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SOME VEGAS VISITORS WILL HAVE TO QUARANTINE WHEN THEY GET HOME Tourism officials say it’s too early to determine if self-isolation mandates for travelers returning to four states from Nevada will have a significant impact on Las Vegas visitation. New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and Connecticut have instructed their residents to quarantine for 14 days after returning from a number of states considered to be COVID-19 hot spots, including Nevada. Chicago issued similar orders for its residents. “It is premature to determine whether the selfisolation rules in some states are having an effect on tourism,” Lori Nelson-Kraft, a spokeswoman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said in a statement. “These decisions by state leaders illustrate the significance of our Vegas Smart efforts, including strong support for mandatory masks and other precautions our state is taking. We certainly understand and respect the extra precautions being taken by other states and are hopeful these combined efforts will help keep travelers safe.” Visitors from the states in question aren’t initially expected to be regulars in the resort corridor for the reboot of the Strip, which started to gradually reopen June 4 with strict safety protocols following nearly 80 days of pandemic closures. Rather, a bulk of the visitors are automobile travelers from California and other neighboring states. –Bryan Horwath

WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD EV E N T S T O F O L L OW A N D N EWS YO U M I SS E D

A crowd watches a performer on a Flyboard water jetpack before an Independence Day fireworks show at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson on July 4. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

IN THIS ISSUE

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Cover Story: Tips for living life in the time of COVID-19 Binge This Week: Our latest staff suggestions Food & Drink: A few of the Valley’s great patios Sports: Locals kick in as MLS resumes play Vegas Inc: The Aviators’ lost 2020 season

STORIES FROM LAST WEEK STUDENTS MIGHT BE FORCED OUT International students will be forced to leave the country or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall, under new guidelines issued July 6 by federal immigration authorities. The American Council on Education, which represents university presidents, said the guidelines are “horrifying” and will result in confusion as schools look for ways to reopen safely. GAMING EXEC DIES IN ACCIDENT ON MICHIGAN LAKE Station Casinos President Richard Haskins was killed July 4 in a watercraft accident in Michigan while on vacation. Haskins, 56, was on a Sea-Doo personal watercraft that collided with a 27-foot powerboat, according to authorities. HOME PRICES HOLD STEADY Las Vegas Realtors reported that the median sale price for an existing home in Southern Nevada, as reported by the organization’s Multiple Listing Service, actually hit an all-time high at $325,000 in June.

HE SAID IT

“Your words and actions will always be held to a higher standard than others. You have to be prepared for that. You don’t learn these things in school. You learn them from trials and tribulations, the ups and downs this crazy world provides. You will always have people testing you. Seeing if they can knock you off your pedestal. I encourage you to keep your head held high and walk proudly on the path you have chosen. Never let anybody tell you that you can’t do something! ... Last thing, always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE! Love over hate every day. Love should come naturally as people are TAUGHT to hate. Even when it’s HATE from the POTUS.” –NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, July 6

VOTES ARE BINDING The Supreme Court ruled unanimously July 6 that presidential electors can be required to back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College. So-called faithless electors have not been critical to the outcome of a presidential election, but that could change in a race decided by just a few electoral votes. It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. ACES’ CAMBAGE OUT Las Vegas Aces All-Star center Liz Cambage is expected to miss the upcoming WNBA season for health reasons. “In the evaluation of Liz Cambage’s health and preexisting risk factors with her team doctor, we believe her to be at high risk for severe illness if she contracts COVID-19 in participating this WNBA season,” Cambage’s agent, Allison Galer, said July 4. Teams headed to Florida on July 6 to start quarantining before training camp opens.

A protester holds a flag as crews lower the statue of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart after removing it from its pedestal July 7 in Richmond, Virginia. The statue is one of several that will be removed by the city as part of the reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement. The statue was installed on Richmond’s Monument Avenue in 1907, a time when white leaders across the South sought to glorify the “lost cause” of the Civil War and suppress attempts by Black people to assert their equality. It depicts James Ewell Brown Stuart, commander of the Cavalry Corps of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Inscriptions on the base are filled with tributes to Stuart, who was fatally wounded by a Union soldier and died at age 31 on May 12, 1864. “He gave his life for his country and saved his city from capture,” reads one inscription. (Steve Helber/Associated Press)

NHL, UNION ANNOUNCE PLAN TO RESUME PLAY ON AUGUST 1 It’s been nearly four months since we’ve seen a live ice hockey game, and for much of that time, no one knew when the next one would be. Now we know. The NHL and the Players’ Association announced July 6 a memorandum of understanding for a new collective bargaining agreement. It includes an August 1 date to resume games. The league will begin mandatory training camps July 13, and the 24 remaining postseason teams will report to their hub cities July 26. Teams are expected to play at least one exhibition game before beginning either the qualifying round or seeding round-robin. As one of the top four teams in the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights will not compete in the qualifying round. They will play the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars in a threegame round-robin to determine seeding for the Round of 16. The playoff brackets will be re-seeded after each round. The NHL has yet to announce the hub cities, but multiple reports have indicated they will be Edmonton and Toronto, with the conferences geographically aligned, meaning the Golden Knights would go to Edmonton. Also on July 6, the NHL announced that 35 players have tested positive for COVID-19 since the league began its optional, small-group workouts at team facilities. –Justin Emerson

5-MINUTE EXPERT

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AIMING FOR ZERO REDUCING WASTE IN OUR LANDFILLS AND OCEANS BEGINS IN OUR KITCHENS

Give up the Tupperware. Plastic food containers warp and discolor over time, or, even worse, can leach harmful chemicals onto your food. And most inevitably end up in a landfill. Invest in glass containers—they can go from the fridge to the microwave to the dishwasher, and are great for meal prepping. Unless you break them, they’ll last forever.

BY GENEVIE DURANO ith the prevalence of plastic in our daily lives, it’s easy to forget that its mass production really only began six decades ago. Yet we’ve created 8.3 billion metric tons of it so far, with the majority—6.3 billion metric tons—now sitting in landfills, where it will remain for the next 400 years before it degrades. ¶ And we keep producing ever more of it. By 2050, there will be as much as 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste in landfills. The oceans, too, have borne the brunt of our lifestyles of convenience. Scientists predict that by 2050, our seas will contain, by weight, more plastic waste than fish. ¶ A 2018 study published in the journal Science Advances found that half of all plastic manufactured becomes trash in less than a year. If you’ve been recycling, certainly keep doing so, but know that the United States’ recycling rate has been at only 9% since 2012. ¶ Where you are going to make the most impact is actually reducing the amount of trash you generate, starting in the most-trafficked part of your house. With a little planning, patience and effort, you can move closer to a zerowaste kitchen. Here’s how to start.

Plan ahead. In a study published in the journal PLOS One in 2018, Americans waste about a pound of food per person a day, or 25% of what they purchase. About 4.2 trillion gallons of water are used to produce all that uneaten food. Plan your meals before you hit the grocery store to avoid buying fruit and produce that will go to waste. Also, choose the passed-over ugly fruits and vegetables; they are just as edible.

Cook for your health. The rule of thumb is, meals that come packaged, either in cardboard or plastic, are loaded with preservatives and aren’t good for your health. Cook your own meals and avoid the unnecessary processing—and packaging. Pressed for time? Batch cook and freeze.

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Give up single-use items. Plastic straws get all the press, but there are so many single-use items you can easily give up. Use cut-up rags in lieu of paper towels (or better yet, sew your own towels using flannel or terry cloth). Invest in stainless steel bottles for the whole family to avoid using disposable ones. There are a variety of durable, washable cloth bags you can purchase instead of Ziploc bags. And you don’t need cling wrap or aluminum foil; make your own food wrap using cloth and beeswax instead. They’re washable and last for at least a year.

5-MINUTE EXPERT

Make mason jars your best friend. Cheap, versatile and durable, they come in various sizes, and the number of things you can make and store in them are limitless: sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, salted eggs, hot sauce, kimchi, salad dressing, jams and jellies, yogurt, cream cheese, your own cereal mix, even ice cream. … The amount of packaging you won’t be discarding will astonish you.

Consider your cleaning products. As with food, homemade cleaning products do better in glass. Invest in refillable bottles and make your own hand soap and various cleaning items. Baking soda and white vinegar are natural cleaners with infinite uses. And those plastic-wrapped sponges you toss in the trash without thinking? Replace them with plastic-free alternatives like bamboo scrubbers and loofahs, which are biodegradable.

Shop in bulk. Most of the plastic comes from packaging. Shop the bulk aisle of your grocery story for beans, grains, dried fruit, spices and more. Invest in washable mesh bags for produce and small muslin bags for bulk items. (With pandemic precautions in place, check to make sure your grocery store allows you to bring your own bags.) And hit up your local brewery. Most offer growlers you can bring for refills.

Don’t waste your good trash. You’ll generate some trash no matter what. Use vegetable trimmings, meat scraps and bones to make homemade stocks, and keep a small compost bin in your kitchen for the rest. Compostable items include coffee grounds, tea bags, flower stems, fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells and cooked food without dairy or meat. Do not compost meat, fish, dairy, oils or butter. Call your local community garden to see if they’ll accept compost donations. You can also sign up for Viva La Compost (vivalacompost.com), which provides residential subscribers with a 5-gallon bucket and lid and will pick up your compostables and drop off a new bucket biweekly for a $30 monthly fee.

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Running scared?

(Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

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Black Las Vegans describe different experiences while exercising outdoors

By Justin Emerson f you’re Black and looking to exercise outdoors in Las Vegas, be prepared for some scrutiny, says local activist and minister Stretch Sanders. Sanders says Black runners can’t exercise in poorer neighborhoods without getting stopped, because “the stereotype is that Black folks in the ’hood don’t work out.” He also says Black runners can’t exercise in higher-income neighborhoods without getting stopped, because “they’re going to assume if you’re Black that you’re up to no good, that you robbed somebody or stole from somebody.” And he says Black runners can’t exercise in gated neighborhoods without getting stopped, because “they’re going to assume that you’re not in the right neighborhood, that you don’t belong there.” That might leave you wondering where it’s safe for Black runners to actually exercise. “This is something that Black people have been dealing with for a very long time,” Sanders says. “What it ultimately comes down to is that we really can’t run anywhere. And that’s really sad. White people have the luxury to bike ride or to jog, but we don’t.” There’s a reckoning in the country right now when it comes to race, specifically about the systemic treatment of Black Americans. George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have become household names after dying at the hands of police officers. Then there was Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old jogger who was shot and killed while on an afternoon run through a neighborhood near his Georgia home on February 23. Videos of the incident sparked national outrage, and on May 8, Arbery’s birthday, runners across the country ran 2.23 miles to remember the day he was killed, hashtagged #IRunWithMaud. Three white men were indicted on murder charges in

late June. “I really never thought about it until that incident happened down South,” says Las Vegas runner Kevin Youngblood. “I did the run for Ahmaud that day, running and thinking about [how] that could be me right now, just running down the street and some random person accused me or thought I was somebody else.” Several Black runners in Las Vegas said they have neither experienced any sort of prejudices while running nor felt in danger on a

he has dealt with prejudice for so long, it has become ingrained in his social experience. “Because I live as a Black man 24 hours a day, it doesn’t stop when I run,” Wallace says. “Somebody crossing to the other side of the street to me is normal. Somebody tensing up as I approach them, that’s normal for me. So I can’t say I notice it any more when I’m running.” And though he has had insults hurled at him as he goes by, he says he feels it’s more of a case of “just

“Because I live as a Black man 24 hours a day, it doesn’t stop when I run. Somebody crossing to the other side of the street to me is normal. Somebody tensing up as I approach them, that’s normal for me. So I can’t say I notice it any more when I’m running.” –Jeremy Wallace

run. That, of course, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Chris Trim, a retired police officer who moved to Las Vegas from California two years ago, says he hasn’t experienced any form of racism while running in the Northwest Valley. “Having worked as a cop, done law enforcement, I’ve been talked down to by people more as a cop because of my race than as a person just down on the regular street,” Trim said. “I’ve never had any racial issues with anyone just being me, Chris Trim—husband, father, photographer, whatever I do.” On the other hand, Jeremy Wallace, a local running coach, says

kids just goofing off,” explaining that he has never been frightened to the point of altering his routine. “I’ve never felt like I needed to change the direction of my run, or like I needed to hop a wall or anything like that,” Wallace says. “I’ve never felt in danger like that, and I don’t personally know of any Black men who have experienced anything like that here.” Black runners in other cities have expressed concerns after Arbery’s death. In a New York Times article, LA’s Simone Leanora described being assaulted on a morning run: “On the surface, Los Angeles is a mostly liberal town, but the white privilege runs deep. I was

verbally assaulted by a white man while on a morning run. I’ve been dreading the moment I might run into him again, wondering if he will be emboldened by our encounter.” She described the encounter: “He tried to keep pace running alongside me and yelled, ‘Turn down your music!’ I told him to just stay away from me, and he yelled, ‘You stay the [expletive] away from me.’ I told myself just keep running, so I did.” In Boston, the Unnamed Run Crew was created to provide a safe space for runners of all colors to come together in unity through running. After Arbery’s death, the group posted on Instagram, “This is our reality! If we want change, we as a whole, must demand it! It is imperative for us to collectively work against racism and inequality, systemic injustice, and police brutality. We, as a people, as a society, simply have to do better!” According to the most recent FBI data, there were 7,120 reported cases of hate crimes in the country in 2018. Only 33 of those took place in Nevada, or 1.09 per 100,000 people, ranking the state 34th among 49 reporting jurisdictions. That encompasses all hate crimes, not just those committed against the Black community. It also, of course, only counts reported incidents, though it’s likely others went unreported. And Las Vegas is by no means perfect. It was called the “Mississippi of the West” in a 1954 Ebony article for its history of discrimination against Black Americans, and Sanders says the nickname could still be considered accurate. “Vegas is definitely racist … but I can also say that Vegas is a work in progress that’s also being built and dismantled every day by those who are on the ground trying to make this city a better place to live for all humans,” Sanders says. “There’s a lot of darkness here, but there’s also a lot of light.”

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The CDC advises that N95 respirators and surgical masks are critical supplies that should be reserved for health care workers and first responders.

MASKS MATTER

Multiple studies indicate face coverings slow the spread of COVID-19 BY EMMA CAUTHORN

Safety tips, suggested outdoor activities and more

A simple cloth face mask can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and in doing so, contribute to the safe reopening of our city and state while potentially saving lives. On June 24, Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a mandatory face-covering policy in public spaces for all Nevadans and visitors—in line with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization guidelines—but the directive has been met with some resistance. Here’s what you need to know about the importance of wearing masks.

WHY MASKS WORK

In the early months of the pandemic and before much was known about the novel coronavirus, public health officials stated that it wasn’t necessary for the general population to wear cloth masks. The thought at the time was that medical-grade N95 respirators were the only effective face covering against the virus—but the PPE shortage meant those masks were not easily accessible and should be strictly reserved for health care professionals. The WHO suggested that cloth masks were only necessary for those who had symptoms of COVID-19 and their caregivers. By April, however, the CDC began recommending cloth masks for everyone, and in June, the WHO followed suit. What changed? We know more about how the disease is spread today than we did six months ago. According to the CDC, recent studies indicate that a large portion of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic—researchers at Stanford Medicine report that this might be true for up to 40% of those infected. This is an important thing to understand when considering mask usage, because a large portion of the population can spread COVID-19 and never show symptoms themselves. While a cloth face covering might not protect the wearer like an N95 mask will, it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others. So if everyone is wearing masks, we’ll be able to limit transmission rates. “Wearing a face mask helps to intercept particles and keep them out of the air,” explains Dr. G. Rodney

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LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

Buzzas, chief medical officer at Dignity Health-St. growth rate slowed 0.9 percentage points, and at three Rose Dominican, Siena and Rose de Lima Campuses. weeks, it had slowed a full 2 percentage points. “These particles are created and spread not only Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth Univerby coughing or sneezing, but also by talksity evaluated COVID-19 deaths across 198 ing, laughing and even breathing. The different countries and found that those COVID virus is known to travel and with cultural norms or government be passed through these particles.” policies about wearing masks had lower Because so many people might death rates. Masks are considered most be infected with COVID-19 and One study published in peereffective at stopping the never feel sick—or may be prereviewed medical journal Nature spread when combined with symptomatic—seemingly innocuMedicine analyzed people who had the other healthy practices, such as frequent hand ous and casual social interactions flu or the common cold and found that washing and social can spread the disease rapidly. wearing a surgical mask significantly distancing. reduced the amount of respiratory viruses HOW WE KNOW MASKS WORK emitted in droplets. There’s a growing body of evidence that An experiment published by the New England demonstrates the efficacy of cloth face masks. A recent Journal of Medicine used a high-speed video camera to study published in peer-reviewed healthcare journal determine that hundreds of droplets, ranging from 20 Health Affairs compared the growth rate of COVID-19 to 500 micrometers, are generated when someone says before and after mask mandates in 15 states and the a simple phrase, and nearly all of them were blocked District of Columbia. They found the disease growth when the mouth was covered with a damp washcloth. rate slowed daily. During the first five days, the daily And the University of California San Francisco

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CLOTH MASKS

Researchers at Stanford Medicine, who conducted the study that helped shape WHO guidelines about mask wearing, recently published an article in peer-reviewed journal Nanotechnology Letters assessing the filtering and breathability of different fabrics often used to make masks. Here are some of their recommendations: ■ Cloth masks should feature at least three layers of different materials. ■ The outer layer should be made of

analyzed a wide variety of different studies to conclude wearing masks was effective at protecting the general population. As we continue to venture into the phases of reopening, it’s more important than ever to wear a mask in public spaces. “Wearing a mask protects others from the person wearing the mask,” says Dr. Clarence M. Dunagan, chairman of emergency services and facility medical director at MountainView Hospital. “During this pandemic, making everyone wear masks—especially when inside or close together—will hopefully drastically decrease the spread of the virus. I’d much rather be required to wear a mask in public for the protection of others instead of another stay-at-home quarantine order being issued, which no one wants.” WHO SHOULDN’T BE WEARING MASKS?

The CDC states that cloth face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

a fabric that’s at least somewhat water resistant. (It can be a combination of cotton and polyester, nylon or rayon.) ■ The middle layer should either be polypropylene or three-ply disposable facial tissues. ■ The inner layer should be a wicking material, like 100% soft cotton, to draw moisture away from the face. ■ A mask should not fit so tightly that it’s too uncomfortable to wear, but it should sit against the skin all the

way around from the middle of your nose to under your chin and almost to your ears. It should not gape when you move your head or speak. ■ Masks should be treated with care. Don’t share them with others, and keep them in sealed plastic bags when not in use. Wash them regularly, and when you remove them, do so in a way that doesn’t spread germs from the front of the mask to your face. Wash hands after touching the mask.

