Downtown ZEN Mar 2015 by DowntownZEN

UNIQUELY US. DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT.

DTZEN.COM • MAR 2015

HIGH TEA

WITH TEALET

‘FIND A GRAVE’ THE NEW RAGE

WEARING GREEN ON THE FASHION SCENE page 31

KEEP MEMORY ALIVE:

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

NEW COLUMN: Tales of a Downtown Mom

Chief Editor Loren Becker

Managing Editors

Michael Boley, Mandy Crispin

Advertising Sales & Marketing

Loren Becker, Michael Boley, Mandy Crispin

Contributing Writers

Brian Paco Alvarez, Michael Boley, Temple Brathwaite, Jennifer Brohl, Craig Butelo, Mandy Crispin, Karina Giraldo, Peter Gaunt, Cecilia Gomez, D.S. Madison, Lisa Marshall, Jennifer Miller, Nomic, Fernando Reyes, Charlene Sands, Francesca Simmons

Calendar & Events

Alexie Ihde, Mikela Lee-Manaois

Photography

Craig Butelo, Peter Gaunt, Ivan Quiroz, Matt Wong, Las Vegas News Bureau, The D Casino & Hotel, Emily Wilson Nevada State Museum-Las Vegas

Creative Directors

Michael Boley, Mandy Crispin

Art Director

Ryan Brekke (BullFish Media)

Web Design

Michael Boley Cover:

Concept, Production & Direction Craig Butelo

Photography Craig Butelo

Logo Design & Typography Layout Nina Thomasian

Printer

Jackpot Printing 702.873.1902 | www.jackpotprintinglv.com

Email: DowntownZEN@zappos.com Follow on Twitter: @downtownzen Follow on Instagram: #dtzen

Letter From the Editors They say that March can be madness, but let’s take care of ourselves from head to toe. The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is featured by an insightful Q&A with accompanying testimonial, and if you hop on over to the Emergency Arts building, Andrea Lipomi will give you a feetish. What’s a feetish? Shoot for page five. For your bellies we bring you Tealet, a boutique-style downtown tea company that sources its products from far and wide while supporting tea education and farmer cultivation sites. If friendships are what you hunger for, we’ll let you in on the “Tech Community Dinner,” a casual meal hosted by a different downtown business each week. But if you can’t wait until Wednesday, a new partnership with The Market yielded a Reuben recipe that’ll knock your socks off … or kick your butt. We are pleased to announce that we have several new writers of late who will hit our readers right where it counts: the heart. Mommy columnist Jennifer Miller introduces herself while feature-writer Jennifer Brohl illuminates digging for graves (aka grave digging) and Francesca Simmons gives us an extra dose of history, a most romantic topic in itself, in “Musings From Inside The Old Mormon Fort.” Until next time, dear readers, The Downtown Zen

SCAN ME FOR DTZEN.COM

table of

CONTENTS

Features

Events & Entertainment 43 | Art 45 | Restaurant Review 47 | Bar Review 49 | Calendar

09 45 03

47 About the Cover UNIQUELY US. DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT.

DTZEN.COM • MAR 2015

HIGH TEA

WITH TEALET

‘FIND A GRAVE’ THE NEW RAGE

WEARING GREEN ON THE FASHION SCENE

page 31

KEEP MEMORY ALIVE:

Craig Butelo is a local artist who uses photography and color to make his unique pieces pop. You can find more examples of his work and some of his writings at colormeupcasinodesigns.com. The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health here on the cover is a special place for Craig, as you will read in his testimonial inside. To convey the very human nature of the building. Enjoy!

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

NEW COLUMN: Tales of a Downtown Mom

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

By Mandy Crispin | Photographs by Ivan Quiroz stopped by the annual holiday party at Feetish Spa Parlor and met owner and downtown spa girl Andrea Lipomi. It was not surprising to learn that Andrea hails from Western New York. She reminded me of Ani DiFranco during her “Living In Clip” days at impulse: sprightly and strong, dedicated to her craft and great at it, hardworking, in charge, and one righteous babe.

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

While it is a cozy space, the size lends itself well to people seeking an interesting urban spa experience. In a town where so many spas are gigantic, swallowing up their patrons even as they navigate simply parking, Feetish is a place where every customer is the one and only VIP. Each patron will get the owner’s undivided attention, and if the holiday party was any indication of the norm here, every person may gain a new friend in Andrea and a greater sense of local community.

How did you come up with the name of the spa? It’s a play on “Swedish (massage),” “feet,” and of course “fetish.” If you love a good foot massage, you may just have a feetish! What set you down this career path? In my former life as an account rep for a printing company, I handled the spa menu ordering for this swanky day spa in Rochester, New York. Having never had a professional massage up until this point, I would gaze longingly at the list of spa services they offered and dream. My sister and I went to this spa together for our first massages (circa 2000), and we were hooked. I wanted to be able to make people feel as good as I felt on that day, so I attended massage school in 2005. The skin care and nail care licenses came later, after I realized I could pamper even more people with a bigger toolbox in my possession. Why did you choose the location you did (downtown inside Emergency Arts)? I’ve been a customer at The Beat since the beginning. The independent coffeehouse vibe was what won me over — it reminded me of the things I missed from back east (where I grew up and moved from in 2007). The repurposed building that is Emergency Arts was also an attractive concept — people were making things happen, making their visions come to life. This was inspiring! I also really like that I can walk down Fremont Street between Las Vegas Boulevard and Maryland Parkway on any given day and see at least ten people I know and genuinely like. Did you use a decorator? I did not. My better half did most of the actual improvements in my space, and we collaborated on the décor. I’m super happy with how everything turned out. I saw some cogs on a wall hanging in the shop. Are you inspired at all by the steampunk aesthetic? I like all of that Victorian, curiosity shop-type stuff. If it’s weird there’s a good chance I’ll dig it. How many different colors of nail polish do you have? Well over 100, counting all of my OPI regular polishes and assorted gel polishes. What is the most popular treatment? Right now the “Basic Back” and the “Signature Feetment” are in high demand. Which treatment is your favorite to do? Any treatment that makes me feel like I’m helping somebody is my fave. Please tell us about the products you use and why you chose them: I usually use Dermalogica for facials; DōTERRA essential oils for body treatments; OPI, Gelish and IBD polishes for nail services; and Bon Vital Foot Balm for any service that includes foot massage. I’ve been working in the spa industry for a decade now, so I’ve had time to research what products work best for what I do. I refuse to use cheap products at Feetish, and I only use products that I would use on myself. Catch Feetish Downtown Round Tables at https://www.youtube.com/channelUCj6Br0lQceFW74s8otF6mjA To book an appointment call 702.587.0745 or book online at feetishspa.com Feetish is located Second floor of Emergency Arts at 520 Fremont St., Suite 223 Appointments are available Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Do you have seasonal treatments? I’m working on a “Not So Secret Menu.” Stay tuned! If you had to choose one treatment that is essential to people's wellbeing, which would it be and why? Any treatment that promotes relaxation in any form. We humans are so stressed out: physically, mentally, emotionally. We need to make setting time aside to take care of ourselves a priority, or we’ll suffer from burnout and be rendered virtually useless to ourselves and to the people who depend on us. MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Re: a FAQ on your site, "Q: I’m a creep. May I book an appointment?": have you had this happen? Can you tell us about it? Spa folks have the best creeper stories! There aren’t enough hours in the day to tell you about every creeper I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the last decade, but the warning there is to prevent a “handful” of things, including the wasting of precious time. Hey creeps: If you’re looking for a happy ending, or a place where you can talk about how great you are in the sack without fear of the stink eye, I’m not your girl! Tipping is typical in this industry, so why do you discourage it at your place? My services are priced fairly, and I want them to be as accessible as possible to as wide a range of clients as possible. I leave tipping up to each individual client, but it is never expected or required. Do you have any other community events besides the annual holiday party? I have hosted parties to celebrate Feetish’s anniversary (February 15) and National Mani Pedi Day (April 25). (Here’s a link to a video I’m in about the invention of National Mani Pedi Day: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vaV-gbFJlLk) What is "The Downtown Round Table"? My friend Thom once compared me to Dorothy Parker (of Algonquin Round Table fame). Now that I’m busy with appointments, instead of sitting in my office with other downtown friends and business owners, we chat on Google Hangouts every month or so. It’s fun because I can upload our chats to the Feetish Spa Parlor YouTube channel so our other friends can see what we’ve been up to.■

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

How Do You Take Your

Tea?

From grower to drinker, Tealet is revolutionizing the global tea marketplace By Cecilia Gomez

hough the seemingly eternal summer in Las Vegas is in a dormant state, with winter comes a variety of activities apart from tank tops and margaritas by the pool. Among these include wearing big comfy sweaters and mittens knitted by grandmamma, indulging in home cooked turkey dinners, baked goods and my favorite: drinking tea on a chilly day. However, to a small yet growing group of people, tea drinking is much more than just filling a kettle with water and tossing any old tea bag into a mug. Nay, to others in this town it’s an art; it’s a precise and gracious process of culminating elements that result in explosions of flavor. To a novice, tea might be nothing more than a stale white bag that comes out of a small box purchased at the grocery — but to the people of Tealet, a sort of online farmers market for teas from across the globe, tea is an opportunity to grow a culture that is centuries old but often underappreciated.

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

The idea at its core is simple: Tealet connects tea drinkers with tea growers from around the world. Say, for example, a small tea grower in Nepal has an interest in improving and/ or selling their locally grown tea, but neither sales nor the tea is where it should be. This is where the founder and CEO of Tealet comes in. With her vast expertise in tea, business and technology, Elyse Petersen has created a model for trekking the globe to scout the best teas, working with the local farmers and selling a sustainable, high quality product to consumers looking for specialty merchandise. With her background in food sciences, Elyse and her tech savvy team are able to work closely with local growers to produce the best possible tea, maximize their profits by selling online via Bitcoin, and in turn support local farmers, their communities and sustainable growing practices. “You can get very technical with tea; I am a food scientist after all. I can go into production, actually see the processing and give advice to the growers about taste,” said Elyse. Offering that kind of personal advice is absolutely invaluable and crucial to a small-scale tea grower; and what started in Hawaii as a research study has now turned into an emerging market with growing interest worldwide. Just like their business model, the Tealet Teahouse, a charming bungalow in downtown Las Vegas, serves as a platform to connect tea drinkers with tea. On a Friday evening just as the sun was setting, I had the chance to stop by the teahouse to meet the Tealet team for some conversation and, of course, tea. There to greet me in the backyard was Elyse, her brother Michael (Tealet’s marketing/media guru) and Rie, a Las Vegas local and longtime tea lover who was serendipitously hired via Instagram. As I sit, I notice a lovely wooden tray with teacups spread about and varying shades of tea.

