The Sundry at UnCommons
OCT 26 TH - 31 ST
GRANDER. GALACTIC. GOURMET DINNER. EMBARK ON A JOU RNE Y THROUG H THE NEON -INFUSED FUTU RE OF DINING . AT R E S O R T S W O R L D L A S V E G A S , W E ’ V E M E T I C U LO U S LY C R A F T E D A N E X T R AO R D I N A R Y D I N I N G E X P E R I E N C E T R A N S C E N D I N G T I M E A N D TA S T E . O U R E XC E P T I O N A L V E N U E S H AV E B E E N M E T I C U LO U S LY S E L E C T E D TO P R OV I D E A N I N D U LG E N T D I N N E R T H AT W I L L AWA K E N YO U R S E N S E S .
JULY 6-9 2023
W H E T H E R YO U S E E K A DY S TO P I A N S O I R E E ’ S E L E G A N C E O R A N E O N - L I T H I D E AWAY ’ S R E L A X E D AT M O S P H E R E , W E ’ V E D E S I G N E D T H E P E R F E C T S E T T I N G F O R YO U R D I N N E R VOYAG E .
PUBLISHER MARK DE POOTER mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com
EDITORIAL
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AT THE SUNDRY
This week at UnCommons
Thurs 10/19 St. Judes Un-Gala @ The Assembly 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sat 10/21
Blues & Brunch @ The Sundry 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sun 10/22
Fesh52 Farmers Market Campus Wide 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thurs 10/26
Breath & Beats Yoga @ The Quad 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
HAND-SELECTED GENETICS Medizin flower is a staple of the Nevada market, specifically Las Vegas. Founded in 2016, Medizin is one of the OG cultivators who still hang their hat on some of the best legacy genetics available. Strains such as Hawaiian Butterscotch, Chloe, Million Dollar Baby, Mango Kush, Master Kush, and SFV OG are just a few of the staple genetics brought to market by Medizin.
UP 420 IN EC
MAGAZIN HIC
2021
2015
NAG CAN RAP
NATIONAL TER
MM Development Company Inc. Establishment ID# RD006. Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older.
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WANT MORE? Head to lasvegasweekly.com.
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SUPERGUIDE
Your daily events planner, starring Wu-Tang Clan, Avril Lavigne, the Shameless Plug Arts Festival, Pasta & Puccini and more.
NEWS
The labor disputes and demonstrations playing out on the Strip are part of a nationwide spike in such issues, from Hollywood to Detroit.
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THE WEEKLY Q&A
Artist and graphic designer Blaze Ben Brooks is putting his imprint on the overall look of Las Vegas.
NOISE
If you’re feeling unprepared for another round of the emo-centric When We Were Young fest, we’ll get you caught up in a hurry.
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COVER STORY
FOOD & DRINK
Southwest Las Vegas is one of the most exciting parts of Southern Nevada right now and we’re here to show you why.
ON THE COVER
Heirloom tomatoes at Fine Company (Courtesy/Louiie Victa)
RISE OF THE SOUTHWEST
Model: Hailey Harris Photograph by Wade Vandervort
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SPORTS
Chef Roy Ellamar’s anticipated neighborhood eatery at Downtown Summerlin is serving up breakfast, lunch and happy hour goodies.
The NBA is coming back to Las Vegas in a whole new way. We’re breaking down the inaugural in-season tourney playing its finals at T-Mobile Arena, what it all means and who might win.
Experience
FA L L F L AVO R S
O P E N D A I LY A T 5 P M
HARD CIDERS ON TAP • CURATED CIDER FLIGHTS • FESTIVAL FOODS
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 8PM-11PM
live Free LiveMUSIC
lounge
M U ST BE 2 1 +
I-15 & BLUE DIAMOND | 702.263.7777 SILVERTONCASINO.COM
AD1023-20_LV Weekly 10.19 Ad • 4.5”x11” 4c • Runs in LV Weekly 10/19
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FRIDAY 20
SUPERGUIDE THURSDAY 19 OCT.
MUSIC
PARTY
COMEDY
MISC
S U P E R G U I D E
BARRY MANILOW Thru 10/22, 7 p.m., Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com.
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS 6:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com.
KEVIN JAMES Thru 10/21, 10 p.m., Mirage Theatre, ticketmaster.com.
CLINT HOLMES 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.
UNLV WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. UTAH STATE 6:30 p.m., Cox Pavilion, unlvtickets.com. THE PERSONA, THE PERSON: DEBBIE REYNOLDS Thru 10/26, times vary, Las Vegas City Hall Grand Gallery, neonmuseum.org.
ARTS
FOOD + DRINK
DULCE SLOAN Thru 10/22, 7:30 p.m. (& 10/20-10/21, 9:30 p.m.), Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com.
HAUNTED HARVEST Thru 10/22, 5 p.m., Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org.
SPORTS
(Courtesy)
OCT.
AUTHOR TYRIEK WHITE 7 p.m., Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, unlv.edu.
LIL JON 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, events. taogroup.com. PHOTOGRAPHER BRAN BAXTER SYMONDSON 5 p.m., S Bar, sbe. com/artistmeetand greet. AUDIEN 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zouk grouplv.com. LEOTRIX 10 p.m., We All Scream, seetickets.us.
CARVER PARK & BMI DURING WWII AND BEYOND Historians say the founding of the City of Henderson starts with the Basic Magnesium Incorporated (BMI) plant. The plant, which supplied munitions and airplane parts during World War II, opened in 1941 and brought 13,000 workers to the desert area between Las Vegas and Boulder City, according to the Henderson Historical Society. The nonprofit has partnered with Clark County to spotlight the segregated housing development built for BMI’s Black workers, Carver Park. Designed by the acclaimed Historic Westside architect Paul Revere Williams, Carver Park comprised 324 units. Today, Elks Lodge off East Lake Mead Parkway appears to be the only remaining building. Panelists—former Carver Park residents; Claytee White, director of the UNLV Oral History Research Center; and Dr. Earnest N. Bracey, professor of Political Science and History at CSN—will discuss Williams, the impact of Carver Park and BMI on the history of Henderson, and what happened to the development. 6 p.m., free, Clark County Museum, clarkcountynv.gov. –Shannon Miller
FILM: THE HUNGER This month the Beverly Theater is screening an extraordinary run of spooky season classics. (This week alone: Evil Dead 2, Repo! The Genetic Opera, Suspria, The Shining, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and more.) But if you have a particular affinity for the Beverly’s sound system and a good smoky eye, you don’t want to miss Tony Scott’s 1983 cult classic The Hunger, a visually atmospheric and thoroughly kinky vampire yarn starring Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon and David Bowie. Deneuve and Bowie camp it up as a pair of immortal bloodsuckers always on the lookout for a throuple situation or a liquid lunch, while Sarandon plays a doctor who gets caught up in their whole weird thing. Bonus: The movie opens with Bauhaus performing “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” If you miss this afternoon screening, it’ll reappear at 7:15 p.m. on October 26. 3 p.m., $10, the Beverly Theater, thebeverly theater.com. –Geoff Carter
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AVRIL LAVIGNE 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, events.taogroup.com. (Courtesy)
U2 8 p.m., & 10/21, 10/25, Sphere, ticketmaster.com. ADELE 8 p.m., & 10/21, the Colosseum, ticketmaster.com. PBR TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP Thru 10/22, times vary, T-Mobile Arena, axs.com. USHER 9 p.m., & 10/22, 10/25, Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com.
AMERICAN LA RONDE 7:30 p.m., & 10/21 (& 10/22, 2 p.m.), Alta Ham Fine Arts Black Box Theatre, unlv.edu. LIONEL RICHIE 8 p.m., & 10/21, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com. EARTH, WIND & FIRE 8:30 p.m., & 10/21-10/22, 10/25, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com. HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS VS. SAN JOSE BARRACUDA 7 p.m., (& 10/21, 1 p.m.) Dollar Loan Center, axs.com. MARAUDA With Versa & Chibs, Hukae, 8 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, seetickets.us. BLACK PUNK NOW Times vary, Punk Rock Museum, thepunkrock museum.com.
ALL TIME LOW With Gym Class Heroes, 8 p.m., Pearl Concert Theater, ticketmaster.com. UNLV DANCE: FIRST LIGHT 7:30 p.m., (&10/21, 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.) Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, unlv. edu. SUM 41 With Bowling for Soup, Plain White T’s, Strange 80’s, Your Broken Hero, 8 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster. com. LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR 8 p.m., & 10/21 (& 10/22, 2 p.m.), Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org. DIPLO 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com. EMO NITE 10 p.m., & 10/21, Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com. HELLKATS NIGHT BEFORE CAR SHOW 4 p.m., Silverton, silvertoncasino.com. TEE GRIZZLEY 10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. YAKZ With Prosody, Sol, 11:45 p.m., La Mona Rosa, seetickets.us.
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 .
SUPERGUIDE
BILLY IDOL 8:30 p.m., & 10/21, 10/25, the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com.
SOMETHING CORPORATE 7:30 p.m., House of Blues, concerts. livenation.com.
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SUPERGUIDE
SATURDAY 21 OCT.
SHAMELESS PLUG ARTS FESTIVAL It’s a question that comes up a lot: How do we support the arts? Start by clearing your calendar for this free, one-day celebration of Las Vegas creatives. The third annual Shameless Plug Arts Festival offers a window into our city’s best and brightest musicians, designers, zine-makers, sculptors and painters under the banner of fostering a more supportive community around the scene. Local art collective and media company Eccentric Artists launched the festival in 2021 as a way to invite collaboration without competition. This year’s fest, themed around the nostalgia of the late ’90s and early 2000s, features more than 25 exhibitors, including queer zine-maker Cosmic Q Publishing and stop-motion animator Imaginary Frames, plus live performances from pop/hip-hop outfit Panda, singer-songwriter Rhaina Yasmin, musical comic and actress Serenity Garcia (Party Down, Home Economics), Latin funk band The Red Seduction and more. Also returning this year is Eccentric Artists’ film showcase challenge, in which attendees will view and vote on indie submitted films based on nostalgia. 4:30 p.m., free (donations encouraged), Fergusons Downtown, eccentricartists.space. –Amber Sampson
UNLV FOOTBALL VS. COLORADO STATE 4 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, unlvtickets. com.
LAS VEGAS BOOK FESTIVAL 10 a.m., Historic Fifth Street School, lasve gasbookfestival.com.
FUERZA REGIDA 8 p.m., Michelob Ultra Arena, axs.com.
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG FESTIVAL 11 a.m., & 10/22, Las Vegas Festival Grounds, whenwewereyoungfestival.com.
JORDAN DAVIS With Kameron Marlowe, Avery Anna, 7:30 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com.
HABSTRAKT With Taiki Nulight, Capozzi, Sidequest, Jacknife, Monstr, 6 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, seetickets.us.
VEGAS VEGFEST 11 a.m., Clark County Amphitheater, veg asvegfest.com.
TEDDY SWIMS 9 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience.com.
ELADIO CARRION 7 p.m., House of Blues, concerts.livena tion.com.
