.”

Jillette: To stupid people, The Aristocrats is the same joke over and over, and not a very good joke. To intellectuals, The Aristocrats is a study in comedy.

Saget: I’m not so sure many of the people who told the joke knew the actual purpose of the joke. Or the point behind the telling of the joke. The fact that it was a wannabe showbiz family so desperate to make it in the business that they would do anything in front of an agent to get a career — well, that was the point of the joke. And it’s kind of where we are now as a society. It’s why people are wannabe celebrities — a career that requires no skills except wearing a radio microphone while they shoot a reality show which allows people to hear all of their most private life moments, as they try to reach for what they imagined to be “the brass ring.”

Ross: Sometimes that’s all it takes, a little bit of vision but a lot of drive and tenacity.

Even a bad idea can be a great movie. And I guess I’m wrong: It wasn’t a bad idea; it was a great idea. It helped remind people that comedy is art. It’s up there with jazz and painting and literature. Comics owe a debt to those guys for making that movie.

‘ALL SORTS OF LEGAL WRANGLING’ … ‘THERE’S A CHILLING EFFECT’ …

‘HIGHBROW AND LOWBROW AT THE SAME TIME’ … ‘I THOUGHT OF IT AS A LOVE STORY’ …

Liebman: People still yell my punchline out to me in comedy clubs. And after seeing

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me in The Aristocrats, one of my doctors told me I had made it.

Gottfried: Now the company that put it out, ThinkFilm, no longer exists. So I don’t know who owns it.

Provenza: David Bergstein, who apparently has quite the reputation in the film business — there’s dozens and dozens of lawsuits swirling around him at all times — bought Think’s assets. A number of filmmakers whose rights got tied up sued him. Between those lawsuits and other lawsuits that were already pending, ThinkFilm ended up going into bankruptcy, and the court ordered a sale of the assets, which includes all these titles, more than 400 films. Then apparently what happened is he did all sorts of legal wrangling and somewhere along the line got an injunction against the court auction, and that’s where I lost track of whatever was going on.

Jillette: They paid us for it; it’s their movie. That’s what happens when you sell something.

Provenza: The company doesn’t exist, the rights are tied up in this legal quagmire until they expire. We got about three or four, maybe more, offers to do a 10-year anniversary re-release. We can’t sell it to Netflix.

We can’t do any foreign sales. Deals to re-release it were coming out of the woodwork.

There were five in the U.S. alone that we just couldn’t engage in, no matter what the deals were. And there were a couple foreign deals, too. A DVD release in Australia. Easily half a dozen to 10 possibilities to do something else with it. But we can’t do anything.

Gottfried: It makes me want it to be released again, the way the insanity is now with the Internet. People just loved being outraged.

Saget: There will be many more documentaries with collectives of comedians in them, but I don’t think any one of them will stand out as great as The Aristocrats did, because The Aristocrats wasn’t about comedians, and how they work, or what their psyche is: The Aristocrats is about a way of looking at humor and boundaries and what people find acceptable and, on the flipside of that, offensive.

Carrot Top: So many legendary performers participated in the movie, including some brilliant comedians who aren’t with us anymore. This joke — for better or for worse — has withstood the test of time and with any luck will continue to shock generations to come.

Stanhope: That pretty much drove the spike home, that there’s nothing you can’t say anymore. If anything, it proved that point. I don’t think anyone said “n----r” in it, but maybe that?

Jillette: There are words in there that would cause Internet outrage, and there’s a chilling effect, that some people might not

tell those jokes the same way now. All of that is valid, but I want someone else to speak to that. I want to talk about how beautiful it is to have the Smothers Brothers and Phyllis Diller and Doug Stanhope all in the same movie.

Ross: People are getting more and more sensitive, and comics are getting more and more touchy. We’ve got to be careful. With Twitter and everything now, people are waiting to take us down.

Jillette: There’s a lot to say about the politics and freedom of expression that The Aristocrats does speak to, but quite frankly, that’s not the part of the movie I’m interested in. I’m really interested in the jazz elements, and I’m really interested in the beauty.

Ross: I have the poster up in my office.

I’m staring at it right now, with all those great names. Like great art, the movie endures.

Liebman: They captured more than a hundred comedians — some who are gone now — telling the same one joke. That is historical and hilarious.

Saget: It let people know that even though the worst things could happen, there are humorous ways to deal with them which don’t disrespect the horrible acts that happened in life. But for some people with rational thought, through humor as dark as it may be, this work gives them an outlet to be able to deal with something that really isn’t comedy, but an ironic understanding of the lowest form of comedy that human beings can sink to when all seems lost. … That, I guess, is the joke.

Provenza: It’s highbrow and lowbrow at the same time. It’s real, it’s authentic, it’s populist, it’s not big, flashy showbiz.

Saget: The Aristocrats, at its very best, reveals comedians’ darkest ways of telling the most disgusting-premised joke in the most artful free-falling way possible. At its very worst it is about a montage of guys from New Jersey telling how funny it is to them to shit in a bucket.

Provenza: The move has no agenda. One of the things I’m most proud of is the movie doesn’t tell you what to think or how you should feel. It just puts it out there.

Jillette: We had a great idea, but Provenz made it beautiful.

Provenza: I thought of it as a love story: love of the art, love of laughter, love of your peers.

Jillette: It all comes down to Provenz. It’s his heart that’s bleeding on the celluloid there.

Provenza : Somebody said, “You know when you were 13, 14, 15, and you were just totally obsessed with comedy?” I said, “Yeah, I remember.” “Imagine being that kid and being able to just pull this movie out on DVD?” It made me realize that pretty much everything I’ve done in the last 12 to 15 years, I’ve been doing for me at 14. Isn’t that wild?

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THE ZERO-ARMED BANDIT In one of the most unusual ransom schemes in Nevada history, a mad bomber held an entire casino captive with one devilishly mysterious machine

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by

ALAN BELLOWS

I don’t think it belongs here.

Such was the assessment of Bob Vinson, the graveyard shift supervisor at Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The “here” Vinson referred to was a nook just outside the telephone equipment room in the employees-only portion of the second floor of the hotel. The “it” was a curious piece of equipment of unknown origin loitering conspicuously in the cramped side room.

It was a metallic gray box about the size of a desk, with a smaller box attached on top near the rear right corner. The front face of the smaller box was an incomprehensible control panel occupied by 28 metal toggle switches in five neat rows, each labeled with a numbered sticker. All of these switches were situated in the down position except for #23, which was toggled up — an oddly ominous asymmetry.

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It was approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 1980, and although Bob Vinson had been on shift all night long, he hadn’t heard any large equipment delivery commotion from his nearby office, and he was sure this thing hadn’t been there an hour earlier. Whoever had left the machine had taken the time to place each corner on blocks of wood, and these blocks pressed deep dimples into the red-orange carpet, suggesting that the equipment had significant mass. In spite of its resemblance to some kind of manufactured electromechanical office machine, it had no power cord, and no obvious power switch, just the 28 enigmatic toggles. To add alarm to intrigue, Vinson had found that some of the keyholes for the doors leading into the area had been hastily jammed using what appeared to be toothpicks and glue.

An envelope with “Harvey’s Management” typewritten on one side lay on the carpet alongside the object. Vinson was reasonably suspicious that the envelope did not contain anything as harmless as an invoice. “Stay here,” Vinson instructed the custodian who had been examining the mystery object with him. “Don’t touch it. Don’t let anyone fool with it. I’ll be right back.”

Vinson soon returned with companions, having summoned members of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino security, who had subsequently summoned sheriff’s deputies and the fire department. After prodding the envelope with a broomstick to ensure it wasn’t booby-trapped, those to whom it was concerned gingerly extracted three pages of typed text from the envelope. The letter claimed that this device was a bomb.

STERN WARNING TO THE MANAGEMENT AND BOMB SQUAD: Do not move or tilt this bomb, because the mechanism controlling the detonators in it will set it off at a movement of less than .01 of the open end Ricter (sic) scale. Don’t try to flood or gas the bomb. There is a float switch and an atmospheric pressure switch set at 26.00-33.00.

Both are attached to detonators. Do not try to take it apart. The flathead screws are also attached to triggers and as much as 1/4 to 3/4 of a turn will cause an explosion. In other

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words this bomb is so sensitive that the slightest movement either inside or outside will cause it to explode.

As 600 or so hotel guests and non-essential staff filed from various vomitoria into the parking lot, having been directed to exit the building due to a “security emergency,” members of the sheriff’s department bomb squad entered and assessed. The device, whatever it contained on the inside, had been lovingly hand-crafted on the outside. The quarter-inch-thick steel plates composing the boxes had been welded together neatly, and automotive body putty had been employed to smooth dents and seams prior to painting. There were bub-

There’s no way I’m paying these sons of bitches any money. ble levels mounted to the corners, and threaded feet had been used to level the machine to a perfect horizontal on both relevant axes.

Harvey’s staff members also alerted Harvey Gross — the casino’s owner and namesake — of the strange device and its hostile owner’s manual. Gross was understandably apprehensive that his life’s work was in mortal peril. He had established the casino 36 years earlier, in 1944, as Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Saloon & Gambling Hall — a single-room log cabin off Lake Tahoe boasting a trio of slot machines, a pair of card tables, and a wooden wagon wheel nailed to the side of the building. By 1980, Harvey Gross had nurtured his onetime log cabin into a flourishing resort destination, including sprawling rows of slot machines and gaming tables. The wooden wagon wheel was long gone, deposed by a massive neon facsimile. A com-

munity of businesses had sprouted in the intervening decades, including a number of competing hotel/casinos, and Harvey’s eleven-story, 197-room hotel tower overlooked the exploits.

This bomb can never be dismantled or disarmed without causing an explosion. Not even by the creator. Only by proper instruction can it be moved to a safe place where it can be deliberately exploded, or where the third automatic timer can be allowed to detonate it. There are three automatic timers each set for three different explosion times. Only if you comply with the instructions in this letter will you be given instructions on how to disconnect the first two automatic timers and how to move the bomb to a place where it can be exploded safely.

It was not immediately clear whether “the creator” referred to the device’s inventor or to some supernatural higher power. Regardless, rather than take the letter at its word, the bomb squad technicians laid out their array of penetrating instruments to probe and catalog the box’s exterior and interior. They photographed the box from every angle. They waved a Geiger counter around its vicinity and ensured there was no nuclear material. They dusted the surfaces for useful fingerprints, and found none. They scraped at the paint to collect samples for later chemical analysis. They imaged the upper and lower boxes with X-ray equipment and sent the film to be developed. They knelt beside the box and pressed a stethoscope against its flanks to listen for moving parts within. The room became absolutely silent apart from the schmaltzy piped-in music, which the bomb squad had been unable to disarm despite heroic efforts. At first, they heard nothing. But then, just at the edge of hearing, someone thought they heard a “whirring” sound. They waited and listened, and after a lengthy delay they heard it again. Something inside was stirring.

If exploded this bomb contains enough TNT to severely damage Harrahs (sic) across the street. This should give you some idea of the amount of TNT contained within this box. It is full of TNT. It is our advice to cordon off a minimum of

twelve hundred feet radius and remove all people from that area.

Police officers and Harvey’s security personnel visited neighboring businesses to inform them of the potential pending calamity. The Nevada National Guard evacuated all civilians from the immediate area, while Harvey’s employees evacuated the millions of dollars in cash and negotiable instruments from the casino floor.

Forward-thinking Douglas County sheriff deputies shut the valve on the six-inch natural gas line feeding the building. Special agents from the FBI’s Carson City office arrived to oversee the investigation. They set up a command center in a conference room on the second floor of the Sahara Tahoe hotel/casino a few hundred yards from Harvey’s. At the edges of the evacuation area, curious onlookers looked on.