going, and it’s already clear that one element (besides the tea leaf) is very important to the team: education. “The tea industry is kind of segmented,” says Elyse, “Japan knows their stuff about tea, India knows their stuff about tea, but they don’t share their info. With how the Internet works these days, I think it’s really important to embrace the principles of transparency.” Transparency in the sense that tea drinking should be accompanied by an open conversation between like-minded individuals who care about where and how their tea is grown. “We do a lot of social media to keep in touch with other tea people,” says Rie. “My feed is full with tea farmers just sharing information.” “The places that we work with … they’re more organic and smaller scale production. We are able to pay more and it’s not about quantity, but quality; you’re going to get more profit and it’s more sustainable. These old tea plantations and estates are going down and the factory system is no longer an attractive option,” Elyse said. Multiple teacup sippings later, the sun has finally set, and I have to run before taking another bacon cheesecake bite. But before I do, the Tealet team shares their hopes to someday walk into a café and see high-quality teas available to customers and not just a row of small boxes filled with forgotten tea bags, probably wet yet also somehow crusty in the corners. (Seriously, how does that happen?) “This is how it worked for coffee, and this is how it works for tea. We’re pioneering that type of trade," said Elyse. "If we have top-notch coffee, why cant we have top-notch tea instead of the same old stuff?”■

Not 15 minutes pass and a Tealet friend comes by just to say hello and share a story about a project he is currently working on. He tells his tale, excuses himself, and promises to return for a proper tea session soon. “That’s the kind of culture we have, we like to have people stop by. The teahouse has become kind of like a crash pad — we’re very welcoming,” says Elyse. Michael pours some tea, one a black tea from the village of Chabbesey in Nepal and the other from the village of Mineral Springs in Darjeeling, India. Our conversation gets

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Keep Memory Alive By Mandy Crispin | Photographs courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

he Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is a gem within our city and for our downtown. Here, Nicole Wolf, who is the director of marketing, answers my questions about the operation as well as concludes with a pretty shocking and real prediction about why all people should be aware of and proactive in the category of life called “brain health.” The building, designed by Frank Gehry, is nestled into the landscape at 888 West Bonneville Avenue and exudes an aura of calm, reverence and solemnity. Walking onto the campus can feel a bit like walking onto sacred ground.

However, there is no “do not disturb” sign; there is the singular statement “Keep Memory Alive” above the Rachel’s Kitchen café in the courtyard. Parking is free in the northfacing parking lot, and the community is welcome to enjoy a meal in the serene outdoor spaces around the building. Additionally, “Lou Ruvo” offers activities centered on awareness that are profiled in this question and answer. This place, this building and its contents, is what it means to be human and what it means to marvel at the stunning machines we all walk around in every day. Take care of yourselves out there.

Groundbreaking with Mayor Goodman, Frank Gehry, Larry Ruvo

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015 First patient Randy Capurro with wife, Netty,

What does “Cleveland Clinic” mean? It’s named after the city in Ohio where the main campus is located. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four physicians returning from the WWI. Today, with 3,000 full-time salaried physicians, the hospital is consistently ranked among the top five in the country in U.S. News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. In addition to Cleveland and Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic has locations in Weston, Florida; Toronto, Canada; and opening later this year: Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is 100 percent owned and operated by Cleveland Clinic. The “Ruvo” part of the name comes from Las Vegas businessman and philanthropist, Larry Ruvo, who lost his father Lou to Alzheimer’s in 1994 and vowed to keep his memory alive by doing something for families living with Alzheimer’s.

Can you talk about the services that are offered there in an informational way and also a way that illuminates what this place being here means to the Las Vegas community? Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health specializes in Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, frontotemporal dementia, multiple system atrophy and multiple sclerosis. For those core diseases in addition to other degenerative brain diseases, we do three things: 1. Research: With 30 clinical trials, we’re among the largest sites in the country for Alzheimer’s research. (855.LOU. RUVO or brainhealth@ccf.org) 2. Treatment: We invite the community to make an appointment with our specialized neurologists, who can refer to related services, including our on-site physical therapy. To date, this amounts to more than 55,000 appointments. (702.483.6000 for info) 3. Social Services: In our first five years, more than 3,500 individuals have made more than 18,500 visits to our no-cost patient and family services that offer education, support groups and counseling. (LouRuvoSocialServ@ccf. org or www.keepmemoryalive.org/socialservices)

Are visitors who don’t have ill family members or are not ill themselves encouraged to come onto the property? If so, in which areas? We consider the exterior of our campus to be a 24/7 photo opportunity, with guests truly traveling from around the world to capture an image of a Frank Gehry building. One of our security guards estimates around 100 camera-toting visitors come each day.

How was the decision made to have Frank Gehry design the building? Keep Memory Alive Chairman & Founder Larry Ruvo felt that to be taken seriously when opening an outpatient clinic in the desert to treat Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders, he would need a marketing tool. In fact, it was the stunning Frank Gehry building already under construction that captured the imagination of Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove, MD, and inspired him to buy and operate the outpatient clinic. Larry Ruvo envisioned the building as packaging for the contents: the treatment and research that would be happening inside that clinic. He figured he’d let the media do the talking about the building, and eventually they’d peel back the proverbial onion and discuss the inside, and that’s exactly what has happened as architecture coverage has given way to healthcare. In asking about famous architects, Frank Gehry’s name kept surfacing, and then the two men met they really hit it off.

How long has the building been here? The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health broke ground in February 2007 and treated our first patient in July 2009.

Employees of neighboring companies each lunch in our garden, and we have tables and chairs available for customers of Rachel’s Kitchen and all visitors. Many of us unplug and work outside when we can. Regrettably, due to HIPPA (national patient privacy guidelines), we can’t allow guests to roam through the interior of our buildings in patient areas. However, tours are available by appointment. Contact info@ keepmemoryalive.org.

Do you have any recent statistics (approved/ credentialed) about the diseases you treat there? We highlight risk factors for each of the diseases here: www.keepmemoryalive.org/brain_health/overview/who_ is_at_risk

What is the number one misconception about brain health? Some people think that because there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders, there’s no point in thinking about brain health. In fact, while some risks are not modifiable (age, genetics), many are diet, exercise, sleep, social interaction, brain fitness and overall medical health. At the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, we call these modifiable risks the “Six Pillars of Brain MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

One of Craig Butelo’s imaginings of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

Is there one thing you

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Health” and believe they are critical to developing a brain span that matches our lifespan. And yes, even without a cure, early detection is important because the sooner medication is started, the greater its potential effect in slowing cognitive decline.

How do you view community engagement (even for those who are not aff licted), and what do you do to raise awareness? The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health does so many things, but perhaps the most widely adopted is our weekly Lunch & Learn that is free and open to the community. Held Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m. with no RSVP required, topics presented by our staff and community members span from legal concerns for the elderly and tips for reducing anxiety and managing stress, to why it’s taking so long to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. As we and our parents age, these topics become of concern for all of us. A complete program calendar is online at www. keepmemoryalive.org/socialservices.

How did the partnership between you and the Rachel’s Kitchen café come about? A healthily lifestyle — including proper nutrition — is key to reducing risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing that, food sold on the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health campus to patients, employees and guests must be aligned with the mission, and Rachel’s Kitchen just made sense.

People who have family members who are aff licted with brain disease should do what? Pay attention to the modifiable risks for brain disease (diet, exercise, sleep, social interaction, brain fitness and overall medical health): we call them the “Six Pillars of Brain Health.” Making changes today will pay off now and for the rest of your life. Huntington's disease is inherited and 50 percent of each generation develops the disease. A genetic test is available, and it’s clearly a big decision to decide whether or not to be tested; genetic counseling is encouraged to facilitate this process. There are no other known risk factors for Huntington’s.

would like the Las Vegas community to know about the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health? Given the statistics, if we live to 90 — a very realistic life expectancy for Millennials — one out of every two of us will develop Alzheimer’s; the other will be the caregiver. But you’re not alone: we’re here to help, starting with free social services. MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

My Story by Craig Morgan Butelo with final edit by Kelli Kyle A few years ago I came to Las Vegas to visit my parents. We had always been close even though we lived in different cities. I usually saw them twice a year, although we spoke regularly on the telephone. When we spoke on the phone, I did not notice much deterioration even though mom began making comments about having trouble driving and not wanting to go grocery shopping. She felt anxious about going out in public. You see, she was gradually losing her wits. Dementia was slowly taking over her mind, and the worst part was that she knew it. Mom and dad enjoyed many years of working together in the beauty shops that they owned. Mom and dad doted on each other, they often baby talked to each other and reminisced about cruises they had taken together over the years. They always seemed to be like a couple dating rather than an old married couple. I suppose they made their lives their own. Considering I was an only child and I lived apart from them, it was almost is if they didn't have a child. Mom and dad were both diagnosed at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Dad had Alzheimer’s disease, which is just one type of dementia. Dad's dementia was somewhat different from mom's. Dad did not have a clue that anything was wrong. He could tell you the name of his horse or the dog that he had as a child. However, he was not able to remember who came to the house to visit the day before, or even remember them being in the house at all. If you gently told him that he had a “little” dementia he would poo-poo the very idea. As the only child, the reality soon set in that I would be their caretaker for life. Mom could be a bit grumpy at times, and she experienced severe déjà vu. She was certain that that people crossing the street or in the doctors' waiting rooms were the same people that she had seen before. I would sometimes argue with her about these visions. My intent was to try to keep her in reality by showing her that she was wrong. I know now that I should have humored her. Trying to keep her in reality was the biggest mistake that I made while taking care of her. For a while I was able to work part time as a security officer. When my shift ended at midnight, I enjoyed cruising the Strip and downtown areas on my scooter. On some nights, I noticed that there were colored lights inside of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and on other nights just plain white light. I once stopped and spoke to a security guard to ask about the lighting schedule thinking that it might make for an interesting photo. While talking to him I mentioned my parents’ dementia. He told me about the caretaker classes and support groups that were open to the public. 13

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

I had wrongly assumed that one’s own health insurance company must participate with Lou Ruvo in order to utilize their resources. However, he said to show up on Wednesday at 1 p.m. It took a couple of weeks for me to get to my first class. At my first meeting, during a roundtable discussion, one of the caretakers said that he had the business card of a great locksmith that would install door locks high up on your house doors so that patients would not be able to easily wander outside of their homes. I actually thought that this was a frivolous thing to bring up. There must be more to these classes, I thought ... The meeting went on with the caretakers taking turns telling about the trials that they experienced that week. Some stories were sad and some were humorous. The classes were moderated by, the most wonderful and insightful, Donna Munic-Miller, Ph.D. Donna knew more about dementia than one could ever imagine. I quickly realized that this was not her first rodeo. Donna provided us with the various tools and support that helped us to care for our own parents and maintain our own sanity. She had a playbook on the disease, literally. I made mistakes while caring for mom and dad, but I brought these mistakes to class and got worthy feedback each time. During one visit to the clinic, I met an employee who knew how to “twist the arm” of my parents' insurance provider. She convinced the insurance company to allot money to have them evaluated and put on the best drugs available. Most of my parents' other doctor visits lasted an average of eight minutes. The doctors at Lou Ruvo spent up to an hour talking to them and testing them. One night from his bed, my father asked me why I was packing up my camera and things. I replied that I was going to put my gear on my bicycle and go to “his” Lou Ruvo and “straighten it out.” I don't know if you are familiar with the Frank Gehry-designed architecture of the clinic, but you will understand when you see my picture, which can be found on my website. I do have other looks, but these were dad's favorites. If you could benefit from learning caretaker skills or if you need information and tools to navigate this type of illness, I strongly urge you to contact the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Most importantly, if you need it, I still have the business card from the locksmith that put door locks high upon our doors!■ Enjoy, Craig Morgan Butelo Las Vegas, NV

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Grave Digging: Grave Diggin A New Age Approach By Jennifer Brohl t’s a chilly, rainy Tuesday afternoon, and I decide to head over to Woodlawn Cemetery near downtown Las Vegas during my lunch break. No, I’m not trying to elude my coworkers, although it is a welcomed break from a hectic workday. I’m trying to find a grave … Over the past few years, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in countless cemeteries across the country. It all began when my mom started researching our ancestry, which made me want to help others. There is an extraordinary amount of people building family trees and creating memorials for their deceased relatives, and a big part of that is obtaining photographs of their relatives’ headstones. Not everyone has the time or means to travel around the country to visit the gravesites themselves, but through findagrave.com, they can submit photo requests. That’s where I enter the picture on a volunteer basis.

