Sta Writer GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ (gabriela.rodriguez@gmgvegas.com)
Sta Writer AMBER SAMPSON (amber.sampson@gmgvegas.com)
Contributing Writers KYLE CHOUINARD, GRACE DA ROCHA,HILLARY DAVIS, HAAJRAH GILANI, MIKE GRIMALA, KATIE ANN MCCARVER, AYDEN RUNNELS, JACK WILLIAMS, ILANA WILLIAMS
Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, JUSTIN HAGER, CASE KEEFER, DAVE MONDT
O ce Coordinator NADINE GUY
CREATIVE
Art Director CORLENE BYRD (corlene.byrd@gmgvegas.com)
Senior Designer IAN RACOMA
Photo Coordinator BRIAN RAMOS
Photographers CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS, STEVE MARCUS, WADE VANDERVORT
DIGITAL
Publisher of Digital Media KATIE HORTON
Web Content Specialist CLAYT KEEFER
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Associate Publisher ALEX HAASE
Special Publications Editor SIERRA SMART
Senior Advertising Managers MIKE MALL, ADAIR MILNE, SUE SRAN
All content is copyright Las Vegas Weekly LLC. Las Vegas Weekly is published Thursdays and distributed throughout Southern Nevada. Readers are permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies are $2, available back issues $3.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE
EVERY THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.
Talib Kweli
Photo Illustration by Ian Racoma HOLIDAY
SUPERGUIDE
THURSDAY NOV 28 FRIDAY NOV 29
EXHIBIT: AMERICAN DUETJAZZ & ABSTRACT ART
The latest exhibition at Bellagio’s must-visit art gallery explores the relationship between jazz and abstract art through a variety of visual mediums. Assembled through the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, American Duet features 61 works by 34 artists and incorporates a carefully curated playlist to complement (or complete?) the visual experience. Highlights include the “mindscape” paintings of jazz singer and expressionist Richard Mayhew, Harlem Renaissance icon Beauford Delaney, fashion designer and printmaker Mavis Pusey, mixed media phenomenon Mickalene Thomas, and abstract artist Al Johnson, whose new piece Here’s To Life was painted live at Bellagio. Be ready to explore the deeper connections between sound, color and shape. Thru 6/1, daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $15-$19, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, bellagio. com/bgfa –Brock Radke
It’s been a minute since the legendary lyricist Talib Kweli graced a Las Vegas stage but when he does, it’s a guaranteed treat. In the last 30 years, the Brooklyn-bred rapper has established himself as a crucial voice in underground hip-hop. Beginning in the ’90s with Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) in the duo Black Star, Kweli gained recognition for his gifted lyricism, championing Black excellence, love and racial justice through javelin-tipped flows. On his 10th studio album, The Confidence of Knowing he pilots in the cockpit of conscious rap, paying respect to the old-guards of hip-hop in the track “Native Sons,” which references the Native Tongues collective of the ’80s and ’90s that featured De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and many others. If you’re searching for a night of hip-hop with substance, you’ve found it with Kweli. 7 p.m., $30, Swan Dive, swandivelv.com. –Amber Sampson
SUPERGUIDE
MONDAY DEC 2
COSMOPOLITAN ICE RINK TREE LIGHTING
6 p.m., Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
GOSPEL BRUNCH
10 a.m., House of Blues, concerts.live nation.com
THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE
7 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com
LAWRY’S HOLIDAY THEATER Thru 12/4, 6 p.m., Lawry’s The Prime Rib, lawrysonline. com
UNLV JAZZ FALL FESTIVAL
BRET ERNST & BUTCH BRADLEY
7:30 p.m., Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster. com
ANGIE VEE 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com
Jazz is far from demure, it’s a globally celebrated genre that has influenced and inspired countless artists. From swing and big band compositions to bebop and smooth jazz, there’s something for every taste. Each fall, the UNLV Jazz Festival honors not only the genre itself but also the dedication and creativity of its award-winning ensembles and combos. Over three nights, the festival presents an exceptional lineup of emerging talent, showcasing why this jazz studies program is so highly regarded. Monday night features Jazz Ensemble III, the Jazz Guitar Ensemble, and the Maryland Parkway and Harmon Avenue Vocal Ensembles; Tuesday includes the Latin Jazz, Contemporary Jazz and the Studio Scarlett Jazz Vocal Ensembles and Jazz Ensembles I and II close out the event on Wednesday night. Thru 12/4, 7:30 pm, $10, Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, unlv.edu. –Gabriela Rodriguez
EXHIBIT: I NEED SPACE TO ROAM Thru 12/7, Wed.Fri. noon-4 p.m.; Left of Center Gallery, leftof centerart.org
THREE FOLD CORD WITH MAURICE CRUTCHER 7 p.m., Maxan Jazz, maxanjazz. com
DO IT ALL
DJ BUZA
10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, taogroup.com
KABIR SINGH
With Ralph Tutela, thru 12/8, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegas comedy.com
SUPERGUIDE
TUESDAY DEC 3
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. EDMONTON OILERS 7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.
EXHIBIT: HERE AND NOWCONTEMPORARY ART IN LAS VEGAS Thru 12/12, Mon.-Thu.
7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Rotunda Gallery at Clark County Government Center, clarkcountynv.gov
JUSTIN CREDIBLE 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com
JIMMY CARPENTER 10 p.m., Sand Dollar Lounge, thesanddollarlv. com
BPR BRASS BAND 8 p.m., Fat Cat Lounge, fatcatlv.com
DEAN EDWARDS With Ryan Goodcase, Helen Hong, Mike Finoia, thru 12/8, 7 & 9:30 p.m., Comedy Cellar, ticketmaster.com
WEDNESDAY DEC 4
RANDY HOUSER With Jackson Dean, Chase Matthew, 5 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience.com.
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Depending on how we look at it, the current state of a airs can look like a tragedy or a comedy. Luckily, William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor leans into the latter, and that’s just what we need. The play follows the swindling Sir John Falsta who, in a moment of financial desperation, attempts to woo two married women through identical love letters. After the wives discover the hoax, they begin to plot our favorite brand of outlandishly funny revenge. “I’ve heard this play described as Shakespeare’s sitcom,” director and UNLV assistant professor Sean Boyd said in a statement. “I can’t disagree. It’s filled with familiar characters and situations from the history of TV sitcoms—ones I grew up with and the classic ones as well.” Boyd, an actor who has starred in the Dallas Buyers Club and on AMC’s Preacher, makes his directorial debut here, harnessing his love for comedy to create one side-splitting production. 3 & 5 p.m. (& thru 12/14, days & times vary), $30, Alta Ham Fine Arts Black Box Theatre, unlv.edu. –Amber Sampson
ZAKK SABBATH With ZOSO, The Iron Maidens, 6 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster. com
DILLON FRANCIS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial. com
DJ FRANZEN 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, taogroup.com
MAHONY 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup. com
(Courtesy)
GOURMET GIFTS START AT WALLY’S.
sktchevents.com|@sktchevents|info@sktchevents.com
HOME LIFE LANDSCAPING
DESERT DREAM
Create your backyard paradise with drought-smart plants and savvy hardscaping
BY GENEVIE DURANO
The magic of the desert in full bloom is incomparable. Sure, we may not have the lush, verdant landscapes of our neighbors farther north, but what we have is a spare, resilient beauty that nurtures us even through the unforgiving heat of summer. And there’s no better way to cultivate this magic than in your own backyard.
The key is working with the unique conditions of our climate rather than ghting against them, according to Paul Noe, horticulture advisor and sta horticulturist at Star Nursery. With this in mind, think small when choosing your plants.
horticulturist at Star Nursery. With this in mind, think small when choosing more
“Desert-adaptive plants are usually plants with small leaves. They do not sunburn as badly as plants with larger leaves, which absorb much more of the sun’s heat and burn easier,” Noe says.
When it comes to hardy desert plants, cacti and succulents are your new best friends. These water-wise wonders come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes and colors, making it easy to craft a visually striking landscape. Fun fact: All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti have those unmistakable spines, while succulents like aloe, echeveria and sedum, won’t poke.
takable spines, while succulents like aloe, echeveria and sedum, won’t poke.
“The biggest di erence between cacti and succulents and normal shrubs or trees is that cacti and succulents store water in their leaves and stems, so they absorb that water and hold it there. That’s what they use to keep themselves cooled o during the hot weather,” Noe explains.
LANTANA
Flowers in Bloom
Hardscaping and Accents
A low-maintenance backyard doesn’t mean all gray rocks and no color. There are plenty of owering plants that can handle the heat, including those prickly desert natives.
“There’s a lot of cacti that have beautiful owers,” says Noe. “But if you want continuous owers, you have to nd plants that, especially during the summertime, ower in the heat. Some examples of those are plants are in the Tecoma family. That would be things like the yellow bells and orange Jubilee bells.”
Because water is a precious resource in the desert, reducing the size of the area where actual plants grow is paramount. In order to compensate for that, hardscaping elements play a crucial role. Try creating a rock garden using stones of various colors, textures and sizes for a visually appealing feature that doesn’t require a drop of water.
“Use things like large and small boulders,” Noe suggests. “People are using a lot of fountains, statues, yard art that moves such as windmills, or plaques that are hung on the wall rather than covering them with vines. If you’ve got a large enough yard, plant trees that will shade the areas that you’re removing plants from, because that will cut down on the heat.”
