Sensi Magazine - Las Vegas (November 2018)

NER

LAS VEGAS

THE NEW NORMAL

D

IN

11.2018

U T O G COM

E READY TO PL AY

Cannabis Queen Ruling An Empire

Wickety Whack Mapping the New Normal

{plus} Celebrate The Flaws Imperfection To Embrace

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 3

4 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

ISSUE 9 // VOLUME 1 // 11.2018

FEATURES 36 Must-Have List

A look at retail therapy that will make you happy.

STRIKE DOWN STEREOTYPES A new non-club for nerds

34 WANT A MAMAJUANA? Caribbean cocktails you’ll crave

S P EC I A L RE P O RT

38 The Abnormal History

26

of the New Normal

Understanding the New Normal by laying it all out there.

44 Beauty in Imperfection Pay no attention to what’s under the stairs.

23

GET MESSY Our art scene is more than meets the eye

every issue 07 Editor’s Note 08 The Buzz 12 AskAngie

ROCK ‘N ROLL, CBD, AND MORE

16 CrossRoads

IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE

20 TasteBuds

REMEDY FOR FOODIES

23 AroundTown

EXPRESS YOURSELF

26 LifeStyle

THE ANTI-CLUB

30 HighProfile

QUEEN OF THE DESERT

34 HomeMade

GET YOUR DRINK ON

64 The Scene

SENSI NIGHT LAS VEGAS

66 HereWeGo

HIGH ART

Sensi magazine is published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2018 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CORRECTION: In the October 2018 issue, we inadvertently referred to a film as Women of Cannabis in our High Profile section. The correct name is The Women of Cannabis, and the correct Instagram handle is @thewomenofcannabis

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 5

sensi magazine ISSUE 9 VOLUME 1 11.2018

EXECUTIVE FOLLOW US

Ron Kolb ron@sensimag.com CEO, SENSI MEDIA GROUP

Tae Darnell tae@sensimag.com PRESIDENT, SENSI MEDIA GROUP

Alex Martinez alex@sensimag.com CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

sensimediagroup

EDITORIAL Stephanie Wilson stephanie@sensimag.com EDITOR IN CHIEF

Debbie Hall debbie.hall@sensimag.com MANAGING EDITOR, SENSI LAS VEGAS

Leland Rucker leland.rucker@sensimag.com SENIOR EDITOR

Robyn Griggs Lawrence CONTRIBUTING EDITOR sensimagazine

Ricardo Baca Dr. Angie McCartney askangie@sensimag.com COLUMNISTS

Dawn Garcia CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A RT & D E S I G N Jamie Ezra Mark jamie@akersmediagroup.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

sensimag

Rheya Tanner, Wendy Mak, Josh Clark, Deb Matlock akers@sensimag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT

BUSINESS & A D M I N I S T R AT I V E Susan Lugo susan.lugo@sensimag.com PUBLISHER

Daniel Asarch daniel.asarch@sensimag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amber Orvik amber.orvik@sensimag.com CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR

Andre Velez andre.velez@sensimag.com MARKETING DIRECTOR

Hector Irizarry distribution@sensimag.com DISTRIBUTION

M E D I A PA RT N E R S Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy 6 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

ADVISORY BOARD

EMBRACING THE VERVE

editor’s

NOTE

American Cannabis Company // CONSULTING CannaPunch // INFUSED CANDIES AND JUICES Cohen Medical Centers // MEDICAL CENTERS Crooked Cactus CBD // CBD TINCTURES DigiPath Labs // CANNABIS TESTING Emerald Harvest // NUTRIENTS Evergreen Organix // PREMIUM BAKED GOODS GreenHouse Payment Solutions // PAYMENT PROCESSING

Hot Mess Kushmetics // CBD TOPICALS

Style is an attitude, an approach, and a method-

ology that expresses the core of our individuality. That said, styles can change as quickly as moods. In today’s world of go-go-go, style often lends itself to finding the fluidity we need to live as boldly as possible.

In this issue, we are exploring life and style and what those words mean to each of us. From whiskey tastings that range from drinking out of fine crystal stemware at Baccarat to pulling up a seat at a local hole-in-the-wall surrounded by happy nerds, we’ve spent some time really delving into what Vegas is all about. In the process, it confirmed that it’s this notion of adventure, stylish liv-

Libra Wellness // INFUSED GOURMET CHOCOLATES

ing, and passion that encompasses the heart of what Sensi is all

Nevada Powders //

about. As a publication, we are devoted to opening minds, chang-

POWDER PROCESSING SERVICES FOR EDIBLES

NLVO // LAS VEGAS LUXURY CANNABIS Strip Side Solutions // MARKETING Toast // MINDFUL CONSUMPTION Undoo // OVERCONSUMPTION RELIEF

ing perceptions that all cannabis users are deadheads, and elevating it to true social consciousness, all while never compromising our continuing advocacy of education, health, and wellness.

Las Vegas is a a community that values an upscale lifestyle, gourmet dining, suburban life, branded retail, VIP service, and the welcomed world of cannabis. Gone are the days of cheap buffets and dime bags. We’re making way for high society living, sophistication, and a newfound sense of cool. We are a city that mega celebs like Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, and Chef Gordon Ramsay flock to, adding Vegas to their repertoire of respective empires. Amazon, the global giant influencing purchasing power, opened its second center here, and Planet 13 recently opened the first phase of what is billed as the largest dispensary in the world. We’re a city unafraid of having sex appeal, allure, intrigue, cutting-edge dining, gaming, design, and redefining lifestyle.

As you read the pages of Sensi magazine, may you feel that wonderful sense of exploration. May we make you laugh, think, share, and explore. We’re here for you.

Yours in the new normal,

Debbie Hall

M ANAG I NG E D I TO R SENSI LAS VEGAS

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 7

You don’t always get to chose your battles, but sometimes you

Helping Hands Dan and the Lions’ Den #standuptocancer.

must still stand up and fight. Daniel Nitchie was a cancer warrior who, with the loving support of his family, #stooduptocancer until Sept. 29, 2017. Daniel’s wife, Deidre, and other family members walked with Daniel every step of the way,

chemo,

doctor’s

appointments,

hospital stays, and hospice. Now they are paying it forward, helping others in the same battle with a charity created in his honor.

Dan and the Lions’ Den offers financial relief to families helping a loved one through cancer treatment because the monetary drain of cancer treatment only adds to the emotional upheaval of families facing catastrophic illnesses. Together, the journey is easier.

–Debbie Hall

DANANDTHELIONSDEN.COM 8 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

PHOTOS BY PIRON GUILLAUME, HUSH NAIDOO, AND MARINA PANADÉS

through treatments, clinical trials,

STILL WATERS RUN DEEP

PHOTO OF THE IMPERFECTIONS BY JESSE LAMBERT. PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACK CANYON ADVENTURES

Black Canyon Adventures floats through history.

Before the mad holiday rush begins, step away and take some time to relax in nature with Black Canyon River Adventures (BLACKCANYONADVENTURES.COM) on the breathtaking Colorado River and bring history into perspective while enjoying the great outdoors. Floating on the water will feed your soul.

The excursion begins at the base of Hoover Dam, a national historic landmark built in the 1930s that still supplies power. The motor-assisted raft slowly begins a leisurely journey down the still waters of the gorge. It is a time machine moment, cruising along the river where men and women traveled at the beginning of the 20th century to build this dam. Original railings and catwalks remain, along with structures that housed workers.

The Black Canyon is a place of awe-inspiring beauty and Instagrammable moments. You’ll see wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep, osprey, and great blue heron thriving in the rugged outdoors. Birds sing to the passengers as –DH knowledgeable guides share their passion for the river.