AKI MATSURI JAPANESE FESTIVAL 11 a.m., Water Street Plaza, akimatsurinv.com.
DIAMOND 60TH ANNIVERSAY CELEBRATION 11 a.m., Commercial Center, commercial centerdistrict.com.
EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN 11 p.m., & 10/22, Brooklyn Bowl, ticket master.com.
TIËSTO Noon, Ayu Dayclub, zoukgrouplv.com. LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC: SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com. STEVE AOKI 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, events. taogroup.com.
GUCCI MANE 10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. GREAT AMERICAN FOODIE FEST FOOD TRUCK & WINE WALK 6 p.m., Tivoli Village, greatamericanfoodiefest.com. THE EMO NIGHT TOUR 10:30 p.m., Intrigue Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.
(Wu-Tang Clan/Courtesy)
S U P E R G U I D E
WU-TANG CLAN & NAS 8 p.m., MGM Grand Garden Arena, axs.com.
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SUNDAY 22 OCT.
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THE O’JAYS 8 p.m., Pearl Concert Theater, ticketmaster.com. (AP Photo)
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: A FAMILY CONCERT 2 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com. NF HOPE CONCERT 1 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter. com.
SUPERGUIDE
BLOSSOM 8 p.m., the Wall at Area15, area15.com. DYING WISH With Omerta, Gates to Hell Excide, 6 p.m., American Legion Post 8, seetickets. us. JEFF DUNHAM 8 p.m., Bakkt Theater, ticketmaster.com.
MONDAY 23
SHADOWCALLER With My Own Burial, Vexovi, 8 p.m., the Griffin, eventbrite.com.
OCT.
VAVO & BRANDI CYRUS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.
MUSIC
TRISTAN SELZLER TRIO 7 p.m., Maxan Jazz, maxanjazz.com.
PARTY
SPORTS
MONDAYS DARK 8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdrk.com.
ARTS
JASON COLLINGS With Lisa Curry, Jerry Rocha, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, bradgar rettcomedy. com.
DJ SHIFT 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, events. taogroup.com.
FOOD + DRINK
BRIAN GLOWACKI With Flip Schultz, Traci Skene, thru 10/29, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m., Laugh Factory, ticketmaster. com.
COMEDY
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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TUESDAY 24 SUPERGUIDE OCT..
MUSIC
PARTY
SPORTS
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 8 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.
SOFI TUKKER 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, events. taogroup.com.
WEDNESDAY 25 OCT.
JAMES CAMACHO Thru 10/26, 8 p.m., Westgate Comedy Cabaret, ticketmaster.com.
AHEE & JAENGA 10 p.m., Discopussy, discopussydtlv. com.
NIKKI CARR Thru 10/29, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, best vegascomedy. com.
ARIZONA 7 p.m., House of Blues, concerts.livenation.com. (Courtesy/Jimmy Fontaine)
KEYSHIA COLE 9 p.m., Ghostbar, palms.com.
S U P E R G U I D E
ARTS
UNLV SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: SKORYK CONCERTO 7:30 p.m., Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, unlv.edu.
FOOD + DRINK
RITTZ With Jehry Robinson, Noble Poets, 7 p.m., the Usual Place, eventbrite.com.
COMEDY
MISC
GREEN OUR PLANET STUDENT FARMERS MARKET 10 a.m., Clark County Government Center, greenourplanet. org.
SUPERGUIDE
EARL TURNER 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter. com.
PASTA & PUCCINI Opera and dining don’t necessarily go hand in hand. But shouldn’t they? In its 25th year, Opera Las Vegas is hosting a “mini-gala” at Monzú Italian Oven with entertainment from a quartet of top-tier singers. The evening will feature chef Gio Mauro’s fine food and wine paired with opera selections by 19th-century librettist Giacomo Puccini, including Madama Butterfly, Turandot, Tosca, and La Bohème. Guests can look forward to traditional pasta, pizza, and cannoli for dessert, served with the age-old, electrifying art of opera … If that’s wrong, we don’t want to be right. 5:30 p.m., $150-$200, Monzú Italian Oven, operalasvegas.com. –Shannon Miller
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 .
THE O’JAYS SUNDAY
OCTOBER 22
THE CULT
WITH SPECIAL GUEST COLD CAVE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
OCTOBER 27 & 28
LOVERBOY SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 4
TRACY MORGAN THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 9
HERE TO Scan & see how Palms does entertainment.
4321 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
A Retro Modern
Burlesque Show
Opening October 28, 2023 Tickets available at virginhotelslv.com
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(Courtesy/Cole Curtis)
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T H E
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ Apart from providing quality product and service, the underlying fuel for any successful business is design. Without a strong visual identity, it’s easy for an operation to fall through the cracks rather than be at the forefront of the competition. Graphic designer Blaze Ben Brooks has a keen understanding of this. And his artistic flair is helping to style local businesses. His portfolio includes the Silver Stamp, Carl’s Donuts, Lucid Juliet, Mothership Coffee, De La Lux Beauté and more. Heavily inspired by tattooing and vintage advertising, Brooks utilizes a trifecta of illustrator programs to create graphic illustrations with distressed details and interactive fonts that are often mistaken for analog media. These techniques make his work distinguishable from typical commercial branding and he’s being sought out now more than ever. The Weekly sat down with Brooks at Bungalow Coffee, one of his most recent clients, to chat about his exposure to art, his time in Brooklyn and his hometown of Las Vegas finding its artistic stride. Have you always been an artist or had an interest in art? Yeah, growing up my mom and dad owned a salon called Divas Studio and the environment my parents created was centered around counterculture. That whole thing bred a
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Q & A
INSPIRED ILLUSTRATION Graphic designer Blaze Ben Brooks is helping to build creative identities
collection of people. Small subtleties like someone having pink hair and being exposed to ideas pushed me to want to create the world that I wanted to see. So you’ve always known you were going to take your own path? Definitely. One of the key memories of the creative side of me growing up, was my parents having me in art camp. Kim Bavington, who’s a local, would run this program called Art Camp for Kids, which is still around today. She would pick an artist, show us one of their most famous works, and show us how to recreate it in our own way. So we were also getting a little bit of art history. Your parents seemed to encourage your interest in art, including your dad bringing you how-to-draw books. That’s another one of my concrete memories. He’d sit down and draw with me two or three nights out of the week. There was a bit of a competitive streak, too. If his was better than mine, I’d be upset ... or
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even just having competition with myself. But that was my first time ever experiencing some form of technique and structure. How did living in Brooklyn shape your art style? New York set the standard, at least in terms of quality, ideas, depth, personality and self expression. From the local businesses to the underground art scene, the spectrum is much wider than here. And I think being exposed to that spectrum allowed me to really just ask myself more when I’m creating and think things out a little bit further, just break out of that box. Once I started getting tattooed in Brooklyn, I remember being around artists that have a signature look to their tattoos, and not only wanting to be tattooed by them, but also studying them as an artist. When it comes to the local businesses that you’ve worked with, how involved are they in the creative process? Smaller businesses come up with the concepts behind their culture. Walk
into a place like, let’s say, Velveteen Rabbit—everything is Victorian, with old school furniture, and it’s dark, it’s moody. I’m always looking for a signature and staples within their brand that I can take and convert it into my own art style. What are some of the challenges that come with working with small businesses? People get so set on adding like the Vegas skyline, or other unoriginal ideas and it’s that stubbornness or lack of openness that can be destructive. Vegas has the ... potential to look as good as New York and LA. It has all the assets, they’re just not being implemented. We have the talent to reach that standard. Yeah, look at the Durango [Casino & Resort] opening and everything they’re doing marketing-wise, it’s gorgeous. I think some of those main players are from LA but it just shows that it’s coming anyways and you better be ready to be on that train or at least learn from it. It’s a good thing you stuck around. Coming back from Brooklyn, it was either staying or going somewhere that’s gonna give the feeling that there’s creativity. I chose the former because I was born and raised here. I have the sense of pride and hope that says, hey, I can change this place. Not just by myself, but I think I can bring what I learned. For more, visit blazebenbrooks. com.
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Take in the dining, retail, activities and vibes of the Las Vegas Valley’s newest corner Inside Amari at UnCommons. (Model: Hailey Harris; Wade Vandervort/Staff)
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It begins with the Beltway. The first iteration of the highway we now know as I-215 was completed in April 2003, which makes this 50-milelong stretch of pavement only slightly younger than Olivia Rodrigo. At the time, it looked like a road to nowhere: If you drove the Beltway’s southwest leg, from I-15 to Flamingo, you’d encounter only a few scattered rows of residential and retail development, adrift in giant swaths of as-yet-undeveloped desert. It took a while for the western Valley to crowd in around the 215, but today, southwest Las Vegas is booming. The southern portion of Summerlin filled out; Spring Valley and Enterprise built up. Driving the Beltway today, you see giant midrise apartment buildings, rows of tract homes and even a few mega-mansions carved out of rocky hilltops. You see several corporate headquarters, including those of UFC, Boyd Gaming and Switch. And you can easily spot many densely-packed dining and retail developments, and an IKEA the size of a fjord. All of this seemingly sprung up, fully formed, in just under a Rodrigo. “When I first moved out there 20 years ago, it was a pretty barren area,” says Clark County District F Commissioner Justin Jones, whose area of oversight includes a good portion of the southwest Valley. “But it was a popular place for people to move, and as they moved out here they wanted good places to eat, wanted good places to shop. That’s led to some really creative and innovative projects.” And those projects are hitting now. Durango Casino
& Resort, a luxe 200-room Station Casinos property, opens next month. Steps away is UnCommons, a live-work development filled with boutique retail and upscale dining spots both local and national. Coming next year, just north of IKEA, is the Bend, a dining and entertainment complex anchored by a 10-court pickleball center. UNLV’s 122-acre tech incubator, the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, is now seeking tenants ranging from startups to film production companies. And Desert Breeze Park, just a bit outside of the southwest boom, is expanding to include an outdoor event space that can accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 people. “It’s exciting to see the kind of development that you see in places like Tucson popping up in the southwest Valley,” Jones says, adding that he likes to think that he’s “living in the southwest of the Southwest.” Aside from easy access and abundant land, it’s tough to conjecture exactly why the southwest is going off the way it is. (It’s also tough to say where the southwest begins and ends. For the sake of this roundup, let’s say it’s bordered by Flamingo Road to the north, Decatur Boulevard to the east, Blue Diamond Road to the south and Fort Apache Road to the west, though we may blur those lines a bit.) But we can say this: When a part of your city sprouts some of its best dining, its biggest parks and its most unique retail spaces, attention must be paid. Join the Weekly as we hop the beltway and drive through the suburbs, exploring Vegas’ newest and hottest corner. –Geoff Carter
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Lunch, dinner, drinks and dessert The southwest Valley is home to some stars and some lesser-known gems for dining and drinking. Pull up to the raw bar at 3655 S. Durango Drive #6 #6) to Other Mama (3655 enjoy fresh oysters, creative seafood dishes and craft cocktails. Just south at Sean 8255 W. Flamingo Road) Patrick’s (8255 drink specials and bar bites like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and drunken potato skins await. Next, Milpa (4226 S. Durango Drive #101)) not only serves up healthy food featuring corn ground in-house; they also pour mean palomas and micheladas and have some of the tastiest coffee on this side of town. Continuing south, Giuseppe’s (6065 S. Durango Dr.)) offers classics like stuffed banana hot peppers with Italian sausage, chicken parmigiana sliders and pastas, sandwiches, pizzas and a variety of Italian-American entrees in a
Tamales at Milpa. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
sports bar setting. Taps & Barrels (6111 S. Buffalo Dr. #110) has dozens of self-serve craft beers, delectable charcuterie boards, butter boards and crispy, flavor-packed beerhouse wings. For a sweet break, try luxury confections from Crumbl Cookies (6255 S. Durango Dr.), particularly the peaches and cream or red velvet creations. On the south side of the 215 beltway, neighborhood favorite Katsuya Ton Ton ((7225 7225 S. Durango Dr. #105 #105) usually has people lining up out the door for crispy fried cutlets served with rice and tonkatsu sauce with sesame seeds. Across the street, Garlic Yuzu (7250 S. Durango Drive Drive) presents New American-style food with a Far East twist. Prix fixe menus include sake-steamed Maine scallop with risotto, and 12-hour slow-cooked pork jowl with garlic puree and ube gnocchi.