If you love the look of green grass, consider arti cial turf. This is a great solution for people with pets. And you can get creative with container gardening, too: A collection of terracotta pots adds beauty to any backyard, giving it that Southwestern air and adding color to the overall tableau.
Other heat-loving options include bougainvillea and Lantana. Just keep in mind that some owering plants may go dormant or lose their leaves during the harshest months. Be sure to research the speci c care needs of any desert plants you’re considering—some thrive in full sun while others prefer a bit of afternoon shade.
Cash in your grass (see page 20)
Water Smart All Year Long
When it comes to desert gardening, how you water matters as much as what you plant. Drip irrigation systems (on a timer) are the gold standard for water-wise landscaping, delivering moisture directly to plant roots with minimal waste from evaporation or runo , according to Noe. For best results, water during the coolest part of the day—typically between 3 to 6 a.m. in warm months. During winter months, adjust watering to mid-morning—between 6 and 10 a .m.—to avoid freezing temperatures. (Check the Southern Nevada Water Authority website for your watering schedule and nd more tips on e cient water usage.)
smart
There’s no better way to celebrate the unique beauty of the Southwest, in all its glorious colors and textures, than a thoughtfully designed backyard. With the right mix of smart plant choices and creative hardscaping, you can create an outdoor space that’ll make you appreciate the magic of the desert all year round.
BOUGAINVILLEA
DITCH THE GRASS FOR CASH
Looking to swap that water-guzzling grass for a desert-friendly landscape? The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) wants to pay you to do it. Through its Water Smart Landscapes rebate program, SNWA is o ering $5 per square foot up to 10,000 square feet (and $3.50 per square foot thereafter) for homeowners who make the switch.
Here’s the deal: If you have at least 400 square feet of living, maintained lawn, you could be eligible. But don’t break out the shovel just yet—you’ll need pre-approval from the SNWA before removing any grass.
The conversion isn’t just about ripping out turf. Your new landscape needs to include drought-smart plants covering at least 50% of the area at maturity, and you’ll need to install a water-e cient drip irrigation system. The ground must be covered with permeable materials like rock, bark or ungrouted pavers.
And these rebates can add up fast. Converting a modest 1,000-square-foot lawn could put $5,000 back in your pocket. But take note: This is a long-term commitment. You’ll need to sign a conservation easement promising not to reinstall grass or convert the area to a pool.
The process begins with an application and property inspection. And take advantage of the o er sooner rather than later: After 2025, rebate rates will drop to $3 per square foot.
For more information and to apply, go to snwa.com
HANDCRAFTED PIECES
TREASURES SOUTHWEST NEVADA & TRUNK SHOW OF THE DECEMBER 1, 2024 10AM–2PM
Discover holiday gifts as special as the Nevada stories they tell, including timeless jewelry, handcrafted pieces, and exquisite home decor.
TIMELESS JEWELRY
HANDCRAFTED PIECES
EXQUISITE HOME DECOR
Omega Mart offers a mind-boggling interactive art experience full of portals, mystery and play
+Immersive experiences can increasingly be found across the Las Vegas Valley, but few are as captivating or as popular as Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at AREA15, west of the Las Vegas Strip. Outwardly appearing as a typical grocery store, the attraction is actually home to hidden portals, eerie laboratories and a secret bar.
Omega Mart o ers a variety of packages for locals and tourists. With something for everyone, the immersive Omega Mart experience makes for a fun family outing, an adventurous date or a bespoke birthday party.
As the holiday season approaches, packages and discounts make it an exciting and unique gift idea. Visitors can sign up for the VIP package, an Omega Quest scavenger hunt and more to get the most amusement out of their time at Omega Mart. Additionally, Nevada residents can purchase discounted tickets.
Plan your next (or rst) trip to Omega Mart using the following guide.
Explore new worlds in Omega Quest
Take being a VIP one step further by embarking on the Omega Quest. This deal gets you all the benefits of a VIP ticket, plus entry to an Omega Mart scavenger hunt that takes place daily.
Dig deep into the sprawling Omega Mart complex and explore the weirdly named grocery items lining shelves and refrigerators of the surreal world, all curated by the fictional Dram Corporation. Wander brightly lit hallways and marvel at colorful flowers and artwork to complete your list of tasks. The scavenger hunt comes with a pen, checklist and mini-clipboard to accomplish your mission.
Remember that you have VIP admission at any time, so arrive before the 1 p.m. Omega Quest check-in to get a head start and scope out the venue’s virtual playground.
WOLF
Did you know?
Omega Mart isn’t just an attraction for visitors from out of state. Nevada residents get $10 o standard ticket prices. Locals can spend hours on any given day exploring the many secrets of Meow Wolf’s Las Vegas staple.
Party like a VIP
The VIP package is available upon ordering tickets for Omega Mart, and o ers guests a variety of perks that standard entry does not—exclusive admission at any time, a free beverage at the trendy Omega Mart bar Datamosh, a collector ticket with a lanyard, 15% o a purchase of $50 or more at the gift shop, and a souvenir pin.
BY LAS VEGAS WEEKLY STAFF
Ellis Island Casino eggnog $40 ellisislandcasino.com
The Corleone Family Cookbook $40 themobmuseum.org.
Autographed collectibles from Nightmare Toys prices vary nightmaretoys.com.
Zombie surfer tiki mug from Red Dwarf $50 reddwarflv.com.
Custom show poster from Brooklyn Bowl $100+ bit.ly/4fT3rmr.
Neon Nevada: Updated & Expanded Edition by Sheila Swan & Peter Laufer $40 amazon.com.
Shameless: Women of the Underworld by Lissa Townsend Rodgers $24 amazon.com.
Skull mystery boxes from Cemetery Pulp $20-$100 cemeterypulp.com.
Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls $40 alternaterealitycomics.net.
You Deserve Better 2 2024 vinyl by ChiefDVB and Wave MMLZ, B.Rose and more $40 keeprecordsmerch.bandcamp.com.
Enter the Blue by Dave Chisholm $30 alternaterealitycomics.net.
Wasted 2024 vinyl by The Hate $20 thehateband.bandcamp.com.
(Photo Illustration)
(Photos Courtesy)
5mm Cuban bracelet $42 Saint Amalgam ring $42
Founded in Australia in 2008, this global streetwear brand went next-level when it opened its U.S. flagship store on the Strip two years ago, so while it may not be considered a truly local shop, it’s definitely an only-in-Vegas experience. You’ll find edgy-yet-practical sportswear staples along with exclusive pieces for your most stylish friends and fam, but you might want to consider bringing them along as this 12,000-square-foot store is a gift by itself—it has a recording studio, a basketball court, arcade games, a slushy bar and a 75-foot hat wall. Forum Shops at Caesars, 424-372-8454, culturekings.com.
New Era LA Dodgers upside down LA Poly Chromatic snapback $35
Everybody is buying and wearing Dodgers caps after the World Series win, but this one’s a distinctly di erent vibe.
and
NXS Dagger pearl necklace $130
Franco rope chain set $64
Mnml paneled blanket pants $118
Timberland x Culture Kings 6-inch boot $230 You don’t have to be a fan of ’90s hip-hop to acknowledge Tims never went out of style,
this sleek update keeps the right amount of rugged in the mix.
(Wade Vandervort/Sta )
In the realm of delicious, artfully curated charcuterie boards, Cured & Whey is Vegas’ undisputed big cheese. This stacked deli o ers a selection of nationally and internationally sourced artisan meats and cheeses that has no local rival, and chef Michael Stamm’s knowledgeable and friendly sta is happy to work with you to craft a grazing box, tru e box or cheese and charcuterie board that will elevate any holiday party. They also o er a selection of gourmet items— pastas, escargot, polenta, spices, even fondue sets—that any foodie would be delighted to find as stocking stu ers. 6265 S. Valley View Blvd. Suite K, 702-429-3617, curedandwhey.com.
1 Cheese and wine gift box 17 items $120
2 14x19 cheese and charcuterie board $195 Cured & Whey will work closely with you to assemble the board, taking food allergies and individual tastes into full account—and no two boards are ever identical.
3 Paella Rice $10
4 Xxi century oils $36
5 Snap-o-razzo hot dogs $13
6 Tete De Moine $35 lb
7 Rustic bakery shortbreads $6.50
8 Gentile Pasta $10
9 Black Tru e can $55
10 Hudson Valley Foie Gras $79
Coming to Vegas straight from the Catskills, this foie gras, with its “velvety texture and smooth, nutty finish,” is considered among the world’s best.
11 Savora Dijon $7
12 Boska cheese curler $67
These days, snapping pics on a cell phone just doesn’t hit the same—and trust us, the token photographer in your life feels it, too. This season, give them the gift of capturing memories the old-school way with a vintage point-and-shoot camera. Head to Fremont Photo Co., the Downtown staple for cameras, film and developing. 901 E. Fremont St. #110, 702-964-4904, fremontphotoco.com.
Select Point-and-Shoot Cameras + Free Roll of Film & Free Development $200
Take the time to appreciate the street art that surrounds us today, because tomorrow, it may well be gone. Thanks to photographers William Shea and Patrick Lai, 252 Vegas gra ti pieces are forever immortalized in this photo book.
