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20 MAKING LOVE WORK
SUPERGUIDE
The Fabulous Sin City Roller Derby skates into its 20th season, Pickleball Slam makes its Vegas debut and more this week. 08
16 SELF-CARE & LEISURE LIFE
Date itineraries, plus sex toys that prioritize pleasure.
30 NEWS Lawmakers and advocates push for a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted therapy in Nevada.
34 SPORTS Five Golden Knights compete for their countries in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
36 MUSIC R&B supergroup
New Edition wraps up its run at Wynn, plus Blake Shelton goes to work on his first Vegas residency.
40 SCENE Red Rock Running Company owner Mark Jimenez marks 3,000 consecutive days of running.
42 FOOD & DRINK
The Refined Restaurant Group adds Sorellina and Emilio’s to its local lineup.
Want More? Visit us at lasvegasweekly.com.
Finding love in Vegas has its challenges, but there are ways to overcome.
Molly and Jorge Castano (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
SUPERGUIDE
THURSDAY FEB 13 FRIDAY FEB 14
DAM SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Thru 2/17, times vary, Elaine K. Smith Building Boulder City, damshortfilm.org.
EXHIBIT: STORIES FROM BACKSTAGE: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL IN LAS VEGAS Thru 5/1, Mon.-Thu. 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Las Vegas City Hall, neonmuseum.org.
STEVE AOKI 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com
SADGIRL
Despite their name, Los Angeles’ SadGirl is the ideal group to slow dance with your lover this Valentine’s Day. The trio’s lo-fi garage sound is heavily inspired by early rock ‘n’ roll’s doo-wop twang and holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of those who gave rise to the Southern Californian surf-rock house show scene during the mid-2010s. This time around, SadGirl is playing to the hopeless romantics with a three-day run between Pomona, Las Vegas and San Diego— and as the band puts it, they’re giving us three shows, three nights and three chances to fall in love. Joining them at Swan Dive are local rockers Los Emptys and Secos, who know how to get the room moving. 8 p.m., $20+, Swan Dive, swandivelv.com. –Gabriela Rodriguez
SATURDAY FEB 15
LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC: RACHMANINOFF/ ROMEO & JULIET
7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter.com.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL
10 a.m., Springs Preserve, springs preserve.org.
HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS VS. TUCSON ROADRUNNERS
6 p.m. (& 2/16, 5 p.m.), Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com
ASIAN NIGHT MARKET
5 p.m., & 2/16, M Resort, asiannight marketlv.com.
WARREN G
With Mike Xavier, 8 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.
ELVIS CRESPO
8 p.m., House of Blues, concerts. livenation.com.
SAN PACHO
With No Thanks, 9 p.m., the Portal at Area15, area15.com
NICOLE ZURAITIS
7 p.m., & 2/16, Vic’s, vicslasvegas.com.
SYSTEM OF A CLOWN
With Juniper Kills, Wrenched, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, dice.fm.
LIVE & SWINGIN’
8 p.m., Veil Pavilion, silvertoncasino.com
CURLEY TAYLOR AND ZYDECO TROUBLE
7 p.m., Water Street Amphitheater, cityofhenderson.com
HEATHER MCMAHAN
10 p.m., Palazzo Theatre, ticketmaster.com.
FABULOUS SIN CITY ROLLER DERBY: SEASON 20 OPENER
Can’t stop, won’t stop. Las Vegas’ all-volunteer homegrown roller derby league enters its 20th season with a pair of bouts between the league’s four teams: The Notorious VIP skate against the Flying Aces at noon, and the Hoover Damned take on the Atomic Stardust at 2 p.m. If you’ve never seen flat-track roller derby played in person, this is an ideal opportunity; bring a folding chair and savor every thrilling jam, hit and breakaway. And if you’ve never seen true passion in sport, displayed by people who have nothing to gain but the joy of competing, well, you’ve never seen all-volunteer flat track roller derby. Noon, free, West Flamingo Park, sincityrollerderby.org. –Geo Carter
With Ingested, PeelingFlesh, Extermination Dismemberment, 6 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, dice.fm
PICKLEBALL SLAM 3
TYLER HENRY 8 p.m., Pearl Concert Theater, ticketmaster.com.
BRETT FORTE & THE DANGER CATS
7:30 p.m., Wiseguys Arts District, wiseguyscomedy.com.
MONDAY FEB 17
If the sudden surge of interest in pickleball during the pandemic took you by surprise, you aren’t alone. In the last few years, pickleball has dominated recreational courts; a 2023 report by the Association of Pickleball Players found that more than 40 million Americans had played pickleball at least once in the last year. Also, people love watching it: The first Pickleball Slam aired on ESPN in 2023 with heavy-hitting tennis champs like Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang and John McEnroe facing o . Now Pickleball Slam 3 makes its Las Vegas debut with Agassi, Roddick, Genie Bouchard and Ste Graf returning to take a swing at the $1 million prize. 1 p.m., $60+, Michelob Ultra Arena, axs.com. –Amber Sampson
SEPTICFLESH With Vltimas, Ex Deo, 6:30 p.m., Swan Dive, dice.fm
THE SMOKESTACKS 10 p.m., Sand Dollar Lounge, thesanddollarlv.com
EXHIBIT: ECHOES OF HYSTERICUS BY @ARTGROUP_607 Thru 3/30, times vary, Enterprise Library, thelibrarydistrict.org.
EXHIBIT: EXPLORING THE SOUL OF LIFE BY KEN KAMMAL Times vary, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, lvnhm.org.
BRAD GARRETT With Josh Sneed, Eddie Pence, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgmgrand. mgmresorts.com.
DJ PUFFY 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, taogroup.com DO IT ALL
SUPERGUIDE
TUESDAY FEB 18
WEDNESDAY FEB 19
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
7 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com.
THE ART OF POLITICS WITH MIKE SMITH
5:30 p.m., UNLV Lied Library, unlv.edu.
SOUL FUSION
7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com
JAKE BLEAU
8 p.m., Dawg House Saloon, dawghouselasvegas. com
ROB GUSON
10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com
SEBASTIAN CETINA
With Mike Eshaq, thru 2/23, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy. com. DO IT ALL
HINDER
6:30 p.m., House of Blues, concerts. livenation.com
When it comes to matters of the heart, you’d be hard-pressed to nd a more romantic city than this desert outpost of ours. Dinner at the Ei el Tower? Check. Kiss your sweetheart while walking across the Brooklyn Bridge? Yep. Dance the night away at a swanky club? Been there! And don’t even get us started on the endless restaurants and bars lit dimly enough to get you in the mood for love. There’s de nitely no shortage of romantic itineraries you can create in this town. Here are three to get you started.
FOR THE NATURE LOVERS
Start the day early at Red Rock Canyon (before 8 a.m. to beat the timed entry system). Pack co ee and bagels for a sunrise picnic, hit the hiking trails or simply cruise the 13-mile scenic drive. Nothing like a jaunt in nature to get the appetite going. After Red Rock Canyon, head down to Honey Salt (honeysalt.com) for brunch and replenish with bottomless bubbles ($25).
There’s more nature to take in at Springs Preserve ($10 for Nevada residents, springspreserve. org). Go on a guided botanical garden tour, where you’ll learn all about native and desert-adapted plants, or go on a wildlife observation adventure and see how many desert creatures you can spot. End the day with a co ee and a treat at Springs Cafe’s outdoor patio while taking in the view of the Strip and surrounding valley.
