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REGISTRATION KICKS OFF FOR FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM’S FIRST SEASON Natives of Las Vegas, Wesley and Cole Reed know what it’s like to grow up in the Valley. So much so, they based their nonprofit flag football league, 200 Percent Sports Inc., on those experiences. “The impact we have on children may be the only positive impact some of them will ever experience. It may be the one experience they need to believe in themselves and make better choices,” Wesley said in a statement. “We know this because we were all those children once upon a time.” The nonprofit’s first season begins in Spring 2019 and offers several flag football divisions for young boys, girls, teens and children with special needs. Families that cannot afford registration fees ranging from $150-$180 may qualify to receive assistance from the program’s Family Outreach Division. “We believe every child deserves the same experience,” Wesley said. On November 3, the program will take 40 kids to the NFL Flag Regional Tournament in Las Vegas, and it’s looking for donations and volunteers. To sign up or learn more, visit tinyurl.com/ y9jw3bsl or call 702306-5552. —Camalot Todd
WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD EV E N T S T O F O L L OW A N D N EWS YO U M I SS E D
SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING On October 27, a man went on a shooting rampage at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 people, including a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor. Although Jews account for about 2 percent of the U.S. population, FBI data indicate that more than half of Americans targeted by hate crimes due to religious bias are Jewish. According to the AntiDefamation League, there were 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. in 2017, up from 1,267 in 2016.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Cover story: Guide to Nevada’s midterm election The Lion King, Fat Joe, quiche musts and more Editorial: Will NV vote to stop the hate machine? Sports: UNLV men’s basketball preview Vegas Inc: Top Tech Exec Awards
Protesters demonstrate near Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, where President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were visiting a memorial on October 30. (Associated Press)
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STORIES FROM LAST WEEK LUCK ON AUCTION BLOCK The Lucky Dragon resort, which opened two years ago on the Strip and was built for $160 million, sold at auction October 30 for just $35 million to Snow Covered Capital, the shuttered casino’s main lender. No other bids were made. ANOTHER BOMB THREAT Bomb squads were called to a post office in Atlanta on October 29 to investigate a suspicious parcel sent to CNN. It came just hours before a federal court hearing was to begin for Cesar Sayoc, who was arrested October 26 for sending bombs to prominent Democrats, members of the news media and critics of President Donald Trump. ART PARK The northeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street has been transformed from a runof-the-mill parking lot into a mini Burning Man with a purpose. The Lyft Art Park was created to alleviate congestion and confusion out of hailing a ride Downtown. The main art pieces are expected to be changed routinely, with a towering ballerina now there to be replaced by a 30-foot-tall polar bear this month.
TRUMP TWEETS
“All of America is in mourning over the mass murder of Jewish Americans at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. We pray for those who perished and their loved ones, and our hearts go out to the brave police officers who sustained serious injuries...” (Oct. 27)
NO MORE FREE PARKING The most popular free parking option for attendees heading to events at T-Mobile Arena is no more. The Tropicana will charge to park during Golden Knights games and other events, the casino announced October 26. All people self-parking vehicles on event days will be charged $15 or $20 to valet, regardless of whether the driver is going to an event off the property.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) defends against Tampa Bay Lightning center J.T. Miller (10) at T-Mobile Arena on October 26. The Golden Knights fell, 3-2. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
UNLV LIBRARIES LAUNCHES PROJECT TO HIGHLIGHT LATINX VOICES
For the second year, UNLV has held the title of most diverse undergraduate campus in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. It shouldn’t come as a surprise—Southern Nevada also has one of the most varied populations in the U.S. Recognizing that diversity, UNLV Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives last month announced its Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Project, which will highlight and support the voices of Las Vegas’ Latinx population (Latinx is an all-encompassing and gender-neutral term used in place of Latino or Latina). “Many Latinx residents have played a central role in the progress of the educational system, the business sector, diverse religious denominations, and political advancement of Southern Nevada,” UNLV Libraries’ website states. “These oral histories will make substantial contributions to both public and academic discourses on change and evolution in the Las Vegas Valley. The program has already garnered $10,000 from NV Energy and $25,000 from MGM Resorts International, and will employ eight to 12 bilingual UNLV students to collect 90 oral histories from Latinx Nevadans. The interviews will cover issues such as immigration, family life, economic issues, gender and culture, and will be conducted now through May 2020. For more information visit library.unlv.edu/latinx. —Leslie Ventura
TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY AND ALLIES UNITE TO TAKE A STAND On October 21, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration, specifically the Department of Health and Human Services, was considering “defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth.” The effort would also strive to define gender as male or female and unchangeable, invalidating the identities of thousands of transgender people and overturning protections granted to trans people by the Obama administration. In a demonstration against these efforts, the Las Vegas transgender community and its allies will gather at UNLV’s alumni outdoor amphitheater from 1 to 3 p.m. November 2 with the unifying message that trans people will not be erased. —Leslie Ventura
ALL NEVADANS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED
AND A GOVERNOR FIGHTING FOR THEM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
AS GOVERNOR, I’LL ALWAYS PUT NEVADA FAMILIES AND NEVADA PRIORITIES FIRST BY:
SteveSisolak.com
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Improving our schools so that every child, regardless of zip code or bank balance, has access to the highquality education he or she deserves.
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Protecting our access to health care, including the Medicaid expansion and coverage for preexisting conditions, from attacks by the Trump administration and its allies.
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Diversifying our statewide economy by attracting new business in fields like clean energy and advanced manufacturing to deliver good jobs in industries that last.
PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY FRIENDS FOR STEVE SISOLAK.
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Q uick reference endorse m ent guide U.S. Senate Our choice: Jacky Rosen, D Why: Rosen will bring a bipartisan, solutions-based approach to the Senate.
U.S. House District 1 Our choice: Dina Titus, D Why: Titus has done an exceptional job of serving Nevadans’ interests, first as a distinguished state legislator and then as a congresswoman. District 3 Our choice: Susie Lee, D Why: Lee proved her leadership ability as a powerhouse in community service and business in Southern Nevada. District 4 Our choice: Steven Horsford, D Why: Horsford served Nevadans well in this district after winning the seat in 2012, particularly with his bold leadership on immigration reform.
Outlining a few of nevada’s big races By Yvonne Gonzalez | Weekly staff
evada residents are nearing the end of an election cycle that has repeatedly been called one of the most consequential in a generation and will deliver a message of support or condemnation to President Donald Trump. Democrats saw the Silver State as a bright spot in 2016, when Republicans came out on top nationally. This year, Nevada is the home of a competitive Senate race as well as two House seats. With a high number of women candidates, the state could also elect the country’s first female-majority Legislature. Early voting runs until November 2, with Election Day on November 6. Nationally, the GOP has a narrow lead in the Senate and 42 more seats than Democrats in the House. Candidates for a selection of influential statewide offices were asked to respond to a set of key issues relevant to their office. Those who responded were included, with editing for space and clarity where needed, and previous statements and affiliations were used for those who did not. This package includes excerpts of what they had to say:
Governor Our choice: Steve Sisolak, D Why: Sisolak has displayed results-oriented, pragmatic leadership as a member of the Board of Regents and then the Clark County Commission.
Nevada Attorney General Our choice: Aaron Ford, D Why: Ford, the Nevada Senate majority leader in 2017, stands out for his leadership ability and experience in public service.
BALLOT QUESTIONS Question 1, Marsy’s Law Our position: No Why: There are better ways of enhancing and protecting victims’ rights than resorting to tinkering with the state Constitution. Question 2, Pink Tax Repeal Our position: Yes Why: This measure, which would eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products, makes perfect sense in a state that exempts other necessities like food and prescription drugs. Question 3, The Energy Choice Initiative Our position: No Why: Nevada should open up its energy market so consumers can have a choice of providers, but there’s a better way to go about this than revising the Nevada Constitution. Question 4, Medical Patient Tax Relief Act Our position: Yes Why: This measure, which would exempt medical devices like oxygen-delivery systems from taxation, also is in line with other exemptions on necessities. Question 5, The Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Our position: Yes Why: The so-called Motor Voter initiative makes registration more convenient and more secure. Question 6, The Renewable Energy Promotion Initiative Our position: Neutral Why: We believe market forces will make it inevitable that the state will hit that target with or without a constitutional amendment.
RACES 3 OTHER QUICK REFERENCE Lieutenant Governor — Kate Marshall, D Secretary of State — Nelson Araujo, D State Treasurer — Zach Conine, D State Controller — Catherine Byrne, D Nevada Board of Regents District 1 — Laura E. Perkins Clark County School Board District D — Irene Cepeda District F — Kali Fox Miller District G — Linda Cavazos Nevada Senate District 2 — Mo Denis, D District 8 — Marilyn Dondero Loop, D District 9 — Melanie Scheible, D District 12 — Joe Hardy, R District 20 — Julie Pazina, D District 21 — James Ohrenschall, D Nevada Assembly District 2 — John Hambrick, R District 3 — Selena Torres, D District 4 — Connie Munk, D District 5 — Brittney Miller, D District 8 — Jason Frierson, D District 9 — Steve Yeager, D District 10 — Chris Brooks, D District 11 — Olivia Diaz, D District 12 — Susan Martinez, D District 13 — Tom Roberts, R District 15 — Howard Watts III, D District 17 — Tyrone Thompson, D District 18 — Richard Carrillo, D District 20 — Ellen Spiegel, D District 21 — Ozzie Fumo, D District 22 — Kristee Watson, D District 23 — Glen Leavitt, R District 29 — Lesley Cohen, D District 34 — Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, D District 35 — Michelle Gorelow, D District 36 — Lesia Romanov, D District 37 — Shea Backus, D District 41 — Sandra Jauregui, D Clark County Commission District E — Tick Segerblom, D District F — Justin Jones, D District G — Jim Gibson, D Clark County Assessor — Briana Johnson, D Clark County Clerk — Lynn Goya, D Clark County Recorder — Debbie Conway, D Clark County Treasurer — Laura Fitzpatrick, D Clark County Public Administrator — Robert Telles, D Nevada Supreme Court Justice Seat C — Elissa Cadish Seat G — Lidia Stiglich Clark County District Court Judge Department 18 — Mark Bailus Henderson Township Constable Kenny Taylor, R = Incumbent
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Public Option Act would allow states to offer individuals of any income level the option of opting in to Medicaid and paying for their coverage with premiums, and Medicaid would be offered as an option alongside private health insurance plans in the ACA marketplace.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
JACKY ROSEN
Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen is seeking Dean Heller’s Senate seat after her first term in Congress. The former synagogue president opened up the 3rd Congressional District race by deciding to run against Heller. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “Congress needs to work in a bipartisan way to fix the Affordable Care Act, not repeal it. ... We should start by ending the politically motivated sabotage, stabilizing the health care marketplaces and funding the cost-sharing reduction payments that will help lower premiums for working families. I also support efforts to reduce prescription drug costs by capping out-of-pocket costs, address Nevada’s doctor shortages by increasing the number of Medicare-supported residency positions, and creating a Medicaid buy-in option for health insurance.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“I’ve introduced a resolution to defend the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s coverage protections for people with pre-existing conditions against a Republican lawsuit trying to overturn those protections in federal court.” ■ Medicare for All “I believe the best path forward is working together to build on and improve the Affordable Care Act. One of the biggest ways I want to improve the ACA and expand access to affordable health care is creating a public health insurance option. That’s why I helped introduce a bill that would empower people to have the option of buying into the Medicaid program. The State
“I’m supporting plans in Congress to fully ban bump stock devices and prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines.” ■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
“I supported Question 1 in 2016 to expand background checks and close the gun show loophole in Nevada, and I still want to see the will of our state’s voters enforced. ... I’m co-sponsoring bills in Congress that would expand background checks to all commercial gun sales and establish a Select Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to investigate and report on the causes of mass shootings, ways to improve the background checks system and solutions for closing dangerous loopholes.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “I voted against the Republicans’ concealed carry ‘reciprocity’ plan last year. ... I think Nevadans should decide on the standards to obtain these licenses, not other states.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“I support reasonable border security measures, but I believe building a wall is ineffective in terms of actually securing the U.S.-Mexico border and is a waste of taxpayer money. ... I support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to full and equal citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are playing by the rules, staying out of trouble and contributing to our economy. I also support plans to provide permanent relief and a path to citizenship for the thousands of hardworking Dreamers and TPS recipients who call Nevada home.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“I’ve been working tirelessly in the House to help ensure Nevada does not become a dumping ground for the rest of the nation’s nuclear waste, and I will continue that fight in the Senate.”
DEAN HELLER
Incumbent Sen. Dean Heller was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval in 2011 and won the seat in 2012. Heller and Trump have been at odds on health care, and Trump recently said at a Las Vegas campaign rally that he and Heller weren’t always friends, but have “started to love each other.” Heller’s campaign has not provided stances on policies or made Heller available for an interview despite multiple requests.
KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare Voted against one of the GOP’s efforts to toss Obamacare but ultimately voted with Republicans, though repeal efforts were later blocked. ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
Introduced a bill that seeks to guarantee coverage for people with preexisting conditions. Experts say the bill provides the illusion of protection, where, for example, insurers can sell a plan to a patient with a brain tumor but not cover the care required for that condition. ■ Medicare for All No Senate Republican has signed onto the bill. ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“I applaud the Department of Justice for issuing a proposed rule that will ban bump stocks,” Heller said in a March 23 statement. No Senate Republican has signed onto a ban on semiautomatic weapons that also includes a ban on large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices.
■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
Heller’s stance is unclear. ■ Concealed carry reciprocity Heller is an original cosponsor on the Senate’s Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which would require all states to recognize permits issued by other states. The bill stalled this year. ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
Heller told NBC News that he’s “always supported the border wall.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
Sponsored a bill that provides a path to a “provisional protected presence.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“Whether it’s the threat that Yucca Mountain poses to the people of Southern Nevada or its potentially catastrophic effect on our tourism economy, I’ve made it clear why Nevada does not want to turn into the nation’s nuclear waste dump,” Heller said in a February statement. “I’m going to continue to fight to make sure that this project doesn’t see the light of day.”
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CO N G R E S S I O N A L
D I S T R I C T
■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
DINA TITUS, Incumbent Incumbent Democratic Rep. Dina Titus faces Republican Joyce Bentley in the general election. The district is heavily Democratic, with more than 142,000 active registered voters in September compared with nearly 64,000 Republicans. Nonpartisans outnumber the GOP in the district as well, at nearly 70,000 active registered voters in September, according to the Secretary of State Office’s most recent data. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “I supported the original Obamacare legislation and have consistently opposed repealing or replacing the Affordable Care Act because repeal would leave thousands of Nevadans without health insurance.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“I firmly believe in providing coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions because these are the people most often in the greatest need of care.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“Within a month after the October 1 mass shooting in my Las Vegas district, I introduced bipartisan legislation to close the bump stock loophole.”
“In 2016, I was a co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill to strengthen background checks nationwide. ... In 2017, I co-sponsored the Fix NICS Act to update the National Instant Criminal Background Check System by ensuring federal and state authorities accurately report criminal history records to the system’s database.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “I am strongly opposed to concealed carry reciprocity legislation.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“I strongly oppose spending $70 billion of taxpayers’ money to build an ineffective wall along the Mexican border. ... Not only is this a waste of money, it fails to address the real issues of immigration reform. It also would pull funding away from critical national needs such as infrastructure improvements that create jobs, improve education and expand health care.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
“I have supported immigration reform that gives legal status to undocumented immigrants and a pathway to achieving citizenship if they abide by our laws.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“I have fought every step by the federal government to dump nuclear waste in Nevada.”
JOYCE BENTLEY KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “Yes, absolutely. ... You can’t force people to buy something if you’re talking about a free market in the United States. Basically, you’re telling someone that you have to buy something that you don’t want,, and that’s absolutely unconstitutional.” ■ Coverage and care for patients
“I understand the plight on both sides, but we are a nation of laws. The laws are already on the books even with the immigration issue. ... There should be some path to citizenship, however, if you came into the country illegally, you must get into the back of the line.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump “I wholeheartedly don’t want anybody else’s garbage in my backyard. However, to caveat that, I want to have an independent study in regards to the whole idea behind nuclear waste. I have come across a lot of documentation regarding what nuclear waste actually is, and it’s not as scary, and it’s not as damaging and hazardous as we’re being told.”
with pre-existing conditions
“The medical device tax that is in the Affordable Care Act, it prohibits these new innovative medical measures ... With the pre-existing conditions, these new, innovative medical procedures will be nothing.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“I believe wholeheartedly in the Second Amendment. To me, it’s what the people want. If there’s a referendum or amendment that the people vote on, I could see getting rid of any kind of firearm. Outside of that, I can’t see getting rid of the Second Amendment.” ■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
“I believe in laws already on the books.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “I believe 100 percent on that.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“One hundred percent, we need to plug up that hole. We’re talking physical, we’re talking regulational—the wall encompasses a lot of stuff.”
B A L LOT Q U E ST I O N
NO. 1
MARSY’S LAW
■ What happens if I vote yes? The Nevada Constitution would be amended to include the Victims’ Bill of Rights, which includes victim input throughout the justice process. Supporters say: Constitutional rights are stronger than current statutory rights for victims. ■ What happens if I vote no? Nothing would change, and current victims’ rights protections in state law would stand. Opponents say: There is no reason for this measure, which would cost the state money by prioritizing victim restitution over fines and fees to local and state governments, according to a fiscal analysis.