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LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

GATHER SAFELY

For the most part we’re social creatures. We want to be listened to, spoken to, drank with, all that good stuff. And from the second the first stayat-home order was issued in March, it became only a matter of time before we broke containment to hang out with our friends again. The good news is there are safe and sane ways to do it. Phase 2 of Nevada’s reopening road map allows for gatherings of up to 50 people, and an outdoor gathering, wholly appropriate for this time of year, is a relatively safe way to have one. I’ve personally been to several backyard gatherings since March—we generally enter through the side gate, sit a generous distance from each other and

How to minimize risk when getting together with friends BY GEOFF CARTER take care in walking past one another on our way to the food or wine, turning our heads away and/or re-donning our masks. Dr. Brian Labus of UNLV’s School of Public Health, whose research is primarily focused on communicable diseases, offers a few more safety tips for outdoor meetups. “Basically, the smaller the gathering, the better,” he says. “Even though you’re outside, the more people you have, the more likely you are to come in close contact with them. [And] masking is an important part of that, because it’s not easy to keep a safe distance, especially as the groups get larger.” In short: A small handful of people sitting in garden chairs, six to 10 feet apart, is OK; a birthday party of a couple dozen

GO AL FRESCO

people walking around and interacting closely should mask up. And don’t worry so much about grabbing a bottle or serving spoon someone else has touched, Labus says. “Those things aren’t really high-risk. Take hand sanitizer, and use it before you eat. That’s a minor risk compared to the interaction between people.” In a like manner, hosts needn’t worry about glasses and plates guests have used, provided they wash their hands thoroughly after handling them (though Labus adds that paper plates and plastic cups are a good choice “just for the convenience”). All told, these are small prices to pay to protect our friends and maintain our sanity.

Dining outdoors can provide a safer form of escape BY GENEVIE DURANO

Even though the Valley’s restaurants have been reopened for dine-in service since May 9, diners are taking a baby-steps approach to eating out again. Many are finding that sitting out on the patio is a comfortable first step. They can still enjoy a restaurant’s offerings without worrying about tight quarters and limited air circulation. Indeed, in his latest Senate testimony on June 2, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and part of the president’s coronavirus task force, stated that when it comes to restaurants and bars, “outdoor [is] better than indoor.” We are a fortunate bunch in this town that loves to eat. There are ample outdoor dining spaces all across the Valley (see Food & Drink, Page 32), with restaurateurs and chefs who are going above and beyond implementing sanitation protocols. For a more luxe experience, many Strip properties boast poolside dining for escapism and respite. And beyond the tourist corridor, our suburbs have no shortage of green spaces for picnicking with takeout orders. And for nature lovers, an early-morning drive to Mount Charleston or Red Rock, when the temperatures are cool, provides the perfect backdrop for a bag of hot bagels, a tub of schmear and a box of coffee. (If you’re not the early-bird type, a sunset picnic is just as nice.) Sure, we can’t wait to fully enjoy the singular joy of dining out inside our city’s myriad restaurants, with their unmistakable hospitality and culinary mastery. But we have to look out for our health and the greater good of our community, and dining outdoors is a great way to do that.

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CAMP FOR YOUR HEALTH A couple nights in nature can do wonders for your mood BY LESLIE VENTURA Pack the car and hit the road. Camping and hiking are two of the safest and easiest activities available to us during the pandemic, and you can do them solo or with friends or family. Even better, both can be done affordably, so everyone can participate. Of course, there are important things to keep in mind before you camp or hike in the wilderness. Water, food and proper clothing are essential for a safe trip outdoors. Bring a map, and plan your hiking routes ahead of time. Check the weather forecast, and dress for the conditions; bring extra layers, as it gets cold in the desert, along with plenty of sunscreen for the daytime. Pack electrolyte tablets like Nuun to hydrate and add essential minerals back into your body after you sweat, and bring extra snacks if you’re going on a long hike. And more advanced hikers should wear hiking boots and consider using hiking poles, depending on the terrain. One great thing about nature is that there’s something out there for nearly any level of fitness, and just being outdoors can boost a person’s mood, according to Gregory A. Miller, former president of the American Hiking Society. A casual walk that doesn’t require strenuous movement is still better than spending all day indoors. And then, there’s the most relaxing part—camping! Make sure to bring a sturdy tent, a warm sleeping bag, sleeping pads and a pillow or blanket—preferably one from home that will make you feel even more comfortable. Whether you’ve been at the lodge all day or you’ve hiked until your feet are sore, nothing beats a campfire under the stars and sleeping in the fresh air. It’s the sort of much-needed reset we could all use right now.

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GET CYCLING HOW TO GET STARTED Rent a bicycle. Fisher says that the better quality the bike, the more you’ll enjoy the activity. But there’s no reason to invest a chunk of change before you know what you like. So rent a bike from a local shop—or from the RTC’s Downtown bike exchange—to test out the hobby, risk-free. Find a nearby locale. Fisher says Red Rock, Lake Mead and Henderson all feature fantastic bike trails. Or putter around Downtown for some urban adventures. Take a tour. Outsource the planning. Local guides, like Escape Adventures (which is connected to Las Vegas Cyclery), will take you on a preplanned excursion. Bonus: They often provide snacks! Join a group. From blinking-light booze cruises to dashing down mountains, there are bicycles groups for all interests and abilities.

BY C. MOON REED We know that lots of activities have stopped being viable during the pandemic, but what’s trending up? Bicycling, in a big way. ¶ Las Vegas Cyclery’s Heather Fisher has felt the boom firsthand, in the form of increased sales. “It’s been a silver lining to the COVID pandemic—the return to loving the outdoors and exercising,” Fisher says. “It’s so great to see families out biking.” She adds that bicycling is the perfect pandemic activity, because you have to be socially distanced while riding.

TYPES OF BICYCLES Electric bike A great option for the less athletically inclined, or for athletes who want to go really, really far. Strider bike More effective than training wheels, this pedal-less bike helps kids learn how to ride.

Road bike Built for speed, these sleek bicycles minimize wind resistance. Mountain bike Suspension systems will soak up bumps and keep the bike from bouncing. Beach cruiser For easy fun in the city.

Cross bike For those who want to go onand offroad.

ACCESSORIES

HELMET The No. 1 most important accessory. Don’t bike without protecting your head.

LIGHTS In order to drive after dark, you need a white front light and a red light in back.

TIRE REPAIR KIT Think of it like jumper cables for your car; even if you don’t know how to use it, somebody can help you if you have the proper tools.

CAR RACK Because eventually you’ll want to bicycle beyond your own neighborhood. Tip: RTC buses are equipped with bike racks, so you can take the bus to fun trails around town.

BOTTLE HOLDER You’ll want an easy way to stay hydrated.

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FOLLOW THE TRACKS

Tired of staying in? Make a playlist and take a day drive

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LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

BY GEOFF CARTER

We live in a post-compilation world. We don’t need to make burn songs to CD or create iPod playlists, because streaming services have, in a way, invalidated the want of music. If you find yourself driving up Paradise and reciting Drake’s “Tuscan Leather” (“Sittin’ Gucci Row like they say up at UNLV”), you can find the song on Spotify in less time than it takes to wait for a stoplight. Most songs you can think of are always within reach. But there’s still a need for mixes, for playlists. Playlists are like map directions; they all add up to an experience that’s greater than the individual parts. By themselves, songs are small miracles; but a bunch of songs, arranged by theme or common vibe, is a soundtrack, a cinema of the imagination. And here in this Valley—where cinematic vistas can be found on every point of the compass—there’s something fun about planning a drive, imagining a playlist for it and then merging sound to highway.

Music for desert drives

Music for the Strip

I probably don’t have to tell you that desert is the one thing we have in abundance—so needless to say, we’ve got options. You could head northwest to the ghost town of Rhyolite, a round trip of roughly four hours and 248 miles. Or northeast to the stunning vistas of the Valley of Fire; that’s nearly two hours round trip and approximately 108 miles. Taking Charleston from Downtown to Red Rock Canyon—and taking the southeasterly route back to town, through Blue Diamond—is about 80 minutes. And the trek to Death Valley Junction, home of the Amargosa Opera House—accessible either by U.S. 95, which is a faster drive despite covering a greater distance, or by NV-160, which is a shorter distance but steeper—takes about three hours round trip. No matter which direction you drive, it’s better with music. I favor what we’ll call “expansive twang,” like Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You,” REM’s “Driver 8,” Angel Olsen’s “Hi-Five,” Scenic’s “Parisia” and pretty much anything from Ry Cooder’s Paris, Texas and The End of Violence soundtracks. Lately, I’ve been adding dream pop to the mix, particularly Washed Out’s “Before.” And cheeseball as it is, I can’t make the drive to SoCal without listening to Wall of Voodoo’s “On Interstate 15” and Big Audio Dynamite’s “Medicine Show.”

Las Vegas Boulevard is one long road: It begins in Jean and ends at the junction of Interstate 15 and U.S. 93. The south Strip—the part that’s formally designated as a Nevada state scenic byway—is just under six miles long and runs from Russell Road to Sahara Avenue. But driving it—which we should all do every now and again, just to remind ourselves why we’re here—can take more than an hour on busy nights, which should give you ample time for a kaleidoscopic sonic adventure that includes The Avalanches’ “Saturday Night Inside Out,” Santigold’s “Lights Out,” The Go! Team’s “Doing It Right,” Shamir’s “Sometimes a Man,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “Award Tour,” M83’s“Midnight City” and Dangerdoom’s “Old School Rules.” You could also go full-on Sinatra at the Sands—that’s your right as a local—or listen to Motörhead the whole damn way. There’s no wrong answer here.