THE GOLDEN STEER
Shutterstock/Photo Illustration
FOR THE HISTORY BUFFS
Book an early dinner and get a taste of Las Vegas history at The Golden Steer (goldensteer.com), serving up prime cuts since 1958. Cuddle with your honey in Frank Sinatra’s favorite red leather booth while bow-tied waiters prepare your Caesar salad tableside. The steaks are legendary, as are the stories. After dinner, head over to the Papillon Helicopters (papillon. com) tour terminal near the airport and catch the Neon Night Flight Spectacular ($199 per person) for a helicopter ride that puts you eye-to-eye with the High Roller and gives you a bird’s-eye view of the
Bellagio fountains. After touching down, you get a guided tour of the famous Boneyard at the Neon Museum (neonmuseum.org), where more than 250 retired signs, some dramatically reilluminated, tell the story of our city from the 1930s to the present day.
Cap the night at the Underground Speakeasy & Distillery in the nearby Mob Museum (themobmuseum.org/underground). Try the house-distilled moonshine while surrounded by Prohibition-era exhibits. Just don’t ask too many questions about where the cocktail recipes came from.
Prioritize your pleasure (see page 18)
FOR THE DAYTRIPPERS
Valley of Fire State Park (parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-ofre) is less than an hour away and its splendor cannot be overstated. Pack breakfast and get there at sunrise to watch the red rocks glow at Atlatl Rock. The 1.5-mile Fire Wave trail, with its striking red-and-white striped formations, is a dramatic backdrop for those Gram-worthy couples shots. For a contrast to your morning rock adventure, take the scenic route back to town, stop at Lake Las Vegas and drink in this body
of water in the middle of the desert. Unwind at the Hilton’s Spa Ravella (hilton.com) with a dip in the whirlpool or book a couple’s massage.
End your city escape at Marssa Steak & Sushi (marssa-steakand-sushi.com) and feast on Wagyu beef and signature rolls. There’s no neon in sight from the oor-to-ceiling windows, just serene lakeside views, giving you a sense of a true romantic getaway.
(Golden Steer and Valley of Fire by Wade Vandervort/Sta ; Mob Museum cocktail by Chris Wessling/Courtesy)
VALLEY OF FIRE
PRIORITIZING PLEASURE
BY KIMBERLY FAUBEL
Self-care often brings to mind bubble baths, spa days, or cozy mornings with a book. While those are lovely, the definition should also include pleasure. In a world consumed by hustle and endless scrolling, exploring sensuality can easily fall by the wayside. Yet, acts of self-love are essential.
Shame be damned—we all deserve to feel good. But with the status quo, subpar sexual education in our society, we’re often left to our own devices. Many of us don’t know where to start, whether with a partner or, more importantly, ourselves.
Without taking time to learn what works for us, sharing with someone else becomes more di cult. By understanding our own desires, we can better communicate our wants and needs. Thankfully, there are plenty devices to help. Here are a few thoughtfully designed products that can elevate your pleasure journey, whether you’re single, coupled or “it’s complicated.”
Le Wand Petite Rechargeable Massager
Inspired by the iconic 1960s model known for its power, Le Wand’s Petite features a sleek, shower-friendly design for external stimulation. With multiple speeds and patterns, it’s perfect for solo or partnered play.
b-Vibe Snug Plug
Let’s highlight an often-overlooked pleasure zone that we all have in common: the booty. Enter the Snug Plug by b-Vibe, a line of weighted, body-safe plugs designed for comfort and pleasure. Available in various sizes for beginners and experienced users, they can be worn discreetly or incorporated into partner play. The shifting internal weights add an exciting twist to intimate moments.
Perfect personal products and where to find them
Womanizer Liberty 2 clitoral suction vibrator
Using patented Pleasure Air technology, it offers a unique blend of suction and air pressure sensations. Handheld, rechargeable and travel-friendly, it’s designed to help you discover new pleasure territory.
These or similar products can be found in local shops in Las Vegas:
Déjà Vu Love Boutique
3247 S. Sammy Davis Jr. Dr., Suite A.
Hustler Hollywood
Multiple locations, hustlerhollywood.com.
The Love Store
Multiple locations, thelovestore.com
Another reason to shop in person: you can ask real questions in a safe, non-judgmental space, making up for what we never learned in school.
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NAVIGATING DATING, MARRIAGE AND ROMANCE ROADBLOCKS
Vegas businesses provide opportunities for fi nding romance and making connections in person
BY SHANNON MILLER
tion are displayed for people to make connections.
Let’s be real. The days of thumbing through a digital abyss of pro les are over. Dating apps are outdated.
They had their time during the pandemic. But Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge and other dating apps, has lost nearly 80% of share value since its peak in 2021, according to CNN. And a 2024 report by Eventbrite said attendance at dating and singles events geared toward millennials and Gen Z had increased 49% over a year.
“People are rarely on their phones; they’re always chatting. … At a place like Khoury’s, people can bring their friends, bring their moms. It’s a community hub, which I feel we’re really lacking in the U.S.,” she says.
Ada’s Food + Wine has also seen interest in its speed dating event, Sips and Sparks.
“I always see numbers being exchanged by the end of the night,” says Wallace. “It’s a great way to nd not only love, but also new friends or for networking.”
Future Pitch-A-Friend events will be posted at instagram.com/pitchafriend. lasvegas
These generations are seeking to make connections in person—in the “third place” outside of home and work where one can relax, socialize and simply be without judgment. And Las Vegas businesses are providing opportunities for them to meet and vibe.
“Ada’s tried speed dating once, sort of on a lark, and they’ve been shocked by the response. So we keep doing it,” says Eric Gladstone, marketing representative for Ada’s.
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On February 22, Fergusons Downtown will host a speed-dating event organized by LGBTQ group Lez Touch Entertainment. The event is tailored to women seeking women, and builds on the success of other events held at Fergusons’ F the Bar in the past.
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Khoury’s Fine Wine & Spirits hosted its rst speed-dating event in 2024, and has since increased its signup slots from 40 to 60.
A shu e dating event held in August had 20 people in attendance, says Fergusons general manager and director of events Tori Fangman.
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The restaurant in Tivoli Village has held three speed-dating events since last fall. Tickets for the February 12 event were $55 through opentable.com, and included wine, charcuterie and salads. At the events, lead sommelier Kat Thomas and sommelier Chloe Helfand lead attendees through an evening of interesting questions, rotating dates and di erent wine selections.
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The next event, called “crafted connections” takes place February 15 at the Henderson tap house. Tickets are $30 and include two drink tokens. Attendees must ll out an interest form, available at instagram.com/ khourys newine.
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Announcements for future speed dating events at Ada’s will be posted at instagram.com/adas.lv
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Tickets for the Lez Touch event are $15—which includes a draft beer—and can be purchased at eventbrite.com. Participants are required to be 21 and older. Fergusons’ other speed-dating events typically have an age range of 21 to 55.
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On the interest form, all attendees indicate what gender they are seeking, or if they are just looking for friends.
“Whether it’s going to be a platonic connection or romantic, we’re going to make sure that it’s secure, safe and not weird or stu y,” says Milena DiFiore, marketing director for Khoury’s.
DiFiore adds that she sees a need to increase the presence of third places in our communities.
Also on February 12, Crafthaus Brewery in Henderson hosted a PitchA-Friend event where people could sign up to give a three to ve-minute slideshow presentation promoting their friend. The Las Vegas franchise launched in October 2024 and hosted two other events since then.
“Sixty to 70 people showed up to both,” says Pitch-A-Friend Las Vegas organizer Jessalyn Wallace.
Pitch-A-Friend events are free to attend. For those who want to show a slideshow, it costs $5 to reserve a spot. At the end of each slideshow, the friend’s photo and contact informa-
Fangman says the in-person interaction might help with mental health, and meeting a few friends or romantic interests along the way.
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“Studies have shown, we are experiencing mental health issues by just being on our phone all the time and isolating ourselves. So getting out, having a cocktail at a bar, I think overall is a better experience and a better chance of really getting to know somebody,” Fangman says.
