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Re-Opening weekend Thursday-Sunday, June 4 – 7
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Thursday, June 4th
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Congratulations Dr. Paul Rennie Professor and Chair Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Department Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
On installation as the
2020-2021
President of the
American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO)
This national association was founded in 1937 to teach, advocate and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles, practices and manipulative treatment in patient care.
Touro University Nevada 874 American Pacific Drive, Henderson, NV 89014 702-777-8687 Touro University Nevada is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) as a branch campus of Touro University California and licensed in Nevada by the Commission on Post-Secondary Education. Touro University Nevada does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) through the Committee on College Accreditation as a branch campus of Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Vallejo, California. Information on placement and first time pass rates for graduates can be found at tun.touro.edu/programs/osteopathic-medicine/facts--figures/.
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L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
6.4.20
WAYS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER In response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, Black Lives Matter protests have erupted across the nation, including here in Las Vegas. Here are ways you can show your support. Protest. Demonstrations are still being organized in the Valley. Check social media for protest flyers and event pages, and make sure they’ve been posted by a legitimate organizer. Always keep things peaceful, dress for safety and comfort and have a lawyer’s phone number written somewhere on your body, in case of an arrest. Donate. The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada’s Vegas Freedom Fund (planevada.org) relies on donations to bail out jailed protesters. The Forced Trajectory Project (forcedtrajectory.com) is seeking volunteers, food, water and donations for future organizing efforts. For more, visit linktr.ee/ nationalresourceslist. Watch. Films like 13th and When They See Us (Netflix) and James Baldwin documentary I Am Not Your Negro (Kanopy) are great starting points for educating yourself on racism in the United States. Read. A list of antiracism reading materials is available at bit.ly/antiracismresources. You can also start with books like How to Be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Follow. Listen to black voices, and amplify them on social media and beyond. Start with accounts like @Blklivesmatter, @NAACP, @reclaimtheblock, @blackvisionscollective and @colorofchange. Vote. June 9 is the mailin deadline for Nevada’s primary election. For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov/election. –Leslie Ventura
SISOLAK APPROVES CONTACT TRACING PLAN
THE WEEK IN TWEETS ■ “The President held up a bible at St. John’s church yesterday. If he opened it instead of brandishing it, he could have learned something: That we are all called to love one another as we love ourselves. That’s hard work. But it’s the work of America.” –Presidential candidate Joe Biden, June 2
Men with militia-style gear join in on a Black Lives Matter protest May 29 in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
AFTER DAYS OF PROTESTING IN LAS VEGAS, TENSION BECOMES VIOLENCE
■ “He’s not leaving office. And he thinks the same people who protected him as he gassed protesters to take a photo-op walk will let him stay. So what do we do? Show up in a way that the outcome cannot be denied. #VoteForYourLife” –Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., June 2 ■ “Would my fellow
A Metro Police officer was gravely wounded and a suspect was conservatives have fatally shot in two separate incidents late June 1 in the Las Vegas been upset if Barack tourist corridor as authorities were breaking up a Black Lives MatObama had ordered ter protest. the military to tear gas Officer Shay Mikalonis, 29, who was shot at 11:23 p.m. in the 2800 hundreds of tea party block of Las Vegas Boulevard South, remained in “extremely” critical activists who were condition and on life support at University Medical Center, a teary peacefully protesting?” Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said early the next morning. –Former Republican The suspect in that shooting was arrested by SWAT and K9 ofpresidential candidate ficers, Lombardo said. Joe Walsh About 3 miles north, police and federal officers guarding the Foley Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse shot and killed an armed suspect who had reached for one of the guns he was openly carrying, Lombardo said. The man appeared to be wearing body armor, police said. He was taken to UMC, where he was pronounced dead. Lombardo said that as the demonstration was winding down, a confrontation between officers and protesters erupted in front of Circus Circus. Protesters began throwing rocks and bottles. As the officers attempted to make arrests, a gunshot rang out and the officer went down, Lombardo said. –Richado Torres-Cortez and Kelcie Grega
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THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced on June 1 a community-based testing, laboratory analysis and contact tracing plan to continue efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The plan includes providing logistical support for local and tribal communities in the way of sample collection kits, personal protective equipment and increased resources for antibody collection. It also calls for pursuing publicprivate partnerships in order to continue to increase testing capacity. Mark Pandori, director of the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory in Reno, will serve as the state’s chief of testing, coordinating Nevada’s testing strategies. The plan also calls for developing a digital contact tracing solution through businesses Deloitte and Salesforce. More than 250 workers have been added through Deloitte to work on the state’s contact tracing goals. Those goals include refilling the state’s personal protective equipment stockpile and testing at least 2% of the state’s population monthly for at least a year. –John Sadler
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DUELING AUTOPSIES An autopsy commissioned by George Floyd’s family found that he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression, the family’s attorneys said June 1. It differs from the official autopsy, which found nothing “to support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.”
MAYWEATHER TO PAY FOR FUNERAL Floyd Mayweather Jr. will pay for George Floyd’s funeral and memorial services June 9, according to Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “He’ll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely paying for the funeral,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com on June 1.
L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
IN THIS ISSUE
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Cover Story: Las Vegas casino-resorts are ready to reopen 5-Minute Expert: How (and why) to keep a personal journal Binge This Week: Our latest round of staff suggestions Screen: Las Vegans go for the crown on RuPaul’s Drag Race Food & Drink: Frey Ranch’s Nevada-made bourbon Sports: A peek inside newly reopened gyms around town Vegas Inc: The family behind Downtown’s new BLVD Coffee
WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD EVENTS TO FOLLOW AND NEWS YOU MISSED
Protesters march south on Las Vegas Boulevard in Downtown Las Vegas on May 30. They were reacting to the death of George Floyd, who died while in Minneapolis police custody on Memorial Day. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
RUGGS IS OK, DAD SAYS Raiders first-round draft pick Henry Ruggs was hurt in an accident while helping a friend move, but according to Ruggs’ father, the injury is minor. Ruggs suffered “a little open wound on his leg, a little incision,” his father told AL.com, adding that his son is walking on crutches. Rumors began swirling on June 1 that Ruggs had suffered some kind of puncture wound to his thigh, with some even speculating that it could be career-threatening.
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WAR ON U.S. SOIL? President Donald Trump on June 1 vowed to deploy the U.S. military to America’s own cities to quell a rise of protests. He made his Rose Garden declaration to the sound of tear gas and rubber bullets clearing peaceful protesters from the park in front of the White House.
CAROLE BASKIN GETS THE ZOO A judge on June 1 in Oklahoma awarded ownership of the zoo featured in Netflix’s Tiger King to Joe Exotic’s chief rival. The judge found that the zoo had been fraudulently transferred to Joe Maldonado-Passage’s mother to avoid paying the judgment from a previous lawsuit Baskin had won.
THE VOTE MUST GO ON Voters were asked to navigate curfews, health concerns and a sharp increase in mail balloting June 2 as elections took place in nine states and Washington, D.C. Four were originally scheduled for April but were delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
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LV W H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
6.4.20
VIRTUAL VISITS
SPURRED ON BY THE PANDEMIC, TELEMEDICINE HAS GONE MAINSTREAM BY LESLIE VENTURA
s cities across the country began shutting down when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, people still needed to receive advice and treatment from doctors for symptoms non-COVID-related. Physicians had to figure out another way to reach patients. Dr. Thomas Hunt, chair of family medicine at Henderson’s Roseman University of Health Sciences and program director of Valley Health System’s Family Medicine Residency Program, says “it became very clear” early on that telehealth needed to be incorporated into the residency curriculum. That has included training residents how to use telehealth visits effectively, determining when online medicine is most appropriate, managing chronic illness from a distance and learning the technology. “What I hear from both patients and physicians is that this is convenient, it works pretty well and, while it’s not for everything, it’s an additional tool for primary care doctors and all physicians,” Hunt says. Hunt took similar action at Roseman Medical Group, the clinical arm of the university. “On March 16, we all had an emergency meeting and quickly made a decision that it was time to protect our patients who would be at increased risk of complications from COVID-19,” Hunt says. “That’s where we looked at the available technology and started to do tele-video visits. Prior to March 16, we didn’t do any, and within three weeks, 90% of our visits were via tele-video.”
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ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS Not everyone is well-suited for online medical visits. Neurology patients, for example, need in-person procedures that cannot be carried out from a distance. A routine checkup can easily be done online, but complaints of sudden severe pain, like in the abdomen, should be assessed in person, Hunt says. “A big portion of the switch to telehealth was to also train our patients,” Hunt says. “Lots of patients are not adept at getting online, setting up a camera and being able to chat like this. We’ve all gotten much better at it, but two months ago that was a brand-new thing.” For any medical treatment to be effective, the patient needs to take an active role in their care—and that especially applies to telehealth. “One tenet that myself and family physicians across the country have always said is, ‘Health care is really about shared decision-mak-
Be prepared. If you have a thermometer and blood pressure monitor, take your vitals. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, keep a log to the best of your ability. Write down questions or concerns you have ahead of time.
Dress appropriately, like you would for an in-person visit
Be comfortable, and find a place where you’re not going to be disturbed. Silence your cellphone.
6.4.20
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TELEHEALTH VISIT Download the application you need ahead of time. While most physicians use their own proprietary HIPAA-compliant platform for telehealth visits, acquainting yourself with video conferencing software like Zoom or Google Hangouts can help you acclimate.
Set up in a room where the light is coming forward instead of backward, so the physician can see you clearly. Position the camera so you’re looking into it.
LV W H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
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ing,’” Hunt says. “In order for individuals to be cared for, they do have to meet us halfway and they do need to take responsibility.” If you have high blood pressure or hypertension, Hunt advises purchasing a blood pressure monitor or cuff. If you feel sick or feverish, have a thermometer ready to take your temperature, since a doctor won’t be able to. John Nixon, assistant professor in residence and assistant director of the Practice mental health clinic at UNLV, agrees that telehealth—and teletherapy, in particular—have been helpful in managing people’s wellbeing during the shutdown. Teletherapy, a branch of telehealth, refers to talk therapy conducted online instead of in person. “You don’t have to worry about, ‘Am I going to catch something?’ You can stay in an environment where you feel safe,” Nixon says. “Initially, there was a lot of anxiety about coming to the clinic, so we were seeing people canceling appointments. Video offers the security of your own environment, as far as potential exposure to something.” But, like an online physician’s visit, Nixon says teletherapy has its advantages and disadvantages. “When we have someone in the office who is in crisis, we are better able to [ensure that they are in] a situation that is safe. When we’re counseling over telephone or video, and we have a person at a remote location who’s in crisis, we’re not physically there, and that’s probably the biggest concern,” Nixon says. Still, he adds that teletherapy is better than no therapy at all, especially for those in need of a more flexible schedule. Hunt agrees. “Patients find doing a tele-video meeting with their doctor actually saves them a bundle of time. Now you don’t have to come sit in the waiting room for 15 minutes, then sit in the [exam] room for another 15 minutes and have to take half a day out of work.”
BARRIERS TO ACCESS
Call in 15 minutes early (you can wait in the virtual waiting room).
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that not everyone has the same access to medical care in the United States. Whether because of age or income, many people are unable to access the technology required for telemedicine. “It has been a barrier for many, many people,” Hunt says of the switch to telehealth. “It’s the same thing that we’re seeing with the school district, right? If a family doesn’t have internet access, how does that work? How do you have a telehealth visit?” While video is still preferred, some physicians’ offices like Roseman Medical Group offer telephone visits in lieu of an online meeting. Still, “There is no question that this is not a level playing field,” Hunt says. “If there’s one thing I’d like to get across, it’s that people should not be neglecting their health care,” Hunt says. “We’re trying to prevent people from falling through the cracks. That being said, across the country and in our community, we do know there are people who are neglecting [their health], people who have chosen not to see their doctors, people falling behind on their vaccinations, people who have put off other health care maintenance things, such as a mammogram or cancer screenings.” With the Valley entering Phase 2 of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s reopening plan, Hunt says people are feeling more confident about returning to the doctor’s office, but online health care will remain an option. “We’re seeing more people every day who are feeling comfortable enough to be seen in person, but the telehealth visit is here to stay,” he says. “A lot of the barriers that were preventing it from being widely incorporated were suddenly taken away during this pandemic, and it will be one of the silver linings that we see at the end of this.”
