The Downtown Zappos Employee Newsletter by DowntownZEN

AP R I L

IS S UE 2013

Earth Day:

Nurturing nature and sustaining survival

Doctor WHO discusses you and HBP

Downtown salons: Brush up on your hair and artistic side

Inside scoop of Discovery Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand opening

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Zappos Employee Newsletter Team

The Downtown Team Jamie Naughton Loren Becker Audrea Hooper Tyler Williams

| Speaker of the House | Zappos Experience & Community Team Manager | Downtown Events and Project Coordinator | Fungineer

Contributing Writers Loren Becker

Michael Boley

Brian Paco Alvarez Michael Boley

| Fabulous Downtown

Marco Brizuela Jo Casey Mandy Crispin

| Neon Reverb | Restaurant Review

| Work In Progress • Jump for Joy • Sustainability • Just the Tip • Astrology

| Selah: An Art Salon • Globe Salon • Discovery Children’s Museum

Mandy Crispin

John Fanok

Letter From the Editors Where’s the beef?! … We mean, where’s the bistro? COD is no longer a stinky fish. Swim your way to page seven. Clear coat your cuticles with Courtney Taylor before you get your hair did at Globe Salon, then head over to the Arts District to get the static out of your cling at Electric Lemonade. Exterminate your thirst at Artifice before you head over to Cockroach Theatre, and for late night eats choose your path wisely: Oscar’s or Le Thai? Craving dessert? But wait! WHO ate all the mini-cheesecakes?! Jump for Joy the next morning when you rise and Discovery lends itself to a Work In Progress at Selah: An Art Salon. Enjoy Earth Day in Huntridge’s beautiful parks and community. If you missed learning from the experts on how to grow your small business, exercise your mind and muscles at Corporate Challenge. If you missed Neon Reverb, you will be chastised in kind because your music will be muted for months at a time. As always, we love hearing from you. Have suggestions or feedback? E-mail us at DowntownZEN@zappos.com, or follow and “Like” us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ZapposDowntownHappenings. We hope you enjoy this month’s edition of the Downtown Zappos Employee Newsletter! - The Downtown Zappos Employee Newsletter Team

Photography Marco Brizuela Loren Becker Michael Boley Mandy Crispin Darius Kuzmickas

Editor-In-Chief Loren Becker | Zappos Experience & Community Team Manager

Managing Editors Michael Boley | Managing Editor Mandy Crispin | Managing Editor Art Director John Fanok | Tangible Color

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03 Symphony Park Lecture 04 Corporate Challenge 05 Neon Reverb 07 Campus Update

FEATURES

New Business

09 Businesses

● Selah (New Business) ● Globe Salon (Veteran Business) ● Work In Progress (New Business)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAST EVENTS & UPDATES

18 Jump For Joy Foundation 23 Earth Day & Sustainability 26 Discovery Children's Museum

PHILOSOPHY & PHLUFF Jump For Joy

31 Unbuttoned 32 Fabulous Downtown 33 Just the Tip / Recipe (Mini Cheesecakes) 34 Housing Guide 35 Astrology 36 Word Jumble

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Fashion

37 Arts & Ents 38 Spa at the Golden Nugget 39 The Smith Center 40 What's On Tap - Bar Review 41 Downtown Restaurant Review 42 He Said, She Said 43 Things To Do 45 Upcoming Events 49 Calendar & Events

On The Cover: And And And

TECH JOBS

http://about.zappos.com/jobs/jobs-zappos-family/search-open-positions

Hey, Mac! Here’s the 411 — The Zappos Family is seeking individuals to join our expanding business throughout several departments. Do you have what it takes to be a difference-maker in the field of analytics, software and information technology? Would you say you have a hard drive, embrace Windows of opportunity, constantly crawl through depths of material, interface and utilize coworkers as open sources? If this sounds like the Apple of your eye, cache in your chips where you are now and join our phenomenal hot spot! Navigate to our Jobs page through the QR reader, and we’ll save a cookie for you!! ISSUE 13

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

PAST EVENTS

& UPDATES

● Symphony Park Lecture ● Corporate Challenge ● Neon Reverb ● Campus Update

SYMPHONY PARK LECTURE: ROCK STARS OF DOWNTOWN BUSINESS On March 13, at the Historic Fifth Street School, we had the pleasure of a panel of speakers moderated by KNPR’s Flow Rodgers. Panel speakers were Marc Abelman (Inside Style, 18b Las Vegas Arts District), Sam Cherry (Soho, Resnicks, The Lady Silvia, Pop Up Pizza), Meghan Mossler (Stitch Factory), Linda Quinn (DISCOVERY Children’s Museum), and Seth Schorr (Triple George, Mob Bar, Cycle Pub,

Downtown3rd, Downtown3rd Farmers Market, Downtown Grand). Seth’s own little mascot, Downtown Dax, even joined the panel for a stint accompanied by his coloring books and a couple toys — none of which provided the entertainment that playing with his dad’s microphone could provide. Where’s the Like button? Meghan held her own amongst these long-established heavyweights offering the fresh perspective

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

of a newcomer. Linda made a case for museums and arts being one of the proven contributors in urban revitalization. Sam and Marc wowed us with their focus on the downtown community and proved that the vision for this place we all love has been a work in progress for a long while now but that it’s one that we all share. Don’t miss out on more meaty lectures! Keep your eyes peeled and bananas off your heels!

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On Saturday, March 2 the Corporate Challenge opening ceremonies began with a bang as Fremont East was shut down (like last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JT3 team) as athletes and event goers from across the city enjoyed free food, live music, carnival games, a and rock climbing wall. Commonwealth was bar of choice where bragging rights

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(sorry, Core Value #10) coupled with liquor lasted long into the evening.

other strong performances by the 8-Ball and Bowling teams, respectively.

Update: At the time of print, Zappos climbed the ranks from 11th place in week one to sharing a tie for 3rd overall! First place finishes were achieved in the Executive Relay and Table Tennis, with

A special thanks to everyone that volunteered at the Opening Ceremonies, all Adopt-A-Team cheerleaders, and the bionic athletes that have trained all year for this moment! Go for gold!

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

PAST EVENTS & UPDATES

CORPORATE CHALLENGE

NEON REVERB By Marco Brizuela "I'm just getting up." This is far from the expected, routine answer to the casual question of, "How's your day going so far" after a smile and a handshake at one in the afternoon inside the friendly downtown accommodations of El Sombrero. But this isn't your average musician embodying a hand-to-mouth existence, either. This is Jason Aragon, a man who imparts his musicianship upon local bands both longestablished (The Clydesdale) and fairly new (Same Sex Mary) to the Las Vegas music scene. He also happens to be running the Spring 2013 edition of Neon Reverb nearly all by himself, which may explain his day beginning just after high noon. As he grabs a warm tortilla chip from the bowl and ponders between the smooth and chunky salsas on the table, he discusses his service time in bands which dates back to the early 2000s in Las Vegas, when there was hardly a venue interested in paying local bands beyond a few drink tickets, much less a semiannual music festival that is performer-friendly like Neon Reverb; which is part of the reason Aragon wanted to get involved behind the scenes at Neon Reverb when it debuted in 2009. Aragon, in between bites of a taco off his piping-hot plate, mentions he had been a

liaison between the bands at Neon Reverb and the folks who run the festival, keeping communication open on both sides, establishing hard-fought goodwill from bands to festival promoters. Suddenly, with commitments and obligations for the founders of the festival causing them to step aside and consider shelving the spring edition of Neon Reverb this year, Aragon knew his time had come to do more for the festival. He was ready to essentially be the curator for the festival this spring, handling everything from working out which venues would be involved to the band lineups each night.

Sunday night's bill at the Beauty Bar for Neon Reverb encapsulated everything Aragon was looking for when he assembled the lineup: out-of-town bands whose music complemented the styles and attitudes of all the local bands present. Portland's The We Shared Milk and hometown band Rusty Maples kicked off the night before 8 p.m., something nearly unheard of for show start times in town. And And And launched their multiple guitar attack (that included a cellist for several songs) inside the Beauty Bar, bathed in red lights, persevering through a poor vocal mix thanks to the adoration of a small but appreciative crowd.

Instead of the sprawling style of past editions of the festival, Aragon kept it simple by arranging four nights of music spread across only two venues (The Bunkhouse, The Beauty Bar). He then did his best to balance the bill between local bands and out-of-town bands that may not have ever considered playing Vegas as the old stigma that this is where bands go to die hasn't been entirely erased from the local culture.

Olympia, Washington bands Gun Outfit and Milk Music closed out the bill, but in between all of this, the folk-based Sea of Bees quietly took the stage outside. Not only was this the Las Vegas debut for Sea of Bees, it was also the debut performance of the band as a five-piece.

"It's like Mr. Toad's wild ride." When asked what it's like to organize and run an event of this magnitude intended to build up the culture of a city long derided for its transient nature, this is one answer from Aragon that required no explanation.

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Julie Baenziger hails from Sacramento, Calif. and has built up a loyal and dedicated following since 2009's The Bee Eee Pee. Fans of Jules (as she is affectionately referred to) have seen her perform consistently with her BFF Amber as a duo, but never as a five-piece. After a soft-spoken introduction, Jules, Amber, and the rest of the band â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who primarily used electric guitar, bass and drums to flesh out Jules' songs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; played an intensely passionate set.

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The shy yet warm reluctance Jules spoke with between songs gave way to everincreasing lyrical complexity as each song eclipsed the previous one. The deeper Jules and her band progressed through the set, the more she began winning over the noteasily-impressed Vegas audience. While Sea of Bees is the vehicle for Jules' songwriting, Amber's vocals complemented everything Jules sang so naturally; it's hard to imagine one voice without the other making it whole. The drummer, Jen, fashionably clad in metallic skinny pants and a white buttonup shirt, admitted after the show that the band had been hastily assembled for the Vegas performance, with a total of three rehearsals in the books beforehand. The band was so cohesive, the answer could have easily been three hundred rehearsals. The chemistry the band portrayed from beginning to end not only showcased how classic Jules' songwriting truly is in a band setting, it also hinted at greater things in store for Jules and Sea of Bees.

fans, Jules confided she is ready to begin recording new songs that will feature fuller arrangements than those found on previous recordings. Perhaps an encore performance at the fall edition of Neon Reverb is in the cards for Sea of Bees to road-test some new songs? Time will tell. For now, Jules is content to continue meeting fans and talking music after her band's impressive Vegas debut.

At the merch table afterwards, in between smiles and handshakes with countless

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

CAMPUS UPDATE Construction on our campus is continuing to progress quickly, and we are happy to report that we are still on time and on budget. What’s New We have crossed another milestone this month — drywalling! Drywalling may not sound very exciting, but it means that we’ve finalized the placement of all of the “stuff” that will go behind the walls (power, data, a/v), and that we are now ready to start closing them up. We will really see the campus come to life during this phase.

Campus FAQ Have questions regarding the campus, the move, etc.? Check out our new Campus FAQ page! We’ve been receiving a ton of great questions from all of you, so we wanted to create a centralized place where you can easily find answers. We will be continuing to add questions and answers to this page in the coming months so keep checking back for latest information. If you have a question, but don’t see it listed on the FAQ page, shoot us an e-mail at campus@ zappos.com and we will make sure to add it to the list. Campus FAQ Page - https://confluence.zappos. net/display/CAM/Campus+FAQ ABOVE RIGHT: We shut down part of Stewart Avenue to install some HVAC equipment on the roof of the tower. Take a look at the height of that crane! RIGHT: “The Backyard” – It’s a little messy right now, but this outdoor space will be a great place to get some fresh air and relax with coworkers. It will also serve as the pathway between the campus and the bistro.

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LEFT: This is the old location of the City Hall jail (see the bars against the pillars?) and the new location of the onsite bar/speakeasy, which will be open to the public!

LEFT: Tile being restrooms.

installed

the

BELOW: Inside one of our large conference rooms. Drywall installation has begun.