Future events at Fergusons are at fergusonsdowntown.com/events
(Photo illustration)
A match made in Vegas
Las Vegas couple Molly and Jorge Castano share life lessons for making love last
BY AMBER SAMPSON
The Castanos might just be the most Vegas-y couple we know. They did meet at the circus, after all.
A publicist for O by Cirque Du Soleil at the time, Molly met her husband Jorge, a Colombian diver, amid a pack of painted clowns, hypnotic zebras and siren swimmers. He was one of few performers she could pick out of a lineup because he wasn’t wearing any makeup—and he could carry a tune.
“I would know he was coming because he’d whistle ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ all year long, all the time, so I would hear the whistles and be like, ‘Oh, here he comes,’” Molly laughs. “It was always a nice distraction from work. He kind of became my work best
friend.”
An O performer of 20 years, Jorge has been with the show longer than some of its cast members have been alive. He began diving at age 10, eventually graduating to high diving and three national championships. Some years later, he took his greatest leap—into his future wife’s heart.
“[Jorge] made me dinner for my birthday,” Molly recalls. “And I got to his house, and I swear it was like Neverland. It was like the house that never grew up, because everyone at the show had keys to the house. If you were moving to Vegas, or if you’d just broken up with someone, or if you were in between houses, you just lived with Jorge.”
They were in di erent chapters of their lives. Molly had two children and a corporate
career ahead of her; Jorge was a fun-loving bachelor living the circus life. And yet their friendship always seemed destined for more.
“He made me dinner, and as I was leaving, he kind of chased after me and kissed me,” Molly says. “That was our rst kiss.”
The Castanos have since been together for 13 years, married for 11. As vice president of public relations and communications for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Molly promotes Vegas tourism on a grand and very global scale. Meanwhile, Jorge’s a seasoned performer in one of the most successful shows on the Strip. Their paths could not be more di erent, but they’ve mastered how to make it work. Here is some advice they shared with the Weekly for how to make love last.
21 3 4 5
FIND THE OVERLAPS
“I think it’s about having the person complement you,” says Molly.
“We’ve maintained our own identities and our skill sets are so di erent that people ask, ‘What do you guys talk about?’ Find those touch points that overlap or an interest you can do together.
We’ll go to Boulder City and do a bike ride and then grab lunch down there or go to Red Rock. There’s always these ways to come together, and then it’s sometimes as boring as ‘Let’s watch Dateline.’”
EMBRACE YOUR SPACE
Because they run on opposite work schedules, it’s rare for the Castanos to see each other for more than a few moments outside of their weekends and select evenings. But that balance of alone time can serve couples well.
“Something that’s actually worked really well for us is that it gives us time to each have our own interests, too,” she says. “I can watch the crappy reality shows that I love, where I don’t have to hear—”
“My documentaries,” Jorge chimes in, laughing. Molly nods. “It gives us our own identities a little bit and then we really appreciate the time that we have together.”
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
“Despite my little English, communication is key for a good relationship and not holding grudges,” Jorge says.
Molly recommends also asking yourself during con icts, is this a hill you want to die on?
Often, it’s not.
“When we rst started dating, we were really good at holding grudges. We’re both stubborn. My verbal abilities are stronger than his, and I had to not use that as a weapon,” she says. “... I would railroad him verbally by drilling the point into the ground. But it’s like, does this matter? This isn’t our relationship. This one thing is not us. It’s about letting those little things go.’’
EXERCISE EMPATHY
When it comes to relationships, having compassion for your partner is crucial.
“I have a lot of empathy for whatever she does, because I see the other side of her job, all the email and all the sacri cing herself. It’s a lot,” Jorge says. “I was telling her yesterday one of the beauties of my job is that when I’m done with the show, I’m done. When she comes home, work is still there. When she gets a little stressed, I have to be the patient face of this, so she gets a little more calm, and I try to help as much as I can.”
BRING YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR
If there’s anything that can create a long-lasting bond, it’s sharing a laugh together.
“We’re lucky that we have the same type of humor. It’s really important to a relationship,” Jorge says.
“It can break a more tense moment,” Molly adds. “He knows if he gets me to laugh, then he’s home free. … I think one of our rst friendship moments was the fact that he made me laugh. He was nice and we got along, but it’s the humor [for me].”
The Desert Dating Diaries podcast hosts share what makes dating in Vegas so complicated
Romance roadblocks
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
There’s a lot that has and could be said about dating in Las Vegas. It’s a chaotic dance between lust and love, is often fueled by chance encounters and cheap booze, and is anything but predictable. And nowadays, ghosting, love bombing, breadcrumbing—the dating world’s newest lexicon of absurdities also plays a part
in our desert city dating scene.
A former partner of mine summed it up perfectly in a text during my research: “It’s some sort of weird hellscape.”
At first, I thought he was being a bit dramatic, but honestly, I get it. There are plenty of circumstances that can make it feel like some sort of purgatory, but there’s still something real to be found if you’re willing to sift through the muck
and have fun with it.
Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or a jaded cynic, the truth is, dating here can feel like a never-ending game of chance and the longer you play, the more you learn about what you want—or what you’re willing to settle for.
Enter Pamela Dylag and Abbie Renzema, two locals who’ve lived through the wreckage and the romance, and last
year decided to channel their experiences into Desert Dating Diaries, a podcast that’s part confession, part therapy and entirely relatable.
With more than 20 episodes, they’re talking us through everything from rejection to dating after divorce. The hosts sat down with the Weekly to pinpoint what they find to be the most common challenges of dating in Sin City.
Pamela Dylag (Left) and Abbie Renzema (Carrie Pollard/ Courtesy of Desert Dating Diaries)
What challenges come to mind when you think about dating in Vegas?
Pamela Dylag: Something we’ve talked about on the podcast before is that Vegas is a transient city. … For me, that’s been a challenge over the years.
Abbie Renzema: Also, some say that the people that they meet are only interested in partying and having a good time. It’s less of a serious town. …We don’t have those same, settle-down-and-getmarried, traditional values that, for example, my small hometown has.
PD: Yeah, it’s not such a focus here. Also, something we’ve discussed—and maybe it’s because we’re focused on Downtown, and we have similar interests—is the overlap of dating.
AR: I’ve started dating someone and then found out after that they had a history with at least one of my friends, if not more.
PD: I don’t think we’ve had an overlap, though…
AE: Well, remember we had that one bad date with that one person.
PD: Oh, thank you for reminding me about that experience! Yeah, it was both of our worst rst dates.
Does that overlap ever discourage you from dating in your usual Downtown art scene?
AR: I’m very diverse in the way that I date. I’ve used the apps, and especially in the last few years I’ve been very open to how I meet people, whether it be through friends or going out.
PD: When I was in my early 30s, I was more focused on dating an artist and dating a creative Downtown. Now in my 40s, it doesn’t matter to me what you do, it matters who you are and if our frequencies align.
What about di ering schedules or career fields?
PD: My schedule is kind of all over the place. So I have noticed that for me, I can’t do a last-minute, on-a-whim date. I have to schedule it.
AR: I’ve dated people that have nine-to- ves. I’ve also had a boyfriend who was a chef and he worked weird hours. It has been more of a challenge for friends of mine that work a traditional 9-to5. You know, if she has a busy week, she’s like “I can only go on a date Saturday night,” and if a guy can’t gure out a Saturday night to meet, they’re just never gonna go on a date.
PD: But then it’s like, you just align with the person that has a good schedule for you. That could be one of the aspects you’re looking for.
AR: I think a shared similar lifestyle is one of the most important things to have.
Are we dating the same guy?
Facebook group aims to inform women through spilling tea
The modern dating scene’s dopamine hits might feel like a eeting high, but what happens when you match with someone who checks all the boxes? You meet up, right?
But before you send that, “Wanna grab co ee?” text, you might want to consult your local Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook group.