Roll In Vegas Honor a cannabis pioneer at the annual Jack Herer Cup. The fourth annual Jack Herer Cup rolls back into Vegas on November 15 to honor the cannabis activist known as the “Emperor of Hemp” and “Godfather of the Cannabis Industry.” He also wrote the definitive book for legalization, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, in 1986, and founded Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP).

Held at the Hard Rock Café on the Strip, the party culminates with a cannabis awards show honoring lifetime achievement, an industry leader, best flower, best greenhouse flower, and best (JACKHERERCUP.COM)

concentrates. Some of the country’s top cannabis growers will compete to take home the coveted Jack Herer Cup for categories including best indica, sativa, and hybrid flowers.

The gala sprouted from a small party held five years ago for Herer’s widow. After his death in 2010, people discovered she was homeless and, after obtaining housing for her, held an event to raise money. It blossomed into a gala honoring people in the industry as well as a fundraiser.

–DH Hard Rock Café // 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Beautiful Noise

The Imperfections throw down vintage rock with their latest release.

Vegas bands Imagine Dragons and the Killers chart the hits, but now the Imperfections (THEIMPERFECTIONS.COM) are ready to explode onto the national music scene. Already one of the hottest bands in Sin City, the Imperfections are putting the final touches on their debut release, Celebrate the Imperfections with a supporting tour to follow.

Big melodies, classic rock, crushing guitar riffs, and booming drum beats celebrate everything flawed. Imperfection becomes perfection as they rejoice in their lyrics.

Founder, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Donato Faoro moved to Vegas two years ago from Seattle to soak in the sun and was inspired to write hundreds of songs.

Eliss Martinez (bassist, vocals) and Dominic Magla (percussionist) solidify the group’s unique musical identity.

Faoro explains, “We want to become the cannabis band of the future. Cannabis is represented in music through the hip-hop culture, but we want to normalize cannabis through throwback rock ‘n’ roll. There are cannabis references in our song, ‘Light It Up,’ and I am excited about it. We want to reach everyone.”

–DH sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 9

Change Your Destiny

Karma and Luck is the go-to place to find tools for uplifting customs and comforting rituals, with dazzling fashion and jewelry, and exquisite home décor. You’ll find charms symbolized with Evil Eye, Hamsa, and Om that are intended as elements of luck. The Bonsai Trees of Life and Feng Shui map act as elements said to make life easier and less stressful, while the Monk and Celedón tabletop ceramics as well as the Tibetan meditation singing bowls (Standing Bells) embrace feelings of inner peace. The Buddha statue in the back of the 13th store looks over patrons with a sense of oneness. Karma and Luck (KARMAANDLUCK.COM) appeals to those looking for a more grounded way of life, whether it be due to fate, serendity, a divine plan, or through the symbols you wear that offer you the serenity you’re seeking.

–DH

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARMA AND LUCK

Karma and Luck opens lucky 13th store in Fashion Show.

Sway in the Breeze Las Vegas artisan Tom McGrady of Las Vegas Swings proudly continues a tradition of handcrafting furniture including porch swings, garden arbors, and Adirondack chairs that dates back 100 years. With over 40 years of experience, his specialty, Adirondack chairs, with their distinctive, sloped backs, inclined seats, and high, wide arms capture the Vegas lifestyle.

McGrady also builds one-of-a-kind tables, countertops, and other artistic objects using black walnut and cherry hardwood. He makes certain all wood he purchases is from trees that were responsibly harvested. McGrady also culls discarded pieces of wood and refurbishes them; he recently gave a weathered Adirondack chair new life as a plant holder.

–DH LASVEGASSWINGS.COM 10 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAS VEGAS SWINGS

Las Vegas Swings brings country living to Sin City.

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 11

{askangie }

by A N G I E Mc C A R T N E Y

MEET DR. ANGIE The only living Beatles’ stepmom, Dr. Angie McCartney, is ready to regale Sensi readers with anecdotes of inspiration, humor, survival instincts, small business tips and tricks, backstage tidbits, and more.

I’m Dr. Angie McCartney. I’m almost 89 years old, still

football match in Manchester. Times were tough. We lost

working full time on various ventures, including McCartney

our home, which belonged to Eddie’s employer, and after

Multimedia, McCartney Studios, Mrs. McCartney’s Teas, and

being turned down by 46 landlords who said, “We don’t

Mrs. McCartney’s Wines. As a newly converted advocate for

take kids,” I got a one-bedroom flat on the Kirby Trading

CBD, I’m excited Sensi magazine invited me to write a column.

Estates on the outskirts of Liverpool.

I grew up in Liverpool during World War II. The severe

In the summer of 1964, I met Paul McCartney’s dad, Jim.

bombing of our city in 1941, when I was 11, meant school

We married in November 1964, and shortly after, Jim ad-

was not a viable option. We kids were scattered and went

opted my four-year-old daughter Ruth.

one day a week to a local home to assemble with our teacher and try to learn something.

As you can imagine, precious little school work got done.

It was just us kids yakking on about the war, about whose brother had been injured (or worse) in Europe.

Life took a huge turn, and I’d find myself doing laundry for John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and others who came to “crash” at our house in Merseyside, near Liverpool.

Paul would sometimes drive up from London to visit us, often bringing along his hippie chums. That’s when

My dad was a compound pharmacist, creating medi-

Jim and I became aware of the various substances these

cines, ointments, and tinctures to relieve pain, calm tooth-

young folks were mad for, and being the mother of four-

aches, etc., and he always said, “If it didn’t grow out of

year-old Ruth, I’d clean up, sweep away, flush away all

God’s green earth, then you shouldn’t put it in your body.”

kinds of powders, pills, and potions around the house. My

He died a long time ago, but I still remember his words.

janitorial efforts must have cost the guys fortunes.

How right he was. Now, in these days of opioids, we all know too well what can happen.

I was widowed for the first time in 1962, when my husband Eddie died in a car crash on the way back from a 12 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

Fast forward to today. After I had two knee replacements and got a new hip, a friend suggested I try CBD topicals for the pain. I needed some convincing, because of the stigma of the old days.

But once I tried CBD, I knew it was right for me. So now, as I am pushing 90, I find myself being an advocate for the soothing properties of cannabinoids. And I want to share my journey, experiences, and opinions with you.

Each month, I’ll reply to readers’ submissions in this new Ask Angie column. What kind of questions? I’m glad you asked. All types: queries about what kind of topicals I use and how often are as welcome as questions about the rock and roll years. If any of you folks need any reassur-

Got a burning question?

Ask away! email: ASKANGIE@SENSIMAG.COM Instagram: @SENSIMAGAZINE #ASKANGIE web: SENSIMAG.COM/ASKANGIE

Want more Dr. Angie?

Catch her weekly show Teaflix Tuesdays on Facebook.

FB.COM/DRANGIEMCCARTNEY

ing about using anything derived from the cannabis plant,

Listen to her live radio broadcast on the Pete Price Show

please get in touch.

out of Liverpool on Saturday nights

(RADIOCITY.CO.UK)

and on Richard Oliff’s HFM Drive Show on Wednesday afternoons (HARBOROUGHFM.CO.UK) .

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 13

14 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 15

{crossroads }

by R I C A R D O B A C A

IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE Changing Public Opinion = Changing Drug Policy.

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Changing minds on long-held beliefs is a nearly impossible feat—something we witness daily in 2018 via flame-filled social media threads.

So imagine, then, how monumental our national conversation on cannabis has been in the last 25 years. I’ve written this before, but I regularly find it’s worth repeating: The legalization of marijuana represents the single-biggest drug-policy shift of our lifetimes—and that applies equally to the millennials entering high school and the senior citizens entering retirement.