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■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
hold a hundred bullets and things like that.” ■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
CLINT KOBLE A Northern Nevada Democrat, Koble is a retiree who used to work for UNR’s college of business. He said he decided to run because of concerns about the Trump administration, especially when it comes to women’s rights. He said he supports funding for Planned Parenthood, which many Republicans have attempted to cut off in Congress. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “I was disappointed to see it dismantled. I’m all for restoring the ACA and fixing it. ... A good place to start would have been Medicare Part D, allowing Medicare to negotiate for prescription drugs. That would have helped lower the cost of prescription drugs.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“I firmly believe that all of our health care should cover all of our preexisting conditions, and it just takes the political will to do it.” ■ Medicare for All “I am in favor of universal health care, but that’s not going to happen during this administration. My goal in Congress would be to help lower the cost of health care as much as possible.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“I do support the Second Amendment—I’m not in favor of taking everybody’s guns away. But that being said, I oppose assault weapons, bump stocks, silencers, magazines that
“I’m totally in favor of instant background checks for all gun sales. It’s a concern that a family member wants to sell a gun to maybe another family member, I get that. But eventually, sometimes those guns end up getting out of the family.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “I was not in favor of concealed carry reciprocity. ... I think states should be able to make their own laws on that.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“Show me a 50-foot wall, I’ll show you a 52-foot ladder. I’m totally opposed to building a wall. It’s a terrible waste of resources; it’ll be ineffective.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
“Providing that they’re lawabiding residents and that they’re already here, I think we should provide a pathway. I’m against sending them back and then having them return. That makes no sense. We wouldn’t have the resources to do that, and it would be a huge interruption. In many, many communities, it’d be an interruption in business, so I think we need to find a pathway.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“All the science I’ve read says it’s not a good idea, but more importantly, an overwhelming percentage of Nevadans are against it, including the governor.”
MARK AMODEI, Incumbent Mark Amodei won his seat in a 2011 special election. His Northern Nevada district is the only Nevada congressional district where Republicans have the advantage in active voter registrations. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “While there are plenty of arguments on how to fix this—regardless of your political views—it’s clear the status quo isn’t working and is in need of serious repair. The aforementioned problems are just a few of the most broken parts of our health care system that Congress attempted to fix last year with the introduction of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), legislation that would have protected Nevada’s health care interests while increasing people’s access to quality and affordable care—from a doctor of their choice.” ■ Medicare for All No Republican has signed onto the House’s Medicare for All bill. ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“No one is in support of taking protection away from patients living with pre-existing conditions—period.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“I encourage the ATF to expeditiously revisit its past actions in approving devices where the primary purpose appears to be the transformation of legal firearms into illegal fully automatic firearms.”
“The Fix NICS Act was signed into law in March. ... However, there is still more work that needs to be done, as it is evident there are many factors at play. So before categorizing this solely as a gun violence issue, I would suggest reviewing the other facts surrounding this debate, such as mental health, gaps in our current system and the responsibilities of our law enforcement officials and academic institutions.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity Amodei voted in favor of this legislation. ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“The omnibus appropriations bill Congress passed in April allocates $47.7 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Homeland Security. … This funding will provide more than 90 miles of border wall systems, going beyond the administration’s request for 74 miles.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
“The status quo with respect to border security and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unacceptable. This is why I supported ... legislation that would have increased border security, prevented further illegal immigration, kept families together and offered a legislative solution for the DACA program.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“I have always said I do not believe Yucca Mountain should be a simple dumping site for our nation’s nuclear waste. Additionally, I have always been cognizant that policy makers should not consider Yucca Mountain to be a ‘dead’ issue, meaning Nevada’s congressional delegation should use legislation as an opportunity to dictate the terms of the repository under the best conditions for our state.”
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■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
SUSIE LEE Lee is a founding director of an education nonprofit organization and is a supporter of public education. She’s running to replace Senate candidate and current Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen. The seat is key for Democrats as they look to not just maintain their numbers, but take control of the House this year. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “I do not support repealing the Affordable Care Act, which led to a dramatic expansion in the number of Nevadans receiving health insurance. Instead, I’d like to see common sense, bipartisan measures to stabilize the individual insurance market, take on Big Pharma and fight for transparency in pharmaceutical pricing, and allow Medicare to negotiate and bring down the costs of prescription drugs.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“I have unequivocally supported requirements for insurance companies to cover patients with pre-existing conditions.”
“I support some common sense measures to make our communities safer, while also respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. These include universal background checks for all gun sales, a bump stock ban and limiting the size of magazines.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “I do not believe that Nevadans should be forced to have our own gun safety laws overridden by other states.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“Border security is an integral part of immigration reform. That said, I do not support spending tens of billions of dollars on a wall, when we could make smarter, more cost-effective border security decisions. We need to better secure ports of entry, ensure funding for Customs and Border Protection, and utilize smart technology along the border to keep our country safe.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
“I support comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, protects Dreamers, reforms our visa system and provides an opportunity for hard-working immigrants to play by the rules and earn citizenship.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“I believe dumping nuclear waste so close to Las Vegas is fundamentally dangerous both to our families’ safety and to our economic growth. Nevada leaders in both parties have stood up to the federal government’s efforts to force this dangerous project on Nevadans for decades, and I will join the bipartisan opposition to Yucca mountain.”
DANNY TARKANIAN Tarkanian, whose father coached UNLV basketball to a national championship, has run for Congress twice before, briefly ran for a Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents seat, U.S. and state Senate seats, and secretary of state.
“I think people should have background checks when they purchase guns at gun shows. I am in favor for all private gun sales. If a father’s going to give a gun to his son or daughter, I don’t think he should have to go through a background check.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “There needs to be some minimal standards that all states have to follow for the concealed weapon carry so that some states aren’t just giving it out to everybody without having them go through the training and so forth. ... And then it only makes sense in today’s mobile society that people that have gone through the training to have concealed should be able to take it with them when they travel across one border to the next.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
KEY STANCES ■ Repealing and replacing Obamacare
“The problem with the Affordable Care Act, it’s not affordable for the hard-working, middle-class Americans who are paying for their own health insurance. Because of that, it needs to be replaced. There are some good aspects to Obamacare. ...But the problem with Obamacare, and the reason why the cost has gone up, is it’s eliminating virtually all competition in the health insurance industry.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“People with pre-existing conditions should be provided health insurance at a reasonable cost. ... The better approach, instead of forcing the middle-class Americans who are paying their own health insurance to pay four or five times their premiums, and six times their copay, is to have high-risk pools that the federal government subsidizes.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“There should be a ban on bump stocks. Bump stocks were a way to get around the automatic weapon restrictions. ... I don’t believe eliminating the number of magazines is going to decrease the mass murders that are here in the United States.”
“We need to secure borders with the best means possible, taking into account the cost of what it’s going to be to build whatever needs to be done to protect the borders. ... We need to have mechanisms in place across the border to protect us and secure our country’s borders, and a border wall should be part of that in whatever areas it’s most efficient.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
“I don’t believe we should be providing a path to citizenship to people who came to the country illegally. We should provide a path to legal residency for the people who have come here illegally that have proven to be lawabiding, American-loving, productive residents of our country.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
“My approach is the common sense, responsible approach, and that is to turn Yucca Mountain into a recycling facility for nuclear spent fuel. They do it all around the world. ... We have over 100 above-ground sites that are storing nuclear spent fuel right now next to major metropolitan areas. That’s a high risk. Something needs to be done to eliminate that risk.”
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D I S T R I C T
to strengthen and protect our borders, but wasting money on a wall is not the answer. Border security is not the same as building a wall.” ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
“We need an earned pathway to citizenship, certainty for Dreamers who know this country as home, and to stop tearing families apart.” ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste
STEVEN HORSFORD Horsford moved his family to the East Coast after he was elected to the House in 2012, and his wife continued to live there to pursue her career after he lost his seat in 2014. Horsford runs a consulting business in Nevada. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “I believe that health care is a right, not a privilege. No one should go bankrupt trying to pay their medical bills.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
“We cannot go back to a system where insurance companies charge older Americans and those with preexisting conditions even more.” ■ Bans on bump stocks and highcapacity magazines
“We need common sense gun safety legislation that includes universal background checks, reinstating the assault weapons ban and banning bump stocks.” ■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
“I believe in universal background checks because they will make our communities more safe.” ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “The last thing we need is new legislation that unwinds the minimal protections we have in law that protect our communities from gun violence.” ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
“I understand the need to put together a bipartisan coalition to fix our broken immigration system. We need
dump
“I adamantly oppose storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Years and years of research have taught us that it is unsafe and not scientifically sound. We should not abandon the facility, but put it to better use to create jobs in Nye County.”
B A L LOT Q U E ST I O N
NO. 2 EXEMPTION
OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS FROM SALES TAX ■ What happens if I vote yes? Feminine hygiene products would be exempt from the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955. If passed, this ballot measure would last until December 31, 2028. Supporters say: Feminine hygiene products are not luxuries, and should not be taxed that way. ■ What happens if I vote no? Nothing changes. Opponents say: Passing the exemption would reduce state tax revenue by an estimated $4.96 million to $7.11 million annually.
CRESENT HARDY A Northern Nevadan and smallbusiness owner, Hardy is in a rematch against the incumbent he won the seat from, Steven Horsford, before losing it to Ruben Kihuen in 2016. Hardy’s campaign did not provide policy positions on several issues. KEY STANCES ■ Repeal and replace Obamacare “The federal government should not be forcing unfunded mandates such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) upon the states,” Hardy says on his campaign website. “This sort of top-down legislation from the federal government comes with many unintended consequences, and places tremendous burden upon the businesses and employers that drive our economy.” ■ Coverage and care for patients with pre-existing conditions
Hardy voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act while he was in Congress. ■ Bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines
“I have no problem getting rid of a bump stock, but an assault rifle is nothing more than an automatic weapon that I use also for hunting,” Hardy told reporter Daria Sokolova. “This is nothing more than a step to try to take away my Second Amendment right, in my opinion.” ■ Expanded background checks for all private gun sales
Hardy “opposes the Obama/Clinton/Bloomberg ‘universal’ back-
ground check system that would criminalize the private transfer of firearms which, according to the Justice Department, is only enforceable through federal firearms registration,” according to the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. ■ Concealed carry reciprocity “Cosponsored right-to-carry reciprocity legislation, which would ensure that law-abiding Americans with the legal right to carry concealed would be able to carry their firearm for self-defense in any other state,” according to the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. ■ Building a wall along the Mexican border
Unclear. “Our borders must remain secure, and we must at all times be cognizant of the rising threat from those who wish to do us harm, both foreign and domestic,” Hardy says on his website. ■ Providing a path to citizenship for any or all immigrants living in the country illegally
Unclear. In Congress in 2015, Hardy voted against defunding a move by President Barack Obama to protect some young immigrants from deportation, and then later voted against an expansion for the program, the Las Vegas Sun reported at the time. ■ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump
In the past, Hardy has voiced support for allowing Yucca to move forward if it can be done safely.
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NEVADA GOVERNOR
STEVE SISOLAK Sisolak is running for governor after spending a decade as a Clark County commissioner, with 10 years as a Nevada System of Higher Education regent before that. Sisolak has been a supporter of efforts to bring the NFL and NHL to Nevada, as well as the $750 million in public money going toward the Raiders stadium. KEY STANCES ■ Sanctuary cities “That’s not something that we are advocating. Not something as we’ve defined—there is no definition of what a sanctuary state or city is, and this is just the opponent again trying to fabricate and come up with issues.” ■ Obamacare and Nevada’s Medicaid expansion
“ … I am a big believer in expanding our health care coverage. I have had the opportunity of sitting down with Gov. Sandoval and talking about his situation with expanded Medicaid. It provided health care for 200,000 Nevadans,” Sisolak said during an October 5 visit with a group of Liberty High School seniors. ■ Yucca Mountain “As governor, I will do everything in my power to stop this irresponsible project. It is unfair, unreasonable and is unsafe for future generations,” Sisolak said in a May letter to President Donald Trump.
■ Education Savings Accounts “We cannot take one dollar out of the public school system,” Sisolak said in response to a student’s question about whether he supports the program. “We have to put every dollar we can into the system.” ■ Energy Choice Initiative “After listening to the concerns of Nevadans across the state, I believe Question 3 is harmful to Nevada, and I cannot support it. I have long had concerns about the negative impact the initiative could have on consumers, labor, the environment and our economy. Question 3 risks the reliability of our electricity system, threatens the jobs of hardworking men and women and could slow our growing renewable energy sector. It provides too much risk without guaranteeing rewards of lower rates for consumers.” ■ 50 percent RPS by 2030 initiative “I am a strong supporter of Question 6 and believe we can and must go further. Nevada has an opportunity, right now, to become the leader in clean, renewable energy—which is one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors.” ■ Background checks for private gun sales
“The citizens in the state of Nevada passed background checks. That means we should implement background checks.”
ADAM LAXALT The state’s attorney general is looking to win the office held by his grandfather, Paul Laxalt. President Donald Trump has campaigned alongside Laxalt in Nevada, where Laxalt said he would not raise taxes. Laxalt has come out against the Commerce Tax, a bipartisan, Sandoval-era law passed in an effort to better fund education. Laxalt’s campaign has not provided responses to repeated requests for some of his policy positions. KEY STANCES ■ Sanctuary cities As Attorney General, Laxalt added the state to two amicus briefs in related cases, saying sanctuary policies undermine safety. “Sanctuary jurisdictions can cause harm to neighboring states by making it easier for people who are not lawfully in this country and have committed civil or criminal offenses to evade law enforcement and travel out-of-state,” one brief says. ■ Obamacare and Nevada’s Medicaid expansion
Unclear. Laxalt’s attorney general’s office has not stepped in on any cases to defend Obamacare in court. ■ Yucca Mountain “In the coming years, I will continue to battle the poster-child for federal overreach—a battle over an unwanted nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in our beloved
Nevada,” Laxalt said in an Attorney General’s Office statement. ■ Education Savings Accounts “I also support Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) as one of the best ways to provide more educational options to parents and students,” Laxalt says on his campaign website. ■ Energy Choice Initiative “I supported the ballot initiative when it was on last year, and I support it this year as well. I hope choice will make our state dynamic and give people more options,”Laxalt said during a gubernatorial forum hosted by Las Vegas Now. ■ 50 percent RPS by 2030 initiative Unclear. “I believe we can meet Nevada’s energy needs, while protecting our natural environment, by taking a sensible, balanced approach to public policy,” he says on his website. “Too often, the heavy hand of government is used to try to force particular energy solutions on the entire population.” ■ Background checks for private gun sales
Unclear. Laxalt’s campaign has taken money from the National Rifle Association. As Attorney General, Laxalt’s office has said the state cannot enforce its background check law without FBI cooperation. The agency balked at Nevada’s law and a state’s use of a federal agency’s resources. After a court ruled against a lawsuit targeting Laxalt and Sandoval over the state’s stalled law, Laxalt said in a statement released by his office that “the court’s 22-page decision reaffirms what my office has been saying all along—that the act ‘is unenforceable as written.’ This is not because of anything that I or other Nevada officials have failed to do; in the words of the court, we have ‘undertaken a real and substantial effort to implement the law.’ ”
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LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Every so often, Nevada elects a lieutenant governor who is not of the same political party as the governor. This can influence the way the two interact, according to UNLV professor Michael Bowers, as well as any “casting votes” the lieutenant governor must make to break ties in the Nevada Senate. If there is a slim majority in the state Senate, this could come into play on party-line issues, such as funding Education Savings Accounts. Public support for school choice was a central issue in the 2017 Legislature, when Democrats blocked funding. CANDIDATES
KATE MARSHALL The former Democratic state treasurer is a legal consultant in Reno. Her campaign emphasizes her support for adequately funding public schools.
MICHAEL ROBERSON The former Republican state Senate majority leader is a Kolesar & Leatham law firm attorney. He’s a supporter of school choice, a central argument for Education Savings Accounts. B A L LOT Q U E ST I O N
THE ENERGY CHOICE INITIATIVE ■ What happens if I vote yes? The Legislature would be tasked with creating a competitive retail energy market. Supporters say: The measure is good for customers, would lower costs, and lead to more renewables through demand and competition. ■ What happens if I vote no? The market would not change, and NV Energy would continue to sell electricity to its current customers. Opponents say: The measure would make consumers vulnerable to unfair plans, lead to increased costs and add uncertainty to Nevada’s improving rooftop solar industry.
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ATTORNEY GENERAL
AARON FORD
WES DUNCAN
The state Senate majority leader is endorsed by former President Barack Obama.
Nevada’s former deputy attorney general has Laxalt’s endorsement. Duncan did not respond to our requests for comment.
KEY ISSUES ■ States’ rights to legalize marijuana “I will defend our state’s voter-approved and regulated industry from attacks from the federal government. ... I would join other states calling on Congress to allow legalized marijuana businesses to open bank accounts. It makes financial sense for businesses and is a public safety measure.” ■ States’ rights to limit abortion access “I will defend a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions as is the law in Nevada. I will not spend taxpayer dollars to get involved in lawsuits that limit women’s health care access in other states.” ■ States’ efforts to support Obamacare in court
“I would pursue any legal avenue to protect access to quality and affordable health care for Nevadans. Nearly 400,000 Nevadans could lose their health care if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. We cannot go back to the days of pre-existing conditions, when kids with asthma and pregnant women could be denied care.” ■ Sanctuary policies on local efforts to aid in federal immigration enforcement
KEY STANCES ■ States’ rights to legalize marijuana Duncan has said he has “no comment on any possible future legal actions by the federal government.” ■ States’ rights to limit abortion access Unclear. ■ States’ efforts to support Obamacare in court
Unclear. Laxalt has been a vocal opponent of Obamacare, calling it “disastrous.” ■ Sanctuary policies on local efforts to aid in federal immigration enforcement
Duncan has been outspoken against sanctuary policies, and said earlier this year at a pre-primary event that Nevada could avoid those policies by voting for Republicans. “We can make sure that our state doesn’t turn into our neighbor to the West,” he said. “We can make sure we don’t have sanctuary states. We can make sure that our constitutional rights are protected, and we do that by electing Republicans up and down the ticket.” ■ Immigration policies that separate immigrant families
“Tearing families apart is immoral and goes against our cherished values as a country.” ■ Eliminating Deferred Action
Unclear. Duncan left Laxalt’s office in 2017 to campaign to replace the attorney general, who would announce his candidacy for governor a little over a month later. This year, after an immigration policy under President Donald Trump put children into federal custody without their parents or guardians, Laxalt’s office did not weigh in on a lawsuit by states challenging the separations. ■ Eliminating Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals
for Childhood Arrivals
“I will stand up for the 13,000 Dreamers in Nevada who are our friends and neighbors.”