Lurking around cemeteries with a camera in hand is not always well received. But while some might perceive my business there as strange or disrespectful, for me, it’s a rewarding experience that connects people to their family histories. I also find cemeteries to be quite peaceful and often a great locale for my birding obsession, which is another story altogether. During my travels throughout the year, I always make it a priority to check for photo requests at cemeteries in the areas that I’m visiting. It’s embarrassing how excited I get when I go somewhere that has a long list of requests — especially when they don’t have any problems reported, meaning that no one else has looked for them already and come up empty handed. I generally prefer to search smaller cemeteries, and I find the older ones particularly interesting.

“I recall one headstone that read, Searching for a requested grave often feels like a treasure hunt, as many cemeteries do not have readily available plot listings or any specific layout. While perusing cemeteries, I might admire a headstone inset with a photo of the adorable old couple who spent their life together, wonder about a family plot where several children all passed within a few days of each other, or even get a few laughs out of some engravings. I recall one headstone that read, “I told you this would happen.” There are times that I stumble upon requested graves right away by dumb luck, times that it takes a lot of work perhaps finding a headstone underneath overgrown vegetation, and times that I just can’t find what I’m looking for. I remember one particular cemetery in rural Southern 17

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Illinois. It was tiny and located atop a small hill underneath a gigantic shade tree in the middle of cornfields. I jumped out of my car and hurried up the hill only to find disappointment — nearly all of the headstones, mostly from the 1800s, were so weathered and crumbled that they could not be read or even pieced together. I felt sad that day, thinking about how the scene looked as if those people had been long forgotten about. I never know how things will turn out, except for the gratitude I receive from those whose photo requests I am able to fulfill. In the Las Vegas area, cemeteries are huge with infrequent photo requests that are usually fulfilled by other volunteers immediately, so I haven’t spent much time finding graves locally. The Woodlawn Cemetery, however, intrigued me

ng:

‘I told you this would happen. ” with its rich history, which opened in 1914 and is listed on the United States National Registrar of Historic Places, and proximity to my workplace. There is only one photo request, for a man named Gerald Reiser, which already has a problem reported. The grave was not found by another volunteer, but I notice the requestor is also asking for any other headstones with the same surname. As I enter the cemetery, I’m overwhelmed by its sprawling 40-acre size and am immediately distracted by a beautiful hawk that lands high up in one of the many old trees. Since it’s raining and I’m on limited time, I decide to just leisurely drive through the cemetery.

Along the way, I notice Yonema “Bill” Tomiyasu’s grave. A Japanese-born immigrant, Tomiyasu was one of the first Asian Americans to settle in Southern Nevada and made his name as a local pioneer who farmed fresh produce to feed Hoover Dam construction workers and plotted many of the plants and trees scattered amongst our desert landscape. Today his memory lives on, as his surname can be found on a residential street sign in the Southeastern fringe of Las Vegas, near the intersection of Pecos and Sunset roads, as well as an elementary school on Annie Oakley Drive. But as far as spotting any Reiser graves, Luck is not on my side today. And although it pains me to know his family still seeks out his burial plot, I feel a sense of peace knowing that I at least tried.■ MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Mozart to Nuevo Tango MUSICAL CROSSROADS 2015

Presented by Nevada School of the Arts

NSA To Present Argentinian -Themed Musical Crossroads Event

By Michael Boley or the past 37 years, the Nevada School of the Arts (NSA) continues to nourish and enrich the Las Vegas community, establishing itself as an independent nonprofit performing arts school by cultivation peoples’ passion for music in the heart of downtown.

Shakeh Ghoukasian, cofounder of the Green Valley Chamber Music Festival and principal second violinist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, is the school’s executive and artistic director and has been with the NSA since 2007. Two years into her tenure, she created the Guest Artist Recital Series, which has now evolved into Musical Crossroads, for music lovers and concertgoers alike to watch, listen and engage up-close with guest performing artists. “For so many years, classical concerts have left many concertgoers feeling very formal, disengaged and disconnected from the performer due to the type of venue or the program, the ensemble or specific way of presenting the concert,” said Ghoukasian. “I want our students to work and be exposed to great artists who are classically trained musicians, but who are also really good at other genres of music, thus the Musical Crossroads idea was born.” To be held inside the Historic Fifth Street School, this year’s Musical Crossroads, titled “Mozart to Nuevo Tango,” invites Grammy Awardwinning bass player and NSA alumnus Abe Gumroyan, pianist and composer Jae Ahn, and nationally renowned classical violinist Gabe Bolkosky to perform.

Enjoy an evening of classical and Argentinian music from Mozart to Nuevo Tango followed by a taste of Argentinian wines and tapas. Guest Artists

Gabe Bolkosky (violinist) Jae Ahn (piano) Abe Gumroyan (bass) and special performers Friday, March 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm Historic Fifth Street School Auditorium 401 S. Fourth Street, Las Vegas

For more information, please visit our website at www.nsamusic.org or call 702.384.2787 19

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According to Ghoukasian, Bolkosky was chosen to headline the event due to his diverse repertoire of music, from playing Mozart’s signature classics and Maurice Ravel’s jazzy rhythms to Astor Piazzolla’s Argentinian tangos of the 20th century. Piazzolla, says Ghoukasian, revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. One American music critic even described Piazzolla as “the world's foremost composer of tango music.” “My path comes across many wonderful musicians across the United States,” said Ghoukasian. “I was so taken by [Bolkosky’s] artistry and his ability to be so versatile and so genuine as a performer that I did not have to be convinced to invite him to Las Vegas.” “After the repertoire was chosen, we thought it would be great to add the flavors of Argentina in form of food and wine,” said Ghoukasian. Following the concert, VIP guests are invited to partake in a mix and mingle session with the artists where Gustav Mauler, executive chef of Spiedini Ristorante, will be dishing out epicurean tapas and pouring fine Argentinian wines. So, if you’re looking for an inviting and enriching evening paired with outstanding music and great food and drink, the Mozart to Nuevo Tango has got your number.■ Mozart to Nuevo Tango Admission: VIP & Wine Reception: $50 per person Concert Only: $20 per person ($10 for students) For more information, call 702.384.2787 or visit www.nsamusic.org

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Musings From Inside

The Old Mormon ForT By Francesca Simmons

Although widely evident yet surprisingly unknown, the construction and prosperity of current-day Las Vegas can be credited to the Mormons and the mob. While remnants of the latter are visible from downtown and the Strip to the slot machine filled 7-Elevens that litter every other corner, the former’s contribution is often attributed to the assembly of Las Vegas’s oldest standing building, the Old Mormon Fort.

Sited on Las Vegas Boulevard in the same complex as Cashman Center, the Old Mormon Fort is not a historical building that blends seamlessly into the contemporary landscape in the way that many of it’s 19th century counterparts do. It is, however, fairly unnoticeable, easily ignored every day by the many who drive down the city’s busiest street. The most modern construction on the site is the Visitor’s Center and parking lot, both of which are dwarfed in size to the adjacent Cashman Center.

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MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

“The museum tells more than just the story of a few Latter Day Saint missionaries.”

While the Old Mormon Fort may not be the most visually spectacular museum, let alone building, that downtown has to offer, it certainly is one of the most fascinating places to visit in the area. The museum tells more than just the story of a few Latter Day Saint missionaries building a fort in the middle of the desert; rather, it attempts to give visitors a somewhat condensed version of the anthropological history of the Las Vegas Valley through the eyes of one site, and it’s efforts are fairly impressive. The Visitor’s Center is where the bulk of the historical knowledge is to be obtained by spectators, either through infographics, photographs and accompanying text, or a three-minute video for those with a short attention span. Guests begin their educational experience in the museum by learning about the indigenous people who inhabited the Las Vegas Valley thousands of years ago. The land that the indigenous people lived off of was incredibly different than the Las Vegas we know today, one abundantly filled with bubbling springs and gorgeous vegetation, the remnants of which are now a part of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. The first expedition through the Las Vegas Springs was a 60man party lead by Antonio Armijo, who led the excursion to transport goods from New Mexico to California in 1829. The journey, which marked the opening of the Spanish Trail for commerce, was recorded as passing through the area and creating a trail, which would have caravans pass through annually. While Armijo’s expedition was the valley’s first, he and his party were not the first nonindigenous people to travel through the springs. In fact, according to the museum, it is actually unknown who was the first non-native to pass through, for many Spanish and American travelers passed around the valley, but never actually through it. In May of 1844, American military officer John C. Frémont led his contingent of United States Army soldiers through the Las Vegas Springs where they camped along the creek. Frémont affixed the name “Vegas” to his map of the area (though he did not give the name to the city), and in turn solidified his importance in the history of the city, forever to be remembered by the affixing of his name to downtown’s central street. Led by William Bringhurst, the Mormons finally arrived in June 1855. The party of 30 men began construction of the fort that summer and finished it the following February. Built from adobe, the fort stood between nine to 14 feet high, with walls approximately 150 feet long. The missionaries 23

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built the fort for a variety of reasons, with it’s main objective being a critical way station between Mormon settlements in Utah and Southern California. The fort was plagued with leadership and maintenance issues from the start, and the Mormon Church officially dissolved the Las Vegas Mission just a year after its completion in February 1857. Upon the Mormon’s departure, the fort quickly fell into despair. From the 1860s to the 1880s, the fort was rebuilt and the land passed through the hands of many settlers in the area. In 1882, Archibald Stewart acquired the acreage and moved his wife, Helen, and children to the site, which now included a ranch. The ranch was taken over by Helen Stewart two years later, after her husband died in a gunfight, and expanded it to nearly 2,000 acres. Helen became a prominent figure in the community, distinguished by locals as the “First Lady” of Las Vegas. In 1893, the ranch became a post office and was officially named Las Vegas. In 1902, Helen sold the land to the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City Railroad, and officially began the era of the new Las Vegas.