ABOVE: With the exception of a few vents, this is what our ceilings will look like. Exposed concrete, lighting, and HVAC … we’ve even heard someone call this style “Industrial Chic.” ISSUE 13

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Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out to us at campus@zappos.com with any questions or comments. -Steven and the COD Team

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

FEATURES

● Selah ● Globe Salon ● Work In Progress ● Jump For Joy Foundation ● Earth Day & Sustainability ● Discovery Children's Museum

Selah: An Art Salon Selah, Serendipity, and Our Dirty Little Secret By Mandy Crispin

Ha. Ha. No, this isn’t an exposé on Zappos,

so let’s get that out of the way. It’s about Selah: An Art Salon and how they are making the world a better place through their philosophy of nurturing creativity for all people, in all forms. Some who routinely teach or lecture businesses about the significance of creativity in the workplace and in life, generally, are intimidated when they try to make their presentations to us here at Zappos. They always say, “but you’re Zappos, so I probably don’t need to tell you this.” But our secret is that some people who work here wouldn’t immediately use the identifier “creative” as their first and foremost character trait, and those who would self-identify as particularly “creative” are using their energy to such a

high degree that we become tired at times. Depleted. Dead. Done. So our dirty little secret is that, yes, we do need to be told, and sometimes we do need a recharge. Whether you need help finding and defining your natural creative talents or admit that you are creative but just need an energy blast, here’s one word for you: Selah. Daria Riley and Sabrina Cofield Daria was teaching for College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and trying to figure out how she could fit creativity into her life fulltime. She said that the gifts we have are “sometimes overlooked because they come so easy to us, so we take those for granted.” She said, “For years [art] was something I enjoyed doing, but I majored in English in college and rolled my eyes at the studio art The Zappos Employee Newsletter

majors because that’s what I really wanted to do, but I thought, ‘what are you going to do with that?’” She always painted and drew, but it was never anything that was considered something to make a living at. When her husband got relocated to Flagstaff, Ariz. for a job, she resigned from her teaching position and took up doing art in their home, but a chain of events is never complete without the kicker. Her husband’s job didn’t work out. They came back to Vegas just four months after having left, Daria with a concept for a whole new lifestyle and a set of ideas about what life could be (for everyone). A chain of events is never complete without a blessing in disguise. While in Flagstaff, Daria noticed that a lot of the local artists where working alone in their APRIL 2013

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FEATURES

While in Flagstaff, Daria noticed that a lot of the local artists where working alone in their homes, so she began to envision, what is now a buzzword around the downtown community, coworking. Arriving back in Vegas and wondering if this concept would be something that could be understood and accepted here, she was in for a big dose of serendipitous timing. “I don’t know where Tony Hsieh and all the cowork space happened while I was gone,” she laughed as she noted she was only gone a short time. She started sharing her ideas with friends, and the idea fit right in with the coworking concept for downtown. Sabrina agreed right away and happened to be in a position to make a career transition, so as part of Daria’s vision, she decided she had to save Sabrina from a life of scraping plaque and pulling teeth. Now what they are doing is healing and energizing the creative cavity of people around her and helping to build a happier and healthier community. Sabrina added another facet to the concept of Selah with her contribution to the conversation after the bewildered exclamation, “I don’t draw!”. Sabrina was a television reporter and producer in highintensity, rapid turnaround programming: the news. As we all know, the news can be depressing, so she began doing acting, hosting, and spokesperson (on-camera) work, and then some theater type things. She admitted, also, that she’s “kind of a closet interior designer.” Amongst more laughter (these two are so fun), Sabrina pointed out that “again, it’s one of those things where you don’t realize the importance of your creativity until you try to start stifling it, and then you just realize how important it is to your happiness and to having peace. It balances everything else out in your life if you have a creative outlet. And that’s what Daria has helped to teach me. I was on my way to apply to dental school. I thought I’d go to dental school, and it’ll be a good living and the safe route. It’s so interesting because a lot of people think ‘oh my gosh dental school — it’s so hard,’ but that, to me, is my easy route. It’s a written route. It has a plan. I know what I have to do to get to where I need to go. This is the scary route. Even though

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it’s what I love, and we’re having a great time, we’re terrified!” Go forth and be brave, people. Who is an artistic person? What about people who say they aren’t “creative”? Daria “We believe everybody is born creative, and people say that all the time, and it’s like, didn’t you color in kindergarten? You were pretty proud of your drawings in kindergarten. Hugh MacLeod wrote ‘Ignore Everybody,’ and one thing he says is that we are all born creative, and at some point in our adulthood we look for avenues for someone to give us our crayons back, and that’s basically what Selah is here to do: The Zappos Employee Newsletter

give people their crayons back. Because we believe that we deter ourselves for so long that we forget how to be creative. We have a retreat that we planned called ‘color,’ and that’s for the self-professed stick artist.” What does a creative person look like and act like? Daria “It manifests itself in so many ways, but we have to recognize that there’s a reason why you dress yourself a certain way every day; there’s a reason why the food you serve to your [family] is displayed on the plate a certain way — all of those are manifestations of creativity.”

Sabrina “I think we tend to downplay. A lot of times a lot of us are creative at whatever it is that comes easy to us, so we downplay the significance of it. Even with producing TV news: it came very easy to me to create the look of the show, and to do the opening, and make sure the graphics all got done right. It all came very easy, and I would have never considered it creative; it was just my job. It was just what I did, so I tended to downplay it. Everything that we do, anything that helps you to express yourself, those inner ideas, that is all creative. Whether you’re a writer, whether you’re an interior designer, or a photographer, or a news producer, it really does manifest itself in a lot of different ways, but we tend to just stifle that and say ‘that’s not my creative side — I just love fashion [for example].’” 11

Sabrina said the portal for Selah is to, “Tap into what they enjoy. Say they enjoy cooking. Then you’ll discover that this person is an amazing painter or [like Daria] started with photography. She is an amazing illustrator, so sometimes it’s just a matter of tapping in: ‘Ok, what do you love? You love fashion, let’s figure out something with that,’ or ‘you’re obsessed with magazines, fine. Let’s start with that and see where it takes us,’ and you might be really surprised that you are a poet, or you are a yoga instructor. It’s just interesting to see what they’re interested in, and it might take them to a whole new place.” This is another facet that makes Selah and these ladies’ philosophy on the art experience: it’s not about “artists” — it’s The Zappos Employee Newsletter

about all people and all art forms, even ones that are inclusive of acting, interior design, and TV news producing. Sabrina learned that she has been doing art all along. The trick was to realize it. And how Daria recalls her pathway into art exemplifies this overall principle and makes the atmosphere so nonthreatening. Daria’s “gateway drug to art”: photography. She said so simply, “I learned how to take a good picture.” At Selah, “art” is not something only “artists” do. Daria “It’s just doing things to focus on what your passion is. If we don’t know what it is, uncovering it; if we know what it is, remembering it. […] So it’s bigger than doing ‘art.’”

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Selah defines itself by a few choice words. One is Selah, which according to the website, means to stop and listen. Another is salon: a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host; held to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants. They use retreat: a place affording peace, quiet or privacy. The last is spa: a place providing therapeutic healing; a place providing relaxation or invigoration. The last word is the probably the most telling. We all know when we need a massage, but what about when we need some inspiration? Daria “Another part of what creativity does is make you just stop, and it’s why we chose ‘Selah.’ It means stop and listen, and it carves out time and space for you to just stop going through your routine. […] Those can be distractions and busyness that are keeping you from doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing in life, and when you stop, and you’re creating, and it’s quiet, and you’re thinking about all the different things that life has thrown at you, that could be the time and space where you figure out ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so off course right now.’” Sabrina “This is why we use words like spa and retreat. People understand the importance of getting a pedicure, getting a manicure, getting a haircut, that kind of self-care. They’ll take the time for that not realizing how important it is to develop and listen to that creative voice. That is also selfcare. […] I have two kids. It is a treat for me to sit for an hour and be quiet.” Creative solutions and the tools to go above and beyond: If you are still wondering how this “art salon” can help you in your career (let’s say you are pretty happy with your job and your life), how about pushing yourself to the next level? Daria was teaching English at CSN, and she had to communicate what a thesis statement is to a class full of non-or-barely-Englishspeaking students. She brought art supplies and asked them to make a painting. Then she said, “You can’t write about anything that’s not in the painting” in order to explain what a thesis statement is. This concept translates into the business world because by exercising creative muscles, people learn to come up with ISSUE 13

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Daria “It’s just doing things to focus on what your passion is. If we don’t know what it is, uncovering it; if we know what it is, remembering it. […] So it’s bigger than doing ‘art.’”

creative solutions to challenging and unique problems. Daria said, “It can help in any facet of what you do. Being more creative is solving problems in general.” Art is not always only about knowing how to paint or draw. In example, a design firm in town that already recognizes its creativity asked Selah to facilitate a retreat where they could do something completely different from their day-to-day (working on computers). They broke out paintbrushes. About this, Sabrina said, “If you develop another creative side, and experiment with another creative side, it helps you grow in the area that you’re already really good at.” In short, we are already creative, but we can always be more by exploring the farther horizon. Whether a person feels creative or doesn’t, the concept of Selah: An Art Salon is a benefit to either and all. People who know they are creative can benefit from thinking outside of standard mediums they use. People who don’t realize they are creative can begin to see their daily lives as a creative process. Both can use what they are familiar with as an inroad to another form of self-expression if they just begin somewhere. The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Daria and Sabrina told many stories all about the different kinds of retreats, including groups geared towards mommy and me experiences (where the kids ended up teaching the parents how to reclaim a sense of creative adventure), teens who are becoming inspired in their lives by art, wish gardens, and any unknown, unlimited amounts of possibilities that await them, but I think you’ll have to check them out for yourself. This is a personal and unique journey for every individual, even when the retreats are organized in a group. I promise you, though, you won’t be sorry for having met such balanced, inspirational, and totally zen ladies. For more information, go to www.selahlv.com. Selah is located in the BLVDS house at 509 S. Seventh Street Las Vegas, NV 89101 The BLVDS house shows art by local artists, two currently being Biscuit the Street Preacher and Mark Melon.

Globe Salon:

A pioneer with the best advice for new businesses that we’ve heard yet. By Mandy Crispin Photography: Darius Kuzmickas

Staci Linkater and her partner James Reza

are Las Vegas natives. They started planning Globe Salon 14 years ago, and they knew they wanted to be downtown. You may remember the back cover of our February issue where we showed the Nevada license plate that read “DWNTWN.” Well, that isn’t Staci’s car, but it is her plate. It’s a simple story. She said lightheartedly, “Believing in downtown the way that we believe in downtown, we promote it with a license plate.” When I asked her, “Why downtown?” she answered, “We knew that we wanted to open an ‘urban salon,’ which means it’s not in a shopping center, but at the time Las Vegas wasn’t ready for it.” She and James were patient though. She said, “We were ready to wait it out.” One of the very first locations Staci chose when she was putting together her initial business plan is a block away from where the salon is now, at the 13

foot of the beautiful building SoHo Lofts, but in the meantime, they opened a location at Charleston and Decatur Boulevards. Staci “Our location at Charleston and Decatur we were at for almost 8 years, and we knew that was just a temporary place for us until the right thing came along. And then 5 years ago this month we were supposed to be moving into the Juhl building, but it wasn’t open and ready yet, but our landlord said, ‘OK we’re not renewing your lease. You have 90 days to get out.’ So in 90 days we found a location, designed a location, moved an 8 year existing business and have had a successful business here for almost 5 years.” What’s the difference between an “urban salon” and a salon in a strip mall? Staci “I think it’s really about perception, and it’s about the way it feels. Obviously in an urban location [you have] to parallel park your car instead of being able to drive up The Zappos Employee Newsletter

into your parking spot at the strip mall. That in itself creates urbanity, and also being part of something that is not what your typical is, right? Most people in Las Vegas expect to drive up to whatever business it is, and it’s a shopping center. [It’s] the fact that this is not a shopping center; it is an actual urban environment. So from driving here to parking your car, to coming to a building that has a beautiful frontispiece and a personality,” gives Globe Salon a certain atmospheric appeal that customers won’t get elsewhere in the valley. Is that “why downtown?” Did you see personality here before it became the project of the scale it has become? Staci “Yeah, absolutely. Being born and raised here, we knew that there was personality downtown, and just like in any other thriving downtown that is going through a renovation and a revitalization, we knew that that was APRIL 2013

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going to happen. James, my partner, used to have a magazine that is now the Las Vegas Weekly (it was called Scope), and he published a story [written by Geoff Carter, current editor of DTLV] about the revitalization of downtown 20 years ago. So we saw it happening — it has just taken a very long time for it to actually happen.” What advice would you have for new businesses coming in? Staci “My advice for new businesses coming in is to realize what it means to be part of an urban environment. Realize that you’re going to have people complaining about parking. You’re going to have people complaining about [various things]. People have said ‘Oh my gosh, I really love Globe Salon, but it’s too small.’ You do different things in smaller spaces, and I’m sure you’ve been to other major cities, like San Diego: most of the most amazing restaurants they have are a thousand square feet. So, definitely, you’re going to have those complaints, and you have to just constantly remember that it’s not about those people who are complaining. It’s about the overall people who actually get what you’re doing and remember to not be frustrated by those kinds of comments.” Have you had any converts who wouldn’t have come downtown before, but now they do? Staci “What has been our biggest challenge over the last 5 years is changing people’s perception of downtown. Because most people didn’t realize that it was beautiful and safe, so we’ve had the […] converts who go, ‘Alright, you know what? I’m gonna take a chance.’ And then they come here, and they’re like ‘Oh my God! This is nothing like I thought it would be!’ And then they tell all their friends, and we have tons of people from Summerlin and Green Valley who are coming downtown to the cool salon to get their hair done.” Staci runs the business on a customer-centric model: both internally and externally. Why Hair? Staci “I personally have been in the business for a very long time. […] I took what was positive and negative about each place where I had worked and created Globe Salon. So, why hair? I opened a salon because I thought I knew the business. Having a hair salon and being a hairstylist, are two very different things.” ISSUE 13