Disposable
with Development $45
Capturing unforgettable moments has never been easier with this all-in-one disposable camera package. It’s designed for instant nostalgia—just point, shoot and leave the darkroom work up to the experts.
Lost Art by Jennifer Mundy $32
Street Art Las Vegas photo book by William Shea and Patrick Lai $30
Fremont Photo
Camera
CineStill Film Bundle (includes all three CineStill film stocks) $50
(Wade Vandervort/Sta )
MORE LOCAL GIFTS!
Unsure what to get the occult lover in your life? The Honeypot is your one-stop shop. They’ve got everything one could need to cleanse the energy at home, make sure chakras are aligned and to learn the secrets of magic.
Discovery Children’s Museum 12-month Membership $95+ discoverykidslv.org.
Flyover Vegas tickets $39 flyoverlasvegas.com.
Mob Museum membership $55+ themobmuseum.com.
Neon Museum membership $99+ neonmuseum.org.
Nevada State Parks annual permits $100 parks.nv.gov.
Pulsar Pass
(gives entry to all Pulsar Presents local shows) $150 dice.fm.
Wiseguys comedy show gift card $25 wiseguyscomedy.com.
Meow Wolf's Portal Pass Supremium (annual access to all Meow Wolf locations) $139 meowwolf.com.
1415 S. Main St., 702-333-0600, instagram. com/thehoneypotlv.
Sage bundles $8
Incense holder $14
Small amethyst $60
Egyptian Myths & Legends edited by J.K. Jackson $15
Bohemian Magick by Veronica Varlow $30
Evil eye pendant $25
Wood hand bowl $15
Crystals $10 each
(Wade Vandervort/Sta )
Crystal bracelets $25
Polished crystals not only look pretty, but they’re believed to have beneficial properties. Di erent bracelets are made of di erent crystals, so you can customize their e ects.
Whether for yourself or for others, tarot readings help you process the di erent elements of your life, and The Honeypot has an assortment.
If you’re stuck for ideas on what to give this holiday season, consider giving to the community. Las Vegas has many nonpro ts and charitable organizations working to make our Valley a better place to live, and your donations could support their mission year-round. Here are a few to consider.
Aid for AIDS of Southern Nevada (afanlv.org) provides assistance for people living with HIV.
Broadway in the HOOD (broadwayinthe hood.org)—short for “Helping Others Open Doors”—brings performing arts education to underserved communities.
Candlelighters (candlelighter snv.org) provides emotional, financial and quality-of-life support for children a icted with cancer and their families.
Caridad (caridadcharity.com) is a resource for Las Vegas’ unhoused, with a special focus on homeless veterans.
The Cupcake Girls (thecupcakegirls.org) provides nonjudgmental support for people working in the sex industry, and resources and aftercare for victims of sex tra cking.
Hearts Alive Village (heartsalivevillage. org) is an animal rescue organization o ering veterinary care, adoptions, fostering and more.
Hope Means Nevada (hopemeansnevada. org) is a wellness organization aiming to eliminate teen suicide.
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada (southernnevada. ja.org) gives instruction in financial literacy and career readiness to young people in need.
The Just One Project (thejustoneproject.org) provides grocery assistance and connections to social services for needy families and individuals.
Opportunity Village (opportunityvillage. org) helps people with disabilities to find housing, gain career training and make lasting social connections.
Project 150 (project150.org) helps unhoused, displaced and disadvantaged high school students along the path to graduation.
Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada (rtsnv.org) performs vital home repairs for low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.
SafeNest (safenest.org) provides support to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and tra cking.
The Shade Tree (theshadetree.org) o ers shelter, support and resources to abused women and children.
Shine a Light Foundation (shinealightlv.com) is a homeless outreach organization serving the community residing in Vegas’ underground drainage tunnels.
Spread the Word Nevada (spreadthewordneva da.org) strives to eradicate illiteracy in low-income communities.
ThreeSquare (threesquare.org) provides meals for families, children and seniors experiencing food insecurity.
Wild West Access Fund of Nevada (wildwestfund.org) supports and empowers people seeking out abortion care.
Rose quartz tower $2,000
Large Amethyst $1,200
Pendulum $25
Queen Alice tarot $40
Scientific studies show that indoor plants can help reduce stress, improve mood and even increase productivity. That explains why plant store owners Jason and Marcia Rosenberg often hear their customers say, “I always feel better when I walk into this place.” Open since 2023, their store Rooting for You is a greenhouse with plants growing from the walls and ceiling. It’s stocked with a range of houseplants suited for any giftee, as well as plant and home accessories. Plus, the store has a 1,000-square foot plant-filled creative studio available to rent for photo shoots, events, meetings and parties. 2380 N. Bu alo Dr. # 115, 702-445-6903, rooting-4u.com
13 10” x 10” Handmade
This moss art is handmade by the Rooting for You sta , making each piece one of a kind.
(Wade Vandervort/Sta
About Blanks Notebooks $25-$35
Felt birdhouses $40
Did we also mention this place has an artificial bird sanctuary? It’s fitting then that you’ll find these durable felt birdhouses in-store and warmly designed for your nesting house guest.
Marionettes from Czech Republic $30-150
Revive the art of puppetry and performance with these authentic marionette dolls from the Czech Republic. They’re perfect for brightening up a home or a marionette collector’s growing display.
This independent bookshop and cafe has been at the crux of the Downtown literary scene for over a decade now, enriching our community with intimate readings, book clubs and cozy coffee chats. A space festooned with new hardbacks, trade paperbacks, unique gifts and an abundance of quirky personality, The Writer’s Block harbors a distinct, lived-in feel and an unmatchable charm. 519 S. 6th St. #100, 702-550-6399, thewritersblock.org.
Mexican Coconut Masks $18
René Magritte Statuette “Son of Man Wearing Bowler” $40-$52
Gustav Klimt Statuette “The Kiss” $75
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
THE NEWS
“Any improvement is cause for celebration, even a modest one like we experienced last year. The reality is this: It is premature to claim victory if even one student is struggling to graduate. We applaud the hard work of educators and students. At the same time, we acknowledge that our agenda is unfinished, and work remains.”
—Jhone Ebert, superintendent of public instruction for the Nevada Department of Education, on the high school graduation rate increasing slightly in 2024
1 SNL STOP BEFORE VEGAS
Following his performance at the Country Music Awards and the announcement of his Coachella debut, Shaboozey is postponing his previously scheduled December 7 performance at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas to December 11. Why? He’ll be doing a little show called Saturday Night Live on December 7 instead. Tickets for his Vegas concert at Virgin are on sale at axs.com
HOT SHOT First-place winner George Russell, left, of Britain, celebrates with third-place finisher Carlos Sainz of Spain during the 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix late on November 23. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
DOZENS MARCH IN LAS VEGAS FOR MAN KILLED BY METRO OFFICER
Almost 100 people chanted “no justice, no peace” while marching from Las Vegas City Hall to Fremont Street to raise awareness of a man who was killed by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer in November.
Brandon Durham was shot and killed by Metro officer Alexander Bookman November 12 after Durham called police about a woman who broke into his home. Those marching on Saturday called Durham’s death an “open lynching” and took to Fremont to call for Bookman’s arrest and bring attention to the killing.
“What happens in Las Vegas will not stay in Las Vegas,” Las Vegas activist and minister Stretch Sanders said through a megaphone at Fremont Street to the crowd.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has said publicly a potential decision on whether to charge Bookman could take months.
When Bookman entered Durham’s home to respond to a burglary call, the officer encountered Durham in his underwear struggling with Alejandra Boudreaux as she held a knife. Bookman then shot Durham in the head before firing five more times af-
ter Durham fell to the ground. Organizers at the event also advised Clark County residents to contact Wolfson to encourage the prosecutor to charge the Metro officer with murder.
Durham is survived by several family members, including his mother, wife and a 15-year-old daughter who was in the home during the shooting, and maintained a successful real estate career. Speakers during the march emphasized that Durham did “everything right” but was still shot by police.
“This man did everything we say to do in this country to be successful—if you want the American dream, you do the things that Brandon Durham did,” NAACP Las Vegas branch president Quentin Savwoir said. “And even in doing that, it is not enough from being murdered in your own home.”
Sanders said activists would “up the ante” in protest tactics if the charges against Bookman or Metro policy tweaks aren’t made, including potential sitins, but no specific plans were detailed during the event.
Durham’s death is the eighth fatal shooting by Metro Police and the thirteenth Metro officer-involved shooting in 2024—an increase from 10 in
NORTH LAS VEGAS WINS AWARD
2 3
The National Alliance for Youth Sports has awarded the City of North Las Vegas the 2024 Excellence in Youth Sports Award. After the City of Henderson in 2017, North Las Vegas is the second city in Nevada to receive the award, which recognizes a commitment to providing exceptional youth sports programs.
2023. Fatal police shootings have increased in Las Vegas and across the country, with 2024 being the second deadliest year for police shootings in Southern Nevada in five years.
Durham’s death is also the first recorded Metro police shooting death in at least five years where the victim was not a suspect, according to Metro records. As per department policy, Bookman was placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation takes place, which usually take months.
Before the march, activists held a press conference to give Sanders, Savwoir and others a chance to speak, including Treyvon Frederick, a longtime friend of Durham. Frederick met Durham when they were both 18 in California and then reunited with him in Las Vegas years later. He said Durham had supported him emotionally, and at times financially, out of the kindness of his heart.
