2021-11-25- Las Vegas Weekly by Greenspun Media Group

ASTONISHING. UNPREDICTABLE. MIND-BENDING. Omega Mart is an immersive interactive experience from groundbreaking art collective, Meow Wolf. Featuring jaw-dropping work from international and local artists, Omega Mart sends participants of all ages on a journey through surreal worlds and immersive storytelling. Discover secret portals or simply soak up the innovative art as you venture beyond an extraordinary supermarket into parts unknown.

Get tickets at meow.wf/lvweekly LOCALS DISCOUNT AVAILABLE WITH NV ID

PUBLISHER MARK DE POOTER mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER KATIE DIXON katie.dixon@gmgvegas.com

nov

26 DEC

02 DEC

INTERVALS

W/ THANK YOU SCIENTIST, CRYPTODIRA, SATYR

EDITORIAL

STRUGGLE JENNINGS & TOMMY VEXT

W/ CAITLYNNE CURTIS AND A KILLER’S CONFESSION GOD BLESS THE OUTLAWS TOUR 2021

THE EMO NIGHT TOUR

DEC

GIVĒON

EDITOR SPENCER PATTERSON spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com

TIMELESS TOUR 2021

sold out

Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Editor at Large BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Deputy Editor EVELYN MATEOS (evelyn.mateos@gmgvegas.com) Managing Editor/News DAVE MONDT (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writers HILLARY DAVIS, JUSTIN EMERSON, MIKE GRIMALA, CASEY HARRISON, JESSICA HILL, BRYAN HORWATH, C. MOON REED, ARLEIGH RODGERS, AMBER SAMPSON, RICARDO TORRES-CORTEZ Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, JOHN FRITZ, CASE KEEFER, WADE MCAFERTY, KEN MILLER, JOHN TAYLOR Office Coordinator NADINE GUY

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ANGEL IN REALTIME

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IN THIS ISSUE WANT MORE? Head to lasvegasweekly.com.

WEEKLY SUPERGUIDE

NEWS

Your daily events planner, starring Courtney Barnett, Brad Garrett, Tournament of Kings and Freddie Banks.

Taking a Fremont East temperature check, one year after the death of its best-known benefactor, Tony Hsieh.

FOOD & DRINK Crab fries, lobster rolls and more at Sahara sports bar Chickie’s & Pete’s.

FEATURE Powered by plants: The Valley’s vegan scene is growing fast.

COVER STORY

SPORTS

Start attacking that shopping list with our Holiday Gift Guide!

NOW AT RESORTS WORLD!

How Hunter Renfrow went from “too slow” for the NFL to the Raiders’ leading receiver.

THE STRIP With Celine Dion’s arrival delayed, the honor of opening the Boulevard’s brand new venue—the Theatre at Resorts World—falls to country-pop star Carrie Underwood, and just in time for NFR Week.

NIGHTS

RedTail (Megan Blair/Courtesy)

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SUPERGUIDE MUSIC

PARTY

SPORTS

ARTS

THURSDAY 25

Of all the Strip shows that transform for the holidays, this epic battle of knights and wizards at Excalibur is the most obvious family-friendly option. Tournament of Kings shifted into its ’Twas the Knight edition on November 24 and continues through December 27 with some spectacular seasonal touches like Merlin summoning snowfall in the equestrian arena, holiday-inspired music and costumes and more. New vignettes for the show include a choreographed ribbon dance and a rider on an Andalusian stallion. And that famous Cornish game hen dinner is made complete with roasted winter squash, corn on the cob, a soft roll and a pumpkin pie tartlet. Monday & Friday, 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 5:30 & 8 p.m.; $52+; mgmresorts. com/excalibur. –Brock Radke (Bryan Steffy/Courtesy)

COMEDY

MISC

HOLIDAY CACTUS GARDEN LIGHTS

NOV.

TOURNAMENT OF KINGS: ’TWAS THE KNIGHT

FOOD + DRINK

Thru 1/2, 5-10 p.m., Ethel M Chocolates, ethelm.com. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

LAS VEGAS INVITATIONAL & CLASSIC MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 10:30 a.m., & 11/26, 12:30 p.m., Orleans Arena, ticket master.com. JEFF RETRO 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com.

THE SANDMAN Thru 11/28, 8 p.m., Majestic Repertory Theatre, majestic repertory.com. DJ QUE 9 p.m., the Dorsey, venetian lasvegas.com.

LONELY ORPHANS THANKSGIVING DINNER 4 p.m., the Phoenix, thephoenixlv. com.

GLITTERING LIGHTS Thru 1/9, 5:30 p.m., Las Vegas Motor Speedway, glittering lightslasvegas.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 7:30 p.m., & 11/26-11/28, 2 & 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com.

WORSHIP THURSDAYS WITH ANGIE VEE 10:30 p.m., Tao Nightclub, taolvnc.

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .

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FRIDAY 26 NOV.

THE MILLENNIUM TOUR Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, Lloyd, Sammie, 8 p.m., MGM Grand Garden Arena, axs.com. (Shutterstock)

Ashanti

ENCHANT CHRISTMAS The most wonderful time of the year just got a bit more so with this glimmering wonderland the entire family can enjoy. Explore a dazzling light maze as you embark on “the Great Search” for Santa’s missing reindeer, browse festive shops in the Christmas village, glide along a magical ice-skating trail and, of course, secure some photos with Mr. Claus himself. Ready to get into the holiday spirit? Enchant has you covered. Through January 2, $19-$35, Las Vegas Ballpark, enchantchristmas. com/las-vegas-nv. –Amber Sampson

DUKE VS. GONZAGA MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 7:30 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com. SMALL BUSINESS FALL FESTIVAL Noon, Tivoli Village, tivoli villagelv.com. INTERVALS, THANK YOU SCIENTIST, SATYR, CRYPTODIRA 6 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com.

BEN BRAINARD 9 p.m., Rocks Lounge, ticket master.com. LOUD LUXURY 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com. THIS IS CHRISTMAS Thru 12/26, 7 p.m., Palazzo Theatre, ticket master.com. KUROMI 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zouk grouplv.com.

OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE MAGICAL FOREST Thru 1/2, 5:30 p.m., Opportunity Village Oakey Campus, opportunity village.org. THE GUESS WHO 8 p.m. Golden Nugget Showroom, ticketmaster. com.

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SUPERGUIDE P

SATURDAY 27 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. EDMONTON OILERS 4 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com. (AP Photo)

Edmonton star Connor McDavid

In case catching the hometown hoops squad battling a perennial power (the Bruins still hold the record with 11 NCAA Tournament titles) isn’t reason enough to drive over to the T&M for an afternoon tilt, how about this: Former star Freddie Banks, who helped UNLV to the 1987 Final Four, will have his No. 13 jersey retired at halftime. No matter who wins the game, it’ll be a night to remember. 2 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com. –Spencer Patterson

PENNYWISE With Get Dead, The Adolescents, 7:30 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster. com. GRYFFIN 10:30 p.m., XS, wynnsocial.com. GEOFF TATE With Kurl Deimer, 7 p.m., Count’s Vamp’d, vampdvegas. com.

BRAD GARRETT’S COMEDY CLUB REOPENS

NOV.

UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. UCLA

DAVID PENN 10 p.m., Discopussy, disco pussydtlv.com. BONNIE & CLYDE 7 p.m., Hidden Cinema Rooftop Garden, hidden-cinema. com. MIKE ATTACK 10:30 p.m., Tao Nightclub, taolvnc. taogroup.com.

LAS VEGAS PIPE BAND: CELTIC THANKSGIVING 4 p.m., Clark County Library, eventbrite.com. THE MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN STARRING MICHAEL CAVANAUGH 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter. com.

ANTHONY RODIA 8 p.m., Summit Showroom, ticketmaster. com. THE MOANIN’ BLACKSNAKES 10 p.m., Sand Dollar Lounge, thesanddollarlv. com.

The man himself will be in town performing at his namesake club Saturday and Sunday (with Trixx from Kevin Hart’s LOL Network) but that’s not the only reason this weekend is a big deal at MGM Grand. After fighting through pandemic restrictions to keep the laughs coming, Garrett’s Vegas venue shuttered its original spot in the Underground promenade and now debuts at its more prominent location at the District, dropped in among restaurants and bars near the Grand Garden Arena. It’s a much better fit. Through November 28, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., $106, brad garrettcomedy. com.

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .

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PARTY

MUSIC

SPORTS

SUNDAY 28 NOV.

ERIC D-LUX 10 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, marqueelvnc.taogroup.com. (SKAM Artists/Courtesy)

MOONBEAM WITH BRETT RUBIN With Chris Garcia, Esteban, 10 p.m., Ayu Dayclub, zoukgrouplv.com. SIROCCO FLUTES OF LAS VEGAS 2 p.m., Windmill Library, lvccld. org.

JOEY MELOTTI 2 p.m., Nevada Room, vegas nevadarooms. com. UNLV WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. GRAMBLING STATE Noon, Cox Pavilion, unlv tickets.com.

MONDAY 29 NOV.