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So what are some things that you’ve learned about that? Obviously you prefer running your own business. Staci “I’d say being hairstylists, especially in Globe Salon, [is about] working for a company that holds them accountable and that takes care of them — they get paid vacations; they have paid insurance; they have continuing education that we pay for — they are well taken care of. When you’re an independent contractor, you don’t have all of those things. […] And when you hold people accountable, it creates a different environment and how people work. They all understand that we are all here for the same reason, and that is to make our guests feel

and look as fabulous as we can, and it’s not just about us. It’s about our guests.” What makes Globe Salon different? Is that the answer? Staci “Mainly it’s in the fact that we are employee based. Holding people accountable; only hiring professional people. We’re also seriously community-involved. We just shaved heads for St. Baldrick’s. We did a huge event in November that Zappos actually provided our runway for that was a benefit for LV ARTreach that we raised $16,000 for. That was an event that we created from beginning to end. We brought in N9NE Steakhouse, and Triple George, Firefly, and The Cupcakery, and they all donated food, and then we had 4 different alcohol vendors that donated alcohol for the event, The Zappos Employee Newsletter

and we raised a ton of money, and it was a great experience. We produced a fashion show, and that was the entertainment. So once a quarter we do something that is community related.” Shiatsu massage shampoo chairs? Staci “We are the only salon in Las Vegas who have them. Our customer service: that’s what we really, really thrive on. It’s not about us; it’s about the guests. It’s about their experience. We have many, many positive reviews on Yelp! based on our experiences [with customers]. When people come to our salon, they know that they are going to be treated with respect, and they know that we

are a team environment. I can’t tell you, on a regular basis, how much people come in and go ‘Wow, you guys really are a team here.’ You can feel it when you’re in the salon: the way that we interact with each other; the way that Samantha will have a conversation with the guest that’s in my chair. We’re like a family that is about making everybody happy. So our chairs: what we learned about our last location was there are some things that you need to spend money on, and the shampoo area is the number one place besides lighting that we felt we needed to spend the money on, so we call it ‘giving back to our guests.’ You’re getting your hair shampooed, and everybody gets trained to shampoo hair ‘my style’ which means a five to ten minute head massage and to have your back rubbed because when you’re getting your head rubbed at the same time 14

as your back … there is not a day that goes by that someone doesn’t say ‘I want to take these chairs home!’” Anything else that you think would be important for us to know about Globe, or hair, or services? Staci “A new trend right now for hair: we have this new color line called Illumina. It takes hair and creates almost a virgin texture, so it’s as if your hair has not even been colored. There’s no ammonia in the color. It colors translucently versus opaquely, so there’s tons and tons of shine. The toning abilities in the color are phenomenal, and it’s just something that we’re big fans about. Really, really excited about it! We haven’t been this excited about a color line in a long time.” So what about length and style?

Staci “Length and style is something that we haven’t seen any major trends going on with, unfortunately, for a couple of years. Longer with curls, and braids and buns are still super, super hot for summer, more on the braid side than the bun side. I think that we’re finally getting away from the ballerina bun, which is great because everybody’s wearing it. Scarves are a big thing for summer. So pulling the hair up, and putting your braids in it, but always wrapping with a scarf is a big, big tip for summer.” What are your favorite places downtown? Staci “Commonwealth is one of my favorites, this time of year especially, being able to go and enjoy the balcony. LeThai is top of my charts. I could eat there five days a week.” Are you a four or a five?

Staci “I’m actually a four depending on: is it lunch or is it dinner!? Lunch’s fours are not as spicy as dinner’s fours. Get a four at dinner — a five at lunch. I don’t know if it’s because the pans absorb the spices throughout the day, but my fours are not the same morning and night.” What business downtown is most unique besides Globe? Staci “I think that the candy shop [Sweet Spot] — love them, love them, love them. I just think that it’s an individual business that speaks to everybody. Who doesn’t love candy? And we need more of that down here now. I think that we’re good in the bar selection now. Now we need some more restaurants, and now we need some more boutique stores, and … Electric Lemonade! Electric Lemonade is one of my favorite, favorite spots.”

900 S Las Vegas Blvd #130 Las Vegas, NV 89101 (702) 938-4247

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

APRIL 2013

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Work in Progress

Self-Actualizing and Accelerating Area Entrepreneurs By Michael Boley

Like human beings, businesses require basic requirements for survival. Let’s consider this: According to world-renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow and his “Hierarchy of Needs,” humans must fulfill innate needs to culminate to the highest stage of selfactualization — meaning for a business, in this case, to reach its full potential. The foundation, or building blocks, if you will, of these needs begin with the level of Physiological needs, Safety, Love/Belonging, and Esteem which are most important in achieving success.

The Physiological stage requires necessities such as breathing, homeostasis, sleep, etc. — this is usually done naturally in a business setting. However, achieving Safety becomes more difficult where many businesses don’t have resources or property, quite literally, to climb to the next stage. That’s where Work in Progress comes in. Work in Progress began in early 2013 and is funded by Downtown Project to provide startups and imaginative thinkers with tools to inspire creativity and innovation. These workspaces allow collaboration and help formulate ideas, or simply be a change of midweek scenery. Cofounder Patrick Olson, along with Zach Ware and Josh Bowden, has led the charge in formulating this network of coworking connectivity in downtown Las Vegas while using 302 E. Carson Ave. (our office) as a blueprint. ISSUE 13

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According to Olson, downtown coworking was organically spawned from a mix of Zappos and non-Zappos employees who created a casual meet-up group biweekly at The Beat, known as the Tech Jelly. As the sessions became more popular, hundreds of Las Vegas techies got increasingly more involved with mentor and breakout sessions and pitches. “The community behind it was amazing,” said Olson. “And at the same time, Zappos stumbled upon a few folks that were experts in coworking … and really got us inspired to integrate as much of the coworking environment into Zappos’ culture and workspace.” The design of Zappos’ downtown satellite office wasn’t created by happenstance, says Olson, as the office was fully intended to have an open floor plan and to eliminate all cubicle walls. “Downtown Project thought between Zappos doing coworking and this whole tech and creative community growing … [is] when we really started to put our heads together and figure out how we were going to execute the coworking capital of the world,” said Olson. “And really, that all starts with a space.” Besides the current worklounge at usr/ lib above The Beat, Work in Progress currently has one operating workspace — dubbed 6th Street — with necessities like unlimited coffee, high-speed Wi-Fi, printers, The Zappos Employee Newsletter

community work lounges, dedicated and/ or shared desks, and team rooms for largescale collaboration sessions. Near the corner of Sixth Street and Bridger Avenue is the 6th Street Workspace. Previously a law firm, the building’s renovation has been outfitted for modern tech usability but holds true its rustic charm with a curved staircase, light-inviting windows, and original wooden beams and doors. Its main level is currently used as a community worklounge. Here, downtowners are able to utilize this space for free as an escape from the everyday grind or to cowork alongside other creatives. However, upstairs is where the real magic happens. Currently, 6th Street houses five startup businesses, including Fandeavor, Rumgr, Downtown Project, as well as roughly twenty community members daily. Exclusive to paid members only, individuals or small business owners are able to receive exclusive benefits when they sign up to be Nomad, Resident, or Workroom residents. Besides utilizing the basic aforementioned benefits, individuals/businesses within specific categories get time-dedicated, guaranteed access to conference rooms, mail and packaging services, company signage, safe and secure 24/7 parking, and a customizable workspace.

Each of these members may also take advantage of Work in Progress events and staff office hours —where entrepreneurs can learn anything from marketing strategies to financial analysis and strategy, or the execution of business ideas to operations scaling and team development. “One of the great things that tech communities do, and entrepreneurs that have been really successful, is their willingness to mentor,” said Olson. “And with all the connections Tony [Hsieh] has, they all align really well … so we’re building this really amazing mentor network.” In addition to providing Maslow’s Safety stage of “room and board” to incoming small businesses, Olson stated that its 701 Bridger Workspace (opening this summer) will be used as an accelerator as it pairs alongside New York-based General Assembly. General Assembly curates a curriculum for small businesses to learn detailed skillsets relating to technology, design, and business. According to the company’s website, “Finding a place to cultivate these ideas is quite difficult. In addition, developing the skills necessary to succeed in this landscape

can be a daunting, confusing, and lonely journey. Once again, this can be tied to Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” stage three (Love/Belonging – friendship, family, etc.). Also, with a global network of campuses and top practitioners, General Assembly’s goal is to connect motivated thinkers with likeminded, multi-faceted communities, thus initiating stage four (Esteem – confidence, achievement, respect of others). According to Olson, Work in Progress’s vision is to create a fluid pipeline of new businesses to not only work within its Bridger Workspace (or any other) but by also utilizing the brain power behind General Assembly. “[We want] to get people into our community that otherwise wouldn’t come or are here and don’t know how to get involved and accelerate their learning. … We can leverage General Assembly for the education component and then we’ll do the programming and add the space component,” said Olson. “That will create a great pipeline of getting young, smart people into our community and trained, and then pumped back out.”

With Work in Progress putting much emphasis on coworking and collaboration inside its walls, the long-term goal, according to Olson, is to have the entire downtown area Wi-Fi compatible for networked members.

This, in turn, creates Maslow’s fifth and final stage of a downtown entrepreneur’s Selfactualization of implementing creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, and meaning within any new business’ core functions. To learn more information about Work in Progress, its membership services and rates, and expansion of network workspaces, please visit www.workinprogress.lv.

317 S Sixth Street Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Always open Phone (702) 534-3804 Email shout@workinprogress.lv Website http://workinprogress.lv

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

APRIL 2013

ISSUE 13

Jump For Joy Foundation Implements Services for Success

By Michael Boley

Twelve-year-old Jeremiah Johnson hasn’t

had it easy. It seems at such a young age everything has gone against him as he faces a multitude of challenges in a seemingly neglectful world. Jeremiah grows up in a low-income single-family home on the north side of town with his mother and younger brother. His father has been incarcerated since he was three. Each morning, as Jeremiah saunters from his school’s front entrance to the nurse’s station, he is greeted by fellow classmates and teachers smiling “good morning.” Today, the main nurse is out sick, but nonetheless he allows the backup to administer his daily insulin. Jeremiah is a type two diabetic and nearly 25 pounds obese; he has been overweight since he was two. At lunch, he eats government subsidized school meals. French fries and pizza are on the menu today — any young boy’s dream, but his plate must be carefully balanced with the right amount fruits and vegetables. Upon feverishly eating with friends, Jeremiah and classmates maximize their allotted 15 minutes of recess: barely enough time to start a game of tag, but enough to where he gets winded. ISSUE 13

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After the final bell and the school day ends, Jeremiah walks a few blocks home past a chain link fence as other similarly aged children field grounders in one of the afterschool programs — something Jeremiah has always wanted to do, but he knows his mother can’t afford. Instead, upon return to his room, he drops his book bag and secludes himself with video games until his mother returns with a fast-food dinner. Jeremiah is a completely fictional character, and this storyline was grossly exaggerated. However, the examples above are all-too familiar for hundreds of kids across the Las Vegas valley. Whether it’s family instability or financial difficulties, many Las Vegas parents don’t have the resources or outreach to allow their children to participate in a fully functional, healthy lifestyle. However, one man and his team of volunteers and ambassadors downtown are in the process of making a significant change. Located at 1201 S. Commerce Street inside the rugged exterior of Real Results Fitness, you will find Anthony Alegrete confined between file cabinets and computer monitors besieged by paperwork. Alegrete is the founder and executive director of the Jump for Joy Foundation The Zappos Employee Newsletter