DEMANDS: We demand three million dollars in used one hundred dollar bills.

They must be unmarked, unbugged and chemically untreated. If we find anything wrong with the money we will stop all instructions for moving the bomb.

When the developed X-ray film returned from the lab, the murky black-and-white images seemed to support at least some of the extortion letter’s assertions. Film of the “head” of the device showed numerous thin electrical wires leading from the screws, switches, and other vague shapes within. There was a vertical tube in the center that could be a crude tilt sensor. And a float valve was clearly visible. The lower, larger box lacked the complexity of the head, but it was packed with a considerable quantity of cylinders of — something.

Given more time, the bomb experts might have been able to glean sufficient data about the internals of the device to safely disassemble it, or to ascertain that it posed no real danger, but the letter insisted that action must be taken within 24 hours. Furthermore, the array of toggle switches on the face of the “head” of the device posed an additional risk. The X-rays showed that these switches were connected to circuitry inside, and it seemed likely that the procedure for bomb deactivation would be to throw these switches into a certain combination, possibly in a strict se-

quence. Having just one of the 28 toggles switched on must have been psychological torture for anyone within clacking distance of the device.

FBI Special Agents Yablonski, Hawkins, and Jonkey, along with officials from the fire and sheriff departments, convened with Harvey Gross in the command center. They needed to decide how to salt this slug. They could just pay the extortion money — the upcoming weekend was Labor Day, and business would be booming if the bomb had not. Gross’s response to this notion was unambiguous: “There’s no way I’m paying these sons of bitches any money.” Inaction was categorically foolhardy, however, owing to unanswered questions.

Was there really a timer inside the device?

If so, when would it strike zero? The letter had claimed 24 hours but didn’t state when that period began. Even if there wasn’t a timer, how could they defeat the alleged array of tamper-detecting apparatuses within? And did the box really contain any TNT, or merely flimflam ballast?

If they chose to leave the box alone, and it did not explode within 24 hours, the specter of “yet” might do as much damage as an actual bomb.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DELIVERY: The money is to be delivered by helicopter. The helicopter pilot is to park at 2300 hours as close as possible to the LTA building by the light at the Lake Tahoe Airport. It is to face the east. The pilot has to be alone, and unarmed. The pilot is to get out and stand by the chain link fence gate.

He is to wait for further instructions which will be delivered by a taxi that will be hired. The driver will know nothing. They may also be delivered by a private individual or through the nearby public phone at exactly 0010 hours.

In Los Angeles, Special Agent Joe E. Cook climbed into an FBI helicopter, completed his preflight checklist, hoisted the aircraft into the air, and headed north by northwest. He had been told to bring a helicopter to South Lake Tahoe as soon as possible, where he would receive further instructions. He touched down in a prearranged spot in a ski resort parking lot just after 11:00 p.m., and his fellow agents approached, carrying large parcels. While

agents strapped the bags inside the helicopter, another agent explained to Cook that he would be delivering a payoff for an extortion. Inside the packages was a quantity of cash taken from the Harvey’s cashier’s booth, but only a thin top layer, enough to satisfy a cursory inspection.

Each leaf of legal tender sat atop a bundle of money-colored plain paper cut to the same size. Special Agent Cook was directed to fly to Lake Tahoe Airport, land near the phone booth, refuel, and await contact from the extortionist. As Cook lifted off, a gun-toting agent crouched hidden behind the pilot’s seat, tasked with keeping the pilot alive through whatever circumstances may arise.

TO THE PILOT: The helicopter has to be filled up with gas. Do not come armed with any weapon. Do not bring a shot-gun (sic) rider. All radio channels will be monitored. You are to have no communication with anyone after you reach the airport. Do not try to be a hero, Arlington is full of them and they can’t even smell the flowers. Follow the orders strictly. You will make five stops, none of which will be at an airfield.

You will have ample lighting for landing. All sites are fairly level. One has about two degrees pitch. There will be a clearance of more than two hundred feet radius. We don’t want any trouble but we won’t run away if you bring it.

Happy landing.

Shortly before midnight Special Agent Cook landed the helicopter at Lake Tahoe Airport and shut down the engine.

As airport workers topped off the fuel tank, Cook positioned himself near the public phone as instructed by the letter.

At about ten minutes past midnight, the phone rang.

“Your instructions are located beneath the table in front of you,” said a male voice. “You have three minutes.” There was no table in front of him, but the caller hung up before Special Agent Cook could ask for clarification. He jogged over to some nearby picnic tables and searched their underbellies, but found nothing.

He ran back to the phone, mindful of his three-minute deadline, and ran his hands along the bottom surfaces of the

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metal shelving. He felt something. Special Agent Cook peeled a scotch-taped envelope from the underside of the phone shelf. It was addressed to “Pilot.”

The note inside was typewritten just as the extortion letter had been.

After you read these instructions, open the helicopter door and shine a strong flashlight through the interior inch by inch. If the helicopter is a four-seater, fold the backs of the front seats down for clear visibility.

After you have done this, you are ready for take-off. Make sure there is no one near the helicopter and that no one gets into the helicopter.

We are watching you. If you don’t obey, don’t bother to take off.

unmarked cars on Highway 50 below.

An FBI airplane circled and monitored high in the air above. But there was no strobe light evident in any direction. Perhaps the night’s full moon was too bright.

Cook circled and searched in wide arcs for over an hour until his fuel was nearly depleted. Frustrated, he headed back to the airport, landed, and waited beside the phone booth to see if the extortionist would reach out and touch him once more. The phone sat silent. Only later would Cook re-read the note and realize that the its author had not been instructing him to follow the highway, but rather to fly to the highway, then fly in a straight line. He had been miles from where he was supposed to be.

From the time you receive the telephone call, you have three minutes to get airborne. Follow Highway Fifty to the west, on the right-hand side in a straight line. Don’t go over five hundred feet above the elevation of the terrain. Approximately fifteen miles west of the airport, start looking for a strobe light on your right.

A radar gun will be aimed at a forty-five-degree angle in your direction, and will turn on the strobe automatically when it catches you in its range.

Again, no communication with anyone or by any means. You have four minutes to land after the strobe turns on. Because after four minutes, all lights will go off automatically.

Cook returned to the helicopter and illuminated its interior with a small penlight he had with him, taking care to shed light on the ringers but not on the special-agent-shaped lump behind the pilot seat. Cook then buckled in, started the engine, and returned his helicopter to the air. As instructed, he stayed below 500 feet and flew to Highway 50, which he then followed for 15 miles. He began circling low over the mountainous forest, searching for the promised strobe light. Dozens of FBI agents cruised in

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*****

I

n a grassy clearing approximately 20 miles west of the airport, about five miles further than he had estimated in his letter to the pilot, 58-year-old “Big John” Birges sat with his 18-year-old son Jimmy Birges under the light of the full moon and contemplated his situation. It had already been a very long night.

About two hours earlier they had been driving in Big John’s gold Volvo along with his other son, John Jr., heading to

this very clearing off the mountainous, zigzagging Ice House Road. As they had approached their destination, they realized that they had forgotten to bring the 12-volt automotive battery needed to electrify their heavy-duty strobe light. They turned around and sped back down to Highway 50 in search of portable power.

The trio spotted a Volkswagen sagging from neglect parked outside a seemingly vacant service station, and stopped and popped its hood to burgle its battery. But halfway through this effort the service

B o m b p h oto s a n d c o m m a n d c e n t e r : C o u r t e s y F B I ; B o m b R e n d e r i n g : A l a n B e l lows

Land facing south. Approximately two hundred feet south will be an envelope with further instructions nailed on a tree six feet off the ground.

Suspect device: Above, the FBI carefully inspects the bomb; below left, the bomb squad’s ad hoc command center; below right, an artist’s rendering of the intricate — and deadly — interior of the bomb’s “head.”

station door burst open, spilling out a wiry man, who in turn spilled out a parade of strident profanities. He had a pistol in hand. The would-be battery plunderers hastily adjourned their misdemeanor and fled in the Volvo.

They drove clear down to Placerville, 20 miles down the road, before they spotted Colvin’s Shell Service Station with a light on in the service window. Big John parked, approached the bulletproof pane, and asked the night worker for a car battery.

The worker asked him what type of car he needed a battery for. “It doesn’t matter,” Big John assured him. But the auto store

clerk was adamant that he didn’t want to sell him a battery that would not fit his car.

The employee explained that they come in different shapes, different sizes, and sometimes the battery posts are on the side instead of the top. Big John reiterated his indifference. If you get the wrong kind, it won’t fit in the compartment, the employee insisted, exasperated, or the terminals won’t have the right connection type. “Any kind of battery,” Big John said.

This contest of obstinacy went on for some minutes before the store clerk acquiesced and sold him whatever was in arm’s reach, presumably with an exaggerated sigh. Big

John returned to the car, battery in hand, and the three raced back up the mountain to the glade with little time to spare.

John Jr. dropped off his father and brother near the forest clearing, and headed back to a restaurant down the road to use the payphone there to call the pilot waiting at the airport. Big John and Jimmy set up the strobe light, tested it briefly, then switched it off and waited. Their instructions had told the pilot to land near the strobe light and locate an envelope containing further instructions, but the Birges boys had ski masks, a satchel full of guns, and a plan to steal the helicopter and its $3 million while the pilot was in the woods searching for the non-existent note. They would take off in the helicopter and fly to another clearing, where John Jr. would be waiting with the Volvo to receive dropped satchels of cash. Big John and Jimmy would then fly to Cameron Park airport, where they would land and meet their getaway driver, Big John’s girlfriend Joan Williams. Then they’d all meet back home in Fresno, California, $3 million richer.

ATTENTION: There will be no extension or renegotiation. Demands are firm regardless. The transaction has to take place within 24 hours. If you do not comply we will not contact you again and we will not answer any attempts to contact us. In the event of a double-cross there will be another time sometime in the future

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when another attempt will be made.

We have the ways and means to get another bomb in.

If all went according to plan, the helicopter would arrive in the forest clearing at around 12:40 a.m. As the minutes ticked by, they listened for the thrum of an approaching chopper, but instead, the night was silent apart from a mysterious drone coming from all directions. Only after listening and looking for a long while did they realize that the immediate forest was filled with thousands upon thousands of flying insects. At one point Big John and Jimmy thought they heard a distant aircraft and engaged the strobe, but the sound faded and did not return. Twelve-forty a.m. came and went, as did 1:40, then 2:40, and they were forced to acknowledge that no helicopter was coming. Defeated, they bagged their felonious instruments and began hiking back down the road.

That night in 1980, in the inexplicably insect-laden mountain glade, John “Big John” Birges Sr. was a twice-divorced, cancer-stricken, failed extortionist, but not so long before he had been a dashing millionaire restaurateur. He was born in 1922 in Hungary as János Birges, and he spent most of his formative years in Budapest. In 1944, as the Germans occupied his country, he enlisted in the Royal Hungarian Army Air Force and was installed into an aging Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane to repel Russians. According to Birges, between 1944 and 1955 he was arrested by the Gestapo, escaped, recruited

by U.S. intelligence services, captured by the Russians, sent to a gulag, released, and finally sent back to Hungary. There, in a restaurant in 1956, he met Elizabet Nyul and proposed to her after just two dances.

She divorced her husband, married János, and immigrated with him to the USA in 1957. János adopted the anglicized moniker John, and Elizabet became Elizabeth.