Unclear. Laxalt’s office has not weighed in to defend DACA in court.
“No criminal will have sanctuary under my watch. Both Democrats and Republicans agree that Nevada does not have sanctuary cities, which is a term used to divide Nevadans and paints a target on the backs of immigrants living and working in Nevada.” ■ Immigration policies that separate immigrant families
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S E C R E TA R Y O F S TAT E
TREASURER
CONTROLLER
ZACH CONINE BOB BEERS
RON KNECHT, Incumbent CATHERINE BYRNE
From restaurants and hotels to his current business consulting company, Conine now wants to be Nevada’s treasurer. He has experience with private investments and hospitality, and helped with Elephant Bar’s restructuring so the restaurants could avoid bankruptcy. Conine said the treasurer’s job is an investment job, not an accounting job. He said rather than being a scorekeeper, treasurers are making and executing the plays. Beers, a former Las Vegas city councilman, said he has been in treasury functions for more than 30 years. A certified public accountant, he said his role is managing other people’s money, from investments to debt to cash flow. He said as treasurer, he’d work with a five-person finance committee that sets Nevada’s investment policy and follow their directions. The policy hasn’t changed much during the past six years, and tends toward conservative investments, Beers said.
This office has a close relationship with the treasurer. The controller is Nevada’s bookkeeper and reports annually to the governor on the state’s spending, among other tasks. Knecht has held the role since 2015, and his campaign points to a 13 percent cut in his office’s expenses during his tenure. Byrne is a certified public accountant and has said she would emphasize limited, efficient government.
BARBARA CEGAVSKE Incumbent KEY STANCES ■ Automatic voter registration “Due to the nature of the office I am seeking … for me to respond to the question relating to automatic voting would place me in a very compromising position, since the issue is the subject of a ballot initiative in this upcoming election. It is imperative that the office of Secretary of State remain neutral and impartial.” ■ Voter IDs “Like the vast majority of Americans, I am in favor of it.” ■ Access to polling places on tribal land “My office stands ready to work with Nevada Tribes with election processes and polling location issues on tribal lands.” ■ Prevalence of voter fraud Under Cegavske, the Secretary of State’s Office launched a voter fraud investigation that is ongoing. Officials have declined to comment on the issue, citing the pending investigation.
NELSON ARAUJO KEY STANCES ■ Automatic voter registration “In a state like Nevada, where we have a lot of people moving from out of state, this makes sense. It modernizes the system, making it more secure through multiple layers of verification, and it makes the system more accurate by electronically transmitting voter information rather than manual data entry from paper forms.” ■ Voter IDs “Voter ID laws have been consistently struck down by the courts as unconstitutional. With a thorough screening and vetting process for voter registration, it makes voting more secure on the front end. In Nevada, every voter is identified and verified through their signature before voting, and there are layers of verification in place throughout the voter registration process.” ■ Access to polling places on tribal land “I think we need to make voting, for all those eligible to vote, open and accessible.” ■ Prevalence of voter fraud “While we should be concerned and vigilant about voter fraud, I am more worried about voter suppression and hacking into our system by foreign entities.”
B A L LOT Q U E ST I O N
B A L LOT Q U E ST I O N
■ What happens if I vote yes? The Nevada Constitution would be amended to require lawmakers pass a law to exempt durable medical equipment, oxygen delivery equipment and mobilityenhancing equipment prescribed to patients from any tax on the sale, storage, use or consumption. Supporters say: These unnecessary sales taxes hurt patients, such as those who require oxygen to live. ■ What happens if I vote no? Nothing changes. Opponents say: This unnecessary exemption is vague about which devices the Legislature would cover. It’s unclear what the financial effect would be, according to the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
■ What happens if I vote yes? Residents who are eligible to vote would be automatically registered or have their registration updated each time they apply, update or renew a driver’s license or identification card. Supporters say: Automatic voter registration makes it easier for people to register and improves the accuracy of resident information, which would be transferred to election officials for voter eligibility verification. ■ What happens if I vote no? The current opt-in system of voter registration would remain in place. Opponents say: The government should not be responsible for starting a resident’s voter registration process, and the system would cost the Secretary of State’s Office $221,000 to implement, in addition to millions for systems upgrades, local costs and operations expenses, according to the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
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CLARK COUNTY COMMISSION
DISTRICT E “TICK” SEGERBLOM TRISH MARSH Currently served by term-limited Democrat Chris Giunchigliani, the district includes part of the Strip and Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, borders Fremont Street and extends to the east and west of Boulder Highway. Marsh, a Republican, supports limited government and opposes tax increases. Segerblom, a Democrat and former state senator, supported legalizing marijuana in Nevada and has proposed a 1 percent sales tax to support education.
B A L LOT Q U E ST I O N
DISTRICT F JUSTIN JONES TISHA BLACK Democratic Commissioner Susan Brager is one of two term-limited commissioners this year. The rural district is west of Interstate 15 and includes the Red Rock area, extending west of Blue Diamond. Brager crossed party lines to endorse lawyer and small-business owner Tisha Black to fill her seat, citing the need to continue “smart growth” and “protect our citizens.” The move drew ire from environmental and progressive groups, such as Battle Born Progress, which support Democrat and former state Sen. Justin Jones, saying he would work to protect Red Rock Canyon, where development plans are progressing. Jones is a past president of Battle Born Progress.
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CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES
DISTRICT D KEVIN CHILD, Incumbent IRENE CEPEDA The district stretches diagonally from Nellis Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue to Tropicana Avenue and Interstate 15, down to Eastern Avenue, south of Pebble Road and north of the 215 Beltway. The nonpartisan race has Child, the incumbent, running against Irene Cepeda, a project coordinator at Nevada State College. Child, who was banned from Clark County School District property after an outside complaint, was elected to the seat in 2014.
DISTRICT F DANIELLE FORD KALI FOX MILLER
DISTRICT G ■ What happens if I vote yes? If the measure passes this year and again in 2020, the Nevada Constitution would be amended to raise the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard from 25 percent by 2025 to 50 percent by 2030. Supporters say: Renewable energy prices are falling, and reductions in pollutants could save millions in health costs plus boost the state’s industry. ■ What happens if I vote no? Nothing changes. Opponents say: Costs to ratepayers will go up because renewable energy prices are not as cheap as some other energy sources, and implementing mandates can stifle innovation and lead to unreliability.
JIM GIBSON, Incumbent CINDY LAKE District G covers the southeast portion of the county and includes parts of Henderson and Green Valley. Gibson served as Henderson’s mayor for three terms. Lake, a member of the Las Vegas Association of Realtors, advocates for reduced taxes and regulation.
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Trustee Carolyn Edwards was voted into her seat in 2006 and is term-limited. The district is in the southwestern part of the Vegas Valley, extending west from I-15. Ford is a Las Vegas native and mother of two children in CCSD. Fox Miller is a lawyer who served Nevada as deputy attorney general for the mortgage lending division.
DISTRICT G LINDA P. CAVAZOS RYAN SCALIA The district extends west from Eastern Avenue, sandwiched between Districts A to the south and B to the north. The seat is held by appointee Linda P. Cavazos, who took over for Trustee Erin Cranor. Cavazos is a part-time family therapist who was a Basic High School teacher for 15 years. She faces Ryan Scalia, whose website says he is a Sunrise Children’s Hospital volunteer.
A PROVEN I’m Jacky Rosen and I hope to earn your support and your vote to represent Nevada in the US Senate. I share your hopes and values, and I will represent Nevada with passion. This is where I stand on the issues and how I will fight to help hardworking families succeed.
GOVERNMENT REFORM I am a strong proponent of reforming government. As a Congresswoman, I ran my office so efficiently we actually returned $250,000 in taxpayer money. IN THE SENATE I WOULD CONTINUE THIS WORK TO:
• Stop members of congress from paying for first class travel with taxpayer dollars • Stop congressional leaders from taking federal pensions if they’re convicted of crimes like bribery or perjury • Stop forcing taxpayers to pay for Congressional sexual harassment settlements • Fight against pork barrel earmarks • Stop members of Congress from using tax dollars for campaign-style mailers • Support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United • Encourage bipartisan efforts whenever possible
JOBS & ECONOMY I am passionately pro-business and I feel we need to develop a new economy that spreads prosperity. AS YOUR SENATOR I WILL WORK TO:
• Incentivize research and development hiring at tech startups • Support fiscally responsible middle-class tax cuts • Grow Nevada’s job-producing solar industry • Invest more in apprenticeship and vocational training programs to train workers for specialized high tech jobs • Raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour • Increase access to paid family and medical leave for employees
PAID FOR BY ROSEN FOR NEVADA
V I SI O N | RESU LTS | CO U RAG E | HUMA N I T Y
BIPARTISAN LEADER EDUCATION
IMMIGRATION
Working to improve education is one of my core beliefs. IF YOU SELECT ME TO BE YOUR SENATOR, I WILL WORK TO DELIVER:
• Better pay for teachers • Update crumbling school infrastructure • Lower interest rates on student college debt • Higher education for all: advanced skills training, apprenticeship programs, community college and four-year college
Our immigration system is badly broken and needs clear-eyed, compassionate reform. AS YOUR SENATOR I WILL:
• Work for comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders and provides an earned path to citizenship • Fight to protect DACA recipients and find a way to provide relief to Dreamers
SAFETY & SECURITY As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have worked to support our military families and strengthen our national security.
ENVIRONMENT
IN THE SENATE I WILL CONTINUE THAT WORK, INCLUDING:
A lifelong believer in environmental causes, I am honored to have earned a 97% rating from the League of Conservation Voters. IN THE SENATE I WOULD:
• Protect Gold Butte & Basin and Range • Fight Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dumping • Support efforts to reduce carbon pollution, encourage renewable energy jobs and businesses • Fight for clean air, water and conservation of irreplaceable resources
• Increase pay for our men and women in uniform • Bolstering defense systems for Israel, our most important Middle East ally • Improve military readiness • Secure our electric grid against cyberattacks
WOMEN I will always advocate for women, and I’m honored to be endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America, EMILY’s List, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund. IF SELECTED TO BE YOUR SENATOR I WILL WORK TO:
HEALTH CARE In Congress I helped pass bipartisan legislation to repeal the medical device tax. I also introduced legislation to cap the rising cost of prescription drugs and limit monthly out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families. IF YOU ALLOW ME TO REPRESENT YOU IN THE SENATE, I WILL WORK TO:
• Protect the Affordable Care Act’s preexisting condition protections • Develop bipartisan solutions to improve health care and bring down costs • Work to end the doctor shortages in states like Nevada Proudly Endorsed by
• Protect women’s health care and reproductive rights • Protect funding for Planned Parenthood health centers providing preventative care services and cancer screening
SENIORS I am determined to ensure our seniors are protected. AS YOUR SENATOR I WILL:
• Defend Social Security and Medicare • Protect Medicare and oppose efforts to turn it into a voucher system • Keep our promises to our seniors
WWW.ROSENFORNEVADA.COM
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Will Nevada vote to stop Trump’s hate machine?
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mid the horror of a domestic terrorist targeting Americans from California to Florida with pipe bombs, President Donald Trump had barely gotten a call for unity out of his mouth when he went right back to demonizing others and stirring up hatred. At a Friday night rally in North Carolina, a chance for Trump to help heal the nation instead dissolved into chants of “Lock her up” and “CNN sucks” as Trump smirked and did nothing to stop them. With that, another brutal week came and went in Trump’s presidency, as the shock from the string of bombs sent from coast to coast was compounded with the news of the hate-fueled mass shooting that left 11 dead and at least six others injured at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Americans know this must stop. And here in Nevada, we have a special responsibility to help steer the nation away from the extremists who’ve pushed Trump to power and helped enable his toxic divisiveness. While our midterm election needs to be about Nevada issues, and it’s essential for voters to focus on that, swing states like ours are especially critical in determining the course of the nation. Deep blue and deep red states are baked into the political equation. That being the case, it is the votes in Nevada and other swing states that matter in this midterm. Will we vote to stop Trump’s rage machine? We must. The past two years have been a parade of insane behavior and cruelty. It’s getting worse. In the past two weeks alone, we’ve seen the horrors of Pittsburgh and the bomb deliveries, we’ve seen members of the alt-right group Proud Boys spill from a GOP event and beat people in the street, and we’ve seen Trump laud a candidate who body-slammed a reporter—and the list goes on. We’ve seen him shrug off the slaying and dismemberment of a reporter by a repressive regime. We’ve seen the Republican architects of a plan to
destroy health care for hundreds of thousands of Nevadans and millions nationwide lie about the assault on pre-existing conditions. We’ve seen news organizations across the nation—including Las Vegas Weekly and the Las Vegas Sun—threatened with violence. We’ve seen Trump threaten to revive the policy of separating families at the border. We’ve seen trans people’s civil rights threatened. And through it all, we’ve heard the language of fear and hatred from the GOP, with Trump urging them on every step of the way. As he’s demonstrated throughout his presidency, and most recently in North Carolina, Trump has no interest in uniting Americans. His hold on power depends on his ability to convince his supporters that they’re under threat from anyone who doesn’t support him, and that the only way they can be protected is to keep him in the White House and surround him with loyalists in Congress. So his vilification of various individuals and groups continues virtually uninterrupted. Prominent Democrats. Immigrants. Muslims. The media. Then there’s Trump’s ongoing attack on the truth, which is designed to further push Americans apart by leaving them unable to agree on
basic facts. Trump has ramped up his lies during the midterm season, including saying that undocumented immigrants had taken over a city council in California and that residents in that state were rioting against sanctuary cities. Among his other blatant lies, Trump said Democrats want to give cars to undocumented immigrants and allow them to vote. Fact checkers noted that on Sept. 7, Trump made a staggering 125 false or misleading statements during a pair of fundraisers and an interview with reporters over a combined period of about 120 minutes. Meanwhile, more and more Republican lawmakers follow the example of Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and bend their knees to him, fearing that they otherwise might be on the receiving end of a hate tweet if they express opposition to him in any way. So while Nevadans need to keep their eye on our state at the polls, we also are Americans who have a unique responsibility in this election cycle. That responsibility is to vote—powerfully, loudly, proudly—for a return to decency in our politics and for a check on a president and a party gone wild. This is not a matter of liberal ideology vs. conservative ideology. Those debates are dignified arguments about policy. This election is not about that. This election is about putting a check on an immoral, uncivil process underway in this country. It is about putting a check on an emerging plutocracy—perhaps even a kleptocracy. It’s about putting a check on a growing stain of racism. Nevadans can tell America we stand for a reasonable, peaceful and honest way of addressing the issues we all face. We stand for a Congress able to place a check on would-be authoritarian leaders. Nevada, our nation needs you. Nevada, go to the polls.
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Organization supports the Valley by helping prepare its leaders What does your organization do?
FINDLAY GOOD WORKS CARA CLARKE LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION OF GREATER LAS VEGAS Title: Executive Director Agency address: 575 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106 Agency phone number: 702-641-5822 Agency website: leadership.vegas Hours of operation: Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
F I N D L AY AUTO.COM
The Leadership Foundation is laserfocused on this premise: A great community needs strong, capable and informed leadership committed to its success. The Leadership Foundation is the only organization in Southern Nevada dedicated full time to preparing and engaging leaders at every level so they can positively address challenges and create a bright future for the region. The Leadership Foundation has the following six programs for this purpose: ■ Leadership Las Vegas: The 10-month program helps professionals from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds develop a deeper understanding of the region, and how they, as leaders, can engage and take on challenges to improve the community. ■ Leadership Advance: For people who want to develop their leadership skills and learn about community leadership challenges. Class members develop their leadership acumen with the guidance of a facilitator and become more effective in their professions. ■ Focus Las Vegas: These mini two-hour seminars keep leaders informed on important community topics such as mental health, recidivism and education. ■ Vegas Young Professionals: Developing the next generation of Las Vegas leaders and connecting them with each other and the community. VYP has more than 2,000 members between the ages of 21 and 39 and focuses on building connections, professional development, mentorship and community engagement. ■ The Public Policy Leadership Series: A six-week course in partnership with the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs that educates leaders who want to serve in public office, so they better understand the tenets of good public policy, functions and
The Public Policy Leadership Series. We started this program three years ago to help leaders who want to serve in public office better understand its roles, responsibilities and functions, such as understanding how the state budget works. Term limits mean Nevada is losing institutional knowledge and experience, so the Public Policy Leadership Series helps bridge that gap and inspire people to want to make contributions via public service at any level. What can people do to get involved in the cause you serve?
Engage in our programs and encourage others to do so. Also, you can support these programs through sponsorship and with donations to our scholarship fund.
inner workings of government, and the roles and responsibilities of public office. What can Southern Nevadans do to improve our community in ■ Access Las Vegas: A two-day general? course for executives new to Las WHAT IS FINDLAY GOOD WORKS? Get involved and care for it Vegas to help them quickly get Good Works is a as your hometown. I just heard up-to-speed on how our region twice-monthly series a quote from Kerry Bubolz, works while making invaluable in Las Vegas Weekly in which we highlight president of the Vegas Golden community connections. the efforts of nonprofit Knights—“The community groups that are making When and why was doesn’t come to you, you have a difference in our it established? community. You can to come to it.” It’s true. What’s check out the good work The Las Vegas Chamber of equally true is that Southern of more organizations by Commerce created the LeaderNevada is a welcoming place, so visiting facebook.com/ ship Foundation as an investFindlayAutoGroup. whatever your passion, there are ment in the future. plenty of ways to get involved. And if you need help doing so, What services might the community reach out to the Leadership Foundation and not know about? we will assist you.
