Desert Companion - July 2016 by Nevada Public Radio

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EDiTOR’S Note

Breaking bread

hey say the best way to the heart is through the stomach. I’d propose that it’s a promising path to the mind, too. Food as a way to foster tolerance and respect for diversity? Given recent nightmare headlines and a political season that seems less an election campaign than a shouty mosh pit of fear and anger, hey, I’m willing to consider anything. Diversity is one of the hallmarks of this year’s summer food issue (p. 52), dedicated to restaurants, chefs and dishes that champion a decided evocative oomph, a commitment to authenticity — in other words, a sense of place. It’s apt timing for such a theme: With a choir of economic experts singing a song of a resurgent Las Vegas, it’s safe to say the valley’s going to get a bit more crowded in the coming years. So, maybe we should all make a pledge to take our new neighbors to dinner. And whatever your taste, you’re sure to find a great new favorite spot in our seventh annual compendium of the best eats in town, whether it’s an adventurous find in Chinatown, an uber-fresh enlightened hipster breakfast in Henderson, or an old-school Vegas steakhouse with a classic vibe as thick as the prime rib. At the risk of rousing the slumbering cacodaemon that is the runaway Las Vegas growth machine, I’m looking forward to what new restaurants our economic recovery brings. And maybe — just maybe! — our restart won’t be completely based on, oh, an unsustainable stucco supernova fueled by sketchy loans and a bubblicious feeding frenzy. Of course, our region’s true economic potential won’t be completely unlocked until we take advantage of one huge asset: all this copious sunshine sitting on our doorstep. Notwithstanding the schoolyard stiff-arming of NV Energy and Next the Public Utilities Commission, MOnth I’m convinced that the prospect The great of Nevada as a serious contender unsung Charleston Boulevard in the renewable-energy arena is

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more than a sun-hugger’s naive daydream. T.R. Witcher’s richly reported story on p. 34 articulates just what it would take to make Nevada 100 percent renewable — a question that, happily, perhaps we should reframe for ourselves not so much as an “if” but as a “when.” To be sure, the myriad challenges are technical (how do you store mass sunshine?), economic (how can we lower the costs of producing renewable energy?) and political (who’s going carrot-and-stick industry and government into making this happen?), but they’re not insurmountable. For Californiabased nonprofit The Solutions Project to say Nevada could be producing 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2050 (!) is not a zany moonshot proposition. It’s well within reach. As its Executive Director Sarah Shanely Hope says, “It’s not even an economic problem. It’s political.” Which means that fundamentally changing the way we produce energy is really about changing people’s minds. Such optimistic notes — a city on the rebound, a willingness to imagine a better way, crazy delicious food — strike me as a fine introduction to a summer that promises to be superlative not just in terms of the temperature, but also, let’s hope, for Southern Nevada’s comeback in a big, big way. Andrew Kiraly editor

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END NOTE As Jonathan Swift would surely agree, satire is tricky business; THE some folks don’t get it, don’t like RECKONING it — and don’t want to see it in their monthly magazine from Nevada Public Radio. For example, Bill and Linda Warren, supporters of classical station 89.7 FM. They didn’t appreciate Andrew Kiraly’s End Note in the June issue, in which he imagined Brian Sandoval’s internal dialogue as the governor struggled to cast a vote for Donald Trump. “We believe an entity such as NPR should stay out of politics in every manner and stick to nurturing excellence in program content without a 80 political tone,” they wrote. “Thus, we were disappointed considerably in the ‘Satire’ commentary authored by you (“The Reckoning”). While not big Trump fans, we believe you crossed the line regarding NPR commentary. “One question: Have you published a similar commentary concerning Hillary Clinton and, if not, when might we expect to see that? So fraught with reckless and likely illegal actions as secretary of state and highly active (some say outrageous) fundraising activities for her campaign through massive speaking and other financial income (with the distinct possibility that influence was peddled in these actions), it seems to us that Ms. Clinton is ready for a good dose of satire to make sure your record is evenhanded. “The commentary left us limp with respect to future support for NPR. We will cease doing so until we are comfortable with your policies and actions in this area.” They’re really going to hate our Political Satire Issue. Seriously, though: We understand that some people aren’t big on satire, and we think it would be a shame if this prompted the Warrens to withhold support of the music they presumably love. Because the music hasn’t changed. The two operations — radio and magazine — while affiliated, are separate SATIRE

B Y A N D R E W K I R A LY

OV. 8, CARSON CITY — When Donald Trump emerged as the GOP’s likely presidential nominee last month, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said, in an oddly strained statement, that he would ultimately vote for the Republican party’s “presumptive nominee” — despite past remarks in which Sandoval criticized Trump for his racially charged rhetoric about Hispanics, questioned his political experience and raised doubts about his suitability to be the nation’s next commander-in-chief. It’s almost as though Sandoval, a moderate Republican, views Trump as many do: as a volatile, untrustworthy demagogue. When it comes down to party loyalty or simple sanity, what will Sandoval choose? Now comes the reckoning. It is Election Day, and Gov. Sandoval stands alone in the curtained voting booth in the Carson City Community Center, his finger hovering over the box marked “DONALD J. TRUMP.” A drop of nervous sweat from his brow splashes on the touchscreen, and Sandoval, roused from contemplation, begins a troubled soliloquy ... It is easy. You are here. You are here to vote. You are Brian Sandoval, and you are standing here and you will vote. You will vote for Donald Trump for president, as you said you would. As is expected of you. It is a good and right thing to do what you say you are going to do. If you have learned nothing else from politics, it is that one thing: If you do what you say you’re going to do, everything will be alright. You are Brian Sandoval, and you said you will vote for Donald Trump, and now you will ... vote ... for Donald Trump.

Sandoval moves to touch the DONALD J. TRUMP box, but his hand involuntarily curls into a tight fist. You acknowledge that you are in a dark place. It is self-delusion not to acknowledge that.

JUNE 2016

DESERTCOMPANION.VEGAS

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entities, complete with their own operational norms. Whereas radio (especially classical) strives generally to be politically neutral, the nature of magazines is to publish opinion and perspective pieces; it’s just a thing magazines do. Further worth noting is that the object of the satire wasn’t primarily Donald Trump, but rather Brian Sandoval. He’d said disparaging things about Trump before eventually declaring he’ll vote for the guy. So, as to the Warrens’ question about Hillary Clinton: Yes, given a similar flipflopping dynamic and potential for resonant humor, we would most definitely satirize leftward. Not every reader proved allergic to Andrew’s piece. “Your Desert Companion essay on Brian Sandoval voting for Trump was one of the coolest, funniest pieces that I’ve read in a very long time,” enthused UNLV professor Steven Parker. “Wonderful writing!”

But you are here, Brian, and you will vote for Donald Trump. You will press the button for Trump, and you will walk out of here, untroubled, uncompromised, unperturbed, no less a person, confident in the knowledge that you have made the best choice for the American people. You are going to press that button with this finger, this very finger, the finger of Brian Sandoval, governor of Nevada. A public servant and a man of principle. A family man. A clean man with nice hair and good teeth. A decent man. You are a decent man, Brian.

stomach with nauseating existential dread, regardless of whether it makes you want to rip off this suit — now revealed as nothing but the mask of a charlatan — and run through the parking lot and fall into the arms of your wife, naked and afraid, screaming hopelessly for an absolution that you know will never come. Breathe through it, Brian. Breathe with me. Breathe.

Again, he moves to touch the DONALD J. TRUMP box, but his finger reflexively retracts back into his now-trembling hand.

You are a good and decent man, Brian. You are a man of your word. You do not cry when a duty is asked of you. You accept your duty, and you perform it. You do not ... cry. You are ... not ... crying ...

A third time, he reaches out a trembling hand to touch the DONALD J. TRUMP box. This time, he succeeds, officially casting his vote for Donald Trump for president.

A teardrop falls on the touchscreen panel, and Sandoval rubs it away meditatively.

You are still standing, Brian. You are still alive, Brian. You are a good and decent man, and you are whole. You are worthy and capable. You are deserving of love. And you will love again.

You ... you do not succumb to self-pity when a duty is asked of you. You do not shirk your duty. You stop your crying, and you carry out the duty, Brian. You face the duty. You look into the black maw of duty, you embrace its filth, you accept the unbearable stench of the duty. You do it — you press that Trump button — regardless of whether it turns the root of your

Gov. Sandoval emerges through the curtains, clearly drained, but smiling weakly. However, there’s a collective gasp from the other voters in line, as they look upon an utterly changed Brian Sandoval — his perfect politician’s coif replaced by a translucent ginger swirl of Trump’s grotesque, spun-sugar hair.

(Aide: Governor, are you okay in there?) I’m fine. I’ll be just a minute.

I L LU ST R AT I O N B R E N T H O L M E S

“Thanks for Scott Dickensheets’ update on Bruce Isaacson’s progress as Clark County’s first poet laureate,” writes poet Lee Mallory about a short piece in the June issue assessing Isaacson’s surprising achievements in his first year on the (volunteer) job. “A Clark County poet laureate was, to my mind, critical due to the inevitable but aberrant influences of the city,” Mallory — who was namechecked in the piece — adds. “The falsity, pretension and hype on which ‘Sin City’ is so shakily based make the North Star universals of poetry urgently necessary. … Though distractions and risks abound, the basic gifts of poetry can keep us centered.”

“Nice article, captivating shots — you’ve got chutzpah!” — Facebooker Karen Haid to Heather Protz, whose street photography appeared in our June issue.

July 2016

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52 taste + place

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DEALicious Meals takes you to dozens of eateries where great food mixes with a sense of place to equal real culinary value. Chow, baby!

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departments All Things

25 making it home

45 Dining

65 The Guide

13 sports As it turns

From the north side of the valley to the east, good living abounds By Elisabeth Daniels

46 the dish Asian

Hot July culture!

sophistication at Niu-Gu By Greg Thilmont

72 End note

30 Community

handful of deliciousness By Scott Dickensheets

200, what’s the state of the UFC? 16 zeit bites See

a map of Nevada superimposed over a map of India! Wild! 18 Profile Top speed

with drift driver Rudy Ibanez 20 object lesson

Visiting the Beauty Kitchen 22 Open Topic The squatters next door

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Forget what Shakespeare said about lawyers; some of them do a lot of good. Like these. By Jason Scavone 34 environment What are the chances Nevada can be powered entirely by renewables? By T.R. Witcher

DesertCompanion.vegas

49 eat this now A

49 cocktail of the month You know what

sounds great right now? A booze milkshake! By Andrew Kiraly 50 table for two Great ’wiches at the new Goodwich By John Curtas & Greg Thilmont

In which a couple of guys visit a trendy Swedish furniture store — for the meatballs By Andrew Kiraly & Scott Dickensheets

on the cover PHOTOGRAPHY Christopher Smith Model Ashley Location Big B’s Texas BBQ

a l i a n t e : s c ot t l i e n ; d r i f t d r i v e r : a n t h o n y m a i r ; l aw y e r : a a r o n m ay e s ; s a n dw i c h : b r e n t h o l m e s

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

Mission Statement Desert Companion is the premier city magazine that celebrates the pursuits, passions and aspirations of Southern Nevadans. With awardwinning lifestyle journalism and design, Desert Companion does more than inform and entertain. We spark dialogue, engage people and define the spirit of the Las Vegas Valley. Publisher Melanie Cannon Associate Publisher Christine Kiely Editor Andrew Kiraly Art Director Christopher Smith deputy editor Scott Dickensheets senior designer Scott Lien staff writer Heidi Kyser Graphic Designer Brent Holmes Account executives Sharon Clifton, Parker McCoy, Favian Perez, Noelle Tokar, Markus Van’t Hul

NO DEISRESÞECT to mother nature,

BUT OUR PERFORMERS ARE A LOT LESS STIFF. So you’re planning to see the red rock wonders of Southern Utah’s national parks. Go for it. And while you’re going, exit in Cedar City for a night or two at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. For tickets, visit www.bard.org or call 800-PLAYTIX

2016 Plays

Much Ado about Nothing • Henry V The Three Musketeers • The Cocoanuts The Odd Couple • Mary Poppins Julius Caesar • Murder for Two

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The Greater Escape.

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Couture Marketing 145 E 17th Street, Suite B4 New York, NY 10003 (917) 821-4429 advertising@couturemarketing Marketing manager Lisa Kelly Subscription manager Tammy Willis Web administrator Danielle Branton print traffic manager Karen Wong ADVERTISING COPY EDITOR Carla J. Zvosec Contributing writers Jim Begley, John Curtas, Cybele, Elisabeth Daniels, Mélanie Hope, Debbie Lee, Christie Moeller, Pj Perez, Launce Rake, James P. Reza, Jason Scavone, Geoff Schumacher, Steve Sebelius, Greg Thilmont, Chuck Twardy, T.R. Witcher, Mitchell Wilburn Contributing artists Anthony Mair, Aaron Mayes, Sabin Orr, Greg Wilson Editorial: Andrew Kiraly, (702) 259-7856; andrew@desertcompanion.vegas Fax: (702) 258-5646 Advertising: Christine Kiely (702) 259-7813; christine@desertcompanion.vegas Subscriptions: (702) 258-9895; subscriptions@desertcompanion.vegas Website: www.desertcompanion.vegas Desert Companion is published 12 times a year by Nevada Public Radio, 1289 S. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89146. It is available by subscription at desertcompanion.vegas, or as part of Nevada Public Radio membership. It is also distributed free at select locations in the Las Vegas Valley. All photos, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Desert Companion and may not be duplicated or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The views of Desert Companion contributing writers are not necessarily the views of Desert Companion or Nevada Public Radio. Contact Tammy Willis for back issues, which are available for purchase for $7.95.

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

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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

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

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I’m Living Proof

“Every step of the way I had excellent care. If it wasn’t for Spring Valley Hospital, I wouldn’t be alive today.” ~ Sharon Martin

Advanced technology, great people and great care save lives! A brain aneurysm almost ended Sharon Martin’s life. With no warning in the middle of a conversation, her head slumped over and she was unconscious. She was taken to Spring Valley Hospital where doctors raced to save her life, using endovascular neurocoiling, a minimally invasive technique that blocks the flow of blood to an aneurysm. According to doctors, Sharon’s grade 4 aneurysm was one of the worst and typically has less than a 20 percent survival rate. “I was guided to the right hospital to get the best treatment. The fabulous care I received saved my life. Every member of the staff helped me and they are the reason I am alive today.” Sharon’s latest neurological tests were normal and she is back to doing all of the things she loves … gardening, baking and visiting the hospital staff to thank them for being there for her and her family.

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springvalleyhospital.com 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. | Las Vegas, NV 89118 | 702-853-3000 Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. 160056

lik e the th underd ome, but fil l ed wi th money

sports

Juggernaut With its 200th fight, the UFC finds itself smacked by issues and rumors of a sale — but it remains an unstoppable force B y Ja s o n S c av o n e

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

Deleted scenes from the new Bourne flick page 16

he words human cockfighting hung over mixed-martial arts for a long time. Which is not entirely how you want your image framed by a United States senator. John McCain has been the nation’s highest-ranking boxing devotee for years now, and a champion of fight game reforms. He’s the architect of both the Professional Boxing Safety Act and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, the latter designed to protect fighters from some of the more predatory aspects of the business. So in 1996, when he dropped the cockfighting bomb on MMA, it sealed a 36-state ban on the sport. That all melted away over time, particularly after Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta bought the growing, but niche, Ultimate Fighting

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ALL Things

sports

Championship in 2001 for $2 million. It took until this March for New York to relent and legalize MMA, the last state to do so. But that “human cockfighting” tag still hovers like a dark cloud. It’s just that now it feels more germane to everything outside the octagon. The milestone UFC 200 is set for July 9 at the T-Mobile Arena, the first card at the shiny new venue and the presumptive future home of every major MMA fight in the city for the foreseeable future. The neat round number aside, breaking in the new digs would make UFC 200 enough of a reason to ponder the state of Las Vegas’ most prominent sports franchise. But MMA gotta MMA. It’s a sport with more-is-more excess in its DNA. Why have just one prominent issue when half a dozen will do? After Ronda Rousey set out to humiliate Bethe Correia in her native Brazil at UFC 190 in August, and succeeded by any possible metric, the rumor mill spun, salivating at the possibility of a UFC 200 supercard with the then-unbeaten Rousey, as well as the unbeaten-in-UFC Irish smack-talk-Picasso Conor McGregor. It could make for a legendary event. UFC 200 was nearly a year away at that point, but both fighters seemed like the kind of unstoppable punishment machines who would cruise through their next fights. Combat sports, though, tend to be as unforgiving of hubris as Greek tragedy. Rousey was knocked out in her next outing, in November. The following month, McGregor needed all of 13 seconds to evaporate top rival Jose Aldo’s head with one punch. But in March, McGregor flew too close to the sun by jumping up 15 pounds (two weight classes) to fight Nate Diaz, who stunned the MMA universe by forcing McGregor to tap out. With Rousey’s temporary withdrawal from the sport — she says her loss to Holly Holm left her contemplating suicide — what once seemed inevitable became precarious. An expected McGregor-Diaz rematch for UFC 200 blew up in April when the UFC asked McGregor to go on a promotional tour. Claiming it disrupted his train-

If the sale rumors are true, all this does is force the UFC's owners to weigh billions now against more billions down the road.