LV W c ov e r s t o r y
6.4.20
READY TO
REOPEN
Casinos RETURN
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
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as Vegas Boulevard had become home to packs of bicyclists on scenic rides and aimless pedestrians snapping pictures of empty resorts. But there was none of that the afternoon of June 2. Cars moved briskly down the Strip, and casinos’ digital marquees displayed messages like, “No more virtual, we have the real thing.” New York-New York had a simple countdown: “2 Days.” ¶ The coronavirus pandemic might have frozen visitation, emptied casinos and caused countless layoffs and furloughs, but the machine of Las Vegas never completely switched off. Planning for restarting the Valley’s economic engine began as soon as doors temporarily closed. And now, two and a half months later, Vegas will begin welcoming guests once again, folks who’ve been stuck at home, waiting for an escape. ¶ They’re definitely coming. Since the state set June 4 as casino reopening day, hotel reservations have soared. Gaming companies have unveiled extensive safety plans and operational adjustments, helping build customer confidence. Yet the battle against uncertainty continues. Travel is at an all-time low, unemployment an all-time high. Many of the locals who frequent neighborhood casinos and Californians who power the Strip are struggling financially if not emotionally. And Vegas’ planned reopening could also be impacted by unprecedented protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Many of Vegas’ casino companies have joined the chorus of Americans calling for social change. ¶ One thing feels certain, however: It’s time to reopen Las Vegas, slowly and carefully. –Brock Radke
Modified to promote safety, the Strip experience should remain quintessentially Vegas By Brock Radke I had dinner at a restaurant for the first time in 75 days Saturday night, at the extravagant SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas. The weather was pleasantly warm and breezy, and I sat outside where I could watch the automated entertainment on the Lake of Dreams and still get hit by the air conditioning from the dining room. I waited until my cocktail arrived to take off my cloth mask, which I set down on a large square card on my table designed exactly for that purpose. Other diners wore masks into the restaurant and put them back on when leaving, and everyone from the hostess to the servers to the chef wore face coverings all night. Same for the many Wynn team members we encountered on our way from the parking garage through the closed casino to SW. Once inside the building, our temperatures were scanned so quickly, we didn’t notice anything had happened. Wynn and Encore were the first Las Vegas casinos to announce they would close because of the COVID-19 pandemic, even before Gov. Steve Sisolak mandated resort closures on March 17. When the twin luxury resorts reopen on June 4, they plan to offer the majority of amenities that earned the Wynn brand its five-star reputation. Virtually all of the restaurants will be open with reservations required; only a few opened last week for a sort of warmup service for local diners. Spas will be open, and you can get a manicure by putting your hands through a plexiglass window. It will feel more relaxing than it sounds.
The hotels will be permitted to book up to 50 percent capacity, and guests will see that their rooms have been sealed with a sticker to ensure they’re the first to enter since disinfection. Wynn rooms already had touchless Amazon Alexa controls to manage temperature and lighting. Theaters, nightclubs and the dayclub will remain closed, but the Wynn Golf Club has already been open, with tee times separated by 20-minute intervals. The majority of retail shops on property, including those in the new Wynn Plaza, will open their doors this week. My dinner at SW exceeded expectations in a way I couldn’t have predicted. I knew the food and service would be terrific. I didn’t think I’d get a few hours of refuge from our shared uneasy reality. But that’s what the Las Vegas Strip has always been here for, and that will be the goal, in a more focused way than ever before, when many resorts reopen this week. “The health and safety of our employees and guests are the top priority, but what is very important as well is to continue to create unique experiences,” said Dominique Bertolone, MGM Resorts’ senior VP of food & beverage strategy. He spoke June 1 inside a socially distanced Sadelle’s restaurant at Bellagio as part of a preopening media tour, demonstrating that venue’s reduced capacity seating plan and the plexiglass shields separating pink booths in the dining room. You’ll be able to browse the menu at MGM restaurants by using a QR code at your table, and if you didn’t make a reservation, a virtual queue program will allow you to hang out in the casino until a text message tells you your table is ready. Bellagio was scheduled to flip the switch on its fountains on June 4, and reopen its Petrossian Bar lounge, Prime Steakhouse and Lago restaurants and the iconic conservatory with a new display called “Japan Journey: Magic of Kansai.” The resort’s newest arrival, Mayfair Supper Club, will serve dinner, but a reconfigured plan for its unique stage show is still in the works.
“We want to make sure we’re doing this in a designed and controlled way so you can still have fun, but also that we’re doing things right coming out of COVID,” said John Flynn, MGM Resorts VP of administration. “We want to make sure our employees are doing things the right way to provide that extra sense of security.” Flynn emphasized that MGM staff at Bellagio, MGM Grand and New York-New York, all scheduled to open June 4, will have a strong presence on the casino floor at all times in order to “keep an eye on that 6-foot [social distancing] space and make sure it’s respected and abided by.” But it’s paramount to make sure guests enjoy themselves and reconnect with the Vegas experience they’re surely craving after missing the Strip for months. “That’s big. Vegas safely is still Vegas. Even preCOVID, there’s a sense that we’re bringing everybody together, we’re in this together, and that applies to our guests. There’s some personal accountability that goes with that,” Flynn continued. “We’re going to provide them with all the safety mechanisms to have that same wonderful experience they’ve had in the past and ask them for a couple of things … and knowing our guests, they’re loyal and they’re going to comply. We look forward to it.” Virtually all casino activities at Bellagio were set to reopen, including the sportsbook, with poker on hold for now. There’s plexiglass affixed to most table games, and playing craps or roulette at Bellagio will require you to wear a mask; the casino provides them at several new hand-washing stations, or you can just ask for one. The reopening of the Strip will be a gradual process, and the experience during the transition will be different. But it might not feel as restricted as you think. One fancy dinner on the patio can go a long way.
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What’s reopening? Casinos RETURN Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
6.4.20
STRIP & NEARBY
DOWNTOWN
NEIGHBORHOOD
n THE CANNERY Though the Eastside property won’t return on June 4, the location on Craig Road will, bringing back Carve Prime Rib (5-9 p.m. daily) and its café (24/7).
Details on the first batch of relaunched casinos, Set to welcome back the public on June 4
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fter more than two months of closures, Nevada’s casinos are set to reopen June 4. It’ll be gradual—not all restaurants and other amenities will be up and running right away, and all buffets, nightclubs, dayclubs and live entertainment venues will stay shuttered for now. ¶ Properties have been working hard to create as safe an environment as possible, leading Gov. Steve Sisolak to proclaim, “I don’t think you’re going to find a safer place to visit than Las Vegas by June 4.” Expect limits on the number of players at table games, thermal checks for patrons upon entering properties, plentiful sanitation stations and more. Some resorts are even offering touchless arrivals—curbside check-in for hotel guests, with doors that automatically open and lead to the rooms. ¶ The following is a list of what to expect at resorts around town, aside from table games and slot machines, which will return in some capacity at all properties. Information as provided to Las Vegas Weekly at press time and subject to change.
n ALIANTE The North Las Vegas spot is bringing back bingo, its sportsbook and its pool, but the movie theater, valet and spa will remain shuttered for now. Among restaurants, MRKT Sea & Land and Bistro 57 are set to reopen, with the latter featuring revised hours.
n ARIZONA CHARLIE’S The hotel’s Decatur and Boulder locations will reopen, specifically the main casino, bingo halls and Sourdough Cafés at both sites.
n BELLAGIO The pool area will be open, along with the fitness center for hotel guests. The Bellagio Conservatory will relaunch with new Japanese spring garden display “Japan Journey: Magic of Kansai.” Restaurant reopenings include Jasmine, Lago, Mayfair Supper Club, Prime Steakhouse and Sadelle’s. Parking fees have been suspended. And the fountains also officially turn back on June 4.
n BOULDER STATION Kids Quest will reopen, along with restaurants including the Broiler, the Grand Café and Guadalajara. The poker room remains shuttered.
n CAESARS PALACE “A selection” of Forum Shop retailers will be open, along with casino restaurants including Brioche, Cafe Americano, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen (for dinner only), Mesa Grill, Nobu, Old Homestead Steakhouse and Pronto. The Lobby Bar, Montecristo Cigar Bar, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, Vista Lounge and Venus Pool are among other amenities that will be available again. Parking fees have been suspended.
n CALIFORNIA Aloha Specialties returns (daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. weekends). Redwood Steakhouse will be open Wednesday-Sunday, and Market Street comes back with round-the-clock hours.
n CIRCUS CIRCUS The Adventuredome and Carnival Midway return, along with Splash Zone and the pool. Also reopening: the spa and salon, the sportsbook and restaurants including the Steak House and Blue Iguana.
n THE COSMOPOLITAN Most restaurants will return June 4, including Beauty & Essex, Blue Ribbon, Eggslut, STK and the Block 16 Urban Food Hall, along with bars such as Chandelier, Clique and Vesper. The Boulevard Pool is reopening, with appropriately spaced lounge chairs, daybeds and cabanas. Sahra Spa, Salon & Hammam, both fitness centers and the outdoor tennis courts are also coming back. Parking fees have been suspended.
n THE D The pool will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with a social distancing outdoor lounge. Food and beverage options include Andiamo Italian Steakhouse, American Coney Island, BarCanada, D Grill, Longbar and Vue Bar.
n EL CORTEZ Eatery Siegel’s 1941 is reopening, along with all of the property’s bars. Tip: Park in the garage at 7th Street and Ogden Avenue.
n ELLIS ISLAND The Village Pub 24-hour cafe and Ellis Island BBQ are back, but the beer garden the Front Yard will remain shut for now.
n FLAMINGO The Beach Club and Go pools are both reopening, along with Bugsy’s Bar, X Bar and Pizza to Go. Some restaurants and retail spots at the adjacent Linq Promenade are also returning, and the High Roller Observation Wheel will operate daily from noon to midnight. Parking fees have been suspended.
n FREMONT The Downtown property’s sportsbook and valet will be operational.
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n GOLD COAST Ping Pang Pong returns with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Bowling, bingo and the sportsbook are also back, but the movie theater, spa and hotel rooms remain closed. Cornerstone steakhouse is reopening, with daily hours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
n GOLDEN GATE The Circa Sportsbook will be open around the clock. Bar Prohibition and OneBar are both returning.
n GOLDEN NUGGET The Downtown resort’s pool is reopening, along with eateries including Cadillac, Chick-filA, Claim Jumper and Vic & Anthony’s, plus the Stage Bar and Bar 46. Additionally, the new Saltgrass Steak House will debut with drinks and bartop gaming.
n GREEN VALLEY RANCH Reopening restaurants include Borracha, Bottliglia, Grand Café, Hank’s, Pizza Rock and Tides, along with food-court options like Fatburger and Capriotti’s. Bingo, keno, the sportsbook and Kids Quest are returning, as are the spa, salon, pool, fitness center and complementary valet service.
n HARRAH’S Harrah’s will reopen June 5 at 11 a.m., one day after the others on this list. The relaunch will feature renovated hotel rooms, a remodeled casino floor and hotel lobby, and a revamped Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
n JOKERS WILD The café returns with daily hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
n ORLEANS The poker room, pool and bowling center will be up and running at limited capacity. Restaurants Bailiwick, Copper Whisk, Ondori, and TGI Fridays will return, along with quickfood options like Subway and Sbarro. This is also the lone Boyd Gaming property with live poker at present, with tables capped at four participants.
n M RESORT Reopening restaurants include Anthony’s Steakhouse, Baby Cakes, Burgers & Brews and the Vig Deli. M Resort’s pool, spa, fitness center and valet service all remain closed.
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Information as provided to Las Vegas Weekly at press time and subject to change.
n MGM GRAND The resort will initially reopen Avenue Café, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Crush, Pieology and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. The Grand Pool Complex is also coming back, while the salon and fitness center will only be available to hotel guests. Self-parking fees have been suspended, and the valet will stay closed. Also, Topgolf has not reopened.
n NEW YORK-NEW YORK The Big Apple Roller Coaster, Big Apple Arcade and Hershey’s Chocolate World are coming back. The pool area is reopening, while the fitness center will be available only to hotel guests. Returning dining options include America, Chin Chin, Gallagher’s Steakhouse, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, Il Fornaio and Tom’s Urban.
n PALACE STATION The pool is reopening, along with valet and the airport shuttle. Dining options include Boathouse, Charcoal Room, Brass Fork, Little Tony’s and the Oyster Bar. The poker room remains closed.
n PLANET HOLLYWOOD The casino and hotel aren’t back yet, but the Miracle Mile Shops have been cleared to reopen, though some restaurants and retailers may remain closed for now.
n THE PLAZA The bingo room, rooftop pool and to-go dining options Pop Up Pizza and Coffee Bar are reopening. Sit-down restaurants remain closed. Tip: Park on the third floor of the garage for direct access to the bingo room.
n RAMPART The sportsbook and bingo room will operate at 50% capacity, as will reopening restaurants Earl Grey Café and Clubhouse Deli (June 4) and Hawthorn Grill (June 5).
n RED ROCK The Red Rock Lanes bowling center and Kids Quest are reopening, along with the bingo and keno parlors and the sportsbook. Valet parking, the pool, spa and salon are also back. Relaunched dining options include 8 Noodle Bar, Blue Ribbon, Grand Café, Hearthstone, Lucille’s, T-Bones Chophouse and Yard House, as well as the food court.
n SAHARA The rooftop pool is reopening, along with Northside Café and the Casbar Lounge. Bazaar Meat will return on June 5.
n SANTA FE STATION Reopenings include Kids Quest, bowling, bingo, keno and the sportsbook, along with restaurants such as Charcoal Room, Grand Café, Leticia’s and the Oyster Bar.
n SAM’S TOWN The Angry Butcher will be back seven days a week starting at 4 p.m. The bowling lanes, bingo and sportsbook and food court are reopening, while the movie theater will remain closed.
n SILVER SEVENS The reopening will include gambling and the main bar, while dining and other amenities will stay closed for now.
n SILVERTON Among the amenities and attractions set to reopen on June 4: the Aquarium (with mermaid swims and stingray feedings), the pool (for hotel guests only), Shady Grove Bar and restaurants including Mi Casa, Sundance Grill and WuHu Noodle.
n SOUTH POINT The adult pool has reopened, as has the fitness center (with limited hours) and the salon (by appointment only). Among returned restaurants are Coronado Café, Don Vito’s, Silverado Steakhouse, Steak ‘n Shake and Zenshin.