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At Jason James Pizza Bistro (8680 W. Warm Springs Road #100), fill up with pastrami pickle pizza, street corn dip, or their house bread made with coarse sea salt and olive oil–pure comfort in food form. Round out this southwest Valley excursion by hopping over to Beer Zombies (8680 W. Warm Springs Road # 170) for a 100% independent craft brew. East of Durango, Good Morning Kitchen (5587 S. Rainbow Blvd.) serves up barbacoa benedicts and breakfast sandwiches worth the inevitable wait. Rainbow Boulevard brunch continues at Rosallie Le French Cafe (6090 S. Rainbow Blvd.), where sandwiches arrive on freshly baked sourdough, croissants come savory or sweet and the question of more quiche keeps customers shouting, “Oui, oui!” Steer the morning to Lemon Tree Cafe & Market (6111 S. Buffalo Drive #150) next and enjoy smoked Scottish salmon and queso fresco egg scrambles, or meet up later for a glass of wine and charcuterie. For deep-fried fare, try Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken (6455 S. Rainbow Blvd. #101), world famous for its double-fried, audibly crunchy drumsticks, wings and strips, tossed in Bonchon’s signature sauces or the sweet and spicy yangnyeom flavor for an extra bit of yum factor. South of Bonchon, the Asian cuisine heats up with steamboats of flavor from Alley-
way Hot Pot (7385 S. Rainbow Blvd. #120). Treat yourself to a bacon-wrapped Dirt Dog (8390 S. Rainbow Blvd. #100), smothered in toppings that range from cheddar sauce and chimichurri to pastrami and carne asada. Wash that ultimate hold-my-beer dog down with a brew from Scooter’s Pub (6200 S. Rainbow Blvd.), a tavern with a generous happy hour, round-the-clock games and your regular on draft. If you’re springing for something more date night, check out Basilico Ristorante Italiano (6111 S. Buffalo Drive #100), an upscale take on modern Italian headed by Francesco Di Caudo, a James Beard Award semifinalist chef bringing playful new dishes like the “smoked cigar” duck mousse roll to life. All this cuisine calls for dessert and lucky for you, Creamberry (7965 S. Rainbow Blvd. #140) and Sorry, Not Sorry Creamery (9484 W. Flamingo Road #165) are both in the southwest. Creamberry’s famous cotton candy burrito, along with its rolled ice cream and color-popping puff waffles deserve all the praise, while Sorry, Not Sorry’s house-made ice cream, sourced from a 100-year-old dairy farm, comes in 16 flavors, including four seasonal options like the pumpkin spice cheesecake crumble and roasted fig, goat cheese and honey scoop. –Shannon Miller & Amber Sampson
Parks and recreation (and a little sports retail)
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Basilico’s branzino. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
Southwest Vegas has a teeny bit of natural grandeur going on. The craggy Desert Hills loom impressively in the background when you visit the area’s parks, particularly Red Ridge Park (9198 W. Arby Avenue), which boasts a disc golf course and mile-long walking trail; Mountain’s Edge Regional Park (8101 W. Mountains Edge Parkway), a sprawling paradise of picnic spots and sports fields; James Regional Sports Park (8400 W. Robindale Road), all soccer, all the time; and Mesa Park (5401 Mesa Park Drive), which accentuates the rocks with a huge, doggo-friendly expanse of green grass. And if you want to experience those hills up close, the Gypsum Ridge Trailhead (at West Wigwam Avenue and South Grand Canyon Drive) offers a spectacularly scenic walkabout. At this time of year, however, you might prefer to glide through your life. The Las Vegas Ice Center (9295 W. Flamingo Road #130) provides ice for hockey, figure skating, fitness and good-old public skate sessions. (And their in-house bar and restaurant, Brooksy’s Bar and Grill, is ideal for those of us who prefer to watch others getting cross-checked.) The aforementioned Desert Breeze Park (8275 W. Spring Mountain Road) has a pair of regulation roller hockey rinks and a giant skatepark in close proximity. And while you enjoy these cool-weather activities, you can dream of the hot, sunny day in 2024 when Cowabunga Canyon Summerlin (7055 S. Fort Apache Road), the waterpark formerly known as Wet ‘n’ Wild, turns on the water to its slides and begins its long summer season. The southwest is also home to some Valley-favorite sporting gear suppliers. Haynes Bowling Supply (5255 S. Decatur Blvd. #102), run by bowlers for bowlers, sells practically everything but the alley. Las Vegas Cyclery (10575 Discovery Drive) will set you up with a two-wheeled ride that’s ready to tackle the Red Rock Scenic Loop if you are. (They also have a large selection of E-bikes if you’re not much into rolling hills.) And true to its name, Gravity Sports (9775 W Russell Road #120) is a full-service skateboard and snowboard shop devoted to enabling you to slip gravity’s pull. –Geoff Carter
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Sights at UnCommons. (Courtesy)
New & different
UnCommons has hit the ground running as one of the Valley’s most engaging live-work-play developments BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ It’s a rare address that anticipates things you might need while also offering amenities you never before thought you’d be interested in. UnCommons (at 6880 Helen Toland Street, directly adjacent to the Durango Casino & Resort), a mixed-use development in the heart of the southwest Valley, is endeavoring to become the live, work and play environment you’ve long imagined. A collaboration between Matter Real Estate Group and the architectural firm Gensler, UnCommons began development back in 2020. Currently in phase 2 of its construction timeline, the 40-acre property is already bustling with visitors and activity. Valley residents are flocking to the food and beverage mecca at the center of the property, which is already home to popular draws like Italian restaurant and wine market Amari , Cuban-inspired bakery and bodega Mercadito, Portland-based gourmet ice creamery Salt & Straw, health-forward LA import Urth Caffé and the Sundry food hall, with tequila tiki bar Todo Bien, Japanese-Peruvian fusion spot Kaiyo and many more still to come. But UnCommons’ amenities don’t begin and end with its dining. Vestra is the residential community within UnCommons, comprised of three midrise towers and over 350 dwellings. Their apartments range in size from studios to three-bedroom units, and even a limited number of penthouses which could accommodate a variety of lifestyles and family sizes. Apart from the modern interior design and technology, residents have access to a state-of-the-art fitness
center, pool and co-working space. With capacity already nearing 90%, Vestra is on its way to becoming one of the Valley’s most sought-after communities to live in. Steps away are the office spaces that are home to big-name tenants such as DraftKings, Morgan Stanley and Sotheby’s Realty. UnCommons encourages current and new tenants to “give the WFH [work from home] crowd FOMO [fear of missing out],” by building up the social connections that many businesses have steered away from in recent years. Retail and lifestyle spaces are still coming online, but already include the small-batch chandlery Speakeasy Candle Co. (pro tip: sign up for a candle-making workshop for access to the secret room) and Capelli Salon, with a luxury movie theater soon to break ground. Events are a big part of the culture the developers are striving to create. The latest addition on that front, a dedicated event space called The Assembly, is positioned to be the ideal venue for networking events, weddings and other parties. The real draw is the catering options from the world-class restaurants only a few feet away. Meanwhile, UnCommons’ center quad has already established itself as the heartbeat of the entire complex. Public events like the Sunday Sessions poetry night by Beyond the Neon, Fresh52 Farmers Market and Market in the Alley are just a few on the calendar. All told, UnCommons seamlessly blends a solid variety of amenities within its complex. And we’re sure to see a few more surprises pop up there before construction is done.
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elevation Station
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
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Durango Casino & Resort could help define the neighborhood
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Bel-Aire Lounge and an Applejack Old Fashioned from The George. (Courtesy)
BY BROCK RADKE The time is right. Southwest Valley residents who have been scooting out to Green Valley Ranch Resort or in the other direction, to Summerlin’s Red Rock Resort, are about to have their very own Station Casinos luxury destination in their own backyard. The $780 million Durango Casino & Resort is primed to open on November 20 at the corner of the Beltway and Durango Drive, with desert-inspired décor, 200 rooms and suites, loads of original restaurant concepts, an 83,000-squarefoot casino and sportsbook, and, of course, free parking. For Station, it’s a return to form after the five-year takeover of the Palms, a challenging endeavor into Strip-style hospitality for the neighborhood casino company. It’s also a new beginning after the company closed and demolished three older properties after the pandemic; Durango is expected to be the first of several new projects expanding Station’s already sprawling footprint.
For this up-and-coming corner of Las Vegas, it’s another development adding to an interesting new identity. “It’s such a cliché, but timing is everything,” says Durango Casino vice president and general manager Dave Horn. “Sometimes the population development has to come to you and that’s kind of what has occurred here. There was development already at Rhodes Ranch and at Decatur and Buffalo, but in recent years it’s really taken off and extended down Blue Diamond and I think we’re capitalizing on the timing of that growth. “The commerce in this area is getting strong. If you look out from our property you can see building happening in all different ways. It’s exciting.” Station has owned the land site for years and received approval from the Clark County Commission and unveiled plans to build Durango in October 2021. Ground was broken the following March for the 15-story tower, and details
about the resort—specifically its comprehensive food and beverage offerings—have been trickling out throughout 2023. “Food and beverage is a huge part of what we do and there are a lot of staples people have come to expect from us when we open these venues,” Horn says. “We haven’t gone away from those staples, we’ve just changed the variation and the theme of how they’re presented.” A good example is upgrading the standard and still popular neighborhood casino food court with Durango’s Eat Your Heart Out food hall, a 25,000-square-foot communal culinary experience that will feature LA transplant Irv’s Burgers and New York City’s Prince Street Pizza as well as another version of Marc Vetri’s Fiorella concept, a re-creation of Palace Station’s Oyster Bar and beloved local eateries Yu Or Mi Sushi, Shang Artisan Noodle, Vesta Coffee and Nielsen’s Frozen Custard. Horn points out that partnering with local, family-owned restau-
rants speaks to the longstanding culture at Station, and other venues at the property will see new collaborations and extensions of some of the company’s existing partnerships. Clique Hospitality, which runs restaurants at Green Valley and Palace Station, will manage the Bel-Aire Backyard pool area and the Bel-Aire Lounge near the lobby; Lettuce Entertain You will introduce its California-inspired Summer House concept at Durango; and Fine Company will install the upscale sports lounge and entertainment venue The George adjacent to the sportsbook. The recent boom in development in the southwest makes the timing of this opening a little more interesting. GVR and Red Rock brought new levels of luxury to their respective neighborhoods and offered entertainment and activities that were previously missing. There may already be a fancy food hall and other amenities in the southwest, but Durango will aim to provide bigger experiences. And it could certainly attract customers from other parts of the Valley, another Station tradition, as well as out-of-towners excited to explore the latest in Vegas. “We always target that audience we’re speaking to in our local area, but … we have a regional database and a national database, and we’re looking to hopefully see some of that regional travel from the five surrounding states,” Horn adds. “We’re not on the Strip, we’re not 3,000 rooms, but we have guests who enjoy the service touches you don’t see in bigger venues.”