From an outside perspective, the next dozen years at the Birges household seemed approximately picturesque. The family settled in Fresno, California, and as Elizabeth raised their two boys — John Jr. and Jimmy — Big John learned how to install sprinkling systems and opened his own small landscaping business. Over the years, he hired employees and cultivated contracts with California municipalities and golf courses throughout the state. By

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the time he was 50, he was a working-man millionaire. He also purchased a restaurant, the Villa Basque, which was exceedingly successful. Birges continued to enjoy flying as a hobby, and he even tried piloting a helicopter on a couple of occasions.

In the privacy of their home, however, John Birges Sr. was a tyrant. He used belts and electrical wires to whip his wife and sons when they upset him in the slightest.

He would scatter gravel on the hard kitchen floor and force the boys to kneel on it when they neglected to do some household chore. Finally, in 1973, Elizabeth filed for divorce. She moved out, but she didn’t go far, relocating to a nearby trailer in order to remain close to her sons.

Big John had long been fond of gambling, but after the divorce he began to make a habit out of frequently flying his personal Beechcraft Bonanza six-seater airplane out to Lake Tahoe just over the California/Nevada border. He always left a cornucopia of packaged and frozen food for his sons so he could be absent for weeks at a time. He gambled all over town, gaining notoriety as a high roller. His favored retreat was the blackjack section at Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino. They treated him like royalty, plying him with free drinks, free food, and a free stay as he squandered his fortune in their general direction. He was once even invited to a several-day stay at Harvey Gross’s ranch.

When Big John’s bank accounts ran dry, he began to liquidate the equipment from his landscaping company. Eventually he sold the business itself, along with its lucrative contracts.

In July 1975, Elizabeth Birges disappeared, her car still in the driveway and her handbag still in her trailer. It wasn’t until three days later that her body was discovered in a field near the house, her hemoglobin keeping company with fatal quantities of alcohol and Valium. Police detectives ruled it a suicide. Big John had her remains cremated, and then he upturned her ash urn in the yard in full view of the boys.

After Elizabeth’s death, 53-year-old Big John took to trimming his whiskers into a pencil-thin European-style mustache, and he started dressing himself in expensive suits. The following year, he married an 18-year-old waitress from his restaurant the Villa Basque, but the relationship barely lasted a single lap around the sun. Two years later, in 1978, he began

dating Joan Williams, a reputable deputy probation officer with the Probation Office of Fresno, who also happened to work weekends at the Villa Basque. She would ultimately become one of the co-conspirators of his Harvey’s extortion plot. Sometime after Joan and Big John began seeing one another, the Villa Basque burned to the ground. Big John collected $300,000 in insurance money and gradually lost all of it to blackjack tables in an effort to win back his fortune. He began bouncing checks to Harvey’s, and he sold his house to assuage the debt collectors. One night Big John was humiliated when Harvey’s staff asked him and his girlfriend to vacate his complimentary room so they could lodge another guest there. The IRS hounded him for back taxes. He felt rotten, and he visited the doctor, who discovered cancer in his abdomen. In a subsequent surgery doctors removed nearly half of his intestines. Birges began to talk of suicide, but he continued to gamble. Over the years he lost approximately $600,000 at the card tables at Harvey’s. It was amid these circumstances that he hatched his plan to construct and deliver to Harvey’s what he would later call “the machine.”

As Big John and Jimmy hiked down the mountain following the botched helicopter delivery, they spotted John Jr. driving up the road toward them in the gold Volvo.

There was a new, large dent in the car’s front fender, and rather than driving in her own separate car, Joan was sitting in the passenger seat. John Jr. stopped and explained that he’d hit a deer while driving on the darkened backroads, hence the bent fender. And Joan had lost control of her car and slid off the pavement trying to keep up with speed-racing John Jr. on the hilly, winding Ice House Road, banging up her automobile and cranium in the process. But they did offer one piece of good news: Joan had been listening to the radio while she waited near the airport, and she heard a news bulletin about a 2:45 a.m. press conference. Nevada Governor Bob List was publicly asking the “person providing instructions” to “provide a clarifying message.” “The hotel is prepared to comply and is standing by as before,” the governor had told the confused assemblage of bleary-eyed reporters. Perhaps the opportunity to collect on the extortion was not lost after all.

The Birgeses dropped Joan off at a hospital in Placerville for minor repairs, then

drove to a gas station where John Jr. used a payphone to call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The time was 6:43 a.m., just a little over 24 hours since Bob Vinson had found the device. John Jr. told the dispatcher that the bomb squad needed to flip toggle switch number five on the device and await further instructions. John Jr. knew this switch was one of the “dummy” switches, but it would secure some time to decide upon a course of action.

John Jr. then drove the Birges boys back to Fresno in the Volvo at high speed so he could be at his roofing job in the morning as scheduled. He raced past fellow drivers when he could, and tailgated when he couldn’t, drawing the attention of a highway patrolman who wrote him a speeding ticket. After dropping off John Jr., Big John and Jimmy headed back to Placerville to collect Joan from the hospital.

*****

B

ack in the command center at the Sahara Tahoe, the makeshift bomb committee gathered around the conference table. The group consisted of FBI special agents, the local fire chief, the state fire marshal, a military bomb disposal squad, representatives from the Nuclear Emergency Support Team, and scientists from both the Naval Surface Warfare Center and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Amid a haze of nicotine and occasionally jangling rotary desk phones, they contemplated the instruction to flip switch number five on the device. It could delay or disable the internal timers as the extortionists’ message implied, or it might be a ruse to get the extortionee to trigger the device prematurely, or it could just be a stalling tactic. Regardless, it required them to trust that the device’s inventor had not made any errors in the wiring — perhaps number five would short-circuit. In any case, the contraption had been present and whirring for longer than the 24-hour period stated in the extortion letter. The bomb committee evidently had some wiggle room, so wiggle they did.

The Nuclear Energy Search Team had erected a computer outside the command center, and they consulted with experts around the country. During one of these calls, someone from the U.S. Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility came up with an idea, and the other investigators

agreed that it was their least bad option.

They took the idea to Harvey Gross: they wanted to use a linear-shaped charge to decapitate the mysterious apparatus. This would definitely set off the tilt sensor, but with luck — a lot of it — the surgical explosion could sever the electrical lines in under a millisecond, before the low-voltage signal to detonate could reach the alleged explosives below. If it worked, cleanup would involve a bit of carpentry and paint to patch up the employees-only area. If it failed to outrun the electrical impulse, and those dark blobs in the lower section really were TNT rather than something inert, the damage could be considerable.

Harvey Gross was on a first-name basis

A highly explosive device may soon be detonated.

Please take cover for your own safety. with most of his employees, and he was genuinely concerned regarding what they would do for work if a bomb damaged or destroyed their workplace. However, the investigators were reluctant to dilly-dally, especially considering that the bomb squad had reported that the noises inside the device had changed, sounding as if “something was stuck.” Gross accepted the advisors’ suggestion, for lack of a superior alternative. In the presumably green glow of a monochrome CRT, the diverse assemblage of specialists used a computer program to model a shaped charge. They molded their C4 plastic explosive based on the output, mounted it to a block of wood, and re-entered the abandoned Har-

vey’s. They set their precision-engineered two-by-four upon a precision-stacked pile of phone books alongside the enigmatic machine. They also spent the time to construct a hasty sandbag fort around the device to absorb some of the energy of the blast that might occur.

The Nevada National Guard expanded the evacuation area. Before leaving, the staff at Caesars opened all of the windows and closed all of the curtains in rooms facing Harvey’s to mitigate potential blast damage. Police cruisers roamed the streets blaring from their public address systems: “A highly explosive device may soon be detonated. Please take cover for your own safety.” Just outside of the approximately half-mile evacuation zone, news cameras and bystanders angled for a view of the tower. Rumor had it that some local casinos were taking bets regarding whether and when the device would explode.

At 3:46 p.m. on August 27, 1980 — 34 hours after the device was first discovered — the bomb squad withdrew from Harvey’s and crossed the parking area to the designated detonation location outside Harvey’s Pancake Parlor. They took shelter behind a parked truck. The empty streets and buildings lent the moment a peculiar stillness.

The nearest humans were almost half a mile away, silently waiting to see what was going to happen. Captain Frank Danihel held the wires to the remote detonator for the shaped charge. “Fire in the hole,” he warned, and touched the wires to the terminals of the battery.

Trinitrotoluene is a compound that was first isolated by German chemist Julius Wilbrand in 1863. It is a solid material, pastel yellow in color, and it was primarily used as a yellow dyeing agent until 1899, when the German military added a dash of aluminum and unlocked its potential as a mild-mannered explosive. It is only about 60 percent as powerful as the most potent alternative explosive agents. What makes it appealing is that it is quite difficult to get it to explode unless you want it to, which makes it safe to transport and handle. Over time it came to be generally known by its chemical initials: TNT. Contrary to the claims in his extortion letter, John Birges’s machine did not contain any TNT at all. The ambiguous cylinders that the bomb squad saw in their foggy X-ray photographs turned out to be a material of entirely different

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ened and silent. In the casino pit, the tables had turned. As the investigators approached the area surrounding the bomb’s original location, the floor and ceiling opened up into a tangled spontaneous atrium 60 feet wide, gaping from the basement to the fifth floor. Rafts of lacerated drywall were draped everywhere. Severed plumbing hemorrhaged water. Exposed rebar jutted from broken concrete like compound fractures. Sofas, mattresses, coffee tables, dressers, and televisions littered the jagged cavity.

Upon professional evaluation, the damage to the hotel tower was found to be substantial, but repairable. The sandbags had helped to absorb the worst of the blast, and the structural integrity of the building had not been compromised.

And because the area had been completely evacuated, there were no injuries and no deaths. Cleanup and repairs began almost at once. FBI agents scrutinized every smithereen, encountering and cataloging occasional clues. These, along with the X-ray images of the bomb and later testimony from involved parties, helped the FBI to assemble a fairly complete picture of the internal construction

of “the machine.”

The upper box had contained a complex nervous system consisting of multiple independent electrical circuits which were each connected to a lantern battery on one end and electric blasting caps on the other. If the charge from the battery was allowed to reach the blasting caps, the dynamite would explode, but this catastrophe was forestalled by an open switch in each circuit. There were seven types of switches within: The timer: The machine did contain a timer, a long-delay type ordinarily used in irrigation and sprinkling systems. No one but

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chemical composition. They were tubes containing a combination of gelatin and nitroglycerin, a product known as dynamite. Just shy of one half of one ton of the stuff.

The sides of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino’s eleven-story tower erupted in billowing geysers of atomized concrete.

Distant rubberneckers, some of them already wearing T-shirts with sentiments such as “I got bombed at Tahoe,” whooped and cheered in schadenfreude celebration as meteors of glass, pulverized wood, and building shrapnel arced into the sky.

Neighboring buildings shuddered and windows shattered. Pebbles of concrete fell like a light hail, and within minutes bits of papery detritus were flittering from the sky like filthy confetti. Harvey Gross declined to speak with anyone in the press regarding the incident, but his colleagues would later say there were tears in his eyes as he looked upon the bedraggled building.

Big John and Jimmy Birges were in the Volvo en route back to Placerville to retrieve Joan from the hospital when a special news bulletin came on the radio.

There had been a tremendous explosion at Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, confirming reports that a large bomb had been smuggled into the building the previous day. Jimmy would later describe how his father seemed crushed by this news. Big John’s diabolical plot had been foiled, and there would be no replenishment of his forsaken fortune. He muttered allusions to suicide.