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ing schedule, the Irishman dug in his heels, tweeting that he was retiring young. It touched off a civil war between the fighter and pugnacious UFC boss Dana White. McGregor fanned the flames on rumors of a fight with retired boxing king Floyd Mayweather — a circus that would’ve ended in embarrassment for McGregor if contested under boxing’s rules. White insisted McGregor’s UFC contract precluded him from outside fights. The mutual loathing in the subtext of this war put real housewives to shame. When there was finally a thaw in June, all White had to do was get Diaz on board. Just days later, TMZ spotted White storming out of a meeting with Diaz. Finally, the rematch was announced for UFC 202 in August at the T-Mobile, when at the same time, it was revealed that Brock Lesnar, the former wrestler-turned MMA fighter-turned wrestler, would switch jobs again and appear on the UFC 200 card, his first since 2011. It’s easy to see why the UFC lured Lesnar back. According to industry watcher Dave Meltzer, of the 11 UFC pay-per-views that notched more than a million buys, four featured Lesnar, a guy who looks like the Platonic ideal of a high school bully crossed with the Hulk on one of his more angry days. Great news, right? No, of course not. Hours before the UFC officially released the news during the UFC 199 broadcast, highly respected fight reporter Ariel Helwani broke the scoop. For his dogged commitment to well-sourced journalism, the UFC banned him for life. The furor of a scorned press and irate public was swift, and Helwani was reinstated two days later. Damage control at its least subtle. The Helwani incident did obfuscate the other controversial aspect of the Lesnar announcement. Namely, that a mandatory four-month drug testing period required by the UFC and the United States Anti-Doping Agency for athletes coming out of retirement would be waived for Lesnar. His opponent, Mark Hunt, said he thought Lesnar was “juiced to the gills.” The UFC has been adamant about strict testing in the sport. Lesnar immediately went into the testing protocol, but that’s only a month’s worth of surveillance. Hanging over all of this is increasing smoke about the possibility of the entire

promotion being sold. ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell originally broke the story in May about how Zuffa LLC — UFC’s ownership group comprising the Fertitta brothers, White and the government of Abu Dhabi — was in advanced talks with four separate bidders to sell UFC for $3.5 to $4 billion. Then, on June 20, the site FloCombat.com reported that it had confirmed a $4.2 billion sale to an ownership group that included the Ari Emanuel-headed talent agency WMEIMG and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, which would remove the Fertittas from the picture but keep White on board. White adamantly refuted the first story; as of press time, UFC had issued a strong denial of the second to its employees and suggested it may take legal action against media outlets. Longtime fighter Randy Couture, however, indicated that he knew the sale was a done deal from his sources inside the organization. The original sale report came just days after U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., announced he’d be sponsoring legislation to make the Ali Act apply to MMA along with boxing. Among other things, it would require promoters to open the books and show fighters just how much money events bring in. Some have estimated that fighters in the UFC take in as little as 15 percent of total revenues, far behind the 40-50 percent athletes in other pro leagues get. Applying the Ali Act is seen as a move that would favor fighters and help drive up their share of the pie. Lorenzo Fertitta said at the end of last year that UFC generated $600 million in revenue, a record, and a significant jump from roughly $520 million in 2014. So any consideration of the state of UFC finally becomes a question of whether these controversies will slow the juggernaut. Individually, not a chance. Even collectively, it seems unlikely, with only the Ali Act having any real potential to damage UFC’s bottom line. If the sale rumors are true, all this does is force Zuffa to weigh billions now against more billions down the road. Las Vegas’ premier league has joined the ranks of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB: institutionally entrenched, too big to fail and going nowhere in our lifetime.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

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sense of place

Creativity central Remembering Tamarus Street when it rocked b y An occasional series in which writers extract meaning from specific locations in the valley. espite being anchored by UNLV, the residential side of the University District doesn’t scream “college town.” Populated primarily by blocks of low-slung, aging apartment complexes east of Maryland Parkway, the area is mostly home to lower-income and working-class households. It wasn’t much different in the mid-1990s, when I lived in several apartments along Tamarus Street. The first time, I split a roomy two-bedroom unit at Tamarus Park with my best friend, Jason, then music director at KUNV, back when “Rock Avenue” still ruled its airwaves. The second time was by myself in a sparse studio in the same complex. The third time was at Fox Hall Apartments (now “The Marq at 1600”) with my future ex-wife and her roommate, a barista at Café Espresso Roma, whose brother may or may not have wished death upon me at one point. (Long story.) Jason and I were (and are) musicians, and our apartment became the unofficial headquarters for

pj perez

the Still Hour music and art collective. It was the recording and rehearsal studio for our respective bands. It was a crash pad for nomad (or just plastered) artists and poets. We were far from the only young creative types who lived in those cheap apartments, so there was always

something happening somewhere in the ’hood. House parties. Collaborative art projects. Spontaneous jam sessions. One night, my friend Rob — then the mastermind behind industrial-dance act Corinthian Flux — stopped by the Still Hour compound. Although he usually could be found behind a computer keyboard, this evening he strapped on a guitar. I plugged in a drum machine and hit Record on a nearby tape deck. Rob fauxrapped while riffing on the guitar as I laid down quasi-hip-hop beats. When Jason came home, he took over on guitar, Rob manned the drum machine, I took the mic, and as a trio we taped another 30 minutes of improvised industrial-rap-metal. This kind of stuff happened all the time. Of course, this was within crawling distance of Maryland Parkway, whose coffeehouses, bars and record stores made the University District the de facto cultural center of Las Vegas at the time. Those cafés and watering holes are long gone, replaced by chain restaurants, karaoke rooms and liquor stores. The culturati have moved Downtown. But the memories of that time and place live on — and I still have the tape to help me remember.

Deleted Vegas scenes from Jason Bourne*

The carnage-happy spy movie filmed here, but not every shot made the cut After Bourne brutally subdues nine guys with rapid punches and kicks, a table is suddenly free at Guy Savoy.

NSA satellite spots man in long line to buy chair at IKEA: “MY GOD, IT’S JASON BOURNE!” And Bourne's all, Can't an amnesiac killing machine buy a !#%& chair?!

On East Fremont, Bourne delivers vicious throat chop to creeping gentrification.

Male stripper fights off flying shark with crotch ... wait, that's an actual scene from Sharknado 4, also set in Las Vegas.

Disgusted by prospect of tax-subsidized stadium, Bourne snaps a few necks and goes off the grid.

After rampage, Bourne enjoys DEALicious meal he saw in the copy of Desert Companion he used to kill CIA assassin. *Opens July 29

THE BOTTOM LINE >> pt's pub opens 50th location — a (mild) appreciation: PT’s isn't hip and sense-of-placey, but maybe that’s part of its appeal. ThAT comfy innocuousness is perfect for a

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

size of place

my, what a big state you have To give Nevadans a truer sense of how big their 110,657-square-mile state is, selfstorage.com has created maps that correct for the "Mercator effect," the distortions that occur when a round world is depicted on flat maps. (Thus our state's odd shape on some of these maps.) Compare real-size Nevada to the Koreas (1), the U.K. (2), Iceland (3) and India (4). 1

Funhouse Mirror

Okay, we get it — Las Vegas is a weird place. It has peculiar buildings that pretend to be from other places. Its patron saints are Party-hearty Dude and Tipsy Bachelorette. So, in countless movies and books, it is the go-to setting for tales of depravity, dishonesty and despair. Martin Seay’s The Mirror Thief (Melville House, $29.95) abounds in all three, but it spreads them evenly among Las Vegas in 2003, Renaissance Venice and Beat-era Venice, California. Here to track down an aging gambler, ex-Marine Curtis Stone stays at the Venetian and surveils the simulacra-stacked Strip while the world readies for the Iraq War. It’s the perfect Vegas moment for a book about mirrors and reflections, before the advent of the theme-free CityCenter. In the Stratosphere’s lounge, a longtime resident tells Curtis: “Everything you see down there — everything! — is on its way out ... I mean, f--k Rome. This is the eternal city. Pure concept.” This would be just another crackpot Theory of Vegas, except that the book revels in impermanence, in disorienting shifts of expectations, meanings and identities. Seay’s Las Vegas is more than mere foil for gamblers and goofballs. It is a strange place, yes, but it acutely mirrors otherwise obscured desires and deceptions. Chuck Twardy valley of placeless edge cities — you needn’t live up to an ennervating standard of urban cool. You can just get a beer, be yourself.

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Rudy Ibanez Professional drift driver

ou’re skidding sideways in a car at high speed — wait, let’s see if we can better capture this experience in cold print: YOU’RE SKIDDING (white-knuckled …) *SIIIDEWAAAAAYS* (… while giggling …) AT high speed (… and laughing the whole ride)!!!! That’s more like it! No bland explanation will suffice when you’re the passenger in a hot ’Vette on the custom track at Exotics Racing, gargling adrenaline as the car “drifts” — you know, power-skidding a souped-up car sideways through turns, accompanied by the shriek of anguished tires, as seen in the movies — and the whole thing feels fast, crazy and barely under control, and the only reason you can laugh is that Rudy Ibanez, professional badass driver, is at the wheel, providing the fast, the crazy and, most importantly, the control. We slowed his roll just long enough to learn a little more.

Around Exotics Racing, a joint out by the speedway where you pay to drive super cars (Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini) or ride with a drift pro like Rudy, they talk of him as if he is a benevolent madman: You never know what’ll happen when Rudy blasts onto the track! He concedes that his reputation is well deserved. An average day on the job: 60-80 rides, often more. He might burn through three sets of tires in a day. Time of year makes a difference in drifting. In this heat, the track feels “greasy” and automotive performance sags “by 10 or 15 horsepower,” meaning Ibanez has to work harder to coax max thrills from a car. By contrast, he says, the asphalt is “grippier” in winter. Most days he drives a truck to work. Ibanez, 32, began racing go-carts at age 7 in San Diego. A “Navy brat," he kept racing wherever the family wound up stationed — most crucially in Japan during his teen years, where drift driving was a thing well before it blew up in America. But he first learned to drift in a place

much different than Japan: frozen Lake Michigan. Rudy’s father was an ice fisherman. Rudy wasn’t. “But that’s how the drifting started. We'd go out into the middle of Lake Michigan in a beat-up F250, and he’d teach me to drift on the ice.” Teenage drifting on twisty mountain roads in Japan: “At night it’s deserted,” he says. “You have guys at the top and bottom with flashlights, and you go at it, up and down, for seven hours. “You learn your limits right away. You know that if you mess up, there’s a guardrail and then there’s a cliff. “My father kind of looked the other way. ‘As long as you come back in one piece, and your mother doesn’t find out what you’re doing, I guess we’re okay.’” Back in America in the early aughts, studying criminal justice at Cal State San Bernardino, he slid into the nascent drifting scene. “I was able to get onto the bandwagon before the scene blew up.” His Japan-tooled skills resulted in three national drifting championships. As a favor to a racing colleague who worked in Hollywood, Ibanez skipped school one day to consult on a movie that involved drifting. (“The guys at Universal can’t drift cars,” his friend told him; drifting was still a new phenomenon outside of Asia.) “I wasn’t going to do it,” he recalls. “I had a paper due that day.” He did, though, and wound up as stunt coordinator for Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift. He's worked on other films in the series, including the one filming now, as well as Iron Man films and the Dukes of Hazzard movie. When you zoom onto the track, even for the umpteenth time in a day, you still have to respect that shiver of fear, he says, lest you get complacent. “When you throw the car sideways, you’re still sideways. If you look over, my hands are sweating, too.” “Every time you go out it’s a different ride,” he says. Words of wisdom right there. Scott Dickensheets

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style

for a few weeks, changing the recipe as I go until I am 100 percent confident and in love with the product. I then send it off to about 50-100 random VIP Beauty Kitchen customers to test it out. (That’s one of the perks of being one of my Beauty Box subscribers.) If it doesn’t get a 100/100 rating, we don’t move forward with it. Not everything is a winner every time. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about beauty products?

There are often a ton of harsh ingredients jam-packed in common beauty products that can actually cause more damage to your skin-care routine by causing you to break out, have red patches or throw off your skin’s natural pH. What’s your best piece of DIY

ince launching her Object lesson “Beauty Kitchen” YouTube series in July 2012, showcasing simple, do-it-yourself beauty recipes made with common kitchen ingredients, Heather Marianna (heathermarianna.tv) has earned Cook up your own natural beauty with a reputation as the queen of DIY Heather Marianna b y c h r i s t i e m o e l l e r home beauty. It also inspired her to launch her own all-natural beauty and skincare product line, which delivers a luxurious at-home spa experience — all with ingredients you can actually pronounce. Here, the Las Vegan shares DIY beauty tips, favorite ingredients and recipes you can try at home.

Do try this at home

What was your first DIY beauty creation?

My first DIY creation was a sugar body scrub about 10-15 years ago — and it wasn’t that great, honestly! At the time I didn’t have a clear direction of what ingredients carry what benefits. I’ve managed to perfect my sugar body scrubs by lots of trial and error, research, education and traveling. Now my Beauty Kitchen sugar and salt body scrubs are some of my most popular products.

beauty advice?

Wash your face every night. Leaving makeup on overnight clogs pores and adds a ton of stress, pollutants and damage to the skin. Use a face mask at least once a week. Regular cleansing will remove surface dirt, but only a face mask will actually draw out impurities from beneath the top layers of the epidermis. Also, go makeup free every now and then. Your skin needs to breathe, too. Are there any natural ingredients to avoid?

I sometimes see some DIY beauty recipes that use corn oil, which was a short-lived trend a few years ago until it came out that it clogs pores and causes acne. It was popular at one time, but now true beauty experts prefer to substitute it out. I personally like to use grapeseed oil instead. What about those of us who

What’s your favorite DIY beauty ingredient?

are kitchen-challenged?

Geranium essential oil. It’s nature’s Botox and prevents sagging skin while promoting a glowing, radiant complexion. You can use it to treat acne, reduce inflammation and balance hormones. You can pick this up at any high-end grocery store. It’s great to add to scrubs and facial oils.

Most of my beauty recipes are very simple. Trust me — I’m not the best chef, so I definitely make sure that all of my recipes are very approachable and not intimidating. The top three things you need: A small mixer, a bowl and measuring spoons/cups. It’s all actually very simple to do!

How does the process of creating a product work?

I come up with an idea and then source the ingredients. After I create it, I try it on myself

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

recipes for beauty Anti-cellulite coffee scrub Caffeine tightens and provides antioxidants to the skin when applied directly. When used

Five Things I can't live without

Strawberries They have a high potency of salicylic acid, which is the number one acne fighting ingredient. They’re great for face masks, and they actually even help whiten teeth.

regularly, it has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite over time. 1 cup coffee grounds 6 tbsp coconut oil 3 tbsp sea salt or sugar

Coffee

empty jar

It’s great for waking up — and for waking up your skin. Coffee is an antioxidant and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by stimulating the skin.

dry brush (optional) 1. Measure out the dry ingredients and combine in a large measuring cup or bowl. 2. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave if solid and add to the mixture. Mix well. 3. Transfer contents to a waterproof jar or container. 4. In the shower, apply your scrub to areas with cellulite. Massage the scrub onto the skin in a circular motion before rinsing. Repeat every time you shower for best results.

Dark circles minimizer face mask This mask will fade dark circles and bags under the eyes, while nourishing the smooth, gentle

Sugar

skin in your eye area. You can use this mask two

Sugar is one of my favorite natural exfoliators. It removes oil, dirt and dead skin cells while encouraging skin renewal.

times a week. 1 small-medium potato 1 tbsp honey extra-virgin olive oil 1. Peel a small-medium potato and finely grate it. 2. Mix the grated potato with 1 tbsp honey and extra virgin olive oil (enough olive oil to keep the mixture at a paste-like consistency). 3. Apply on your under-eye area and leave on for half an hour. 4. Wash off with warm water.

Rejuvenating ginger foot scrub Ginger has a long-standing reputation as a healer. This recipe will bring your feet back to life, making them feel extra soft and rejuvenated after a long day (or night) of being on your toes. 1 tbsp mustard powder 2 tsp grated fresh ginger 1. Add mustard powder and ginger in a bathtub containing warm water. (Do not use hot water, as it can deactivate the effects of mustard.) 2. Immerse your feet in it for 15-20 minutes. 3. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Egg whites Pumpkin Often found in luxurious spa treatments, the enzymes in pureéd pumpkin are loaded with antioxidants, offer many inflammatory benefits, and even boast natural UV protection.