“Helen became a prominent figure in the community, distinguished by locals as the ‘First Lady’ of Las Vegas.” In the early part of the 20th century, the fort was a popular resort complete with a manmade swimming lake. During the Great Depression, the U.S. government bought the land as a cement-testing site for construction of the Boulder Dam, making extensive changes and improvements to the grounds. In the 1970s, Las Vegas citizen groups began conservations and preservation efforts, and in 1989 state funding was approved for excavations and improvements. In 1991, the Nevada Division of State Parks acquired the site and helped develop the museum into what it is today. Beyond the Visitor’s Center lays what’s left of 160 years of history: a small portion of the original fort wall, a part of the bastion, the underground foundation of the ranch and remnants of the concrete testing lab. Recreated rooms adorn the site to give visitors just a taste of life in 19th century Nevada, and statues and plaques honoring Helen Stewart and various others are sprinkled about the site. As a whole, the Old Mormon Fort is a living historical site that transcribes how Las Vegas was a city built by the Mormons, the mob and so many more.■ Historical photographs provided by the Nevada State Museum-Las Vegas

DOWNTOWN < CODE > Food, Friendly faces and a Love for the Las Vegas Community BY LISA MARSHALL

ince the new growth and revitalization of downtown Las Vegas, there have been many events and traditions that have been springing up that not everyone is aware of. One is the weekly community dinner.

A downtown tech start-up company called Romotive began the weekly community dinners in 2012. As a company, they would invite the community to their unit at The Ogden. There, people would have the opportunity to learn as well as mingle with other tech community-inspired and driven individuals. VegasTechFund did not want to see this die when Romotive moved on, so they proceeded to foster the tradition in 2013. Today the tradition continues each Wednesday night, hosted by a new start-up in town or a company wanting to meet new people and share what they are all about. “I think the community dinners are a great place to interact with people that you wouldn't normally ever meet. I've met some really talented and nice people at the dinners,” said Varinia Pereira, Copywriter at 6pm.com, “It's a relaxed environment, so it's not like a networking event where you feel pressured.” A few folks who have been around the downtown LV scene have used it as a weekly routine for catching up on the downtown happenings, while others come and go as needed to keep in touch and welcome new faces to the area. “Community dinners are a great way to meet new people, eat good food and participate in the larger community that is #vegastech. I haven’t been for a few months, and I really miss going — which sounds like a great resolution for 2015,” said Chris Coy, UX Designer at Zappos.com. Whatever the reason may be, I suggest taking the time to find out what the community dinners are all about and meet some new friendly faces. Downtown Las Vegas is an ever-changing place, and this is a great spot to jump in and explore what it has to offer.■ To find out more about where and when the community dinners will be or to sponsor or cosponsor a dinner, please contact Kelli Warren at kelli@workinprogress.lv.

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Kickass Reuben Ingredients:

1 slice of marble rye (buttered and toasted) 2 eggs Oil for deep-frying the eggs 3 slices of bacon 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 head of red cabbage (thin sliced) 6-7 ounces of corned beef 1/4 cup of shredded (or 2 slices) havarti or Swiss cheese 1/4 cup of Guinness 1 teaspoon lemon juice Salt and pepper (to taste)

Dressing:

©Ivan Quiroz

1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing 1/4 cup of seeded mustard 1 tablespoon of Guinness Combine in a bowl and reserve for sandwich. Side: (optional) 3 dill spears (thin slice) 1 cup flour Salt and pepper (to taste)

Preparation:

In a sauté pan cook bacon and reserve bacon fat. Add corned beef to sauté pan, cook for two minutes. Remove the corned beef, and leave bacon in pan. Add the cabbage, Guinness, lemon juice, butter and salt and pepper to taste. Cook cabbage on medium heat until slightly tender, about two to three minutes. In deep sauce pot heat oil to deep fry the eggs. In a small bowl, crack two eggs. When oil is hot (350 degrees), slowly pour in the eggs. Use a metal spoon to keep egg from sticking to the bottom while basting the top of the egg with oil gently to keep the yolk from breaking. Count to 20 seconds then remove the eggs. Assemble: Spread the Thousand Island mixture on the bread then add the corned beef. (Optional: pour a little extra Thousand Island on top of the corned beef). Add the cabbage and bacon mix on top of the corned beef. Then add the cheese and place sandwich in an oven set to broiler until the cheese melts. Remove sandwich from oven, add the egg on top, and break the yolks if desired. Garnish with minced bacon and chives.

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MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Ah, the time of the year when things start to warm up a bit and the winter haze leaves us behind for yet another year. Springtime in Las Vegas is nice, and everything else that comes with it: St. Paddy’s Day, green beer and green blooms on trees, all of which produce a reinvigorated attitude. The faces of visitors and locals patronizing the haunts that are oftentimes more quiet during the winter months liven up, and so does Mother Nature. Here’s to everything anew that comes with spring and a fresh start before the heat returns and we long for the days of cooler times. –Peter Gaunt This image was captured on a Canon 6D with a 24-70mm f/2.8L lens at 400 ISO.

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MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

By Temple Brathwaite Mmmm, the smell of food cooking in momma’s kitchen was always a scent that signaled home. But was it the meat she had on the stove that drew me in or the sprinkling of herbs and spices that made food smell so darn good? I put my nose to the test this past weekend and took a trip to the Downtown3rd farmers market for a whiff of what they had cookin’. Grown here in the valley or brought in from vendors in California, the DT3 farmers market is an aroma of many different smells. On a small table in the back lay a cornucopia of greens collected in small bunches, each with its own unique look, smell and texture. I got a chance to speak with Janet from Las Vegas Grown Produce who spoke on some of the most popular herbs and spices and, most importantly, shared how they should be used and stored. One of the biggest challenges I have found in using fresh herbs is that they must be used immediately, or they’ll go bad. I could never keep them fresh for more than a day. Janet suggested storing herbs in a glass of water in the refrigerator, just enough to keep the stems wet. This would aid in preservation for a while, and changing out the water once it got cloudy was a big assist as well. Walking away with information on how to preserve my goodies was definitely a big plus and one of my favorite takeaways from this trip.

While everyone has their own cooking expertise and taste, listed below are some of the most popular herbs, its flavorings and the best ways to use them.

»Basil

Flavor: very fragrant and spicy; almost peppery taste. Best paired with: tomatoes, vegetables, poultry, pizzas and salads.

»Cilantro

Flavor: a lively flavor; soapy, some say; looks similar to flat-leaf parsley. Best paired with: Thai, Mexican and Indian dishes; adds great flavor to rice and salsas.

»Oregano

Flavor: earthy; balances acidic tomatoes hence why common on pizza. Best paired with: lamb, beef, eggs, beans and eggplant.

»Parsley

Flavor: fresh; curly parsley is milder than flat-leaf Italian parsley. Best paired with: salads, vegetables (especially potatoes) and pasta.

»Rosemary

Flavor: pungent aroma and pine flavor Best paired with: Mediterranean dishes; lamb, poultry, fish and even bread. Also adds the perfect punch to stews.

»Thyme

Flavor: minty and citrusy Best paired with: egg, seafood and poultry. Also adds a great taste when added to rice.

»Sage

Flavor: very aromatic and woodsy. Best paired with: fresh sausage, holiday stuffing for turkey, rich meats like pork, goose and duck.

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MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

»Green with Envy:

How to rock the best shade of green for your complexion By Temple Brathwaite Fashion trends come and go: one season it’s maroon and the next it’s magenta. But instead of keeping up with the Kardashians or chasing fads of runway models, it’s best to complement your already naturally gorgeous look with a perfect pop of color. The first step to finding the perfect appearance comes with knowing your skin tone. Once you’ve determined that, you can then make the best color match and elevate a magical look with little to no accessories, or even makeup. Like the seasons, the color theory suggests that people can be placed into two categories: warm and cool. Those categories are then broken down into the seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Downtown Container Park stores, such as American Vagabond, Boutiqueaholics and 702 DTLV, as well as shops outside the district, including Coterie and Buffalo Exchange, are all great places in the downtown area to achieve your custom look. Always up on trend and at the forefront of fashion, these stores have a hard time keeping their items stacked on shelves due to popularity. Utilizing a combination of personal attributes and the color wheel below, the style gods are able to determine the best shade of green to suit your pigmentation. But with that being said, why only color within the lines? Season to season, go against the grain, dare to be different and, most importantly, definitely be you!

»Spring

Skin Tone: ivory, tan Natural Hair Color: golden brown, strawberry blonde Best Shade of Green: lime, pale green

»Summer

Skin Tone: Mocha, rosy, porcelain Natural Hair Color: light to dark brown. Best Shade of Green: jade green, hunter green

»Fall

Skin Tone: warm brown Natural Hair Color: red, golden brown Best Shade of Green: dark sea green, olive green

»Winter

Skin Tone: cool brown, porcelain Natural Hair Color: blue-black, dark ash brown Best Shade of Green: emerald green, mint green Sources: visihow.com, stylecaster.com

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Visit Blue Man Group’s ShoeZaphone at the Zappos.com downtown campus and create your own soundtrack and light show. Then come to Monte Carlo and watch us create ours!

NIGHTLY AT

TICKETS FROM $59* VIP & ONSTAGE EXPERIENCE PACKAGES AVAILABLE *SUBJECT TO TAXES AND FEES. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

Pictured: Jake Soteros/Owner Trainer/44 years old MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

©Matthew Carr

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Average Momma

aster than a speeding power wheel and able to get to the laundry room in a single leap, I put on my cape and pull back my black stringy hair. In one fluid motion I rush to my son Jax’s side because he is crying for me. My shirt is brightly emblazoned with a double ‘S’ on my chest for “Super” mom. In a cold sweat, I wake up from my daydream and remember I am not in Texas anymore. Instead, I am slaving over a sink, washing dishes in my downtown Las Vegas home that I share with my two sons, 9-year-old Jace, and 6-year-old JaxShai, and boyfriend — Downtown Ranger Lead James Gonzales. My impromptu daydream leads to reflection. I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the transition to Las Vegas was a bit daunting. I knew no better than the simplicity of a city where there was only one poorly developed major highway and a single hardly impressive shopping mall. In Corpus Christi, it seemed like everyone in town was connected and knew each other. But my favorite thing was escaping to our little beach to listen to the melodic waves crash on the shore. Since I moved to Sin City, my life has barely become what one would picture in the city that never sleeps. At my 10-year reunion everyone asked if I worked at a casino and if I had a gambling habit yet. On the contrary, I stay away from the Strip at all costs, and I spend all my free time with my sons and my boyfriend engaging in family activities (practice, games, birthday parties and events). Our schedule is full throttle. I am the catering and events manager at Nacho Daddy Downtown; and am about to take over all four locations. I also own and organize the only recreational women’s basketball league in Las Vegas. Jace is active in basketball and JaxShai plays soccer. Relaxing these days is cruising the toy aisle at Target. I try to put my kids to bed at 8:30 or 9 p.m. then work on my league obligations and my writing for hours into the night. Looking back, I have always stuck out in an obscure way. I was a little Filipino girl in a predominately Hispanic city who loved playing basketball with a bunch of white chicks in a sport that should have belonged to the black kids at