COURTNEY BARNETT With Bedouine, 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketweb. com. (AP Photo)

ARTS

FOOD + DRINK

COMEDY

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

MISC

RIBBONS AND BOWS This hasn’t been a perfect year, but it’s been arguably better than the last, and that modest bit of improvement deserves to have a bow put on it. Priscilla Fowler Fine Art’s Ribbons and Bows is that finishing touch—a group show intended to highlight those things “that make the human experience something worth cherishing,” featuring works by Diane Bush, Lolita Develay, Ken Farkash, Arman Khasrowbeyk, Miguel Rodriguez, Linda Shaffer and dozens of others. And while you’re at Priscilla Fowler, be sure to browse the gallery’s expanded selection of locally handcrafted gifts. Through January 1, free. 1300 S. Main St. #110, priscilla fowler.com. –Geoff Carter

JON LOVITZ Thru 12/1, 7 p.m., Laugh Factory, ticket master.com. DJ E-ROCK 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com. RICH VOS With Kathleen Dunbar, Landry, John Joseph, 7 p.m., Comedy Cellar, ticket master.com.

11I

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SUPERGUIDE MUSIC

TUESDAY 30 NOV.

PARTY

ARTS

SPORTS

FOOD + DRINK

COMEDY

MISC

LA OREJA DE VAN GOGH This Latin Grammy-winning pop-rock band from San Sebastian, Spain—whose name refers to Vincent van Gogh cutting off his left ear—is highly regarded in its homeland but has also built a large fanbase in Latin America and the U.S. with songs of love and friendship. The group will be playing songs from latest album Un Susurro en la Tormenta, along with various hits spanning a two-decade career. 7 p.m., $48, House of Blues, houseofblues.com. –Evelyn Mateos

MIKEY FRANCIS 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, hakkasan group.com.

REVEREND HORTON HEAT 8 p.m., the Space, the spacelv.com.

WEDNESDAY 01 DEC.

DOWNTOWN HOEDOWN Jordan Davis, Frontment of Country, Diamond Rio, 6 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegas experience.com. REBA, BROOKS & DUNN Thru 12/15, 7:30 p.m., the Colosseum, ticket master.com. CARRIE UNDERWOOD & 12/3-12/4, 8 p.m., Resorts World Theater, axs.com. BLUE OCTOBER 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, brooklynbowl.com. SANTANA & 12/3-12/5, 7 p.m., House of Blues, ticket master.com.

JOURNEY & 12/2, 8 p.m., the Theater at Virgin, axs.com. (AP Photo)

UNLV FALL JAZZ FESTIVAL Want to hear some mind-blowing jazz? Attend this showcase for the School of Music’s Jazz Ensembles I and II. The audition-only student groups are some of the best in the biz, with musicians chosen for their sight-reading and improvisational skills. UNLV’s Jazz Ensembles have won awards, toured the world, performed at festivals and with the big name pros. 7:30 p.m., Artemus Ham Concert Hall, $8$10, unlv.edu. –C. Moon Reed

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .

A world of Christmas wonder awaits

PRESENTS

Tickets On Sale Now N OV 2 6 – JA N 2 L A S V E G A S B A L L PA R K ® E N C H A N TC HR IST M AS . C O M

and

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11.25.21

LET IT GROW D I N I N G

Vegas Vegan’s sweet corn tamale cakes and creamy broccoli walnut salad (Wade Vandervort/ Staff)

Las Vegas’ once-small vegan culinary scene continues to bloom BY ARLEIGH RODGERS

as Vegas’ food culture might be best known to outsiders for celebrity chefs and extravagant meals. But vegans in Las Vegas have carved out their own community, and vegan businesses are rapidly emerging to serve them. Vegans don’t eat any animal products— including meat, dairy, eggs and honey— and some ethically minded consumers also don’t purchase items that have been tested on animals or are made with animals, such as leather or wool.

Newly available to vegan foodies is Heather Heath’s Vegas Vegan Culinary School & Eatery, a space in Downtown’s Arts District offering meals for purchase and cooking classes for all ages. The kitchen, filled with shiny silver tables and stoves that line the back wall, opened November 6 at 1310 S. 3rd Street. Everybody will say, ‘I could never go vegan; I could never live without cheese,’” Heath says. “Yes, you can. Let us show you how.” As new vegan and vegetarian restaurants have popped up around Las Vegas, so too have the number of people incorporating plant-based foods into their meals. One newly opened restaurant is Plant Powered, a vegan fast-food chain based in California that opened its first Las Vegas location in October at 7090 W. Craig Road (see sidebar). Heath, who has lived in Las Vegas

Guests enjoy vegan food during the soft opening of Vegas Vegan. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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Heather Heath, founder of Vegas Vegan Culinary School & Eatery (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

on and off since 1989, says it’s encouraging to see the growth around vegan foods in the Valley. “It’s crazy to have seen the city evolve to the point that it has. I’m glad that I have because I will never experience that again in my lifetime.” ■■■■■

S P I G H

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Anthony Lagrosa runs vegan Filipino spot Roll the Veg with his wife, Jamie McNeal. The couple went vegan in 2007 to include more healthy foods in their diet but soon stopped. Back then, they say, they couldn’t find adequate vegan options at grocery stores and restaurants. They re-embraced veganism to help McNeal combat her psoriatic arthritis, a condition that affects one’s skin and joints. On a Wednesday afternoon at Slice Kitchen—a shared, rentable space at 6235 S. Pecos Road from

Las Vegan Camille Savage says she became motivated to go vegan for animal rights reasons. As the founder and lead organizer at Las Vegas Animal Save, she coordinates slaughterhouse viewings and vigils for residents interested in witnessing the impact of the meat industry. Savage says that at age 21, she was content to stay vegetarian, before she began researching the dairy industry. “I came to this conclusion that I was not being consistent in my beliefs, and … that day I decided to no longer eat cheese or dairy,” says Savage, now 30. “My association with veganism quickly became with activism.” Emily Lewis is a local therapist

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who specializes in treating vegan clients. She says navigating relationships with non-vegan family members and friends can be difficult, and that her patients can also suffer from compassion fatigue stemming from a feeling one cannot make enough of a difference. “Seeing the animals suffer unbearable cruelties—for someone looking at that from a vegan perspective, that is likely different than how someone else would look at it,” Lewis explains.

Cheese, vegan mozzarella sticks and no-cheese nacho chips, but cashier Alexander Seaver says the customer base isn’t exclusive to vegans. “I moved from Colorado Springs, and they only have two vegan restaurants and no vegan grocery stores,” he says. “It’s very different [in Las Vegas].”

Veganism isn’t a new phenomenon, and it has proved not to be a fad, says Diane Edelman, founder of Vegas-based website Vegans, Baby (vegansbaby.com). Edelman has been running the site since 2016, while consulting with restaurants and other businesses to include plant-based options on their menus. Vegans, Baby, also publishes an annual Las Vegas Vegan Dining Guide e-book; the 2021 edition featured more than 100 restaurant recommendations with all-vegan or substantial vegan options. “[In 2016] there were, I think, five vegan restaurants, and that was it,” Edelman says. “I’ve worked to [help] put Las Vegas on the map in terms of being a vegan-friendly city, because in 2016 when I launched, it was not.” Across the United States, plantbased eating has grown in popularity due to its reduced environmental impact, its health benefits and for ethical animal-rights reasons. A study from 2004 through 2019 indicates a sharp uptick in vegan diets, 9.6 million plant-based Americans in 2019 compared with just 290,000 15 years earlier. Among states with the greatest change, Nevada saw a 38 point increase in Google searches about veganism. These days, many grocery stores offer the brands Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, which produce plant-based meat similar to ground beef and burgers. These products have come to define the alternative meat market, and both companies recently unveiled vegan chicken tenders—made of fava beans for Beyond Meat and soy for Impossible. Veg-In-Out (2301 E. Sunset Road) is a grocery store stocked with all-vegan products, like Violife

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D I N I N G

Plant Power’s Big Zac burger and strawberry shake (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

which Roll the Veg cooks each Wednesday—McNeal navigates orders and the kitchen with ease. Since returning to a plant-based diet, she says, she has seen a drastic change in her skin’s appearance and a reduction in pain. “That would be enough to keep me on it, if it weren’t for the wonderful environmental impact that you can make by going vegan,” McNeal says. Roll the Veg’s menu includes homemade vegan meats covered in sticky sauces and sweet or savory Indonesian and Filipino spring rolls known as lumpia. Lagrosa says he typically buys his spices and other supplementary ingredients from Veg-In-Out. “Our lifestyle is [about] helping people transition from meat—going vegan without having to give that up, missing that meat texture in your mouth,” Lagrosa says. Las Vegan Nicole Ellis turned her diet into a passion, creating the YouTube channel Nicky’s Savory Vegan Eats, dedicated to vegan recipes and reviews. In one popular video, Ellis cooks up fried vegan catfish from banana blossoms, which she bought from the Asian grocer Seafood City. “I get influenced by recipes on Pinterest, but then I’ll turn and make it my own, put my own spin on it,” Ellis says. “I’ll see other YouTubers or an idea will just come to me, or maybe it’s a dish that I’ve had in the past, and I want to veganize it.” ■■■■■

Edelman says another prominent aspect plant-based culture in Las Vegas has been the

introduction of vegan options from non-vegan brands. Lele’s Sweet Spot, a local bakery run by Chef Lele, offers nondairy and sugar-free pastries to residents who request them. Chef Lele says she didn’t anticipate a vegan customer base when she launched her business three years ago, but when the specialty orders came in, she drew on her culinary experience for the substitutions, like using vinegar and nondairy milk to create a vegan version of buttermilk. Doing this avoids using eggs as a binder, she explains. Her most popular item, the strawberry crunch cake, uses vegan buttermilk, nondairy butter for the cake and icing, freezedried strawberries and Oreos, which are naturally vegan. “Luckily, with culinary school they taught us how to do a lot of food substitutions, because it wasn’t just for vegans,” she says. “It was for people with dietary issues we want to be able to accommodate.” Las Vegans Brooklyn and Ryn Smith first went vegan in December 2020. Once Texas residents, they dined on the state’s famous barbecue. Vegan options in Texas were present, they say, but nothing like Las Vegas’ vegan scene. The Smiths chose to first go vegetarian, then vegan, they explain, after a shrimp quesadilla from a favorite restaurant made them sick the morning after. Since then, they say, they spend less on groceries and have found a supportive vegan community and great dining options. “Pretty much every restaurant I’ve been out to here as a vegan has been 10 out of 10,” Brooklyn Smith says. “It has just totally changed my perception of food.”