The group, which initially began in New York in 2022, has found its way here. With over 47,000 members, the Vegas group is a private crowdsourced haven of gossip and cautionary tales aimed to equip women seeking to date men in the Valley. Women from all walks of life gather to swap stories about guys they’ve dated, saving others from potential heartache—or worse.
Sure, it’s a space for venting about the local “weirdos,” heartbreakers and serial ghosters, and could be used to badmouth a partner to a bitter ex’s advantage. But it’s also an invaluable tool for safety, especially given our modern world of meeting strangers on apps. Are We Dating The Same Guy? provides a layer of communal vigilance as well as some great content for late-night doomscrolling. –Gabriela Rodriguez
(Photo illustration)
JAY LENO FEBRUARY 22
DAVID COPPERFIELD THEATER
SCAN FOR TICKETS
THE NEWS
“Ultimately, when our supply chain is working well, we’re going to have affordable and high quality eggs for everybody. But when we’re facing this severe supply chain issue, we want to make sure that we take every action that we can.”
—Assemblyman Howard Watts, D-Las Vegas, who helped introduce a bill in the Legislature that would allow the temporary suspension of the Nevada ban on caged eggs. Read more at lasvegassun.com.
COOL KIOSK Need something from the drugstore? MediCube has you covered. UNLV had the vending machine installed in the Tonopah Residential Complex to provide students with overthe-counter drugs and health essentials including condoms and emergency contraception. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
STRIP
Sandoval joining Resorts World board
Former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is joining the board of directors at Resorts World Las Vegas. The president of the University of Nevada, Reno, Sandoval joins chairman Jim Murren, the former CEO of MGM Resorts International; A.G. Burnett, the gaming attorney who was formerly chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board; and other esteemed figures on the recently-formed board. Sandoval, a Republican, served two terms through 2019 as Nevada’s governor. He previously was chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, served as the state attorney general from 2003 to 2005 and was a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for Nevada. Resorts World created the board in December to strengthen its leadership and hired Las Vegas native Alex Dixon as its CEO. –Staff
COURTS
Nevada joins lawsuit against DOGE
A federal judge on February 7 blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury Department records that contain sensitive personal data such as Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans, after a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 19 attorneys general, including Nevada’s Aaron Ford.
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued the order in the case filed in federal court in New York City that alleges the Trump administration allowed Musk’s team access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system in violation of federal law.
“The Trump Administration has illegally provided Elon Musk and the so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ unauthorized access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system and therefore to Americans’ most sensitive personal information,” Ford said in a statement.
The Department of the Trea-
sury payment system handles information including tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits and more. Engelmayer, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, also said anyone prohibited from having access to the sensitive information since January 20 must immediately destroy all copies of material downloaded from Treasury Department systems.
He set a hearing for February 14.
Federal U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly for the District of Columbia had temporarily limited DOGE’s access to the system in a separate ongoing lawsuit.
Kollar-Kotelly’s order remains until February 24, when the court proceedings will continue.
In the lawsuit Ford is a part of, the attorneys general are also seeking an injunction preventing access to the payment system, and declaration that “the Treasury Department’s policy change is unlawful and
unconstitutional.”
Musk’s task force, which exists due to a decree from Trump, was assigned the task of reducing federal spending. Since the president regained office last month, DOGE has stirred mass controversy among advocates and Democrats in Congress, sparking conversations of overreach by an unelected individual.
Ford has also sued the Trump administration for its attempted federal funding freeze, which struck mass confusion and panic for nonprofits and agencies reliant on national spending, and the president’s executive order limiting access to birthright citizenship.
The DOGE lawsuit includes the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. –Haajrah Gilani
Area15’s 20-acre expansion, originally announced in 2023, has reached a milestone with 60% of retail space now leased out, the company announced February 10. Tenants at the immersive entertainment district west of the Strip will include iFLY Indoor Skydiving, The Escape Game, Saint Honoré Doughnuts & Beignets and more. The first tenant is slated to open in 2025, according to the release. The expansion is part of a $161 million construction financing package orchestrated by the developer, Fisher Brothers. –Staff
Smith Center’s 2025-2026 Broadway Series to feature ‘Stereophonic’ and more
Nine smash Broadway shows, including Tony Award winners Stereophonic, Suffs and more, will feature in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts’ 2025-2026 Broadway Las Vegas series. The series, whose offerings range from popular favorites to newer groundbreaking works, was announced February 11 with a live event at the Smith’s Reynolds Hall that featured performances from the season’s scheduled shows.
Opening in July with Some Like It Hot, a musical adaptation of Billy Wilder’s raucous 1959 comedy, the series continues through 2025 with A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical in August; Suffs, a musical about the suffragist movement that won Tonys for its book and score and the five Tony-winning, 1970s rock-inspired play Stereophonic, both in October; and Julie Taymor’s eye-popping The Lion King adaptation in December.
The series resumes in February with the long-awaited return of Spamalot to Las Vegas after it closed at Wynn in 2008; The Notebook, a musical based on the novel that inspired the 2004 film, in March; and musical comedy Shucked, from acclaimed country singer-songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, in June. The series concludes in June 2026 with Hell’s Kitchen, a musical from multiple Grammy-winner Alicia Keys.
Smith Center season ticket holders interested in renewing their memberships, and first-time subscribers enticed by this starry lineup, should visit thesmith center.com/broadway for further details. –Geoff Carter
MENTAL HELP HELP
Nevada lawmakers to introduce bills to create psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program
BY SHANNON MILLER
Jon Dalton retired in 2018 from 23 years as a Navy SEAL. He chose to settle in Fallon, Nevada.
“I started going through some mental health struggles that are pretty typical with the SEALs. I started su ering from anxiety and depression,” he says.
Dalton had served 11 combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and sustained seven brain injuries throughout his career, he tells the Weekly. He sought treatment for mental health through the U.S. Department of Veterans A airs. After seeing a doctor, he walked out with a prescription for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). According to a 2019 study from the National Institutes of Health, SSRIs are only e ective in 30% of patients and require weeks before improvement may be seen.
“I found them horrible to be on. I was SSRI-resistant. I was really struggling. And they were not working,” Dalton says. “I had another SEAL brother recommend psychedelic therapy. I was immediately put o by that idea.
“I’m a pretty deep conservative. I fought the war on drugs in South America before 9/11, narcotic missions down there. … And I lumped psychedelics into every other illegal drug.”
After some research, Dalton discovered substances like psilocybin, mescaline and Iboga could be e ective mental health treatments. Being a “rule follower”—possession of psychedelic substances is a felony crime in Nevada—he traveled to Mexico to undergo psychedelic-assisted therapy. He says the experience targeted his post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety in a way he’d never experienced before.
“And yet, it was illegal,” he says.
Psychedelics are categorized as Schedule I under the federal Controlled Substances Act, along with heroin. The Drug Enforcement Agency de nes the category as having no currently accepted medical use and high potential for abuse.
“These things were being studied for mental health in the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s, and then, of course, they were put on Schedule I,” Dalton says. “There were no further studies really for decades, almost 50 years.
And then around 2007 to 2010, they started doing studies again, this time with modern technology.”
Anecdotal and scienti c evidence is mounting against the stigma of psychedelics, making the case that the drugs can be used for e ective treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. The Food and Drug Administration designated MDMA (ecstasy) and psilocybin (magic mushrooms) as “breakthrough” therapies in 2017 and 2018. In December 2024, the VA announced it will fund its rst study on psychedelic assisted therapy since the 1960s, allowing for research on MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder among veterans.
States like Oregon and Colorado have implemented regulated access models for supervised psilocybin therapy. Colorado has legalized cultivation and sharing of psychedelic substances. And Utah is developing a pilot program allowing doctors at select hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA for mental health treatments.