An egg white face mask is perfect for drying up pesky blemishes. You can add a few crushed Tylenol to one egg white, and you will see vast improvement in acne almost immediately. J u ly 2 0 1 6

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open topic

society

Home, sweet home Life with the squatters next door B y

L au n c e R a k e

t is a little house on a typical Las Vegas street. This is one of the city’s oldest residential neighborhoods, close to Downtown, and this house, like its neighbors, was built in 1950, when the town was still getting a reputation as the nation’s red-light district and the government still detonated nuclear weapons in the desert. Lately, this little house has been part of a more modern history in Las Vegas. Like thousands of other homes, it was foreclosed upon. Like thousands of other homes, it saw a succession of bad things happen after that: Since the foreclosure two years ago, squatters have frequently occupied the house. It has had its postwar-era copper plumbing ripped out of the walls and floorboards. It has had the water turned on, flooding the house and the street. It has been rented out, apparently by people who do not own the property. Its big backyard has kenneled as many as 17 dogs at once. Now its front porch is littered with debris, the tenant appears to be gone and the weeds are out of control. I have seen it all. I am the neighbor. When I moved into the neighborhood near Downtown’s historic Huntridge barrio in 2009, a large, boisterous Hispanic family rented the property next door. They were

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great neighbors, although I thought their decision to cover their dusty backyard with carpet remnants was weird. Occasionally they would leave a box of fruit on my front porch. But, in February 2014, the hammer fell. The family had been paying rent, but the owner hadn’t been paying the mortgage. They had to move out. U.S. Bank, based in Minneapolis, bought the house in a foreclosure auction for $135,000 and change. Almost immediately, the squatting began. Vagrants broke into the backyard and knocked out doors and windows to get into the house. To get into the backyard, they usually ripped a large metal gate from its hinges. A neighbor and I spent more than a few days and nights trying to repair the mangled gate. Such activity is common in this city, which the Las Vegas Sun has called a “squatters’ paradise.” The number of squatter-related calls Metro received has risen yearly, topping 4,400 in 2015, according to the paper (that’s a 169 percent increase over 2012). Illegal residents have brandished fake leases, changed locks and exploited weak laws related to squatting to remain in other people’s homes. Next door, piles of trash, beer cans and other detritus started to pop up around the property. It didn’t bother me too much if the trash was bagged. Sometimes, though, trash was just dumped, unbagged and without ceremony, in my driveway, and I had to collect it, accompanied by much sputtering and cursing. Around the same time, someone ripped out the copper plumbing. The neighborhood was alerted to this issue when a river of water flowed from the house into the street. Eventually, Las Vegas Code Enforcement got involved. Officers posted tickets on the property, and the bank hired a management company to periodically repair the gate and attempt to secure the house. The company cut the weeds in the front yard a couple of times. At one point, a woman from the prop-

ILLUSTRATION g r e g w i l s o n

erty-management company knocked on my door. Was someone living next door? Yes, I said, a man had moved in recently. I was happy someone lived there. No, she said. The house was not sold. There was no lease. The person claimed to have a deed based on the legal strategy that if the house was vacant, they had a right to move in and take the property. The bank, it seems, disagreed with this interpretation of property law, as potentially fruitful as it would be for so many would-be home and business owners. So for a few weeks the house stood empty again. It was about this time, a year ago, that Animal Control took away numerous dogs. Who left them there? I don't know! Like much in this story, that question isn't answered in the official record. After that, a gentleman moved in on a more permanent basis. He brought a girlfriend and several dogs. We’ll call him Jesse; I never learned a last name. He replaced the plumbing and fixed the air conditioner, turned on the water, reconnected the electricity. I don’t think he ever cut the weeds, though, and the cops were out to talk to him a couple times, and so the neighbors weren’t happy with him. He was cool with me even though I called Animal Control once when his barking dogs got super annoying. I checked every couple of weeks to see if the property had switched ownership, but no, U.S. Bank continued to own it, along with a couple of hundred other houses all over the valley. Jesse said he was paying rent to a manager. I asked the bank’s spokesman, in Minneapolis, what was happening with the property — why the bank had a tenant in the little house on my street. I got a partial explanation: U.S. Bank is “in the process of conveying the property” to the federal government because the mortgage is insured with the Federal Housing Administration, said Teri Charest, the bank’s head of external communications for consumer and small-business banking, in an email. “The property is currently occupied,” she wrote. “We are required to follow specific legal procedures in each state to

get the property in the vacant condition needed to transfer the property to HUD (the Housing and Urban Development Department). We are actively working those processes now. However, as long as there is a tenant, we are not able to provide service to the property.” She could not tell me how the tenant had moved in. That’s an example of the issue’s ill-defined legal status; often, police were forced to treat squatting as a civil dispute, a landlord-tenant problem. Hoping to give property owners some relief in such scenarios, the 2015 Legislature passed laws that specifically criminalized outlaw occupancy. They took effect October 1. Recently, Jesse moved out. He left a couple of dogs, which barked a lot. All night long. I think dogs that are left alone all day, even if they have food and water, go a little bonkers and bark in an effort to communicate. Eventually they were gone. The house is still a mess. There’s debris and a cheap dining-room chair on the front porch. The last time I talked to Jesse, he told me he’d been paying rent for nine months and that gave him some legal ownership of the house. He was, he said, “renting to own.” That doesn’t seem to be the bank’s point of view. Folks are fascinated by squatters in Las Vegas. There was a big New York Times feature on the subject recently, filled with anecdotes about phony leases, counterfeiters and confrontations, and I know other national journalists are looking at the issue here, too. One thing I can promise you, at least in my neighborhood: If a house is left vacant, without someone regularly checking on it, people will move in. I can’t say what the next chapter will be for this house next door. It seems empty now, just another of the 13,000 vacant homes the Sun says exist in the valley — but for how long? Will turning it over to HUD help or hurt its future as a place where people, a family, live full-time? I don’t know. I do know that its present condition gives the neighborhood a creepy vibe. It sticks out. Now Code Enforcement is ordering someone, the bank or the nonexistent tenant or somebody, to clean up the property, but that hasn’t happened so far.

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4th annual

PHOTO showCase

On May 26, the Contemporary arts Center was host to the 4th annual ‘FoCus on nevada’ photo showCase and award presentation. Over 200 guests gathered to honor this year’s winners, while enjoying the full 2016 Photo Showcase Exhibit. Lite bites and beverages were provided by the GoodwiCh and Goose island Brewery. Our top winners took home prizes provided by B & C Camera, nikon and BellaGio Gallery oF Fine art. Additional photos of guests and honorees can be found at FaCeBook.Com/desertCompanion

A quiet comebac k at the mou ntains’ ed g e

Clark County Wetlands Park

TREASURES UNKNOWN

NORTH AND EAST LAS VEGAS Call it the sleeping giant of the Las Vegas Valley — but this area is now on the rise b y e l i s a b e t h d a n i e l s

ou might be surprised to learn that North Las Vegas is the second-fastest-growing city in Nevada. That North Las Vegas? Indeed, it’s fair to say the city has struggled over the years to overcome negative perceptions (not to mention that pesky foreclosure crisis). But that reputation has changed — and it continues to change — thanks to a number of factors: With the success of the Aliante master-planned community, Cannery Casino and Aliante Station, North Las Vegas has become an affordable and desirable place to purchase a home. The city offers a wide variety of homes, from starter houses for first-time homebuyers to 215

215

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high-end residences with an $800,000-plus price tag. And while they aren’t dancing in circles around a shiny new IKEA, residents have easy access to plenty of respectable big-box retailers along the 215 Beltway corridor. Those who live in Aliante are close to a large shopping center, and Aliante Station is within walking distance for many of the homeowners in the area. And let’s not forget the renewed buzz about economic revival, with North Las Vegas successfully landing the Faraday Future electric car plant and the Hyperloop test track. East Las Vegas, commonly referred to as Whitney, includes an unincorporated town that abuts Frenchm a n a n d Su n r i s e mountains. Although this part of the valley isn’t accessible from the 215 Beltway, it’s not a bad drive. It’s possible to find a relatively inexpensive home here, too, that also has superb views of the Strip. Sam Boyd Stadium, home of the UNLV football team and the annual Las Vegas Bowl, is located in Whitney, providing opportunities to attend sports events and other happenings. With housing choices to accommodate just about every taste and budget, ample opportunities for recreation, and a mix of entertainment and dining options, North Las Vegas and East Las Vegas have a great deal to offer.

Variety Pack

Homes for every lifestyle From upscale starter homes to luxe custom pads Link ed l ifestyle Opened in 2005 in East Las Vegas, Solera at Stallion Mountain is an age-restricted community that caters to adults 55 and over — but be prepared to get active. One-story, single-family ranch-style homes are available in five different floor plans. The fully

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landscaped homes in this guard-gated community range from 1,155 to 1,716 square feet with a choice of two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Some homes feature a covered patio and views of the adjacent Stallion Mountain Golf Course, an 18-hole, 7,351-yard course designed by Jim Colbert and Jeff Brauer.

The course also features a 38,000 square-foot clubhouse. Along with the clubhouse and golf course, a fitness center, outdoor pool, multipurpose rooms and walking and biking trails offer plenty of ways to break a sweat. A 1,157-squarefoot single-family home with two bedrooms and two baths in Solera was recently listed on Zillow for $179,000.

hello, neighbor! Gina Gavan helped take Downtown Vegas from, as she says, “blighted to bling.” Now she’s part of a team intent on doing the same thing for North Las Vegas. As the director of economic development for the City of North Las Vegas, Gavan is using her knack for handling competing priorities and people to take North Las Vegas to the next level. By rebuilding its economy around technology companies and green businesses, Gavan says the city is creating momentum on a citywide scale. “The types of companies that are choosing to move to the city are game-changers,” she says. “These are strategic growth opportunities that will result in more jobs, new housing, financial stability, a more connected infrastructure and more amenities for businesses and residents.” (She definitely knows how to bring people together to invest in something; her previous gig was putting on the popular Project Dinner Table, a gourmet charity dinner series that took place at various Vegas locations, from orchards to baseball fields to high-rise office complexes.) Gavan wants people to know that North Las Vegas is a safe, exciting and unique place to live and do business. “It’s a city with prideful roots and a bright future growing into its true potential,” she says. “North Las Vegas is rising and ready to spread its wings.”

East Las Vegas

G A v a N : B R E N T H O L M E S ; homes : S C O T T L I E N

Making it home

Eldorado

Su p ersi ze me Home buyers looking for a picturesque setting will want to consider Eldorado in North Las Vegas. This master-planned community north of Ann Road has two parks and four gated neighborhoods to choose from, each with schools, retail, dining, entertainment and other amenities nearby. Eldorado Ridge was the first neighborhood to be built, and its homes are the most affordable. North Peak’s one- and two-story homes include up to five bedrooms and three

baths. Designs feature open floor plans, ranging from 1,888 to 2,948 square feet, covered patios, and lofts. Homes in Eldorado Heights have extra-large kitchen islands, game rooms and even four-bay garages. Homebuyers in Castle Rock can choose from four to five bedrooms and three to four-and-a-half baths in living space ranging from 2,942 to 4,044 square feet. A 2,942-square-foot, single-story Castle Rock home with four bedrooms and three baths was recently listed on Zillow for $346,990.

Nic e manor s At the base of Frenchman Mountain, on the east side of Las Vegas, Sunrise Manor is one of seven unincorporated townships in the Las Vegas Valley. Sunrise Manor is bounded by Sam’s Town in the south, Nellis Air Force Base in the north, Fremont Street to the west and Frenchman Mountain to the east. Condos, mobile homes and detached single-family homes mix with rural areas and large lots perfect for animals. Most of the homes are affordable, with some

Sunrise Manor

higher-end properties available. The area draws artists and other creative types who show their work at the Sunrise Library. A 1,835-squarefoot single-family home with four bedrooms and three bathrooms was recently listed on Zillow for $145,000.

In the Neighborhood

eveloped by American Nevada in 2003 — the name behind well-known residential developments such as Green Valley and Seven Hills — Aliante is North Las Vegas’ first master-planned community. It’s little wonder that, with its integration of homes, parks, retail and public areas, Aliante quickly became one of the fastest-selling communities in the valley. The area’s amenities include an amphitheater, a 20-acre nature discovery park, an 18-hole municipal golf course, two traditional parks, linear parks, soccer and ball fields, picnic areas, and an arroyo and trail system. The Aliante area comprises a cluster of subdivisions, each with its own features and attractions. The Fields at Aliante offers four- and five-bedroom designs that range from 2,228 to 3,374 square feet. The homes feature two-

Sun City Aliante

and-a-half to three baths, two- to three-car garages, lofts, bonus rooms and owner retreats, and many come with welcoming courtyard entrances. Need a bit more elbow room? Prominence at Aliante is a private, gated neighborhood of two-story homes ranging from 2,830 to 4,449 square feet. Many of these homes feature family rooms, three-car garages, bonus rooms, courtyards, and flex space, which many turn into family dens or entertainment areas for the TV and game systems. Autumn Ridge, mean-

while, is a gated neighborhood that offers a selection of one- and two-story homes ranging from 2,695 to 4,245 square feet. Developed by Del Webb, Sun City Aliante is an age-restricted, 55-plus community with its own set of amenities, including a clubhouse with conference rooms, indoor swimming pool, game and hobby areas, billiard tables, fitness center, computer lab, tennis courts and bocce courts. If there weren’t so much else to do in the area, you might never want to leave.

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Making it home Broadacres

Crown Jewels

Gorge, swap, guzzle

Street smarts: Losee Road Dillen’s Family Ice Cream (5960 Losee Road # 121) is a family-owned and operated ice cream parlor with a ’50s vibe. The black-and-white checked floor, red-framed chalkboard menu and turquoise seat coverings set the mood before you even step up to the counter. Choose from classics like French Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry, or get adventurous with Bubblegum, Circus Animal Cookie or Sea Salt Caramel. Discover something new like a waffle ice cream sandwich. Can’t decide? There are two mini ice-cream samplers so you can easily find your favorite “premium hard scoop” flavor. Assuage your guilt afterward at Spartan Sports Nutrition (6462 Losee

Road # 120), which offers well-known sports-nutrition brands, vitamins and bodybuilding supplements at wholesale prices. The family business prides itself on doing everything in-house — from taking your order to packing it to shipping it — and making the process as pleasant as possible. It seems to be working. Spartan consistently receives positive reviews for both its range

major lazers

Blue Reef Aquatics

of products and its customer service. The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into Blue Reef Aquatics (5960 Losee Road) is the impressive 450-gallon mixed-reef display aquarium. Opened in 2010 by Greg and Donna Harris, Blue Reef is the largest independent tropical fish and reef store in the area, offering an extensive selection of coral, saltwater and freshwater fish. They stock everything fish enthusiasts need for their aquariums: protein skimmers, air pumps, water pumps and power heads, aquarium lighting, fish food, refugiums, aquarium filters, aquarium heaters, and more. They’ll even help you install and set up your aquarium.

Just off Losee Road are the Lazer Ladies — sisters Cindy and Marylou Soto. Their business Lazer Ladies Gifts & Awards (2543 E. Washburn Road, lazerladies.com) offers custom engraving, embroidery, printing, you name it. They especially like crafting plaques and trophies that celebrate the accomplishments of veterans and those currently serving in the military. No wonder: Marylou herself proudly served in the Air Force.

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• Ravenous? Head to Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop (in Jerry’s Nugget Casino, 1821 Las Vegas Blvd. N.). This iconic midcentury-modern diner is open 24 hours a day and is known for its reasonable prices and big portions. Try Jerry’s Famous Prime Rib, which is treated to a special rub and roasted for 10 hours. The dessert menu features cakes, pies, cheesecakes and shakes; everything is made from scratch. The éclairs come highly recommended. • If you like your deals with a side of people-watching and live music, Broadacres Marketplace (2930 Las Vegas Blvd. N.) on the weekend is for you. This indoor and outdoor swap meet has more than 1,000 vendors in a family-friendly atmosphere. Buy deeply discounted cookware, give the kids a pony ride and dance to a norteña band. Refuel with pizza, grilled corn or culichi sushi, a Mexican twist on the Asian favorite. For an adult beverage, we recommend a spicy michelada for a blend of tang and heat. Friday, 4-11p; Saturday & Sunday, 6a-5p, $1.50-$2 entry • Aces & Ales (3740 S. Nellis Blvd., acesandales.com) appeals to the casual craft beer connoisseur who wants a meal with his suds. Twenty-two beers are on tap, and the selection changes regularly. A locals bar that draws tourists, Aces & Ales has an $8 lunch-box special during the week, “Hoppy” Hour Monday-Friday nights, Sinner Sundays and 25 percent off all craft beer bottles every Wednesday.

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Ice cream at Dillen’s

Making the Grade Area schools of special note Jo Mackey Elementary (2726 Englestad Street) is a public magnet school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in North Las Vegas. Students learn in a rigorous academic environment, which includes instruction in the arts, foreign language and technology.

Craig Ranch Regional Park

Get Out (or play in)

Dinos, parks and a summit

onder why Nature Discovery Park in Aliante (2627 Nature Park Drive) is called Dinosaur Park by the locals? It might have something to do with the giant triceratops skull in the dino-themed play area. If that weren’t enough, the 20-acre park also features a waterfall, an amphitheater, soccer fields, tennis courts, gazebos and picnic spots, and walking trails. It’s a must-do for kids and kids-at-heart. If your kids have ever dreamed of playing in the big leagues, Gary Reese Freedom Park (850 N. Mojave Road) is the place to go. This 68-acre sports park houses the Big League Dreams Sports Complex. Along with a kid-friendly family pool, there are baseball and softball fields, a skate park, bocce and horseshoe courts, a jogging path, picnic areas and a fitness course. Sunrise Mountain, part of the mountain range that forms the eastern border of Las Vegas, is often confused with Frenchman Mountain, even though it’s the smaller of the two peaks. Still, the short hike to the summit is surprisingly challenging, with varied terrain that requires scrambling in some spots. The views at the top are worth the effort. Pro Tip: At the base of the mountain, keep an eye out for Vishnu Schist, which are some of the oldest rocks in North America, dating back two billion years. As with most outdoor activities in the Vegas Valley, Sunrise Mountain is best climbed from October to May to avoid the heat of summer. Located at the northeast corner of Craig Road and Commerce Street in North Las Vegas, on the site of the former Craig Ranch Golf Course, is Craig Ranch Regional Park (628 W. Craig Road). The 170-acre piece of park nirvana features a sprawling 65,000-square-foot skate park, four civic plazas, three dog parks, two lighted competition baseball fields, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, eight reservable ramadas and plenty of open spaces. A community garden offers 62 5-feet-by-13-feet personal gardening plots that are available for reservations on an annual basis. The newest addition to the park is an amphitheater that comfortably accommodates 3,500 people for musical and cultural events.