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
IN THE
1 NEWS
UNLV FOOTBALL RECOGNIZED
For the first time since 2003, the Scarlet and Gray received votes in the Top 25 coaches poll—not enough to crack the top 25 but enough to say coaches are taking notice of what is happening under first-year coach Barry Odom, whose team is 5-1 now.
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ACTORS STRIKE CONTINUES
Talks acrimoniously broke off between Hollywood’s actors and major studios October 11, killing any hopes that the threemonth strike by performers would come to an end anytime soon. The union decried the studios’ “bullying tactics” and said they were wildly mischaracterizing their offers.
POST MALONE TO HEADLINE FONTAINEBLEAU FOR NEW YEAR’S Fontainebleau Las Vegas left out some key details regarding its arrival on the Las Vegas Strip when a December 13 grand opening was announced last month—most notably, details about live entertainment. Now we know of at least one show scheduled to usher in the long-awaited resort’s entertainment offerings, as Post Malone will ring in the new year with two concerts on December 30 and 31 at the 3,800-seat BleauLive Theater. Tickets start at $150 and go on sale October 20 at fontainebleaulasvegas. com/entertainment/nye. “Fontainebleau has a decades-long legacy of welcoming the world’s biggest headliners for our New Year’s Eve guests,” Jeffrey Soffer, Fontainebleau
development chairman and CEO, said in a statement, referring to the nearly 70-year-old Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort. “We’re incredibly proud to have Post Malone ... make history as the first artist to perform for our guests following our grand opening.” Malone last performed in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena in November of 2022. He has since released his fifth album, Austin, featuring live instrumentation and continuing a gradual musical shift away from the sparse hip-hop sounds that defined his debut. “New Year’s Eve is iconic in this city and I’m excited to ring in 2024 as the first headliner at Fontainebleau Las Vegas,” he said in a statement. -Brock Radke
HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY: GET YOUR SHOT N E W S
Health officials and pharmaceutical experts attending the ISPE Expo on October 16 delivered a clear message: Get your updated COVID-19 vaccines. Thomas Hartman, president and CEO of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, said there was rightfully some concern about COVID-19 as the weather turns colder and brings an expected climb in cases. “It’s an important part of self-responsibility and responsibility for the society,” Hartman said. Such concerns pushed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to provide updated COVID vaccine emergency authorization for use beginning this fall. EG.5 or Eris, a subvariant of COVID, is estimated to be the dominant strain circulating in the U.S. It is estimated to have made up almost 24% of known COVID cases as of October 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Oct. 5, Clark County was seeing a seven-day moving average of 36 people testing positive for COVID, according to the Southern Nevada Health District. About 12 people a day were being hospitalized with the virus, although no local COVID deaths had been reported during the target period, the data shows. -Grace Da Rocha
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$15.7 MILLION:
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That’s how much federal grant funds Nevada will receive for urban forestry initiatives aimed at protecting neighborhoods hit hardest by climate change. Las Vegas will receive $5 million, North Las Vegas $1 million. and ImpactNV, an environmental nonprofit, will receive $3 million.
DUELING GOP CONTESTS
Nevada’s presidential nominating contests have split the Republican presidential field, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opting to compete against former President Donald Trump in the caucus run by the state GOP while three others run instead in the early state primary. POLITICS
Vice President Kamala Harris, right, high fives moderator Annie Gonzalez during a Fight For Our Freedoms event October 12 at College of Southern Nevada’s North Las Vegas campus. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
PLANS MADE TO GET WORKERS TO STRIP WITH F1 IN TOWN When the Las Vegas Grand Prix comes to town November 16-18 to shutter Las Vegas Boulevard and some surrounding side streets for the 3.8-mile track, Marcus Lucas, a porter at the Mirage, isn’t certain how his commute will be affected. “I’m worried that I won’t be able to make it to my shift in time,” Lucas wrote last month in a letter to the Clark County Commission. “I’m excited about the Formula One race as well as the other events coming to town. This is my hometown and the growth over the years has been amazing, but we have to get to work and back home to our families.” The Formula One race and related activities are projected to bring at least $1 billion to Las Vegas’ economy, but many locals
HOT SHOT
have raised concerns about what it could mean for their daily lives. A major question has been how employees in the Resort Corridor will get to work with the number of anticipated road closures, traffic and more. At least one solution has been approved. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority signed off on a $300,000 contract that will allow Resort Corridor employees to park at satellite lots— including 4,300 parking spots at the Las Vegas Convention Center—and access the Strip on a shuttle or the Las Vegas Monorail. Buses will be paid for through the contract; monorail tickets aren’t covered. It costs $1 for those with Nevada ID to ride the monorail. -Katie Ann McCarver
NEVADA JOINS FIGHT TO PROTECT MEDICATION ABORTION Attorney General Aaron Ford has joined a multistate coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to protect access to medication abortion. The group filed the brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s and Danco Laboratories’ petitions to reverse the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling that reinstated certain medically unnecessary, and previously eliminated, restrictions on the medication abortion drug mifepristone. Mifepristone is the only FDA-approved abortion medication, and the coalition argues that the Fifth Circuit’s ruling has dangerous consequences on reproductive health care outcomes, particularly for low-income and underserved communities. -Staff
Attendees of the G2E Global Gaming Expo try out Light and Wonder’s new Squid Game slot machines October 11 at the Venetian. More than 25,000 people attended the convention over four days, a hair off 2019’s record 27,000 turnout. The event was canceled in 2020, and 2021 attracted 13,000 delegates. (Brian Ramos)
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STRIP STRIKE Culinary and Bartenders Union members picket after ‘no progress’ in negotiations
E M P L O Y M E N T
BY SHANNON MILLER
Culinary Union members picket outside of Paris Las Vegas and other Strip resort properties on October 12. (Brian Ramos/Staff)
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“What do we want?”
“Contract!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” Culinary and Bartenders Union members yelled from picket lines outside Park MGM on October 12. A chorus of car horns from Las Vegas Boulevard chimed in. “MGM, look around! Vegas is a union town!” the chants continued in a sea of red shirts and picket signs. According to Culinary Workers Union Local 226, thousands of members showed up before and after their shifts, some still in uniform, to picket at eight different properties on the Strip. The Culinary Union is urging the public, customers, elected officials and convention planners to not cross the pickets and to “stand in solidarity with workers by not eating, meeting or staying in a casino resort during an active picket line.” Since April, the Culinary Union, along with the Bartenders Union Local 165, has been negotiating with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts, the Strip’s largest employers, for a new five-year contract. As of September 15, 40,000 guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry and kitchen workers at 18 casino resorts are working under an expired contract, according to the Culinary Union. While much of the contract remains in place, the no-strike provisions are no longer in effect. On September 26, 95% of Culinary and Bartenders Union members voted to authorize a citywide strike, meaning the unions now are authorized to call a strike at any time. “Since then, we’ve had another
round of bargaining with all three major Strip companies, and we’ve made no progress whatsoever,” said the Culinary Union’s secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge during media interviews amid the picket, which spread from Paris Las Vegas in the morning to the Horseshoe, Planet Hollywood, the Linq, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Park MGM and New York-New York by the evening. “The message we’re trying to send today with this mass picket in multiple locations … is that these companies are really walking down the wrong path. They’re going in the wrong direction. And if they want to have any hope of averting a strike, we’re going to have to get to the bargaining table and get these big issues that are still on the table worked out.” The unions are asking for the “largest wage increases ever negotiated in the history of the Culinary Union.” Spokesperson Bethany Khan told the Associated Press union members earn about $26 hourly. Pappageorge declined to give the amount of the proposed raise. The secretary-treasurer outlined five areas of negotiation with the casino companies: economics (wages, healthcare and pension); technology; workload reduction, especially for housekeepers; safety on the job; and the right to respect picket lines for non-union workers. He says companies should be able to meet these demands, based on Vegas
casino resorts setting “records on profit, records on margins, records on visitation.” In July 2022, Las Vegas recorded 3.49 million visitors, the highest monthly visitation since pandemic shutdowns. And that record has been broken twice this year. Gaming revenues also set a single-month record earlier this year when the Gaming Control Board in July reported $834.9 million of revenue on the Strip alone. According to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, visitor volume is up 32% compared to last year, with Strip occupancy at 86.4% (up 6.4% from last year). Average daily room rates on the Strip are at $189.75 (up 11% from last year) with $163.94 revenue per room (up 20% compared to last year). In 2022, average daily room rates on the Strip were up 25.2% compared to 2021. “Room rates they’re charging are through the roof, but they’re not even cleaning your rooms daily,” Pappageorge says. “If these companies are going to do great, we’re not okay with just keeping up with inflation. And folks have to pay, now more than ever, for rent, housing, gas, electricity or groceries. And we’re just not going to stand for that.” A statement from Wynn Resorts says the company has had a “positive and cordial working relationship with labor unions and has always reached satisfactory agreements with each.” “Our employees are the heart and soul of Wynn, and we will continue to work with Local 226 and Local 165 to reach an agreement that provides our employees with competitive wages and benefits, in a work environment that matches our high standards.” MGM Resorts and Caesars did not reply to requests for comment. The Culinary Union’s picketing comes weeks before Las Vegas is scheduled to host the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, an international racing event expected to bring more than 100,000 visitors to the city.