In Nevada, lawmakers have made moves to approve a study on the therapeutic use of psychedelics. In 2023, the Legislature passed SB242, creating the Psychedelic Medicines Working Group to steer the study. And as lawmakers convene in Carson City for the 2025 legislative session, Sen. Rochelle Nguyen, D-Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Max Carter, D-Las Vegas, plan to bring forward a bill that would establish a “psilocybin pilot program” for veterans and rst responders. The bill would allow for the use of psilocybin under medical supervision.
Nguyen tells the Weekly the program would be “loosely based on Utah’s program” and would be used for research. The idea is to then analyze research from the pilot program and pave the way for a statewide program for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Nguyen clari es that the bill would not decriminalize possession of psilocybin, except “to protect those in the medical and research community that are utilizing some of these substances as part of the pilot program.”
Nguyen and Carter also plan to introduce a resolution urging Congress to
reschedule psychedelics, to loosen strict controls and allow the substances to be more widely researched.
Although full decriminalization of psychedelics in Nevada isn’t currently on Nguyen’s or Carter’s agenda, that doesn’t mean it won’t be revisited in the future.
“Whether it came by way of ballot initiative, or if someone passed a law, we would have to address the full felony criminal penalties that currently exist for possession of these substances,” Nguyen says.
The Nevada Psychedelic Medicines Working Group released a December report that outlined policy recommendations for a “regulated access program for psychedelic-assisted therapy.” Those recommendations included reducing penalties for psychedelic substances. Currently in Nevada, possession of one ounce of psilocybin is classi ed as a Category B felony, carrying one to 10 years of jail time and a ne up to $50,000, Nguyen noted.
The report also assessed the mental health of veterans, rst responders and civilians in Nevada.
“I didn’t actually know until we did that working group how bad o our veterans are here in this state, particularly when it comes to suicide,” Dalton says.
According to the report, the national average suicide rate for veterans is 33.9 per 100,000. In Nevada, that rate is 50.7 per 100,000. Seven percent of Nevada’s population is veterans, compared to the national average of 6.4% of state populations.
The report added that rst responders also have above-average mental health challenges.
“The prevalence of PTSD is notably high, with studies indicating that 18 to 24% of dispatchers and 35% of police o cers su er from the condition,” the report reads.
Dalton says he keeps pushing for psychedelic medicines to be more widely available, because they can help address mental health problems in the state, and also help address the opioid crisis.
“These are our men and women who have served on the front lines, whether overseas or in our own cities and towns. And they rank worse than every other group when it comes to mental health,” Dalton says. “So it makes sense to try to just help them in the form of a pilot program.”
Five Golden Knights compete for their countries in 4 Nations Face-O
BY JACK WILLIAMS
For the rst time in nearly a decade, the NHL’s top players have the chance to represent their home countries in a “beston-best” tournament.
The 4 Nations Face-O kicked o February 12 in Montreal featuring rosters from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden squaring o in a round-robin tournament. A championship game set for February 20 in Boston will cap the prestigious event.
The 2016 World Cup of Hockey was the last time the NHL fully embraced this type of international event. The league is pausing for nearly two weeks in favor of the tournament, with no games scheduled February 10-21.
The Vegas Golden Knights will be well represented as they had seven players selected to compete in the tournament, the second-highest in the league behind the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers with eight.
Center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hani n will play for the United States. Forward Mark Stone, goalie Adin Hill and defenseman Shea Theodore will represent Canada.
Coach Bruce Cassidy is slated to be a part of Canada’s sta as an assistant coach.
Alex Pietrangelo (Canada) and William Karlsson (Sweden)
were both selected to play in the tournament, but have since sustained injuries. Pietrangelo announced on January 26 that he would be withdrawing due to an undisclosed ailment that he needs to address in order to be at his best for the rest of the Golden Knights’ season.
“It sucks. To represent your country is an honor. My kids and my wife were excited, but it is what it is,” Pietrangelo said. “Sometimes you just have to
“Sometimes you just have to make tough decisions.”
Karlsson is on injured reserve for a lower-body injury and has been described as recovering on a week-to-week basis. Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell was added to Sweden’s roster to
so exciting to be able to play in front of family and friends and be in the community you grew up in.”
Chemistry shouldn’t be a problem for the American team. Hani n said he was not only familiar with Eichel as a teammate but also seven other players on the roster whom he teamed with in the 2019 Ice Hockey World Championship.
“There’s a lot of players that I’ve played with in the past and had history with, and you get friends out of it,” Hani n said.
“You don’t see them as much anymore as time moves on, but just to get that group together again will be a lot of fun.”
Famers all over it. I’m excited to get into that locker room to get this team assembled and ready.”
Stone, Theodore and Hill are all newcomers to the squad. The trio has played together in World Juniors and World Championship tournaments but never featured in a tournament that showcases the premier professional talent in the world.
“You dream of putting on that jersey as a kid,” Hill said. “It’s a dream of putting on an NHL jersey and a Team Canada jersey, growing up in Canada. It’ll be an honor to represent the country.”
replace Karlsson.
The nal three games at TD Garden in Boston will mark the rst time a “best-on-best” international tournament has been contested in the United States since the 1996 World Cup
The United States is looking to win its rst tournament since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, where the squad pulled o a shocking upset over a Canadian team with eight eventual Hall of Famers including Wayne Gretzky.
Ontario (six players) and Alberta (six players) dominate the Canadians’ roster, but there are points of pride from lesser-represented provinces too. Theodore is one of three players from British Columbia.
Theodore was inspired by watching Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver growing up.
of Hockey.
The location makes it extra special for Eichel and Hani n. Eichel is from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, a suburb north of Boston, and played for Boston University. Hani n is from Norwood, Massachusetts, which is a suburb south of Boston and played for
sachusetts, which is a suburb Boston College.
That stands as the country’s only “best-on-best” tournament victory, as rosters for the famed “Miracle on Ice” and ensuing gold medal at the 1980 Olympics were made up of amateur players, not NHLers.
“There’s been some really good players to come out of B.C. for sure,” Theodore said. “Being one of the few guys playing this year is de nitely special, and it’ll be good to see those other guys there.”
“It’s always special whenever we go home and play the Bruins and have the opportunity to play in the Garden,” Eichel said. “It’s no di erent in this tournament. We’re representing our country, and the format’s a bit di erent, but for me, it’s
Canada has dominated international hockey for decades, but the Americans believe they have a good chance to win this tournament.
The Golden Knights’ contingent in the 4 Nations Face-O are unanimous in agreeing that the reality of the tournament hasn’t sunk in just yet.
whenever we go home and a ent, but for me, it’s
“For a while, Canada was on a pedestal by itself,” Eichel said.
“For us, we feel like we’ve closed that gap. This a great opportunity for us to prove that.”
Canada has won three straight “best-on-best” championships dating back to the 2006 World Cup of Hockey. The only such tournament in the last 30 years where Canada did not nish higher than third was the 2006 Olympics.
Canada comes into the 4 Nations Face-O with another loaded roster, led by NHL superstars Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.
“It’s a pretty special roster,” Stone said. “There are Hall of
Cassidy has done the most work in preparation, jumping on weekly Zoom calls with head coach Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning) to start planning the team’s approach.
His primary focus has remained on the Golden Knights, but he’s looking forward to the atmosphere of the tournament once he arrives in Montreal.
“Once you’re there, in the environment, it’s almost like playo hockey,” Cassidy said. “You have the regular seasons of grind. You get to the playo s, and you’re excited about it because it’s playo s. It’ll be a little bit of that excitement once you’re there.”
IS THIS THE END?
R&B supergroup New Edition wraps up its epic Wynn residency
BY BROCK RADKE
Let me drop a little knowledge for the young ones: New Edition is one of the most influential acts to ever play a Vegas residency. Originally inspired by the Jackson 5, they similarly turned classic R&B and soul into pop music that appealed to all audiences—while they were between 13 and 15 years old. They cranked out more hits before breaking into separate acts, with Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe playing pivotal roles in the blending of R&B and hip-hop (and solo artists Ralph
Tresvant and Johnny Gill have some bangers in their catalogues as well).