By Jennifer Miller

school. My freshman year in high school, I had to fill out a questionnaire for a recruiting book that college basketball coaches look at. One of the questions was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I watched as the other girls scribbled down their responses of “doctor, physical therapist and dentist, etc.” I sat frozen. I had no idea. I closed my eyes and concentrated on what I truly wanted to be. Then I wrote it down. When my mother saw the word “happy” in the small blank, she definitely was not. I am 33 years young still trying to grow up. The paradox of it all is that I am happy. I appreciate life and what God has given me. I wake up to my Jax crying for me and Jace telling me how much he loves Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Before I lay down, I watch them in their deep, peaceful slumber, the whole time in awe, wondering how I could have created these beautiful, perfect beings. Everything that happens in between my day is inconsequential. It’s so cliché, but once you have a child, every decision you make and every moment in your life is dedicated to that little version of you. What I have been able to establish, after a turbulent series of mistake after another, is a sense of who I am. I am the embodiment of hypocrisy. I blabber aimlessly but want to listen. I check out girls more than guys, but I know I’m not gay. I don’t want to be hot. I want to feel beautiful. I’ll get down with rap and hip-hop then go to sleep to Coltrane or country music. I want to be famous but find peace in a place where no one knows me. I might be small, but I can put up a fight. I’m a proud woman, but I suck at shopping and still don’t know how to put on makeup. I am always going to be Daddy’s little girl. I am a free spirit, and I think outside the box. Living, working and playing in downtown Las Vegas, I feel like I have some valuable insight to not only mommydom and how to navigate family and nightlife in these parts but just general direction on where to freaking park. And that helps. Hopefully you will follow my column to provide both knowledge and entertainment to some of the ins and outs of #DTLV.■ MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

ith a cup of fresh brew in hand, flip open a best selling novel and cozy into an overstuffed chair-anda-half for a weekend of solace. Surround your personal sanctuary with unique, brightly color objects to lift your mood. Glass-blown vases and ceramics will do the trick, as will decorative pillow patterns and framed wall art. Don’t stop your home décor short of a four-legged spotlight lamp for when days turn to nights and you further resist bookmarking between chapters. When home comfort is a must, put your trust in

Inside Style.

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

Spotlight

BridgetJohnson

CMYK 67, 63, 63, 57 PMS Black 7

Nacho Daddy Bartender Las Vegas is well versed in stories of luck. Even so, a brown recluse spider is an unexpected candidate for a lucky charm, unless you’re Bridget Johnson. Bridget, a charismatic bartender at Nacho Daddy, wouldn’t have ended up in downtown Las Vegas if it weren’t for the venomous critter.

CMYK 0, 10, 100, 0 PMS 7405C

CMYK 67, 63, 63, 57 PMS Black 7

“I was vacationing with friends from Ventura when I got bitten, and I had to stay in town to recover. I started to explore downtown, and I fell in love. It was exciting to me,” she says. She found an apartment above Eat and spent a few nights as Cleopatra reading tarot cards on Fremont Street before being hired to help open Nacho Daddy in 2013. Lucky for Nacho Daddy and downtown residents because as a regular noted, “No matter what you like, dislike, can’t have or don’t want, Bridget will always find you the perfect drink!”

CMYK 0, 0, 0, 0 PMS Black C

CMYK 100, 100, 100, 100

What are some unexpected items on the Nacho Daddy menu? Salads. There are lots of special salads on our menu, and I personally love to sub kale on our salads. I don’t think people know you can do that, but you can. At the bar, I try to make whatever will make someone happy, but I think our margaritas are the best. We use fresh fruit, and I add extra lime to everything. I’d order a spicy blood orange margarita. What are your favorite downtown spots? When I first moved here I met all of the staff at Triple B. They’re awesome people. I also love doing Bikram at the John E. Carson building and grabbing a smoothie from Shane at Grass Roots when I’m done.

CMYK 100, 100, 100, 100

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What is your secret to success? I love people. I want to make people happy. I actually did (still do) stand-up comedy to make people happy. As a bartender, I have learned that the most powerful word is “welcome.” What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a bartender? Skip the school. I started as a cocktail waitress, and one night when a bartender called in sick, they asked me to get behind the bar. I have been a bartender ever since. Start cocktailing or barbacking, and let your managers know you’re interested in bartending. Then, start researching recipes and practicing your pours. Bartending is all muscle memory. Nomic Spotlight features downtown employees or employers that are nominated by the community. If you’d like to nominate someone for employee or employer of the month, submit your nomination here: http://bit.ly/dteom. Shout out your nominees on Twitter or Instagram at #dteom

Follow Nomic on Twitter @nomic & Instagram @nomiclv

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©Focalchrome MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

The La Concha Revisited

>By Brian Paco Alvarez

ver since I was a little boy, the La Concha Motel was one of my favorite buildings on the Las Vegas Strip. Its unique shell shape and name always resonated with me. Though it wouldn’t be until many years later, well after I embarked on a career in the arts, that I would learn of its historic significance. Designed by famed architect Paul Revere Williams, the first African American architect inducted into the American Institute of Architects, the La Concha would be one of the few buildings made of thin-shelled concrete in Nevada. It would stand for almost 50 years as one of Las Vegas’ ultimate “Googie” midcentury modern buildings.

Eventually the La Concha would fall into decline, as would many of Las Vegas’ iconic motels and hotels, to make way for the much larger megaresorts of the Strip. Luckily, the fate of the well-known motel would not be so unfortunate, like so many others of its famous brethren. In the end, passionate members of the community demanded the La Concha be saved from a wrecking ball. The motel lobby would ultimately be cut into several sections and moved a few miles north of its original location to become part of the current day Neon Museum.■ To visit the La Concha Motel lobby at the Neon Museum, visit www.neonmuseum.org.

Images provided by the world famous Las Vegas News Bureau/ LVCVA MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

HOUSING GUIDE

BY KARINA GIRALDO

Mayan Plaza Las Vegas Apartments

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Karina Giraldo Residential Specialist

Karina@KarinaGiraldo.com T: 702.566.7222 M: 702.480.9131 F: 702.853.4470

ooking for your perfect cocoon in the center of the city? In the midst of your search for a safe haven comes forth the tranquility and comfort of Mayan Plaza. Developed in 1989, the complex’s architectural layout is inspired by a classic exterior with contemporary and modern cultural symbols infused into the design. Other than the composition-heavy significance in its foundation, I wondered what made Mayan Plaza such a popular choice for the community. Here’s what I found:

In addition to these smaller luxuries, the apartments facilitate the residents with onsite management and maintenance, semiprivate entry, assigned parking, a laundry room, controlled access and a liberal pet policy.

The Locality In the midst of a desert, some have referred to this apartment as the oasis. This is because the community is positioned within the vicinity of several key areas and locations for your transit, entertainment and practical needs.

Luxury Meets Convenience While one searches far and wide for the perfect apartment that meets their style and comfort needs, Mayan Plaza is the ideal solution for those who prefer convenience, with easy access to everyday needs and the opulence of comfort living amongst beautiful tree-lined streets.

Within walking distance lies the Downtown Casino District, Smith Center for the Performing Arts, World Market Center, Las Vegas Premium Outlets and the worldrenown Las Vegas Strip. However, the need for security is a paramount concern for any individual living here; therefore, this is why the apartment complex is strategically positioned near the LVMPD Headquarters and UMC Hospitals.

This is precisely the reason why these range of apartments have been making waves in Las Vegas, with their team of professionals who go out of their way to make the residential complex one that is warm and responsive.

Choose from a variety of spacious apartments, each designed to meet and exceed living expectations. With all its modern amenities, exquisite structure and attractive pricing, Mayan Plaza Las Vegas Apartments is your dream home.■

The Interior: Comfort At Its Best Mayan Plaza, with its two floors and 316 units, offers a wide variety of apartment choices that will suit almost anyone’s budget. Starting from a one bedroom range of 700 square feet priced at $675-775 to the two bedrooms of 924 square feet at $775-900, the complex incorporates the amenities of a pool, spa, whirlpool Jacuzzi tub, racquetball court, a fitness center, and that’s just the entertainment bit!

MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

By Fernando Reyes "Fu-- art! Make it pop! Pop!," said the owner. I step back outside and look at my mural. "Pop? What does he mean by that?," I pondered. It's dark as I step out into the morning dawn. I go to work early to beat the summer heat of 2014, but it will soon catch me out in the open and make the sweat sting in my eyes; I wipe it off every few seconds. I drink and drink and drink water, but I don't have to pee. It drips out of my pores as I pour it in, 115-degree days. Why?! Why would I submit myself to such torturous conditions? 43

dtZEN.com â&#x20AC;˘ MAR 2015

Three years ago I had done it, it was 113 all three days it took me. Out in the sun, not in the shade. I had done it then, and I said, "Never again!" And yet there I was again. Out in the blazing sun, not in the shade, I tell you. Why? Because I refuse to let anything stop me from doing what I love to do and because I need to pay bills. Besides, this job has been three years in the making: Lost Vegas Antiques. Three years ago I was painting a mural for a Cuban restaurant on Las Vegas Boulevard, which is no

longer there. The owner of Lost Vegas Antiques sent one of his workers over to buy a Cuban sandwich, and while he waited for the meal, he talked to me. He went off, and he came back the next day. He had told the owner about me and he told me the owner wanted to see me. I went after work. The owner embodies that Vegas of before, the era of the mafia-ruled casinos. When I first arrived in Las Vegas, I became enamored with that Vegas, the glamour, glitz and class, the Rat Pack cool. I had the idea of having that side of Vegas rub off on me by assimilating that native culture

that I find in the personage of Rich Brugel and his antique store. He agreed to see what sketches I came up with, and I came up with a grand design. He said he liked the idea, but he wasn't ready for it yet. "Return in one month," he said. After a month I came back. "Come back in three months." He had me coming back again and again and all in futility. Why?! Why would I keep coming back to what seemed empty promises? Because on one of those trips I brought in a Marilyn Monroe painting to sell him, and he didn't

like it. I came back in two days with another Marilyn, and he bought it. "You hit a homerun with this one," he said. What he didn't know was that I really needed that money. He fed me and took care of my rent. He kept me going. That's why I kept coming back month after month, sometimes just to visit and talk to him. It all began, finally, in 2014 with The Beatles. He had a mural of the cover of the "Help" album that really needed help. I suggested the "Rubber Soul" cover instead, and he liked the idea, "Come back in a month."