Amenities & Attractions Operated by the YMCA, the SkyView Multi-Generational Center (3050 E. Centennial Parkway) offers recreational activities and programs for all ages. Ac-

cessible from the 215 Beltway, this state-of-the-art community center is nearly 40,000 square feet. A Kids Gym makes it easy for parents to take advantage of yoga and aerobics classes. Lounging areas come with free wi-fi and mountain views. With Xbox,

Kinect, air hockey, billiards and foosball, the family can play together. Clark County Wetlands Park (7050 Wetlands Park Lane) is a great family destination on the east side. Through engaging, interactive programs, kids and adults learn

Student/teacher ratio: 18.6 Average daily attendance: 96% Students participate in community projects benefiting local and global organizations. Awarded a 5-star school rating. Brian & Teri Cram Middle School (1900 W. Deer Springs Way) is a public school in North Las Vegas, serving grades 6-8. Students in each grade must take core classes in English, mathematics and science. Computer literacy is also emphasized. The school is known for its music program. Each year, students put on a concert at UNLV. Average class size: 25 Average daily attendance: 95.1% Conducts a two-week Summer Bridge Camp for math students. Teachers conduct biweekly mathematics classes for parents on Saturday mornings. Eldorado High School (1139 Linn Lane) is located in the unincorporated town of Sunrise Manor, south of Nellis Air Force Base. In 2015, Eldorado launched its first magnet program. The program centers on video game technology and web design. Advanced Placement classes include music theory and human geography. Graduation rate: 98.2% Average class size: 26 Two students won medals at the CCSD Science fair. One student represented JAG in Washington, D.C.

about the wildlife and ecology of the Las Vegas Wash, gaining a deeper understanding of nature. With family programs, guided discovery walks, art and recreation programs, a day here is an opportunity to for the whole family to escape to nature

and learn something new. Downtown may get a lot of spotlight time for its arts and culture offerings, but The West Las Vegas Arts Center (947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.) holds its own as a social hub and community center

where children and adults alike can enjoy poetry, art exhibits, dance events and more; its monthly openmic reading, The Poet’s Corner, is practically an institution. The venue also offers classes on everything from creative writing to choir.

September: northwe st las vegas

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COMMUNITY Trusted guide: Janice Wolf helps give a voice to youth in the foster system.

law & ardor These fine local legal minds also have big hearts — for kids, immigrants and the underprivileged B y Ja s o n S c av o n e

n popular culture, lawyers have been having a moment for, like, 60 years now, ever since the TV version of Perry Mason started badgering criminals into ’fessing up on the stand. That image hasn’t changed much, whether you’re talking about the era of Matlock, Law & Order or Drop Dead Diva: the passionate, devoted, tirelessly driven attorney. The reality behind the image isn’t too far off — particularly in the case of these lawyers who take that devotion to the next lev-

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el, putting their courtroom skills in service of foster children, immigrants and the underprivileged. Janice Wolf

here was a time in this state when children who were in the foster care system were just cargo. Judges and caregivers and attorneys made decisions for kids with no input from them. It led to things like foster children getting dumped off in places like psychiatric hospitals for up to a year.

That changed in 1999 with the creation of the Children’s Attorneys Project, which provides counsel and acts as the legal voice for kids in the system. In 2005, Janice Wolf left her practice in Hawaii and joined the project when it had only five lawyers. Not long after, she was running the show. Now the project has more than 20 attorneys and represents about 85 percent of the 3,400 children in the system, from newborns up to 21-year-olds. “The way our system works is that when children come into foster care, a lot of decisions get made for them,” Wolf says. “They’re pretty powerless, buffered by other people who have other interests. We’re the voice of the children. We have an advice and counseling function. We guide them, but ultimately, they’re the decision-makers. Our job

P h oto g r a p h y A a r o n m ay e s

is to go back and to advocate as hard as we can to get the outcomes they want to happen. It doesn’t mean they can always get it, but they know they have a voice.” Her team is instrumental in fights like stopping a family from adopting an older and younger sibling — but rejecting the difficult middle child. Or removing a gang rape victim from a mental facility whose only method of treatment was to continually up the amount of psychotropic medication the child took. The work goes beyond that. Wolf heads up legislative efforts to reform the system itself. She was a key player in getting Assembly Bill 350 passed, which gives foster kids a recourse to continue receiving assistance and legal counsel from the ages of 18 to 21 as they work their way out of the system. It’s a system that can, at times, be the biggest hurdle to doing the right thing by kids. “I had two siblings they placed in an adoptive home,” Wolf says. “They placed one sibling there, but then there was a baby. (The system) wouldn’t place the baby there right away because the crib was too close to the door. That’s the kind of stupid stuff we deal with. Really? Once that baby is adopted they can put that damn crib anywhere they want. It’s what we’re all running into, the battle of common sense over bureaucratic craziness.”

Bill Hammer

ace time with an attorney can be a prohibitively expensive proposition for some. When facing a foreclosure, or a small claims case, or any number of other scenarios where one side is well represented against a party who just has itself, it’s not uncommon for an individual to feel outflanked and outgunned. The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada’s Ask-A-Lawyer program helps those folks better defend themselves in the confusing — and let’s face it, expensive — world of justice. Bill Hammer, a former chief deputy district attorney and chief deputy attorney general for the state’s gaming division, who later entered real estate law, is just one of dozens of volunteer attorneys who help run one of nine distinct areas in which the center holds Ask-A-Lawyer sessions. He handles landlord/tenant sessions as well as helps with small claims sessions. The landlord/tenant program runs

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COMMUNITY two sessions every Wednesday at the Regional Justice Center to offer 15-minute consultations with people who have problems ranging from inadequate conditions to sudden evictions to landlords facing severe property damage from negligent tenants. After the consultations, applicants are directed to the proper forms and paperwork to fill out at Legal Aid in order to move their cases along through the court system. For Hammer, it’s a chance to hold on to a promise he once made to his dying father. “‘You know, son, don’t ever forget where you came from,’” he says. “‘Until you became a lawyer, we couldn’t even afford to talk to a lawyer.’ That resounded with me. So I donate a lot of time. Folks come in there with backpacks or dragging everything that they own into that little room where I consult with them. A lot of them are homeless. Their whole life is in that

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room with me, and it’s a humbling experience.” Other programs cover family law, veterans’ affairs, probate, federal court, small business and child support. The frequency of each program varies and can run anywhere from every other month to weekly. Sylvia Lazos

ylvia Lazos already had an accomplished career by the time she came to UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law. She had served in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as an economist, was editor of the Michigan Law Review, had practiced in Puerto Rico and taught at Florida State and the University of Missouri. So why did she join UNLV 15 years ago as the Justice Myron Leavitt Professor of Law? “There’s permeability (in Nevada) between a motivated community leader and the leadership you have to talk to to

be able to persuade,” she says. “There’s easy access to decision-makers, which doesn’t exist in every other state, which makes Nevada very attractive. The other thing is we have a lot of problems to solve, so that’s a lot of fun.” Those problems currently take the form of education reform, where Lazos is working to tighten up the opportunity gap in our school system, particularly for students who are English language-learners (ELL). As vice president of the Latino Leadership Council, Lazos has been instrumental in building community consensus and writing policy briefs to support reforms designed to push money toward enrolled children of immigrants who are struggling to catch up to their peers in English skills. In 2013, Gov. Brian Sandoval signed off on a $50 million bill designed to help get ELL students up to speed. Lazos also serves as the policy di-

Equality education: Sylvia Lazos fights for opportunities for children of immigrants.

rector of Educate Nevada Now, which helped win a preliminary injunction against the state’s education savings account program. Critics of the initiative argue that it will ultimately harm the public school system by diverting tax dollars to private institutions. “I don’t believe we’ll be ready for this immigrant population that is growing and growing into adulthood to become a productive part of society, as opposed to an underclass part of Nevada society,” Lazos says. “What moves me is to make sure the assimilation process is an upward assimilation process. A process of opportunity for people becoming very productive as opposed to a downward assimilation process where people struggle, and from a so-

cial standpoint, they’re not going to become the kind of productive taxpayers that we need them to become.” Brian Eagan

nd-of-life decisions are at the top of the list for the kind of uncomfortable truths people tend to avoid. Most of us aren’t eager to confront our own mortality. When those uncomfortable truths become manifest, then, it’s not uncommon for people to be caught unprepared. As a probate attorney with Solomon Dwiggins & Freer, Brian Eagan deals in those realities on a daily basis. Naturally, the senior community gets hit particularly hard when it comes to dealing with estate and probate issues, as well as those concerning power of attorney,

and medical directives surrounding end-of-life care. Eagan has been a volunteer with the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program for five years, where he provides consultations to seniors in an annual open forum designed to allow people struggling with those issues to seek out qualified advice. “Seniors generally are often times the most vulnerable people in our society,” Eagan says. “There’s a lot of exploitation of seniors. Doing things like this while a senior is still of sound mind and knows what they want to do and still has the capacity is probably the best thing they can do for themselves to make sure their wishes are honored later on in their lives.” The most common questions involve seniors who have lost a spouse and don’t know what happens in the probate process, where a will is put into action through the court and the actions of the executor. It can be a difficult process in a time of great personal crisis, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be as complex as it may seem at the outset. For people with simpler estates, like a house and a bank account, there are steps a person can take to avoid probate entirely — sometimes as simple as having a death designation on your financial accounts. From the time he was in law school at American University in Washington, D.C., Eagan ran the pro bono department for a firm at which he interned. The Las Vegas resident returned to the desert from the capital, where he joined Solomon in 2005. Since then, he’s served in other ways, including aiding in the Nevada Bar Association’s Probate and Trust Section, which helps share information on legislative changes with other attorneys in that arena. He also sits on the Human Rights Campaign’s Las Vegas Steering Committee and the bar’s LGBT Section. “I think for a lot of people, legal assistance is really expensive,” he said. “It’s almost cost-prohibitive to some people. We do owe an ongoing obligation to our communities in which we practice to help those who don’t have the financial means to retain a lawyer and to pay the fees associated with that.”

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environment

The 100 percent solution It sounds implausible on the surface: running Nevada entirely on renewable energy. But could it be done? B y T. R . W i t c h e r

n the middle of the desert, imagine 10,000 mirrors arrayed in a circle with a diameter of 1.75 miles. They track the sun throughout the day and concentrate sunlight onto a large heat exchanger atop a tall and slender concrete tower. Inside the exchanger? Liquid salt, heated to more than 1,000 degrees. This molten salt heats water to steam, which drives a turbine and generates electricity. And because the salt cools very slowly, it can generate electricity even when the sun goes down. The Crescent Dunes Solar Energy

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Project, near Tonopah, went online last year. It’s a nearly $1 billion symphony of light and heat in the middle of the desert. It is the present of renewable energy in Nevada. The question is whether it can be the future.

* * * * *

n the age of climate change, the quest for clean energy is becoming less about idealism and more about survival. But the pace seems so damn slow. A little solar plant here, some cleaner-running buses

there. Our goals about increasing our use of clean energy always feel underwhelming. But there’s one organization that’s swinging for the fences. A California-based nonprofit called The Solutions Project is advocating the idea that the entire world can be powered 100 percent by renewable energy by 2050. That’s electricity, transportation, heating/cooling and industry. The organization has also created an ambitious breakdown of 100 percent renewable energy goals for every state in the union. In Nevada the breakdown would look like this: 55 percent solar, 30 percent geothermal, 10 percent wind and 5 percent hydroelectric. With solar, the nonprofit claims that 12 percent can be generated from residential rooftop photovoltaics (PV), 19.2 percent from solar PV plants, 15.8 percent from concentrated solar power (a la Crescent Dunes) and 8 percent from commercial and government rooftop PV. It’s a heady idea. One hundred percent clean energy. It has both the visionary boldness and square-jawed pragmatism that represents America at its best. Set an impossible goal, roll up your sleeves and do it. It’s something to get excited about,

COURTESY CRESCENT DUNES

Getting lit: The Crescent Dunes solar plant uses concentrated sunlight to create energy.

a goal to cut right through the sensible and predictable, the stodgy, bureaucratic, these-are-the-rules ass-covering that constitutes the overwhelming majority of adult life. But is it possible? The organization says its research comes from multiple peer-reviewed studies. “This is technically possibly by 2050 in the U.S.,” says Sarah Shanley Hope, executive director of The Solutions Project. “It’s not even an economic problem. It’s political.” But, come on, is it really possible? Maybe The Solutions Project has gotten a little high on the change-the-world vibes that issue forth from Northern California. Yet at the very least it’s a useful thought experiment. So we decided to put the question to experts around the state and beyond. We focused essentially on electricity generation — transportation will, of course, depend on consumers’ willingness to give up the internal-combustion engine.

ily, but then you have to look at the technology component in terms of storage for solar, transmission for geothermal,” Taylor says. Having baseload power — constantly available, 24/7 — is key. “You can’t have 100 percent renewables and grid reliability without storage and baseload,” says Angie Dykema, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Energy.

evada set its first renewable energy portfolio standard in 1997. The current standard calls for Nevada to use 25 percent renewable energy by 2025. The state is well on its way to achieving this goal. For years, as Nevada’s RFP was expanding, geothermal was the go-to energy source. Geothermal works by tapping underground reservoirs of water or steam heated by the earth and converting

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ost of the experts Desert Companion spoke with said the answer to the question is a qualified yes. “The simple answer is yes,” says Jennifer Taylor, executive director of the Las Vegas nonprofit Clean Energy Project, which advocates for the growth of the clean energy economy. “Given the political will, enough money and the appropriate resources, of course they could be.” Mechanical engineering professor Robert Boehm, who runs UNLV’s Energy Research Center, spells it out: “I don’t think there’s any problem generating enough electricity. The key thing is being able to store it. We’ve got land up the wazoo here. We’ve got the sunshine to go with it. So all that’s a very positive kind of thing. So their 55 percent, I think it’s very realistic. It’s going to have to have some storage with it.” Right now, about 11 percent of the energy generated in the state comes from coal, 71 percent comes from natural gas, and the rest, about 18 percent, comes from renewables. Experts say there are plenty of solar and geothermal resources, the state’s main renewable resources, and costs are becoming more competitive. Still, each has its challenges. “Those two resources could power the state eas-

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environment them to electricity. The state signed its first geothermal deal in 1983; now there are 19 projects, with a capacity of 438.9 megawatts (one megawatt is roughly equivalent to the electricity used by 1,000 homes, so the current capacity could power 438,900 homes). “Geothermal is both a baseload energy and a flexible energy source,” says Josh Nordquist, an official with Ormat Technologies in Reno, the state’s largest producer of geothermal. “It can operate like a coal plant or a gas plant.” In other words, geothermal is a renewable that acts like a fossil fuel — always available, at night and during peak demand. Still, even geothermal can only run at about 75-80 percent of its capacity. This variability is due to ambient conditions: Geothermal systems require water to cool them in the summer. In the winter, they can produce more. Further, there are limitations to geothermal. Unlike solar, companies have

to prospect for geothermal wells, so there’s more risk in finding a reliable location. It requires a lot of labor-intensive fieldwork and modeling. “Sometimes they do go dry or sometimes they miss their predictive capability,” says Kevin Geraghty, vice president of energy supply for NV Energy. For years, too, there was no transmission line linking the geothermal resources in the north with Las Vegas’ growing population. In 2014, the 600-megawatt One Transmission line opened. The $510 million line runs 235 miles from Ely to the edge of the Harry Allen Substation, just north of the Las Vegas Valley.

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evertheless, to take full advantage of all of Nevada’s geothermal potential, the state will likely need five or 10 more lines. Because of the vast terrain they cover, transmission lines take a long time to get permits for. Geraghty says

NV Energy can have a large solar project going in 24 months, while it might take 120 months to permit a transmission line, due to challenging environmental impact standards. Nevada’s permitting procedures are pretty good but could be better. Dykema says that geothermal developers use a technique called shallow temperature gradient core drilling to try to identify geothermal hotspots. “If they were able to do that under a categorical exclusion (which would allow geothermal developers to bypass lengthy environmental assessments), it would allow them a better ability to do exploration without waiting for costs and time associated with permitting.” Nevada, with its abundant sunshine and little rain, is often dubbed the Saudi Arabia of solar energy. And business has been booming in recent years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are more than 128 solar

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companies in Nevada, employing 8,764 people. (These numbers are from the fall of 2015, so it doesn’t account for jobs and companies leaving the state.) Last year the state installed 409 megawatts of solar electric capacity, third highest in the nation, and the total solar energy installed here, 1,300 megawatts, ranks fifth. It’s enough power to run 200,000 homes. According to NV Energy, there are 15 solar projects with a capacity of 349.7 megawatts. The downside to solar, of course, is storage. Solar is an intermittent power source; even in Nevada the sun only shines for half the day. At night, solar fields can’t generate electricity. But baseline power has to always be available. The most straightforward method of storing solar energy is using batteries. “Clearly if we want to be a carbonless supply, you have to do storage at a mega scale,” Geraghty says. “Batteries in homes won’t be the only solution. To

power industry, cities, most people can’t appreciate the scale.” We can get a taste of that scale by considering Tesla’s new battery factory near Reno. Dubbed the “gigafactory,” it is designed to produce enough batteries to store 35 gigawatt hours of electricity, or 35,000 megawatt hours. It’s a huge, huge number. But Nevada used around 36 million megawatt hours of electricity in 2014, according to Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, and as states go, we’re very much on the low end. It would take the batteries from one thousand Tesla “gigafactories” to store the electricity Nevada uses in a year. There are more innovative options out there. “Electricity is difficult to store as electricity or as chemical energy (batteries),” Geraghty says. Power developers are exploring several ways to store solar energy as mechanical energy. Crescent Dunes’ molten salt is one option, which

its owners believe can be scaled up in future plants. A power plant in California pumps water uphill from one lake to another that’s 1,000 feet higher in elevation, at night when price is cheap. The next day, the water flows back down, generating electricity.