Participants of the Leadership Foundation of Greater Las Vegas. Front row, from left, are Kelli Vaz, Jarom Gray and Abby Quinn. Middle row, from left, are Brian Connett; Jacqueline Walton; Cara Clarke, executive director of the Leadership Foundation of Greater Las Vegas; and Shellie Keller. Back row, from left, are Nicole Lovoto, Vicky VanMeetren, Alexis Mussi and Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
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NOV 2-4 VARIOUS LOCATIONS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
BIG THIS WEEK SAT, NOV 3
CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY VEGAS VALLEY COMIC BOOK FESTIVAL Connect with the creators of your favorite comic books, including Jeff Parker of X-Men: First Class and Amy Chu of Poison Ivy, at this annual comic book fest. Plus: Enjoy film screenings, live music, podcasts and panel discussions; shop vendors; and learn the basics of cosplay. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., free. –C. Moon Reed
(Photo Illustration)
SAT, NOV 3
BROOKLYN BOWL KELLER WILLIAMS’ PETTYGRASS In a rare showing of cover band ingenuity, singer/ guitarist and jam-scene favorite Keller Williams— joined by backing band The Hillbenders—will pay tribute to Tom Petty by giving his classics the bluegrass treatment. Also rare: The show’s afternoon slot. You got lucky—and Brooklyn Bowl got lunch. 1 p.m., $25-$30. –Mike Prevatt (Courtesy)
Las Vegas goes all out for Dia de los Muertos, an ancient cultural tradition from Mexico, celebrated internationally from October 31 through November 2. Participants create beautiful altars, or ofrendas, to honor departed loved ones, and local festivities typically include various performances, authentic Mexican and Latin American food, craft vendors and children’s activities. Pick the one closest to you, or attend all three … Clark County hosts its 18th-annual Life in Death Festival (November 1-2, 5-9 p.m.) at Winchester Cultural Center. In addition to a group art exhibit, dance performances, craft demonstrations, vendors and the tributary ofrendas, the free, community event will feature performances by Veracruz, Mexico, band Mono Blanco. Now in its 10th year, Springs Preserve’s Día de Muertos Festival (November 2-4, 4-9 p.m., $6-$10) spreads throughout the venue’s vast gardens. Don’t miss the mariachis, dance performances, sugar skull decorating and face painting. Finally, the City of Las Vegas’ Dia de Los Muertos Festival (November 2, 5-9 p.m.) takes place at Lorenzi Park Festival Plaza, featuring East LA-based urban folk band Las Cafeteras, an ofrenda contest, food trucks and traditional artisans. –C. Moon Reed
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calendar p26 (Courtesy)
THU, NOV 1 |
DILLON FRANCIS ENCORE BEACH CLUB
The last Encore Beach Club at Night party of the season has arrived, which means summer in Las Vegas officially ends November 1. Eclectic DJ and producer Dillon Francis, who recently released his long-awaited Latin dance-pop album Wut Wut, shuts down the club Thursday night. 10:30 p.m., $25-$35. –Brock Radke
THU, NOV 1
FRI, NOV 2
172 BAD PHANTOM & KAYLIE FOSTER
CABARET JAZZ USTAD SHAFAAT KHAN
The Rio’s new live music venue— named 172, after the number of decibels of the loudest sound ever recorded on Earth—officially opens with performances by locals Bad Phantom (formerly indie outfit Shayna Rain) and soul singer Kaylie Foster. 9 p.m., free. –Leslie Ventura
If your exploration of sitar music ended with Ravi Shankar, dig deeper with a Smith Center set by a member of India’s musical Khan family, performing alongside Sandip Thanki (tabla) and Coco Bastien (guitar and vocals). 7 p.m., $35-$55. –Spencer Patterson
NOV 2-11
TUE, NOV 6
CSN’S BACKSTAGE THEATRE IDROIDS
BARRICK MUSEUM TIM MOHR
Director Stig Zeiner and the CSN Fine Arts Theatre Program present a stage interpretation of Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?—which Ridley Scott previously adapted into Blade Runner. Various showtimes, $12, 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue. –Geoff Carter
In his new book, Burning Down the Haus: Punk Rock, Revolution, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the award-winning translator and author chronicles the rebellious spirit of young punks fighting fascism in East Germany—which he’ll talk about on Tuesday. 5:30 p.m., free. –Leslie Ventura.
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Fat Joe brings the boom-bap to Drai’s By Brock Radke
alking to Fat Joe on the phone is not very different from listening to “Lean Back,” “All the Way Up” or “What’s Luv,” or even watching him steal scenes as a prisoner Skyping into Tiffany Haddish’s class in Night School. The Bronx-born rapper is always on the beat, and you never know what’s going to happen; in my case, he had to pause our convo to share something with DJ Khaled, with whom he just happened to be hanging in Miami. Joe is happy to be back in Vegas this weekend for another gig at hip-hop hot spot Drai’s, as you can read for yourself.
T
What do you like about frequenting Las Vegas for your Drai’s residency? There’s nothing like Vegas in the world. They say about New York that if you make it there, you can make it anywhere, but whenever I pull into Vegas I feel like I made it, especially when I see my name on those billboards. It’s an extra-special experience for me, especially at Drai’s, because it’s always packed with beautiful people having a great time. And it’s people from Oklahoma and Nebraska and Miami and Chicago and the whole world. I love it over there. I would love to do a residency where I just live in Vegas for eight months. What was it like shooting Night School with Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart? It was a great learning experience. I feel like my whole career is a work in progress, and I learned a lot from them and that whole cast; they were amazing.
You’ve been out and about doing more than music lately. You’ve evolved into a bit of a cultural ambassador. I’m a mature gangster rapper (laughs). I’m older now, and I look at the world differently. I just went to four schools in the Bronx and told them whichever class has the best attendance and the best grades at Christmastime, I’m gonna get them all a free pair of Jordans. Today I got the first update and all of the schools we went to have 96 percent attendance. And the behavior is through the roof. I’m gonna be buying a lot of shoes, but the point is to get this info and take it to a major sneaker company, like Nike, and show them it works, and maybe make it a bigger initiative. We’ve got to get back to our communities and our kids and give them some hope and inspiration.
When is your new album, Family Ties, going to drop? We’re working on it. What happened is too much good music came out this year, and we want to make sure our project is incredible. It’s about 85 percent there; I just need two or three more songs. We’ve got Big Sean on it, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Bun B. The album is fire. I just want to get a few more classic pieces on there.
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FAT JOE November 2, 10:30 p.m., $30-$50. Drai’s, 702-777-3800.
(Scott Roth/AP)
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TO PARIS NEW YORK (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
DJ ShadowRed brings E a s t C oa s t f l av o r t o C h at e a u By Zoneil Maharaj
I
f you go to Chateau Nightclub when Stevens Duplessy is spinning, know that he’s in charge. “You come into the club, you’re gonna do what I say,” the veteran mixer, better known as DJ ShadowRed, says in a thick New Jersey accent. “I’m the man behind the music.” That statement might sound assertive, but it’s because being a DJ comes with great responsibility, one Duplessy doesn’t take lightly. “The DJ is the heart of the club. If the DJ sucks, the club doesn’t make money. If people aren’t having a good time, it’s the DJ’s fault,” he says. It’s why he has held down the coveted resident DJ slot at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas for five years, spinning there three nights a week. Though it’s predominantly a hip-hop club, you’ll get a little bit of everything when ShadowRed mans the booth. He might even slip in some glam rock or salsa, depending on the crowd. “If I don’t see somebody dancing, I’ll switch it up to see if I can grab them,” he says. His ability to read the room and his eclectic arsenal stem from two decades of experience and an East Coast upbringing. Now 42, the Haitian-American DJ was born in Brooklyn and raised in a suburban town in north New Jersey. While his neighborhood friends introduced him to hair metal and New Wave, his
cousins in New York kept him stocked with the latest hip-hop tapes, and his Dominican boys made sure he had Latin jams in rotation. It laid the foundation for his career. Originally a club promoter in Hoboken, he began playing music at his own events on slow nights. Soon, he found himself in New York City, spinning at the era’s hottest venues: Lotus, Pink Elephant and B.B. King’s. He was a staple of the scene but eventually got tired of the rat race, moving to Las Vegas in 2012. Duplessy didn’t know a single person here, but while at the Hard Rock Hotel one night, he had a chance encounter with a manager of a new nightclub opening at Palazzo, the Act, a Sin City extension of famed New York club the Box. Duplessy was a perfect fit. But Las Vegas club life spans being what they are, it shuttered the following year. He didn’t get much of a break. The music director at Chateau snatched him up right away. It’s been his home—and stage—ever since. If Duplessy’s on the turntables, he’s putting on a show. He’s cracking jokes, calling people out and talking trash—whatever it takes to get you to move. “If you make somebody dance, you’ve touched their soul,” he says.
Club Notes NYE bookings, a mixed-drink record try and new Aoki
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It’s November, and that means it’s a good time to make your New Year’s Eve reservations at your favorite Las Vegas club. Among the artists scheduled for the biggest night on the Strip: The Chainsmokers at XS, Dillon Francis at Intrigue, the Lakeside Masquerade party with DJ Hollywood at Hyde Bellagio, Ludacris at Light, Gucci Mane at Tao and French Montana at Marquee. The United States Bartenders’ Guild Las Vegas chapter will kick off Keep Memory Alive’s Month of Memories initiative on November 5 at Apex Social Club at the Palms, where attendees will participate in an attempt at breaking the world record for the largest mixed drink. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available at keepmemoryalive.org/gandt. Grammy nominated DJ and producer and Henderson resident Steve Aoki will release his fifth studio album, Neon Future III, on November 9. Billed as his most pop-driven project to date, it will include collaborations with Blink-182, Lady Antebellum, Mike Posner and Louis Tomlinson on the previously released hit “Just Hold On.” Aoki recently dropped another single from the album, “Waste It on Me,” with K-pop superstars BTS. –Brock Radke
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DJ KAR MA
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TAO
Playboy presents Tao’s Día de los Muertos party Thursday night, starring sounds from longtime resident DJ Vice. 10:30 p.m., $15-$20. Venetian, 702-388-8588.
HYDE BELLAGIO
It’s SEMA time again, and Hyde’s Friday Night Social party hosts the top automotive models in the industry this week, with music from Blackout DJ Karma. 10:30 p.m., $20$30. Bellagio, 702-693-8700.
THE CH AINS MO K E RS
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XS
Prepare yourself for seven straight Saturdays of The Chainsmokers ruling XS, perfectly timed to their bass-heavy new release “Sirens.” 10:30 p.m., $30-$50. Encore, 702-770-7300.
Photos Courtesy
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VICE
thu
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11.1 BEARTOOTH • 11.18 LIL XAN 11.30 ROCK OFF: TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY VS THE POLICE 12.7 ADRIAN URIBE & CONSUELO DUVAL • 12.13 H.E.R. 12.14 LITTLE STEVEN • 12.15 A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS 12.20 CARLOS DANIELS - TRIBUTE TO JUAN GABRIEL • 1.24 OMD 2.9 FRANCO ESCAMILLA • 3.3 KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS 3.23 ANDREW MCMAHON IN THE WILDERNESS 3.24 CYPRESS HILL & HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD • 3.29 MORGAN WALLEN 5.4 & 5.5 TAKING BACK SUNDAY
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Photographs by Tony Tran
oct 27
S R A L L DO 5 . S E NU E V 5 . S R A E Y 5
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THREE BITES QUICHE, GLORIOUS QUICHE
ALL THE VEGAS
1. ROASTED VEGGIE QUICHE AT BAGUETTE CAFÉ You don’t have to be an herbivore to enjoy this splendid blend of zucchini, leeks, spinach and blistered tomato slices. Crème blends with goat cheese and Parmesan to build the eggy body, and the secret weapon is the basil pesto that studs the entire pie. $7, 8359 W. Sunset Road.
2. QUICHE TARTIFLETTE AT ROSALLIE LE FRENCH BAKERY
3. QUICHE FLORENTINE AT DELICES GOURMANDS FRENCH BAKERY
A breakfast quiche that’s good any time of the day, and so big you’ll plan to save half for later … before looking down to see it’s all gone. The tartiflette—a delicacy born in the French Alps— contains thin slices of potato and bits of bacon, plus glorious reblochon cheese. $9, 6090 S. Rainbow Blvd.
Most quiche spots serve up slices from a full pastry; here they bake individual rounds, so everyone gets their own. This one has onions, spinach and sliced mushrooms mingling with a rich bechamel sauce for a different take on the traditional spinach version. Monterey Jack cheese adds some welcome funk. $7, 3620 W. Sahara Ave. –Jason Harris
Catch restaurateur Elizabeth Blau on the latest episode at lasvegasweekly.com/ podcasts/all-the-vegas.
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
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Food & DRink Casino cocina
Leticia’s brings its popular Mexican food to Fiesta Henderson
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Top: red pepper hummus, tzatziki and baba ganoush; bottom: baked feta. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
Sneaky delicious MGM Grand delivers quality GREEK food to the Strip
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Go to the heart of Chicago or New York patron. Among apps, order the baked feta ($14), City and you’ll find no shortage of Greek which layers two warm slices of the salty cheese and Mediterranean restaurants within a between two giant heirloom tomato slices; or the few easy blocks. Finding a Greek restaurant on the charred octopus ($23), served with fingerling potaStrip? That’s been far more difficult. Until Chicatoes, navy beans and a sweet and creamy Santorini go-based Morton’s restaurant company fava bean puree. On a business trip with Greek Sneek recently introduced its latest concept a big crew? Go with the lamb gyros ($24) MGM Grand, 702-891-3228. here, Greek Sneek. or the marinated chicken kebabs ($27). Monday-Saturday, The Mediterranean branzino with Greek Take a brisk walk through a speakeasy 5-10 p.m. style hallway and you’ll find yourself inolive oil, lemon and capers is a fresh and side a modern and photo-worthy Mediterdelicate plate, and there are lots of savory ranean oasis. Formerly the back dining dishes from which to choose: shredded room at Crush, Greek Sneek is one of few upscale and braised lamb ravioli ($28) with blistered cherry Mediterranean options on the Boulevard (besides tomatoes, pesto and oregano butter; the signature Estiatorio Milos and Cleo). Greek rack of lamb ($42); or a feta-stuffed half Helmed by Crush executive chef William “Billy” chicken. Without flying all the way to Greece, it’s DeMarco, Greek Sneek offers something for every tough to do better. –Leslie Ventura
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can certainly judge a Mexican restaurant by its chips and salsa. Centennial Hills-area favorite Leticia’s Cocina opened its new location inside the Fiesta Henderson in earlier this month, and it passed the chip test and then some. Chef Leticia Mitchell opened her original location in 2009, and while you might not expect authentic Mexican fare inside a neighborhood casino, you’ll find that Leticia’s menu successfully dabbles in cuisines from Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara and the Mayan Peninsula. Leticia’s never uses canned or frozen ingredients, and you can taste the difference the moment you dip a tortilla chip into their delicious bean and chorizo dip—seriously, your taste buds might do a dance. The menu is rather large, but don’t feel intimidated. Start with the Cocina appetizer platter and choose any three apps, like the made-toorder guac, tangy and cool shrimp ceviche or gigantic tiger prawn jalapeño poppers—grilled peppers stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and fried in a thick beer batter. Navigating the rest of the menu gets tougher, but ordering a la carte is a great way to sample Leticia’s offerings. Whatever you do, don’t leave without ordering a quesa taco—seared shrimp served in Leticia’s garlicky abuelo sauce—and a gourmet taco with your choice of meat, piled high with melted Oaxaca cheese, rajas con queso, sautéed zucchini, peppers, onions and a zesty chipotle sauce. Those tastes are reason enough to add Leticia’s to your regular rotation. –Leslie Ventura
Leticia’s Cocina Fiesta Henderson, 702-476-6008. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; FridaySaturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
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The AUDIBLEs
Homegrown hits Meet the Las Vegas players behind some of your favorite hip-hop records By Zoneil Maharaj lot goes into making a hit song, from hours of songwriting and production to meticulous mixing and strategic marketing. Rarely do those outside the camera frame get recognized beyond liner notes. But if you take a close look, you might learn that some of your favorite songs received a helping hand from your neighbors. Meet some of Las Vegas’ hitmakers.
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The Audibles The production tag team of Jimmy “Jimmy G” Giannos and Dominic “DJ Mecca” Jordan might have made a Belieber out of you. The duo helped the then-teen heartthrob level up to a more mature hip-hop sound, producing five tracks on 2013’s Journals and “No Pres-
sure” off 2015’s Purpose. The two have been industry mainstays since connecting in the studio 11 years ago. “I liked DJ’s drums; he liked my melodies and chords. It was a perfect musical marriage,” Giannos says. The rest—writing for Sam Smith, producing for French Montana and Ty Dolla $ign—is the manifestation of a dream no one believed in more than Giannos’ mother. “She would always tell us, ‘You’re going to be at the Grammys,’” Jordan says. It came true: Purpose was nominated for Album of the Year. Despite their national credits, the duo makes it a point to represent its hometown; it has collaborations with Las Vegas artists Lazr, Interstate Fatz and DJ Franzen in the works. “We really want to support Vegas’ own and bring the
culture up,” Jordan says. Cam O’bi Chicago’s spellbinding hiphop scene is indebted to a Las Vegas native. In 2012, producer Cameron Osteen, aka Cam O’bi, moved to the Windy City, where he met thenupstarts Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper, helping craft their respective breakout projects, Innanetape and Acid Rap, in 2013. “That gave me a key to the entire [Chicago] music scene,” says Cam, who also worked on Chance’s Grammy award-winning Coloring Book. Soon, his catalog expanded beyond the Midwest to include SZA, J. Cole and Moses Sumney—critically praised artists all drawn to Cam’s distinctive sound, self-described as “hip-hop meets Disney.” It’s vivid, colorful and play-
ful. Take “TenderHeaded,” which features a sample of a baby laughing as Cam raps—for the first time on record—about growing up with nappy hair. It’s the first song from his upcoming debut, Grown Ass Kid, due out next year. If his past work is any indication, expect a star-studded and whimsical headnodder. King Vay If you’ve ever been to a T.I. concert, you’ve seen Vasjon “King Vay” Hill banging on the drums and giving life to the Atlanta rapper’s southern-fried beats. For the past seven years, Vay has been the rap superstar’s go-to drummer, while also providing live percussion for hip-hop artists like Future, Rae Sremmurd and
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Noise International heartbeat Khruangbin’s global aesthetic bleeds real emotion By Mike Prevatt he name of their 2018 Todo el Mundo has resonated with album is Con Todo el music fans and made the band Mundo. It means “with a breakout in indie circles is the all the world,” which was way its melancholic compositions how Khruangbin bassist Laura Lee seem to re-create moments in our would respond to her grandfather lives—when we lay awake after a when he would ask “¿Cómo me breakup or took a long walk after quieres?” which means “How much processing loss. Only after those do you love me?” But the title might familiar pangs and reflections also represent the global aesthetic fade might we try to mentally of the album itself. geotag the music. The musicians comprising the But, as those lucky enough to Texas-based trio have catch the band at Fremont Khruangbin Country Club last November long absorbed the music with Will Van of international artists. can attest, Khruangbin’s NoHorn. November 7, 9 p.m., Separately and collectively, vember 7 Vinyl show won’t $20. Vinyl, their aural travels have solely be a contemplative 702-693taken them to southern affair. Grounding the long5000. Europe, northern Africa, ing in guitarist Mark Speer’s the Middle East, Southeast wanderlust, atmospheric Asia and Latin America. chords are Donald Johnson’s One of Khruangbin’s masterstrokes drum breaks and Lee’s thick, has been incorporating those melodic basslines. While mellower influences into its foundation of tracks like “Rules” and “August (largely) instrumental funk and 10” will prompt the most casual of psychedelic soul, and honing it into swaying, upbeat funk numbers like a distinctive, unified sound. “Maria También” and “Evan Finds Another: writing songs that the Third Room” ought to invite a sound like they come from the more vigorous shuffle among those heart rather than a particular in the audience—one you should country. Indeed, the reason Con most definitely join.