PLANT POWER 7090 W. Craig Road #120, 702-979-5951. Daily, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

QUICK FIX

Plant Power brings its vegan fast food to town BY ARLEIGH RODGERS If veganism and fast food don’t seem like a fit, think again. Plant Power, a chain with nine California locations, arrived in Las Vegas on October 15, and it already has a following. “The reception has been pretty incredible,” says Barry Tu, owner of the local franchise. “The vegan community here is super-supportive, super-friendly, super-understanding.” Tu says customers have gravitated toward the restaurant’s “chicken” tenders, Big Zac burger—Plant Power’s take on McDonald’s Big Mac— and its oat milk-based milkshakes. He estimates

most customers are “flexitarian” —vegans and vegetarians who occasionally eat animal products. Heather Heath, co-owner of Vegas Vegan Culinary School, has already visited Plant Power several times since it opened here. “I think their concept is amazing,” she says. The former East Coaster who grew up loving seafood before she went vegan, says Plant Power’s “fish” fillet sandwich satisfies both her nostalgia and her cravings. “It’s pretty cool that you can actually do that with plants,” Heath says.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA It’s the most wonderful time of the year—Santa’s here! Don’t miss out on capturing tree-mendous pics with St. Nick. Located Lower Level Center Court

GALLERIAATSUNSET.COM

SCAN TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

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F E A T U R E

Ethel M

GIVE LOCAL 2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Chocolate tastings at Ethel M Chocolates Taste premium chocolates and learn something about how chocolate is sourced and produced. If you’re of age, enjoy chocolates paired with wines from Trinchero Family Estates. $10-$20 ($30 with wine), ethelm.com.

Omega Mart at Meow Wolf

EXPERIENCE IT

Send them somewhere special Las Vegas Movie Tours Explore Las Vegas and its cinematic history with this exciting new experience, a “theater on wheels.” Rolling from the Strip to Downtown, you’ll see the real-life locales for films like Casino and Ocean’s Eleven. $75-$90, lvmovietours. com.

Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at Area 15 Send your giftee on a fantastic journey through trippy, interactive artscapes. Go the extra mile: Buy them some denim or cotton clothes and closed toe shoes so they can ride the slides! $39$55, meowwolf. com/visit/ las-vegas.

Immersive Van Gogh at Crystals Golden sunflowers, blue irises and the genius of a master painter are projected on every wall in this artistic dreamscape. A great gift for a fan of immersive entertainment. $60+, vangogh vegas.com.

Lost Spirits

Hot Air Balloon Ride from Vegas Balloon Rides Show your love for Nevada by gifting 360-degree views of the Valley from a hot air balloon. This once-in-alifetime experience will let you win the holidays. $299 per person, 702-5533039.

Distillery Tour at Lost Spirits Visit a Havana nightclub, get lost in London streets, dive in a steampunk submarine—and sample housemade rums and brandies, while learning the science of how they’re made. $48-$58, Area15, lost spirits.net.

Pottery Lessons at Animal House Pottery From beginners to expert potters, this studio offers memberships and one-off classes for all to enjoy. Sign up the creatives in your life for workshops, memberships or one-on-one mentorship. Prices vary, 3355 Clayton St. #44, animalhouse pottery.com.

Holiday show tickets Let Las Vegas provide all the holiday cheer you need with tickets to these seasonally appropriate production shows and concerts: A Christmas Carol at the Smith Center (through November 28, thesmithcenter. com); This Is Christmas at Palazzo Theatre, (November 26-December 26, ticketmaster. com); Terry Fator: A Very Terry Christmas at Liberty Loft (November 26-January 1, newyorknew york.mgm resorts.com); Barry Manilow: A Very Barry Christmas at Westgate International Theater (December. 2-4, ticketmaster. com); and Tournament of Kings: ’Twas the Knight at Excalibur (through December 27, mgmresorts. com/excalibur).

Omega Mart at Meow Wolf (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Vegas Balloon Rides

11.25.21

THREE SQUARE Southern Nevada’s food bank serves millions of pounds of food each year. But that wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. Dedicate time to packing lunches, working in the warehouse and contributing to a great cause. 4190 N. Pecos Road, 702-644-3663, threesquare.org.

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

Clay Arts Las Vegas

HELP OUT Gift your time and energy, for a good cause

Time2Pawty

FOR FURRY FRIENDS

Gifts for pets— or pet-loving pals Gourmet Treats at Mooch Munchies Spoil that pooch with a pound of handmade cookies with their name imprinted on them, or a holiday box that includes a larger cookie plus smaller, holiday-themed treats. $25+, moochs munchies.com. Dog Box at Time2Pawty This assortment includes a personalized bandana, toys and treats. Time2Pawty offers holiday, new puppy and buildyour-own dog boxes. $40-$42, time2 pawty.com. Grooming at Las Vegas Spaw Treat your furry friend to a special day. This spot (spawt?) offers grooming, massages and more for cats and dogs. Prices vary, 5693 S. Jones Blvd. #111, thespawlv.com.

DIY Corks ’n Crafts Gingerbread houses, serving trays, resin-poured cheese boards—you name it, you craft it. Creations and libations go together at this DIY hot spot, with an extensive food and drink menu, and a variety of projects to hop into with a “craft-tender” guiding you through the process. 1875 Festival Plaza Drive #100, 702-684-7223, corksncrafts.com. Paper Petals & Wine Flowers die, but paper petals last forever. This unique gallery specializes in large-scale paper art flowers you can learn how to make in two and a half hours. It’s a gift any art enthusiast will love. 6659 Las Vegas Blvd. S. #B-110, 702-505-3402, petal sandwine.com.

Create your own cool gifts Wood It Is Target’s home accessory aisle rocks, but everyone else thinks so, too. Wood It Is teaches you how to make original, handmade house gifts that include bookcases, tables, lamps, cutting boards and other custom works. 2267 W. Gowan Road #106, 702-631-1870, wood itis.com. Clay Arts Las Vegas If you don’t mind getting dirty, this creative hot-spot will help you sculpt the perfect gift. It even offers date packages, so you can reinvent that classic pottery scene from Ghost. 1353 Arville St., 702-375-4147, clay artsvegas.com.

Wood It Is

LAS VEGAS RESCUE MISSION Give the gift of a hot meal, with a side of generosity, at this nonprofit that has served the Las Vegas Valley since 1970. 480 W. Bonanza Road, 702-3821766, vegasrescue. org.

MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION Toys for Tots, run by U.S. Marines who distribute toys to underserved kids, always need volunteers to transport toys, sort them and support warehouse workers. 816914-8597, las-vegas-nv. toysfortots.org.

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WHISKEY SKIES Head to lasvegasweekly.com to read about the recently launched, Vegas-based virtual boutique.

BLIND CENTER OF NEVADA The center assists blind and visually impaired individuals in such areas as personal development, social interaction and independent living. Volunteers will help inspire that inner greatness. 1001 N. Bruce St., 702642-6000, blind center.org.

Røros Dairy butter This potentially life-changing premium butter from Norway is available in the U.S. for the first time this season, and Valley Cheese and Wine in Henderson is one of a few dozen stores across the country that will have a limited supply of this creamy goodness. 1570 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #140, 702341-8191, valleycheese andwine.com.

Time & Oak English Barley Wine at Khoury’s Fine Wine and Spirits Crafthaus Brewery, Nevada’s Frey Ranch Distillery and Khoury’s teamed up to create a super-special craft beer aged in a Frey Ranch single barrel. Splurge by gifting the beer alongside its sister whiskey, a Frey Ranch single barrel straight bourbon. $20 for the 22-ounce bomber, $85 for the 750-ml whiskey. 9915 S. Eastern Ave. #110, 702-4359463, khourysfinewine.com.

Holiday Nog at Ellis Island It’s a beloved local tradition. Snag one of the only 5,000 bottles made of this delicious eggnog with rum, bourbon whiskey and brandy. $35 for a bottle and $7 for a glass, 4178 Koval Lane, ellisislandcasino.com.

Butcher in a Box Chef Sam Marvin’s Echo & Rig Butcher Shop & Steakhouse is legendary among locals for its top quality meats at affordable prices. Now, he’s packing up assortments of grass-fed beef—filet mignon, rib-eyes, dry-aged Tomahawks—in boxes shipped out as part of a monthly subscription ($225 per month) or individually ($175+). Butcherinabox.com.