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till, one day, commercial and residential batteries will be in use, and they’ll certainly be crucial in switching us over to a transportation system that doesn’t rely on internal combustion engines. The promise of batteries, especially in homes, is the promise of distributed energy versus utility-scale energy generated by a handful of plants. The merits and future of both is at the heart of the current debate in Nevada about rooftop solar. Right now there are 187 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity connected to the grid, with another 82 megawatts in the pipelines. There are a reported 17,000

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environment net-energy-metering customers in Nevada. Until last year, NV Energy had a cap on net metering energy use of 3 percent of the utility’s retail energy load. But as the number of ratepayers joining the net-metering program began to rise, the 3 percent cap was about to be passed, which would have prevented new people from signing up. Last summer, the state passed SB 374, which directed the PUC to remove the cap and set new rules governing rates. The PUC opted to raise the service fee for net-metering customers and to drastically lower the rate at which they could sell power back to the grid. Net-metering customers and environmental advocates protested last year — claiming the utility and its regulator were pulling a bait and switch and trying to maintain its monopoly on power generation. In February the PUC slightly modified its rules. The rate changes would be phased in over 12 years, not five. But the new rates would stand, and existing customers would not be grandfathered in. NV Energy argues the move was necessary to prevent non-solar customers from shouldering an unfair amount of cost — that maintaining the power grid, which net-metering customers are still hooked up to, is expensive, and the old rates allowed these customers to benefit from the grid without paying their fair share for its upkeep. For the utility, the equation is simple: Rooftop solar isn’t as cost competitive as utility-scale solar. “The fact of the matter is utility scale prices have come crashing down,” says Geraghty. “The same cannot be said for rooftop solar.” While residential rooftop constitutes a small percentage of the state’s renewable energy generation, the ripples of the debate appear quite large: Major rooftop solar installer, SolarCity, founded by Elon Musk, announced in January it was eliminating more than 500 jobs in the state. And the changes may be litigated by rooftop solar providers or NEM customers. The fight is a potent reminder that political will to transform the state will be as

crucial as technology. Politics will always mediate the push to renewables, because politics mediates every kind of transformation. The will among political leaders and business leaders seems geared to push in this direction — because moving in the direction of renewables in a sun-drenched state is low-hanging fruit. But as we progress closer to grand dreams of “100 percent,” that will be tested, the road will grow bumpy, and plenty of people will push back, arguing the transition will be technically challenging, or expensive, or inconvenient.

* * * * *

f course, all of this begs an important question — would it be possible to just cut NV Energy out of the loop altogether? Could rooftop solar and a home battery pack simply charge and store clean energy — plug your car in while you’re at it — and circumvent the grid altogether? The day may come when buying a solar panel and battery package is no more difficult or expensive than buying a new washer and dryer. Experts we spoke with say that, for now, it’s costly and inefficient for customers to completely leave the grid. Fortunately, the grid is getting cleaner. The state has gotten more aggressive at ramping up renewables and winding down coal. The state assembly passed a bill, SB 123, in 2013, which required 800 megawatts of coal to be replaced with cleaner (though not necessarily renewable) energy sources. As a consequence, three-quarters of the giant coal-fired Reid Gardner Generating Station north of the city was retired at the end of 2014. The rest of the plant will shut down next year. Among other pending closures, NV Energy will divest its 11.3 percent ownership stake in the Navajo Generating Station, in Page, Arizona, reportedly one of the largest carbon dioxide emitters in the U.S. The law further requires NV Energy to acquire, contract for or build 550 megawatts of new energy and to add 350 megawatts of renewables.

The day may come when buying a solar panel and battery package is no more difficult or expensive than buying a new washer and dryer. Experts say that, for now, it’s costly and inefficient for customers to completely leave the grid.

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When asked if the state could simply increase its renewable portfolio standards once the 25 percent figure is achieved, Dykema notes that RPS policies were “implemented in 30 of 50 states as an incentive, a way to stimulate the renewable market. It’s done that in Nevada,” says Dykema. The state is turning its focus to other programs. A Green Energy Rider Program allows companies to pay a premium to have renewable energy custom-delivered. Already the state has built or is building nearly 350 megawatts of capacity for companies moving into Nevada. (This additional renewable doesn’t count toward the state’s portfolio.) “The GER program is now generating the marketplace,” says Dykema. Further, the One Transmission Line is being extended south to allow Nevada renewables to more easily tap into California markets.

* * * * *

n a website promoting The Solution Project’s 100 percent campaign, Hope writes that 100 percent clean energy is “a means, not an end. It is a path to individual freedom and the common good — a path to something greater for each and all of us.” Maybe the journey to full renewables is as important as the destination: a promise of optimizing our own potential while in the service of a larger idea. We are approaching the age when renewables can competitively supply most of our energy. “Even in 2050, if we have the capability of 100 percent renewable energy, it’s really very hard to imagine where there’s not a future for natural gas as a backup,” says Geraghty. “A fail-safe backup for energy.” Still, increasingly you get the sense that the transition off of fossil fuels is on. The future is that solar and geothermal will be the baseload, and natural gas will stick around just in case, or for periods of peak demand (6 p.m. on any day in July or August, for example). The future is coming. It’s just a matter of time. A tussle between those who want the future now and those who want to move more slowly or not at all. That tussle is the story of American politics itself. “Across our nation’s history we’ve always sorted that out,” Geraghty says. “This will be another we sort out.”

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The Dish 46

eat this now 49

cocktail of the month 49 table for two 50

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

Think ink: NiuGu's fried rice with squid ink is just one dish that puts a twist on tradition.

P hoto g ra p h y By sabin orr

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Dining out

Delicate decadence: Niu-Gu's Angus beef short rib and diver scallops. Above, Niu-Gu also offers an array of rare and exotic teas.

The DISH

Use your fusion At Niu-Gu, a restless restaurateur and a daring chef team up to bring stellar Asian sophistication to Chinatown B y G r e g T h i l m o n t

plate of fried rice is set before me in Las Vegas’ Chinatown. No surprise, of course. There are far more than 100 Asian eateries in this growing gustatory zone that offer such a mainstay. But here at Niu-Gu, my wok-sizzled side dish arrives as a glistening half-dome of grains dyed a deep purplish-black by the introduction of squid ink into the mix. It looks like half of a Fabergé egg and has an exquisite, subtly marine flavor when I break its perfect form and try it. On another astounding plate, a trio of seashells evokes beachside sandcastle memories as my chopsticks grab ginger-hinted bits of mollusk piled about them. It’s my first sea-snail experience, and it is fantastic. More familiar, perhaps, to mainstream American tastes, there’s also a mound of chili-scorched tiger shrimp nearby that nonetheless demands me to man up and devour them shell and all. (Okay, I stop munching at the tails.) Niu-Gu is no average moo goo gai pan kind of place. Rather, it’s the elevation of Chinese cuisine as envisioned by its restaurateur masterminds: Chef Jimmy Li and his business partner, Joe Muscaglione. Li hails from Shanghai and has been cooking in the States for nearly two decades, including here in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, before. Muscaglione is a well-known local food and wine professional who arrived in town more than a decade ago, after working for Mario Batali at his famed Babbo in New York City. Considering the competitive marketplace that is Chinatown, what inspired this adventurous pair to join forces? For

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Muscaglione, who is Sicilian-via-New Jersey, it’s a nearly lifelong obsession with the distinctive cuisines that stretch from Zhejiang to Sichuan provinces. “What I eat mostly is Chinese or Italian,” says Muscaglione, sitting in a booth in the compact, 50-seat restaurant decorated with traditional ink drawings of stampeding stallions and Confucian scholars, plus a carved-wood Laughing Buddha figurine in a corner for auspicious good measure. More than a mere Chinese cuisine connoisseur, Muscaglione is also an evangelist of the culinary culture that has emerged along West Spring Mountain Road and branched off into cross streets like South Jones Boulevard. “I’m convinced — it’s not even arguable to me anymore — that we have the best food in any Chinatown in

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all North America, including Vancouver. None of them have a Raku or Kabuto ... Those two alone elevate us.” He adds wellknown names such as Chada and District One to his list of gourmet-level Chinatown offerings right here in Southern Nevada.

Care to the bone But those are Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese establishments, respectively. Something was missing: Muscaglione saw an opportunity for upscale, modern but approachable Chinese cuisine. “I’ve been trying to do this for about four years, but I needed a chef like Jimmy,” he says. “We’re using the best stuff we can possibly source. We’re using Angus beef in everything. We use beef tenderloin and filet mignon in our stir-fries, so they’re tender.” It’s fitting there would be particular attention on beef, as the restaurant’s name means beef bone in Mandarin. That care extends to its seafood, which is delivered fresh a few times a week straight from Southern California’s piers. Chef Li arrives with icy coolers filled with everything from Maine lobsters and live octopi — sometimes even bundles of jumpy frogs. Li selects only what he will need for the day. During a later conversation, I sit with Li over a platter of his special Kung Pao chicken made with black rice vinegar and bean sauce. Filled with dried chilis, it’s kapow unlike any version of the standard dish I’ve tried before. This combination of newness and familiarity turns out to be his modus operandi in the kitchen, which he helms nightly. “I change food a little bit to create a better taste, but everything is based on dishes that are very traditional,” says Li. One standout dish Li has dreamt up is a lobster and fruit salad. It’s reminiscent of

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Dining out

Ni u-Gu No odle House

the classic ambrosia that’s been on American tables since the late 19th century, but chunks of lobster meat give it a tropical Cantonese nuance. Like it, a number of other creations in Li’s repertoire seem to exist in their own culinary world. An appetizer of chilled, thin-sliced beef tongue in a vinaigrette-like dressing is both velvety and piquant. A bowl of oxtail soup filled with diced vegetables has an almost Provençal character. For a compact parcel packed with flavor, the steamed oyster with a garlic-wine sauce cup is revelatory: a fat bivalve is perched on a slight nest of rice noodles and drenched in a heavenly, allium-rich consommé. It’s one of the most concentrated spoonfuls of deliciousness in town.

A crowded marQuee

wo barbecue entrees are hallmarks of Niu-Gu. First is the cumin-rubbed rack of lamb, which has the Silk Road flavor

3400 S. Jones

profile of far Western China. cups barely bigger than giant Blvd. #16 The chops are succulent, and thimbles. Muscaglione and 702-570-6363 the intrepid Li double-toasts Li have brought in Las Vegas niugurestaurant. tech entrepreneur Elyse Pethe cumin seeds for added com tersen, the founder of Tealet. fragrance. And then there’s com, to develop a beverage the marquee menu item: the HOURS slow-roasted short rib. Tender program unique to the metDaily 11a-9:30p slices of beef are assembled on ropolitan area. Diners will be a gleaming leg bone platter. It’s able to sample and learn about like a feast for a caveman king. varietals with various flavor To be sure, vegetables don’t get short shrift profiles from limpid Bai Mu Dan (White at Niu-Gu, not by a Chinatown mile at all. Peony) with hints of spice and fresh hay to Many dishes feature prodigious quality darker, elixir-like Pu’erh teas, which are produce from bok choy and forest mushbrewed from naturally fermented leaves. rooms to scallions and lotus leaves. The This edifying commitment to authentic menu also features a half-dozen varieties tea is emblematic of Niu-Gu’s devotion to of noodle bowls for informal slurping as raising the bar. But beyond that, it reinwell as a variety of fried rices. forces Chinatown’s status as a lively culiNiu-Gu also offers an incredible array of nary laboratory where some of the city’s nearly three dozen rare, single-origin teas most inspiring and innovative dishes presented in an elegant tableside service are being served — and enthusiastically eaten. complete with gorgeously delicate tea-

CONGRATULATIONS to the Winners of the

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Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese at Truffles ’n’ Bacon Café

8872 S. Eastern Ave. # 100, trufflesnbacon.com The first thing you notice is its heft; eat one of these in mid-afternoon and you might skip dinner. But it’s not a show-offingly large sandwich like you see, the kind you surmount as much as eat. It's handleable. Then there are the ingredients: cheese, brisket, bacon jam, tomato, sautéed kale, chipotle ranch. Amped up by some flavor thug who dreams of Food Network glory (sudden vision of Guy Fieri’s hair being lowered onto his skull like Darth Vader’s helmet *shudder*), that mix would stampede you like a mouthful of soccer hooligans. Not here. Here, the flavorful back-and-forth is more like frisky aikido, as the tangy bacon jam flips the meaty brisket into the chipotle, which applies a submission hold as the tomato slaps the mat three times. Every bite's just as good. Scott Dickensheets

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Cocktail of the month

Summerlin® | 702.433.1233 | BrioItalian.com

Coffee & Donuts at Holsteins

The moment of the adult milkshake has passed, sure, but its existence remains of interest to someone like me, who, purely hypothetically, might pull into The Cosmo one heat-spiking afternoon in a car with no A/C and lumber into the casino, gesturing to his sweat-soaked body in desperate supplication: Please, cool me down. I found salvation at Holsteins. Its “bam-boozled” shakes are a Toys R Us of diabetes and calorically dense regret, but the Coffee & Donuts ($13) has sufficiently adult virtues that you can drink it without feeling like a case of loser age-regression. Made with coffee ice cream, malt, Patron XO Café and chocolate espresso beans, it has more pleasantly layered coffee flavors than any Starbucks monstrossiato. But it’s got its share of giddy vice, too: There is, I acknowledge, a donut crowning the top and, purely hypothetically, I might have eaten it. Andrew Kiraly In The Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7940, holsteinsburgers.com

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Dining out

Wicked 'wich: The deceptively humble Tomato at The Goodwich is packed with flavor.

GT: Yes, I’ve used that word again, but it’s packed with umami — that’s the fifth flavor, right? And it’s just got that. The beef is fantastic, the smoky flavor … JC: It’s so balanced. And they’re using good bread. It’s got some substantial crunch to it; there’s a beautiful crust on all the bread they serve.

In which the phrase hot brown is used repeatedly

Table for two

The grateful bread At the new, improved Goodwich, our pair of critics can taste the kitchen's commitment B y J o h n C u r ta s a n d G r e g T h i l m o n t

he much-adored Goodwich gourmet pretty good sandwich endorsement. sandwich shop began in a small kiosk JC: I am about three-quarters of the way outside of Dino’s bar Downtown. It rethrough their sandwich menu. Haven’t had cently opened a permanent location at a clinker yet, not one. Las Vegas Boulevard and Hoover, on GT: That’s fantastic. So today, we have a little the first floor of Soho Lofts, where we find our array here. We’ve got our sandwiches here critics on the patio, ready to boogie. on these nice campfire tin plates. Gives it a JC: They’re piping in Janet Jackson music, kind of rustic look. Let’s talk about the sandwhich I assume makes you happy. wiches. What do you have in front of you? GT: No, this is Stevie Wonder, JC: This is called The Patty. man. It’s basically a takeoff on a The JC: There was Janet Jackpatty melt, with smoked GouG o odwic h son. I saw your foot tapping da cheese. Not a really tight900 Las Vegas to that. ly formed patty — it’s almost Blvd. S. # 120 GT: Well, I’m from that time. like ground beef pressed into 702-910-8681 So this place is brand-new, the sandwich, and the smoked thegoodwich.com opened up in May. You work Gouda melts into it. It’s a fabDowntown; have you been ulous sandwich. HOURS here a lot? GT: I just tasted mine. JC: It’s an “umami bomb,” is JC: This is my fifth time. Mon-Fri 7a-10p, Sat-Sun 8a-10p GT: Within a month. So that’s a that what you said?

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GT: I’ve got what they call the Cold Brown. I guess it’s their riff on the classic hotbrown sandwich. You’re from hot-brown sandwich country. For people who don’t know what this classic sandwich is, what’s its original form? JC: Hot brown comes from the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s basically like an open-faced turkey casserole sandwich. It usually has thick slices of white toast, slices of turkey, then they pour on fresh Mornay, which is a classic béchamel cheese sauce, then they garnish it with strips of bacon or country ham. It’s really like a hot, bubbling casserole of a sandwich. They’re doing it as a cold sandwich here. GT: Yeah, it’s not hot at all. It’s in the family of a club sandwich. JC: I’ve said it before, it’s like a club sandwich with a higher education. GT: I think that’s the aioli, that’s the diploma. But it’s great. They're all over America, but a good club sandwich is still a fantastic thing. JC: I love club sandwiches, but as an older guy who’s watching his waistline, that extra piece of bread in the club sandwich throws me sometimes. GT: Yeah. This is just one layer of sandwich. JC: For an upscale riff on a club sandwich, this is pretty substantial.

There’s more to this place than sandwiches JC: The fact that they make their own pickles — a sandwich shop making its own pickles is something that would have been unheard of even 10 years ago, anywhere in America. GT: I love pickles. Pickles are so good for you, too.

Speaking of vegetables JC: You say this is the best sandwich here. GT: It’s the simplest, and it’s in season — it’s their tomato sandwich.

P h oto g r a p h y B r e n t H o l m e s

JC: Generally with food, the simplest is the best. GT: The tomato sandwich, it’s a Southern thing. But I think we’ve given it a Hebraic hint here, with the marbled rye. I love marbled rye, and it’s got the tomatoes, and there’s some aioli in there, so there’s some garlic instead of just the mayonnaise. And look at that orange tomato! JC: They’re getting very good produce. I think what sets a place like this apart from so many predecessors is they’re using such good groceries. It’s so easy to make a bad sandwich. It’s like Italian food. You can always make a passable version of Italian food, no matter how crappy your ingredients and how indifferent the cooking, because you’re just throwing sauce and cheese on pasta, and somebody will eat it. But to make it sing, you’ve got to pay attention to the details. And what they’re doing here is paying attention to all the details. You can see it, you can taste it. GT: It’s really good. I’d ask for a little less aioli, that’s the only thing — like, too much of a good thing. I like a light condiment, though. JC: I don’t like using condiments at all, especially after dark. GT: Exactly. But when you’re on Las Vegas Boulevard, always use your condiment.

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what’s it all mean? GT: A sandwich is not something that gets you too excited as an epicure. So why these? JC: They have some passion behind them. They have a chef’s mentality, a commitment to making it better behind everything. You taste if from the first bite — when you have something even as simple as a sandwich, and you can see and taste that someone’s trying to make it excellent. It's not some guy slapping things on some bread, just doing “close enough is good enough.” These guys have thought it through. They’ve got the balance here: the bread, the way the ingredients marry to one another, the way they look, the way they taste. It’s the whole enchilada here. And that’s why even a snob like me will go, “Yeah, I’ll go have that sandwich,” because I can taste the commitment in the kitchen. GT: I would say, in closing, them’s good eatin’!