Now the boys from Boston are closing out an epic, year-long Strip residency at Wynn, time to recognize yet another historic accomplishment.
“It’s one of those things, as an artist, you put on your bucket list to want to get there one day,” says Ricky Bell, the singer who shines on plenty of tracks by NE and BBD.
“It’s different, it’s intimate, and be-
ing in a smaller theater like Encore Theater at Wynn as been amazing, to say the least.
“To see a lot of fans coming back repeatedly, show after show ... it’s quite overwhelming for us.”
The fans love it because they’re getting exactly what they want, what they’ve always wanted: All six members performing together, running through all the songs that made their individual and collective careers special.
“When you see New Edition, you
not only get that catalog, you get to see Bob do his thing. You get to see us do each other’s songs,” says Bell. And if you’re lucky enough to score a ticket to the Valentine’s Day show, prepare for some extra special surprises.
“It’s the lovers’ holiday and New Edition is the group you want to bring your wife or girlfriend to.
I think it’s the perfect backdrop because we have a lot of love songs and we’re all about the ladies,” he continues. “We’ve got a couple
NEW EDITION
February 14, 15, 19, 21 & 22, 8 p.m., $195+. Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com.
surprises and we’re going to change up a few things, but I don’t want to give it away.”
The surprise we really want is more residency shows. February’s concerts mark the run’s end, and a big tour is coming this fall, but this show has been too successful to close it out for good. One way or another, says Bell, New Edition will definitely be back in Las Vegas. “We’ve always had sellouts and great turnouts, great audiences, and we don’t take any of that for granted.”
MUSIC
KEEPING IT COUNTRY
Blake Shelton takes us honky tonkin’ in his first Vegas residency
BY AMBER SAMPSON
As flashy and palatial as the Colosseum at Caesars Palace can be, Blake Shelton wasted little time turning it into a good old-fashioned honky tonk for his first Las Vegas residency show.
The country star made his rustic entrance just after 8 p.m. on February 5, with a six-piece band that included a banjoist, a pedal-steel guitarist and a fiddler trailing closely behind. For over 90 minutes, Shelton took us down south and across his decades-spanning discography, opening the show with “Pour Me a Drink” and the woozy proclamations of “I’ll Name the Dogs.”
“This is a big deal for me,” he said onstage. “I’ve been coming to Las Vegas for a long time, so I know what my job
BLAKE SHELTON
is here tonight. My job tonight is to provide a soundtrack for y’alls trip to Las Vegas, so when y’all go back home … you’ll be driving around in your truck somewhere, and maybe one of these songs is gonna come on the radio, and just for a second, you’re gonna go, ‘Oh s**t.’ You’re welcome, everybody!” Shelton expressed his elation for headlining on the Strip, but also jokingly acknowledged the pressure of it: “Everybody’s waiting for the trapeze people or some kinda glitter to come down.”
No such fanfare was needed. His resonant vocals filled the room with such exquisite power, it could’ve shaken the beams. Couples danced down the aisles to “Some Beach.” A cadence of
February 14 & 15, 8 p.m., $99-$639. The Colosseum, ticketmaster.com.
cowboy boots stomped to the rhythm of his cover of Alabama’s “Mountain Music.” And cheers exploded for a feverish solo from the band’s fiddler.
“Somebody in here pour me a damn drink!” Shelton bellowed, his distinctive drawl becoming more pronounced on twangy cuts like “Hillbilly Bone” and “A Guy With a Girl.”
The country singer channeled his inner outlaw on everything from “Ol’ Red” to “God’s Country,” but softened considerably for “Nobody But You,” a duet he shares with his wife, Gwen Stefani. Looking the part of a gentle southern giant, Shelton crooned and held fans’ hands, charming us out of our leather line-dancing boots. You know, like those country men do.
(Courtesy/Jamie Wendt)
(Courtesy/Denise Truscello)
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Red Rock Running Company owner Mark Jimenez keeps going, way past the finish line
RUNNING IS LIFE
BY BROCK RADKE
Longtime local teacher
Mark Jimenez recently retired from coaching cross country at Shadow Ridge High School after nine years and three state championships. If that sounds like a career worth celebrating, it’s probably important to point out that for most of those successful coaching years, Jimenez was also operating Red Rock Running Company, one of the Valley’s most popular running stores, and expanding its footprint and impact on the community.
That deserves a celebration as well, but last week, on February 8, Jimenez and the RRRC team threw a party for a di erent reason. That was the day the 44-year-old hit the mark of 3,000 consecutive days of running.
Don’t worry, he’s not planning on retiring from running anytime soon. Or probably ever. “It’s one of the best things you can do for yourself,” Jimenez says. “I tell people when they start running that it’s going to suck for two weeks, or maybe a month, and then something happens along the way and it turns into something beautiful. It’s social, it’s personal, and it can be something di erent to everybody. For me, it’s a way to let my mind go, and let things come to me.”
The Weekly recently caught up with Jimenez—which was easier than we thought, since he’s always running— to learn about his impressive running journey.
How did this begin?
I went to Western High School and joined the track and cross country team, but I was not very good at it. The team would do a 5k, 3.1 miles, and I heard, “We’re running a bajillion miles.” After I graduated college, I gained a lot of weight. On my 29th birthday, when LVAC [Las Vegas Athletic Club] had opened up and I’d signed up for a membership but never gone, I was getting dressed and looked in the mirror and thought, I’ve got four kids, if I don’t make a change, I’m not going to see them graduate high school. I weighed over
240 pounds. So I went to the gym that day, they scanned my card and said, “Happy birthday,” and that kind of started my journey. I ran on elliptical machines a lot, and one day a friend suggested we do a half-marathon, and I laughed, but he kept asking.
How did your routine evolve into this incredible streak?
It was social to me. I wanted to do the best I could, but I never had goals like qualifying for the Boston Marathon or anything like that. I started doing triathlons and had some fun with that, and it was actually at the Ironman Arizona triathlon in 2017 or 2018 where I had an injury and I did not nish the race. I could swim okay, but riding really hurt. I was so bummed after that, I got home and told myself I was going to run every day that week. I did that, then decided to try every day that month, and did it. It turned into a habit. I’ve struggled with mental health for a long time and always found that running was the best medication for me, better than any antidepressant I could take. If I start with a run, the rest of my day goes better.
You were teaching high school math when you decided to buy the Red Rock store. What was that new experience like, and what has it been like to connect with the local running community in a di erent way?
Red Rock Running Company just turned 20 years old last month and we’ve had it seven of those years. It’s been a blast. When I bought the store I didn’t know anything about running a small business, and for many years I still taught high school and ran the store. And it grew—we had two stores when we bought it, in 2019 we moved the original location to the Centennial shopping center, in 2022 we opened a third store in the southwest, in 2023 we remodeled the Henderson location and doubled its size, and it 2024 we opened the fourth store in North Las Vegas. It’s been so much work but very rewarding, especially when you
get a ve-star review [online] that says, “This changed my life,” or “They treated me so good.” You get to see how you’re making a di erence in the community, just helping Vegas be healthier.
Are Vegas runners extra tough because they train through the hot summer?
When we rst bought the store, I was concerned about the seasonality of our business; I didn’t know what it would look like in the summertime. But we continue our group runs through the summer and there’s a weird sense of camaraderie for people who are su ering together. We start at 6 p.m. [in the summer] and make sure everybody’s got hydration, check on each other. And we try to educate about when it’s a safe time to get started. Our bodies do an amazing job of adapting to the heat.
Now that you’ve hit 3,000 days, what’s next? Do you still have personal running goals?