But perspective can be difficult, especially in such a rap-

E

idly changing landscape, so let’s allow this simplified cannabis-in-America timeline to tell the story of how we’ve changed—how we’ve come around to marijuana—and how unbelievably fast this process has happened:

1998: As the first voter-approved cannabis ballot initiative in the world, Proposition 215 passes with overwhelming support in California, creating the first state-recognized medical marijuana program.

2004: Still eight years after Prop 215’s passing, only 20 percent of American Republicans support legal marijuana, according to Gallup, which has polled voters on this one question for more than 50 years.

2012: Eight years later, voters in Colorado and Washington state say yes to a regulated adult-use cannabis market, becoming the first municipalities in the modern world to embark on such a path.

G

2013:

The next year, a majority of Americans support legal mari4uana for the first time, according to Gallup.

2014: A year later, two more states and the District of Columbia legalize recreational weed—the same year as state-regulated recreational markets in Colorado and Washington state open for business, representing the first legal adult-use cannabis sales in the modern world.

2016: Nine states vote on recreational and medical marijuana initiatives. Eight of them pass, including adult-use in California and medical in Arkansas.

2017: The following year, a majority of American Republicans support legal marijuana, according to Gallup.

2018: Canada legalizes adult-use cannabis federally, becoming the first G7 country to do so.

Just look at how hard-fought that change came in those early days. There’s a 16-year gap between medical marijuana passing in California and adult-use passing in Colorado and Washington. But then, everything changes— most notably, our public opinion. sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 17

A year after the big elections in Colorado and Washing-

to what they believe. Feeling even slight reservations about

ton—and still a year before they implement those mar-

your current beliefs can set the stage for shifting more of

kets—national opinion finally tips toward legalization

your support toward an alternative point of view.”

for the first time ever. And a few years later a majority of

Of course, the emotional attachment component of our

American Republicans come out in favor of legal marijua-

recent shift in public opinion on cannabis is everything.

na for the first time—a 155 percent increase from not

Californians said yes to medical cannabis when nobody

even 15 years before, when only 20 percent of conserva-

else was considering MMJ legalization in part because

tives supported legal cannabis.

they had a front-row seat to the AIDS crisis in San Fran-

It’s no coincidence: We changed our relationship with cannabis. Then we changed our opinions about marijuana.

And then we legalized it.

cisco, where terminally ill patients were finding unparalleled relief in cannabis.

More than 15 years later we had another compelling

Yet as historic as these varying marijuana markets are,

human story displaying the still-mysterious medical ef-

none of them exist without this change in public opinion

ficacy of marijuana in Charlotte Figi, the Charlotte’s Web

we’ve witnessed. And given that marijuana has been one of

namesake who was described by an International Business

those long-held issues that divides us, this very recent shift

Times headline as, “The Girl Who is Changing Medical Mar-

in public opinion is that much more compelling and important.

ijuana Laws Across the Country.”

As this smart Fast Company piece points out: “The sense of

That headline is true, though I’d argue that Char-

coherence many of us maintain over our beliefs reflects both

lotte’s amazing story changed hearts and minds before it

knowledge and emotion. Being settled in what you believe

changed actual laws. That’s how this works.

feels good. Ambivalence doesn’t. So to change someone’s

And while the shift in public opinion seems sudden, it was

mind, you also need to address their emotional attachment

actually the opposite. From that same Fast Company article:

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“From the outside, it may look like someone’s changed their mind suddenly, but that’s seldom the case. Usually the steady accretion of facts supporting an alternative position has taken time to build up. Some people may go through a period when they’re explicitly ambivalent about what they believe, but many simply go from strong support for one position to strong support for another…Belief change is a war of attrition, not a search for the knockdown argument that gets someone to see things differently in one fell swoop.”

And so to the many innovators and advocates who

nce: hip e d i c n tions o coi It’s n d our rela changed e e hang s. Then w rijuana. c e W nabi about ma it. n a c with pinions legalized our o then we And

came before us—including young Charlotte and Prop 64 author Dennis Peron, who died earlier this year—I give a deep bow of appreciation. Because of their extraordinarily difficult lives and hard work and sharing their stories far and wide, we have been gifted a world of legal cannabis and more compassionate drug policy.

RICARDO BACA is a veteran journalist and thought leader in the legal cannabis space and founder of Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency, which handles public relations, content marketing, social media, events, and thought leadership for brands and executives in legal cannabis and other highly regulated industries.

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 19

{tastebuds }

by D E B B I E H A L L Therapy

518 E. Fremont St. // Las Vegas (702) 912-1622

REMEDY FOR

FOODIES Therapy treats hunger, thirst, and boredom with shareable dishes, craft cocktails, and an à la mode crowd.

20 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

Executive Chef Talen Lancaster explores what some might consider strange food combinations creating scrumptious, shareable plates such as the paprika and bacon peanuts and oxtail empanadas. One of the more in-demand dishes—also one of his favorites— is the Tuna Tartare. The ahi tuna is marinated in soy sauce and Sriracha topped with a blend of Fresno peppers, fresh pears, and Greek yogurt accented by a Yuzu Gelée. On the side, fried lotus root chips add crispness and taste similar to that of a potato chip, only with the added element of fruitiness.

Along with shareable plates, high-end entrée offerings add a more refined presentation, elevating the dining experience. Chef Lancaster’s roasted duck dish is surrounded by a purée of roasted cauliflower, blood orange, and hazelnut purée embodying the crisp appeal of the new season.

Roasted fennel and blood orange segments topped with blood orange jus take the flavor profile to the next level.

For serious carnivores, try the coffee-rubbed filet mignon.

This cut of beef is prepared with a smoke-wagon whiskey accented with huckleberry au jus that’s been blended with red wine, whiskey, and fresh huckleberries, served on a

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THERAPY

bed of crispy marble potatoes. This will appease any reverEast Fremont in downtown Las Vegas pulsates with a

berating cravings as your primal desires take over. Utiliz-

vibe of excitement exemplified with Therapy Restaurant

ing the colors of fall, the chef also serves up a risotto dish

and Pub as its hub. The gleaming industrial-style, two-lev-

that can be made vegan or vegetarian. One of his favorite

el, upscale American gastropub engages locals and tour-

grains, the hearty texture of risotto gives off an earthy fla-

ists with its elevated menu and extensive drink offerings. A

vor and is combined with butternut squash creating vibrant

night in Therapy (THERAPYLV.COM) entails sipping a fantas-

orange colors that burst on the plate. The dish is topped

tic cocktail while tasting a delectable dish meant for shar-

with pomegranate and pumpkin seeds, and Parmesan or

ing. Surrounded by hip, fun, cool people with tunes filling

mascarpone can be added for a more nutty tang.

the air; you experience the best Vegas has to offer when you come here.

“We take a little bit from everywhere,” Chef Lancaster explains. “There really isn’t one style or cuisine featured here. sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 21

#LoveGoldenKnights I like all different ingredients. I use whatever interests me during the season and I always work with fresh ingredients. I love to experiment with new things.”

“Since Las Vegas is one of the wedding capitals of the world, we like to marry concepts from different countries,” adds General Manager Maria Horta. The romance of food and drink entice, while the laughter of friends and family linger afterwards.

Recently, the pub introduced its own private-labeled Therapy Wines and handcrafted Therapy Guava Beer. Therapy Cabernet Sauvignon, bottled in California, showcases a vibrant

The hockey season has begun with reigning Western Conference Champs Vegas Golden Knights with crowds cheering behind the blue line. Therapy’s specialty Golden cocktail menu celebrates the team’s second season, so show your support with these #VGK drinks.

Golden Glory is made with passion fruit syrup, peach liqueur and pineapple juice, topped with Guinness Blonde Lager.

Knights on Ice combines Caña Brava rum, Pineapple Reàl, pineapple juice, orange juice, and heavy cream served in a glass rimmed with gold sugar and golden-covered cherry garnish.

medium magenta color with a nose of ripe plum and cherry.