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CAM o’BI
The Audibles (Courtesy); Pat Hundley (Matt Morgan/Courtesy); Cam O’bi (Rene Marban/Courtesy); Photo Illustration.
French Montana. That’s quite the leap for a guy who grew up playing in church bands and touring with gospel artists Kenny Lattimore and Chanté Moore. Ever restless, King Vay also makes beats for artists like T.I., Snoop Dogg and Jeremih and runs Las Vegas studio the Hit District. And he’s not stopping until he has his own empire. “That’s my next move,” he says, “executive producing and having a few artists under me.” Pat Hundley When Rick Ross, Gucci Mane or Riff Raff get the urge to lay down a track in Las Vegas, they call Pat Hundley. A transplant from Nashville, Hundley moved here six years ago and quickly became the go-to engineer for trap-rap stars. He
credits that to his professionalism. “I take the long road around the mountain. I’ll give you a three-hour session to make [a project] better,” he says. That has led to a constant stream of work at just about every studio in the city, from Studio at the Palms to the now-defunct studio at Chumlee’s mansion. Hundley is currently building his own in Downtown with veteran rock producer and engineer Bjorn Thorsrud. Though Hundley is most recognized in the street rap circle, he’s finishing up albums for local rock acts Leather Bound Crooks and Almost Normal. “I get along with the gangsters, I get along with the rock stars,” he says. “If you come to the table with a positive attitude, people will want to work with you.”
(Mary Kang/Courtesy)
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The Lion King musical returns to Las Vegas, with a new Simba leading the pack By C. Moon ReeD
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In order to capture director Julie Taymor’s “double event” of embodying both ow do you go about playing the human and the animal aspects of the Simba, the lead in one of the character, Dixon trained in Balinese and most successful Broadway Javanese movement. Then he made the musicals (and films) of all character his own: “We come up with our time? For actor Jared Dixon, who took own vocabulary of what our animal and on the role just over four months ago, the our person looks like onstage,” Dixon says, answer requires a mix of all his talents: actexplaining that in lieu of copying previous ing, singing, dancing, physicality and, yes, incarnations of Simba, each successive acpuppetry. tor reinvents the role. “It’s really a person“It’s a journey. It’s a story of redemption alized understanding of your character.” and finding yourself and finding something That performance involves bringing a to have faith in that empowers you,” Dixon static mask to life. Dixon likens it to the says of the classic storyline that draws from effect of some painted portraits, where Shakespeare’s Hamlet. “There’s so many the eyes appear to follow the viewer. parallels of my life and some of the “I’m playing the character in The Lion King four dimensions, and the mask things that Simba goes through. November 7-25, It’s one of most relatable roles I’ve is built to enhance any small times vary, ever played.” $40-$173. movements,” Dixon says. “If I Reynolds Hall, In case you’ve missed decades shake my neck, the mane ruffles. 702-749-2000. of pop culture, here’s a quick recap When I move my head, the mask of the production headed to the bobbles like a lion.” Dixon says Smith Center this month: Adapted that once an actor dons a mask, from the hit 1994 Disney animated film of the masks transforms from inanimate the same name, The Lion King tells the stoobject to “part of a person’s being.” ry of lion-prince Simba, heir to the savanna For Dixon, playing Simba is an absolute until his wily uncle Scar interferes. Blamhonor: “I remember being a kid in New ing himself for his father’s death, Simba York when Lion King came to town,” he goes from singing “I Just Can’t Wait to Be says. At the time, his father was performKing” to carefree exile with the no-worries ing in the original Broadway production of motto “Hakuna Matata.” Can Simba accept Ragtime across the street. “I was privy to his fate and reclaim his birthright as King the original hoopla. To see where it’s come of the Jungle? Did Elton John compose in this time, to see people still respond to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” for the hit it 21 years later—it’s encouraging every soundtrack? Yes and yes! (It’s Disney—a night to go out there and know I’m part of happy ending needs no spoiler alert.) a legacy.” While it might be fun to play a lion, the physical preparation was no float down a jungle river. Dixon, who normally enjoys weightlifting, switched up his workout routine so that he could be “spry and youthful” as his character jumps, lunges and lifts. To achieve this new, lean body type, Dixon does more “movement-based workouts,” like yoga, dynamic stretching and bodyweight workouts.
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Nia Holloway as Nala (Joan Marcus/Courtesy)
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The Cosmopolitan’s Chandelier Bar (Yasmina Chavez/Staff); Jessie Smigel’s “Snowball in Vegas” (Steve Marcus/Staff); Photo Illustration
Instagram City Las Vegas is bringing its visual charms down to selfie-stick level. But does it really need to? By Geoff Carter as Vegas began preparing for the “Instagram museum” craze years before such things even existed. Like the bi-coastal Museum of Ice Cream, certain “exhibits” serve primarily as backdrops for photos, and virtually our entire Valley works as a photo backdrop, providing frames packed with visual noise, or—just a few miles out of town—the complete absence of it. That’s been the way of things here since the Cenozoic era. That’s why it’s weird to see Vegas beginning to chase the trend. Ugo Rondione’s “Seven Magic Mountains,” which was supposed to be taken down in May 2018, has been extended indefinitely due to its popularity with Instagrammers. The newly-opened Cannabition Cannabis Museum describes itself as an “Instagrammable” space. The City of Las Vegas’ new entryway sign—designed to emulate the Betty Willis-designed “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, an Instagram favorite tagged nearly 77,000 times—is custom-
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made for selfies, with its giant dice and gamingchip props. (Personally speaking, I think the new sign is cheap-looking and inappropriate for a city that’s trying to look forward, but tourists seem to be interacting with it, and I guess that’s the important thing.) Other properties are beginning to encourage Instagrammers, in ways large (art installations like the Palazzo’s “LOVE” sculpture) and small (official hashtags). And the funny thing is, they don’t have to; again, Vegas already has some of the world’s best Instagram backdrops, some of which I’ll name below. Adding more is like putting the proverbial hat on a hat. The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan comes to mind. Its glittering curtains of Swarovski crystal make for great photo backdrops, and you can get some great depth-of-field shots by shooting through them—blurry figures, emerging from a wall of swag. Nearby, Aria boasts nearly two dozen fine art pieces that make terrific backdrops (you
can download a brochure of them at aria.com/en/ amenities/aria-fine-art-collection.html), including Jenny Holzer’s scrolling-text piece, “Vegas”; Nancy Rubin’s giant boat-blossom “Big Edge”; and Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen’s “Typewriter Eraser, Scale X.” (Another piece from Oldenburg/Van Bruggen’s series of giant objects, “Flashlight,” is on the UNLV campus, adjacent to the Artemus Ham and Judy Bayley spaces.) And the Arts District has just as much to offer. Jesse Carson Smigel’s playful cat sculpture on First and Coolidge, “Snowball in Vegas,” is such a beloved photo op, it has earned a five-star Yelp page. The façade of the Arts Factory has recently been remade as one giant, rainbow-hued photo backdrop emblazoned with the phrase “Love Las Vegas Arts.” And even a cursory wander of the district’s alleys reveals hundreds of pieces of street art that have stood behind both wedding and band photos. No matter where you turn, Vegas is Instagram. So why try harder?
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(Jon Estrada/Special to the Weekly)
Anything and everything The restlessly creative Ang Kerfoot makes music, theater, visual art and more By Leslie Ventura ng Kerfoot is a woman of many trades. For the past three years, the singer-songwriter has created experimental, trip-hop and jazz-infused bodies of work, including this year’s electric mélange, Fiesta de Cactus. But recently, she has turned to other artistic endeavors, things she’s always wanted to try but hadn’t until now. This month, she’ll release Trumpster Babies, her first EP with husband and beatmaker Joseph Wozniak, just in time for the couple’s five-year wedding anniversary. “The album is all over the place with electronic beats and live guitar and live bass and drums,” she says. Long before Kerfoot pursued her own solo efforts, she was collaborating in the music scene, releasing albums with another Vegas electronic producer, Dana Dau, and performing on and off with Vegas jam band staple Moksha. The self-described “sage-burning hippie wizard” is no stranger to taking on multiple projects. “I stay moving,” she says. “It keeps me sane.”
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In June, Kerfoot submitted a story with friend and writer Liz Charon for the Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project, taking home the award for Best “Thought Provoking” Film, and in September, Kerfoot collaborated with friend Joshua Smith for Cockroach Theatre’s 24 Hour Play Project, whipping up a story about storm chasers who meet on Tinder. “I’ve wanted to be on Broadway since I was a kid,” Kerfoot says. “And I always wanted to do writing for it. I just wanted to explore it to try to understand the dynamic of it and how it works.” Now that she has her foot in that door, she’s working with local theater and improv groups like Cockroach, Majestic Repertory and Bleach, filling in and volunteering wherever they need help. “I had been on a path looking for a theater tribe,” Kerfoot says. “I’m always asking, ‘Where are my people at?’ to myself. It feels really natural in that scene because everybody you meet is fluid in hobbies and motivated and holding down a job, too.” In between her music and theater efforts, Kerfoot is a social worker and employment trainer at a local
Goodwill store, coaching people for the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and “helping those who need a hand up,” she says. There, she has also found time to pursue visual art. “We process old books, so I’m always finding old pages on the floor,” she says. That led her to creating her own blackout poetry, a minimalist art form in which people use a marker to “black-out” the text from pages in old books, creating an entirely new meaning and poem. For her September joint show at ReBar with Britney Child, all of the pages she repurposed were found at Goodwill, and each poem was completed on her work breaks. “They can prove that if they want to look,” she laughs, pointing to the cameras in her office. And if you notice a collaborative thread running through all of Kerfoot’s projects, it’s no accident. She credits her network of friends for pushing her out of her comfort zone and into new arenas. “Without collaborations, I don’t think any of this would’ve been successful,” she says. “That’s what gets me motivated.”
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calendar LIVE music
11/9-11/10, 11/13-11/14, 11/16-11/17. Rod Stewart 11/21, 11/23-11/24, 11/28. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938.
172 Bad Phantom, Kaylie Foster 11/1. Black Rhino, Isolated Ave, Future Vinyls, NightNight 11/2. The Dickies, Monster Zero 11/3. The Selecter, Rhoda Dakar 11/4. Leaving Springfield, Strange Mistress, Mother Mercury 11/9. Them Evils, Taking Dawn 11/10. Alex Cole 11/15. Amarionette, The Lima Division, Stereoglass 11/16. Weezerton (Weezer tribute) 11/17. Abbarama 11/18. Found in Fiction, Girls and Wolves 11/23. The Bulletboys 11/24. Almost Awake, The Scorched 11/30. Rio, 702-513-3356.
Count’s VAMP’D Burn Unit, U2LV (US tribute) 11/1. Rough Riot, Leona X 11/2. Children of the Grave, Dinner Music for the Gods, Strange Mistress 11/3. Royal Bliss, Joyous Wolf, Messer, Systemec 11/9. Black N Blue, Vain 11/10. Stoney Curtis Band 11/15. The Moby Dicks (Zeppelin tribute), The Remainz 11/16. Las Vegas Music Scene Has a Heart benefit 11/17. Smashing Alice, Bravo Delta 11/24. Damage Inc. (Metallica tribute) 11/25. Zebra, Straight Six 11/30. 750 W. Sahara Ave., 702-220-8849.
ACCESS SHOWROOM Gerald Albright 11/17. Aliante Casino, 702-692-7777.
THE Dillinger Zie 11/2. Manny Franco 11/3. Wayne David Band 11/9. The Unwieldies 11/10. Leo & Carmelo 11/16. Jeff Reylee 11/17. Monk and the Po Boys 11/23. Marty Feick 11/24. Jase Wills 11/30. 1224 Arizona St., Boulder City, 702293-4001.
Backstage Bar & Billiards Paria Badd, Leroy Chops, C.H.R.O.M.E. 11/2. CKY, Nekrogoblikon 11/3. Punk Rock Flea Market 11/10. Posers of Creation 11/16. Nonoxynol 9, Guilty by Association, The Mapes, Life’s Torment 11/17. 601 E. Fremont St., 702-382-2227. Beauty Bar D.R.I., The Meteors 11/2. Project Pat 11/2 (late). Evan & Zane 11/3. All Them Witches, Handsome Jack 11/8. The Stolen, Patternist 11/9. Kosha Dillz, Devmo 11/12. Colfax Speed Queen 11/13. Jason Steady & The Soft Ponies, Von Kin 11/15. The Puscie Jones Revue 11/17. Skeletal Remains, Sahara Thrash, Eminence, Casket Raider 11/19. The Delta Bombers, Shanda & The Howlers, Cherry Rat, DJ Maybelline 11/21. Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave 11/23. Delta Sleep, Farangs, Sans Pluto 11/24. Part Time, Von Kin, Angel Groove 11/29. 517 Fremont St., 702-598-3757. Brooklyn Bowl Disco Biscuits 11/1-11/3. Keller Williams’ PettyGrass, The Hillbenders 11/3. Soulection ft. Joe Kay, Monte Booker, Devin Tracy, Sasha Marie, Jared Jackson 11/8. Plain White T’s, Armors, SayWeCanFly, A Summer High 11/9. Underoath, Dance Gavin Dance, The Plot in You 11/10. Riff Raff 11/12. Billy F. Gibbons, Seth Loveless 11/16. The Orb 11/20. Baby Bash, Frankie J, MC Magic, Amanda Perez, Hi-Tone 11/30. Linq Promenade, 702-862-2695. Bunkhouse Saloon Clan of Xymox, Creature and the Wolf, The Bellweather Syndicate 11/2. Bombay Heavy, Jesso Pino & The Vital Signs, Ted Rader & The Magic Family 11/3. Deap Vally, Sonia Barcelona 11/4. Haunted Summer, Avi Buffalo, Same Sex Mary 11/9. Tropa Magica, Kurumpaw, No Tides 11/10. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Cameron Calloway 11/11. Digitalism, Youth Fables 11/14. Southern Culture on the Skids, Paige Overton 11/15. Wino, Valley of the Sun, The Heavy Eyes, House of Broken Promises, King Chiefs 11/30. 124 S. 11th St., 702-982-1764. The Chelsea NF, Nightly 11/10. A Perfect Circle, Tricky, Night Club 11/18. The Cosmopolitan, 702-698-6797. Chrome Showroom Trent Harmon 11/3. Norman Brown, Bobby Cladwell, Marion Meadows 11/24. Santa Fe Station, 702-658-4900. CLEOPATRA’S BARGE Paul Shaffer & The Shaf-Shifters 11/29-12/1. Caesars Palace, 866227-5938.
THE Dispensary Lounge Toscha Comeaux 11/2. Karen Jones 11/3. Jazz Jam 11/7. Indra Jones 11/9. Rick Keller Quintet 11/14. Joe Darro & Friends 11/25. 2451 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-458-6343. Dive Bar Within Sight, Separating the Seas 11/6. Eyehategod, Cro-Mags, Life’s Torment, Papsmear, Plague Doctor 11/7. 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-586-3483. DOUBLE DOWN SALOON The People’s Whiskey, The Mutineers 11/1. Hanz Krypt, 90s Proof 11/2. The Scoundrels 11/4. Prof. Rex Dart & The Bargain DJ Collective 11/5. Unique Massive 11/6. 4640 Paradise Road, 702-791-5775. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER Gorgon City 11/3. Goodness, Dr. Dresch, Chris Lorenzo, Bijou 11/21. 200 S. 3rd St., 800-745-3000. Eagle Aerie Hall Like Moths to Flames, Oceans Ate Alaska, Phinehas, Novelists, Words From Aztecs, Silence Speaks, Brooklyn Edge 11/18. 310 W. Pacific Ave., 702-568-8927 Encore Theater Diana Ross 11/2-11/3, 11/7, 11/911/10, 11/14, 11/16-11/17. Wynn, 702-770-6696. EVEL PIE Mark Rose, Kat Kalling 11/15. The Heinz, The Implosions 11/17. Boss’ Daughter, John Underwood, Crimson Riot 11/19. 508 Fremont St., 702-840-6460. Gilley’s Saloon Brian Lynn Jones 11/1-11/3. Michael Austin 11/7-11/8. Rob Staley 11/9-11/11. Carlton Anderson 11/10. Kellye Huff 11/14-11/15. Arnie Newman’s Country Club Band 11/16-11/17. Left of Centre 11/21-11/22. Scotty Alexander 11/23-11/24, 11/28. Chase & The Pursuit 11/29. Treasure Island, 702-894-7722. Golden Nugget Showroom Herman’s Hermits 11/2. Starship ft. Mickey Thomas 11/911/10. Great White, Slaughter 11/16. Eric Burdon & The Animals 11/23. 866-946-5336. THE Golden Tiki The New Waves, Prof. Rex Dart 11/2. 3939 Spring Mountain Road, 702-222-3196. GRAND EVENTS CENTER 98° at Christmas 11/17. ABBAFAB (ABBA tribute) 11/24. Green Valley Ranch, 702-617-7777.