“He didn’t try to change who he was to be cool with me. I didn’t change who I was to be cool with him. He remained the same, always a good man,” Frederick said.
—Ayden Runnels
GRAND PRIX PLAZA
Grand Prix Plaza and Round Room Live have announced the launch of three year-round immersive experiences. F1-inspired karting, an interactive and educational 4D exhibit, and racing simulators are set to open at the 39-acre complex which houses the Las Vegas Grand Prix Pit Building in Spring 2025. A merchandise store and private event spaces are also coming to the Plaza, according to the announcement.
ENTERTAINMENT CHIPPENDALES MOVING TO THE STRIP
After a 22-year run with 9,000 performances at the Rio Hotel & Casino, Chippendales will be moving to the Linq with a new show.
According to a news release, performances will begin at the Mat Franco Theater on January 14, 2025.
“After a sensational run at Rio Las Vegas, we’re thrilled to be back in the Caesars Entertainment family and moving to our new home on the Strip,” said Katerina Tabakhov, Chippendales’ director of operations. “The Mat Franco Theater inside the Linq is the perfect stage for the Chippendales to turn up the heat and give audiences an all-new show in our new home.”
The new production promises a fresh lineup of acts and a revamped cast, with the same “iconic cuffs and collars,” according to the release.
Over its run at the Rio, the show has sold more than one million tickets, and more than 130 cast members have torn more than 275,000 tank tops off their bodies. –Staff
The complex problem of youth homelessness is on the rise in Nevada, but a system-wide approach is in the works
BY BROCK RADKE
Youth homelessness is a complex and multifaceted issue, one that can’t always be explained by socioeconomic trends or simply blamed on poverty. And the numbers are unfortunately rising: According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of young people experiencing homelessness in Nevada increased by 14% from 2022 to 2023.
With the state facing the most extreme shortage of a ordable housing in the nation, homelessness risk factors are only accelerating. Based on her own experiences, Nariya Gregory has some ideas about it, and they go much deeper than statistics.
“I think it’s mostly because of mental health. People have been struggling with their families and sometimes dealing with schools not understanding what they’re going through,” says the 20-year-old consultant and advocate, who rst experienced homelessness at the age of 12 with her family. “Sometimes people end up on the streets because their family is sabotaging them or putting them through a mental crisis. It may cause you to run away or sometimes to give up on yourself.” Gregory did not give up, even though she faced homelessness again as a teenager. She
BUILDING BUILDING
enrolled in the Independent Living Program through the local nonpro t Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, lived with NPHY while graduating high school, bought a car, enrolled in college and started working full-time. Now she speaks about her experiences and works with NPHY and other organizations to help redevelop the systems and programs aiming to eradicate the problem.
At this month’s eighth annual Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit at Las Vegas City Hall, Gregory gave an address about self-love, helping to spread awareness that homelessness is “not just about not having somewhere to go, it’s about the mental state we’re in when we’re going through it,” she says.
“There’s a fear of being judged. A lot of young people including myself have dealt with this, people judging me before even trying to understand my story, and not being willing to help. It puts a young person in a mindset that no one cares and it makes them avoid getting the help they need.”
The summit, presented by NPHY in partnership with Las Vegas Sands and the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban A airs, aims every year to go beyond just creating more exposure
STABILITY STABILITY
for a population frequently described as invisible or voiceless. NPHY CEO Arash Ghafoori says the summit’s information- lled morning and action-taking breakout sessions in the afternoon are curated in the same strategic way the organization approaches the issue of youth homelessness.
“You have to approach it in a bookend way, so you have those high-quality services on the ground, programs that impact one youth at a time, and on the other end is systems-level advocacy,” Ghafoori says. “Those impacts we can achieve through events like the summit that can allow us to bring more funding to the community, and to pass laws that a ect all young people in all corners of our state.”
As it did to most community conditions, the COVID pandemic exacerbated the complexities of youth homelessness in Southern Nevada. Ghafoori says the aftermath of the pandemic brought to light the mental health issues young people experience in homelessness, and also exposed the limited resources available in the community dedicated to this speci c issue.
But he also explains how the local community is dedicating more attention and resources than ever before to build programs and infra-
structure to battle youth homelessness. “We’re also getting better at seeing it and identifying it, and not just treating it as an afterthought. There’s been a shift in the local and federal government to put more attention toward it, because if we don’t solve this issue, not only will we have these young people who are not getting their shot, but then they’ll transition into chronic adult homelessness that has a generational negative impact,” Ghafoori says. Southern Nevada government and organizations recently received an unprecedented amount of funding in more than $9 million from two federal grants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded over $8.5 million to Clark County and the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care, funds that will be dedicated to supporting young people facing housing insecurity. And NPHY was awarded an $800,000 federal grant to lead a project to grow the leadership capacity of young people experiencing homelessness—creating youth boards across the state with individuals like Gregory sharing their unique perspectives—and to create the rst-ever statewide Nevada Plan to End Youth Homelessness.
Those investments will put a lot of power behind thoughtful programming devised by boots-on-the-ground organizations like NPHY.
“Nariya developed a youth-designed and youth-led focus group … and she really brought up important concerns about quality of care, not just the existence of care,” Ghafoori says of Gregory. “Something we’ve committed to do is create standards of excellence, just like when you go to the doctor and there are standards you expect that they’re trained on and held accountable to.
“Food and shelter are just the tip of the iceberg that’s needed, just to get [homeless youth] out of survival mode. These [grants] will put a signi cant dent in what we need to create infrastructure and programs to reach that level of quality of care. And it’s pretty cool the federal government is recognizing programs alone can’t solve this issue, there needs to be complete system coordination— and dare I say redesign—coupled with this investment. We really need to have a north star and common de nitions of how to solve this issue.”
COMFORT & JOY
From the Magical Forest to Glittering Lights and more, tour these festive Las Vegas holiday attractions
BY BROCK RADKE
What a year it’s been for Opportunity Village. The iconic Las Vegas nonprofit institution marked an incredible 70 years serving the community with programs for people with disabilities. It opened a new location in East Las Vegas in February, broke ground for a new Northwest Community Center and Betty’s Village North residential project in the fall, and will relocate its OV Thrift Store near the Meadows Mall with an opening on December 2.
And now it’s time to celebrate again, together for the holidays. The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village opens for the season on November 29 with a tree lighting ceremony set for 5:30 p.m. at the festive wonderland at 6300 West Oakey Boulevard. Still one of the organization’s primary fundraisers, the Magical Forest offers rides, mini golf, a holiday lights walking path, the Forest Express train, Santa’s cabin, the Holiday Shoppe and familiar treats like hot chocolate or turkey legs. (Tickets are on sale now at magicalforest. com and check before you go for prices, hours and availability.)
But the thing about holiday cheer is—there’s never too much. If you’re already hooked and looking for a tour of festive attractions across the Valley, consider the following fun.