For a heavenly dessert drink, the McFleury blends

On the palate, you can taste licorice with a rich cherry finish.

Darke Crème de Cacao, brandy, and half-and-half,

The Therapy Chardonnay is pale gold, like the afternoon sun with floral and tropical aromas. It’s like drinking liquid butter, nuts, and butterscotch balanced with toasty oak and a lingering fruity finish. Therapy Guava Beer is a mildly tart, fruit-infused ale with bright and tingly flavors blending fresh ginger and guava with undertones of passion fruit. Therapy even combines retail therapy. For the home cook who wants to recreate the culinary magic, Chef’s original line of sauces and spices are available for purchase.

Therapy is the pulse of downtown made up of part wine bar, part fine dining, part hangout, all equaling one very cool place.

22 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

which is then poured over a scoop of Luciano Pellegrini brown sugar gelato, served in a chocolate-drizzled glass, topped with whipped cream and edible gold flakes.

{aroundtown }

by D E B B I E H A L L

E press Yourself

Art thrives in Sin City.

Las Vegas Artists Guild

900 E. Karen Ave., Ste. B-210 // Las Vegas // 702.831.3765

Art encounter

5720 S. Arville St. // Las Vegas // 702.227.0200

Living in Vegas for 40 years, I’ve heard people say countless times that Sin City lacks culture. That makes me want to scream, because if you know where to look, art is everywhere. Art galleries are flourishing, from the Strip to downtown to the ‘burbs, and festivals like Life is Beautiful celebrate art and artists.

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 23

I love art. I love the passion, the commentary, the way it can completely transform a space, how it brings people together, and while I’m no artist, it doesn’t stop me from appreciating the works of those willing to share their creations with the world.

To keep up with the ever-growing art scene, the Las Vegas Artists Guild (LVARTISTSGUILD.ORG) is bringing local artists together for pop-up mall exhibits sharing the work of over 20 artists and has a new permanent gallery located in Clark County. The Guild is meant for anyone with a genuine love of art, and the all-volunteer organization makes it easy to join.

Also contributing to the city’s thriving art scene is Art encounter

(ARTENCOUNTER.COM).

Here is where you can

find rare lithographs, drawings, and papers from the 1984 portfolio entitled, The Drawings and Miscellaneous Papers of Leonardo da Vinci in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle – Volume II, Horses and Other Animals.

Rod Maly founded Art encounter and runs it with his son, Brett, who is president of the gallery as well as a USPAP certified appraiser. Inspired after appearing on History Channel’s Pawn Stars as the resident fine art appraiser, Brett wrote The Pocket Picker for Fine Art, making art accessible for everyone.

24 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

While I’m no artist, it doesn’t stop me from appreciating the works of those willing to share their creations with the world.

Artists on display at Art encounter include Vegas-born Jennifer Main, who began her career at Art encounter at age 17. Her style is bold and vibrant with a sense of

Las Vegas is abundant in art, including these fun finds:

whimsy. Exaggerated, abstract figures exemplify her

Left of Center Art Gallery and Studio

themes of good versus evil, happy versus sad, light ver-

Diversity and accessibility are the cornerstones for cultural exchange. LEFTOFCENTERART.ORG

sus dark, and pain versus pleasure. In essence, Main is

2207 W Gowan Road // North Las Vegas // 702.647.7378

one of the many beacons of creativity that make this city one with a wealth of art worth exploring.

Centaur Art Gallery CENTAURGALLERIES.COM

4345 Dean Martin Drive // Las Vegas // 702.737.1234

One of the oldest in Vegas, features masters’ collections including Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, and Dalí.

Peter Lik Fine Art Gallery Peter Lik has spent over 35 years pushing the boundaries with his captivating photos. LIK.COM

{lifestyle }

by D E B B I E H A L L

The Nerd

Neonopolis // 450 E. Fremont St. // Las Vegas // THENERD.COM

THE ANTICLUB Nerd culture flourishes in total fun.

26 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

Forget the exorbitantly priced VIP tables in oversaturat-

tumes—mathematical geniuses, the high IQ’d, gamers—

ed clubs on the Strip. Located inside Neonopolis in down-

flock to The Nerd, the ultimate anti-club. It is a bowling

town Las Vegas, The Nerd is a hidden gem that’s fast be-

alley surrounded by video games, old-school arcade ma-

coming a hub for international tourists as well as locals.

chines, billiards, a play area, and a fully stocked bar which

The Nerd is a breathing entity of Comic-Con cultivation,

also spills into the courtyard for professional wrestling

but instead of devouring those who enter, it uplifts them

matches. No longer a den for the disenfranchised, this ha-

with a sense of whimsy that is continually evolving while

ven of happiness beckons nerds—the new cool kids.

remaining true to all things nerdy.

PHOTOS BY JESSE LAMBERT/ARCH ANGEL STUDIOS

Night after night, characters in vibrant-colored cos-

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 27

What else do they have?

It’s more like, what don’t they have?

A BOWLING ALLEY. The bowling alley was actually an afterthought, a leftover remnant from the previous tenants, but The Nerd decided to keep it and, as long as drinks are purchased, bowling is free!

FREE BAR TABLETOP VIDEO GAMES. How cool is that? Let’s face it, if you are going to a bar to drink, The Nerd offers the best amenity, and that is free games. If you love old school Jenga and board games, pull the block, move the piece, and vanquish your opponent.

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT. What is a nerd bar without music and shows? From heavy metal to a drunken magic show, entertainment here defies what you’ll find on the Strip. Performing later this year Nerd core rapper, emcee Chris, explodes—bringing his radical sound to Vegas.

DISPELLING A MYTH. The common misconception is that gamers, comic book fans, and popular culture devotees don’t interact. Blockbuster films and televisions shows feature comic book characters making the anti-culture seamless with mainstream tastes.

You can key in on the distinct feel while being accepted and valued when you’re here. You are the cool kid now.

NERDGASM. Memorabilia dominates inside the premier brick-and-mortar store with authentic finds including autographs, posters, and other treasures.

The original Red and Black Power Rangers celebrated a birthday here, delighting aficionados with an appearance. Attention, collectors—you have reached nirvana.

The owners, management, and staff—all self-declared and proud nerds—immerse themselves in fandom, cosplay, video games, comics, and genre films. You might find counter-culture heroes and celebrities like Misha Tate throwing back a few at the bar or WWE SmackDown Tag Team champion Zavier Woods playing video games with fans. WWE TJ Perkins celebrated his birthday here with an impromptu party. Popular shows like Rick and Morty—a show any true nerd is obsessed with—Pare, and Pokémon are part of the culture, and the space transforms every week to honor that.

The Nerd shares its heart as an avid supporter of The One Step Closer Foundation, holding a celebrity-filled poker tournament and gala later this year.

28 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

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{highprofile }

by D E B B I E H A L L

QUEEN OF THE DESERT Priscilla Vilchis excels as the new face in the cannabis industry.

Beauty, brains, and business are the je ne sais quoi of Priscilla Vilchis, the youngest woman and first-ever minority (Latina) female CEO in Nevada and California to be awarded licenses to cultivate and produce medical and recreational cannabis with the soon-to-be-launched Queen of the Desert cannabis brand. What she’s doing in the industry is turning heads.

As the CEO of flagship cannabis company Premium Produce

(PREMIUMPRODUCENV.COM),

Vilchis is a self-made

business magnate ready to expand nationally. Vilchis’ moniker, “Queen of the Desert,” refers to maneuvering through the wilderness of the cannabis terrain alongside her revolutionary team.

Vilchis, who originally planned to own and operate a hospital, was groomed by her mother, a pioneer in the healthcare industry, to pursue both healthcare and business development.