The gift of food & drink HELPING HANDS OF VEGAS VALLEY This local nonprofit serves our community’s seniors through food pantries, transportation, home maintenance and respite care programs. Get involved by driving them to appointments, hosting food drives and delivering their food. 3640 N. 5th St., 702-633-7264, dh.hhovv.org.

TREASURED TASTES

HOME GOODS

GIVE LOCAL 2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Freshen up any household

Candles at Pea Candle Co. Select a soy candle from Pea’s holiday collection, with scents that include peppermint mocha, warm sandalwood, Santa’s cookies and more. $8-$19, peacandleco. com.

Scent Machine at Aroma Retail Add a touch of luxury to any home with this gizmo that diffuses your loved one’s favorite scent. $670, aromaretail.com.

Deluxe Soap and Skin Care at Artisan Bath & Body From soap and sugar scrubs to body butters, find all-natural products to help pamper everyone on your list to this winter. Prices vary, artisanbath andbody.com.

Plants at Carrie Lynn’s Plant Shop Help your friends and family brighten up their homes with living gifts from this popular Downtown Summerlin shop. Prices vary, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive #180, carrielynns.com.

Battle Born Woodshop Pick from handcrafted cutting boards, coaster sets, cookbook holders, and more personalized with the recipient’s name or favorite quote. Prices vary, battleborn woodshop.com.

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THE SHADE TREE This organization offers a safe space for homeless and abused women and their pets to take shelter, and receive services. Volunteers help teach life skills, sort and organize donations, cater meals and other helpful duties. 1 W. Owens Ave., 702-385-0072, theshadetree.org.

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WEAR IT

Gifts that look good on Jewelry at Bare Jewelry Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets at an affordable price. One recent customer raved about the masie hoops ($30), calling them “light weight and high quality.” Prices vary, shopbare. co.

Puff Collection from Ross & Snow This Las Vegas luxury footwear brand just launched this new fall and winter line, a stylish upgrade on its classic moon boot design plus an expansion into comfy scuffs and slides. Prices vary, ross-snow.com.

For kids … and grown-up kids

Vintage video consoles and games at Retro City Games It’s fun to play emulated versions of classic video games on modern consoles, but popping game cartridges into vintage Sega, Nintendo, Atari and Sony consoles? That’s baller. Find them at this Henderson shop. 6100 Mountain Vista St. #120, 702-623-7029.

ENTHUSIASMS Cool two-wheelers at Ralphies Bike Shop You can ride every bicycle, but not every bicycle is a ride. This locally-owned shop specializes in stylish beach cruisers, fixies, lowriders, stretch cruisers and scooters. 1110 E. Bonneville Ave., ralphiesbikeshop. com.

Jewelry at Desert Accents Get unique stud earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more—we love the mountain outline hair clip ($33-$36)—inspired by earthy tones and themes at this Etsy shop. Prices vary, etsy.com/ shop/desert accents.

Battle Born Pins There are no better stocking stuffers than these stylish enamel pins featuring Las Vegas icons, both old (the Moulin Rouge, the Huntridge Theater) and new (The Killers, Vegas Golden Knights). They have cool Vegas T-shirts and stickers, too. Prices vary, lasvegaspins. com.

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Graphic novels at Alternate Reality Comics Comic bookbased movies and streaming TV shows are great, but they’re no match for the worlds built inside the books upon which they’re based. This venerable Vegas comics shop offers Black Panther and Loki in their original, best forms. 5300 S. Eastern Ave. #130, alternate realitycomics.net. Horror-themed gifts at Nightmare Toys This Arts District repository of the tense and terrifying has everything horror movie fans could ever want, from autographed collectibles to rare videos to Pop! Vinyl figures. 1309 S. Commerce St., nightmaretoys. com.

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ANIMAL FOUNDATION This open-admission shelter takes in every animal, and in 2020, it saved more than 15,000. The foundation needs volunteers who can care for the pets, walk them, clean their kennels and bring compassion to the table. 655 N. Mojave Road, animal foundation.com.

FOR THE WIN

OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE This local mainstay helps those with intellectual abilities through employment services, arts and recreation and more. Volunteer at large-scale events such as the seasonal Magical Forest and the Great Santa Run. Various locations, opportunity village.org.

Sports fans will adore them Vegas Golden Knights phone case About the only thing VGK fans do more often than think about their favorite team is check their phone, so why not combine the two? This camo-colored OtterBox has it covered. $60, shop.nhl.com/vegasgolden-knights. His and hers Raiders hoodies As our “cold” weather comes on, what Las Vegan couldn’t use something warm and stylish to wear to Allegiant Stadium or anywhere else life takes them? Women’s Nike Heathered Gym Vintage Raglan FullZip Hoodie $70; Men’s Nike Sideline Team Performance Full-Zip Hoodie $90; nflshop.com/las-vegas-raiders. Aces knit hat The logo’s cool, the red feels right for the holidays and the team just wins. Get one before they’re gone. $26, wnbastore.nba.com. MAGIC MAN We spoke to David Copperfield about his new book. Read more at lasvegasweekly. com.

KIND REWARDS

THE GIFT OF WORDS Las Vegas books

David Copperfield’s History of Magic Who better to tell the tales of the world’s best magicians than this Las Vegas legend? The illustrated guide reveals the secrets of Copperfield’s own Museum of Magic. $35, simon andschuster.com.

Love in the Dunes: Las Vegas Writers on Passion & Heartache The 12th edition of the Las Vegas Writes anthology features 13 talented local authors exploring matters of the heart—both romantic and illicit. $14, lasvegasadvisor.com/ shop/products/lovein-the-dunes.

I Love You but I’ve Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins The Los Angeles Times has called Watkins the new voice of the American West. A great gift for your smart, desert-minded friends. $27, penguinrandomhouse. com.

Gathering Broken Light by Heather Lang Cassera The former Clark County Poet Laureate recently released this new poetry collection, tackling gun violence. Royalties benefit the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center. $20, unsolicitedpress. com/store/p334/ gatheringbroken light.html.

Can’t-miss cannabis products Helix gummies at Deep Roots Harvest Delicious, and crafted with sustainable ingredients including grass-fed gelatin, these treats boast a flavor-packed sweet coating around their soft center. (Buy two, get a third for a penny on Black Friday.) $20, deeproots harvest.com/ the-kitchen.

Kynd eighths at The Dispensary From growth to harvest to curing, Kynd flower is expertly managed— fully flushed, free of PGR and pesticides and always handtrimmed. $39+, thedispensary nv.com.

GIVE LOCAL 2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Sagebrush to Sandstone: A Humanities Guide to Outdoor Nevada Some guides tell you how to get somewhere; this one tells you how to be somewhere. In addition to serving as a nature guide, Sagebrush to Sandstone features art, poetry and creative prompts. Digital copies free, print edition $9, nevada humanities.org/ sagebrush-tosandstone.

Off Boulder Highway by Jennifer Battisti This one swirls together poetry, memoir and surrealistic prose about Battisti’s experience growing up in Las Vegas in the ’80s. $19, tolsunbooks.com.

ENTERTAINING LAS VEGAS

Since 1941

For over 80 years, El Cortez Hotel & Casino has evolved with the needs of our customers and our community, while still embracing that vintage Vegas feeling. With our new High Limit room and upgraded hotel renovations, we’re still offering our guests an iconic visit to remember – fit for generations to come. Come experience the charm of downtown Las Vegas at El Cortez.

TURNING PL AYERS INTO WINNERS SINCE 1941 6TH & FREMONT | 702.385.520 0 | ELCORTEZHOTELCASINO.COM Statistics certified by CDC Gaming Reports for the 12 months ending December 31, 2020.

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GIFTS TO WRAP, ADVENTURES TO MAP +

Nevada is home to some of the most incredible adventures and experiences in the country. It’s also home to many artists, craftspeople and small-business owners. This year, embrace these local makers by browsing our holiday shopping guide, featuring experiences and goods that will please everyone on your list.

HAPPY ENDING CHOCOLATE After a day exploring Downtown, indulge in artisanal chocolate and the best ice cream tacos in the Valley. happyendingchocolate.com

EXPERIENCE GIFT

DTLV ART WALK This tour will show you much of the incredible street art that Downtown Las Vegas has to offer, including a variety of mural styles, like graffiti, stencil, wheat paste and more. dtlvartwalk.com TASTE BUZZ FOOD TOURS: Following the Art Walk, refuel with a Taste Buzz Food Tour. They have one focused on Fremont Street and one focused on the Arts District. tastebuzzvegas.com

LINEN & LACE This colorful, dreamy jewelry is handmade in Las Vegas and sure to stand out. linenandlacedesign.com

HDIZZLE DESIGNS: Does all that art make you want to bring home a one-of-a-kind piece? Check out HDizzle Designs for paintings, wood burnings, mosaics and more. hdizzledesigns.com LOCAL OASIS: Explore an array of locally made gifts—including home goods, clothing, accessories and more, in this sunny, Arts District boutique. localoasislv.com

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C R E AT E D A N D P R E S E N T E D B Y

BEYOND MAPS AND WRAPS The gift of charitable giving encompasses everything important about the holidays. Friends of Gold Butte, Save Red Rock, Protectors of Tule Springs, and Friends of Nevada Wilderness are some Nevada conservation organizations that are deserving of your time and money.