I came back in two weeks, and again, I desperately needed money to pay bills. I didn't tell him that though. He agreed, and I started the next day. Now I ask you, after all that I went through, patiently waiting for three years for this mural gig, why?! Why would I let a 115-degree day stop me? I didn't. Thank you Beatles, thank you Rich, thank you universe. P.S. I ended up painting The Beatles, but not the "Rubber Soul" cover.â&#x2013;

MAR 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ dtZEN.com

D O W N T O W N

restaurant R E V I E W

Joe Vicari’s

Andiamo

Italian Steakhouse at The D Casino By DS Madison

ocated on the second floor of The D Las Vegas hotel and casino on Fremont Street, Andiamo Italian Steakhouse is a classic steakhouse with an Italian twist. A walk down the brick-lined hallway leads to this elegant restaurant. Greeted by the smiling hostess, we were escorted to the dining table covered with a traditional white tablecloth and folded black napkins. The seats were comfortable leather armchairs. While some steakhouses prefer dramatically dim settings, the lighting here was perfect. A glance around showed that the dress code was relaxed and casual wear is allowed. Waiter Ioan (ee-Yoh-an) introduced himself and was remarkable with his guest service and menu knowledge. After describing the rotating daily special, he pointed out the wine list that covered the entire back of their food menu and featured wines from France, Germany and Italy as well as some California vineyards. Additionally, he suggested a look at the bar menu that had specialty cocktails including a “White Cosmopolitan” ($14) with Grey Goose vodka, Cointreau liqueur, fresh lime and white cranberry juice and the “F.S.E.” ($14) made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, Martini & Rossi Rosso Extra Dry Vermouth, Gran Marnier liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters and muddled oranges and cherries. While looking over the menus, a breadbasket was delivered. It held assorted breads including crusty French and soft Italian bread slices, crunchy breadsticks and Parmesan crisps. It was served with a tapenade of roasted eggplant, olives and garlic. Deciding on the calamari as an appetizer ($9 small) it was prepared lightly fried, served with a house-made tomato basil sauce and garnished with lemon wedges. Although it was the small portion, it was enough to share. The tableside service Caesar salad ($9 per person) came next. The mixing of the salad was a show in and of itself. First the Caesar dressing was whisked in a large wooden bowl as Ioan explained the different items as he added them, including whole egg yolks, anchovies, 45

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Grassroots is located at

123 S. Sixth Street, Suite 160 Las Vegas, NV 89101 702.560.5444 They are open Monday-Saturday: 7:00a.m.-Close For more information please visit: www.grassrootslv.com

extra virgin Italian olive oil and Dijon mustard among others. Finally the hearts of romaine lettuce were tossed and topped with shaved Parmesan cheese and croutons. The freshness of all the ingredients was evident in every bite. The entrée choice was a 24-ounce porterhouse steak ($45). It was cooked to a perfect medium rare served with razor-thin sliced fried onions rings. Optional sauces available include Andiamo signature zip sauce, cabernet shallot demi-glace or balsamic glaze with cipollini onions. Side dishes were served in a small cast iron skillet. The lobster black truffle baked ziti ($14) was tender pasta with chunks of lobster in a rich cheese sauce. The homemade Italian sausage ($7) came with a light tomato sauce and tasted of the right blend of meat and spices. A nearby table ordered the 32-ounce Andiamo tomahawk rib eye steak ($79),

For diners not in the mood for steak, Andiamo offers a variety of other menu items as well. The “Fruitti di Mare” (#37) is gulf shrimp, sea scallops, mussels and calamari in a spicy sauce with homemade pasta while the half roasted chicken ($26) features peppers and onions with a red wine sage sauce. The dining experience at Andiamo Italian Steakhouse was pleasant and memorable. Besides the impeccable service from Ioan, the general manager Christopher was seen greeting patrons and asking if anything was needed. Reservations are highly recommended. As the restaurant is family friendly, I would suggest requesting a booth for a more private encounter. Another option is seating at the bar with a full menu available. Downtown Las Vegas will always have that “Old Vegas” feeling, but Andiamo Italian Steakhouse is definitely a testament to the relaxed fine dining atmosphere that is missing in some places.■

Images courtesy of The D

and it was an impressive exhibition of beef overflowing from the serving platter. The dessert display was on a large rolling cart, and Ioan had a little difficulty wheeling it between the tables, but it was worth the effort when he described and presented the more than a dozen treats. He told how the desserts were a rotating assortment as well. The cheesecake selection ($7) was definitely a good choice. It was made with sweetened ricotta cheese and vanilla. The cheesecake was rich but not heavy at all due to being made with the ricotta. It was served with mixed berries, including fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries marinated in Gran Marnier liqueur and crowned with a fresh mint leaf and a white chocolate wafer.

Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse is located Inside The D Casino 301 Fremont St. 707 Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 For more information 702.388.2400 | TheD.com They are open 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

D O W N T O W N

bar

R E V I E W

Oak & Ivy By Charlene Sands

he Irish coffee. A simple drink, fairly well known. It contains four ingredients: hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and whipped cream. And that’s what Oak & Ivy Creative Lead Christopher Gutierrez tells me compromises a classic cocktail — four ingredients plus a great story. Gutierrez goes on to explain how the Irish Whiskey came about. In the 1940s a bartender at an international airport in Ireland noticed the passengers were seeming to drag in an excessive manner on a very dreary winter evening. To wake them up while warming them up, the combination of whiskey and coffee so fortuitously came to him. Necessity is the mother of invention, and an international airport is the perfect hub for a sensational drink to grow wings and travel out and about. And thus the Irish coffee takes the world by storm and becomes a classic cocktail we are still drinking and raving about today. Did you order a Moscow mule? Well, great, because you’re in for another story from Gutierrez about how it completely changed the cocktail world in the 1950s. As distributors came to push their brands through spreading the popularity of crafted cocktails specifically made with their liquors Smirnoff aimed to do just that with the Moscow mule, and look at them now. Inquiring about the tanning differences in aged bourbons? They’ll show you and give you some tastenote insight. Inquiring about the “Apple Pie Harvest” whiskey cocktail? You bet Gutierrez has a very personal story about the cocktail that he concocted amongst friends. Literally at every turn, with every customer, Gutierrez and his staff are witnessed divulging some little nugget of knowledge, whatever the cocktail, whatever the inquiry. I have yet to have an experience at Oak & Ivy in which this is not the case. To say the Oak & Ivy staff is a wealth of cocktail knowledge is almost an understatement. The menu contains over 50 whiskeys, five whiskey flights, five whiskey cocktails, seven barrel-aged cocktails, nine 47

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Grassroots is located at

123 S. Sixth Street, Suite 160 Las Vegas, NV 89101 702.560.5444 They are open Monday-Saturday: 7:00a.m.-Close For more information please visit: www.grassrootslv.com

different variations of the Moscow mule, 30 beers, four wines and seven Oak & Ivy-unique seasonal cocktails. Doing the math on the amount of stories and facts they potentially have to share makes my head ache, in a very impressed way. Oak & Ivy is located in the southeast corner of the container park in downtown Las Vegas. It’s a small, cozy rectangular building housing only eight red leather stools at its bar. The bar is lined with a brass rail and bookended by two eclectic glass lamps and two ornately framed glamor era black and white photographs. The walls are dark and several brass lamps and one chandelier hang from the ceiling. It is all a very minimalist take on a lodgelike speakeasy vibe that most craft cocktail bars aim to evoke. This simplicity and size lends itself entirely to the experience the Oak & Ivy staff is hoping to impart to their customers.

The experience at Oak & Ivy is not one you will encounter at your run-of-the-mill cocktail bar where you are being told what is cool with no rhyme or reason, if you are being told anything at all. Rather, you are being enlightened about what happens to be cool about whatever drink it is you and your bartender come upon during your discourse. It’s this approachability of expertise that sets Oak & Ivy apart from the pack. It’s the service that, whether you’re simply ordering a Bud Light or wanting a full 101 on a whiskey flight, will not waiver. It’s the expectation that each employee be cocktail-competition ready as a standard. It’s that they keep on the top of their game. It’s the seasonal menu that is dictated by the exact change of weather, not dates. It is a fully collaborative effort of the very skilled staff who never duplicate a menu once that particular season’s run is over. Speaking of such things, Gutierrez tells us the upcoming spring menu will possibly feature a matcha tea and Four Roses whiskey combo, a rhubarb-infused creation and possibly a million other combinations he and his staff are mulling over. We know we’ll be back to try them out and to learn another golden factoid or two, and we implore you to do the same.■

©Emily Wilson

Most people think of a hidden address in some back alley with a secret code word required to get in if you broach them with the idea of a craft cocktail speakeasy. If you let the concept further, you will usually be met with the irritation that is birthed when people encounter the aloof and uppity qualities so often associated with craft cocktail culture. It’s usually a cool guy’s club, and if you don’t know, you weren’t meant to. Expect the exact opposite at Oak & Ivy. The size of the bar helps the staff carry on those consistent dialogues with bar goers and gives an air of easy intimacy without being overwhelming. Everyone is invited to this atmosphere. If you know your stuff, they’ve got it. If you don’t know your stuff, don’t worry, the staff is going to find out what you may like and teach you a thing or two about it.

Oak & Ivy is located inside Downtown Container Park at 707 Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 They are open Monday-Thursday: 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday: 1 p.m.-1 a.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday: 1 a.m.-11 p.m. For more information please visit: OakAndIvy.com MAR 2015 • dtZEN.com

events calendar Daily Events

Matilda & Patrick’s Ja-Makin’-Me-Laugh location: The D Las Vegas Showroom time: 2:30 p.m., except Fridays Marriage Can Be Murder location: The D Las Vegas Showroom time: 6:15 p.m.

March 1 SUNDAY

Roos-N-More As Roos-N-More looks to re-open in the coming months, Zappos.com will be inviting the public to a community event on its campus. See the animals and enjoy the kids’ zone! General admission tickets are $12 for children, $18 for adults. VIP tickets are $28 for children, $38 for adults. location: Zappos time: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m. La Luz the Shivas, Same Sex Mary Come out for a night of music and drinks! location: The Bunkhouse Saloon time: 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

March 2 Monday

Industry Night No cover, drink specials with TAM card and a night of pure entertainment! DJ Miyuki will be spinning all night long. location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

March 3 Tuesday

Nickel Beer Night Cheap beer and great people make for the perfect night out! location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.

March 4 Wednesday

Bingo and Beers Come drink and play on the first Wednesday of every month. Purchase a drink and get bingo cards for the chance to win a variety of prizes. location: Banger Brewing time: 5 p.m. Geeks Who Drink Test your knowledge and your tolerance at this nerdy and cool, guy-friendly event! location: The Bunkhouse Saloon time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Karate Karaoke Karaoke and drink specials: $6 beers and shots. location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m. The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas location: The Smith Center time: 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m.

March 5 Thursday Pub Trivia At Atomic Win bar tabs and prizes every Thursday! location: Atomic Liquors time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

dtZEN.com • MAR 2015

Preview Thursdays Many galleries and other businesses open their doors so the serious art buyers can beat the crowds and mingle with other art lovers. location: Trifecta Gallery Rachel’s Kitchen 2nd Anniversary To help celebrate their two years of success, Rachel’s Kitchen in the Ogden will be providing complimentary champagne with your meal and wonderful food specials! location: Rachel’s Kitchen time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

March 6 Friday

First Friday First Friday is celebrated in the Arts District of downtown Las Vegas and celebrates young and established local artists. location: Arts District time: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. more info: FirstFridayLasVegas.com Park Jam Park Jam, at Park on Fremont, will be taking over downtown March 6-7. This weekend, extreme sports event features a 30-foot, snow-covered ramp that will allow snowboarders to throw their best tricks for a cash purse grand prize. This event will be presented by Zappos Ride Shop and is in collaboration between ParkFab & Kore Group, WENDOH and Corner Bar Management. location: Park on Fremont time: 5:30 p.m.