The Birgeses pulled into the hospital parking lot and parked. They entered the waiting area and waited. A television was tuned to the news, and reporters replayed dramatic tape of the explosion and aftermath at Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in Lake Tahoe. The calamitous spectacle relayed by the flickering CRT actually seemed to pull Big John from the self-pity abyss. His tamper-resistant machine had resisted tampering, and worked exactly as designed.

Back in Lake Tahoe, FBI agents and members of the bomb squad strapped on air filtration masks and protective gear and crossed the field of glass fragments to enter the wounded casino tower. It looked as if a bomb had gone off. Many of the previously neat rows of blinking slot machines were strewn hither and yon, dark-

Blow by blow: Detonating the bomb caused millions of dollars of damage to Harvey’s Wagon Wheel casino — but no deaths.

Below, the mugshot of bomb mastermind John Birges.

Big John knew exactly how long it had been set for, but its maximum period was about eight days. Had it reached the end of its cycle, it would have closed a detonation circuit.

The tilt sensor: One of the switches was a conductive metal pendulum dangling down the center of a conductive metal tube. If the box were tilted just a little in any direction or caused to vibrate excessively, the pendulum would swing into contact with the tube wall, thus completing a detonation circuit.

The float valve: The head of the box contained the exact same kind of float valve found in typical toilet cisterns. If it was caused to rise by intruding water,

foam, or other fluids it would close a detonation circuit.

Spring-loaded screw switches: Each of the flat-head screws securing the lid to the top box was connected to a spring-loaded switch capable of closing a detonation circuit.

Pressure switches: The lids of each box were pressing down upon a series of pressure switches, the same kind used to turn off a fridge light when the door is closed. If anyone had tried to pry the lid off either box, a circuit would have closed.

Conductive metal foil: The inside surfaces of the boxes were lined with rubber

sheeting, which were in turn lined with conductive foil. If something metal such as a drill bit or saw blade penetrated the outer metal casing and the rubber sheeting, it would close a circuit between the metal housing and the foil. There was also such a foil between the top and bottom boxes to prevent them from being pried apart.

The toggle switches: Some of the 28 toggle switches on the face of the device were dummies, and a few were able to disable the tilt sensor, thus making the machine safe to move before the timer expired. Toggling any of the others would close a detonation circuit and set off the dynamite instantly.

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The bomb committee had been correct in deducing that the “brains” of the device were physically separated from the “brawn,” and that low-voltage circuits ran between them. But what they had not anticipated was the handful of extra sticks of dynamite its mad engineer had placed in the upper box as a fail-unsafe to prevent exactly the sort of explosive funny business the bomb squad had engaged in. Dynamite is both more powerful and more temperamental than TNT. If the box had been filled with TNT as the letter claimed, the shaped charge decapitation might have had a chance of success.

But it is not clear whether it was the loose dynamite or the tilt sensor that triggered the main explosion.

It is also unclear whether Big John deliberately lied in the extortion letter regarding the type of explosive material inside the box, or if he was under the common misconception that TNT and dynamite are the same substance. A mistake seems unlikely, given his otherwise impressive technical proficiency. It may have merely been a miscommunication with Joan Williams, who is thought to have been the official typist of the endeavor.

*****

F

BI investigators solicited and received eyewitness reports from persons who had been in or around Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in the early hours of Tuesday, August 26, 1980 — the day the bomb had appeared. Hundreds of potential suspects were identified, but investigators soon detected a trend in some of the reports: At around 5:30 a.m. on the morning in question, multiple eyewitnesses saw two men in blue coveralls emerge from a white Dodge van with a large piece of apparent office equipment shrouded in a cover that bore a crude likeness of the IBM logo. The van was unmarked apart from a small adhesive reading, “Do not disturb the occupants of this vehicle when it is rocking,” or something to that effect. The deliverymen had wheeled the covered cart into the Harvey’s lobby entrance. The FBI publicized their interest in a white Dodge van in or around Tahoe on or around August 26, and offered a $200,000 reward for useful information.

This produced some leads, and some potential suspects were eventually brought before a grand jury to testify, but none bore

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prosecutable fruit. There was no shortage of white Dodge vans in the area.

As investigators worked over months upon months, repairs to Harvey’s casino were under way. Harvey Gross reopened the remodeled hotel tower on May 13, 1981, having spent $18 million in repairs and improvements. The modernized tower featured a gleaming glass façade, luxurious Italian granite, new tile work, and a comprehensive security and surveillance system. At a loss for promising leads, the FBI increased their reward offer to $500,000.

Approximately one month later, an anxious anonymous caller phoned the Fresno FBI field office claiming to know the identity of the Harvey’s bomber. Af-

Decades later, “big John” Birges’ masterpiece bomb still maintains legendary status at the fbi. ter several phone conversations, agents persuaded him to meet in person, and they convened at a local hotel. The informant explained that he had once dated a girl who had told him all about the plan for the extortion plot before it had even occurred. The ex-girlfriend had heard about it from her ex-boyfriend, a young fellow named John Birges Jr. This caught the agents’ interest — the FBI had actually questioned John Jr. already. He drove a white Dodge van, and its license plate number had been noted on a Tahoe area hotel registration slip for the night prior to the bomb delivery. But John Jr. had explained to the agents and the grand jury

that he had visited the Eldorado National Forest that night to scout a location to cultivate a marijuana field. It was all imperfectly innocent. John Jr.’s story was supported by the plentiful paraphernalia in plain sight at his home in Fresno during the interview. He assured his questioners that he’d been nowhere near Ice House Road the day of the bomb’s appearance, nor the day after. But the FBI’s new informant had a key detail to add: The mastermind of the extortion plan was his father, John Birges Sr. Agents probed Big John’s background to survey his suitability as a suspect, and the resulting unauthorized federal biography was provocative: He was ex-military.

He was handy with electronics, welding equipment, and explosives. He was a pilot.

He had once been a millionaire and now he was deeply in debt to multiple creditors, including thousands of dollars owed to Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino.

Special Agent Bill Jonkey — one of the principal investigators of the Harvey’s extortion — moved to Fresno with several other agents to investigate the Birgeses. Agents deployed practically every 1980s-era information-extracting technology short of truth serum: they hypnotized the Fresno informant. They equipped the informant with a wire and had him meet with his ex-girlfriend to corroborate the story. They asked John Jr. to submit to a polygraph. John Jr. said he would think about it, and after that it seems likely he thought of little else. Agents also wanted to do a thorough forensic inspection of the Dodge van, but John Jr. had sold it in the intervening months. They did manage to track down its new owner, but their search for latent fingerprints and paint flakes proved futile.

Jonkey and two other agents visited the home of 59-year-old John Birges Sr. and asked him about his knowledge of the bomb plot. He said he’d heard about it on television. He admitted to being a frequent patron of Harvey’s, and that he still owed the casino money. The agents asked if they could search the house. Birges explained that it was owned by his girlfriend Joan, so he could not legally consent to the search, but he agreed to show them around the workshop out back. During the guided tour, agents noted the presence of gray spray paint, auto repair putty, sheet metal, an oxyacetylene torch, and weld-

extortionist. When their father had origiing equipment. The agents put away their nally told his sons of his plot to recover his bush beaters and asked Birges directly fortune by building and planting a bomb, whether he had been involved in any way the boys had shared a hearty laugh about with the extortion plot. Big John scoffed at such a suggestion, and proceeded to ex- it. What a kidder. When Big John drove them out to a hydroelectric construction plain in detail how exactly he would have site near Wishon Reservoir in the middle pulled it off if it had been him. Agents put of the night, and used a torch to cut the Birges under surveillance, and knocked lock off a storage shed, and had them help upon his door many more times over the him load crates of dynamite and blasting following weeks, receiving wildly varying caps into the back of the Dodge van, they degrees of cordiality. still didn’t take the idea too seriously, they On August 14, 1981, FBI special agents once again brought 20-year-old John Jr. said. But the prank seemed to be getting out of hand when Big John asked Joan and in for questioning. They told him that they knew that he had lied about his move- Jimmy to help him pack the dynamite into the large metal box he had spent weeks ments and whereabouts on August 25-27 fabricating. Big John then asked his sons of the prior year. They had a speeding ticket with his name on it from the morn- to deliver the bomb to Harvey’s, but they refused, so Big John hired two ex-employing after the bungled payoff, issued on the highway between Fresno and Lake Tahoe. ees of his one-time landscaping business The citation noted that he had been driv- to handle it. The transporters rolled the bomb into an elevator at Harvey’s and rening a gold Volvo and there had been two dezvoused with Big John in the back room. other men in the car with him. Agents also had the report for Joan Williams’ car ac- He had replaced his typical attire with a parka, cowboy hat, glasses, and a month’s cident on Ice House Road from the same growth of beard to avoid detection by emmorning, not far from the location that the helicopter had been instructed to land. ployees who might recognize a regular high-roller. Big John jammed the locks They had a record for a hospital visit by Joan Williams in the same general area. with toothpicks and glue to prevent inEyewitnesses placed John Jr. there as well. terruption, leveled the box, activated the various detonation circuits, and the crew The agents were accusing him of making vamoosed. His hired helpers claimed that false declarations before a grand jury, a they did not learn that they had been hanserious federal offense. His only chance to receive leniency from the U.S. Attor- dling a bomb until after the fact.

The FBI constructed a cutaway repliney, agents explained, would be to tell the FBI everything he knew about the bomb- ca of Big John’s device to demonstrate its complexity for the jury — complete with all ing. Agents offered his brother Jimmy the of the circuitry, booby traps, and triggers of same deal. This time the precision-shaped the original, save the actual dynamite and charge worked: John and Jimmy left no blasting caps. On the witness stand, John bean unspilled. Their separate interviews Birges Sr. did admit to having built the did not contradict one another nor the available evidence in any meaningful de- bomb, but he claimed it was in self-defense.

He chronicled a dubious story wherein tail. The following day, Big John and Joan Mafia-affiliated henchmen from Harvey’s were leaving their Fresno neighborhood in the gold Volvo when two unmarked se- had extorted him into constructing and delivering the device for insurance fraud dans lunged to block the road just ahead of them. FBI agents emerged and arrested — an extortion Ponzi scheme of sorts. The the couple on charges including attempt- shadowy knuckle-crackers had given him an ultimatum, he claimed: Wreck the casiing to interfere with commerce by threats of violence, interstate travel in aid of ex- no or we will wreck your bones. Whatever credibility he clung to disintegrated when tortion, transportation of explosives in it was revealed that he had stolen more exinterstate commerce, and conspiracy to plosives after the failed original extortion, attempt extortion. with plans to repeat the plot using a homeIn the ensuing trial in Las Vegas, John made, self-propelled, remote-controlled Jr. and Jimmy told the jury about their bomb buggy. Jimmy Birges had led the FBI harrowing childhood and their father’s to where the new dynamite stash was burparabolic résumé from penniless migrant ied in a dry creek bed. to high-rolling millionaire to bankrupt

On March 7, 1985, several years and lawyers later, the jury found John Birges Sr. guilty on eight of nine counts, and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The men who had helped deliver the bomb — Willis Brown and Terry Hall — were sentenced to seven years apiece. Joan Williams was sentenced to 27 months. Neither John Jr. nor Jimmy Birges served any time at all; they were charged as accomplices but their sentences were suspended in exchange for their cooperation. John Birges Sr. was sent directly to the federal penitentiary in Lompoc, California. He never saw his sons again, though he occasionally spoke to them on the phone or sent letters to insist that he had been set up. He died of liver cancer at the Southern Nevada Correctional Center in 1996, aged 74.