DOWNTOWN
n THE STRAT The Observation Deck, Top of the World restaurant, Chapel in the Clouds and bars 107 SkyLounge, 108 Drinks and View Lounge are reopening, along with the Big Shot and SkyJump (those attractions will run Friday-Sunday, 2-10 p.m.) Also back: the sportsbook and Strat Café.
n SUNCOAST Du-par’s will be back 24/7, and 90 Ninety steakhouse returns with daily hours starting at 4 p.m. Bingo, bowling and the sportsbook are also relaunched, while the movie theater remains closed.
n SUNSET STATION Bingo, keno and the sportsbook are returning, along with restaurants including Grand Café, Pasta Cucina, Sonoma Cellar and the Oyster Bar. The bowling center and Kids Quest are also reopening.
n TREASURE ISLAND Señor Frogs will initially be open Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday for dinner, and Friday and Saturday from noon until midnight. Pizzeria Francesco’s will initially operate from noon to 6 p.m. daily. The pool and cabana area are reopening; the sportsbook returns June 5.
n VENETIAN & PALAZZO Both the Venetian and Palazzo towers are reopening, along with restaurants including Black Tap, Cut, Matteo’s, Mott 32, Sixth+Mill and cocktail bars the Dorsey and Electra. The resort complex will also show off a restyled pool deck, inspired by the Italian Riviera, and new poolside café Spritz.
n WILDFIRE The 10 Wildfire Gaming properties throughout the Las Vegas area are reopening.
n WYNN & ENCORE All restaurant offerings return, apart from the buffet. The pools at both properties are reopening, along with beauty salons, barber shops, spas and fitness centers. Wynn Golf Club relaunched during the initial phase of the state’s reopening. The nightclub and poker rooms will stay closed.
NEIGHBORHOOD
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Casinos RETURN
An acrylic gaming barrier installed at a gaming table at the El Cortez (John Locher/AP Photo)
Chairs have been removed at some slot machines to promote social distancing at a Caesars Palace. (John Locher/AP Photo)
The Strat (Yasmina Chavez/Staff)
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C A N ’ T S T O P,
WON’T
(Photographs by Wade Vandervort/Staff/Photo Illustration)
OUR EVER-EVOLVING CASINO INDUSTRY IS TOO SMART AND NIMBLE TO FALL BEFORE A VIRUS BY GEOFF CARTER
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he first casino I clearly remember visiting was the Silver Slipper, sometime in the late 1970s. My parents were regulars at the Desert Inn across the street, and on this family trip—the first of several we made throughout the ’70s and ’80s—they took me to the Slipper for the breakfast buffet. Immediately, I fell in love with the Slipper’s cheese blintzes and helped myself to several. I couldn’t believe that this place had, without knowing a thing about me, divined there was something I wanted more than anything and arranged for me to have as much of it as I wanted. It was arcane magic, repeated across the entire town. Arcade games? Circus Circus gave me a vast room full of them, surrounded by a genuine carnival midway. Swimming pools? I could spend an entire afternoon floating in a pool the size of a baseball diamond. I was 10, maybe 11 years old, and Las Vegas’ hospitality industry adapted itself to my tastes. My parents and sister moved to Las Vegas in 1988, and
I’ve lived in this Valley since 1990 (absent a 10-year stay in Seattle, 2002-2012). I mention this because Las Vegas changed a lot during the ’90s and early 2000s—not just in size and population, but in terms of what the city put on the table to draw in visitors. From 1990 to 2000, we watched the MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and others spring out of the ground as if electrified. We watched the “Family Vegas” era come and go, taking with it two roller coasters (leaving two behind), three high-tech simulator rides and a full theme park. In the ’80s, there was one upscale shopping mall on the Strip, the Fashion Show; today there are several. And as mind-blowing a realization as it might be, there was a time when our casinos had no nightclubs at all. Perhaps no other experience industry has experimented as daringly as Las Vegas’ hospitality set. Over the years, the casinos of Las Vegas have given us competitive jai alai; live tapings of The Hollywood Squares; motorcycles jumping over buildings; yearly conventions tai-
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CASINOS RETURN GOOD NEIGHBORS THE RETURN OF LOCALS CASINOS MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF LAS VEGANS BY NINA KING
lored to nearly every interest, from RollerCon to the International Pizza Expo; walk-through shark tanks; WNBA basketball; two Guggenheim Museums under the same roof; a New Year’s Eve street party that rivals Times Square’s in its ambition; a clockwork volcano and too many more attractions to name. I’ve very nearly lost count of all the minor miracles I’ve experienced in Vegas’ casinos: I’ve shaken hands with Muhammad Ali, seen Elvis Costello performing with The Roots, even sat in the captain’s chair of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Our hometown industry is too smart, nimble and chameleonlike to be undone by the coronavirus. The Strip and Downtown have survived a recession, fuel shortages and terrorism with scarcely any continued, outward evidence of their occurrence. And while this virus will change things for a while—a loss of jobs, fewer machines on the gaming floor, guests intermittently masked—it won’t be long at all until our industry finds its level.
Maybe some experiences, like buffets, will stay gone for good, even after a vaccine is discovered— but we’ll scarcely notice, because our casinos will have moved on to the next great thing. And the industry’s most recent innovation—the integration of professional sports to Vegas’ entertainment portfolio—has only begun to transform the entire city. Las Vegas’ casinos will keep going. This virus won’t take them down. The reason Vegas is what it is—the reason people come here to gamble, eat and enjoy themselves, despite the proliferation of online and tribal gaming—is because no other industry, no other city has more steadfastly devoted itself to making sure its visitors have a good time. And if it happens that the (hopefully temporary) future of entertainment is built upon social distancing, our casinos will fill that distance with accommodating comforts and cool things to do. If that means building a swimming pool the size of 10 baseball diamonds, Las Vegas will get to digging it out.
It’s about time! I haven’t been to a bingo game, played a slot machine or had coffee shop breakfast in two and a half months. Sure, I’ve got eggs at home, but the bingo and slots on my iPad are nowhere near as fun. And my cats don’t cheer me on when I win … although they kinda give me sideeye when I win a second time, the same way my compadres in the bingo hall do. We Las Vegans love our locals casinos. We’re there for lots of reasons—food, spas, shows and, yes, gaming, too. In this transient town, neighborhood joints can become our roots—and many of us return to the same spots for years upon years. Whether it’s a nice release from a stressful day, chilling out over a beer or a chance to win a few bucks playing slots, bingo or blackjack, it’s part of our routines. At Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho, I knew many of the bingo callers and agents, beverage servers, players club workers and customers. And they certainly knew me. Chatting with my fellow bingo players—sharing tales of our biggest wins and terrible losing streaks—can feel therapeutic. Once in a while a cake appears, and a regular gets a “Happy Birthday” called out over the PA. My husband and I schedule date night at our neighborhood resorts—trying out the barbecue place or the high-end steakhouse, taking in a movie or playing slots for an hour or two. In preparation for date night, I peruse the monthly mailings and consider the contests and the freebies being offered. (A few coats and a lot of alcohol have come my way in that manner.) It’s like a local a treasure hunt. Some locals casinos aren’t reopening yet, and that leaves me worried for the workers there. Whenever they do, I’ll be there, playing bingo. I’ll have a mask on, and I won’t sit right next to you, but if you win, I’ll clap. And just this once, I won’t hiss if you do it again.
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5-MINUTE EXPERT
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KEEPING A JOURNAL IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR MEMORY, STIMULATES CREATIVITY AND IT CAN HELP CLEAR YOUR HEAD BY GEOFF CARTER
eeping a personal journal can be a useful way to maintain a healthy mind. “Journaling has become a hallmark of the so-called self-care movement, right up there with meditation,” The New York Times wrote in 2018. Having kept my own journal since 1993, I can affirm that it aids your memory, improves your grammar, enhances your focus and draws out admissions and insights that you’d never share on social media. Here’s some advice on starting your own.
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They wrote it all down Many authors keep journals as a repository for insights and ideas. Here’s what some have to say about the process.
“The habit of writing thus for my own eye only is good practice. It loosens the ligaments. Never mind the misses and the stumbles. Going at such a pace as I do I must make the most direct and instant shots at my object, and thus have to lay hands on words, choose them and shoot them with no more pause than is needed to put my pen in the ink.” –Virginia Woolf
GEAR
You generally don’t need special accoutrements for journaling, like fountain pens or Moleskine notebooks. I kept my first journal on office legal pads with a cheap ballpoint pen, then graduated to spiral-bound notebooks and more expensive ballpoints, and then ultimately to, um, fountain pens and Moleskine notebooks. But that’s just me. You can start with any kind of pen and paper—or forgo analog completely and use a laptop or smartphone. Go with whatever feels natural to you, as long as it’s private and personal.
“I’ve been keeping a diary for 33 years and write in it every morning. Most of it’s just whining, but every so often there’ll be something I can use later: a joke, a description, a quote. It’s an invaluable aid when it comes to winning arguments. ‘That’s not what you said on February 3, 1996,’ I’ll say to someone.” –David Sedaris
David Sedaris (Suzanne Plunkett/AP); (Shutterstock)
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“This book is my savings bank. I grow richer because I have somewhere to deposit my earnings; and fractions are worth more to me because corresponding fractions are waiting here that shall be made integers by their addition.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Journaling for artists
“In the diary you find proof that in situations which today would seem unbearable, you lived, looked around and wrote down observations. … We may be wiser because we are able to look back upon our former condition.” –Franz Kafka
Mary Martin is a self-described “art journaler.” She’s part of a community of creatives that approaches journaling as a form of collage, primarily using Midori Traveler’s Factory notebooks (travelers-factory.com), a leather-bound Japanese import with removable sections. Martin calls this style of journaling “memory-keeping,” and it’s strikingly beautiful—words twist around drawings, plein air watercolors, stickers and bits of applied found art, which Martin calls “ephemera.” In a way, it’s like looking through an illuminated manuscript. (See the #midoritravelersnotebook hashtag on Instagram for examples.) Martin got her first Midori Traveler’s Factory Notebook as a birthday gift in April 2018. Years ago, she used to keep a Moleskine journal—including “bits of ephemera,” even then—but it didn’t compel her the way art journaling does. “It pulls on me creatively,” she tells the Weekly. “Like many artists, if I’m looking at an A5-sized sheet of blank paper, I’ll freak out. Since this is a smaller format, I feel like I can experiment and not screw up— and if I do, I can always cover it.” It also provides an invaluable emotional aid. “I disassociate, and I don’t always know that I’m doing it,” she says. “Many parts of my life I just don’t remember, because I was in a dissociative state. This is my way of combating that. If I’m not fully present, I can now look back and remember what I said or did.” It has proven so beneficial for Martin, she now keeps several books. “I have a journal for my memory-keeping, a separate one for my tarot studies and also a dream journal. Having everything in one spot … that’s too convoluted for me,” she says, chuckling.
How to start a journal Just start. Write down whatever comes into your mind, even if it’s I don’t know what to write. “Writing in your journal is the only way to find out what you should be writing about,” the 2018 New York Times article explained. Write something down, then something else and just keep going. (And don’t forget to date your entries when you’re done; it’s a nice way to track your progress over time.) Still stuck? Do a web search for “journaling prompts.”