THE CLUB Grandmaster Flash 11/3. Queen Nation (Queen tribute) 11/10. Led Zepagain (Zeppelin tribute) 11/16. Mick Adams & The Stones (Stones tribute) 11/17. Cannery, 702-507-5700.
Hard Rock Live Eminence Ensemble 11/1. Christopher Shayne 11/8. Disciple Takeover ft. Virtual Riot, Phase One, Infekt, Mvrdv 11/9. Anna Lunoe & Friends 11/23. 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-733-7625.
The Colosseum Celine Dion 11/2-11/3, 11/6-11/7,
House of Blues Beartooth, Knocked Loose,
English electronic duo Gorgon City hits Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on November 3. (Courtesy)
Sylar 11/1. Santana 11/2-11/4, 11/7, 11/9-11/11. Andy Grammer, Leroy Sanchez, John Splithoff 11/6. 3OH!3, Emo Nite LA, Lil Aaron 11/8. The Internet 11/12. Thrice, The Bronx, Teenage Wrist 11/16. Circa Survive, La Dispute, Queen of Jeans 11/17. Lil Xan, Steve Cannon 11/18. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7600.
Kurupt, Afroman, B-Legit 11/24. 702-365-7469. Orleans Showroom The Temptations 11/3. 702-365-7111. Park Theater Cher 11/2-11/3, 11/7, 11/9-11/10, 11/14, 11/16-11/17. Park MGM, 844-600-7275.
The Joint Nancy Ajram & Hussam Al Rassam 11/3. Generation Axe ft. Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen & more 11/9. Goo Goo Dolls 11/10. Ghost 11/17. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.
Pearl CONCERT THEATER Blink-182 11/2-11/3, 11/16-11/17. Maxwell, Marsha Ambrosius 11/4. Good Charlotte, Sleeping With Sirens, Knuckle Puck, The Dose 11/24. Palms, 702-944-3200.
M PAVILION Queens of Soul 11/10. M Resort, 702-797-1000.
THE Railhead Will Downing 11/17. Boulder Station, 702-432-7777.
Mandalay Bay Events Center Ozuna 11/16. 702-632-7777.
RED ROCK BALLROOM Paula Abdul 11/10. Red Rock Resort, 702-797-7777.
MGM Grand Garden Arena Phish 11/1-11/3. 702-531-3826.
SAHARA LOUNGE Michael Grimm, Kristopher Tuttle 11/10. 100 E. Sahara Ave., 702-907-6669.
NINJA KARAOKE Zig Zag, Lil Cuete, Droopy, Daphee, D. Salas 11/9. 1009 S. Main St., 702487-6213.
Sand Dollar Lounge Danny Brooks 11/1. Stig & The Moves Collective 11/2. The Higgs 11/3. LV Blues Society Open Jam 11/4. Rayford Bros. 11/9. 3355 Spring Mountain Road, 702-485-5401.
Orleans Arena Soul Train Awards 11/17. Snoop Dogg, E-40, DJ Quik, Warren G, Suga Free,
South Point Showroom Three Redneck
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calendar BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB Christine Little, Sofiya Alexandra 11/1. Kris Shaw, Leah Wyman 11/8. Rampart Casino, 702-507-5900. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club Steve Trevino, Chas Elstner, Sandro Iocolano 11/1-11/4. John Di Crosta, Michael Malone, Rell Battle 11/5-11/11. MGM Grand, 866-740-7711. The Chelsea Amy Schumer & Friends 11/2-11/3. The Cosmopolitan, 702-698-6797. COMEDY CELLAR Mike Finoia, Emma Willmann, Leo Flowers, Rocky Dale Davis 11/1-11/4. Doug Benson: Doug Loves Movies podcast taping 11/3. Mike Yard, Nicole Aimee, Usama Siddiquee, Rich Vos 11/5-11/11. Rio, 702-777-2782. L.A. COMEDY CLUB Brandt Tobler, Skillz Hudson 111/1-11/4. Mike Merryfield, Jozalyn Sharpe 11/5-11/11. Stratosphere, 702-380-7711. LAUGH FACTORY Bret Ernst, Jonathan Gregory 11/1-11/4. Harry Basil, Brandon “Gooch” Hahn, Frazier Smith 11/5-11/7. Dom Irrera, Bill Dawes, Frazier Smith 11/8-11/11. Tropicana, 702-739-2411. Terry Fator TheatrE Tim Allen 11/2-11/3. Daniel Tosh 11/9-11/10. David Spade, Ray Romano 11/16-11/17. Mirage, 702-792-7777. TREASURE ISLAND THEATRE #IMOMSOHARD 11/16. Steven Wright 11/30. 702-804-7722.
Performing Arts & Culture Clark County Library Las Vegas Stories: Talk the Walk Downtown 11/1. Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival 11/3. Las Vegas Brass Band: A Salute to Veterans 11/4. Journey Through Jazz 11/7. 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702507-3400.
Neo-soul singer Maxwell performs at the Pearl on November 4. (Julio Cortez/AP)
Tenors 11/2-11/4. The Man in Black (Johnny Cash tribute) 11/9-11/11. Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees tribute) 11/16-11/18. Chubby Checker 11/23-11/25. 702-696-7111. STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA Montez De Durango 11/7. Roberto Tapia 11/17. Patti LaBelle 11/24. Primm, 702-386-7867.
Fleetwood Mac 11/30. 702-692-1600. TopGolF Inna Vision, Gonzo 11/3. The Dirty 11/16. 4627 Koval Lane, 702-933-8458.
STARBOARD TACK Prism Bitch, Big Friendly Corporation, Bad Girls’ Smoking Lounge 11/6. North by North, The Psyatics, The New Waves, Cromm Fallon and the P200 11/16. 2601 Atlantic St., 702-684-5769.
Vinyl Pink Talking Fish 11/1-11/2. Khruangbin, Will Van Horn 11/7. Noodles, Jess Connelly 11/8. The Interrupters, Bedouin Soundclash, The Bar Stool Preachers 11/9. Joywave 11/15. P.O.D., Nonpoint, Islander 11/16. Dermot Kennedy 11/18. Winger, Foundry 11/23. John Garcia & The Band of Gold, Nick Oliveri, Luna Sol, Death in Pretty Wrapping 11/29. Hard Rock Hotel, 702693-5000.
Stoney’s Rockin’ Country David Adam Byrnes 11/2. Carlton Anderson 11/9. Mark Mackay 11/16. Town Square, 702-435-2855.
WESTGATE INTERNATIONAl THEATER Barry Manilow 11/1-11/3, 11/15-11/17. Marisela 11/24. 800222-5361.
SUNCOAST SHOWROOM The Police Experience (Police tribute) 11/10. Fan Halen (Van Halen tribute) 11/17. 4NR (Foreigner tribute) 11/24. 800-745-3000.
ZAPPOS THEATER Backstreet Boys 11/2-11/3, 11/7, 11/9-11/10, 11/14, 11/16-11/17. Planet Hollywood, 702-777-6737.
Terry Fator Theater Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox 11/2-11/5, 11/8-11/11. Boyz II Men 11/16-11/18. Mirage, 702-792-7777.
clubs
THOMAS & MACK CENTER Las Vegas Soul Festival ft. Keyshia Cole, OT Genasis & more 11/17. Unlvtickets.com. T-Mobile Arena Metallica, Jim Breuer 11/26.
APEX SOCIAL CLUB DJ Que 11/1. Graham Funke 11/2. DJ Shift 11/3. DJ Ikon 11/4. Palms, 702-944-5980. Chateau Bayati & Casanova 11/1. DJ ShadowRed 11/2. DJ J-Nice 11/3. Casanova 11/7. Paris, 702-776-7770.
Drai’s DJ Esco 11/1. Fat Joe 11/2. Rae Sremmurd 11/3. DJ Franzen 11/4. Cromwell, 702-777-3800. ENCORE BEACH CLUB EBC at Night: Dillon Francis 11/1. Encore, 702-770-7300. Hyde DJ Sleep 11/1. DJ Karma 11/2. Bellagio, 702693-8700. Intrigue Flosstradamus 11/3. Flosstradamus 11/7. Wynn, 702-770-7300. Light Kid Conrad 11/2. DJ E-Rock 11/3. Kid Funk 11/7. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-4700. Marquee Ruckus 11/2. Chuckie 11/3. Murda Beatz 11/5. The Cosmopolitan, 702-333-9000. TAO Vice 11/1. Chase B 11/2. Eric DLux 11/3. Venetian, 702-388-8588. XS DJ Snake 11/2. The Chainsmokers 11/3. Encore, 702-770-7300.
Comedy ACCESS SHOWROOM Paul Reiser 11/3. Aliante Casino, 702-692-7777. ART SQUARE THEATER Ain’t Always Been Saved gospel comedy 11/3. 1025 S. 1st St., 702-383-3133.
CSN Performing Arts Center (Jay Morrison Recital Hall) Vocal Jazz Solo Nights 11/2-11/3. 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., 702-651-5483. GRAND EVENTS CENTER World of Dance 11/2. Green Valley Ranch, 702-617-7777. Henderson Pavilion Sesame Street Live 11/3. 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, 702-267-4849. THE Mob Museum Black Market Bets: The Mob and Illegal Gambling in America 11/3. Mob on the Water: The Book, the Movie and Organized Crime on the Docks of New York 11/5. 300 Stewart Ave., themobmuseum.org. Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza Dia de los Muertos 11/2. Lorenzi Park, 720 Twin Lakes Drive, 702-229-3514. THE Smith Center (Reynolds Hall) Las Vegas Philharmonic: Glass, Mozart & Bach 11/3. The Lion King 11/7-11/25. (Cabaret Jazz) Reckless in Vegas 11/1. Ustad Shafaat Khan 11/2. Spencer Day 11/3. Frank LaSpina Presents: Keyboard Classics 11/4. Frankie Moreno 11/6. Raul Midón 11/9. Lea DeLaria 11/10-11/11. The Composers Showcase 11/14. Jim Brickman 11/16-11/17. Michelle Johnson: Tapestry Unraveled 11/18. (Troesh Studio Theater) Broadway in the Hood: Eclipsed 11/2-11/4. 702-749-2000. The Space Once More, With Feeling: Vegas Slays Buffy 11/3. Louise Goffin 11/4. Mondays Dark 11/5. 3460 Cavaretta Ct., 702-903-1070.
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Winchester Cultural Center Life in Death: Day of the Dead 11/1-11/2. 3130 S. McLeod Drive, 702-455-7340.
LOCAL THEATER COCKROACH THEATRE The Dog/The Cat Thru 11/11. Art Square Theatre, 1025 S. 1st St., #110, 725-222-9661. CSN FINE ARTS THEATRE PROGRAM (Nicholas J. Horn Theatre) iDroids 11-2-11/11. 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., 702-651-5483. Las Vegas Little Theatre (Mainstage) Falsettos Thru 11/4. 3920 Schiff Drive, 702362-7996.
Las Vegas City Hall (Grand Gallery) Brissa Arana: De Chile, Mole y Pozole: Absence of Uniformity Thru 11/18. Visions II Native American Exhibition Thru 11/18. 495 S. Main St., 702-229-1012. Left of Center ART GALLERY Kim Johnson & KD Matheson: Paracosm Thru 12/1. 2207 W. Gowan Road, 702-647-7378. Nevada State Museum Las Vegas Lineup Thru 11/27. 309 S. Valley View Blvd., 702486-5205. Sahara West Library James Stanford: Shimmering Zen Thru 11/24. Pasha Rafat: Sub Antro 2018 Thru 11/27. 9600 W. Sahara Ave., 702-507-3630. Summerlin Library Jose & Blanca Rodriguez: Visions of Nature Thru 11/6. Rosanne Giacomini: Rematerialized 11/81/15. Reception 11/8. 1771 Inner Circle Drive, 702-507-3860. West Las Vegas Library Dray: Buttered Soul With Cheese Thru 12/1. Art House LV: Life in Vibrant Color Thru 12/2. 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702-507-3980. Winchester Cultural Center Gallery Day of the Dead Exhibition Thru 11/9. 3130 S. McLeod Drive, 702-455-7340.
Majestic Repertory Theatre A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney 11/1-11/25. 1217 S. Main St., 702-478-9636.
SPORTS
NEVADA CONSERVATORY THEATER (Black Box Theater) What’s Going On (A Soldier’s Story) 11/2-11/4. UNLV, 702-895-2787.
GOLF Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson 11/23. Shadow Creek Golf Course, shadowcreek. com.
Signature Productions Oh What a Night Thru 11/10. Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, 702-507-3860.
MGM Resorts Main Event College basketball 11/19, 11/21. T-Mobile Arena, 702692-1600.
Galleries & Museums Centennial Hills Library The Fabulous Las Vegas Scribes Thru 12/4. 6711 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-507-6100. Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery Camilla Oldenkamp Thru 1/10. Reception 11/1. 500 Grand Central Parkway, 702-455-7030. CORE CONTEMPORARY Biscuit Street Preacher: Nunca Ido Thru 11/21. 900 E. Karen Ave. #D222, 702-805-1166. CSN (Fine Arts Gallery) Leila Hernandez: La Visa Nega Thru 11/3. (Artspace Gallery) Bobbie Ann Howell: Silenced Snowstorm Thru 11/10. 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., 702-651-4146. Donna Beam Fine Art ¡Americanx! Thru 11/21. UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 702895-3893. Enterprise Library Jennifer Weber: Wanderlust Thru 11/13. 25 E. Shelbourne Ave., 702-507-3760.
Professional Bull Riders World Finals 11/7-11/11. T-Mobile Arena, 702-6921600. TOYOTA ROCK ’N’ ROLL MARATHON 11/1011/11. Las Vegas Strip, runrocknroll.com/ las-vegas. UNLV FOOTBALL Fresno State 11/3. UNR 11/24. Sam Boyd Stadium, 702-739-3267.
ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10 AM
West Las Vegas LIBRARY Vegas Beyond the Strip 11/4. 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702229-4800.
Richard Tam Alumni Center, 702-895-3621.
THIS WEEKEND
TERRIBLE’S HOTEL & CASINO All Shook Up Elvis tribute weekend 11/10-11/12. Jean, 800634-1359.
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ON SALE NOW
UNLV (Artemus W. Ham Hall) Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival 11/1. UNLV Community Concert Band, UNLV New Horizons Band 11/8. CCSD: Honor Orchestra Concert 11/10. The Moth 11/14. (Beam Music Center) Andy McKee 11/9. 702-895-2787.
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL Montana StateBillings 11/2 (exhibition). Loyola Marymount 11/10. UC Riverside 11/13. Oakland 11/16. Pacific 11/20. Southern Utah 11/23. Valparaiso 11/28. Thomas & Mack Center, 702-739-3267. UNLV MEN’S SOCCER Grand Canyon 11/2. Peter Johann Memorial Field, 702-739-3267. UNLV WOMEN’s BASKETBALL Wright State 11/9. Gonzaga 11/17. California Santa Barbara 11/24. Cox Pavilion, 702-739-3267. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS Carolina 11/3. Anaheim 11/14. St. Louis 11/16. Calgary 11/23. San Jose 11/24. T-Mobile Arena, 702-692-1600.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Historic Fifth Street School (Mayor’s Gallery) Raul Colón: Tall Tales & Huge Hearts Thru 12/1. 401 S. 4th St., 702-229-6469.
FIRST FRiDAY 11/2. Downtown Las Vegas, firstfridaylasvegas.com.
Jessie & Brian Metcalf Gallery Bianca Scott: Surface Tension Thru 11/30. UNLV’s
LEE’S WINE EXPERIENCE 11/3. Thomas & Mack Center, 702-451-0100.
UPCOMING 11.26 Metallica • 11.30 Fleetwood Mac • 12.1 Justin Timberlake 12.1, 5, 7, 8, 11 Florida Georgia Line • 12.28 - 3.16 Gwen Stefani 2.13 - 2.21 Mariah Carey • 4.12.19 Pink • 5.25 New Kids on the Block
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LV W S P O R T S 1 1 .1 .1 8
OFF AND
SHAKUR JUISTON
SEVEN REASONS UNLV’S MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM WILL BE BETTER THIS SEASON BY MIKE GRIMALA | WEEKLY STAFF
bunch of question marks surround the Runnin’ Rebels heading into the 2018-19 season. Concerns include, but are not limited to, outside shooting, ball handling and a soft schedule that will require UNLV to win nearly every nonconference game to have any dream of playing in the postseason. But in the spirit of preseason, when hope springs eternal, here are seven reasons why UNLV basketball should improve on its 20-13 record from a season ago.
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RUNNIN’ REBELS Exhibition opener vs. Montana State-Billings November 2, 7 p.m., $10-$120 Thomas & Mack Center 702-739-3267, unlvtickets.com
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BETTER DEFENSE IN THE PAINT
MORE MINUTES FOR DIONG
BACKCOURT LENGTH
If there was one aspect of the 2017-18 Rebels that doomed them to mediocrity, it was their interior defense. Opponents had no problem scoring in the paint, and skilled teams such as UNR turned their games against UNLV into layup lines. As harsh as it might sound, this should be a case of addition by subtraction. Brandon McCoy was a great scorer at the center position as a freshman, but his defense was purely theoretical. As Mountain West Conference teams saw more of McCoy, the scouting reports became obvious: Attack the Rebels’ big man in space and score at will. Those easy baskets should be less frequent this season, with sophomore Cheikh Mbacke Diong and junior Cheickna Dembele both capable of defending the rim at a high level.