TRAVEL NEVADA’S

T R AV E L N E VA DA

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

EXPERIENCE GIFT

CLEARLY TAHOE KAYAKING TOURS Of all the spectacular ways to experience Lake Tahoe—and there are many—Clearly Tahoe Kayaking Tours may rank among the most memorable. The transparent kayaks give you the opportunity to paddle through Tahoe’s clear-blue waters while watching it unfold beneath you. clearlytahoe.com

BATTLE BORN BEEKINIS: Designed by women with body positivity in mind, these Reno-made swimsuits are ideal for any on-the-water Nevada adventure. battle-born-beekinis.myshopify.com BENTLY HERITAGE ESTATE DISTILLERY

OTTESON BROS. TURQUOISE MINE TOURS: Mine your own turquoise in the Great Basin Desert—an ideal gift for anyone who appreciates both the experience and the end-product. ottesonbrothersturquoise.com/mine-tours

SIERRA SAGE DESIGNS: Maybe mining isn’t your style—in that case, check out Sierra Sage Designs instead. This one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by Nevada’s desert vibes will make you feel even more connected to our landscape. etsy.com/shop/SierraSageDesigns

MOMENT SKIS: Love Tahoe and Lee Canyon but prefer them in the winter? Hello, Moment Skis. These skis are produced in Reno in small batches. momentskis.com

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Check out the complete guide, featuring more than 150 incredible Nevada businesses.

This Minden-based distillery, just a hop-skip from Lake Tahoe, sustainably grows grain before milling (in a 100-year-old mill) and distilling on-site. The final product is a variety of ultra-premium, Nevada-flavored spirits that any connoisseur will love. bentlyheritage.com

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C R E AT E D A N D P R E S E N T E D B Y T R AV E L N E VA DA

TRAVEL NEVADA’S

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE EXPERIENCE GIFT

DESERT ADVENTURES KAYAK TOURS, LAKE LAS VEGAS WATER SPORTS, LAKE MEAD CRUISES This isn’t one experience—it’s three different companies and three unique ways to explore Lake Mead. Luckily, you can’t go wrong with any of them. kayaklasvegas.com; lakelasvegaswatersports.com; lakemeadcruises.com STAR VILLAGE COFFEE: Warm up for a day on the lake with Star Village coffee. Paiute-owned and operated, Star Village boasts a variety of different beans from all over the world. starvillagecoffee.com

STRANGE BIKINIS: More sustainable, woman-owned swimwear from Northern Nevada. Strange Bikinis are hand-sewn and made for all body types. strangebikinis.com

TAHOE TIMBER Handcrafted, sustainable wooden sunglasses and other accessories are basically made for a day at the lake. tahoetimber.com

E.T. FRESH JERKY: Made right outside Area 51, this jerky is ideal for any on-the-go activity. etfreshjerky.com

LAS VEGAS RAIL EXPLORERS: Passing through Boulder City to get to Lake Mead? Check out the pedal-powered Southwest Roundup Rail Explorer Tour. railexplorers.net/tours/las-vegas

SPLICE CLOTHING: Specializing in reversible travel clothing, Splice offers high-quality athletic wear, travel gear and more. spliceclothing.com

EXPERIENCE GIFT

NEVADA STATE PARKS PASS The ultimate experience-based gift? One that offers endless adventure and infinite possibility? A Nevada State Parks Pass is the gift that keeps on giving. parks.nv.gov/fees/annual-permits TRANQUILI-TEA ORGANIC: This mother/daughterowned business in Las Vegas sells 75-plus varieties of fine teas that will make you feel as tranquil as a day in nature. tranquiliteaorganic.com

HOME MEANS NEVADA CO.: Wear your state pride in our state parks! homemeansnevada.com

TRAVEL NEVADA CUSTOMIZE-ITYOURSELF GIFT CERTIFICATE (SILVER STATE GOLDEN TICKET): Gift someone the ultimate open-ended passport. Print out and wrap up Travel Nevada’s customizable Silver State Golden Ticket, good for a Nevada excursion of your choosing with no expiration date—a great option when you don’t know the specific dates or details. discoveryournevada.com/nvgoldenticket

READ UP ON INTERESTING NEVADA TALES Two books that make thoughtful gifts are The Complete Nevada Traveler by David W. Toll and Odyssey of a Ghost Town Explorer by Eric Cachinero.

ART BY LEELA: Las Vegas local artist Leela makes oneof-a-kind resin pieces for the home. artbyleela.com/shop TOWN CUTLER: Using handcrafted techniques and premium materials, Town Cutler specializes in high-end culinary knives that will last a lifetime. This is an ideal gift for anyone who loves the kitchen. towncutler.com

JIMMY BEANS WOOL: Get into crafting with Jimmy Beans Wool—they carry a selection of yarn, knitting needles, crochet supplies and more. jimmybeanswool.com

WRAP THEM IN SILVER (STATE) SPARKLE 'Tis the season when the bells are silver, the tinsel is silver-even the snow atop our state's loftiest peaks twinkles with a silvery shimmer. It's no coincidence that the best gifts hail from the Silver State! Make your list and check it twice using our Nevada Pride Shopping Guide as inspo-featuring everything from wrappable, Nevada-made goodies to mappable, only-in-Nevada excursions. This year shop small, dream big, and celebrate your home-state love with gifts they'll treasure. Because home means Nevada for the holidays. DiscoverYourNevada.com/Gift

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IN THE NEWS S

SWEET CAESARS Celebrated pastry chef lands at Caesars Palace James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel, perhaps best known as the originator of the croissant-doughnut hybrid treat the Cronut, is set to open a bakery at Caesars Palace in the summer of 2022. Caesars Entertainment Regional President Sean McBurney said the company has been courting Ansel for years and is “delighted that the time is right to create something true to Dominique’s incredible vision.” The shop will be located in a soon-to-be-constructed space next to Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and will feature many of Ansel’s signature items including the Cronut, the “DKA” Kouign Amann, the Cookie Shot and Frozen S’mores. Named the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2017 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards, Ansel opened his first bakery in New York City’s Soho neighborhood in 2011 after serving as pastry chef at Daniel when the restaurant earned its third Michelin star. He’s also the author of two cookbooks. “We’re quite conservative in where we choose to grow and open our shops, and at the end of the day, it’s all about the team you build,” Ansel said in a statement. “There’s so much talent in Las Vegas and we’re excited to be amongst some of the best.” –Brock Radke

“

I t was the music in his writing that kept me going. A brilliant and cantankerous wit, [he] wrote for the ear. His work needed reading, not scanning, and rewarded effort with pleasure.” -Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Knight, in his obituary of fellow art critic Dave Hickey, a former UNLV Professor and author of 1997’s Air Guitar: Essays on Art and Democracy. Hickey died November 12 in New Mexico at age 82. (Photograph by Checko Salgado/FocalChrome/Courtesy)

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

POKER

Volunteer Gloria Castricone adds bags of pumpkin spice muffin mix to food boxes at the Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

WSOP MOVES TO THE STRIP

The World Series of Poker is moving to Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas next year, with actor Vince Vaughn serving as master of ceremonies, Caesars Entertainment announced. The series, which started in 1970 at the old Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas, has been contested at the Rio for the past 17 years. Next year will mark the first time the tournament will be held on the Strip. The 2022 series will run from May 31 to July 19, with the full schedule expected to be released in January. Vaughn, an avid poker player, said he was honored to be named master of ceremonies. “Poker has long been one of my favorite sports, so to be a part of something as historic as the WSOP finally moving to the Strip is an absolute dream,” Vaughn said in a statement. “Vegas baby, Vegas.” –Staff

WATCH THIS The Raiders play Dallas November 25 at 1:30 p.m.

11.18.2021

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

GAEL-FORCE WIN

Bishop Gorman High School football players celebrate their 56-7 win against McQueen High of Reno in the 5A high school football championship at Allegiant Stadium. Gorman surrendered just 100 points in 13 games this year, including a shutout streak of six straight games, in winning the program’s 11th championship in 12 contested seasons. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

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11.25.21

OBITUARY

LEE’S DISCOUNT LIQUOR CEO KILLED IN CAR CRASH

Kenny Lee, the CEO of Lee’s Discount Liquor, was killed in a car crash November 19, the company said in a statement. The crash happened just before 10:30 a.m. on U.S. 93 between Ely and West Wendover at mile marker 24, Nevada Highway Patrol public information officer Ashlee Wellman said. Impairment was not believed to be a factor, Wellman said. Lee, 53, was driving south in a white van transport-

ing alcohol when the van crossed the center line, causing a partial head-on collision with a white truck heading north, Wellman said. The truck tried to swerve out of the way, but Lee—who was not wearing a seat belt— was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Wellman said. The other driver, who was not yet identified, sustained minor injuries. Lee’s death comes about

three months his father, Hae Un Lee, the company founder, died of cancer. The company has contributed millions of dollars to the Las Vegas community over the years through Lee’s Helping Hand, a nonprofit launched by Hae Un and Kenny 20 years ago. Kenny Lee was an avid golfer and passionate about the Vegas Golden Knights, rarely missing a home game. –Casey Harrison

BY THE NUMBERS

Number of days after Clark County School Superintendent Jesus Jara was fired that the School Board voted to rescind his termination, on November 18. Jara said November 19 that he was considering his next steps.