Harvey Gross’s hotel-casino is still in operation in Lake Tahoe, though after his death in 1983 it was gobbled up by an entertainment conglomerate. Today it is known as simply “Harveys,” its wagon wheel allusion — and its apostrophe — long ago amputated. The building contains no plaque, photograph, or other acknowledgment that a machine with mysterious inner workings had once been placed in the casino to separate a man from his money.

Decades after “the machine” radically remodeled a portion of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino, Big John’s masterpiece bomb maintains legendary status at the FBI. Bureau agents acknowledge that it is unlikely that even modern bomb squads and technology could make much headway disarming Big John’s improvised explosive without setting it off. The mockup they built for the trial remains in use today as a training device in the FBI Laboratory Division. According to Retired Special Agent Bill Jonkey in a 2005 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Harvey’s bomb was the largest domestic bomb ever to explode in the United States until the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. And yet the story of the Harvey’s extortion bombing has since fallen into relative obscurity. When asked why so few people these days seem to remember the events that unfolded in Lake Tahoe on August 26-27 1980, Jonkey’s speculation is succinct: “Nobody died.”

This story was originally published on DamnInteresting.com, and is reprinted with permission.

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DesertCompanion.com

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NEVADA STATE BANK ADDS AN INDUSTRY VETERAN TO OUR PRIVATE BANKING TEAM We are pleased to announce the addition of Rich Justiana as vice president/senior banking officer. Rich is a seasoned finance professional, attuned to the needs of high net-worth and high-income individuals and their families, ready to assist with a full range of services.

Rich has spent two decades in the Las Vegas banking industry, developing his proven track record in private banking and relationship management, ensuring a level of experience valued by his clients.

Rich is an active member of our community, and is especially dedicated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada as a volunteer and grantor.

We look forward to adding Rich’s expertise to the Private Bank,283and we proudly welcome him to the team.

Rich Justiana Vice President Senior Private Banking Officer

55 years in Nevada nsbank.com | 888.669.0223

The Private Bank by Nevada State Bank is an unincorporated division of Nevada State Bank that provides specialized banking services to significant net-worth clients.

Nevada State Bank is a full service retail bank that has been chartered by the state of Nevada and is insured by the FDIC.

S p e c i a l A D V E R T I S I N G S EC T I O N

2015

S p e c i a l A D V E R T I S I N G S EC T I O N

2015

Thomas Umbach, M.D.

Blossom Bariatrics

“I love it when, six months later, I’m seeing people back in the office and they’ve lost 60, 80, maybe even 100 pounds and are no longer taking their diabetic medications or they’ve gotten rid of their sleep apnea machine and they’ve gotten rid of their high blood pressure medications,” says Dr. Tom. “They’re out there hiking, traveling, or doing whatever and they’ve really ‘blossomed’ as people.”

A board-certified, nationally recognized bariatric surgeon, Dr. Tom has helped thousands of people reclaim their lives from the effects of weight and obesity. Not only do his patients lose an average of 67% of their excess weight, most also experience complete resolution of such comorbidities as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, heart trouble, knee and joint pain, and more.

Dr. Tom knew he had a gift for bariatric surgery when he became the first fellow at L.A. County Hospital to perform one of the most difficult laparoscopic surgeries in existence – the laparoscopic bypass. Due to his natural gifts, work ethic, and insatiable desire to improve and provide the best experience for his patients, Dr. Tom has achieved remarkable results as a surgeon. Where other bariatric surgical centers would be considered busy and successful performing 24 surgeries per month between three surgeons, Dr. Tom alone performs an average of 24 surgeries per week, all while delivering superior quality. He has perfected the art and science of surgery to such a degree, he is able to successfully perform the procedures in 25 minutes to an hour.

Dr. Tom’s success as a bariatric surgeon stems from his ability and desire to innovate.

As an innovative surgeon, he often finds new, better, and more efficient tools and practices that allow him to operate more safely, comfortably, effectively, and cost-effectively. His m128 M e d i c a l P R O F ILE S

continual innovation consistently keeps the cost of surgery at Blossom Bariatrics significantly lower than other bariatric centers.

While Dr. Tom recognizes that he could raise the costs of his procedures to meet the national average (thus making more money per procedure), he is committed to transforming as many lives as possible. Ultimately, Dr. Tom doesn’t want anything to stand in your way to blossoming into a healthier, happier you.

To learn more about bariatric surgery and Blossom Bariatrics, download Dr. Tom’s free report “Lighten the Load: How to Permanently Lose Weight and Significantly Improve Your Health” at BlossomBariatrics.com/Meltthe-Weight

Blossom Bariatrics 3235 E. Warm Springs Road Suite 100, Building 24 Las Vegas, NeVada 89120 702.803.3685 blossombariatrics.com

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2015 Robotic Thoracic Surgery MountainView is the only hospital in Southern Nevada to offer robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.

This minimally invasive option for lung cancer patients can result in less pain and scarring and a faster recovery.

Cardiovascular Surgery: n Minimally invasive valve surgery: - Aortic valve via right anterior thoracotomy - Mitral valve via right lateral thoracotomy n Complex mitral valve repair (including leaflet resection and neo-cord use) n Coronary artery bypass surgery (off-pump or “beating heart”)

Dr. Michael G. Wood

Dr. Arnold D. Chung

MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates is the premier surgical car­diovascular and thoracic surgery program in Southern Nevada. We offer patients peace of mind with around-the-clock management. As a com­prehensive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery program, we provide medical options not found elsewhere in Southern Nevada.

Medical Director Dr. Michael G. Wood is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon focusing on adult cardiac surgery, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, surgery of the thoracic aorta, minimally invasive cardiac surgery and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Wood received fellowship training in cardiac and thoracic surgery at New York University.

Dr. Arnold D. Chung is a cardiothoracic surgeon and is the only fellowship-trained thoracic surgeon trained in robotics in Las Vegas. Chung’s fellowship training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center focused on minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of lung cancer.

As an affiliate of MountainView Hospital, MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates works hand-in-hand with your entire care team – physicians, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, case managers and ancillary staff members – providing an unparalleled continuity of care focused on patients’ individual needs. It is our mission to integrate and streamline each patient’s care plan to provide the best patient experience and clinical outcomes.

Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery MountainView Hospital specializes in minimally invasive techniques for the repair and replacement of aortic and mitral heart valves.

The average recovery time after minimally invasive surgery is one to four weeks, while the average recovery time after traditional valve replacement is six to eight weeks. This means a quicker return to physical activities and an active lifestyle.

Thoracic Surgery: n Robotically assisted/minimally invasive thoracic surgery including: - Lobectomy (VATS and robotically assisted) - Wedge resection of the lung Vascular Surgery: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (open and endovascular approach) n Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair n Carotid endarterectomy surgery n Surgery for peripheral arterial disease n Dialysis access surgery (AV fistula creation/AV graft insertion) n

For a complete list of procedures and to learn more about MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates, please visit: HeartandLungNV.com or call 702-240-2963.

MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates 3150 N. Tenaya Way, SUite 440 Las Vegas, NeVada 89128 702.240.2963 mountainview-hospital.com

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2015

Eva Littman, M.D., FACOG

Red Rock Fertility Center Red Rock Fertility Center specializes in helping couples achieve their dreams of becoming parents and assisting patients in preserving their fertility so that they are able to have children at the opportune time in their lives.

Founded in 2008 by Practice Director Dr. Eva Littman, Red Rock Fertility Center has grown to be one of the most successful fertility centers on the West Coast. Dr. Littman specializes in challenging cases and helping patients that other doctors have deemed as having a slim chance of conceiving. Along with having an amazing, compassionate spirit, Dr. Littman completed her medical training at some of the world’s leading medical centers and universities, including Stanford University and Duke University.

Shannon McGrath, Red Rock Fertility’s nurse practitioner, has been working in the field of reproductive endocrinology for 14 years. She received her degree from the University of California, San Diego and received her Master’s in Nursing from Vanderbilt University with the highest honors. Shannon works closely with Dr. Littman to provide the highest quality of care to the patients at Red Rock Fertility Center.

Dr. Littman has contributed to worldwide knowledge of specific infertility problems by publishing several articles in peer-reviewed m130 M e d i c a l P R O F ILE S

journals and regularly presenting at international meetings and local conferences. She has also helped mentor future OB-GYN residents by serving as an associate clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine.

In 2013, she was named a Women to Watch Honoree by Vegas INC. Some of her previously recognized work has been for her groundbreaking research. She was awarded the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Prize Paper Award for research entitled, IGF2 Imprinting of Pre-Implantation Mouse Embryos. In addition to this, she has received the Academic Medicine Fellowship Award by the National Medicine Foundation.

Dr. Littman is the only female reproductive endocrinologist in Las Vegas and one of the Valley’s most trusted, knowledgeable and honored fertility experts. She offers an outstanding level of empathy and a broader amount of compassion for her patients given that she has personally undergone some of the procedures involved with fertility treatment. Dr. Littman has three children of her own, and she understands the desires of her patients to conceive. Dr. Littman frequently assists patients with less than a five percent chance of pregnancy to welcome new lives into their families.

Red Rock Fertility Center Las Vegas

6410 Medical Center Street, Suite A Las Vegas, NeVada 89148

Henderson

870 Seven Hills Drive, suite 103 Henderson, NeVada 89052 702.749.4902 redrockfertility.com

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desert valley audiology Ever experience a persistent, nervewracking ringing, buzzing or whooshing in your ears? Then you’re not alone. Known in the medical world as tinnitus, one in 10 Americans is affected by such symptoms.

But, you’ll be happy to know, help is available to alleviate those suffering from these hearing annoyances.

Desert Valley Audiology, founded by Dr. Timothy Hunsaker in 2010, provides a full range of hearing care services. These include screenings and tests; pediatric evaluations; fitting and programming of top-brand, state-of-the-art hearing aids complete with a manufacturer warranty and full aftercare; assistive listening devices, such as hearing loops, Bluetooth systems, amplified phones, wireless TV headsets, etc.; hearing aid cleaning and repair; custom hearing protection; and, yes, tinnitus treatment.

Offering attentive and personalized diagnosis and treatment plans for a wide array of audiological problems, it’s DVA’s goal to meet all your hearing needs, make

communication easier and improve your quality of life.

And, with offices near Interstate 15 and U.S. 95 in Las Vegas and the 215 Beltway in Henderson, the hearing health care practice is able to conveniently serve the entire Las Vegas Valley with its comprehensive, highquality hearing care.

Featuring a team of audiologists and Nevada-licensed hearing instrument specialists, Desert Valley Audiology is committed to helping all ages—from infants to seniors—with their hearing issues, challenges and impairments. For its younger patients, DVA offers the Auditory Brainstem Response and Otoacoustic Emissions tests to assist in making hearing assessments when traditional hearing tests cannot be utilized.

Dr. Hunsaker earned a doctorate of audiology from Idaho State University.

He received extensive training during his clinical rotations in caring and managing patients with hearing and balance disorders at The Hearing and Balance Center at the

2015

Elks and Saltzer Medical Group in Boise and the Regional Hearing and Balance Center in Idaho Falls. Dr. Hunsaker also holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

After moving to Las Vegas in 2008, he worked for Christensen Hearing Institute for two years before opening Desert Valley Audiology. Dr. Hunsaker has grown DVA into a thriving company by assembling a dedicated team that strives to keep up with the latest technological developments in the audiology industry in order to provide patients with the utmost hearing care.

Desert Valley Audiology is located at 501 S. Rancho Drive, Suite A8 in Las Vegas and at 8460 S. Eastern Ave., Suite C in Henderson. Both offices can be reached by calling (702) 605-9133 or by emailing info@lasvegashears.com. Desert Valley Audiology is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Friday. For more information, visit the website at lasvegashears.com.