Make it a habit. Journaling is very similar to exercise, in that while it’s easy to skip, you feel better after you’ve done it, and the positive effects of it unfold over time. If you don’t want to make it a daily thing, you don’t have to. Commit to the idea, and you’ll find your own rhythm, whether it’s daily, weekly or even monthly. And don’t beat yourself up when you lapse; just pick it up again when you’re feeling it.
(and keep it going) Don’t hold back, and don’t overthink. Journaling is for your benefit and no one else’s. Knowing that will allow you to be more honest in your writing. And don’t write for an audience other than yourself; that’s trying too hard. You’ll end up writing stuff that doesn’t even make sense to you later on.
Never cross anything out; never tear out a page. When you’ve written something cringeworthy—something you’re embarrassed to admit came out of your own head— or misspelled a word beyond recognition, don’t give in to the urge to trash it. We make mistakes in life; it’s only natural we should make mistakes in our journals.
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Utah’s Karl Malone battles Chicago’s Michael Jordan SCREEN TIME If you haven’t yet used your Las Vegas-Clark County Library card with the Kanopy app, you’re missing out on tons of free indie and classic films—from Whose Streets? to Nosferatu. iOS, Android.
THIS
WEEK Audiobooks
Light Reads: Stories from the Neon Boneyard Whether you’re young or just young at heart, this new program is for you. Two beloved local cultural institutions—the Neon Museum and UNLV’s Black Mountain Institute—have teamed up to present a virtual storytime. In Light Reads: Stories from the Neon Boneyard, community members read children’s books aloud on YouTube. In the first installment, Neon Museum interpretive staff supervisor Alexis Ross reads Neon Leon, a tale of a neon-colored chameleon who’s looking to fit in, written by Jane Clarke and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. youtu.be/ FTCs-A7OWKY. –C. Moon Reed
TV FILM
Ready or Not The rich are not like us, as newlywed Grace (Samara Weaving) quickly finds out in this dark comedy/horror film. She marries into an uber-wealthy clan that made its fortune in board games, and it clearly has its own rules in a game into which she unwittingly falls. It’s Clue meets The Shining, with villains draped in silk and cashmere—plus a Converse-wearing heroine who takes class warfare to the next level. HBO. –Genevie Durano
The Last Dance The miniseries documenting the work that went into the Chicago Bulls’ 1997-1998 season and sixth NBA title hasn’t been without controversy (Michael Jordan’s Jump 23 is a production partner), but it’s still worth a watch. Each of the 10 episodes highlights a different aspect of the team’s ’90s dynasty, including interviews with former Bulls teammates and other NBA players. It all adds up to a welcome dose of nostalgia, for anyone looking to relive the Bulls’—or Jordan’s—legacy. ESPN app. –Leslie Venture
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H Hungry? Turn to Page 30 for our Takeout & Delivery Guide.
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LISTEN UP A long time ago, in an entertainment galaxy far less packed than this one, NPR turned Star Wars into a radio drama, featuring some of the original cast. Return to a theater of the mind. bit.ly/2Xs0ILy
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MUSIC
WOODS
OUR PICKS FOR THE
WEEK AHEAD
Woods is like a comfy old blanket—waiting to envelope you in unsettling times. These are certainly those, so it’s fitting the Brooklyn folk-rock band released latest album Strange to Explain, its first in three years, late last month. The record hews to the calmer, less-psychedelic end of Woods’ sonic spectrum, with songs like “Where Do You Go When You Dream” and the title track floating on the back of lush instrumentation, Jeremy Earl’s haunting voice and understated hooks that stay with you hours after. Like what you hear? Dig through the group’s 15year catalog and see what else appeals. Favorites here include Songs of Shame (2009), Sun and Shade (2011) and Bend Beyond (2012), but it all sounds consistently Woods-y—and we could all use some of that right now. –Spencer Patterson
TV
DOOM PATROL DC’s Doom Patrol was created contemporarily with Marvel’s X-Men, circa 1963. The two superhero teams have much in common: Both are composed of misfits and led by a brilliant, wheelchairbound man. But where the X-Men agonize over their otherness, Doom Patrol leans into theirs. And the DC Universe show based on the comic follows suit, with a stellar cast (including Brendan Fraser, Timothy Dalton and Alan Tudyk) diving headfirst into the deeply weird and darkly comic goings-on. HBO Max. –Geoff Carter
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(Brashaud Foard/Courtesy)
NOISE
Age of Aquarius Las Vegas singer Justin Ingalis continues making bold moves By Leslie Ventura as Vegas singer, producer and dancer Justin Ingalis creates music that elicits a visceral response. With his visual direction, confident style and bold lyrics, he makes listeners want to know more about the man behind the music—specifically, Who is he? and Where can I hear more? The enigmatic Ingalis recently dropped a NSFW video for his “Good Love” remix, in which the singer sports only a black crop top, a red do-rag and a pair of string-bikini bottoms while staring into a webcam from his plush, queen-size bed. The original song’s video was memorable in its own right, featuring a leather-jacket-clad Ingalis and two friends in a cul-de-sac dance-off with another dancer. Watching the creative’s visuals, it’s not surprising the 25-year-old Ingalis is starting to break beyond Nevada’s borders. Last year, he caught the attention of both Paper magazine and Billboard Pride, the latter of which included him in September playlist. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, he grew up in a musical family. “My mother would sing at church, and my dad was involved in all kinds of music,” says
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Ingalis, who’s currently back in Nebraska, waiting is a Latin-inspired cut that seems to impel every out the pandemic with his family. “My dad and my bone in one’s body to move. uncles had a band and sang anything from country Of his lyrics, Ingalis says, “They come from various to R&B and hip-hop covers. My dad’s side also has a things—personal experiences with relationships or Latin background, so they sang a lot of Latin music family or friends, or things my friends talk to me and reggae.” about. We’ll just have discussions, Five years ago, Ingalis moved to JUSTIN INGALIS and I’m like, ‘I definitely can relate to Las Vegas, with hopes of getting into YouTube channel: bit.ly/3eAzd8j that.’ They kind of stick with me, and the city’s music and dance scene. then I go off that and put myself in facebook.com/pg/justiningalis “I [hadn’t heard] much about the their shoes.” local scene, so when I got there it instagram.com/justiningalis Not unlike his father’s music, was interesting to meet all the new Ingalis’ art encompasses a variety of people and get to know a lot of the influences and textures, creating an underground artists,” he says. “I aesthetic all his own. The pandemic, didn’t realize how nice and genuine the music and he says, has encouraged him to become even more dance scene is in Vegas.” adventurous with his sound. Ingalis’ two May EPs—Aquarius Vol. 1 and Vol. “I think it’s made me dig deeper, think more about 2—are sexy and passionate, both featuring slow jams the process of creating and what I can do to reach and tracks made for dancing. “D.I.Y.” is slinky and people, since we don’t have those normal platforms,” blunt: “I ain’t comin’ over for no one night stand/ he says. “Things like the [“Good Love” remix video], You’re a grown man/Better use your other hand.” I recorded and edited at home, and I wouldn’t have “Ponté Travieso” (which translates to “Get Naughty”) probably done that if we weren’t in this situation.”
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LAS VEGANS ALEXIS MATEO AND INDIA FERRAH GEAR UP FOR THE LATEST RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE
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By Leslie Ventura
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 5
eginning June 5, three high-kicking Las Vegas queens will fight for the crown on the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. India Ferrah, Alexis Mateo and Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry will return to the Werk Room to represent Sin City in the fiercest ways possible, from over-the-top runway looks to gravity-defying death drops. The Weekly caught up with Ferran and Mateo to discuss the experience. Ferrah, a Drag Race Season 3 contestant, might be known for being “picked up”—literally— by queen Mimi Imfurst during a lip-sync battle, and for her larger-than-life looks. But Ferrah’s shy personality underwhelmed judges, and she wound up in 10th place. Ferrah hopes to show newfound confidence on All Stars. “I’ve grown so much,” Ferrah says. “Being here in Vegas really molded me into a completely new character.” Prior to the pandemic, Ferrah could be seen strutting her stuff at Drag Brunch inside Señor Frog’s at Treasure Island. Since the lockdown, Ferrah and her fiancée, queen Savannah James, have used their custom costume, wig and nail company, Ferrah-James Designs, as a platform to sell masks to the public (ferrahjamesdesigns.com). Ferrah says her costume business will give her an edge in the latest competition, which features new wrinkles to make it even more competitive. This time, instead of lip-syncing for their lives, contestants lip-sync against a “lip-sync assassin”—and receive $10,000 if they win. “It was the biggest gag,” Ferrah says. “I think all of us were shook so hard. It made us all up our game. We had to turn everything on.” Mateo returns to the All Star competition for the second time, having been on the first season in 2012. She placed third during Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Originally from Puerto Rico, Mateo lived in Florida before moving to Las Vegas last year. “Vegas is a new beginning for me,” Mateo says. “My life was in a very dark place before I got [here.] Vegas is a second chance to me, so I’m feeling like this is my new home.” In May, Mateo released a music video for her single, “The Crown,” on her YouTube channel (youtu.be/JWxKBfjP2gE)—a notso-subtle shot-call of her plan for All Stars Season 5. “They know I’m hungry,” Mateo says. As a returning All Star, Mateo might have an edge on other contestants, but she notes that her competition was equally as tough. “Season 1 of All Stars, we kind of didn’t know what to expect; it was kind of like The Twilight Zone for all of us,” Mateo says. “Going in for a third time, it’s completely different. This has been a very difficult one, too, not only because of the amount of pressure, but because the cast is so fierce.” Barry, who wasn’t available for an interview by press time, finished fifth on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 and is competing as an All Star for the first time. Barry also performed in a Las Vegas spin-off of the show, RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! at the Flamingo, and was a contestant on America’s Got Talent. Regardless of the outcome, Mateo says her on Drag Race experience has been unforgettable. ““Being on Drag Race has given me a platform to help others. Knowing that people know what I stand for … is just magical,” she says. I knew my life was onstage; I just didn’t know what I was supposed to be. Finding drag saved my life.”
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Alexis Mateo, Derrick Barry, India Ferrah (Viacom/Courtesy); RuPaul (Jordan Strauss/AP/Photo Illustration)
June 5, 8 p.m., VH1.
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A stitch in time Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Betsy Lucas stays busy designing clothing for dancers
Betsy Lucas performs in The Current, choreographed by Krista Baker, at the Smith Center stage, wearing her own designs. (Virginia Trudeau/Courtesy)
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By C. Moon Reed hich came first: dancing or sewing? Betsy Lucas doesn’t quite know. She’s been dancing and sewing about as long as she can remember. “Both have been a part of my life since like the beginning of time,” Lucas says. Career-wise, dancing has been primary. Lucas just completed her 10th season performing with Nevada Ballet Theatre, one sadly cut short by COVID-19. Before that, she danced with Oregon Ballet Theatre. Over the years, Lucas has performed many lead roles, including Odette/ Odile in Swan Lake, Wendy in Peter Pan and Clara in The Nutcracker. “She is such a strong dancer,” says colleague Krista Baker. “Even though she is petite, she is super powerful.” As a company artist, Lucas is always wearing skirts and leotards. Dancing with NBT is a full-time job, so she spends hours moving and stretching in the typical uniform of tights, leotard and skirt. As a third-generation stitcher, Lucas learned how to sew from her mother and grandmother. One day, she wondered if she could combine her talents. Lucas invested in a serger, a type of sewing machine that can do a “four-way stretch” and can best handle the special needs of dancer fabrics such as chiffon. “I would wear my skirts in rehearsal, and I had friends that would say, ‘Hey, I want to wear that one, too,” Lucas says.
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“So that’s kind of how it all got started.” In 2017, she launched her own venture called Style En Pointe. She sells rehearsal skirts and sometimes tights and leotards via the Instagram page @style.en.pointe. Skirts are $25 and face masks, a new addition for the pandemic, are $5. Even those with two left feet might find inspiration in scrolling through posts featuring gauzy skirts, ombre tights and more. One shows a dancer wearing a delicate, green Style En Pointe outfit. Thanks to the magic of the internet, she spins back and forth eternally, like a dancer in a jewelry box. “Dance, especially ballet, is all about the extension of lines that we create with our bodies and how can we make these lines look never-ending and effortless,” Lucas says. “I think that fashion and costume design does the same thing. They’re both pushing the extension of the human body and both showing [its] expression.” Lucas finds inspiration from current fashion trends, high-fashion designers like Christian Dior and, most importantly, her own movement. “I have the advantage of getting to wear the product quite often,” she says. She has learned what she likes: comfort and quality. And, of course, she loves the traditional aesthetics of ballet, which combines athleticism and femininity. “I think it really celebrates the beauty of a woman,” Lucas says.