Cosmopolitan Ice Rink This perennial favorite also arrives this week, opening November 28 with a tree lighting ceremony set for December 1 hosted by Cosmo headlining comedian Chelsea Handler. There’ll be holiday movies, photos with Santa, s’mores and more, and new this year is the Coca-Cola Holiday Village, pouring the classic bubbly bev in special ice glasses inside an igloo bar, serving up Coke floats with your favorite toppings and helping you create personalized postcards in the holiday message booth. (cosmopol itanlasvegas.com)
Ethel M Chocolates Holiday Cactus Garden If you’re not picking up sweet stocking stuffers at Ethel M after you roam the Holiday Cactus Garden with the family, you’re just not doing Christmas in Vegas the right way. Open through January 4 with no reservations required, the sparkling desert garden is perfectly complemented by a cup of hot cocoa while you stroll. This year, every bit of the $3 entrance fee goes to HELP of Southern Nevada and Three Square food bank. (ethelm.com)
Enchant Christmas Back at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, the immersive pop-up Enchant will include “the world’s largest Christmas Maze” of 80,000 square feet of light sculptures, ice skating, caroling, live entertainment, a holiday shopping village, a kids’ play place, food and drinks and more. Jump on this: Free tickets for kids will be available December 4, 10 and 11. (enchantchristmas.com)
Glittering Lights The 2.5mile, five-million-twinkling-light strong Las Vegas Motor Speedway attraction has been illuminating our holidays for 24 years and has been open since November 8. The drive-thru celebration continues through January 5 with more free nights, contests and promos than ever before. (glitteringlightslas vegas.com)
98.5 KLUC Chet Buchanan Toy Drive It may not qualify as an attraction but Toy Drive is one of the Valley’s favorite Christmastime traditions. Radio legend Chet Buchanan will once again take to the 20-foot scaffold at NV Energy on West Sahara to preside over the 26th annual community collection of presents to benefit HELP of Southern Nevada, with some fun holiday photo ops and activations stoking the spirit. (helpsonv.org)
LOCAL SPIN
Four new releases from the local music scene
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
THE HATE Wasted
The Hate’s Wasted LP hits the ground running with all the fury you’d expect from this punk-hardcore juggernaut. Formed in 2018, it’s been a long wait, but after two demos and an EP, one of the scene’s most commended are back with 10 tracks of molten instrumental aggression. Lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Duggan’s strained howls drip with urgency as bandmates Charlie Wilder (bass) and Jeremy Tunender (drums) puncture our ears with clean riffage and percussion. The LP’s opener serves as a haunting prelude, easing us into the chaos before launching into the unrelenting “Crawl.” Recorded over just a few days at LA’s Pale Moon Ranch Studio, Wasted renders well into the live experience, with standout bangers like “All of Nothing” and “None of These Words Are in the Bible” cementing the band’s place among the genre’s best. linktr.ee/thehateband
CRUMBCATCHER
Infinite Feedback
In September we caught a Crumbcatcher set at Gold Spike, alongside local cohorts Twin Cities and fresh off the release of Infinite Feedback, and the energy and shred-ability from their recordings translated effortlessly to the stage. Driven by themes of self-realization, growing pains and tenacity, Infinite Feedback is a finely crafted collection of songs that showcase the band members’ impressive songwriting skills as they weave complex compositions. The quintet steps it up by incorporating string and brass instruments on select tracks from guest musicians, adding to the level of depth that’s typically unexpected in this space. These cinematic elements not only complement their indie-emo foundation, they move us further into witnessing their musical flexibility. But don’t just take our word for it, give the album a listen. Our repeat favorites? The title track and “Bitcrusher.” linktr.ee/crumbcatchernv
TATUM THE DREAMER
“Groove Phase”
Tatum the Dreamer’s latest single “Groove Phase” opens with sweet, melodic guitar picking that sets the stage for the smooth, ethereal tenor of the R&B singer. This finger-snapping jam pulses with a laid-back vibe, as Tatum’s voice effortlessly glides over the track, weaving through lush harmonies and a mid-song rap verse. For those partial to dreamy vocalists like Frank Ocean or Omar Apollo, this song channels that same seductive energy with relatable lyricism and an undeniable rhythm. “Get me in my groove phase/You just get my body moving yeah yeah/Even if we forget/ Remember this moment”—the song invites you to take advantage of the now and move freely. vyd.co/GroovePhase
SINCERELY YOURS Acclimate to the Sounds of a Beating Heart
Fresh from the local hardcore scene comes the quartet Sincerely Yours, which wasted no time sharing its debut EP Acclimate to the Sounds of a Beating Heart and the project smacks you with all the chaotic promise of a band just getting started. Dropped on September 20, the record’s full of breakdowns and unbridled power, perfect for the moshers. But the opener, “Brother of Mine” is a stunner, starting with a spoken word intro that hurls you back to the heyday of La Dispute before chugging into the crescendo. Out of the following four tracks, our standout pick is “Only God Knows I’m not a Virgin … Now You Know Too,” heavy with the screamo nostalgia of the 2010s and the vocal layering is a highlight, giving everything a fuller punch. After a couple of listens, we’ve concluded that this is a start worth following. solo.to/sincerelyyourslvhc
RECORDING STUDIO AND REHEARSAL SPACE SONIC RODEO WINDS DOWN
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Las Vegas musicians will soon have one less place to call home. Sonic Rodeo, a premier recording studio and rehearsal space in the Arts District, has announced its closure.
“I’ve been in this town for 30 years, and I’ve been lucky enough to play with just about everybody. I really envisioned the place as being … an upgrade from what people were experiencing,” says A.J. Palluck, who co-owns the studio with James Swanson of Factor Media. “What I brought to the table was the personal element. I really enjoyed networking with people and encouraging them. … Whereas, I think at a lot of the places in town that were rehearsal spots, that didn’t exist.”
The duo established Sonic Rodeo with every intention of roping the community in. It was a place where homespun bands could feel proud of where they performed—and so many memories come to mind when Palluck thinks back. The visits from Penn Jillette and famed guitarist Steve Stevens. The night Sonic Rodeo helped SoulBelly BBQ orchestrate a surprise gig with The All-American Rejects. The time ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons came in and filmed a music video.
Palluck, who drums for the Vegas band Soft Echo, says Sonic Rodeo never made outrageous money, but it remained profitable. Rising rent costs contributed to the closure, but this won’t be his last rodeo.
“I like being involved in music. It’s never been about money or fame or popularity,” he says. “One of my kids asked me one day, ‘Dad, why do you play music? Why have you never stopped?’ And I said, because I was cursed with it.”
Palluck says he’s open to becoming a session drummer for other bands. And there’s more to look forward to as Sonic Rodeo’s mixing engineer and guitarist Reid Heidel and luthier Christopher Davis prepare to open their own spot near Sand Dollar Lounge.
“People should take heart to the fact that even though we’re not necessarily going to be the go-to for rehearsal … we’ve hopefully established that it can be done,” Palluck says. “My hope is that somebody else takes up the mantle. There are rehearsal spaces, but I don’t think there’s necessarily music hubs. … I think this community deserves it.”
Put The Back In Awesome
The west rim is heart-pounding, soul-searching, bucket-list-checking adrenaline rushes you’ve never felt or seen before, including one of the largest glass cantilever bridges in the world that will have you stepping 4,000 feet out over the Grand Canyon floor. Skywalk is just one of the ways you can jolt your senses and ignite your spirit at Grand Canyon West. Plan your adventure today.
QUARTER POLE
Taking stock of where the Vegas Golden Knights stand through one quarter of the NHL regular season
BY JACK WILLIAMS
The NHL season is in full swing, and the Vegas Golden Knights are in a familiar spot atop the Pacific Division a quarter of the way into the 82-game regular season.
The Golden Knights haven’t been great, but they’ve taken advantage of a slow start by the rest of their division-mates and their always-formidable home ice advantage at T-Mobile Arena.
Vegas won eight straight games at home, spanning the entire month of October, and had one of the hottest top lines in the NHL.
Reality has set in since then. The team has been more up and down in November, especially after captain Mark Stone su ered another injury to miss an extended amount of time.
Here are superlatives good and bad to take account of where the Golden Knights stand a fourth of the way into their season.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
JACK EICHEL
The Golden Knights needed Eichel to be even better this season than he was in his rst two full campaigns with the team and, so far, he’s delivered.
Through 20 games, Eichel chipped in six goals, 23 assists and 29 points. That was good for second in the NHL in assists and fth in points.
He’s on pace to smash his career highs in both categories. The 28-year-old has a chance to jump from star to superstar this season, and he might be up to the task based on his playmaking start.
OVERACHIEVER
PAVEL DOROFEYEV
Earning the nickname “Scoreofeyev” is telling; the 24-year-old is the Golden Knights’ leading scorer through two months with 10 goals. He’s three goals shy of matching the 13 he put up in a breakout campaign last year. That could come fast considering injuries and subsequent lineup reshu ing have boosted Dorofeyev up to the top line next to Eichel and Ivan Barbashev.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy expected Dorofeyev to take the next step in his development this season, but rocketing all the way to leading the team in goals was a pleasant surprise.
UNDERACHIEVER
NOAH HANIFIN
The Golden Knights acquired the veteran defenseman from the Calgary Flames last March with the expectation that he would t right into the team’s defensive system and immediately contribute o ensively. It happened at the end of last regular season into the playo s,
but hasn’t carried over into the rst season on his new eight-year deal. He’s had at least 35 points in his last three NHL seasons but is now well below that pace.
Hani n’s plus/minus sits at -3 through 20 games, the fourth-worst on the team. He had one stretch in mid-November where he went six straight games without a point.
Cassidy believes Hani n will nd his game, but it must come sooner rather than later.
RISING STAR
NICOLAS ROY
The 27-year-old is doing everything well and lling a void left by losing several forwards in the o season.
Nicolas Roy has proven that he can do just about everything on the ice and is the center this team has been looking for to ll in some o -season losses.
He had 12 points through the rst 20 games despite not having much consistency with his spot in the lineup. Roy has moved around to ll whatever Cassidy needs for a given night or stretch of games.
Roy is also becoming a fan favorite because of his willingness to drop gloves, as he got into a crowd-pleasing ght with Utah’s Ian Cole.
He might not be one of the faces of the franchise, but Roy embodies a lot of its qualities as someone who’s exible and willing to do whatever is asked.
4-2 AT
EDMONTON OILERS
The Golden Knights lost four straight on the road to start the season, and then faced their toughest test on November 6 at Edmonton. The betting line steamed in favor of the Oilers, who were getting superstar Connor McDavid back from injury for the game, but the market was wrong. Hani n scored twice, McDavid was silent and the Golden
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Nov. 29
vs. Winnipeg Jets
Nov. 30
vs. Utah Hockey Club
Dec. 3
vs. Edmonton Oilers
Dec. 4
at Anaheim Ducks
Dec. 6
vs. Dallas Stars
Knights rallied from a 2-1 de cit with three third-period goals.
It was the most complete game of the year for the Golden Knights and showed that they can still look like a Stanley Cup contender at their best.
WORST LOSS
5-2 VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES
The Hurricanes are the current Stanley Cup betting favorites, so losing to them is no major cause for concern. It’s more the way the Golden Knights lost that was eyebrow-raising.
Vegas had at least been competitive in every game before getting dominated by Carolina on November 11 at T-Mobile Arena. The o ense had no punch, and Cassidy pulled goalie Adin Hill in the second period after he allowed four goals on 21 shots.
