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

9.23.21

STUDY: NEVADA’S NON-COVID VAX RATE ONE OF NATION’S WORST Nevada is the 47th-least vaccinated state in the country, according to the personal finance website WalletHub. WalletHub analyzed all the states and the District of Columbia across 17 metrics in the general areas of child and adult immunization rates against a range of diseases and disparities and influencing factors in vaccine uptake. Overall, Nevada sits one spot below Alabama and one above Arizona in the rankings. Massachusetts ranked first, while Mississippi ranked last. Some of Nevada’s specific rankings: • Toddlers with the full combined 7-vaccine series (diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough, polio, measles-mumps-rubella, Hib, hepatitis B, chicken pox, pneumococcal conjugate): 21st out of 51 (71.3% vaccinated) • Adult pneumococcal (pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis) vaccination rate: 45th (29.8% vaccinated) • Senior shingles vaccination rate: 46th (34.1% vaccinated) • Adult flu vaccination rate: 47th (42.3% vaccinated) • Child flu vaccination rate: 50th (52% vaccinated) COVID-19 vaccination didn’t factor into the study, which was released this week. But experts referenced the role the COVID-19 vaccine is having in the current national conversation. A total of 49% of Nevadans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Nevada’s worst performances in the WalletHub study were in flu vaccination, reflecting the state’s consistent lagging in this area. –Hillary Davis

WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD News you should know about

Glass Animals perform at Life Is Beautiful, September 17 in Downtown Las Vegas. For coverage of the three-day festival, head to lasvegasweekly.com. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

9.23.21

IN THIS ISSUE

14 28 34 38 40

Cover story: Pets! Our furry friends take center stage Noise: Field Trip and Punk Rock Bowling Downtown Food & Drink: Vegan sushi, plus brunching at Spago Sports: The Aces step into the playoffs Vegas Inc: Touring Amazon’s local warehouse

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STORIES FROM LAST WEEK MT. CHARLESTON LODGE FIRE Investigators were trying September 20 to piece together what led to the fire that destroyed much of Mt. Charleston Lodge, a popular summer retreat for Las Vegas residents. The blaze broke out the morning of September 17. No one was inside at the time. The Lodge’s owners say they will rebuild.

SPACE TOURISTS HOME SAFE Four space tourists safely ended their trailblazing trip to orbit September 18 with a splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast. The all-amateur crew was the first to circle the world without a professional astronaut. The billionaire who paid undisclosed millions for the trip and his three guests wanted to show that ordinary people could blast into orbit by themselves, and SpaceX founder Elon Musk took them on as the company’s first rocket-riding tourists.

BIG NIGHT FOR STREAMING Netflix’s The Crown and The Queen’s Gambit combined with Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso to sweep top series honors at the Emmy Awards on September 19, a first for streaming services. Netflix won 44 awards, equaling the broadcast network record set back in 1974, by CBS. The streaming service, which fielded the first drama series nominee House of Cards in 2007, finally won the category. Newcomer Apple TV+’s first top series came less than two years after it launched.

CHRIS ROCK CATCHES COVID Chris Rock on September 19 said he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and sent a message to anyone still on the fence: “Get vaccinated.” The 56-year-old comedian wrote on Twitter: “Hey guys I just found out I have COVID, trust me you don’t want this. Get vaccinated.” Rock has previously said he was vaccinated.

Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) catches a pass from quarterback Derek Carr between Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Tre Norwood (21) during the second half of the two teams’ September 19 game in Pittsburgh. The Raiders won, 26-17, to improve to 2-0 this season (see Page 39). (Don Wright/Associated Press)

PFIZER: VACCINE SAFE FOR KIDS Pfizer said September 20 that its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon—a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters. The vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech already is available for anyone 12 and older. But with kids now back in school and the extra-contagious delta variant causing a huge jump in pediatric infections, many parents are anxiously awaiting vaccinations for their younger children. For elementary school-aged kids, Pfizer tested a much lower dose—a third of the amount that’s in each shot given now. Yet after their second dose, children ages 5 to 11 developed coronavirus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as teenagers and young adults getting the regular-strength shots, Dr. Bill Gruber, a Pfizer senior vice president, told the Associated Press. The kid dosage also proved safe, with similar or fewer temporary side effects—such as sore arms, fever or achiness—that teens experience, he said. –Associated Press

GMG WINS 44 AWARDS FROM NEVADA PRESS ASSOCIATION Greenspun Media Group, publisher of the Weekly and its sister publications Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Magazine, took home 15 first-place honors and 44 total awards September 18 in the Nevada Press Association’s annual Awards of Excellence contest. The Weekly won eight first-place honors, including awards for writing, design and advertising. The Sun received six first-place awards for reporting, design and editorial writing. Among those top honors were Editorial of the Year for a piece sounding an alarm over steps taken by the Trump administration and Republican Party leadership toward transforming America into a dictatorship. Mike Smith, the Sun’s longtime editorial cartoonist, had the Editorial Cartoon of the Year. The Sun also took first place in headline writing and best Page One design. In addition, Sun staff reporter Justin Emerson earned one of the contest’s top honors when he was named Journalist of Merit, which is awarded to individuals with less than five years of experience in the field. –Staff

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

9.23.21

HISTORIC GRANT

Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear poses in front of the newly built “Welcome to the Historic Westside” sign, located at the offramp of U.S. 95 at Martin Luther King Boulevard. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

9.23.21

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

NEWS The City of Las Vegas receives $50,000 to help preserve the Westside BY ARLEIGH RODGERS

as Vegas’ history often gets buried beneath its flashy casinos and high-rise hotels. But a recently awarded grant to the City of Las Vegas aims to recover the gems of the Historic Westside, an area defined by its past and the people who live there. The city received a $50,000 grant from the National Park Service to conduct research on the Westside to find and nominate sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Protections for those sites would prohibit them from being demolished, an effort to ward off gentrification. Near Downtown, the Historic Westside stretches from Jackson Avenue to Bonanza Road. At the end of the neighborhood lies the vacant lot where the Moulin Rouge, the city’s first racially integrated casino, formerly sat. Diane Siebrandt, historic preservation officer of the City of Las Vegas, says the city applied for the grant in March and received its requested $50,000 in full, something Siebrandt says doesn’t happen often. The figure was determined based on the anticipated amount of research to be conducted, along with the size of the area. Siebrandt says steps to hire a team of researchers have not yet been initiated. “We’re always looking for ways to add properties to our local register, because that’s what preserves the buildings in our city,” she says. “It was a good feeling to know that all the hard work of writing that proposal is going to pay off in the end.” Black Las Vegas residents in the Historic Westside were segregated through Jim Crow laws and social pressures starting in the 1930s. Year after year, Black residents were pushed out of Downtown businesses and construction projects like the Hoover Dam, which hired the white workers who flocked to the region in response. Now, the city attempts to make amends and improvements to the West-

side with the Hundred Plan, an initiative launched in 2016 that prioritizes investments in the area. Goals include building and street developments, implementing more natural spaces like James Gay Park and honoring the history of the Westside. “The city recognizes the need to engage the community in establishing context for an anchor cultural facility that can allow us to shine a spotlight on the Historic Westside,” Lisa Morris Hibbeler, chief community services officer for the City of Las Vegas, said during a September 8 meeting to discuss building a Historic Westside museum. “This does not mean that existing places or spaces are abandoned in favor of something new but rather that we work to connect important pieces of our history and create new opportunities for audiences, near and far, to experience it.” Hibbeler said goals for the meeting were to provide context for a proposed museum and cultural art center—which would highlight the contributions of Black people in Nevada—and to receive

community feedback on the project. “We continue to make progress with the Hundred Plan in Action for the Historic Westside,” City Councilman Cedric Crear, a resident and native of the Westside, said in a statement. “These funds are the latest to be awarded to projects that will make a difference in the community as we work to preserve our history and create new opportunities.” One step the city could take in revitalizing the area is selecting several abandoned homes in the neighborhood and repurposing them into affordable housing units. But Claytee White, director of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, says bare-minimum improvements to the area do nothing to enhance the location’s rich history. “I don’t want just something thrown together and cheap and ugly,” she says. “I want housing that is substantial, that is beautiful. I want a neighborhood that is attractive, that people will want to visit. I want a business district that is vibrant and viable and sustainable and beautiful and has all the amenities like any other community. I don’t want just the minimum. I want the best.”