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UNREST AMONG WORKERS The Culinary and Bartenders Unions are not alone in demanding more from employers. They’re acting against a backdrop of labor disputes playing out across the country, from the United Auto Workers (UAW) in Detroit to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in Hollywood. UNLV professor Ruben Garcia, co-director of UNLV’s Workplace Law Program, says there are several factors in common among the disputes. “You have a town that is really focused on a single industry. … You have the same kind of cycle with the pandemic, and everyone looking to see what the post-pandemic future of the entertainment or gaming [and] casino industries will be. … And the workers basically saying, in both cases, ‘We’re looking for a bigger share of that bounce-back.’” While some unions like the Writers Guild of America have reached an agreement with employers, others including the UAW and SAG-AFTRA continue with bitter negotiations. As the Culinary Union and hotel resorts continue with negotiations, Garcia says it’s not uncommon for negotiations to go up to the deadline or past deadlines. But the timing of events like Formula 1 and the Super Bowl in February lends an urgency to them. “As it goes on longer, you have the possibility of more workers being interested in jobs, then having to cross the picket line to take those jobs. But also, the longer it goes, the more it extends into the big events that are coming up in Las Vegas at the end of the year,” Garcia says. “At least for the moment, as those events get ramped up, the union does have an advantage in terms of the economics of the labor pool.” Pappageorge says another round of bargaining with the Strip’s three largest casino companies is expected in the coming weeks. And while “nobody wants to strike,” it could come to that. “If we hear that these companies aren’t really going to come to the table with proposals that are going to be fair, there could be a strike before the end of the month,” he says.
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BACK TO BLA CK Y A D N E E GR
K C A L B O T BACK C U L T U R E
SOMETH ING COR PORATE
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BY AMBER SAMPSON
IL IP ERCE THE VE
Five reasons to get pumped about Las Vegas’ 2023 When We Were Young Festival
THE ERA ENDURES. When We Were Young seized its moment to reclaim pop-punk’s place in the zeitgeist when it landed at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds last fall. And even after literal headwinds forced the fest to cancel day one of the first weekend, it prevailed, giving rise to another sold-out fest of nostalgia in 2023. In case you haven’t heard, early 2000s pop-punk and emo is in its revenge girl era. It’s swiftly becoming the best version of itself after navigating a few pitfalls. It got unpopular there for a moment. Things looked bleak. But the next generation of pop-punk is finally here, and it’s teeming with the Willows and KennyHooplas of the world. Even Olivia Rodrigo’s all about it. Elder emos who’ve awakened from their seasons-long slumber have a lot to look forward to this weekend, including headlining sets from Blink-182 and Green Day, plus performances by 30 Seconds to Mars, Something Corporate, The Offspring, Yellowcard, Pierce the Veil, All Time Low, Simple Plan, Sum 41, The Veronicas and some 40-plus other bands from our youth. THE REUNIONS WILL BE EPIC. Several reunions on the lineup leap out to us but perhaps the most exciting is Blink-182’s. A lot’s changed since we last saw this band. Travis Barker became a Kardashian. Tom DeLonge carried on as a frontman with Angels
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& Airwaves. But the original Blink-182 recently reunited for a global tour that’ll include DeLonge for the first time in nearly a decade. That’s music to our ears, as is the fact that Blink-182’s self-titled album, the one that brought us “Feeling This” and “I Miss You,” turns 20 this year. You can bet this will be a special set. Something Corporate, the band behind favorites like “Punk Rock Princess” and “Konstantine,” will also reunite after 10-plus years. Founding member Andrew McMahon moved on to start Jack’s Mannequin and his current outfit Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, but we can’t help but wonder what could have been. The core lineup has a headlining gig at House of Blues (October 20) that same weekend, so perhaps that’s a good place to find out.
SIDE GIGS WILL OFFER SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Last year’s weather cancellations didn’t stop several bands and Las Vegas promoters from teaming up to form some wicked pop-up shows. Bars like SoulBelly BBQ and Sand Dollar Lounge were packed to the gills with concert goers, and that same intimacy will be alive and well at the side shows. On Thursday, October 19 it’s Fit for a King and the Devil Wears Prada at House of Blues. On Friday, October 20, it’s All Time Low with Gym Class Heroes at The Pearl, and Sum 41 with Bowling for Soup and Plain White T’s at Brooklyn Bowl. And on October 21-22, Emo Night hosts a late-night party featuring New Found Glory’s Jordan Pundik and Matt Yonker from Less Than Jake, among others.
SURPRISES ARE IN STORE. If Vans Warped Tour taught us anything, it’s that a skate sesh can happen anywhere, anytime. The X Games announced it’ll host a full-on vert jam on the festival grounds, featuring all the heroes of our Tony Hawk Pro Skater dreams. The vert seshes will bring out Tony Hawk’s 10-year-old protégé Reese Nelson, 20-time X Games medalist Bucky Lasek, X Games vert gold medalist Jimmy Wilkins and a surprise Saturday demo from the Birdman, Tony Hawk, himself(!).
THE MUSIC STILL HAS AN UNPARALLELED PULL. Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” never ceases to transport us back to air guitaring in our adolescent bedrooms or that episode of MTV’s Total Request Live or that drunken night of karaoke. The same could be said about Green Day’s “American Idiot,” or Simple Plan’s “I’m Just a Kid” or anything from this lineup, really. It’s a joy to dive back into these deep cuts. And as we do, perhaps we’ll discover a deeper appreciation for what they meant to us during our youth.
BACK TO BLA CK
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG FESTIVAL October 21-22, 11 a.m., $250+. Las Vegas Festival Grounds, whenwew ereyoung festival. com.
(Courtesy/AP Photo)
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LAS VEGAS BOOK FESTIVAL October 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free. Historic Fifth Street School, lasvegasbookfestival.com.
P R I N T
FRESH READINGS
This year’s Las Vegas Book Festival once again offers big ideas and new perspectives
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BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ Readers, writers and storytelling enthusiasts are gearing up for the Las Vegas Book Festival. This annual event, now its 22nd year, offers a day filled with book-related activities, panels and workshops for all ages. “It’s Nevada’s longest-running literary festival. It’s been going on for 22 years and has gone through a lot of iterations,” says Maggie Plaster, deputy director of cultural affairs for the City of Las Vegas. “We have some great partners like Nevada Humanities and NV Energy that help us with the festival. It’s a really special community event for Las Vegas.” As with years past, this year’s festival programming is rich with variety. The literary committee, headed by primary programmer Brian Garth, has been at work since the moment last year’s festival concluded, Plaster says, making a festival that has something for everyone—romance readers, history buffs, science fiction enthusiasts and more. This year’s fest includes its share of big names, including The House in the Pines author Ana Reyes, They Want to Kill Americans author Malcolm Nance, and Terry McMillan, author of Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. “I’m always excited about the headliners, because I do read their books before they come to the festival,” says Plaster. “I hear that Rebecca Yarros has a huge fan following.” The panel discussions look every bit as interesting, with a panel of female horror and thriller authors and a pinball panel moderated by Pinball Hall of Fame found-
Ana Reyes
Terry McMillan
er Tim Arnold. But one panel, held in the aptly-named Empowered Tent, looks especially compelling: the Women Behind The Mic panel, moderated by Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire. In the 1990s, Brookshire was the director of publicity at Arista Records, where she worked with big names like Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Puffy” Combs and Usher. Although she helped create marketing strategies for these then up-and-coming hip hop artists, women like Brookshire were not always given credit for their contributions. The panel is named after the book she co-authored (with former Bad Boy Records marketing director Michelle Joyce), which focuses on the women who helped build the music industry, rewriting them into history through their stories. “I am one of those women. We are the women who worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, with the most iconic artists and brands of all time,” says Brookshire. Panelists Vida Dyson-Nash, Dr. Stone Love and Gwendolyn Quinn are all women who have made their mark and are ready to tell their own stories. Their experiences will provide invaluable insight into what it takes to get into the industry, how to stay there and the skills they’ve learned along the way. It’s also a plus that all four have crossed paths in their professional and personal lives, which should make for a fluid conversation. “It’s important because it’s time that young women get to see women who’ve done important work—that’s invaluable,” says Brookshire. “We are committed to teaching the next generation about careers in the entertainment industry as a viable option.”
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FEEL-GOOD FILM
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Ghosts of Goldfield (Courtesy)
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Movie fundraiser at the Beverly to benefit Las Vegas nonprofit helping victims of trauma THE MOST HORRIBLE HORROR MOVIE EVER October 19, 6 p.m., donation collected at the door. The Beverly Theater, unshakeable.org.
BY SHANNON MILLER The Las Vegas nonprofit Unshakeable helps women who are survivors of human trafficking, domestic and sexual violence, addiction and homelessness. The organization is teaming up with the Beverly Theater to hold a film screening fundraiser at the state-of-the-art venue on October 19. Founder Debbie Isaacs admits that the movie to be screened—her filmmaking debut Ghosts of Goldfield—is “the most horrible horror movie ever.” But there’s a lesson to be gleaned in showing it some love and attention. “I think the real story of Unshakeable is that your past doesn’t define you, and that is how the movie [fundraiser] idea came about. … The mission of Unshakeable is really to empower the women to know that victimization is what happened to them. Victimhood is a mindset they don’t need to stay in. And we are about building their future.” Filmed at the historic and reportedly haunted Goldfield Hotel in 2007, Ghosts of Goldfield had a “bad script but great talent,” including Kellan Lutz, Mandy Amano and the late, legendary professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Isaacs produced and sold the movie, which was distributed by Barnholtz Entertainment and amassed a “cultish following,” according to the Beverly’s chief experience officer Kip Kelly. “Some of the best experiences in a film house are with terrible movies. I mean, we showed Leprechaun 3 on St. Patrick’s Day because there was a Vegas connection. And that’s probably a step above what Ghosts of Goldfield is,” Kelly says. Although they make fun of it, the film kicked off Isaacs’ career in filmmaking. “It was the first thing I ever
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did, and it led me into the production world, where I met great people like Kip. And because of that, I ended up being in a courtroom many years ago, and my life was forever changed,” Isaacs explains. The idea for Unshakeable came about when Isaacs was a freelance producer. She heard about a court program helping to rehabilitate women who had been through traumas and ended up in the court system. “I went in wanting to tell their story, and came out knowing I needed to change it,” she says. “When I heard the women sharing their story, just either about how they were ashamed of what had happened to them or what they did or they just didn’t feel good enough … I understood what it feels like to not just feel good about yourself or confident or love yourself. “I just realized that their story is so much more than what [put] them in this particular program.” Unshakeable has helped more than 275 clients since it started in 2016. “We collaborate with probably 20 nonprofits here locally in Clark County, from SafeNest to the Shade Tree to WestCare, the Fearless Kind, Crossroads. … We offer our program to those nonprofits at no cost to them,” she says. As for the nonprofit’s collaboration with the Beverly, Kelly says it was an easy decision that aligned with his nonprofit’s values, “creating memories and giving people a reason to want to enjoy cinema.” “We joke that it’s the worst horror movie ever. But what is the experience really going to be like on that day? It’s going to be a communal gathering of like-minded individuals who just want to have fun and watch a movie,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad or in between.”
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Oct. 20-31 6300 W. Oakey Blvd.
HallOVeen at the Magical Forest is a family-friendly Halloween experience benefiting Opportunity Village.