Vegas was careless with the puck and it looked like Carolina could have kept scoring if it didn’t slow down with a big lead late in the game.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
PLAY AGAINST HIGHER RANKED OPPOSITION
The Hurricanes’ loss wasn’t a oneo aberration. The Golden Knights typically haven’t played well against the NHL’s top teams.
Against teams in current divisional playo spots, the top three teams in each group, Vegas is 2-5-1. The Golden Knights’ record is almost entirely boosted by beating up on lesser competition as they’re 8-0-1 against teams currently out of the playo picture.
They’re beating the teams they should be beating but losing important games.
There’s a lot of time to turn it around, but Vegas needs to start to show it isn’t outgunned by the top teams to reach its ultimate goals.
Jack Eichel (AP Photo) headshots (Courtesy/ NHL)
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
SIBLING REVELRY
Cleaver’s sister restaurant Middle Child puts bold fare forward
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Restaurant families can be complicated. In the case of Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas’ revered cocktail bar and late-night lounge and restaurant, a sister concept like Cleaver built upon what was already great. Owner Nectaly Mendoza surprised us next with the arrival of Morning News, a breakfast joint no one quite expected but everyone quickly loved. Now there’s another addition to the family with Middle Child, a new brunch and lunch eatery determined to stand out.
Middle Child marketing manager Kei Chua sees the restaurant as a happy medium between all Mendoza’s concepts. “Herbs & Rye is like the oldest sibling. It kind of had a scrappy start, has a really cocktail-focused program, and we just so happen to have a great steakhouse, Cleaver,” says Chua. “We were able to build from ... the experience with the first one and we’re able to be a little more upscale. Middle Child is kind of in between. It’s a brunch spot, it’s still upscale, but we like to have fun here.”
fare—great cuts of meat and ethically sourced seafood that’s aligned Cleaver and Herbs & Rye with high quality. But when it comes to the rest of the menu, Middle Child establishes itself as a freer, more eccentric spirit. For instance, the chef’s Wagyu burger ($22) features a decadent amount of truffle pecorino and truffle aioli and comes served on a black brioche bun. There’s also a soft-shell crab sandwich ($19), with a whole fried crab slipped between a mound of spicy slaw and a potato bun.
The bone marrow that’s paired with Middle Child’s biscuits and gravy ($25) also delivers a subtle but savory punch—and it’s a combination we wouldn’t have expected. The same goes for the chorizo bacon crispy rice ($17). It’s a grand slam of color and texture, with building heat that’s enhanced by a very crunchy and flavorful marriage of chorizo, deepfried rice and a sunny side up egg.
CAFE MIXES SAVORY MEXICAN FLAVORS WITH BRUNCH CLASSICS
Food has a transportive power. It can take us places we’ve never been, and leave us searching for flavors that trigger a sense of comfort and warmth.
Chamana’s Cafe, new in Spring Valley, is Dan Krohmer’s latest concept, inspired by his travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, and it captures that essence. The brunch-centric menu, curated by Krohmer and the culinary team from beloved raw bar and restaurant Other Mama, features a mix of classic dishes done right and authentically crafted Mexican fare. With every bite you’ll find yourself transported, whether back to your childhood kitchen table or to distant lands.
In contrast to Cleaver’s moodier interiors, Middle Child is radiant in look and feel. Natural light spills in from large windows looking out at Paradise Road, calling attention to the contemporary design of the restaurant and the brightly plated cuisine.
Raw bar selections of freshly shucked and charbroiled oysters and seafood platters leave a dominant mark on Middle Child’s menu, followed by more upscale offerings like octopus carpaccio ($22) and beef tartare with a sous vide egg yolk, horseradish and capers ($18). There’s a healthy list of benedicts to consider, like the sliced sirloin surf and turf ($25) and the lobster and truffle benny ($35).
All of that’s pretty buttoned-up
Middle Child’s fare often straddles the line between casual and charmingly bougie. But frankly, we’d expect nothing less from a brunch and lunch spot with its pedigree. Chua says the restaurant will soon open for dinner, with an emphasis on prime rib.
The goal has always been to deliver an experience that’s both elevated and accessible to locals.
“We’re not on the Strip, we’re a family-owned business. We have been for the past 15 years, but what we’ve always wanted to do is make sure that the average working person can have a nice, fun meal without going super crazy and breaking the bank,” Chua says.
Middle Child has some growing to do if it wants to reach the level of its sister concepts. But as first impressions go, this kid is going places.
Kick off your visit with a steaming cup of drip coffee ($2.50), locally sourced from Dark Moon Roasters, a humble but perfect way to ease into the morning. Or try something from the espresso program—the spiced orange mocha latte ($6), with its deep, citrusy undertones that dance on your palate, or something a little more unexpected, like the white mocha matcha latte ($7), which strikes a balance between sweet and earthy while still giving you that caffeine fix.
Now for the food. The Oaxaca benedict ($16) is a Mexican twist on the classic, with poached eggs nestled on sope-style tortillas, topped with barbacoa and velvety Hollandaise. The chilaquiles ($15) start with a bed of house-made crispy tortilla chips and are simmered and sauced up with a zesty salsa verde before being topped with crema, red onion, cotija cheese and eggs.
If you’re feeling more lunch-y, we recommend devouring the pork Milanesa sandwich ($16). A crispy, golden-breaded piece of pork is stacked on bread with lettuce, tomato and a creamy aioli, all spiced up with jalapeños. The lamb barbacoa grilled cheese ($16) is toasted to perfection and served with your choice of soup, salad, fries or fruit. And if you’ve got the room, you won’t regret wrapping up the meal with a churro cheesecake ($7) or agave flan ($7). –Gabriela Rodriguez
CHAMANA’S CAFE 3655 S. Durango Dr. #29, 725-2059846, chamanascafe.com. Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
CHAMANA’S
(Courtesy)
HIGH SCHOOL HEROES
HEROIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Justin Holman Boulder City High School
Justin Holman had stopped riding his mini bike on this June afternoon in the desert behind Racetrack Road in Henderson to take in the sights. The 15-year-old often heads that way when the sun is about to set for the view of the Las Vegas skyline.
BY LAS VEGAS WEEKLY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHS BY WADE VANDERVORT
It’s our privilege at Las Vegas Weekly to shine light on the remarkable acts of heroism, generosity, selflessness and community commitment exhibited by a younger generation. ¶ Many of us have witnessed remarkable young people go above and beyond to help others and thought, “This should be recognized.” ¶ Our High School Heroes awards program is doing just that.
¶ This is the first year the Weekly and Las Vegas Sun—our sister publication at Greenspun Media Group—have hosted the High School Heroes show. ¶ It’s a simple concept: Shine light on the heroic actions of a younger generation and allow them to inspire the community to follow suit.¶ This week, we present stories of Las Vegas’ young heroes. Enjoy.
Holman glanced over to watch another rider, who suddenly had a nasty crash and flew about six feet in the air and landed on his head.
Holman, 14 at the time, raced over to find the boy unresponsive. He helped the child regain consciousness and assisted him back to his home. But Jesse Lopez, 16, was dazed and confused, and his family quickly transported him to University Medical Center.
Lopez su ered a concussion, had a broken collarbone, and lacerations in his kidneys and pancreas. If it weren’t for Holman springing into action, there’s no telling how long Lopez would have been alone in the Henderson desert.
Holman, a freshman at Boulder City High School, said his instincts took over when he saw Lopez in the air. “I went to
check on him. That was a bad accident,” Holman said.
Lopez spent about one week in the hospital. His mother, Gina Aguirre, took to social media after he was released searching for the Good Samaritan who she said saved her son’s life.
The message quickly spread to the Holman family, said Tye Holman, Justin’s father.
Justin Holman told his father of the crash and how he brought the disorientated rider to safety. But, like all teens, Justin was light on details and downplayed his act of heroism. He’s a shy teenager who doesn’t desire the spotlight, his father said.
The Holmans are constantly working on “anything with an engine,” and their son learned riding safety at a young age, Tye Holman said. The family is proud of their son’s action and stresses that looking out for your fellow rider is a way of life.
The teens got together this summer for a reunion and the families remain in close contact.
“I’m glad Jesse is OK,” Justin says. “(At the time) I didn’t realize what I was doing was that big of a deal.”
TEAM PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Ryan Arcana
and Thalia Huygens
Bishop Gorman
Thalia Huygens, a senior at Bishop Gorman High School, walked into a meeting with officials from a local gaming company and couldn’t help but be nervous.
She was raising money for Student Visionaries of the Year, an entrepreneurship and project management campaign for high school students to fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Huygens’ pitch worked.
Golden Entertainment made a $75,000 contribution, she said, helping a fundraising team led by Huygens and Gorman classmate, Ryan Arcana, raise $378,000 to aid cancer patients.
“It’s rewarding to see how we impacted the families (of cancer patients) and helped the community as a whole,” Huygens said.
The fundraising of the group Bucks for Battle led by the Gor-
man duo included contributions from 3,000 donors and ranked sixth nationally out of 1,050 teams. Teams in Nevada combined to raise $1,180,666, meaning the group led by Huygens and Arcana made up about 25% of the fundraising.
The project included spreading awareness through social media posts, writing letters to companies looking for support, holding meetings with student colleagues and plenty of long nights.
And, the teens say, it was well worth the effort.