Berkley Square on Las Vegas’ Historic Westside (Sun File)

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LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

We love our pets! More than ever, furry friends are providing comfort all across the Vegas Valley

Pawsitive influences Valley pet owners share a bit about their animal friends BY AMBER SAMPSON | Where would we be without our pets, especially after the year we’ve all had? As we look forward, there’s never been a better time to reflect on the magic of our furry little friends. We spoke with locals to learn the backgrounds of their beloved pets and what makes them so special. Here’s what they had to gush about.

REMY RULES THE ROOST “I moved to Texas to be with my boyfriend. But after I moved, I realized I didn’t know anybody, so I was really sad all the time. My boyfriend bought Remy as a surprise gift to me. He’s 13 in September, so I now have a Yorkie who’s older than all my nieces and nephews. I love everything about him, his cute face, his personality. He’s like a gruff, salty old man. When he begs, he’ll do this trick where he’ll sit on his hind legs with his arms out forever and hold his back up straight. … Everyone falls for it. Remy is the boss of this house. He runs this whole place.” – Vicky Kim

SADDLING UP WITH LEADER “My family has owned Leader for 16 years, and he’s now 22 years old. Leader already had his name when we bought him, and as a retired racehorse, we thought the name was fitting. … I love riding him, because he has a very laid-back personality. His eyes are one of my favorite things about him. They remind me of Edward’s eyes from Twilight. They have a yellow tint to them. He is such a wonderful horse, and our home wouldn’t be the same without him.” –Sara Reed

TRAINING A DRAGON “My [bearded] dragon’s name is Bean Sprout. I had my last dragon for 10 years, and I loved her so much. I have had reptiles since I was 8, and I’m going into zoology, because they are so fascinating. They are truly loving and snuggly pets. They love rides in the car but hate riding on the seat next to me. They insist on sitting in my lap or on my shoulder!” –Olivia Wisniewski

NO HARM, ALL FOWL “We got Lovey from Tractor Supply in Pahrump when she was just a day old, a tiny fuzzy little puffball chick. Now she’s about 15 months. She has nine sisters and did have a loud, aggressive brother rooster named Queenie, who now lives at McKee Ranch. Lovey is a Barred Rock and the nicest of our chickens. She sits on your lap and likes to be petted. She loves watermelon and dried mealworms, and she gives us a present every day. How many pets give you food? We love our chickens. They have a ton of surprising personality.” –Paysha Rhone

PET PATIOS Take your pooches to these friendly outdoor eateries

BY GEOFF CARTER

Now that fall has come to the Valley—technically, anyway—we can spend more time out on the town with our dogs, enjoying coffees, beers or even lunch with our very best friends relaxing at our heels, drinking water from provided bowls and waiting for something good to fall off your plate. Start with coffee. Downtown coffee bar and restaurant PublicUs (1126 Fremont St., 702-3315500) is dog-friendly both inside and out. You can take your java out to the sidewalk seating or enjoy it in the restaurant, provided your doggo is well-behaved. You’ll also find welcoming patios for dogs at Tivoli Village’s Leoné Café (400 S Rampart Blvd. #10165, 702-684-5853), Boca Park’s Sambalatte Torrefazione (750 S. Rampart Blvd. #9, 702-272-2333), the Desert Breeze Park-adjacent MadHouse Coffee (8470 W. Desert Inn Road, 702-360-4232), the Sunset Park-adjacent Sunrise Coffee (3130 E. Sunset

Road #A, 702-433-3304), both Makers & Finders locations (1120 S. Main St, #110, 702-586-8255; 2120 Festival Plaza Drive #140, 702-586-8255) and many others. And if you’re both in a hurry on the way to the dog park, drive through a Starbucks or Dutch Bros. and fetch your pal a puppuccino. Dog-friendly bars are steadily becoming easier to find, though by and large they’re patio service only. It probably goes without saying that northwest favorite Big Dog’s Draft House (4543 N. Rancho Drive, 702-645-1404) welcomes all dogs big and small to its “front porch.” Ditto for Tenaya Creek Brewery (831 W. Bonanza Road, 702-362-7335), Park on Fremont (506 E. Fremont St., 702-834-3160), Able Baker Brewing (1510 S. Main St., 702-479-6355), the UNLV district’s Crown and Anchor pub (1350 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-7398676), Henderson’s Gold Mine Tavern (23 S. Water St., 702-478-8289) and more. As for dining with your doggo, it’s as easy as visit-

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SASSY, BOUJEE BAXTER “Baxter entered my life in 2014. I was sitting outside my office, chatting with a coworker, when we heard this tiny meow. It was Baxter. He was just a few months old and totally alone, running around scared. After gaining his trust with pieces of bologna, I scooped him up, threw him in my car with a blanket to keep him warm and prayed my grandmother wouldn’t kill me for bringing him home. … I wanted to name him ‘Bologna’ at first, but that didn’t feel respectable enough; he had a very dapper attitude about him. … He’s been my best friend for about seven years now. He’s completely neurotic at times but is a fantastic big brother to his human sister. I was worried he would be jealous following the birth of my daughter, and I think he was at times. But he has surprised me with how protective, loving and patient he’s been toward her.” –Kristina Medina

ing Downtown’s plant-based Mexican spot Tacotarian (1130 S. Casino Center Blvd. #170, 725-251-3853), which not only has a dog-friendly patio but also a machine that vends dog treats, and both Valley locations of Lazy Dog (6509 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-9411920; 1725 Festival Plaza Drive, 702-727-4784), which offer dog-sized plates of beef or chicken with brown rice and veggies. It’s also worth noting that the shopping centers in which the latter two restaurants are located—Town Square and Downtown Summerlin, respectively—also welcome dogs, provided they’re leashed, and you clean up after them. This list is, of course, very incomplete; the number of dog-friendly spots around the Valley probably numbers in the hundreds now. Two good rules of thumb to follow: Bring a collapsible water bowl, in case the kitchen isn’t able or willing to provide one, and call ahead to make sure your friend is welcome, because an outdoor patio doesn’t necessarily mean a place is dog-friendly … even if it should. –Geoff Carter

(Photographs Courtesy)

9.23.21

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9.23.21 Maya at Rescued Treasures Cat Café (Steve Marcus/Staff)

Drink your coffee with a side of kitten at Rescued Treasures Cat Cafe

A purrfect place BY AMBER SAMPSON It might look like all fun and games, but PAL NV’s Rescued Treasures Cat Café isn’t kitten around. Since the nonprofit debuted the café in 2019, it has housed more than 300 cats and helped more than 200 of them get adopted. “We’ve had some situations where people came into the café, they’re playing with the cats and all of a sudden one strikes their heart, then they inquire about adoption,” says Tanya Russell, volunteer coordinator for the café. Rescued Treasures intakes cats from various organizations, like the Animal Foundation, and from trappers who find domesticated cats living on the streets. “A lot of the rescues work handin-hand like that, if we can help them or if they can help us,” she says. “It’s all for the animals.”

Visitors can book one-hour café sessions with the cats for $12 which includes snacks and beverages. If they’re looking to adopt a cat they’ve seen on Rescued Treasures’ website, the booking fee reduces to $10. They meet the cat with an adoption associate, who helps determine if the visitor and animal make a good match. Russell sees plenty of visitors during the week, many of which have specific reasons for coming in. “We have one young man that comes in every Saturday, who’s unable to have an animal,” she says. He comes in every Saturday, and he donates some food to us and plays with the cats.” Living circumstances can deter some visitors

from owning felines, so the café fosters an environment in which everyone can be a cat person for a day. Rescued Treasures keeps around 15 to 20 cats at a time, Russell says, but you won’t find any in cages. Cats roam at their leisure, interacting with guests, playing with toys and purposely sitting on anything humans appear to be using at the time. Rescued Treasures is always looking for volunteers. Russell, who has been part of the team since April, says she’s far from done helping. “I was looking for an organization that I felt was really doing great work, that their heart and their passion was 100% for the cat,” she says. “I was looking to spend my time with a quality organization. And I found them.”

RESCUED TREASURES CAT CAFÉ 4155 N. Rancho Drive, 702- 629-6351, palnv.org. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri-Sun, by appointment only.