(J4JF) — a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting free active and healthy lifestyles to southern Nevada’s youth with three areas of service: Activity Based Hobbies or Interests (ABHI), Camp J.U.M.P., and T.E.A.M. research. Upon meeting, the passion and determination to build J4JF can be seen in Alegrete’s eyes and heard in his up-tempo voice. It’s obvious this man cares about what he is doing. Rooted from the inner-city of Los Angeles, Alegrete grew up in a less than desirable situation. After occasional run-ins with the judicial system in his youth and twenties, Alegrete reformed his life and way of thinking, prompting his move to Las Vegas in 2008. In 2011, upon winning the Governor’s Cup Cup — a panel-judged, high-prize award given to select UNLV business students who demonstrate a high-level entrepreneurial spirit — Alegrete and esteemed fitness trainer Branden Collinsworth, who he met two years prior through numerous workout sessions intermingled collaboration efforts, wanted to build a dream centered on fitness; thus the J4JF was created. 18

“We did this straight for the community. Branden had a passion for fitness, and I had a passion to help underserved kids,” said Alegrete. “I personally came from the underserved community … where there were never any of these great programs.” J4JF was first implemented in May 2010 when Alegrete and Collinsworth partnered with a North Las Vegas school’s gym class. In order to keep an interest in exercise to more than 700 kindergarten through eighth grade children, the two implemented circuit stations based on the concepts of mind, body, and soul. Within each 12-minute circuit, children became masters of breathing techniques, created makeshift stress balls, rolled tires, and danced to hip-hop music. Following the successful event, Alegrete and school administrators planned on regularly scheduled Camp J.U.M.P weekends. However, due to miscommunication between both parties, Alegrate’s team had only two days to scramble and assemble at a new location. In what was supposed to be a grand event, the first official Camp J.U.M.P. was displaced 15 miles away at Willows Park; only three children showed. “It didn’t put our spirits down … As long as we’re helping one kid, that’s all that really matters,” said Alegrete. “It was probably one of the best camps we’ve had because it was so intimate. We even got the parents involved.” Showing resilience and ability to innovate, Alegrete printed more flyers for upcoming

Anthony Alegrete, Founder and Executive Director

camps while further branding its core mission through ABHI. “The Jump for Joy Foundation believes that if a child gets exposed to a hobby, such as dance, baseball football, basketball, soccer, yoga, and they like it and becomes an interest for them, they’re going to do it for life,” said Alegrete. According to the J4JF’s press kit, the ABHI strategy “successfully changes obesity norms with children by exposing them to physical fitness, nutrition, and positive psychology through influential role models” while also fitting within the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) MAPPS model.

With the majority of J4JF’s children being underserved and coming from low-income families, the foundation exposes them to Camp J.U.M.P. where teachers and athletes, known as ambassadors, volunteer to participate and speak to children ages 6-17, encouraging them to remain active and curate a healthy lifestyle. Such notable ambassadors have included UFC fighter Stephan Bonnar, pro BMX rider

Ricardo Laguna, retired NFL player Gerard Lawson, professional boxer Lonnie Smith, and hip-hop legend Steffan Clemente. “That’s our whole niche — raw and edgy. We’re not a corporate nonprofit,” said Alegrete. “We make it fun and cool for kids to be active, healthy, and fit. That’s what the whole Jump for Joy foundation is about.” Due to its unorthodox nature and countless public exposure and support, within its first four months Camp J.U.M.P. exponentially grew in participants, and by the end of summer 2010 the J4JF implemented a board of directors, created its bylaws, and officially became a registered nonprofit organization. Since J4JF’s inception two and a half years ago, Alegrete and his team of volunteers have held over 100 sport-themed Camp J.U.M.P. events, such as “Tackling Obesity,” “Dunk on Obesity,” and “Dance against Obesity,” while helping more than 4,000 children create a healthier lifestyle. The facts regarding obesity need to be taken seriously as many social scientists, doctors, and fitness professionals agree with the poverty to obesity correlation. In 2007, a national survey of 400,000 children showed obesity rates increased by 10 percent for all U.S. children aged 10-17, but increased 23 percent for low-income children during the same time period, according to the Food Research and Action Center.

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“The Jump for Joy Foundation believes that if a child gets exposed to a hobby, such as dance, baseball football, basketball, soccer, yoga, and they like it and becomes an interest for them, they’re going to do it for life.”

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Furthermore, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Las Vegas ranked first among the 50 largest U.S. cities with the biggest increase in child poverty rate between 2005 and 2011 at 81 percent. Jacksonville, Fla. was a distant second with a 63 percent increase. Through the use of positive psychology, Alegrete and Collinsworth came up with the concept of T.E.A.M. (Train, Enhance and Motivate) to target this segment of adolescents due to its unfortunate national and local statistics. T.E.A.M. is a research and development program backed by scientific data to prevent childhood obesity based on fitness, nutrition, and positive psychology. Throughout this free 12-week program, youth ages 10-17 are given the opportunity to build relationships with brand ambassadors as they participate in 36 fitness sessions, 12 nutrition classes, and 12 positive psychology workshops. “Our program isn’t just about fitness … It’s about a complete transformation where we incorporate anti-bullying, going to college, mentorship, eating right, working out, playing sports, and just being an overall better child to your parent.” In combination with T.E.A.M., the J4JF has made it their responsibility to donate financial aid and grants to families of the underserved in Las Vegas that live below the poverty line, are non-English speakers, and don’t have readily available access to fitness facilities and nutritional programs to be able to participate in ABHI like sports and dance programs. With continued success of community outreach and a growing number of participants, Alegrete said he’s pleased with where his nonprofit has developed and doesn’t see a limit to its success. “We’ve been fortunate to take it to the level that it’s at. We’ve had tons of great community partners and people that just believe in us, and we’re looking to take it to the next level,” said Alegrete.

“It’s time to take it big where we can be on Susan G. Komen status, be on the 50-yard line … I want to have it be this big explosion of value,” Alegrete said. To learn more information about the Jump for Joy Foundation, its brand ambassadors and involvement within the Las Vegas community, or to sign your child up for J.U.M.P. camp events, visit its Facebook and YouTube pages or follow their updates on Twitter @J4Jfoundation.

Although there have been several contributions that have helped the J4JF with community support, Alegrete says his nonprofit has laid the foundation to scale large, but he’s hoping to garner more attention and secure a few larger donations to propel it to the national stage. 21

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According to the J4JF’s press kit, the ABHI strategy “successfully changes obesity norms with children by exposing them to physical fitness, nutrition, and positive psychology through influential role models” while also fitting within the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) MAPPS model.

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Happy (B)Earth Day! LEAFers speak on sustainability, LEED certification, and Mother E. By Michael Boley

As we approach April 22, we embark on

the 43rd “birthday” of planet Earth — a day where citizens of the world show their allegiance to Mother Nature through sponsorship, donations, and volunteer activities. However, although planting gardens and recycling roadside trash is certainly important, knowledge is power — especially when it relates to sustainability.

To help legitimize Zappos’ initiative with the go green movement, the company sought after real-world expertise. Brad Tomm was hired in June 2011 as Zappos’ sustainability manager, the first of the company’s kind. An alumnus from Vanderbilt University, Tomm graduated with a degree in geology and economics and is an avid outdoorsman.

You may be asking, “What exactly is sustainability?” Environmentalist and author Paul Hawken defined it as: “Leave the world better than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment, make amends if you do.”

“I think our biggest issue is just awareness,” said Cotte, referencing L.E.A.F.S’s identity as a grassroots startup within the company. “Once Zapponians become familiar with sustainable opportunities and the global benefits, I believe more people will become passionate about making a sustainable impact in our community.”

As Zappos follows suit from industry leaders in sustainability like Patagonia, The North Face, and Nike, Tomm says Zappos will also become a strong leader. “Zappos is in an awesome position — there’s almost a blank canvas to work from. Sustainability for many companies started almost 10 to 15 years ago … and at Zappos it’s just getting started. Sustainability needs culture to flourish, and we’ve got the best culture in the world. I’m excited about the future opportunities and the confluence of culture and sustainability.”

At Zappos, we have a dedicated team in place that helps support our initiative of preserving a green coworking habitat while reducing our carbon footprint; this team is known as L.E.A.F. (Leading Environmental Awareness for the Future). In 2011, L.E.A.F. was prompted from a casual conversation between Project Manager Danielle Cotte and ZCON Operative Elyse Briski at Keen Day. With both having a strong interest in eco-friendly behaviors, they quickly created the group which is now supported by over 30 LEAFers.

commitment to sustainability by dedicating the resources to hire [me].”

Zappos is getting started by focusing on the following six areas of environmental stewardship: energy management, water conservation, waste management (includes recycling), green building and design, logistics (includes shipping), and outreach and education. Before joining Zappos, Tomm worked for MGM Resorts International for five years overseeing the Strip’s ten largest casinos as the director of sustainable operations. However, when he saw Zappos’ open position last March, he decided to part ways with the hotel industry. “I had a good job, but this is a great job!” said Tomm. “Sustainability is my career — it’s my passion. Helping companies to go green, save money, and do the right thing is what I do … [so] I was thrilled to see Zappos make the

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

According to Cotte, current initiatives in place at the office to reduce negative environmental impact include expanded recycling services, cell phone and battery recycling, bistro food scrap composting, and the Zcafé’s mug raffle. Zappos employees are also encouraged to unplug cords, turn off unused lights, and print double-sided documents. Along with creating awareness, Tomm and his team’s foremost flagship initiative is to achieve silver LEED (Leadership in Energy

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and Environmental Design) certification at 400 Stewart Ave. For a building to become LEED certified, companies must register their building and earn a minimum 40 points on a 110-point LEED rating system scale. Certified buildings would then receive silver, gold, and platinum membership status from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). According to the council’s webpage, LEEDcertified buildings are designed to lower operating costs, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and water, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and create a healthier and safer environment for its occupants. Specific characteristics implemented in the new campus, according to Tomm, include enhanced air quality, low-flow water fixtures, a geographically sensitive desert landscape, and improved urban connectivity and access

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to alternative transportation through the use of bike racks and electric vehicle charging stations. According to a USGBC report in 2010, southern Nevada was home to the most LEED-certified buildings in the United States. Tomm said he’s excited to add Zappos’ new campus to the list of prestigious green buildings downtown, including the Las Vegas City Hall, Molasky Corporate Center, and Smith Center. “We have a tremendous opportunity to [help] influence others … to set the example of doing the right thing,” said Tomm. “Partners, customers, and the community watch what we do and look to us for guidance.” Some of the most impressionable eyes that look for guidance are today’s youth. Through education materials and activities in their schools, children are learning their roles in keeping our planet healthy.

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

“Getting children involved in sustainability is really crucial because they are our future. They’re the ones who will probably figure out the planet’s solutions to its problems,” said Tomm. To get children of Zappos employees involved, youngsters up to age 14 are encouraged to participate in L.E.A.F.’s first GREEN Art Contest and to submit artwork based on the theme “How I care for the planet.” Winners will receive a $50 Zappos gift card, an eco-friendly gift basket, and have their drawings publicly displayed in one of the campus buildings and on Flickr. On Wednesday, April 24 Zappos employees will also be able to partake in the company’s 2nd annual Earth Day event in Henderson. The event will host vendors and community partners such as Keen, El Naturalista, and Prana which will display their green products and speak on their commitment to environmental responsibility.

“Our goal for Earth Day is to inspire and educate our employees in ways to become passionate about becoming eco-friendly,” said Cotte. “We all have an opportunity to make this a better place to live for ourselves and April 22, future generations.”

To learn more information on sustainability or become a fellow LEAFer, please e-mail leaf@zappos.com. You can also follow their updates and posts on Twitter at @ZapposLEAF.

April 22, Earth Day 25

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Discovery Children’s Museum By Mandy Crispin

Fun Fact: If you are under one year old or over 99, admission is free. The First Floor: energy, physicality, and working

together are concepts that are incorporated into all of the first floor exhibits. “Fantasy Festival: All the World’s a Stage” Fantasy Festival was a full-out playground for imagination. Featuring a stage and wardrobe, the kids can express their creativity by imagining the characters they can become by donning medieval clothing and making an exhibition under floodlights. A pirate ship, that welcomes adults by a back stairway — I stood confounded for a minute, wondering exactly how a 31-yearold woman was supposed to climb into it like the younger crowd could before another parent directed me there. “Aye, aye matey! I am the captain! Who are you?” another patron greeted me, at swordpoint, as I boarded. Museum attendants on deck demonstrated the various play stations that encourage teamwork and physical exercise. “Toddler Town: Big Fun for Wee Ones” This was a most interesting display because I assumed my 8-year-old wouldn’t be interested in anything toddlers would be. But this room was super interesting. Incorporating mechanics and engineering, physics and coworking, the tiny mining operation where two people (minimum — five at the most) have to work together to get a piece of coal (a beanbag) from point A to point B is a cranking fun good time. Top it off with a trip down the slide. There is a huge “playpen” area for those free visitors, under the age of one, that has hills and valleys to get those tiny muscles working. Bring the whole family; never mind a babysitter while older siblings are playing. Middle-ground tower of power: The Summit is a fascinating, entertaining, and enchanting world of its own. ISSUE 13

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Where “The Summit” pays off: This exhibit is a whole world in itself. And that’s no exaggeration. It literally feels as though Las Vegas, Nevada, and planet Earth were left far behind, and perhaps an alien planet has suddenly become the reality. Made of rubber coated cage steel, The Summit encases 13 different levels of play area. Lights and sounds abound. So do shadows. Tunnels (like tubular slides but with climbing nodes) wrap the outer walls of most levels so kids can crawl up or down the structure like caterpillars working in a giant pile. Parents get to use the stairs to the landings, again, up and down: the experience is far from linear and is never “complete.” I witnessed this as children became miniature lobbyists and eventually (always) win the right to “do it next time we come back. Yes. Yes, ok. Fine. Yes, I promise we’ll come back, and we’ll do it again next time” from their exasperated parents. But amidst the cacophony of ringing bells, flashing lights, and dinging pipes of the energy-infused Summit, on the second floor of the museum, a contrasting exhibit offers a quiet getaway.