March 7 Saturday

Free Family Music & Dance Events in Lorenzi Park Shirley Chen and her dancers will present a program of folk dances from many different regions of China. This is a free event for all ages. location: Lorenzi Park time: 2 p.m. Park Jam location: Park on Fremont time: Doors Open at 3 p.m. Competition starts at 6 p.m.

FEbruary 9 Monday

Karate Karaoke location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

MARCH 12 Thursday

Pub Trivia At Atomic Win bar tabs and prizes every Thursday! location: Atomic Liquors time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Nevada’s Big Give Join thousands of Nevadans online to support your favorite charity or discover a new charity that can use your help. Let's join together and support Nevada charities in 24 hours of online giving. Every donation you make gives your favorite organization the chance to win financial prizes while also furthering their mission. It's easy, and starting at $10, you can give where you live. location: Your Home time: All Day

FEbruary 13 Friday

Mozart to Nuevo Tango Enjoy an evening of classical and Argentinian music from Mozart to Nuevo Tango followed by a taste of Argentinian wines and tapas. For ticket and price information, visit nsamusic.org or call 702.384.2787 location: Historic Fifth Street School time: 7 p.m. Once On This Island location: The Smith Center time: 8 p.m. Barbara Cook location: The Smith Center time: 7 p.m. Boy Hits Car, Revolve, Someday Broken, Moonboots and Alyeska Perform Come out for a night of epic performances! location: Backstage Bar & Billiards time: 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

March 14 Saturday Once On This Island location: The Smith Center time: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Industry Night location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

Barbara Cook location: The Smith Center time: 7 p.m.

FEbruary 10 Tuesday

March 15 Sunday

Nickel Beer Night Cheap beer and great people make for the perfect night out! location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.

FEbruary 11 Wednesday

Geeks Who Drink Test your knowledge and your tolerance at this nerdy and cool, guy-friendly event! location: The Bunkhouse Saloon time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Once On This Island location: The Smith Center time: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Barbara Cook location: The Smith Center time: 2 p.m.

March 16 Monday ndustry Night location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

March 17 tuesday

Karaoke At The Kitchen The winners, chosen each Tuesday, will have a chance to compete on June 13 for Downtown’s Got Talent. location: Rachel’s Kitchen time: 5 p.m.-7 p.m. St. Patty’s Stumble We’re kicking things off at Stitch Factory at 6:30 p.m. and then heading out to the bars downtown at 7:30 p.m. Each bar will offer exclusive drink specials for our festive group. Cost is $20 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Grant a Gift Autism Foundation. location: Stitch Factory time: 6:30 p.m. Nickel Beer Night Cheap beer and great people make for the perfect night out! location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Frankie Moreno: Under The Influence location: The Smith Center time: 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Newsies location: The Smith Center time: 7:30 p.m.

March 18 Wednesday

Geeks Who Drink Test your knowledge and your tolerance at this nerdy and cool, guy-friendly event! location: The Bunkhouse Saloon time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Newsies location: The Smith Center time: 7:30 p.m. Karate Karaoke Karaoke and drink specials: $6 beers and shots. location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

March 19 Thursday

Coin Purse DIYs Choose from a selection of leather and embellishments, such as beading, crystals and charms, to design your very own mini bag! location: Stitch Factory time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Wrap Bracelets DIY Come to Stitch Factory and get three bangles and your choice of embroidery thread and charms to get your arms all geared up for a colorful New Year! location: Stitch Factory time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Pub Trivia At Atomic Win bar tabs and prizes every Thursday! location: Atomic Liquors time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Newsies location: The Smith Center time: 7:30 p.m.

March 20 Friday Wrap Bracelets DIY location: Stitch Factory time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Jake Shimabukuro location: The Smith Center time: 7 p.m. Newsies location: The Smith Center time: 7:30 p.m.

March 21 Saturday Newsies location: The Smith Center time: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jake Shimabukuro location: The Smith Center time: 7 p.m. Mamo Brings a Celebration of Hawaiian Music and Heritage Mamo is the name of the duo of award-winning Hawaiian musicians, vocalist Nathan Aweau and guitarist Jeff Peterson, with ukulele and traditional Hawaiian percussion. location: Historic Street School time: 8 p.m.-11 p.m. The Chicken Shack On the third Saturday of each month, The JuJu Man invites all good peoples to The Bunkhouse Saloon for free fried chicken! No cover! location: The Bunkhouse Saloon time: 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

March 22 Sunday

Conversations with Norm – Special Guests Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Oscar Goodman location: The Smith Center time: 2 p.m. Newsies location: The Smith Center time: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

March 23 Monday ndustry Night location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

March 24 Tuesday

Frankie Moreno: Under The Influence location: Smith Center time: 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Nickel Beer Night location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.

March 25 Wednesday

Geeks Who Drink location: The Bunkhouse Saloon time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Karate Karaoke Karaoke and drink specials: $6 beers and shots. location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

MARCH March 26 Thursday

Leather Visor DIY For $40, join Stitch Factory and make your very own super cool and practical leather visor. location: Stitch Factory time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Lace Mouse Ears DIY For $25, students will be provided with all necessary supplies for this workshop, including one basic black headband, wire and black lace. location: Stitch Factory time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Kimono Making DIY For $40, this workshop includes up to three hours of in-house workshop time, as well as the use of Stitch Factory machines (i.e. single needle straight stitch and serger). location: Stitch Factory time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Girls Night Out: The Musical location: Smith Center time: 7 p.m. Pub Trivia At Atomic location: Atomic Liquors time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

March 27 Friday Leather Visor DIY location: Stitch Factory 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

Lace Mouse Ears DIY location: Stitch Factory 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Girls Night Out: The Musical location: The Smith Center time: 7 p.m. “Reckless in Vegas” location: Downtown Grand time: 9 p.m.-11 p.m. Part Time, Broken Water, Moonboots and DJ Fish Perform Enjoy a night of epic performances location: Beauty Bar $7 tickets at LVTicketsNow.com; $10 cover day of show

March 28 Saturday

Girls Night Out: The Musical location: The Smith Center time: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

March 29 SUNDAY

Girls Night Out: The Musical location: The Smith Center time: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

March 30 Monday

London Symphony Orchestra and Michael Tilson Thomas with Yuja Wang location: The Smith Center time: 7:30 p.m. ndustry Night location: Beauty Bar time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

A RESTAURANTS 100 The Beat Coﬀeehouse G5 520 Fremont St. 702.385.2328

101 Le Thai G5 523 Fremont St.

702.778.0888 102 Triple George Grill F4 201 N. Third St. 702.384.2761

103 Tacos El Gordo J8 1724 E. Charleston Blvd. 702.251.8226

104 Chicago Joe’s E7 820 S. Fourth St.

702.382.5637 www.chicagojoesrestaurant.com

105 Bar+Bistro D8 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite #155 702.202.6060

106 Mundo – A Culinary Haute Spot C5 495 S. Grand Central Pkwy. 702.270-4400 107 Courthouse Bar & Grill E5 330 S. Third St. 702.388-8222 108 City Centre Café F6 375 Lewis Ave. 702.383.4055

110 Viva Las Arepas D10 1616 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite #120 702.336.9696

111 Subway G5 600 Fremont St. 702.302.5020 113 Jason’s Deli D3 100 City Pkwy. 702.366.0130

115 Luv It Frozen Custard D10 505 E. Oakey Blvd. 702.384.6452

116 Lola’s: B8 A Louisiana Kitchen

117 C8

241 W. Charleston Blvd. #101 702.227.5652 Casa Don Juan Restaurant 1204 S. Main St. 702.384.8070 www.casadonjuanlv.com

118 eat. G5 707 Carson Ave.

702.534.1515 www.eatdowntownlv.com

119 Du-Par’s F5 Restaurant & Bakery 1 Fremont St. (Inside Golden Gate) 702.385.1906

120 E5

200 Lewis Ave. 702.631.1112 www.capriottis.com

121 El Sombrero Café D7 807 S. Main St. 702.382.9234

124 Big Ern’s BBQ G5 707 Fremont St. (Container Park) 702.834.7845

125 Pop Up Pizza E4 1 Main St. (PLAZA HOTEL) 702.366.0049 www.popuppizzalv.com

126 Denny’s F4 450 Fremont St. (Inside Neonopolis) 702.471.0056 www.dennys.com

127 Rachel’s Kitchen G5 150 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

(Inside Retail Space at Ogden) www.rachelskitchen.com

128 Radio City Pizza G5 508 Fremont St.

702.982.5055 www.radiocitypizza.com

129 Park on Fremont G5 506 Fremont St.

702.798.7000 www.parkonfremont.com

130 Anthony’s Pizza & Deli E5 321 S. Casino Center Blvd., Suite #125 702.896.0353

131 La Comida G5 100 Sixth St.

702.463.9900 www.facebook.com/LaComidaLV

1132 Doña Maria's Tamales D8 910 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.382.6538

133 Mingo Kitchen and Lounge 1C8 1017 First St., Suite #180 702.685.0328

134 Bronze Café inside The Center H7 401 S Maryland Pkwy 702.202.3100

136 Nacho Daddy C10 113 N. 4th St.

702.778.7800 www.nachodaddy.com

138 Vickie’s Diner G4 1700 S. Las Vegas Blvd

702.444.4459 www.tiﬀanyscafelv.com

139 Art of Flavors G5 1616 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.676.1027 www.Facebook.com Search "Art of Flavors"

140 MTO Café D5 500 S. Main St.

702.380.8229 www.mtocafe.com

141 O Face Doughnuts G5 124 S. Sixth St. Suite 140

702.476.3223 www.Facebook.com Search “O Face Doughnuts”

142 Rock ‘N’oodles C8 1108 S. Third St.

702.522.9953 www.rocknoodles.com

143 The Goodwich G5 1516 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite A 702.910.8681 www.the-goodwich.com

144 Carson Kitchen F5 124 S. Sixth St.

702.473.9523 www.carsonkitchen.com

145 Zaba’s Mexican Grill E4 1 Main St. (PLAZA HOTEL) 702.207.0777 www.zabas.com

BARS, LOUNGES & NIGHTCLUBS 200 Downtown Cocktail Room (DCR) G5 111 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

702.880.3696 201 Bar+Bistro D8 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite #155 702.202.6060

202 D8 1025 S. First St. 702.489.6339

203 Beauty Bar G5 517 Fremont St., Suite #A

702.598.1965 www.thebeautybar.com/las_vegas

204 Dino’s Lounge D10 1516 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.382.3894 205 Banger Brewing F4 450 Fremont St. Suite 135 702.456.2739 www.bangerbrewing.com