She attended Pepperdine University, but one year and three months before she would have earned her degree, she took a leap of faith and decided to leave Pepperdine and start a business. “I made my parents a promise that I will complete my degree, and I plan on keeping it,” she says, “but the decision I made at this stage of my life was the best one for me.”

Through her business, Vilchis grew and managed multimillion-dollar enterprises for some of Southern California’s top physicians, helping them navigate regulations within the healthcare industry. By age 21, she was a power player, but the shadow of the opioid epidemic colored her perception of healthcare. “Physicians are licensed and trained in 30 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

PHOTOS BY JESSE LAMBERT/ARCH ANGEL STUDIOS

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 31

medical school to alleviate the pain. What I learned during

had the capital to purchase the property she was planning

this time was that in a span of 30 to 60 days, these pa-

to buy and separate capital for the build-out. Because banks

tients that were in such pain started to become addicted

could not invest, independent funding had to be provided.

to the opioids they were being prescribed,” she explains.

A proud Mexican-American raised in California, Vilchis is

As her personal breaking point approached, Vilchis de-

the oldest of four children with roots in Jalisco, Guadalaja-

cided to delve into the medical cannabis industry. People

ra, a region known for tequila, mariachi music, and Mexico

called her crazy for leaving her profitable endeavors for

City. She is both boss and mentor to her sister Christine,

WHAT DOES HER TEAM SAY ABOUT HER? Alex Gonzalez

Christine Vilchis

I have known Pricilla for over 10 years. We worked together in the healthcare industry and created many businesses together.

I am up for the challenge of working with her since she knows what she wants. She was born a boss and will always be a boss.

Working with Pricilla is fantastic. Who better to help you run a business than a member of your family? She is an excellent boss and helps everyone.

COO

Frank Cabrera

Controller (and sister)

Operational Manager

(and soon-to-be brother-in-law)

It has been great. This industry is so exciting, and I’m happy to join the company.

Experiencing cultivation in a commercial setting is impressive, and I am excited to work for her.

this new and uncharted territory. “Now I am called a ge-

who is the controller at her company, as well as an inspi-

nius—go figure,” she explains with an infectious laugh. “I

ration to her 16-year-old sister and 6-year-old brother.

told my lawyer I wanted to invest in cannabis and to find me the most lucrative, business-oriented state.”

WELCOME TO VEGAS When her attorney told her that Nevada had

“I come from a very conservative Catholic background, and our parents told us if we ever touched drugs, including cannabis, we would instantly die,” she says. “My mother chuckles about it now because she forgot what she said.”

Vilchis is a passionate advocate for communi-

adopted cannabis as an actual business,

ty outreach and cannabis education, and she

Vilchis showed up in Vegas ready to build her

strives to end the outdated stigma surround-

company—and soon got a rude awakening.

ing cannabis. One of her long-term goals is

The vigorous, extensive vetting process and

getting medical marijuana reimbursable by

criteria to get a license was a hindrance, but she persevered. As the cannabis industry, still in its infancy, navigated its way through the legislative process, she was asked about her marital status, the number of cars she owned, and any property in her name. Vilchis had to demonstrate she 32 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

insurance carriers.

“Always deliver on what you say,” is Vilchis’s motto. “The second you don’t deliver is the second you allow doubt to be placed on you.

Maintain your confidence.”

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 33

{homemade }

by DAW N G A R C I A

Mamajuana is more than a funny name.

GET YOUR DRINK ON

34 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

The Dominican Republic is a destination that soothes the soul and invites everyone who comes to relax, dance, drink, and let go. From Santo Domingo in the South to Puerto Plata in the North, the people, the culture, the cuisine, and the rum invoke the islander and free spirit within.

To celebrate life in the DR, there is rum. No matter where you go, what time of day it happens to be, rum derived from the sugarcane grown plentifully in the region is like nothing you’ve ever tasted. Indigenous to the islands, rum is a spirit that has found more prestige in recent years than in years past, and as a result, rum cocktails have emerged with style. Connoisseurs have found their way back to the spirits that represent cultural influence, happy dispositions, and a harrowing tone of revival.

In spite of that newfound prestige, the drink native to the Dominican Republic, Mamajuana, is finally coming to the masses. What is it? Locals make it by soaking rum, red wine, and honey in a bottle with tree bark and herbs. It’s said to bring back your libido … in spades. It’s a family recipe you’ll flock to— and not just with hopes of getting your swagger back.

Candela Mamajuana, the first ready-to-drink Mamajuana brought to the masses, is now available in the United States.

Based on a family recipe, it’s infused with premium Dominican rum and sweetened with organic honey. DRINKCANDELA.COM

Happy Ending Fall brings cool breezes, colorful landscapes, and a slew of colds and flus happily waiting to infest our bodies. While Emergen-C may be your go-to, why not opt for a libation that also happens to boost your immune system? Happy Ending is a cocktail utilizing kombucha, Candela Mamajuana, and good island rum.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 ounces Candela Mamajuana • 3 ounces kombucha DIRECTIONS STEP 1: Add ice to a shaker and mix kombucha with

Old-Fashioned with a Twist The old-fashioned—the drink of all drinks—has taken on a medley of variations over time. Though it’s traditionally crafted with whiskey, bourbon, or rye, there’s no reason you can’t mix it up with rum. The cocktail below is a new take on an old classic.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 sugar cube • 2 dashes bitters • 2 ounces Candela Mamajuana DIRECTIONS

Candela Mamajuana.

STEP 1: Muddle sugar cube with bitters.

STEP 2: Gently shake or stir. Strain into a cocktail glass.

STEP 2: Add Candela Mamajuana, ice, and an orange twist on

STEP 3: Top with a sugar rim or an edible flower.

the side.

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 35

Wish MustHave List Spoil yourself with these latest finds.

by D E B B I E H A L L Call it retail therapy or self-care, a little shopping goes a long way. We all deserve to indulge our senses while we glow from the inside out, and the products below will have you feeling pampered and happy in no time.

Lazarus Naturals CBD Balm Price Range: $15–$50 LAZARUSNATURALS.COM

Cedar, citrus, lavender, and soothing mint are combined in a smooth balm that promotes restful sleep, relaxation, and even helps get rid of nausea, aches, and pains. The balm has 1,200 milligrams of CBD and comes in half ounce or 2-ounce tins.

The balm is blended with organic

mango

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lavender, white beeswax, coconut, and other essential oils and hemp extracts for a pleasant scent and silky-smooth feel.

36 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

The Gazillionaire Craft Cocktail Price: $16 CAFEAMERICANOVEGAS.COM

Have fun with a new, whimsical cocktail crafted for The Gazillionaire, host and producer of Absinthe.

Outrageous,

biting,

Spa Indulgence by Kate Somerville

and

in your face, this cocktail

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captures the essence of the show. Locally sourced absinthe from Frey Ranch, Nevada, is combined with a blend of 11 herbs including Pontica and Grand wormwood that is distilled and soaked for 35 days.

The gentle extraction of herbal oils creates a natural green hue. The Gazil-

Luv Pur Moisture Price Range: $18–$85 LUVPURMOISTURE.COM

These TSA-friendly pack-

In a desert climate, it

ets for total-body moisturiz-

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er are lifesavers when trav-

to maintain a youthful

eling. Keep a pack in your

glow. This Spa Indulgence

gym bag as well. Sweet al-

system combines facial

mond oil, evening primrose,

cleansing with an anti-ag-

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ing system. Use daily to

your skin a light, satin fin-

help keep pores unclogged

ish. Fragrance- and alco-

and get rid of lingering

hol-free, this no-nonsense

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good for men and women.

lionaire can be found on Café Americano’s “We Love Cocktails” menu featuring 14 specialty cocktails, or you can make it at home by blending together these ingredients:

• 1 sugar cube • 6 mint leaves • 1 1/2 oz Four Roses bourbon • 1 oz lime juice • 3/4 oz simple syrup • 2 dashes of absinthe • 3 dashes of bitters

JuJu Royal CBD-infused Olive Oil Price: $50 // JUJUROYAL.NET

This extra-virgin olive oil enhanced with 250 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD and rosemary or basil is made from non-GMO olives grown in Arizona without the use of pesticides. You can taste the difference in its smooth, subtle tang and extra kick. Drizzle it on tomatoes, dip crusty bread in it, use to sauté vegetables, or combine with pasta for a hearty meal.