(Jordan Mendoza/Courtesy)
In addition to rehearsal gear, Lucas creates and designs costumes. She has created them for the NBT’s annual collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, A Choreographers’ Showcase. Most recently, she made them for the world premiere of The Current at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. That ballet was written by fellow NBT dancer Baker. “I wanted Betsy to have artistic freedom when it came to designing
(Jordan Mendoza/Courtesy)
the looks,” Baker says. Lucas also performed in the premiere, so she had intimate knowledge of the dance. “She knew the inspiration of the piece and how the movement felt on her own body, so she drew from that— along with my approval—and created the silhouette and design. “They turned out so beautiful and helped bring my new ballet to life onstage. It was so fun to watch Betsy’s process and how much she seemed to enjoy it.” Baker estimates that every woman in NBT’s company has at least one Lucas creation, and some men even have tights or shorts designed by her. NBT’s performance venue, the Smith Center, is closed indefinitely due to the global pandemic, but Lucas is staying busy. She takes Zoom and Instagram Live dance classes at home. She cross-trains, walks her two German Shepherd mixes, works in her garden and bikes around Downtown. She’s also using the time to experiment with new ideas for Style En Pointe. “I fully believe that if you enjoy the hobbies and you express yourself through different mediums of art, it can be really enjoyable and fulfilling,” she says.
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FOOD & DRINK
Distill life For Fallon’s Frey Ranch family, bourbon flows from the ground By Genevie Durano
o be a distiller, one needs patience. After all, it can take years to see the fruits of your labor. For married couple Colby and Ashley Frey of Nevada’s Frey Ranch, their first bourbon whiskey was five years in the making. Frey Ranch’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch No. 1, distilled from four slow-grown grains, debuted in Southern Nevada earlier this year. But the story of Frey Ranch actually goes back 165 years, even before Nevada was a state. The Frey family has been working this fertile 1,500-acre piece of land since 1854. Colby, a fifth-generation farmer, takes his role as steward of his family’s land seriously. All he’s ever wanted to be was a farmer; the distilling came later, ushering the family legacy into a new era.
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“We’ve always grown wheat, rye, barley, corn, oats, alfalfa, hay and things like that, so we knew how to grow really high-quality grains. That’s why it was just a natural for us to make bourbon, which has wheat, rye, barley and corn,” Colby says. “My family has passed on from generation to generation different techniques on how to make extremely good-quality grains. “Anywhere you go in the world—different ingredients, different climates, different soils, anything— farms have to be run differently. So we have 165 years on how to grow crops the best way in our particular climate, soil and everything else. If we went to Kentucky and we tried to do the exact same things that we do here, we would probably fail miserably. That’s why that knowledge is really important.”
(All photos Jeff Dow/Courtesy)
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29
COCKTAIL RECIPES NEVADA BUCK
Ingredients: ■ 1 1/2 oz. Frey Ranch Bourbon ■ 1/4 oz. fresh lime juice ■ 3 oz. Fever Tree Spiced Orange Ginger Ale ■ 2 dashes aromatic bitters Method: Blend all ingredients over ice in a double Old Fashioned glass. Stir and garnish with orange slice.
RANCH HAND
Ingredients: ■ 1 1/2 oz. Frey Ranch Bourbon ■ 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice ■ 1/2 oz. honey syrup (2:1) ■ 1 dash Australian aromatic bitters Method: Blend all ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass garnished with fresh lemon peel.
Frey Ranch bourbon is available at several Valley restaurants, including Scotch 80 Prime at the Palms, Zuma at the Cosmopolitan, El Dorado Cantina at Tivoli Village and Oak & Ivy at Downtown Container Park. It can also be purchased at Lee’s Liquor, Liquor World and Khoury’s Fine Wine & Spirits.
That intimate knowledge of the land informs everything about how the Freys operate. Their location—Fallon, a town of 8,600 located some 60 miles east of Reno, which locals call “the oasis of Nevada”—is its biggest key. The water there comes from both sides of Lake Tahoe, and from the Carson and Truckee rivers. The Freys flood-irrigate the fields, a system that takes advantage of gravity and actually produces electricity, rather than using electricity through the use of pumps, more common for Nevada farms. That allows the Freys to control the water that gets to the seeds. Flood irrigation goes underneath the plant, helping to avoid mold or mildew, and the yield is consistent from year to year, regardless of the amount of rain. Everything that goes into Frey bourbon is grown
on-site. Having control of the ingredients—down to malting the barley, which helps with the fermentation process—is paramount for quality control. “When you take a bottle home, it has never left our possession,” Colby says. “We know 100 percent of what’s gone on in the production process.” And while the Freys have just now sent their first batch—distilled in 2015—to market, they’ve been at the craft far longer. Distillery laws in Nevada were passed in 2013, but Colby and Ashley got their federal experimental license in 2006, which gave them seven years to work out their recipes and have their one-of-a-kind still built by Vendome Copper & Brass Works. By 2014, they were up and running, and in their first year, they distilled 4,800 cases (at 12 bottles a case); last year, they
produced 65,000 cases. “I would say we’re definitely the pioneer in distilling in Nevada, because we’ve been carrying our license for such a long time and experimenting, and growing the grains and innovating well before anybody else,” Ashley says. All that work is now here, liquid gold poured from a stunning bottle whose label tells the story of Frey Ranch, from its establishment in 1864 to its present identity: Farmers + Distillers. The ranch’s logo is embossed on the bottle, with a message from Colby: “Every time I step onto this land, I can feel the generations before me.” Tip the bottle and there’s another message, the credo by which generations of Freys have lived: “Be good to the land and the land will be good to you.”
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For more locations, visit lasvegasweekly.com/foodguide.
Food and Drink Takeout & Delivery Guide Valleywide Above the Crust abovethecrustpizza.com n Pizza Now reopened
Capriotti’s capriottis.com n Sandwiches Now reopened Distill distillbar.com n Bar food Now reopened
Freed’s Bakery freedsbakery.com n Bakery Takeout & Delivery
Greens and Proteins greensandproteins.com n Healthy Now reopened
Hummus Bowls hummusbowls.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Rachel’s Kitchen rachelskitchen.com n Healthy Now reopened
Panchos Vegan Tacos panchovegano.com n Mexican Takeout & Delivery (Postmates, Grubhub)
Rise & Shine bestbreakfastvegas.com n Brunch Now reopened
Parsley parsleymediterranean.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Pinkbox pinkboxdoughnuts.com n Doughnuts Takeout & Delivery (Postmates)
Port of Subs portofsubs.com n Sandwiches Takeout & Delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)
ROBERTO’S robertostacoshop.com n Mexican Now reopened
Sapporo sapporolv.com n Asian Now reopened
Sweet Poke sweetpoke.com n Poke Now reopened
LIQUOR Liquor World Multiple locations liquorworldlv.com n Liquor Delivery
Downtown / Central Allegro 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S. 702-770-2040 wynnlasvegas.com/ dining n Italian Now reopened
Anthony’s New York 321 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702-896-0353 anthonysnewyork pizza.com n Pizza Now reopened
HUMMUS BOWLS
Bajamar 1615 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-331-4266 bajamarbajastyle.com n Mexican Takeout
The Blind Pig 4515 Dean Martin Drive 725-214-4474 app.theblindpignv.com n American Now reopened
Broadway Pizzeria 840 S. Rancho Drive 702-259-9002 n Pizza Now reopened
Capital Grille 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-932-6631 thecapitalgrille.com n American Now reopened
Carson Kitchen 124 S. 6th St. #100 702-472-9523 carsonkitchen.com/las n American Now reopened
Cornish Pasty 10 E. Charleston Blvd. 702-862-4538 cornishpastyco.com n English Takeout
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
DE Thai Kitchen 1108 S. 3rd St. 702-979-9121 dethaikitchen.com n Thai Now reopened
DoÑa Maria 910 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-382-6538 donamariatamales.com n Mexican Now reopened
Downtown Terrace 707 Fremont St. 702-553-2542 downtownterracelv.com n American Takeout & Delivery (Postmates, Uber Eats)
El Dorado Cantina 3025 S. Sammy Davis Jr. Drive 702-722-2289 eldoradocantina.com n Mexican Now reopened
El Segundo Sol 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S. 702-258-1211 elsegundosol.com n Mexican Now reopened
Esther’s Kitchen 1130 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702-570-7864 estherslv.com n Italian Now reopened
Evel Pie 508 Fremont St. 702-840-6460 evelpie.com n Pizza Now reopened
Every Grain 1430 E. Charleston Blvd. everygraintogo.square.site n Chinese Takeout
Ferraro’s 4480 Paradise Road 702-364-5300 ferraroslasvegas.com n Italian Now reopened
6.4.20
LV W F O O D & D R I N K 31
Information provided by restaurants and subject to change at any time.
THE BLIND PIG
■ Reopened restaurants are offering dine-in service, along with takeout and/or delivery. Send updates to restaurants@gmgvegas.com.
GROUCHY JOHN’S 6350 W. Charleston Blvd. #110 702-485-6520 grouchyjohns.com ■ Coffee Now reopened
NEW YORK BAGEL 840 S. Rancho Drive #16 702-258-7400 new-york-bagelbakery.business.site ■ Deli Now reopened
GYRO TIME 5239 W. Charleston Blvd. 702-878-6393 gyrotime.com ■ Mediterranean Takeout
NORA’S KITCHEN 5780 W. Flamingo Road 702-873-8990 norascuisine.com ■ Italian Now reopened
VEGENATION 616 E. Carson Ave. #120 702-366-8515 vegenationlv.com ■ Healthy Now reopened
VESTA 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702-685-1777 vestacoffee.com ■ Coffee Takeout & Delivery
Henderson LAS PUPUSAS 3111 S. Valley View Blvd. #105 702-248-7776 laspupusasrestaurant.com ■ Salvadorean Now reopened
LOTUS OF SIAM 953 E. Sahara Ave. #A5 702-735-3033 lotusofsiamlv.com ■ Thai Now reopened
MCMULLAN’S IRISH PUB 4650 W. Tropicana Ave. 702-247-7000 mcmullansirishpub.com ■ Bar food Now reopened
MOTHERSHIP 1028 Fremont St. 725-735-4539 mothershipcoffee.com ■ Coffee Now reopened
NAKED CITY PIZZA 4608 Paradise Road 702-722-2241 nakedcitylv.com ■ Pizza Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates)
PIZZA ROCK 201 N. 3rd St. 702-385-0887 pizzarocklasvegas.com ■ Pizza Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)
SIMPLY PURE 707 Fremont St. #1310 702-810-5641 simplypurelv.com ■ Vegan Delivery
SOFRITO RICO 5201 W. Charleston Blvd. #110 702-822-6220 facebook.com/sofritorico prcuisine ■ Puerto Rican Now reopened
SUNRISE COFFEE 3130 E. Sunset Road 702-433-3304 sunrisecoffeelv.com ■ Coffee Now reopened
TOMMY ROCKER’S 4275 Dean Martin Drive 702-261-6688 tommyrocker.com ■ Bar food Now reopened
(Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
CO N TI N U E TO E AT WELL WHILE SUPPORTING LO CA L B U S I N E SS E S
8 KITCHEN 2560 St. Rose Parkway #150 702-840-8066 8kitchenlv.com ■ Hawaiian Now reopened
ANNA’S 2642 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway 702-268-8049 annasbreakfastand lunchcafe.com ■ Brunch Now reopened
BELL’S BBQ 10895 S. Eastern Ave. 702-896-2355 bellsbarbecue.com ■ Barbecue Now reopened
BELLALINDA GELATERIA ITALIANA 40 Costa di Lago #130 702-856-3010 lakelasvegasgelato. com ■ Gelato Takeout
BIG B’S TEXAS BBQ 3019 St. Rose Parkway #130 702-260-6327 bigbztexasbbq.com ■ Barbecue Now reopened
DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT 43 S. Stephanie St. #100 702-463-7860 dickeys.com ■ Barbecue Now reopened
BONE & BELLY 2235 Village Walk Drive 702-600-4955 boneandbellyramen.com ■ Ramen Now reopened
EMILIO’S PIZZA BISTRO 639 N. Stephanie St. 702-564-6262 emiliospizzabistro.com ■ Pizza Now reopened
BORN AND RAISED 10050 S. Eastern Ave. #170 702-685-0258 bornandraisedlv.com ■ Bar food Now reopened
CARLITO’S BURRITOS 4300 E. Sunset Road #A5 702-547-3592 carlitosburritos.com ■ New Mexican Takeout & Delivery
DARK MOON 11041 S. Eastern Ave. #115 702-840-3300 darkmoon.coffee ■ Coffee Takeout
THE GREAT GREEK 1275 W. Warm Springs Road #160 702-547-2377 thegreatgreekgrill.com ■ Greek Now reopened
GRIDDLECAKES 9480 S. Eastern Ave. 702-360-3636 griddlecakeslv.com ■ Brunch Now reopened
HARDWAY 8 46 S. Water St. 702-410-5124 hardway8henderson. com ■ Bar food Now reopened
IL CHIANTI 72 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #100 702-566-1999 ■ Italian Takeout & Delivery
JUAN’S FLAMING FAJITAS 16 S. Water St. 702-476-4647 juansflamingfajitas andcantina.com ■ Mexican Now reopened
KITCHEN TABLE 1716 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #100 702-478-4782 kitchentablelv.com ■ Brunch Delivery
MAUI EXILES 2895 N. Green Valley Parkway #A 702-997-9268 mauiexiles.com ■ Hawaiian Takeout
MONTA CHAYA 9500 S. Eastern Ave. 702-405-9649 monrestaurantgroup.com ■ Ramen Now reopened
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n Reopened restaurants are offering dine-in service, along with takeout and/or delivery. Send updates to restaurants@gmgvegas.com.