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CHECK OUT all the eye-catching PHOTOGRAPHY from the 2016 PHOTO CONTEST at various locations around the valley. Go to DESERTCOMPANION.VEGAS to see the schedule for 2016.

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YOUR TRAVELING DINERS J IM BEGLEY J O H N CURTAS DEBBIE LEE JAMES P. R EZ A JASO N SCAVO NE GR EG TH ILMO NT MITCH ELL WILBUR N

ey uds; th b e t s a ual ur t reat yo seventh ann t t s u j at truly ls don’t n. For our h a t e s e m t t s io d e pla The be ur imaginat rate th kok foo b g e n l a e o B c y ing ck s, we ignite a bustl rib sha s Meal ’s t n u i e o r i d e c i d h i DEAL or a h reas of s, whet a e a i c o r a t e l u p k u aq or take yo exico City t we tip our f s as culinary M d rep alley, a ep South. An arned e l l e de ve w els! in the — trav that ha y n t s w a o t t d n our ow ns. Safe — an o i t destina J U LY 2 0 1 6

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YARDBIRD SOUTHERN TABLE & BAR In the Venetian, 702-297-6541, runchickenrun.com Southern food in Vegas has always been like gambling in Atlanta: You might find it, but it’s never that good. That is, until Yardbird opened its doors and taught us what a proper fried chicken is all about. The biscuits and grits are nothing to sneeze at either, and you have to go south of the Mason-Dixon line to find cornbread and okra this tasty. JC

A TA ST E O F AU T HE N T IC G LO BA L C U IS I N E (O R D OW N - H O M E COO K I N G) IN UN E X P EC T E D P LAC E S

MINT INDIAN BISTRO 730 E. Flamingo Road, 702-894-9334, mintbistro.com

Featuring food from all over the subcontinent —

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from the fiery madras curries of Mumbai to the masalas of New Delhi to the momo (stuffed dumplings) of Tibet — Mint covers all the Indian bases with enough sass and spice to keep (it seems) every UNLV professor happy from the lunch buffet to the final day’s dose of dosa. JC

CARLITO’S BURRITOS 4300 E. Sunset Road, 702-547-3592, carlitosburritos.com

Craving chile with an “e”? You likely already love Carlito’s. This casual

spot has served hardto-find New Mexican food — an amalgamation of Mexican, Spanish and Native American cuisines — to aficionados since 2009. The key ingredient is the New Mexican chile pepper, served as the earthy “green” or dried into the slightly bitter “red.” Carlito’s covers the comfort dishes of the Land of Enchantment, from green chile stew to chile-smothered burritos, but for something unique, order the chile verde sopapilla: chunks of pork cooked in green sauce and stuffed into a pillow of fried dough. Addicts can’t get enough, so Carlito’s sells burlap sacks of chile during the August harvest. They’ll roast the peppers for you, but we prefer the aromatic ritual of doing it ourselves. JPR

PHO ANNIE 8390 S. Rainbow Blvd., #3110, 702-326-3388

Whether it’s the deeply

flavorful pho, or the chicken curry noodle soup, or a spicy bun bo Hue (rice vermicelli and beef soup), Pho Annie delivers the goods with more intensity and style than is the norm in our valley’s plethora of bythe-numbers Vietnamese noodle parlors. JC

morsel individually skewered before being wok-fried and finished with a hearty helping of cumin and peppers. Make liberal use of the napkins dropped on your table by friendly staff — not for your mouth, but your sweating brow. JB

CHENGDU TASTE

WEERA THAI

3950 Schiff Drive, 702-437-7888

3839 W. Sahara Ave. #9, 702-873-8749, weerathai.com

Sichuan cooking is known for its spice. The valley’s best example: Chengdu Taste, where peppers are used first and foremost for flavor but still bring the heat. Take the toothpick lamb with cumin, a remarkable dish with each lamb

Ped nom tok (duck) at Weera Thai

A recent facelift of the premises and the menu has brought this old reliable into the ranks of big-time Thai. Skip the same-old same-old curries and pad Thai, and head straight for the Laotian, duck and Issan

STAY I N G

POWER

blends traditional Spanish tapas with the best of Eastern European cuisine. Marcona almonds and mixed olives are fine little nibbles, but the kachapuri (homemade bread stuffed with a soft cooked egg) and vareniki (Ukrainian potato dumplings) are even better. D L

Zereshk polo (rice with barberries) at Zaytoon

specialties. And bring a firehose if you venture above anything “medium spicy.” JC

ZAYTOON 3655 S. Durango Drive, #11-14, 702-685-1875, zaytoonlasvegas.com

Unfamiliar with Persian cuisine? Make a beeline to this tiny café and let the staff spoil you with their signature hospitality. Authentic dips, kabobs, and stews

attract Iranian families in droves, and the fantastic flavors will encourage diners to pick up exotic items from the adjoining market after their meal. D L

LAOS ASIA MARKET 3050 E. Desert Inn Road, 702-650-0245

This family-owned grocery store is a dream for the “Bizarre Foods” fan. Look for balut (duck

embryo still in its shell), crunchy water bugs, and funky durian-flavored snacks. More sensitive stomachs can enjoy a small selection of traditional dishes (papaya salad, noodle soups) at a communal table. DL

FORTE TAPAS 4180 S. Rainbow Blvd., #806, 702-220-3876, barforte.com

PRINCE RESTAURANT 6795 W. Flamingo Road, 702-220-8322

Head to this hidden dive if you dare. The dark, stark atmosphere is a match for the intimidating chain-smoking male patrons and bare ´ bones menu.Cevapi, a Serbian sausage served in sandwich form, is the must-try. Or gorge on

Flavor. History. Vibe.

Golden Steer

Hailing from 1958, the Steer doesn’t so much celebrate the past as it rolls around in it like a dog in the dirt after bathtime. Paintings of bronco busters over leather banquettes. Wood paneling rivals your grandma’s living room. Tableside classics like cherries jubilee and chateaubriand complete the effect. JS 308 W. Sahara Ave., 702-3844470, goldensteersteakhouselasvegas.com

Owner Nina Manchev’s funky little restaurant

Placemakers + Tastemakers

Nina Manchev Eclectic educator

SAYING FORTE EUROPEAN Tapas Bar & Bistro’s menu is eclectic is an understatement. As it draws upon countries across Eurasia, you’d need an extensive collection of visas and a lot of frequent flier miles to visit them all. But it also reflects a more personal geography: The FORTE TAPAS menu offers a glimpse into owner Nina Manchev’s childhood, when family meals could be Russian one evening and Serbian the next — all in a Bulgarian household right here in Vegas. When conceiving Forte, Manchev wanted to be able to introduce people to the eclectic food of her youth — a youth made particularly memorable by parents with open minds and adventurous palates. “So many different cultures have left a footprint on Bulgaria,” Manchev says, explaining the menu’s dizzying breadth. And yet, she says with pride, “Everything is as true as it can be.” Forte (4180 S. Rainbow Blvd.) doesn’t compromise on authenticity, educating diners on ingredients and preparation methods they may not be familiar with. In that sense, Manchev is more than a mere restaurateur or chef. Instead, think of her as a culinary ambassador for Eastern Europe, exposing Americans to cultures and flavors they wouldn’t otherwise encounter. “It makes me really proud, because you don’t see that part of the world in a positive light.” Leave it to Manchev to craft a menu that can change your entire impression of a small European country — and beyond. Jim Begley

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the mixed meat platter, piled high with an assortment of links, patties and meats on sticks. DL

KHOURY’S MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT 9340 W. Sahara Ave., 702-671-0005, khouryslv.com

The sign says “Mediterranean,” but this is really a Lebanese restaurant — and the best in town at that. The fresh-from-the-oven pita bread is so nutty and warm that even my Greek relatives are jealous, and the mezze platter, overflowing with hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves and more, is so good it could make a vegetarian out of you. JC

SISTER’S ORIENTAL MARKET

Flavor. History. Vibe.

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Sometimes it’s difficult to tell one nondescript taco shop from the next. But El Jalisquillo is noteworthy for its take on the taco staple: carne asada. Simply adorned with onion, cilantro and spicy salsa roja, these miniature tortillas overflowing with crispy carne asada do not disappoint. If you’re hungry, order a half-dozen, grab a seat and take in some well-deserved Telemundo. J B

In Broadacres Swap Meet, 2930 N. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-642-3777, broadacresm.com

A respite from the hipster spots on the other side of Fremont, this tiny hole-in-wall dishes up legit Laotian food — all for $8 or less. Skip the pad Thai: Khao poon, a spicy noodle soup enriched with coconut milk, and lemongrass-scented sausage are the requisite choices. DL

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EL JALISQUILLO 3455 E. Lake Mead, 702-399-8237

TACO TIJUANA

1732 Fremont St., 702-386-9557

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Next time you’re at Broadacres Swap Meet (and yes, you should be at Broadacres Swap Meet), you might want to take note of the crowds around one particular taco stand: Taco Tijuana. They’re afforded an expansive location with a patio

because they might be serving the valley’s best al pastor. Crispy and spicy in each bite, it’s possibly even better than Tacos El Gordo. And besides, who doesn’t want to browse piñatas while eating pastor? JB

The Pamplemousse

EL MENUDAZO 3100 E. Lake Mead, 702-944-9706, menudazo.com

The 2015 DEALicous Meal of the Year award-winner is our

In a little re-purposed house on Sahara Ave., just up the street from the fancy new SLS, is one of the oldest restaurants still in operation in Vegas — and a time capsule of its 1976 (then-newly imported) French cuisine. The Pamplemousse features hosts in tuxedos, plush fake flowers, and a menu full of duck l’orange, escargot Bourguignonne and other French classics — with (nearly) unchanged 1976 prices. M W 400 E. Sahara Ave., 702-733-2066, pamplemousserestaurant.com

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go-to breakfast joint because of the rich and hearty pozole rojo, although the namesake menudo is a worthwhile option if you’re up for the offal experience. Or check out the carne asada tacos if you don’t want to sip your meal. Whatever your choice, you just can’t go wrong at El Menudazo. JB

MACHETES 2722 E. Lake Mead Blvd., 702-417-7081

So there are no namesake long-bladed

knives for seeking out treasures in the underbrush at Machetes, but rather the specialty of the house: long quesadillas packed with cheese and the carne of your choice. The house salsas add well-deserved spice to the gigantic tortillas; finish this meal-for-atleast-two with crema and shredded lettuce in a unique take on the Mexican standby. J B

EL ELOTE LOCO In Broadacres Swap Meet, 702-439-7171

Do you like corn? Then you’ll love El Elote Loco. In true Bubba Gump style, El Elote Loco has all things corn: corn on the cob, en el vaso (kernels from a cup) and griddlecakes. Actually, that’s it, but it’s more than enough. J B

RUBALCABAS TACO SHOP 5185 E. Lake Mead, 702-452-5832

At first glance, Rubalcabas may seem a lot

like a knockoff Roberto’s; in fact, the mascot himself looks like Roberto in an old-timey disguise while the space could certainly pass for one (or any other valley taco shop, for that matter). But rest assured, everything is just a tad more spot-on at Rubalcabas. And the steak and shrimp quesadilla — overflowing with cheese and elevated with the addition of enchilada sauce — is a destination dish. Plus, they’re open 24 hours, so go — now. JB

POLLO MOBILE 4100 E. Lake Mead, elpollomobile.com

Placemakers + Tastemakers

I’m a sucker for street food. And apparently, I’m not the only one, because Pollo Mobile packs a crowd, drawn to the enormous parking lot grill like moths to a flame. This attraction is completely justified, as their pollo al carbon is heavenly — crispy on the outside with ample seasoning and smoke while juicy throughout. JB

Shawn Giordano

IT’S A WINDING tale, how Shawn Giordano arrived to a Las Vegas kitchen from New York (twice) and London — one told from his latest Cosmopolitan stop, East Fremont’s unexpectcraftsman edly cosmopolitan cafe, PublicUs (1126 Fremont St.). Arriving via the PUBLICUS University of Nebraska in the mid1980s to play UNLV football, Giordano augmented his studies with the culinary program at what is now CSN. Being “competitive and creative,” he soon hustled for a kitchen job at the Excalibur. It wasn’t yet to be. Given his physique and long hair, the Excalibur redirected Giordano from the fare to the faire, and a stint as a “Tournament of Kings” sword fighter. But a passionate Giordano angled a second job: a bottom-rung kitchen position at the granddaddy of the Vegas dining renaissance, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. “I’d work my ass off all day for nothing, then go work four hours at night (at Excalibur) and make money,” he says. Success led him to the launch of Puck’s Trattoria del Lupo at Mandalay Bay. After eight years in Vegas, Giordano bounced around (London, back to Vegas, then Maui) before settling in New York. He worked on the celebrated Smith & Mills, and was Annie Leibovitz’s chef from 2009-2014. Raising a new family in the city proved a chore, so the Giordanos returned for the launch of Henderson’s Lucky Foo’s. At PublicUs since December, Giordano works with The Intuitive Forager and regional producers to bring a farmto-table sensibility to simple food. Those rich, flavorful eggs on the Brekkie Sandwich? From Caliente. The bread? Baked in-house. Recently, Giordano sliced local tomatoes, sprinkled them with salt, pepper and olive oil, and offered them to delighted guests — a perfect metaphor for an understated Downtown café that surprises with simplicity. James P. Reza

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BONNIE SPRINGS RANCH 16395 Bonnie Springs Road, 702-875-4191, bonniesprings.com

T H E S E M E ATY D E ST IN AT I O N E ATS T UR N A DAY T R IP I NTO A VAC AT I O N ON A BUN

OK, this Wild Westthemed corral in majestic Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a bit corny. So why not up the cheese factor with some Pepper Jack on a Cowboy Burger in the old-timey saloon or dining room? The place is a hit with kids, who’ll love the

cowboy trappings and turtle pond. GT

THE RESORT ON MOUNT CHARLESTON 2275 Kyle Canyon Road, 702-872-5500, mtcharlestonresort.com

Stop by this handsome chalet at the edge of the Spring Mountain’s forested slopes for their BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger. It’s made with a succulent short rib-brisket-sirloin beef mix. GT

LAS VEGAS PAIUTE GOLF RESORT 10325 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd., 800-711-2833, lvpaiutegolf.com

19th holes are always great places to grab a burger. Slice right from US 95 north of town when you see vibrant green links contrasting with the Desert National Wildlife Refuge in the distance. Try the Bison Burger with deep-fried jalapeños and horseradish sauce to put some zing into your swing. GT

SOUTHWESTERN DINER 761 Nevada Highway, 702-293-1537, southwestdinerbould ercity.com

No time to put the pedal to the metal on Route 66 to the south? Take in some excellent mid-century signage and small-town charm at Southwestern Diner in Boulder City. Go for the Chili Size, an openfaced burger slathered with the classic tomato-bean-and-beef

stew, and don’t pass up the cheddar cheese and onions. GT

PIONEER SALOON 310 SR 161, 702-874-9362, pioneersaloon.info

Reportedly the oldest bar in Clark County (the whiskey started flowing in 1913), there are few nearby escapes that make you feel like home means Nevada as earnestly as the rustic Pioneer Saloon. Boasting original worn wooden floors, stamped tin walls (look for bullet holes), and a Brunswick hardwood bar with brass foot rail, the Pioneer proffers an authentic Old West vibe that serves legions of locals, rugged individualists, and the occasional adventurous tourist. Families are invited to enjoy the sizable patio, and the three-meal menu runs the gamut from a Cowboy Omelet to Shrimp Tacos. We suggest anything grilled outdoors: Ribs, steaks, and the tasty Ghost Burger all satisfy our hankering for the frontier days. J PR

MT. CHARLESTON LODGE 5375 Kyle Canyon Road, 702-872-5408, mtcharlestonlodge.com Year-’round, one of the favorite destinations of Southern Nevadans is the alpine Mt. Charleston Lodge, where you can partake in the call of the wild with a lean Elk Burger on the lofty patio. There’s even a duo of doggie burgers available if you bring your pooch. GT

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Placemakers + Tastemakers

Chuck Frommer Tradition

CHUCK FROMMER IS practically basted, coated, slathered in a sense of place. Consider: He’s the owner of John Mull’s Meats and Deer Processing (3730 Thom Blvd.), a specialty meat shop and processing site that’s been in business in the north valley since 1954. Chuck is Mull’s grandson, the third generation meets ambition in the family to own the business, and only its fourth ROAD KILL GRILL owner. But while his roots go deep, he’s also got an entrepreneur’s instinct. Most significantly, Frommer parlayed his expertise on meat, and his passion for barbecue, into a successful on-site eatery, Road Kill Grill, where he serves buzzed-about dishes such as his 16-hour smoked barbecue suffused with slow-roasted chiles. (Somehow, Frommer also finds time in his busy schedule to make a name for himself on the competitive-barbecue circuit.) The relationship between the two distinct businesses has made him appreciate both tradition and ambition. At various times, one side has helped the other. “We change with the trends when it’s smart. We got into catering to increase our margins, because otherwise, (as a meat-processing business), we’d be a dying breed,” Frommer says. “But at the same time, we give game hunters free meals to say thank you. That’s because they kept us in business during the tough times of the recession.” Honoring the past while keeping an eye on future opportunities is clearly a recipe for success. Andrew Kiraly

selections of coffee cake, jams, and candied nuts. M W

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Bob Taylor’s Ranch House

Built into an old ranch-style home, decked out in the finest ‘70s shag, this is steaks served in the epitome of kitsch. Everything from the John Wayne oil painting to the silver dollars under glass at the bar is as authentically vintage as can be. MW 6250 Rio Vista St., 702-6451399, bobtaylorsranchhouse.com

COFFEE HUNTER 7425 S. Eastern Ave. #102, 702-586-5002

H IGH LIGH TS FR O M A R ES UR GENT SO UT H V EGAS /H ENDER SO N BR EAK FAST SC ENE

KITCHEN TABLE 1716 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, 702-478-4782, kitchentablelv.com

Expertly driven by chefs willing to take risks, Kitchen Table has earned its right to justify some excruciating peak wait times. Take into consideration the kind of food people would wait nearly two hours for: foie gras-topped pancakes, house-made sausage samplers, chile colorado, and fresh daily

Opened by Portland transports, this Henderson spot brought Stumptown Coffee Roasters to the neighborhood, and so much more. It also brought artisanally blended teas, a reliably delicious cronut, and a menagerie of artisanal craft candies. It’s a welcome slice of PDX right in a Vegas ’burb. MW

simple café pastries and sandwiches is phenomenal. Featuring everything from health-conscious, crust-free quiche to decadent white chocolate and cranberry French toast, the menu at Craft Kitchen reimagines the common bistro lunch. M W

MOTHERSHIP COFFEE 2708 N. Green Valley Parkway, 702-4561869, mothershipcoffee.com

Little wonder that Mothership Coffee is a den for obsessive coffee-lovers: these guys buy raw, dried

CRAFT KITCHEN BAKERY 10940 S. Eastern Ave. #107, 702-728-5828, craftkitchenlv.com

Chef Jaret Blinn has two decades of fine-dining experience under his belt, and the way he applies it to Cronut and waffle shot affogato at Coffee Hunter J U LY 2 0 1 6

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coffee beans and lovingly roast them to their precise specifications. They supply this goodness to other spots around the valley, but why not go straight to the Mothership? It’s a crisp, clean little café featuring a bevy of house-made pastries and chocolates. MW

POUR 6811 S. Eastern Ave. #D, 702-527-5544, pourlv.com

Perched on the western edge of Sunset Park, this little coffee shop has cornered the market on fine caffeinated drinks for the area. It’s no surprise: Their baristas spend a lot of time thinking up creative, unique drinks, along with serving up some fine sandwiches and pastries. MW

OMELET HOUSE 316 N. Boulder Highway 702-566-7896 omelethouse.net

There is, on the menu, an enigma called “The Flatlanders Special,” which purports to include raw liver, parsnips and sautéed grunion lips. We stick with ham and cheese, which is much less of a joke. Still, the Flatlanders’ corny cheer permeates this popular spot, from the “hi, hon” service to the wall kitsch. The food is best considered hardy — the omelets are plump, the pancakes fluffy and the huevos are nicely ranchero, at least if you’re a gringo. There's lots of what no one here would bother to call “good mouth feel.” The breakfast spuds are locally famous, too. S D

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Flavor. History. Vibe.