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FREMONT EAST

ENDURES After a year of lockdowns and grief, the Downtown district is regaining its footing

D O W N T O W N

BY GEOFF CARTER

ook up most anywhere in the Fremont East district and you’ll see the banners. “Serendipity accelerates learning and innovation,” reads one. “Don’t lose the sense that ‘anything is possible,’” declares another. Each one features the same, all-caps headline—“THANK YOU TONY”—and an image of late Zappos CEO and Downtown Project founder Tony Hsieh. It’s been a year since Hsieh died at age 46. Most of what has appeared in the national and international press in the aftermath of Hsieh’s passing relates to his final days, or to the heated legal battles now swirling around the disposition of his estate. Very

Pedestrians watch the giant praying mantis spout flames at Downtown Container Park. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

few of these stories, if any, spend much time wondering what became of what Hsieh tried to build in Downtown Las Vegas—a kind of extended tech campus mixed with residential, nightlife and retail components, the funky hybrid ’hood where those banners are hanging now. On one hand, the businesses Hsieh brought to Fremont East are doing just fine. “The fact that [our properties are] doing pretty close to the same numbers that we were doing in 2019 says to me that we might not only be back, we

might be better than ever,” says Bill Kennedy, director of marketing for DTP Companies (formerly the Hsieh-founded Downtown Project). “If we continue on the path we’re on now … 2022 could be the best year ever since DTP was founded.” A quick look around bears out his predictions. The line to enter the Gold Spike, DTP’s indoor-outdoor nightclub, wraps around the building. The bars of Fremont East are bustling most nights they’re open. Diners flock to the restaurants and lounges of Container

Park, even on Sunday nights. And seemingly half the city crowds into the shops and restaurants of Fergusons Downtown on weekends; indeed, the indoor-outdoor dining and retail spot was one of the first local venues to bring back live music, through the DTLV Field Trip series. That said, Fergusons’ co-founder and creative strategist Jen Taler concedes that the Fergusons vibe isn’t quite what it was during the venue’s opening months. (Which, by the way, were only three in number; COVID hit not long after

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Usual Place, 11th Street Records, PublicUs, Vegas Test Kitchen, Sure Thing Chapel and Atomic Liquors all remain open, serving pre-COVID legacy customers and finding new ones. Fremont East will surely never forget Tony Hsieh, even as it moves on without him. But the neighborhood now feels strong enough to acknowledge his passing, which it will do in a big way on December 11. Tony Hsieh’s Community Celebration of Life, a daylong festival centered at Container Park, will feature live music, variety acts, an art car showcase—“Just the kind of things that made him happy,” Kennedy says. “We want to make sure everybody is happy, and that’s what he would want.” In other words, as far as Fremont East is concerned, we should feel like anything is possible. “Downtown is bigger than a virus, bigger than just a person,” Kennedy says. “This is a combined effort of multiple people and forces and locals and tourists. And honestly, I do feel good. I feel good where we’re at right now.”

renovated, hip new neighborhood.” The shape of that shadow gets weirder still. Downtown encompasses both low-income apartments and luxury housing, in many cases right next door to one another. It’s home to a federal courthouse, the Southern Nevada headquarters of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the city jail. The fact that something as community-focused as Fergusons Downtown—with its artisan shops, green lawn and free local hip-hop shows—exists on the same street as Fremont Street’s yard-long margarita stands and zipline is a testament to Tony Hsieh’s lateral thinking and sheer tenacity. “One of our biggest goals was to own the daytime [in Fremont East], and to have a place that people can come hang out as a family,” Taler says. Considering its relative newness, Fergusons’ neighborhood influence is visible. A new restaurant, Peyote, debuted at Fergusons this summer, and a collectibles shop, Fun on Fremont, recently opened across the street. The

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Fergusons opened its doors.) “We have really strong attendance, but you don’t feel that full [pre-pandemic] energy yet,” Taler says. “Over the last two years, people got really comfortable in their homes, [and] the summer was so brutal this year. I think we’re just taking some time to adjust to the quote-unquote ‘new normal,’ and remembering, ‘Oh yeah, I can go out and do stuff again in ways that are safe and feel comfortable.’” That might explain why several aspects of Fremont East feel like something is pending. DTP

representatives have nothing concrete to say about the shuttered Bunkhouse Saloon just yet. Some businesses, despite fully reopening, still have boards on their windows. Two Fremont East spaces—those formerly occupied by Beauty Bar and Don’t Tell Mama—are undergoing a lengthy refit by Ryan Doherty’s Corner Bar group to add a rooftop patio. And if you wander away from the lights and activity on Fremont, you’ll find people sleeping in doorways or sprawled on sidewalks. Even the stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that leads into Fremont East is in disarray—ripped up for major roadwork that will replace the Boulevard’s utility lines, sewers, sidewalks and landscaping. Visiting Fremont East now feels a bit like going to Disneyland and learning that Space Mountain is out of commission. And though it’s tempting to attribute this feeling to the lockdowns and the loss of Hsieh, the reality is that our city core is … kinda weird. Architect and developer Chris Gonya—one of the creative partners behind the Lucy residential and retail complex, home to the Writer’s Block—understands that weirdness better than most. This year, he sold off the 19 Fremont-adjacent apartment units he owned, including the smartly-restored bungalows of the Pioneer. “It just felt like it was time,” Gonya says. “I couldn’t really take the properties, or the neighborhood for that matter, any further up. I did the work that I could do with the tools that I had at my disposal.” Gonya uses a nature analogy to describe the city core: He calls it a “rain shadow.” Simply put, a rain shadow is a region that has become arid because a nearby mountain is diverting the precipitation that allows things to grow. “We live in the rain shadow of casino development,” Gonya says. “In other words, the taxable revenue from the penny slots at El Cortez will always be significantly more than the taxable revenue of a

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

SOMETHING AS COMMUNITY-FOCUSED AS FERGUSONS DOWNTOWN EXISTING ON THE SAME STREET AS YARD-LONG MARGARITA STANDS IS A TRIBUTE TO TONY HSIEH’S LATERAL THINKING.

A mural of Tony Hsieh on Zappos’ Downtown headquarters in February (Wade Vandervort/ Staff)

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

11.25.21

Country

REIGN

Carrie Underwood prepares to open the Strip’s newest theater during NFR BY BROCK RADKE

he holidays are great, but it’s actually country music season on the Las Vegas Strip. After relocating to Arlington, Texas, to maintain during last year’s pandemic spike, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo comes home to Las Vegas starting on December 2, and it’s bringing all the concerts and parties that come along with it. The coming week also marks a significant passing of the torch for Vegas entertainment. Together in Vegas, the co-headlining country music residency from Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, is closing out a successful six-year run on the Strip with its final eight shows on December 1-15. At the same time, Carrie Underwood launches her first Strip residency show, Reflection, at the new Resorts World Theatre, with six performances beginning December 1. All four artists have long been household names for country fans, and McEntire and Under-

C U L T U R E

Carrie Underwood (Jeremy Cowart/Courtesy)

CARRIE UNDERWOOD: REFLECTION December 1, 3-4, 8 & 10-11, 8 p.m., $98+. Resorts World Theatre, 702676-7000.

wood sang together with Loretta Lynn on Lynn’s March album and its title track “Still Woman Enough.” Country music has only intensified its presence in Las Vegas through the years with multiple superstar residencies, awards shows in casino arenas and all the big concert tours dashing across the country. Of the four headliners announced at Resorts World, two are country artists, with Luke Bryan firing up his own show in February. Of course, Underwood wasn’t originally scheduled to open the 4,700-seat Resorts World Theatre. Celine Dion pulled out of her November 5 debut show in October due to medical issues and has not yet announced rescheduled dates for what will be her third Las Vegas Strip residency production.

Resorts World, which opened in June, and entertainment partner AEG Presents took a hit with that change in plans. The theater was ready to go, and the cast and crew of Dion’s show were on site and in rehearsals, but the massive new resort won’t get to experience its full programming potential until that venue is active. It’s also important to note that Dion was only available for her Resorts World residency because the pandemic scrambled her world tour schedule, now expected to resume in March in Denver. The Dion delay, coupled with Allegiant Stadium opening to capacity crowds earlier this year, might have cast a temporary shadow on the Resorts World Theatre, but Underwood should easily remove it. The dynamic new venue’s size and design will be compared to the Colosseum and to Dolby Live at Park MGM, but as the newest such space on the Strip, Resorts World Theatre was conceived with maximum versatility in mind, along with convenience for its superstar headliners and audiences. It has a four-story lobby and atrium space that feels substantially more grand than its competitors, along with a private lounge, a dedicated VIP entrance and room built specifically for meet-and-greets with the artists. Inside the theater, seating is distributed over a wide orchestra floor and two balcony levels, with the farthest only 150 feet away from one of the largest stages on the Strip. Capacity can max out at 5,000, and lighting, video and audio specs are as good as it gets. In addition to Underwood, Bryan, Dion and Katy Perry (who opens on December 29), AEG has booked another superstar headliner for the Resorts World Theatre and is expected to announce that act soon. But for now, it’s all about the music, the big country comeback and the newest Vegas venue making noise on the Strip.