Information provided by restaurants and subject to change at any time.
Food and Drink Takeout & Delivery Guide Mothership 2708 N. Green Valley Parkway 702-456-1869 mothershipcoffee.com n Coffee Now reopened
Sin City Smokers 2861 N. Green Valley Parkway 702-823-5605 sincitysmokers.com n Barbecue Now reopened
Pasta Shop 2525 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway 702-451-1893 pastashop.com n Italian Now reopened
The Steamie Weenie 1500 N. Green Valley Parkway #130 702-333-1383 steamieweenie.com n Hot dogs Now reopened
Paymon’s 8955 S. Eastern Ave. 702-333-4622 paymons.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Stella’s Pizza 10890 S. Eastern Ave. #108 702-675-8150 stellaspizzalv.com n Pizza Takeout & Delivery
Pin Kaow 9530 S. Eastern Ave. 702-407-1188 pinkaow.com n Thai Now reopened
Red Rice 9400 S. Eastern Ave. #106A 702-912-4826 redricelv.com n Guamanian Takeout & Delivery (Postmates, Grubhub)
Saga 10345 S. Eastern Ave. #100 702-260-0860 sagapastry.com n Scandinavian Now reopened
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza 1501 N. Green Valley Parkway 702-567-4000 sammyspizza.com n Pizza Now reopened
Kapuna Cafe 3231 N. Decatur Blvd. #122 702-395-1400 kapunacafe.com n Hawaiian Takeout & Delivery (DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats)
Southwest
South / Southeast
The Stove 11261 S. Eastern Ave. #200 702-625-5216 thestovelv.com n Brunch Now reopened
Thailicious 19 S. Stephanie St. #160 702-489-9441 thailiciousvegas.com n Thai Now reopened
NORTH Gyro Time 7660 W. Cheyenne Ave. 702-658-9729 gyrotime.com n Mediterranean Takeout & Delivery (Postmates, DoorDash)
Ichi Ramen House 7920 W. Tropical Parkway #170 702-570-7373 ichiramenhouse.com n Ramen Now reopened
KoMex Fusion 633 N. Decatur Blvd. #H 702-646-1612 komexfusion.com n Korean Takeout & Delivery (Postmates)
Market Grill Café 7070 N. Durango Drive 702-396-0070 marketgrillecafe.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Mezzo Bistro 4275 N. Rancho Drive 702-944-8880 mezzobistro.com n Italian Now reopened
Pizza Place 3231 N. Decatur Blvd. #104 702-331 5858 pizzaplacelv.com n Pizza Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)
Santa Fe Mining Co. 5021 N. Rainbow Blvd. 702-655-5939 santafeminingcompany.com n Bar food Now reopened
YourWay 6121 W. Lake Mead Blvd. #110 725-214-4445 yourwayrestaurant.com n Brunch Now reopened
For more locations, visit lasvegasweekly.com/foodguide.
Arashi Ramen 4555 S. Fort Apache Road #110 702-485-3222 ramenarashilv.com n Ramen Now reopened
Big Jerk 430 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd. 702-427-5267 bigjerkcaribbean.com n Caribbean Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates, DoorDash)
Bajamar 8180 Blue Diamond Road #110 702-331-5509 bajamarbajastyle.com n Mexican Takeout
Bootlegger Bistro 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-736-4939 bootleggerlasvegas.com n Italian Now reopened
Bambinos 2555 S. Durango Drive 702-242-2266 bambinospizza702.com n Pizza Now reopened
Boulevard 9860 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-939-2583 boulevardbarandgrille. com n American Now reopened
Big B’s Texas BBQ 6115 S. Fort Apache Road #110 702-844-8206 bigbztexasbbq.com n Barbecue Now reopened
Grouchy John’s 8520 S. Maryland Parkway 702-778-7553 grouchyjohns.com n Coffee Now reopened
The Black Sheep 8680 W. Warm Springs Road 702-954-3998 blacksheepvegas.com n American Takeout
Mama DePalma’s 9845 S. Maryland Parkway 702-837-6262 mamadepalmaspizza.com n Italian Now reopened
Born and Raised 7260 S. Cimarron Road 702-685-0258 bornandraisedlv.com n Bar food Now reopened
Protein House 9555 S. Eastern Ave. #125 702-816-3443 protein-house.com n Healthy Takeout & Delivery
The Cuppa 9275 W. Russell Road #170 702-778-7880 thecuppacoffeebar.com n Coffee Now reopened
Cured & Whey 6265 S. Valley View Blvd. 702-429-3617 curedandwhey.com n Specialty Takeout
Egg Sammie 7379 S. Rainbow Blvd. 725-204-8881 n Brunch Now reopened
Founders Coffee 6410 S. Durango Drive 702-916-4442 founderscoffeeco.com n Coffee Now reopened
Fukuburger 7365 S. Buffalo Drive #A 702-684-6161 fukuburger.com n Burgers Now reopened
Graffiti Bao 7355 S. Buffalo Drive 702-323-6033 graffitibao.com n Asian Takeout
Griddlecakes 6085 S. Fort Apache Road 702-891-8918 griddlecakeslv.com n Brunch Now reopened
Hedary’s 7365 W. Sahara Ave. #K 702-873-9041 hedaryslasvegas.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Jason James Pizza 8680 W. Warm Springs Road #100 702-478-9098 jasonjamespizzabistro.com n Pizza Now reopened
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(Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
6.4.20
THE STOVE
Jjanga 6125 S. Fort Apache Road #200 702-914-8821 jjangalv.com n Sushi Now reopened
Mama Bird 10550 Southern Highlands Parkway #140 702-570-6135 mamabirdsk.com n Southern Now reopened
Tres Cazuelas 3355 Spring Mountain Road #35 702-370-0751 trescazuelas.com n Latin Now reopened
Johnny C’s Diner 8175 Arville St. 702-263-0146 johnnycsdiner.com n Brunch Now reopened
Master Kim’s 7036 S. Durango Drive #100 702-823-3111 masterkimslv.com n Korean Now reopened
Zest 10670 Southern Highlands Parkway #10 702-202-2448 zestbistro.vegas n Italian Now reopened
Kobashi 8239 Dean Martin Drive #110 702-331-6233 kobashilv.com n Ramen Now reopened
Locale 7995 Blue Diamond Road 702-330-0404 localelv.com n Italian Now reopened
Oming’s Kitchen 5180 Blue Diamond Road #105 702-722-3171 omingskitchen.com n Filipino Takeout
Paradise Place 7365 W. Sahara Ave. #B 702-834-8188 paradiseplacelv.com n Jamaican Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates)
Bambini’s 4375 S. Buffalo Drive #105 702-272-0620 bambinispizza.com n Italian Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub)
Blue Ox Tavern 5825 W. Sahara Ave. #A 702-871-2536 blueoxtavern.com n Bar food Takeout & Delivery (Postmates, Uber Eats)
Cousins 9773 W. Flamingo Road 702-333-0086 cousinsnypizzaand pasta.com n Pizza Now reopened
Grape Vine Cafe 7501 W. Lake Mead Blvd. #120 702-228-9463 grapevinevegas.com n Italian Now reopened
The Fat Greek 4001 S. Decatur Blvd. #34 702-222-0666 thefatgreeklv.com. n Greek Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates)
Izakaya Go 3775 Spring Mountain Road #301 702-247-1183 izakayago.com n Japanese Now reopened
WEST 595 Craft & Kitchen 4950 S. Rainbow Blvd. #100 702-586-1050 595craftandkitchen.com n Bar food Now reopened
Aces & Ales 2801 N. Tenaya Way 702-638-2337 acesandales.com n Bar food Now reopened
Burnt Offerings 3909 W. Sahara Ave. #10 702-848-2876 burntofferingslv.com n Yiddish Takeout & Delivery
Capital Seafood 4215 Spring Mountain Road #B202 702-227-3588 n Chinese Now reopened
Forte Tapas 4180 S. Rainbow Blvd. #806 702-220-3876 barforte.com n European Takeout & Delivery
Fukuburger 3429 S. Jones Blvd. 702-262-6995 fukuburger.com n Burgers Now reopened
Lamaii 4480 Spring Mountain Road 702-238-0567 lamaiilv.com n Thai Now reopened
Partage 3839 Spring Mountain Road 702-582-5852 partage.vegas n French Delivery
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Information provided by restaurants and subject to change at any time.
Food and drink Takeout & Delivery Guide Pho 90 4355 W. Spring Mountain Road #101A 702-248-0698 n Vietnamese Now reopened
Pho Vietnam 4215 Spring Mountain Road #B201 702-227-8618 n Vietnamese Now reopened
Pin Kaow 1974 N. Rainbow Blvd. 702-638-2746 pinkaow.com n Thai Now reopened
Pokeman 3735 Spring Mountain Road #206 702-550-6466 pokemanonline.com n Poke Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates)
Ramen Show 7835 S. Rainbow Blvd. #7 702-462-6723 n Ramen Takeout & Delivery (Postmates)
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza 6500 W. Sahara Ave. 702-227-6000 sammyspizza.com n Pizza Now reopened
Sushi 21 4965 W. Tropicana Ave. #102 702-952-2500 sushi21.net n Sushi Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats)
Viet Noodle Bar 5266 Spring Mountain Road #106 702-750-9898 vietnoodlebarlv.com n Vietnamese Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub, Postmates)
Villa Pizza 3385 S. Durango Drive 702-878-7889 villapizzadurango.com n Pizza Now reopened
Weera 3839 W. Sahara Ave. #9 702-873-8749 weerathai.com n Thai Takeout & Delivery
WeerA 4276 Spring Mountain Road #105 702-485-1688 weerathai.com n Thai Takeout & Delivery
SUMMERLIN AREA Anna Marie’s 10170 W. Tropicana Ave. #144 725-605-3800 annamariesitalian cuisine.com n Italian Takeout & Delivery (DoorDash, Grubhub)
The Bagel Café 301 N. Buffalo Drive 702-255-3444 thebagelcafelv.com n Brunch Now reopened
Boba King 7660 W. Cheyenne Ave. #123 702-268-8130 n Tea Takeout & Delivery
Bonanno’s 2020 Park Centre Drive 702-476-6726 bonannosnewyork pizza.com n Pizza Now reopened
Buldogis 2291 S. Fort Apache Road #102 702-570-7560 buldogis.com n Hot dogs Now reopened
Café Lola 4280 Hualapai Way 702-766-5652 ilovecafelola.com n Coffee Now reopened
Chicago Brewing Co. 2201 S. Fort Apache Road 702-254-3333 chicagobrewinglv.com n Brewery Takeout
Dom DeMarco’s 9785 W. Charleston Blvd. 702-570-7000 domdemarcos.com n Italian Now reopened
DoÑa Maria 3205 N. Tenaya Way 702-656-1600 donamariatamales.com n Mexican Now reopened
Echo & Rig 440 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-489-3525 echoandrig.com n Steakhouse Takeout
El Dorado Cantina 430 S. Rampart Blvd. #110 702-333-1112 eldoradocantina.com n Mexican Now reopened
Flower Child 1007 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-507-2545 iamaflowerchild.com n Healthy Now reopened
Jamms Restaurant 1029 S. Rainbow Blvd. 702-877-0749 jammsrestaurant.com n American Now reopened
My Mother’s House 9320 Sun City Blvd. 702-998-2820 mymothershouselv.com n Italian Now reopened
Frankie’s Uptown 1770 Festival Plaza Drive #190 702-228-2766 frankiesuptown.com n Italian Takeout & Delivery (Grubhub)
Khoury’s 9340 W. Sahara Ave. #106 702-671-0005 khouryslv.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Nacho DaddY 9560 W. Sahara Ave. 702-462-2298 nachodaddy.com n Mexican Now reopened
Hamptons LV 440 S. Rampart Blvd. #180 702-916-148 hamptonslv.com n American Takeout
Hokkaido 3555 S. Town Center Drive 702-487-5555 hokkaidolv.com n Steak Now reopened
Honey Salt 1031 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-445-6100 honeysalt.com n American Now reopened
Hussong’s Cantina 740 S Rampart Blvd. 702-778-2160 hussongsbocapark.com n Mexican Now reopened
Island Fin Poke Co. 8780 W. Charleston Blvd. #103 702-444-4240 islandfinpoke.com n Poke Now reopened
Kona Grill 750 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-547-5552 konagrill.com n American Now reopened
La Strega 3555 S. Town Center Drive #105 702-722-2099 lastregalv.com n Italian Takeout
Lola’s 1220 N. Town Center Drive 702-871-5652 lolaslasvegas.com n Southern Now reopened
Marché Bacchus 2620 Regatta Drive 702-804-8008 marchebacchus.com n French Now reopened
Mark Rich’s 11710 W. Charleston Blvd. #15 702-363-7272 markrichsnypizza.com n Italian Now reopened
MTO Café 10970 Festival Plaza Drive #100 702-982-0770 mtocafe.com n Brunch Now reopened
North Italia 1069 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-507-0927 northitalia.com n Italian Now reopened
OhLala 2120 N. Rampart Blvd. #150 702-222-3522 ohlalafrenchbistro.com n French Takeout & Delivery
Paymon’s 8380 W. Sahara Ave. 702-804-0293 paymons.com n Mediterranean Takeout & Delivery (Postmates)
PKWY Tavern 450 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-722-2000 pkwytavern.com n Bar food Delivery
Pressed Juicery 410 S. Rampart Blvd. #135 702-333-0609 pressedjuicery.com n Juice Takeout & Delivery
Public School 702 1850 Festival Plaza Drive 702-749-3007 psontap.com n Italian Now reopened
6.4.20
For more locations, visit lasvegasweekly.com/foodguide.