Be prepared for the outrageous!

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 37

SPEC

EPO IAL R

RT

t you, bu t u o b . know a ill here t I don’t s s ’ e d Dav I’m gla R UCKE LAN

by L E

38 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

D R

PHOTOS BY ANDRE VELEZ

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN CHEECH & CHONG KEPT ME SANE.

IT WAS WINTER 1971–72, AND THE WORLD WAS WARNING ME THAT SMOKING POT WAS GOING TO

DESTROY MY AMBITION, ROB ME OF MY MOTIVATION AND, FOR ALL I KNEW, SEND ME STRAIGHT TO HELL. EVERYTHING I READ SAID THAT MARIJUANA

WOULD TURN ME INTO A LOW-IQ COUCH POTATO, YET HERE I WAS SMOKING A JOINT THEN CLEANING THE HOUSE AND WEEDING THE YARD. IT JUST MADE NO SENSE. And in the midst of the madness, along came Cheech &

Chong and Big Bambú, two records that amplified and cru-

most famous routine, “Dave’s Not Here,” became part of stoner mythology. Everybody knew “Dave’s Not Here.”

cified the stoner clichés of the era. Those albums kept me,

Cheech & Chong’s comedy, far ahead of its time and

and as it turns out, millions of other tokers, laughing our

with a minority focus—Richard “Cheech” Marin is Mexi-

asses off, whether at Bob Bitchen enthusiastically going for

can-American, and Tommy Chong is of Scottish-Irish/Chi-

the hash on the C&C’s 1980 Let’s Make a Dope Deal album,

nese descent—provided a secret language for our then-ille-

the hapless “Pedro and the Man at the Drive-Inn” down-

gal, secret society. C&C made it so much less clandestine.

ing their stash to keep from getting busted by the police on

They poked holes in marijuana myths—wink, wink—which

1973’s Los Cochinos, or Sister Mary Elephant scream-

made us giggle, and at the same time convinced the an-

ing at her class to “SHUUUUUDD-UP!” in the

ti-pot crowd that that’s how people act when they’re high.

skit bearing her name. Nobody said

We knew better. But the stoner stereotype was born.

“far out, man” better than

Fast forward about 46 years to September 2018, and I’m

Tommy Chong.

eating catered Cracker Barrel pancakes, bacon, and scram-

Their

bled eggs on paper plates chatting with Tommy Chong in sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 39

Lucy Sky, a Denver dispensary that carries Chong’s Choice,

hippies, and drug use among them. His aide John Ehrli-

his brand of cannabis products. What once was an under-

chman later admitted the administration put cannabis

ground cult with its own code and buzzwords is now a

in the same classification as heroin to give Nixon extra

worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry that even Coca-Co-

legal leverage over hippies and minorities—that period’s

la is interested in investing in.

“enemies of the state.” This was after the administration’s

Darkness and Lies

Shafer Commission concluded the only problem with marijuana was its illegality. For a short period, the US

Thinking back, it’s pretty amazing the lengths that the

government helped Mexico spray its fields with the her-

federal government went to—and still does, the budget

bicide paraquat to kill pot plants in the early 1970s in an

for the Drug War this year is about 36 billion dollars—to

effort to curtail use. In March 1978, 33 percent of marijua-

try to keep Americans from “getting high.” Despite that

na samples found in the US were found to be contaminat-

pharmaceutical drugs and alcohol get you “high,” too,

ed with the chemical, a known pulmonary toxin.

American leaders on both sides of the political aisle

But even then, the hypocrisy was already beginning to

have tried their damnedest to stop millions of Ameri-

unravel. I remember reading about a 20-something-year-old

cans who use cannabis as a part of their lives.

man named Robert Randall, who, after years of court battles,

International cannabis policy is still governed by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, convened in 1961

won the right to have the US government supply him with marijuana to keep him from going blind back in the 1970s.

IN 2017, 659,700 AMERICANS WERE ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA OFFENSES. and updated in 1971 and 1988 by the United Nations. The

Randall’s eye doctor had given him the unfortunate

Single Convention was based on the idea that addiction

news that severe glaucoma would render him unable to

“constitutes a serious evil for the individual” and is a so-

see by age 30. After smoking a joint, he noted that the

cial and economic obstruction to mankind’s progress.

halos he usually saw around streetlights, a symptom of

The “solution” was an approach that included incarcer-

his disease, had disappeared. He started self-medicating

ation for users and dealers and, except for medical and

and working with his ophthalmologist, who noted that

scientific purposes, total elimination of all illegal drugs. To

cannabis was lessening the glaucoma symptoms. He

be honest, it hasn’t worked out very well after a half-cen-

began growing his own plants, and in 1975 was arrested

tury and who knows how many dollars spent, and it’s not

after a search warrant was executed on his property.

surprising that some signatories are beginning to question

Instead of pleading guilty to a misdemeanor posses-

this wisdom, especially in light of legalization efforts in

sion charge, Randall challenged the government, argu-

the US. At this point, American states that allow legal mar-

ing that he was forced to break the law to keep from go-

ijuana are technically breaking international law.

ing blind. And he won. When he found that the feds were

The Convention was used by President Richard Nix-

growing marijuana on a farm in Mississippi, he demand-

on and Congress to help pass the Controlled Substances

ed that the government supply him with marijuana to

Act in 1970, and since then, the federal government has

keep his disease in check, and Randall became the first

desperately tried to stop you and me and lots of other

recipient of the short-lived Compassionate Investiga-

people from doing something they find enjoyable and

tional New Drug program, which supplied him with a tin

that, given the alternatives, seems fairly benign. So plea-

filled with 300 hand-rolled joints every month for many

surable, in fact, that millions of Americans are willing to

years. The label on the bottle: “Smoke as directed.”

continue to break federal and international law to do it.

When Randall died in 2001 at age 53 of AIDS-related

Nixon, who wandered the White House corridors drunk

complications, he still had his sight. So marijuana was

and babbling to paintings in the dark days before his res-

as bad as heroin, the government was telling us, unless

ignation, was phobic about a lot of things—Jews, gays,

you had glaucoma. Did they think we weren’t paying at-

40 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

tention because we were all as stupid as Cheech & Chong were pretending to be when in character?

Clinton claiming that he never inhaled?

Still, attitudes toward legalization began to change in the

Ah, and then there were the Reagan years. Ronald Rea-

1990s, as the numbers of people incarcerated for cannabis

gan, the handsome former actor and corporate spokes-

continued to rise, and states, beginning with California in

person, became president in 1980 and reinstated the goal

1996, petitioned to allow cannabis for medical purposes.

of zero tolerance for all drug users and sellers. Richard

Undaunted, the DEA, unable to stop the flow of canna-

Nixon reborn, Reagan demonized marijuana much as he

bis into the country from our borders, targeted American

did communism, calling for a nationwide crusade “to rid

growers, unwittingly leading to cannabis becoming the

America of this scourge.”

largest cash crop in America. On several occasions, the

The dope jokes were running thin, but Cheech & Chong’s

government went after paraphernalia shops. During one

string of hit films after 1978’s Up in Smoke coincided with

of those, 2003’s Operation Pipe Dreams, Tommy Chong

the Reagan years and found another eager generation,

was arrested and served nine months in prison.

this one the recipients of Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) absti-

The New Normal

nence campaigns. I’m always reminded of those two fail-

The fact is, as Cheech & Chong continue to remind us,

ures every time I attend a cannabis function, since many

that humans are always going to find ways to change

of the brightest people in the modern cannabis industry

their consciousness. Always have, always will. The

grew up in the clutches of those programs.