The second floor: good ol’ fashioned museum-y type stuff.

Why Washington? The featured exhibit, “Discover 27

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the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon.” By the time we’d explored the first floor and been in The Summit for a while, I needed some peace and quiet mixed with some good old fashioned museum-y type stuff. You know, the whole grains in my Cheerios. The Washington exhibit is in the temporary exhibit space, behind closed doors, and is possible because of support from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. It is an immediate change of pace, space and noise level. The exhibit follows George Washington’s life from childhood all the way to the present day. What’s that? You thought he’d passed away some time ago? He did. But, his legacy lives on in the many streets, buildings, and schools that have been named for him in memoriam, and a touchscreen on the way out will show you exactly where in the United States and how many of these tokens of our undying reverence there are.

The third floor: if you are among the very young at heart.

“Young At Art: Young Imaginations Run Wild” Young At Art is a whole room dedicated to the central, basic tenants of art: lines, shapes, and color. Several stations provide interactive opportunities for kids to

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

begin seeing art as a science. The concepts of shapes are highlighted in a puzzle-piece station where kids can look at a picture, such as a landscape or piece of architectural design, like the Hoover Dam, and the corresponding shapes to the pictures are located in a storage bin below. The kids can sort through the puzzle pieces and match up the general shapes to the corresponding parts of the pictures (for example, the arc shape corresponded to the outline of the bypass bridge over the dam). This is a brilliant way to introduce children to incorporating linear vision (and depth perception) into their art and into their lives. Another station incorporates a microscope to show the texture (the lines that will illustrate texture) of several different objects. A piece of burlap under a microscope shows the crosshatching that would be necessary in drawing an accurate representation of such a textured material. The station teaches the ability to recognize and execute textural symbols. Another station, about lines, offers a plethora of materials and the freedom to explore how various kinds of lines work together. Colored sticks, colored yarn and glue sticks, to highlight a few, go with a selection of colored paper backgrounds. The station encourages testing straight lines (sticks) with squiggly, or moldable, kinds of lines, but it also plainly just gives the kids something fun to do. On the way out, don’t forget to check out the most popular exhibit of all. “Water World: Discover the Movement and Power” Oh those poor employees who have to announce the terrible news every closing that the “water will be shut off in ten minutes;” “the water will be shut off in five minutes;” “the water will be shut off now.” Crying ensued for many. The water feature must be one of the favorites for visitors. What was amazing about the customer service was that the poor fish were warned. Also, if parents don’t want soggy kids getting car seats wet on the way home, the museum offers complimentary raincoats to use while in the water room. The actual exhibits, again, incorporate super fun activities with science, particularly physics. I wanted to play too. Plastic balls abound. Put the plastic ball into a pressurized water stream, witness it flying 29

up ten feet into the air and catching into a metal railway. Next, it travels via momentum along the metal rail and gets spit out in the ball catcher bin again.

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Other stations include a water cyclone that sucks the balls into a cylindrical water syphon and movable tiles that block or direct water flow to construct dams and pathways, letting the kids be engineers of water flow. APRIL 2013

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If I have a single criticism, it would be that there should be a food source here. The only reason we left was because we were starved. I have reached out to find if outside food and drink are allowed (there are resting areas where a packed picnic lunch could reenergize), but perhaps I missed the café or it’s in the works. We really could have spent all day. Exhibits we skipped were “Patents Pending: Calling all Scientists and Inventors,” “Eco City: Sustainability Meets Eco-Friendly,” “Solve It! Mystery Town: Young Minds Investigate,” and “It’s Your Choice: Building a Healthy Lifestyle.” How much? How much fun can you pack into one day for only 12 bucks? Pfff. This place packs so much punch for just a little much. We were there for three hours, and we could have spent eight without exhausting all the exhibits. This is also not the kind of museum that the phrase “once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it” applies to. The exhibits are interactive, so even once the fascination has been sapped for the day, it will be a totally different experience on the next visit. Yearlong membership passes, which include up to five guests (what?!), start at $156. I’m notoriously cheap, so seeing that number is a bit off-putting at first, but consider the potential. That covers a visit every month for one person, and on each visit admission is free for the five other accompanying guests! Now that’s cray. By the end, I was convinced it was totally worth it: it’s like an inexpensive vacation that’s easy to get to and can happen every weekend!

HOURS September through May Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays from September (after Labor Day) through May except during select holidays. The Museum is closed on the following days: • Easter • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Eve • Christmas Day • New Year’s Day

Also, the range of experiences and plethora of topics covered by this one museum is astonishing. From engineering to forensics, from art to science, from physical health to mental exercise, and how these all work together, there are ten different ways to explore the expertly set up floors and activity areas. Actually, the whole place is like a huge bowl of Cheerios: whole grain, and good for you, and fun.

I asked my daughter what she thought. She’s 8, so I’ll clarify at most points. What did you think about the Discovery Museum? “Cool! Because of the games and all the things you can play with … it’s just a big huge bunch of fun. My favorite was the little rooms where you could go up and down [The Summit] because there were things you could pick up and play with. I liked the wax [figures in the Washington exhibit], and it was pretty cool. You got to get wet and have fun [in the water feature]. My favorite exhibit was the one where you got to pull the rope and lift up the car [in the foyer — first exhibit].” ISSUE 13

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

PHILOSOPHY

& PHLUFF

● Unbuttoned ● Fabulous Downtown ● Just the Tip ● Recipe ● Housing Guide ● Astrology: Boley’s Crystal Balls ● Word Jumble

UNBUTTONED

Electric Lemonade Shop — Drink in Decades of Desirable Delight By Jonathan Hesser

Is your profile parched? Yearning for a tempting treasure? Quench

your thirst and satiate your silhouette with the refreshing and cool mix of delicious vintage garments from the Electric Lemonade Shop, Las Vegas’ Vintage Fashion Bodega! Stylish sisters Kinsey Peters and Courtney Peters have had voracity for vintage clothing for over 15 years. Their addiction for groovy gorgeous garments and delicious duds all started when their grandfather took them thrifting for clothing. Once they discovered the fun of finding a timeless treasure, how the captivating charm of a one-of-a-kind garment can be transformative, they were hooked! That is why they’ve made a sensational splash downtown with their memorable mix of captivatingly cool clothing and independently designed jewelry at the Electric Lemonade Shop, which opened a little over a year ago. They curate their stunning selection through their travels. The interior is decorated with a groovy 1960s-style midcentury modern leather couch made up of white leather-covered circular shapes, and a whimsical white daisy-covered light fixture hangs in the center of the store. Eye-catching eclectic pictures, signs and vintage bric-a-brac decorate the tops of the clothing fixtures. A vintage hairdryer fixture from a salon sits in the corner. There is a repainted vintage jewelry case on the other side of the store which holds some new jewelry from independent designers. Gorgeous gals can drench themselves in delicious decades of women's vintage garments, hats, footwear, jewelry, bags and eyewear from the 1940s to the 1990s. Standouts from this selection included a women's Salvatore Ferragamo jacket and vintage Escada batwing coat! Rockabilly vixens can venture out to thrills and create a big va va voom

dressed to the nines with the wide array of 1940s and 1950s dresses, vintage lingerie, beaded sweaters, vintage cat-eye glasses and sexy stilettos! Groovy gals who dig the 1960s can find psychedelic print blouses with flower power, mod dresses and scooter jackets. Sisters of the ‘70s can look “right on” draped in boho hippie-chic dresses, blouses, jeans and patchwork leather jackets and ponchos. Aching for the ‘80s or ’90s? No need to worry! Grungy gals, punks, riot grrls, and new wavers are sure to make time stop with a memorable piece! Hep cats and handsome hooligans have no need to worry! Electric Lemonade has many fashionable flavors that will cause the public to stop and savor your sensational style! There are vintage concert T-shirts, bowling shirts, western shirts, suits, knits, and coats and shoes. There were even some vintage men’s YSL and Oscar de Laurenta pieces. Vintage tie bars and captivating choice cufflinks were cherished in the front case. They even have new independently designed jewelry. One eyecatching necklace I saw in the case was created from real dental molds. Another was a dinosaur skeleton holding a water bottle! On April 14, they had a fantastic fashion show at Drink and Drag. Electric Lemonade is open Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and soon for spring they will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Electric Lemonade will soon be expanding. They will be opening an upper level and moving the vintage clothing upstairs. Downstairs they will start carrying independent designer creations that blend beautifully with their vintage aesthetic. There is no date for the completion yet, but a party looms in the horizon! Watch for it!

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By Brian "Paco" Alvarez

Only in Vegas would you find an ice cream and candy shop that would happen to sell beer, too! By the time this image was taken the prohibition of alcohol in the United States was over and

Nevada would also end their prohibition against gambling. Over time, Fremont Street would become more and more of an entertainment center, as the small shops seen in this image would make way for the large gambling halls that are

still standing today. As you look at this image, imagine Fremont Street bustling with people doing their daily business, shopping, eating and playing just as anyone else would do in any downtown in the USA.

PHILOSOPHY & PHLUFF

Fabulous Downtown

Fremont Street scene facing east towards Second Street (Casino Center Boulevard) This image was provided by UNLV Special Collections www.library.unlv.edu/speccol

More info about Paco, visit: www.lvartsandculture.blogspot.com ISSUE 13

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

JUST THE

WHO’s WHO? By Michael Boley

1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was created within the United Nations system to coordinate authority and leadership on global health by setting standards as well as monitoring and assessing health trends. Each year, on April 7, WHO celebrates World Health Day to celebrate its founding while also highlighting an area of public concern: this year’s theme is high blood pressure. High blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, affects one in three adults worldwide with proportions increasing with age. According to the Mayo Clinic, “blood pressure is determined by the blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your

arteries, the higher your blood pressure.” Common risks associated with high blood pressure include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and — when paired with other cardiovascular risk factors — diabetes. Unfortunately, HBP leads to more than nine million deaths each year, including half of all deaths relating to heart disease. WHO’s mission is to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of HBP and encourage self-care. Many people do not know they have high blood pressure because some symptoms can remain hidden for years. Dull headaches, dizzy spells, and/ or more frequent nosebleeds are common signs and should encourage you to get a reading. Free blood pressure screenings can usually be found at health fairs and local pharmacies, but it’s always best to visit your practitioner in-person.

RECIPES

Although this all may sound scary, there is good news: High blood pressure is both preventable and treatable. The risks associated with developing HBP can be reduced by limiting salt intake, eating a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and avoiding harmful use of alcohol and tobacco. ZDogg, MD will be back next month with more humor and tips to keep you in-line with an active, healthy lifestyle.

Mini Cheesecakes By Eileen Schillio

Start to finish: 35 to 40 minutes (10 to 15 minutes prep) Servings: 12

● 12 Vanilla Wafers ● Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese softened

Heat the oven to 3500 F.

Bake 25 minutes at 3250 F.

Line muffin tin with foil liners (paper ones work fine).

Remove from pan when cool. Chill. Top with fruit, preserves, nuts or chocolate. My favorite is canned cherry pie filling.

Place one vanilla wafer in each liner. Mix cream cheese, vanilla extract and sugar on medium speed until well blended.

Ingredients:

● 1/2 cup sugar ● 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ● 2 eggs

Be creative!

Add eggs and mix well. Pour over wafers, filling 3/4 full. 33

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on this street have at least five bedrooms on one-quarter to three-quarter acre lots. This is a highly sought after street for those looking for larger houses that may need some renovations — the most recently sold home was in January 2012.