9.23.21

Anxious times

How to comfort dogs made more nervous during the pandemic BY BROCK RADKE My dog was anxious before it was cool to have an anxious dog. Thanks to our increased collective stress from the pandemic; more family members staying home during the week and then suddenly reporting back to offices and classrooms; and general household inconsistency over the past year and a half, everyone’s furry friends are feeling jittery and restless these days. But Lulu LeTigre, our 39-pound, black-and-brindle, 6-year-old fuzzchild, has always been a nervous little beast. She’s always on guard duty, barking at anyone or anything that passes the house. She doesn’t have to see ’em, either; any noise might set her off. If she’s really nervous, maybe surrounded by too many people or distractions, she’ll hop up on my lap seeking some comfort. Even when Lulu’s at home hanging out with familiar friends, sudden movements or clamor can freak out this adorable little monster. A lot of this stuff is out of our control, according to an expert. “People need to remember that breeding affects behavior, and dogs aren’t a blank slate,” says Eileen Koval, a Las Vegas-based dog expert and trainer certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. “They encounter certain situations, and genetics tell them what to do. “Some dogs have that hyper-alertness and frantic energy, while others might hide or take a different

route when they’re stressed, and happy behavior can be anxious, too,” she continues. “We can modify behaviors with training to some extent, but you get what you get, and we modify from there.” We adopted Lulu as a pup and don’t know her breed, but she appears to be part Plott Hound, originally bred to help with hunting. She’s athletic, infinitely energetic and affectionate, but she’s always wary of her surroundings. Over the pandemic, as many of her dog friends developed anxiety issues from ever-changing routines, Lulu became even more sensitive to different noises and less interested in going for morning coffee walks with mom and dad. “We’ve seen a lot more dog behavior issues over this time, because their environments have changed and their routines have changed as we have had less predictability in our lives,” Koval says. “There are some positives, too, because people have been noticing more about their dogs and catching things as they’ve been home more.” To get Lulu to enjoy walks again, we’re going to gradually expose her in a less intense way to all the exciting stuff happening outside, and praise her and give her treats when she notices something along the way in order to attach positive value to her natural reactions to new and different sights and sounds. “Hopefully when hearing noises, instead of wanting to flee or bark, she’ll turn to you to get a reward, and eventually she’ll know this is no big deal, just what we’re doing every day,” Koval says.

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We love our pets! (Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

Then there’s a slightly more complicated challenge: Lulu is our stress barometer. If I’m upset, or my wife’s having a tough day, this little tigerhound catches the vibe, and it isn’t great. If we’re talking about something serious or expressing existential dread like any other perfectly normal, COVID-era couple, the tension overwhelms our darling Lulu, and she’ll leap onto the couch and cuddle close, shaking with angst. “We’ve all encountered that during the pandemic … When there’s tension in the home, the dogs feel it,” Koval says. “It’s really hard, because you have stress in your life and you can’t control that. They pick up on body language, any arguments or raised voices, and even if it’s not directed at them they feel stressed by it.” We realized early on that the best way to keep Lulu comfortable is to comfort each other and ourselves. And she needs the same things we do—different ways to cope with stress, exercise and healthy food and opportunities to socialize with friends both human and canine. “I use licking mats and scavenging games and toys, things that help them calm down. And my dogs like to run, while others I’ve worked with really like play dates,” Koval says. “They have to have ways of channeling stress, otherwise it will come out in ugly ways just like it does in people.” A lot of people don’t know that their dog is anxious, which is why it’s important to read the signs. And not every dog is as obvious as Lulu. Koval points out that some key signals could be hyper alertness and constantly scanning their environment, barking or pacing around, yawning, moving their ears to be pinned back to their neck, a tucked tail and overreactions to little noises or sudden movements. Regular visits to a veterinarian are also important, especially if the anxiety seems extreme. Your dog doc might prescribe or recommend natural or prescription remedies like pheromone sprays or CBD treats that can help specific issues.

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Learn to love the vet To keep your dog from fearing veterinarian visits, provide some positive experiences. “You can visit the vet just to [get] a cookie and then leave,” Foreman says. Car manners Left to their own devices, dogs will bolt from the car once you open the door. Foreman recommends teaching your pup to wait in the vehicle until you give them an OK to leave. This is easier on the owner—and safer for the dog.

Collar courtesy Dogs might instinctively try to run away whenever you reach for their collar, but you can train them to stick around by giving them a treat as you touch the collar, Foreman advises.

Pro Tips

Expert advice on dog-training do’s and don’ts BY C. MOON REED As with humans, dogs need to be taught good manners. But there’s an important difference: Training a pet requires crossing a language barrier, which is why it helps to enlist professionals. The Weekly spoke with Donna Foreman and Johnna Holland, owner and trainer, respectively, at Smarty Paws (4161 N. Rancho Drive #120, 702-396-8501, smartypaws.com), about best pup practices. When should a family bring a new puppy in for training? Foreman: The biggest issue with puppies is, they’re not socialized soon enough. People wait until they’re 6 months old, and they’ve already started developing certain fears or bad habits. They can be corrected; it’s just going to take longer. We like puppies to get socialized in a safe environment as soon as possible. … As soon as that puppy has two sets of shots, it would be safe to come into a building like ours. Many people acquired dogs during the pandemic lockdown. What should they do for their

pups as they start venturing back out into the world? Foreman: Take a group obedience class with your dog. [If the dog has been isolated], it’s going to have some fear issues, but you can slowly work through them. … Once the dog has self-confidence, it’s going to be a little bit more social. Holland: I definitely recommend going to a daycare or a bootcamp, getting the puppy to work on its confidence away from the owner so that we can curb any potential separation anxiety as well. What are some general best pup practices? Foreman: Use positive reinforcement. Be patient. Be consistent. Set your house rules so the dog

doesn’t get confused. For example, if the dog’s not allowed to jump on Mom, the dog’s not allowed to jump on Dad. Everybody in the home should know what the rules are, because you don’t want the dog to get mixed messages. What’s the No. 1 mistake you see dog owners make? Foreman: Forcing their dog to say hi to another dog or to a person. Let your dog decide if they want to greet another dog or greet a person. Why do you dislike retractable leashes? Foreman: You have no control on that dog. The dog isn’t close enough to you that you can protect it if something approaches fast. Retractable leashes are

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Make them work. Dogs are thinking animals, and they need enrichment. “Give your puppies puzzles; get their brains working,” Holland says. “It’s so good for them.”

dangerous to humans and to other dogs. What are the benefits of dog agility courses? Foreman: It builds a bond between the owner and the dog. It teaches good stays and releases. Exercise. Confidence. I’ve seen dogs literally crawl in on their bellies, terrified of the world. By the third week of agility, it’s pulling the owner, going, “Let’s go Mama. We’re going to have fun!” Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks? Foreman: Yes. They’re always learning. Some dogs may be more resistant than others, just because of their personalities. Holland: To this day, I teach [my 13-year-old mix] new stuff, and she loves it.

We love our pets!

Prevent separation anxiety With many of us still quarantined at home, it’s important to teach your dog that you won’t always be around 24/7. Foreman recommends leaving your pup behind, even if it’s just to drive around the block, so the dog can become comfortable with a little solitude.

(Steve Marcus/Staff)

Dog trainer Johnna Holland, center, works with dogs during a puppy obedience class at Smarty Paws. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

Off the street Street Dogz offers pet support to those who need it most BY AMBER SAMPSON When Jonathan Beyer agreed to relocate from Seattle to Las Vegas with his dog, Anabelle, he didn’t expect to be homeless upon arrival. In Washington, he’d befriended a married couple over the course of six months and became their roommate. “They had said, ‘We’re gonna move back to Vegas. If you help us out a little bit financially, we have all kinds of friends in Vegas that can help you,” he says. Beyer footed the bill for the move. But by the time they landed in Las Vegas in 2018, the couple suggested he stay at a motel overnight as they met with some on-theground contacts. They said they’d pick him up in the morning. “They never showed up,” he says. So Beyer, with just a suitcase of clothes and no money left to afford the motel, slept outside on a chilly February night behind the building. “I took my clothes out of my suitcase and just laid them on the ground,” he says. “It was dark and I thought, ‘Well, when the sun comes up, it’ll be warmer. My dog has short hair, so I tried to keep her warm, but I didn’t have my winter jacket anymore. … So I wrapped her up in clothes. And I managed to make it through the night.” Beyer bounced between the streets and Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada for years after that, with Anabelle serving as a furry and loyal companion through one of his darkest times. “I thought about suicide a couple times,” he says. “But there was always some-