War on Drugs has been extremely effective at putting

If anything, President George H. Bush was even worse,

Americans, especially minorities, behind bars. (In 2017,

hiring William Bennett, a compulsive gambler and

659,700 Americans were arrested for marijuana offens-

nicotine addict, as his first Drug Czar. “The white mid-

es.) But despite endless cash, “Just Say No” and D.A.R.E.

dle-class user needs to be coerced, needs to be told that

campaigns, zealous border patrols, sophisticated gad-

his behavior won’t be tolerated,” Bennett once said. He

getry, mandatory sentencing, and harsher punishments,

still believes that. And who could forget President Bill

the government hasn’t been able to stop anybody who

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 41

really wants to from using cannabis.

More than 30 states allow some kind of medical marijuana, and nine states and the District of Columbia allow adults over 21 to purchase cannabis. More than 200 million Americans have access to legal marijuana. Celebrity brands are growing, with Tommy’s Choice among them.

Chong, who turned 80 in May, has never been the character he plays on stage and screen, and he says he’s pretty much a one-toker these days. Almost as many people recognize him from his appearances on television’s

Dancing with the Stars as from his routines with Marin.

“It’s pretty funny having young fans come over and grab the old stoner for a selfie,” he says, grinning.

He and Marin do about two months worth of live gigs every year, many of them in casinos, he says. The Cheech & Chong act has transformed from a series of skits about stoners into a kind of a play. A quick look at a recent show on YouTube indicates that “Dave’s Not Here” is now part of a set piece on vigilante justice. #TheNewNormal as theater.

I just read about a campaign in California that is trying to defame words like “stoner” that contribute to the continuing stigma around cannabis use. I’m all for that, but only up to a point. It’s somehow still comforting to know that Dave’s still here.

P: 262-893-2175 E: uneedarchangelstudios@gmail.com

F : @facbook/archangelstudio I : @instagram/archangelphoto T : @twitter/archangelphoto

42 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHY PRODUC TS AERIAL WEDDINGS EVENTS COMMERCIAL FASHION

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 43

Confessions of a Wabi-Fraudie, or Pay No Attention to What’s Under The Stairs.

by R O BY N G R I G G S L AW R E N C E

44 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

I had so much shit I got rid of most of it Wabi-sabi me?

When I started writing about wabi-sabi, right around

say vinyl planks); rice paper, not glass. Wabi-sabi cele-

9/11, the Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in im-

brates cracks and crevices and rot, reminding us that we

perfection had a serious underground following, but

are all transient beings—that our bodies, as well as the

most people still thought wabi-sabi was that spicy green

material world around us, are in the process of returning

stuff you eat with sushi. Marie Kondo was, like, 10.

to the dust from which we came. “

Wabi-sabi was a great umbrella for a lot of conversa-

Well, you can see. This didn’t land all that well in the forev-

tions I was enmeshed in as the editor of a green lifestyle

er-rich, forever-young early aughts, which launched the Kar-

magazine: simplicity, the Slow movement (starting with

dashians and eventually crashed into the Great Recession.

Slow Food and evolving into Slow Everything), reduction, recycling, reuse. It was still pretty early for a lot of those conversations in 2001, though, and it was early for wabi-sabi in America, too.

In those first few months after the planes hit the towers,

A Simple, Unpretentious Oasis in an Extravagance- and War-Weary World In 2011, while Americans were still smarting from the financial meltdown four years earlier, I wrote a follow-up

my agent and I and a handful of people in publishing were

book, Simply Imperfect: Revisiting the Wabi-Sabi House,

pretty certain Americans would retreat and nest, plant

for a small, progressive Canadian publisher. I didn’t get a fat

Victory gardens, and live more thriftily, as they always had

advance. But it seemed like the time might finally be right

during times of war. I got a fat advance to write The Wa-

for wabi-sabi, and I wanted to see it have its day. If everyone

bi-Sabi House just as Americans—at the directive of Pres-

embraced it, we would have a completely different world.

ident George W. Bush, who told them it was the patriotic

Wabi-sabi was born from the Japanese Tea Ceremony,

thing to do—embraced easy credit and went shopping. My

a simple Zen ritual for making and sharing a cup of tea

book wasn’t the runaway bestseller we thought it would be.

that warlords in 15th-century Japan turned into a means

Wabi-sabi—if you’re being real about it—is a tough sell for

of showing off their immense wealth through gaudy Tea

Americans. An ancient philosophy with roots in Zen, it’s

houses full of gilded imported goods. The wabi way of Tea

about revering austerity, nature, and the everyday and ac-

(wabichado) grew out of a backlash to that, championed by

cepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. A re-

a master so powerful his style is practiced to this day. Sen

action to the prevailing aesthetic of lavishness, ornamen-

no Rikyu’s quiet, simple Tea ceremony, with tea served in

tation, and rich materials in 15th-century Japan, wabi-sabi

locally fired bowls and flowers in fishermen’s baskets, was

is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity

what everyone wanted. Wood, bamboo, and hospitality

in earthiness, and revering authenticity above all.

were in; porcelain, lacquer, and pretension were out.

“It’s everything our sleek, mass-produced, technol-

Japan had just gone through several centuries of war and

ogy-saturated culture isn’t,” I wrote in The Wabi-Sabi

extravagant consumerism, and Rikyu’s Tea ceremony pro-

House. “It’s flea markets, not warehouse stores (today I

vided the simple, unpretentious oasis that society craved.

would say Amazon); aged wood, not Pergo (today I would

For wealthy merchants and shoguns, it felt like the ultimate sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 45

Great Uncluttering Advice (If You Follow It)

Here’s what I had to say about uncluttering in Simply Imperfect: Uncluttering is common sense; there’s no magic to it. All the experts offer the same basic advice, in one form or another. It goes like this:

luxury, the epitome of high art. For peasants and commoners, it made the art of Tea accessible. Preparing and serving the bitter green tea became a means for everyday samurai, who had few material comforts, to escape for a moment and share a ritual. Ichigo, ichie, or “once in a lifetime,” is perhaps the most important tenet when learning the art of Tea. We never know what might happen tomorrow, or even later today, but right now we can stop for a cup of tea.

Wabi, the name for Rikyu’s style of Tea, was often used by poets to evoke melancholy. One of my favorite

• Don’t try to unclutter your entire house at once. Start with a drawer or a shelf and move to problem areas (such as the garage or basement) once you’ve had some smaller success.

descriptions of it is “the feeling you have when you’re

• Maintenance is key. Spend 15 minutes per day cleaning up daily detritus before it becomes overwhelming.

up with wabi, but conjoined it takes on an entourage ef-

• Take everything out of a drawer or closet and spread it out in front of you. You’ll eliminate more and organize what’s left more efficiently if you can see it all at once.

(This also gives you a chance to clear out the dust and run a damp rag over the surface.)

and rust; the enchantment of old things; appreciation for

• Mark four boxes or bags “Keep,” “Give Away,” “Throw Away,” and “Hold for One Year.” (The last one’s for items you don’t need or use but just can’t bear to part with yet. If you haven’t touched these things in a year, their time has come.)

• If in doubt, throw it out. Give it to Goodwill or any of the charitable organizations who send trucks around to collect it. Or give it away on Craigslist. Nothing moves faster than the stuff in the “Free” listings.