Get your tickets at HALLOVEEN.com
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N I G H T S Rey Wolf performs at Fat Cat. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
Red Dwarf owner strikes again with Downtown’s new Fat Cat lounge BY AMBER SAMPSON
Charlemagne on October 23, and eightIf you’ve spent any considerable time piece jazz funk band Cityboyz on October inside Russell Gardner’s punk rock tiki 26. With other styles ranging from hot bar Red Dwarf, then you know it’s a jazz and up-tempo jump blues to swing source of pride. People plan their nights and everything in between, there’s a real around this place, and in two years’ time, chance to expose listeners to a deeper it’s become a dive bar jewel. catalog of music. Now Gardner has ambitiously chosen Fat Cat turns on the charm from the to branch out with Fat Cat, a new jazz, moment you walk in, cozy, classy and spabooze and blues joint at Downtown Grand cious with great sightlines to the raised that’s looking to advance the scene. stage. Seating is ample and the cabinetry “Most people, when you say jazz, they behind the bar, lined with liquor, LPs and think ... Chet Baker with a tiny trio in the antiquated record equipment, was cuscorner playing background music really tom-built by Gardner. He worked from a quietly. That’s not what we’re vision of old tiki-inspired Trader going for,” says Gardner, who Sam’s bars and New Orleans FAT CAT opened Fat Cat mid-September. apothecary shops to create the Downtown Grand, “Vegas doesn’t have a true jazz full effect. 702-850-5620, and blues venue for original “In my mind, it’s a balance fatcatlv.com. musicians.” of glitz and glam,” he says, “but Thursday-Monday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. There’s some truth to that, also grit and glam because you even if it’s not immediately want to have that comfortability apparent. Top 40 covers and where you’re in a space and you old Rat Pack standards keep the don’t feel like you have to dress up lights on for many musicians working to go out there.” the Strip. But if you’ve been to Chicago or The aesthetic couldn’t be more New Orleans, as Gardner points out, then appropriate for all the showy cocktails you know original jazz clubs aren’t just a Fat Cat has at its disposal. The vibrant, thing in other cities, they’re a staple. raspberry-imbued Jazz Hands ($16) “I think there’s enough musicians in serves as a refreshing sip, and others like town that want to do more, but they simthe Burning Bush ($16) and the Chubby ply don’t because there’s not a place for Kitty ($16) offer a smoky campfire finish, them to play,” Gardner says. “There’s a lot elevated by cool visuals of rosemary and of younger people that are into jazz, into almond wood being torched in front of fusion and getting into funk and rhythm you. Fat Cat’s charcuterie plates and and blues. tasty, addictive house-baked focaccia “Early rock ’n’ roll is blues. It can be bread (made at Red Dwarf) pair well with slower, it can be faster, it can be funky. It those drinks and a lengthy beer list. can be super gritty. Jazz can also border With a bar team consisting of top over into blues, rock ’n’ roll and psychemixologists from places like Velveteen delic rock. You’ve got this big swing of Rabbit and Downtown Cocktail Room, genres that most people don’t think of.” Fat Cat shouldn’t have any trouble standFat Cat aims to showcase those subgeing out. “It’s one of those things where nres with original musicians, both local you give it a little bit of time, and as more and touring. Upcoming shows include things come out, it’s gonna be like, Oh, Deviations on Cool on October 19, an you want a good cocktail? Fat Cat is the all-vinyl jazz and blues set from DJ Kid place to go,” Gardner says.
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FINE COMPANY Downtown Summerlin, 702-4050715, fine company lv.com. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
(Courtesy/Louiie Victa)
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(Courtesy/Jose Salinas)
Roy Ellamar is creating an all-day experience with Fine Company BY BROCK RADKE What would you expect to eat at the new neighborhood restaurant from a longtime local chef who made his name at an ingredient-driven critics’ favorite at Bellagio? Probably not his mother’s recipe for banana bread. But that’s one of the top sellers so far at the brand-new Fine Company at Downtown Summerlin, co-created by Roy Ellamar, who previously fashioned Harvest into one of the great hidden gems on the Las Vegas Strip. “It’s surprising how much people have been talking about it. It’s kinda crazy,” Ellamar says of the banana bread ($8) served with local wildflower honey, butter and sea salt. “I put it on and thought it would be an easy dish to do, and I grew up eating it, something homey and familiar. I didn’t think it’d be such a hit. It feels like it’s on every table.” Ellamar connected with hitmaking hospitality company the LEV Group in the summer of 2022 and started discussing the possibility of building something new in the former MTO Cafe space in Downtown Summerlin’s northern dining area. He wanted to bring his fine-dining background into a more casual setting, “a place where people come to enjoy each other’s company,” he says. Fine Company opened quietly in mid-September offering breakfast, lunch, and an early happy hour called “Fine Time,” which shows off a cool cocktail program anchored by bartender Camille Razo along with fresh dishes including seafood raw bar items. Dinner service is on the way in the coming weeks, but Ellamar isn’t rushing into anything. “We want to slowly ease into that and see
how it goes,” he says. “The dinner menu is going to be seafood-focused, with the raw bar continuing from Fine Time, with great oysters, clams, crudos, sashimi specials and things like that.” Ellamar is a native Hawaiian but Fine Company is not a Hawaiian restaurant. Plenty of locals who ate his food at Harvest may have expected that direction, but the chef says, “it’s a neighborhood restaurant and I don’t want to put labels on it or be put in a box.” For now, after your first serving of banana bread, you can work your way through brunchy fare like brown butter pancakes ($13), an acai bowl with toasted coconut and berries ($12), smoked salmon avocado toast ($18) or steak and eggs ($24), a ribeye with chimichurri plus soft scrambled eggs and potatoes. Lunchtime gives way to salt and pepper shrimp with fennel salad and Calabrian chili oil ($18) or a porchetta sandwich ($19) on potato focaccia with seasonally appropriate pumpkin seed pesto, giardiniera and arugula. A burger, a fried chicken sandwich, salads and salmon and halibut options round things out. It sounds quite casual, but where MTO was an actual fast-casual, counter-service spot, Fine Company is fully renovated, full-service and focused on hospitality—essential for a neighborhood eatery in this particular Vegas neighborhood. And it’s surrounded by Downtown Summerlin restaurants that focus more on evening business. “I think it’s well-received by the neighborhood, it’s resonating,” Ellamar says. “It’s the chance to experience the all-day restaurant that I think didn’t exist here, until now.”
CREATIVE COFFEE COMFORT COMES TO GREEN VALLEY
MAKERS & FINDERS 75 S. Valle Verde Dr. #260, , 702586-8255, makerslv.com. Daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Creative coffee comfort comes to Green Valley
Calling all Henderson café lovers: Makers & Finders has finally arrived. Owners Josh Molina and Valeria Varela have truly made their mark on the local coffee community and their latest store does not disappoint. The Instagram-friendly decor serves as a colorful complement to the Latin cuisine and creative beverage offerings that M&F is known for all across the Valley, and this spot is just as charming, in its own way, as the Arts District and Downtown Summerlin locations. It would be foolish to skip the empanadas, where fillings are tucked and fried into a signature crescent shape and served alongside different dipping sauces. Luckily, the menu offers a flight ($22), making it easy for you to find your favorites. Golden and crispy yuca frites ($7) are MAKERS made fresh-to-order and served & FINDERS 75 S. Valle with roasted garlic aioli, and these Verde Dr. cooks don’t play when whipping #260, 702up an order of salsa verde chilaq586-8255, uiles ($14). makerslv.com. But let’s talk coffee. The espresMonday-Satso bar menu is enough to make urday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 9 you reconsider your drink of a.m.-5 p.m. choice. The lavender-infused latte ($5.50) is served in a cup large enough to require both hands and garnished with dried aromatics, and the café con leche could make any abuela smile. Large windows brighten the dining area and the upbeat vibe from both the music and staff will have this spot in your rotation of places to bring friends. But if there’s not time to sit and chat, the walk up to-go area is an equally satisfying option. –Gabriela Rodriguez
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
We are seeking nominations for exceptional C-level executives across all industries and specialties. The Vegas Inc C-Suite Honors recognize these leaders who work to inspire their teams, drive success in their business and serve as stewards in our community.
DEADLINE NOVEMBER 6 S U B M I T YO U R N O M I N A T I O N S H E R E
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Check Out These Fun Fall Events At Your Library! The History & Business of Hip Hop for Teens Thursdays at 5 p.m. | Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 30 | East Las Vegas Library The Wonderful World of Was — A Musical Dramedy Thu., Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. | Windmill Library Fri., Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. | Clark County Library Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival Sat., Nov. 4 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Clark County Library Dia De Los Muertos Sat., Nov. 4 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | East Las Vegas Library Native American Flute, Dance & Stories with Shelley Morningsong & Fabian Fontenelle Fri., Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. | Windmill Library Sat., Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. | Whitney Library Sat., Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. | West Charleston Library Sun., Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. | Summerlin Library Teen animeFest Sat., Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Sahara West Library
A Month Of Scary-Fun Events Just For Teens In Grades 6-12!
Home Buying Made Simple Sun., Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. | Sunrise Library
Locked in the Library Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. Goodsprings Library
Fall Band Camp Strum Along! Tue., Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. | Sahara West Library
TeenTober Lock-in Oct. 20 at 5:45 p.m. Moapa Valley Library
Learn to Hula Sat., Nov. 25 at 10:30 a.m. | Enterprise Library Native American Dance & Music with Derrick Suwaima Davis & Ryon Polyquaptewa Tue., Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. | Clark County Library Tue., Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. | Windmill Library Wed., Nov. 29 at 12 p.m. | Centennial Hills Library Wed., Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. | Enterprise Library Thu., Nov. 30 at 4 p.m. | Moapa Town Library
For details on these events, or to see many more events, scan the QR Code or go to TheLibraryDistrict.org.
Escape Room: Five Nights at Freddy’s Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. Rainbow Library Teen VIP TeenTober Edition Saturdays at 3 p.m. Oct. 21, 28 Spring Valley Library TeenTober Horror Video Game Hour Sundays at 3 p.m. Oct. 22, 29 East Las Vegas Library TeenTober Movie Monday Mondays at 3 p.m. Oct. 23, 30 Whitney Library
TeenTober Crafternoon Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. Meadows Library Dark Academia Aesthetic Crafting Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. Rainbow Library International Horror Sketch Party Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. Sunrise Library 10+ Robotics Club: TeenTober Edition Oct. 25 at 4:30 p.m. Summerlin Library
TeenTober: Two Sentence Horror Stories Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m. Centennial Hills Library
TeenTober: Karaoke Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. Windmill Library Costume Sewing Clinic Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. Rainbow Library TeenTober Thursday Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. Sahara West Library
SCAN FOR EVEN MORE EVENTS FOR TEENS!
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IN-SEASON INTRIGUE
Answering questions on the new, Las Vegas-bound NBA In-Season Tournament
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BY CASE KEEFER The 2023-2024 NBA regular season begins October 24 and it’s set to be a groundbreaking campaign—not only for the league, but also for Las Vegas. This year includes the advent of the long-awaited NBA In-Season Tournament, which will square off with all 30 franchises and wrap up December 7 and 9 with the semifinals and championship, respectively, at T-Mobile Arena. The tournament has long been a dream of NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and his decision to stage its biggest games in Las Vegas gives the city yet another marquee sporting event and illustrates the league’s commitment to the market. But many American sports fans are confused by, if not also downright skeptical of, the idea. It’s created a lot of questions. Let’s answer four of the biggest questions from a local perspective as a way to welcome back the NBA.