Music for Mount Charleston As of this writing, Lee Canyon has just averted the threat of a catastrophic fire. Give it a couple weeks, then drive up there—or to the Mary Jane Falls trailhead—with a soundtrack of Neko Case, DeVotchKa, the Innocence Mission, Boards of Canada or Wilco. I also have an outstanding memory of driving down that long hill with Duane Eddy’s heartbreaking version of “Danny Boy” playing just as the sun set, but that, and the others, are songs from my Southern Nevada highway movie. I can’t wait to hear the music from yours.

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LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

BY BROCK RADKE t’s hard to believe now, but it took me years to learn to love the most celebrated aspects of life in Las Vegas. Growing up here in the late 1980s, I was curious about casinos and occasionally fixated on their striking iconography. But I was disconnected from the adults around me who worked in the industry or enjoyed gambling. My parents did nothing of that sort and didn’t even go out to see shows on the Strip. The fabulous Las Vegas that attracts visitors from all over the world was compartmentalized into normalcy during my adolescence, and by the time I graduated from high school, I was ready to get out of town forever. It would be unimaginable to my 17-year-old self—a kid who wanted to be a sports writer—that he’d spend much of his 30s and 40s going to all those shows and so many other massive Vegas events … for work. That’s because I learned in my 20s that I didn’t like crowds. One of the most difficult eras of a lifelong battle with anxiety began when I returned to Las Vegas in 1999 and attempted to build a social life around meeting friends in crowded bars, going to sporting events and concerts and sometimes wading into the sensory overload of big Vegas nightlife at clubs like Rumjungle at Mandalay Bay,

The pandemic has provided a reminder about the importance of our human connections Studio 54 at MGM Grand and Baby’s at the Hard Rock Hotel. This was supposed to be fun and wild and exciting. For me it was uncomfortable at best and never without waves of irrational fear that I wouldn’t fully understand for another decade. I no-showed a lot. I ghosted my friends before that was a thing, disappearing in the middle of great parties. I started to work through my issues while building a career in journalism; I couldn’t be a writer in Las Vegas and completely avoid large gatherings. I started writing about music, first reviewing albums and interviewing artists, and then going to as many concerts as I could handle. Eventually, I found my way to the other side of those experiences, my own way to interpret the excitement and energy that only comes with big crowds. Instead of feeling like I couldn’t participate because of fear and anxiety, I started to relate and connect to the strangers around me. I was able to

enjoy the show just like them, but more importantly, I found peace and comfort and pride in a deeper understanding of the significance of that show and the necessity of those strangers’ enjoyment. I started to see the Strip like Neo sees the Matrix when he realizes he’s the One. I embraced a role I created, a personal calm and quiet in a world of frenzied, noisy fun. And I developed a sense of ownership of these fabulous parts of Las Vegas and much warm respect for all the people who create them. The last Vegas show I saw was Harry Connick Jr. at Encore Theater on February 28, with 1,400 strangers. My last Golden Knights game at T-Mobile Arena came on January 11, a loss to Columbus, with 18,400 people who never feel like strangers. Both venues are among my favorite places on the Strip, and I miss music at Wynn and hockey at the Fortress. But I miss the crowds the most. Everyone is searching for and sometimes finding replications and substitutions for the experiences we can’t have during this pandemic. There’s no way to make up for the energy and excitement we can only feel when we’re all together in Las Vegas. It’s difficult to accept that we can’t share those feelings right now, but COVID-19 is proving in a new and devastating way how connected we are and how much we rely on each other. It takes a while to see it, and it helps if you’re quiet and calm.

Harry Connick Jr. by Erik Kabik/Courtesy; Vegas Golden Knights by Steve Marcus/Photo Illustration

MISSING THE CROWD

SEEK OUT HIGH-QUALITY VEGETABLES If you think you hate veggies, it’s possible you just hate low-quality vegetables. Nothing’s sadder than wilted lettuce or blander than a strawberry that has traveled halfway across the country. Good veggies are more nutritious and a lot more delicious than the cheap stuff.

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EXPERIENCE A FARMERS MARKET In addition to providing quality produce and supporting small businesses, farmers markets offer a sense of community in this time of enforced isolation.

FALL BACK ON FROZEN Keep frozen vegetables in your freezer for use as last-minute sides. Frozen produce is picked at the height of its ripeness, so it’s often healthier than what you’ll find in a traditional produce section.

Stay strategic when planning out meals BY C. MOON REED Before the pandemic, I’ll admit I had some terrible grocery habits. Food would rot in my refrigerator as I hit the most disappointing drivethrus. Or I’d spend hours perusing recipe websites, only to run out of energy to actually shop and/or cook. All in all, I ended up wasting time and money. But after months of being locked at home, I’ve changed my ways. Through dedicated shopping and a willingness to just stay home, I’ve discovered that I can eat better while paying less. Here are some of my hard-earned grocery strategies.

LOOK TO ALTERNATE SOURCES OF FOOD The big-box grocery store isn’t the only place to buy ingredients. You can often find high-quality food at cheap prices if you look beyond the most obvious places. For example, you can subscribe to a CSA (community supported agriculture) for a season of delivered groceries at a discount. Try Cluck It Farms (cluckitfarmlv. com), for example.

SPLURGE ON DELIGHTFUL INGREDIENTS Tempted by some fresh kiwi, kumquats, avocados or figs but put off by their high prices? Go ahead and indulge. Eating should be joyful, and you’ll still spend less than if you ate out.

SHOPPING

SHOP YOUR OWN PANTRY FIRST If you’re a typical American, there’s enough food in your kitchen that you can scrape together a meal, even if it feels like there’s “nothing to eat.”

GROW YOUR OWN While it might not be the cheapest way to get produce, gardening creates a connection with the food you eat. It’s fun, good exercise and a great education for kids. Don’t have space for your own? Rent a plot at Vegas Roots Community Garden (vegasroots. vegasroots. org), ), or buy their produce for a small fee.

LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

USE POTATOES A 5-pound bag is cheap, versatile and contains tons of nutrients. If you’re lazy, just poke some holes with a fork in a potato, wrap it in a wet paper towel and microwave for 5-10 minutes. Insta-baked potato!

DON’T FORGET YOUR MASK! Don’t bring home COVID-19 with your bacon. Wherever you get your food, you still need to wear a mask and socially distance. When all else fails, try meal delivery. Because sometimes it’s better to rely on somebody else’s skill. EMBRACE (SOME) ROUTINE Try cooking up some cheap basics (like rice and beans) at the beginning of the week, then use them as a base for fast weekday lunches.

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C r e at e d a n d p r e s e n t e d b y

HOMie

Affording your dream home +

Given the current social climate, the idea of buying a home may be daunting, but it’s not impossible. Despite climbing home prices, the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the debt facing many potential buyers, there are options that could tilt the scale in your favor.

Determine your budget

Prior to buying a home, you’ll need to determine your budget and how much money you’ll need for the down payment. Though 20% down comes with benefits, it’s not the only option. In fact, fewer than half of homebuyers follow this guideline, according to a Zillow study. But if you’re able, that 20% means lower monthly payments, no need for mortgage insurance and a potentially lower interest rate.

It’s generally recommended to keep your monthly payments at or below 30% of your household income. If you end up putting down less than 20%, it’s important to make sure you’re not left with a monthly payment you can’t afford.

Your dream home is waiting. Find out why more and more Las Vegans are using Homie to buy their next home.

homie.com/buylv

Get started in three easy steps!

1. Visit homie.com/buylv and download the Homie app.

Think outside the box

Buying a house can be fraught with unanticipated expenses. “There is a lack of transparency in real estate transactions and there are fees that buyers and sellers don’t understand,” said Mike Peregrina, founder of real estate company Homie. “When they do come to understand them, it’s often too late because they’re already at the closing table. At Homie, we don’t charge high commissions when you buy or sell, so the consumer has a better idea of what they’re spending.” Having a firm understanding of the process is vital for firsttime homebuyers. Be sure your real estate agent and loan officer give you a clear understanding of the costs you’ll be on the hook for early in the process. “Homie’s mission is savings, simplicity, service and social good. That transparency is necessary for us,” Peregrina said.

2. Browse homes for sale in your area. 3. Schedule an in-person or virtual tour and a local Homie agent will meet you at the home or online, all with a click of a button.

Look for programs and offers for first-time buyers

There are a number of federal and state programs that offer first-time buyer assistance and grants. Private companies, such as Homie, may offer incentives as well, such as refunding up to $5,000 back to homebuyers. “About 60% of our buyers are first time homebuyers,” Peregrina said. “You don’t have to dip into your savings, and you can still get your dream home.” Peregrina also notes that Homie offers a competitive advantage by allowing customers to book a tour immediately online to see the home more quickly than other companies and agents.

*Terms and conditions apply. This is not intended to solicit if already represented by a brokerage. Homie, NV Lic #B.144145.