• If you can’t find a good home for something, it’s time to say farewell.

• Get rid of two items every time you buy a new one.

waiting for your lover.” It evokes a little monk in his torn robe, enjoying a night by the fire, content in poverty. No one’s quite sure how or when the word sabi got hooked fect. Meaning “the bloom of time,” sabi connotes tarnish dignified, graceful aging. Wabi-sabi, then, is a philosophy that reveres age, imperfection, and natural order.

We don’t practice Tea in this culture, though, and it can be hard to see how it translates for 21st-century Westerners who drink lots of coffee. Like all good philosophies, wabi-sabi gives us a launching point toward thinking about what matters. To practice it, or to become what is called a wabibito, means living modestly, satisfied with things as they are, owning only what’s necessary for its utility or beauty (ideally, both).

But What’s Under Those Stairs?

Both of my books have entire chapters on the importance of uncluttering and how to do it. I’m something of an expert. Unfortunately, they both have chapters on

• Keep like items with like: cups, baking goods, candles, etc.

decorating with salvage and flea market finds and how

• Allow only three items on each surface.

to find them, so I’m something of an expert on that as

• Cover only one-tenth of a table; use objects of differing sizes.

well. These areas of expertise don’t play nice together,

• Just say no to refrigerator magnets. They encourage clutter.

• Keep windowsills clear of knickknacks and potted plants.

• Use baskets and bowls to collect mail, pens and pencils, loose change, and all the other odds and ends that collect on counters and tabletops.

as you can imagine.

I wrote Simply Imperfect post-divorce, after I’d moved into a townhouse and left most everything behind. Looking back, I’m hilarious. “Living in a small space keeps me from acquiring things,” I wrote. “Except for storage, my

• Storage is key to containing clutter. Storage areas should make up at least ten percent of your home’s total square footage and be placed so that you can store items where they’re used. (If you can’t get rid of the stuff, hide it well.)

little house has just enough of everything.”

• Furnishings that do double duty as storage help minimize clutter. A wicker chest holding blankets can serve as a coffee table in the TV room; a small chest of drawers makes a great end table.

of crap to build up. When the space became impene-

I was so smug and such a wabi-fraudie, hiding everything under the stairs in the basement.

My townhome had a terrible little crawl space, far too deep and narrow, that encouraged layers upon layers trable, I would stand in the doorway and throw stuff in.

The woman I bought the house from warned me about it during the closing. She’d thought she could show the house furnished until she looked in there. When it came time for me to sell the place 10 years later, I felt her pain.

46 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas

(Continued on p.48)

Live Wabi-Sabi

Without Buying Anything Wabi-sabi is the design trend of the year. Everyone from NBC News to Rachael Ray is talking about it (and if it’s on Rachael Ray’s site, can it still be cool?). It doesn’t seem like most of the media get the philosophy at its core, though, because a lot of them use it as a basis for featuring new products that consumers should buy to get the wabi-sabi “look.” Here are a few tips on getting to wabi-sabi without buying a bunch of shit, lifted from Simply Imperfect.

• Next time you sweep the floor, CONSIDER IT A MEDITATION. Opt for the broom over the Dirt Devil when possible.

• OFFER EVERYONE WHO COMES TO VISIT A CUP OF TEA. Serve it in pretty cups with something sweet. If no one comes by, enjoy a cup of tea by yourself in the late afternoon.

• KEEP ONE VASE IN YOUR HOME FILLED with seasonal flowers, branches, or grasses, ideally picked within a mile of your home.

• TAKE A WALK EVERY DAY. • LEARN TO KNIT OR CROCHET.

• PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DAILY BREAD. Is the food you’re eating in season, and is it available locally? The meals you choose and prepare connect you with the earth’s cycles and where you live, and you’ll live a healthier life. Buy food from your local farmers’ markets and ask the produce manager at your grocery store where different items came from.

• When you’re invited to someone’s house or even to a meeting, BRING A SMALL GIFT—nothing extravagant, just a small gesture (homemade jam, apples from your tree, or a luxurious bar of soap) that lets them know they’re appreciated.

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 47

“Where the hell has all this stuff been?” everybody asked

hit the road in her van 10 years earlier and was starting

as I unearthed bins and boxes of my memorabilia, my

over again. I gave her all the bedding, too. When it was all

kids’ art projects, photo albums, toys, sports equipment,

over, I felt like I’d had an ayahuasca-strength purging.

appliances, file cabinets, record albums, CDs, books, dish-

“Clutter smudges clarity, both physically and meta-

es, phones (four of them!), textiles, dog beds, jars, tools, old

phorically,” I wrote in Simply Imperfect. “Things you’re

paint, door, light fixtures, screws, nails (so many screws

holding onto because they were expensive, because

and nails), and assorted other crap I had tucked in there

they were gifts from your mother-in-law, or because you

and forgotten about over a decade. “In hell,” I would say.

might need them some day are all just getting in your

Clutter Smudges Clarity

way. In a wabi-sabi home, space and light are the most desirable ornaments.”

I spent a solid three months clearing out that town-

I bought an Airstream with brilliant space and light,

house, most of them under the stairs. I dumped a camper

limited but efficient storage; no room for furniture; and

truck and several carloads of stuff at Goodwill and left

no basement. After all these years and all these words, I

weekly loads for the Vietnam Veterans Association. I

might finally be a wabibito.

had a garage sale and got depressed watching no one

If not, I can always find a bed on Craigslist.

want my gorgeous coffee table books and pink midcentury nesting ashtrays, even for a dollar. I got tired of being rejected by my son when I texted, “Sure you don’t want those red dishes from your childhood?”

Some people wanted my shit. It felt good to give away an Eastlake chair I tripped over in my bedroom for nine years to a furniture refinisher who understood its value and could give it the love and attention it deserved. I sold my daughter’s bed to a woman who had gotten rid of everything to

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JESSE LAMBERT/ARCH ANGEL STUDIOS

SENSI CELEBRATES

What: SENSI NIGHT LAS VEGAS When: OCTOBER 2, 2018 Where: THE NERD

Vegas knows how to party, and Sensi Night Las Vegas threw one of the biggest soirees of the year. The DJ and live bands kept the crowds dancing while mixing and mingling happened around the bar, in the bowling alley, and over the pinball machines.

sensimag.com NOVEMBER 2018 49

{HereWeGo }

by D E B B I E H A L L

HIGH ART

Cannabition Mural covers the cannabis timeline.

A 170-foot mural by airbrush artist Gear Duran and

a doobie. With flashing red and blue lights, a police car with

Duchess of Art Deco Heather Hermann transforms the

D.A.R.E. stenciled across its panel is ready to “drive” into

exterior walls of Cannabition into a tribute to cannabis’

the courtyard to discourage any “illegal” pot activity.

past, present, and future, with Instragrammable moments

“I am proud that Cannabition picked two local artists to

combining digital timelines and ancient petroglyphs into

represent their brand,” says Duran. “Originally I was going

modern art. Cannabition is the brand new cannabis mu-

to create the entire mural,” says Duran. “But then I knew my

sueum located on Fremont Street, and this mural only

girlfriend Heather [Hermann] needed to paint the Art Nou-

lends to the interactive flow of the space.

veau style above the main exit.” This combination of styles

The mural traces cannabis’s lineage from China to futur-

represent the differences between Vegas and the cannabis

istic alien life with a sense of whimsy and hope for total ac-

space. Once nondescript, these walls in a virtually deserted

ceptance. Jimi Hendrix gazes down as he fingers the magic

retail center are now a testament for both cannabis culture

of his guitar. Bob Marley stares over his shoulder inhaling

and downtown revitalization. CANNABITION.COM

50 NOVEMBER 2018 Las Vegas