n Reopened restaurants are offering
dine-in service, along with takeout and/or delivery. Send updates to restaurants@gmgvegas.com.
Rooster Boy Cafe 2620 Regatta Drive #113 702-560-2453 roosterboycafe.com n Brunch Takeout
Sambalatte 750 S. Rampart Blvd. #9 702-272-2333 sambalatte.com n Coffee Now reopened
Siena Italian 9500 W. Sahara Ave 702-360-3358 sienaitalian.com n Italian Now reopened
Sparrow + Wolf 4480 Spring Mountain Road #100 702-790-2147 sparrowandwolflv.com n American Now reopened
Sultan’s Grill 1910 Village Center Circle #7 702-838-3221 sultansgrilllv.com n Mediterranean Now reopened
Sunny Side Up 750 S. Rampart Blvd. #15 725-777-3737 n Brunch Now reopened
Trattoria Reggiano 2020 Park Centre Drive 702-749-6966 trattoria-reggiano.com n Italian Now reopened
(Sun File)
LV W f o o d & D R I N K 35
Wolfgang Puck Players Locker 10955 Oval Park Drive 702-202-6300 wolfgangpuck.com n Bar food Now reopened BAR CODE BURGER BAR
East Aces & Ales 3740 S. Nellis Blvd. 702-436-7600 acesandales.com n Bar food Now reopened
Bar code Burger Bar 1590 E. Flamingo Road 702-294-2633 barcodeburgerbar.com n Bar food Now reopened
Lindo Michoacan 2655 E. Desert Inn Road 702-735-6828 lindomichoacan.com n Mexican Now reopened
The Plate 2396 S. Lamb Blvd. 702-431-3334 theplatebargrill.business.site n Bar food Now reopened
Siegel’s Bagelmania 855 E. Twain Ave. #120 702-369-3322 bagelmanialv.com n Brunch Now reopened
Taco Y Taco 3430 E. Tropicana Ave. 702-307-1571 tacoytacolv.com n Mexican Now reopened
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L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
6.4.20
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LV W S P O R T S 6 . 4 . 2 0
TRAIN. CLEAN. REPEAT HOW LOCAL GYM AND FITNESS OPERATIONS HAVE CHANGED SINCE REOPENING BY CASE KEEFER he first sign of Happy Hour Fitness and Social Club is visible a half-mile away on a recent Monday morning. A man in a sweat-soaked gray T-shirt labors down the side of the street as part of a workout-ending run. A few hundred meters away, in a long driveway, a couple lunges through a resistance-band exercise on the hot, black pavement, while another man off to the side pushes a weight sled across a 20-yard patch of turf. More activity rages inside the garage-converted gym in the southwest Valley, as one woman planks in the east corner while two people on the opposite end go through a dumbbell routine. On the second weekday since Gov. Steve Sisolak permitted gyms to operate again as part of Phase 2 of Nevada’s coronavirus reopenings, attendance is strong at Roxanne Lavin’s private personal training business. “We were busy right from the second we opened back up,” Lavin says between squat sets. “I think clients were anxious to get back.” Lavin stays in constant motion, coaching clients through five circuits and probably inhaling a liter’s worth of disinfectant from 5:30-9 a.m., when Happy Hour is open for morning sessions. Not only has she amassed her own armory of Lysol spray, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer, but she also now requires all members to bring their own supplies to clean stations every eight minutes before moving on to the next portion of the workout. From small, locally owned training businesses to corporate-run gyms, the workout experience will
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likely look this way around the Valley for the next several months. They’re all doing their best to comply with the state’s new requirements, which include strict social distancing, a 50% occupancy limit and rigorous sanitization. “We’ve been working night and day, and through the weekends, to make sure we have the right training and content for our team members and customers,” says Kevin Siegel, vice president of member experience at Life Time Athletic. “We’ve invested heavily in cleaning and socially distancing at our clubs with EPA hospital-grade disinfectants and signage. We’re giving the safest and best experience to our customers.” Life Time reopens its two local locations, in Henderson and Summerlin, on June 4, a few days later than chains like Las Vegas Athletic Clubs, which restarted May 30, and EoS Fitness, which reopened June 1. Sie-
gel, who’s based out of Henderson, says the company might have waited even longer had it not been for feedback from local customers indicating they wanted access to the gyms as soon as possible. Life Time’s corporate office sent out an email to members with videos detailing its new safety plans and a survey asking when they wanted gyms to reopen. “Las Vegas had the highest confidence of that survey of members ready to come back,” Siegel says. “We had an overwhelming response once our customers saw our cleaning protocols and standards.” Lavin reports the same level of eagerness, estimating she has seen 75% of her clients in person since it has been permitted. The other quarter still feel more comfortable receiving online coaching. On-demand video training sessions became the focus of fitness brands like Life Time during quarantine and will
6 . 4 . 2 0 LV W S P O R T S
39
Roxanne Lavin reopened Happy Hour Fitness Social Club on June 1, with new cleaning protocols in place. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff photos)
continue to be available to those who prefer working out at home. “We were heavily in the creation process before the closures, but we were able to speed it up very fast and deploy that to our customers and offer complimentary streaming during the closures,” Siegel says. “We had more than a million views in the first 30 days, which was exceptional. We had no idea what the market was, and now we’re going to continue to invest in that space and offer great content to our customers going forward.” In statements, both Life Time and LVAC explained that they didn’t foresee the 50% maximum occupancy guideline being a problem, because their clubs are so large and rarely reached that threshold pre-pandemic. To help stave off overcrowding, they’ve released timeline data that was previously kept private.
Members can now look up graphs charting the busiest and slowest times throughout the week to plan their workouts. Smaller businesses like Lavin’s are finding other ways to space out foot traffic. She has expanded her availability by an hour and has moved to more flexible start times, allowing clients to stop in at their leisure. “I’ve given them a longer time frame to come in, and it works out perfectly because the people who come late stagger themselves from the people who are early,” Lavin says. “I’ve had to structure my workouts differently to allow time at different stations, so we have time to clean those stations before the next. It’s changed the way I program for sure, but it’s given me a better flow.” Masks are optional at gyms under state protocols, but none of the 10-12 people who cycled into Happy
Hour over a 90-minute period wore them. They will be available for sale at a nominal charge for members at Life Time and LVAC, with both companies requiring employees to wear them at all times. Operators are acting with a great deal of caution in returning, and patrons appear excited to get back in the gym. “Because everyone wanted to come back so badly, they’ve been willing to do whatever compliance they’ve needed to do,” Lavin says. “I think they realize with all the things going on, taking care of yourself and taking care of your health is by far the most important thing. Yes, you can wear a mask or gloves and sanitize, but if you’re not healthy overall, there’s always going to be that underlying fear, more so than someone who’s really focused on staying healthy and staying in shape.”
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VEGAS INC BUSINESS 6.4.20
New coffee shop owners remained energized during the shutdown
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BY BRYAN HORWATH WEEKLY STAFF
im Carter never gives up. It’s a mentality he says stems from his basketball upbringing and Las Vegas roots, growing up in a city that prides itself on bouncing back. That’s why Carter didn’t seriously consider permanently closing BLVD Coffee, the Downtown shop he opened March 6 with his brother, former UNLV player Ben Carter. Two weeks later, Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered nonessential businesses in the state to close temporarily—a significant blow to any small business, let alone one that had only been open a few days. “We were thinking we’d be closed maybe a month or so, and we’d be back to normal,” Carter said. “Two months went by, and we were still shut down. We weren’t sure what to do. We were taking it day by day, but not once did we think about throwing in the towel. That’s not how we were raised.” Just north of the Strip, in the shadow of Rick Harrison’s Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, BLVD Coffee reopened in mid-May. The brothers, who own the shop with a third area business partner, were both standouts at Bishop Gorman High School, where they won a combined three state championships before going on to college careers. After graduating from Oregon’s Warner Pacific University, Tim, 28, knew he wanted to come back to Las Vegas, but he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do. When the opportunity presented itself to run a coffee shop, he jumped at it. “I love Vegas. There’s nothing you can’t get here, besides the beach,” he said. “I hope to be successful with this business and maybe branch out eventually to other businesses.”
His father, Mike Carter, has been very involved in the venture, too, spending his free time at the shop and helping behind the counter. He’s a basketball junkie who helps coach Gorman and local club teams. He also played professionally overseas for nearly two decades. “I’m a people person, so I love to come and hang out,” Mike said. “I’ve been around a lot of different cultures. It’s fun to see the different people who come down here.”
Though business has been slow to pick up again—a result of Las Vegas essentially being shut down to visitors for more than two months—being so close to a famous pawnshop doesn’t hurt foot traffic. Harrison’s store, of course, is the site of the hit TV series Pawn Stars, which airs on the History channel. “You can feel the energy down here,” Tim said. “Those [Pawn Stars] guys have been really great to us. There’s a lot of people that come through this area, and if we can attract some of them and also work on the local market, that’s the plan. We’d love to get a core group of locals from around the area.” BLVD Coffee is located at Pawn Plaza, an open-air, two-story building a short walk from the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop that houses a number of other small businesses. The shop is geared mostly toward folks on the go, but there’s also a sit-down area with a few tables for those who want to take a load off. “It’s a cool little place,” Harrison said. “I think they’re going to be really busy. There’s a lot of lawyers in this area who I think will stop by and grab a coffee in the morning. It’s a nice change from Starbucks.” Though Ben is away—he’ll be back in August—he’s still in daily contact with his brother, getting the latest info on how the business is running. And Tim said he doesn’t see any quitting in his hometown, mirroring his own life philosophy. “One thing sports has taught me is that you have to be true to the course,” Tim Carter said. “I know it sounds cliché, but you have to stay positive. You have to keep that forward momentum going. Vegas will bounce back. That’s what we do.”