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A NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN (CURATED BY MICHAEL B. JORDAN) The Just Mercy star has partnered with Amazon to present free movies at the West Wind Drive-In. July 15: Black Panther and Creed. bit.ly/2BIPs5j

THIS

WEEK Podcast TV

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY You don’t have to like My Chemical Romance to enjoy the Netflix series adapted from comic books written by that band’s frontman, Gerard Way. Season 2 arrives on July 31, so now’s the right time to meet the gang of gifted kids-turned-reluctant-heroes— Number One, Number Three, Number Five, Number Seven … (OK, some of them have actual names, too)—or to rewatch it and brush up on the holdover plotline. Hint: It involves saving the world from impending doom, which sounds about right just now. Netflix. –Spencer Patterson

Throughline That well-worn aphorism, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it,” has never been more true than it is today. And while we don’t yet have the distance to see what lessons we can learn from recent events, we do have reference points we can revisit, and that’s exactly what Throughline does. The NPR podcast reexamines historical moments, like the 1918 pandemic, and connects the dots to today’s headlines. A recent episode, “There’s Something About Mary,” recalls one Mary Mallon, who inadvertently spread typhoid fever in 1906. Quarantine, asymptomatic transmission, contact tracing—these terms were used back then, too. Let history guide your actions in today’s pandemic, because we’ve been here before. Apple Podcast, Spotify. –Genevie Durano

MUSIC

Haim’s Women in Music Pt. III A hodgepodge of influences—Joni Mitchellstyle Laurel Canyon folk, ’90s alterna-pop a la Sheryl Crow and early-2000s R&B hooks, to name a few—blend to turn Haim’s third studio album into a crisp, airy spin. Expect lyrics focused on the members’ individual struggles, along with a heavy dose of millennial nostalgia, especially on “Now I’m in It,” which seems to pay homage to Savage Garden’s “I Want You.” –Leslie Ventura

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VOTE FOR OUR ALL-TIME BEST OF VEGAS AWARDS AT LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM/BESTOFVEGAS

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SECOND HELPING It’s the first anniversary of the Weekly’s dining podcast, and hosts Genevie Durano, Brock Radke and Leslie Ventura are celebrating by rating and comparing their favorite burgers around the Valley. bit.ly/2C8Vxrx

OUR PICKS FOR THE

WEEK AHEAD

PODCAST

GASTROPOD If we are what we eat, then Gastropod gives us a chance to navel gaze. The in-depth podcast explores the history, culture and science of food. Award-winning radio producer Cynthia Graber and New Yorker contributor Nicola Twilley host, with topics ranging from victory gardens to bushmeat to the origins of licorice. Listing it among the top culinary podcasts, The New York Times describes the show as “combining deep research and lighthearted delivery.” The result is both superbly fun and highly educational. Think of Gastropod like a really great cocktail party for one. gastropod.com. –C. Moon Reed

I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON Tim Robinson did a two-year tour of duty on Saturday Night Live, primarily as a writer but also as a featured performer. That could be what makes the sketch comedy show he created with fellow SNL alum Zach Kanin so damn funny; Robinson excels not only at writing his characters into uncomfortable corners but at defly improvising his way out of them. Sketches can be hitand-miss, but when they hit—like “Baby of the Year,” “Chunky” and “Gift Receipt” do—they absolutely slay. Season 1 on Netflix. –Geoff Carter

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THE STRIP

Venue divergence House of Blues (Courtesy)

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With House of Blues partially reopened, Brooklyn Bowl remains entirely on hold By Brock Radke

wo of the Strip’s most prominent and active independent music venues are tackling the COVID-created live entertainment shutdown with different strategies. The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay reopened on July 1 along with many other venues at the south Strip resort, but the famed music hall that made its debut in 1999 with a Bob Dylan concert remains closed. The restaurant and bar portions are open for dine-in, takeout and delivery, with a full menu of Southern-inspired cuisine ready and available. (Reservations are recommended.) Live acoustic performances are also on the schedule for the restaurant space stage. “Combined with a musical experience featuring some great local artists, we’re hoping to create a welcome return to a bit of excellent food and entertainment that everyone has been missing,” House of Blues General Manager Will Hodgson said in a statement. HOB also launched a new “Get Some, Give Some” meal-matching campaign. For every entree purchased, the venue will provide one meal to Project 150, a local nonprofit organization that provides support and services to homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students. “This has been such a difficult time these past few months, not just for our city but for communities everywhere,” Hodgson said. “Project 150 does amazing work for our community, and together we hope to be able to get meals to those struggling.” Since they both offer food, drinks and dynamic live music, HOB and Brooklyn Bowl seem easy to compare. But the Bowl’s struggles are very different. Although several neighboring restaurants, bars and shops along the mid-Strip Linq Promenade have been open since early June—and the adjacent Linq casino resumed operations on June 12—Brooklyn Bowl

remains closed. Chief Operating Officer Chris White said the venue’s business model and location are not viable under current restrictions. “When you break it down, Brooklyn Bowl is a live music event venue. That’s what we do. We’re also a restaurant, a bar and a bowling alley, but without being able to have gatherings of people and do promoted events of a certain size in a safe way or being allowed to, it’s like fighting with one and a half arms tied behind your back,” White said. “In addition, being upstairs and not having frontage on the Linq is a challenge for dining and has been a challenge since day one. “We’re nowhere near close to [having] a critical mass to open, but with that said, we are preparing and putting plans in place and viewing technology … for our business to resume when we are able to do promoted events again. We’d love to be able to open now, but to be open as a sit-down restaurant at half capacity

Brooklyn Bowl (C. Taylor Crothers/Courtesy)

is not our business.” If you’ve seen a show at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, you know the unique way in which its different features function together to create a memorable experience. You can eat, drink, bowl and catch a concert at the same time, an experience you can’t find at any other Strip venue currently offering live entertainment. With no indication from the Governor’s Office when Phase 3 might begin—or even if concert events would return at that time—it’s impossible to predict when Brooklyn Bowl will return to action. Private events and corporate gatherings connected to large-scale meetings and conventions have become a prominent piece of the venue’s business, and the convention business is blanketed with as much uncertainty as live entertainment. “When we came into this market, people didn’t know what we were or how you fully consume it,” White said. “Doing all those things at one

time is how it all works and what’s so great about it, but … it’s a doubleedged sword. It makes us unique but has challenges as well.” Brooklyn Bowl has also been exploring the possibility of livestreaming shows, similar to the way it has twice from its Nashville location, currently open as a restaurant and bar with entertainment in the lively Germantown neighborhood. And White said the company remains committed to thriving once again on the Strip. “We believe we will eventually get through this; the question is how behaviors will change,” he said. “I’m not completely sure, but I think it’s going to cut down capacities in the short run of the size of events Las Vegas is able to do. There could be acts that normally play larger venues but can’t because they’re not allowed or it’s not possible, [so] they could play smaller rooms like ours. No matter what, I think we’re going to see more stuff on a smaller scale.”

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SCENE

Tell your side

(Left to right) Siril Beil, Amiri Hutchinson and Ryan “Petit” Alexander (Canaan Barber/Courtesy)

The hosts of Vegas podcast 2 Dudes & A Girl aim for “free and open” discussions By Leslie Ventura n June 26 inside National Southwest Recording—the hideaway studio attached to 11th Street Records—Las Vegas creatives Siril Beil, Ryan “Petit” Alexander and Amiri Hutchinson hosted a live taping of their new podcast, 2 Dudes & A Girl. Around 40 people gathered at the Downtown location for the premiere of Vegas singer Rayven Chanel’s latest music video—a clip for her upcoming single, “The Rose and the Wheat.” Directed by Beil, the video served as a catalyst to get people together and talking about art, music and life—three topics that come up regularly on 2 Dudes & A Girl. Beil, a local director and man of many hats, says the music video came together after conceiving the film’s concept with Alexander, a photographer and videographer. “The Rose and the Wheat,” Beil says, was all about celebrating and telling the story of Black love and fashion through modern imagery

and inspiring visuals. “We were really trying to navigate how to create something more uplifting, as far as everything going on in the world with coronavirus and the [Black Lives Matter] protests,” Beil says. “We wanted to [make] something with joy and hope.” Despite the pandemic, the intimate screening was a success, and helped the trio find new listeners and fans, according to Beil. During the first episode of the podcast, Beil explained how the idea for 2 Dudes & A Girl came about. “We spent all of quarantine together, [and] one of the things that we did was come up with a podcast. Instead of overthinking it, we came straight to Petit’s crib [and recorded it].” “We like to have a little system,” Hutchinson tells the Weekly. A singer-songwriter with an upcoming EP in the works, Hutchinson also hosts another podcast, Curl Talk. But on the new show, Hutchinson

says, the trio comes up with a few topics “and after that, we take it from there. We want it to be as raw and familiar and comfortable as it possibly can be. We want it to be free and open, [where you can] tell your side of the story and opinion without feeling like you can’t say or speak up about anything.” Although levity and humor run throughout the show, it isn’t always fun and games. Beil, Alexander and Hutchinson have also used their platform to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement, the protests in Las Vegas and more. But, in the end, it all comes back to the trio’s desire to promote the work of their fellow Las Vegans. “It’s just really us hanging,” Alexander says. “We were already having conversations without the camera on, so we just decided to share it—current events and stuff that’s going on in the world, music, political stuff or whatever. That’s just what we do. We sit there and we crack jokes.”