How does it work? The format is fashioned like European or international soccer tournaments with a “group stage” featuring six sets of five teams each, with all of them playing a round-robin format to crown a winner. The victors and two wild-cards—the non-winning team from both the Western and Eastern Conference with the best record—then advance to the eight-team “knockout stage.” The first round of the knockout stage will be held at teams’ home venues, before the final four takes place in Vegas, a neutral site. The NBA season will proceed like normal for the first 10 days of the season before November 3, when the first “tournament night” commences with teams taking on each other for the first time as part of the group stage. Designated tournament nights continue for the next month leading up to the knockout stage.
All tournament games except for the championship will count in the regular-season standings and count as part of each teams’ 82-game schedule. What’s the point? For franchises overall, it’s to claim the NBA Cup, the new trophy that will be awarded to the ultimate winning team. For players, to also earn a $500,000 bonus for everyone on the roster of the winning team. For the league overall, the point is to generate new revenue and add more interest to a grueling six-month regular season. The NBA somewhat struggles to stand out early in the season, competing with the NFL and college football, and the in-season tournament could be a novelty that draws more viewers. It also gives the league a new media property that could be valuable if it catches on with fans over the first few years. The WNBA successfully implemented
its equivalent, the annual Commissioner’s Cup, three years ago. And, for some of the world’s biggest soccer teams, earning an in-season trophy like the FA Cup in England is seen as just big of an accomplishment as winning its overall league. The NBA Cup is shooting to get to that level eventually. Why is it in Las Vegas? Silver hasn’t hidden his love for Las Vegas and interest in bringing a new franchise here, but the NBA is holding off on expansion until after its current media rights deal expires following the 2024-2025 season. The in-season tournament should suffice in giving the NBA an in-season footprint in Southern Nevada in the meantime. The league feels comfortable and established here because of the annual NBA Summer League held at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, an event Silver
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(AP Photo/Photo Illustration)
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Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby celebrates a tackle during the first half against New England on October 15 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo)
■ Last Week: Raiders 21, Patriots 17 The Las Vegas offense struggled, before and after starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left the game with an injury late in the second quarter, but the defense carried the team to victory. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols combined for a game-sealing sack that resulted in a safety in the final minute. It was the second game in six days where Crosby stood out as the best player on the field, helping the Raiders grab back-to-back ugly wins that could turn their season around. Despite a three-game losing streak that began in Week 2, Las Vegas has now evened its record and sits only a half-game out of the AFC playoff picture.
already refers to as the league’s “31st franchise.” The NBA wanted a grand stage for the conclusion of the in-season tournament, so landing on Las Vegas is no surprise and further proof that there’s truth in the destination’s “greatest arena on Earth” marketing campaign. Who’s going to win? The same teams that are favored to win the NBA championship in June are at the top of the odds board to take home the NBA Cup. At Boyd Sports, the top five teams to win the in-season tournament are the Milwaukee Bucks at +950 (i.e. risking $100 to win $950), Boston Celtics at +950, Phoenix Suns at 11-to-1, Denver Nuggets at 13-to-1 and Los Angeles Lakers at 13-to-1. Among that group, the Celtics stand out as the best bet. They have by far the easiest group—they’re -180 (i.e. risking $180 to win $100) to win Group C—to navigate into the knockout stage.
Boston has also recently valued the regular season more than other championship contenders, leaving less of a chance that they rest players or don’t go all-out early in the new competition. The in-season tournament should have a lot more variance than the overall championship, however, with so few games ultimately deciding the winner. The worst teams in the league probably don’t have a much of a shot, but some of the mid-range contenders could be dangerous. The Cleveland Cavaliers (14-to-1 to win the in-season tournament) and Dallas Mavericks (24-to-1) could also be worth a bet. For the official prediction of what happens in the Vegas semifinals, let’s say Boston handles Cleveland and Dallas upsets Phoenix. The Celtics then ultimately become the first team to hoist the NBA Cup on December 9 by beating the Mavericks behind an in-season tournament MVP performance by Jayson Tatum.
■ This Week: Raiders (3-3) at Bears (1-5) When: 10 a.m., Sunday, October 22 Where: Soldier Field TV: FOX Radio: 920 AM, KOMP 92.3 Betting line: Raiders -3, over/under 37.5 ■ Matchup: Both teams are hampered by injuries as, like Jimmy Garoppolo, Chicago quarterback Justin Fields exited his team’s 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. The Raiders have managed Garoppolo’s absences throughout the season with an improved defense, but it doesn’t appear the Bears have the same luxury to fall back on. Chicago sits 29th in the league in giving up 5.8 yards per play, while Las Vegas is more toward the middle at 17th at 5.1 yards per play against. But Crosby also came away from the Patriots game beaten-up, while star receiver Davante Adams is dealing with a shoulder injury. Those two are expected to play but there’s legitimate concern they won’t be 100%. This game might come down to which team can navigate through their injury report more effectively.
■ Raider to Watch: Tight end Michael Mayer The second-round rookie draft pick out of Notre Dame broke out against the Patriots. He led the team with five receptions for 75 yards, and now appears to be a major part of the offense. Most of his catches were plays where he was early in the quarterback’s read progressions. Mayer was sharp in not only getting open but tacking on yards after the catch. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound tight end is tough to bring down, especially when he’s lowering his shoulders and trying to bulldoze defenders in the middle of the field. There was some question about who would emerge as the Raiders’ third primary receiving option behind Adams and Jakobi Meyers; it’s now evident that Mayer is the answer. –Case Keefer
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(Courtesy)
VIRTUAL STUDIOS OFFER MORE THAN BIG SCREEN CREATIVITY
B U S I N E S S
T
BY KATIE ANN MCCARVER VEGAS INC STAFF echnology is evolving across industries, and the production business—as proven by the ongoing actors strike for protections against artificial intelligence—is
no exception. Just one example of this shift is Vū, a virtual production company that is revolutionizing the event, immersive and filming industries through its network of four unique studios across the country, including in Las Vegas. “Today, we’re the largest network in virtual studios,” said Tim Moore, CEO of Vū. “But I think what’s unique about our studios is we do a wide breadth of things. “Most virtual production studios focus on the feature film market, so we’re diversified in the fact that we go after short form, we do some features—we also do commercial work.” Vū Las Vegas, a 40,000-square-foot venue with two sound stages located south of the Las Vegas Strip, has certainly made its mark since opening in April 2022. The location has been extremely well-received by the Las Vegas community, Moore said, having worked with the NFL, ESPN and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the long-anticipated resort slated to open this winter. The venue utilizes a massive LED dome,
spanning 140 feet in width and 20 feet in height, to provide a virtual background for clients so they can avoid having to travel to different locations—particularly hubs like New York City or Los Angeles—to film a commercial or a movie. “So, it’s almost half of a football field,” Moore said. “And the cool thing about it is it has a ceiling on it as well, that’s made out of LED, so when you put set pieces inside there, it’s very immersive.” The immense diversity of the Las Vegas portfolio sets it apart from its peers, Moore said, like the other three Vū studios in Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; and Tampa, Florida. The Southern Nevada studio has produced commercials and even a film starring Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage, and also hosted E-gaming and other sports-related events that use the LED dome to immerse spectators. Moore pointed to a press conference at Vū in August, when representatives of the NFL, the Super Bowl Host Committee and more used the venue’s LED screen and ceiling to show off branding and planning regarding Super Bowl LVIII, which will be played at Allegiant Stadium in February 2024.
“So, every week it’s something new and interesting,” he said. “And I would say that the Vegas market just brings in so much unique entertainment, that we’ve benefited from being in that market.” Las Vegas also has a competitive edge because of its proximity to Hollywood, its consistently good weather and ease of transport, Moore said. Vū has benefited from being close to major markets like Los Angeles without actually having to operate in them, he said. While strikes by unions like the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have shut down production in Hollywood over the past several months, Moore said, Vū Las Vegas continued to see high demand. “I think it is something unique about the Vegas market, that they don’t run by all the same standards and rules as Hollywood does,” he said. “We’ve really liked working in Vegas because of how cooperative the city’s been. I would say that even despite some of the disruptions that were happening in Hollywood, Vegas has continued to be a thriving market.” Vū has its eyes on expanding its operations in Las Vegas even further, Moore said, and is excited about the possibilities of what’s ahead. He cited an ongoing legislative effort to bring more film production to Nevada through tax incentives as one reason Las Vegas is a viable place to be for production right now and in the future. “I just can’t say enough good things about Las Vegas—the Sphere, all the new attractions that are coming into town, Formula One (and the) Super Bowl,” Moore said. “We just see so much opportunity on the horizon, so we’re grateful to be there and look forward to expanding our operations more.”
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Technology is no longer just capital expenditure to put something expensive up that looks pretty; technology now allows the developer to attract preferred advertisers generating revenue.”
Q+A: KARIM JABAL
With an eye toward the bottom line, all kinds of businesses must leverage the continuing evolution of technology
D
BY VEGAS INC STAFF
evelopers these days are asking themselves some key questions: “How can I attract premium tenants in these spaces?” “How do I increase the revenues that my building produces in an innovative way?” “What can I do during concept and design to capture a higher percentage of the market share?” There’s a common low-cost solution that helps answer all those questions, says Karim Jabal, director of technology management and strategy at Grand Canyon Development Partners, a construction and real estate development management company with offices throughout the Southwest. The answer is the best use of technology. What are some recent examples of tech implementation in Grand Canyon Development Partners’ local projects? GCDP is managing the development of a 300,000-square-foot high-visibility retail project in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. The development includes two levels that will house food and beverage, entertainment and retail tenants. On top of that, a third level will be a 100,000-square-foot rooftop experience that immerses occu-
pants in the energy of the Las Vegas skyline. One of the key components of that project is technology deployment. We worked with the owner to envision the technology experience utilizing large-format, direct-view LED displays that will provide an immersive canvas for digital art and advertisements. The experience will impact people on the premises, pedestrians and those driving by. Technology is no longer just capital expenditure to put something expensive up that looks pretty; technology now allows the developer to attract preferred advertisers generating revenue. The technology in this project translates into smart business decisions. Are you seeing any implementation of artificial intelligence in the construction industry? If so, what are your thoughts on this? There is no one right answer. Artificial intelligence is a tool that we utilize to enhance the way we build things. Using building information management (BIM) and computer-aided design (CAD), there’s a lot of automation taking place in those processes. AI is not just some magical box that you speak to and say, “design a building.” It still requires trained professionals to program and automate. AI helps a lot with the coordination of smart design and building construction. Design and construc-
tion professionals are tasked with avoiding as many conflicts as possible between all the various building systems before they become expensive “fixes” and potential delays in the field. Technology provides conflict avoidance between mechanical, plumbing, electrical, technology and structural systems that aren’t always visible when installed behind walls and ceilings. Its implementations in software platforms generate insightful data for building developers to make informed decisions. AI provides construction personnel with alternative solutions that could save on cost and help condense construction schedules. Are you seeing any trends locally (or beyond) involving technology in the construction industry? We do. The trend will be analytics gathered by technology. Developers in a multitude of market sectors and geographical territories are implementing IoT (Internet of Things) devices and utilizing Wi-Fi networks to engage with end users. Cameras work with software to provide analytical data pertaining to foot traffic and building occupant trends. Analytics assist building owners to influence marketing strategies, customer behavior and measure engagement. There is a movement toward implementing technology in built environments to best engage the people
who use those buildings. Experiential technology that interacts with customers in a bespoke way leaves a lasting impression that brings people back to those spaces. When coupled with the use of social media, people want to feature the technology that they have experienced on their personal social platforms. Developers realize that the project then becomes a destination that can be hash-tagged and posted, activating spaces and drawing more people to those places to socialize. Where do you see technology in your field going in the next five to 10 years? Technology will continue to find ways to create efficacy. We constantly seek efficient ways to construct buildings safely, while staying on time and remaining within budget. Human intelligence and AI will work in conjunction with each other in ways that create efficiencies and opportunities for better and safer projects. Capital can be invested wisely on projects creating a greater impact to the end user and significantly increase the return on investment for developers. Spaces that house high-density residences, business professionals, retailers, educators, entertainment professionals, health care practitioners and sports professionals can then expand and grow into various markets a lot sooner to satisfy growing customer demand.