Desert Valley Audiology Las Vegas

501 S. Rancho drive, Suite A8 Las Vegas, NeVada 89106 Henderson 8460 S. Eastern Avenue, suite c Henderson, NeVada 89074 702.605.9133 lasvegashears.com

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palm medical group Palm Medical Group (PMG), endocrinology group, has been serving Las Vegas since 2008.

The physicians at PMG specialize in treating disorders of the endocrine system including thyroid, thyroid cancer, diabetes, pituitary disorders such as growth hormone deficiency and adrenal disorders such as Cushing’s disease or Addison’s disease.

The providers are able to offer patients a variety of resources at the practice. There is a certified diabetes educator available for diabetes & nutrition education, insulin training, insulin pump education, and glucometer training. Thyroid patients who require ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies are able to have this procedure done in the office. The providers are big advocates of education and training. They are preceptors to medical students, physician assistant students, and medical residents. In addition, the providers are at the forefront of their specialized profession with knowledge and experience gained through cutting edge therapies in clinical research. In collaboration with Palm Research Center, the physicians at PMG work on a variety of clinical trials in various areas including diabetes, cardiovasm132 M e d i c a l P R O F ILE S

cular, testosterone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol, and growth hormone deficiency.

Dr. Bijan Ahrari worked as a hospitalist at Miami Valley Hospital prior to starting his endocrinology fellowship. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism.

Dr. Betsy Palal is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism. Dr. Palal is very involved with her clinical practice as well as with clinical research trials.

Dr. Samer Nakhle is the medical director of Palm Medical Group. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism. Dr. Nakhle has been elected a Fellow of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and has earned the prestigious ECNU certification. Dr. Nakhle runs a full time clinical practice, conducting inoffice thyroid biopsies & ultrasounds, amongst an active program of clinical research.

Dr. Serena Klugh is board-certified in Internal Medicine, board-eligible in endocrinology. She is a Certified Diabetes Technology Clinician, having expertise with blood glucose monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring,

and insulin pumps & pens.

Dr. Nick Vernetti is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Dr. Vernetti is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism. He treats a full spectrum of endocrine disorders, with a particular interest in thyroid and pituitary disorders.

Palm Medical Group Southwest Office

9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 306 Las Vegas, NeVada 89148

Northwest Office

3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 415 Las Vegas, NeVada 89128 702.696.7256 palmmedicalgroup.com

S p e c i a l A D V E R T I S I N G S EC T I O N

2015

Comprehensive cancer centers of nevada Lung Center of Nevada joined Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) to serve patients with lung diseases and sleep disorders in Southern Nevada. The new lung division of CCCN provides evaluation, diagnosis and referrals for treatment options to patients with lung and bronchus cancer; and treats various lung diseases and sleep disorders including asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, nicotine dependence, snoring, insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.

Lung cancer is becoming more treatable and often results in a long-term chronic illness, and the addition of a dedicated pulmonary division is part of CCCN’s continued effort to integrate more options for care.

Physicians at Lung Center of Nevada, a division of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, include: John (Jack) Collier, MD, FCCP, DABSM Dr. Collier graduated from the New York Medical College and is a board-certified Pulmonologist, Intensivist and Sleep Medicine Specialist.

The new division has two locations: 9280 West Sunset Road, Suite 312 in the Southern Hills Hospital Medical Office Building and 3150 North Tenaya Way, Suite 125 in the Mountain View Hospital Medical Office Building.

CCCN is now offering lung cancer screenings for existing patients. These proactive efforts allow the practice to broaden its services while offering patients with lung and bronchus cancer a seamless flow of care. Lung and bronchus cancers remain the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nevada and, in 2015, are estimated to kill more than 1,700 Nevadans.

The lung cancer screening service is available at CCCN’s Central Valley clinic, (3730 S. Eastern Ave.), CCCN’s Southwest Clinic, (9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 100) and will be available at its Henderson clinic, (10001 S. Eastern Ave.) by the end of August.

Further information: cccnevada.com.

Lung center of nevada

A division of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of nevada 9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 312 Las Vegas, Nevada 89148 Nisarg Changawala, MD, MPH James S. J. Hsu, MD, FCCP, DABSM Lorraine Kossol, APRN, FNP-BC Ralph M. Nietrzeba, MD, FCCP, FACP Dawn Willard, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC John J. Wojcik, MD, FCCP, DABSM 702.737.5864 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 125 Las Vegas, Nevada 89128 John (Jack) Collier, MD, FCCP, DABSM Lisa Reiter, APRN, FNP-BC George S. Tu, MD, FCCP, DABSM 702.869.0855 cccnevada.com

James Hsu, MD, FCCP, DABSM Dr. Hsu graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine and is a boardcertified Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist.

George Tu, MD, FCCP, DABSM Dr. Tu graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School and is a board-certified Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist.

John Wojcik, MD, FCCP, DABSM Dr. Wojcik is a graduate of The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and is a board-certified Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist.

Ralph Nietrzeba, MD, FCCP, FACP Dr. Nietrzeba graduated from the University of Washington Medical School and is a board-certified Pulmonologist.

Nisarg Changawala, MD, MPH Dr. Changawala graduated from the Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College and is a board-certified Pulmonologist.

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2015

roseman university of health sciences When Roseman University of Health Sciences was founded in Henderson in 1999 as the Nevada College of Pharmacy, the institution aspired to create the best Doctor of Pharmacy program in the world. Today, the private, non-profit Roseman is on the forefront of preparing tomorrow’s health care professionals thanks to its proven educational model and the strong dedication of its Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, students, alumni, partners, supporters, and friends.

Since its founding, Roseman has experienced remarkable growth that has seen expansions into the fast-growing and high-demand fields of nursing, pre- and post-doctoral dental medicine, health care business, and medical research. In December 2013, the University established an allopathic (MD-granting) College of Medicine that is progressing through the rigorous accreditation process with the goal of enrolling its inaugural class of medical students in the fall of 2017.

Much of the university’s success is due to how it’s different. Roseman created a highly effective pedagogical model that is unique to health professions education. The Roseman Educational Model is immersive and m134 M e d i c a l P R O F ILE S

incorporates mastery learning, problembased and active learning, cooperative or team-based learning, and a block system model of curricular design specifically engineered to support attainment of learning outcomes and the highest level of achievement for all students.

Roseman assesses students based on its mastery learning philosophy, rather than the traditional testing and letter-grading system. Students are assessed regularly on their knowledge and skills, and must score 90% or higher on assessments of their programmatic knowledge and clinical skills. This model has been employed from the inception of the university and is utilized in all academic programs.

Throughout the institution’s history, the Roseman Educational Model has been proven to produce competent, high-quality health care professionals. The best evidence of this success is graduate achievement on board licensure examinations; Roseman students and graduates achieve passing rates that are consistently better than national averages, with individual exam scores that are typically much higher than national averages.

Additionally, in the past four years Roseman has built a robust medical research program focusing on cancer; diabetes; Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, adult stem cell and regenerative medicine, and cardiovascular disease. Utilizing highly specialized instrumentation, the university’s researchers, now part of the College of Medicine, are committed to developing new therapies to treat these diseases.

Roseman University has campuses in Henderson and Summerlin as well as the Salt Lake City suburb of South Jordan, Utah. The university is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Roseman University of Health Sciences 11 Sunset Way Henderson, Nevada 89014 702.990.4433 roseman.edu

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2015

The University of Nevada School of Medicine The University of Nevada School of Medicine has served Nevada for more than 45 years through its mission of improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans by educating more physicians for Nevada, creating worldclass research, promoting healthy community partnerships and offering an array of patient care services.

School of Medicine services are provided by board certified faculty physicians who demonstrate the highest of patient care standards. The school’s patient care centers feature a remarkable variety of primary and specialty care services throughout the Las Vegas Valley. It’s easier than ever to receive personalized primary care along with direct access to its specialists, promoting peace of mind and improving your family’s health.

Family medicine provides comprehensive primary health care for infants to older adults, offering wellness services; treatment of acute and chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes and more; obstetrics; women’s health, geriatrics; and musculoskeletal and sports medicine. Call or visit the centers at 2410 Fire Mesa St., Suite 180 in Las Vegas, 702-992-6888, or in Henderson at 3175 St. Rose Parkway, 702-676-3620.

The school’s surgery offices, home to some of

the most highly qualified surgeons in Nevada, offer general surgery; hand surgery and hand therapy; plastic and reconstructive surgery; bariatric, reflux, colon and rectal surgery; orthopaedic surgery; trauma and critical care surgery; otolaryngology surgery; head and neck surgery; breast surgery; and oncological surgery. Visit our website at medicine.nevada.edu/patient-care for all of our surgery office locations and phone numbers.

Pediatric care for infants, children and adolescents also is available at two convenient locations: 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-992-6868, and in Henderson at 3175 St. Rose Parkway, 702-676-3660. Referrals are made easily available to some of the area’s finest specialists: pediatric and adult allergy and immunology, pediatric pulmonology, pediatric neurology, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric infectious diseases and behavioral pediatrics.

Women’s health services include a full complement of obstetrics, maternal and fetal medicine, gynecological and urogynecological services that are available at 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, 702-671-5140, and in Henderson at 3175 St. Rose Parkway, 702-676-3640. School of Medicine doctors are among the first in the nation to receive board certification in the advanced special-

ties of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

Dedicated to meeting the demand for physicians located close to home and throughout Nevada, the University of Nevada School of Medicine is pleased to make high-quality patient care available, while working to educate the next generation of physicians for Nevada.

University of Nevada School of Medicine multiple locations medicine.nevada.edu/ patient-care

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2015

Visiting Angels

Senior MediCare Patrol Every year the Medicare system is drained of BILLIONS of dollars as a result of fraud, waste, errors and abuse – nearly $67 MILLION in Nevada alone!

The Nevada SMP – Senior Medicare Patrol educates Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers on how to avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. This helps protect and promote the integrity of Medicare. SMP is funded and supported by the US Administration on Aging and administered by the Nevada Aging & Disability Services Division. There are 54 SMP programs nationwide.

SMP staff and volunteers conduct outreach in the community through group presentations, exhibiting at events, answering calls to the SMP Help Line (702-486-3403) and meeting individually with beneficiaries. The main goal of the SMP is to teach Nevadans how to: • Protect their personal information and identity • Detect suspected errors and deceptive healthcare practices on their healthcare statements (i.e., charging for services that were never provided, providing unnecessary or inappropriate services) Nevada SMP – • Report to the SMP if they feel they Senior Medicare Patrol have been a target of errors, fraud, or 1820 E. Sahara Avenue, Suite 205 abuse, or illegal marketing practices Las Vegas, NeVada 89104

If you want to make a difference in your community and fight Medicare fraud, volunteer today with Nevada SMP! Free training is provided. For more information, please call (702-486-3403).

To receive a FREE Personal Healthcare Journal to help track your medical information, please contact us at SMPinfo@adsd.nv.gov. m136 M e d i c a l P R O F ILE S

888.838.7305 702.486.3403 nevadaSMP.org

Visiting Angels is a nationally respected nonmedical senior home care provider. Its goal is to aid seniors in continuing to live in their homes. Visiting Angels promotes seniors’ independence by helping them with such activities as bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, transportation and meal preparation.

Visiting Angels is family-owned and operated by Michael and Jackie DiAsio. They have more than 270 employees and assist about 600 seniors every day. Opening in 2000, the provider now has employees (caregivers) located throughout Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. They perform more than 200,000 caregiving hours every year.