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LV W C U LT U R E 7. 9 . 2 0

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Locally made film Take Out Girl opens minds while winning film fest attention

By C. Moon Reed ypically, when American creatives want to make movies, they move to Hollywood. Not so for first-generation Guyanese-American filmmaker Hisonni Johnson. After 13 years in LA, he relocated to Las Vegas to continue his career. “I got to a point where I was writing a script about writing a script in Los Angeles, and I realized the past 13 years of my life has been nothing but work,” Johnson says. “I had no more stories to tell. When I came to Las Vegas, I immediately began refilling my story palette.” The move worked. During Johnson’s four years in Southern Nevada, Las Vegas has been his muse, refuge and source of friends and collaborators. Mustafa describes the up-and-coming local scene as “incredibly talent dense.” Johnson tapped into

that pool to make Take Out Girl, which debuted this past spring at the Cinequest Film Festival. Even though the story takes place in Southern California, viewers will enjoy spotting Las Vegas actors and locations, like the Historic Commercial Center District on Sahara Avenue. The film follows the story of Tera Wong (played by Hedy Wong), who will do anything to help save her mother’s struggling Chinese food restaurant. The story begins with Tera dropping out of college—and ditching a side hustle in which she sold her tests and class notes to less-diligent students— to devote herself full time to the restaurant. But when a food delivery brings her into contact with a local drug-dealing operation, Tera sees (illicit) opportunity. Tera’s attempt to break the cycle of poverty puts everything at risk and drives the story

toward a powerful conclusion. Johnson says he relished Take Out Girl’s exploration of morality. He wanted the audience to fall in love with a protagonist who was a little “ambiguous ethically.” He wanted to challenge the assumption that “because a person has been arrested, pushed through the legal system, you know them as a criminal, a bad guy— there’s no excuses for what it is they did.” Having grown up in a tough situation himself, Johnson says, he sees a more nuanced reality and imbued Tera’s character with those complications. “If you root for her, then I could make you think about the way you perceive other people’s criminality and why they’re doing that,” he says. The Take Out Girl story was inspired by the real-life experiences of both Johnson and Hedy Wong, and Johnson says the diversity of the film’s

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Screen

Hedy Wong and Lorin Alond Ly in Take Out Girl (Courtesy)

cast and crew is important to him. “The beautiful thing about this film is that an African American man and an Asian female could come together and seamlessly slap their life stories together,” Johnson says. There’s also a cameo by Cambodian American hip-hop artist $tupid Young. Take Out Girl won the Best Cinematography award at the Ashland Independent Film Festival, and Johnson says the project has been selected to screen at eight film festivals thus far, though he isn’t permitted to release full details just yet. Stay tuned to the film’s social media pages—facebook. com/takeoutgirlfilm and instagram.com/takeoutgirlfeaturefilm—for updates. Interested viewers can watch the film at upcoming virtual film festivals or wait until 2021, when Johnson expects Take Out Girl to be available via video on demand.

Behind the scenes with Hisonni Johnson (Courtesy)

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Outdoor dining

DW Bistroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Mexican Chile Burger (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Three of our favorite local patio experiences

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Food & Drink

By Genevie Durano ining outside is a pleasure. Catching up with much-missed friends under a shade, with a light breeze tickling your cheeks, is one of life’s simple gifts. And in these uncertain times, it’s also our best option for socializing, health experts say. Here in Southern Nevada, we’re fortunate to have so many patio-dining options from which to choose. Try one of these for your next brunch or dinner outing.

DW Bistro

Backstory: There’s no shortage of restaurants in the southwest Valley, but Bryce Krausman and Dalton Wilson’s DW Bistro stands out for its unique mix of Jamaican and New Mexican cuisine. Now in its 10th year, DW has become a popular fixture in the off-Strip dining scene, but every meal here still feels like a new discovery. DW’s interiors are warm and lively, and its patio even more so. It invites lingering with friends over mimosas and scones. Menu highlights: Chilaquiles with shredded chicken, avocado tomatillo sauce and queso fresco; DW jerk pork hash with breakfast potatoes and eggs; New Mexican red chile pork bowl, with rice, a sunny egg and fresh tortillas. Details: 9275 W. Russell Road #190, 702-527-5200, dwbistro.com. Wednesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m.; SaturdaySunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (brunch).

Echo & Rig (Courtesy)

Americana

Backstory: Chef Stephen Blandino cut his teeth working under Charlie Palmer at Aureole in New York City after graduating from culinary school. He moved to the Las Vegas outpost at Mandalay Bay, eventually becoming executive chef at Charlie Palmer Steak at the Four Seasons Las Vegas. His Desert Shores restaurant, Americana, is a beloved brunch spot offering modern American cuisine with mixed European interpretations. And its lake views are simply spectacular. Menu highlights: Italian eggs Benedict with poached egg, prosciutto and bruschetta; shrimp and grits with creamy polenta, pickled ramps and a whiskey reduction; braised short rib with Aligot potatoes and spring vegetables. Details: 2620 Regatta Drive #118, 702-331-5565, americanalasvegas.com. Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

(Courtesy)

Backstory: When Echo & Rig opened at Tivoli Village in 2013, it upended everything we’d come to expect of a steakhouse. Chef and restaurateur Sam Marvin threw the doors wide open, did away with dark interiors and reintroduced the concept of a neighborhood butcher shop, featuring an openglass meat locker and vertical displays. Whether you’re there for brunch or dinner, Echo & Rig’s patio provides the perfect perch from which to people-watch Tivoli Village shoppers on the street one story below. Menu highlights: For brunch, don’t miss the steak frites, with eye of ribeye, roasted tomato, shoestring potatoes and Béarnaise, or the Steakhouse Scramble, with house-made sausage, filet mignon and peewee potatoes, tomatoes and burrata cheese. For dinner, choose any of the butcher’s cuts, cooked to your preference. On the surf side, you can’t go wrong with the sea bass or the organic king salmon. Details: 440 S. Rampart Blvd. 702-489-3525, echoandrig.com. Tuesday-Thursday 3:30-8:30 p.m.; Friday 3:30-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (brunch), 4-8:30 p.m. (dinner).

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Kicking up Major League Soccer’s restart tournament will reflect Las Vegas’ improving soccer scene By Case Keefer ristan Blackmon has spent so much of his soccer career alongside Danny Musovski, he can’t even remember for certain when they first became teammates. Blackmon, a former Bishop Gorman High star, is pretty sure he first met Musovski, the state’s all-time leading goal scorer during his days at Liberty High, when Blackmon was 8 years old and they were on the same youth team. “I think our first team ever was maybe the Penguins,” Blackmon says. “We were teammates for three or four years and then became rivals for a little while, but he was a little bit older than me, so he played in an age group higher than I did toward the end of our club career.” The 24-year-old Musovski and the 23-year-old Blackmon are now teammates again, this time at the highest level of domestic soccer. Musovski signed a deal with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club before the start of the 2020 season, to rejoin Blackmon, whom the team drafted third overall two years ago. On July 8, MLS became the latest sports league to restart after a pandemic interruption, kicking off a World Cup-style tournament with its 26 clubs in Orlando, Florida. LAFC, the betting favorite to win the competition—3-to-1 at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook—begins its set of three group-stage games July 13 at 5 p.m. against the Houston Dynamo.

Former Bishop Gorman star and Los Angeles FC defender Tristan Blackmon in action in 2019 (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP/Photo Illustration)

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“We really took it to the next level last year winning the Supporters’ Shield [awarded to the team with the best regular-season record],” Blackmon says. “That’s always going to put a target on your back. Even though we didn’t win the MLS Cup, I think every team we play against gives us their best game. We have high expectations for this tournament.” The second-favorites by the odds, the Seattle Sounders (8-to-1), also have a local product on their roster. Daniel Leyva, a 17-year-old phenom, was born and raised in Las Vegas before moving to Seattle two years ago to join the squad’s youth academy. That much Vegas talent on display in the tournament, which will largely be aired on ESPN, might come as a surprise to many, considering Southern Nevada hasn’t traditionally been known as a strong soccer-development area. But that’s starting to change, according to Frank D’Amelio, who has spent the past 30 years immersed in the scene here. “In the past 10 years, I would consider us a hotbed as far as talent,” he says. “We’ve put out a lot of players, both in the MLS and USL [United Soccer League] and kids going overseas and training with different teams. There’s been very good, very consistent growth.” D’Amelio is in his second stint as an assistant coach for UNLV’s men’s soccer team and doubles as a staff coach for younger players with the Downtown Soccer Club. He coached and advised Leyva and spent almost a decade around Musovski, who went on to a storied career at UNLV, including two-time All-America honors. “He’s one of the biggest competitors in the league,” D’Amelio says of Musovski. “He wants to win, and if he doesn’t, he’s going to have something to say about it. He’s just a driven kid who does everything he can to succeed. Does he look like the traditional soccer player? No, probably because he’s a little bowlegged, but once he gets

on the field, then you see what he’s about.” D’Amelio only ever coached against Blackmon, who was somewhat overshadowed by players like Musovski growing up. “I think Tristan blossomed more once he got into college,” D’Amelio says. “He was a good player in town, but the best player? Probably not. It’s been great to see his success.” Blackmon played at California’s University of the Pacific, where he became the school’s all-time leading goal scorer, alternating between forward and defenseman and becoming a firstround MLS prospect. The San Jose Earthquakes selected Musovski in the second round of the same 2018 draft, before loaning him to the USL’s Reno 1868, the club for which he played the past two seasons. Musovski serves mostly in a reserve role with LAFC, while Blackmon is implanted in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future after signing a three-year extension before this season. “It’s crazy to see how both of our journeys have gone and how they’ve met back up in a city not far from our hometown,” Blackmon says. “He’s a great dude; we get along really well. I’m happy for him and cheering on his strides in his career, as I’m sure he is for me.” LAFC had a March 12 match in the CONCACAF Champions League— which features all the best clubs in North American—called off hours before kickoff as the severity of the coronavirus became evident. Players were then quarantined on their own for two months before MLS permitted teams to hold training sessions. Blackmon said the time apart went smoother than anticipated, with the team devising detailed workout programs. Even minus best player and top MLS star Carlos Vela, who opted out of the restart tournament to stay home with his pregnant wife, LAFC is ready to go, Blackmon says. “It’s all been a little wonky, but we’ve reinforced the ideas we’ve set forth on our team and tried to build on those, even when we were at home,” he says. “We’re extremely excited to come back.”