HOUSING

GUIDE

By Karina Giraldo

Huntridge East, West, and Circle Park Huntridge is one of Las Vegas' first and most iconic historic neighborhoods. Established in 1940, the area is known as the "Original Las Vegas," nestled on the southwest and northwest corners of Charleston Boulevard and Maryland Parkway, up to Las Vegas Boulevard, and down as far as Eastern Avenue.

There are many different subdivision names (John S. Park, Marycrest, etc.), and it includes some of the finest neighborhoods for midcentury modern architecture in Las Vegas — Elvis Presley, Liberace, and Bob Stupak once called this place home. Huntridge is perfect for those individuals seeking unique designs, large lots, or small cottage homes. Huntridge’s name originated from the legendary Huntridge Theater. The theater was built on land which had been owned by businessman Leigh S. Hunt, thus spawning the name of the theater and surrounding subdivisions. Opening its doors in October 1944, it was known as the oldest operating movie theater in Southern Nevada where artists Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Jerry Lewis used the venue to promote their latest movies. In 1992, the theater was leased to a new owner who restored it to a single space and kept much of the original décor, most importantly the iconic 75-foot Huntridge sign. One year later, the theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Soon after, Huntridge became the new venue for the Las Vegas music scene. If you were in Vegas during the ‘90s and a fan of punk music, Huntridge Theater became your second home. Huntridge East provides a quintessential street for midcentury modern architecture. Marie Elena Drive is a short cul-de-sac of ten mansion-sized homes. Most homes ISSUE 13

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Huntridge has a very active yet voluntary neighborhood association where residents aren’t obligated to pay monthly fees. Its residents show real pride of ownership as they organize events such as “Cinema in the Park,” dog parades, a community clothing swap, and many more weekly activities. Huntridge is a great example of a neighborhood ameliorating itself, with neighbors giving a helping hand.

If you are looking for a local dive bar that is within walking distance, Huntridge Tavern checks all the right boxes. Cheap drinks, electric and diverse crowds, great music, and you can buy a six pack and a bottle from the bartender! Huntridge neighborhood is for the urban dwellers who want to live within a close proximity to downtown’s core. Whether you want to rent or buy, there is something for you. Live here and you are immediately part of a family of neighbors that will welcome you with historic stories and enthusiasm so large it will give you goose bumps!

Acting as a barrier between Huntridge East and Huntridge West is another iconic staple: Huntridge Circle Park. According the City of Las Vegas Parks Department, the park’s amenities include a water play area, jogging/walking path, grass amphitheater, community garden, shaded outdoor stage, and climbing boulder. On the other side of Huntridge Circle Park are smaller cottage and bungalow-style homes. Some are ranch or southwest styles, while others have a classic midcentury modern feel. Many residents have lived here for decades, and they have had plenty of time to personalize their homes. More recently, the Huntridge sales market are mostly homes that need a little work. There are many options for first-time home buyers when it comes to rehab; one is a government program call FHA 203k. Please contact me privately for details on this wonderful program! Currently, there are approximately 20 homes available for sale in Huntridge ranging between $70,000 for smaller bungalows that may need a little renovation, up to $390,000 for larger homes that are turnkey. As for the rental market, investors have seen the potential of the reviving downtown area, and have been buying these homes and renovating them for the downtown clientele. A 1,000 square foot, two bedroom, one-bath home can cost as low as $650 per month. A larger, tastefully renovated home with a pool and three or more bedrooms can cost between $1,200 and $1,650. Surrounding the neighborhood are plenty of family-owned and run establishments; one of my favorite spots is Luv-it Frozen Custard. This small hut is located just a block east off Oakey Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard and has been a staple of Las Vegas since 1971. The Zappos Employee Newsletter

BOleY’s CRYSTAL BALLS

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22

The month of April is jam-packed with sweetness but along with scattered rotten apples. It’s up to you how you weather the storm, and if you can plant the seeds of success, blossom with the flowers of spring. Be cognizant of Mother Earth this month as she celebrates her cleanliness on April 22. If you choose to continue your wasteful ways, be prepared to feel the wrath of the cosmos and learn from your vast mistakes.

You’ve exhausted your supply of Girl Scout cookies. Between the thin mints, Caramel deLites, and Tagalongs, you’re officially and disgustingly addicted. You’ve even resorted to signing up for e-mail updates and photographs to crave your fetish until next year.

M n T y B c

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19 Still not feeling Matthew McConaughey-ready to go sans shirt in front of the spring breakers? Maybe it has to do with bacon-shell tacos you’ve been “picking” at. Consider damage control by wearing an all-black tee and blaming it on your skin’s sun allergy.

Your finances are slowly depleting, and you’re looking for a way to stay out of the red. To increase your bank deposits, you must “hand deliver” other deposits at a moneyless bank (wink, wink). This gives an entirely new meaning to liquid assets!

$ $

Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22 For you, Tax Day is even more depressing than V-Day as your longtime accountant holds eyecontact when marking your filings as “single.” It also doesn’t help that your tax preparer doubles as your mother itching for grandkids.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 The realization of your caffeine addiction and others acting standoffish has come full circle. It’s not due to your teeth grinding and your fingers tapping — although quite annoying. In reality, it’s because the grounded coffee beans and creamer has soaked into every last pore of your tongue. Find a caffeinated substitute and purchase disposable toothbrushes … for everyone, babe.

Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22 With the sun getting stronger and the temperatures climbing higher, you’re ready to soak it all in poolside and get rid of your Casper persona. However, due to your fair skin you will tan in the following embarrassing color stages: Pale, Pink, Light Red, Lobster Red, Peeling Pink, Sandy Brown, Bronze, and Shoe-Leather-College-SororityGirl Brown.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Being the environmentalist and cheapskate that you are, you want to contribute to Earth’s sustainability while reducing your condo’s water bill. What better way than to implement a household-wide two-flushes-a-day rule — that’s a combined savings of 3.2 gallons! 35

You recently lost man’s best friend and want to remember and hold him for as long as possible. You also moonlight as a forward-thinking entrepreneur and want to pitch the idea of renaming Build-A-Bear Workshop to Stuff-A-Pet. Here, you have the option of stuffing and accessorizing a traditional animal, or your real one. The Zappos Employee Newsletter

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Aquarius Jan. 20 – Feb. 18

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21

Late-night food cravings are getting the best of you as you raid the cabinets, abiding by your taste buds. However, you also get extremely emotional after 1 a.m., hence the reason your pillowcase is smeared with tears and Cheetos dust upon awakening.

Many claim the “Harlem Shake” has nothing to do with its New York origins. To make the theme more authentic, you dub a video titled “Harlem Shank.” Bonus: You’ll receive one month of complementary sensitivity training.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

No longer a slave to clothing trends after dropping a few controlling brands, you’ve decided to trail blaze your own path of retro styling by wearing all denim, power suits, scrunchies, and reliving the Miami Vice days of loafers without socks. Sad to say, that’s still the current trend. Eff.

Besides your ongoing fight with the mailman, laundry is your arch nemesis. It’s not so much the “washing” part that’s a struggle — rather, it’s getting off your a$$ and meticulously folding your unmentionables in the dresser drawer. Eliminate the madness and combine both uses by transforming the dryer’s façade to wood so that it looks like a real dresser. That’s life edited, people.

J umbl e

Earth Day Jumble

Unscramble the letters below to spell household materials suitable for recycling. Think you’ve got it? Then arrange the circled letters answer our bonus question.

ILSPCTA __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __

__ __ __

MNAUUMLI

EARPP __ __ __

March's Jumble Solution: Where can horses earn Corporate Challenge participation points?

__ __

SAGLS

In the M A R E S ‘ W A L K

PCREOP __ __ __ RBAADORDC __ __ __

__ __ __

Why did the man quit his job crushing cans at the recycling plant?

Because it was __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. ISSUE 13

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The Zappos Employee Newsletter

EVENTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

● Arts & Ents ● Spa at the Golden Nugget ● Smith Center ● Bar Review ● Restaurant Review ● He Said, She Said ● Things To Do ● Upcoming Events ● Calendar & Events

ARTS & ENTS

The Cockroach Theatre at Art Square By Nick Szczurko

the corner of Boulder Avenue and First Street inside the esteemed Art Square sits one of the most prominent nonprofit theaters in Vegas. Its name is both simple yet somewhat disturbing. A name so encumbered by repulsiveness, it’s almost ironic that such beauty comes from each play within its black interior walls. The name is Cockroach Theatre. Since 2002, a group of UNLV Department of Theatre alums collaborated together and sought to bring life back into both “new and neglected works.” The troupe scurried around from place to place performing pieces in the wee hours of the night until eventually landing in a nook within the Arts District. Cockroach Theatre had its grand opening on Sept. 21, 2012 and seems to gain more notoriety with each passing performance. When I encountered Cockroach Theatre for the first time, I was entranced by the experience from the beginning. While walking through the side of Art Square, you will notice that Cockroach Theatre might elude you if you don’t pay enough 37

attention to its walls. Going into the theater is not an overabundance of grandeur like the Smith Center; but yet just one simple black door will take you from your everyday life through the parallel dimension of whichever performance you are about to encounter. Upon entering through this door you will notice the theater is relatively small, but comfortable. The hundred or so seats that line the makeshift stadium seating are the only seats that will be in attendance for the evening. There is no balcony or VIP seating. Everyone is a common man within these dark walls. Just to give you a sense of depth of how cozy the theater is, for the play I recently attended, “You May Go Now,” I had to walk through the kitchen set to get to my seat nestled between the sound booth and the backdrop wall. One of the benefits of having such a limited amount of seats is that the people around you seem more like classmates than strangers. Enthusiasm within the group seemed to be lifted before the invisible curtain came up as those seated in my surroundings were very social before the performance. Once the stage usher shut the only escape that could The Zappos Employee Newsletter

lead me back to my everyday social life, the audience quickly turned into its own form of cockroaches as we all sat silent in the dark and watched the stage light up with the sets, wardrobes, and actors. Overall, my personal experience at Cockroach Theatre was very pleasant. The attentive staff is welcoming and will answer any questions you throw at them. The audience members are respectful to the performers and the craft. Cockroach Theatre may sound like a hole in the wall, but it is anything but. You will feel immersed in whichever play you chose to attend throughout the year. Future Productions: “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller April 26-May 19 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. & Sundays, 2 p.m. The classic Pulitzer Prize winning tale of the American dream gone awry. The folly of living in the past; the fear of facing the future. Onstage like Vegas has never seen before.

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Citrus Grove Mani-Pedi Best enjoyed…..squeezing out every ounce of relaxation Quench your skin’s thirst with this juicy refresher featuring fruits from the land of citrus. Begin with a calming Citrus-Cilantro pedi soak and steaming hand wrap. Skin is then thoroughly smoothed with a Citrus Grass sea salt + rice bran oil fine scrub. Silky and supple, you will bask in an all-natural, silky, citrus-vanilla shea butter application. Sublime!

50 Minutes

$70.00

Watermelonade Massage & Body Refresher

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Spring Specials

Best enjoyed…..as your first luscious dip into spring Enjoy a calming, antioxidant-rich Citrus-Cilantro massage with a grapeseed and olive fruit oil blend. Next, winter skin is refined and invigorated with a fresh Watermelon-Basil sugar scrub polish infused with Square One Organic Vodka. This spring renewal finishes with a whipped, citrus-vanilla Shea butter massage. You’ll want to pour yourself another of this juicy body refresher!

e f k ,

80 Minutes

$175.00

h e y e s d . u

f y e n

Prices do not include a 20% service fee. Packages available Monday - Thursday only.

You may remember that back in February we featured The Spa at the Golden Nugget. Well, Spa Girl Courtney Taylor strikes again. Please take a moment to check out the latest and greatest, totally new, seasonal spa treatments The Spa is offering. The first four Zapponians to e-mail us at DowntownZEN@zappos.com with the correct answers to the following questions will be winning a special prize, brought to you from the Spa Girl. ISSUE 13

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1. What were both Michael and Mandy wondering as they had their faces lathered and slathered during their facials? 2. What pedicure faux-pas does Mandy hate? 3. According to Michael, what was the only thing missing from the men’s lounge?

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

$ STARTING AT TICKETS

REYNOLDS HALL

JAZZ ROOTS: The American Songbook April 26

Featuring Ann Hampton Callaway, Tony DeSare, and special guest Landau Eugene Murphy: This collection of music is globally celebrated as the “American Songbook,” and for one night, three acclaimed performers will pay homage to joyous cacophony of New York’s Tin Pan Alley to the sleek arrangements for icons like Sinatra, Bennett and Streisand.

Las Vegas Philharmonic – A Touch of Brass

Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass

World-class trumpet duo Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer shine in an arrangement of melodies from Bizet’s “Carmen.” We salute student and amateur musicians everywhere in a unique collaboration with the Clark County School District. Members of their honors brass ensemble will join the Philharmonic in a dazzling opening fanfare by Gabrieli.