STREET DOGZ

thing inside of me that said, ‘You just have to hang on.’” Beyer hung on long enough for Street Dogz to find him and Ana. Established in 2014, Street Dogz specializes in helping pet owners in need, whether they’re struggling on the streets with their pets or disabled and stuck at home. “Our mission is to keep them together, not to separate them,” says Cheryl Noori, founder of Street Dogz. The Las Vegas nonprofit provides everything from pet food and strollers to umbrellas, collars, coats and even items for humans. On top of that, Street Dogz leverages its partnerships with other organizations to offer services such as dog grooming and vaccinations. There’s a clubhouse full of donations from the community, Noori says, and the volunteer team distributes resources at distribution sites every month. That’s how Beyer got connected with the nonprofit. “He reached out and said he had a chance at a job,” Noori recalls. But Beyer couldn’t leave Anabelle at the shelter, and Street Dogz didn’t yet offer day boarding the way it does now. So Street Dogz’s Janice Tucker offered to foster the pug for several months while Beyer worked during the week. “I was very hesitant to let anybody watch Ana ... but I knew I just had to take a chance,” he says. Fast forward to today. Beyer speaks over the phone from his living room in his own apartment—furnished by Street Dogz. “They got me some nice chairs, a futon, a love seat and a pen that’s quite big. I can put Ana in that during the day,” he says. Beyer now works full-time, and he credits much of his success to Street Dogz’s support. “People would be like ‘Maybe you need to get rid of your dog.’ I’m not getting rid of my dog,” he says.

702-277-8836, streetdogzlv.org.

LV W C OV E R S T O R Y

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GOOD STARTER TANK SIZE: 40-50 GALLONS

“It’s enough water volume to keep things stable,” Sims says. “But not enough to worry about it cracking a stand or anything like that. You can literally stick it on the countertop and it’ll be completely fine.”

SOMETHING FISHY

STARTING PRICE RANGE: $500-$750

“It’s not the cheapest hobby,” Sims says. “But we try to do everything we can to make sure you are taken care of. If you are on a budget, certain companies will even do leases and payment plans in order to help get more people in the industry.”

How to get started on your first home aquarium BY C. MOON REED

quariums are magic. They’re tiny universes holding a gorgeous underwater world in your own home. But they can also be intimidating for interested beginners. There’s so much to know and do. How does one even get started? Hayden Sims, general manager of Las Vegas aquarium and fish store Artistic Oceans (6820 W. Sahara Ave. #3, 702-405-6732, artisticoceans.com) shares his expertise about this uniquely rewarding hobby.

STUDY UP BEFORE YOU BUY.

Sims advises all prospective fish owners to do some online research, even just watching YouTube videos, before buying anything. “Look at what everyone else is doing to contribute to keep an aquarium LEARN AS YOU GO. alive, happy and healthy,” Sims The same way some housesays. “It’s not as easy as filling up plants are more delicate than a tank, putting a filter on it and others, not every fish tank is adding fish. There’s many created equal. Beginners should things that go into it.” start with a relatively easy freshwater tank, and then potentially graduate to a saltwater tank. Once you’ve mastered what Sims calls “one of the most challenging hobbies there is,” you can delve into the world of keeping coral.

UTILITARIAN SPECIES

Some creatures lives in your fish tank to keep the whole system healthy. For example, peppermint shrimp help keep the tank clear of pests, while other species help remove algae.

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COOL CREATURES FOR YOUR AQUARIUM

• Clownfish • Flashing Tilefish • Pipe Fish • Big Pintail Fairy • Radiant Wrasse • • Australian Harlequin Tusk • Longhorn Cowfish • Desjardini Sailfin Tang • Lee Nudi • • Achilles Tang • Emperor Angelfish • Golden-striped Butterfly • Molly Miller Blenny •

MAINTENANCE TIME: 2+ HOURS A WEEK

Sims recommends picking one day each week for regular maintenance. If you’d prefer to pay a professional, expect to pay about a dollar per gallon, per month.

WARNING!

CREATING AN ECOSYSTEM

A fish tank isn’t just a holder for your fish; it’s an entire ecosystem. The goal with an aquarium is to create the most stable and healthy ecosystem possible. In that vein, Sims recommends going for a more naturalistic look for the aquarium and letting the actual fish and inhabitants draw the eye rather than plastic plants.

If you decide you can’t take care of your fish anymore, do not dump them in a local creek or pond. Simply return them to any fish store. Dumping any creature into the wild introduces invasive species and can harm the local ecosystem.

GLOW IN THE DARK

Though most fish don’t naturally glow in the dark, coral does. “It’s a bright, fluorescent color; it’s not glow in the dark in the sense that you would think it’s a glow stick,” Sims says.

CAUTION WITH CORAL

“Coral is not for everyone,” Sims says. The creatures need precise conditions in order to thrive. He advises against getting coral for aesthetic reasons or with profit in mind. “You should want to be inclined to take care and grow out this coral to be healthier and happier than it’s ever been before.”

GET SOCIAL

Meet other fish-minded friends on the Facebook groups Reefs of Las Vegas and Las Vegas Coral Exchange.

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BIG THIS WEEK

HANS ZIMMER, “DUNE” Award-winning composer Zimmer has consistently redefined film music over the course of his career, with his scores to Rain Man, The Lion King, Inception and others. He does so again with his stunning score to Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming Dune. Spotify.

EXHIBIT PLAY

THE DIARIES OF ADAM AND EVE AT THE PLAYHOUSE It’s a timeless tale, reimagined by one of America’s greatest humorists, and adapted for the stage by Maxim Lardent of Las Vegas’ Poor Richard’s Players. Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve reinterprets humanity’s expulsion from paradise as a quirky and touching love story. Because sometimes you lose Eden only to find something even better. September 24-October 9, days & times vary, $20, 528 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-703-4485. –C. Moon Reed

DEPARTMENT OF ART FACULTY EXHIBITION AT DONNA BEAM GALLERY UNLV’s art instructors represent a twist on an old adage. For them it should read: Those who teach, also do. Donna Beam Gallery’s first exhibit of the academic year features some ultra-talented artists, who also happen to be faculty members. Their vision transcends any one genre or medium. Expect to see drawing, painting and sculpture, along with neon, video, graphic design and photography. Participants include Tim Bavington, Emily Budd, Cara Cole, Wendy Kveck, Tiffany Lin and Sean Slattery. Through October 15, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., free, 702-895-3893. –C. Moon Reed

SOIREE

AFAN BLACK & WHITE PARTY AT VIRGIN One of the community’s most beloved charity parties returns with a “Welcome to the Jungle” theme for its 35th anniversary event, as always raising funds for Aid for AIDS of Nevada, the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in the state. Add some animal or floral prints to your black and white ensemble, get ready to sample tasty bites and luxurious libations while enjoying varied live entertainment, and consider booking a room at Virgin so you can get as wild as you want. September 25, 9 p.m., $45+, afanlv.org. –Brock Radke

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NORM MACDONALD HAS A SHOW Remember the brilliant and funny comic by watching his 2018 Netflix chat show. His conversations with David Letterman, Jane Fonda, M. Night Shyamalan and—hey, why not?—Judge Judy are absolutely one-of-a-kind. Rest in peace, Norm. Netflix.