I realize at some point this is going to stop. I’m getting older and injuries will happen, but I’ve been very lucky. It’s a fun thing to talk about through the lens of owning the store, but when I meet new people, I don’t lead with that. They might think I’m crazy. But when they nd out, they ask that question about goals, and all I can say is everybody does something they enjoy every day—reading the paper, playing video games. To me it’s just something I enjoy doing.
I’ve done [the marathon in] Boston twice, I’ve done Chicago. People ask if I want to do the other World Majors—and there are seven now—but I don’t have that bug. If it happens, that’s great, but I’m not chasing it. Funny enough, I am doing Tokyo and London this spring, two marathons across the world in six weeks, which is hectic but should be fun. To me it’s more like a vacation where I can see another part of the world and do a 26-mile tour of the city. I just want to travel and have fun and see what di erent cultures are like.
Restaurateurs add Sorellina and Emilio’s to their local lineup
BY BROCK RADKE
Since the successful debut of the first Café Lola in 2018, the Las Vegas-born Refined Restaurant Group has rapidly and stylishly established a distinct reputation—fun, casual experiences with craveable food and drinks and lively environments that look fantastic on social media. Plenty of locals, especially those who live or travel in the southwest valley, know these brands well, including Saint Honoré Doughnuts & Beignets, 3 Little Chicks and Pizza Anonymous.
But now the company is moving beyond that reputation, making the most of its founders’ expertise and living up to its name with two new restaurants that share common space near the southwest corner of the southern Beltway. Just opened is Sorellina, a full-service Italian eatery serving dinner nightly. And coming soon is Emilio’s, a modern Mexican restaurant that will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Both are personal projects for married couples Lin and Stephen Jerome and Alexandra Lourdes and Michael Santos, the company’s principals. “An Italian restaurant is something Steve always wanted to do, and Mexican is something I’ve always wanted to do,” explains Lourdes. “My dad is Emilio, so we named it after him, and the story behind Sorellina is for Steve’s mom. In Italian, it means ‘younger sister,’ and his mom was the youngest of eight. “It’s definitely something in-
Zucchini, veal Milanese and pasta at Sorellina.
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
spired by family and the food we ate growing up, and when people come in, we want them to feel that, feel like they’re family.”
The spaces share a kitchen, so although they previously existed as two separate full-service restaurants, the build-out was a simple one. “All of the equipment was here, we just gave it a facelift,” Lin Jerome says. “We were very fortunate to take over a space with a lot of what was needed already here.”
Her husband explains that Sorellina, currently in soft-opening mode, is built on recipes from his mother and aunts, and that familiar inspiration will be a big part of the food at Emilio’s as well.
“We want to connect the community to this food as we did growing up. My mom was from a small town in the south of Italy. We’re doing fresh puccia, the bread from that region,” says Stephen Jerome. “Alex’s dad had a Mexican restaurant in Mexico and we’re going to lean on some of those traditions and bring some of that to life.”
Sorellina’s menu is structured traditionally: antipasti to start, such as bruschetta, seafood fritto misto and steamed clams; salads, including the signature tableside burrata with tomatoes and basil oil; shareable mains of roasted branzino, eggplant and chicken parm and more; and familiar pasta dishes like bucatini cacio e pepe, orecchiette with spicy sausage and broccolini, and paccheri in pink vodka sauce.
The group is hoping to open Emilio’s within a couple of weeks, where one of the highlights will be “a really traditional Mexican breakfast” inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City, Lourdes says. “We’re going to do some really fun Mexican lattes too,” she adds.
The Refined portfolio is already a cornerstone of the exciting culinary landscape in this part of the Las Vegas Valley, and these two new restaurants should add another dimension to their neighborhood.
“We hope so. We hope to be a pillar in this area because if we can help pave the way for others, that would be our dream,” Stephen Jerome says. “The more cultured and cool restaurants that pop up will only enhance what we’re doing, and elevate our game.”
FOOD & DRINK
WHISKY WONDERLAND
The Arts District’s Bar Ginza offers approachable sophistication
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
Until now, the extent of my knowledge of Japanese whisky began and ended with the 2003 film Lost In Translation, where Bill Murray, as fading movie star Bob Harris, visits Tokyo to film a commercial for Suntory’s Hibiki 17. In the “ad,” he looks into the camera and deadpans, “For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.”
I’ll admit it: I’m not the type to sip on whisky for the sake of savoring it. I’ll drink whisky, but it’s usually just a means to an end—no deep dive into the complexities of its flavor profile. But I’ve recently been convinced otherwise.
Cut to a scene of me at Bar Ginza, having my own Suntory time. I’m not in Tokyo; I’m seated at a sleek wooden bartop in the Arts District with a half-ounce taste of that same whisky ($6). The first sip was just enough to wet my lips and lacked the punch to the throat I’d expected. It’s smooth, with delicate notes of honey and an oaky spice. It rests lightly, no burn, no fuss, and keeps you wanting more.
This is the kind of unas-
suming sophistication that Bar Ginza nails. The ambiance is cozy but refined, and the wooden accents complement the black leather seating with lighting dim enough to set the mood. Overhead speakers spill out classic tracks by Marvin Gaye and Billie Holiday. Co-owner Joshua Monsivias treks behind the bar, switching between shaking cocktails and chipping away at a block of ice, perfectly shaping pieces into the spheres that’ll
later land in your glass, the foundation for whatever spirit you prefer.
The drink list is a nod to both tradition and innovation. You’ve got your classics like Negronis ($15) and highballs ($13), but even those carry their own twist and identity.
I opted for the drink with the longest list of ingredients, the Tokyo Sling—a vibrant concoction of Japanese gin, cherry and orange liqueurs, Bénédictine, maraschino syrup, citrus and bitters.
Co-owners Monsivias and Catherine Hebron have developed Bar Ginza to be a place that thrives on unpretentious quality. Whether you’re a booze snob or just looking for a good drink, this place delivers a refreshing approach to a classic experience.
BAR GINZA 1301 S. Main Street #170, barginza.wordpress.com. Tuesday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
A collection of Japanese whiskies at Bar Ginza (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
RIDESHARE CAR DROP-OFF SERVICE SEARCHING FOR HYBRID NICHE
BY KATIE ANN MCCARVER VEGAS INC STAFF
Aunique rideshare is expanding its footprint in Las Vegas.
Vay, a driverless car sharing service, allows teledrivers at a remote driving center to operate a car from afar and deliver it to people who request it on an app. The consumer then takes over and drives the car themselves—able to stop as needed—before dropping it o anywhere in Vay’s service area to be picked up remotely by a teledriver and delivered elsewhere.
The Berlin-based company has had such a positive response from customers that it’s now ready to add to its eet of electric vehicles in Las Vegas, said Thomas Von der Ohe, one of Vay’s CEOs and co-founders. The remote-driving entity recently announced it will increase to 100 vehicles in unique door-to-door remote driving services in Las Vegas this year.
“We’re really looking out to the community here to use and give feedback to that product,” said Von der Ohe, who cited students, households without enough cars and residents who can’t a ord insurance or maintenance as people who may value Vay’s service o ering. “Because we’re still re ning.”
Unlike fully autonomous robotaxis, Vay is driven by a human at all times—either remotely from the driving center by a teledriver, or in-person by the consumer. That means they can make decisions an autonomous driving car cannot, Von der Ohe said.
He emphasized Vay is not in competition with robotaxis, just creating an entirely new category for mobility.
“So we see a world where we don’t go from 100% human to zero,” he said. “But we really see a world where it’s a hybrid. Over the next 10 to 20 years, there’s going to be some human and some autonomy.”
Vay wants to provide an alternative to private
car ownership, Von der Ohe said, so cities can be more sustainable. The company uses electric vehicles that it out ts with a camera system and other hardware that make them driveable remotely.