Properly licensed and bonded, a Visiting Angels typical caregiver has been with the agency for about four years. It accepts long term care insurance and private pay. Visiting Angels is also a Medicaid and Veteran’s Administration provider.

Clients determine their assistance schedule based on needs and budget. Visiting Angels can provide care up to 24 hours a day.

Visiting Angels Las Vegas

9436 W. Lake Mead Boulevard Suite 11-F Las Vegas, NV 89134 702.562.3322

Henderson

1701 N. Green Valley Parkway Henderson, NV 89074 702.407.1100 visitingangels.com/vegas/home

S p e c i a l A D V E R T I S I N G S EC T I O N

2015

CHRIS S. COZINE, DDS A Las Vegas native, Dr. Chris Cozine has been practicing family and cosmetic dentistry in the Valley for 17 years. He graduated from UNLV in 1994 and received his dental degree from the top-ranked University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 1998.

“I’ve seen Las Vegas and the dental industry change throughout my career, but the aspects of my job that remain constant are building a good rapport with my patients and simply taking the time to provide excellent care,” shared Dr. Chris.

“My patients know they will see me every time they visit my office and that I will work with them to customize the best solution based on their dental needs.”

The office of Chris S. Cozine, DDS is located at the southwest corner of Wigwam and Eastern. To make an appointment for you and your family, call 702.739.8289.

Chris s. Cozine, dds 8579 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite A Las Vegas, NeVada 89123 702.739.8289 cozinedental.com

blaine hansen

Hansen Orthodontics Discover the difference at Hansen Orthodontics. We strive for excellence at Hansen Orthodontics. Our patients are unique and that is reflected in the treatment plan that is carefully customized to meet our patients’ specific needs. Dr. Blaine Hansen stays current in the latest technology and research through extensive continuing education. Dr. Hansen also is an Elite Invisalign provider. His offices’ state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated staff ensure that each patient is treated with care and receives a beautiful result. Treating patients and families with the utmost respect while providing excellent orthodontic care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere is very important to Dr. Hansen. He strives to create raving fans.

Dr. Hansen is a strong supporter of his patients as well as an active participant in the community and church through service projects and sponsorship, including being a key partner of “Smiles Changes Lives.” If it is important to his patients, it is important to Dr. Hansen. He likes to give his patients many reasons to smile. He encourages current and future patients to be open about their concerns and expectations regarding their treatment. This allows Dr. Hansen to address

most concerns as they arise.

Dr. Hansen has called Las Vegas home for more than 8 years. He has two office locations in the Vegas Valley to better serve his patients.

When he is not in the office creating smiles, he loves spending time with his wife and their six children or he can be found enjoying time on the golf course.

hansen orthodontics 3600 N. Buffalo Drive, suite 110 Las Vegas, NV 89129 6169 S. Rainbow Boulevard Las Vegas, NeVada 89118 702.568.1600 hansenortho.com

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S p e c i a l A D V E R T I S I N G S EC T I O N

2015

KEEP COOL THIS SUMMER Robin dale lobato, DDS Dr. Robin Lobato’s vision for his dental practice is simple—to provide the highest standard of care using the most advanced techniques available and the personal attention that all of his patients deserve.

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your Arts+Entertainment calendar for august

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Jackie Boor

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

The Writer’s Block Boor’s great-grandfather, a third-term Nye County sheriff, was gunned down under mysterious circumstances in 1906.

Her book, Logan, explores that incident, recreating his life, as well as the explosive trial that followed his killing. 7p, free, thewritersblock.com

Brooklyn Bowl In a previous Desert Companion, writer Alissa Nutting described a Clinton performance thusly: “part-Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, partadult diaper fetish fashion show and part-Cannibus Cup award ceremony.” You’ve been warned — and encouraged. 9p, $27-$33, brooklynbowl.com

29 Sol Mexicano Winchester Cultural Center

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7, 14, Reckless in 21, 28 Vegas

The Smith Center Come for the power-trio renditions of classic-Vegas-era standards by Frank, Dino and Elvis; stay for the power-trio renditions of classic-Vegas-era standards

by Neil Diamond, Frankie Valli and more. 8p, $35-$45, thesmithcenter.com

It’ll be like summer in Mexico — lively, filled with irresistible music and dance — when Ballet Folklorico Sol Huasteco takes the stage. 6:30p, $10-$12, 702-455-7340

Full House: The Special Episodes Onyx Theatre Gleefully twisted takes on the sappy, happy family classic, staged by the gleefully twisted Troy Heard, who’s fast becoming a local treasure. We’re promised rated-R language, horny beaver puppets and bad wigs. 7p, $15, 702-732-7225

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THE GUIDE ART

CELEBRATION OF LIFE THROUGH AUG. 31 The traveling tour of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital exhibit features a collection of six, three-dimensional, five-foot sculptures created by Summerlin-based artist Dorit Schwartz. Each is painted by a professional local artist. Free for members or with paid general admission. Outside the Nature Exchange at Springs Preserve

MODERNISM AT RISK EXHIBITION THROUGH SEPT. 6 A project of the World Monuments Fund, the exhibit consists of large-scale photographs

by Andrew Moore and interpretative panels with case studies exploring the role designers play in preserving modern landmarks. Free for members or with paid general admission.

Big Springs Gallery at Springs Preserve

GOING HOME THROUGH SEPT. 19, WED-FRI 12:309P; SAT 9A-6P These large-scale drawings by Domenic Cretara and Christopher Troutman are narratives of their personal exploration of environment and family. Free. Charleston Heights Art Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702-229-1012

REALLY BAD RICE THROUGH OCT. 8, MON-FRI 7A-5:30P Artist Greg Allred’s sculptures incorporate common steel objects in relationships which are not usually associated with one another.

The sculptures are colored using various types of paint, charcoal and oil pastels. Free. Second floor of the Las Vegas City Hall Chamber Gallery, 495 S. Main St., 702-229-1012

BRENT SOMMERHAUSER AUG. 12-SEPT. 13 Sommerhauser will introduce guests to monotype printing, allowing them to try a process that might otherwise seem elusive or esoteric. The prints will be of one-of-a-kind images, created by taking a flat Plexiglas plate and painting it directly, then adding or subtracting ink to achieve images. Guests will create two prints, one for the studio and one to take home. Free. P3Studio at The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

DANCE

LULA WASHINGTON DANCE THEATRE SEPT. 16, 7:30P Lula Washington Dance Theatre, celebrating its 35th anniversary, brings to The Smith Center its explosive blend of modern dance, ballet, and Afrocentric rhythms in a

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high-energy performance. The program will include the stylish and defiant works for which the company has come to be known: the poignant “Beautiful Venus and Serena,” the trademark “We Wore The Mask,” the romantic “Random Thoughts,” and the socially-conscious “Search For Humanism.” $19-85. Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center

MUSIC

MAMA’S WRANGLERS: THE JACKSON FAMILY BAND & CLOGGERS AUG. 1, 2P This multi-talented family band will perform old-time Western music complete with fiddling, singing, yodeling and clog dancing. CDs will be available for purchase and autographs. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

LAKESIDE MUSIC AT LAKE LAS VEGAS EVERY SAT, 7P Featuring local bands that offer unique and exciting entertainment in an outdoor venue overlooking the lake. Gather your picnic blanket and come out to enjoy the music.

Free. The Village at Lake Las Vegas, 30 Strada di Villaggio, lakelasvegas.com

SUPER FREESTYLE EXPLOSION – ’80S FLASHBACK AUG. 7, 8P Ten freestyle artists will perform their chart-topping sensations on one stage during this star-studded night, including such pioneers as Stevie B, Exposé, The Cover Girls, Lisa Lisa and Nu Shooz. $31.50. Orleans Arena, orleansarena.com

TO BROADWAY AND BEYOND AUG. 8, 7P; AUG 9, 2P The Las Vegas Follies is pleased to present Michael Leonetti and Sandy Kastel.

Leonetti’s mellow voice will be backed by the Dick Kastel Sextette. Kastel will also join in a special tribute to Bob Fosse. $18.

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

FUNKY LOVE! A SPOKEN WORD LIVE MUSIC SHOW AUG. 8, 7P Lee Mallory, Vegas’ household word in performance poetry, joins forces with two of Vegas’ preeminent favorites: Mizz Absurd (upright bass) and Philena Carter (Joplin-like pipes). Free. Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Road, doubledownsaloon.com

FRANKIE MORENO: UNDER THE INFLUENCE AUG. 11, 18, 25 & 31, 8P A Vegas standard who brings back that Rat Pack glamour, Moreno will share the music that inspired him the most. $25-35.

Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center

AN EVENING WITH RECKLESS IN VEGAS AUG. 14, 8P The power trio fronted by singer/guitarist Michael Shapiro and multi-platinum producer Dan Shea has created an exciting show full of rocking contemporary renditions of songs from the Vegas golden era.

Think The Rat Pack meets Green Day. $35$45. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center

SOUL MEN STARRING SPECTRUM AUG. 15, 7P; AUG. 16, 3P The award-winning vocal quartet will perform their unbelievable tribute to Motown and R&B music including the costumes, choreography and harmonies that made the genre great. $37-$40. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center

R5 SOMETIME LAST NIGHT TOUR AUG. 20, 7P The popular pop-rock quintet, led by Ross Lynch and his siblings, will feature special guest Jacob Whitesides. $25-$45. Henderson Pavilion, cityofhenderson.com

CÉLINE AND JUDY IN CONCERT AUG. 21, 7P Mistinguett Productions brings together two of the most celebrated impressionists in Las Vegas today: Elisa Furr as Céline Dion and Denise Rose as Judy Garland. Both will amaze the audience with their spot- on lookalike and uncanny vocal impressions. $20.

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

G’DAY LAS VEGAS WITH GREG BONHAM AUG. 22, 8P Backed by an all-star, eight-piece band, Australian powerhouse entertainer Bonham will perform hits from Michael Bublé, John Legend, Pharrell and everything in between. $40-$45. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center

THEATER

SEVENS LIVE! EVERY MON 7P Veteran poetry producer Lee Mallory will

Channel 10

curate and host this selective open mic that will include edgy musicians, acerbic comics and lively spoken art visionaries.

You will never think of poetry the same way again. Free with one drink minimum.

The Cantina at Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino, 702-733-7000

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

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

S., baobabstage.com

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

The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements Wednesday, August 19, 8 – 11 p.m.

THE BUCKET SHOW EVERY WED 10P Named the Best Comedy Show in Vegas

by Desert Companion, improv geniuses Paul Mattingly and Matt Donnelly will lead you to laughter and beyond. Free, pay what you desire in the buckets at the end of the show. Inside Art Square, 1025 S. First Street, mattandmattingly.com

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

JFK & LBJ: A Time for Greatness

Downton Abbey Rediscovered

Tuesday, August 4 at 9 p.m.

Sunday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m.