AFAN Black & White Party, 2019 (Courtesy AFAN)

OUR PICKS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

r te

SHOW

DEREK HOUGH: NO LIMIT AT VENETIAN Among the handful of new Strip shows that didn’t get to open in 2020 is this robust residency from Dancing With the Stars fave and award-winning performer and choreographer Derek Hough, and it seems to have found a perfect venue for this month’s opening at the newly renamed Summit Showroom (formerly the Sands Showroom at Venetian). You’ll see different dance styles and dart through musical eras, but Hough, backed by a live band and elite dancers, is an underrated all-around entertainer and he’ll get ample opportunity to showcase his skills as No Limit continues into October and November. September 23-26 & 29-30, 7:30 p.m., $52-$106, 702-414-9000. –Brock Radke

BURLESQUE

VVC AFTER DARK BURLESQUE AT MAJESTIC REPERTORY Maybe what we need after this long, grueling summer of virus variants and wildfire smoke is an evening of burlesque mixed with performances of show tunes—and that’s exactly what Vegas Valley Concerts intends to provide over two nights. The promise of Jenelle Catherina’s WandaVision-inspired burly routine should be enough inspiration for you to get vaccinated, which is a requisite for attending this possibly restorative and definitely fun event. September 25, 10 p.m.; September 26, 7 p.m.; $25. Majestic Repertory Theatre, 702-4236366. –Geoff Carter

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

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THE STRIP

SUPERSIZED SPIEGELWORLD

Opium returns, and adjacent restaurant Superfrico makes its debut BY BROCK RADKE

hen Spiegelworld reopens the us realize what a privilege it is to work in horny sci-fi comedy variety the circus and the restaurant business in show Opium this week, the one of the finest casino resorts anyirreverent entertainment comwhere in the world. I’m proud to come to pany won’t just be bringing back the last work here and that [Cosmopolitan has] of its three Las Vegas Strip productions. the faith in us to take this next step.” It’ll be taking another crack at creating a Before Opium debuted in 2018, this fully integrated experience in a familiar Cosmo space was home to the Rose. space at the Cosmopolitan. Rabbit.Lie. restaurant with supper Opium returns on September 24, the club-style entertainment and Spiegelsame day adjacent restaurant Superfrico world’s immersive Vegas Nocturne will make its debut, featuring self-deshow, both born in 2014. Nocturne scribed “Italian American psychedelic” lasted about seven months; RRL closed vibes, a curated art collection and more. early this year, when Spiegelworld “I think it’s going to have a massive officially announced its plans to take impact on Opium, to tear down the wall control of the restaurant space and and reunite the two spaces that were inicreate a more connected experience. tially designed to have a restauThe culinary offerings are rant next to a theater and anchored by Anthony Falco, SUPERFRICO integrate the entertainment an acclaimed international Wednesdaycomponent into the restaurant consultant, chef and author Sunday, and the dining component into 5 p.m.-late. also known for working at Cosmopolitan, the theater,” says Spiegelworld legendary Brooklyn pizzeria 702-534-3419. boss Ross Mollison. “It makes Roberta’s. Cocktails come from

Chicken Parmesan at Superfrico (Courtesy Anthony Mair)

Leo Robitschek, formerly of NoMad Bar at Park MGM. “We’re here to blow minds, to transport guests to places they’ve never been,” Falco says in a statement. “There will be delicious, beautifully-plated classic dishes, yes, but as far as culinary fireworks go, we’re infinitely more focused on creating an all-encompassing sensory experience than superficial ﬂash.” The latest installation of Spiegelworld’s VegasHitShow YouTube series shows Falco crafting a personal-sized mortadella pizza with a super-crunchy cheese edge—that’s the Superfrico, since frico is an Italian dish starring crisp cheese—alongside Asher Treleaven, who stars in Opium as Captain Kunton and is quite the accomplished cook himself.

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Treleaven has spent some of the show’s downtime performing a different act in Spiegelworld’s Absinthe at Caesars Palace. The company’s newest offering, Atomic Saloon Show at Venetian, also features some different artists compared to its pre-pandemic version. Opium will see the same sort of slight changes. “Part of the reason for that is [that]

getting some artists out of particular territories around the world is extremely difficult right now,” Mollison says, citing visa issues and travel restrictions. “We have people coming from Germany, Australia, Sweden, Spain, Mexico. Slowly we are getting everyone back to the city they love and into the shows they love.” With its third show back onstage

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and an exciting new endeavor thrust into the spotlight, morale is high at Spiegelworld, Mollison says. And the opportunity to create something new lies at the core of that positivity. “We want guests to experience this at the pace they want to go, so the show is fast and the restaurant can be whatever you want it to be,” he says. “You can come in and have a signature dirty martini, or you might sit down and have a full-on, private dining room baller menu for four hours. “It goes back to the Spiegelworld philosophy of no rules. We try not to have any rules, unless they’re absolutely necessary.”

ENJOY THE STRIP’S ONLY 24/7

BLACK JACK

OPIUM Wednesday-Sunday, 8 & 10 p.m., $99. Cosmopolitan, 702-534-3419.

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Opium’s Lt. Harriet and Rob the Robot (Courtesy Erik Kabik)

OFFER CODE: 20111

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

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TAKE THE TRIP Outdoor concert series DTLV Field Trip has helped fill a live-music void

BY AMBER SAMPSON

ive music took a tremendous hit last year. Venues like the still-shuttered Bunkhouse Saloon serve as a painful reminder of that. But as many spaces remained closed over the summer, open-air concert series DTLV Field Trip joined the fight in bringing live music back to the eastern end of Fremont Street. DTLV Field Trip hit the ground running in May, with a stacked lineup of local talent that included The Lique, B. Rose, LinaDrae, Papichuloteej and DJ Wizdumb. The inaugural show, presented by Fergusons Downtown and local Instagram account @DTLV, drew more than 600 attendees, and the turnout has only improved since. Zoneil Maharaj, @DTLV editor and Field Trip producer, began developing the concept of Field Trip back in January with Fergusons. (Disclosure: Maharaj has written freelance pieces for Las Vegas Weekly in the past.) “We wanted to be able to bring live music back Downtown in some capacity,” he says. “I wanted to do it in the vein of things that I enjoyed—hip-hop and R&B. Nothing too ratchet, nothing too hood, nothing too hardcore-EDM, just very vibey. Fun, laid back, shake your ass a little bit, nod your head, come out to Fergusons.” Maharaj curates the local talent for the Field Trip shows, leveraging his years of experience writing about hiphop and the relationships he has fostered along the way. The concert series has opened doors for several upcoming

DTLV FIELD TRIP featuring The Lique, Hassan Hamilton, Ami Divine, DJ Mr. Vibe. September 24, 8 p.m., 18+, free if on guest list at dtlvfieldtrip.com, 1028 Fremont St.

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NOISE

GAME ON!

(Courtesy Epitaph)

Five acts to catch at Punk Rock Bowling BY CASE KEEFER It’s not just another year for Punk Rock Bowling, the annual celebration returning to the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center September 24-26 after missing 2020. A number of special performances are planned for the punk rock’s preeminent annual gathering, now in its 22nd year and 12th as a fullfledged, multiday music festival. The festival often recycles many of the same bands—two of this year’s headliners, Descendents on Friday night and Devo on Sunday, have played multiple times—but it has also made a conscious effort to differentiate parts of the lineup in recent years. Here are five acts to catch that rarely, if ever, come through town. The festival is sold out, but in keeping with punk’s DIY ethos, Punk Rock Bowling has set up a direct fan-to-fan ticket exchange at punkrockbowling.lyte.com.

The Menzingers (Friday, 6:25 p.m., Main Stage) The masters of the modern-day American punk sound—which takes as much influence from Bruce Springsteen as Joey Ramone—play the festival proper for the first time after appearing on multiple aftershow bills. Given the success of their past two records, 2017’s After the Party and 2019’s Hello Exile, the Scranton, Pennsylvania, four-piece appears to be on pace to headline PRB before long. Decent Criminal (Saturday, 2:35 p.m., Monster Stage) Of the young bands debuting at the festival, this ’90s alternative-influenced band from Santa Rosa, California, stands out as the most promising. DC has big riffs, catchy choruses and just enough of an irreverent edge. Youth of Today (Saturday, 8:35 p.m., Monster Stage) The NYC hardcore legends played the main stage in 2012 but have since reunited with a more classic lineup, including

The Lique, performing at DTLV Field Trip at Fergusons Downtown (Courtesy DTLV Field Trip)

musicians. Rapper and pop artist Papichuloteej was tapped for Life Is Beautiful after Maharaj invited an executive from the festival to the inaugural show. For some artists, Field Trip marks their first paid gig, the organizer says. Local rapper and “Gumbo” singer Tanna Marie took the stage in June, and she says Field Trip “made me realize my worth.” Since then, she says, she has become more selective about her bookings, because she realized what she can accomplish as a performer. “I really took it in, and it was different,” she says. “I feel like it was the start of something very different for me.” People who’d never heard of Marie before stopped her after the show, singing her praises. Others slid into her DMs, she says, eager to work on projects with her. “It was a huge validation,” she says. And Field Trip is still expanding. On top of the local shows, the series has hosted partnered events with music collectives like We the Beat, selling 700-plus tickets, and bolstered the return of DJ Crykit’s Playhouse fashion

scene veterans Walter Schreifels on guitar and Sammy Siegler on drums. Vocalist Ray Cappo has become just as famous for his yoga teachings and often breaks out headstands and other advanced, body-bending techniques while onstage. Circle Jerks (Saturday, 9:15 p.m., Main Stage) This is the reunion set— of vocalist Keith Morris’ post-Black Flag project—that the PRB community has demanded for a decade. Bands covering classics like “Live Fast Die Young” and “Wild in the Streets” have become an annual fest tradition, so it will be a welcome treat to hear the real thing. Lunachicks (Sunday, 7:45 p.m., Main Stage) The riot grrrl luminaries will play their first show in 17 years in direct support of Devo closing out the fest. With subject matter ranging from murdering rapists with stilletos to, uh, engaging in graphic sex acts, there might not be a punk-ier band on the bill.