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VEGAS INC NOTES Highlights of the best in business
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For the fifth consecutive year, Aristocrat Gaming was honored at the annual Global Gaming Awards as the LandBased Industry Supplier of the Year. The company was also recognized for Slot of the Year for the sixth year in a row for Jackpot Carnival, and the Neptune Single Stratus Sign Package was awarded the Best Land-Based Product.
with cancer and serious blood disorders.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers hired Bethany Baird as advanced practice provider, bringing nearly two decades of experience to the practice. As an APP at Comprehensive’s Siena location, Baird will provide support to physicians by helping manage the treatment plans, oncology care and follow-up guidance for patients
NAIOP Southern Nevada, an organization representing commercial real estate developers, owners and related professionals, announced its 2023 Developing Leaders Institute graduates. They are: Micah Durham, Nevada General Construction; Morgan Elson, Colliers International; Kimberly Galbe, EV&A Archi-
The Shops at Crystals hired Casey Domek as general manager. Domek will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 500,000-square-foot luxury retail property. Domek previously served as property manager at The Galleria in Houston, Texas.
tects; Carina Gaytan, EV&A Architects; Jaylen Hawkins, Schnitzer Properties; Kelsey Higgins, CBRE; Michael Kalish, Reisman Sorokac; Jade Kopittke, Prologis; Diana Kouglas, Kimley-Horn; Matt Logo, Grand Canyon Development Partners; Matt Lott, Commercial Roofers Inc.; Wade Lucas, Martin-Harris Construction; Alexandria Malone, Taylor International; Megan McInerney, Colliers International; Chris Molina, McDonald Carano; Areeba Moten, Colliers International; Marc Philippi, Prospect Street Capital; Cooper Powell, Logic Commercial Real Estate; Luke Ramous, MDL Group; Philip Short, First Savings Bank;Landon Tenwolde, Logic Commercial Real Estate; Lauren Willmore, CBRE.
Bethany Baird
Casey Domek
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PARTY
PHOTOG RAPHY BY WADE VAN DE RVORT
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PREMIER CROSSWORD “FETE-FUL FOLLOWERS” BY FRANK LONGO
HOROSCOPES WEEK OF OCTOBER 19 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Illustrator JooHee Yoon says, “So much of artmaking is getting to know yourself through the creative process, of making mistakes and going down rabbit holes of research and experimentation that sometimes work out—and sometimes don’t. ... The failures are just as important as the successes.” Keep this wisdom in mind as you improvise, experiment with, and transform yourself in the coming weeks. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the coming months, you will tap into reserves of hidden power you didn’t realize you had access to. You will summon bold, innovative responses to tantalizing mysteries. You will not shrink from challenges but instead will accomplish creative triumphs that may have once seemed beyond your capacities. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Novelist Meg Wolitzer suggests that “one of the goals of life is to be comfortable in your own skin and in your own bed and on your own land.” In the coming weeks, you will lay the foundation for achieving that goal. You will figure out what you need in order to feel at home in the world, and you will formulate plans to make that happen. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Draw inspiration from these Anthony Bourdain quotes: 1. “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.” 2. “What a great way to live, if you could always do things that interest you, and do them with people who interest you.” LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Author Iain S. Thomas writes, “The universe is desperately trying to move you into the only spot that truly belongs to you—a space that only you can stand in. It is up to you to decide every day whether you are moving towards or away from that spot.” In the coming weeks, all of creation will be maneuvering you in the direction of feeling at home with your best self. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Never do anything that others can do for you,” said novelist Agatha Christie. Many astrologers would say that of all the zodiac’s signs, Virgos are the most eager to serve others but not aggressively seek the service of others on their behalf. But this dynamic could change in the coming weeks. Welcome it. Gather it in with gusto.
2020 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE ACROSS 1 Little jump 4 Brains 10 Teeny bits 15 Female horse 19 Friend, in Paris 20 Social outcast 21 Ice cream utensil 22 Female gamete 23 Cap production place 25 — firma 26 “I saw,” to Caesar 27 Newspaper stories 28 Vehicle attachment to transport watercraft 30 “Get it?” 31 Ender’s Game star Butterfield 33 Actress Long or Vardalos 34 Closes in on 35 Cry while wearing a costume 41 Some boxing punches 43 On top of, in verse 44 Divine figure 45 Feel poorly 47 Pub barrel 51 Pundits’ paper pieces 54 Power to attract others 57 Unceasingly 59 Newbie at a law school 60 Sculling tool 61 Org. that screens bags 62 Patron of sailors 63 “Second gentleman” Emhoff 65 Forget to say 67 Lots and lots 68 Logical thought process
72 Some sharp turns 75 Coll. lecturer 76 Low-fat, informally 77 Piña — 81 “I have it!” 82 Hosp. test in a big tube 83 Christian of fashion 85 Led to a seat 86 Typical D.C. dealings 91 County in New Mexico or Colorado 92 Method 93 Muscle: Prefix 94 University of Maine’s city 96 Neighbor of Kan. and Ia. 97 Pro at taking dictation 99 Swear words and such 103 Clear wrap 106 Says “yes” to 108 USN officers 109 Sleuth, in old slang 110 Straight, flexible wire receiving waves 113 Rather little 118 Prefix with present 119 Gorme of song 120 Post-event bash ... or where eight key words in this puzzle might appear 122 Diatribe 123 U. of Maryland team 124 Band flunky 125 Atlas feature 126 Pivotal WWII event 127 Eye maladies 128 Prods 129 “Yes” vote DOWN 1 “Funny joke!” 2 Vizquel of baseball 3 Brad of Fight Club
4 5
Sissy of the screen Gavin of The Mary Tyler Moore Show 6 Jester Johnson 7 Ocho — (resort in Jamaica) 8 Pothole filler 9 Sheepish 10 Colon’s meaning in an analogy 11 Whale locale 12 Burrito base 13 Large arteries 14 Trade jabs 15 Apt place to make a scene 16 Birthplace of St. Teresa 17 Less courteous 18 Kuwaiti chiefs 24 Finance-related: Abbr. 28 Lamb’s cry 29 Growth on an elk’s head 31 Intro studio class 32 Jane of Live and Let Die 35 Horn blasts 36 Transplant, as a flower 37 Cara of “Fame” fame 38 Enjoy a novel 39 Element #50 40 Chronicle 42 Zealots 46 “This makes no sense to me” 48 Singer Eartha 49 Canadian gas brand 50 FBI guy, e.g. 52 Barbies, e.g. 53 Big rig 55 Poet Maya 56 Enter 58 Like numbers with more than two divisors
63 “Whoop-de- —!” 64 When a team travels, perhaps 66 TV bartender Szyslak 67 Shoelace tag 69 Will & Grace actor McCormack 70 Ventilates 71 Big Apple neighborhood 72 Microwaves, informally 73 Sailor’s cry 74 Lassies 78 Sports center 79 Removal of govt. controls 80 Pueblo brick 82 E. Sicilian volcano 84 “Time — the essence!” 85 Forearm part 87 “How sad” 88 Cure by exposing to burning wood 89 E-addresses 90 Gmail rival 95 A Great Lake 98 “Later” 100 Rock- — jukebox 101 Alternative to a ballpoint 102 Golden State sch. 103 Fencing need 104 Ex-NFLer Rashad 105 Lisa of Melrose Place 107 Marsh bird 111 Fish snares 112 Scottish loch 113 Forest buck 114 Contents of Rx bottles 115 — la Douce 116 Go nowhere 117 Really promote 120 “How — you?” 121 Haze
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Shakespeare’s worldview isn’t interesting and the people in his stories don’t resonate; their problems don’t feel realistic. French novelist Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), though, is a good place to turn for a complex, nuanced understanding of human nature. These are, of course, subjective tastes. In the coming weeks, stand up unflinchingly for your own. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To understand what’s transpiring and to respond with intelligence, you must partly transcend logic and reason. They will not be sufficient guides as you wrestle with the Great Riddles that will be visiting. In a few weeks, you will be justified in quoting ancient Roman author Tertullian, who said about his religion, Christianity: “It is true because it is impossible.” SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Meditate on Oscar Wilde’s assertions that “all great ideas are dangerous” and “an idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea.” He doesn’t mean that interesting possibilities must be a risk to one’s health or safety. Rather, that they are probably inconvenient for one’s dogmas, habits and comfort zones. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Some people might feel they have achieved the peak of luxury if they find themselves sipping Champagne while lounging on a leather and diamond-encrusted sofa aboard a yacht. But you will be pleased with subtler forms of luxury, like surges of appreciation and acknowledgment for your good work. Like growing connections with influences that will interest you and help you in the future. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There are over 20 solutions to the riddle your higher mind is contemplating. Some are smart intellectually but not emotionally intelligent. There may only be two or three answers that would be intellectually and emotionally intelligent, would be of service not only to you but also to others, and would generate productive fun. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Naturalist John Muir didn’t like the word “hiking.” He believed people ought to saunter through the wilderness, not hike. “Hiking” implies straight-ahead, no-nonsense, purposeful movement, whereas “sauntering” is about wandering around, being reverent towards one’s surroundings, and getting willingly distracted by where one’s curiosity leads. Favor the sauntering approach in the coming weeks—not just in nature but in every area of your life. You’re best suited for exploring, gallivanting and meandering.
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P H O T O G R A P H Y
(Brian Ramos/Staff)
TWO RALLIES | LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD, DOWNTOWN | OCTOBER 12, 2023 Demonstrators gathered at the Foley Federal Building in Downtown Las Vegas for separate rallies to support Israel and Palestine in the ongoing war in the Middle East. The groups demonstrated on opposite sides of Las Vegas Boulevard, with Metro Police standing guard in between. No arrests were made. –Ray Brewer
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