The funds will help Las Vegas patients with their medical copays and travel assistance and to fund lifesaving, cutting-edge blood cancer research.
“It’s a good feeling knowing you can help families that are suffering,” Arcana, a high school junior, said.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Grace Netski Faith Lutheran
Grace Netski, who serves as a lead for the Hope Means Nevada suicide prevention awareness organization, has a message for anyone dealing with mental health struggles: Your life is worth living.
Netski, a senior at Faith Lutheran, spends her free time volunteering in projects to help “kids, animals and rescues, the military, homeless, veterans, elderly and anyone in need,” said Melanie Bowline, an advisor at Faith Lutheran who nominated Netski.
But it’s her work in suicide prevention that she is most proud of.
Hope Means Nevada promotes messaging like “you are not alone,” and “it’s OK to not be OK.”
Netski has relayed those sentiments to teens in need and is hopeful that the group’s mentoring can provide inspiration to live hopeful lives.
At least 11 teens enrolled in Clark County School District schools died by suicide in the initial months of pandemic
school closures in 2020, officials said.
There were 1.2 million suicide attempts in the United States in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Netski finds value in helping her teen peers cope. She’s dedicated to helping lift stigmas associated with mental health struggles.
“I’ve always been drawn to helping those in need in my community,” Netski said.
Netski for the past two years has served as the Key Club president at Faith Lutheran, having a hand in planning many outreach events, such as community service projects for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
She has additionally served as an ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, plans community service projects at Ronald McDonald House Charities and led a crew of volunteers handing out supplies at the Las Vegas Marathon.
“Grace exudes serving from the heart,” Bowline said.
BEST SOCIAL IMPACT
Maddy Hanlon-Oviatt
Palo Verde High School
One of Maddy Hanlon-Oviatt’s closest friends at Palo Verde High School is Jennifer. They were introduced through the Best Buddies program, which promotes one-on-one friendships between students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Hanlon-Oviatt, the group’s president, helped grow Palo Verde’s Best Buddies affiliate from 21 members to hundreds of students. The group was named the National Outstanding Chapter of the Year for 2024, beating out 1,100 other schools.
“My reward is the friendships. That’s what is most important,” she said.
Hanlon-Oviatt was matched with Jennifer two years ago. The friends exchange text messages, get together on weekends for a movie or for go-kart racing, and check on each other throughout the course of the school day. That, after all, is what being a friend is about.
Hanlon-Oviatt, according to a nomination from Palo Verde, “encourages our students in (special education) to learn how
to use self-advocacy and set goals to gain independence.”
Thanks to the confidence gained from being paired with Hanlon-Oviatt, Jennifer is now a board member for Palo Verde’s chapter.
And when Hanlon-Oviatt represented Palo Verde in July at the Best Buddies leadership conference in Bloomington, Indiana, Jennifer accompanied her for the event.
“Maddy ensures that all students feel included and have a positive experience like Jennifer,” her nominators wrote.
Hanlon-Oviatt was nonverbal until first grade, eventually overcoming the speech difficulties with the support of her family. She said the experience helped develop an understanding of challenges faced by special needs students. It’s given her the determination to make a difference in advocating for inclusion.
“We foster one-on-one friendships and an inclusive environment,” she said. “Best Buddies is about creating friends, and those friends bringing (the best) out of you.”
ENVIRONMENTAL HELPER OF THE YEAR
Micah Feller
West Career & Technical Academy
Since his freshman year, Micah Feller has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring back endangered fish species to the Colorado River.
It started with rainbow trout eggs, a 150-gallon water tank and a water cooling system. The equipment was used to hatch the eggs into baby trout, the senior at West Career & Technical Academy said.
Now, the aquaculture system has grown to a 700-gallon tank for 300 bonytail chub, the most endangered of the large river fish in the Colorado Basin watershed.
The school received the aquaculture system in the 2022-2023 school year and started raising bonytail chub the following year, Feller said.
He keeps the tank clean, feeds the fish, takes water quality tests and mentors students interested in the project.
“The bonytail chub is important to the ecosystem (because) they are a native species of the Colorado River,” Feller said.
“Their population has been degraded to a point where they don’t have any sustaining populations in the wild.”
That is because dam construction has caused changes in migration routes and water quality, Feller said. The water temperature is also no longer ideal for the fish, he said.
“It’s a bit of a conundrum,” Feller said. “Dams are pretty much required for the power generation, but … a possible solution would be to not rely as much on (dams) for power and rely more on our solar farms … to access that energy and help produce more energy so that dams are less needed.”
When the fish are ready to be released into the Colorado River, they are taken to the Willow Beach hatchery.
Along with the aquaculture system, located at the school’s greenhouse, there is a display tank with three of the endangered fish species of the Colorado River, Feller said.
The display tank raises awareness about endangered species in the river. It includes the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker and bonytail chub.
“We’ve shown the Department of Fish and Wildlife that we are responsible,” Feller said. “We can do this project.”
CULTURAL ADVOCATE OF YEAR
Katelyn Cambeiro
Bishop Gorman High School
Katelyn Cambeiro’s grandfather immigrated from Cuba to the United States and ultimately settled in Las Vegas.
One of the most di cult parts of the transition: Learning a new language.
Cambeiro, a Bishop Gorman senior, is determined to provide young immigrants coming to the country another tool for getting adjusted to their new home.
She is the co-founder and president of Empowering Immigrants, a nonprofit organization that launched during the pandemic to help Spanish-speaking students achieve proficiency in English. The group provides handmade flashcards to Clark County School District schools to help Spanish speaking students learn a new language.
Most of the schools the organization deals with are from underrepresented neighborhoods, she said.
“I am grateful that I have the opportunity to help and make a
di erence,” she said.
Empowering Immigrants later expanded by developing a smartphone app—LEAF, or Learning English in a Flash. It o ers visual and audio elements to help students see and hear the words they are learning. The app was developed in part because of a $5,000 fellowship. The cards and app are free o erings.
Cambeiro’s grandfather constantly stressed to family members the importance of obtaining an education. For new residents of our community, that starts by gaining confidence in being able to communicate and understand what’s being taught, she said.
She has met with principals and teachers in the school district to advocate for equal access to education.
“Katelyn’s compassionate nature and innovative approach have positively impacted countless lives,” her nominators wrote.
BEST COMMUNITY PARTNER
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders hadn’t planned a game in Las Vegas. Yet owner Mark Davis saw the community his franchise was moving to struggling during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020 and couldn’t stand idly by on the sidelines.
The Raiders made a $500,000 donation to the Nevada Community Foundation to help eliminate meal debt for area children. When a family doesn’t qualify for free school meals for a child and doesn’t have the means to pay, a debt is placed in the family’s name. This donation covered that debt.
It’s one of the many contributions the Raiders have made in their five years of calling Las Vegas home, including many donations that have impacted students.
Take an initiative to provide back-to-school haircuts and styling for 600 students, setting them up for a confident start
to the academic year. And there’s the annual holiday party for children from underserved communities and foster homes at Allegiant Stadium, where the youth participate in activities on the field, and receive a festive meal and gifts.
The Raiders players are involved in the charity, being active in initiatives such as Nevada Reading Week.
The franchise’s generosity extends into athletics, where they contributed at least $100,000 to high school football programs for much-needed equipment. Most of the work is done with teams from underrepresented neighborhoods.
The franchise also opens Allegiant Stadium for the state championship games at no charge, hosts girls flag football tournaments at its practice facility in Henderson and hosts a coach of the week program providing a $1,000 donation to the winning coach’s program.
BEST GLOBAL IMPACT
Sara Franco Gutierrez Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy
Sara Franco Gutierrez listened to a young patient’s symptoms, diagnosed the ailment and helped come up with treatment.
The patient lived in Nigeria and was attending a telehealth appointment with the 16-year-old Franco Gutierrez this summer as part of the Leadership Initiative’s Advanced Medical and Public Health Internship at Georgetown University. A licensed physician was part of the appointment.
The initiative paid for the treatment. Franco Gutierrez, citing privacy laws, couldn’t detail the aliment.
“It’s a life-changing feeling knowing I helped someone feel better,” she said.
Franco Gutierrez, who is part of the EMT magnet program at Veterans Tribute, aspires to be a doctor. She qualified for a public health internship by excelling in a Future Health Professionals— formerly Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)—
conference of Nevada teens in Reno.
“During Sara’s internship, she demonstrated a high level of professionalism and an impressive work ethic,” her nominator wrote. “Sara’s enthusiasm was evident along with her thoughtful contributions and her willingness to go the extra mile.”
Franco Gutierrez learned how to diagnose the four most common and deadliest diseases in the developing world, including malaria. She created a public health campaign to educate the community about malaria, raising awareness and potentially protecting countless lives.
A native of Colombia who came to Las Vegas in 2016, she aspires to study medicine because it can help save lives— especially for those who lack adequate care.
Franco Gutierrez says it best: “I want to make this world a better place.”
BEST VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Kiran Talim
West Career & Technical Academy
Kiran Talim noticed a spike in misdemeanor crimes amongst her peers following closures brought on by the COVID pandemic and was inspired to help.
She coordinated with Metro Police to launch the DREAM program—“Discover, Redirect, Empower, Advocate and Mentor”—at the Summerlin Area Command station to help mentor at-risk youth.