party. Erica Bell, Fergusons’ lead event manager, says the space was made for these situations. “Jen Taler, our creative director, visualized Fergusons’ yard specifically to try to own the daytime, especially in the fall when it’s cooler, but to also build a really cool amphitheater vibe,” she says. “For me personally, it’s very Palm Springs, really California. It’s this little oasis that people don’t know about.” But they’re quickly discovering more of what the renovated motel space has to offer. An evening at Field Trip isn’t just about the music. Attendees can grab a specialty dish at the neighboring Vegas Test Kitchen, or enjoy an icy treat at Paradise City Creamery. It’s a block party, and you can make a night of it. The series returns September 24 with a ’90s-inspired lineup, including jazzy five-piece The Lique, rapper Hassan Hamilton—who will perform a Notorious B.I.G. tribute set—and singer Ami Divine, who will honor the iconic Aaliyah during her performance.

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

9.23.21

CULTURAL COMEBACK The Smith Center reanimates with live music at Myron’s BY BROCK RADKE

efore the date rolled around for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts’ first live event since March of last year, President and CEO Myron Martin said he was excitedly anticipating the moment he could welcome guests back to the Symphony Park hub. It happened on September 14, when longtime local favorite Frankie Moreno returned to the stage at Myron’s, the intimate cabaret space named for Martin. And it certainly didn’t feel like an ordinary show for anyone in the building.

“I’ve probably done 150 shows or more there, and it’s just a special venue, but when we went in for soundcheck, everyone was just bubbling. It was like, Can you believe we get to do this again?” Moreno said the morning after. “I can easily name 10 things that feel like achievements in my career—like playing Carnegie Hall or the Hollywood Bowl or my first No. 1 album—and last night goes in, because of the way it felt. This room is just about music for people who love music, and everyone there gave a thousand percent to make sure everyone had a good time, including

themselves.” The Smith Center was among the first local performing arts and live entertainment venues to cancel shows when the pandemic struck, and over the course of the past 18 months, Martin consistently said it might be among the last places to reopen. Last month, the venue announced it would require all guests to show proof of at least one dose of the COVID vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID test along with ID. Face coverings also are required. For updated safety info, visit thesmithcenter.com/safety.

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SCENE it’s such an important part of this community and its culture. That was clear during Moreno’s sold-out performance, and Martin says tickets are selling well across the board. “It’s not for one thing or another, it’s everything,” he says. “People just want to come back, because there’s nothing like having a shared experience with a room full of people, most of whom you don’t know, where you all gasp at the same time or laugh out loud together or feel an emotional tie at those moments in a show together.” This week brought another major comeback with the return of the Composer’s Showcase, the long-running performance series created by Broadway and Vegas veteran Keith Thompson that allows local and visiting musicians to present their own original material. It’s been a part of the Smith Center since it opened in 2012, and it raised funds for out-ofwork performing arts workers during the pandemic through virtual shows and its TCS Entertainment Community Relief Fund.

“It’s an inspiring time, but it’s also a tenuous, difficult time, still full of uncertainty,” Martin says. “We heard from a lot of people, saying thank you for doing this, thank you for looking after patrons and employees and the artists who perform there, but we also heard from a very vocal smaller group of people who just feel like they should be able to go wherever they want without a mask and without a vaccine.” No matter the current COVID circumstances in Las Vegas, the Smith Center’s comeback marks a significant milestone, because

Next up at Myron’s: Soul singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. performs on September 24-25; local jazz favorite Michelle Johnson returns to the room on September 26; the David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra (a group that recently evolved into the Raiders house band during football games at Allegiant Stadium) performs on September 29; and gospel singer and pianist Oleta Adams visits on October 1-2. Brody Dolyniuk’s Symphonic Rock Show is slated to be the first performance in Reynolds Hall on October 1, where the Smith Center’s Broadway Series will return with Cats on October 12-17. Then the resident companies return, first with the Las Vegas Philharmonic on October 23, then Nevada Ballet Theatre’s annual holiday presentation of The Nutcracker starting on December 11.

An audience gathered inside Myron’s at the Smith Center for the first time in 18 months on September 14 when singer and songwriter Frankie Moreno hit the stage. (Photos by Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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Smoked beet salad, spicy garlic miso ramen and Monkeyflower and Sunray rolls at Chikyu (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

ESSENTIAL

EATS

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FOOD & DRINK

Chikyū vegan sushi carves an exciting new culinary path BY BROCK RADKE

ight years ago I wrote a Weekly feature titled “The Most Important Restaurants in Las Vegas,” which attempted to ascribe a different status to local dining favorites. I’d definitely tell another tale if I was writing it now, because the scene has changed quite a bit and so has my definition of an important restaurant. Chikyū would easily make the cut. It opened in May 2020 in the Silverado Ranch area as the first vegan sushi bar in the Las Vegas Valley. Eight years ago, we wouldn’t even know what that means. But the demand for vegan restaurants continues to grow, and creative restaurants, like this one, have popped up as a result. “Our goal is not to provide plant-based alternatives to more glamorous fish-based options; it is to provide a plant-based menu that not only shines on its own but offers all people full satisfaction,” says partner Casson Trenor. “You don’t make change feeding vegan food to vegans; you do it feeding omnivores. We’re not out to convert anyone. That’s not our thing.” Chikyū’s thing is very clearly about making great food. Specialty sushi rolls like the Monkeyflower ($13) with smoked beets, cashews, creamy tofu, avocado, asparagus and sweet mustard; and the Sunray ($14) with tempura sweet potato, mango, tomato, shiso leaf and kabayaki sauce are among the most popular items. But there’s much more than fish-free sushi creations, including veggie robata, the soulful mushroom rice claypot ($16) with truffle soy sauce, and hearty ramen bowls ($14-$18) that, like the tempura, are totally gluten-free.

“Our goal is not to provide plantbased alternatives to more glamorous fish-based options; it is to provide a plant-based menu that not only shines on its own but offers all people full satisfaction.” -Casson Trenor

CHIKYU VEGAN SUSHI BAR & IZAKAYA 1740 E. Serene Ave. #130, 725-777-3787. Tuesday-Sunday, 5-10 p.m.

“Most people who have been gluten-free for a while haven’t had tempura in years, so when they realize they can have these fried dishes again, they get very excited,” Trenor says. He opened Chikyū with John Le, one of the first chefs hired when this restaurant group created Shizen in 2015 in San Francisco, its first vegan sushi bar project. That step was taken years after creating a successful sustainable sushi restaurant in the city by the bay, because the owners felt they could push harder. “Our philosophy had always been to eat better fish and eat fewer fish …and we felt like we could do better on the second part,” Trenor says. “We’re a mission-driven group, and we like to make a statement with our restaurants.” At Chikyū, the statement is made crystal clear. Fish and meat aren’t required for a delicious Japanese meal or a satisfying sushi experience, and if that doesn’t compute, you simply haven’t tried it. More importantly, this restaurant pushes the Valley’s culinary capabilities further in an exciting new direction. You can enjoy vegan dining options at many restaurants on and off the Strip these days, but where else can you find a completely vegan fine dining experience? “I don’t think we can take that much credit,” Trenor says. “We’ve done a lot of work to take some risks and push these options into the public view ... but the vegan cuisine of Japan is rich and storied. This is not something we invented. We may be the first in Vegas to create this interpretation, but if you take that skin off, it’s very oldschool Japanese.”