A riveting look into “This American Life,” the public radio show that continues to push the boundaries of broadcast journalism. Series creator Ira Glass will recreate the sound of the show by mixing live onstage stories with pretaped quotes and music, while also featuring a ‘best of’ segment from the series’ funniest moments.

April 6, 8 p.m.

Bobby McFerrin: SpiritYouAll Ten-time Grammy Award® winner Bobby McFerrin presents SpiritYouAll, a heartfelt and soulful reimagining of American Negro Spirituals. Together with his band he revisits beloved traditional songs like “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” alongside heartfelt original tunes.

Trace Adkins is one of country music’s most accomplished entertainers. His trademark baritone has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and turned albums into platinum plaques, selling over 10 million albums.

Lang Lang

April 29, 7:30 p.m.

Arlo Guthrie – Here Comes The Kid April 11, 7:30 p.m.

Arlo Guthrie, the eldest son of America’s most beloved singer/ writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie, will honor his father’s memory and 100th birthday with a night of inspiring music and heartwarming storytelling.

Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by The New York Times, Lang Lang’s unrivaled talent and charisma has catapulted him into the global spotlight. Now, the Chinese superstar pianist will perform select works from Mozart and Chopin.

CABARET JAZZ Julie Budd "Show-Stoppers"

Jackie Evancho

April 12, 7 p.m. & April 13, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

April 13, 7:30 p.m. Jackie Evancho’s current album, “Songs from the Silver Screen,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical charts and No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200. At just 12 years old, Evancho was named to Billboard Magazine’s “21 Under 21” list for a second consecutive year in 2012. Evancho’s first PBS special, “Dream with Me in Concert,” was one of the top pledge producing performances in PBS’ history.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast April 16–21

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” features the animated film’s Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book is written by Linda Woolverton.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Dancing the fine line between high art and high camp, this all- male comedy dance troupe delights audiences around the world satirizing classical works from “Swan Lake” to “Giselle,” and the choreography of Merce Cunningham, Pina Bausch and George Balanchine. 39

Trace Adkins

April 28, 7:30 p.m.

April 7, 7:30 p.m.

April 23, 7:30 p.m.

April 27, 7:30 p.m.

Julie Budd’s “Show Stoppers” is an evening of wonderful and memorable musical moments that have stopped shows for years and made people fall in love with the theater over and over. The show is also filled with backstage memories and stories that go back Julie’s start in show business as a child.

Esteban "Music From The Heart" April 18 & 19, 7 p.m.

Master guitarist Esteban and his world-class musicians take the stage to perform his greatest instrumental hits from his eight #1 Billboard albums. This live performance is Esteban returning to his roots with a stunning and passionate style of Spanish Guitar that is influenced by atmospheric new age, great love songs for the ages, and Latin pop.

Sergio & Odair Assad with Special Guest Clarice Assad April 20, 7 p.m. & April 21, 3 p.m.

Long considered the greatest guitar duo alive today, The Assads welcome Sergio’s daughter Clarice to join them in a sublime mix of Brazilian classical, jazz and pop standards. 361 Symphony Park Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89106 Visit www.thesmithcenter.com to see the full lineup 702.749.2000

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Located on First Street and Charleston Boulevard in the heart of the Arts District, Artifice Bar features a performance area and two lounge rooms “with a vibe like no other.”

Artifice By Angelina Fadool Price Point: Doable Artifice’s drink menu is comprised of classic and signature cocktails, along with a decent beer and wine selection. During happy hour, drinks are priced around $5, but our late night cocktails definitely had a heavy pour and cost $7 each. Just remember this is a drinking bar — if you’re looking for some grub, you’ll need to find a food truck or head across the parking lot to Bar+Bistro. Ambiance: Too cool for school I’d like to think my friends and I look beyond stereotypes, but I’ll admit it — we thought this was going to be a stuck-up hipster bar. Our jeans weren’t particularly skinny, and we didn’t know the band, but the crowd was friendly, the staff was knowledgeable and attentive, and it didn’t take long for us to score drinks and a table in the main lounge area. I love that the art in the lounge areas is by local artists and that all of the artwork on display is available for purchase. Entertainment: Groove on it If you’re looking to grab a quiet drink with friends, you should probably plan a weeknight visit. Hit Artifice up on a Friday night or during the Neon Reverb festival, and you’re sure to find a band or DJ to suit your style. Since my music taste is all over the map, I loved the eclectic mix of rock, trance, and ‘90s hip-hop and the DJ spinning between the bands’ sets. Green Day and Lil Jon anyone? Pitfalls: Can you spare a couple of dollars? Since there were local bands playing the night we visited, there was a $5 cover at the door. It just so happened that we had enough cash between us to get in the door, but covers can be a little off-putting — particularly if you don’t always carry cash. Don’t let the hip, artsy exterior — or those First Friday crowds — intimidate you. Just make sure you come early enough to score a space in the parking lot out front. If you like good music, a laid-back environment, and a stiff drink, I highly recommend checking out Artifice. ISSUE 13

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1025 S 1st St Las Vegas, NV 89101 (702) 489-6339 www.artificebar.com

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

"My expectations aren't that high for my place ... just the best food, the best service, the best ambiance and the best broads!"

Oscar’s

- Oscar B. Goodman By Jo Casey

scar’s claims to be the happiest steakhouse on the planet; I haven’t been to every steakhouse on the planet, but I have been to plenty steakhouses and none are quite as happy as Oscar’s is! Oscar’s represents everything I LOVE about Las Vegas. It’s an old-school place in an old-school casino that is smack dab in the middle of a new age in downtown Las Vegas. Oscar’s is located in the world-famous Plaza Hotel & Casino in what’s known as “The Dome.” The Dome used to house a pretty nifty sports bar and another restaurant. The Dome is unique because it’s, well … it’s, a dome with lots of windows that overlook the Fremont Street Experience. If you’re looking for atmosphere, Oscar’s has it by the boatload! We came on a weeknight, so the crowd was pretty mellow. I’d like to come back on a weekend and see how lively things get; I imagine it gets pretty rowdy! Oscar’s even offers a dining companion if you so desire. The menu consists of classic steakhouse items. We started with Sal’s shrimp cocktail because what’s more Vegas-sy than shrimp cocktail?! Then I ordered Joey C’s filet for a couple of reasons: 1) I LOVE filet mignon, and 2) Joey C is my name. HA! The filet lived up to the hype. I could have cut it with a fork — that’s how tender it was. One of my dining companions ordered the salmon, and it looked delicious! I don’t know about the booze, although our former mayor was partial to martinis (anyone remember martinis with the mayor?) so, I would imagine those are pretty legit. The atmosphere and appetizers alone are reason enough for me to go back there! Oscar's Steakhouse 1 S. Main St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 702.38.OSCAR

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

APRIL 2013

ISSUE 13

By Angelina Fadool and Matthew Dunsmoor

Ambiance: The inside is small, with two-person tables and a bar-style seating on the perimeter. There may be décor in there, but I couldn’t tell you what it is. Since its opening in fall of 2011, Le Thai has developed a loyal following that keeps those tables packed from lunch to late night. Drinks and Apps: Le Thai offers a decent selection of beers and their drink menu includes a handful of signature drinks. I tried the Thaijito and found it refreshing without being overly sweet. I am a serious spice wimp, but the Thai Style Wings appetizer is my favorite thing on the menu — they’re so good, I’ve even ordered them in place of an entrée. The Main Event: On this trip I tried the yellow curry, but my heart still belongs to Chicken Pad Thai. Portions here are substantial — large enough to nearly guarantee leftovers — and entrées are priced from $11 to $15, depending on your choice of protein. Our dinner entrées came out quickly, but in my experience lunch service isn’t speedy enough for an hour lunch break.

Overall: I hate to do it, but I give Le Thai a strong “Meh.” I could live on those amazing wings, but I just can’t get down on the long wait times and cramped quarters. I enjoy the food here, but I’m calling ahead for takeout.

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Ambience: The vibe at this quaint eatery is definitely hipstery, but not to the point where the average Joe would feel uncomfortable walking in. If I have my choice of seats, I prefer the open-air courtyard area in the back. It has heat lamps that will keep you warm on chilly nights and unique art to contemplate during lulls in the conversation. Drinks and Apps: The wings were excellent — and the Sriracha ranch dipping sauce combined perfectly with the spicy, crispy skin. Highly recommend. I also had "The JD," a signature cocktail made with peach Bacardi and a splash of OJ. And yes, it's as delicious as it sounds. The Main Event: There is only one word to describe the Chicken Garlic Fried Rice — wow! This dish is the real deal. I like my food spicy enough to make me sniffle, but not so hot that I can’t enjoy my food. Spice levels here run from 0 to 5. If you're like me, you'll probably want to stay at or below level 3.

Overall: "Uhh, YES!" This place has something for everyone. I'm no Thai expert; but as a novice, I'm a huge fan. My only beef with Le Thai is the size. Don't plan on bringing your team here for lunch unless you make a reservation. Still, I'm willing to overlook the size for massive portions and quality food.

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

THINGS TO DO Stop by The Beat’s Wednesday Night Hang Come chill with us every Wednesday night from 8:30 pm to 10:30 p.m. for a change of scenery and sound! Enjoy a unique, laid-back atmosphere featuring drink specials and live music by fabulous Las Vegas talent. Las Vegas trumpet player and recording artist Joey Pero hosts this event. The Beat will be offering a “fine beer” drink special on Duvel, Gulden Draak and Piraat as part of the “Blue Beat” special. The Beat is located on 520 Fremont St. inside the Emergency Arts Building (Sixth Street & Fremont Street).

Do you know how many lights line the Fremont Street Canopy? You will when you play the new city scavenger hunt. The game sends clues to any text-enabled phone. You’ll get to know the casinos that helped put Vegas on the map. From the Golden Gate, Sin City’s first casino, to the recognizable lights of the Fremont and Four Queens, you’ll discover what first drew folks to this little desert town. Be ready to bluff your way into Binion’s iconic Poker Room and snap a picture with Vegas Vic and Vickie. Find the little cigar shop where all the Hollywood celebs go to get a light before grabbing a cocktail at the coolest bar in town. You’ll come away knowing how Vegas grew into a global hub of fun and fortune, and get a true taste of its appeal along the way. Sign up on the website, and you and any number of your friends can compete. The game has several routes in Las Vegas, including Fremont Street. It’s an out-of-the-box way to get to know your city. $9-$12 per person. www.strayboots.com.

Get Outdoorsy I mean “Outdoorsy” in a patio drinking kind of way. Take off work early on Friday like they do back East, and stretch out in a patch of sun on Bar+Bistro’s patio with a pitcher of house sangria. Nothing could be better! $6 glass, $20 pitcher, in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 155. www.barbistroaf.com.

TOUR OUR NEW DOWNTOWN LANDMARKS The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Visit the Fremont Bicycle Clinic On a mission to facilitate safe and proper bicycling through education, workshops and maintenance, the clinic helps the community rehab bikes. Get yours done, and then pitch in a hand to help others! Shop Hours: Mon, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tue, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Wed, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thu, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat, 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. If you are a co-op member, you can always contact us outside of normal shop hours if they do not work for you. The best way to contact us and view our most upto-date hours is our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Fremont.Bike.Clinic. Make sure to “Like” us.

You’ve driven by it a thousand times and wondered if it’s as weird on the inside as it is on the outside. (Answer: Yes.) Being inside the events center is like living inside a Dr. Seuss book. The rest of the center is nice office space with an impressive art collection. Arrange a tour and see for yourself by calling 702.263.9797. Join an existing tour or arrange one for yourself.

The clinic’s newest volunteer, Zack, will be manning the shop on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Zack just moved here from Los Angeles where he was a part of two prior co-ops. He is extremely knowledgeable regarding bikes and is a great addition to the team. Stop by and say “Hi”!

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

APRIL 2013

ISSUE 13

The New City Hall

The Mob Museum

Las Vegas invested $185 million to build it. Drop your car across the street in the new garage; you’ll get free parking for two hours with a validated ticket. Make your way up the front steps under the solar trees and into the marble lobby contemplating the sustainable yet luxurious surroundings. Make your way back to the council chambers and grab a red theater seat for your rear: now watch democracy at work. You should finish the visit off by riding the elevator to the seventh floor to see the mayor’s views. City Hall, 495 S. Main St., 702.229.6011, Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

There are two sides to every story. Come down to the Mob Museum and get the true story. It was a stage for one of the biggest mob hearings in history. Now it’s the setting for the nation’s most comprehensive look into organized crime and law enforcement. Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, The Mob Museum presents an authentic insider’s look at the mob’s impact on our history and our society. These are the true stories of events that shaped our country, and now you can witness them firsthand. The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., 702.229.2734, SundayThursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Adult Admission $18. $10 for NV residents. www.themobmuseum.org.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts Check out the Hoover Dam-inspired architecture exterior and its elegant appointments inside. Take in its centerpiece, the 2,050seat Reynolds Hall and its grand lobby; don’t forget the Cabaret Jazz room and Troesh Studio Theater in the Boman Pavilion. Peruse its smattering of artwork (both modern and classical) around the center. Free hour-long tours every Wednesday & Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Make reservations by calling 702.749.2000.