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

11.25.21

C U L T U R E

(Resorts World Las Vegas/Courtesy)

REDTAIL Monday & Thursday, 4 p.m.midnight; Friday, noon-midnight; Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.-midnight. Resorts World, 702-676-7000.

RedTail, Zouk Group’s sports and gaming bar, adds to Resorts World’s versatility

A QUITE CATCH the

BY AMBER SAMPSON

yu Dayclub, Zouk Nightclub and Fuhu anchor the Zouk Group’s bustling nightlife district on the southeast side of Resorts World. But if you’re doing the evening right, it should start at RedTail, Zouk’s pre-game playground designed to rev the party up. A “fully integrated social gaming bar,” RedTail spans a little over 6,000 square feet, enticing patrons with a bevvy of entertainment options and retro, color-popping art. Sports fans feel at home with in-venue sports betting and enough TVs to

catch the action from any angle. “[But] we wanted to be a more fun environment than just your typical sportsbook,” says Michael Waltman, executive director of operations for Zouk Group. That’s why arcade basketball, giant Jenga, full-size ping pong, beer pong and other games dominate the space. It’s an inclusive experience with a variety of activities, but the best game of them all might be people-watching. “People will come and enjoy RedTail with no intention of going to Zouk [Nightclub], but watching all that activity for them makes for a great night,” Waltman says.

The gastropub-based food menu is also a draw, with a wing-and-burger-focused selection curated by the company’s executive chef Joseph Elevado, formerly of Andrea’s at Encore and Social House. It also includes vegan options as well as more than 10 specialty cocktails and 20-plus beers curated by Zouk’s beverage team. Waltman says college-aged adults enjoy RedTail just as much as those in their 40s and 50s, and it isn’t accidental. Zouk’s other nearby offerings serve as a revolving door, bouncing guests from venue to venue, experience to experience. “That was part of the master plan,” he says. Music programming also crosses over, he says, as DJs who warm up the crowd for Zedd and Tiësto spin at RedTail “because these are guys who understand the room. Night-tonight, you might have a different audience, [and] for us, it’s very important that we’re not just keeping the same thing. The room has to be flexible, depending on who’s in town.” Staying on top of trends, Waltman says visitors who came back to Las Vegas before nightclubs fully reopened were looking to create their own experience within their group. That’s why RedTail offers three private karaoke rooms, where guests can belt out their favorites from a selection of more than 40,000 songs. Sliding air walls also create the ability to open into one large room, holding up to 30 people. At this rate, RedTail could be shaping up as your Vegas meet-up spot where you can start and finish.

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

11.25.21

PHILLY TO VEGAS

Chickie’s & Pete’s has all the sports bar food and then some BY BROCK RADKE

C U L T U R E

Chickie’s & Pete’s Ultimate Crab Fries, Classic Philly Cheesesteak, warm lobster rolls, Riverboat Clams and Flyin’ Hawaiian and French & Tonic cocktails (Wade Vandervort/ Staff)

istorically, our casinos have had no need for the prototypical sports bar. If you were watching a game on the Strip, you were likely betting on it, so the sportsbook and its hot dog cart or deli counter would suffice. If you’re local, you’d be at your favorite tavern down the street watching the football team for which you rooted before you moved to Vegas. Things change. Even before Vegas got its own major league teams, the Strip had grown into a sports mecca that required bigger, better books and different kinds of venues supplying food and drinks to fuel the fun. Now, the majority of megaresorts

offer at least one sports bar; it seems to have replaced the old-school 24-hour coffee shop in the casino portfolio blueprint. That doesn’t mean locals are leaving their pubs and hitting the Strip to watch the Golden Knights and the Raiders on TV. But we could. And if you want to try, you might not find a better spot than Chickie’s & Pete’s, the Philadelphia transplant recently opened at the Sahara. First, the renovated Sahara is easily accessible and has free parking. Second, the sports bar space is completely unrecognizable from the previous, unremarkably designed burger joint. It now has an open and energized

CHICKIE’S & PETE’S Sahara, 702761-8070. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.11 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.11 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m.10 p.m.

atmosphere, with lots of bar seating and big, comfy booths. Also, you can bet from inside the restaurant. Most importantly, the menu hits hard with every bar food favorite imaginable and adds signature seafood offerings to the mix. Onion rings, nachos, wings, burgers, pizza, Buffalo chicken or chicken Parm sandwiches, all are well-represented here. If it’s hard to choose, you didn’t bring enough friends for this watch party. The “world famous” crab

11.25.21

La Neta’s Lobsta BFT with a Roses Are Red cocktail (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

O O

with melty American cheese, and it works. And the expansive, rotating beer selection also boasts the full spectrum of flavors, including some favorite local brews like Bad Beat’s A Gose Has No Name, Banger Brewing’s Morning Joe and Able Baker’s Excited State German pilsner. You can go a lot of different ways at Chickie’s & Pete’s, but one of the best is to share an order of fries and the Crabfeast, a market-price feast including a two-pound Dungeness crab, a pound of snow crab legs and three East Coast blue claw crabs. This is the bar food experience that made this place famous, and it tastes just as great alongside a Las Vegas hockey or football game.

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fries ($9) are excellent crinkle cuts with Old Bay-esque seasoning and superior cheese sauce for dipping. You can get them with crab meat, cheese and aioli ($25) or with buttery lobster ($29), but the basic ones are addictive enough, so be careful. For a Philly joint, the Chickie’s & Pete’s cheesesteak ($17) is a bit pedestrian, but if you’re wild you can get one with lobster on top ($27). Crispy thin-crust pizzas get seafood toppings too, like Lisa’s Blonde Lobster Pie ($39), a great centerpiece for your table. The sandwich selection goes on forever, from roast pork ($15) to warm or chilled lobster rolls ($29). The Ultimate Tailgate Burger ($27) drops a crabcake atop a thick beef patty

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

La Neta brings modern Mexican to Downtown Summerlin

SPICE OF LIFE

BY AMBER SAMPSON

I N K

LA NETA COCINA Y LOUNGE Downtown Summerlin, 702-476-5484. Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5-11 p.m.

pounds of chili-braised short rib topped with manchego polenta and green onions. Mojo shrimp ($32) is a line of garlic shrimp over a bed of creamy jalapeño polenta topped with chorizo, or opt for traditional enchiladas ($26) with spicy rojo sauce or lobster enchiladas with chipotle cream. Cocktails are just as saucy. The tequila-forward Whata Prickly ($15) freshens up the palate with ginger beer, prickly pear and gold flakes, while the Pom Azul ($17) teeters between sweet and tart thanks to pomegranate. La Neta takes presentation seriously, from beautifully stacked flautas ($15) to the mounds of rock salt caked under the Baja-style oysters ($24). The entire aesthetic begs to be photographed, including the lush, plants adorning the ceilings and a mosaic stained glass mural lighting up behind the bar. It’s sexy, romantic and primed for a night out. That’s the Truth.

n Más Por Favor Taqueria y Tequila debuted in early 2020 as a lauded addition to Chinatown’s diverse dining scene. Now, nightlife veteran Ryan Labbe and his team have struck again, with the new La Neta Cocina y Lounge, a modern take on traditional Mexican at Downtown Summerlin. La Neta loosely translates to “the Truth” in Spanish street slang. That’s fitting, because everything about this menu speaks to an authentic approach, with a few twists. Chef Israel Castro leads the kitchen like a mad scientist, concocting delicious and monstrous dishes that are a feast for the eyes—and your Instagram followers. His inventive BFTs (Big F’n Tacos) will wow, specifically the “lobsta” taco, a ridiculously large, butter poached lobster with a cheese-stuffed tortilla wedged in between. Yeah, they went there. You could consider the WTF ($175) for the table—four

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

11.25.21

Receiver Hunter Renfrow’s unconventional style is paying off for the Raiders

C U L T U R E

HUNTER THE GATHERER

BY CASE KEEFER

Through nine games, Renfrow led the team with 52 catches for 494 yards. (AP Photos/Photo Illustration)

11.25.21

RAIDERS Report

Head to lasvegasweekly.com to read about the team’s Week 11 result and how Week 12 might unfold.