V E G A S I N C B U S I N E S S 7. 9 . 2 0

Aviators, Summerlin cope with consequences of lost baseball season

BY BRYAN HORWATH his summer has been quite different for Las Vegas Ballpark in Downtown Summerlin. Instead of packing in 9,000-plus fans during a 70-date home schedule, the second-year ballpark for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators has sat mostly empty because of the coronavirus pandemic. On June 30, Minor League Baseball announced what was long expected: The entire 2020 season, which had been postponed, would be canceled. “The reality of what the pandemic has done has really set in,” Aviators President Don Logan said. “This thing is bigger than baseball. It has put things in perspective. As important as baseball is for so many people—for me, it’s all I’ve ever done—getting through this is much more important.” Major League Baseball is playing a 60-game season beginning this month. It’s allowing franchises to carry 60 players on expanded rosters, with those not suiting up for big league games participating in an extended camp and on-call to be promoted. That put an end to all minor league baseball, which last year in Las Vegas drew a franchise-record 650,00 fans, tops in all of Triple-A. BaseballParks.com named the new $150 million facility the best ballpark in 2019. “We had such a great year last year,” Logan said. “I believe we have as good a staff as there is in pro sports. The results from 2019 speak for themselves. At this point, we haven’t discussed making changes, and I hope we don’t have to.” Logan said no layoffs or furloughs are planned for the club’s nearly three dozen full-time employees, although the 450 part-time ushers, security and concession workers will be out of seasonal work. Be-

ing owned by the Howard Hughes Corp.—a publicly traded company that specializes in real estate—is a positive during times of economic uncertainty, Logan said. The company also owns the ballpark, which sits in the master-planned Summerlin community within walking distance of Red Rock Resort and City National Arena, the practice facility for the NHL’s Golden Knights. “It’s a well-funded company that cares about its employees,” Logan said. “They understand that this is nobody’s fault and that there’s no game plan on

how to deal with this thing from a business prospective. For us, we’re going to turn to 2021 and try to make that as big and successful a season as we can.” Officials with Howard Hughes weren’t available to comment, a spokesperson said. An earnings report for 2019 said the revenues from the stadium and franchise would contribute approximately $8.1 million to the company’s net operating income, or income after operating expenses are deducted. The canceled season could also affect business in Downtown Summerlin, a popular shopping and dining destination that benefits from some foot traffic before and after games. But Tom Kaplan of Wolfgang Puck Players Locker, which sits close to the ballpark, said the sports-themed restaurant didn’t seem to receive a ton of business from Aviators fans last summer. “We did get some traffic from the ballpark, but not as much as we thought,” Kaplan said. “Economic impact for us was limited, though it was better on weekends.” Kaplan surmised that robust food and drink options inside Las Vegas Ballpark itself—along with the location of the primary game-day parking areas—factored into the general lack of pedestrian spillover from games. Still, he said the loss of a season is a blow for the close-knit Summerlin community, especially for businesses that temporarily shuttered during pandemic closures and are still operating at a limited capacity. “We feel for Don and his group, because they’ve done so much for Summerlin,” Kaplan said. “Everybody knows they had a phenomenal season last year.”

Fans watch the Las Vegas Aviators’ opening-day game against Sacramento on April 9, 2019. (David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau)

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V e g a s i n c b u s in e s s 7. 9 . 2 0

ALUMNI bobby Reynolds Senior Vice President, AEG Presents Las Vegas

What was your company and position when you received your 40 Under 40 award? Vice president of booking at AEG Live Las Vegas Describe your current role and duties. I run our Las Vegas office. I oversee the day-to-day operation of a great team that books, markets and financially settles with our partners and artists.

Christopher D eVargas/Staff

What has been your biggest accomplishment since you were awarded? Developing a residency model at the Encore Theater at Wynn. In 2019, AEG produced well over 100 shows in the most gorgeous theater of its size in the nation. The theater was booked so successfully, it became the 10th-highest-grossing theater under 5,000 capacity in the world, with only 1,480 seats. What do you want to accomplish? I want to grow our business and our team in Las Vegas. I want people in my office to achieve their professional goals while delivering a great financial return to our ownership. We are accomplishing this every day, and I love seeing the progress.

S P O N S O R E D

What’s your favorite spot for a lunch meeting? I dig Ferraro’s. It’s close to my office, has great food and you can get something healthy … or not so healthy. Who is your business hero? I have many people who I respect and admire. Sticking in my line of work, John Meglen is that guy. This isn’t a kiss-up to the boss, but it’s really an admiration for a true entrepreneur who takes care of his clients and team. He has great vision, works incredibly hard and still finds time to play a ton of golf. What has it been like as a concert promoter during an unprecedented time without live concerts? It’s been difficult to see all of the hard work the team has done get canceled or never come to fruition. The live music business was the first hit, the hardest hit and one of the last to recover. AEG Presents is a strong company that can weather a storm, but it’s been very challenging, to say the least. How do you foresee the concert industry changing when live shows do eventually resume? Slowly. And we have a lot to learn. For the immediate future, social distancing and personal protective equipment will play a role. How much? Nobody knows. I yearn for a normal concert setting. What’s the best advice you have to offer? When you’re out, have a glass of water in between every cocktail.

B Y

For 17 years, Greenspun Media Group’s 40 Under 40 awards have honored the best and brightest in the Valley. If you’re an alum interested in participating in related features and events (or would like to update your contact information), email Publisher Mark DePooter at mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com.

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VegasInc Giving Notes Curaleaf Nevada celebrated the reopening of its retail dispensaries by partnering with Las Vegas restaurant 7th & Carson Downtown Kitchen and Bar to provide fresh meals and supply kits to the area’s homeless population. The company’s Acres and Curaleaf Boulevard dispensaries collected money over five weeks via its “rounding-up” exact change payment policy for cannabis delivery service. The funds raised were used to purchase 106 meals and 85 supplies care kits, in collaboration with local charities Food Not Bombs and Caridad. Massage Envy is allowing members to donate accrued but unused wellness services, such as massages and skin care services, to health care workers and first responders through July 30. They will then partner with the Philippine Nurses Association’s Las Vegas/Nevada chapter to distribute the vouchers to health care workers to redeem a free 60-minute massage, facial or stretch session. Students from College of South-

ern Nevada’s Medical Laboratory program, along with their instructors, volunteered their time and expertise and worked in CSN’s lab spaces to prepare specimen collection kits for front-line public health officials. Approximately 2,000 kits are delivered each week to the Southern Nevada Public Health Laboratory, a division of the Southern Nevada Health District. The sample collection kits include a prepackaged sterile swab and a transport tube containing a sterile liquid in a sealed biohazard bag. Nevada Women’s Philanthropy granted $500,000 to SafeNest for a citywide expansion of the Project Safe 417 program. It’s the largest investment NWP has made since it was founded in 2006. The 2020 NWP Founders Gift of $30,000 was also awarded to Three Square Food Bank. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children received a $3 million grant from Clark County to help build a Healing Center with safe homes for child victims of sex trafficking. This comes on the tail of the

release of an eight-year study highlighting this public, social and mental health concern for Las Vegas’ most vulnerable children. Commercial Real Estate Women Las Vegas donated $1,000 to the Las Vegas Fashion Council’s Mask Task Force, which created and donated masks to both Nathan Adelson Hospice and Cure 4 the Kids Foundation. Project Marilyn received a $5,000 sponsorship from Anthem Medicaid to support the organization’s production of period bags supplied to the community. State Farm agents Shalynai and Leonel Alberto also donated $1,500 to Project Marilyn. The Shade Tree received a $25,000 community grant from Wynn Las Vegas. The community funds were raised through the Wynn Employee Foundation’s Matching Gifts Program, which matches donations dollarfor-dollar up to $50,000 per employee per calendar year, helping provide critical financial support for nonprofits that serve various missions throughout

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the community. Wynn has been a longtime community partner of the women and children’s shelter and last year completed a 10-month revitalization of the Shade Tree totaling $2.5 million in donated labor costs and inkind donations. City National Bank donated $38,500 to nonprofits to continue their support of COVID-19 relief efforts. The five local nonprofit and community-based organizations receiving financial support include Habitat for Humanity National Partnership, Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada, Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation, Nevada Business Opportunity Fund and Nevada HAND. Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones launched the Small Business Legal Advice Project—Helping Businesses During COVID-19. This pro bono initiative, the first of its kind in the state, offers free legal consultations with volunteer attorneys to Nevada small-business owners who are facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Las Vegas Area Council and the Salvation Army of Southern Nevada collected 15,273 pounds of food as part of their Scouting

for Food 2.0 COVID-19 Relief Drive. These donations will be used to replenish Salvation Army’s depleted food pantries. With the support of the Las Vegas Area Council’s board and officers, as well as numerous contributions from the community, the Boy Scouts also were able to present a check for over $5,000 to the Salvation Army. Donors throughout Southern Nevada raised nearly $600,000 to provide scholarships to College of Southern Nevada students. More than $250,000 will be distributed to CSN students in the fall, including: $40,000 from the Hites Family/MGM Scholarship for five graduates to pursue bachelor’s degrees at another Nevada System of Higher Education institution; the Outstanding Student Award Scholarship funded by Key Charitable Trust and the CSN Foundation, which provides $1,000 to 17 CSN students nominated by their departments; and CSN High School Scholarships of more than $70,000 to CSN high school students pursuing associate’s degrees while in high school. The high school scholarships are possible through donations from MGM Resorts, the MGM Foundation, Las Vegas Hospitality Association, Tyrone Thompson Scholarship Fund and Mondays Dark.