BRUNCH BY THE FOUNTAINS Brioche French toast (Courtesy Spago)

Sipping Champagne and noshing on Wolfgang Puck’s iconic smoked salmon pizza ($39) from Spago’s Bellagio lakeside patio seems like the most obvious baller brunch experience on the Strip at this precise moment. But this midday meal is still pretty new, and there’s a lot of stuff on the menu you need to know about. There’s bottomless pinot noir rosé ($48), if you need a break from bubbles and bloodys. There’s simple, stellar avocado toast ($15) topped with plenty of spicy Fresno chilies, radishes and cilantro. There’s another brunch pizza creation with bacon, eggs, Parmesan, leeks and thyme ($27) and three great pasta dishes if you’re leaning into lunch. A super-sweet breakfast can be had in the form of brioche French toast with berries and toasted almond streusel ($26) or blueberry ricotta pancakes with syrup and vanilla-infused whipped cream ($28). But the one thing that really needs to be acknowledged is an utterly perfect burger ($28)—a thick grilled prime beef patty topped with cheddar, charred onions and special sauce with two heaping handfuls of equally amazing fries on the side. It might not scream out brunch or Spago, but it’s one of the best bites at Bellagio nonetheless. –Brock Radke

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9/9/21 5:30 PM

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

9.23.21

SPORTS

TRYING FOR THE TITLE Seven reasons the Aces will win the WNBA championship BY MIKE GRIMALA

Half the work is already done The top eight teams qualify for the WNBA playoffs, but by virtue of their 23-8 record the Aces earned the No. 2 seed—and a double bye directly into the semifinal round. Skipping over the first two rounds of the playoffs is a distinct advantage, especially because those rounds are single-elimination games. Las Vegas will avoid those landmines and move straight to the best-of-five semis, where one bad shooting game or unlucky bounce won’t doom their entire season. Head coach Bill Laimbeer doesn’t want his team to be satisfied with the second seed, however. “I think we did what we were supposed to do,” Laimbeer says. “We haven’t won anything yet. We know where we’re at; we know what’s in front of us; we know how much hard work is still to be put in.”

They’re seasoned After last year’s run to the finals, Las Vegas is sufficiently experienced to win it all. Young supporting players like Dearica Hamby and Jackie Young have plenty of postseason games under their belts now, and superstar A’ja Wilson—who led her South Carolina squad to an NCAA title in 2017—proved last year she’s capable of being the No. 1 option on a title-caliber team. The roster includes four Olympic gold medalists and three college champions, and the Aces have played 13 postseason games in the past two years. They’ve seen it all—except a WNBA championship.

Getting right at the right time It’s been a trying year for center Liz Cambage, as she opted out of the WNBA bubble last summer and withdrew from the 2021 Olympics for mental health reasons. And most recently, a COVID-19 diagnosis forced her to miss five contests. Cambage was cleared to return for a tune-up in the final regular-season game, and another week off for recovery should help her get back to top form (again, the double bye comes in handy). “The girls really held it down and locked in that second spot,” Cambage says. “That’s really going to help me get back into it. They need a break, but I need to turn it up, and we all know that. They’ll get their rest, and I’ll come catch up with them after a hard week on court.” When Cambage has been on the floor she’s been as good as ever, averaging 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 54.5 percent from the field in 24 games. (WNBA Photos/Photo Illustration)

9.23.21

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Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs (11) hauls in a touchdown pass from Derek Carr during the second half of the Raiders’ 26-17 victory over Pittsburgh. (AP/Photo Illustration)

Elite backcourt The Aces signed veteran point guard Chelsea Gray in the offseason to bring a steady, championship presence to the backcourt, and the addition has proven to be excellent. Gray averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 assists in the regular season, and maybe more importantly, she helped bring out the best in third-year guard Jackie Young. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, set career highs in points (12.2 per game), assists (3.2) steals (1.1) and shooting percentage (50.5%), and together she and Gray have turned Las Vegas from a post-oriented halfcourt offense into one of the fastest, most dynamic attacks in the league.

Offensive buzz saw When healthy and firing on all cylinders, these Aces might have the best offense in WNBA history. They led the league in points per game (89.3), field goal percentage (47.2%), points in the paint (41.4) and offensive rating (109.0), and the margins weren’t particularly close. They were also the first team in league history to have seven players average in double figures (the previous high was five). The only weak spot? The Aces are still reticent to shoot 3-pointers compared to other teams; they ranked dead last in long-range attempts (13.5 per game). But when they do take them, they make them at a high rate (37.5%, second-best in the league). It’s hard to imagine any opponent slowing down this Aces attack over the course of an entire playoff series.

Deep bench All five Aces starters averaged at least 10 points per game, and when Laimbeer looks down his bench he can call on not one, but two reserves who also scored in double figures. Forward Dearica Hamby is the two-time reigning Sixth Woman of the Year and had another sterling season, posting 11.6 points on 54.5% from the field. And guard Kelsey Plum has evolved into an absolute assassin off the bench, putting up 14.8 points per game (second on the team) while nailing 38.6% of her 3-pointers. Plum, in particular, will head into the postseason on fire— she averaged 20 points over the final six games of the regular season. Plum says the Aces are playing cohesive basketball. “We have a lot of trust in each other,” she says. “It’s been really cool to see the growth with everyone on this team and how it’s come together. It’s exciting that we’re clicking at the right time.”

Ace in the hole When all else fails, the Aces have the best player in the league: A’ja Wilson. The reigning MVP had another monster campaign in 2021 (18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists), and it just feels like it’s time for her to cement herself as the face of the WNBA. A championship would certainly do that.

n Last Week: Raiders 26, Steelers 17 Las Vegas won a second straight game to start the season behind another big day from quarterback Derek Carr and its rebuilt defense. Carr completed 28 of 37 pass attempts for 382 yards and two touchdowns, including a 61-yard bomb to Henry Ruggs early in the fourth quarter to help the Raiders pull away at Heinz Field. Free-agent signing defensive tackle Solomon Thomas was a primary star on defense, sacking Ben Roethlisberger twice.

RAIDERS

Report

n This Week: Dolphins (1-1) at Raiders (2-0) When: Sunday, September 26, 1:05 p.m. Where: Allegiant Stadium TV: CBS (Channel 8) Radio: 920-AM, KOMP-92.3 Betting line: Raiders -5.5, over/under: 45.5 Matchup: The Dolphins came back to win, 26-25, in their Allegiant Stadium debut last December, a Week 16 game that virtually eliminated the Raiders from playoff contention. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa exited a 35-0 Week 2 loss early with a rib injury, so former Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett could make his first start of the year in Las Vegas. For the Raiders, three starting offensive linemen might sit out, with rookie right tackle Alex Leatherwood the latest to suffer an injury (an oblique strain). Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs also missed the Steelers’ game with ankle and toe injuries but could return to face the Dolphins. Raider to Watch: WR Hunter Renfrow The 5-foot-11, 185-pound slot receiver keeps piling up big plays, catching 11 passes for 127 yards through the Raiders’ first two games and continually coming through in key moments. Renfrow is known as one of the NFL’s best route runners and has become the go-to option for third-down conversions. The Dolphins have a stud cornerback duo in Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, so the Raiders might look toward the middle of the field, where Renfrow reigns. –Case Keefer