In addition to its a ordability, he said, consumers love the exibility of Vay and the ability to drive themselves around, while stopping at the supermarket, the pharmacy or wherever they may need to go.
“So that’s how we see a future where a lot of people get from A to B in cities like that,” Von der Ohe said. “Because it is half the price … compared to an Uber, and that’s because we don’t have to pay a driver while you drive.”
Vay is launching a more than 8,500-squarefoot production facility in Henderson to build up its Kia e-Niro eet, per a news release. The stateof-the-art facility in Henderson will process up to 16 vehicles per week.
“The main reason was because we looked into places that foster innovation and that have the right regulatory framework,” Von der Ohe said, when asked why Southern Nevada was Vay’s chosen destination for the facility. “So that had some big checks for Las Vegas. Here, we got invited with open arms.”
Unlike driving an Uber, remote drivers at Vay remain at the remote driving center where they
can easily take co ee or bathroom breaks, avoid physical contact with customers and more, Von der Ohe said.
Yulieanna Duran, who has been a remote driver for Vay for almost a year, said she appreciates the exibility it provides in her schedule and that it doesn’t involve the same risks that a driver in a traditional rideshare may face.
Not everyone is able to get to a car rental company, she said, so Vay allows them to get a car from the comfort of their home. When Duran remotely delivers the car, she speaks brie y with the customer when they get in, giving them a rundown of how the rental works before they take over and drive themselves.
“You’ve probably been to an arcade and seen those racing simulators—it’s pretty much like that, but on steroids,” she said. “It does have all the basic driving controls with real automotive components like the steering wheel, the pedals, the honk—things like that. So it is fairly easy to adapt to, especially with the training that we’re provided. So it’s super, super cool.”
With the increasing eet, Von der Ohe said he would love to see Las Vegas residents use the service and be happy with it, and for it to solve mobility challenges within the city. He then wants to show the world what the company has to o er.
Vay remote driving station. (Courtesy)
VEGAS INC NOTES
SafeNest, a nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence, named Kaitlin Tinoco marketing manager. At the University of San Diego, Tinoco worked in leadership roles including co-vice president of marketing and public relations for women in business and public relations director for minorities in business.
The Nevada Mining Association announced the return of Drew McGregor to the organization as its communications manager. He will oversee the organization’s communication strategy, relationships with media, community organizations and educational institutions. McGregor previously served as the association’s outreach manager.
Ondra Berry was appointed to the Cannabis Compliance Board by Gov. Joe Lombardo. Berry served as the adjutant general of the Nevada National Guard from 2019 until his retirement in 2024.
JOB LISTING
MGM Resorts Satellite, LLC seeks a Senior Data Engineer II in Las Vegas, NV to lead, develop and execute production-grade data integration and engineering code end-to-end through vision, definition, development, deployment and sustainment. Remote Work Permitted. Apply online at https://careers.mgmresorts.com/global/en job number: 259059 or E-Mail resume to resume@mgmresorts.com and reference job number: 259059.
Berry fills the seat of Michael Douglas, who served as chair from 2020 to 2023.
Amaya Modern Mexican opened at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, led by Michelin-starred chef Jason McLeod
UNLV Lee Business School appointed Anjala Krishen as associate dean of executive education and corporate engagement. She will focus on fostering strategic partnerships with corporate and industry leaders, expanding executive education offerings, and strengthening the school’s role in preparing students and professionals for an evolving global business landscape.
The Nevada Bankers Association has appointed two new members to its board of directors, Steven Borgna and Tellis Bethel, following the retirement of longtime board members Mara McNeill from Toyota Financial Savings Bank and Rick
Thomas from Nevada State Bank. Borgna has a 37-year career in banking and serves as executive vice president and senior state credit administrator at Nevada State Bank. Bethel is president and CEO of Toyota Financial Savings Bank
Naylor & Braster, Attorneys at Law promoted law clerk Kelly Scarborough to associate attorney. After passing the Nevada bar exam in October, she was sworn in by Judge Maria Gall in a ceremony marking the beginning of her career as a licensed attorney.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has announced that Jessica Moyeda was elevated to of counsel. She counsels public and private companies on a variety of transactional matters and serves as lead or local counsel to borrowers, issuers, guarantors, lenders, underwriters and purchasers in connection with credit facilities, debt offerings and equity offerings.
PREMIER CROSSWORD HOROSCOPES
BY FRANK LONGO
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Love requires stability and steadiness to thrive. But it also needs unpredictability and imaginativeness. Without creative touches and departures from routine, even strong alliances can atrophy into mere sentiment and boring dutifulness. Keep your togetherness fertile and flourishing.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I suggest you get blithely unshackled in your approach to love. Be loose, limber and playful. To stimulate the romantic and intimate qualities you should emphasize, I offer this Adrienne Rich quote: “Love is the rebellion that tears down walls within and between us, making room for the unruly beauty of our shared becoming.”
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): To honor the rowdy Valentine spirit, I invite you to either use the following passage or compose one like it, then offer it to a willing recipient: “Be my thunderclap, my cascade of shooting stars. Be my echo across the valley, my rebel hymn, my riddle with no answer. Be my just-beforeyou-wake-up-dream.”
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert wrote, “The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all.” One of those strange jewels in you is emerging from its hiding place. Are you ready to be surprised by your secret self? A bloom this magnificent could require adjustments.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 2025, the role that togetherness plays in your life will inspire you to achieve unexpected personal accomplishments. Companionship and alliances may even stir up destiny-changing developments. To get you primed, I offer this Tom Robbins quote: “Love is the ultimate outlaw. It won’t adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is sign on as its accomplice.”
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Psychotherapist Robin Norwood wrote that some people give too much love and kindness and neglect their own self-care.
Author Anne Morrow Lindbergh has a different perspective: “No one has ever loved anyone too much. We just haven’t learned yet how to love enough.” It’s time to come to a new understanding of how much giving is correct.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Are you ready to express your affection with lush and lavish exuberance? I hope so. I dare you to give the following words, composed by poet Pablo Neruda, to a person who will be receptive to them. “You are the keeper of my wildest storms, the green shoot splitting the stone of my silence. Your love wraps me in galaxies, crowns me with the salt of the sea, and fills my lungs with the language of the earth.”
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Astrology helps us know when there are favorable times to enhance and upgrade specific areas of our lives. In the coming weeks, you Scorpios could make progress on building a strong foundation for the future of love. You will rouse sweet fortune for yourself and those you care for if you infuse your best relationships with extra steadiness and stability.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I want you to be moved by intimacy and friendships that buoy your soul, inspire your expansive mind and pique your sense of adventure. To boost the likelihood they will flow your way in abundance during the coming weeks, I offer this Federico García Lorca quote: “Love is a madness so discreet that we carry its delicious wounds for a lifetime as if they were precious gems.”
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Every intimate alliance is unique, has its own rules, and shouldn’t be compared to any standard. This is a key theme for you to embrace right now. To quote Isabel Allende: “The beauty of marriage is not in its uniformity but in how each couple writes their own story, following no map but the one they draw together.”
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Borrowing the words of Aquarian author Virginia Woolf, I’ve prepared a love note for you. “You are the tide that sweeps through the corridors of my mind, a wild rhythm that fills my empty spaces with the echo of eternity. You are the unspoken sentence in my every thought, the shadow and the light interwoven in the fabric of my being.”
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
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BACKSTORY
VIGIL FOR OFFICER JASON ROSCOW | FEBRUARY 6, 2025 Michael Roscow, center top, helps nephews Andrew Roscow, 4, and Graysen Roscow, 9, light candles for the boys’ father, North Las Vegas Police Officer Jason Roscow, at North Las Vegas City Hall. Officer Roscow died after a shootout with a suspect on February 4 at Craig Ranch Regional Park. Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown spoke at Officer Roscow’s vigil, calling the 46-year-old a “guardian of our community.” –Staff