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Neon Museum and Boneyard The Neon Museum preserves and exhibits classic Las Vegas neon signs. The museum’s collection consists of both restored and unrestored signs, mostly housed in the Neon Boneyard in downtown Las Vegas. Many of the restored neon signs, which can be found along the Fremont Street Experience and Las Vegas Boulevard, are also part of the museum’s collection. For museum updates and tour information, visit www.neonmuseum.org.

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

Corporate Challenge

Couture for Causes

Couture for Causes will be celebrating its 5th anniversary this year and is excited to announce that it will take place downtown! What began as a simple gathering to prove that everyone and anyone can be a philanthropist has grown into a must-attend fashion event of the spring season. Couture for Causes will present exquisite fashions at an afternoon shopping soiree and family outdoor gathering to benefit Communities in Schools (CIS) of Nevada. Welcoming more than 600 guests, the highly anticipated event includes impeccable tastings by Wynn Resorts and live entertainment. Couture for Causes now solely benefits CIS, the nation’s leading dropout prevention program, whose mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We are proud that 100 percent of the proceeds raised by this year’s event will benefit the more than 25,000 students in our state that CIS serves each year.

Calling all sports enthusiasts and workout junkies! This is your chance to show the city of Las Vegas and competing area businesses what you’re made of. For more than two decades, Corporate Challenge has been a healthy way for local companies to promote, enable, and support teamwork and company pride. So, grab your jersey and get your game face on as you battle it out to help Zappos defend its glorious championship title from a year ago. With 33 events to choose from we’re not only looking for employees to sign-up for game-play, but also departmental teams to cheer on fellow Zapponians as they bust their hump for Gold. View the calendar on pages 49 & 50 or Zepic for specific event dates. Times are TBD.

More Info

Game-play sign-up: zepic.zappos.com/login Adopt a team: adoptateam@zappos.com

Location

The Arts Factory 107 E. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89104

Time

Sunday, April 28 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

More Info

www.coutureforcauses.org www.theartsfactory.com

Jelly What is a Jelly? Jelly is a casual work event where everyone’s invited. It’s for anyone who’d like to work alongside other creative people in a welcoming environment. You bring your laptop and some work, and Jelly provides Wi-Fi, a table and chairs, and smart people to bounce ideas off of and collaborate with. Location /usr/lib www.usrlib.org The Beat Coffeehouse 520 Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 www.thebeatlv.com Time Every Thursday (April 4, 11, 18, 25) More Info www.vegasjelly.com

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

7 p.m.-12 a.m.

APRIL 2013

ISSUE 13

e g y s

Green Jelly & Green Coworking

The goal of Green Jelly is to connect individuals who are interested in all things eco-friendly and sustainable. That means a range of people who are interested in everything from learning how to recycle to people who are looking to live carbon-neutral or netnegative. The group also has a heavy focus on business owners and potential start-ups that have an interest in sustainability and the triple bottom line (People-Planet-Profits).

Location

/usr/lib www.usrlib.org The Beat Coffeehouse 520 Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 www.thebeatlv.com

VEGAS StrEATS Vegas StrEATS is a street food and culture festival hosted every second Saturday in downtown Las Vegas showcasing the valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest local food trucks, artists, musicians, and fashion. StrEATS is presented by Slidinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Thru in partnership with El Cortez and Insert Coin(s). Each month, various food trucks serve up unique gourmet bites along Jackie Gaughan Plaza. Local bands, MCs, and DJs provide the soundtrack for the night ranging from indie rock, hip-hop, dubstep, and house music. Graffiti artists and streetwear brands line vendor row slanging fresh apparel and art. Come experience a bit of homegrown Vegas culture! Location Jackie Gaughan Plaza at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino 600 E. Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101

Time

Every Tuesday (April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)

7 p.m.-9 p.m.

More Info

Time Saturday, April 13

6 p.m.-1 a.m.

More Info www.vegasstreats.com www.facebook.com/VegasStrEATS

www.facebook.com/groups/vegasgreenjelly

Contact

Ciara Byrne: cirarmbyrne@yahoo.com Hanan Sabri: hanan.sabri@gmail.com

Delivering Happiness Inspire: Las Vegas!

Our Delivering Happiness Inspire! event is a forum for sharing the rich and thought-provoking (and oftentimes funny) content that inspires and spreads happiness at an individual, community, and even global level. Through a series of brief, prepared (but collaborative) talks, community members and local thought leaders bring their stories perspectives, passions, and experiences to the stage (ala TED) to shine a spotlight on the things that matter most.

Location

Downtown Project Construction Zone 107 S. Seventh St. Las Vegas, NV 89101

Time

Every fourth Saturday (April 27)

5 p.m.-8 p.m.

More Info

www.inspirelasvegas-eorgf.eventbrite.com www.deliveringhappiness.com

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APRIL 2013

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

Real Results Boot Camp

Downtown3rd Farmers Market

The Downtown3rd Farmers Market has become an integral part of downtown Las Vegas. The biggest indoor farmers market showcases local Las Vegas farmers as well as including lots of fresh produce from California. There are also many other vendors and healthy lifestyle classes, art shows, and culinary demonstrations from famous Las Vegas chefs. The mission of the Downtown3rd Farmers Market is to be a sustainable, seasonal, healthy lifestyle center for the city. The farmers market is conveniently located in the middle of the Las Vegas Valley off of US-95 & Casino Center Drive.

Location

300 N. Casino Center Blvd. (In the old Transit Center) Las Vegas, NV 89101

Time

Every Friday (April 5, 12, 19, 26)

You are meant to have a body that is lean, strong, and flexible. Join our Downtown Boot Camp in the Jackie Gaughan Plaza across from the El Cortez valet and train with the top fitness professionals in town. Have fun, feel great, meet new people, and get real results — guaranteed!

Location

Jackie Gaughan Plaza at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino 600 E. Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101

Time

Every Tuesday & Thursday (April 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30) 6 a.m.-7 a.m.

More Info

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

www.realresultsfitness.com 702.769.2991

More Info

www.downtown3rd.com/las-vegas-farmers-market

Contact

Paul Rosenberg: 702.204.5247

Trivia Night at The Beat

Come with a team or find one at The Beat. Every other Tuesday you can test your knowledge and flex your brain in a cerebral competition. There will be prizes and beer specials, and most likely a little more beer than brains.

Location

The Beat Coffeehouse 520 Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 www.thebeatlv.com

Time

Every other Tuesday (April 9, 23) 7 p.m.

More Info

www.facebook.com/DowntownTriviaNight

Contact

Augusta Scott: ascott@zappos.com

Vintage Bike Night

Ride out for a night of Motorcycles + Art + Music in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Vintage Bike Night featuring café racers, custom bikes, classic Harleys, retro sport bikes, and scooters. There will be a jammin’ lineup of live music, live body painting by Alex P. Huerta, artists & vendors, and food & drink specials from Bar+Bistro. Whatever you ride, bring it down for Vintage Bike Night. Location The Arts Factory & Bar+Bistro 107 E. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89104 Time Every third Friday (April 19)

7 p.m.-10 p.m.

More Info www.theartsfactory.com 702.644.9412

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

APRIL 2013

ISSUE 13

First Friday

First Friday is celebrated in the Arts District of downtown Las Vegas. The hub is on Casino Center Boulevard in between Colorado Street & California Street with an extension on Third Street & Colorado Street. First Friday has been extended to include the Fremont East district with live activities and music in Get Back Alley behind Beauty Bar and The Griffin. First Friday celebrates young and established local artists. There are food trucks galore and music on three stages with over 12 live bands. There will be special art installations and live performance paintings. It is all about community coming together to celebrate art. First Friday has a great variety of artists, vendors and activities that are fun and exciting for all ages. They even have a kid’s zone with different themes each month.

Location

Casino Center Boulevard & Colorado Street

Time

Friday, April 5

6 p.m.-11 p.m.

More Info

www.firstfridaylasvegas.com www.facebook.com/firstfridaylasvegas

Sunday Reset MOVE: 45 minutes of walking/running/bike. Meet up in downtown Las Vegas at 7 am. We will take a one mile urban hike led by Paco Alvarez. For those who want more of a workout, we’ll be taking a group on a 5k run (led by Lauralie Ezra). STRETCH: Let’s meet back in the space after your exercise route to stretch out (led by Tiffany Harris). MEDITATE: Now time to slow your mind with quiet time. We will provide some guidance to get you going. ACT: It’s time to put what you learned into action and live fearlessly for vibrant health (led by Alexia Vernon). EAT: Learn how to become a conscientious eater with a simple eight-step program that will ignite your mind, body and spirit. Then it’s time to replenish and complete your morning with a group breakfast, catered by local vegan chef Donald Lemperle. We’ll eat healthy and fuel up for our day and the week ahead (led by Jennifer Sanchez). Cost: $15 per person. REMEMBER TO BRING: - Yoga mat (or towel) - Warm clothes - Water bottle - Big smile - Positive attitude! Location Amanda Harris 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Suite #150 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Time Sunday, April 7

7 a.m.-10 a.m.

More Info www.theresetprojectlv.com/events

ISSUE 13

APRIL 2013

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

CALENDAR & EVENTS

APRIL 01 Mon. • April Fool’s Day

12 Fri. • 3rd Street Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm

02 Tue. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Green Jelly, 7 pm-9 pm

13 Sat. • Corporate Challenge: Tug-O-War • Zappos Family Picnic

03 Wed. • Corporate Challenge: Table Top Shuffleboard

14 Sun. • FREE DAY!

23 Tue. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Corporate Challenge: Walk Race • Green Jelly, 7 pm-9 pm • Trivia Night at The Beat, 7 pm

15 Mon. • Tax Day : (

24 Wed. • Corporate Challenge: Badminton

16 Tue. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Corporate Challenge: Flag Football • Green Jelly, 7 pm-9 pm

25 Thu. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Tech Jelly, 7 pm-12 am

17 Wed. • FREE DAY!

26 Fri. • Arbor Day • 3rd Street Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm

04 Thu. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Tech Jelly, 7 pm-12 am 05 Fri. • First Friday, 6 pm-11 pm • 3rd Street Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm 06 Sat. • Corporate Challenge: 5K Run • Corporate Challenge: Bocce 07 Sun. • World Health Day 08 Mon. • FREE DAY! 09 Tue. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Corporate Challenge: Indoor Volleyball • Green Jelly, 7 pm-9 pm • Trivia Night at The Beat, 7 pm

18 Thu. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Tech Jelly, 7 pm-12 am 19 Fri. • 3rd Street Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm • Vintage Bike Night, 7 pm-10 pm 20 Sat. • Corporate Challenge: Swimming 21 Sun. • Corporate Challenge: Kart Racing

22 Mon. • Earth Day • Corporate Challenge: Bike Race

27 Sat. • Corporate Challenge: Mayor’s Walk • Corporate Challenge: Chess • Delivering Happiness Inspire: Las Vegas, 5 pm-8 pm 28 Sun. • Couture for Causes – The Arts Factory, 12 pm-4 pm • Corporate Challenge: Outdoor Volleyball • Corporate Challenge: Trap Shooting • Corporate Challenge: Skeet Shooting

10 Wed. • National Siblings Day

29 Mon. • Corporate Challenge: Softball

11 Thu. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Tech Jelly, 7 pm-12 am

30 Tue. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Green Jelly, 7 pm-9 pm

The Zappos Employee Newsletter

APRIL 2013

ISSUE 13

MAY SNEAK PEEK 01 Wed. • May Day! • Corporate Challenge: Fencing 02 Thu. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Tech Jelly, 7 pm-12 am 03 Fri. • 3rd Street Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm 04 Sat. • Corporate Challenge: Horseshoes 05 Sun. • Corporate Challenge: Kickball 06 Mon. • FREE DAY! 07 Tue. • Real Results Boot Camp, 6 am-7 am • Corporate Challenge: Soccer • Green Jelly, 7 pm-9 pm • Trivia Night at The Beat, 7 pm

Globe Salon, Photo: Darius Kuzmickas

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