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horoscopes week of July 9 by rob brezsny

“SIX-T EIGHT” by frank Longo

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’re scheduled to enjoy an extended engagement with rich, fertile complexity. The best teachings won’t be reducible to a few basic lessons; rather, they’ll be rife with soulful nuances. The same is true about the splendid dilemmas that bring you stimulating amusements: They can’t and shouldn’t be forced into pigeonholes. Anything that seems easy and straightforward will probably not be useful. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may think that playing heavy metal music and knitting with yarn don’t have much in common. And yet there is an annual contest in Joensuu, Finland, where people with expertise in needlework join heavy metal musicians on stage, plying their craft in rhythm to the beat. You have the potential to excel at making unexpected connections, linking influences that haven’t been linked before and being successful at comparing apples and oranges. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1848, Danish King Frederick VII agreed, under pressure from liberal agitators, to relinquish some of his absolute power. Thereafter, he shared his decision-making with a newly formed parliament. He was pleased with this big change because it lightened his workload. Be inspired by him in the coming weeks. Consider the possibility of shedding dubious “privileges” and status symbols. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Author Mary McCarthy provides you with a challenge you’ll be wise to relish during the rest of 2020. She writes, “Everyone continues to be interested in the quest for the self, but what you feel when you’re older is that you really must make the self.” Your task isn’t to find yourself, but rather to create yourself. Don’t wait around passively for life to show you who you are. Show life who you are. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Some night soon, you’ll have an agitated dream while you’re asleep: a nightmare that symbolizes an unresolved conflict with which you’re wrestling in your waking life. Here’s a possible example: A repulsive politician may threaten to break a toy you loved when you were a kid. But surprise! There’ll be a happy ending. A good monster will appear in your dream and fix the problem. And in the days after your dream, you’ll solve the conflict you’ve been wrestling with in your waking life. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Love is the best school, but the tuition is high and the homework can be painful,” writes author Diane Ackerman. In recent months, her description has been partially true for you. But the homework has been at least as pleasurable as it has been painful. These trends will continue for the foreseeable future. What teachings about intimacy, communion, tenderness and compassion would you like to study next?

2018 King features syndicate

ACROSS 1 Big name in small planes 7 Passage leading to an aural drum 15 Sign into law 20 Despicable 21 Cessation 22 Six-Day War leader Dayan 23 Starting something over, figuratively 26 Bottom line 27 “You — My Sunshine” 28 U.S. intel org. 29 See 106-Across 30 Question the Devil asks in a Kipling poem 39 Patrick of A Clockwork Orange 41 Leave high and dry 42 — pot (sinuscleaning device) 43 Wolfs down 46 — wheel (fair ride) 48 Final resting places 52 Cause heads to turn 56 Yule tune 57 Wheel center 58 Turn rancid 60 Norma — (film heroine) 61 Nickname for Connecticut 71 River to the Rhone 72 Senseless 73 Drop by 74 Recent times 81 Wheaton of Stand by Me 82 Singer Bareilles 83 G.P. or vet 84 War god 86 Giving a rigorous tryout 97 Play a ukulele, e.g.

99 Boastful talk 100 Cigar-holding container 101 Huge, informally 104 Chucked 106 With 29-Across, neo-soul singer with four Grammys 107 What’s accurate about a situation 113 City NNE of Lake Tahoe 114 — -Z 115 Courtroom promise 116 On top of, to poets 119 It closed all 130+ of its U.S. campuses in 2016 128 Wall work 129 1973-99 Limabased carrier 130 “The Wizard of Menlo Park” 131 Conjuring aid 132 Encroach on another’s land 133 Novelist du Maurier DOWN 1 Red Scare attorney Roy 2 Falco of TV 3 Wait patiently 4 Mayberry’s Otis, for one 5 Rapa — (1994 film) 6 Something really easy 7 Prize greatly 8 Part of NCAA: Abbr. 9 — v. Wade 10 Revival skill, for short 11 Big simian 12 “Stillmatic” rapper 13 Narc, e.g. 14 Gives access 15 Outback bird

16 Symbol for written music 17 “Ad — per aspera” (Kansas’ motto) 18 Mass singers 19 Principle 24 Mutt’s sound 25 Despicable 31 Bit of crying 32 Ward of TV 33 Wilson’s predecessor 34 Weight allowance, once 35 Yesteryear 36 Brought into the world 37 Troop group 38 The Addams Family cousin 39 Actress Kirshner 40 Home pest 44 Cavern effect 45 Daze 47 Spanish ayes 49 Swamp 50 “Get lost!” 51 Precip-ice? 53 “Six-pack” 54 Texter’s hugs 55 Cloister sister 59 “Please reply,” in brief 61 Jeans go-with, often 62 Dog following its owner closely 63 Suffix with south 64 Co. VIPs 65 Uncle, in Argentina 66 Pol. middle-of-theroader 67 — chi 68 Little — (kids) 69 Vietnamese New Year 70 Actress Carrere 71 “— a Very Good Year” 75 Spy’s device

76 Capote, to his friends 77 Courtroom promise 78 Big whoop 79 Chris of Sex and the City 80 “Ac-Cent- — -Ate the Positive” 85 Bottom line 87 Dog with Dorothy 88 “What business is — yours?” 89 Magazine mogul Condé 90 Lillian of film 91 Grove growth 92 Give forth 93 Pitchfork part 94 Cincinnati Reds player in the Baseball Hall of Fame 95 “... or — gather” 96 Song syllable 98 Sea, to Yves 102 Avocado dip, informally 103 To boot 105 Barely passing grade 107 Prunes 108 In a snit 109 — nous 110 Sharpener of skills 111 Many mag pages 112 Schlepped 117 School on the Thames 118 Thinker Descartes 120 Kay-em link 121 Wrath 122 Bus. firms 123 Extra for an iDevice 124 Grassy area 125 Taxing org. 126 Ore- — 127 Advice tidbita

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “A single feat of daring can alter the whole conception of what is possible,” wrote novelist Graham Greene. His words can serve as a stirring motto for you in the coming weeks. You’re close to summoning a burst of courage—a bigger supply of audacity than you’ve had access to in a while. Harness this raw power to fuel a daring feat that will expand your conception of what is possible. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “It’s not always easy to tell the difference between thinking and looking out of the window,” wrote poet Wallace Stevens. That’s a problem you won’t have to worry about anytime soon. You’ll have the right and the need to indulge in a leisurely series of dreamy ruminations, meandering fantasies and playful explorations of your deepest depths and your highest heights. Don’t rush the process. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The coming weeks will be a favorable time to undertake a transformative vision quest, even if the exigencies of the pandemic require your quest to unfold primarily in your inner realms. The near future will also bring you good fortune if you focus on creating more sacredness in your rhythm and if you make a focused effort to seek out songs, texts, inspirations, natural places and teachers that infuse you with a reverence for life. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “To love well is the task in all meaningful relationships, not just romantic bonds.” The author and activist bell hooks wrote that. (She doesn’t capitalize her name.) Be inspired by her wisdom as you upgrade your meaningful relationships during the next six weeks. It’s in your self-interest to give them even more focus and respect and appreciation than you already do. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it,” wrote author Sydney Howard. Now would be a perfect time to act on that excellent advice. Is there any obstacle standing in the way of your ability to achieve a beloved dream? Is there a pretty good thing that’s distracting you from devoting yourself wholeheartedly to a really great thing? Be ruthless as you clear the way to pursue your heart’s desire. PISCES (Feb. 19March 20): Author Ellen Goodman writes, “It is easier to change behavior than feelings about that behavior.” You’re in a prime position to be an exception to this rule. You will have exceptional power to transform the way you feel—especially if those feelings have previously been based on a misunderstanding of reality and especially if those feelings have been detrimental to your mental and physical health.

THE LIGHTS ARE IN VEGAS. Curbside or inside, we're ready with your cannabis. OUR DOORS ARE OPEN! Here’s how it works: Store hours are 9 am – 12 am daily All guests are required to wear a mask or face covering. If you do not have one, one will be provided for you. Only 10 guests are allowed in the store at any given time. One person per transaction please! All guests must stand 6ft apart on the floor markers provided.

1736 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104

Your information will be taken at the door. You will be asked to remain in your vehicle until we text you to come inside. Curbside and delivery are also still available for you! To order, please visit www.curaleaf.com/nv/ Thank you for helping us keep you safe! We hope to see you soon!

Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older.

2320 Western Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102

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