A Few Good Pie Places & A Few Great Bakeries

Big Blue Live

Tuesday, August 25 at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Wednesday, September 2 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. LIVE

DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB EVERY SAT 10P Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. Learn about the weirdest jobs and the people who work them in this talk-show-like format where the director interviews the special guest while improv actors recreate the hilarious workplace stories in the background. Hosted by Second City alumni Derek and Natalie Shipman. $10. Onyx Theatre, onyxtheatre.com

SIDE BY SIDE AUG. 1-9, THU-SAT 8P; SUN 2P Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore star in this Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme tribute

VegasPBS.org | 3050 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 • 702-799-1010 August 2015

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THE GUIDE full of some of the most popular songs of the 20th century. $25, $20 subscribers. Mainstage at Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org

TARZAN AUG. 12-29, WED-SAT 8P The show is based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan of the Apes. It features heart-pumping music by rock legend Phil Collins and a book by David Henry Hwang, all in a beautiful outdoor setting. $20. Super Summer Theatre at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, supersummertheatre.org

ACE: A NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL AUG. 22-23, 1P Set in 1964, ACE follows the journey of a young man returning home to discover the truth about his mother’s hidden past. Uncovering a saga spanning three generations of ace fighter pilots through two world wars, this original musical soars with the trials and triumphs of a family in search of true heroism. $30. Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV, unlv.edu/event/ace-new-musical-adventure

LAS VEGAS IMPROVISATIONAL PLAYERS AUG. 22, 7P Audience members become part of the show as they choose the starter for each scene and song. Family-friendly fun that even grandma will enjoy. Come early for Name that Tune and to get a good seat. $10 at the door, kids free. American Heritage Academy, 6126 S. Sandhill Road, lvimprov.com

LECTURES, SPEAKERS AND PANELS

LAS VEGAS IN POP CULTURE AUG. 6, 7P Last Call, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, and Diamonds Are Forever — just a few of the pop culture works that use the streets and buildings of Las Vegas to color their stories. Join journalist F. Andrew Taylor as he discusses fictional Las Vegas vs the real one. Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

AN EVENING WITH SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY AUG. 14, 7P Best-selling author Gray will discuss the art of writing and her popular Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. Book signing and reception to follow the talk. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

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MAKING COMICS AUG. 15, 11A Comic book writer Russell Lissau (The Batman Strikes, Old Wounds) will answer your questions about this fantastic and action-packed business. He’s been making comics for 10 years; come absorb what he’s learned. Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

GAGA FOR GOOGIE: FUTURIST ARCHITECTURE THEN, NOW AND BEYOND AUG. 22, 4P Watch a series of short films displaying Googie architecture in the American West and depicting some of the transformations these types of buildings have undergone over the past 50-plus years, then join in a panel discussion about modernism in architecture with regional experts. Free for members or with paid general admission.

Desert Living Center at Springs Preserve

ALL CITY SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING SHOW — MOVIE MADNESS AUG. 6, 6P The synchronized swimming teams from the City of Las Vegas, Henderson, Clark County and novice Desert Mermaid teams will perform routines from everyone’s movie favorites. Free.

Baker Pool, 1100 E. St. Louis Ave., lvol.com

BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAIR AND MOVIE IN THE PARK AUG. 7, 6:30P Take the whole family for an evening of back-to-school fun and see Disney classic Cinderella at the end of the evening.

During the fair, kids will be able to get free school supplies and enjoy face painting, balloon art and a bounce house. Light refreshments provided. Free. Centennial Hills Park, lasvegasnevada.gov

FUNDRAISERS FAMILY & FESTIVALS

FREE ADMISSION TO DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AUG. 1, 12-5P Take advantage of the Museums on Us program, just for being a customer. Each Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholder will get ONE free general admission. Discovery Children’s Museum, vegasfamilyevents.com

JUMP 4 FUN AUG. 2, 9:30A Your kids will have a blast with a collection of bounce houses that include sliding, climbing and tumbling activities. Children must wear socks to participate. $6, pre-register online. Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St., cityofhenderson.com

31ST ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AUG. 4, 5-9P A nationwide effort to heighten crimeand drug prevention-awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships brings Smokey the Bear, McGruff, SWAT, UNLV Police, NHP, Clark County School Police, the fire department and others. There will be plenty of food, entertainment, raffle prizes, a fire house for the kids to explore, child fingerprinting, VIN etching and more.

Free. The park at Town Square, national townwatch.org/nno

SOAPY SATURDAY: CLEAN THE WORLD AUG. 1, 9A-2:30P Simple hand washing with soap reduces diseases and infections. This organization recycles gently used amenities from hotel partners, sanitizes and distributes the repurposed soap worldwide. Come help sort, clean and package the repurposed soap and bottled amenities. Free. Clean the World, 3111 S. Valley View Blvd. #L-115, cleantheworld.org

5TH ANNUAL UP ON THE ROOF FUNDRAISER & RECEPTION AUG. 3, 6P Raise a glass and raise some funds to support HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and education. Eat, drink, dance, network and bid on items in the Las Vegas Experience-themed silent auction. $25. World Market Center Las Vegas, giftfoflife.org

NEVADA BOXING HALL OF FAME 3RD ANNUAL INDUCTION DINNER AUG. 8, 6P Celebrate boxing and the great champions and supporters that help keep the sport alive. This year’s inductees include Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Chuck Hall — but this is only a few of the 21 being honored! Your support is tax-deductible and helps former boxers in need while supporting youth and amateur boxing programs. $75-$300. Caesars Palace, nvbhof.com

PHILANTREPRENEUR FUNDRAISER

ONE DRUNK PUPPY WINE TASTING EVENT AUG. 15, 6P This event includes world-class wines, a silent auction, live DJ, souvenir wine glass and hors d’oeuvres . Auction proceeds benefit the Animal Foundation. Must be 21+. $30 pre-sale, $40 at the door. Veil Pavilion at Silverton Casino, tickets.silver toncasino.com

SHOW AND SHINE CAR SHOW AUG. 22, 12-5P A full day of awesome cars and bikes, trophies, food trucks, raffles and giveaways — including NASCAR and NHRA tickets!

Bring the little ones for the Kid’s Zone.

All proceeds go to Speedway Children’s Charities. Cars pre-registration, $20 ($30 day of show); Bikes pre-registration, $15 ($25 day of show). The Bullring at LVMS, lasvegas.speedwaycharities.org

ALL LIVES MATTER COMMUNITY AWARENESS BENEFIT CONCERT

Visitors will explore the Age of the Dinosaurs!

Travel back in time to when dinosaurs last roamed the land at DISCOVERY Children’s Museum traveling exhibit, Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™. As visitors move through the exhibit, they encounter unfamiliar landscapes, touchable dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes including a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. This exhibit builds on the popular fascination with dinosaurs and includes science activities to challenge all ages and opportunities to investigate clues about what dinosaurs left behind.

May 30 – Sept. 13

20%OFF* Daily Admission Tickets

DiscoveryKidsLV.org Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™ was created by Minnesota Children’s Museum. *Visit website for promotion details.

Travel into a little girl’s imagination on a magical journey through unforgettable Disney classics including: Tarzan, Mulan, The Jungle Book, Tangled, Newsies, Pocahontas and many more favorites!

NOW – OCT 17

NOW – OCT 16

A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY

JULY 31 – OCT 15

AUG. 28, 8P Enjoy an evening of music, comedy, entertainment and awareness with performances by celebrity artists, comedians, and entertainers. Proceeds go to G.E.M.S. (Getting Every Mother Situated), helping homeless and battered families rebuild their lives after domestic violence. $25-$55. Orleans Hotel & Casino, on.fb.me/1V7DRME

PROJECT PLAYHOUSE SEPT. 1-13 Supporters will design, construct and decorate pet houses and playhouses. The houses will be placed on display and raffled off during a VIP party. Each ticket will help HomeAid Southern Nevada continue its mission of building new lives for Southern Nevada’s homeless through housing and community outreach. $5 raffle tickets.

Town Square Park, homeaidsn.org

BRIDGETTE BIGGERS as Little Girl, DREW ABER as Tarzan, JASON MICHAEL EVANS as Aladdin, SHAE ROBINS as Mary Poppins

AUG. 12, 5:30P Have FUN supporting nonprofits. This family-friendly event includes food, beverages and one hour of gaming. Enjoy music by Salsa Hub, raffles for tickets to top Vegas shows and mini workshops around fundraising. $25 single, $40 VIP, $85 family of five. GameWorks Las Vegas, thephilantrepreneur.com

TUACAHN.ORG (866) 321-4953

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END NOTE

summer

Ballad of the pool grifter The fleeting privacy and improvised solitude of swimming next door B y S ta c y J. W i l l i s

M

y neighbors are perfect people, and we have the ideal neighborly relationship, which consists of waving a semi-authentic hello from our cars, exchanging the occasional holiday baked good and routinely dragging one another’s garbage cans up the driveway.

But we have never been in their house, much less their pool.

This year, before they left town for summer vacation, they asked my girlfriend and I to keep an eye on their house, as we have asked of them.

Pro forma neighborly. But this time, they added in a final text, “Feel free to swim in the pool.”

What?!

We don’t have a pool. Often, in the plaintive late-summer afternoons when we sit on our back porch fanning ourselves with well-loved issues of Desert Companion, sweat coming out of our ears, trying to suck down tepid sangrias before the ice melts, we hear them splashing.

We hear them laughing and enjoying icy beverages on floats and dipping in and out of the delicious, cold pool, at which I have sneaked many a peek. It is the perfect kidneybean shape, in a perfect, well-landscaped oasis, with a perfect set of chaises surrounding it.

Often, we hear the 3-year-old shriek with the glee of emerging from the water after a splashy jump, or one of the adults say, “Brrr!” while toweling off before cracking open a beer. We even hear the dog — the dog! — shaking off after a refreshing swim. We wipe our brows and stare at one another, mildly bitter.

In short, we have had pool envy for years.

So it was an amazingly generous offer, one I would never have made without thinking of all

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the calamities for which my insurance policy is ill-prepared, like a stranger drowning in it while I’m on vacation. But I quickly replied with a simple, “Thanks!”

The next morning, a Saturday, we stood at our living room window, in our swimsuits and SPF45, watching them pack their car.

We were dying for some pool time. Dying: skin-parched and relaxation-starved. We were not pining for public pool time — the kind in which you think about your belly fat and the bacteria floating in the pool — but private pool time. The kind in which you gently launch onto a float, dangle your limbs in the water, nap, awaken for a dip and a drink, and relaunch. For hours. So when they drove off, we gave it 10 minutes for possible forgot-something turnarounds, then grabbed our floats (every pool grifter owns a float) and tiptoed through their back gate.

It felt wrong, despite having permission. I felt like a thief — an awesome thief launching her International Leisure Sunchaser Padded Floating Lounger into a stolen paradise. I felt like my 14-year-old self, who joined friends climbing over the walls of country clubs to which we did not belong, to take night dips in pools where we were not welcome.

That surreptitious feeling echoed louder in suburban Las Vegas, where so many of us don’t really know our neighbors.

Just as my floating girlfriend and I were drifting off, physically and mentally, our cares dissipating with the quiet waft of the water ...

WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH, ppr-prrprf, WAAAAAAAAAAAH! A leaf blower, or a death ray shot by drone, or an alarm

signaling The Apocalypse. Instinctively, we took cover under water, and emerged to find four landscape workers spread across the yard. I waved my semi-authentic Saturday morning hello, and we waited.

And waited. Turns out, luxurious ecofriendly desert oasis landscaping takes care.

Turns out, leaf blowers are still the loudest contraption on Earth, and I had plenty of time while sitting tensely on the steps of the shallow end to contemplate the irony of a device meant to clean that causes so much noise pollution. When finally the yard was tidy and the air thick with dust, I offered them water (no takers), thanked them as if it were my yard (suddenly I’m a baller) and we returned to our International Leisure Sunchaser Padded Floating Loungers.

The quiet was even quieter now, the water even waterier. My girlfriend took a deep sigh.

I shut my eyes.

Then: “Well, good morning to ya, ladies!”

My eyelids popped open. The gardenhatted pool man was staring back at me, chemical kit in hand.

Paradise is short-lived. I felt a little peculiar leaving through the gate, rather than through the house. But such is the life of a pool grifter.

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