206 The Griﬃn G5 511 Fremont St. 702.382.0577

207 Hogs & Heifers Saloon F4 201 N. 3rd St., Suite #130

702.676.1457 www.hogsandheifers.com

208 Insert Coin(s) G5 512 Fremont St.

702.447.2525 www.insertcoinslv.com

209 Vanguard Lounge G5 516 Fremont St.

702.868.7800 www.vanguardlv.com

210 Commonwealth G5 525 Fremont St.

702.798.7000 www.commonwealthlv.com

211 Backstage Bar & Billiards G5 601 Fremont St.

702.382.2223 www.backstagebarandbilliards.com

212 Bunkhouse H6 124 S. 11th St.

702.384.4536 www.bunkhouselv.com

213 Don’t Tell Mama G5 517 Fremont St. 702.207.0788

214 Atomic Liquors H5 917 Fremont St.

702.349.2283 www.atomiclasvegas.com

215 Velveteen Rabbit C9 1218 S. Main St.

415 Inside Style C8 1119 S. Main St.

702.384.8444 www.goldspike.com

217 Aruba Lounge D9 1215 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.382.3987

218 Scullery F4 150 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

702.910.2396 www.facebook.com Search “Scullery”

219 Mingo Kitchen & Lounge C8 1017 S. First St., Suite #180 702.685.0328 www.eatmixmingo.com

220 Inspire Theater F4 501 Fremont St.

400 Coterie G5 515 Fremont St.

702.685.7741 www.facebook.com Search “Coterie Downtown”

401 Globe Salon E7 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite #130 702.938.4247 www.globesalon.com

404 Vexed By Design C8 1017 First St., Suite #185 702.275.7141 www.vexedlv.com

406 Josephine Skaught Hairdressing D8 1025 S. First St. Suite 165 702.431.8071 josephineskaught@yahoo.com

409 C10 1421 S. Commerce St. 702.439.3923

410 Freddie Ramon C10 220 E. Charleston Blvd.

702.997.0222

413 Happy Panda Toys C8 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite #105A 702.516.3432

414 Hillary Salon C8 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite #250 702.525.1053

J 1

1502

702.521.0725

417 Photo Bang Bang C10 224 E. Imperial Ave. 702.518.7427

419 Williams Costume Co. D9 1226 S. Third St.

1504 1505

702.998.9490

422 Rogue Toys E7 616 Las Vegas Blvd S.

702.330.3945 www.roguetoys.com 423 Don Vicente Cigars Intl. E7 624 Las Vegas Blvd S. 702.526.3922

424 E7 1106 Fremont St. 702.541.8282

425 D8 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd. Suite 1

113

700 Real Results Gym C9

1201 S. Commerce St. 702.331.3172 www.realresultsﬁtness.com 100 City Pkwy., Suite #160 702.824.9614

702 FreeStyle CrossFit D6

727 S. Main St. 702.685.5070 www.freestylecrossﬁt.com

125 145

1503

130

900

802 The D Las Vegas F4

301 Fremont St. 702.388.2400 www.thed.com

129 Fremont St. 702.385.7111 www.goldennugget.com

804 Plaza Hotel & Casino E4

1 S. Main St. 800.634.6575 www.plazahotelcasino.com 206 N. Third St. 855.384.7263 www.downtowngrand.com

806 Oasis at the Gold Spike G4

217 Las Vegas Blvd. 888.734.8503

203 101

100 213

1000 The Ogden G4 150 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

131

211

602

422

1002

518 517

219 404 1213 413

1600

1001

1003

407

702.754.6300 www.juhlst.com

702.387.0093

104

800.585.3737

702.724.1436 www.9thbridgeschool.com

1102 Nevada School of the Arts F6 401 S. Fourth St., Suite #125

702.384.2787 www.nsamusic.org

6th Street Workspace 317 S. Sixth St. 702.534.3804 www.workinprogress.lv

201

116

1211 1203

202

513

221

415

142

412 133

901

117

501 700 521 523 503 515

000

406 414 12151401 1201105 112 425 500 1212 1216

103

132

419

The Las Vegas HackerSpace 117 N. Fourth St. www.synshop.org

103 Fremont East Studios G4

104 G4

221 N. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.463.9029 www.fremonteaststudios.com 300 N. Las Vegas Blvd. Suite 120 702.476.5552

217 509 510

1001

511

507

401

516

520 522

1202

410

204

514

417 1206

143

139

110 138 603

115

11 A

1020 Fremont St. #100 702.550.6399 www.thewritersblock.org

520 Fremont St. 702.385.328 1201 Arts Factory C7 107 E. Charleston Blvd. 702.383.3133 G5

1202 Amanda Harris Gallery 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite #150 E7

702.269.6036 Amanda.nelle@gmail.com

409

105 Writers Block

100 Emergency Arts

508 1209

519

1211 Downtown Contemporary Gallery C8 at artSquare

509 Glam Factory Vintage D9 211 E. Colorado Ave. 702.443.0131

1025 First St., Suite #145 702.358.7022

1212 Pinup Pointe Art Gallery C8 4 E. Charleston Blvd.

510 Gypsy Den D9 213 E. Colorado Ave. 702.684.1628

1213 RTZ Vegas C8 1017 S. First St., Suite #195

511 Western Gypsy in the Kangaroo Court 1306 S. Third St. 702.868.3302

702.302.7878

702.592.2164

1214 Ryan Williams Art Gallery C8 1025 S. First St.

321.258.9032

1215 Sin City Gallery C8 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite #100

702.608.2461

1216 Trifecta C8 135 E. Charleston Blvd.

1203 Art Square C7 1025 S. First St.

Las Vegas, NV 89101 www.artsquarelv.com 1204 Gainsburg Studio, Inc. C7 1039 S. Main St. 702.249.3200 www.gainsburgstudio.com 1206 Blackbird Studios C10 1551 S. Commerce St., Suite #A

702.782.0319 www.blackbirdstudioslv.com

1207 Selah (an art studio) G7 509 S. Seventh St.

702.203.6254 www.selahlv.com

513 C8 D9

515 C9

516

RECURRING EVENTS

517

1300 First Friday Main Hub C9 Casino Center Boulevard

Between Colorado Street & California Street

1301 Downtown3rd Farmers Market 300 Block of North Main Street F4

Directly Next To The Mob Museum

ENTERTAINMENT 1400 The Smith Center 361 Symphony Park Ave. C5

702.749.2000

1401 Art Square Theater 1025 S. First St. C8

702.308.8087 info@artsquarelv.com

220 Inspire News Cafe 501 Fremont St. F4 702.910.2388

MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS 1501 The Mob Museum 300 Stewart Ave. F4

702.229.2732

1502 Old Las Vegas Fort H1 500 E. Washington Ave.

702.486.3511

1503 Discovery Children’s B7 Museum

360 Promenade Pl. 702.382.3445

1504 Natural History Museum H2 900 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

702.384.3466

1505 The Neon Museum H2 770 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

702.387.6366 www.neonmuseum.org

ANTIQUE ALLEY 500 Retro Vegas C8 1131 S. Main St. 702.384.2700 501 Amberjoy's Vintage Closet C8 1225 S. Main Street 702.825.2020 www.amberjoysvintagecloset.com 502 C8

1300 S. Main St.. 702.776.6222 www.patinadecorlv.com

503 Armstrong’s Emporium C9 1228 S. Main St. 702.366.1995 504 C9

1300 S. Main St., Suite #110 702.331.4660

505 Desert Buddha C9 1300 S. Main St., Suite #120 702.383.1008 507 C9

1310 S. Main St. 702.384.8463

1112 S. Commerce St. 702.366.7030

514 Sin City Pickers C10 10 W. Wyoming Ave. 702.366.9166

702.366.7001

ART STUDIOS 1300

504 502 505

508 The Funk House D9 1228 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702.678.6278

702.409.7549

102 SYN SHOP

1204

1214

1209 City of the World C9 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd.

SCHOOLS 1100 Las Vegas Academy G6 315 S. 7th St.

1207

421

134

416

1002 E7 353 E. Bonneville Ave.

101 Work In Progress -

212

101

702.383.0979

COMMUNITY SPACES

1100

121

105

1701

1001 E7 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

1101 9th Bridge Early Development I5 310 S. Ninth St.

210

214

118

108 132

702

805 Downtown Grand Las Vegas F4

206

423

803 Golden Nugget F4

400

209

111 220 127 200 141 800 604 144 124

1102

104

500

107 120

800 El Cortez

600 Fremont St. 800.634.6703

HIGH-RISE LIVING

1003 D7 200 Hoover Ave.

208

216 102 126 205 127 136 119 218 1000

303 304

1400

140

424

103 806 803 802

HOTEL & CASINOS G5

139 207 102 805

804

701 24hr Fitness E3

129 220 128

1501

106

701 1301

702.678.6089 www.reclaimedart.org

FITNESS

495 S. Main St. 702.229.6011 901 Veteran’s Village D5 1150 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.624.5792 www.vvlv.org

702.685.0300

702.384.1384

421 Let Me Nail You F7 514 Bonneville Ave.

HUMAN SERVICES 900 Las Vegas City Hall D5

702.776.7766

412 Gaia Flowers C8 6 E. Charleston Blvd.

407 Cowtown Guitars D7 1009 S. Main St.

702.866.2600 www.cowtownguitars.com

702.399.1100

702.910.2388

RETAIL SHOPS, BOUTIQUES & SALONS

416 Nature’s Element D7 817 S. Main St.

(702) 685-9645

216 Gold Spike G5 217 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

518 F7

519 B9

1227 S. Main St. 702.539.0799 1304 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.300.2476 625 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.382-1882 630 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702.464.3299 1422 Western Ave. 702.384.4922

520 Main Street America C9 1400 S. Main St. 702.476.1400 www.main-street-america.com 521 B9

1216 S. Main St. 702.877.3000

522 Laura’s Treasures C9 1411 S. Main St. 702.772.1744 www.las-vegas-collectibles.com 523 Buﬀalo Exchange C8 1209 S. Main St. 702.791.3960 www.buﬀaloexchange.com

LEGAL SERVICES 1600 Craig P. Kenny & Associates G7 501 S. Eight St.

702.380.2800 www.cpklaw.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS 1700 Dr. Azimi DDS E8 820 S. Seventh St.

702.759.0005

1701 Turntable Health G5 701 Bridger Ave., Suite #150

702.479.1515 www.turntablehealth.com

COFFEE SPOTS 100 The Beat Coﬀeehouse 520 Fremont St. G5 702.385.2328 500 Starbucks F5

300 S. Fourth St. #7 702.759.3426

220 Inspire News Cafe

501 Fremont St. 702.910.2388 221 Makers & Finders Coﬀee C8 1120 South Main St., Suite #110 702.586.8255 www.makersandﬁnderslv.com . F4

GROCERY

602 Cake World Bakery

220 N. Maryland Pkwy. 702.471.7111 603 White Cross Market C10 1700 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 382.3382 I5

604 The MARKET G5

611 Fremont St. 702.586.3401 www.themarketdtlv.com