Battista’s Hole in the Wall

When in doubt, offer unlimited wine. It’s a strategy that’s served Battista’s Hole in the Wall well in its 36 years of operation. You know the drill: 25 redsauce classics practically spill over the side of the plate. Each entree comes with the same bounty of sides, including that unlimited house wine. They’ll even let you take the carafe leftovers in a Styrofoam go-cup at the end of the night. JS 4041 Linq Lane, 702-732-1424, battistaslasvegas.com

Spicy double chili tiger shrimp at Niu-Gu

YO U CO U L D SP E N D Y E A RS SA M P L I N G TH E TA STE S O F TH E A SI A N F LAVO R E P I CE N TE R TH AT I S CH I N ATOW N . GE T STA RTE D W I TH O U R FAVO RI TE S

CHADA STREET 3839 Spring Mountain Road, 702-579-0207, chadastreet.com

Champagne and spicy Asian food are one of those incongruous food-wine marriages that seems just perfect once you take the plunge. And there’s no better place to dive in than at Bank Atcharawan’s ode to Thai

Manila clams at Chada Street

street food. His incendiary food lights you up; the sparklers cool you down — all at prices that shame those on the Strip. JC

HOBAK KOREAN BBQ 5808 Spring Mountain #101, 702-257-1526

Korean barbecue is having a moment in Las Vegas right now, with the recent openings of Goong

(on south Rainbow) and Magal (on Spring Mountain Road), and this form of eatery, previously the province of all-youcan-eat-cheap-beef, has gotten a considerable upgrade. There’s nothing fancy about Hobak, but the top-quality meat is shaved thin and beautifully presented — and you won’t find any fault with the banchan or vegetable offerings, either. JC

J&J SZECHUAN

much liquid you’ll need to put out the fire. JC

5700 Spring Mountain Road, 702-876-5983, jjszechuancuisine.com

YUI EDOMAE SUSHI

J&J Szechuan is my number one choice whenever I need my lips to be numbed. Meaning: They don’t skimp on those haunting, nerve-tingling Szechuan peppercorns here, nor do they ever fail to shower almost every dish with peppers of the lethally hot and red-roasted variety. Not for the timid, but this is the real deal in Szechuan food, with a new and gweilo-friendly picture menu that’s remarkably accurate about everything — except how

NIU-GU 3400 S. Jones Blvd. #16, 702-570-6363 Jimmy Lin and Joe Muscaglione have partnered to bring impeccable stir-fries, the freshest fish, and upscale Chinese cooking (and tea!) to a strip mall on Jones teeming with competition. But there’s nothing like the gorgeous platters they’re sending out from this kitchen. They have a menu with countless soups, noodles and stir-fries, but the cognoscenti know to just let Jimmy cook for them. J C

3460 Arville St., 702-202-2408, yuisushi.com

Having recently honeymooned in Japan, I’m now a sushi snob of the first order. (Which is what I was before I went there, but that’s beside the point.) No one in town slices their sushi so fine, takes as much loving care with their tofu, or presents such wonderful wagyu (which merits a menu of its own). Yui is as close as you can get to a trip to Tokyo. JC

INYO ASIAN VARIETY RESTAURANT 6000 W. Spring Mountain Road #1B, 702-248-0588, inyolv.com

When they say “Asian variety,” they mean it. Everything from Chinese dumplings to Japanese yakitori to Korean chicken wings grace this menu — all done by a distinctly non-Asian chef: Gregg Fortunato — and all of it done so well that more than a few Spring Mountain Road chefs (of the distinctly Asian variety) are dropping their chopsticks in awe. Inyo is of Las Vegas’ true culinary gems. JC

POLLO INKA EXPRESS 2440 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-522-7871, polloinkaexpress.com

Peruvian food has never become a staple of the

Placemakers + Tastemakers

Bank ATCHARAWAN The spice (and

BANK ATCHARAWAN MADE his name at the beloved Lotus of Siam, a Commercial Center fixture that, largely thanks to him, is known as much for its Riesling wine) must flow selection as for its rich, complex Northern Thai cuisine. If wine CHADA THAI, CHADA STREET and Thai food are an unlikely pairing, Bank upped the ante in his second act. Today at Chada Thai & Wine (3400 S. Jones Blvd.), the co-owner focuses the menu on a subset of strong, spicy Southern Thai dishes that he says are rarely seen in Las Vegas. “Our crab curry with vermicelli noodles is the best dish we do, a classic southern dish,” Atcharawan writes in an email. “It lacks the sweetness found in other curries. It’s spicy, with a lot of cumin and lemongrass flavors.” And, of course, at Chada Thai, he continues the tradition of offering fine wines for cooling down the spice level in sophisticated fashion. Meanwhile, at the more informal Chada Street (3839 Spring Mountain Road), the street food of Bangkok gets a playful makeover. But both restaurants, he says, reflect not only his roots in Thailand (which he left at 11 years old), but his American experience as well. “From Thailand, I arrived in Hollywood to join my family who had opened a restaurant there.” That would be Ruen Pair, a Thai Town classic. “I basically grew up in a restaurant, but really got my true experience at Lotus of Siam.” In other words, Las Vegas is part of those roots, too. Andrew Kiraly

Vegas dining scene, but the arrival of SoCal’s Pollo Inka Express is an attempt to make it more accessible. The specialty of the house is the pollo a la brasa — a ridiculously crisp-skinned rotisserie chicken heavy on the cumin and paprika. Load up on slightly green aji pepper sauce and order a side of buttery cilantro

rice, and you’ll have your introduction to the wonders of Peru. JB

TRATTORIA NAKAMURA-YA 5040 W. Spring Mountain #5, 702-251-0022

Wafuu pasta is the name

for the spin Japanese chefs give to classic Italian pasta dishes. Take one bite of Kengo Nakamura’s linguine with uni tomato cream and you’ll see what all the shouting’s about. Trattoria Nakamura-Ya is making some of the most interesting food in Las Vegas, making it a must-eat on any foodies’ bucket list. JC

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W H E T H E R IT ’S S I PP I N G CO F F E E AT T H E D I N E R CO U N T E R O R C A N O O D L IN G I N A DA R K B O OT H , T H E S E N E W IS H S P OTS O OZ E O L D - SC H O O L V IB E

DU-PAR’S RESTAURANT AND BAKERY Suncoast and Golden Gate casinos, dupars.net

Esquire once crowned Du-Par’s buttermilk hotcakes the best pancakes in the U.S. I’m not sure when or whether that lofty title

is accurate, but what I do know is that the browned, inexplicably light and buttery flaky discs are manna from heaven. In fact, since they’re cooked in butter, you hardly need to add any more. But we all know more butter makes everything better, right? J B

NORA’S ITALIAN CUISINE 6020 W. Flamingo Road, 702-873-8990, norascuisine.com

Nora’s isn’t as brash as a big swingin’ steakhouse, but it has the casual confidence of an old pro who’s been around the game. Intimate and moody, this Italian classic captures the feel of the best kind of upstanding neighborhood paisan joints that dot the Northeast. Simple, timeless preps bump up against original creations, but it’s the unfussy classics

Veal Parmesan at Carbone

that drop you through the memory hole to 1972 Hartford or 1948 Queens or 1963 Philly. JS

BARDOT In the Aria, 702-590-8610, michaelmina.net

More than a year of experimenting with Belle Epoque recipes made this gorgeous space in the Aria a time

Placemakers + Tastemakers

Gregg Fortunato Asian flavor

WHEN GREGG FORTUNATO would get home after school, he did what a lot of teenagers do — raid the fridge. But not to eat all the string cheese and peanut butter. Fortunado would also crack open an Asian cookbook and fire up the innovator electric wok: Several nights a week, the budding chef was cooking dinner for his hard-working INYO parents. “I’d make things like stir fries, stuffed peppers, pasta,” he says. “That period was when I really started learning those basic cooking techniques.” And perhaps Fortunato didn’t know it at the time, but switch-hitting from Asian to Italian primed his imagination for mashing up contrasting culinary traditions. It’s a practice he honed while a chef at Roy’s, fusing Hawaiian with Thai, Chinese and Japanese flavors, and it’s his calling card today at Inyo Asian Variety Restaurant, where he’s executive chef. Take his duck jam, a confit duck pressed into a jar, but drizzled with pho broth and served with a rice cracker. “It’s like a French-style rilette, but with a Thai element, with the pho broth and the Thai basil, mint and bean sprouts.” Or his prosciutto made with dry-aged wagyu beef, served with Stilton cheese and honey-soy mustard seeds. “It’s a classic carpaccio dish with an Asian twist,” he says. “I love doing dishes like that — traditional, but not so traditional.” Given the continued acclaim showered on Inyo (Desert Companion’s 2015 Ethnic Restaurant of the Year), right in between seems like a good place to be. Andrew Kiraly

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capsule back to the days of Escoffier. This is oldschool French cuisine the way it was always meant to be — better yet, from the hands of a restless rising star in the culinary world, Chef Josh Smith. Part of Bardot’s secret is painstaking simplicity. For instance, their chicken roti is literally just roast chicken, but every detail

has been so lovingly labored over, its fresh, savory intensity is nearly transcendent. MW

CARBONE In the Aria, 866-359-7757, aria.com

It’s not a staid old matron or a self-conscious re-creation. Aria’s Car-

bone is instead an elevated manifestation of the classic Vegas steakhouse. From the blackand-white checked floor of its tony bar to the no-one-needs-toknow-you-paid-foryour-date curtained booths in the dining room, soundtracked by a healthy blast of Prima. Oh, and the food happens to be some of the best Italian in the city. If you can resist the $64 veal parm trap, go for the far superior sweet, savory pork chop and peppers. J S

DB BRASSERIE In the Venetian, 702-430-1235, dbbrasserie.com

DB Brasserie is a place where the Belle Epoque of 1920s Paris never ended, and coq au vin never went out of style. The menu is all of the most crowd-pleasing versions of French bistro food, with a couple modern staples thrown in (try the escargots spätzle, burgundy snail fricassee intermixed with chicken “oysters”) — all with the kind of finesse and style both Daniel Boulud and Vincent Pouessel are known for. MW

TAK E A TASTING TO UR O F T H E VALLEY ’S BAR BECUE — MO IST TOWELETTES R ECO MMENDED

ROLLIN SMOKE BBQ 3185 S. Highland Drive, 702-836-3621; 725 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702462-9880, rollinsmoke barbeque.com

Head to the Deep South by proxy at this popular off-Strip eatery. Try the “Big Hawg,” loaded with meaty shreds of piggly-wiggly doused in vinegary, Carolina-style sauce and topped with zippy chipotle coleslaw. Deep dive further into their wide menu with the all-you-can eat extravaganza. GT

POT LIQUOR CAS 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-816-4600, potliquorcas.com

For a modern approach

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STAY History. I N G P OW ER Flavor. Vibe. Flavor | history | vibe

Golden Steer

on the venerable foodways that gave birth to American barbecue, grab a table at this bustling joint in Town Square. Rock ’n’ roll it with a big plate of Memphis-style spareribs and side of kale and cashew salad. GT

M&M SOUL FOOD 3923 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-4537685; 2211 Las Vegas Blvd.S., 702-478-5767, mmsoulfoodcafe.com

For some no-fuss, high-calorie, downhome cooking, this establishment on West Charleston is a local classic. My favorite: the whole chicken slathered in house sauce with mac and cheese, and collard greens on the side. There’s a location near Downtown for tourists, too. GT

LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE BAR‑B‑QUE 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-220-7427, lucillesbbq.com

One of the liveliest places to eat in the west valley, this huge place in Red Rock Resort serves up gigantic platters of

Dispensary Lounge

From the swinging saloon doors to the perverse overabundance of wood paneling and shag carpeting, thethe Dispensary Lounge is a throwback If you want realest of deals, Golden Steer is yourto my dad’s basement barand from thetouched ’70s. But Dad ticket. Hailing from 1958 barely since, didn’t have a waterwheel (oh yes, there is a the Steer doesn’t so much celebrate the past as itwaterwheel), didn’t burgers rolls aroundand in ithe likecertainly a dog in the dirt make 30 seconds like those at Dispensary Lounge. The charafter bathtime. Paintings of bronco busters hang over broiled, hand-formed burgers are among the red leather banquettes. Wood paneling rivals your best in town, and the housemade honey musgrandma’s living room. Tableside classics like cherries tard should not be missed. J B, 2451 E. Tropicana jubilee and chateaubriand complete the effect. J S Ave., 458-6343, thedispensarylounge.com 308 W. Sahara Ave., 702-384-4470, goldensteersteak-

BIG B’S TEXAS BBQ 3019 St. Rose Parkway #130, 702-260-6327, bigbztexasbbq.com The newest entrant to the valley’s barbecue scene, this Henderson spot is filled with wooden picnic tables and a Lone Star State sensibility. Try the very tender tri-tip steak imbued with mesquite and oak smoke — from wood brought here from the owner’s family farm in South Texas, no less. GT

smoked beef ribs. Top them with a variety of sauces and keep your napkin handy. In fact, tuck it in your collar. GT

MEMPHIS CHAMPIONSHIP BARBECUE 2250 E. Warm Springs Road, 702-260-6909; 4379 Las Vegas Blvd. N., 702-644-0000, memphis-bbq.com

Have a Green Valley-sized hunger for some barbecue? Start here with the tangy Fried Green Pickles. Move on to a heap of

Burnt Ends, savory bites of beef that are pure, concentrated flavor. GT

FOX SMOKEHOUSE BBQ 1007 Elm St., Boulder City, 702-489-2211, fox smokehousebbq.com

What began as a barbecue competition team grew into this gem, a family-run smokehouse joint that’s well worth the drive to Boulder City. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but I recommend the smoked bratwurst on Texas toast and a scoop of satisfying potato salad. GT

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your Arts+Entertainment calendar for july

14 Bypassed Byways Spring Valley Library

Get your kicks with photographer Wayne Kodey’s decades-in-the-making set of shots from Route 66. Short of renting an old Corvette and driving the route yourself, this is your best chance to experience 66’s fading glories. Through September 18. lvccld.org

31 16 Michito Sanchez Centennial Hills Amphitheatre

A salsa-riffic evening with the seasoned percussionist — known to bring a global sensibility to his salsa groove — and his 10-piece band. 7:30p, free, artslasvegas.org

ClaypoolLennon Delirium Brooklyn Bowl

Bassist Les Claypool, formerly of Primus (“Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”) joins forces with Sean Lennon, formerly of Yoko Ono’s womb (and “one of rock ’n’ roll’s most fearless collaborators” — Rolling Stone) for an exercise in what the Stone calls “raw, proggy psyche-pop.” 7p, $29-$45, brooklynbowl.com

Idaho!

A. Brad Schwartz

The Smith Center

A brand-new musical comedy about three couples on the frontier. The show’s press materials emphasize the presence of potatoes in this production — as well as the de rigueur, post-Book of Mormon lack of “political correctness.” 2p and 7:30p, $19-$89, thesmithcenter.com

The Writer’s Block

Just when you thought you knew all you needed to about Orson Welles’ panic-inducing 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds, along comes Mr. Schwartz with a batch of new information, distilled into his book, Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News, which he will read from and sign. 7p, free, the writersblock. org

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THE GUIDE R S V P T O D AY !