Tim Carter, right, and his father, Michael, at BLVD Coffee in Downtown Las Vegas. Tim is co-owner of the coffee shop with his brother Ben. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
6.4.20
VegasInc Giving Notes Hope Means Nevada, a movement to raise awareness around mental health and teen suicide, launched six months early to support Nevadans with increased stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign was created by R&R Partners and 30 partners and supporters including organizations like Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, Las Vegas Raiders, UNLV, Vegas Golden Knights, the cities of Las Vegas and Henderson, R&R Partners Foundation and Clark County Medical Society Alliance. The goal is to connect the community to appropriate resources for help and support, creating a statewide culture of sustainable funding and caring for mental health, and ultimately reversing Nevada’s suicide rate. The Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association and its southern chapter, Southern Nevada Franchised New Car & Truck Dealer Association, donated $100,000 to the state’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. In addition to association donations, Bill Pearce Motors, Forman Automotive and other members of NFADA have made individual contributions as well. In conjunction with their #DriveBigger campaign, Findlay Volkswagen Henderson has transformed its Little Free Library into a food pantry stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables and nonperishable food items for employees and the community. New Vista, a nonprofit that provides supported living arrangements for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has partnered with HomeAid Southern Nevada to renovate one of four homes in New Vista Ranch to provide safe, clean and dignified housing for residents as part of its Youth Initiative Campaign. The campaign seeks to address the
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chapter of the commercial real estate nonprofit organization, donated $7,500 to aid in the COVID-19 relief efforts of the Salvation Army Southern Nevada to provide shelter and meals for hundreds of homeless people and equip Nevadans in need with supplies and medical beds. The Salvation Army Southern Nevada was awarded a grant from the MGM Resorts Foundation for its anti-human trafficking program, SEEDS of Hope, which provides case management to identified victims of human trafficking. With this funding, the program, led by Erin Kauffman, plans to provide services to 40 or more victims of trafficking.
The Venetian and Las Vegas Sands partnered with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada to provide 1,000 boxed meals a day from May 1 to May 14. The meals were used for homeless outreach while the organization’s dining facility was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each boxed meal included a “Message of LOVE,” a note that shares words of encouragement submitted online by Venetian team members, and others from around the world. In addition, each box was distributed with a Venetian hygiene kit containing body wash and lotion. (Courtesy) challenges plaguing children in the foster care system. Located near Gilcrease Orchard, the ranch is situated on 15 acres, and comprises four custom homes, built especially for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, along with McDonald’s and its community partners, awarded $141,250 to 90 high school seniors and 43 returning college students through the organization’s scholarship program for 2020. Since 1999, RMHC and its partners have awarded more than $4.4 million in scholarships to eligible students and alumni in Clark and Nye counties. The Public Education Foundation awarded more than $2.7 million in college scholarships to over 600 graduating high school
seniors and college-enrolled students for the upcoming 202021 school year, a record-breaking year thanks to the generosity of donors. Since 1995, the foundation has worked with donors and organizations to award more than $18 million in scholarships to more than 6,400 students. Each year, approximately 350 scholarships are available, some that award to multiple students. The Rogers Foundation awarded 25 local high school seniors college scholarships totaling more than $2 million, with each award ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. The money is valid toward educational costs at any college or university in the United States. Scholarships are awarded annually with rolling application submissions accepted in the fall and winter. BOMA Nevada, the Nevada
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada donated 10,000 sunscreen packets to the Cashman Isolation-Quarantine Complex (ISO-Q), which houses and treats the Valley’s homeless population who have contracted the coronavirus. The donation, secured through the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE, is the result of the organization’s efforts to coordinate and secure donations of cash and items needed to combat the coronavirus. The sunscreen packets will be used at the ISO-Q, a partially outdoor facility. Goettl Air Conditioning and Plumbing donated $3,000 along with needed food items to Three Square to help families who relying on its services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation will help the food bank supply more than 18,000 meals. Goettl team members began collecting monetary donations as well as nonperishable food items and toiletries at their office on 6521 W. Post Road. Additionally, Ken Goodrich, CEO of Goettl, matched every item and dollar contributed throughout the drive. Bank of Nevada committed more than $415,000 to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on communities across Nevada and strengthen those communities as they work to emerge from the crisis. These funds are part of an overall contribution of $2 mil-
vegas inc business
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lion from Western Alliance Bancorporation, the Phoenix-based parent company of Bank of Nevada, for community needs in Nevada, Arizona and California. The donation encompasses all support given to organizations within Nevada on behalf of Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank. In Southern Nevada, funded organizations include: the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Workforce Connections - Layoff Aversion Pilot, United Way of Southern Nevada, the Public Education Foundation and Delivering With Dignity. City National Bank donated $10,000 to the Nevada COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support the state’s recovery efforts. Additionally, the bank made a $5,000 donation to Three Square and its Bag Childhood Hunger campaign. The funds from City National will be matched by the Bennett Family Foundation, up to $10,000, which will provide 60,000 meals to Southern Nevada’s foodinsecure families and children. Carl Icahn made a grant of $350,000 to Caesars Cares, an assistance fund established to support Caesars Entertainment team members who suffer unanticipated hardships. The donation matched those of many of the company’s business partners, for a total of $700,000. Dining partner donors include Gordon Ramsay, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri and Bobby Flay, as well as Mr. Chow, Nobu Restaurant, Old Homestead and Rao’s. Entertainment partner donors include Criss Angel, Jeff Dunham, Mat Franco, Jimmy Kimmel, Wayne Newton, Penn & Teller, Piff the Magic Dragon, Jerry Seinfeld and Donny Osmond. Show contributions include Bronx Wanderers, the Mac King Comedy Magic Show, Menopause the Musical, Paranormal and X Burlesque. Many of Caesars’ other business partners have made donations as well, including Adobe, Base Entertainment, C3 Presents, Desert Labor, Glist Entertainment, Kre8 Media, Red Mercury, Stabile Productions, Ticketmaster and We Serve.
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LV W p u z z l e & h o r o s c o p e s
Premier Crossword
6.4.20
“JUST ADD SALT” by frank Longo
horoscopes week of June 4 by rob brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): In June 1944, a top-secret British spy organization used Paul Verlaine’s “Autumn Song” as a code to communicate information to the French Resistance about the upcoming D-Day invasion. In that spirit, consider this from Verlaine: “Delight in good-omened fortune, baptized by the bristling scents of mint, thyme and clover on the wind of dawn.” Regard this as a signal to acquire a necessary resource, strengthen connections with key allies and intensify your current quest. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Philosopher Bertrand Russell observed, “The best life is the one in which the creative impulses play the largest part and the possessive impulses the smallest.” That is an especially essential truth for you in the coming weeks. Your creative powers will thrive, even soar and generate blessings, to the degree that you downplay and outwit your possessive inclinations. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “It’s OK to live a life others don’t understand,” writes author Jenna Woginrich. All of us have quirky behaviors, idiosyncratic ideas and odd feelings that other people find hard to understand, let alone appreciate. The coming weeks will be a time when it’s best for you to emancipate yourself from the need to be perfectly understood as you express your raw, pure, unique self. CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’m lucky to have never been addicted to alcohol or drugs. But I am a bit addicted to other things, like fearful fantasies, sexual feelings and the urge to win arguments. So I’m blessed in some ways, cursed in others. In honor of our season of introspection, do what I just did: Count your blessings and curses. Doing so will bring you just the right kind of healing. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Jacquemus Mini Le Chiquito” is the name of a tiny purse you can buy for $522. It fits into the palm of your hand and won’t hold much. You should be surrounding yourself with symbols of capaciousness and roominess. You need influences that inspire you to be a spacious container. It’s time for you to welcome and receive an abundance of blessings, inquiries and invitations. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Worry is a way to pretend that you have knowledge or control over what you don’t,” writes author Rebecca Solnit. “And it surprises me, even in myself, how much we prefer ugly scenarios to the pure unknown.” Fight off and dissolve the reflex to worry. If an ugly scenario rises up in your imagination, remind yourself that it’s not true and replace it with a fantasy of a desirable scenario.
2018 King features syndicate
ACROSS 1 V-J Day prez 4 Not cooked 7 Epoch 10 Nails, as an exam 14 “— boy!” 18 “There it is!” 19 Went by, as hours 21 Whet 22 Unmask 23 Giving monikers to flower holders? 25 Whale type 26 Bride’s ride, perhaps 27 It might follow “So I lied!” 28 That, to Juanita 29 The lass I love with a twangy voice? 31 Fill with fury 33 Alaskan panhandle city 36 “No fooling!” 37 Embryonic thyroids and pituitaries? 40 Many a shareable PC file 41 Cry loudly 43 “Chairman —” (NBA moniker) 44 Brief review 46 Lake in north Minnesota 48 Broken stone used in paving 53 Actor Lane after improving his skills? 55 Amazed 56 “Will you allow me?” 58 Father, in France 59 Be disposed 60 Batman Forever star commanding a warship? 63 Barrage of shots
66 Fail to feed 67 Actress on HBO’s Insecure 70 Matador 74 Levi’s material 76 Homer hit by poet Tate? 78 Swing about 81 Old soda brand 84 The Beatles’ “— Tired” 85 “Better in Time” singer Lewis 86 Title of a sommelier training video hosted by novelist Gordimer? 90 Goes into overtime, say 92 Rival of Sampras 93 Heat energy unit 94 See 115-Across 95 Sharks’ org. 96 Signing tool 98 Dilemma caused by quarterback Joe? 105 Men’s neckwear accessory 108 Island porch 109 Beethoven’s Third 110 Really mean porkers? 112 Biology subj. 114 Financier Carl 115 With 94-Across, designer with the fragrance Fantasia 116 QED’s “E” 117 Rich founder of a loofah-producing company? 120 Newsy note 121 Jazzy Simone 122 Feeling bad for 123 Rural tract 124 California city
known for its zinfandel 125 Highlander, e.g. 126 Positive reply 127 Negative replies 128 Bit of work DOWN Broadway’s Dear 1 Evan — 2 Debi Mazar’s Entourage role 3 Beast breakers 4 Go back (on) 5 N. Afr. country 6 Surfer’s ride 7 Attack verbally 8 “No fooling!” 9 Mag VIPs 10 Shout at sea 11 Breed of herding dog 12 Set up tents 13 Totally enclosed 14 Lion in Narnia tales 15 “Speaking,” for a woman on the phone 16 Redpack container 17 GI on the run 20 “Do not —” (Monopoly directive) 24 Non-PC computer 29 Reckless 30 U.S.-Can.-Mex. pact 32 “Only Time” singer 34 Dawdles 35 Pant leg part 38 Singer Terrell 39 Fill totally 42 U2, for one 45 Medusa’s killer 47 ABA member 48 Hr. fractions 49 Biology subj. 50 Vena —
51 Tony winners, e.g. 52 Probe (into) 53 Fitness sites 54 Stephen of The Heavy 57 Foodstuff 61 Griffey of baseball 62 Operated 64 Kin of “Inc.” 65 “There it is!” 68 Best Picture of 1988 69 Cry of woe 71 Big heads 72 Nevada city 73 City in 5-Down 75 Not Rep. or Dem. 77 Clean a spill 78 Stately bird 79 Attack verbally 80 Not trued up 82 Violinist Hilary 83 Paragons 87 U.S. humane org. 88 TV ratings system 89 — la Douce 91 Old Italian coins 94 Climb, as a tree or rope 97 — acid (aqua fortis) 99 Seer’s cards 100 Circular gaskets 101 — Raton 102 Likely (to) 103 Parrot, often 104 Guy’s stylish carrier 106 As a friend, in France 107 Kind of bar 110 Sandbox toy 111 Coup d’— 113 Not “fer” 117 Operative 118 Crusty treat 119 Brian of rock
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): William Faulkner was asked by a cousin if he was drunk when he dreamed up the imaginative stories and characters in his novels. He did consume alcohol in excessive amounts, but rarely while writing. His creative ideas mostly came from his fertile imagination, not an unhinged spirit. Be like Faulkner during the inventive phases he enjoyed while sober and disciplined and driven. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “What use is this howling tenderness?” wrote eighthcentury Tamil mystic poet Andal. No one has answered her question until now. Howling tenderness is useful because it has the power to shatter mysterious barriers that have been at least partially obstructing you from exploring the frontiers of sacred intimacy. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Buddhist Jack Kornfield articulates the spiritual medicine you should seek. “When we have for so long been judged by everyone we meet, just to look into the eyes of another who does not judge us can be extraordinarily healing.” Identify the people who can perform this service for you, even if it has to happen over FaceTime or via Zoom. Then, offer to perform the same service for others. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “The changes we dread most may contain our salvation,” writes author Barbara Kingsolver. A less melodramatic version might say, “The adjustments we’re resisting may actually be healthy.” Or “The uncomfortable transitions we’re avoiding might ultimately lead to a better version of comfort.” Do any of these work for you right now? AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Who can order the Holy?” author and minister Marilyn Sewell asks. “It is like a rain forest, dripping, lush, fecund, wild. We enter its abundance at our peril, for here we are called to the wholeness for which we long, but which requires all we are and can hope to be.” Sewell’s version of holiness is recommended. You’re primed to upgrade and deepen your sacred lust for life. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The Iroquois Confederacy had been practicing participatory democracy for 350 years before Europeans landed here. The principles of these native people influenced the formation of the United States and its Constitution. Be inspired by these facts. Draw teachings from the past and use them to create your future. Study the perspectives of indigenous people and incorporate their wisdom into the way you live.
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