VEGAS INC BUSINESS

9.23.21

At Amazon warehouse, every delivery detail accounted for

BY BRYAN HORWATH

t the Amazon delivery warehouse in the shadow of Jerry’s Nugget in North Las Vegas, drivers pull their vans into a canopied loading area, each with its hazard lights flashing. As they drive around the corner into designated parking spaces, drivers honk their vehicle’s horn to signal they are ready to receive packages. It was almost 9:30 a.m. on this September morning. Soon, they would be delivering thousands of packages to homes, businesses and Amazon lockers. The process of how the company administers its quick deliveries—from click-to-doorstep—is a complex web of educated estimates, meticulous plans and an omnipresent ability to adapt. Inside the 145,000-square-foot warehouse—one of three Amazon “last-mile” fulfillment facilities in the Valley—dozens of employees sort items into different totes depending on where they’re headed. It’s important to note that getting packages to their destination in Las Vegas presents unique challenges compared with other U.S. cities, officials say. “One of the challenging things about being in Las Vegas is, we do deliver to the Strip,” said Daryl DeSimone, operations manager at the North Las Vegas warehouse. “If a person is staying in Vegas for a few days and they forgot something or need something, they can get it delivered to their hotel. ... We deliver to the mail rooms in the hotels. They will often be the first ones that go out.” Amazon—the massive logistics and cloud computing company that collected nearly $8 billion in net income during the second quarter of this year—sells hundreds of millions of items in more than 180 countries. It has 13 operations facilities in Nevada, including an 855,000-square-foot mega-warehouse near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway that employees about 4,500 people. The facility (LAS7) takes in 4 million different items per week, officials said. During the holiday season, that number swells by 50%. Knowing what to have in stock is a constant battle in educated estimates, said building general manager Tom Smotrich. About half of the inventory that comes to this fulfillment center is from Amazon’s many retail partners. The other half comes from other fulfillment centers around the country. “We use forecasting trends to be able to send prod-

ucts to closer proximity markets,” Smotrich said. “If our inventory levels go down for a certain product, we’ll likely have available inventory at a different warehouse that we could access. We’re very proactive.” Inside LAS7 sit thousands of containers arranged in rows by robotic systems which look like push lawnmowers without the handle. The robotic systems have a sensor so they don’t crash into each other. Except for trained robot technicians who wear backpacks with sensors so they aren’t struck, nobody else is allowed into the area where the robots move. Employees who sort through the products—adding to the containers or taking from them—are called stowers and pickers. Once items are sorted and picked, they need to be packaged. At LAS7, that’s where Marisol LaRue and her packer colleagues come in. On this afternoon, LaRue received products on a conveyor line. Based on what type of product it was, and based on what the Amazon algorithm told her, she

would place the item in one of about a dozen different types of boxes. There’s also the option to package items in an envelope, which is accomplished by a machine spitting out the exact length of tape needed for a given box and indicating if it needs bubble wrap. Once a package is labeled and ready to move again, it goes through what Amazon calls its SLAM process—scan, label, apply and manifest. At this stop on the conveyor belt, packages are scanned to make sure the correct product at the correct weight is inside. The system then decides what the best shipping route will be for the package before a final label is placed on it. The manifest is essentially a final check from an automatic scanner to make sure it’s all right. If anything is amiss, the package is set aside for employees known as “problem solvers,” who wheel carts with computers on them around the warehouse. From there, all packages head to the loading docks, where they will be placed on trucks that will take them to other fulfillment centers or to a last-mile facility like the one next to Jerry’s Nugget. Back at the North Las Vegas facility, DeSimone stood near where the vans continued to pull into place for their pickups. Off in the distance, he pointed out a traffic light at an entrance to the grounds for the vans. The light used to have a five-second timer for a green on a right turn. That wasn’t going to cut it for Amazon’s schedule, so the company successfully lobbied the city of North Las Vegas to extend the light’s time. As trivial as it might seem, five seconds matters a great deal along the Amazon super highway. “There’s a lot of information to sift through in order to make timely decisions,” DeSimone said. “You have to decide what the most important information is, then act on it.

A receiving area at Amazon’s North Las Vegas warehouse (Steve Marcus/Staff)

9.23.21

VegasInc Notes CenterWell Senior Primary Care announced the addition of Dr. Hayley Kuhn, board certified in family medicine with more than seven years of health care experience, to CenterWell’s South Nellis location at 2875 Kuhn South Nellis Blvd. Prior to joining CenterWell, Kuhn practiced at P3 Medical Group and provided outpatient primary care at Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. NuSpine Chiropractic announced the addition of Marissa Marmolejo, chiropractic assistant, for the new Tropicana location scheduled to open this fall. Four Pisanelli Bice Marmolejo attorneys received recognition in the 2022 The Best Lawyers in America publication, including Founding partner James Pisanelli, selected for his work in bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, construction law, construction litigation, and real estate litigation; partner Todd Bice (bet-the company litigation, appellate practice, commercial litigation, First Amendment litigation, land use and zoning litigation, and mergers and acquisitions litigation); managing partner Debra Spinelli, (commercial litigation, construction litigation and health care litigation); and of counsel attorney M. Magali Mercera (commercial litigation). Howard & Howard announced that 11 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, including W. West Allen (litigation—intellectual property, trademark law); Daniel Bliss (patent law, trademark law); Stephanie Buntin (trademark law); Seaton Curran: patent law; Thomas Davis II (commercial litigation, litigation—construction, Las Vegas “Lawyer of the Year” Litigation—Construction); Mark Gardberg (corporate law, real estate law); Robert Hernquist (commercial litigation, litigation—banking and finance); Matthew Kreutzer (franchise law); Gwen Rutar Mullins (construction law); Brian Pezzillo (construction law); Robert Rosenthal (employment law— management, labor law—management, litigation—labor and employment). Valley Health Specialty Hospital, an extension of Spring Valley Hospital, opened for orthopedic surgical patients. The hospital features five surgical suites and a 10-bed inpatient nursing unit for post-operative orthopedic patients; a 56-bed acute rehabilitation center and outpatient services for physical, occupational and

speech therapy services for adults will open later. The Nevada State AFL-CIO’s membership elected Assemblywoman Susie Martinez as the new executive secretary-treasurer of the state federation. Martinez will be the first woman, and first Latina, to serve as head of the state federation. She is a member of Teamsters Local 986 and served her fellow members as a shop steward. Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada announced Danielle Strong joined its board of directors. Strong is associate director of catering and conference services at the Cosmopolitan.

Strong CrossRoads of Southern Nevada, Nevada’s largest drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, announced it received the Joint Commission Accredited Addiction Treatment status. OptumCare Orthopaedics and Spine welcomed Dr. Abby Howenstein to its medical practice to help meet the growing need for health services in the Las Vegas community. Howenstein is an orthopedic surgeon. Snell & Wilmer announced that Bradley Austin, an associate in the firm’s Las Vegas office, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the board of directors of the United Way of Southern Nevada. At Snell & Wilmer, Austin is a trial and litigation attorney in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Proquility Private Wealth Partners, a registered independent wealth management firm based out of Las Vegas, celebrated its one-year anniversary in August. The firm, which serves 60 high net-worth families Ferguson and their philanthropic foundations with over $300 million in assets, is led by founder and CEO Andy Ferguson. Following 37 years of financial and estate planning at Merrill Lynch, Ferguson started Proquility after being an annual mainstay in Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” and Forbes’ “Best In-State Wealth Advisors” lists. The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic marked its first anniversary by receiving a National Institutes of Health grant to study the interactive effects of gender and sex on biological processes in Alzheimer’s disease. The four-year, $1.8 million grant will expand the research program aimed at understanding why women are more likely to

VEGAS INC BUSINESS

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be affected by Alzheimer’s disease and how to reduce risk, led by the clinic’s director, Dr. Jessica Caldwell. VegasTickets.com hired Gwenn Robison as its new director of client experience and engagement. Robison’s responsibilities will encompass outreach to front-line hospitality professionals throughout the resort Robinson corridor, including casino marketing, VIP services, hotel concierge and bell desk representatives. Robison previously served as director of concierge development for Machine Guns Vegas. The Nevada Hospital Association board of directors selected Pat Kelly as its new president and CEO. He succeeds Bill Welch, who will continue as a consultant through December 31, when he retires. Kelly comes Kelly to the NHA from the West Virginia Hospital Association, where he served as the chief financial officer and vice president of shared services. Spring Mountain Treatment Center appointed John Sannuto, RN, MBA, ND to CEO/managing director of center and Sahara Behavioral Health Hospitals. Sannuto is responsible for creating an environment and culture that focuses on achieving the organization’s mission, vision and values. He joins Spring Mountain from Highlands Behavioral Health located in Denver, where he served as CEO. Grand Canyon Development Partners announced the promotion of Bryan Jordan to senior project manager. Jordan has been with the firm for nearly two years, previously serving as project Jordan manager, and offering more than 26 years of experience in the construction and contracting industries. Security 1st Title, one of the largest independent title insurance providers in the country, has expanded into Nevada and has opened three office locations. With offices in Boulder City, Las Vegas and Pahrump, the company offers title insurance, closing services, escrow contract servicing and 1031 Exchange services. Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Development Board, appointed two new board members: SilverSummit Healthplan president and CEO Eric Schmacker and Motional human resources business partner - global operations Dasya Duckworth. Schmacker and Duckworth were unanimously appointed to the board by the Local Elected Officials Consortium and will each serve threeyear terms.

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