SUMMER 2016 ART

A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER REMEMBER THROUGH JULY 7, MON–FRI 7A–5:30P Holocaust survivors Miriam Shavit and Vered Galor remember the past: Through her paintings, the mother remembers what she went through. With her photographic collages, the daughter, too young to remember, recalls the history. Cole Thompson, the third artist, is a photographer and friend who visited the death camps in 2006. His black-and-white images add reality and spirituality to the exhibit. Free. Las Vegas City Hall Chamber Gallery, 495 S. Main St., artslasvegas.org

HIGH NOON

D E S T I N AT I O N

F R I D AY

JUL. 15

THRU

DAT E S AT U R D AY

THE NEIL SIMON FESTIVAL

JUL. 16

YOU WILL SEE FOUR PLAYS:

London Suite, The Lost Highway, Brighton Beach Memoirs and On Golden Pond

F R I D AY

JUL. 22

D E S T I N AT I O N THRU

DAT E S AT U R D AY

JUL. 23

UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

YOU WILL SEE FOUR PLAYS:

Cocoanuts, Three Musketeers, Henry V, Mary Poppins D E S T I N AT I O N

F R I D AY

SEP. 30

THRU

DAT E S AT U R D AY

OCT. 01

UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

YOU WILL SEE THREE PLAYS:

Julius Caesar, Murder for Two, The Odd Couple

THROUGH JULY 8 To emphasize the importance of conservation and cohabitation in the desert, artist Myranda Bair treats the Rotunda Gallery as a giant glass dome. She has filled it with multiple mock-terrariums containing the “tiny giants” of the Mojave Desert: Gila monsters, horned lizards, desert tortoises and tarantulas. Free. Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery, clarkcountynv.gov

NEVADA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SPRING SHOW THROUGH JULY 10, 10A–6P View an exquisite array of watercolor paintings in this showcase of works by outstanding local watercolorists. Subjects explored are as varied as still lifes, abstracts, portraits and landscapes. Free with paid general admission. Springs Preserve, artandwriting.org

PAINTED STORIES — DUEL IN THE LIBRARY

For more information or to reserve your seats, please visit www.npr.vegas

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JULY 31, 2P In two dueling sessions, as each author reads from their work, two artists will turn blank canvases into works of art — live in front of the audience, proving the old adage that a picture really is worth a thousand words. After each duel, the author and

artists will discuss their creative processes and answer questions from the audience. Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

MUSIC

NORMAN FOOTE IN CONCERT JULY 7, 11:30A Drawing from his own experiences, Foote creates songs and stories that entertain, regardless of age. He weaves imaginative wordplay with great melodies, all to great effect. Enjoy this fun-filled concert by a beloved and award-winning children’s musician. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

DAVID PERRICO: POP EVOLUTION & POP STRINGS JULY 8, 8P Trumpeter, composer and conductor David Perrico brings his newest

musical creation, featuring a 30-piece band comprised of Las Vegas Strip musicians who perform with Donny and Marie, Rod Stewart and Céline Dion. $20–$40. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET & RUSTED ROOT

made up of musicians from wellknown shows all over the Las Vegas area, including performers from Rock of Ages and Jersey Boys, as well as backup musicians for many of the best-known shows on the Strip. $25–$35. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

JULY 11, 7P Even with a period when the band members of Toad would weave in and out of each other’s musical lives, the same creative curiosity that inspired the band to form in 1986 has brought them full-circle to come back together again. $35-$50. Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, brooklynbowl.com

CHEYENNE JACKSON: MUSIC OF THE MAD MEN ERA

SANTA FE & THE FAT CITY HORNS

BELLA DONNA … VOICES OF A MODERN TIME

JULY 11, 10:30P Formed in 1999, this 10-piece band is

JULY 16, 7P Superior vocal talent and beauty

JULY 15, 7P; JULY 16, 6P & 9P Singer, actor and songwriter Jackson performs songs from his new album, I’m Blue, plus songs from the hit show he has performed at Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. $39-$65. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! 2016 BROADWAY SEASON NOW PLAYING! Back by popular demand

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THE GUIDE combine to create the first-ever answer to the female version of The Tenors, featuring the all-star voices of Ashley Fuller, Naomi Mauro, Zipporah Peddle and Autumn Grayce Johnson. Singing in Italian, French, Spanish and English, this group is designed to target all audiences. $20. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, scscai.com

THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS JULY 16, 7P Led by front man and songwriter Richard Butler, the Furs won over fans and critics alike by combining poetic lyrics, innovative rhythms and melodies driven by an aggressive, punk desperation. Through it all, the band scored major hits with “Love My Way,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Heaven,” “The Ghost in You” and “Heartbreak Beat.” $30. Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, brooklynbowl.com

HEATHER MICHELE POTTER PERFORMS THE MUSIC OF CAROLE KING JULY 17, 2P Pianist and singer Potter stars in the stage biography of Carole King, as narrated by co-star Frank LaSpina. Learn the stories behind the making of hits like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” Featuring many rare photos and film clips. Performance benefits the Musical Arts Scholarship Program. $25. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

SERPENTINE FIRE: EARTH, WIND & FIRE TRIBUTE JULY 22, 8P Hear the classic hits including “Reasons,” “That’s The Way of the World” and “September,” live. $20-$35. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

ALAN CUMMING SINGS SAPPY SONGS JULY 23, 6P & 8:30P Fresh off of his Broadway performance of The Emcee in Cabaret, Alan Cumming of CBS’ The Good Wife

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brings his touring cabaret show to Las Vegas. $59-$99. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

many more. $15. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, scscai.com

THE OFFSPRING

BOBBY BONES & THE RAGING IDIOTS

JULY 24, 7P Smash, their 1994 release, remains the highest-selling album of all time on an independent label. Among the band’s best-known hits are the rock anthems “Self-Esteem,” “Come Out and Play (Keep ’Em Separated),” “The Kids Aren’t Alright” and “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid.” $45-$75. Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, brooklynbowl.com

July 30, 8P Radio personality Bones and his friends perform satirical songs. Their group has raised more than $2 million for various charities! Their recent full-length album, Critics Give it 5 Stars, includes performances by country stars like Carrie Underwood. $29. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

AN EVENING WITH CHRIS BOTTI

BRIAN MCKNIGHT

JULY 26, 8P The renowned trumpeter performs jazz and classical standards, as well as songs from his recent albums. $29-$99. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

COWBOY MOUTH JULY 29, 7P For more than two decades, this band has dished up their unique style of rock & roll gumbo, mixing a rowdy spirit reflective of New Orleans, their hometown, with the fierce firepower of a group that lives on the road. $25-$40. Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, brooklynbowl.com

HAPA JULY 29–30, 7P Hawaiian music performed by a group from Maui. $35-$55. Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

DARIN TO BE DIFFERENT! JULY 30, 7P Award-winning vocalist Carmine Mandia celebrates the music of the legendary Bobby Darin. Featuring a live Big Band, this original musical production will showcase more than 20 well-known favorites such as “Mack the Knife,” “As Long As I’m Singing,” “Birth of the Blues,” “Dream Lover,” “Lazy River,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Hey There,” “Summer Wind” and

JULY 31, 8P Multi-award-winning vocalist McKnight performs songs from his new album, Better. $33-$99. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

DANCE

DANCIN’ FOOLS JULY 9, 7P Dynamic husband and wife team Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson have been dancing and singing together every day for more than 30 years. Come see M&M with their company of beautiful dancers from Broadway and the Las Vegas Strip, plus some wonderful surprise guests. This is a unique show filled with love, laughter and the joy of dancing. $20. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, scscai.com

CHRISTMAS IN JULY — HAWAIIAN STYLE JULY 23, 2P A dance concert featuring the Na Hula Halia Aloha dancers performing hula traditionally danced in celebration of the winter holiday season. The folklore, customs and culture of the Hawaiian Islands will be revealed with every fluid hand gesture, hip movement and facial expression as the dancers sashay across the stage in native ceremonial garments. Free. Main Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

Channel 10

18TH ANNUAL LAS VEGAS DANCE IN THE DESERT FESTIVAL JULY 29-30, 7P A veritable smorgasbord of contemporary dance featuring some of the finest local, regional and international choreographers and dance companies. The showcase will highlight the latest and most innovative works in three contrasting programs. Free. Summerlin Library, lvccld.org

LECTURES, SPEAKERS AND PANELS

DISCOVERING ITALY — A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE JULY 7, 6P Delve into lectures, live performances and demonstrations of various topics such as the history of Italian fashion, Jewish culture in Italy, travel, music and much more. Free. Sahara West Library, lvccld.org

Great British Baking Show: Season 3 Fridays at 9 p.m., premiering July 1

LAS VEGAS STORIES: THE CLASSIC LAS VEGAS STRIP 1930-1955 JULY 7, 7P The El Rancho, the Hotel Last Frontier, the Thunderbird and the Dunes are just a few of the hotels that are no longer found on the Las Vegas Strip. Learn the history of these long-forgotten hotels, from preservationist and archivist Lynn Zook. Free. Jewel Box Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org

Dancing on the Edge

A Capitol Fourth 2016

Sundays at 8 p.m.

Monday, July 4 at 8 p.m.

The White House: An Inside Story

PBS NewsHour Convention Coverage

Tuesday, July 12 at 8 p.m.

Monday – Thursday, July 18 – 21 and July 25 – 28 from 5 – 8 p.m.

THEATER

IDAHO! THE COMEDY MUSICAL JULY 9 & 12–17, 7:30P; JULY 10, 16 & 17, 2P; PREVIEW: JULY 6-8, 7:30P Love, romance and potatoes fill the air in this brand-new musical. This show is still in development for an eventual opening on Broadway and gives audience members a chance to see how a show evolves. Opening night includes the “Ida-Hoe-Down,” a meet-and-greet with show creators, cast and crew that includes free drinks and appetizers for all tickets

VegasPBS.org | 3050 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 | 702.799.1010 J u ly 2 0 1 6

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THE GUIDE $39 and more. $19-$89. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

Best Doctors

+ TOP DENTISTS

issue party

2016 VALLEY THEATRE AWARDS JULY 11, 8P The Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards celebrates the best of local theatre. Featuring performances from nominated shows, previews of upcoming shows and special performances created just for the show. $29. Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER JULY 15–31, THU-SAT 8P, SUN 2P Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, this play upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan. Evil kings, pirates, hidden treasure and magic abound! $25. Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org

Join us thursday, august 18th at Roseman University at 5:30 pm as we celebrate the Las Vegas valley’s Best Doctors featured in the August issue of Desert Companion. Our 4th annual Best Doctors Issue Party will be held at the Roseman University Summerlin Campus . Enjoy light bites and specialty cocktails, in celebration of our top medical practitioners in the community.

RSVP by August 16th at www.desertcompanion.vegas

LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS: IT’S LVIP! JULY 23, 7P The valley’s only grandmother- and kid-friendly comedy and music show that is made up entirely on the spot. Come early for Name that Tune and prizes! $10, kids free. Fern Adair Conservatory for the Arts, 3265 E. Patrick Lane, lvimprov.com

LOVE LETTERS An event sponsored by institutions working together to create a future of medical excellence in Nevada

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

MARQUEE SPONSOR

Thank you to our sponsors working together to create a future of medical excellence in Nevada

ASSOCIATE SPONSOR

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VALET SPONSOR

JULY 24, 2P Maggie Peterson and Ronnie Schell bring their prodigious talents to this play by A. R. Gurney. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through their boarding school and college years, and to the end of their days. $20. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, scscai.com

4TH OF JULY AT DIVINE CAFÉ

FAMILY & FESTIVALS

FREMONT EATS FOOD TRUCK ROUND UP JULY 2, 6P It’s a party on Fremont, including a variety of delicious eats from local food trucks, live music, artists, games and activities for the kids. Plenty of vegan options available. Free. The Llama Lot, Fremont St. & N. Ninth St., fremonteatsvegas.com

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION JULY 4, 6–9P Vendors, live music, and traditional fireworks — the perfect way to celebrate our independence. Bring a blanket and enjoy a night of family fun. Shuttle service runs from Foothill High School. Free. Mission Hills Park, Henderson, cityofhenderson.com

JULY 4, 6–10P Stay cool and enjoy delicious food, cocktails and a beautiful view of the city’s fireworks. Adding to the regular menu will be specialty BBQ favorites and a special combo meal. The relaxed environment of the Beer Garden will also feature $2 PBR drafts and fun games including Cornhole, Giant Jenga and kid-sized Jenga. $9 members, $10 non-members. Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org

FUNDRAISERS

MARTIN LAWRENCE ANNUAL VIP GALA — THE ART OF LOVE JULY 16, 7P Imbibe delectable food and specifically chosen wines, dance to a live performance by Rockin’ the Gatsby and a live DJ. Benefits Raise a Child, a charity

organization for foster care. $40. Martin Lawrence Gallery, Forum Shops at Caesars, artoflove2016.preclickbid.com

FIFTH ANNUAL RAINBOWS IN THE WIND FESTIVAL JULY 23, 5:30P Enjoy a fun evening of music, activities, dancing and raffles for the whole family while raising money to help support families of children diagnosed with rare, life-limiting and complex medical conditions. Free. Town Square Center Park, littlemisshannah.org

A RED CARPET AFFAIR JULY 28, 6P A fundraising gala benefitting WomELLE, which provides financial and jobs support to women in need. Enjoy cocktails, live entertainment, dinner/dessert bars and a raffle. $75. Henderson Events Plaza, womelle.com

Every Day Is Veterans Day

www.vvlv.org

House A United States Veteran For Just $20 A Day

Thank You For Caring From Veterans Village Las Vegas

Serving Those That Served With Dignity & Respect

This Ad Generously Sponsored by Our Friends At Wells Fargo Bank

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END NOTE table for två

Swede enough?

Curious about the IKEA cafeteria’s famous meatballs, two DC eaters explore the nuances of furniture-store dining B y A n d r e w K i r a ly & S c o t t D i c k e n s h e e t s

We begin with some kind of raw-salmon salad … A: That’s a strong honey-mustard dressing. S: Well, you know those bold Swedes. A: So the idea behind this place is it’s supposed to be surprisingly good food for the cafeteria of a Swedish furniture store? S: Yeah. I mean, they’re probably not offering this at Hollywood Furniture. Someone call a young Bill Murray, because this is all about meatballs … A: All right, moment of truth. S: Is it meatball nirvana? A: Huh! You know what it tastes like? S: A ball of meat? A: It tastes the way a microwave-entrée meatball would when you’re really craving some hot, alcohol-absorbing, munchies-dispelling food. The terroir is definitely heat-lamp; it’s got a Bunsen-burner quality. It’s pretty good. S: You can’t taste the Sweden? (Andrew chews thoughtfully) A: Eminently digestible! Eminently edible! Like the furniture, they’re compact and cute. S: But easier to assemble. Another meatball is consumed … S: Not quite as revelatory as I’d hoped. Not enough … (searches mental foodword thesaurus) … char? A: You know what? That’s why I get the microwave vibe, because it has a kind of squishy, heated-through quality, but not cooked. (Andrew chews thoughtfully) A: You don’t get the sense that it was ever in a skillet. Kind of immaculately conceived … S: In the Swedish manner. That’s how they

have children, as well — put ’em together with an Allen wrench. Andrew gets zany … A: (brandishing a fork holding a meatball, gravy, mashed potatoes and lingonberry garnish) WATCH THIS! S: (alarmed) You’ve got, like, four food groups! (Chomp!) A: That’s like Hungry Man on a stick.

Andrew keeps going back to this salad … A: I keep going back to this salad. It actually has a sense of being alive … S: Not usually a quality you look for in a salad. A: … in the culinary sense. S: Much like the furniture, a lot of this tastes prefabricated. A: The honey mustard on this is too sweet, but at least it’s too something. The rubbery inevitability of heat-lamped veggies A: I kind of feel like I’m just pushing myself through the vegetables, like I have to eat ’em. S: You’re eating your vegetables in the spirit of eating your vegetables.

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Then again, what were you expecting? S: It’s hard to know what expectations to walk in with. On the one hand, it is a furniture store cafeteria. On the other, people have talked about it on social media, so much talk about the long lines. (Ours was relatively speedy) You had a sense there was an unexpected quality to it. A: You know what would redeem this whole plate? If they just slathered the gravy over everything. The gravy is actually pretty okay. Because the last thing you want is to insult Norway ... A: I feel I should be eating this off a TV tray at 2 a.m., crying at the Home Shopping Network, having spent my last Social Security check. S: Angry that you can’t afford another decorative figurine. “Just one more porcelain cat …” A: Yet, as unimpressed as we are by the meatballs, I would just keep eating them if there was a big plateful. So readily consumable! (Scott chews thoughtfully) S: This food is about competent sustenance. A: Yeah. It doesn’t exactly evoke Sweden to me. I really wanted it to taste like international banking and tax haven. S: Isn’t that Switzerland? A: Oh, yeah! And a strong public education system! S: And a possibly workable model of hybrid socialism! Now this food scheme makes sense! A: Meatballs for everyone! (Pause) Glad I didn’t make a lutefisk joke. That’s Norway, right? Tappin’ our watch here; let’s wrap this up … A: Well, that was … demonstrably okay. S: Perhaps the dense-looking apple cake will redeem the whole thing. A: I’m banking on it. Look at this thing; it’s almost sculptural. (Andrew chews thoughtfully) A: I don’t think this is the place you’d come for a guilty-pleasure meal. Time for an authentic Swedish farewell … A: Gutentag!

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*Price varies depending on show, date and time. Does not include tax and fees. Valid through September 30, 2016. Blackout dates apply. Valid on select seating areas and categories. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Management reserves all rights. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply. The offer for “O” and Michael Jackson ONE is up to 25% off tickets. Tickets for KÀ and The Beatles LOVE start at $55. Tickets for Zumanity and Criss Angel MINDFREAK LIVE! start at $49. Tickets for Mystère start at $49.50. Zumanity has been created for guests 18 years and older.