Talim leads emotional support and empowerment sessions twice a week as part of the program. The peer-to-peer counseling is making an impact, she said.
“While Summerlin has a lot of resources, there was a void for at-risk youth,” she said.
Talim additionally collaborates with Metro to work with
youth already convicted of crimes, hosting a three-month mentoriship program that’s helped 16 teens complete their probation, according to her nomination letter.
That project included coordinating with probation officers and those in the legal system, the letter said.
Her approach to working with troubled peers is to be “friendly and understanding,” she said.
Talim, on track to be the West Tech valedictorian, proudly says she’s never received a grade lower than an A. She plans to study medicine in college and aspires to become a surgeon.
She’ll never stop advocating for those in need—something working with at-risk youth has solidified.
PHILANTHROPIC HIGH SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Clark High School
Clark High has a reputation of being a powerhouse academic school, consistently ranking in Newsweek’s list of the nation’s top performing high schools. Clark’s magnet program has received the Magnet Schools of America excellence award, rea rming the school’s mission to inspire students for college readiness.
Part of the readiness, principal Zeola Braxton stresses, is learning the value of volunteering. There’s a link front and center on Clark’s website with volunteer opportunities—a list of about 25 on-campus clubs where students can make a di erence.
In the 2023-24 school year, students amassed 2,581 hours of community service, Braxton said. Braxton says many of the students are so dedicated to serving
that they bring classmates along with them.
“We work really hard to make sure everyone has an opportunity to be involved,” Braxton said. “A lot of the students are getting involved because they have that passion.”
Robert Chondro, a Clark senior, helped launch Giving to Kids, a student-led nonprofit that provides educational resources and necessities to children worldwide.
They hosted a fundraiser that brought in $25,000, enabling the group to donate $5,000 to University Medical Center to help families who couldn’t pay their children’s medical bills. And this summer, they traveled to Vietnam to provide support with thousands of dollars worth of school supplies to orphans.
“It’s very fulfilling,” Chondro said.
“A bunch of kids have a better opportunity because of our e orts.”
Hairmella Faito, a Clark senior who was part of a group that provided holiday meals to the elderly, said the giving spirit at Clark is contagious with classmates.
“We have so many clubs that help the community. You see your friends involved and you want to be part of it, too,” she said.
Sile Smith, who was part of a group that helped with a cleanup of Springs Preserve, say some students perform community service because it’s a resume builder for college. However, many of his peers at Clark are involved for another reason: To make Las Vegas a better place.
“It’s great friendships,” Smith said. “You are part of something bigger than yourself.”
From left: Robert Chondro, Valerie Castellanos, Sile Smith, Olivia Hua and Hairmella Fiato
CONSUMERS HUNTING FOR VALUE IN HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON
BY KATIE ANN MCCARVER VEGAS INC STAFF
Economists in Wells Fargo’s 2024 Holiday Sales Outlook have predicted that the holiday sales season will be weaker than last year, rising just over 3% in November and December compared with the same time in 2023.
The forecast for the holiday sales season is decent overall from a historical perspective but is still the lowest it’s been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Shannon Grein, a Wells Fargo economist.
While momentum for spending remains intact for households, Grein said, many are still “price-sensitive.”
“There are areas of in ation, like food, gas— these key components or key portions of the nondiscretionary budget—that have outpaced in ation and then have outpaced wages,” she said. “So I think that’s eating into the ability for households to keep spending at such a robust clip that they have in recent years.”
Holiday sales were up nearly 3% as of October, to be on track with Wells Fargo’s predictions, Grein said. And though the projected annual growth may be the slowest it’s been in four years, she emphasized that it’s consistent with pre-pandemic averages and does not necessarily bode ill for retailers or overall spending.
The spending pace is normalizing following the pandemic era of excess savings, easy access to relatively cheap credit and more, Grein said. That normalization is somewhat needed, she added, and consistent with the purchasing power that households have today.
“The economy and the United States is still feeling those e ects of the pandemic,” she said. “So just another, normal holiday season is something I think a lot of households are looking forward to, and a big portion of that is the
gift-giving side.”
Sales activity like discounts on key gifts or purchases could be helpful for consumers, Grein said.
Marla Sta ord, a professor of marketing at UNLV’s Lee Business School, said she believes consumers are optimistic about spending this holiday season, but their priority is “value.” That means it’s up to the retailers to o er good sales and promotions, she said.
“They need to be prepared for customers looking for good value,” Sta ord said. “They’re not just going to spend, spend, spend. They are going to spend, but they’re going to spend with care and making sure they’re getting the right thing for the right price. And so the retailers need to be prepared for that.”
In addition to economic uncertainty following COVID-19 and in ation, Sta ord said the general election in early November is also likely to have a ected holiday sales—not just because people may have waited to start their shopping until it was over but also because it dominates advertising, which has a direct impact on sales.
“Advertising for holiday sales is very, very big,” she said. “But during election season, and especially the build-up to the election … you didn’t see as much, because it’s election season. You saw the political advertising.”
Retailers wait all year for the holiday season, Sta ord said, which typically begins on or following Black Friday.
While the holiday sales season substantiates a major portion of annual sales growth for retailers and is considered their most important time of the year, Grein emphasized that households appear to now be spending more over the course of the entire year, rather than waiting for November and December.
“So it’s still the most important time of the year, but the importance that it once had has faded,” she said. “And we just attribute that to the ease of making purchases and households making disjointed purchases over time—just not waiting for the holiday time to make that purchase … but rather, purchasing earlier, or just spending more in general, which has driven spending earlier each year.”
(Shutterstock)
VEGAS INC NOTES Spotlighting the best in business
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents approved the appointment of Lauren Tripp as chief internal auditor.
Tripp, who has served as in the role on an interim capacity since August 2023, brings more than 17 years of auditing experience to the role. Her work has been integral in identifying risks, ensuring compliance and implementing process improvements across NSHE’s institutions.
Communities In Schools of Nevada, which serves 118 Nevada schools with regional offices in the Clark, Elko, Humboldt and Washoe County school districts, hired Christin Dixon as the state data and systems analyst, and promoted Jessica Kurr to programs, data and learning director. Dixon is a former CIS site coordinator who has experience in business and data analytics. In her new position, she is responsible for building and optimizing programs to drive efficiency for the organization statewide, and for shaping and implementing data strategies for special initiatives and projects.
Kurr oversees the organization’s programmatic quality standards for curriculum, data and training.
onboard Princess ships as well as create promotions with landbased casinos that offer Princess cruises as rewards.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has ranked Meadows Bank the 16th SBA 504 Lender nationwide for the fiscal year ending September 30. Additionally, the bank was named the No. 1 SBA 504 Lender in Nevada and No. 2 in Utah. The SBA 504 loan program provides small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth, supporting local economies and entrepreneurship.
All In Aviation, a flight school, aircraft rental and sales business, acquired its maintenance partner, Lone Mountain Aviation. This acquisition expands All In Aviation’s physical footprint by 23,000 square feet of maintenance space at its Henderson Executive Airport location and 18,000 square feet at its North Las Vegas Airport location.
Center, 2704 N. Tenaya Way, and specializes in adult medicine.
Naylor & Braster, Attorneys at Law, was selected to the 2025 Best Law Firms list ranked by Best Lawyers. This marks the firm’s 11th consecutive year being named among the nation’s best law firms. Naylor & Braster received a Metropolitan Tier 1 ranking for appellate practice, commercial litigation and construction law, and a Metropolitan Tier 3 ranking for employment law management. Both co-managing partners, John Naylor and Jennifer Braster, were named to the 2025 Best Lawyers list.
Digital payments firm Koin has appointed fintech veteran Craig Libson to the role of chief strategy officer. He will help shape and drive Koin’s overall strategic initiatives, broadening the company’s reach in key markets and spearheading efforts to enhance the entire digital payments landscape. Libson founded Cash2Go Inc. and launched the first Latin American cashless gaming fintech solution, integrating multi-account card capabilities and synchronized player onboarding.
Kurr previously worked in CIS’ grants department, where she helped expand the private grants portfolio and assisted in streamlining the organization’s coordinated fundraising efforts.
Aristocrat Gaming, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of regulated slot games, is now a promotional partner for Princess Cruises. Aristocrat will design gaming experiences for guests
Dr. Nelly Chow, a cardiothoracic surgeon, joined MountainView Hospital and its patient clinic, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates. Chow brings a wealth of experience to Las Vegas, having completed an advanced thoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems and a general surgery residency at the Sunrise Health Graduate Medical Education Consortium, based at MountainView Hospital.
Dr. Blessing Enudu joins Southwest Medical’s Tenaya Health Care
Nicole Wessendorf was appointed director of communications and public relations at Touro University Nevada. She will oversee all aspects of the company’s communications strategy, including media relations, corporate messaging, crisis communication and public outreach. Prior to joining Touro Nevada, she was the public relations and community engagement manager at The Salvation Army Southern Nevada.
DECEMBER7,2024
12PM-4PM
DECEMBER 7 1PM - 4PM
BOURBON STATIONS BBQ BITES MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS LIVE BLUES BAND
Sip and relish the moment with the best views of the Las Vegas Valley. Enjoy the soulful sounds of a live blues band all while indulging in delicious BBQ, perfectly paired with the rich flavors of bourbon. An afternoon of luxury, music, and taste awaits you.