Speaking of Diong, this could be a breakout campaign for the 6-foot-11 Senegal native. His production was modest as a freshman (2.1 points, 2.6 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game), but his potential was easy to see, especially on the defensive end. Diong was UNLV’s biggest difference-maker on defense, as he registered a block rate of 6.8 percent and a team-best defensive rating of 97.3. There is a good chance the long, agile center could emerge as one of the top rim protectors in the Mountain West this season. Offensively, Diong is a little further behind, but he’s athletic enough to run the floor and finish above the rim. If he can stay on the court—he averaged a team-high 8.6 fouls per 40 minutes last year—he should be a productive frontcourt player.
UNLV’s perimeter defense wasn’t as bad as its interior defense last year, but that doesn’t mean it was good, either. The Rebels struggled to keep opposing ball handlers out of the paint, to the point that head coach Marvin Menzies implemented a zone defense toward the end of the season. Part of the problem was a lack of length in the backcourt. Guards Jordan Johnson (5-foot-11) and Jovan Mooring (6-foot-2) were undersized for their positions and struggled to keep driving lanes closed. Just by virtue of starting a pair of able-sized guards this season (6-foot-1 point guard Noah Robotham and 6-foot-4 shooting guard Bryce Hamilton are the favorites to start), UNLV should be in better shape on the outside.
AMAURI HARDY CHEIKH MBACKE DIONG
RUNNING
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Shakur Juiston (Steve Marcus/Staff); Cheikh Mbacke Diong (UNLV Creative Services/Courtesy); Amauri Hardy (Las Vegas News Bureau)
1 1 .1 .1 8 LV W S P O R T S
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A BIGGER ROLE FOR JUISTON
EXPERIENCE
FRESHMAN FLASH
CHEMISTRY
Senior power forward Shakur Juiston might be saying he doesn’t want to be a go-to scorer, but that’s not really up to him. If the Rebels are best-served by putting the ball in Juiston’s hands, that’s exactly what Menzies will do. And Menzies probably should do that. Juiston’s offensive efficiency was crazy last season (14.6 points per game, 63.9 percent shooting), though his usage rate was far below that of McCoy (27.5 percent to 21.7 percent). If the Rebels can increase Juiston’s scoring chances while maintaining his efficiency, he’ll be one of the best offensive players in the Mountain West.
Last year was the first time through a Division I schedule for guys like Juiston, McCoy, Diong, Tervell Beck and Amauri Hardy. They were all rotation players, trying to figure things out on the fly. In retrospect, maybe last year’s 0-5 stretch to end conference play shouldn’t have come as a surprise for such an inexperienced crew. Now, all of those players (except McCoy) return a year older, wiser and more experienced in the ways of college basketball. Throw in incoming transfer Noah Robotham—who started 88 games at Akron before moving to UNLV—and suddenly the Rebels have experience at just about every position.
UNLV will attempt to balance all that experience with an incoming freshman class that should rate as one of the best in the Mountain West. Smooth left-handed scorer Bryce Hamilton is likely to earn the starting nod at shooting guard, and local sharpshooter Trey Woodbury will give the Rebels another perimeter scoring option. Joel Ntambwe is all potential on the wing, and big man Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua is already the team’s top athlete. That group will not only form UNLV’s long-term core going forward, but several of the newbies will play themselves into significant roles by the end of the season.
Simply put, these Rebels like each other. It sounds trite, but that can go a long way in a sport like basketball, where personalities and interpersonal relationships can affect what happens on the court. At Mountain West media day, both Juiston and Robotham raved about how well the players have been getting along with one another. Earlier in the month, Hardy spoke at length about the family feel of the offseason program. And Menzies takes every opportunity to point out how much he likes this team. It might not show up in the box score, but in the preseason—when optimism reigns—that positive chemistry looks like a big deal.
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V E G A S I N C T O P T E C H E X E C AWA R D S 1 1 .1 .1 8
ing, even in the face of adversity sometimes. Is there a specific background or skill-set you look for when hiring people to join your team?
‘Your reputation, ethics and integrity are invaluable and irreplaceable assets’ BY REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ
W
WEEKLY STAFF
hen Ngoni Murandu was a teenager, his father bought him an Apple II computer, because he wanted his son to be an accountant. But the boy was captivated by the machine itself. “My parents continued to finance my fascination in computers because they believed it would help me appreciate the power of spreadsheets, an essential tool for a future accountant,” he said, “but I was already lost to the technical art of computing itself and was certain that this is what I wanted to do.” Murandu followed his fascination into the IT world and today is vice president of information services and chief information officer at Southwest Gas.
goal is to provide our customers with different technology options to use when interacting with our company. We want these interactions to be positive and engaging, whether it’s face-to-face, on the phone with our call center, or self-service through digital channels like web and mobile. What is your management style?
I have had many positive role models throughout my career, but one piece of advice that I’ve always held close was, “Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself and then enable them to soar.” I believe an organization’s success is entirely dependent on the talent and enthusiasm of the people who work within it, and as such, I try to create an environment where ideas can flourish. I strive to manage by engaging with my colleagues and learn-
Tell us your background.
I was born very far from Nevada, in Harare, Zimbabwe. As a young boy, I always had a passion for computers. I probably fit the mold of the stereotypical computer geek, building my own computers from components and trying out new software programs. My passion for computers motivated me through two college degrees focused on technology, and ultimately into a career that I find very rewarding. During the past 23 years, I have progressively worked my way through the ranks of IT leadership at West Virginia University; Mylan , a global pharmaceutical company; and in the energy industry in Alaska and Oregon, before my current role at Southwest Gas. I have been fortunate to have spent the past decade serving at the executive level for three multibilliondollar organizations, which has given me a unique perspective on the role that technology can play in enabling business success. Do you have any recent news about yourself or Southwest Gas that you’d like to share?
We are working on technology solutions that are centered on enhancing our customers’ experience. Our
Ngoni Murandu, vice president of information services and chief information officer at Southwest Gas. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
The technology profession requires a fair amount of flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions. Our line of work changes so rapidly that new innovations affect our solutions on a regular basis. To succeed in IT, you must have a strong sense of curiosity, an appreciation for regulations and compliance, and savvy in evaluating disciplined risks. What is the biggest change seen in IT in recent years and what’s currently trending?
Our investment and protocols for cybersecurity have certainly changed significantly as we adapt to evolving threats. We have also seen significant growth in the availability and viability of cloud-based solutions for common business processes. Another positive development has been the evolution of the CIO role from one that was focused purely on maintaining existing systems toward being a strategic partner in multifunctional company efforts. What is the best career advice you’ve received?
A mentor named David Springgate identified me as a young professional he wanted to develop, and encouraged me to take the risk and switch into an industry— energy—that I was unfamiliar with. He taught me that in business, your reputation, ethics and integrity are invaluable and irreplaceable assets. This helped me to constantly keep at the forefront of my mind that, in all that I do and say, I must always stay true to my principles, always maintain my integrity and conduct myself in an ethical manner. David also had many other outstanding gems of advice, including “be bold enough to think outside the box” and “give everything your very best effort.”
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VegasInc Giving Notes The Friends of Nevada Wilderness received $25,000 from musician Paul Simon, a supporter of conservation and other charitable causes. Children received haircuts, manicures backpacks and school supplies at the seventh anniversary of the Back to School Party hosted by Square Salon and Atelier in partnership with the CASA Foundation. Corporate sponsors included Toll Bros., EHB LLC, Zappos and Johnson and Johnson Law. A regional affiliate with Disney Musicals in Schools, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts will partner with Kingman Center for the Arts in Arizona, to create musical theater programs at schools in that community. Goodwill of Southern Nevada delivered a truck of blankets, pillows, toys and other pet supplies to help animals at the Nevada SPCA. Westland Real Estate Group donated more than 100 backpacks filled with supplies to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. Bank of America gave $10,000 to the Shade Tree to support the nonprofit’s workforce readiness program. City of North Las Vegas Councilman Scott Black, in partnership with members of the Second II None Motorcycle Club, the Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition, Southwest Bikes and Olympia Companies, distributed hundreds of free backpacks filled with supplies to local students during an event at Silver Mesa Recreation Center. KB Home donated computers, monitors, laptops and school supplies to Quannah McCall
Elementary School. A group of public safety dispatchers who assisted during the Oct. 1 shooting were recognized at the 2018 International 911 Heroes Awards Ceremony presented by Motorola Solutions and 911 for Kids. Honorees included: Amy Breitenbach, Anthony Bruno, Carolyn Burns, Rumi Burns, Joshua Fonseca, Mone Foster, Jordan Fox, Matthew Grogan, Aubrey Holms, Linda Huff, Daryn Larson, Latasha Lewis, Letha Lofton, Daniel Longworth, Kim McAdory, Jason Roeller, Jacquelyn Ridley, Nelly Rodriguez and David Westbrooks. Cox Charities, the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications in Las Vegas, presented $95,000 in grants to 29 local nonprofit organizations: n Acing Autism, $2,500 n After School-All Stars, $3,000 n Andson Foundation, $5,000 n Boys Town Nevada, $2,657 n CASA Foundation, $2,500 n Communities in Schools of Nevada, $5,000 n Edward Kline Memorial Homeless Veterans Fund, $2,500 n Family & Child Treatment of Southern Nevada, $2,500 n Foster Kinship, $1,000 n Friends of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Foundation, $5,000 n Grant a Gift Autism Foundation, $2,500 n HELP of Southern Nevada, $1,500 n Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, $2,500 n Las Vegas Clark County Library District Foundation, $2,500 n Las Vegas Philharmonic,
$2,172 n Miracle Flights, $2,500 n Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation, $2,500 n Nevada Child Seekers, $5,000 n Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, $5,000 n Nevada Diabetes Association for Children & Adults, $5,000 n Opportunity Village Foundation, $3,000 n Refuge for Women Las Vegas, $5,000 n Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, $5,000 n Street Teens, $2,000 n Serving our Kids Foundation, Inc., $5,000 n Animal Foundation, $2,000 n The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, $5,000 n Public Education Foundation (PEF), $3,000 n Smith Center for the Performing Arts, $2,172
Desert Radiology donated nearly 300 backpacks and school supplies to students who attended the organization’s annual “Operation Backpack” event at City Impact Center. Lake Las Vegas gave $20,000 to Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, the Ogden Family Foundation, Friends for Las Vegas Police K9 and the Henderson Community Foundation K9 Division. The donations were made as part of the community’s Lake Las Vegas Days celebration, presented by Henderson Hyundai. City National Bank collected 1,800 backpacks filled with school supplies as part of its ninth annual Back-to-School Drive. The backpacks were delivered to 60 schools and nonprofit organizations in seven states and Washington, D.C. Nevada recipients included: John C. Fremont Elementary in Carson City, C.C. Meneley Elementary in Gardnerville, Helen Jydstrup Elementary in Las Vegas, Lincoln Elementary in North Las Vegas and Hidden Valley Elementary in Reno. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration division of Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention awarded $2.8 million to Roseman University’s College of Nursing to recruit and train undergraduate nursing students
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Las Vegas office raised $2,400 and donated nearly 360 uniforms to Halle Hewetson Elementary.
and current registered nurses to practice to the full scope of their license in community-based primary care settings. UNLV received a five-year, $20.3 million grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health to continue to lead a research network of 13 universities across the Mountain West region. The Clinical Translational Research Infrastructure Network is designed to expand the research capacity of UNLV and partner institutions across seven states. The Las Vegas Centennial Commission awarded UNLV University Libraries a $50,000 grant to support the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada project. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded $1,100 to Explore Knowledge Academy and $2,000 to Steven Schorr Elementary. Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada’s sixth annual Fill the Bus school supply drive collected school supplies valued at over $150,000 for underserved Clark County students to use during the 2018-19 school year. Cash donations from community partners raised the total to over $167,000. Discovery Children’s Museum presented Jeri and Rick Crawford with the 2018 Great Friend to Kids Award in recognition of their contributions toward strengthening education and improving the lives of children. Jeri Crawford is president and CEO of the Las Vegas Philharmonic. She also is vice president on the executive committee for the Kennedy Center’s National Symphony Orchestra and serves on the board of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Rick Crawford is founder of Green Valley Grocery, Midjit Market Inc., Crawford Coin and Crawford Oil Inc. He is involved in numerous charitable and civic organizations and serves as a board member for Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, Three Square, St. Rose Health Foundation and the Advisory Board at UNLV.
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V egas inc top tec h exec awards 1 1 .1 .1 8
Records & Transactions BID OPPORTUNITIES Nov. 2 3 p.m. ARC for window washing services Clark County, 604029 Deon Ford at deonf@clarkcountynv.gov 3 p.m. ARC for street name sign materials and panels Clark County, 605025 Tom Boldt at tboldt@ClarkCountyNV.gov 3 p.m. ARC for janitorial services at Desert Breeze Recreation Center & Aquatics Clark County, 605043 Deon Ford at deonf@clarkcountynv.gov Nov. 5 3 p.m. Contract for carpet and vinyl flooring purchae and install countywide Clark County,
605035 Deon Ford at deonf@clarkcountynv.gov Nov. 13 2:10 p.m. Winchester Cultural Center: Theater Rehabilitation Clark County, 605040 Sandy MoodyUpton at scm@ ClarkCountyNV.gov 3 p.m. ART for inmate undergarments and nightwear Clark County, 605050 Susan Tighi at slt@ ClarkCountyNV.gov Nov. 27 2:15 p.m. Clark County Detention Center, North Valley Complex: Bypass valves at sewage grinder installation and flat plate heat Clark County, 605046 Sandy MoodyUpton at scm@ ClarkCountyNV.gov
3 p.m. ARC for emergency medical services in the Moapa Valley Fire District Clark County, 604821 Adriane Garcia at akgarcia@ClarkCountyNV.gov
CONVENTIONS National Association of Managed Care Physicians— Fall Conference #46846 Caesars Palace Nov. 5-11 900 Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association— 2018 Convention/Expo Paris Las Vegas Nov. 5-9 1,350 Elite Exhibitions Limited —AntiCounterfeit and Currency Expo 2018 SLS, Las Vegas Convention Center, Venetian, Westgate Nov. 6-8 2,000
International Association for Cold Storage Construction—Annual Conference & Expo— 2018 Caesars Palace Nov. 6-8 170 MIS Training Institute— AuditWorld Conference & Expo 2018 Planet Hollywood Nov. 6-8 300 MIS Training Institute—SuperStrategies Conference & Expo 2018 Planet Hollywood Nov. 6-8 300 National Facilities Management & Technology (NFMT) 2018 Conference & Expo Rio Nov. 6-7 1,500 SupplySide West Trade Show & Conference 2018 Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Excalibur, Four
The List Seasons Hotel, Luxor, Park MGM Las Vegas, Tropicana Nov. 6-10 16,000
Technology companies Ranked by number of employees as of Oct. 1
Company and top local executive
Wedding MBA Convention 2018 Renaissance, Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 6-7 2,500 NXT Events Media Group LLC—Growing Innovations Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 7-8 2,000 International Congress for Joint Reconstruction —2018 7th Annual ICJR Shoulder Course Venetian Nov. 8-11 150 Special Olympics— Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics 2018 Bally’s Nov. 8-10 1,000
Number of local permanent (part and full time) employees
Types of products/ services
1
Cox Communications 1700 Vegas Drive Las Vegas, NV 89156 702-384-8084 • cox.com Michael F. Bolognini, vice president and market leader
2
Scientific Games 6601 S. Bermuda Road Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-897-7150 • scientificgames.com Barry Cottle, president and CEO
1,100
3
Aristocrat 10220 Aristocrat Way Las Vegas, NV 89135 702-270-1000 • aristocrat-us.com Matt Wilson, managing director of the Americas
Slot machines, casino management systems, virtual casinos and mobile game apps
560
4
IGT 6355 S. Buffalo Drive Las Vegas, NV 89113 702-669-3236 • igt.com Renato Ascoli, CEO
Casino games, systems and solutions
500
5
Konami Gaming, Inc. 585 Konami Circle Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-616-1400 • gaming.konami.com/ Steve Sutherland, president and CEO
Casino technology, casino management system
1,500
Business/residential cable TV, high-speed Internet, phone, security, home automation
1,250* (*Number provided to VEGAS INC for July 19, 2018, List of Gaming Supply Companies)
Slot machines, casino systems, table games
Source : VEGAS INC research. This list is a representation of the companies who responded to our request for information. It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants or to imply that the listing of a company indicates its quality. Although every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of VEGAS INC charts, omissions sometimes occur and some businesses do not respond. Please send corrections or additions to research@vegasinc.com.
For an expanded look at the List, visit vegasinc.com. To receive a complete copy of Data Plus, visit vegasinc.com/subscribe.
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HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HIT
CONGRATULATIONS RACHEL PAPKA FOR BEING A TOP TECH EXEC FINALIST
YOUR SDMI FAMILY
76
FROM THE PRESENTING SPONSOR
FROM THE P L AT I N U M SPONSOR
I
n partnership with Vegas INC, Cox Business is honored to serve as the title sponsor of the eighth annual 2018 Top Tech Exec Awards. The Top Tech Executive Awards program recognizes and celebrates the contributions, leadership, vision and innovation of information technology executives in Southern Nevada who have excelled in their field and are committed to driving the technology industry and continued economic growth in Southern Nevada. Each year, we are privileged to present these accomplishments highlighted through this program and are pleased to introduce a new category in 2018 — Startup Tech of the Year. With the exponential growth of new startups that are choosing to call Southern Nevada home, this category will focus on innovative technology solutions, critical to the success of a startup organization. We warmly congratulate each of the award recipients and nominees for their outstanding contributions and greatly appreciate the partnership of Vegas INC and your support, without which the Top Tech Exec Awards would not be possible. Vegas INC and Greenspun Media Group is an organization committed to journalism that informs, inspires and moves people to take action, transforming the lives of others. As a leading nationwide technology solutions partner to a diverse portfolio of local and nationwide business verticals and segments, Cox Business and Hospitality Network works closely with clients to customize voice, video, internet, data
S
Photo by Wade Vandervort The Smith Center for the Performing Arts serves as the venue for the Top Tech Exec Awards. Above is a scene from last year’s event.
transport, security solutions and managed services to support their requirements and business objectives with a strong focus on economic growth, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and technology service excellence. We are delighted you were able to attend and celebrate our Top Tech Execs. Once again, congratulations to the 2018 nominees and award recipients!
teinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging would like to congratulate all of the nominees and finalists of the eighth annual Top Tech Exec Awards. Our Mission is to deliver an exceptional patient experience and accurate results through compassion and cutting edge technology. By sponsoring this event, we are working towards fulfilling our mission as we continue to align ourselves with individuals and organizations that understand the importance of advanced technology. The time and energy that these finalists are dedicating to their field is deservedly acknowledged by this event. Each of you should be proud of this accomplishment and the recognition you are receiving. We would also like to thank the teams at Cox Business and Vegas Inc. for recognizing these deserving finalists and allowing us to be a part of the program.