O R T S

levied no discipline, news of the grievance might have helped prevent other teams from being overly physical since. Either way, he has stayed healthy in the midst of a breakout year. Renfrow has drawn on a lifetime of sports experience to improve this season. He cites playing basketball and soccer as a reason for his “spatial awareness” against different coverage schemes. Carr and Bisaccia say it’s something else from his youth that has provided Renfrow a leg up as a receiver: He was a standout prep quarterback playing under his father, coach Tim Renfrow, at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, Florida. That has provided Renfrow with a better understanding than most receivers about where he needs to be to most benefit Carr, according to Bisaccia. Instead of attending a smaller college and continuing to play quarterback, Renfrow walked on at Clemson and became a legendary receiver. He was a part of two national championship teams, catching the game-winning touchdown in the title game against Alabama in 2017. He might have profiled as the type of college star who couldn’t hold up in the more physical, faster-paced NFL, but he quickly outpaced those expectations. He has become more than the Raiders ever imagined. “I think he’s one of the best pure football players in the NFL,” Carr says. “I think he’s a special talent.”

ing-over, but quarterback Derek Carr says the receiver goes even more overthe-top in practice. In one-on-one drills when the other receivers are running conventional routes with Carr, Renfrow uses the time to “push the envelope,” according to the quarterback. Renfrow tries out some things that puzzle even Carr, who has to veto some of the moves because they don’t work with timing and protection. But he appreciates them all. “It’s fun to come up with those ideas, and it’s fun because he pushes my creativity,” Carr says. “He’s probably the most creative teammate I’ve ever been around.” Carr has also called Renfrow one of the best route runners he’s seen, and he’s not alone in showering him with that praise. That’s long been the book on Renfrow and the primary reason he got a professional shot at all despite NFL.com’s scouting report going into the draft knocking him because he “lacks size and speed.” Renfrow uses his frame to his advantage, however, and is incredibly nimble off the line to cover for any disadvantages when playing against faster defenders. He’s also skilled at making them miss once he gets the ball by employing his unorthodox angles and moves. “Being in the slot position, you have more room, so it’s easier at times,” Renfrow says. “You kind of see the picture paint itself and see where the defenders are.” Deflecting compliments is vintage Renfrow, whose soft-spoken demeanor matches his diminutive stature. He’s about as unassuming as professional athletes come. Coming into the season, he joked that he had only ever talked trash on a couple occasions, then “felt bad for it” afterwards. He doesn’t need to share words, though, because his abilities frustrate opponents enough. Renfrow made so many big plays with six catches in a Week 1 victory against the Baltimore Ravens that, in the eyes of the Raiders’ coaching staff and front office, defenders retaliated with a series of dirty and late hits. The organization filed a complaint with the NFL, and though the league

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ith one of the best tight ends in the league (Darren Waller), a Pro Bowl running back (Josh Jacobs) and a traditional fullback (Alec Ingold, before a recent knee injury), the Raiders’ offense has no dearth of short-yardage options. And yet, their go-to guy in such situations all season has been an undersized receiver many once regarded as too slow to make it in the NFL. The 5-foot10, 185-pound Hunter Renfrow has been Las Vegas’ most reliable weapon through the first half of the season and led the team with four receiving touchdowns through nine games. “He’s like Gumby,” Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia said during a recent news conference. “He’s untouchable in a phone booth.” The Raiders realized Renfrow’s shiftiness immediately upon taking him out of Clemson in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and utilized it in each of his first two seasons. “Third and Renfrow” became a catchphrase for the team, with Las Vegas frequently targeting the slot receiver on thirddown situations in 2019 and 2020. Opponents knew looks designed for Renfrow were coming, yet still couldn’t stop them. While that has continued in his third season, he could also just as easily have a new nickname—“Red Zone Renfrow.” The Raiders have gone to Renfrow near the goal line as much as any other player, with strong returns. All of his touchdowns have featured him juking defenders senseless, using elaborate footwork on double- or triple-moves to shed coverage on choice routes where he has autonomy about which direction he ultimately heads. “As they grow confidence with me, I can do things within the system to change things up and get outside of my parameters a little bit,” Renfrow says. “Not too much at the same time, but I know what I can get away with. I think that’s a progression of being a better player every year—learning what I can get away with.” Some of the successful hijinks Renfrow has pulled on routes in games include quasi tap-dancing and fake fall-

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

VEGAS INC BUSINESS

11.25.21

COLLEGE SPORTS

NCAA’S NEW NIL RULE COULD OPEN DOOR FOR RECRUITING SUCCESS AT UNLV

BY BRYAN HORWATH VEGAS INC STAFF

t a high-end men’s clothing store at Aria this month, three UNLV football players were led to a secret VIP lounge to start the process of being fitted for new suits. The value of the suits—which Noah Bean, Tre Caine and Farrell Hester II plan to wear for their college graduation—was about $1,800 apiece, though the players wouldn’t have to pay a dime. Before a rule change that took effect over the summer, such a transaction— if it came to light—would land a player and a school in trouble with the NCAA, which governs college sports. Instead, because of the new personal “name, image and likeness” (NIL) guidelines, college athletes all over the country have taken advantage of various marketing opportunities. “The rule change is a tad late, but it’s exciting,” Caine said. “I’m so excited for us, and for future generations, that this is happening.” The deal was made possible with the help of Blueprint Sports & Entertainment, a Las Vegas sports marketing company founded largely to take advantage of the NCAA’s policy change. Blueprint serves as a digital marketplace for opportunities for athletes. More than a dozen soon-to-graduate UNLV football players are expected to be a part of the partnership with Maceeo, the designer shirt label. For Caine, it was his first endorsement deal. “More than 90% of athletes at the collegiate level aren’t going to have professional agents or marketing reps or lawyers to help find opportunities,” said Blueprint partner Cisco Aguilar,

an attorney and former general counsel for tennis icons Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. Aguilar envisions the company growing its footprint quickly in Las Vegas, a city he said is tailor-made for marketing opportunities for athletes. “We help players find opportunities, but it’s also a resource for the buyer, or the business, to find the right athlete,” Aguilar said. “There is a lot of opportunity here. Over the past five years, Las Vegas has gone from a community with no pro sports teams to a sports town. That will also drive opportunity.” As part of their deal for the suits, the football players are required take a financial literacy course geared toward graduating college students. The course is through Montage Financial Group,

whose managing director, Michael Chudd, is a former UNLV football player and a booster of Rebel sports. Chudd has been a consistent donor to the football program over the years, but he said the NIL rule opened up more ways for boosters to support college athletes. Since the team hasn’t finished a season with a winning record since 2013, Chudd and other boosters and fans want to see a more coveted brand of athlete come to Las Vegas. Chudd thinks the NIL rule will help. “I think we have the ability at UNLV to be a top 50 team,” Chudd said. “That’s based partly on the facilities we have, but I think we can come up with a cooler package for a recruit than, say, a different school in the Mountain West.”

For now, according to a UNLV spokesman, most sponsorship deals are for men’s basketball and football players, though several of the 75 or so deals do involve female athletes. Blueprint has also worked with the Findlay Auto Group, which has a deal in place with the UNLV men’s basketball team to provide a $500 auto stipend for each player on the team. Robby Findlay, operations director for the auto group, said players can spend the money on a car payment, or on other transportation costs. In exchange, players are asked to take the Montage Financial Group course. They also might be asked to come to a dealership for an appearance or autograph signing. “Once the rule went into effect, we knew we wanted to do something to help out the basketball program,” Findlay said. “With insurance and some of the other liabilities, it just wasn’t practical to offer players actual vehicles, but we thought the car allowance was a good idea. We get a little notoriety, and the student-athletes are helped out a little, which we think they deserved this whole time.”

UNLV football player Tre Caine, right, reacts to teammate Noah Bean’s outfit during a suit fitting at Maceoo at Aria. (Yasmina Chavez/Staff)

10.21.21 PHOTOGRAPHY BY WADE VANDERVORT

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11.25.21

Credit One Bank welcomed Badhri Rajagopalan, Theodore Miller, Vikram Ranganath and Jamie Combs to the corporate leadership team. Rajagopalan is vice president of digital solutions acceleration. Rajagopalan As head of analytics and reporting, Miller leads a team that analyzes card member interactions with customer service to recommend ways of improving productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Miller As vice president of IT delivery and transformation, Ranganath builds and implements IT solutions and software required to launch new products. Combs, in her role as vice president and associate general Ranganath counsel, manages the defense of a portfolio of nationwide consumer financial services litigation, analyzes litigation trends, tracks state and federal legislative and regulatory proposals, and provides Combs guidance on various legal issues affecting the bank. City of North Las Vegas broke ground on an assembly facility that will serve as an anchor to new development projects underway along the Craig

Road corridor. The autonomous delivery vehicle company Nuro will span more than 100,000 square feet on 10 acres and create 200 high-skilled technology sector jobs. Sandra Douglass Morgan, the immediate past chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and a former Commissioner of the Nevada Gaming Commission, joined Covington in its gaming industry practice. She was the first Black person and first woman of color to serve as the board’s chair and has nearly two decades of expertise in the gaming industry leading and managing regulatory, investigatory, cybersecurity and litigation matters. Applied Analysis announced that Jeremy Aguero stepped down as principal analyst after 24 years with the company to assume a new role as chief operations and analytics officer with the Las Vegas Raiders. Brian Gordon, a principal analyst and partner at the firm since 2000, will assume the company’s primary leadership role. Trosper Public Relations announced the addition of Amanda Pena as senior copywriter. Pena is responsible for producing content for the agency’s business-to-business clients. Pena The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance assisted in the creation of 5,772 jobs in Greater Las Vegas just this year, breaking the organization’s yearly job creation record. These new jobs are the result of a shared effort with state, municipal and utility partners across the region. Of the new jobs, 4,131 were created from companies that relocated to Southern Nevada and 1,641 from the expansion of existing local companies. Dr. John Rhodes of Southwest Medical, part of Optum Care, was honored at a Nevada Alumni Association of UNR awards reception as a distinguished alumnus. Rhodes (1984 Premed, ’88 M.D.) was Rhodes among more than 25 individuals and organizations recognized by the association. He serves as senior medical director of primary care for Optum Care Mountain West Region. He is responsible for more than 45 clinics and over 400 medical providers in three states while continuing to see patients at Southwest Medical.

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