Derrick R. Hill, Vice President Cox Business & Hospitality Network Las Vegas
FROM THE EDITOR
T
he eighth annual Las Vegas Top Tech Exec Awards are a collaboration between Cox Business and VEGAS INC to recognize Southern Nevadans who are helping shape the future before our very eyes. These are people who are often on call 24-7, asked to solve problems that may never have happened in a rapidly evolving industry. We fielded nominations for the most outstanding information technology executives in Southern Nevada and asked our panel of judges to use the following criteria in reviewing them: • Accomplishments: Examine why the candidate was nominated, and if the applications supports the nomination. Consider the candidate’s specific individual role in the achievements for which they been cited. Consider the nominee’s commitment to the industry. • Technology Partnerships: Assessment of the nominee’s
ability to develop strategic relationships with vendors, solution providers and technology partners. Also consider projects that showcase the nominee’s creativity and ingenuity in problem solving. • Innovation and Vision of the Future: Consider the nominee’s insight and ideas for the future and how it affects the technology industry as a whole. It wasn’t easy to come up with the winners because there were so many strong candidates. The judges, about whom you can read on the following page, had their work cut out for them! Craig Peterson, Special Publications Editor craig.peterson@gmgvegas.com
Lifetime achievement award
77
Mugunth Vaithylingam cio • college of southern nevada
R
aised in Sri Lanka and India, and a Southern Nevada resident for the past decade, Mugunth Vaithylingam said it all started with high-fidelity sound equipment. “I got interested in building my own tube amplifiers, so I decided to study applied electronics in college at Bharathiar University in India,” said Vaithylingam, who earned a bachelor’s of science in the discipline. “I decided also from an early age that I had a passion for leadership, so I always looked for opportunities to meld these two interests, which is why I pursued my MBA from the University of Hartford after beginning to work professionally in highereducation technology.” With previous experience as a systems analyst and later a manager in the application department with the University of Hartford, and as director of enterprise applications at Valencia College, Vaithylingam — a 2017 participant in Harvard University’s Emerging Leaders program — originally joined College of Southern Nevada as chief technology officer in February 2009 and was promoted to chief information officer just seven months later. The recipient of the Most Influential Global CIO Award at the Global CIO Leadership Summit in August 2018, Vaithylingam developed and led implementation at CSN for a new web presence that includes public-facing, marketing-driven content; an internal site that separates college community content from external persons seeking information about the institution; and a single sign-on portal for easy access to commonly-used web-based applications and platforms. In addition, Vaithylingam is receiving his second Top Tech Exec Award. He previously won in 2015 in the Education category. He also spearheaded a partnership with Cox Communications for SIP trunking, with 150 trunks implemented — burstable to 300 — that will provide CSN with additional standard capacity and result in a savings of nearly $3,500 a month in recurring service fees over the prior POTS. Vaithylingam — who supports Nevada Youth Network, Three Square and Opportunity Village — said 2019 will bring new technology-driven student unions with the tools to help students success. CSN is also partnering with the City of Las Vegas to integrate the collage into its Smart City initiative. — Top Tech profiles by Danielle Birkin
THE J U D G E S Debbie Banko
Debbie Banko launched Link Technologies in 2000 with an old computer, a landline and a handful of clients, and has grown the company into a leading provider of professional services in information technology, engineering, business support, project management and cyber security/information assurance.
Laura Fucci
Laura Fucci joined the city of Henderson in November 2012 as chief information officer. A native of Henderson, Fucci earned her bachelor of science degree in
computer science at Oregon State University and obtained a certificate in public management from the UNLV.
Lester Lewis
Lester Lewis is an IT strategist in the state of Nevada. Lewis proudly served in the United States Army where he held the position of telecommunications systems operator.
Les Ottolenghi
Les Ottolenghi is the executive vice president & chief information officer for Caesars Entertainment Corp. Ottolenghi
holds a masters of business administration in internet and information technology strategy from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and a bachelor of arts and sciences in history from Duke University, where he also studied computer science.
Wonda Riner
As the executive director of information technology for the UNLV School of Medicine, Wonda Riner oversees a shared-services IT group that supports the academic, administrative, and clinical needs of the School and its affiliated clin-
ics, UNLV Medicine. With over 15 years at UNLV, Riner has also contributed to the mission of the university by: coordinating the centralized delivery of a campus-wide course management system as the webcampus coordinator; updating business processes to support faculty reporting as the faculty support specialist; and serving as a representative for administrative faculty on various campus committees and as a faculty senator.
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S TA R T U P
78
Christopher Crescitelli president / owner • dreamland LLC
G
rowing up in Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast, Christopher Crescitelli developed an early appreciation for technology, future tech, space exploration and science-fiction storytelling. “As a child of the early ’70s, my parents were cool enough to bring the first home video games into my life, starting with Pong,” said Crescitelli, who 40 years later worked with Pong creator Nolan Bushnell on the first virtual reality version of the game
Crescitelli traces his creative endeavors back to the fifth grade, when he learned to shoot and develop black and white film, jumping to video arts in high school then going on to attend the Valencia Film Program in Orlando. “The program was created by the state to train film workers for Disney and Universal, and was a huge break that launched me headfirst into the Hollywood machine,” he said. In the mid to late 2000s, he was heavily involved in the roll-out of 3-D technol-
ogy, including founding the world’s first 3-D film festival, 3-D fashion show and 3-D nightclub experience, which opened doors to other immersive technologies. “We work with most major casinos and Fortune 500 companies to assist with future tech needs and experimentation, and also produce the world’s first Virtual Reality Festival, now in its fifth season.” He is currently working to build a new brand and franchise model called VR Arcade, as well as new gaming initiatives for casinos.
Ellen Noto chemistry honors teacher • coronado high school
A
self-described geek, Ellen Noto admitted that it all started with the game Pong, and only grew more intense from there. “My embarrassing claim to fame is that I was one of the original members of the ‘Commodore 64 Club’ for our town when I was only 12,” said Noto. Raised in rural Western Massachusetts, Noto holds a bachelor’s of science in chemical engineering from Tufts University, a master’s degree in education from Harvard University and is currently
pursuing a master’s degree in education leadership from WGU. After graduating from Tufts, Noto worked as a chemical engineer in the environmental field prior to participating in the Mid-Career Math and Science program at Harvard. She moved to Southern Nevada in 2012 and joined Coronado High as a chemistry teacher in 2014. She currently teaches chemistry honors and AP research and serves as the department chairwoman. With her love of technology and engineering, she is also
the advisor for the award-winning Coronado Robotics Team. “I am especially encouraged by the number of young women who have joined robotics,” said Noto. “We have grown to 35 percent of our membership is female as compared to the national robotics average of 23 percent and STEM professional average of 18 percent.” The educator serves as advisor for Dreams Come True, a student-led organization that supports Make-A-Wish.
Jason Stump vice president of it • westgate las vegas resort and casino
J
ason Stump developed a taste for technology as a seventh-grader in rural Illinois, when he got his first computer and couldn’t get a video game to run. “I remember having a feeling that technology would be the future,” said Stump. Over the past 25 years, Stump has worked in leadership-level positions at Harrah’s, Argosy Gaming Co., Pinnacle Entertainment, Affinity Gaming and Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, which he joined in March 2017 as vice president of information technology.
At Westgate, he has been instrumental in spearheading several initiatives. “Over the past 12 months, we have invested millions of dollars in technology, and were the first in Nevada to roll out a new casino management system version that included a new loyalty program called WoW=World of Westgate, where customers can earn points for almost anything they spend their money on at the resort, including sportsbook bets,” Stump said. “Parallel to these efforts, we rolled out mobile apps to our employees that
translated into improving the guest experience, and also rolled out promotions such as the Manilow Spin that enabled our customers to spin a virtual wheel on the slot machine.” Westgate Las Vegas is also one of the few casinos with a sportsbook offering cashless wagering on a mobile app, he said, and is also going green with automated digital coupons. Stump currently serves as president of Technology & Diversity for Charity, which raises funds for nonprofits that focus on children and teenagers.
COMMUNITY EXEMPLARY AWARD
79
Mike Harty vice president of development • caesars Entertainment
A
fter receiving a bachelor’s helping Caesars Entertainment of arts degree in political build a precursor to its Total Rescience from the University wards loyalty program — and was of Notre Dame and an MBA from offered a job with the company in the University of Texas at Austin, 2003 as director of information Mike Harty turned to business technology with responsibility for consulting as a means of gaining marketing applications. He has broad exposure to various indus- served in numerous capacities since then, having held the post tries and business functions. “Over time I focused more and of vice president of development more on technology, as the field for three years. “We are in the midst of a major was fascinating, and I realized I iniwas pretty good at solving tough technology-transformation technology problems,” said Harty, tiative, and as part of this effort who moved to Southern Nevada are replacing a substantial set of our marketing, hospitality, fiin 2009. After graduating, Harty spent nance, and HR products,” he said. a decade with consulting firm “These are complex initiatives inAccenture, primarily focused on volving hundreds of employees, consumer products and travel/ so helping lead these efforts is transportation companies. Along challenging and fun. For example, the way, he was instrumental in in the past year, we’ve migrated
DAVID BLOCK Senior Vice-President, Software Engineering TransAct Technologies, Inc.
TRANSACT CONGRATULATES
DAVID BLOCK
FOR BEING A FINALIST IN VEGAS INC.’S TOP TECH EXEC AWARDS.
our decades-old financial and HR systems to new cloud-based platforms. These new applications provide the foundation for Caesars to build a more global, diverse business.” Looking ahead, Harty said the company’s technology transformation is ongoing, with a focus on marketing and hospitality, and will enhance customer service and business capabilities. “Technology and technologybased innovation is critical to our overall success, so I anticipate no lack of exciting initiatives and growth opportunities,” said Harty, who is also chairman-elect of the Spina Bifida Association and sits on the advisory board of the local chapter.
Rachel Papka chief healthcare infoRmatics officer steinberg diagnostics
A
Nevada resident since age 2, Rachel Papka developed an interest in technology while working in radiology at Northern Nevada Medical Center. “In the early 2000s, Universal Health Services decided to implement an electronic health record and I was asked to be a superuser at a time when EHRs were new and clinicians were being introduced to no longer using paper charts,” said Papka, who holds a bachelor’s of science in business management from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in healthcare administration with a concentration in informatics from Saint Joseph’s University. “I fell in love with the idea of using technology to help patients.” After 15 years with UHS, Papka was part of the team at Healthinsight that brought HealtHIE (health information exchange) Nevada to fruition.
She joined the 60-year-old Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging in May 2014 as director of health systems. She now serves as chief health informatics officer. “I collaborate with all departments constantly to be in a stage of reinvention,” she said. “Some 2018 accomplishments include a patient portal leveraging images, results and financial information on one platform; real-time patient reminders with the ability for patients to provide feedback on their most recent visit; and the completion of a major interface project to include real-time ordering with Southwest Medical Associates.” Active with Tech Impact and a mentor at Cimarron High School, Papka said 2019 will bring new atools for patients of SDMI, with a focus on ensuring staff are equipped with the necessary technology to provide the best patient experience.
NONPROFIT
P R I V ATE B U S I N E S S
80
Cesar Guerrero IT Manager catholic charities of southern nevAda
G
rowing up in San Diego, it was ready to crash. Guerrero was didn’t take a crystal ball for tasked with finding a system that Cesar Guerrero to realize that was cost effective and had all of the technology was going to play a piv- requirements that they needed to effectively run their organization. otal role down the road. “I upgraded our entire telephone “I knew it was the wave of the future, and unknowingly it became the system, but instead of purchasing most important field in the future,” the phones and the servers and said Guerrero, who majored in com- software, which would have cost the puter science, attended Methodist agency $150,000, we partnered with College and moved to Southern Ne- Cox Communications and got the upgrade and they put all the money vada in 1996. He joined the 75-year-old non- — invested — upfront, which allowed profit Catholic Charities of Southern us to use the savings to help more Nevada in June 2007 as office coor- people,” said Guerrero. Looking ahead, “We are plandinator for the IT department. He ascended the ranks to supervisor prior ning a renovation that will allow to being promoted to IT manager us to help even more people,” he said. “The Fertitta family has been five years ago. According to Guerrero’s nomina- gracious to us and is going to fund tion for the Top Tech honor, Catho- most of it so we can help get people lic Charities’ multiple campuses in off the streets and into a stable enSouthern Nevada were operating on vironment that is safe for kids, our a very old legacy phone system that future.”
Paul Smith CIo Desert Radiology
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ailing from upstate New York, and overseeing a complete transforPaul Smith has always been mation of the information technology interested in technology and and services business function and platforms. tinkered with writing code. “We have created one of the largest, “Early in my career in Nashville — which has the moniker of the Health- most reliable and most scalable medcare Industry Capital because of the ical imaging platforms in the country diverse number of healthcare com- and deliver managed technology sopanies headquartered there — I was lutions that support enterprise-wide a marketing director at a technology imaging to dozens of healthcare enstart-up and the lead programmer tities throughout Nevada and across quit the day before a major demo, several Western states,” Smith said. so I spent the entire night repro- “This impacts healthcare throughout gramming the systems and data- the region by expediting the time to bases,” said Smith, adding that the deliver and report on patient imagexperience shifted his interest and ing from clinics, hospitals and emerfocus away from marketing. “Since gency rooms, and helps our physithen, I have been leading technology cians diagnose more quickly so that groups to achieve strategic business clinicians at hospitals and medical offices can develop treatment plans goals.” Smith is a former management and ensure patients get their results consultant with a global consulting as quickly as possible.” Desert Radiology is an official firm and co-inventor on multiple systems, methodologies and business community partner of City Impact processes for identifying population Center and supports charitable health trends. He joined Desert Radi- events such as Opportunity Village’s ology as chief information officer in Magical Forest and the American August 2015, pioneering the CIO role Lung Association’s Scale the Strat.
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Brok Armantrout special projects coordinator Boulder City
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s a child in Livermore, Calif., Brok Armantrout remembers tinkering with technology with his father. “I remember sitting on his lap while he played with his ham radio, using an oscilloscope to fine tune his equipment,” said Armantrout, who was born in Oregon and holds a B.S. in geography with an emphasis on urban planning from Brigham Young University. “He bought me an old stereo amp that wasn’t working and together we figured out which tubes needed to be replaced. I was hooked and became the ‘go-to’ kid in elementary school to help the teacher run the projectors.” He launched his career as the city planner/zoning administrator for the City of Sandy, Utah — often assisting the IT department with software problems — and moved to Boulder City in 2004, when he joined the City of Boulder City as community development director, responsible for supervising city planning and building permitting as well as oversight of the
municipal airport, the redevelopment agency and, from 2012 to 2017, the city’s IT division and its governmentaccess television station, also serving as the primary liaison for the world’s first public droneport. He was named contracts/real estate officer in 2017. “I work with our outside vendors for needed IT-related services,” said Armantrout, who was instrumental in instigating a project to connect city facilities to City Hall. “The project connected our fire station, airport and swimming pool complex to City Hall, and added high-speed fiber connection to the internet, which allowed the city to move our network servers to a hosted cloud service, instantly creating a disaster-recovery option for our workforce.” Armantrout — who supports Habitat for Humanity and volunteers with Boulder City High’s broadcasting class — said the city’s next major project will be an upgrade of its current Cisco phone system to take advantage of VoIP and cloud technology.
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David Block Senior Vice President of Software Engineering • TransAct Technologies
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or David Block, it all began with an electronics kit he received in the seventh grade. “I used the kit to build a lie detector for a science project, and won first place for my ‘research’ on ‘Who Lies Better, Boys or Girls?’’” said Block, who was raised in the Bay Area, and still resides there, commuting regularly to Las Vegas. “In 1975, when the first home computer kit, the Altair 8800, was introduced, I immediately became hooked and have been ever since, whether building a robotic, maze-solving ‘mouse’ for IEEE’s first MicroMouse contest in 1977, or developing electronic devices or software and seeing them in use today.” Block’s Top Tech Exec nomination notes that he is one of the Web’s earliest bloggers, organizing a website that offered coverage of the grueling 1,200 mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race in 1996 and in 1997, when he himself traveled the length of the race by snow-machine and small plane. Block — who supports Partners in Health — attended UC Santa Cruz for two years prior to trans-
ferring to the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley, and launched his career while still a student with a couple of early micro-computer companies. He joined TransAct Technologies in October 2015 as senior vice president of software engineering. TransAct is a global leader in developing software-driven technology and printing solutions for high-growth markets. “When I arrived at TransAct, software development split between Las Vegas and our Ithica, N.Y., office, and was under a single head of engineering whose background was mostly electronics, firmware and mechanical design, so bringing me on to take over the software aspect was a bit of a challenge,” he said, adding that software repositories were not used by all the teams, builds were not automated and other normal software development processes were not in use. “I put these processes in place, transferred all software development to Las Vegas, added a software quality department and helped double the size of our software team.”
Honoring Vegas Inc's 2018 Top Tech Exec finalists! Congratulations on being recognized as a Top Tech Exec Finalist for 2018! We thank you for your dedication to your community each and every day and proud to call you a member of the Desert Radiology team.
Top Tech Exec finalist Paul Smith Chief Information Officer
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